Thursday, september 24, 2015 (new) by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

NERC to sanction market operator, TCN over bank account CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

igerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, said it is set to sanction

Amadi

Vol. 5 N0. 1207

Market Operator, MO, for operating unilateral bank account. NERC’s Head, Public Affairs, Dr. Usman AbbaArabi, in a statement stated that already a No-

Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

tice of Commencement of Enforcement Action had been issued on the Market Operator for the unilateral bank account. According to the stateCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Behold the over 160 years Lagos Central Mosque P.10

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Sallah: IG orders massive deployment of police Buhari assures on security, wellbeing of Nigerians

ROTIMI FADEYI AND OMEIZA AJAYI

s Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts across the world to commemorate this year’s Eidel-Kabir celebrations, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase has ordered a massive deployment of policemen across the country. This is to forestall any possible breach of peace and hence, ensure a smooth celebration.

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Youth taking away rams bought for Sallah celebration at Kara along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, yesterday.

INSIGHT Tejuosho Market:

A beautiful edifice beyond traders’ reach P38 P.38

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

HID Awolowo for burial November 25

…date coincides with posthumous Centenary birthday celebration

50 killed as gunmen attack Niger community

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B’Haram: Troops arrest commander, 42 others ...free 241 women, children P.4

FG orders IG, security agencies to rescue Falae P.6

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Sallah: IG orders massive deployment of police CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In his message of felicitations signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole, the IGP said, the police will provide robust security throughout the period of the festival. He therefore ordered effective and extensive deployment of personnel, including movement of necessary logistics to all nooks and crannies in the country. “He has equally mandated all Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure adequate security with standard operation procedures before, during and after the celebrations to secure key and vulnerable points, eid-praying grounds and other places of worship, including public places and recreation centres,” she said. The IGP equally enjoined Nigerians to always report any act of criminality to the police at all times as security agents are prepared to take prompt and decisive actions. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, had yesterday announced the deployment of 40,000 officers and men ahead of the celebration. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that their safety, well-being and progress remain uppermost in his thoughts and actions. The president said he would continue to work in order to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration. In his Eid-el-Kabir message, Buhari called for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming its current security, economic and developmental challenges. The President, according to a statement issued yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, also congratulated Nigerian

Muslims, who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj. As they join the global Islamic community in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir, Buhari urged Muslims and other Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service, which are for the benefit of all mankind. The President also directed the Armed Forces and national security agencies to provide maximum security across the

nation during eid-prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks Buhari said his thoughts and prayers for divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating. The President assured all Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered, stressing that the reign of terror in parts of the country would finally be over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorists would continue re-

lentlessly until total victory is achieved. In the same vein, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and urged Nigerians to make the fear of God the foundation for their lives. Saraki, in a goodwill message to Nigerians, especially the Muslim faithful, said the Eid-elKabir festival symbolised the fear of Allah and the desire of man to always comply with the wish of his creator as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim. “With fear of Allah,

mutual respect and love, we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation. We cannot achieve much with unnecessary factions and disharmony. What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era,” Saraki said. He also called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect, adding that these virtues are the panacea to move the nation forward. The Senate President however used the occa-

A man dragging a ram through the crowd to board free train ride to their hometown to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri, at Iddo Terminus in Lagos, yesterday.

sion to call on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity. Saraki charged Muslims to continue to pray for the government, the military and other agencies in the fight against insurgency, adding that the peace and socio-economic development of our nation remain paramount. He pledged the continuous support and encouragement of the Senate in putting Nigeria back on the right track.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

NERC to sanction market operator, TCN over bank account CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ment, the notice gave the erring MO seven days ultimatum to take remedial actions by winding down operation of the unilateral bank account and report compliance, failure which it faces disciplinary action from the Commission. MO is a division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, which issues market settlements and invoices due to the market participants and service providers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI. TCN, which is currently under contract management of Manitoba Hydro of Canada, is a licensee of NERC.

TCN licence empowers it to manage the Market Operator and the System Operator, SO, which is responsible for the wheeling of electrons (electricity) from generation to electricity distribution companies. According to NERC, issues arose when at the dusk of the immediate past administration; the Federal Government appointed some staff in the Market Operator division as a separate management and TCN in response removed names of the elevated staff from its payroll. The Market Operator, which incidentally partly manages cash flow in the electricity market reacted

by opening a separate bank account other than the one known to TCN. The matter was subsequently brought before the Commission at its August 19, 2015 regulatory meeting. The regulator reiterated that parties were consequently issued directives on August 27, 2015, to take remedial actions which they are yet to comply with. In separate notices signed by the Deputy General Manager, Enforcement Unit, NERC, Mr. Chijioke Obi, parties were told that their continued actions were in disobedience to Section 63(1) of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005.

The Act stipulates that “A licensee shall comply with the provisions of his licence, regulation, codes, and other requirements issued by the Commission from time to time.” They were also reminded of section 3(1) of the licence conditions which said “Licensee shall comply with any orders, directions and determinations made by the Commission pursuant to the Act, any regulations made under Act or this licence.” Specifically, TCN was directed to “put the appointed/elevated staff back on the payroll and on the level that matches the present status in the interim until counter Presidential directive to

the one elevating and appointing them to the positions on the instructions of the former president is made.” The Market Operator was directed to, “Immediately close the subsidiary account, restore the original account to the normal condition of consensual approval and inform the Commission accordingly.” The Commission in the notices to parties said that failures to comply with the relevant laws and conditions of TCN licence would compel it to start Enforcement Proceeding against TCN and may invoke disciplinary measures as may be appropriate.

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

NEWS

L-R: Beneficiary, Kayode Ogedengbe; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote and Patron, Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), Prof. Pat Utomi during Thank you visit for sponsoring Kayode Ogedengbe to University of Maiduguri, in Lagos yesterday.

Acting Marketing Manager, Nigerian Postal Service, Mrs Uwabor Oliue (left) and the Supervisor for Duties, Mrs Alebury Bola, showing students of Government Secondary School, Luge, during Postage Stamp Collection Programme at the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

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L-R: A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Ali Rabiu: fellow of the NSE, Mr Akintunde Zedomi; representative of the President of the NSE, Mr Musiliu Odumeru and Chairman of NSE, Apapa Branch, Mr Olalekan Taiwo, during the 2015 Annual Lecture and Induction Ceremony of the NSE Apapa Branch, in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, UAC Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah; Chairman, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma and Company Secretary, Mr. Godwin Samuel, during the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

National News

Boko Haram: Troops arrest Commander, 42 others

...rescue 241 women, children, as a fighter surrenders arms Ubong Ukpong Abuja

roops in the ongoing operations in the North East have arrested a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Bulama Modu who is an ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri, alongside 42 other suspected insurgents. An update by the Nigerian Army, through the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, said the arrest followed yesterday’s effort by advancing troops along Banki axis, that cleared two Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages. Usman said in addition to the arrested suspects, the troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation.

He said to further confirm what was said earlier about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying weapons, one Mohammed Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village. The DAPR said apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows were recovered from Bulama Modu, the kingpin. He was said to have confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits. Similarly, Usman said the troops also arrested one Aji Gambo, at Wudla village, who revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from

Dara Jamel village in Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, factory. The suspect was said to have further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel. Gambo, however. added that the perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village. “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai who keeps close tap on the progress of the troops has commended them for their impressive performance thus far. “The troops who are on very high spirits have reiterated their de-

termination to continue with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists till they clear them from all known camps and enclaves,” he said. Meanwhile, the military yesterday, issued a red alert against the prevailing incidences of unauthorised reproduction of national identity cards by some unscrupulous elements, even as it has commenced haunting for the producers and holders. In view of this, the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, in a statement through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, warned that citizens be mindful of getting their national identification from sources other than the National Identity Man-

agement Commission, NIMC. According to him, illegally produced national ID cards could engender a serious security breach in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the northeast, “The public are also warned that the approved national ID card, which is a chip-based card, has over eighteen security features some of which are not visible to the naked eyes distinguishing it from any of its kinds and can only be issued by the NIMC. “The printing, which is by laser engraving, stands it out easily. “The implication of fake national ID cards in circulation is that Boko Haram terrorists in the North East also used similar method of identification for their members in the past who were nabbed by the mili-

tary and paraded before newsmen,” he said. The DHQ urged citizens to guard against patronising unauthorised agents to obtain their national identification as there were racketeers issuing fake cards for monetary and criminal gains. It said this would go a long way to assist the security forces in the containment of infiltration of illegal aliens who may wish to acquire the cards to legalize their migration into the country to support the terrorists in the fight against the Armed Forces. “The DHQ hereby appeals to members of the public to report any attempt by unauthorised persons to issue, at any point in time, cards similar to the national ID cards to the security agencies,” Abubakar said.

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

HID Awolowo for burial November 25 FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

emains of the late matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Yeye Oodua, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo will be committed to mother earth on Wednesday, November 25th this year. Eldest daughter of the Awolowo family, Reverend (Mrs.) Omotola Oyediran disclosed this yesterday, while hosting former president, Goodluck Jonathan and other members of his team, who paid tribute to the family in their Ikenne country home. Reverend Oyediran explained that the family decided on the burial date to coincide with the deceased Centenary birthday, which preparations were already on-going before her sudden death. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had last Saturday, while on a condolence visit, advised the family to consider burying the late HID on the occasion of her Centenary birthday. Addressing the family in Ikenne, however, Jonathan disclosed that the death of Mama Awolowo, had forced him out of the self-imposed 12- month seclusion from public life. The former president said he and his wife had planned to remain disconnected from social and po-

litical activities in the country for the next one year, beginning from when he left the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He added that his absence from any social or political engagement across the country was personal and self-imposed. The former president, who was accompanied by his wife, Patience; former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Adeola Akande among others, was ushered into the Awolowo residence by the immediate former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Oyediran. Jonathan also noted that Mama HID enjoyed a rare privilege of God for having spent an additional 29 years above the Biblical recommendation of three scores and ten. “Within this period, myself and my wife have been hiding; we don’t even go out. We thought we’ll be hiding for at least twelve months. But in this particular case, we cannot hide. So, we’ve come for the condolence and to encourage our brothers and sisters that are together. “She just had to be the direct mother of few but she’s a mother to all. We shall mourn more than even the direct children would,” Jonathan said. Meanwhile, former Sec-

Navy pledges to support police to fight maritime crimes

hief of Naval Staff, Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, has pledged to support the police to tackle crimes in the maritime sector. Ibas made the pledge when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, in Abuja on Wednesday. Ibas noted that it was only under a conducive environment that investors both foreign and local, could invest in Nigeria. The naval chief also urged the police to collaborate with the navy in seamanship capacity building. He, however, expressed concern over the delay in the prosecution of suspected maritime criminals by the police. He said it was costly for

the navy to continue to keep vessels arrested alongside with their contents. Arase expressed concern over the state of the marine department of the police, which he blamed on paucity of funds. He said that an inventory of boats was being taken with the view to ascertaining the cost of repairing them for use. The police chief said that the police would leverage on the partnership with the navy to repair the boats. Arase said that most of the robbery attacks that had taken place along coastal states were through the waterways. He said that the police had been unable to react appropriately to the attacks because the boats were not functional.

retary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday described as unforgettable Mama HID Awolowo’s contribution to the nation’s independence. He said this during his condolence visit to the Ikenne home of the Awolowos. The former scribe said Mama’s support for her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who he

described as one of the founding fathers of the country was remarkable. Anyaoku revealed that he had no opportunity to know Mama, but had the privilege to recognise her attributes and her personality since her demise due to the rains of accolades showered on her. “I did not have the privilege of knowing her, but I have a great privilege of being a keen fan and student

of the Sage. “The country had a very handful of people that you will describe as the founding father of the country, to me Awolowo stood out. I have followed very closely all the comments made since her passage and even before her passage. “I came to recognise her attributes and her personality. There is nothing too much that can be said about

Mama. “Mama was a matriarch of her nation not just of the Awolowo family. I called her a truly noble lady, a lady who contributed to Nigeria’s independence. She provided inestimable support for one of the founding fathers and through that she became a true source to most of our nationalists in the country,” Anyaoku said.

People boarding free train ride to their hometown to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri, at Iddo Terminus in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

FG urged to jump-start economy to avert CBN’s recession prediction

inancial analysts yesterday urged the Federal Government to come up with concrete development plans that would assist the nation to jump start the economy. They made the suggestions amid the warning by Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, that the nation would slip into economic recession in 2016. They said in Lagos that there was the need to put plans in place to avert the forecast. Executive Secretary, Financial Markets Dealers Association, Mr. Wale Abe, said any concrete step(s) to be undertaken by government had to be implemented within six months. Abe said the economy had not witnessed any development as a result of the downward trend in oil prices at the global

market. He restated that low oil prices had also been responsible for low positive growth, adding that this had affected the real sector, the engine of growth of the economy. Abe, an economist, added that the CBN’s monetary policies were just to ensure financial stability. Another economist, Dr Ayo Teriba, corroborated the CBN’s pronouncement and urged the Federal Government to heed to the advice. According to him, it is a statement of fact which needed to be addressed on time. Director-General, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, also said there was uncertainty in the economic environment. Yusuf said the current

foreign exchange policy was another factor that had caused confidence crisis which had made investors to move their funds from the economy. According to him, there is an improvement in power supply but there are still infrastructure challenges in the business environment. But, Mr. Bismark Rewane, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivative Company disagreed, said he was optimistic the economy would pick up in the fourth quarter. Rewane said there were indications that oil price at the international market would move up in the fourth quarter. He, however, admitted that problems associated with the fiscal aspects of the economy needed to be addressed urgently. Rewane alleged that leakages in the oil sub-

sidy have had negative impact on the nation’s budgeting. The Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, on Tuesday, reduced the Cash Reserve Requirements, CRR, of Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, from 31 per cent to 25 per cent. The decision followed the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy, leading to huge cash withdrawal from the banks to the CBN’s vaults. This means that some 14 per cent of the CRR is freed from the banks for further investments into the economy. The reserve requirement or CRR is the minimum amount of money that banks must hold in reserve at the CBN, usually given as a percentage of customer deposits.

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Buhari orders IG, security agencies to rescue Falae Rotimi Fadeyi and Ojo Oyewamide

resident Muhammadu Buhari has directed the InspectorGeneral of Police, Solomon Arase, and other security agencies to take all necessary action to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Chief Olu Falae who was abducted on his farm on Monday. The directive of the President followed the briefing he received on the incident. In a statement issued yesterday by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari condemned the callous and reprehensible kidnap of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and elder statesman. Buhari assured Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government would do all within its powers to ensure his swift release. The President, who has requested constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Falae, also denounced the recurring incidents of abductions across the country. He assured all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance security of lives and property in the country would continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, would no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements. Meanwhile, there is palpable tension in Ondo State yesterday over the abduction of Chief Falae. Farmers in the state have threatened to wage war against Fulani herdsmen if

anything untoward happens to the former minister of finance. The farmers under the aegis of Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association issued the threat yesterday at the stakeholders’ meeting on OSACA MicroFinance Bank. Expressing displeasure, they issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to secure the release of the elder statesman. Spokesman of the farmers, Akin Olotu, said: “What we are saying is that the abduction of Chief Falae is unacceptable to us farmers in Ondo State and South West. We therefore give a sevenday ultimatum to the Federal Government to secure the release of Chief Falae. “If he is not released within the next seven days, farmers in Ondo State will take action that will have a national impact. We should not forget the Agbekoya war in the old Oyo State. “Activities of Fulani herdsmen have become serious problem in this state and the nomadic system of cattle rearing in Nigeria is obsolete. It is not in the interest of anybody again. Our government should do something urgent about this.” National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has also given the kidnappers 48 hours to release Falae. A statement by NANS vice president on national affairs, Gbenga Ayenuro, condemned the abduction. The statement said: “NANS condemn in its totality and entirety the abduction of Falae. It is disheartening, pathetic and appalling that the elder statesman, who has been

contributing immensely to the advancement of the socio-political landscape of the country and a dogged fighter working assiduously for tranquility and national unity across ethnic lines in Nigeria, can be abducted by evil men. “Chief Falae has always displayed an unparalleled belief in hard work, critical thinking, pragmatism and

doggedness. He is a friend of the indigent, voice of the oppressed, scourge of injustice, thorn on corruption, enthusiast of diligence, paragon of selfless service and an embodiment of principles. “NANS utterly expresses displeasure and felt distraught over the abduction by the Fulani herdsmen as such atrocious, despicable and barbaric act ought to

n partnership with Green Village Electricity, GVE, Community Energy Africa, a consortium of actors in the field of renewable and efficient energy generation and distribution, will by 12 noon on October 6, commission a 24KW PV solar-based mini-grid project in Bisanti village, Niger State.

Bisanti, a small community with GPS coordinate 9.190N, 6.120E located in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State is approximately one-hour drive from the heart of Minna (off Maraya junction, Minna/ Bida road) and about 20 minutes drive from Bida. Bisanti has agricultural and petty commercial activities as its prevailing economic drivers and has total in-

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a statement, through its director of publicity, Ayo Fadaka, expressed worry over what he called criminal incursion of the herdsmen into the state. Fadaka said PDP in the state took serious view of the kidnap of Falae, adding that the type of brigandage currently happening in the state must stop.

President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCI), Mr Tony Ejinkeonye (left), making a presentation at a Colloquium Organised by the Chamber for its members in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

FG warns airlines against exploitative fares Olufemi Adeosun, Abuja

s Muslim faithful across the nation celebrate this year’s Eid el Kabir, the Federal Government has warned flight operators against taking undue advantage of the

likely traffic to hike flight fares. It, however, assured Nigerians at home and those on pilgrimage to Mecca, of smooth flight operations during and after the celebrations. Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Aviation,

Community Energy Africa to commission 24KW PV solar mini-grid project Ebere Ndukwu

have no place in any civilised society. “We hereby call for the immediate and unconditional release of Chief Falae by the Fulani herdsmen in the next 48 hours, else Nigerian students in Ondo State will mobilise en masse to wage a war against the Fulani herdsmen and turn the place into a ‘banana republic.’ The state chapter of the

habitants of about 200 households serviced by a school, health centre, corps members lodge, security post and mosque as social amenities while lacking telecom access. Announcing the commissioning of the project in a press statement made available to National Mirror, Patrick Tolani, consortium lead, Community Energy Africa Partners said: “In July, GVE Projects limit-

ed, in colaboration with the Bank of Industry, BOI, United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and the Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers, IEEE, announced the implementation of a 24KW PV solar-based mini-grid pilot project aimed at fieldtesting the technical and commercial viability of adopting renewable energy for off-grid rural electrification.

Hajiya Binta Bello, issued the warning in a congratulatory message to all Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Sallah celebrations. A statement by the assistant director, Press and Public Affairs in the ministry, James Odaudu, said Bello also charged airline operators not to use the unusual rush to exploit travellers. She also enjoined the flight operators to make their operations more passenger-centred with more attention to flight availability and timeliness, comfort of passengers and safety practices. According to the permanent secretary, all agencies of the ministry have been directed to ensure safe and uninterrupted flight operations at all the nation’s airports as Nigerians travel around the country to cel-

ebrate, with particular emphasis on promptness of flights, safety and security of air passengers. Bello assured the nation of the safety of Nigerian airports as confirmed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, during its recent security audit of the nation’s aviation facilities, adding that the collaboration between aviation security and other relevant agencies has resulted in a robust and an almost unassailable security set-up at the airports. On the return airlift of pilgrims from the holy land, the permanent secretary noted that with the ministry’s close collaboration with the National Hajj Commission, airline operators and the Saudi authorities, the return trips would be safe, smooth and on schedule.

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Kaduna NSCDC puts 3,000 personnel on red alert A za Msue Kaduna

igeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Kaduna State Command yesterday placed over 3,000 personnel on red alert to confront security challenges during Sallah celebration. Addressing news conference in Kaduna, the new Commandant, Modu Bunu, said the massive deploy-

ment of personnel was to avoid the breach of law and order, adding that thorough searching would be conducted in places of worship and recreational facilities. Bunu said he directed that routine vehicular patrol be maintained to ensure maximum surveillance that no area is left vulnerable. He noted that the command has ordered antivandals operatives to intensify surveillance around

critical infrastructures to prevent incidence of vandalism, which poses serious economic danger to the nation. Bunu said: “The deployment of over 3000 personnel will provide security in and around Mosques and other prayer grounds and recreational facilities. However, to enable us succeed in all the above, we are calling on all Kaduna residens and members of the public to cooperate with

us by reporting suspicious movement around them. “You may agree with me that our national security challenges are being tackled headlong and to achieve maximum result, all of us have to be at alert. People should avoid crowded places during the celebration and where suspected people and objects are sighted, such should be reported timely to security agencies for appropriate actions,” Bunu said.

People waiting to withdraw money from ATM at a bank in Gwagwalada, Abuja, yesterday.

COAS seeks UK’s help to give GOCs operational planning capacity Ubong Ukpong Abuja

hief of Army Staff, COAS, LeutnantGeneral Tukur Buratai, yesterday, sought the help of the United Kingdom, UK, to build the operational planning capacity of the General Officers Commanding, GOCs of the Nigerian Army, to better confront the emerging security challenges in the country. Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said in a statement, that Buratai, while receiving the General Officer Commanding, GOC 1st Division of the United Kingdom Army, Major General Giles Hill at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, requested his assistance in facilitating the training programme. He told his visitor that since his assumption of

office, the cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the British Military Assistance Training Team has been commendable. He expressed the resolve of the Nigerian Army to continue to collaborate with the UK Army, particularly in the area of training. The COAS assured the British General that the Nigerian Army was very determined to end Boko Haram terrorism soon and commended the troops in the frontline for the good work they are doing. Speaking earlier, the GOC congratulated the COAS for his recent appointment, stressing that the bilateral relationship between the two countries would be maintained. He also commended the Nigerian Army in its efforts in fighting Boko Haram terrorists, and

pledged his country’s readiness to assist Nigeria in developing long term capacity building particularly in the area of security. General Hill further expressed the United Kingdom government’s willingness to offer training opportunity for Nigerian Army personnel on counter insurgency operations. In a related development, the COAS has stated that the Nigerian Army would continue to ensure that the sovereignty of the country is maintained despite the present security challenges facing the nation. Buratai was speaking when the Management Staff of Ashaka Cement PLC led by the Chairman, Mallam Suleiman Yahaya, visited him. He assured the team of army’s support at all

times, adding that the Nigerian Army and the company have been partners in progress. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Company, Mallam Suleiman Yahaya, congratulated the COAS for his well deserved appointment and thanked him for hosting them. He commended the Nigerian Army for the professional manner they are carrying out their roles particularly in the ongoing fight against the insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country. He described the Nigerian Army as very efficient and effective in its operations, reiterating that the company will always appreciate the good work and sacrifices the army is making. The chairman prayed for a successful tenure for the COAS and wished him well in office.

Wednesday, September 23 News 7

Lalong constitutes committee to disburse FG’s N5.37bn bailout

lateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has approved the constitution of an implementation committee to disburse the bailout funds from the Federal Government for payment of backlog of salaries. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Nanle, Director of Press and Public Affairs in Jos on Wednesday. The statement noted that the constitution of the committee was based on the approval of N5.37 billion bailout funds by the Federal Government. The committee is to assiduously see to the application of the funds towards the payment of all outstanding salaries. It said, however, that the fund from the bailout is not enough to clear the salaries, other staff entitlements and ongoing critical projects. The statement assured that more funds would be secured under an ongoing intervention being negotiated by the State government to settle whatever is left of the staff salaries, pension, gratuities and ongoing critical contracts. “The governor met with the members of Plateau State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council on September 22 to update them on the state government’s debt restructuring and is-

sues involving the available bailout. The statement quoted the Lalong as thanking civil servants, serving and retired as well as citizens of the state for their patience, understanding and support. The governor promised that he will not rest on his oars until all matters concerning salaries emoluments, ongoing critical road projects and other matters of governance are fully addressed. Members of the committee, according to the statement are: Plateau Head of Civil Service, Huldah Fwangch as Chairman, the Accountant General and the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Pension Matters. Others are Permanent Secretary Local Government Service Commission, the State Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and the Director General, Debt Management Office. The statement also named the State Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, the State Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees,NULGE, and Selfa Dashe, who will serve as Secretary.

LASEMA says no death in Lagos building collapse

eneral Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr Michael Akindele, said on Wednesday that no live was lost in the building collapse at Lekki, Lagos on Sept. 22. Akindele told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the agency’s search and rescue mission was concluded at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday. It would be recalled that a two-storey building under construction at Number 37 Agungi-Ajiran Road, Lekki collapsed at about 6.30 a.m. Two persons were rescue alive by residents before the arrival of rescue agencies. Reports by eye-witnesses said that four `okada’ riders sleeping in the building were trapped, compelled LASEMA officials to excavate the debris. ‘’We mobilised two CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Okunola Beatrice Funmilayo, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Akinyede Beatrice Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB and general public take note.

cranes to the site and they excavated the debris to the zero level. ‘’There was nobody dead or alive found and so the rescue mission was concluded at that point. ‘’The agency’s work as far as the collapse is concerned has ended. ‘’The relevant agencies like Ministry of Physical Planning and the Lagos State Building and Control Agency, LASBCA, will continue their work,’’ he said. Akindele said that since the quality of materials used in constructing the building was doubtful, the relevant agency would carry out investigations on the materials. Reports said the building was marked by LASBCA on August 11 and notices to stop construction served on the contractors handling the project. CORRECTION OF NAME

I, METELEWAWON DELE is the same person as METELEWAWON. All former documents remain valid. IBTC and General public should please take note.

South West

Three killed in Ibadan road accident as police avert riot Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

esidents of Bakatari, a boundary town between Ibadan and Abeokuta, were yesterday thrown into mourning as three persons died in a fatal motor accident along the Ibadan-Abeokuta expressway. National Mirror learnt that those who died in the accident are a commercial motorcycle rider, Mr. Paul Emma, Mallam Yahaya and Mohammed Bello. It was gathered that the accident involved a Galaxy Volkswagen wagon with registration number Abuja KWl 4082 A and a commercial motorcycle. It was learnt that the vehicle took off from Abuja and was heading for Abeokuta with two passengers, a ram, supposedly for the Sallah celebration, refrigerator, mattress and other household goods when the accident occurred. According to an eyewitness, the accident happened when the vehicle driver left his lane and swerved into the other lane and rammed into a fast moving commercial motorcycle, killing the rider and its two passengers. The angry residents blamed the accident on the driver who they accused of sleeping while driving. The mishap is the second motor accident in three days

almost on the same spot. It will be recalled that there was an accident on the same spot on Monday, where an eight-month-old baby was among the survivors, while the mother, Alhaja Joke Sodiq, lost her life. Scores of residents of the community, including families and relatives of the victims gathered on the spot of the accident, wailing over the loss of loved ones. The corpses of the victims were laid on the ground, covered with green leaves by the residents before a team of road safety officials and policemen arrived the scene. However prior to the arrival of the security men, some aggrieved youths in the area had protested against reckless driving and over-speeding by commercial drivers, and attempted to set the driver of the illfated vehicle ablaze. The driver of the vehicle also sustained severe injury on the head while his two cotravellers came out unhurt. Riot was however averted at the scene of the accident by a team of anti-riot policemen from Apata Police station. Some officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, from Apata, Ibadan Unit, later rescued the driver of the vehicle from the hands of the aggrieved youth and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Kwara Emir, Onazi, others for summit in Lagos Peter Ekanem

he Gong Africa, a Nigeria-based news magazine, with its Ghana counterpart, Maracas International, in collaboration with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Africa Genius Award Centre, Ghana, has announced it would hold a summit on good governance on September 30 in Lagos. A statement issued and made available to National Mirror by the spokesman, Nicholas Ehimatie, said the event would also be used to honour deserving citizens from both countries as well as commemorate the magazine’s late director and Lady of Songs, Chief Christy Essien-Igbokwe. Themed ‘Summit for good governance through the inte-

gration of professional men and women in national leadership/Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Meritorious Award,’ the event will hold at the Bible Guest House, Palm Groove Estate, Ilupeju, Lagos. It would also serve as platform to re-launch The Gong Africa news magazine, Ehimatie, its publisher/founder stated. Emir of Okuta kingdom in Kwara State, Dr. Idris Sero Abubakar, as special guest/ royal father of the day will lead other notable personalities at the event. They include the Benin Cultural Heritage Centre president, Dr. Roland Ehigiamusoe; director, Northern Operations, Raypower FM, Abuja, Mr. Ogala Onazi; director, Protection Plus Services Ltd, Ambassador Unyime-Ivy King.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos lifts restriction of movement on sanitation day Francis Suberu

n order to allow for a hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Lagos State government has lifted the order restricting human and vehicular movement during the September monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment,

Mr. Oluwatoyin Onisarotu, who disclosed this to journalists, said the state government recognises the fact that many people may want to travel in and out of the state. He advised Lagosians to celebrate in moderation, urging them to use the opportunity of the festive period to clean their environment and properly bag their waste to allow for easy

collection and disposal in designated dumpsites by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, and PSP operators. He urged all and sundry to join the state’s crusade of attaining a cleaner, healthier and sustainable environment, capable of promoting economic growth and wellbeing of the entire citizenry. The permanent secretary further implored residents

to desist from dumping waste indiscriminately in canals and drainages thereby blocking the drainage channels. Onisarotu noted that since the rainy season is not yet over, there could still be cases of flooding in the metropolis, noting that the state has been free from flooding because of the abatement measures taken by the government.

L-R: Veteran Hollywood Film Producer, Mr. Danny Glover; Hollywood actor, Mr. Alastair Mackenzie and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the Cast and Crew of the film 93Days, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo

sun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has been urged not to be deterred by the financial challenges facing the state. He should rather continue to be strong to steer its ship to harbour of financial prosperity. Commending the governor on the successful resolution of the recent labour crisis in the state, a group, Hoteliers in Osun, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Babatunde Karim, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Osogbo yesterday, said issues relating to the inability of government to pay salaries were not peculiar to the state. It also claimed that since nearly all states in the federation are affected by the dwindling resources that have led to their inability to fulfill some of their finan-

Osun financial crises: Be courageous, hoteliers urge Aregbesola cial obligations, political interpretations should not be given to the recently resolved government, labour crisis in the state. It thereby urged Governor Aregbesola to expedite action in settling hotel bills that his administration incurred from last year to March this year to enable them remain in business. The group said: “Many hotels are retrenching because of the huge amount owe them by government. Some could no longer cope and have dropped out of business. We urge him to please pay us the money to prevent total collapse of the sector.” While it called for change of strategy in managing the affairs of the state, the group added that it is dangerous for elements seeking to hijack the soul of Osun State

to be given an opportunity to latch at the precarious situation it has found itself. Otherwise, there be disharmony between government and the people. The group implored the administration of Governor Aregbesola to pay urgent attention to the plight of hospitality business owners in the state, stressing that many hotels in Osogbo are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the indebtedness of individuals and government. “We are gasping for breath now and business has slowed down owing to poor patronage and indebtedness to many hotels in Osogbo by government. We remain a strong supporter of the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola and hope he will take us into consideration by quickly paying outstand-

ing hotel bills owed us. “It is pertinent to note here that all policies and programmes of the Aregbesola administration in the tourism and hospitality sector in the state, have impacted positively on our business but we urge him to take urgent steps to further protect our investments from crumbling by paying promptly for the services we have rendered,” the statement concluded.

Aregbesola

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Broad Street Diary

he Jama’Atul Central Mosque famously referred to as the Lagos Central Mosque is a sight that no doubt commands attention among places of worship in the central area Lagos Island. This architectural edifice used to be the national Mosque until movement of the Nigeria’s capital city from Lagos to Abuja in 1991 by the then Babangida’s led administration. Simply put, this summarises the importance of this national monument in the nation’s history. In the wake of this year Eid el- Kabir festival, Broad Street Diary, BSD, visited the Mosque and met with the Acting General Secretary in the person of Alhaji Yahya Abimbola, who in no mean measure occupies a strategic position in the administration of the mosque. In a chat with Broad Street Diary, he spoke on the history of the mosque, its significance to Muslim faithful, not only in Lagos Island, but also in Lagos State as a whole, coupled with the mood of the Eid el-Kabir celebration that has rented the air. His words: This Mosque has been existing here for over 160 years. It used to be the Nigerian National Mosque until the creation and final movement of the nation’s federal capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991. According to him, the mosque had gone through a process of reconstruction and refurbishment over the years before it became what it is now. “It used to be a small mosque, but as time goes on, more lands were acquired through the assistance of the Lagos State Government to expand the structure in order to accommodate more worshipers”. The first Chief Imam of the mosque was Alfa Salu who served in that office for 12 years between 1841 and 1853 respectively. On those who are eligible to assume the office of the chief Imam of the mosque, he said; “There are only two eligible and recognised houses from where the Chief Imam of the mosque could emerge from. They are, the Nola House and the Ibrahim House. So there is no controversy regarding succession arrangement for the next Imam anytime the need arises in the future. Speaking on the Eid elKabir (Ileya festival), he said

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behold the over 160 years Lagos Central Mosque

Lagos Central Mosque

it would be low key going by the mood of the nation. “Eid el-Kabir festival this year is low key due to the mood of the nation and because of the recent change in government as business institutions and investors generally are not sure of where the pendulum of the economic activities will swing, hence, caution being taken by potential investors not to stake their capital in an unpredictable investment terrain particularly now that the current government has not officially inaugurates its cabinet. He advised Muslim faithful to adapt to the current situation by cutting their coat

according to the available clothing material because the current situation is the will of Allah. “For example the killing of a Ram is not compulsory if a Muslim does not have the means. It is just a sacrificial lamb which is a replacement for human lives. “Why sacrificial Lamb? Some time ago, Prophet Ibrahim was desperately in need of a child and he prayed to Allah that if Allah would give him a child, he would not mind sacrificing the child for Allah. Allah then answered his prayer by giving him a boy child named Ismail.

“As the boy grew, Allah reminded him of his promise to sacrifice his son for him apparently to test his faith. Prophet Ibrahim did not hesitate to do this and the boy himself was also willing to be sacrificed. They journeyed to a slaughter point where the sacrifice was supposed to take place. As he attempted to cut the throat of the boy, Allah asked him to hold on and right there he provided a ram as replacement. “The moral of the story and why it calls for celebration is that, had Allah not provided a ram as alternative for human life, Muslim faithful would

still be offering their children as sacrifice till today.” “Hence, the slaughtering of Ram from time immemorial. So, slaughtering of ram though very important in the celebration, it is not compulsory if as a Muslim you cannot afford it as the least of a ram in the market now goes for around N65,000.” “It is written in the Quran that you limit your spending to the resources available “Even the Hausas that sell the ram in most cases, do not kill it for Sallah because they cannot afford it. So, it is un-Islamic to borrow money to buy sacrificial ram for Sallah“. –Omoju Busayo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Court lambasts NERC boss, Sam Amadi over petition ......says he is reckless, senseless, stupid Wale Igbintade

ustice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, lambasted the Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Sam Amadi for allegedly telling lies against judicial officers in a petition addressed to the Chief Judge, CJ, of the court, Justice Ibrahim Auta. Miffed by the content of the petition, Justice Idris described Amadi’s action as reckless, senseless and stupid exercise of executive powers, and an attempt to intimidate and distract the court. Amadi had, in a petition to Justice Auta, accused judges of the court of frustrating the reforms in the power sector with various “reckless and ill-informed interim injunction.” Amadi had made specific reference to an order made by Justice Idris in a suit filed by a lawyer, Toluwani Yemi Adebiyi challenging the planned increment in electricity tariff. The judge had issued an ex-parte order asking parties to maintain status quo in respect of the planned tariff increment pending

the determination of the suit. But Amadi, in his petition, according to the judge quoted a completely different order from which the court made, a development which enraged the judge. Adebiyi, in response, filed Form 48 (notice of consequence of contempt of court) against Amadi, stating that the NERC boss should be punished for bringing the court to disrepute. When the matter came up yesterday, Adebiyi had attempted to brief the court on the developments in the matter since the last adjourned date, but he was frequently interjected by NERC’s lawyer, Anthony Idigbe, SAN, who urged the court to ignore all the “distractions” and concentrate on hearing the substantive suit. Idigbe had said the suit was very important because it would allow the court to make judicial pronouncement on the administrative and executive reforms carried out in the power sector so far where the sector had been moved from monopolistic to market-driven. Amadi’s lawyer, Edwin Anikwem had also told the

court of his objection to the Form 48 filed against his client, adding that the application should be given priority and be heard first. At that point, Justice Idris said while he was out of the country on vacation, he received a call drawing his attention to newspaper publication about the petition written by Amadi to the CJ. He said upon returning to the country, the CJ circulated the petition to all the judges of the court and it was at this stage that he thought of where Amadi got the courage and audacity to lie in the petition by quoting an order that was never made by him.

