Wednesday, march 16, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

EFCC Lagos caught up in forgery

n international businessman, Jyde Adelakun, has petitioned against some officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of conspiring

Magu

Vol. 6 N0. 1327

to extort N2 million bribe from him. Adelakun said his refusal to part with the money has led to his being framed up by the anti-graft body that led to the freezing of his Skye Bank account

Wednesday, March 16 , 2016

N1.4trn fine

and the forgery of Department of Homeland Security Investigation, United States’ documents to incriminate him, and threats by them to kill him. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7>>

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Nigeria’s inflation rate hits double digits, up 11.4% P.4

Buhari

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MTN’s CEO risks arrest for shunning Reps ...as Committee walks out reps of CBN gov, CEO

GeorGe opara and UbonG UkponG

ouse of Representatives Committee on Communications yesterday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of MTN Nigeria, Ferdinand Moolman, if he fails to honour its summon. The committee, which was furious at the contemptuous manner Moolman treated its earlier CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

CPC to DisCos: No prepaid meters, no billing P.5

Former Head of Service of the Federation, Stephen Orosanye, being arraigned for alleged fraud of N190 million at FCT High Court by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Senate votes No mercy for treasury looters –Buhari N10bn to ...says elite conspired to run nation down P.5 resettle IDPs Building collapse tragedy: Ambode seals Lekki Gardens P.8 P.4

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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MTN’s CEO risks arrest for shunning Reps CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

invitation to yesterday’s investigative hearing, also walked out his representative and Manager, Government Affairs, Austine Iyasere. Representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who also failed to appear before the committee was also asked to leave. Trouble started at the resumed hearing on the fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday, when the committee noticed that the key people invited had refused to attend but sent their subordinates, which the lawmakers considered very inconsequential to the process. A member, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, observed that the committee was enjoying constitutional provisions of Section 88 and 89, empowering the parliament to invite and investigate anybody. He pointed out that it was embarrassing and an insult on the parliament, that Moolman and Emefiele treated the invitation to the hearing with flagrant disrespect. The members were even more infuriated by a letter sent to the committee by Moolman, ordering it to liaise with some government agencies over the matter, claiming that MTN was seeking amicable settlement and that it could not afford to toy with the sensitive and confidential nature of the case at this time. The letter tendered by Chairman of the Committee, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, was co-signed by Moolman and Human Resources/ Corporate Services Executive, Amina Oyagbola, on March 11, 2016, titled, “Re: Amicable settlement negotiations with the Federal Government.” Moolman in the letter said: “We wish to refer you to the appropriate government agencies, specifically the Nigerian Communications Commission, Offices of the Honourable Ministers of Communication and Justice, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, which agencies are in a position to furnish your committee with relevant information on this issue. “As you know, MTN is pursuing amicable settlement, negotiation with the Federal Government. We believe you will understand that the process of this kind, require sensitive

and confidentiality on all sides. Accordingly, we are unable to make any further comments about the process at this stage. “We trust that we can call upon your solid judgement at all times and that this process be allowed to continue in order for the parties to be given the opportunity to reach a settlement as envisaged by the court when it adjourned the matter for that purpose on 22nd January, 2016.” Irked by the content of the letter, members took turn to tongue-lash Moolman and MTN as biting more than they could chew by practically insulting Nigeria, its people, parliament and government. The committee however adjourned hearing on the matter till further notice, to enable it serve Moolman and Emefiele another summon. The lawmakers commended the patience of the NCC and its leadership for always honouring all sittings. NCC had issued a fine of N1.04 trillion ($5.2 billion) against MTN Nigeria, the largest mobile network operator in the country for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered and incomplete subscriber identification modules (SIM) cards within the stipulated time. The fine which is the largest in the history of telecom infringements may redefine the relationships between telecommunications operators and the regulator.

L-R: Chairman, Heritage Bank, Mr Akinsola Akinfemi; Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC; Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele and CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy; Dr Sarah Alade at the launch of NYSC, CBN and Heritage Bank Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme, YIEDP, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Senate to probe N3.2trn revenue scam in NNPC, others

enate yesterday said it would probe the report of the AuditorGeneral of the Federation, AGF, which alleged embezzlement and extra budgetary expenditure amounting to over N3.2 trillion. Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi, who announced this to newsmen in Abuja, said the allegations in the report of the AGF were not indictments. It would be recalled that the AGF, Mr Samuel Ukura,

had on Monday presented the 2014 annual Audit Report to the Clerk to the National Assembly. The report had alleged that about N3.2trn due for the Federation Account was not remitted by NNPC. The report also alleged that some other revenue generating Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs, spent their internally generated revenue without approval. The AGF’s report also alleged that about N10 bil-

lion was expended by the National Assembly without raising payment vouchers, a contravention of the nation’s financial policy. The Senate spokesman said the upper chamber would probe the report of the AGF and invite all the agencies involved to ascertain if the report was factual or not. “Without holding forte for the past assemblies, I want to say that it is not as if they have not been doing anything about the past Au-

No mercy for treasury looters –Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi, ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, said his administration’s war against corruption would remain fearless, relentless and merciless. According to him, his government would be relentless in pursuing all those who abused public trust, stressing that Nigerians would see how some of the elite conspired to run the nation down. A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke at an interactive meeting with Nigerians resident in Equatorial Guinea. The President condemned recent political violence in Rivers State, saying killing people over

political differences was primitive, barbaric and unacceptable. “We will deal decisively with all sponsors of violence. I have given the security services clear directives in this regard. “We will show that violence in any form will no longer be tolerated before, during or after elections,” he said. Buhari stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would be encouraged to explore the possibility of ensuring that Nigerians abroad vote in the 2019 general elections. Noting that some African countries had started allowing their citizens resident abroad to vote in national elections, the President said he fully empathised with the desire of Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in national elec-

tions. Buhari pledged that he would therefore do all within his powers to fulfil that desire. “I want all Nigerians to know that I respect them and their right to choose their leaders,” he said. While responding to complaints by members of the Nigerian community about the absence of direct flights between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, Buhari said establishing a new national airline was not currently on the Federal Government’s list of priorities. The President declared that his administration’s main area of focus now was reducing the level of poverty in the country. He said developing the infrastructure needed to boost production in all sectors of the economy and creating more jobs for the

youth, as well as other actions that would directly improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians would continue to be prioritised by his administration. Meanwhile President Buhari, late on Monday, received Equatorial Guinea’s highest national honour, the Grand Collar of the Order of the Independence. A statement issued yesterday by Adesina said Buhari dedicated it to Nigerians, whom he said had worked tirelessly for peace in the country and Africa. “I will like to express profound gratitude for the honour given to me and my people. “There has never been a time for greater neighbourliness on our continent in the interest of peace, security and economic stability than now,” Buhari said at the investiture ceremony.

dit Reports. “Perhaps they have not taken their action up to the scale that would have made a huge impact that people want to see. If that is what the Auditor-General means, I agree with him. “The Auditor-General is raising a query, it is not an indictment. So, when he raises his queries, the essence of the Public Accounts Committee is to invite those parties involved in the query. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

The President said as African countries faced common challenges, they must strive to cooperate more to find workable solutions that would facilitate rapid socio-economic development on the continent. He pledged that under his leadership, Nigeria would continue to make significant contributions to peace, political stability and progress in Africa. President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea said the honour was conferred on Buhari for his “Personal integrity, exemplary leadership style and courage to fight terrorism in order to ensure peace and safety in Africa.” He added: “We deemed it fit and appropriate to honour this son of Africa for the great work he is doing, which includes tackling Boko Haram, a great menace to the continent.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Head Office: 61,Marina Lagos (First floor) P.O. Box 2276, Lagos

RC 2176

Tel: 08066309476,08066325672, 07032294082 E-mail: info@africanallianceplc.com Website: www.africanallianceplc.com

NOTICE OF 48TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 48’h Annual General Meeting of African Alliance Insurance Plc will be held at Universal Hotel at Plot 3, Agulerl Street, Independence Layout. Enugu, Enugu State on Thursday , 7th April, 2016 at 10 am to transact the following businesses: ORDINARY BUSINESS: To receive the Report of the Directors and the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 the Report of the Auditor and the Audit Committee thereon. To re-eiect Directors as follows: (i) Re-elect the following Directors who were appointed as non-executive Directors in accordance with Article 125 of the Articles of Association of the Company, retire and being eligible offer themselves for re-eiection: Engr. Cyril Ajagu Hon. (Ambassador) Nurain Abayomi Mumuni To notify the meeting of the retirement of Mr. Richard Glanton pursuant to Section 259 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C20 LFN 2004. To approve the remuneration of Directors To authorize the Directors to appoint and fix the remuneration of the Auditors. To elect members of the Audit Committee. Special Business To consider and if thought fit, pass the following as a special resolution: “That pursuant to the provisions of Section 106 read with Section 120 of the Companies and Allied Matters, Act 2004 and all other applicable provisions, the sum of N14, 365,133,875.00 (Fourteen bill ion, three hundred and sixty five million, one hundred and thirty three thousand, eight hundred and seventy five naira only) be set-off from the share premium account against the accumulated loss in the balance sheet of the company and consequently apply same to reduce the amount in the Share Premium Account. NOTES: 1.Proxy A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. To be valid for the purpose of the Meeting, the Proxy Form which will be attached to individual Notices should be completed, duly stamped by the Commissioner of Stamp Duties and submitted to: The Registrar, Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited, 2 Gbagada Expressway, Anthony Village, Lagos not later than 48 hours before the Meeting. 2.Closure of Register The Register of Members and transfer books wil! be closed from Friday, 1st April, 2016 to Wednesday, 6Ih April, 2016 both days inclusive, for the purpose of preparing an up-to-date Register.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION As at 31 December 2014 Assets

31-Dec-14 N’000

GROUP 31-Dec-13 N’000

COMPANY 31-Dec-14 31-Dec-13 N’000 N’000

Cash and Cash Equivalents Financial Assets Trade Receivables Reinsurance Assets Deferred Acquisition Cost Other Receivables Investment in subsidiaries Investment in Associates Investment Properties Deferred Tax Assets Intangible Asset Property Plant and Equipment Statutory Deposits

2,434,395 11,161,586 74,213 25,869 917 377,852 1,229,554 6,604,576 34,305 48,597 4,551,019 219,144

1,707,104 5,846,470 54,181 16,733 173 324,113 1,062,455 6,042,925 28,015 29,957 4,174,162 218,347

2,409,614 10,758,897 25,869 917 589,008 1,357,557 1,229,864 5,861,788 24,551 30,296 639,347 200,000

1,663,292 5,575,614 16,733 173 473,000 965,475 1,062,765 5,642,612 24,551 12,002 422,191 200,000

Total Assets

26,762,029

19,504,635

23,127,708

16,058,408

Liabilities Insurance Contract Liabilities Investment Contracts Liabilities Borrowings Trade Payable Other payables Employee Benefit Liability Income Tax liabilities Deferred tax liabilities

13,000,343 4,446,262 34,452 472,456 436,367 121,821 204,462 592,666

7,066,878 3,812,221 15,851 653,690 458,680 128,816 182,367 437,631

12,243,182 4,446,262 322,880 172,812 73,695 149,069 449,594

6,298,177 3,812,220 626,728 124,262 94,181 150,571 367,888

Total Liabilities

19,308,828

12,756,134

17,857,493

11,474,028

10,292,500 14,365,133 317,966 (19,661,011) 2,188,312 (49,699)

10,292,500 14,365,133 209,401 (20,038,420) 1,919,888 -

Equity Issued and paid Share capital Share Premium Contigency Reserves Retained earnings Revaluation Reserves Translation Reserve Shareholders funds Total liabilities & Reserves

10,292,500 10,292,500 14,365,133 14,365,133 280,482 179,165 (19,903,595) (20,432,438) 235,695 180,020 -

7,453,200

6,748,502

5,270,215

4,584,379

26,762,029

19,504,635

23,127,708

16,058,408

3.Audit Committee In accordance with Section 359(5) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. any member may nominate a Shareholder for election to the Audit Committee. Such nomination should be in writing and should reach the Company Secretary at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting. The Code of Corporate Governance of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Code of Good Corporate Governance of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) respectively indicate that members of the Audit Committee should have basic financial literacy and be knowledgeable in internal control processes. We would therefore request that nominations must be accompanied by a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae. 4.E-Report In furtherance of our environmental sustainability agenda and in order to improve delivery of our Annual Reports, we have inserted a detachable form to the Annual Report. We hereby request shareholders who wish to receive Annual Reports of African Alliance Insurance Pic in electronic format to complete and return the said form to the Registrars for further processing. In addition, the Annual Report and Financial Statements are available for viewing and downloading at the Company website wvvw. africanallianceplc.com. Electronic Complaints Register Please note that in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule No. 10(a) shareholders who have complaints should use the electronic complaints register on the website of the company at www.africanallianceplc.com to register their complaints. This will enable the company handle complaints from shareholders’ in a timely, effective, fair and consistent manner. Conduct of Proceedings at General Meeting Pursuant to Rule 19.12(c) of the Nigeria Stock Exchange Rulebook 2015, every shareholder has the right to ask questions not only at the meeting but also in writing prior to the meeting. Please note that all questions prior to the meeting should be submitted to the company on or before the 1st of April 2016 to enable the company attend to all questions in a timely manner. Dated this 9th Day of March, 2016 BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD

Mosunmola Oke FRC/2013/N BA/0000000383 7 Company Secretary 3rd Floor, 79 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos Statements of Comprehensive Income For the year ended 31 December 2014 31-Dec-2014

GROUP 31-Dec-2013

COMPANY 31-Dec-2014 31-Dec-2013

GrNoss Premium written

N’000 10,856,488

N’000 7,282,566

N’000 10,131,775

N’000 6,576,440

Gross Premium Income Reinsurance Expense

10,802,772 (70,574)

7,275,079 (79,142)

10,078,060 (66,106)

6,568,953 (76,379)

Net Premium Income Fees and Commission income

10,732,198 14,445

7,195,937 16,437

10,011,954 14,445

6,492,574 16,437

NET UNDERWRITING INCOME

10,746,642

7,212,373

10,026,398

6,509,011

Claims expenses Reinsurance claims Net claims expenses

(2,985,984) 39,028 (2,946,956)

2,183,042) 56,351 (2,126,691

(2,625,631) 39,028 (2,586,602)

(1,908,391) 56,351 (1,852,040)

Changes in contract liabilities

(5,739,033)

(3,485,011)

(5,646,212)

(3,391,409)

(8,685,989)

(5,611,702)

(8,232,815)

(5,243,449)

Underwriting Expenses Acquisition Expenses

(348,790)

(254,695)

(249,671)

(158,263)

Maintenance expenses Total underwriting expenses

(602,375) (951,165)

(466,755) (721,450)

(602,375) (852,046)

(466,755) (625,018)

Underwriting Profit/(Loss)

1,109,489

879,221

941,538

640,543

Investment income Profit on investment contract

570,310 54,819

201,544 (130,725)

493,261 54,819

147,589 (130,725)

Other operating income

180,940

313,491

15,946

(17,967)

Total Investment income

806,068

384,310

564,026

(1,103)

88,700

1,415,000

264,832

(3,047,578)

(33,379)

49,646

(33,379)

49,646

554,234 1,415,623 356,288 1,771,911

144,576 1,993,531 262,214 2,255,745

216,676 1,012,155 356,288 1,368,443

144,576 (2,854,460) 262,214 (2,592,246)

(822,211)

(590,469)

(634,168)

(429,852)

(1,348,258) (2,170,469) 710,930

(1,076,139) (1,666,608) 1,468,358

(911,333) (1,545,501) 764,481

(575,303) (1,005,156) (2,956,858)

Net realised gains on financial assets Impairment (charges)/writeback Net fair value gain/(loss) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Fair value gain/(loss) on investment properties Net Operating Income Share of profit of equity accounted\investee Administrative Expense Other operating Expenses Total Expenses Result of operating activities Interest Expense

(5,954)

(5,024)

710,930 (224,957 485,973

1,462,404 (57,725) 1,404,679

764,481 (134,320) 630,161

(2,961,882) (60,984) (3,022,867)

485,973 485,973

1,404,679 1,404,679

630,161 630,161

(3,022,867) (3,022,867)

PPE revaluation gains FX translation gain/(loss) Other comprehensive income for the period

268,424 (49,699) 218,725

12,949 12,949

55,675 55,675

12,949 12,949

Total comprehensive income

704,698

1,417,628

685,836

(3,009,918)

704,698 704,698 2.36

1,417,628 1,417,628 6.82

685,836 685,836 3.06

(3,009,918) (3,009,918) (14.68)

Profit or (Loss) before Taxation Income Tax Expense/Credit Profit or (Loss) after Taxation Profit attributable to: Equity holders of the Company Non-controlling interest Profit/(loss) for the period REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR ON THE SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC The accompanying summary consolidated financial statements which comprise the summary consolidated statements of financial position as at 31st December 2014 and statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 Dercember 2014 are derived from the audited financial statements of African Alliance Insurance Plc (the Company) and its subsidiary companies (together ‘the Group) for the year ended 31 December 2014. We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statement in our report dated 21st September 2015. The summary consolidated statements of financial position and statements of comprehensive income do not contain all the disclosures required by the International Financial Reporting Standards, the Companies and allied Matters Act of Nigeria, the Insurance act of Nigeria, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, 2011 and other relevant NAICOM guidelines and circulars applied in the preparation of the audited financial statement of the Group. Reading the accompanying statements of financial position and the statement of comprehensive income, therefore, is not a subsititute for reading the audited consolidated financial statements of African Alliance Insurance Plc. In our opinion, the accompanying summarised consolidated financial statements are consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial statements of African Alliance Insurance Plc for the year ended 31 December 2014, from which they were derived.

Anuebunwa Jude & Co Chartered Accountants Engagement Partner: Jude Anuebunwa FRC/2012/ICAN/00000000121

Other Comprehensive income

Items within OCI that will not be reclassified to the profit or loss;

Total comprehensive income attributable to: Equity holders of the company Non-controlling interests Total comprehensive income for the period Earnings per share-basic

12 February 2016

Photo

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

NEWS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Principal of Children Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Birrel, Sabo, Yaba, Mr. Beecroft Adegoriola; President, Rotary Club, Yaba, Rtn. Umar Toyin; District Governor, Rotary Club District 9110, Nigeria, Otunba Bola Onabadejo; Zonal Cordinator, Rtn. Bayo Adewak; Rtn Ted Doherty and District Secretary, Rtn. Femi Adenekan, during the presentation of comfort items to the Children of Correctional Centre in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Unilever Nig Plc, George Umoh; Customer Marketing Manager, Oral Care, Bimpe Adio; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Bode Ijarogbe; Brand Building Director, Unilever Nig Plc, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe and Category Manager, Oral Care, Bunmi Adeniba, at the Oral Health Awareness Walk in Lagos yesterday.

L-R: Mohammed Sanni, Regional Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Kaduna; Alhaji Ishaq Na’Allah, Executive Director, Business Development, Med-View Airline; Eng Lookman Animashaun, Executive Director, Technical and Alhaji Bello Saliu, Managing Director, Batake Resources Handling Company Ltd on arrival at Kaduna International Airport during the inaugural flight of the Airline to Kaduna. PHOTO ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

L-R: Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Michael Onuoha; Supply Chain Director, Cephas Afebuameh; Government Services and Alcohol in Society Manager, Nkiru Ogburuche; Ciroc Ambassador, Bankole Wellington and Corporate Communications Manager, Olayinka Edmond, at the DrinkiQ Roundtable for media practioners, in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Nigeria’s inflation rate hits double digit, up 11.4% in February Tola akinmuTimi

he nation’s inflation rate surged to an alltime high of 11.4 per cent in February, the highest recorded over the past months, despite spirited efforts by monetary and fiscal authorities to keep it at single digit The CPI measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for dayto-day living. The latest rate confirms most analysts’ projections that efforts by the authorities to mitigate the surging prices in the economy were not sustainable, given the prevailing economic performance indices in recent months. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) Report published by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS yesterday attributed the significant uptick in the rate, which represented about 1.76 per cent higher than January’s 9.6 per cent, to faster pace of increases recorded across

almost all major divisions. The Bureau reported that after increasing at the same pace for two months, the pace of increases of food prices as recorded by the Food sub-index was at a faster pace in February, increasing by 11.3 per cent, up by 0.71 percentage points from rates recorded in January. According to the agency, with the exception of potatoes, yams and other tubers; and sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery groups, all major food groups which contribute to the Food sub-index increased at a faster pace during the month. Expatiating on the “All Items less Farm Produce” or core sub-index, NBS also reported increases of the items at a faster pace during the month under review as imported items as well as other domestic shocks resulted in ripple effects across many divisions that contribute to the core. Specifically, it stated that the core sub-index increased

by 11.0 per cent in February, representing about 2.2 percentage points higher from rates recorded in the preceding month. An analysis of the report on a month-on-month basis showed that the Headline Index increased at a faster pace in February relative to January, rising by 2.3 per cent and indicating roughly 1.4 per cent points from rates recorded in the first month of this year. Similarly, the Bureau reported that in the month under review, both the Urban and Rural indices recorded marked increases with Urban index rising by 12.3 per cent (year-on-year) from 9.7 per cent recorded the month earlier, while Rural index increased by 10.7 per cent in February from 9.5 per cent in the preceding month. A further breakdown of the Urban Rural indices on a month-on-month basis showed that both indices increased at a faster pace.

Urban index increased by 3.0 per cent in the month under review from 0.9 per cent in January, while the Rural index increased by 1.8 per cent from 0.9 per cent in January. The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the 12-month period ending in the reviewed month over the average of the CPI for the previous 12-month period was 9.4

per cent, higher from 9.1 per cent recorded in January. The corresponding 12-month year-on-year average percentage change for the Urban index increased from 9.2 per cent in the preceding month to 9.5 per cent in February, while the corresponding Rural index also increased from 9.0 per cent in January to 9.2 per cent in the month under review.

Analysts at Proshare, one of the leading economic research and consultancies in the country, had, a few days ago, predicted that the year-onyear headline inflation would cross the single digit mark based on majorly developments in the foreign exchange market. The company predicted 10.1 per cent inflation rate for the month.

Senate votes N10bn to resettle IDPS GeorGe oji AbujA

enate yesterday passed a resolution mandating its Committee on Appropriation to allocate N10bn under the service wide votes for the relocation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, returning home in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to release grains from the strategic grain reserves to the af-

fected states. The legislators in addition, urged National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and Nigerian Refugees’ Commission, NRC, to make special arrangement for the repatriation and resettlement of Nigerians in Cameroon, Niger and Chad. This was also as the lawmakers directed its appropriate committees to write letters of appreciation to the embassies of host countries where the refugees are accommodated, as well as urged

the Victim Support Fund to allocate a reasonable amount of money for the immediate relocation and resettlement of the IDPs in the short and medium terms. Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who sponsored the motion on the IDPs, said the decisions became necessary because the displaced had lost all they had, including properties and vehicles before seeking refuge in the camps, adding that only concrete plans to resettle them could provide concrete relief.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News 5

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

CPC to DisCos: No prepaid meters, no billing olufemI aDeosun, ABUJA

onsumer Protection Council, CPC, has thrown its weight behind electricity consumers, insisting that those who have not been metered have the right to contest a bill presented to them. CPC Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, stated this in Abuja yesterday during a press briefing to announce the programmes for the World Consumer Rights Day. While the international consumer movement has enlisted to focus on “Antibiotic Resistance”, the nation’s apex consumer protection agency is adopting the theme: “Consumer Beware! Antibiotic Resistance Can Kill.” As part of its efforts to address some of the electricity consumers’ concerns, Atoki stated that the Council, working with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, had resolved to enforce the mandatory 60 days timeline to Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, to provide meters to consumers who have elected to procure such under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, scheme. She added that on the expiration of the 60-day timeline, the DisCos would lose the right to bill or disconnect consumers’ electricity source. Apart from that, the CPC boss noted that electricity consumers who had not been metered also reserved the right to reject any bill presented to them. Atoki said: “Consumers, who have not been metered have a right to contest a bill and opt to pay the last undisputed bill. “As a result, the Council will stand with consumers, who in line with NERC guidelines decided not to pay a disputed bill, including consumers under the CAPMI scheme who refuse to be bullied or disconnected after 60 days of not being provided with meters.” She also stated her determination to beam the agency’s searchlight on other sectors, adding that

there were ongoing investigations in the banking and hospitality sectors. On the theme of year’s World Consumer Rights Day, Atoki expressed deep concern over abuse of antibiotics, self medication and non-compliance with dosage, saying such lapses had either led to destruction of people’s health or death. She said: “Antibiotics resistance is currently very rampant. It has led to mass failure of medical interventions such as organ transplant, surgeries and other forms of treatment that require follow up actions with antibiotics to ensure full recovery of patients. “It has equally led to needless deaths and caused huge embarrassment to health professionals in the country. “In Nigeria, the menace of fake, adulterated, counterfeit or sub-standard drugs, non-compliance with dosage as prescribed by medical practitioners, self medication and unnecessary prescription of antibiotics have been largely implicated in antibiotics resistance in the country.” The CPC boss therefore counseled consumers against self-medication and misuse of antibiotics, insisting that these acts could lead to resistance. She noted that the Council, would in the next 12 months, concentrate on enlightening consumers on the dangers of drug abuses.

Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Rev. Frs and Catholic faithful during the 2016 Cathedraticum celebration at the St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Old Kutunku, Gwagwalada, Abuja, yesterday.

Oronsaye defrauded FG of N190m, EFCC tells court Doosuur Iwambe, ABUJA

conomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday told Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory how former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, operated a ‘secret’ bank account for the Presidential Committee on the Financial Action Task Force in 2012. EFCC through its witness, Ms. Ngunna Kakwagh, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, O. Uket told the court how the ex-Head of Service unilaterally oper-

ated an Access Bank account in the name of the presidential committee between 2012 and 2014 and received payments from Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, through the account without the knowledge of other members. Earlier, Oronsaye was arraigned before Justice Goodluck on a fresh twocount charge bordering on fraud where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him. The Federal Government accused Oronsaye of compromising his position as Chairman of the presidential committee by illegally diverting N190m, being part of the N240m grant, which the commit-

Senate to probe N3.2trn revenue scam in NNPC, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“And, through the instruments of their own work, investigate all the issues by seeking for clarification and at the end of the day, where they have infractions, or infringement on certain procedures, they mete out appropriate sanctions,” he said. Sabi said the report was the beginning of a process and that the process would be concluded with an investigation by the Senate. He said the 8th Senate would live up to its promise of accountability and, as such, would not cover up any act of corruption. According to him, the Senate’s investigation into the operation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA,

is a clear example of the dedication of the Senate to its work. “Through that exercise, we were able to save the country N7bn; there are similar works that had been done. “We want to say that since we have chosen to be different, we urge Nigerians to wait and see what we will make out of the investigation. “If oversight functions are carried out properly, some of these queries that we talk about will begin to reduce because the essence is to see infractions before they happen. “We, as lawmakers, will stop it before another institution discovers the anomalies and bring them to our

notice. “We have demonstrated our capacity to match our words with our actions. Wait and see, it’s a promise and we have four years to prove that we mean business,” he added. The AGF’s report alleged that N36 billion was released to the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for the rehabilitation and construction of dams instead of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. Among other things, the report added that N2.8 billion was spent for the procurement of hand sanitisers for schools and critical public places, to tackle the Ebola epidemic while N31 billion was spent on procuring fertilizer.

tee received from CBN. After Oronsaye took his not guilty plea, Mr. Uket, urged the court to remand him, pending the commencement of trial. However, Oronsaye’s counsel, Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, opposed the prosecution’s request for adjournment, saying the administration of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015 demands day to day trial after the arraignment of an accused person. Consequently, the EFCC called its first witness, Ms. Kakwagh who testified. Kakwagh gave a vivid account of how Oronsaye opened and operated the secret account, adding that the former HoS was the sole signatory. “The account opening signature and documents were analysed. We found the account name was Presidential Committee, while means of identification was later identified to be the international passport photograph of Oronsaye. “Further analysis showed that it was opened in 2012 with a request from Oronsaye to the bank manager of Access Bank which he signed as chairman. “The account was found to have had three financial transfers from CBN and N45m deposit by Oronsaye. “First transfer was N50m in October 2012, second transfer N90m in May 2012, third transfer was N9m in five places,” Kakwagh revealed. She further disclosed

that the petitioner, Stephen Jalada Alabi, a staff of the State House and a Secretary of the Presidential Committee and Francis Ifeanyi, Head of Nigerian Financial all denied knowledge of the secret account. “Alabi when invited by EFCC stated that the committee maintained an account with Zenith Bank Plc, which he is a co-signatory, adding that he had no knowledge of any Access Bank account,” she further stated. Meanwhile, the court admitted Oronsaye to N10m bail and two sureties at N5m each. The sureties must be at the level of directors in the federal civil service or retired directors, who must be residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Part of the charged read: “Stephen Oronsaye a.k.a. Mr. Steve Oronsaye on or about 12th June, 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory whilst being the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force and in such capacity entrusted with certain property to wit: the sum of N90m committed breach of trust in respect of the said sum by converting it to your personal use through the investment of the said sum of N90m in Access Bank Plc’s Bankers Acceptance for a tenor of 90 days at 9.0 per cent interest rate in violation of the extant financial regulations.

News

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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Nigeria’s economy needs 59 million jobs in 20 years —World Bank ChIDI ugwu AbujA

new World Bank study has suggested that Nigeria needs to create an estimated 40 to 50 million additional jobs between 2010 and 2030. The study, which was released in Abuja yesterday, noted that creation of that amount of jobs is imperative to avert a nationwide market crisis, that may result in possible economic collapse. According to the reports, majority of adult Nigerians are employed, but locked into low productivity and low

income work, with no job or income security. “To reduce poverty and promote inclusive growth, the jobs to be created need to be more productive and provide higher incomes than the country’s jobs provides today” said the three new reports. The reports also noted that beyond basic skills, better policies and programmes would improve access and market relevance of technical vocational education and training. One of the reports titled: “More and More Productive Jobs for Nigeria” provides

a detailed overview of jobs, workers and employment opportunities, while the other titled “Understanding and Driving Private Sector Growth in Nigeria” shows constraints and drivers of firm-level growth and implications for employment. The third report, “Skills for Competitiveness and Employability” examines the demand in priority economic and job growth sectors and how to ensure that Nigerians have the right skill sets. “Understanding where people work, constraints to firm growth, and the skills needed is fundamental for

formulating appropriate policies, and the detailed diagnostics in these reports are critical inputs to developing education and job strategies for Nigeria,” said Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria. According to the reports, two Nigerias seem to be emerging, one in which high and diversified growth provides more jobs and more income opportunities, and the other in which workers are trapped in traditional subsistence activities. The reports also show a geographical divide, with

northern Nigeria having low levels of education access and high youth underemployment than southern Nigeria. They further explain that although skills required in Nigeria remain mostly manual, the south is experiencing more demand than the north for the cognitive skills required by the new knowledge economy. It has also been shown that half of working Nigerians are smallholder farmers, and another 30 percent of them self employed in small or micro household enterprises in the non-agricultural sector, whose work is not enough to escape poverty, or attain middle class status for their households. This bad economic situation is worsened by the fact that some 30 percent of Nigerian youth have not completed more than primary education, according to current World Bank statistics. The bank’s reports call for attention to key areas of the country’s education, competitiveness and jobs agenda, further offering a

number of solutions, one of which being the improvement in basic skill levels, as transition into more productive employment requires more skills. Secondly, the reports say that the biggest productivity gains would come from reducing crime, improving access to credit, reducing losses due to power outages, and increasing Internet use. Thirdly, the reports said that raising agricultural productivity by incorporating smallholder farmers into value chains, increasing access to markets, inputs and technology would both help raise income opportunities for smallholder farmers and simultaneously tap into the significant potential for domestic agriculture and agribusinesses in Nigeria. The reports also regard agriculture as critical, saying it will remain the largest employer of labour for the forseeable future, as the sector contributed just 22 percent to GDP in 2012 but employed half of the Nigerian working population.

