Tuesday march 15, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Lekki buildiing tragedy: Ambode fires building control GM, 3 others Francis suberu

Ambode

Vol. 6 N0. 1326

ollowing the Lekki Garden’s building collapse, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akin-

wunmi Ambode, yesterday approved dismissal of the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Mr. Adeigbe Olushola. The governor also ap-

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

EFCC’s fresh proof-ofevidence stalls Badeh’s trial

proved the dismissal of Head of Inspection and Quality Control in the Agency, Adeoye Thomas Adeyemi, and Zonal District Officer, Dosunmu CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Badeh

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2014 audit report reveals N3.2trn fraud at NNPC National Mirror Online

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GeorGe oji, ABUJA

he 2014 audit report of Auditor-General of the Federation, AGF, Mr. Samuel Ukura, which was submitted to the National Assembly yesterday, revealed some fraud totaling about N3.2trn at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in 2014 alone. The amount was what NNPC under-remitted to the Federation Account from domestic crude oil sales, according to the report. Ukura said this while addressing newsmen after CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

L-R: Group Managing Director, Arco Group Plc, Alfred Okoigun; Executive Director, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. lbe Kachikwu, during the Vice President’s visit to Arco Group Plc exhibition stand at the opening of the 6th African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition in Abuja, yesterday.

Fashola gives DisCos marching order on metering Zaria clash: Panel gives Shi’ites March 21 deadline

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Hoodlums sack police station in Jos, cart away arms

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Ese Oruru: Prosecution wants victim’s evidence taken in camera P.11

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2014 audit report reveals N3.2trn fraud at NNPC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

submitting his office’s 2014 Annual Report and Audit Report of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, to the National Assembly. He said the amount constituted irregular payments noticed by the office while fulfilling its mandate of auditing the accounts of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies. “From the examination of NNPC mandates to CBN on domestic crude oil sales and reconciliation statement of Technical SubCommittee, FAAC amount not remitted was N3.2trn,” he said. The report, which was submitted to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa for onward presentation to both chambers, also uncovered some fraud perpetrated by other agencies of government for the same period. The report stated that sale of gas to Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, to the tune of $235,685,861 was not paid to the Federation Account, rather, was transferred to some undisclosed Escrow Accounts. “Also, $235m sale of gas to NLNG was not paid to the federation account but transferred to some undisclosed Escrow Accounts. “Relevant documents were not made available for verification,” the AGF noted in the report. “Another $346.2m was stated to have been paid and received by the federation account, through NGL Funding Account as Gas Export Sales, yet no document was available to confirm this,” he said. Ukura implored the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, to investigate the funds and ensure their recovery to the federation’s coffer. He also disclosed that discrepancies up to N73.5bn were found from various Special Funds Accounts of the Federal Government. “Total payments amounting to N73.5bn were made contrary to the established purpose of the funds. The sum of N36.4bn was released to the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for the rehabilitation and construction of dams instead of the Federal Min-

Olu of Warri, King Godfrey Emiko (middle), Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode (second right), Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule (left) and others during the monarch’s visit to Ambode in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN istry of Water Resources. “Another N2.8bn was spent for the procurement of hand sanitisers for schools and critical public places. “The sum of N31.3bn was payment of subsidy on fertilizer and youth employment in agricultural programmes. “The sum of N2.3bn was payment for group Life Assurance Premium for Armed Forces budget in 2013, but not backed. “The sum of N509m which was recorded as payment for schools agricultural programmes could not be accounted for.” He said the report also showed that N7.3bn was deducted from various MDA accounts as tax but was not remitted into any account

of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS. He said discrepancies were also found in the accounts of the National Assembly, up to N10.6bn in 2014. The AGF said the management of the National Assembly, headed by Maikasuwa made payments of N9.5bn without raising payment vouchers. According to him, this is a violation of the country’s financial regulation. Also, personnel advances were granted to 112 staff of the National Assembly from recurrent votes and 50 members of staff from general service votes from July to December, 2014 for various purposes, all amounting to N1.1bn. Ukura in the audit re-

port, revealed how the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington DC, United States of America, realised $3,705,428 as Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, between 2012 and March 2015, but expended the whole amount on sundry expenses. The report said Pay As You Earn, PAYE, tax of N2bn was deducted and said to be remitted to FIRS. According to the report, there is no evidence of remittance and nothing was produced for audit confirmation. The Auditor-General in another report presented to the Clerk, declared that ghost workers would remain on government payroll if the management of IPPIS was not immediately checked by the appropriate

authorities. Ukura alleged that unidentified staff of Soft Alliance Limited, the software developers, have unhindered access to the data base and usually set up new users and change data, from time to time. He told reporters that the password controls for access to IPPIS are not adequate because the database can be accessed remotely through the Internet. He claimed that the password to access the IPPIS database does not expire after 90 days hence making it possible for retired government officers to use their password after leaving office. He also expressed concern that some user names and passwords were shared

by several users and that most of them used words like ‘consultant’ or ‘technical’ with no restriction on the number of sign-in attempts. He said: “The audit trail for the IPPIS has not been enabled and that as a result, it is not always possible to trace which user made particular inputs or changes. For example, fraudulent transactions cannot be traced to a particular user. “Application controls have not been activated in IPPIS to ensure that gross pay is input from salary and allowance tables, rather than the actual amounts being inputted directly. “Completeness checks are not activated to ensure that all necessary data, like CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Lekki buildiing tragedy: Ambode fires building control GM, 3 others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Gbadebo, while the Zonal Head of Eti-Osa West, Mrs. Akinde Adenike Sherifat, was compulsorily retired from the civil service. Governor Ambode, in a statement signed by Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, said the affected officers were dismissed, having been indicted of negligence, which according to him, is an act of misconduct under the Public Service Rule 040401. Rule 040401 of the Public Service Act of Misconduct states inter alia: “A willful act of omission or general mis-

conduct to the scandal of the public or to the prejudice of discipline and proper administration of the state government”, should be visited with dismissal from the public service in line with the Public Service Rule 040503. The Head of Service said the disciplinary measure was the outcome of the recommendations of the Personnel Management Board to Governor Ambode, who was personally grieved by the high number of fatalities that occurred as a result of the building collapse. The board had recom-

mended that the officers be sacked after investigations revealed that the building, which was initially sealed off, was reopened without due process. The board said in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the collapsed building was served contravention notice for exceeding the approved floors and thereafter sealed by LASBCA, but that the promoters criminally unsealed the property and continued building, while officials of the state agency failed to take further steps to

stop them. The board found this an act of negligence by the affected officials. Mrs. Ademola also warned public officials, private building owners and contractors, who violate or subvert building regulations that it would no longer be business as usual, saying the dismissal of the officers would serve as a wake-up call and deterrent to public servants. “It is also a clarion call to them to be alive to their responsibilities as any act of negligence will face sanctions, while hardworking officers will be

rewarded appropriately,” she said. It would be recalled that on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, a building under construction at Lekki Gardens, Ikusenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, collapsed as a result of which 34 people died. Rescue teams comprising Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, among others, however brought out over 15 persons alive from the rubble.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

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L-R: Chief Risk Officer, Union Bank, Mr. Kandolo Kasongo; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Union Bank Plc, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo; HRH, Eze Malachy Onu (Olele III of Agbala, Imo State); Group Head, Commercial Hub Aba/Owerri Union Bank, Mr Augustine Anyanwu and Transformation Director, Union Bank, Mr. Joe Mbulu, at the unveiling of Union Bank branch, PortHarcourt Road, Owerri, Imo State, yesterday.

Governor, Rotary District 9125, Dr Mike Omotosho (L), Presenting a souvenir to Ag Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Jones Afolabi (M) and Editor-In-Chief, Malam Lawal Ado, during the visit of the governor to NAN headquarters In Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Force Sports Officer, ACP Aliu Abubakar; Chairman, Central Planning Committee, AIG James Caulcrick and Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Kolawole Olabisi, at a news conference on the Force 11th Biennial Police Games and 2016 Police Week in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, during a meeting on areas of mutual benefit and collaboration at the Banana Island Head Office of Airtel in Lagos, yesterday.

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Buhari advises African oil producers on gas infrastructure P resident Muhammadu Buhari has called on African Petroleum Producers Association, APPA, to collaborate to ensure the development of huge gas infrastructure on the continent. Buhari at the opening ceremony of the 6th African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition yesterday in Abuja said he was concerned about the huge volume of gas flared in Nigeria and Africa on daily basis. The theme of the congress is “Positioning African Petroleum for Global Development and Value Addition.” Buhari said, “The use of Gas in Africa’s future energy mix has become imperative. “If Africa must meet her future energy needs,

the issue of the development of a robust gas infrastructure must be jointly addressed. “Currently, Nigeria has the seventh largest gas deposit in the world and the highest quality; rich in liquids and low in sulfur. “Reserves are put at over 185 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) and undiscovered reserves estimated at 400TCF with a capacity to peak to 600 TCF.” According to him, Nigeria has established the Nigeria Gas Company, NGC, to provide gas transportation to newly established power plants and to facilitate domestic energy supply. Buhari added that at the sub-regional level, Nigeria was actively involved in the West African Gas Pipeline Project

that would deliver clean and safe natural gas from Nigeria to many West African countries. Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, he said the Nigeria Gas Master Plan and the Gasto-Power-Initiative clearly exemplified the focus of the country. He urged APPA member countries to enter into profitable partnerships in Natural Gas business with Nigeria. Buhari said globally, over 150 billion cubic meters of associated gas was flared annually. “Of this figure, Africa flares an estimated 40 billion cubic meters annually. “ In Nigeria, gas flaring amounts to about 23 billion cubic metres per annum in over 100 flare sites constituting over

13 per cent of global gas flaring. “Nigeria is a member of the World Bank Global Gas Flaring Reduction, GCFR, Partnership and with the support of our legislature, we will sign the United Nations Agreement of Zero Routine Flaring by 2030, although our national target is 2020. “I urge all APPA member countries to set realistic targets for gas flare-out in the region,” he said. Buhari said Nigeria would continue to pursue focused Renewable Energy initiatives through prudent management of resources under a Biofuel programme for the production of fuel-ethanol and bio-diesel. He added that the resulting “Green Gasoline” would reduce the volume of carbon dioxide

released into the atmosphere, improve air quality and ultimately reduce global warming and its catastrophic consequences. The President said the renewable energy initiative would not only help the Nigerian economy but would also assist other APPA countries to create jobs. He called for a common approach to local content to ensure that the whole of Africa benefited from economies of scale associated with their vast resources. “Africa must substantially achieve value addition in the exploitation of its natural resources; APPA must recognise that the development of domestic refining capacity in oil and gas is critical to sustainable economic growth. “I challenge African

Ministers of Energy to further explore cooperation mechanisms to expand regional refining capacities in an efficient and cost effective manner. “Let me assure that Nigeria is ever ready to provide support in manpower development through the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and the Petroleum Training Institute, Warri,” Buhari said. Also, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the meeting was apt as it came at the time when oil volatility had become major concern. He said there was the need for enhanced bloc relations to ensure positive change in the industry. Kachikwu expressed hope that oil price would soon come up for betterment of the oil producing states.

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Fashola gives DisCos marching orders on metering EmmanuEl EzEh ENUGU

ower distribution companies yesterday got a marching order to supply metres to customers without further delay.

This is also as the minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, assured of the Federal Government’s commitment towards steady power supply across the country. This was stated in a communiqué issued at the end of the 3rd monthly sectoral meeting of operators in the electricity industry, held at Ugwuaji Transmission Station, Enugu. The power stakeholders resolved to reinvigorate their efforts towards customer engagement, through the launching of customer care units, for adequate resolution of power sectors issues in line with the standard set up by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC. Fashola, who briefed newsmen shortly after the meeting, however, expressed optimism that the present challenge militating against supply of electricity in the country would be surmounted once Nigerians understood how the system operates. He said: “Every time that we finish the meeting, one question that we ask ourselves is whether the meeting has added value to the business and helped to solve some of their problems, the result was a unanimous ‘Yes’. “In terms of specifics, the meeting addressed the problems of gas, financial stability, volatility of foreign exchange in sectors as to how that affects the ability of the power plants, the GenCos, the DisCos to implement their technical service agreement with their foreign partners. “It addressed also the difficulty of pricing local gas consumption in dollars instead of naira. “So, these are some of the problems that people don’t see but they ulti-

mately affect the value of service. “We also addressed the problem of CAPMI metering system, we resolved that in the interest of consumers that people cannot take money from consumers without supplying what was paid for. “We’ve reviewed the reports given to us by the DisCos. From the reports, many of them claimed that they’ve largely supplied the metres that people paid in advance for. “I made it clear to them that a situation where people pay for metres and they are not supplied, for me undermines trust. We’ve given them matching orders to wind down all the outstanding credit metres programme that they’ve collected money from people and haven’t supplied. “Going forward, they must take responsibility for providing metres because that is what is in the new tariffs that they have. That’s also the protection we’ve given to consumers in the new tariff. “We’ve made it clear that if you dispute your bill based on assessment,

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; President, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Nigerian Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Adadu Echi, at the Malabo International Airport as President Buhari arrived Malabo on a 2-day state visit for talks on maritime security, yesterday.

then, you should pay your last undisputed bill, let the distribution company who claimed that you consumed more energy come and prove that you did so. “They cannot do so unless they measure the energy and they cannot measure the energy un-

less they give you a meter. “Any fair-minded person who reads through the new tariff order will see that it has favoured the consumers more and placed the burden on the DisCos to provide the metres.” Also speaking, Manag-

ing Director, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Robert Dickerman, said the company was ready to distribute as much energy as it accesses from the transmission company, noting however that there was a severe shortage of generation at the moment.

On his part, acting CEO, NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah, said the sectoral meeting had been able to streamline most of the bottlenecks that had militated against the speedy improvement in power supply and also addressed some multiagency issue.

Court reserves judgment in trial of ex-NIMASA boss

Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday reserved its judgment in the trial of Raymond Omatseye , a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Omatseye is facing trial over alleged bid rigging and N1.5bn contract scam filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2010. The accused pleaded not

guilty to the 27-count charge and had been granted bail on self recognition. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia reserved judgment in the trial after lawyers to the prosecution, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, and the defence, Mr. Edoka Onyeke adopted their final addresses. The judge said the date for judgment would be communicated to parties. Onyeke, had in his address urged the court to discountenance the arguments

of prosecution and dismiss the charge against his client. He argued that the prosecution had not been able to proof its case beyond reasonable doubt. Onyeke said out of the 27-count-charge against the accused, 25 dealt strictly with the issue of approval of contract above the threshold while the remaining two were on bid rigging. He noted that the prosecution did not proof that ex-

hibit PD 16, which it relied on in dealing with the issue of threshold, got to NIMASA at the time the contracts were awarded. “The exhibit was silent about its commencement date and we know that a law must have a commencement date,” he said. On the issue of bid rigging, Onyeke argued that by the provision of sections 58 (10) (a) of the Public Procurement Act, the offence of bid rigging cannot be

2014 audit report reveals N3.3trn fraud at NNPC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the bank account number, grade level, and job title, have been entered. “Duplicate checks to determine that the bank account numbers or employee numbers are not used by more than one payee. “Reasonableness checks are not activated so that an officer’s age less than 18 years can be still paid while user profiles are not adequately restricted; hence

an officer in one MDA can amend the payroll data for other MDAs. “The ability to create new users on the system is not adequately protected and restricted to a few super users’” Ukura lamented that his office had as a result of the anomalies, discovered that about N330m was paid to 300,000 civil servants without following approved salary scale while double pay-

ments of about N30m was paid within three months. He added that the imperfections in the IPPIS system had made the country to lose another huge sum of money with the payment of N12m each to 40 members of staff, who were not included in the payroll of the relevant MDAs. Ukura also explained that 152 officers on IPPIS did not have personnel files in their MDAs while N193m

was paid to unidentified persons. Apart from this, he explained that N1.163bn was paid to 596 employees with income tax deductions from April 2012 to September 2013 and that 2,000 employees had no pension deductions. Ukura urged the Senate and House of Representatives to do justice to the reports so that all the money could be recovered and put to better use.

committed by a single individual. He argued that throughout the length of trial, the prosecution failed to call any witness to proof the alleged collusion of the accused to commit bid rigging. “It is not logical or legal for an accused to connive with himself to commit the offence of rigging a bid. “The offence of bid rigging was never proved by the prosecution, and I submit that it is impossible for the court to convict the accused on the said offence,” he said Onyeke urged the court to discharge and acquit his client. Obla, on the other hand, urged the court to hold that the case of the prosecution was “as clear as daylight, and has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.” On the issue of failure of prosecution to lead evidence as to conspiracy to commit bid rigging, Obla submitted that the facts of the case spoke volumes.

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Getting replacement for Lai Mohammed difficult – APC A ll Progressives Congress, APC, says it is difficult to get a replacement that could match the outstanding performance of its former party spokesperson, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. APC chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said this yesterday at a briefing with newsmen at the party’s secretariat in

Abuja. According to him, the party has a problem getting a spokesperson to fit into Mohammed’s shoes. He, however, said the issue was being resolved and that the party would have a spokesperson soon. It would be recalled that Mohammed, now Minister of Information and Culture, held sway as the party’s spokesper-

son during its years as opposition until the party emerged winner in the last presidential election. ``I think arrangements have been completed to hold the necessary congresses to nominate a spokesperson. ``I think that should be done very shortly. In fact, the issue is getting somebody that can be as close as possible to the

outstanding performance of the present Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed,’’ he said. The chairman, who has just resumed from a 10day working leave, said he was glad to return back to work. ``I told you I was going on break because I needed it. I’ve had a good break; I’ve had a bit of rest and I’m back to the office,’’ he

L-R: Mr. Bruice Obi Agele; daughter of the diseased, Onajoma Oniwinde; son, Paul Ibru and brother, Goodie Ibru (OON), during Mr Agele’s condolence visit to the family of the late Felix Ibru in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Buhari condemns terrorists’ attack on Cote d’Ivoire Rotimi Fadeyi AbujA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Sunday’s terrorists’ attack on Grand Bassam Resort in Cote D’Ivoire. A statement issued yesterday by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari, in a telephone call to President Alassane Ouattara after the attack, conveyed the sympathy of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria to the people of Cote d’Ivoire as they mourn their compatriots and foreign visitors, who lost their lives in the attack. The President assured his Ivorian counterpart of Nigeria’s full solidarity and support as his country grapples with the consequences of the heinous attack and strives to overcome the new security challenges posed by the ter-

rorist incursion. While stressing that terrorism now transcends all national boundaries, Buhari restated his call for greater international cooperation against terrorists and their sponsors.

“They have attacked a hotel in Mali, leaving 21 people dead. They killed over 130 people in attacks on Paris and they murdered 28 persons in Burkina Faso. “Terrorism does not respect territorial boundar-

ies again. That is why the world has to come together, present a common front and deal with these merchants of evil,” Buhari said. Ouattara thanked Buhari for Nigeria’s sympathy and solidarity.

N3.9bn NAF loot: EFCC’s fresh proof-of-evidence stalls Badeh’s trial

rial of former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, was yesterday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following the inclusion of additional proofof-evidence by the prosecution. Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had filed additional proof to beef up evidence against Badeh. Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), who replaced Mr. Samuel Zibiri (SAN), as defence counsel, however, filed an application seeking an adjournment to study the case file. Olujimi also said the defence team needs time to

study the additional evidence filed by the prosecution. But the prosecuting counsel opposed the application, leaving the judge, Justice Okon Abang, with no option than to rule on it. Delivering the ruling, Abang held that the right of defence is a personal right of the applicant that could not be denied. He said the applicant has the option of defending himself personally or enlist a private counsel to act on his behalf. “The applicant has since March 7, when he was arraigned been represented by a counsel; so, he cannot in the attempt to hire another coun-

sel halt the trial. “Today is reserved for commencement of trial and the court will not allow any flimsy motion to stop that.

said. He assured that all party activities would hold as planned for the month. “All the scheduled meetings of the party will

run as planned; the caucus will meet on the 21st, the BoT on the 22nd and NEC on the 24th. “Everything will go as planned,’’ he said.

UBA declares N60bn profit, pays additional 40k dividend

nited Bank for Africa Plc, the pan-African financial services group with operations in 19 African countries, has delivered yet another strong and impressive financial performance. In its Audited Full Year results for the year ended December 31, 2015, released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday, the bank recorded a 10% growth in gross earnings, closing at N315 billion and a 25% growth in profit-after-tax to N60 billion; translating to a 20% return on average equity. Similarly, UBA defied competition and macroeconomic pressures to grow operating income by 10% to a record N205 billion in December 2015 from N186 billion in December 2014. Following the impressive performance, the board is proposing a final dividend of 40 kobo per share. This brings to 60 kobo the total dividend for the 2015 financial year. UBA had earlier paid an interim dividend of 20 kobo per share, following the audit of its 2015 Half Year Results. Commenting on the result, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, said “our 2015 profit is a new high, reflecting the hard work and discipline of our Board, Management and Staff in creating value for all stakeholders. We remain committed to growing in a responsible manner that aligns with our vision of building an enduring institution”. He said the bank’s resil-

ient business model, geographic diversification, proactive strategies, and strong governance created an edge for it through the year. “We will continue to invest in our future whilst managing cost tightly to generate strong returns to shareholders” he assured. Also speaking on UBA’s financial performance and position, the Group Chief Finance Officer (GCFO), Mr. UgoNwaghodohsaid “amidst macroeconomic volatilities, we leveraged efficiency gains in our business development and operations to grow earnings. We improved on our balance sheet management and pricing, thus ensuring a strong 19% growth in interest income as well as an enhanced net interest margin of 6.3%. Our improved service delivery and customized offerings helped in growing transaction banking volume, with attendant fee income. Whilst we were exposed to some external cost pressure, we managed to keep our cost growth at 5% (below the average inflation rate of 9% in Nigeria; our core market which represents three-quarter of our operations)”. He expressed satisfaction at the performance of the bank’s Africa operations, particularly in synergy extraction and pursuit of scale economics to achieve market share and earnings targets. “Precisely, UBA Africa contributed 24% of our Group’s profit before tax in the 2015, despite the impact of crosscurrency depreciation in some of our markets.

Easter retreat: Kumuyi assures on God’s unlimited power

eneral Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has assured all participants at the church’s National Easter retreat of God’s special intervention in all spheres of their lives. Pastor Kumuyi, who expressed optimism that God would visit His people in a mighty way, announced that the event with the theme, Experiencing The Power

of His Cross, will take place from March 24 to 27, 2016, at the Deeper Life Conference Centre, Kilometre 48, LagosIbadan Expressway. He also said the programme would take place simultaneously in all the states, regions and local government camp grounds within Nigeria, other locations in Africa and beyond. Pastor Kumuyi, who has devoted all his life to the preaching of the Gospel,

and to the liberation of the repressed and oppressed across the globe through the unstoppable power of God, in a statement, assured that just as the curtain of the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook and the rocks split the moment Jesus breathed his last on the rugged cross, even so shall all participants have their life challenges torn asunder and uprooted at the retreat.

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Zaria clash: Panel gives Shiites March 21 deadline to submit memorandum

udicial Commission of Inquiry into the December 12 Army/ Shiites clash in Zaria has given the sect up to March 21 to submit its memorandum to the panel. A statement signed by the commission's Secretary, Bala Babj, on Monday in Kaduna, after the panel adjourned sitting till March 21, said the memorandum would form the basis for the sect's appearance before the panel. It noted that the panel had sat for four weeks out of the six weeks allotted to

complete its assignment, ``consequently, we deem it imperative for the work of the commission to now proceed in earnest.'' The statement said it was imperative for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, to submit its memorandum ahead of hearing commencing on March 21. “The commission has strived hard to afford all parties to be fairly represented and treated with justice and fairness in all its deliberations,'' the statement said. During the sitting, Chairman of the commission,

Justice Muhammadu Lawal-Garba, said the panel would officially begin proper proceedings on March 21 ``whether IMN has access to its leader or not.`` “We give another opportunity to allow IMN to see their leader because the application for adjournment is supported by all the parties appearing before the panel,`` Lawal-Garba said. Earlier, the panel's lead counsel, Yunus Ustaz-Usman (SAN), said that all efforts to get access to the sect's leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, had failed.

“We did the best we could, but because of the busy schedule of the Attorney General of the Federation, we could not go through him. “But we met with the Attorney General of Kaduna State, who spoke to the Attorney General of the Federation on phone in our presence. “We were in Abuja for four days, trying to see him, but he was too busy, and before we know it, he flew out of the country. “We are still very optimistic that the Attorney

General of the Federation will facilitate IMN counsel access to the leader of IMN; this is how far we have gone. “In this circumstance, we crave for the commission's indulgence for another opportunity, the last opportunity, for the IMN counsel to get access to their client,`` Usman appealed.

Kogi governorship: Falake adopts written statement DOOsuur iwambe AbujA

L-R: NDIC MD/CE Representative, Dr. Jacob Afolabi; Director of Research, Policy and International Relations Department being assisted by the representative of ABU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala (middle) as he presented a cheque of N300,000 to the 2nd place winner, Fadirat A. O. in the Deposit Insurance Scheme (DIS) Course at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, recently.

Nigeria ready for ICAO audit —DG NCAA Olusegun KOiKi

irector-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman, has restated readiness of the country to scale through ongoing safety audit of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, taking place in all major airports across the country. This is as he enjoined the media to refrain from speculative reporting and assumptions, which could be injurious to the success of the exercise in Nigeria. Usman stated this yesterday in his welcome address at the agency’s annex headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

He also insisted that with the level of preparedness and cooperation among the concerned agencies, there was no way Nigeria would not record over 90 per cent success in the exercise, stressing that with regular auditing of the nation’s airports, safety and security would better be enhanced in the industry. He described the exercise as an examination, which Nigeria should scale through, adding that the ultimate Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP, of ICAO was to promote global aviation safety through regular audits of safety oversight systems in all ICAO member states. He, however, pointed out that periodic audits and certification were not unfamiliar to the nation’s aviation

industry, saying that successive audits had been concluded with successes. Usman recalled that Nigeria scored over 90 per cent in the counterpart ICAO security audit conducted in 2015, noting that it was an exercise in which the country was one of the first in the world to go through the Universal Security Audit Programme, USAP, Continuous Monitoring Approach,CMA. He added, “In addition, it is aimed at determining the state’s level of implementation of ICAO’s safety-related Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPs, with associated procedures and guidance material. “There has been a very encouraging cooperation and working relationship between all the relevant parastatals and the regula-

tory authority towards a successful outing.” Also commenting at the occasion, the leader of the ICAO’s four-man team, Mr. Jean Claude Waffo, noted that the essence of the exercise was not to audit any of the agencies, but to look at the growth and development of the Nigerian aviation industry in the past years. He insisted that the organism ation was on the continuous monitoring approach and not on spotcheck as was the case in previous exercise. He said the implementation of its findings would continually be accessed and monitored by the organisation. The audit exercise would be completed on March 25, 2016.

Both counsel to the Army and that of IMN, Mr Biola Oyebanji and Maxwell Kyon, respectively, supported the application for adjournment. The panel had adjourned sitting three times; these are on February 22, February 29 and March 14, to allow counsel to the sect to have access to El-Zakzaky.

ames Falake, running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu in the November 21, 2015, governorship election in Kogi State, yesterday adopted his written statement in the petition he filed before the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja. Faleke is challenging the declaration of Yahaya Bello as Kogi State Governor. When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, Falake, who was led in evidence by his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), told the tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ought to have declared him governor of the state, having contested and won the election with the late Audu, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He told the court that his party, APC, elected him and Audu, the governorship candidate in a primary election and sponsored their election, which was won, saying that he premised his petition on the November 21 governorship election in the state. He further stated that he did not participate in the December 5 election because he won the earlier one in a keenly contested election. Faleke therefore, asked the court to order INEC to declare him governor of Kogi State. Falake was the only witness of the petitioner and by the adoption of his witness statement and document tendered to prove the case of the petitioner, Falake has closed his case and the Tribunal adjourned till today for INEC to open its defence in the peti-

tion. Parties in the petition had already filed and exchanged their pre-hearing reports, having distilled all the issues they want the court to resolve with a view to determining whether Governor Yahaya Bello was validly elected to pilot the affairs of Kogi State for the next four years. The Justice Halima Mohammed-led three man panel tribunal directed the parties to return yesterday to adopt the reports, so as to enable it to commence fullblown hearing on the substantive matter. The panel had earlier adjourned the petition that was brought before it by the immediate past governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada (rtd), who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the election. The petitioners are praying the tribunal to invalidate the process that led to the emergence of Governor Bello as winner of the gubernatorial election that took place in Kogi State last year. Specifically, Faleke went to the tribunal to challenge INEC'S refusal to declare him as the valid winner of the governorship election in Kogi State. He among others issues, prayed the tribunal to declare that INEC acted wrongly when it declared the outcome of the November 21, 2015 gubernatorial poll inconclusive. Faleke through his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), contended that the initial election had produced a winner in late Prince Abubakar Audu, adding that his death arrogates to him the status of Governor-elect.

South West

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Protest in Ife over new Obalufe Boladale BamigBola OsOgbO

L-R: Osun State former Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Barrister Bashir Ajibola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; North-West Zonal Chairman of Forum for the Patriotic Members of All Progressives Congress,FOPAMEC, Alhaji Isyaku Umar; National Publicity Secretary, FOPAMEC, Engineer Ibrahim Bashir and NorthWest Zonal Secretary, Architect Bashir Idris, during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor in his office, at Government Secretariat, Osogbo, yesterday.

Ogun relocates Kara market to Ogere

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday completed the process of relocating traders from the popular Kara market to Ogere. The process, which commenced on Friday, saw the state government providing the traders with about 300

hectares of land in Ogere. The new market space has been provided with a sleeper road that ensures traffic in and out of the complex does not adversely affect the expressway. In a bid to ensure that the traders do their business in a conducive, secured and healthy environment, Gov-

ernor Amosun equally ensured that the new market complex is provided with not less than four boreholes alongside the presence of a stream at the location. The governor, while welcoming the traders to the new location, on Monday, assured them of his administration's determi-

nation to provide them a modern market fitted with Fire Service centre, modern stalls, a police station, an abattoir as well as other services. Governor Amosun explained that the decision to relocate Kara market to the present Ogere location had been taken since 2012.

LUTH ARD adamants on strike

… patients decry doctors’ action

ssociation of Resident Doctors, ARD, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH chapter, Idi-Araba, on Monday resolved to continue with its indefinite strike even as patients decried the action. President of the association, Dr Akinwunmi Afolabi, stated the resolve of the association in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos. He said the doctors would not suspend their action, which commenced on Friday. NAN correspondents, who visited the hospital, report that only resident doctors were not working, while other categories of health workers were rendering skeletal services. Two patients, who spoke with NAN, ex-

pressed disappointment with the doctors' action and urged them to resume work in order to save lives. “The strike will continue until the management meets the association's demands. “Our challenges include the non-payment of December 2015 salary, outstanding arrears, relativity arrears, upgrade arrears and training sponsorship arrears to the doctors, among some other demands. “Others are poor state of call rooms and discriminatory taxation of our members. *Epileptic power supply leading to cancellation of surgeries and procedures to the detriment of patients and extreme discomfort to doctors and patients during consultations.

*Epileptic water supply with attendant risk of infection spreading in the hospital and poor working environment in most of our consulting rooms. *Non-availability of medical consumables and working materials necessary for daily clinical activities, Afolabi said. “We are committed to the emergence of an efficient and sustainable health system for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he added. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of LUTH, Mr Kelechi Otuneme, told NAN that the management was trying its best to address the demands of the striking resident doctors. “The management is aware of the strike, but everything is under control because we have met the doctors.

“Our patients are being attended to, the strike has not stopped medical activities in the hospital,’’ Otuneme said. A cancer patient, who pleaded anonymity, appealed to the doctors to resume work in order to save her lives. “I started my chemotherapy last week and suppose to continue today, but nobody attended to me. “I am appealing to the hospital management to heed the demands of the doctors and prevent further delay of medical treatment of patients,’’ she said. Another patient, Mr Saidi Ajayi, said he visited the hospital to get a medical report. Ajayi said he was surprised on getting to the hospital to learn that the doctors were on strike.

embers of Aga Orunto Ruling Family yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Ile Oodua, Ooni of Ife's palace, over the appointment of a new Obalufe. It would be recalled that Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, recently appointed Mr. Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura as the new Obalufe. But those who staged the protest alleged imposition and demanded reversal of the appointment. According to them, Ooni made a wrong decision not to have appointed someone from Aga Orunto family as new Obalufe to replace Oba Folorunsho Omisakin, who hailed from Ado, listing ordering for the appointment of Obalufe as-Ajagbusi, Ado Gbodo, Aga and Jaojo. Among others, the protesters demanded that the candidate picked after the screening conducted for candidates for the position from the Aga Orunto family be appointed. One of the protesters, Prince Oluwasegun Olayade, from Aga family, in a chat with newsmen, said, "We are protesting today because my family has been deprived of the Obalufe position we are entitled to based on the order of the gazette. "Four ruling houses are entitled to it (Obalufe posi-

tion) based on that existing arrangement and there was no disorder until it is our turn now. “When the issue was getting hot, the Ooni called us to present candidates that can occupy the throne and that if we do not present the names on time, he will choose for us. "We submitted the names as at when due, but he refused to call us back as agreed. Suddenly, we heard that the Ooni has appointed some one that is not from our Aga ruling house, which is the next house to be appointed Obalufe." “This has never happened before; the position of Obalufe is a prominent one that cannot be bathed with injustice. Ooni can’t just over rule our choices when it is not the case that we are fighting dirty within the family. The previous method has always been peaceful using the gazette; this one may result to crisis. The Ooni should return the position to the Aga Orunto family for peace to reign.” When contacted, the director of media for Ooni's palace, Mr. Moses Olafare, explained that the appointment of the new Obalufe followed due process. He appealed to all stakeholders in the affairs of the town to join hands with the Ooni in his moves to ensure peace, progress and unity of Ile-Ife.

