Tuesday 17, may, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Nigeria’s inflation rate worsens, hits 13.7% Tola akinmuTimi

Buhari

Vol. 6 N0. 1371

igeria’s inflation surged to 13.7 per cent year-on-year in April, the highest since

August 2010. The Consumer Price Index, CPI, measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Subsidy

Fashola begs power project contractors to go back to site

The latest rate confirms most analysts’ projections that efforts by authorities to mitigate the surging prices in the economy were not sustainable, givCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

P.5

Fashola

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Reps in rowdy session over Kachikwu M obiora ifoh, ubong ukpong and george opara

inister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Ibe Kachukwu, was yesterday, quizzed by the House of Representatives over the recent increase in the price of fuel from N86.50 to N145. The House, which initially had a rowdy session over the decision to admit Kachukwu into the Chamber, also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to shelve its planned strike,

...kick against strike •FG, Labour in late-night meeting

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Rowdy House of Representatives during a Special House session on the deregulation at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Sheriff to lead PDP till 2018, gets BoT’s endorsement N30bn, 128 students lost to Boko Haram, says Gov. Gaidam

P.4 P.6

Scarcity of aviation fuel disrupts flight operations at Lagos airport P.6 FG to concession Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt P.5 airports

How I converted N111m to dollars for NIMASA official – Witness P.11

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Reps in rowdy session over Kachikwu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

even as it set up an ad-hoc committee to interface with labour and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis. The emergency session of the House was basically to deliberate and take position on the price hike. But it unexpectedly took another twist as the session became rowdy for over 30 minutes. When the special session was about to start, Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, had moved to admit the minister into the Chamber, but his motion did not enjoy popular voice vote. However, it was ruled in his favour by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, a development that irked the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers, who insisted that Kachukwu should not be ushered into the Chamber. While the protest lasted, the opposition lawmakers, who wielded the national flag, waved them repeatedly, chanting, “all we are saying, save Nigeria now” and echoing “APC shame”, while their APC counterparts watched and responded with “APC Change.” In the midst of this, the Speaker conferred with Principal Officers, who had approached him, and emerged to cede the floor to Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, who immediately requested the House to dissolve into executive session, which was granted. The House thereafter went into executive session and admitted Kachukwu, who took time to convince the lawmakers over the decision to remove subsidy and increase fuel price. The minister told them that the Federal Government had no other option than to deregulate by removing subsidy because of diminished forex supply situation which had forced marketers to stop product importation and imposed over 90 percent supply burden on NNPC since October 2015. He cited other reasons to include significant decline in government foreign exchange revenues due to over 60 per cent drop in global oil prices compare to 2014 and the renewed sabotage and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. According to him, violence in the Niger Delta has drastically reduced crude oil production to 1.4 million barrels per day as against

2.2 million. He further stated that the commitment of crude oil volumes outside the 445,000bpd to meet national supply requirements has caused diminishing remittances to the federation account, which in effect had made many states to continue having financial challenges in payment of salaries and meeting up with other financial obligations, amongst others. Comparatively, Kachukwu said average price of crude oil was valued at $110 in January 2012 but dropped to $40 in May 2016, adding too that in 2012, there was availability of fund to cater for the subsidy regime due to booming oil prices, unlike this year, when there is low crude prices and lack of funds. Further, the minister also explained that importation of crude in 2012 was based on 50 per cent financing from NNPC and 50 per cent from oil marketers, unlike now, when financing for importation is almost hundred per cent handled by NNPC, a model he said was unsustainable. Reacting to questions about the urgency in the need for fuel hike, he said it was done to libralise the environment for private marketers and other entities, willing to supply Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, to source for their forex and import, to ensure availability of products in all locations across the country. The minister, after making his submission, fielded questions from the lawmakers, who were all supportive of the policy. Ogor said former President Goodluck Jonathan saw tomorrow by attempting to remove subsidy in 2012. In a motion, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, asked the House to set up a committee to interface with labour and other stakeholders in view of the impending strike. Majority Whip, Addo Doguwa, also prayed the House in a related motion, to prevail on labour to shelve the planned strike, pending the outcome of the committee’s actions. The prayers were granted and the committee chaired by Doguwa was set up and is to report back to the House in five days. Meanwhile, Federal Government said some of the gains of the new price regime include ensuring product availability across

L-R: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Minister of Transport, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen Ahmed Yerima, at a stakeholders conference on Maritime Industry in Lagos, yesterday. the country, reduction in hoarding, smuggling, diversion as well as price stabilisation. Government also said the activities of Niger Delta Avengers cost the nation over 500,000 barrels of crude every day with more than 1,000 kilowatts of electricity lost in the process. This was disclosed in Abuja yesterday by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He said: “The policy will create labour market stability, as this will potentially create additional 200,000 jobs through new invest-

ments in refineries and retails and prevents potential loss of 400,000 jobs in existing investments. “We are therefore seeking the understanding of all Nigerians and appealed to organised labour to sheathe their sword. “This is not the time for any action that will further worsen the economy. The situation is dire, not just in Nigeria but elsewhere around the world. “For instance, the United Arab Emirates, the third-biggest oil producer in OPEC, has become the first country in the oil-rich Persian Gulf to remove fuel subsidies.

“In addition, the country has announced that with effect from 1 August 2016, fuel prices will be deregulated. “Also, in response to fiscal pressure caused by the fall in crude oil prices, OPEC’s top oil producer Saudi Arabia has announced a plan to raise fuel prices. You can now see that this is indeed a global problem.” The minister said the government has no choice than to liberalise the price of petrol to end the crippling scarcity that has enveloped the country and ensure availability of the products.

He re-emphasised that government has not removed fuel subsidy. “There is no subsidy to remove because no provision was made for subsidy in the 2016 budget. “Last year, government paid out N1trn in subsidy, and that’s one sixth of this year’s budget. We can’t afford to pay another N1trn in subsidy,” he added. Mohammed said the entire 2016 budget is packed with palliatives and that about N500,000bn has been set aside for social intervention that will touch the lives of millions of Nigerians and lift more out of poverty.

Nigeria’s inflation rate worsens, hits 13.7% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

en the country’s prevailing fiscal indices in recent months. The CPI Report published by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday attributed the significant upswing in the rate, which represented about roughly 0.9 per cent points higher from rates recorded in the preceding month of 12.8 per cent, to faster pace of increases recorded across almost all major divisions which contribute to the Headline index, with the exception of the restaurants and hotels division. The Bureau noted that lingering structural constraints continued to manifest spillovers in the month under review as

electricity rates, kerosene prices, the impact of higher PMS prices and vehicle spare parts contributed largest to the Core Sub index during the month. According to the official statistics producing agency, these items as well as other imported items continued to have ripple effects across many divisions that contribute to the Core index, resulting in its increase by 13.4 per cent during the month, representing about 1.2 per cent points from rates recorded in March. The Bureau noted that food index reflected tighter supplies across most groups that contribute to the sub-index which increased by 13.2 per cent year-on-year in April, up

by 0.4 per cent points from rates recorded in the previous month as all major food groups which contribute to the sub-index increased at a faster pace driven by higher food prices in fish, bread and cereals, and vegetables groups. When analysed on month-on-month basis, NBS noted that while the Headline Index increased in April, the food index slowed for the second consecutive month, increasing by1.6 per cent or 0.6 per cent points higher from rates recorded in the preceding month. This is even as the agency reported also that yearon-year, both the urban and rural indices recorded marked increases for the

third consecutive month in April. While the urban index rose by 15.1 per cent, representing 1.6 per cent higher than the 13.5 per cent recorded in March, upward pressure on prices were relatively less severe in the rural areas as the index increased 12.8 per cent year-on-year, indicating 0.7 per cent points up from the 12.0 per cent in March. “On a month-on-month basis, while the urban index increased at a faster pace, from 2.0 per cent in March to 2.2 per cent in April, the rural index increased at a slower pace, from 2.1 per cent in March to 1.4 per cent in April. “The percentage change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

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Sheriff to lead PDP till 2018, gets BoT’s endorsement ObiOra ifOh and GeOrGe Oji

ational Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, yesterday, received the nod of the Board of Trustees (BoT) to lead the party till 2018. Sheriff also enjoyed the support of the BoT, majority of whose members opposed the planned convention of the party, slated for this Saturday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but had finally agreed that the convention be held. It would be recalled that a group, known as Concerned PDP Stakeholders had insisted that the convention be postponed. The group also opposed amendment of the party’s constitution and called on the Modu Sheriff-led National Working Committee, NWC, to quit office on May 21. But addressing newsmen at the end of its meeting, which lasted for about six hours at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, new BoT secretary, Ambassador Ojo Madueke called on the National Executive Committee, NEC, to ratify the decision of the body that Sheriff remains in office till 2018. Madueke said the BoT resolved that there should be a resolution at Saturday’s convention that the 2019 presidential candidate should come from the north and when that happens, the chairmanship should automatically move to the South in 2018. He said Sheriff, who is likely to retain his position this Saturday, would continue in office until 2018, when a mid-term convention would be convened. The BoT also resolved that all the grievances within the party which are for the purpose of making the party stronger should be looked into for the purpose of carrying everybody along in the scheme of things. “It will be a national tragedy if we allow PDP to die. We have moved away from the brink and we are stronger party now. We are re-inventing the PDP. “By consensus, we decided to support the NWC and NEC that the May 21 convention be held. Some states had challenges in the conduct of congresses, the BoT agreed to look into that,” he said. New BoT Chairman, Walid Jibrin said PDP is

putting its house in order to bring detractors and enemies to shame. He urged members and party leaders to do away with selfish interest and stop the blame game. Jibrin also appealed to members not to dump the party, but remain focused, stressing that new members would soon start joining the party. “We need new strategies that will enable us to bounce back again with exemplary leadership. We are ready to rehabilitate, we don’t need merger, we don’t need change of name,” he said. Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, who also spoke explained that the N500m loan obtained from a bank was not for personal use, but to organise the fund-raising dinner in 2014, which committee he chaired. According to him, the party did not release money for organising the event and while he collected the facility from the bank and the event was organised, NWC later refused to settle the debt, as the then National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu resigned as a result of the party’s defeat at the 2015 general elections. Meanwhile, National Assembly caucus of the party, comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives has constituted a 12- man committee to unite the party ahead of Saturday’s national convention The lawmakers, who met for several hours at the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly under the aegis of National Assembly PDP Caucus, explained that the constitution of the committee was necessary in the face of discordant tunes trailing the planned convention. Senate Minority Leader, Godwill Akpabio, who briefed newsmen on behalf of the caucus on the outcome of the meeting, stated that the 12- man reconciliation committee was mandated to bring all the warring groups in the party together within the next 48 hours before the convention. He said: “We had a peaceful meeting here. Certain decisions were taken and as the Minority Leader has told you, we took a lot of key decisions and one of the things we decided on is that we cannot go into a national convention that is rancorous. “And so, we have set up a 12-man committee

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Moustapha Cisse Lo (3rd r); representative of the President, ECOWAS Parliament, Kalilou Traore (2nd l); Chairman, ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Khadim Diop (2nd r); First Deputy Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Yusuf Lasun (3rd l) and some members of Parliament , at the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament for 2016 in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN to meet with the various factions and interest groups in our party within the next 48 hours to iron out all the grey areas. “We are meeting with our governors tonight (yesterday). We will meet with the board of trustees, and other stakeholders under the auspices of Concerned PDP Stakeholder.

“I believe strongly that in the next 48 hours, the entire PDP family will be united and by Thursday/Friday, we will be headed to PortHarcourt, with songs of joy, with bands and you will be impressed that, indeed, the party is back on track. “As as far as the National Assembly is concerned, the Senate and the House of

Representatives are one and we were able to arrive to an amicable solution as far as reconciling the party.” Akpabio stated that as a way of allowing peace to reign at the national convention, only statutory delegates would be allowed to vote from all the six states that have not done their congresses.

FG, Labour in late-night meeting Olufemi adeOsun ABUJA

ederal Government had closed-door meeting with representatives of organised labour last night. The meeting, called at the instance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, was held to avert the proposed nationwide strike by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, scheduled for tomorrow. In attendance at the

meeting, which commenced at about 7:30 p.m. are NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Igwe Achese, President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Olabode Johnson. Others are Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Trade Union Congress, TUC, President, Bobboi Bala Kiagama, NLC General Secretary, Pe-

ter Ozo-Eson, Ag General Secretary of TUC, Simeso Amachree among others. Oshiomhole had earlier met with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, possibly to harmonise Federal Government’s position before they went for the closed door meeting. But signs were palpable that the strike may not get the needed credence due to the division between the ranks of the labour movement. Even shortly before the meeting commenced, Wab-

“We congratulate the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party for the congresses done in various states of the federation. “It was only in six states that congresses were not held and we agreed that for such states, only statutory delegates will be allowed to exercise their franchise,” he added.

ba had maintained that he would not attend the parley with factional President of NLC, Joe Ajaero. It took the intervention of the SGF to convince Ajaero to stay behind with the promise that a separate meeting would be held with his group. NUPENG and PENGASSAN two prominent unions within the oil industry had earlier endorsed the deregulation policy of the Federal Government which increased the price of fuel from N86.50 to N145 per litre.

Nigeria’s inflation rate worsens, hits 13.7% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

in the average composite CPI for the twelve month period ending in April 2016 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve-month period was 10.2 per cent, higher from 9.8 per cent recorded in February. “The corresponding twelve months year-onyear average percentage change for the urban index increased from 9.9 per cent in March to 10.5 per

cent in March, while the corresponding rural index also increased from 9.6 per cent in March to 9.9 per cent in April,” NBS stated. On the “All Items less Farm Produce” or Core sub-index, NBS also reported that the index increased by 13.4 per cent in the month up from the 12.2 per cent recorded in March following increases at a faster pace of the key divisions, which contribute to the index, with the

exception of the restaurants and hotels division. It would be noted that speculation that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, will soon devalue the currency had been rife in recent weeks until the apex bank denied the rumour at the weekend. Reacting to the latest inflation trend amid lingering speculation about the monetary policy changes, Chief Economist, Africa at Standard Chartered

Bank, Razia Khan, said that “the focus inevitably shifts to what sort of monetary policy reaction to anticipate ahead to the Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday. “With the central bank governor previously stating that a headline inflation rate in excess of the MPR (benchmark interest rate) is undesirable, expectations of tightening are likely to build.”

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Tuesday May 17, 2016

FG to concession Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt airports M inister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, says the Federal Government will concession the Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano international airports in the first phase of its concession programme. Sirika disclosed this at the 2016 Aviation Stakeholders Forum on Monday in Abuja. “The thinking is that just like every other place in the world, we will concession our airports and we are beginning with the big four, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. “It would have been ideal to take them to some level of acceptance for them to attract more. “But I think we just get those guys who believe that in Nigeria they can create a hub geographically given by God to come and put in their money and create this hub, build these airports, concession them, run them and make money out of them.’’ He said the current facilities at the airports did not meet international standard and best practices in the aviation industry, adding that private sector involvement was the way forward. According to him, if the government is able to concession the four

Wike visits Buhari in Aso Rock

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed door at the Presidential Villa. The governor later emerged from the office of the president about 20 minutes later. He, however, declined to speak with State House Correspondents on the purpose of his visit to the Villa. Though details of the meeting were not disclosed, it may not be unconnected with the situation in the South South region, particularly the issue of oil pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta area and the agitation of the Niger Delta Avengers. The group had carried out acts of sabotage including the blowing up of an offshore oil facility belonging to Chevron located near Escravos in Warri, Delta State.

airports successfully in the first phase, it will pay attention to providing infrastructure and developing domestic airports for optimal performance. Sirika also said that the state of the Abuja Airport runway was a source of concern. He said government may consider closing down the airport as form of safety precaution. He said government was committed to upgrading the existing facilities at the airports as well as developing new strategy to repositioning the sector. The minister also stated

that a comprehensive security check and vulnerability assessment of the airports had been carried out to ensure that airports were properly secured.

According to him, every huge major disaster in the world such as the Pearl Habour attack, September 11 attack on the U.S. among others, are aviation related

disasters. “Safety is the main focus in aviation because the time a passenger arrives airport, when he takes off and land is very important.

“We are developing a new security strategy in partnership with international security organisations and procurement of modern equipments,’’ he said.

Absence of PPA stalls 1,300mw solar projects Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET, Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and prospective solar power promoters and investors recently in Abuja. According to a statement by an Assistant Director of Press in the ministry, Ibrahim Haruna, the minister

at the meeting, called on solar power promoters in ABUJA the country to find lasting solutions to issues hinderbout sixteen soing the operations of 16 lar power projects solar power projects across across the country the country, stressing that estimated to add 1300MW it is estimated that it would to the nation’s power genadd 1300MW to the nation’s eration capacity may have power generation capacity. been stalled for lack of According to the statement, a communiqué was issued at the end of the recommending meeting that all 16 projects with a total of 1,300 MW capacities would be highly beneficial for the country’s energy mix, but the projects have been unable to progress because of lack of bankable Power Purchase Agreements, PPAs. It also noted that government is mindful of the burden of the premium price of solar power in the pricing regime approved by NBET, which the promoters considered difficult in light of contracting for solar power at the prevailL-R: President, Coalition of Civil Society Groups, Mr Etuk Williams; National Co-Coordinator, Forum of Non-Governmental ing premium tariff; hence Organisations, Mr Wole Badmus; Special Assistant to the President on Information and Culture, Mr Williams Adebayo, and Minister they are looking at subsidy of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a forum with non-Governmental Organisations on new fuel price, in Abuja, requirement to cushion yesterday. the adverse effect on their investment. The communiqué further stated that solar sponpletion. According to the state- ifications. sors expressed concern Chidi UgwU Fashola, further re- ment, they also agreed to It was also agreed that and frustration that bankABUJA vealed that the meeting provide a list of contrac- contractors that have able PPAs have not been was also to ensure that tors who have assured unique issues to urgently signed after so many years he Minister of Power, Works and those who abandoned their the meeting about the meet with the management of negotiations with NBET. Housing, Babatunde projects are immediately completion of their proj- of TCN and make available “Promoters agreed to details of such issues and Raji Fashola, (SAN), has mobilized to go back to ects before the end of 2016 over the next few days meet and relevant information furnish the office of the appealed to contractors sites. and update the redefine to The minister also re- about their projects, and minister with relevant inhandling transmission pricing regime as well as projects for Transmis- ceived briefing from the also contractors who have formation. Responding, the Group make specific suggestions sion Company of Nigeria, representative of the Niger completed and handed President, Skipper Nige- on incentives such as duty TCN, and the Niger Delta Delta Power Holding Com- over projects and details of Power Holding Company, pany, NDPHC, on the status such projects, but are yet to ria, Jitender Sachdeva, waivers, VAT exemption who spoke on behalf of the and access to concessional NDPCH, projects across of their projects such as is- be paid. The agreements reached contractors, commended the country to go back to sues on evacuation on the credit facilities to help sites and ensure speedy Eastern axis, Alaoji- Ikot at the meeting was that the minister, for reconvencompletion of the proj- Ekpene 300KVA double cir- government will intervene ing the meeting, as the out- bring down the price of socuit line, and the Switching in the cases of contractors come will lead to increased lar equipment. ects. “Some of the promoters that have their companies power generation in NiThe minister made this Station at Ikot Ekpene. The minister also re- equipment stocked at the geria, thus it would create agreed to take on an obliappeal at a meeting with the contractors in Abuja ceived status report of the ports which have attracted employment opportunities gation to find off-takers of assuring that all their com- various on-going TCN proj- accumulated port charges, for the teeming youth. the premium power they Sachdeva said the ad- will sell to NBET under the but the responsibility of plaints would be resolved ects across the country. A statement signed by moving out such cargoes ministration of President within a reasonable time PPA. The meeting agreed an Assistant Director of from the ports would be Muhammadu Buhari is frame. promoters willcommitted to increased that those The minister noted that Press in the ministry, Ibra- that of the owners. on this way proceed to ing The contractors were power generation through the purpose of the meeting him Haruna, stated that was to share the concerns both the minister and the also tasked on the need for the completion of trans- should progress their PPAs of the contractors han- contractors agreed on sub- implementation of local mission projects across with NBET. The ministry dling various transmission mission of a list of projects contents, and also the use Nigeria as power produced and NBET will provide asprojects with a view to as- that have 70% and above of products being manu- not evacuated would be- sistance to those promotsisting them in solving completion status, but for factured in Nigeria such come useless, hence the ers to engage with DISCOs, the problems confronting which provisions were not as Transmission Towers group assured of increased state governments and made in the 2016 budget clamps and cables etc. as power which will lead to them in the execution of bulk off-takers of the pretheir projects and also to approved for TCN, to his long as they meet the re- improved supply in the mium solar power. quired standards and spec- country ensure their timely com- office.

Chidi UgwU

bankable Power Purchase Agreements, PPAs. This was part of observations made during a meeting between the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and representatives of Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, state governments,

Fashola urges power projects contractors to resume work

Photo

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

NEWS

L-R: Former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme; Representative of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Edith Mike-Ejezie and National Coordinator, Special Marshals, FRSC, Dr. Sini Kwabe, during the public presentation of the book, Your Gift Is Your Power, written by Helen Uche Ibezim, in Abuja at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande; German Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Ingo Herbert; Head, Operations, MultiChoice Nigeria, Hasiya Abdu; Marketing Manager, DStv, Chioma Afe; Regulatory Affairs Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Gozie Onumonu and Brand Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Tope Oshunkeye, during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award in Lagos.

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L-R: Advisor, Cyber-Security Made Easy, Sweden, Mr. Andreas Linde; Managing Partner, Integrated Cybersecurity Solutions Limited, Mr. Michael Seji and Business Operations and Strategy, Director, ICSS Mrs. Lanre Kazeem Abimbola, during the press conference on 2016 Cyber Security Forum in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission, Lagos office, Aninweke Okechukwu; Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Globacom, Folu Aderibigbe and Head Activations, Globacom, Niyi Olukoya, at the launch of Glo Hamma Millions Promo in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Scarcity of aviation fuel disrupts flight operations at Lagos airport

he lingering scarcity of Jet A1, popularly called aviation fuel, yesterday disrupted flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) and the General Aviation Terminal of the airport in Lagos. Some domestic airlines had to re-schedule or cancel most of their flights following their inability to procure aviation fuel for their aircraft. Among the airlines affected were Aero Contractors, Dana, Azman, First Nation and Peace Airline. Some passengers travelling to Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Owerri and Enugu were left stranded and frustrated when cancellation of their flights was announced through the airport’s public address system. The situation prompt-

ed some of them to rush to the counter of Arik Air to purchase tickets as the airline was among the few that had hitch-free operations. A passenger, Mrs. Chioma Akabueze, said she was booked on a 10:00 a.m. flight in one of the affected airlines, but was later informed that all the airline’s flights for the day had been cancelled. “The announcement was made around 4.30 p.m. and it is very disappointing. I was supposed to hold a meeting with a client in Owerri by 2:00 p.m. and now, I have to reschedule,” she said. Another traveller, Mr. Emma Akanni, said he had to pay a tout N40,000 to get him an Arik Air one-way ticket to Abuja, though the airline usually charges N51,600 for

a to and fro ticket for the same destination. It would be recalled that the Consumer Protection Department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA,

had revealed in its 2016 First Quarter Report that domestic airlines recorded 8,478 cases of delayed flights. The report said 15,434 flights were operated by

eight domestic airlines during the period under review, while 281 flights were cancelled. However, the airlines had attributed the situation, which led to over 50

per cent of their flights being delayed or cancelled, to the scarcity of aviation fuel and had appealed to government to intervene in making the product available.

N30b, 128 students lost to Boko Haram insurgency, says Gaidam

obe State Government yesterday said over N30bn was lost to Boko Haram insurgency in the state in the last six years. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam disclosed this while receiving United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Toby Lancer, in Damaturu. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Abubakar Aliyu, also said many people were killed by the insurgents in the state. “The number of people killed by Boko Haram in Yobe runs into thousands. “The state suffered the largest school-based casualties

with 128 students killed in Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, College of Agriculture Gujba, GSS Mamudo, GSS, Damaturu and GSSS, Potiskum,” he said. He said public buildings and facilities worth N7bn were destroyed while private property and assets worth over N7.4bn were also destroyed during the mayhem. Gaidam said 1,098 classrooms and health facilities; 43,209 rooms; 5,162 assorted vehicles and 109,267 livestock were all destroyed. “The total expenditure incurred by the state government through various forms of intervention and the projected expenditure for the reconstruc-

tion of both private and public structures is estimated to be over N30bn. “Yobe has 309,609 registered Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, constituting 14 per cent of the estimated 2.1 million Boko Haram-induced IDPs in Nigeria,” he added. The governor also said the spontaneous return of IDPs to their communities had made the task of rehabilitating facilities such as water, health facilities and schools more challenging. He said the state government had drawn immediate, medium and long term interventions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected communities.

Responding, Lancer said he was in the state for on-thespot assessment of the affected communities where the people were relocating. “I am going there to see and mobilise hope for the people; to give voice to the voiceless and give out the message that the people need more help. “In the UN, there is determination to do it quicker and better for a better sense of solidarity with people who have been struck by the horror of Boko Haram,” he said. Lancer assured the people of the state and the IDPs of the determination of the UN to help them grow their food and for their children to have access to education.

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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Civil servants, others beg NLC to proceed on strike Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

ivil servants and employees working in private organisations yesterday pleaded with leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to proceed with their decision to shut down the nation through strike, to protest hike in premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol by the Federal Government. Our correspondent visited the Federal Secretariat Complex, hosting many federal ministries and other offices of government in Abuja yesterday, and discovered that most workers were pushing for the strike. “Strike is the only way through which workers have enough rest. And we haven’t had any of such in recent time,” one of the workers who refused to give her name said. She continued: “We need to show President Buhari

that we cannot suffer the same fate he made workers in the country face when he was a military leader. This is democracy. We showed President Obasanjo, we can also show him that we cannot take what is not good for us and our fellow countrymen.” Similarly, some staff of one of the new generation banks at the Federal Secretariat told our correspondent that they would be glad if labour make good its threat. One of the bankers who pleaded not to be named said: “We too will benefit from the strike if it begins on Wednesday as planned. We all resume at work early every day. At least, we will rest for a while if everywhere is shut down.” Even as at 3pm yesterday, workers at the Secretariat had begun to leave for their homes, apparently hoping that yesterday’s meeting of Federal Government with their leaders, which could avert the

strike, would fail. Meanwhile, cab operators said they would suffer huge loss if the strike holds. An operator, Mr Adeola Faniran, who spoke with National Mirror, said if he

stayed at home for a week without working, his family would starve. “We (artisans) are the ones they want to punish. At the end of the strike, they will collect their salaries; how about us? We

lose on every side; no work, no money. If I stay at home for a week, my family will have nothing to eat. It is what I bring home daily that we live on,” he said. Meanwhile, similar experiences in the country

have shown that civil servants take delight in strike. They would be paid by government while such action lasts, while the nation loses billions of naira in loss of services.

Cross section of Media Bureau Chiefs during a meeting with the Minister of Information and Culture on the fuel situation in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Drug trafficker gets GLO to give out N125m in Hamma promo 12 years jail term •N5m winner every 20 days; ten N100,000 Patience ogbo

ustice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court 10, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on Monday sentenced a 31-year-old technician, Michael Nwobodo, to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour. The convict who attempted to escape on the day of arrest will now spend 12 years in prison custody with hard labour. He pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of cocaine, an offence punishable under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act. Justice Okon in his ruling observed that the illicit drug trade was not abating and that measures must be taken to stop the criminal act. Chairman of NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd), commended the ruling, adding that the agency will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs in the country. “This will serve both as a deterrent and a corrective measure to the convict and

others who are involved in narcotic production, trafficking and abuse. The agency will not relent in partnering with stakeholders in apprehending and prosecuting drug traffickers,” Abdallah stated. It will be recalled that the convict, who was arrested on February 29 with 81 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.350kg on his way from Dubai, attempted to escape by breaking through a glass wall at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja. He was later arrested and treated for the injuries he sustained. The cocaine wraps were concealed in Parker Whisky packs along with boxes of chocolates inside a duty-free bag. Nwobodo reportedly told officials that he was not under the influence of narcotics but only tried to escape because of fear of going to prison. The NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said more passengers coming from Dubai had been caught with cocaine at Abuja airport in recent times.

winners to emerge daily

ational telecommunications operator and leading internet services provider, Globacom, will give out N125m in cash prizes to its subscribers in a new promotion called Glo Hamma Millions. The consumer reward scheme which would run for the next 100 days was launched on Monday at Globacom’s headquarters, Mike Adenuga Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos. Giving details of the promo at the event, the company’s Coordinator, Enterprise

Sales, Folu Aderibigbe, said five lucky subscribers would go home with a life-transforming sum of N5 million each, making a total of N25 million. The N5m winners would emerge every 20 days. In addition to the N5m jackpot prize, there is also N100,000 cash to be won by 1,000 other lucky subscribers. He disclosed that 10 subscribers will each win N100,000 cash every day for 100 days, making a total of N100 million. Aderibigbe said the reward scheme was developed

to appreciate Globacom’s customers, and that a total of 1,005 winners will emerge in the promo. He said: “We are aware of the economic challenges faced by many now, and we are constantly looking for ways to positively impact the lives of our subscribers and help ease the difficult times. ‘‘We are committed to changing the lives of our people for good and rewarding our loyal subscribers across the country. Glo Hamma Millions Promo is therefore designed to achieve this

purpose. “To win in Glo Hamma Millions Promo, customers are required to text ‘GLO’ to 555 and answer a football trivia question. Within minutes of texting, subscribers will receive a particular question. A fresh question shows up each time the code is sent. After each text, N100 will be deducted from the subscribers’ account”, Aderibigbe explained, adding that draws would be done daily to determine the winners.

Farmer, herdsmen clashes: Enugu govt bans night grazing eMManuel ezeh ENUGU

earing and grazing of cattle at night was yesterday banned in Enugu State after a meeting between Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and leaders of Fulani/Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state. The development may not be unconnected with

the recent killing of Nimbo residents. Also banned is the carrying of firearms or any form of ammunition by the herdsmen and movement of cattle from one location to another at night in the state. Another far-reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting was the setting up of a peace committee made up of repre-

sentatives of the various interest groups from the Fulani\Shuwa Arab community in the state, government as well as security agencies. During the meeting convened by Ugwuanyi that was also attended by leaders of some communities affected by the menace of herdsmen in the state, it was further decided that compensation would be

paid by herdsmen whose cattle destroy farm crops while the communities will pay for any cattle killed by their members. The governor had convened the meeting in furtherance of ongoing efforts of the state government to find a lasting solution to the lingering clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities, especially in the wake of the recent Nimbo killings.

South West

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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Osun communities protest location of LCDA headquarters in Iree

L-R: Provost, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Olurotimi Sanya; ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof Micheal Ajisafe; Assistant Professor of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US, Dr. Timothy Amukele; Lawyer and founder, ABUAD, Chief Aare Afe Babalola and Member BOT, ABUAD, Dr. Femi Oladimeji, during the Johns Hopkins delegation collaborative meeting with ABUAD at the weekend. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Lagos now oil producing state …to start sharing from 13% oil derivation Francis suBeru

ollowing the discovery of crude oil in Lagos, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday declared that the state has officially joined the League of oil producing states in the country, adding that by the virtue of the state’s new status, it will henceforth be partaking in the 13 percent derivation due to oil producing states. Governor Ambode made the declaration when the management of Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, led by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja. Ambode commended the firm for their doggedness to achieve the feat after 25 years of hard work, saying that by the provision of Section 162 Sub-

Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos has become an oil producing state. He declared: “I want to thank you very much for this and I say it with all conviction because I know that based on section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos has become an oil producing state and by virtue of this, the 13 per cent derivation that is due to oil producing states, Lagos will start to partake from it by your very good gesture. So we officially declare Lagos State as an oil producing state, we also notify the Federal Government by this action that we would be sharing out of the 13 percent derivation. So all we need do is to apply and then we join.” Governor Ambode also said that the feat has not only placed Lagos in the history books as the first state outside the Niger Delta to become an oil

producing state, but has also opened up a new page for revenue generation in the state. He said the resilience of the Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company; an indigenous firm has shown the possibilities and opportunities for investors and businessmen willing to commit their resources to boost local production. Ambode said that what the historic discovery means for Lagos is that the three senatorial districts, Lagos West, Lagos East and Lagos Central have all combined to open up the economic and investment potentials of the state. Earlier, Mr. Folawiyo said that the discovery of crude oil in Lagos, which has taken over 25 years to achieve, has gone a long way to show the possibilities achievable if government continues to lend support to indigenous investors and companies. “At so many points along the way, we could have given up because it was a very rough road, but

the point is that only a Nigerian company would have continued to do what we did. The main crux is that we need government and government needs us and where government supports assiduously, it can only be success,” he said. Asked how much has gone into the investment, Folawiyo said the company has committed about $400million dollars to achieve the feat. He said the current status of the oil well has the capacity to produce at least 12,000 barrels per day, with a possibility to increase to 25,000 and to 50,000 barrels per day in the nearest future. Folawiyo also presented Governor Ambode with a sample of the crude oil discovered by his company in the state, a confirmation of Lagos becoming the first basin out of the Niger Delta to become an oil producing state, which according to him, is by no means a small feat.