He said: “I don’t know where the author of the petition got his information from. The first thing that came to my mind was where did he get the courage and audacity to lie against me and even copying the Vice President (VP) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Power in the petition he addressed to the CJ? “I began to wonder the stupid and reckless audacity of Amadi to write such petition and copied the VP and Power Minister. I was very upset because it was nothing but reckless, stupid and senseless exercise of executive powers which was clearly intended to in-

timidate the court. “But I tell you, this court can never be intimidated. Never! I can never be intimidated and I can never be distracted. Without the Form 48, I can even order Amadi to come and explain the content of his petition. I’m not saying that people cannot complain about what we do here, but certainly not to clearly lie against us.” The judge, however, pleaded with Adebiyi to withdraw the Form 48, saying the polity had been heated up lately about orders of arrest, and that he would not like to join the fray. He added: “It is not my style and I want to plead

with lawyers to save me from that hurdle. But Amadi should be warned not to play politics with matters in court. They should leave the court out of politics and allow us to deal with substantial justice.” Adebiyi, who was not pleased with the judge’s position however, reluctantly withdrew the Form 48, after which same was struck out. On his part, Idigbe tendered unreserved apology to the judge for Amadi’s action, adding that he could personally vouch for the integrity of the judge. The matter was thereafter adjourned to November 24 for hearing of the substantive suit.

Two die in Osun filling station inferno Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo

midday inferno in a filling station in Osogbo, Osun State capital, yesterday killed two children. The fire incident, which began exactly at noon, according to an eyewitness, was noticed in a mini-mart located in the premises of Bovas Filling Station, Iwo/ Osogbo road. Wife of the owner of the station and her three children, it was learnt, were inside the building when the fire started. Two of the children were however brought out of the building dead, while their mother and the third child sustained serious injuries. The two survivors were said to be in stable condition at Ladoke Akintola Univer-

sity of Technology, LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where they were being treated. Some sympathisers, who spoke to our correspondent at the scene of the incident, said they made efforts to put out the fire but could not, because of its intensity. Ojo-Ade Williams, who claimed to have arrived the scene when the fire started, said the loss would have been minimal, but for the late arrival of Fire Service men. Commenting on the incident, the state Director of Fire Service, Mr. Michael Ogundipe, said the damage caused by the incident would not have been much, but for the construction of the building on space that could have been an escape route, in case of any eventuality, within the premises.

L-R: Daughter of Deceased, Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; wife of the former President, Dame Patient Jonathan; former President Goodluck Jonathan and first daughter of the Deceased, Rev. [Mrs] Tola Oyediran, during a condolence visit to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s House on the death of Chief [Mrs] Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, in Ikenne Remo, yesterday.

Akintola tasks Buhari to avoid white elephant projects Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari, against embarking on projects that his regime will not complete. He said the present government should only concentrate on projects that can be completed during its tenure. He said this yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while delivering a preindependence anniversary lecture organised by the state council of the Nigeria

Union of Journalists, NUJ. Speaking on the topic: “Nigeria @ 55: The Pains, The Gains and The Prospects, he implored President Buhari to prioritise the needs of Nigerians and avoid jamborees. He said: “The Buhari administration must eliminate white elephant projects and seek to assiduously complete beneficial projects of previous administrations, government must be consistent in execution of projects as government is a continuum, let us prioritise our needs and eliminate jamborees.” Akintola also charged members of the National Assembly to avoid being a

rubber stamp of the executive arm of government but live up to the expectations of the people. While enumerating on the pains of Nigeria at 55, Akintola highlighted “insecurity, kidnapping, political killing, unstable power supply, poor infrastructure development, widespread poverty, unemployment, outrageous salaries and allowances for political office holders, corruption and manipulation of political space for selfish gain” as factors militating against the existence of the country since independence. He however identified “freedom of speech and

association and a few dividends of democracy” as some of the gains of our nationhood, noting that one of the ways to tackle corruption was to strengthen agencies like ICPC and EFCC to function properly with effective supervision.

Buhari

South East

Group urges Obiano to reverse multiple tax on tricycle riders

undamental Rights League International, a rights group, has appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to reverse the multiple tax forced on commercial tricycles in Anambra State. The Chairman of the group, Mr. Mike Umezulike, said in Onitsha yesterday that the current levies on the cyclists in Onitsha and environs were “inhuman”. “Aside the levies, the riders are also being forced to pay N750 each for government-customised buckets for waste collection inside their tricycles. “This particular charge is strange because there is no space inside the tricycle to place it. “Again, if you look at the amount spent by each operator on daily basis, it is above N1,200 and this is even out-

side other expenses incurred like fueling and daily maintenance of the tricycles. “You have to consider how much they take home; most of them purchased their tricycle on hire purchase and must feed and remit monies to the owners,” Umezulike said. He said the worst hit were tricycle operators in Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Idemili North and Ogbaru council areas. He urged Obiano and the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Ifeanyi Ejikeme, to investigate the agents who collect the multiple levies with a view to curtailing their illegal activities. “We are calling for drastic reduction of the levies; we want to be allowed to operate with relative ease as other road service providers,” the chairman said.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Market crisis may deny Anambra govt revenue

he ownership crisis rocking the Igbo-Ukwu rural market in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State may deny the state government huge revenue collection, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports. NAN reports that the crisis has created confusion over who to pay stall levies between the contractorfinancier and the state government. It would be recalled that the market was established in 1989 through a tripartite arrangement involving the state government, Aguata Local Government and ClayMaco Construction Company. Speaking on the develop-

ment, the Chairman, IgboUkwu Traders Association, Mr. Ugochukwu Okaforuzu, said yesterday that that the amount involved in the contractor financier arrangement for the project was N22m. According to him, the Clay-Maco contract with the state government ended in 2004. However, Okaforuzu said the contractor-financier headed by its Deputy Managing Director, Mrs. Grace Anaekwe, had continued to collect revenue and issuing counter allocation certificates to traders. He explained that six persons were arrested on September 17 for allegedly collecting levies but were later

released on bail while those who allegedly fled government arrest had their shops locked up. “On their return from the Ekwulobia Police Station, they re-opened their shops and threatened to kill me only for them to make true their threat by burning down my office on September 19. “Since then, they have continued to collect revenue from the traders,” he alleged. He called on the state government and the police to intervene in the ownership crisis to prevent it from escalating. In her reaction, Anaekwe said the state and local governments only contributed

N1.7m and N150, 000 respectively in 1992. “The contractor had since mobilised to work and had written the state government severally to intervene but no response,” she said. Anaekwe also accused Okaforuzu of collecting revenue without government authority and using armed security guards to cause problem in the market. “How can government enter a tripartite arrangement without allowing the company to recoup its money before handing over? “If government wants to take over the market, they should pay off the contractor financier,” she said, while denying involvement in the alleged arson.

Regent urges FG, Anambra govt. to intervene in erosion menace in Mbosi community

he Regent of Mbosi Community in Ihiala Local Government of Anambra State, Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has appealed to the Federal and the state governments to intervene in gully erosion menace in the area. Onuakalusi made the appeal yesterday, during the 2015 new yam festival celebration in the community. “Today, our community is being threatened by gully erosion, which has cut off the road from Mbosi to Ihiala and Ubah communities. “We appeal to Federal and Anambra Governments to come to our rescue and protect Mbosi community from being wiped out by gully erosion. “The governor should see the need to construct IssekeMbosi-Azia-Ukpor-Nnewi road with a branch to the

great Mbosi farmland for easy evacuation of farm produce,” he said. The regent urged the people of the community to join Governor Willie Obiano to encourage the development of agriculture in the area. “Our community is also urging the governor to place Mbosi on the list of his agricbooster communities in the state since our community was the overall best farming community in Anambra in 2009 and 2010 farming season,” he said. New yam festival in Igboland is used to thank God for abundant food harvest as well as reconciliation of warring people, families and factions in various communities. Highlights of the event were display of traditional wrestling; cultural dances and yams display competition.

Cross-section of the audience during the 2015 Sprite Triple Slam Event, at the University of Calabar, Cross-River State, recently.

Anambra lawmaker wants contractors to sit up

hairman of Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Works, Mr. Ikechukwu Umeh, has called

on contractors to sit up and do quality work on the roads they are handling. Speaking in Awka yes-

Police trains Ebonyi communities’ vigilante groups

bonyi State Police Command yesterday said it is training vigilante groups in communities on modern security operations for improved efficiency. Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of NIGERCEM Police Station, Mr. John Ottu, made this known during an orientation course for vigilante groups in the

area. It would be recalled that several vigilante groups have been formed in the area since the continued vandalism of the defunct Nigerian Cement Company, NIGERCEM, Nkalagu, facilities and other strategic communication installations in the area. The development led to increased threat to lives and

property of residents, as the efforts of various security agencies could not stem the tide. According to him, the training is aimed at making the vigilante groups more effective, especially in areas of crime detection and overall security vigilance. He urged them to be conversant with the environ-

ment they operate in and conduct regular surveillance of the communities, in collaboration with relevant security agencies. Chairman of NIGERCEM/Over Rail Vigilante Group said that the training would equip them to confront security challenges in the area with modern techniques.

terday, Umeh said contractors in the state had over the time done substandard road construction, which should not continue. He said that the era of wasting tax payers’ money on unrepentant contractors was over. The chairman said in past administrations in the state, contractors did not give a good account of the money paid to them. He said the committee would take seriously its oversight function and report findings to the appropriate body for good results.

The lawmaker said that the committee had met with officials of the ministry of works to acquaint themselves with the ministry and inform them of its readiness to ensure that people got the best road network in the country. “We will defend the interest of the people by ensuring that quality roads are constructed and the old ones maintained. “We intend to find out why contractors do not give quality roads that will last at least five years before they will be due for repairs,” he said.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

September deadline and controversies over ministerial appointment

President Muhammadu Buhari has clocked One Hundred and Eighteen days in office without cabinet members. He has however sworn to Nigerians that before the end of this month, Nigerians will get the ministers they craved for. But barely a week to the end of the month, no news has been heard about the ministerial list, a development which the opposition party has interpreted as amounting to authoritarianism. OBIORA IFOH, GEORGE OJI, ROTIMI FADEYI and OMEIZA AJAYI take a look at the controversies surrounding the delay in the appointment of the ministers by the present government.

However, many Nigerians have faulted the delay in the appointment of

ministers, saying it has grounded economic activities due to the fact

that there is no clear-cut policy direction yet

Buhari

Delay in the appointment of Ministers

hen President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, there were hopes and expectations that his cabinet would be in place as early as possible to kick start the affairs of the nation. But three months after inauguration, Buhari is yet to appoint ministers that would work with him as specified in the constitution which provides that each of the 36 states of the federation must be represented in the federal cabinet. The President had stressed that he wants to appoint people that are credible and above board as ministers to work with him in order to quickly make progress in the development of the country spokesman for the President, Mr. Femi Adesina had explained that there was no minimum time for the President to appoint ministers, saying that, the time being taken was nothing out of the ordinary in the historical context of ministerial appointments and that it was better to take considered action than to rush. Although Buhari has not made cabinet appointments yet, he has engaged the permanent secretaries of the various ministries during meetings and briefings about the activities of their ministries regarding challenges as well as plans, developments and prospects for the sectors of the economy. However, many Nigerians have faulted the delay in the appointment of ministers, saying it has grounded economic activities due to the fact that there is no clearcut policy direction yet.

But others had also backed the delay in the cabinet appointments, saying that ministers are just ceremonial heads as the Permanent Secretaries and the civil servants constitute the driving force that are making the ministries function properly. They said the country really need to review the constitution regarding appointment of ministers as a lot of money would be saved without them while such money can be put in other areas that would benefit the people. In addition, they are of the opinion that many of the ministers feed fat on hard earned resources of the country as well as tax payers’ money considering the fact that they are surrounded by large number of aides that are also drains on national revenue. “Those that had been heckling the President over lack of cabinet were politicians looking for jobs. They have tried doing it other ways and those haven’t worked. They only want their cronies appointed to ministerial posts anyhow and they are fuelling the agitation,” an aide of the President had said.

Reasons for the delay in appointment of ministers While speaking at the summit of the African Union in Johannesburg, South Africa in June, Buhari explained that the delay in making cabinet appointments was due to the late submission of the transition committee’s report on the previous administration. According to the President, he was being careful in order not to make mistakes in appointing wrong individuals especially to key positions such as in the finance and petroleum ministries. The President said, “I don’t know why people are so anxious about ministers. But eventually we will have. The main reason is that, I have an interim committee which I agreed with the former President Jonathan that the ministers of the outgoing government should hand

Odigie-Oyegun

over their notes or their documents to , so that a position can be prepared for the new government to start from with clear records from ministers. “But the ministers knew that they were going but the technocrats, the permanent secretaries and directors and so on, they know they would remain. If anything goes wrong they would be invited to explain, but unfortunately the outgoing government did not cooperate. “I was waiting for this report because I would like to know what position in the government especially in terms of finance and petroleum industry. So, I am not in a hurry to get ministers. I want to get ministers after at least I have seen the report because I don’t have to appoint a minister today and sack him the next week because this report would give me what actually happened in terms of security, economy of the country. And since I have to have ministers from politicians and technocrats, I wouldn’t make the mistake of getting somebody, who has been involved on account of accountability.“, he added. The President while speaking thorough his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina had also said that his government was cleaning the mess left by the Jonathan’s administration and would not want the ministers that he would appoint to start on wrong footing. He stated that cleaning the mess requires scrupulous and painstaking planning, saying that is across all sectors, national life was devalued and that it takes meticulousness and sure-footedness to repair all the breaches. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Politics

Thursday, September 24, 2015

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September deadline and controversies over ministerial CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Permutations and name dropping Never in the history of Nigeria has it been witnessed, the level of name dropping for ministerial position as it is witnessed in the last four months of President Buhari. At the last count, over a hundred names have been dropped in the media as likely would-be cabinet members of the APC - led government. But as it turned out, most of the names penciled down have been off the mark as clearly shown in the few appointments already made. For instance, both former Lagos and Rivers State governors, Babtunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi as well former national chairman of the All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu lost out of the race to either the Secretary of the Government of the Federation or the Chief of Staff to the President. The President has given September as deadline for his submission of the ministerial list and with barely a week to the end of the month, there has been heightened activity in the media with more names sponsored into the public sphere as potential ministerial nominees. The president according to presidential sources has also employed integrity test to sieve his ministerial team, a test thast has seen many of the heavyweight names tumbling like a pack of card. Buhari is believed to be looking for clean hands and Nigerians that have never soiled their palms with corruption, a search many believe will be too difficult to yield any positive result. Among the names that have gone through the integrity test hoping to be cabinet members include Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the former Osun state governor and ousted PDP national secretary; Chief Bode Mustapha, the former PDP national auditor; an APC stalwart from Ogun state; and Engineer Segun Oni, the former Ekiti state governor and APC deputy national chairman. Other names are Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi, Lai Mohammed, Prof. Pat Utomi, Chief Femi Falana, Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Akeredolu, a former APC gubernatorial candidate in Ondo state; Engineer Funsho Kupolokun, a former group managing director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation; Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso of Kano State; and Bisola Adegbenro, a senator-elect from Ogun State. Also on the list are Isaiah Danjuma, the son of General T.Y. Danjuma from Taraba state; Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation; Kehinde Lawanson, a former executive director of First Bank; and Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), former minister of justice. Other names variously dropped for ministerial appointment include Dr. Hussein Dikko, Prof. S. A Garki, Dr. Chris Ingige, Prof. O. K. Ezekwesili, Sadiya Farouk, James Ocholi, Bisi Akande, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa, Prof. Tam David- West, Dr. Umar Mutallib, Tonye Cole, Gen. A. Aboki, Y. M Tuggar, Umana Umana, Sharon Ikeazor as well as Lagos lively Pastor, Tunde Bakare amongst others.

The feasibility of September deadline promise The President is expected to announce members of his cabinet this month as promised after he had been piloting the affairs of the nation without ministers. He had consistently made the promise at different fora that his cabinet would be in place this month. While on a four- day visit to the United States on the invitation of President Barack Obama, Buhari told Washington Post, “when cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full Cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim. “In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place”, he said.

Saraki

Falana

Taking a cue from President Buhari, Nigerians expect hard working, knowledgeable, experienced, committed Nigerians to be in charge of the ministries

Also speaking in Aburi, during his recent visit to Ghana, President Buhari Monday in Aburi, Ghana reassured Nigerians and the international community that he would name his cabinet before the end of September. “After I was sworn-in, I said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after the 30th of September if I do not do so,” Buhari said while responding to a question on the appointment of ministers at a joint press conference with Ghanian President, John Dramani Mahama.

Ministers as noise makers While the controversy as to the slow pace of the Buhari administration raged, the president recently in France described government ministers as noisemakers. In an exclusive interview with France 24 tv François Picard, on Wednesday, Buhari said he intends to stick with his decision to name his cabinet before the end of the month, but however, opined that ministers are only there to “make a lot of noise.” Asked if the absence of a finance minister was affecting the Nigerian capital market and economy, Buhari said the civil service provides the continuity because they are the technocrats, saying in any case, they are those that do most of the work. “The ministers are there, I think, to make a lot of noise; for the politicians to make a lot of noise. But the work is being done by the technocrats. They are there; they have to provide the continuity, dig into the records and then guide us, [those of us] who are just coming in”, he said. In a swift reaction, former Minister of Communications Technology, Ms Omobola Johnson described the president’s outburst as uncharitable. She said Buhari is being unfair to ministers who

work hard and do not make noise, saying the civil service is broken and it needs to be fixed. However, if ministers are mere noisemakers and the president is more at home with civil servants, then he should simply name the permanent secretaries as his ministers.

The kind of Ministers Nigerians want No doubt, there are very high expectations and hopes from Nigerians on President Buhari as they await the appointment of the ministers. The expectations 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 that the President would put together must be one that should support the President in transforming the country and returning it on the part of greatness. Taking a cue from President Buhari, Nigerians expect hard working, knowledgeable, experienced, committed Nigerians to be in charge of the ministries. Besides, Nigerians expect ministers who must, like the Caesar’s wife, be above board. Nigerians expect ministers who must not have records of corruption or abuse of political office in their resume. If the President is truly ready to fight corruption, it then goes without saying that, the ministers Nigerians expect Buhari to assemble must be those who would be clean enough to serve as agents against corruption. The concern of most Nigerians however, is that it may be difficult for the President to assemble the kind of ministers Nigerians seek from the crop of the politicians that threw up the President. Political pundits believe that the greatest challenge Buhari would have in constituting his cabinet would come from the politicians who would not brook the dominance of the cabinet by the technocrats and bureaucrats. Indeed, it is generally believed that the technocrats and bureaucrats are the best stock from which, the President would be able to assemble the crop of Nigerians that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens. If the President buys into this argument, he would have to contain with the opposition from the politicians who funded Buhari’s elections and are expecting to be compensated through such political appointments as ministers and board members of government parastatals. Apparently aware of this argument, the President seems to have a middle of the road approach to the issue.

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Politics

Thursday, September 24, 2015

appointment

Lawmaker charges Nigerians to imbibe spirit of selflessness Ayo Esan

Utomi

Already, the President has assured that, “We have to look for technocrats and we have to look for politicians and certainly we have to look for decent people in this class to give them the responsibility of being in charge of ministries and important parastatals (agencies).” Ministerial appointment and the trial of the Senate President. There is some mild confusion on the horizon over the feasibility ofthe September deadline for the appointment of the ministers particularly as it concerns the trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki. The senate is the legislative organ empowered by the constitution to clear and confirm the ministerial nominees before they can be assigned to their primary duty post. As a matter of fact, the senate is the last hurdle the ministerial nominees must pass through before their confirmation and as a result, the presidency must lobby the senate before its list is attended to. Saraki is the President of the Senate and by implication; President Buhari must have a good working relationship with Saraki before his request sails through in the senate. Saraki has alleged political victimization as the reason for his travail. Though, the presidency has washed its hands off the Saraki’s battle to acquit himself of charges bothering on non assets declaration and other corruption issues brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, however, Saraki insists that his ordeal is simply as a result of his refusal to tow the paths of the party in the selection of the senate presidency. Saraki was not the party’s choice for the senate presidency, but he muzzled his way with the assistance of the opposition camp, the PDP to claim victory, a position the party has continued to spurn at. Ever since his assumption to the exalted position, his reign has remained crises- ridden. The last being the opening of the books for a crime he allegedly committed since 2003 as the then governor of Kwara state. Though, most Nigerians are applauding the fight against corruption by the present government, but many observers are of the view that the timing of the arraignment of Saraki is an indication that he was being politically witch-hunted by the powers that be. At the resumption of the senate next week, it is believed that Saraki’s issue will be a major subject of discussion at the senate. The image of the senate is at stake. Should the senators agree to protect their president, then a major political war may be brewing between the executive and the legislature on one hand as well as the legislature and the partisan judiciary on the other hand. This may certainly affect the passage of the ministerial list by the senate. Nigerians are watching.

igerians, especially Muslims have been charged to emulate the spirit of sacrifice, selflessness and sincerity exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim in the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir. The call was made by Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye in his Sallah message to the Muslims in Obokun community of the state of Osun. The lawmaker disclosed that Nigeria, at this time, needs loyal services from its citizenry as corruption has done a lot of harms to the welfare of its people, hence, the need for everyone to renew their commitment

towards a better country. According to him, contentment is a virtue respected and propagated by every religion, race and creed whereas covetousness and greed are generally regarded as vice, which is repelled by everyone, with contemptuous annoyance. He charges Nigerians to safe the country from the present economic quagmire by probing the character of public office holders and ensure that those entrusted with leadership responsibilities are people of integrity. He said: “Our country today is confronted with a bug called corruption. It has infested our world and had eaten deep like cankerworm into the fab-

ric of our society”. “Ranging from pilfering and pedestrian underhand dealings to official manipulation and palace looting, corruption has become the caterpillar of destruction”. “It becomes worrisome that custodians of commonwealth, those in position of authority and those entrusted with responsibilities are the ones who turned to be the captains among the legions of maggots eating up the nation”. He added that, the oppressed in the Nigerian society are beginning to have a sense of relief and a new lease of life on account of the action of the present administration. He said they have per-

ceived a new wave that under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the monster will not only be confronted, but also be attacked vehemently. He said the populace must resolve to resist the cabals who pillage commonwealth and plundered the nation’s resources. Oyintiloye further urged the President to beware of the ‘mixed multitudes’, referring to many within and outside the President’s fold who had hitherto lived with monstrous skeleton in their cupboards. He admonished the President to ensure that culpable individuals are brought to justice.

Rivers State Governior Nyesom Wike (middle) and members of Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, during their visit to Port Harcourt, recently. PHOTO: NAN

Bayelsa APC Primary: Chieftain calls for disqualification of Sylva Osahon Julius YENAGOA

midst protest from other aspirants in the conduct of Tuesday’s All Progress Congress, APC, Bayelsa State governorship primary which was said to have been won by former Governor Timpre Sylva, a founding member of the APC in Bayelsa State, Chief Richard Kpodo, has called on the national leadership of the party to disqualify the governor for his impunity. It will be recalled that the much anticipated governorship primary of the APC in Bayelsa State failed to hold on Tuesday as protesters of former Governor Sylva invaded the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Stadium midway into the process as the national committee

members led by Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole were meeting to resolve the earlier stormy start that heralded the process in the morning. The manner of the invasion left many scampering for safety including many of the aspirants and their supporters while journalist also took to their heels as the invading supporters chanting anti-Oshiomhole songs while showering encomiums of the ex-governor invaded the pitch. However, the congress still went ahead after the former governor and some of the national officers who still managed to wait at the venue, after the committee chairman and governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, escaped from the venue through the help of security men.

At the end of the exercise the former governor was declared winner by the secretary of the committee, Nelson Alapa. Kpodo while reacting to the action of the former governor yesterday also called for the rescheduling of the primary, saying that the disputed election conducted by Sylva’s goons could not suffice as it was done after all the other aspirants had been violently chased out of the arena. He said the call become necessary after the Sylva supervise his own election and declared himself winner, saying the action of former governor has vindicated his earlier calls that Sylva was a violent man who does not mean well for Bayelsa. The party leader, who described the primary as a sham, said Sylva through

his manipulation, intimidation of aspirants and use of thugs, exhibited his true character. He said it was such character he displayed while he ruled the state, insisting that Sylva was a bad product for the APC. He expressed displeasure at the rascality and extreme show of shame displayed by alleged thugs of Sylva who held a sitting governor, Oshiomhole of Edo State hostage for hours, saying that the action by Sylva and his goons, showed how desperate he is to grab power, stressing that the national leadership should not sweep the matter under the carpet. He saluted the courage and bravery of the officials of the Department of State Security and soldiers who rescued Oshiomhole from Sylva’s youths.

Politics

Thursday, September 24, 2015

APC annuls Bayelsa primaries over thuggery Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

he chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Wednesday confirmed that the party’s primary which held in Bayelsa State on September 22 has been rescheduled. Odigie-Oyegun, who stated this in Abuja said the primary had to be rescheduled as a result of security challenges. He said: “The primary has been rescheduled. It had to be called off due to security challenges.’’ It would be recalled that 14 aspirants at the primary led by Timi Alaibe staged a walk-out

alleging irregularities in the process. Report has it that the chairman of the committee for the primary, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state was shielded out of the venue of the event, which was held at the Yenagoa stadium, to avoid being lynched. Confirming the news further in a telephone interview, deputy national publicity secretary of APC, Comrade Timi Frank, said the primary election did not hold in Bayelsa. According to Frank, one of the aspirants and former Governor Timipre Sylva had held a member of the committee under duress to declare him the party’s candidate.

Frank also revealed that both committee chairman and its secretary were not part of the ‘kangaroo primary’ and they were not present when Sylva was declared. He said the party would soon come up with a position on the primary and choose a date when an acceptable primary election would be conducted. He said: “I am speaking as a concerned citizen of Bayelsa that this primary is not acceptable anywhere. “In a situation where all other aspirants walked out of the venue and a particular aspirant put a member of the primary election committee under duress to declare him winner, while the chairman

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Ohaneze Ndigbo throws weight behind Dickson

...gov pledges sustainable peace

and secretary of the committee were not present is unacceptable. “I believe the party will soon come up with a position on that fraud called primary election and schedule a date when an acceptable primary election will hold.’’ Results of the primary indicated that Sylva polled 726 votes to defeat his closest rival, Timi Alaibe, a former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, who got four votes. A total of 1,502 delegates were expected to participate in the primary election which had 19 aspirants contesting as the party’s standard bearer.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and the newly sworn-in Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Peter Mrakpor, after the swearing in, on Tuesday.

s political activities gather momentum ahead of the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the Pan Igbo socio- cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state has thrown its weight behind Governor Seriake Dickson. The Ohaneze Ndigbo, who gave their endorsement, when they paid a courtesy call on Governor Dickson at Government House, Yenagoa, also presented him with an award of Good Governance and Equity and a copy of the Holy Bible, as a mark of appreciation for his landmark achievements in his first tenure. Receiving the awards, Governor Dickson commended them for being peaceful and law-abiding, noting that, they have played very significant roles in the development of commerce and other business activities as well as the aspirations of the people of the state in various fields of human endeavour. Governor Dickson noted that, the people of the state see Ndigbo, as Bayelsans, because they have taken the state as their home, assuring that, his administration will not relent in maintaining the already existing peace and stability to ensure that, they carry out their daily activities, without any form of molestation. While urging them to live in peace and harmony, Governor Dickson stated

that, Bayelsa will remain home for all those, who mean well for the state, stressing that, his administration has worked hard to create a harmonious relationship among the various ethnic nationalities, since its inception. In his words: “I like to thank the Ndigbo community for being peaceful and law-abiding, as I have been following all your activities and as all reports show; even during critical issues of national interest, where some people travel to their homes and states, you have remained here, identifying with the state, so by virtue of that you are Bayelsans. I enjoin you to ask your people to come out en masse with their permanent voter card and vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming gubernatorial election on December 5,2015”. The Bayelsa State governor used the occasion to grant their requests, to use the Samson Siasia sports stadium for the 2015 Ndigbo Day celebration and donation of a bus and sum of N5 million to support the Ohaneze secretariat building project as well as the appointment of an Igbo son as his aide. In his remarks, the chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, Chief Anthony Uwakwe, lauded Governor Dickson for providing good governance, infrastructural development and security in the state for their businesses to thrive.

AP candidates raise alarm over delay at tribunal, Appeal Court Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

enatorial candidates for Oyo South and Oyo Central senatorial districts in the March 2015 National Assembly election on the platform of the Accord Party, Senator Femi Lanlehin and Chief Bisi Ilaka, have condemned the handling of their petitions by the election tribunal and the Appeal Court. This is just as the Justice J.G. Abundaga-led National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal is set to deliver judgment in Ilaka’s petition on Tuesday.

Recall that Lanlehin is challenging the declaration of Senator Soji Akanbi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the March 28 election, while Ilaka is seeking to be declared winner of the election instead of Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, also of the APC. Lanlehin in a statement issued yesterday, said the slow pace of proceedings in his petition was worrisome, urging the tribunal not to entertain frivolous applications from the defence counsel in view of the limited time remaining. At the opening of Akanbi’s defence before the Justice Tanko Usman-led tri-

bunal, counsel for Akanbi, Chief Olayinka Bolanle, who had told the tribunal he would call 50 witnesses, only brought two to the tribunal. When proceedings resumed, only three witnesses were brought as against the 15 promised by Olayinka on Monday, while the non-availability of witnesses caused the matter to be adjourned to next week Tuesday. Counsel for Lanlehin, Chief Richard Ogunwole (SAN), vehemently protested the granting of Olayinka’s application for adjournment of hearing of the petition, stressing that only 14 days would remain for the lifespan of

the petition by the next adjourned date. He said unbearable pressure would be brought on the petitioner’s counsel and the tribunal, as written addresses would still have to be submitted and judgment delivered within the remaining days. However, in granting the adjournment to next week in view of Sallah’s holidays, Justice Usman, directed Olayinka to produce the remaining witnesses on September 29 or risked their case being closed. Ilaka in his statement rued the non-empanelling of Appeal Court judges for his appeal by the President

of the Court of Appeal, PCA, against the premature closure of his case by the Justice J.G. Abundagaled tribunal. He added that, while the PCA was yet to raise a panel to hear his appeal filed on September 8, the tribunal had fixed judgment in the petition for next Tuesday According to the notice of appeal, the non-compliance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with the order of the tribunal on the inspection and counting of ballot papers warranted the filing and service of contempt charge against INEC.

Counsel to Ilaka said: “When the tribunal threatened to close the appellant’s case on August 12, 2015, they were caused to file a motion dated August 13, 2015, to give reasons for the need to allow the appellants’ use of 14 days prescribed by the Electoral Act 2010. “The tribunal acted speedily to breach the fundamental right of the appellants to fair hearing which has occasioned failure of justice…when they referred the motion for committal (of INEC supervising official to prison) to the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, for determination.”

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Towards transparency in Nigeria’s corporate practices CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

lobally, the culture of disclosure and transparency in management of business has now become so vital that it is doubtful if any business can have long term sustainability without having it entrenched in its operational principles. As a matter of fact, disclosure and transparency are so critical that the whole idea of corporate governance will become a myth without them. It is noteworthy that the some relevant activities of directors need not only be transparent, they must also be fully disclosed to the appropriate stakeholders. Thus, the shareholders, institutional investors, regulatory agencies and host community of an enterprise all hold on to the twin pillars of these cardinal governance principles to monitor, appraise, regulate or make investment decisions as the case may be in a company. The importance of the twin principle of disclosure and transparency as a veritable corporate culture for business survival and prosperity recently became underlined at the 2015 Annual General Conference of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), which this writer

was privileged to attend two weeks ago. It was forum in which many talented business minds interacted to provide answers to some governance challenges bedeviling Nigeria. The Conference with the theme: “Disclosure and Transparency: a paradigm shift in corporate Nigeria”, beamed searchlight on the culture of transparency, accountability and probity and underscored how adherence to these ideals could make or mar a business. The keynote address was delivered by the Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Malam Mounir H. Gwarzo, who was represented by Mr. Edward Okolo, Sec’s Head of Financial Standards and Corporate Governance Department. The paper presenters were the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, DCSL Corporate Services Ltd, Ms. Bisi Adeyemi; Chairman, Audit Committee, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mathew Akinlade and Chief Operating Officer of City Secretaries Ltd, Miss. Ronke Opajobi. Governor Ambode of Lagos State (represented by Mrs. B. A. Dapo Thomas, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), was Special Guest of Honour. The discourse at the Conference was not only intellectually stimulating, it also threw up a numbers of answers to problems and challenges facing investment and business management in Nigeria. For example, the problem of information asymmetry culminating into alienation of shareholders was addressed with a number of recommendations proffered. The extant disclosure and transparency regime with its inadequacies and imperfections were diagnosed and recommendations proffered. The challenges faced by the system of duality of audit committees in Nigeria were analyzed, with “way-

SOME RELEVANT ACTIVITIES OF DIRECTORS NEED NOT ONLY

BE TRANSPARENT, THEY MUST ALSO BE FULLY DISCLOSED TO THE APPROPRIATE STAKEHOLDERS forward” suggestions spawned. Specifically, it was recommended that the practice of issuing timely, consistent and accurate information to shareholders, including the regulators and the public on critical issues, must be embraced by the directors. It was stressed that the information contemplated in this regard must include both financial and non-financial matters like organisational ownership structure, voting rights, liabilities, control, governance structure and policies and risk factors. The various regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission, Corporate Affairs Commission, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria among others, were also charged to bestow greater scrutiny to corporations and the market by finding appropriate enforcement mechanisms to provide the desired degree of transparency for businesses and corporations. The shareholders themselves were tasked on the need to be more vigilant and proactive by engaging the directors on issue of aberrations of due process or unwholesome practices and thus contribute their quo-

ta to the culture of transparency. Members of Audit Committee of companies were enjoined to commit themselves to the critical responsibilities that devolve on them, which include devotion of enough time to continually educate and update themselves, and be on top of trends and developments on issues relating to audit. They must also demand timely and appropriate briefings and responses, both from management and the external auditor, to get adequately informed about the company and its financial/risk status. Another recommendation was that companies must have adequate and sufficient number of independent non-Executive Directors on the board to ensure there are resources for proper composition of board committees in consonance with good governance. It was also recommended that the practice of Corporate Governance Audit as contemplated by the Draft National Code of Corporate Governance 2015 should devolve exclusively on Chartered Secretaries in public practice because they have the best understanding of the process and the structure of corporate governance by virtue of their peculiar training and experience. There is no doubt that if the recommendations made at the conference (A few of which I briefly highlighted above) are implemented by all the stakeholders in the Nigerian corporate sphere, there will definitely be a more robust, healthy, observances of corporate governance principles and its concomitant evolution of prosperous business climate and sustainable growth and development for Nigeria. Ketefe, a Chartered Secretary, may be followed on twitter @Ketesco

Buhari and threats to Nigeria’s unity LLOYD UKWU

estern experts predicted that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015. With the desperation and frenzy that marked the 2015 presidential election campaigns, many thought the predicted disintegration was about to be fulfilled. Surprisingly, the election took place without the much anticipated violence with incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan conceding defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, his main opponent. Disturbingly, however, Nigeria is still not completely out of the woods, as the prospect for break up looms. This is because Buhari is stoking trouble. He is actively stirring up issues that can lead to serious national conflicts. In my view, Mr. President appears insensitive to the complexity of the country and lacks the finesse and dexterity needed to govern Nigeria. With a military background and orientation, and a total lack of a deep liberal education, he is ill-equipped to preside over a democratic Nigeria. There is no doubt that corruption is killing Nigeria, and that something needed to be done urgently to deal with it. But you do not pull the entire house down simply to kill the rats in the ceiling. It demands that you methodically take out the rats one by one so that after the rats are gone, you still have a house to live in. Buhari needs to respect the equality of all Nigerians under the law. His 95 percent

WHAT WE ARE

EXPERIENCING TODAY IS A MILITARY REGIME MASQUERADING AS A DEMOCRACY formula is naive and counterproductive. A successful war on corruption is not necessarily a function of the number of people jailed. The emphasis should not be just on sending people to jail for corruption, but also in deterring acts of corruption. In his fight against corruption, Buhari refuses to understand that Nigeria is a representative democracy, and not a military dictatorship or a neo-military dictatorship. A democracy is guided by the rule of law and not the impulsiveness and arbitrariness of a retired army general. The legal process is usually slow and painstaking. Buhari is impetuous; he does not have the patience and tolerance for the measured pace of the law. He wants, at his whims and caprices, to jail southern politicians and his enemies of northern extraction such as Col. Sambo Dasuki for corruption. He wants to rearrange the judiciary, and reconstruct and expand Kirikiri Prison. He will then fill the prison with his political enemies, as all those he fingered for corruption will automatically be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and jailed for 100 years or more by a compliant

judiciary dominated by northern judges. To tackle corruption, the President must first purge himself of his excess baggage. He must approach equity with clean hands. How on earth can he fight corruption when some former governors linked with corruption are his political allies? Some of them funded his campaign with the money stolen from the coffers of their states. At the time they were splurging money on his presidential campaign, the source should have been obvious to Buhari. It is understandable that a president appoints people that he is comfortable with to work with him. But to appoint only friends and relatives to pivotal positions as the chief executives of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Customs Service, Immigration Service and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is unalloyed nepotism. Nepotism is corruption. Buhari insulted the sensibilities of Nigerians by justifying the appointments on the grounds that the appointees are loyal to him as friends and relatives. It is wrong for him to give the impression that only his friends, relatives and others from the northern part of Nigeria are competent and committed to his vision. In addition, his punishing of those regions of the country that did not vote for him in the presidential election is grossly unfair. It is not only setting a dangerous precedent, but could inflame ethnic furies.