Petition: Gani Adams advised to sue OPC faction Kemi olaitan Ibadan

risis in the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, may have taken a new dimension as members of the National Coordinating Council, NCC group, called on the National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams, to seek redress in court against those who dragged him before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Lagos State Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Mutairu Adesina, said this yesterday in a release made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. It would be recalled that national dailies on Monday published a story in which some members of the NCC

petitioned the anti-graft body accusing Adams of financial malpractice. But Adesina in the release titled, "Enough of these falsehoods", while denying the allegations levelled against the OPC leader, said only three signatories to the petition are members with the rest either suspended or expelled. He maintained that all activities of Adams have been geared towards uplifting the image of the group, stating that he deserves the commendation of all for his efforts. While deriding the petitioners, Adesina said they claimed to be leaders of the organisation, they should not be using the office address of the group in Mushin, Lagos, which was purchased by Adams in 2004.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Lawmaker escapes death as workers protest in Abeokuta Femi oyeweso AbEokutA

s the industrial action embarked on by Ogun State workforce over non-remittance of deductions enters its second week, a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Olayiwola Ojodu, yesterday escaped lynching by the angry workers, who staged a peaceful protest round Abeokuta, the state capital, against the "no work, no pay" policy of the state government. Hon Ojodu, who is chairman of Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Information, was attacked by the angry workers while attempting to deliver the As-

sembly's ‘Letter of Appreciation’ to the leadership of the workers for allowing the lawmakers to intervene in the matter. The workers had earlier convened at the state’s secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, located at Abiola Way, Abeokuta, prior to a peaceful protest round Abeokuta metropolis to drum support from members of the public for their course. But, while being addressed by the state’s chairman of NLC, Comrade Akeem Ambali, who was on the podium, the lawmaker surfaced and headed straight towards meeting the leadership of the protesting workers. He was attacked

by the already charged protesters who stoned him with pebbles and sachets of pure water. The development however forced Comrade Ambali to hurriedly move in and cuddled the lawmaker into his official car which was later vandalised by the angry workers. Hon. Ojodu had confidently entered the midst the protesting workers hoping to deliver the letter of appreciation from the state House of Assembly as a follow up to two earlier meetings between the leadership of the state Assembly and the leadership of the striking workers. The NLC chairman, however, hurriedly approached Ojodu and collected the letter

as the crowd chased him out of the premises. When contacted on phone to comment on the incident, Ojodu who initially declined comment, later acknowledged that he was at the NLC state secretariat to deliver the letter as re+quested by the workers. Meanwhile, the striking workers have insisted that they would not back out on the industrial action as the strike enters its second week. An earlier proposed peaceful protest to the state secretariat slated for yesterday was cancelled because of the alleged unruly behaviour of the workers. The protest however took place from the NLC

secretariat on Abiola Way to the secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, under the watchful eyes of stern-looking security operatives. A visit to the state secretariat in Oke-Mosan, showed that a handful of workers defied the work-

Udom commends conduct of rerun election

kwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has commended the peaceful conduct of the re-run elections to fill seats in some State constituencies that were earlier annulled by the Appeal Court. The re-run election which took place last weekend-March 12 in Etinan, Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara, Ibesikpo/ Asuntan, Oron/ Udung Uko State Constituencies and some polling units in Itu and Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, was peaceful and saw the PDP candidates in those constituencies wining with landslide margins. The candidates who all retuned to the State House of Assembly were: Aniekan Uko- erstwhile Speaker from Ibesikpo Asutan, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis from Etinan State

Abiodun nejo

Ambode harps on peaceful coexistence

FrAncis suberu

agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday emphasised the need for ethnic nationalities in the country to live harmoniously, just as he said such is the condition necessary for peace, progress and development. Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, while receiving the Olu of Warri, HRM King Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, who paid him a courtesy visit, said the quantum of development the nation would experience in a harmonious and

peaceful environment could not be underestimated, and therefore, urged all hands to be on deck to promote peace. The governor recalled that the history of the Yoruba nation could not be complete without reference to the Itsekiri nation, and as such, both tribes must jealously guard and improve on their historical relationship. The governor, who congratulated King Emiko on the successful ascension to the throne of his forefathers few months back, said he believed so much in the ability of the monarch to turn around the fortunes of Warri for good as he had been doing even before his appointment as king.

Governor Ambode also assured the monarch of the strong commitment of his administration to the welfare of the Itsekiris in Lagos. The governor said: “We believe so much in him (King Emiko) and his community; we believe just the way he has said that we are brothers and that anything that concerns the Warri community is the concern of the Yoruba community and like he rightly said, this visit once again emphasises the need for all of us to foster peace and harmonious relationship together. "We are strongly committed to the needs of the people of Itsekiriland because we know that by history, the

coming of Olu of Warri to Lagos from Ile-Ife is significant to show the Yoruba hegemony that we have always wanted and we will continue to preach about." He also prayed for the monarch, stressing that his would bring about greater prosperity and peace to Warriland. Earlier, King Emiko had said he was happy to be at the Lagos House because his visit was a home coming experience for him. He thanked Governor Ambode for identifying with the people of Warri during the mourning period of the late monarch and during his coronation service three months ago.

Constituency, Prince Idongesit Ntekpere from Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara State Constituency and Effiong Bassey Okon from Oron/ Udung Uko State Constituency. Governor Emmanuel commended the people of the affected constituencies for turning up en-mass to perform their civic responsibilities and for maintaining the peace. “We have once again affirmed the fact that this is a decidedly PDP State by the manner you came out peacefully to return your representatives to the State House of Assembly. You proved the naysayers wrong through the peaceful manner you went about the election. We are a state that is on the move, and we will not rest until our people all ‘dakkada’and claim the faith of their greatness.”

Ekiti private schools begin strike over levy

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right) addressing the leadership of the traders' union as Traders of Kara Market relocates to Ogere, yesterday.

...As Olu of Warri restates bonds between Yoruba, Itsekiri

ers leadership as they were seen on their duty posts. Heavily armed mobile police officers as well as personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, mounted the two entrances to the state secretariat.

Ado Ekiti

rivate schools in Ekiti State yesterday began a three-day strike to protest imposition of N1,000 development levy per term on pupils by the state government. President of the National Association of Proprietors and Proprietresses of Private Schools, NAPPS, in Ekiti State, Alhaji Saka Adeleye, said in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the strike was to protest multiple taxation by the state government. Adeleye, who told journalists that the private schools would remain shut for three days, said the extension of the education development levy to private schools ran contrary to the spirit and letters of Section 42(1) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution. The state government

had in a circular from the Ministry of Education extended the N1,000 per term as education development levy it earlier announced for public secondary schools and N500 for primary schools to private schools. The proprietors insisted that they would not pay the levy even if the state government reduces it since they are not gaining anything from the state government. Adeleye, who wondered why government extended the levy to private schools that enjoyed no benefit from government, listed 12 different taxes imposed on them, among which are the annual renewal fee, personal income tax, pay as you earn for staff, personal development fee, registration of business premises fee, environment levy, vehicle permit fee and tenement rate.

News

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reforms indispensable to develop justice system –CJN Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

hief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, disclosed yesterday that ongoing reforms in the nation’s judiciary are indispensable to the development of the country’s justice system.

The CJN spoke on the occasion of the 2016 refresher course organ-

ised for judicial officers, which particularly focused on the current trends in law and administration of justice. The CJN, who stressed that the reforms would go a long way in addressing some of the challenges in the justice system said; ‎”The Nigerian judiciary has experienced innovations and reforms in recent times, prominent among which is

the passing into law of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. This, he said, was an innovation that would enhance the quality of justice delivery in the country. “In the globalised environment of the 21st century, Nigeria’s judiciary must strive to achieve parity with best global practices in the dispensation of justice.

“We must ask ourselves hard questions and go beyond empty rhetoric. We must claim ownership of our evolution from where we are to where we want to be,” he stated. “As an arm of government, the judiciary cannot sit on the sidelines and watch others chart its course. We must be at the helm, steering our affairs towards a justice

L-R: Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji; Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman; representative of Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Maj.-Gen Rochas Niclous and Commander, Operation Pulo Shield, Maj.-Gen Alani Okunlola, at the Directorate of Army Public Relations 2016 1st Quarter Study Period and 82 Division Media Workshop in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

FG promises inclusive education regIna otokpa Federal Government has promised to pursue an efficient National Policy on Education that would guarantee inclusive education without any discrimination or hindrance in line with the objectives underlying formation of the Commonwealth association. Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who made the declaration in Abuja yesterday, while marking the Commonwealth Day celebration, said in pursuing inclusive education, government has put in place a number of strategies to ensure attainment of the goals within expected time line. “The launch of the national campaign on access and the need to boost enrolment, institutionalization of early child care development education, promoting girl-child education, improving adult and youth literacy enrolment by 50 percent, promoting technical and vocational education and

training, among others. “The Nigerian education sector has formulated educational policies that promote different forms of inclusive education,: Adamu added. Also speaking on the occasion, Minister of

State for Education, Professor Anwuka, noted that the Commonwealth from inception pursued inclusive policies in its relationship with member nations through various programmes. He further called for

the extension of inclusive education policy implementation through the development and designing of schools, classrooms and programmes and activities that promotes students learning and unified participations.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, says the nation will experience a significant upsurge in passenger, cargo and aircraft traffic in Nigerian airports by the last quarter of 2016. This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mr Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, of FAAN. According to the statement, the completion and inauguration of most of the terminal and other related projects at these airports will encourage increase in traffic. It stated further that with improvements in terminal and airside facilities at the airports, a number of local airlines in the country have

already started expanding their route networks. According to the statement, some foreign airlines with Lagos as their only destination have also begun to show interest in operating into Malam Aminu Kano and Port Harcourt Interna-

tional Airports, respectively. “Qatar Air is one of such airlines, following the recent signing of Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and Qatar. “Significant increase in passenger, aircraft and cargo traffic at Nigerian

system, which the people of our dear nation deserves. “No doubt, this requires our collective and individual determination to strive for excellence and the will to work towards the implementation of pragmatic steps aimed at achieving excellence in the administration of justice. Earlier, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Abuja, Justice Rosaline Bozimo (rtd), also commended the ongoing reforms in the judiciary, saying the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 was enacted to introduce new innovative provisions that will enhance the efficiency of the justice system. According to Bozimo, “the high point of this Act is the merger of the Criminal Procedure Act, CPA, and the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC, into one principal Federal Act, which apply uniformly in all federal courts. “While preserving the existing criminal procedures, it introduces new innovative provisions that will enhance the efficiency of the justice system. The main purpose of the Act includes preventing unlawful arrest which had been one of the major problems of

our criminal justice systems.

By section 10(1) of the CPA, the police could arrest without a warrant, any person who had no ostensible means of sustenance and who could not give a satisfactory account of himself. By this provision, people were arrested indiscriminately. The administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 has deleted this provision. What determines the advancement of any society according to the administrator “is its ability to pay attention to innovations and reforms because a static system is nothing, but a sleeping dog, inactive and unattractive. She added that law reforms and innovations in the judiciary are a necessity for the purpose of enhancing and promoting judicial performance. “We look forward to more reforms and innovations in areas such as internet software patents, defamation in cyberspace, civil and criminal litigations on the internet, copyright, child rights protection, anti-corruption measures and prosecution of public office holders on charges of corruption.

Ese Oruru: Prosecution wants victim’s Nigerian airports to experience traffic evidence taken in camera upsurge in 2016 –FAAN

rosecutors of Yunusa Dahiru, alleged abductor of Ese Oruru, 14, on Monday in Yenagoa appealed to a Federal High Court to take the victim’s evidence behind closed doors. Dahiru was arraigned on March 8 for the abduc-

Explosion: Emefiele visits CBN Calabar, victims

overnor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday visited Calabar branch of the bank rocked by gas explosion on Friday. The governor, who refused to speak with journalists, also visited victims of the blast at the University of Calabar

Teaching Hospital. Emefiele inspected site of the blast before leaving the bank’s premises immediately for Abuja. Four persons were reported dead in the blast, while several others were injured. Journalists were not allowed in when the CBN governor visited the vic-

tims in the hospital. Our correspondent also learnt that arrangements had been concluded for those who were in severe conditions to be transferred to other health facilities within or outside the country if necessary. Meanwhile, skeletal banking operations have resumed at the Calabar branch.

tion, kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation of the minor to which he pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, Mr Kenneth Dika, told the trial judge, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa, that the victim was a minor and deserved the court’s protection. But Dahiru’s counsel, Mr Kayode Olaoshebikan, opposed the oral application, and urged the court to rule on his application for bail filed since March 8. Dika also opposed the defence counsel application for bail, arguing that the defendant, who was not resident within the court’s jurisdiction, would likely jump bail.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Cult clash: Two students beheaded at Abia varsity IfeanyI ashIkodI

tudents and management of Abia State University, Uturu, were last Saturday thrown into confusion and disbelief as two cult groups, after a clash, left two students dead in a most horrific manner - chopping off their heads - while a third was seriously injured.

National Mirror gathered that at 10pm on that day, a cult group known as Burkinafaso, in retaliation, invaded a lodge called Chidoo Lodge, about three kilometres to the university and beheaded two students identified as Samuel

Etiebet, a 300-level political science student, and Ebuka Nwigbo, a 300-level Environmental Science student of the university, while the third person, Isaac Umasoro, a 200-level political science student, was seriously injured with his right hand fingers, head and chest having machete cuts. He is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. It would be recalled that two weeks ago, a student named Collins, also simply known as Biggy, a final year student of Micro Biology an leader of the Burkinafaso cult group, was shot dead. His group last Saturday,

shortly after his burial, went on a revenge mission and ended up beheading two members of the Mafia rival group. Most of the students unaware of what happened were terrified the next day when they woke up to see two heads of their colleagues brought in a ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bag, strategically positioned in a field close to the university gate, while their lifeless bodies were abandoned at the hostel by their killers. National Mirror’s visit to the university saw terrified students who were visibly shock over the barbaric acts

and called for protection from the school management. However, there was a heavy presence of the military in the vicinity. Vice chancellor, Professor Uche Ikonne, who visited the scene, described the act as ungodly, advising students leaving outside the university to be more security conscious. He regretted that owners of lodges around the university do not care about security of those residing in their houses, advising students to make use of the school hostel. While calling on the students to shun cult-

ism and evil acts, he assured that the university would not sleep until the perpetrators are brought to justice. Reacting, the Abia State police public relation officer, Udeviotu On-

yeke, who confirmed the incident, said the police are aware of the killing, adding that they have begun investigation and assured that they would make their finding known very soon.

alIuna GodwIn,

ernment would deal with any group that operates under a local vigilante to perpetrate crime in the state. Onwe disclosed that government also banned masquerades from operating in villages other than play grounds following security reports from Ndufu Echara community in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state. He said government has concluded arrangements to empower 2,600 youths drawn from all the wards in the state, adding that the beneficiaries would receive N50,000 each. The commissioner added that 2,100 Ebonyi indigenes hawking in Lagos would be rehabilitated by the government.

Umahi bans vigilante, masquerades in Ebonyi

AbAkAliki

bonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, yesterday banned masquerades and local vigilantes operating in villages across 13 local government areas of the state. The governor made this known through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Emmanuel Onwe, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held last week. He said cultists were hiding under the local vigilantes to perpetrate crimes in the state. He noted that only government-recognised vigilantes should are allowed to operate, warning that gov-

APGA urges NASS to fulfill promise on passage of 2016 budget

L-R: Representative of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Hussain; Head of Media, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Bisi Kassim; FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi and Corps Secretary, Mr Kayode Fanola, during FRSC Strategic meeting in Enugu, yesterday.

S’East youth deny affiliation with northern terrorists’ group adeola Tukuru, AbujA

outh East Revival Youth Group, SERYG, yesterday denied any affiliation with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, or any other sectarian group in Nigeria, saying it remains focused on its agenda as a socio-cultural entity.

The group, which disowned the IMN, which is also known as the Shiite sect, is reacting to a statement credited to a spokesperson of the sect suggesting that the South East region was sympathetic to its cause. SERYG in a statement by its national presi-

dent, Charles Ibekwe, said Igbo youths are responsible and would continue to pursue their struggle in a democratic manner. According to him, the Igbo are civilised and cultured to respect every institution of state and would not in any way be part of any group in Nigeria that believes in bearing unauthorised arms against the state. He said, “While the Igbo want inconsistencies in the present federal arrangement addressed, they are not affiliated to any group, either the IMN or any other extremists or terrorists’ group in Nigeria for the purpose of

achieving this. Our focus is to use the sociocultural platform presented by the South East Revival Youth Group to position Igbo youths for economic growth and will not trade this for any form of sectarianism. “The recent attempt by the IMN to claim that Igbo are in solidarity with them is mischievous, callous and a deliberate attempt by such persons to incite other members of the country. This is a group known for harassing the peace of the country and its leaders in the name of religious movement to please their foreign allies. So, how can we be

associated with such acts? “We know this sad attempt to fraudulently court our endorsement is a sign of desperation. This is why we are advising the leaders of IMN and its affiliate groups to adopt constitutionally recognised means in pursuit of the acceptable aspects of their goals,” Ibekwe urged. He stressed that the Shiite sect must immediately begin a process of de-radicalisation of youths that have been militarised and led astray by its activities as there is no future along the path of sectarian radicalism.

ll Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has urged the National Assembly to fulfill its promise of passing the 2016 budget by March 17.

The party’s national chairman, Dr. Victor Oye, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday, in Awka. Oye expressed hope that the time spent deliberating on the 2016 budget was worthwhile in view of the current economic downturn. “Why I wouldn’t want to judge the government so fast is because the budget is yet to be passed. “And, I think the National Assembly is doing a good job on that; they have given a promise that by March 17, the budget will be passed. “That is three months into the year; and that means the first quarter would have gone, and we will be working behind

schedule. “So, I think the economy as it is now is in comatose. “Getting on the right track to manage the economy is something; so, I think the time the President took to select his team was worth the while. “Now, working on the budget to get the best out of it is also good; we should take our time to get the best. “This administration is barely one year in office; so by the time it runs its full budget for one year, we will begin to rate it appropriately. “For now, we should give the government the benefit of doubt, believing that the magic is contained in the budget.’’ The APGA chief lauded the Buhari administration’s tolerance of the opposition, saying “nobody has harassed us; we speak out our mind and operate as an opposition party unhindered.

North

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Strike paralyses activities in UITH

L-R: Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; his counterparts from Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari and Katsina, Aminu Masari, during the Northwest Governors meeting in Katsina, on Sunday.

Man to hang for culpable homicide Wole Adedeji ILORIN

man, Ahmed Abdullahi, was yesterday sentenced to death by hanging when an Ilorin High Court found him guilty of culpable homicide. He was convicted to another five-year imprison-

ment for being in possession of a fresh human head at the time of his arrest. Similarly, the court also sentenced two of his accomplices, Waheed Sanni and Saka Adisa, to five years imprisonment each for unlawfully receiving fresh human head. The duo was also sentenced to another five-year

imprisonment each for a charge of criminal conspiracy. Delivering his judgment, the state’s chief judge, Justice Suleiman Durosinlohun Kawu, ordered that Abdullahi be hanged by the neck till he dies for causing the death of a nine-year-old Hamidu Sanda by beheading him

in a bush at Amberi Village, Iso Wara, near AjaseIpo in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, on April 1, 2009. Justice Kawu in his judgment said Alfa Sanni and Adisa conspired to be in possession of a fresh human head of the late Sanda for suspected ritual purposes.

Boko Haram: Troops kill more insurgents, recover weapons Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

igerian Army yesterday said its troops in the ongoing war against Boko Haram have killed more terrorists and seized weap-

ons. This was contained in an operational update by the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman. Usman said troops of 254 Task Force Battalion, 25 Task Force Brigade, in

conjunction with vigilantes conducted the clearance operation of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in Gwashari Village, near Damboa-Bale road, leading to the death of the terrorists. “During the patrol, the troops encountered some

elements of the Boko Haram terrorists, killed one and captured three others. “They also recovered one dane gun, AK-47 rifle magazine, two knives, assorted drugs and N142,000 from the terrorists,” he said.

Hoodlums sack police station in Jos, cart away arms j A m es A b r A h A m JOS

oodlums operating in Rukuba area of Jos North Local Gover nment Area of Plateau State on Sunday night tur ned the locality into a theatre of war, setting the police station on fire. It was lear nt that the ang ry youth also looted the police armoury, leaving the security agents helpless. The action of the youth, it was gathered, was in protest of the operation of men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the police

in the area. It was gathered that trouble started when men of the NDLEA stor med the area to arrest suppliers and users of a popular illicit drug known as ‘Goskolo’ and other dangerous drugs on Sunday evening, but were initially resisted by hoodlum in the vicinity. When the situation was becoming tense the police were drafted into the area to maintain law and order and also help the NDLEA and local security outfit trying to fish out the undesirable elements behind the illicit business. After the police had

calmed the situation, the youth in the area, who alleged that four of them were shot, mobilised and descended on the police station in the area and set it on fire and later retur ned before daybreak to pull down the remnant of the building. A resident of the area, who did not want his name in print, disclosed that the youth also retur ned to the station yesterday mor ning to level the police station. She said the altercation between the youths and the police followed the arrest of over 10 suspected suppliers of the illicit drug.

When National Mirror visited the scene of the incident the police station was seen completely pulled down by the irate youths while some group of people were seen within the vicinity discussing the incident. However, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Oladunjoye, when asked about the incident yesterday, said no police station was bur nt down and that there was a disag reement between the vigilante and youths in the area which the police stepped in to calm. He added that normalcy has since retur ned to the area.

ndustrial action commenced by resident doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, has crippled healthcare delivery in the hospital. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the General Out-Patient Department, GOPD, and Family Medicine Complex were a shadow of themselves as the departments were devoid of their usual hustle and bustle. Speaking with NAN yesterday in Ilorin, Chairman, National Association of Resident Doctors, Kwara State chapter, Dr. Ade Faponle, disclosed that the doctors went on strike because of welfare issues. He noted that the doctors face deteriorating condition beyond what they could handle. “Working condition is not conducive; it is deplorable because there is no light, no water and certainly not habitable for any doctor to work in.

“We use torchlight during consultation; our colleagues cannot have even bathing water,” he said. Faponle, who decried the pitiable situation, said it was regrettable that the patients would bear the brunt. He, however, gave hope that negotiation was ongoing with relevant stakeholders. Mr. Muyideen Olatunde of UITH also described the resident doctors as the live-wire of any hospital due to the sensitive nature of their job. He said part of the reasons they embarked upon the strike include lack of conducive environment, insufficient equipment, lack of power supply and issues of their allowances. “The resident doctors are the live wire of any teaching hospitals because of the work they do; the consultants and other doctors are working too, but the resident doctors are many,” he said.

Probing Suswam my social responsibility to Benue people –Ortom

overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, yesterday, restated his determination to probe the administration of his predecessor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam. Ortom announced this in Makurdi while swearing-in three new special advisers, saying that probing Suswan was one of his responsibilities to people of the state. According to him, “people of Benue State voted me into office because of my pledge during electioneering that I will correct all the wrongs in Suswam’s administration. “Those who stole public funds must return them or risk going to jail; government has overwhelming evidence against those indicted in the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the state. “Probing the past administration is part of my responsibility to Benue people; the people voted me because of my pledge to correct all the wrongs in the administration of Suswam.

“We must recover all stolen funds in Benue and develop the state with it. We have a lot of evidence against those indicted in the report of the judicial commission of inquiry. “During my campaign, I told the people that I was going to check and boldly correct all the wrongs in Suswam’s administration. “My actions in office will determine whether I will win a second tenure or not; 2019 will take care of itself,” he said. Ortom charged the new advisers to steer clear of public funds and should not convert funds meant for the execution of projects or service delivery and the people’s welfare into private pockets. “We must be conscious of the fact that by probing the previous administration today, ours shall be probed tomorrow,” he stated. The new advisers are Mr. Matthew Mnyam, Mr. Benjamin Ashaver and Mr. Richard Gbaden, bringing the total number of advisers to the governor to 20.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

SUPER TUESDAY Reps and the burden of combating climate change

Politics

Independent legislature, good for electorate —Ahmad, Kwara Speaker

Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad is the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly. A holder of Ph.D in Law, Ahmad is also the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in the State. He was a member of the 7th House of Representatives . Before joining politics he was a Law lecturer at the Bayero University, Kano.In this interview with AYO ESAN & WOLE ADEDEJI, he speaks on issues as they affect Kwara State and the country at large. Excerpts: You have been at the helm of affairs as the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly in the last nine months. How has it been? It has been very challenging. Initially when we were coming, I thought it would be full of bed of roses coming from national to the state but it has been quite challenging because you want to do things perfectly well. We want to leave things better than we met them, so it has been very quite challenging but it is rewarding as well. Kwara State legislature is unique because all the members are from the ruling party in the state, the All Progressive Congress, APC . With that, how have you been able to survive the pressure from the party and from the executive? That is the challenge that we have, the house is an all APC members and then you have the constitution at the back of your mind . That the house is the house of the people and that you are there to check the enormous power the constitution gives to the executive. The executive has enormous powers, so the house is the platform to temper that power . So the governor and the legislators look like a unitary system of government which shouldn’t be the case So the challenge really was to define how you want to operate. And from day one, if you look at my own speech I explained how we are going to go about the legislation and we have been following that . Anybody that is looking at our nine months record will know that Kwara State House of Assembly is an all APC-members but when we have the opposition last time, it wasn’t as robust and vibrant as this . If you check our records, you will see that we have been able to perform our expected constitutional duties very well. Are you saying that the House of Assembly under you has not been a rubber stamp assembly? That you should know if you follow our activities. Even the current budget we effected about 100 corrections. So it is far from being a rubber stamp legislature. Sometimes the challenge that we posed, some people would say eh , this is unusual. But it is not being confrontational, we are just performing our own constitutional duties, of reflecting the wishes of the people as enshrined in the constitution. What does the constitution

allow you to do at this specific time . For instance in passing the budget, what does the constitution say , when the executive wants to take loans what does the constitution say. So those are the questions that come to our minds anytime we are dealing with issues . Yes, the party comes and say this is this but we tell them, Mr. Party , yes we are loyal members of the party but there is a supreme document . So any view of the party that can be accommodated within the confine of the constitution we will do it but if it is outside we won’t do it . The party too has now known that and I can’t remember anytime they even come to force us to do anything that is unconstitutional. So the constitution is our guiding light. Many Kwarans were opposed to the taking of bond by the state government but the House later approved the bond. Why this? Yes you see when the issue of the bond came, we went back to the people, we went to the lowest level . We went to all the constituencies even outside Ilorin and we said let us hear from Kwarans . And we gathered their views and we got the views of the experts . The general views is not that government should not take loan as such but that government should not take loan to do certain things. If you are taking loan we should spend it on capital projects, things that are visible, that was the argument then . So when they brought it , if you remember we said no, go back and give us details . The projects and everything about the projects and that was unprecedented. And so they went back , they brought it back, they complied and we vet it. We also gave it to experts

once we were satisfied that once these loans were taken they would be utilized for specific projects, we gave our approval

Ahmad , then we told them to give us the tax flow for Kwara . We called the Debt Management Office, DMO that give us the scenario if we take this N20bilion for this projects how will it impact on our ability to pay salaries and they came out positive . So we were satisfied that it will not affect our salaries payment which we have seen is not affecting . And that the loan will be tailored towards specific projects. So if there is anything outside that our oversight will come in . So it is not like the previous ones that loans were taking, bonds were taking not tied to specific projects . So that was the objection of Kwarans and once we were satisfied that once these loans were taken they would be utilized for specific projects, we gave our approval . That is true because we even heard the opposition party commending this legislature for doing a thorough job but even with that, the issue of given financial autonomy to the legislature , how far have you been able to go on it? Yes financial autonomy for the legislature, we are waiting on the constitution and the national assembly has achieved the enviable

level of autonomy. Once there is budget every month, the Ministry of Finance before anything will take the national assembly funds to it. In state assemblies, it is not like that I think except Lagos. Even that is not fully covered with the constitution, You need a constitutional amendment which has been done but unfortunately it wasn’t signed that time. Because you can do an amendment this you can do and bill will pass even if the governor doesn’t sign it, we can override his veto. But you see, you cannot force him to take that money from source and give you . It is the constitution that can do that and until we do that because there is no point having autonomy when financially you are not independent . And you don’t blame the governor because if the governor is not forced to cough out money to somebody who he believes will be monitoring him , he won’t do it . So until you forced the governors. Governor knowing that the assembly is an arm that will cage him so why for God sake will he empower them, he will not do that , he has to be forced. And it is only the constitution that can force CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

him to do that . Governors don’t want to do local government elections and I think Kwara state and about three or four states have been consistently doing local government elections. Overwhelming number of states doesn’t do that because that give them more access to their funds. So the same thing with the assemblies, they don’t have access to the funds. If your air conditioner is faulty, you have to write to the governor so that is keeping you in check but if you have autonomy you don’t need governor for anything, so they won’t want it .So we are hoping that the national assembly, they have given themselves till the end of this year to pass it to Mr. President and once it is signed, we will start seeing that level of robustness in the assemblies. Sorry to say, the state assemblies in Nigeria today are in a sorry state . Sometimes we believe it is just a waste of tax payers money. A lot of them are not doing the required constitutional check and balances on the executives. I am proud of the national assembly, it is doing a fantastic job. I cannot see that president in Nigeria today wanting to override the assembly and as we go along it will be more stronger and stronger . During the Obasanjo era it was astonish, during Yar’Adua time it was firmer , during Jonathan, stronger and during Buhari it is more stronger and I am sure in the post- Buhari no president will even dare to say he wants to go and interfere with the assembly because they will rub his nose on the ground . So the national assembly is fantastic, it is independent and it is good for Nigeria. An independent legislature is very good for the electorate. It is necessary that the legislature is extremely independent because they are the voice of the people. With what you have said about the scrutiny of the state budget, having laboured so much, how will you ensure good implementation of the budget? We are very focus on that too; we are very conservative as we said, we have given our target. We are doing things differently; we are not just passing the budget. We have given ourselves a target that this N128bn, if we can implement the budget by 70 per cent, that is the margin of acceptance, it will be alright . So if Kwara budget is not implemented by 70 per cent, we can hold the House and the government responsible. So we are looking at it that at least at minimum let us implement this budget by 70 per cent. And by December we can come back and review it and we are holding ourselves responsible that it must be implemented by at least by 7o per cent, we have done a lot of work on this budget. Let us go national; the critics of the present administration have said that nine months after taking over power , President Muhammadu Buhari has not been able to deliver the promised change. How will you react to that? I am a member of the APC and a loyal member of the party as such and we promised change . I think the people should be patient with Mr. President. The country was devastated beyond recognition by the PDP government. With time I believe we will find our feet and we will start satisfying the people. There is also the invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly by the men of DSS? That is disappointing, what happened in Ekiti is disappointing. What happened in Kogi is also disappointing. I heard last night that Ondo has removed its Speaker and the deputy at odd hours in the night when the Supreme Court has ruled that the business of the legislature should take place in the chamber another area that has been decimated by the assembly . The state legislatures are just to satisfy the wishes of the state governors. But in Kogi state there have been crisis before the new governor came in , after his assumption of office, the crisis continued. Don’t you think that will affect the development of the state . The governor want it that way. That is what I am saying when I was in the national assembly we took over the Kogi assembly. I was part of the delegation that went to Kogi. So it happens in Kogi today, it may happen in any other state. And it satisfy the ball game of the governors . They want the assembly that way and it will remain that way until this financial autonomy law is passed . Otherwise because the governor wanted the speaker away in Kogi , he just chosen five people and assisted them with police or whatever and they said they voted 15 people out . And everybody is keeping quiet, we call

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

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‘Bicameral legislature good for a diverse country like Nigeria’ So the national aSSembly iS fantaStic, it iS independent and it iS good for

nigeria. an independent legiSlature iS very good for the electorate.

