Wednesday, february 3, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

FIRS targets N4.95trn from VAT, other taxes in 2016

Chidi UGwU, AbujA

ederal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, yesterday said it is targeting N4.957trn as revenue from tax sources in

Fowler

Vol. 5 N0. 1299

2016. Value Added Tax, VAT, and Companies Income Tax, CIT, will account for N3.87trn or 78.42 per cent of the projected tax collections. Executive Chairman

Wednesday, February 3 , 2016

of FIRS, Tunde Fowler, who gave the figures at the 2016 Annual Corporate Strategy Retreat of the Service, expressed his displeasure with the N3.73trn collected last Continued on Page 2>>

NASS can’t stop NERC from increasing electricity tariff –Fashola P.6

Fashola

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We’ve all failed Nigeria, Saraki replies Obasanjo National Mirror Online

GeorGe oji, AbujA

enate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday reviewed the nation’s journey to its present economic and political quagmire and came up with the verdict that all past public office holders must share in the blame. According to him, they all contributed to the sorry state the country currently found itself. In an apparent response to the letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the leadership of the National Assembly, wherein he accused the lawmakers of profligacy, Saraki said Continued on Page 2>>

Reps fume over N6.2bn allocation for research in Interior Ministry

P.6

L-R: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; President Muhammadu Buhari; wife of the governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, and Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, during the official commissioning of the ultra-modern Omida Market, Abeokuta, as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of Ogun State, yesterday.

Dasukigate: ICC hears Falana’s petition against Dasuki, Iweala, others

Supreme Court affirms Okowa, Ajimobi, Gaidan ...as ICPC opens case againsst Farouk Lawan elections P.41

INEC to hold rerun elections in 16 states, 80 constituencies

P.5 P.4

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We’ve all failed Nigeria, Saraki replies Obasanjo CONTINUED FROM PagE 1

every Nigerian, who had held any public office in the past, without any exceptions, were involved in one way or the other in the mistakes that led the country to the present political and economic mess. The senate president, fielding questions from newsmen shortly after commissioning the refurbished Press Corp Center at the National Assembly, admonished that rather than trading blames on one another, what was needed now was for all Nigerians to close ranks and join hands together to address the woes afflicting the country. He said: “We’ve all been here since 1999 up to the recent past when things were not done right; we are all part of it. I was there; you were there, every other political office holders in different capacities were there as well. “My own view from the 8th National Assembly is that the time for collective participation for the good of all Nigerians is here with us in line with the change mantra of the present administration. We are all on the same page for things to be done differently. “I think what we need now from all stakeholders, is more of cooperation, encouragement and participation as opposed to trying to hold one person responsible for the mistakes of the past that we are all part of. It is clearly not the right thing needed now. “I appeal to you, I appeal to all Nigerians that we should work together just as I assure you all that we will do well here in the National Assembly to practically complement the change agenda.” Commenting on the 2016 Appropriation bill now before the National Assembly, Saraki assured that lawmakers would do everything within their powers to ensure that the budget is effectively implemented. One of the ways the National Assembly would support the effective implementation of the budget, according to him, is to come up with an amendment bill to the Procurement Act to ensure that all

the capital spending are thoroughly scrutinised before funds are committed to projects. Saraki explained that the Finance and Appropri-

ation Committees, as well as other relevant committees of the senate had been directed to ensure that they painstakingly scrutinise the budget, especially

on the revenue side. This was as he revealed that even the leadership of the Senate would engage the ministries, department and agencies

of government to ensure that non oil revenue and independent revenue component of the budget were achieved. Saraki pledged that de-

tails of the N115 billion National Assembly appropriation for this year would be made public at the end of the budget defence exercise.

L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba adeyeye Ogunwusi, national leader, all Progressives Congress (aPC), asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Sahidi ademola Elegushi during the visit of the Ooni to Tinubu in Lagos, yesterday.

FIRS targets N4.95trn from VAT, other taxes in 2016 CONTINUED FROM PagE 1

year against the revenue target of N4.57trn in view of its capacity. He said: “The above target is clearly unacceptable and not a reflection of our capacity. I am particularly not pleased with the very poor VAT collection, which based on my previous experience at the state level in the administration of a tax similar to VAT, should be a high yield and easy to collect tax. “Even the relatively good performance for CIT is buoyed by the fact that an initiative directly overseen by my office in the last three months of 2015 accounted for a collection of over N122bn, without which the performance for CIT would have been less than 85 per cent “Against this backdrop, in 2016, we do not have the luxury of not meeting our targets, especially as government is looking to non-oil taxes to bridge the revenue gap. “In this regard, we have proposed a revenue

target of N4.957trn for 2016. This target is largely dependent on non-oil collection and in particular, VAT will account for N2trn (40.35 per cent of the total target) and CIT is expected to account for N1.877trn (37.87 per cent) of the total target.” According to him, in order to meet the revenue target, all staff of the agency will have their work cut out and there will be no room for complacency. Fowler noted that dwindling oil receipts provided FIRS with a window to diversify the nation’s revenue base, adding that the Service will employ a blend of carrot (voluntary compliance) and stick (enforcement) to ensure that the agency attains its goal of 90 per cent compliance this year. He explained that the Service was collaborating with state governments, tax consultants, major audit firms, stakeholders in the federal system, including National Assembly, to improve its operations and revenue collections.

To enhance the level of tax awareness and compliance rate, Fowler hinted that FIRS would be undertaking a nationwide VAT and Withholding Tax monitoring and taxpayer registration exercise anchored by the Federal Engagement and Enlightenment Tax Teams, FEETT. He confirmed that recent efforts by the Service to bring more people and organisations into the tax net had started to yield results as 361,451 new corporate taxpayers had been registered within the last three months. Also, 500,000 new corporate taxpayers are expected to be added by the end of March this year. At the event, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, said the ministry would collaborate with FIRS to enhance non-oil revenue collection. Udoma explained that the present administration was ready to provide the needed support for increase tax revenue collection, noting however that FIRS is expected to work

with other relevant bodies, including states and local government tax authorities to facilitate the process of collection and compliance. Udoma, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nana Fatima, said the ministry would use the Joint Planning Board, JPB, National Council on Development Planning, NCDP and National Economic Council, NEC, to support Ministries Departments and Agencies, MDAs, He said: “To ensure effective implementation, adequate and sustainable plan would be required. The FIRS and other revenue generating agencies will therefore have important role to play. “The Ministry of Budget and National Planning is ready to collaborate with FIRS in designing strategies for enhancing non-oil revenues for the country. “I want to also assure you that the current administration is committed to providing the necessary political leadership

and support to facilitate increase tax revenue productivity in the country.” He expressed confidence Fowler would bring to bear his wealth of experience from Lagos State to enhance revenue collection in the country. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Muhammed Musa Bello, Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, John Owan Enoh and Deputy House Committee on Finance, Austin Chukwurah emphasised the primal role FIRS will play in providing revenue towards realising Federal Governments’ plan for 2016. Representatives of key accounting and tax audit firms: KPMG, Ernest Young, Akintola Williams and Delloite, PEDABO, FITC Consulting, PriceWaterHouse Cooper suggested how FIRS could be innovative, increase tax yield, expand tax base and encourage taxpayers to pay their taxes without being compelled to do so.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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L-R: Managing Director, NASCON Industries Plc., Mr. Paul Farrer; Chairperson of the company, Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni; Executive Director, Commercial, Halima Dangote and a Director, Dr. Chris Ogbeche, during a visit to the company’s factories in Lagos and Ogun states, yesterday.

Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu (left) and coordinator for President Barack Obama’s Power Africa Initiative, Andrew M. Herscowitz, at the Power Africa summit in Washington DC, recently.

L-R: Executive Director, Information Technology and Service Delivery Channels, Skye Bank Plc., Mrs. Markie Idowu; Lead ISO Auditor 27001/Clients Manager, BSI Dubai, Mr. Saroj Patel; Deputy Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc., Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, and Lead ISO Auditor 20000, ISO 22301 at BSI Dubai, Mr. Vikas Mulkultar, during the International Standards Organisation (ISO) re certification of Skye Bank Plc., yesterday.

L-R: A young automotive designer, Bashir Aliyu; Sokoto State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Nasir Zarummai; Chairman of Sokoto State House of Assembly’s Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Bodinga, and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, at the presentation of scholarship to Bashir to study in United States, in Sokoto, yesterday.

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N12bn to be saved annually from blocking wastages –Adeosun Chidi UgwU AbujA

ederal Government is planning to save a minimum of N12bn annually within the short to medium term through reduction in wastes and inefficiencies associated with spending pattern in ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, of government. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun stated this in Abuja yesterday. Adeosun, who was represented by the Head of the newly created Efficiency Unit in the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Patience Oniha, said by reducing wastage and inefficiency in the way government businesses are done, the Federal Government would be able to free more funds that could assist in changing the balance between capital and recurrent expenditure. She said over the years, there have been concerns

about overhead cost of running government, noting that the concerns have become real in the face of dwindling revenue. She said while Nigeria is not alone in this regard, advanced countries have put in place measures to reduce public sector costs. She said the unit was created in November last

year in view of the urgent need to achieve a better cost structure for government and derive maximum value for money. She said: “Our mandate is to eliminate waste and duplications in government’s work processes and activities as well as generate savings for government from the procurement pro-

cess. “Government needs to use its resources more judiciously in lean and fat times and spend more on capital rather than recurrent. “N12bn can be saved annually through procurement after discounts from the items that we buy for bulk and large purchases.” The minister said while

a lot of efforts had been made in the past to reduce waste, the mandate of the Efficiency Unit is different because it is internally driven, thus making buy-in easier. She said the country would derive a lot of benefits from the unit through savings from procurement, elimination of wastage, excess capacity and duplication.

Apart from competitive pricing, Adeosun said the unit plans to increase transparency in procurement through the introduction of price guidelines to be used by all MDAs. To this end, she said the unit had engaged the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, with towards reviewing the Public Procurement act.

INEC to hold rerun elections in16 states, 80 constituencies

...Commission bars fresh candidate ObiOra ifOh AbujA

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will conduct about 80 elections in 16 states, following their overturn by various courts for one or more electoral offences. A statement issued by INEC Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, bars fresh

candidates from participating in the new polls. Affected states include, Adamawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Taraba, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers. The statement said: “Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at its meeting held on Monday, 1st February, 2016

considered and approved dates for the conduct of elections as ordered by the Court of Appeal.” The Commission said while elections in 69 constituencies in the affected states would see the participation of the same political parties and their respective candidates who participated in the annulled elections, 11 constituencies of seven states

would have some political parties exempted. Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will not participate in Anambra Central Senatorial District and Langtang South Federal Constituency elections in Anambra and Plateau states respectively. All Progressives Congress, APC, will also not participate in the elections of Lere West (Kaduna), Kogi Central, Kogi East, Okene/Ogori Magogo, Ofu and Ankpa 1, all

in Kogi State. APC will also not participate in the elections in Suleja constituency in Niger State. All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Social Democratic Party, SDP, will not participate in the elections in Aba North in Abia State and Demsa/ Numan/Lamurde of Adamawa State respectively. All elections are to be conducted between 27th January 2016 and March 19, 2016.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Dasukigate: ICC hears Falana’s petition against Dasuki, Iweala, others Wale IgbIntade doosuur IWambe

nternational Criminal Court, ICC, at The Hague has confirmed that it is considering a petition submitted to it by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, over alleged crimes against humanity committed in the context of the ongoing arms procurement scandal. ICC revealed this in a letter dated 1 February, 2016, with reference: OTPCR-32/16, signed by Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information & Evidence Unit. This was confirmed in a statement issued yesterday and signed by Tayo Soyemi from the law firm of Falana & Falana. The letter reads in part: “The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your documents/letter. This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.” It would be recalled that Falana had in a petition dated 19 January, 2016, requested the ICC to “investigate allegations of crimes against humanity committed against the Nigerian people by some former and serving military as well as public officials and private persons who engaged in the criminal diversion of $8bn earmarked to procure equipment for the armed forces to fight insurgency.” Falana had asked ICC Prosecutor to urgently commence an investigation propria motu on the allegations of the criminal diversion of the security fund of $2.1bn and N643bn, earmarked by suspected perpetrators, with a view to determining whether these amount to crimes against humanity within the Court’s jurisdiction. He also urged the court to invite representatives of the Nigerian government to provide written or oral testimony at the seat of the Court, so that the Prosecutor would be able to conclude on the basis of available information whether

there is a reasonable basis for an investigation, and to submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorisation of an investigation. He also urged the court to bring to justice those suspected to bear full responsibility for deliberate underfunding of the armed forces through widespread and systematic corruption in Nigeria. Besides, he urged the Nigerian government to fulfill its obligations under the Rome Statute to cooperate with ICC, including complying with requests to arrest and surrender suspected perpetrators of the criminal diversion of security fund, testimony, and provision of other support. The petition reads in part: “On account of the deliberate refusal of the former military authorities to equip and motivate the members of the armed forces involved in combat operations, the insurgents have killed about 25,000 soldiers and civilians, including children and displaced over 2,000,000 people. “Having compromised the security of the people of Nigeria by collaborating with the terrorists, the former military authorities deliberately encouraged the brutal killing of innocent people, including ill-equipped officers and soldiers.” The petition stated that in order to divert the attention of the Nigerian people and the international community from the aforementioned crimes against humanity, scores of soldiers were put on trial before courts-martial for demanding for equipment to fight the well-armed members of the Boko Haram sect. He stated that the military courts convicted the soldiers and sentenced them to various terms of imprisonment, while 70 were sentenced to death and over 3,000 others were dismissed. In a related development, trial of the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), and his co-defendants over alleged diversion of N13bn, part of funds meant for procurement of arms yesterday suffered another setback, following failure

L-R: Member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Ruwase Babatunde Paul; President LCCI, Mrs. Nike Akande and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a courtesy visit by leadership of the Chambers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE by the Federal Government to produce them in court on time. Proceedings in the case before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama Abuja, could not go on because operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, failed to produce the accused on time. DSS only produced the ex-NSA at the point when Justice Affen was adjourning the case. The judge adjourned till February 26. Others being prosecuted along with Dasuki are a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir

Yuguda; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir Attahiru, and a firm, Dalhatu Investment. A development similar to what transpired in court yesterday had stalled Dasuki’s trial before Justice Baba Yusuf of the same Maitama Division of the FCT High Court on January 22. Justice Yusuf had then adjourned the trial to February 4. Dasuki and others are being prosecuted on 19-count of diversion of N32 billion arms fund. Meanwhile, a witness brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, to testify

against the former Chairman, House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Mr. Farouk Lawan, yesterday appeared at the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Lugbe. The witness, Boniface Emenalo, was jointly charged along with Lawan as the second accused person until ICPC amended the charges and removed his name as a defendant, leaving Lawan as the sole accused person in the case. Lawan and Emenalo were initially arraigned on a six count charge of corruptly accepting $620,000 from business mogul and chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Mr. Femi Otedola, in the course

of performing the committee’s duty in 2012. Both men were accused of collecting the money in April 2012 in order to remove Otedola’s companies’ names from the list of firms indicted by the committee for allegedly abusing the fuel subsidy regime. But the amended charges now comprise three counts, indicating that Lawan asked for $3 million from Otedola and corruptly collected $500,000 from the businessman. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Emenalo appeared in court as a prosecution witness, summoned through a subpoena served on the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

CBN exempts banks operating at FTZ from taxes, royalties ChIdI ugWu, AbUjA

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said it has exempted banks operating within Free Trade Zones from payment of withholding tax deductions on interest payable on deposits, dividends and royalties. This was stated in the guidelines for banking operations in the free zones in Nigeria, 2016 posted at the apex bank website yesterday. CBN, which explained that the action was in line with the powers conferred on it by sections 2(d) and

47 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, No. 7, 2007 (the Act) also said it was part of incentive been provided for banks to operate within the zones. Other incentives include; exemption from corporate and capital gains taxes; exemption from payment of duties on imports of furniture, office equipment and other facilities necessary for its operations; and exemption from payment of value added tax and any other incentives as may be approved by the authority, from time to time. The statement said: “Pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Free

Zones Acts, a bank operating in Nigeria’s FZ shall enjoy the following incentives -freedom to move funds in and out of the zone on all eligible transactions; exemption from stamp duties on all its documents.” CBN also stated that banks in the FZs may maintain correspondent banking relationships with licensed banks in the Nigeria Customs Territory and overseas. However, permissible activities for a licensed bank in the FZ include: to take deposits and maintain current and saving accounts from natural and legal persons; provide retail bank-

ing services; grant to any person, advance, loans, or credit facility, or give any financial guarantee, or incur any other liability on behalf of any person; make remittances of funds abroad or to Nigeria Customs Territory on behalf of any non-resident. Others are to deal in foreign exchange and provide foreign exchange services, subject to the requirements of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring & Miscellaneous Provisions, etc) Act Cap. F35 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, any other law and CBN Regulations made pursuant thereto.

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Budget defence: Reps fume over N6.2b for research

...N545m for computers, software

UbonG UkponG AbujA

ouse of Representatives Committee on Interior yesterday queried the allocation of N6.2 billion for research and development in the 2016 budget to the Ministry of Interior. It also queried the allocation of N545 million to computer and software purchases in the ministry. At the commencement of its budget defence on Tuesday, the lawmakers seemed not to understand the kind of research the ministry was planning to deserve the huge amount. In his defence, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bassey Akpanyum, said his ministry was under pressure to digitalise its operations. He said in view of this, it needed to acquire computers and software in order to link the ministry and its agencies. Stating that there were no computers in the ministry, the Permanent Secretary said that was the basis of allocation of huge amount in the budget this year to acquire computers and software. He said though it looked very large, it had to do with the reforms of this administration. In a frantic effort to defend the allocation for research and development, the Permanent Secretary said the total money was meant for two things. He pointed out that about half of the money was for

research and another for police services. He lamented that the overhead of about N276million allocated to the ministry was too low, stressing that the ministry had little or no inputs in the budget process that was prepared by the budget office. Akpanyum said it was lower than about N288million allocation in 2015 budget, when the ministry was not merged with Police Affairs. He urged the Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba-led committee to consider upward adjustment to enable it execute its projects. However, the lawmakers, who apparently looked unconvinced, said it would do justice to it at the committee. Equally, the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, defending its budget, said it did not participate in drawing its recurrent expenditure. Controller-General of Prisons, CGP, Peter Ekpendu, said the Service needed over N10 million in its budget to feed inmates at N450 per day, but was given a far less amount. Also, defending their budget were the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Federal Fire Service, FFS and the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, whose CG, Martins Kure Abeshi, disclosed that it was set to deport six Britons arrested last Saturday for violating Nigerian Immigration Laws.

L-R: Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed; Minister of State for National Planning and Budgeting, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, and Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, during an interactive session with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

NASS can’t stop electricity tariff hike –Fashola …says tariff now 10-year stretch

GeorGe oji AbujA

ower, Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, yesterday said the National Assembly lacks the power to stop the management of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, from reviewing electricity tariffs in the country. Fashola stated that NERC is statutorily empowered by the Act setting it up to set new electricity tariffs for consumers in the country, and that as a result, the lawmakers cannot stop the commission from discharging such responsibilities.

The Minister spoke shortly after he emerged from the defence of his ministries’ 2016 budget appropriation before the senate committee on power. The National Assembly had last December warned NERC to halt plans to implement the new electricity tariff regime in the country, following a motion passed by the House of Representatives in mid December. Commenting on the issue, Fashola said, “The law passed by the National Assembly clearly gives NERC the responsibility and power to give a tariff that enables them to recover their investment and returns on investment.

“So nothing unlawful or illegal has happened. I think it was the way it was managed before we came and the review every two years.” The minister also spoke on the importance of Federal Government’s strategic partnership with the private sector in order to generate more electricity. According to him, “People have been hearing for the past 20 years that power projects are over 99 per cent complete. It is absolute nonsense. As far as I am concerned, the ultimate thing is to get to work. “One per cent or 99 per cent, we need to get it to work and the best way to, in the interest of Nigeri-

NNPC’s Direct Sale-Direct Purchase initiative takes off March Chidi UGwU AbujA

inister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has disclosed that the crudefor-products exchange arrangement popularly referred to as crude swap will be replaced by a Direct-Sale–Direct-Purchase, DSDP, arrangement that will take off next month. Kachikwu spoke while appearing before House of Representatives Ad-Hoc

Committee set up to investigate the corporation’s offshore processing and crude swap arrangement for between 2010 till date, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. According to a statement by the Group Managing Director, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, the minister of state also noted that the DSDP was adopted to replace the crude oil swap initiative and the Offshore Processing Arrangement to introduce and entrench transparency into the crude oil for product transaction by the corporation in line

with global best practices. Under the old order, crude oil was exchanged for petroleum products through third party traders at a pre-determined yield pattern. The Minister stated that the DSDP option eliminates all the cost elements of middlemen and gives the NNPC the latitude to take control of sale and purchase of the crude oil transaction with its partners, adding that the initiative would save $1 billion for the Federal Government. “When I assumed duty as GMD of NNPC, I met the Offshore Processing Ar-

rangement (OPA); and you know, there is always room for improvement. I and my team came up with the DSDP initiative with the aim of throwing open the bidding process. This initiative has brought transparency into the crude-forproduct exchange matrix and it is in tandem with global best practices,” Kachikwu stated. According to him, the DSDP initiative whittles down the influence of the Minister in the selection of bid winners as it allows all the bidders to be assessed transparently based on their global and national

track record of performance before the best companies with the requisite capacities are selected. Shedding more light on the need to introduce DSDP, Kachikwu noted that the policy is aimed at reducing the gaps inherent in the OPA and the losses incurred by NNPC in the past. He stated that the new arrangement would help the corporation to grow indigenous capacity in the international crude oil business and generate employment opportunities for indigenous companies that are selected.

ans, is to enter into any form of partnership and we will look into that. “It is not about what I think, and I said this much before. Whether we have electricity or not, it is not about what all of us agree we must do. Electricity is a product. It is made from raw materials. Some of the raw materials are gas, power plants and the like. “So, the issue of tariff is the single issue of price. When the raw materials go up, the price cannot stay the same. You may ask why can’t we have more power before the price goes up? “I am also a consumer, but we see that investments in power are not where they should be and part of the reason government opted for privatisation was to get more private capital. “If the recovery price, the income and profit do not make economic sense to the investor, would you do that business if you are the one? “So it is not what I want, it is what I think will solve the problem. Everybody owes everybody in the power equation, and they also owe banks. “There are a lot of investors who want to pay a little more than the open market tariff. If we want them to come into the industry, we have to allow the new tariff order that allows for embedded order.

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Buhari laments poor investment in petroleum infrastructure FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that the petroleum policy of the Olusegun Obasanjo’s military era of the 1970s would continue to be a reference point as it remains the best Nigeria has ever had.

The president made the declaration in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while speaking at the luncheon organised in his honour to conclude his two-day official visit and commissioning of projects to mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the state. Buhari, who acknowledged the quality of jobs

executed by the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration to transform the state, explained that the Obasanjo military administration in the 1970s, invested more in the petroleum industry, during which three refineries were built in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt. He stated that the petroleum policy of that admin-

istration was the best in the country as it guaranteed enough products not only for local consumption, but also for exportation. The president however, expressed regret that the country’s oil wealth was fast thinning out as it had become unable to produce enough refined petroleum products for domestic use.

L-R: Bishop of Christ Life Church, Ibadan South Division, Bishop Dapo Ogunsola; Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, and Bishop of Christ Life Church, Ibadan Central Division, Bishop Abiodun Adeniji, during a news conference on the corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration organised by the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

N2.6bn theft: NIMASA paid N905m for unexecuted contract —Witness WALE IGBINTADE

prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others, Uche Obilor, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos how his three companies were paid N905, 800,000 for a contract he did not execute. Obilor, who is the Managing Director of Ace Prosthesis Limited, Seabulk Offshore Limited and Southern Offshore Limited, told the court that the money was paid into the companies’ two bank accounts even though he did not tender any proposal or carry out any contract for NIMASA. Akpobolokemi was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others; Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-

Kenzo Logistic Limited. In a 22-count charge by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, they were accused of converting N2, 658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 this year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Obilor disclosed that N437m was paid to Ace Prosthesis Limited, while N402m was paid to Seabulk Offshore Limited and N66.8m to Southern Offshore Limited respectively. On how his companies got the contract, Obilor told that court that he was approached by Captain Ezekiel Agaba (2nd defendants) that his companies have been awarded a contract to assist NIMASA meet the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code for 2014. He also told the court that shortly after the money was paid, he was told by the second defendant to stay execution of the contract. He also disclosed that

the second defendant later directed him to transfer the money into different accounts until N54m was left. Under cross examination, by Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, lawyer to Akpobolokemi, Obilor said he held several meetings with the second defendants, adding that the N54m left in the account had been transferred to the coffers of the Federal Government. He also admitted that he did not have any discussions with Akpobolokemi, neither did he receive any instruction from him. When asked by law-

yer to the 2nd defendant, Mr. E G Onyeka whether he (Obilor) was aware that two of his staff issued and signed several invoices to NIMASA, he said: “I am on top of the whole exercise and I am unaware that they signed any document.” Obilor also admitted that during the meetings he had with the second defendant, a list of job schedule was brought to his attention, some of which his companies lacked capacity to carry out. Justice Buba adjourned further hearing in the matter till February 5, 16 and 19 respectively.

While lamenting the lack of investment on infrastructure in the petroleum sector since the 1970s, Buhari however, queried what led to the sorry situation of the industry today. He said: “I don’t want to comment on that for now. I appreciate President Obasanjo for making me the minister of petroleum. For three years, he tolerated me. “During that period we built Warri and Kaduna refineries. We laid so many pipelines and then we were exporting refined petroleum products. But what do we have today? I want to stop here.” The president said Ogun State was lucky to have leaders like Amosun to administer its affairs since its creation 40 years ago. While describing the legacy projects as “confusing and disorientating”, Buhari, who said Abeokuta was his first station as a Commission Officer of the Nigerian Army in 1963, confessed that what Amosun had done as governor has distorted his knowledge of the then Ogun State as he could not find his ways around. He lauded the governor for the transformation and urged him to continue the good work. Earlier in the day, the president had inaugurated some of the Legacy Projects, including a flyover bridge at Sapon, a model school at Itoku Elewe, the judiciary complex and unveiling of the 40th commemorative logo for the state. Meanwhile, former President Obasanjo, Prof. Biyi Afonja as well as Olori Yetunde Gbadebo were among the six prominent sons and daughters, who bagged prestigious

awards for their roles in the creation of the state in 1976. Obasanjo, who bagged “Icon of all the Time” award, was the Chairman of the Committee on the Creation of States, established by the then Supreme Military Council of the Murtala/Obasanjo administration in 1976. Two living members of the committee that prepared proposals for the creation of Ogun State: Prof. Afonja and Olori Gbadebo were also honoured. Three other eminent citizens of the state: Prof. Wole Soyinka, Dr. Obafunke Otudeko as well as Sir Kensington Adebutu were also honoured by the state. Obasanjo, who responded on behalf of the recipients, commended the government for the honour, noting that the effort towards the creation of the state was collective. The former president also reacted to the accusations indirectly levelled against him by the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and a section of the state that he influenced the choice of Abeokuta as the capital of the then new state. Awujale had earlier in his goodwill message, enjoined Obasanjo to back the demand for the creation of Ijebu State out of the present Ogun State. The monarch reiterated his relentless demand for the creation of Ijebu State, stressing that Obasanjo’s support was crucial, urging President Buhari to grant the request of his people for a state of their own. But Obasanjo said he would only support the creation of Ijebu State, provided the Ijebu people would agree to make Ikenne the capital.

Court orders verification of death of accused in Ekiti

here was mild drama at the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State yesterday over the claim of the death of an accused by his counsel, Mr. Victor Ogunremi. Police Prosecutor, Mr. Femi Falade, told the court that he did not believe the claim of the counsel to the accused. Presiding judge, Justice

D.U. Okoronwo ordered that the surety be produced in court to attest to the claim. “Surety is hereby ordered to appear before the court to attest to the death case claim,” he said. Argument ensued when the case involving an accused, Moses Olatunde with charge number: FHC/AD/25c/2013, was mentioned. The defence counsel had earlier told the court that

his client died on October 4, 2015, saying he had a video clip of the deceased’s burial rite to support his claim. Ogunremi also prayed the court to give him time to enable him apply for the death certificate of his client at the hospital where the accused died. The prosecutor in his argument prayed the court to verify the death claim of the counsel to the accused,

who was standing trial for alleged fraud involving N7m. “I pray this honourable court to summon the surety to verify this claim of the death of the accused or show course why the bond should not be forfeited,” he said. The judge, after listening to both parties, adjourned the case till February 16 for the report on the death of the accused.

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South West

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Man to spend 90 days in prison for stealing N250 B OL ADALE B AMIGBOL A OSOGBO

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde (right) presenting a souvenir to Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos Council, Mr. Deji Elumoye at a media parley, recently.

ABUAD partners NEPC on timber processing, mango export ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

ounder of Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, has urged the federal and state governments to prioritise investment in agriculture to turn Nigeria into an exporting country. Babalola said such investment could be sustained by making agriculture compulsory from primary to university level as a means of imbibing the culture of agriculture in the present and future generations. The ABUAD founder

spoke at Ado Ekiti while receiving the management of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, which is partnering with the university for the processing of timber for export as one of the moves to reduce dependence on oil as the major foreign exchange earner. Babalola, who lamented that Nigeria was still importing many products it had the capacity of producing, emphasised that “no country can succeed without exporting its products to the international market.” The ABUAD founder, who said his university

was planning to set up an industrial research park to stimulate establishment of industries and reduce importation, also advocated government assistance to farmers, including providing tractors to all councils and loans. In his speech, NEPC Chief Executive, Segun Awolowo, said the Council has been going to each state of the federation to identify a product to be marketed on the global stage under its One-StateOne-Product Initiative. Awolowo, who marvelled at the large expanse of ABUAD Mango Farm, said NEPC would

assist in exporting the mangoes. He disclosed that the Federal Government would establish storage facilities at the ports to preserve perishable farm produce in readiness for their export. According to Awolowo, as part of restructuring in NEPC, “smart offices” will be established in the 36 states in a bid to stimulate production. The NEPC boss said that in 2014, Nigeria’s revenue was above $70bn, but recorded a shortfall of $20bn in 2015 owing to the crash in oil prices in the international market.

Manufacturers appeal for more time for backward integration SAIDAT ALAUSA

nion of Tomato Paste Manufacturers in Nigeria has appealed to the Federal Government to hold back on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, forex policy in order to avail them more time for backward integration. Triple concentrate, which is the major raw material for the production of packed tomato paste, was listed among the 41 items banned from accessing foreign exchange from the official window by CBN. This policy has made it impossible for firms to import tomato concentrate which in turn is having an adverse effect

on the production of the product. Backward integration refers to a company buying or internally producing parts of its supply chain locally. It is a vertical integration that combines a core business with local suppliers of its raw materials. Speaking through the Managing Director, Sonia Foods Industries Ltd, Mr. Nnamdi Nnodebe, the manufacturers appealed for more time to further invest in backward integration in the country. “As a group we are committed to the growth of the Nigerian economy and also wish to boost the GDP of the nation through the production and exportation of tomato

paste. “However, we will be pleased if the government can avail us more to time to allow for backward integration just like it applies to some other sectors of the country. “We have begun the process of backward integration in some parts of the country but support for the process is critical to its success. “We plead with the relevant government agencies to provide adequate support in terms of easy access to arable land, low interest loans, irrigation facility, technical and also infrastructural support. “In the long run, we intend to establish a triple concentrate factory using locally harvested product,

which would fill up the huge shortage of about 150,000 MT in the Nigeria tomato paste market,” he said. The tomato industry is one of the sub-sectors where Nigeria is highly advantaged and Nigeria is ranked second largest producer in Africa and thirteenth in the world, producing 1.701 million tonnes annually at an average of 6MT per hectare, all of which remains insufficient to sustain the industry in the country. The recent policy of the CBN according to Nnamdi, will lead to approximately 100,000 job loss, increase in product cost and ultimately the shutting down of some production companies.