My honest advice to Mr. President is to first stabilize the economy and embark on institutional reforms that will strengthen the judiciary and the legislature before delving into other major divisive issues. For now, he is neither reforming nor strengthening our national institutions. Actually, he is weakening them; he meddles in the judiciary and remote-controls the Senate and the House, thus undermining the separation of powers. This is posing a serious problem for Nigerian democracy because these branches of government need to operate independently. What we are experiencing today is a military regime masquerading as a democracy. Buhari’s hounding of his political enemies with Gestapo-styled DSS raids on state government houses, private homes, etc attests to this reality. The lopsidedness of his administration’s actions is causing some silent but powerful and dangerous ripples. Nigeria is boiling. I see 1966 coming full cycle. And if this continues, Nigeria will break up. Ukwu, an international lawyer, wrote from Washington, D.C. USA. via lawgroupinternational@gmail.com

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Editorial

Thursday September 24, 2015

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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

An intriguing electricity distribution market

marting from its seeming irretrievable comatose, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), which has been docile for decades while the power sector had a field day fleecing Nigerians for electricity not supplied, sprung a surprise lately when it said it had set up a panel to investigate electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country over series of allegations on their infraction of consumers’ rights. Director-General of the Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said the body had been inundated with complaints on indiscriminate increases in electricity bills, non-supply of metres, irregular disconnection, crazy and coded estimated billings, among others. Non-supply of paid-for infrastructure, like transformers, electric poles and cables, collection of fixed charges even without power supply, as well as the non-availability of a clear-cut consumer-complaint and redress mechanisms, were also enumerated by the CPC. “We reckon with measures being put in place by the electricity industry regulators to ensure effective service delivery. However, no amount of work in the industry will be meaningful if consumers continue to groan under the lack of value for money, as is presently the case”, Atoki stated. It may be boring or needless adding that the aforementioned

complaints underline the operations of virtually all the DISCOs nationwide. Perhaps, it was a coincidence that the CPC chose to come alive shortly after the Nigerian Senate took the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the government agency that superintends the contentious and widely acclaimed exploitative, unjust and undeserving monthly fixed charges being forcefully extorted from electricity consumers nationwide by DISCOs, to task. The Senate had not only directed the NERC to stop the fraud most recently, but had asked the regulatory agency to account for all monies so far collected as fixed charges nationwide. The Senate also asked the DISCOs to discontinue the practice of compulsory bulk metering of villages and whole communities in rural areas on the grounds that every consumer had the right to opt to be part of a bulk metering arrangement or otherwise; and resolved to come up with a regulation to stop DISCOs from making consumers pay for meters, poles and transformers, which by law are their (DISCOs) properties. The NERC feebly contested the positions taken by the Senate. And now, the CPC has joined the fray. There seems to be a contradiction, nonetheless. For, despite ceaseless complaints by electric-

NIGERIANS HAVE PAID ENOUGH FOR MERE SHADOWS CONSUMED THROUGH THE IMAGINATIONS OF

DISCOS AS

ELECTRICITY ity consumers nationwide against spurious monthly billings by the DISCOs, Nigerians would still pay more on electricity consumed from July 1, 2015 and beyond. The decision was reportedly arrived at during a consultative meeting of Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) stakeholders, purportedly comprising of power generation companies, their counterparts in the distribution chain and consumers in Abuja. Another interesting slant to the drama was the recent report that NESI might be in for difficult times following reports that the power sector regulatory agency (NERC) was refocusing its attention on regulatory enforcements with the inauguration of a task team, whatever that means. The Head, Public Affairs of NERC, Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, was quoted as saying that the reinvigorated enforcement initiative became imperative because of the recent relative improvement in power supply in the country, which the

ON THIS DAY

September 24, 1948

September 24, 2009

A United States’ court of appeal ordered the University of Mississippi to admit James Howard Meredith. Meredith (born June 25, 1933) is an American civil rights movement figure and the first African-American student admitted to the segregated University of Mississippi. Motivated by President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, Meredith decided to exercise his constitutional rights and applied to the University of Mississippi for admission.

The G20 Summit began in Pittsburgh with 30 global leaders in attendance. The event marked the first use of LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) in United States’ history. The 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh Summit was the third meeting of the G-20 heads of state, where discussions on financial markets and the world economy were held. The G-20 is the premier forum for discussing, planning and monitoring international economic cooperation.

Council attributed to its regulatory efforts. There is no disputing the fact that power supply has improved significantly beginning from when President Muhammadu Buhari stepped into office on May 29 this year. Nigerians are yet to be properly briefed on how the magic came about, however. But the fact, which remains yet undisputable, is that neither the CPC nor the NERC has been on the side of Nigerian electricity consumers in the fight against their massive rip-off by electricity providers in the country. The NERC, through its introduction of a dubious Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) about five years ago, had made sure that electricity tariff is increased annually amid epileptic power supply, acute shortage of prepaid metres and sundry provocative charges. If the CPC has woken up to its responsibility and has decided to turn a new leaf in the interest of the groaning public, perhaps change is truly underway. But for the NERC, all Nigerians appear to be saying with one voice that electricity should be priced appropriately and consumers supplied prepaid metres so that they pay for the power they consume. Nigerians have paid enough for mere shadows consumed through the imaginations of DISCOs as electricity. This is not just daylight robbery, it is quite oppressive, immoral and illegal.

September 24, 2014 The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), a Mars orbiter launched into Earth orbit by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), successfully got inserted into the orbit of Mars. MOM, also called ‘Mangalyaan’ is a space probe orbiting Mars since September 24, 2014. It was launched on November 5, 2013 by ISRO. It is India’s first interplanetary mission and ISRO has become the fourth space agency to reach Mars.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today How Nigerian youths can be relevant —Don 22

No respite as Osun lecturers, govt war rages Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo.

he present administration in Osun state and the staffers of its four tertiary institutions except Osun State University, UniOsun, have history of intermittent disagreements that usually end up putting the campuses under locks and keys. Since coming on board, the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the academic staff of the state owned institutions in particular, have barely enjoyed a complete one year of harmonious relationship. It should be noted that the closure of the institutions namely; Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun state College of Technology, EsaOke, Osun State College of Education, Ila and Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, started on January 27, no thanks to the industrial action embarked upon by the lecturers in the institutions under the aegis of the Council of Academic Staff Unions of Osun State-Owned Tertiary Institutions ,CASUOSTI. CASUOSTI, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Lasisi Jimoh and Olusegun Lana, respectively, Dotun Omisore , ASUP Iree Chairman, Oladele Ojo, COEASU Ilesa Chairman and Adesola Akande, JP, ASUP EsaOke Chairman, copy of which was obtained by the National Mirror, listed some of the demands of the group before they will return to work. The statement reads: “The ongoing strike action by the entire academic staff Unions in Osun Stateowned Polytechnics and Colleges of Education is a duly declared ‘dispute of right’. The strike action became our last resort after all efforts to make the State Government to honour existing collective agreements and resolve festering issues through meaningful dialogue failed.

Protesting students of Osun tertiary institutions marching to the state secretariat, Abeere, on Monday.

We exercised uncommon restraint from declaring total strike action

by first embarking on a 2-day weekly warning strike that lasted for 5 months

Aregbesola “We exercised uncommon restraint from declaring total strike action by first embarking on a 2-day weekly warning strike that lasted for 5 months throughout which period Government demonstrated the most appalling level of insensitivity towards our pleas. It is unfortunate that even now that the total strike action has entered fourth month, instead of address-

Protest: Stop spreading falsehood, UNILAG mgt tells workers 20

ing issues sincerely and with due respect to the rule of Law, Government has only been playing hide and seek and making clandestine moves to misrepresent, blackmail, intimidate, coerce and bully us to resume work. “We use this medium to reiterate that we remain unshakable in our demand for adequate resolution of the festering issues plaguing our sector. For the avoidance of doubt, the issues on ground include: “ 1. Mismanagement of Contributory Pension Scheme through

illegal withholding of contributions and non-actualization of bond and life assurance, leading to irredeemable loss to workers. ,2. Nonpayment of salaries for the past 8 months and leave bonuses for 2 years even after collecting bail-out fund from the Federal Government for that purpose. We dissociate ourselves from the MoU of NLC with Government on this. We are shocked that despite the unacceptable MoU Government only paid us ONE MONTH salary from the bailout funds so far.

‘I can now study Medicine’ 21

“3. Non-implementation of agreement on staffing leaving many Departments with less than three permanent staff despite the fact that the State Government has been significantly relieved of capital expenditure by TETFund in the provision of infrastructures and learning resources. “4. Reversal of the meagre financial effects of 2014 promotions and “migration of lower cadres” in spite of the fact that we are the least paid and most taxed nationwide and have patriotically sacrificed the arrears of these policies which have already taken notional effect and imposed additional responsibilities on the concerned members of staff. “5. Withholding of deductions from salaries in respect of Union dues, Cooperative Society dues and CONTINUE ON PAGE 23

Don’t go on strike, poly students beg lecturers 24

Education Today

Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

Saidat Alausa

Ovie Brume Nigeria, the Executive Director of Ovie Brume Foundation, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh explained that the foundation decided to intervene in the nation’s basic educational sector having been dissatisfied with the significant numbers of students in public secondary schools who could neither read nor write correctly. “We have being to different schools and we have noticed that significant numbers of students in there could not read and write simple English language correctly. We administered a questionnaire and some of them could not even read the questionnaire let alone responding and so we discovered that this gap needs to be met.” “So, from a level of zero literacy level, it went up between nine and 63 where they are able to read and able to write. Some do not know their dates of birth and some don’t know how to write it. These are issues the foundation thought it is important for us to address.” Akin-Jimoh further stated that the foundation decided to explore the literacy levels in public schools having been convinced that “well over 80 per cent of students in Nigeria still attend public schools. So, it is important for us to invest as much resources as possible into public school education. ”

CRUTECH donates land to bank Richard Ndoma Calabar

he Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar has donated a plot of land to Heritage Bank of Nigeria for its operation within the campus. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh who stated this last week gave kudos to the management of the bank for approaching the school to open its branch on campus. While handing over the land, the vice-chancellor charged the bank to continue

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Protest: Stop spreading falsehood, UNILAG mgt tells workers

Lagos wins S/ West Spelling Bee contest agos State has emerged as the Southwest winner of this year’s edition of Literacy Assessment competition organised by the Ovie Brume Educational Foundation for pupils in public primary school nationwide. The competition, which was tagged: “Spelling Bee competition,” and held on Monday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital had in attendance two pupils representing each of the six South West geo-political zones of the country compromising Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ondo and Ekiti. Ayeni Joseph and Amos Hameedah, who represented Lagos State however, scored a total of 50 marks to emerge winner ahead of Oluwatobi Aregbesola and Efemena Obudu of Oyo state who scored 49 marks in the competition aimed at addressing the challenges of literacy problems among the public primary school pupils with early childhood education in Nigeria. Representatives of Ogun State came third having scored a total mark of 48, while Ekiti and Ondo states scored 45 marks respectively with Osun state pulling a total of 26 scores to finish last among other South Western states. With this development, Lagos will represent the South West zone at the national level of the competition scheduled for October 20th. Explaining the rationale behind the literacy competition being championed by

Thursday, September 24, 2015

with the good works of rendering better banking services to its customers. Speaking at the forum, the Managing Director of the bank, Ifi Sikibo, who was represented by the Business Manager for Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Mr. Godwin Ukwa stated that the bank`s visit to the institution was to inform its of bank readiness to commence the project. He also disclosed that the bank would set up a training centre on campus to help building the capacity of students doing banking related courses.

he management of the University of Lagos, Akoka has said that all the information being peddled around by the leadership of the Non- Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) in both the print and electronic media is false. In a press release, the university’s spokesman, Olagoke Oke stated that more worrisome is the fact that the misinformation has tendency to cause disenchantment in an otherwise peaceful community. According to him, the issues at stake are as follows, earned allowances, pension deduction, 13th month salary among others.

Oke however said that during the quarterly meeting between the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the four unions in the university and management held on June 25, 2015, it was agreed that a committee be set up to look into all these issues and others raised at the meeting and report back to JAC at its next meeting. “Unfortunately, to our dismay, the two unions (SSANU and NASU) have failed to keep faith with the agreement. It is quite worrisome that their leaders have resorted to misinforming their members as well as going on air with misinformation and blackmail all in their bid to arm-twist the management.” “The leadership of both unions however, on Thursday, 3rd September 2015, only held a “Joint JAC Congress” and “unanimously agreed that the management should be given 7 days ultimatum with effect from Friday 4th September,

2015 to pay and implement the Earned Allowances as recommend (sic) and signed by Joint Action Committee on Revenue.” The ultimatum according to the spokesman did not take into consideration the fact that the report was yet to be presented to either management or the body which set up the committee for review. Oke explained further that even with this development, the management invited the leaders of the two unions to a dialogue and advised them to allow the JAC comprising all the four unions review the report for adoption. He however disclosed that the university was a peaceful community and no one for any reason “personal or corporate should toy with this cordiality and peace we have more so that all issues are in dialogue.”

L-R: Vice Principal(Special Duties), Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, Mrs Ann Ajisafe; Principal, Rev. Chris Ugorji and Vice-Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association of the college, Mr. Francis Omotosho during the school’s press conference last week .

Tunboaun Ogundare

he management of Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos has justified the various levies the school is being charged its students. This defence came as a reaction to an editorial cartoon in a daily (not National Mirror) accusing the school of charging fees it considered to be outside the reach of the masses, many of whom it also claimed have not received salaries for many months. Addressing journalists last Saturday with the leadership of the Parent-Teacher Association, and the alumni association in attendance, the Principal, Rev. Chris Ugorji said all the levies being charged by the school except the one by the PTA were approved by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education. He noted that even the one by PTA was jointly fixed by the parents at their general meetings as a way of raining funds

FG approved our levies —FSTC to help the school meets some of its financial needs. FSTC is one of the poorly funded 104 unity colleges owned by the Federal Government to provide quality and qualitative education to secondary school students nationwide irrespective of their economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds. However, the principal, who fumed at the cartoon publication, accused the newspaper of being bias for singled out the school for such illustration when many other schools like King’s College and which are also based in Lagos according to him charged higher. Even at that, he argued that most of these levies are for essential needs of the students like accommodation, feeding, uniforms and books with some of them optional. He disclosed that the total N212, 300 fees the newly admitted boarding students are

being charged by both the management and PTA was the highest while the day and returning students would pay something much lower. He said to run a school like FSTC for optimum result requires a lot of financial commitment and energy but that the school asked students to get most of their items such as mattresses, chairs, wears, books, among others from school was not only because they are far cheaper and durable but also for uniformity. He added that the quality of moral and academic training the students are given was far richer than the money being charged, disclosing that if not for parents’ financial support, it would have been more difficult to run the school. The chairman of the PTA, Mrs Oby Igwillo represented by the vice-chairman, Mr. Francis OMotosho also expressed displeasure at the

cartoon report, saying it was capable of inciting parents against the school. She noted that PTA was aware of paucity of funds confronting not only FSTC but all the public schools in the country, the reason he said parents always take it upon themselves to raise funds to assist the schools in their developmental projects. Igwillo pointed out that the N74, 000 (N69, 300 PTA levy currently charged new students is being used to fund its new projects like a 1,000-bed female hostel which is under construction and rehabilitation of the boys’ hostel as well as payment of teachers and other support workers employed by the group, among others. She said it was because of the high standard that FSTC is known for over the years that make many parents prefer it to others for their children.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bauchi trains teachers

Titus Ezekiel Bauchi

o fewer than 360 teachers in Bauchi State were trained last week on laboratory application in teaching of core subjects in secondary schools in the state. The five-day workshop organised by the College of Education, Azare in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Education and the Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP) took place in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government council. The Public Relations Officer of the college, Alhaji Suleiman Shehu in a statement issued at the end of the train-

Tunbosun Ogundare

he Lagos State Government has urged students in both public and private primary and secondary schools in the state to make reading a habit. The parents and teachers were also advised to encourage such habit in their children. The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo gave the advice shortly after reading with

ing, said the teachers were trained on such subjects as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Integrated Science. The participants, according to him, were drawn from across the 20 LGAs of the state with the aim to make them more effective in the teaching of those subjects. He disclosed that the participants were trained on techniques that would help them make their classrooms learning friendly. The Provost of the college, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Isyaku in his opening remark, commended the government for sponsoring the programme despite its financial constraints.

Lagos asks students to make reading a habit the pupils of Ikeja Junior High School and the Central Primary School, also in Ikeja where she visited among others to commemorate this year’s World Literacy Day on Monday. According to her, good reading will not only promote literacy and empowerment, it will also help in taming poverty in the land.

Don celebrates 2 brilliant students Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

don, Prof. Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke, has called for functional education in the country, saying apart from making our graduates employable but would also assist our leaders by giving them managerial ability. Olagoke who is the proprietor of Shafaudeen Group of Schools, Ibadan, said it was lack of functional education of many governors coupled with their corruption that led their states into bankruptcy consequent upon their inability to pay workers salaries and resort to begging for loans. He believed that functional education would have guided them in prudent management of their meagre resources instead of ostentatious living and senseless execution of white elephant projects. He spoke in Ibadan while celebrating two SSS 11 girls who passed in flying colours the last Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted by WAEC,

Education Today

Thursday, September 24, 2015

passed the JAMB examination as well as the post-UTME of the University of Ibadan. The girls are Azeez Abibat (17)and Akintayo Rofiat (16) of Shafaudeen Comprehensive College Mafikuyomi, Wakajaiye, Ibadan.. Olagoke who donated cash and other gifts to six other students of the school, called on parents to give priority attention to the education of their children and wards, stressing that education remains an unperishable legacy one could bequate to one’s family. Olagoke who is also the Dean,School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, lauded the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for introducing free education in the old Western region, a feat which his contemporaries thought was unattainable. “Many of us who are beneficiaries of that project would continue to pray for him and also contribute our own quota as well to educational development in the country”, he said.

Saidat Alausa

ore winners have emerged in the just concluded Indomie Flash and Win promo. The new set of winners was presented with their cheques at an elaborate ceremony at Indomie head office in Surulere, Lagos last weekend. The cheques were presented to the winner of N1million naira as well as winners of N100, 000. The promo which lasted for two months produced two lucky winners of N1M and 60 winners of N100, 000 each. The brand also gave out N30M worth of recharge cards to consumers. 20 -year old Fatima Hamza from Kano State emerged the second winner of the N1million during the presentation. Fatima who said she wanted to study medicine in Bayero University, Kano told National Mirror during the presentation that she had been worried after her secondary education how she would be able to fund her education especially her dream course. “But today am happy, now I can fulfill my dream because God has done it through Indomie,” the elated Fatima said. Explaining how she entered for the promo, the third child among six children said she participated in the promo without any iota of expectation. “A friend told me about it

I can now study Medicine, says Indomie promo winner

L-R: Head, Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council, Joshua Yakubu Nggada; Brand Manager, Indomie, Zara Khan; winner of N1m Indomie Flash & Win Promo, Fatimah Hamzat and Public Relations/Events Manager, Dufil Prima, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju during the presentation of cheque to the winner in Lagos and I immediately entered really grateful to Indomie for Also speaking at the prefor the promo. In fact this bringing joy into my family.” sentation, Head, Lagos Ofis my first time of entering Speaking to journalists at fice of Consumer Protection into a promo that was why the event, Public Relations Council (CPC), Mr. Joshua when they called me that I and Events Manager of In- Yakubu attested to the credhave won N1million I did not domie, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju ibility of the promo exercise. believe them I thought it was reiterated the company’s He said the main aim of another scam. commitment to give back to the consumer protection She said, “When I was its numerous consumers all council is to protect the Nigecontacted that I had won around the country. rian consumers. N1m, I didn’t believe at all “Today marks the second “The presence of CPC because it sounded too good cheque presentation event here today is to lend creto be true. I assumed it was for more winners that have dence to the exercise befraud. But they were persis- emerged in the Indomie cause it is credible. In runtent and after I visited their Flash and Win promo. The ning this promo, Indomie Kano office where they ar- high rate of entries record- has gone through all the cerranged for me to be present ed during the course of the tification processes and has here in Lagos today, I was promo is a reflection of deep been certified by the reguconvinced it was genuine. I consumer loyalty and trust. latory authorities that this cannot express how much We are indeed excited to give promo is genuine. We want joy I feel right now. back to consumers of the to congratulate Indomie “The N1M will be ma- brand. Indomie will continu- for conducting a successjorly channeled towards my ously engage in promos that ful promo. I will encourage education and family needs will bring joy to the hearts of consumers of the brand to because my dad is late. I am our consumers.” continue to patronise the

Experts blame poor education on faulty foundation Tunbosun Ogundare

xperts have attributed poor standard of education in the country to faulty foundation that many primary school pupils expose to. They therefore advocated improved quality primary and secondary education for every Nigerian child, saying that was the critical way to produce quality graduates and prosperous economy. The experts made this observation at the 20th anniversary of Ostra Private Schools, Okota, Lagos held recently, saying that was why nations that understand this principle strive to raise standards of education for their children and many rich Nigerians take their children aboard to study. The Proprietress of the school who also displeased with the development, Mrs. Rosemary Ohio-Ehimiaghe said although not in all cases, it would be difficult for children who get it wrong at their early education to get it right later in life. She frowned at a situation where schools teach science subjects without laboratory facilities or teach about 30

students with two or three computers, saying such cases would also lead to poor standard. “But here in Ostra, we do things accordingly. We are for standard and that is why we can roll out drum to celebrate our 20th anniversary of establishment,” she said. The school however as part of activities for the ceremony presented awards

to some deserving students and teachers and donated some food items, toiletries, among others to charitable outfits such as Ijamido Motherless Children’s Home, Ota, Ogun State and SOS Village, Isolo, Lagos In his remark, the coordinator of the school, Mr. James Dedume noted that Ostra’s products advertise the schools anywhere they go.

Ogun appoints more principals

he Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has appointed another set of 25 Principals, 66 Vice-Principals and 3 Zonal Secretaries into public secondary schools in the state, thus bringing the total number of principals and vice-principals appointed by the Amosun-led administration to 233 and 572 respectively. Speaking at the induction ceremony in Abeokuta, the state capital, Commissioner I of the commission, Otunba Timothy Adebowale said the appointment was based on merit, seniority and the time of certification which the commission was not ready to compro-

mise or be influenced by anyone. Adebowale, in a press release by TESCOM’s Press Officers, Yemisi Fasola and Ogunjimi Tolulope charged the new officers to be more dedicated in the discharge of their duties as heads of schools saying that they are now role models to those under them including their students. Earlier in her address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Olabisi Akinnuga said the current screening process was a radical departure from the existing process as it took into consideration the grade level of officers, date of last promotion and date of first appointment.

Education Today

Education journalists elect leaders Saidat Alausa

igerian journalists covering education sector for print, broadcast and online media houses nationwide have elected their new leaders. The election under the umbrella body of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) took place last weekend at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Lagos State Council, Alausa, Ikeja and the exercise was supervised by the Council’s Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye and other members of his cabinet. The new officers who have since been sworn-in to steer the affairs of the association for the next three years include Mr. Tunbosun Ogundare of National Mirror Newspapers who emerged as Chairman and Mrs. Sharon Ijasan of Television Continental as the Vice-Chairman. Others are: Mr. Mojeed Alabi of New Telegraph (Secretary); Mr. Kelechi Ewuzie of Business Day (Assistant Secretary); Taiwo Omilani of Leadership Newspapers (Treasurer); Mrs. Funmi Ogundare of ThisDay (Auditor) and Mrs. Medinat Kanabe of The Nation Newspapers as Financial Secretary. In his inaugural speech, Ogundare commended the association’s electoral committee led by Mrs. Yinka Olawale of News Agency of Nigeria for what he described as fairness and transparent exercise. He also appreciated his opponent and the association’s pioneer acting Chairman, Mr. Dayo Adesulu of Vanguard Newspapers for putting up a good fight and for his spirit of sportsmanship. Thanking the NUJ leadership for its strong support to the association since inception, Ogundare promised that EWAN would advance the course of education development in the country through improved reportage and follow-ups on education issues that are of public importance without bias.” He urged all reporters of education nationwide to brace up for a new era, promising to facilitate constant retreats and on-thejob trainings for members to enhance their development. Earlier in his remark, NUJ chairman commended EWAN for its orderliness and conformity with the guidelines set by the union as the parent professional body. He enjoined members of the association not to limit their activities to EWAN but to also actively participate in NUJ programmes at various levels.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tunbosun Ogundare

Professor of Political Science at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Osisioma Nwolise has said Nigeria would need to get its youths properly educated, financially supported and psychological motivated for it to attain socio-economic prosperity. He made the observation at a public lecture organised by Ibadan North Local Government Office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on the need for youth empowerment and mentoring. The political scientist observed that the nation is restless because it is on fire. “Part of the fire was ignited by the neglect of the youths by successive governments in the past four and half decades,” he asserted. According to him, millions of Nigerian youths are idle and angry and as such they get trapped in the quagmire of poverty and hopelessness. He said many working parents who should have lent helping hands are poorly paid while the retired ones are owed several months arrears of pension. He, however, assured that the youth are in for good things with Muhammadu Buhari and Sen. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as president and governor respectively, as “both leaders are determined to succeed.” He said: “a lot of injustice has been done to Nigerian youths by successive administrations. Nigerian youths have suffered neglect, exclusion from strategic decision making structures, joblessness and hopelessness. The youth have been regarded as the leaders of tomorrow since independence in 1960, but that tomorrow has never been allowed to come by political mercantile godfathers, election riggers, and sit-tight politicians.” Nwolise, who heads the department of political science at the University of Ibadan, said that the country had been programmed to disintegrate in the

Director, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs Ronke Soyombo (left) with students and teachers of Central Primary School, Ikeja reading a book to mark this year’s World Literacy Day on Monday. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

How Nigerian youths can be relevant —Don year 2030. He said the kidnappings and insurgency in the SouthSouth and Northern Nigeria are manifestations of the prediction. He explained further that “one key issue in national development is enhanced productivity capacity. The point is that development is not to bring relief to the citizen or nation. It is to enable the citizen and nation release their inherent potentials for growth, enhanced productivity and higher social, economic and political service. It is in this way that a citizen will become an asset and not a liability to the nation. Empowering youths through various strategies therefore is a developmental strategy. “Nigerian leaders have continuously failed to deploy our foreign policy as strategic instrument of national development. Nigeria has played the role of Father Christmas for too long

L-R: Chairman, Education Writers Association of Nigeria, EWAN, Mr. Tunbosun Ogundare of National Mirror; Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Sharon Ijason of Television Continental; Secretary, Mr. Mojeed Alabi of New Telegraph; Treasurer, Mrs. Taiwo Omilani of Leadership Newspapers; Financial Secretary Mrs. Medinat Kanabe of The Nation Newspapers and Auditor, Mrs. Funmi Ogundare of ThisDay during their inauguration at NUJ secretariat in Ikeja.

and it has gotten nothing back other than insults from assisted nations. Our crude oil, solid minerals, fishes, timber etc are stolen daily by foreigners and their local collaborators. We allow our domestic policies to be manipulated by external forces because our leaders had to seek regime security or protection of their loots outside. It is hoped that the new era of change will really change all these. “The up-bringing of a child in pre-colonial Africa, was like security, the responsibility of all. Despite the fact that this collective role has been eroded greatly by modernism, the empowerment of the youth is still a collective task of different stakeholders some of which are parents, educational institutions, the youth himself, government at all levels, civil societies and non-governmental organisations, media and foreign bodies,” he suggested. As a way out and means of youth empowerment, he suggested that “the NYSC period should be extended to two years. The first year should be spent on military training and compulsory military service, as well as entrepreneurial training, and other short courses that can aid self-employment and work in the industry. The second year should be devoted to the national service proper. “ Apart from the formal educational, he suggested that there should be a training which provides opportunity for short courses “so that youth that can

employ themselves and or feed industrial production manpower can be produced. “Funds should be made available through micro-credit facilities for self -employment, establishment of cottage industries, small scale industries etc. Also workers should be paid living wages and pensioners paid as and when due so that their children can be well taken care of. “The country needs to create at least between 3 million and 5 million jobs annually for the next four years to dry up the pool of hungry, idle and angry youth and remove them from the streets and roads. This can be done through the provision of electricity at least 100, 000 to 200, 000 megawatts, rejuvenation of dead industries, establishment of new industries, establishment of farm settlements, expansion of military -one percent of Nigeria’s population, expansion of undermanned security services like the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Prison Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and recruitment into the civil service. The organiser, a batch ‘C ‘corps member, Moses Bolanle who used the occasion to launch his ‘School In A Bag (SIAB) community development service (CDS) project, said the programme was borne out of the need to allow his colleagues think outside the box, calling on government at all levels to wake up and be alive to their responsibilities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, September 24, 2015

New obstacles to free education in Nigeria

ven as plans appear to have reached advanced stages to implement the free school feeding programme which was promised during the electioneering campaign, fresh hurdles have began to appear from unexpected quarters. The free school meal has been proposed in order to improve enrolment in the basic education scheme and reduce the rising population of out of school children in Nigeria. This has become even more plausible in the light of the successes recorded by the Osun State initiative which incorporates free school meals and uniforms. But the unprecedented decline in the nation’s revenue base following the collapse of petroleum products prices in the international market is threatening to torpedo this laudable scheme. Fortunately, it is also exposing fundamental flaws in the implementation of the nation’s compulsory, free universal basic education scheme early enough to permit the introduction of appropriate corrective measures. The fresh obstacles emerging recently at different levels of policy administration and implementation have imposed additional impediments to access to the universal basic education programme of the country. The most obnoxious of these obstacles was created by the introduction late last year of the N5,000 educational insurance levy by the federal ministry of education, an agency of the Federal government. Ridiculously, the levy is allegedly to mitigate the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of attacks on educational institutions in the country. The aggrieved parents have since taken their case to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, and the Special Rapporteur on human rights of internally displaced persons. There are myriads of other levies imposed by nearly all the Unity Schools through the Parents Teachers Association. All these obviously negate the objectives of the free basic education scheme and suggest a lack of cooperation between the policy formulators and implementers. State governments have also recently introduced measures that will restrict access to basic education, contrary to the spirit and letters of the Universal Basic Education

scheme. It is indeed bewildering that parents who are adjudged incapable of providing food and school uniforms for their children are now required to pay tax before their kids can take advantage of the free education in the public schools. It should be clear to government that children of working class Nigerians and business men, who can afford to pay tax, often do not attend public schools. But misdemeanours by individual institutions are also rife but government tend to look the other way or do noththe most obnoxious of these ing even if brought to their attention. In a recent case reported in the Guardian Newspapers, a reverend gentleman obstacles was created threatened to take the management of a primary school in Enugu State to court over the illegal levy of N1,300 slammed by the introduction late on pupils ostensibly to provide six water closet toilet facililast year of the ties. Notwithstanding the publicity accorded the incident, educational insurance levy there is no evidence that the government responded. Unfortunately, while there are sanctions on parents and guardians who fail to ensure that their children and wards by the federal ministry of attend and complete the primary and junior secondary education school, there are none on governments and institutions who Act of 2004. Just last week, the Oyo State government intro- impose all sorts of levies on pupils. It may be necessary to duced a three thousand Naira education levy beginning from modify the UBE Act to ensure the realization of its provithe 2015/2016 academic session. At about the same time, Ekiti sions. There is also an urgent need for an all stake holders’ State government also slammed a terminal education levy of summit beginning from the Federal Executive Council N1,000 plus other sundry levies including N500 for PTA, N600 (FEC) to the heads of the various educational agencies such for examinations and N300 for extra lessons. There are also as the minister and commissioners of education to dialogue strong suggestions that the Delta State government has intro- on the way forward. Nigeria holds the unenviable record of housing the largduced educational levy in the primary and secondary schools est number of out of school children worldwide. If this in the State, but the government has denied this. negative statistics would be erased, and if the objectives of On a very sad note however is the case of the Osun State the Compulsory , free Universal Basic Education Scheme government, which under pressure from diminishing state would be achieved, the obstructive educational levies of the earnings and unpaid teachers’ salaries, suddenly demanded Federal and State governments, individual institutions and that students present their parents tax clearance certificate bepersons must be eliminated immediately . The capability of fore they are admitted or allowed to write their examinations. the nation to sustain free school meal component of the free It is a sad development because Osun State has hitherto been education scheme in the face of dwindling resources and in the forefront of implementing the free and compulsory baother components of the free education scheme should be sic education programme in the country with the introduction diligently assessed. of the free school feeding programme and free school uniform

N5,000

Paucity of funds hampers NPMCN mandate —President

No respite as Osun lecturers...

Saidat Alausa

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

vailing national economic downturn because since the last quarter of 2014, he President, Na- zero capital allocation has tional Postgraduate grounded to complete halt Medical College of the only ongoing physical Nigeria, Ijanikin, Lagos construction on the college State, Prof. Rasheed Aro- premises. “Even the one major fagundade has disclosed that perennial problem of inad- cility which the college beequate funding of the col- lieves will enhance its manlege continues to impede date of producing Medical full attainment of college and Dental Specialists of mandate and infrastruc- the highest quality, competence and dedication in line tural growth. He said this during the with global best practices in college 33rd convocation postgraduate medical education does not appear to ceremony held last week. According to him, the receive adequate support. He also disclosed that college is currently feeling the impact of the pre- the proposed Clinical Skills

and Simulation Laboratory construction for which the college sought Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention has not been constructed. “This Performance and Cognition Skills Examination (PACSE) Centre in intended for use to teach different Clinical Skills and Competencies but so far our efforts have not yielded any fruit but I need not remind us that those will train on these facilities may eventually turn out to be the saviours we need on our sick beds, Arogundade explained. Congratulating the new

L-R: College President, Prof. Rasheed Ajani Arogundade; Distinguished Fellow, Dr. Eneifok Ukpong; College Registrar, Prof. Oluwole Atoyebi; College Treasurer, Prof. Opubo da LillyTariah, during the 33rd Annual Convocation Ceremony of the College in Ijanikin, Lagos, recently.

graduates, the president said specialist has no room for strike actions, he said they should always bear it in mind that all forms of work stoppages in hospitals occasioned by strikes have direct impact on the survival of patients and on the quality of training programmes of the college. Delivering the convocation lecture, titled, “Leadership, the Health Sector and the Winds of Change Blowing Across Nigeria,” Retired Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin reiterate the need to recover the lost glory of the medical profession by leading by example and by inspiring and motivating those that “we lead to willingly follow us because of our shared vision and common goal.” “Let us bury mediocrity in the health sector and strive for excellence at all times, that is what our country and our people deserve because the era of a one man private practice is gone, it merely breeds mediocrity and increases the risk of preventable harm to patients and clients.”

bank loans, paralyzing our credit societies and resulting in rising penal interests on loans. “6. Illegal constitution of Governing Councils by exclusion of representatives of statutory organs like the Congregation and the Academic Board, the Alumni, etc. To our chagrin, the State Government, through the illegal Governing Council is presently threatening our members at Iree with all sorts of unimaginable policy somersault. We implore members of the incomplete Governing Council at Iree to avoid disorderly approach to issues. “7. Cut-throat tax due to implementation of PITA 2011 without full adoption of statutory salary structure (CONPCASS 2009) making us the least paid but highest taxed nationwide.” Expectedly, the students of the affected schools have suddenly found their voice, following up a protest held at the premises of Osun state House of Assembly last week by their lecturers, with a bigger version on Monday in Osogbo.The rampaging students, for over an hour, prevented the deputy governor, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori from entering the Abeere Government Secretariat in protest of continued closure of their campuses. During the protest, the students demanded for immediate re-opening of the institutions closed to serious academic activities in almost 9 months.The students had, as early as 9: am, converged on the popular Olaiya junction and held up traffic for an hour before moving to the State Secretariat. During the protest, the students blocked all roads leading to the secretariat and insisted that their campuses should be immediately reopened. Leaders of the protesting students, Mr Adekunle Animasahun and Mr Lukman Adekitan, said their demands include immediate reopening of their institutions, improvement of infrastructures in their institutions, recruitment of more lecturers and payment of salary arrears to workers. Addressing the students, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori, assured them that the state governor had directed Governing Boards of all the institutions to meet with the striking lecturers in order to resolve all the issues raised. She appealed for calm, adding that their demands would be met within a short period.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Don’t go on strike, poly students beg lecturers Temitope Yakubu FEDPOLY, Ado Ekiti

he National Association of Nigerian Students (NAPS) has appealed to the Academics Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) not to embark on another strike. ASUP had last week threatening to embark on another strike due to none payment of salaries and arrears of its members in some state owned polytechnics and the dichotomy between Bachelors Degree and Higher National Diploma. Speaking to Campus News in a telephone interview, the National Public Relations Officer of NAPS, Damola Olugbode said though the Students’ body joined the staff union in condemning the callous act of all state governments owing lecturers eight to ten months salaries arrears, because the association cannot afford seeing students staying back at home and watch their future altered or joked with again. “Considering the polytechnic community is yet to recover from the 13 months nationwide strike which paralyzed the 2013/2014 academic session, that boils down to the loss of the among others during and after the strike. “With all patriotism, we implore all concerned state governments to as a matter of urgency see to the payment of all salaries and allowances arrears owed.