Ahmad on Mr President , we call on the party that if you do not voice out now and we say it doesn’t concern us, this will continue. But we have Conference of State Assemblies Speakers, what are they doing to forestall this kind of thing? Our chairman has made a move, he had condemned the issue and constitutionally the national assembly is empowered to take over the function of the state assembly that is under siege . And I think the national assembly is working towards that. Like I said , that played into the calculation of the executive. With your experience, qualification of PhD in Law, I think you should provide a guide to other speakers on this kind of problem. I am sorry, I have made that determination the first day I came to power otherwise I would have been the chairman but I came to Kwara to face the problem of Kwara, not the problem of the nation or that of other states. I want to focus on Kwara problem. I have done that of the national enough, now I am ready to serve the Kwarans. Let me face Kwara problem, let other people face the national problem. The problem of global oil economy is affecting oil producing nations but Nigeria seems to be having terrible experience of it, more so that the country depends solely on crude oil for its income. What do you think we can do vis a vis what is happening now ? The diversification that I have been hearing is more on declaration than commitment, it was even in the budget . Having seen the national budget I haven’t seen that commitment to diversify. The dramatic fall in oil pirces would have been a wonderful opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim itself . If the government has a clear-cut programme about diversification, this is the right time . Nigerians are very innovative , so if you assist them to rediscover themselves so many opportunities are there. Are you talking about agriculture, are you talking about IT, so many, that with a little push I am sure Nigerians can make their marks. We should channeled that energy but it is like it is business as usual. The declaration should be met with commitment by government. What informed your championing the Administration of Criminal Justicebill when you were in the National Assembly . Is it because you are a lawyer and you have deep knowledge of Law that made you to push for that bill which was eventually passed into an act? Yes, of course it is because I am a lawyer and one is not satisfied with justice industry if I may call it that . You have an issue in court and it will take 12 years, what manner of jus-

tice is that. Everybody say justice delayed is justice denied. Ninety per cent of justice is delayed in Nigeria, and delayed justice is no justice. We vote N90billion on judiciary every year but it doesn’t work. So being a lawyer, I know what the causes of the challenges are but the challenges are so enormous. But one single bill came out to do the job. So we have to choose which one to do, basically there are two sets of cases , criminal and civil. So I now say which one do I take first, civil is commercial, if you come with a billion naira you have a little disagreement, it takes you ten years, no investment and no investors will come, that is about money . Then you have criminal which has to do with lives and liberty of Nigerians. If somebody is accused of a criminal offence, he will be incarcerated. We have seen people in jail for stealing yams, seven years, eight years . I now chose that because this one has to do with lives and liberty of Nigerians and I say let us resolve this and that was what we did. So Administration of Criminal Justice has to do with criminal matters and it is as you have seen, it has resolved cases. Olisa Metuh’s cases and other cases wouldn’t have reached that situation it has reached previously . Within two months it have reached the level of no case submission and in another weeks the judgment would have been ready and you can go to appeal . Prior to this act, in seven years they wouldn’t reach where they have reached . This is because once the Judge determined something and ruled and you lose, then you would appeal , and that matter stands. After Court of Appeal, you go to Supreme Court. Then after that you will come back and you will start , the judge will rule and they will go again. So we know ourselves, we are the lawyers , we know the loopholes and we blocked it . So on criminal matters, Nigeria is now at par with any judicial process in the whole world, perfect . Now the civil aspect, I hope somebody will take on that. That is why you see that our rating by the CBN doing business in Nigeria we are at the top rung of the ladder, this doing business report . And we should commends the senate president on this, he did a report last week where they said they have to amend fifty something laws which is very good. The Criminal Administration of Justice is a conglomerate of about 20 to 30 laws . This one is about 50, the Senate President is taking that chart. So once he is able to do that I think our judiciary will be fantastic. These are things that will assist business. All these travelling are show biz issues, these are the things that can help draw investors. If I am bringing in money and I have a dispute and there will always be dispute, I know that this dispute will be resolved in two or three months, then that will be fine .So these are things that should attract the interest of Nigerians. Some people are agitating for a unicameral legislature at the centre as a way of cutting down the cost of governance. What is your view on this? I don’t support that. There are ways that we waste money. While don’t we say we should cut the way we maintain ministers. Each minister has orderly and three or four cars , a senator has one car. Nigerians are not looking at that. Now you are saying we should have unicameral instead of two houses . But sometimes you see senators, especially in the last assembly, senators were more leaning to the executive than the house. So if you have unicameral, we will now be like the state assemblies. That is dangerous for a country as diverse as Nigeria. With a bicameral legislature it is difficult to pocket both the house and the senate. It is good for Nigeria to have bicameral legislature, we should not look at naira and kobo sometimes.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

American coy to construct shipbuilding facility in A’ Ibom

Stakeholders’ forum: Consumers walk out on PHEDC

Julius oNWuma,

RichaRd Ndoma,

UYO

ell aware of the country’s maritime potentials and the opportunities in the oil and gas sector, an American company, Capricorn Maritime Limited, has revealed that arrangements are at an advanced stage to construct a ship building and repair factory in Akwa Ibom State. The facility, which is to be sited in Mbaka, Mbo local government area of the state, would support offshore and near shore operations through the construction of dredgers, workboats, crew boats, tug boats and supply barges. Herman Schellstede, an American shipbuilder, disclosed this during the 21st international offshore symposium of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, with representatives from Ritman University, Akwa Ibom State. According to Schellstede, the marine vessels when completed would also be joined by coastal and open sea cargo ships which transport crude oil to the market place, adding that the facility was built to serve West Africa and the rest of the world. Schellstede noted that Nigeria had long established its position as a leader in the oil and gas industry, contributing 2.37 million barrels of oil per day to the market place. He identified the three major markets as offshore, near shore and onshore which require different drilling and completion equipment such as drill ships, jack-up rigs and semi-submersibles. The American explained that the facility, designed to offer shipbuilding, repair and maintenance services for shipping, oil and gas industries of West Africa’s coastal region would accommodate Nigerian Content laws (Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act). He said it was also made to service naval and commercial fleets for governments on contract. “The facility, management and financial support are considered world-class and will result in a very profitable and acceptable return on investment,” he said. Schellstede declared that the final design of this project will integrate the most advanced materials handling equipment and construction methods available. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

CALABAR

lectricity consumers in Calabar, yesterday, walked out on the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC, for failure to adhere to the directive of Nigeria’s Senate to suspend the new tariff which is to be given to consumers. The consumers were at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the PHEDC on Monday to seek their support for the new tariff regime. In the course of deliberations, scores of angry consumers who disapproved of the new tariff staged a walk out saying they would never subscribe to such exploitation by PHEDC. Some of them who however vowed not to comply with the new tariff regime, however, charged PHEDC to improve on its services in the state before the implementation of the new tariff. One of the consumers, Mallam Obuh, said that the PHEDC should have called a stakeholders forum prior to the implementation of the new tariff regime before distributing February bills to customers. He said, “Before increasing tariff, they are supposed to have called a customer forum. They are not here to give us the true situation of what is happening. The consumers are not benefitting. If Government hands over the sector to private companies, it is because they are to bring in their ingenuity to make the sector better.” Another consumer, Asikong Egbe, on the other hand urged the DisCo to adhere to the Senate’s directive to halt the implementation of the tariff. “The Senate said they should stay action. Why didn’t they stay action? The Senate said maintain the status quo until we resolve the issue and they refuse. I believe that before we call this type of forum, we must resolve and agree before you implement the new tariff. We have not agreed, they have not stayed action and there is a court injunction restraining them from increasing tariff. But, they are not adhering to that court injunction. “We are going to protest this new tariff. It is not going to be a labour affair; it will be a mass

L-R: Wife of the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mrs. Ejiro Igbuya; Speaker, Hon. Monday Igbuya; wife of the Governor of Delta State/Founder 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa; Mrs Valerie Odebala and Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, during the commissioning of Sickle Cell Clinic in Central Hospital Sapele, Delta State. protest against this new tariff. I am angry, very angry. So if they were these telecommunications companies that put up all the needed installations before launching their lines, consumers would be dead by now. Our prayer is that they should revert all February bills then we should meet to agree.” Head of Corporate Affairs of the Distribution Company, Mr. Jonah Iboma, said PHEDC has put modalities in place to tackle the challenges currently experienced by consumers. He said that PHEDC would

provide 200,000 metres for consumers to address the huge metering gap in the sector in the entire country, adding this will put an end to issues of estimated billing. “We are launching the failed transformer project where we identify any failed transformers in our network and work with the communities to replace or fix any failed transformers. That is why we have told our customers never to give money to anyone to tamper with the transformers rather they should come directly to

us and we will take care of the problems,” he said. While speaking on the tariff increase and the Senate’s directives, the corporate communication officer averred that, “the case instituted against NERC was not against the DisCos. The case was by an individual and with the appeal, the status quo remains. The NERC is the regulator of the industry. The court is not the regulator, the Senate is not the regulator, NERC instituted the new tariff law and we are implementing the new tariff as directed by NERC.”

RichaRd Ndoma,

ambassador of the university and pledged that he and Ita-Giwa would begin to support the institution with annual contribution of N10 million for the next five years. He added that the said amount would help in the upliftment of the institution. “I’m indeed honoured by this incredible distinction you have bestowed on us. It is the first time in the history of this institution that two Cross Riverians are awarded doctorate degrees. I thank the university authority for the recognition. “To me, this award is dedicated to all our years in service from 1997-2013. We have decided between us to support the

school with N10million annually and I’ll personally work with the school alumni to develop a befitting alumni centre for the university”. The former Cross River governor averred that about ten years ago the university management had met him to get award from them but he declined because to him he felt he was still too young for the honour but this time around he had to take the offer. On her part, Ita-Giwa lauded the school Senate for approving the award even as she said that it was an indication that the society still needs her services at 70.

Duke, Ita-Giwa donate N50m to UNICAL

CALABAR

he University of Calabar is to begin to get N50 million contribution from ex-Cross River State governor, Mr. Donald Duke, and Sen. Florence Ita Giwa as part of their contribution towards the development of the institution. According Duke made the promise while being conferred with honorary causa Doctorate Degree in Law at the 29th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar at the weekend in Calabar, Cross River State. The former governor, while reacting to the honour done him promised to serve as good

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kidnapped Edo magistrate, doctor regain freedom Oarhe DicksOn, BENIN

senior magistrate under the Edo State judiciary simple identified as Hassana who was abducted last week Tuesday has regained freedom alongside three others including two medical doctors who were abducted the same day she was kidnapped. Those abducted with her

and the medical doctors were said to be inside a commercial bus when they were randomly picked out by the kidnappers. She and others were abducted along the Benin-Auchi Road after the kidnappers shot her police orderly who’s name was given as Marcus. It was gathered that kidnappers freed their victims near Egba Village along the Adumagba-Akure Expresway in

the early hours of Saturday. Close sources to the family of the victims claimed they had to pay ransom for their release. “Also, the victims were asked to trek along a particular route inside the forest by kidnappers and only rested for few hours before they got to the road from where they took a bike to Egba junction along the Benin-Auchi Road.”

It was further learnt that the magistrate was received by her family members at about 4 p.m. on Saturday and was in good condition. It was gathered that a farmer that ran into the kidnappers and their victims in the bush was tied to a tree. Police spokesman, DSP Abiodun Osifo, could not be reached for comments.

Some members of Benin Cultural Group at the traditional wedding between Obanor Obayuwana’s family and Ooni of Ife, in Benin, weekend.

Orbih re-elected as Edo PDP chairman

r. Dan Orbih was on Monday re-elected as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 31 positions were contested for, with

most of the candidates returned unopposed at the state congress held in Benin. Others elected were: Mr. Emmanuel Ugbon, Deputy State Chairman; Mr. Edoba Omorogie, Legal Adviser; Mr. Isreal Aguele, Treasurer, and

Mr. Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary. Mr. Sergeant Awuse, chairman of the electoral panel, urged all the elected members to work for the success of the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Duke, Ita-Giwa donate N50m to UNICAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Ita Giwa maintained that “The award is like a birthday gift to me. I have never seen anywhere in the world where a 70 years woman is celebrated like I’m celebrated here today. “It means that I will not retire. It is a beginning of a new career for me to continue to affect lives”. One of the graduands, Uduak Anifioke Luke, the wife of the Speaker, Akwa State House of Assembly, who backed a Doctorate degree in Biochemistry thanked the university manage-

ment for creating an enabling atmosphere for learning. She said, “I’m very excited for this awarded. I thank the school authority for the conducive atmosphere for learning and of course my husband who was so supportive throughout my programme”. To Miss Janet NSA, a graduate of Political Science, “Convocation is a dream of everybody who has gone through a tertiary institution. “Although school was challenging but I thank God that I remained steadfast till today

where I have backed a degree in Political Science. I want to encourage the younger once out there to be hard-working as there’s no magic for excellence than hardwork”. While speaking on why the institution decided to confer the honour on Duke and Ita-Giwa, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Zana Akpagu, said the award was in recognition of the outstanding services which the duo had rendered towards the development of Cross River State and Nigeria. Akpagu who stated that the

Igbinedion condoles Ibru family Oarhe DicksOn, BENIN

ormer governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, has condoled the Ibru family and the entire people of Delta State over the demise of the first executive governor of the state, Olorogun Felix Ibru. Chef Igbinedion, in a condolence message through his media aide, Mark Nkworji, described the late Ibru as an upright man who had an unflinching faith in the growth and development of Delta State and Nigeria. The former governor who noted that the late Olorogun Felix Ibru would be greatly missed by the people of Delta and his numerous friends in Nigeria and around the world, however, enjoined all to take consolation in the fact that the late Ibru spent valuable part of his life impacting on people positively. Chief Igbinedion noted that as the first executive governor of the state, Olorogun Felix Ibru laid a solid foundation for the take-off of the new state created on the 27th August,1991, adding that one of the ways to immortalise the late governor was to uphold his legacies and ideals which he anchored on the unity and development of Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general.

American coy to construct shipbuilding facility in A’ Ibom CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Awuse further appealed to party leaders and members to settle their differences amicably, as time used to write petitions could be used to woo more members to the party. Orbih promised to do everything possible to ensure that PDP returned to power in Edo.

institution was graduating a total of 7, 222 graduands to include 4,686 first degrees, 922 higher degrees and 142 diploma disclosed that the university, for the first time, was graduating twelve first class graduands in a session. The don maintained that “The award of Doctorate of Law that we’re bestowing on Mr. Donald Duke and Doctorate of Political Science on Princess Florence Ita-Giwa is in recognition of their selfless service which represent ‘service to humanity’, the motor of the university.”

The shipbuilder who is President of Herman J. Schellstede and Associates Incorporated also assessed the Ibaka shipyard in comparison with that of the USA. His words: “During the last 100 years, the United States has constructed major shipyards which were fundamental in the advancement of the United States as a prominent world leader. ‘’At the time of war, highly efficient shipyards were necessary and in great demand to provide vital servicing of vessels and equipment. The review of the US shipyards will provide assistance in outfitting the Nigerian facility with the most up-to-date and efficient components including the expertly designed platforms equipped with modern advancements. “As a result, the Capricorn Facility will be one of the most innovative and efficient facilities built in the world today”. According to him, this will be the first major shipbuilding and repair centre constructed in recent times.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Lekki building collapse and audacity of impunity samuEl OmOjOyE

s at the last count, the death toll in the five-storey building under construction in Lekki, Lagos, that recently collapsed was 34 while 13 people were rescued. It is simply a case of one building collapse too many. The episode represents yet another case of needless loss of precious human lives in our country. Despite Nigeria being a country where essential and accurate statistics are hard to come by, one cannot but notice the countless numbers of untimely but avoidable deaths and bodily injuries that have plagued our society over the years. Though cases of building collapse are not peculiar to Nigeria, the trend here is becoming quite worrisome. Over the years, the familiar pattern, especially with regards to building collapse in Lagos, smacks of impunity, impiety and sheer arrogance. What we have in Lagos is the usual Nigerian style of circumventing the laws. It is no longer news that Nigeria is a place where illegality thrives; people build structures without approved plans building permit and other necessary authorizations. It is estimated that more than 60 percent of structures across the country falls within this category. Worse still and, perhaps, rather bothersome is the fact that whenever the appropriate authorities attempt to ensure

strict compliance to the rules by either sealing up illegal buildings, those concerned often disregard such move by simply continuing with the process as if nothing has happened. In some cases, they could even resort to awkward actions such as beating up regulatory officials. The latest building collapse episode at Lekki, Lagos, is a classical example of how acts of brazen impunity by a few unscrupulous individuals could actually cause havoc to a whole lot of lives. In a statement released by the Lagos State government after the ugly incident, it was revealed that promoters of the collapsed building were served contravention notice for exceeding the approved floors and thereafter the building was sealed by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency. It equally added that in a shameless act of impertinence and utmost impunity, the proprietors of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, illegally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the illfated event. The Lagos State government’s claim that the promoters of the building disregarded official directives to stay action on the project, having been found to have contravened building regulations, was corroborated by the staff of the organization, who alleged that there was never a time that they stopped working on the building. They simply carried on as if

what it takes for evil to Gain a stronGhold in any society is for evil to continually Go unpunished

the orders coming from the regulatory agency were meant for the marines. It is the kind of impunity on display by the promoters of the Lekki collapsed building that has turned our country into a jungle where anything goes. Going forward, the appropriate authorities responsible for building approval and allied matters must ensure that the rules are strictly adhered to at every stage of the process. It has, for instance, been alleged that some of the materials used for the collapsed building, especially iron rods and blocks were substandard. This, of course, amply illustrates the complicity theory of regulatory officials who ought to have subject tied such materials to necessary integrity tests. Experts have, indeed, revealed that in Lagos, many developers build without appropriate monitoring from necessary quarters. This should not be allowed to continue. Any society that is built on the sort impunity that we are regularly exposed to will continue to, will bear

the brunt. The sad thing now is that impunity is on display in almost every segment of our society. Pay a visit to government hospitals, where government spend a fortune to put in the right equipments and ensure the well being of medical workers, you will be amazed at the attitude of the workers there. On the roads, the situation is not different. Everybody drives as if there are no traffic rules. Operators of the informal sector are not exempted from this culture of madness! If you have ever given your car to a mechanic to fix, or you have had course to deal with plumbers, electricians, carpenters etc, you will appreciate the resourcefulness of the average Nigerian in cutting corners! We have to change our value system. To begin with, those who willingly circumvent the laws of the land should be brought to book by the authorities. What it takes for evil to gain a stronghold in any society is for evil to continually go unpunished. It is in the light of this that one welcomes the news that the promoters of the collapsed Lekki building and their collaborators are already being prosecuted. They should be made to pay the ultimate penalty as stipulated by the law. We cannot continue to lose human lives in such unnecessary circumstances. Enough is enough! Omojoye wrote from Palm Groove, Lagos.

Modern governance: The Oshiomhole example (I) ErnEst OmOarElOjiE

n assumption of office on November 11, 2008, a number of individuals and groups placed the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration under immense pressure. Among other things, they wanted the governor to place emphasis on the establishment and funding of more stateowned industries. Arguably, they took that position on the belief that it will curtail the seemingly intractable unemployment challenge facing the state. They also wanted him to begin the process of revamping old industries like Bendel Breweries, Edo Line, Ehor Fruit Juice Industries and Ewu Flour Mills. For them, the industries were existentially a part of the state and its people that should not be left to die. However, while they talked about these wishes so passionately, they somehow ignored some important lessons from the outcome of their existence over the years, particularly as they affected the finances of the state. Indeed, they forgot that modern governance has no business with creating or funding businesses. Government should only concern itself with creating the enabling environment for enterprise to flourish. From inception, that is the path the Oshiomhole administration chose to tread. At least, that is what recent history shows as the prime reason for the failure of public businesses. They became conduit pipes through which their man-

Government should only concern itself with creatinG the enablinG environment for enterprise to flourish agers milked state finances dry. From all indications, the choice to run a modern government, which places more emphasis on the provision of basic infrastructure and creation of enabling environment for investors, seems to have paid off handsomely. For instance, for expanding the state’s economic and investment drive and prudently managing its meagre resources in raising the ante in infrastructural development, this administration has received plaudits from the European Union, UNICEF and World Bank, etc. As a mark of their appreciation, each has offered partnership with the state govrnment in specific areas of development. Such partnerships have yielded unquantifiable dividends, enabling the administration to spread basic infrastructure to parts of the state. In particular, it gave a five star performance in the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of projects that opened up the state to both local and international investors. This is evident in, for instance, the location of industries in and around the state capital as well as other far flung interiors of the state with thousands of people in their employment. The Azura Independent Power project, Yongxing

Steel Company and Time Ceramics are but a few of them. Located on the outskirts of Benin City, the Azura IPP is a world class 450 MW open cycle gas turbine generating plant with a cumulative 2,000 MW capacity. Though it is expected to be completed in three phases, work is already ahead of schedule. However, it is projected to generate about five per cent of the nation’s over-all power generating capacity. Uniquely, the plant that sits on a 100 hectare piece of land employs an average of 342 workers daily and has since acquired virtually all its operation requirements, including Certificate of Occupancy, power purchase agreement with the federal government, gas transportation agreement with Nigerian Gas Company and gas sales purchase with SEPLAT. It is a huge investment made possible by the administration’s infrastructure-driven development agenda. The Yongxing Steel Company, which also sits on the outskirts of the state capital, is a Chinese concern that specializes in the production of twisted steel rods for the construction industry. It has since commenced full production and has over 300 people in its workforce. Yet, a stone throw away is Time Ceramics, an international industry which produces tiles and allied products for the building sector. Others include Presco Oil and Atlantique Marine Engineering Services. Most of the industries source a

major part of their raw materials locally. They made the point that the state’s investor-friendly atmosphere, essentially tied to the network of quality roads, is the real reason they opted to make their host communities their abodes. One of such roads is the one that connects Utese, Egun, Azagba, Uwusan and Obagie to Uyimwendi in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state. An elated Governor Oshiomhole also re-emphasized this point when he paid a scheduled visit to some of the companies. “Development comes to a place when industries are located near them. But some people who do not understand modern governance questioned me about building roads to villages. They think we should build roads only in the big cities. But I told them that we must build roads in villages and communities like the roads to Utese, Egun, Azagba, Uwusan, Obagie, Uyimwendi and the one connecting many other communities. Like one of the company managers told me, road is the major incentive they have because now it is easy for them to bring raw materials and carry their products to the market.” To be continued Omoarelojie contributed from Benin City, Edo State. 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 March 15, 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

Ghastly auto crash and death of the Ocholis

inister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr. James Ocholi, his wife and one of his sons died in a ghastly vehicular crash penultimate Sunday at Rigana village on the KadunaAbuja Highway when his official Lexus LX570 sports utility vehicle (SUV) had a burst tyre and somersaulted several times. Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, a day after, (Monday), gave an interim report on the fatal crash, fingering a combination of factors as responsible for the accident, chief among which was over-speeding. Mr. Taiwo James Elegbede, the minister’s driver, had no valid driver’s licence, according to the FRSC. Oyeyemi said Elegbede lacked sufficient experience and was panic-stricken after the tyre burst, leading to his hard application of the brakes, loss of control and the tragic end. Other findings revealed by the FRSC were that the lack of radio communication made it impossible for Ocholi’s back-up vehicle driver to inform the minister’s driver that the left tyre of the SUV was under-inflated when he noticed it; that the tyres of the minister’s vehicle were wrongly fixed; as well as failure of the Ocholis to use seat belts. A day after the death of the Ocholis (Monday), reports had it that the Deputy Governor of Yobe state, Abubakar Ali, was involved in an

auto accident when his vehicle collided with a Toyota Avensis in Daka-Tsalle town, along KadunaKano expressway. The impact was obviously not much as Ali’s convoy was believed to have continued its trip to Kano, where the Deputy Governor was visiting to condole with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, who lost his mother lately. But the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, Major-General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar was not as lucky as the Yobe Deputy Governor. The Army said Abubakar died in another road crash along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway Tuesday, March 8. The late Abubakar was said to have commanded ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, a major military action against Islamist Boko Haram insurgents. Accidents are bound to happen, except that a whole lot of them arise from human error; and are therefore, avoidable. Many have become weary of complaining about the very reckless driving that has been the pastime of the chauffeurs of most, if not all political office holders. In the process, they endanger the lives of not just their principals, but those of other road users. The blaring of sirens, dangerous manoeuvrings and harassment of other road users by their convoys all conveys the impression that the wheels are obedient to the reckless drivers; that their bosses own the roads; and that life has a dupli-

Official cOnvOys

motoring public; or as responsible public road users that consciously need as much desire to arrive safely at their destinations. The confusion created training and by reckless convoy driving led to OrientatiOn as the deaths of Victor Umoren and his three-month pregnant wife, Others, perhaps Naomi (nee Wigwe), along LagosmOre than Ordinary Epe Expressway on December citizens, On what 23, 2000 in an accident involving the convoy of then Minister for cOnstitutes safe Co-operation and Integration for and respOnsible Africa, Chief Dapo Sarumi. Two convoy accidents involving cOnducts On public former Governor Idris Wada of rOads Kogi State first claimed the life of his Aide de Camp (ADC) in cate. If they are driving within the December 2012; and less than a year city, other road users are hounded after, that of Professor Festus Iyayi, out of their lanes. Those not fast an academic and former President enough to clear for them are of the Academic Staff Union of dragged out of their vehicles and Universities (ASUU). Indeed, the flogged with horsewhips. Indeed, list is endless. The unfortunate the mood of the average Nigerian deaths of the Ocholis and Abubapolitical office holder on the road kar are just the latest. This ought is that of one running away from to be of concern to all political sworn enemies. The enemies would office holders now grieving for the include not just common criminals dead. They should reflect soberly, and political foes, but Nigerian not necessarily on the dead, but on people that they are meant to serve; themselves and the way they treat and whose interest they swear to the public. The FRSC should also high heavens they are out to prorealise that official convoys need as tect. much training and orientation as Whereas this has remained the others, perhaps more than ordicommon experience year-in-yearnary citizens, on what constitutes out, the FRSC cannot thumb its safe and responsible conducts on chest as yet as having registered public roads. We condole with all any significant impact in reining the bereaved families for the loss of in the excesses of official convoys. their beloved ones. Not in courtesy or respect for the

ON THIS DAY March 15, 1961

March 15, 1986

South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth; and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of 54 independent member-states. All members except Mozambique and Rwanda were part of the British Empire, out of which the Commonwealth developed.

The ‘Hotel New World’ Disaster: About 33 people died when the Hotel New World in Singapore collapsed. The Hotel New World disaster was Singapore’s deadliest civil disaster since the Spyros disaster of October 12, 1978. The six-story building situated at the junction of Serangoon Road and Owen Road rapidly collapsed, trapping 50 people beneath the rubble. About 17 people were rescued, while 33 died.

March 15, 2011 The Syrian civil war, also commonly known as the Syrian uprising, an ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Syrian Ba’ath Party government and those seeking to oust it, began. The conflict commenced with nationwide demonstrations, as part of the wider protest movement known as the Arab Spring. Protesters demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, whose family has held the presidency in Syria since 1971.

Business

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Customs seeks N20bn for airports’ equipment upgrade 21

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Nigeria’s property market slumps amid fiscal strains, low yields 24

Counting costs of recurring fuel scarcity on Nigeria’s businesses

Stakeholders set agenda for new NIMASA boss

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline

Quite paradoxically, Nigeria remains possibly the only oil-producing country globally where fuel availability for business activities has become a major headache of investors over the years. As was the situation in inglorious old days of Abacha administration through the successive regimes, product scarcity has continued to occupy central position in public economic discourse with the present government still finding it difficult to assure interrupted fuel supply, despite assurances by the NNPC and other marketers to bridge the supply gap in the downstream sub-sector. CHIDI UGWU in this report assesses the supply situation within the context of its implications for business operations in the country.

here is hardly any doubt that the socio-economic lives of Nigerians is undergoing yet another traumatic phase as the country goes through another harrowing round of nationwide scarcity of petroleum products. For three weeks running now,

Nigerians have been grappling with persistent fuel scarcity due to a combination of factors but more largely to the just ended strike by the Petrol Tankers Drivers arm of National Union of Petroleum workers, NUPENG. The Nigerian National Petro-

The simple ariThmeTic is ThaT iT is negaTively impacTing on The economy. once There is fuel scarciTy iT will affecT a loT of issues, even Those who do buying and selling will pay more

for TransporT, and Those who have Their own vehicles will buy noT aT The regulaTed pump

price, ThaT is addiTional cosTs, noT even To Talk of The majoriTy of The people who use public TransporTaTion sysTem, so iT is noT healThy

leum Corporation (NNPC) said it has been the only one battling the burden of importing fuel for the whole country since November 2015, as oil marketers had stopped importation of products. It was gathered that the outstanding subsidy of N200 billion owed to the oil marketers by the Federal Government has forced them to stopped importation of products since late last year, a situation that has created additional pressure to the NNPC. Traditionally, NNPC is expected to supply 50 percent of the nation’s consumption while the major oil marketers import the remaining 50 per cent of the country’s need, but since November last year, the Corporation has been overburdened as it strives to supply 100 percent of the Ni-

geria’s fuel consumption. In addition to the crushing pressure, the refineries have worked partially but pipeline vandalism has not allowed crude supply, forcing Warri Refinery, which was said to be due to have started operations yesterday, to supply by vessels. Also, strikes at various agencies in Lagos and other cities in the country, and insufficiency of imports due to gaps from expected but undelivered volumes from majors, among other factors culminated in causing the acute shortage of fuel supply in across the country. From the commercial city of Lagos through Abuja to other major cities across the country, the story has been the same tell-tale lamentations of hardship as motorists spend hours or days queuing for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, a product that ordinarily should be available at the remotest villages in the country if Nigeria were blessed with visionary, peopleoriented and transformational leaders. At the weekend, sights of long queues of vehicles are still noticeable in various filling stations after about 10 days CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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

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

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

Business News

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

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Counting costs of recurring fuel scarcity on Nigeria’s businesses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 of product-lifting paralysis occasioned by the tanker drivers’ industrial action while more of the stations had the “no fuel” signs clearly pasted at both entry and exit points. Fuel scarcity; that has plagued the nation recently appeared to have become worse since the beginning of this year, causing a lot of pains, anguish and dislocation to economic and other growth-boosting activities. Apart from the commuters and motorists that have suffered physical hardships of monumental dimensions as they battle daily to eke out a living, the industrial enterprises are also groaning under heavy costs of operations associated with the ‘no fuel saga’ Popular analysis by the stakeholders suggests that perennial fuel crises were largely caused by bottlenecks in the distribution system as well as other fiscal challenges that tend to keep eroding investors’ returns and corruption at government level, the biggest monster in the chains. Besides the physical hardships being experienced by individuals and corporate entities as the crisis lingers, the multiplier effects on the economy cannot be quantified in monetary terms in view of the multidimensional implications for the country’s strive to become one of the 20 most developed economies by the year 2020. “The simple arithmetic is that it is negatively impacting on the economy. Once there is fuel scarcity it will affect a lot of issues, even those who do buying and selling will pay more for transport, and those who have their own vehicles will buy not at the regulated pump price, that is additional costs, not even to talk of the majority of the people who use public transportation system, so it is not healthy. And at the end of the day, the bulk of the effects from the sector will zero down on the consumers. Today, the costs of goods and services have become so expensive” says Dr Remi Medupin, a Season Economist and Business Development Consultant. Medupin said that the situation has ripple effect in the sense that even the organizations that want to create opportunities for more hands in their work place are constraint by the difficulties brought about by the crippling effects of scarcity of petroleum products. Corroborating Medupin’s view point, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Army School Of Military Engineering (NASME), Mr Eke Ubiji, reiterated that the impact of the recurring fuel scarcity on businesses is basically negative in terms economic activities and productivity. He said “The impact of the recurring fuel scarcity on the economy is basically negative. In terms of economic activ-

ities and the time people have to spend, and the effect on productivity. It also affects people’s moral, so you find that it is combination of several genitive factors and consequences. But I think it is good to look into the root of what caused the problem. “The consequences are very negative and far-reaching and multi-dimensional, economic, social, even political in a sense and psychological at individual level” Both analysts suggest that there need for government to look into the root of the matter with a view to finding a lasting solution to the recurring issue. Ubiji tasked the government to put in place effective monitoring machinery to ensure that whatever is produced is evenly distributed to the intended designated locations. He said “I think the basic thing is for the government to look into the root of the matter. And government should make sure that what is produced is what is distributed. The in the long term government should fix the refineries and ensure they work optimally, it is not a good idea that Nigeria is producing crude and importing fuel, so ultimately government should pay attention to the issue of refineries”. Experts believe that increase in spending both by government and private individuals during the period of fuel scarcity has always provided the template for sellers of goods and services to capitalize on the bad situation, in a manner that is highly exploitative, to jack up prices. With particular reference to Nigeria, analysts see the fuel crisis every time it raises its ugly head as the direct result of the mismanagement of the downstream sub sector of the hydrocarbon resources industry by government officials and their collaborative private sector manipulators. The truth is that no country in the world can make real economic development under such miserable and unfortunate situation. Corruption also discourages foreign investments, thereby leading to slow development or growth of the economy. Also related to the fuel scarcity is wasteful spending of money on importation of fuel since the refineries were perfuming below installed capacity due

Buhari

Kachikwu

to several year of neglect of their turn around maintenance. The implications of this are that several economic projects are usually abandoned to purchase the refined petroleum product from outside the country while road and five accidents become recurring features in national emergency management agenda. The President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, had in his reaction to the current fuel crisis in the country, pointed out that since fuel scarcity touches on every face of the socio-economic life of the people, it invariably implies that it also retards development in the country. Wasteful spending of money on importation of fuel since the refineries were perfuming below installed capacity due to several year of neglect of their turn around maintenance. Several economic projects are usually abandoned to purchase the refined petroleum product from outside the country. Due to fuel scarcity road and fire accidents occurs on nation’s roads and houses as well as properties are burnt on regular basis because not are trucks used to transport fuel from one city to another,

but also, people tend hoard fuel in their homes in the bid to avoid being stranded by lack of it when they need it most. However, partial end may be close for the latest scarcity as NNPC at the weekend assured that it has secured enough volume for daily supply of 30,000 metric tons of petrol. Speaking when he inspected some filling stations in the Abuja, NNPC’s Group Executive Director for Investment and Commercials, Babatunde Adeniran said’ “As for the product, we have products. The minister gave an instruction that he wants to see the supply on a 30-day basis and as I am talking to you here we have the supply for March fully and out of the whole 31 days in March we have supply for each day. Nigeria’s consumption is one vessel cargo of 30,000MT per day. So, we have 31 vessels already lined up for the month of March, this is aside nine that we have currently that are discharging in various ports and jetties in Lagos, Oghara, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar.” Whatever the case may be, stakeholders say Nigerians want permanent solution to the recurring fuel scarcity, which obviously take huge toll, on businesses and indeed the economy of the nation. According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), part of the solution will be for the Federal Government to decentralise loading of petroleum products to make for effective loading at depots across the country. “By decentralising supply and distribution from Lagos to other depots; it would become easier for IPMAN members to lift products and distribute to filling stations,” said Chief Lawson Obasi, National President of IPMAN.

The TruTh is ThaT no counTry in The world can make real economic developmenT under such miserable and unforTunaTe

siTuaTion.

corrupTion also discourages foreign invesTmenTs, Thereby leading To slow developmenT or growTh of The economy

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Customs seeks N20bn for airports’ equipment upgrade CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

he Federal Government may commit up to N20 billion for the upgrade of equipment of the Nigerian Customs Service at the nation’s airports if the estimated cost of the project as presented by the Service is approved. The planned investment is part of government’s efforts to ensure efficiency of operations as well as improved revenue generation capacity of the Service. The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who gave the hint the weekend during an inspection tour of the facilities of the agency at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, said the move became imperative as some of the equipment being used now by Service were no longer functionally efficient. She pointed out that since one of the way government was focusing on to finance the 2016 budget is improved nonoil revenue generation, any investment in upgrading facilities of customs would assist in achieving such objectives.