26-year-old furniture maker, Ismailia Alani, was yesterday sentenced to a three-month jail ter m for stealing N250 at a location in Osogbo, Osun State. The prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun told the court that Alani robbed one Mrs. Sanusi Odunola of her purse and stole the money kept inside. He added that Alani caused public disturbance when he snatched the purse from the woman, noting that his acts was contrary to and punishable under Section

390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria. Alani, h o w e v e r, pleaded guilty to the two counts contained in the charge sheet. He also prostrated before the court, pleading for mercy and swore never to go back to crime. D e l ive r i n g judgement, M a g i s t r at e O l u s o l a A l u ko, s e n t e n c e d A l a n i t o t h re e months imprisonment with an option o f N 2 , 5 0 0 f i n e. Because he was unable to pay the fine, Alani was later taken to Ilesa maximum prison.

Glo subscribers get New Year bumper data bonus

ata subscribers on Globacom network will now enjoy 6 and 9 gigabytes of data for only N3,000 and N4,000 subscriptions respectively. Both of fers come with an access period of one month. Globacom’s Re gional Chief Marketing Of ficer, Mr. Ashok Israni, said that just like the Twin Bash, the new of fers are gifts to loyal subscribers for keeping faith with the network and to encourage them to browse more even after the Christmas season. “We know that our subscribers must have spent a lot of money during the yuletide season. As the New Year be gins, we are giving more for less to our valued subscribers to keep them connected on the internet,” Israni said. To start enjoying the new bumper data of fers, Israni explained that all the subscriber needs to do is to dial *777# and follow the interactive SMS prompt. He said Glo Bumper Of fer is unique not only for its extra

1.5GB but also for its super fast data capacity. “The jumbo data of fers ride on Globacom’s huge data infrastructure backed by the high capacity Glo 1 submarine cable. The facility provides much faster and more robust connectivity for voice, data and video,” he added. It would be recalled that Globacom recently launched the Twin Bash of fer, which gives subscribers bonus voice airtime for every data subscription. The package gives subscribers who recharge with N200, up to 200 MB of data worth N800, along with full value of the airtime recharged. The Twin Bash recharge, which is the best deal for voice and data in Nigeria can easily be done by dialling *223*pin#. The Twin Bash of fer is also available on the N500, N1000 and N2000 data recharge plans. “The Bumper Data of fer is, therefore, the icing on the cake following the unprecedented Twin Bash gift to Glo subscribers,” Israni said.

South East

Bianca stalls suit on Ojukwu’s property Wale IgbIntade

urther hearing in a suit filed by Bianca Ojukwu, widow of the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, against Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others was stalled yesterday. At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday before a Lagos High Court, Bianca’s lawyer, Nick Omeje, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him amend the claimant’s originating summons. Consequently, Justice Abdulfattah Lawal adjourned the matter till February 29 for the hearing of the motion and April 26 and 27 for continuation of trial. It will be recalled that on Monday she told the court she was the sole legally married wife of her late husband having done court, church and traditional marriage, unlike the other wives that only did traditional marriages. Bianca, suing for her two underaged children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu (claimants), wants the court to declare that her children are entitled to the possession and occupation of the property known as No 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, until the harmonisation of the management and administration of the assets of the first defendant, OTL. In their statement of claim, the claimants want the court to declare that the threat of forceful ejection from 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street by the defendants is illegal. In addition, they urged the court to declare that they are entitled to possess the following properties, No 13 Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi

head of the judgement of the Supreme Court in respect of the disputed Abia State governorship election result, the indigenes have called for prayers, wishing victory for the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Dr Alex Otti. In a notice calling for prayers, the organisers, Rescue Abia Group, said it had become necessary “to seek the face of the Lord in the affairs of Abia State.”

(now known as No. 13 Ojora road); No 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No 30 Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; No. 30 McPherson Avenue, Ikoyi. All the above properties were alleged to be under the possession of late Ojukwu, father of the claimants, from when the properties were released from government acquisition till date. The claimant is asking for an order of court restraining the defendants, their agents or privies from interfering with the claimants’ possession and control of the properties. But, in their statement of defence, the 1st -7th defendants averred that the subscribers of the memorandum of association of Ojukwu Transport Limited (1st defendant) at incorporation in 1952 were L.P. Ojukwu and Betram Chukwuemeka Obi, adding that the late Odimegwu Ojukwu and one Professor Joseph Ojukwu (2nd defendant) were later appointed as directors in 1953. They stated that late Odimegwu Ojukwu thereafter ceased to be a director of the company prior to the Nigerian civil war and was reappointed as a director on December 16, 2005 while the 3rd and 4th defendants were appointed directors in 1954 and 2005 respectively. They added that the claimants’ statement of claim contained tissues of lies and distorted facts, alleging that Bianca who instituted the suit, ‘‘being greedy felt she could hold unto the company’s properties.’’ Besides, they stated that for over 12 years prior to his death, Dim Ojukwu moved to Enugu State and since then had not lived at any of the company’s properties as alleged by the claimant.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Anambra central: We’ll unleash women on Umeh —APC candidate obIora Ifoh ABUJA

andidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, at the March re-run senatorial election in Anambra central, Sharon Ikeazor, has promised to defeat her main opponent and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Victor Umeh, through support of the womenfolk. The APC former Woman Leader believes women form the largest percent-

age of real voters at any election, adding that her victory against the APGA candidate is certain. Ikeazor, after receiving the party’s ticket as its candidate yesterday at the national secretariat in Abuja, revealed that she and Senator Uche Ekwunife have now teamed up their structures to achieve her political ambition. ‎On her take of Umeh as a major contender, she said: “If Umeh was a national chairman of a

party, I was also national woman leader of CPC. Do you know the percentage of the voters; gender percentage of the voters in Nigeria or even of our population? We are about 51%; we are using our numerical strength. “Majority of voters in Nigeria are women and I am tapping into that. Even my victory in securing the ticket is a victory for women, we have just shown that women voices can be heard, would be heard and have been heard. So,

Anambra men, Chief Victor Umeh would hear the voice of the women on the day of election.” On if voted as Senator, she said: “The most important thing on my agenda for the people of Anambra is economic development because our people are basically businessmen and women. We need an Inland seaport, functional inland seaport that is number one. This is so that our traders can be bringing in their goods into that Inland seaport.’’

L-R: Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukana; Director of Public Health, Chief Franklin Orji, and Head, Corporate Communication Unit, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Project Implementation Unit, Mrs. Stella Agbim, during an advocacy awareness media tour of NACA/SURE-P round-up facilities in Abia State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

amour udemude ASABA

n anti-corruption and social crusader group, Vanguard For Transparent Leadership And Democracy, VATLAD, has vehemently criticised the recent Supreme Court

Abians pray for APGA’s victory at Supreme Court The group said their prayer point is for the Supreme Court judgement to come out in favour of APGA, and its candidate Otti. The result of the Abia governorship election of last year has been an issue for adjudication in the law courts. First, Otti challenged the declaration of PDP’s Okezie Ikpeazu as

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governor. The election petition tribunal ruled in Ikpeazu’s favour. But dissatisfied, Otti appealed the ruling and got favourable judgement at the Court of Appeal. The Appeal court had ruled that Ikpeazu was wrongfully declared winner in the governorship election, ordering that Otti be sworn-in as governor.

Anambra NASS: Group criticises Supreme Court judgement judgment sacking all members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while recognising only nominated candidates in the last election from the Ejike Oguebego-led Anambra PDP. Reacting to the judgement, the National President of VATLAD, Comrade Odafe Emmanuel Igbini in a statement noted that by virtue of this judgment, PDP never validly participated in the INEC organised National Assembly Elections for Anambra State in March 2015 and therefore all members of PDP currently in the Sen-

ate were not known by law and therefore stand immediately sacked. “Similarly, no member of PDP from Anambra State validly participated in the election and therefore cannot and must not be sworn in to the National Assembly as any form of replacement. PDP cannot benefit from the Supreme Court judgment beyond the settlement of the disputed authentic exco of the party in Anambra State. The INEC must therefore immediately recognise the political party(ies) in these elections with the highest votes as the winners of the elections, and

immediately and unconditionally issue them Certificates of Return, so they can be sworn in as lawfully-elected members of the National Assembly for Anambra State,’’ he stated. According to Igbini, by the judgment, the Supreme Court has only reaffirmed its previous judgment on Rotimi Amaechi vs INEC/PDP in 2006/07. He therefore maintained that the Supreme Court cannot order any member of PDP to be sworn in because by law and its previous judgment, PDP never validly participated in the elections.

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South South

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Rivers’ll treat election riggers as armed robbers –Wike Dennis naku

Port Harcourt

overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said anyone planning to rig the re-run legislative elections in the state would be treated as an armed robber This is as the state government said it has approved January 27 every year as public holiday to mark the Supreme Court judgement, which upheld Wike’s election. Wike, who spoke while addressing thousands of civil servants at the State Civil Service Secretariat in Port Harcourt, said the public holiday signifies

God’s intervention in the affairs of the state. He said: “Every January 27 will be observed as a public holiday in this state because that is the day God came down to save Rivers State. “What people must understand is that power comes from God. We know God speaks last and he has spoken.” The governor urged civil servants and other Rivers people to ensure they vote for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates in the re-run elections to promote harmony in governance and sustain the development agenda of the state government. The governor said the

All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state plans to use the re-run elections to enter the political arena through the window having been shut out by the people and the Supreme Court. Wike said the will of the people will prevail, adding that any attempt to use security forces and other electoral officials to rig the process will fail. According to him, the people believe in the

transformational leadership of the PDP, stressing that it was exhibited in Bayelsa State, where the use of force by security agents failed to deliver electoral victory. “Anyone who plans to rig an election is an armed robber and should be treated as such. If you are coming to rig an election in the state, first prepare your will before embarking on the journey. “Inform your wife or husband and go ahead to

say your last prayer. When they used the security forces in Bayelsa State, it didn’t work. It will also not work here in Rivers State. “Rivers State is a peaceful state and our people are peace loving. We want to remain so,” he said. The governor assured civil servants and pensioners that his administration will continue to pay their salaries and pensions, adding that all welfare issues wiould be

given top priority. He, however, stated that steps will be taken by the administration to verify the actual number of civil servants and pensioners to stop payment to nonexistent beneficiaries. Earlier, Head of the State Civil Service, Rufus Godwins commended the governor for being up to date in the payment of salaries and pensions. He assured the governor of the loyalty of the workers.

Woman stabs pregnant woman to death over N1,000 sebastine ebhuomhan Benin

six-month old pregnant woman, identified as Mrs. Ikhuoria has been killed by her neighbour during a disagreement over a N1,000 loan. The deceased allegedly met her untimely death when she met the neighbour simply identified as Mama Emmanuel to pay back the N1,000 she loaned to her. The landlady of the house where the incident occurred, at Iyamu Street, off Textile Mill Road in Benin City, Mrs. M. Okpujie, said she heard the voice of the victim shouting for help at the back of the house. She said when she rushed there, she found the deceased, who had been stabbed, in a pool of her blood, bleeding, and was rushed to a private hospital. According to her, doctors there referred her to another hospital. “I was working at the back of the house when I heard her shouting. I had to rush her to a private hospital when I saw the way she was bleeding. Doctors said it was an internal bleeding and that I should take her away. So, I called the husband to come quickly,” she said. The victim’s husband, Mr. Ediale Ikhuoria, was inconsolable even as he

narrated the tragedy to newsmen. He said: “My wife borrowed her (the suspected killer) N1, 000. When she demanded for the money, Mama Emma stabbed her and killed my wife. She killed my wife. My wife was six months pregnant. She died on Monday morning.” The state Police Command, however, said it was yet to get a briefing on the tragic incident.

L-R: New General Manager of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Mr. Marco Rotondi; out-going General Manager, Poalo Carnevala, and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, during a courtesy visit by Agip Management to the Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Bayelsa goes tough on kidnapping, pipeline vandalism ...bans use of 200 Horse Power boats

ayelsa State Government has banned the use of 200 horse power engine boats and directed security agencies to commence stop and search operations on both land and the waterways. The decision, which was reached at the state’s Security Council meeting in Yenagoa, presided over by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, was part of efforts to combat kidnapping, sea piracy and other criminal activities. The ban, however, excluded security operatives. State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Peter Ogunyanwo, who spoke with journalists, shortly after the meet-

ing, alongside the Commander, Joint Forces, Major General Alani Okunlola and the state Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Desmond Agu said the prohibition takes immediate effect. According to Ogunyanwo, the Council also directed that henceforth no vehicles will be allowed to move in the state with their registration numbers covered, just as it advised users of factory tinted glasses to visit the Nigeria Police website to find out the procedure of renewal of such vehicles for compliance on or before the end of March to avoid confiscation. The commissioner

added that, the Security Council equally advised residents of the state to stop indiscriminate burning of refuse and bushfire, as it constitutes grave consequences to public health and facilities. Governor Dickson had during the meeting handed down a stern warning to those who are allegedly planning to destroy national assets in the state, particularly pipeline vandals, to jettison such plans or face the wrath of the law. The governor, who condemned in strong terms, the recent explosion that rocked an AGIP facility in Brass Local Government Area of the state, reaffirmed his administration’s

commitment to partnering with the Federal Government to combat crime and violence. He attributed the upsurge in kidnapping and other sponsored criminal acts to political activities leading up to the state governorship elections and assured that, his administration in collaboration with all relevant agencies was working round the clock to bring the situation under control. Calling on perpetrators of the crimes to have a change of heart, Dickson vowed to deal decisively with anyone caught working against the peace and security of the state, especially now that elections were over. He commended se-

curity agencies for their efforts at protecting lives and property in the face of difficult working conditions and called on all stakeholders to support them perform their duties better for the good of the society. Dickson urged the people to be alive to their civic responsibilities of volunteering useful information to security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of pipeline vandals, kidnappers and sea pirates. He added that government would soon come up with a comprehensive security strategy to rid the state of perpetrators of criminal activities irrespective of their political affiliations and status.

North

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

SON gets accredited lab –Odumodu Igbawase ukumba, Lafia

irector-General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, yesterday said the organisation has acquired an internationally-accredited food and chemical laboratory for testing agricultural produce. The director-general disclosed this during SON sensitisation programme and flag-off of 25 percent subsidy on sales of standards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital. He said the laboratory has capacity to test about eight parameters for the country’s agricultural produce, particularly those with high export potential, which aims at

promoting opportunities for global acceptance of these products. He expressed optimism that the flagged off 25 percent subsidy would encourage MSMEs collaborate with SON to ensure their products are competitive enough to discourage importation as well as encourage voluntary compliance with application of standards in production processes to meet the needs of consumers for quality products, among others. He said: “This flagoff and sensitisation activity on the services of SON would enhance manufacturers and consumers’ ability to promote standards in the eradication of substandard products, to support the agricultural and industrial development initiatives of government.”

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Again, Boko Haram invades Borno village, kills 6 Inusa ndahI, Maiduguri

ix people were reportedly killed while one person sustained gun-shot injury when suspected members of Boko Haram sect invaded Goniambari village in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. The insurgents, according to sources, also destroyed some houses and vehicles using Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and petrol bombs before

looting foodstuff and livestock. The incident, according to a fleeing resident, Mallam Modu Abari, occurred on Monday between 6:30pm to 7pm. Goniambari village is 15-km drive from Beneshiekh, the council headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area of the state. Kaga is south west and about 80 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. Just last Saturday, four members of the Civilian

JTF and a volunteer were killed with four others injured when their patrol Hilux vehicle stepped on landmines planted by terrorists in Buma village, Ngamdu District of Beneshiekh. A reliable security source, who is not authorised to speak to the press, confirmed to National Mirror that the incident occurred between 6:30 pm and 7pm, when the virtually all Muslim residents were performing ablution for Magrib prayers.

The source, who said the terrorists targeted the evening prayers to cause the most mayhem as almost the entire population would be performing their prayers, advised citizens to be very alert and report any suspicious movement to security operatives for prompt action. All efforts to get confirmation from the Borno Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Isuku, proved abortive as his phone lines were not accessible as at press time.

PDP will resolve leadership crisis –Senator wIllIams attah, goMbe

leading chairmanship aspirant to fill the position of National Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Saidu Umar Kumo, has assured of amicable resolution in the lingering leadership crisis bedeviling the party. Kumo, who was the campaign coordinator of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo’s re-election bid in Gombe State during the 2015 election, also predicted return of all PDP defectors to the party as soon as it is reorganised and repositioned for 2019 general elections. According to him, efforts were on to re-organise the party, to make it more effective and stronger. He said the party merely lost in an election and this cannot terminate the life of the party or demean its spread and magnitude. He faulted politicians who hold the belief that PDP would cease to exist, saying the minor cri-

sis here and there cannot terminate the party. He also told journalists at a chat in Gombe that minor crisis in a big and strong party like PDP was not unusual in all political settings, hence the party’s life or status was not threatened. According to him, the scheduled meeting in the North-East geo-political zone would be held very soon, and would address all issues. The senator further faulted members of the party seeking the establishment of a new party to replace PDP, saying if for nothing else it would require huge funds which cannot be easily sourced. He argued that PDP structures are alive and could not be easily wiped away, as it has supporters and structures at all electoral levels, from the ward to the federal level. “It is just a matter of imbibing firm internal party democracy that is lacking, and resulted in our defeat by APC in the 2015 general elections,” he maintained.

L-R: Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; a student and President of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Prof. Margee Ensign, at the unveiling of the AUN founded Technology Enhanced Learning for All project during the launch of USAID Year of Literacy Programme in Yola, recently.

Katsina saves N2bn from LG workers’ verification James danJuma, Katsina

liabilities verification exercise in Katsina State council areas has enabled the state government save about N2 billion, Governor Aminu Bello Masari revealed yesterday. Masari said the state

government set up a special committee to know liabilities in the 34 council areas. He stated these when the committee members submitted their report to the state government. He said the committee saved the state the amount that would have been paid into wrong hands for no jobs executed in the local

governments. The governor also said the committee had assisted state government with 40 percent effort towards sanitising council administration in the state. Masari assured that the state government would work towards implementing recommendations of the committee.

Earlier, chairman that harmonised the report, Tanimu Garba, revealed that a total of 7,047 vouchers with financial implication of N4.3 billion were received. Garba said N2.7bn of the amount was found to be payable while the sum of N4.9 billion was verified not payable.

Tambuwal awards scholarship to car designer

overnor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday awarded a scholarship to Bashir Aliyu, a young, brilliant car designer, to study automotive design in the United States. A statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Mallam Imam Imam, said already, the governor had directed the Ministry for

Higher Education and the state Scholarship Board to kick-start the process that will lead to the beneficiary’s admission into any American college to further his studies. Tambuwal, while receiving the youth in his office, said his administration “will continue to support exceptional students to further their education, in

order achieve” their objectives. “Having produced world-class car designer in the person of Jelani Aliyu, Sokoto is blessed with brilliant indigenes whose talents would be tapped and nurtured for the progress and development of the state. “Our choice of United States is obvious. Jelani

Aliyu is based there and we expect him to be a mentor to you to achieve your objectives in life,” the governor told the gathering. Commissioner for Science and Technology, Nasir Zarummai, said the decision to assist the beneficiary falls in line with the present administration’s resolve to assist young people fulfill their potential.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Buhari should fight corruption within the ambit of law —Enyia 14/15

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Politics

Supreme Court judgement, brilliant, straightforward, says Delta Speaker

he Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, on Tuesday described the Supreme Court judgment as brilliant and straightforward. He also said Governor Okowa’s victory at the apex court was well deserved as “it is the will of a democratic majority”.

Igbuya in a statement issued in Abuja said Okowa’s victory at the Supreme Court should be seen as “historic” He described Governor Okowa’s victory in the April 11, 2015 governorship election as a testimony of his recognition and his immense ability and contributions to the state.

There’s no impeachment threat in CRHA —Dep. Speaker RichaRd N doma CALABAR

he Deputy Speaker Of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, yesterday debunked rumour making the rounds in Calabar and its environs that the House members had completed the process of impeaching the Speaker of the Cross River state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo. Bassey debunked the allegations while fielding questions from an interactive session with journalists in Calabar describing the allegations as based on falsehood. The deputy speaker stated that he was aware of the fact that there are reports in some national dailies and online blogs claiming that the assembly was in the process of impeaching the speaker adding that the reports were the handiwork of rumour mongers. Bassey who represents Calabar South II State Constituency in the assembly, stressed that there was no impeachment threat on the speaker of the assembly, adding that the assembly has enjoyed a smooth relationship between the speaker and his members. ``There was no impeachment threat as it was reported by some national dailies and online blogs. We heard the rumours outside, but as legislators, we have remained united as one.

``We work as a team, the legislator, the judiciary and the executive. We have not seen any impeachment document against the Speaker. ``People think that when you fight it means you are working; that assertion is very wrong because we are not fighting but rather working for the growth of the state. ``When we engage in fighting, you will observe that a lot of things will get lost. Instead of fighting, we make laws that will benefit the people of Cross River’’, Bassey added. The Deputy Speaker attributed the increased in the crime rate within the Calabar South Local Government of the state to the high level of unemployment troubling youths in Nigeria. Bassey urged President Muhammadu Buhari administration to re-direct his administrative policy towards creating new jobs for youths so as to kick unemployment out of the country. The lawmaker said that though Buhari`s fight against corruption was good, but it shouldn’t be in a manner that the government would have to lose focus adding that channeling of all government strength on fighting corruption without fighting hunger is bad. The Deputy Speaker maintained that a time has come whereby food has to be put on the table adding that he is quite aware that there is hunger in the land .

“One was not in doubt that you would emerge the winner at the apex court” he said. The Speaker acknowledged Okowa’s dogged commitment to the development and unity of the state. He praised the governor for translating his campaign promises into concrete verifiable imperatives. He also praised him for transforming the state to a cohesive, modern wealth creation enterprise.

“Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is providing service oriented leadership to the people. He is directing the energies of the youths to creative and constructive channels. He is making Delta State politically vibrant and ethnically united” he said. Igbuya, a man that will never violate the norms of good governance, progressive leadership, integrity and credibility, also promised to rise to his constitutional and public duties. “The Delta State House of As-

sembly will give His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa the needed support to move the state forward” he said. An elated Igbuya appealed to Chief Great Ogboru and Chief O’tega Emerhor to join Governor Okowa in developing the state. He expressed appreciation to the people of the State for electing Dr. Okowa, urging them to keyinto the S.M.A.R.T agenda of the current administration. “Let us work toward a better and greater Delta State” he added.

L-R: Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Rep. Leo Ogor; Deputy Whip, Rep. Pally Iriase and Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf, at the inaugural meeting of Special House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the Constitution in Abuja, yesterday.

APC elders forum cautions party stalwarts on political intrigues RichaRd Ndoma CALABAR

he Cross River State Elders of the All Progressives Congress, APC yesterday charged party stalwarts and supporters not to over inin dulged in unnecessary intrigues that may factionalise the party. The elders also said any attempt to factionalize the APC would face serious resistance. The Chairman of APC Elders Forum in the state, Dr Etete Duke gave the charge when Ward 3 elders’ forum was forfor

mally inaugurated in Calabar South LGA of the state. Duke said that the elders were poised to resist anything that would derail the smooth course of the party in the state and in the country, emphasising that “We want to ensure that we are able to correct all the ills perpetrated by former ruling party which plundered the country.” He cautioned the newly inaugurated elders forum headed by Madam Mary Isaac Ekanem not to allow herself to be used to commit attrocities. Duke said, “We do not want

to accommodate any intrigues, deadly scheming and factionalisation in any ward as this would work against our party. “Make no mistake about this. We are the only party in this country as the few remaining PDP members are soon coming over. Therefore, we elders must show true party spirit which was lacking elsewhere. “Elders in APC should not claim to be superior to party officials as our job principally is advisory since we are conscience of the party”, he said.

Politics

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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Buhari should fight corruption

Dr. Jake Otu Enyia is a lawyer and chartered accountant . He is a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Cross River State. He is also a member of the 7th Cross River State House of Assembly. In this interview with RICHARD NDOMA, he speaks on issues as they affect the country and Cross River State.

President Muhammadu Buhari is seen as an advocate of change who came to fight corruption, do you see him as the man with a capacity to carry out this fight? Well, he has adumbrated his programmes as an advocate of change based on the philosophy of his political party, the APC. And his two main programmes which is fighting corruption and fighting insurgency in the North East, I think he is pursuing vigorously but if you ask me as to what extent will he go? I will say corruption should be fought with a zero mind. A mind that is not lean on the particular political lineage on which the corrupt person is fighting. Corruption should not be dependent on who should be on the other side of the political divide. It should not be on the basis of his or her family. It should not be on the basis of who did not vote, it should be holistic and appropriate and fighting corruption should not be only directed to political office holders or directed only to the people who were in the past government. It should be holistic, .so the way and manner it is being conducted I know very well that it may not have been the intention of Mr. President that it should be pursued in that direction. But his critics said that the fight against corruption is lopsided and that it was meant to chastise political opponents particularly those who opposed him before he came on board as president of Nigeria?. This is what I am saying; it may not be his intention. It is only the administrative bodies which are doing the job, the legal and administrative framework put in place. This is because Mr. President cannot go out by himself to fight corruption rather he does it through the instrumentality he has put in place. So let us look at those structures, are they really doing what they were expected to do and are they actually following the law? Are they actually respecting the constitution of the land? These are some of the issues. Sometimes I get shocked when I watched Channels TV and I see somebody saying because he stole public funds and so he should be treated as a common criminal. Is it how it is done in civilized world? The position of the law is that there is presumption of innocence until it is prove to the contrary and when it is not prove he is only being a suspect and a suspect should not be treated as a prisoner.

The posiTion of The law is ThaT There is presumpTion of innocence unTil iT is proved To The conTrary and when iT is noT he is only being a suspecT and a suspecT should noT be TreaTed as a prisoner.

Enyia Last year, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC did a rally and advocated for death penalty to be pass on corrupt public office holders. Today, the EFCC are holding very highly placed individuals who served the country in the Jonathan`s administration on the basis of corruption, as a lawyer can you say these suspected corrupt public office holders in EFCC net should be killed or let go freely? I am happy you said I am a lawyer; now tell me who is a lawyer? A lawyer is one who knows what the law is expected to do. As a disciple in the temple of justice, I should give you what is not right, no! The law said if people say this man has done this, he should be presumed innocent this is the letter of the law and you want me to say the contrary, no let us wait until one is found guilty. Even in the Bible, who is not a sinner? The Bible did not say people should kill everyone who sinned because a lot of people can atone for their sins . Some people will learn and perhaps take correction. Even in the Bible, people do restitution whereby whatever they have taken is being refunded. For you to be refunding back all these, Ok, what is the injunction of restitution which said return this or that, all that I am saying here is that we have to be cautious. We tolerate it because we believe that we are being guided by the rule of law so why not we tolerate it. If you watch Olisa Metuh where he was being chained, is that not going against the laws? Is that not going against one of the laws in the constitution? inhuman treatment, degradation of a person as contemplated by the law of the land because he is no longer anybody, you have finished him, his integrity, personality and disposition, yes he must have stolen the entire wealth of this nation.

But he is not the only one who has been handcuffed in this country and I don’t think he is above the law? What I am saying is that that it is not correct. But you just asked me to explain to you as a lawyer, so I am saying he is not correct. The law permitted that even though he is presumed to have gone against standard rule of behaviours, must he be treated like that? That means that the law will say even if it a mere suspect of an armed robbery, shot and kill, is it how it should be? No, this is not correct! Let’s look at the gale of defection that is rocking the PDP in Cross River state. What do you think is the cause and implication of the defection in the politics of Cross River state? In the state, yes we in the PDP lost elections at the national level which is true. but we won elections at the state level. Cast your mind back from 1999 to the inception of this Republic, the government that has been in place in Cross River state is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. For the fact that they held on to power for all this while, for a very long time the PDP has held power so if Mr. A, B or C decides to defect to another party first of all ask yourself who are these persons involved? Who gave them the authority or audacity, that power base, as they are defecting, are these people defecting with them? We have to do all these analyses, you understand for them to wield power and become very politically tall in the annals of our political history or structure, you must first of all go back and ask them these questions. Have they forgotten the number of children and youths who they had preached the gospel of PDP to? Have they forgotten, so if they are going away from

the PDP, it’s going to take them a very long time to begin to preach a new sermon to these same people they preached the gospel of the PDP to . To begin to listen to the new gospel of their new party. It’s going to take them time to tune and correct and change these people that you have built over a long period of time. This is not going to be easy. I am a grassroot man, I am being very realistic on this issue . I started with them in this state in 1988 so I know what I am talking about so you should. not just rely on the and wagon that Mr. A had defected to another party because he has a big name. When you remove or unveil him of that position which he has held he is going to be an ordinary man like every other one. Unveil him from this political cloud, he is just going to be an ordinary person like all of us. So I am not just moved by any of these things. Do they think that their plans are going to be achieved through defection? This is because to them, the defection is intended to bury PDP completely and bring about the supremacy of their new party, oh it is just unfortunate that in Africa politics with Nigeria in particular, we just don’t have a political ideology. If you go to the constitution or the manifestoes of the APC, PDP or the APGA they are just almost the same. But there are rumour making the rounds in the state that you have a very strong plan to defect to the APC?. So why are you chastising the defectors? I thanked you for saying that it was a rumour. You know rumour is far from truth. It is very difficult for me to change what I believe in? It takes one person to do a revolution. It is not because we see all Tom, Dick and Harry defecting to the APC and I will just wake up only to say that I have defected to the APC. One person can do a revolution. If all you think is that Dr. Jake Otu Enyia is going to defect because the big names are moving I will not move. So to what extenT do you think I am going to move. I have friends all over the state, do you know if they have been calling me. So people should be able to tread carefully because if we say we belong to a family, they should know that the family was put together by certain people who did some sacrifices to CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

within the ambit of law —Enyia

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

put us together as a family. It is only when there is an agreement by all members of this family that you can turn the fortunes of this state to another party but where there is no agreement, you cannot do that and they will fail I tell you without any agreement nothing like changing the fortune of this state to the APC. PDP will continue to rule Cross River state. If Senator Ben Ayade who inherited the party from Imoke , who inherited the state from Donald Duke call us to say gentlemen look this is where we are and this is where we come from, let’s change our political beliefs and ideology and he gives us very cogent reasons, that is when we will do otherwise, nothing like defection in my agenda. Since the head of the family, Gov. Ben Ayade has not called us to tell us anything, we can’t just begin to move like that, no I don’t operate like that. Even in my own private life I just don’t operate like that. Even if the head of the family remains alone, Cross River state will still be in the hands of PDP. You said Nigeria politicians lacked political ideology as compared to politicians in the United States for instance, what then is the way forward? Well, if I have to go back to political science to talk on ideology, an ideology as we all know is the inner belief of a given system or individual who run the affairs of the state, the thing that galvanized them together on how to plan to run and structure the affairs of the state. How do we fashion this state ? What is our intention or action, do we go out as a welfarist state? Do we go out as a socialist state ? Do we allow power to be in the hands of a very few individuals? Do we have kings? Do we ensure that the state resources are in a common purse? These has to do with the ideology on which the state is to be run. It is a free society, everybody is free and it allow us to have our common resources, common purse in a free society. You do everything to ensure that everything is free for a common man and for every individual. even if it is not free it must be subsidized to be in the reach of every man. But if it is built on the frame of capitalism, you recognised class struc-

Boladale BamigBola

OSOGBO.

clergyman, Prophet Hezekiah Oluboye Oladeji of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Canaan Land Worldwide, Garage Olode, Osun state has predicted that the war against graft in the country will soon be won. He also added that gains of the drive to recoup public funds looted by individuals will soon be visible to all eyes in the country but warned President Muhammadu Buhari against falling for plot to distract him. Speaking with newsmen, the clergy said Buhari’s emergence as president was divine and meant for a purpose that would do the Ni-

So let’S enSure

that everything we do iS on democratic principleS to enSure that the reSourceS of the State would be for the common man.

ture, you recognized the rich, lower class and the middle class. You understand and so in such a capitalist system, the upper class will continue to do what we call as primitive accumulation to the detriment of the proletariats and we can’t talk! Even when there is a revolution, it is the proletariats who fight to sustain the upper echelon of the society. So ideology is built on this premise. So let’s ensure that everything we do is on democratic principles to ensure that the resources of the state would be for the common man. Do you think what you have said is applicable in Nigeria political setting? Go and pick the constitution, read it side by side with the manifestoes of the APC, PDP and other political parties and read it critically if you don’t see what I had just said . All these things are mere semantics, read political parties’ constitution side by side their manifestoes then you will understand what I mean. Is APC or the PDP or APGA not practicing democracy? They are just preaching the same thing. So what are they talking about? But the ideology involved, what is our pursuit? Do we intend to built a welfarist state ? Do we intend to built a state free for every one, there is nothing like class structure. Nobody is more than anybody but we have leaders to preside over the common resources. If you cannot stay in a socialist country say like

Russia, the. very big Russia, that is USSR before it broke down to the states we have today. Those are the areas you called socialist, if you go to England they are called the capitalists till today and they still live like the Lords. Even the nature of their government which is the parliamentary system is built along that line or principle. So don’t allow anyone to deceive us that I am this and I am that because here in Nigeria we are all still struggling to grab, everybody is struggling to grab. Even the people who say they are pursuing corruption are also still struggling to grab. I was talking of power, who caused the problem of power today? Are they not the people sitting today as ministers of power, what with about three ministries given to one person, our brother here in River state are they not the ones who succeeded in allocating power upon themselves in the name of discos. Are they not the people behind these electricity distribution companies, the discos in Nigeria ? In company law, where there is a problem outrightly a company is treated as a legal entity.