Lecturer, students donate to FUNAAB

n a display of generosity, a Professor in the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Samuel Otubusin, in conjunction with six of his final-year project students have donated a Fish Hatchery and Nursery Flow-Through System to their department. According to Prof. Otubusin, who is a specialist in Aquaculture Systems’ Bio-Engineering, Fisheries Management and Economics, the hatchery is ideal for experimental research, both for undergraduate and postgraduate students, while the FlowThrough System consists of 24 circular concrete tanks that has a capacity for 1,000 fingerlings each. The project was designed, supervised, installed and co-funded by him.

he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was founded in 1980 to replace the erstwhile National Union of Nigerian Students which was founded 10 years earlier. The main aim of the association from inception is to protect the interest of Nigerian students. But this has been a problem in the recent past as level of corruption and gap between the students and NANS executive officers continue to expand. Although, the present President, Tijani Usman inherited an association with integrity problems, indiscipline, selfish alliance, and a partisan interest, not much was done to address these problems since inception last year. As another election draws nearer, many candidates have shown interest to occupy the students’ number one post. The next president is expected to come from zone B axis of the association which is made up of all higher institutions in the South South and South East region of the country. Meanwhile, blackmail and social media wars have suddenly become handy tools in the battle. So far, eight strong aspirants have shown interest to contest for the presidency, they are: Comrade Sherrif Emeka Eboh Sherrif is a Student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. His main manifesto is that if voted for is to return NANS back to the campuses and look beyond money politics in the Association. Comrade Unkwachukwu Okpaloka is a student of University of Nigeria, Nsuka, Enugu State. He is presently the Special Adviser to NANS President, on special du-

8 compete for NANS president as campaigns intensify

In few months time, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will be electing new leaders to pilot its affairs for the next one year. TEMITOPE YAKUBU (from Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti) takes a look in this report at the profiles, chances, strengths and weaknesses of aspirants. ties and campus affairs. Comrade Chika Nkwankwo Isaiah is another student of the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, Anambra State. The political Science Education Student was a one time Zone B Director of Sports before becoming the NANS National Assistant General Secretary in 2008. Nkwankwo Ezekiel who presently is the NANS National Public Relations Officer is an Agricultural Engineering Student of the Imo State Polytechnic. He believes by his qualification and experience as

a former Zone B Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator and presently the spokesman of the Association, he is the best man for the job. Comrade Haruna Arun Kadir is a student of the University of Benin. He was once a Zonal factional Coordinator. Comrade Anya S Anya a former Vice President (Special Duties) of the association is a student of Agricultural Engineering in Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. Igwe Ude-Umanta was the

conventional chairman that conducted last year election, a former Students’ Union President of the University of Abuja. He is very intelligent when it comes to students’ unionism. Chuks Favour Obelle is one of the oldest aspirants in this election having spent close to two decades in the association. He is a student of Nnamdi Azikwe University currently. Meanwhile, all the aspirants have been moving from one campus to another campaigning.

Students of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) during the donation of a Fish Hatchery and Nursery Flow-Through System to their department, recently.

Technical, vocational trainings need restructuring—Expert Emeka Chukwuemeka Fce (Technical) Umunze

Professor of Electrical and Electronics Technology, Vocational Education Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Reko Okoye has said that technical and vocational education and training institutions need to restructure their training programmes to be responsive to the needs of the labour market especially the industry where the services of their graduates are mostly needed. He stated this while delivering the paper, titled: “Challenges of TVET in Skill Development Management Issues in Nigeria” at the maiden National Conference and Exhibition of the School of Industrial Technical Education (SITE) held at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra state. The conference was theme, “Good Governance and Challenges of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for National Development.”

According to him, this is important so that the future of Nigeria will be secured through the youths who are groomed for technical development. The professor however identified challenges of TVET to include Leadership role and apathy to TVET professionals, Non-adherence to indigenous provisions, Standard of Training and Inadequate TVET sponsorship. “Poor funding has been a syndrome associated to TVET programs in many countries, including Nigeria. Lack of adequate funding to procure the needed material and human resources have severally led to cut-down in the quantity and quality of training provided in most public TVET provider intuitions. Also, most machines and equipment used for skills training are obsolete and dysfunctional. The instructors are in most cases not qualified. Thus, there exists poor quality in TVET programs delivery. Consequently, training for skills development is not suited to the actual socio-economic needs of the society.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Provost of the college represented by his deputy, Mrs. Madichie said in Nigeria TVET and some other educational policies have continued to suffer setbacks not because the policy frameworks are not robust; but because of issues bothering on good governance. He expressed optimism and said “As new developments in training and learning in technical and vocational education is linked with the educational or learning environment of the students, the aim of TVET would be achieved. Also speaking on the conference, the Dean, School of Industrial Technical Education, Dr. Omeje noted that education is the all round development of a child, according to him, the panacea for these challenges must be realised in all ramifications through adequate impartation of requisite technical skills for a near perfect human capital development which is synonymous with personnel development.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Endless search for varsity admission in Nigeria Ruth Nkeonye

he search by prospective undergraduates for admission has never been an easy task over the years in Nigeria. This situation is better been described as a Biblical Camel that is trying to pass through the eye of a needle. It requires a painstaking effort and the condition has been a source of worry to many with no solution in sight. However, many factors have been said by experts, policy makers and educationists, among others to be responsible for the menace which affects both young and old applicants seeking admission into universities, polytechnics or colleges of education. And the problem does not just occur. It has been there for many years. But the question that should be in the lips of Nigerians is “who should be blamed for the development? Is it authorities or the students? Each in my view has respective share of the blame. By authorities, I mean the government, the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board that conduct exams and the schools. The Federal Government, for instance, has failed to provide adequate funds for higher education, functional facilities and man-power, except that it succeeded in jerking up school fees almost on yearly basis. JAMB on its part has made a good start by reducing the cut-off mark for admission into various tertiary institutions nationwide this year. But this development can still not help the issue as hundreds of thousands of qualified applicants can still not gain admission to their preferred schools to study their dream courses, especially in the first generation universities like UNILAG, OAU, UI, UNN and UNILORIN. It is even disheartening that many officers especially in the universities ride on the problem to make money for themselves. That is why cut-off marks in many institutions for courses considered lucrative like Law, medicine, accounting and computer are no longer made public. Admission racketeering which put merit principle apart has become the order of the day in many public universities today. On the part of students, they too have their own blame. For instance, many of them don’t give their studies a deserve attention again, especially since the introducing of ICT in the country. Many of them not only prefer to buy expensive phones and connect to internet so as to be able to shuffle the net rather than buying books and reading them. The use of Computer Based Test is now compulsory for all admission seekers. The method which is a deviation from the traditional paper and pencil exam mode to a large extent has helped to check examination malpractice among candidates. And this development no doubt has equally resulted in mass failure of candidates. Even at that, the low carrying capacity of many of these schools is another issue that cause for concern. Because of lack of space, many applicants who are qualified are denied of admission, especially by the first generation universities like UNILAG, UI, UNILORIN, UNN, OAU and few others. Unfortunately, virtually all the private institutions which would have served as alternative charge fees that are beyond the reach of many parents. So, while children from rich homes have another option of going abroad to study, their counterparts from poor background continue to seek admission at home and in government schools with no success. Now, time has come for stakeholders especially governments at all levels to look into the problem holistically and find a lasting solution. Curbing the menace will not only help students to do better in life but will also lead to socio-economic prosperity for our nation. Nkeonye is an author based in Lagos

Participants with the management team of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra state during the maiden National Conference and Exhibition of the School of Industrial Technical Education (SITE) held at the college, recently.

‘The poor also study abroad’ Mr. Ojo Emmanuel is the President of Nigerian Students’ Association in Swansea University, United Kingdom. He is studying Political Science. Ojo from Ondo State, who was on vacation to Nigeria recently, speaks in this interview with KEMI BUSARI about his association, among other issues. Excerpts:.

Tell us more about your schoolwe have over there. There is this belief in some quarters that only children from association in the wealthy homes that can afford to study abroad, what is your view UK? on this? According to This is far from the truth and interestingly, I am a living example. the record at I am fatherless and my mother is just a subsistence farmer. In truth our disposal, and reality, it only takes focus and ability to maximise the opporthe associatunities around us. My own case is that of a poor boy who is not tion started only studying in the UK but presiding over many children from in the year the so-called wealthy families. 2000. It is How do you think Nigerian education system can be imthe coming proved? together of It starts with the parents. Their ability to develop the interest Nigerian stuof studying in their children is vital. The government should also dents studyflesh up the remuneration for the lecturers so as to motivate them to ing in Swando better. sea University. We currently have about 420 active members who are Nigerians. We a l s o have some who are not Nigerians but joined us because of the progress we are making. With the in the development university. addition of these ones, we will have about 1,500 James Abraham Nebo spoke on the topic: “HunJos memberships. dred Years of Nigeria; The Place How will it benefit members? ormer Minister of Pow- of Education and the ContribuThere are many benefits for the members. First er, Professor Chenedu tion of the University of Jos at is that we organise tutorials for those who have Nebo and the Publisher Forty.” challenge in their academics. We also discuss isof THISDAY Newspapers, He charged all stakeholders sues affecting members and encourage ourselves Chief Nduka Obaigbena to individually and collectively to come back home after graduation. were among dignitaries who identify specific contributions and Share your leadership experience so far? charged the alumni of Nige- areas of their intervention for the It has really been very interesting. It gives me rian universities and espe- growth their Alma Mater. an inner joy to be able to lead my colleagues in a cially that of the University foreign land. It is a tough experience because you of Jos (UNIJOS) to commit get to meet many kinds of people, some are adathemselves and their resourcmant to correction, some are not even ready to be es to the development of their led but God has been helping me so far. The presiovenant University Ota, alma maters as government dent’s post is for total service. Sometimes in social Ogun State will hold her alone cannot provide the engatherings, you’ll be surprised to see me serving 43rd public lecture tomorabling environment for the drinks. row . desired quality of education How do you compare Nigerian educational Prof. Sanjay Misra of the Dein the country. system with that of the UK? partment of Computer and InforThe duo who spoke on TuesI think it has improved from what it used to be. mation Sciences of the university day in Jos during the continuaWe only have to improve on the standard and the will deliver the lecture on “Global tion of the school’s 40th anniverlevel of corruption in the system. Also, we have Software Development: Challengsary, also urged the university to to improve on the remuneration of the lecturers. es and Opportunities in Nigeria” ensure maximum community They are not well valued here compared to what at 3:00pm. involvement and participation

Ex-minister, others charge alumni to develop alma mater

Covenant University holds public lecture

Thursday, September 24, 2015

THE Voice of The Nation of September 21 welcomes us today: “Tantalizers welcomes pupils with Back to School (Back-to-Scool) packs” “Imo Police burst another child trafficking (child-trafficking) syndicate” “JP Morgan, Barclays Capital indexes are recognition for (of) our excellence” “Rabiu commends FG over (for/on) refineries” “Make or mar (Make-or-mar) day for Saraki” “PMB has congratulated Team Nigeria for (on/upon) their superlative performance at the….” “New Akwa Ibom CP reads riot to hoodlums” South South News: the riot act “BUA Cement sets (set) for double capacity, employment” “…please accept our hearty congratulations on the completion of your tenure as IPAC chairman and the successful hand over (handover)….” “Anti-corruption protest: NLC urges support of Nigerians” For headline professionalism: Nigerians’ support “It’s a gang up (gang-up) against Fashola” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 6 contained a few blunders: “For more than 100 days now since they were sworn-in (sworn in), most of the state governors are yet to appoint commissioners.” “The opponents know themselves (each other) very well. They are both from Kogi East….” “In this interview, Oyovbaire spoke on variety (a variety) of issues affecting the Nigeria (Nigerian) nation.” THISDAY of September 5 displayed numerous omissions beginning from the front page: “Today, the creme de la crème of the Nigerian society will converge in (on) Lagos….” “Camp GTBank Players (Players’) Development Program—Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan…Get it right: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) “…enhance football talents emerging from GTBank sponsored (GTBank-sponsored) football tournaments” Nigerian Tribune of September 4 contributed copious lapses to this week’s edition: “Controversy trails PDP con-

Wrestle or wrest power? gress as protesters greet (besiege/storm…) secretariat in Kogi”: “In some of the wards visited at about 11 a.m. in Lokoja….” Time exactness counts. Therefore, ‘at or about 11 a.m.’ is used in formal communication. ‘At about’ is sheer colloquial English and smacks of uncertainty. Next is Nigerian Tribune Editorial of the above edition, which disseminated two misapprehensions: “The work of these committees require (requires) gathering tight information….” “…in the abuse and misuse of power and other corrupt behaviour (behaviours).” “Succour for flood ravaged (flood-ravaged) communities in Maiduguri” “Lagos PDP passes vote of confidence on (in) Shelle” Wrong: All Africa Games Right: All-Africa Games Finally from NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Back Page Sidelines: “A massive bunkering site which is two kilometres away from the Rivers Government House was suddenly uncover (uncovered) by the military.” NATIONAL MIRROR front and inside pages of September 3 offered readers a series of misprints: “Airline operators raise alarm (the alarm) over sale of kerosene as Jet A1” “Nigerian Army yesterday said that (sic) it has (had) uncovered massive oil bunkering (a massive oil-bunkering) site, just two kilometres from the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.” “Why unoccupied buildings continue to grow in (on) Lagos Island” “…the action of the President is not only an affront on (to) the nation….” The Editorial of NATIONAL MIRROR under focus comes next with just a common mistake: “…achieving the latter is ringed by tales (tale) of woe.”

Stakeholders call for curriculum review Robert Awokuse

n a bid to remedy the falling standard of culture and values systm in Nigeria following the destructive influence of western culture and globalisation on the present generation, stakeholders in education sector have called on appropriate authorities to review the school curriculum. The call was made at the 28th Annual National Conference of the CurriculumOrganisation of Nigeria, CON last week held at the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. Speaking at the event, Chairman of the occasion and National President of CON, Prof. Nnenna Konna said the theme of the conference which is Education, Culture and Values is apt and focal, adding that Nigeria education should address cultural practices and inherent values that make a nation unique and respectable in accordance with global standards.” “Nigeria as a nation desires more than ever, a critical reorientation of her educational practices, culture and values. Teachers are therefore, the hub upon which the success of that re-orientation revolves.” The Vice- Chancellor of the Univer-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

sity of Lagos, represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Olasupo Jegede maintained that the review of the curriculum is imperative to foster behavioural change in order to effect sustainable development. “Curriculum is the centre of all fields. For any meaningful and sustainable development in the environment to be achieved, a reorientation and change of behaviour, driven by education must be aggressively enforced. “Proper culture and values to cause change in our attitude must be maintained, hence the need for curriculum

change to address issues bothering on development through education should be encouraged.” Presenting the keynote address tagged: “Provoking the Child Education, Culture and Values”, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu said that for all-round development of the child to be achieved, education, culture and values must not be separated. The professor further recommended that subjects such as Civics, which promotes culture and values should be made compulsory and learning materials which entrench cultural practices and values system must be encouraged.

L-R: Chairperson, Anniversary Committee, Mrs. Ese Cole; Proprietress of MacQueen School, Effurun, Delta State, Mrs. Tosan Williams and Principal of the school, Prince Lanre Ikediashi at a press briefing to announce the 30th anniversary of the institution at Effurun, Delta State on Tuesday.

From Education Today manifests the following offence: “The UME as conducted by JAMB then was marred by rampant and persistent examination malpractice (malpractices) that virtually invalidated the examination.” “ICPC partner (partners) NYSC to fight corrupttion in MDAs” “Basic education, being the foundation and the chief determinant of the quality of the entire educational system of Nigeria require (requires) greater attention.” “The Parents/Teachers Association of the Federal Government College….” Get it right: Parent-Teacher Association Finally, from the back page of NATIONAL MIRROR under review: “The governor’s action has surely birthed a new information day in Adamawa with Sajoh on (in) the saddle.” THISDAY front and inside pages of September 12 take over from National Mirror: “…would soon be made available to all interested parties and the general public.” ‘Interested parties’ are members of the public.” What is the function of ‘general’ here? “The bombs were detonated inside a tent at the Malkohi IDP camp`at around 10.50 a.m. and claimed seven lives.” This way: at 10.50 a.m. or about 10.50 a.m. (depending on precision level) or loosely/informally ‘at about’—not ‘at around’ “I don’t know any country in the world (where else?) that has attained development with the aide (aid) of the ‘body language’ of its leader.” “From dip dyed (dip-dyed) hair, to colour fade (colour-fade) dresses, the current vogue for….” From the interiority of my library, ‘vogue’ implies currency. Therefore, ‘current vogue’— instead of just ‘vogue’—smacks of half-literacy. “The reason is because I do not want the Egyptians to retain it again.” A rewrite: The reason is I do not want the Egyptians to retain it. “Group urge (urges) SMEs to seek micro finance (microfinance) support”

Funding, bane of education devt —Proprietress Theophilus Onojeghen Warri

nadequate funding and parental attitude towards education have been blamed as the biggest challenges facing the growth of private school education in Nigeria. Popular educationist and proprietress Macqueen’s Nursery, Primary and High School in Alegbo-Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Mrs. Tosan Williams, made this observation during a news briefing to celebrate 30 years anniversary of the school. According to her, most parents are in the habit of involving their children and wards in examination malpractice. She explained that some parents irrespective of their wards preparedness for examinations, the parents go behind to induce officials to enable their wards passed. Williams said: “These parents don’t care on the educa-

tional capabilities of their children especially as regards the grades they make and in most cases, boycott schools with strict measures and rules to ensure that they bag the required credit.” She stressed that funding has become a major problem in the development of private schools noting that where loans are available stringent requirements are demanded which makes almost impossible to attain loans. Macqueen’s School proprietress decried the lack of necessary equipment to impact knowledge as the bane for dwindling educational fortunes. In public school alleging that they have become heaven for examination malpractice. The school which was founded in 1985 has produced over 50 medical doctors, engineers, and other professionals several fields including a professor currently based in Scotland.

Business Thursday, September 24, 2015

No recruitment, auction of seized goods now –Customs 28

Mines accidents are disastrous, but avoidable if operators observe safety rules –Hamza 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s broadband target date unrealistic –expert

MDAs not exempted from complying with TSA policy –Emefiele Tola Akinmutimi

he Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday said that none of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, at the federal level was exempted from complying with Treasury Single Account, TSA,policy. It would be recalled that some reports alleged linked to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, indicated that 13 agencies including, Bank of Industry, BoI, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and NigerDelta Power Holding Corporation, amongst others, were said to have been exempted from the TSA policy. Specifically, the report quoted a memo sent by the OAGF, allegedly directing the apex banking institution to exempt the listed MDAs agencies from remitting revenue collections to the TSA. Emefiele, who made the clarification on the sideline of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting in Abuja, also said despite some anxieties over the policy regime in the financial services sector, the nation’s banks were safe based on their liquidity ratio. The CBN Governor said he was neither informed formally to the effect nor briefed on the said directive. He said: “I haven’t seen any memo that exempts any MDA from the TSA. So as a result, I will advise all those who think they have been exempted to please avoid creating confusion. “I will appeal to those who are affected by the TSA to please continue to comply with the movement of accounts from other banks to the CBN”, Emefiele added According to him, while some funds had been mopped from the banks’ vaults as a result of the implementation of

the policy, the reports attributed to financial experts in the media on the quantum of money that left the banks due to the policy was less than what had been speculated. “The data that the committee (Monetary Policy Committee) reviewed between yesterday and today showed that liquidity ratio in the banks have de-

creased moderately. That is why the committee came up with the conclusion that the impact of the movement of funds from the CBN on liquidity is sort of moderate. The liquidity ratio showed that Nigerian banks are safe,” he said. Emefiele said that the apex banking institution would con-

tinue to monitor the liquidity of the banks to make sure that they did not slide into difficult terrain. The Treasury Single Account is a unified structure of government bank accounts that allows consolidation and efficient use of government revenue for development.

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: Group Head, Retail, FirstBank, Mr. Sunday Akinpelu; Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Alhaji Ibrahim Muazu; FICAN National Chairman, Mr. Babajide Komolafe and President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr. Femi Egbesola, at the 2015 Annual Conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) over the weekend.

Poultry farmers refute bird flu outbreak in Lagos  Abolaji Adebayo

he Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, has described the rumour of another outbreak of bird flu in Lagos as untrue and lacking any substance. Some radio stations in Lagos yesterday reported the new scourge of the dreaded bird disease in some areas and attributed their source to some farmers. However, in a swift reaction to the news, the National President of the Association, Dr. Ayo Oduntan, confirmed to our correspondent that said the reports were mere figment of the imagination. According to him, neither the

Ministry of Agriculture in the state nor the association had reported any outbreak of bird flu. Odutan said the birds may be caught by various diseases, which are not bird flu, adding that such disease could only be confirmed in the laboratory as either bird flu or any other disease.  He clarified: “The report is just a rumour because it has not been confirmed yet. There are many diseases that the chicken can be affected with, it is until the Ministry diagnoses those diseases in the laboratory and confirm before we can say this is a particular disease affecting the birds but such has not been done. So, for now, there is nothing like bird flu in Lagos state

until it is properly confirmed.”  Some poultry farmers at Oko-Oba area of Agege in Lagos who also spoke with National Mirror denied any knowledge of bird flu in Lagos.  According to them, the report was yet to be confirmed. The farmers however appealed to the government, if the rumour became founded, to quickly curb its spread before it gets out of hand as they will not like to experience any further loss to the disease which ravaged many farms in the country a few months ago.  It would be recalled that about 14 states across the country were affected early this year with the outbreak of the disease, which claimed millions of chickens.

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, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

No recruitment, auction of seized goods now –Customs ….restates commitment to manpower training FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has denied any involvement in reports on phantom recruitment exercise in the Service and auction sale of some seized goods, including motor vehicles. This is even as the newly appointed Comptroller General of the service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) restated the commitment of the Service towards upholding international standards in the Customs Training College in Abuja. In two separate statements issued by the National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi and his deputy, Mr. Joseph Attah, respectively the service said it is neither recruiting nor auctioning seized goods. “The Nigeria Customs Service wishes to remind our stakeholders that the Service is not presently recruiting and that auction of seized or overtime cargo remain suspended till further notice”, the service said. The statement signed by the deputy PRO, also said that this warning had become necessary to prevent people from being defrauded by criminal elements who open fake Facebook accounts in the name of the Comptroller –General of the service, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd) advertis-

ing job vacancies, auction and contracts. “It is disheartening to note that despite several warnings, arrests and prosecutions, internet fraudsters are still using this online platform to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. It is therefore imperative to advise people to stop patronising these seemingly juicy offers on the internet, promising jobs, auction and contracts upon payment of some amounts of money into private accounts” The statement also said. He insisted that the service is currently not undergoing any recruitment exercise, even as auction of seized vehicles or overtime cargo remain suspended until further notice. He however advised that while refusing to patronise these fraudulent elements, the stakeholders should also help the service get rid of the fraudsters by reporting suspicious offers online or traditional media to the nearest Customs formation. Meanwhile, the new CG, Col. Ali has assured that the service under his watch would ensure that the Customs Staff College remains a World -class training institution. The CG made this pledge in Gwagwalada shortly after inspection of the facilities as part of the ongoing familiarisation

2015 International Sea Trade, Investment Forum holds in Lagos

igeria’s first International Sea Trade and Investment Convention is scheduled to hold in Lagos between 5th and 6th of October, 2015.  The Convention with the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers” will hold Lagos.  According to a statement the International Sea Trade and Investment Convention ,ISTI, 2015 is designed as a platform to address issues of  new and direct trade routes between Nigeria and our leading trading partners, explore cross border potentials along the regional trade corridor, the development of viable import/export markets,  standardisation of goods and services to meet global certification for export, safety and security on our waterways, import and export  financing, market linkage, trade and infrastructure investment.  “Also the convention is aimed

at identifying impediments to export trade restrictions, facilities and regulations within the maritime sector. It is planned to create the platform for stakeholders to develop a roadmap to address issues of products, standardisation,  financing, incentives and the lack of infrastructure plaguing the industry”, itsaid.  Chairman of the International Sea Trade and Investment Convention’s Steering Committee, Mr. Adebayo Sarumi, said the convention is planned  to further buoy up Nigeria’s export trade and maritime sector to make it attractive to global buyers and foreign investors.  According to him, maritime and trade  in the Sub-Saharan Africa region has experienced an unprecedented  growth in the last few years, contributing over $15bn annually to Nigeria’s economy. “This can grow to as much as $50bn in the next couple of years.

visit to the formations under the service. While expressing satisfaction with the College environment, he described as ‘captivating, well- kept and commendable’.

According to him, the College is capable of delivering a World class, skilled Customs professionals but expressed his concerns about adequate maintenance of the college structures. “I am impressed and hope to keep the standard well above

average, it is one thing for us to build and another for us to maintain. The standard of training must not fall. “ The maintenance must not fall. Our staff college must be first- class at any given time” he declared.

L-R: GMD, Nigerian Army Welfare Holdings, Maj. –Gen. Austine Okoh; President Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCIMA), Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye and National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem, during the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Microsoft commences release of Office 2016 globally

icrosoft Corp on Tuesday announced the worldwide roll-out of its Office 2016, the latest addition to its cloud-based subscription service - Office 365. The company stated that Office 2016 came with new versions of desktop applications for Windows including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Access and also allows people to collaborate and work together. According to the leading software developing company, Office 365 subscribers can choose to download the new Office 2016 apps as part of their subscription, Chief Executive Satya Nadella said in a statement. “These latest innovations take another big step forward in transforming Office from a familiar set of individual productivity apps to a connected set of apps and services designed for modern working, collaboration and teamwork.” Microsoft had launched its much-awaited Windows 10 operating system in July. It was designed to work across laptops, desktop and smartphones as part of Nadella’s push towards winning back lost ground in the tablets and mobile arena. The new Office 2016 apps are available in 40 languages and require Windows 7 or later versions. Bank staff arraigned over N1.8

alleged fraud Wale Igbintade   A transaction officer with Access Bank, Hammed Mosuro, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing the sum of N1.8million belonging to the bank.  The 29-year-old defendant, who was arraigned before Magistrate A.T Omoyele, is facing a six count charge, bordering on conspiracy stealing, fraud and conversion of the money into personal use, preferred against him by the police.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The prosecutor Corporal Cyriacus Osuji, informed the court that Mosuro and others still at large committed the alleged offences between June and July, 2015. He said that the incident took place at Access Bank, at Apongbon branch‎ in Lagos island, at about 11:40 pm.  Osuji alleged that on July 3, 2015 the defendant stole the sum N400, 000, which was deposited with the Access Bank, by a customer of the bank.

Power generators extend losses on low prices

.S. power generators extended losses on Tuesday amid slumping energy prices and bleak forecasts from analysts. A Bloomberg index of power producers fell 6.3 percent to 113.46 at 2:31 p.m. in New York, its lowest level in more than three years. The index tumbled 4.2 percent on Monday. Owners of fossil-fuel power plants that sell into competitive markets are struggling with low prices, increasing environmental costs and rising competition from solar plants and wind farms. Low natural gas prices are also weighing on the sector, according to Tim Winter, a St. Louis-based analyst for Gabelli & Co.

“You want high prices and volatility if you’re in that sector,” Winter said in an interview. “They’ve got neither.” Talen Energy Corp. led the decline, slipping 10 percent to $10.77. NRG Energy Inc. dropped 6.7 percent while Dynegy Inc. fell 6.5 percent. “There seems to have been some negative momentum developing associated with a weak commodity environment and an absence of positive near-term catalysts that could lead to lower valuation expectations,” said Paul Patterson, a New York-based analyst for Glenrock Associates LLC. Meanwhile natural gas, a proxy for electricity as the fuel helps set clearing prices, is slumping.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, September 24, 2015

FG assures on infrastructure upgrade to boost trade, investments Tola Akinmutimi

he Federal Government on Tuesday promised to commit more resources to strengthen trade support infrastructure, such as international trade fair complexes, shopping malls and modern abattoirs, as part of efforts to boost non-oil sector productivity. Giving the assurance at the opening ceremony of the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Abdulkadir Musa, specifically said that the move would boost Nigeria’s domestic and international trade and open the economy up for new investments. Musa, who was represented by Mr Benjamin Ezeuwakwe, Deputy Director, Trade Promotion, in the ministry, also hinted that government had also prioritized the energy and power sector on the in the national economic development agenda as enunciated in the sector’s Roadmap. According to him, the programme seeks to ensure the laying of a foundation for inclusive growth, wealth creation, food security and reduction of the cost of doing busi-

ness in the country. Noting that the trade fairs remain one of the best platforms for international and domestic exhibitors to create new product lines, access new markets, build new business relationships and showcase new products, the Permanent Secretary expressed the hope that participants at this year’s Abuja fair will avail themselves the opportunities provided to promote trade and investment. Musa, who described the theme of this year’s fair `Entrepreneurship as a panacea for economic growth’ as apposite, pointed that social entrepreneurship, a major component of entrepreneurship, remained a veritable initiative for building community, selfreliance and creating a vehicle for organisations to meet their needs in a financially sustainable ways. He said that the fair was expected to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), encourage development of industrial input and by so doing, expand and diversify the country’s export base. In his remarks at the event, the National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Mr

Bassey Edem, noted that effects of entrepreneurship on any economy remained among the key indicators to determine its growth and potential. He said: “The number of market participants in any industry

Ayade takes delivery of garment factory equipment, assures jobs

Kogi Gov lauds Ecobank-NACA Centre in State University  C

According to him, Ecobank’s vision of the Youth Friendly centre stems from the bank’s desire to use all available opportunity to give back and contribute effectively towards the society in which the bank operates. “We believe young people need a friendly environment that  would offer recreational facilities and at the same time provide free  guidance and counselling HIV/AIDS and other health issues.”, Umadia said.  Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Prof. Hassan Isah, said that he was happy that his school is the first state university to enjoy  Ecobank-NACA Youth Friendly Centre, adding that the project midwifed by NACA and funded by Ecobank is commendable. Director General, NACA, Prof John Idoko, who was represented  by Director, Partnership Coordination, NACA, Emmanuel Alhassan, explained  that the partnership with Ecobank had produced eigh centres in various universities across the country.

urged all the tiers of government to commit more funds and policies toward the nation’s entrepreneurial development, especially now that oil can no longer assure fiscal and macroeconomic stability in the country.

An official of the Nigerian Communications Commission Sealing the Skynet General Data Engineering Services, over License regularisation in Ibadan, yesterday.

Richard Ndoma, Calabar

DO ONYEKA   Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada, has commended Ecobank Nigeria  for funding the multi-million naira Ecobank-National Agency for the  Control of AIDS ,NACA, Youth Friendly Centre at Kogi State University, Anyigba.  Commissioning the ultramodern Centre last weekend, the Governor said that  that the partnership between Ecobank and NACA to establish the Centre in the state was quite impressive, stressing that it would go a long way to improving the lives of youths and check the prevalence of the dreaded HIV/ AIDs and other health related diseases.  The Governor said: ‘I must commend Ecobank, NACA and the  university authority for this multi-dimensional facility. Any effort to check prevalence of critical diseases of modern times must be appreciated.’  Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kingsley Umadia, said the establishment of the centre is part of Ecobank desire to give back to society.

will finally have an important effect on economic growth and this is recognised as another strand of evidence of the role of entrepreneurship in the expansion of the economy.’’ The NACCIMA boss therefore

ross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, yesterday took delivery of equipment for the Calabar garment factory.  The Calabar Garment Factory is currently under construction and is expected to employ at least 1,500 people mostly, women and wid-

ows.  On assumption of office, the Governor had promised to establish the factory as a way of curbing the increasing unemployment in the state.  Ayade said that his administration worked ‎hard with the core Italian partner Goldpride to get to this stage of taking delivery of the equipment, adding that when operational the fac-

U.S.-China hacking deal seen on civilian, not firm hits

isputes over what’s acceptable behavior in cyberspace threaten to overshadow the agenda when Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Barack Obama meet in Washington this week. A simmering conflict over hacking comes at a time when the U.S. is seeking cooperation with China on issues from North Korea to antiterrorism and climate change. Xi arrives in Washington Sept. 24 for a two-day visit. The two sides hope to announce an agreement to limit certain types of hacking, though people familiar with the negotiations say they have been contentious and any deal unveiled this week will probably be modest. “Cybersecurity is shaping up to

be one of those things whose impact is so enormous that it could affect the trajectory of the relationship,” said Wang Fan, director of the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University. Xi and Obama are likely to only reach an agreement in principle or risk “derailing the entire bilateral relation.” U.S. government agencies and companies are reeling from a string of sophisticated attacks alleged to have been carried out by the Chinese government or its proxies, including the theft of corporate information and millions of health care and federal personnel records. China denies being involved, saying it’s a victim of cyber-espionage itself and opposes hacking.

tory will take a minimum of 500 workers at a go and would run three shifts a day which translates to 1500 workers.  He also disclosed that the garment factory will produce all sorts of clothes with Italian quality bearing in mind that the technology and expertise is from Italy‎.  Ayade used the opportunity to call on members of the Armed forces, the Police and other Para-military organizations to patronize the garment factory when operational, adding that it is his desire that the factory will not only serve Nigeria but the entire west Africa.  “It is my strong hope that the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, Immigration, Customs, Civil Defence and other organizations would patronize the garment factory . It is our strong hope and intent to ensure that this garment factory would not only cater for Cross Riverians but the entire Nigeria, West Africa and Africa.l am happy a Cross Rierian is serving as a core pioneer architect of the project.”   In his remarks, the project’s core investor and Chief Executive Officer of GoldPride, Giuseppe Gemma, said that his company was bringing its expertise to bear in what would be the end –product of the factory,.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Steel & Mining Industry

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mines accidents are disastrous, but avoidable if operators observe safety rules –Hamza Comrade Mohammed Hamza is the new National President of the National Union of Mines Workers. The mining industry leader in this interview with CHIDI UGWU advises government on the need to adequately fund the mining sector in view of its strategic role in non-oil revenue for the country. Excerpts:

ongratulations on your emergence as National President of the Nigerian Union of Mines Workers NUMW. What changes are you poised to effect while in office? In order to ensure the protection of the workers’ rights and privileges, my administration will first embark on a strong strategy for unionizing all workers in the miners and quarries across the country. We will achieve this in the FCT and we will extend it to other states of the federation. When workers are not unionized, it makes them very susceptible to cheat employers who exploit them. So my administration will begin an awareness drive in order to get all mine workers unionized as a strategy to ensure that we will fight collectively for our rights and privileges as bestowed on us by the laws of our country. It is sad that there are workers in some places who are not even aware of the existence of the Nigerian Union of Mines Workers. We want to include all workers and ensure that we invoke the principle of “Injury to one miner is injury to all miners.” What are the objectives for which your government aims to unionise the workers in the mining sector? Mining take so much from mine workers. Miners use a lot of strength on daily basis. Sadly, there is no proper pay, there is lack of incentives on labour. We want all miners to be assured of benefits after when they retire from service of employers. This is a very serious policy objective of my administration. We will visit the various work places as much as we can and well establish our union in the organisations. Of course unionism is voluntary, but we are confident that workers will be willing when we explain the benefit of protection that it will bring to them. As you are aware, there are many advantages of becoming a member of the Nigerian Union of Mine Workers. How will you go about it? We will begin with visitations of quarries and offices of employer-companies and organisations. When we do, we will open a register for workers who will agree to join the join the union and

we will then establish our union in the organisation. It may not be easy, but we are ready for the challenge. Unionism of workers is the first thing we will do that will pave way for other agitations. What other things would you demand for? There is the issue of retirement benefits and also hours of work. There is also pension and gratuity and gross negligence of safety rules. In the crushing unit of some quarries, there are no safety measures in place and this puts the worker at very great risk. Masks and other safety wears are the rights of workers, and we will ensure that workers get this due. Mining is risky. Miners need support for safeguard. We want a situation in the sector where workers who work for overtime will get their allowances. We want holidays for workers to who it is due. There is need for humane treatment of workers. As done in other sectors, we want the children of mine workers to enjoy benefits of academic scholarships and travels. As a rule handed down by government, all work fields in the mining sector must have a clinic. But you will find that there are no clinics in some places. Mining is a very sensitive industry that has its own potential dangers. It is very wrong for employers to deprive workers of their right to safety. As a matter of fact, the use of explosives and heavy machinery and equipment particularly exposes the miners. So there are many reasons why we will ensure that mining companies and organizations comply with safety rules. Mines accidents are very disastrous, but they are avoidable if the safety rules are obeyed. So NUMW want all employers to provide safety facilities for the workers as provided by law. Some companies just flout the law because enforcement authorities are negligent. For example you will find that something as simple as first aid box could be lacking. It is as serious as that. There is also need to teach handlers on how to avoid accidents. My administration will not just focus on correction, but we will focus on how to avoid accidents as much as we can. So by the

Musa

grace of God, under my administration, all workers of the mining and quarrying sector of the Nigerian economy will be protected. The Chinese are believed to have taken over the operations of the Nigerian mining sector. How can local miners really become more competitive in the industry? Nigerians are experienced in mining but they lack the financial capability needed to embark on huge projects that will bring large scale revenue and employment to the country. Story Endeavour Mining Corporation, La Mancha Holding partner on gold mining As part of the transaction, Endeavour will acquire La Mancha’s indirect 55 per cent interest in Société des Mines d’Ity S.A. (“SMI”), which operates the Ity Gold Mine in Côte d’Ivoire, plus various regional exploration properties, and La Mancha will contribute US$63 million cash into the acquired businesses. La Mancha has also expressed an inprinciple commitment to invest up to US$75 million in additional funds to support Endeavour’s growth. Upon completion of the transaction, La Mancha will be issued approximately 177.1 million Endeavour ordinary shares representing 30.0% of the enlarged share capital. On a pro forma basis, Endeavour

will have an annual gold production rate of 580,000 ounces from five operations across West Africa , a strengthened balance sheet and further growth opportunities in Africa . Among other conditions, this transaction is subject to approval from Endeavour’s current shareholders. The Chief Executive Officer of Endeavour, Neil Woodyer, stated that his organization was pleased with the collaboration based on the two entities’ shared vision of building Africa-focused gold producer. He said: “We are pleased to welcome La Mancha and Naguib Sawiris as our long term strategic partner with the shared vision of building a leading, Africa -focused gold producer. This transaction will immediately add to Endeavour’s operating cash flow, increase our attributable “Mineral reserve and resource base by 22% and 23%, respectively, while also strengthening our balance sheet and funding position to pursue further growth. The Ity Mine and resource base has grown significantly under the leadership of La Mancha. An aggressive exploration program at Ity has increased M&I resources since 2011 from 0.2Moz to 2.9Moz. With our successful track record in building and operating mines, together we will have the expertise and the funding to grow across Africa”, he projected.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Info Tech

Nigeria’s CTO leadership: Experts see appointments as deserving, yet challenging Nigeria’s recognition as a leading player in the African telecoms ecosystem took a new dimension last week as two Nigerians, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and Engr. Shola Taylor were elected as Chairman and Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, CYO, respectively. While stakeholders see the appointments as desirable development, they also believe it could throw up new regulatory hurdles for African economies . Writes Isaiah Erhiawarien

igeria’s assumption of leadership positions in the telecommunications industry of the Commonwealth last week has further positioned the country on the global telecommunication industry’s space, considering the its rating as the fastest growing telecoms market in Africa. According to analysts, Nigeria merited the status that Nigeria has been bestowed on by players and stakeholders in the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, CTO with the election of the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, as chairman and Engr. Shola Taylor as the Secretary General and Chief Executive of the CTO. Several milestones, which may have earned Nigeria both highly coveted post, the National Mirror learnt were the sporadic growth of the active telephone lines, which currently is over 150 million, a mobile Internet users of over 90 million, coupled with over $32 billion local and foreign direct investment (FDIs). For instance, a tech-based research firm, Pyramid Research, Nigeria rated the country as having one of the fastest telecoms sector, with an annual growth rate of 30 per cent. While teledensity peaking at 107 per cent up from less than one per cent in 2001, the country had again recognised and development a broadband policy which is expected to be an enabler of faster economic development.