Ooni to empower youths, widows with 1 million cocoa seedlings B oladale Bamig Bola OSOGBO

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has unveiled a nursery plant of one million cocoa pots and seedlings in a farmland located in Ile-Ife. The monarch was quoted in a statement issued by Moses Olafare, the director, Me-

dia and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, in Osogbo as saying the initiative was the first phase of the targeted 10 millions seedlings to be given out to shortlisted 100,000 youths and the thousands of widows who are victims of the communal war between Ife and Modakeke some years ago. Ooni Ogunwusi, who restated his commitment to creating

a renewed hope for the youths through agricultural revolution which is very significant in his 11-point agenda, expressed sadness over unwarranted neglect of cocoa farming which was once a major foreign earner in Nigeria especially in the southern part of the country. The royal father, who is the Grand Patron of the Graduate Farmers

Association of Nigeria, explained that he chose agriculture, cocoa to be specific which now sells for about $3,000 dollars per tonne as a perfect alternative to the dwindling crude oil. The statement further reads: “It is pertinent to say that we are not alone in this masses- oriented scheme as we are already into very assuring collaborations.

he people of Ada, Aagba and Ororuwo communities formerly under Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State have protested against naming Iree the headquarters of the newly created Boripe North Local Council Development Area by the state government. The protesters, including the youths and market women, last Friday carried placards and moved around the three communities to express their dissatisfaction with the position of the state government in the matter. Speaking with reporters after the protest, the chairman, Ada Development Council, Mr.Adewale Olugbemiga Abimbola, said the protest was meant to let the state government know that it has done a great injustice to the three communities by going against the wishes of their people and making Iree the headquarters of the new LCDA. He disclosed that the communities after several consultations and review of the issue across the strata of traditional rulers, council

of chiefs, religious groups, opinion and political leaders, youths, market men and women, have resolved to hold a stakeholder’s meeting of the three communities on March 29, 2016 at Olona’s Palace, Ada. According to him, in the communique signed by the Olona of Ada, Oba Abimbola Olalekan Abioye II, the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ilufemiloye Ogunwole Kujosin I and the Regent of Ororuwo, High Chief James Kolapo Dada, after the meeting, the three commuities made some demands from the state government. Earlier, the Chairman of Aagba Develooment Council, Honourable Anthony Oladipupo, read out their five-point demands as contained in the communiqué. He said the three communities would remain undaunted in their request for Modaa, Ada as the headquarters of Boripe North LCDA. Also, the chairman of Ororuwo Development Council, Mr. Folorunso Oderinu, wondered how Iree, which he said was never part of agitation for new LCDA with the three communities, could be made the headquarters.

LG funds: EFCC’s invitation will end petition against Aregbesola –Govt Boladale BamigBola OSOGBO

sun State Government yesterday said invitations to “fake petitioners and paid agents of destabilisation”, who have dragged Governor Aregbesola before Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged diversion of local government fund will eventually put an end to the petition. Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun had announced on Monday an invitation extended to it over its petition alleging diversion of funds by Governor Aregbesola. Reacting to the development, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor in a statement signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, said the “self-appointed civil society group” is a group that had been making bogus claims against Governor Aregbesola and his government without

producing evidence to substantiate any of the allegations. The statement reads: “For instance, this was the group that accused Governor Aregbesola of embezzling the sum of N34.988billion bailout loan obtained last year as part of the Federal Government’s intervention to assist states meet their salary obligations. “The same group had accused Governor Aregbesola of borrowing over N750 billion, which according to it, has not impacted on the socio-economic lives of the people of Osun.” Okanlawon claimed the government had also been accused of planning a mass sack of civil servants in the state especially in the wake of the challenges to meet salary obligations by the state. “It is instructive that none of these allegations and others from this same group has been proved to be true,” he stated.

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South West

Tuesday May 17, 2016

Lagos earmarks N36bn for ocean surge control Francis suberu

agos State government has earmarked N36 billion to provide lasting solution to the incessant ocean surges experienced along the Lagos coastline. The fund is meant for the construction of 18 groynes sea breakers at intervals of 400 metres along the entire 7.5km length between Goshen Estate and Alpha Beach. A d d r e s s i n g journalists at a press briefing, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya, said construction of each groyne will cost N2 billion. He said the project was awarded in November 2012 and divided into three phases for easy funding. Phase 1 of the project, which is the construction of three groynes commenced in January 2013 and had been completed, he said, adding that the phase 2, which is the construction of 12 groynes was awarded in June 2013, and work commenced in January 2014. “At the beginning of this administration, 4km

stretch of the shoreline was protected and in the last 12 months, 6km has been successfully protected while work is ongoing. Total percentage of work done so far on Phase 2 is 80%. Also phase 3, which is the construction of three groynes of the project, has been awarded and work has commenced,” he said. Akinsanya also disclosed that the state government approved the development of three islands in the state, namely Diamond, Orange and Gracefield Phoenix Projects. He said the Diamond Island development, which would rival Banana Island involved the reclamation of Ilubirin foreshore by SPA Dredging Company Ltd, stressing that the reclamation works for Phase 1 comprising 48 hectares had been completed and that

reclamation work on Phase 2 was about to commence. On the Orange Island development, Akinsanya said the project was aimed

at developing a fully serviced community in the Lagos State Lagoon area, with about 450 metres off the Lekki Phase I headland for the reclamation of a 150-hectare land.

IBADAN

badan office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday instituted its first case in the Oyo State High Court, in Ibadan, the state capital. The case involved the alleged collection of fund under false pretence by one Bisi Lilian Olagunju, who was arraigned on a threecount charge of receiving a total sum of N9 million from one Abiodun Julius, in three tranches. The accused was alleged to have impersonated a Special Adviser to the Rural and Urban Development Committee of the National Assembly, and collected the sum of N500,000 from the victim under the pretext that she would help him seek employment for his younger brother. Other charges against

to Gravitas Investment Limited to reclaim 100 hectares of land inside Lagos Lagoon at the Northern end of Chevron way and Northern offshore of the Ajiran land.

L-R: Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo; Archbishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Most Rev. Olusegun Okubadejo; his wife, Juliet and Registrar, Ibadan North Diocese, Church of Nigeria (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) Mr Laolu Oyelakin, at the Sixth Synod of Diocese of Ibadan North in Ibadan, yesterday.

…to complete 114 council roads in June Francis suberu

o v e r n o r A k i n w u n m i Ambode has promised to ensure very vibrant Local

Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State, in a bid for them to deliver dividends of democracy to their various communities. Ambode, who disclosed this while commissioning a

road, an ultra-modern court complex and other projects at Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, said his government will continue to support the council areas in order to provide

Scam: EFCC docks woman in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan

On the Gracefield project, the c o m m i s s i o n e r explained that the project was a joint venture with the Lagos State Government granting exclusive right

her include collecting another N5m from the same Julius under the pretext of helping to seek a contract for the supply of computer accessories to the National Assembly. She also demanded for and obtained another N3.5m from the same person in order to help him facilitate the award of the said contract for the supply of computer accessories to the National Assembly. While the accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charges read to her, counsel to EFCC, Mr. Oluwatoyin Owodunni, prayed the court to deny her bail, stating that the offences were too grievous to allow her free access to the streets. He also stated that investigations by the antigraft agency revealed that the accused has procured

a valid United States visa, with a plan to abscond from the country, while she might also interfere with ongoing investigations by the agency. The defense counsel, Mr. Onouah Nwabueze, however invoked the usual ‘‘until she is proven guilty’’ cliché, to seek for freedom for his client. He said the accused has been in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for more than a month while EFCC gave her stringent administrative bail conditions when demanded. Presiding judge, Muktar Abimbola, queried EFCC’s counsel on whether the offence was bailable or not, and when he replied in the affirmative, he further asked if the counsel was familiar with the fact that the defense had applied

for bail. The judge then explained that bails and conditions were not meant as punitive measures, and that all citizens until irrevocably found guilty were entitled to their freedom. Abimbola then granted the accused bail in the sum of N10m with the proviso that she should also produce two sureties in like sum, who must reside within the court jurisdiction and have landed property to be verified by EFCC. The accused however is to be remanded at Agodi Prisons, Ibadan, while she is also to deposit her international passport to the registrar of the court while all the bail conditions must be perfected b2 efore she is released on bail.

basic infrastructure for people of the state. Represented by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, the governor said the state government supported the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs in the state to select and construct 114 roads, two per council area. “The feat is unprecedented in the history of Lagos and this has provided employment to over 9,000 citizens directly and indirectly within the year. Counterpart funding of more than 60% has been committed by the state to ensure speedy completion of the exercise before end of June 2016.” The governor said the projects, which were being commissioned in different council areas across the state, were few of the many being undertaken within the last one year by the revitalised local government system despite declining federal allocation to the state. In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Tajudeen Ojora, thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his commitment to

grassroots development. He listed some of the projects completed by his administration in the local government in the last one year to include the construction of roads and drainages at Kukoyi Street, Okunowa Street, Prince Rabiu Adio Street and others. Also, Executive Secretary of Ifelodun LCDA, Wahab Adigun, at the commissioning of Aduke Street in the LCDA, lauded the support of the state government. According to Adigun, the governor through his belief in grassroots development, had enabled his administration construct and complete many other roads. He reiterated the importance of giving adequate attention to the communities in the local government, saying the typography of the area was below sea level, hence making flooding a perennial problem. Some residents of the council areas, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed joy over the commissioned projects even as they thanked the governor and the Executive Secretary of their councils for the projects.

South East

Tuesday, March 17, 2016

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Uzor Kalu’s re-arraignment stalled over pending appeal at S’Court Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

he re-arraignment of a former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, before the Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled yesterday following a pending appeal before the Supreme Court. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed an amended charge reducing the counts of the initial charge against Kalu from 107 to 32 counts. Those to be charged alongside Kalu are Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited. Kanu and the Co accused and one Emeka Abone (now at large) were alleged to have conspired to commit an offence to wit:

the laundering of funds illegally derived from the treasury of Abia State government while serving as the governor. At the mention of the case before Justice Anwuli Chikere yesterday, counsel to the 3rd defendant, Chief Solo Akuma, drew the attention of the court to the pending appeal by his client, Slok Nigeria Limited before the Supreme Court which has not been heard. He further informed the court that briefs in the appeal have been filed and exchanged, but no hearing date had been fixed for the appeal. He also submitted that the appellant had applied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the Director of litigation of the Supreme Court for a hearing

UNICEF, UNESCO to establish e-library in Enugu emmanuel ezeh ENUGU

wo agencies of the United Nations UNICEF and UNESCO - are to jointly establish an e-library in Enugu State to avail students in the state the opportunity to improve on their e-learning skills. The UNICEF Country representative in Nigeria, Ms Jean Gough, who disclosed this yesterday in Enugu, assured that her agency will liaise with UNESCO to establish an e-library in the state in furtherance of the global body’s disposition to sustainable learning. The promise followed on the heels of a passionate appeal by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi while addressing a retreat organised by the country team of The United Nations at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu. The governor declared the retreat open. The governor observed that the state was honored by the presence of the UN family made up of all the specialised agencies of the body. He pointed out that Enugu has indeed been

a key beneficiary of UN programmes in Nigeria, especially in the UNICEFassisted programmes that focus on women and children. He noted that the state is a mother and child-friendly state and has continued to maintain a free child and maternal care programme which has been running in the state for the past eight years. The child rights bill, he revealed, is currently before the House of Assembly and would soon be passed into law. He also noted that the state maintains a sexual assault reference centre that offers assistance to victims of every form of sexual offences, particularly women and young girls. The governor recalled that last month, the Enugu government organised an economic summit where it showcased the investment opportunities in the state to the world, with a view to attracting business into the state and thereby help to increase its wealth base. He noted that the state has since then continued to receive encouraging responses from potential investors.

date. According to him, “In the circumstances, we hereby apply for an adjournment to enable us sort out the appeal.” In his response, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, confirmed the pendency of

the appeal before the Supreme Court. He however informed the court that the prosecution had filed an amended charge and served on the defendants. The trial judge, Anwuli Chikere, later adjourned till June 30 for mention.

In the charge, Kalu was alleged to have as Abia governor in 2003 procured Slok Nigeria Limited to retain its account domiciled with the First Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, Lagos, the sum of N200 million and that the sum formed part of the funds illegally

derived from the treasury of Abia state government through Standard Trust Bank, now UBA. The offense is said to be contrary to Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2003 and punishable under section 16 of the same act.

L-R: Representative of the Controller-General of Prisons, Mr Aloy Uchenwa; National President, Prisons Officers Wives Association (PROWA), Mrs Lizzie Ekpendu; Chairman, Pipelines West Africa Limited (PWAL), Chief Uju Nolue; Chairperson of PROWA in Enugu State, Lady Anthonia Uchenwa, and PWAL’s Director of Finance, Mrs Julie Nolue, during the inauguration of PROWA shopping Complex at Oji-River Community in Enugu yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Eze stool: Imo govt chides traditional rulers ChrIs nJoKu, OWERRI

mo government yesterday warned traditional rulers in the state against engaging in publications against themselves following the government’s plan to conduct election into the State Council of traditional rulers in less than five months. Giving the warning, deputy governor Eze Madumere, who stood in for Governor Rochas Okorocha,

told the traditional rulers at a meeting on Monday that the government would no longer tolerate a situation whereby the traditional rulers throw caution to the wind by engaging in media war against themselves because of election into the Ezes’ Council. According to Madumere, the traditional rulers should show good examples by avoiding actions that would create wrong impressions about them and the Ezeship stool in the

state because of election, adding that the traditional rulers should always conduct themselves as royal fathers and should demonstrate royalty both in their actions and utterances. His words: “The attention of the government has been drawn to the unfolding drama of divergent opinions being expressed by traditional rulers in Imo State over their upcoming election aimed at choosing the new chairman of the council in the state.

‘‘The governor has directed that the process must not only be democratic but should be conducted in such a way as to ensure equity and fair play. This does not in any way suggest that the issue should degenerate into a press war. Government is worried at the rate at which the matter is being discussed on the pages of newspapers.” He warned all the traditional rulers to discontinue all newspaper publications and press releases in this matter.

Family petitions IGP over killing of 40-year-old by policemen GlorIa anaeze ONITSHA

amily of Nonso Uchenwoke, a 40-year-old man who was clubbed to death in Okpoko, a sprawling suburb of Onitsha in Anambra State and Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, in the state have accused the police in Okpoko of clubbing the deceased to death.

Uchenwoke hails from Mbosi, in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. According to elder brother of the deceased, Calistus Uchenwoke, Nonoso was killed by a team of police men from Okpoko Police Station last Friday night following a disagreement between him and his neighbour, Ada Ekwueme, a police woman. Callistus said Corporal

Ekwueme had brought her colleagues from Okpoko Police Station to Nonoso’s house, where they beat him unconscious. He said at the height of the beating of his younger brother, his neighbours at Udeaja/Ibe Street, East Niger Layout in Okpoko called for him to come. He said, however, on getting to his brother’s house, he found him already lying

down unconscious on the ground with the policemen watching him. On demanding why the police team led by Cpl Obiakor beat his brother to stupor, he was given no response. Why trying to take his brother to a nearby hospital to save his life, he said the policemen refused, insisting that they would take him to the police station.

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News

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Track down violators of one-way traffic regulation, Buhari orders FRSC Olufemi AdeOsun ABUJA

he Federal Government has mandated the Federal Roads Safety Corps to deal decisively with road users that violate one-way traffic laws within the cities and inter-state roads. President Mohammadu Buhari, who gave the order while commissioning the FRSC 283 operational vehicles in Abuja yesterday, deplored the avoidable deaths which such abuse of road traffic laws had caused the nation. Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by Interior Minister, Mr. Abdulrahman Danbazau , said that although, the commission had recorded

...Commission unveils 283 operational vehicles

tremendous successes in the last few years, there were still pockets of roads infractions it needed to urgently curtail. He said: “Despite the numerous successes recorded by the Commission, there are other areas of road infractions that border on safety, requiring urgent attention of the Federal Road Safety Commission. Notably, there is the lingering issues of violation on one-way traffic by road users within the cities and inter-state roads which has continued to cause fatal accidents. “There is also the recurring problem of overloading of humans, animals

and other cargo beyond the approved capacity of the vehicles especially by commercial road users ostensibly to maximise profit. “But this is with attendant consequence on the longevity of our roads and safety of the passengers; one additional road hazard of immense safety implication is the poor handling of cargo containers during haulage.” Citing instances of such infractions, he noted that there were numerous cases whereby poorly handled cargo containers had fallen off their haulage trucks on

hapless road users. This phenomenon, he said, has contributed to several avoidable deaths every now and then. “I call on the leadership of the FRSC to take note of these observations with a view to tackling them headlong. “It is to further boost the operational success of the corps in line with the administration’s desire to ensure safety and security of citizens that the procurement of 283 operational vehicles is being commissioned today,” he charged. On the vehicles that

were being commissioned, he expressed the belief that they would no doubt boost the operational capacity of the corps and enhance its capacity to face the challenges of enforcing traffic rules and regulations on the nation’s highways. The president expressed the optimism that the fleet of vehicles would give impetus to the ongoing global campaign for road safety under the auspices of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. He added that his administration was committed to the ideals of road

safety and would continue to demonstrate its support for the FRSC in its commitment to ensure safety on the nation’s roads. Also speaking, the Corps Marshall of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, expressed appreciation to the president for the 283 vehicles, adding that while 31 of the vehicles were live support ambulances, 30 administrative, others were patrol cars. He said the vehicles would be strategically distributed along major corridors of the nation’s highways for effective utilisation .

MTN fine: N50bn payment not a concessionaire fee – Minister Kemi OlAitAn IBADAN

inister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said the N50 billion fine paid by one of the telecommunication company operating in the country, MTN, was not a concessionaire fee, but part of the actual fine it supposed to pay to the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC. He made the disclosure yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital while speaking as the Guest of Honour at the roundtable programme organised by the League of Veteran Journalists, Oyo State chapter. He said the company had earlier admitted that it failed to register no fewer than 5.2 million lines out of the 22 million lines on its network, apologised and confessed to the offence and asked for sum review of the fine. He said the money paid to the NCC was not the actual fine it supposed to pay, stating that the actual money would be paid after the House of Representatives concluded its investigation on the matter.

While maintaining that the Federal Government will continue to sanction any company that failed to register its subscribers, Shittu said the failure of those companies to fully register their subscribers has made several criminal activities such as kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae and other prominent Nigerians easy because the lines used to communicate the families were not traceable to any individual. He said it has caused the country a lot of damage which is even more than the actual fine. Shittu, who urged Nigerians to be patient with the present government as it rolls out policies to move the country forward and made life comfortable for the people, said things, would be better in no distance time. The minister, who also assured that the Federal Government would train graduates of Computer Science so as to make them employable, noted that going by the rates of unemployment among the graduates, government would train them in the practical form of their course of study.

Members of a Coalition of Civil Societies protesting subsidy removal in Benin City yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

N331m theft: How I converted N111m to dollars for NIMASA official– Witness WAle igbintAde

Bureau De Change operator, Mallam Sulaiman Oseni, yesterday gave graphic details of how he changed the sum of N111 million to United State of America dollars for an official of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. He sated this at the ongoing trial of a former Executive Director of Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Barrister Callistus Nwabueze Obi

and three other before a Federal High Court in Lagos. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had accused Nwabueze alongside Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited of conspiracy, and stealing of the sum of N331 million belonging to NIMASA, in a charge marked FHC/ L/148C/16. At the resumed trial of the accused persons, Oseni informed the court that he converted N111 million to US dollars for the second

accused person Dismass Alu Adoon, on three occasions. He told the court that he first changed the sum of N12 million to dollars, which he handed over to Adoon at NIMASA’s office in Apapa. He also informed the court that after the first transaction, the second accused sent the sum of N49.5 million on two occasions which he equally changed to American dollar, and handed over to the accused at Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos. However, during the cross examination by the accused lawyer, Dr. Joseph

Nwobike (SAN), the witness told the court that he had known the accused before the transactions. He also informed the court that he handed over the exchanged money to the accused the same day that he transferred the money into the account of Koloni’s account. Nwobike (SAN), had informed the court that the accused person was not in country on the date claimed by the witness. The witness also informed the court that he had never met the first accused person, Barrister Obi.

North

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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Borno Senatorial: Garbai wins at Tribunal …PDP’s petition is dismissed

Members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities protesting the Bill on Beggars, at the Government house in Kaduna yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

No more state sponsorship to Hajj, Jerusalem –Bello Priscilla D ennis MINNA

iger State government has said it would no longer sponsor pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem for pilgrimage. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, in Minna. T he gover nor said the present econom-

ic challeng es in the country infor med the decision of gover nment to immediately stop state sponsorship of intending Muslim pilg rims for Hajj in Saudi Arabia and Christians to Jerusalem, Israel. “In view of the present national economic challenges - a situation well known to all - sponsorship of pilgrims to the holy land to perform pilgrimage has been put

on hold with immediate effect. “Gover nment is committed to supporting our people in fulfilling their religious obligation but the dwindling economic fortunes of the state, in the face of other equally people-oriented demands, sponsorship of pilgrims to Hajj and Jerusalem is hereby suspended,” the gover nor stated. He however said the

government would continue to be responsible for the sponsorship of officials to the holy lands to facilitate and ensure hitch-free pilgrimage. Bello assured the people of his administration’s resolve to meet its obligations to the Governments of Israel and Saudi Arabia for a hitch-free pilgrimage and to ensure welfare of pilgrims whenever in the holy lands.

among others, adding that no organisation was known to be working in that area in the camps. Addressing journalists, president of the organisation, Dr Vincent Udenze, said his NGO had conducted investigations into prevalence of illicit substances use in Borno State and had assisted affected IDPs. Udenze said: “IDP camps have become a haven for the proliferation of illicit drugs; Substance abuse has been identified as the new threat facing IDP camps in recent times. Prior to the insurgency situation, Borno State was known as a major hub for illicit drug trafficking. The insurgency situation further compounds this menace. According to recent statistics, over 2,000 IDPs

in Borno camps are chronic addicts of illicit drugs.” The consultant psychiatrist explained that though the region has higher number of illicit substances users more than other parts of the country, the rate at which the menace grows in IDP camps in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe was alarming. According to him, both women and children were seen by his NGO to have been using the substances at the camps. He informed that the use of drugs could enhance terrorism, as according to him, many suicide cases result from psychological issues, while others may just be due to the mere fact that persons who choose to engage in terror had no one to share their prob-

lems with. He said use of drugs could lead to mentallyrelated ailments, and that “the level of mental health awareness in developing countries such as Nigeria is very poor. Societies do not readily accept mental disorders; negative attitudes towards the mentally ill are widespread even in a population that is expected to be enlightened. High cost of treatment and poor services hamper timely and adequate treatment needed for the management and cure of the illness.” He informed that the problems of mental conditions in the country with a population of over 160 million people whom he said have less than 150 practicing psychiatrists are widespread.

IDPs camps breeding drug users –Group Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

ost InternallyDisplaced Persons’ camps in Borno and other states are sites where huge numbers of users of illicit substances are bred, a pro-mental health nongovernmental organisation, Reconnect Health Development Initiative, said yesterday. The organisation added that drug abuse remains a threat that security-compromised states in northern part of the country would have to contend with after winning the war against terror. It revealed in Abuja that most IDPs camps in the region were characterised by high-level abuse of drugs such as Indian hemp, diazepam

he National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate, Mohammed Umar Bolori challenging the election of Senator Baba Bashir Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial whose party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, won a byeelection held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 to fill vacancy for the Senatorial district. The bye-election followed the death of Senator Ahmed Zannah, who was reelected in April 2015 but died before the 8th Assembly was inaugurated. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had after the election declared Garbai the winner with 120,639

votes against his main challenger, Bolori of PDP who scored 32,346 votes. Bolori however challenged the election at the tribunal which sat in Abuja, alleging underage voting, over-voting and thuggery. Bolori brought in a forensic expert to examine materials used during the elections. After days of counter arguments between counsels to Bolori, A.O. Ajana and Yusuf Ali (SAN) who defended Garba, the three member panel of the tribunal in a unanimous judgment delivered in 7 hours by the tribunal’s chairman, Justice M.A. Adegbara dismissed the petition and all the prayers sought by PDP and Bolori for lack of merit. He accordingly returned Garbai as the duly elected Senator representing Borno Central.

Niger monarchs back crackdown on illegal miners, loggers Priscilla Dennis MINNA

iger State Council of Traditional Rulers has vowed to deal decisively with illegal miners and those involved in indiscriminate felling of trees in the state. They also threw their weight behind the House of Assembly for the review of the law to stop such illegal activities in the state. This was stated when the Commissioner for Environment, Mineral and Forestry Resources, Ali Mohammed, called on the royal fathers in their palaces as part of plans to sensitise the people on environmental degradation. Emir of Minna, Farouk Bahago and his counterpart from Agaie emirate, Yusuf Nuhu, explained that in order to address the issue, stringent laws need to be put in place to stop their illegal activities in the state. Calling on the people to desist from such illegal activities, Bahago noted that he was prepared to support the policy to ensure strict adherence. Emir of Agaie said: “We have invited our vil-

lages and District Heads to monitor their areas, report any illegal mining and tree felling to us. The (offenders) should be made to face the law.” He added that the council of rulers in the state had thrown its support for the review of the law at the state House of Assembly. “All of us (the royal fathers) have been yearning for this law to be reviewed. We have been waiting for the government to review the law so that we can know how to control the illegality. We are ready,” he said. He further denied that the Ministry of Environment licensed these group of illegal operators, stressing they lied over having licence to fell trees. Earlier, Commissioner for Environment, Mineral and Forestry Resources, Mohammed, lamented the indiscriminate felling of trees and illegal mining going on in the state. Against this backdrop, he stated that the state government would revisit areas of penalty in the forestry law so as to make fines effective enough to serve as deterrent for further destruction. He said at the moment,

Monday, May 17, 2016

We are committed to free, transparent guber primaries in Edo —Eta

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Fuel price hike: Ex-Rep counsels labour not to paralyse the nation abiodun nEjo ADO EKITI

ormer National Assembly member, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi has advised the organised labour against taking hasty decision capable of paralyzing the country over the petroleum price hike but rather think of productive ways out in the interest of Nigerians. Faparusi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC disabused the minds of Nigerians against thinking that the fuel price hike by President Muhammadu Buhari in view of the present economic realities was a ploy to inflict sufferings on them. The former federal lawmaker said in a statement in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday that President Buhari’s intention was to find a way of curtailing the unbridled acts of corruption of some cabals in the oil sector, who are feeding fat on the multi-billion naira being expended on subsidy on annual basis, to the detriment of poor Nigerians, who are to be the chief beneficiaries. He said: “What I expect the labour leaders to do now is to devise ways of monitor-

ing the money accruable to Federal Government, so that it can be distributed to states to pay salary rather than taking this preposterous and counter-productive decision. It marvels me that labour leaders were not calling for strikes in those states that have no justifiable reasons not to pay salaries, I wonder why now if not for politics”, he asked. Faparusi appealed to Nigerians to endure the pains of the moment for the gains of the future, expressing confidence that President Buhari would not betray the confidence reposed in him, being a man that thinks mostly of the masses. He appealed to the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, TUC and Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC not to take hasty decision by paralyzing the nation with industrial action. According to him, the mere fact that Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN backed out of the proposed labour strike further confers legitimacy on the Federal Government’s policy.

L-R: Former Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi; former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and Sen. Ibrahim Ida, from Katsina, at the PDP North-West Zonal Congress, in Kaduna recently.

Women should step up to leadership positions —Aisha Buhari EmmanuEl EzEh ENUGU

ife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari yesterday stressed the need for women to step up to higher callings of leadership in the government and the private sector. She gave the charge as the All Progressives Congress, APC, organised a one-day Summit on Entrepreneurship and Leadership for South-East Women at the Nondon Hotel, Enugu.

… as CRIL cautions organised labour against strike osEyiza oogbodo

he Centre for Righteous Living, CRIL has called on organized labour not to proceed with its planned strike action scheduled for Wednesday over the petroleum subsidy removal. Speaking with newsmen, Reverend Solomon Adegbolagun, National President, CRIL, said, “We call on all concerned parties to see reason and allow peace to reign especially as the government is just settling down to the business of governance. “We appeal to the good

people of Nigeria, especially the leadership of organized labour, to show a little more understanding and patience with the government to ensure that we all benefit in the disbursement and distribution of dividends of democracy as promised by President Buhari.” Admitting that he is aware that the “fuel subsidy removal is bringing hardship on Nigerians with its uncontrollable inflationary effects on all other essential commodities like food and transportation”, he however cautioned Nigerians that all the current hardships are only for the meantime saying things will get rough before they get bet-

ter. He added that “knowing all the atrocities and corruption associated with fuel subsidy, we believe that fuel subsidy removal will do more good than harm as it would make the fuel products freely available, thereby removing queues and wastage of precious working hours at filling stations.” Concluding with advice to the government, he said, “Government should also come up with palliative measures to cushion the fuel price increase effect. Also, government should appreciate the measure of trust and belief reposed in them by Nigerians.

The summit, which was convened by the South East Zonal Women Leader, Rev. Mrs Sally William Chinedu and other women leaders of the zonehad the objective of providing certain essential tools that would help women to develop their leadership potentials. In a goodwill message delivered at the summit, Mrs. Buhari who was represented at the occasion by the wife of the Chief of Army staff, Mrs. Umra Buratai said she was honoured to be invited to the First Summit on Leadership and Entrepreneurship organized by the APC South-East Zone.

She noted that women entrepreneurship had been recognized as an important source of growth, adding that women entrepreneurship could make a particularly strong contribution to the economic well-being of the family and communities. “As we are aware, women entrepreneurship has been recognized as an important source of economic growth. Women entrepreneurs can make a particularly strong contribution to the economic well-being of the family and communities, poverty reduction and women’s empowerment,

thus contributing to the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. “As such, the need for women to step up to higher callings of leadership in government and private sector cannot be over emphasized. I believe this summit will not only challenge you but will provide certain essential tools to help women to develop their leadership potentials”, she stated. The convener of the summit, Rev. Mrs Sally William Chinedu had in her address stated that the summit was even more indispensable given the present economic situation of the world and our country in particular..

Bauchi senator promises to consolidate democracy dividends EzEkiEl TiTus BAUCHI

he senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Wakili has reiterated his renewed commitment to consolidate on the gains of democracy he has brought to his constituents in the last one year .This was just as he expresses support for the establishment of North-East Development Commission apparently for the recon-

struction and rehabilitation of the region following the challenges of insurgents Senator Ali Wakili who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi said his passion to provide meaningful livelihood to his constituents inform his decision to join partisan politics. He said he had distributed fertilizers, mobile laboratories, water pumps, grinding and sewing machines throughout the constituen-

cy within one year in office. He said his constituents have also benefitted from Keke NAPEP, hand pumps among others equipment which he said he has provided freely saying democracy is about given to the needy. Wakili assured that arrangement has been concluded for the establishment of North-East Development Commission for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region.