Cross River used to be a littoral state when it had oil but with the loss of its oil wells to neigbouring Akwa Ibom and the Republic of Cameroun , the state become poor because of loss of its littoral status, yet the governor said it wants to do signature projects, worthy to be mention is the 260km super dual carriage highway, deep seaport and garment factory. Don’t you think that Senator Ben Ayade is biting more than he can chew? If you have followed the trend of the governor, Senator Ben Ayade, his speeches, public utterances and pronouncement even from the day of his inauguration, you see that the governor is a man who believes that theRE can be development even when the allocation is meagre. A state may not be wealthy but that same state can still be developed. How? This is all the issue because he believes that there can be light at the end of a tunnel even if all fail, he is one man who believes that there can be development even without

wealth. Yes he knows the problems of Cross River state, he knows that we lost 76 oil wells, he knows that we lost a reasonable number of oil wells to the Republic of Cameroun . He knows that we are below the table in the national index of revenue generation and fiscal mobilization table but here is a man who came and said that despites all these problems we can still add value to sustain and move our economy forward irrespective of all the odds. We can still move Cross River state from the position we met it to even greater heights, so what do you say about that kind of person? He does not believe that to develop the state one must only look at the internally generated revenue nor the allocation from the federation account alone. All his emphasis had been on using one`s brain . if you are locked up, your tap is locked up, your internal resources is locked up, won’t you make use of your brain? You have gone to school, where you have undergone several types of training, you have been a business magnate traversing the entire world like an octopus, why do you think? Behold you have given to you a state of about three million people, so make use of your head. Are you saying that even though as a person that I am sitting as a Director General of this Office and allocation is not forthcoming as impress, are you saying I should lock up this office because things cannot work? No I must find a way out to run the office. I f I don’t, it means all the years I had wasted in school.All the training that I received including all the books read were read in vain. Look at the budget of Cross River state for 2016 it is majorly predicated on foreign investment and external funding not within Nigeria but by external funding and investment when it is okay you bring them in. Ayade has been traversing the length and breadth of the globe to attract investors, by the Grace of God he is going to bring them to do huge investment in the state. How much is the deep sea and super highway by the projected estimate? What Ayade intends to do is to provide a very conducive and comfortable atmosphere to enable the investors do business. I believe when this goal is actualized he would have succeeded in turning around the fortunes of the state.

Buhari will defeat corruption —Clergy gerians a lot of good at long run. He called on President Buhari to align himself with the dreams of the founding fathers of the country in order to succeed in achieving his set goals.

Williams attah GOMBE

ne of the leading Chairmanship aspirants for the position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Senator Saidu Umar Kumo has assured of an amicable resolution of the lingering leadership crisis bedevil-

The prophet however urged him not to be intimidated or be distracted by antics of any group or individuals in his fight against corruption, saying the fight would soon start having positive impacts.

He maintained that Nigeria has enough resources to cater for its citizens, if well utilized and emphasised that agriculture would soon become the mainstay of the nation’s economy, urging citizens to key into it.

Appealing to mosques and churches to give their total backing to steps being taken by the president to reposition the country, Oladeji frowned at the alleged involvement of religious leaders in some of the corruption cases that are

on trial presently. While calling on Nigerians to return to God and give total support to the nation’s leadership at all levels, Prophet Oladeji also encourage them to seek God’s mercy in all they

PDP leadership crisis, Kumo assures amicable resolution

ling the party. Senator Kumo, who was the campaign coordinator of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo’s reelection bid during the 2015 election also predicted return of all PDP defectors to the party as soon as it is reorganized and repositioned for 2019 general elections.

According to him, efforts are on-going to reorganize the party to make it more effective and stronger. He said the party merely lost in an election and this cannot terminate the life of the party or demean its spread and magnitude. He told Journalists

during a chat in Gombe that there was everything wrong with those politicians who faulted and hold the belief that PDP would cease to exist saying the minor crisis here and there cannot terminate the party. He argued that minor crisis in a big and strong party such as the PDP was

usual in all political settings and that there was nothing big to threaten life or status of the party. According to him, the scheduled meeting to be held in the North-East Geopolitical zone would be held very soon and behind all insinuations and political misgivings.

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Faleke will soon be declared Kogi gov —Jimoh Hon. Olajide Jimoh is representing Lagos Mainland in the House of Representatives. In this interview with ROBERT AWOKUSE, he speaks on the Kogi governorship imbroglio, the Supreme Court ruling on Rivers election among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

submission? I wouldn’t want us to quote her out of context. She only while the debate was in progress on the appropriation bill, as a woman, as representative of the people, as a mother, and as the chairperson senate committee on women affairs, expressed her mind on the budget for women affairs and poverty alleviation. The capital expenditure is N3 million while the recurrent expenditure is N4 million, which amount to N7 million altogether which she said was grossly inadequate for what the women have contributed to the success of democracy in Nigeria and to this present administration, hence she would want to urge and appeal that the government should increase it. That was her submission.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was recently sworn in without his deputy, Hon James Faleke. What do you make of this development? You cannot prosecute at the same time persecute. Yahaya Bello was sworn in without a deputy, fine. I want us to rest our case there whether it is justifiable or not, let the court decide. It is a matter of testing the law, because it has no precedence in Nigerian history. Let us wait for the judiciary to interpret what is happening. This to me is alien to our constitution and something has to be done about it. With this scenario playing out, do you think Faleke has a good case? Absolutely yes, I stand to be challenged by anybody. In the next few months, Faleke will be sworn in as the governor of Kogi State. Anytime you see me again challenge me on that. I make bold to say this. This is a clear case that has never happened before, but the right interpretation of the process, talking wisdom, talking of morality, talking of logic and reasoning, this is left to the judiciary. But I am convinced that the court will rule in favour of Faleke. Nigerians will see what will happen. What is your opinion about the Supreme Court ruling on the River State election? To me the judgment is confusing. What that ruling is actually telling us is that anything done that is not in the electoral act or in the constitution can never be used or applied by INEC. What the Supreme Court is telling us is that even the card reader that is generally adjudged as a good development and highly commendable, that other countries are trying to emulate from us is now being rendered useless by the Supreme Court. It is rather unfortunate that the judgment is coming from the Apex Court and it is a dangerous signal when we can’t go anywhere else after the Supreme Court. But we will all report to Almighty God. We will one day give account to the Almighty God who created all of us either judiciously or judicially. Are you saying the judgment is not proper ? I would not want to say that. I am not a judge and I am not part of the Judiciary. I have just stated my own opinion, following simple reasoning as far as I am concerned. It is rather unfortunate. There are allegations and counter- allegations that President Muhammadu Buhari is disregarding the rule of law in his fight against corruption. What is your take on this? These allegations are not true. We have to look at the details and the nitty-gritty of what is happening, particularly at the judicial level. Judiciary is a separate arm of government that nobody can just influence easily. As far as I am concerned, the president has been upholding the rule of law, he has been discharging his duties and responsibility without undermining the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is not in charge of the Judiciary, the head of the Judiciary is the Chief Justice of the Federation. So how can somebody now accused him of violating the law. These allegations should be disregarded. But many people believe the Directorate of State Service, DSS is acting on the president’s instruction. For anyone to say the DSS is acting on Buhari’s instruction is speculative. I don’t believe in speculations. The DSS would not have done that if they don’t have a fact or substantive evidence or ruling or court order. They can’t just do that. You don’t violate rules, you don’t violate the constitution. So I

How have you been impacting on your constituents ? That is numerous. In the last few months I have organized four stakeholders meetings, where I rendered my accountability to my constituents. And just recently on December 21, 2015, I distributed security gadgets to primary and secondary schools, churches and mosques and residential estates for protection and because of the current security challenges. I have done some other things for the downtrodden. I have sponsored three bills in the national assembly and I have moved many motions on the floor of the house that has transformed into resolutions. And more are still coming in a bid to fully bring the dividends of democracy to my constituents for them to be convinced that they have a good representative whom they can always trust.

What the Supreme Court iS telling uS iS that even Jimoh don’t believe in speculation because I am a realist. As far as I am concerned if they feel their right is being violated either by the DSS or anyone, they have the right to seek a redress in court. How many of these lawyers making noise have gone to court to challenge that in court? Let them challenge it, if they think it is wrong. In the days of Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, he would always challenge the authority in court where he feels they are wrong. Senator Oluremi Tunubu was recently quoted to have said that the All Progressives Congress, APC used the women folks to get their mandates and after they were dumped by the party.What is your view about this

the Card reader that iS generally adjudged aS a good development and highly Commendable,

that other CountrieS are trying to emulate from uS iS noW being rendered

Supreme Court.

uSeleSS by the

I am not interfering in Kogi Assembly crisis —Bello Wale IbrahIm LOKOJA

ogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has said he was not interfering in the affairs of the Kogi State House of Assembly. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday. The part of the statement which read thus “The attention of the Executive Governor of Kogi State has been drawn to spurious reports in the press and some online media to the effect that he was meddling in the leadership affairs of the State House of Assembly with some of the reports stepping up the misinformation with allegations of financial inducements.

“As a responsible Governor who understands the tenets of separation of powers, Alh. Yahaya Bello understands his role as Executive Governor does not include managing the internal affairs of the House of Assembly. “Governor Bello wants to place on record, his readiness to collaborate effectively with the House of Assembly to achieve good governance in an atmosphere devoid of usurpation of authority. “The governor will continue to relate with the House of Assembly as an independent body. Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to place this on record that the meeting he had with some members of the House of Assembly was aimed at familiarizing himself with the leadership of the House, and not an attempt at controlling the House as

the Assembly has internal operational mechanism. “As a government that understands the economic temperatures of the state, the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello promises to manage the commonwealth of the state in a responsible, responsive and transparent manner. Governor Yahaya Bello did not give any financial inducement to anyone with an intent to influencing the decisions of House members on the choice of leadership or any other matter whatsoever. “He urged Kogites to discountenance rumour mongers who are out to distract him from delivering democracy dividends to the people. He assured the people of Kogi State of running a government where transparency and probity are the hallmarks”, the statement stressed

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On Buhari’s historic visit to Ogun SOYOMBO OPEYEMI

hile I sat in the company of Barr Wale Ogunade in the studios of the Television Continental (TVC) on April 27, 2011 to analyse the governorship elections across the country, live pictures of the victorious Senator Ibikunle Amosun, governor-elect of Ogun State, including his first interview, began to stream in for our analyses. It never crossed my mind that I would be privileged to his Special Assistant on Media. And when in 2014, I invited the then Managing Director of the Sun newspapers and President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Femi Adesina, to be the reviewer of my book, ‘Ogun State: The Golden Years’, an occasion in which Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), then presidential aspirant of the APC, was to be the chairman, it never occurred to anyone that the paths of General Buhari and Mr. Adesina would soon cross in Aso Rock! As it turned out, the Daura-born general could not attend the book presentation as it coincided with the APC National Convention in Lagos. To the glory of God, Gen Buhari not only emerged the presidential candidate of the APC, but he also became the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria. And Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who has been associated with historic achievements, as cap-

tured in my book, won a resounding re-election. On Monday week, President Buhari, was in Ogun State to inaugurate 40 landmark projects of the Amosun administration as the state marked its 40th year of existence. Following the victories of the duo in the 2015 general elections, I wrote an article, ‘Heroes of Buhari/ Amosun victories’, published virtually in all the major newspapers in the country in April, 2015. In that piece, I submitted as follows: “I stand to be corrected, but I am yet to know of any political office holder in this country that embarked on such an extremely laborious ward-to-ward campaign as the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, did in the run-up to the 2015 polls. After such strenuous visits to 236 wards, leaving home in the morning and returning sometimes 2am or 3am the next day and doing such daily without a break except on Sundays, the second phase of the electioneering saw the governor touring the 20 local councils in the state, visiting virtually every market in each council. The third phase (partly merged with the second) was another exceedingly tight schedule in which the state helmsman met groups and associations for hours - trade groups, professional associations, artisans, civil society groups, labour unions, student bodies, civil servants, organised private sector, community development associations (CDAs), traditional heads, religious

O N M ONDAY WEEK , P RESIDENT B UHARI , WAS IN O GUN S TATE TO INAUGURATE 40

LANDMARK PROJECTS OF THE

A MOSUN

ADMINISTRATION bodies (Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists), etc. “In all these, four points were placed on the same pedestal by Amosun. First, the election of General Buhari as president. “With the dire state of our country today, it is only a man like Gen. Buhari that can fix it,” was Amosun’s refrain throughout the campaign. His own re-election; the election of the National Assembly members; and members of the House of Assembly. “I testify that Amosun worked very hard and gave his all for the presidential poll... Given this background, I believe Senator Ibikunle Amosun should hold his head high for having commendably played his allotted part at this momentous turning-point in Nigeria. Indeed, he is one of the icons of this historic moment - the first victory of an opposition at the federal level in Nigeria’s history. “But the heroes of the victory of Buhari and success of Amosun in Ogun are those our parents all over the state who, on a number of occasions, waited from

morning till evening to receive the campaign train led by the governor. I was personally touched by this expression of fondness. Certain exigencies, most often the number of men, women and groups that met the governor on the way to one ward, market or council led to arriving at nightfall in some hamlets, villages and towns. These elderly men and women waited patiently to identify with the governor. And Amosun was overcome with emotion on a number of times by this show of affection and fellow-feeling by our parents. They, and all those who trooped out in numbers to vote for Buhari and Amosun are heroes of the victories of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 polls in Ogun State...” History beckoned as President Buhari, whom we all trooped out to vote for on March 28, 2015, was live in our midst to launch many legacy projects built by incumbent Governor Amosun. Those projects include the state-of-the-art model schools, the first of such in the history of the state; the international standard six-lane highways, including the 10-lane boulevard; the flyovers – all of them changing the landscape of our state; the 21st century compliant markets and houses; the model farms, among others. President Buhari was right there in Ogun in the midst of his own people. Welcome sir to the Gateway State! Soyombo wrote from Abeokuta via densityshow@yahoo.com

Abia: Why Appeal Court ruling must stand

VERONICA AGU

hose who are used to getting away with injustices always want to clobber fairness. But just as the late revered statesman, Nelson Mandela once said of justice, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” With PDP’s heavy machinery and political domination in Abia State, many received with joy, the Court of Appeal’s declaration of Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections in Abia State. And the removal of PDP’s Okezie Ikpeazu as governor only emphasizes Mandela’s statement. Although, the PDP is trying hard to slander the judgment of the appellant court, it is important to remind them that fairness can never be defeated, when it belongs to the people. In retrospect, it was PDP who told Dr. Otti to seek redress in the electoral tribunal if he felt aggrieved with the April 2015 election result that confirmed Ikepeazu as governor of the state. Mindless this dismissive and an arrogant bluff, Dr. Otti took PDP’s advice to heart and went to court. First, he went to the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal and was rendered a cavalier judgment. He then headed for the Court of Appeal, where he was declared the authentic winner of the April 11 and April 25, 2015 elections in Abia State. Otti’s win in the law court once again confirms the supremacy of the law in Nigeria. Some precedents include the case between Aregbesola vs Oyinlola, where 10

THE STRUGGLES OF OTTI TO OCCUPY ABIA STATE HOUSE ARE TYPICAL OF HEROES over-voting in Local LGAs of Osun State occurred, leading to the court invalidating 300, 000 votes. There was also the case of Agagu vs Mimiko in Ondo State, where the court nullified the results from three LGAs - Ese Odo, Okitipupa and Akoko North East to give victory to the latter. In the case of Fayemi vs Oni in Ekiti State invalidation of some results gave victory to Fayemi. FIinally, in INEC vs Oshiomhole in Edo State, the results for Etsako Central and Akoko Edo LGAs and some wards were cancelled. This paved the way for Oshiomhole’s victory over PDP’s Senator Oserhiemen Osunbor. The ruling of the appellant court in Abia State, which gives victory to Dr. Otti, shows that power belongs to the people. It is for this reason that every son and daughter of Abia, as well as all Nigerians concerned about the rule of law, should ensure that the Appeal Court judgment stands in Abia State. For 16 years PDP’s impunity has stamped its domineering presence in Abia State, a development that makes governorship title looks like a chieftaincy title. Many Abians had looked forward with hope to Otti’s challenge of such impunity. Such hope was rekindled by the December 2015 Appeal Court judgement. The summary of the judgment made by the five-man panel led by Justice

Oyebisi Omoleye concluded that during elections, there was over voting and substantial non-compliance in Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa LGAs. Using INEC’s generated data, 93, 369 voters were accredited in the three LGAs, but actual magically voters rose to 160, 252! So, who were the ghost voters? Accordingly, the appellant court declared such results as fictitious and illegal. It is also important to note that Dr. Otti met the constitutional requirement of 25 percent of votes cast in two-thirds of the local government areas of the state, and also the highest number of lawful votes. The PDP’s clamour for a re-run is, therefore, fallacious, as the election has produced an evident winner in Otti. A new year, a new dawn The struggles of Otti to occupy Abia State House are typical of heroes— monstrous challenges. For Dr. Otti, the past nine months have been one of intense legal battle against the evil machinations of the PDP in Abia State.Throughout, he has shown an immense will to surmount the challenges, not only for himself but for the people of Abia State. Many Abians see Alex Otti’s coming as the beginning of a departure from an odious era still represented by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. This explains the cacophonous celebration that followed the last December Court of Appeal ruling in favour of Alex Otti. Aba, with its history of being the seat of manufacturing innovations in Nigeria, has the potential of becoming Nigeria’s economic hub, under an entrepreneurial leadership. Dr. Alex Otti is such a leader.

Alex Otti, awaited messiah Dr. Alex Otti exhibits the five traits which are synonymous with successful leaders: good education, compassion, networking, inspiration and sacrifice. The first-class honors graduate in economics from the University of Port Harcourt, MBA graduate of the University of Lagos, and alumnus of Harvard Business School has made much impact as a banker and investor. The ace technocrat is up there at the pyramid of life. Even before his foray into politics, Dr. Otti had used his professional connections to open windows of opportunities to many Abians. Once he had decided it was time to serve his people, he developed a roadmap to take the state to the next level. The Abia State he is inheriting is one where civil servants are owed arrears of salary; education is under-funded; the state’s road networks in decay; unemployment pervasive; and many Abians distraught and desolate. These are challenges Dr. Otti knows. The people believe he is the man with ready solutions for them. Hence they overwhelmingly voted him in the April 2015 elections. It is, therefore, important that Abains uphold this victory reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal ruling. Ms Agu wrote from Aba, Abia State. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be

Editorial

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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

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

Arms fund scam and Falana’s petition to ICC

petition by eminent Lagos lawyer and human rights advocate, Chief Femi Falana, sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC), in which he requested the latter to “investigate allegations of crimes against humanity committed against the Nigerian people by some former serving military and public officials, as well as private persons, who engaged in the criminal diversion of roughly $8 billion earmarked for the procurement of equipment for the Nigerian armed forces to fight insurgency, has ignited a raging controversy. Among those the lawyer recommended that the ICC should work on included the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd). Falana’s petition, which ostensibly had the backing of some soldiers tried for mutiny, cowardly behaviour and sundry offences before various courtsmartial instituted by the Nigerian Army, about 3,000 of whom were dismissed and 70 others sentenced to death before reprieve came their way, accused Okonjo-Iweala of failure to prevent the looting of arms fund in her capacity as finance minister, stressing that the only ‘offence’ proved against the soldiers he defended at the military courts was their courage to demand for weapons to fight the well-

HUMONGOUS FINANCIAL VIOLENCE PERPETRATED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS OF ANY COUNTRY WORLDWIDE… SURE

DESERVES BEING RANKED AS A VERY SERIOUS CRIME OF INTERNATIONAL WORRY equipped troops of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgent group. “The common denominator of crimes against humanity is that they are grave affronts to human security and dignity. We believe that the staggering amount of public funds alleged to have been stolen create just these consequences. Crimes against humanity are not only physical violence; allegations of corruption highlighted above hold a comparable gravity, which the prosecutor should examine and thoroughly investigate”, Falana prayed the ICC. Among the first lethal responses to the lawyer’s petition came from the former finance minister, who through her media adviser, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, stated that Falana “…resorted to this action because his previous efforts to tarnish her name – through his discredited NGO,

SERAP and petitions to the EFCC – failed because they were lacking in credibility”. One Akintola Makinde, described as a legal practitioner and a public affairs analyst, in a critique of Falana’s petition widely published by the nation’s print and online media, spiritedly argued that ICC was a court of limited criminal jurisdiction as clearly spelt out by the Rome Statute, a suggestion that criminal diversion of state funds does not fall under the category of crimes against humanity, which are the main concerns of the ICC. With reference to Article 7 (1) of the said statute, Makinde listed crimes against humanity to include murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation or forcible transfer of population, imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty”, etc. “Though remote, the premise (of Falana’s petition) is that if the funds had been expended in the purchase of arms for the Nigerian troops, perhaps, the war would have long been won, thereby averting the wanton casualties that have accompanied the war. Plausible as the argument may seem, it is apparent that the fact of diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms without more, still does not amount to murder, extermination, enslavement or any other inhumane acts of similar character, within the contemplation of the law (the Rome Satute)”, Makinde

ON THIS DAY February 3, 1972

February 3, 1998

This marked the first day of the seven-day Iran Blizzard that killed at least 4,000 people. It was the deadliest snowstorm in history. It was a week-long period of low temperatures and winter storms, lasting from February 3 to 9, 1972. It dumped more than 10 feet (3.0 m) of snow across rural areas in northwestern, central and southern Iran. Southern Iran sustained as much as 26 feet (7.9 m) of snow, which buried at least 4,000 individuals.

Cavalese cable car disaster: A United States’ Military pilot flying a Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler aircraft caused the deaths of 20 people when his lowflying plane cut the cable of a cable-car near Trento, Italy. The incident occurred near the Italian town of Cavalese, a ski resort in the Dolomites some 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Trento. The aircraft cut a cable supporting a gondola of an aerial tramway.

insisted. However, we see nothing sacrilegious or demeaning in Falana drawing the attention of the ICC to the outrageous arms fund scandal currently dogging the nation. For, he merely canvassed the commencement by the ICC of investigation into the allegations of criminal diversion of the fund by the suspected perpetrators with a view to “determining whether these amount to crimes against humanity within the court’s jurisdiction”. Besides, we feel strongly persuaded by the argument of His Eminence, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, among others, in a recent interview with this newspaper that treasury looting is a grave crime against humanity. If massive corrupt diversion of public funds for self-serving reasons does not form part of the jurisdictions of the ICC, we think the Falana petition should serve as a catalyst to appraise such ungodly oversight with a view to revisiting the ‘Rome Statute’, reviewing it and attaching heinous corruption and financial crimes against the state as a crucial part of ICC’s jurisdictions. Humongous financial violence perpetrated against the government and citizens of any country worldwide should not be dismissed with a mere wave of the hand. It sure deserves being ranked as a very serious crime of international worry.

February 3, 2007 A Baghdad market bombing killed at least 135 people and injured 339 others. The bombing involved the detonation of a large truck bomb in a busy market in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad in a suicide attack. The bomb, estimated to be about one ton in weight, brought down at least 10 buildings and coffee shops and obliterated market stalls in a largely Shi‘ite enclave less than a half mile from the Tigris River.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing Texting at night affects teens’ sleep, academic performance

Herbal medicine in Nigeria can compete favourably with oil –Oyekole

Experts allay fear on TB •Say it’s curable, treatment free in Nigeria •Ex-patient narrates how she was cured

Marcus FatunMole AbujA

edical experts believe there is no need for persons suffering from tuberculosis, otherwise known as TB, in Nigeria to worry. Unlike many other ailments in the country, they say TB is not only curable but treated free-of-charge in all public hospitals across the nation. Besides, patients could be treated at home if they so choose. All they need do is contact the head of TB control agency in the state where they live to place them under health officials who would help them with the treatment in their homes. They could as well go to hospitals where they meet trained health officials to manage their cases, while also showing them the best of love possible. Anyone who coughs more than two weeks, according to the experts, could be suffering from TB. Nigeria lost 248,000 of her population to the disease in 2014, according to data made available by the experts at a capacity building programme organized for journalists on TB control by Royal Dutch Tuberculosis Foundation, KNCV, United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Challenge TB, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, NTLCP in Abuja recently. Such deaths, Country Director KNCV, Dr Mustapha Gidado, argued could have been prevented, if adequate awareness had been created on the disease by government and the deceased had presented themselves for testing and treatment on time. Failure of patients with active pulmonary TB disease to be treated or follow treatment procedure could make them infect between 10 and 20 persons every year, Gidado said. Like patients of killer diseases namely HIV/AIDS, cancer and hypertension, TB patients are afraid of stigma from the public. They refuse to tell health officials of their condition. Even many of them do not know they have TB when they cough ceaselessly. They resort to selfmedication and infect as many others as possible with the disease, experts at the event argued. TB, which ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide, put Nigeria in 4th place among countries with highest incidence of the disease globally. Nigeria followed India, Indonesia and China, according to the 2014 data. There is interconnectivity between

HIV and TB, Gidado stressed. According to him, there were 570,000 TB cases in Nigeria in 2014 (out of which 248,000 died) 100,000 persons with TB were diagnosed to have HIV that year in Nigeria. TB disease considerably shortens the survival period of people living with HIV; it is the leading cause of death among them which is why all TB patients and suspects should be tested for HIV, he explained further. To ensure TB sufferers get hitch-free testing and treatment, the partners have made available toll-free numbers to the public to enable them speak with persons who would guide them on where to get treatment and the type of treatment they want. The numbers are 0800-2255-282 FREE and 0800 call CTB. Speaking on the disease, National Coordinator, NTLCP, Dr Gabriel Akang said “tuberculosis is a communicable disease caused by germ Mycobacterium tuberculosis (commonly referred to as TB bacilli) TB germs usually affect the lungs (pulmonary TB) But, it can also affect other organs of the body (extra-pulmonary TB) Examples of body organs that can be affected in extra-pulmonary TB include lymph nodes, bones (especially the backbone) joints, skin, abdomen, brain, kidneys among others. “TB germs spread mainly through the air. The germs are released into the air when people who are sick with TB disease of the lungs that are not on adequate treatment cough, sneeze or spit. These tiny germs are not visible to the naked eye and can remain in the air for several hours. Persons who breathe in air containing these TB germs may become infected.

“However, not all persons infected with TB germs develop TB disease. When a person is infected with TB germs, the germs can remain in his/her body in an inactive state without causing sickness. This is called latent TB infection. The inactive TB germs do not spread to other persons. But, if these germs become active by multiplying and destroying body tissues, the person becomes sick and manifest with symptoms and signs of TB disease. “Persons with latent TB infection only develop TB disease when their immune system is weakened. The chances of the person developing TB disease are high. “Such weakened immune system can arise from other diseases that lower immune system like HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases. “TB is diagnosed by a combination of symptoms, physical examination and/or investigations. Among others, the investigations include examination of samples (e.g sputum) under the microscope, using GeneXpert machines, x-ray of the relevant parts of the body and growing of TB germs in the laboratory,” he stated. Our correspondent learnt that a TB patient could be cured of TB disease by taking the appropriate medicine and dosage for the correct duration. The appropriate medicine involves a combination of drugs. The correct duration is not less than six months depending on the severity of the TB disease. Treatment could stretch to about 20 months; while patients take injection for the first eight months, daily. Thereafter, they proceed to taking oral drug. “When treated, TB patients will be cured of the disease; they cannot spread

TB germs to others; and the burden of the disease will reduce in the country. TB is mainly prevented when TB patients observe basic infection control practices such as covering their nose and mouth with handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing; when they avoid spitting indiscriminately and dispose sputa properly; wash their hands after coughing or sneezing; ensure TB patient are promptly diagnosed and put on appropriate treatment for the right duration,” Akang noted. A cured TB patient, Oluwafunke Dosunmu, a graduate of University of Ilorin and mother of one, shared her experience of the disease at the event. She pledged to commit the rest of her life to sensitizing people on the disease. She told National Mirror: “I went through trying times while having TB…I started coughing for more than two weeks. “Immediately, I went through diagnosis and blood test, HIV test, sputum and saliva tests and chest x-ray. So, from there, I knew I had TB. It was a kind of surprise because I never expected such a disease. I was shocked how I got it. At that moment, I knew it was not to keep asking myself questions, but look for how to cure it. I got motivated. I had to just get over it. I told myself ‘death is not my portion. I still have a long way to go to enjoy my family and my marriage’. “I enrolled for the free treatment. But, I noticed that my weight was dropping drastically. I dropped from 66kg to 42kg. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t bathe myself. That was where my parents came in; and they had to help me out. They were very supportive at the time. They did their best to help me out of the sickness. I was isolated; my baby had to be taken away from me. The stigma was there. I never let it weigh me down. I knew it was just a challenge I had to face. And, I knew I would come out of it. “Prayer is working, but now it is the routine drug. You must treat yourself and treat yourself well, by adhering to the direction on how you take your drug. I was very concerned about my weight at the time, so I was taking enough fruits. I told myself I had to go out someday as I was doing. I had to go to church as I used to do. I couldn’t relate with people as I used to do. “Even my husband was not coming often; he had to leave me for a while. I took it upon myself to face that challenge. And, to God be the glory, after going through the drug for getting close to nine months (I was ok) It was three doses at a go, and I must not miss the drug. And, to God be the glory, I was eventually ok. On the 14th of December last year, I was told I was no more living with TB,” she added.

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Nutrition for the elderly

on current health status, and while many older people are fit and active, some others who are younger may be frail and require additional care. One vital aspect of their diet is cutting calories by reducing dietary fat and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Older people should restrict fat intake, particularly cutting down saturated fats to improve their heart health. Above the age of 75, fat restriction is less likely to be beneficial and inappropriate if the person is frail, has suffered weight loss or has a very small appetite. In these situations, additional fat may be used to increase the calories in meals and snacks to aid weight gain. Photochemical from differentcolored fruits and vegetables can be used as a surrogate marker for adequate variety in their diets. Try to eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables from each color group. Consume more fruits, vegetables and unrefined cereal foods and pulses, as they are mostly rich in fibre, low in calories and packed with the nutrients that lower the risk of constipation and bowel problems mainly due to a reduced gut motility and inactivity. To help the gut work properly, it’s also im-

Chizoba Benson chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)

oor nutrition in the elderly has been shown to increase the risk of infections, bed sores, chest infections, poor wound healing, arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies people aged between 45 and 59 as ‘middle age’, 60 to 74 as ‘elderly’ and over 75 as ‘aged’. There may be a little difference in the energy requirements of a 50 and a 70 year old. Although, the requirement of energy may decline with age particularly if physical activity is limited, but note that, the need for nutrient dense food choices which means the elderly still need to eat a variety of foods to get all the vitamins and minerals they need, but with fewer calories. If the person is overweight or obese, it is even more important for him to be calorie conscious. The nutritional needs of older adults are difficult to classify into absolute age groups because their dietary needs may depend

portant to drink plenty of fluid, approximately eight medium glasses a day. Dehydration can make older people feel drowsy or confused, it’s important to drink, even if this means extra trips to the toilet. The risk of dehydration can be higher in older people because their kidneys do not function as efficiently as those of younger people. Older people are also not as sensitive to the feeling of thirst. Fluid intake does not just mean water it can also include such drinks as tea, coffee, fruit juice and squash. Older people should limit foods and drinks that are rich in sugar, as it can impair dental health and contribute to weight gain when energy intake is too high. But for people who have a poor appetite, or who have lost weight,

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sugar-rich foods can be a useful source of calories. They should avoid excessive alcohol intake, this could be detrimental to health. Anaemia is common in older adults. Poor absorption of iron, due to changes in the gastrointestinal tract, blood loss and the use of certain drugs together with a poor dietary intake may be causal factors. Iron intake should be sufficient which can be taken from red meat and foods from non-meat sources (such as fortified cereals, dried fruit, pulses and green leafy vegetables) every day. Absorption of iron from a meal containing non-meat sources is maximized by consuming foods rich in vitamin C at the same time (such as a glass of fruit juice, fresh fruit or vegetables). Food can often taste bland to older people so they can try using herbs and spices, such as garlic, onions, ginger, etc. Tomatoes and other flavouring such as lemon juice may be used to flavour foods, but must avoid using too much salt. Salt and saltpreserved foods are linked to an increased risk of stomach can-

cer, high blood pressure, etc. Older people should be advised to eat with in the company of people, especially if they are depressed. It is vital to present food in an attractive way and choose a variety of foods where possible to keep the experience interesting. However, many elderly people are unable to eat a healthy and varied diet, so recommending a multivitamin and mineral supplement is a wise precaution but if enough food is consumed dietary supplements. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements are important for those who are housebound. Exercise and physical activity are among the healthiest things older ones can do. Scientists have found that staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay many diseases and disabilities, maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks and plan an activity. It can make muscles grow stronger and helps maintain bone strength Chair–bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health.