The Minister said: “As you know, customs is one of the big revenue generating security agencies of the nation and we are here to look at their operations and assess their need for equipment particularly new technology in form of scanners. “We want to enhance their ability to do their job. The officers are doing a fantastic job but we need more technology and modern equipment. The equipment we are acquiring is an investment because the efficiency of revenue generating will pay for the equipment. “At the moment, we have an inefficient way of doing things and we want to improve the efficiency. It means containers in the ports can be cleared much easier as we will be able to scan containers and clear then very quickly and efficiently. We are confident that this big investments will help us deliver our objective for the 2016 budget”, Adeosun added. The Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd), expressed optimism that the upgrade of the equipment would facilitate trade

GE Aviation: General Electric creates new digital business OlUseGUn KOIKI

hanced digital capability to the 35,000 engines that GE Aviation monitors every day, GE and its customers are working together to unlock new opportunities to grow and deliver more productivity beyond traditional services. GE is creating industry standards for cloud computing and strengthening collaboration with customers to work on solving their toughest challenges.

E Aviation has announced the creation of a digital organisation that brings all of the digital expertise from across Aviation into one business. The new business is to be led by Jim Daily as President and Chief Digital Officer, Engineering and Technology for GE Aviation. “Over the past two years, we have shown the significant benefit that GE Aviation can provide customers by combining our depth of aviation product knowlhe Confederation of Britedge with the rapidly growing ish Industry (CBI) has technologies around digital and called on the UK Governanalytics,” said David Joyce, presment to reform the “outdated” ident & CEO of GE Aviation. business rates (property tax) re“We have only taken our first gime, improve corporation tax steps in this journey and the GE reliefs, and maintain existing Aviation Digital organization will pension tax reliefs. be the driving force to achieve Ahead of Chancellor George aggressive goals for operational Osborne’s March 16 Budget, the value for our customers.” CBI said that the Government GE Aviation Digital would should focus on making the UK form its own division within tax and regulatory system more GE Aviation, supporting the opcompetitive, and avoid increaserations of customers across the ing the burden on businesses. Acaviation ecosystem by leveraging cording to CBI analysis, recent data science, domain expertise policy changes, including the and software capabilities to inintroduction of an Apprenticecrease productivity and minimize ship Levy and a National Living down time. Wage, coupled with continued In addition to bringing an eninaction on business rates, will

and boost revenue collections. He said that the Service was targeting high definition scanners and equipment to be installed at major airports nationwide and estimated that this would require

we can make a seamless operation for traders and passengers that want to do business with us, it will increase revenue generation.”

L-R: Head, Apapa Regional Bank & Chairman, Promo Committee, Obaro Odeghe; Executive Director, Shared Services & Products, Chijioke Ugochukwu; Divisional Head, Retail Bank, Richard Madiebo and Head, Savings Group, Janet Nnabuko, all of Fidelity Bank, at the Bank’s 5thSave 4 Shelter Promo Draw held in Lagos recently.

TUC opposes NNPC’s restructuring on investment implications OlUfemI ADeOsUn, ABUJA

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), stressing that the process was fraught with anomalies. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, had on Tuesday announced unbundling of the government owned corporation into 7 divisions and 20 subsidiaries. The announcement has since resulted into protects across the country, as oil workers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and

CBI calls for eased business taxes in UK budget

about N20 billion to acquire. “The deployment of the equipment will enhance trade facilitation and revenue generation. The moment

cost businesses around GBP9bn (USD12.9bn) a year by 2020-21. The CBI recommended that Osborne improve the business rates regime by switching the multiplier by which business rates are uprated from the Retail Price Index to the Consumer Price Index. It added that there should be more frequent revaluations of business properties, and that the smallest businesses should be lifted out of the tax altogether. The CBI also called for the scope of capital allowances to be increased to better support investment, and for the Government to ensure that the UK’s interest deductions for corporation tax remain competitive.

Natural Gas Workers(NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(PENGASSAN) yesterday shut down activities in the corporation. The situation has since a reinsurgence of fuel queue across the nation, as commuters are left stranded with transportation cost increasing astronomically. A statement issued by TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Ag. Secretary General Comrade Simeso Amachree in Abuja, indicated that the unbundling was done in a clear breach of due and proper process, tainted with illegality and anchored on gross impunity. It stated: “For one, it is ultra vires the NNPC Act of 1977 under which the Corporation was created. We know for sure that neither the purported unbundling nor any other fundamental restructuring of the Corporation can be lawful and valid without prior appropriate repeal or amendment of the Act. We stand opposed to that illegality and call on President Buhari to discountenance and reverse it.” The union also frowned the decision of the Petroleum Minister to take such a weighty decision without consulting relevant stakeholders such as the TUC, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the oil companies.

“What then would be the fate of the workers of NNPC? What is to be done about pensions, employee transfers, and other matters that are of interest to the workers? The Minister claimed that there will be no job loss, but how guaranteed is that claim when he did not even bother to engage the labour unions and the operators before taking his decision? “What about the massive financial burden of running so many divisions and subsidiaries? If NNPC as one unit cost so much to administer, is the nation in the best circumstance to afford the multiple increase in expenditure that maintaining the consequent new bureaucracies would entail?”, the union queried. According to the organised labour group, another issue that the minister obviously did not give proper reckoning to is the likely negative effects that the unbundling of NNPC would have on inflow of foreign investments to the nation’s oil and gas industry. While expressing support for the steps so far taken by PENGASSAN and NUPENG to express their displeasure at such a decision, the union insisted on immediate retraction of that decision in order that such investments be not discouraged. “In view of the foregoing, the Congress is pleased to note that its affiliate union in the oil and gas sector, PENGASSAN, has already registered its opposition to the Minister’s unsavoury statement and promptly commenced an industrial action against the unbundling of NNPC.

Business News

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Stakeholders set agenda for new NIMASA boss FRANCIS EZEM

takeholders in the nation’s maritime industry have called on the newly appointed Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, to take urgent steps to reposition the industry, especially in areas of the agency’s core mandate. While welcoming the appointment as desirable for the industry, a Master Mariner and Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Worldwide Shipping, Captain. Emmanuel Ihenacho, noted that Peterside was appointed at a time there were so much to be done in the industry, especially in the area of maritime and safety administration. According to him, there has been increasing cases of piracy attacks, ship hijack and ransom taking as well as sea robbery, a development that requires the new NIMASA helmsman to step up security surveillance on the nation’s waters. He therefore charged the new

Director General to take steps to protect foreign flagged vessels that come to Nigeria as well as Nigerian flagged vessels with a view to retaining their confidence in the Nigerian maritime environment. On what needed to be done to grow indigenous fleet, the industry chief urged Peterside to make efforts to support indigenous private sector operators to acquire more vessels. He, however, clarified that such efforts should be made to discourage public sector ownership of vessels in the country, which he claimed had never worked in the past and may never work anytime, given past experiences. Ihenacho, who doubles as chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas said: “Given the experience of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line NNSL, public ownership of vessel have never worked in Nigeria and might never work, so assistance should be given to the private sector to boost indigenous fleet”. While commenting on the choice Peterside as the new NIMA-

SA-boss, Ihenacho said that what he needed now was the support of all stakeholders to enable him succeed in the interest of the Nigerian nation and her citizens. “I know. Dr. Peterside personally and he is a good guy. The best we can do now is to rally round him in this crucial assignment so that he succeeds. He is welcome”, Ihenacho also said. Another Master Mariner and former president of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners NAMM, Captain Adewale Ishola, pointed out that what was paramount now is for the new Director General, who is not an industry expert, to work and learn by liaising with industry stakeholders to chart a new course for growth and development. Similarly, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Shipowners Association NISA, Mr. Tunji Brown, said Peterside’s appointment was a right step in the right direction, arguing that NISA is not comfortable with leaving a Director General of NIMASA on an acting capacity for seven months.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ortom, Fowler parley on tax collection drive TolA AkINMuTIMI

he Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, has engaged Benue Governor Dr. Samuel Ortom, in discussions on how the State and the revenue collection agency could work together to improve its tax collection. A statement issued by the Head, Communications and Servicom Department of the federal revenue agency, Wahab Gbadamosi, indicated that this was one of the key issues discussed by the Governor and the FIRS’ boss when they met at Revenue House, headquarters of the tax agency, in Abuja. He quoted the FIRS’ boss as expressing his delight that the Benue Governor is one of the first governors to pledge his support to the agency’s efforts to improve its federally collectible revenue being shared by the three tiers of government. Fowler said: “We are in a situation where the compliance rate for VAT (Value Added Tax) and CIT (Companies Income Tax) is far less below 100 per cent. Being where we are now, I’ m sure you know more than I do, that that states have challenges of funding their activities. I believe a way out is to collect all taxes due to government. “I can tell you and pledge that we at FIRS are not taking this just as a job but as a national service to make sure that we meet up

with expectations and objectives of funding governance”, he assured. He thanked the governor for his support and interest to partner with FIRS in its collaborative approach –with State Boards of Internal Revenue Service, SBIRsin audit, taxpayer education and collection of taxes due to the Federation Account. The Benue Governor congratulated the FIRS Chairman on his appointment and for his leadership in the agency which he described as “very very important agency”. Ortom, who lamented that the average Nigerian don’t pay taxes, believes that the population of Nigeria and Africa should be a comparative advantage. “We should not have the kind of financial challenges we are having today in infrastructure and other areas because of our population alone and what God has given us. It is enough, if genuinely, we are paying our taxes, and we should be able to fund our developmental needs. “I promise to support you and collaborate with you wherever necessary to maximize tax collection and add value to what you

do… because what you collect comes to the Federation Account, which also comes to us. If there are other ways of supporting and collaborating with you, to ensure that you do better, please let us know. We will support you”, Ortom added.

Bankers’ Committee marks Global Money Week 2016 ….declares Thursday ‘Financial Literacy Day’

L-R: Development Director, Clarion Events, Russell Hughes; Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman and Director, Corporate Affairs, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Oluwasegun Osidipe, during the press conference to kick off the Nigeria Manufacturing Expo slated for kick-off today in Lagos

NSE faults FG on NERC Board’s composition oluFEMI AdEoSuN,

AbujA

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has faulted the composition of the board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC), insisting that non-involvement of engineers in key position negates the enabling Act the commission derive its power. Speaking on ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ and other pressing national issues with bearing on engineering practice during an interactive session with the media, NSE President,

Engr. Otis Anyaeji, said that the Society had written a letter to President Mohammadu Buhari with a view to correcting the lopsidedness. He pointed out that NSE derived its power from Section 34(2)(a) and 34(3) of the Electric Power Reform Act 2005, which stipulated that engineers should form the core of members of the commission. Some of the positions the Society is seeking to be headed by an engineer include, Chairman, Commissioner for Generation, Commissioner for Transmission, Commissioner for Systems Operation and Commissioner

for Distribution/Marketing. He noted that the demand was based on the belief that the involvement of engineers in the key positions would drive productivity and proper administration to achieve desired results hinged on effectiveness and efficiency.

Anyaeji said: “Section 34(2)(a) of Electric Sector Reform Act stipulates that those to be nominated as commissioners are to be those that are experienced in generation, transmission, systems operations, marketing or distribution of electricity.”

s part of its commitment to promote financial inclusion in Nigeria, and to commemorate Global Money Week 2016, the Bankers’ Committee through its Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-Committee has mapped out activities targeted at primary and secondary school students. Global Money Week started yesterday and will end on Sunday. The Bankers’ Committee has designated Thursday as “Financial Literacy Day”. The purpose of Global Money Week and Financial Literacy Day is to promote financial knowledge and fiscal planning skills in children and the youth. Planned activities to mark the week include visits by officials of all financial institutions to schools adopted by their institutions. During the school visits, financial institutions Chief Executive Officers will teach selected stu-

dents from the schools a module of a Financial Literacy curriculum specially designed by Junior Achievement – Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation focused on educating children on economic matters. Individual financial institutions have also arranged for students to visit banking halls to observe day-to-day banking activities. The Central Bank of Nigeria will also be organising a Child and Youth Finance Fair/Exhibition in Abuja to mark the week Speaking on the activities, Emeka Emuwa, Chair of the Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-committee and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria PLC said, “financial literacy is a key initiative in our effort to achieve Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. It is important that citizens are knowledgeable in economic and financial matters.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World Bank experts list ways to job creation in urban cities isAAc AsAbor

orld Bank experts, Anabel Gonzalez, Senior Director for the Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice, and Ede Jorge IjjaszVasquez, Senior Director for the Social, Urban, Rural & Resilience Global Practice, have reported that rise of urban cities globally help in creating jobs for millions of youth who enter the work force every year. Making this submission following a study jointly carried out by them recently specifically on East Asia, where cities have grown faster than anywhere else in the world, the experts posited that “between 2000 and 2010, nearly 200 million people moved to East Asia’s urban centres which include, eight “megacities” with populations over 10 million, and 123 large cities with one to 10 million people”. The research, titled ‘Competitive Cities for Jobs and Growth: What, Who, and How’, was primarily undertaken to chart road map to create jobs in urban cities was titled They reported that with mere 36 percent of East Asians’ total population living in urban areas that it will likely witness many more decades of rapid urban growth.

The experts noted that very few countries have reached income levels of $10,000 per capita before reaching about 60 percent urbanization. Against the backdrop of their findings, they assured that if managed well urbanization can boost economic growth as well as help in eliminating extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. According to the report, for urbanization to boost growth there would be need for proactive policies toward the provision of land, housing, and services for the new urban residents, and urban planning that matches physical expansion with access to jobs, affordable housing and shopping, high quality public transportation, and health and education services to ensure equal opportunity for disadvantaged communities. They cited Singapore as a good example of countries in East Asia that has sustainable urban planning and urbanization-driven growth, where infrastructure investments were transformed into productive assets for economic expansion and increased prosperity in the city-state, enabling GDP growth to average 7.7 percent in the last 50 years. The duo through the report found

CBN SSEDC trains Youngstars on entrepreneurship TolA AkinmuTimi

he CBN South-South Entrepreneurship Development Centre recently played host to participants from 2016 Canvassity from Youngstars Foundation Abuja. The participants numbering about 48 and selected from different states of the federation, were at the Centre to understudy the engagement models of the EDC with her participants. They visited the Centre as part of their activities for a week long workshop on democracy and good governance, and the SSEDC team used the opportunity to expose the participants to Mindset Re-orientation and Entrepreneurship Development. While taking the participants through Idea Generation and Growth Mindset , Blessing Akpan said that SSEDC engagements with her participants’ starts with a mindset shift and that participants are made to see things they hitherto don’t pay attention to and to re-evaluate their entitlement mentality and accept responsibility for their success.

Bangwell

“Young people should always look out for ways to provide service by coming up with new innovative ideas that will transform the society” she said. In addition to that, the participants had the opportunity to tour CBN SSEDC training facility. The team leader of Youngstars Foundation, Mr. Kingsley Bangwell thanked CBN SSEDC and noted that what is going on at the Centre is simply fantastic.

that globally, 72 percent of cities grow their GDP faster than their national economies. In their attempt to find solutions to how more cities in Asia do better at generating jobs and how can more cities host dynamic and fast-growing industries, they listed some steps that must be taken by governments to make their urban cities economically relevant to national development. First, job creation and economic growth are more likely to come from some industries than others – namely those that are tradable. ‘Tradable’ means goods and services that are geographically mobile and, thus, subject to regional and international trade. Second, the right combination of policies and investments can set the stage for thriving industries. They noted that in the world’s most competitive cities, governments provide a conducive regulatory environment and provide targeted support to particular industries. Third, mayors and city leaders – and governments more broadly – cannot do

Gonzalez

it alone. Only close partnership with private sector firms and industries will generate more jobs. Fourth, they noted that a key difference between competitive cities and ‘the rest’ was not the existence of a city development strategy on paper, but effective implementation of strategic actions.

Minister restates govt’s commitment to youth employment Joel AJAyi AbujA

igerian youths yearning for employment and other developmental programmes promised by the present administration have been asked to exercise patience till the passage of 2016 appropriation by the National Assembly. Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr Solomon Dalung who gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of Edinburg international award in his office yesterday equally advised teeming Nigerian Youths to engage their mind gainfully in order to actualize God-given potentials and make meaningful impact. Edinburg international award foundation was founded by British Royal family. At the moment, its Nigeria franchise is known as the International Award for Young People. Dalung while eulogising the idea behind the project, bemoaned lack of value orientation among youths and faulted previous leadership style that couldn’t bridge the gap of gainful transmission of core societal values. According to him, “the missing link between the leader and youth is that of orientation and value. The young people have been abandoned for long to

discover for themselves and cater for themselves and in any society socialization is cardinal principle. Where civilization has failed to produce the desirable result and settle the future. “How do we now rescue the future? This is the question the award needs to provide answer to. To identify young people, encourage them, stimulate them and develop them into whole value of leadership for them to be good leaders tomorrow. “It is a known fact in Nigeria that the popular opinion has been the problem of leadership and if a reputable organization is involved in training young people, it’s obviously the best we can partner with. You all agreed with me that under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari, leadership built on integrity. “Our budget is predominantly over 50% capital which means once the budget is passed, there would be a lot of activities going on. Activities that will create jobs for the youth as well as many other potentials. On his part, leader of Edinburg delegation, Olawale Edun assured of their readiness to sustain the lofty ideals of the foundation and urged the federal government to engage various states to buy into their programmes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Real Estate & Environment

Nigeria’s property market slumps amid fiscal strains, low yields

It is no longer business as usual in Nigeria’s property market, as cash squeeze has hit investors, thus causing serious lull in the sector. SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE reports.

igeria’s property market appears to have defiled all known predictions. Prior to 2016, experts in the industry had predicted that the year would afford investors the opportunity to acquire property at low prices. It was further predicted that with the emergence of a new administration, the industry would witness large volume of activities, even as experts predicted high returns on investments in this fiscal year. But contrary to the predictions, the industry appears to be witnessing low returns on investments as the sector is in serious lull. Already, the nation’s real estate market is dwindling, almost ten months, after the inauguration of this administration. Experts said that the sector might

Curbing excess bank charges through monetary policy measures 31

witness proliferation of markets as several properties would be up for grab, thus making prices of properties to crash, as much cash would be available for few properties. Ironically, investors said there is no money to buy property, complaining of low cash flow. According to a property investor, Mr Funso Olufemi, “Apart from those, who may acquire properties for the near future, this year may not be better year, as there is serious cash squeeze in the market’’. According to him, those investing in the market should wait for some time to see how foreign exchange market would impact on the sector, saying, as it stands now, there is no immediate hope for the investors. However, he said, the gains might come in the nearest future, when the issue of foreign exchange would be sorted out by government. Olufemi said investors are not keen to invest in the market due to the dwindling economy, just as he noted that sellers are not even bringing their property

to the market, as they are yet to ascertain the economic direction of this present government. Though, investors had expected the sector to improve this fiscal year giving the level of expectations, however some had noted that the sector would be unpredictable, due to the prevailing economic and political indicators. Citing devaluation of naira, crash in oil prices and foreign exchange market, as cases in point, Olufemi said, all these signposts the fact that the nation’s economy looks bleak, which is trickling down to other sectors of the nation’s economy, including the real estate. According to some experts, the nation’s real sector is witnessing the backlash of these signs, coupled with less money in circulation, leading to low-buying and less-building with lessconstruction works. Investors had earlier expected a growth of about 30 percent within a space of one year, considering the fact that private operators would be encouraged to embark on more real estate investments, aimed at filling the yawning

Last year was very promising, as everybody was hoping for a return on investments, but what is happening now, is a source of concern for many nigerians, particuLarLy property investors

housing gaps, but this appears to be a ruse. Local and foreign firms had long shown interests in the nation’s real estate market, promising to build several housing units to shore-up the present housing stocks in the country. Some even promised to kick-off the housing projects before the end of last year, however, investigation on why they are yet to kick-off the housing scheme, indicated that the present economic indicator is not favourable to embark on such huge projects. For instance, Pinnacle Point Limited, a South African estate company had promised to inject over N30 billion into the nation’s real estate sector to provide world-class golf estate in Badagry, Lagos state. The firm, which had built golf estates in nine African countries, had projected a revenue base of over $6.6 billion annually from such projects. A source from the company, who pleaded anonymity, gave the present economic reality as reasons behind their effective take-off. He listed the exchange rate, lack of economic direction as well as non-clear cut vision in the nation’s real estate sector as reasons behind the lacklustre activities in the sector. Also, a foreign firm, EREI Africa had also noted that it would build over 18,000 housing units for women journalists on CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

NAICOM accedes to NCRIB’s plea on outstanding premium deadline 30

SEC rallies stakeholders on non-interest capital market benefits 32

Real Estate & Environment

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Nigeria’s property market slumps amid fiscal strains, low yields CONTINUED FROM 25

mortgage basis in the country. EREI, a property development firm based in Democratic Republic of Congo, had also disclosed that it would build 500 housing units in each of the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, bringing the total number to 18,000 housing units. These, are among other firms that have signalled their intentions to increase the nation’s housing stocks through mortgage financing. But today, the situation appears tragic as they could not source for dollars to kick-start their projects as promised. It would be noted that the present administration had promised to review the regulatory frameworks to shoreup the nation’s housing stocks, promising to give private operators the opportunity to invest in the sector, to be able to assist government fulfil its promise of providing decent and affordable houses to the citizenry. “We are ready to reform the housing sector. We don’t have more housing units, so, we are looking at what government can do in this regard so that private sectors can be empowered to build housing units, as it is done in other countries of the world”, the Federal Government had noted.. While some analysts said, there would be a lull in the sector as noticed in 2014, others said, there might be considerable variations in some states, depending on land mass and locations. The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Chime had revealed that for Nigeria to close the gap in its hous- Ambode ing deficit, the country needs over 1,500 were encouraged to build more housmonetary policy of this present adminhousing units annually in the next 12 ing units, using modular technology to istration, a situation which he said, has years. achieve it. pushed the nation’s real estate market It would be recalled that the housing To give flip to the model, experts have into uncertainty. deficit rose from 7 million in 1991 to 12advocated for the recapitalization of the He however revealed that since this 15 million in 2008 and 17-18 million in nation’s mortgage banks, which are not fiscal year, investors have stepped in 2012. only necessary, but very urgent to atslowly, even as some home owners are Even as experts have noted that, untract capital funding to support the real off-loading distressed properties. less federal and state governments interestate development. ‘’While some investors are not buying vene, the situation might be worse. But In all, more homes need to be built, properties, the savvy ones are scouting to stem the tide, the UNDP suggested a as government should take urgent steps for distressed properties to buy with the multi-dimensional approach, involving to ensure favourable economic policies, intention to re-furbish and resell at a governments from central to regional capable of ensuring access to loans by later date. and down to local governments embarkdevelopers. This is not a new game for investors ing in housing projects. Experts also noted that the reason in the market, though the volume of inIt, however, noted that such collaborawhy the property market slowed down stitutional investments appears to be a tion, would involve private sector, nonsince 2015 was due to cautious attitude new strategy’’, he added. governmental agencies, community asby major investors, who have pulled Estate practitioners, who spoke to sociations as well as developing viable back with keen eye on possible outcome National Mirror, said the transactions mortgage finance sector to assist the of government housing policies. This is in the last five years had disappeared of private sector. as the market is also responding to seculate, saying the ultimate buyer does not Similarly, the World Bank has warned rity situation in the country. even show up to inspect the property. that the rising population could hit Close watchers of the market said the With banks exercising caution, there more than 200 million by 2050, which situation was also discouraging local is little on the market at a time when would increase rural and urban drifts and foreign direct investments. first-time buyers and real-estate speculawith rising building costs, thus exerting Investment expert, John Odeh said: tors are anxious to tap both cheap prices serious pressure on shelter. “Last year was very promising, as evand low-interest mortgages. With the growing population estimaerybody was hoping for a return on inInventory shortages have spurred tion of 170 million, experts said, Nigeria vestments, but what is happening now, new developments despite a glut of propneeds more than 17 million new housing is a source of concern for many Nigeerties stuck in some areas and the people units to withstand the test of time with rians, particularly property investors.” affected most are the middle class. an estimated cost of over N50 trillion to According to him, investors are no Until the last housing boom, there reverse the trends. longer interested in buying property was no much cash squeeze as this, some In some Nigerian cities, residential due to uncertainties, caused by stiff housing experts noted, stressing that accommodations have disappeared while commercial properties like eatere are ready to reform the housing ies, banks and telecom offices have taken over some apartments. sector e don t have more housing units Other stakeholders are also seeing 2016 as a year of contrasting halves; so We are looking at What government can even as they noted that there might be do in this regard so that private sectors can a huge rise in property prices from 2017. They however advocated for housbe empoWered to build housing units as it is ing models of some countries like Singapore, South Africa and United States done in other countries of the World of America, where private operators

W .W

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the tight market is pushing up values and making it harder for buyers to find homes to purchase due to paucity of funds. The Chief Executive Officer of Afriland Properties, Uzo Oshogwe said though, the situation might not be rosy, however, real estate professionals as well as investors are optimistic. She said in the midst of the downturn, the industry is still boasting of 10 percent annual growth with a market value of N6.5 trillion in 2015, even as she anticipated $13.6 billion investment profile in 2016. ‘’In any economic downturn, there is an opportunity. The opportunity here lies in the ability to revolutionize and persevere’’, she stated She said the biggest opportunities lie in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, being Nigeria’s commercial, administrative and petroleum industry capitals. Oshogwe also identified real estate and Information and Communications Technology, ICT, as some of the fastest growing sectors in the nation’s economy with a lot of opportunities. The growing population remains a driving force in both sectors. Nigeria’s middle class is growing by 7.9 percent per annum and these are the people with purchasing power to pay for rent, purchase houses and invest in ICT.

Rapidly growing urban population, Lagos state grows at roughly 3.2% per annum, Abuja grows by 4.3 percent per annum, and Kano grows at 3.3 percent per annum. All these imply demand for houses would continue to rise. Property development, she said, is arguably the most lucrative of all investment opportunities in Nigeria’s real sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

FHA urges FESTAC allottees to maintain peace, appeals judgment

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

StorieS by olufemi AdeoSun AbujA

Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Women Upholding Women in Nigerian Real Estate

irst let me apologize for being MIA last column period while I was in Nigeria. It was -15 degrees when I left Chicago and 95 degrees when I landed in Lagos, a difference of 110 degrees! I promptly fell ill in Lagos, and fell ill again upon my return home to Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised by the readers who actually emailed me to find out why my column was missing…at least now I know I have real live followers. Thank you very much. Let me also share the amazing news that our Realty Company, Marvel Ventures Realty Inc., has been appointed a Diaspora real estate sales agent for both MIXTA (Formerly ARM), and Kayode Obembe & Co. We are identifying companies with integrity and a proven track record, and starting to enlighten our Diaspora market about them, with the assurance that they can now purchase property in Africa without fear of being scammed or otherwise losing their funds. As we continue to add more companies to our roster, we will update this list. One of the dearest goals I have is to use every skill and every opportunity I have to foster the growth and inclusion of women in the real estate field. I am a true believer in the wealth creation opportunities available through real estate. I love this field so much because real estate can create true generational wealth. Most families that we know as mega wealthy anywhere in the world will probably testify that their wealth creation vehicles have a substantial portion in real estate. This is why I am especially saddened that in 2016, women are still a very small minority in the area of property ownership and investment. It is true that women actually outnumber men in the area of real estate sales, but they are often selling other peoples’ property. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, please understand, but I am looking beyond that, to the area of women actually becoming real estate developers and investors. For some reason which I still have to understand, there is this terrible misconception that women cannot handle the technical areas of real estate. Every field from architecture to quantity surveying to costing to development, is completely dominated by men. No one is saying men should cede their roles to women, we are just asking that you allow us to share… It is because of this that I have a policy of not refusing any invitations from women, to assist or support

them in any real estate projects or events they may have. I am so blown away by the women in the real estate field in Nigeria! What a wonderful community of strong yet graceful, brilliant yet humble, multi-disciplinary yet unified ladies I have come to know and admire in Nigeria. My first large scale training session in Nigeria was for a mortgage company owned by a woman. To my delight, I found out that she had eighteen branches and over two hundred and fifty staff! We trained in Port Harcourt with our flagship Pyramid Plus program, and it was truly an unforgettable experience for my team and I. Last year I had the pleasure of presenting at the Real Estate Unite 2015, organized by 3invest, a vibrant and visionary real estate company owned by Ruth Obih, a bona fide star in the African real estate industry. This was a real eye opened event for me because I saw how sophisticated the real estate development industry in Nigeria is. It was particularly emotional to present to the African Women in Real Estate (A.W.I.R.E) group, which is her platform for bringing together seasoned women players in the industry as mentors to new and recent entrants. We had a great time sharing, and in fact, I met some of my favourite women in the industry at that event. It was made even more interesting by the attendance of several men, including one to whom I immediately fell in love with, an elder in the industry, with FIVE daughters, all of whom are in real estate! How amazing is that?? Real Estate Unite 2016 is coming up on October 6th and 7th, 2016. If you are a woman (or man) looking for guidance on how to enter into the industry, you should absolutely reach out to them (try Google), and register for the A.W.I.R.E. session. You might even meet me there… Hopefully this group will develop a platform of training and mentoring women all across Africa, as it certainly as the capacity to be a game changer in the industry. While I was in Lagos last month, I had the pleasure of presenting at yet another lady realtor event, this

Real Estate & Environment

time at the invitation of an admired friend, learned colleague and sister in the trade, Nonso Ume-Ezeoke of Assist2Sell. She reached out and explained to me that she holds a monthly seminar for new and recent lady entrants into the industry, and she wanted me to come and share with them. What I was most impressed with, is that she personally bears all the costs and expenses for this program. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea! It was a total no-brainer for me to accept her invitation, and what a blessing it turned out to be. There is nothing like the feeling of self-validation and worth one gets, when you know that you are changing the trajectory of another’s life for a good outcome. Every second of the time I spent with them was just magical. The questions were never ending, the passion for learning was palpable, and the vastness of possibilities for each attendee’s future was dazzling. I had the pleasure of meeting a previous attendee at another of my presentations, who told me she had actually found out about the event from a posting I put up on my LinkedIn page about it, and had immediately registered to attend. I also had the pleasure of meeting a brother and sister in the industry, who gave of their time too, to come and share their expertise. If you are interested in these sessions, please reach out to Assist2Sell (try Google) and register. I believe there is one held every month. So, if you are a woman in the real estate field in Nigeria, let me assure you that big things are starting to happen. Come forward and seek knowledge, join the groups in the industry, and attend as many trainings and conferences as you can. No knowledge is bad, and the amount of confidence you will gain from being in the presence of your sisters, is priceless. As always, please connect with me on LinkedIn (Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja), or follow me on Twitter (@NikeFinancePro.).

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

he Federal Housing Authority has urged its land allottees in FESTAC Phase II, Festival Town, Lagos to maintain the peace and refrain from joining issues with the Kuje-Amuwo community which recently secured a court judgment against the Authority over a disputed portion of the Area. The, indigenes, relying on a Federal High Court, Lagos judgment had embarked on harassment of allottees and demolition of the property of residents of FESTAC Phase II in a bid to enforce the judgment delivered by Justice Okon Effreti Abang on February 29, 2016. The FHA, in a statement signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, decried the resort to self-help by the plaintiffs in the case even as the copies of the judgment were yet to be obtained. Noting that only court bailiffs, sheriffs and the police were empowered to enforce court judgments under the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act, the FHA said the wanton destruction of property and the demolition of the ongoing FHA approved projects in FESTAC Phase II, including projects of the Federal Government concessionaire for the reclamation and sand filling of the area, amounted to self help and a blatant breach of the law. It appealed to the Kuje Amuwo community to give peace a chance by ensuring the sustenance of the rule of law in the process of ascertaining their rights on the disputed

portion of land. The FHA, which said it had proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Federal High Court in the case, warned the Kuje Amuwo community to desist from further harassment and intimidation of law abiding citizens and the willful destruction of property. The Authority also said it has invited the Law Enforcement Agencies to protect the lives and property of citizens in the FESTAC Phase II area. The Alamuwo of Kuje Amuwo, Oba Isaac Owolabi and three others had instituted a suit against the FHA claiming that about 4.017 hectares being a portion of land in the Phase II of Festival Town belong to the Amuwo community and was not properly acquired. By the Federal Government Gazettes No 54 of November 6, 1975 and No 45 of September 9, 1976, the government acquired about 2,024.60 hectares of land along Badagry Expressway and lying between Amuwo Odofin Scheme, International Trade Fair Complex and the Military Cantonment and referred to as Festival Town in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. The Lagos State government on May 11, 1988, granted an Indenture covering the Federal Government Acquisition to the Federal Housing Authority. The tenor of the grant is in perpetuity for as long as the Federal Government or the Federal Housing Authority requires the land. The judgment against a Federal land duly acquired after payment of compensation and partially developed since 1977 as Festac Phase 1, is perverse and an abuse of court process.