Prof. Umaru

Shola Taylor

Reacting to the news of key appointment that Nigeria now occupy at the CTO, a public affair analyst, and educational consultant, Mr. Julius Ariko alluded also to the fact that the nation for the first time had a broadband plan. According to him, the fact that the country moved so fast within the period of telecoms revolution to launch the National Broadband Plan, puts it on a global investors destination adding that its 30 per cent broadband penetration target of 2018 is a pointer to the country as a leaders in telecoms. The Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo also shares the thoughts Ariko describing the re-election of Nigeria to the Chairmanship and Secretary General positions the country as a testament that Nigeria as assumed greater role in the telecoms sphere of Africa. He said that there was no doubt that having effectively taken control of the affairs of the CTO and the country would be expected to be a major force in championing telecoms development, not only in its homeland but also deploys an Afro-centric approach to its regulation. Ojobo noted that considering the success that the NCC has recorded in the

regulation of the telecoms sector in Nigeria, which indeed also makes other African countries to look up to Nigeria for regulatory leadership suggest that it can also provide visionary leadership that will take CTO to the next level. Indeed, Dambatta after assuming office as the new chairman of the CTO did promised to provide such leadership, saying, “We would continue to play greater role in telecoms regulations and policies by putting general commonwealth telecoms development agenda at the front burner.” Backing Nigeria’s leadership of the CTO, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Mr. Malcolm Johnson in a statement after the Nigeria was announced as leader of the telecoms association expressed the readiness of the Union to collaborate with the CTO to advance the development of ICTs throughout the Commonwealth. He expressed full confidence in the ability of Shola Taylor, who early in the year narrowly missed being the Secretary-General of ITU, to lead the Organisation successfully and wished him well. Stakeholders in the Nigeria’s telecoms sector describe the new leadership mantle bestowed on the country as a justification

This new status of Nigeria, taking full control of CTO leadership is something that we think will impact generally on commonwealth nations as they tap into the regulatory skills of

Nigeria

of the confidence and belief the member nations have in the Nigeria’s telecoms regulatory prowess. President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria,ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, said Nigeria has always been force to reckon with in the global telecoms stage noting that over the years, Nigeria has been playing noticeable role in the development of telecoms market in the African continent. He said: “We have liberalised the sector and allowed more players to come into the market to play under good regulatory regime and this has deepened competition, which is good for the end users.” Ajayi explained that Taylor’s rich experience will certainly impact positively on the CTO with Nigeria benefitting from this current position. Also, a telecom analyst and Chief Executive Officer of AAA Infotek, Mr. Akin Akinbo, said Nigeria’s current position at CTO further reinforced its prominent role in instilling robust telecoms regulation at home and its ability to propel the needed growth in the commonwealth nations. “This new status of Nigeria, taking full control of CTO leadership is something that we think will impact generally on commonwealth nations as they tap into the regulatory skills of Nigeria and specifically on Nigeria where the country is able to benefit from expected global collaboration with CTO,” said President, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo. The stakeholders noted that the new role means that Nigeria will take a front position in the use broadband and other ICT tools for socio-economic transformation.

Info Tech

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s broadband target date unrealistic –expert Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

he 30 percent broadband penetration target set by the Federal Government by year 2018 is not realistic, an industry expert, Iqbal Bedi, has predicted. To ensure that the country continues to make progress on the broadband agenda, he advised that the Federal Government needed to review the target date, make public subsidy available, and consider a range of alternative technologies to improve the development of Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure. Bedi, a Principal Analyst at Analysys Mason, in a forecast on the state of broadband penetration in the country, which spans 2013–2018 targets of 21per cent (2015), 42 per cent (2018) and 76 per cent (2020), based on mobile broadband are overly ambitious broadband targets are unlikely to be met. According to him, given the levels of broadband take-up that have been achieved to date, the targets were over-ambitious and unachievable noting that the targets can be met through market

investment alone, and so there will be a need for significant government subsidy. He explained that the national broadband target for 2015 is higher than the forecast take-up of 3G and 4G services adding that the gap between Analysys Mason’s forecast of mobile broadband take-up and the NNBP targets widens significantly in 2018 and 2020. As a result, he said that the new government needs to revise the broadband targets downwards so that they are more realistic stressing that the “they must be sufficiently ambitious to ensure that development of Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure does not fall behind that in other African countries.” Bedi’s forecast suggested that in order to determine the level of public funding required for subsidising the development of broadband infrastructure, the government can undertake a detailed and iterative process involving broadband infrastructure coverage analysis and financial modeling. The forecast revealed a range of initiatives that are available to encourage investment in mobile

networks saying that meeting the 2018 and 2020 targets would require significant investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural areas or in areas deemed to be commercially unattractive. The expert disclosed that to enable a higher rate of broadband take-up, mobile operators (who are leading the development of broadband in Nigeria) will need to make significant investments in fixed (fibre) and 3G and 4G infrastructure, particularly outside urban areas where 3G coverage is most concentrated. He noted that the InfraCo initiative alone is unlikely to promote the development of wireless networks saying that government should consider encouraging network sharing, funding for the development of passive infrastructure in areas that would otherwise be commercially unviable and promoting the use of innovative technologies such as TV whitespace which makes use of licence-exempt UHS spectrum and benefits from the strong propagation characteristics exhibited by UHF spectrum, and so requires fewer base stations to cover a given area.

Trade Secrets

eaching agreement on the problem most vexing the U.S. -- Chinesesponsored hacking of trade secrets and intellectual property from U.S. companies -- is seen as much more difficult.

Obama said he wants to put an end to a “government or its proxies engaging directly in industrial espionage and stealing trade secrets, stealing proprietary information from companies.” The Obama administration differentiates hacking for intelligence gathering and traditional espionage purposes. “Cyber-enabled espionage that targets personal and corporate information for the economic gain of businesses

undermines our long-term economic cooperation and it needs to stop,” U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said during a speech in Washington Monday. “We’ll continue to urge China to join us in promoting responsible norms of state behavior in cyberspace.” Obama also warned that the U.S. could unleash powerful offensive cyber-attacks. While the U.S. has more capabilities to carry out cyberattacks, the Chinese likely enjoy an advantage when it comes to disrupting the unclassified networks operating critical infrastructure, according to an analysis Sept. 14 by the research organization RAND Corp.

L-R: Deputy Director, Public Affairs, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mrs. Maimunna Jimada; Director General, Mr. Emeka Mba and Director, Public Affairs, Mallam Awwalu Salihu, during a world media briefing on the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Nigeria, by the Commission, in Lagos, recently.

Huawei unveils $10bn investment target for enterprise

hinese ICT firm Huawei has said that it will be investing $10 billion in its enterprise unit business by 2019. President of Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group, Yan Lida, who made the disclosure at the 2015 Huawei Cloud Congress, in Shanghai said that the Huawei’s enterprise business currently makes up seven per cent of its $43 billion revenue generated in 2014. “Huawei is new in the enter-

prise market and this means there are new opportunities to explore,” he said noting that it can achieve business growth in the enterprise market by forming strategic collaborations with established companies, such as Deutsche Telekom (DT). Huawei has partnered with the German company, allowing DT to extend its public cloud offering to the Chinese market and Huawei to provide hardware for DT’s cloud services. The part-

nership also aims to help Chinese businesses expand their operations into Europe. According to Lida, traditional Chinese enterprises still see a gap in digitalisation and information when compared with developed countries, which means they have high willingness to invest in the cloud. The Huawei enterprise is still a small business, which leaves big room for development, Lida noted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Government Technology

Consumer needs changing TV, video landscape in Nigeria Stories By Isaiah Erhiawarien

espite the growing number of internet users, so far only 27 percent of the Nigerian population stream videos due to the slow download speeds, reports from the Ericsson’s ConsumerLab 2015 study revealed.

Disclosing this in its first ever TV and Media report for Nigeria, the telecoms vendor said that the figure is representative of the views and habits of over 24 million people across the country. According to Ericsson, 51 percent of consumers want to choose when they watch TV and video content rather than follow a set schedule saying that 36 percent of the time spent watching TV and video content is done on television screens making it the single most popular platform for TV and video consumption in Nigeria. A key finding of the report is that TV and video content consumption is no longer tied to the traditional TV screen adding that “television screens remain the single

most popular platform for TV and video consumption, it only accounts for one third of the total time spent watching videos. 64 percent of the time is spent watching videos on a mobile device (smartphone, tablet and laptop).” The report said that today’s viewers of TV and video content in Nigeria do not want to adhere to a specific device or schedule, and seek the freedom and flexibility to choose what they watch, when to watch it and on which device noting that “they prefer to choose and pay for the channels that they want. Current pay TV services offer limited customization capabilities.” Explaining further on the report, Managing Director, Ericsson Nigeria, Johan Jemdahl, said that the proliferation of mobile devices and availability of mobile broadband has significantly altered the consumption patterns of TV and video content in Nigeria. He said that with the ownership of smartphones significantly higher than that of television and PCs (which include desktops and laptops)

L-R: Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Peter Amangbo; President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Olusola Oladipo, during the signing of a mega sponsorship deal between the bank and NFF, at the bank’s head office.

and more “Nigerians demanding flexibility in their viewing schedules, the opportunities for mobile television cannot be overstated.” The study also revealed that respondents identified connectivity issues and restrictive data charges on mobile data as factors affecting their online streaming experience.

Furthermore, the study showed that the same factors have an impact on piracy saying that though global research has shown a decline in file sharing and illegal streaming services when easy-to-use and reasonably priced legal video-on-demand (VOD) services are available, limitations in connectivity

and restrictive data charges drive the purchase of pirated content on DVDs. Ericsson said that with TV and media services accounting for 43 percent of Nigerian consumers’ entertainment expenses, as much as 16 percent is spent on pirated material and the remaining 27 percent on pay TV.

Financial Technology

Visa secures payment card with fresh biometric Stories By Isaiah Erhiawarien

resh security features that will enhance its payment card have been introduced by Visa Incorporated. The new specification, which uses biometrics with chip card transactions enable palm, voice, iris, or facial biometrics. The first-of-its kind technology framework, it is designed to work with the EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) chip industry standard to help ensureopen, globally interoperable solutions. According to a statement from Visa, the biometric verification is intended to prevent fraud as well as make it easier to pay securely noting that the architecture Visa has designed enables fingerprints to be securely accepted by a biometric reader, encrypted, and then validated. It further said that the specification supports “match-on-card” authentication where the biometric is validated by the EMV chip card and never exposed or stored

in any central databases stressing that issuers can optionally validate the biometric data within their secure systems for transactions occurring in their own environments, such as their own ATMs. Visa said that the design is built on the EMV chip standard, biometric cardholder verification that can be seamlessly integrated with the technology used by 3.3 billion chip cards around the world stressing that financial institutions, solution providers, and others in the payments ecosystem can rely on an interoperable and consistent infrastructure for supporting biometrics. Commenting on the development, Senior Vice President of Risk Products and Business Intelligence, Visa Incorporated, Mark Nelsen said that there is increasing demand for biometrics as a more convenient and secure alternative to signatures or PINs, especially as biometrics technologies have become more reliable and available. He said, to support wide adoption, it is equally important that

solutions are scalable and based on open standards saying that building on the EMV chip standard provides a common, interoperable foundation, as well as encourages innovation in cutting-edge biometric solutions. Absa Bank, a wholly-owned

subsidiary of Barclays Africa Group, will be the first to use Visa’s specification to develop a proof of concept trial beginning this fall. Cardholders will use fingerprint readers at select Absa-owned ATMs in lieu of a PIN to complete

transactions. In order to prevent potential fraud as well as encourage easier access to banking, there is strong interest in biometric solutions in South Africa and other developing countries where banking and electronic payments may still be nascent.

Smile, Samsung to launch Stories By Isaiah Erhiawarien

wo telecoms companies, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited and Samsung Electronics West Africa are set to launch the first LTE compliant smartphone in Nigeria. Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Nigeria, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, said that Smile Communications focused on the importance of partnerships of this nature to deliver on the end-to-end needs of the customer. According to her, the customer experience at Smile’s shops should create a lasting impression with the customer saying that a

customer must enjoy the simplicity of the service and leave readyto-go. She noted that the partnership with Samsung will gives its customer the opportunity to own the latest Samsung LTE compliant smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S6 edge with a Samsung complimentary clear cover), a 5GB bundle SmileOn plan for a fixed price. Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Emmanouil Revmatas, said there is the need for both companies to enhance the customer experience through their product propositions saying that “the partnership underscored the noble pedigree and

innovative streak of both companies which they are determined to harness in serving the best interest of their customers. The offer will be available at all Smile Stores and some selected Samsung stores.” According to Revmatas, the Galaxy S6 edge has the world’s first-ever dual curved edge display, which distinguishes the device as the ultimate premium Smartphone adding that the partnership with Smile on S6 edge is the first of its kind in Nigeria, offering consumers the opportunity to drive productivity with a unique smartphone coupled with the 4G experience that Smile LTE network offers.

Global News

Thursday, September 24, 2015

iPhone 6S review: Come for the new features, stay for the screaming speed

hile Apple nailed 3D Touch and supercharged the smartphone camera, speed makes the biggest difference in the iPhone 6S. The new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are great. If you’re in the market for a smartphone, you should buy one— but not for the reasons you might think. As is usually the case in an “S” year (or a “tock” year, which follows the “tick” of an entirely new device), Apple has refined last year’s model. There are some new features alongside the processor-upgrading and general screw-tightening we’ve come to expect. Naturally, the new features are getting the most attention. By my count, there are three this year: 3D Touch, Live Photos, and upgrades to the front-facing camera. 3D Touch is a pressure-sensitive layer that’s been added to the iPhone’s display, allowing you to access shortcuts and previews when

you press down on an icon or link. You can jump to a new text or a frequently called phone number from the home screen, see a preview of a message in your inbox, check the pictures on your camera roll without leaving the camera app. It’s a bit like right-clicking on a mouse, and a recent Bloomberg Businessweek cover story goes into depth about how it was developed. It’s easy to imagine how another manufacturer would try to do this and how it would be a mess. You wouldn’t know how hard to press; you’d press too hard; there’d be a lag and you’d press again, only to find that you had pressed twice, probably causing you to throw the phone across the room. The new iPhones don’t have this problem, though there can be a little confusion at first. If you don’t press hard enough, you activate the old-fashioned “jiggle mode” whereby your apps shake, inviting you to move them around the home screen. But

Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus

Apple has added haptic feedback to guide your actions. Press until you feel a crisp click under your finger, and you’ll know you’ve done it right. Audio and visuals move in perfect synch. So 3D Touch is executed perfectly. The question remains: What can you do with it? Right now, not all that much. Sure, it’s nice to be able to see a preview of an e-mail or a link on a Web page. It’s even cool to jump straight to the alarm settings when you press down on the clock app. But some choices are less straightforward: Press on Safari, and one option that arises is “New Private Tab.” Who needs to get to a private browsing tab, like, immediately? (Don’t answer that.) Fortunately, 3D Touch is a work in progress: Since third-party developers can and will take advantage of it, 3D Touch will probably benefit from additional programmers futzing around and coming up with new applications. The second big change is something Apple’s calling Live Photos. In addition to upgrading the iPhone’s rear-facing camera, from eight to 12 megapixels, the company has added a new way to take a picture. When you open the camera app, the phone is already buffering the second and a half of audio and video before the shutter is released. When you decide to take a picture, the camera includes brief, lo-res video from the moments before and after you release the shutter. It’s more than a photo and less than a video, almost like a GIF.

VW emissions scandal hits 11m vehicles

olkswagen says 11 million vehicles worldwide are involved in the scandal that has erupted over its rigging of US car emissions tests. It said it was setting aside 6.5 billion euro (£4.7bn) to cover costs of the scandal. The boss of Volkswagen’s US business, Michael Horn, has admitted it “totally screwed up” in using software to rig emissions tests. The UK Department of Transport has added its voice to calls for an EU-wide investigation into the affair. VW shares were down almost 20 per cent on Tuesday in Frankfurt, after losing 19 per cent on Monday. Last Friday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said VW diesel cars had much higher emissions than tests had suggested and that software in several diesel cars could deceive regulators. “Volkswagen does not tolerate any kind of violation of laws whatsoever,” the firm said in its

latest statement. It said provision for the scandal would be made “in the profit and loss statement in the third quarter of the current fiscal year”. This would pay for “necessary service measures and other efforts to win back the trust of our customers”. It added: “Due to the ongoing investigations, the amounts estimated may be subject to revaluation.” Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have been pushing for action at a European level for more accurate tests that reflect driving on the road. “It’s vital that the public has

Passat

confidence in vehicle emissions tests and I am calling for the European Commission to investigate this issue as a matter of urgency.” Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for “full transparency” from VW in clearing up the case. “The [German] transport minister is in close contact with the company, VW, and I hope the facts will come to light as soon as possible,” she told reporters. Earlier, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin also called for an EU inquiry, but a UK car industry spokesman said there was “no evidence” of cheating.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

United Airlines to seek approval for service to Xian, China

United Airlines aircraft

nited Airlines Inc plans to become the first carrier in the world to operate flights between the United States and Xian, China, a popular tourist destination close to the famous Terracotta Army site. The U.S. carrier said it would apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation for approval to start seasonal nonstop flights between San Francisco and Xian from May next year. The Chicago-based carrier already flies to more cities in mainland China than its U.S.

rivals. U.S. airlines are jockeying to gain a foothold in China, which the International Air Transport Association estimates will be the largest passenger market by 2030. To gain a leg up on United, Delta Air Lines Inc recently bought a stake in China Eastern Airways Ltd. United said on Tuesday it intends to use Boeing Co’s 787-8 Dreamliner for the threetimes-a-week service, starting from May 10 to Oct. 29 next year.

ADB cuts Asian growth forecasts as China and India slow

he Asian Development Bank has lowered its growth forecasts for Asia’s developing economies on the back of slowing growth in both China and India. The region is now expected to grow by 5.8 per cent this year and six per cent in 2016, revised down from March’s forecast of 6.3 per cent for both years. The bank said China’s slowing growth would affect demand in Asian economies. It expects the world’s second largest economy to grow by 6.8 per cent this year, below the government’s forecast of seven per cent China’s economy grew by 7.3 per cent last year and the ADB expects its growth to slow even more next year to 6.7 per cent. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund flagged that slower Chinese growth posed a threat to the global economy, as it would reduce demand for commodities from other economies. The US Federal Reserve held off raising interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade last week, in part due to concerns over the impact of the slowdown in China. The Philippines-based ADB

also highlighted that slowing growth in the another Asian powerhouse - India - would weigh heavily on the region. It expects growth in India to slip to 7.4 per cent this year from an earlier forecast of 7.8 per cent, due to weaker external demand and slower reforms “holding back” India’s economy. “To counter the impacts of a US rate rise, monetary policy authorities in developing Asia will need to find a balance between stabilising the financial sector and stimulating domestic demand,” the report said. Policymakers in both China and India have cut interest rates several times this year, among other measures, in an attempt to boost lending and lift consumer demand.

ADB President, Takehiko Nakao

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 24 2015

Brands & Marketing

Building marketing communication future on innovation, technology One of the driving forces of consumer engagement is product innovation. Globally, emerging trends indicate that for those engaged in products development and brands positioning will have to depend largely on innovative strategies and technological tools to push their brands at the leading edge of market competition in the years ahead. DAVID AUDU reports.

s the drive for innovation continues and consumers are increasingly on the lookout for smart and convenient products that will make life easier for them and solve domestic problems. around them, most companies are becoming sensitive to these needs and are now tailoring their innovations to make life comfortable for their consumers. In 1965, respected computer scientist Gordon Moore noticed that the computational power of computers doubles roughly every two years. He projected that this trend would continue into the foreseeable future, and his prediction has held true 50 years after his observation. The phenomenal increase in technological innovation that has occurred in the modern era is known as Moore’s law named after Gordon Moore. No doubt, new technologies are good, but once something becomes popular there is an almost instant desire to improve upon it, and this continues until that technology is rendered obsolete by the new that replaces its relevant functions. This is why leading electronics manufacturers are investing massively in research and development in order to come up with new products that address consumers’ peculiar needs. In recent times we have seen electronic giants such as Samsung, Apple, LG among others investing billions of dollars in innovation after innovation with the sole aim to edge up market shares in their various categories. Today, new technologies are fundamentally changing how goods are manufactured. This is happening around the world and across sectors. Disruptive technologies alter business processes and consumer behaviour. As noted in the World Economic Forum’s ,WEF, recent research paper on manufacturing, “the global manufacturing landscape is being transformed by information technologies as well as economic processes linked to the exploitation of the comparative prices of labour, resources and energy across regions.” A market analyst with one of the world’s

Telecom control room

THE NEXT-GENERATION DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY AND THE ADVANCED ULTRA-THIN DEPTH OF 4.3MM COME WITH A UNIQUE CURVED DESIGN WHICH REPRESENTS A NEW ERA IN HOME ENTERTAINMENT leading research firms in Lagos notes that innovation drives competition and research into how consumers feel keeps the company in a competitive edge to manufacture products that makes life convenient for consumers. No wonder, leading electronic and home appliances manufacturers have long keyed into the race for innovation. One of such companies is LG Electronics with its wide-array of what many described as forward thinking products.. A recent insight provided to brand analysts by the company, “LG Electronics said it is always striving to innovate and this is apparent in each business unit. From OLED TV, to gesture controlled selfies with G Series phones, or from the Door-in-Door refrigerator to commercial air conditioners designed for use in coastal areas, the company is always looking for ways to develop new technologies and to improve existing ones. “The next-generation display technology and the advanced ultra-thin depth of 4.3mm come with a unique curved design which represents a new era in home entertainment. It must be seen to be believed.” “We are fully committed to bringing next generation technologies to the Nigerian market,” General Manager, Home Entertainment division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Steve Ryu, said. He said in the quest to build the next generation of televisions, “LG has proven itself to be an innovator time and time again’. The latest example of LG’s pioneering spirit in television design can be seen in how the company has dominated the emerging OLED market. “OLED is a new technology that allows for televisions to display true black for

the first time ever. The ability to create shades of black that were impossible only a few years ago enhances the color contrast in OLED images, giving them a vibrant edge. OLED is the future of television, and LG is the uncontested leader in OLED technology. LG has long been a leader in the global television market, and its strong performance can be attributed to LG’s desire to provide its consumers with the best viewing experience possible. While in years past that primarily meant working to improve the picture quality of LG televisions, now LG engineers are looking to enhance the viewing experience by making it easier than ever for viewers to interact with televisions. Also in a bid to enhance user convenience, LG has produced an advanced Dual Door-inDoor refrigerators which double the benefit of traditional Door-in-Door refrigerators. The advanced refrigerators utilize the latest ergonomic designs to help consumers protect the environment and save energy, all while boosting user convenience. The extra compartments act as the perfect storage space for drinks and other frequently accessed items. By allowing users to retrieve these items without opening the main door, it is much easier for the refrigerator to maintain a stable temperature, saving energy and helping the environment. Despite its extra doors and compartments, the Dual Door-in-Door refrigerator is still easy to operate. The front handle features buttons which automatically open the selected compartment, allowing for convenient one one-handed operation, Ryu, explained . LG also added cutting-edge TurboWash line of washing machine which is designed

to help consumers fast forward their laundry and wash their clothes faster than ever, all while reducing their environmental impact. The TurboWash’s efficient Twin Wash Sprays and Atomizing Rinse Spray allow users to save up to 20 minutes on larger loads. With capacities ranging up to 5.1 cubic feet, TurboWash grants users unprecedented versatility and helps them get through their laundry in less loads than the competition. Sometimes an innovation is not only related to the inner workings of a device, but also in the way that it looks and feels. This is no more apparent than in the LG G4. The G4 features a daring leather back that flies in the face of conventional smartphone design dominated by metal plastic and glass. This approach makes it far more warm and personable, which is fitting for a device that has become so central to our daily lives. But innovation does not stop merely with LG’s smartphone design. While LG broke major ground by releasing the curved G Flex smartphone, LG also introduced non designrelated technologies including gesture activated camera controls, the most advanced camera on a smartphone, and even the beginnings of virtual reality. More smartphone technology innovations are currently being perfected and will make themselves known in upcoming models. It is this commitment to innovation and the individual needs of the customer that allows the company to remain competitive in a market dominated by two heavyweights. Imagine a refrigerator that lets users know when certain foods are running low, or a robotic vacuum that cleans the house and provides a little extra security while the owners are away. LG’s groundbreaking new Internet of Things (IoT) technology has made this and so much more possible. In addition to making its appliances more energy efficient and userfriendly, LG has long sought to integrate its high tech operational breakthroughs into its entire line of consumer technology. The global scope of LG means that its engineers and developers across the world are always pushing boundaries, making progress and finding exciting new ways to implement technology. By using the internet to allow for instant communication between users and a wide range of devices, IoT transforms how users interact with their appliances. With its promise of exponentially increased connectivity, IoT has incredible potential to simplify our daily lives. With these technological advancement and how innovations are being embraced bearing in mind its consumers by making life more comfortable for them, LG is foreseen to overtake competitors in the consumer electronics and mobile market.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, September 24, 2015

African youths link entrepreneurship to job creation DAVID AUDU

jembe Communications’ and Forbes Insights regional survey of 4,000 Sub-Saharan Africans reveals the growing confidence of the continent’s entrepreneurs in advancing the region’s economy while calling for enhanced government support A survey of 4,000 Africans aged 16 to 40 in Angola, Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria during the second half of 2015 has revealed the prevalence of a strong entrepreneurship culture amongst young Africans, with almost half, about 43 per cent agreeing that entrepreneurs will create more jobs than the public sector over the next five years. The research report, entitled “Job Creation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Entrepreneurs. Governments. Innovation.” was commissioned by Djembe Communications, a communications consultancy and conducted by Forbes Insights. They say the results reflect the full extent to which attitudes are turning away from traditional sources of em-

ployment, noting in particular, that there is widespread agreement that being employed by the public sector or an established company is not as desirable as it has been in the past. The report say the majority of respondents agree that the industries that will create the most entrepreneurs in the next five years are technology, 43 per cent, natural resources, 36 per cent and agriculture, 33 per cent. The study garnered the opinions of Africa’s future business leaders on what they considered to be the most important issues facing their country and what they felt to be the biggest barriers to success. Djembe Communications’ Managing Director, Mitchell Prather said the findings reveal a widespread belief that job creation is the single most important issue in each of the four countries we surveyed. “Moreover, it is clear that advancements in education, technology and innovation will serve as a catalyst for development. This is exciting news in that it reflects a key demographic in Africa that is becom-

ing increasingly entrepreneurial minded and will play an important role in creating new and sustainable employment opportunities in local markets.” Chief Executive Officer, African Guaranteed Fund, Mr. Felix Bikpo, said, “There is great value in committing both efforts and resources to such an initiative because what is at stake is job creation for our youth, potential reduction in poverty, and, ultimately, the sustainable development of our continent,” The report highlights further that in a region that is progressively looking to overcome challenges typical of emerging markets such as issues of transparency, income inequality and corruption, the survey found that young Africans are also looking towards entrepreneurs to advance their countries’ economies. Apart from creating jobs, there is a steady consensus that entrepreneurs are the key drivers of innovation, not just in terms of innovative products and services but also in terms of new management styles and working culture.

L-R, Statistician General of the Federation Dr Yemi Kale, UNDP Country Director, Dr Pa-Lamin Bayen and National Program Manager, Department for International Development Mr Ben Arikpo during the Stakeholders Workshop on Data Mapping for Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria Held in Abuja yesterday photo ROTIMI OSASONA

Consumers endorse Chivita TV ad DAVID AUDU

ans and consumers of Chivita 100% per cent juice have unanimously endorsed the current television commercial on going in both satellite and local channels. A statement from the company noted that the commercial more than ever have generated favourable responses from juice lover across the country. “From Sports analysts, soccer fans and fruit juice lovers, it has been commendation all the way. The campaign which is being deployed through Television, Radio, Digital, Out of Home, and Consumer Activation and Point of Sales initiatives demonstrates the brand’s commitment to quality and excellence”. Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya “The

Chivita 100% ‘Juice Ball’ television commercial is away of highlighting the essence of our brand and the goodness it promises. We are confident that with our commitment to ensuring that consumers get only the best, Chivita 100% would continue to remain the number one fruit juice brand of choice for millions of consumers and football lovers across Nigeria” Speaking on the Chivita 100% Juiceball commercial, a soccer fan, Kehinde Gbadamosi noted that he was sastisfied at the creative approach employed by the company to convey the premium quality of the brand using some of the most influential soccer stars in the world. “I just left a match viewing centre after watching the Manchester United game. The Chivita 100%

Juice ball television commercial was aired at intervals and drew favourable reviews from the audience. We are delighted that the Chivita 100% Juiceball campaign showcases the best of both worlds - the best soccer stars in the world and the best fruit juice in Nigeria” . “For any keen observer of the Nigerian marketing communications space, it is difficult not to notice the recent publicity blitz of the Chivita 100% Juiceball campaign and the intense positive reactions that the campaign is generating”, he said. Other opinion sampled on the tv commercial noted that the recent Juice ball campaign takes it a step further. Onochie Nelson, a fruit Juice lover said Chivita 100% is the best quality fruit juice and its market leadership is not in doubt.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MTN Foundation inaugurates #What Can we Do Together? initiative

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.

H&M launches Adam & Eve/DDB’s Beckham campaign

&M has released its first ad created by Adam & Eve/DDB, a trailer for a longer film featuring David Beckham and the American comedian Kevin Hart. In the 30-second ad Beckham receives a phone call from his agent who tells him that Hart wants to come to stay with him to prepare for the part of Beckham in I Beckham, a fictional movie about the former footballer’s life. A longer version of the film will launch online on 28 September. The global campaign will extend to TV and cinema on 30 September and will be supported by print and outdoor.

The campaign promotes the Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham autumn 2015 collection, a range of clothes chosen by Beckham as part of his long-term relationship with H&M. Beckham said: “Kevin Hart is one of the funniest, smartest guys around. I love to do the unexpected for my H&M campaigns. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it.” In advance of the ad launching, Beckham and Hart shared pictures of themselves wearing the same clothes and standing or sitting in the same pose on social media to create a buzz around the campaign.

GSK retains PHD and MediaCom for global media

laxoSmithKline has awarded its £1.1 billion global media buying and planning business to incumbent agencies PHD and MediaCom after a competitive pitch. GlaxoSmithKline: media account includes Novartis pharma business The global account includes the former Novartis vaccine business, which GSK bought from its rival pharma company in March as part of a wider deal for an initial cash consideration of $5.25 billion, £3.40 billion. It is understood that final discussions are still underway, but MediaCom is expected to retain the European element of the global media account, while PHD will retain the US business. The account is estimated to be worth $1.7 billion, £1.1 billion, according to Nielsen figures from 2014. Publicis Groupe’s Starcom Me-

diaVest Group won Novatis’$600 million global media business in December 2011but withdrew from this summer’s consolidated review. It is understood that Starcom’s conversations with GSK about its existing contract are ongoing. The Novartis media account is believed to not include Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis. GSK last reviewed its global media planning and buying requirements two years ago, when it divided the bulk of its activity between Group M and Omnicom Media Group. A spokeswoman for GSK said: “The comprehensive review of our media agency partnerships has determined GroupM, MediaCom and Mindshare, and PHD are each best positioned in unique ways to partner with GSK in achieving our growth ambitions.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Zowasel.com launches hotel Airtel partners NIBSS on BVN query service booking portal F N DAVID AUDU

DAVID AUDU

igeria-based comparison startup, Zowasel.com has finally released its disruptive hotel comparison portal to help shoppers save time and money. Zowasel.com announced that from this month, it will simplify hotel-booking process in Nigeria by running simultaneous searches and comparison across more than 30 leading local and international hotel aggregators and booking websites. According to the startup, the site will not just empower shoppers to search, compare and book hotels in real time with instant confirmation but also offer saving opportunities of up to 80 per cent on hotel deals across over 5600 hotels in 74 Nigerian cities, as well as cities across the world. CEO of Zowasel.com, Mr. Jerry Oche said that, they are bringing disruptive comparison model to hotel bookings in Nigeria by allowing instant real-time search and compari-

son across hotel booking sites locally and internationally. “By comparing aggregators like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Jovago, Venere, Hotel.com etc., we hope to strategically help accommodation seekers save time and money. “It goes without saying that users now have more choices than ever before, to search, compare and choose hotels based on price, star ratings, amenities and getting detailed map views and photos all on a single webpage. An instant keyword search on names, addresses and filters on best value narrows down the search features to only select elements. “We think the era of comparison and meta-search has just begun. Most users visit 5 to 10 websites before making a hotel booking so it is likely that at least 50 per cent of online users touch a meta-search site at some point during the booking process, he said. Finding a perfect hotel on the go is still very challenging so we wanted

to make the process ultra-quick. It is easy to get bogged down in review sites, amorphous lists of hotels that all look the same but have massive disparities in offerings. Simplicity is the key to Zowasel.com. Zowasel has tried to strip everything down to the bare essentials - what most people need to make smart hotel comparison and booking. We’ve done this through things like intuitive design, limiting the number of filters displayed by default and hyper-quick search and comparison. Oche concluded that, “Nigeria is a huge market with huge potential and we hope to build a breakaway price comparison brand in Zowasel.com In addition to allowing users to search for hotel deals, the startup targets search by destination or type; provides listings on what Zowasel considers the “most popular” locations; and logs your shortlist so you don’t have to start searches from scratch.

ollowing the extension of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise to October 31st, telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) to provide Nigerians a much easier way to access their BVNs through their mobile phones. With this initiative, bank customers who have registered at their banks for BVN, can obtain their BVNs, at any time, by dialing the USSD code *565*0# on their mobile phones. Recall that chaotic situations were recorded in most banks’ premises in Nigeria, recently, as thousands of customers besieged banks in a bid to beat the initial deadline for the BVN enrolment which was earlier billed to expire on Tuesday, 30th June, 2015. Also, customers that have more than one bank account were also seen with pieces of white papers where the banks where they had registered wrote their unique BVN numbers to take to other banks to key in. With Airtel’s new service, customers can now access their BVNs on the move through their

mobile phones. The BVN, a central bank initiative, which was launched in February 2014, is being supported by the bankers’ committee. It is aimed at protecting bank customers and further strengthening the Nigerian banking system. It was among other things, introduced to address safety of customers’ funds, avoid losses through compromise of personal identification numbers and other criminal activities in the industry. The BVN is a unique number that enables one person to have a single identity in the banking system. It basically ensures that a customer’s identity is not stolen. A customer is only expected to register at one bank, irrespective of the number of accounts he has. Speaking on the new service, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Commercial Officer, Maurice Newa, said Airtel is committed to providing relevant services that will empower Nigerians to realize their full potentials and fulfill their dreams. “We are excited that the NIBSS has chosen to partner with us to deliver real value to Nigerians. At Airtel, we will continue to explore further opportunities to partner with the Nigerian government at different levels,” he said.