SCIENCE

Compiled by Franka Osakwe

Texting at night affects teens’ sleep, academic performance

new study has linked nighttime instant messaging habits of American teenagers to sleep health and school performance. Media use among children of all ages is increasing exponentially; studies have found that children ages 8 to 18 use electronic devices approximately seven-and-ahalf hours daily. The study, published in the Journal of Child Neurology, is the first of its kind to link nighttime instant messaging habits of American teenagers to sleep health and school performance. “We need to be aware that teenagers are using electronic devices excessively and have a unique physiology,” says study author Xue Ming, professor of neuroscience and neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “They tend to go to sleep late and get up late. When we go against that natural rhythm, students become less efficient.” The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that media use among children of all ages is increasing exponentially; studies have found that children ages 8 to 18 use electronic devices

approximately seven-and-ahalf hours daily. Ming’s research is part of a small but growing body of evidence on the negative effects of electronics on sleep and school performance. But few studies, Ming says, have focused specifically on instant messaging. “During the last few years I have noticed an increased use of smartphones by my patients with sleep problems,” Ming says. “I wanted to isolate how messaging alone - especially after the lights are out - contributes to sleep-related problems and academic performance.” To conduct her study, Ming distributed surveys to three New Jersey high schools - a suburban and an urban public school and a private school - and evaluated the 1,537 responses contrasting grades, sexes, messaging duration and whether the texting oc-

curred before or after lights out. She found that students who turned off their devices or who messaged for less than 30 minutes after lights out performed significantly better in school than those who messaged for more than 30 minutes after lights out.

team of Rochester scientists has, for the first time, identified and isolated a stem cell population capable of skull formation and craniofacial bone repair in mice-achieving an important step toward using stem cells for bone reconstruction of the face and head in the future, according to a new paper in Nature Communications. Senior author Wei Hsu, Ph.D., dean’s professor of Biomedical Genetics and a scientist at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said the goal is to better understand and find stem-cell therapy for a condition known as craniosynostosis, a skull deformity

Scientists discover stem cells capable of repairing skull, face bones in infants. Craniosynostosis often leads to developmental delays and life-threatening elevated pressure in the brain. Hsu believes his findings contribute to an emerging field involving tissue engineering that uses stem cells and other materials to invent superior ways to replace damaged craniofacial bones in humans due to congenital disease, trauma, or cancer surgery. For years Hsu’s lab, including the study’s lead author, Takamitsu Maruyama, Ph.D., focused on the function of the Axin2 gene and

a mutation that causes craniosynostosis in mice. Because of a unique expression pattern of the Axin2 gene in the skull, the lab then began investigating the activity of Axin2-expressing cells and their role in bone formation, repair and regeneration. Their latest evidence shows that stem cells central to skull formation are contained within Axin2 cell populations, comprising about 1 percent--and that the lab tests used to uncover the skeletal stem cells might also be useful to find bone diseases caused by stem cell abnormalities.

Sedentary lifestyle spells more menopause misery

edentary middleaged Hispanic women in Latin America have significantly worse menopause symptoms than their active counterparts, shows a study of more than 6,000 women across Latin America, which was published online recently in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). The analysis also linked sedentary lifestyle with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and obesity.

The study analyzed data from the Collaborative Group for Research of the Climacteric in Latin America surveys and health records of 6,079 women, ages 40 to 59, who attended one of

20 urban health centers in 11 Latin American countries. The women completed standard questionnaires about depression, anxiety, insomnia, and menopause symptoms. Symptoms on the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire include somatic symptoms, such as hot flashes and joint pains, psychological symptoms such as depressed mood and anxiety, and urogenital symptoms such as sexual problems, vaginal dryness, and blad-

der problems. The women also answered other questions, such as what their activity level and menopause status were. Women were considered to be sedentary if they reported fewer than 3 weekly sessions of physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, that lasted 30 minutes or longer, and menopause symptoms were considered severe if the MRS score was 16 or more.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

WHO goes tough on smoking in movies Marcus FatunMole AbujA

he World Health Organization, WHO, has reeled out measures against promotion of smoking in movies, globally. Prominent among the measures is the rating of films showing smoking scenes “to help protect children from tobacco addiction.” A release on the agency’s website on Monday recommended age classification ratings for films with tobacco imagery “to reduce overall exposure of youth to tobacco imagery in films; certifying in movie credits that film producers receive nothing of value from anyone in exchange for using or

displaying tobacco products in a film; ending display of tobacco brands in films; and requiring that strong antismoking advertisements be shown before films containing tobacco imagery in all distribution channels (cinemas, televisions, online, etc).” The recommendations accompanied WHO’s Smoke-Free Movie Report. “Movies showing use of tobacco products have enticed millions of young people worldwide to start smoking”, the release said. WHO noted that movies “hook millions of young people on tobacco” and that “taking concrete steps, including rating films with tobacco scenes and displaying tobacco warnings before

films with tobacco, can stop children around the world from being introduced to tobacco products and subsequent tobacco-related addiction, disability and death.” “With ever tighter restrictions on tobacco advertising, film remains one of the last channels exposing millions of adolescents to smoking imagery without restrictions,” WHO’s Director for the Department of Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Dr Douglas Bettcher, was quoted as saying in the release. Bettcher was quoted further as saying “smoking in films can be a strong form of promotion for tobacco products…”The 180 Parties to the WHO Framework

Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) are obliged by international law to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.” The release explained that studies in the United States of America had shown that on-screen smoking accounts for 37 percent of all new adolescent smokers. It informed that in 2014, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in the United States alone, exposure to onscreen smoking would recruit more than six million new, young smokers from among American children that year, of which it said two million would ultimately die from tobacco-induced diseases.

WAMCO commissions ultra modern warehouse Franka osakwe

etermined to boost it strategic relationship with distributors, retailer and the consumers, leading diary manufacturing company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, has commissioned its ultramodern finished goods warehouse at its premises at Ogba in Lagos on Tuesday, The Managing Director, Rahul Colaco, described the warehouse with the capacity to house about 14,000 pallets, as a demonstration of the company’s commitment to deepen its operation in the Nigerian economy, He added that the new warehouse built at a cost of two billion naira would enable the company meet the need of its consumers in Nigeria. “We are really pleased with the new warehouse, which allows us to continue to meet the growing

need of our operations. This means we can offer our customers better stock guarantees”. He said the new finished good warehouse underlies the company’s strategy in reinforcing world class operations, noting that the working environment in the facility is significantly conducive for workers. “This is due to the mechanical ventilation apparatus that include air expellers and vents, Colaco said. Mr. Colaco, also disclosed that the company had invested over four billion naira in building capacity for the company in Nigeria over the last few years. Declaring the warehouse open, the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, represented by the Attorney General of the state, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, commended the company for its faith in the Lagos State government through the expansion project.

Mosquitoes capable of carrying Zika virus found in Washington, D. C.

R Members of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) in a group photograph with some National Mirror Editorial staff during their visit to Mirror House last week.

Nigeria Prize for Science: NLNG re-constitutes advisory Board Franka osakwe

igeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has reconstituted the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Science, while re-positioning the prize for better impact on living standards in the country. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Babs Omotowa, made this known at a press briefing in Lagos during the weekend. While introducing the reconstituted advisory board members, he noted that the new prize currently stands at $100, 000. He said the Advisory Board was re-constituted following a decision reached at a Stakeholders Forum. “The reconstituted board is led by Professor Alfred Susu, a past winner of the Nigeria Prize for Science (2004) and fellow of

the Nigerian Academy of Science. Other members include; Michael Adikwu, professor of pharmacy and winner of the Nigeria Prize for Science (2006) and Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja; Professor Elijah Mshelia, a nuclear physicist and fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science; Professor Barth Nnaji, renowned scientist and former Minister of Power; and Chief Dr. Nike Akande, Industrialist and President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, he said. According to him, NLNG instituted the Nigeria Prize for Science as a way of celebrating both science and scientists in the country. “Nigeria LNG Limited believes that greater recognition and support for science will provide leaders with answers to crucial national issues and bring about improvements in the living standards.

“I believe we have become stronger in our resolve to support science education and research in the country through the prize, in line with NLNG’s vision of helping to build a better Nigeria.” he said, adding that NLNG was committed to work with the new board to build on past successes”, he added. He expressed appreciation for the pioneer Board, managed by the Nigerian Academy of Science, for their good work in laying the foundation for a good prize process. Speaking on behalf of the new board, Professor Alfred Susu said “The attempt to ensure diversity by selecting an array of academics and industry professionals is quite germane. I am particularly inspired by the collection of this calibre of individuals who are captains in their various endeavours.

“We commit to ensure that the administration of the prize is fair and credible. Every entry will be given equal consideration irrespective of the background of the person or persons involved. The only criteria for winning shall be based only on excellence,” he said of their philosophy during their tenure.

esearchers have reported the discovery of a major population of the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, the species capable of carrying tropical diseases such as Zika virus, dengue fever and chikungunya, in a Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The the team has also identified genetic evidence that these mosquitoes have overwintered for at least the past four years, meaning they are adapting for persistence in a northern climate well out of their normal range. On Jan. 25, the World Health Organization announced that Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that in the past year has swept quickly throughout equatorial countries, is expected to spread across the Americas

and into the United States. The disease, which was discovered in 1947 but had since been seen in only small, short-lived outbreaks, causes symptoms including a rash, headache and small fever. However, a May 2015 outbreak in Brazil led to nearly 3,500 reports of birth defects linked to the virus, even after its symptoms had passed, and an uptick in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, an immune disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert advising pregnant women to avoid traveling to countries where the disease has been recorded. Zika virus is transmitted by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, also a carrier of dengue fever and chikungunya, two other tropical diseases.

NANTMP ready to establish trado-medical centres in all LGAs adeola tukuru, AbujA

ational Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) has assured that they are ready to work with President Muhammadu Buhari to establish Traditional Medicine Institute in all the 774 Local Government Area in the country The National President, Chief Andrew Akarachi Anyanwu, in an interview

in Abuja said this will help solve the current problem of unemployment in the country . He further reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner with government in health facilities like rural health clinics, drugs and other relevant equipment in schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) He further commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration for extending the recovery of stolen funds to

China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwa and Thailand. According to him, the president deserves full commendation for his bold and courageous step in combating corruption. “Buhari is the only Nigerian leader since after General Murtala Muhammed to take on corruption. “President Buhari has beam the search light for us to see the route of our dark past and we have seen how infested it was with rodents, reptiles, and rogues,” he said.

Health & Wellbeing

hat will you say are the major problems confronting traditional medicine practice in Nigeria? The major problems are the misgivings about herbal medicine aimed at casting aspersion on herbal medicine practice. The talks about standardization, packaging, dosage about herbal medicine are all wrong notions because there is no herbalist that does not know what to do and how to do it; it is only that their level of education is not high; there are no formal schools unlike in orthodox practice; they only rely on the knowledge gained from

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Herbal medicine in Nigeria can compete favourably with oil â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Oyekole Dayo Oyekole, a professor of epidemiology and a renowned herbal medicine practitioner in Nigeria was recently elected the Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP). In this interview with MUDA OYENIRAN, he spoke about the constraints facing traditional medicine practice in Nigeria, the traditional medicine bill before the National Assembly and the potentials of herbal medicine practice in Nigeria among other issues. Excerpts: The Ministry then sponsored the submission of the bill to the National Assembly. Luckily it was read for the first time and we were ex excited second time it was read, so we thought after the third reading it would be passed but his tenure expired and as you know any bill that is not completed has to be represented. Unfortunately for the sucsuc cessive government, herbal medicine was not their priority, so it was never menmen tioned throughout. So the eight year lag period had gone. With the new dispensadispensa tion now in place, we are appealing to the new Minister and government at large to please revisit that bill and represent so that within a short time we will have the council of traditional medicine practipracti tioners in the country fully in operation. Some people have argued that oror thodox medicine has not been as effeceffec tive in the treatment of mental probprob lems. Is this true? The reason is understandable because mental health may not necessarily be due to an infectious condition; may not be due to germs whether bacteria or virus and that is what the orthodox medimedi cine is best at doing, that is using antibiotics and drugs to kill germs. But mental health problems go beyond that; it may be nutritional when the brain cells are not well nurtured; it may also be spiritual or psychological (from the mind). So because no drug can

their fore-fathers, so the government needs to restructure by setting up institutions for vocational training in herbal medicine; research institutes for modernization and standardization of the potent medicinal products and create enabling atmosphere for investment in herbal medicine so that we can explore the export potentials of our locally produced remedies. The government has tried by giving the mandate to NAFDAC to examine and be sure that the safety of the products are assured; but that would not be enough, there is need to enhance the productivity of these small scale herbalists to the level at which they will be economically viable so that they will take it as a lucrative profession rather than a part-time thing which they make do with when other business fails. If we do it that way things will move. What are the practitioners doing to address some of these challenges? Luckily for us now, traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria are now under one umbrella, the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), which just held an election in December last year and some eminent personalities have been elected to conduct the affairs of the association so as to be sure that we meet the requirement for healthcare and we establish all the institutional linkage that the government would be proud of. So all we need now would be the enhancement, funding and what I would call the statutory support from the government. Hitherto, there had been no assembly bill passed on the practice of traditional medicine. We need to come under an established statute so as to dictate the conditions and laws and rules under which the practitioners would operate. This will make it possible to apprehend the charlatans and give all the necessary disciplinary actions to ensure that the practice is not bastardized. That means we need the government to participate, we need the public sector to invest in it and we need the practitioners to be ready to rebrand their services that would really meet the requirement for health. What are the economic potentials of herbal medicine in Nigeria? Herbal medicine in Nigeria can compete favourably with oil. When you look at the situation in America, South Africa, Ghana and some other African countries that are not as richly blessed as Nigeria, they talk of billions of dollars in terms of the herbal resources they have. I believe also that we can generate billions of dollars from our own herbal resources if we can plough back some of the oil money into herbal medicine development and why not if not? The petroleum we are talking about is generated from plant and animal decay and fossilized bodies so you plough back part of it to make the living ones okay Nigeria can do better than what China has done in herbal medicine. The only impediment in Nigeria is that we are too preoccupied with western ideas, religious bigotry and all these are not problems of the Chinese; the

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Prof. Oyekole

Chinese people do not care about imported religion that are taking us way from the realities of life. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care about all these imported lifestyles and food; they are so traditional in their ways- their food, their medicine, their religion. They stay closest to nature than any group of people and that is why they live longer. Even though their population is so large, they can feed themselves conveniently and have enough to take to other countries of

the world What is the situation of the traditional medicine bill before the National Assembly? Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his tenure as the president took the bold step by saying that traditional medicine should be well recognized and restructured. The then Minister of health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo actually called us, the leaders together and the umbrella body was formed.

We need to come under an established statute so as to dictate the conditions and laWs and rules under Which the practitioners Would operate.

cure the mind, we need to turn to the natural dimension so as to supply the missing items by supplying the natural remedies and this is why natural medicine works best in combination with spiritual practices for mental health than the orthodox use of pharmaceutical products. As the new Secretary General of NANTMP, what will you do to move the association forward? I will use my position as Secretary General to create all the necessary information materials to be disseminated to the practitioners on what the country want them to do. I will also be able to carry the feedback to the supervising ministry of health on what the people need. Most importantly, I will set up good training facilities for the people to improve on their practices so that we can stand shoulder high with the conventional practitioners

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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Arts Lounge

Blackface’s actions very unfortunate, says 2Face

My life as singer, TV presenter –Precious Okuchukwu

Giving life to Nigerian theatre

A bouquet of factors seems to be dealing a blow on theatre in the developing countries. But something needs to be done to revive this art that is the mother of performance arts, especially in Nigeria. Busayo Wale

nlike what obtained in the early 1960s, up to the 1980s, when live theatre was vibrant in many parts of the country, even in university campuses, the situation has deteriorated to an extent where trained artistes hardly think of making a living from the stage. A lot of reasons have been proffered for this unfortunate state of theatre practice in Nigeria. Paradoxically, stand-up comedy genre has defied the above and risen to become top flight entertainment, even at public functions. The Artistic Director, House of Dance Nigeria, Emmanuel Adejumo, has said that the Theatre Arts Industry is capable of contributing to the nation’s economic growth annually if given proper recognition. Adejumo stated recently that the industry had not been given appropriate recognition by the Federal Government, private organisations and even the general public. “Associations like Dance Guild of Nigeria need to be given appropriate recognition by relevant authorities in the country for it to have any positive impact on the industry,” he said. Adejumo said that in a developed country like the US the non-profit arts industry was a 36.8 billion-dollar business that supported 1.3 million full-time jobs. “I was in Cuba and I was shocked at the level at which people are interested in knowing about Ifa; they were hungry to know all they can. “If the industry was properly positioned, we should be exporting our culture through plays, like it is done in less cultured countries like US. According to the creative Director of Crown Troupe Africa, Segun Adefila, with a minimum pay of N50,000, it takes only passion to remain a stage actor. He says, “Cinema has more audience while stage is limited because Nigerians tend to lack interest in content. You just have to be crazy or have a bit of madness, or better still ready to go crazy to be a stage actor.” Stage actors are often not considered for entertainment at major events. When they are considered eventually, they get meagre remuneration – sometimes as low

Ajoyo on stage

as N200,000 for a group – while an up and coming musician involved in the same event for instance, gets twice the amount. Bikiya Graham-Douglas, a veteran theatre practitioner and founder of Beeta Universal Arts Foundation (BUAF) also shares her views. She stressed the need for grants as well as funding support from the private and corporate sectors and government to take theatre to a world class level. According to her, another thing that needs to be done for theatre is promotion. “It is not just about putting a production. How many young people are in the theatre today? I am talking about primary and secondary school children? How many of them do see theatre as a viable profession? Not a lot of people because it is not being promoted as that. This same way banking is being promoted; or somebody wants to be an engineer, or doctor. I look at theatre at par with every single one of these other professions. And I believe that if we do get these children from the incubation stage, from the primary school, from the secondary school stage, create the avenue for them to access theatre, for them to be part of theatre; for them to perform, by the time they are adults, you don’t have to teach them anymore; and we would not be having this problem of mediocrity if we get it right from the incubation stage.” “Theatre is a profession; the way you go to the bank is the way you go to the theatre. It is the same thing. Banks have structures; we do not have structures in the theatre. Everywhere in the world, theatre does not survive without grants. We

need grants alongside funding, because when we get grants they will help us to achieve what we are trying to do. Then we can access funding; then it will be profitable and we can pay back. But it does not happen overnight. “You cannot look at everything as short term profit thing. It takes a lot of time, but we need support; we need structures. Theatre will thrive when we have structures all over Nigeria. When people know that if they want to watch a play production, there is a venue they can go and sit down comfortably and watch a play. Look at what Silverbird has done for the cinemas; they have done fantastically for the cinemas” she added. Femi Osofisan, veteran playwright and theatre critic, stresses that it is imperative for practitioners to stand up to face the immense challenges of reviving the arts in Nigeria, particularly theatre practice. He argues that live theatre can be used to preach “the virtues of socialism,” since the old doctrine of “arts for art’s sake” has gradually been relegated to the background, and that there is no denying the fact that the theatre can indeed go beyond just being for entertainment or mere formalistic experiments. With the massive invasion of new technologies into the entertainment world, it (theatre) has the wherewithal to engage the ‘new society’ through rethinking process and experimentation by practitioners. Also, Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, the Executive Secretary/CEO National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) and Senior Visiting Lecturer Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies Nasarawa

Producers need to Package Productions very well: choosing good Plays and using relatively known artistes to enhance the final Product

State University says that theatre artists should rethink theatre by giving quality time to the profession: as a performers, audiences, or financiers of productions. “Producers need to package productions very well: choosing good plays and using relatively known artists to enhance the final product and the prospects of audience patronage. It explains why somebody would pay a whopping N1million for a table of eight, to see a show by Ali Baba. They should be consistent in staging productions in order to gradually cultivate audience patronage because running a theatre is like running a school: you have to make the name before making money” Theatre practitioners should source for funding to ensure that the plays are well packaged and artistes are well paid; if Stand-up Comedians, TV Reality Shows, GLO Campus Jamz, Maltina Dance All, Big Brother, and so on, get sponsorship from corporate bodies, it is possible for theatre productions to have sponsorship”, he added. While some companies have thrown in the towel, there are a few who are still concerned with putting theatre back on the front burner of Nigerian entertainment. Head, Corporate Affairs, Chams Plc, Mrs. Dayo Adejokun, says one of the reasons why the company still sponsors live theatre, despite the challenges, is to revive and relive the lives of Nigeria’s literary icons. She says, “We do this so that people will not leave live theatre, so that our cultural values will not be eroded by western culture. We have what we call Chams Theatre Series which has the adaptation of D.O Fagunwa’s novel,Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale (Forest of a Thousand Daemons). It comes with its own challenges but challenges are part of everyday life.” Huge sponsorship, as Okoli notes, helps stage play outside Nigeria, where a play can run for years but the reverse is the case here. He explains, “Theatre culture is not viable here and that scares most companies away. Most sponsors look for plays with big names like Soyinka. But those plays cannot be staged all the time. Now, that is even a turn-off for budding playwrights whose plays may never be considered for sponsorship. “I once wrote a play that was staged in 2009 at the Royal Courts Theatre through the British Council, but the same play did not get much recognition here. I think the whole thing should start from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. I don’t know the programmes they have but if every state has a theatre, there will be jobs and theatre will be a good business.”

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Nature, nurture in women-centred theatre (2) Sunday OdOdO

rom Aikin Mata (by Harrison and Simeons) to Mulkin Mata (by Harry Hagher) we see and feel the tremendous power women wield over men. In Aikin Mata for instance, a truce is found for raging war because the warriors are starved of sex by their wives and women. This truce was possible because of the strong resolve of the women not to yield to the amorous advances of the men – the warriors. But when it comes to real political arena this kind of resolve dissolves due to a plethora of factors but mainly cultural and our social value system that tend to subjugate the will and desire of a woman when it comes in conflict or contest with that of the man. The tender heart of the woman to love and care often weakens their resolve to stand and fight. Men exploit this weakness often, unfortunately it is the women’s nature and it is doubtful if they can ever overcome this weakness. A woman would rather support her husband to become a Governor than to support a fellow woman (say her sister) to become a Governor. It is also this same nature of support that the mothers, sisters and daughters would give. With this kind of primordial sentiment, ideological standpoint can hardly stand which is the core of feminist struggle that emphases internal group cohesion and individual self assertion; alliance and effective coordination for mass movement for the desired change. This feminist philosophy is demonstrated in The Wives’ Revolt by JP Clark; Our Husband has Gone Mad Again by Ola Rotimi, Mulkin Matta by Harry Hagher, Rebellion of the Bumpy Chested by Stella Oyedepo, Sweet Revenge by Irene Salami-Agunloye, Dance on his Grave by Barclays Ayakoroma and Beyond Nightmare by Ben Binebai. Sweet Revenge by Salami-Agunloye offers us a very potent example of how women can organize themselves against patriarchy. Aisosa suffers humiliation and neglect in the hands of her husband for whom she galvanized women’s sup-

Prof Sunday Ododo

port for to win election into the Senate of the Federal Republic. As a trained medical doctor she picks up her pieces together and works hard to excel in her profession and still brings up her children. Her resilience and determination to use her intellect and drive to surmount the challenges around her endeared her to her people. The women in her senatorial district plot the recall of her husband and she is voted to replace him. She rises to become the Senate President. The support Aisosa got from her female fold is not essentially a protest against the neglect Aisosa suffers in the hands of her husband but recognition of her proven capacity and dedication in her medical practice, which suggests she may perform better than her husband who has shot his gate to those he represents in Senate. We admire Ai-

sosa more because her decent pragmatic response to her situation and her ability to balance up both family and professional responsibility. Clearly, in women-centred drama in Nigeria, male and female dramatists have made useful contributions. If some male scripts are perceived by women as repressive on the image of women, many scripts by male dramatists also exist that extol the virtues of womanhood. Apart from the examples already given in the course of this presentation, other examples abound. Femi Osofisan for instance wrote an all female cast play, Yungba Youngba and the Dance Contest to eulogize the organizational capacity of womanhood; Women of Owu to empathise with the fall of Owu city and the captivity to which the women of Owu were subjected. Some playwrights have

Indeed many women have contrIbuted and contInue to nurture theatre practIce In nIgerIa.

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? My favorite authors include: James Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Chinua Achebe, Dennis Brutus and Sonala Olumese. What is your favourite book? I am from the ancient literary world. My favorite books are my books: Waiting for My Husband to Die and Victims of the City. What influences your decision to buy a book? It is the theme and design. Yes, the author also excites me.

Azuka Molokwu

Journalist/Writer

How much is your annual book budget? It is difficult to determine that, because knowledge for me cannot be valued. I spend money when I have but I do not have an accurate data. What are your books about? My books are a collection of short stories about love, lust, life, romance, cheats and heart break. They are fictions.

formidable heroines as the protagonists of their drama as can be found in Aina of Naira has no Gender by Olu Obafemi; Enekole of James Alachi’s Enekole; Titubi of Morountodun by Femi Osofisan, Aishatu in Hagher’s Aishatu; Ifeoma of Jonathan Mbachaga’s Widows’ Might, and my own Princess Azingae of my award winning play, Hard Choice, who offers herself as sacrificial lamb to save her Emipiri community from the superior warriors of the Igedu kingdom. The list can go on. Indeed many women have contributed and continue to nurture theatre practice in Nigeria. Beyond the family theatre business configuration, women have individually held their own and continue to do so to shape the content and form of Nigerian theatre. I can recall Lady Ranco with her manlike physiognomy playing lead role as a male character in love scenes; Duro Ladipo’s first wife as Oya in Oba Koso; Ebun Clark, the theatre scholar who documented the formative era of Hubert Ogunde’s theatre; Zulu Sofola the matriarch of Nigerian literary theatre; Taiwo Ajayilycett and Joke Silva as active actresses till date; Tess Onwueme who introduced fresh consciousness to women-centred drama and theatre in Nigeria; the prolific Stella Oyedepo who effectively combines playwriting and play staging; Flora Nwapa who declined the feminist tag but gave considerable attention to the Igbo tradition and the challenges of womanhood; our scholar dramatists: Julie Okoh, Chinyere Okafor, Irene SalamiAgunloye, Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, Osita Ezenwanebe, Akachi Ezeigbo, Foluke Ogunleye, Yetunde Akorede, Adenike Akinjobi, etc. have become the ardent trumpeters of the feminist ensemble in Nigeria. Whatever consciousness that have been created in Nigeria today about feminist drama, theatre and performance, these are the acolytes of that gain. •Professor Sunday Ododo works at Department of Theatre Arts, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

My life as singer, TV presenter –Precious Okuchukwu

A gospel artiste, and television presenter, she sees her art as the change factor. Ngozi EmEdolibE

rdent followers of Precious Okuchukwu, will not forget the tinge she brought to the art of gospel videos, following her debut album, aptly titled, Ekwela Ka Ihere mem, which became a monster hit amongst Igbo speaking Christians in 2008. Truth however is that since that album, so many things have changed in her life. She is now a mother, a wife, a TV presenter, and a motivational speaker. For Precious, she was specially ordained for what she is doing today, and cannot think of anything else that could have suited her better. “I think that has been answered; it is the Lord’s wish for me to serve Him with my voice. I don’t just sing or perform, but do ministrations because great things happen when I minister, I know that it is a Grace because I really do all by the direction of the Holy Spirit. When I minister the Holy Spirit takes control of t h e situation and does His thing. I have let off a lot of friends b e -

cause I no longer do what they want and even my close relatives could not give me a helping hand because they feel I have devoted all my life to this. No man would ever want to do anything for me because I have nothing to offer than to request you follow me to church. Some of my friends would not want to assist me in any little manner because I have refused to do the right thing, which for them, is going to clubs and parties and being seen with men who will be ready to assist me if I comply with them,” she says. Her sojourn in music, which started at a tender age, must have been recognised during her naming ceremony. “My name Okuchukwu, which means the light of God, came as a result of the fact that during my naming ceremony, there was no light. But people looked up and saw the moon shining brightly and realised there was no need for a generating set again.” When did the mother of one embrace gospel music professionally? According to her, it was when she relocated to Lagos after her school certificate examination in 2002 primarily to pursue undergraduate studies in Creative Arts. “After my secondary education in 2002, studI came to Lagos to go further in my stud ies but was invited to a Revival meeting in a ministry at Ikorodu where I had the opportunity to showcase my talent, after which the Pastor of the ministry said furthat I have to work for God. He went fur ther to say that I have the calling to be a minister of God.” That brush would lay the foundation for the recording o f h e r first alal bum, which has twelve tracks. “All the tracks in that album each composed with the solo and anointing from God. A lot of people have different choices on these tracks because of the differdiffer ent meanings in the lyrics. I found out that the choice

of everyone that has called me on this album varies according to their mood and conditions when listening to them.” Another aspect of Precious Okuchukwu is broadcasting, where she is blazing a trail as the anchor person on Africa Magic. “Yes, I was presenting Uwa Ndi Ejije on Kpakpando TV of Infinity Cable Television. But it has been rested. Right now, I am on Igbo Amaka running on Africa Magic. These are Igbo celebrity magazine shows to promote Igbo language, culture and tradition. We bring on this programme, high caliber Igbo artistes,

Another Aspect of precious okuchukwu is broAdcAsting, where she is blAzing A trAil As the Anchor person on AfricA MAgic

MIDWEEK JUMP

Taiwo Ajai-Lycett @ 75

enowned actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett is 75. And to mark the event, friends of the actress are rolling

movie people, sports men and women, dignitaries in government and make them speak Igbo language. We encourage our viewers from the Eastern part of Nigeria to make sure their children know how to speak Igbo language.” Expectedly Precious wants to repeat what she did in 2008, with her album called Angelic Voices, which featured her husband, King David, a showbiz promoter. “We hope to blow the minds of our fans again, like we did earlier with our first work. I have preference for videos that tell stories. We are following the same pattern”.

out the drums at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos at 10 am today. The event which will have a lot of celebrities in attendance will be headlined by the presentation of a book on the actress. Lycett was born on 3 February 1941 in Lagos, Western Region of Colonial Nigeria. She attended Christine Shaw School of Beauty Science in London, where she received a certificate in cosmetology. She later proceeded to Hendon College of Technology, where she obtained a Higher National Diploma in Business Studies in 1969. She worked as a waitress while studying, prior to her acting career.