Infinity Mortgage Bank promotes 8, rewards 25

he Management of Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc, has announced the promotion of eight members of staff to higher positions. This is even as the company also rewarded 25 members of staff with various salary increment. According to the bank, those elevated are: Mr. Sunday Olumorin, from Assistant General Manager to Deputy General Manager; Mr. Samson Agbaka, from Principal Manager to Assistant General Manager. Others are Mr. David Mathew and Hopkins Amachree, who were promoted from Senior Banking Officers to Assistant Managers respectively; Mr. Obiwale Oyebode and Victor Abalaka, from Assistant Banking Officers to Banking Officers, while Miss Grace Madueke and Mrs. Queen Ogundu, were elevated from Executive Trainees to Assistant Banking Officers. Explaining the rationale behind the exercise, the Managing Direc-

tor of the bank, Mr. Olabanjo Obaleye, said the exercise was consistent with the bank’s policy of rewarding members of staff for their hard work and commitment, adding that the bank would continue to reward outstanding performance among members of staff. He said that the bank would continue to provide a conducive environment and a level playing ground for members of staff to achieve the career dreams. He said, “As a bank, we have a culture of rewarding hard work, dedication and excellence as a way of appreciating and motivating our staff. In addition, our policy is to provide a conducive environment and level playing field for every member of staff to actualize their career ambition with the bank. Speaking on the bank’s expectation for 2016, he said, “The year 2016 is here with its challenges that is looking overwhelming, especially when one considers the fall in the value of the naira, moving downwards at a very dangerous speed.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Enforcement lapses responsible for building collapse incidents in cities –Ladega

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Architect Olusegun Ladega is the Managing Director of Interstate Architects Limited one of Nigeria’s architectural companies based in Lagos. In this interview with Gbenga Ogunbufunmi, he speaks on issues in the nation’s building industry, including how the current state of the economy is impacting on the industry’s potential for national development. Excerpts:

ould you say that the fall would be for us as a nation. in the price of crude oil is a curse or blessing to the Could you state clearly what country? you mean by diversifying our economy? It depends on the way you look at it. My own point of view about diverI would say it should serve as a wakeup sification is not just looking for or call to the government to now look be- taking on other products. It may inyond oil as our major source of income. terest you to know, that nations that If you recall, it is like history repeating are natural resource dependent econitself. You remember in 1982, the price of omies would always have the chaloil dropped and we had issues with get- lenges presently confronting Nigeria ting products to buy. That was when we at the moment. Should we be looking had the period of ‘’essential commodi- at the export of natural resources as ties’’. People were queuing endlessly for the basis of our economic well being, days in order to be able to buy essential my answer would be capital no. We commodities like sugar, salt, beverages, should look beyond that. We have to rice amongst other things. I think it is start selling processed products that about time government begin to explore do not require expensive technology. other natural resources that abound in I am on the same page with those the country. We should focus more on be- who say we should develop our solid ing a productive economy instead of be- mineral sector, but my take however ing a import based economy. In my own on that, is that even if we develop estimation, I would say it a curse and the sector; remember that what we blessing in disguise, because it would would be exporting would still be in afford the nation the opportunity of ex- crude form. That is why I am suggestploring other sources of generating rev- ing that we concentrate on selling enue for the country. processed products that require less expensive technology. Let us start What then is the way out of this from little to the big. We should conquagmire? centrate on areas where we have comThank you very much. It is a combina- parative advantage instead of going tion of factors. into ventures that we may not able to First, it is pertinent to point out here, sustain at the end of the day. that we are earning a lot less than what we were earning about a year ago. NigeriHow would you rate the effect ans consumed a lot of foreign exchange. of the dwindling Naira exchange So, the earlier we reduce our quest for value on the real estate sector? foreign exchange and concentrate on Thank you very much for this alldiversifying our economy, the better it important question. It may interest

Ladega you to know, that whenever there is a fall in any country’s currency, the real estate sector is usually the first casualty. The reason is not far-fetched because real estate is capital intensive; hence, most people who want to invest in real estate are usually compelled to make a downward review of their budget. You may also want to know that construction has never been cheap, so there is need for people to make some form of adjustment in order to suit their pockets. Let me tell you, the most expensive acquisition of any individual is the building of his or her own house. I am not talking about building of a mansion, but a place for someone who is just starting life in order to have a roof over his head. It may interest you to know, that the real estate sector was the first sector of the economy that started feeling the heat of the downward economy as far back as last year, except that it got more pronounced this year as a result of the drastic fall in the value of the Naira. What would you say are the effects of the absence of National Building Code in the country? The absence of National Building Code, NBC, is not the reason for the incessant building col-

lapse being experienced across the country. Let me say without mincing words, that every single activity that you undertake in the process of bringing about a building in Nigeria has regulatory body that contributes the input and the output. The problem is the failure of regulations enforcement. Enforcement has always been the cause of collapsed building in the country. So the issue of the absence of a National Building Code does not arise at all. Its absence does not in any way; contribute to the incessant collapse of buildings in the country. When there is enforcement by the regulatory bodies assigned to monitor the building sector, the incidences of collapse or defective structures would be greatly reduced to the barest minimum. So, how do you start regulating? Yes, this is simply by ensuring adequate and close monitoring and inspection by the relevant regulatory bodies from conception of projects to its commission. This can also be done by certification. When all these steps are fully adhered to, the issue of collapse buildings would be drastically reduced. However; this does not preclude the National Assembly from ensuring a speedy passage of the draft bill on the National Building Code before it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Aviation

Appraising Qatar BASA pact implications for Nigerian airlines’ competitiveness

Players in the Nigerian aviation industry have condemned the recent signing of Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, with Qatari Government, saying it would further impact negatively on the nation’s airlines’ drive for improved market share and the nation’s economy. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

thiopian Airlines has gradually evolved to become Nigerian indigenous carrier as it currently flies to four destinations in the country from it base in Addis Ababa. The East African carrier operates scheduled flight operations to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, Aminu Kano International Airport, AKIA, Kano and recently, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu with over 21 frequencies weekly. Apart from the carrier, other foreign airlines like British Airways, Etihad, Air France/KLM, Egypt Air, Emirates and lately South African Airways among others have joined the bandwagon of carriers that operate multiple entries into Nigeria regularly with little or lack of reciprocity from any of the nation’s carriers. The airlines above repatriate millions of dollars yearly to their home countries without any visible investment or employment in Nigeria while the weak Nigerian carriers are unable to compete and always collapsing one after the other in a sector that should ordinarily hold good promises for investors. Yet, despite all these obvious challenges and huge disadvantage against the country, the Nigerian Government about a week ago in Doha, Qatar still signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, with the Qatari Government to pave way for more direct flights between major cities of both countries. The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion, signed the air services agreement on behalf of the country while Qatar’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Jassim Bin Saif Alsulaiti, signed on behalf the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani. According to reports, the agreement, which was signed in the presence of both leaders, is expected to pave way for more direct flights between major cities of both countries on the

Sirika

Med-View aircraft

In BASA, the two countrIeS muSt BenefIt from It And Should not Be one SIded. AS It IS, It’S AlreAdy one-SIded And theSe foreIgn cArrIerS Are no longer pAyIng

nIgerIA. It IS good to hAve mAny AIrlIneS come to our country, But when you don’t recIprocAte It, you Are royAltIeS to

runnIng At A loSS principle of reciprocity by the designated airlines on behalf of the country. In 2014, Qatar Airways ticket sales on the Nigerian route rose to almost N9 billion in spite of just seven frequencies to MMIA alone. The ticket sales placed the carrier as one of the highest earners in Nigeria. Till date, there is no competition on the Nigeria-Qatar route from any Nigerian carrier. In other words, no airline from Nigeria is flying to Doha or any other city in the Middle East country. Stakeholders and professionals have argued in different fora that rather than allowing multiple entries for foreign carriers, the Nigerian Government should restrict their operations to just one entry while the nation’s carriers airlift their passengers to their final destinations, but such call has not been hearkened to by government. Commenting on the last agreement, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren in an interview with our correspondent in Lagos, condemned the BASA with Qatari Government. Demuren described the signing of the agreement, which would allow more frequencies to Qatar Airways to fly into more cities in Nigeria without reciprocity from the coun-

try’s carrier as bad economics for the country, but good politics. While noting that at the moment, no Nigerian carrier could compete with any of the foreign carriers operating into the country, the seasoned aviation professional pointed out that the signing of the agreement would further undermine the nation’s airlines’ competitiveness as the passengers they hitherto distributed would be taken to their final destinations by foreign carriers. He decried that unlike in the days of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, where BASAs were done in conjunction with the airline; the reverse was the case with the current flag carriers that fly international routes. He declared that once additional routes or frequencies were allocated to foreign carriers, the indigenous airlines are negatively affected while the demand for foreign currencies especially dollars would put more pressure on naira. “In BASA, the two countries must benefit from it and should not be one sided. As it is, it’s already one-sided and these foreign carriers are no longer paying royalties to Nigeria. It is good to have many airlines come to our country, but when you don’t reciprocate it,

you are running at a loss. “In the days of Nigeria Airways, we had good competition, but now, it is zero competition from our side. Nobody is going there. Can any Nigerian airline compete with Qatar Airways on equipment, personnel and government support? “I’m not saying we cannot sign agreements, but we must see the content of whatever we are signing. No Nigerian carrier can compete with British Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways for instance and yet, we rush to sign BASAs with them,” he said. Also, aviation analyst, Mr. Ewos Iroro, said that BASA was supposed to facilitate tourism, diplomatic ties, trade, businesses and others, but must be critically analysed by both parties before putting pen to paper. On the Nigeria/Qatar ties, he queried the decision of the country’s government to sign the agreement with the Middle East country at a time when the country doesn’t have either national or flag carrier that could compete with the existing carrier on the route. He said that with the agreement, it indicated that Qatar Airways could fly into any of the major cities in the country, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and Enugu, maintaining that Nigeria should create a hub instead of allowing multiple entries among foreign carriers into its cities. He specifically said that none of the country’s existing carriers could compete with Qatar Airways in terms of personnel, maintenance and government support, positing that rather than be an advantage for the country, the nation’s carriers would lose more revenues while capital flight would increase. He said, “What is the impact of that on the domestic airline industry? We ought to have created a hub system whereby foreign carriers come in and our airlines can distribute them to various destinations around the country, but now, if people can fly directly to those destinations, it means we have lost all those passengers to the foreign carriers. “So, that decision is something that we need to look at. As it stands now, Qatar Airways operate seven times weekly to Lagos, Nigeria, but with this new agreement, Qatar Airways can fly to any of these five major destinations. “We don’t even know if the agreement is that they can fly unlimited frequencies into different cities within the country. The airline with highest fleet in Nigeria has less than 30 aircraft in its fleet. Qatar Airways is a five star airline, an airline that flies globally, how do you compete with it?” But, an ex-staff of Nigeria Airways, Mr. Andrew Okunuga argued that foreign carriers operating into the country should not reduce their frequencies as the country doesn’t have the capacity to airlift air travellers from the country yet.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Completion of ongoing terminals ‘ll enhance aviation traffic – FAAN spokesman StorieS: oluSegun KoiKi

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has said that the completion of all ongoing terminals in the nation’s airports would help boost both passenger and cargo traffics in the country. Some of the terminals presently undergoing construction are Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Bayelsa. Speaking with our correspondent at the agency’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos during the week, the General Manager, Corporate Corporations, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati said that in preparation for the upsurge, a number of local airlines had already begun expanding their route networks while others are extending to the West Coast of Africa. Besides, he explained that apart from the local carriers, some foreign airlines with Lagos as their only destination had also begun to show interest in operating into Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport, PHIA, thereby having multiple entries into the country.

shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Drawing govt’s attention to issues on Lagos Airport axis projects

L-R: The Deputy Managing Director of Arik Air, Capt. Ado Sanusi welcoming His Royal Highness, Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on arrival at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos to the airline’s headquarters at Lagos Airport, recently.

He recalled that just recently, Nigeria signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, with Qatari Government, which would allow their carrier, Qatar Airways multiple entries into the country. He added that available record showed that there was significant increase in passenger, aircraft and cargo traffic at Nigerian airports, towards the end of 2015, especially those managed by FAAN. Dati stated that for example in September, last year, the figure for

passenger movements in all the airports was 316, 680.,adding that the figure grew steadily to 318, 503 in October, 328,652 in November and 336,652 in December, 2015. Dati emphasized that during the same period in 2015, cargo movements grew steadily from 13, 504, 252 in September, 15, 435, 842 in October, 16, 102, 686 and 16, 267, 208 in December. He stated that one of the factors likely to influence the growth of passenger and cargo traffic this year was the completion of cargo terminals at designated airports across the country..

Int’l Women Day: Women fly five Lufthansa Group’s long haul flights

ive flights of the Lufthansa Group with 63 female and one male crew member recently departed Frankfurt, Munich, Geneva, Vienna, and Brussels for New York. Lufthansa, SWISS, and Brussels Airlines flights all had women-only crew, while on Austrian Airlines flight OS087, all but one crew member were female. Although Austrian Airlines employs female captains, there currently is none flying the B767 deployed on the route to New York. Member of the Executive Board, Chief Officer of Corporate Human Resources and Legal Affairs of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Dr. Bettina Volkens said, “We hope that, in the future, more young women will take an interest in careers that up

Airside

until recently have been considered a male domain.” Even though the number of male pilots dominates the industry, women in the cockpit are no longer considered unusual. Women have been flying scheduled service with Lufthansa since 1988. Year 2010 saw a debut in the worldwide air cargo sector when a Lufthansa cargo aircraft took off with a women-only crew. Today, approximately six percent of pilots in the Lufthansa Group are women, and that figure has been rising steadily in recent years. To reflect the increase, Lufthansa had the term “capitaine”, which translates to “women pilots,” approved by the German Language Society. In cabin crew, around 80 per

Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema and the Managing Director/CEO, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole in a courtesy visit to the exchange by the airline in Lagos in preparation for listing on the floor of the exchange recently.

cent of employees are women. Increasing the proportion of women in management is also an objective of the Lufthansa Group. “We were able to attain tangible results by taking concrete measures such as the introduction of a transparent job posting process and the implementation of diversity criteria in hiring procedures,” states Volkens. Together with other major German companies, in 2011 Lufthansa voluntarily established target quotas in order to increase the proportion of women in management. By 2020, this should increase by 30 percent in relation to 2010.

arious projects have been springing up around the Murtala Muhammed Aiport, MMA, Lagos recently. For instance, the Federal Government is constructing another terminal close to the existing one at the international wing of the airport, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport two, MMA2 is also constructing a four-start hotel and an international conference centre opposite its terminal while the Nigeria Air Force just completed the construction of a multi-purpose shopping complex within the environment. All these projects are undoubtedly good for the industry, but the Federal Government needs to intervene in the situation before it gets out of hands. The fear however is that as good as these physical infrastructure development may be for the aviation sector, fears are the worse hit by these construction

works might be airport users, especially air travellers who may be trapped in the web of traffic for hours and might miss their flights due to heavy vehicular traffic these new buildings will have on the airport road. Over the years, stakeholders and professionals have craved for construction of monorail that will link the domestic wing to international wing of the airport, but successive governments have conveniently looked the other way round on this project. However, Airside says this is the time for government to be proactive by focusing its attention on the citing of the many construction projects in the sector while not forgetting the monorail project in order to eschew heavy traffic that would accompany these projects on completion. Nigeria has always pride itself as adhering to global standards in its operations; this is the time to practice what is preached. Ministers Amaechi, Sirika over to you!

Mortgaging Nigeria’s future in the name of bilateralism

ast week, the Federal Government in faraway Qatar signed another Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, with the Qatari Government. Before now, Nigeria had 78 BASA arrangements with only about 20 of them functional. The new agreement with Qatar will enable carriers from both countries unrestricted access to major cities. Qatar Airways presently flies seven times a week to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos without reciprocity from any Nigerian carrier. Airside says it is unfortunate that those at the helms of affairs are self-centred and don’t mind signing away the future of the

country for any amount of money or gifts. Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika is an aviator and should know the nitty-gritty of global aviation practices without being teleguided. Airside expects him to know better and should have advised the government against signing another BASA with Qatar when we don’t have any carrier that can compete on the route with Qatar Airways. Airside says rather than support the indigenous carriers, government and its representatives are contributing massively to their early death while the foreign carriers given unlimited access.

Air France launches new website for travellers

ir France has launched its new travel by Air France website, a travel guide for all passionate, demanding and curious travelers. A statement issued in Lagos by the Marketing Manager, Air France, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ojesina hinted that the airline designed this guide not only as a source of inspiration for choosing the perfect destination, but also as a genuine planning and assistance tool at the destination. She noted that travel by Air France was part of the Company’s move upmarket strategy and enhances the editorial content of its booking website. For each of the initial 89 destinations on offer, the website lists

a large selection of hidden restaurants, charming hotels, picturesque landmarks, compiled by locals who love their city (network of bloggers, e-influencers, journalists, etc.). Each month, two brand new destinations would be added to the website. This wealth of practical information was complemented by a travel log, allowing users to organise and download selected content, as well as the possibility of booking their plane ticket directly from the Travel by Air France website. Already available in French and English, the statement declared that the website would be accessible in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and simplified Chinese before summer

2016. To mark the launch of Travel by Air France, Air France is organising a “Perspectives” photo contest from 1st March to 15 March 2016. Celebrate your city, whether it’s your hometown or the city of your dreams, and share your authentic and daring vision of your city with everyone else! Web users are invited to vote for the Public Prize online, which will reward 100 unique perspectives. The winning photos would be presented at an exhibition on 22 March 2016 in Paris, and could subsequently be exhibited in the company’s business class lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Insurance

NAICOM accedes to NCRIB’s plea on outstanding premium deadline StorieS: iSaac aSabor

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has approved the request of the National Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, on the extension of the deadline for submission of returns of non collection of outstanding premium from 4th March to 18th March, 2016. The approval was conveyed to the Council in a letter dated March 3, 2016 and signed by NAICOM’s Director, Supervision, Mr Nicholas Okpara. It would be recalled that NAICOM

had faulted insurance companies and brokers on late collection of premiums, and in some extreme cases, outright write off of outstanding premiums. It was in reaction of the infringement the extant rule that NAICOM issued a circular all the Managing Directors of insurance brokerage companies to inform all concerned companies that as stipulated by the International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS, and in conformity with the Prudential Guidelines of the commission, insurance companies and brokers were required to impair vast amounts of premiums outstanding in

IAAG harps on benefits of insurance to traders

nsurance Awareness and Advocacy Group, IAAG, has urged stakeholders in the insurance sector of the economy to commence aggressive sensitization of traders in Nigerian markets across the country on the benefits of buying fire insurance policy. The call was made against the backdrop of incessant fire outbreaks in major markets in the country. The president of the group, Mr. Idongesit Mbat, told journalists recently that stakeholders in the insurance industry needed to align themselves with the activities of traders through their associations, show sincere interest in what they do and support them through CSR. He explained that once insurance companies were able to demonstrate sincere interest in the welfare of the traders and their businesses, they will be able to win their

Mbat

trust. Mbat said: “Once you have won their trust, it becomes easier for them to listen to you and believe in you and the benefits of your product offerings”. He said the group is at the moment closing what he called “the trust-gap”. The industry expert pointed out that it was against the backdrop of the trust-gap that is becoming wider that the group has set out to independently educate the traders and the people generally on the benefits of insurance to their businesses and their families. He explained further that since the mission of the group was not to sell insurance to them, traders seemed to listen to his members more easily, adding that there is need to communicate to them in the language they understand using real-life examples and also work with other bodies such as the Fire Service to create the much needed awareness. Similarly, he suggested that Fire Service facilities should be extended to markets across the country as the installations of fire service facilities in the market was supposed to be carried out right from the point of construction of the markets and with clear and active involvement of the Fire Service to ensure all the necessary facilities like water tanks, hydrants, etc. are put in place. He lamented that “it is most unfortunate that in most of our markets today, there are lots of impediment to fighting fire outbreaks and one of such is poor access to the point of fire outbreak. Usually, when fire trucks arrive, they find it difficult and sometimes impossible to get to the right place”.

their books. To emphasize its serious on the infringement, NAICOM warned that insurance companies and brokers concerned should ensure that all the necessary information and documents that are needed to resolve the issue conveyed by the circular are made available to the Commission on or before the Friday that falls within the week the circular was received by NCRIB. Jolted by the order, the NCRIB pleaded for the extension of the deadline. The latest circular conveying the approval of its request warned that NCRIB should inform its members accordingly and emphasize that failure to comply as

Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari

stated in the directive shall attract maximum sanction y the commission.

A.M Best Review opens applications for global brokers’ ranking

.M. Best, rated as the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source, has announced its readiness to accept submissions to its annual top global insurance brokers ranking, which will be published in the July 2016 edition of its magazine. In a release posted on its website, participating insurance brokers will be ranked according to 2015 total revenue. It adds that additional information about top lines of business and key business developments will also be included. According to the ranking organisation, brokerage companies of all sizes are encouraged to submit financial information as top 20 of the participating brokers will be presented according to ranking; other companies that participated will follow in alphabetical order. It also stated that verifiable submissions will be published as space permits. The deadline for submission is April 15, 2016. Interested brokers were encouraged to submit verifiable information online through bestreview.com/brokers. Africa Re posts improved profit amid African trading currencies’ depreciation African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re), the leading pan-African reinsurance group, has shown resilience in its core business by achieving a net underwriting profit of US$ 78.7 million in 2015, up by 14.6 per cent from the US$ 68.6 million of the previous year. The combined ratio stood at 86.7 per cent,

the lowest of the last decade. This excellent performance is the combined result of the Corporation’s disciplined underwriting approach which started some years back and a clement year in terms of natural catastrophes and pick claims. However, the sharp depreciation of the Corporation’s trading African currencies coupled with the poor performance of financial markets prevented the Corporation from achieving its objectives in US dollars both for the top and bottom lines.The Corporation recorded a gross written premium of US$ 689.3 million against US$ 717.5 million the previous year, representing a 4% decrease. Although the premium written in local currencies grew averagely by 13.6 per cent in all the production centres across the African continent, the impact of a stronger US dollar, the presentation currency, against the operating currencies, negatively impacted the gross written premium by US$ 95.2 million. During the year, the investment income earned by the Corporation dipped by 48.9 per cent from US$49.5 million in 2014 to US$ 25.3 million, the highest decline since the 2009 financial crisis. This unexpected underperformance was due to prevailing weak performance of both equity and bonds markets and the persistent low-interest rates. The above activities translated into a 12.8 percent drop in net profit, from the highestever recorded profit of US$ 118 million in 2014 to US$ 103 million in 2015. (Source – riskafrica.com)

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Money

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Curbing excess bank charges through monetary policy measures Recent complaints by bank customers over what they termed excessive charges may have informed the planned moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to critically appraise the customers’ complaints with a view to ensuring that financial institutions are not ripping off customers through illegal charges on transactions.UDO ONYEKA reports.

here are indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has decided to intervene in the call by many bank customers over excessive charges. The apex bank last Friday sent a circular to banks and others financial institutions intimating them on its plan to review the extant guide to bank charges. In the circular titled “Exposure Draft on the guide to charges for banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria” and signed by Director Financial Policy and Regulations Department, CBN, Kevin Amugo, the apex bank stated that it would review the extant guide to bank charges which came into effect on April 2013. According to the apex banking institution, the review is in line with the philosophy of periodically ensuring that the provision of the guide accord with current realities, also seeks to address complaints from customers of financial services, requests for clarification on provisions of the Guide and absence of a tariff regime for other financial institutions in Nigeria. “The “Guide to Charges” provides a standard for the application of charges on the various types of products and services Deposit Money Banks, DMBs and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria offer to their customers - individuals, corporate organisations and Governments, Federal, State, Local and their Agencies. “Wide consultations with relevant stakeholders were considered in arriving at the charges prescribed in the Guide. The intendment of this Guide is to enhance flexibility, transparency and competition in the Nigerian economy”, the circular stated The apex bank stated that where a charge is stipulated as “negotiable”, DMBs and OFIs are required to appropriately draw the attention of their customers to its consequence and the two parties should mutually agree on the applicable interest and charge. Similarly, it clarified that all commissions, charges and rates stated in this Guide were subject to relevant taxes. Although the Guide provides for charges on various products and services of DMBs and OFIs, it is not exhaustive. Banks and OFIs are mandated to present any new product, service and charge(s) not covered by this Guide to the CBN approval. “This Guide to Charges for Banks and OFIs which replaces the Guide to Bank Charges issued in 2013 would take effect from 2016, and may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changes in the business environment”, the CBN said. Bank customers had in the recent past cried out over excessive bank chargers which analysts say were capable of hindering financial inclusion programme by the CBN reduce patronage to financial; services. The recent directive by the CBN ordering banks on the immediacy of implementing stamp duties charges did not go down well with customers of financial institutions. According to this directive bank customers will henceforth pay N50 stamp duty for money

CBN Gov., Emefiele

Bank Customer Association of Nigeria President, Uju Ogubunka

We have endured excessive charges, illegal fees and unfair contracts that only protect the banks but do not protect the consumers.

banks debit our accounts

at Will for charges We never agreed to

or Were not aWare of; they charge us for every little service received into their accounts via electronic transfer, cash and cheques. This order was contained in a circular to all Deposit Money Banks and Other Financial institutions titled, “Collection and Remittance of statutory charges on receipts of Nigeria Postal Service under the Stamp Duties Act”. As if the stamp duties charge was not enough the CBN in a bid to generate revenue for deposit money banks, has introduced a maintenance fee on current account transactions. This was revealed in a circular signed by Kevin Amugo, director, financial policy and regulation department of the CBN, dated January 20 and addressed to the commercial banks. This comes few weeks after the central bank kicked off its Zero COT, commission on turnover, policy for all commercial banks within the country. The CBN stated: “The revised guide to bank charges (RGBC) which came into effect on April 1, 2013 provides for a phased elimination of commission on turnover (COT) charges in the Nigerian banking industry, under the guidelines, a zero COT regime was to come into effect from January 2016,” It noted that while COT was gradually phased out, some banks began charging maintenance fee in addition to COT. The bank said it was also aware of the impact of dwindling oil prices, Treasury Single Account (TSA) and other market turbulence. Hence, the CBN stated that “in the interest of stability of the banking system, a negotiable

…

current account maintenance fee not exceeding N1.00 per mille (1/N1, 000) may be charged in respect to all customer induced debit transaction”. This means for every N100, 000 leaving a current account in Nigeria, deposit money banks are permitted to take N100 for account maintenance. This policy is coming less than two weeks after the CBN introduced stamp duties of N50 per transaction. According to CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Federal Government is targeting additional N66.1bn revenue in 2016 from stamp duty charges of N50 on bank customers for money received into their accounts. He said at the sideline of the last Monetary Policy Meeting in Abuja. Emefiele said that the Federal Government was exploring opportunities in the banking sector as part of efforts to boost its revenue base through taxes and rates. “There are currently various options the government and the economic team are looking at as ways to boost non-oil revenues and stamp duty is one option. “The numbers are there in the budget about what we expect to generate from stamp duties in 2016. “We will try as much as possible, working with the banks to ensure that all transactions are captured in a way that ensures that for transactions above N1,000 and above, each of those transactions get debited for N50”, he said. According an advocacy group, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, CAFON, Bank

customers are excessively charged. The group in a petition signed by its President, Sola Salako, also accused the CBN of not doing enough to stop banks from exploiting customers. The group’s protest comes as fallout of over 10 identifiable charges associated with banking activities currently raising concerns among customers. The charges, in no particular order, include the maintenance fees, which some banks are now charging monthly on current accounts and Value Added Tax (VAT) on virtually every transaction by customers, including SMS. There are also charges for transfers both online and over the counter, remote-on-us (charges incurred for using other banks’ ATM in withdrawing money more than three times in a month) as well as the recently introduced stamp duties charge. Salako bemoaned the high level of exploitation, saying that bank customers, for many years, have been subjected to series of poor and unsatisfactory transaction and relationship terms. The CAFON boss called on Nigerians to participate in the “No Banking Day” scheduled for March 1st this year when bank customers will shun all banking services to protest excessive bank charges. The petition stated: “Dear Nigerian bank consumer, for many years now, consumers of banking services have been subjected to series of poor and unsatisfactory transaction and relationship terms. “We have endured excessive charges, illegal fees and unfair contracts that only protect the banks but do not protect the consumers. Banks debit our accounts at will for charges we never agreed to or were not aware of; they charge us for every little service; we pay for getting our statements; introduction letters; and now, some banks are charging N200 for the use of deposit and transfer forms! “Under the current CBN management, abolished fees are being reintroduced. “ATM withdrawals that were free now cost N65 on 3rd withdrawals. We pay N1,000 for debit card issuance and renewals; we pay N105 for every online transfer; and they still charge N105 as Annual Debit Card Maintenance and now, a new Stamp Duty charge of N50 on every credit of over N1,000 has just been introduced. “COT that was supposed to end finally in 2016 is now being reintroduced as 1 per cent of every withdrawal purportedly as Monthly Current Account Maintenance Fees”, he said. It would be recalled that in the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper as reflected in the 2016 Budget under the non-oil revenue section, the Federal Government projected to rake in N66.1 billion this financial year from stamp duty. The government also estimated that the revenue earnings from the source would grow to N71.8bn in 2017 and to N78.5bn in 2018.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Capital Market SEC rallies stakeholders on non-interest capital market benefits Tola akinmuTimi

he Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday intensified its efforts to deepen the Nigerian capital market investment base and promote financial inclusion through its one-day 2nd high level Regional Roundtable on Non- interest Capital Market (Islamic Capital Market) in Sokoto.. The Roundtable with the theme: “Financing Development Through Islamic Capital Market - a viable Alternative, was organised in furtherance of the Commission’s strategic 10-Year Master Plan on Non-Interest Capital Market, has the objective of encouraging states to explore the alternative model for financing infrastructure projects through Islamic Capital Market Products such as Sukuk. It would be recalled that at a similar Round Table held in Kano last year, Director General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo said the SEC was determined to deepen the non-interest capital market space so as to enable millions of Nigerians and people of faith to invest their savings ethically. He said that Investors worldwide are increasingly allocating their resources into Islamic a finance products adding that by the end of 2014, total assets under management in the global Islamic finance industry surpassed $2 trillion. Gwarzo said while most people identify capital markets as an important

Gwarzo

source of medium-to-long term capital flow, there is also an amazing potential of capital markets to serve as a catalyst for financial inclusion adding that going forward, the SEC will focus on massive public enlightenment and also stronger capacity building initiatives. The SEC recently disclosed that its goal is to boost non-interest capital market product innovation so that the segment can be at least a quarter (25%) of the overall market capitalization. The Commission also intends to build a strong regulatory regime for non-interest products, encourage stakeholders in the non-interest capital market and ensure the emergence of Nigeria as a prominent non-interest capital market hub both at the regional

Emerging market ETFs gain $1.67bn, longest streak since May

nvestors added $1.67 billion to U.S. exchange traded funds that buy emerging market stocks and bonds last week, marking the longest winning streak since May. Inflows to emerging-market ETFs that invest across developing nations as well as those that target specific countries advanced for the fourth straight week in the period ended March 11, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The last time the funds had a longer period of increases was in the 11 weeks that ended May 29. The gains slowed from the previous week, when inflows totaled $2.31 billion, the most since April 2014. Still the latest results cut this year’s net outflows to $1.36 billion, the data show. Last week, stock funds collected $1.37 billion and bond funds advanced by $304.5 million. The MSCI Emerging

Markets Index jumped 1.3 percent in the week. The biggest increase was in China and Hong Kong, where funds collected $233.8 million, compared with $50.4 million the previous week. Stock funds grew by $232.4 million and bond funds added $1.5 million. The Shanghai Composite Index declined 2.2 percent. The yuan strengthened 0.21 percent against the dollar and implied three-month volatility is 6.08 percent. Mexico inflows slowed the most, to $104.4 million from $240.5 million the previous week. Investors contributed $83.5 million to stock funds and $20.9 million to bonds. The Mexico IPC Index declined 0.3 percent. The peso strengthened 0.43 percent against the dollar and implied three-month volatility is 14.17 percent. (Source - Bloomberg.com)

level and globally. Market analysts see the sustained efforts of the Commission to broaden the based of tradable equities in the market as desirable for the nation’s economy, especially now that attracting foreign investments for long term funding of capital projects is becoming a big challenge. Reacting to the SEC initiative during a chat with National Mirror, an Economist, Mr. Sola Ayodeji, noted that the “forum will not only create more awareness about non-interest products in the bourse but enable potential investors to have a choice when taking investment decisions. “I think generally, the Commission is going in the right direction and needed the support of stakeholders in order to fulfill its roles as a market for long-term funding of capital projects in the country. Today, we are aware of

the challenges governments are going through in terms of capital project implementation. “So, creating more awareness about opportunities in the capital market is the right way to go and I commend SEC for this and many other steps it had taken in the past to enlighten the people at the grassroots about the potential of the market for them in terms of returns on investments and capital financing for big projects”, Ayodeji added. States Commissioners of Finance for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, States Investment Companies, States Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Manufacturers Associations, SMEDAN, UDUS Centre for Islamic Studies, Market Operators and investment experts attended the event yesterday.