Politics

Monday, May 17, 2016

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We are committed to free, transparent Chief Hillard Eta, National Vice Chairman, South- South, All Progressive Congress, APC in a chat with OBIORA IFOH spoke about the crisis in Niger- Delta, the party congress and the attendant reactions by Nigerians over the sharp increase in fuel pump price, amongst others. Excerpts:

Edo state recently got on the boil when the governor and his deputy had issues. We are preparing for election in that state and similar thing happened in Bayelsa when the two key candidates had issues leading to the loss of that state. Are you not worried that this might repeat itself in Edo? Let me say that the two situations can never be said to be the same. What we had in Bayelsa was a disagreement between members of the party with regards to appointments and I will leave it at that because the party is doing everything to reconcile the warring tendencies. For Edo, you are aware that after the achievements of Ambrose Ali, the state is for the first time experiencing real development and the clamour for the APC ticket is quite high and sustained than the narratives as seen by those who are seeking to have our ticket. Of course, everybody will like to have that ticket. On the other side of the divide, you have about three or four people looking for the ticket of the PDP and on this other side, you have about 22 people looking for the ticket of the APC. It tells the story that everybody will like to have the ticket of the APC and in any human contes t such as we have in Edo, you are likely to have some acrimony. I will not drag the issues under the carpet. The party is conscious of the heightened tension and has set up a small committee to go to Edo to try and reconcile the various tendencies. I am sure that by the time they are done with their responsibility, we will have peace in the party. In furtherance of the course of the Edo governorship election with regard to APC and the pronouncement of the PDP governors that they were going to capture Edo, I want to say that Edo will remain in the fold of the APC and we are not going to be the only party that will carry the burden of peace. What you have said is suggestive of the fact that the other elections lacked good conduct? You are aware of the reports of the international observers with regard the Rivers and Akwa Ibom elections. Everybody alive and well today must have come bye that report. The Supreme Court judgement is an antithesis to the report of the international observers and we of the APC will like to align ourselves with the report of the international observers that there was no election in Rivers and Akwa Ibom. You have read Prof. Itse Sagay’s writing on the judgement of the Supreme Court. Suffice to say that he spoke our mind. So, let me repeat myself again. We will not bear the burden of peace alone in Edo. We will share it with those who have come for the contest for the soul of Edo state. We will either share the burden of peace or share the strife of war. There are allegation against the Minister of State for Agriculture who is from Bayelsa state that he bought the position.... (cuts in) Look, these are the things that the party at the national level have waded into. So, it is important that we allow reconciliation process to take its course and at the end of the day, we will address the press. We are not going to put anything away from public interrogation. We don’t want any situation where we make utterances that will jeopardize reconciliation and the peace process. All the issues will be taken into consideration in finding solution to the challenges we have in Bayelsa. You will agree with me that there is a kind of gathering storm in the polity today obviously because of the sharp increase in fuel pump price. The APC government has really not come to the rescue of Nigerians almost one year in office and a lot of Nigerians are not finding it easy. What will be your advice to government. I am one of those who have always clamour for the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. The truth is that I was a little bit taken aback when there was a cap of N145. My take is that if you deregulate a market, you

Eta

we are going to deliver to the edo people, a free, fair and credible primary. we cannot do anything less because it is in our celebration and deepening of internal democratic process that we intend to be distinguished.

member when GSM came into being in Nigeria, they told us that to buy a SIM card was going to cost us several thousands of naira. But today, GSM companies beg you to take their SIM card. This must be allowed to happen in the oil industry. There is simply no reason why we should collectively fund the corruption in the oil industry through subsidy. Imagine that in 2014, this country spent N1.3 trillion and we can’t even verify whether these things are real or not. We just pumped out N1.3 trillion to these middle men. Let them now go to the international market, buy the product, bring it to Nigeria and we will buy from them without us having to fund them. Secondly, it brings us to this despicable situation of Nigeria not being able to refine its crude. It is so shameful and unacceptable. The one thing I love about this government is that the head of government has shown that when he says he is going to build a refinery, it means he is going to do it. Nigerians are aware that it is because of Buhari that we have the three refineries we are having today. The man says he is going to turn around these refineries. The Dangote refinery will come on stream in 2018. This is the way to go. If at a point, Nigeria can refine the crude that it needs within Nigeria, that will be a wonderful feat by this government and that is where we are going to.

should not put a cap. I believe in complete deregulation because it will bring down the price of our petroleum products. It will go down even below N86 because it will now depend on the vagaries of the market. Whenever you have international oil price come down, the imported products will also come down in price. Now, let me say that there are only a few places in Nigeria where Nigerians have been buying fuel for N86. Where I come from, we have not bought fuel for N86 for a long time. For those who are from the north, you know that in places like Gombe, Bauchi, nobody has bought fuel at controlled price for the past one year. It just a simple economics of demand and supply. The situation we have today is that the demand far outwits the supply. If the market is open, knowing Nigerians, the market will be flooded with the product and when that happen, we will be having the same situation we are having in the communication industry right now. Re-

Don’t you think there should have been some palliative measures before the deregulation because Nigerians are bearing the brunt? I think that palliative has been given a wrong meaning by the former government. If you look at the budget of 2016, you will discover that embedded in that budget is all manner of palliatives, social safety gaps. You talk about intervention is terms of employment 500,000 teachers, feeding of primary school pupils and many others. These are all palliatives. We must not always link palliatives to anytime we want to increase prices of petroleum product. The last palliative is the source of the slush funds that people will be going to jail soon for under SURE-P. That was a creation of the last government to siphon our money in the guise of providing palliatives. So, palliative must he consistent in the provision of social welfare

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Unlawful firearms: Court jails two Fulani herdsmen for 20 years amour udemude AsAbA

or being in possession of firearms unlawfully, a Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday sentenced two Fulani herdsmen suspected to be members of a group of nomads terrorising the people of Ibusa and its environs to a 20 year jail term with hard labour. The court pronounced the guilty

verdict on the two men, Mr. Hassan Abidu and Mr. Yakubu Salem, on a two count charge of unlawful possession of firearms against them by the Attorney-General of Delta State, Mr. Peter Mrakpo. The offences are punishable under Section 3(1) of the Robbery and

Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R.II, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010, hence the men were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each with hard labour and without an option of fine. The court held that on or about the 23rd day of February, 2015 at about

0600 hours, the Ibusa Police Division received a distress call that a group of suspected Fulani boys numbering about six were sited around Powerline, Ibusa, armed with dangerous weapons including firearms. Based on that, a team of anti-robbery squad which responded to the

distress call later arrested Mr. Hassan Abidu and Mr.Yakubu Salem with two single barrel guns without license which they claimed they used for hunting. They claimed that they did not know that it was an offence to carry arms without license.

Chieftaincy Tussle: Delta monarch lauds Okowa’s Intervening Act Nosa akeNzua AsAbA

he Okpala-Uku of Umusadege, Utagba-Uno, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Ogbu-Ewu Egbononwu Ojugbeli, has described the intervention of the Delta State government in the chieftaincy issues in the community as timely.

Ogbu-Ewu, Ojugbeli, who spoke shortly after the resolution of the crisis by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, said the reaffirmation of Chief Adoh Ugbomeh as the Onotu-Uku of Umusadege, Utagba-Uno was a welcome development. According to him, “by intervening in the issue which involved the Onotus (chiefs) of my community, Umusadege, it shows that our governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, is a grassroots man who wants peace because, Chief Adoh Ugbomeh as the OnotuUku of Umusadege was a reaffirmation of the wish and tradition of the people and we are very happy with this development”. He urged all the sons and daughters of Umusadege, Utagba-Uno to abide by the decision of the state government and live in peace, disclosing that Adoh Ugbomeh had seven years tenure as recognised by the custom of the people. The Okpala-Uku pledged the loyalty of his subjects to Governor Okowa’s administration, emphasising that everybody should be engaged in peaceful and progressive ventures that will help the state to grow.

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson casting his vote during the PDP South-South Zonal Congress at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt.

Terrorism, boundary issues are threats to family unity –Udom Julius oNwuma Uyo

he governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, has identified incidents of terrorism and incessant boundary issues as the biggest threats to family unity in Nigeria today among several factors. Emmanuel stated this on Monday in Uyo during the 2016 International Day of Families organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. He added that the menace of Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria was the singular cause of internally displaced persons in the country. The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo, pointed out that the maintenance of communal peace and resolving all land and boundary crises capable of breaching the peace in families and by extension the communities had become important in addressing the rising cases of IDPs. He noted, “According to statistics by the International Displaced Monitoring Centre, IDMC in association with the Norwegian Refugee Council, NRC, Nigeria had a 3.3 million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who are currently displaced from

their families, while the figure of 470, 500 was recorded in 2013 alone. “What this means is that, for Nigeria to return to the good-old-days of happy family living in line with our age old family tradition, there is utmost need to bring the menace of Boko Haram and all forms of terrorist activities to a conclusive end. “Equally, the need to curb incessant intra and inter state boundary issues has become paramount, as skirmishes arising from boundary crises accounts for a significant sta-

tistics of internally displaced families in our land. “I wish to make a passionate appeal to our people to refrain from the strange attitude of parental abandonment under whatever guise. There is nothing modern about a culture that supports abandonment of aged parents as this is not only strange, but an abomination to our time-honoured tradition of close family ties.” Earlier in her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory

Edet, pointed out that the emotional, social and economic stability of their children as future leaders depended so much on a stable, successful and ideal family. “Let us love ourselves, admire what we have, be faithful to one another, show commitment and respect each other. Let infidelity, haughtiness, and hatred not be mentioned amongst us. Above all, let us hold in high esteem our families hoping to have a sustainable future of good and fulfilled generation”, she said.

Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja communal clashes heighten Nosa akeNzua AsAbA

he lingering communal clashes between Aladja community in Udu local government area of the state and Ogbe-Ijoh community, Warri South West local government area, yesterday escalated as some suspected Ogbe-Ijoh youths allegedly attacked and injured an Aladja indigene and commercial motorcycle operator, Sunday Damijo, after destroying an uncompleted building belonging to another Aladja indigene on the way to Ogbe-Ijoh. But security agents through the

…security agents move to arrest situation

State Police Command image maker, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, said security agents had intensified their efforts to arrest those involved in the clash. She said 24 hours surveillance was already going on in the areas with a view to ensuring that peace reigned among residents of the communities. It was reliably gathered that the victim of Ogbe-Ijoh’s attack, Sunday Damijo, was allegedly attacked and injured by suspected hoodlums from the community while he was waiting for a passenger, one Blessing Doghor, who was later held hostage by the

rampaging youths. She was later released after several hours. The hoodlums were said to have resumed shootings sporadically but were replied by Aladja youths before men of the Nigeria Police and soldiers arrived to calm the situation. In a swift reaction, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ovie Festus Agas, insisted that peace would reign, disclosing that security agents were given matching orders by Governor Okowa to bring to book perpetrators of the crime.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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C’River: 10 die of malaria in Bakassi IDP camp RichaRd Ndoma Calabar

bout ten persons have died in recent times due to malaria attack in one of the camps where the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, of Bakassi have been taking refuge at Ikot Edem Odo, Bakassi Local Government Area in Cross River State.

Cross River State Director General for Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu, made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists shortly after returning from a visit he made to one of the IDP camps in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state. The DG stated that about 10 people including women and children have so far lost their lives in the last three months, and called on the federal government to quickly intervene in the matter before the death toll increases. “Yes I think in the last three months they have buried 10 persons, they showed me their graves and it was so pathetic. “This is why we are calling on the federal government to pay some attention to the internally displaced people of Bakassi especially the women and children,”

Edu appealed. He said that the Government of Cross River State had invested close to a billion naira to intensify the fight against malaria scourge in the state. “The government of Cross River State had done much but to be candid malaria is not being fought by the government of Cross River State alone but with the help of the international community. “This year alone we have spent close to a billion naira trying to fight the disease; we hope that the state and the international community should be able to put their heads together to eliminate malaria.” Edu whose role is to reduce the prevalence of malaria in the state charged residents to keep their environments clean and sleep under mosquito bed net so as to end malaria in the state. Edu said that she had made several visits to the IDP camp and had some of the inmates tested. According to her, those who tested positive had been treated. The DG stated that her agency had done rigorous enlightenment campaign and educated the IDPs through mobilisation and participation to ensure that they got ev-

Yakurr leaders charge Nko, Mkpani combatants to lay down arms RichaRd Ndoma Calabar

eaders of Yakurr Local Government Area in Cross River State yesterday charged the two warring communities of Nko and Mkpani in Yakurr to end the hostilities which has brought loss of lives and property in the areas.

A community leader, Chief Wilfred Inah, who convened a meeting to that effect criticised the development describing the act as very savage, archaic and barbaric. According to a communique issued at the end of a meeting convened by Chief Inah and signed by himself, Hon.Bassey Ibor, Chief John Obongha and others Yakurr leaders resident in Calabar condemned the outbreak of violence in Nko and Mkpani. According to the leaders, the people of the communities were supposed to live amicably as brothers. The communique stated that it had become so worrisome that a matter which could have been amicably resolved had taken a violent dimension. The communique urged the representatives of the two warring communities present at the meeting to send urgent messages

home for their youths to lay down their arms and vacate the trenches in the interest of peace. The communique also appealed to the security agencies to provide a safe corridor for Mkpani people to move from their homes to Mkpani Junction at the Calabar/Ikom Highway, as well as police effectively the stretch of road from Ekori Junction to Nko Town. Yakurr leaders appealed to the state Ministry of Education to make an urgent arrangement for students of Mkpani Secondary School whose West African School Certificate Examination was disrupted by hostilities to register for NECO to repair the damage they had suffered as a result of the crises. The forum urged the government of Cross River State to arrest those involved in the violence and deal with them appropriately. The communique charged elites of Yakurr to strengthen the bond of friendship, brotherly love and social interaction that evidently existed, and which formed the basis of the intervention by this group of 19. It urged Yakurr people at home and in diaspora to exploit their numerical strength and highly developed manpower to benefit from what the state government

ery IDP properly informed on how to prevent the disease at the camp.

She urged the IDPs to do more of preventive than curative and

advised them to embark on proper environmental sanitation.

Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross Rivers on Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mr Chris Mbu-Ugan (l), unveiling the logo of the World Mayors-African Regional Investment Conference and Exhibition tagged ‘Calabar 2016’ in Abuja yesterday, with him is a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the conference, Mr Fola Davis; President, A3 Foundation, Amb. Aisha Audu-Emeje (m) and Chairman of the LOC, Amb. Eyo Asuquo.

Edo issues Certificate of Occupancy to 9 agro-investors

do State Government on Monday issued Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to nine agro-investors for 150,000 hectares across the three senatorial district of the state. Governor Adams Oshiomhole who presented the certificates to the investors lauded them for considering the state worthy to invest. The governor said that in-

vestment in the sector required long term gestation period, adding that the action of the investors demonstrated the confidence they had in the state. He also lauded the Edo Ministry of Agriculture for fast-tracking the process for the issuance of the C of O. Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the chairman of the State Economic Team, said that government desired making the state an agro-

economic hub, stressing that it provided enabling environment for investment to thrive. Obaseki stated that the process leading to the issuance of the certificates started five years ago, after an agro-summit held in the state. He, however, said that the delay in allocating land to the investors was due to bureaucracy and resolving issues with host communities.

oaRhe dicksoN

dent Muhammadu Buhari was wrong in its decision to increase the price. Ugbodaga said that they were pained by the reasons adduced by government to justify the increment, maintaining that those were the same reasons that successive government had always given. The coalition blamed the crisis on inability of government to prevent pipeline vandalisation and corruption in the petroleum sector with almost all its activities shrouded in mystery and opaqueness. Ugbodaga explained that the price increase of petrol would def-

initely trigger off price increases in every aspect of the nation’s economic wellbeing including transportation, food, housing and production. He laments that that would hurt the masses, impoverish them further and drive them deeper into poverty trap. “While the government and its apologists call on us to make sacrifices for a better tomorrow, there is hardly any attempt to democratise the sacrifice that Nigeria so urgently needs. While the people still live in penury, our leaders at every level of governance continue their ostentatious living,” CSN argued.

Group kicks against hike in fuel price benin

ivil society groups under the name, Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN), has kicked against the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, describing it as a rude shock.

It said the increase negated the previous publicly expressed position of the federal government on subsidy for petroleum products. Dr. Philip Ugbodaga yesterday, at a press conference on behalf fifteen other associated civil society groups in the coalition said the federal government under Presi-

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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Ambode and the lights of Lagos Tayo ogunbiyi

ife and light are inextricably connected. We cannot imagine our life without light. From the first ray of Sun in the morning to the lamp in the night, light accompany us in all our daily activities. Light, no doubt, is essential to life on earth. Without it, there would, probably, be no life. As a result of diverse lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessities, through several scientific discoveries and breakthroughs, man has developed various concepts of light. One of such is the electric light, which today is one of the daily conveniences that most positively affect our lives. Thomas Alva Edison, famous American inventor, is often credited with the invention of electric light because his version, which came into being in 1879, was able to outstrip the earlier versions because of a combination of factors. In our clime, one of the most fundamental ways that any government could actually touch the lives of the citizenry is through provision of basic light infrastructure. It is this realization that prompted the Akinwunmi Ambode administration in Lagos State to embark on the Light Up Lagos Project. The project is conceived to light up major highways and streets in the Lagos metropolis with the ultimate goal of boosting commercial activities, enhancing security, improving the citizenryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standard of living as well as boost the aesthetics of the city-state.

In accordance with the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all inclusive governance philosophy, the light up exercise covers the five divisions in the state. Thus far, some of the areas that have been lit up include Maryland to Mile 12; Oworonshonki to Kara through Alapere; 7up Toll Gate and Berger; Martins Street/Ereko; Brook Street, Lagos Island; Olowookere Street, Alimosho; and Old Ota road, Alimosho. Others are Cemetery road, Badagry; Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria island; Babatunde Anjous, Eti-Osa; Itire road, Surulere; Bode Thomas, Surulere; Coker street, Ilupeju; Apapa- Oshodi expressway; Gbagada by Charley Boy Bus stop; Hakeem Balogun-Jobi Fele Way, CBD, Ikeja; Berger-Ogunwusi Road, Ojodu; Pen Cinema to Oba Akran; Ikotun to Egbe by Synagogue Church; Lagos-Ibadan expressway by Berger bus stop to Third Mainland Bridge among numerous others. The ultimate target of the project is the development of a Lagos that is safe and secured Lagos, and that operates a 24/7 economy. In a bustling African mega city like Lagos, there are a number of benefits to be derived from highway/street lightning. For one, it promotes security as hoodlums and criminals who hitherto hide in the dark to perpetrate evil would no longer have the leeway to operate. Street lighting also improves safety for drivers, commuters, riders and pedestrians. It is a common knowledge that pedestrians and vulnerable road users suffer from decreased visibility at nights. For these reason, one sure way of reducing the risk to

Improved nIght

economy Is one other major benefIt of the

LIght Up project

all road users during the night hours is to light up the highways and streets. Research has shown that driving outside of daylight hours is more dangerous as only very few people could actually drive well at nights. Though quite a few people are on the road at nights, yet it has been discovered that this period accounts for 30 percent of most fatal road crashes in our country. Presently in Lagos, highway/street lighting ensures safety to literally every resident by providing guidance and direction across the metropolis. Lagosians have now grown accustomed to driving through the streets, rural roads and busy urban thoroughfares, relying on improved visibility and safety afforded them by generous lighting conditions provided by several street light standards along the roadways. Similarly, the safety and ability to maneuver along walkways and sidewalks, in both congested and remote areas, is tremendously enhanced for commuters, pedestrians and other road users as a result of improved lighting. Improved night economy is one other major benefit of the Light Up Project.

In most major cities of the world, socioeconomic activities take place 24 hours around the clock. This is especially true of developed countries where a 24 hour socio-economic system is in operation. The hospitality and entertainment industries, in particular, thrive better in a 24/7 economy. Presently in Lagos, entertainment spots such as restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, casinos, concert halls, theatres and licensed clubs make more businesses at nights than it used to be the case. This is particularly because high flying business executives and others who have worked hard in the day and would love to unwind at night could now do so without the usual fright associated with night crawling in the metropolis. Indeed, other socio-economic activities that are non-hospitality and non-entertainment related are equally now flourishing in the night hours. Presently, Lagos boasts of the largest economy in the country. But then, the potential of the economy is yet to be properly harnessed. This can partly become a reality if every minute of the 24 hours in a day could be properly harnessed in a secured and safer environment. With the Light up project, a conscious and strategic move to appropriately advance the Lagos economy has, undoubtedly, begun. Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

The wine of change Wale ajao

hange is often a surprise as it happened to Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the once little boy from Otuoke, Bayelsa State, who never imagined he would rule his fatherland. But the wonderful hand of change catapulted him to national leadership like a dream of the night. Jonathan became Deputy Governor, Governor, Acting President and President all in less than a decade. Not being able to manage the enormous responsibilities thrust on him by his meteoric rise to national leadership, Jonathan eventually lost admiration of Nigerians. He lost the March 28, 2015 presidential election to Alhaji Muhammed Buhari, who through unfathomable change has been transformed to a now well admired national leader. Just as Buhari`s political fortune changed for the better, Jonathan`s political attainment dipped. Buhari, who was earlier detested as a military dictator, who used draconian decrees to jail journalists suddenly became a hero of our democracy. Such is the nature of change. The same voters in western Nigerian who contributed to the emergence of Jonathan in 2011 turned massively against him in 2015. The change slogan which caught Nigerians like wild fire in harmattan can be likened to a strange wine. People just drank it. They never bothered to check whether it was a good wine. Nobody knew the real details of the change. No voter

What kInd of change Is possIbLe When there has been no sIgnIfIcant LaW and constItUtIonaL reforms?

bothered to find out the practicability of the change that the All Progressives Congress (APC) advocated. There was a magic wand that was serving the wine. And everybody was just drinking. Former President Jonathan and his aides did not help matters. As Jonathan was engaging Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in a diatribe, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and others were busy calling Buhari all sorts of names. And the electorate got infuriated against the incumbent. The stage was set for the magic wine of change to further take hold of Nigerians. One year after, the real issues that were partially addressed during the 2015 presidential election are resurfacing. The eyes of Nigerians are becoming open. Our people seem to be regaining their consciousness. And they are now asking questions. Are we really getting the change that the APC promised us? Can we get real significant change in our economic and political life as a nation especially in the context of the very feeble attempt so far made by the Buhari administration in the last one year? The reality on the ground is not convincing. One year after assuming office, Buhari has just got the 2016 Budget passed by the National Assembly. This

is in a way traceable to the bickering amongst the top leadership of the APC. The story of the emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President is the first dent on the image of our so-called progressives. They refused to follow the party line. They created confusion when choosing the leaders of NASS. Personal interest was allowed to override party discipline. When some lawmakers in both houses of NASS hiked their perquisites, the APC legislators also participated in the unpopular move. Today Nigerian legislators are among the highest paid in the world despite grinding poverty all over the land. Last year, the nation spent about N175 million monthly on the allowances of the 360 members of the House of Representatives; each of the 109 senators got N4.5 million monthly for housing allowance. In effect, the nation spent not less than N 433.6 million on housing allowance for all the senators monthly. Yet there is a legislative quarter built by government that is uninhabited. The excessively high remuneration which the legislators fixed for themselves drew the ire of former President Obasanjo, who asked the law makers to moderate themselves. Of course, the ingenious budget padding saga took place under the very eyes of the progressives. Till date, those who joggled the figures in the budget sent to the National Assembly have not been identified. They may never be. Yet the change mantra is sup-

posed to be on. The EFCC, which honestly speaking, is gradually waking up from its slumber, has not secured a major conviction. It is, however, said that some people have been returning their loot. The ongoing fuel scarcity and its attendant agonies is another challenge for the APC. How different is the approach of the progressives, when compared with that of the conservative Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? Has the Buhari administration come up with a radically different mode of managing our oil revenue? Nigerians ought to ask what kind of change is possible in a situation where our lopsided federal structure has been accepted by the Buhari government as a no go area? What kind of change is possible when there has been no significant law and constitutional reforms? Now that the wine of change is losing its grip on Nigerians maybe our eyes will open to the fact that as long as our revenue allocation formulae is unchanged, our unworkable federal system remains unchanged, our archaic laws are not reformed, our value system remains distorted, we can only have cosmetic changes. Ajao, a seasoned journalist, wrote from Lagos and can be reached on 08023112006 Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Tuesday May 17, 2016

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

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

Addressing persisting fuel subsidy crisis

f the Federal Government and organised labour fail to agree on a common ground, the nation may as from tomorrow retrogress to the condition it found itself on January 1, 2012, when it was locked down by angry citizens protesting the New Year gift former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government chastised them with. That administration had jacked up the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) from N65 to N141 per litre passed off as fuel subsidy removal; but eventually reduced it to N97 per litre following massive protests by citizens. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari, in what it called the deregulation of the downstream oil sector about a week ago, had again jacked up the pump price of PMS from N86.50 to N145, claiming it was the only way to force down the high cost of the product sold for between N150 and N250 in most filling stations nationwide. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the FG had bountiful, mouthwatering social protection programmes in the 2016 budget to cushion the effects of the hike on Nigerians. When the FG hiked the pump price of fuel in 2012, its major argument was that PMS was cheapest in the country even at N97 per litre, though statistics

from other oil producing nations proved the contrary. The Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SUREP) which the FG embraced to pacify Nigerians on the January 1, 2012 fuel pump price increase ended up not scratching the problems of widespread poverty and youth unemployment, infrastructure deficit and citizens’ empowerment, among others, in the country. Worse still, hikes in the pump price of petrol come at a time when Nigerians are facing intense economic hardship, as is the case at present. Organised labour had consistently insisted that fuel subsidy removal would be injurious to ordinary Nigerians. But the FG’s position had been that it benefitted the rich the more and encouraged the smuggling and selling at higher prices of petrol across the country’s borders. This situation was partly confirmed after the January 2012 nationwide fuel subsidy removal protests and the ensuing investigation by the House of Representatives which unravelled the heartless looting of the nation’s coffers by briefcase fuel importers and complicit oil sector managers in the name of fuel subsidy. Again, ours has been a country where the cart is always placed before the horse in the implementation of public policies; a good example being the incessant in-

The Buhari governmenT would have sTringed The rope wiTh which To hang iTself, since

There is always a payBack Time; and

2019

is noT Too far creases in electricity tariff when power generation and supply are rare; or can be compared with spittle at best. Four years after the first attempt to totally remove fuel subsidy failed, public expectation had been that the FG would invest energy and resources in bringing the nation’s four refineries back to life, facilitate the establishment of new refineries and ensure that pipelines for petroleum products’ distribution are not only in good shape, but are properly policed, so that the scarcity of fuel under a downstream sector deregulation regime can be averted. Unfortunately, none of such, including regular fuel supply at N145 per litre can be guaranteed up to this hour. Yet the FG has purportedly ended the subsidy regime. It is not a surprise, therefore, that organised labour has told the FG to revert the pump price per litre to N86.50 from N145 or risk a nationwide workers’ strike. But

extremely difficult as the latest hike may seem, it does appear the trillions of naira the government is lavishing on fuel subsidy yearin-year-out is not benefitting the Nigerian poor. It is not also sustainable in the light of the country’s present economic quagmire. If truly premised on a sincere deregulation of the downstream sector to allow private investors to intervene in the short term by way of importing products to boost supply; and building refineries in the long term to grow local refining capacity, we think Nigerians should give the latest FG initiative a trial. The competition that would be unleashed by truly deregulating the downstream oil sector would crash the pump price of fuel in no distant time. If, however, the measure is yet another ploy by the FG to fleece and fool Nigerians without genuinely deregulating the sector, the result would also show anytime soonest. This being so, the Buhari government would have stringed the rope with which to hang itself, since there is always a pay-back time; and 2019 is not too far to pay back the ruling All Progressives Congress in its own coin that election year should the purported deregulation that has pushed the pump price of fuel to the roof-top turn out to be yet another art in perfidy.

ON THIS DAY May 17, 1990

May 17, 1994

The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) struck out homosexuality from the list of psychiatric diseases. Homosexuality relates to romantic/ sexual attraction or sexual activity between members of the same sex or gender. As an orientation, homosexuality refers to “an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectionate or romantic attractions” primarily or exclusively to people of the same sex.

Malawi held its first multi-party elections. Following the democracy referendum of the previous year, they were the first multi-party elections in the country since prior to independence in 1964. The elections for the post of president and national assembly membership were both won by the United Democratic Front (UDF), whose candidate, Bakili Muluzi, defeated former President-for-Life, Hastings Banda, in the presidential vote.

May 17, 2013 Two Metro-North commuter trains collided near Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States when a MetroNorth Railroad passenger train derailed between the Fairfield Metro and Bridgeport stations and collided with another coming from the opposite direction. At least 72 out of approximately 250 people on board each of the two trains were injured, while Metro-North reported damages at $18.5 million.

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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

PenCom boss to clarify N5.3trn pension fund utilisation 21

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Appraising housing, infrastructure outlook from 2016 budget’s thrusts

FG earmarks N1bn for Abuja Airport airside rehabilitation 22

Promoting non-oil export trade through proactive standardization policy regime

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

,,,,,,,,,,,

The present administration is seeking to make up for the dwindling oil revenue through promotion of non-oil export commodities. Analysts, however, believes this can only be achieved if the country comes up with a well-articulated standardisation policy that would make the nation’s export products compete favourably in the increasingly quality-conscious global markets. Olufemi Adeosun, writes.

ntil last year when the European Union banned some agricultural food exports from Nigeria, the nation had been paying scant regard to the issue of standards. Instead, the often over-flogged issue of power challenge and other constraints to the ease of doing business, have been attributed to the uncompetitive

nature ture of local industries. Some of the food items under EU subsisting ban till next month as a result of non-compliance with standards are beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish meat, peanut chips and Palm oil. In the case of the rejected beans, the European Food Safety had argued that they were found to contain

As industriAlists, we must remember thAt the very mArket we tArget is open And competitive for those who Are serious About meeting the needs of

the customers. As customers we must Also remember we hAve the power of choice in determining where we put our money. while other countries Are

increAsing strAtegies for Achieving mArket Access with instruments of stAndArds, nigeriA cAnnot be seen to lAg behind

between 0.03mg per kilogramme to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide, against the acceptable maximum residue limit of 0.01mg/kg. Little wonder stakeholders at the just concluded 4th African Day of Standadisation, were unanimous about the need for African continent to evolve a firm approach to enforcing standards. Held at the nation’s capital, Abuja, the ADS is set aside to commemorate the establishment of African Regional Organisation for Standadisation and to raise awareness among relevant stakeholders on the benefits of standadisation on the African economy. The theme of the year’s ADS is: “Women’s empowerment and Development

Towards AU Agenda 2063.” Declaring the two-day event opened, Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, maintained that Nigeria must take the standadisation lead with a view to facilitating industrialisation, increased market access for the nation’s export products while eliminating the incidence of products rejection. In demonstration of the determination to take the lead, she warned manufacturers and importers of goods and services on the implications of non-compliance with the nation’s industrial standards. The minister vowed that the present administration would not hesitate to deal decisively with any producer or manufacturer that tries to compromise the nation’s standadisation laws for selfish personal gains. According to her, some of the measures put in place to enforce compliance with standards are aimed at improving the quality of goods produced locally and those imported into the country. She said: “Government CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Dana Air 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

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Promoting non-oil export trade through proactive standardization policy regime CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

will no longer tolerate the deliberate attempts to circumvent the rule of law in return for personal gains at the expense of destruction of lives and property, loss of revenue, shortchanging of consumers and dumping.” She warned that the recent ban on some of the nation’s agricultural food sports by the EU should serve as an eye opener on the importance of standards. “As industrialists, we must remember that the very market we target is open and competitive for those who are serious about meeting the needs of the customers. As customers we must also remember we have the power of choice in determining where we put our money. While other countries are increasing strategies for achieving market access with instruments of standards, Nigeria cannot be seen to lag behind.” While seeking support for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in its bid to enforce standards, she maintained that patronage of certified Made in Nigeria products would no doubt empower Nigerians economically, create jobs and ultimately prevent dumping. She charged the Nigerian women to add their voices in the war against substandard products through active participation in the consensus process of standards development. According to her the ministry is at the verge of coming up with programmes to engender the uptake of standards in production and services by women to encourage and strengthen their existing capacities. On the significance of standardisation to the nation, Abubakar said,”In working to establish the continental Free Trade Area(CFTA) in Africa by 2017, Standardisation remains the tool to having a hitch free trading opportunity for Nigeria in the African continent as the intra and inter Africa market remains huge to be tapped. “The potentials of Africa for selfsufficiency can no longer be overemphasized. As the rest of Africa is working towards participation in the Free Trade Area, Nigeria must use the capacities of Standardisation to have the much needed edge in manufacturing and services.” Also speaking, the Acting Director General, SON, Dr. Paul Angya, said the theme of this year’s celebration was woven around women with a view to promoting the involvement of women in regional and continental standardisation process. He said: “The celebration of the African Day of Standardisation under the theme:”Women’s Empowerment and Development Towards AU

Agenda 2063” is to promote the involvement of women in regional and continental standardisation, reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers to trade, ensure availability of uniform and consistent African standards for promoting African trade as well as improve participation in international standardisation to help shape the future of African industries, organisations, countries and the continent as a whole.” Angya also restated SON’s commitment to the promotion of patronage of certified Made-in-Nigeria products as well as support legislation that would encourage patronage of certified locally made products in government procurement processes to suppot and encourage the growth of the nation’s industrial sector. He urged stakeholders at the occasion to focus more on a comprehensive African approach to standadisation, explaining that it was a strategic resource to Africa’s economic integration and an asset for improving the competitiveness of certified made-in-Nigeria products for global acceptance. The SON’s boss also sought the cooperation of industrialists in the country in the agency’s bid to eradicate substandard products. He said: “Let us join hands with the SON to promote the importance of standards in the eradication of substandard products to support the agricultural and industrial development initiatives of the Federal Government. “Standardization can fully unfold its beneficial potential only as long as the relevant actors (regulatory authorities, standards development organisations, companies, consumers, users, civil society organisations and other interested groups) take deliberate actions towards participating actively in the creation of awareness of the benefits of standardization.” On the various being made by ARSO to ensure that Africa develop a consensus standards, he also said,”Africa, through ARSO has agreed to speak with a common voice as it relates to standards. Other steps are also being made to have an estab-

Enelamah

Angya

lished quality infrastructure to harmonize the entire quality assurance processes. “Nigeria is also a member of this quality infrastructure under the PAN Africa Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) project, which is comprised ARSO, the African Accreditation Commission(AFRAC), the African Metrology(AFRIMET) and African Eletro-technical Commission(AFSEC).” According to him, the aim of these processes is to have harmonized systems that would remove all barriers to trade to enable Africa trade within itself, protect lives, enhance competitiveness of products and services as well as reposing consumer confidence in the patronage of made-inAfrica products. In his address, the UNIDO Regional Representative in Nigeria, Dr Charles Malata, UNIDO Regional Office Nigeria, highlighted the involvement of the UN agency in Standardisation progrommes across the African nation’s. According to him, UNIDO through ARSO has developed various intervention programmes aimed at empowering state economies with a conscious gender policy.

He called on the policy makers in Nigeria to enact laws for the adoption of gender mainstreaming into the Standardisation programme in the country, stressing that women constitute more than 60 per cent of the population in Nigeria involving in economic activities. He maintained that empowering women was synonymous to empowering the society. Malaya chronicled the involvement of UNIDO in Standardisation thus,”The work of UNiDO in the area of standadisation, particularly in Africa dated back to 1970s when we started involving standardization bodies around the continent to help the economies become sustainable and self-driven . UNIDO through the regional body, the African Regional Organisation for Standardisation has set up various intervention programmes in the area of Standardisation that are geared towards empowering the economies and ensuring they eliminate trade barriers and also improve on industrialisation.” A communique issued at the end of the two-day event called on Standards Organisation of Nigeria to develop more standard to meet both local and foreign market demands. It was also emphasised that standards and its implementation were important in increasing the nation’s national credibility on goods and promote global trade. In order for the nation’s agriculture to excel the forum charged manufacturers and importers to adhere strictly to the prescribed standards. For instance, it was noted that the focus on the Government on rice production in particular, requires well-articulated standardization to be able to compete internationally.