Escape Flash Fiction Contest 2016

he next wave of the fourth incarnation of the Escape Artists Flash Fiction Contest is coming. Escape Pod is landing in early 2016. Every author may submit one original story of 500 words or less for consideration between January 15 and February 15. Sharpen your pencils and get your stories ready to submit. The three winning stories will be purchased and run as an episode of Escape Pod. Stories will be published on a members-only section of the forums, so first pub-

lication rights will n o t be expended by participating in the contest. It’s easy to be become a member. Details are available on their webpage.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

FAR AND NEAR

A beauty queen and her pet project AdAeze Amos

ne beauty queen who believes that being a beauty queen is not just about wearing a crown is Queen Siaka Nimat, the Miss Curvy Nigeria, Tourism, 2015. She is one black beauty who feels it in her bones that time waits for no queen, hence she has never relented working and making efforts to touch lives. She said: “Once a lady is crowned a beauty queen, her tenure clock starts to tick. This means that one needs to fulfill all that she has promised to do. A beauty queen is not supposed to give empty promises concerning her pet projects. One full term (tenure) is enough time to do something. I would never relent working, knowing that October this year, another Miss Curvy Nigeria, Tourism would be crowned. I wouldn’t want my face to appear on the list of beauty queens who couldn’t use their platform wisely.” Little wonder, this stunning beauty went to do farm work at Ubandoma village, Bida, Niger State. “I went for a programme which was sponsored by

Queen Nimat in a farm

the United Nations but linked through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. It’s tagged: Sawah Eco-Technology For Rice Farming. The platform is geared at structuring and restructuring rice inten-

sification in Nigeria, to impact in various rice farming localities in Nigeria. Indeed the work was hectic, believe me. I was the only lady among about 30 men and many other rice farmers.”

Artists’ Village: Shot artist recounts ordeal

Smart Owvie

n artist, Smart Owie, shot by police during the demolition of the Artistes Village at the National Theatre, Lagos, says he was denied treatment by hospitals because he has no police report. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Owie was shot in his right leg on January 23 during the demolition of some structures at the village believed to be illegal. Insinuations are rife also that artifacts worth over N40 million were destroyed during the demolition of the village, within the

premises of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC). The demolition was on the order of the General Manager of the National Theatre, Kabiru Yusuf, who also supervised it. Owie claimed that because of lack of police report, hospitals had denied him treatment, saying that he must produce police report to ascertain the source of his wound. “I’m lucky that the bullet did not lock in my leg but just pierced it, but I need an xray to ascertain the extent of the damage to my leg. But I have not been able to do the x-ray or receive treatment because police refused to give me a report that could be taken along to hospital for treatment. “The funny thing is that since it is a bullet wound, people are skeptical of treating me. Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) with the intervention of known artistes only helped to apply light treatment. But I still need a comprehensive diagnosis of what has hap-

pened to my leg which has not been done as we speak,’’ he said. According to him, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who later came after the demolition promised him better treatment. “He (the minister) also promised that there will be compensation. But as I am talking to you, there has not been anything. The minister saw me, he came closer to my side, I also showed him an x-ray referral letter from LASUTH that I should bring a police report. I don’t have the Minister’s contact number and I do not have that of any of his assistants. I’ve not been able to do anything. I have a family. I have three daughters and my wife is currently pregnant. My first child is in JSS 3, the second in JSS I and the third in KG II, the fourth on the way. As I’m talking to you, I am helpless. I cannot provide my dependants’ basic needs,’’ he said. Owie said he had an exhibition and other commission jobs to do but that the bullet wound had grounded him.

Blackface’s actions very unfortunate, says 2Face

2 Face

frican Queen crooner, 2face Idibia has finally broken his silence on the purported lawsuit and copyright allegations leveled against him by his former band mate, Blackface few days ago.

According to Blackface who threatened to take the pop star to court, 2face Idibia who recently rebranded to 2Baba stole the smash hit single christened ‘Let Somebody Love You’ from him. Speaking on the recent allegations, 2baba disclosed to a Lagos based TV station that he first thought Blackface’s account was hacked by mischief makers.“It is just so unfortunate. I do not know where it is coming from but I am trying to think of different reasons. At first, I thought his account was hacked”. The ‘Only Me’ crooner however declared his love and respect for his fellow band mate of the defunct Plantashun Boiz crew. He dis-

closed that he is determined to trash the issue with Blackface. “We will trash the whole matter but I got nothing but love and respect for him and it is just so unfortunate that he is coming at me like that. I mean apparently he doesn’t consider me his friend anymore but I wish him no ill-will. Let’s leave it like that for now.” Blackface had accused 2face of back-biting and alleged that the song ‘Let Somebody Love You’, which was released in 2014 and features international act, Bridget Kelly, belongs to him. He also publicly called out pop sensation, Wizkid for stealing components of his song ‘Ojuelegba’ from him.

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Art world prepares for a challenging year

o now it’s official: The art market boom has peaked, according to figures from Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the biggest international auction houses. In late January, the companies released their 2015 results, with each reporting a slight decrease in yearover-year sales. It was the first year since 2010 that both failed to show an increase. Christie’s, a private company based in London, reported auctions and private sales of 4.8 billion pounds (about $6.8 billion) in 2015, a decline in pounds of about 5 percent from 2014. Equivalent sales at Sotheby’s, which is publicly traded and based in New York, were $6.6 billion, about 1 percent less than in 2014. Those figures do not represent a burst bubble, but they do suggest that 2016 is going to be challenging for the art market, reflecting the volatility of the wider world. “The froth has been skimmed off,” said Paul Ress, chief executive of Right Capital, which provides loans secured by art to dealers and collectors. Mr. Ress said that the collapse in the price of oil had taken “a huge amount of cash” out of the art market. “There aren’t so many Russians and Brazilians involved now, and the Chinese slowdown has had a knock-on effect on the raw materials and equity markets,” he said. “The potential buyers in the art world won’t be feeling as rich as they did last year.” “It’s a healthy correction,” said Roman Kräussl, an associate professor of finance at the University of Luxembourg and co-author of “Is There a Bubble in the Art Market?,” a research paper that tracked prices from 1970 through 2013, published in January in the Journal of Empirical Finance. Owners, wary of a downturn, have become more reluctant to sell highvalue works. Sotheby’s and Christie’s February auctions in London of Impressionist and modern, as well as contemporary, art are smaller and carry lower estimates than their equivalent events last year. Sotheby’s evening sale on Wednesday of Impressionist and modern art contains 54 works, compared with 75 last February. That 2015 auction grossed £186.4 million (about $265.5 million). This week it is expected to raise at least £97.6 million (around $139 million). The evening’s star lot is “Tête de Femme,” a 1935 Picasso study of his lover and muse Marie-Thérèse Walter. It has a low estimate of £16 million (about $22.8 million). Its current owner bought it at Sotheby’s in New York in November 2013 for $39.9 million.

$300m ‘When Will You Marry’ by Paul Gauguin

Business

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NCC cautions telcos on customers’ airtime deductions31

Appraising piecemeal passage of PIB for industry’s growth, other benefits 33

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$25B Infrastructure Fund attracting global investors –Osinbajo ROtimi Fadeyi, AbujA

He disclosed that the China-Exim Bank had agreed to finance the railway projects linking Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar, stressing that the project would generate economic activities and create jobs. The Vice President reiterated government’s determination to raise revenue internally to fund the budget which would include expansion of VAT coverage but not through VAT rate increase. He said at the present 20 per cent VAT coverage, the Federal Government intended to improve the cov-

erage to boost the country’s tax revenues. The Vice President told the delegation that the federal government was focused on finding solutions to the economic situation including through building infrastructure and diversifying the economy, especially through agriculture, adding that the government is also focusing on creating an enabling environment for business and investments in the country. The delegation was led by former Minister of Industry, Chief

ECOWAS’ CET is waning local pharmaceutical firms’ productivity –May & Baker boss 28

Mrs. Nike Akande, who declared the Chamber’s support for government’s current war against corruption. She called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to find a foreign exchange regime that would boost the confidence of investors and remove uncertainly. Also yesterday, Osinbajo received a delegation from the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, and commended the contributions of the telecom operators to the economy.

ice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said the plan by the Federal Government to raise a $25 billion Infrastructural Fund from the global community and establish long term bankable projects was gaining attraction. According to him, some sovereign wealth funds and other nations are interested in the plan. A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, quoted the Vice President as making the disclosure during a meeting with a delegation of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, that paid him a courtesy call in his office. Explaining the idea of the fund to the delegation, Osinbajo said the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, which manages the country’s sovereign wealth fund, was leading the project adding that the fund would create opportunity for commercial partners to participate in the building of the nation’s infrastructures alongside the federal government. According to him, this would be done through the establishment of bankable projects that would involve such commercial part- Executive Chairman FIRS, Tunde Fowler, (Left) and Senator Ita Eno, Chairman Senate Committee on ners. Finance at the FIRS Corporate Strategic Retreat held in Abuja yesterday.

to launch new course on Virgin Atlantic slashes Nigerian travellers’ fares CTO spectrum auction by 50% during Valentine T

Olusegun KOiKi

ne of the two British carriers operating into Nigeria is offering special fares sales to its loyal customers in the country for the forthcoming Valentine celebration later this month. The Marketing and Communications Manager, Virgin Atlantic, Mrs. Kudirat Scott-Igbene in a statement issued in Lagos said that the airline is offering passengers 50 per cent discount fares this period. Scott-Igbene hinted that the airline is offering two discounted fares to help connect the hopelessly romantic. She disclosed that tickets for the promo were open till Sunday February 14, 2016 while travel was valid for flights between now and March 24 and then April 11 until 14 June. She said: “If you are separated from your

loved one by land or sea, fly to them in style from $1, 316. This special rate offers a 15 per cent discount and is available when buying one return ticket to London in Premium Economy class. “Alternatively, spoil your loved one with a 50 per cent discount on the second ticket when you buy two Premium Economy class return tickets to London. The total cost of the two tickets combined is from $2, 320 leaving enough for a romantic dinner for two during your romantic break away. “While some say distance makes the heart grow fonder, actually being and spending quality time with the object of your desire is always so much better. Connecting people is our business and that’s why we’ve put together these special Valentine’s offers”, Adrian Bird, Virgin Atlantic Country Manager West Africa.”

he critical factors for successful spectrum auctions will be examined in a new CTO training course taking place in May 2016, the just published January edition of e-COMMONWEALTH by the global body has indicated. According to the publication, the course will be led CTO Secretary-General, Shola Taylor and will also include a number of experts with practical experience in spectrum management. Taylor is a spectrum management expert and the former Chairman of the ITU Radio Regulations Board, who has been elected by the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference as a Member of the Radio Regulations Board in 2002 and 2006 and as Chairman and Vice Chairman in 2005 and 2004 respectively. Conducted in a highly interactive manner, the course will examine a number of spectrum auction case studies from different regions of the world with participants taking part in mock auctions to gain firsthand experience.

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

Dana Air 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, February 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ECOWAS’ CET is waning local pharmaceutical As many manufacturing groups’ leaders have claimed in recent months, the current foreign exchange regime appears to be worsening the capacities of imported raw material-dependent companies to optimize their operations, In this interview with Johnson Okanlawon, the Managing Director of one of the nation’s major pharmaceutical companies, May and Baker, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, speaks on the scarcity of foreign exchange, poor infrastructure and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), amongst other challenges constraining manufacturers in the country. Excerpts:

ould you explain how operating environment in the country affects the pharmaceutical industry?

Today, despite all the headwinds, things to do with the fall in the price of crude oil, the impacts on our foreign reserves and the nonavailability of foreign exchange, we believe that Nigerian market still remains very attractive. As I am speaking to you, I am not sure that I will run my factory because I am not able to access forex to buy the raw materials. It is as bad as that. But notwithstanding, we believe that Nigerian market remains very attractive because of the size, huge population made up of many young people. Over 75 per cent of our population are young people and, of course, growing at the rate that is higher than most of the countries in the world. Nigeria has the Okafor biggest economy in Africa, following the rebasing of $510billion. So, everything is going for us and we believe that, in spite of some of the issues or problems we are having, we have an economy blood pressure and all of that. As bad as that can really create value if we do the they may be, they present opportunities right things. But one thing that is particu- for us in this business. But, looking at the larly worrisome to us is the recent trend of industry, we would say that it is highly unour regulators who, we think, are holding fairly competitive. Unfairly in the sense us with fines that can send us out of busi- that those of us manufacturing are having ness. We are really worried that because a raw deal, if we were just importing and anybody can just hold you and send you marketing, you will be surprised that is out of business. But apart from that, we easier. It is easy to go to India or China and think we have a good environment to do bring in some goods. And sometimes, what you are bringing in may not be up to the business. standards of what you would do if you are Could you describe the structure of operating locally. Then you get some sharp Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market to- guys to do some advert materials for you. It may be funny. Nigerians want cheap prodday? ucts. And for some products, even when Looking at the pharmaceutical market, they do not work, they (Nigerians) do not we basically compete in two major mar- know that the products are not working. kets; the pharma market and the noodles So, they keep buying them and pay. But, of market. Both markets, I will say, are attrac- course, somebody needs to mark marching tive, growing at double digits. The noodles market is growing at about 17 per cent, and the pharma market at 11 to13 per cent. So, both markets are growing and they are big. Pharma market, in particular, holds a lot of potentials because, today, most Nigerians buy their drugs out of pockets. And that is an opportunity for those of us who are targeting private markets. Once the economy is doing well, we can do a lot to add value to the company. A lot of disease issues: a lot of people are very sedentary- they eat the wrong stuff; no exercises- and they can end up with chronic diseases like diabetes, high

in Nigeria; somebody needs to create jobs. We have chosen to take that path. We are not regretting it. We hope that, even with that, we should be able to deliver decent earnings for the shareholders. One other thing I want to talk about is the new ECOWAS Common External Tariffs (CET). The policy is such that it has made importation rewarding. It is rewarding importation and punishing local production. This is an anomaly in the sense that it makes production of drugs in Nigeria more expensive than the imported ones. If you are importing pharmaceuticals into Nigeria, you would pay zero CET. But if you are bringing in raw materials for production, you would pay 20 per cent. So we have gone to the government, and said this is not in line with what we should

Looking at the industry, we wouLd say that it is highLy unfairLy competitive. unfairLy in the sense

that those of us manufacturing are having a raw deaL, if we were just importing and marketing, you wiLL be surprised that is easier. it is easy to go to india or

china and bring in some goods. and sometimes, what you are bringing in may not be up to the standards of what you wouLd do if you are operating LocaLLy

be doing when you said you were not earning enough foreign exchange. At the time the government is talking about creating jobs; at the time government’s foreign exchange earnings are dropping and we are struggling to keep the Naira value, it does not make sense, whatsoever, to encourage people who are importing over those who are creating value. Do you feel recapitalization of pharmaceutical companies is crucial to tackling the challenges in the industry? We clearly have plans to recapitalise. Of course, that is the major thing we need to do to turn the business to the level of profitability that we‘ll truly be having. In 2013, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), we got the approval of the shareholders to raise equity of N3.2billion. We have not been able to activate this because of a couple of constraints or issues. First of all, our current paid up capital is too low. So it is a bit difficult looking at the regulatory constraints or limitations to bring in enough money. We are also concerned about our current shareholders because the current price of our share is so low that selling at this time will really mean diluting them. Sometimes, when I look at the share price, I wonder what is happening. I feel, knowing what I know, that our share

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

firms’ productivity –May & Baker boss deserves a lot more, in terms of pricing and investment, than the present. I feel that either we do not have investors who are looking at our potentials-who are investing strategically- or that we, as a company, are not keeping them informed of what we are doing here. It is either of the two. Some of the companies in our category that have higher share price do not have the kind of facilities that we have. And I hope that the movers and shakers of the capital market will pass on the message. Again, we are talking to see how we can get some kind of agreements to be able to bring in the kind of money we need now. Of course, we do not just need partners that will bring cash because we already have people within Nigeria who want to throw in money, but we want to have partners that have some technologies to bring because that will complement our strategy to move forward. But we are making some good progress because we have been able to identify about two or three companies that fit that definition that we are talking to. I hope that before the end of first half of the year, we should be able to reach a deal. So, basically, out turnaround strategy is centered around recapitalising the business because once you do that, we believe we will compete more aggressively. We have some very nice brands that we have plans to promote, but we can’t promote them because we don’t have the money. Of course, we have other plans we have to put in abeyance because we do not have resources to activate that plan. We also intend to build international partnerships because we want to get away from the red ocean syndrome; most companies in Nigeria in the pharma space are playing at generic level. So we want to get away from that and do some specific on specialized products. And to do that, we need to work with partners that have the technical competence. That factory (Pharma Centre) has a lot of potentials to bring in money for us. We have some donor agencies that bring in money for some disease conditions like HIV/ AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. And every year, in fact, this year, the projection is that they would bring in a minimum of about $1billion. So, most of us here are not accessing that money because we do not have WHO pre-qualification. So we believe that with this factory, we should be able to access that money. How old is your company and what will you regard as its major achievements so far? May & Baker is the oldest pharmaceutical company to be incorporated in Nigeria in 1924 as May & Baker West Africa, which was an outpost of May & Baker UK. And what the company was doing then was basically the distribution of products that were manufactured overseas by different companies to Nigerian and West African markets. We brought western medicine to Nigeria. May & Baker was the company that introduced Nigerians to western medicine, being the first to introduce antimalaria drug. As at that time, if you had malaria, there was nothing to treat you

At the time the government is tAlking About creAting jobs; At the time government’s foreign exchAnge eArnings Are dropping And

we Are struggling to keep the nAirA vAlue, it

does not mAke sense, whAtsoever, to encourAge people who Are importing over those who Are creAting vAlue apart from the local concoctions. We are also first to introduce anti-infections. We were also among the first to introduce antiretroviral drugs, the medicine used to treat HIV/AIDS. And of course, talking about diversification, we were the first to do it in the industry. We have an industry that is very conservative. So, for anybody to make the move to do something different was difficult at the time. We were also the first to delve into distribution of vaccines. Today, we are talking about local production of vaccines. We were among the first to get WHO certification and facility in Nigeria. We keep on moving. We have already set some clear goals for the future. We got quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1994; we were 20 years last year. We were the only company, at the Pharma stage, to have won NSE President’s award for Best Performing Company in the Healthcare sector six times. In 2002, following adverse environment in Nigeria at the time, most multinational companies had to leave Nigeria. And at that point, our parent company had to leave too. So we became a wholly indigenous company and we have to restructure our business. We thought it was time to diversify, and we commenced investments in the fast-moving consumer goods segment. We, first of all, set up a plant to do table water and another plant to do noodles. So looking at our business generally, like I said, food and pharmaceutical business contribute about 70 percent of our revenue and more than 80 percent of our gross value. That business is growing at about eight per cent or thereabout. But for this year, we believe it should be doing double digits.The food business, actually, has a very rapid growth because I think that the noodles segment is big and it is growing. So it has higher growth rate. But the problem is that it is very competitive. And they rare all competing based on price. So the margins are very slim. That actually brings down the overall profitability of the company. If we are operating as a pharma company, we would have made much better margin than we are making with food. So, let me just take you through our revenue trend in the last couple of years. Between 2009 and 2011.In 2008, there was not much growth. But from 2011 to 2014, we had a very decent growth, double digit.; Compounded growth rate of about 9 percent. But You will notice that as from 2012 to 2014, our profitability has dropped and we had struggled indeed to make profit. This is why: In 2012, we commissioned

PharmaCentre. And with that commissioning, you find out that the depreciation doubled from 2006 to N420million because we threw in that investment on that side. We had to take additional N200 and something million in depreciation. Of course, the same trend with debt service. So both factors and IFRS that was introduced in 2012 were really the challenges that we had because we had to take a lot of provisions and all that. But when you look at EBITDA, you will see that intrinsically, the company is profitable. If you take away those factors, you have a very solid growth. And what it says is that this company has the potentials to make money.

How do you see May & Baker’s outlook in the nation’s pharmaceuticals market? We have some big dreams for this business. The Pharma Centre, Ota, will be the

Okafor

future home of May & Baker, it is on 25 acres of land. We have acquired another five across the road. We intend to also acquire more. So in the next 20 to 30 years, it will become a May & Baker village. We are looking at building a mega company that is truly diversified. That is why we are making investments in some segments of the economy. We want to have a company that is not just a pharma company but a healthcare company. So in future, we might begin to make investments on things like workout business because we believe that lifestyle and preventive healthcare are also very critical. We want to build a very strong sub-Saharan Africa brand because we have seen a big opportunity that there are no big players in Africa. And we have set aside on being that company that will be local but widely acclaimed. And of course, by the time we achieve that, it would be a pride for the country. We have good regulation in Nigeria, people believe we make good drugs and people want to patronize us. The business is growing and we have potentials to even grow more. We are now getting the technical depth, which is very important for sustainability. With WHO pre-qualification certification that we are pursuing, we are building competence in Research and Development (R & D). The products that we are pre-qualifying was formulated and developed by our people. We didn’t get anybody from outside to do it for us. So, we are building that technical depth. We believe those are the things that will differentiate us from the pack.

Business News

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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Oil prices slump ‘ll not derail 2016 budget implementation –Udoma TOla aKinmuTimi

he Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, yesterday assured Nigerians and other stakeholders in the Nigerian economy that the sustained falling oil prices in the international market would not undermine the implementation of the 2016 budget by the Federal Government. A statement by the ministry’s Director (Information), Mr Charles Dafe, quoted Senator Udoma as giving the assurance when top delegation of the African Development Bank visited his ministry and engaged him in discussion on critical areas which Nigeria requires assistance from the bank. On the capacity of Nigeria funding the N6.08 trillion budget in the face of declining oil price, the minister said that “Our budget is achievable, we have ongoing reforms targeted at diversifying our revenue base, away from single oil commodity economy. “Our Minister for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu, is assiduously applying innovative financing

in his oil sector to address any likely revenue gab from our projected or anticipatedN820 billion from oil. Other reforms are the plugging of leakages through zero tolerance for corruption application of sound public financial collection system such will provide a wide coverage for VAT and personal income other taxes collection”, he added. Udoma explained that the 30 per cent of the budget allocated to capital projects was critical for the stimulation of economic development, adding that his ministry will proactively plan, advise and monitor all matters relating to national development and ensure that vital developmental policies are properly implemented by all relevant stakeholders. In her remarks, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, corroborated the minister’s position on the nation’s capacity to fund the 2016 budget. She said: “Presently, we are experiencing different kind of shocks, naira depreciation, oil

Lagos Airport limousine operators rue armed robbery incidents Olusegun KOiKi

imousine operators at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos have raised the alarm over increasing spate of armed robbery incidents at the airport. This is also as no fewer than 15 illegal cab operators were apprehended at the airport in the first month of the year. The operators linked the increasing rate of robbery at the airport to illegal cab operators. Speaking with airport journalists on Monday at MMA, the Secretary of the body, Mr. Lookmon Oladipupo , alleged that illegal cab operators on the route were fond duping and robbing unsuspecting travellers of their valuables. Oladipupo purported further that military men and some police officers were involved in the dastardly act of using unregistered and unpainted cabs to operate on the airport roads. He lamented that on several occasions, members of the limousine task force were beaten up by the illegal operators with the backing of uniform men whenever they attempted to stop the illegal operators from operating on the road.

He said the activities of these illegal operators had battered the image of the limousine operators at the airports especially in Lagos, adding that these operators were fast becoming security threat to the registered operators. Oladipupo explained that the illegal cab operators posed as genuine operators to rob unsuspecting passengers, revealing that 15 unpainted cab operators were apprehended early January by the union. While appealing to passengers to always board the blue painted airport vehicles to avoid being duped, Oladipupo urged the Military Airport Commandant and the Airport Police Commissioner to come to their aid by cautioning their men from operating illegal cabs on the airport routes. He equally wanted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to extend the renewal processes of their vehicles from one year to two years. He posited that this would enable them meet up with the hire purchase agreement reached with vehicle owners. About 100 registered limousine vehicles are currently operating on the Ikeja- NAHCOAirport routes.

drops, infrastructure decay, substantial monies from recoveries of looted funds was not factored in as sources of revenue and such would also be utilized for development projects. “Also, we are counting on assistance from other develop-

mental partners like African Development Banks to access N1.8 trillion loan needed for Nigeria’s infrastructural development. Assistance is also required in our 2016 – 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF) and the National

sustainable development Goals (SDG)” Ahmed maintained The Country Director of the African Development Bank, Mr. Ousmane Dore, commended Nigeria’s 2016 budget, describing it as a very good and ambitious budget.

L-R: Mr. Grama Narasimhan, Executive Director, Sterling Bank; Mr. Rajesh Mehta, MD/CEO, The Bazaar Limited and Mrs. Eniola Obe, Business Executive, Ikeja Sterling Bank Plc at the opening of a new Retail outlet by Bazaar Limited in Lagos last weekend.

Airtel offers support to ailing Okereke isaiah erhiawarien

irtel Nigeria has given succour to one Mr. Stanley Okerere, who was struck by an unknown sickness that has left him paralysed amidst serious financial hardship confronting his family. A former driver with an oil and gas company in Lagos, Okereke has been battling with the ailment about two years ago. When the sickness started, his company had intervened but the situation did not improve and he did not get much help from extended family and friends. Okereke’s wife, Josephine, lovingly had to attend to him every hour and at the same time fend for the family. There was no money to get medication or to constantly keep food on the family’s table. Worse still, their seven year old daughter dropped out of school due to financial challenges. Moved with pity, Okereke’s neighbour, Mrs. Funmi Samson, a nurse,nominated the Okereke family for the Airtel Touching Lives intervention. Also in the same episode, a follow-up of the Telco’s support for the Akinbami community located at Iwo road Osun state was aired. In the Season 1 of the Airtel Touching Lives programme, the leading telecoms operator partnered with the Guidance Community Development Foundation and the Akinbami community to build an ultra-modern clinic in the community, providing access to quality health care services for

residents of the village. For many years, pregnant women in the village had no access to healthcare and antenatal services, thereby increasing the risks of birth complications and deaths. Also, preventable diseases such as malaria, fever and snake bites keep claiming many lives of people in the village as villagers had no access to healthcare services. One of the women in the community who lost her grandchild,

recently, said that “if there was a hospital within the community, probably my grandchild and many other children who have died in the village would not have died.” Guidance Community Development Foundation, an NGO committed to assisting rural communities with access to healthcare services, during the course of their work in rural communities, learnt of the appalling situation in Akinbami.

No decision yet on OPEC, non-OPEC meeting

wo delegates of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, yesterday confirmed that it had not yet schedule any talks with Russia and other non-OPEC countries aimed at supporting oil prices. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was open to further cooperation in the oil market with OPEC and non-OPEC countries. The prospect of supply restraint by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and rivals has helped oil prices rise above $32 a barrel from a 12year low close to $27 last month, despite widespread scepticism that a deal will happen. OPEC delegates have previously suggested OPEC and nonOPEC could hold talks in February or March. But no date has been scheduled, and one delegate said OPEC did not have a common view on the aim of such a meeting.

“There is nothing from OPEC yet. It is not fixed,” an OPEC delegate said, who added that expert-level OPEC meetings with non-members held in 2015 did not result in supply cuts. “We had two meetings before. The two sides discussed the market, but there were no concrete steps.” A second OPEC delegate said there was little point in OPEC holding a meeting with nonOPEC until OPEC itself had agreed a common position. For example, Iran, after the lifting of Western sanctions, wants to recover market share, a source familiar with the matter said last week, not cut output. “Some of them, OPEC member-countries, are not sure what we are going to do in this meeting with non-OPEC,” the delegate said. “If the meeting takes place without results, we’ll have a big problem with the market, the price will go down.”

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Business News

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NCC cautions telcos on customers’ airtime deductions IsaIah ErhIawarIEn

he Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has warned mobile network operators against arbitrary deductions from the airtime of consumers, saying that it will no longer spare erring telecoms company in defending the rights of customers. Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, at an international media conference in Lagos, while presenting his eight point agenda for the industry promised consumers that it will ensure strict compliance in the monitoring and enforcement for the actualisation of its regulatory functions. Danbatta said that the Commission would no longer condone the sending of unsolicited text

message to subscribers. The eight point agenda are to: Facilitate broadband penetration, Improve quality of service, Optimize usage and benefit of spectrum, Promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities, Facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership, Protection and empower consumers, Promote fair competition and inclusive growth and Ensure regulatory excellence and operational efficiency. According to Danbatta, the NCC will be firm in its protection of the consumer and empower them with information that will enable them take informed decision noting that it ensure a competitive market for communications services that foster fair inclusion of all actors. He disclosed that part of its

Pfizer 2016 forecasts disappoint; shares fall

.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc on Tuesday forecast 2016 revenue and earnings below analysts’ estimates, largely because of the strong dollar. The company’s shares fell 1.5 percent to $29.70 even though soaring Prevnar pneumonia vaccine sales led to a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter. Pfizer, which plans to buy Botox maker Allergan Inc later this year in a $160 billion deal, said it expected earnings of $2.20 to $2.30 per share in 2016. That would not be much different from $2.20 reported for 2015 and below Wall Street forecasts of $2.36. Evercore ISI analyst Mark Schoenebaum said Pfizer attributed its cautious 2016 forecast largely to the stronger dollar, which hurts the value of sales outside the United States. Pfizer forecast 2016 revenue of $49 billion to $51 billion, up from $48.9 billion in 2015 but shy of Wall Street expectations of $52.49 billion. The company’s forecasts do not include the planned purchase of Allergan in the second half of the year. Revenue rose 7 percent to $14.05 billion in the fourth quarter, ahead of the average analyst estimate of $13.56 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Global vaccine revenue rose 45 percent to $1.92 billion, with sales of Prevnar 13 doubling in the United States. Pfizer said Prevnar benefited from increased use by adults and the timing of government purchases of the product for children. Pfizer’s net income fell to $613 million, or 10 cents per share, from $1.23 billion, or 19 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding special items, the

company earned 53 cents per share, topping the analysts’ average estimate of 52 cents. Pfizer said on Nov. 23 that it would buy Allergan to slash its U.S. tax bill and obtain faster-growing medicines. The combined company would be based in Dublin and have an expected tax rate of 17 percent to 18 percent by 2017, well below Pfizer’s current corporate tax rate of about 25 percent. Allergan shares are trading at about a 17 percent discount to their value under the all-stock deal as some investors still fear the U.S. government could stop the tax-inversion deal. (Source – Reuters.com)

agenda is to encourage innovations that will facilitate new investment, create jobs and give consumers satisfaction competitively but warned that it will not hesitate to use enforcement to protect telecoms services consumer as right and privilege. Concerning its strategy to im-

prove quality of services across all networks, he said that all barriers to smooth operations in the industry will be removed by strengthening measures for quality of services regulation, through improved oversight, internal controls and facilitation of active infrastructure sharing.

Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, (left) receiving disease control materials from the FAO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Louise Setshwaelo, on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja last week.

FG verifies N72bn states’ intervention claims on federal roads

n order to ascertain the actual spending of state governors on some federal roads, government has commenced nationwide tours. The first point of call by the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Shehuri were major project sites in the South East zone of the country.

Some of the states visited for the verification exercise include Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia States. A breakdown of the visited projects intervened by the states revealed that Enugu State has completed 17 road and bridge projects, while Anambra and Ebonyi have done 13 each and Abia, 11.

EU targets reinsurance arrangements

He said that work had reached advanced stage for the licensing of additional infracos for the remaining five zones, noting that the NCC is poised towards facilitating and support availability of broadband services by promoting deployment of universally available, fast and reliable network infrastructure.

he EU’s anti-base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) proposals could have consequences for captives in Europe, as politicians pinpoint reinsurance arrangements as a means of unfair tax avoidance. The European Commission introduced a range of anti-tax avoidance proposals on 28 January, following the release of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s global BEPS standards last year. Under the proposals, which are made up of legislative proposals and revisions, as well as tax treaty recommendation, the EU will introduce a controlled foreign company (CFC) rule that aims to deter profit shifting to no or low tax countries. According to a European Commission document explaining the CFC rule: “The CFC rule will be triggered if the effective tax rate in the third country is less than 40 percent of that of the member state in question. The company will be given a tax credit for any taxes that it did pay abroad. This will ensure that profits are effectively taxed, at the tax rate of the member state in which they were generated.” The document uses the example of an insurance company that has its headquarters in an EU mem-

ber state to illustrate how the CFC rule would work. “It sets up a reinsurance company as a subsidiary in a no tax third country. The insurance company makes inflated premium payments to the offshore reinsurance company, thereby reducing its taxable profits in the EU member state. The payments that the reinsurance company receives are not taxed either, because of the third country’s zero rate.” “With the proposed CFC rule, the EU member state can tax the insurance company’s profits as though they had not been shifted to the no-tax country, thereby ensuring effective taxation at the tax rate of the Member State concerned.” The anti-tax avoidance package also includes proposals to improve transparency between EU member states and ways to protect tax treaties against abuse. Commenting on the anti-tax avoidance proposals, which must still pass the European Parliament and Council, European Commission vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said: “People have to trust that the tax rules apply equally to all individuals and businesses. Companies must pay their fair share of taxes, where their actual economic activity is taking place.”