Why we are succeeding against insurgency —Buratai KemI olaItan IbAdAn

Children of Helpers Academy trying their hands on a laptop as one of the objectives of the proprietor, Tosin Taiwo, to have access to computers, in Lagos, recently.

he Chief of Army Staff, Leutnant-General Tukur Buratai, yesterday said the political will of President Muhammadu

Dasuki drags FG to ECOWAS Court

…seeks N500m in damages Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

he embattled immediate past National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has dragged the Federal Government before the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Court of Justice over his continued detention without trial since December 2015. Dasuki who was rearrested by the operatives of the Department of the State Security Service, DSS, shortly after perfecting the third bail granted him by the Nigerian Court, is asking the ECOWAS Court to enforce his fundamental rights as enshrined in the African Carter on the people and human rights and

the Nigerian Constitution. In the suit filed by his counsel Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, the former NSA is asking the ECOWAS Court to declare his arrest since last year without a lawful court order as unlawful, unconstitutional and breach of his fundamental right. The applicant also prayed the court to declare as unlawful and violation of his right to dignity of human person, privacy and family life guaranteed and protected right under Section 34 and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right and Article 12 of the Universal of Human Right, the action of the Federal Government of Nigeria for keeping him in

a dehumanising condition after he has been granted bail by courts of competent jurisdiction and after he had fulfilled bail conditions for his release. He therefore prayed for an order of ECOWAS Court compelling the Federal Government or its agents to forthwith release him and also to order government to release to him all his unlawfully seized properties during the invasion of his houses. Besides, Dasuki also prayed for an order of injunction restraining the Federal Government and its agents from further harassing, threatening, intimidating or infringing or interfering with his fundamental rights as guaranteed under

relevant national and international laws on human rights protection. Apart from seeking for his release to face adequately charges in court, Dasuki also demanded a compensatory damages of N500 million against the government for its egregious violations of his rights as guaranteed under the law. However, at the hearing yesterday, the Federal Government through its counsel Mr. T. A. Gazalli objected to Dasuki’s case on the ground that he has already been charged to Nigerian courts for various alleged offences. The counsel argued that the ECOWAS Court has no jurisdiction to enforce the bail conditions granted Da-

suki because it cannot sit as an appellate court to the Nigerian courts. He therefore urged the court not to entertain the case. In opposing the application, counsel to Dasuki, Mr. Wale Balogun, urged the court to dismiss the objection of the Federal Government for being misconceived and misplaced to the request of Dasuki before the Court. Balogun told a panel of three Justices of ECOWAS Court, led by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke that what Dasuki was asking for is the enforcement of his fundamental rights to freedom, having being arrested and detained since December 2015 without trial or any lawful court order.

Buhari, the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the resilience of the troops, are the secret behind the successes achieved so far in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country. Buratai who also lauded the professionalism displayed by the troops in the troubled regions of the country and the full support of all Nigerians as part of the secrets that helped curtail the continuous assault of the terrorist group, said the Nigerian Army is now using the same guerilla tactics being used by the terrorist group in combating them. The COAS who addressed journalists after a courtesy visit to the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, at the state secretariat, Ibadan, said the Nigerian Army has added more capacity and ability with the introduction of motorbike battalion to move quickly to wherever the terrorists are, before they would be able to cause any havoc. He said; “It is the political commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, the government, the leadership of the military who are very committed as well as the troops on the ground.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

EFCC Lagos caught up in forgery

OPEN LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION/MINISTER OF JUSTICE, ABUJA: COMPLAINTS OF THREATS TO KILL, FORGERY OF DOCUMENTS AND FLAGRANT DISREGARD OF COURT ORDERS AGAINST OPERATIVES OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION’S (EFCC) OFFICIALS IN LAGOS I, Jyde Adelakun, put forward my complaints of forgery and conspiracy against the following EFCC Operatives in Lagos: Abdulkarim Chukkol, Illiyaso Kwarbai, Gbolahan Latona,Mustapha Afeez and M.Kam Bashir, all working at the No. 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Office of EFCC; and Musa Giwa Yusuf, Zainab Majiadi and Ibelema Bristol, working at the Commission’s No. 7A Okotie- Eboh Street, Ikoyi, Lagos office, all of whom have committed forgery in this matter and threatened to kill me. The above-named officers committed forgery and fraudulently manufactured fake documents purported to have emanated from the Department of Homeland Security Investigation Officer in the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as ‘HSI’). The forged documents, presented as having originated from the office of the Department of HSI Attaché in Dakar, Senegal, are attached herewith as Exhibits A and B. The two exhibits had already been forwarded to the HSI, USA, for verification; and the verdict returned was that the documents were forged. Indeed, the HSI, USA, described the documents as false; and that they never emanated from the HSI Attaché’s office in Dakar, Senegal. Worse still, no HSI Attaché office is located in Dakar, Senegal. The documents contained falsified logo; while the name used as signatory is quite strange and unknown to the HSI, USA administrative system. The HSI further referred any investigator of the fraudulent EFCC officers to the website of the Dept. of HSI Investigations for further verification/confirmation online of the locations of HSI, USA attaché offices via www.ice.gov. In reference to the above mentioned, a written notarized confirmation was made by the Bank of America and is attached herewith as Exhibit JYDE 1. The truth and nothing but the truth was that the said EFCC operatives requested for N2 million bribe from me, which I bluntly refused to oblige them. From the day I rejected their request; they (EFCC operatives) unlawfully blocked my bank account and conspired with Skye Bank Plc to ask J P Morgan Chase Bank to write a petition of fraud against me. J P Morgan Chase Bank refused to play along with their rogue claims. However, the EFCC, Lagos, still went on to just charge me with the allegation that I received funds stolen from J P Morgan Chase Bank, regardless of the fact that there was no such claim from the J P Morgan Chase Bank against me. Next, the EFCC, Lagos, told me that if I don’t submit to their demands, they would frame charges to delay my funds from being released to me; and that they (EFCC Lagos) would do everything to show me that they had the power under the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari. I had written two petitions on this matter to the Director, Internal Affairs, EFCC, Abuja, dated 30th July 2015 and 14th August 2015, without any response as yet – (see Exhibit JYDE 2). I have also sent petitions to the Lagos State Government; The Presidency, Abuja, the Senate, Inspector-General of Police, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and the Attorney-General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice, for the rule of law to prevail. What is more is the fact that the desperate EFCC officials are threatening to kill me. Such law enforcement agents constitute a serious threat to the security of lives and the safety of Nigerians when they and a few of their corrupt bosses shamelessly solicit for bribes and frame charges against innocent people who refused to do their biddings. I am a very good example sir. No Nigerian law supports the abuse of office of that magnitude, especially by security agents statutorily charged with securing lives and property (please also see exhibits JYDE 3). There are three subsisting orders from the Federal High Court, Lagos; and the High Court of Lagos State that all my properties should be released to me; and that my accounts be unfrozen and unblocked, with unrestricted access to my funds. But instead of obeying the court order, the EFCC leadership in Lagos disregarded the court order. The Federal High Court bailiff that went to the EFCC Lagos office to serve the court judgement on the Commission was unlawfully detained. The unlawful act of the EFCC operatives in this matter had led to the death of my immediate sister (a secretary in our company), who was hospitalized at a time when the funds to pay for her treatment was being unlawfully blocked by the EFCC Lagos leadership in defiance of the said court judgments and order of the court dated 23rd September 2015. The situation at hand goes beyond mere threat to a citizen’s right to security and safety, but can be extended to mean an embarrassing threat to the security of the entire citizenry by errant members of a security agency recruited, kitted paid and maintained by the Nigerian government to execute legitimate security mandate on behalf of the nation and its citizens. No individual or organisation, including the EFCC, should be permitted to act as if they are above the law. In addition to the above-mentioned, no Nigerian is safe the moment a national agency of government fabricates documents in order to pervert the course of justice. My case demands immediate response and resolution by higher authorities before the EFCC officials commit more harm against me, including making good their threat of killing me.

1. Department of Homeland Security Investigation, USA. Forged document by EFCC

2. Department of Homeland Security Investigation, USA. Forged document by EFCC

Yours Truly Jyde Adelakun Cc: Inspector-General of Police; Presidency, Abuja; Senate President; EFCC National Office, Abuja and ICPC. Cc: Stephen E. Amallagoge & Co (Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public), 16 Amodu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

3. Department of Homeland Security Investigation, USA. Notarised response

South West

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

$1.5bn oil mining: Appeal Court hears Chevron’s application Nov 22 Wale igbintade

L-R: General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army, 2 Division, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Laz Ilo; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo and Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, during a visit to the Governor’s Office while on a working visit to the state, in Ibadan, yesterday.

Building collapse: Ambode seals off Lekki Gardens ...orders evacuation of residents Francis suberu

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered residents in Lekki Gardens Estate, where a five- storey building collapsed last week to vacate their homes to allow government carry out integrity test on all buildings in the estate. The governor, who yesterday visited the scene of the five-storey building collapse which claimed the lives of 34 people last week, said integrity test must be carried out on all buildings constructed by Lekki Worldwide Development Estate, owner of Lekki Garden Estate to be sure of their fitness and safety. Expressing displeasure at the conducts of the developer, Governor Ambode said the company should take responsibility for the relocation of occupants of the buildings as government would not wait for the buildings to kill other people before taking a decisive action. He said the state government will undertake “a stability test on all other buildings constructed by the developer in the state, whether occupied or not, to ascertain their structural stability. The developer will pay the cost of the tests. Any building found to be defective will be demolished. For those that

pass the integrity test, the developer will pay a penalty for any overdevelopment on the site.” Ambode further said that the state government intends to carry out an audit of all structures in Lagos State to ascertain those with planning approval or not and evaluate the physical development against the approved building plans. He said details of the initiative are being finalised and that Lagosians will be informed in due course. The governor reiterated that Lagos State is open to business for those who must comply with the state’s laws and regulations in order to prosper, adding that the main concern of the state government is to continue to improve on the ease of doing business and uphold the Rule of Law at all times. He added that those who choose non-compliance and defiance will henceforth face the full weight of the law without fear or favour. Commiserating with those who lost their lives and injured in the process, Ambode said the responsibility of any government was to ensure the safety of lives and property of its citizens and that his government was determined not to fail in that duty. He stated that since the tragedy, his administra-

tion took certain steps by ordering the immediate sealing of the construction site and cessation of further construction; ensured the co-ordinated emergency rescue of all injured victims and treatment at its hospitals and ordered the owners of the collapsed building to submit themselves to the police, which they did. He assured that the state government would do everything within its powers to check the excesses of developers who flouted its regulations and would restore efficiency and confidence in the building control and supervision process. To this end, Ambode said government had established a 5-man committee under the Chairmanship of Dr Moses Olubunmi Ajayi, a past President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Association of Professional Builders of Nigeria to examine the Urban and Regional Planning Law of the State as it affects Lagos State Building Control Agncy, LASBCA, and

examine the operations of LASBCA and make recommendations for changes that would ensure effective service delivery. Other terms of reference of the committee, according to Ambode, are to recommend organisational re-structure and appropriate manpower for effective operation of LASBCA, study the legal and operational issues affecting the functioning of the Materials Testing Laboratory and all other matters that will enhance the efficient functioning of the two organisations, while the committee would submit its report in four weeks. Other members of the committee are: Engineer Ore Fadayomi, President of the Nigerian Institute of Structural Engineers; Mrs. Yetunde Ajayi, Retired Permanent Secretary; General Manager, Lagos State Planning Authority, LASSPA, and the Secretary of LASBCA as secretary of the committee.

he Court of Appeal, Lagos division has fixed November 22, 2016 for hearing the appeal challenging the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court to entertain a dispute arising over Oil Mining Leases (OML) 52, 53 and 55 to Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited. Britannia-U Nigeria Limited had instituted a suit before a Federal High Court, Lagos asking the court to restrain Chevron Nigerian Limited from divesting its interests in Oil Mining Leases (OML) 52, 53 and 55 to Seplat Petroleum Development Company. The appellate court yesterday fixed November 22, 2016 for hearing of the substantive appeal and refused to entertain an application brought by Chevron asking for stay of proceedings. The court, however, granted the appellants (Chevron Nigeria Limited and BNP Paribas Securities Corp) application for an extension of time to file additional records of appeal. Britannia-U Nigeria Limited had through its lawyers: Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), sued Chevron Nigeria Limited along with four others. The lower court had adjourned the suit sine-die (till further notice) following series of appeals filed by the defendants. The plaintiff (Britannia-U Nigeria Limited) had approached the court seeking for a declaration that by the final biding offer of $1,015,000,000.00 for acquisition of 40 percent participating interest of Chevron Nigeria in oil mining leases 52, 53 and 56

has been accepted by the first defendant. In its statement of claim, the plaintiff stated that the second defendant, (Chevron USA) requested Britannia-U to provide firm Bond commitment letter issued by the plaintiff ’s bankers for payment of the balance of $765million which was complied with. The plaintiff added that its bankers directly paid the money to the second defendant (Chevron Corp.) at their Houston office on November 15, 2013 arguing that with that, it followed that the parties have entered into binding contract for the acquisition of the OMLs 52, 53 and 55 by the plaintiff. The plaintiff pray the court to hold that its revised bid of One Billion and Fifteen Million US dollars (US$1, 015, 000, 000.00), for acquisition of the 40% participating interest of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Oil Mining Leases 52, 53 and 56 is binding and subsisting. The plaintiff added that by provision of the Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit for the sum of $250 million representing 15% of company’s initial bid price of $1.667billion, opened in favour of the first/second defendants on September 30, 2013 remain in force. Consequently, the plaintiff is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, privies, proxies from proceeding to invite bids, offering or accepting, negotiating or engage in any transaction or contract calculated or purporting to transfer, sell, farm out, or otherwise charge, encumber deal in, dispose of or divest the 40% participating interest of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Oil Mining Leases 52, 53 and 55 in Nigeria in favor of any person.

Three more suspects arrested over kidnap of Lagos schoolgirls Patience OgbO

olicemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, have arrested three more suspects over the kidnap of three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary in Ikorodu, Lagos State ,

Timilehin Olosa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo, who were kidnapped by gunmen in the school The police initially arrested three suspected gang members behind the kidnap of the school girls, but police sources revealed that three others who allegedly took part in the

kidnap were also arrested at the weekend in their hotel room where they were hiding bringing the number of arrested suspect to six. The police source said; “Three more suspects were arrested at the weekend at their different hotel rooms. We tracked them through the network pro-

viders and they have confessed to being the ones cooking for the girls and ensuring that they did not escaped. They told us that they fed the girls with indomie noodles. The suspects also informed us that they had attempted to kidnap the girls two times, but they succeeded in their third attempt”

South South

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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PDP, Oshiomhole bicker over $75m World Bank loan Onazena abbey, Benin

eadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has accused the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, of diverting $75million World Bank loan into private pocket with the sole aim of raising N10billion for the purpose of prosecuting election for his preferred candidate come September gubernatorial election in the state. Newly sworn-in state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who

raised the alarm in his maiden speech, said the governor had perfected the planin collaboration with a new generation commercial bank. Orbih consequently called for unity and discipline among party faithful and members of the newly inaugurated state executive, with a view to bring about a PDP government in the state. According to him, the state party executive will ensure Edo becomes one of the PDP-controlled states in the south-south, adding that the task

would be made easier by the alleged failure of the Oshiomhole-led government. But in a swift reaction, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua said: “If Orbih were not a complete dunce, he would have known that World Bank is not like Ogbonna Community Bank where you can abuse financial procedures. “He has just shown the reckless financial orientation of the PDP and their brigandage

and voodoo economics. Otherwise he would not even contemplate that a World Bank would carry money in sacks and hand over to state government.

“We have repeatedly said that PDP has no answer to the challenges of governance. The empty-headedness of their state chairman further compounds their problem. How on earth would a man talk about World Bank in such reckless emanations?

“What a pity. Please, I recommend for Dan

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo; Chairman, Wells Sam Carlos Farm, Capt Hosa Okunbo and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, at the presentation of the Agro business plan of Wells Sam Carlos Farm to the Governor yesterday.

Orbih a refresher course for him to learn the ropes in modern World Bank financial transac-

Amaechi didn’t manhandle any officer –Police dennIs naku,

Port Harcourt

olice in Rivers State have debunked report that Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, manhandled a policeman in the state recently. The social media was rife with reports that the former governor of the state arrested a security personnel along the Port Harcourt--Omagwa Road recently, though it remained unconfirmed. But reacting to the report, spokesman of the State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Mohammad in a statement in Port Harcourt, described the report as false. Mohammad said such an incident never tool place and called on members of the public to discountenance the said re-

ormer Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has urged the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal to give his appeal challenging warrant of arrest issued against him accelerated hearing. A Federal High Court judge, Ibrahim Buba, had on January 14 issued warrant for arrest of Tompolo following his failure to honour summons in respect of 40 counts of alleged N45.9bn fraud levelled against him and nine others. Buba had also in a ruling delivered on February 8 dismissed an application by Tompolo’s lawyers, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, seeking to vacate the arrest warrant on the claim

that Tompolo was not properly served the summons. Dissatisfied, Tompolo through his lawyers, Oyetibo and Adegboruwa, appealed against the rulings and urged the appellate court to set it aside. However, in a statement issued yesterday by his lawyer, Tompolo stated that he had filed his brief of argument in the appeal and same has been served on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The statement reads, “In demonstration of his desire to have his matter heard and determined expeditiously, Tompolo has since compiled the Record of Appeal in the appeal and has forwarded same to the Registry of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Igbosere, Lagos.” The statement added

that in demonstration of his commitment to the rule of law, Tompolo’s case is now before the Court of Appeal, with the concomitant effect that the trial Federal High Court, will willingly cede jurisdiction over Tompolo’s case to the Court of Appeal, since the appeal has now been entered in the Court of Appeal. In the Notice of Appeal, Tompolo is asking the court to hold that the trial court erred in law, in refusing to set aside the warrant of arrest issued against him, when there was no evidence to show he had been notified of the summons and the criminal charge pending against him, before the court. Tompolo also complained that the court should have ascertained that EFCC duly complied

with the order of the court for substituted service, by posting the charge at the correct address as contained in the order of the court. Tompolo stated further that the application leading to the issuance of warrant of arrest was not competently placed before the court, as the counsel that signed and filed it on behalf of EFCC failed to affix his seal thereto, as required by law. Tompolo is thus asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the warrant for his arrest and vacate all subsequent proceedings emanating from the flawed process of the criminal charge. He is further seeking that the charge against him should be transferred from the current judge, to another judge of the Federal High Court.

port. The statement reads: “The attention of Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the news story (making) the rounds, particularly in the social media to the effect that Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi, the minister of transportation, on 12/03/2016 along Port Harcourt-Omagwa road, arrested and manhandled a policeman. “The Command initially decided to keep sealed lips but observed that the untrue story continued to go viral and unabated. “Consequently, the Command wishes to state categorically that the story is untrue and did not happen. “Members of the public are hereby enjoined to discountenance and ignore the story in its entirety.”

Glo sustains lead in data subscription

T Warrant of arrest: Tompolo seeks accelerated hearing Wale IgbIntade

tion, instead of exhibiting manifest ignorance that tends to put Edo people to shame.”

elecommunication giant, Globacom, has consolidated the gains it made in 2015 as Nigeria’s preferred network for data services by ramping up a clear lead in the figures for new internet customers so far released for 2016. In the new industry figures showing the number of new data customers each of the four major operators added to its base in January, Globacom led with 354,178 subscribers joining its internet customer base. The figure, published on the website of the industry regulators, represents 94.7 percent of the total number of 373,835 new internet customers for the four major operators. Conversely, South African operator MTN continued a downward slide in its data customer base with 1,705,878 internet users leaving its network in January. Similarly, Etisalat lost 94,115 internet customers in January, while Airtel gained 19,657 new subscribers in the month. With the release of the

January statistics, a clearer picture has emerged on how the operators fared over the last 12 months. An analysis of the 12 months figures shows that Globacom added a total of 7,251,657 new internet users during the period which is 53% of the total 13.644million new customers who subscribed to internet services of the four major operators. Etisalat came a distant second with a total of 5,431,190 new internet customers, while Airtel finished third with 961,548 new data customers in the 12 months. On the other hand, MTN recorded a net loss of 1,059,160 data subscribers in the last one year, as more data subscribers left the network than those who joined. The January 2016 figures are a reflection of the trend witnessed in the last quarter of 2015. A breakdown of the industry figures for that quarter showed that it was only Globacom that recorded an increase in its internet subscriber base in the last quarter of 2015. The network had

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South East

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Imo probes 2014 hajj operations Chris Njoku Owerri

mo State Government has inaugurated a five-man administrative panel to investigate various allegation of fraud arising from the 2014 HAJJ operations, with a mandate to the committee to submit its report within two weeks. Inaugurating members of the panel at the Cabinet Office, Owerri, on behalf of the state government, Secretary to the Imo State Government, SGI, Sir Jude Ejiogu, stated that the committee is expected to investigate circumstances surrounding non-re-

fund of fares to 22 intending pilgrims, after it was clear that they could not travel to the holy land in 2014. Ejiogu, while reading the terms of reference, also charged them to determine the total amount paid by individual Muslim Pilgrims for the 2014 Hajj, to ascertain whether their Hajj fares were actually paid into the Pilgrim’s Board account and thereafter, remitted to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria or not. He therefore directed the panel to assess the problem identified by the ad-hoc Hajj Committee in its report on the

outcome of the 2014 Hajj operations and proffer solutions to them. He also urged them to make recommendations for the orderly Hajj operations in future. Speaking on behalf of the panel, its chair-

man, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs in the Cabinet Office, Mr. Eddy Igharo, thanked the state government for finding them worthy to serve, and assured of their willingness to carry out

the function assiduously. Igharo promised that the panel would address every salient points raised in the terms of reference, assuring that they would conclude their assignment within the time frame.

The panel members are made up of Mrs. N.U. Izunobi, Pastor Nwabueze Nwobu, Mr. J.O. Iwuchukwu, and Mr. C.A. Oparanozie who serves as Secretary of the panel.

market. It was gathered that Anyigor was a taskforce Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union in Ndiagu Amagu, but was attacked by some members of the union. Investigation revealed that late Anyigor had a scuffle with members of his union who alleged that he drove his motorcycle reck-

lessly at Afia Igwe Market Square and the attack on him by some of the union members led to his death. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor, said that on March 4, 2016, the Chairman of Ndieke Ndiagu Amagu, Earnest Nwoba in company of Walter Nwanchor Nwangbo and Godwin Anyigor reported at Ikwo Police Station the death of Anyigor at about 4:30 pm. He noted that there was a fight between the late Anyigor and his taskforce members on the way he drove his motorcycle at the market square and that the police was yet to get the full details of how he drove the motorcycle that made his union members to descend so heavily on him to the extent of killing him. “We are yet to find out

what actually transpired that led to the death of the young man. Whatever the situation, it couldn’t have led to beating him to the extent that he died. We’re yet to know if they used weapons on him or just fist that really killed him.” “The deceased was the Chairman of Taskforce Unit of the Motorcycle Union in the area and it was his fellow taskforce members who alleged that he rode his motorcycle carelessly or recklessly within the market area, may be in a bid to get him down, a scuffle ensued.” Okafor disclosed that Chukwuma Nwangbo, Nwabueze Nwoba, Emmanuel Igboji, have been arrested in connection with the crime, while the deceased body has been deposited in Onueke General Hospital in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

EmmANuEl EzEh

ter Obi who went to court did not participate in that election; by the time that election was held, Peter Obi was just about one month in the PDP, among all the actors that participated in the PDP primary, Obi was not one of them. “So, even if the court want to come against its own process, or its own leanings, the only one that is not supposed to be in that election is Peter Obi; he is not supposed to be part of that election because he was not part of that process ab-initio, he was part of the primary of either of Emeakayi group or Oguebego group, so from where did the Federal High Court derive the power to give such frivolous judgement? “Obi’s issue in this case is stillborn, it is dead on arrival, I’m not advocating that APGA should go into this election unchallenged, but it should be lawful; we don’t feel extraordinarily challenged, but the right thing should be done.”

Okada union riders kill chairman over reckless riding AliuNA GodwiN AbAkAliki

he Chairman of the Okada rider association of Nigeria in Ndieke Ndiagu village, Amagu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Joseph Anyigor, was yesterday beaten to death by mobs for allegedly driving recklessly at the

Obi can’t participate in Anambra Central rerun –APGA scribe enugu

L-R: Members of Board of Trustees, Sabmiller Hero’s Foundation (SHF), Mr Lukas Van-Deventer; Prof Chinyere Okunna; Otunba Michael Daramola; Obi of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Achebe; Ms Yolande Chirwa and Mr Chike Onyejekwe during the launch of SHF Business Community Development in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Why South East must play national politics –Adihije

ll Progressives Congress, APC, elder in Abia State, Senator Chris Adihije, has advised South-Easterners to play national politics to be able to compete with politicians from other zones of the country. Adihije, who gave the advice while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said the advice became necessary because ``we are beginning to have very strong politicians’’ and ``they have to stand up to be counted.’’ The senator, who represented Abia Central Senatorial District from 2003 to 2007, said some notable politicians from the

South-East joined APC in order to protect the interest of the region. “If you look very carefully, you see quite a number of seasoned politicians are beginning to join the party, APC. “Initially, the parties that metamorphosed into APC were strong in the East. “Now, we are beginning to have very strong politicians, who know that it is better for us in the East to play national politics and be able to compete with other regions. “Naturally, you cannot exclude the South-East in the national politics; it is not possible. “I always believe in

the theory of the tripod where we have the Igbos, who makes up the majority of the South-East, they have to stand up to be counted. “If you do not have the South-East in national politics, then, it is not stable; we have to do our best to convince our people that that is where to go.’’ He said APC in the South-East requires the injection of resourceful politicians to enable the party to compete strongly in subsequent elections. The former PDP National Treasurer expressed optimism that with him and other notable South-Easterners in APC, the party would be

able to take more states from the region in future elections. According to him, a revolution is going on in Abia and the SouthEast in general as a lot of people are beginning to identify with APC having been disappointed by PDP. Adihije said it was the feeling among South-Easterners that they were being marginalised by the present government because the zone stood for PDP during the 2015 general election. He urged the APC-led Federal Government to ensure that appointments to government agencies and departments reflected national cohesion.

eputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr Jerry Obasi, yesterday berated the Federal High Court judgement which created a window for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to participate in the Anambra Central Senatorial rerun election. According to Obasi the Anambra scenario is a very remarkable one, it is also a pitiable one, there has been a cardinal rule in the way elections are conducted in Nigeria; there has never been a day window was created for a strange person to participate in a rerun that he never participated in the first election, it has never happened in the history of election in Nigeria; so, why now? Why in Anambra State? Why in Anambra Central? Why will a lower court circumvent the decision of superior court? Pe-

North

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Med-View begins direct flight operations to Kaduna Olusegun KOiKi

he fastest growing carrier in Nigeria, Med-View Airline, yesterday commenced direct flight operations from Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos to Kaduna Airport. With the schedule, the airline would regularly connect Abuja from Kaduna on its return leg. The airline, which departs Lagos at 7:30a.m operates the Kaduna route four times weekly: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and said it would increase the frequencies as passenger traffic increases on the route. It however departs Kaduna at 9:15am to Abuja for onward journey to Lagos. Med-View however said it would encourage healthy competition on the routes and other airport cities across the country, stressing that this would bring out the best from all operators while passengers would have better choice on any airline to fly with. Briefing journalists on the opening of the new route, the airline’s Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Lookman Animashaun, said the commencement of the new route was part of the company’s route development. Animashaun declared that the aim of the airline was to connect all the major routes and the country and assured that that because of its safety and maintenance records, the airline would still be the carrier to be reckon with on the route. He added that the intention of the airline was to ease the pains of travellers in that axis and promised to continually render quality services it is known for on all its routes to the new route. He said, “Med-View is in

the area of making sure that Nigerians are given the best flight services around the country and you can see that from our brand name, ‘The airline of Nigeria.’ If we brand ourselves the Airline of Nigeria, then, we should be seen all around the country and one of those steps is what we have done to come to Kaduna Airport. “I’m not sure Nigerians have phobia for flying, but those that will not fly will never fly no matter what you do. Aviation is still the safest means of transportation anywhere in the world and at Med-View Airline, we don’t compromise on maintenance and safety. If anyone is afraid of flying, such a person should not be afraid of flying with Med-View Airline because our fleets are maintained according to the regulations of the aircraft manufacturer and that of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.” With Kaduna, Med-View Airline has increased its local routes to eight; Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Yola, Kano and Maiduguri on its domestic network. Med-View Airline was in 2012 issued the Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC, to commence scheduled flight operations after two years of rigorous attempt to get the certificate by NCAA. Since the commencement of Lagos-Abuja-Lagos flight operations in 2012 with just two aircraft, the airline has increased its routes to other cities in Nigeria and added Lagos-Accra to its number of growing routes less than two years later. Today, Med-View operates direct flight operations to Gatwick International Airport, London four times a week while it equally commenced direct flight from Kano via Lagos to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 31, 2015.

Tension as okada rider kills Kogi Poly student wale ibraHim LokojA

here was pandemonium yesterday at the main campus of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja as news filtered in of the death of a female Higher National Diploma, HND II, student stabbed by a commercial motorcyclist aka Okada operator. The Okada rider, described as a Hausa man, allegedly stabbed the student over N10 on Monday night. It was learnt that an argument ensued when the de-

ceased dropped at the main gate of the polytechnic and told the Okada man she couldn’t pay more than N50 fare. As she moved towards campus, the motorcyclist felt insulted and rushed after the girl and stabbed her. She was rushed to the hospital, but news of her death was received on campus yesterday, leading to students going on rampage and attacking commercial motorcycle operators. The protesters set bonfire on the Lokoja highway, while property worth mil-

LAfiA

asarawa State House of Assembly yesterday rejected a bill sponsored by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura for the creation of Anzo chiefdom. The Assembly however advised the governor not to

change the nomenclature of Akun Chiefdom to Anzo chiefdom in the interest of peace and development. Deputy speaker of the Assembly, Godiya Akwashiki, who presided over the plenary, gave the advice after a report on the bill for a law for the change of nomenclature from Akun chiefdom to Anzo chief-

lions of naira was destroyed. An articulated truck belonging to Dangote, laden with over 600 bags of cement, was set ablaze after the driver was allegedly beaten by the irate students. Another trailer was vandalised, as the driver reportedly narrowly escaped lynching by the angry mob. The main gate of the institution had already been barricaded by policemen when journalists got to the scene. However, angry students warned some of the journalists to go back or risk being attacked.

Meanwhile, the school has been shut by the management. Public Relations Officer, Mr. Luke Yakubu, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on phone, explained that the decision became necessary to douse the tension in and around the campus, stressing that the management cannot afford to lose more students if the crisis escalated. He noted that the immediate solution is to shut the school and allow the students return home for now, for the sake of peace.

L-R: Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdufatah Ahmed and President, Mining and Geo sciences Society, NMGS, Prof. Gbenga Okunlola examining solid mineral sites on Kwara map during exhibition at the 52nd annual International Conference of NMGS in Ilorin, Tuesday.

Benue uncovers 2,200 ghost workers …saves N260m monthly Henry iyOrKase MAkurdi

enue State governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday declared that over 2,200 ghost workers have been uncovered by his administration with a wage bill difference of over N260m monthly.

Ortom, who expressed shock at the immediate past administration for perpetuating the act of illegality, expressed his administration’s determination to follow the tenets of accountability, transparency and general good governance. The governor made the announcement at Govern-

Assembly rejects Al-Makura’s bill to create chiefdom igbawase uKumba

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dom was adopted after presentation by chairman of the house committee on Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs, Saidu Galadima, on the floor of the house. Consequently, the Assembly unanimously adopted the report and urged the state government not to change the nomencla-

ture from Akun chiefdom to Anzo in the interest of peace. Galadima, who represents Toto/Gadabuke constituency on the platform of APC, said the people of Akun chiefdom overwhelming rejected the proposed redefinition of the title from Akun to Anzo chiefdom.

ment House, Makurdi after receiving a report of the biometric audit of the state civil service staff carried out by BASMAK Technologies, to ascertain the accurate workforce. In a report presented by Prince Mkpang, the MD/ CEO BASMAK Technologies, Automatic Finger Print Identification System (AFIS) was carried out, with 18,143 staff captured, and after processing the data 17,962 active employees were on the new biometric database. These new figure contradicts September 2015 staff head-count of 20,220 and a gross salary of N2,562,391,723.61. The new figure of 17,962 has a gross salary of N2,303,264,367.05. Therefore the head-count

difference, Mkpang said, is 2,258 and a gross difference of N259,127,357 per month not unlike the past. Ortom, however, stated that government will soon constitute a white paper committee to authenticate the report with a view to eventual implementation of the report. “I commend you for the job well done and every information contained in the report will be judiciously used towards achieving the set agenda of my administration,” he said. It will be recalled that the state government had on October 26, 2015 commissioned the firm to verify the accurate staff strength of the civil service with a view to ascertaining the exact wage bill of the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Politics

N1.04trn fine: Senate raises alarm over plot to free MTN

I’m not an Apostle of zoning —Imasuagbon

Successful businessman and educationist, Chief Kenneth Imasuagbon is one of the over 20 aspirants gunning for the sole ticket of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections in September. In this interview with HENRY OKODUWA, he says he has acquitted himself quite well with the past to earn the right to succeed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as he winds up his eight years tenure soon. He also speaks on a number of issues including his plan for Edo people in the area of education, infrastructural development, agriculture, tourism, taxation among others . Excerpts: Why do you want to be the next governor of Edo State? I have always been a welfarist, a people – oriented person who allows the love – your – neighbor – as – yourself principle to guide his every action. I have always worked assiduously to leave my footprints in the sands of time by making sure that people’s lives are affected in the most positive ways possible. Because at the end of our sojourn here on earth, we won’t be judged by how much wealth we were able to amass, nor how many cars or houses we were able to acquire, but by how much we were able to touch the lives of the poor, the needy, oppressed, deprived, down - trodden and the impoverished majority. So, I have always tried to brighten my own little corner in my own little way each time I have had the opportunity to do so. I therefore reason that given a bigger platform like being the governor of Edo State, I can touch a larger segment of society and generally improve the standard of living of our people. And how, you might ask, do I intend to do that? By simply creating jobs for the millions of unemployed youths roaming our streets through the re-activation of moribund industries and stimulating growth in agriculture. My experience in the private sector equips me fully to achieve this. Do not forget that the growing crime rate has a direct bearing to unemployment as an unengaged young person has a high proclivity towards crime. So, by creating jobs and reducing crime, we would be directly engendering peace and stability which in itself encourages investments, both from within and outside the country. Now, this has a bandwagon effect as we would be opening wider doors for investors to come and invest in Edo State, enmasse. Beyond industries, as I said before, we would be focusing our attention on agriculture.