Standardization can fully unfold itS beneficial potential only aS long aS the relevant actorS (regulatory authoritieS, StandardS

development organiSationS, companieS, conSumerS, uSerS, civil Society organiSationS and other

intereSted groupS) take deliberate actionS towardS participating actively in the creation of awareneSS of the benefitS of Standardization

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Business News

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Nigeria’s supply outages raise crude oil prices’ to $49 p/b UDEME AKPAN, with agency report

he production and export disruptions of crude oil from Nigeria have culminated in high prices in the international market. Crude oil prices shoot up from $45 to $49 per barrel as a result of the development yesterday. Reuters that monitored the markets disclosed that oil prices hit six-month highs on worries about supply outages in the nation. The agency maintained that Nigeria and Venezuela and as long-time bear Goldman Sachs sounded more positive on the market, although a stockpile build at the U.S. storage hub for crude futures pared gains. It remarked that word that Libya was resuming crude shipments from the port of Hariga after an agreement reached at talks in Vienna between rival oil officials also limited the market’s advance. The agency further noted

that exports from the port have been blocked since early this month. The news medium reported that Brent crude futures were up $1.22, or 2.5 percent, at $49.05 per barrel by 12:23 p.m. EDT (1623 GMT). It was just 53 cents short of reaching $50 a barrel at the session high. It also noted that U.S. crude’s West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose by $1.44, or 3 percent, to $47.65. Reuters disclosed further that crude futures have rallied for most of the past two weeks from a combination of non-OPEC supply outages, declining U.S. production and virtually frozen inflows of Canadian crude after wildfires in Alberta’s oil sands region. The agency also reported that U.S. bank Goldman Sachs, one of the most bearish forecasters on oil over the past year, raised its short-term price outlook as it said the market had flipped into a deficit due to production outages in Nigeria and

NSIA boss lauds Tuns Farms on Osun Broiler Scheme UDo oNyEKA

he Managing Director of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Uche Orji, has commended the management of Tuns Farms Limited for promoting the Osun Broiler Outgrower Production Scheme, OBOPS, an Osun State Government initiative. Orji, who gave the commendation on a visit to the company in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, noted that the OBOPS scheme would help in solving the challenge of food security in the country. “This is an exceptional scheme, not only will such a scheme create more jobs, it will solve the challenge of food security. This kind of scheme should be replicated all over Nigeria” he said. In his remarks, the Chairman of the company, Asiwaju Olatunde Badmus, commended the NSIA boss for his visit and assured him that the company was determined to sustain the programme. He explained thatthat the nation’s economy would fare better if local manufacturers were to have access to funding through the support of the government. Tuns Farms provides farmers who participate in the scheme with broiler day old chicks, feeds and money to buy inputs and labor for a start. The farmers are encouraged to rear the broiler birds while ready market is provided for

them by the company all year round. Sources close to the company reveal that the scheme has generated over 10,000 jobs yearly since inception. The company ranks among the top three producers of broiler meat in the country and has continued to develop and improve in all areas of integrated farm operations. Orji, who was accompanied on the visit by some members of NSIA management team, was received by the General Manager of Tuns Farms, Mr. Seyi Ogunjinmi and the Assistant General Manager Research and Development Mr. Taofeek Badmus.

Canada. It maintained that Goldman, one of the most active banks in commodities, had been predicting as recently as a few months ago that oil prices could fall below $20 a barrel due to global oversupply. The bank predicted that U.S. crude trading as high as $50 per barrel in the second half of 2016, although it cautioned that price rises would be modest in 2017 as the market would return to sur-

plus. “The oil market has gone from nearing storage saturation to being in deficit much earlier than we expected,” Goldman said. “The market likely shifted into deficit in May ... driven by both sustained strong demand as well as sharply declining production,” it reported, adding that it expected production declines to keep

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Adeleke Adewole; Former President of Colombia, Mr. Cesar Augusto Gaviria Trugillo and Business Executive, South West, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Rasaq Aboyeji at the Ogun State Investors’ Forum held in Abeokuta last week.

Downstream deregulation: Let market forces determine price –OPS AbolAji ADEbAyo

ust as they commended the step taken by the Federal Government towards deregulation of the downstream sector, the organised private sector, OPS, has urged the government to allow the market forces determine the price of the petrol product rather than fixing a ceiling or benchmarking the price at a particular amount.

In a statement by the Nigerian Association of chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, NACCIMA, its President, Chief (Dr.) Bassey Edem, noted that deregulation with the influence of government in pricing would not make the economy thrive as it was supposed to. According to him, fixing the price by the government may not allow elasticity of the fuel market. He said, “We commend the Fed-

South Africa’s Rand tumbles on Finance Minister arrest reports

outh Africa’s rand fell for a second day, heading for its weakest level against the dollar in two months, after reports that police are set to arrest Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan over alleged irregularities at the nation’s revenue service. The currency declined as much as 2.1 percent to the weakest level on a closing basis since March 15 and was the worst performer among 31 major and developednation currencies monitored by Bloomberg. Two-week implied volatility rose to the highest since January and was the widest among emerging market currencies. Yields on

the market in deficit in the second half of 2016. It would be recalled that recent attacks by militants of oil producing companies’ facilities, especially Exxon Mobil and Shell Producing Development Company, SPDC, had caused serious disruption to crude oil production in the affected facilities, thus causing substantial drop in Nigeria’s daily supply to the international market.

benchmark government bonds due December 2026 climbed 14 basis points to 9.33 percent, the highest on a closing basis since March 29. “People are getting tired of the circus and investors don’t like uncertainty,” said Warrick Butler, the Johannesburg-based head of emerging-market spot trading at Standard Bank Group Ltd., the continent’s biggest rand trader. “The emerging-market universe has been a loser again today. The rand is the poor cousin because of the politics.” Gordhan is aware of plans to arrest him and described them as an effort to thwart his campaign to

end government corruption, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday. President Jacob Zuma’s office on Sunday denied the minister would be arrested, rejecting a report in the Johannesburg-based Sunday Times newspaper that prosecutors were studying a docket from a special police unit investigating a special agency set up within the national revenue service. By 4 p.m. in Johannesburg, the rand was down 1.5 percent at 15.6304. A sustained break through 15.65 would probably push the currency back to the 16 level, Butler said. (Source – Bloomberg.com)

eral Government for finally taking the bold step to remove subsidy on PMS. This is an attestation to the political will of this government to put an end to the incessant fuel scarcity being experienced in the country, while reducing the pressure on our Foreign Reserve as a result of huge demand for petrol import. “However, it is pertinent to note that deregulation with the influence of Government in pricing is not good for the economy. Therefore, we counsel the government should allow market forces to determine price instead of fixing a ceiling of N145 per litre. Accodingly, we counsel that the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR and the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulating Agency, PPPRA, be restructured and merged into one regulatory body for better monitoring and efficient service provision. “We wish to reiterate the need for Government to ensure quick commencement of budget implementation to alleviate the negative impact of this policy on the purchasing power of the average Nigerians. “In view of the expected reduced pressure on our Foreign Reserve which this policy will bring about, it is also important that the resultant benefit on our Foreign Exchange allocation be directed more towards the real sector to hasten the development of our economy.

Business News

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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FG earmarks N1bn for Abuja airport’s airside rehabilitation Olusegun KOiKi

he Federal Government has earmarked N1.06 billion for the rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, NAA, Abuja in the 2016 budget released last week. The sum is part of the N202.43 allocation for transportation industry in 2016 budget, which also included rail and maritime. The Federal Government in its breakdown of the spending for the sector in 2016, said that airside reha-

bilitation of Abuja Airport became necessary in order to upgrade the facilities at the airport, adding that this would also enable the airport, which is the second busiest in Nigeria in terms of passenger traffic after the Lagos Airport to compete favourably with its counterparts anywhere in the world. The government also noted that the airside’s rehabilitation was a project designed to improve the security of the nation’s airports and airspace. Other projects ear-

marked for in the sector in the financial year included N432.5 million for procurement and illumination of Thales Navigational Aids at Kano, Jos, Minna, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, is in charge of navigational aids for the industry. Also, the government also earmarked N865 million for procurement and installation of airfield lightening system at Port Harcourt, Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Sokoto, Yobe, Akure airports. The procurement and installa-

tion of these facilities would further ensure that aircraft are able to operate at night, rather than the visual operations they do to most of the airports across the country. Another N497.5 million was further set aside for construction of terminal building at Enugu Airport while N2 billion was projected for purchase of calibration aircraft and equipment for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, in the budget. Besides, N870.4 million was set aside for procurement, illumination and flood

lightening of 16 airports out of the 22 Federal Government-owned airports in Nigeria. On railways, the government projected the sum of N8.5 billion for the completion of Itakpe-AjaokutaWarri 326km rail track and structures, stressing that this would enable it to build a national rail network to move goods and people across the country. Another N18.3 billion was

put aside for the completion of Abuja (Idu) - Kaduna 186.5km single track rail line while N60 billion was earmarked as counterpart funding for Lagos-Kano standard Guage rail line. The controversial Calabar -Lagos Standard Guage rail line is projected to gulp N60 billion and N3.2 billion for provision of power, water, station building and fence among others for rail lines within the year.

FAAN boss inaugurates Lagos runway safety team Olusegun KOiKi

he Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, has inaugurated the Lagos Runway Safety

L-R: Mrs. Virginia Osineme, Head, Community Relations,Engr. Fidelis Obishai, Chief State Head, Edo, Mr. Abel Enechaziam, Head, Key Clients Services and Mr. Billy Afolabi, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) all of Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) at the Edo State Customer’s Forum held in Benin last Wednesday

Stakeholders strategise on food security agenda AbOlAji AdebAyO

gricultural stakeholders under the auspices of The Nigeria Agribusiness Group, NABG, has reviewed the progress report assessment of the value chain development efforts of the Seeds Association of Nigeria, SEEDAN, and the Fertilizer Suppliers Association of Nigeria, FEPSAN, in order to iron out the associated challenges in their delivery.

This, according to them, was necessary to tighten the loose ends in the supply chain to ensure food security for Nigeria and Africa as the issue was brought to the fore at a recent meet in Lagos. In his remarks, the National Coordinator, NABG, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere tasked the members to develop workable master plans, which would boost the effectiveness of small scale farmers. He said: “The bulk of the push is directed at small scale farmers because they are the most helpless. They need the guarantee that their produce will be bought up and that makes them work extra harder. The economic realities around them

such as health issues, traditional requirements and ceremonies make them sell off at giveaway prices. We should pay some close attention to these set of people in ensuring their value chain development” The National Coordinator of Micro Reforms for Agribusiness, MIRA, Dr. Tony Bello observed that the future of a guaranteed food secured society would be dependent on the economic muscle of smallholder farmers. He said that the issue on ground was how demand was placed on smallholder farmers to meet the food security objective in an impact styled manner, stressing that they needed to be economically empowered to meet the food security objective. Bello said there was also the need to have a marketing institution specifically for rice, saying that they have had proposals from interested agencies which were being looked into. He explained that they were also looking at the possibility of bringing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development into its supervision without a distortion of their own institutional target.

Other issues which attracted decisive adoptions included the security of distribution network and the challenges on the sector, the need to have an effective monitoring system for the supply chain and the fine tuning of the finance system of agribusiness and potential investors. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Rizek Farms Limited, Solomon Okopi, urged the Federal Government to support the activities of farmers in the country, saying it would in turn improve the quality of food production and end importation. Okopi, who expressed confidence in the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the current minister is an experienced farmer who has been in the business for a long time “The government must ensure that the farmers in the country are adequately supported to ensure the best output. I know of a friend in a country who informed me of how his government supported him despite the loss he recorded while farming. This rarely happens here in this part of the world.

Team. The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati said that the inauguration was in compliance with Resolution A37-6 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, which required member States to implement appropriate measures to enhance runway safety. Dati in a statement hinted that the inauguration of the team took place during a meeting between the Dunoma and members of Lagos Runway Safety Team led by the Deputy General Manager, Safety Services Department of the agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, Mrs. Ngozi Njoku. Dati noted that Dunoma urged the team to ensure strict compliance to ICAO standards in carrying out their duties and also encouraged them to ensure the certification of all airports across Nigeria. The functions of the team, according to FAAN’s Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Henry Omeogu, included advising management on potential runway safety issues, recommending strategies for hazard removal, mitigating residual risk and ensuring strict compliance with ICAO Standards in all airside operations.

Buffett’s Berkshire invested $1bn in Apple

arren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc revealed a more than $1 billion stake in Apple Inc, a rare foray into the technology sector that the billionaire has largely shunned, apart from a poorly performing investment in IBM. Shares of Apple got a boost from the Berkshire imprimatur, rising more than 3 percent on Monday. Berkshire made its investment in the first quarter, before the iPhone maker in April reported its first quarterly revenue decline in 13 years. The investment came despite the increasing view among investors that Apple may deserve a lower valuation because its heady growth days may be over, though Berkshire has long favored companies with strong balance sheets and management. In a regulatory filing detailing most of its stock holdings, Berkshire said it held 9.81 million Apple shares worth $1.07 billion as of March 31. The value has since fallen into the low $900 million range. Berkshire’s largest technology bet has been Buffett’s $12 billion stake in International Business Machines Corp. Apple stock “is stunningly cheap, and it has a massive pile of cash,” said Steve Wallman, founder of Wallman Investment Counsel in Middleton, Wisconsin, who has owned Berkshire since 1982 and Apple since 2003. “Apple is not getting credit for research and development it is doing behind the scenes.” (Source – Reuters.com)

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG targets S&T education to boost manpower skills regIna otokpa

he Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to grow human capacity by stimulating the interest of young people in science,

technology and engineering. The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu speaking during a farewell visit by the outgoing Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie.

Workers groan as rising inflation takes toll on earnings Isaac asabor

orkers in both the private and public sectors of the economy have been groaning under the rising rate of inflation in the economy. National Mirror investigations indicate that workers have been unbearably coping with the inflationary trend which some respondents spoken with considered to be unprecedented. The workers mostly complained of the continued increase in the prices of essential commodities and consumables that cut across rice, bread, pure water among other items that serve the daily need of the people. According to analysts, the current situation is capable of eroding the expected value of the N56,000.00 (fifty six thousand naira) minimum wage proposed by the organized labour for Nigerian workers when implemented. Specifically, Mr. Michael Afolabi, an economist, said with the current situation that there is no amount of increase in salaries that would shield the purchasing power of the workers from being eroded as the prevailing inflation is called hyper-inflation. According to him, “hyper-inflation is when the prices of most goods and services go so high, in most cases more than 50% a month. He adds that the abnormal situation starts when a country begins to print money to pay for fiscal spending. As the money supply increases, prices soar high as in regular inflation. However, he admitted that he cannot

Labour House, Abuja

specifically attribute the cause of the prevailing hyperinflation in Nigeria to too much money in circulation as the disparity of the naira with other currencies, particularly the dollar, is another case in point. Afolabi said there was no amount of increase that would make workers enjoy increase in salaries that labour may secure for them as the spiraling rate of the prevailing inflation in the country would make nonsense of the increase. Gabriel Eze, a worker in one of the Federal Government parastatals in Ikeja, Lagos said in his more than a decade of working as a salary earner that he hadnever faced an inflationary situation that can be compared with the present situation. “Since I have been working as a salary earner for the past 10 years I have never witnessed the escalating rate of inflation that I am today experiencing”, Eze lamented. In his own reaction, Mr. Udoma Ekong, a supervisor with a private security firm in Lagos said with the increasing rate of inflation that things are getting worse by each passing day. He lamented that his monthly salary hardly sustain him for the period of a month. “My montly salary no longer sustain me beyond the second week into the month.” He adds by saying that “immediately I collect my salary, I make sure I settle all my debts.” According to him, he started passing through the vicious cycle since the ongoing APC led government of President Muhammadu Buhari assumed power last year.

Onu noted that developed countries all over the world understood the initiation and utilization of science and technology as the instrument of development in the global economy. In view of the evolving trend, according to the Minister, Nigeria was harnessing partnerships with developed countries and international organizations that were interested and ready to encourage the development and the stimulation of the interest of young people in science, engineering and technology. Appreciating the outgoing ambassador for facilitating the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Science and technology in both countries, he commended him for the enormous work he undertook to improve and strengthen relationships between the countries. Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie, said his stay in Nigeria was characterized by many significant and landmark achievements,

Onu

adding that China would always support the commitment of the regional summit to combat terrorism and the fight against corruption. While noting that both countries had enjoyed diplomatic ties for 46 years, the outgoing envoy congratulated Nigeria on the current Change agenda in the country, saying that the country is on the path of greatness

AISAN harps on sustained training for members olusegun koIkI

he Aeronautical Information Services Association of Nigeria, AISAN, has reiterated the need for constant training and retraining of its members in the Nigerian aviation industry. The association pointed out that consistent training of personnel would aid the successful transition from Aeronautical Information System, AIS, to Aeronautical Information Management, AIM. The National President of AISAN, Engr. Babatunde Shittu, who highlighted this while heralding the celebration of 2016 AIS Day said, there was a growing need for the proper integration of man and machine including training for effective operation in a seamless environment of zero tolerance or delays in safety critical aeronautical information dissemination as a mandatory requirement. Shittu said the first stage of AIS automation project was at its completing stage hence the this year celebration would be used to sensitise its members on May 17, 2016 He recalled that the service was established in 1953 through the Annex 15 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO as an array of services rendered to pilots and other relevant ATM communities, such as Air Traffic Control, Air Traffic Engineers, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Military, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Meteorology.

He said: “To enable the safety of Air Navigation, AIS entails collecting, collation, editing and dissemination of aeronautical Information. Without this service, a pilot would be flying into the unknown.” Shittu explained that with AIS automation, all AIS/MAP products would be in one single database and capability to exchange any data with the global aviation community as may be desired. This is even as he pointed out that it would increase speed, accuracy, efficiency and cost effectiveness of aeronautical information services and further ensure standisation of procedures, products and services to end users of aeronautical information. He clarified: “Aeronautical Information Services provides one of the most vital roles in support of international civil aviation, ensuring the flow of information necessary for the safety, regularity and efficiency of international air navigation. “It is the means for collecting, validating, storing, maintaining and disseminating aeronautical data to support real-time aviation activities.” The AISAN President noted that the role and importance of aeronautical information / data had changed significantly with the implementation of RNAV, RNP and airborne computerbased navigation systems, stressing that the system being data dependent, it has become the necessary critical components of the system.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Real Estate & Environment

Appraising housing, infrastructure outlook from 2016 budget’s thrusts

Experts have said that the year’s budgetary allocation for capital projects present a bright outlook for the nation’s housing delivery system and infrastructure development if effectively implemented. Olufemi Adeosun, reports

ast week, the Federal Government released the breakdown of capital budgetary allocations to the key sectors for the 2016 physical year. Since the figures were made public, there have been various comments by industry analysts on the implications for the nation’s economy and well-being of the people. Of all the sectors captured in the budget, Housing, Power and Works, have led the public discourse chart. It is, however, not hard to hazard a guess about this development given the parlous state of the roads, decayed infrastructure, and the entrenched homelessness that has become the lots of many Nigerians. While successive administrations reeled out bogus figures set aside for certain priority projects year-in year-out, the nation has continued to grapple with basic infrastructure challenges either due to poor implementation of budgets, mis-management, mis-application, outright stealing or a combination of all.

FG targets S&T education to boost manpower 23

Beyond the factors already enumerated, industry analysts have also attributed the parlous state of infrastructure in the country to giving primacy to recurrent expenditure at the expense capital spending.They, however, noted that the amount of money allocated to capital projects, coupled with the assurance of early release of funds for their prompt implementation, showed a clear departure from the past. According to them, with proper utilization and due diligent,

the budget presents a brighter outlook for the nation than the previous years A sectoral analysis of the budget revealed that Power, Works and Housing will gulp N456.93 billion. Out of the amount, N134.4billion will be spent on the nation’s major arterial roads. Some of the roads are: dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri road (Section I-V) reconstruction and pavement strengthening of sections of Benin-Sagamu expressway, construc-

Our ability tO achieve cOnnectivity Of rOads depends On capital spending in 2016 tO pay cOntractOrs and get them back tO wOrk.Our shOrt term strategy will be tO start with rOads that have made sOme prOgress and can

be quickly cOmpleted tO facilitate cOnnectivity. we will priOritize within this strategy by chOOsing first the rOads that cOnnect states tOgether and frOm that grOuping start with thOse that bear the heaviest traffic

Tackling security agents, other airport users’ hostility amid growing tension 28

tion of Oju/Loko Oweto Bridge to link Loko and Oweto with approach Roads and Oshegbudu-Oweto road, concession of 2nd Niger Bridge, dualisation Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Others include, rehabilitation of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani road, rehabilitation of Sokot-Tambuwal KotangoraMakira road, Lagos-Ibadan expressway (Section I), completion of Gombe-Numan –Yola road phase II, rehabilitation of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworoshoki road, dualization of Kano-Katsina road phase I, dualisation of Ibadan-Ilorin section II, rehabilitation of Enugu-Onitsha road and dualization of Sapele-Agbor-Ewu road (Section I). Similarly, as part of the moves to bridge the nation’s housing deficit gap, put at 17million units, the federal government also allocated N35.6 billion for the construction of 1,973 blocks of 7,068 housing units in the 6 geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory. Even the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola admitted the huge infrastructure challenges while unveiling his blueprint for the sectors in Abuja. He noted that due to paucity of CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Why we retained Vono brand after merger with Vitafoam –Adeniyi 32

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Appraising housing, infrastructure outlook from 2016 budget’s thrusts CONTINUED FROM 24 funds the present administration would pursue a programme of planned prioritisasion of projects execution. For instance, in the area of road infrastructure the minister said that whereas it would require N2 trillion to complete the 206 ongoing road projects spread across the six-geo political zones of the country, a paltry N13 billion was released out of the N18.132bn provided in the 2015 budget. In order to navigate the financial hurdle, Fashola explained that the ministry’s short term strategy was to concentrate on roads that connect states and those that bear the heaviest traffic. Confirming that infrastructure projects have suffered long years of neglect, he noted that ‘the records that have been made available from previous budgets show that the last time Nigeria budgeted over N200 billion in a year’s budget for roads was in 2002. It seems that as our income from oil prices increased over the last decade, our spending on roads decreased. “As far as status reports go, the Federal Government budgeted N18.132Billion in 2015 and the Ministry of Works got N13 billion for all roads and highways in 2015, although it has contracts for 206 roads, covering over 6,000km with contract price of over N2trillion. “Our ability to achieve connectivity of roads depends on capital spending in 2016 to pay contractors and get them back to work. Our short term strategy will be to start with roads that have made some progress and can be quickly completed to facilitate connectivity. We will prioritize within this strategy by choosing first the roads that connect states together and from that grouping start with those that bear the heaviest traffic. Fashola lamented that the stoppage of the road projects due to failure of government to pay contractors had resulted in acute job losses, adding that over 5,150 workers had been laid off in four major construction companies in the country. On the lingering housing deficit challenge, the minister averred that government would lead the aggressive intervention to increase supply by undertaking construction of public sector participation and ownership with a view to reducing the current housing deficit put at 17million units. He admitted that the country must rev up national housing budget from the current N1.8 billion to hundreds of billions if it must meet its housing need. Commenting on the proposed capital budget, the President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria(COREN), Engr. Kashim Ali, said allocations for infrastructure projects under the current administration portend a quantum leap for the nation in terms of employment generation if properly implemented. He clarified:”It portend a quantum leap for the Nigerian economy giving

Ali

Fashola paltry sum allocated in 2015 budget. The importance of road is that it connects people and economic activities because with good road cutting across the country, you can can economic goods across the country at a cheaper cost since. This is more so because we depend on road ways in the country.” On whether it would lead to a better deal for the nation’s indigenous engineers, the COREN boss noted that, that could only be ascertained when implementation proper begins. “For the engineers, we can’t say in hurray yet, until we know the level of personnel involved in the companies that will utilize this money. If the country depends solely on foreign companies to execute the road projects, we would still have lost woefully because sustainability would not be there.The government has set of laws and regulations concerning the utilization of expatriate in Nigeria. If only government would follow these laws and regulations, then

we are good to go,” he explained. On the housing component, the immediate past President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Chief Olabode Afolayan, maintained that the current administration deserved commendation for coming up with plans and programmes aimed at addressing the country’s perennial housing challenge. According to him, the production of the 1,973 blocks of 7,068 housing units across the country would not only help in stimulating economic activities, it would also help in the creation of direct and indirect job with its attendant multiplier effects on the purchasing power of the populace. Afolayan explained further that “whichever way we look at the development, we must appreciate this government for coming up with these housing plans. This is about the first time in many years of governance in Nigeria that a government will make direct in-

Whichever Way We look at the development, We must appreciate this government for coming up With these housing plans. this is about the

first time in many years of governance in nigeria that a government Will make direct intervention in the production of houses after the shagari

administration and the little that Was done by

abacha that brought the about construction gWarimpa, lugbe and several others across the country

tervention in the production of houses after the Shagari administration and the little that was done by Abacha that brought the about construction Gwarimps, Lugbe and several otherex cross the country. “While Obasanjo administration can be credited for creating the enabling environment and programmes that enable private sector to play very significant role in advancing the cause of affordable housing, we noticed that during that era, government did not directly invest in housing as the current administration is proposing to do. “It was during his administration that Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN), following the recommendations of Prof. Akin Mabogunje’s technical committee, established the Estate Development Loans. It was also during his tenure that the Federal Ministry of Lands and Housing Development pursued aggressively the PPP programme whereby landed property owed by it across the country were given to private developers under a very workable programme. We also had the coming on stream of a lot of primary mortgage banks who were providing National Housing Scheme facilities to enable a whole lot of people own their own houses.” He however, maintained that, beyond production of houses, government should address the issue of recapitalization of the FMBN to enable it have the needed financial capacity to provide mortgages to the people. According to him, addressing the demand and supply side of housing chain would go a long way in addressing the deficits which have been on for several years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Back to Real Estate/Finance Basics

y last article discussed the first steps involved in the process of getting into the Real Estate industry, and I would like to recap the salient points for you: i. Know exactly why you want to get into the industry and what area you want to participate in. ii. Know what you can bring to the table today – mentally, financially, physically etc iii. Know what you will need to get to your goal. iv. Commit to a plan to seek out your industry – attend seminars, workshops, conferences etc. Some great ones are Real Estate Unite by 3invest (Ruth Obih), and Abuja Housing Show (Festus Adebayo). If you cannot make it to the bigger events, seek out resources closer to you, or smaller in size e.g the Lady Realtor series by Nonso Ume-Ezeoke of Assist-2-Sell. v. Make a plan and write it down. You don’t need a sophisticated plan to start with, but just put your thoughts on paper to give you a roadmap as you continue down the homeownership path. Today, I will address the importance of seeking out and completing as many courses in the industry as possible. It is always alarming to me that we are quicker to give millions of dollars to a developer or an investment advisory professional, than we are to give five hundred naira to the driver to fix the car headlights. We have been intimidated into thinking that only “trained professionals” can effectively manage our portfolio, and that is very unfortunate. The most important criteria to become a successful and confident real estate player, is knowledge. A knowledgeable property seller or buyer is able to sift through the chaff and get to the wheat quite expeditiously, sending a signal to all intending business partners that she is capable and not to be taken for granted. I am a great believer in the importance of training, and I encourage anyone intending to get into the industry to take at least 3 months of training. The training must address matters most directly related to the trainee’s needs. While it is great to take high level classes, one must absolutely start with the most basic sessions and then work your way up. A really great training event is the monthly Lady Realtor series by Nonso Ume-Ezeoke as I stated earlier. I attended one of her

Real Estate & Environment

FG, states urged to slash costs on property prices BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

ederal government has been urged to reduce home registration costs of a property’s value from the existing percentage to boost housing affordability. Giving the advice in Ogun state, an estate developer, Paul Oni said he was worried over the high expenses, which scare people away from buying residential properties. He said government should slash costs for land titling, governor’s consent as well as property registration processes. Noting that this could be done through the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, he said it would enhance the enabling environment for mortgage market growth while increasing home ownership by partnering state governments. Already, some states had accepted to review extant land titling, the governor’s consent and property registration processes to make home ownership possible.

would be like getting off a bus at the first stop when in fact the bus goes several more stops nearer to your goal. Join a professional network like LinkedIn, and read some of the articles posted in there, that relate to your niche area. In fact if you can, try to read at least one article per week and bookmark or save those which you find the most valuable. I promise you, you will find enough to enhance your knowledge. Other resources for self-education include libraries, newspapers etc. If you can spend at least 3 months learning all you can before you get into the market, I feel pretty sure you will not walking in blind. My next article will look into financing options for whatever scale you intend to be at. We will review Government and private funding, hard money loans etc, and the basic qualification guidelines for each plan. Until then, please feel free to comment or ask questions about this topic. Do connect with me o tame skyrocketing propon LinkedIn (Adenike Fasanyaerty prices, some Chinese Osilaja) and follow me on Twitcities have increased reter (@NikeFinancePro). Have a strictions on foreign, as well as truly successful week domestic, residential property buyers. Earlier, non-local residents were ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated allowed to buy a residential properMarvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagoty in Shanghai if they had lived in based Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US the city for at least two years over Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, a three-year period, but now their training and compliance. income tax and social security documents must show that they have resided in the city for more than five consecutive years. In Shenzhen, a non-local buyer must now reside for three consecuast month was the hottest average temperature for April tive years to buy a residential propApril on record globally – during the period 1951-1980. erty. Earlier the residency requireIt all but assures that 2016 will ment was one year only. and the seventh month in a row to have broken global tem- be the hottest year on record, and Shanghai posted an increase of probably by the largest margin 21 percent in property prices in perature records. The latest figures smashed the ever. The new record broke the March, while the prices went up by previous record for April by the previous one by 0.24C, which 57% in Shenzhen on an annual bawas set in 2010, at 0.87C above the sis, according to the latest data relargest margin ever recorded. It makes three months in a baseline average for April. That leased by China’s National Bureau row that the monthly record has record itself broke one set three of Statistics. been broken by the largest mar- years earlier at 0.75C above the Local residents are also set to gin ever, and seven months in baseline average for April. feel the pinch. Shenzhen city auThe current blast of hot thorities have raised the minimum a row that are at least 1C above the 1951-80 mean for that month. air around the globe is being down payment requirement for When the string of record- spurred by a massive El Niño, first-time and second-time home smashing months started in Feb- which is a release of warm water buyers to 40 percent from previous ruary, scientists began talking across the Pacific Ocean. But it’s 30 percent. not the biggest El Niño on record about a “climate emergency”. Shanghai’s authorities have Figures released by Nasa over and that spike in temperatures is increased the minimum down the weekend show the global occurring over a background of payment amount to 50 percent for temperature of land and sea was rapid global warming, pushing ‘normal homes’, and 70 percent for 1.11C warmer in April than the temperatures to all-time highs. ‘non-normal homes’, from 40 perevents and was truly impressed by the in depth training she presented, which included everything from learning to budget for buying, identifying good deals in real estate and the process itself. The most important thing here is not to be seduced by the title of the training session, but to look at the coursework laid out, and ensure it fits with your training need at that particular time. One of the best training resources in my opinion, is to just Google the training need you have and you will definitely find some material for free. In fact, you might find YouTube videos addressing the same needs. Of course it is critical to review the person giving the training, so you ensure that their philosophies align with yours. Spend time educating yourself, read as much as you can on the subject, and ask a zillion questions until you are confident in what you know. Finally, don’t educate yourself only until you start in the market. Continuing Education should be a no-brainer for you. This is a market in which information changes constantly and not undergoing continuing education

April breaks global temperature record to 7-months of new highs

“Currently, the present processes result in a cost that could be up to 16 percent of the value of assessed property is not affordable for the people. And that is why I am advising this government to do because if we don’t work on it, we may have all the mortgage finances, but we will not have the demand. So the plan is to scale it down from the current 16 percent to about 4 percent”. Past and present government have been mouthing on Affordable Home Ownership Scheme to build over 10,000 housing units, but all the promises appear to be hollow due to high costs associated with home ownership. It would be recalled that Lagos state government and the Federal government had before now signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU to review existing governor’s consent, titling and property registration processes. Experts said without the adoption of this model, it would be difficult to proceed in the provision of affordable houses for Nigerians.

China restricts foreign property ownership

cent for both types earlier. Homes are classified as “nonnormal” based on size, location and market price. For example, homes not bigger than 140 square metres and priced under 4.5 million yuan (US$696,594) situated in the Inner Ring Road are categorized as normal. US to curb illicit money into real estate The US government will start tracking secret buyers of high-end properties to prevent the flow of illicit money into luxury real estate in America. The government will require title insurance companies to record the identities of buyers and submit the information to the Treasury, to create a database which can be shared with law enforcement agencies, who will then investigate suspicious deals and bring to book those involved in money laundering. The focus will be on sales paid for in cash and conducted using shell companies. The Treasury Department officials announced recently the initiative will be initially launched in Manhattan and Miami-Dade Country, considered to be hubs of overseas real estate investors, particularly for the luxury property segment, and then rolled out to other major cities in the coming months, officials said.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Birds can protect Nigerians from health problems, says NCF BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

irector General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, Mr Adeniyi Karunwi has disclosed that birds can protect Nigerians from health and economic problems due to the roles they play in ecosystem.

According to him, birds forestall exposure to anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other deadly diseases in the society while rendering free sanitation services valued at several millions of naira. Urging Nigerians to protect birds, he noted that birds like vultures, considered non useful to people should be accorded such protection as they are “natural environmental sanitation officers.” Disclosing in a press statement during this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, WMBD, said a single vulture provides a scavenging benefit valued at around N2, 308,200, about $11,600 over its lifetime, however regretting that birds are sometimes illegally hunted, targeted for sport shooting and trapped in their numbers for pets and meat, leading to a marked decline in all species of migratory birds. He therefore decried the fact that the skies are almost silent in the country because of the over 90 per cent decline in vulture population, adding that “vultures clean up

carcasses and waste from our urban centres and landscapes that would have been harmful. ‘’They are equipped with an immune system that allows them to breakdown waste and carcasses without any harmful effect to them and without any risk of passing diseases to the human populace”, he stated. He noted that bird scavengers are replaced by dogs and other domestic animals, stressing that their proximity to humans makes the risk of exposure to these diseases higher because they are not equipped to process carcasses and waste in a non-harmful way. According to him, due to the decline in the number of birds, they are no longer able to perform their functions and other biota, which are illequipped for such tasks, are called into action with a potential lethal consequence on the human population. Nigeria, he observed, is home to migratory birds as it lies along the Afro-Eurasian Flyway, cutting across the coastal areas and other parts of the country. Birds, according to him, migrate southwards from Europe to winter in Africa and pass through dangerous terrain to get to their wintering ground in Nigeria and other African countries. ‘’They are sometimes il-

UN climate chief urges speed as NASA reports record warming

ecord global temperatures, raging forest fires and multiple droughts should spur countries to start ramping up greenhouse gas cuts, the UN’s climate chief warned in Bonn on Monday.

