Wednesday, april 13,2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Nigeria’s inflation hits 12.8%, highest in 4 years

IsaIah erhIawarIen and nIyI Jacobs

igeria’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures

Buhari

inflation rate, recorded a sharp rise for the second consecutive month in March, peaking at 12.8 per cent year-on-year up from the 11.4 per cent recorded in the preceding month. The latest rate, which

represents the highest since July 2012, was spurred by faster increases across all divisions which contribute to the index, especially food inCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Kogi Assembly suspends 10 members P.42

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We borrow N600bn monthly to pay salaries, says Buhari Vol. 6 N0. 1347

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday disclosed that the Federal Government borrows about N600bn monthly to pay salaries of its workers. The President said the situation was so because the present administration inherited a country that had been robbed to the last kobo, hence leaving an ailing economy that must be nurtured and endured for some time before it stabilises. Buhari, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Babachir Lawal, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

‘Nigeria-China trade imbalance must reduce’ P.7

Men of Fire Service with shop owners at the scene of a late night fire outbreak on Martins Street, Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Kidnapping to attract death penalty in Oyo

Senate ready to receive supplementary budget on Lagos- P.3 Calabar rail project Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill 44 in Taraba

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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We borrow N600bn monthly to pay salaries, says Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 63rd General Church Council meeting of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, in Jos, Plateau State. According to him, the present administration borrowed on the average, N600bn every month to augment and pay salaries of workers. He assured that, given the desired cooperation, trust and cooperation, Nigeria would be revived within the shortest possible time. The President called on the church to join government in its fight against sleaze by preaching the gospel that would make people desist from corrupt tendencies and embrace honesty, transparency and accountability. According to him, this government came into power at the brink of the collapse of the nation which had, over the years been riddled by corruption, insurgency, youth unemployment and economic meltdown. He commended the immense contribution of ECWA to the development of the country, par-

ticularly in assisting with prayers, which led to a free and fair election and the smooth transition process. “By the Grace of the almighty God, I stand here before you as the representative of the duly elected government of Nigeria, by virtue of the transparent electoral process,” he said. Speaking on unemployment, the President said government was still strategising and encouraging all agencies and foreign investors to open up industrial sector and create employment opportunities for the teeming youths in the country. He said: “Likewise in the area of our economy, efforts are being geared towards the diversification into viable areas of agriculture and solid minerals so as to save our economy from total dependence on oil.” According to him, all the efforts of government required the enabling peaceful environment which could not be achieved without the sustained prayers of all faith-based organisations of “which this church is one.”

L-R: President Xi Jinpeng of the People Republic of China with President Muhammadu Buhari at the inspection of Guard of Honour in China, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Reps summon AGF, IGP over Kogi Assembly GeorGe opara and UbonG UkponG WITH AGENCY REPORT

ouse of Representatives yesterday summoned Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to appear before it over his al-

leged role in the Kogi House of Assembly crisis. The minister’s invitation followed his alleged counter-reactions over the resolution of the House to seal off the crisis-ridden Kogi Assembly complex. Malami was alleged to have advised Inspector Gen-

Nigeria’s inflation hits 12.8%, highest in 4 years CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

dex, with the exception of the Restaurants and Hotels division, which increased, albeit at a slower pace for the second consecutive month. The latest report of the CPI, published by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday indicated that the Food index increased by 11.3 per cent, up by 0.71 per cent points from rates recorded in January. During the month, all major food groups which contribute to the Food sub-index increased at a faster pace with the exception of potatoes, yams and other tubers and sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionary group. The report further showed that imported food items as well as other necessary inputs to producing key local staples such as bread continue to drive the food

index higher. According to the report the food index increased by 11.3 per cent yearly with a 0.7 per cent points higher from rates recorded in January. The Bureau reported further that the highest price increases were recorded in the fish, vegetables and bread and cereals groups for the second consecutive month stating that on a monthly basis, the food sub-index increased by 1.4 per cent in February, 0.45 per cent points higher from rates recorded in January. Comparing price indices for the urban and rural areas of the country, NBS noted that in January, both indices recorded marked increases. It said while the urban index rose by 12.3 per cent yearly from 9.7 per cent recorded the month earlier, the rural index increased by 10.7 per cent

in February from 9.5 per cent in January. It added that on monthly basis, both the urban and rural indices increased at a faster pace. Urban index increased by 3.0 per cent in February from 0.9 per cent in January, while the rural index increased by 1.8 per cent from 0.9 per cent in January. The Bureau said: “Transportation costs, the planting season, and foreign exchange movements created significant upward pressures on the Food index in March. “The food index increased by 12.7 per cent, up by 1.4 per cent points from rates recorded in February as all major food groups which contribute to the Food subindex increased at a faster pace. “Similarly, imported items as well as other domestic stocks contin-

ued to have ripple effects across many divisions that contribute to the Core. The index increased by 12.2 per cent in March, roughly 1.1per cent points from rates recorded in February. “While exhibiting a slower increase in the on a month-on-month basis, the Headline Index still recorded a notable increase in March relative to rates recorded in previous years. “The index increased by 2.2 per cent, in March, marginally lower from 2.3 per cent recorded in February.” Financial Derivative Company Limited, FDC, one of Nigeria’s financial consulting and economic research companies, had projected last week that due to incessant uncertainty surrounding the foreign exchange market, consumer prices are expected to remain high

eral of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, to disregard House of Representatives resolution on the ground that there was no legal basis to seal off the Assembly. The decision to invite Malami followed a point of order moved by Nicholas Ossai (Delta-PDP), who

till April, while projecting an increase in inflation to 12.2 per cent in March. FDC monthly research report projected a likely significant increase of 0.7 per cent in the March inflation figure to 12.1 per cent, noting that the month of March is unique as the fuel scarcity intensified and higher transport costs filtered through to commodity prices such as beans, tomato and pepper. “While our initial time series analysis projected an increase of 0.4 per cent, the severity and longevity of the prevailing fuel scarcity has distorted price levels. “Our retail study showed that prices of many consumer goods have remained stubbornly high and in some cases increased in spite of consumer resistance,” the consultancy stated.

cited the Attorney General’s instruction to the IGP to reopen the assembly for proceedings. Ossai described the move as unwarranted and unlawful. In his contribution, Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, described the actions of the Attorney General as sad. He said that the resolution of the house to seal Kogi Assembly was based on Section 11 of the house’s rules. Pally Iriase, who led the chamber’s delegation to Kogi, said the matter was not in court when the house passed a resolution to take over legislative functions of the assembly as provided by the Constitution. Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, said sensitive matters like that should be treated with seriousness. On his part, Muhammadu Bago (Niger-APC) called for the Attorney General’s resignation, saying that he lacked the power to instruct the reopening of the assembly. The legislators, however, resolved to summon Malami to appear before their relevant committees. They also constituted a 22-member Ad hoc Committee headed by the majority leader to investigate the matter and report back in two weeks for further legislative attention.

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Senate ready to receive supplementary budget on Lagos-Calabar rail project ObiOra ifOh, GeOrGe Oji and UbOnG UkpOnG

enate yesterday said it was ready to receive and consider a supplementary budget from the President on the Lagos–Calabar rail project, as well as other omissions in the original budget. The Senate, however, reinstated its earlier position that the rail line project was not part of the contents of the 2016 budget appropriation bill sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that was why it did not allow its inclusion in the final document that was sent for his assent. It stated that before sending the supplementary budget to the National Assembly, the President must in line with section 81 of the constitution, first sign the 2016 budget act into law. Spokesman of the Senate, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, made these clarifications while briefing correspondents after plenary, the first by the lawmakers after their resumption from Easter break. Abdullahi explained that the Senate took the decision during the closed door session, which lasted about one hour yesterday. He said: “Now, one thing that is obvious is that yes, we have passed the budget, Nigerians are asking what next for us? What is important now is for the budget to be signed. “The constitution has taken note of this kind of scenario where you may have omissions or shortfalls of allocations and Section 81 of the constitution is very clear on what you need to do, which is to sign the budget and then submit a supplementary appropriation. “I want to assure you that the Senate is not unmindful of the cries of Nigerians that we said for example the Lagos-Calabar rail project was not in the budget does not in any way undermine the fact that it is a very, very important project for this nation to embark on. “So, the National Assembly, the Senate is open if the executive brings supplementary appropria-

tions with respect to this and any other issue that they feel very strongly about. “We are ready and willing to consider such but the most important point to note is that we want to remain guided by the provisions of the constitution.” The spokesman stated that having passed the budget, the National Assembly has a greater responsibility for the monitoring and oversight of the projects to ensure that they are effectively implemented by the Executive. He said: “Remember, that we have passed the budget has not ended our responsibility. We are going to move into the second phase of our responsibility having appropriated, which is oversight. “So we want to appeal to Nigerians that the Senate is committed to doing its work diligently, it’s committed to listening to the yearnings of Nigerians and to do what is right.” In a related development, South-East caucus of All Progressives Congress, APC, has appealed to the National Assembly to let the Lagos-Calabar rail project be as proposed by the Ministry of Transport in this year’s Appropriation Act. The party said its appeal was anchored on the truism of millions of employment opportunities and economic prosperity which the project would engender if implemented. Addressing a news conference yesterday in Abuja, APC spokesman for the South-East caucus, Osita Okechukwu, who described the project as “of urgent national importance” noted that the controversy over the project was uncalled for and an ill wind which blew no one good. He said: “We also understand that the Lagos-Calabar project is in the ChinaShopping-List of President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigeria’s infrastructural renewal. This being the case, what kind of message are those opposed to the project in the National Assembly sending to the Chinese government if they continue to bicker over mundane procedure? Is it sabotage? “Consequently, we ap-

L-R: Director-General, Oganiru Enugu State Investment Summit, Mr. Ike Chioke; Chairman, United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu; Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, during the 2016 Oganiru Enugu State Investment Summit in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN peal that the issue of procedure - that is, whether it was not presented or lately presented or early presented by Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the Minister of Transport, should be forthwith discarded in our collective national interest. “For us, the prevailing position is that the project has been publicly presented to the nation and by extension to the whole world. All indication is that there is a national consensus in support of the project.” According to Okechukwu, the Lagos-Calabar project and other employment generating and infra-

structural projects should be accommodated in the budget, since they can be financed via the Treasury Single Account, loans and recovered looted funds. Meanwhile, House of Representatives yesterday gave the indication that it would tackle the Executive at the implementation stage of the controversial budget. At the resumed plenary yesterday, Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, in his welcome address asked the lawmakers to get ready to thoroughly oversight the budget. “It is important to remind ourselves that as we anticipate the commence-

ment of the 2016 budget implementation, our resolve as enunciated in our Legislative Agenda requires of us that we speedily put in place a comprehensive programme to ensure the quality of oversight that speaks to the efficient and effective budget implementation we envisage in addressing the perennial poor budget implementation culture that has inflicted incalculable damage to our developmental aspirations,” he said. The Speaker pointed out that the reality that a beautifully crafted budget is meaningless in the face of poor implementation

could not be overstated. He also noted that pursuant to the Legislative Agenda, the House shall soon be commencing its programme of sectoral debates. The sectoral debates, he said, would lead to the crafting of new laws or amendment to existing ones or generate recommendations on how to address specific problem. Dogara said the House would designate specific legislative sitting days or weeks in its calendar, specifically for discussion on various problems facing the nation.

UNIPORT protest: Police begin investigation of student’s death

ivers Police Command said yesterday that it had commenced investigation on the death of a student of the University of Port Harcourt during Monday’s students’ protest. A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mobalaji Adesanya, disclosed this to newsmen after inspecting the scene of the protest at the university. He said the police did not kill any student, neither did it use fire arms on the students during the protest. “On the issue of fatality, for now, last night, there was a case of a body that was recovered but very far away from this area. “The corpse is currently at the mortuary ready for autopsy.

“The police did not use fire arms on the students and we did not shoot any student,” he said. Adesanya said policemen sent to the protest scene were given specific directives and did not enter the campus until 10.00 p.m. at the invitation of the vice chancellor. Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ndowa Lale, expressed regret at the death of the student. “On behalf of the Council, Senate and entire university community, we regret the loss of life and we sympathise with the family. “We regret what has happened and for the injured too,” he said. Lale said the protesting students damaged property of the institution and

looted some school and staff belongings. “In the circumstance we found ourselves, we had to shut down the school to maintain a certain degree of peace on campus. “We will continue to assess the situation and when we think that we have sufficient peace on campus, we will reopen the school,” he said. Meanwhile, stakeholders yesterday in Abuja expressed mixed reactions to the crisis that erupted at the university. In his reaction, Director of Information, National Universities Commission, NUC, Malam Ibrahim Yakasai, said media reports that the protest was against tuition fees were wrong. He said the commission

was waiting for the formal report of the vice-chancellor so as to ascertain what happened. “First, let me correct an impression as was being reported that students protested because of tuition fees; federal universities are tuition-free; so it was not tuition fees. “However, universities are allowed to charge some municipal fees and other charges that are not too much. “We heard about the crisis and we are waiting for the vice-chancellor to give us a report upon which we act or comment. “I am sure that the vicechancellor is working on the report to explain to us what happened; after that, we will act as appropriate,” he said.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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L-R: Lion past District Governor, District 404 A2, Mrs. Lami Ahmed decorating the Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Jones Afolabi, during her courtesy visit to NAN headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami; Minister of Communications, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Arc. Sonny Echon, during their appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications over MTN fine, at the National Assembly, in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Moderator of the event, Mr. Mark Eddo; Chief Executive Officer, London Stock Exchange, (LSE), Mr. Nikhil Rathi and Mr. Oscar Onyema of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) during NSE/ LSE Dual Listening conference in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Wakanow.Com, Mr. Obinna Ekezie, General Secretary, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Mr. Tunde Popoola and Marketing Consultant, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Mr. Taiwo Adekoya, at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) unveiling of Wakanow.Com as exclusive authorised ticket reseller for Rio Olympics 2016 in Lagos, yesterday.

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B’Haram used 40 children for suicide missions in 2015 –UNICEF •Army arrests 3 insurgent commanders, rescues 1,275 in Borno Marcus FatunMole AbujA

orty children were used for suicide missions in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon last year by the Boko Haram sect, the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, revealed yesterday. The figure showed a 10-fold increase in the number of children used in suicide attacks in the four countries the previous year. UNICEF said four children were used in the deadly mission in the four countries in 2014. A statement made available to National Mirror by Chief of Communication, UNICEF Nigeria, Doune Porter, stated that more than 75 per cent of children involved in the attacks were girls. UNICEF noted in a report titled ‘Beyond Chibok,’ that between January 2014 and February this year, Cameroon recorded the highest number of suicide attacks involving chil-

dren, 21; followed by Nigeria, 17; and Chad, two. The report came two years after the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok community, Borno State. UNICEF explained that over the past two years, one in five suicide bombers was a child and three quarters of the children were girls. The agency noted that in 2015, children were used in one out of two attacks in Cameroon, one out of eight in Chad, and one out of seven in Nigeria. The agency stressed that last year, for the first time, suicide bombing attacks in general spread beyond Nigeria’s borders, and that the frequency of all suicide bombings increased from 32 in 2014 to 151. In 2015, 89 of those attacks were carried out in Nigeria, 39 in Cameroon, 16 in Chad, and seven in Niger. In the report, UNICEF said nearly 1.3 million children had been displaced by insurgency; about 1,800 schools

closed – either damaged, looted, burned down or used as shelter by displaced people; while over 5,000 children were reported unaccompanied/ separated from their parents. UNICEF’s regional director for West and Central Africa, Manuel Fontaine, was quoted in the release as saying: “Let us be clear: these children are victims, not perpetrators,” adding that “deceiving children and forcing them to carry out deadly acts has been one of the most horrific aspects of the violence in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. “The calculated use of children who may have been coerced into carrying bombs, has created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion that has devastating consequences for girls who have survived captivity and sexual violence by Boko Haram in North East Nigeria. “Children who escaped from, or were released by

armed groups are often seen as potential security threats, as shown in recent research by UNICEF and International Alert. Children born as a result of sexual violence also encounter stigma and discrimination in their villages, host communities, and in camps for internally displaced persons.” The release added: “UNICEF is working with communities and families in Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger to fight stigma against survivors of sexual violence and to build a protective environment for former abductees. “Together with partners, UNICEF provides safe water and life-saving health services; helps to restore access to education by creating temporary learning spaces; and delivers therapeutic treatment to malnourished children. UNICEF also provides psychosocial support for children to help them cope with emotional distress.

“The response to this crisis remains severely underfunded. This year, only 11 per cent of the US$97 million needed for UNICEF’s humanitarian response has been received. UNICEF is calling for increased commitment from donors to support conflict-affected children and women in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.” Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said it has apprehended three suspected Boko Haram commanders and rescued 1,275 hostages after a joint clearance operation with Cameroonian troops along the Nigeria-Cameroon border in Borno State. Acting Director of Public Relations of Nigerian Army, Col. Sani Usman, said this in a statement issued to newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri. “Troops of 152 and 155 Task Force Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole in conjunction with troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, from Cameroon, conducted a massive joint clearance opera-

tion on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ camps on Monday along Nigeria-Cameroon borders. “The unprecedented clearance operation swept through over 10 suspected terrorists hideouts along the border,’’ Usman said. He said 22 suspected terrorists lost their lives during the operation. “Twenty two terrorists were killed, three Ameers (terrorists commanders) were arrested and 1,275 abducted persons were rescued,’’ Usman added. He named those apprehended as Malam Lawal Abba, Malam Hisna and Malam Gana Shatte. “During the operation, the troops cleared Nbaga, Bula, Dabube, Ybiri, Greya and Suduwa towns and other adjoining settlements. “The towns and settlements were occupied by fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who escaped from villages previously cleared by troops of the Nigerian Army.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Nigeria-China trade imbalance must reduce —Buhari …as trade volume hits $14.9bn rotImI FaDeyI AbujA

Protest by Citizens Task Force on Panama Paper Leak in Abuja, yesterday.

ROTIMI OSASONA

No record of transactions with Badeh, witness tells court Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing trial of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh (rtd.), Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau, yesterday told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that he kept no personal records to prove all the cash transaction made between him and Badeh. The witness, a former Director of Finance, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Yushau, who was cross examined by the defence counsel Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), however, told the court that the command finance officer whose duty it was to keep record has all the records of the amount of the dollar equivalent he handed to Badeh at his official residence on monthly basis and other transactions. The EFCC is prosecuting Badeh alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10 counts charge of money laundering bordering on alleged fraudulent removal of about N3.97bn from NAF’s account. The anti-graft agency accused Badeh of using the fund to buy and devel-

op landed assets in Abuja for himself and two sons between January and December 2013. Badeh served as the Chief of Air Staff before he was elevated to the position of the Chief of Defence Staff till he retired from the military last year. At the resumed hearing yesterday, the witness, Air Commodore Yushau (retired), told the court during cross examination that he cannot remember the exact amount of money he gave to Badeh during the course of their transaction. “I cannot remember the exact amount of dollar equivalent that I gave to Badeh in November 2012, and other cash transactions we had, because it was not my duty to keep records. “All the records of the cash transaction are there in the Nigerian Air force, NAF, Command Finance Account Office. My command finance officer wrote a statement at the EFCC and I am sure the records are there in his statement. He also maintained that the sum of N90miliion was used for the purpose of furnishing a property belonging to Mr. Alex Badeh Junior, but added that he did not include it in the statement he made at the EFCC. “The total sum of N90 million was used to pur-

chased and furnished a property belonging to Alex Badeh Junior. “I did not include this in my statement because I was responding to the EFCC agents based on their line of questioning. “The records of all these details I still maintain are with the Nigerian Air force, NAF, command, finance account” he said. When asked on how monies were disbursed to the command, he said he did not know how the budget was being processed. “Where allocations were made to all NSF formations, the money is disbursed to all the formation and my deputy finance officer was in charge of our allocation. “If there is any need for finance in our directorate, he writes to me and I approve where the approval is taken to the NAF headquarters camp in Abuja. “And after the expenditure is carried out, he makes his retirement to the office of the command, finance officer at NAF headquarters Abuja. “I was the accounting officer for the directorate that was why I approve for expenditure for the directorate”. The matter has been adjourned to April 19, 2016 for further cross examination and continuation of trial.

Badeh and his company were also accused of removing from the accounts of the NAF, and did use dollar equivalent of N650 million to purchase a commercial plot at plot 1386, Oda crescent Cadastral zone Ao7 Wuse ll Abuja. The offence, the EFCC said is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. The defendants were said to have between March 28 and December 2013, in Abuja did use an aggregate sum of N878,362,732.94 removed from NAF accounts and paid into account of Rytebuilders Technologies Limited with Zenith Bank Plc for construction of a shopping mall in plot 1386, Cadastral zone. It was equally alleged that the defendants removed the sum of N304million from the accounts of the NAF and paid it to Rytebuilders for the completion of the shopping mall and that he also use N260 million dollar equivalent removed from the NAF accounts and paid to one Oluwatoyin Oke through Platinum Universal Project and Construction to purchase for his son, Alex Badeh (jnr), a duplex at No 19 Kumasi crescent Wuse Abuja.

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Beijing called on the Nigerian and Chinese business communities to work harder to reduce the trade imbalance between both countries which is currently in China’s favour. A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke at the opening of a Nigeria-China Business/ Investment Forum Buhari said that trade and economic relations between both countries must be mutually-beneficial and conducted with reciprocated respect and trust. “Although the Nigerian and Chinese business communities have recorded tremendous successes in bilateral trade, there is a large trade imbalance in favour of China as Chinese exports represent some 80 per cent of the total bilateral trade volumes. This gap needs to be reduced. “Therefore, I would like to challenge the business communities in both countries to work together to reduce the trade imbalance. “You must also imbibe the spirit of having a mutually beneficial relationship in your business transactions. You must not see Nigeria as a consumer market alone, but as an investment destination where goods can be manufactured and consumed locally,” Buhari told the gathering. The president said that his administration was committed to supporting investors that were ready to establish manufacturing and processing facilities in Nigeria. “Last year during our meeting in New York, President Xi Jinping and I agreed to explore ways of practical cooperation in trade, investment, finance, human resources, agriculture and fishing. “We also agreed to strengthen industrial capacity cooperation in the manufacture of cars, household appliances, construction materials, textiles, food processing, and others. “This is in line with our government’s focus on import substitution through

the creation of a diversified and inclusive economy that will meet most of our consumption needs. “Already, our Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is working on projects and programmes that will correct the wrongs of the past and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria. “The ministry’s efforts will be complemented by investment tax incentive programmes, public sector reform initiatives as well as our zero tolerance stance on corruption. “We also have an aggressive, but realistic infrastructure development programme that forms the backbone of our economic diversification policy. We are embarking on major power, road, rail, seaport and airport development programmes that will enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing businesses in Nigeria. “The future is bright and I am very confident that our policies will make Nigeria the investment destination of your choice,” Buhari told the Chinese investors. The president also assured them that his administration was doing everything possible to address concerns about security in Nigeria. Buhari said that to consolidate on recent successes against Boko Haram, close to 20 per cent of the 2016-budgetted expenditure has been allocated to the Ministries of Defence and Interior and as well as other security agencies. “We are committed to protecting all lives and property within our borders. You can therefore be rest assured that your investments in Nigeria will be safe and secure,” he said. Business and trade relations between Nigeria and China have grown astronomically in the last decade with bilateral trade volumes rising from $2.8 billion in 2005 to $14.9 billion in 2015. Nigeria accounted for 8.3 per cent of the total trade volume between China and Africa and 42 per cent of the total trade volume between China and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, countries in 2015.

South West

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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NRC vows to `battle’ rooftop train riders

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Chief Executive Officer, First World Communities Limited, Gen. Olatunde Reis, rtd. and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL. Wasiu Anifowoshe during the Governor’s inspection of the site for relocation of Sawmillers in Agbowa, Ikosi, Ikorodu, yesterday.

N645m theft: EFCC arraigns ex-NIMASA DG, Haruna Jauro, others Wale igBintade

conomy and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned the former acting director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, and six others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged stealing and conversion of the agency’s money amounting to N645, 418,000. In two separate charges filed before the court, the anti-graft body accused the NIMASA officials, including former executive director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Ser-

vices of the agency, Obi Callistus Nwabueze, of conspiracy, illegal conversion and stealing. In the first charge numbered FHC/L/149C/16, consisting 19 counts, the commission accused Jauro, Dr. Dauda Bistrus Bawa and a limited liability company, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, of conspiring and converting N314,418,000, property of NIMASA to personal use. In the second charge numbered FHC/ L/148C/16, the EFCC arraigned Nwabueze, Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited before the same court on an eight-count charge of conspiring, converting

and stealing N331 million belonging to NIMASA. EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the trial judge, Justice Mojishola OlatoregunIshola, that the accused persons committed the offence between January 6, 2014 and May 30, 2015 in Lagos. He also maintained that the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 15(1) (3) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2012. However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lawyers appearing for the accused persons, Mohammed Chawar and Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), urged the court to admit their clients to bail since

they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Oyedepo did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to impose condition that would compel them to attend their trial. In her ruling, Justice Olatoregun-Ishola granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties in like sum. The judge also held that the sureties are to swear to an affidavit of means and produce three years’ tax clearance certificate, while the companies are to produce a N5 million bond. The matter has been adjourned till May 16 for the commencement of trial.

Sack of LAUTECH staff: Counsel’s absence stalls hearing Boladale BamigBola OSOGBO

bsence of counsel to Osun State government yesterday stalled continuation of the case instituted by a human rights lawyer against Governor Rauf Aregbesola over alleged plan to sack about 678 staff of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH. It would be recalled that an Ilesa-based human rights’ lawyer, Mr. Kanmi Ajibola had dragged the state government, Governor Aregbesola, and the governing board of LAUTECH before an Osogbo High Court over alleged plan

to sack some staffers of the hospital. However, when the case came up yesterday, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Ashir Abioye, informed the court that the respondents have not replied the processes served on them. He said the respondents have less than 24 hours to respond to the interlocutory injunction and that they have some days to respond to the summon notice. The plaintiff is also seeking a declaration of the court to restrain the state government, the governor and the hospital’s board from suspending or sacking the workers. Ajibola is also praying the

court for “a declaration that the composition of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital Management Board is not in compliance with the provision of the law and as such can’t lawfully implement any recommendation from the Osun State government to wit, sacking of 678 staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. “An order of the court restraining the defendants from acting on or implementing the recommendations contained in the White Paper on the report of the accounting firm of Messrs. Isaac Olumuyiwa Makinde & Co published in Osun State of Nigeria Gazette No. 1 Vol. 26,

dated January 14, 2016.” Owing to the absence of Aregbesola’s counsel, the state’s chief judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, reserved hearing on the matter till May 16, 2016.

cting managing director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, said strict measures would be taken to stop people who prefer to ride on the rooftop of trains. Okhiria said this during an interview with newsmen in Lagos yesterday. “Roof riding has been a major problem; we have been trying to use all measures to check it. “Do you know the irony of it all? Eighty per cent of those who stay on the roof have their tickets. “But there are other things they want to do; they want to interchange drugs, Indian hemp, and all those things. “I was a district manager in Lagos for four years; I have battled it. I was even pushed down from a train, one time, by them. “But, I will still battle it now by empowering the people to do what they are to do, to prevent roof riders and ensure we collect

our earnings.” On improving the NRC’s ticketing system, the acting director-general said efforts are being made to introduce a technology-driven ticketing system. “We are working on it seriously, and in the next one month we will have a new ticketing system. “Apart from the fact that the current ticketing system was handed down by the colonial masters, the ticketing cards will be exhausted within the year. “So, we must do something to fast-track and ensure that a new technology of ticketing is put in place.’’ He said the corporation’s management is committed to actualising Federal Government’s goal of achieving a positive change in the country’s rail sector. Okhiria, who said the sector is important to commerce, added that the corporation would rebrand its coaches and stations to attract commuters.

Kwara blames power outage, saboteurs for water shortage Wole adedeji ILORIN

wara State government yesterday blamed the low level of water supply to Ilorin metropolis on epileptic power supply. The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Rasaq Akorede, said the state would require at least 18 hours of constant power supply to its water works as against the current four supplies, to ensure adequate water supply in the state capital. He also blamed vandalism of its booster stations by people he described as

“saboteurs’’ for the inadequate water supply in the state. Akorede stated this during a ministerial press briefing at the state’s Ministry of Information and Communications. According to him, state government has so far committed over N5 billion out of the N6.5 billion proposed for water reticulation projects in the state. Akorede said the Asa Dam Water Works which has capacity to produce at least 25.5 million gallons of water daily at full capacity is currently producing at less than 15 per cent.

Lagos court remands tax official in prison for contempt

agistrate A. T. Omoyele of an Igbosere Court, Lagos Island, on Tuesday remanded a Lagos State tax officer, Tawo Ajulo, in Ikoyi prisons over contempt. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN correspondent covering the proceedings, reports that sureties in a case involving a man, who allegedly stole 61 units of air conditioner worth

N15 million had brought a complaint to the court that a tax officer asked for ``outrageous sum” before he could issue tax clearance to them. The sureties, one of who is Anabuike Emeka, told the court that the tax officer used a middleman to collect the N120,000 out of N200,000 which Ajulo initially demanded. The sureties said they

paid the money in cash, but the tax officer demanded that the whole amount be paid before tax clearance certificate would be issued them. However, Ajulo denied collecting any money from the sureties. One of the sureties showed the court his call log history, establishing that he had conversations with Ajulo.

South East

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ve been turned to bailout governors - Ugwuanyi By EmmaNuEl EzEh enugu

nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday declared the state’s Investment Summit open, lamenting that the present economic situation in the country had turned “us into bailout governors.” Also, from the summit came a charge from the Chairman, Heir Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, to governors of the South East geopolitical zone, to forge a partnership that will drive the regional economy of the zone. The 2-days Enugu State Investment summit christened Oganiru Enugu State (Progress of Enugu State),

holding at Micheal Okpara Square, with the theme, “Beyond Oil: Fostering Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainable Development, is aimed at attracting prospective investors to take over the operations of identified state owned companies and corporations through Privatization and Commercialization Council inaugurated by the governor. While delivering his keynote speech, Elumelu who is equally on the board of United Bank of Africa, UBA and Transcorp Hotel, said, “Enugu State is on the path of economic repositioning with the hosting of this summit. “There should be a col-

laboration from other sister states in the South East to establish a framework for regional partnership, which will position the region to undertake capital intensive projects that will affect the economy. “This summit is a means to an end. The end is the economic revolution of the state and beyond. With this summit, the state has place itself on the path of economic revolution. Issues that scare away prospective investors like multiple taxation, should be avoided like Kaduna State Government did,” Elumelu said. Meanwhile, in his

speech, Ugwuanyi, promised to put in place all necessary legislations and institutional frameworks, favourable tax regime and special incentives that would make it easier and more convenient for the operation of businesses in Enugu.” He declared that, “We are indeed telling the world that Enugu State is ripe and ready for business and that we are sure that a substantial exploitation of her potentials, would impact meaningfully on both the national and global economy. “It is our expectation

that the key outcomes from this summit would include opportunities for joint venture or outright acquisition through public-privatepartnership, privatisation and commercialisation of some state-owned enterprises. ‘’Indeed as I speak, over 17 potentially lucrative state owned companies and industries dealing in diverse areas of business and production, have already been listed for commercialisation or privatization,” he said. The governor added that the 17 potentially lucrative state owned companies

for privation and commercialisation includes; Adada Rice Production Nigeria Limited, Premier Cashes Limited, Hotel Presidential Limited, Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Ikenga Hotel Limited, Sunrise Flour Mills, Enugu Marketing Company. Others are Niger Gas Limited, Niger Steel Limited, Vanguard Construction/Furniture Company Limited, Aluminum Product Company Limited, Enugu Transport Company Limited, Enugu Vegetable Oil Production Limited, United Palm Product Limited, among others.