We would be opening up farm plantations in the state’s three senatorial zones to major in certain crops and have processing plants attached as it is done in the developed parts of the world. For instance, a citrus or tomato plantation could have a processing plant localised in the farm to produce juice for both export and local consumption. Now, imagine what this would do for our job creation drive? I have no doubt that this can be achieved within a very short period of my ascension to power as governor because Edo is not in short supply of arable land to open up these farms and its corresponding agro – allied industries. These, I tell you, will open up the economy to such level that the bulk of our resources for development and growth need not be wholly sourced from monthly federal allocations. The recent sharp drop in world oil market prices now necessitates creative ways of making money rather than on cut – throat taxes for Internally Generated Revenue, IGR which is now more or less a burden to our people. In my time as governor, I will cut taxes and explore other means of making money for our state. Don’t you know high taxes discourage investment? When you cut taxes, you boost the economy as investors would feel secure to take a risk on your economy. They are the ones who will employ the youths who would in turn pay the taxes. Or do the unemployed pay taxes? So, one thing must first of all be in place to encourage the birth of the other! The same innovations I will bring into all the other sectors of the economy particularly education where I have firm grasp. As an educationist, I know what it would take to revolutionise education in Edo State. Under my administration, education will experience a major boost. Schools would be equipped with the right teaching and learning aids, teachers would be paid

been consistent. Edo people know me. I have a track record that they know and identify with. I am the necessary bridge between the rich and the poor, the upper and the middle class. The upper class have always tended to work against my aspirations for no real reasons I can fathom but the middle and lower class who identify with me and what I represent are in the majority. I forsee a situation where the elections are going to be decided by the majority. So, I forsee revolution at the primaries. I hope to replicate what President Muhammadu Buhari did to navigate all the landmines of an incumbent to land the presidency in the upcoming primaries. Change is a wind. No man can stop it. No one can stop me if God wants me to pocket the gubernatorial ticket at the primaries.

Imasuagbon

Under my administration, edUcation will experience a major boost.

schools woUld be

eqUipped with the right teaching and learning aids, teachers woUld be paid their salaries as at when dUe. their salaries as at when due. In the area of security, we would ensure a peaceful state through a vigorous job creation as I said earlier. Apart from re – activating dead industries and locating fresh ones through the farm plantation system, we shall bring life to our tourism to create jobs for our youths. I intend to also use my vast international contacts to achieve this. Your plans for Edo State are well thought- out. But how do you intend to plough through a loaded minefield

of equally formidable opponents in the APC primaries to nick the ticket? My chances are very bright. I have the best chance to emerge as the APC governorship candidate if the primaries are free, fair, credible and transparent. With due respect to all other aspirants who come across to me as men and women of great character and ability, I want to say I have the edge in this race because history supports me. The past support me , the fact that I am the best material. I am the oldest in the game. I have

Have you also factored into your calculations that the ethnic card could be used in the primaries? Great question. I am not an apostle of zoning or tribe. Edo is one. For me, there’s no Edo South, Central, Edo North. All I think we have is the United State of Edo. Those who fan the embers of zoning are weak politicians who want to use the tribal trick to play our people 419. Gratefully, our people are now better informed than they were in the past. This means they have become wise to the usual tricks of those who would rather resort to playing the ethnic game than work to convince the people that they are eminently qualified to lead them. Our people now know that it is not where a man comes from, but ability that qualify him for any exalted office. For the upcoming elections, the question our people would be asking is who the person is, his antecedents, track record, background, character CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Politics

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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I’m not an Apostle of zoning —Imasuagbon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 and so on. I am an apostle of merit, ability, credentials. Who is the man that is capable and competent to move Edo beyond what Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done? Who is the man that Edo people know, that they can trust? Who is the ‘rice man’? Who is the man who sponsors hundreds of students on scholarship in various institutions of higher learning across the country every year for the last 10 years solely from money made through diligent work and not through government patronage or appointment? Who is the man that has fought hunger on the streets of Edo State consistently and doggedly for the past 10 years? Who is the man who is ever on the side of the widows, poor and needy for the past decade? Who is the man who daily undertakes to underwrite hospital bills for the poor in private or public health facilities for the last 10 years? Who is the man the baby in the womb recognises his voice? Who and who is that man who has become a unifying figure for the downtrodden across the 18 local government areas of Edo State. Of course, it’s me, Kenneth Imasuagbon. So, it’s not about tribe. The word unemployment is not an Ishan coinage, neither is cancer a Benin name. When a man is sick of malaria or typhoid, it’s not a northern issue, Edo North issue. So what Edo people need is the best and most equipped person to deliver the goods. Look, people say I am a neophyte and have never served under any government. But that is my greatest asset because I do not carry the baggage of an ex – this, or ex – that. I am clean. I have not been tainted by power and its lucre. So, what do I have, experience, exposure, ability, vigour, energy, passion and the compassion to stimulate growth in all facets of Edo economy. Now, among all the aspirants, with due respect, I remain the most qualified when it comes to job creation because I have thousands of people working for me. So, I have contributed more to developing the Nigerian economy as an employer of labour much more than the others who have always survived on government patronage. Such

Imasuagbon experience I intend to bring into running Edo State when I become governor. Oshiomhole once told me that the greatest asset he would need his successor to have is an ability to manage Edo State economy through innovative and sustainable means without having to depend solely on monthly allocations from Abuja. With falling oil prices in the world market, many states in Nigeria are even more challenged to diversify. This is where I think I am the most qualified person because I have been a manager of men and resources all my life. With me as governor, therefore, Edo State would be in very safe hands. I therefore would use this medium to challenge all the aspirants to a public debate – a platform we would use to look ourselves in the eye and ask very salient questions bordering on the future and survival of Edo State. But there are reports that Oshiomhole prefers a particular candidate. Don’t you think this could affect your aspirations? Oshiomhole, as far as I know, does not have favourites. It’s mere speculations. There is nothing he has

said or done that gives me any reason to believe he favours a particular candidate. All aspirants in the race for the Edo governorship seat, as far as I am concerned, are all Oshiomhole’s favourites. Those who are saying that the governor has anointed them are all playing to the gallery and trying to score cheap political points. If there’s any man who should even ascribe to himself such privilege, then that person should be me. One, I am Oshiomhole’s in – law. Two, I stepped down for him during the Action Congress governorship primaries in 2006. He is a human being with conscience. Now, tell me how he would ignore these sacrifices and decide them unilaterally handpick a successor without allowing the due process of a free, fair and transparent party primaries? A person of Oshiomhole’s stature who is an apostle of ‘One man, One vote’, in my estimation, would not be caught pants down desecrating this hallowed principle. No, I don’t think he would. I can almost certainly say that as one who is passionate to preserve the legacies he has worked so hard to bequeath, Oshiomhole would tread the path of equality and fairness by allowing a level playing field during the primaries. He must play the fatherly role in a most crucial moment like this. He has done well and would be remembered for a very long time to come if he allows the process to produce a successor good enough to build and expand on his splendid performances in office in the last eight years. Now, how then can we define a good successor? A good successor is not one who is loyal to Oshiomhole because loyalty is not a manifesto. A good successor, to me, is not one who works with Oshiomhole or is a member of his current team. For, you can’t take loyalty to the bank because it does not guarantee performance. Loyalty depreciates as the actions of certain persons in this country who once claimed loyalty to their bosses later proved. So, let the good people of Edo State decide who they want as their governor. This, to me, is the only way we can defeat the PDP – a party which still fancies its chances of reclaiming the governorship seat they lost to Oshiomhole in 2008.

Solid minerals sector being repositioned to create jobs —Fayemi Ayo EsAn

he Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that the country’s solid minerals sector is currently being repositioned to meet the Federal Government’s plan to diversify the economy and create jobs through the sector. Fayemi said the major focus of the ministry is to ensure that the solid mineral sector improve its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) from 0.3% to at least 10% in the near future. He said a lot of innovations are being put in place to overcome all the encumbrances that could hinder the attainment of the goal. Delivering the keynote address at the 52nd Conference of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on Tuesday, Fayemi said the target growth is achievable, adding that the minerals industry has great opportuni-

ties for diversification and linkages to the development of other sectors of the Nigerian economy. “We strongly believe that the only way minerals development can be sustainable is through economic linkages. We shall promote the development of industrial minerals and encourage downstream linkages leading to the processing of these minerals for our local industries. “It is expected that huge foreign exchange will be conserved through import substitution; jobs will be created, technological capacity will improve and there shall be increase in resource rents. We shall concentrate on developing minerals that are critical feedstock in oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure.”, the Minister said. Noting that the Mining sector has witnessed extensive reforms since 1999, which essentially crystallized around the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007, Fayemi said the country is again on the path to

providing a transparent and workable regulatory and policy environment for a private sector- led mining. Speaking further, the minister said the generation of geosciences data to unlock the potential of the sector has been a major challenge. He said the present government has found it essential to improve generation of baseline data such as geo-physical, geo-chemical and geological datasets necessary to unveil the tremen-

dous geological potential of the nation. “To this end the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and other similar Agencies will be adequately funded to accomplish this goal,” he added. Fayemi said that an improved Computerized Mineral Title Administration remained a necessity in a bid to ensure transparent transaction of online application to mineral titles. He added that the present administra-

tion is geared towards ensuring best practices in this area in order to restore investor’s confidence in the sector. Earlier , the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abduifatah Ahmed, had while receiving Dr Fayemi at the Governor’s lodge, said the state is ready to partner with the federal government in exploring the minerals deposit in the state in line with the proposal made by the minister. Governor Ahmed said

the state had already floated a special purpose vehicle to drive the process as suggested by the ministry, adding that he was convinced that the ministry would live up to expectation in view of its current leadership. The Governor said his administration was also concerned about the activities of illegal miners and had commenced a programme aimed at monitoring mining activities and sites in the state.

Egoh’s role in first Reps’ clerk’s burial commended

he family of late first clerk, House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Olinmah has lauded the efforts of Hon. Oghene Egoh , representing AmuwoOdofin/Badagry constituency for his pivoter role in the burial of the late clerk. Egoh moved a motion in the House for a minute silence to be observed in the honour of the dead clerk, which was honourably done. He also charged the

House to do everything possible to support the family for the burial which yielded positive results. According to a family source, Hon. Egoh did not stop there, he continue ensuring that the family gets whatever support they may need from him personally. “And this was why Marianne Olinmah, London based I.T consultant, and a first daughter of the late first clerk described Hon. Egoh

“as a God sent, who sincerely saw the need to honour our father”. “He organized, ensured support from the House, and sent his aid regularly to our residence. This is a man, our family has never come across, nor has any relation with but he stood firm for us. He’s really a true leader worthy to emulate. He has demonstrated leadership. He’s truly a role model and a bright politi-

cian whose light has shone in our family. Sincerely, I cherish one important thing about, Hon. Egoh’s, that is, his eagerness to help”, she said While reacting to the efforts of the legislator towards the successful burial of the late clerk, Mr MarkC. Orgu, media consultant to the family stressed that “selfless help is what Egoh has done for the Olinmah family .

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Politics

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Lagos PDP berates newly constituted LASIEC RobeRt Awokuse

he Lagos State chapter of teh Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned the selection and confirmation of the new four member-commissioners of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC. This is contained in a release issued and signed by the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani. According to Gani, the party berated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the State House of Assembly for what it described as “nakedly neglecting due process and flouting the state electoral laws which prohibits members of political parties from being part of LASIEC composition”. The PDP claimed that the particular inclusion of Lateef Raji as LASIEC commissioner to conduct coun-

cil polls in the state, which is coming shortly, was an unequivocal resolve by the governor to rig the polls in favour of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. He said: “Lateef Raji has always been a card carrying member of parties. From AD, which he acted as chairman during the factionalisation, to being a member of AC; ACN and now APC. He just served as Special Assistant to former governor Fashola. He presently has his posters and banners in Lagos and Ondo to contest the Ondo governorship election. He is thus unfit and improper to act as umpire in a contest which APC will contest in” According to the PDP, the continuous retention of Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd) as LASIEC chairman and the confirmation of Raji as LASIEC commissioner were said to be anti democratic, despotic and desperation on the part of the APC and Am-

APC learning to govern —Oyedokun bolAdAle bAmigbolA OsOgbO

ember, Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, yesterday declared that the country is in state of flux, saying the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, is learning to govern. Speaking to newsmen after Osun Central Senatorial District meeting of the PDP held at the residence of the first senator to be elected from the district, Chief Olu Alabi in Osogbo, Oyedokun said for 16 years of PDP reign, the country never witnessed the kind of challenges facing her at the moment. Oyedokun further averred that APC, rather than learning act of governance from the PDP while in power, was busy engaging in undue propaganda just to oust the former ruling party, stressing that all the action of the new ruling party since gaining control of government has been counter-productive. Commenting, the former senator representing the senatorial district in the Senate, Senator Felix

Ogunwale, who announced his defection from the APC, said from all indications, people of the state are ready to return PDP to power. Ogunwale, who dumped PDP few weeks to the last August 9, 2014 governorship election for the All Progressive Congress, APC, said he left APC because the party has lost focus. The senatorial chairman of the party, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo and Senator Olu Aina, in their separate remarks condemned the newly created Local Council Development Authority, LCDA and the renaming of all the state owned tertiary institutions, insisting that the intention behind the move was never for the good of the state but to gain undue public favour. Jenyo said: “we welcome the new committee set up by Governor Aregbesola to seek ways to end high rate of failure among public school students in public examinations because it is a sign that Aregbesola has admitted that there is problem in that sector. “But on the new LCDA, the governor missed it. The existing 30 LGs recognised by the constitution are not viable. No fund to run them.”

bode to control all the councils in the state. He therefore called for the removal of Adeyinka and Raji in order to give room for a free and credible poll, adding that their continued stay in those positions violates the right of Lagosians for a credible poll and is fraudu-

lent.

“The purported commissioner and the LASIEC chairman must be removed to allow for reasonably fair polls. If they are not removed, the APC can as well continue to violate the political rights of Lagosians to vote for their choice in a

free and fair election. They should continue in the illegal, unconstitutional and fraudulent local councils now headed by aberration executive secretaries”, Lagos PDP said. The PDP opined that the coming council poll would be far different from past

council elections as it would be marred by massive gross rigging and imposition. Gani however enjoined the Ambode-led APC government to prevent anarchy in the state by doing the expedient and needful by conducting a free, fair and credible council poll.

National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye (L), presenting Chief Okwudili Ezewonkonkwo as the Leader of the Party in Orumba North Council Area in Amawbia, Awka Yesterday.

Dabiri Erewa, Oko put welfare of Diaspora Nigerians in front burner olubunmi omoogun

he Nigerians in diaspora’s huge contributions both at home and abroad were some of the issues discussed at the interactive session between Senate Committee on Diaspora and the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa yesterday at the Senate building. The forum noted with

prides the enormous potentials and great talents being exhibited by Nigerians in Diaspora but under-utilised by their host countries. According to Dabiri Erewa; ‘We know that the talents and potentials of Nigerians in Diaspora have been grossly under-utilised. We must have a Diaspora policy and that will be as soon as possible in order to achieve all that we set out to achieve”. “We don’t have a database for Nigerians in

Diaspora, we also need Diaspora research. It is critical we have a database for Nigerians in Diaspora. We must also have a Diaspora commission and so we appeal to the senate to pass the Bill before it”, Dabiri Erewa said. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Rose Okoji Oko in her submission said “We are looking at some key areas that are critical to our economy. From

what we hear from executive, issues on Diaspora is being mentioned more than ever before. We both need to harness resources to coordinate the activities of Diasporans. I have reintroduced the Diaspora commission bill and has gone to second reading”. The Nigerians in Diaspora commission bill was first conceived by Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa during her time in the 7th Assembly.

DSS arrest: Ekiti Lawmakers’ protest at US Embassy an embarrassment —Ex-lawmaker Abiodun nejo AdO Ekiti

ormer House of Representatives member, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi has dismissed the protest by Ekiti State House of Assembly members at the American Embassy in Abuja in opposition to the arrest of a members by Department of State Services, DSS. Faparusi, who described

the protest as colossal embarrassment to Nigerians, said the Ekiti lawmakers’ grievances could have better been channeled through the National Assembly instead of “washing their dirty linen in the public by ignorantly involving America in the internal affairs of Nigeria”. The Assemblymen had on Monday protested in Abuja over DSS arrest of Hon. Afolabi Akanni, who had been

given reprieve by the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, which ordered his immediate release. The All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain who spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday, advised that it could have been better for the lawmakers to seek redress in the law court or National Assembly, if they felt cheated by the DSS action, than involving

foreigners in internal crisis, particularly a matter bordering on security. “This was an embarrassment to Nigeria because America can’t interfere in the internal affairs of Nigeria, Nigeria is a sovereign state in case they were oblivious of this. If they think America will meddle in the matter or help them resolve it, they are only fooling themselves”.

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Politics

From The Senate with

George OJI

ast week, the senate committee on communication organized a public hearing to review the progress made by the Nigeria Communication Commission,NCC regarding the implementation of the N1.04 trillion fine originally imposed on the South African telecommunication giant, MTN for the violation of the commission’s rules regarding SIM card registration. To say the least, there were startling revelations from that public inquest. The event, which took place at one of the hearing rooms of the senate had in attendance, the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umaru Dambatta, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Ferdinand Moolman, Mr. Dayo Apata, representative of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Danladi Malami, Acting Director of Banking and Payment Systems Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris. It came to the fore at the public inquest that MTN has continued to throw its weight around government circles as well as trying to influence Nigerian Government officials to circumvent the payment of the fine and almost succeeding. Before delving into the full gist of the matter, it is important to recall here that the NCC under the new leadership of Professor Dambatta had last October slammed a fine of N1.04 trillion against MTN for continuing to retain 5.2 million unregistered subscribers on its network after the expiration of a warning grace period. The figure was arrived at by multiplying 5.2 by N200, which is the fine for retaining each unregistered subscriber on the network. However, after series of pleas for leniency and interventions from several quarters, the fine was reduced to N780 billion, while the network provider was given up to December 31, 2015 to pay up the fine. The reduction of the fine was arrived at by an inter-agency committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari following a public apology by MTN. To the chagrin of many Nigerians, despite the reduction of the fine, before the expiration of the December 31, 2015 deadline, MTN sued the Federal Government, challenging Government and NCC’s powers to impose the fine in the first place. However, before the trial of the matter could proceed any further and apparently as part of new conditions to pave the way for an out-of-court settlement of the matter, last month, MTN withdrew the suit and paid N50 billion into Government coffers, supposedly as a sign of good gesture towards the settlement of the fine. It was on the basis of that, that according to media reports, MTN and the Federal began a negotiation for the settlement of the matter. While the Federal Government team was led by Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, that of MTN was spearheaded by the former US Attorney General, Mr. Eric Holder. Details of what has so far transpired in the implementation of the fine came to the fore at the last public investigation of the matter at the senate. At the event, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communication, Senator Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West) came with a document from the office of the SolicitorGeneral of the Federation, which detailed the commitment of MTN towards the settlement of the fine. Surprisingly, the document showed that MTN committed that it will pay only N300 billion. A breakdown of the payment showed that apart from the N50 billion already paid by the network provider into a recovery account of the CBN, MTN committed that it would pay another N100 via electronic transfers between December 31, 2016 and December 31 2020. The proposal also includes another N80 billion proposed payment by MTN as a demonstration of its commitment to and confidence in the Nigerian economy, which would be subject to necessary regulatory approvals. This would come by way if MTN Nigeria committing to purchase N80 billion of Nigeria’s sovereign debt issued on the international market in 2016-2017. Finally, MTN proposed to pay N70 billion through the provision of broadband access to the Federal Government of Nigeria (subject to excess capacity on MTN’s fibre

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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N1.04trn fine: Senate raises alarm over plot to free MTN

Shittu

Details of what has so far transpireD in the implementation of the fine came to the fore at the last public investigation of the matter at the senate. network) for the purchase of Government’s e-initiatives (e.g. visa processing, public service, connecting schools, registration etc.). Olamilekan made the point at the event that with such a document, it was clear that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Malami was deceiving Nigerians into believing that negotiation with MTN on the issue of the fine was still on-going, knowing that the Minister had concluded a criminal settlement terms that favours MTN to pay only N300 billion and clearly mortgaged the interest of Nigerians in the entire deal. Even though Apata who represented the AGF at the event argued that the document was just a proposal, which was still undergoing negotiations, Olamilekan insisted that Government had already concluded the deal with the network providers and was only deceiving Nigerians. He questioned the basis for the payment of the N50 billion by MTN to Government if negotiation was still open. What was even more worrisome was that throughout all the negotiations, both the NCC and the Communication Minister were kept out of the deal by the presidency. Even the process that led to the reduction of the initial fine of N1.04 trillion to N708 billion did not in real terms involve the two public officers. Indeed, the Minister was very emphatic during the public hearing that he was only invited to a meeting of an inter-agency committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, which approved a 25 per cent reduction of the N1.04 trillion initial fine following the President’s approval after MTN wrote an apology letter to Government. Also, at the public hearing last week, both the Minister and Dambatta distanced themselves from the negotiation, which led to the payment of N50 billion by the MTN. Both were emphatic that the deal was done between Mal-

Olujimi ami and MTN, including the decision to pay the said sum into a CBN recovery account on February 24. According to the two public officers, since MTN took Government to court over the fine, both the Minister and NCC were kept in the dark over the issue, insisting that it was only Malami who single-handedly proposed the out-of-court settlement terms. Another issue that raised serious concerns to the lawmakers regarding the entire deal was the decision to open a recovery account with the CBN. When the senators asked why MTN was asked to pay the said N50 billion into a CBN account and not the NCC account, Apata who represented Malami at the parley denied knowledge of the directive. But commenting on the issue, the Accountant General of the Federation while dissociating himself or his office from the negotiations explained that he only got involved in the matter when Malami asked him to facilitate the opening of an assets recovery account with the CBN. When the lawmakers raised issues about the legality of the account, Apata who represented the AGF said he was not in a position to say whether it was legal or not. The lawmakers did not fail to conceal their disfavor with the action of AGF who, all through the negotiations with MTN on the issue of the fine, failed to take other critical stakeholders like the NCC and the Communication Minister along. Indeed, Senator Abiodun Olujinmi (Ekiti South), a one time member of the board of NCC made the point that the imposition of fines on telecommunication companies by NCC was a regular norm and that such fines are usually paid into the NCC account for subsequent transfer into the Federation Account. While describing the entire negotiation process for the fine as, “voodoo,” the lawmaker as well saw the opening of a recovery account for money that was not stolen as clandestine move to circumvent due process. This was also as Olujinmi queried the rationale behind the determination of the six per cent of the fine amounting to N50 billion paid by MTN. Incidentally also, while the senate was on the matter of the MTN’s fine last week, their colleagues from the House also deliberated on the same issue. But unlike the senators who could not reach any conclusions on the issue before adjourning it sine die, the House members were so angry with the way the South African network operators have been throwing their weight around Nigerian Government officials that they resolved that MTN must be made to pay the entire N1.04 trillion initial fine.

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South West

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Falae didn’t receive money from CBN –Ondo SDP OjO Oyewamide AKURE

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Works, Mr Ganiyu Solomon; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr Wasiu Anifowose and Divisional Police Officer Ilasan, SP Oyinye Onwuamaegbu, during an inspection of the site of Lekki collapsed building in Lagos, yesterday.

Ondo uncovers fraud in payment of teachers’ salary OjO Oyewamide AKURE

ndo State government yesterday said it discovered sharp practices in the payment of teachers’ salary across the state. Commissioner for Finance, Yele Ogundipe, at a press briefing said the discovery was made during a verification exercise. Head of Service, Toyin Akinkuotu, and Commissioner for Education, Jide Adejuyigbe, also attended the briefing. Ogundipe said the verification exercise was ne-

cessitated by the need for a reconciliation of figures on the nominal roll with actual staff in schools. He said numerous cases of under-casting and overcasting were discovered during the course of the use of auto-summation for the various columns of the submitted data. The finance commissioner disclosed that a sum of N12 million excess was discovered as error of summation in the nominal roll of Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure. Ogundipe disclosed further that there were also variations between pay-

ment vouchers and nominal roll in virtually all secondary schools in the state. According to him, pay points of some teachers did not correspond with their present places of duty, which took a lot of time to reconcile. He added: “It was also discovered that the nominal roll and payroll for October 2015 did not tally in terms of staff strength for some schools. “For example, payment vouchers of Ekimogun Grammar School, Bolorunduro was 40, while the nominal roll was 54, hence

an excess of 14 members of staff. “Thus far, we have reconciled the figures for five Local Government Areas; viz, Irele, Owo, Ese Odo, Akure South and Akoko South West and payment are being made as we speak.” Stressing that the remaining local councils were being processed and all payments would be concluded by the end of the week, Ogundipe appealed to all teachers to go about their lawful duties, adding that government had never and would never take them for granted.

Skye Bank fails to stop payment of N3.9bn damages wale igbintade

he Court of Appeal sitting at Akure, the Ondo State capital, has struck out the motion of stay of execution applied by Skye Bank Plc on the judgement in favour of Tuns Farms Limited. The court said it took the position on the grounds that it lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter given that the bank had already filed an appeal challenging its ruling on the original case at the Supreme Court. In the same ruling, the court also struck out all other motions sought by the bank. According to the presiding judge, Sotonye Den-

ton-West, the court was in agreement with Mr. Duro Adeyele (SAN), counsel to Tuns Farms, that it lacks jurisdiction to entertain a case that has already been entered at the Supreme Court. She stated that any deliberation of the matter was “an exercise in futility” and “amounts to a waste of the court’s time” since records of the case are already at the Supreme Court. Earlier, Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde (SAN), counsel to Skye Bank, persuaded the court to hear and rule on the motion that the execution of the original judgement by a trial court was not properly carried out and should be set aside, insisting that the court will

have to rule one way or the other. In response, Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, one of the Court of Appeal judges, reminded the lawyer that “the supreme court will not be interested in asking whether or not the execution was properly done. The Supreme Court was approached to determine whether the Court of Appeal was right to uphold the judgement of the trial court.” Delivering the court’s ruling on the matter, Justice Denton-West said: “This court has been inundated by applications mostly overtaken by events and before the highest court of the land. If the rule of law is not respected, this

will lead to anarchy. The court has no jurisdiction. A judgement has been executed. A motion of stay of execution will amount to academic exercise. There is no live issue to be determined by this court. The court is obligated to strike out the application and all other ancillaries. There are hereby struck out.” Osun State High Court Oshogbo had, in three separate judgements against Skye Bank Plc, awarded damages totalling N3.9 billion to Tuns Farms alongside other subsidiaries of Tuns Group. When the bank appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal, the appellate court upheld the judgement of the trial court.

ndo State chapter of Social Democratic Party, SDP, yesterday said no money was transferred into the company account of its National Chairman, Olu Falae. The party described the latest publication alleging that another N100m was transferred into Falae’s company’s account as falsehood and a further attempt to smear his name. A statement issued in Akure by the Publicity Secretary, Remi Olayiwola, said the only money received by the party and its chairman was from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, through the former chairman, Board of Trustee, Tony Anenih. Olayiwola said Anenih had long ago confirmed that the transaction was based on a written interparty agreement that existed between the two parties before the last presidential election. He said: “It has failed in the past and it will fail again no matter how many times our detractors attempt to smear our name for obvious political

reasons. “The EFCC at one point said the N100m was from Dasuki, a lie which has now been effectively debunked. Now, they are claiming money was (transferred) from a company known as Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, an entity totally unknown to Chief Falae and SDP. “We wish to inform the general public that it is the same amount sent by the PDP to SDP as a result of their interparty agreement that is now being represented to the public through another dubious channel in order to portray Chief Falae and SDP in bad light. “We wish to state with all emphasis at out command that Chief Olu Falae and SDP never had any business dealing or transaction with either the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Joint Trust Dimension Limited mentioned in the report. “With the foregoing, we wish to advise those concerned to desist henceforth from this campaign of calumny, character assassination and trial of the innocent on the pages of newspapers.”