New data from NASA indicates last month was the hottest April since records began in the late 1800s, and the seventh month in a row to break warming records. “We have seen a series of months and years of constantly breaking previously records,” said Christiana Figueres, who steps down in July after six years running UN climate talks. “It is partly human and manmade… at the moment we have a current record combination of El Nino which is a completely natural phenomenon and the overlay of climate change which is man-made.” Recent wildfires in Canada forced 80,000 to leave their homes, while severe drought in India and East Africa has left millions struggling with failed

crops and at risk of famine. These events are “all reminders” said Figueres that countries need to move fast and deliver on the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to limit warming to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels. Envoys from 195 countries, the EU and, for the first time, Palestine have gathered in the former West German capital Bonn for two weeks of talks on tackling global warming. The event marks the first time countries have gathered in such numbers to take part in negotiations, and comes weeks after over 170 governments signed the deal at a New York ceremony. Few analysts believe it will come into force before 2017, needing 55 countries covering 55% of emissions to formally approve the pact. So far just 16 – mostly small island states – have done so, with the US and China expected to swell those ranks by the close of the year. Widely acclaimed as a diplo-

legally hunted, targeted for sport shooting, and trapped in their numbers’’, he added It would be noted that May

10 every year is set aside to observe the World Migratory Bird Day with the aim of raising awareness over the plight

of migratory birds, which include waterfowls, passerines and large storks, vultures and raptors.

Minister of State for Power Works and Housing, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Permanent Secretary Works and Housing, Mr. Abubakar Magaji during the meeting with contractors in Abuja, yesterday.

Real estate transactions to exceed $1trn in 4 years

BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

he world’s ageing population would drive real estate transaction volumes to surpass $1 trillion globally by the year 2020, up from $700 billion in 2015, according to a new report. Institutions are also set to increase their market share, which currently sits at 20 percent, driven by the need to cater for the ageing global population’s investment requirements, says the analysis from international real estate services firm JLL. The major influencers in this trend are set to be international investors, with cross border activity expected to exceed 50 percent of all investment activity by 2020 to over $500 billion annually, with the biggest increase coming from capital moving between the regions. David Green-Morgan, global capital markets research director at JLL, pointed out that by 2050 there would be more people over the age of 55 than the entire population of the world in 1950. ‘This demographic impact will have a profound effect on real estate investment strategies with the amount of private equity capital targeting direct real estate set to increase by over 500 percent,’ he stated. The report explains that real estate investment markets have witnessed several new trends over the last 10 years as the sector has become global, helped by the asset class’s stable income stream and the attraction of diversified portfolios, lower risk and a hedge against inflation. The definition of mainstream

real estate investment has widened considerably and now includes healthcare, aged care, student housing, residential development, public and private real estate debt and the establishment of a multifamily sector outside of the United States. The alternatives real estate sector has emerged as a bright spot

of activity and opportunity in an investment landscape beset by low yields and volatile returns. Allocations have grown rapidly, with 2015 seeing a record breaking £15 billion in transactions in the UK alone, representing around 25 percent of all commercial real estate investment, up from less than 10% five years ago.

Africa to unveil multibillion-rand Green Village

wisatec, an architectural and project management firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, is set to build the first multibillion-rand ‘green village’ in Cape Town. The ‘green village’ is an upgrade of the well-known Blue Rock Resort, which boasts a magnificent view of the Blue Rock Lake, the only lake in Cape Town with crystal clear waters and a depth of 60 meters. The water temperature makes it ideal for water skiing and scuba diving. The Village is surrounded by award-winning wine farms in Somerset West and is a stone’s throw away from Sir Lowry’s Pass, and approximately 3 to 6 kilometers from the Gordon’s Bay and Strand beaches. It has easy access to the N2 highway, with Cape Town International Airport only 15 minutes away and Cape Town CBD a 30-minute drive. Plans for the mixed-use Blue Rock Village include a multifunctional Life Style Centre, array of medical centres, boutiques, schools and colleges, nurseries, restaurants and cafes. The Life Style Centre will be the ‘heart of

the Village’, where residents can enjoy live music concerts, markets and operas. Linked to the centre, the Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, will offer various Therapeutic centres, or allow residents to take a leisurely dip in the swimming pool. “Our apartments are designed to fit different types of individual needs - the Village comprises of 1 000 luxury residential apartments built on 40 hectares of land,” says Lukas Reichmuth, Founder and Director of Blue Rock Village. Lukas Reichmuth, Founder and Director of Blue Rock Village, says the project will be marketdriven, focusing on both the international market and the South African market. “Our apartments are designed to fit different types of individual needs - the Village comprises of 1 000 luxury residential apartments built on 40 hectares of land. “As the first pioneers of Car Free Living, our vision of Blue Rock Village is to enjoy the magnificent beauty and natural surroundings where you can truly experience the great outdoors,” he says.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Aviation

Tackling security agents, other airport users’ hostility amid growing tension The frosty relationship between armed uniform men and other users of the Lagos Airport, especially staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has been giving observers in the industry some concern over the years despite efforts by the management of the agency to thaw the lingering saga. OLUSEGUN KOIKI reports.

n recent times, some uniform men have proved to be above the laws in their conduct at the nation’s airports, especially at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos, where they have consistently showed their prowess on hapless civilians and personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. In 2015 alone, no fewer than six cases of armed security personnel assaulting workers or users of the Lagos Airport got to the public view. It is ether these security personnel tear-gased their victims, handcuffed and dragged them on the ground, threatened them with guns or at times severely beat up their unarmed victims. Efforts aimed at promoting a harmonious relationship between armed security personnel on one hand and other users of the airport especially staff of FAAN have proved to be unsuccessful so far as the security operatives constantly assault these civilian workers at the slightest provocation. Just recently, a staff of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, simply identified as H. Daboh, viciously teargased a staff of FAAN attached to the cargo terminal of the international wing of MMA, Mr. Taiwo Adeyanju for daring to challenge him for driving against the traffic. Daboh who was in mufti had flouted the driving law by attempting to access the Monument Gate at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (nahco aviance) through the exit point and caused gridlock on the road. Consequently, Adeyanju, who was driving out of the Hajj and Cargo Terminal through the exit point, challenged the plain clothes-wearing officer for causing traffic on road. But, his audacity to question a Customs personnel in mufti led to his being hospitalised as Daboh according to eyewitness left his car in annoyance and pummelled Adeyanju’s face and forehead with clenched fist. In the process, Adeyanju’s car, a Volkswagen Gulf marked Lagos: EPE 136 BK was partially damaged. Adeyanju who was immediately rushed to the intensive care unit Nigeria Air Force, NAF, Hospital could not regain his sight for at least one week and was in pains as a result of the venomous teargas that was sprayed directly to his eyes by Daboh. Speaking with our correspondent with his seriously battered eyes unopened, Adeyanju lamented that the intention of Daboh was to blind him totally, but he was rescued alive from Dabo’s grip by policemen on duty and some other people at the gate. Apart from this, on September 22, 2015,

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika

FAAN MD, Saleh Dunoma

During the panDemonium, processing of the outbounD anD inbounD passengers’ boarDing papers were DiscontinueD, a situation which leD to several of the passengers being stranDeD while airlines that were scheDuleD to airlift them coulD not Do so as arrangeD at huge losses some junior staff of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, assaulted at least eight officers of AVSEC personnel including a female for not allowing them to gain access the restricted areas of the MMIA because of expired On-Duty-Card, ODC. During the pandemonium, processing of the outbound and inbound passengers’ boarding papers were discontinued, a situation which led to several of the passengers being stranded while airlines that were scheduled to airlift them could not do so as arranged at huge losses Apart from immigration personnel affected by the restriction, other security agencies and aviation parastatals including Department of State Security Service, DSS, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Nigerian Airspace management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and others were also denied entrance to the restricted areas while the crisis lasted. A security expert, Mr. Ayodeji Obayemi said inferiority complex on the side of some uniform men usually leads to avoidable conflicts, not just at the airport, but in all strata of life. Obayemi noted that while some senior officers of security agents may comfort themselves properly in public even while

confronted with challenges, same could not be said of low level personnel who usually would want to prove a point by physical assaults. He explained that environment, educational background, psychology and the level of trainings exposed to by each officers also contribute in no small measures to their behavioural patterns in the system. He however said that while some of the armed security personnel may go away with some unacceptable behaviours outside the airport, the story may not be the same within the airport environment, noting that at the airport, Aviation Security, AVSEC, personnel should be in charge of security. He said, “The consistent crisis caused by low level uniform personnel at the airport should be put under check. A situation whereby an armed security personnel with guns and other dangerous weapons would tend to attack an unarmed person or AVSEC member should be discontinued. “But, when you see most of those that foment these troubles, they are low level officers who in most times are psychologically challenged. They believe the only way they can show their supremacy is to assault you physically, but for the intellec-

tual ones among them, they react to issues differently.” Also, a clearing agent and member of the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents, ANCLA, at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Raymond Okechukwu described some of the uniform men especially Customs who the clearing agents daily have interactions as “outlaws,” alleging that some of them do things with impunity. He said there had been many unreported incidences of assault on civilians by men of NCS. He recalled how, in 2014 cargo operations were halted at the airport when ANCLA resisted a directive by NCS to come near the bulk-breaking section of the warehouse. Consequently, he said about 50 armed customs personnel from the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, of NCS, Ikeja Command were mobilised in four armoured personnel carriers to the scene. “When the armed customs men arrived, they started shooting sporadically into the air; they beat anyone in sight. Many of us sustained injuries in the process,” he said. He called for an understanding between the civilian workers and uniform personnel at the nation’s airports as well as the re-orientation of NCS personnel. Recently, the former Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Regional Academy, Mr. Mohammed Kaka Jibrin in a paper delivered in Lagos with the title, ‘Touts at the Nigerian International Airports: Nature, Implications and Causes,’ condemned the performance of security operatives, especially at international gateways, who abuse their uniforms and service corps. He said security personnel who engage in unholy activities at the airports always refuse to honour transfers. “They lobby to return to the airport immediately they are posted out to another station outside the airport. “Those involved have turned themselves to beggars…who have thrown off every dignity and respect for peanuts. This is the unfortunate situation at our main international airports in Nigeria today,” he remarked. “Many observers have argued that greed is the bedrock of whatever reason a tout may advance as the cause of his action. To this school of thought, it is only greed that can drive gainfully employed security agent working at a sensitive place as international airport to jettison the ethics of his duties and jeopardize the security of the nation to engage in criminal act of touting,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Why airlines’ indebtedness to agencies is high – Ojikutu Olusegun KOiKi

n aviation analyst and the Secretary General of Aviation Round Table, ART, Grp. John Obakpolor (rtd) has given an insight into why the domestic airlines’ debts to aviation agencies reached an unprecedented heights in recent time. Ojikutu in an interview with our correspondent in Lagos explained that most of the operators are either sponsored by political office holders or are owned by politicians in the country. He said that as a result of their closeness to government in the past, most of these operators had no intention of paying for the services rendered to them by the government service providers, despite the Economic Regulation Provisions in the National Civil Aviation Regulations, NCARs, Part 12 Sections 18.10.1-5, which stipulated that operators must pay for the services rendered within a timeframe. He however observed that the coming of new government spearheaded by President Muhammadu Buhari had changed all that as operators and other beneficiaries of government services are compelled to pay for services rendered to them by agencies. He noted further that the NCARs Part 12 Section 18.10.1 empowered the

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to regularly oversee the financial balance sheets of all airlines and government operators, but decried that most of the operators did not comply with this. He added, “Specifically, NCAA is to ensure the continuous monitoring of the operations of the Nigeria Licensed Airlines for the purpose of ensuring their financial capability for safe operations and sustainable services. “Similarly, Section 18.10.3 provides that all Nigerian airlines ‘shall submit to the authority on monthly basis, all financial data, records of their operations in forms and manners as may be prescribed by the Authority.’ Unfortunately, the fraternity attitude between these airlines and political officials had made it impossible for the NCAA to enforce the provision of this NCAR section.” Ojikutu explained further that apart from the massive debts to government agencies in the sector, the airlines were also highly indebted to ground services providers such as Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, the Nigerian Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc, the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Lim-

Ojikutu

ited, SAHCOL, and fuel marketers. Others are Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, insurance companies, financial institutions and catering companies in the sector, stressing that most of them also owe staff salaries without the plans of paying back. He declared that with the massive debts owed various organisations, the airlines could not assure of safe operations and sustainable support services. He added, “Over the years, there had been some kind of conspiracy among the airlines and their promoters in government who provide the avenue for reliefs or concessions on debts owed to government agencies.

tural development. Dieffenthaler explained that Air France supported the movie through airlifting of the crew, actors and equipment to the different countries where the film was shot. He said, “The premiere of the film onboard has never been done before by any airline in the world. It is history in the making for both airline and movie industries. We will be the first to do this with Kunle, which I’m very proud of and I think for one, the film deserves it and we are trying to showcase the strength and beauty of the product. “The film connects people, just like the aviation industry that connects people from one place to the other. This is going to be a unique event and anybody that was part of it should be proud of it.”

L-R: The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA; Capt. Usman Muktar, Chief of Staff to the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Mr. Kabiru Mohammed, Minister of State for Aviation; Sen. Hadi Sirika, MD FAAN; Engr. Saleh Dunoma and Special Adviser to Sirika, Capt Musa Nuhu when the minister visited the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos recently.

shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

2016 budget: Hoping that there won’t be diversion of sector’s funds?

Air France to premiere Kunle Afolayan’s film on-board

ne of the leading foreign carriers operating into Nigeria, Air France has disclosed that the latest film of the Nollywood actor, Kunle AFolayan, ‘The CEO,’ would be premiered on its flight AF 149 of June 1, 2016, out of Lagos, Nigeria to Paris, France. Speaking with journalists in Lagos at the unveiling of the film, the Commercial Director, Air France/KLM, Mr. Arthur Dieffenthaler said the premiere of the film onboard its flight was the first time anywhere in the world a film would be premiered by any airline onboard. The film was shot in five countries; Kenya, South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire Morocco and Nigeria, stressing that the airline backed the production of the film because of its quality and cul-

Airside

Dieffenthaler declared that tickets for the Lagos-Paris flight would only be sold in its offices in Nigeria; Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, stressing that only limited ticket would be sold to air travellers. Commenting on the film, the producer, Afolayan said the team wanted to produce a Pan African film where all the regions in the continent would be represented by at least a character. He noted that this would make the film more appealing to audience outside the country and perhaps outside the continent. He informed further that the grand finale of the premiere would be held on July 10, 2016 in Lagos where only about 2000 people would have the opportunity of seeing the film live in Nigeria while on the 15th of the same month, Silverbird Television would release the film in all cinemas across Nigeria, Ghana and other parts of the continent. “We need to make our films more appealing to the international audience. ‘The CEO’ is from Nigeria to Africa and to other parts of the world. I went for the international cast because of commercial and the need to document history. “I want my primary audience to see the film and a feel of good representation of who they are. Everybody was fairly auditioned for their roles.” Kunle Afolayan was in 2015 made the ambassador Air France Airlines in Lagos.

he Federal Government last week released the highlights of the 2016 budget to all the sectors including the aviation industry, some amount of money were budgeted for In the highlight released, some amount of money was budgeted for several projects designed to improve the security of the 22 Federal Government-owned airports and airspace. According to the budget, N432.5 million was set aside for procurement and illumination of Thales Navigational Aids at Kano, Jos, Minna, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt, N865 million for procurement and installation of Airfeild Lightening system at Port Harcourt, Knao, Lagos, Kaduna, Sokoto, Yobe, Akure and N1.06 billion for airside rehabilitation of Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja. Others are N497.5 million for construction of terminal build-

ing at Enugu airport, N2 billion for purchase of calibration aircraft and equipment and N870.4 million for procurement, illumination and flood lightening of 16 airports. On the surface, this budget looks fantastic and good enough to move the sector, hut Airside is bothered about implementation. Several wonderful budget proposals were allocated to the sector in the past, but implementation has been the major challenge. Some top management staff of a particular agency in the sector are currently facing prosecution in the court over their role in the diversion of over N6.8 billion earmarked for procurement of navigational aids since 2013 to 2015. Airside says no doubt; judicious usage of the funds earmarked for the sector would go a long way in moving the industry in the right path.

NAHCO and alleged non-remittance of tax to FG

ews filtered round recently about the visit of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc over alleged diversion of multi million naira taxes meant for the coffers of the government. Information gathered by Airside indicated that the ground handling company had to pay about N100 million within 24 hours to the purse of FIRS to forestall its closure by the revenue agency that had gone to the company with the aim of shutting it down totally as part-payment.

Airside says some employers of labour like the company named above are fond of diversion of funds meant for the government. Apart from this, some of them deduct taxes from their employees and refuse to remit such to appropriate quarters. Airside commends FIRS personnel for its audacity to do the needful on the company despite its so called connection in high places. However, Airside insists that some other organisations including airlines are in the habit of doing this especially against their employees.

FAAN to invite successful AVSEC applicants for interview – Dunoma

he Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma has disclosed plans to invite successful Aviation Security, AVSEC, applicants for interview and other preemployment procedure. The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati in a statement said that Dunoma made the declaration while playing host to some of the candidates in his office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos recently. Dati in the statement hinted that the applicants participated in the recruitment exercise conducted by the agency in 2015. Dunoma expressed appreciation for the patience and understanding showed by the applicants, adding that the seeming

delay in inviting them for interview was necessitated by the need to observe due diligence in the employment procedure. He also added that successful candidates would be formally notified and invited in batches, for training and documentation, in line with international best practices for the employment of aviation security officers. Aviation stakeholders and professionals have over the years called for recruitment of more AVSEC personnel, stressing that the current personnel were not enough to properly secure the nation’s airports. Just recently, the aviation security expert, Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) also called for training of AVSEC to boost the safety critical areas of the sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Money

2016 Budget: Assessing potential impact on capital market, other sectors President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2016 budget penultimate week after prolonged bickering between the Executive and Legislative arms of government on what should form its key components and provisions for various sectors. In this analysis, NIYI JACOBS writes on experts’ positions on how the Appropriation Act could be implemented to ensure its objectives are realized for national development.

ollowing the news that President Buhari has recently signed the 2016 appropriation bill of N6.06 trillion into law based on an oil benchmark of 38 dollars per barrel, financial experts within the country have been expressing optimism that the sourcing of the N2.2 trillion deficits in the 2016 budget locally, would have a great deal for Nigeria economy . They said that 2016 budget will affect all areas of the market and more also, will rebound the bond segment of the capital market. The experts have noted that the lofty idea showed that the Debt Management Office (DMO) would issue more bonds for the servicing of the budget. And for the apex bank, some believe that with the disbursement of the fund that commences last Friday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might be forced to increase the country’s Monetary Policy Rate (MPC) in the interim due to increased activities at the parallel market. National Mirror, however notes that this might put more pressure on the nation’s currency. On the signing of the 2016 budget, they said it was good for the economy, adding that lessons must be learnt from the impasse especially as Nigerians. Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, the immediate past President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said the market had maintained an upward movement with the signing of the budget on May 6. Yussuf said traders and investors reacted positively to the resolution of the budget impasse and that expectations of

National Assembly complex, Abuja

Senate President, Saraki

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma

EvErybody said thEy wErE waiting for thE bluEprint of thE govErnmEnt, wEll now you havE got it. look at it and EnsurE that thEy do what thEy said thEy will do. thE good thing is thE ministErs havE all agrEEd to bE quEriEd at onE point or thE othEr and EvEn thE

national assEmbly

says it will abidE by what is in thE budgEt faithful implementation of the budget would revive the depressed economy. He was also optimistic that more jobs would be created with the signing of the budget and that there would be increase in demand for goods and services due to enhanced liquidity.

Mr Uche Uwaleke, an Associate Professor and Head of Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Lafia, said he foresaw much activity in the bond market in the next couple of weeks. He predicted that the budget would increase the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) above 50 per cent against the 43.7 per cent recorded in April. National Mirror noted that the PMI is used to check the status of the nation’s manufacturing sector for a particular month. Uwaleke said the N1.3 trillion earmarked for capital expenditure would kick-start economic activities, aid jobs creation, and ensure settlement of debt owed contractors. He explained that the injection of the funds into the system might trigger inflationary pressure in the short-term which would fizzle out before the end of the year. On the signing of the 2016 budget, the university don said it was good for the economy, adding that lessons must be learnt from the impasse. “I am happy that the impasse had been settled in the interest of the country. The government should learn a

lesson from the 2016 budget and avoid repeat of such mistake in the 2017 budget and it should be submitted latest by October 2016 for assent.’’ Mr Ahmed Abdu, Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP),also mentioned that the bureau would be very instrumental in the implementation of the budget in order to ensure its judicious utilisation According to him, the 2016 budget though larger than that of previous years, would provide infrastructure to the people. With all these potentials and benefit ahead, financial experts believe that the implementation should not be left alone for the federal government to implement but rather tasked Nigerians on the need to monitor the proper implantation of the budget. Prof. Kunle Wahab, a former Special Adviser to the president on Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (BMPIU), called on Nigerians to monitor the proper implementation of the budget. Wahab noted that failure of appropriate implementation of past budgets often times arose because of the absence of proper monitoring by all concerned. He said that all the projects the Federal Government set to carry out using the 2016 budget were all commendable but that the responsibility to ensure that they are all implemented lay with citizens. “Everyone is government and not only those in governance, what can each one of us do to profitably execute the intentions of the government? “Everybody said they were waiting for the blueprint of the government, well now you have got it. Look at it and ensure that they do what they said they will do.The good thing is the ministers have all agreed to be queried at one point or the other and even the National Assembly says it will abide by what is in the budget.’’ He also charged the opposition to be on the lookout to criticize the implementation of the budget constructively to propel the government to do the right thing. He said that the lateness in assenting to the provisions of the budget was not in any way going to hamper its implementation. Wahab, however, said that machineries should be put in motion to begin execution of policies.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Insurance

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG, states yet to access N1.06trn pension fund to fix infrastructure StorieS: By Z aka khaliq

espite the clamour for fund by the Federal and some state governments to fix infrastructure deficits in the country, the Federal Government and states are yet to commence means of utilising N1.06 trillion set aside for infrastructure finance in the N5.3 trillion pension funds to fix the decaying infrastructure nationwide. The fiscal crisis, exacerbated by the low prices of crude oil at the international market, has denied the Federal Government and most states the required little funds for infrastructure development in recent months. For instance, while some states have sought for funding in the domestic market, others are seeking for bailout from foreign agencies, yet N1.06 trillion is lying fallow in the domestic market yet to tapped into. Of the N1.06 trillion available for infrastructure finance, investigation revealed that only N1.36 billion was borrowed by the two levels of government. Confirming this development in a memorandum submitted by the National Pension Commission, PenCom to the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions at the public hearing in Abuja on the need to invest pension funds to meet Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges in Nigeria, PenCom attributed the development to non-availability of investment instruments that qualified for pension investment as stipulated in the Investment Regulations issued by

the commission. PenCom said currently, all pension funds’ assets were invested in various approved assets classes within the limits allowed by the Investment Regulations. Over 66 per cent of the pension assets, it said, were invested in federal government securities. On the other hand, investment in equities and money market securities were moderate at 11.05 per cent and 10.58 per cent, respectively, adding that no pension assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS was un-invested or ‘lying idle’ in any bank account in Nigeria. According to PenCom, “For the pension funds, it will generate consistent streams of income and relatively higher/ above-inflation returns. For the contributor, it will provide a platform for employment creation and sustenance as well as improved standard of living for the citizens.” It added: “In the light of the statutory and regulatory framework for investment of pension fund assets, there is an urgent need to refocus the discussion to a call for development of bankable/eligible infrastructure financing structure in Nigeria that can attract pension fund and other institutional investments.” Thus, it said, in order to attract pension funds investment, infrastructure projects in Nigeria must be shown to be commercially viable and self-financing. “The bid/concession processes for the projects must also be open and transparent. There must also be a cover against political risk, to be provided by the Fed-

Ogun building collapse: Brokers renew call for compulsory building insurance

ollowing the collapse of one of the market buildings under construction in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the weekend, which reportedly killed one person, insurance brokers under the auspices of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, have called for implementation of the law on compulsory insurance of buildings and buildings under construction, as enshrined in section 64 of the insurance Act. While commiserating with Ogun State Government over the collapse, the President, NCRIB, Mr. Kayode Okunoren said: “Being a risk mitigating device, in-

surance takes off the burden of the loss from the shoulders of the client, be they individual or corporate, and allows monies that could be used for recovery to be utilised elsewhere.” Okunoren noted that the incident was disheartening, considering the on-going structural transformation of Ogun State under the present regime of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Okunoren disclosed that rather than demotivate the government, the ugly incident should be a tonic for it to continually advance its mandate of making the State a masterpiece in structural or infrastructural development.

eral Government and/or Multilateral Finance Institutions e.g. IFC/World Bank, AfDB, and so on,” it pointed out. Speaking to National Mirror on this development earlier, the Chairman, Pension Funds Operators of Nigeria(PenOp), Mr. Eguarekhide Longe, said its members were ready to invest in infrastructural bonds whenever the government decides to float them to finance key developmental projects. Promising that the pension fund managers are ready to engage with government to expand the economic space, even though, it is not their primary objective, he added that, Nigerians, who contributes to the fund, deserve to live in good homes, drive on good roads, take their children to good schools, and have good healthcare. He pointed out that the managers would be happy to finance those amenities, but that, care must be taken not to invest pension fund in a project that will not regenerate it, saying, ‘if you put pension fund in a project that does not regenerate it, the money is gone and in many cases, as we have found, the project has not been delivered because it was not properly conceived.’ He said: “We have the money, the orientation to invest, we have spoken to

PenCom Chairman, Amazu

government, we have meetings with the ministry of finance, where we have defined what can be done and that meeting also has investment professionals in it and we have already communicated what we inclined to do and explained the investment guidelines to the minister and investment banking community. We are not sitting on the sideline, waiting for them to come back to us. We have constantly mounts pressure on them to bring the products. “

AIICO Insurance reports N1bn drop in profit

he financial crisis in the country takes its toll of AIICO Insurance Plc as it suffered a profit after tax decline of 46% to N1.2 billion on its 2015 full year audited financials from N2.2 billion recorded for the same period in 2014. The results also revealed that the group’s profit before tax fell by 45% to N1.8 billion from N3.27 billion achieved in the previous year. Significantly, the group recorded a total comprehensive loss for the year amounting to N1.96 billion from an income of N1.1 billion achieved in 2014, representing a 279% depression in its financials. Its 2015 financial statement equally showed that Net Premium Income for the insurance company dipped by 58% to N6.75 billion from N16.2 billion while gross premium income fell by 49% to N10.41 billion from N20.3 billion in 2014, as Basic earnings per share dropped to N17.60 from N31.38 indicating a 44% de-

cline. The 2015 financial statement of the firm showed that the book value of equity/shareholders’ funds was N9.4 billion, down by N2 billion or by 18 per cent in 2015. The report read: “This is largely as a result of a change in accounting policy – reclassifying ca. N60 billion of fixed income investments from a cost-based valuation to a market-based one thereby valuing at carrying values which are marked-to-market. This was to eliminate the identified accounting mismatch and align the risks and management of the assets and liabilities for annuity.” Total assets as at December 31, 2015, it said, is N80 billion, up by N22 billion, thus, grew significantly as the company reinvested policyholder’s funds and ensured adequate matching of assets to the duration of the liabilities, in particular guaranteed annuities, with estimated life expectancy of 20 years after retirement

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Capital Market

Why we retained Vono brand after merger with Vitafoam – Adeniyi The Group Managing Director of Vitafoam Subsidiaries, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, speaks on the merger between Vono companies, why the brand Vono remains and the economies of scale of derivable from vertically merging the two entities in this interview with Johnson okanlawon. Excerpts: Why the merger between Vitafoam and Vono Products? It was not surprising that the shareholders of both companies unanimously gave their nod to the merger because the shareholders and other stakeholders believed in the ability of the new management. We have not failed them over the years; we do not see any reason why this should fail. This is coming out of a number of brainstorming sessions. We asked what else could we do? The duplication in the management, for instance, how could we manage it? How could we streamline our operations to take advantage of the bigger company that would come out of the two? For instance, assuming that Vono used to source materials on its own and Vitafoam also sourced materials on its own. Now, if you have central logistics that sources the materials, you ‘ll be able to get better bargain .Your suppliers feel a lot more confident that yes, this is one company to grow with. We then decided to come together so that we can take advantage of the size. That informed our decision to bring together Vitafoam and Vono. The merger between Vono and Vitafoam is vertical merger. Vertical merger in the sense that the two quoted companies’ coming together is to ensure that there is economies of scale. One is a foam company and the other is a furniture company. Vertical merger is actually meant to ensure that there are economies of scale. And also we‘ll be able to manage the furniture business better and bigger. We‘ll be able to come out with better furniture and more efficient process of producing this furniture. Of course, the numbers will begin to be better because from the principles of economies of scale, there is no way you will not be able to make a better margin, both at the top and bottom. The other thing is the expertise. There will also be shared services which will cut across the two operations for the interest of investors as a result of that merger. We are also looking at technology such that a lot of encumbrances which had actually pulled down the furniture business in the past would no longer be there so that that business will now be able to come out bigger, better and stronger. Are you going to retain the Vono brand? Vono came before Vitafoam, which then means that there is a strong equity in that name. So, we are going to keep the name-Vono, not as Vono Products Plc but as a subsidiary of Vitafoam. So Vono will continue to be because if you go to some villages and ask somebody who had used foam before, the only name he remembers is Vono. This is because Vono was there before Vitafoam. Strategically, we still want to play on the good name, the brand equity. Will the company raise money in the capital market? Even though we have approval to raise funds, we would have probably be valued much more than what we have now. But because the investing environment is not right now, we have to put it on hold. That is why we are valued at N7 because we are caught up in that process, we couldn’t raise funds. Could you explain the company’s dividend policy? For the past 55 years of Vitafoam, it has been consistent. There was no year the company has not paid dividend. So it will not start this year, no matter how

Adeniyi

In the mIdst of all the happenIngs around us, we have been able to offer for approval at the next

annual general meetIng a dIvIdend payout of 25 kobo. even though the top lIne was flat and the bottomlIne suffered some shrInkage, we were stIll able to post reasonable profIt for us to be able to pay dIvIdend low. We have chosen to pay 25 kobo. It is for us to go back to the drawing board. If we are paying this out, we must strategically look at the business and make sure that we continue to pay. We are paying less than we paid last year, at least, to compensate for the fact that the economy is very bad. In the midst of all the happenings around us, we have been able to offer for approval at the next Annual General Meeting a dividend payout of 25 kobo. Even though the top line was flat and the bottomline suffered some shrinkage, we were still able to post reasonable profit for us to be able to pay dividend. If you look at a number of other companies around us and want to toe their line, we wont have paid the dividend this year. Looking at the nation’s current circumstances, and in spite of that, we still paid dividend. I think that is good news to the investing public. Globally, election year is about the toughest in the history of any nation. But we weathered that storm. Our revenue for the financial year ended September 30, 2015, wasN15.4billion, compared to N15.5 billion in the same period last year. Profit before tax

was N810 billion as against N926 billion.The total comprehensive income for the year ended up at N634million, as against N635 million.The Earnings Per Share (EPS) at the end of the year was 50 kobo, compared to 81 kobo in the prior year. Because of the bonus issue we gave last year, the shares that shared the profit increased in number. That is why our earnings per share dropped. How do you source for materials? When we say we import materials, it appears we are not scientific enough to think that those chemicals should be available in the country. If you know that large rubber plantation in Warri, Palmo, in the past, we were getting latex from there. The same way Dunlop used to get materials from tyre, we were getting materials for the production of foam. In those days, you could place order for one mattress. And it could take a minimum of one week to put that mattress together. That is why for many years, you could notice that what was inside those mattress was fibre-those things we feed to goats now. That was what they would dry and, with feathers, put in the mattress and pillows. Those were the things we were using then. Why? It was very expensive to have a foam mattress that would be produced with the materials we were getting from Palmo. If we had continued that day, you and I would probably be still sleeping on the mat. And so, the scientists came, this materials we call polyurethane was developed and made available in commercial quantity. These materials were developed from the by-products of petrochemicals. Can you still remember Eleme Petrochemicals? The strategic intention of bringing Eleme Petrochemicals on board is to see if it could actually service that sector. But you and I know the state of Eleme Petrochemicals today. The company has not been able to produce the simplest materials that were supposed to be used by those producing (Poly Vinyl Chloride) PVC. When you talk of materials used in producing foam, it is of high-tech. They are large linkages of several other chemicals. We have not got that technology yet in Nigeria. In fact, it took Saudi Arabia huge investment to put TBI together, the best of them around the globe now. So, except government, I can’t see any other players doing that. Another is its safety requirements. Even, if you get private investors coming into this environment, they are not convinced yet. For the TBI plant, which is meant to burn, ordinary issue of water can cause fire. So we have not attained that level of safety in our environment. Government is not even looking in that direction. All they are saying is ok, if you have access to where they are being produced and you can buy, please keep buying. If you site a TBI plant, for instance, anywhere in this country, it has to be where they put lepers in those days. Nobody goes there. That is the kind of things we are talking about TBI. It has to do with safety; it has to with the cost outlay to be able to have such plant around here. That is why for us, we are still buying because they are still available. The developed countries are still investing in it to make sure it is still available. Foam technology has come to stay. In fact, foam is virtually in everything. The chemistry of foam goes beyond the production of foam. Several other things-the shoes you wear-have an element of the same polyurethane in them.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Gunmen kidnap ex-council boss’ wife

Dennis naku

Port Harcourt

nknown gunmen have kidnapped the wife of a comedian and former local government chairman in Bayelsa State, Mr. Mike Ogbolosingha, Chime. The kidnappers have demanded a N50 million ransom to free their victim. The victimwas said to have been whisked away at her residence in Eleparanwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State at about 4 a.m. on Sunday. Husband to the victim and former council chairman of Yenagoa local government, Mr. Mike Ogbolosingha, said the kidnappers were all armed as they gained their way into his compound. Ogbolosingha disclosed that his wife’s abductors were six in number, adding that he was on his way back from Bayelsa to Port Harcourt when he learnt about the incident. Ogbolosingha, who is a popular comedian, expressed shock over

the abduction of his wife, adding that his wife’s captors made away with her jewelries, including her wedding ring and some money she made from her shop. The former council chairman, who spoke with our reporter through the telephone on Monday, said the kidnappers of his wife established contact with him at about 10 a.m. yesterday and demanded for N50 million. He said, “They (unknown gunmen) gained entrance into my residence at about 4 a.m. on Sunday and they took away my wife. Apart from that, they made away with my wife’s gold, five sets of television, her wedding ring and the little sales from her shop,” Ogbolosingha lamented. On the N50 million ransom demanded by his wife’s captors, Ogbolosingha explained that he was a local government chairman five years ago and was currently managing to survive. He lamented that his children had not been able to go back to school as a result of lack of money, adding that the gunmen took away what the family would have used to survive.