Lack of tracking machines hinders crime detection in Imo, Abia Chris Njoku Owerri

ack of tracking machines is hampering monitoring of kidnapping and other heinous criminal activities in Imo and Abia states, our investigation yesterday revealed. It was reliably gathered from police sources that inability of the two state governments to purchase the tracking devices designed to track down criminals is generating serious concern in police circle as several kidnapping and killings have been committed in the states undetected. A senior police officer who pleaded anonymity told National Mirror yesterday, that Imo and Abia states are the only two states in the South East that have failed to purchase the device which would have assisted the police in hunting down criminals. “Our investigation shows that in Anambra and Ebonyi states, criminals are finding it very difficult to operate because their governors have purchased the tracking machines to monitor crime movement which have reduced criminal activities particularly kidnapping in the two states and today, the criminals have relocated to Imo and Abia State,” he disclosed.

He said the rising crime rates in the two states is attributed largely to lack of these machines to help police track the movement of criminals both within and outside the crime scenes. “Tracking a suspect no longer requires an officer to spend months out on stake-outs or patrolling duties. The tracking systems always place a criminal or suspect within the long reach of the law as their driving and travel history can be recorded, stored, or viewed in real-time live,” he stated. Worried by this development Department of State Security, DSS, in its report on Monday said that there is high rate of kidnapping activities in the two states, a situation that had called for joint meeting of the Security Councils of the two states on Monday where both Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State agreed to monitor the activities of kidnappers in a bush that transcends the two states where two bodies of Igbo people and five others suspected to be northerners were discovered. Both governors said kidnapping has become a recurring occurrence in the area, assuring that they would do all they could, to nip it in the bud and rid the two states of criminals.

Abia state Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (fourth left, his Imo State counterpart Owelle Rochas Okorocha (thirdleft) among other Service Chiefs and Traditional Rulers addressing newsmen after a joint security council meeting of both states on kidnapping and other security challenges facing the two states at Government House, Umuahia, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Fuel scarcity: Bishop advocates repair of refineries aliuNa GodwiN AbAkAliki

ishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Abakaliki, Bishop Lawson Elom, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently tackle the problems facing the country especially the fuel crisis causing hardship on the people rather frequent traveling to oversee. Elom made this known while briefing journalists in Abakaliki shortly after the 22nd Annual Synod of the church held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Abakaliki with the theme “Chosen to Bear Fruit”, said the fight against corruption by President Buhari is commendable, but tasked him

to make the all encompassing. He said: “Nigerian leaders and the led are already too corrupt. We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating this fight against corruption just as other leaders that came before him did initiate, but later became corrupt also. Let no person or persons or group be a sacred cow or be made a scape goat. Elom tasked Buhari to implement his change agenda as enunciated in his party’s manifesto to Nigerians “It is therefore my earnest appeal to President Buhari to now begin to implement ‘His Change’ Positive Agenda. Nigerians have waited enough to see at least few of his change manifesto come into play.

We have heard enough about looting and how to recover the looted wealth by former government. And if those looted ones are already recovered, let Nigerians know or see how it has affected our economy positively. Otherwise, let the President face his new change agenda squarely” he noted. The cleric further decried the uncontrolled possession of AK 47 rifles by Fulani herdsmen which according to him leads to the killings of innocent people in the South East and South South geopolitical zones of the country. “It was reported that the Fulani herdsmen moves around with AK 47 rifles. The question is, why is it difficult for the security agencies to arrest these herdsmen involved

in the killings, charged and tried them for murder, rape and destruction of economic farmland, having often committed such crimes in many states of the federation. “Can our president rise up to these challenges facing the country before this evil begin to affect the socio-political and economic life of this country? Earlier, the Lay President of the church, Mr. Azubuike Onyebuchi, noted his preparedness to develop the church numerically and spiritually, but called on state governments and Federal Government to support the church of God just as he assured of continuous prayer to the government especially with the current hardship that is facing Nigerians.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

All your friends are looters, Oshiomhole tells Ize-Iyamu oaRhe dicksoN benin

do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, says he is proud of his circle of friends. This is as he challenged Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state to name his friends, some of whom he said were in the process of being convicted for looting the treasury. Ize-Iyamu, who was Secretary to Edo State Government during Governor Lucky Igbinedion’s administration, had in a statement said “with the touted rela-

tionship with (Aliko) Dangote, it is just a few months to the end of his tenure that he could attract him to lay foundation stone for cement factory in Edo State.” However in a response by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, the governor said: “I’m proud to associate myself with Dangote, and I’m proud to say my friendship with Dangote has yielded a $1 billion investment in the state in the form of a brand new Okpella Cement factory which will offer close to 50,000 direct and indirect jobs to people of the state. “My friendship with Dr. David Ladipo yielded another $1 billion Azura Power

Plant. My friendship with Captain Hosa Okunbo has yielded a $750 million Wells and Carlos Farms which is set to employ over 85,000 people. “I’m proud to say that under my stewardship as governor, investors now find Edo State very attractive and they are coming down here in droves. Already a Chinese Steel Company, Yongxing, is in full production and is already seeking ways to expand its operations; another Chinese Company, Time Ce-

ramics Limited, is also into full production and already into the second phase of expanding its operations. “These are my friends, those are my records which I am proud of. Now, there is a popular saying ‘show me your friend and I will tell you whom you are.’ Who are Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s friends?” Oshiomhole accused him on record that some of his best friends have been convicted of looting the state’s treasury. “What are Ize-Iyamu’s records as SSG

in Edo State? How many of his friends was he able to attract to invest in the state? None. Rather than bring in investors to the state, they siphoned the state money and established phony companies: Ehor Juice factory, Cassavita Company, AVA Cement factory all of which were designed to fail from the beginning and which they eventually sold to their cronies at give-away prices.” As to Ize-Iyamu’s comment that a PDP govern-

ment would commission Okpella Cement factory, the governor wondered “is the PDP still functional in Edo State? Is it not instructive that nobody finds the PDP attractive to jostle for that party’s gubernatorial ticket?” Oshiomhole disclosed that at the last count, APC had over 13 aspirants while PDP had just four. “That is reflective of the apathy, dissatisfaction and resentment the people have towards that drowning party,” he stated.

A’Ibom to implement IT development blueprint

kwa Ibom State Government has set in motion a machinery for the achievement of its development blue print. This was the focus of deliberation at a special Executive Council retreat, presided over by the State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel. Briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of the Special Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications Mr Aniekan Umana said that the council brainstormed on the creative utilization of the abundant economic potentials in the state for employment generation and wealth creation through aggressive Agricultural development and industrialisation for sustainable development. The Information boss said consultants from the National Transformation Institute and the MIRAI Group in Isreal delivered lectures on how to harness the creativity of Akwa ibom people towards the development of the state in furtherance of the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel in developing a viable Agricultural base as well as industrial and mental re-engineering of the people towards making the state a model in the development matrix of the Nation. According to the Information Commissioner, critical memos as it relates to various Ministries, Agencies and Departments were deliberated on and the coun-

cil also discussed on areas of harmonisation as well as service delivery by the Workforce and chat a course for the actualisation of the state’s blueprint. Also speaking the Commissioner for Economic Planning Dr. Emmanuel Owodiukut said that the strategic session was aimed at thinking out of the box for the state to take the right strategy in the implementation of the budget in view of the dwindling allocation of funds adding that the time has come to apply requisite know how to achieve the set target Mr Owodiukut identified a mental re orientation as essential factor that would enable the people partner the administration as stakeholders with confidence in their abilities. On his part the Commissioner for Rural Development and Utilize, Barrister Ekong Sampson said a range of options were also considered to strengthen the sensibilies of the citizens on how to protect available infrastructures in their domain for enhancement of expansion to other areas and listed the key infrastructure to include roads, electricity and water. The State Executive Council members congratulated Governor Emmanuel on the ingenuity he has brought into governance by reshaping the way things were done to suit international best practice and for drving a new focus for economic transformation of the state.

L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Gboribiogha John Jonah; Governor Seriake Dickson and Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, during a courtesy call at Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.

Calabar to enjoy 24-hour power supply soon —Ayade RichaRd Ndoma Calabar

ross River State governor, Ben Ayade, has said his administration’s policy thrust is to ensure 24-hour power supply in most parts of the state starting with Calabar, the state capital. The governor stated this while receiving the management team of Skipperseil of United Arab Emirate (UAE) who arrived the state to commence construction of a 100 megawatt solar farm. The governor had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Dubai-based energy firm to construct the solar farm. Ayade identified embedded power generation as key to achieving the target, adding, “It is the only way the state government can control

what it generates in order to provide the electricity needs of the big factories that are coming into the state. “Given the challenges we have in the country with power generation on the decline, (this project) is imperative as we cannot afford to bring in big factories into the state while waiting on the national solution. “So, with this robust project of generating an additional 100 megawatts and putting into the national grid, we have no control on how the national grid will distribute the 100 megawatts and that is why we are looking at an embedded generation system where within the shortest possible time, we will deploy a minimum of 38 megawatts to Calabar as a city. That way, we are guaranteeing a 24 hour power supply within the shortest possible time.”

Earlier, the Group President, Skipper T&D, a division of SkipperSeil group, Jitender Sachdeva, said the project is based on the MoU signed between the state and his firm during the governor’s recent visit to Dubai. Sachdeva, who was accompanied by the joint President and CFO, SkipperSeil limited, Praveen Gupta, disclosed that an advance team from the firm had already conducted studies in Ogoja, Ikom and other areas. He said transmission studies have been carried out, so power could be connected to the transmission network. He disclosed that the solar farm will be “the biggest organised solar farm in Nigeria.” Sachdeva said: “Our main aim is to support His Excellency in his endeavor to light

the whole of Cross River State in the shortest possible time. “All said and done, we should be providing approximately 40 megawatts in the next 365 days; 40 megawatts is a permanent solution. The temporary solution like the diesel-fired or gas-fired will be 38 megawatts which will give a standing support in the current situation where there is no power to support all the industries.”

Ayade

NEWS

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fire kills 600, guts N5trn properties in one year aDeOla tukuRu abuja

etween January 2015 and March 2016, no less than 600 lives and property valued at N5.30 trillion have been lost to fires in some Nigerian markets, the Commandant-General of Fed-

eral Fire Service, FFS, Anebi Joseph Garba, has revealed. Garba gave the revelation during a visit to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State at the Government House to commiserate with the government, people and traders’ association over the recent devastating fire incident

at Abubakar Rimi Sabon-Gari market. According to him, property valued at about N2 trillion had been lost in the Kano fire, which included the destruction of about 3,800 shops, and amounted to the loss of livelihood for 3,800 households of the affected bread winners and

owners of the affected shops. He added that this situation spelled an increase in security threat to our nation. He therefore called on all stakeholders to support government efforts driven by Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, towards finding solutions to the incessant

fire outbreaks in our markets. He stated that the Federal Fire Service is prepared to partner with the state governments and relevant stakeholders to stop the menace of uncontrolled fires in the market. Earlier, Governor Ganduje had commended the Controller-General, Federal Fire Service and his management team for creating time to visit the scene of the fire di-

saster in order to reappraise the situation and make necessary recommendations on the way forward to forestall future occurrence. He stressed that what was left, was to strengthen the Kano State Fire Service, build capacity, train and retrain its staff for optimal performance. He maintained that effective collaboration with stakeholders at the market and the Federal Fire Service will go along way into addressing the frequent fire outbreaks in markets.

Hook up to NgREN, FG orders tertiary institutions Regina OtOkpa

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who were part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation in the ongoing visit to China, before a meeting with Chinese officials, in China, on Monday.

NIESV wants agency set up to manage EFCC seizures Olufemi aDeOsun abuja

igerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, yesterday urged the federal government to establish a National Property Management Agency to manage all assets confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from corrupt individuals. The institution maintained that allowing the anti-graft body to manage the confiscated assets would not serve the interest of justice, saying such assets could also be re-looted. President of NIESV, Olorogun Omeru, made the appeal in Abuja while addressing journalists on the institution’s 46th annual national conference. The conference, which is expected to reflect on the state of cities in Nigeria, is scheduled to be declared opened by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. He maintained that estate valuers should also be involved in the process of declaration of assets by public officials before the

Code of Conduct, stressing that the non-valuation of the assets usually led to anticipatory declaration or undervaluing the assets being declared. Omari chided the federal government for leaving the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, in the hands of engineers who, according to him, were not trained to maintain but to design and construct. This, he said, accounted for why many federal roads in the country had been poorly maintained by FERMA, adding that most of the potholes on the roads were allowed to become gullies by FERMA officials because they did not understand the principle behind maintenance. He said: “FERMA has been left in the hands of engineers who were not trained to maintain, that is why potholes on the roads grow into gullies. They wait for potholes to become big to award contract. “Estate surveyors are trained to maintain. We know what it means to have good roads and what it is to degenerate. We

are saying that you have been using engineers for this work and you are not achieving result; try some other professionals in the building industry. “We are saying that we

will be quite alive to facility maintenance of our road. If we must move ahead in the maintenance of our infrastructure, estate surveyors are the right people to handle FERMA.”

ederal Government yesterday directed all tertiary institutions, including universities and polytechnics, to move their connectivity and services need to the Nigerian Education Research Network, NgREN. The Minister of state for Education, Prof Anthony Anwukah, at the opening ceremony of the EBISCO workshop on electronic content, said government frowns at the penchant of varsities to independently pay for bandwidth and electronic journals subscription when those services were available on the NgREN platform. Representing the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, he noted that the directive was part of steps towards imbibing fiscal responsibility, enhance quality of academic activities and attainment of national goals.

He said: “A situation whereby institutions collect money from government and individually incur higher costs when a cheaper alternative is available through consortium and economies of scale would not be condoned.’’ Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, recalled that with the active support of open support initiative and Nigerian universities open access, EBISCO resources was established with the active backing of TETFUND. Okojie maintained that the workshop was organised to provide firsthand training and sensitisation on access and use of the EBISCO e-book Academic collection as a key information resource meant to support the universities’ drive for excellence and pushing forward their academic frontiers.

Police kill 13 kidnap suspects, arrest 34 in Rivers Dennis naku

Port Harcourt

o fewer than 34 persons suspected to be involved in kidnapping have been arrested by the Rivers State Police Command. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ahmad Muhammad, disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen at the Command’s headquarters along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt. The kidnap suspects were among 146 hoodlums arrested in different parts of the state between February till date, even as they were allegedly involved in various criminal activities in the state. Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP who briefed journalists on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo, stated that several raids were car-

ried out by the Command on suspected criminals’ hideout across the state, leading to the arrest of the 146 hoodlums. He noted that the period under review was “very busy and stormy, especially during the national and state Assemblies rerun elections in the state.” He said: “Within this period, 17 kidnap victims were rescued by the Command; while 13 suspects were killed during gun duel with security operatives. “Also, 52 robbery suspects were nabbed; 17 were gunned down, while police foiled 18 robbery operations across the state. Similarly, 60 cultists were arrested, while eight were killed.” He further disclosed that during the raids, offensive weapons and other criminating items were recovered from them, including 82 guns of different kinds, over 600

ammunition and 10 vehicles were recovered. Among the suspects paraded was a notorious cripple who was arrested at

the weekend by policemen during their raid in Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

NLNG pays N10trn to FG, JV, shareholders

anaging Director, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Mr Babs Omotowa, says the company has paid $55bn (about N10.8trn) to the Federal Government, Joint Venture and other stakeholders since 2007. Omotowa disclosed this at its public presentation of 2016 Facts and Figures to newsmen in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NLNG was established in 2007. He said that payments made to JV feeder gas suppliers from inception till date stood at $23 billion, of which 55 to 60 per

cent of this amount was payable to the Federal Government via its shareholding. The managing director said the company’s assets currently stood at about $15 billion (N2.9 trillion). He said the company also over the years paid dividends of almost $32 billion, out of which 49 per cent went to the Federal Government, courtesy of its shareholding in the company, again via NNPC. Omotowa said that the company was contributing to national wealth and economic well-being of states in which it operates by paying all applicable taxes and tariffs.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Osoba remains APC leader in Ogun —Buraimo

Tribunal fixes April 19 for hearing of APC petition in Gombe Williams attah Gombe

he National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Gombe has set April 19 and 20 for hearing in a Petition filled by Alhaji Hamma Adama Ali of the All Progressive Congress, APC against Alhaji Ismaila Muazu Hassan of the PDP, winner of the rerun election into the Akko Federal Constituency held on 29th January, 2016. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Tribunal under the Chairmanship of Justice Saidu Mohammad Sifawa and Justices Har-

rison Ibironke and Salihu Mohammed Sani as members, counsels were urged to uphold professionalism and abide by principles of court proceedings as it promises to uphold the principles of Justice. Election into the Akko Federal Constituency during the 2015 general elections which the APC candidate, Alhaji Umaru Barambu was declared winner was later challenged by the PDP and its candidate, Alhaji Ismaila Muazu Hassan. The election was nullified on the basis that the APC candidate, Alhaji

Umaru Barambu, was not qualified to have contested for the election and a fresh election ordered. Counsel to the APC and its candidate in the fresh Petition, Mr Ayokunle Ogunleye stated in an interview with journalists that their petition was on the grounds that, the APC was denied the right to par-

ticipate in the fresh election as ordered by the Appeal Court Yola. He said, the APC and its candidate were not allowed to participate in the fresh election conducted early this year by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. On his part, Counsel to the PDP, Mr. Zubair Umar

stated that they were ready to defend the election on the basis of justice. According to him, the APC and its candidate were lawfully excluded from the fresh election and that they were responding to the effect that claims by the APC are not the position of the law. Earlier, Counsel to Alhaji

Ismaila Muaszu Hassan, Mr. Hebert Nwoye Esq, filed an application before the Tribunal calling for the dismissal of the petition, alleging that there is a pending matter before the Supreme Court relating to the same election. He said such petition would be seen as an abuse of court process.

We ‘ll meet anti-Saraki’s protesters with absolute resistance —Baraje Wole adedej IlorIn

upporters of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki in Kwara State may be up for a showdown with the sponsors of alleged planned protests against his non- resignation as the Senate President in selected states of the country. Media aide to Saraki, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu had last weekend in a statement raised an alarm that some big fish in the political circle especially in the All Progressives Congress, APC were planning to sponsor processions in some states to demand for the senate president’s resignation in view of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin over the matter, a national chieftain of the APC and former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje threatened that in the event that the proposed protest is done, it would be met with absolute resistance. According to him, the same people had sever-

ally in the past, sponsored media speculations that fellow senators had abandoned Saraki prevailing on him (Saraki) to step down. Baraje therefore said APC members in Kwara who are ardent followers of Saraki are prepared to meet fire for fire to counter such protest. His words; “if they try it, we will resist them and it will be a mother of all protests. The Senate president has followers and they will see it. Saraki is not naked, he is clothed and we are the clothes. They will see that Saraki has followers across Nigeria. It will be the mother of all protests. They should please not try it”. The former PDP Chairman did not rule out the possibility of leaving the APC if those he accused of fanning the embers of problems would not relent. However, Baraje said the time to possibly call it quits in the APC is not yet ripe saying he and others are still staying back to keep drumming it to the ears of leaders and other stakeholders to stem the seeming tides mounting up within the party.

L-R: Prof. Akin Onigbinde; former Lagos State PDP Governorship candidate, Jimmy Agbaje; celebrant/ former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; a guest and Senator Oloruninmbe Mamora, during the 60th birthday ceremony of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Nosa akeNzua AsAbA

resh protest of alleged leadership imposition on Tuesday unsettled the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Delta State when members of the party from Sapele Local Government Area stormed the party’s Secretariat in Asaba. The protesters, led by Mr. Ejaife Odebala were armed with placards: “We hate impositions, PDP congress must be free and fair, it will be set back if we go back to imposition”. But the State party chairman, Mr. Edwin Uzor while addressing them, however thanked the protesters for conducting themselves in peaceful manners during the protest and assured them that their grievances

Protest rocks Delta PDP over alleged leadership imposition would be looked into to ensure unity of purpose in the affairs of the party. Uzor explained that PDP in the state had learnt from mistakes that robbed it of victory in the 2015 presidential election and had resolved to adopt practical steps that would promote internal democracy as against the imposition of candidates in the forthcoming congress. Mr. Odebala who spoke to our correspondent accused the Speaker of the State House of Assemble, Mr. Monday Igbuya of working against the interest of other stakeholders, ahead of the forthcoming congress of the

party especially in Sapele where he hails from. While insisting that the crisis within the party in Sapele was allegedly fueled by the speaker, the leader of the protesters said: “The speaker is the headache we have in Sapele, we are tied of his undue interferences”. Meanwhile, the ad-hoc committee set up by the state leadership of the PDP to reconcile aggrieved members of the party has submitted its interim report to the state chairman of the party, Edwin Uzor. Submitting the report, the ad-hoc Committee Chairman and former

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Benjamin Elue said the committee was able to identify the problems militating against the party and would move to proffer solutions to them in the next phase of its assignment. Elue assured the state leadership of the party that all would be well with the party at the end of the reconciliation process. Receiving the report, the state PDP chairman thanked the committee for a job well done, promising that the report would carefully be studied for possible implementation to move PDP in the state forward.

Politics

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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Osoba remains APC leader

Hon. Bukola Buraimo represented Remo Federal Constituency of Ogun State in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. In this interview with FEMI OYEWESO, he speaks on the return of Chief Olusegun Osoba to the All Progressives Congress, APC as well as the succession battle in Ogun state among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

fully ejected and dispatched to the streets. There has been a precedent in the state as to how a governor behaved in the manner anyone there now may be behaving and we all know how that governor ended. Chief Osoba going back to APC is a welcome idea. I am a member of APC. I registered as an APC member and I also financed the registration of party members locally in my constituency. For me, returning to APC is not like somebody joining the APC. It is an APC man going back to his party.

When Osoba re-joins APC, don’t you know there will be renewal of clashes between him and Governor Amosun over who takes over from Amosun in 2019. There won’t be any clash of interests. The governor knows, and he has said it before, that Chief Osoba is the leader of the party in the state. If truly he believes in what he has said, he should take his position and allow the leader take his rightful place. And if he doesn’t mean what he has said, then, like I said earlier, the Agatu will have to give way to the real owner of the property or get pushed out. So, either way, APC will be APC or whoever wants to lead the party will lead it, while whoever wants to be pushed out will be pushed out. I don’t want to pre-empt Amosun or Chief Osoba as to if either of them has anybody in mind as the next governor. But by the word of the governor, he should cede the leadership of the party to Chief Osoba automatically. God has given Amosun eight good years. Why would he attempt to be a God by trying to put someone in? Whoever contends with God will fail. I can take a bet on that. After his eight years, Amosun should go to the mosque where he worships and thanks his God for those eight years instead of dreaming about putting a successor in place. If he brings a successor, the leaders will remain the leaders.

It has been a year since you lost your re-election bid into the House of Representatives . How has it been since then? I am actually very grateful. Of course it is painful to lose an election, but after taking a deep look into it, I have to give praise God. Here I am today, a year after the election’s loss, I am wonderfully okay and I thank God everyday. I am looking forward to God for what He will do for me in 2019. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of Remo for four years and I am still looking for another opportunity to serve them more. You are in the camp of former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and you did join the Social Democratic Party, SDP with him. When you were moving to SDP from APC, were you confident of victory? Yes, of course. First, I will like to clarify that Chief Osoba did not persuade anybody to go to SDP with him. We joined him in the party on our own volition. Those of us who represented Ogun State at the National Assembly in the Seventh Assembly and moved to SDP are likeminded people. I, for one, was convinced that SDP was the right way to go because in APC then, I would not brook being led by the devil. So, I went with the light. And you might say the light did not lead us to victory, but I tell you victory is not necessarily at the polls. Victory is about life. We are victorious because today, we are all alive. Today, we are even better than many people who contested election with us, be it winners or losers. I didn’t regret going to SDP and collectively, we never regret taking that decision. I will do it again if the same scenario plays out. Chief Osoba is back in APC, leaders including Senator Bola Tinubu beckoned on him to come back to the party. Is it in his interest to go back to APC with the structure firmly under the control of Governor Ibikunle Amosun? Let me give you a narrative. You have a father who is building a house and he has almost completed the house, then comes a call for him to go overseas and he will have to leave the house for the trip. When he leaves the house, all manner of people from different parts of the country, people will can call the Agatu, occupy the almost completed house. They will occupy the house for as long as the owner of the house is not around. But these

Buraimo

The real owner of ogun aPC is Chief osoba and he is going There soon. You will reCall ThaT Chief osoba was ParT of The CommiTTee ThaT formed aPC ConsTiTuTion. he is Coming baCk To his ParTY. he is Coming baCk To Take his righTful PosiTion as The leader of The ParTY. people remain Agatu and not the owners of the house. When the owner of the house finishes his business overseas and he is coming back home, the Agatu will either leave peacefully or resist the comeback of the owner. In most cases, when they resist, they get pushed out and where they agree to leave peacefully, the owner find them a space in the neighborhood to co-exist. So, this is what is going to happen as far

as APC in Ogun State is concerned. The real owner of Ogun APC is Chief Osoba and he is going there soon. You will recall that Chief Osoba was part of the committee that formed APC constitution. He is coming back to his party. He is coming back to take his rightful position as the leader of the party. So, if the Agatu there are ready to co-exist with him, they will be given some positions. If they want to resist, they will find themselves force-

Where, in your own opinion, do you think the next governor should come from between Ogun East and Ogun West where contestants are already showing interest? When you talk of succession planning, you are saying that someone already has someone he is grooming to take over from him. That is not what is happening in the state at the moment. It is a free society. Absolutely anybody who meets the requirements stipulated in the constitution for governorship post can be governor in 2019. But if we look at which region should be producing the governor, the YewaAwori people can lay claim to the fact that they have not got a shot at the governorship of the state. And they will definitely come out to present one of their sons to be the next governor. It is a choice. The Ijebu and Remo people of Ogun East can say if the thing is usually rotated between Egba, Yewa-Awori people as a region and Ijebu and Remo as another region. Every region has a valid opinion. It is in the hand of God who becomes the next governor of Ogun State. I can only pray that God should lead us to choose the right person for the state. No particularly region, except mathematically Ogun Central, where the current governor is from, that will not likely be featuring a candidate. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

in Ogun —Buraimo

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

What is your assessment of Amosun in the last 10 months? So far, there haven’t been any new projects. He has said he is not planning any new project but to complete the ones that are yet to be completed. I wish to tell him to go ahead and do the best he can for the state and its people. It is whatever he does that will leave after him. He will live long to see and hear what people will say after him. People are even saying it already. It is just a matter of time. I don’t want to judge him. In Remo as a whole, we have seen a bridge, even if no vehicles ply the bridge, maybe people will be walking on the bridge and be displaying their wares on it. Honestly, there are many governors in Nigeria today who ought not to be more than local government councilors. But unfortunately, they are governors and we just have to live with this. What do you make of the LCDAs announced by the government? I don’t believe it. I believe it is a political move. Politicians always look for a way to fool the people. He wants to create the LCDAs because he knows people love power and positions; they love to be called executive secretaries, chairmen and so on. But these people are not likely to get a single penny to fund the new creations, especially when the existing 20 local government councils have been grounded financially. They don’t get their monthly allocations. The reason behind it is to create many positions for people to occupy and consequently create an army of loyalists for 2019 elections. This is obvious. If you seek from men, men will give you what they can give you. But if you seek from God, He will give unto you what He can give unto you. I want to see if, come 2019, this idea will be able to give to Amosun what he is scheming for. What is going on in the state now is disastrous. The workers went on strike, people are complaining very bitterly and there is nobody to help them. Amosun says the state IGR is N7billion, if that is true, why does he wait for the monthly federal allocation? If that is true, he ought not to owe any worker. He shouldn’t be deducting from workers’ salaries and not remitting same if truly the state IGR is N7 billion he claimed it is. There should not be any outstanding project with such a huge IGR? When another person becomes governor, he will have to scrutinize all these claims about IGR and the worth of the bridges we see all over the place.

Abiodun nejo Ado Ekiti

eoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Falegan, has stressed the need for Nigerian leaders irrespective of their different political inclinations to make the masses the centre- piece of their agenda. Falegan said sparing thought for the wellbeing of people would always ensure uninterrupted peace and sustainable development of the country. The PDP chieftain who spoke through a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti from the United Kingdom, UK, lamented the hardship Nigerians had been passing through recently to get fuel by queuing up for long hours at filling stations and buying petroleum at cutthroat prices. Falegan appealed to Nige-

Buraimo Out of office, we will continue to do what we can do for them. If the state House of Assembly members approve the LCDAs, they will have to stand by their decision and explain to the people why they did it. The idea is more political than for development. The existing councils aren’t being funded. So, will he get the money to fund the LCDAs? It makes absolutely no sense. What Amosun is planning to do with this is to set up a kangaroo local government election soon and install executive secretaries or chairmen at the LCDAs and the councils. So that a lot of people will contest as chairmen and by the time they become the chairmen, they will have power to primarily serve one person-that is the governor. But it is just a matter of time, the bubble will burst. What is your next move politically? I don’t sit down and plan what I want to become. I wait on God to make me what He wants me to do. I pray to Him to give me the grace to live up to 2019 and He will direct me on what to do then. I will love to contest again and God-willing, I will become something in 2019.

Politics

Do you feel Nigerians made a mistake electing Muhammadu Buhari as president, given the current situation in the country? Nigerians were 100 per cent right to have voted Buhari as president. This is because with everything that has been unveiling now and which I believe are true, we should be grateful to God for leading Nigerians to vote for Buhari. We should look into the level of atrocities that have been committed by the PDP government in the last 16 years. The whole country would have gone completely bankrupt now if Dr Goodluck Jonathan had been allowed to continue as president. It would have been probably N1million to a dollar. It is unbelievable what some individuals in the PDP have done to the economy of this country by way of taking raw cash from the NNPC and the CBN. We are just looking into the Dasukigate which is just about $2.1 billion. Nobody is talking about what happened in the NNPC, MDAs and other areas. That tells you there is a serious level of decay in the country and that corruption has eaten so deep into our system that it will take a successive good government like Buhari’s to go for the next 16 to 20 years before we can say we will be out of it completely. PMB is doing his best as far as trying to recover the loot is concerned. But he needs to focus on punishing those who bankrupted the country. Of course, he can’t take his eyes off the issue of economy. He should try as much as possible to delegate authority. He should leave some segment of the economy to the vice president to do. While he focuses on the anti-corruption fight, the VP can focus on the economy. Meanwhile, the president will still have the final say. With his age, I don’t think Buhari can really do the turn-around that our economy deserves. But I still believe in his ability to run the country. But the popularity of the APC is going down because of the suffering Nigerians are daily subjected to….(cuts in) When things are going to get better, they have to be as they are in the country at the moment. The current situation is a sign that things are going to be better. It is because Nigerians were used to the old order under the PDP. We all agreed that things must change and which was why we voted for change. Nigerians should be patient with Buhari. Sometimes, when someone is doing the right thing, his idea may not be popular on the streets. But by the time the fruits of his idea begin to show, everybody will identify with success.

PDP Chieftain tasks leaders on masses’ plight rians to be patient with and provide support for President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the country. He said: “The rots in Nigeria cannot be cleared by the President alone hence the need for all hands to be on deck to correct the wrongs in the land for the benefit of this generation and unborn ones”. He described the lingering fuel crisis and other economic challenges facing Nigeria as a detrimental and appalling trend for the masses to cope with, saying: “The persistent fuel scarcity in Nigeria is nothing but a national disgrace which must be handled with urgent attention in order to alleviate sufferings of the masses”. Falegan described the latest fuel scarcity as wickedness against the masses by

the petrol marketers, lamented that it was unfortunate that, some government agencies were not doing enough to arrest the situation on time. He called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, direct all neces-

sary machinery in the oil sector to work round the clock and alleviate the sufferings of the electorate in this regard. “Recently the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC was unbundled

into seven units and Nigerians thought the development was to bring about a desired sanitisation into the system in order to make the sector more effective and active. But the reverse is the case with what Nigerians are going

through on fuel supply now. “The latest scenario must not be allowed to continue unchecked or uncorrected because Nigerians cannot cope with the current hardship over the fuel scarcity,” Falegan stated.