Decolonisation: ASUU awards scholarship to Western Sahara students Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

n order to strengthen their capacities for decolonisation, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has awarded postgraduate scholarship to three Western Sahara Republic citizens in two Nigerian universities. President of the union, Dr. Nasir Fagge Isa, who disclosed this in Ibadan yesterday, said it was part of ASUU’s efforts to ensure the decolonisation of the people of Western Saharawi Republic from Morocco’s occupation of their land and exploitation of their resources. It will be recalled that ASUU is also involved in the development of curriculum and fund mobilisation for the take-off of a Law Faulty at the University of Teferiti including

vocational education at the refugee camps near Tindouf. He called for economic sanctions on Morocco and trade boycott of Nigerian companies dealing in importation or establishing any company in Morocco as a way to force Morocco to free the Western Saharawi people. He said as a union of intellectuals, education is a potent tool for the true emancipation of not only the people of Western Sahara, but all Africans as a whole. He then stated that the inauguration of the Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara by ASUU and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is a major addition to the growing efforts to rally support for the freedom of the people of Western Sahara under the colonial tutelage of Morocco, another African country.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

African dilemma in the world’s immigration crisis TOny Luka eLumeLu

or Africa and Africans, migration is a way of life, and this is also largely true of people of the other continents. Mobility has always been critical in sustaining or reestablishment of affinity among people. To a large extent, the great Trans Saharan Trade and the attendant migration was part of attempts at achieving economic development, boosting cultural exchanges and integration. Thus, migration has impacted positively on the development of many African countries by way of remittances by the African Diasporas to their home countries. Furthermore, the transfer of capacities and technology from the Diasporas has contributed immensely to the development of the continent, even though the host countries of the African Diasporas remain the primary beneficiaries. But in recent times, there has been a paradigm shift in the African migration trends, with diverse reasons for migration, involvement of all genders and the perception of migration both at national and global levels as core elements and critical players in the African migration matrix. The unraveling global migration crisis has itself engendered the deployment of a range of policies and measures designed by developed countries to check the influx of migrants from the developing world. African countries and their economies have been hardest hit by the negative impacts of these anti-migration policies and measures, which go against the grain of sustainable mi-

gration management with calamitous consequences both on Africa and the world at large. The world is today grappling with an upsurge in criminal activities; Africa is overwhelmed by the dimension of criminal sects with global affiliations and financing, leaving the region with paucity of funds and lack of capacities to combat emerging crimes or for economic development. In many cases, state funds are concentrated on security provisioning with little attention paid to economic growth and development, or institutionalization of good governance and provision of basic amenities for the citizens. Migration experts are always quick to cite the so-called push and pull factors of migration and these include social, economic, political and environmental reasons, to name but a few. But while the developed nations do everything to prevent non-skilled immigrants, they surreptitiously encourage the outflow of skilled labour from the already hard pressed developing countries. The combined consequences of perennial conflicts in Africa - poverty, bad governance, unemployment and lack of opportunities or sheer opportunism - have seen thousands of African youths perish on perfidious journeys to Europe through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean. Even those who had made it to Europe and other continents, including Africa, are constantly being deported back to their home countries in their hundreds or become targets of violent xenophobic attacks, accused of “stealing” jobs meant for indigenes. But as if to demonstrate that wars, conflicts and socio-economic problems are not a preserve of any race, region or creed, the same Europe and indeed the world,

mIgrants’

countrIes of orIgIn should not be hoodwInked Into sIgnIng agreements that are InImIcal to theIr own exIstence is now gripped by an immigration crisis of mammoth proportions. Instead of the erstwhile unilateral piecemeal measures, the solution to the global migration crisis requires a holistic, strategic all-inclusive approach, predicated on the fact that restriction of movement will only compound the present quagmire. For their part, developed countries must take into cognizance the benefits of migration on the origin and the envisioned impact in the derailment of the world economic order. A preferred strategy must be right and appropriate, otherwise the world should brace for an apocalypse in migration crisis if due consideration is not given to ensuring that migration flows across board are encouraged with flexible and mutually beneficial agreements and compromises by stakeholders. Migrants’ countries of origin should not be hoodwinked into signing agreements that are inimical to their own existence. Migration agreements must be realistic, tenable and focus on transfer of technology and capacities,

infrastructure development, promotion of good governance and respect for the rights of migrants. Africa has a teeming young population; as the global migration crisis rages, what mechanisms are put in place to ensure regular mobility of young Africans to acquire knowledge and impact on the region? The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has developed and adopted migration policies to encourage mobility of persons within the ECOWAS space hinged on three cardinal areas of rights of entry, residence and establishment in territories of member states. These rights are sacrosanct and pivotal to the economic development and regional integration agenda of ECOWAS-member states. Beyond these initiatives, the region has experienced a revolution in migration governance with the adoption and harmonization of travel documents. Of note is the recently adopted ECOWAS Biometric Identity Card, a landmark achievement in the region’s integration drive with the principal objective of demystifying the passport as a travel document. As part of measures to boost intraregional mobility, the ECOWAS Heads of State have also adopted the ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration, which outlines a broad spectrum of action plan towards achieving coherence in migration management. The implementation of this programme is being supported by the ECOWAS-EU Fund. Dr. Elumelu is Principal Programme Officer at the ECOWAS Free Movement and Tourism Directorate

Anambra Central: Osita Chidoka as PDP’s candidate Chiedu uChe OkOye

nambra State teems with achievers who are leading lights and pacesetters in their endeavours. It is a state that has produced writers of global fame. Chinua Achebe’s magnus magus, Things fall Apart, is a prose narrative (literary classic) that wows peoples of different races. Chimananda Adichie is a recipient of international literary awards. Both Achebe and Adichie hail from Anambra State. Emeka Anyaoku, former Common Wealth secretary general, also hails from Obosi, Anambra State. The state is the home state of Osita Osadebe, whose musical feats are still reverberating across the world. Have we forgotten the Amazon of Nigeria’s politics, Professor Dora Akunyili? She distinguished herself in the area of political administration. It was she who sanitized Nigeria’s drug markets. Her attempt to represent the Anambra Central in the National Assembly wasn’t successful. Her major opponent in the election was Chris Ngige, a folk hero, who has great political following. Ngige lost his re-election bid in the last general election Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, whose mandate was annulled by the Appeal Court, thus paving the way for a rerun election. Dr. Chris Ngige, now a minister, has bowed out of the re-run. Chief Victor Umeh will contest on the platform of APGA, the ruling party in the state. APC has denied Uche Ekwunife the party’s

In thIs season of

polItIcal mIgratIon,

osIta chIdoka has

chosen to stIck wIth

pdp, IrrespectIve of hIs party’s dwIndlIng polItIcal fortunes ticket; in her stead Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor will be its flag-bearer. Lamentably, the PDP is still ravaged and wracked with intractable divisiveness. The features that define the party are fractiousness and divisiveness. The factions in the party are at each other’s neck. But the party has in its fold political big wigs that can turn the table against their rivals in the forthcoming Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election if members of the party can settle their differences and present a common front. However, of all the political big shots in the troubled Anambra PDP, Osita Chidoka, a former minister of aviation, is the most revered. He towers above others in terms of untainted political leadership, achievements, probity, and experience. Alongside other topshot politicians in the party, he is outstanding. The Obosi-born Osita Chidoka cut his political teeth when he worked as personal assistant for the minister of state in the federal ministry of works and housing and the minister of transport between 1997 and 2000. His deep knowl-

edge of Nigerian politics, sociability, amiability, humility, intelligence, and erudition are the factors that helped him to land the job of personal assistant. Expectedly he got a well-deserved preferment in 2007, when he was entrusted with the leadership of FRSC. During his leadership of FRSC, he formulated and implemented pragmatic policies which led to the reduction of the number of bus accidents on our roads. More so, he organised lectures on road safety measures for commercial bus drivers and motorcyclists. He enforced the wearing of helmets by motorcyclists plying our roads. And it is he that digitalized the processes for the acquisition of driver’s licence in Nigeria. More so, he contributed towards solving of Nigeria’s problem of youth unemployment by recruiting qualified university graduates into different cadres in the FRSC. Again, he recorded laudable achievements during his short stint in the aviation ministry. It is to his credit that touting activities were stamped out at our airports. It was he that installed CCTVs at our airports, which are used to checkmate criminal activities there. Osita Chidoka is a rising political star with untainted public service record. Since he left office as the aviation minister, no finger of accusation has been pointed at him regarding financial misdemeanour. In this season of political migration, he has chosen to stick with PDP, irrespective of his

party’s dwindling political fortunes. His continued membership of the discombobulated and defanged PDP is a measure as well as a proof of his unquestionable political fealty. Osita Chidoka is an exemplar of political sagacity and an island of integrity. His leadership quintessence cannot be called to question. Now that the once politically strong PDP is in disarray and defanged, it is Osita Chidoka and his ilk that can galvanize efforts and mobilize financial resources to rebuild and reposition the party in order that it will effectively play its role as the major opposition party in Nigeria. The calls for the nomination of Osita Chidoka as the flag-bearer of PDP in the Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election was strident until the apex court resolved the matter in favour of Annie Okonkwo. But, in order to play its role as the opposition party in Nigeria and win elective positions, the members of the Anambra PDP should sink their differences, present a common front during elections, and follow democratic process when choosing candidates that will contest elections on the PDP platform. Okoye wrote from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Wednesday March 16, 2016

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

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

On FG reorganisation of NNPC

triking petroleum industry workers led by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), early last week, shut down the offices of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) nationwide to protest what they viewed as the backdoor ‘unbundling’ of the oil behemoth – the NNPC – into five companies, seven divisions and 20 subsidiaries by the Federal Government. The strike compounded the lingering problem of fuel scarcity across the country. The leaders of the unions had accused the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, of failing to engage stakeholders before going public with the unbundling exercise. The National Assembly was also not in the same page with the purported unbundling initially, as the Senate declared it illegal and promptly moved to probe the development. There was, however, no such consensus in the House of Representatives, where members were either for or against the measure. Kachikwu, in his response, stated that what the FG did was no direct unbundling of the NNPC; but the unbundling of what he called subsets or subsidiaries into smaller number of companies. “What we have simply done is reorganisation… There are also

ventures that capture all our little companies that were not having proper stewardship… The NNPC is still a whole …”, he stated. Reports last weekend later indicated that the Senate had given its nod to the NNPC reorganisation after Kachikwu appeared before the lawmakers, apologised for his poor consultation before announcing the initiative and explained the knitty-gritty, including the advantages of the reorganisation. The lawmakers said he breached no law as the minister reiterated that the restructuring was in the best interest of the nation; that it had become pertinent to turn the NNPC to a truly revenue generating agency; and that by so doing, NNPC would be able to offset the $5.2 billion debt it owed major oil companies and reduce the N30 billion monthly losses it records presently. Oil sector unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, also concurred and suspended their strike last Thursday after meeting with Kachikwu on the same subject. The reaction of the Senate is understandable, since the NNPC is a monopoly established by law. Far-reaching unbundling of the outfit without due process may rightly be interpreted as a brazen attempt by President Muhammadu Buhari and Kachikwu to personalise the company, especially when no senior minister is in charge. By the same token, the apprehen-

We think FG’s current reorGanization oF the

nnPc is a

Wake-uP call on

nass to Pass the PiB, as Further delay oF the Bill may lead to more

‘restructurinGs’

sion of oil workers as put across by their leaders was in order, since they had no knowledge of what the reorganisation was all about or had in stock for them, in a country where outright unbundling of the NNPC could translate to huge job losses and suffering by many oil sector workers. Our thinking, nonetheless, is that the reorganisation option of the FG seems a subtle indictment of the NASS, which has woefully failed to pass to law the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) first presented to it in 2009. Seven years after, the PIB is still stuck in NASS, with one controversy or the other trailing it each passing legislative year. While defending the 2013 budget of her ministry, former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, told NASS that N6.2 billion would be spent on PIB

‘awareness campaigns’, without giving details. Among the reasons Kachikwu gave as necessitating the FG current restructuring effort were also basically those Allison-Madueke listed in 2013 as driving the PIB. Thus, the common saying that when what is desired is not available, what’s available becomes what’s desired may not be out of place in the current NNPC reorganization. Had NASS acted on the PIB with the urgency it deserved, it cannot be accusing the FG now of infracting the law. It would have also taken conscious measures to address the fears of oil workers. Did Kachikwu not tell the Senate when he was screened as minister last year that the country was losing roughly N3 trillion (about $15 billion) yearly from the uncertainties of the PIB? Has he said anything remarkably different now that is making the Senate more agitated? For how long should a nation’s major revenue earner be allowed to remain a major source of waste, indeed the nemesis of the entire citizenry in terms of revenue losses and non-availability of refined petroleum products for local consumption, among other setbacks? We think FG’s current reorganization of the NNPC is a wake-up call on NASS to pass the PIB, as further delay of the bill may lead to more ‘restructurings’ in the future.

ON THIS DAY March 16, 1978

March 16, 2005

Former Italian Prime Minister, Aldo Moro, was kidnapped and later killed by his captors. Aldo Romeo Luigi Moro (1916 – 1978) was an Italian Christian Democratic politician and the 38th Prime Minister of Italy, from 1963 to 1968; and then from 1974 to 1976. He was one of Italy’s longest-serving post-war Prime Ministers, holding power for a combined total of more than six years.

Israel officially handed over Jericho to Palestinian control. Jericho is a city located near the Jordan River in the West Bank. It is the administrative seat of the Jericho Governorate. In 2007, it had a population of 18,346. The city was occupied by Jordan from 1949 to 1967; and has been held under Israeli occupation since 1967. Administrative control was handed over to the Palestinian Authority in 1994.

March 16, 2014 The Crimean Peninsula (Crimea) voted in a controversial referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Crimea is a major land mass on the northern coast of the Black Sea that is almost completely surrounded by water. The peninsula is located south of the Ukrainian region of Kherson and west of the Russian region of Kuban. It is surrounded by two seas: the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov to the east.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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Health & Wellbeing

Obesity: 8 reasons to burn off fat 20

Why we adopted Nigeria’s CDC for Africa –Amb Maiyegun

Anxiety over 2016 health budget

...Stakeholders predict worsening maternal, child health

Franka Osakwe

n a matter of days, as promised by the senate president, the breakdown of the amended 2016 appropriated bill will be made public. This will include details of how the N257 billion health allocation will be spent, the exact amount set aside for maternal, new born and child health and how adequate this will be for the task of protecting the rights to health and life of women and children in the country. Even before the passage of the bill, the 2016 health budget has been generating palpable anxiety among stakeholders in the sector since it was presented to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari as experts fear that more women and children may die, given the lean budget which may not accord the needed priority to maternal and child health. Up till now, the country’s maternal and child mortality and morbidity remains one of the worst in the world, with 111 women dying every day from pregnancy- related causes, while one in 8 children in Nigeria die before their 5th birthday , going by the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS, 2013). A survey of the 2016 health budget by a budget analyst, Seun Onigbinde, revealed that a huge part of the N257 billion has been set aside for personnel costs, while issues of Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) remains insignificant. He raised concern over the 2016 health budget and its ability to finance child and family health issues. “The 2016 health budget is just 4.23 per cent of the overall budget, which is lower than the 5.78 per cent of the 2015 health budget. This casts doubt on this administration’s ability to save women and children. It is also a far cry from the commitment by the committee of African Heads of State to commit not less than 15 per cent of their budgets to healthcare”, he said. He noted that the capital expenditure to health which also remains low at N35, 670,000, 000, compared to the N433, 400,000,000 and N202,000,000,000, of ‘Works, power and housing’, and ‘Transportation’ showed government’s lack of concern to boost infrastructure in the sector. From the budget, National Health Act (NHA) has also not been captured, he said.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole

However, Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, while speaking on Health Policy dialogue organized by Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) last week in Abuja, gave assurance on the implementation of the NHA. He said: “Let me correct the impression that the National Health Act wouldn’t be implemented. The President had given assurance in a written document that he would launch the gazette by himself and flag off the implementation of the National Health Act soonest. “What we need to focus on, since we had had the President’s assurance on the implementation, is how the implementation is going to be done.” Speaking further on the review of the health policy, he said: “Professor Eyitayo Lambo, former minister of health, is heading the review of the National Health Policy, which would also enhance our strategy in handling overall health issues and health emergencies that often confront us as a people. We are determined on having active and all-encompassing National Health Policy for proper direction.” He assured that the National Health Act would be captured in the latest National Health Strategic and Development plan.

However, Ben Anyaene, chairman, board of trustees for National Health Act, insists that the Federal Government must ensure even the supplementary budget captures the provisions of National Health Act, since it is not in the present budgetary provisions. “Once the bill begins to work, most of the things we are talking about Universal Health coverage would be covered.” In view of the meagre health allocation, he said government should provide alternative funding for health. Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged government to increase funding and ensure adequate release of allocated budget for family and child health, in order to quell the high maternal and child death situation in the country. The centre, with support from Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), made this appeal during a 2-day media workshop in Kano State. They declared that budget provision in Nigeria for nutrition, routine immunisation, family planning and childhood killer diseases is inadequate while commitments made in the past has not been fulfilled. In her speech, Mrs. Chinwe Onuomonu, of the Association for the Ad-

vancement of Family Planning, noted that allocations and budget commitments for family planning blue print have so far not been fulfilled. “Nigeria committed to pay 3 million dollars annually for procurement of family planning commodities while donors pay 8 million. As at 2014 and 2015, nothing has been paid”, she said. According to her, about 111 women die daily as a result of pregnancy-related issue in Nigeria, however, up to 33 per cent of these deaths can be prevented through family planning. Another speaker, Okoronkwo Sunday, explained that inadequate funding, inconsistency in budgetary allocation and release and the delayed domestication and implementation of National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (NSPAN) are challenges facing eradicating malnutrition in Nigeria. “The budgetary allocation of N2,100,000 and N200,000 by the Ministry of budget and national planning for 2013 and 2014 respectively were not released while in 2015, only 300,000 (50 per cent) of the N6,005,400 budgeted was released. “The Nigerian government has developed the nutritional policy- NASPAN. This document, if adopted and implemented at the local and state level will, by 2019 reduce stunting by 20 per cent, wasting by 15 per cent and increase exclusive breast feeding by 50 per cent. David Akpotor, in his own speech, exposed the issue of two childhood killer diseases, pneumonia and diarrhoea, which kill over 400, 000 children annually in Nigeria. He reminded Nigerian government about the policy - united Nations commission on life-saving commodities - UNCoLSC, which it signed with the Norwagian Prime minister in 2012, agreeing to adopt and implement the 13 global recommendations and guidelines for treatments of pneumonia and diarrhoea. “One of the recommendations is that amoxicillin dispersible tablet should be adopted as the first line in treatment of pneumonia while zinc and oral rehydration salt, should be adopted for diarrhoea. Up till now, these drugs are not included in essential medicines, in Lagos, Kano and other states, except in Kaduna state.” On routine immunization, Ndidi Chukwu, from CHR, called for the implementation of the National Health Act (NHA) 2014.

Health & Wellbeing

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Obesity: 8 reasons to burn off fat Sam EfEraro

at commuters in Lagos must have a thick skin against insults to be able to move around in public transport. They even have to pay double fare sometimes to be accommodated on motor cycles popularly known as okada or in the rickety danfo buses which can hardly contain the required number of the expected slim passenger. For the obese, life is a daily embarrassment. Moving his massive frame from place to place could be a burden not only for him but even for people around him. However, this could turn out to be the easiest problem he has to deal with. This is because apart from the social and psychological consequences, obesity could result in more serious complications most of which are life threatening, though most obese people are not likely to link their big frame with such problems. They are therefore not likely to do anything early to prevent the dangerous risks. Experts have however linked obesity with several medical conditions which should make any affected individual consider burning off some fat – if only to stay alive. Here are at least eight reasons why the obese should be concerned about his weight. 1. Obesity has its own mechanised problems – which is why very fat people find it difficult to move around in the first place. An obese person, according to doctors, is more prone to joint pain, low back pain, arthritis and flat feet, among several others. 2. Excessive fat weakens the muscles, resulting in certain medical problems where such muscles are supporting vital structures, thus weakness of the abdominal muscles may cause hernia in the potbellied while varicosity may arise in the unsupported veins of a fat leg. 3. Obesity increases the risk of lung infections. The chest of an obese person does not expand properly, causing shortterm problems such as shortness of breath and fatigue. 4. Fat bums and thighs in females could be possible mechanical causes of infertility as they make deep penetration almost impossible. 5. The heart and blood vessels of the obese person are greatly strained by fat. This therefore increases the risk of having a high blood pressure as the heart becomes enlarged. An obese person is thus more prone to heart attacks than a normal slim individual. 6. Diabetes is more common among the obese. It can be very difficult or almost impossible to control without shedding weight. 7. Doctors say an obese person is more likely to be ill than the normal sized. Yet doctors and nurses find them more difficult to treat. It may b impossible to measure their blood pressure because the cuff of the instrument cannot go round the arm. Not only that, the nurse will often require extra hands to move an obese patient into another trolley or

turn around in bed. 8. An obese patient is also a surgeon’s nightmare. He is more difficult to put to sleep before an operation and recovers slowly. His wounds heal slowly and poorly and the risk of a major operation is more than double.

Some facts you should know What are overweight and obesity? Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2). The WHO definition is: •a BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight •a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity. BMI provides the most useful popu-

lation-level measure of overweight and obesity as it is the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults. However, it should be considered a rough guide because it may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different individuals. Incidence Some recent WHO global estimates follow. •In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 600 million were obese. •Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population (11% of men and 15% of women) were obese in 2014. •In 2014, 39% of adults aged 18 years and over (38% of men and 40% of women) were overweight. •The worldwide prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1980 and 2014. Overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths worldwide than underweight. Most of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and

obesity kill more people than underweight (this includes all high-income and most middle-income countries). How can overweight and obesity be reduced? Overweight and obesity, as well as their related non-communicable diseases, are largely preventable. Supportive environments and communities are fundamental in shaping people’s choices, making the healthier choice of foods and regular physical activity the easiest choice (accessible, available and affordable), and therefore preventing obesity. At the individual level, people can: •limit energy intake from total fats and sugars; •increase consumption of fruit and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts; •engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes a day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults). Individual responsibility can only have its full effect where people have access to a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, at the societal level it is important to: •support individuals in following the recommendations above, through sustained political commitment and the collaboration of many public and private stakeholders; •make regular physical activity and healthier dietary choices available, affordable and easily accessible to all - especially the poorest individuals. The food industry can play a significant role in promoting healthy diets by: •reducing the fat, sugar and salt content of processed foods; •ensuring that healthy and nutritious choices are available and affordable to all consumers; •practicing responsible marketing especially those aimed at children and teenagers; •ensuring the availability of healthy food choices and supporting regular physical activity practice in the workplace. •Source: WHO

NGO organises free medical screening for widows, market women franka oSakwE

Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Eagles Wings Development Centre, has organised free diabetes and hypertension tests for widows and market women in Lagos. The screening, which held at the National Stadium Surulere, was meant to honour women, especially widows, as part of events marking this year’s International Day for Women. One of the medical personnel at the screening, Mrs. Kofowolola Ayodele, disclosed that 35 per cent of those who participated in the screening had diabetes and hypertension, adding that these health conditions are on the increase in Nigeria, because of unhealthy life style and diets. She said: “We checked their blood

pressure and glucose levels and discovered that many of them are hypertensive and diabetic. We have advised them to visit hospital for medical check-ups because the major health challenge we have in Nigerian is that many people do not visit the hospital for medical check-ups until they are at the point of death”. “Those who tested positive are not aware they are hypertensive and diabetic. We advised them to avoid taking too much salt and fatty food. It is better to eat fibre foods; vegetables and fruits because it is good for the body.. “We advised those who are diabetic to reduce stress because too much stress is not good for their health. Old people should eat more vegetables and fruits while children should eat balanced diets because it would help their growth. Sometimes, we find out children are hypertensive and diabet-

ic.” The founder of the NGO, Mrs. Bunmi Oloyede, said God inspired her through dreams to establish the NGO to help women, especially the girl child. She said: “Today we are remembering women and decided to help those who are in need in our society. I want to encourage women whether married, single, mother and young girls to let them know that there is hope for them. Widows should not give up irrespective of what they go through”. “In the past, we have been organising health screenings like this in collaboration with other NGOs but this year, I decided to organise this particular one alone because I discovered that many people need medical attention and I want to take health as our priority.

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Be friendly, healthcare providers charged Franka osakwe

ealthcare providers in Nigeria have been urged to be friendly to patients and clients, especially the youths. The call was made at the 7-day training of health workers in all the four Primary Healthcares, (PHC) workers in Apapa Iganmu Council in Ijora, Lagos State, last week organised by Action Health Incorporated in collaboration with Action for Change. According to the programme officer, Francesca Bola Akalede, the training was borne out of the recognition of the various issues that young people face in the region. “Most of the time they don’t have a place to go and we felt they needed information and services such as this,” she said. Mrs. Akalede said the training of healthcare providers on youth service friendly provision at Olojowon Primary Health Care was part of a project on youth-friendly services at Olojowon PHC. “This is one of the programmes and we also have a programme on health educations service to increase awareness of the young people of the availability of services in the primary

healthcare. “The training is targeted at the young people who are from ages 10 to 24 in Ijora Badie, because the services that is going to be provided is for them. There are various sexual reproductive health issues that are going on in Ijora considering the nature of the environment, its volatile nature, and having demolitions also exposes young people to various risk factors. A nurse at the Action Health Incorporated at the Adolescent Youth training healthcare clinic, Mrs. Damilola Olofinjano, expressed optimism that the programme would be mpactful because of the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy within the Olojowon community and high crime rate by young people and all that. “Integrating adolescent training into an existing health care facility will be of use to young people within the community. They will be able to access health care services and not only health care services, counseling services and information will also be provided to them and they can transit into productive adult, there will be reduction of teenage pregnancy, reduction of crime rate, there will be literacy and all that in the community” she stressed.

WAMCO named best West Africa’s CSR company Franka osakwe

ultinational dairy producer, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been named as the company with the best CSR programmes in West Africa (2015) by Capital Finance International (CFI.co), a London-based, global print journal and online resource reporting on business, economics and finance. The award was announced in the latest edition of CFI.co online, covering Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, United States of America, the Middle East and Europe. FrieslandCampina WAMCO, an affiliate of Royal FrieslandCampina of The Netherlands – the world’s largest dairy cooperative, pioneered corporate citizenship projects in Nigeria in 2004 – long before corporate social re-

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

sponsibility (CSR) became fashionable. “Since then, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has maintained three corporate citizenship programmes; a water project, school adoptions, and a tertiary endowment fund aimed at offering financial support to research in food science in six universities. The endowment also includes a Best Graduating Student Award,” CFI.co reported. The company in a press release disclosed that it has commissioned over 40 solar-powered boreholes while its school adoption programme has equipped 18 public secondary schools with education support materials. “We have also partnered with international aid organizations to offer nutrition relief to thousands of internally displaced people who fled from terrorist attacks in parts of northern Nigeria and now live in refugee camps.”

FG to establish 10,000 PHCs in 2yrs …As Sultan calls for people-oriented projects

L-R: President of Abuja Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr. Isaac Akerele and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello, during a courtesy visit by the association to the minister, Abuja, recently.

Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

ederal Government seeks to build 10,000 primary health centres, PHCs, between this year and next year, Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has said. The effort, according to the Minister, is to boost the determination of government to achieve universal health coverage in the country. A release signed by Director of Media and Public Relations in the Federal

Ministry of Health, Mrs Boade Akinola, said Adewole reiterated his earlier decision to ensure each ward in the country has at least a primary health centre. According to the release, the minister gave the assurance while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 58th National Council on Health recently in Sokoto. The release quoted him as saying the present government has made improvement of health through universal health coverage one of its priori-

ties. He said government is “to rapidly increase the functionality of at least one primary health care (PHC) facility per ward in Nigeria, scaling up to 10,000 functional PHC facilities within two years. To achieve this stride, we have proposed a phased approach over the next two years. In the first year 2016, we want to make functional 5,000 PHCs and scale up by activating another 5,000 PHCs in the next year 2017 and this sum up to 10,000 PHCs within two years.” The Minister explained

in the statement that the approach would increase access to health care services; reduce exposure of the nation’s citizens to “financial catastrophe,” and would ensure citizens’ satisfactions with health services received. He stressed that when universal health coverage is fully functional and attained, it would improve health indicators, efficiency of health system, sustained economic development, increase social harmony and political stability and reduction in poverty and inequality.

Addressing journalists, Ravidran said: “Let’s get one thing straight, that at the present moment, we have no polio case in Nigeria. That is a big achievement. But, the battle is not won yet. We have to continue, we have to keep the same efforts for more one and a half years, making a three-year period that we will be certified free. At this point, we shouldn’t be complacent. Right now, we are over the bar. We are on the way to success after three years. Those three years,

we must continue to work with the same vigilance. We must continue to keep our eyes and ears open with the same surveillance and make sure that it does not creep back to Nigeria again.” Asked which area of health priority his organization would focus on if by 2017 the battle against polio is won, he stated: “That is a big decision. I don’t want to talk about it now because I don’t want even the media to take their mind off polio. Let’s finish this. There are

many seeps between the cup and lip you know. So, we don’t want to sleep here. Let’s finish the job. We’ll leave the planning to another group. They are working on it, they are talking to another organizations which will unroll the plan. I want us to please focus and get ourselves certified poliofree.” Ravidran later commissioned a Polio House built by Rotary in Abuja. He said the House would focus on the efforts the organization has made.

Polio must not creep into Nigeria again, Rotary warns Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

otary International has called on Nigerians to ensure that polio does not creep into the country again. The organization also urged Nigeria to sustain its current non-polio-endemic status so as to obtain poliofree certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), next year. President of the organization, Ravi Ravidran, made the call in Abuja recently when he led leaders and members of the association in the country to immunize children under-five at Primary Health Care at Area 2, in the nation’s capital. Nigeria was last year removed by the WHO from the list of three polio-endemic nations worldwide. The others are Afghanistan and Pakistan. The country has not recorded any case of the disease since July 2014, and must sustain the achievement for three years before it could be certified free of the disease.

Foundation tasks FG on Kidney failure care in children adeola tukuru, ABUJA

resident of Julie Donli Kidney Foundation, non - governmental organisation , Julie Donli, has called on the Federal Government to put infrastructure in place in hospitals across the country for patients with renal failure especially children. Donli, noted this in Abuja in commemoration of the just concluded World

Kidney Day, adding that the focus of this year’s theme is to focus on children with Kidney failure. According to her, a letter has been sent to the Senate Committee to create a budget for Children and patients with renal failure and also to work closely with the NGO to fund hospitals. She explained that the NGO has so far helped in creating awareness for Kidney failure adding that the

foundation has been in existence for a year. “We have distributed over 30,000 handbills and done some public presentations in markets, churches, schools and screened over 500 people. We have also provided some financial assistance for 20 sessions of dialysis,”she said. Donli said a total of 5,000 people has been sensitised while the organisation has assisted 70 patients so far with kidney dialysis.

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Why we adopted Nigeria’s CDC for Africa –Amb Maiyegun

Why is AU adopting NCDC? n 2013, the Heads of States and governments of the African Union at a special summit on HIV, TB and Malaria decided on the need for an African Centre for Disease Control that will conduct live-saving research, that will also have capability of disease detection, surveillance and response. In January 2014, the Assembly also reaffirmed this and asked the African Union Commission to get to work. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa provided the impetus, and the Heads of States, together with the Executive Council decided on the need to fast-track. But, they gave clear instruction to us on the kind or the nature of the Africa CDC that is to be set up. They want an Africa CDC that will not re-invent the wheel, that will build on existing structure, and that will leverage on the existing assets on ground. And, so, in the concept that they approved in January 2015, we are to have a coordinating office inside the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, but with five regional collaborating centres. Each bringing certain capabilities and assets and value to the work of the Africa CDC. What are the criteria for selecting the centres by the AU? We have to start with the initial five, and will be more than that as the CDC expands. They plan to have what is called centres. And, that is why it is called Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with the abbreviation Africa CDC. Each regional group is to nominate these regional collaborating centres. And, we’ve received nomination from the five regions of the continent. Central Africa has nominated Gabon; East Africa nominated Kenya; North Africa nominated Egypt; Southern Africa nominated Zambia; and West Africa nominated Nigeria. Our responsibility therefore are the rigorous criteria that have been put into the Africa CDC. We are supposed to go on on-sight visit, whether the institutions being put up by these countries meet the criteria contained in the Article 26 of the Africa CDC. The purpose of our mission therefore is to determine whether the Nigeria CDC, which also doubles as the Regional CDC for West Africa, indeed meet those criteria that is contained in the statute. We are not comparing the countries with each other, we are evaluating and accessing them vis-à-vis the criteria contained in the statute. Did the Nigerian CDC meet AU requirements? In terms of findings, as soon as we arrived, we were received by Minister of State who demonstrated clear knowledge of the subject matter. We also got call from the honourable Minister and we were never disappointed with their deep knowledge on the issues, not just because they are medical doctors themselves, but they understand deeply the issue of public health and the reason of our coming. So, we try to do evaluation around the checklist that we put together. But, we can summarize them around four main areas: government commitment, human resources, infrastructure and funding. In all these, we are happy to note that there is strong commitment on the part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that was

The African Union last weekend adopted the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, as one of its five Regional Collaborating Centres for Disease Control. It is part of the AU’s plans to own functional health institutions that conduct live-saving research, and possess capability of disease detection, surveillance and response, according to leader of the AU team who was in Abuja to assess the NCDC, Amb Olawale Maiyegun, who doubles as Director, Department of Social Affairs of the AU Commission,. Health reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE, was there and reports. Excerpts:

Maiyegun clearly demonstrated by the two Ministers. We’ve seen the legal framework too and the one that is still being put together. We hope that some efforts will be made in the legal framework to reflect the regional dimension of the Nigeria CDC. It is not only a Nigerian CDC, but a regional one for West Africa and a regional collaborating centre for the Africa CDC. We are happy to note that from what we have seen on ground, that indeed Nigeria CDC can take on those responsibilities that are about to be entrusted to it. However, as we look at some of the strength that they are bringing to the table, we find that the human resources are very strong. They have very strong and powerful field epidemiological and collaborative training. It is a huge asset that will help or facilitate the fulfillment of core capacity of international health regulations. We are very happy about this. What roles could the Nigerian government still play on the centre before and after take-off of the AU’s project?