The total amount being claimed by the States is about N72 Billion. In each of the state visited, Shehuri emphasised the need for collaboration with the Federal Government in delivering quality infrastructure to Nigerians, adding that the Federal Government is willing to settle genuine debt owed the states. The Minister of State who expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done, reiterated that in reaching its final conclusion for the re-imbursement, said the Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola would further rely on the integrity test reports conducted on the various projects by Highway Engineers from the Ministry. While in Akwa, Anambra State, Shehuri paid a courtesy call on governor Willie Obiano, where he disclosed his mission as that of “Coming to see and verify claims by the State for intervention on Federal road and bridges projects with a view to reporting back to the Inter-Ministerial Committee”. He assured the State Government of Federal Government’s resolve to refund claims on all verified projects. The Anambra State Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke told the Minister that their intervention was not because the State had enormous

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Commerce & Industry

Assessing options for achieving Nigeria’s industrial potential for devt Nigeria for over six decades of nationhood has continued to exhibit latent strategic inadequacies required to transform her from a commodity-exporting country to an industrial hub in global economic order, despite the country’s huge natural and human resource endowments. In this analysis, ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, takes a critical look at the issues constraining the nation’s industrial plan’s implementation and how to navigate round them to translate the industrial potential to national socio-economic benefits.

n the 6,000 years recorded history of man, four major revolutions have dramatically impacted the socio-economic life of man. Agricultural Revolution was the first and took place in 1789, followed by Industrial Revolution in 1900, the Social Service Revolution came in 1950, while the recent Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Revolution happened in 1986. It is on record also that Africa did not play any role in any of the revolutions. In Nigeria, people have been agitating for industrial revolution having identified the challenges facing the industrial sector in the country. The major problem confronting the economy of the Nigeria according to the experts was power. They noted that the persistent epileptic power supply in the country has forced some companies out of the shore of the country and many others out of business. The former Director General of Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, NACCIMA, John Isemede identifiedunfavourable working environment brought about by government policies, high taxation, lack of infrastructure and incentives as inimical to the industrial sector. He also pointed out that the economy of the country started declining when the country totally shifted attention away from agriculture and concentrated solely on oil. Stakeholders have been calling for serious positive changes in the sector especially when it was ranked one of the poorest country by World Bank and lowest among the easy-to-do-business

Palm karnel processing machine

Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Okechukwu Enelama

President of MAN, Jacobs

THE NIRP IS THE FLAGSHIP INDUSTRIALISATION PROGRAMME EVER EMBARKED UPON BY THIS COUNTRY. IT WILL FAST-TRACK INDUSTRIALISATION, ACCELERATE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOB CREATION, TRANSFORM NIGERIA’S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND STOP THE DRAIN ON OUR FOREIGN RESERVES CAUSED BY IMPORTING WHAT WE CAN PRODUCE LOCALLY countries in the world. In order to achieve a significant revolution in the economic development of the country, the Federal Government came up with various initiatives including the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, which was initiated through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. With the initiative, the government had planned to see a turning point in

industrial sector, while targeting to boost the annual revenue to be earned per annum by manufacturing sector up to N5 trillion as well as set the stage for a new era of Industrial, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises development in Nigeria. “The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan and the National Enterprise Development Programme will help to fast track the attainment of these goals. They are targeted at transforming Nigerian businesses and changing the lives of the ordinary people. It will accelerate inclusive growth and job creation and save the drain on our reserve caused by importing what we can produce locally. “The NIRP is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country. It will fast-track industrialisation, accelerate inclusive economic growth, job creation, transform Nigeria’s business environment and stop the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce locally,” the former President Goodluck Jonathan had said at the launch of the scheme. The National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, NCCN, was also created through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to achieve

similar economic objective; to turn around the economy for better especially in the aspect of image of Nigerian products at the international market. The council was saddled with the responsibility of creating competitive economic environment in the country. The Chief Executive Officer of the scheme, Chika Mordi promised that the Council would take all efforts with support of all stakeholders and private business ownership to influence any unfavourable government’s policy on economy, and work towards revolutionising the Nigerian economy. “To be successful and for the NCCN to meet its targets over the next four years, we have identified three broad areas for intervention which include, reformation of public and private institutions, including infrastructures, technological readiness, human capital (health, education, skills and training); benchmarking with international comparators on enhancing our national competitive strategy; and liaising with the World Economic Forum and other similar organisations in learning best practices for enhancing national competitiveness,” he said. Meanwhile, experts believe that the two initiatives were the right ones only if they would be restructured to be more proactive in achieving the objective of their creation. While urging the government to identify the real problems militating against the progress of the economy, industrialist said that economic revolution could not be achieved if the government refused to properly address all the identified problems. They also disclosed that Nigerian economy might remain undeveloped without proper diversification through agriculture, which is believed to offer the country competitive advantage. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quintas Renewable Energy Solutions Ltd, Dr. Omotayo Dairo, who also noted upcoming revolution in the renewable energy urged the country to leverage on it as a drive to its economic revolution. He said, “It is sad to note that Africa did not play any role in any of the revolutions. It is our hope that we would not exclude ourselves from the oncoming renewable energy revolution.”

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EnergyWeek Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Shell oil supply grew by 1.6m in 2015 –BP 36

Global energy demand to rise by 25% –Exxon Mobil 35

Assessing options for achieving Nigeria’s industrial potential for devt. 32

Appraising piecemeal passage of PIB for industry’s growth, other benefits The Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB has remained at the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly for close to a decade such that today several versions of the Bill are available even in the public domain. Worried by the worrisome delay the passage of the Bill has experienced in the Legislature, some industry analysts are canvassing the piecemeal passage of the provisions of the Bill such that its potential benefits for the economy are lost outrightly. UDEME AKPAN, reports.

any stakeholders were of high expectations when President Goodluck Jonathan sent the reviewed version of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, to the National Assembly in 2015, several years after the initial Bill was sent but could not sail through the rigours of legislative vetting and modifications.

Specifically, the expectations were that the PIB, capable of leading to increased investments, aggressive oil and gas exploration, additional production and revenue generation in the nation’s hydrocarbon resources industry would be passed into law before the end of the last administration. The passage of the Bill iss also expected to crystallize into improved local content, technology development and capacity building in the capital intensive sector. Incidentally, these were for the umpteenth time dashed because of apparent delay in deliberations upon the Bill fueled by many factors, especially disagreement over some clauses and sections of the PIB. For instance, some International Oil Companies, IOCs, had argued that the tax provisions in the PIB were ‘uncompetitive’, stressing that they were capable of stifling investment and making offshore oil and gas projects unviable. They had also argued that the former editions of PIB did not quite take local

National Assembly, Abuja

business challenges into consideration as well as the impact on existing investments. Specifically, the former Country Chair of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu had noted: “What we have seen of the draft PIB to date does not indicate a bill that fits these criteria. And this is the opinion not only of the major players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, but, as I mentioned earlier, industry analysts as well. “What we have seen and what we know of the current draft PIB requires significant improvement to secure Nigeria’s competitiveness, and attract the required level of investment to enable exploration to increase Nigeria’s reserves and then foster development of the projects to monetise them. “The PIB will likely render all deepwater projects and all dry gas projects

– whether for domestic or export markets – non-viable, added that many opportunities will be lost. The Country Chair who noted that the opportunity to monetise some of the world’s best gas reserves will be lost also stated that the opportunity to kick start the power sector – “the key to economic growth – using easily accessible gas will also be lost the PIB needs to address long term industry issues, including joint venture funding, particularly as funding requirements have constrained production growth in the industry” he added Sunmonu had indicated that the nation needed a strong national oil company, capable of partnering with others to enhance its competitiveness. According to him, while the economy in general is on the path of diversification it should not be denied that the

The slump in oil prices, weakening of The naira and The depleTion of nigeria’s foreign reserves, caused by nigeria’s conTinued dependence on oil for more Than 90 per cenT of governmenT revenues, has increased The need for governmenT To remove The uncerTainTies caused by The delays in passing The pib

oil and gas sector remains the driver of this process providing not only the funds to enable the diversification but also the gas that could and should be used to regenerate the power sector to provide reliable electricity which is the backbone of industrial growth. These and other sharp disagreements on what should be provided for in the Bill, like those before it, scuttled the making of progress in the former PIB. The development has continued to result to low investment, gross reduction in oil and gas exploration, low reserves, retrenchment and local content stagnation in the oil and gas industry. But hope is not completely lost as the President Buhari-led administration has heeded the wise counsel of experts to pass the PIB in series. In other words, the PIB has now been split into a series of bills that unbundle the controversial fiscal provisions from the non-fiscal components, which the government hopes will ease its passage through parliament. The first in the series is the 45-page Petroleum Industry Governance and Institutional Framework Bill, PINGIF which has no controversial issues whatsoever. If the passage of the PINGIF becomes a reality, Buhari, who served CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Appraising piecemeal passage of PIB for industry’s growth, other benefits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

as Chairman of the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation, NNPC in the 1970’s, will oversee the break-up of the NNPC and transfer of its responsibilities to successor entities. Under the PINGIF, the Corporation will be replaced by two new entities (as opposed to the numerous companies previously proposed in the PIB): a National Petroleum Company, NOC will be created to operate as a fully commercial entity which will be partly privatised, with at least 30per cent share capital to be divested to the public in a ‘transparent manner’ within six years of its incorporation; and a Nigerian Petroleum Assets Management Company, NPAM which will be created to own and manage petroleum assets on behalf of the government. More than that, the PINGIF legislates for the creation of a new industry regulatory body to be known as the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NPRC. The NPRC would oversee oil licencing rounds as well as the renewal and cancellation of licences. It has powers to execute many functions, including the power to require licensees and permit holders to publish particular information relating to petroleum operations where it considers it to be in the public interest and, through the NPRC Special Investigation Unit, the power to arrest without warrant any person who is found committing an offence under the PINGIF. The body is also expected to ensure that, its decisions must be in writing, contain the basis for the decision and be accessible to the public; which will assist with accountability. Unlike the previous PIB drafts, the PINGIF removes ministerial powers on board appointments which will now be made by the Nigerian president and confirmed by the senate. Expectedly, he PINGIF has attracted some comments of many observers. For instance, the Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, observed in a telephone interview that the new approach would reduce conflict among stakeholders such as IOCs, indigenous companies and host communities. Yusuf projected that the passage of the Bill would translate to benefits in the oil and gas industry which will now have a new document to stimulate the development of the industry much earlier than previously envisaged. The LCCI boss pointed out that the expected increased investment would culminate in the making of new oil and gas finds and adding of additional reserves in addition to its multiplier effects on employment generation, training and capacity building of personnel. The Executive Director, Spaces for Change, Mrs. Victoria Ohaeri noted that the expected early passage would assist to put new structures and institutions in the industry. She maintained

Buhari

Saraki

that such institutions and structures would also likely eliminate duplication of efforts as well as bring about efficiency and accountability than in the past. Ohaeri noted that these expectations would not likely manifest without the political will of stakeholders, especially the Federal Government and operators. However, another source who preferred not to be named indicated that the Bill is the first step on a long road to reforming, and restoring investor confidence in, the Nigerian oil and gas sector. According to him, the slump in oil prices, weakening of the Naira and the depletion of Nigeria’s foreign reserves, caused by Nigeria’s continued dependence on oil for more than 90 per cent of government revenues, has increased the need for government to remove the uncertainties caused by the delays in passing the PIB. “Uncertainty remains around taxation and fiscal reform which has not been addressed in the current draft of the PINGIF.

“However, this is expected to be addressed in the next piece of draft legislation. While there are concerns that the draft legislation does not go far enough, the hope is that the PINGIF is a step in the right direction towards greater certainty, transparency and accountability and will unlock much needed further investment into the sector,” he added. Already, the Minister of State for Petroleum Ministry, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has explained that the PIB which had been pending before the National Assembly in the last seven years requires extensive engagements with all stakeholders to iron out all grey areas. Kachikwu described the bill as an essential legislation which must be approached with all the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves. He indicated that the PIB was an essential piece of legislation which explains why a lot of engagement is required to address all the issues because the oil and gas environment has changed, adding that because of the volume of extensive consultation and time required to make the bill a workable document, it is only natural to kick

To achieve The objecTives of The bill, The NNPc has also exPressed iTs readiNess To work wiTh all sTakeholders such as oil aNd gas beariNg commuNiTies aNd oPeraTors To geT The bill Passed while also iNdicaTiNg iNTeresT To review various agreemeNTs wiTh oPeraTors iN liNe wiTh curreNT realiTies iN The global oil aNd gas iNdusTry

start the reforms in the industry with the existing laws while waiting for the eventual passage of the proposed law. Kachikwu explained: “The reform of the petroleum industry is key and it is an area where we are going to put a lot of focus. Transparency is key. Restructuring is key. Sometimes people don’t realize that the problem hasn’t been NNPC, it is a problem of political will to go forward and implement the outcome of researches and reports that had been done but fortunately for us this time around that is what the President has brought to the table. “He has strong political will to see this through. PIB is important, but we need to x-ray the issues. We need at least one year to get it back on track. The reality is that we cannot afford to wait any longer for change in the petroleum sector because of the delay in the passage of PIB, things have got to start happening and that’s exactly what we are doing,” he added. To achieve the objectives of the Bill, the NNPC has also expressed its readiness to work with all stakeholders such as oil and gas bearing communities and operators to get the bill passed while also indicating interest to review various agreements with operators in line with current realities in the global oil and gas industry. These include, the Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs, Joint Venture Contracts, JVCs and others put in place to define the Federal Government business relationships with operators. However, many Nigerians and other nationals whose hopes were raised and dashed in the past said they are waiting to see the actions that the government and others would deploy to achieve the plan in the coming months.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Global energy demand to rise by 25% – Exxon Mobil

Energy Week

STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

xxon Mobil has predicted that global energy demand will increase by 25 per cent between 2014 and 2040, as a result of population growth and economic expansion. The company indicated in its 2016 edition of The Outlook for Energy that energy efficiency gains and increased use of renewable energy sources and lower carbon fuels, such as natural gas, are expected to help reduce by half the carbon intensity of the global economy. It maintained that during the period, the world’s population will increase by about two billion people and emerging economies will continue to expand significantly. The company noted that most growth in energy demand will occur in developing nations that are not part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It disclosed that per capita income in those countries is likely to increase by 135 percent. The company observed that natural gas is expected to meet about 40 per cent of the growth in global energy needs and demand for the fuel will increase by 50 per cent. Nuclear and renewable energy sources – including bio-energy, hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar – are also likely to account for nearly 40 per cent of the growth in global energy demand by 2040. “ExxonMobil’s analysis and those of independent agencies confirms our long-standing view that all viable energy sources will be needed to meet in-

Oil rig

creasing demand,” said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation. “The Outlook for Energy is a useful resource to help understand future energy supply and demand, which can aid decisions by individuals, businesses and governments that together will affect the future of energy.” The outlook projects that global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions will peak around 2030 and then start to decline. Emissions in OECD nations are projected to fall by about 20 percent from 2014 to 2040. The Outlook for Energy is ExxonMobil’s long-range forecast developed by its economists, engineers and scientists through data-driven analysis. It examines energy supply and de-

mand trends for approximately 100 countries, 15 demand sectors and 20 different energy types. “Our forecast is used as a foundation for the company’s business strategies and to help guide multi-billion dollar investment decisions,” said William Colton, vice president of ExxonMobil Corporate Strategic Planning, which develops The Outlook for Energy. “For many years the outlook has taken into account policies established to reduce energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The climate accord reached at the recent COP 21 conference in Paris set many new goals, and while many related policies are still emerging, the outlook continues to anticipate that such policies will increase the cost of carbon dioxide emissions over time.”

NOA, NERC seal pact on energy conservation plan

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has entered into an agreement with National Orientation Agency, NOA to propagate energy conservation in the nation. The action of the agency is based on the expected benefits of energy conservation. NERC, which confirmed the development in a statement, indicated that the benefits include the reduction in electricity demand and usage, the reduction of carbon emissions, reduction in energy bills and decrease in the peak load by up to 60 percent. The Commission as the regulator for the electricity industry has responsibility to ensure that electricity consumers are aware of their rights, obligations and responsibilities. This responsibility will be carried out in conjunction with NOA, through the provi-

sion of timely and credible feedback mechanism which would bring about positive attitudinal change on demand side management, efficiency regarding electricity provision; and to mobilise customers to act in ways that would promote national development. This working agreement was the outcome of a courtesy call to the NOA’s headquarters by Ag, Chief Executive Officer of NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah, in company with senior management staff of the Commission as part of plan to collaborate with key stakeholders and opinion leaders. A Memorandum of Understanding had been signed by the two government agencies on collaborative effort to educate Nigerians on the benefits of Energy Saving and Conservation. Speaking at the occasion, Akah said that

power remained a critical sector that needed a strategic agency like NOA to broadcast information to Nigerians on positive government activities. “NOA is needed to assist to close the information gap as electricity customers are still not quite informed about their rights and obligation and about tariff, safety issues and on energy conservation’’ Akah added. He decried energy wastage, pointing out that customers’ waste energy when they leave light bulbs running in the day time. ‘’ We need to do an attitudinal campaign on this’’ Akah reiterated. On the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) Akah said that the planned take-off of the new tariff order on February 1, 2016 would result in infrastructural development in the sector and force service providers to be more efficient in providing power to all.

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

32.05

-1.57

-4.67%

11:33:18

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

34.72

-1.27

-3.53%

11:33:21

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

25,960.00

-600.00

-2.26%

11:32:45

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.15

-0.15

-6.48%

11:33:20

Source: Bloomberg as at February 1, 2016

“The tariff revisions are a result of a transparent, rigorous and credible rate review process. The tariff will lead to greater reliability in the provision of electricity, as more people will have access to the grid and the need for self-generation will be reduced. The tariff will stabilise the finances of the distribution companies and attract new investment to the sectors of the economy’’ Akah noted. According to Akah, distribution companies are required to provide better customer services in all aspects of their operation, and declared that excuses will not be tolerated. This is even as the Commission believes that the changes that would result from the tariff will be a major step in achieving safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity for all Nigerians. In his remarks, NOA’s DG, Mike Omeri, said that citizens must co-operate with government for a sustainable electricity industry. He also urged the Commission to sustain checks on the indifference of some operators in fulfilling their contractual agreements.

Energy Week

Kuwait, Nigeria enhance OPEC oil output

il halted its longest run of gains this year as Kuwait and Nigeria helped boost crude production from OPEC, exacerbating a global glut. Futures lost as much as 1.7 per cent in New York after earlier rising as much as 1.7 per cent. Output from the Organization of Bloomberg reported on Monday that the Petroleum Exporting Countries climbed to 33.11 million barrels a day in January as Iran pumped a further 60,000 barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The agency maintained that China’s purchasing managers index dropped to 49.4 in January, the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday. Numbers below 50 indicate deterioration. It disclosed that oil slid 9.2 per cent in January as volatility in global markets added to concern over brimming U.S. stockpiles and the outlook for increased exports from Iran after international sanctions were removed. Chevron Corp. posted a fourth quarter loss, its first since 2002, which may presage a wave of write downs as the other super-majors begin reporting results. Exxon Mobil Corp. and BP Plc are scheduled to report Tuesday. “Unless we begin to see some tangible news emerge on production cuts, we’re getting toward the limits of this rally,” Ric Spooner, a chief analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, said by phone. “Oil will struggle to get past $36.” West Texas Intermediate for March delivery dropped as much as 56 cents to $33.06 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $33.17 at 9:32 a.m. Hong Kong time. The contract climbed 40 cents to $33.62 a barrel on Friday to cap a 4.4 per cent weekly increase. Total volume traded was more than double the 100-day average. Brent for April settlement declined as much as 58 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to $35.41 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The March contract expired Friday after advancing 85 cents to $34.74. The European benchmark crude was at a premium of 64 cents to WTI for April. The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $29.11 a barrel on Friday, compared with $28.28 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shale oil supply grew by 1.6m in 2015 – BP UDEME AKPAN

he global oil market witnessed increased volatility in 2015 partly because of the supply of 1.6 million barrels per day United States oil shale. The Chief Economist of British Petroleum, Spencer Dale, disclosed that last year, the market saw a combination of supply increments from Iraq and Saudi Arabia that added a further 1.5 million barrels a day. He explained that what had been known from history was that the oil market takes an awful lot longer to adjust to supply shocks than it does to cyclical demand shocks. He explained: “Interestingly, though, US shale is far more priced responsive, because a

producer can set themselves up and start drilling very quickly. Moreover, if the price falls it’s a lot easier to reduce production. Consequently, the supply features of the oil market are changing and over the next 20-30 years, price volatility might fall as a result.” “This contrasts with the past in which volatility in prices was a feature of a market in which both demand and supply were relatively insensitive to price, because you need to put petrol in your car every day and it is not easy for the conventional industry to simply turn off the taps,” he added. Dale noted that US shale accounted for less than five per cent of the market, meaning that it would not dominate everything. This is just as he said

Reinfeldt emerges as EITI chair

he former Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr Fedrick Reinfeldt has been nominated to replace Ms Clare Short as the new EITI Chair at the forthcoming Conference holding in Lima, Peru from 23rd February 2016. The EITI Chair designate, Mr. Fedrick Reinfeldt in his acceptance speech stated that he was “thrilled to be nominated as the next Chair of EITI. Questions about openness, transparency and accountability have always been close to my heart. It is important that the world’s major resources are used in an equitable manner for the benefit of all citizens and I look forward to working with the EITI in parallel with other commitment and lectures”.

The outgoing Chair, Ms Clare Short affirmed that she was “delighted to be succeeded by Fedrick Reindeldt as Chair of EITI. As the Prime Minister of Sweden for eight years, I cannot think of a more suitable candidate for the post of the Chair of this international multi stakeholder body”. He emerged as the EITI Chair in a keen competition held during the meeting of the International Board in Keiv, Ukraine late last year. Reinfeldt, an economist cum politician is a native of Stockholm and a former Chairman of the Liberal Conservative Moderate Party and the last rotating President of the European Council in 2009.

Oil vessel

that conventional oil was dominated by big oil companies with large balance sheets that are not very sensitive to banking crises. He disclosed that US shale, though, is made up of 400-500 small producers, many of them with negative cash flow, so they have to keep borrowing to invest. Dale maintained that up until now, the supply side of the oil market has been fairly insulated from that. He disclosed that, in the past, conventional oil has tended to mean big engineering projects, each one slightly different from the last. He noted that: “ My team has three main roles: first, we provide advice to BP on the macro economy, energy markets, what is going on now and in the future, and general economic issues. Second, we are part of the public face of BP, with our Statistical Review and Energy Outlook 2035 publications. Third, we support BP’s businesses around the world; I go to different parts of the world and help regional lead-

ership teams have different types of conversations with governments and national oil companies. I also learn from how different governments and companies react to the same issue and use that information to brief senior leadership.” “Yes, although I was more aware of the Statistical Review. There’s nothing else like it and because it’s seen as the industry bible, it helps people associate BP with rigour, deep thought and careful analytical thinking. I think people are starting to see our Energy Outlook in the same light. It helps us scope out what the world might look like and how might we perform as a company in different scenarios.” “It has obviously been a very tough period for BP and the industry more generally. But despite that, it has been great fun. The issues are unbelievably interesting and important. How do we make sure there is sufficient energy available to help the poorest countries grow but, at the same time, do that in a way that does not harm the environment? They have to be seen as twin challenges; you cannot achieve one without the other,” he added.

Italy: GE to invest $600m in ‘Galileo’ gas turbine research centre

ver the next five years, GE intends to invest $600 million into an R&D centre in Tuscany. The programme, named Galileo, supports the development of gas turbines and centrifugal compressors with a 5-65mw

Gas turbine

power range. To that end, the head of GE, Jeff Immelt, on Sunday signed a memorandum with the Italian minister of economic development, Federica Guidi, and the president of Tuscany region, Enrico Rossi.

Establishing an R&D centre in Tuscany for the oil and gas sector will involve 500 highly qualified people coming from GE, universities, research labs, and small and medium-sized enterprises. The project aims at increasing Italian production by 50 per cent and increase GE revenue by $1.7 billion in five years. Aeroderivative material technology will be used to introduce increasingly lighter and smaller machines to the oil and gas industry. Digital technologies are another focus area of the Galileo programme, with the aim of optimising performance and operative life of power generation equipment. According to a study made by Irpet, GE employs in Tuscany around 34,000 people, including direct employees and spill-

over. The President of Tuscany Region highlighted GE investment in recent years helped increase regional GDP by 4.6 per cent. A separated memorandum, signed by Avio Aero and MiSE in recent weeks, foresees 200 million euro in investment over the next four years. If focusses on Piedmont, Apulia and Campania, the geographical areas in which Avio Aero employs about 4000 people. In focus will be additive manufacturing at work is at the Avio Aero plant in Cameri, which produces aeronautical components using TiAL. Such lightweight components are used in the GE9X engine, which will be mounted on the Boeing 777X plane that is meant to come into service in 2020. (Source - gastopowerjournal.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

From The Civil Service

FG’s reforms targeted at achieving budget –Udoma Chidi UgwU, AbujA

he Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, yesterday in Abuja, assured that the ongoing reforms implemented by the Federal Government are targeted at achieving the 2016 budget. Udoma who gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja during a meeting with some officials of the African Development Bank (ADB) stated that the budget was achievable despite the falling oil prices. The minister’s assurance was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Information in the ministry, Mr. Charles Dafe. According to the statement, Udoma reiterated that “our budget is achievable; we have ongoing reforms targeted at diversifying our revenue base away from single oil commodity economy. “Our Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, is assiduously applying innovative financing in the oil sector to address any likely revenue gap from our projected oil revenue. “Plugging leakages through zero tolerance to corruption, application of sound public financial management and improved revenue collection system are reforms targeted to achieve the budget,” it stated. The minister further assured that the ministry would proactively plan, advice and monitor all matters relating to national development,

adding that it would also ensure that vital development policies were properly implemented by all stakeholders. It explained that 30 per cent of the budget allocated to capital projects was critical for the stimulation of economic development. Also speaking in the same vein with Udoma, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, was also quoted to have said that naira depreciation, falling oil prices and infrastructure decay were challenges facing the country. The statement also stated that Ahmed hinted that substantial monies from recoveries of looted funds were not factored in as sources of revenue and as such would also be utilised for our development projects. “We are counting on assistance from other developmental partners like the African Development Bank to access N1.8 trillion loans needed for Nigeria infrastructural development. “Assistance is also required in our 2016-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks and the Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal,” the statement read. According to the statement, Country Director of AfDB, Mr. Ousmane Dore, said the bank would assist Nigeria to achieve its efforts in poverty reduction. ‘’Nigeria is having an impressive and a better economic direction that would attract foreign investors.”

Govt seeks increased foreign investment in water sector

P.38

Founder, Diasfunds Africa Limited, Mr. Obinali Egele (l) presenting a document to the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments(NCMM), Malam Yusuf Abdallah, after signing an Mou in respect of the African Cultural Heritage Digital Museum in Abuja, yesterday.

Stakeholders appraise minister on oil sector reforms

AdeolA TUkUrU, AbujA

takeholders in the oil and gas industry have said the new reforms adopted by Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will augur well for the nation’s oil industry at the long run if well implemented. Some analysts spoke against the background of the reassurance by the federation government on the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta which have been damaged by crude oil spill-

age. Speaking on the latest reforms by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the acting executive secretary of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonaya Orji, said government had responded to most of the anomalies the anti-graft agency had pointed out in the past. The chairperson of Arise Africa for Change Network, Lady Nkechi Odoma, is of the opinion that the stability in the oil sector could be attributed to the fact that the nation’s refineries, which were once described as moribund, were back to contributing products to meeting part of the daily national demands. Odoma, in an exclusive interview, explained that

Road mishaps: FRSC urged to constitute accident review panel

P.38

these were the same facilities that were earlier unable to refine products despite the several billions of naira spent on Turn Around Maintenance, TAM. She said from the assurances the minister had given Nigerians, it was only a matter of time before the refineries were able to scale up their daily output and further reduce the nation’s dependency on imported petrol and diesel – the largest leverage of the rent seeking subsidy predators. According to her, that would have implication for not just the consumers but also for the economy since the pressure of sourcing dollars to finance imported products contributed to wiping out the value of the naira. “Our currency will thus be able to make significant

recovery once Kachikwu’s reforms in the oil sector take further hold,” she said. In the private sector, she stressed, the confidence engendered by Kachikwu’s approach to managing the oil sector had seen the private refineries being built by the Dangote Group making progress. She explained that the opacity in the running of the NNPC and the oil sector in general had once been an obstacle for investors with interest in building refineries. “Within the shortest time, however,” she said, “it is glaring that the new refinery project is picking speed, which could also be on account of the reassurances that can only come from a competent and foContinued on Page 39>>

FG takes measles campaign to 17 southern states

P.39

Civil Service

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Govt seeks increased foreign investment in water sector regina otokpa, AbujA

he Federal Government has called for more foreign investment in the water, agriculture and solid mineral sectors to boost the nation’s economy. Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman

Adamu, made the call in Abuja while receiving a draft copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the Ambassador of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Nigeria. In a statement released by the ministry’s Director of Information, Mrs. Margaret Umoh, the minister

Minister links Africa’s slow development to poor Science, Technology regina otokpa, AbujA

inister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has revealed that the slow pace of science and technology development was responsible for the undeveloped nature of African countries including Nigeria. The minister made the revelation during a meeting with the Chairperson, Social Affairs and Health/ Nigeria Representative at the 2nd Permanent General Assembly of the AUCODOCC, African Union, Dr. Tunji John Asaolu, in Abuja. According to him, the enormous natural resources in the continent did not permit the present situation whereby Africans represent the face of poverty, hunger and strife. Commending the African Union’s efforts in developing science and technology in African countries, Onu noted that that was the only way to overcome the several development challenges facing the continent. He said: “We don’t want the AU to be just government to government relationship. It must be a union that all Africans own and we relate to and are happy with. We are also very happy that the African Union has come to the realisation that science and technology is critical to the development of the continent. “I will like to use the opportunity to call on all African countries whether big or small to embrace science and technology. We need to deploy science and technology and innovation to make sure that our countries develop. “Africa is the second largest continent in the world. It has the longest river in the world because in the future water is going to pose a lot of problems. Africa also has more resources, in terms of natural resources than any other continent.

“And yet if you look at the face of hunger, it is Africa. You look at the face of poverty, it is Africa. But this should not be so. When African nations and African leaders embrace science and technology we will be in a position to recreate the greatness of the past. “We can all see the pyramids of Egypt, we can see the Zimbabwe walls which are great testimonies to the scientific and the technological expertise of our forefathers. And if they could do all these 4000 years ago, we should be able to do it today. “It is a challenge to our generation and future generations that we must as a matter of urgency embrace science and technology and use it to efficiently exploit and utilise our resources so as to combat and defeat hunger and poverty. “We should not be hungry because our land is so fertile, and we should not be poor because we have the resources. So Africa cannot be rich with natural resources and Africans are poor. There is a missing link and that missing link is science and technology,” he added. Speaking earlier, Asaolu said the AU had realised that science and technology was key to building a prosperous continent. While calling on Nigeria to take the lead in improving the application of science and technology to develop the continent, he urged African countries to collaborate to improve local and indigenous technologies on the continent saying the “earlier we use our resources to develop our continent the better for our people”. He expressed willingness to partner with the ministry to facilitate the growth of science and technology on the continent, adding that it was the desire of the AU to see African countries able to attain self sufficiency in areas of science and technology.

disclosed that the federal government was ready and willing to work with more foreign investors provided they were interested in investing in the water sector in particular and the economy in general. The minister noted the long standing relationship between Nigeria and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and expressed delight in advancing the long standing relationship of the two countries who share similarity, especially in rural development policies. He said: “We are a developing country and we are ready to borrow from your experiences in advancing our irrigation facilities and farms infrastructures

in meeting with the present government thrust for agricultural revolution. Water is very crucial in meeting with the country’s agricultural policy of the present administration.” Lamenting the challenges the ministry was facing in the areas of irrigation facilities, maintenance of dams and capacity building, Adamu stressed that those areas were in critical need of attention and would form the focal point to be discussed in the Memorandum of Understanding. The minister expressed his appreciation to the envoy for showing interest in the sector. His words: “Thank You for coming at the time

we need assistance from investors to turn the fortunes of the country, so we are open to more investors in the country especially in agriculture, solid minerals and water as no one can talk about agriculture without water.” “We are doing everything possible to support the agriculture policy of the Federal Government”, he added. Presenting the draft of the MoU to the minister earlier, the ambassador of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Jong Yong Chol, said his country was set to mark the 40th anniversary of their bilateral relationship with Nigeria. He however noted there was need to further

strengthen the relationship existing between the two countries, adding that his country was looking at carrying further a bilateral relationship with Nigeria in areas of education and in the water sector to an excellent level. Chol explained that agriculture played a very pivotal role in any country’s socio-economic lives and Nigeria was no exemption. With his country’s experiences in agriculture, he said, signing the MoU, would help Nigeria develop its water ways, irrigation facilities and other water resources management as well as sending dams, irrigation and civil engineers to help in the development of the country’s water sector.