ARG calls on NASS to include Lagos-Calabar rail in 2016 budget RobeRt Awokuse

fenifere Renewal Group, ARG, a panYoruba socio- political group has called on the National Assembly to ensure the inclusion of the Lagos-Calabar rail project in the 2016 budget. This came on the heels of the recent alleged altercation on the budget by the federal lawmakers, a development which was noted

by member of the Federal Executive Council, FEC. This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Group’s Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo. Famoriyo, according to the statement, noted that with the rail in place, commercial activities would be improved hence foster a better economy as the project would be crucial for oil and gas distribution that is currently being frustrated

by vandals. He said: “What matters and should matter most is the importance of this project to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. Such project will be crucial for crude oil and gas distribution that is currently being frustrated by vandals and also open up economic routes that will be very important for the West African sub-region.” Famoriyo recalled that in the past administra-

tions, the Kano-Lagos rail project would have been completed by now but for what he termed similar “shenanigan between the Obasanjo and Yar’Adua administrations,” the project has since suffered setback. He said “this recurring non-chalant attitude and egoistical shows constitute lack of respect by our political leaders for the dignity and wellbeing of Nigerians who they purportedly represent.”

Mail Mirror

Politics

From The Senate with

George OJI

o far, this current 8th senate seems to have surprised many Nigerians. Compared to the ones before it, the current senate has been operating in some unusual kind of manners that would have been considered very strange were it during the tenure of any of the past senates. For instance, while the Senate President, Bukola Saraki is currently undergoing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged false assets declarations and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, his colleagues have continued to demonstrate unusual solidarity and support for him as the lawmakers have surprisingly been going about their businesses, pretending that all is well. In fact, the senators have not stopped at that, they are threatening that nothing untoward must happen to their leader. For those who are versed with the operations of the past senates, this development is quite strange. In the time past, once a presiding officer is accused of any form of wrong doing, particularly financial malfeasance, the senators would insist that the person gave way from office to answer his charges first, and in the process never returned. This was the case with the late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, the late Evans Enwerem and the former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara. National Assembly watchers believe that there are at least, twin factors that are working in the favour of Saraki presently. Firstly, is the narrow gap existing between the majority senators and their Minority counterparts. At the moment the APC senators are only about five senators more than the PDP. This why for instance the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP senators can come out to threaten that once Saraki is taken out, the PDP would take over the leadership of the senate. Second, is the fact that the PDP has one of their own as one of the presiding officers of the senate in the person of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President. The calculation is that once Saraki is successfully taken out, it will automatically affect Ekweremadu. So, for the PDP senators, their interest is better protected with Saraki as the Senate President. The third reason that Saraki has been able to hang on to power and enjoyed tremendous support from his colleagues according to National Assembly watchers is because of his unbridled generosity and liberality. Right now, it is not certain how long Saraki will continue to hold on to power, especially with the overwhelming evidence of corruption already marshaled out by the EFCC against him since the commencement of his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Even as his supporters continue to line behind him and pledge solidarity, there are already moves to find a replacement for the Senate President. It was gathered that one of the strategies to provide soft landing for Saraki is to allow him play a very significant role in the choice of who succeeds him. In doing that, one factor that is being considered seriously aside from the issue of zoning is somebody who has a relatively clean record on the issue of corruption. It is argued that if Saraki is taken out on the basis of corruption, then, the senate must ensure that whoever replaces him should be somebody who would not face the same challenge in office.

The unending confusions over 2016 budget It appears that the controversies surrounding the 2016 budget appropriation will take a long while to abet. Right from the very first day on December 22, when President Muhammadu Buhari laid the document before a joint session of the National Assembly, it has been one trouble after another. First, before the lawmakers could resume from their Christmas and New Year holidays in January this year, there were already allegations that the budget had been stolen by unknown persons. It was after series of investigations that it was revealed that it was actually the Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang that was responsible for the surreptitious removal of the budget from the National Assembly in order to illegally effect some insertions in the budget, as well as effects other

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CCT: Saraki’s trial unifies the Senate

Saraki

Ekweremadu

Right now, it is not ceRtain how long saRaki will continue to hold on to poweR, especially with the oveRwhelming evidence of coRRuption alReady maRshaled out by the

efcc against him since the commencement of his tRial

code of conduct tRibunal.

befoRe the

changes in the figures submitted by the President. It was the Senate President, Saraki who himself spilt the bean when he told Nigerians that, “Our finding is that Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the National Assembly Matters (Senate) printed copies of the 2016 appropriation bill and brought to the senate,” Saraki revealed. The issue of who meddled with the budget created so much tension and generated serious political fractions between the executive and the parliament that when it was finally discovered that it was the executive that engineered the removal, the senate in particular wasted no time in letting the whole world know the truth, and this rested the blackmail by the executive that it was the legislators who were playing politics with the budget. Just when the issue of the missing budget was about to end and the budget defense of the allocations to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) commenced that discoveries of padding, insertions and other forms of manipulations took over all major media spaces. For instance, the health minister was reported to have openly dissociated himself with the budget of his ministry as being different from what he approved. Aside from the accusations of padding of the budget, there were also reported cases where the budgets of 2015 were simply repeated in the 2016 budget without any single alterations. The manipulations were so

widespread that Nigerians began to call for the withdrawal and representation of a more credible budget. The alterations compelled the National Assembly not to keep faith on a number of occasions with the series of dates it had promised that it would pass the bill. Again, the executive did not waste time to use the delays in the passage of the bill to its own advantage as it used the media to market the propaganda that the lawmakers, not the executive was responsible for the delay of the passage of the budget. When the National Assembly finally passed the budget and communicated it to the President for his assent, Buhari wasted no time in pointing out that the document that was sent to him was incomplete because it did not contain the details of all the figures approved by the lawmakers and thus, he was not going to append his signature to the bill. It took another round of media blackmail and vilifications before the National Assembly last week, transmitted the details of the budget to the President. At a time many Nigerians thought that the issue of the budget had been finally rested and that the President was going to append his signature to the document, Buhari again, raised another round of issues and observations with the budget, which made him to put a hold on his assent of the bill. Buhari who jetted out of the country at the weekend to the People’s Republic of China to negotiate some loans for the country, made it clear that unless the anomalies were rectified, he was not going to sign the budget. The recent controversy with the budget has to do with insertion of some projects that were not originally contained in the budget, which was forwarded to the National Assembly by the President. What is most worrisome to many Nigerians in the whole controversies around the current budget is the approach by the two arms of the executive and parliament have had to politicize the issues involved. This is not the first time that differences have arisen on the national budget. While in the past the executive and the legislators had quietly resolved the differences with the budget, this time around, the two arms of Government seem to have thrown all caution to the winds and chosen to embarrass themselves before the public.

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South West

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Fayemi’s ex-security aide alleges threat to life, petitions police a biOdun n ejO ADO EKITI

It also declared as an offence the kidnapping of anyone in such a manner as to prevent the victim from disclosing to any other person where he is being kept in a way to prevent access to him with or without payment of a ransom for his release. While signing the bill into law at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Ajimobi lauded the lawmakers for its accelerated passage, stating that it would help in curbing crime and criminal activities in the state. He vowed to enforce the law to the letter, warning kidnappers to steer clear of the state in their interest.

olonel Joseph Oluwayose (rtd), the former Special Adviser on Security to former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has alleged threat to his life by the Special Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose on Traffic and Environment, Ariyo Afolabi. Oluwayose, who is Fayose’s cousin, raised the alarm in a petition to the Commissioner of Police, James Etop, and copied to the State Director of the Department of Security Services, DSS, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and State Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC. According to a statement by APC State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who urged the police and DSS to investigate Afolabi over the threat, Oluwayose alleged that Afolabi called him in the presence of his wife to threaten him at about 7pm on Monday. The former military officer had alleged: “He (Ariyo) issued a threat to me to the effect that ‘I will ensure that I kill you and your wife if you continue to make negative comments on the government of Governor Fayose.’ “It is imperative to make this official report as a Senior Military Officer who knows the security risk Mr

on the market immediately. The governor expressed optimism that the relocation of the market, following a deadly clash between the Hausa and Yoruba people in the market, will drive commerce and investment in Imota area, urging residents to gear up to receive the vast number of visitors that would visit the market. He also assured residents that the state government will consider expanding the road network around the market and connecting the Ikorodu and Epe area, saying the relocation of the Mile 12 Market

as well as Oko Baba Sawmill Market to the axis will have multiplier effect on Lagos economy. Ambode, who also visited the Imota Rice Processing Factory in Ikorodu Division, assured that the facility will be overhauled and be up and running within the next six months. He said his administration’s intent is to upgrade the facility to a standard that will achieve a 10,000-metric tonne per hour production of rice and also invite private investors to complement the intervention with an addi-

L-R: Overseer, CAC Baba Ibiye Ede, Prophet Funso Akande; Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Dr Francis WaleOke and Chaplain, Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, during Advanced Ministers Seminar in Ibadan yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kidnapping to attract death sentence in Oyo Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

idnapping has become a very serious offence in Oyo State, and attracts maximum punishment of death sentence in the event of the death of a kidnap victim while in captivity of the abductors. A convicted offender will however be liable to life imprisonment if the victim is released or rescued unhurt upon the payment of a ransom, while the kidnapper will be compelled to pay back the ransom. Similar punishment awaits any person who procures, engages or gives information culminating in the kidnapping of someone, an offence the law considered should carry the same weight as kidnapping. These highlight the new Kidnapping (prohibition) bill 2016 signed into law by Governor Abiola Ajimobi last Friday, copies of which were yesterday made available to journalists in Ibadan. It will be recalled that the bill had earlier been passed into law by the state House of Assembly, following the submission of report by the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary and Justice, Olukayode Akande. The Speaker, Michael

Adeyemo, and Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House, Paul Bankole, had earlier signed the bill before the assent by the governor. The law prescribes life imprisonment for any person who kidnaps or threatens to kill, maim or cause bodily harm in order to compel another person, corporate body or organisation to do or abstain from doing any act as a condition for the release of the victim. Under the new law, 20 years imprisonment awaits anyone who attempts to kidnap, while anybody who aids or abets the crime is liable to imprisonment for 15 years upon conviction. Besides, the law stipulates 15 years imprisonment or any non-custodian punishment that may be determined by the court for anyone who puts himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of extorting ransom from his employer, any person or body. According to the law, any property owner who knowingly or willingly surrenders his building over which he has control to be used for the purpose of keeping a kidnapped person is liable to 15 years imprisonment, while such property shall be forfeited to the government. Any person who willingly allows his or her

electronics, equipment, instrument, mechanical or movable item to be used for the purpose of kidnapping, aiding or abetting kidnapping, has also committed an offence and will be committed to prison for 10 years if convicted. Similarly, any property, monies and other valuables owned or realised by anybody convicted of kidnapping shall be forfeited to the government for public use. According to the law, any person who kidnaps another person by any other means of instilling fear or tricks, with intent to demand ransom or compel another to do anything against his will has committed an office.

Afolabi has constituted to members of the opposition parties in Ekiti State,” he stated. The former governor’s former aide, who said Afolabi should be held responsible if anything happened to him or any member of his family, added: “In fact, he had earlier attempted to attack me with plank of wood during the last voter registration exercise in Afao-Ekiti.” But Afolabi, who said he never threatened to kill Oluwayose over his political belief, said he only called Oluwayose and advised him against attacking Fayose’s government as a cousin. “Colonel Oluwayose is my brother and what I said was that he should not join Fayose’s enemies to run down his brother’s gover nment, because I read his (Oluwayose) comment on social media where he justified what Senator Bode Olowoporoku said at the weekend that the Assembly under Fayose has only one graduate. “If I had wanted to kill him, would I have called him through my own personal phone? He is my brother and I can’t threaten him. I was only advising him not to run down his brother’s government, which I think should not have been taken to this level,” the governor’s aide said.

Lagos to begin work at new Mile 12 market Francis suberu

agos State government will commence work on the site of the new Mile 12 market, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has revealed. Ambode, who disclosed this during an inspection tour to the new site at Imota on Tuesday, assured that work would commence on the site next week, directing the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to move to site and commence work

tional 10,000 metric tonnes per hour. He said aside Kebbi State, Lagos was also looking at possible partnership with other states, saying on the long run, such collaboration would enable residents consume locally processed rice within the next six months. The governor said a process to make the mill private sector-driven will commence immediately, adding that a vibrant infrastructure that will attract the best professionals and experts to manage the facility would be put in place.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

El-Rufai and the consequences of faith legislation sunday onyemaechi eze

ontroversies have trailed the Executive Bill for a Law to Substitute the Kaduna State Religious Preaching Law, 1984, sent to the state’s House of Assembly by Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The bill, if passed into law, will summarily introduce another unique way of religious worships and practices in Kaduna State. In summation, the new law seeks to curb hate speeches, which have been a major source of religious crisis in the entire North. Second, it mandates a cleric to obtain a preaching permit from the state government, which has a life span of one year and renewable before he/she could do so. Third, one shall contravene the law to play any cassette containing “religious recordings in which abusive language is used against any person or religious organisation or religious leaders (past or present). The bill, if passed into law will prohibit sales of religious books, usage of abusive and derogatory terms in describing any religion. One shall be in breach of the law and could be arrested for listening to religious music, or preaching inside ones car or in any open place (no such breach when done in one’s house or religious building. Anyone found to have contravened these injunctions is liable to two years imprisonment with a fine of N200, 000.00 or both. Fourth, an inter-faith ministerial committee to be chaired by the governor’s appointee, will also regulate the activities of Islam and Christianity, the two major

religions in the country, through the Committees of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Jama’atul Nasril-Islam (NJI). The bill, however, allows the use of loud speakers only in churches and mosques not beyond 8pm. Many say this bill is a landmine and an ambush laid for religious worships, which contain lots of unholy snippets. One grew up to realise that freedom of worship is an inalienable right of individuals and it has remained so without any contestation. It is a limitless, sacredpersonal relationship between individuals and the Almighty God. Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states, “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom…” gives every Nigerian the right to freely propagate his religion. Governor El-Rufai is fighting a good battle with a wrong tool. If this law should not allow the use of loud speakers in churches and mosques beyond 8pm, what should happen to all night parties and night clubbing? Do they not constitute nuisance as well? The government of Kaduna State should bear in mind that the road to faith legislation in Nigeria has been very bumpy. The essence of rule is it brings out the beauty of any game and does not in any way intend to impugn, weaken or stifle it. God understands the inherent need for rules, law and order when in Exodus 20: 2-17, he provided the 10 Commandments

thErEforE, wE must undErstand that for light to prEvail ovEr darknEss, it

must not bE a match stick to guide the behaviour of man. Religious activities like any other business in Nigeria must be guided by rules, law, order and decorum for God himself is not an author of confusion. Any government on top of its business must ensure sanity in every sector of our daily lives. Religion, in the words of Karl Max, is the opiate of the masses. It is a faith-based pill swallowed hook, line and and sinker by adherents without taking cognisance of its side effects. Like the free-to air digital satellite channels magnanimously aired by some hosts, consumers of opium freely explore without “care, costs and limitations” only for them to wake up to find out that their favourite channels have been scrambled. Do not crucify me for sounding oddly a Christian. Christianity in itself is a religion of knowledge and light. Therefore, we must understand that for light to prevail over darkness, it must not be a match stick. Today, the emergence of “sorcerers” promot-

ing various kinds of miracles and occupying public spaces in the name of religion has become the order of the day. Therefore, government owes it a duty to protect the spaces and sensibilities of others, which have been violated by some religious merchandisers. We are the salt of the nation and a city built on top of a hill. The way and manner religious clerics, both fake and real, hide behind God in the name of religious worships is alarming. However, the governor must be mindful of the fact that issues of religion in Nigeria must be handled with utmost care. Experiences have shown that people are driven by the sublime passion to protect their religions from laws which they think are inimical to their worship. It is pertinent to point out that the onus of explanation resides with the state government to avoid rancour. Our religions do not expire, but governor’s tenure is time bound. The volatility of Nigerian state, the frenzied passion for ones’ faith and lessons of religious crises must guide our resolve to implement religious reforms. It must be reiterated that at any given time such issues comes to the front burner like the one in Kaduna state, some religious entrepreneurs tend to rise against it. Some are germane while others are out rightly frivolous. Eze, a media and communications specialist, wrote via sunnyeze02@ yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201

Land matters: Are FCT officials above the law? Johnson nwanuforo

espite a court ruling that the plots of land at Lugbe Extension 1, along Airport Road, now known as Kyami District, Abuja, belonged to Minanuel Investment Ltd purposely for Mass Housing, some officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) have continued to re-allocate the said parcel of land to third parties for other sundry considerations. In taking this brazen line of action, the FCTA and the FCDA officials in question seem to suggest that they are above the law and do not care a hoot about the end-goals of the anti-corruption campaign of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. In a recent post in an online housing portal, (www.housingnews.org.ng), dated March 22, 2016, it was reported that “FCT Development Control ignores court ruling, approves development of hotel on demolished Minanuel Estate Land”. Now, this is said to have taken place in spite of the fact that on November 11, 2013, Justice D.Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja, in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/714/12 had ruled that “the fresh allocation of the plots to private individuals was illegal, null and void and the said allocations… are hereby set aside. Accordingly, the defendants (FCT Minister, FCTA & FCDA) are hereby re-

EvEn in a banana rEpublic, thE lEvEl of

impunity that has bEEn

ExhibitEd…would not bE condonEd strained from taking possession or reallocating same or any part thereof to any person or group of persons….” The tragedy of what is going on in Minanuel Estate Land, Abuja, is that some officials of the FCTA and the FCDA, who are arrogantly disobeying a valid court judgment, are doing so under a political structure that has President Buhari, the anti-corruption chief campaigner, as its head. As far as the 1999 constitution (as amended) is concerned, the President of Nigeria is the governor of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the activities of the officials of the FCTA and the FCDA are subject to the control and directives of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) who, in all intents and purposes, act under the delegated powers of the President of Nigeria. It is difficult to believe that President Buhari is at home with these transgressions of the law being perpetrated by officials of the FCTA and the FCDA. As I write, there is no evidence anywhere that the judgment of Justice Senchi on this matter is on appeal. The issue at hand, therefore, is that since both

parties to the case earlier resolved on November 11, 2013 (N.C.R Associates Ltd, suing through its lawful Attorney, Minanuel Investment LTD & the Minister FCT & 20rs) are satisfied with the judgment of the court as there is no pending appeal against the judgment, why is the FCT Development Control, a department of the FCDA, reallocating the land in question to third parties? Are officials of the FCTA and the FCDA pretending not to be aware that a valid court judgment affirmed Minanuel Investment LTD as owners of the land and also declared “null and void the re-allocation of plots… at Lugbe Extension 1, along Airport Road, now known as Kyami District, Abuja, to third parties…”?. Are Nigerians being told that these officials are above the law? From whatever perspective this matter is appraised, it must be the height of impunity for some officials of the FCTA and FCDA to blatantly and irresponsibly reallocate plots of land at Lugbe Extension 1, along Airport Road, now known as Kyami District, Abuja, after a court had ruled that “the evidence before the court is that the title of the plaintiff (Minanuel Investment LTD) is still extant and it is not infected by any virus of revocation”. This is why it may have become imperative that President Buhari personally intervene in this matter because it not only borders on his

integrity as a man given to honesty and truthfulness, it also impinges on the image of the APC-led Federal Government as an anti-corruption crusading entity in Nigeria. It is bad enough that some officials of the FCTA and the FCDA have unpatriotically decided to ridicule the judiciary by embarking on acts that clearly undermined the judgment of a court. It is even worse that in re-allocating the plots of land in which the purpose clause is mass housing, some officials of the FCTA and the FCDA, using the Development Control Department of the FCT, are parceling out Minanuel Estate’s land to third parties for the building of hotels, etc. Even in a banana republic, the level of impunity that has been exhibited by some officials of the FCTA and the FCDA would not be condoned. In this wise, the officials of the FCTA and the FCDA, who are behaving as if they own Nigeria and are accountable to nobody, must realize that President Buhari will not treat with levity attempts to desecrate the laws of the land. Dr. Nwanuforo, a Political Scientist, wrote from Maitama, Abuja. 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

Wednesday April 13, 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

Ranches and stemming farmers/herdsmen fratricide

overnor Simon Lalong of Plateau State revealed at a public function in Jos quite recently that President Muhammadu Buhari and governors had agreed to establish ranches across the country to end persistent violent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers in nationwide. Before now were suggestions, even in official circles, that the government planned to carve out of grazing reserves or paths. Grazing reserves are tracts of land specially set aside by government for use by herdsmen to hold and graze their cattle and other animals. Reports indicate that requests for such routes top the list of the demands of the Fulani from the government, especially during election years, as their herdsmen believe the expansion of the grazing reserves will boost livestock population, lessen the difficulty of herding, reduce seasonal migration and enhance interaction among farmers, pastoralists, and rural dwellers. Lalong, however, said the President and governors agreed that there would be no grazing areas but ranches. Grazing, according to the report, will now be a state affair, not federal. A ranch is commonly used to describe a designated farm area provided with requisite infrastructure and dedicated strictly to the practice of ranching, in other words, rais-

ing and grazing livestock. Lalong said the Federal Government would provide facilities like medical, schools and other needs in the ranches; and that the facilities would not be for Fulani herdsmen alone, but for whoever rears cattle. Recurring bitterness, rancour, violence and criminal attacks have been raging nationwide between local farmers and Fulani herdsmen in many communities. The fratricides have led to the deaths of people in countless numbers, many injured or maimed, whole villages razed and hundreds of thousands displaced and rendered homeless in peace time; and not as a result of Boko Haram insurgency. In one of the most gruesome of such attacks in recent times, reports said roughly 400 people lost their lives in an infamy now christened as ‘Agatu killings’. Agatu is one of the Local Government Areas in Benue State. In July 2012, a senator from Plateau State, Gyang Dantong; and the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Gyang Fulani, were among those killed while honouring the mass burial of about 50 victims of herdsmen’s attack on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of the state. The killings came shortly after the discovery of the remains of over 50 persons, mostly women and chil-

The incessanT sTrife beTween local farmers and

fulani herdsmen is avoidable dren, burnt inside the residence of a local pastor, where they took refuge following an earlier attack on about 14 villages by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Dantong and Fulani were shot dead at Maseh village in Riyom LGA while the over 50 victims were being interned. Atrocities of similar hew and goriness resonate from several parts of the country - South-East, South-South and South-West states. The common allegation of late is that the herdsmen ply their trade with dangerous weapons, including AK 47 rifles and swords; and recklessly destroy farmlands along their grazing paths. But quite saddening has been the impotence of the Federal Government in effectively policing the blood-bath and bringing the perpetrators to book, a development that clearly and further emboldens the herdsmen in their killing galore. It bears reiterating the point that a combination of factors fan discord and violence between indigenous farming communities and Fulani herdsmen. Foremost

is the grouse of communities whose farm crops are destroyed by cattle in the process of grazing. Some communities before now tried to retaliate by killing any straying cattle. But the situation has since degenerated to include the killing and rustling of cattle on an astronomical scale. Government’s failure over the years to take drastic measures to curb the root of the crisis – which is the willful destruction of crops by herdsmen – seems what has sustained the incessant vicious attacks. Though still at the level of blueprint, the planned establishment of ranches seems the most visible tangible step the government has taken so far to arrest the crisis. The government should ensure the fine-tuning and implementation of the plan do not take eternity. In addition to providing ranching facilities, however, government should enact laws that will regulate the conduct of grazing and prescribe punishment for herdsmen that stray outside the ranches. While the nation wait for the ranches, the government should also ensure through effective policing by all the security agencies - not just the police - that no one group’s quest for survival jeopardizes that of others. The incessant strife between local farmers and Fulani herdsmen is avoidable.

ON THIS DAY April 13, 1974

April 13, 1997

Western Union (in cooperation with NASA and Hughes Aircraft) launched the United States’ first commercial geosynchronous communications satellite, Westar 1. A special case of geosynchronous satellite is the geostationary satellite. These satellites have revolutionized global communications, television broadcasting and weather forecasting; and have a number of important defense and intelligence applications.

Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament. The Masters Tournament is one of the four major championships in professional golf. Scheduled for the first full week of April, it is the first of the majors to be played each year. Unlike the other major championships, the Masters is held each year at the same location, Augusta National Golf Club, in the city of Augusta, Georgia, United States.

April 13, 2014 A bus traveling from Villahermosa to Mexico City crashed into a tractor-trailer and caught fire, killing at least 36 people from the Veracruz region. There were four survivors. The collision took place near the municipality of Juan Rodriguez Clara, which is itself near Acayucan. The bus was owned by a car-rental company called ‘Turtle’, and the truck was owned by a milk protein company called ‘Prolat’.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Facts you should know about Zika virus 20

‘We can eliminate typhoid in Nigeria’ 22

More Nigerians develop diabetes complications ...they can’t control their blood sugar, experts say Franka Osakwe

5 year old Mr. Akpan is currently undergoing dialysis at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) due to diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage from diabetes). Prior to the dialysis treatment, his left leg had been amputated from an injury he sustained a year ago. With only one leg, and a kidney that had packed up, Mr. Akpan told National Mirror Correspondent how he managed to end up in his present condition. “I was diagnosed with type2 diabetes 10 years ago at Saint Leo’s Hospital Ikeja. After that, the doctor warned me to change my lifestyle and always monitor my blood sugar level on daily basis.” According to him, the doctor had asked him to eat more healthy meals with vegetables, stop alcohol, exercise constantly and always check his blood glucose level every day, to ensure it stays within acceptable levels, in order to avoid serious diabetes complications such as the one he now has. Akpan said he was instructed to always test his blood glucose level before and after his meals or after other activities, to see how his food and other factors affect his blood sugar level but, he felt the task was too cumbersome. “My sister, the law they gave me is too much o! They say I have to be pricking my hands for blood many times a day. They say make I dey check my blood sugar, dey write am for book, make I stop beer, pounded yam, many things!” Being a busy trader at Alaba Market, Lagos, he considered it very inconveniencing to always measure and record his blood glucose level with a diary as he was directed. Years later, when he started urinating frequently - one of the symptoms of hyperglycemia (too much blood sugar), Akpan still thought all was well so he never bothered to go for check-up, until last September when he sustained an injury on his left foot from a fall that refused to heal. That was how he found himself at LASUTH with an infection that had already spread

Lower limb amputation can result from poorly managed diabetes up to his leg. The doctors told him that the only way to stay alive was to amputate the leg to prevent further spread of infection. After the amputation, the doctors also discovered that his kidney had been affected and he had to be placed on dialysis. Like him, thousands of diabetes patients in Nigeria are not able to monitor and control the disease regularly, resulting in more diabetes-related complications such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye and nerve disease. During media roundtable on diabetes to mark the World Health Day event in Lagos, experts revealed that more people are developing complications from poorly managed diabetes condition in Nigeria. They agreed that regular blood glucose monitoring is very important in controlling blood sugar level and preventing complications later in life. At the event organized by Nigeria Health Online (NHO), an African online health newspaper, in collaboration with Roche Products Limited and Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Folasade Olufemi-Ajayi, Roche’s Diabetes Care expert, explained that self-monitoring of blood sugar level is very important in

managing diabetes. “It enables patient achieve appropriate metabolic control, avoid hyperglycaemia, and reduce the likelihood of developing long term complication of hyperglycaemia such as blindness, kidney and cardiovascular diseases. It also gives the health care provider immediate access to information and readings on patients’ blood glucose and helps him make proper glycaemia assessment”, she said. According to her, diabetes patients are not testing enough or testing in a way that gives meaning to their result. “From a survey carried out, we found out that only 11% of diabetes patients tests daily, 5% of patients tests between 4-6 times a week, 18% tests 2-3 times a week, 16% tests 2-3 times in a month. So a lot of times when they bring the result to doctors, they can’t make a proper decision because the result is so sparse.” She noted that the conventional blood glucose monitoring using diary is usually jumbled and confusing for both patient and health care professionals to read “The key lies in structured blood glucose monitoring and systemic data analysis so that the medical personnel can read

the data and make proper therapy decision or adjustment. With structured testing, the doctor can identify the glycaemia abnormalities, determine timing and frequency of occurrence, investigate potential causes and take action”. She recommended the use of Accu-Chek Active blood glucose metre for an effective self monitoring by people with diabetes. According to her, Accu-Chek could help drive structured testing “because we know its works.” Mrs Olufemi-Ajayi disclosed that the metre ensures a painfree testing procedure because it uses clixmotion technology. “It produces results in five seconds and can store up to 350 test results with digital display showing clear and large display of the readings. Due to the unique out-of-meter dosing option, the Accu-Chek Active meter is particularly suitable for multiple patients and assisted use,” she told the participants. Also, the key speaker, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, a consultant endocrinologist and medical director at Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, revealed that more people are developing complications from poorly managed diabetes condition in

Nigeria. At the global level, she said about 270 million diabetic people develop complications with 70% developing heart and eye problem, while 40 and 30% will develop nerve and kidney problem respectively. Dr. Isiavwe, emphasized on the need for proper blood sugar control through appropriate diet, exercises and good lifestyle choices. In order to prevent diabetes complications, she said there is need for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. “This can be achieved through blood glucose and urine tests. It’s very important that when patients are brought in the emergency, while they are checking their blood pressure, their blood glucose level should also be checked. Dr. Isiavwe, called for local production of diabetes medications and reduced tax on imported Diabetes Medications and products. She advocated for a Nigerian National Diabetes Foot care Training Program and Policy to enhance foot care and reduce the socio-economic burden of diabetes-related foot amputations in Nigeria. Earlier, the Minister of Health Prof. Issac Adewole, had explained that early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes will help prevent socio-economic loss from the condition. Prof. Adewole who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode, warned parents to give their children healthy meals instead of the fast foods and sugary drinks. For treatment and follow up, he said the condition requires personal commitment from the individual, while government and stakeholders need to come up with innovative ways of financing the cost of the condition. “Industries involved in diabetes care need to lower the cost of products, government need to strengthen the second tier of health care to cope with routine screening and treatment while tertiary hospitals must be ready to cope with complications of diabetes such as renal and cardiovascular issues”, he added.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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Facts you should know about Zika virus Key facts Z Introduction ika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. •Genre: Flavivirus •Vector: Aedes mosquitoes (which usually bite during the morning and late afternoon/evening hours) •Reservoir: Unknown Signs and Symptoms The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days. Potential complications of Zika virus disease During large outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively, national health authorities reported potential neurological and auto-immune complications of Zika virus disease. Recently in Brazil, local health authorities have observed an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome which coincided with Zika virus infections in the general public, as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly. However, more investigation is needed to better understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus. Other potential causes are also being investigated. Transmission Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. However, sexual transmission of Zika virus has been described in 2 cases, and the presence of the Zika virus in semen in 1 additional case. Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively), and in 2015 from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cabo Verde). In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus. Diagnosis Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history (e.g. residence or travel to an area where Zika virus is known to be present). Zika virus diagnosis can only

•Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. •People with Zika virus disease usually have symptoms that can include mild fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. •There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. •The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites. •The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

be confirmed by laboratory testing for the presence of Zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids, such as urine or saliva. Prevention Mosquitoes and their breeding sites

pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and

people. This can be done by using insect repellent regularly; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as window screens, closed doors and windows; and if needed, additional personal protection, such as sleeping under mosquito nets during the day. It is extremely important to empty, clean or cover containers regularly that can store water, such as buckets, drums, pots etc. Other mosquito breeding sites should be cleaned or removed including flower pots, used tyres and roof gutters. Communities must support the efforts of the local government to reduce the density of mosquitoes in their locality. Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR3535 (3-[N-acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl ester) or icaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)1-methylpropylester). Product label instructions should be strictly followed. Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or elderly. During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers. Travellers should take the basic precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Treatment Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.