As I said earlier, we note it is very strong commitment of government, but we hope that this commitment will be encapsulated into proper funding. And, the funding we refer to here is government continuing to meet its obligation to the Nigeria CDC, so that it can function, not for just Africa CDC, but because it is a commitment that government has to the public health of Nigeria. So, we will need more indication of continued funding and that is being translated into strong political commitment being translated into budgetary support and financial allocations. Did you observe any challenge at the NCDC? The foundation of any CDC or any public health is strong laboratories. We’ve discussed with our colleagues what needs to be done. What is strongly required is to have a functional tier-level laboratory. We’ve discussed details of this with them, and it is still a gap. We are quite optimistic they will look strongly into this. Also,

So, HIV/AIDS, once upon A tIme It wAS rAVAgIng. tHe moment tHe HeADS of StAteS, uSIng tHe plAtform of AfrIcAn unIon AnD otHerS, cAme fAce to fAce wItH tHe reAlIty AnD tHey were commItteD, tHey went All out. toDAy, It IS on tHe reVerSe.

they have an asset that they can continue to leverage. We’ll discuss it but they will need to bring some other assets within the country, cleaning the EOC that is currently being used for polio, which is a very strong and well-established emergency operation centre dedicated to polio. Government will need to decide on the sustenance of this facility and begin to use it for the larger public health under the CDC. Again, I believe this is conversation that will continue internally. But, with CDC, it is a very strong and powerful asset that Nigeria can put at the disposal of West Africa and the continent as a whole. These are some of the issues that have come up. But, like I said, overall, some of our partners will be here to support Nigeria as they move to correct those gaps that we have identified. What kind of support would the centre get from AU and partners? We will support that institution. It is the asset that it has that is making African Union to say we can give you additional responsibilities. We will, as much as possible, cover the cost of additional responsibilities that we will be putting on them. With this development, is the AU assuring Africans that it could use the centres to tackle diseases headlong? Every member state has primary responsibility for their health. I said that earlier. That is why we harp on political commitment into health. Until we all have the mindset that investment in health is an investment in economic development. It is not just some esoteric something somewhere. But, as you put in money, and it is judiciously spent, you are investing in economic development. So, each country has primary responsibility. At the continental level, our job, and we’ve demonstrated this in time of Ebola that the continental organization has to be involved in it. For the first time, we were all faced with health-raging humanitarian, and we responded very well. If you don’t understand what I’m saying, in the past when you had humanitarian catastrophe, it resulted in health consequences, whether it is flooding, volcano, it has health consequences. But, with Ebola, the reverse was the case… The good news is that in the same continent when our leaders had in the past demonstrated commitment, things had always happened in health matters. So, HIV/AIDS, once upon a time it was ravaging. The moment the Heads of States, using the platform of African Union and others, came face to face with the reality and they were committed, they went all out. Today, it is on the reverse. Maternal, newborn and death: when we were all lagging behind, up to 2005/2006, we charged the organization to take certain measures which they all rallied round. By 2009, we launched the continental campaign for accelerated reduction of maternal mortality. In 2010 in Kampala, they took it upon themselves. Since then, Heads of States have been strongly committed to tackling maternal, newborn and child health. Today, most of them might not have met the MDGs four and five, but maternal deaths have reduced close to 50 percent on the continent. We are making improvement.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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Arts Lounge

FG plans National Endowment Fund for Arts

Poets live outside their prophesies —Jumoke 25

Addressing insufficiency of art spaces in Nigeria Although a few centres have surfaced in the Lagos metropolis in recent times, Nigeria is still lagging behind when it comes to functional art spaces that would spawn creativity and engender rewards Ngozi EmEdolibE

s the clamour for alternative sources of income, other than crude oil continues to reverberate, the Nigerian government could learn a lot from the experiences of Berlin, the capital of Germany. The city, while recovering from the devastations of World War2, embraced arts in such an astonishing manner that it put her on the global cultural map in record time. The preponderance of artistic endeavours in the city is a testimony to this: Rough estimates suggest that around 5,000 artists, 1,200 writers, 1,500 bands (pop, rock, and world music), 500 jazz musicians, 103 professional orchestras and music ensembles, 1,500 choirs, 300 theatre groups, and 1,000 dancers and choreographers of contemporary dance live and work in Berlin! All these coupled with low rent has made the city a destination of choice for creative minds. This cannot however be said of Nigeria, in spite of her rich cultural heritage which is enough to support a vibrant art scene. At various fora, stakeholders in the sector have decried the lack of art spaces and how it is affecting the creative industry. For a new artist, with limited funds, hosting an exhibition can be a lot of hassles considering the cost of art spaces; which has been driven out of the reach of beginners. Arts Lounge gathered that a standard space for exhibition in Lagos can go for as much as N1m! This can be deduced from the fact that most of the galleries are located at the highbrow area of Lagos- Ikoyi and Victoria Island. Oliver Enwonwu, of the Society of Nigerian Artists, SNA, who also runs a gallery in Ikoyi says it is a factor militating against not only younger artists but the entire visual arts sector. According to him, there is a total lack of art spaces to host international exhibitions. “Obviously, we do not have enough art spaces in the country. The space is usually physically limited, when you look at it, which is why on most occasions you would see the organisers attaching tents during events. In other countries, their centres come as one whole arena, housing everyone. There are some works that cannot be contained in the spaces we have here. Even at the National

Works on display at Nike Art Gallery, Lagos. Arts Gallery, you will notice that its space is not enough to contain all the works that should be there”. Another visual artist, Archie Abia, said he set up his gallery, Win Arc specifically to contain the lack of art space as an artist. “It was the lack of such centers that made me open Win Arc, as a way of contributing my quota to the promotion of art. I believe we need the input of multinationals and government to change this. Private individuals who have interest in arts could also come in to help, because the sector needs it”. Perhaps, this lack of enthusiasm in the corporate world in this regard could be seen in the non-availability of residencies and fellowships in Nigeria for artists. This according to Abia has portrayed an embarrassing picture. “You hardly hear of residencies or art fellowships being sponsored in Nigeria for Nigerian artistes, but you hear of Nigerians being sponsored to fellowships abroad on the bill of the foreign donors. The worst is that the whites who come to Nigeria for short researches on our arts do so with grants from their place”. For people in the theatre industry, it is the same ugly situation. There is virtually an absence of a standard arena to host plays that would attract huge audiences. Worse still is

the absence of conveniences in some of the centres available in the country as observed by Barclays Ayakoroma, a playwright and the director general of the Nigerian Institute of Cultural Orientation, NICO, at an art event. According to him, “a good number of theatres in Nigeria have very poor facilities, such as lack of rest-rooms, water including lack of comfortable seats for members of the audience, who pay to watch performances. This gives rise to situations where members of the audience are uncomfortable, or stand all through productions. Thus, they naturally express their discomfort by running side commentaries on shows, making unnecessary noise and disturbing the peace of the production. Naturally, such members of the audience and those who feel greatly disturbed will bid eternal farewell to the theatre after that type of experience. The National Arts Theatre, which is the primary centre for the performing arts in Nigeria, located in Iganmu – Lagos, was constructed in 1976, during the military regime of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, for the hosting of the 2nd World Blacks and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977. Its exterior is shaped like a military hat. It has a 5,000-seater Main Hall with a collapsible stage, and two 700 to 800 capacity Cinema Halls, all of which are

Arts Lounge observes thAt LittLe is being done in this AreA by the new government. onLy A few weeks Ago, some Artists who were gAinfuLLy engAged within the premises of the nAtionAL Arts theAtre in LAgos, were disLodged, by the Authorities of the fAciLity

equipped with facilities for simultaneous translation of eight languages, among others. Unfortunately, most of the facilities in the theatre are broken down, and the edifice is a shadow of its original self.” Arts Lounge observes that little is being done in this area by the new government. Only a few weeks ago, some artists who were gainfully engaged within the premises of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, were dislodged, by the authorities of the facility, following plans by the government to privatise the facility. The matter is yet to settle, although the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has reiterated his determination to boost activities in the creative sector, which until lately enjoyed the privilege of running under its own Ministry. The literary landscape shares in this same predicament. Uche Umez, author of Dark through the Delta and Aridity of Feelings said the trend is building a generation with tube mentality. “Here in Nigeria, we keep lamenting that nobody is reading. How can people read when the spotlight on literary activities is so dim you can’t even feel your knees? Private companies as well would rather dole out millions in sponsorship to small-minded reality shows that nearly every youth has become hooked on, like crack, and now half of the youth aspire to become instant celebrity – how small-minded can we get? I don’t know but we are nurturing a demographic with tube-mentality, simply one-dimensional.” Of course, people are looking the way of government to help ameliorate this imbalance. Emmanuel Adejuma, an artistic director and choreographer with the House of Dance decried the situation in comparison with the opportunities available for his mates in other places like Europe. “Even the gover

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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VOICES

Nollywood: Expression of Nigeria’s ingenuity

Armstrong WilliAms

his is our first visit to Nigeria and we’re filming our new fall TV season. The best briefing material or conversation with individuals can in no way prepare you for the massive number of people and the incredible intellectual and human capital that exist in this land of plenty. Given that our media business syndicates programming around the globe we are most impressed with the Nigerian film and entertainment industry. The opening scenes in the Hollywood epic “There Will Be Blood” feature a grainy video shot in soundless shadow. Without a doubt it is one of the most beautiful big screen scenes in modern memory. But in fact the scene itself, and the ultimately the movie as whole, takes the viewer back to a rougher period in early American history—before the country was connected by railroad, telegraph, and highway. Similarly, Nigeria’s nascent movies industry operates in a land without robust national infrastructure. The fact that the industry exists at all, without cinemas, studios, cable television, or even a national electric grid speaks to its amazing resiliency. More than any other industry, Nigeria’s film industry reflects the messy, ambivalent process of nation building currently taking place in the country. Men and women with few resources, but a boundless ingenuity have taken matters into their own hands and crafted not only an industry, but in fact an art form that is quickly evolving into a national cultural movement. While in monetary terms, the Nigerian film industry (I resist using the term “Nollywood”) pales in comparison to that of the United States, it is undeniably the most vibrant expression of talent and ingenuity in the country. Not only does the industry employ over 1 million people—making it the largest employer outside of agriculture—it has exerted considerable cultural influence both within Nigeria and throughout the African continent. In fact the cultural genre, generally featuring modern themes interspersed with native cultural symbols, represents a new cinematic art form in its nascent stages. Its ability to capture the energy and ambition of Nigeria’s youth is nothing short of startling. The film production industry has given them jobs, hope and ultimately valuable skills. In recent years, political and business lead-

ers have taken notice of the industry and attempted to capitalise on its vitality. The political leadership wishes to use cinema as a marketing tool to burnish Nigeria’s image abroad. The mainstream business community wants to harness Nigerian cinema’s economic potential. However, at this point, efforts to corral growth—whether by censorship or government investment on one hand; or by strictly enforcing intellectual property rules on the other—threatens the industry with extinction. In the United States, wild cat oilmen found small wells and drilled them. In the course of their expansion, railroads, banks, and towns arose in their midst. As the movie “There Will Be Blood depicts,” the process was fraught with danger and uncertainty. It was messy. There was fraud and corruption, intrigue and violence. But out of that dynamic process, a vast energy industry emerged which ended up fueling America’s industrial growth. My point here is not that the Nigerian film industry to should be allowed to grow unaided or unregulated—but that at this stage in development, the creativity, drive, and passion that exists within the industry should be allowed to flourish more freely. Some point to the fact that the content and quality of today’s Nigerian films leaves much to be desired. So what? The early days of American cinema featured less advanced technology than currently employed in the lowest budget Nigerian film. Films were often grainy, choppy, and lacking in sound. But they succeeded in gaining an audience, and, more importantly, setting the ground for the cultural aesthetic the world currently knows as Hollywood. Just as a man cannot become an adult before he is a child, so the Nigerian cinema arts industry must be allowed its period of infancy on its way to a more mature reflection of the lives, stories and values of the Nigerian people. The youth of Nigeria are its most important resource. Developing their character and talents is more important and vastly more valuable than all of the oil wealth in the world.

Williams As the largest employer of Nigeria’s youth, the film industry is helping to give them a purpose that is largely lacking in other sectors of the society. Of course much of today’s films express the exuberance and immaturity that come with being young. But it also contains the energy, passion and brilliance that our youth are yearning to reveal to themselves, the country, and the world as a whole. As the American oil industry grew, its

More than any other industry, nigeria’s filM industry reflects the Messy, aMbivalent process of nation-building currently taking place in the country

supporting infrastructure began to form the backbone of the nation—whether in term of railroads, telegraphs, industrial equipment, or oil pipeline. In fact today’s largest telecommunications companies such as Quest Communications use rights of way that were originally owned by the small wildcat drillers. Similarly, as Nigerian cinema continues to grow, both as an art form and an industry, related infrastructure will naturally evolve as a result. Whether it takes the shape of a village cinema, production studio or distribution shop, ultimately the means of distribution will form the basis for a more robust Nigerian infrastructure. And infrastructure, as we all know, is the backbone of any nation. *Armstrong Williams is the author of ‘Reawakening Virtues’ and can be heard on Sirius/XM Power 128 Radio.

MEMORABLE READS Who is your favourite author? There are many authors I like. I prefer those who draw me closer to my roots. I mean people like Chinua Achebe; he has a way of making you know someone who behaves like any of the characters he is creating. Growing up in a typical Igbo community, you will see Okonkwo of Things Fall Apart. But I also like some pioneer Igbo writers and scholars like F.C Ogbalu, Adiele Afigbo and Ibe Nwoga. What is unique about these writers? I am particularly pleased with their efforts at retaining the art of Igbo literature. They did a lot in this regard. It is a pity that people are not taking over from where they stopped, and this is already leaving a gap in the system.

Chinwetalu Agu

Actor

What book are you currently reading? To be honest, I am reading a movie script for the role I have in a new movie. How much do you spend on books annually? I do not keep records. But I know I spend money on newspapers and books that help me to improve on my character in films. Each time, I develop a new slang in a movie, it comes from studying characters. If you should be a writer, what would be your theme? I would like to write about the culture of my people. I will like to rekindle certain aspects of our values that are fast being lost.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Poets live outside their prophesies —Jumoke

Jumoke Verissimo is a poet per excellence who has once been described as ‘one of those who will change the face of literature in Nigeria’.

er collection of poetry, I am Memory, which was highly received in the country, earned the Lagos born performance poet several awards and recognitions like First Prize, Carlos Idize Ahmad Prize for a first book of Poetry, Second Prize, Anthony Agbo Prize for Poetry and Honourable Mention Association of Nigeria (Poetry) all in 2009. What inspired her to start writing poetry? Jumoke discloses that she doesn’t know of a definite thing that kicked off the flair. “It’s difficult to say. You can have a medley of experience, familial background, educational background and all, but I don’t know of a definite thing that kicked off the flair. I started writing. I loved to write. I think I’ve written for so long, it’s like a habit. I don’t feel sane if I don’t write, something, anything a day, not to talk of a week. So, I think I developed poetry from writing too often, and reading too many things. I write other things too. I am a writer. I guess, as a writer your first book defines you. The recipient of the Chinua Achebe Centre Fellowship, and Mother Drum Golden Award for Excellence, for poetry, in 2012 believes that the art of poetry is dictated more by talent than skill and goes on to list her favourite poets, Nigerian and foreign. “I think there is a purity of mind to writing poetry. As a poet, you get the desire to tell things differently, and when you force poetry out of yourself, you’ll get a bounty of flowery words, without depth. True poetry is a flair. It is a gift that tells you that white is not just a colour it is the depth of existence. You see, what others ignore. A poet is a prophet who lives outside his prophesy. He’s blinded by his desire to just keep telling. In essence, poetry is dictated by talent and like every other thing, improves with skills. You learn the rule, and you break them.

“I love Akeem Lasisi’s poetry. I like his ability to yorubalize English, bringing the depth of the Yoruba language into the English language. I love Okigbo. For the passion, that travels in every of his line....I like Funso Aiyejina’s style. I wish I could read more of his poems. Tolu Ogunlesi’s lines exhibit sarcasm, and I like his subtlety where he is talking serious, and there’s the language-driven poems of Odia Ofeimun....Perhaps because I’ve been reading these poets of late, they are in my head now.... And about the foreign ones, I love Anna Akhmatova a great deal. Her style is ‘simply’ haunting. You wonder how anyone could build feelings in the simplest of words without being simplistic. And there’s this writer, a contemporary UK poet, Giles Goodland, with his rather impervious writing style... rather experimental, yet with form.” Does she think poetry is still relevant to the Nigerian political discourse today? Or can poetry correct the ills of society? Don’t you think the primary task of poetry is to create beauty since that is the only thing it is capable of? The University of Ibadan Masters degree holder in African Studies (Performance) believes that Nigerians are poetic and that poetry is still very much relevant. “Yes, if the poets can lead us to see through their lines. I think poetry is still very much relevant. You know, I think Nigerians are poetic, and when you meet people who say they don’t like poetry, their thoughts are poetic. “The average intelligent Nigerian understands poetry, but society has decided for him what poetry should be, and it is that judgement that determines a lot of things. But things are changing now. In the past five years, I have witnessed a state where people are appreciating and understanding literature. People are buying books. And poetry which was never a popular art form is finding its own market with the likes of Jumi, Sage, Chiedu Ifeozo, Jeffery, Efe, Awoko and many performance poets creating a bridge. It has never been relegated to oblivion either. “We need to understand that every writing has its own target and when it meets that target, then the need is satisfied. As per poetry creating beauty....if all I’ve seen is dump, will you tell me to write of flowers when I’ve seen cow dungs and horse shits!”

You know, I thInk nIgerIans are poetIc, and

when You meet people who saY theY don’t lIke poetrY, theIr

thoughts are poetIc.

Jumoke Verissimo

Jumoke relaxing with a book

MIDWEEK JUMP

Fendler presents film at Lagos Goethe PEN International New Voices Award

rof. Dr. Ute Fendler is a Senior Fellow for Francophone Literatures, Cultures and Media in Africa at the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies and heads the chair for Romance literature and cultural studies at the University of Bayreuth. She will present her recent project Film and Cultural Memory in Mozambique: Digitalization of Mozambican Films. One of her research topics deals with the situation of film archives in Mozambique. Date is Wednesday, 14th March 2016. Time is 3pm and venue is Goethe, City Hall, Lagos.

Fendler

he PEN International/New Voices Award is an annual prize for young writers from around the world. Applicants, who are required to be unpublished in book form and aged 18 to 30 at the time of entry, must be nominated by one of the 150 PEN Centres. Short stories, creative non-fiction, journalism, and poetry can be entered, in English, French or Spanish: the three working languages of PEN International. The window for submissions closes at midday (GMT) on May 27. The winner will be announced in September during the 82nd PEN Congress in Ourense, Galicia.

PEN New Voices Awards

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

FAR AND NEAR

Tourism: Ikpeazu diversifies Abia’s potential Ngozi EmEdolibE

Awo Jesu Festival: Youths converge on Ibadan TosiN AdAms

he Governor of Abia state, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has reiterated the importance of the creative industry, with a firm belief that it would soon become an alternative source of income for Abia State. Ikpeazu spoke with journalists in Lagos, through his Media Aide, Uche Olehi. He encouraged investors to take advantage of the investment-friendly economic policies of his administration to grow their businesses in Abia. The Governor further revealed he is focusing on revamping infrastructure across the state to create the enabling environment for businesses. “For us in Abia,we believe the best path to follow is to redress the infrastructural deficit to unlock the rich diversity in the economy, like the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun stated recently. “We started with road infrastructure and addressing issues relating to urban renewal with a view to making Abia an investment haven, which is what we are right now. We have also improved security among other social infrastructure.” On the priority attention being paid to the creative economy, the Governor explained that the state is well positioned

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Enyimba Carnival , Abia State to tap from the multi-million dollar industry that includes Nollywood, Music, Fashion, Tourism and allied cultural and hospitality ventures. To realise the enormous value chain derivable from this sector, Ikpeazu said the gates of the state are open to investors and creative entrepreneurs willing to invest in Abia. He reiterated his determination to make Aba the nation’s tourism, entertainment and investment hub as well as Africa’s SMES capital. “Abia is blessed with its strategic geographic location and direct access to seven other states. ‘We can regain our status as a major commercial and transport hub in the

South-East/South-South region of Nigeria. We have opportunities to forge partnerships that enable us to implement economic goals, drive accelerated growth in our key economic sector so our hopes and dreams are achieved. “Our story as a people is one of entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, creativity and diligence. This is our pride. We have astounded the world with our home-grown technical skills, especially during a period of pervasive adversity, and followed it up with our trade and commercial prowess, elevating one of our cities, Aba, to a prominent commercial hub within the West African region.

his Easter season will be a memorable one for residents of Ibadan and thousands of youths across the world who will converge to celebrate the 2016 edition of Awo Jesu Festival, an activity designed to nurture creativity in theatre. As conceptualized by Nigeria’s young and controversial filmmaker cum theatre scholar, Oreofe Williams, the programme will feature gospel music Evangelist; Tope Alabi and many other ministers of God and film makers like Deji Adenuga, Bishop Wale Osiboye , Yomi Barnard, Prince Dele Odule , Yemi Shodimu , Peju Ogunmola , Funsho Adeolu , Taiwo Atikpekpe and others. The Social director, Awo Jesu Professional body, Ayo’ Emmanuel-Ojo said the three days Easter festival will open on the 25th march (Good Friday) and end on Easter Sunday 27th March 2016 at the City of Talent Awo Jesu avenue off arapaja junction Ibadan, with a lot of activities ranging from drama performances and music. The theme of the festival is Excellence. The host, Oreofe Williams who has produced many popular films like Awo Jesu, Okunkun Funfun, Anointed but Broke, Angels Taking Bribe, The Gospel of Judas and many others meant to correct societal ills and promote the gospel of Christ said this year’s edition of the festival is an avenue for young creative Nigerians to meet with veterans in the film sector, broadcast industry who are affecting lives positively. He added that many people will be trained in the nitty-gritty of filmmaking and theatre productions as there will also be an opportunity to feature in another blockbuster movie by Oreofe Films.

FG plans National Endowment Fund for Arts

Mohammed

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has announced plans to set up the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and establish the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON). A statement issued in Abuja quoted the Minister as saying, at the 2016 Kannywood Awards in the nation’s capital on Saturday night, that when established, the NEA will ensure sustainable funding for all the genre of the arts. ”We are forwarding a copy of the draft Bill on the establishment of the National Endowment for the Arts to the Ministry

of Justice. My plan is to fast-track the realization of the NEA in order to guarantee sustainable development of the creative sector,” he said, adding that the establishment of the NEA would tackle the challenge of funding for the creative arts sector. On MOPPICON, which will regulate, administer and control the motion picture practice in Nigeria, he announced that he would soon set up a ministerial committee on the MOPPICON Bill with a view to fasttracking its passage into law and paving the way for the establishment of the council.

Williams (Awo Jesu story)

Who wins Etisalat Prize for Literature?

n Saturday, March 19 2016 a winner will emerge in the third edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. It is a threeway literary battle on who will win Africa’s most prestigious literature Prize. The shortlisted books are The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself by South Africa’s Penny Busetto, Tram 83 by Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila and What Will People Say? by another South African, Rehana Rossouw. The winner of the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015 will be unveiled

at the Award ceremony holding at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island on Saturday March 19, 2016. This year’s Award Ceremony will embody the theme Representing the Diversity of African Voices by showcasing the richness of Africa and how our diversity converges into one unique voice of the continent. It promises to be an exciting event with performances ranging from poetry, monologues and musical performances by Darey and Asa. Speaking on the build-up to the

grand finale, Modupe Thani, Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria said that already several activities have been lined up to bring the three shortlisted writers closer to the African public ahead of the Award Ceremony. According to her, on Tuesday, March 15 the writers will be showcased at the 2016 edition of Time of the Writer in University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa where they will feature in a panel of literary giants as they take on conversations that matter on book and knowledge.

Etisalat Prize for Literature

Business

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Global passenger traffic up 7.1% in January –IATA 30

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Pension funds ‘ll help Nigeria bridge infrastructure funding gap –Fasanya-Osilaja 28

FG to earn $224m from spectrum sale in May IsaIah ErhIawarIEn

tion process. “The Commission offers 14 Lots of 2 X 5 MHz FDD paired Spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band ranging from 2500 – 2570MHz and 2620 to 2690MHz (totaling 2 X 70 MHz) for auction”, the Commission added. It explained further that the Spectrum was being offered on a technology neutral basis and can be used to provide any telecommunications services, adding that “for roll-out of services, the Commission intends to follow the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation setting aside Spectrum in the 2.6GHz band for the provision of advanced wireless broadband services.” According to the regulatory institution, the Generic Reserve Price (GR) is the minimum price at which

a Lot shall be sold, which is the Reserve Price for one Lot of 2 X 5MHz and has a value of: Sixteen Million United States Dollars only (US$16,000,000.00) It stated that each lot of 2 X 5 MHz represented 1 eligibility point and that an applicant that paid the IBD for 6 lots would have a total of 6 Eligibility Points while the Reserve Price (R) for an applicant will be calculated as the GR multiplied by the number of lots (N) applied for by the applicant. The Commission clarified further that the Spectrum lots won by each Bidder will be assigned on a nationwide basis covering all the States of the Federation and the FCT, and that for the purpose of enforcing the “used it - or - lost it”

Civil society, tanker drivers disagree over causes of fuel scarcity

clause, a Licence will be issued for each of the States of the Federation as well as for the FCT to each winning bidder. The document also indicated that each winner without a current Unified Access Service License, UASL, which is the Operational License, will be issued one at an additional fee of N374,600,000.00. The NCC maintained that applicants must transfer an Intention-to-Bid Deposit (IBD) equal to Intention-to-Bid Deposit (IBD) for a Lot which is US$1,600,000.00 multiplied by its Eligibility Points (Number of Lots applied for) into the designated account in cleared funds.

he Federal Government is expected to rake in $224 million from the sale of 14 lots in the 2.6Gigahertz spectrum band licensing to telecommunication operating companies slated for May this year. According to a document posted on the website of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, titled ‘2.6 GHz Spectrum Auction Information Memorandum’, the sale of the spectrum is part of the National Broadband Plan intended to provide Nigerians access to highspeed internet. The Commission indicated that the document defined the process that the Commission has decided to adopt for the licensing of 2 X 70 MHz paired Spectrum available in the 2.6 GHz band adding that it provides information on the Nigerian telecommunications market, details of the Spectrum to be made available, the prequalification process, the Auction process and indicative timetable. In addition, it hinted that it had consulted with the relevant industry stakeholders to determine the demand and the best way to issue Spectrum. NCC stated: “Based on these and observations of developments in international licensing trends, the Commission has decided to license the available 2 X 70 MHz slot in slots L-R: Dr. Otefe Edebi, Certified Mental Health Professional, Avon Medical Services; Eniola Obe, Business of 5 MHz to be aggregated by appli- Executive (Retail) Ikeja & Beyond; Mojisola Bakare, Business Executive, Corporate Banking and Kike Kucants through the Spectrum auc- poniyi, Group Head, Retail Lending all of Sterling Bank Plc at the Women’s Health/Stress Management Talk organized by the Bank to celebrate the International Women’s Day last weekend.

... plans clampdown on unregistered poultry farms Tola akInmuTImI

s a way of enforcing bio-security measures in the poultry industry, the Federal Government has resolved to close down all unregistered poultry farms in the country even as said it would revisit the compensation for avian influenza poultry farmer victims.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, gave these hints when he received members of the National body of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. A statement on the visit by the ministry’s Director, Information, Tony Ohaeri, quoted the minister as poultry farmers to be more disciplined on the issue of hygiene in the operations of their farms and urged them to always report incidences of diseases to avoid further losses.

He said it was only by registering with government and the poultry association (PAN) that effective containment and control of outbreaks of diseases could be successful. The Minister assured the poultry farmers of government’s resolve to revisit the issue of compensation by conducting a verification exercise to ensure the authenticity of claims by farmers affected by Avian Influenza, with a view to finding possible ways of paying. Ogbeh promised to take up the issue of multiple taxation and Value Added Tax (VAT) on maize with the Presidency as it is affecting the production of poultry products in the country. According to him, government may consider the release of part of the maize in the strategic reserve to support the poultry industry because the demand for maize has become so high.

While harping on the need for subsidy on agricultural products to ensure the success of the proposed school feeding programme especially in the aspects of eggs, milk and poultry meat, the minister explained that Egyptians and Americans had found vaccines for Avian Influenza but that government was still studying the effectiveness of the vaccines. He said poultry farmers would be informed on government decision on the issue. On the restructuring of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), the Minister said plans were ongoing to ensure that farmers owned the majority shares of the bank and become members of its board to enable them benefit more through improved access to credit and other services

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

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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, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pension funds ‘ll help Nigeria bridge infraAs the discourses on the nation’s housing and infrastructure development challenges continue to agitate stakeholders’ minds in the face of dwindling public sector earnings, one of the industry’s experts and Chicago-based Mortgage Consultant, Mrs. Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja, in this interview with Sylva EmekaOkereke, speaks on the country’s mortgage and infrastructure needs and what needed to be done to meet them to achieve sustainable national development. Excerpts:

rom available statistics, it appears the nation’s mortgage institutions are not leaving up to expectations. With your knowledge in the sector, how would you rate the sector in relation to what obtains abroad? I think the mortgage institutions are at their infancy. They need to be given enough time to grow. Sometimes, we tend to forget how they started. They need our supports. We need to be patient with those institutions and I can tell you that the sector will do much better than expected. We should continue to work hard and not give up as the industry would surely do better. What do you think we are doing in the housing sector that is different from developmental activities in the sector in the developed countries? Good question. What we have not done here is the home-buyer education. It is being done abroad. In Nigeria, we have not been able to educate home buyers on the potential of the sector. Statistics have shown that when home-buyers are properly educated prior to buying, about 90 percent of them are more likely to know that they can keep their properties, making them successful home owners. So we really need to bring that into the game. We want home owners to have a voice and also have a stake. It is not only enough to say, yes we want to build and whatever we can build, the homeowner should buy. No, it should not be so; the home buyer should be driving the transaction. They should ask questions on what they need. There is a difference between what you want and what you need. If you are a first time home buyer, you may not be looking for a mansion. We need to get this clear, so that we will not over-improving

Fasanya-Osilaja

our property. When the property is too high, you put too much into it; it is more likely that it might become unaffordable. A family that is living in a-face-me I-face-you apartment will not be looking for a mansion, but something they can call their own and that is where we should start. Statistics have shown that Nigeria is having over 17 million housing deficit. How do you think, we can fill this gap? First of all, it is not enough to say we have 17 million housing deficit because it might sound generic. But we need to ascertain what sector of the market that is having such deficit. We know it is not at the high-end market because we can see all these mansions around us. From what I am seeing, the deficit is at the lowend of the property market. Statistics have shown this. I tell you that, if we don’t have affordable housing sector, then our foundation is shaky. We can only build on something. Affordable home buyer is the first building block of any sustainable home ownership and real estate markets. I think we jumped the gun a little bit, so we probably need to go back, look inwards and reassess

the situation and do it over and over again, we will definitely do it right. From what is on ground, would you actually say that mortgage institutions in the country are properly and effectively funded by government to achieve desired goals? I don’t actually know about government funding of the sector, but what I do know is that even with government funding, there should be an element of private market to be able to raise funds, otherwise, we are going to be stuck in government system and by its nature, government is slow-moving. That is the way the system works abroad and we have to be able to incorporate affordable housing component with the market forces. What is your view on Federal Government’s low budgetary allocation to the housing sector over the years? I am very confident on the people we have in government right now. For instance, the Minister of Housing is a man of action. Am sure that already, this government has looked at what they have on ground and I am also sure that they will be looking at

What We need to do is to put strong regulatory system to ensure

effective control, but for you to say because of fraud, you are not going to use the pension funds in nation building, and in my oWn opinion,

it is a costly error to the Whole nation and even to the pension fund holders

the solutions. I know what they can do and what they cannot do and I am so sure that they are going to look for the best way out. The Minister had a brilliant speech recently about the pension funds and I wrote an article on that in your newspaper. I absolutely support the idea of the longterm funds coming into the real estate market. The Pension system has been used by so many countries to develop their economy. They invest in long term infrastructure. They invest in long term projects and if you say because there is a risk of fraud and you are not going to do anything at all, then you are actually shooting yourself on the foot. What we need to do is to put strong regulatory system to ensure effective control, but for you to say because of fraud, you are not going to use the pension funds in nation building, and in my own opinion, it is a costly error to the whole nation and even to the pension fund holders. As an expert in mortgage financing, what would be your advice to the present administration, especially the Minister of Housing in this regard? Well, the Minister of Housing is a senior advocate and a senior colleague in the legal profession. I am sure; he knows what to do, even without setting agenda for him. He is an action man and I am also sure, he will put up good agenda for the sector. If I am called to assist, I will try to contribute my own idea towards improving the sector. The Minister should be thinking of how to integrate the real estate developers, realtors, financiers and home buyers. Unfortunately, I am seeing a system of disjointed operations among these groups. They cannot operate in different world, since their packages are the same. They should come together. When one group is having an event, the other

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Executive Discourse

structure funding gap –Fasanya-Osilaja ones should be there. Each sector also needs to train in other sectors. It is a big key because, if you are a realtor and you don’t understand how mortgage works, there will be problem with you ad your client as you may not understand the entire process. A realtor should do more than writing only a contract. He should be there to offer expertise support to his clients. It should be the same way to mortgage brokers. So, training should be across boundary. No one industry should be training alone in the sector because they are one. There should be a synergy and this is the area I would want to work on, any time I am called upon to assist the government. The second area I will also work on is home buyer awareness. You will find out that only the upper-end of the market understands what the mortgage market is all about. The average home buyer on the street does not understand what mortgage is all about. Statistics have shown that people just walked to the bank, obtain a loan and start to build without understanding the nitty-gritty of mortgage. They don’t understand the language. We need to bring our language down for a common man to understand and we also need to flood the airwaves with education, offering opportunity for them to learn more about mortgage. You don’t just get the loan, but ask yourself what you are going to do with the loan because they should understand that personal loans are in-secured, but mortgage is already guaranteed with the property you have. So, banks should be looking or more direct buyers toward mortgages and personal loans. Those are the areas that I would really love to be involved in, if I must offer any support to government.