NDLEA arrests 32-year old man, daughter for allegedly peddling Indian hemp nosa akenzua asaba

peratives of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),Delta State Command, yesterday, arrested a 32 year-old Hassan Ughellivero and his daughter, Faith Ughellivero, 12 year-old for allegedly peddling drugs in Osubi Town, Warri North local government area of the state. Confirming the arrest of the suspects to journalists in Ogwashi-Uku, the state commander of the agency, Mr. Frank Hanachor, said the 12 year-old girl was arrested following a tip-off with 1.6kgs of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa, while the father who had earlier been on the run was arrested with 500kg of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa. While saying that a total sum of the exhibit recovered from the man and the daughter weighed 2.1kg of cannabis sativa, the NDELA commander disclosed that the female suspect was referred to social welfare for counselling and rehabilitation while the father would soon be arraigned before a competent court of law to answer to his heinous

crime. Meanwhile, six hectares of Indian hemp farms in Kwale have been reportedly destroyed by operatives of the NDLEA who acted on a tip-off. The state commander of the agency, Mr. Frank Hanachor, confirmed that operators of the cannabis sativa farms took to their heels on sighting the operatives, adding that intensive manhunt had begun for them. Investigation revealed that Kwale, Obiaruku, OgwashiUku, Ogume have been booming for alleged cultivation for cannabis sativa, and over 23 persons have been arrested in the last three months for their alleged involvement across the communities.

Members of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) during a road show in remembrance of an Ijaw Nationalist, the late Isaac Adaka Boro in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Hoodlums attack 3 female priests in Calabar South

RichaRD nDoma calabar

bout three female priests were at the weekend in Calabar, Capital of Cross River State attacked with knives and dispossessed of money and several personal effects and other valuables by hoodlums. The attacks were carried out on the priests when they were going for morning prayers. The priests who were said to be in their late twenties are members of the ‘144,000 Virgins Body’ of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star. The attacks occurred around the neighbourhood of Mbukpa/Ambo area in Calabar South Local Government

asaba

he National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a 30 day ultimatum to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to restore electricity to Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South local government area of Delta.

tomers and entered a nearby supermarket on Mbukpa Road not far from the popular Brotherhood headquarters and collected the sales proceeds of the day threatening the attendant with gun. Moved by these constant molestation, attacks and sheer robbery of his adherents, the sole spiritual head of the brotherhood organisation led prayers so that God may give the bad neighbourhood boys alternative means of livelihood, an official of the spiritual organisation said. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, John Eluu, said they had directed the DPO of Mbukpa Police Division to increase surveillance of the area.

Bayelsa pays N100 billion bonds, loses N24 bn annually to payroll fraudsters -Dickson

ayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Monday put the amount being lost by the state

NERC gives BDEC ultimatum to restore Ogwashi-Uku electricity amouR uDemuDe

Area of the state at about 5 a.m. Those who also suffered attack were a pregnant woman and a member of Olumba’s faith who was beaten and stabbed by the robbers when she screamed for help. A resident on Itam Street, Edem Out, said he saw when the attacks took place but there were no people around to assist him track down the robbers. Residents in the area and members of the fold had incessantly suffered daily violent attacks by robbers and night marauders, according to reports. Over the weekend, too, at about 7 p.m. seven young men were said to have posed as cus-

The ultimatum was issued last week Thursday to BDEC during NERC’s open forum held in Benin-City, Edo State and read out by Secretary of the Forum, Mr. Eboehi Benjamin. Ogwashi-Uku community had been in total blackout following its cut off from the national electricity grid for the past six years by BDEC.

government annually to the activities of payroll fraudsters at about N24 billion. He also cited the deductions made at source, adding that, over N100 billion had so far been paid by his administration in the last four years on bonds and overpayments made to his predecessors. According to him, about N1.3 billion went for bond deductions, while more than one billion naira was deducted for overpayments, amounting to about N2.5 billion monthly. The fraudsters perfect their act through connivance with some financial institutions in the state The governor, who made the

disclosure during a live interview programme in Yenagoa, explained that there had been a cabal over the years, who are now frustrating the government’s efforts in sanitising the payroll of its workforce. While expressing his administration’s determination to clean up the payroll of the workers, he explained that government had devised a system, whereby payment of salaries would now be controlled. Consequently, all heads of ministries, departments, agencies and school principals had been directed to prepare nominal rolls and payroll vouchers.

Capital Market

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

Equities as at May 17, 2016

Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

Price List (Equities)

PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES

1st Tier Securities

Price List (Equities)

Sector

No Of Deals

name PRICES FORCompany PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES

S/N Securities INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES 1st Tier

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1

BANKING ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC.

CompanyCOname N.E.M INSURANCE (NIG) PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 4,000.00

No Of Deals 4,277.21

PRICE 0.50

Quotation(N) 0.81

%CHANGE

TRADES

Quantity Traded 2.53

VOLUME

10Value

of Shares(N) 376,950

NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

3,869.74

0.50

490,000

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC.

2,759.15

0.50

4,167

471,889.30

15.03

2.24

293

16,519,643

REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

3,334.38

0.50

293

16,519,643

SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC

4,170.41

0.50

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC.

5,996.59

0.50

133,889.44

3.73

0.81

375

23,726,947

STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC

3,070.54

0.50

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

375

23,726,947

UNIC INSURANCE PLC.

1,291.15

0.50

FINANCIAL SERVICES

668

40,246,590

UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC

6,933.33

0.50

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

8,000.00

0.50

36,100

WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

6,691.37

0.50

708,065

3,876,228

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

11,776.80

5.15

2,698.23

1.18

-3.39

261,951

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

BANKING S/N

Sector

FBN HOLDINGS PLC

INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N

BUILDING MATERIALS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,847,468.79

167.10

1.27

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

370,655

BUILDING MATERIALS

370,655

S/N

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

370,655

FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

703

40,617,245

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS

89 forNPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Prices Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 MICRO-FINANCE BANKS Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES

Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 AGRICULTURE

PrintedS/N 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019 CROP PRODUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,100.00

0.50

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC

OKOMU OIL PALM PLC.

27,672.93

29.01

73,737

PRESCO PLC

35,020.00

35.02

25,186

98,923

TRADES

VOLUME

CROP PRODUCTION S/N

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING

7 ELLAH LAKES PLC. SECURITIES PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD

Price List (Equities)

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

511.20

4.26

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,000.00

1.00

AGRICULTURE FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 8

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

Page 98

AGRICULTURE

125

11,315,328

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

2,779.65

1.05

CHELLARAMS PLC.

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

2,588.07

3.58

JOHN HOLT PLC.

307.43

0.79

3.95

750,047

S C O A NIG. PLC.

3.96

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC

52,041.02

1.28

-0.78

149

34,756,182

U A C N PLC.

35,632.03

18.55

240,026

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

210

35,798,396

CONGLOMERATES

210

35,798,396

TRADES

VOLUME

2,573.31

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

ARBICO PLC.

Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

748.44

5.04

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

52,141

S/N

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

COSTAIN (W A) PLC.

G CAPPA PLC

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

542.19

0.50

2,000

13.74

-4.98

1 2

78,532

S/N INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES 18 JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

57,420.00

43.50

1.16

1,902,946

CONSTRUCTION/REAL 19 ROADS NIG PLC.ESTATE S/N INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION

165.00 MARKET CAP(Nm)

6.60 PRICE

%CHANGE

1 TRADES

4,948 VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

6,875.00

4.00

-4.76

21 21

371,393

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,000.00

100.00

11,305.89

45.22

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

1,717.50

Price List (Equities)

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © S/N

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC

UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT)

Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 23 UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

26,682.70

10.00

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

25 Page

1,907,894

VOLUME

688 2,358,507

S/N

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

S/N BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES 25 CHAMPION BREW. PLC. CONSUMER GOODS

S/N

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS

GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC.

GUINNESS NIG PLC

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC.

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

PREMIER BREWERIES PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

2,386.33

0.50

Price List (Equities)

TRADES

VOLUME

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC

7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

FOOD PRODUCTS

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC

TRADES

VOLUME

10,644

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

231.34

0.85

29,700

150,212.35

99.75

5.00

1,496,018

65,884.99

20.00

809.28

1.44

975,279.41

123.00

4.28

139

857,647

2,751.58

2.81

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

92,885.60

145.00

4,579

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

72,000.00

6.00

-0.83

938,000

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC

13,164.13

1.66

-2.35

3,456,627

P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC.

TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC

U T C NIG. PLC.

UNION DICON SALT PLC.

FOOD PRODUCTS PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES S/N FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER GOODS 43 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

3,313.67

103.24

142,400.00

14.24

-1.66

2,116,162

11,640.00

1.94

-0.51

2,769,475

249

22,785,211

2,000

201,192,913

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

251.09

1.65

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10,000

3,375.00

2.25

1,013,400

26,811.55

22.42

1,038.80

1.06

4.95

1,569.55

1.00

366.17

556.71

Price 422.80 List (Equities)

0.50

3.62

1.95

0 1,772,775

1,772,775

PRICE

%CHANGE

1,776.00

0.50

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,470.89

0.50

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,519.67

0.91

Page 0

NCR (NIGERIA) PLC.

1,130.76

10.47

3,000

119

TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC.

796.88

1.61

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES ICT S/N

BUILDING MATERIALS

123

AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC.

S/N

BUILDING MATERIALS

3,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,348.03

0.50

17,220.00

4.10

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,446.80

0.50

Price List (Equities)

3,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE 2.59

42,728.77

19.08

-1.70

2,318.59

8.00

-1.36

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

28,000.00

40.00

3.90

363,415

9,877.49

7.86

6.36

628,245

227.50

0.70

2,500

1,055.18

0.50

257.07

0.50

337,062.73

74.00

3.93

107

1,243,814

784.99

0.99

Price 954.31 List (Equities)

%CHANGE

TRADES

104,500

BUILDING MATERIALS

192

2,673,974

S/N

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

135

AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC

2,256.91

2.09

136

CUTIX PLC.

1,391.44

1.58

68,000

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS S/N

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS

AVON CROWNCAPS CONTAINERS Prices137 for Securities Traded as& of 16/05/2016 BETA GLASS CO PLC. Printed138 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

991.76

1.45

21,613.79

43.23

0 0

22.95

-0.22

179,992

140

W A GLASS IND. PLC.

131.43

0.63

129,956.23

34.35

-4.58

343,336

523,328

673

10,977,368

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2.01

-0.50

11,046,217

267,169.47

14.56

-3.32

708,149

37,377.49

1.29

0.78

119

29,832,667

2.51

341

21,009,209

0.83

108

10,306,053

-4.57

1,217,475

UNION BANK NIG.PLC.

82,646.74

4.88

-2.20

1,818,586

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

144,029.72

3.97

9.37

456

40,981,265

UNITY BANK PLC

9,351.47

0.80

3.90

6,645,900

WEMA BANK PLC.

28,930.85

0.75

-1.32

BANKING

34 Page

1,675

2,095,150

174,269,523

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10,292.50

0.50

5,613.47

1,400,749

0.81

-4.71

24,045.00

2.29

4.57

3,000.00

0.50

11,306.29

1.09

2.83

348,474

7,364.75

0.50

7,000.00

0.50

7,433

2,411.47

0.53

0.50

20,000

0.50

0.50 PRICE

%CHANGE

0 TRADES

0 VOLUME

3,661.72

0.50

1,753.04

0.51

55,000

642.04 14,000.00 Price List (Equities) MARKET CAP(Nm)

Page 0

4,000.00 MARKET CAP(Nm)

0.50 PRICE

%CHANGE

0 TRADES

0 VOLUME

4,000.00

0.50

N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC.

4,277.21

0.81

2.53

376,950

NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

3,869.74

0.50

490,000

PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC.

2,759.15

0.50

4,167

REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

3,334.38

0.50

SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC

4,170.41

0.50

STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC.

5,996.59

0.50

STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC

3,070.54

0.50

UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC

6,933.33

0.50

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

8,000.00

0.50

36,100

WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

6,691.37

0.50

708,065

3,876,228

MARKET CAP(Nm)

Price List (Equities) 1,966.97

PRICE

%CHANGE

7.46

TOOLS AND MACHINERY PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES INDUSTRIAL GOODS NATURAL RESOURCES S/N

CHEMICALS

Published The Nigerian Stock Exchange © 142 byB.O.C. GASES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

1,565.08

3.76

CHEMICALS S/N

METALS

143

ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC.

144

ALUMINIUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC

S/N

MINING SERVICES

145

MULTIVERSE MINING AND EXPLORATION PLC

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

146

THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC.

TRADES

VOLUME

Page 0

0 25

194

2,741,974

TRADES

Page 0

VOLUME

0 25

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,164.37

9.84

557.20

7.37

0 1

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,130.97

0.50

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

134.20

0.61

MINING SERVICES S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

METALS

0 25

MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC.

TOOLS AND MACHINERY

Published The Nigerian Stock 141 byNIGERIAN ROPES PLCExchange ©

1,291.15

S/N

429,290

1,913.74

Price List (Equities) 3,070.00

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS

91,122.45

PRICE

82,636

2.06

46,552.38

10.39

MARKET CAP(Nm)

248,774

824.00

9.23

VOLUME

1,277.97

393.57

48,608,852

VOLUME

0 29

Page

GREIF NIGERIA PLC

366

139

TRADES

VOLUME

7.87

0 25

118

TRADES

%CHANGE

5.21

PRICE

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

150,714.73

0 50

PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC

Price List (Equities)

209,724

PREMIER PAINTS PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

443,944 of 25

TRADES

124 ASHAKA CEM PLC PRICES BOARD Published by FOR The MAIN Nigerian StockSECURITIES Exchange © 125 BERGER PAINTS PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS

64,636

95,707

MARKET CAP(Nm)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

133

50,719

17 Page

%CHANGE

134

MARKET CAP(Nm)

2.67

106,060 VOLUME 156,779

PRICE

VOLUME

1.67

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

0.50

6,741.29

24 TRADES

1.20

UNIC INSURANCE PLC.

2,572.69

MARKET CAP(Nm)

TRADES

IT SERVICES

64,636

COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC

%CHANGE

552.20

2,700

S/N

17.24 PRICE

411.91

Price List (Equities)

117

PRICE

19.20

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC

32,380.20 MARKET CAP(Nm)

48,080.00

74 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES 75 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC S/N INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

S/N 116

MARKET CAP(Nm)

16,656.36

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

OMATEK VENTURES PLC

PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC

565,078.64

S/N

115

132

STERLING BANK PLC.

73 byLASACO ASSURANCE PLC. Published The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS

7,834,037

SKYE BANK PLC

71 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PRICESPLC FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES 72 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ASSURANCE

S/N

268

GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC.

GUINEA INSURANCE PLC.

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC

LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

S/N 114

131

GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC

NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC.

212,200

112 113

15,447,438

PHARMACEUTICALS PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES HEALTHCARE ICT

2.40

FIDELITY BANK PLC

EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. Prices67for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC Printed6816/05/2016 14:53:19.019

NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

13.20

CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC.

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC.

IPWA PLC

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

109

130

AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

PHARMACEUTICALS

BANKING

AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC

S/N

DIAMOND BANK PLC

MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC.

106

0.50

S/N

Prices64 for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC Printed65 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

616.69

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

S/N

FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC

102

129

-9.59

-0.78

VOLUME

1,381,719

0.86

1.28

4.90

25,347.47

-0.33

484.74

0.54

TRADES

5.97

4,815.72

3.70

29,850.00

VONO PRODUCTS PLC.

2.88

810.00

DN MEYER PLC.

5,760.00 21,762.90

%CHANGE

128

of 25 2,449,436

3.54

Page

VOLUME

0.50

111

Page 54

1,765.05

-3.68

TRADES

1,776.57

5.35

VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

214.00

%CHANGE

EKOCORP PLC.

CAP PLC

722.00

PRICE

UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC

CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC

572,297.81

MARKET CAP(Nm)

104

126

Price3,608.07 List (Equities)

105

127

UNITED CAPITAL PLC

S/N

SIM CAPITAL ALLIANCE VALUE FUND STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC

103

Prices122 for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS Printed 16/05/2016 NIGERIA14:53:19.019 PLC

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

101 102

1,236,369

PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES S/N BANKING FINANCIAL SERVICES 50 ACCESS BANK PLC.

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

FINANCIAL SERVICES

NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND

29.78

CONSUMER GOODS

1,886.86

UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

FCMB GROUP PLC.

3.70

NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC.

8.40

VOLUME

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC.

DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC

0.50

TRADES

CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC

6.65

%CHANGE

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

1,861.25

PRICE

S/N

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

1,185.03

MARKET CAP(Nm)

Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

S/N

22,255.28

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N

S/N

609,122

121

4,579

3,417.97

PROCESSING SYSTEMS

-2.13

MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC

3.50

PROCESSING SYSTEMS PricesS/N for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 CHAMS PLC Printed120 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

VOLUME

23.00

NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC

IT SERVICES

2,394,009

60,357.46

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC.

0.50

Price List (Equities) 5,664.87

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS

Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 37 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC

111

%CHANGE

2.95

213

Prices107 for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Printed108 16/05/2016 FIDSON 14:53:19.019 HEALTHCARE PLC

PRICE

Page

1.54

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

23,097.01

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC S/N

0 0

6,422.50

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

0 0

INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC

S/N

CONSUMER GOODS

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS

HEALTHCARE

688

FINANCIAL SERVICES

371,393

VOLUME

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

76,532

TRADES

0.50

S/N

VOLUME

%CHANGE

1.25

7,370.87

FINANCIAL SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N

PRICE

5,250.00

ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC

100 ROYAL EXCHANGE PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD PLC. SECURITIES

11,414,251

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC

11,315,328

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019

CONGLOMERATES S/N

S/N

94 UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES Prices for Securities Traded as of 16/05/2016 FINANCIAL SERVICES

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

NATURAL RESOURCES

55 VOLUME

OIL AND GAS S/N

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

JAPAUL OILTraded & MARITIME Prices147 for Securities as of SERVICES 16/05/2016PLC ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES Printed 16/05/2016 14:53:19.019 S/N

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

148

OANDO PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

3,131.35

0.50

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS

149 BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC PRICES FOR MAIN 150 CONOIL PLCBOARD SECURITIES

67,701

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

70,041.48

5.82

10.02

6,864,317

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,858.49

0.50

14,579.93

21.01

10.23

845,612

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

3,951.56

3.03

9.24

107

293,058.25

225.00

63,104.17

175.00

13,062

9,278.21

36.53

-9.74

198,277

59,416.32

175.00

2.94

113,752

318

5,097,171

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

197,205.60

350.00

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES S/N

67,701

Price List (Equities)

OIL AND GAS S/N

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

151

ETERNA PLC.

152

FORTE OIL PLC.

153

MOBIL OIL NIG PLC.

154

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC.

155

TOTAL NIGERIA PLC.

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS S/N

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

156

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS

Page

VOLUME

3,832,798 93,670

1,783

432

12,030,972

TRADES

VOLUME

SERVICES S/N

ADVERTISING

157

AFROMEDIA PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

2,219.52

0.50

ADVERTISING S/N

APPAREL RETAILERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

guber primaries in Edo —Eta and social services for the people by any caring government. It must not be linked to the pump price of petroleum resources. Please do a research on this budget. I will tell you another thing. Except by natural circumstances, this government is going to faithfully implement the budget that it has given to Nigerians. What can you really say that this government has achieved in the last one year? Our President campaigned on the basis of a tripod which include security, corruption and the economy. We all know how much this government has achieved in curbing insurgency in the north -east and even the international community has accepted the fact that this government has done so much in the area of dealing with Boko Haram insurgency in the north -east and security generally. In the area of corruption, except one is blind, his government has been sincere not just by mouthing the war against corruption, but actually doing what is actually necessary to curb corruption. First, by living by example because the saying goes that when a fish is getting bad, it starts from the head. So, living by example and making sure that whoever is caught to have deep his hands in the treasury have questions to answer on the economy which is what everybody is complaining about today because of the hardship; we campaigned for change and not a miracle. For change to take place, there has to be a gestation period while miracle is instant. I know that Nigerians are impatient. Even if you want to build a beautiful edifice, you must first lay the foundation. This government has laid the foundation for the take-off of the economic boom that we must necessarily bring to Nigeria because that is what we promised. We know that it is true that if we can deal with corruption, you will free resources to begin to commence the development of Nigeria. So, the 2016 budget is that catalyst that if faithfully implemented, will jump start the Nigerian economy. It was a famous American economist that said in time of depression, you can pay a man to dig the ground and pay another to cover it. That is why, for us to expand the economy of Nigeria, for us to begin the real development of the Nigerian economy, we must deliberately create jobs for the youths of Nigeria because the unemployment issue is a tinder box, a gun powder. If anything should happen to the state today, it is unemployment that will be the reason for such an uprising. This government is very conscious of that. That is why, if you read our manifesto, from the first page to the last page, if talked about jobs, jobs and more jobs. Everything that we are doing in this government is to create jobs and create wealth. So, when I say we will do, we have done so much in one year. If you want to destroy this building, you need a few dynamites and in few minutes, the building will be down. But you cannot build this house in fifteen minutes. Let us interrogate what the last government did to our national life and the destruction they brought on us and juxtapose it with the attempt to rebuild the country. I come from the South- South. In 16 years, and in my state, not one inch of federal road was asphalted. The only one that was done was done by the World Bank which is the trans African highway. They said that we have about 33,000 kilometers of federal roads which were left to rot for 16 years. To begin to rebuild them with all the challenges of currency devaluation, high interest rate, inflation and all of that is a task that only strong and committed men can take. Some have said that the approach adopted by the Buhari government in dealing with the militants in the Niger- Delta appear to be naive as compared to what the PDP government under Yar’Adua did to calm nerves and return normalcy to the region. How do you react to this? Those who have said so are in bed with criminals. Let me tell you the story of two governors in the Niger- Delta. The former governor of Rivers state did not negotiate with any militant and did not offer any palliative to any militant. He fought them on the streets and on the creeks of River state and own peace for the people of Rivers state. Go and check your records. For the period of Amaechi’s administration even as PDP governor. You cannot negotiate with criminals. These persons that are blowing up our oil installations now, I can tell you are linked to Tompolo. I am not telling you that I know the person,

Eta but will not mention his name. The reason is very clear, that they want to sabotage the country. There is absolutely nothing they are fighting for. I am from the South- South. What is Asari Dokubo fighting for? Who told you that he was fighting for the people of the South- South? Whoever told you that Ateke Tom was fighting for the people of Rivers state? They were fighting for their pockets. You see, when you are fighting for your people like Ken Saro Wiwa did, when he died, he died almost koboless. Go and look at the houses these people are living in. Go to the airport and see their private jets. They have never fought for the people of the Niger-Delta. These are criminals. So, you are saying we should engage them and begin a new process of amnesty. My brother, if you give a mouse biscuit, it will ask for milk. You cannot negotiate with criminals. Avengers or whatever they call their name are all criminals. But the federal government is willing to negotiate with the criminals in the north? The truth of the matter is that we now want to democratize criminality. We now have our own criminals and their own criminals. These people are fighting a religious war, while these ones are fighting with our resources. We cannot compare apples and oranges. Not because we are all from the south and so we say, why must we be negotiating with them in the north- east and then, our boys in the creeks should be killed. Insurgency is criminal; blowing up of pipeline is criminal. But this is a religious matter which is very difficult to handle because once a man is convinced that what he is doing is right in the sight of God, it is difficult to handle. I can mention countries that have never been able to get out of it. So, if government is doing everything to bring it under control, we must support that government. But when a man goes into the house and steal the common money and say it is because the other ones are doing religious extremism, while we are doing entrepreneurial extremism, it is the same thing. Do you have evidence that these people are linked to Tompolo? Don’t worry, the evidence will come out soon and Nigerians will see it. He has come out in the pages of newspapers delinking himself. Who told him that they were linked to him? Why is he the only one that has paid newspapers to publish advertorial that he has no link with these people. What is his business with that one. Before this government took over, the dollar was less than N200, but today, a dollar is over N300. We also know that there is high level of inflation in the country today. Do you think this government is positioned economically to lift this nation out of the wood? This government is giving us the best economic paradigm to bring us away from our import dependent economic system that we have been practicing for decades now. Let me correct the impression that the dollar is above N300. The dollar is N197, every other thing is illegal. Every country has a legal regime

and the one on the street. Being in government, I will not debate with you on the value of the naira on the streets because that is illegal. Before impunity overwhelmed us, people who use to sell dollar that was different from the value use to sell it discreetly. But today, it is an open business because under the government before now, everything was okay. Even if you kill somebody and walk away, it was okay. Impunity overwhelmed us and so, our value system has changed to the extent that we cannot make a distinction between illegal and legal. What kind of society are we building? Whoever said that the dollar was above N300 when it is N197. No, till the Central Bank of Nigeria devalues it, it is N197. Now you are talking about inflation. When I was living in Lagos, you could walk to the Dunlop factory where they will take rubber from my state, Edo state and other states, bring it to Lagos and convert it to tyre. It has closed down for more than 15 years now. The same thing for Michelin. Now, what do we have in its place? We struggle for dollars, run to China to buy because it is cheaper to market than to produce. We must begin consciously to produce in Nigeria? If we have inflation today, it is simply because inflation is imported into Nigeria by the share fact that we cannot control the prices of these goods that we buy from other countries. So, if the government says we don’t have foreign exchange for the importation of toothpick, I think Nigerians should key into that because from where I come from, we have a lot of milliner trees from where toothpick is made. If the government says we will not give you foreign exchange to import matches, the same milliner is combined with some other chemicals to produce matches. So, we must begin the gradual transformation of an import dependent economy to a productive economy. By 2015 with the closure and policies that government spurred on the industrial sector of Nigeria, the country went back to the 1960 industrial level. So, let us begin to appreciate the goods that are made in Aba, Lagos and other parts of the country. That way, we will deal with inflation, employment and wealth creation. So, I think that the paradigm the government has brought is indeed the best for Nigeria at this time. The party, APC in Akwa Ibom state appears to be lukewarm. After the elections, there was a lot of activities, but after the court process, everything went silent. What is happening? It is like joining hands to bring down an elephant. After much struggle, the elephant was brought down. We cut the head of the elephant and gave it to the Commander of the group of warriors. The body of the elephant has not been shared. So, what you see as inaction is the natural tendencies of having a part of the elephant which is what is engaging most members of the party now. After that is settled, the party will spring back to life. Going back to Edo, one of the major discourse among stakeholders in the state is who qualify as a delegate to the governorship primary. There is also the allegation that the list of delegates is being substituted. Who actually qualifies as a delegate? The delegates of the party, not just in Edo, but in all our primaries is specifically mentioned in our constitution. We have about 12 officers from each ward and they are specially mentioned. We don’t have ad-hoc delegates and so, everyone in Edo should know who the delegates are. Fortunately for the Edo people, it is one of their distinguished sons who is the national chairman of the party. So, if he was able to conduct a free, fair and credible primary in places like Kogi and even our presidential primaries, I think they should be rest assured that under the watch of Chief Odigie- Oyegun, we are going to deliver to the Edo people, a free, fair and credible primary. We cannot do anything less because it is in our celebration and deepening of internal democratic process that we intend to be distinguished. One of the areas that we intend Nigerians to distinguish between us and the PDP is our acceptance and our celebration of true internal democracy. In Kogi state, we had 28 aspirants and after the conduct of the primary that brought late Chief Abubakar Audu as our candidate, we did not have one single protest at the national secretariat because it was free, fair and transparent. That is what we intend to do in Edo. There has never been and there will never be any substitution of any list

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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Reps in defence of Nigerian youths

THE HOUSE OF REPS with

Ubong UKPONG

08036017966, email: ubongpong@yahoo.com

he House of Representatives last week joined the crusade to have all barriers removed to allow youths aspire and take over positions of political leadership in the country, which hitherto, have remained the exclusive preserves of aged people. Most members of the Green Chamber are within the category of the youth, and still have fresh memories of their participation in students Unions and associations politics back in tertiary schools, which was the bedrock of their present active participation in governance. Now, they are seeking to restore the glory of the youths, which old people, most of whom did not have the experience of students’ unionism and activism, have tried to kill in a bid to perpetuate themselves in office without opposition from activists. In doing this, the Reps began by having an interface with select youth representatives across all universities in the country, both public and private. This new crusade by the lawmakers in the Green Chamber is aimed at breaking all barriers created in the constitution and policies of government, that limit youths participation in politics and their aspirations for certain political offices. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara was not hesitant in his declaration that lowering the age eligibility for such offices in the ongoing constitution review was paramount to the Green Chamber. The move to have this age reviewed is clearly borne out of the agitation by youths, who are already tired of continuously being referred to as “leaders of tomorrow”, while only people in “departure lounge” age bracket continue to rule and dictate the pace of politics, governance and the economy amongst other sectors, to the detriment of the younger generations and the country. The novel event was the first time students were ever gathered by the legislature to deepening their understanding of the democratic process with special emphasis on the legislature while attempting to bridge the prevalent disconnect students have with the system. The core objectives of the event were amongst other things to expose students to legislative practice and procedure; improve public trust in the legislature as an arm of government and enable students to meet and interact with their elected representatives in the National Assembly. At the event, the Speaker was very unequivocal in pointing out those injustices that have been perpetrated against the youths over the years because of this age eligibility clause in the constitution as well as the desire by old ones to frustrate the young ones out of the system. He said political participation by young people has emerged in recent years as a crucial new focus of efforts to enhance democracy worldwide, given the trends of “political apathy” among young people, measured largely in terms of low voter turnout and increased recognition of the central role played by young people, particularly students in movements for democracy around the globe. The Speaker was right in his view that many young people are not involved in voting during elections which threatens the representative nature of our democratic institutions. In spite of the fact that the Nigerian students played a big role in the struggle for independence in Nigeria and were a thorn in the flesh of the military during the period of military rule and through activism and unionism contributed to shape the political history of Nigeria, Dogara believes the youths have often been sidelined and relegated to the background by the old ones who often insist that they must wait for their time. He sincerely told the young students that, “this country belongs to you but it’s under the stranglehold of men and women of a generation that have overreached itself. “The truth is that nothing will be ceded or conceded to your generation without a fight. In this endeavor, your voices mean nothing if you don’t have the votes. Therefore, all students in Nigeria must not only register to vote and cast their votes during elections, they must also ensure that their votes, count. There is no other better way by which you will earn respect

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Dogara

The challenges facing nigerian youThs appear onerous and overwhelming.

yeT

dogara said They are noT insurmounTable. for yourselves and ensure that the gifts you have taken to the university to polish ultimately benefit your generation”, the Speaker told the students.. Like the Speaker noted, the old generation are interested in holding political power for life and as such in a cruel manner, penetrated and destroyed by the dogged and united spirits of students unionism and activism, by deliberately factionalising and politicising them as well as introducing cultism and financial greed, coupled with government anti – student union policy measures, to cause a decline in the lofty standards set by earlier student unionists in Nigeria that left a legacy of intellectualism and dogged pursuit of national interest. Dogara is bothered that these have combined to rob Nigeria of the benefits of a vibrant, patriotic and result oriented student union movement, which the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS complained of when they visited him in February this year. “They said that in many cases, student union governments have been proscribed; student leaders have been expelled from school, sometimes for legitimate student union activities, payments due to Student Union Governments are frustrated by university authorities; high-handedness of most vice- Chancellors, Rectors and provosts. “They asked for a largely independent student union governments that will take away the power of disciplining student union officials from Vice Chancellors to the Governing Boards of the institutions; they further requested for the review of the laws governing tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria to be more student friendly. ”We want to assure all Nigerian students that the House of Representatives and indeed the National Assembly as a parliament of the Nigerian people will take right steps to meet most of your demands. “We believe that student unionism is a vital training ground for leadership. On your part, you must return to the part of enlightened, peaceful, purposeful and violence - free student unionism and activism”, Dogara said.