Unilever intensifies fight against tooth decay Franka Osakwe

s part of its commitment to fight against tooth decay, Unilever Nigeria Plc has charged the populace to cultivate good oral hygiene by brushing their teeth twice daily. At an event climaxing this year’s world oral health day celebrations held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos, the Nigeria Dental Association in partnership with Pepsodent toothpaste admonished the over three thousand primary school pupils in attendance to brush regularly in the morning and at night in line with this year’s theme of “Healthy mouth, healthy body”. In his goodwill message at the occasion, Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode commended the efforts of Unilever Nigeria Plc in partnering with stakeholders to raise awareness on the importance of the message of brush-

ing twice daily, noting that it is better to prevent tooth cavities than experiencing the nightmares associated with oral problems. The Governor who was represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris urged the partners to ensure that the message is spread to all the nooks and crannies of the State. Speaking at the event Vice President, Marketing, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Robbert-de Vreede said Unilever is committed to doing business in a sustainable way and that is why they have partnered with Nigerian Dental Association, Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders towards getting better awareness for oral health. He said “studies have shown that ninety percent of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases. When kids are affected by such diseases they may not be able to bear the pain and such affects them in school or causes them to

drop out of school for a period of time” ‘’In 2014 we initiated the oral health school program which has so far educated directly 1.8 million Nigerian children on how to imbibe the culture of brushing twice daily. This year we are educating one million children directly on how to take care of their teeth by brushing day and night using fluoride toothpaste such as Pepsodent. We believe children are change agents. They have the pester power to influence their parents, siblings and people around them by telling them to take their oral health seriously by brushing day and night with fluoridated toothpaste such as Pepsodent triple action” he added. Also, the Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria. Plc said this year’s brush day and night campaign is to intensify on the awareness of healthy oral practice and to tell Nigerians that prevention is better and cheaper.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Lift suspension on national laboratory inspection, MLSCN tells FG Marcus FatunMOle ABUJA

cting Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, MLSCN, Mrs Olufunke Omotuyi, has appealed to the Federal Government to lift the suspension on national laboratory inspection in the country. Omotuyi made the call when she led officers of the council to visit Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire in Abuja, according to a release made available to National Mirror by Director of Media and Public Relations in Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Boade Akinola. She said in the release that national laboratory inspection was one of the core mandates of the MLSCN for the maintenance of good standards of medical laboratory practice and services, among other functions in the nation. The release informed that the inspection was suspended, following resistance from medical laboratory scientists. Omotuyi

pledged to re-strategize for better ways of encouraging cooperation rather than resistance from medical laboratory professionals while the council go on inspection of laboratory facilities. The statement quoted the minister as appealing to medical laboratory scientists in the country to cooperate with officers from their regulatory body while on inspection to their facilities. He said in the release that his call was necessitated by the “unwholesome behaviour and resistance” that characterized medical laboratory inspections which he said led to the suspension of national laboratory inspections by the Federal Government. The Minister was quoted as urging health practitioners in the country to eschew suspicion, acrimony and aggression from their dealings with their professional colleagues. “Disharmony is inimical to the progress of medical practice and the health sector as a whole. So, I solicit for an end to acrimony in all regulatory bodies in the health sector,” he furthered.

Avon HMO celebrates winning hospitals

eading health maintenance organisation, Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) has rewarded three hospitals as part of its ongoing Provider Incentive Programme. Three Lagosbased hospitals, National Air Force Hospital (Ikeja), Med-In Specialist Hospital (Ogudu) and Bee Hess Hospital (Akowonjo) and their HMO Officers received diesel supply and plasma TVs. The Avon HMO Provider Incentive Programme rewards hospitals and HMO Officers who are timely, consistent and accurate in submitting utilisation data on primary care as well as secondary and tertiary care services. Mrs. Adesimbo Ukiri, MD/CEO of Avon HMO, described this incentive as a key step taken by Avon HMO to advance the accurate collation, availability and use of robust medical utilisation data. “In Nigeria, we are seeing an increase in chronic diseases and escalating healthcare costs. If HMOs are to offer health plans that truly cater to the current and future needs of our people, we need comprehensive data to guide

our product development initiatives” Mrs. Ukiri added “Our hospitals are vital as they hold this data and we are extremely encouraged by the response shown by all those who participated.” Launched in 2015, the Provider Incentive Programme is part of the company’s vision to set new standards and drive the industry forward. Explaining further, Ukiri said “In most sectors, decisions are guided by rigorous data analyses and the insights gained from them. The managed care sector in Nigeria should not be different.” ”The data being collected will identify and track disease prevalence and patterns, especially at primary care levels and inform our disease prevention and wellness initiatives.” Ukiri noted that this approach highlights why managed care organisations such as Avon HMO provide more than just health insurance. “Ultimately this will help achieve better patient experience, minimise disease re-occurrence and reduce re-admission rates for the same diagnosis.”

L-R: Mrs Folashade Olufemi-Ajayi, Accu-Chek Product Manager, Roche, Prof Chris Bode, CMD (LUTH) representating the Minister of Health, Dr Jeanne Coulibaly,Medical Director Roche, Dr Abidoye Sunday, WHO Lagos state Coordinator and Dr Afoke Isiavwe, Medical Director Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre/Key Speaker at the World Health Day Media Roundtable organised by Nigeria Health Online Newspaper recently.

WHD: Diabetes kills someone every 6 seconds –WHO Franka Osakwe

very 6 seconds, someone out of an estimated 382 million people living with diabetes globally, will die from diabetes related complication, World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator, Lagos, Dr. Omoniyi Abidoye, said. Speaking during a media roundtable in commemoration of the World Health Day in Lagos, organized by Nigeria Health Online (NHO), an african online health newspaper, in collaboration with Roche Products Limited and Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Dr. Abidoye, declared that

the condition is now a global health concern, with 8-10% of the cases found in Nigeria. “The number of people living with diabetes is set to double in the next 20 years as a result of increase in obesity and decrease in longevity. While about 175million people with diabetes are undiagnosed, many more are developing complications”, he said. According to him, the condition is estimated to cost 548 billion dollars (11% of total health spending on adult), so there is a need to braise up and intensify awareness on diabetes. The event, held at Roche office Lagos, was declared

open by the Minister of Health Prof. Issac Adewole, represented by the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode. In his speech, Prof. Adewole, explained that early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes will help prevent socio-economic loss from the condition. While maintaining that parents help lay foundation for diabetes in childhood by giving their children more fast foods and sugary drinks, he called for emphasis on healthy meals. “We need to start teaching our children about healthy food habits. Diabetes is a silent killer that does not

Nigeria has enough vaccine stock till 2017 –NPHCDA Marcus FatunMOle ABUJA

igeria has enough vaccines that would last her till the first quarter of 2017 and has recorded no case of vaccine stock out for all its immunization programmes in the last two years, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Ado Mohammad has said. Mohammed stated this when he received the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole who paid an official visit to the agency recently, according to a release made available to National Mirror by Head, Media and Public Relations Unit of the NPHCDA, Mr Saadu Salahu. Besides, the agency’s boss said the country had not recorded any polio case for the past 20 months, raising the nation’s hope of being certified free of the disease by World Health Organization next year. He announced in

the release that the agency would soon strengthen each state of the federation on primary health care with “impending” deployment of management staff to head the NPHCDA offices at state level. Mohammad lauded the Minister and the entire leadership of the nation’s health sector on their commitment to the revitalization of primary health care in the country. In his address, the minister said Federal Government’s current priority on health is to provide universal health coverage for Nigerians. “In practical demonstration of this commitment, the Minister disclosed that the federal Government is mobilizing required resources to make 10,000 primary health care centers functional in all the political wards in the country in the next two years.“ According to the Minister, each of the 10,000 cen-

ters, which would be one per political ward, would be designed to operate 24 hours each day with a view to providing comprehensive PHC services, including maternal and child health services. “The PHC agenda of the administration, the Minister emphasized, was geared towards providing universal care to about 100 million vulnerable Nigerians, while also addressing the huge financial burden of out of pocket expenditure which has over the years hindered access to health care,” the release stated. It stressed that the minister commended the leadership of the NPHCDA for a job well done especially on the polio eradication achievement by the country. He also assured the agency’s leadership of his total support on primary health care revitalization and primary health care under one roof in the country.

manifest physically until it is too late”, he said. For treatment and follow up, he said the condition requires personal commitment from the individual, while government and stakeholders need to come up with innovative ways of financing the cost of the condition. “Industries involved in diabetes care need to lower the cost of products, government need to strengthen the second tier of health care to cope with routine screening and treatment while tertiary hospitals must be ready to cope with complications of diabetes such as renal and cardiovascular issues”, he added. Also, another speaker, Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical Director at Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, revealed that more people are developing complications from poorly managed diabetic condition in Nigeria. At the global level, she said about 270 million diabetic people develop complications with70% developing heart and eye problem, while 40 and 30% will develop nerve and kidney problem respectively. Dr. Isiavwe, emphasized on controlling blood sugar through diet change, exercises and good lifestyle choices. In order to prevent diabetes complications, she said there is need for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. “This can be achieved through blood glucose and urine tests. It’s very important that when patients are brought in the emergency, while they are checking their blood pressure, their blood glucose level should also be checked.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We can eliminate typhoid in Nigeria’

here’s hardly any Nigerian who does not have some form of experience with typhoid fever. From the medical perspective, what manner of disease is typhoid? Typhoid is a type of ailment that is due to infection by salmonella typhi. There are other bacteria similar to salmonella typhi; that is salmonella paratyphi. But, generally and clinically, we may not be able to distinguish between salmonella typhi and paratyphi. We call all of them typhoid fever. But, when we do a laboratory test, it will be able to show whether it is really typhoid due to salmonella typhi or paratyphoid, due to malaria paratyphi. There are about three or four serotypes. There are many serotypes of that paratyphi. What are the major symptoms of typhoid? The symptom of typhoid is not specific. If you have fever, body pains, weakness of the body, headache; those are the major things that the patients complain about. It is just like malaria; that is how typhoid also presents. What is your opinion on self-medication? Is typhoid a disease I can treat at home? We don’t encourage self-medication. If you have a car and your car is bad, when there is a mechanic who can repair it, you won’t take it to a vulcanizer. The best thing is to go to a medical practitioner, a doctor, for treatment; a person who can differentiate when you are sick. Typhoid actually affects the lymphoid tissues around that area and that is why we can have that problem there. Like I said, it is a doctor who will be able to recognize it. Ok, let’s talk a bit about the treatment? The infection by typhoid is recognized clinically by patient’s complaint of fever, headache, generally weakness of the body. In fact, the person may lose appetite. But, generally, typhoid is difficult to differentiate from malaria. Malaria is another condition that is simulated by typhoid. Typhoid can be recognized, in the management, we do a clinical examination. We examine the patient; the patient may be feverish, he may be weak, he may not be able to talk. Like I said, malaria is another condition that is similar to typhoid. So, we do malaria parasite, if malaria is not there, if we can cut short the bacteria, that is the clear evidence that is due to typhoid fever. But, most times, we’ve not been able to cut short the organism here. You may do serological test; the test for the somatic antigen and the H antigen which O antigen. The O antigen tells you whether it is recent infection and the H whether it is a previous infection. Generally, when the serological test comes out, one in 80 is suggestive. One in 160 tells you that the person really has the infection. But, one in 320 is sure that the person really has typhoid infection whether the salmonella typhi, or paratyphi. We classify them into A, B, C and D. In A is the salmonella typhi, B, C and D are the salmo-

Over the years, typhoid fever has become a major disease that affects virtually everyone in Nigeria. A Senior Consultant at Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr. Medunoye Iyinolorun, in this interview with Health Reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE, speaks on the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of the disease. Excerpts:

Iyinolorun

nella paratyphi. After clinical investigation comes treatment which varies; depending on sensitivity pattern in the area. In some areas, or in those days, we used chloramphenicol as a treatment but nowadays, people have moved away from chloramphenicol because of the side effects of the drug. Commonly, our people use amoxicillin because the side effect is less than that of the chloramphenicol. Some people also use the ciprofloxacin family generally. Those are the common drugs that people now use. How would you compare the percentage of patients you have diagnosed to have had typhoid with other basic disease conditions? Malaria is commoner than typhoid. Like I said earlier, typhoid is hard to be distinguished from malaria and other viral infection. Other infections can come like malaria, fever, headache and one may think they are typhoid. You may not be able to differentiate between these diseases unless you do a

test. In this environment, we still treat malaria more than typhoid. Conditions that are predisposed to typhoid infection are actually being combated by government. We expect that typhoid should be reducing. What are these things? Poor water supply, poor waste disposal method, poor sewage system; that is poor environmental management system. With the activities of government in those areas now, we expect government will produce water, and with that, the incidence of typhoid will be going down. For now, I don’t have a figure, but I treat more of malaria than typhoid. Some people actually believe that it is not possible for an individual to recover fully from typhoid, using orthodox medicine. How true is this? No, it is not true. You can treat typhoid completely and the person will be cured. The problem we have is that sometimes, we have a carrier state, because the organisms can lump in the

In developed countrIes, typhoId Is

no longer a problem for them there. lIke I saId, If we Increase our level of sanItatIon, waste and refuse dIsposItIon, sewage system, we control them very well IncludIng the water we drInk, defInItely the problem of typhoId wIll declIne.

gall bladder. The person can be passing it in stool, in faeces and it will contaminate other people. There are drugs we use to treat the carrier stage. I will recommend orthodox treatment rather than alternative where we are not sure of the dose and the origin of the drug and there are many fake alternative treatments outside there. How true is it that typhoid destroys the kidney? I don’t think typhoid has any direct relationship with the kidney. But, there could be indirect relationship with the kidney. One, when someone has typhoid, the person may not be eating well; he may not want to be drinking water. When someone does not drink enough water, it may lead to acute renal or kidney failure. If typhoid infection is left untreated and it becomes overwhelming, it is going to cause typhoid septicaemia which provokes some amount of reaction inside the body and which could involve deposition of hormone complexes in the kidney. These could lead to other problems in the kidney. But, there is no direct relation between kidney problem and typhoid infection directly, except indirectly from other reactions that may occur in the body. How about perforated typhoid? Typhoid affects the lymphoid tissues in the intestine. By the time the reaction goes, you have a foreign body in the body. The body mobilizes its own military forces to defend itself. The lymphoid tissues are mobilized and the lymphocytosis in the intestine are parts of the lymphoid tissues in the body. So, when the bacteria affect that place, because of the reaction going on, it erodes that place and it perforates. That is a dangerous one actually. It may perforate through the intestine and the contents of the intestine will pour into the abdomen. That is a dangerous one. How long can typhoid be treated? If you want to treat typhoid, straightforward typhoid, you treat it for 10 to 14 days. There are two major means of treatment which is either through surgery or conservative management. If conservative management fails, we resort to surgery. Conservative treatment can take up to a month while surgery is faster. Is it possible for typhoid to be eliminated from Nigeria as it is being done to polio, Guinea worm and other diseases? It is possible. In developed countries, typhoid is no longer a problem for them there. Like I said, if we increase our level of sanitation, waste and refuse disposition, sewage system, we control them very well including the water we drink, definitely the problem of typhoid will decline. With that, we will be able to control typhoid

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Road to Ogun’s Drum Festival

I don’t sing to win awards —Florocka 25

Re-engineering efforts in Nollywood Since its debut in July 2003, Africa Magic has been partnering with the film industry in more ways than earlier anticipated. What does this mean to the film stakeholders? IsIguzo DestIny

frica Magic could be said to be the back bone of Nigeria’s entertainment industry especially as it concerns motion pictures in Nigeria. With their collection of Pay TV entertainment channels that now comprise of eight channels with three of the channels showing films and soaps in the three major languages in Nigeria. They started with just a movie channel and has recorded tremendous growth in entertainment broadcast in a space of 13 years and can now boast of Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic World, Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Yoruba, Africa Magic Igbo, and Africa Magic Hausa. Africa Magic Epic and Africa Magic Urban. In order to reward adroitness, raw talent and hard work in the participation and production of entertaining motion pictures oeuvres, Africa Magic came up with the annual Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), the biggest celebration of film and television talent in Africa of which Nollywood stakeholders have dominated since its establishment. The 2016 edition was a field day for Nollywood stakeholders with Stephen Okereke-Linus’ Dry winning the Best Movie of the Year category, Bukky Ajayi and Sadiq Daba winning the Industry Merit Award and other nsNigeria like Funke Akindele, Folarin Falana, Adesua Etomi winning awards, and Genevieve Nnaji’s Road to yesterday winning the best film from West Africa. Africa Magic has become a meeting point for Nollywood actors together with their international counterparts and also a breeding ground for new acts to stay in and gather momentum that helps them surmount the stiff competition in Nollywood. Africa Magic has introduced so many unheard acts who

Filmmakers at work are poised to becoming Nollywood celebrities and screen gods and goddesses. Speaking with Moses Abiola who recently featured in Tinsel series as Mich, an Ad agent; he said African Magic through Tinsel gave him the largest platform to realise his dream of becoming an international actor. According to Moses, “it was an awesome experience, I was astonished at the kind of opportunities available to Nigerians at Africa Magic. I did a script writing programme with New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, USA and my experience there made me realise that Africa Magic has the best state of art equipment in Africa. I have been acting on stage and I have done a handful of Christian movies but through Africa Magic’s Tinsel, I can now saw I have been launched into Nollywood because Tinsel is the biggest TV series in Africa. The same way Paramount Picture is to a movie, the same way HBO is to a TV series in US, the same way ABC is to TV series in US and Europe so is Africa Magic to film and television series to Africa”. Apart from introducing new acts, Africa Magic is helping Nollywood film makers produce quality films through a collaboration with film producers. These films are of high quality and are always associated with the Nigerian Box Office. A vivid example is Genevieve

No matter the divergeNt views oN the

africa magic is playiNg iN Nollywood, role

maNy still believe their role is positive.

Nnaji’s Road to Yesterday and Obi Emelonye’s Oxford Gardens. Speaking with Obi Emelonye at Ozone Cinema during the media screening of the romantic film last year, the award winning Emelonye admitted the important role Africa Magic played in the production of the movie. He revealed to the reporter that Africa Magic bank rolled part of the film expenditure and even though he personally bore some of the expenses in the production of the film, Africa Magic should still be lauded for such a feat. Also speaking with an online media outfit, Emelonye emphasised on the importance of Africa Magic to Nollywood. “When it looked like there’s nowhere else to go, Africa Magic made what could be termed a stupid decision by most of its shareholders. They decided, under the AMOF plat-

form, to collaborate with Nollywood producers and invest in Nollywood films, instead of simply buying rights in already made films. But this move might be slightly more expensive in the short term. However, in the long run, it is as strategic as it is visionary. It would engender a sustainable acquisition model for Africa Magic and become a vehicle to raise the quality of Nollywood productions through direct investment in films. I am proud to be associated with AMOF and I can go as far as saying that Africa Magic has completely intertwined itself with the future of Nollywood and African cinema by this initiative. It will be hard now to separate the future of Nollywood from a more influential Africa Magic…so long as they continue to lead the way in innovative, customer-focused ideas”.

The success story of Oxford Gardens is the same with Road to yesterday. The movie which was one of the most watched movies in the cinema last year and early this year battled with Stephanie Okereke’s Dry in Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards. Even though Dry came on top, it doesn’t demean the quality of the collaboration of Africa Magic and Genevieve Nnaji’s debut production of Road to yesterday. Some stakeholders have also argued that what people may see as help to Nollywood is in reality an in-road to exploitation and future crisis in Nollywood. An art journalist and Nollywood reporter who begged for anonymity described these collaborations as unhealthy and hijacking of Nollywood industry by Africa Magic. He stressed that time will come when Nigerians will realise the danger in the interference of Nollywood activities by Africa Magic and warned that it may be too late then. According to him, “we may think Africa Magic is helping Nollywood but mark my words, they are only ruining it. They have taken over everything as long as TV is concerned and now they are encroaching into the independence of movie makers in Nollywood. It will be best to leave Nollywood grow through the quality production of individual film makers or corporations. Don’t be surprise Africa Magic in the nearest future will hijack the industry and will no longer give space for individual film makers. The only solution is for the Nigerian government to increase its intervention fund to Nollywood and make it accessible to Nollywood stakeholders. I will also advocate for other media outfits to come into the industry the way Africa Magic is doing to promote healthy competition”. No matter the divergent views on the role Africa Magic is playing in Nollywood, many still believe their role is positive. For now, they are doing tremendously well in ensuring that Nollywood competes in the international film world. They bring old and new actors together for example, in their recent TV novella Hush, new and veteran artistes like RMD were brought together in that project. It is also clear Nigerians and Nollywood stakeholders will not tolerate them if they move to hijack Nollywood.

Arts Lounge

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

VOICES

Effective story-telling via documentaries (2) The producers of ‘call me Kuchu’ decided

Jane Mote

hen there are the documentaries that take on multi-national companies – the borderless states that control our lives. When Josh Fox went home to Pennsylvania for a holiday he saw a letter on his parent’s table from a company asking to buy some of their land so they could extract natural gas using a method called fracking – where the earth is shattered apart using high pressure water and a mixture of chemicals releasing the gas inside layers of rock. Josh had never heard of this before and had never made a film in his life. He started a journey that was going to change his life and that of 1,000s and caused the multi-national gas companies a lot of aggro and money. In Gasland– Josh sets off with his banjo and travels across America uncovering a story that people felt too ashamed or disempowered to tell themselves. He finds water tables contaminated beyond return, people with mysterious illnesses and homes where when the water from taps bursts into flames because of the amount of toxic pollutants in the groundwater. This film has helped pre-warn people to ask more questions before signing over their land for short term gain. And its hard-hitting message stuck with me. A natural gas company is now seeking exploration rights near my home in Southern England. Thanks to one man, his banjo and curious mind I am ready for the fight. It’s even harder to access stories when the danger is hidden deep in the heart of one of the most protected areas in the world. Virunga is set in a national park in Eastern Congo and a world UNESCO heritage site – home to a small colony of mountain gorillas - a sourceof sustainable tourism. The production team worked with national park authorities who had been powerless to raise awareness – with the national park director being shot several times and many of his men dying as they try to protect this rare area. Allegedly against all legal precedence it emerged the government has allowed SOCO a British-owned company to explore for oil threatening the sensitive ecology of the park and the gorillas. Hidden cameras help to reveal what was happening behind closed doors. The film has rightly won awards inter-

MEMORABLE READS

To documenT The sTruggle of homosexual righTs campaigner and

uganda’s firsT openly gay man, david KaTo as he soughT To oppose The bill

Jane Mote nationally. The story it is told through the characters on the front line - the wardens and parks staff who risk their lives daily. It intersperses grainy hidden camera footage which rich, beautiful panoramic views of the lush rainforest and tender moments with the gorillas-innocents at the centre of the row. It is not just a film it is a call to action. Its website includes a downloadable list of the investors behind SOCO and asks people to check their own investments to make sure none of their pension funds pay into this company. The film has put a harsh spotlight on SOCO and the pressure is on. People have a right to know what is happening to the world they live in. These elders in a community in the foothills of the Rwenzor is just over the border from Rwanda had seen their lives changed gradually over decades. The snow topped mountains they called home were becoming bare. The cooler climate they’d known for generations had allowed people like Isebani – the grey bearded man leaning on a stick- to live over a 100 years. But the weather was changing. Insects

Who’s your favourite author? Dan Brown, and my favourite book is The Da Vinci Code What’s the book’s highpoint? Everything about ‘The Da Vinci Code’ is intriguing for me. You know religion is a very touchy issue but in this book, the author tried to make things that are supposedly hidden open, which created a lot of curiosity in me. He is good in this craft but if you have a discerning mind, at the end of the day, you will realize that Dan Brown was just trying to sell a novel What prepared you as a younger person for book? I would say the first major novel I read and finished was by James Hardly Chase. Then I was in primary six. The title of that particular James Hardly Chase’s novel is Coffin from Hong Kong. That was

BOB MANUEL UDOKWU (Actor)

and disease were taking over. They thought the snow was going because the new national park authorities had banned them from performing their ritual dances in praise of the snow gods within the park area. But our film In Search of the Snow Gods showed that Global warming was the culprit. We held the world premiere in their village hall eight hours drive from Kampala. The elders loved seeing themselves on screen and they listened to the scientists and politicians carefully. Afterwards in a question and answer I was asked ‘what can we do about global warming?” I had to admit they couldn’t change what the West had created but, with this new knowledge, they could adapt farming practices to prepare for a different future. The film, made for UKTV, was donated for use as an educational tool in Uganda and has been given to the government to help raise awareness of the realties of the world around them. When I was filming in Uganda a lessthan-positive story was emerging. The government, apparently influenced by far-right

American Christian groups, was intending to pass a new bill to make homosexuality punishable by death. I watched many ill-informed and naive documentaries on this subject. But one film, I viewed years later has continued to challenge and change views across the world. The producers of Call me Kuchu decided to document the struggle of homosexual rights campaigner and Uganda’s first openly gay man, David Kato as he sought to oppose the bill. They filmed with him for a year and viewers got a deep insight into his integrity, passion and intellect. Not something you would have seen from the headlines in the newspapers that vilified him. Three weeks before the bill was due to be made law David was murdered brutally in his home. The filmmakers capture the rawness of this event and his funeral which becomes highly politicised. A retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjowho has a PHD in human sexuality stood up for David and his community. He was thrown out of the church. But, now in his 80s he is still fighting for a more humane response and using Facebook and other social media to do it. *Jane Mote is a former Senior Vice President of Global Channels for BBC Worldwide and Director of Factual and Lifestyle for UKTV

the book that influenced my decision to love reading. From then on I discovered I could not do without novels. It’s been a journey from one novel to another, from one experience to another. What influences the books you buy? I buy books a lot, especially when I am travelling out of the country. Over there, I take advantage of their bookshops; I scan through the shelves and pick what interests me. The novels I like to read are usually the ones with horrifying themes. I like horror. I like suspense. I do not know if it has to do with the fact that I am an actor, and I am always looking for how I can re-create such in my movies. I also like titles that dwell on intelligence, because they make me security conscious. James Hardly Chase’s book which I read as a youngster must have sharpened my instincts about this.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I don’t sing to win awards —Florocka Meet Akinwunmi Nathan Akinremi also known Florocka, a multi-talented gospel artiste and music producer.

I was also once approached by an upcomIng gospel artIste and she told me to produce her musIc In exchange for sex.

I was baffled

Tosin AdAms

LO as he is fondly called grew up into a musical family. His mother was a classical soloist while his father was also a singer, writer and instrumentalist. His poetic lines and overwhelming vocals especially, couldn’t be done away with as he interestingly bagged seven awards at the Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards 2013 outshining popular Gospel acts like Sammy Okposo, Lara George and Sinach. ‘If I was an eagle, I will lift myself, spread my wings and fly. If I was a lion, I will run into the jungle and give the loudest roar and If I was the sun, I will rise early in the morning and shine my light so bright. If I was an angel, I will ring the alarm for all of creation to bow at your feet’...are some of the powerful poetic lyrics that made one his hit songs ‘Twale’ a standout any day. He was caught up with at a media parley

Florocka

and he explains why he wasn’t present at the awards. “I didn’t attend the awards because I didn’t get the right information about the date. My friend Mike Abdul called me to tell me that I won seven awards. I was shocked because the date I got was for one week after the event. I was actually driving to the venue when I saw that the venue was empty. “I am not an awards man. I don’t sing to win awards. If the whole earth should gather to give me ovation and God doesn’t give me any applause, then, it is a waste of time. I am too busy for awards; all I want to do is to dieempty and that is why I work hard every day because God has so much blessed me with enormous talents. I have heard many people saying that I don’t merit the awards. I won seven awards and so many of them took to twitter and other social media to abuse me that “Is he the only one?” I wanted to reply them but God asked me not to. He said I should face Him who sent me rather than reply them” FLOROCKA who has written, co-written, produced and worked with countless number of artists including ‘Shalamar’, ‘Mike Abdul’, ‘Midnight Crew’, ‘Ibiyemi’, ‘Wale Adenuga’, ‘House on the Rock’, ‘Sammie Okposo’, ‘Mike Aremu’, ‘Tosin Martins’, ‘BOUQUI’, ‘Kore’, ‘Onos’ and has three albums to his credit, also wears a new look. “I cut my hair on my birthday because I wanted a gift from God. Not money but boldness to confront mountains that the society has brought against the preaching of the Gospel. I also want more anointing and talent to sing with power. I want to win the war against the syndrome that Gospel music should only be played on Sundays. Also, when asked to advise upcoming Gospel music artistes, he said “A music label promoter once asked me to mention some gospel artistes she can promote. I told her honestly, that I cannot vouch for five gospel artistes because most of them sing commercial gospel songs. They don’t understand what it means to become gospel musicians. “You don’t sing for money or to gain recognition but we ministers both to God and to men. Some Gospel artistes complain about

MIDWEEK JUMP

Lagos-Berlin residency opportunity

n context of its partnership with the Centre for Art and Urbanistics in Berlin, the cultural office of Local Government of Wedding/Berlin, SAVVY Contemporary art space Berlin and Goethe-Institut Lagos offers a three month residency for artists and practitioners from Nigeria, interested in cross-discplinary theory and practice dealing with “the city”. Artists should be working

Lagos Berlin Residency professionally in their fields and have a broad range of projects and exhibition experience; practitioners should have some years of professional experience. The residency sees itself as a platform for interdisciplinary artistic and curatorial activities dealing with the phenomenon of the “city” in an international perspective.

Florocka Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s yearly ‘Experience’ that they are not well-paid compared to the foreign artistes. And I ask them whenever I have the opportunity if they know what someone like Kirk Franklin has gone through and endured in his Christian walk? They think it’s all about money. As a gospel artiste, you need to be time tested and certified by God before He can bestow some blessings to you and that is why some people like Don Moen have influence. It’s all about sacrifice. The money will come but sing to God first. I was invited for a ministration by a popular gospel artiste and I was surprised with what happened; they were fighting each other over money”. “I was also once approached by an upcoming gospel artiste and she told me to produce her music in exchange for sex. I was baffled because I never expected such from a minstrel. I asked her the questions: What Spirit are we going to pass to the people that listen to us, because music is spirit? What kind of thoughts will she have of me if I decide to do such a thing? I just told her to forget it” he adds.

MTV base once described FLO’s music “The energy, the passion and the skill is effortless. FLO has mastered his art without a shadow of a doubt. Wherever you find FLO, you’ll definitely find a trail of excellence”.

Florocka

Political poems for Holland Park Press

olland Park Press is inviting submissions of political poetry. In order to enter your poem it must be about any aspect of politics. It can be about international politics or instead be about something political much more closer to home. For example, you can address politics and religion, or the political aspects of war. The poem can be about civil liberties or threats against them, about social injustices, or even about the politics of the use of certain words or language

Holland Park Press

They accept poems from authors of all nationalities and based anywhere in the world – one poem per entrant. The author of the winning poem will receive £200. The winning poem and runners-up will be published in the online magazine.

Arts Lounge

FAR AND NEAR tosIn ADAms

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Road to Ogun’s Drum Festival

he Ogun State Government in its preparation for the first ever Nigerian Drum Festival which will come up between 19th and 22nd of April, has showcased its first raffle draw ticket event as side attraction to kick-start the festival. The Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Otunba Olumiyiwa Oladipo while presenting prizes to the winners of the raffle draw at Cultural Centre Kuto, Abeokuta, disclosed that the raffle programme was organised to sensitise the public and participants on activities revolving around the Drum Festival which many people would win consolidated prizes. ‘’The raffle draw has been designed to exhibit honesty and transparency in the forthcoming Nigerian Drum Festival in the state which will cut across the 36 states of the federation including FCT, Abuja’’, he said. Oladipo affirmed that the regulatory monitoring committees in charge of the raffle draw would ensure that the event is transparent and in line with the rules and regulations guiding the raffle draw event, adding that lot of prizes would be won, only at the purchase of one hundred naira raffle draw ticket. He further informed that the Drum Festival which would commence on the 19th of April, 2016 aimed at contributing meaningfully to the state’s economy and improved the Internally Generated Revenue drive of the state. The Commissioner commended the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for his magnanimity and support he has accorded the drum festival started from unveiling the logo a month ago. In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and

Drummers on display Chieftaincy, Chief Jide Ojuko advised the public to be consistent and steadfast as the event would improve the cultural heritage of the country, saying that the drum festival was not to only utilize the benefits accrued to the raffle draw but also attune their mind sets on supposed creativity. “We need to know that the Drum Festival is

not just for a fun or benefit but also to showcase our cultural heritage being endowed with through drums, dance, so there is a need to display our rich cultural and traditional values”, Ojuko said. Some of the winners of the raffle draw tickets include, Kubura Adekoya, Lara Osindele, Owolawase Odekunle, and Osajie Segun Adekunle amongst others.