StatiSticS have Shown that people juSt walked to the bank, obtain a loan and Start to build without underStanding the nittygritty of mortgage. they don’t underStand the language. we need to bring our language down for a common man to underStand and we alSo need to flood the airwaveS with

education, offering opportunity for them to learn more about mortgage candidates that we know will make a difference in the sector, those problems will be solved. We should not only see it as a problem to us, but take it as a challenge to improve the sector. Is it advisable to establish more mortgage institutions or strengthen what we have in the country to be able to play more effective roles in the sector? We should strengthen what we have and ensure proper regulatory system. If we over-regulate the market, it will make it unwieldy. It is more efficient to go back and look at what we have and make corrections than putting other policies and this is what actually, is causing the inconsistency. In your own little contribution, how can we curb fraudulent practices in the sectors? Fraud is a way of life, not only in Nigeria, but in abroad. It is up to us in the industry to first of all, look inwards and

How has the land tenure system contributing to the housing problems we are facing in this country? Yes, the land tenure system has been contributing to this. It has been there for too long and it is very clunky. What we need to do, is to adapt to the system. We should use it effectively by coordinating and working with the system because it is not going to be changed soon. At the same time, the industry should be driving and shaping policies and not waiting for the policies to be handed over to us. By then, it might be too late for us. We should drive the system. Can you relate this to government inconsistent policies? Government’s point of view is always academic because they are not there in the field. The fact that there is inconsistence means that those in the sector have a lot to do because, if we are actively engaging with the government and even supporting

Fasanya-Osilaja

will always like to go back to those things that are so speedy to act. We must always try to review the actions of the people that are implementing these policies to ensure that they are not veering off from the targeted anti-corruption campaign they are running. It is very easy for power to become absolute and it is also very easy for absolute power to become tyranny. So, while we are very happy that finally there is a break to the bleeding of our collective funds, on the other hand, we should not put at risk, the essence of our democracy. Again, we should also be very careful of some financial costs. We should be very careful that our foreign funding does not dry up because people are afraid of hostile climate. If we create such climate, we will lose international business and this is what we don’t want because the world is a global market.

police ourselves. Let us weed out the bad elements in our system first before we point fingers to other systems. When we do this, we will be more efficient, we will also develop a better reputation. That is the time we can now effectively influence the market because it will be made up of people of good moral standing as they What is your take on the oil are they are the ones that can drop, foreign exchange market speak up and their voice will be and the shrinking global econorespected. my? We cause some of these problems So, you are in support of the by ourselves. It sounds so ridicupresent anti-corruption war lous what we were doing with our of the federal government? money. We are going to have some In as much as I am supporting pains, but we pray it doesn’t last for the anti-corruption war of the too long. The oil glut is all over the federal government, I will advise world. So, it is not only Nigerians that we should be mindful of the that are suffering the pains, but the rule of law. I am a lawyer by edu- whole world. But in the midst of all cation, so, we try to ensure that these challenges, we should be couinnocent persons are not thrown rageous and move on. If we are painto the net because we have tient and improve ourselves in eduthrown the net too wide. So, we cation and information, we will do very well as a nation.

Business News

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global passenger traffic up 7.1% in January –IATA olusEgun koIkI

he International Air Transport Association, IATA, has said that global passenger traffic rose by 7.1 per cent in January 2016 when compared to January 2015. IATA said the result was ahead of the 2015 full year growth rate of 6.5 per cent. January capacity rose 5.6 per cent, with the result that load factor rose 1.1 percentage points to 78.8 per cent the highest load factor ever recorded for the first month of the year. The Director-General, IATA, Dr. Tony Tyler in a statement by the organization said that January maintained the strong traffic growth trend seen in 2015, showing the resilience of demand for connectivity despite recent turmoil in equity markets. Tyler explained that the record load factor was a result of strong demand for the agency’s product and airlines making the most productive use of their assets. He added, “Underlying conditions point to another strong year for passenger traffic, with the latest decline in oil prices likely providing additional stimulus for air travel growth.” On the international market, IATA said January international passenger traffic rose 7.3 per cent compared to the year-ago period. Capacity in the month under

review rose 5.9 per cent and load factor rose 1.0 percentage point to 78.8 per cent. All regions recorded year-over-year increases in demand. Asia Pacific carriers recorded an increase of 10.3 per cent compared to January 2015. Capacity rose 7.6 per cent, pushing up load factor 2 percentage points to 79.2 per cent. A 7.3 per cent increase in the number of direct airport connections within the Asia region over the past 12 months or so has helped to stimulate demand. African airlines saw January traffic jump 12.1 per cent compared to January 2015. This continues the strong upward trend in travel since mid2015 that coincides with a jump in exports from the region over the same period. With capacity up 8.2 per cent, load factor rose 2.5 percentage point to 71.3 per cent. European carriers’ international traffic climbed 4.2 per cent in January compared to the yearago period. Capacity rose 2.6 per cent and load factor rose 1.2 percentage points to 78.8 per cent. Airline strikes and the shutdown of Russia’s Transaero caused the region’s traffic to fall in the last quarter of 2015. Volumes have picked up somewhat in recent months. North American airlines saw

IHS to acquire 1,200 towers from Helios Nigeria IsaIah ErhIawarIEn

IS, one of the major telecoms sector infrastructure provider, is set to acquire more than 1,200 towers from Helios Towers Nigeria, HTN, in a deal described as “first mobile infrastructure consolidation” in Africa. Both IHS and Helios have been pioneers for tower infrastructure sharing in the continent in recent years, and established a major presence in Nigeria since the early 2000s, when the country first started to build up mobile telecoms infrastructure. In a statement issued on the deal, IHS hinted that the deal with HTN strengthened its position in Nigeria, with the country’s vibrant wireless industry “poised for a sustained period of network investment and growth”, given increasing smartphone penetration and limited fixed line infrastructure. The company’s Executive Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Issam Darwish, said that the company’s Board and management remained “committed to the Nigerian tower market where coverage levels are yet to mature and explosive data growth continues.” The companies have grown

their presence over the years by acquiring towers from major players in the region, including MTN and Airtel, with operators selling off infrastructure to raise cash while dedicated infrastructure players then manage and lease back the towers to the operators. Despite his company’s ownership of a combined 23,300 towers in Nigeria and four other African markets, Darwish pointed out that Nigeria’s growing data traffic and smartphone usage meant there was “potential for up to 40,000 more towers required to meet this demand”.

demand rise 2.4 per cent in January over a year ago. Capacity rose 1.3 per cent, pushing up load factor 0.8 percentage points to 80.3 per cent. North American international traffic growth was weakest among the regions, as carriers have focused on the stronger and larger domestic market. Middle East carriers had the strongest year-over-year demand growth in January at 10.9 per cent, helped by ongoing network and fleet expansion. Capacity rose 12.9

per cent and load factor dipped 1.4 percentage points to 77.8 per cent. Latin American airlines’ traffic climbed 8.9 per cent in January. Capacity rose 7.8 per cent and load factor increased 0.8 percentage points to 82.5 per cent, highest among the regions. Domestic traffic remains under pressure from economic difficulties in the region’s biggest economies, notably Brazil, but the strong growth in international demand shows little sign of slowing.

L-R: 1st Vice President and Vice Chairman, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Mr. Tony Agenmonmen; Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Franco Maria Maggi; President and Chairman of Governing Council, NIMN, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye; and Council Member, Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti; during a courtesy visit to NB Plc in Lagos yesterday.

Private investors’ interest in sports devt excites Minister Tola akInmuTImI

inister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Selcap Dalung, has expressed his delight over the enthusiasm of private sector entities to participate in the planned reforms of the Sports sector. The minister was quoted as expressing his satisfaction with the development by the Head, Public Communications of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Alex Okoh, when he hosted a delegation of the Bureau led by the Acting Director-General of the Bureau, Dr. Vincent Onome Akpotaire, in his office in Abuja.

Dalung hinted that the Ministry had received offers from many investors in that regard. He called on private investors to take advantage of the proposed sports sector reforms to invest in the sector as not doing so would result in “investing in criminality” as the teeming idle Nigerian youth would have no vocations to turn to, but take to crime. The Minister informed the BPE team that to fast track the reforms in the Sports sector, he had revived the Joint Project Delivery Team (JPDT) earlier set up for the purpose and that once the team submits its report, it would be subjected to due process and

Fidelity Bank, Koinonia exports’ training, workshop holds today

Besides, domestic air travel rose 6.8 per cent in January year-onyear. Capacity rose 5.1 per cent and load factor was 78.9 per cent, up 1.3 percentage points. India’s domestic air travel soared 22.9 per cent in January compared to a year ago. Growth is being propelled by the comparatively strong domestic economy and increases in air services. The Indian market overtook both Australia and Japan during 2015 and is currently level with Russia at around 1.2 per cent of global RPKs.

n line with its commitment to support the diversification of Nigeria’s monolithic economy, Fidelity Bank Plc in conjunction with Koinonia Ventures Limited will today hold a one-day workshop/training on exports in Lagos. A statement by the bank indicated that the workshop could not have come at a better time especially in view of growing emphasis on export and import substitution. The bank noted that with the prevailing economic condition precipitated by the free-fall in global oil prices, it was imperative for the country to expand and increase non-oil exports to foster sustainable and inclusive growth. The conference which has as its theme, “Ex-

port Readiness Workshop” is expected to bring together subject matter experts, government agencies and private sector players in export business, to share knowledge and insights on the key trends and opportunities in the non-oil export sector. Koinonia Ventures is Nigeria’s foremost trade facilitation/strategy consulting outfit.

Incorporated in 1990 with operational bases in Abuja, Lagos and Ekiti States, the company has since metamorphosed into a global player in international trade business, especially with its active involvement in the marketing of Nigerian brands to the international community.

professional touch. He expressed the determination and political will of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to reform the Sports Sector; and noted that BPE would be cardinal partners as the engine room for reforms. Dalung said he is “aware of efforts in the past which suffered some setback due to lack of political will to move the sector forward”, and admonished that “we should not be discouraged by past frustration”. He said the renewed determination and political will cannot be compromised. On the merging of the National Sports Commission (NSC) with the ministry, Dalung said the measure was a Presidential directive and that creation of the NSC had no legal backing. Earlier, Akpotaire told the Minister that the Federal Government had drawn up the roadmap to reform the Sports Sector but the efforts were stalled. Akpotaire decried decayed sports infrastructure across the country for a sector that could have guaranteed sustainable income stream for the country and still be able to maintain facilities. He said stadia are focal points in many cities across the world to generate multiple income streams with quality management in place.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Business News

SON bags World Customs Organizations’ standadisation award Olufemi AdeOsun, AbujA

he World Customs Organisation (WCO) has presented a Certificate of Merit to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), representing Partner Government Agencies. The certificate, which was presented to SON on the occasion of the International Customs Day through an affiliate, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), was signed by the WCO’s Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya. Receiving the award, the Acting Director General SON, Dr. Paul Angya stated that the award could not have come at a better time than now that SON had doubled its efforts to rid Nigeria of substandard products through collaboration with critical stakeholders. While thanking the WCO for the award, Angya noted that the recognition that would further spur the agency to redouble its efforts to combat substandard

products and their associated challenges. The SON boss used the occasion to reiterate SON’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria is not made a dumping ground for all manner of products, and advised importers to always cross check with SON before importing into the country. The Merit Award recognizes SON’s effort in partnering with the Nigerian Customs Service and other world Customs bodies to ensure that only wholesome products that meet up with Standards are allowed in and out of the country. Standards Organisation of Nigeria is the government agency mandated by law for the elaboration of standards for products in the country and has been a partner with the Customs authority and other stakeholders in the country with its offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP). The programme ensures that goods and products destined for Nigeria from all over the world are tested to comply with stan-

Ethisphere Institute names Ford among 2016 ethical firms

ord Motor Company is the only automaker named a 2016 World’s Most Ethical Company by Ethisphere Institute on Monday The recognition comes as ethics in business increasingly affects customers and their purchase decisions. The Executive Chairman of the company, Bill Ford said that the honour “celebrates our employees who are committed to doing the right things and making the right choices. “Ethics and corporate citizenship are the foundation of what drives us to make people’s lives better”, he enthused. This marks the seventh consecutive year Ethisphere Institute has named Ford a World’s Most Ethical Company. Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, honors companies with top ratings in five categories – ethics and compliance, corporate citizenship and responsibilities, culture of ethics, governance and leadership and reputation. For decades, Ford has recognized the importance of strong corporate citizenship and how that ties to success and building the company’s reputation. More than half of respondents to the 2016 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient said they learn more about

a company before deciding to do business with them. More than one-third decided not to do business with a company if they perceive the business has a negative reputation. Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich, remarked: “Ford understands that trust is the cornerstone of everything it does, and their commitment to being an active part of a global community helps explain why they are the only automaker Ethisphere has recognized every year since 2010. “Being honored for the seventh time is no small achievement. Congratulations to everyone at Ford for being recognized”, he added.

dards and quality assurance. The 180 member strong World Customs Organisation with Nigeria Customs Service as a member, was established in 1952 as an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations, controlling 98% of world trade. The WCS in an effort to improve Customs service’s glob-

ally has recognized the need to digitalize customs by dedicating its 2016 Customs day celebrations to “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement”. It would be recalled that SON recently re-launched a seamless electronic and digital platform that has enabled importers to process their documentations online without interfacing with SON staff, and which has greatly enhanced the operations of

from the banks for offshore payments and also a requirement to clear goods from the ports through the Nigerian Customs Service.

Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Prof Danbala Danju, (L) welcoming the Team Leader, Word Bank, Mr Muli Musinga, to the Bank of Agriculture Headquarters in Kaduna yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

ACCA unveils strategies to curb Nigeria’s graduate unemployment Olufemi AdeOsun, AbujA

he Country Director, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Nigeria, Mrs Toyin Ademola, has restated the association’s commitment to reduce unemployability rate of graduates from the nation’s tertiary institutions. Ademola gave this assurance in Abuja during the ACCA’s opportunities in Finance Summits and Job Fair. According to her, the associa-

tion has decided to organise the finance summits in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt with the aim of promoting employability of Nigerian graduates. The accounting expert explained that apart from the employability seminar, participants of the summit would meet with potential employers, tuition providers and recruitment partners Ademola disclosed that within the last year, 2000 graduates had attended the professional body’s summit out of which over 80 per cent of them were able to secure

U.K. Prosecutor drops currency probe citing lack of evidence

he U.K. Serious Fraud Office dropped a nearly twoyear-old investigation into currency rigging, citing insufficient evidence to win a conviction. Despite concluding there were grounds to suspect fraud, the SFO said the prospect of convictions weren’t “realistic.” The agency said it would assist U.S. prosecutors, who are still investigating what Attorney General Loretta Lynch has called a “brazen display of collusion” among some of the world’s biggest banks. While “there were reasonable grounds to suspect the commis-

SONCAP in consonance with global best practices. Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s Conformity Assessment program (SONCAP) certificate is a mandatory requirement for importers to obtain in other to raise a Form ‘M’

sion of offenses involving serious or complex fraud, a detailed review of the available evidence led us to the conclusion that the alleged conduct, even if proven and taken at its highest, would not meet the evidential test required,” the SFO said in a statement. Though banks including Citigroup Inc., Barclays Plc and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have paid $10 billion in fines and pleaded guilty to felony charges of conspiring to manipulate the price of U.S. dollars and euros, global prosecutors are yet to charge any individuals with wrongdoing. The SFO deci-

sion comes two months after the embattled U.K. agency lost a case against six brokers accused of helping ex-UBS Group AG trader Tom Hayes rig Libor. “Coming hot on the heels of the recent Libor verdict this will be embarrassing to the SFO,” said Alison McHaffie, a regulatory partner with law firm CMS in London. “However it does show the difficult job the SFO has in demonstrating criminal activity by individuals for this type of market misconduct.”

employment. She said: “That Nigerian graduates are not employable, is both worrisome and burdensome, especially against the back drop of the fact that no nation rises above the quality of its human capital. “We have done some research and one of the things we find that affects employability is that graduates do not know how to write their CVs and answer questions at interviews. These are our main focus areas. We want to guide them on leadership, oral and finance skills necessary to succeed. “Which is why out of the 2,500 people that attended the fair last year, 80 per cent got employed across different sectors such as insurance, banking, oil and gas, and other private practice,” the ACCA boss added. Ademola also said that the Summit was aimed at promoting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial literacy agenda. According to her, when people have a better understanding of finance, the economy of Nigeria would start to grow, noting that getting professional certification in their chosen fields is key to graduates’ playing leading roles in the nation’s economy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Commerce & Industry

NEPC predicts $22.3bn revenue from non-oil export by 2025 ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has predicted increment in the revenue from non-oil export to $25 billion in 2025 from the current $2.7 billion. Executive Director of the NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo, who disclosed this in Benin at a one day workshop on “The Legal Aspects of Export Contract” uring the weekend, said strategy had been put in place to achieve the projection through a developed “Zero Oil Plan.” Represented by the Director of the legal unit, Mr. Ezra Yakusak, the NEPC boss described the zero oil plan as a strategy adopted to mobilise both private and public resources towards replacing oil as the country’s major source of foreign exchange. He said this became inevitable in the face of the recent free fall of oil price in the world economy. He stressed that the era of Nigeria depending on oil as its primary sources of foreign exchange was gone. According to him, the country’s continued reliance on oil would only

decrease its economic fortunes, stressing that it was high time the nation embarked on non-oil exports. He explained that the Council had taken a proactive step at increasing Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings through non-oil exports by developing the zero oil plan. He said, “The zero oil plan is a coherent agenda to mobilise the public and private resources towards replacing oil as our number one source of foreign exchange. “Under the plan, Nigeria will position itself to gain at least a five per cent share of a total value of world exports in strategic sectors over the next 10 years, to ensure sufficient scale of production and prevent sudden market distortions. “At the end of ten years, it is hoped that our non-oil export revenue would increase from $2.7bn in 2014 to $25bn in 2025.” He further revealed that the Council, in collaboration with an indigenous export consulting firm, was undertaking a practical and detail packaged training series that would build a crop of knowledgeable exporters to raise

Toyota, partners begin hydrogen supply chain test project

oyota Motor Corp. and partners will begin a project to use hydrogen produced from renewable energy to power forklifts to test the feasibility of a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain. Electricity generated at a wind-power plant in Yokohama City near Tokyo will be used to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, the partners including Toshiba Corp. and Iwatani Corp. stated on Monday. The hydrogen will be transported in a hydrogen fueling truck to a factory, a vegetable and fruit market, and two warehouses to be used for fuel cellpowered forklifts, according to the statement.

Manufacturing company in Nigeria

“This low-carbon hydrogen supply chain is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 80 percent compared with a supply chain using forklifts powered by gasoline or grid electricity,” the partners said in the statement. Japan plans to build a “hydrogen-based society” to encourage the use of fuel cells to power cars, homes and office buildings. Trial operations will begin this fall with two forklifts, to be increased to 12 for the fiscal year beginning April 2017, the partners said. Yokohama City, Kawasaki City, and Kanagawa Prefecture will also take part in the pilot project, which is supported by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. (Source – Bloomberg.com)

Awolowo

the contribution of the non-oil export sector to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. According to him, the training tagged ‘The making of new Exporters’ aims at hand-holding would-be exporters through the entire process of export business from conception to execution and after care by experts from the sector who will play the role of mentors. The programme, which was slated to run for nine months, was targeted

at creating market opportunities for Nigerian exporters as well as providing a veritable platform for training new crops of exporters that would help enhance the quality of Nigeria’s exportable goods. Earlier in her address, the zonal Controller of the Benin zonal office of the NEPC, Mrs. Etokowoh Moses said the workshop would offer participants better understanding of international contracts terms. She also noted that the participants would be exposed to risks management associated with genuine export contracts. “As you are aware, most international trade transactions fail to yield fruitful results due to the inability of parties to successfully initiate and satisfy the legal requirements of a genuine export contract,” she said. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Small and Medium Enterprise, Mr. Daniel Akhilele, admonished the participants on the need to open new frontiers in their businesses. He said that Nigerians must understand what it takes to move their businesses beyond their communities.

Experts task SMEs on capacity-building to boost productivity ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

ntrepreneurship experts have identified the need for capacity-building programmes to enhance Small and Medium Enterprises’ productivity nationwide. Speaking at the Entrepreneurs’ Club, a quarterly seminar for entrepreneurs organised by an online shopping community, Kaymu, in partnership with the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, recently, the Director Membership and Trade Promotions, LCCI, Dele Alimi, emphasized the need for SMEs to leverage not-for-profit organisations to grow their businesses. He said: “Business membership organisations like the LCCI provide SMEs with additional capacity, financial support, networking, business intelligence and industrial backing to enable them succeed in the Nigerian economy. 2015 Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Fellow and a Kaymu entrepreneur, Chioma Agha shared key business lessons learned at the Barack Obama initiative with the entrepreneurs who were excited at the opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn valuable business lessons. The seminar themed “Empowering The New Generation SME”, had over 200 entrepreneurs in attendance and featured speakers from various works of life. According to the Managing Director of Kaymu, Sefik Bagdadioglu, the Entrepreneurs’ Club emerged out of the need to empower SMEs with tools to enhance their productivity.

“SMEs are the backbone of every economy. In a country like Nigeria where entrepreneurs hold major stakes in the GDP of the country, it becomes imperative to equip them with knowledge and skills to enable them survive and thrive in the evolving Nigerian market. This is one of the main pillars of Kaymu’s business model-to grow with SMEs and entrepreneurs,” he added. Bagdadioglu, who noted that SMEs have played a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development over the years, said their strength has been the foundation for the growth and development of the business sector. He added that entrepreneurial driven initiatives like the Entrepreneurs Club were necessary for advancement of the nation as a whole. He said the increasing demand for consumer products has created a large market for small and medium enterprises in Nigeria being the Africa’s leading economy, having overtaken South Africa to become the continent’s largest nation in terms of GDP. He further noted that the vast majority of companies in Nigeria were SMEs, which accounted for the livelihood of most of the country’s population. Charles Okanlawon, a participant at the event said “the partnership between Kaymu and LCCI to launch the Entrepreneurs Club in Nigeria is a commendable one. “I have been empowered with managerial skills, sales and customer service tips as well as the technological knowhow to drive my business and I am keen on implementing these lessons learned in my business endeavour.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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,,,,,, 35

Civil society, tanker drivers disagree over causes of fuel scarcity Instead of showing signs of improvement, the lingering fuel scarcity has worsened in most parts of the country, causing commuters and other economic productive agents, particularly business owners serious losses on daily basis, UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU report that consumers are however not agreed on real causes of the crisis.

he nation’s fuel supply was expected to show significant improvement following the ending of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, workers strike, alleged to have worsened the situation. The strike was called off after an extensive session presided over by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu with the leadership of the unions led by the National Presidents, Comrades Igwe Achese and Francis Johnson of NUPENG and PENGASSAN respectively in Abuja. The unions, it was gathered decided to return to their duty posts after a decision was reached to set up a committee with representatives from their representatives and NNPC management to look into the new NNPC structure with a view to considering any amendment, where necessary. Consensus was also reached on other outstanding issues bordering on pension matters, job security as well as staff performance and appraisal. The Minister assured that the restructuring was aimed at enhancing capacity utilisation of staff and not creating job losses. The Corporation noted that the meeting ended with a strong commitment from the leadership of the unions to join forces with the management of NNPC to eliminate the prevailing challenges ex-

perienced by members of the public in accessing petroleum products across the country. Unexpectedly, the fuel scarcity has worsened in many parts of the nation, especially Lagos, Abuja and Akwa Ibom State where illegal operators have emerged to exploit consumers through higher prices, pump manipulation and adulteration. The illegal operators operate freely without the intervention of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR who has the responsibility to monitor and impose appropriate sanctions. However the questions many watchers are asking are: what factors are responsible for the prolonged scarcity and how can it be tackled and eliminated? A Non- governmental Organisation, the Children and Women’s Rights Network has attributed it to many cabals who are bent on making brisk business. It warned

that a faceless but determined force is mounting strategic challenges towards ensuring that fuel scarcity is prolonged. According to the civil society group, the cartel is irked by ceaseless monitoring and the involvement of security agents in tackling pipeline vandalism and fuel distribution in the country. It disclosed that this is even as Federal Government has promised to ruthlessly deal with saboteurs responsible for the ongoing fuel scarcity and drop in power generation. Government had said pipeline vandalism and sabotage of power infrastructure had drastically reduced power generation/transmission as well as fuel supplies in recent times, thus inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians The Executive Director of the group, Mr. Moses Adedeji, stated that that President Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kahikwu, must note that since erstwhile MD of

Government is responsible for this problem, because if they brinG enouGh fuel into the country, we as distributors we are ready

to sell. it is so sad that we are one of the larGest producers of oil but we are still sufferinG

PPMC, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue’s widely-reported declaration of December 27, towards involving EFCC, DSS and other security agencies, some high-level oil sector cabals have mounted a subtle but disingenuous campaign against her presence at PPMC. The organisation disclosed that there is the new effort to attack Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue’s integrity, stressing that her approximately three decades of work experience within NNPC’ s organisational structure and her academic accomplishments do not reflect any form of soiled record. It indicated that less than 24 hours after her appointment as Managing Director of NNPC’s Retail arm, powerful cartels operating in the illegal diversion of fuel have stepped up their revenge mission. against Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue whose new ideas are truncating their illegal business, by using faceless platforms to call for her removal by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu. The group disclosed that during her December 27, 2015 official visit to Mosinmi Depot and Ajebo pipeline in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun state, she threatened to impose appropriate sanctions of culprits. “In the past few weeks, these unscrupulous elements and their collaborators also feel gravely hurt that under the superviCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil society, tanker drivers disagree over causes of fuel scarcity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 sion of Minister of State, Dr. Ibe kachikwu, she had deployed hundreds of her office personnel, under the overall supervision of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to ceaselessly monitor defaulting filling stations and fuel distribution across Nigeria,” it added. “The growing discomfort of these unscrupulous vested interests amply demonstrate that, as President Mohammadu Buhari and Minister Kachikwu expect, corruption fights back, using many guises. We call on Minister Kachikwu to carry on in his meritorious service to Nigeria and ignore the faceless group that is demanding that he removes forthright officials like the newly appointed MD of NNPC Retail, Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue.” “While the United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria has recently declared that women have a poorer representation in President Muhammadu Buhariled government than in past administrations, we are of the view that capable and forthright women like Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue represent the new thinking of a change-making administration. Nigeria is at a critical juncture in history and in spite of prevailing challenges, we must resolutely support people like Minister Kachikwu and Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue who work tirelessly towards achieving a paradigm shift in the face of entrenched impunity and needless intrigues.” “We amply commend the restructuring of NNPC towards increasing productivity and efficiency while denying corrupt persons and unscrupulous cabals a foothold in the on-going process of change and progress,” it added. But investigations showed that many depots and pipelines were not in operational condition required to move fuel from one part Ladan Buhari of the nation to another. For instance, it was gathered that the poor state of the For some time now, we have not been able cially for tankers. Although NNPC has depots, including Mosimi has affected the to load at NNPC depot in Apata, Ibadan the capacity to import the 78 per cent of and there is no hope of loading in some fuel allocated to it by Petroleum Products distribution of the product. It was learnt that increased pipeline other NNPC depots in the South West. Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA in the vandalism in the South-West has also crip- “Government is responsible for this prob- first quarter of 2016, it does not have the pled distribution of fuel from the depots to lem, because if they bring enough fuel logistics and storage backups to ensure other locations. This has compelled opera- into the country, we as distributors we are the product gets to users. The managing director of one of the companies, who pretors to over-depend on the use of tankers ready to sell. It is so sad that we are one of ferred not to be named said operators have the largest producers of oil but we are still in moving the products from one place to the facilities to store and distribute comsuffering.” another. mercial stocks of imported fuel but were The PTD boss had disclosed that presA tanker driver who preferred not to be not granted enough allocation. ently , 75 per cent of the fuel been connamed said it takes long time and energy However, stakeholders have called for sumed in the country now is imported by to lift from the depots to retail outlets. Conthe construction of new refineries in NNPC, while the remaining 25 per cent sequently, a survey showed that many staorder to increase the nation’s domestic is by major marketers. Oladiti had said tions; including the Nigerian National Pefuel refining capacity. While the private government needs to find lasting solution troleum Corporation stations did not have investors should be encouraged to build to incessant fuel scarcity in the country the product over the weekend. new plants, they also urged the NNPC to without further delay , stressing that the There were long queues in many outlets complete work on its proposed Greenfield common man is suffering. visited in Lagos and its environs. Illegal plants. He had also urged government to emoperators were seen hawking the product NNPC Greenfield Refinery Projects in ‘jerry cans’ at exorbitant prices. The bark on aggressive rehabilitation of roads Division (GRPD) came into existence and railway networks, insisting that many price of five litres of fuel went up from N1, late 2005 as a response to a lack of visaccidents are caused by bad roads, espe000 to between N1, 500 and N2, 000, dependible progress on the 18 Licenses issued by ing on location. The NNPC has at various times disclosed that it has made available ecent studies in the industRy showed that commercial fuel for domestic consumption. a new Refining capacity of at least A few days ago, the National President, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch would Be RequiRed to meet the existing Refining of National Union of Petroleum and gap f this gap is pRojected to at the Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Salimon Akanni Oladiti, had accused NNPC, of gRowth Rates of Between peR cent and peR being behind the current fuel scarcity in some parts of the country. cent peR annum the estimated Refining gap in He said: “We are not conniving with igeRia By would Be anybody to make Nigerians suffer for fuel.

420 KBpd

, 2016

2016

500-560 KBpd

Government for Private Refineries in 2002 and also, the negative consequences of massive importation of petroleum products against the backdrop of low capacity utilization in the existing refineries (445KBD capacity). In view of urgent need for increasing in-country crude oil refining capacity and the inability of Private Investors to perform due to lack of project development capabilities and credible foreign financiers/technical partners, it has become apparent that NNPC would have to lead the promotion of new private refineries. The nation is said to be currently deficit in the supply of white petroleum products, most of which are currently imported into the country. Current consumption of gasoline or Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is estimated at 35 million litres per day, while that of kerosene is 10 million litres per day. In order to meet the deficit in supply, the nation currently spends between $12 and $15 billion annually and it is the desire of Government to stem the flood of imports by investing in additional refining capacity along with interested Equity Participants. Recent studies in the industry showed that a new refining capacity of at least 420 KBPD would be required to meet the existing refining gap. If this gap is projected to 2016 at the growth rates of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent per annum, the estimated refining gap in Nigeria by 2016 would be 500-560 KBPD.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Minister advocates research-based devt plans for power sector CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has advocated the use of Consultancy Services being offered by Nigerian Universities in order to build capacities and, conserve the nation’s fast depleting foreign reserve for the development of electricity sector. He stated this at a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and the University of Benin [Uniben] for the monitoring of construction works on the Azura Power Project located in Benin, Edo State. Shehuri expressed the view that the MOU and the participation by the University of Benin will ensure that government utilizes the know-how of the academic institution, as well as, provide an avenue of knowledge transfer to undergraduate and post graduate students, in line with the Federal Government’s push for maximizing opportunities available for technology transfer, enriching the education curriculum and ensuring that the required skills and manpower are available for national development. The Minister of State urged NBET to explore ways and means of replicating similar MOUs with other institutions of higher learning across the country given the positive mul-

Electricity meter

tiplier effects to be reaped by our educational system in particular and Nigeria, in general. Earlier, while giving a brief on the project, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi said an imperative reason for the engagement of Uniben is that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance provides additional assurance to the investors in the first project financed Independent Power Plants, Azura IPP, through a Put and Call Option Agreement (PCOA) which provides a mechanism to buy-back the power plant from the investor in the event of a termination of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Wonodi stated that NBET took a critical decision to leverage on the consulting compe-

tencies of Federal Government owned tertiary institutions to assist in monitoring the various projects through the construction phase, adding that the selection of University of Benin to provide Engineering Consultancy Services for Azura Power Project is premised on their competency, as well as proximity to the project site. On his part, the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin highlighted the injection of local content component into the development and construction of green field power plants and the provision of high level manpower training for post graduate students in the areas of power plants design, construction and project management as some of the benefits to be derived from the project monitoring by the University.