Goldman revamps electronic stock trading for competitiveness

aj Mahajan achieved a rare when he rejoined Goldman Sachs Group Inc last year with the coveted title of partner, the Wall Street bank’s highest rank. Then he got to work on fixing the pipes. That plumbing has to do with the technology Goldman uses to route stock orders to exchanges and private trading pools. The bank has long been one of the top two stock brokerages in terms of revenue and customer rankings. But in recent years Goldman’s status slipped in electronic trading because its technology did not keep up with client demands for ever-faster trades. Goldman hired the tech-savvy Mahajan to revamp the business in March 2015. Since then, he has hired dozens of technologists and support staff to elevate Goldman’s position in a fast-growing slice of the market and win back business from its chief competitor, Morgan Stanley. “When we look at how Goldman wants to

Mahajan

be positioned for the future, simply put, we want to deliver the best execution quality to our clients, which is tantamount to saying we need the best technology,” Mahajan said in an interview. The 43-year-old was promoted to co-head of global execution services last month. He began his career at Goldman Sachs in 1996 as a commodities analyst, but left the bank in 2000 to launch a trading technology firm with R. Martin Chavez, who is now Goldman’s chief information officer. Their startup, Kiodex, was bought in 2004 by financial software maker Sungard, where Mahajan became president of global trading. He later became chief executive officer of high-frequency firm Allston Trading before rejoining Goldman as partner, a rank held by around 1.5 percent of Goldman employees. Mahajan said the idea of fixing the cracks in Goldman’s pipes to make trades move faster and more efficiently find the best liquidity is what motivated him to return. “I thought that played right into my skills,” he said. Within the next few months, Goldman’s clients will have access to a new system it acquired when it bought Stockholm-based Pantor Engineering in October. Goldman retained Pantor’s team of about 20 engineers, and hired several managers in Europe and the United States to tweak and integrate the system into its own. Later this year, Goldman plans to begin letting its clients use the bank’s proprietary algorithms within that new system, Mahajan said. That will allow institutional investors who do not have their own algorithms to tap into quantitative trading strategies. (Source – Reuters.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Edo’s hospital for the future is here SebaStine ebhuomhan

or a first time visitor to the ancient Benin Kingdom, negotiating his route from the King’s Square into the heart of the metropolis through Sapele Road, he would assume that a multinational has relocated its headquarters to Benin City, the capital of Edo State. It is not so. Rather, the imposing edifice that might have made the visitor have the feeling at the beginning of the road that links Edo State to Delta State is the rebuilt Central Hospital; a health facility that many citizens have hailed as quite impressive. Originally built in 1903, the old facility had been lacking the all-important human face necessary for a healthy treatment of medical patients. Governments after governments had failed to renovate th efacility until Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomholeled decided to construct the new building blocks. Workers at the hospital complex, who craved anonymity said that the situation was so bad that the old eye care centre of the old hospital operated under broken, rotten and open roofs, a situation that shocked and disgusted Oshiomhole when he visited the hospital for the first time. The rebuilding and upgrading process effectively began in 2012 as part of an enlarged and encompassing basic infrastructural renewal policy of the government before Oshiomhole’s reelection on July 14th. However, the reconstruction of the Central Hospital by the Oshiomhole administration was not a smooth ride. Derided by the opposition party as a white elephant project that will never see the light of day the moment it was announced and budgeted by the government at inception, the actual process proved to be something harder than the proverbial camel passing through the eye of the needle. For example, at a publicised media briefing in Benin City then, the leadership of the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had described the state government’s effort as the mere construction of an ordinary ward. Amidst a growing funding concern owing to an increasingly poor allocation from the federal government especially in the case of an Edo State that was wholly dependent on federal government allocation apart from a yielding taxation drive, the government mobilised contractors to the site and began the construction work. No sooner had the construction work began than a section of the building collapsed, killing one person and slightly injuring

Front view of new Central Hospital in Benin City six others. At about 5pm of June 4, 2012, the west wing of the Accident and Emergency building under construction collapsed, killing Dr. Stefano Delaroca, an Italian project manager with Sincies Chimentin Limited, the Italian firm that was then constructing the hospital building. The building reportedly collapsed when a crane in use on the site collided with a freshly constructed beam, cutting its rope in the process and falling on the section of the multi-story building. According to officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which joined the state government rescue team at the site, six workers were lucky to have been rescued with slight injuries from the rubble of the collapsed building, beside the dead victim, whose corpse was deposited at the Stella Obasanjo Children and Women Hospital, another hospital that the Oshiomhole administration had also equipped with a state-ofthe-art eye care facilities. The emotion, angst and fears that the collapsed parts generated could have forced a cowardly government into abandoning the project. But not the Oshiomholeled government of Edo State that dusted itself, braved the odds posed by at least one court case, calls for public enquiry as well as endless allegations, rumours and lies stoked, like the harmarttan wild fire, by the opposition,

which claimed that the hospital collapsed because fake and substandard work were awarded and executed by the state government. Following the more calls, the government duly investigated the incident that led to the collapse, accepted the experts’ recommendations and determinedly began to rectify the issues without necessarily making the investigative report a public debate. Particularly, it re-invited structural experts to determine the integrity of the structure as at then and also ascertain any possible collateral damage to the building. Notably, during this time, work completely stopped at the building site, paving the way for another fresh rumour that it has abandoned the hospital project. On the 27th of March, 2014, the state government announced that it upgraded the Central Hospital to a 5-star status and re-awarded the contract to Messrs S & A Construction Company. Governor Oshiomhole stated then, “Again, even before now, the work had been redesigned before it was re-awarded because we know that the project, when completed, will be another signature of this administration and we are doing everything possible to encourage the new contractor to meet the new deadline” and added that from the assurance of the new contractor, “Not only will the complex be completed on time, it will be equipped with state of

The whole idea is ThaT when a Typical edo person comes from a village like mine, if he geTs in here and realises ThaT even The environmenT psychologically impacTs on him and he begins To appreciaTe ThaT he is imporTanT

the art hospital facilities because government has concluded plans with foreign expatriates that will supply the sophisticated equipment needed; so that patients here will have no reasons to go abroad for treatment anymore.” Many residents are united in the chorus that merely judging from the look of the imposing hospital, Governor Oshiomhole had indeed matched his words with actions. They have therefore tasked the government about the proper equipping of the hospital with modern facilities; sustainability of the hospital; as well as proper and management of both human and material resources that work in the hospital for optimal service at all time. Hendrix Oliomogbe, a journalist said, “To be honest, it is about the best I have seen in the country. It is comparable to many hospitals in Europe and the Americas from what I’ve heard and seen. “But I’m afraid it may not be well managed. My fear is that it may go the way of other government projects, which started off very well, but fell by the wayside in no long a time due to mismanagement.” For Ayodeji Oiseomaoje the new Central Hospital is a gift to not just Edo State but the whole of Nigeria. Oiseomaoje said, “Actually, it is a good project for the state and for Nigeria. The ComradeGovernor said it was going to be the best hospital in not just Nigeria but Africa; comparable to Europe and America. And he did it like he promised. I pray that God will give us a good management team to manage the hospital very well.” “I will like to suggest that the in-coming Governor should do a proper audit of the management board of the hospital so that whatever is necessary to make the hospital better can always be

done. The management should get good hands that can make Edo people and Nigeria proud by way of good and proper maintenance of the facility,” he added. The new Central Hospital is a twin-block consisting of Accident and Emergency Ward and a 200-bed ward Complex for patients. Speaking during a recent inspection of the hospital work in the company of his beautiful wife, Iara, Oshiomhole promised to equip the Central Hospital just like the best of Asia, Europe and the Americas so as to stop medical tourism from Nigeria. He said, “When I said at the beginning that our intention is to build what I called a five-star hospital, most people tried to imagine what that meant. But I am sure that just looking at the building, I don’t know of any hotel in Nigeria, in terms of aesthetics, has a better appeal than this. And this is the sort of thing you find in Europe and some other advanced economies. “If you are in the 21st Century, begin to think as if you are in the 22nd Century because the world has changed and it will keep changing. The pace of change will keep accelerating. “The whole idea is that when a typical Edo person comes from a village like mine, if he gets in here and realises that even the environment psychologically impacts on him and he begins to appreciate that he is important, that he is in the hands of professional healthcare providers, that way, that forgotten rural man, for once, will have access to modern facilities. “You don’t need to board an airline to London, to India, or to Europe to be told how hospitals look there. I am sure that those of you who may have for one reason or another travelled outside; there are many hospitals in Europe and in India that are not as beautiful as this.” Oshiomhole continued, “And so, I believe that a hundred years from now, this hospital will not look out-dated. You will see that as you look at the internal finishing, we took into account the conventional challenges you have with public building; problem of painting and repainting; and with the facials that you have, you will never need to do repainting. All you need is proper cleaning at regular intervals.” The governor emphasised, “The only thing we must now do is to address the critical issue of the human factor. Once the hospital is open, we must re-engage the doctors on the rule of engagement. We won’t invest in this kind of facility and a doctor comes in to work for one hour and goes back to do his private practice and then collects a cheque for one month at the end of the day.”

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016

Equities as at March 14, 2016

Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012

No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities) No Of Deals Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

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

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries

Printed 14/03/2016 U A C14:37:12.012 N PLC.

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 12 8 20

Current Price 31.50 34.25

Quantity Traded 128,458 16,334 144,792

Value Traded 4,191,232.08 587,370.64 4,778,602.72

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 1.23

Quantity Traded 907,522 907,522

Value Traded 1,112,678.65 1,112,678.65

1,052,314

5,891,281.37

Quantity Traded 13,102,288 4,055,095 17,157,383

Value Traded 15,336,376.96 84,804,240.25 100,140,617.21

17,157,383

100,140,617.21

Current Price 41.50

Quantity Traded 2,997

Value Traded 130,579.29

Page Quantity Traded 2,997

12 1 of Value Traded 130,579.29

Quantity Traded 10,492 10,492

Value Traded 54,486.21 54,486.21

13,489

185,065.50

Symbol TRANSCORP UACN

Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Activity Summary on Board EQTY JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Infrastructure/Heavy Construction 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Real Estate Development Food Products UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY Real Estate Development Totals PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Published by The Nigerian BREW. Stock Exchange © CHAMPION PLC.

No. of Deals 91 42 133

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol JBERGER

Current Price 1.17 20.95

133

No. of Deals 4

Symbol

No. of Deals 4

Current Price

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 5.10

Symbol CHAMPION

No. of Deals 13 56 5 64 138

Current Price 3.00 112.79 18.50 97.00

Quantity Traded 821,000 112,093 6,145 344,122 1,283,360

Value Traded 2,372,155.00 12,331,247.56 111,989.45 33,077,064.80 47,892,456.81

No. of Deals 34 4 34 No. of Deals No. of Deals 8 34 8 86 12 35

Current Price 153.43

Quantity Traded 151,094 2,997 151,094 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 10,492 261,283 10,492 705,677 13,489 757,064

Value Traded 23,190,228.76 130,579.29 23,190,228.76 Value Traded Value Traded 54,486.21 1,562,216.98 54,486.21 14,182,920.00 185,065.50 1,331,179.53

Daily Summary (Equities) GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Symbol 7UP Symbol Symbol UAC-PROP DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

Current Price Current Price 5.10 6.01 19.52 1.71 7.87

547,307

4,302,984.09

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 13 56 5 64 138

Current Price 3.00 112.79 18.50 97.00

Quantity Traded Page 821,000 112,093 6,145 344,122 1,283,360

Value Traded 12 2 2,372,155.00 of 12,331,247.56 111,989.45 33,077,064.80 47,892,456.81

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 34 34

Current Price 153.43

Quantity Traded 151,094 151,094

Value Traded 23,190,228.76 23,190,228.76

Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

No. of Deals 34 86 35 14

Current Price 6.01 19.52 1.71 7.87

Quantity Traded 261,283 705,677 757,064 547,307

Value Traded 1,562,216.98 14,182,920.00 1,331,179.53 4,302,984.09

Symbol TIGERBRANDS

No. of Deals 119 288

Current Price 3.01

Quantity Traded Page 7,456,280 9,727,611

Value Traded 12 222,424,665.72 of 43,803,966.32

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 19 55 74

Current Price 17.20 690.00

Quantity Traded 104,691 57,929 162,620

Value Traded 1,798,487.38 39,401,869.32 41,200,356.70

Household Durables VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VONO

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.90

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 4,300.00 4,300.00

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 11 51 62

Current Price 25.00 28.05

Quantity Traded 15,030 325,673 340,703

Value Traded 369,715.00 9,186,876.86 9,556,591.86

11,670,388

165,647,900.45

Quantity Traded 5,660,879 14,202,818 3,409,865 7,523,248

Value Traded 25,152,069.06 20,290,924.80 61,394,898.50 9,364,101.60

GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC CONSUMER GOODS Food Products Published by The Nigerian Stock CONSUMER Exchange © GOODS PLC TIGER BRANDED Food Products Totals

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 Personal/Household Products Totals Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. ActivityWAPIC Summary on Board EQTY INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Micro-FinanceBanks Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Micro-Finance Banks Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Micro-Finance Banks ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers Micro-Finance Banks Totalsand Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Other Financial Institutions Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC CUSTODIAN ANDBrokers ALLIED and PLCServices Totals Mortgage Carriers, FCMB GROUP PLC. Other Financial STANBIC IBTCInstitutions HOLDINGS PLC AFRICA PRUDENTIAL UNITED CAPITAL PLC REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN ALLIED Totals PLC Other Financial AND Institutions FCMB GROUP PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC HEALTHCARE Other Financial Institutions Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANSSERVICES MEDICAL Totals PLC. FINANCIAL FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC HEALTHCARE GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. Pharmaceuticals MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. EVANS MEDICAL PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC FIDSON HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Totals PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAYNigerian & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.© Published by The Stock Exchange NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Company name

Daily No Summary (Equities) Of Deals Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC

Sector

Daily Summary (Equities)

598

HEALTHCARE HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 BERGER PAINTS PLC Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products Activity Summary CUTIX PLC. on Board EQTY Electronic and Electrical Products Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Packaging/Containers Totals ©

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Activity Summary onGas Board EQTYTotals Integrated Oil and Services INDUSTRIAL PetroleumGOODS and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC Packaging/Containers ETERNA PLC.CO PLC. BETA GLASS FORTE OIL PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & Production MARITIME SERVICES PLC Exploration and Energy Equipment and Services Totals COMPANY LTD SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLCStock Exchange © Published by The Nigerian Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 ETERNA PLC. Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Activity Summary Board EQTY Exploration andon Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Exploration andStock Production Totals

ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK

105 97 33 106

4.50 1.48 18.01 1.24

Symbol GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

No. of Deals 510 58 32 166 24 12 45 1,188

Current Price 16.61 0.99 1.62 3.41 5.70 0.67 0.85

Quantity Traded 21,585,635 Page 2,590,266 3,221,269 10,927,867 368,116 1,420,243 5,504,840 76,415,046

Symbol No. of Deals AIICO 3 CONTINSURE 1 CORNERST 1 LAWUNION 1 Daily Summary (Equities) MANSARD 7 NEM 4 WAPIC 15 32 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.81 0.92 0.50 0.64 2.14 0.77 0.50

Quantity Traded 164,400 3,980 5,000 10 698,109 152,500 1,528,153 2,552,152

Value Traded 131,994.00 3,661.60 2,500.00 6.20 1,510,484.35 116,375.01 764,076.50 2,529,097.66

No. No.ofofDeals Deals Current CurrentPrice Price Quantity QuantityTraded Traded 4 1.11 55,800 4 55,800

Value ValueTraded Traded 60,042.00 60,042.00

Symbol Symbol ASOSAVINGS NPFMCRFBK

No. No. of of Deals Deals 1 4 1 4

Current Current Price Price 0.50 1.11

Value Value Traded Traded 50.00 60,042.00 50.00 60,042.00

Symbol Symbol AFRIPRUD ASOSAVINGS CUSTODYINS FCMB Symbol STANBIC AFRIPRUD UCAP CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UCAP

No. of of Deals Deals No. 82 1 15 1 172 No. of Deals 26 82 37 15 332 172 1,557 26 37 332 No. of Deals 1 1,557 5 16 No. of Deals 12 1 4 5 38 16 12 4 38

Current Price Price Current 3.30 0.50 3.81 0.86 Current 14.75 Price 3.30 1.62 3.81 0.86 14.75 1.62

Symbol Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH Symbol MAYBAKER EVANSMED NEIMETH FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

Current Price 0.50 2.70 24.98 Current Price 0.95 0.50 0.72 2.70 24.98 0.95 0.72

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 100 55,800 100 55,800

Page Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 2,527,774 100 173,018 100 12,001,914 Quantity468,902 Traded 2,527,774 2,308,801 173,018 17,480,409 12,001,914 96,503,507 468,902 2,308,801 17,480,409 Quantity Traded 12,000 96,503,507 158,955 59,886 Quantity363,470 Traded 12,000 105,572 158,955 699,883 59,886 363,470 Page 105,572 699,883

Page

Value Traded 363,643,007.18 12 3 of 2,533,017.07 5,224,400.37 36,946,439.33 2,105,088.63 951,562.81 4,698,134.95 532,303,644.30

12 4 of Value Traded Traded Value 8,407,494.39 50.00 661,657.60 50.00 10,307,175.09 Value Traded 6,975,040.38 8,407,494.39 3,795,154.56 661,657.60 30,146,522.02 10,307,175.09 565,039,355.98 6,975,040.38 3,795,154.56 30,146,522.02 Value Traded 6,000.00 565,039,355.98 421,511.25 1,424,946.84 Value Traded 347,207.70 6,000.00 75,989.74 421,511.25 2,275,655.53 1,424,946.84 12 5 347,207.70 of 75,989.74 2,275,655.53

Current Price 1.69

Quantity Traded 1,215 1,215

Value Traded 1,956.15 1,956.15

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 3.10

Quantity Traded 62,000 62,000

Value Traded 192,510.00 192,510.00

63,215

194,466.15

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN WAPCO

No. of Deals 6 3 10 6 41 66 (Equities)

Current Price 24.00 9.42 38.50 8.88 84.05

Quantity Traded 8,849 5,000 5,599 14,782 672,995 707,225

Value Traded 213,032.45 46,024.00 211,589.56 132,277.50 57,147,365.81 57,750,289.32

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.58

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 8,250.00 8,250.00

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 45.50

Quantity Traded 800 Page 800

Daily Summary

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 Courier/Freight/Delivery Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Hotels/Lodging Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 IKEJA HOTEL PLC Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 Hotels/Lodging Totals Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC SERVICES Media/Entertainment Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Printing/Publishing NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Transport-Related Services Totals Printing/Publishing Totals SERVICES Support and Logistics Transport-Related Services C & I LEASING PLC. AND LOGISTICS PLC AIRLINE SERVICES Support and Logistics NIGERIAN AVIATIONTotals HANDLING COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals Support and Logistics & I LEASING EQTY CBoard Totals PLC. Support and Logistics Totals

Value Traded 34,592.00 of 12 34,592.00

713,025

57,793,131.32

Quantity Traded 1,274 1,274

Value Traded 637.00 637.00

Quantity Traded 14,193,505 14,193,505

Value Traded 77,884,871.53 77,884,871.53

0.50 Current Price 351.00

Quantity Traded 97,376 Quantity Traded 28,971 800 125 800 5,087 713,025 585 271 132,415 Quantity Traded 1,274 Quantity Traded 1,274 150,175

Value Traded 1,770,874.03 Value Traded 53,824.32 34,592.00 34,821.25 34,592.00 796,257.00 57,793,131.32 26,225.55 39,860.00 2,721,862.15 Value Traded 637.00 Value Traded 637.00 52,703,290.50

No. of Deals 349 349

Current Price 5.33

Quantity Traded Page 14,193,505

Value Traded 777,884,871.53 of 12 77,884,871.53

No. of Deals 16 3 4 12 3 7 (Equities) 45

Current Price 18.24 1.85 293.23 171.00 47.18 150.00

Quantity Traded 97,376 28,971 125 5,087 585 271 132,415

Value Traded 1,770,874.03 53,824.32 34,821.25 796,257.00 26,225.55 39,860.00 2,721,862.15

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 18

Current Price 351.00

Quantity Traded 150,175

Value Traded 52,703,290.50

Symbol

No. of Deals 18

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 150,175

Value Traded 12 7 of 52,703,290.50

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

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

Symbol CONOIL Symbol ETERNA BETAGLAS FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL Symbol JAPAULOIL Symbol SEPLAT Symbol OANDO

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL Daily Summary

349 349

5.33

No. of Deals 16 No. of Deals 3 1 4 1 12 68 3 7 45 No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1 18

Current Price Current 18.24 Price 1.85 45.50 293.23 171.00 47.18 150.00

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

2,275,655.53

No. of Deals 1 1

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 OIL AND GAS Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

699,883

Symbol TRIPPLEG

ICT Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Current Price

14,193,505

413

14,477,369

133,310,661.18

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 4.00

Quantity Traded 53,574 53,574

Value Traded 209,781.20 209,781.20

Symbol

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 2.60

Quantity Traded 13,960 13,960

Value Traded 35,020.70 35,020.70

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 500.00 500.00 Value Traded

AIRSERVICE Symbol NAHCO ACADEMY

12 No. of Deals 27 2 39 2

2.20 Current Price 4.04 0.57

510,000 Quantity Traded 218,438 145,420 728,438 145,420

1,068,100.00 Value Traded 888,003.63 82,889.40 1,956,103.63 82,889.40

Symbol Symbol CILEASING AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. No. of of Deals Deals 4 12 4 27

Current Current Price Price 0.50 2.20 4.04

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 122,854 510,000 122,854 218,438 Page 728,438 1,067,246

Value Value Traded Traded 61,427.00 1,068,100.00 61,427.00 8 888,003.63 of 12 1,956,103.63 2,346,721.93

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 2,9274 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 122,854 143,417,819 122,854

61,427.00 1,032,824,856.62

1,067,246

2,346,721.93

143,417,819

1,032,824,856.62

Quantity Traded 20,565,681 20,565,681

Value Traded 264,291,164.07 264,291,164.07

Daily Summary (Equities) IKEJAHOTEL

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

39 57

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

Value Traded 61,427.00

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 EQTY Board Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 14/03/2016 Daily Summary as 14:37:12.012 of 14/03/2016 Banking14:37:12.012 Printed 14/03/2016 ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals on Board PREMIUM Activity Summary

Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 FBN HOLDINGS PLC Banking Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Other Financial Institutions Totals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES FINANCIAL INDUSTRIALSERVICES GOODS Totals Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials FBN HOLDINGS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLCPREMIUM Activity Summary on Board Other Financial Institutions Totals Building Materials Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Building Materials Published by The NigerianCEMENT Stock Exchange © DANGOTE PLC

2,927

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

431 431

12.90

237 No. of Deals 237 431 431

3.79 Current Price 12.90

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

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol Symbol FBNH DANGCEM Symbol

Symbol DANGCEM

BuildingBoard Materials Totals PREMIUM Totals

668 No. of Deals No. of Deals 237 37 237 No. of Deals 37 37 No. of Deals 37 37 705

PREMIUM Board Totals

Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Exchange TradedETF Fund VETIVA BANKING Name CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA Daily Summary as of 14/03/2016 LOTUS HALAL EQUITY VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETFETF Printed 14/03/2016 14:37:12.012 NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF VETIVA Traded BANKING ETFTotals Exchange Fund VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF ETFVETIVA Board Totals GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETP Activity Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

ETF TotalsStock Exchange © Published byBoard The Nigerian

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 162.00

302,445,909.11 12 9Value Traded of Value Traded 38,154,745.04 70,807,104.88 38,154,745.04 Value Traded 70,807,104.88

Quantity433,574 Traded Page 433,574 433,574 31,083,537

70,807,104.88 Value Traded 12 970,807,104.88 of 70,807,104.88 373,253,013.99

433,574

3,632

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol

174,501,356

373,253,013.99

70,807,104.88

1,406,077,870.61

705

31,083,537

373,253,013.99

3,632

174,501,356

1,406,077,870.61

No. of Deals 1 1 1 No. of Deals 1 21 11 71 1 72 (ETP) 1 7 7

LOTUSHAL15 Daily Summary (ETP) NEWGOLD VETBANK Symbol VETGOODS LOTUSHAL15 VETGRIF30 NEWGOLD VETINDETF VETBANK VETGOODS VETGRIF30 Daily Summary VETINDETF

Value Traded 38,154,745.04 Value Traded 38,154,745.04 264,291,164.07 264,291,164.07

30,649,963 Quantity Traded Page Quantity Traded 10,084,282 433,574 10,084,282 Quantity Traded 433,574

Equity Activity Totals

20,565,681 Current Price Current Price 3.79 162.00 Current Price

705

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Quantity Traded 10,084,282 Quantity Traded 10,084,282 20,565,681

Current Price 8.45 2,411.00 2.52 Current Price 5.92 8.45 11.69 2,411.00 20.01 2.52 5.92 11.69 20.01

Quantity Traded 5 40 10 Quantity Traded 5 3,8055 40 10 10 3,875 5 3,875 3,805 10 3,875 3,875 Page

Value Traded 42.25 96,440.00 25.20 Value Traded 29.60 42.25 44,518.45 96,440.00 200.10 25.20 141,255.60 29.60 141,255.60 44,518.45 200.10 141,255.60 141,255.60 10 of 12

Page 3,875

12 11 141,255.60 of

Page

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Nyako is APC leader in Adamawa —Bilal livinus mEnEdi yola

he Acting state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC Adamawa state chapter Alhaji. Ibrahim Bilal has described former Governor Murtala Nyako as the father of APC in the state this is even as he shed more light on his emergence as the acting state chairman of the party. Bilal who extolled the

political sagacity of Nyako yesterday at a gathering of APC stalwarts in Mayo Belwa, the home town of the former governor, in continuation of his tour of the 21 local government areas of the state to meet with party members and executives, described Nyako as a father whose political prowess is also recognised nationally. He revealed to party faithfuls who came out en-masse at the town hall

meeting that contrary to insinuations that his coming on board had factionalized the party, it has help to stabilize the party because his emergence enjoys the blessings of all stakeholders of the party in the state. He equally noted that his emergence followed due process, ratified by all organs of the party,. stressing that he also enjoy the support of key

stakeholders such as former vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Gov. Murtala Nyako and Engineer Babachir David Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, whom he also keeps abreast of activities of the party. He told the party supporters on the motive for his visit, saying it was to authenticate the member-

ship base of the party in the council, adding that internal democracy henceforth will not be compromised. He said in line with that, no one will impose any candidate for whatever reason as those who will try to do so will be resisted. Alhaji Babangida Talasa, APC chairman for Mayo Belwa, in his remarks lauded Nyako’s contributions to the entrenchment of APC in

the state as well as the development of the state. He noted that it was during Nyako’s time in the Navy that, he helped to influence the creation of the present Mayo Belwa, his LGA of Origin,Shelleng and Guyuk LGs, adding that beside this, under his watch as governor he took physical and human development of the state to a higher level than what he met.

Senator empower constituents, signed MOU for water supply EzEkiEl TiTus Bauchi

he senator representing Bauchi south has signed a memorandum of understanding, MOU with PENREC Engineering Nigeria Limited for water supply through provision of boreholes in seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi state. This is even as the senator said, he has since put in place a machinery towards the provision of empowerment opportunities to the constituents through skill acquisition. Senator Ali Wakili who made this known in Bauchi during the signing ceremony of the MOU said, the decision to provide water for the people is in line with his campaign promises. The execution of the boreholes in all the seven LGA’s will start in Bauchi LGA before going to other areas saying ICT laboratory includ-

ing mobile laboratories were given to categories of schools in some LGA’s “ Let me tell you this projects is the outcome of my campaign promises to the people”, he said. According to Wakili, areas to benefit from the boreholes within Bauchi LGA’s are Wutin-Dada, Angwan Jaja among others The senator noted that already cheque has been issued to PENTEC company as part payment for it to commence the execution of the boreholes The senator regretted the decay in both education and health sectors in the state in spite of government efforts, explaining that, this informed his decision to have provided mobile laboratory to schools to curb the spreads of diseases He therefore seek for the support of people to enable him implement his blueprints towards the embodiment of democracy

Economy would’ve been worse if Jonathan had remained in govt —APC chieftain Julius Onwuma uyo

ne time Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress,APC, Chief Victor Iyanam has said that the economy of the country would have been worse if Goodluck Jonathan had remained in power. Iyanam who made the declaration during a chat with National Mirror in his residence in Uyo, said that the economy is in a bad shape because of wide scale corruption that was perpetrated dur-

ing the regime of the immediate past President. His words, “It would have been worse if we had the misfortune of having Jonathan return to government. “Don’t forget that the PDP spent 16 years stealing; they did nothing else except to steal. That is why the more they unearth fraud, the more fraud comes out and the fraud is fighting back” he said. He also said that the high level of rot experienced under the Jonathan regime has also taken its toll on the judiciary, the armed forces, the CBN and many other government institutions.

L-R: Rivers PDP House of Representatives Candidate, Mr Ken Chikere; Chairman, Federated Correspondent Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Rivers Council, Mr Ernest Chinwo and Special Assistant to Rivers Governor on Amnesty Programme, Mr Ken Chinda, at a forum on the rerun election in Port-Harcourt, yesterday.

15 parties quit Ekiti IPAC, join CNPP abiOdun nEJO ado Ekiti

ifteen political parties in Ekiti State have resigned their membership of the state chapter of the Inter-party Advisory Council, IPAC following alleged undemocratic tendencies and corrupt practices by its leaders. The parties however announced their fusion with

the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties,CNPP to advance the cause of democracy in the state and protect their collective integrity. Spokesman of the aggrieved parties and Chairman of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Deacon Olu Akomolafe, said the step was to safeguard the leaders of political parties in the state from being smeared by alleged unscrupulous activities of some IPAC leaders.

Akomolafe accused IPAC leaders of allegedly making rapprochement to the government and some notable leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC to extort money, describing this as the major problem bedeviling IPAC, which he said necessitated their resignation from the body. He said that member parties were not being carried along in the decisionmaking process, alleging

that only four members, including IPAC Chairman, Dr Ekunola, had been the one controlling the affairs of the body, while others were ostracized. The spokesman said: “We will no longer tolerate any attempt to coerce, compel, impose, stampede or force us into marriage of inconvenience that could be detrimental to the collective interest of other political parties by a certain group”.

Rerun election: Steer clear of Rivers, Wakama warns trouble makers dEnnis naku

Port- harcourt

head of the March 19 legislative rerun election in Rivers State, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar (DIG), Sotonye Wakama has warned trouble makers to steer clear of the State before, during and after the elections . Wakama gave the warning when he visited the state

office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Monday, where he assured officials of the commission of adequate security during and after the polls. The DIG said the poll would likely be contentious, and assured that the Police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring peace saying that anyone caught trying to instigate trouble

will be dealt with according to the law. He said the Police are ready to provide the needed security across the state, and most especially the flash point areas to ensure peaceful exercise. Wakama who was accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), zone six, Adisa Bolanta said,“We all know that rerun elections in Rivers state are likely to be competitive if

not contentious. “A lot has happened in the state that calls for concern to both the indigenes and residents in the state and beyond. “It is for this reason that I have come down to the state to speak to all the stakeholders involved in the election and to reassure INEC of safe polls; and to warn that if anything happen in this state, if we see anybody for any reason doing anything that is untoward.

Mail Mirror

Politics

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE HOUSE OF REPS with

Ubong UKPONG

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Reps and burden of combating climate change

limate change and its attendant problems are fast becoming a source of worry and concern to the eighth House of Representatives, which is more than ever, directing its focus to confront and curb the menace. Prevention of the menace has not received even a quarter of advocacy and interventions as given to the likes of Boko Haram insurgency, farmers-fulani herdsmen clashes and health related diseases, which have even been discovered to be the offshoots of climate change. It does not look like the Reps efforts would achieve the desired impact because the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of government, are handling this issue with levity and shear negligence, undermining its attendant adverse effects on the country and citizens. The House however, is not waiting for the MDAs, rather it is proceeding to confront the menace through legislative action that would get them to implement all resolutions, conventions, treaty, Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, even Presidential declarations in this direction to forestall all occurrences that could result from climate change. It has demonstrated its willingness and determination and is giving climate change that needed attention to secure reasonable actions on it within the life of this assembly. Through its leadership, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the House also inaugurated the Standing Committee on Climate Change, with Hon. Sam Onuigbo as Chairman, which has continued to bring issues on this sector to the front burner in the National Assembly. The House also, has continued to give priority attention to the committee, which ordinarily, is considered ‘non-juicy’, but it has become its area of interest as it is already making serious impact in the climate change fight, as the MDAs now know that they are being held accountable on issues of climate change. Since its inauguration in November 2015, the committee has engaged the MDAs on various grounds including budget defence by the cross-cutting MDAs. The Chairman, Onuigbo, said that he and his members have taken pro-active steps in ensuring that they bring to the front burner, issues concerning climate change, even at international level, during one of climate change conferences they attended in Paris, France, which attracted all world leaders and Heads of states and governments. On this occasion, Onuigbo said that the world was united and spoke with one voice to the effect that they must take action to prevent the adverse effects of climate change from destroying the world and humanity. “We spoke in one voice, the world spoke in one voice even nations that have lived in denial came forward and said, we want to join this group because it is obvious to us that the devastating effects of climate change are ravaging the world”, the Rep said. Prior to the conference, the Chairman said

that his committee had invited the cross-cutting MDAs to a meeting to afford them the opportunity to assess what they were doing in fighting climate change and that a lot of people turned up. The committee had however held several of such interactive sessions with the MDAs and they had often responded well to the amusement of people in the National Assembly as climate change was not known for or expected to be that engaging to attract crowds at all scheduled meetings. Onuigbo said that the committee got the approval of the Speaker and insisted that all the cross-cutting agencies must come and show them the budgetary provisions they’d made to fight climate change. The committee had to do this having realised the enormous work on ground and the laudable pronouncement made by President Muhammadu Buhari, which Onuigbo said he made on behalf of Nigeria and Nigerians, as the President was not the same person that would come down and start doing the footwork. Those saddled with implementation of the declarations were brought together by the committee, which has so much refocused the MDAs on matters of climate change. The committee looked at the budgets of the MDAs to see who provided what and those that did not provide, with the realisation that even some key MDAs that had to do with climate change did not make any provision for it in the 2016 budget. For the committee, this was absolute neglect and insensitivity, as it had to sit them down and talked to them on the importance of this provision so that none of the MDAs would claim that they did not know that they were supposed to make provisions in their budgets to fight adverse effect of climate change. It could not have been true that these MDAs and the heads were ignorant of the fact that they ought to incorporate climate change issues in the budgets, but one would believe that it was deliberately overlooked as they may consider it inconsequential. In spite of this, the committee engaged the heads of the MDAs and made them to understand that they are in position to take verifiable and practical actions that are geared towards achieving the aim and concept of Nigeria’s commitment as a nation, towards fighting climate change, which were made public by the President. The Chairman said that his committee is on track, in line with the provisions of the House, empowering it to take the actions and provide Nigeria’s response to climate change issues and to ensure accountability on same, provide the legislative scrutiny and oversight on agreements, whatever, MoU, treaty United Nations conventions and framework on climate change. It is clear that the 8th House is now very much interested in climate change because of the adverse effect the country is already

Onuigbo suffering, but it is only making efforts no to get those in the executive arm to be accountable on this issue. While the Reps came with a legislative agenda, clearly indicating that climate change is a key issue to be tackle through legislative framework, the executive is complacent about the menace that is destroying the country. Onuigbo said that they were almost at logger-head with the executive over budgetary provisions for climate change, as this government does not seem to have practical approaches to the issue apart from talks and promises. A part from ministries of Science and Technology, Environment and Water Resources, Onuigbo said that the rest of the MDAs are not prepared to fight climate change because there was no provision for it in the 2016 budget. In fact, he said some that are directly impacting by the adverse effect of climate change disappointed everybody, as they went on policy summersault by going far below from 12 per

cent in 2015 provision to 0.4 per cent in their 2016 budgetary provision on issue of climate change. As this do not match the declarations of government to fight climate change, they clearly indicate that the policy makers may not even understand the issues in climate change or its implications to the country. Of course, Onuigbo has argued that Nigeria is presently backward in terms of development because of issues of climate change, as against its Malysian and Korean counterparts, who were once poor but now developed. He also pointed out that the present Boko Haram insurgency which thrived in the North East, is a result of climate change through desert encroachment in the north and reduction in water level of Lake Chad, which were ignored over the years. The implication, the lawmaker has said, is that the farmers lose their means of irrigation, good agricultural soil, become jobless and ready tools in the hands of those who can feed and sponsor them on insurgency.