Unfinished Business: Ojobo’s voice for women ngozI emeDolIbe

enowned international artist, Chinze Ojobo recently held a very successful exhibition at the National Museum, Lagos. Titled ‘Unfinished Business’, the oneweek exhibition of contemporary arts and installations was well attended by some eminent Nigerians drawn various walks of life. Among the dignitaries that graced the historic event included billionaire businessman and founder of Zinox Technologies, Mr. Leo Stan-Ekeh, NIMASA DG, Mr. Peterside Dakuku, leading filmmaker and acclaimed writer, Mr. Zik Zulu-Okafor among other individuals. Speaking at the exhibition, elated Chinze, who has toured all continents of the world promoting her unique works, said Unfinished Business, was inspired by things happening around her and the world in general, especially the dangers

Surulere at Sunset exhibited at Unfinished Business

Towards National Summit on Culture IsIguzo DestIny

he Federal Government will hold a three-day National Summit on Culture and Tourism later in April 2016 in furtherance of the Administration’s economic diversification agenda, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has announced. The Minister announced this while declaring open a Working Session between the Ministry of Information and Culture and the British Council on the planned collaboration Lai Mohammed, Minister of between the two.”As you are Information and Culture

very much aware, a major plank of this Administration’s policy is the diversification of the economy away from oil. To further this agenda, we in the Ministry of Information and Culture have been putting in place measures to fast track the diversification agenda in the Culture and Tourism sectors. ”One of such measures is to critically assess veritable avenues of using Culture to drive Tourism in order to achieve a significant boost in the vast tourism potentials of the country. In view of this, we are happy to announce that the Ministry will host a three-day National Summit on Culture and Tourism from April 27th to 29th,” he said.

constantly faced by the girl child on a daily basis. With almost three decades of experience and exposure, the Fine Arts graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, disclosed that she settled for the theme because, “life is constantly reforming and as such it is an Unfinished Business.” Also speaking separately at the exhibition, the duo of Ekeh and Okafor commended Chinze, for daring to stand out in a male dominated industry. Ekeh also called on wealthy Nigerians to start appreciating and investing in arts, which he pointed out never, depreciates like most assets, but keeps appreciating. Several works were on display at the week-long event which prompted some of the visitors to specifically ask the artist to come up with another exhibition in due course. And to this, she responded: “Definitely, we have something in this direction. Lagos has been warm to my works and that means we definitely need to come back soon”

New book mirrors political assassinations

prominent Nigerian citizens. It touches broadly on security challenges that confront the olitical assassinations and need for so- nation-problems exacerbated by unprincipled politicians and cial change. The book Assassination of Eze Eme- poor governance in general. ka Japhet Njoku: Anatomy of Crisis in Nigeria and the Way Forward by Dr. Chukwunenye Clifford Njoku unveils heightened insecurity and social decay that portray Nigeria’s democratic governance on a seemingly retrogressive and uncharted cours The book deals with the concept of political assassination and the underlying misconception of human values that gives rise to this phenomenon, which the author traces from the beginnings of human existence, across diverse geo-political settings, citing highly celebrated political assassination cases in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. The book is structured into 20 chapters that unveil assassinations and murder cases of

ChrIs njoku

Business

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Technocrats ruined Nigeria’s economy - LCCI

SMEs operators require ICT skills to optimize operations, market competitiveness -Uvomata 28

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Appraising new subsidy regime’s impact on government’s fiscal position

VAT reverse charge applicable on imported services - Tribunal Tola akinmuTimi

The section further provides that such foreign companies should include the relevant VAT on its invoice which the Nigerian counter-party should deduct and remit to the FIRS in the currency of transaction According to the PwC report, the FIRS has often taken the view that when a foreign company enters into a contract with a Nigerian company, it becomes compulsory for the foreign company to register for, and charge Nigerian VAT. The TAT, in Gazprom Oil and Gas Ltd v FIRS [Gazprom] held that foreign companies not carrying on business in Nigeria are not liable to register for or charge VAT. The facts of the case considered by

its Lagos Division were that in Vodacom Business Nig Ltd v. FIRS, the Appellant entered into a contract with a non-resident company [NRC] for the supply of bandwidth capacities. NRC neither included nor charged VAT on its invoice and as a result, the Appellant did not remit VAT to the FIRS. The Appellant argued that by virtue of section 10 and 46 of the VAT Act, VAT only applies to imported services and for a service to be imported, it must be rendered in Nigeria by a nonresident company. Since the bandwidth capacities were not supplied in Nigeria, they were not imported services and thus not liable to VAT. Since the NRC was

not carrying on business in Nigeria it was not liable to register for or charge VAT. The Appellant had no obligation to account for or remit any tax since it did not receive any VAT invoice from NRC. The judgment of the TAT in Gazprom supports its position. However, FIRS argued that by virtue of sections 2, 3, and 46, of the VAT Act any good or service supplied in Nigeria is liable to VAT. The First Schedule to the VAT Act lists good and services exempt from VAT and bandwidth capacity is not listed as exempt.

he Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) Lagos division has held that a Nigerian company that receives services performed by a non-resident company should account for and pay Value Added Tax (VAT). This is even as the Tribunal also submitted that since a non-resident company which provided the service is not bound by the VAT Act, the Nigerian company which enjoyed the service had a duty to selfcharge and remit the VAT. According to a tax alert received from PriceWaterhouseCoopers, PwC, a leading consulting and financial advisory services provider by our correspondent, in arriving at its decision on February 12 this year, the TAT refused to follow the earlier decision of the TAT Abuja division in Gazprom Oil and Gas v FIRS that non-resident companies not carrying on business in Nigeria are not required to register, charge nor include VAT on their invoices and the Nigerian recipient company has no legal obligation to selfcharge and remit the VAT. Section 10 of the VAT Act provides that a foreign company carrying on business in Nigeria shall register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) using the L-R: Specialist, Mass Market Segments, Etisalat Nigeria ,Tunji Beyioku; Winner, Etisalat Easystarter Family address of its Nigerian counter- Funfair, Enugu, Amaka Mbachi and Manager,Mass Market Segments, Etisalat Nigeria, Debo Agun, during the Etisalat Easystarter Family Funfair held in Enugu, recently. party.

DMBs’ poor performances threat to economy’s growth – Afrinvest niyi Jacobs

here are strong indications that as a result of 2015 poor performance of most of the quoted Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where some of the banks recorded significant decline in profits, this could trigger more negative impacts on the Nigerian economy till the end of 2016. Speaking with National Mirror in Lagos last weekend, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Afrinvest Nigeria Limited, Ike Chioke, said that situation in the banking sector is very dear to the economy and that is the signal we are seeing in drop in profits of some of the banks in their 2015 financial results. According to him, first, we have to understand about banking, that is commercial banking and the finance sector but commercial banks

particularly serves like a toll gate for the economy, so they are the front line of defense of any nation. “When they go down it’s like a tsunami it has a critical effects, which simply means that when they go down it will push other things down. So, when the banks are suffering let say for instance from their 2015 results, there is greater suffering waiting for Nigeria by end of 2016. Chioke, further explained that Afrinvest is already feeling it because the firm is into finance business, adding that investment climate in the country is so dry and investors are no longer coming into the country anymore because of the uncertainty surrounding Foreign Exchange (Forex) market and its regulatory policies. He said: “People that even have money to invest in the country may be concerned about the extreme scrutiny on the team doing the anti corruption fight, to the point that if you

have good money to invest in something but due to fear of the unknown will rather do nothing than investing because of all manners of leakages. For instance, some people are often moved money from one account to another so as to do business but before you know it, the next day EFCC has blocked it. But essentially, when you see the banks reporting reduction in their earnings, making provisions from exposure to the power sector, provision from exposure to the Oil and Gas sector, all of these often have effects because economy is one single family, that are all connected. Someone has pledged his real estate asset which might include hotel, a laundry business and a restaurant, borrowed money to do oil which has gone down the banks then… the bank business is not to come and own the Restaurant, the hotel or the laundry mart, rather come in and sell

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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

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SMEs operators require ICT skills to optimize The trend globally is to deploy IT tools to enhance growth and profitability of organizations. For small and medium scale enterprises, the role of technology cannot be ignored. But then small business owners in Nigeria appear not to have appreciated the increasing roles IT plays in optimising their operations and invariably, market competitiveness and returns on investments. In this interview with IsaIah ErhIawarIEn, the Managing Director, Focus Softnet Services Nigeria Limited, Mr. Emeakpo Uvomata, highlights major benefits of IT tools and solutions, particularly Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, for SMEs and other entities.

ould you give a brief profile of your company and its primary area of focus?

Focus Softnet is an international software company with international head office in Dubai – UAE. The company is about delivering solutions that move business at the shortest possible time without the complexities hitherto associated with ERP implementation. Our methodologies and strong technical expertise have been proven across markets around the globe. Our expertise in wide range of business applications in multi-tier distributed architecture and mobile device applications provided innovative and quality IT products and solutions to help you implement the agile, integrated systems and processes that will help your business continues to grow. Could you say a little about ERP? Enterprise resource planning, ERP, is business process management software that allows an organisation to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business and automate many back office functions related to technology, services and human resources. How have you been able to adapt your solutions to meet the needs of small and medium scale enterprises in the country? What we have done is to deliver our solutions in different formats – small, medium and big and secondly in modular form to meet the needs of different sectors. Are Nigerian SMEs receptive to technology-driven operations? At the moment, it will appear that most of the operators at this (SME) level, either do not appreciate the benefit of automation or are generally out of sync with the rest of the world. But we are hopeful that this trend will get better soon. Do you think ERP has been

Uvomata

able to address the challenges of SMEs in the country? ERP cannot address all the challenges of SMEs in the country. They have issues ranging from management, government policies, ability to get funding from the system, competition against dumping etc. What ERP has come to do is help them have a full grasp of what they do and take decisions based on facts instead of assumptions. That ERP has been able to achieve. However, ERP integrates all the resources, which include hardware, software, manpower, product and process of an organisation and provides a link to each department for smooth flow of data, information, knowledge, resulting in

increased productivity and efficient processes. So, by integrating all departments and functions across company onto a single computer system that serves each department’s particular needs, building a single software programme that serves the needs of employees in finance, human resource, and warehouse, is no longer a tall order. Each of these departments typically has its own computer system optimised for the particular ways that the does its work. But ERP combines them all together into a single integrated software program that runs off a single datebase so that various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each

ERP cannot addREss all thE challEngEs of sMEs in thE countRy. thEy havE issuEs Ranging fRoM ManagEMEnt, govERnMEnt PoliciEs, ability to gEt funding fRoM thE systEM, coMPEtition against duMPing Etc. What ERP has coME to do is hElP thEM havE a full gRasP of What thEy do and takE dEcisions basEd on facts instEad of assuMPtions

other. So for SMES, this integrated approach provides critical information in real time, which will assist businesses optimise efficiency and enhance profitability. Could you give an example of this procedure? Take a customer order, for example. Typically, when a customer places an order that order begins as a paper-based journey from inbox to inbox throughout the company, often being entered and re-entered into different departments’ computer systems along the way. All that lounging around in inbox causes delay lost days, and all the keying into different computer systems invites errors. Meanwhile, no one in the company truly knows what the status of the order is at any given point because there is no way for the finance department. For example, you have to get into the warehouse’s computer system to see whether the item has been shipped. ‘You will have to call the warehouse’ is the familiar refrain heard by frustrated customer. Are you saying ERP solves

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Executive Discourse

operations, market competitiveness -Uvomata that problem even for SMEs? ERP vanquishes the old standalone computer systems in finance, HR, manufacturing and the warehouse, and replaces them with a single unified software program divided into software modules that approximate the old standalone systems. Finance, manufacturing and warehouse all still get their own software to see if an order has been shipped. ERP allow trace-ability of an order from the point it is entered to the point it is shipped, by anyone from any department, and that enhances customer service truly. Looking at your ERP story can you positively say your solutions can compete in the rapidly evolving IT solutions market? The answer is an emphatic YES! We allow users to customise the screens, they can make reports and above all they have workflows which allow them to run paperless office in its real sense. No other system is as flexible as ours. It is always tricky business to run comparisons between competing ERP solutions, but that does not mean they are all the same. If they were the same, Focus would not have been in business for this length of time. Coming from my personal background as an accountant with emphasis on the systems and solutions aspect of the profession, I have personally come to the conclusion that a lot is missing in the available ERP solutions around. From the point of view of performance, flexibility, pricing and support, it is obvious that the coming of Focus into the Nigerian market and indeed Africa, is blessing. Apart from having solutions for small (Focus 6), medium (Focus RT) and large organisations (Focus 1 and Focus 8), we have generic and industry specific products that cater for trading companies, manufacturing and construction. We can also undertake any development project that our client might require. And where does your strength lies? Our strength lies in the flexibility of our products, not only can Focus ERP solutions be easily adapt to any business process, a standard availability of additions like workflows and online approvals completely eliminates paper and scheduling of reports is a fantastic features. Above all we give everything that enables our clients own the products.

Coming from my personal baCkground

as an aCCountant with emphasis on the systems and solutions aspeCt of the

profession, i have personally Come to the ConClusion that a lot is missing in the available erp solutions around

From accounting, business intelligence, HR, inventory and CRM capabilities, our solutions have often been rated higher most products from our competition including the likes of SAP, Tally and Microsoft. The beauty of our offering is that we do not force all our solutions down the throat of our customers. Focus sells ERP as a complete pack or as individual modules. For example, clients may acquire only an ERP finance or HR module and leave the rest of the functions for another day

resolve it remotely. We do not need to go onsite except it is absolutely necessary.

One major complaint about software solutions is that of after sales service. How effective is your after sales service, and could you share with us how you have been able to overcome this challenge? For us, customer satisfaction and loyalty is very important. Therefore we run a 24/7 customer help desk system. If any customer has an issue, we

Taxation solutions is becoming a critical issue in the country, do you think that the imported solutions address local tax problems and needs? I cannot speak for other solutions, but I can speak for Focus. We have local experts who have worked and are still working with our foreign counterparts to make our solutions compliant to our local laws. As

Uvomata

It is said that most ERP solutions do not meet international standard. So does your solution meet international standard? Focus solutions are international products. They are deployed in more than 24 countries at the moment including North America. Every key development attributes that makes an international standard solution is already there.

the MD of the Nigerian office, I am an FCA that has practiced in this economy for close to 30 years. So thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing about tax matters we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t integrate into our ERP here. Why are there manual systems in the country despite innovations in technology across the world? Pure and simple. Lack of ICT appreciation. There are business owners and operators in Nigeria who cannot distinguish their left from their right ICT wise. Between cloud and server based solutions, which will you advise a client to embrace, and what are your reasons? There are things to consider in making a decision like this. Ordinarily, cloud is good. It is safer as there is arrangement for back-up at a different site, most times in another country. You are able to have 24/7 up time without investing in your own combination of power production schemes (generators, inverters, UPS, etc). However, you need a very good internet connection. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nigeria, this will be expensive. So the decision to go Cloud or not is a fundamental business approach decision and not just technology. Hackers are on the loose, how secure are your solutions? Hackers go into the server housing the solution and not the solution itself. We recommend different layers of protection for servers that are exposed to the internet. If the servers are not exposed to the internet there are no risks at all. What kind of support do you think your sector needs from government? We do not need any direct support from government. What we will like to see is for government to know that to eliminate graft and malfeasance from the economy, we need to educate all and sundry and maybe at policy level that establishments must go automation, such that all transactions are in the open and available to all relevant bodies and agencies. For instance why should we be in the dark as to what it costs to produce a litter of PMS (petrol) in Nigeria? With automation, such information can be at the fingertips of both the decision makers and the public.

Business News

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Technocrats ruined Nigeria’s economy - LCCI abOlaJi adebayO

he Chairman, Agro-allied section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Adeola Elliot, has accused the technocrats of facilitating the parlous state of Nigeria’s economy, saying they were the ones who misled the politicians on the development of the economy. Addressing journalist at the press briefing of the First Lagos International Agric Fair 2016 organised by the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Elliot disclosed how the economy was robust even before the discovery of crude oil in the country. He maintained that his generation was among those who ruin the economy because the technocrats

who were supposed to guide the politicians right were teaching them how to be corrupt. He further said that the governments have no knowledge of most of the works need to restructure the economy, saying they only depend on the technocrats. He however said that the technocrats, instead of doing developmental job, instigate and aid corruption at the expense of economic development. He said they also aided the abandonment of agriculture for oil. Elliot, who reminisced on the strength of agriculture as the mainstay of economy in the past, noted that agriculture was capable of reforming the economy with its vast capability if fully explored with sincerity.

He urged the farmers and other agriculturists to be up and doing and prove to the governments that it is high time they do away with paperwork and face the reality. He said there has been agricultural revival now in the country due to fall in oil price as more

youths now venture into agriculture. He therefore called on every farmers to be part of the agric fair as a matter of compulsion, saying it would be an avenue for revolution in the sector. Answering question on how to encourage mechanised farming

in the country, the LCCI Agro-allied boss disclosed a giant plan by the Chamber in collaboration with AFAN working with International agencies such as USAID on Integrated Project that would soon facilitate mechanised faring across the country.

Ogun State mulls legislation on compulsory insurances Zaka Olalekan

gun State Government has unveiled plans to legislate on compulsory insurances in the state as part of its efforts to deepen insurance penetration by enhancing compliance rate. The State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who disclosed this when the top management team of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) visited him in his office, said he was concerned the state had not taken full opportunities of the insurance sector. To reverse the trend, he promised that his administration would ensure that insurance law on public building, among others are passed in the State, thus, becoming one of the few states that have domesticated insurance law. “We need to beef up the contribution of the insurance sector to the nation’s economy. We have not taken full advantage of the insurance sector in Nigeria. Nigeria is not bereft of ideas. The problem is that of implementation. For instance, we need to stop fake insurance policies in circulation. It will be in the best interest of the nation. NAICOM needs to enforce the laws appropriately, ” he pointed out. The state’s Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, therefore charged relevant stakeholders to increase awareness on insurance products and services in the country. He also charged the NAICOM and the media to embark on improved insurance awareness to sensitise Nigerians on the need to insure. Ashiru lamented the low level of insurance penetration in the country but believes the media and the commission still have a lot to do. He noted that insurance business thrived on integrity and that

operators must ensure that integrity becomes their watch word. This is even as he urged the regulatory body to ensure that insurance companies live up to their responsibilities, adding that failure to thoroughly supervise these entities would be inimical to the public. Ashiru also tasked the commission to improve its supervision to ensure that insurers do the needful in terms of adherence to all provisions in insurance guidelines. While charging NAICOM officers in charge of supervision of underwriting firms not to compromise as defaulting firms will always want lure the officers in a bid to cover their misdeeds by offering gifts or other attractive incentives, he urged insurers to always meet their claims obligations since it is the essence of their setup.

Feeling The Hit: Stranded commuters at Ojodu Berger Bus Stop as scarcity of petrol hits hard. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Stanbic IBTC, Diamond Bank, First Bank, notify NSE of delayed accounts niyi JacObs

ndications have emerged that five Nigerian commercial banks and a microfinance institution have notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of their inability to finalise the audit of their accounts for the 2015 financial year in line with the regulatory timeline of three months after the end of a business year. As at the time of filing this report, some of the banks listed as having defaulted in the late filing

…may be sanctioned for missing regulatory timeline of their statements include, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, First Bank Limited and NPF Microfinance Bank. National Mirror learnt that the capital market regulator may sanction the affected financial institutions even as stakeholders are worried such sanction could worsen the institutions’, which are currently experiencing macroeconomic challenges, situation. Since the business year ended on December 31, 2015, most quoted companies, including banks, man-

Forex policy: Customs petitions Vice President over N230bn revenue drop eral of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali holders that the service was also FRancis eZeM

he Nigeria Customs Service has officially petitioned Vice President Yemi Osibajo over the negative effects of the foreign exchange restriction policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, which has hampered the ability of the service to meet its revenue projections. The service is seeking a review of the policy which has excluded about 41 items of imports including some categories of raw materials from accessing foreign exchange through the official market, where the naira exchanges N197 per dollar while it exchanges for over N350 to the dollar at the parallel market, which is the only option opened to importers of such products. National Public Relations officer of the service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, who made the disclosure, said that the Comptroller- Gen-

(rtd) noted that the policy had created a revenue shortfall to the tune of N230 billion in the last quarter of 2015 alone. According to him, the CG has officially written the Vice-President to officially request for a review of the policy, which he said is also taking its toll on manufacturers and other operators in the real sector. It was also gathered that the CG, who was on a familiarisation tour of commands in Lagos and other South-West State, held a stakeholders’ forum with members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN in line with his continuous engagement with stakeholders. Members of the association had used the opportunity provided by the forum to raise issues of mutual concerns, which primarily centred on the negative impacts of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policy, banning some items from accessing its foreign exchange allocation. The Comptroller- General of the service, who also told the stake-

suffocating under the effects of the foreign exchange restriction policy, cited the instance of its revenue shortfall of N230 billion for the last quarter of 2015, however assured the manufactures that the matter had been tabled before the Vice President. A high point of the forum was the setting up a joint CustomsMAN team to formalise the relationship between both parties and also to harmonise all areas of conflict in the draft Memorandum of Understanding MoU between both parties. Investigations showed that part of the aim of the MoU was address the increasing cases of import related fraud such as under-declaration, wrong classification, under-invoicing, over-invoicing, concealment and smuggling by some importers and their agents, designed to evade duty payment through which the government has lost so much of its import revenue.

ufacturers, oil and gas companies, breweries and cement companies use the 12-month calendar as their business year. But NSE’s regulatory filing calendar indicated that the deadline for submission of annual report for companies with Gregorian calendar business year, which ended on December 31, 2015, was Thursday, March 31. Although the NSE can grant waiver and extension to companies on special consideration such as those awaiting regulatory approval, some companies have already filed for extension of the earnings deadline to enable them finalise their annual report. For instance, Diamond Bank, in a release titled, “Notification on the Release of Diamond Bank Plc 2015 Audited Financial Statement for the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2015” explained that it had completed the auditing of its accounts and submitted the approved accounts and report to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for final approval. The notification reads in part: “The Management of Diamond Bank Plc would like to advise our esteemed shareholders, key shareholders and the wider investor community that from available indications we are unlikely to issue our audited financial statements on March 31, 2016, as required by the NSE Rules (the Rules) and other regulatory rules guiding release of Audited Financial Statements.” It stated that the auditors have concluded the review of the Audited Financial Statements and had been approved by the Board of Directors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Business News

NYPF, Heritage Bank launch N500m scheme for young entrepreneurs Regina OtOkpa

he Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), in partnership with Heritage Bank have inaugurated a N500 million grant scheme to support Nigerian students and entrepreneurs. According to a statement released by NYPF’s Chairman, Moses Siasia, in Abuja, the programme was inaugurated on April 6 in Lagos with the name Young Entrepreneurs and Students Grant (YESGrant) to provide a one-time grant for 500 aspiring entrepreneurs and create about 60,000 new jobs for unemployed youths. He said: “The main objective of this programme is to encourage young Nigerians and it will focus on three key sectors: Agriculture, Creative industry and Informa-

tion Communication Technology. This programme is born out of the enormous challenges young aspiring entrepreneurs and students go through in their quest toward s achieving set goals in their small scale businesses and academic pursuits. “NYPF has been in the lead of building the next generation of business frontiers and the huge impact we have created with our educational intervention programmes for children in rural communities across the nation. ``YESGrant targets to generate jobs encourage and support aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigerian to develop and execute business ideas that will create jobs and lead to self-reliance’’, Siasia added He further disclosed that YESGrant would provide aspiring entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their business expertise and skills to business leaders, in-

vestors and mentor According to him, it will be a motivation for Nigerian students to achieve their academic pursuits, while adding that the grant would be open to both male and female between the ages of 18 to 40 years who were registered members of NYPF. ``It will attract ideas and innovations from young entrepreneurial postulants from universities,

polytechnics, technical colleges and other post-secondary institutions in Nigerians. ``Provide a one time grant for over 500 selected aspiring entrepreneurs to start or expand their business concepts and mitigate start up risks. ``Generate 50,000 to 60,000 new jobs for currently unemployed young Nigerians over five years period during which five cycles will

be implemented. ``Enable Nigerian students with extreme financial need to pursue their academic dreams and aspirations as well as encourage research and innovation. ``Students studying in Nigerian will receive up to N500,000 while those studying in the UK will receive up to 3,000 pounds; those studying in the US will receive up to 5,000 dollars annually,’’ he added.

World’s top traders say worst is over for oil

op executives at the world’s largest oil-trading houses said the worst of the market’s woes are probably over, with some predicting prices will climb to $50 a barrel by next year. “The down market is behind us,” Torbjorn Tornqvist, chief executive officer of Gunvor Group Ltd., said on Tuesday at the FT Global Commodities Summit in Lausanne. “It is the beginning of the end of that for sure.” Oil has rebounded after falling to the lowest level in more than 12 years amid signs a global glut will ease as U.S. output declines. The world’s largest oil traders were meeting in Switzerland as members of OPEC and other major producers prepare to assemble in Doha on April 17 to discuss an output freeze. Oil traders benefited from a surge in volatility last year and that should continue, according to Tornqvist. “We are going to have lots of volatility going forward,” Tornqvist said. “From here on the trend is up.” A “rebalancing” of global crude oil supply and demand could take place by the end of the third quarter as production cuts by cash-strapped producers start to curb the current glut, according to Trafigura Group Pte CEO Jeremy Weir. “I believe we’ve seen the bottom unless there is some sort of catastrophic situation, political or otherwise,” Weir said. When oil prices recently dipped below $28 it was a positive for crude as forward prices fell faster than current ones, prompting major production projects to be canceled, according to Marco Dunand, CEO of Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. “We anticipate the market to

start a recovery and we see a $50 price next year,” he said. The oil market is at the beginning of a multiyear bull run, with prices rising to $60 later this year and $80 in 2017, said Pierre Andurand, the chief investment officer of London-based hedge fund Andurand Capital Management LLP. Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed 1 percent to $43.27 a barrel, a four-month high, as of 2:21 p.m. on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Alex Beard, head of oil at Glencore Plc, was less bullish about the recovery, noting that the global market added over 300 million barrels of crude and oil products into storage in the last 18 months. “We hopefully will move into a rebalancing, but I don’t think it will come particularly quick,” Beard said. “We still have very large stockpiles to eat through.”

L-R: Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, [LCCI] Mr Muda Yusuf, President, Dr Nike Akande and Deputy President, Mr Babatunde Ruwase, at the First in the Series of LCCI Quarterly Press Briefing, in Lagos, on Thursday.

Italy seeks amplified bad-debt punch with $5.7bn bank fund

taly’s 5 billion-euro ($5.7 billion) bad-bank fund may unleash wider sales of non-performing loans by letting lenders access state guarantees. The Atlante fund intends to amplify its effect on local banks’ efforts to sell bad debts by using some funds to buy the riskiest soured loans. That could then help banks qualify for state guarantees on their least-toxic debts, which would ease risks for investors and

potentially spur sales. “The amount of bad loans that can be removed from banks will be far greater than those purchased by us because Atlante will focus its investments on the junior tranche,” fund manager Quaestio Capital Management said in a statement on Monday. Banks, insurers and institutional investors, including state-backed Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, will finance the fund.

Deutsche Bank freezes plans for North Carolina jobs

eutsche Bank is freezing plans to create 250 new jobs in North Carolina after the state enacted a law last month that opponents say discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. The announcement on Tuesday by Germany’s largest lender follows other corporate protests of the law, one of a number of measures pitting LGBT equality rights against religious freedoms in state legislatures across the United States. The North Carolina law prohibits anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also bars transgender people from using bath-

rooms or locker rooms in schools and other public facilities that do not match the sex on their birth certificate. “We take our commitment to building inclusive work environments seriously,” Deutsche Bank co-Chief Executive Officer John Cryan said in a statement. Deutsche Bank, which employs about 900 people at its software application development center in Cary, North Carolina, had said last September that it planned to add 250 jobs there by 2017. “We’re proud of our operations and employees in Cary and regret that as a result of this legislation, we are unwilling to include North Carolina in our U.S. expansion plans for now,” Cryan said.

Last week, PayPal Holdings canceled plans to open a global operations center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and invest $3.6 million in the area, and rock star Bruce Springsteen canceled a concert in the state to protest the law. State House Majority Leader Mike Hager, a Republican, dismissed the fallout as cause for concern. “We’re not going to change our policies because of that,” he said in a phone interview. “There will be other folks that will take their place.” Hager said the law was needed to protect women from having men in their bathrooms and to block local governments from dictating the personnel policies of private businesses. (Source – Reuters.com)

The purchase plan may let Italy avoid breaching European stateaid rules as it helps lenders clear an estimated 360 billion euros of soured loans from balance sheets. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi wants to clean up the banking sector and drive fresh lending as the country struggles to revive economic growth. “The structure they’re putting in place might do the trick,” said Nicolas Roth, who buys non-performing loans as a distressed-debt manager at Reyl & Cie. in Geneva. Reyl oversees 11 billion Swiss francs ($11 billion) of assets. The fund may help banks clear a regulatory hurdle for state guarantees as lenders have to sell half of their riskier, non-guaranteed loans to private investors before they can purchase government support for their least-toxic debt. Banks will sell bad debts through securitisations under a plan announced in January. The new fund will also buy other assets from lenders struggling to raise equity capital in private markets. It is being overseen by Quaestio, rather than the government, to avoid violating state-aid rules. The European Commission said by e-mail that it only has “preliminary information” about the fund. (Source – Bloomberg.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Commerce & Industry

Proactive implementation of forex policy on 41 items ‘ll boost local production – Ogunsetan Olugbenga Abdulkabir Ogunsetan is the immediate past General Secretary of Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter and the Chief Executive Officer, Soleace & Moxie Investment Limited. In this interview with ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, he declared that the forex restriction policy on some 41 items by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was in order to promote local production if properly implemented. Excerpts: What is the level of local production of livestock feeds currently in Nigeria? The level is quite high, we have different scales of operation, we have some local feed millers, we have the industrial feed millers and the multinational companies such as Top feed, Vital feeds, can cereal, and others. They produce thousands of tons per day but I can say the numbers of ton precisely, but there is high level of production from those companies. But despite the high level of production running in the country as you rightly said sir, Nigeria still import this product on daily basis why? Yes we do, we do because the environment for production is not enabling enough. What I mean by this is that there are some companies that import feed concentrates. The concentrates are all feed ingredients except maize and wheat over. Now let us look at power, there are companies that produce soya milk, groundnut cake, cotton seeds and the rest in Nigeria, but their cost of production is very high, either due to insecurity problem for instance in the North where the farmers are not able to cultivate their soya beans and when they don’t have, definitely the price would go high. Those companies go as far as other neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Togo, to bring soya beans. again, when the cost of input is high, the cost of output will also be high and that is why many people go for the imported ones, which is relatively cheaper than the locally produced ones. Alright sir, will you support outright ban of those livestock feed products? What we should know is that nobody imports livestock feeds, they only bring in intermediate products like feed concentrates I mentioned. Feed concentrates are mixture of some ingredients blended together in the foreign countries, it is used here to produce the final feed, so it serves as raw material for us here, it is not a complete feed on its own, we need to mix some other ingredient with it here. However, we have some local firms producing the same concentrate here from locally available materials but if the companies importing the concentrates are able to see price differential and relative no margin, they would not import. In fact, nobody would buy the imported ones if the local ones are cheap. So, what do you think can be done to promote the locally produced ones? What we can do is to stimulate the local agricultural production, because all of these materials are either from crops or processed animals like feeder mill is from poultry while blood mill is from beef slaughtering and these are the raw materials used for making the concentrates we are talking about. So, if there is abundant production locally, all these associated products would also come cheap and there would be no need for importing. If we can get it cheaper locally why should we import? The mass production locally will make it very abundant and make the price cheaper when we have economy of large scale production. For instance, people are importing maize in the country now because the price is high, if we have enormous harvest nobody would import. As I told you, the CBN policy restricting some items from official forex window is strictly in order. Of course some items have to be totally banned from being imported into this country if we truly want to promote our own locally made ones for instance, the feed con-

try it again. As an expert, what policy would you recommend to promote locally made products especially agricultural products? Restructuring of Nigerian system. Restructuring of the entire system would help us. We should stop paying a lip service. We have been talking about diversification into agriculture, then what fraction of the budget allocated to agriculture; can it do the job and sustain it?