Ophir move towards taking FID on Fortuna

phir Energy plc intends to make a final investment decision (FID) on the Fortuna FLNG project later this year, the company reported in its full-year 2015 results. According to offshore, the company holds the operatorship stake of the deepwater project, located on the Block R license offshore Equatorial Guinea in the

southeastern part of the Niger Delta complex. Offshore indicated that the company estimates Fortuna development to have 3.7 Tcf of recoverable resources with an annualized daily average of more than 330 MMscf/d. It maintained that in advance of the FID, the company plans to reduce general and administrative (G&A) costs by an additional

Oil vessel

15per cent in 2016. These reductions will be on top of the $60 million, or 37per cent, Ophir carved out of its G&A cost base in 2015. It also reported a 70 per cent drop on capex spend in 2015 over 2014, and said it reduced its 2016 forecast by $150-200 million. Ophir said that Fortuna FLNG is funded through its planned first production in mid-2019, with the company using project equity as a source of funding. It also discussed its financial outlook over the three-year period to first gas, noting its “high degree of financial flexibility,” with a cash balance (as of Jan. 1, 2016) of $614 million vs. the $210 million the company has committed to spend over 2016-2019. The company also disclosed that, in 2015, agreements had been signed with seven buyers and that gas fiscal terms was agreed upon with the government of Equatorial Guinea. The project’s front-end engineering and design was also underway, with 50per cent completed last December. In discussing the development, Ophir said that Fortuna, located in a water depth of about 1,800 m (5,905 ft) will be a fourphase development with a total of 17 wells;

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

37.30

-1.20

-3.12%

3:13 PM

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

39.59

-0.80

-1.98%

3:13 PM

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

27,180.00

-580.00

-2.09%

2:59 PM

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

1.82

0.00

-0.22%

3:12 PM

Source: Bloomberg as at March 8, 2016

four developmental wells are planned for first gas. Gas from subsea wells will travel through gathering flowlines, manifolds, and flexible risers to the external turret of the vessel. The Gandria FLNG vessel, a converted Moss LNG carrier, will be owned, operated, and maintained by Golar LNG. A second FLNG vessel is also planned to be on-site by 2025. Both have a planned LNG capacity of 2.2 MMtpa. One of Ophir’s stated goals for 2016 was to close its transaction with Schlumberger, which would give the service company a 40per cent interest in the Fortuna FLNG project. Currently, Ophir has an 80per cent operated interest in Fortuna. Partner GEPetrol holds 20per cent. “Our strong balance sheet and net cash position, plus our low forward committed capex, provide Ophir with greater financial flexibility than we have ever enjoyed. We can now confidently look forward four years, to first gas and revenues from the Fortuna FLNG project, knowing that we are fully funded,” CEO Nick Cooper said.

Energy Week

Electricity tariff to bridge N180bn market gap

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has disclosed that the new power tariff regime is targeted at bridging the over N180 billion market gap recorded in 2015. The Acting NERC Chairman, Mr. Anthony Akah, who confirmed the development threatened to hold the Distribution Companies accountable should they failed in providing adequate meters to consumers. “If we don’t provide the right pricing, it means fundamentally that the financial institutions will not provide the much-needed loan facility to our providers to go into the operations to the extent that we are not able to cover the market gap.” “We have a situation where all those market gaps, like last year, we had well over N180 billion not covered by the market regime, so those have to be inputted back into the tariff.” “So it’s fundamentally important right now that since we’ve balanced that aspect of it, we as the regulator, are holding the operators, especially the Distribution Companies accountable for every bit of their service agreement,” he added. Akah indicated that the Commission has embarked on massive consumer education so that Nigerians will be well informed and well equipped to insist on their rights. He said that it is wrong for companies to pass the burden of buying electric poles and transformers as well as repair transformers to consumers. The NERC boss allayed the fears of Nigerians amidst the lingering crisis trailing the new electricity tariff and assured that the Commission has given “clear directives that with all the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria facility (loan), they must be able to meter Nigerians within the timeline.” “One of the new mechanisms that are very effective in this tariff regime is that the DISCOs must meter all consumers and failure to meter them within the timeframe means that Nigerians will not be disconnected and you (DISCOs) cannot estimate them.” “You have the right to say ‘No’ I’m going to pay the last bill that you accepted to pay, pending the resolution of the disputed bill. So there are inbuilt mechanisms that are very robust, very strong to ensure that the sector plays by the rules,” he added. However, NERC had reiterated that the take off date of the new electricity tariff (MYTO 2015) still remains February 1, 2016 and it is in view of this that the Commission has told distribution companies to abide by its directive not to connect new customers without first providing them meters. We wish to state that at no time did the Commission change the date of the take off of the new tariff.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Eko DISCO, TCN confirm power outage in Lekki, Aja axis UDEME AKPAN

ko Electricity Distribution Company has given reason for the power outage being experienced in some areas within the company’s operational territory since Sunday, the 13th of March, 2016. A statement by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Godwin Idemudia in Lagos attributed the outage to a line trip from Egbin Power Station. According to the statement the line trip had made it impossible for customers being serviced from Ajah, Lekki and Alagbon transmission injection sub-stations to receive power supply. Areas listed to have been affected by the outage include Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju and their environs. The statement further stated that concerted efforts are already being made by generation and transmission technical personnel to clear the fault and restore supply in record time. Mr. Idemudia then appealed to customers to please bear with the company adding that supply to all affected areas would be restored as soon as the fault is cleared. The Eko Disco Spokesman also assured that the company’s

distribution facilities are in good shape for effective evacuation of power to customers as soon as the line fault between generation and transmission stations is fixed. Also, the Management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) Lagos Region wishes to inform all electricity customers in Lekki, Ajah and their environs that the blackout being experienced by them since Sunday, March 13th evening is as a result of a detachment on the sky wire of the Egbin-Ajah 330KV Transmission Line 3 which feeds the areas. “Our team of maintenance engineers is already at work to rectify the fault as quickly as possible, with the aim of getting customers back to the system.” “We therefore use this medium to apologize to all affected customers to please bear with us for all the inconveniences they are suffering as a result of the blackout. Once again we assure customers of a speedy remedial of the situation,” it added. However, following successful repair work on the damaged gas facility earlier in the week, electricity supply through the national grid is now ramping up as it attains 4, 387 megawatts peak generation as at Friday, March 4, 2016 with a prospect for further improvement in power supply

Transformer

situation. It would be recalled that the peak generation level that notched epoch 5,070 megawatts few weeks ago suddenly nosedived due to inadequate gas supply on the main gas pipeline supplying many of the power stations. This was on account of gas supply shortage due to inability to evacuate condensates and oil produced with the gas because the main oil export pipeline out of Forcados was vandalized two weeks ago. The acting Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Anthony Akah, mni, has subsequently appealed to members of the public to cooperate with elec-

tricity industry operators and security agencies to stem the recent incident of vandalism on electricity installation. He also warned the electricity distribution companies that the momentary downturn in supply should not be used to exploit unmetered electricity customers on estimated billing saying, “Customer bills for unmetered customers should be as accurate as possible and reflect their actual consumption. It shall in no circumstance be arbitrarily inflated.” According to him, “The reduction in power supply when it lasted affects both metered and unmetered customers. For metered customers the drop in their consumption will be captured by their meter. For unmetered customers it is imperative that estimated bills during this period are reflective of their actual consumption.”

NCDMB sensitizes Bayelsa youths on Nigerian Content

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has organised a sensitisation and enlightenment workshop for youths from Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State on the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act. The event which was held on Tuesday at Utuoke town hall in Ogbia Local Government Area was aimed at educating the youths on the operations of the oil and gas industry and how the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act can help

Oil workers at work

them participate effectively in the industry. Giving a welcome address, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Patrick Daziba Obah explained that the event was conceived to educate indigenes of the local government on the mandate of the Board, its activities and human capacity development programmes it had embarked upon. Explaining that the Board’s vision is to empower Nigerian youths through the Nigerian Content Act, the Acting Executive Secretary harped on the need for youths to acquire relevant

skills and proficiencies sought after in the oil and gas industry as well as acquaint themselves with how host communities and youths can support and benefit maximally from oil industry operations. Obah, who was represented by the General Manager, Zonal Coordination and Board Projects, Dr. Ginah.O.Ginah clarified that Nigerian Content was focused on domiciling work in-country and developing local capacity with the associated benefits, stressing that it was not out to indigenize operations of the industry. Speaking further, he stated that thousands of Nigerians would be trained and employed through the Board’s implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), the Pipemill project at Polaku in Bayelsa State and the Board’s 17-storey building project. Ginah assured that these initiatives would bring growth and development in the Ogbia community, Bayelsa State and the country in general and create opportunities for employments, contracts and funding schemes for Small and Medium Enterprises.

Other discussants at the event charged Ogbia youths to desist from coercing operating and service companies to employ them or hand out cash but rather they should channel their complaints through the Board which has the mandate to mediate in such matters. However, the Nigerian Content implementation recorded a boost when Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) celebrated the graduation of 169 Nigerians trained on the back of two major projects, with 70 per cent of the trainees getting employed at the conclusion of their programme. One of the trainings was conducted by Cakasa Nigeria Limited on the Okan GGCP Debottlenecking Project and it had seven participants who were trained for five months in process engineering, document control among others. Nigerdock also conducted project based trainings for 161 Nigerians on Chevron’s Domestic Supply Obligation gas project and the youths were taught various modules on the construction of heavy topside for two years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

From The Civil Service Unemployment: Wait for budget passage, Dalung tells youths Joel AJAyi, ABUJA

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

“How do we now rescue the future? This is the question the award needs to provide answer to. To identify young people, encourage them, stimulate them and develop them into whole value of leadership for them to be good leaders tomorrow. “It is a known fact in Nigeria that the popular opinion has been the problem of leadership and if a reputable organisation is involved in training young people, it’s obviously the best we can partner with. You will all agreed with me that under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, leadership is built on integrity. “Our budget is predominantly over 50% capital which means once the budget is passed, there would be a lot of activities going on - Activities that will create jobs for the youth as well as many other potentials.” Speaking further, the Minister of Youth and Sport also pledged to rescue some of worsening youth developmental programmes in the country. “We are interested in rescuing a deteriorating youth development situation and we must definitely have a benchmark position so that we disconnect what we have today and re-orientate our young one coming up tomorrow,” he said. On his part, leader of Edinburg delegation, Olawale Edun, assured of their readiness to sustain the lofty ideals of the foundation and urged the federal government to engage various states to buy into their programmes.

Global Islamic Finance Industry assets hit $2trn –SEC DG

P.38

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Shehu Ahmed; Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and President, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Mr. Kanayo Nwanze at the Regional Implementation Forum for IFAD supported projects in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria doesn’t owe Ebola volunteers, says AU MArcus FAtunMole ABUJA

he Africa Union has denied reports that Nigeria owes any of the volunteers who participated in the global efforts to end Ebola disease in Liberia, Guinea and SierraLeone last year. Initiator of the AU programme through which over 250 volunteers were mobilised and sponsored, Africa Union Support for Ebola in West Africa, ASEOWA, Amb. Olawale Maiyegun, told National Mirror in Abuja recently that the volunteers were all taken care of by the AU, and that it was not the responsibility of Nigerian government to pay them directly. Maiyegun, also a Director, Department of Social

Affairs of the AU Commission, informed that some of the volunteers had intended to cheat on the AU by presenting outrageous bills on medical clearance and others, when seeking refund. He, however, said the volunteers risked their lives, showed the rarest kindness expected of human beings to their fellow men in the affected countries. He explained that at the time the volunteers got to the Ebola-ravaged countries, half of health workers there had died of Ebola. He said: “I don’t know about any money that was given to them. We don’t give money; member states give money to the Africa Union. I designed the con-

Buhari’s will, troops’ resilience behind successes against insurgency –COAS

P.39

tinental response to Ebola in West Africa. I look for the resources; I don’t even see the money myself. And, all the volunteers were paid directly, not through their government because we were aware of this kind of situation… “They were put in hotel. We covered the cost of their stay in hotel. When they got to the theatre of operation, we asked them to open account for their medical refund; those of them who did, there were a handful of them that were unlucky due to computer hitches. When a number of them came with some horrible receipts and things like that, we found out and said the receipts were not acceptable by international accounting standard. I stepped in to rectify and

standardise the amount of money to be paid to them. “Some of them came with ridiculous amount that they did their medical clearance with $600. But, at the end of the day, I said to the finance officer that we cannot. For instance, if this person spent $150 and another person said she spent $600 in the same health care system, there is no way you can defend that. So, I standardised it. I said ‘look, how much do we pay to new AU staff if you are refunding, if you are employed by African Union, you are coming to Addis Ababa and you need medical clearance? They told me the amount. And, I directed that they pay everybody that amount because it can be defended before auditors,” he added.

Sub-standard products: SON to increase test laboratories nationwide

P.39

Civil Service

Chidi UgwU, ABUJA

otal assets under management in the global Islamic finance industry had surpassed $2 trillion (N394 trillion) by the end of 2014. This is even as the global sukuk market continues to witness remarkable growth since after the 2008 global financial crisis as annual issuances have grown from $15 billion in 2008 to almost $120 billion in 2014. This was disclosed by Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, at the second Regional Roundtable on NonInterest Capital Market in Sokoto, Monday. Gwarzo said that the focus of the roundtable was on ``Sukuk’’ - one of the most important com-

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global Islamic Finance Industry assets hit $2trn –SEC DG ponents of the Islamic financial system saying that while most people identify capital markets as an important source of mediumto-long term capital, few realise the amazing potential of capital markets to serve as a catalyst for financial inclusion. “SEC is determined to unlock this potential of the Nigerian Capital Market. In particular, we are aware of the need to deepen the non-interest capital market space. This is to enable millions of Nigerians and people of faith to invest savings ethically. Investors worldwide are increasingly allocating their resources into Islamic finance products,’’ Gwarzo said. The SEC DG said last

year is widely considered a landmark year for Islamic finance, especially with landmark debut sukuk issuances by countries such as the UK, Hong Kong, Senegal, South Africa, and Luxemburg. And the year also witnessed continued strong interest from key markets of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and emerging markets like Turkey and Indonesia. There is no doubt that the sukuk market is emerging on a global scale as a viable alternative source of funding. In Nigeria, Gwarzo said the SEC has implemented a

number of reforms aimed at deepening the non-interest capital market. For example, he said the Commission focused on the regulatory framework, reviewing the rules and introducing new ones. “In particular, we issued rules on Islamic Fund Management as well as rules on Sukuk issuance. “These two legal frameworks have encouraged Islamic product innovation with the registration of five ethical/shariah compliant funds and the issuance of Nigeria’s first ever sub-national Ijara Sukuk by the Osun State government in 2013 which was oversubscribed.

“We are also considering modalities for setting up a Sharia Advisory Council as a body of experts to advise SEC and the market on non-interest product and their applications,” he said. The director-general said that state governments could leverage on the Sukuk market to raise funds for developmental projects. He added that the focus of the SEC will be on massive public enlightenment and also stronger capacity building initiatives, adding that that was what informed the idea of hosting regional roundtable events such as the Roundtable

“We are working closely with the Debt Management Office (DMO) to ensure Nigeria issues her first sovereign “sukuk” that will provide the needed benchmark for other categories of issuers. We are hopeful there will be a significant progress on this front before the end of 2016. Once again, I thank you for your distinguished presence here while enjoining you to make the most of the opportunities this platform presents,” he said. In his remarks, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said that the state government had since resolved to embrace “Sukuk”.

NEPC to create 1.5 million jobs with NDEX programme

r. Segun Awolowo, the Director-General of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), said the council would create about 1.5 million jobs in the next five years with its Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme (NDEX). Awolowo made this known on Tuesday at a stakeholders workshop organised by the council in Lagos. Awolowo was represented at the occasion by Mr. Olusegun Faleke, the Southwest Regional Head of the council. He said that the NDEX had been part of the council’s efforts to rebrand the image of Nigeria outside the shores, thereby generating more revenue for the nation. “There is no doubt that the essence of our gathering today underscores the crucial role that Nigerians living in the diaspora are expected to play in this programme. ``This is because about 15 million Nigerians are living abroad, generating about 21 billion dollars so far as recorded by World Bank in 2013. “Now this is just a paper work, it is likely the population of Nigerians living abroad are more than that. “The NDEX Programme is one that seeks to leverage on the presence of Nigerians in Diaspora using their advantage of creating a strong ``External Demand Pull’’ for indigenous foods, fashion and other products.

“We have emphasised on key areas and they are the Nigerian Heritage City (NHC), the Nigerian Cuisine beyond Borders (NCBB) and the Diaspora Export of Non-Oil Products (DENOP). “The NHC seeks to create a formalised hub where Nigerian products and services will be displayed just like we have back home in Nigeria.’’ According to him, this will be established in countries where there is a large concentration of Nigerians like the United States and London and will be similar to the China Towns that we have today. “The NCBB, which entails the cuisine, would also rebrand the Nigerian foods from the packaging and cooking to meet up with international standards and world cuisine brands we know today. “All these sub-programmes under this NDEX would create not less than 1.5 million jobs for Nigerians both within and outside the country because it will definitely increase non-oil exports.” Awolowo said the programme would bring about high value addition to nonoil products and services in Nigeria at a time when the nation needed to revive its manufacturing, agricultural and industrial sectors. He said the programme would spur the utilisation of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Export Development Fund (EDF)

Head of Private Guard Companies, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Plateau State Command, Mr. Adeboye Popoola (r) with his men sealing off an illegal private security guard company, in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

NGO tasks FG on taming cartel behind fuel scarcity Chidi UgwU, ABUJA

Non-Gover nmental Organisation, the Children and Women’s Rights Network, has called on President Muhammadau Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to tame the growing activities of determined forces mounting strategic pressure towards ensuring that fuel scarcity is prolonged in the country. According to the civil society group, the cartel is irked by ceaseless monitoring and the involvement of security agents in tackling pipeline vandalisation and fuel distribution in the country. This is even as federal government has promised to ruthlessly deal with saboteurs responsible for the ongoing fuel scarcity and drop

in power generation. Government had said pipeline vandalism and sabotage of power infrastructure had drastically reduced power generation/ transmission as well as fuel supplies in recent times, thus inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians The Executive Director, Children and Women’s Rights Network, Moses Adedeji, in a statement cautioned that President Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kahikwu, must note that since erstwhile MD of PPMC, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue’s widely-reported declaration of December 27, towards involving EFCC, DSS and other security agencies, some high-level oil sector cabals had mounted a subtle but disingenuous campaign against her presence at PPMC.

The Children and Women’s Rights Network noted that there was the new effort to attack Mrs. NnamdiOgbue’s integrity, stressing that her approximately three decades of work experience within NNPC’ s organisational structure and her academic accomplishments did not reflect any form of soiled record. “Less than 24 hours after her appointment as Managing Director of NNPC’s retail arm, powerful cartels operating in the illegal diversion of fuel have stepped up their revenge mission against Mrs. NnamdiOgbue whose new ideas are truncating their illegal business, by using faceless platforms to call for her removal by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu. “During her December 27, 2015 official visit to Mosinmi Depot and Ajebo pipeline in Obafemi Owode local government area of

Ogun State, she explicitly stated that ‘We are looking at all ramifications on how to bring these criminals to book; they have to be treated as criminals and pipeline products thieves. ‘ “She also stated that trackers would soon be mounted on trucks carrying fuel from depots to filling stations across the country, as part of measures to check diversion of the product. In the past few weeks, these unscrupulous elements and their collaborators also feel gravely hurt that under the supervision of Minister of State, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, she had deployed hundreds of her office personnel, under the overall supervision of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to ceaselessly monitor defaulting filling stations and fuel distribution across Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 39

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Buhari’s will, troops’ resilience behind successes against insurgency –COAS

he Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai, has attributed the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in Nigeria to President Muhammadu Buhari’s political will and resilience of the troops. He told newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday after a courtesy call on Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State that the troops had displayed commendable professionalism in the troubled region of the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai, who led other top army officers, was in Ibadan to interact with the soldiers on their challenges in the state. ``The professionalism displayed in the troubled regions of the country by troops and the full support of all Nigerians are part of the secrets that have helped curtail the continuous assault of the dreaded terrorist group,`` he said. Buratai said that the Nigerian Army had employed the same guerrilla approach used by the terrorist group in combating them. He said that the Nigerian Army had added more capacity and ability with the introduction of motorbike battalion to move quickly to wherever the terrorists are before causing any havoc. He said: ``It is the commitment of the President, government, the leadership of the military, the troops and the support of Nigerians that brought the successes. ``We have intensified efforts to enable the military get to the insurgents before they cause any havoc or even run away from their hideouts. ``To totally wipe out Boko Haram, we require the support of everybody. They live among us and are everywhere. We require very good intelligence to fish them out. ``But the most important thing is to prevent them from having the capacity to launch attacks on innocent individuals and on our troops` locations.`` The Army Chief said that long-term planning, surveillance and intelligence gathering was needed to wipe out the remnants of the insurgents, saying the Army is dealing with those who showed up with their

weapons. Responding, Oyo State Deputy-Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, who received the COAS, commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts to uphold the nation`s territorial integrity. He said that the priority of the administration was security of lives and property, on which infrastructural development could thrive. The deputy governor praised the officers and men of the 2 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, for assisting the state government in the maintenance of law and order. ``The purpose of governance is to maintain peace and security after which every other thing will follow in terms of infrastructural development. ``And our government is committed to sustaining the peace in the state,`` he said, and commended the military for their bravery and sacrifice against insurgency and terrorism. Adeyemo assured the army chief that the present administration in the state would continue to collaborate with the military and other security agencies to ensure peace reigns in the state.

National President, Nigeria Immigration Officers’ Wives Association, IMMOWA, Mrs. Maimuna Abeshi (3rd left), presenting food items to Deputy Comptroller, Kuje Prisons, Mr. Musa Tanko (middle), for inmates of Kuje, yesterday.

Sub-standard products: SON to increase test laboratories nationwide T

he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it will soon increase test laboratories nationwide in its efforts to sustain the Federal Government’s fight against corruption. Mr. Paul Angya, the Acting Director-General of SON, disclosed this at an interactive session with

journalists on Tuesday in Lagos. He said that the importation of sub-standard products was one of the deadliest forms of corruption in the country. “We will soon increase the number of our test laboratories so that a farmer at Enugu or Sokoto, for instance, would not have

to travel with his grains to Lagos to test for quality in the SON laboratories,” Angya said. “We have offices all over the 36 states of the federation, but our facilities are not enough. “The major fundamental of this administration is to tackle corruption. “SON is ready as usual

Peterside assumes duty as NIMASA D-G

r. Dakuku Peterside on Tuesday assumed duty as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). This is contained in statement made available to newsmen in Lagos by the Head of Public Relations Department of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka. It said that the directorgeneral, on arrival at the NIMASA Head Office in Apapa, Lagos, immediately went into a closed door meeting with members of the senior management of the agency. According to the statement, Peterside, who observed that he was aware there were competent hands in the agency, solicited the cooperation of the staff to reposition the agency for greater productivity. It noted that the director-general said he was in NIMASA to serve the nation and humanity. The statement said the director-general expressed his readiness to partner all

stakeholders with a view to positively impacting the maritime sector and the Nigerian economy at large. The federal government had on Thursday last week appointed Peterside as the director-general of NIMASA for a four-year term, the statement said. The appointment of Peterside was greeted by maritime operators including shipowners and mariners with mixed feelings. A former Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, said that indigenous ship owners would support Peterside. Iheanacho, Chairman, Genesis Shipping Worldwide, told NAN that the new director-general would do well to court the support of indigenous shipping, adding that the ship owners would fully support him. ``It is our hope that he would concentrate his efforts in a genuine attempt to grow indigenous capacity through a judicious use of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), ’’ NAN quotes the mariner as saying. He said that the new di-

rector-general must make Cabotage provisions work. Iheanacho explained that Peterside would need to understand the difference and the distinction between the administrative responsibilities for the safety of shipping and security of the maritime environment. A former Director-General of the defunct NMA, Mr. John Egesi, said that ``there is a golden lining somewhere in the appointment of Peterside and his qualifications’’. ``Peterside studied Management. He did an MBA and read Economics and Maritime has a lot to do with Economics,’’ Egesi told NAN. The former NMA director-general said that when he looked at the appointment of Peterside with his language of Management Economics, he would understand quicker. “His knowledge of Management Economics gives him an advantage,’’ Egesi told NAN. A former Government Inspector of Ships (GIS) and Acting Chairman,

Society of Nigerian Mariners (SNM), Mr. Olu Akinsoji, had a different view. ``My very serious advice is that both the minister and the new director-general of NIMASA should quickly strengthen their offices with qualified advisers to restructure the agency to perform its functions. ``It (NIMASA) is presently structured for revenue collection,’’ Akinsoji, a former Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) told NAN. The mariner recalled that his office as the Government Inspector of Ships was merged with the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA) to create NIMASA. Akinsoji, who was also a former Sole Administrator of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom, faulted the appointment of Dr. Dakuku Peterside as the Director-General of the agency.

to play its role in the fight against corruption in the area of regulation of imported goods and quality assessment. “Importation of fake products is so far the deadliest form of corruption as such goods constitute threats to lives. “Such products include fake tyres responsible for countless avoidable accidents, fake electric cables and fake building materials.” The acting SON boss said that the organisation had recently set up a Joint Task Force with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to achieve the target. He said that the taskforce was an agreement between the two government agencies to solve ways of easing the hurdles at the port during the process of assessment of imported and exported goods. Angus said that SON would continue to request for collaboration with other sister agencies to make efforts of reducing sub-standard products a reality. He said that among the objectives of the organisation was to ensure that the manufacturing and agricultural sectors achieved comparative advantage. “For instance, cables made in Nigeria can compete favourably with global standards, but unfortunately, some people have seen the huge demand and now go to some countries to produce fake cables and stamp them as ‘Made-inNigeria.”

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

26 stocks dip index further by 0.42% StorieS: JohnSon okanlawon

rading in equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors took profits. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.42 per cent to close at 25,745.13 points, compared to the decline of 0.52 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 25,853.58 points. Market capitalization shed N38 billion to close at N8.855 trillion, compared

to the depreciation of N48 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N8.893 trillion. Stock analysts attributed the decline to consolidation from the recent rallies, the underperformance of the heavyweight banking and consumer goods sectors, including anxiety regarding 2015 results following series of profit warnings coming from the banking sector. Conoil Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.86 or 10.20 per cent to close at N20.10 per share, fol-

lowed by United Bank for Africa Plc with 33 kobo or 9.68 per cent to close at N3.74 per share. United Capital Plc rose 13 kobo or 8.02 per cent to close at N1.75 per share, while Okomu Oil Plc was up N1.57 or 4.98 per cent to close at N33.07 per share. Learn Africa Plc added four kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at 86 kobo per share. On the flip side, Ecobank Plc declined N1.75 or 9.72 per cent to close at N16.26 per share, while Oando Plc fell 51

kobo or 9.57 per cent to close at N4.82 per share. Diamond Bank Plc dropped 13 kobo or 8.78 per cent to close at N1.35 per share, while Ikeja Hotel Plc dipped 13 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.47 per share. Unity Bank Plc depreciated three kobo or 4.48 per cent to close at 64 kobo per share. A total of 287 million shares valued at N2.67 billion were exchanged in 4,561 deals.

Zenith Bank posts N105.7bn profit, appoints new director

enith Bank on Tuesday declared a profit after tax of N105.7 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 6.2 per cent when compared to N99.5 billion recorded in the same period of 2014. The bank’s grossed N432.5 billion in the review period, from N403.3 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. According to the result presented to the Ni-

gerian Stock Exchange, profit after tax margin ratio dropped to 24.4 per cent, from 24.66 per cent in 2014, while cost to income ration stood at 54.3 per cent, from 55.2 per cent. Further analysis of the result showed that taxation reduced to N19.9 billion in 2015, from N20.3 billion in 2014, while customer deposits rose marginally by 0.8 per cent to N2.56trillion, from 2.54 trillion recorded the preceding year.

Meanwhile, the bank has appointed Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe and Gabriel Ita Ukpeh as Independent Non Executive Directors, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Prof. Ibidapo-Obe is a professor of Systems Engineering and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Applied Mechanics/Systems from the University

nited Bank for Africa has declared a gross earnings of N314.8 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 9.8 per cent when compared to N286.6 billion recorded in the same period of 2014. The bank’s profit after tax margin rose to 18.95 per cent in the review period, from 16.71 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, return on average equity stood at 19.95 per cent, from 19.15 per cent recorded in the same period of 2014. Analysis of the bank’s balance sheet showed that cost to income ratio dropped to 65.04 per cent from 68.59 per cent in 2014, while laon to depos-

2015 half year results. Commenting on the result, the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, said, “Our 2015 profit is a new high, reflecting the hard work and discipline of our board, management and staff in creating value for all stakeholders. We remain committed to growing in a responsible manner that aligns with our vision of building an enduring institution.” He said the bank’s resilient business model, geographic diversification, proactive strategies, and strong governance created an edge for it through the year. “We will continue to invest in our future whilst managing cost tightly to generate strong returns to shareholders,” he assured. Also speaking on the UBA’s financial perfor-

Market indicators All-Share Index 25,745.13 points Market capitalisation 8.86trn

Stock Updates GAINERS

of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Also, Ukpeh is an internationally acclaimed consultant in business strategy, process reengineering and financial services who was until recently, a Partner and Risk Quality Leader for Africa at PricewaterhouseCooper. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, with over 35 years experience in financial audit and reporting.

UBA reports N314bn gross earnings in 2015 it ratio stood at 49.80 per cent, from 49.40 per cent recorded the preceding financial year. The bank’s recorded a 25 per cent growth in its profit after tax to N60billion, translating to a 20 per cent return on average equity. The pan-African financial services group with operations in 19 African countries also grew its operating income by 10 per cent to N205bn in December 2015, from N186bn in December 2014. The board, according to a statement by the bank, is proposing a final dividend of 40 kobo per share. This brings to 60 kobo the total dividend for the 2015 financial year. UBA had earlier paid an interim dividend of 20 kobo per share, following the audit of its

Source: NSE

mance and position, the Group Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Ugo Nwaghodoh, said, “Amidst macroeconomic volatilities, we leveraged efficiency gains in our business development and operations to grow earnings.”

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CONOIL

18.24

20.10

1.86

10.20

UBA

3.41

3.74

0.33

9.68

UCAP

1.62

1.75

0.13

8.02

OKOMUOIL

31.50

33.07

1.57

4.98

LEARNAFRCA

0.82

0.86

0.04

4.88

STANBIC

14.75

15.30

0.55

3.73

STERLNBANK

1.62

1.65

0.03

1.85

ACCESS

4.50

4.58

0.08

1.78

NASCON

7.87

8.00

0.13

1.65

DANGCEM

162.00

164.00

2.00

1.23

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

ETI

18.01

16.26

-1.75

-9.72

OANDO

5.33

4.82

-0.51

-9.57

DIAMONDBNK

1.48

1.35

-0.13

-8.78

IKEJAHOTEL

2.60

2.47

-0.13

-5.00

UNITYBNK

0.67

0.64

-0.03

-4.48

MAYBAKER

0.95

0.91

-0.04

-4.21

97.00

93.00

-4.00

-4.12

HONYFLOUR

1.71

1.64

-0.07

-4.09

NPFMCRFBK

1.11

1.07

-0.04

-3.60

FIDELITYBK

1.24

1.20

-0.04

-3.23

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

Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.12

105.61

9.66

105.76

9.52

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.29

114.20

10.74

114.50

10.64

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.91

112.44

11.50

112.74

11.41

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.87

119.42

11.71

119.72

11.65

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.00

111.15

11.99

111.45

11.94

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.86

102.99

11.97

103.29

11.92

Rate (%) Inflation

CLOSING

Closing Market Prices of March 15, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

16-Jun-16

7.04

7.17

8-Sep-16

8.17

8.50

2-Mar-17

8.70

9.50

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

7.5117

9.4883

10.7218

11.8712 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

APC pledges to honour Ocholi ObiOra ifOh AbujA

JAMB candidates protesting results of the examinations at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Stamp duty: 22 banks challenge Kashamu in court Wale igbintade

special panel constituted by the President of Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, will on April 7 hear the appeal filed by 22 commercial banks challenging a judgement of a Federal High Court delivered by Justice C. J. Aneke which ordered them to remit to Nigerian Postal Services through KASMAL International Services Ltd the sum of N70 as stamp duty on every transaction from N1,000 and above. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP South-West leader, Senator Buruji Kashamu, is the chairman/CEO of KASMAL Services Ltd. The five-man panel presided over by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa adjourned the appeal for hearing and ordered that hearing notices should be issues to all parties in the matter. At the lower court, KASMAL International Services had in a 32-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Kashamu, urged the court among others to order the banks to give effect to the Agency Agreement between it and Nigerian Postal Services (23rd defendant) as well as the corporate agreement between it and the School of Banking Honours (24th defendant) respectively. The banks are Access, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Diamond, ECO bank Plc, Enterprise, Fidelity, First Bank, First Monument, First Inland Bank, Heritage, Mainstreet, Skye, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered, Sterling, Union,

United Bank for Africa Plc, Unity, WEMA, Zenith respectively. Justice Aneke had in his judgement declared that upon a community reading and the construction of the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act 2004, NIPOST Act 2004 and the Federal Government of Nigeria Financial Regulations 2009, the 22 banks were obliged to deduct and remit to NIPOST (23rd defendant) through the plaintiff a sum of N50 as stamp duty on all receipts by electronic transfer or teller deposit of monies from N1,000 upward made into accounts operated in all their branches. Dissatisfied, the banks in their separate notices of appeal urged the appellate court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgement of the lower court. They argued that the lower court erred in law when it held that KASMAL International Services limited’s suit was properly commenced by originating summons. The appellants through their respective counsel stated that the lower court judge erred in law when he held that the respondent had the locus standi to institute the suit for the recovery of stamp duties. They also faulted the decision of the lower court when it held that the banks transactions relating to electronic funds transfer of its customers and teller deposits of funds by its customers could be described as receipts within the provisions of Section 89 of the Stamp Duties Act. ‘‘The learned trial judge

erred in law and misdirected himself when he granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and ordered the appellants (banks) are liable to deduct and remit the sum of N50 as Stamp Duties and electronic transfers on amounts equaling or in excess of N1,000 in all the banks’ branches and also pay the penalty of N20 to the plaintiff.’’ They argued that what the law says, is to attach ad-

hesive stamps ad-valorem on assessed documents and not to remit any money whatsoever to the Nigerian Postal services. Contrary to the verdict of the lower court, the appellants stated that only the President and the governor of a state have the power to make regulations concerning the Stamp Duty Act in carrying into effect the objects and purposes of the Act.

ational chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, has assured that the party will ensure appropriate honour for Minister of state for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, who died along with his wife and son in a ghastly motor accident. Oyegun, who led other National Working Committee, NWC, members on a condolence visit to the Abuja residence of Ocholi yesterday, described the minister’s death as a personal loss for him. “Honestly, that will be something we will deal with. It is not something at this stage to give to the press, but he was a deserving party member and the party will turn out en masse to honour him in the way he deserves.” The APC national chairman said Ocholi was a very dedicated and strong believer of change, adding that he was also very dedicated to the course of his people in Kogi State. “For me it is a very per-

sonal loss. And from the point of view of the party, he was ever a dedicated believer in change. A dedicated party man, that man was James Ocholi, because you could call on him anytime. He was always in the office over one issue or the other even though he did not have a permanent office table. “He was very, very dedicated to the cause of his people and people of Kogi State. And at every point I needed help, explanation, or whatever, he was there to provide it. “So really, one mourns with very sincere, deepest sorrow even considering the circumstances in which all these have happened and that he has four children who are now fatherless, motherless. But like I said, God will be their father, God will be their mother and God will provide sufficiently for them at every stage of their lives.” Oyegun was accompanied by the deputy national chairman (South) Segun Oni, national secretary Mai Mala Buni, and the national treasurer among others.