REP’S SCORE CARD

Onuigbo, fulfilling promises in Reps

on. Sam Onuigbo is already making good his campaign promises to fight for the interests of the youths and students in the House of Representatives as well as being an active legislator. The lawmaker, who represents Ikwuano/ Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency of Abia state, is a teacher by profession and said that he had taken education and youths as his legislative interest. The legislator had three issues where he hinged his campaign, to be an effective legislator, to be accessible by his constituents and to be responsive to their needs by attending to things he can solve. In fulfilment of his interest, he has already risen up against shoddy practices by higher institutions, which go ahead to admit students into courses that have not been accredited. The lawmaker and father of two children, who has held diverse portfolios as a Commissioner in Abia state, sponsored a motion to this effect, bothering on the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, which was celebrated.

He said that he is pursuing his campaign’s promises early because he does not like frivolous promises or failing in fulfilling his promises. Onuigbo said that he has some bills and motions too, some of which the leadership of the House was already considering in view of their importance. He is of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a first timer in Reps, and is chairing the House committee on climate change, where he is already making impact. He has brought to limelight, that committee which was hitherto relegated to the background and could be referred to as Grade C and non-juicy committee can now simply pass for Grade B and high preferred committee. In raising his committee to the present enviable height, Onuigbo said that he has had to make so much financial sacrifices too in the face of present day hardship so that they could achieve results. He is equally taking practical and proactive steps to ensure huge enlightenment and advocacy, including policy implementations on the sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ASO ROCK FILE with Rotimi FADEYI

Nigeria’s membership of Islamic Coalition not religious

he Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama last week at the Presidential Villa said that membership of Nigeria in the Islamic Coalition Against Terrorism spearheaded by Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with giving the country an Islamic identity, President Muhammadu Buhari had confirmed Nigeria’s membership of the group during an interview. On international satellite news channel, Aljazeera. According to Onyeama, terrorism was a global phenomenon and Nigeria was ready to support any move to tackle the problem. Onyeama noted that the coalition was formed in order for Islamic countries to show that terrorism was not part of the teaching of Islam and that terrorists were not speaking for Islam. The Minister said, “ it has nothing to do with religion as far as Nigeria is concerned. We have to look at what the objective is. We face terror challenges and it’s a global

Politics

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

phenomenon. “Unfortunately, the problem we have today is that some of the terrorists groups are claiming some of the things they are doing is in the name of a particular religion and it is clear to everybody that this is not the case which is obviously a concern to people of Islamic faith and Islamic countries that their religion should be so abused. “So, there is naturally a tendency to show that this has nothing to do with Islam. Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Islamic countries, Islamic people want to be seen as being in the forefront of the battle against these terrorists to show also that it has absolutely nothing to do with religion. “That’s what this is all about. So, we are supporting every move to achieve this, to disabuse people’s minds that some of these terrorists are speaking in the name of Islam or are Islamic or that there’s anything about Islamic teaching that somehow condones these barbaric actions”, he added.

When Buhari, Ministers paid tributes to Ocholi I

t was a sad moment for cabinet members in the Federal Executive Council last Wednesday at the Council chambers of the Presidential Villa Muhamwhen President Muham Minismadu Buhari led Minis ters to pay tribute to late Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi (SAN). Ocholi died along with his wife and son in an auto crash near Rijana Village Exon the Abuja-Kaduna Ex Sunpressway last week Sun day. At the special session of FEC which was held to pay tribute to Ocholi,

Buhari said the late minister would be remembered for his contribution to the merger process that led to the formation of All Progressives Congress, APC. He also pointed out that Ocholi was a very humble man who was always ready to do his work and achieve results. Buhari through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu on the day of the crash, described the death of Ocholi as untimely, regretting that Nigeria has lost a key component of the Change agenda. “Barrister Ocholi was

an accomplished and patriotic Nigerian, who was keen to accept the call to service at a time his country needed him,” Buhari said, He added that in the few months he had been in office, the late minister of state had already begun to distinguish himself through his commitment and dedication to his portfolio. At the FEC special session, six ministers, one from each geo-political zones were mandated to pay tribute to Ocholi. For the Minister of Labour and Employment,

Senator Chris Ngige with whom Ocholi worked with, the death of the Minister was a colossal tragedy. “What we have at hand today concerning late Ocholi, his wife and son is a colossal tragedy of unimaginable proportion”, Ngige said . The Minister of State, Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh; Minister of State, Niger Delta, Claudius Daramola; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; and the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba also paid tribute to Ocholi

Nigerians must fight against evil

igerians who believe in pursuing the good of the nation must come together with the Buhari administration in order to fight against evil and those who perpetrate it in the country. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said this last week in Fadan Kagoma, Kaduna State during the 2016 Khituk Gwong Day where he was the Special Guest of Honour. Restating his clarion call for a New Tribe of Nigerians drawn from all faiths, tribes and ethnicities to pull together, Osinbajo said there is need to “separate light from darkness.” He said in too many instances, leaders drawn from different areas of the nation’s life have tried to use religion and ethnicity to cause division in a bid to attain political and other selfish ends. “Sometimes political leaders use religion to divide, they use ethnicity to oppress the people,” the Vice President said adding that a new

Nigeria is now emerging that will include Christians, Moslems, people of all faiths and those who confess no faith. He said those Nigerians of the New Tribe are those who believe in truth, honesty and justice among other virtues that advance the right course for the country. “This new Nigeria must be based on love for each other,” and must value integrity, Osinbajo declared, stressing that it is indeed mandated in his own personal faith of Christianity to love everyone including “your enemy. “ He explained that Christians have to love those who hate them and despitefully use them, and even have to pray for their enemies. According to him, those who have been stealing from and looting the nation’s coffers are drawn from all ethnicity and faiths, but are united in their quest to steal. “When they are stealing the nation’s money they are completely united,” the Vice President noted.

Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Lawal Babachir; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari at Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House.

No food importation for school feeding programme

or those who think that the Federal Government would import food to implement its school feeding programme, they better change their thinking as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last week disclosed that the government would not be importing food to implement its school feeding programme. Osinbajo spoke while receiving a delegation of the World Food Programme led by its Executive Director, Ms. Ertharin Cousin. He said the HomeGrown School Feeding programme through which primary school pupils would receive one

full meal a day would also boost agriculture base in the states so that the farmers can benefit. Ruling out the importation of foodstuff, the Vice President noted that the programme would also create jobs not only for farmers, but caterers and the entire value-chain would be beneficial to the local communities. He said the school feeding has already started in some states and the impact was being felt with wellfed students, rise in school enrollment and energized agricultural economies. The Vice President noted that the Federal Government would partner with the World Food

Programme which is a UN agency in the implementation of the feeding programmes. Osinbajo stressed the importance of such partnership saying nutrition was important for school children at tender age. In her remarks, Cousin commended the efforts of

the Buhari administration in addressing the plight of IDPs in the North East. She also disclosed that the UN agency was interested in partnering with the Federal Government in strengthening the school feeding programme as part of her organization’s contribution to education.

Last week’s Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. South African President, Jacob Zuma 2. Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom 3. Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abubaar 4. Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, 5. South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon. 6. Special envoy, Mr Abubakar Saleh Chahaimi 7. Saharawi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Salem Ould Salek 8. Saharawi Ambassador to Nigeria, Oubi Bachir 9. Executive Director, World Food Organisation, Ms. Ertharin Cousin 10. FRSC Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi 11. Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama 12. Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole

Features

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Managing stress through recreation parks, gardens Femi OgunshOla

r. Samuel Bature is suffering from high blood pressure as a result of some differences he had with his wife. To him, the trauma he once experienced because of his wife’s misdemeanour led him to patronising recreation centres, which then provided him some succour. ``I developed high blood pressure some years ago due to some marital issues but anytime I visit parks and recreation centres in my neighbourhood, I always feel better and strong. ``I believe there is a great fountain of healing, unknown to many, in recreation parks.” Bature’s sentiments appear quite logical, as medical experts insist that stress is a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs a person’s physical or mental equilibrium, thereby making the person more susceptible to physical illnesses. Stressful conditions may result in insomnia, impaired sleeping, and health complaints, the experts say. Dr. Rosemary Adeyemo of Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, says that every human being ought to take time off to visit recreation centres in order to ease off the accumulated stress in the body. She says that studies have revealed that engaging in recreational activities is good for the upkeep of the soul as a way of renewing oneself, both physically and emotionally. She says that recreation parks can particularly offer greater succour to people who are traumatised or undergoing serious stress as a result of certain issues that are beyond their immediate control. Adeyemo emphasises that recreational activities can improve a person’s physical wellness, adding that persons who engage in recreation activities have fewer doctor visits, lower body mass indexes and lower systolic blood pressures than those who do not. Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Samuel Akanbi, a social affairs analyst, says that studies have revealed that being outdoors and viewing natural scenes can reduce stress. He stresses that the link between recreation and stress reduction is very strong to such an extent that medical practitioners are now beginning to identify parks and recreation as a health service. This is because the World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined health as a state of com-

plete physical, mental and social wellbeing; and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition moves from a strictly medical model of health towards the concept of wellbeing. All the same, Akanbi insists that recreation touches on all aspects of health and can enhance not only physical health, but also emotional health, adding that staying outdoors in natural surroundings can improve health. ``Living in comparatively natural areas, viewing nature and having outdoor recreation areas and facilities nearby appear to provide certain health benefits,’’ he says. Recreation centres can accommodate facilities like swimming pools, sports halls, squash courts, cafeteria, licensed bars, fitness suites, aerobics studios, outdoor grass and/or artificial pitches for sports like football and hockey. Mr. Francis Odinnaka, who regularly visits recreation centres, insists that the need for relaxation cannot be over-emphasised. He says that regular recreation makes one to look healthy, as it facilitates improved mental and emotional health of a person, thereby making one to feel refreshed and young again. The current security chal-

Freedom Park, Lagos Confirming this observation, Mr. Chukwu Onuorah, an operator of a recreation centre in Abuja, believes that parks and recreation centres serve as practical avenues for people to enjoy themselves and get refreshed. ``There are so many experiences you can have at recreation parks; the parks provide avenues for adventure, relaxation and fun,’’ he says. Although the current security situation in the country has somewhat confined most fun seekers to the precincts of their homes but the recent successes

I had hIgh blood pressure some years ago but anytIme I vIsIted parks and recreatIon centres wIthIn the Fct, I Felt relIeved and strong. I strongly belIeve that these parks and recreatIon centres have some hIdden therapeutIc values lenges in the country notwithstanding, many parents still find it expedient to take their children and wards to recreation parks and gardens for a time-out.

A recreation centre in Abuja

recorded by the military in its war against Boko Haram insurgents appear to have given fun seekers some respite. Mr. Kareem Alebiosu, a civil servant, recalls that he was ini-

tially sceptical about taking his family out for relaxation at recreational parks during the last Christmas celebration. He confesses that he, however, decided to take his family out for recreation in spite of the daunting security challenges. ``I will not succumb to any kind of intimidation; I have absolute faith in our security agencies and they promised to provide adequate security during the celebration. ``My children have been disturbing me that they wanted to go out during the celebration since it was a long time ago we did that, due to the security challenges confronting the country. ``But this time around, I put my faith in the Almighty Allah that no evil will happen to me and my family,’’ he adds. Sharing a similar viewpoint, Mrs. Serifat Abioye, a stylist, says that she is always looking forward to making her children happy at recreation parks whenever they are on vacation

or during celebrations. Mr. Johnson Layi, a tourism expert, advocates increased patronage of parks, gardens and other recreation centres by the people, as part of practical efforts to reduce stress. He says that some genres of leisure and amusement can facilitate healing with regard to certain ailments. Layi says that parks and recreation centres are means of enjoyment and relaxation which spur the revival of the body, soul and spirit. He adds that parks and recreation spots provide a veritable platform for people to relax and engage in recreational activities, thereby promoting the evolution of healthy lifestyles. ``I had high blood pressure some years ago but anytime I visited parks and recreation centres within the FCT, I felt relieved and strong. I strongly believe that these parks and recreation centres have some hidden therapeutic values,” he says. Layi particularly advises the director, department of parks and recreation, FCT Administration (FCTA), to publicise all the parks and recreation centres in the FCT to enable the residents to know and patronise them. However, information from the parks and recreation department indicates that there are several parks and recreation centres located across the FCT. The parks and recreation centres include the green areas and open spaces in the FCT, as well as Neighbourhood Parks, District Parks and City Parks. All in all, tourism experts underscore the need to develop quality parks and recreation across the country, while sensitising the citizens to the myriad benefits of engaging in recreational activities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Taraba: Controversy over influx of strange people

hen Senator Emmanuel Bwacha representing Taraba South Senatorial District in the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised a point of order drawing the attention of the Police and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria to what he called an “impending war” in Taraba, not many understood the magnitude of the senator’s complaint. The senator’s concern was hinged on the reports of massive influx of strange people into Taraba and the atrocities allegedly being committed by them. Those who might have misunderstood Bwacha or known little about development in Taraba took to the social media raining abuses and insults on him. One of such persons who many believed would have known better about the development, but chose to openly confront Senator Bwacha over the issue was his counterpart, Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf representing Taraba Central in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Police had earlier confirmed that Bali and Gassol which are part of Taraba Central where Senator Yusuf is currently representing have been playing host to strange people. But rather than support Senator Bwacha and seek investigation, Senator Yusuf, coming through a point of order a week after Bwacha’s raised the alarm described Senator Bwacha as an alarmist. Yusuf said he called the Commissioner of Police of Taraba State and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) who told him there was nothing like that happening in Taraba. He then cautioned Bwacha to be careful about raising such alarm in the future. Yusuf ’s position sparked fireworks in Taraba with various groups calling for his arrest and investigation over his denial that there were influx of strange people into the state. One of the groups, Taraba Mandate group for good governance, regretted that instead of Senator Yusuf to support his brother for a thorough investigation into the matter, he chose to play politics with the lives of the people. Worried by this controversy, National Mirror took on the Commissioner of Police of Taraba State, CP Shaba Alkali, who confirmed the report of massive influx of strange people in the state. Mr. Alkali denied the claim by Senator Yusuf that he (Commissioner) confirmed to him there were no influx of people into Taraba and warned politicians not to drag him into politics. “I am a professional police officer and I do my work professionally. I have not met with Senator Yusuf before. Ordinarily, I would not have answered him, but I did when he called. He enquired from me whether there were influx of Boko Haram members in Taraba and I told him there were influx of strange people, but not Boko Haram. “As I talk to you three buses loaded with people have been arrested around road block area of Jalingo and ordered they should be brought to the headquarters for screening. “We have been doing that. Not quite long ago, my men intercepted some people coming into the state in trucks and upon enquiry, they said they were coming on a paid labour to help people harvest their crops and we told them to go back where they are coming from as their presence at this time constitute a security threat to us here and they were turned back,” he told

For some time now, the issue of massive influx of people in Taraba has been trending, with some actors playing the blame game. JUSTIN TYOPUUSU takes a look at the brewing controversy over influx of people in the state. to be careful in dealing with the organisation that has no roots, but are out to look for government support.

Ishaku’s intervention

Gov. Darius Ishaku

IG Solomon Arase

Although the constitution of the federAl republic of nigeriA guArAntees freedom of movement, it does not guArAntee people to forcefully tAke over lAnd

belonging to other people As is hAppening in tArAbA At the moment in the nAme of freedom of movement.

our reporter. The commissioner of police further noted that the influx was as a result of heavy bombardment from Adamawa and Borno states. He said people had been coming into Taraba and the herdsmen too had been migrating en-masse into the state because of the season, maintaining that the police command in the state was on top of the situation.

A week after she was kidnapped, Alhaji Audu Abubakar, father of a frontline politician was kidnapped in Donga local government. Today, Mr. Hosea Danjuma, a retired officer with the Department of State Service is in the kidnappers den. Hosea was kidnapped in his house in Baissa, Kurmi local government. His abductors are said to be demanding a ransom of N10 million for his release.

Killings, other crimes heightened in Taraba

Fulani group blames Miyetti Allah for the killings

For keen watchers of events in Taraba, the state in recent times has witnessed increased killings, kidnapping and other forms of crimes. In Bali and Gassol for instance, there have been reported cases of killings almost on a daily basis since November last year when the state started playing host to strange people in Bali and Gassol local government areas. A resident of Dan-Anacha in Gassol local government, Mr. Titus Usoryol, told National Mirror that most farmers in Gassol lost their crops to strange Fulani herdsmen who turn their farms to grazing fields. “They are strange and very aggressive. They will come to your farm and even when they meet you on your farm they will insist on eating your crop and any attempt to stop them is tantamount to inviting death. “Most of them openly told us they bought our lands from the local chiefs and that we were not supposed to farm on the land they had bought. Many of our people have been gruesomely killed by the herdsmen in recent times on account of that,” he said. Apart from the killings, Taraba is today witnessing kidnappings, the first of its kind since the creation of the state in 1991. Only recently, Hajiyya Beli Manu, a 83 year old mother of the state Deputy Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu, was kidnapped in her residence in Mutum-Biyu and was later released.

As the killings, kidnappings and other crimes increased in Taraba, a Fulani group, Tabbital Pulaaku International (TPI), has accused Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Taraba of conniving with other Fulanis from other states to cause disaffection in the state. Chairman of the group, Bello Baminjani, told journalists in Jalingo when he led members of his group on a courtesy call to governor Darius Ishaku at Government House that Miyetti Allah in Taraba were conniving with other Fulanis from other states to cause disaffection among communities in Taraba, saying Tabbital Pulaaku International which is known for peace could not identify with such dubious activities of Miyetti Allah in Taraba. Bello added that as part of efforts to help check crimes and promote peaceful coexistence, Tabbital Pulaaku International in the state has formed a vigilance group to complement the efforts of the police in maintaining surveillance, adding that they had intimated divisional police officers in the state of their efforts to complement the efforts of the police in maintaining peace. Taraba State chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Mafindi Danburam, when contacted, described Tabbital Pulaaku in Taraba as a refugee of an association seeking political relevance. He accused the leaders of Tabbital Pulaaku in Taraba of seeking government recognition and advised the government

Perturbed by the threat posed by the massive influx of people to Taraba, Governor Darius Ishaku, acting on intelligent security report before him which indicted some local chiefs over allocating pieces of land to the strange people coming into Taraba suspended four district heads and three village heads from Bali and Gassol local government areas. Explaining the rationale behind his action, the governor said the affected local chiefs had embarked on indiscriminate selling of land belonging to persons displaced by internal crisis in the state. According to him, the chiefs have been encouraging the influx of migrants from other states into Taraba, especially in Bali and Gassol local government areas by allocating land belonging to IDPs mainly to stop them from returning to their homes. “This development has given rise to a spate of armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state. “The actions of the chiefs have become very worrisome given that my administration has been battling to resettle the IDPs and promote peaceful coexistence among the people of the state and I cannot fold my hands and watch this trend continue,” he warned. The action of the governor have received commendations and knocks from different quarters. While others hailed the move and urged him to sustain it to end the killings, maiming and high profile kidnappings going on in the state which have forced IDPs to remain in camps despite efforts by the governor to bring peace and ensure security of lives and property, others accused the governor of subverting the constitution by his action aimed at stopping other Nigerians from migrating into Taraba. “Our constitution guarantees freedom of movement and the governor should not be seen subverting the constitution. I have my brothers from Yobe and Borno states affected by Boko Haram and are coming into Taraba. You cannot stop them from coming in because they are protected by the constitution,” Alhaji Hassan Jika told Assistant Inspector General of Police, zone 3 AIG. Tanko Lawal, at a stakeholders meeting in Jalingo. Barrister Luka James of Harmony Chambers, Abuja, in a text message to National Mirror faulted Alhaji Hassan, saying “though the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement, it does not guarantee people to forcefully take over land belonging to other people as is happening in Taraba at the moment in the name of freedom of movement.” The affected communities said they had petitioned the National Assembly to investigate the invasion of Taraba by strange people who now pose a security threat to them, Taraba State and Nigeria. A security analyst, Abdulbarkindo Atta, said the tactic of kidnapping for ransom, killings and cattle rustling going on in Taraba is similar to that employed by Boko Haram at its early stage and wants Nigerian security agencies to launch a full scale investigation to avert the danger ahead.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Global Islamic finance industry’s assets over $2trn – SEC Johnson okanlawon

otal assets under management in the global Islamic finance industry is estimated to be over $2 trillion (about N394 trillion) by the end of 2014. This is even as the global ‘Sukuk’ market continues to witness remarkable growth since after the 2008 global financial crisis as Annual issuances have grown from $15 billion in 2008 to almost $120 billion in 2014. Making these disclosures at the second Regional Roundtable on Non-Interest Capital Market yesterday in Sokoto, DirectorGeneral, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Mounir Gwarzo, said that the focus of the roundtable was on ‘Sukuk’ - one of the components of the Islamic financial system. According to him, while most people identify capital markets as an important source of medium-to-long term capital, few realise the amazing potential of capital markets to serve as a catalyst for financial inclusion.

“SEC is determined to unlock this potential of the Nigerian Capital Market. In particular, we are aware of the need to deepen the non-interest capital market space. This is to enable millions of Nigerians and people of faith to invest savings ethically. Investors worldwide are increasingly allocating their resources into Islamic finance products,’’ Gwarzo said. The SEC boss said that last year was widely considered a landmark year for Islamic finance, especially with landmark debut sukuk issuances by countries such as the UK, Hong Kong, Senegal, South Africa, and Luxemburg. And the year also witnessed continued strong interest from key markets of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and emerging markets like Turkey and Indonesia. There is no doubt that the sukuk market is emerging on a global scale as a viable alternative source of funding.

In Nigeria, Gwarzo said the SEC has implemented a number of reforms aimed at deepening the non-interest capital market. For example, he said the commission focused on the regulatory framework, reviewing the Rules and introducing new ones. “ In particular, we issued rules on Islamic Fund Management as well as rules on Sukuk issuance. These two legal frameworks have encouraged Islamic product innovation with the registration of 5 ethical/shariah compliant funds and the issuance of Nigeria’s first ever sub-national Ijara Sukuk by the Osun State government in 2013 which was oversubscribed. “We are also considering modalities for setting up a Sharia Advisory Council as a body of experts to advise SEC and the market on non-interest product and their applications” he said.

Equities shed 0.52% on profit taking

rading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded the previous week, The All Share Index depreciated by 0.52 per cent to close at 25,853.58 points, as against the increase of 0.42 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 25,988.40 points.

Market capitalization shed N46 billion to close at N8.89 trillion, in contrast to the rise of N22 billion recorded on Friday to close at N8.938 trillion. Conoil Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.68 or 10.14 per cent to close at N18.24 per share, followed by Tiger Brands Plc with 27 kobo or 9.85 per cent to close at N3.01 per share. UACN Plc added 99 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N20.95

per share, while NASCON Plc appreciated 37 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N7.87 per share. FCMB Plc was up four kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at 86 kobo per share. Conversely, 7UP Plc shed N8.07 or five per cent to close at N153.43 per share, while Honeywell Flour Mills Plc dropped nine kobo or five per cent to close at N1.71 per share. Sterling Bank Plc declined

He stressed that state governments could leverage on the Sukuk market to raise funds for developmental projects. Going forward, he said the focus of the SEC will be on massive public enlightenment and also stronger capacity building initiatives adding that is what informed the idea of hosting regional roundtable events such as the roundtable. “We are working closely with the Debt Management Office (DMO) to ensure Nigeria issues her first sovereign sukuk that will provide the needed benchmark for other categories of issuers. We are hopeful there will be a significant progress on this front before the end of 2016. “ Once again, I thank you for your distinguished presence here while enjoining you to make the most of the opportunities this platform presents,” he added.

tax of N120.7billion, an increase of N4.3billion or 3.7 per cent, from N116.4billion reported in December 2014. The bank’s gross earnings stood at N301.9billion, an increase of 8.4 per cent, from the N278.5billion recorded in the same period of 2014. Also, the bank’s balance sheet remained strong with 7.2 per cent growth in total assets, from N2.36trillion in 2014 to N2.52trillion in the year under review. Loans to customers grew by 7.5 per cent to close at N1.37trillion, from N1.28trillion in 2014. Despite the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, by the Federal Government, customer deposits remained relatively stable with a marginal year-on-

year decline of 0.49 per cent from N1.62trillion in 2014 to N1.61trillion in 2015. The bank continued to maintain a disciplined and prudent approach to loan growth in line with its risk management framework, as its non-performing loans ratio remained low at 3.21 per cent, up slightly from 3.15 per cent in the comparative period of 2014. Against this back drop of the results, the bank is proposing total-year dividend of N1.77 per share (inclusive of the 25kobo interim dividend paid at half year 2015). Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said that the bank’s financial performance in 2015 is an indication that we have

Market indicators All-Share Index 25,853.58points Market capitalisation 8.89trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CONOIL

16.56

18.24

1.68

10.14

TIGERBRANDS

2.74

3.01

0.27

9.85

UACN

19.96

20.95

0.99

4.96

NASCON

7.50

7.87

0.37

4.93

FCMB

0.82

0.86

0.04

4.88

ZENITHBANK

12.35

12.90

0.55

4.45

NEIMETH

0.69

0.72

0.03

4.35

LIVESTOCK

1.18

1.23

0.05

4.24

CHAMPION

2.88

3.00

0.12

4.17

ACADEMY

0.55

0.57

0.02

3.64

LOSERS COMPANY 7UP

eight kobo or 4.71 per cent to close at N1.62 per share, while Union Bank Plc fell 28 kobo or 4.68 per cent to close at N5.70 per share. United Capital Plc depreciated seven kobo or 4.14 per cent to close at N1.62 per share. A total of 174.5 million shares valued at N1.40 billion were exchanged in 3,632 deals.

OPENING 161.50

earned the loyalty of our customers and an attestation of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and board.

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

CHANGE

% CHANGE

-8.07

-5.00

HONYFLOUR

1.80

1.71

-0.09

-5.00

STERLNBANK

1.70

1.62

-0.08

-4.71

UBN

5.98

5.70

-0.28

-4.68

UNITYBNK

0.70

0.67

-0.03

-4.29

UCAP

1.69

1.62

-0.07

-4.14

MAYBAKER

0.99

0.95

-0.04

-4.04

FLOURMILL

20.16

19.52

-0.64

-3.17

100.00

97.00

-3.00

MANSARD

2.20

2.14

-0.06

-2.73

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.12

105.72

9.56

105.87

9.42

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.29

115.00

10.48

115.30

10.38

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.92

113.16

11.28

113.46

11.19

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.87

120.03

11.58

120.33

11.52

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.00

111.78

11.88

112.08

11.82

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.86

103.71

11.85

104.01

11.79

Rate (%) Inflation

CLOSING 153.43

Description

Guaranty Trust Bank posts N99bn profit in 2015

uaranty Trust Bank Plc yesterday announced a profit after tax of N99.4 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 5.3 per cent when compared to N94.4 billion recorded in the same period of 2014. The bank’s return on average equity ratio rose 25.6 per cent, from N27,1 per cent in 2014, while loan to deposit ration increased to 85.1 per cent, from 78.8 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. Analysis of the results shows positive performance across all financial indices, reaffirming the bank’s position as one of the most profitable and well managed financial institutions in the country. It delivered a profit before

Source: NSE

Closing Market Prices of March 14, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

16-Jun-16

6.39

6.50

8-Sep-16

7.71

8.01

2-Mar-17

8.58

9.36

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.95

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

7.4483

9.2875

POUNDS STERLING

293

10.6500

SDR

273

12.2233

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

World News If the Syrian regime and its backers think that they can test the boundaries without serious consequences, they are deeply mistaken. –US SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY

Terrorism: Ivorien authorities step up security AfolAbi GAmbAri

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he government of Cote d’Ivoire said yesterday that security in schools, hotels and on borders will be stepped up after Islamist militants killed at least 18 people on Sunday. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said it was behind the gun attack on Grand Bassam beach where 21 people died in the first jihadist attack in Cote d’Ivoire. The resort is popular with locals and foreigners. French and German nationals were among the dead, officials said. At least four were foreigners, three were from the security forces and three were attackers. President Alassane Ouattara visited the site, about 40km (25 miles) from the commercial capital Abidjan, late on Sunday. He promised that security in the country would be strengthened. “These cowardly attacks by terrorists will not be tolerated,”

A soldier attending to an injured boy after the terrorists’ gun attack Ouattara said. The president met with ministers on Monday in an emergency meeting and announced three days of national mourning. AQIM has been behind two other similar attacks in West Africa in the last four months, attacking hotels in Mali and Burkina Faso.

But reports said Cote d’Ivoire had been identified as one of several countries in West Africa at risk of being targeted by Islamist militants. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was quick to claim responsibility for the attack. It published its claim in four

languages, a sign that the group was seeking to boost its media profile to match its recently enhanced operational capabilities. The brief statement in Arabic, English, French and Spanish was published as an image on AQIM’s Twitter account and through the messaging app Telegram.

Two held for insulting Malawian president

wo Malawians have been arrested for insulting President Peter Mutharika, according to reports. One of the two suspects, Patrick Simupanda, is a 19-year-old student at the Dae Yang University in Lilongwe, according to their lawyer, Gilbert Khonyongwa. Khonyongwa said his clients were participants in a political debate that took place on a public transport after one woman

wearing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regalia boarded the minibus taxi. Passengers in the minibus taxi reportedly mocked the woman saying that following the ruling party was a senseless thing to do as it had failed to avert food shortages that have hit most parts in the south-eastern nation. The report said that after getting off from the minibus taxi at

Cross-Roads hotel where the two suspects were also getting off, the woman reported them to the police, thus, leading to their arrest. Police have since confirmed the arrest. According to Malawi laws, insulting the president is a criminal offence. In February, a 26-year-old man was arrested in Blantyre for allegedly stoning a billboard image of the president.

Malawian President Peter Mutharika

Migrants’ crisis: Hundreds pour into Greece

undreds of migrants have crossed from Greece into Macedonia after finding a way through the border fence.

Earlier, some 1, 000 migrants, including children, left their sprawling camp in the Greek village of Idomeni and crossed a river near the

Refugees seen yesterday crossing over from Greece to Macedonia

border. Some 14, 000 people have been stranded at the camp, where conditions have deteriorated following days of rain. Macedonia last week said it would no longer let any migrants in, blocking the socalled Balkan route north. Macedonian police said two men and one woman found drowned in the Suva river on Monday were migrants trying to enter the country from Greece The UN refugee agency also said 19 migrants had

been placed in a shelter in Macedonia and three in hospital after crossing the river, according to reports The migrants, many of who carried all their belongings, were seen walking in a long snaking line along a hilly road yesterday and included a number of children. When they reached the river, they passed a rope across it and formed a human chain to help each other to get to the other side. The migrants said they were trying to find a gap in the barbedwire fence on the border.

WORLD BULLETIN

Blasphemy: Egypt sacks minister Egypt’s Justice Minister Ahmed al-Zind has been sacked after boasting that he would jail Islam’s Prophet Muhammad himself if the prophet broke the law. Zind made the remark in a televised interview on Friday. He immediately said “God forgive me” and apologised the following day. He was sacked by the Prime Minister, Sherif Ismail. It was not immediately clear who would replace Mr Zind, an outspoken critic of the Muslim Brotherhood. “Prime Minister Sherif Ismail issued a decree today to relieve Ahmed al-Zind of his position,” a government statement said, giving no more details. Egyptian judges issued a statement opposing Zind’s removal over what the head of the Judges Club, Abdallah Fath, said was a slip of the tongue that could have happened to anyone.

Bombing backlash: Turkey strikes at opposition Turkey has begun security operations against Kurdish rebels in the country’s south-east and in Iraq. The moves came as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed a crackdown on terror after Sunday’s attack in Ankara that killed at least 37 people. A suspected bomber, who also died in the blast, was a female member of the PKK, security sources said. Four people were held over the bombings in the south-eastern city of Sanliurfa, according to Turkish media. Officialswerequotedassayingthecarusedin thebombingwastracedtoashowroomthere. A curfew was declared in three towns in south-east Turkey, while warplanes struck PKK camps in Iraqi Kurdistan. Eleven warplanes carried out air strikes on 18 targets including ammunition dumps and shelters in the Qandil and Gara sectors, the army said. The PKK (the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party) confirmed the strikes.

Poll: Merkel rues ‘difficult day’ German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her party had a difficult day after right-wingers made gains in state elections. The anti-immigrant AfD party had campaigned against what it called Merkel’s catastrophic decision to accept a million migrants and refugees. However, a German government spokesman said the country’s immigration policy would not change. The chancellor said a European solution was needed for the crisis. “The fact is that in the eyes of the people no appropriate and satisfactory solution has yet been found and this had a very great impact on the vote,” she said as Germany and other countries reinstate some border controls in response to the flow of migrants. Despite making gains in all three states where voting took place, the AfD remains a minor force, especially in western Germany.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ogunsanya Bola, now wish to known and addressed as OGUNSANYA ADURALERE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank PLC and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Nura Muhammed Sabon Birni, now wish to be known and addressed as NURA GARBA MAICHIBI. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank,GtBank First Bank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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Formerly known and addressed as Ajayi Oluwaseun Mayowa now wish to be known and addressed as AJAYI SEUN OLA. All former documents remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL GALAI NUGYA, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMSON DAUDA GALAI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Sottin Hannah Mawume Olasubomi, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGUNLE HANNAH MAWUME OLASUBOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Maina Jibril Daddy, now wish to be known and addressed as MAINA JIBRIL ABUBAKER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ojobo Benjamin Ogiri, now wish to be known and addressed as OJOBO BENNY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Essien Utum, now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN SUNDAY UBI. All former documents remain valid. General public CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as Ms. Apeh Victoria Lebechi, now wishes to be known as MRS. UGWU VICTORIA LEBECHI. NYSC, Diamond Bank and the general public should take note.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

28 Katsina LGAs can’t pay salaries –Commissioner James danJuma KATSINA

Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar (r) cutting tape to inaugurate Baba-Iyali Empowerment Scheme at Burra District of Ningi LGA of Bauchi State on Sunday. With him are: from left: Speaker Bauchi State House of Assembly, Mr Shehu Dhaminah; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Ilelah and Initiator/Member representing Burra Constituency of Bauchi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulkadir.