Ogunsetan

AS I TOLD YOU, THE CBN POLICY RESTRICTING SOME ITEMS FROM OFFICIAL FOREX WINDOW IS STRICTLY IN ORDER. OF COURSE SOME ITEMS HAVE TO BE TOTALLY BANNED FROM BEING IMPORTED INTO THIS COUNTRY IF WE TRULY WANT TO PROMOTE OUR OWN LOCALLY MADE ONES FOR INSTANCE, THE FEED CONCENTRATES I WAS TALKING ABOUT CAN ALSO BE PRODUCED HERE IN NIGERIA, BUT MOST OF THESE POLICIES ARE NOT ENFORCED centrate I was talking about can also be produced here in Nigeria, but most of these policies are not enforced. Look for instance as I said, there is a total ban on the importation of smuggled chicken but we still have them in our markets, the smuggling persists, those involved do it on daily basis. So, if the CBN can be more proactive with that policy measure, it would be more effective and stimulate our local production. I’m sure it would have been yielding results on some products, it is much need in agriculture sector because we have to promote our agriculture and the best way is to restrict importation of any agricultural product. The government only need to be proactive with its policies. Does that mean that the government is not proactive in the implementation of those policies? Probably there are some cartels, some cabals involved, I wouldn’t know. But the truth is that if you want to ban imported products, it is better done in the market at the point of sale where those products could be impounded and destroyed. For instance let them bring the frozen chicken and meet them at the point of sale. If their goods are destroyed there, they would not

Sir, how would you rate the government’s support and commitment to agric sector? Well, we can hear every time that they are going to do this they are going to do that but we have not seen the physical plan and concrete policy of how it is going to be done. And it is only when we see that that we can criticise and or advise on what and how to do it. For instance, during the last regime, there was a programme with which some graduate youths were targeted to be empowered in the agricultural sector. They said they would give those youths fund to start businesses along agricultural value chain. I said then that they were starting the programme with failure. How do I mean, giving a fresh graduate loans to start business they didn’t have training or skill in would be a total failure. How would they start? They need land, they need other infrastructure including power and above all they need expertise – training. Rather than empowering the fresh graduate without experience, they should have attached them to the established firm for training first. Then after a period of time carefully calculated, move them to the settlement schemes organised by the government and the marketing structure would have been in place because marketing is another major challenge in agribusiness which the government has to regulate. So, why can’t the government go back to the idea of marketing board that we used to have in the western region whereby the government would be the buyer of the products and there would be standard. Of course people must buy foods and some items on daily basis, and for good standards, the prices would be set by the government. Unfortunately, farmers are at the mercy of the meddle men – the marketers. Look at the issue of catfish and poultry farmers for instance; their profit margins dwindle always; most of the time they are at loss because cost of their inputs is highly elastic while their prices of their outputs remain static. For instance, in the last 10 years, there has not been up to N200 increment if the price of crate of eggs in the market but there has been more than N1000 increment in the price of feed. So, the issue of agricultural marketing is another aspect the government has to look into, there should be standard for the market so that the farmers would not be ripped off by the unscrupulous market women. There are a lot of thing the government has to work on. How can agriculture be industrialised in Nigeria? The major factor to stimulate industrialisation of agriculture in Nigeria is power. To industrialised, we need power. Power sector is very key to agriculture enterprises. In agricultural production, we need power without we one cannot succeed, and may be on the lost if run on generating plant with fuel. For instance if you look at the tomato paste processing, you will need power to be successful to run all the machines. Look at it from that angle for all agricultural products processing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Fuel scarcity defies Kachikwu’s assurances 36

NYPF, Heritage Bank launch N500m scheme for young entrepreneurs 31

Oil exploration drops globally as low prices persist 35

Appraising new subsidy regime’s impact on government’s fiscal position

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has been making frantic efforts to bring the long era of fuel subsidy payment to an end and kick-start his economic revival programes. In this report, UDEME AKPAN analyses the implications of the re-introduced fuel subsidy for the government’s fiscal capacity amid various socioeconomic programmes waiting for urgent funding needs.

lose watchers of the problematic downstream sector of the nation’s petroleum industry had heaved a sigh of relief when the era of low oil prices put paid to subsidy payment to oil marketers in the nation. The reasons were not farfetched. First, the subsidy payment had imposed huge financial burden on the Federal Government. For instance, as at last August, almost N600 billion was owed to marketers over a one year period. Second, there was also speculation that subsidy breeds corruption as well as contributed to the development of other economies while stifling indigenous growth in the nation. Consequently, they did not expect an early return, especially as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachickwu had raised hope that the novel price modulation mechanism currently in place would enable the Federal Government to record zero expenses on

fuel subsidy this year. Kachikwu, while delivering the 45th convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, had noted that the zero fuel subsidy regime is already in place and would be sustained based on the prevailing modified pricing template for petroleum products which has eliminated extraneous cost elements. But this may not be as the rise in crude oil prices from below $30 to $40 per barrel

has once again justified the need for subsidy payment in the nation. A survey of major oil markets showed that oil prices, including Nigeria’s Bonny Light have increased from about $29 to $40 per barrel, meaning additional cost to refineries who pass the cost to traders in form of high fuel prices. Expectedly, the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA has advised the government to pay N4.09 per liter to marketers this month. In its April, 2016 template

The key elemenT has been, how To find foreign exchange for Those who wanT To

parTicipaTe in The sTream, who have been doing This TradiTionally, To geT inTo The space, buy Their producTs, come in, disTribuTe.

ThaT’s

someThing we’ve had To work on

posted over the weekend, the agency put the subsidy at N4.09 per liter. This amounted to N163 million daily as the nation’s estimated daily demand for fuel hovered at 40 million liters. The PPPRA puts the nation’s landing cost for fuel, including cost and freight, traders margin, lightering expenses, NPA, NIMASA, jetty/depot thru charge a storage charge at N75.79 per liter. The agency put total sub margins, including administrative charge, marine transport average, bridging fund and margins at N14.30 per liter. It puts total cost, including highway maintenance, government tax, import tax, fuel tax and subtotal taxes at N90.09 per liter. The PPPRA also puts the official ex-depot, ex-depot and ex-coastal prices at N71.70, N76.00 and N71.19 arrived at an under recovery of N4.09 per liter. The executive secretary of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Olawore said in a telephone interview that the subsidy is justified because of the slight increase in oil prices. He said the subsidy would enable marketers to recover cost involved in the process of importing commercial quantity of fuel into the nation. Experts have predicted that oil prices may continue to rise slowly in the coming months, thereby imposing additional subsidy challenge for the nation that would also earn more foreign exchange through direct export of crude. The secretary general of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Appraising new subsidy regime’s impact on government’s fiscal position CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 Countries, OPEC, Dr. Abdalla El-Badri sees oil demand increasing by around 17 million barrels per day between now and 2040, reaching close to 110 million barrels a day by then. “And in terms of oil-related investment requirements, these are estimated to be around $10 trillion over this period. However, the current environment is putting this future at risk. At current price levels, it is clear that not all of the necessary future investment is viable. “New barrels are needed not only to increase production, but to accommodate for decline rates from existing fields. We need to remember that low oil prices are bad for producers today and lead to situations that are bad for consumers tomorrow. And high oil prices are bad for consumers today and lead to situations that are bad for producers tomorrow. “Thus, as I have often said, extreme prices – either too high or too low – are not in the interests of either producers or consumers. Of course, there are also many other ongoing and related challenges for oil markets, such as: the uncertain prospects for the global economy; excessive speculation and the role of financial markets; the impact of geopolitics; advances in technology and their impacts on exploration and production; and environmental concerns.” Already, the government seemed ready to address the fuel subsidy. Kachikwu while addressing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation personnel in Abuja confirmed that: “This week, we address the fuel subsidy. It’s not by happenstance that you see me with my sleeves all rolled up. And I hope you’re visiting filling stations and helping us work this difficulty. This is probably the most challenging issue since I took over as GMD and Minister of Petroleum, and the reality is that a lot of us, even within the company (NNPC), do not know why this is so, and so for those who don’t know, I’ll first go through why you have this situation. “First, on resumption in August, we had a major problem on our hands, because subsidies of close to N600 billion, had not been paid over a one year period, and so the majors, those who were importing, had began to quietly reduce the levels of importation allotted to them and, though I got the approval of the National Assembly and the President to eventually pay a good portion of that subsidy, sometime in November, by then it was too late. Too late because although they got the money, they didn’t have access to foreign exchange, so the main reason we have this supply gap now is that, although NNPC has its own 445,000 barrels allocation of crude and is meeting its own 50per cent of delivery, the individuals, who should provide the balance of the 40per cent component, are not bringing in any product. “So, we’ve had to be very creative over the last 4 to 5 months, until we basically ran out of options and the sort of creativity that we put in place was forward buying, forward purchase, forward crude alloca-

Kachikwu

Buhari tions, and also, just to bring in more product, because we saw NNPC transit from a 45per cent provider to suddenly 80per cent, and about this month really to 100per cent provider of petroleum products in Nigeria. That was not sustainable, we didn’t have the capacity, we didn’t have the funding, we didn’t have access to the products, we didn’t have the foreign exchange. So in very many ways, it’s surprising that we’ve even been able to survive this long. “The key element has been, how to find foreign exchange for those who want to participate in the stream, who have been doing this traditionally, to get into the space, buy their products, come in, distribute. That’s something we’ve had to work on. Of course, the second problem was incessant pipeline disruptions. Literally, if you look at the statistics of this year, as against last year, we’ve had almost two times the number of pipeline disruptions than we’ve had over the last two, three years, in this year and that for us is very disturbing.” He indicated that the government has convinced the upstream companies to provide some forex buffer over the next one year for those who are bringing in products. Kachikwu maintained that from Total Upstream to Total Downstream, Mobil

Upstream to Mobil Downstream, Agip ENI to Oando, Shell to Conoil, many operators were getting involved. He maintained that the government has also box its way through the CBN to get a little allocation; because the NNPC provides the bulk of this foreign exchange. From all indications, many oil marketers are well pleased, especially as the government has involved again in the importation of fuel. For instance, the Chairman of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa confirmed that the Federal Government has provided sufficient Q2 allocations for the importation of petroleum products. Akinfemiwa said that the allocations have been evenly divided between the NNPC and the petroleum marketers. According to him, the Federal Government, NNPC and the Major Marketers have put in place a structure to ensure the effective distribution of these allocations to the retail outlets and as a result, PMS has become readily available. “In order for the populace to reap the benefit of our joint efforts, we advise the public to refrain from panic buying and we assure the buying public that we shall continue to work hand in hand with the NNPC and the Federal Government to ensure un-

ExpEctEdly, thE pEtrolEum product pricing rEgulatory agEncy, pppra has advisEd thE govErnmEnt to pay n4.09 pEr litEr to markEtErs this month. in its april, 2016 tEmplatE postEd ovEr thE wEEkEnd, thE agEncy put thE subsidy at n4.09 pEr litEr. this amountEd to n163 million daily as thE nation’s EstimatEd daily dEmand for fuEl hovErEd at 40 million litErs

interrupted fuel supplies all year round.” However, some stakeholders have made suggestions, capable of assisting the nation to tackle the various issues at stake. For instance, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI has made a strong case for liberalisation of the downstream sector in order to attract the participation of increased investment. It indicated that there should be a level playing field for all operators, including the NNPC. It disclosed that this would put an end to the perennial problem of fuel scarcity in the country and the hardships suffered by citizens to fuel scarcity. The chamber noted that this would attract more investment, generate more jobs and reduce the pressure on the country’s foreign reserves. The LCCI maintained that the role of the NNPC needs to be clearly defined. It stressed that it should not be an operator and still have regulatory powers. It disclosed that a model that would allow for a level playing field for all operators including the NNPC should be adopted. It further proposed that the “the roles of the DPR and the PPPRA need to be better defined. The chamber said there are currently several instances of overlapping and duplication of activities and responsibilities. It noted that this poses a problem for investors in the sector. The chamber disclosed that the refineries should be operated as commercial business entities. It added that the NLNG model [which allows for private sector management] should be adopted for the refineries. However, although the Dangote Group has embarked on the construction of a new refinery, there are indications that Nigerians would continue to depend on massive fuel importation with additional subsidy burden on the government in a short or medium term.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Oil exploration drops globally as low prices persist STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

il exploration has dropped significantly in many parts of the world as a result of low prices and investment. Baker Hughes Incorporated confirmed in its March, 2016 report that the international rig count for March 2016 was 985, down 33 from the 1,018 counted in February 2016, and down 266 from the 1,251 counted in March 2015. It indicated that the international offshore rig count for March 2016 was 211, down 14 from the 225 counted in February 2016, and down 105 from the 316 counted in March 2015. The report maintained that the average U.S. rig count for March 2016 was 478, down 54 from the 532 counted in February 2016, and down 632 from the 1,110 counted in March 2015. It disclosed that the average Canadian rig count for March 2016 was 88, down 123 from the 211 counted in February 2016, and down 108 from the 196 counted in March 2015. The report noted that the worldwide rig count for March 2016 was 1,551, down 210 from the 1,761 counted in February 2016, and down 1,006 from the 2,557 counted in March 2015. It maintained that the Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the U.S., Canada and international markets. The report noted that it has issued the rotary rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of the U.S. and Canadian drilling activity. The company disclosed that Baker Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. It observed that the North American rig count is scheduled to be released at noon Central time on the last working day of each week. Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The company’s 43,000 employees today work in more than 80 countries helping customers find, evaluate, drill, produce, transport and process hydrocarbon resources. However, OPEC maintained that the

Oil vessel

OPEC Reference Basket recovered in February for the first time in three months, gaining 8.4 per cent or $2.22 to reach $28.72/b. It disclosed that crude oil futures were mixed, with ICE Brent ending up $1.60 to reach $33.53/b, while Nymex WTI fell by $1.16 to stand at $30.62/b. The cartel said world economic growth has been revised down for this year to 3.1 per cent, after estimated growth of 2.9 per cent in 2015. It disclosed that in the emerging economies, India and China are seen continuing to expand at a considerable pace of 7.5 per cent and 6.3 per cent, respectively. The organisation said world oil de-

mand growth for 2015 stands at 1.54 mb/d to average 92.98 mb/d, in line with the previous report. Global oil demand growth for 2016 also remains unchanged at around 1.25 mb/d to average 94.23 mb/d. It indicated that Non-OPEC oil supply growth for 2015 has been revised up by 100 tb/d to 1.42 mb/d for an average of 57.09 mb/d. “This revision was mostly driven by upward adjustments to 4Q15 data in the OECD. In 2016, non-OPEC oil supply is forecast to contract by 0.70 mb/d to average 56.39 mb/d. OPEC NGLs are expected to increase by 0.17 mb/d this year, following growth of 0.15 mb/d in 2015,” it added.

CNL promises safety of operations

hevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the Joint Venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL confirmed that on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, a fire broke out in a container storage facility at our Escravos location away from the production operations area. The company said the fire was promptly put out while two employees of contractors to CNL died as a result of the fire incident. It disclosed that the incident has been reported to all relevant authorities including our Joint Venture Partner, NNPC and the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR). The company said that it has started investigating the cause of the incident while giving priority to the safety of employees and contractors.

It reiterated its commitment to operational excellence, the safety of all personnel, the security of assets and protection of the environment. The company noted that it remains a leader in working in extremely difficult environments. It indicated that the company has major operations in some of the world’s most important oil and gas regions. The company noted that its upstream business combines innovation and the effective use of technology to maximize mature fields, discover new resources and meet the world’s growing demand for energy. It disclosed that through targeted investments and a consistent focus on operational excellence, the company has been developing the next generation of legacy producers.

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

41.80

+1.44

+3.57%

12:40 PM

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

44.44

+1.61

+3.76%

12:40 PM

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

28,480.00

+1,120.00

+4.09%

12:39 PM

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

1.98

+0.07

+3.45%

12:39 PM

Source: Bloomberg as at March 28, 2016

“Exploration is essential to our business. In 2014, we sought new resources in deepwater regions of West Africa, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore Australia, and we planned drilling and seismic activities in more than 10 countries. “ “Our technological capabilities are constantly evolving to meet these new challenges and play a pivotal role in bringing new resource opportunities and proved reserves into production through major capital projects.” “Our portfolio spans across all forms of energy and we have a presence in all of the key basins around the world. Exploring and producing in each of these regions offers exciting opportunities to meet tomorrow’s complex energy challenges. Through technology and innovation, we’re executing major capital projects designed to yield decades of energy. Once on line, our newest generation of producers will help fuel the world’s growth for years to come, it added.

Energy Week PETAN to attract new investors into Nigeria’s oil industry CHIDI UGWU

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel scarcity defies Kachikwu’s assurances

he Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN has concluded plans to lead Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s edition of the Offshore Technology Conference. The association noted that the conference scheduled to take place between May 2 and 5, 2016 in Houston, Texas in United States of America would be used to tackle current realities as well as attract investors to the nation. The Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Nik Odinuwe who confirmed this in a statement said that the conference has “The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Current Realities, Hidden Opportunities” as its theme. He said that PETAN is expected to consolidate achievements recorded by the association in driving partnership of indigenous oil and gas companies by international oil and gas companies. Odinuwe said that the conference is an annual gathering of people from around the world with interest in oil and gas, comprising policy makers, operators, professionals, manufacturers, business executives, entrepreneurs and visitors. He said that Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister for State Petroleum Resources would declared the Nigerian pavilion open, while Mr. Bayo Ojulari, MD, SNEPCO and Austin Avuru, MD, Seplat Petroleum among other would be in attendance. Odinuwe said that the OTC It avails the attendees an opportunity for engagement with key players in the industry. He said that Nigeria’s delegation in this year’s edition includes the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Independent Oil Companies (IOCs), independent, international and indigenous service companies, investors and representatives of government agencies. Odinuwe said that Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) is again at the forefront cocoordinating the Nigerian Pavilion. The OTC was founded in 1969 and now attracts over 150,000 visitors and 3,700 exhibitors from around the world each year. The Offshore Technology Conference’s daily technical programme of presentations and the innovative breakfast and lunch sessions provide a dynamic forum for discussing the technical challenges facing the offshore oil and gas industry. PETAN members have exhibited at the OTC every year since 1999 making OTC 2016 its 17th. Speaking on the success of 2015 conference, PETAN President, Mr Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, stated that the conference created opportunity for people to meet and interact with serious Nigerian players, business men, entrepreneurs and technocrats who have been in business for over two decades.

ABUJA

he assurance by the minister of state for Petroleum Resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu that the long queues for petrol across major filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would have disappeared last Thursday was not fulfilled. National investigation reveals that fuel scarcity continued in the nation’s capital as hundreds of motorists and other petrol users formed long queues at the filling stations that dispensed the product late Monday afternoon. While petrol was sold on Monday at the approved prices of N86 and N86.50 per litre at the few Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega stations and independent marketers’

outlets in Abuja city centre that had the product, it was offered for between N180 and N220 to desperate buyers by independent marketers on the outskirts of the cities and other states such as Suleija in Niger state, Mararaba, up to Keffi in Nasarawa State. However, oil marketers expressed expressed the hope that the queues should disappear this week as they said that additional product would come into the country, while those cleared over the weekend would be distributed. As it has been the norm for the past few months, motorists and other petrol seekers were sighted at filling stations belonging to the NNPC, major oil marketers and a few independent dealers. For instance, on the KubwaZuba Expressway, Abuja, filling stations belonging to the NNPC,

Ikeja DISCO warns against payment to personnel UDEME AKPAN

s part of efforts to ensure efficient service delivery to its customers across its network, Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric has cautioned customers against making cash payments to its staff. The Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, indicated in a statement that the company engineers and techni-

cians are not allowed to receive cash payments of any kind. “Basically, our Linesmen should not collect reconnection fees, neither are our Energy Sales Representatives (ESR’s) permitted to receive bill payments on behalf of customers. We have therefore embarked on an aggressive “Name & Shame” campaign where parties who engage in this fraudulent act will face prosecution as dictated by the laws of the land,” he said.

Fuel scarcity

Conoil, Nipco Plc, AA Rano and Total had long queues of motorists on Sunday. The same situation was observed on the Abuja-Keffi road in Nasarawa State, as hundreds of motorcycle riders besieged the NNPC mega station that dispensed petrol at the approved price. However, a few filling stations in remote locations such as Kubwa, Bwari and Dutse sold the product at rates far higher than the approved price. Reports also have it that in Sango, Ota, Ijoko, Mowe and Ibafo, which are communities in Ogun State, petrol was sold on Sunday at between N180 and N200. There were, however, no queues at many of the filling stations. The situation was the same in Oyo, Osun and Kwara states, where the product could be obtained with relative ease at between N190 and N220 per litre.

Tanker drivers deny fuel diversion UDEME AKPAN

etroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG has debunked claims accusing its members on diversion of fuel products to neighboring countries. The National Chairman of PTD Comrade Salimon Oladiti while reacting to a statement credited to a lawmaker from Lagos State House of Assembly who accused Tanker Drivers of

Fuel tanker

diversion said the lawmaker was uninformed on the workings of fuel products distribution in the country. Oladiti lampooned the lawmaker on abdication of his responsibility to the people of his Constituency and the State in general. He posited that the accusation on Tanker Drivers is not only baseless and unfounded but that the lawmaker cannot be serious. Oladiti informed that the lawmaker should have asked if there are filling stations in and around

On whether the scarcity would end this week, a marketer with Nipco Plc told one of our correspondents that there was hope that the situation would improve compared to what obtained some weeks ago. The marketer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “I can’t say the queues will clear completely this week, but there is hope that it will reduce considering the serious collaboration among stakeholders to address this situation. “We are also expecting additional product and the clearance procedures of vessels is being fastened so that products can be distributed quickly to help reduce the scarcity. So, we hope the situation will improve this week.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government has commenced the release of loading tickets for petrol to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria as part of efforts to address the scarcity of the product as well as settle the 7,000 pending tickets meant for IPMAN.

the border town, the tanker’s waybill and even the authenticity and membership of such tanker drivers and their owners. The National Chairman said as a Union, PTD condemned all forms of criminal behavior within its ranks and the entire membership. Oladiti condemned diversion, vandalism and all forms of criminal activities. He called on the lawmaker and his likes who do not appreciate the role played by tanker drivers in effective distribution of fuel product across the country to always verify their facts before making sweeping statements. However, the federal government has commenced the release of Premium Motor Sprit otherwise known as petrol to Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) as part of the effort to settle the 7,000 pending loading tickets. Some marketers confirmed to newsmen that they have started loading the products from some depots in Lagos as a result of the intervention by the IPMAN Recon-

ciliation /Interim Management Committee which was recently constituted by federal government. IPMAN controlled over 80 percent of the petroleum products retail outlets in the country but they were not getting the products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) due to the internal leadership crises since last two years. The secretary of the Committee, Mr Lawson Ngoa confirmed in a statement that fuel has been allocated to some of its members. Ngoa thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding in this very difficult period, assuring that with the support of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and his team, the scarcity will soon be over. He further called on all stakeholders to shun unnecessary rancor and join hands with the Committee to restore peace and normalcy in petroleum distribution.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

From The Civil Service Armed forces: Minister wants key positions for women James DanJuma KATSINA

inister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan, has called for opportunities for women to hold command positions in the Nigeria Armed Forces. Alhassan who was speaking in Katsina State yesterday, decried what she described as genderbased discrimination against women in the country. She said apart from various other forms of discrimination including those based on religion, women in the country were not given “opportunities to hold command positions” in the Armed Forces. Mrs. Alhassan was speaking in a message she sent on the occasion of the 15th commemoration of the United Nations Resolution 1325. The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello, said women were not giv-

en prominent roles to play in conflict resolution despite significant roles they played as peace builders in various conflict situations in the country. She also said that the level of Nigerian women participating in government was very low and that there was also low status for women in traditional societies. According to her, “The exclusion of women in decision making in the security architecture remains a daunting challenge.” The minister said her ministry coordinates implementation of the UN’s Resolution in Nigeria, and that there is a national steering committee in place to articulate women’s roles in security and conflict management in the country. On his part, Governor Aminu Bello Masari said that his administration had secured a N3 billion loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria for disbursement to the people with 60 per cent of beneficiaries being women.

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Minister of Environment, Hajiya Amina Mohammed and Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at the Emergency Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Friday. PHOTO: NAN Masari said the measure was part of efforts being made by current administration towards women’s economic empowerment. The governor said government also dedicated the ministries of Educa-

tion and Women Affairs to have female commissioners. National Mirror reports that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, UNSRC 1325, was adopted unanimously on 31 October 2000, after recall-

ing resolutions 1261 (1999), 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), and 1314 (2000). The resolution on women, peace and security acknowledges the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls.

It calls for the adoption of a gender perspective to consider the special needs of women and girls during conflict, repatriation and resettlement, rehabilitation, re-integration and post-conflict reconstruction.

East-West road project: Minister demands technical analysis ChiDi ugwu, ABUJA

he Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has directed a team of experts to carry out a critical analysis of the design of section five of the EastWest Road Project from Oron to Calabar, in three weeks before commencement of work on the project. According a statement signed by the ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Marshal Gundu, the minister noted that he

could not afford any further delay in delivering the project to the end-users, given its inherent benefits to the people. The team comprising of experts in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the consultants of the project, representatives of Akwa Ibom and Cross River state governments was to analyse the existing design of the project and also to consider alternative designs for alignment for cost efficiency. The minister gave the directive at a stakeholders meeting on the extension of

NOA, Turkish foundation in peace promotion pact

P.38

the East-West Road Project from Oron (in Akwa Ibom State) to Calabar (in Cross River State), organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, in Abuja. He said: “This confab is organised in the interest of the people who are stakeholders; we are here as a government living on very meagre resources to achieve results.” “This meeting was organised so we could be educated on the existing design of the project and not for ulterior motives; my interest is the success of this administration in projects

delivery,” he stressed. In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola, expressed happiness that the initial four sections of the East-West Road Project from Warri to Oron were almost completed. He reiterated that the award of section five of the road from Oron to Calabar which was the subject of this forum was part of the success story of this flagship project. Prof. Daramola assured the stakeholders of Federal

Epileptic power: Association wants FG to review sale of power sector

P.39

Government’s commitment to carrying them along in project execution in the Niger Delta region. “Let me reassure you that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will ensure that host communities and end-users were carried along in projects execution for the maximum benefits of all.” He also said: “The ministry will try hard to look at all possible options and choose the cost effective ones in executing this project to a logical conclusion

within the current constraints of cash flow”. In her goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was also a stakeholder at the forum, commended the good gestures of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in organising the meeting, saying it had enabled the people concerned to air their views. “We need to be guided as representatives of the government so we can advise our principals appropriately,” she stressed.

NAMA chief commends airspace managers on safety

P.39

Civil Service

NYSC regrets delay in payment of corps members’ allowance Joel aJayi ABUJA

he management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, yesterday expressed its displeasure and regrets over the delay in the payment of March 2016 allowances of Corps members. This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the management of the scheme in Abuja where assurance was given that the scheme was working hard to ensure the corps members got their allowance as soon as possible. According to the statement, in view of this, Corps members

and the public were informed that management was actively liaising with the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure that money was released for disbursement to the Corps members through the usual Central Bank platform. In the same vein, out-going 2015 Batch ‘A’ Streams 1 and 2 Corps members are reassured that their April allowance (2 months for Stream 2) would be duly paid as soon as fund was released from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The NYSC management urged all Corps members to remain calm and go about their lawful duties peacefully.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NOA, Turkish foundation in peace promotion pact Joel aJayi, ABUJA

he National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Turkish UFUK Dialogue Foundation (UDF) are cooperating to deepen Nigerian citizens’ dialogue and commitment to tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The Acting Director General of NOA, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoba, who made this known when she received the UDF President, Kamil Kemanci, in her of-

fice in Abuja said the promotion of peace among Nigerians despite their diversity was part of NOA’s statutory mandate. She said UDF, through its peace dialogues and cultural exchange work in Nigeria, was helping the agency achieve its mandate, hence a formal collaboration between the two bodies was in order. Ekeoba commended the Turkish foundation which has been operated in Nigeria for over eighteen years for believing in Nigeria.

She added that Nigeria remained an example of hospitability to the world as foreigners were always welcome to do business and contribute to national and global development. Earlier in his address the president of UDF, Mr. Kamil Kemanci, expressed his foundation’s belief in dialogue as solution to every kind of human conflict hence the vision to promote peace through dialogue. He said little local conflicts were now global issues because of the global

village phenomenon but was optimistic that Nigeria could play a very important role in showing the world that peaceful coexistence of over 250 ethnic groups with over 200 languages and multiple religions was possible. The president, however, identified the three major challenges facing the world as ignorance, poverty and disunity, just as he also pointed out that his foundation was tackling all three using arts, education, healthcare and charity works.

ASUU chieftain refutes press reports on FG panels chidi ugwu ABUJA

he chairman of the University of Abuja chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Dr. Ben Ugheoke, has refuted a story published in some newspapers alleging that he and the union condemned the setting up of probe panels for ten universities by the federal government In a press statement he personally signed and released to newsmen in Abuja , Dr. Ugheoke denied granting interview to any journalist on the subject matter. The release further requested the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, to note that no journalist ever interviewed him directly or indirectly to obtain such information. The statement reads in part: “The content of the news story as published does not represent the views and position of Dr.

Ben Ugheoke or ASUU with respect to the probe panels set up by the Minister of Education to investigate petitions and allegations brought against some tertiary institutions across the country.’’ Recall that the federal government had through the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, set up investigative panels of enquiry to several tertiary institutions and polytechnics to, among other things, investigate the management of the institutions and all allegations contained in the petitions sent to government regarding their activities, determine the veracity of the claim and counterclaims, meet and interview the writers of the petitions and establish the basis for their claims, to ensure fair hearing. The panels are also to listen to explanations from all those against whom petitions had been written, and to investigate contract awards, application of funds and grants.

L-R: Corps Commander, Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission Mr Imoh Etuk; Assistant Corps Marshal, Head Policy Research and Strategies, Dr. Kayode Olagunju and Corps Commander, Head Media Relations Mr Bisi Kazeem, during a Press Conference on the forthcoming 6th FRSC Annual Lecture Series in Abuja.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Kogi receives relief materials for 2012 flood victims Marcus FatunMole

ABUJA

ogi State government has received relief materials to be distributed to victims of flood which ravaged the state in 2012 from the federal government. A statement made available to National Mirror recently by Chief Press Secretary to Deputy Governor of the state, Akor Sylvester, said while the state government commended the federal government for listening to the cry of the people of the state by providing the materials, it urged it to link the state with other states which would benefit from international donors in the country. The release said the ma-

terials provided by government were not enough for the people affected by the flood. Receiving the materials from Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, which is co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Deputy Governor of the state, Elder Simon Achuba, was quoted as urging the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to always respond quickly to the issues that concern the people, as according to him, no country could boast of real development without putting the people first as a priority in the governance. He further lauded the committee for doing a thorough job by distributing the materials to the ap-

propriate quarters across the country. He promised that the items handed over to him would be dispatched to the affected people in the state appropriately. He also assured that only the affected beneficiaries would be given the items. “Speaking earlier, the co-chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by the leader of the committee, Alhaji Gali Umar, explained that some items listed for distribution but yet to be presented to the states would soon be made available to the states for onward distribution to the people affected by the flood

across the country. “He said the exercise marked a significant milestone in the accomplishment of the committee core mandates of catering for the flood victims across the country, which constituted the primary concern of the committee. “It will be recalled that, as a result of the devastating flood disaster of 2012, the Federal Government set up the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, with the mandate, among others, to provide necessary relief to all the victims of the disaster and advise government on the measures to be put in place in order to prevent future reoccurrence,” the statement added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 39

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

SERVICOM scores NITDA high on evaluation report Joel AJAyi ABUJA

cting National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, has scored the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) high in its SERVICOM Compliance Evaluation Report. She said this at the formal presentation of SERVICOM Compliance Evaluation (SCE) Report to the management of NITDA in Abuja. The national coordinator maintained that the essence of the score was to ensure that NITDA engaged in continuous improvement of service delivery to its customers. She said the index was made to measure the performance of an MDA or service window against six dimensions which included policy commitment, service delivery, customer and organisational effectiveness, accountability and innovation. According to her, the evaluation report was a subsisting presidential directive of June 2005 that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies be evaluated for compliance with the SERVICOM index. “Based on the assessment of SERVICOM, NITDA scored 10 per cent in policy commitment, 25 per cent in service delivery, 20 per cent in customer and organisational effectiveness. Agency also scored 15 per cent in accountability and 10 per cent in innovation. “We want to hold MDAs more accountable in service delivery to the citizenry. “In the course of our evaluation, NITDA actively seeks and supports initiatives aimed at solving national issues with a view to bridging the gap between government policies and direct impact on the populace. “The organisation also continues to pursue projects targeted at stimulating Information Technology growth in the country and thus awards scholarships to deserving students interested in IT programmes both home and abroad.” Akajemeli also commended the efforts of NITDA in empowering institutions of higher learning, Federal Government schools and rural commu-

nities with IT infrastructure. However, on the weaknesses of the agency, SERVICOM encouraged NITDA to do more in the area of professionalism. “At the time of the evaluation, it was observed that the SERVICOM unit of NITDA does not have full complement of staff as stated in the guideline for the establishment of SERVICOM units in MDAs. “It was also observed that the reception area personnel stationed in the office premises required customer care training and refresher training on how to manage customers,’’ she said. On his part, Dr. Vincent Olatunji of NITDA, pledged the agency’s commitment to assist the present administration achieve the change mantra of repositioning the country. He said that the agency launched its service charter a month ago with the intent of positioning the agency in good light. “We are the engine room of the government. The attitude to work is changing by the day. “We are positioned in a way to assist the government to achieve a lot and since we launched the charter, we have seen a change in what we do again. “We are ready for criticism and ready to change because nobody has a monopoly of knowledge. “We know we have some shortcomings but we will improve on our service delivery.” Olatunji, however, promised that by the next assessment, the agency would be able to meet up with the five-star level of assessment of SERVICOM.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai (l) presenting certificate to the newly Sworn-in Interim Chairman of Kubau LGA, Alhaji Adamu Zakari in Kaduna.