UTME candidates protest in Lagos, allege exam manipulation ... Demand removal of registrar francis suberu

undreds of students who wrote 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME on Tuesday stormed the Lagos State governor’s office and the state House of Assembly complex at AlausaIkeja, Lagos to protest alleged manipulations in the conduct of the examination this year. The protesting ‘Jambites’ equally demanded the removal of the registrar of the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, over what they called fraudulent acts by the registrar. The protesters, who were led by a group called Concerned Parents and Education Stakeholders, displayed

placards with various inscriptions such as: “All we are saying, give us our mark’, ‘Dibu must go’, ‘The only stumbling block in education progress, JAMB’, ‘The professor of test and management has outlived his usefulness.” The protesters also shared leaflets, with one having Ojerinde’s picture, captioned, ‘Anti-change Agent.’ In an interview with journalists during the protest, National President of Association of Tutorial Schools in Nigeria, Mr. Shodunke Olutodotun, lamented that over 10,000 candidates missed 2016 UTME in Lagos, while others had their marks deducted due to clandestine motive by the registrar. He said: “This year

UTME is still on-going and is to be concluded today. We have a man called Prof. Dibu Ojerinde. This man has outlived his usefulness in JAMB. He seems to be more powerful than Jonathan government and now President Muhammadu Buhari. “This is a fraudulent man, who the Minister of Finance came out to say N16 billion is missing in the report he sent to the senate. Also, the Minister of Education, Adamu has been complaining about the CBT. “A lot of them got results before they sat for the exam; only for them to see another result. Forty marks were added for them, which others did not enjoy. But others claimed 150 marks was deducted.” The protesters, therefore, demanded that their real marks be restored while those who wished to re-sit should

be given the opportunity to do so, otherwise the entire examination should be cancelled. The students also appealed to Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to prevail on Federal Ministry of Education and other concerned authorities to call JAMB to order and remove Ojerinde. According to Oladotun, “Dibu is marking down candidates to pave way for private universities. He adds and deducts candidates’ scores at his discretion. He changed exam venue without proper notification, which led to 10,000 candidates missing the UTME exam.’’ However, at press time, the protesters were yet to be attended to by representatives of the governor or Speaker as they were out on official engagements.

North

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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Katsina commences N6.6bn gratuity payment James DanJuma Katsina

atsina State Government yesterday said it had commenced payment of N6.6 billion in retirement and death gratuities to ex-local government employees. Speaking at a news conference yesterday, the Ex-

ecutive Secretary of the Local Government Pension Board, Suleiman Mohammed, said about 5,463 would benefit from the payment. Mohammed said of the amount, the sum of N5.5 billion would go for payment of gratuities for retirees, while N1.1 billion would go for death gratuity payment.

He said 4,621 of the beneficiaries would receive their retirement gratuity at the commercial banks through e-payment method, while 842 persons who died would have their benefits paid through the court. He said the benefits payment covers from 2003 to May 2015, adding that payments would be made in

phases in order to ensure a smooth exercise. Mohammed also said the state government had commenced payment of the 30 percent pension increment recently approved by the state government to retired local government staff. He said about N20 million had been disbursed

to settle the increment and to clear backlog of arrears which covered January to March this year. He however, called on state government to ensure timely release of 15 percent of the 34 local government total allocations from federation account as stipulated by the law establishing the board.

He also called on the state government to release to the board, another 15 percent of the allocation of State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB. In the same vein, the executive secretary further appealed for the remittance of 2.2 percent to the board from the state government’s allocation.

Niger Assembly asks gov to provide evidence of recovered loots Priscilla Dennis Minna

iger State House of Assembly has requested the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, to offer the House with full details of looted funds purportedly recovered in the state. This is coming at the heels of claim by the government that it has recovered funds siphoned by political office holders of the immediate past government that have been arrested. The lawmakers in a decision taken yesterday, stated that the information must contain details such as names of those that stole government funds, how much were refunded as well as the exact amount recovered from them. It would be recalled the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state had earlier asked the governor to bring to the public glare the names of those involved. According to the Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Tanko Beji, it was not enough for Governor Bello to just announce to the state that certain amount of money had been recovered without telling the pople those that made the return and where the money is kept. Before embarking on a foreign trip out of the country for his medical checkup last week, the governor in an interview granted some

journalists claimed his government had recovered over N700m from some politicians of the last administration. According to the governor, more monies would be recovered from more officials of the past administration of former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu. Making the views of members known on the issue, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Alhaji Abdullahi Mamagi, explained that the decision was taken in order for people of the state to know the exact amount recovered so far. Against this backdrop, the lawmaker revealed that the House had directed the Chairman of the State Board of Internal Revenue, the Commissioner for Finance, and the officer in charge of the state Fiscal Responsibility Commission and Procurement Board to submit the details to the Clerk of the Assembly immediately. He said: “The state is grappling with an almost empty treasury which had resulted in inactivity by virtually all sector of the state’s economy. Therefore, the amount recovered will go a long way to propel the various organs of the government to action if the money was brought into the central pool and shared according to laid down rules.” Mamagi further added that probity must be entrenched in government’s business, which must start with the recovered loot.

Naval Medical Officer, Dr. Adesuwa Agbontaen (r) attending to a beneficiary of the Nigerian Navy Free Medical Service in Misau Local Government Area, Bauchi State on Monday.

CJ warns against using security agents as instrument of oppression Wale ibrahim LoKoja

hief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, has warned that no security agent should be used as instrument of oppression to punish individual. Justice Ajanah who gave the warning after the review of 40 awaiting trial cases during the prison decongestion visit to Ankpa Prison yesterday, stated that the police must always conduct thorough investigation before an accused person is charged to

court. The Chief Judge explained that nobody should use prison facility to oppress individual or group of people in the society because of their positions or connections. He urged the police to be vigilant and always bring those using the state apparatus to oppress other to book to serve as deterrence to others. Justice Ajanah also observed that some of inmates required medical attention before charging them to court, adding that some needed to be taken to psychiatric

Sokoto sets up panel on new fertiliser plant

okoto government has set up a technical committee for the establishment of a new fertiliser plant in the state. The plant will be established by Prime Gold Fertiliser and Chemical Company, an indigenous company based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Inaugurating the committee in Sokoto, Tuesday, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Bashir Garba, said the project is of prime importance to the government and it will do everything possible to ensure it comes to fruition. He added that the technical committee will study and

appraise the proposal sent by Prime Gold Fertilizer Company towards ascertaining its credibility and feasibility, while securing a fair deal for the state government under a Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement. “The committee will also identify a suitable location for the establishment of the

proposed company, as well as determining the scope and equity participation of the Sokoto State Government,” the SSG said. According to him, it will also recommend appropriate sources of project financing by the state in terms of the equity participation to be proposed to the government.

home before their cases are brought before the court. Earlier, the Chief Judge has reviewed 27 cases of awaiting trial at the Dekina Prison and gave the directive for the speedy trial of the inmates so as to decongest the prisons and as well, ensure that only deserving suspects were kept in prison custody. He said that as part of his prison decongestion efforts, the state judiciary had embarked on accelerated hearing of cases, adding that a two-week exercise would soon be organised to determine the cases. The Chief Judge who reviewed warrants of 27 awaiting trial inmates at the prison granted bail to five of the inmates in N20, 000 each with sureties who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court in like sum. Ajanah expressed displeasure that he could not release any of the inmates unconditionally as a result of the serious nature of their offences which ranged from culpable homicide, armed robbery,

rape, kidnapping to theft. He commended the prison authorities for keeping the Dekina Prisons established in 1927 neat and in good condition though with archaic structures. Ajanah also commended security agencies in the area for ensuring that the crime rate in the area was kept very low as the 34-inmate capacity prison currently has 27 awaiting trial inmates and 11 convicts. Speaking earlier, the Assistant Comptroller of Prisons in charge of the facility, Mr Emmanuel Omale, said the prison lacked potable water as it relied only on the river for its water needs. ‘’My Lord, the only source of water we have here is the stream, but once there is rain, the water completely changes colour being filled with sand and debris making it unsafe for use. Omale thanked the Chief Judge for the visit and implored him to prevail on government to sink a borehole in the facility.

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PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general Public, particularly the illegal occupants and trespassers of this parcel of land, being, lie and situated at Itoki township in Ifo local government of Ogun State belonging to Late Pa Adefolu, the subject matter of the suit No.HCT-209-2013 between Chief Adewunmi O. Adefolu Vs Razak Ayinde (aka Isegoju) and others presently before Hon. Justice Ogunfawora of High Court of justice of Ogun State Ota Division that the ruling delivered on the 24th day of feburary, 2015, near upon the application of the illegal occupant challenging the jurisdiction of the court was dismissed in favour of the claimant’s family represented by Chief Adewunmi O. Adefolu. This is to further inform members of the general public against the insinuation and rumours being peddled by some rumour mongers and the defendant that the entire case had been dismissed. it is purely the ruling delivered in favour of the claimant’s family dismissing the said application of the defendant challenging the jurisdiction of the court premised upon the statute of limitation and locus standi against the claimant’s family that was dismissed by his learned Lordship, while the substantive case is still alive for the parties to present their facts, evidence and the entire case before the court for a prompt and just adjudication between the parties over the ownership of the parcel of land in dispute, the rest on of entire case. For more information contact: Barrister Tunji Busari Esq, Claimant counsel.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

TAHOSS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Dou Sambo Biniwei 2. Gutt Dalyop Gyang 3. Mancha Silas Dongo

4. Gyang Samuel Davou 5. Kwon Yusufu Davou

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Provide for its members a medium for cooperation, discussion and resolution on all matters affecting them. 2. Encourage national patriotism and participation in all activities that will promote unity and progress of Tahoss people in particular and the society in general. 3. Discourage and oppose all forms of discrimination and oppression amongst and against members of the society. 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: GENERAL SECRETARY

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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Signed : Secretary

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Sogbe Elijah Philip now wish to be known and addressed as SOgBE IDOwU ELIjAH. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank plc, Union Bank Plc and genenal public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ajibade Yusuff Olayiwola now wish to be known and addressed as AjIBADE jOSEPH OLAYIwOLA. All former documents remain valid . General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME This is to certified that Afariogun Shefiu Ayinde is the same one person asAfariogun Olanrewaju Ayinde, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as AFARIOgUN OLANREwAjU AYINDE. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwumbah Oluwakemi Christianah now wish to be called and known as mrS adeleke olUWakemI CHrISTIanaH. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly known and called as Miss Adewusi Abiola Atinuke, now wish to be addressed and called as mrS adekanola abIola aTInUke. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public, government, private institutions etc that ProgreSS nUrSery and PrImary SCHool at NARAYI HIGH COST, KADUNA registered with CAC has changed its name to dIVIne ProgreSS SCHoolS lImITed comprising of all the units of the school (Nursery, Primary and Secondary ). Previous documents prior to this remain valid. PUBLIC NOTICE

GREAT CLUB 025 ILOFFA The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the part ‘C’ of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Oyedeji Oni 2. Kayode Afolayan 3. Wale Sanusi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To promote the welfare of its members in particular and ILOFFA Community in general. Any objection thereto should be addressed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama. Abuja, within 28 days of this publication SIGNED : SECRETARY

Formerly Known and addressed as Mrs Patrick Abisola Yinka now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SOkEFUN ABISOLA OLAYINkA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Abisara Philemon now wish to be known and addressed as ABISARA FILEMONI AFONjA (EvAN.). All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and genenal public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AMODU : Formerly known and addressed as MISS AMODU ODUNAYO VICTORIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEgOROYE ODUNAYO vIcTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Uchechukwu Victor Oruche now wish to be known as UcHEcHUkwU vIcTOR OkEkE. General public please take note.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To build people in the way of discipline Matthew 6:3 3. To build up soul for Christ. 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.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Olawale - Ogunsanya Adeola Adewunmi now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OgUNSANYA ADEOLA ADEwUNMI. Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta and General public take note.

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This is to confirm that I, adebalogUn adeleye ebeneZer olUSegUn. Is the same and one person known as adeleye ebeneZer olUSegUn. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Alani Olusanjo Samuel Oluwaseyi 2. Amos Adebola Hassan 3. Alademehin Deborah Olumide 4. Olusanjo Christianah Arike 5. Olusanjo Oriyomi Taiye 6. Alade Ikuseidun Nike 7. Babatunde Ebunoluwa Bukola

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odulesi Oluwatosin now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SHERIFF - ODULESI OLUwATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name BALOGUN ABIODUN STEPHEN was wrongly written in my BVN as BALOGUN ADEBAYO ABIODUN. Now wish to be corrected and addressed as BALOGUN ADEBAYO ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. Heritage Bank and the general public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNDELE OLUFUNMILOLA BERNICE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EgBEDEYI OLUFUNMILOLA BERNIcE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Adebesin Kehinde Toyin now wish to be known and addressed as ODUBIYI kEHINDE TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. TAIWO PEACE ORUTA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ESAN TAIwO PEAcE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Olatunde Ibrahim Adeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI IBRAHIM ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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YUSUF: Formerly known and addressed as KABIRU YUSUF MAKAMA now wish to be known and addressed as ALHAjI kABIRU YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IbraHIm adeWale and yInUSa IbraHeem. now wish to be known and addressed as yInUSa IbraHeem adeWale. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A and general public please take note.

This is to confirm that I, ganIyU olalekan laTeef, is the same and one person known as. abdUllaTeef ola .a. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGING LIVES AND RESCUE INITIATIVE The General public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004. NAMES OF TRUSTEES 1. Pastor Mrs. Anthonia Ifeyinwa John –(Chairperson) 2. John Armstrong Obiorah 3. Umeh Tochukwu Joy 4. Prince Luka Mangut 5. Mrs. Florence Ngozika Agina – (Secretary) AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. To help prison inmates through social support, education and evangelism/prayer meetings 2. To assist the less privileged ones and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 3. To promote gender equality, youth education and leadership in the female child as well as community development. 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: Pastor Mrs. Anthonia Ifeyinwa John

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

If you can walk with your head in the clouds and keep your feet on the ground, you can make a million dollars in the NBA

Arsenal looking for upset against Barca

–Gary Dornhoefer (1975)

Battle of Kaduna: No special plan for Salah –Siasia

igeria coach Samson Siasia says he has no special plans to deal with Mohammed Salah in March 25th Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt. The Pharaoh’s star has been impressive this season scoring 11 times in 25 appearances for AS Roma. Siasia, though, acknowledges the forward’s threat but feels the Super Eagles cannot focus solely on the 23-yearold when they welcome Hector Cuper’s men in the make or break Afcon qualifier in Kaduna. “We are happy for Mohamed Salah and all the Egyptians,” Siasia told KingFut. “Salah is a great player but so is the Egyptian team. In some occasions one man can make a difference. “We know him very well. Will we make special precautions for Salah? No, we won’t make special plans for just one single player. According to Siasia, his players understands that apart from Salah, there are many other Egyptian players who can pose serious problems more than the AS Roma striker and as such concentrating on him alone will not be of help to the Super Eagles. “The Egyptians are very good and play as a team. We are not going to concentrate only on one of their key players because they have quality players and by the time you pay special attention to one, another person can spring surprises. “They are all good players in a good team and what we are trying to do is to deal with all of them with the same level of concentration”, he concluded. Nigeria face Egypt on the 25th of March at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, before playing the return leg in Alexandria four days later.

Siasia

Odemwingie not ruling out Bristol stay

Osaze

eter Odemwingie will consider joining English Championship side, Bristol City, on a permanent basis this summer. The 34-year-old Nigeria forward is on loan to Bristol City from Stoke City, where his contract will run out this season. Stoke City are not willing to extend his stay at the Britannia Stadium which has led Odemwingie moving to the Championship side on loan till the end of this season. Despite hoping for a Premier League return, Odemwingie will not rule out playing in the second tier and has spoken to the Rob-

ins manager, Lee Johnson, who shares same top-flight ambition with him. “I spoke to a couple of people at Stoke who know Bristol City well and they talked well of the club. I then spoke to and had text messages with the manager Lee Johnson and had a positive feeling after that. “I’ve told the manager I want promotion and he wants the same. The stadium is almost completed, they want to strengthen the squad and push for the playoffs next season, the finances are there, the city has a lot of potential and the club’s ambition is the

same as mine. “I still see myself as a Premier League player but, sometimes in life, you have to take a step backwards to take two forward. I think coming here was the right decision for me rather than waiting until the summer and looking then. “I’m 34, but I started late in the game, I still feel young and can play for another couple of years. Stoke are not offering me a new contract and I’m in the shop window. Hopefully, that will be good for me and good for Bristol City. It’s a win-win situation,” Odemwingie said.

Sports

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Golf: Benin captain championship tees off Friday

Champions League

Arsenal seek upset against Barca

rsenal will be looking for upset when they confront Spanish giants Barcelona in today’s Champions league clash at Camp Nou. The Catalan club which leads Arsenal 2-0 heading into the second leg in the Champions League, boasts of one of the best attacking lineups in history with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar and is riding on a Spanish record unbeaten streak of 37 games across all competitions. Barcelona’s awesome three

of Messi, Suarez and Neymar have scored 103 goals between them this season. Suarez leads the way with 42, followed by Messi’s 35, despite missing nearly two months of action due to injury and Neymar with 23. The only flaw in their intimidating attack is their perplexing lack of aim from the penalty spot. Messi erred for the fourth time this season during a 6-0 rout of Getafe on Saturday. Neymar has also missed four times from the spot and Su-

arez twice. That may mean Arsenal’s slim chances of pulling off an upset rest of praying that somehow, someway the match arrives to a shootout. Seeking a 10th consecutive home win in the Champions League, the Catalan club has never lost in Europe after getting a 2-0 away win in the first leg. Of its last 36 home matches in Europe’s top tournament, Barcelona has won 29, drawn six and lost only once, to Bayern Munich in 2013.

The last loss anywhere in any competition came on Oct. 3 at Sevilla. The team’s last loss at Camp Nou was against Malaga in February 2015. A look backward only gets bleaker for Arsenal, whose last victory on Spanish soil came a decade ago. The English club lost the last two times it faced Barcelona in 2010 and 2011, in addition to the 2006 final. It has also never overturned a firstleg home loss in European competition.

Bayern set to avoid Juve’s fight back B ayern Munich holds the edge on away goals heading into their Champions League round of 16 second leg showdown with Juventus at the Allianz Arena today. The German champions returned to form in the league with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen at the weekend, with Thomas Muller and Thiago Alcantara both scoring braces. The Bavarian giants hold

the advantage against Juventus after Muller and Arjen Robben struck on either side of halftime in a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Turin. Defender Javi Martinez could return to action after recovering from a knee injury but Jerome Boateng (groin) and Holger Badstuber (ankle) are both sidelined. Juventus have won all three of their Serie A fixtures since the first leg against Bayern without conceding a goal. The Old Lady beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 in

their last visit to Germany in the previous season’s Champions League round of 16. Meanwhile Bayern Coach, Pep Guardiola has declared that the return leg will be different. They will come to win or to get a 3-3. We will try to score. I don’t expect us to protect this result. We will only defend when we are faced with their incredible attack. We’re up against a side with many great players, starting with Gianluigi Buffon and going all the way through. It’s

going to be a brilliant second leg.” Also speaking on the match, Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri noted that it is a knockout match in Munich. “We’ve got to win, we have no choice. Whether we win in the first or the last minute doesn’t change anything. We have to win. We had a lot of opportunities in the second half and this has got to give us the strength and belief that we can compete with Europe’s best.”

ITF/CAT Junior Competition: Nigeria’s Osewa dumps out No1 seed

N Guardiola

igeria’s Micheal Osewa caused the biggest upset so far at the 39th ITF/CAT Africa Junior Championship in Pretoria, South Africa by beating tournament’s number one seed, Younes Adnane of Morocco 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 to qualify for the quarter-final of the boy’s U-14 category. The sixth-seeded Osewa started the tournament on a

losing note as he fell 6-4, 6-4 to Eliakin Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire but bounced back to contention with back to back wins over Salum Mutabazi of Burundi and Codie Van Schalkwyk of Namibia to set up a last16 clash with Adnane. The game at the University of Pretoria High Performance Centre seems to be heading the way of form book as the Moroc-

can took the first set in a convincing manner recording a 6-1 triumph. However, Osewa, a semi-finalist at the last edition in Tunisia, took the second set 6-3 forcing Adnane to lose his unblemished record as he was yet to drop a set before. Osewa completed a memorable win in a 6-2 final set to set up a quarter-final meeting with Jason Espitalien of Mauritius.

rrangement towards a successful organization of the 2016 Benin club golf section (BCGS) Captain Inaugural Golf tournament has been finalised. The event which is been organized by the club in conjunction with the new captain is expected to attract about two hundred golfers from different golf clubs across the federation will tee-off on Friday March 18th through 19th, 2016 at the club golf course, GRA, Benin City. Captain of the golf section, Ignatus Aigbokhaode told National Mirror noted that every necessary arrangement to make the event glamorous has been put in place by the organizing committee and other sub committees in charge of the tournament. According to him, golfers from UBTH golf club, Ibori Country and Golf Club, Asaba, Ikeja Golf Club, Sapele Golf Club, Smoking Hills Golf Resort, Ibadan Golf Club and many others have indicated interest to be part of the two days event. “We have received tremendous interest from golfers across various golf clubs n the country. Our club has really prepared for the event because we want it to be keenly contested, full of fun fare and a glamorous event. “We are also praying for a good and favourably weather on the event days so that golfers will be able to have full feel of our green lush course rated as one of the best golf course in the country”, he concluded.

Lagos private schools tourney ends Saturday IfeanyI eduzor

he second edition of the annual Lagos Private Primary Schools football competition will be rounded up on Saturday March, 19, at the Viscum Schools, Field, Omole Phase 2, IsheriOlowora, Lagos. According to a statement by the organizer of the competition, Prince M.A. Atiba of Atico Global Concepts, the finals will be between Tomobid Private School and Yintab Private School while the third place match will be between Kingdom Heritage School and Ifako International School. To get to the finals, Tomobid Private School defeated Kingdom Heritage School by 3-0 in the first semi- final just as Yintab Private School recorded a 2-0 defeat over Ifako International School in the second semi- final match to book a place in the finals. The statement noted that the championship tagged “H.M Cup 2016” which will have Dr. T.O.S Owoeye and Mrs. Osoneye as special guest of honours will attract ex- internationals like Bremner Alada and Mike Dominic as well as Directors of the participating schools namely; B.A Majekodumi of Ifako International School, Mrs. Olatokunbo Doherty of Tomobid School, Mrs. Jumoke Badejo of Yintab School and Oluwadere Oluwaseyi of Kingdom Heritage School who will be present to cheer their schools to victory.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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CHANGE OF MARKET NAME

I, MRS. IYABO RAIMI, that I am the representative of BALOGUN LANE MARKET; OSHODI as market leader. That the entire Association in the market wish to change the name of the market from OBANIBASHIRI MARKET, OSHODI to BALOGUN LANE MARKET; OSHODI, LAGOS. General public take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST VOICE REDEMPTION MINISTRIES

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Ministries has applied for registration under Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters ACT 1 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Seyido Solomon Enoch - Founder 2. Ndubisi Ajidue - Secretary 3. Seyido God’s Delight - Member 4. Wilson Yolo - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Provide for its members a medium for cooperation, discussion and resolution on all matters affecting them. 2. Encourage national patriotism and participation in all activities that will promote unity and progress of Tahoss people in particular and the society in general. 3. Discourage and oppose all forms of discrimination and oppression amongst and against members of the society. 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: PASTOR SEYIDO SOLOMON ENOCH (FOUNDER)

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Formerly known and addressed as SAMSON YUSUF DAMILARE, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMSON YUSUF OPOOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABIJO TEMITOPE OYINDAMOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ABIJO TEMITOPE IDAYAT OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

. Formerly known and addressed as OSIBAJO BOSE CLARA, now wish to be known and addressed as OSIBAJO BUNMI BOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Wasiu Senami, now wish to be known and addressed as GANDONU SENAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Oluwatosin Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as AJOSE OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Reuben Omolola Felicia, now wish to be known and addressed as SEGBENU REUBEN FELICIA OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was mistakenly written as Hunkuten Philip Seyide, instead of Isiaka Hontonyon, that i henceforth wish to be known and addressed as ISIAKA HONTONYON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Charles Ighofuoma, now wish to be known and addressed as OZOKWE CYRIL IGHOFUOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that OKECHUKWU ALEXANDER is the same person as OKWUCHUKWU ANABALAONYE PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ETAJERUO: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. ETAJERUO OMOTOLA ABIGAIL, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. IGBERI OMOTOLA ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, TINA OGHENEKOME OBUH is the same person as TINA ISIBOR. All former documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Isienyi Margaret now wish to be addressed as Oyinze Margaret.All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that ECHEZONA PROMISE HENRY is one and same person as OKOLI PROMISE. That henceforth, wish to be known as ECHEZONA PROMISE HENRY. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc., Zenith Bank Plc. and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

AKPUSI: I, formerly known and addressed as RAYMOND UCHECHUKWU AKPUSI, now wish to be known and addressed as ISREAL UCHECHUKWU EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODUNZE: I, formerly known and addressed as ODUNZE ADA STELLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as KENNETH STELLA KELECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

Formerly Miss Adekunle Titilayo now wish to be addressed as Mrs Iyantan Titilayo.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLAJIDE: I, formerly known and addressed as EUNICE AINA OLAJIDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as VERONICA OMONIKE WILKEY. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGExxxOF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as GLORIA ENUWA SAMUEL EDACHE, now wish to be known and addressed as EHINLOJU GLORIA ENUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Abdul Mawedo Aminat now wish to be addressed as Abdulkadir Aminat.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that ABIODUN TAIWO is the same person as YUSUF TAIWO. Now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. WEMA BANK Plc., GTBank Plc., and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEWUMI BOSEDE ODUNAYO. Now wish to be known and addressed as FAKIYE BOSEDE ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODIGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as PATRICK ODIGWU, now wish to be known and addressed asPATRICK ANIAKO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHUKWU FRANCISCA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AROKWU FRANCISCA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EKE: I, formerly known and addressed as EKE ONYEKACHI IFEANYI, now wish to be known and addressed asEKE ONYEKAOZUORO IFEANYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OFFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OFFOR ZATIUS CHIBUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as OFOR CHIBE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

WORLD RECORD

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

Vol. 05 No. 1327 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

N150

Fighting terrorism with a lean purse

part from those who witnessed the Mallam Muhammadu Maitasine riots in the 1980s, many would have beaten their chests that terrorism cannot be an issue in Nigeria as we know it today. These people have obvious reasons to support their optimism. But it is no longer news that terrorism is now one of the main issues in African politics. The terrorists did their very worst in early 2015 attacking Garrissa University in Kenya leaving 148 innocent students dead in the process. The Somalia-based al-Shabaab terrorist group that claimed responsibility for the attack has grown even bolder and more daring than ever. Boko Haram has constituted itself into a regular menace in Nigeria’s north eastern region, gaining notoriety for the death of tens of thousands and injuring more others. The activities of Islamic

aria Sharapova has been suspended as a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations after her failed drugs test. The Russian, 28, tested positive for meldonium in January and has been provisionally suspended from 12 March.

Guest Columnist

Olalekan W.

Adigun

State (ISIS) have convinced the world of the reality of the threat it poses on Africa. The question then is how to fight terrorism! The threat of terrorism is one that transcends any conventional solution. The military option alone cannot win the war against terror, in this case Boko Haram. Supply of Western arms has proven to be useless as the rise of ISIS attests to. Improved budgetary allocations to the military and joint military actions against terror without corresponding support of the “civilian sector” will just be as futile as pouring water into basket. As hard as this may sound, it is true. What we must understand is that funds allocated to fight terror more often than not find their way into private pockets as the #DasukiGate has proven in Nigeria. If they are not siphoned, they often turn out not to be enough, no matter the face value of the currency. If it were for huge allocations, the United States will not be spending millions maintaining their soldiers in Afghanistan fighting a lost war against the Talibans. What about the Vietnam debacle in the 1960s? If we are truly serious about winning the war against Boko Haram and other terrorists or sustaining such victory, there is need for a strong civilian component in the fight. By “civilian component”, I mean thoroughly-oriented, organized and systematic efforts at integrating the public in the counterterrorism strategy while in our process

The miliTary opTion alone cannoT win The war againsT…Boko

haram

improving civil-military relations. Improved image of the Nigerian Army and its civil-military relations will do a lot of good in the fight against Boko Haram. This is where, I think, the media is going to play a key role. Presently, there seem to be a major disconnect between the army on one hand and the public on the other hand. My best guess is that this gap is what insurgents are taking advantage of. Even in conventional wars, the army still needs the civilians. This may be why there are often militias who are themselves not professional soldiers but trained by the military during conventional wars. If the military needs civilians during war, why then the disconnect in the fight against insurgency? The truth of the matter is that it is cheaper to engage the civilians in our efforts at sustaining the momentum and hopefully the total eradication of terror in our land! During one of his visits to the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Bama, Konduga, and other areas affected by the crisis, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, recognizing the need for civil engagement, spoke of the imperative

of his ministry inaugurating a national security campaign against insurgency to sensitize Nigerians on the need for their active participation in security matters. In the minister’s own words, “No nation succeeds in the fight against insurgency without the civilian component; so, we will let Nigerians know that the fight against insurgency is a national issue…’’ Many people tend to have forgotten the fact that Britain once had the challenge of terrorism like Nigeria. Northern Ireland used to be a troubled spot, no thanks to the violent activities of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and its affiliates. The group terrorized people in the region with reckless abandon in the 20th century. This is where I propose “Attrition by Charm” launched by the Royal Irish Regiment to seek a permanent solution to the Irish problem in the late 1990s. What did they get right? First, the British anti-terrorism strategists understood the fact that the regiment, which was an amalgam of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment, had a particularly poor image among nationalists making them vulnerable to attacks in spots with strong Dublin or Catholic attachments. Second, the fact that the soldiers were largely seen as “foreigners” which reminded the locals of colonialism (which most Irish resent) led to a decision by a number of soldiers to take lessons in the Irish language and the Gaelic culture to improve their image in the nationalist community. If we adapt this into our own fight against terror, we can achieve similar result with minimal budget. What we need to do are the simple, minutest things. Our soldiers fighting in the northeastern part of the country should be made to take lessons in Kanuri language. I say this because it is spoken by about 500,000 people who use it as a second language. Speaking the language of the locals, other than simply Hausa will make the soldiers no longer look like strangers who the locals should not trust.

Sport Extra

Sharapova suspended as UN ambassador Sharapova has been suspended from “any planned activities while the investigation continues,” said the United Nations Development Programme. She has held the role since 2007 and a UNDP spokesperson added it “remains grateful for her support

of our work”. According to the UNDP website, the organisation “works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion”. The former world number one

said she has been taking meldonium for health reasons for the past 10 years. The drug was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) banned list on 1 January and Sharapova provided a positive test at the Australian Open later in the month.

Sharapova

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