Digital adspend forecast to scale 51% in UK market by 2016 – Research DAVID AUDU

M L-R: MediA/Marketing Research Manager, Grand Oak Limited, Ms. Temienor Linda; Otun-Esa of Osogbo Kingdom, Chief Moshood Adeyemo Aremu and Category Manager, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Amuwo Olayinka, during the Seaman’s Ayo Olopon Competition in Osogbo recently.

Digital fuels growth in Africa’s entertainment and media industry: PwC report

fter more than a decade of digital disruption, the African entertainment and media industry has entered a new landscape – one where the media is no longer divided into distinct traditional and digital spheres, according to a report from PwC titled Entertainment and media outlook: 2015 – 2019 (South Africa – NigeriaKenya). The Outlook forecasts that South Africa’s entertainment and media industry is expected to grow from R112.7 billion in 2014 to R176.3 billion in 2019, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. Digital spend is expected to fuel the overall growth. South Africa’s Internet access market will rise rapidly from

R32.5 billion in 2014 to R76.2 billion in 2019, far ahead of any other consumer spend category, making it the largest contributor to South Africa’s total entertainment and media revenues. Vicki Myburgh, entertainment and media leader for PwC Southern Africa, says: “This year’s Outlook shows consumer demand for entertainment and media experiences will continue to grow, while migrating towards video and mobile. Increasingly, though, it’s clear that consumers see no significant divide between digital and traditional media – what they want is more flexibility, freedom and convenience in when, where and how they interact with their preferred content.

“Consumers are choosing offerings that combine an outstanding and personalised user experience with an intuitive interface and easy access. This includes shared physical experiences like cinema and live concerts, which appear re-energised by digital and social media.” The Outlook presents annual historical data for 2010–2014 and provides annual forecasts for 2015– 2019 in 11 entertainment and media segments for South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya: the Internet, television, filmed entertainment, video games, business-to-business publishing, recorded music, newspaper publishing, magazine publishing, book publishing, out-of-home advertising and radio.

ore than half of all UK adspend will be digital next year, Carat has predicted, with the total market to grow by 6.4 per cent in 2015. In its latest Advertising Expenditure report, published today, the Dentu Aegis Network company has forecast the UK advertising market to grow by 5.5 per cent in 2016, which is lower than the 5.8 per cent prediction it made in its last report in March. Carat also predicts digital adspend will account for 51 per cent of all UK adspend next year, the first time that digital advertising will make up the majority of the market. Based on data received from 59 worldwide markets, the September report forecasts that global adspend will grow by 4.0 per cent this year to $529 billion, £340.68 billion, a slight decline from the 4.6 per cent predicted in March. The company also predicted that global adspend will grow by 4.7 per cent next year, also slightly down from a previous prediction of 5.0 per cent. The report said the forecast was downgraded because of volatility in the Russia and China markets. Russia adspend is predicted to shrink by 14 per cent this year, while China is

expected to grow by 6 per cent (down from a previous prediction of 7.9 per cent). Digital is the only media channel that is predicted to grow by double digits this year, 15.7 per cent, and in 2016, 14.3 per cent. The report said the growth in digital is driven by a high demand for mobile and video ads, especially across social media, with 51.2 per cent year-on-year growth expected this year. The report predicts programmatic buying to grow at 20 per cent year-on-year. Jerry Buhlmann, the chief executive of Dentsu Aegis Network, said: “Digital media continues to achieve outstanding growth as the effectiveness of this medium and results achieved, especially with millennials, warrants the upsurge in spend levels.” TV will have a 42 per cent market share in 2015 and is forecast to grow by 2.6 per cent this year globally, down from a previous prediction of 3.6 per cent. Radio is forecast to grow by 1.3 per cent, cinema by 4.7 per cent and outdoor by 3.4 per cent. The only media forecast to decline this year and next are newspapers (down 4.4 per cent this year and down 2.6 per cent next year) and magazines (down 2.0 per cent in 2015 and down 1.9 per cent in 2016)

38 38

Insight Insight

Thursday, September 24, 2015 Thursday , July 16,

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

Tejuosho Market: A beautiful Almost one year after the official opening of the new Tejuosho Shopping Complex, Surulere, the beautiful and imposing edifice is yet to be fully occupied. FRANCIS SUBERU and DARE AKOGUN report that exorbitant cost of renting shops is the reason traders are loitering around and hawking their wares in the open, even at other markets in Lagos State.

fter the old Tejuoso Shopping Complex that was gutted by fire was rebuilt, the costs of renting stalls, shops and office spaces at the new complex have skyrocketed beyond the reach of an average trader. Prior to the unfortunate inferno that consumed the old Tejuoso Model Market on December 17, 2007 and the consequent demolition, the then market ranked high in terms of population and trading among major markets in Lagos metropolis. Millions of ordinary residents in the city, daily thronged the market to buy and sell until the unfortunate incident. The human and vehicular traffics around the market had made the area to become very rowdy and increasingly constituted serious menace to the environment and the larger Yaba community. The market degenerated to such an extent that the Babatunde Fashola Administration upon assuming office in 2007 considered relocating the complex all together; but for the market men and women who kicked against the idea, saying the move would have adverse effect on their businesses and wellbeing. Hence, when the complex was gutted by fire, the state government rather than relocate the market decided to shut it down to pave the way for rebuilding and modernisation, so as to imbue it with all necessary facilities. According to the former Governor of Lagos State, Fashola; the reconstruction of the market was part of the long-term radical infrastructure renewal plan by the state. To this end, the commissioning of the beautiful edifice on August 15, 2014; about seven years after its destruction attracted a lot of commendations from the stakeholders, traders and Lagos residents in general. The Iyaloja-General of Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, for instance, expressed appreciation to the state government for fulfilling its promise to traders in the market; even as she urged all the traders to ensure that they abide strictly by the sanitation rules of the market. Others like Babaloja of Tejuosho Market, Mr. Adeshina Oyegunle and the President Ndigbo Traders in Tejuosho also lauded the government for the project. Available facilities in the new modern complex, according to the Lagos State Government include 2, 640 lock-up shops as against 1, 484 shops which used to be in the old Tejuosho Market. Instead of the illegal attachments that were used as key-clamps in the old market, the Lagos State Government provided 1,251 key-clamps, almost double the number of the illegal attachments at the old car park. Other facilities in the market include banking halls, eight lifts to enable movement of goods and people to the top floors, two escalators for up and down movement of traders and buyers, two ramps designed

Side view of the new Tejuosho market complex

AVAILABLE FACILITIES IN THE NEW MODERN COMPLEX, ACCORDING TO THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT INCLUDE 2, 640 LOCK-UP SHOPS AS AGAINST 1, 484 SHOPS WHICH USED TO BE IN THE OLD TEJUOSHO MARKET to assist physically challenged people to get into and out of the building and a crèche where nursing mothers can keep their babies and attend to them in-between, while doing their businesses. There is also a dedicated Fire Service Station equipped with fire fighting systems to prevent fire outbreak or respond to any disaster. Whereas extensions were created in the space provided as car park in the old market, a dedicated 800-vehicle capacity car park was built as part of the new shopping complex. The Fashola administration that constructed the complex had during its commissioning issued strong warning against any attempt to convert the parking space into trading space, advising that it would be to the advantage of the traders to ensure movement that would help to bring custom-

ers rather than a traffic gridlock that would scare them away. These innovations in facilities done to a hitherto rustic market are quite remarkable and highly commendable but the entire effort is tainted with the usual elitist characteristics of Fashola’s administration. The cost of the over 2000 lock-up shops are far beyond the reach of common traders. They are not only expensive, the process of acquiring one is rather too officious and bureaucratic for the barely literate and poor traders. Hence, politicians and highly placed public servants hijacked the shops. It was alleged that they have even before the completion of the project, allocated the shops to their relatives and cronies to the detriment of the traders who owned the burnt stalls. The disappointed traders now feel cheat-

ed and lament their inability to access the shops built by the government with tax payers money. National Mirror investigations revealed that the shops were taken by influential people in the city at minimal or moderate rates but are now being sublet by the traders at very exorbitant rates. As such, low income traders in the market cannot afford the shops and thus, government’s purpose for building the ultramodern complex is being defeated. Tejuosho Complex is not an isolated case; facilities at other markets like the Wahab Folawiyo Shopping Mart, Suru/Alaba Market, Falomo Shopping Complex and Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Complex are way beyond what an average trader can dare venture into. Just like the new Tejuosho, shops in these markets are believed to have been acquired by the privileged rich and sublet to some other rich traders who are able to afford the exorbitant rents. The trend had sparked off an insinuation in many quarter that the state government takes delight and special interest in burnt markets so that it could have the opportunity of taking over the markets, build new ones, and offer them at neck-breaking rents.

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Insight Insight

Thursday, September 24, 2015 Thursday, July 16, 2015

39 39

edice beyond traders’ reach A source revealed that shops cost as much as N5million and above depending on size, just as bidders are required to pay the sum into designated banks. Notice should be taken however, of the fact that the shops were offered as mortgage to bidders and the entire sum is expected to be paid in eight years. Simple mathematics shows that by implication of the eight-year mortgage, a shop per annum in the complex would cost between N600, 000 and N700, 000. However, most of the successful bidders who acquired the shops succeeded as a result of their connection or affiliations to the powers that be and as such, in a cruel capitalist nature, they sublet the shops to those who can afford it at exorbitant rents, ranging from N1million to N1.5m per annum. Some traders who bared their minds on the development said the shops were mostly concessioned to people who in turn imposed heavy acquisition costs on them not minding the status of the traders. The traders accused the immediate past Fashola administration of being highly insensitive, saying his government enjoyed milking traders who are supposed to be the beneficiaries of the projects. According to one of the traders, Shina Adeyemo, who sells cloths at Ayilara street right opposite the New Tejuosho Complex, he would have loved to rent one of the shops but none is within his reach. “Before the demolition of the old Tejuoso Market, the price of the shops was affordable to many of us, but with the latest development, it has gone beyond the reach of common traders,” he said. Another trader, Mr. Paul Okafor, who hawks confectioneries, said he collects his wares on credit and pay back after sales. “When will I make such a huge amount of money to get a shop, do they expect me to go into robbery to raise the money?’’ he queried. Another petty trader who is also a widow, Madam Yetunde Sani, said she has been managing her trading business using a small table in front of her apartment.

Governor Ambode

Folashade Tinunu-Ojo (Iyaoloja-General)

She also lamented government’s insensitivity, saying many traders are being denied the opportunity to own shops as a result of exorbitant charges. “Why must we suffer in the midst of plenty? The rich ones have used their connection to acquire these shops and there is nothing anybody can do,” she lamented. Olabisi Idris, is yet another trader who indicted Fashola’s government for the happenings in the market. He posited that the government had good intention, but lacked monitoring and distributive planning which rendered its intention meaningless, since the hope of the common man was dashed at the end of the day. Filled with emotion, Thomas Okafor who now sells shoes inside Yaba market must have been crying inside, but could only manage to utter these words, “Just look at how they burnt down Tejuosho Market and made a rich man like me a mere shoe trader. “Some of my colleagues who didn’t have anything to fall on have now turned to mere

errand boys for shop owners. You see them tugging at you to follow them inside anyone’s shop so they could get a commission from whatever you buy.” Tales of disappointment continue inside the new Tejuosho Shopping Complex where few traders who could afford N1million and above to get a space not bigger than “a store” lamented low turnout, saying business had been bad. According to them, their businesses may not thrive until traders opposite the market are evacuated. One of them, Yewande Adebayo, told National Mirror that: “We know they will send them away eventually. Their trading activities are rubbing on us negatively. We don’t sell much here because traders and buyers are scanty inside the complex and everyone seems to prefer those on the other side (referring to the old market opposite the new buildings). “The traders there said they cannot afford the new market but we know we had to get this place before they (the government)

THE TREND HAD SPARKED OFF AN INSINUATION IN MANY QUARTER THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT TAKES DELIGHT AND SPECIAL INTEREST IN BURNT MARKETS SO THAT IT COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF TAKING OVER THE MARKETS,

BUILD NEW ONES, AND

OFFER THEM AT NECKBREAKING RENTS Entrance to the Tejuosho market

chase all those people away. I don’t know how they will do it but I know they’ll definitely do it. That’s why we broke the bank to get this small shop for N1.2million and this is one of the smallest shops here.” On why those in the old market have not relocated to the new complex, Chima Matthew who owns a shop opposite the rebuilt Tejuosho market said himself and his sisters were unable to raise funds to get the new shops. According to him, “I guess they didn’t build it for people like us. You can see the market even has two blocks. The main market is for the moderately rich. The ultramodern market is for the super rich like Fashola and Tinubu and their friends.” The traders unequivocally pointed out that until the Lagos State Government unveils its real plan for the new market and what it intends to do with the rivalling shops opposite it, the new complex will remain a ghost market, devoid of the lively hustle and bustle of a proper trade zone. However, the Lagos State Government had said it was not directly involved in the management and allocation of shops to the prospective bidders. Before leaving office on May 29 this year, former governor Fashola had explained that the shops were offered to prospective traders on Owner-Occupier basis, whereby the owner-occupiers would pay for their shops gradually, saying it would take each successful bidder eight years of mortgage payment to fully pay for the shops. The state government reasoned that shops and houses are not things that can be bought in one day like other commodities. Hence, the shops are meant to be paid for within a period of eight years. Fashola’s statement confirmed that those who got the shops on eight years mortgage are the ones letting it out at exorbitant rates to traders. “What is good costs money. What we have decided to do is to make it easier and convenient for you to pay for it gradually so that you can do your business and put your profit back to own what you have,” Fashola had said at the opening ceremony. The ex-governor said without the provision of the complex, the traders would have resorted to all sorts of make-shift shops which would have ended up in a disorganised market. He equally said it was a way to encourage the poor in the society to aspire to a better life and to lead them to that better life. “That is the way to take people out of poverty,” he had added. While giving his opinion on the new complex, former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde, said government was conscious of the untold sufferings which the fire disaster in the market brought to the traders seven years ago, pointing out that this informed the determination not to lose the opportunity to restore the traders’ hope. He believes the beautiful edifice is a proof of the Fashola administration’s desire to standout and be unique and not doing things the way they used to be done.

Cocktail

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Oddities

Man charged with punching 78-year-old over waffle sample

24-year-old man has been charged with elder abuse after authorities say he punched a 78-year-old man over free Nutella waffle samples at a Los Angeles-area Costco store. Prosecutors say Derrick Gharabighi, of Burbank, was charged Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty in an afternoon court appearance. He is being held on $50,000 bail, and he faces a maximum sentence of

11 years in prison if convicted. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office says he was hoarding samples of the waffles at the Burbank Costco on Sunday morning when the 78-year-old told him to take just one. Prosecutors say Gharabighi then punched the older man in the face. Police say the senior citizen was hospitalized with a 1-inch cut and swelling above his eye.

Cops: Chocolate factory worker makes bomb threat to be fired

olice say a Vermont chocolate factory worker hated his job and wanted to get fired, so he did the first thing that came to mind: He called in a bomb threat. Police say 22-year-old Kristofer Pregent stole a co-worker’s cellphone and made the false threat under a different worker’s name Monday night at the Barry Callebaut chocolate factory in St. Albans.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police say Pregent then threw the cellphone in a toilet tank. He first told police he received a bomb threat, then later said that didn’t happen. He told officers he was unhappy with his job and wanted out. Pregent was charged with false public alarm, petit larceny and unlawful mischief. A phone number for him couldn’t be found Tuesday.

PETA sues to give monkey the copyright of selfie photos A macaque monkey who took now-famous selfie photographs should be declared the copyright owner of the photos, rather than the nature photographer who positioned the camera, animal-rights activists contend in a novel lawsuit filed Tuesday. The suit was filed in federal court in San Francisco by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It seeks a court order allowing PETA to administer all proceeds from the photos for the benefit of the monkey, which it identified as 6-year-old Naruto, and other crested macaques living in a reserve on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The photos were taken during a 2011 trip to Sulawesi by British nature photographer David Slater. Through San Franciscobased self-publishing company Blurb, he has published a book called “Wildlife Personalities”

that includes the “monkey selfie” photos. However, the photos have been widely distributed elsewhere by outlets, including Wikipedia, which contend that no one owns the copyright to the images

because they were taken by an animal, not a person. Slater, who is exploring legal action against some of those outlets, said he was “very saddened” by PETA’s lawsuit because he considers himself an advocate of

This 2011 photo provided by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shows a selfie taken by a macaque monkey on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi with a camera that was positioned by British nature photographer David Slater.

animal rights. Last year, the U.S. Copyright Office issued an updated compendium of its policies, including a section stipulating that it would register copyrights only for works produced by human beings. It specified that works produced by animals, whether a photo taken by a monkey or a mural painted by an elephant, would not qualify. However, Jeffrey Kerr, a lawyer with PETA, said the copyright office policy “is only an opinion,” and the U.S. Copyright Act itself does not contain language limiting copyrights to humans. “The act grants copyright to authors of original works, with no limit on species,” Kerr said. “Copyright law is clear: It’s not the person who owns the camera, it’s the being who took the photograph.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Equities gain N41bn on promising corporate reports Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities sustained positive mood on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors’ appetite on stocks rose further. The All Share Index appreciated 0.38 per cent to close at 30,543.17 points, compared to the increase of 0.53 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 30,426.10 points. Market capitalization gained N41 billion to close at N10.49 trillion, compared to the rise of N55 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.45 trillion.

The sector indices performance reflected the positive mood of the market, as most of the indices advanced. Interestingly, the banking index emerged as the only decliner despite the respite implied by the Monetary Policy Committee decision to reduce cash reserve ratio to 25 per cent. “We opine that the positive mood in the market may not be unrelated to the MPC resolutions to reduce the cash reserve ratio by six per cent, to enhance liquidity in the system. “We expect profit taking to dominate activities in the

coming week, given the positive run in the market lately,” an investment firm, Meristem Securities Limited said. UACN Properties Plc led the gainers’ table with 37 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N7.79 per share, followed by Stanbic IBTC Plc with N1.05 or 4.98 per cent to close at N22.12 per share. Vono Products Plc appreciated four kobo or 4.94 per cent to close at 85 kobo per share, while Paints Manufacturing Company added six kobo or 4.84 per cent to close at N1.30 per share. NEM Insurance Plc rose three kobo or 4.48 per cent to

close at 70 kobo per share. On the flip side, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc depreciated 13 kobo or 5.35 per cent to close at N2.30 per share, while Vitafoam Plc dropped 29 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N5.55 per share. Morison Plc shed nine kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N1.73 per share, while NAHCO Plc dipped 23 kobo or 4.85 per cent to close at N4.51 per share. Transnational Express Plc declined six kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N1.20 per share. A total of 466.9 million shares valued at N4.37 billion were traded in 2,994 deals.

UACN pays N3.3bn to shareholders, re-strategises

Johnson Okanlawon

nited African Company of Nigeria, UACN, yesterday rewarded shareholders with N3.3 billion dividend payment even as the company considers strategic shifts in its policy drive to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the economy. Speaking to shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma said that inspite of the prevailing tough economic conditions, the company maintains its prior year dividend pay-out. On the Company’s performance, he noted that despite the tough business environment, it recorded a modest top-line growth of nine per

cent, from N78.7 billion in 2013 to N85.7 billion in 2014 while profit before taxation was N14.1 billion compared to N13.9 billion in 2013. He stressed that the company has continued to manage market dynamics and innovatively lead competition in its markets. He said, “In the year under review and in line with our vision to be number one in our chosen markets, we achieved market leadership with our Vital Fish feed brand, which was introduced just three years ago. “To further consolidate on our technology improvement initiative, capacity and efficiency in our operations, three new plants were commissioned including a new feed mill at the Ikeja plant of Live-

stock Feeds Plc, an automated pie line for the restaurants business and a new processing and packaging technology for supreme ice cream.” He explained further that as part of the business transformation process, the company has fully implemented both the new SAP enterprise resource software across the group and the Enterprise Risk Management framework to enhance the control environment of the business. “We are already seeing value from the outsourcing of our internal audit function and whistle blowing mechanism. These initiatives have strengthened corporate governance at all levels of the business and in our joint-venture operations,” he added. Commenting on the out-

look of the business, the Chairman said that UAC was realigning its portfolio and making strategic shifts where necessary. He said, “We are also selectively expanding our capacity to meet customer demand in our logistics operations. We will continue to focus on innovation and seek opportunities to introduce new offerings into our portfolio of brands as well as build capacity in our people and strengthen synergies within our businesses.” The shareholders approved a dividend of N3.3billion or 175 kobo per ordinary share of fifty kobo each, less withholding tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

Stocks rebound on commodity gains after Asia selloff

hare prices firmed after an Asian equities selloff yesterday, with investors taking cues from rising commodity prices and looking past China’s worst manufacturing contraction since the global financial crisis. Prices of US Treasuries and other safe-haven government debt eased, Wall Street was little changed and European stocks were up. Volkswagen rallied after its CEO resigned. In contrast, Asian equity markets tumbled after a Chinese purchasing managers index intensified fears a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy will spread more

widely. Copper bounced from near four-week lows as short sellers took profits. Brent crude oil prices inched toward $50 per barrel after data showed a decline in US stockpiles last week. The Dow Jones industrial average was off 5.75 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 16,324.72, the S&P 500 was up 4.29 points, or 0.22 per cent, to 1,947.03 and the Nasdaq Composite added 19.19 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 4,775.91. Growth in the US manufacturing sector showed no month-over-month change in September, staying at its weakest in al-

most two years, according to an industry report. Europe’s FTSEuroFirst index of leading 300 European shares was up 0.3 per cent at 1,368 points, Germany’s DAX was up 0.4 per cent, and Britain’s FTSE 100 was up 1.7 per cent. A recovery in shares of scandal-hit Volkswagen AG, which had lost more than a third of their value in the first two days of this week, also spurred the recovery in European shares. Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned, taking responsibility for the German carmaker’s rigging of US emissions

tests. Shares rose 5.9 per cent. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,543.17 points Market capitalisation 10.51trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

UAC-PROP

7.42

7.79

0.37

4.99

STANBIC

21.07

22.12

1.05

4.98

VONO

0.81

0.85

0.04

4.94

PAINTCOM

1.24

1.30

0.06

4.84

NEM

0.67

0.70

0.03

4.48

CUTIX

1.60

1.67

0.07

4.38

CONTINSURE

0.94

0.98

0.04

4.26

WEMABANK

0.96

1.00

0.04

4.17

231.09

239.99

8.90

3.85

UBCAP

1.41

1.46

0.05

3.55

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

HONYFLOUR

2.43

2.30

-0.13

-5.35

VITAFOAM

5.84

5.55

-0.29

-4.97

MORISON

1.82

1.73

-0.09

-4.95

NAHCO

4.74

4.51

-0.23

-4.85

TRANSEXPR

1.26

1.20

-0.06

-4.76

LEARNAFRCA

0.95

0.91

-0.04

-4.21

ACADEMY

0.64

0.62

-0.02

-3.13

UBN

6.20

6.01

-0.19

-3.06

OKOMUOIL

28.95

28.10

-0.85

-2.94

AFRIPRUD

2.74

2.68

-0.06

-2.19

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.59

100.42

14.77

100.57

14.66

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.77

103.31

14.80

103.61

14.69

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.39

102.17

14.84

102.47

14.74

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.35

106.30

14.81

106.60

14.74

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.47

97.37

14.75

97.67

14.69

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.83 68.00

15.58

68.30

15.51

Closing Market Prices of September 23, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

24-Dec-15

11.50

11.84

WAUA

270

USD

197

24-Mar-16

13.19

14.12

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

12.87

14.65

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

14.0000

POUNDS STERLING

293

15.7567

16.9066

SDR

273

18.0573

NIBOR

The Fixings of September 23, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 24, 2015 Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015

Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018

Equities as at September 23, 2015

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 47 8 56

Current Price 0.50 28.10 30.55

Quantity Traded 109,350 1,136,557 20,430 1,266,337

Value Traded 54,675.00 31,097,737.09 638,183.00 31,790,595.09

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 1.80

Quantity Traded 41,500 41,500

Value Traded 74,700.00 74,700.00

1,307,837

31,865,295.09

No. of Deals 4 2 143 50 199

Current Price 0.99 0.96 2.32 30.00

Quantity Traded 29,882 2,280 12,213,868 4,134,751 16,380,781

Value Traded 29,665.10 2,097.60 28,623,648.36 123,746,202.70 152,401,613.76

Symbol COSTAIN

199 No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.60

16,380,781 Quantity Traded 170,635 170,635 Page

152,401,613.76 Value Traded 101,988.30 14 1 101,988.30 of

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 44.08

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 20,940.00 20,940.00

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 7.79

Quantity Traded 131,963 131,963

Value Traded 1,027,991.77 1,027,991.77

Symbol AGLEVENT

303,098

1,150,920.07

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000,000 1,000,000

Value Traded 500,000.00 500,000.00

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

Quantity Traded 42,237 82,007 592,725 1,119,810 1,836,779 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 184,808.98 12,671,949.68 10,518,589.10 156,799,147.34 180,174,495.10 Value Traded

7,648 7,648

1,453,159.20 1,453,159.20

Daily Summary (Equities) JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER Daily Summary asGOODS of 23/09/2015

Automobiles/Auto Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Symbol DUNLOP

CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 1 1

6 4.40 37 154.00 10 17.85 116 140.07 169 Current Price No. of Deals 8 190.40 8

Page Quantity Traded 184,964 1,012,045 1,844,324 1,030,093 972,145 540 220,000 5,264,111

2 of 14 Value Traded 506,001.17 6,957,593.32 40,661,507.22 2,383,065.77 6,528,501.72 5,362.20 110,000.00 57,152,031.40

Current Price 24.00 820.00

Quantity Traded 107,255 35,743 142,998

Value Traded 2,565,678.29 29,874,311.07 32,439,989.36

No. of Deals 13 10 23

Current Price 5.55 0.85

Quantity Traded 1,654,500 572,694 2,227,194

Value Traded 9,457,875.00 485,886.36 9,943,761.36

No. of Deals No. of Deals 40 25 65

Current Price Current 26.20 Price 46.00

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 1,640,145 233,042 1,873,187 Page

Value Traded Value Traded 42,968,161.10 10,709,353.88 14 353,677,514.98 of

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UTC

No. of Deals 34 53 76 25 30 1 1 220

Current Price 2.84 6.90 22.00 2.30 6.70 9.46 0.50

Food Products--Diversified Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 21 31 52

Symbol

Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Activity Summary on Board Household Durables TotalsEQTY CONSUMER GOODS Personal/Household Products Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Daily Summary (Equities) VITAFOAM VONO

Symbol Symbol PZ UNILEVER

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

538

12,351,917

335,340,951.40

Quantity Traded 28,425,165 4,443,891 3,080,668 6,302,424 3,266,997 2,129,784 61,888,073 38,769,116 745,314 Quantity 799,688 Traded

Value Traded 146,394,618.01 14,584,813.10 57,305,346.80 9,621,032.73 79,032,705.35 4,915,063.40 128,738,615.84 164,132,469.36 4,650,831.60 1,073,765.25 Value Traded

2,894,731 152,745,851

2,858,920.20 613,308,181.64

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC PLC. EQTY ActivitySTERLING SummaryBANK on Board UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNIONSERVICES BANK NIG.PLC. FINANCIAL UNITY BANK PLC Banking

WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. Published byLASACO The Nigerian Stock Exchange ASSURANCE PLC. © LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 CO (NIG) PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC COMPANY PLC ActivityUNIVERSAL Summary INSURANCE on Board EQTY WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES

Activity SummaryBanks on Board EQTY Micro-Finance

FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Micro-Finance Banks Totals Micro-Finance Banks BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES NPF MICROFINANCE Micro-Finance Banks Totalsand Services Micro-Finance Banks Mortgage Carriers, Brokers Micro-Finance Banks ASO SAVINGS ANDTotals LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, and Published by The Nigerian StockBrokers Exchange © Services RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. RESORT SAVINGS LOANS PLC ASO SAVINGS AND & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers AND and Services Totals UNION HOMES SAVINGS LOANS PLC. Other Financial Institutions Mortgage Brokers and Services Totals AFRICACarriers, PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Other Financial Institutions CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Other Financial Institutions FCMB14:32:18.018 GROUP PLC. Printed 23/09/2015 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. FCMB GROUP PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE FCMB GROUP PLC. PLC. UBA CAPITAL PLC STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals UBA CAPITAL STANBIC IBTC PLC HOLDINGS PLC Other Institutions UBAFinancial CAPITAL PLCTotals Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Activity Summary Board EQTY Other Financial on Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Healthcare Providers HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC HEALTHCARE Healthcare HEALTHCARE MORISON Providers INDUSTRIES PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals Medical Supplies UNION DIAGNOSTIC Healthcare Providers Medical Supplies Totals & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Medical Supplies Totals Pharmaceuticals Healthcare Providers Totals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Pharmaceuticals Published by FIDSON The Nigerian Stock Exchange HEALTHCARE PLC © EVANS MEDICAL PLC. GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. Published by FIDSON The Nigerian Stock Exchange HEALTHCARE PLC © MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals HEALTHCARE TotalsTotals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems ICT COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Computer Based Systems Totals COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Systems Totals ComputersBased and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Computers and Peripherals Totals OMATEK VENTURES PLC

Sector

Company name

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.73

Quantity Traded 1,603,423 1,603,423

Value Traded 2,773,921.79 2,773,921.79

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 9 12 15 19 4 59

Current Price 0.79 3.20 35.20 1.32 1.02

Quantity Traded 170,733 437,415 87,235 126,780 9,400 831,563

Value Traded 134,091.34 1,390,691.31 3,130,574.76 166,595.58 9,735.00 4,831,687.99

3,034,986

7,905,609.78

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

HEALTHCARE Totals

Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 AGRICULTURE Totals

Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UA C N PLC.on Board EQTY Activity Summary Diversified Industries Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONGLOMERATES Totals Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol MORISON

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price ACCESS 118 5.15 DIAMONDBNK 79 3.27 ETI 39 18.55 FIDELITYBK 56 1.53 Daily Summary (Equities) GUARANTY 158 24.13 SKYEBANK 62 2.34 STERLNBANK 13 2.13 UBA 210 4.24 UBN 62 6.01 UNITYBNK 11 Current Price 1.34 Symbol No. of Deals WEMABANK 28 1.00 836

Symbol No. of Deals AFRINSURE 1 AIICO 12 CONTINSURE 9 CORNERST 3 GUINEAINS 1 LASACO 2 LAWUNION 2 LINKASSURE 2 MANSARD 7 MBENEFIT 1 NEM 12 NIGERINS 1 PRESTIGE 2 Daily Summary (Equities) SOVRENINS 1 Daily Summary (Equities) UNIVINSURE 2 Daily Summary (Equities) WAPIC 3 61 Symbol Symbol Symbol NPFMCRFBK Symbol Symbol

No. of Deals No. of Deals 2 No. of Deals 2 No. of of Deals Deals2 No. 2 ASOSAVINGS 6 Symbol No. of Deals RESORTSAL 4 ASOSAVINGS Symbol No. of Deals6 UNHOMES 3 RESORTSAL ASOSAVINGS 64 13 UNHOMES RESORTSAL 43 13 UNHOMES 3 Symbol No. of Deals 13 AFRIPRUD 44 Symbol No. of Deals CUSTODYINS 6 AFRIPRUD 44 Symbol No. of Deals FCMB 50 CUSTODYINS AFRIPRUD 446 ROYALEX 1 FCMB 50 CUSTODYINS 6 STANBIC 59 ROYALEX FCMB 501 UBCAP 60 STANBIC 59 ROYALEX 1 Daily Summary (Equities) 220 UBCAP 60 STANBIC 59 Daily Summary (Equities) 1,132 220 UBCAP 60 220 1,132 1,132 Symbol No. of Deals Symbol No. of Deals UNIONDAC 3 Symbol No. of Deals MORISON 1 Symbol No. of Deals3 UNIONDAC Symbol No. of Deals 13 MORISON 1 UNIONDAC 33 Symbol No. of Deals13 EVANSMED 9 Symbol No. of Deals FIDSON 12 EVANSMED 9 GLAXOSMITH 15 FIDSON 12 MAYBAKER 19 GLAXOSMITH 15 NEIMETH 4 MAYBAKER 19 59 NEIMETH 4 59 63

Current Price 0.50 0.90 0.98 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.73 0.50 0.70 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000,000 209,864 578,650 2,025,688 500 Page 580,000

Current Price Current Price Current Price 1.03 Current Price Price Current

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 74,110 Quantity Traded 74,110 74,110 Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 74,110 40,501,000 Page Quantity Traded 10,389,300 40,501,000 Quantity Traded 19,590 10,389,300 40,501,000 50,909,890 19,590 10,389,300 50,909,890 19,590 Quantity Traded 50,909,890 1,808,543 Quantity Traded 270,731 1,808,543 Quantity Traded 1,731,414 270,731 1,808,543 371,304 1,731,414 270,731 7,066,123 371,304 1,731,414 2,020,987 7,066,123 371,304 13,269,102 2,020,987 7,066,123 13,269,102 2,020,987 267,917,285 13,269,102 267,917,285 267,917,285 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 600,000 Quantity Traded 1,603,423 Quantity 600,000 Traded 600,000 Quantity Traded 1,603,423 1,603,423 600,000 600,000 1,603,423 Quantity Traded 600,000 170,733 Quantity Traded Page 437,415 170,733 87,235 437,415Page 126,780 Page 87,235 9,400 126,780 831,563 9,400 831,563 3,034,986

0.50 Current Price 0.50 0.50 Current Price 5.23 0.50 0.50 5.23 0.50 5.23 Current Price 2.68 Current Price 4.25 2.68 Current Price 2.31 4.25 2.68 0.50 2.31 4.25 22.12 0.50 2.31 1.46 22.12 0.50 1.46 22.12 1.46

Current Price Current Price 0.50 Current Price 1.73 Current Price 0.50 Current Price 1.73 0.50 Current Price 0.79 Current Price 3.20 0.79 35.20 3.20 1.32 35.20 1.02 1.32 1.02

63 Symbol COURTVILLE Symbol COURTVILLE Symbol OMATEK Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 3 No. of Deals 3 3 No. of Deals3 1 No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50 Current Price 0.50 Current Price 0.50 Current Price 0.50

30,250,000 505,000 96,400 200,000 3,553,450 1,653,304 554 5,000 10,000,975 258,947 50,918,332

Value Traded 500,000.00 186,856.96 557,987.50 1,012,844.00 250.00 4 290,000.00 of 14 15,125,000.00 252,550.00 264,005.00 100,000.00 2,484,781.50 826,652.00 277.00 2,500.00 5,000,487.50 129,473.50 26,733,664.96 Value Traded Value Traded 76,333.30 Value Traded 76,333.30 76,333.30 Value Traded Value Traded 76,333.30 20,250,500.00 5Value Traded of 14 5,194,650.00 20,250,500.00 Value Traded 97,362.30 5,194,650.00 20,250,500.00 25,542,512.30 97,362.30 5,194,650.00 25,542,512.30 97,362.30 Value Traded 25,542,512.30 4,862,444.27 Value Traded 1,131,670.29 4,862,444.27 Value Traded 4,017,905.87 1,131,670.29 4,862,444.27 185,652.00 4,017,905.87 1,131,670.29 156,131,623.49 185,652.00 4,017,905.87 2,899,698.90 156,131,623.49 185,652.00 169,228,994.82 2,899,698.90 156,131,623.49 169,228,994.82 2,899,698.90 834,889,687.02 169,228,994.82 834,889,687.02 834,889,687.02 Value Traded Value Traded 300,000.00 Value Traded 2,773,921.79 300,000.00 Value Traded 300,000.00 Value Traded 2,773,921.79 2,773,921.79 300,000.00 300,000.00 2,773,921.79 Value Traded 300,000.00 134,091.34 Traded 6Value of 14 1,390,691.31 134,091.34 3,130,574.76 61,390,691.31 of 14 166,595.58 63,130,574.76 of 14 9,735.00 166,595.58 4,831,687.99 9,735.00 4,831,687.99 7,905,609.78

3,034,986

7,905,609.78

Quantity Traded 26,500 Quantity Traded 26,500 26,500 26,500 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 13,250.00 Value Traded 13,250.00 13,250.00 13,250.00 Value Traded

50,000 Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

25,000.00 Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

ICT Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 Computer Based Systems Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

IT Services Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 ICT TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Processing Systems IT Services Totals CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Processing Systems Totals

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 26,500 26,500

Value Traded 13,250.00 13,250.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