Epileptic power: Association wants FG to review sale of power sector M r. Vincent Ugbor, the National President of Hotel and Personnel Service Employer Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) has called on the Federal Government to immediately review the sale of the power sector. Ugbor made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. He said that it was an irony that Nigerians had to pay for non-existent services, adding

that the hike in tariff was killing businesses, especially the hotel business. ``From all indications, the crop of investors in the power sector does not have what it takes to manage the sector. ``The owners have not made any investment since they bought over the companies that will turn things around. They are just ripping from a dull system. ``It is either they are ready to invest or the

government should review the privatisation they did and look for genuine investors that have money and can make it work. ``They may have sold the power sector of the country based on political patronage,’’ Ugbor said. According to him, government still retained some percentage of ownership and as part owners, government needed to do its own part. ``I think the investors are not sincere; gov-

NAMA chief commends airspace managers on safety

he Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Emma Anasi, has commended airspace managers for ensuring safety of navigation across Nigeria’s airports. A statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs (NAMA), Mrs. Jumoke Adetona, on Tuesday in Lagos, noted that Anasi gave the commendation while speaking at the First Quarter

Meeting of Airspace Managers in Yola. Anasi said that there was need to broadly review NAMA’s processes and administrative structures at every level to enhance service delivery. He refuted some media reports that the agency was going through some challenges due to the absence of a substantive managing director. The NAMA chief assured airspace managers that the agency remained committed to the delivery

of uninterrupted air navigation services across the nation’s airspace. ``This is reinforced by the fact that all our navigational facilities across the country have remained serviceable and are performing at optimal levels. ``We recently calibrated our navigational aids and also successfully completed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Audit within the period of this present management,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quotes

Anasi as saying. The Chairman, Airspace Managers’ Forum, Mr. Gabriel Akpen, said that members would support the new management in order to enhance safety of air navigation in the country. Akpen commended the management of NAMA for ensuring that navigational infrastructure across the country was working optimally as well as building staff capacity through training and retraining.

ernment should intervene,’’ Ugbor said. Ugbor decried the cost of running businesses as ``very high’’, saying that many of its members were sending their staff away because they could not cope. ``It is very devastating as there is no power, no fuel and the masses are suffering yet the investors don’t feel any concern; they are just after their profits,” Ugbor said. The HOPESEA president said that it was power that ``drives the economy’’, adding that if the government could fix power alone, it would go a long way to jumpstarting the economy. He described power as indispensable, and urged government to look into the issues in order to make things work again. On diversification of the economy, Ugbor said that the government had not done much to create an enabling environment for tourism to strive in the country.

Capital Market

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NSE dual listing to boost capital formation, liquidity – Onyema Johnson okanlawon

he Nigerian Stock Exchange has said that the dual listing between NSE and London Stock Exchange will facilitate seamless crossborder access for the nation’s capital market. The NSE noted that it will also ultimately drive deeper markets that enable capital formation for businesses by creating larger liquidity pools and greater competitiveness for Nigerian investors. This synergy, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema, would enhance capacity and promote diversity of investment products to meet the needs of a wide range of investors and issuers. Addressing participants during the second NSE/LSE conference held in Lagos yesterday, he

explained that as government grapples with the task of articulating a clear economic blue print for the short to midterm, there is need to leverage and embrace the globalisation of economies and financial markets becomes clearer. He said: “One of the things that Nigeria (and Africa) needs to sustain its growth, is a solid and vibrant capital market ecosystem that will attract investment and unlock the potential that exists in the economy.” To position the nation’s capital market as the sustainable financial center in West Africa, and for Africa, he explained that there is need to facilitate the drive for wealth creation for Nigeria, while providing the platform to which global savings can be channelled. “We must use this opportunity to partner with each other,

to enable us further unlock our growth potential, and advance the development of our financial and capital markets,” he said. He urged all stakeholders to create synergies that would unlock the growth potential and advance the development of the nation’s capital markets. According to him, the first quarter of 2016 has been a wild ride for most economies and markets because asset prices collapsed during the period. He explained that Nigeria needed to sustain its growth through a vibrant capital market ecosystem that would attract investment and unlock the potential that exists in the economy. Onyema added that capital markets increase the propor-

FG to raise N167.5bn in treasury bills

he Federal Government yesterday said it plans to raise N167.51 billion in treasury bills with maturities ranging between 3-month and 1-year on April 20, this year. Data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s website showed that the bank aims to raise N36.78 billion in the 3-month paper, N35 billion in the 6-month note and N95.73 billion in the 1-year debt, using the Dutch auction system. The country issues short-

dated debt to mop-up excess liquidity in the banking system to curb rising inflation, finance a portion of the budget deficit and help commercial lenders manage their liquidity. Meanwhile, trading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings. The All Share Index depreciated marginally by 0.04 per cent to close at 24,639.48 points, compared to the decline of 2.6 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 24,648.84

points. Market capitalization shed N3.8 million to close at N8.475 trillion, compared to the drop of N234 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N8.478 trillion. E-Tranzact Plc led the gainers’ table with 35 kobo or 9.86 per cent to close at N3.90 per share, followed by Oando Plc with 20 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N4.26 per share. Portland Paints Plc added 13 kobo or 4.73 per cent to close at N2.88 per share, while NASCON Plc rose 36 kobo or

tion of long-term savings that would be channelled to long-term investments. He added that Nigeria remained top of mind on the African continent for investors in spite of the intricacies facing the economy and Gainers and Losers markets. Start Date 11/04/2016 through End Date 12/04/2016 The Chief ExecutivePrint Of-Date 12/04/2016 ficer and Director of International Development, LSE Market indicators Gainers and Losers Plc, Nikhil Rathi explained Start Date 11/04/2016 through End Date 12/04/2016 Gainers for Equities All-Share Index 24,639.48 points Print Date 12/04/2016 that London market attracts 2016-04-11 2016-04-12 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) Market capitalisation 8.48trn issuers all over the world 1 ETRANZACT 3.55 3.90 2 OANDO 4.06 4.26 that wants to access capital 3 PORTPAINT 2.75 for Equities2.88 Gainers within the world. 4 NASCON 7.65 8.01 2016-04-11 2016-04-12 5 ACADEMY 0.64 Closing Price(N) 0.67 “We have analysts that Closing Price(N) S/N Symbol 61 CAVERTON 1.51 1.58 ETRANZACT 3.55 3.90 understands Africa and 72 MCNICHOLS 1.17 1.22 OANDO 4.06 4.26 wants to invest in Africa and 83 ZENITHBANK 10.50 10.90 PORTPAINT 2.75 2.88 94 FBNH 3.30 3.39 NASCON 7.65 8.01 that make a difference. In105 MANSARD 1.95 2.00 ACADEMY 0.64 0.67 vestors can be able to access 116 FIDELITYBK 1.32 1.35 CAVERTON 1.51 1.58 127 UBA 3.08 3.15 MCNICHOLS 1.17 1.22 capital quickly. We witness 138 UCAP 1.47 1.50 ZENITHBANK 10.50 10.90 the highest capital raising 149 GUARANTY 14.00 14.21 FBNH 3.30 3.39 15 0.69 0.70 10 UNITYBNK MANSARD 1.95 2.00 last year.”

hareholders of Africa Prudential Registrars yesterday approved a total dividend payment of 60 kobo per ordinary share for the 2015 financial year at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos. The final dividend of 43 kobo rounds up to 60 Kobo total dividend for the period having paid an interim dividend of 17 Kobo on August 31, 2015, after the release of its half-year financial results. The company’s audited results for 2015 shows a total of N1.2 billion will be paid to shareholders of the company. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, for the period ended December 31, 2015, the company recorded N2.54 billion gross earnings, an increase of 15 per

cent, from N2.20 billion in 2014. Also, profit before tax for the period rose 25 per cent, from N1.3 billion in 2014 to N1.6 billion in 2015, while expense only grew by a marginal one per cent, from N904 million to N913 million. In a similar trend, basic earnings per share grew by 18 per cent, from 61 Kobo to 72 Kobo. Speaking on the result, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Peter Ashade, assured stakeholders that the company will always consider better business models in growing investors’ wealth. He said, “Our corporate objective for the year 2015 was to better position our business to withstand the expected headwinds for the financial year by focusing on some key areas. Our achievements in these key areas include: expansion

in product offerings, improved cost optimization, more social media trendy, increased profitability, and consistent dividend pay-out.” The Chairman of the company, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi explained that the company has put strategy in place to provide clear direction for the deployment of its resources. She explained that the company’s vision is to create longterm and sustainable value for stakeholders in its chosen markets. “In order to realise this longterm objective, the company is making concerted effort to identify and take advantage of every investment opportunity that will complement its goals. “The Company will place particular emphasis on the deployment of its own software in order to maximise efficiency in

FCMB FIDELITYBK CONTINSURE UBA INFINITY UCAP

19 14

WAPCO GUARANTY

UNITYBNK

0.95 1.32 0.99 3.08

the business” she added. Payment of the final dividend will be made on April 13, 2016 to all shareholders on the register of members of the company as at the qualifying date of March 22, 2016.

Description

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.96

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

9.86

0.20

4.93

0.13

4.73

0.36

4.71

0.03 Gain(N) 0.07 0.35

4.69 % Change 4.64 9.86

0.05 0.20 0.40 0.13

4.27 4.93 3.81 4.73

0.09 0.36 0.05 0.03

2.73 4.71 2.56 4.69

0.03 0.07 0.07 0.05

2.27 4.64 2.27 4.27 2.04 3.81

0.03 0.40 0.21 0.09

1.50 2.73 1.45 2.56

0.01 0.05 0.01 0.03

1.05 2.27 1.01 2.27

1.42 1.47 75.00 14.00

75.01 14.21

0.01 0.21

0.70 2.04 0.01 1.50

0.69

0.70

0.01

1.45

0.01

1.05

0.01

1.01

0.01 Loss(N)0.01 -0.20

0.70 % Change 0.01 -9.43

-1.14

-5.32

-0.25

-4.94

-0.12

-4.86

-0.20 Loss(N) -0.04 -0.20

-4.82 % Change -4.35 -9.43

-0.03 -1.14 -0.03 -0.25

-4.11 -5.32 -4.11 -4.94

-0.17 -0.12 -0.04 -0.20

-4.08 -4.86 -3.85 -4.82

-0.03 -0.04 -0.04 -0.03

-3.06 -4.35 -2.50 -4.11

-0.10 -0.03 -0.01 -0.17

-1.89 -4.11 -1.32 -4.08

-0.01 -0.04

-1.23 -3.85

-0.03

-3.06

-0.04 Page -0.10

-2.50 1 of -1.89

-0.01

-1.32

-0.01

-1.23

Offer

Price

Yield

Price

Page

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.08

105.02

10.05

105.17

9.91

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.25

114.57

10.57

114.87

10.47

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.88

112.93

11.31

113.23

11.22

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.83

120.16

11.53

120.46

11.47

14.20 14-MAR-2024

7.96

109.78

12.24

110.08

12.18

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.82

100.55

12.39

100.85

12.34

Rate (%) Inflation

% Change

0.35

0.01 0.07 0.01 0.03

Bid

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Gain(N)

0.96 1.35 1.00 3.15 1.43 1.50

16 FCMB 0.95 0.96 4.71 per cent to close at N8.01 Losers for Equities 1.00 17 CONTINSURE 0.99 per share. 18 INFINITY 2016-04-111.42 2016-04-121.43 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Academy Press Plc was up 19 WAPCO 75.00 Closing Price(N) 75.01 1 FIDSON 2.12 1.92 three kobo or 4.69 per cent to 2 FLOURMILL 21.43 20.29 close at 67 kobo per share. 3 UBN 5.06 for Equities4.81 Losers 4 TIGERBRANDS 2.47 2.35 2016-04-11 2016-04-12 Conversely, Fidson Health5 CUSTODYINS 4.15 Closing Price(N) 3.95 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) care Plc shed 20 kobo or 9.43 61 MAYBAKER 0.92 0.88 FIDSON 2.12 1.92 72 WEMABANK 0.73 0.70 FLOURMILL 21.43 20.29 per cent to close at N1.92 per 83 LAWUNION 0.73 0.70 UBN 5.06 4.81 share, while Flour Mills Plc 94 UAC-PROP 4.17 4.00 TIGERBRANDS 2.47 2.35 105 TRANSCORP 1.04 1.00 CUSTODYINS 4.15 3.95 lost N1.14 or 5.32 per cent to 116 SKYEBANK 0.98 0.95 MAYBAKER 0.92 0.88 close at N20.29 per share. 127 STERLNBANK 1.60 1.56 WEMABANK 0.73 0.70 138 DANGSUGAR 5.30 5.20 Union Bank Plc depreciLAWUNION 0.73 0.70 149 AIICO 0.76 0.75 UAC-PROP 4.17 4.00 ated 25 kobo or 4.94 per cent to 15 0.81 0.80 10 NEM TRANSCORP 1.04 1.00 close at N4.81 per share, while 11 SKYEBANK 0.98 0.95 12 STERLNBANK 1.60 1.56 Tiger Brands Plc declined 12 13 DANGSUGAR 5.30 5.20 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FGN Bonds kobo or 4.86 per cent to close 14 AIICO 0.76 0.75 15 NEM 0.81 0.80 at N2.35 per share.

Africa Prudential Registrars shareholders get N1.2bn dividend Johnson okanlawon

16 11 17 12 18 13

Source: NSE

Closing Market Prices of March 29, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

30-Jun-16

7.89

8.06

22-Sep-16

8.29

8.64

16-Mar-17

9.31

10.23

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

12.8333

10.4872

12.2247

13.6227 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

1 of

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

World News I say to the Republican Party. You are going to have a big problem folks because there are people that don’t like what is going on. –US REPUBLICAN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL, DONALD TRUMP

Brexit: IMF warns of UK’s EU withdrawal ‘backlash’ AfolAbi GAmbAri

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he UK’s exit from the European Union could cause severe regional and global damage, the International Monetary Fund has warned in its latest outlook. A so-called Brexit would disrupt established trading relationships and cause major challenges for both the UK and the rest of Europe, the IMF said yesterday. The IMF said the referendum had already created uncertainty for investors and a vote to exit would only heighten this. The monetary body, which is one of the main pillars of the global economic order with a mandate to oversee the international monetary and financial system, also cut its UK growth forecast. It now expects 1.9 per cent growth in the UK this year, compared with its January estimate of 2.2 per cent. For next year, it expects 2.2 per cent growth, unchanged from its earlier forecast. If the June 23 referendum in the UK were to produce a vote in favour of leaving the EU, the IMF would expect negotiations on post-exit arrangements to be protracted, which it warned “could

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker weigh heavily on confidence and investment, all the while increasing financial market volatility”. It also believes a UK exit from the EU would “disrupt and reduce mutual trade and financial flows” and restrict benefits from economic co-operation and integration, such as those resulting from economies of scale. However, the Fund said that domestic demand, boosted by lower energy prices and a buoyant property market, would help to offset the impact on UK growth ahead of the EU referendum. Chancellor George Osborne

said the IMF’s comments reinforced the case for staying. “The IMF has given us the clearest independent warning of the taste of bad things to come if we leave the EU,” he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: “The IMF is right as leaving the EU would pose major risks for the UK economy. We are stronger, safer and better off in the European Union.” Vote Leave, the group campaigning for the UK to leave the European Union, criticised the IMF’s findings saying it had been

consistently wrong in past forecasts about the UK and other countries. “The IMF has talked down the British economy in the past and now it is doing it again at the request of our own Chancellor. It was wrong then and it is wrong now,” Vote Leave Chief Executive, Matthew Elliott, said yesterday. “The biggest risk to the UK’s economy and security is remaining in an unreformed EU which is institutionally incapable of dealing with the challenges it faces, such as the euro and migration crises,” he added. In contrast, Britain Stronger In Europe, which is campaigning for the UK to remain within the EU, said businesses and families should heed the IMF’s warning. “This is the clearest evidence yet about the danger of Britain leaving Europe from the word’s most respected financial body,” former Labour foreign secretary, David Miliband, who spoke at an event held by the group, said. Other major bodies’ assessments on the impact of a possible Brexit have been less severe than the IMF’s.

Brussels attacks: Police detain three suspects

he net of suspects from the Paris terror attacks has once again reached Belgium, with three people detained in the Brussels area yesterday. A judge is expected to decide today whether to hold the people detained, the Belgian prosecutor said.

The shootings and bombings on November 13 killed at least 130 people in Paris. The investigation led authorities to Belgium, where suspects had ties. Last month, Paris terror suspect Salah Abdeslam was captured in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek.

Terror analysts have speculated whether Abdeslam’s arrest prompted the terror attacks in Brussels four days later. At least 32 people died in the March 22 bombings at the Brussels Airport and at a subway station.

DR Congo President Joseph Kabila

ing, “The acute, mosquito-borne viral disease has killed 225 people in Angola and infected about 1, 600 there.” The world body said the DRC health authorities had set up a national committee to respond to the outbreak, including screening and sanitary controls on the country’s borders, stressing that people travelling to Angola would now be vaccinated against the disease. The WHO statement also said the DRC’s health ministry had

Landmine kills French soldier A French soldier has died during a military operation in northern Mali, the French presidency says. The man was killed by a landmine while travelling in an armoured vehicle, the Elysee Palace said yesterday in French. The defence ministry said a convoy of vehicles was heading north from Gao to the town of Tessalit when a mine exploded under the lead vehicle. Three other soldiers in the same vehicle were injured by the blast, it said. President Francois Hollande expressed his “deep respect for the sacrifice of this young soldier in the service of our country”. Some 3, 500 French soldiers are deployed to five countries in the Sahel as part of Barkhane, a French-led operation against militant groups that began in 2014. France has had troops in Mali since 2013 when it launched an operation against jihadists who had seized the northern half of the country.

Satirist in Erdogan trouble A German TV comic, Jan Boehmermann, has been placed under police protection after he read an obscene poem about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A police spokesperson said a patrol car had been parked in front of his house. Erdogan has filed a criminal complaint against the satirist in a case that has prompted a debate in Germany over freedom of speech. German prosecutors are investigating whether he broke a law against insulting foreign leaders. Public broadcaster ZDF announced earlier yesterday that his weekly satire programme would not go ahead this week because of the “vast amount of media reporting and the resulting focus on the programme and its presenter”.

Prosecutor loses life Belgium PM Charles Michel

Yellow fever claims 21 in Congo n outbreak of yellow fever has killed 21 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday, linking some cases to an outbreak in neighbouring Angola. WHO said in a statement that the deaths had occurred in January to March, with 151 suspected cases recorded. “There was a serious risk of further spread of the disease in DRC,” the statement said, add-

WORLD BULLETIN

in addition activated a contingency plan which included more community engagement to fight the disease and better training of health workers. Yellow fever is a virus that can cause bleeding, jaundice and kidney failure, It is spread by mosquitoes, usually the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same species that spreads the Zika virus. It is endemic in tropical regions of Africa and South America. A vaccine can prevent infection but there is no specific drug treatment for people who are infected.

A public prosecutor who was investigating a wave of kidnappings in Mozambique, Marcelino Vilankulo, has been shot dead in the capital, Maputo, police said yesterday. Vilankulo was killed outside his home in Matola, a suburb of the city, the police also said. Kidnapping gangs have targeted many Asian businessmen in Maputo and Mozambique’s second city, Beira. In 2014, judge Dinis Silica, was killed after authorising the detention of one of the suspects. Vilankulo was working on a case involving one of the alleged masterminds of the abductions. Police spokesman, Emidio Mabunda, said they had no information on the number of attackers or the type of weapon they used. In a tweet, the British High Commissioner to Mozambique, Joanna Kuenssberg, described the killing as “another terrible blow to the rule of law”.

North

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill 44 in Taraba Justin tyopuusu Jalingo

araba State government yesterday confirmed the death of 44 persons in the series of attacks on villages in Gassaka and Bali local government areas of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Wale ibrahim lokoJa

ogi State House of Assembly has suspended 10 members of the House for their alleged involvement in the leadership crisis rocking the legislative assembly since November last year. The suspension order issued on the floor of the House at plenary yesterday followed the adoption of a report of the ad hoc committee commissioned on March 10. The committee was charged to determine the sponsors of the crisis and the involvement of the National Assembly and its failure to ensure due process even at the instance of a court injunction. While presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Mr. John Abah (PDP-Ibaji), said the committee found that the House of Representatives was misguided by ‘’interested members who had interest in the crisis.’’ He explained that the situation in the state had not deteriorated into a situation where there is CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss FATOKI MUJIDATU ALAKE Now which to be known as Mrs KOLAWOLE REMILEKUN MUJIDATU. All former documents remain valid Banks and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Taraba State police commissioner, Mr. Shaba Alkali, and senior personal assistant to the governor on media and publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Giwa, confirmed the development separately to journalists in Jalingo. Giwa, in a statement, said 20 persons were killed in Angai village, nine in Maisuma,

a breakdown of law and order, necessitating the National Assembly to exercise its powers by invoking section 11(4) while leaving out the provision of 11(5) of the constitution. Abah said the 10 members had persistently fuelled the crisis and made it extremely difficult for the House to resolve the leadership impasse peacefully so the House to carry out

taking refuge in Mayo-Selbe, Kungana and Garbabi communities. Also confirming the killings, Mr. Alkali said the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has approved the deployment of 60 mobile police men from Yola to join the security agents on ground to contain the situa-

tion. Alkali paraded Ardo Ayuba who was arrested in connection with the attacks, saying efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing culprits for prosecution. The CP, however, said the command has so far discovered only 15 dead bodies in the attacked communities.

its lawful and constitutional responsibilities. The committee, according to the chairman, recommended that all legal processes instituted in various courts be exhaustively determined to ensure due process, rule of law and justice to all parties. The committee also recommended that further deliberation on the action of the National Assembly

would be tantamount to prejudice and urged the House to restrain itself from engaging the National Assembly further on the matter. It also urged that the 10 members indicted by the committee be suspended from sitting. The members include the embattled speaker, Momo-Jimoh Lawal (PDPOkene II), Matthew Kola-

wole (PDP-Kabba-Bunu), Aliyu Akuh (PDP-Omala), Victor Omofaiye (PDP-Ijumu) and Sunday Shigaba (PDP-Bassa). Others are Alfa Momoh-Rabiu (APC-Ankpa II), Enenche Linus (APCOlamaboro), Obaro Pedro (APC-Mopa-Muro), Ndako Idris (APC-Lokoja II) and Zakari Osewu (APC-Kogi-KK). While seconding the

motion for adoption of the report, the Majority Leader, Friday Sanni (PDP-Igalamela-Odolu) urged the House to adopt the three recommendations of the committee. The speaker, Umar Imam, in his ruling, adopted the recommendations as prayed following overwhelming voice votes in favour of the report.

Bishop wants collaborative efforts to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenge Justin tyopuusu Jalingo

atholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Charles Harmawa, wants Nigerians, irrespective of party differences to critically examine issues confronting the nation and come out with ways to overcome the economic challenges. Harmawa was speaking yesterday in Jalingo at the opening of the 17th general assembly of the Catholic Diocese of JalinCHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as NIYI OJELEYE But now wish to be known and address as SEGUN AFOLABI All former documents remain valid. General public to take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

1.Formerly known and addressed as BLAIZE TEMITOPE IDRIS, now wish to be known and addressed as BLAIZE TEMITOPE ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEPEGBA RACHEAL OLUWAREMILEKUN, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONI OLUWAREMILEKUN ADEPEGBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OLOGBO AUSGUSTINE OGHENEBRUME, now wish to be known and addressed as OLOGBO AUSGUSTINE ALFRED. All former documents remain valid. Bank Authorities and General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

According to the statement, the armed herdsmen, who were angered by the community’s resistance, unleashed terror on the people in the communities in the area, killing 44 persons with over 100 displaced and many others missing. The displaced women and children are said to be

Kogi Assembly suspends 10 members

I Formerly known and addressed as OLAKINTON OKE M. But now wish to be known and address as OLAKINTON KPOSU All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

PETER: I formerly known and addressed as Peter Ime Benedicta now wish to be known and addressed as Essien Ime Benedicta. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

eight in Dorei and seven in Fali villages - all in Gashaka Local Government Area - by the attackers. The statement explained that problem started when the armed herdsmen attempted to rape a lady in the community and were met with resistance by the neighbours.

CHANGE OF NAME

EKABA :formerly known and addressed as EKABA EMMANUEL ORIOBOISA,now wish to be known and addressed as OSENI IDRIS.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

go, held at Bishop Baromeo Pastoral Centre in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. According to him, some of the most pressing challenges confronting the nation at the moment are the acute fuel scarcity, and the general hike in the cost of living, urging economic experts and others to support the President to overcome the challenges. The cleric urged the people to depend on God and be open to new realities and possibilities with a view to addressing the CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as MR OFORDU SALAMI But now wish to be known and address as MR OFORDU RUFUS UCHENNA All former documents remain valid. General public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as AWOLESI KEMISOLA DAMILOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as

AWOLESI

KEMISOLA

TENIOLA.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

challenges. He enjoined Nigerians to depend on God for the grace to carry on in the face of stiff opposition, daunting challenges, cruel persecution and unprecedented hardships and refuse to be carried away by the challenges of life. Chairman of the planning committee of the Assembly and cathedral administrator of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Simon Akuraga, urged the priest, religious and other delegates to put in their CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as WILCOX KOKOETTE But now wish to be known and address as WILSON WILCOX OKON All former documents remain valid. General public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JIMOH MODINAT MOTUNRAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADELEYE MODINAT MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OBIAGHO: I formerly known and addressed as OBIAGHO LUCKY, now wish to be known and addressed as OBI LUCKY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAYANJU OLAPEJU EUNICE, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ORISUNMIBARE OLAPEJU EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME TOBILOBA:formerly known and addressed as OLAMILEKAN MICHEAL TOBILOBA now wish to be known and addressed as OLAMILEKAN MICHEAL SCORFIELD.Born on 5 of April,1988.All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

ADA:formerly known and addressed as OZONUWE JOY ADA,now wish to be known and addressed as OZONUWE KONYE JOY.All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

best in fulfilment of their missionary mandate. Rev Fr. Anthony Nzizang in a key note address, noted that globalisation and advancement in communications tech-

nology have changed economic, social, political, religious and cultural configurations, throwing up a great confusion to be managed.

I Formerly known and addressed as OYEDEJI OLAMIDE RHODA But now wish to be known and address as OLADAYO OLAMIDE RHODA All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as MISS AIRAT OLUWAKEMI ORIDEDI But now wish to be known and address as MRS AIRAT OLUWAKEMI AGORO All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known, called and addressed as OGBEVIRE OGHENEKEVWE WILLIAMS, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKPAKO OGHENEKEVWE FREDSON. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public please take note.

AITAH: I formerly known and addressed as MISS. AITAH FLORENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as EMADAMERHO FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR GLOVER BOLA ABIODUN, Now wish to be known and addressed as MR ATOYEGBE BOLATITO ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OLUSOLA RAMOTA ADERONKE, Now wish to be known and addressed as AJAYI-OLUSOLA RAMOTA ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MISSION TO THE TEENS FOUNDATION:

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990. THE BOArD OF TrUSTEES ArE:1. Pastor Joshua Aba. 2. Pastor Ben Ugege. 3. Pastor Eugene Uduehi. 4. Pastor Augustine Opara. 5. Abraham Oni. 6. Ihedioha Ngozi. 7. Adewale Tochi. 8. Opara Olu W. AIMS AND OBjEcTIvES: 1. To bring assistance to the youths in need. 2. To educate the youths on happenings. 3. To bring unity between the youths. 4. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus to the youths. 5. To train youths and the less priviledged and empower them on skills. 6. To give meaning to the life of orphans and scholarship. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to The Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication Signed by Barr. Loveth Morka EsqIbrahim Yusuf

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

NBA: Ticket prices go up for Bryant’s final game

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

– Jack Nicklaus (1977)

Falcons pick AWCON ticket

Sports Minister, Dalung

JoeL aJaYI ABUJA

Court issues contempt order against Dalung ABUJA

he High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued an order of contempt against the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, for allegedly disobeying the judgment of the Court. Also to be affected by the contempt orders are Chief Makole Omo Azugbene; Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie and Dickson Akor who were members of Board of Trustees of (NYCN). They are alleged to have

Sport

Tee the ball high. Because years of experience have shown me that air offers less resistance to dirt

Doosuur Iwambe

disobeyed the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered by Justice Valentine Ashi which recognized Barrister Ikenga Imo Ikeagwu as the National President of Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). Justice Ashi had on September 16, 2015 set aside its earlier judgment delivered on August 3, 2015 as amounting to a nullity. In consequence, the court ordered that the applicant, “Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwu remained and still remains the National President of the NYCN and is to assume the duties of that office uninter-

rupted.” However in a motion exparte for leave to serve Form 48 and subsequent Form 49 on the respondents, the applicant alleged that since the above order was made, the sport minister and others have been violating same in obvious disrespect for the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the court. In addition, the applicant in his affidavit in support averred that the sport minister has been violating the said order despite a letter dated November 24, 2015 written to him drawing his attention to it.

uper Falcons, yesterday booked a place to the 10th African Women Championship holding in Cameroon in November. Falcons edged out Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses 2-0 in the reverse fixture qualifying clash at the Abuja National Stadium ending both legs clash on a 3-1 aggregate. After a shocking penalty miss by top striker Asisat Oshoala in the early minute of the encounter, returnee forward Rita Chikwelu tapped in from close range to put the reigning African champions in front in the 36th minute to end the first-half tussle. On resumption of play Igbinovia Osarenoma made it goal number two in the 46th minute assisted by Arsenal markswoman Oshoala. Speaking shortly after the match, Falcons Coach, Florence Omagbemi expressed happiness in the team’s qualification for the AWCON, saying that the victory was as a result of team work. “I want to thank the girls

and the entire coaching crew for the result which was achieved by team work. “We hope to continue the team work because the task ahead is very tough but with the same spirit, we will do well in Cameroon”, the coach said. Falcons will now join other qualifiers, including the hosts, Cameroon, Kenya, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe and Ghana for the final showdown in Cameroon from 19 November to 3 December. The Nigerians defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the 2014 edition in Namibia to claim their seventh African title.