L-R: Director, Planing Research and Statistics, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mallam Sadeeq Omar; Director-General, NCWD, Lady Onyeka Onwenu, and team leader, Prof. Muhammed Ladan, at the planning meeting on Maternal Health Indicator in Abuja, yesterday.

Road mishaps: FRSC urged to constitute accident review panel Marcus FatunMole AbujA

inister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has appealed to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to constitute accident review panel to help look into the remote and immediate causes of accidents on the nation’s highways. The effort, the minister opined, would help the agency, through the committee, sensitise the public on how best road accidents could be averted in the country. A release made available to National Mirror by Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information, Mrs Boade Akinola, said the minister also tasked

the agency to revamp its vehicle inspection sector to help check accidents on the nation’s highways, while pledging to collaborate with the FRSC on road accidents’ rescue operations. Ehanire made the calls while receiving a delegation from the FRSC who paid him “an advocacy” visit in his office. The delegation, the release noted, was led by the agency’s Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi. In his speech, Dr. Ehanire stated that accidents and loss of lives had disastrous effect on the economy of the affected families and multiplying effect on the country’s economy in general; as such ‘all stakeholders must come on board and be com-

mitted towards ensuring rapid response to road accidents and prevention of same’. Dr. Ehanire therefore charged the corps marshals to scale-up their efforts by taking the following measures: (as part of efforts of the agency to reduce road accidents in the country) persons who apply for driver’s license for the first time should be made to undergo a ‘First Aid course’ before being issued a license; the vehicle inspection sector should be revamped; a positive attitudinal change on collection and management of data on road accidents should be encouraged; and the FRSC should set up accidents review panels which should constant-

ly educate the public on causes of accidents and how to avoid them, amongst others. While making his presentation, Corps Marshall Bobye Oyeyemi informed the minister that speed had been identified as a key risk factor in road transport crashes. He added that the proposed installation of speed limiters and speed governors was timely and the most cost effective ways to involuntarily restrain drivers from over-speeding. Oyeyemi stressed that speed limiters were beneficial to car users in terms of directly controlling speed, fuel economy and aiding other safety devices in a car to work optimally.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 39

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Niger Delta projects’ll be completed –Minister Chidi UgwU, AbujA

he Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has reiterated that the ministry has not and will not abandon any of its ongoing projects in the nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta. According to a statement by Director of Information in the ministry, Salisu Saleh Na’inna, the minister gave the hint on Monday when the leadership of the Association of Community Leaders of the Nine Oil Producing States paid him a courtesy visit. He said that the ministry was set up to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region and would not abandon any of its projects. “Contractors who appear to have abandoned their projects are advised to go back to site to complete them. If they have found themselves incompetent to deliver, government should be made to know on time in order to re-award the contract to a more competent company,” he stressed. The minister also urged the people of Niger Delta not to complicate the current environmental challenge of the region by engaging in vandalising oil and gas pipelines which cause oil spillage and pollution. On oil companies that cause spillage, the minister warned: “The government will compel oil spilling organisations to do the necessary clean up because the government is on the side of the people to checking oil spillage”. Also speaking during the courtesy call, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Belema Wakama, said the meeting was timely as oil installations were being destroyed in the Niger Delta region. Mrs. Wakama charged the visitors to encourage the youths in the various communities to desist from all acts of destruction. She reiterated that the various projects and programmes of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs were for the development of the region and its people, so the youths should protect Oil and Gas pipelines instead of destroying them. In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Association of Community Leaders in the Nine Oil Producing States, Mr. Ish-

mael Frank Oputu, stated that it was obvious that the minister was concerned about the issues affecting the oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region and willing to address them. He however stressed that there was room for improvement in the present efforts being made to improve lives of the people in the Niger Delta. The chairman called on the Federal Government to pay more attention to the issues of pollution, the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, creation of Petroleum Industrial Tribunal, the creation of oil city and check bunkering and pipelines vandalisation and support more commercial and industrial investments in the region.

Intending couples waiting at the Marriage Registry of Abuja Municipal Area Council, as council workers embark on warning strike, in Abuja, yesterday.

FG takes measles campaign to 17 southern states MarCUs FatUnMole AbujA

he Federal Government has taken the second batch of immunisation of children in the country against measles to 17 southern states in the country. First batch of the exercise, which was largely marred by fuel scarcity, took place between 25th – 29th November, last year, in 19 states in the North, while the second batch took place between January 28 and February 1 this year. Federal Government said it was targeting 39 million children in the laps of the exercise. Measles is prevalent in Nigeria during hot season and reportedly kills large population of the children. Apart from the yearly routine polio immunisation, government carries out immunisation against measles biennially. Federal Government said it was not only targeting polio-free certification from the World Health Organization, but more global commendation on successes in other areas of health in the country, namely maternal and child morbidity and mortality among others. E x e c u t ive - D i r e c t o r, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Muhammad, told our correspondent at the commencement of the event last year that the exercise was for children between the ages of nine and 59

months. He explained that the reason the agency chose the age range was because epidemiological results had indicated that about 80 per cent of the disease burden was in the age range. “The measles campaign is a follow-up campaign. We have our routine immunisation system in place. And, children that are born newly are immunised through the immunisation platform. We have vaccines in our primary health care centres. We have vaccines in our secondary facilities. However, for those children that are missed, through routine immunisation platform, we are carrying out this follow-up cam-

paign…. “The essence is to provide immunity for our children, and it also helps to mitigate the occurrence of epidemics. That is why in every two years, we carry out vaccination campaign so that we can reach children that have been missed in routine immunisation and give a second dose of opportunity to those already vaccinated,” he added. He continued: “The campaign is structured in two ways. One is facilitybased immunisation in which we expect children and wards to primary health centres. We also have outposts that we’ve identified such as churches, mosques, schools and

homes of our traditional leaders. We also build transit point so that we will not miss any child in that age range. We will also target motor parks and other hard-to-reach areas in-between states and international borders… “We also have made arrangement at all the IDP camps in the securitychallenged areas of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. As at last count, we have identified about 96 IDP camps, distributed in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and also part of FCT. Those IDP camps are also part of temporary posts… “The essence is that no child should be missed. We do not want to miss any child. We are determined

to have quality campaign. We are determined to ensure that we have optimal uptake of this exercise. We are trying to ensure that we achieve 95 per cent coverage, so that we can reduce and bring to the barest minimum, the burden of this disease in this country. “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency is committed to child survival. We know with effective immunisation, about 40 per cent of deaths in under-five can be reduced. We are committed to ensuring that we reduce to the barest minimum the burden of disease in this country.”

ties do not give them cover or refuse to alert security and other relevant agencies of crimes in progress. “The warning from Kachikwu to indigenes of Tarkwa Bay, where the Atlas Cove Jetty is located, that their place was at risk of possible acquisition by the Federal Government if they continued to shield pipeline vandals and oil thieves, will certainly achieve something. This is the one approach that was never considered in the past while Nigeria haemorrhaged to thieves. Apparently, there would be no need to repeat this warning to other host communities. “It will be naïve to think that these steps being taken, to the extent that they disrupt the cabals and

their minions, would go unchallenged. This is why it would not be surprising to any discerning mind that attempts have started in earnest to drag Kachikwu’s name in the mud. The strategy includes using groups that are claiming that his family members are meddling in the affairs of the NNPC even though no one has been able to publish any proof that this is the case.” She further explained that these cabals will update and modify their strategies to retain their stranglehold on the oil sector at all cost. “Kachikwu must accept this as a reality such that he must never succumb to the blackmail of this band of cutthroats,” she said.

Stakeholders appraise minister on oil sector reforms CONTINUED FROM PAgE 37

cused leadership.” Accroding to her, it could be described as unfortunate that Kachikwu came on board at a time when crude looks like it is headed for the $20 mark down from over $105 just a few months ago. She said the minister needed to be commended for the way he has been able to manage the affairs of the sector such that there has been no panic that could have stampeded the industry into destruction. “Another first for Kachikwu was the firmness with which he has addressed the other franchise of the cabals, saboteurs that vandalise pipelines to steal petrol and other products. These

economic criminals had in the past had a free reign as they enrich themselves by destroying national infrastructure to steal products. Such was their reign in the past that they killed security operatives and government officials and tend to get away with it. “Their activities have been linked with the huge cost of transporting products and some instances of fuel scarcity. The approach to this clear brigandage in the past was to treat the vandals, collaborators and accessories with kids’ gloves – there was that government’s indifference to the fact that vandals and host communities for the facilities were in cohort. There is no way they can operate freely if the host communi-

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

SEC takes e-dividend campaign to Lagos Johnson okanlawon

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, is set to commence another round of sensitization campaign on edividend registration which is currently on-going in the country. The campaign is scheduled for Lagos from Monday next week, beginning with a three day road show to be rounded up with a Town Hall meeting on the last day. Last month, the Commission embarked on a robust campaign to sensitize members of the investing public on the on-going e-dividend registration and other initiatives that have commenced as a result of implementation of the 10 year capital market master plan. According to the Com-

mission, the aim of the campaign is to eradicate the difficulty encountered by retail investors in claiming their dividends. The SEC last July, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, NIBSS, launched the e-payment platform and advised investors and all shareholders in the capital market to approach their banks/ registrars to obtain an edividend mandate form for immediate processing and upload to the e-Dividend Mandate Management System (e-DMMS). Speaking during a similar programme held in Abuja last month, the Commission’s Director General, Mounir Gwarzo, described the e-dividend platform as a

game changer in the market that would ensure that infractions are reduced to the barest minimum level. He expressed satisfaction with the level of success recorded so far as a result of the on-going enlightenment campaign, while also urging investors to take advantage of the services and visit their bank/registrars to be advised accordingly on the registration process. “We have all agreed that this is the way to go. It is now left for the investors to go and register. All stakeholders are to be registered free in the first 90 days, after which a fine of N100 will be imposed. “Once the e-dividend is in place, the issue of stale warrant and the travelling of investors from one

place to another for the purpose of depositing the warrant would be a thing of the past. The issue of unclaimed dividend according to our records, which is in excess of N80 million will reduce and eventually become a thing of the past,” Gwarzo added. He point ed out that once the registration process is over, the next phase will be to look into claims by investors who have dividends that are less than 12 years old. Adding that, once the registrars can certify that the claimers are the owners, payment will be made, and gradually the SEC will address the problems of unclaimed dividends.

Market capitalisation up N3bn, as 22 firms post gains Johnson okanlawon

rading in equities closed higher despite moving in a choppy pattern for the most part of the trading session. The market breadth showed a positive bias, as advancers outweighed decliners by a small margin. While most of the market sub sectors traded lower, there were considerable losses in banking, and consumer goods stocks. The All-Share Index appreciated 8.11 points

or 0.03 per cent to close at 23,834.87 points, as against the decline of 0.37 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 23,836.76 points. Market capitalisation also increased by N3 billion to close at N8.197 trillion in contrast to N8.194 trillion recorded the preceding day. Seplat Plc led the gainers table as it’s share price appreciated by 4.98 percent or N10.19 or five percent to close at N214.15 per share. Dangote Cement Plc fol-

lowed closely with 95 kobo or 75 percent to close at N128.01 per share. Stanbic IBTC Plc added 40 kobo or 2.94 percent to close at N14.00 per share. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated was up 24 kobo or 1.63 percent to close at N15.00 per share, while Ashaka Cement Company Plc appreciated by 20 kobo or 0.81 percent to close at N25.00 per share. On the flip side, 7Up Plc led the losers table with N9.20 or 4.94 percent to close at N177.00 per share. Glaxosmithkline Plc fol-

lowed with N1.28 or 4.99 percent to close at N24.37 per share. Nigerian Breweries Plc lost 50 kobo or 0.50 percent to close at N99.50 per share, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc dipped 40 kobo or 2.38 percent to close at N16.38 per share. Mansard Insurance Plc share price declined by 11 kobo or 4.91 percent to close at N2.13 per share. In all, investors traded 313.67 million shares worth N2.41 billion in 3,451 deals.

Global stocks snap winning streak on oil pressure

orld stocks ended three days of gains on Tuesday as lackluster global economic data led to another slump in oil prices. Oil fell five per cent after dropping as much as seven per cent the previous session, and the glum macro mood left Wall Street set for 0.9 to 1.1 per cent declines after losses in both Europe .FTEU3 and Asia. Oil fell after BP announced its biggest loss in 20 years and plans to cut thousands of jobs, Exxon Mobil reported its profits plummeted and S&P cut the ratings of Shell and BHP Billiton. In the currency markets, waning risk appetite nudged Japan’s yen and the euro higher against the dollar, although another safe haven, the Swiss franc, dropped as its central bank said it would intervene to

weaken the franc if necessary. Sterling reached a threeweek high as European Council President Donald Tusk presented proposals for keeping Britain in the European Union. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the plans showed real progress although there was more work to do. “I don’t think the market has much of a clue on what to focus on,” said John Hardy head of FX strategy. “It doesn’t seem too convinced with the narrative of hooray for central bank liquidity again, and the oil price going down and whole reserve destruction theme is bad for risk appetite.” The lure of relative safety saw gains for benchmark U.S. and European government bonds. Euro zone yields got an extra kick lower from European Central Bank President Mario Draghi’s reiteration on

Monday that the ECB may cut rates again next month. Oil still dominated the moves, though. Brent and US crude fell $32.98 and $30.65 a barrel respectively, having lost as much as seven percent overnight. Oil fell amid weak economic data from China, Europe and the United States and doubts that oil-producing countries will cut output in the face of a global supply glut. Oil production in Russia rose to a post-Soviet high in January, the latest data from its energy ministry showed. “It’s hard to see a successful agreement between OPEC and Russia to cut production, and people are starting to see that,” said Andy Sommer, senior energy analyst at Axpo Trading in Dietikon, Switzerland. In the United States, oil giant Exxon Mobil was the top draw

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,834.87 points Market capitalisation 8.21trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

SEPLAT

203.96

214.15

10.19

5.00

LEARNAFRCA

0.82

0.86

0.04

4.88

NAHCO

3.75

3.93

0.18

4.80

AIICO

0.86

0.90

0.04

4.65

FIDSON

2.59

2.70

0.11

4.25

AGLEVENT

0.72

0.75

0.03

4.17

TIGERBRANDS

1.20

1.24

0.04

3.33

NEM

0.67

0.69

0.02

2.99

DANGSUGAR

6.05

6.23

0.18

2.98

STANBIC

13.60

14.00

0.40

2.94

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

GLAXOSMITH

25.65

24.37

-1.28

-4.99

7UP

186.20

177.00

-9.20

-4.94

MANSARD

2.24

2.13

-0.11

-4.91

CAVERTON

1.86

1.77

-0.09

-4.84

DIAMONDBNK

1.86

1.77

-0.09

-4.84

STERLNBANK

1.78

1.70

-0.08

-4.49

UNITYBNK

0.72

0.69

-0.03

-4.17

FCMB

0.99

0.95

-0.04

-4.04

WEMABANK

1.02

0.98

-0.04

-3.92

UCAP

1.37

1.32

-0.05

-3.65

FGN Bonds

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

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.23

105.37

10.30

106.37

9.46

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.40

114.15

10.90

115.15

10.57

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.03

110.25

12.24

111.25

11.94

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.98

117.50

12.18

118.50

11.97

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.11

110.42

12.14

111.42

11.96

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.47 84.90

12.25

85.90

12.09

Rate (%) Inflation

Offer

Bid Description

after BP’s woes. It is the world’s largest publicly traded oil company, and said it would slash capital spending by a quarter after its profit halved in the fourth quarter.

CLOSING

Closing Market Prices of February 2, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

05-May-16

4.27

4.32

04-Aug-16

7.23

7.51

19-Jan-17

7.65

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

3.4167

8.0928

9.5710

11.2067 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North 41

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

S’Court affirms elections of Okowa, Ajimobi, Gaidam Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

he Supreme Court of Nigeria yesterday upheld the election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a unanimous decision of the seven-man panel of justices headed by Walter Onnoghen, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party and the Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, on the grounds that it was lacking in merit. The apex court in another judgement upheld the election of Abiola Ajimobi as the duly elected governor of Oyo State in the April 11, 2015 governorship poll in the state. The court dismissed the appeal by Rasheed Ladoja of Accord Party, challenging Ajimobi’s victory in the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Justice Clara Binta Ogunbiyi, who delivered the judgement, held that Ladoja’s appeal before the court lacked merit and constituted gross abuse of court process. She also held that reasons for the decision of the court would be given on February 15. The court also held, in a judgment also delivered yesterday, that Ibrahim Gaidam was validly elected governor of Yobe State. The judgment delivered by Justice Mary Peter Odili held that the appeal challenging Gaidam’s election brought before the court by Adamu Maina Waziri of PDP lacks merit and was accordingly dismissed. The court however reserved reasons for all the judgment on Monday February 15. CHANGE OF NAME

OLADIMEJI: Formerly known and addressed as MR OLADIMEJI SULEIMAN AJAO now wish to be known and addressed as MR JIMOH SULYMAN OLADIMEJI All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OLADIPUPO Formerly known and addressed as .ODUNBAMAKU AFUSAT AYOKA. now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPUPO AFUSAT AYOKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

It would be recalled that the Appeal Court sitting last December, dismissed the appeal filed by Emerhor, the APC governorship candidate in the April election challenging the election of Okowa as governor of Delta State. The judgement of the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Asaba, delivered October 26, also upheld the declaration of Okowa of PDP as winner of the April 11 election by INEC. Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower tribunal at Asaba, Emerhor and APC had approached the Appeal Court in a notice of appeal with petition number, CA/B/ EPT/2015, filed by the counsel Thomson Okpoko SAN, asking the court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal and order a rerun election in the state. Appellants aleged electoral fraud and that the election did not substantially comply with the electoral Act 2010. Appellants formulated six issues and 11 grounds of appeal. In the 11 grounds of appeal, the appellant averred, “The learned justices erred in law when they failed to nullify the election due to substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and over voting in 61% of the polling units in the state.” The appellants also alleged a resort to manual accreditation instead of the mandatory use of card readers. Also, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan had dismissed the appeal filed by former Oyo State governor, Ladoja, against the victory of the incumbent governor, Ajimobi, in the April poll. It upheld a unanimous judgment delivered by the three-man election petition tribunal, which had earlier confirmed declaration of the governor as winner of the election. CHANGE OF NAME

OGOCHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OGOCHUKWU OKONKWO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGOCHUKWU OBIEFUNA All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

GEOGIANA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS DECKON GEOGIANA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GEOGIANA OJULEWA All former documents remain valid. General public take note

The court also dismissed the appeal of PDP in Ogun State against the election of the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun. Ladoja, who contested on the platform of Accord Party, had alleged that the election of Governor Ajimobi was in contravention of the Electoral Act 2010 as

amended, noting that the candidate of APC was not validly elected by lawful votes cast in the election. In the same vein, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division had last year reaffirmed the decision of the Yobe State election petition tribunal that upheld the election of the Ibrahim Gaidam as gov-

ernor. In a unanimous decision, the Justice Amina Augur-led panel of five justices dismissed the appeal filed by Alhaji Waziri of PDP and awarded N50,000 costs each in favour of the governor and the five other respondents. The tribunal had ear-

lier in October in Abuja dismissed the petition of the opposition candidate Waziri for his inability to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there were electoral malpractices in the April 2015 governorship poll in Yobe State.

Security personnel demonstrating during a training on Counter-Terrorism and Crisis Response in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

FG loses N64bn to cyber crimes –AGF Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

ttor ney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday attributed the poor condition of the economy to illicit activities of persons who engage in money laundering. He disclosed this during an address at a threeday conference on financial fraud and cross border crimes, organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja. Malami added that the CHANGE OF NAME IREWANBHOR: Formerly known and addressed as IREWANBHOR FRIDAY OSAZE now wish to be known and addressed as IREWANBHOR FRIDAY OMOZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

ONADERU:Formerly known and addressed as SADIKU SILIFATU ADEKEMI now wish to be known and addressed as ONADERU SILIFAT ADEKEMI All former documents remain valid. General public take note

total loss incurred by Nigeria’s financial system from 2012 to 2014 could be in excess of N64 billion. The AGF also pointed out that another area of organised crime in Nigeria is “illicit funds flow” saying, a report compiled by the presidency in 2013 identified a total of over $33.144 billion (N20.6 billion) illicit flows during the period of 2000-2013, of which over $7.456 were proceeds of corruption and embezzlement in Nigeria. “As you all know, illicit funds transfer has a number of severe effects on a country like Nigeria. It drains the country’s foreign exchange reserves, reduces tax base, increases poverty levels, increases insecurity as a CHANGE OF NAME

OLAYOKUN :Formerly known and addressed as OLAYOKUN OMOLOLA LABAKE now wish to be known and addressed as GEORGE OMOLOLA LABAKE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

potential source of terror funding, and hurts the country’s international image,” Malami said. The country’s Chief Law Officer further revealed that $2 trillion had been confiscated and recovered by anti-graft agencies, which included the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the past 12 years. He, however, reiterated government’s readiness to tackle the problems in a holistic manner by setting up justice reform initiatives for 2016 to 2019. On his part, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, said corruption remains one of the greatest challenges of the century, and urged the CHANGE OF NAME

ADENIJI: Formerly known and addressed as BELLO ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as ADENIJI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

government to tackle it head-on. The British envoy noted that tackling corruption requires institutional framework and attitudinal change amongst citizens of the country. “Corruption undoubtedly is one of the challenges of our time; a challenge which Nigeria is unfortunately familiar with. “Addressing that challenge is essential to the future of the country; failing to do so will be to ensure further decades of poverty, inequality, reputational damage overseas, massively reduced external investment and an undermining of the huge potential represented by Nigerian youth,” Arkwright said.

CHANGE OF NAME

ABUBAKAR: Formerly known and addressed as ADENOLA WURAOLA RISI now wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR WURAOLA RISI All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known an address as IDOWU TEMITOPE LYDIA IYABO.Now wish to be known an address as AJIBOLA TEMITOPE LYDIA IYABO. general public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Sanusi Oluwatosin Eunice wish to be known and address as Sanusi-michael Oluwatosin Eunice All former document remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as AHMED TUNDE OLUWASEGUN. now wish to state that I am still the one known and referred to as AHMED BABATUNDE OLUWASEGUN. All former documents remain valid; management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, general public should please take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS EHRU RACHAEL UDEDE. now wish to be known and addressed as MISS EHRU RACHAEL UDEDEOGHENE. All former documents remain valid; management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Dauda Bilikisu Olamiji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awolesi Bilikisu Olamiji. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as ADEOSUN OLUWADARE NAOH . now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOSUN OLUWADARE NOAH. All former documents remain valid; GT Bank, general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ADDITIONAL OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that I,formerly known and addressed as OROBOADE THOMAS ADEOLA.Now wish to add OYEDIRAN to my previous name.Henceforth I now wish to be known and addressed as OROBOADE THOMAS ADEOLA OYEDIRAN.All former documents remain valid.The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyeyemi Mutiatu Adebola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunlade Mutiatu Adebola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as John Okoja now wish to be known and addressed as Idris Momodu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

My surname was mistakenly written as OYEWOLE instead of MR. OKETOYE TEMITOPE JACOB. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Asaolu Dorcas Busayo now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Ogunkunle Dorcas Busayo. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

formerly know and addressed as MISS OJENIRAN PONMILE ALICE,now wish to be know and addressed as MRS OLATUNJI PONMILE ALICE,all former document remain valid.OYOSUBEB,OGBOMOSO SOUTH LGUBE and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL, ABISOLA TASLIMOT, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBAJE, ABISOLA MOYOSORE TASLIMOT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note..

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adekunle Oluwole, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwole Olubasusi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly know and addressed as MISS LASISI RASIDAT OLANIKE,now wish to be know and addressed as MRS AZEEZ RASIDAT OLANIKE,all former document remain valid. OYOSUBEB,OGBOMOSO SOUTH LGUBE and General public take note. ADDITIONAL CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Grace Busola. now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Olowookere Grace Busola. All former documents remain valid, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC)Ile - Ife and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly know and addressed as MISS IYANDA RASHEEDAT ASHIFAT AJOKE,now wish to be know and addressed as MRS BUSARI RASHEED AJOKE,all former document remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OLALEYE BASIRAT OLANIKE now wish to be known and addressed as OMITAOMU OLALEYE BASIRAT OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Qaasim Abdus-Salam, now wish to be known and addressed as Lawal Kazeem Aweda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Akanbi Omowunmi Boluwatife, now wish to be known and addressed as Akanbi Omowunmi Rasheedat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABAIRE FUNMI ELIZABETH, now wish to be Known and addressed as MABADEJE O L U WA F U N M I L AY O ELIZABETH All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as, Mrs BOLANLE OYELOWO AKANDE now wish to be known and addressed as, Mrs. BOLANLE MARIA OYELOWO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

I formerly known and addressed as Fashola Rafiat Ajobi now wish to be known and addressed as Fashola-Adebeshin Rafiat Ajobi . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that the namesBAZUNU ANTHONY .U., ANTHONY BAZUNU ONOME refer to the same person as UDUMEBRAYE ANTHONY with BVN -22233055295.That any document bearing any of the names remains valid. First Bank, UBA Bank and the general public should please take note.

ADEKOYA: I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. ADEKOYA CATHERINE ADEBOLA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. AYEGBUSI CATHERINE ADEBOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORI-OKE-ASE OYEBAMIJI MALEKA CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registrations under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990. The Trustees are:1.Babatunde Oyebamiji Maleka 2. Olamide Oyebamiji Maleka 3. Temitope Joseph Makinde 4. Oluwagbemiga Oyebamiji Maleka 5. Kehinde Oyebamiji Maleka

Gen. Overseer

Secretary

Aims and Objectives 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations in compliance with biblical injunctions. 2. To evangelise the world through church planting and dissemination of the word 3. To enhance the welfare of members of the church Any objections to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

OGUNLEYE: I formerly MISS. OGUNLEYE BILIKISU AYINKE. Now MRS. BABATUNDE BILIKISU AYINKE. All former documents remain valid. FCMB and the general public take note. Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AJALA OMOLOLA OLUBUKOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLAYEMI OMOLOLA OLUBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly know and addressed as MISS TOSHUN BOLANLE OLAWUMI,now wish to be know and addressed as MRS AFOLABI BOLANLE OLAWUMI,all former document remain valid. LAUTECH TEACHING HOSPITAL and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kareem Abisola Kafayat now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Taoheed Kafayat Abisola. All former document remain valid, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as RAINBOW IBRAHIM ADEWALE now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH IBRAHIM ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly know and addressed as MR OLAITAN GABRIEL OKUNLOLA,now wish to be know and addressed as MR AFOLABI GABRIEL OKUNLOLA,all former document remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR FRANK OKWUDILICHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MADUABUCHI FRANK OKWUDILICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. First Registrar, Access Bank, Nigerian Stick Exchange and the General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, Disu Adebayo and Oseni Idirisu Adebayo is the same and one person bearing the above names. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Negedu Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as Negedu Isaiah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Odia Otibhor Tessy, now wish to be Known and addressed as Odia Otibhor Theresa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLADUNNI LATIFAT ADERONKE, now wish to be Known and addressed as ASODUN. LATIFAT ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank PLC, Union bank and general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Seidat Bello Lawanson, now wish to be known and addressed as Seidat Bello. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. Formerly known and addressed as OKWE SUNDAY MATHIAS now WISH TO BE KNOWN and addressed as EJARO DONATUS AKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ESTIFANUS ISHAYA, now wish to be known and addressed as ISTIFANUS ISHAYA PABMIYALO. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY MISS. ALAO IDOWU ADEBOLA. NOW WISH TO BE ADDRESSED AS MRS. OGUNDARE IDOWU ADEBOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OYEWOLE TOYIN DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as TOYIN DEBORAH ALADEKOMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADEWALE OLUWAKEMI BUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADESINA OLUWAKEMI BUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OGUNFOWOKE OLUWAFUNMILAYO IYABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUKOGA OLUWAFUNMILAYO ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ngozi Ojukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ngozi Okafor. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Awhangansi Olamide Temitope Mathew, now wish to be known and addressed as Awhangansi Setonji Olamide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known, called and addressed as YAKUBU BRIAMAH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as JUDE GBOKEREN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Faji William Taye now wish to be known and addressed as Faji Nelson Clinton. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibe Mary Aricha now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajine Mary Aricha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CORRECTION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I Emmanuel Chijioke Ugwuja is the same and one person as Emmanuel Chijioke Thomas. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and called as Miss Areola Oluwafunmilayo Hannah now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Olatunde Oluwafunmilayo Hannah. All former documents remain valid, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that Nweke Emeka Joseph and emeka akpueze belong to one and same person.That henceforth l will like to be known and addressed as Nweke Emeka Joseph. All documents bearing the names to remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Okolo Adaobi Perpetual now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpalanwankwo Adaobi Perpetual. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Stephen Chuks Okoli is the same person as Stephen Chiagupunam Chuks Okoli and Stephen Chiagupunam Okoli. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

This is to certified that Olugbenga Igbekele is the same one person as Olufuwa Olugbenga, that henceforth wish to be known and called as Olufuwa Olugbenga. All former documents remain valid, GTBank Plc and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Awosefaju Oluwatobi Yinka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesanya Oluwatobiloba Adeyinka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ABISOLA : Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABISOLA AYOKUNMI OLAMIDE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS APEYIOMO AYOKUNMI OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Ondo State Hospital Management Board and General public please take note.

Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Aridegbe Maria Yetunde now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lasisi Maria Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. Nysc and General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Adekunbi TaylorJoseph now wish to be known and addressed as Ms. Adekunbi Akin-Taylor. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss AMINA MUHAMMAD DAKPANCHI henceforthg wish to be known and called Mrs. AMINA MUHAMMAD ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

KASUNMI : Formerly known and addressed as KASUNMI BABATUNDE AYINDE now wish to be known and addressed as KASUNMU BABATUNDE AMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYINLOYE : Formerly known and addressed as MISS OYINLOYE JOY TOSIN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEGBORO JOY TOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This to confirm that Njoku Romanus Alozie and Njoku Roland Alozie belong to one and same person. All documents bearing these names shall remain valid. General Public take note

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OJO DAMILOLA MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as AREGBESOLA DAMILOLA MORENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNKOLO MARY OPEOLUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMUSAN MARY OPEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Atawodi Odomodo now wish to be known and addressed as JOEL AKAYA. All formal documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Wasilat Akanmu, now wish to be known and addressed as Abibat Tajudeen Omotayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Nggita Iliya Bwala, now wish to be known and addressed as Inusa Abdu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OPUIYO ASIGO ALICE, now wish to be known and addressed as FALUADE OPUIYO ALICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADETONA YETUNDE RAMOTA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ENIAYEKAN YETUNDE OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODE : Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODE MARIA ENE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADAH MARIA ENE. All former documents remain valid. Constituted Authorities and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. FELE BOLANLE MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBAYO BOLANLE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Motunde Magbagbeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Ahinke Magbagbeola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Shehu Aleakwe Alex, now wish to be known and addressed as Shellu Aleakwe Alex. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABATAN NIMOTALLAHI IDERAOLUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ABATAN NIMOTALLAHI OLUWATOYIN. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLUTOYE OLAWAYE, now wish to be known and addressed as NOSIRU AWODEKO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Sonubi khadijah Titilope, now wish to be known and addressed as Jubreel Khadijah Titilope. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

FOLAKE CHRISTIANAH IBIROKE. wishes to inform all that FOLAKE IBIRONKE, CHRISTIANAH IBIRONKE and FOLAKE CHRISTIANAH IBIRONKE all refer to one and the same person. the general public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Sule Akinola Orimisan now which to be known and addressed as Mr Sulaiman Yekini Akinola all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TSUGHIOR TERDUE OLIVER, now wish to be known and addressed as PETER DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SOMADE OLURANTI TOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as SOMADE OLURANTI OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Chinenye Bridget Ngonadi, now wish to be known and addressed as Chinenye Bridget Okpala. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Daramola Funmilola Eunice, now wish to be known and addressed as Olokoba Funmilola Eunice. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Kazeem Olawumi Adejoke now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Adetayo Olawumi Adejoke all former documents remain valid and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that Ajao Christianah Adenike is the same person bearing Onabanjo Christianah Adenike. All former documents remain valid FCMB, Ecobank and general public take note. Formerly known as Folorunsho Stephen now wish to be addressed as David Adeoye Folorunsho. All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ezeh Emmanuel Nwabugo now which to be known and addressed as Ojichi Davidmark Izuchukwu all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Michael Rebecca Iniobong now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Osel Rebecca Michael. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Kilani Olajide now wish to be addressed as Ipinloju Olayide .All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Dalladi Phillip now wish to be addressed as Magaji Danlami. All former documents remain valid,Eko Bank,GT bank and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Ali Shehu now wish to be addressed as Aliyu Shehu Abdullahi.All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly mrs Akindele Olawaseun now Mrs Akindele Oluwaseun Aisat all former documents remain valid General public note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Taiwo Oluwatoyin Mojisola, now Mrs Adeogun Oluwatoyin Mojisola. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

PATIENCE: FORMERLY known and addressed as AKPU HUSSANA PATIENCE NOW wish to be known and addressed as JAMES CHIKE PATIENCE All former documents remain valid. Federal medical centre keffi and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SHAIBU: FORMERLY known and addressed as SHAIBU HASSANA NOW wish to be known and addressed as ABDULKAREEM HASSANAT OMEYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWAMAKA: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS MBA NWAMAKA JULIANA NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEJI NWAMAKA JULIANA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

‎ITAM: FORMERLY known and addressed as ODEN ADIAHA ITAM NOW wish to be known and addressed as ODEN BLESSING ITAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKECHUKWU GRACE NNEOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBONNA GRACE NNEOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBODO FELICIA .N., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGBO NKEM FELICIA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

INI: FORMERLY known and addressed as INI SUNDAY BEN NOW wish to be known and addressed as IME OKON JOE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

O ‎ LABANJI: FORMERLY known and addressed as OLABANJI ABDULWASIU SALAHUDEEN NOW wish to be known and addressed as SALLAU ABDULWASIU OLABANJI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

KAFAYAT: Formerly known and addressed as MISS KAFAYATAGBABIAKA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KAFAYA SULE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM ATTAH HARUNA now wish to be known and addressed as LUKE FARUNA IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. OKIYA: I formerly known and addressed as LILIAN IWEAWELANWA NWOKORIE, now wish to be known and addressed as LILIAN GEORGE OKIYA. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH OVIAWE EGHE now wish to be known and addressed and addressed as MICHAEL ELIZABETH EGHE all former documents remain valid, general public to take note.

ANIAGBAOSO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANIAGBAOSO IJEOMA JOVITA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU IJEOMA JOVITA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWAFOR CHIDINMA ROSELINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU CHIDINMA ROSELINE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

ISIMAIL: I formerly known and addressed as MRS AISHA HASSAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AISHA SALIHU ISIMAIL. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANGEL: I, formerly known and addressed as EZENWA OGOCHUKWU ANGEL, now wish to be known and addressed as EZENWA OGOCHUKWU FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANI: I, formerly known and addressed as ANI OLUCHUKWU VIRGINIA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIOMA OLUCHI .V. All former documents remain valid .UBA and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RURAL SUPPORT FOUNDATION

INNERCYCLE LITERATURE DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

The General public is hereby notified that the above mentioned foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named Organization has applied for Registration, with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Charles Edo - Chairman 3. Benjamin Umuteme -Member

2. Christiana Charles-EdoSecretary 4. Frank Odhegba - Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1.Advocacy & support for rural dwellers and development 2.To promote agriculture, advocacy towards climate change, water and sanitation 3.Youth and women empowerment and girl education 4.To promote free medical fair / outreach support for humanitarian emergencies / disaster, livelihood and poverty alleviation 5.Advocacy and support for disabilities, internally displaced persons, orphans, widows and the vulnerable. 6. Advocacy against drug and crime, and to encourage enterpreneurship 7.To organise conferences, workshop seminars and awards Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed : Frank Odhegba 07068135634 Solicitor

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Kosoko Kaosarat Olaide now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajibabi Kaosarat Olaide. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Adewale Toluwalase now which to be known and addressed as Shittu Tawakalitu Inumidun all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly Miss Olaleye Aminat Abolore. Now Mrs Abdulrahamom Aminat Abolore. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, ODEDA LGEA and general public Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NATHAN CHARITY NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN and addressed AS ONUOHA OLUCHI CHARITY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Salako Abiodun Sunday now which to be known and addressed as Asanre Dolapo Johnson all former documents remain valid F.C.M.B Ijebu-Ode and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Olayinka Mide Babatunde same person as Olayinka Olumide Babatunde now which to be known and addressed as Olayinka Olumide Babatunde all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known as Iwuoha Emmanuela Oluchi now wish to be addressed as Okezue Emmanuela Oluchi. All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. OLANIPEKUN RACHEAL OMOLOLA now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OGUNSHIPE RACHEAL OMOLOLA All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Peter Tor Msule 2.Musa Samaila Chiroma 3.Mary Iveren Msule 4.Joseph Lantyo Jingir 5.Jason Gongol 6.Philemon Tyoyila Msule 7.Naomi Batah

- Presenter

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To preach and propagate the gospel of Christ through distribution of Christian literature. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication

SIGNED: Secretary

CHANGE OF NAME

JOB: FORMERLY known and addressed as JOB AYIJIMOH PATIENCE NOW wish to be known and addressed as JOB BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OCHENI: FORMERLY known and addressed as MEYANGA ALHASSAN NOW wish to be known and addressed as OBAKA ATULUKWU OCHENI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUCHI: I formerly known and addressed as OFFOR OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as NELSON OFFOR OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid, NYSC and the general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHIGOZIE: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIGOZIE ANTHONY SABASTINE, now wish to be known and addressed as UKWUMA ANTHONY CHIGOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, Miss FUNMILAYO NIKE OGUNBO, wish to inform that I am the same person s Mrs. ADENUGA FUNMILAYO NIKE. All my documents and the two names remain valid. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEWOLE OLUWAFUNMILAYO TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ARIYO OLUWAFUNMILAYO TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Arigbabu Idayat Oluwakemi now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Salako Idayat Oluwakemi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Shittu Samad Olanrewaju now wish to be addressed as Shittu Samod Olanrewaju.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Mrs Mulero funmi Dupe now Mrs Toriola Ifeoluwa Modupeola all former documents remain valid General public note CHANGE OF NAME

EMEKA: FORMERLY known and addressed as EMEKA MAGDALENE NWABUOBI NOW wish to be known and addressed as EMEZIE GEORGE M. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GIZO: FORMERLY known and addressed as ILIYA MA’AJI GIZO NOW wish to be known and addressed as JAHRBUDAM YAHAYA GIZO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAIUW: I formerly known and addressed as MISS BENJAMIN CHARITY UGOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHARITY UGOCHI NWAIUW. All former documents remain valid, NYSC and the general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MMACHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as ONYEANUSI EMMANUEL MMACHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEANUSI EMMANUEL UCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

44 CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

UGWU: I, formerly now and addressed as MISS UGWU HERRIETTA CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HERRIETTA CHIOMA ONODU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWATU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWATU CHINENYE FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANI CHINENYE FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOBODO : I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOBODO MARY EKWY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBA MARY EKWY . All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ENEJE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ENEJE UCHENNA JULIET, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU UCHENNA JULIET . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

CHANGE OF NAME

UGWUANYI: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWUANYI IJEOMA SCHOLASTICA, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWUANYI IJEOMA EUSTHESIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONUH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONUH AMARACHI PRECIOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EGBO AMARACH PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. IMT Enugu and general public should take note.

CLETUS: I formerly known and addressed as CLETUS ANAYO ACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as KENNETH ANAYO ACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHUKWU:I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHUKWU JUDITH NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ENEH JUDITH NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ISIAKU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ISIAKU EBERE JECINTHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZUGWU EBERE JACINTA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

HOPE:I, formerly known and addressed as JACINTA HOPE ANIAGU, now wish to be known and addressed as JACINTA MARY CHINASA ANIAGU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

This is to confirm and certify that ANSELEM MADUABUCHI OZOAKPU, ROBERT OZOAKPU, ANSELEM OZOAKPU and ROBERT MADUABUCHI OZOAKPU refers to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as ROBERT MADUABUCHI OZOAKPU. Any of my documents bearing both names still remain valid. General public please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

INIKPI: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS INIKPI ALI NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS INIKPI MOMOH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AMODU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AMODU KEMI CHRISTIANAH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS AFINJU OLUWAKEMISOLA CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS HASSAN SOFIYAT TITILOPE now MRS ADEDIWURA SOFIYAT TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANNAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as NWANNAJI ADA NGOZI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as JOHN GEORGINE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. PATIENCE OFUNIM NMOYE. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PEACE OFUNIM OKUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ROBERTS OLAMIPOSI OLUBUSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOLA OLAMIPOSI OLUBUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly know and addressed as JOSHUA OLUWASEYE ROSELINE,now wish to be know and addressed as JOSEPH OLUWASEYE ROSELINE,all former document remain valid. ACCESS BANK, WEMA BANK and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

INWELEGBU: Formerly known and addressed as Inwelegbu Chibuike Raphael now wish to be known and addressed as Inwelegbu Chibuike Jude All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

SAMSON: Formerly known and addressed as SAMSON EJIOFOR now wish to be known and addressed as ONUCHE SAMSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I hereby declare that my name was mistakenly written as EGWIM .F. ARINZE instead of EGWIM FABIAN ARINZE now wish to be known and addressed as EGWIM FABIAN ARINZE. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK PLC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as YINUSA RAHAMANI IYANDA now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULRAHAMAN IYANDA OWOLOSE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as MISS ADEBAYO OLAJUMOKE OLUBISI now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS POPOOLA OLAJUMOKE OLUBISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EKPO: I, formerly known and addressed as SAMPSON EKPO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SAMPSON UDEME. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss IHUNNAYA CHINENYE GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. EMMANUEL CHINENYE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IZUZUOHA: I,formerly known and addressed as IZUZUOHA BLESSING CHINYERE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MICHAEL BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MACDOUGLAS: Formerly known and addressed as MACDOUGLAS RICHARDS ARINZE now wish to be known and addressed as NWABUEZE RICHARDS ARINZE All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

RAIMI: Formerly known and addressed as .Miss Raimi Animashaun Sukurat Oluwaseun. now wish to be known and addressed as .Mrs Adetu Sukurat Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALASHE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ALASHE BILIKIS OMOWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AFOLABI BALIKIS OMOWUNMI ALASHE All former documents remain valid. General public take note

â&#x20AC;&#x17D;PETER: FORMERLY known and addressed as JOHN ECHE PETER NOW wish to be known and addressed as PETER OCHE ECHE . All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS ODUSINA SAMSON OLUWASESAN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ODUSINA OLAKUNLE SAMSON.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as MISS AKINROMADE FATIMA IBIDUNNI now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ASHIRU FATIMA IBIDUNNI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GODWIN: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GODWIN IFEOMA RITA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OSHEVIRE IFEOMA RITA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as COMFORT EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as ONJEFU COMFORT EHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

MADU:I, formerly known and addressed as MADU UGBONWAMU BENEDETH, now wish to be known and addressed as OZOMMADU .M. BENEDETH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EGBO CHINWENDU VIRGINIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANAYANWU CHINWENDU VIRGINIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANI: I, formerly known and addressed as ANI BLESSING NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as AKPUM BLESSING NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that UGWUOKE JOSEPH UGWUEZE and EZE CYPRIL UGWUEZE refers to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as UGWUOKE JOSEPH UGWUEZE. Any of my documents bearing both names still remain valid. ECO Bank and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ZAKARI: FORMERLY known and addressed as ZAKARI IDRISS MOHAMMED NOW wish to be known and addressed as HASHIM MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. UBA BANK PLC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS HAKEEM AKINTUNDE ISHOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MUFUTAU AKEEM AKINTUNDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDEIN: I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNDEIN ANIFAT OLABISI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as DAWODU ANIFAT OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADIJATU MOTUNRAYO OGUNNEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADIJATU MOTUNRAYO ADESANYA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TIJANNI HARUNA now wish to be known and addressed as TUJANI PULKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

NNAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNAJI CHINYERE GLORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIOBODO CHINYERE GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. PPSMB and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NNAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as NNAJI PAUL NWACHINEMEREM, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJI PAUL CHINEMEREM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EDEH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EDEH FELICIA NKECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANI FELICIA NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME EZEM: I, formerly known and addressed as EZEM EUPHEMIA CHIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE EUPHEMIA CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

JOHN: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS JOHN BLESSING CHIDIMMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MICHEAL BLESSING CHIDIMMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NDUKA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NDUKA IFEYINWA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU IFEYINWA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

That I was formerly known and addressed as MALACHY ONYEMA that I now wish to add UGWUOTI to my former name that I now wish to be known, called and addressed as UGWUOTI MALACHY ONYEMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note

FRANCISCA: FORMERLY known and addressed as FRANCISCA UMOH BASSEY NOW wish to be known and addressed as FRANCISCA ANIOMA . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Adekolurejo Oluseun Shinaayo now Mrs Akinnola Sinaayo Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note.

CAROLINE: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS CAROLINE OBIAGELI OKEKE NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS CAROLINE OBIAGELI IROEGBU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as MISS FARAYOLA FELICIA KEHINDE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OYEWOBI FELICIA KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB andGeneral public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as TOYINBO ADENIKE BASURAT now wish to be known and addressed as TOYINBO ADENIKE BOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BALLO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SUBEADAT DANKANO BALLO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. LAWAL SUBEADAT AMARA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLATUNJI: I, formerly known and addressed as OLATUNJI HANNAH ENIOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLATUNJI OLUWATIMILEHIN ENIOLA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olagoke Abiola khadijat, now wish to be known and addressed as Bello Abiola Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS DAVIDSON ABOSEDE DAVIDSON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OYEKANMI OLUWAKEMI ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I, Olanrewaju Olufemi Ayokunle is the same as Olufemi Olanrewaju Jacob Ayokunle. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EDWIN ROBERT AYEGBA, now wish to be known and addressed as EDWARD AYEGBA.And my DATE OF BIRTH IS 11TH DECEMBER 1991 and not 19TH MARCH 1991. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

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

ADEYEMI:Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEYEMI ADEDOYIN OLUSHOLA,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODULOYE ADEDOYIN OLUSHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note .

Formerly known and addressed as ARO FATIMO MOBOLAJI. , now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN BOLAJI.. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKHIDENOR: I, formerly known and addressed as AKHIDENOR JOY OMOTEKPEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABIMBOWO JOY OMOTEKPEN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME FAMOLE: Formerly known and addressed as Famole Joan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kelubia Joan. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME AMES :Formerly known and addressed as James Peter now wish to be known and addressed as Joel Raham . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ADEKUNLE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekunle Temitayo Zainab now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Shofoluwe Temitayo Zainab. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

AKANDE: Formerly known and addressed as Akande Omonike Grace now wish to be known and addressed as Olukiran Omonike Grace All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

TOYIN: Formerly known and addressed as Toyin Yemisi Aderibole now wish to be known and addressed as Toyin Bose Lawrence.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as AKUWA LINDA Now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONEBUNNE LINDA NKEIRUKA All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

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

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ganiu Shakirat Ayinke Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Cole Shakirat Ayinke All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

AUSTIN: Formerly known and addressed as Austin Peter Junior now wish to be known and addressed as Nwidembia Augustine Peter. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekeoma Alice Ogechi Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Irozuru Alice Ogechi All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

PETER: Formerly known and addressed as Peter Dorathy Fungere now wish to be known and addressed as Jacob Dorathy Fungere. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNLOWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MARGARET OLUWAFUNMILAYO OGUNLOWO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MARGARET OLUWAFUNMILAYO WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Fraud trial: Neymar’s parents testify in Barcelona

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Sport

It’s easy to beat Brazil. You just stop them getting 20 yards from your goal

–Bobby Charlton (1970)

Why Esperance withhold Emem Eduok’s salaries, passport –Agent

he agent of Emem Edouk has alleged the striker has come under heavy fire at Tunisian club, Esperance, after he refused to agree a loan move to Saudi club, Al-Khaleej. England-based agent, Ojore Oka, has maintained his player has not breached any code of conduct, but rather his problem started when he refused to sign a loan move to Saudi Arabia. “The fact of the matter is Esperance FC had intended to loan Emem Eduok to Al-Khaleej FC in Saudi Arabia during this January transfer window. They had accepted an offer from the Saudi Club and asked Emem Eduok over to the club’s office to sign the deal. But we rejected the offer as we felt playing in Saudi Arabia would not enhance his football in any way, shape or form, at least not at this time,”

said Oka. “Emem Eduok was 22 on the 31st January, 2016, and clearly this isn’t the time for such a talented player to go to Saudi Arabia, when we have a number of suitors from the mainstream European Leagues. “So, we’re sure that some individuals who would have profited very handsomely from the Saudi club’s loan deal are unhappy with Emem Eduok.” The agent claimed his client’s passport has been withheld by Esperance and that stopped him from visiting his family in Nigeria recently. It is unfortunate that at this age and time, a club of Esperance stature and experience could resort to what I call ‘a form of modern day slavery’,” he narrated. “The fact of the matter is

Emem Eduok wanted to travel to visit his family in Nigeria when the club was on official break for a week, but the club officials refused to release his international passport to him. “Just for the records, the other Nigerian in the team, Bernard Bulbwa, was allowed to travel home. “I thought this attitude was unprofessional and unusual. So, we wrote to the club to ask for an explanation, but didn’t get a response. After several unanswered phone calls, I finally got an official who informed me that his passport would be released to him on the 15th January. “When this wasn’t going to happen, I travelled to Tunis to find out exactly what was happening. What I found out on getting to Tunis was very shocking and deplorable. Apparently,

they had withheld his passport and stopped him from taking his week-long break to visit his family in Nigeria, so as not to jeopardise their plans to loaning Emem Eduok to a club in Saudi Arabia. “So, when we went to the Club’s office on the 15th of January to pick up Emem’s passport, they put an offer in front of us and asked that he signed it. In all my years of working in football, I’ve never seen a situation where a club transfers a player without informing him and allowing him to negotiate his personal terms. “So, as I said earlier, we refused the offer outright. “Yes, Emem Eduok, has a contract with Esperance, but he cannot be sold without our consent. This is indeed akin to human trafficking, and I cannot

allow that under my watch.” However, the agent said the striker will honour his contract at Esperance. “Emem Eduok has a contract until 2018 and he loves the fans of Esperance FC very much. He would respect the terms of his contract to the minutest detail, every bit of it,” he said. “Don’t forget, just last season he was tearing defences apart in Tunisia and the continent and scoring goals for fun; in fact he was highest goal-scorer for Esperance FC last season despite joining in the mid-season. “So in spite of the unprofessional ways he’s been treated and the fact that he’s owed a huge amount of his wages, he’s committed to seeing out his contract. Emem is a consummate professional and will always give his best whenever called upon.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

CHAN: DRC suffer Luvumbu injury blow

R Congo will be without injury-hit forward, Heritier Luvumbu, in a crucial CHAN semi-final against Guinea today at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. The AS Vita club star picked up a serious knee injury in the 2-1 extra-time winner over hosts Rwanda in the quarterfinal. Despite this huge miss, DRC Coach, Florent Ibenge, has insisted he has a capable replacement for the injured Luvumbu, who was voted Man of the Match in the quarter-final win over hosts Rwanda. “No doubt we will miss the services of Luvumbu in the match with Guinea, who we rate highly because of the pedigree of the players who have come from there, but we have capable replacement,” he said. “It will be a very tough game and I believe we have what it takes to emerge winners on Wednesday.” The coach further said, “We are at home here in Kigali and we enjoy the support of the football-loving fans of Rwanda despite eliminating them in the last round of the championship.” Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who face off in the first semi-final today prevailed on penalties and extratime respectively to qualify to the last four.

Neymar

Fraud trial

Neymar’s

parents testify in Barcelona court

he parents of Neymar appeared at the National Court in Madrid yesterday, while the Brazilian footballer is due to give evidence in the Spanish court over allegations of corruption and fraud surrounding his transfer to Barcelona. Judge Jose de la Mata was expected to decide whether Neymar’s parents were to give evidence in person. President of the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and his predecessor in office, Sandro Rosell , denied wrongdoing at the court in Madrid on Monday. Barcelona said they paid 57m euros (£43m) for Neymar in 2013, his parents receiving 40m euros and Brazilian club, Santos, 17m euros. But investigators say the fee was closer to 83m euros and Barcelona concealed part of the deal. The case was brought by Brazilian third-party investment fund, DIS, which owned 40% of the Brazilian player’s sports rights. DIS alleges it was financially harmed by the transfer when it received 6.8m euros of Santos’s 17m euros fee and argues it was

deprived of its full share. Barca boss, Bartomeu and his predecessor, Rosell, appeared at the court in Madrid on Monday, insisting they had acted correctly. In a statement on Monday, the club said they had repeated in court what they had said last year: “They are not worried and said they have confidence in justice,” it added. According to BBC Sport, they are also accused in a separate case of defrauding the Spanish tax office of an estimated 13m euros. They deny the allegations. Neymar’s move to Barcelona has been a big success on the pitch. The striker became part of a goal-scoring trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Last year, Neymar, 23, helped the club win five trophies and came third in the FIFA Ballon d’Or competition. He also scored in the UEFA Champions League final against Juventus. But he has also encountered legal difficulties in Brazil, where a court has frozen $47m (£33m) of his assets in connection with suspected tax evasion between 2011 and 2013.

Heritier

CIV, Mali renew old rivalry

frican champions, Cote d’Ivoire, will attempt to keep their momentum going when they face arch-rivals, Mali, in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) semifinal in Rwanda tomorrow. The Elephants, who have twice failed to go beyond the group stage in the biennial championship, confirmed their place with a stunning 3-0 extra-time win over another West African side, Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in the quarterfinals. T he victory, which came hot on the heels of their 4-1 demolition of Gabon in the group phase, proved the Ivorian dominant form under new coach, Michel Dussuyer, who has been full of praise for the team’s grit and performance. “The Ivory Coast are gaining momentum,” the Frenchman said after the match against Cameroun. “We still need to fight to push back our limits.”

Dussuyer

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NPFL Super 4: Uyo agog as 2nd leg kicks-off

…Akwa Utd beat Nasarawa 1-0

I’m TBE and won’t fight again, says Mayweather F

loyd Mayweather says he is “The Best Ever (TBE)” and has had “crazy numbers” thrown at him to fight again. But despite offers of “nine-figure” sums of money, Mayweather, who retired after his 49th successive victory last September, is not planning a comeback. He told BBC Sport, “As of right now, I am out completely.” The 38-year-old multiple world champion added, “If I do get the itch to come back, it really won’t be for the money, but I have to get paid. That’s why the nickname is Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather.” The American boxer won world titles at five weights and retired with an unblemished record. Currently visiting eight

cities in the United Kingdom as part of a speaking tour, he spoke to BBC World Service Sport about his current activities “Everything that you guys are hearing that Michael Koncz has said and what (promoter) Bob Arum has said is totally false. Totally false. I haven’t spoken to Bob Arum, I haven’t spoken to Michael Koncz. “And as far as people keep talking about Mayweather Promotions, I dictate and control what goes on with it. Leonard Ellerbe is the CEO but everything has to go through me and I have to put the green light on any and everything.” “James DeGale is a very, very good fighter and he is solid. I like him. A lot of personality. The ultimate goal is for him and Badou to fight in a unification bout. Do I think that can

happen? Absolutely. “He talked to me the other day when I was in Los Angeles at the fights. He said he would like to fight Badou Jack. But everything takes time. Eventually it will happen. “If he continues to win and Badou continues to win, which I truly believe both will, the ultimate goal is to match those two in a super bout, down the line.” “I really wouldn’t want to say the best pound-forpound fighter in the world. You know, I am no longer active. I would like to say the best ever (TBE). “It’s not being cocky or arrogant, it’s just the proof is in the pudding. I think I have earned the right to call myself TBE. And I have lived up to the name TBE by going out there, day in, day out, when I was active and winning.”

kwa Ibom State capital, Uyo, has been lighted up as the second round of the Globacomsponsored 2016 Super Four kicked off at the imposing Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Home side, Akwa United, began Match Day 4 with a win over Nasarawa United, who before now were on top of the log with 5 points. The Kabiru Dogo-tutored side lost to a last minute strike by Akwa United’s super sub, Afeez Awakan. In the second game of the Match Day 4, Kamal Sikuru of Enyimba got the only goal of the game to give the People’s Elephants all three points that catapult them to the joint leaders on the table, as goals’ difference keep home side Akwa United on top. The first round of the Super Four held in Kaduna between the 20th and 24th of January, Nasarawa United finished top of the log in the first round, after amassing five points from three games, while Enyimba occupied the second spot after scrambling a 2-0 win against Warri Wolves on the final day. Akwa united and Warri Wolves finished 3rd and 4th respectively. The tournament continues today with Enyimba and Nasarawa slugging it out by 5pm, while Akwa United will hope to upturn the defeat they suffered in the hands of Warri Wolves in the first round, as both sides clash by 7pm. The final match day see Warri Wolves battle Nasarawa United by 5pm, while the late night show will provide the platform for the champions to be crowned as Akwa United square up against Enyimba FC.

Ike Uche joins Malaga on loan

igeria international, Ikechukwu Uche, has joined Malaga on loan, only six months after signing a three-year deal with Mexican side, Tigres UANL. It is a quick return to the Spanish top-flight for the 32-year-old striker, who left Villarreal in June 2015. According to BBC Sport, he was injured on his Tigres debut, in which he also scored, and has made no further appearances for the club. “The chance to return to Spain with Malaga came at the right time and I thought why not,” Uche told BBC Sport. Uche’s injury, which came after he had scored in a CONCACAF Champions League game against El Salvador’s Isidro Metapan in September, meant he could only watch as Tigres clinched a fourth

Mexican league title in December. “Things didn’t quite go as planned in Mexico, it’s the unpredictability of life but there are no regrets,” he said. N”I made friends, witnessed the team celebrate a league title and enjoyed the support of everyone at Tigres. “The decision to come

back didn’t take much thought and I genuinely can’t wait to get started again with Malaga. “I just want to make a big contribution, repay the trust and hopefully fulfil expectations.” Uche, an Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2013, is one of Nigeria’s top scorers with 19 goals in 47 appearances.

Ike Uche (15) being congratulated by his Super Eagles team mates after scoring a goal

WORLD RECORD

Most subscribers on YouTube Vol. 05 No. 1298

N150

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

As of 7 July 2014, “PewDiePie”, aka Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (Sweden), had 28,292,944 YouTube subscribers for his comedic video g aming highlights.

Still on Bakare’s State of the Nation Address

here are certain grand norms, written or unwritten, that are associated with every profession. Thus, whether as a lawyer, teacher, medical doctor or even the traditional medicine man, there is certain modicum of acceptable conduct required of them by the larger society that should be in conformity with their chosen fields of human endeavors. It raises lots of worry and therefore calls for concern, when such observed conduct of practitioners of peculiar vocations begins to deviate from expected norm. This can rightly be said of some crop of clergy in Nigeria in recent times. Put succinctly, there is a growing but recurrent ecclesiastical meddlesomeness into secular political arena that should ordinarily be left for political gladiators. Thus, the January 10, 2016 outburst against

Guest Columnist the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, leaves much to be desired. Indeed, most Christians, especially of the Pentecostal orientation, would be wondering what Pastor Bakare really wants, given his role as a priest set apart for ministering the word of God. In his State of the Union Address titled “Roadmap to Successful Change”, Pastor Bakare took some swipes at the Central Bank of Nigeria and its leadership. In his treatise, the CBN received some knocks in three outstanding areas: foreign exchange management; currency management, and aiding and abetting corruption through money laundering. There is no doubt that his simplistic narration of monetary policy management demonstrates stark ignorance of fractional reserves banking mechanism that underpins modern monetary policy management. It is unfortunate that an avowed lawyerturned-pastor could throw every professional fineness to the wind by accusing the CBN of deliberately removing completely, a vital subsection (S. 43 (2) of the CBN Act 2007 to ensure that the Auditor General of the Federation does not investigate the apex bank’s currency management procedure. From the foregoing, it is clear that Bakare harbours some ancient grudges against the CBN and its leadership. Bakare further alleged that the CBN staff take as much dirty notes as they like and inject same back into the system, which is a veiled reference to a recent malfeasance and currency racketeering discovered at the Ibadan branch of CBN by its management;and it

SamRose Ibe THERE IS A GROWING BUT RECURRENT ECCLESIASTICAL MEDDLESOMENESS INTO SECULAR POLITICAL ARENA THAT SHOULD ORDINARILY BE LEFT FOR POLITICAL GLADIATORS was reported to law enforcement agencies who took immediate action, including charging the culprits to court. It is most uncharitable for a man of God to generalize such an isolated incident in more than 50 years of an institution as its known ‘modus operandi’. It also calls to question Bakare’s sense of judgment. More importantly, it portrays him as a propagandist than an informed analyst. On the allegation that CBN served as a conduit for politicians to siphon the people’s collective wealth, there is no gain saying the fact that the CBN was merely acting in line with the customer-banker relationship. When has it become the duty of a central bank to determine and stop the expense of a government department that is opaque in character? It is a common knowledge that issues bordering on procurement of arms and other military hardware are highly shrouded in secrecy all

Sport Extra Iheanacho’s warring agents head for tribunal

he England FA Rule K Tribunal will sit soon to hear out a case brought by Kelechi Iheanacho’s former agents against his new representatives. Report yesterday, said

that US-based First Eleven are asking the FA to cancel a new management deal the Nigeria starlet has signed with UK-based Stellar Group. They argue Iheanacho signed a contract

with them just before the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and as such he cannot sign another management agreement. “The FA Rule K tribunal will be sitting any time

from now to hear the case,” a source told africanfootball.com. “This is a major development in this matter.” Some believe the faceoff between the agents has put on hold talks for a new

over the world. Thus, if the National Security Adviser in making procurements for arms had acted in a way that is impervious, one wonders how it has become the lot of CBN to be privy to or checkmate such actions? Rather than venting one’s frustration on Godwin Emefiele, governor of the CBN, over the unsavory realities of the failing exchange rate of the Naira, the convener of Save Nigeria Group should stop holding court from his pulpit and wake up to the rude shock of the current realities to galvanise his members and TV audience to embrace and key into the various real sector initiatives being articulated by the apex bank. The CBN has also fashioned an infrastructure financing scheme (Nigerian Electricity Stabilization Fund) to serve as spring board to boost electricity generation and distribution firms. Only recently, the Emefiele-led CBN has also put together export promotion incentive in conjunction with the Nigerian ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) aimed at encouraging Nigerian manufacturers, farmers and other entrepreneurs to take the bull by the horn and compete at the international market in order to earn foreign exchange. Another initiative of the Emefiele-led CBN is the Produce Add Value and Export (PAVE) programme, which is analogous to the South-East Asian outward-looking exportoriented development drive. In essence, the PAVE emphasizes local production of goods and service with an aggressive export drive. The message which Pastor Bakare delivered in his state of the Union Address remains the instigation for the removal of the CBN Governor. Some of us have not forgotten how it was prophesied that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was going to meet his waterloo in his first tenure. OBJ’s reply was “I dey kampe”. There is no doubt that the country has suffered so much in terms of mis-governance and corruption, but that does not warrant frivolous calls from every quarter to hack down people because one does not share similar opinion with them. Let’s go back to policies than politicking. SamRose Ibe, a public affairs consultant, wrot from Lagos.

contract for Iheanacho, who has continued to justify his keep at the star-studded Manchester City with goals after coming through the academy. His contract at City is till the summer of 2018.

Iheanacho

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