Unemployment is another weapon which has been used to clutch the wings of the youths from flying as it has indeed reached a crises situation with many young persons’ suffering the pains presently. The Speaker said currently, the expansion of employment opportunities is far below the growth in the youth population which according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS in 2015, Nigeria’s unemployment rate was at 23.9 per cent and 60 per cent of our population are youths, translating to about 80 million Nigerian youths. Consequently, as part of the Sectoral Debates of the House of Representatives, he said they are vigorously engaging the executive on how to diversify the economy and create jobs for our people. ”The House has specifically scheduled debates and interactive sessions with MDAs responsible for job creation and employment in our next Sectoral debates. “The debate session taking place on the floor of the House seeks to identify and prioritize key issues of graduate unemployment to be addressed; develop a strategy to address these issues; and develop potential legislative action plans and follow-up activities. “It is our expectation that through the agency of this dialogue, key issues of graduate unemployment would be prioritized and a framework and strategy to address these issues would be developed. “Additionally, the House will continue to advance and support key youth policy initiatives targeted at young people such as boosting entrepreneurship, increasing investment in infrastructure in public schools, and supporting reform of higher education in Nigeria”, he assured. The challenges facing Nigerian youths appear onerous and overwhelming. Yet Dogara said they are not insurmountable. Aware that young people often find themselves on the fringes of the political process, the Speaker said there was the need to develop a structured manner of involving our students and youths in the political process. “I think it may not be out of place to lower the age qualification for certain elective offices in the next constitutional amendment exercise. ”It is my ambition and those of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that students are empowered and connected as citizens to the political process and have a say in the decisions that affect them. “This initiative of an interactive session with students is just the first step in helping our students and young people become more actively involved with their representatives, with politics and democratic institutions. ”On my part, as a politician and professional, I believe that politics is a noble profession. Frustrating as it may sometimes be, politics remains one of the most significant ways of making a real difference in our people’s lives. As young people, it is important to restore idealism to our political process.” He has challenged his fellow politicians, to be open and accessible at all times to listen and respond to questions and concerns of students and young people. He also enjoined all students and indeed all the youths not to despair or feel helpless, despondent or marginalized, reminding that in their hands lie the promise of a great nation which will definitely emerge from the ashes of our current travails, to create a Nigeria that we shall all be proud of. “A Nigeria where the young can still dream dreams. A Nigeria that will be corrupt- free. A Nigeria where quality education will become a fundamental right. A Nigeria where the government will be accountable and responsive to the needs of her citizens. You have a big role to play in ensuring the emergence of this new Nigeria. You cannot therefore afford to go to sleep. A changed Nigeria. I assure you that it is not all bad news. There is hope for Nigeria. We will ensure through our oversight functions that the 2016 budget just signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is faithfully implemented as it contains many student and youth friendly initiatives that kicks-tarts the process of bringing the change Nigerian’s voted for”, he declared.

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with

FADEYI

rench President, Francois Hollande was in the country at the weekend for the Second Regional Security Summit held in Abuja to discuss ways of defeating the Boko- Haram sect and overcoming terrorism around the world.

Before heading for the summit which took place in Abuja, Hollande visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa where they held a closed door meeting. Hollande, who hosted the first Regional Security Summit in Paris, France, two

France pledges support for Nigeria to defeat Boko-Haram

ASO ROCK FILE Rotimi

Politics

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

years ago pledged the support of his country for Nigeria in the fight against the deadly Boko- Haram sect. He commended Buhari for the successes recorded so far in the fight against Boko Haram and the efforts to ensure adequate security in the country.

Hollande, who spoke at a joint press briefing after the meeting, noted that the deadly attacks and abductions by the Boko- Haram have been drastically reduced following the commitment of the government as well as the regional and international support towards the prosecution of the war against terror. While commending the

long and friendly relationship between Nigeria and France, Hollande said the security summit would provide opportunity to assess the level of success against terror as well as draw roadmap on how to deal with the common threat. Hollande said that his country would continue to provide support for the

Multi National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, stressing that project for Lake-Chad region would also be supported so that concrete progress can be achieved in the region. The French President stated that his government was committed to fight corruption and the dismantle of tax havens in order to ensure economic progress and development.

The demand for anti-corruption infrastructure

he issue of the return of Nigeria’s stolen funds stashed abroad back to the country has been on the front burners in recent times, considering the fact that the process to recover the funds had been very slow. Recently when he hosted Executive Secretary of United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Mr. Yury Fedotov during his visit to the Presidential Villa, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed frustration with the process, saying the repatriation of the stolen assets has “become tedious” to the consternation of many Nigerians. The Anti-Corruption summit held in London last week provided another opportunity for Buhari to again push for the quick return of the stolen funds. According to him, the process had been time consuming, costly and entails more than just the signing of bilateral or multilateral agreements. He said this should not be the case as there are provisions in the appropriate United Nations Convention that require countries to return assets to countries from where it is proven that they were illegitimately acquired. Speaking at the opening of the summit, the President urged the international community to urgently create anti-corruption infrastructure and a strategic action plan to facilitate the speedy recovery and repatriation of stolen funds hidden in secret bank accounts abroad. He also said that new measures against corruption that would be adopted by the summit should also include mechanisms to assist countries like Nigeria to combat illegal activities such as crude oil theft to which, he said, Nigeria loses about $7 Billion annually. “When it comes to tackling corruption, the international

community has unfortunately looked away for too long. We need to step up and tackle this evil together. That is why we have gathered here today. “Corruption creates a system where resources are shared by small elite while the majority wallows in poverty. Corruption also undermines the ability of countries to finance development. “I recall in this regard, the landmark Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the 3rd International Conference on Finance for Development held in January this year. “A prominent feature of that global framework is the recognition that good governance and measures to combat corruption and curb illicit financial flows will be integral to the effort to attain sustainable development globally by the year 2050. “It is for this reason that my Government is determined to address illicit financial outflows which have served as a major impediment to progress in our country. “I wish to reiterate our demand that the global community must come up with mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for stolen funds and facilitate the return of stolen assets to their countries of origin,” Buhari sa

L-R: President Buhari’s wife, Aisha; Cameroonian President Paul Biya; President Muhammadu Buhari and Cameroonian President’s wife, Chantail, being received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as President Biya begins a 2-Day official visit to Nigeria, yesterday. PHOTO: ANAYO OPARA

Buhari and global plan to restrict corrupt persons

or President Muhammadu Buhari, the fight against corruption has been a major focus of his administration since he assumed power on May 29, last year. With few weeks to mark his one year in office and in order to rally global support for his anti-corruption crusade, Buhari was in London last week where he participated with other world leaders in the Anti-Corruption

Summit hosted by British Prime Minister, David Cameron At the summit, Buhari expressed support for a proposal aimed at restricting the ability of those involved in corruption to travel, invest and do business overseas. He also pledged that in furtherance of his administration’s ongoing war against corruption, Nigeria would soon begin the full implementation of the principles

Kalu’s grouse with governors over state funds

hief Orji Uzor Kalu was former Governor of Abia State for two terms during the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former Governor led a delegation of investors in the power sector to the Presidential Villa last week and met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Speaking with State House Correspondents after

the meeting, Kalu expressed his displeasure with the way the current set of governors spend state funds. According to him, most of them spend state funds on personal luxury, saying it was one of the reasons they are now finding it difficult to pay workers’ salaries. He explained that the recent demand for more funds by the governors to meet up with their statutory obliga-

tions was not necessary as the states already have sufficient funds to function. Kalu said the idea of drawing funds from security vote as well as the huge sum of money collected by governors as traveling allowances would not allow the states to have enough money to carry out meaningful developmental projects for the benefit of the people.

of the Open Contracting Data Standard Buhari said that the Federal Government would apply the Open Contracting Data Standard to major projects in the oil, transportation, power, health, education and other sectors. The Open Contracting Data Standard, OCDS enables disclosure of data and documents at all stages of the contracting process by defining a common data model. The publication of OCDS data ensures greater transparency in public contracting and can support accessible and in-depth analysis of the efficiency, effectiveness, fairness and integrity of

public contracting systems. Buhari said that his administration was also taking steps to ensure greater transparency of the ownership and control of all companies involved in property purchase and public contracting. The President expressed commitment to joining the pilot initiative for automatic exchange of beneficial information while assuring that Nigeria would also commit to deploying public-private information sharing partnerships to bring together governments, law enforcement, regulators and the financial sector to detect, prevent and disrupt money laundering linked to corruption.

Last week’s Presidential Villa’s visitors

1. French President, Francois Hollande 2. Former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu 3. United States Deputy Secretary of State, Anthony Binken 4. Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson 5. United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield 6. Czech Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Pavel Mikes 7. Czech Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Martin Tlapa 8. Czech Minister of Agriculture, Marian Jurecka 9. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama 10. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu

Features

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel scarcity: Nigerians and tales of woe The last fuel scarcity in Nigeria came with a lot of pains. MIKE MBONYE, in this piece captures the sad experiences of some Nigerians and the lessons learnt.

igerians have been expressing varied views and opinions on their plight during the recent fuel scarcity. To some, the lessons have been bitter and hard to swallow, while to others, the lessons were food for thought and a call to guard against future occurrences of fuel scarcity. For Mr. Chima Akobundu, a 34-yearold retail shop owner, the fuel scarcity was a very bitter and hard experience. ``While the scarcity was on, I once needed fuel for my car and generator. Unfortunately, I bought adulterated fuel by the roadside. When I got home, my car engine was smoking seriously. `Ìt took the intervention of my mechanic to stop the smoke. While that process was on, my children had emptied the remaining fuel into the generator. ``The engine of the generator got knocked and we could do nothing about it. The main lesson here is that one should be wary of buying fake or adulterated petrol during fuel scarcity. I was forced to buy a new generator for my house because it helps us a lot,” Akobundu said. Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Innocent James, a 45-year-old dry-cleaner, said that on one occasion, he bought adulterated fuel for his generator. `Ìnitially, the generator worked for about 30 minutes and all of a sudden, it started smoking and stopped working. `Ìt never occurred to me that the adulterated fuel had affected the generator. I thought the fuel had finished and I repeatedly tried to re-start it until a generator mechanic confirmed that the engine got knocked by the fake

Long queues at a filling station

fuel. ``It was a painful experience and a bitter lesson for me because I had to meet the needs of my numerous customers but unfortunately, I disappointed them. I had to complete the day’s job in a colleague’s shop and I paid for it,’’ he said. James appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that oil marketers sold purely unadulterated fuel. ``I am making the appeal because when I confronted the lady who sold the fuel to me, she claimed to have bought it from a petrol station and at that point, I became helpless,” he said. For Barine Kpobari, a 25-year-old owner of a barber’s shop on Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, the story could have been similarly bitter but for the quick intervention of a customer, who perceived the smell of the adulterated fuel. Kpobari said that just as he prepared to pour the fuel into his generator, a customer stopped him and requested

Ibe Kachikwu

that it should be tested. ``At that point, we poured the fuel on the floor; we tried to light it and immediately, we noticed the difference. I thank God that I did not pour the petrol into my generator because it would

‘ The engine of The generaTor

goT knocked and we could do noThing abouT iT. The main lesson here is ThaT one should be wary of buying fake or adulTeraTed peTrol during fuel scarciTy.

’

have been extremely difficult for me to buy a new one now. `Ìn any case, if there is fuel scarcity in the future, I will be more careful in buying fuel. One major lesson I learnt during the recent scarcity is how to detect fake fuel,” Kpobari said. Chief Nengi Brown, a businessman and philanthropist, said that he would have had a harrowing experience during the recent fuel scarcity, if not for God’s mercy and intervention. He said that his warehouse containing bags of cement and building materials was almost razed by the fire ignited by a burning generator. ``Luck was on my side, as my neighbours rushed here and put out the fire, which obviously came from the generator,” he said. `Àt home, our small provisions store also caught fire, which was caused by the adulterated kerosene in a lamp.’’ Brown said that the kerosene in the lamp was probably mixed with some combustible material like petrol, making it inflammable. `Ì then ordered my family not to use kerosene bought from the same spot again because the kerosene could cause explosion and wreak havoc on our house and belongings,’’ he said. He, nonetheless, advised the people to always test the fuel they bought, particularly during periods of fuel scarcity. ``People should always sniff the fuel they want to buy; if the smell is awful, please don’t buy it. That is the lesson I learnt from the recent fuel scarcity; I can now detect fake or adulterated fuel through its strange smell,” he said. Mr. Chinedu Iroegbu, a Port Harcourt-based economist, said that greed was the rationale behind the adulteration of petroleum products. He, nonetheless, stressed that the consequences of such devious behaviour could be grave and disastrous, particularly if the adulterated products were stored at home or in unsafe places. ``Some unscrupulous persons employed Machiavellian tactics to exploit others so as to make quick money. They mix petrol with kerosene or diesel to maximise their profits, not minding the consequences of their criminal behaviour on the end users. Iroegbu, however, urged the Federal Government and its regulatory agencies such as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to punish marketers who adulterated petroleum products. ``This is because adulteration of fuel is a very risky venture; it can cause colossal damage to man and the environment,” he said. All in all, analysts insist that the only way out of such problems is for the government to make pragmatic efforts to ensure steady availability of petroleum products at all times. *Culled from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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Features

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Creating jobs via revival of moribund industries Obike UkOh

narguably, unemployment has reached alarming proportions in the country, especially among graduates of tertiary institutions. This is partly because the Nigerian economy cannot absorb the growing number of graduates produced annually by the nation’s tertiary institutions. Compounding the problem, tertiary institutions produce more graduates in the humanities and social sciences as a result their failure to adhere to the national admission policy, which prescribes 60:40 ratio in favour of the sciences. The areas of specialisation of the graduates notwithstanding, experts insist that sustainable employment can be created via the manufacturing sector. They are of the view that if state governments can revitalise the moribund industries in their states, this will reduce the unemployment rate, while boosting their internally generated revenue as well. Several moribund industries, which were unfortunately blue-chip industries of yesteryears, now dot many parts of the country. Concerned stakeholders, therefore, acclaim the recent pronouncement of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia to resuscitate the Golden Guinea Breweries in Umuahia. Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, broke the cheery news about the state government’s plans to reopen the brewery when he addressed journalists recently in Umuahia. In addition to Golden Guinea, the commissioner said that the International Glass Industry in Aba would also bounce back to life. Golden Guinea was established in 1960 by the administration of Dr. Michael Okpara, the then Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, and incorporated two years later. It became an economic epicentre and financial livewire, not only for the people of the then Eastern Region, but also for natives of Umuahia who enjoyed the socioeconomic benevolence it offered through its social responsibility programmes. In fact, the products of Golden Guinea Breweries like Golden Guinea lager, Eagle Stout and Bergdorf lager received appreciable patronage from 1960 to 2005 when it was eventually shut. Concerned stakeholders, nonetheless, urge Ikpeazu to refrain from making empty promises like his predecessor, Chief T.A. Orji, who promised to revive the company. Indeed, Orji in 2012 inaugurated a committee to look into ways of reviving the 54-year-old company. He vowed to revive the brewery before leaving office, a pledge he failed to fulfil. On the other hand, the International Glass Industry (IGI), Aba, also owned by the Abia Government, was leased to the Churchgate Group and it is showing signs of improvement. IGI’s General Manager, Mr. Kelechi Onuiri, said recently in Aba that the

company had resumed the production of glass products. He said that the factory, which started production late in March, produced and supplied more than 740,278 pharmaceutical bottles within two weeks of its resumption. He said that the factory was currently servicing the needs of pharmaceutical industries outside the state. Onuiri said that the company had employed more than 500 workers since its resumption to ensure full circle production. ``Right now, we have many people working here; we have employed more than 500 workers. Of course, we will take more people if need be,” he said. However, the story is somewhat different with regard to the Modern Ceramic Industries in Umuahia. After years of inactivity, the company was handed over to UCL Consortium, promoted by the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia. Regrettably, the company’s handover could not bring it back to life. Mr. Uwakwe Nwachukwu, an economist, recalled that the Golden Guinness Breweries was one of the most successful breweries in Nigeria until it became moribund, adding: `Ìts collapse was mainly due to bad or inefficient management.’’ He said that board and management appointments were not based on knowledge and expertise, but purely on political considerations. ``More often than not, round pegs were put in square holes. Consequently, the brewery, which hitherto employed many hands and created considerable wealth, died,’’ he said. Nwachukwu, who once worked in Golden Guinea as a casual employee for a fleeting period, said that the idea of revitalising or re-building the factory was, indeed, a welcome development. According to him, a lot of benefits would accrue to the state and the people if the factory is revived. `Òther ancillary jobs or businesses will spring up within the factory environment and this will also reduce the number of unemployed persons in our society. `Ìn a time like this when unemployment in Nigeria has become a key challenge, the factory will add a lot of value to the economy of Abia and the Nigerian economy as a whole. ``Furthermore, it will be quite plausible if the government could give consideration to the revitalisation of the Modern Ceramics Company, Umuahia. ``The ceramics company has good prospects for jobs as well as wealth creation for the government and the people,’’ he added.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige Nwachukwu urged Ikpeazu not to relent in his efforts to bring back the ``dead factories’’ to life. He urged him to borrow a leaf from the Rivers Government which successfully resuscitated Pabod Breweries. In the same vein, Prof Aloysius Okolie of the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, urged state governors in the South East geo-political zone to revive the collapsed industries in their states in order to create more jobs. He said that the revival of the industries would create more employment opportunities for millions of jobless youths, while generating additional revenue for the states. ``Revitalising of these industries will be a means of diversifying the economy of the states, especially now when the country is experiencing economic melt-down,’’ he added. There has been a drastic decline in allocations from the Federation Account to states and local governments as result of a sharp decline in crude oil prices in the international market. ``Some states and local governments in the country now find it difficult to pay their workers’ monthly salaries because of this drop in federal allocations,’’ Okolie said. He, therefore, commended Goveror Ikpeazu’s move to revive Golden Guinea

‘Nigeria is a dumpiNg grouNd

for foreigN goods today because of the years of Neglect which led to the collapse of maNy iNdustries.

’

Breweries in Umuahia, describing it as a welcome development. He, however, suggested that the state government should not own 100 per cent equity shares in the brewery. ``Government should have at most 30 per cent equity shares so as to allow the management of the brewery to be in the hands of private people who are expert in managing such companies. ``Government should also carry along the host community in order to protect equipment and facilities in that brewery,’’ he added. Okolie said that pragmatic efforts should be made to revive industries like the cashew industry in Enugu, the ceramics industry in Umuahia, among others, which had become moribund. ``The industrial sector is a critical sector of any economy; it helps a country not to depend completely on foreign products. ``Nigeria is a dumping ground for foreign goods today because of the years of neglect which led to the collapse of many industries. ``Other governors in South East should emulate the Abia governor’s good example of reviving the popular Golden Guinea Brewery Umuahia, in efforts to improve the economy of their states and reducing unemployment,’’ he said. Analysts underscore the need for the federal, state and local governments to resuscitate all the moribund industries in their domains. ``This because industries provide employment opportunities for the youth, particularly graduates of engineering and physical sciences,’’ some of the analysts say. *Culled from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Capital Market

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Index rises 1.43% as Conoil leads gainers Johnson okanlawon

rading in equities opened the week on a strong note, as the benchmark index of stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange appreciated. The All Share Index increased by 1.43 per cent to close at 26,818.77 points, compared to the rise of 2.23 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 26,441.03 points. Market capitalisation gained N130 billion to close at N9.228 trillion, compared to the increase of N198 billion recorded on Friday to close at N9.098 trillion. The appreciation recorded in the share prices of Dangote Cement, Guar-

anty Trust Bank, Guinness, Zenith bank and Nigerian Breweries were mainly responsible for the gain recorded in the index. The total value of stocks traded was N2.11billion, down by 41.10 per cent from N3.58billion recorded last Friday. The total volume of stocks traded was 320.99million in 4,524 deals, while the three most actively traded stocks were Access Bank, UBA and Transcorp. Conoil Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.95 or 10.23 per cent to close at N21.01 per share, fol-

lowed by Oando Plc with 53 kobo or 10.02 per cent to close at N5.82 per share. United Bank for Africa Plc added 34 kobo or 9.37 per cent to close at N3.97 per share, while Caverton Plc was down 14 kobo or 9.27 per cent to close at N1.65 per share. Transnational Express Plc appreciated 10 kobo or 8.47 per cent to close at N1.28 per share. Conversely, MRS Plc lost N3.94 or 9.74 per cent to close at N36.53 per share, while Vitafoam Plc shed 52 kobo or 9.59 per cent to close at N4.90 per share.

G. Cappa Plc depreciated 72 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N13.74 per share, while Ikeja Hotel Plc declined 12 kobo or 4.90 per cent to close at N2.33 per share. UAC-Properties Plc fell 20 kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N4.00 per share,while AIICO Insurance Plc dropped Gainers and Losers four kobo or 4.71 Start per Date 15/05/2016 through End Date 16/05/2016 Print Date 16/05/2016 Source: NSE cent to close at 81 kobo per share. Gainers and Losers Market indicators Unilever Plc dipped Start Date 15/05/2016 through End Date 16/05/2016 Gainers for Equities N1.65 or 4.58 per Print cent Date 16/05/2016 All-Share Index 26,818.77 points 2016-05-13 2016-05-16 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) Gain(N) % Change to close at N34.35 per Market capitalisation 9.23trn 1 CONOIL 19.06 21.01 1.95 10.23 share, while Sterling 2 OANDO 5.29 5.82 0.53 10.02 Bank Plc was down 3 UBA 3.63 0.34 9.37 Gainers for Equities 3.97 4 CAVERTON 0.14 9.27 2016-05-13 1.51 2016-05-161.65 eight kobo or 4.57 per TRANSEXPR 1.18Closing Price(N) 1.28 8.47 S/N5 Symbol Gain(N)0.10 % Change Closing Price(N) cent to close at N1.67 ACCESS 4.83 5.21 0.38 7.87 1 6 CONOIL 19.06 21.01 1.95 10.23 CCNN 7.39 7.86 0.47 6.36 2 7 OANDO 5.29 5.82 0.53 10.02 per share. GUINNESS 3 8 UBA TRANSCOHOT 4 9 CAVERTON

European stocks record marginal change

uropean stocks were little changed amid a rally in miners and energy companies as China’s central bank pledged to support the economy. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained less than 0.1 per cent at the close of trading in London, erasing a decline of as much as 0.7 per cent, as a rise in commodities and oil sent their producers up the most among industry groups. The volume of Stoxx 600 shares changing hands was almost 45 per cent lower than the 30-day average as Ger-

man and Swiss markets were among those shut for a holiday. “The resources and oil sectors have been outperforming since the February low,” said Jasper Lawler, a London-based analyst at CMC Markets Plc. “But they need to continue to outperform for us to have a sustained rally.” While European shares rose last week for the first time in three, they’ve been stalling since April 20, after the Stoxx 600 staged an almost 16 per cent rally from its February low. Concerns about the health of the global

economy and centralbank policy resurfaced as companies reported mixed earnings. The equity gauge closed 4.6 per cent below the April high. On Monday, oil climbed with metals, helping send shares of commodityrelated companies higher -- Anglo American Plc and Tullow Oil Plc gained more than five per cent. Among companies rising on corporate news, Konecranes Oyj surged 18 per cent after the Finnish construction-machinery maker agreed to acquire a Terex Corp. lifting-gear business, abandoning a

MAYBAKER 5 10 TRANSEXPR MANSARD 6 11 ACCESS NB 7 12 CCNN

Oil prices have recovered some ground after touching 12-year lows earlier in 2016, with volatility in oil causing jitters in other markets. “With oil prices being back up into that $40 range, some of the downside that was associated with the energy market ... is more subdued at these current prices, or at least held at bay, and the ripple effects from that are also held at bay,” said Jason Pride, director of investment strategy at Glenmede Investment and Wealth Management in Philadelphia. The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was up 202.09 points, or 1.15 per cent, to 17,737.41, the S&P 500 had gained 22.95 points, or 1.12 per cent, to 2,069.56 and the Nasdaq Composite had added 65.15 points, or 1.38 per cent, to 4,782.83. Nine of the 10 major S&P 500 sectors were higher.

Last week, the Dow and S&P 500 fell for a third straight week, while the Nasdaq’s losing streak hit four weeks. Gloomy quarterly reports from retailers had clouded the market last week. The retail sector is in focus again, with Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Target set to report results this week. The S&P 500 is up more than one per cent this year. While the benchmark index has risen about 14 per cent since February lows, the rally fizzled out in the last few weeks amid mixed corporate earnings and economic data. On Monday, Anacor Pharmaceuticals soared 55.4 per cent to $99.52 after Pfizer said it would buy the drugmaker in a deal valued at $5.2 billion. Anacor gave one of the biggest boosts to the Nasdaq Biotechnology

99.75 3.97 5.05 1.65

4.75 0.34 0.24 0.14

5.00 9.37 4.99 9.27

117.95 7.39

123.00 7.86

5.05 0.47 0.03 4.75

4.28 6.36 3.95 5.00

1.01 1.18 2.19 4.83

1.06 1.28 2.29 5.21

JOHNHOLT 0.76 0.79 8 13 GUINNESS 95.00 99.75 full merger. Telecom WAPCO 71.20 74.00 9 14 TRANSCOHOT 4.81 5.05 Italia SpA climbed CAP 38.50 40.00 1015 MAYBAKER 1.01 1.06 UNITYBNK 0.77 0.80 1116 MANSARD 2.19 2.29 three per cent after al8.10 8.40 1217 NBNASCON 117.95 123.00 most tripling its target TOTAL 170.00 175.00 1318 JOHNHOLT 0.76 0.79 CONTINSURE 1.06 1.09 for reducing expenses 1419 WAPCO 71.20 74.00 NEM 0.79 0.81 1520 CAP 38.50 40.00 to 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 GUARANTY 18.73 19.20 1621 UNITYBNK 0.77 0.80 22 UNIONDICON 12.89 13.20 billion) by 2018. 17 NASCON 8.10 8.40 23 ZENITHBANK 14.70 15.03 18 TOTAL 170.00 175.00 Eutelsat Commu24 DANGCEM 165.00 167.10 19 CONTINSURE 1.06 1.09 nications SA dropped 25 JBERGER 43.00 43.50 20 NEM 0.79 0.81 26 FBNH 3.70 3.73 another 6.8 per cent, 21 GUARANTY 18.73 19.20 27 NAHCO 4.13 4.15 22 UNIONDICON 12.89 13.20 after tumbling a record 23 ZENITHBANK 14.70 15.03 28 per cent on Friday 24 DANGCEM 165.00 167.10 Losers for Equities 25 JBERGER 43.00 43.50 following its earnings 2016-05-13 2016-05-16 26 FBNH 3.70 3.73 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) report, as Morgan Stan27 NAHCO 4.13 4.15 1 MRS 40.47 36.53 ley lowered its rating 2 VITAFOAM 5.42 4.90 on the French satellite 3 GCAPPA 14.46 13.74 Losers for Equities 4 IKEJAHOTEL 2.45 2.33 operator to the equiva2016-05-13 4.20 2016-05-164.00 5 UAC-PROP S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) lent of a sell. It closed 6 AIICO 0.85 0.81 1 MRS 40.47 36.53 7 UNILEVER 36.00 34.35 at its lowest price since 2 VITAFOAM 5.42 4.90 3 GCAPPA 14.46 13.74 August 2009. (Source – 4 IKEJAHOTEL 2.45 2.33 Bloomberg.com) Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

FGN Bonds

Global indexes surge 1% led by Apple, energy shares

all Street rallied sharply yesterday, juiced by a jump in Apple shares and gains from energy stocks that were backed by stronger oil prices. The three major US indexes each were up more than one per cent in afternoon trade. Apple shares were up 3.9 per cent after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway reported a stake worth about $1 billion in the iPhone maker. The stock, which had lost about one-fifth of its value in the past month, gave the biggest boost to the three indexes. The S&P energy sector was the best-performing group as oil prices hit sixmonth highs. Crude prices were supported by worries about global supply outages and as long-time bear Goldman Sachs sounded more positive on the market.

95.00 3.63 4.81 1.51

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

2.83 3.93 2.53 3.90

0.47 0.03 0.31 0.30 0.33 5.00 2.10 0.03 0.50 0.02 0.03 0.47 0.02 0.31

2.51 3.90 2.40 3.70 2.24 2.94 1.27 2.83 1.16 2.53 0.81 2.51 0.48 2.40

0.33

2.24

2.10

1.27

0.50

1.16

0.03 Loss(N) 0.02 -3.94

0.81 % Change 0.48 -9.74

-0.52

-9.59

-0.72

-4.98

-0.12

-4.90

-0.20 Loss(N) -0.04 -3.94 -1.65 -0.52

-4.76 % Change -4.71 -9.74 -4.58 -9.59

-0.72 -0.20

AIICO

0.85

0.81

-0.04

UNILEVER

34.35

-1.65

Bid

-4.98

-0.12

4.00

Rate (%)

3.70 4.28 2.94 3.95

0.03 2.80 0.02 1.50

4.20

12.50 22-JAN-2026

3.93 4.99 3.90 4.95 3.90 4.57

0.03 0.10 0.30 5.05 5.00 0.03

UAC-PROP

36.00

4.95 8.47 4.57 7.87

2.80 0.24 1.50 0.05

index .NBI, which gained 2.6 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Description percent. 15.10 27-APR-2017 Tribune Publishing was up 23.4 per cent at $14.15 after 16.00 29-JUN-2019 Gannett (GCI.N) raised its 15.54 13-FEB-2020 buyout offer to $15 per share. 16.39 27-JAN-2022 Gannett was up 2.6 per cent at $16.03. 14.20 14-MAR-2024

Inflation

0.05 0.10 0.10 0.38

-4.90 1 of -4.76

Page

-4.58

Offer

Price

Yield

Page Price Yield1

1.06

104.54

10.45

104.69

10.30

3.23

114.58

10.54

114.88

10.44

3.86

111.91

11.61

112.21

11.52

5.81

120.62

11.43

120.92

11.36

7.94

109.79

12.23

110.09

12.18

9.80

100.32

12.43

100.62

12.38

Closing Market Prices of April 4, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

30-Jun-16

7.59

7.73

6-Oct-16

8.37

8.74

16-Mar-17

9.40

10.32

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.95

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

4.2500

8.2420

POUNDS STERLING

293

10.1127

SDR

273

11.7162

-4.71

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

World News The water crisis will be there because of climate change but through this inter linking of rivers we will be able to help the people. –INDIAN WATER RESOURCES MINISTER, UMA BHARTI

Kerry unfolds plans for Libya’s Unity govt AfolAbi GAmbAri

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he United States and other world powers have said they are ready to arm Libya’s UNbacked unity government to help it fight the ISIS group. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who spoke in Vienna yesterday, said world powers would back Libya in seeking exemption from a UN arms embargo. “ISIS is a new threat to Libya and it is imperative that it is stopped, Kerry said, stressing, “It is the only way to generate the cohesion necessary to defeat ISIS.” Last month, the Libyan government warned that ISIS could seize most of the country if it was not halted soon. “The Government of National Accord is the only entity that can unify the country. It is the only way to ensure that vital institutions fall

US Secretary of State John Kerry under representative and acknowledged authority,” the US secretary

of state added. “The support for arming the

WORLD BULLETIN government is part of a package of measures agreed at the meeting, which include accelerating non-military aid to Libya. “As well as countering ISIS, the GNA should take full control of Libyan ministries, backed by the international community.” A joint statement from the countries attending drew attention to Libya’s role as a major transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe. “We look forward to partnering with the GNA and neighbouring countries to tackle the threat posed throughout the Mediterranean and on its land borders by criminal organisations engaged in all forms of smuggling and trafficking, including in human beings,” the statement said, adding, “We are ready to respond to the Libyan government’s requests for training and equipping the presidential guard and vetted forces from throughout Libya.”

Tanzania moves against ‘ghost’ workers

anzania has removed more than 10, 000 ghost workers from its public sector payroll in a latest crackdown on corruption. Payments to the non-existent employees had been costing the government more than $2m (£1.4m) a month, according to the Prime Minister’s office. The authorities say they are continuing to audit the public payroll and expect to find more phantom workers. President John Magufuli, who

was elected in October, has promised to cut wasteful public expenditure in office. He ordered the audit in March, calling for the money saved to be used towards development. Nicknamed the bulldozer, Magufuli has announced a range of cost-cutting measures since coming to power, including cancelling official celebrations for independence day. Tanzania spends more than $260 million a month paying the sala-

ries of its estimated 550, 000 public workers, according to reports. “We intend to have workers in government who are honest, accountable and hardworking. This is our priority and it is a non-stop initiative,” Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told Tanzanians living in the UK, according to local reports. Majaliwa spoke after attending a major anti-corruption summit in the UK capital, London, last week.

Terrorism: International support worries group AdeolA Tukuru ABUJA

he New Initiative for Credible Leadership (NICL) yesterday expressed worry over the international support that the emerging terror group is enjoying with the

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama

foreign minister of one of those countries issuing veiled threats to the Federal Government on their behalf. National Coordinator, Rev. Steven Onwu, said the federal government must treat what he called ugly development as the activities of opportunistic criminals as the recent interview by Niger Delta activist, Annkio Briggs, had reinforced the assertion. ”Efforts to contrive a new round of amnesty for criminals who do not want to do legitimate jobs is not feasible in view of the collapse of oil prices and reduction of output arising from the destruction of critical oil infrastructure,”

Onwu said. The NICL also accused Briggs for tacitly supporting emerging militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, by endorsing their destruction and sabotage of oil installations, which she defended as “fighting against injustice”. “It is frightening that Annkio Briggs did not for once in the interview condemn these criminals for what they are but was instead promoting them as right fighters. “This is not a surprise to anyone as she threatened as far back as 2013 and later in February last year that militancy would resume in the region for the people of Niger Delta to take ownership of the crude oil fields.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli “Briggs had also threatened mayhem if the military is not withdrawn from the Niger Delta and suspects with corruption cases pending in court are not left off the hook “Her interview has brought clarity to the rapid rise of the Niger Delta Avengers as a vicious group as it is now clear that she is among the people propping up the attackers. “The authorities must therefore at this point revisit a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo that accused Annkio Briggs and her group of training snipers and other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely acquiring weapons. “It is apparent the trained terrorists are now using the acquired weapons against the Nigerian state.”