Omagbemi

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

l formerly known as miss ladi ayuba now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Ladi Joseph S. All former document remain valid N Y,S,C and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adegboyegun Olajumoke Temitayo now wish to be known and addressed as Ayeni Olajumoke Temitayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known called and addressed as MAtanmisi Oluwakemi now wish to be known call and address as MRs Mike oluwakemi Catherine matanmisi. All former document remain valid, hospital management Board Ado_Ekiti and general public to note. CHANGE OF NAME

HAMED: Formerly known and addressed as Hamed Ocheje now wish to be known and addressed as Ahmed Ibrahim Ocheje . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as Miss Olowoyeye Aina Magret now wish to be known as Mrs. Oguntominiyi Aina Magret. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Abdul Olanrewaju Agbeke now wish to be known and addressed as Lias Adeyinka Eniola . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibekwem Adaobi Joy now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alozie Adaobi Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as DR. MISS OMOTUNDE OMOTAYO FAKOYA But now wish to be known and address as DR. MRS OMOTUNDE OMOTAYO-FAKOYA OMOYENI. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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Formerly known and addressed as Emeanuri Chinenye Everista now wish to be known and addressed as Duru Chinenye Lovelyn . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adejoke Mary Osunmakinde, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adejoke Mary Emmanuel-Oru. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Peace Chukwuemeka Nglass, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Peace Bassey Robert. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, John Ifeakachuku Emah is one and the same person as John Ifeakachukwu Emah. All documents bearing the two names remain valid for record purposes. All NOA Staff and General Public to note.

I, formerly known and called Oni Aina Funmilayo, now wish to be called and addressed as Olaoni Aina Funmilayo. All formal documents remain valid.

I formerly known as Miss Oyelade Adebola Janet now to be addressed as Mrs. Oladimeji Adebola Janet. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

OLUKAYODE: Formerly known and addressed as OLUKAYODE BOSEDE MERCY now wish to be known and addressed as ILESANMI BOSEDE MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Mrs Gbenle Ogu Augustina now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Amusan Ogu Augustina. All former documents remain valid,Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Lautech Teaching Hospital Osogbo and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osuolale Aishat Adejoke now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Muideen Aishat Adejoke. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify and confirm that TOSIN OJO is one and same person as AYODEJI IYABO. Henceforth wish to be addressed as TOSIN OJO. All former documents remain valid. FIDELITY BANK and general public take note. Formerly known and addressed as OSHODI OMOLARA KIBI, now wish to be known and addressed as BAMGBADE OMOLARA AYOKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADESINA AMUDALAT, now wish to be known and addressed as AMUDALAT ADEWURA AZEEZ. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeleye Kehinde Mulikat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunwoolu Kehinde Mulikat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Samuel Toyin Anike now wish to be known and addressed as Moriamo Ogunsola and my date of birth is 20th of January, 1979. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

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I, formerly known and addressed as Wasiu Alabi Olaoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeshina Alabi Olaoye. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME We, formerly known and addressed as OGUNNAIKE SEGUN SAMSON and AJAYI FOLASHADE OLUSOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLORUNLEKE SEGUN SAMSON and OLORUNLEKE FOLASHADE OLUSOLA respectively. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ANYAOHA FRANK IHEANACHO, now wish to be known and addressed as FRANK OKWARA ANYAOHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OYEBISI GANIYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADENEKAN DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CHRISTIANA OLORUNFEMI JANATU, now wish to be known and addressed as CHRISTIANA OLORUNFEMI ZARATU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHIKWENDU: FORMERLY known and addressed as CHIKWENDU ONWUEGBULAM NOW wish to be known and addressed as CHIKWENDU SAMUEL ONWUEGBULAM. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AMINATU: FORMERLY known and addressed as SALIHU AMINATU AYIVOYI NOW wish to be known and addressed as ABDULLAHI AMINAT. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Falodun Rachael Taiwo Now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Borode Rachael Taiwo. All formal documents remain valid. Skye Bank and General public, take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR YEKINE, now wish to be known and addressed as YENKINE ARZOUMA BOUKARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the public that my name was mistakenly written as AMOSU FRANCIS PONDUN, instead of AMUZU FRANCIS PONDUN. That henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as AMUZU FRANCIS PONDUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

EMMANUEL : FORMERLY known and addressed as OGBONNA EMMANUEL NOW wish to be known and addressed as OGBONNA EMMANUEL OKWUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ONYEMAECHI: FORMERLY known and addressed as ADULPHUS ONYEMAECHI NDUKWE NOW wish to be known and addressed as OBASI ONYEMAECHI and that I changed my signature.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Amadu Dauda Alabi now wish to be known and addressed as Alabi Monsuru. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Shittu Kafilat Damilola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogundeyi Damilola Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Kuye Toyin Olatundun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Somefun Toyin Aduke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

SOLIU RASAK OLALEKAN is one and same person known and addressed as ISIAKU OLALEKAN, with correct age of 5th June, 1982. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABIODUN OLALEKAN GANIYU, now wish to be known and addressed as ABIODUN GANIYU IMURAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UWORATI IDEMOH ROSEMARY, now wish to be known and addressed as IDEMOH ROSEMARY USOMILE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that ESHO ALABA ELIZABETH is the same person as OSHO ALABA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

DORO: FORMERLY known and addressed as ABBA MALAM NOW wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMAD SULEIMAN DORO. All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

JAMES: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS JAMES HOLINESS NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADAJI HAUWA NGBEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Salisu Shara now wish to be known and addressed as Yusuf Jariri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Boyejo Gbemisola Kafayat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Awayeti Gbemisola Kafayat. All former documents remain valid. NYSC,General Public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Tijani Morufu Olaposi now wish to be known and addressed as Olaposi Morufu. All former documents remain valid. First bank and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

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

Formerly known and addressed as OYINLOLA MICHEAL FATAI, now wish to be known and addressed as OYINLOLA MICHEAL ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IBIKUNLE ABOSEDE ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSHOLA ABOSEDE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

HAFSAT: FORMERLY known and addressed as HAFSAT AYUBA NOW wish to be known and addressed as HAFSAT DANMAMA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ESTHER: FORMERLY known and addressed as ESTHER ALI KABAN NOW wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER MUSA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SANI: FORMERLY known and addressed as MUHAMMAD SANI NOW wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMAD SANI ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinde Iyabode Bintu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mustapha Iyabode Bintu. All former documents remain valid. Ogun Subeb and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Folami Florence Funmilola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeoye Florence Funmilola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Itiola Bolanle Olubukola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abimbola Bolanle Olubukola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

MORKA: I, formerly known and addressed as MORKA MODUPE MARGARET, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OBIEKWU MODUPE MARGARET. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.A CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MERCY FRANCIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MERCY FRANCIS EDET. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as KIKI VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as IROKO FIFAME VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ONYEMAECHI : FORMERLY known and addressed as ADULPHUS ONYEMAECHI NDUKWE NOW wish to be known and addressed as OBASI OBIOMA ONYEMAECHI and that signature of mine changed. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AMINA: FORMERLY known and addressed as AMINA SULEIMAN NOW wish to be known and addressed as AMINA AKANJI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AJIBODE GBEMINIYI LOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJIBODE -IKOFUN GBEMINIYI LOLA. All former documents remain valid; Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), general public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. PEREAO IYABODE ABISOLA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADELUGBA IYABODE ABISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Okechukwu Azukaego Chinonye now wish to be known and addressed as Mokogwu Azukakego Chinonye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Collins Lawson, Now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwu Monday. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechinyere Uzoamaka Nwanko now wish to be called and known as Mrs Adisa Nkechinyere Uzoamaka. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. GANIYU KAFILAT ADEBUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEYEMO KAFILAT ADEBUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adebunmi Akins now wish to be known and addressed as Adebunmi Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundiran Mary Opeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Clement Oludele Mary Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

OJO: I, formerly known and addressed as OLUDARE AYOBAMI OJO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUDARE ODUNAYO OJO. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TCHAWO ELIZABETH FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as TCHAWO ELIZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BUSARI BALIKIS JUMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBIYI BALIKIS JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

GLORIA: FORMERLY known and addressed as ONOJA AGBENU GLORIA NOW wish to be known and addressed as ACHEGBULU AGBENU GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MEMUNAT : FORMERLY known and addressed as MEMUNAT RAJI NOW wish to be known and addressed as MEMUNAT ADEDIGBA. All former documents remain valid. UNITY BANK PLC and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINDELE ABIODUN MARGRET, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLALEYE ABIODUN MARGRET. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. KARIMU FUNMILOLA VICTORIA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADIDU FUNMILOLA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. Emure Local Government, First Bank, Heritage Bank, Wema Bank and general public should take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 13, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME OGUJIUBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINONSO MARY OGUJIUBA., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBAH CHINONSO MERCY. All former documents remain valid. ESUT and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKECHUKWU ONYEKA HENRIETTA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZOUDE ONYEKA HENRIETTA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWU ANGELA ONYEJEREBECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ATTAH ANGELA ONYEJEREBECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWU PETROMINA CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZIKEANYI PETROMINA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANUKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINENYE ROSE ANUKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINENYE ROSE OKONKWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME EGBUJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EGBUJI MAUREEN NNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ARISA MAUREEN NNEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANI LOVINA NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NJOM LOVINA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME CHIJIOKE: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIJIOKE .O. EFOBIOKEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIJIOKE. O . EFOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR STEPHEN ANYAOHA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKAFOR GODWIN CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME KANU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODINAKACHI SANDRA KANU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODINAKACHI SANDRA UGWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ABA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABA HELEN ENIHE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOBODO HELEN ENIHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME CHIME: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIME NKIRU GERALDINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNOLI NKIRU GERALDINE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKOLO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOLO CORDELIA CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKONKWO CORDELIA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. PPSMB, Enugu and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NWOBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOBODO EDITH NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKECHUKWU EDITH NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Miss Olowojeunjeje Funmilayo Rebecca, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OLUOKUN REBECCA OLUFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME/AGE DECLARATION l was formerly known and addressed as Salaudeen Shade Kabirat, now wish to be Known and addressed as Daudu Shade Kabirat. My correct date of birth is 15th day of June 1965 not 15th June 1962. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SEB EJIMICHUKWU, now wish to be Known and addressed as SEBASTIAN EJIOFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME JIDE FAGBUYIRO Formerly known and addressed as MUDASSIRU KAMORU ABIODUN now wish to be known and addressed as MUDASIRU KAMORU ABIODUN All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Williams Amidatu Adewunmi, now wish to be Known and addressed as Adeeko Golden Amidatu Adewunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH RUTH IFEOMA, now wish to be Known and addressed as JOSEPH RUTH OSAHON. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UYE ELIZABETH NKOYO, now wish to be Known and addressed as UYE ELIZABETH ETIM. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agboniro Elizabeth Itohan, now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs Ekhoragbon Elizabeth Itohan. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Glory Edem Effiong, now wish to be Known and addressed as Ofonime Edem Effiong. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

This is to confirm that I, BEN UROM is one and the same person as BEN DAVID. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and remain valid. General public Please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ekebuisi Precious Chioma, now wish to be Known and addressed as Simon~peter Chioma Ann. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Adeyanju Titilayo Modinat, now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs. Akinbile Titilayo modinat. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as SALAKO IBUKUN SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAOLUWA IBUKUN SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I hereby notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as SULAMAN REHANAT FOLASHA instead of my correct name as SULAIMAN REHANAT FOLASHADE on permanent voters’ card. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FORMERLY MISS OYETUNDE VICTORIA NOW MRS OYEDIRAN VICTORIA YETUNDE ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID WEMA BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Miss Adewole Adenike Mary now Mrs Ajibise Adenike Mary. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note.

Formally called, known and address as IDEABIE OSAIN IYEKEORETIN now want to be called, known and address as BENJAMIN FORTUNE. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc and general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Oyedeji Olamide Rhoda now wish to be addressed as Oladayo Alomide Rhoda.All former documents remain valid, general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That I,AWOFESO OLAYINKA SAHEED is the same and one person as AWOFESO KAYODE SAHEED,now wish to be known and address as AWOFESO OLAYINKA SAHEED.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify that Iwabi Johnson Tamarauseidougha and Eyohorokumo Johnson is the same and one person bearing the names. All document bearing the names remain valid. U.B.A Plc, Fedelity bank Plc, and the general pulic take note

Formerly known and addressed as WANO AZNE, now wish to be known and addressed as WANO ABDULAZEEZ. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly JOJO ITEDO now want to be known, called and addressed as ZEBLON DENIS. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A plc and general public take note.

Formerly ADEMOLA ADENIJI now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEMOLA ADENIJI TAOREED. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Hassan Oluwakemi Ronke, now wish to be Known and addressed as Adewale Oluwakemi Ronke. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olukotun Ashiata Adunni, now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs Lawal Ashiata Adunni. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY BALOGUN NAJEEDEEN ADEYEMI NOW BALOGUN NAJEE ADEYEMI ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINVALID GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as David Johnson now wish to be known and addressed as Okonjom David Ayambem.All former documents remain valid, general public take note

I Formerly MRS OYENIYI SINBIA AYOKUSIBE now MRS OYENIYI SIMBI SOLAPE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

I Formerly MISS AYELERU RUTH OLUWATOYIN now MRS IBRAHIM IDAYAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that i,LASISI ABIODUN MOSHOLAPE is one and the same person as LASISI ABIODUN MUTIAT. now wished to be known and addressed as LASISI ABIODUN MOSHOLAPE. My correct date of birth is 04/07/1986. All former documents remain valid. GTB bank and General public take note.

Formerly known as Alumone Precious Chimere now wish to be known and addressed as Alumone Esther Chidima.All former documents remain valid, general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

FACT OF NAME I hereby inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as OLASOJI OJIBOLA KEHINDE instead of OLASOJI AJIBOLA KEHINDE. All formal document remain valid, guaranty trust bank and the general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Phillippa Preye Phillip Palmer now wish to be known and addressed as Philippa Preye Palmer.All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME SULE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS SULE TAWAKALITU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SULAMON TAWAKALITU ABIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MONDAY: Formerly known and addressed as MONDAY NOSAHUNA UBAMAN now wish to be known and addressed as MONDAY OSAKPAMWAN . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME HAMMED: This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as Hammed Latifat Ibilola instead of Ahmed Latifat Ibilola. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Ahmed Latifat Ibilola . All former documents remain valid. GTBank and the general public take note.

EZEKIEL: Formerly known and addressed as Ezekiel Agwu Kalu now wish to be known and addressed as Agwu Iroka Ezekiel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME JOHN: Formerly known and addressed as John Daniel now wish to be known and addressed as Abudu Sule. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADIGHIMADU: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Adighimadu Chinedu / Williams Chinedu now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Adighimadu -Williams Chinedu Felix. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

DEBORAH: Formerly known and addressed as Deborah Remilekun Fasakin now wish to be known and addressed as Deborah Remilekun Ajayi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Agba Godson Chimezie Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Agbapuruonwu Godson Chimezie All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MR AKANJI SODIQ IDOWU Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MR AKANJI SODIQ AGBOOLA All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as

Formerly Ilesanmi Taiwo now Olanipekun Taiwo. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note

GIFT OYINYECHI NWOKOMA now wish to be known and addressed as GIFT OYINYECHI OTUYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public and the authority concern that my names are Ukah Rose and Ukah Rose Ene. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AKWA LINDA now wish to be known and addressed as UMOH ALICE SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MICHAEL: Formerly known and addressed as Michael Simon Mahoo now wish to be known and addressed as Michael Simon Ekele . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

CHANGE OF NAME EMEKA: I, formerly known and addressed as EMEKA EMMANUEL EGBUNIWE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEMEKA EMMANUEL EGBUNIWE . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as AJAKAIYE OLUWOLE ISHOLA now wish to be known,called and addressed as AJAKAYE OLUWOLE ISHOLA all former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS OLALEYE ABIMBOLA FADILAT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS OLANREWAJU BIMBOLA FADILAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as TAIWO NURUDEEN ALOWONLE , Now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO NURUDEEN FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NDU: I, formerly known and addressed as NDU VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed asNDUUWAKWE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oladoye ‘Kunle Samuel now Fagbade ‘Kunle Gabriel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. 1. Formerly known and addeessed as miss Odukoya Abosede Subeadat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajadi Abosede Subeadat.All former documents remain valid.GTB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Esan Folasade Benedicta, now wish to be Known and addressed as Hassan Folasade Benedicta. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EZIKE CHUKWUDI PETER, now wish to be Known and addressed as CHUKWUJEKWU EZIKE PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public Please take note. CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY MISS AKUMA FAVOUR EZE AND AUSTINE FAVOUR EZE NOW MRS IKECHUKWU FAVOUR OGBONNE ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID ECO BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC INEC AND GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Chijioke Ezeonye now wish to be known and addressed as Iheanacho

Michael.All

former

documents remain valid, CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify that ONORIODE GIDEON UFUOMANEFE and ONORIODE GIDEON is the same and one person bearing all the names. All documents bearing the names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as EVANS OMORUYI now which to be known and addressed as SUNDAY ENABULELE. All former documents remain valid. General public and authority concern please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Egbe Janet now wish to be known and addressed as Ochele Janet Onya. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEMUYIWA OLUBUKOLA ORIYOMI Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS AFABOR-WILLIAMS OLUBUKOLA ORIYOMI All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinrinmade Rashidat Mary now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajibise Rashidat Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss FATOKI MUJIDATU ALAKE Now which to be known as Mrs KOLAWOLE REMILEKUN MUJIDATU. All former documents remain valid Banks and General public take note.

Sports

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bryant

NBA: Ticket prices go up for Bryant’s final game

asketball fans are paying up to $27,500 to see Kobe Bryant’s final game for the LA Lakers. Bryant, 37, the third-highest scorer in NBA history, will bring his 20-year career to an end when the Lakers face Utah Jazz in Los Angeles today. Bryant announced in November that he would retire after this season, creating a spectacle despite the Lakers’ struggles. Bryant has played on teams that won five NBA titles, and he received a most valuable player award and scored the third-most points in league history. His final year sent ticket prices

higher throughout the season. The average resale price for Lakers’ home games came in at about $317 this year, second highest to the Golden State Warriors, who have the NBA’s best record. At the same time, defending champions Golden State Warriors will be going for a record 73 wins when they host Memphis Grizzlies in Oakland, California. Resale tickets for that game are going for up to $15,900. The Warriors are looking to break a record set by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 1995-96. The game is a 19,595 capacity sell-out with tickets only available via the resale market. Tickets via

official channels start at $336 and rise to £15,900 for courtside seats on resale websites such as Stubhub. Only resale tickets can be bought for the Lakers’ game at the 18,118-capacity Staples Center too, with prices fetching between $700 and $27,500 for the chance to see 18-time all-star and five-time championship winner Bryant for a final time. Meanwhile, the Lakers have issued a fraud alert to fans warning them to only buy from their official ticket exchange, where fans can resell tickets securely. However, buyers using the official exchange can still expect to pay up to $10,000 to see the game.

Atletico hopes for 2014 repeat

tletico Madrid will hope to repeat their 2014 Champions League quarter-final result against Barcelona when the Spanish rivals meet at the Vicente Calderon today. Diego Simeone’s side closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just three points by winning 3-1 at Espanyol last Saturday. The capital club won their sole previous European tie against Barca 2-1 on aggregate at the same stage of the 2013/14 Champions League competition.

Bayern walks tight rope against Benfica

Guardiola

ep Guardiola’s men will have to be cautious as they enjoy a slim 1-0 win going into their second leg quarter final Champions League clash against a tricky Benfica side. Despite scoring as early as the 2nd minute in the first leg clash at the Allianz Arena a week ago, the Bavarians failed to secure a healthy lead in the first leg and thus still have all the work to do in today’s clash in Lisbon. “The narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg last week was “a good result, but not a comfort comfortable cushion,”Bayern Sporting director Mat Matthias Sammer admits. For Javi Martínez, Benfica is a mixed grill that has “few weaknesses” and also “one of the best defensive units in Europe. He said: They defend very high up the field,

they’re aggressive and compact. It’s hard to set up sustained passing combinations,” Despite all that the Bavarians will travel to face Lisbon and “try to win the match. That’s the mentality at FC Bayern.” “It’s going to be a thrilling return in a superb atmosphere. Everybody has reason to look forward to it,” declared Thomas Müller while speaking on Bayern’s official website. A 66,000 full house will turn the Estádio da Luz into a cauldron and noisily get behind the hosts. “We’re all very, very experienced in terms of atmosphere. We’ve turned in great performances in the Champions League, so the players aren’t nervous when there’s a good atmosphere,” Captain Philipp Lahm explained.

Barcelona fell to a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad at the weekend to extend their winless run in La Liga to three matches. Barca boss Luis Enrique has won all seven games he has played against Atletico, including both league meetings between the two teams this season Barcelona on the other hand can redress their stuttering domestic form by sealing their passage to the Champions League semi-finals in today’s game. Last season’s treble winners Barca are in their worst run of form in La Liga since Coach Luis Enrique took charge in August 2014, losing their last two games to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad and drawing with Villarreal. Although those results have seen their La Liga lead over second-placed Atletico cut to three points, Barca are still on track to become the first Spanish team to win the treble two years in a row, with the King’s Cup final against Sevilla coming up next month. The visitors take a 2-1 lead from the first leg into the return match at the Vicente Calderon, Luis Suarez’s double having cancelled out Fernando Torres’ opener after the former Chelsea striker was sent off in the 35th minute.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Action during a Nigeria Premier League match

Zana delighted with NPFL return to Maiduguri E

k-Kanemi Warriors chairman, Zana Mohammed Mala, has expressed excitement at the return of Premier League football to Maiduguri. The Desert Warriors made a positive return to their home ground with a 2-0 win over 3SC in a week eleven Nigeria Professional Football League match. “This is our first match in Maiduguri since the last two

‘Rangers form not a fluke’

todo Akor insists Enugu Rangers will at least have a go at winning the Nigeria Professional Football League title this season after a fine start to the campaign. The Flying Antelopes currently lie first in the table, just two points more than second placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the end of match-day eleven. “It’s an extraordinary chance, I admit. But I believe that there are four teams who carry greater respect,” Akor told Goal. “Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah have good qualities.”It’s no coincidence that we are on top of the table with 21 points. “Very well, if we were to finish top, I would be very happy. A place in the CAF Champions League is a perfect attraction too. “Enugu Rangers fans are passionate about their team. The people live for football here 24/7. They are amazing.”

seasons. We are glad to be back home even when a lot of people didn’t give a chance,” Zana told Goal. “The management of ElKanemi Warriors will like to thank the Borno State government, the security team for their dedication over the years and our loyal fans who comported themselves in a very friendly and warm way. “The fans have missed Premier League football in Maiduguri; they were so excited and

emotional in their actions. Football is a sport that brought so much joy and peace to land and that was exhibited last weekend. “I can confidently state that El-Kanemi Warriors stadium is one of the top three TV friendly venues in Nigeria. Apart from Kano and Aba, Maiduguri is the next. “The world saw pictures of our match against 3SC, the stands were filled to capacity and that’s a proof that top flight football means a lot to the fans”, he concluded.

Npfl Today’s MaTches Nasarawa Utd V Sunshine Stars V Warri Wolves V

Okiki targets victory against Enyimba

kiki Afolabi acknowledges that Sunshine Stars have their work cut out this midweek to maintain their four-match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Professional Football League when they welcome Enyimba in a rescheduled week three clash. The Owena Waves host the People’s Elephants at the Akure Township Stadium and the striker says they will be going all out for the three points against the seven-time NPFL champions. “Enyimba just defeated Etoile du Sahel in the Caf Champions

NOC signs MoU with Wakanow IFEANYI EDUZOR

s part of its efforts to ensure that Nigerians who want to travel to Brazil for the Rio 2016 Olympics do not encounter difficulties making travel arrangements to the South American country, the Nigeria Olympic Committee yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Wakanow, making the company the official authorized tickets reseller for the Games. President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel who was represented by the Secretary General of the body, Tunde Popoola noted that this is the second time in succession that the NOC will be appointing Wakanow as the official ticket reseller to the Olympic Games explaining that its decision to reappoint the organization was

based on their track record and competence in the travels and hospitality industry. He noted that with the coming on board of the company, Nigerians going to Rio for the Olympics are well assured of packages that will make their visit a most memorable one. Managing Director of the company, Obinna Ekezie told National Mirror that his company is poised to make Nigerians feel the impact

Giwa Fc Enyimba Abia Warriors

of the games by making tickets as affordable as possible even as he ruled out the company engaging the services of chartered flights to take people to Rio. According to him, efforts are being made to improve on their past mistakes with a promise that the record they set during London 2012 Olympics will be sustained even as he announced that clients will be allowed to pay by instilment for a period of three months.

From Left: Managing Director, Wakanow, Obinna Ekezie, Secretary General NOC, Tunde Popoola and Marketing Consultant to NOC, Taiwo Adekoya during the signing of the MoU yesterday in Lagos.

League and they will want all three points against us to keep up in the League,” Afolabi told Goal. “They are a very strong opponent and anyone will always be hard pressed to beat them. “Things are going well for us and we should try to continue that, but it is essential to win, to move out from the relegation zone.” So far, Okiki has played in all the league matches of Sunshine Stars in the 2016 season and has scored two goals. “There is a lot of competition to play up front. Here we have Dele Olorundare, Samad Kadiri, Razaq Adegbite and some other talented lads.”

Ex-Leventis Utd Coach, Okoh, dies at 65

ormer Leventis United Chief Coach, Emmanuel Okoh is dead . According to a statement by his family signed by Charles Okoh the veteran coach, 65, died yesterday in a Lagos hospital after a protracted illness. An ex-footballer, Okoh, in his playing days captained Leventis Football Club (Iddo Tigers) in Lagos before being made coach of the Ibadan-based all-conquering Leventis United. Coach Okoh was voted the best coach in the country when he led the Leventis United to the finals of the African Cup Winners Cup. He also coached Calabar Rovers, Delta Steel FC, Aladja as well as Union Bank of Lagos, before quitting coaching to venture into other business endeavours.

WORLD RECORD

Most pierced man The most pierced man is Rolf Buchholz, from Dortmund, Germany, who had 453 piercings, including 158 around his lips, as of August 5 2010.

Vol. 06 No. 1347 Wednesday, April 13, 2016

N150

Arrogance of power and the verdict of history

lobodan Miloševi, former Serbian and Yugoslav President and Radovan Karadži, a former Bosnian Serb politician, who served as the President of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War, have paid the supreme price for the arrogance of power. So, will other political criminals in all nations. The verdict of history is always long in coming. The Bosnian war, the Iranian-Iraqi war, the Iraqi war and all those who orchestrated them still await the verdict of history. “Things that are equal to the same thing are equal to one another”. We are watching and waiting. The arrogance of power leads inexorably to awful omissions and commissions, which nations and individuals later regret. With regards the Iraqi war, arrogance of power, superiority complex of judging nations, were the remote and immediate causes of the present world disorder. In 2003, I wrote a book on the Iraqi crisis

ormer England footballer, Adam Johnson, has formally lodged an appeal against his six-year sentence for grooming and sexual activity with a girl aged 15. The ex-Sunderland player was jailed last month following a trial at Bradford Crown Court. Sentencing the player, Judge

Guest Columnist

Emmanuel

Esiemokhai

entitled “International Law and Diplomacy in the Iraqi Crisis”. As a visiting Professor in International Law at the Max Planck Institute of International Law and Foreign Public Law in Heidelberg, Germany, I presented the book to many professors and law students at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. We all agreed that disastrous consequences would flow from the arrogance of power. Many Arab students at the University of Heidelberg attended my public lecture on the “Iraqi Crisis” in 2004 – 2005. Some Iraqi students were very bitter that their leader, Saddam Hussein, was murdered in circumstances of utmost brutality. His neck was cut in two. They lamented the disbanding of the Iraqi army and the hardship the families of Iraqi soldiers had to endure. To add insult to national injury, Saddam statue as had been shown on CNN, was pulled down. “Hegemonism does not respect other nonCaucasian leaders”, Ali Mohammed had said. The killing of Libya’s Maumar Gaddafi and the threat to kill the Syrian leader, Bashar Hafez al-Assad by sponsored rebels seem to rightly or wrongly create the impression in the Arab youth that the “West” has motives difficult to understand. Some of the Arab and other jihadists believe that they are fighting a just struggle. That nonArab youths go to Syria to die is very touching. These were those who were retrenched after they served in Afganistan and Iraq. These youths were just infants when Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi were killed. For them to

The CNN will reporT wiTh glee The Trump Triumph aNd laTer lameNT Their glib broadCasTs nurse so much revenge consciousness cannot be attributed only to radicalization by Muslim preachers. Discrimination, alienation, non-acceptance, lack of opportunities, doing menial jobs, lack of good education, jobs and psychological disposition are formidable, gnawing factors. The Skykes/Pique Treaty of 1900, which divided the Arab world into British and French influence, the oil policy of the various regimes, the failure of the integration policy in Europe, selling homes in Europe to Arabs are also factors to appreciate.

Ex-Cathedra disquisition on present crises In an ex-Cathedra disquisition on the terrorism saga world-wide, I told the January session of BOSAS International Bureau, Abuja that throughout modern history, hegenonism has always lost out. Indo-China, in Vietnam, Korea, Cuba, Grenada, Congo, Persia, Latin America, Africa, Poland, Hungary, Guatemala, Iraq, Libya, Syria etc, give this assertion empirical validity. Imposition of the form of government advocated failed. Later lamentations and “had we known” are unhelpful. The “regime change doctrine”, “the axis of evil” speech, the anticommunist campaign in the USSR, Cuba, Indo-China, which gulped billions of dol-

lars and millions of human beings, came to naught. Obama is in Cuba to reverse the idiocy of political hegemonism. Marco Rubio failed to win Florida because he could no longer flog the anti-Cuban hysteria. The time to stop David Trump is now. He frightens other states by his unpolished political diatribes and unguarded ripostes. From Munich’s Bierhalle to the Wehrmatch, Adolf Hitler used the same racist speeches and caused pain to the world. Those Americans who are cheering “SIEGE HAIL”, like those in US Congress who gave a standing ovation to the “axis of evil speech” and the disbandment of the Iraqi innovation, “operation of awe and shock” are now remorseful of the disastrous consequences of the power politics they supported in 2002. The CNN will report with glee the Trump triumph and later lament their glib broadcasts. As of now, the “Calamity News Network” deals with the rich and powerful.

CNN and its news coverage

CNN (The Calamities News Network), this is how I see the world news leader and its skillful promotion of the anti-Christ agenda of making human misery “hot” news. This is repeated so often, you want to switch off. While Richard Quest tells us about the number of billionaires in the world, he ignores the hungry billions in Asia, Africa and Latin America. On the other hand, eloquent and vibrant “Persian princess” Christian Amanpour only recognizes as humans worth any attention presidents, top politicians and ”who is who in the world”. We have never heard from the hoi polloi, the ordinary men and women in the world, who deserve some attention for they too have their stories. Amanpour’s recent interview with French demagogue/philosophe,rBernard-Henri Lévy on the Arab political scene was a disaster. Bernard is still supporting NATO killing of Ghaddafi. The way news is presented by the new crop of CNN anchors one would think that only news about terrorism and disasters matter. To be continued Professor Esiemokhai is the Academic Chancellor, BOSAS International Law Bureau, Abuja, Nigeria.

Sport Extra

Adam Johnson appeals 6-year jail term Jonathan Rose told him he had abused a position of trust and caused his victim “severe psychological harm”. BBC Sport reported that an official at the court confirmed that Johnson’s legal team had lodged

an appeal against his sentence. The 28-year-old has already begun an appeal against his conviction of sexual activity with a 15-year-old. Johnson admitted grooming the girl and a separate, less serious

charge, of sexual activity. On the Adam Johnson’s Appeal Fight Facebook page, run by his sister, Faye, a post said: “Adam’s appeal against his sentence has now been lodged!” It added: “Thanks everyone for your support it means a lot! X”

Johnson

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