Katsina school proprietors advised to respect religion, culture

James danJuma KATSINA

roprietors of private schools in Katsina State have been called upon to respect religion and culture of the people in running affairs of their schools. Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated this at an interactive meeting held with owners of private schools in the state. Masari said his administration would not allow the use of religion by any

person or group to achieve their self-interest. He called on them to adhere strictly to existing rules and regulations, warning that the state government would not hesitate to close down any private school that does otherwise. The governor said the state would not condone the use of residential buildings, motor parks and uncompleted buildings as schools, as those found doing so would be

shut down. He also called on the proprietors to work with the state government to address the issue of examination malpractice in both private and public schools in the state. Masari said such step was necessary in order to ensure qualitative education as well as improved performance of students in public or final-year examinations. Commissioner for Education, Professor Hali-

matu Idris, lamented the proliferation of mushroom private schools in the state. Idris said the proliferation of schools and disregard for laid down rules and regulations had led to the closure of six private schools by her ministry. She, however, said the ministry had introduced monitoring and supervision of private schools in the state to bring sanity into the system.

Police parade fake currency syndicate, others James abraham JOS

lateau State Police Command yesterday disclosed that it has made a major breakthrough in its efforts to rid the state of crime and criminality with the arrest of some fake currency syndicates and other suspects in the state. Addressing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Jos yesterday, where some of the suspects were also paraded, Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Oladunjoye, disclosed that operatives from Laranto Division on March 4 got information that certain syndicate had distributed substantial amount of counterfeit currency notes already in circulation within Jos metropolis and environs,

which led to the arrest of one Mary Bassey of Angwan Ceto, Zaira Road, and Solomon Sunday of Buyo village, Bassa Local Government Area, in connection with the incident. He said during investigation, the suspects confessed they were given the fake currency notes of different denominations by one Muhammed Jaafar of Isheme Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who was subsequently arrested, adding that the suspects will soon be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation. The commissioner called on members of the public to be weary and cautious about these dubious people as the fake currency notes have already being circulated by the criminals.

Also paraded yesterday was an ex-private solider, Sunday Umaru, who allegedly stabbed his girl friend, one Miss Charity Thomas, on the stomach, which led to her death around Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. According to the police boss, the suspect invited the victim from Kaduna to stay with him, and killed her on the allegation that he saw several text messages from other men in her handset. Oladunjoye said the suspect has been charged to court. Also paraded by the police boss was one Dabung David Dele, who strangled to death Nanchi Zakariya, a psychology student of the University of Jos who was apprehended by the Police detectives from Nassarawa Gwong police sta-

tion. The commissioner also said Policemen from Special Anti- Robbery Squad on regular routine patrol within Barkin Ladi and Bokkos areas apprehended 12 notorious armed robbers who always terrorize the residents, while two locally made Revolver long gun with three life cartridges, one locally made pistol, two locally made revolver pistols, one locally made double barrel pistols, one locally made double barrel pistol and one AK 47 riffle with thirteen round of 6. 72mm ammunition was recovered from the suspects. Also paraded were four suspected kidnappers and a notorious car snatcher one Aqwan Moses, while 4 cars were said to have been recovered from him.

wenty-eight of the 34 local government areas of Katsina State are unable to pay workers’ salaries due to dwindling revenue from federal allocation. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdulkadir Ahmed Zakka, stated this yesterday at a meeting with revenue officers of the council areas. Zakka said with the dwindling revenue allocation, the state government was providing bailout of about N500 million monthly to affected council areas for payment of salaries. He said the situation had put much financial burden on the state government, with attendant inadequate funds to meet socio-economic needs of people living in the council areas. The commissioner, however, said as a way of addressing the problem, the state government had introduced measures to improve collection of internally generated revenue. Zakka said part of the measure was to ensure

that all revenues collected from markets, among other revenue sources, would be remitted into the Local Government Joint Account. He also said the state government had moved to check activities of touts who often parade themselves as revenue collectors during market days in the council areas. Zakka said a team had been set up by the ministry that would go round on continuous basis during market days to check activities of such touts. The commissioner warned that any persons caught operating as revenue collectors without the necessary government permit would be arrested and handed over to the police. He also warned revenue officers at the council areas against conniving with market leaders to divert revenue collected from markets. Zakka assured them that the state government was working to come up with better welfare packages that would motivate them for improved revenue collection.

Agatu attacks: Perpetrators’ll be punished –Interior Minister adeola Tukuru ABUJA

inister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) has condemned incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians in Agatu and other communities in Benue State by unknown gunmen, assuring that security forces would be mobilised to decisively deal with the perpetrators of the dastardly acts. Dambazau, who had earlier directed the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to carry out on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the communities, while on an official assignment, noted that perpetrators of these dastardly acts were unwittingly testing the will and capabilities of gover nment securities.

In a press statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, yesterday, in Abuja, he explained that the minister while expressing his condolence to the government and people of Benue State over the highly reprehensible acts, noted that to guarantee the security and welfare of the people as enshrined in section II, subsection (2b) of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria remains the primary purpose of government. “To this end, the minister has directed the Inspector General of Police and other heads of security agencies under the ministry to synergize with other security services to speedily arrest the ugly trend and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

ACHUMBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JULIET ELEWACHI ACHUMBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JULIET ELEWACHI OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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OKPOKO: I, formerly known as MISS OKPOKO CHIDIMMA GLORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKONKWO CHIDIMMA GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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UGWUANYI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWUANYI VIRGINIA CHINONYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADONU VIRGINIA CHINONYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

EDDY: I, formerly known and addressed as ONOH ANAYO EDDY, now wish to be known and addressed as ONOH FABIAN IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKOLO: I, formerly known as OKOLO AFIOCHA ONYEKWELI JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as EZECHUKWU ONYEKWELI JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm and certify that UDE PETER ONYEKA and ONYEKA PETER UDE is one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEKA PETER UDE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that I, OWOTOMO-ADEAGA, OLUGBEMINIYI ADEOLA and ADEAGA OLUGBEMINIYI ADEOLA is the same person bearing the same name, now wish to be known as ADEAGA OLUGBEMINIYI ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. UBA, ACCESS BANK, ZENITH, IBTC and general public take note.

I OLUYEMI OLUFUNSO OLUFISAYO is the same person as FUNSHO WILLIAMS OLUYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly MISS IWUCHUKWU BERNARDINE PERPETUAL now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS UGWUOKE BERNARDINE PERPETUAL. All fomer documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AKINWUMI : Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINWUMI OLUWATOYIN MONI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKOMOLAFE OLUWATOYIN MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

UKPAKA: Formerly known and addressed as UKPAKA ONYINYE AMAECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as SEBASTINE ONYINYE AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as KELANI FASANYA JACK, now wish to be known and addressed as JACK ONABOTE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that NWAOKOLA GLADYS is the same person bearing NWAOKOLO GLADYS ONYINYECHI SYLVIA. All documents and certificates bearing my both names remain valid. General public, N.Y.S.C and Relevant authorities please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as MISS TAIWO OLUFUNKE OLAYINKA now to be addressed as MRS. AINA OLUFUNKE OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid, Ekiti state university ado ekiti and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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ADEYANJU: I formerly MISS ADEYANJU MOJISOLA AINA now wish to be known and address as MRS ADESUYI MOJISOLA, all former documents remain valid, Fidelity, Access Bank and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS ONADEBO FOLASHADE LYDIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAOYE LYDIA OLUWAFUNMILAYO. Former documents remain valid general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ARMSTRONG KAYLA, now wish to be addressed as ALOJA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ACHEMA: I, formerly known and addressed as FAMOUS ACHEMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as JOHN AKON ACHEMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ANULIKA EKWUTOSI CHIMA now wish to be known and addressed as ANULIKA EKWUTOSI IKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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This is to inform the general public that the above mentioned Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) DANIELS ENAHORO SILVA - CHAIRMAN (2) DANIELS MOJISOLA MERCY - GEN. SECRETARY (3) OMOSE JOHN OTEFERE - MEMBER (4) IYERE BEN AKHIGBE - MEMBER

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I formerly known and addressed as NNABUIFE CHINENYE, now wish to be known and address as NNABUIFE CHINENYE CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADEJORO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEJORO TAIWO HANNAH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. BABALOLA TAIWO HANNAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly ADEOBA OYEBODE JIMOH now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOBA OYEBODE OLASUNKANMI JIMOH. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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AFOLAYAN: I, formerly known and addressed as AFOLAYAN OMOBOLA ALICE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AJAYI OMOBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MR. EZEKIEL FOLORUNSO OGUNBAYO now to be addressed as MR. EZEKIEL FOLORUNSO OLUBAYO. All former documents remain valid, skye bank plc, UBA plc and general public take note.

I formerly known as OKANLAWON OLUWATOYIN AFOLAKE now wish to be known and addressed as AKINWUNMI OLUWATOYIN AFOLAKE. All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OSASERE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OSASERE OSARO JUDITH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONARINDE OSARO JUDITH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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JOHN: I, formerly CHANGE OF NAMEknown and addressed as JOHN LOVETH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OMORODION FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABIKEHIN FAITH OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLADOJA FAITH OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that OJELOWO OLUWAFEMI YEMI is the same person as OJELOWO OLUWAFEMI YEMI ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank, GT Bank, Access Bank, Aquila Logistics and general public please take note.

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

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that JOHN OGAN GOGO and JOHN OGAN NJEMEBA refers to one and same person . All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS JACOB MARTHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MARTHA ITODO ELIAS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EVIDENCE GABRIEL USENETIM, now wish to be known and addressed as KUFRE GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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

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SALAMI: I, formerly known and addressed as PETER SALAMI AJIMO, now wish to be known and addressed as PETER MURITALA AJIMO. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public should please take note.

(5) DANIELS BLESSING EGHONGHON - MEMBER (6) DANIELS PRAISE OSEMUDIAME - MEMBER (7) AMALU DORCAS - MEMBER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) To support the less privileged through poverty alleviation packages (2)To help empower the youth, unemployed and vulnerable citizens through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship. (3) To provide food, clothing and shelter to local and international refugees. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama , Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed by DANIELS MOJISOLA MERCY (GENERAL SECRETARY)

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Formerly known and addressed as LATIFAT F. GANIYU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as FAGBEMIRO FOLUSHO LATIFAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

UDUBOR: I, formerly known and addressed as UDUBOR STANLEY CONSTANCE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UDUBOR STANLEY DOMINIC. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME ODUMERU: I, formerly known and addressed as ODUMERU TAIBAT MOSUNMOLA MOJISOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OTUKOYA TAIBAT MOSUNMOLA MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerky known as MISS ABDULRASHEED FATIMO TITILOPE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ADIGUN FATIMO TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTON OF DATE OF BIRTH I formerly known and addressed as ODONYE DAUDA DANTENI, now wish to be known and addressed as ODONYE DAUDA DANTANI. That my correct Date Of Birth is 10th day of October, 1985, and not 10th day of February,1982. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MRS CHIOMA OLAJUMOKE PRIESTHOOD now wish to be known and addressed MS CHIOMA OLAJUMOKE NWAEZE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ASALA DORIS, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BALOGUN ASALA DORIS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ALH AHMED BABA KEKERE, now wish to be known and addressed AWODELE TAJUDEEN AHMED. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS MARTINA ANSELEM SAMPSON now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MARTINA DAVID WILLIE. This is due to marriage rites duly settled. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NDIRMBITAH ABRAHAM, now wish to be known and addressed as WAVI EZEKIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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ADA: I, formerly known and addressed as UMEH CHINENYE ADA, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH CHINENYE EMMANUELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME/DECLARATION OF AGE

OGUNTOLU: I, formerly known as OGUNTOLU SOLIU SALAU, now wish to be known as OGUNTOLU SALAUDEEN OLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note that my date of birth as reliably informed by my parents was 1st January, 1982 in Ogun State, Nigeria. CHANGE OF NAME

OLUODE: I, formerly known and addressed as OLUODE IDIAT EBUNOLUWA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BABATUNDE IDIAT EBUNOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDARE: I formerly MISS OGUNDARE ABIMBOLA CECILIA now wish to be known and address as MRS OLAIYA ABIMBOLA CECILIA. All former documents remain valid, the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OYEWOLE: Formerly known and addressed as OYEWOLE DONALD now wish to be known and addressed as OLORUNGBOHUNMI AYODEJI MURPHY. All former documents remain valid. N. I. M. C, Nigeria Immigration Services and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as PETER IDONGESIT COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as UFOT COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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YOUNG: I, formerly known and addressed as DANJUMA VICTOR YOUNG, now wish to be known and addressed as DANJUMA VICTOR ATTAI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NWAOGU: I, formerly known and addressed as NWAOGU JULIET CHINYERE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OSIGBEMHE JULIET CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OYEWOLE: Formerly known as OYEWOLE DONALD now wish to be known as OLORUNGBOHUNMI AYODEJI MURPHY. All former documents remain valid. N. I. M. C, Nigeria Immigration Services and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OJO: I formerly MISS OJO OPEYEMI OMOTOLA now wish to be known and address as MRS ADEUSI OPEYEMI OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid,the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AKINWUMI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINWUMI OLUWATOYIN MONI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKOMOLAFE OLUWATOYIN MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ALABI ADEBAYO JUBRIL, now wish to be known and addressed as ALABI AYODELE MORUFF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SHOBOLA AKEEM AYINLA SHOFOLUWE, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOBOLA AKEEM AYINLA. All former documents remain Valid. General Public take note.

ERUSIAFE: I, formerly known and addressed as ERUSIAFE OGHENEN YOREME, now wish to be known and addressed as ERUSIAFE NYORE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME ILO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ILO ONYINYE EUPHEMIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZENWAMADU ONYINYE EUPHEMIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME OKEREKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEREKE MARY OGBONNEYA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SUNDAY MARY OGBONNEYA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME EZIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZIKE OLIVIA ONYINYECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODENIGBO OLIVIA ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid. IMT Enugu and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Esther Micheal, now wish to be addressed as ESTHER OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. keystone bank, Mechanised salary section and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Busayo Comfort, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKANDE BUSAYO COMFORT.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

formerly known and addressed as Frank Charles Egbe, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHEAL CHARLES EGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEYEMI KUDIRAT FUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKINOLA KUDIRAT FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Akeem Alimat, now wish to be known and addressed as RAIMI SADIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ASUQUO: I, formerly known and addressed as ASUQUO SIMEON FRANCIS, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJI MICHEAL OLUEBUBE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NNAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as NNAJI CHIBUZO SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJIUKWU CHIBUZO PETER. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public should please take CHANGE OF NAME ILONA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ILONA OGOCHUKWU JULIANA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIGERE OGOCHUKWU JULIANA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZE VIVIAN AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed a EZE VIVIAN UZOMA. All former documents remain valid. BANK and General public should please take note.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

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EDDY: I, formerly known and addressed as ONOH ANAYO EDDY, now wish to be known and addressed as ONOH FABIAN IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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I OLUYEMI OLUFUNSO OLUFISAYO is the same person as FUNSHO WILLIAMS OLUYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as KELANI FASANYA JACK, now wish to be known and addressed as JACK ONABOTE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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Formerly MISS ONADEBO FOLASHADE LYDIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAOYE LYDIA OLUWAFUNMILAYO. Former documents remain valid general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ARMSTRONG KAYLA, now wish to be addressed as ALOJA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take Note.

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I formerly known and addressed as ANULIKA EKWUTOSI CHIMA now wish to be known and addressed as ANULIKA EKWUTOSI IKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as NNABUIFE CHINENYE, now wish to be known and address as NNABUIFE CHINENYE CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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Formerly ADEOBA OYEBODE JIMOH now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOBA OYEBODE OLASUNKANMI JIMOH. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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I formerly known as OKANLAWON OLUWATOYIN AFOLAKE now wish to be known and addressed as AKINWUNMI OLUWATOYIN AFOLAKE. All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that JOHN OGAN GOGO and JOHN OGAN NJEMEBA refers to one and same person . All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS JACOB MARTHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MARTHA ITODO ELIAS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EVIDENCE GABRIEL USENETIM, now wish to be known and addressed as KUFRE GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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(5) DANIELS BLESSING EGHONGHON - MEMBER (6) DANIELS PRAISE OSEMUDIAME - MEMBER (7) AMALU DORCAS - MEMBER

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I formerky known as MISS ABDULRASHEED FATIMO TITILOPE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ADIGUN FATIMO TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NDIRMBITAH ABRAHAM, now wish to be known and addressed as WAVI EZEKIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDARE: I formerly MISS OGUNDARE ABIMBOLA CECILIA now wish to be known and address as MRS OLAIYA ABIMBOLA CECILIA. All former documents remain valid, the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as PETER IDONGESIT COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as UFOT COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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OJO: I formerly MISS OJO OPEYEMI OMOTOLA now wish to be known and address as MRS ADEUSI OPEYEMI OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid,the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AKINWUMI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINWUMI OLUWATOYIN MONI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKOMOLAFE OLUWATOYIN MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ALABI ADEBAYO JUBRIL, now wish to be known and addressed as ALABI AYODELE MORUFF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SHOBOLA AKEEM AYINLA SHOFOLUWE, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOBOLA AKEEM AYINLA. All former documents remain Valid. General Public take note.

ERUSIAFE: I, formerly known and addressed as ERUSIAFE OGHENEN YOREME, now wish to be known and addressed as ERUSIAFE NYORE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Esther Micheal, now wish to be addressed as ESTHER OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. keystone bank, Mechanised salary section and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Busayo Comfort, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKANDE BUSAYO COMFORT.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

formerly known and addressed as Frank Charles Egbe, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHEAL CHARLES EGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Akeem Alimat, now wish to be known and addressed as RAIMI SADIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZE VIVIAN AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed a EZE VIVIAN UZOMA. All former documents remain valid. BANK and General public should please take note.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Show me a man with both feet firmly planted on the ground and I’ll show you a man making a crucial putt on the 18th green

Champions League: Fernandinho eyes first quarter for City

–Herm Albright

Kaduna battle

Egypt calls up only 5 pros for Nigeria

Cuper

…full team list expected today I want to play at Wembley –Ighalo

gypt National Team Coach, Hector Cuper, has called up five foreign-based players as he prepares the Pharaohs to clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a two-legged 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The five foreign-based players included are AS Roma’s Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, Anderlecht’s Mahmoud Trezeguet’ Hassan, Ahmed Hassan Kouka of Sporting Braga Portugal and Amr Warda of Panetolikos in Greece. Cuper’s squad will face Samson Siasia’s Eagles in Kaduna, Nigeria on March 25 before playing the follow-up match four days later at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria. “Egypt’s national team will start a closed camp on 20 March, three days before travelling to Nigeria,” Egyptian Football Association member, Ihab Liheta, said yesterday. A second report quoting another Egyptian FA member, Ehab Hath, said the five foreign-based

players will join up with the rest of the squad in camp before travelling to Nigeria in a private jet on March 23. The team will return same day after the game in Kaduna and resume trainings immediately at the Burj Al Arab in Alexandria for the return leg on March 29. However, reports from Egyptian media are that the Pharaohs’ full squad including local based players would be released today. Egypt will miss the services of Mohamed Abdel Shafy who plays for Al Ahly of Saudi Arabia due to injury. The Pharaohs are top of Group G of the 2017 AFCON with six points from two matches, two ahead of Nigeria who are in second place. Tanzania and Chad are third and fourth respectively and will also meet in back-to-back games later this month. The winner of the group takes the sole ticket for the 2017 AFCON finals to be held in Gabon.

fter his goal ensured that Arsenal failed in their defence of the 2015 FA Cup, Nigeria international striker, Odion Ighalo, says it will be a dream come true for him to play in the final at Wembley Stadium. Ighalo scored once as the Hornets tore the form books to shreds to shock the holders at their stately patch and he is now looking to

Ighalo

strut his stuff at Wembley. Before Sunday, he last scored for Watford on January 23 but Ighalo said he received words of encouragement from the club’s manager, Quique Sanchez Flores. “It’s a dream because I’ve never played at Wembley before. It’ll be a dream come true for me to play there. Not only to play there but to win and play in the final would be great. “We came here (at the Emirates stadium) with confidence and worked hard together as a team, and we got the result. Although I haven’t been scoring for the last couple of games, I keep on working hard because I know strikers go through what I’m going through. “But I keep my head up and keep on working because I know the goals will start coming again. I hope it’s a start of goals coming again. “Goals always give confidence to strikers. When you’re not scoring you think about a lot of things and do things you shouldn’t do. But the gaffer has always said that I’m doing everything right and that I just need to keep working hard and doing what I’m doing, and the goal will come,” he said. Ighalo has now scored 16 goals for Watford in all competitions this season.

Sports

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Champions League Today’s Fixtures At. Madrid vs Man City vs

PSV Eindhoven Dynamo Kiev

Fernandinho

Champions League

Fernandinho eyes first quarter for City

anchester City, struggling for domestic consistency, will take a big step in the right direction if they can qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time, Brazilian midfielder, Fernandinho said. After back-to-back Last 16 exits, Manuel Pellegri-

ni’s side look on course to make it third time lucky and reach the quarters as they hold a 3-1 lead over Ukrainian champions, Dynamo Kiev, ahead of tonight’s second leg at the Etihad Stadium. “It is the first time we have a chance to go forward to the quarter-final. It’s a big step for the club, for ev-

eryone,” Fernandinho told City TV. Last Saturday’s goalless draw in the Premier League at third-frombottom Norwich City has left the Manchester club nine points behind leaders Leicester City and just two points above fifth-placed West Ham United with nine games remaining.

Fernandinho is wary of missing out on Champions League football next season, but also refuses to write off his side’s title chances. “We have nine games to play and, even if we don’t have the chance to be champions, we have to finish in the top four,” he said.

in tonight’s Champions League last-16 second-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium after missing last

Saturday’s 0-0 Premier League draw with Norwich City. City are in prime position to reach the quarterfinals for the first time after winning the first leg in Kiev 3-1, but manager Manuel Pellegrini warned his side not to falter against opponents who have never won a game on English soil. “Yaya is fit to play tomorrow (today). He has no problems,” the Chilean told reporters yesterday. City’s season has been marred by inconsistency as exemplified by their failure to beat a Norwich

side sitting 14 places below them in the standings. “The most important thing is to know we have not yet qualified. We play against a team who know how to play this type of game,” Pellegrini added. “We’re not going to play with the score we got in Kiev, we’re just going to say it’s 0-0 and try to win the game tomorrow. “Before I arrived here, the club didn’t qualify for the last 16 (of the Champions League) but we’ve done it twice in the first two years,” Pellegrini said.

...Toure fit for Kiev game –Pellegrini

anchester City m i d f i e l d e r, Yaya Toure, is fit to face Dynamo Kiev

Toure

Gunners are wounded, but can still shoot, Messi warns

ionel Messi has insisted that Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 tie with Arsenal isn’t over yet, despite their commanding position heading into the second leg. The Argentine scored both goals as Barcelona won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium last month, leaving the Gunners with a mountain to climb on their trip to the Nou Camp tomorrow night. But Messi was defiant that his side were not going to be complacent ahead of the clash, saying Arsenal have the quality at their disposal to cause an upset. “Arsenal have players more than capable of scoring goals,” Messi said, following their 6-0 victory over Getafe last Saturday. “We have put ourselves in a very good position to progress and to reach the quarter-finals but none of

Messi

the players is thinking that the job is finished. “Of course we know the danger that Alexis Sanchez can bring but that is only one of many top quality players they have. The style they play is the most similar to that which we play at Barcelona and for that we have a lot of respect for them.” Not only will Arsenal have to score at least twice to progress to the quarterfinals, they’ll also have to keep out European football’s most potent strike force in Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. Between them they have more than 100 goals already this season, and Messi believes the trio branded ‘MSN’ are only going to get better. “The understanding between myself, Neymar and Suarez is improving all the time,” said Messi.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports 47

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

SWAN demands blueprint from Dalung ...wants ministry to account N2.7bn AAG, Olympics fund

EvErEst OnyEwuchi

he Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT Chapter, has challenged the Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to present his blueprint for Nigerian sports development without further delay. Arising from its Monthly Congress last weekend, the FCT SWAN also demanded from the sports ministry to account for the N2.7billion released by the Federal Government last year for the All Africa Games (AAG) participation in addition to the preparation of athletes for the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

In a communiqué signed by Olawale Ajimotokan, Ralph Ekpang and Clinton Agbo, the Association said: “Congress urged President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) to hasten to release money for Nigeria’s preparation towards Rio 2016 as the country’s athletes are capable of winning medals at the Games, if there is adequate preparation. It also appealed to the President to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on the sports sector by investigating how the money that was disbursed for the All Africa Games in Congo in 2015 was expended. “That the Ministry of Youth and Sports should account for the N2.7 billion released by government

last year for the All Africa Games (AAG) participation in addition to the preparation of athletes for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. “Minister of Youth and

Sports should present and implement his blueprint for sports development, rather than grandstanding and gallivanting all over the world. “That government

Dalung

should have leveraged on the success of Team Nigeria, which was a deliberate, corporate-driven initiative, geared towards generating fund that also ensured the money released was used on funding local and foreign training tours for athletes ahead of major international sporting events. “That government should explore alternative means, including the National Lottery Funds and Sports Development Funds to finance sports and augment its budgetary allocations. It should also consider making tax concessions and other generous rebate to corporations that sponsor sports. “The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should

be lauded for contracting Samson Siasia as the Super Eagles stand-in coach for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Egypt, in the wake of the uncertainty that followed the resignation of Sunday Oliseh. Congress deemed this as a move that will repose confidence and trust in indigenous coaches. “Congress flayed the lack of continuity in sports administration and proposed that individuals with prerequisite skills and knowledge be appointed and elected into strategic sporting positions. “That the recent policy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to stop paying match bonuses to all national age-grade teams should be condemned in the strongest term as it is capable of discouraging players from giving their best when called to represent the country.”

Rio 2016: Taekwondo athletes to wear coloured pants Reform package will

make IAAF leader – Coe

Nigerian taekwondo athletes in training

he World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) says its athletes will be permitted to wear different coloured trousers at the Rio 2016 Games for the first time. According to Theinsidegames, an online portal last weekend, the trousers must be representatives of the athletes’ national team colour. It said that each national federation would be allowed to pick one colour, including white, for all their competitors to wear. The portal added that their choice-colour must be decided and submitted

to the world governing body by April 30. It said the idea was developed by the WTF Technical Committee, a body tasked to find new ways to modernise the sport. The portal said the move would help to deliver a more spectatorfriendly experience at Rio 2016, where taekwondo would be featured for the fifth consecutive Olympic Games. According to the WTF president, Chungwon Choue, the new introduction will help fans at both the venue and watching on televisions at home to

easily identify athletes. “The decision is taken to make athletes more identifiable for spectators. “With less than five months to the opening of the Olympic Games, excitement is really building ahead of what we hope will be taekwondo’s most exciting games yet. “The introduction of coloured pants for athletes will transform the look of the event, adding to the vibrant, and carnival atmosphere in Rio. “It will give athletes a greater sense of national pride as they compete for their countries.

“This is one of the many innovations the WTF has introduced to bring more excitement, action and drama to the taekwondo competitions at Rio 2016. “London 2012 was a landmark moment for our sport, but we want to build on that momentum and deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans in Rio. “This means delivering the optimum conditions for our elite athletes to be able to compete at their best, providing fair and transparent competitions,” the portal quoted Choue.

nternational Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President, Sebastian Coe, has promised that the reforms he is planning to introduce before the end of the year will make the world governing body a “leader in sport.” Coe introduced a governance review following his election in Beijing last August and they have coincided with the biggest crisis in the sport’s history following the arrest of his predecessor, Lamine Diack, over allegations he took payments for deferring sanctions against Russian athletes who had failed drugs tests. A report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission has also led to the suspension of Russia from international competition, putting in jeopardy their participation at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de JaMen athletes leaving the blocks in a 100m final

neiro. The package of reforms is currently being worked on and are due to be adopted following a Extraordinary Congress in Monte Carlo in November or December. Among the proposals is an agreement to set up an ethical compliance group and recruit a leading official to oversee it. A new Integrity Unit will also be set up to ensure greater independence in the anti-doping process. Part of the reform package includes a financial review of the IAAF by Former British Government Minister, Paul Deighton, who worked alongside Coe as chief executive of London 2012. “We have taken time to look closely at the lessons we can draw from the past,” said Coe at the end of a two-day meeting of the IAAF Council in Monte Carlo.

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. 05 No. 1326 Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Is Lai Mohammed a ‘liar’?

s Lai Mohammed really a ‘’liar’’ as some of his political opponents, particularly those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claim? But if you believe in effective propaganda, that cannot be true. What, for instance, is a ‘lie’ about the changed reality of a once opposition party becoming the ruling government? Well, it is all in the realm of political communication and the fierce battle for the public mind by conflicting political camps. Political communication according to David L. Swanson and Dan Nimmo is “the strategic use of communication to influence public knowledge, beliefs, and action on political matters.” These communication experts emphasize the strategic nature of political communication, highlighting the role of persuasion in political discourse. Another American political commentator, Brian McNair, provides a similar definition when he writes that po-

ussian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has claimed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) must avoid politicising the crisis in the country following a string of positive drug tests. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President, Sebastian Coe, revealed last

Guest Columnist

Gboyega

Akosile

litical communication is “purposeful communication about politics.” The phrase ‘strategic and purposeful’ as used here provides the thought process for the complex nature of communication within any given political space. In the light of the above, I will attempt to x-ray the roles played by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the incumbent Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria, who has acquired all academic and professional qualifications for the job. For example, little do some of his detractors know that he practised public relations for over a decade while working with the then Nigerian Airports Authority (Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria as its PRO. Mohammed, I should say, was well grounded in the media and so it did not come as surprise to some of us that he performed very well in the task of marketing the All Progressives Congress (APC), using various media channels to lead narratives, manage shortfalls and sometimes, propagate with a view of getting results for his political party. He did very well as a party man. The APC activities, coupled with the quality of its presidential candidate provided a great impetus for this information manager. I remember how hard the Peoples Democratic Party tried to make Muhammadu Buhari, then a candidate, appear unelectable. It was Lai Mohammed and others in the media and communication team that worked tirelessly to ensure the victory that the APC enjoys today. It is worrisome to read some commen-

MohaMMed has successfully pushed the issue of insurgency to the back pages of newspapers and played up the need

to have a corruptionfree society taries, particularly by someone who should understand the subject of discussion but who chooses to ignore the facts of the matter and is eventually playing to the gallery, on why President Buhari should fire Lai Mohammed. Nothing more could be laughable. I read one or two pieces and without any iota of doubt, I concluded that they must be a hatchet job. The language, the uncoordinated thought and lack of facts as presented by these writers made it clear that they or their principals are clearly not comfortable with the role that the Minister of Information is performing with regard to the fight against corruption. It is pertinent to ask, why should Buhari fire Mohammed? One of the writers says the Minister is no longer believable. He cites commentaries on the social media platform, where some described the minister as Liar Mohammed. May we remind the writer that it did not start today! The labelling of Mohammed was made popu-

lar by the PDP at the twilight of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. This is because, at the time, the PDP did not have a solution to the barrage of political attacks unleashed on them on a daily basis by Alhaji Mohammed, especially on the level of corruption perpetrated by the Jonathan administration and PDP. The only answer they found convenient at the time was that Mohammed was a liar. But today, millions of Nigerians know who was the liar, and who was the real deal. There are two most significant issues in Nigeria today. They are corruption and insurgency. Mohammed has successfully pushed the issue of insurgency to the back pages of newspapers and played up the need to have a corruption-free society. Is it a lie now that Boko Haram has been thoroughly degraded? No, it is not, if you ask me. When last did you read on the front page of any newspapers, the usual screaming headlines about Boko Haram’s nefarious activities that characterized the Jonathan administration? No country in the world has been able to completely win the war against insurgency. Not even the United States of America has been able to defeat the dreaded Islamic States (ISIS). But the Nigerian Army has been able to reduce the activities of Boko Haram to suicide bombings, hitting soft targets only. We can then safely say that Lai Mohammed was right when he said that the Nigerian Army had technically defeated Boko Haram. Except one is being mischievous, or one was benefitting directly or indirectly from the Boko Haram insurgency, it is safe to agree that the group was defeated by the Nigerian Army before the deadline set for them by President Buhari. Managing information in a complex political atmosphere like ours, where corruption has become second nature of some members of the political class and mischief is never in short supply, can be a daunting task. Akosile, a journalist, works with 24.net, an online news publication.

Sport Extra

‘WADA must avoid politicising Russia doping crisis’ week that Russia was to be given more time to prove it was tackling the crisis, but refused to lift a suspension imposed on the country last November. The ban followed the publication of the first WADA Independent Commission report which found

evidence of state-supported doping in athletics. While Rune Andersen, the Norwegian leading the Taskforce overseeing Russia’s reinstatement, claimed there had been “considerable progress”, the IAAF is now set to review the decision at its next

Council meeting in May. If the ban is not lifted, Russian athletes will not be able to compete at Rio 2016 Olympics. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was also declared non-compliant by WADA following the reports.

Sebastian Coe

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