Symbol TRIPPLEG Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1 5 2 7

Current Price 1.69 Current Price 0.50 2.75

Quantity Traded 839 Quantity Traded 839 1,720,200 9,142 Page 1,729,342

Value Traded 1,350.79 Value1,350.79 Traded 860,100.00 25,140.50 14 7 of 885,240.50

Daily Summary (Equities) OMATEK

Daily Summary (Equities)

ICT Totals

1,806,681

924,841.29

Quantity Traded

Activity Summary on Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS ASHAKA CEM PLC Building Materials

BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 Packaging/Containers Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC EQTY Activity Summary on Board Tools and Machinery Totals OIL AND GAS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL PLC. Daily Summary as ofNIGERIA 23/09/2015 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol ASHAKACEM Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN PAINTCOM PORTPAINT PREMPAINTS WAPCO

No. of Deals Current Price 16 Current Price 22.02 No. of Deals 6 9.93 17 37.05 1 8.73 1 1.30 1 4.31 1 10.93 29 98.00 72

Quantity 154,721 Traded 17,517 246,126 500 160,000 12,000 10 3,105,732 3,696,606

Value Traded 3,405,948.32 Value Traded 165,460.48 9,557,907.74 4,365.00 208,000.00 49,200.00 103.90 304,389,044.60 317,780,030.04

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.67

Quantity Traded 61,502 61,502

Value Traded 102,308.34 102,308.34

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 1.52 42.70 9.37

Quantity Traded 4,687 29,293 899 34,879 Page

Value Traded 6,796.15 1,188,417.01 8,010.09 81,203,223.25 of 14

Symbol NIGROPES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 7.46

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 7,090.00 7,090.00

Symbol JAPAULOIL

79 No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

3,793,987 Quantity Traded 615,000 615,000

319,092,651.63 Value Traded 307,500.00 307,500.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 188 188

Current Price 10.45

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 27 14 58 16 4 16 135

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 3 3 (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary

OIL AND GAS Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 Employment Solutions Totals Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 Hotels/Lodging Totals Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals SERVICES

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Road Transportation Printing/Publishing ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals LEARN AFRICA PLC SERVICES UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Transport-Related Services Road Transportation Printing/Publishing Totals Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ACADEMY PRESS PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board

Transport-Related Services Support and Logistics Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Printed 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Support and Logistics Totals Transport-Related Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board ASeM SERVICES Totals

Support and Logistics OIL AND GAS CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC EQTY Board Totals OIL Support AND GAS Totals and Logistics Totals

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

FINANCIALBoard SERVICES Totals PREMIUM Totals Building Materials Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Equity Activity GOODS Totals Totals INDUSTRIAL Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL ExchangeGOODS TradedTotals Fund Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF EXCHANGE TRADED Published byNEWGOLD The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FUND (ETF) STANBIC IBTC ETF 30 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Current Price 255.00

Quantity Traded 55 55

Value Traded 14,188.03 14,188.03

7,092,056

141,035,466.04

Value Traded Value Traded 24,166.84 24,166.84

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 43,170 43,170

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 4 7 11

Current Price 4.20 1.20

Page Quantity Traded 1,005,000 143,250 1,148,250

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 87,450 87,450

Value Traded 43,725.00 43,725.00

No. of Deals 11 1 (Equities) 12

Current Price 3.60 7.10

Quantity Traded 280,700 500 281,200

Value Traded 1,001,408.00 3,375.00 1,004,783.00

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 83,000 83,000

Value Traded 41,500.00 41,500.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCOHOT

Daily Summary Symbol DAARCOMM

Daily Summary (Equities)

14 10 of Value Traded 4,221,000.00 171,900.00 4,392,900.00

Symbol Symbol ABCTRANS ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL Symbol Symbol AIRSERVICE ABCTRANS NAHCO

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 4 0.55 8 0.62 4 6 0.91 3 5.20 No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 17 2 1.85 4 0.55 24 4.51 4 26

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 41,500 95,123 41,500 165,319 85,000 Quantity Traded Quantity345,442 Traded 33,242 41,500 293,893 41,500 327,135 Page

Symbol Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 2 1.85 4 3.37 24 4.51 4 26

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 33,242 3,200 293,893 3,200 327,135

Value Traded Value Traded 64,308.48 10,648.00 1,325,557.43 10,648.00 1,389,865.91

85 No. of Deals 4 14 2,511

2,360,347 Quantity Traded 3,200 316,348,975 500 3,200

7,560,030.60 Value Traded 10,648.00 250.00 1,832,167,066.68 10,648.00

2,360,347

7,560,030.60

1 2,511

500 316,348,975

250.00 1,832,167,066.68

CAVERTON Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol

Current Price 3.37

DailyCAVERTON Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

CAPITAL OIL PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Activity Summary on Board ASeM Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Banking OIL AND GAS ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Banking Totals Daily Summary as of 23/09/2015 Published by The Nigerian CAPITAL OILStock PLC Exchange © SERVICES Printed FINANCIAL 23/09/2015 14:32:18.018 Other Financial InstitutionsProducts Distributors Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Banking Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Other Financial Institutions Totals Building Materials

Value Traded 2,408,257.50 455,902.80 29,970,558.51 46,500,010.90 400,605.38 1,393,369.03 81,128,704.12

Current Price Current Price 0.54

Daily Summary (Equities)

OIL AND GAS

Quantity Traded 88,464 242,600 125,953 320,836 8,491 9,574 795,918

No. of Deals No. of Deals 4 4

Activity Summary on Board ASeM OIL AND GAS Totals EQTY Board Totals Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors ASeM Board Totals

Current Price 28.41 1.84 239.99 145.00 49.66 150.80

Symbol Symbol RTBRISCOE

Activity Summary on Board ASeM SERVICES Totals ASeM Board Totals OIL AND GAS

9 of 14 Value Traded 59,585,073.89 59,585,073.89

329

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

SERVICES SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Page Quantity Traded 5,681,083 5,681,083

500

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 1 1 1 No. of Deals 181 No. of Deals 181 1 No. of Deals No. of Deals1 270 181 270 181

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ZENITHBANK Symbol CAPOIL Symbol Symbol FBNH ZENITHBANK

Daily Summary (Equities)

451 No. of Deals 270 270 No. of Deals

Symbol FBNH

Symbol DANGCEM

Daily Summary

Current Price Quantity Traded 500 0.50 500 500 Current Price Quantity Traded 18.11 131,645,510 Current Price Quantity Traded 131,645,510 Page 0.50 500 Current Price Quantity Traded 500 Current Price Quantity Traded 6.29 18,886,608 18.11 131,645,510 18,886,608 131,645,510 Page 150,532,118 Current Price Quantity Traded 6.29 18,886,608 18,886,608 Current Price Quantity Traded

31 451 482 31

2,994 31 No. of Deals 31 31 (ETP)

169.50

Current Price 169.50

31 Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD STANBICETF30 VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 2 1 1 1 5

58,593

150,532,118 150,590,711 58,593

Value Traded Value Traded 22,405.00 59,186.26 22,405.00 150,827.09 420,023.50 Value Traded Value Traded 630,036.85 64,308.48 22,405.00 1,325,557.43 22,405.00 1,389,865.91 14 11 of

250.00

Value250.00 Traded 250.00 250.00 Value Traded 2,406,546,671.23 Value Traded 2,406,546,671.23 12 of 250.0014 Value Traded 250.00 Value Traded 118,770,001.74 2,406,546,671.23 118,770,001.74 2,406,546,671.23 14 12 of 2,525,316,672.97 Value Traded 118,770,001.74 118,770,001.74 Value Traded 9,765,992.22

2,525,316,672.97 2,535,082,665.19 9,765,992.22

466,940,186 4,367,249,981.87 58,593 9,765,992.22 Quantity Traded Value Traded 58,593 9,765,992.22 58,593 9,765,992.22 14 Page 13 of 58,593 9,765,992.22

Current Price 9.75 2,174.00 93.65 14.20

Quantity Traded 10,110 50 Page 100 10 10,270

Value Traded 98,471.50 14 13 108,700.00 of 9,365.00 142.00 216,678.50

ETF Board Totals

10,270

216,678.50

ETP Activity Totals

10,270

216,678.50

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Over 100 million children out of school – UNICEF ambassador

Leonard Okachie

oodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Shakira has said that more than 100 million children are out of school, even as she urged global leaders to invest heavily in early childhood development. The international pop star, who stat this on Tuesday at the UN Headquarters in New York, noted that the investment was necessary in the wake of new science that is creating a revolutionary shift in our understanding of the lasting effects of deprivation and stress on the developing brains of young children. More than 100 million children are out of school and 159 million boys and girls under five are physically and cognitively stunted due to a lack of care and proper nutrition,” said Shakira. “Every year that passes without us making significant investment in early childhood development and initiatives that address these issues, millions of kids will be born into the same cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity,”maintained. “UNICEF and I have joined forces and are here today because investing early in children is an urgent matter and there isn’t another moment to lose,” she added. The event preludes this week’s announcement of the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will officially include early childhood development as part of the transforma-

Adolescent class of JAKIN Children’s Club holding their enlightenment session on wrong use of drugs tive agenda for 2015 and beyond. Early childhood development provides a natural link between the new global goals, producing a multiplier effect that can help address poverty, improve health and nutrition, promote gender equality, and reduce violence. In his remarks,United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Ban said that investing in early childhood development “does not just benefit children, it benefits societies. “We all have a shared responsibility to build this movement.Today I ask you to make this call your own. Use your influence to make early childhood development a public priority.” He urged the global com-

munity to make a commitment to Generation 2015, to give all the children born this year the best start in life. Also speaking, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said:”the elements that affect a child’s brain are whether his/her body is well nourished, whether his/her mind is stimulated. “Whether he/she is protected from violence, must change the way we think about early childhood development and how we act. “To give every child a fair chance in life, we need to invest early, invest equitably, and invest smartly – not only in education, but in health, in nutrition, and in protection.”

Natioanl Mirror recalls that brain development is most intense during early childhood, with nearly 1,000 neural connections happening every second. These early synaptic connections form the basis of a child’s health and wellbeing, including the lifelong capacity to learn, adapt to change, and handle ad-

versity. Yet nearly one-third of all children under 5 years of age in lower and middle income countries are growing up in environments and situations that can interfere with this period of rapid growth and development. New scientific research shows that the developing brains of young children are as affected by environmental factors as they are by genetics. Inadequate nutrition, lack of stimulation, and toxic stress all can have a negative impact on brain development. But it also shows that early, cost-effective interventions, such as encouraging breast feeding, or reading and playing with young children, as well as formal early education programmes, all support healthier brain development. “Turning this new understanding into action can be lifechanging for millions of the most disadvantaged children,” said Lake. “The knowledge is irrefutable. The moral argument is strong. The investment case is persuasive. The SDG momentum is with us. And the power to act is in our hands.”

Peace corps commandant advocates early engagement of youths

Peace corps members

ommandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Ebonyi, Mr. Uchenna Nwali, has advocated for the early engagement of youths to reduce crime in the society. Nwali , who told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, disclosed that the corps was currently deploying its members to primary and secondary schools in the state to engage the students. “Peace is a collective effort of all and I urge Ebonyi youths to embrace peace and ensure a peaceful environment,” Nwali said. He described the organization as a nongovernmental organisation of uniformed youths that trained and orientated youths from primary and secondary schools to be disciplined. He said that the corps had 600 members posted to primary and secondary schools in the state to create awareness on peace, teach

peace education and form clubs for peaceful society. “Currently, the Ebonyi peace corps works as an NGO and uniformed youths organisation that trains and orientates youths in the early stage to imbibe idea and embrace peace. “We post our officers to private primary and secondary schools in Ebonyi to create awareness, educate and form peace clubs to reduce societal menace like cultism, examination malpractice and drug abuse,” he explained. Nwali said the corps had challenges that posed limitations to its work and appealed to the state government and the National Assembly to pass its bill. “We also appeal to the Ebonyi government and the state house of assembly to put in place a legislation to accommodate more youths of the corps into public schools

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sharing picture books with children can make them smarter, more attentive –Study Stories by Leonard Okachie

orld Literacy Foundation study estimated that illiteracy costs the global economy more than $1 trillion a year through lost job opportunities but a new study has suggested that there is one simple way to equip your children for a life of literacy from their infancy: share picture books with them. The research by Lynne Murray, Stellenbosch University, Mark Tomlinson, University of Reading and Peter Cooper, indicated that already a compelling body of evidence from high income countries which shows that children’s language development and literacy skills are facilitated by book sharing with a carer, beginning in infancy. The study suggests that there seems to be something special about the process of book sharing, stressing that the evidence shows that sharing picture books with infants delivers the largest benefit in terms of their cognitive development. Carers name objects for the infant and acknowledge, extend and elaborate on the focus of the infant’s interests. Recent research has shown that when carers are provided with training in sensitive book sharing (so-called dialogic reading), there are substantial improvements in infant

Children doing thier painting in a class

sustained attention. This improvement is directly related to the carers’ increased sensitivity, warmth and responsiveness. Importantly, it has been found that early infant sustained attention is a reliable predictor of later child IQ. The researchers said: “We have developed a book sharing training programme and used it in Khayelitsha, a township outside Cape

Town, South Africa. “Caregivers and their infants met weekly in groups of three to five with a trainer over two months. During these sessions the trainer conveyed information about the process of sensitive book sharing, modelled key skills and facilitated and encouraged caretakers in good practice. “Each session began with a 30 minute pre-

sentation with illustrative video clips. This was followed by a 10 to 15 minute session of individual attention. Typically, during these individual sessions, the trainer would share the book with the infant herself, modelling behaviours.” The training programme includes the following basic components of dialogic reading: Active child participation, pointing and naming active and active linking of book content to the infant’s real world. The study, published in the Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, found that trained carers were not only much better at book sharing: when they played with their infants without books, they were also more sensitive and responsive. The children, too, showed dramatic improvement. Their vocabulary increased and their comprehension improved; and their sustained attention showed a marked increase. Indeed, this increase was equivalent to increasing their intelligence by 16 IQ points. In addition, the children became more sociable and displayed more empathy.

13-yr-old TJ Emore drums support for cancer victims

PIN organises ICT training for youths in Ajengunle

aradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) hosted a town hall meeting for its pilot ICT and Entrepreneurship training programme called the L.I.F.E. (Life Skills, ICTs, Financial Readiness And Entrepreneurship) programme which held in Ajegunle. In the presence of parents, stakeholders, volunteers, partners, community leaders and alumni of the programme, certificates were presented to 10 alumni of #AjegunleLIFE who were deemed to have fulfilled all requirements for the completion of the programme. L.I.F.E. training is a capacity building initiative that aims to transform underserved communities in Nigeria

as a model intervention for other underserved communities. It provided students with practical trainings on ICT and entrepreneurship, with the aim of preparing the participants to be self-sufficient. PIN’s Chief Operating Officer, Tope Ogundipe in her welcome remarks said “L.I.F.E. since inception in 2007 has expanded to other locations in Aba (#AbaLIFE), Abia state and more recently Kano. Our aim is to reach more youths living in under-served communities in Nigeria.” In a speech issued by the Executive Director of PIN–‘Gbenga Sesan, he said, “it is very important for each of our alumni to go forth and train oth-

Performance by AjegunleLIFe 2015c students

ers in order to foster a truly empowered community. A candle loses nothing by lighting up others.” The programme ended brilliantly with a musical performance by #AjegunleLIFE 2015c students. It featured melodious singing, and powerful raps. Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities. Having worked with government, civil society, private institutions and international organizations, PIN’s projects build on years of combined experience and focus on socio-economic development.

TJ Emore leading the the walk for cancer in Lagos.

hirteen -year-old saxophonist, TJ Emore popularly known as TJ Sax once again showed his support for kids living with cancer as well as his passion to kick cancer out of Nigeria by leading the Heart of Hope Walkathon last Saturday. The walkathon which was arranged by the Children Living with Cancer Foundation, started at about 8am beginning from Dowen college Lekki Phase 1 through Admiralty Way, before heading back to the popular Oniru market to sensitize the public of possible cancer symptoms in children, dangers of childhood cancer and how to manage, in case of occurrences. While speaking to news correspondents on his reasons for supporting children living with cancer, TJ Emore said “I am supporting these children because I am happy to be alive, and I want to help others stay alive and live cancer free, they are children like me and I think they deserve the best”. The event ended with a captivating and entertaining performance of the saxophone by TJ Sax himself.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, September 24, 2015

NUJ chair, stakeholders charge media on peace THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN-WARRI

HE Delta State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Nobert Chiazor has charged media practitioners in Nigeria to use their daily reportage as an indispensable tool for engendering peace in the country. Chiazor gave the charge on Monday in Warri while speaking at an event organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta Broadcasting Service to celebrate this year’s World Peace Day. According to the Delta NUJ boss, Nigerian media must be on the forefront of promoting peace in the country by taking ethics of the profession seriously and also focusing on developmental journalism especially in this era of insecurity and economic downturn in the country. He noted that if the country’s media do not refocus and beam it search light on development journalism, the task of achieving an enduring peace would continue to be elusive and achievable. Chiazor, who is also a staff of Warri DBS, emphasized that the media have a very important role to play in peace building, called on media practitioners in the state to be mindful of how they report issues so as to avoid crisis. In his opening remark, Delta Broadcasting Services, DBS, NUJ Chairman,

Participants at a media workshop.

Comrade Daniel Oji called on Nigerians and all tiers of governments in the country to work for peace. Oji bemoaned the current worsening insecurity situation worldwide, calling on everyone to work towards achieving enduring peace. He stressed that DBS as a radio and television station will continue to promote peace amongst the different ethnic groups in the State to foster peace.

He added that without peace no meaningful development can take place in any society, just as he added that preaching peace is the responsibility of every individual in the world. Also speaking at the occasion, the General Manager of DBS, Mr. Tunde Omonode, who was represented by Mrs. Evelyn Otounye, enjoined all Nigerians to work for peace, saying it is only peace

that can bring the needed development everyone is clamouring for. Omonode commended security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace in the country, adding that without the presence of security agents the world would have been a chaotic place to live in. The Commanding Officer, 3 Battalion Army Barrack, Effurun, Lt. Col. Okon Bassey in his remark appealed to all to join hands with security agents in their efforts to maintain peace in the state. Bassey said that it is easier to achieve peace when you preach peace, stressing that no amount of war can bring peace to any nation until they sit on a round table to talk. Also, Delta State Coordinator, Partners for Peace, P4P, Mr. Ken Atsenuwa, blamed leaders for the lack of peace in the society. The legal practitioner said leaders have continued to pursue their selfish interest to the detriment of the people. Atsenuwa also blamed the loss of family values in the society as one of the reasons why there is so much violence in the world. He noted that parents no longer take good care of their children because their quest to get rich by all means. He stressed that the media must be at the forefront of peace promotion by reducing its negative portrayal of violence, calling on leaders to put more efforts in their fight against reducing poverty.

NIPR celebrates Mrs. Nwosu’s release, inducts news members Leonard Okachie

igerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, has celebrated the return of Mrs. Toyin Nwosu, wife of the Managing Director of the Sun newspapers, Mr. Steve Nwosu, who was abducted recently by gunmen at her residence in Lagos. Speaking during a reception organised by the NIPR in honour of his wife recently in Lagos, Mr. Nwosu commended the efforts of the members of NIPR during the period of their grief, including the love shown. He narrated the pains and mental torture the family passed through during the incidence, but thanked God for being able to stand tall among his colleagues to celebrate the safe return of his wife. Meanwhile, five participants out of 75, have been inducted by the NIPR President and Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, on the completion of a three-day NIPR Master Class five session. Addressing the participants, Oladele said that no foreigner will fix Nigeria for Nigerians, adding that it is a duty all Nigerians, especially Public

L-R: NIPR President, Dr. Rotimi Oladele; Deputy Managing Director, Sun Newspapers, Mr. Steve Nwosu; his wife, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Nwosu; Vice Chairperson, NIPR, Lagos, Care-taker Committee, Mrs. Ethel Agbeyegbe and Chairman, NIPR Lagos Care-taker Committee, Rev. Abraham Olusola-Niyi during the reception for Mrs. Nwosu.

Relations practitioner should perform. Oladele stated that with the new breed of PR practitioners, the ground has been shifted from products and services to brand and reputation management, urging them to brace up for the new challenges that

can bring good results in repositioning thecountry. However, congratulating the newly inductees, as well as welcoming them into the profession, Oladele reminded them of the challenges of the profession.

In his address, the PRCN President, Mr. John Ehigwese said that in line with the statutory mandate of practitioners, it is also necessary that practitioners take up their responsibility of reputation management and services oriented demand.

Media

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FCT council election: NUJ releases list of qualified candidates

ational Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday released the final list of candidates qualified to contest the 2015 election of its FCT council slated for Oct. 3. The Chairman, Credentials Committee for the upcoming election, Mr. Akin Olumalade of NewsWatch Times, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Olumalade said the union released the final list after the national secretariat of the union had considered the petitions of some aspirants who had earlier been disqualified by the committee. According to him, national secretariat cleared three candidates for the position of chairman. “Those cleared are the current Chairman of the council, Mr. Chuks Ehirim, the council Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche and Mr. Paul Ella of African Leadership Magazine,’’ he said.

He noted that Mrs. Blessing Adewole of Daily Independent, who had earlier been disqualified by the committee, was later cleared by the national body to contest for the position of treasurer, as it was found that she had held a position at the chapel level as stipulated by the constitution. The committee had on Sept. 17 disqualified Adewole, Mr. Martins Odeh of NAN and Mrs. Uche Chutta of the Federal Ministry of Information, after the screening of prospective aspirants. The chairman explained that Odeh, who had indicated interest for chairmanship position, was disqualified for failing to meet the 50 per cent attendance of the congress as stipulated by the union’s constitution. According him, records of attendance of congress showed that Odeh attended four out of the 14 congresses. He said that the committee disqualified Adewole and Chutta because they had never held any position at the chapel level as stipulated by the constitution.

However, Odeh and others who were not cleared had petitioned the national headquarters of the NUJ contesting their disqualification. Reacting to his disqualification, Odeh said the outgoing executive of council failed to call congress as required by the constitution. “The council executive members have failed to show due diligence in the manner they have conducted congresses during this three-year tenure and therefore, lack the equity to instruct the Credential Committee to disqualify candidates on that basis,” he said. Tthe committee had on Sept. 7 issued guidelines for prospective aspirants vying to contest the elections. The guideline stipulated that contestants for any position should be nominated and sponsored by two financial members of the council or chapel. “Aspirants and their nominators must ensure that they are up-to-date in payment of NUJ professional fees and dues both at national and state level,’’ the guidelines stated.

FG committed to press freedom — Adeshina

Adeshina

he Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adeshina, has assured media practitioners of the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding press freedom. Adeshina said this at the public presentation on Tuesday of the first two volumes of a book entitled, ``Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices beyond the Newsroom, `` written by Mr Richard Ikiebe. The event was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The presidential aide said that the Federal Government was aware that it would not break much ground to develop the country if it did not work with

KIZA opens new office in Dubai Leonard Okachie

igerian owned authentic African restaurant and lounge, KIZA has moved into its new sumptuous home in DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), as it continues to build on its success, inviting Africans and the world to experience how Africa truly is; to enjoy and engage with the spirit and culture of its people. Commenting on the opening, KIZA founder, Lukman Akanbi said: “KIZA is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience promoting and celebrating the best of and the best in Africa. Dubai is one of the most prominent cities in the world, with a vibrant cosmopolitan business and multicultural society with a fine dining culture, which we would be honoured to enhance by adding a KIZA experience”. Renowned for its authentic high quality cuisine made with the finest ingredients from all regions of Africa, signature cocktails with an African

twist, and the best and latest Afrobeatinfused music mixes bar none, the new luxury venue brings premium African hospitality, unique stylish elegance, African art and cultural passion to compliment and add to the variety of DIFC’s fine dining establishments. KIZA Managing Partner, Joe Osawaye said: “We want our guests to experience Africa in a genuine, inclusive and vibrant manner through a carefully crafted selection and variety of the best that Africa offers - in a premium and comfortable setting that engages and delights all the senses. We invite you to immerse in our culture and its journey to tomorrow.” The new venue features an external facade with engaging displays of art from the continent, kicking off the unique and authentic multisensory KIZA experience on arrival. Step through the stylish solid oak doors into the opulent ambience of the lounge and vibrant bar area with the dais featuring the resident Afro-jazz band, complementing the music laid down by KIZA’s peerless resident DJs.

the media. He said President Muhammadu Buhari recognised the media as an ally and a critical partner in the quest to build a worthy Nigeria. “Our president is set to champion the freedom of the press because he sees the institution as a vital building block for national development,” he said. Adeshina said that the media had always played critical roles at different epochs in the history of the country. “The media will be more conciliatory, lending a critical hand as the government strives to build a new country devoid of official corruption,’’ he said. Adeshina commended the author of the books, saying that their presentation was a watershed at this point in the history of the country. “These books are landmark to the importance of the media and they signify a milestone in the annals of journalism in Nigeria,’’ he said. The Book Reviewer, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, who was represented by Dr. Bisi Olawunmi of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun, said that the books contained topics worthy of study. “The rigour, richness, breadth and depth of the interviews, as well as the calibre of those interviewed, easily secure a special place of note in the history of the study of media in Nigeria. “The content comprehensively turns the searchlight on reportage by those who have literally shaped and interpreted the terrain of the Nigerian press in the decades since around the 1950s. “They capture for posterity the dynamics of this period in the words of the key actors, thereby transforming many of these media scholars from inscrutable agents of history to active sources.They give explanation to the ebb and flow of Nigeria’s public and not-so-public affairs,” Agbaje said.

NUJ President, Waheed Odusile

NAWOJ mourns H.I.D. Awolowo, wants her immortalized.

igeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has lamented the passing into glory of Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, wife of former Premiere of Western Region and Pre-Independence Nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo. NAWOJ in a statement signed by its National President Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, and National Secretary, Mrs. Ladi Patrick said the illustrious woman at 99 came as a shocker to the association which was already planning to celebrate her as she was to turn 100 in two months time. The statement said: “Indeed, the life of this ``Jewel of inestimable value”, as she was fondly called by her husband is worthy of emulation; and I urge all Nigerian women to emulate her exemplary life. “Mrs. Awolowo was one of the women who paved the way for women participation in politics when she stood in for her husband in the alliance formed between the NCNC and the AG, called the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), while he was in jail. “HID Awolowo, actively participated in politics especially in the Western Region, campaigning with her husband in the second republic; she was also, alongside her late husband, a Nationalist who contributed in no small way to the Nation’s independence. “NAWOJ therefore urge the Federal Government to immortalize this great hero: Mrs Awolowo indeed deserves a State Burial. “NAWOJ therefore commiserates with her immediate family and indeed all Nigerian over the demise of the late Icon. She left her marks on the sands of time and she will never be forgotten.” HID. Awolowo

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Ram sellers

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Eid el-Kabir: Traders groan over low patronage

s Muslims across the world including Nigeria celebrate the Eid elkabir festival today, traders who see the period as opportunity to make money due to the huge sales always experience during the festive period have lamented low sales. A visit to Eko Idumota one of the major market in Lagos Island, showed the irony of what was obtainable at this period in the past compared with the situation this year, as the market was devoid of usual hustling and bustling for shopping for the festival this year. Broad Street Diary met with some traders in the market, who bared their minds on the development and how it has taking its toll on their earning. Miss Omolola Atanda, a trader in the market noted that sales were very poor due to obsession in the minds of parents to pay for their children’s school fees. ‘’ We have not sold anything since morning. Business has not been encouraging at all unlike last year December when we had a big bang. I believe it is so this year, because of parents’ obsession to pay for their children’s school fees”.

Another traderin the market, Mrs. Fatimo Ibrahim, stated that business activities were not rosy at all this year. “Business activity this year is not rosy at all because; ‘’Ileya festival” (Eid el-Kabir) coincides with primary and secondary schools resumption, so people are only buying school items for their wards going back to school. Please help us beg government to bring out money for people to spend”. Another trader,who simply identify herself as Mrs Chukurat, buttressed this by saying that apart from the issue of school fees, there was no free -flow of cash in circulation. ‘’ Apart from the fact that school children have just resumed from the holiday which has led to parents reluctance to buy ostentation items, there is no money in circulation and prices of items in the market are equally astronomically high. “For instance I am supposed to travel this festive season as my usual custom, but I cannot afford it for now, because there is little money in my pocket to spend so I cannot go”. She, however, seized the op-

portunity to plead with the officials of the Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline popularly known as KAI; an agency saddled with the responsibility of enforcing sanitation, discipline and decency in Lagos State to soft pedal on constant harassment of street traders who cannot afford the payment of a huge sum to own a shop on Lagos Island. “Please help us beg these KAI officials to take it easy with us we are already developing hypertensions because of their harassment. They harass people hawking pure water, gala, biscuits, etc. It is not our wish to hawk under the scorching sun, if not for the skyrocketing cost of owning a shop on Lagos Island. “Government should build stalls that will be very affordable for people like us who cannot afford to pay 11 million naira for three years as been demanded by property owners here. Look at that Oluwole Urban Shopping Mall built by the Lagos State Government; it costs 5 million naira to acquire a shop there per year. Is that for people like us? She queried. Also speaking to Miss

Modupe who deals in clothing materials such as Ankara, Lace, Guinea Brocades among others at Balogun market in Lagos, she lamented low sales for some weeks now. Modupe said that despite the Eid el-Kabir festival, sales is not moving as expected, adding that people are not really patronising the traders as usual, unlike last year when people in anticipation of high prices during the Eid-el-Kabir period, had to deposit money for cloths and other items in advance. ‘’Since Sunday, I have not sold more than two bundles of cloths up till this hour I am talking to you, market is really dull, just imagine the cloth of 8,000 is being priced for N5,000, no sales at all, she lamented, that is all I can tell you my sister. Another trader at the same Balogun market, Mrs. Tolani Ayorinde, who is into wholesale and retail of all kinds of woman hair accessories, said; ‘’as you can see, no customer at this hour of the day, nowadays the business is not moving at all, people are not even coming, there is no sign that any festival is approaching, things are very dry, there is no money, there is no sales, I thought market will

move that’s why I went to stock my shop with various items, but since Saturday, I have not sold anything, only eight weavon. Throughout Monday, I didn’t make any hair for customer, but by this same time of last year up to a day before the Eid el-Kabir festival, I sold out virtually all the stocks in my shop, but now, that is not feasible. ‘’You know that this is the period for hair stylists to make more sales, but reverse is the case this year, definitely things are tough,’’ she said. Another trader, Mrs Kelechi Ugochukwu, who sells foodstuff at Balogun market, seems to sing a different tune from others. Ugochukwu, though, admitted that the market is not all that bad, she however admitted that she did meet her expectation. In her word, ‘’we thank God, but not as I expected, because I ought to have gone to the market again for another sets of goods for this celebration. “Last year’s sale is far better than this year’s, that is what I observed.” – Omoju Busayo and Darasimi Ayeni

Thursday, September 24, 2015

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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

resident Michel Kafando, who was taken hostage during last week’s coup, says civilian transitional government restored. The elite presidential guard last Wednesday took the president, prime minister, and several other officials captive [AFP] Burkina Faso’s interim President Michel Kafando, who was taken hostage during a coup a week ago, said he was back in power and had restored a civilian transitional government. “I have returned to work,” he said in a brief speech to journalists at the foreign ministry in the capital on Wednesday. “The transition is back and at this very minute is exercising the power of the state.” Burkina Faso coup leaders agreed to return to their barracks, signing a deal with the army that apparently defused the standoff sparked by last week’s coup. The breakthrough came on Tuesday night after marathon talks in Nigeria’s Abuja, where West African heads of state had sought to break the impasse fuelled by angry threats on both sides. The deal was signed a day after troops entered Burkina’s capital of Ouagadougou, turning up the pressure on the elite presidential guards (RSP), who staged the coup. Under its terms, the RSP agreed to step down from the positions they had taken up in Ouagadougou, while the army also agreed to withdraw its troops 50km from the capital and guarantee the safety of the RSP members as well as their families.

Burkina Faso president ‘back in charge’ after coup

Re-instated Burkina Faso Interim President Micheal Kafando

The deal was presented to the Mogho Naba, or “king” of Burkina Faso’s leading Mossi tribe, in front of the media early Wednesday. Burkina Faso plunged into crisis last Wednesday when the powerful RSP detained the interim leaders who had been running the country since a popular uprising deposed iron-fisted President Blaise Compaore last October. The elite unit of 1,300 men loyal to Compaore officially declared a coup on Thursday and installed rebel leader General Gilbert Dien-

dere, Compaore’s former chief of staff, as the country’s new leader. In a statement on Tuesday, the Economic Community of West

Egypt pardons Al Jazeera journalists Fahmy, Mohamed

gypt’s president has pardoned two of the three Al Jazeera TV journalists convicted of broadcasting false news. A presidential spokesman told AFP news agency that Mohammed Fahmy, a Canadian, and Ba-

Pope Francis set to visit Obama in White House

ontiff who played crucial role in brokering talks between Cuba and US is due to give speech in Washington DC. Pope Francis and President Barack Obama are set to meet in the Oval Office of the White House on his historic maiden visit to the United States. The pontiff, who played a crucial role in brokering talks between Havana and Washington, was due to deliver his opening remarks to the US on Wednesday morning on the White House lawn, the first stop on the pope’s six-day visit to the country. “The goal of this meeting is to give the two men the opportunity to talk about their shared values,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. “There’ll be time for politics, frankly, the other 364 days of the year,” he said.

“At least, for that one meeting, it will be an opportunity for the president to put politics aside and have an opportunity to talk about the values that he and the pope have in common.” Later in the day, the pope will meet the country’s 450-strong bishops’ conference at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle. Many of the bishops have struggled to come to terms with the pope’s new, social justiceminded direction of the church. They prioritised drawing clearer boundaries for Catholic behaviours and beliefs in the face of legalised abortion, advances in gay rights, and the exodus of many Westerners from organised religion. The US church spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year through its social service agencies, and for years has sought

African States said it planned to reinstate and demonstrate solidarity with Kafando, who was released on Friday.

an overhaul of the immigration system to reunite families, shelter refugees, and give the poor the chance at a better life. But the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has increasingly put its resources behind high-profile fights over abortion, contraception, and gay marriage. On Wednesday, the pope will also canonise a Spanish friar who brought the Catholic faith to California. Francis is to celebrate the mass for the canonisation for Junipero Serra in Spanish. Several thousand of the 25,000 tickets to the event were set aside for Spanishspeaking people, many from California. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception erected a temporary sanctuary on the east portico for the mass.

her Mohamed, an Egyptian, were on a list of 100 prisoners to be released. Mohamed did not appear to be on the list when it was first published on Wednesday, nor did the Australian Peter Greste, who was deported in February. They were sentenced to three years in prison last month after a retrial. Prosecutors accused them of collaborating with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. The journalists denied the allegation and said they were simply reporting the news. Legal experts said the charges were unfounded and politically motivated. Pardoned alongside Fahmy and Mohamed were the prominent activists Yara Sallam and Sanaa Seif, who were sentenced to two years in prison in October 2014 for breaking an anti-protest law that gives the Egyptian authorities broad powers to ban or disperse most public demonstrations. No reason was given for President Sisi’s decision on Wednesday, but it comes ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha and a day before he travels to New York.

WORLD BULLETIN

Migrant crisis: EU splits exposed as summit looms Splits within the EU on the relocation of 120,000 migrants have been further exposed as leaders gather for an emergency meeting in Brussels. Slovakia is launching a legal challenge to mandatory quotas that were passed in a majority vote on Tuesday. Hungary’s PM defended its “democratic rights” and proposed a radical budgetary revamp to raise funds. The summit will focus on tightening EU borders and aiding neighbours of Syria, from where many migrants come. EU leaders have struggled to find a co-ordinated response to the crisis. British Prime Minster David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande held talks on the eve of the meeting, saying that finding a solution to the Syrian conflict would be key to resolving the migrant crisis. They also agreed more should be done to return migrants who do not have a genuine claim for asylum, a Downing Street spokesman said.

Congo leader Nguesso promises referendum over third term Congo-Brazzaville’s leader has said he will hold a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a controversial third term. “I decided to give the people a direct voice,” said President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 72, who has ruled for more than 30 of the past 35 years. The proposals would allow candidates aged over 70 to run for office and scrap the two-term limit. No date was given for the referendum, but elections are due next year. BBC Africa’s Mamadou Moussa Ba says the main opposition coalition is against the move, saying it could destabilise the country. It also complains that it will not have the same access to the media to voice concerns. It boycotted what President Sassou Nguesso called a “national dialogue” in July, when about 400 representatives of political groups, trade unions, war veterans as well as traditional and religious leaders were invited to discuss the constitutional amendments. The forum was described as a “constitutional coup” by the president’s critics. Mr Sassou Nguesso, one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, was installed as president by the military in 1979 and lost the country’s first multi-party elections in 1992.