‘No U-turn on Trump’s criticism’ Reports yesterday in London said British Prime Minister David Cameron stands by his criticism of US Republican Party’s sole presidential election candidate, Donald Trump, but “will work with whoever is elected US president”. Cameron had called the Republican hopeful “stupid, divisive and wrong” over his call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US. Trump replied by warning he may not have a “very good relationship” with Cameron if he won the US presidential election. Trump, who is also involved in a spat with new London Mayor Sadiq Khan, said he would not forgive Khan for calling him “ignorant” and challenged the Mayor to take part in an IQ test, an offer mocked by Khan’s team.

Chinese ignore revolution event The 50th anniversary of the start of the Cultural Revolution, which plunged China into a decade of chaos, has been met with silence in state media. On May 16 1966, Communist leader, Mao Zedong, began a campaign to eliminate his rivals. At the same time he called on Chinese youth to “purge” society. Years of bloodshed and turmoil ensued, ending with Mao’s death in 1976. How to handle the era’s contentious legacy has remained a challenge to China’s Communist rulers to this day. Yesterday, the main state media outlets made virtually no mention of the anniversary, focusing on coverage of the South China Sea and other domestic issues. No official events were planned by the authorities to mark the 50-year milestone.

Iran arrests cyber workers Reports in Iran yesterday said the authorities have arrested eight people working for online modelling agencies deemed to be un-Islamic, according to the prosecutor of Tehran’s cybercrimes court, Javad Babaei. The reports said the arrests were part of an operation that had seen women targeted for posting photos showing them not wearing headscarves on Instagram and elsewhere. Women in Iran have been required to cover their hair in public since 1979. The eight unnamed people were among 170 identified by investigators as being involved in modelling online. They included 59 photographers and make-up artists, 58 models and 51 fashion salon managers and designers, according to a statement from the court.

North

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Salary cut: Labour gives Al-Makura 48 hours ultimatum IgbAwAse ukuMbA LAFIA

rganised labour in Nasarawa State yesterday, gave the Nasarawa State Government a 48 hours ultimatum to reverse its decision to cut workers' salaries or it would embarks on an indefinite strike by Wednesday. The Nasarawa State Government had recently announced a compulsory contribution of 35 percent of workers' monthly salaries as sacrifice for the development of the state with effect from April, 2016. Consequently, the organised labour gave the ultimatum in a press release jointly signed by the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abdullahi Adeka, and his state Trade Union Congress, TUC, Danladi Namo

and issued to journalists in Lafia, the state capital. The statement read: "Considering the hike in pump price of PMS in the country, which will have negative effect on the citizenry and the call by organised labour at the national level for an upward review of national minimum wage to N56,000, the SEC in session said the action of the state government to reduce workers' salaries in the state by 35 percent is uncalled for." The statement continued that workers' i the state have sacrificed enough for the development of the state. It gave instances of workers' sacrifice to include forfeiting four months arrears arising from the implementation of the minimum wage, forfeiting annual increment for the past five years and coupled with lack of promotion for the past six years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Govt not bazaar, el-Rufai tells elite

…inaugurates boards for tax agency, others AzA Msue KADUNA

aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday, inaugurated the boards of five parastatals, telling the elite that anyone who thinks government is a bazaar, or a funder of last resort for their greed should know that his administration is against the practices. El-Rufai added that government certainly does not have the money to fritter on the vanities of the elite. Speaking during the inauguration of boards of five parastatals in Kaduna, the governor said the parastatals have mandates that are aligned to the goals of the Restoration Programme, and

will help strengthen the public service. The agencies are the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency, KADIPA, the Kaduna Facility Management Agency, KADFAMA, the Kaduna Geographic Information Service, KADGIS, the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, KADIRS, and the Kaduna State Bureau of Pensions. El-Rufai said: “The government paid N2.7bilion in wages and pension in May 2015. That is why we commenced the verification of the public service payroll from June 2015. If we had not done verification, we would have had to borrow N300m just to pay salaries. “If government is designed to provide a legiti-

mate machinery to organise society and provide public goods, then its resources cannot be legitimately spent only on servicing itself" “Anyone who thinks government is a bazaar, or a funder of last resort for their greed should know that we oppose such practices, and we certainly don’t have the money to fritter on the vanities of the elite" “We promised to make this state attractive to private investors who can create multiples of the few direct jobs that government can offer. Less than 100,000 persons are employed in the public service of Kaduna State, out of a population that is between eight and 10million. The wages of these fewer than 100,000 workers are

relatively low, but together consume about 90% of state resources. “In March 2016, Kaduna State got N2.4billion from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee. That same month, our wage bill was N2.2billion. That leaves only N200m. “When you add overheads to this, you get a full picture of the dire financial straits that low revenues and public service expenses have placed on the state. “How much can the government deliver for the larger population, the majority of the residents of the state, with a wallet of N200m? Will anything remain when wages, pensions and overheads are paid? And it could have been worse!

Liberalise refinery license, ex-Kogi Speaker urges FG wAle IbrAhIM LOKOJA

ormer acting governor of Kogi State and All Progressives Congress stalwart, Chief Clarence Olafemi, has urged the Federal Government to liberalise crude oil refining licence, saying it will encourage better private participation in crude oil refining for local consumption. Olafemi also called on the government to hands off refineries, in order to eliminate corruption in the sector. The former Speaker who was speaking on the recent announcement of the N145 per litre price ceiling announced by government, called for a balance between private players in the industry and complete deregulation "The best option is to create massive private participation in local refining of crude oil by liberalising the sector.' "The government has no business running a refinery; otherwise we will only be transferring corruption from importation to maintenance and running cost. For example, if the government is directly involved in cement manufacturing, we would not by now be where we are as a nation in being self sufficient in the product and conserving the huge foreign

currency for importation of finished cement products." "Nigeria should quickly and hurriedly remove all obstacles on guidelines for owing a private plant and guaranteeing regular sales of crude to them at international market rate, and you will have a stable and competitive situation in the selling price. Mr. President can save Nigeria from this recurring perennial problem by focusing in this direction. "I want to believe some serious impediments still exist that is not attracting both local and international investors from jumping at the offer. Let us remove those impediments immediately and millions of jobs will be created in addition to disposing with this problem of product scarcity and noise about pricing. Olafemi enjoined the government not to completely leave the sector to market forces, saying doing so will be to the disadvantage of ordinary Nigerians. "There are factors that represent deregulation, which the businessmen will still form a clique to exploit the ordinary people. This is the reason why government still needs to intervene in establishing those input and telling the importers to find appropriate source to march the government established parameters.

L-R: Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Mr Martins Babale; administering polio vaccine on an infant at the International Transit Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Fufore Local Government area of Adamawa.

NDPHC invests N3.3bn on power supply in Sokoto

iger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, said it has invested about N3.3billion in equipment to boot power infrastructure in Sokoto State. The project, executed under the Federal Government's Integrated Power Projects, IPP, scheme, achieved substantial success because of the tremendous commitment shown by the state government to its success, a General Manager in the firm, Alhaji Muhammad Bunza, has said.

"The N3.3billion expenditure has resulted in the construction of three power substations in three locations in different parts of the state. The locations are Gagi and Farfaru in Sokoto metropolis and Tambuwal Local Government Area in the southern part of the state," he added. Speaking when he conducted Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, round the facilities, Bunza said each substation has the capacity to carry 500KVA transformer which will in turn sustain 25

transformers that will serve approximately 200 households. He said the three projects are expected to come on stream in the next three months, and will increase power supply to the state. While thanking Governor Tambuwal for his concern and determination to see to the completion of the projects on time, Bunza said the NDPHC will continue with its mandate to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in power generation, and distribution.

In his remarks, the governor said the significance of the projects towards increase in power output in the state cannot be over emphasised. "It becomes very important to build such substations because the usage of power has increased in Sokoto in recent years. We are appealing to the Federal Government to also consider building more stations in Illela, Kilgori, Moore, Kalambaina and other districts in eastern and southern parts of the state," he added.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

200 riders for maiden Criterium Cycling

Sport

Scratch marathoners once – they tell you how wonderful they feel. Scratch them twice and they tell you about their latest injuries – Arnold Cooper (1981)

Fans to watch Yobo testimonial with N5,000

NPFL: Tornadoes whine over 2-0 loss to MFM

...as tickets go on sale

ickets for the Joseph Philip Yobo Testimonial game in Port Harcourt on May 27 will go on sale today. Organisers said yesterday that the tickets are priced at N500 Regular, N2,000 for VIP and N5,000 for VVIP. “We have a lot of international stars coming, but we are also mindful of the current economic situation in the country, so we have tried to make the tickets as affordable as possible,” Waidi Akanni, coordinator of the testimonial game, said. Tickets will be sold at different outlets across the country as well as online and Akanni added that there will be opportunities for fans to win tickets. “It’s the celebration of Yobo’s career and his achievement of being the first player to reach 100 games for Nigeria. So we will be giving out 100 tickets to fans, among other things.” The game will be played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, and Akanni said the Rivers State Government deserves credit for the work it has put in “All of this would have been almost impossible without the assistance of the Rivers State Government and we are grateful to His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike for his personal interest in making this game a success.” Meanwhile, Yobo will give away hundreds of signed shirts, boots, balls and tickets in the 10-day period leading up to the games “I know a lot of people want to attend the game, and I am grateful to everyone. This is a very important time for me and I feel that the fans should share in this too,” Yobo said. The former Super Eagles captain added, “Because the match is marking my 100 games for Nigeria, I want to give out 100 items each. So there will be 100 balls, 100 jerseys and 100 tickets for fans. “We want to encourage everyone to be part of this, so we will also run a competition for the kids who will walk the stars out to the pitch. Details will be available on our website and social media pages.” Yobo’s official social media handles are @ jyobo234 on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook, it is Official: Joseph Yobo.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Joseph Yobo finally bidding active career bye

iger Tornadoes striker, Ismaila Gata, has claimed that home advantage helped newcomers, Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC to win the matchday 17 clash. The Minna outfit were benched 0-2 by MFM FC in yesterday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos. Gata said the change of the game’s date from Sunday to Monday due to heavy downpour affected his side negatively. “We came prepared and on high to challenge MFM FC for the three points at stake in the encounter on Sunday, but the shift to Monday poured cold water on our match plan as well as mood for the game. “I can tell you boldly that the outcome would have been quite different if the match was played as scheduled on Sunday,” the forward told supersport.com. Gata added, “In addition, the home side, MFM FC profited greatly on the home advantage to run away with the 2-0 victory. “It was really a difficult match for both sides but at the end of the day MFM FC turned out to be winners. “We are not going to give up on the drive for away win but see the latest botched effort at MFM FC as a challenge to work harder in subsequent matches. “We have already pushed behind us the loss at MFM FC to concentrate fully on the midweek clash against Kano Pillars.” The loss at MFM FC leaves Niger Tornadoes on 20 points from possible 51 in the 17-week old Nigerian top flight.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gloria anaeze ONITSHA

councilor of Nsogwu Umunze ward 2 in Orumba South Local Government of Area of Anambra Mr Chidebele Onyema is currently being interrogated by police for alleged killing of his sibling over missing cell phones. The mother of the deceased Mrs Gloria Onyema who narrated the incidence o newsmen, stated that Nnanyere died on May 6 after receiving several beating from ChiCHANGE OF NAME

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Councillor kills sibling over missing mobile phone in Umun-

diebere on the day of the incident. Mrs Onyema revealed that Chidiebere came early hours of the day to their apartment in the same compound asking after their late 19 year old son. She said that her husband, Okwudili opened their door and saw Chidiebere who was standing outside, and told him that he would inform Nnanyere. The woman said that she went out with the husband for various busiCHANGE OF NAME

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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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PUBLIC NOTICE

nesses only to come back later in the day and was told by Nnanyere’s younger brother, Tochukwu that Chidiebere had been beating Nnanyere. The mother said that she went to look for Nnanyere and saw him at Chidiebere’s flat laying helplessly with several wounds on his body. According to her, when she inquired the reasons for the beating, she was told that her son stole Chidiebere’s mother and sisCHANGE OF NAME

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I formerly known and addressed as Bashiru Ramota Adejoke, Now wish to be known and addressed as Bashiru Ramota Omolara. All former documents remain valid, Ecobank Pls and General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ter’s cell phones. ``I pleaded to pay back the cost of the phones which Chidiebere said was N35, 000. I offered to bring N20, 000 part payment for my son to be released to me so that I can take him to hospital for treatment. ``On taking my son to CHANGE OF NAME

ABEBAYO: I, formerly known and addressed as ELIJAH ADEWALE ADEBAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ELIJAH ADEWALE KAYODE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

USMAN: I, formerly known and addressed as USMAN ELEOJO USMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as USMAN PETER ELEOJO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that UGWU DAVID NONSO and UGWU CHUKWUNONSO refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU DAVID NONSO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that Jamiu Ayomide Olusesi and Jamiu Hamzat Olusesi refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Jamiu Hamzat Olusesi. All former documents bearing my names remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I hereby confirm that the person bearing Anih Charister Chiamaka is the same as Anih Charister Joy,but now want to be known and addressed as Anih Charister Chiamaka.All former documents remain valid, general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Okoli Nnamaka now wish to be known and addressed as Ivoh Rosemary. All former documents remain valid, general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OSUJI GLORIA OGECHI, now wish to be known an addressed as OBI GLORIA OGECHI. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Okafor Chinedu Benedict now wish to be known and addressed as Okanta Chinedu Benedict . All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as Miss Aina Olaide Rebecca now to be addressed as Mrs. Babatola Olaide Rebecca. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM SAMAILA YAYANDO, now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM ISMAILA YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

VINCENT: Formerly known and addressed as Vincent Elizabeth Blessing now wish to be known and addressed as Ovba Elizabeth Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I Ogunsanya Kikelomo Comfort still the same person bearing Ogunsanya Tope. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as Ogunsanya Tope. All for.er documents remain valid, general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIFTING HANDS INITIATIVE

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

The general public is hereby informed that the above named NGO is applying for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters Act ,Cap C 20 LFN 2004. THE TRUSTEE ARE: (1) Rev. Innocent Alenkhe. -Chairman (2) Mrs. Millicent Alenkhe. -Vice Chairman (3) Stanley Ikechukwu Uwakwe –Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : (1) Including but not limited to alleviating the problem of the poor in the society,widows and orphans through varoius welfare schemes (2). Youth empowerment through training and enlightenment. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General ,corporate affairs commission , plot 420 ,Tigris Crescent ,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,Maitama Abuja ,FCT within 28 days of this publication. Signed : Stanley Ikechukwu Uwakwe (Secretary)

That the following underlisted names were formerly known called and addressed as (a) ATASIE ISAAC (Father), ATASIE ONUWA (Mother), ATASIE RUTH CHIZOBA, ATASIE MOSES OZIOMA, ATASIE JAPHET IKECHUKWU, ATASIE SOLOMON ONYEBUCHI, ATASIE MARTHA NKIRUKA, ATASIE SARHA CHINONSO, ATASIE SIMON CHUKWUMA & ATASIE JOHN NDUBUISI. 3. That we now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGUZIE ISAAC(Father), AGUZIE ONUWA (Mother), AGUZIE RUTH CHIZOBA, AGUZIE MOSES OZIOMA, AGUZIE JAPHET IKECHUKWU, AGUZIE SOLOMON ONYEBUCHI, AGUZIE MARTHA NKIRUKA, AGUZIE SARHA CHINONSO, AGUZIE SIMON CHUKWUMA & AGUZIE JOHN NDUBUISI. That all documents bearing our former names still remain valid. General public please take note.

the Immaculate Hospital, Umunze for treatment, he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,’’ she noted. Reacting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Anambra state police command Mr Ali Okechukwu who confirmed the inciCHANGE OF NAME

OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKEKE ELIZABETH NKECHI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWEKE ELIZABETH NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka; Pension Alliance Ltd (PAL) and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OSUALA: I, formerly known and addressed as Osuala Nonso Uche, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Osuala Chukwunonso Uchechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME /DATE OF BIRTH

I wish to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as Alhaji Makama Balarabe with date of birth 8th July 1982, while my correct name is Makama Balarabe, born 12th May, 1982. CHANGE OF NAME

OLATUNJI: I, formerly known and addressed as OLATUNJI GRACE DENYEFA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as TUMISE GRACE DENYEFA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE JUSTINA CHIDIEBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ENE CHIDIEBERE JUSTINA.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as AGWU DANIEL UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE IGWEDIMMA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. ADDITION OF NAME

That I was formerly known and addressed as SIMON ONYEKACHI AKACHUKWU that I now wish to addDAVID to my former name that I now wish to be known and as SIMON DAVID ONYEKACHI AKACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Nwosu Chikwado now wish to be known and addressed as Nwosu Mike Kelechi. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc, Eco Bank and the general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as lbrahim Samaila Yayando , now wish to be known an addressed as lbrahim lsmaila Yahaya. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EBINIKE : Formerly known as Ebinike Ngozika Martha now wish to be known and address as OBIDI NGOZIKA MARTHA. All former documents remains valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MADUBUKO: Formerly known and addressed as Madubuko Theresa Nkeiruka now wish to be known and addressed as Ilochonwu Theresa Nkeiruka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

dent to the news men in Awka yesterday, disclosed that the councilor have been detained at the State Investigation Department (CID), Awka. According to him, Investigation is on-going to unravel the cause of the incident CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as GANIYU KEHINDE now wish to be known and addressed as GANIU KEHINDE, with correct date of birth of 24\03\1984. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as FATUKI OLASUNKANMI OLAWALE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELAJA OLASUNKANMI OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MUHAMEED JUMAT JIBOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. JUNAID BANKOLE JIBOLA AMOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JUMOKE IKEADE ADEBAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS JUMOKE IKEADE OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGILI: I, formerly known and addressed as OGILI ODINKEMERE CHIEDOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as OGILI VICTOR MABUOKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EZENWAKA: I, formerly known and addressed as EZENWAKA ESTHER and ECHIKUNWOKE KOSARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed asECHIKUNWOKE ESTHER KOSARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. ADDITION OF NAME

That I was formerly known and addressed as BASIL NEBOCHA that I now wish to add IKENNA to my former name that I now wish to be known and as NEBOCHA IKENNA BASIL. My correct date of birth is April 14, 1996. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Joseph Olawumi Felicia,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afolabi Olawumi Felicia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SALAM ASHIM YAKUBU, now wish to be known an addressed as SALLAU YAKUBU. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SANYAOLU FATIMO KEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as SANYAOLU OMOLARA OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. Ademola adele CHANGE OF NAME

EMMANUEL: Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL. O . NWEKE now wish to be known and addressed as APOSTLE EMMANUEL . O . NWACHUKWU GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Sports

Thursday, March 5, 2015 Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Conte cleared of match-fixing, free to coach Chelsea

helsea manager-elect, Antonio Conte, has been cleared of any wrongdoing in a match-fixing scandal from 2011, according to BBC Sport report. The 46-year-old, who will lead Italy at Euro 2016 next month, was accused of doing nothing to halt a

scandal while in charge of Italian side, Siena. But BBC Sport reports, however, that a judge in Cremona acquitted Conte because the accusations of sporting fraud were baseless. Conte, who served a ban in connection with the case in 2012, will take charge of Chelsea after the Euros.

In August 2012, while coach of Juventus, the former Italy international was banned for 10 months for not reporting alleged match-fixing in two games involving Siena in the 2010-11 season. This was later reduced to four by an Italian sports tribunal and Conte became coach of his national team in August 2014.

Doping: ‘Russia ‘sorry’ and ‘ashamed”

ussian Sports Minister, Vitaly Mutko, says his country is “sorry” for the doping crisis which has put the Rio 2016 participation of its athletics team at risk. Mutko, known for his rigorous defence of his nation as accusations have continued to mount, demonstrated somewhat of a departure from his normal defiance on Sunday to admit he was ashamed of his country’s drug cheats. Russia, one of the world’s major forces in track and field, were suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) last November following the damning World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission reports, which revealed explosive evidence of a widespread statesponsored doping scheme. An IAAF Taskforce - headed by independent Norwegian chair Rune Andersen - was charged with overseeing Russia’s potential reinstatement with President Sebas-

Sebastian Coe tian C o e calling for a “robust” inspection. Mutko, writing for The Sunday Times, the British newspaper which played a key role in bringing revelations to light along with German broadcaster ARD, said: “The reasons for the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) being suspended from the IAAF have

been well-documented. “They are weighty. “Serious mistakes have been made by the Federation management, along with athletes and coaches who have broken anti-doping rules and neglected the principle of fair play, so fundamental to sport for immediate benefits. “Let us be clear. We are ashamed of them. We are very sorry that athletes who tried to deceive us, and the world, were not caught sooner. “We are very sorry because Russia is committed to upholding the highest standards in sport and is opposed to anything that threatens the Olympic values.” The Briton asked Russia to “clean house” but further scandals have enveloped the country since then, including new claims last week of state interference and cover-ups in the doping laboratory at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LMA describes Mourinho, others’ sacking as ‘embarrassing’

he worst EPL season for managerial casualties since 2001 was described as “embarrassing” by League Managers’ Association (LMA) chief Richard Bevan yesterday. Roberto Martinez became the latest high-profile manager to leave his club when Everton sacked him last week, the Spaniard joining 53 other coaches to be told their services were no longer required. He was in good company with Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), former England Steve McClaren (Newcastle), Garry Monk (Swansea) and Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool) all jettisoned during a crazy Premier League season in which Leicester City were crowned champions. Aston Villa fired Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde while Dick Advocaat resigned as Sunderland manager. Manchester City’s Manuel Pellegrini and Quique Sanchez Flores of Watford are moving on at the end of the season.

eport yesterday said that former Nigeria World Cup star, Sani Kaita, plans to get his career back on track by reuniting with Coach Daniel Amokachi at Finnish second division club, JC Hercules. Midfielder Kaita has not played since he sensationally quit Nigeria Premier League side, FC IfeanyiUbah, last season after he claimed a breach of contract A proposed return to hometown club, Kano Pillars, failed to see the light of day thereafter. But africanfootball.com reported that the former AS Monaco ace who

Further down the English soccer pyramid the landscape was equally bleak. “It’s another very relentless, disappointing and embarrassing season for the sport,” Bevan, who said a further 12 mangers resigned, told BBC Radio. “It’s the worst season ever.” Although the Premier League has been volatile this season with eight of the 20 clubs firing a manager (Aston Villa twice), the second tier Championship is even more precarious with 38 sackings in two seasons, according to Bevan. Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Leeds United all sacked managers as the pressure to try and rejoin the elite got the better of the people in charge the clubs. “You just need the people running the clubs to take a step back to assess what actually is a successful season for them and to manage the expectation of the fans,” Bevan said.

has played in the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova previously and also posted a stint at Enyimba, is heading for Finland. “Sani is working on joining Daniel Amokachi in Finland to see if he could resurrect his once-promising career,” a top source told africanFootball.com. Most Nigerian fans remember Kaita not for a good reason – when he was sent off in a 2010 World Cup group game against Greece lost and eventually failed to go past the group stage of the tournament.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

, May4,17, 2016 ThursdayTuesday September 2014

NPFL: Wickadason replaces Baraje at Plateau United James abraham Jos

200 riders for maiden Criterium Cycling Championship IfeanyI eduzor

bout 200 professional cyclists are expected to take part in the maiden edition of Criterium Cycling Championship slated for May, 30 at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the championship, Adeleke Adeniji, told National Mirror yesterday that the competition being organ-

ised by members of Cycology Riding Club will attract professional riders from seven states of the federation namely; Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Kaduna and Plateau just as he announced that the 1.6km race will be in four categories; men professional race, women professional race as well as men and women veteran races. “Cycology Riding Club is the premier recreational cycling club in Nigeria, established in 2011 by eight founding members to pro-

Lagos hockey league flicks-off May 21

mote cycling both as a healthy lifestyle of choice and as a sport. “We have about 180 members from over 20 countries including South Africa, Austria, Ghana and Japan. Over the last five years, we have become a recognisable group on the roads of Lagos on Saturday mornings. Our members are highlevel private and public sector executives and business owners, both male and female, who all love the sport of cycling and are keen to encourage more people to take up this healthy lifestyle which is the motivating factor behind the tournament,” Adeniji said. “As a club, we have ridden in many parts of the world, riding in neighbouring Ghana, as well as at the Cape Argus Tour in Cape Town, South Africa. Some of our members just finished taking part in the GranFondo in New York

this weekend while others will be going to Wales next week. “Having been exposed to these international cycling events, we believed that we could equally establish a professional cycling event in Nigeria which would support our homegrown professional cyclists to continue to excel,” he added. Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, while commending the initiative of the club, promised that the state government would partner with it to promote cycling in the state even as he stated that the tourism aspect of the event would be massive. The one day event will see the overall winner going home with N200,000 while there will be prize moneys for the first eight winners, totaling over N2million.

he Technical Adviser of Plateau United Football Club of Jos, Zakary Baraje, was yesterday asked “to step aside” by the management till further notice. A former captain of the team, Victor Wickadason, has been charged to take over. A statement yesterday in Jos, signed by the Media Officer of the club, Mr. Albert Dakup, noted that the decision became necessary in view of the dwindling performance of the team. It added that as “as an ambitious team determined to make a good impression in the NPFL, the recent performance of the team is unacceptable “. “The club observed a communication gap between the technical adviser with his assistants and the players which is affecting the success of the team.” The management also lamented that despite the free hand given to Baraje, he had not been able to justify the huge confidence reposed on him “by turning the fortunes of the team around to compete favorably with its counterparts in the top flight.” . According to the statement, former captain of the team, Victor Wickadason, who only returned to the main team recently after several years in the feeder team is to take over as head of the technical crew. “Wickadason is to be assisted by Audu Isa Pele, Moris Longmiap and Tunde Adedara goalkeeper trainer,” the statement added.

Abuja new cricket ground ready by August – Onyeama Joel aJayI AbuJA

Female hockey players in action

hairman of the Lagos State Hockey Association, Tunde Popoola, said yesterday that arrangements had been concluded to commence a Five-a-Side Hockey League in the state from May 21. Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the league would be organised in conjunction with Union Bank and other relevant stakeholders. He explained that the league’s duration would be six months and that it would be staged at the Union Bank Sports Complex in Surulere, Lagos. The hockey chairman told

NAN that seven teams would participate in the maiden edition of the league. “The maiden hockey five-a-side league will kick-off this Saturday and matches will be played every third Saturday for the next six months. “The aim of the league is to engage hockey players in the state and also to develop the sport at the grassroots. “We also have other programmes that we are planning. So this league will serve as a testrun and subsequently, invitations will be extended to other states,” Popoola said.

s work progresses at the new ground being constructed by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) within the National Stadium, Abuja, NCF president, Engr. Emeka Onyeama, has expressed confidence in the ability of the contractor to ensure completion by August this year. Onyeama who gave the assurance after inspecting the extent of works done so far last the weekend with NCF Board member, Kayode Adeniyi, explained that clearing and actual land levelling would be completed in days before planting of grasses would commence. He said the federation had en-

gaged an experienced grounds man from Uganda, who would ensure that the new cricket pitch with two overs would open doors to professional cricket play in Nigeria. “What we are doing is to make sure that this new cricket ground is ready as scheduled because towards the last quarter of this year, we intend to start hosting various cricket competitions both for local teams and those from outside the country. “In the past, we entered bids to host international competitions but that was not possible due to the fact that we don’t have standard playing grounds. So the completion of the new ground with two overs will certainly see our dream of developing cricket in Nigeria coming to pass,” Onyeama said. The NCF boss added, “We have enough human resources in this country that can galvanize wealth

but over the years, we lacked the will power to take the right steps. With the completion of this project, we will introduce a national league where about 24 clubs we have scattered all over the country will be coming to Abuja to compete. “When the league starts, every week, at least four clubs will be on ground to compete. The various teams have their makeshift grounds constructed with concrete where they train. But concrete ground is no longer in vogue. And so, the teams can’t afford to use their training ground to master the game, that’s why they will need to converge on Abuja for competitions.” Onyeama will this week join Nigeria Senior Men Cricket team who are on a weeklong training tour in United Kingdom ahead of 2016 World Cricket Division 5 League in Jersey Island where Nigeria will battle host country alongside

WORLD RECORD

Fastest time to burst three balloons with the back The fastest time to burst three balloons with the back is 12 seconds, set by Julia Gunthel, aka ‘Zlata’ (Germany), on 23 November 2007.

N150

Vol. 06 No. 1371 Tuesday, May 17, 2016

The rampaging disease called religion!

ne of the most challenging themes to write on is religion. This is because, religion, an institution created by man, has been so abused by the class of animals that created it in the first place. In many cases one is either applauded for a deposition or chastised, depending on the writer’s “religious beliefs”. If you dare remind some Muslims that a verse as violent as this: ‘’And when the sacred months are passed, kill those who join other gods with Allah wherever ye shall find them; and seize them, besiege them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush…’’ (Quran 9:5) exists in the Holy Quran, the reply you will get will either be, “You have to look at the context Allah reveals that verse”, or you are told not to interpret the Quran literarily. Most interpreters of the Good Book find no arguments in it for the murder of in-

igerian striker, Victor Anichebe, has revealed that he is leaving West Bromwich Albion this summer. The Beijing 2008 Olympics silver medallist’s contract at the Baggies runs out next month and he is not expecting a renewal following a season in which he struggled for first-team football.

Guest Columnist

Olalekan W.

Adigun

nocents. But it would be naive to ignore in Islam a deep thread of intolerance toward unbelievers. The use of religion for extreme repression, and even terror, is not restricted to Islam. For most of its history, Christianity has had a worse record. From the Crusades to the Inquisition and to the bloody religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries, Europe saw far more blood spilled for religion’s sake than the Muslim world did. Many Christians will deny that Jesus Christ made a statement such as this: “I have brought you not peace but sword” in the New Testament (Matthew 10:34). Questions that this writer often asks himself are: Why is religion so misunderstood by those who should even know better? Why do some people do negative things in the name of religion? At this point let me bring in a quote from foremost Western philosopher Bertrand Russell: “Religion is based... mainly upon fear...fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore, it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand…My own view on religion is that of Lucretius. I regard it as a disease born of fear and as a source of untold misery to the human race.” The truth is that fear often makes people turn to “something” other than themselves in the peak of disaster or

Why is religion so misunderstood by those Who should

even knoW better? calamity which they consider “bigger” than them. They look for freedom, often without responsibility. They hope, but not on faith. They believe, but with no faith. This appears to be the case with our so-called religious people in Nigeria. Instead of worship, what we have is warship. The leader is seen as a reincarnation of “God” or something. The leader tells the followers what to do and they accept without question(s). Only the leader’s interpretation(s) of the Holy Books are acceptable. The rivalry between Sheik Gumi and Sheik el-Zakzaky, both preaching Islam but of different traditions, with the former being Sunni and the latter being Shiite, is legendary. Both men’s supporters are reported to have clashed on several occasions in Kaduna. One will wonder why anyone will want to fight for God. If God is so big, who are His creatures to fight for Him? I imagine a situation where a school bully beats up my four-year old cousin and comes home to report for me to come to his aid. This is normal because my boy can be powerless to deal

with the bully. Let us look at another case where I was slapped by a bus conductor at the commercial motor park only for me to get home to “report” to my four-year old boy to fight for me. That sounds absurd isn’t it? This is the case with anyone “fighting” for God. To show that most of us, especially in Nigeria, appear to now be more Catholic than the Pope, we will do anything in our power to “fight” for God. Recently, the Kaduna State government introduced what it calls ‘A Bill For A Law To Substitute The Kaduna State Religious Preaching Law, 1984’ popularly known as Preaching Bill. Inasmuch as bodies representing Islam and Christianity have condemned the bill, professional politicians hiding under the large cover of religion, in their attempt to score a point, set up an “us-versus-them” argument. Some of them went as far as saying that el-Rufai will die if he does not withdraw the bill. With the passion with which these people speak, one will think they love their religion that much. Their supporters, forming a congregation, believe them so long as it is coming from their ‘Father-in-theLord”. They take whatever they say as gospels, no matter how false their messages are. The displays of some of these “politicians hearing from God” do not deter their members at all. These ones capitalize on the fears of the people. They mirror their own fears in the minds of the people as “God’s anointed” My own Bible tells me to “…believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1); but not our religious people who have been infected by the disease of religion! Adigun, a political risk analyst and strategist, wrote via adgorwell@ gmail.com. Follow him on twitter at @adgorwell.

Sport Extra

Anichebe confirms West Brom exit The West Midland club are yet to release a statement to that effect, but Anichebe took to Twitter yesterday to lift the lid on his future with West Brom. Anichebe stated on Twitter: “Thank you to all the @WBAFCofficial fans for the support during my time at the club! I wish you all the best for the future. God

bless.” The 28-year-old started just three league games all season for West Brom as he struggled to break into the team after a spell on the sidelines injured. He scored nine goals in 63 appearances for the West Midland outfit with

his last appearance for the club being a 0-1 defeat to Watford at home on April 16. The former Everton apprentice switched to West Brom in 2013 in a fee of £5 million and had a pretty slow start to his Baggies career failing to score in his opening eight games.

Anichebe

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