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WORLD BULLETIN

Egypt agrees to buy warships built for Russia from France Egypt has agreed to buy two Mistral warships originally built for Russia, the French presidency has announced. President Francois Hollande and Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi “agreed on the principle and the terms of the acquisition”, a statement said. France halted the planned sale to Russia in late 2014, following the conflict in eastern Ukraine. It has not divulged how much Egypt will pay for the warships, but Paris insists it is not out of pocket. Differences over the cost had been reported during the FrenchEgyptian negotiations. Russia agreed to buy the two warships - which can each carry 16 helicopters, four landing craft and 13 tanks in a 2011 deal worth 1.2bn (£843m; $1.3bn). Russia had paid about 840m in advance before the deal was stopped as the Ukrainian conflict erupted with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. After intense negotiations, Paris finally agreed in August to fully reimburse Russia, as well as foot the bill for training sailors and building port infrastructure in Vladivostok. Egypt is fighting a long-running insurgency in its northern Sinai region. That conflict intensified after the military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Russia’s Syria military build-up is self-protection – Kerry

Yemen’s president has returned to the southern city of Aden after six months in exile, his office says. Officials at the city’s airport confirmed a plane carrying Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi had landed on Tuesday. A government source told the Reuters news agency Mr Hadi would spend the festival of Eid al-Adha in Aden before flying to New York to address the UN. He fled Aden in late March as Houthi rebels advanced on the city, triggering air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition. In July, pro-government militiamen and soldiers drove the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of Aden with the help of coalition ground forces. However, residents have complained that Aden has descended into chaos and lawlessness, with jihadist militants affiliated to al-Qaeda and Islamic State seen on the city’s streets, and that the local authorities have been slow to restore services. Security around Aden’s airport was increased ahead of the president’s return, with armoured vehicles reportedly surrounding the facility and checkpoints put in place. “The return of his excellency the president to Aden comes after an absence that has lasted for six months amid the brutal aggression which has been carried out by the militias loyal to the Houthis and Saleh on the city of Aden,” the Associated Press quoted a statement by Mr Hadi’s office as saying. The president was expected to meet members of the cabinet, local officials and military and security leaders in the coming days.

World News 49

Thursday, September 24, 2015

emen’s president has returned to the southern city of Aden after six months in exile, his office says. Officials at the city’s airport confirmed a plane carrying Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi had landed on Tuesday. A government source told the Reuters news agency Mr Hadi would spend the festival of Eid al-Adha in Aden before flying to New York to address the UN. He fled Aden in late March as Houthi rebels advanced on the city, triggering air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition. In July, pro-government militiamen and soldiers drove the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of Aden with the help of coalition ground forces. However, residents have complained that Aden has descended into chaos and lawlessness, with jihadist militants affiliated to al-Qaeda and Islamic State seen on the city’s streets, and that the local authorities have been slow to restore services. Security around Aden’s airport was increased ahead of the president’s return, with armoured vehicles reportedly

Yemen President, Hadi returns to Aden from exile

C W

President Hadi being welcome to Aden

surrounding the facility and checkpoints put in place. “The return of his excellency the president to Aden comes after an absence that has lasted for six months amid

the brutal aggression which has been carried out by the militias loyal to the Houthis and Saleh on the city of Aden,” the Associated Press quoted a statement by Mr Hadi’s office

as saying. The president was expected to meet members of the cabinet, local officials and military and security leaders in the coming days.

Clashes after funeral of Palestinian shot in West Bank

here have been clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli forces in the West Bank after the funeral of a woman shot at a checkpoint on Tuesday. The youths threw stones at the troops in the divided city of Hebron, who fired stun grenades and tear gas. The Israeli military said Hadeel al-Hashlamun, an 18-year-old student, was killed after she pulled out a knife and attempted to stab a soldier. But its account has been disputed by a witness and her family. Ms Hashlamun’s death came shortly after that of another Palestinian, who the Israeli military said was killed when a bomb he was trying to throw at soldiers blew up in a village near Hebron. Mourners for Ms Hashlamun called for both international protection and revenge during her funeral procession, reports the BBC’s Yolande Knell in the West Bank. Video from a Palestinian news agency added to their anger, our correspondent adds. It appears to shows the student dressed in a black robe lying on the pavement bleeding for

some time after the shooting, with Israeli soldiers and settlers standing nearby. The Israeli military said that Ms Hashlamun was walking through a checkpoint dividing the Israeli and Palestinian controlled parts of Hebron on Tuesday when a metal detector went off. “Forces called for her to halt, which she ignored, and she continued moving while also pulling out a knife,” a statement said. “At this point, forces fired at

the ground, then at her lower extremities in attempts to stop her advancement. The perpetrator continued and at this point, recognising a clear and present danger to their safety, the forces fired toward her.” However, a Palestinian man who was also at the checkpoint disputed the account. Fawaz Abu Eisheh said he believed Ms Hashlamun kept walking because she did not understand what the soldiers were saying in Hebrew. When he told her in Arabic to move

Mourners carrying the corpse of the girl killed by an Israeli soldier

back towards the exit, she complied, he added. “While she was walking there, one of the soldiers stopped her and shot toward the floor, the girl stopped like a needle, she didn’t move,” he told AP. Several other soldiers then surrounded her, and everyone was shouting, he added. “In the middle of all this shouting, one of the soldiers shot directly at her left leg, she fell down and didn’t move,” Mr Abu Eisheh said. “After 10 to 15 seconds later, he shot another bullet at her right leg, after 10 seconds, he shot four, five bullets at her abdomen and chest area, and then after five, 10 seconds he shot another bullet from one metre away.” Photographs of the incident published by Palestinian activists show a veiled woman believed to be Ms Hashlamun standing in front of two soldiers who are aiming their rifles at her. Ms Hashlamun’s father said she was “killed in cold blood” and demanded the Israeli military release video footage from surveillance cameras at the checkpoint.

North

Thursday, September 24, 2015

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NDLEA arrests 385 drug traffickers, convicts 48 others JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

Chairman, Plateau State Poultry Association of nigeria, Mr John Caleb (right), with the sales and marketing manager, Supreme Feeds, Mr Francis Esale, during the Poultry Farmers Stakeholders Workshop in Jos, yesterday

50 killed as gunmen attack Niger community PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

district head, a police Divisional Crime Officer, DCO were among 50 persons who lost their lives when gunmen on Tuesday attacked Alawa village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Our correspondent learnt that the attack, which occurred in the night, also resulted in the hoodlums setting over 25 houses on fire and leaving many injured before running into the bush. The attackers were believed to be Fulani herdsmen, even though, unconfirmed source also said they could be fleeing members of the Boko Ha-

ram sect dislodged from Sambisa forest due to the ongoing operation by the Nigerian military to free the North East from the grip of insurgents. It was gathered that they stormed the village with dangerous weapons such as machine guns in an operation that lasted two hours with villagers scampering in various directions helplessly. It would be recalled that men of the Nigerian army were recently drafted to Shiroro Local Government Area to battle cattle rustlers, following the arrest of three persons in connection with the crime. Over 184 heads of cattle and 83 sheep were recovered from rustlers three

weeks ago. The recovered livestock were handed over to the chairman of Munya Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed Bida, for onward return to their original owners in the area. Report also has it that as a result of the development, the rustlers were said to have reinforced and staged the attack on the villagers. There hadn’t been any friction between the community and the Fulani herdsmen in the area before then. Confirming the attack, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Bala Elikana, expressed surprise and sadness at the development, especially, the loss of innocent lives.

Though, he stated that the command could not presently ascertain the number of casualty, he confirmed that a policeman was among those killed. He explained that due to lack of communication between Alawa and other parts of the state, a distress call could not reach security agencies on time. “The state’s Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Marafa, has dispatched the divisional police officer in Kagara and the police area commander in Minna to the troubled village to assess the situation and bring back a report for the people for the people for the people,” he said.

Dogara distributes cows, rams to Muslim communities in Bauchi EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

peaker, House of Re p r e s e n t a t ive s , Hon. Yakubu Dogara, representing Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa-Balewa federal constituency, has distributed over 200 cows and rams to Muslim communities in Bauchi State. This was just as similar distribution exercise is being conducted in the entire North East apparently to cushion the effect of misery on the victims of insurgency. This was disclosed by the chairman of the distribution committee,

Hon. Haliru Jika, representing Ganjuwa federal constituency in Bauchi State Jika added that the largesse is meant to provide succour for the lessprivileged as well as serve as democracy dividend from the speaker. According to Jika, Dogara’s decision to provide the Sallah gifts demonstrates his respect for religious institutions as well as court the co-operation of his supporters. He maintained that Dogara is a credible politician without religious bias when it come

to providing democratic dividends for the people, explaining that Bauchi State is lucky to produce him as speaker of the National Assembly. Jika had reiterated that Dogara wants the Federal Government to re-construct the entire North East region following the security challenges caused by the insurgency. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Adamu Musa Lar, All Progressive Congress, APC, Bauchi South, has expressed satisfaction with the gesture done to Muslim communities

not only in Bauchi Bauchi state, but the entire North East.

ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Katsina State said it has arrested 385 suspected drug traffickers, users and barons while 48 others have been convicted. In a press release issued to newsmen yesterday, the agency’s state commander, Mrs. Maryam Sani, said 65 other suspects had their cases pending at the Federal High Court in the state. Mrs. Sani said the arrest of the drug suspects was made from January to September this year. She said 736.908 kilograms of hard drugs, including 285.605kg of canabis sativa popularly known as ‘wee-wee,’ and 450.90kg of psychotropic substances were seized. She said 3,621 bottles of cough syrup and codeine were equally seized, and

that 259.5kg of tramadol tablets were seized from suspected drug dealers in the Funtua area command. She said one of the suspects was arrested with 1.6kgs of pentozocine injection, a powerful psychotropic substance, another with 10 cartons of cough syrup and his accomplice with 64 bottles of cough syrup. She said another group of suspects made up of four was on separate occasions arrested with 154 bottles of cough syrup with codeine. The agency’s commander said 277 drug users were counselled and rehabilitated, with the agency having 17 clients undergoing counselling and rehabilitation processes. She however lamented the increase in the use of cough syrup with codeine by females and young persons in the state.

LP urges Kwara to pay workers’ salary arrears WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

abour Party, LP, in Kwara State has called on Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to pay all outstanding salary arrears of government workers to ease their suffering and hardship. LP made the call yesterday in a statement jointly signed by Comrades Johnson Babalola and AbdulMumini Onagun, state chairman and secretary of the part respectively. The party lamented the non-payment of workers’ salaries, adding that some of them are being owed several months, a situa-

tion that has obviously visited great suffering on them and by extension, the generality of the public, particularly traders whose major customers are the workers. The party however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking it upon himself to design the bailout loans to state governments to pay backlog of workers’ salaries. LP in the statement also called on other state governments across the country to utilise the bailouts to pay up all salary arrears and pensions of workers in their respective states without further delay.

Dangote pledges scholarships to physically-challenged persons

resident of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed willingnes to award scholarships to physically-challenged persons who desire education as part of his contributions towards empowering the lessprivileged in society. He said his foundation, the Dangote Foundation, would henceforth look into providing assistance to brilliant physically-challenged persons who are interested in going to higher institutions but have one disability or the other.

The business mogul made this promise when he received in his office, a physically-challenged person, Kayode Ogendengbe (blind), who came to present his B.Sc. certificate to him, to formally inform him that he has finished his first degree which was sponsored by the richest man in Africa. Dangote had spotted the potentials of Ogedengbe through Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), a non-governmental organisation, during a pro-

gramme in Lagos and volunteered to fund his university education after which Ogedengbe got admitted into the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. He stated that one of the things that the rich could do to impact the society positively is to help physicallychallenged persons realise their dream, pointing out that after all, everyone has one challenge or the other even if not physical but that God has been the one helping everybody.

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North

Thursday, September 24, 2015

SALLAH CELEBRATION APC felicitates with Muslims, lauds Nigerians on sacrifice AYO ESAN

L-R; Member Board of Directors, Kwara Commercial Micro Finance Bank (KCMB), Alex Okoh; Chairman KCMB, Demola Banu; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; Member Board of Directors, Femi Ajibade; member (KCMB), Soji Oyawoye and Managing Director KCMB, Abayomi Ajayi during the presentation of Cheque of Year 2014 Government’s dividends in KCMB at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Bauchi Gov urges muslims to symbolise prophet Mohammed EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

auchi State Governor, Abubakar Mohammed has urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the attitudes of Prophet Mohammed. The call was contain in a press statement issued

by the Special Assistant to the Governor, Yakubu Mohammed, on the occasion of this year Eid elkabir festival. The governor asked Muslim to inculcated the good behavious capable of promoting rapports with non-Muslims The statement added

that Eid-el-kabir is a significant religious festivities in the life of every Muslim, calling on faithful to make sacrifice in the spirit of togetherness He urged the people of the state to remain calm throughout the period of the Sallah celebration while cautioning them against

any act of brigandage. The statement further urged the people to be weary and observant in the light of the security challenges in the country. “Be security conscious and extra vigilant in all your endeavours throughout the sallah period the statement warn.”

Ambode tasks Muslims on peaceful co-existence agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday called on Muslims in Nigeria to imbibe the values of peaceful co-existence and brotherly love as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-elKabir. The governor in a goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Sec-

retary, Mr Habib Aruna, said since Islam preaches peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence. He also enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace and tranquility in the state and the country, especially in the North East. While urging Muslims to shun religious extremism, which according to him is a challenging development for the coun-

WALE I BRAHIM

Pray for peace, unity –Wada

FRANCIS SUBERU

LOKOJA

ogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, has called on Muslims and all Nigerians to pray for peace and unity of the country. This was contained in his Sallah message to the Muslims, signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, copy of which was made avail-

able to journalists in Lokoja yesterday. The governor enjoined Muslims to seize the opportunity of the spirit of the Sallah festival to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and it’s leadership. He also called on all indigenes of Kogi State to pray for divine guidance in the conduct of the forthcoming gov-

try, the governor described those who hide under the veil of religion to perpetrate terrorism as being ignorant of the teachings of Islam. He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, rather it should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity of blood, food and water as these should constitute what binds the people. He expressed appre-

ernorship poll in the state and cautioned against violence and

ciation for the support given to the present administration, and sought for the sustenance of the peaceful co-existence in the midst of diversity of ethnic origin and religion in the state. While wishing all Muslim brothers and sisters in the state a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Ambode enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to take a cue from Lagos and continued to be their brothers’ keepers.

other electoral malpractices during the poll.

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has felicitated with all Muslims in the country on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, wishing them a successful, joyous and peaceful celebrations. In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said since sacrifice lies at the core of Eid-el-Kabir, it is also pertinent to commend all Nigerians for their sacrifice

Let’s join hands to move Nigeria forward –Oshiomhole

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to join hands with government to move the state and the country to a greater height. In his Eid-el-Kabir message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the Governor said: “I congratulate the Muslim Ummah on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, which has pleased Almighty Allah for us to be part of. “I sincerely appeal to the faithful to harness their thoughts and energies towards the develop-

ENUGU

nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has urged Muslims across the country to use the occasion of this year’s Id- el- Kabir celebration to reengineer

their spirit of sacrifice in all their engagements so as to contribute maximally to the current efforts towards enhancing Nigeria’s national growth. Ugwuanyi in a message to Muslims as they mark the festival stated

ment of Edo State and the country by joining hands with the State Government and our President, Muhammadu Buhari to help the government realise its dream of a better state for all. “We should remember the lessons of Eid -elKabir, which are sacrifice, peace and love for neighbours which are the hallmarks of a true Muslim. “In Edo State, I am proud to say the Muslim faithful are exemplars in exhibiting the true teachings of Islam which they practice in their daily dealings.”

Ansar-ud-deen, cleric celebrates with Muslims

… tasks govt on good governance KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

s Nigerian Muslims today joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, the Ansar-uddeen Society of Nigeria, ADS, has felicitated with Muslims, urging Nigerians to continue to support the ongoing anti-corruption

We need your spirit of sacrifice –Ugwuanyi tells Muslims EMMANUEL EZEH

all through the years for the emergence of a better Nigeria. APC prayed that just as Allah accepted the sacrifice of Ibrahim when he totally surrendered to the will of God by his willingness to sacrifice his son, the sacrifice of all Nigerians will be accepted in such a way as to make the country a proud member of the comity of nations again, with an economy that grows for the benefit of all, not for a few fat cats, and a country that is so safe and secure that all can live a better life and reach the zenith of their chosen careers.

that all Nigerians, not just the Muslim faithful needed to renew their spirit of sacrifice and patriotism to subdue various negative tendencies currently drawing back the nation’s growth at the moment.

crusade of the Federal Government. This was contained in the society’s Eid-el-Kabir message signed yesterday by its President, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu (SAN), and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. While congratulating Muslims on the celebration, he urged them to learn from the lessons of Eid-elKabir, which are sacrifice and absolute submission to the will of Allah. Okunnu also called on Nigerians to support the present government in the efforts to fight terrorism and corruption, while charging government to also strive to address the economic downturn of the nation.

South South

Group faults Okowa over large govt size Theophilus Onojeghen Warri

entre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, a socio rights group in Delta State, has condemned the appointment spree by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa into the executive council as being oversised. The group described recent appointment by the state government as recycling of old politicians and without pedigree. The CEPEJ National Coordinator, Sheriff Mulade, in a statement made available to National Mirror accused the governor of making well over 60 per cent secret appointments into his cabinet while at the same time lamented that there is no fund to run his

administration. Mulade, who expressed dismay over the unending appointment spree in the state, said he was particularly more disappointed because it’s ‘’recycling of the same crop of politicians who have not performed well in the past’’. He noted that in this era of the nation’s dwindling economic fortunes, the governor should have only picked a ‘’concise and formidable team’’ to help him deliver on his policies and save the state the huge outlays of running the government. Mulade charged Okowa to revisit issues of ailing and moribund companies in the state and breathe fresh life into them to provide jobs for the large army of the unemployed persons.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INEC assures voters in Bayelsa, Kogi of PVCs

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured newly registered voters in Kogi and Bayelsa that they would get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, before upcoming elections in both states. Deputy Director, Publicity, of the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja that the commission was working to ensure that the voters would participate in the exercise. The governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states are scheduled for November 21 and December 5,

respectively. Dazang said that the commission was already running automated finger identification on the data of the registered voters in the two states. “The ICT department is working seriously to make sure they remove multiple registration information after which they will produce the PVCs which will be distributed before the elections. “So, voters in Kogi and Bayelsa should be assured that those who registered and those who have not collected their PVCs would collect them before the elections.

“Our stand has always been that no PVC, no voting. “We will still use the same template we used in the general elections for the two states’ elections,’’ he said. On nationwide conduct of CVR, Dazang said that the commission had set up a committee headed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue, Professor Istifanus Dafwang, ahead of the 2019 general elections. He hinted that the commission may acquire newer Direct Data Capturing, DDC, machines to conduct a nationwide continuous

voter registration before the 2019 general elections. He said that acquiring new data capturing machines was necessary as the shelf life of most of the ones acquired in 2011 was four years. “Between 2011 and now, most of the computers we used have fall into disuse. “What we have done in the case of Kogi and Bayelsa was to service the few computers we need. “But for nationwide CVR, we might need to acquire newer DDC machines because the nationwide CVR may not take place this year,” he said.

Corruption allegation: Rivers PDP dares Amaechi Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

ivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Felix Obuah, has said the litigation threat by former governor Chibuike Amaechi against him and others over allegation of corruption was diversionary. This came barely 24 hours after Amaechi in a statement by his media office said the ex-governor was demanding N300 billion damages in view of alleged defamation of his person. But reacting to Amaechi’s threat of litigation, Obuah in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday describes the

move by the former as diversion in view of the revelations. The statement was signed by media aide to the state PDP Chairman, Jerry Needam on behalf of his principal said the recently concluded judicial commission of inquiry into the sale of the state government assets were testimonies of fraudulent deals carried out by the previous administration. The statement further said the intended lawsuit by Amaechi if true, will offer the party the opportunity to expose to the whole world the atrocities committed by the former governor, “for them to adjudge whether he (Amaechi) is corrupt or a saint as he is hoodwinking those who do not know him very well to believe.”

Sallah: FRSC deploys 1,027 personnel, 13 vehicles for patrol

do Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has deployed 1,027 personnel, comprising 431 regular marshals and 596 special marshals for a special patrol before and during the Sallah celebration. The Sector Commander, Mr Oluwasusi Familoni, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Benin. Familoni said 13 patrol vehicles, two ambulances and

two motorbikes were also deployed for the special patrol. He said two special mobile courts would be sitting at different locations to promptly try and checkmate road traffic offenders during the celebration. “All road users are enjoined to be careful and endeavour to obey all road traffic rules. “Passengers should not be passive while in the vehicles; they should call the FRSC toll free numbers when drivers are driving dangerously.

L-R: SA media to the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr Uko Umoh; former Governor /Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and Sir Emem Akpabio, on Godswill arrival at the Ibom International Airport, yesterday after holidaying abroad.

Osahon Julius Yenagoa

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has bemoaned the attitude of some civil servants who are in the habit of threatening strike action whenever there is a slight delay in salary payment. Dickson, who had earlier said the delay in salary payment was attributable to the delay in the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee meeting, made the remark at the swearing in ceremony of Mrs. Atonye Victoria Pekene as Permanent Secretary in the civil service. He said civil servants ought to be appreciative of the government’s efforts at meeting its salary obliga-

Dickson bemoans workers attitude over delay in payment

tions to them, rather than constituting themselves into what he termed, “vortex of opposition.” Everything we get, we plough it back to meeting our obligations to civil servants and yet we pay NECO, WAEC and JAMB for all your children, we still find time to meet other obligations. According to him, civil servants and its leadership were making unguarded and uninformed comments on the pages of newspapers and television stations, rather than showing gratitude to

the government for contending with the lean financial times. The governor said his administration was grappling with serious economic challenges in 2015, pointing out that it inherited a revenue base of about 18 billion 2012, which he noted has drastically reduced to about N6.2 billion and called on the people to exercise some patience, as the state has no alternative source of revenue. Dickson, who said for the past one year, some states in the country have been owing workers salaries for several

months, said it was unfortunate that states now rely on the bailout fund from the Federal Government to pay wages of workers. Reiterating his call for greater understanding and support from the people, especially the leadership of the civil service for the economic challenges, the governor expressed the hope that the economic situation would not degenerate to the level whereby the forecast of the international price regime of crude oil may decline to as low as 20 dollars per barrel.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Thursday September 4, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

England may beat Nigeria to Dele Alli

Critics will get off my back as soon as I start doing what I do best for PSG. It’s just a matter of time

–PSG winger, Angel Di Maria

Falconets player

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers:

Falconets storm Kinshasa today Paul Erewuba

he national U-20 Women team, Falconets, will today, leave the country for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to keep a date with their counterparts for the first leg of the qualifying fixture of the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. According to the team’s coach Peter Dedevbo, the match, which will take

place on Sunday at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa, will be prosecuted by 18 players who will travel aboard an Ethiopia Airline. The players are; Chinaza Uchendu, who scored for the Super Falcons at the recently concluded women’s football tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii, defenders Olubunmi Elijah and Ugochi Emenayo, midfielders Joy Bokiri and Tessy Biahwo and

forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyejo. In their second round qualifying fixture, the Falconets, runner-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, whipped their Liberian counterparts 14-1 on aggregate, winning 7-0 in Monrovia and 7-1 in Abuja. The Nigeria delegation, it was gathered, will be led by member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairperson of the Nigeria Women

Football League, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma. The full list comprises of Sandra Chiichii, Aminat Yakubu, Oluwakemi Famuditi, Patience Kalu, Amarachi Ojinma, Joy Bokiri, Olubunmi Elijah, Ugochi Emenayo, Chinaza Uchendu, Yetunde Adeboyejo, Tessy Biahwo, Christy Ohiaeriaku, Glory Ogbonna, Ogechi Ukwuoma, Uchenna Kanu, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ihuoma Onyebuchi, Omotola Omidiji.

Brazil test good for U-23 AFCON –Sokari

ream Team VI midfielder, Kingsley Sokari believes the proposed friendly between Nigeria’s U-23 national team and Brazil’s U-23 side will be a good preparation for the Nigerian team ahead of the CAF U-23 Cup of Nations billed for Senegal. The Nigeria Football Federation are reportedly in talks with their Brazilian counterparts for the high-profile friendly. Sokari underlines the benefits of playing the South Americans before the CAF U-23 Nations Cup to be hosted by Senegal between 28 November and 12 December, 2015. “A friendly against Brazil will be a good test for us,” the Enyimba star be-

gan. “Yes, we are yet to negotiate through the qualifying games for the Olympics but it will be a confidence booster for the team before we travel to Senegal. “We’re talking about Brazil and for us to play them in a friendly even before the U-23 Nations Cup begins shows the NFF mean well for the team. It kind of gives the feeling that we are likely to play against them in Rio next year. “The All Africa Games didn’t go as we expected because we wanted to win the gold medal but we understand the U-23 AFCON will be a tougher tournament. Every team, every player wants to be at the Olympics.” The U-23 Eagles will play in Group B

of the U-23 AFCON alongside Egypt, Algeria and Mali. Samson Siasia’s team will begin their quest for an Olympics ticket with a game against Mali on November 29 at the Stade Caroline Faye Stadium, M’Bour and Egypt at the same venue on December 2. They will round off their group games with a game against Algeria at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar on December 5. The Nigerian U-23 coach Siasia has played against a Brazilian national side before, though at the U-20 level, during the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland, a group match which ended goalless.

Sokari

Sports

Thursday, September 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mourinho

gives up on Mikel, seeks replacement

C Mikel

Anichebe rejects Bolton loan

igeria striker Victor Anichebe has rejected a loan deal to Bolton Wanderers as he opted to stay put and fight for a place at West Brom. The English Championship team enquired about the Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medalist, but were told that the former Everton striker wants

to stay at ‘The Hawthorns’. Bolton’s manager Neil Lennon admits attacking reinforcements are an absolute must ahead of ‘The Seagulls’ visit to the Macron Stadium on Saturday. “We simply don’t have enough options with Emile Heskey and Zach Clough out

helsea have been linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, according to reports in Italy. Tuttomercatoweb [via the Daily Star] stated that Jose Mourinho has turned his attentions to the France international, who could be signed in January at the earliest opportunity. The Mirror indicate that Matuidi could be a replacement for Paul

injured,” he said. “We’re trying our hardest to get something sorted but it isn’t as easy as you’d think sometimes.” Anichebe has played just a league game for ‘The Baggies’ this season as a 74th minute substitute for Rickie Lambert in 3-0 home loss to Manchester City on August 10.

in 2013—had his 2014-15 campaign ravaged by injury. He began this season behind first-choice midfield pair Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic in the pecking order, but was named to start in the match against Everton following the poor displays of his rivals. The tabloid reports that it would take a bid of at least £30 million to snare 28-year-old Matuidi, who is under contract at PSG until 2018.

Pellegrini

Pellegrini explains Ihenacho’s exclusion in City’s League Cup

Anichebe

Pogba, who has been a long-term target for the Blues, but the pursuit of whom ultimately came to nothing during the summer. The Daily Star reports that Matuidi is being considered as a replacement for John Obi Mikel, who is understood to have come to the end of the road in West London. The Nigeria international—who won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles

anchester City Manager, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that his Nigerian starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho is injured. Iheanacho, who has been included in the match day squad in all of City’s six Premier League games this season, was widely expected to lead the line for the Citizens in Tuesday’s League Cup game away to Sunderland. The former Golden Eaglets man however failed to travel with the squad and Pellegrini confirmed afterwards that the 18-year-old missed out due to injury. “I always enjoy to see good players. “I think it is also important

for our team because we had eight players injured for this game that we cannot use: (David) Silva, (Samir) Nasri, (Fabian) Delph, (Pablo) Zabaleta, (Vincent) Kompany, (Eliaquim) Mangala, (Wilfried) Bony and Kelechi (Iheanacho). “It is an important number of players that we couldn’t use. That’s why it was important to win the game and important to win in the way we played,” Pellegrini said at the post-match press conference. He, however, failed to give any further details about Iheanacho’s expected time on the sidelines.Iheanacho has scored once in three games for City this season.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, September 24, 2015

O’Trafford in Sallah Rumbles

Dream Team VI

Amoo spells antidote for CAF U23

igeria’s Under-23 team assistant coach, Fatai Amoo has said availability of the right players will be key to the side’s success at the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal. The 2015 All Africa Games bronze medallists will vie for the Rio Olympics ticket in Group B alongside Algeria, Egypt and

Mali. Amoo said the mistakes of the 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo were the non-availability of key registered players at the championship. “We need to put many things in the right order for us to succeed at the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal than we did

at the just concluded All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo. “We arrived at the Games a depleted side with key registered players conspicuously missing either due to injuries, club and national assignments. “We must not allow a repeat of such costly mistakes in the upcoming championship in Sen-

egal. “We need to prepare very well for Senegal 2015 as none of the eight countries is resting on their oars. Three top finishers at the eightteam Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal from November 28 December 12 will automatically qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

England may beat Nigeria to Dele Alli

ngland could again beat Nigeria to Spurs emerging star Dele Alli after Jordon Ibe of Liverpool opted to feature for the Three Lions and not the Super Eagles. Reports coming out of England suggest that 19-year-old Alli is now in line to make England final squad for the 2016 European Championships after his quick adaptation to life in the English Premier League. Like Ibe, Alli’s father is Nigerian, but he has represented England at the various age-

group teams, including playing twice for the England U21. The midfielder’s superlative showings at Spurs - six appearances and a goal - have already received rave reviews. Former England star Michael Owen said he has not been surprised by Alli’s rise to the top because his time in the lower leagues has prepared him for life in the EPL. “His time at MK Dons prepared him for what he is now facing and I’m not surprised he has done well for himself so far,” said Owen.

Dele Alli

N S A: Nominations closes Sept 26 …Organisers salute Team Nigeria’s AAG performance

rganisers of the Nigerian Sports Award, Unmissable Incentives Limited has announced that the nominations of Sportsmen and Women for the different categories ofawards for the 2015 edition would close on Saturday, September 26, 2015. This was disclosed in Lagos by the outfit’s Ex-

ecutive Director, Kayode Idowu, while briefing the media on developments on the 2015 edition. Idowu revealed that the nominations for this year’s edition was deliberately prolonged to close after the just concluded All African Games to accommodate the different major sporting activities for

the year. ‘’In the past, we had instances where some Nigerian Sportsmen and Women recorded some outstanding performances during the course of the award year but couldn’t make it into nominations. This is why we decided to ensure that nominations for this year closes at the end of all the

major sporting events” he said. He commend and congratulated the Nigerian athletes to the just concluded All African Games for their outstanding performance. He however called on Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the remaining few days to nominate their favourite Nigerian athletes

rue to tradition, the O’Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi-Lagos is set to treat members and squash lovers across the country to scintillating times as the nation awaits a long weekend of Sallah from Thursday this week. Rumbles and other mini tournaments in honour of members who have achieved laudable feats in recent times accompanied with what chairman Larry Ettah described as “quality socials” will be on the cards as the centre court is expected to play host to sublime squash. First is Taye Ige, chairman, HS Media Group and the Club’s director of publicity who is honoured with a Rumble on Thursday, the first day of the long holiday. Next is Captain Shina Akinfenwa, CEO, Cargolux Merchant Express, sponsors of the largest and longest running Cargolux Squash Invitational. He takes his turn on Friday with another Rumble to which some under aged female players have been invited. Both events give way to the Annual Babatunde Lawal Sallah get-together on Saturday. Lawal, chief medical officer, UACN Plc who has been hosting members and their families to this special Sallah rendezvous since inception of the Club, has promised to make this year’s event truly special with a high dose of sports and entertainment. Inviting all and sundry to the events, Club Captain Adebiyi Mabadeje urged members to make it a family affair and ensure that wives and kids come along, promising them a swell time for them.

Guinness excites football fans as BPL gets underway Victor Udoh

uinness is once again demonstrating its commitment to football. In fulfillment of its promise to provide more exciting times to football fans, Guinness Nigeria Plc., has launched an exciting 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 repre-

sents the bold, iconic beer. Speaking at the media launch, Brand Guinness Senior Brand Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc., 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.”

WORLD RECORD

Tallest donkey

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1206 Thursday, September 24, 2015

The tallest donkey living is Romulus, a 9-year-old American Mammoth Jackstock, who measured 17 hands (172.72 cm; 5 ft 8 in) tall on 8 February 2013, and is owned by Cara and Phil Yellott of Red Oak, Texas, USA.

Mr. President, our neigbours have moved on

y friends all, on Monday this week, Ethiopia launched its own electric trains, the first of its kind in Africa South of the Sahara. On the streets of Addis Ababa, you could see a palpable sense of pride and an aura of complete confidence in the leadership. These are not the eyesore mammy wagon locomotives still snaking, virtual snails, along the rail tracks of Naija. They are glittering ultra modern electric trains in a country that was just a couple of years back the repository of hunger, famine and dictatorship. Ethiopia also has perhaps, the best indigenous airline in Africa. Yours sincerely recently flew an Ethiopian Boeing 777 to the Middle East and I can confirm that their services are world class. This Horn of Africa nation was still an aviation toddler when our Nigeria Airways was the superstar of the African

elgium have confirmed that the 2015 Davis Cup final against Great Britain will be held indoors on clay at the 13,000-capacity Flanders Expo in Ghent. Led by Andy Murray, Britain reached their first Davis Cup final since 1978 by beating Australia in the semi-final.

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

air with scores of aircraft in its fleet. This brings me to this nagging question: what actually is the problem with Nigeria? Whereas other African nations are moving ahead with people-friendly, ultra-modern infrastructure, my compatriots and I are still bogged down and emotionally traumatized by a state of infrastructural decay. While the Ethiopian electric train breakthrough took just three years of dogged effort and dedicated leadership to materialise, our nation’s own railway system, despite decades of noisy efforts and trillions of wasted Naira, has simply refused to take off satisfactorily. The aviation sector is no exception. While Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and even Rwanda are doing Africa proud in the world of air travels, Nigeria has for decades been playing the ostrich in spite of immense resources. Vision has gone to sleep, while the custodians of our heirloom continue to treat our commonwealth like family properties. That is why President Buhari must act faster than he is doing now. The harsh reality is that while other less-endowed African nations are going ahead, transforming their infrastructure, we are still bogged down by the Nigerian disease of merry-go-rounding-without-forwardmotion. We need to get our national infrastructure moving whether by hook or by crook. It is as desperate as that. Why can’t we a have a bullet train doing just two and half hours between Lagos and Abuja? What is our excuse when others, like Ethiopia are breaking through? Or

WHY CAN’T WE A HAVE A BULLET TRAIN DOING JUST TWO AND HALF HOURS

LAGOS AND ABUJA?

BETWEEN

is there a curse placed on our collective heads that we can never achieve greatness with the largess from oil? Every day, we make noise about reviving the national carrier. If we take 20 years to plan for madness, when are we ever going to start biting trees? The Lagos metroline project has been ongoing eternally without any discernible period of completion in sight. It is sad that what would have for long been the pride of Nigeria is still wallowing in the woods of uncertainty. That is why our President must not handle our most urgent infrastructure handicaps with kid glove. We need a concrete economic policy direction to rescue our industries from the doldrums of uncertainty; we are still waiting for a discernible action from the Presidency. We need to see action beyond the rabble rousing antics of the old-school political minds. We need our president to move out and recover the ground lost to over 100 days of dithering and ground testing. What ails our land requires the urgent remedies of a patient suffering from a curable but time-bound disease. Before the cancer of decline metasta-

sizes, Alhaji Buhari must take up the surgical blades and head fast to the theatre. This doctor cannot afford not to know the route to the intensive care unit. Time is running out on our second chance. Buhari cannot afford to fail.

And some words on the status of NSCDC

Mr. President, why did we establish the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC? Is it there just in name and its officers condemned to just salary earning idlers? Isn’t it a statutorily relevant part of our national security machine? Isn’t it obvious that at least in the past decades, this very important and relevant part of our security infrastructure has been of immense value to our national peace of mind? These questions are pertinent because of the recent happenings around the status of this agency. Not only are its duties as protector of our oil pipelines and civil order being usurped by other branches of the security system, its statutory roles as enshrined in the constitution remain beclouded by confusing encroaching on its duties by others. What are officials of the DSS doing with pipeline protection duties when we have enough Civil Defence hands on deck? While the insurgency still rages, shouldn’t the DSS operatives be more useful ensnaring the enemy with quality intelligence gathering than being seconded to pipeline protection? Are we saying that the NSCDC operatives, now fully armed, are not competent? Recently there were rumours that the Power Ministry was wondering about who to hand over the protection of our power installations to? If true, isn’t it funny that the NSCDC, despite its capabilities, is being relegated or underrated? I must get to the roots of this anomaly, thus I am coming up with an expanded version of this important national question next week, Deo Volente. Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Davis Cup final to be held on clay But the decision to play the final on clay on 27-29 November could mean Murray misses the World Tour Finals. The Scot tweeted: “So Ghent on the clay for the Davis Cup final - very pumped! Think clay is a good surface for us.” World number three Murray, who

has a good record on the surface this season, has put his participation at the World Tour Finals in doubt, saying he would need time to adjust from hard court to clay. The end-of-season tournament for the world’s top eight players finishes at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, 22

November, five days before the tie in Belgium begins. The 28-year-old said: “If you reach the final and play on the Sunday you also need to take time off - you can’t just play five matches against the best players in the world and then not take any days off.”

Murray

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