Wednesday, march 30, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

MDAs, army owe Discos N60bn

Chidi UgwU ABUJA

ssociation of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, has said the total debt owed it by Ministries,

Fashola

Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and the military stood at N60bn. Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of ANED, Sunday Oduntan, who revealed this yester-

day at a media briefing, said the debt was about N58bn as at December 2015, but has now hit N60bn.

He noted that of the

Nigeria out of 2017 AFCON, loses 1-0 to Egypt P.43

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Buhari won’t sign 2016 budget, suspects foul play Vol. 6 N0. 1337

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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...off to Washington for Nuclear Security Summit

Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign the 2016 budget passed last week by the National Assembly because of suspected foul play by lawmakers. The President, it was learnt, has already received the budget, but it was, however, without details as to where the lawmakers made adjustments to the original proposal that was sent to them. According to a reliable Presidential source, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Anyaoku urges FG to constitute economic team

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Abducted army colonel killed in Kaduna P.5

Former Vice President and founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Atiku Abubakar, assists in serving food during a visit to children under the FEED and READ community programme for children of IDPs by the AUN in Yola, Adamawa State.

Fuel scarcity: Kachikwu says ‘I won’t resign’ School proprietor bags 10 yrs for raping 10-yr-old pupil

P.5 P.8

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Buhari won’t sign 2016 budget, suspects foul play CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Buhari is anxious to sign the Appropriation Bill into law but the National Assembly only sent highlights without the details of what they eventually passed. The source noted that the President, as a result, has been handicapped in signing the bill because he does not know what was contained in the details and what adjustments the National Assembly must have made to the proposal sent to them. According to the source, although Buhari was anxious to sign the document so that its implementation could start immediately to ease the tension in the economy and polity; he was afraid he might later discover, when the details are sent, that what is contained therein would not be implementable. The source said the President wished the National Assembly could send in the details speedily so that it could be considered for assent. The source also said ministers were eager that the budget be signed so they could start implementing their programmes, but they were unable to push the President to sign what had been transmitted because they also did not know what is contained in the details. “The ministers are particularly worried that the year is gradually aging and the provision of the law in respect of spending the previous year’s budget is not helping matters because of the low capital provision for 2015,” he said. The source further said: “Because of the low provision made last year for capital expenditure, spending 50 per cent of that provision for the first half of this year will make no impact on provision of infrastructure. “The Budget Office cannot also work on the budget for implementation because it is the details, and not the highlights, that they convert into implementable templates for the respective MDAs. “This development confirms speculations that the National Assembly either did not complete work on the budget or are play-

ing politics with the documents which affects the lives of both the country and its citizens. “The National Assembly may just have passed the bill to pass the buck to the executive and escape the wrath of the public which was gradually suspecting it of sabotage.” It would be recalled that the National Assembly last week Wednesday passed a N6.06 trillion budget, reducing the proposal submitted by the President by N17 billion. The President had proposed N6.07 trillion, but it was slashed to N6.06 trillion. Meanwhile, President Buhari will today leave Abuja for the United States to join President Barack Obama and about 60 other world leaders and heads of international organisations at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit which opens tomorrow. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said at plenary sessions of the summit dedicated to reinforcing international commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Buhari would insist that while Nigeria would continue to

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari and APC chieftain/celebrant, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the 8th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Annual Colloquium to mark his 64th birthday celebration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

sustain that commitment, world powers must respect the right of other countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes. The President would also reaffirm Nigeria’s stance that international efforts to ensure greater security of nuclear materials should maintain a balance between nuclear nonproliferation obligations

and the indisputable right of Nigeria and other countries to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development. It would be recalled that at a meeting with him in Abuja earlier this month, Buhari told the DirectorGeneral of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano, that the Federal Government

MDAs, army owe Discos N60bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

amount, military formations, including the Nigerian Army owed Discos N15 billion as they had not paid a dime to some Discos since 2013. According to Oduntan, a breakdown of the Nigerian Army debt to electricity distributors as December 2015 showed that Benin Disco was owed N2.3 billion; Eko Disco N1.9 billion; Ikeja Disco N1.6 billion; Jos Disco N2 billion; Kaduna N6.6 billion; Kano N301 million, Port Harcourt N1.3 billion, and Yola N435 million. Oduntan regretted that despite the huge debt by the military, some of its personnel still had the audacity to beat up some officials for not supplying electricity to their various cantonments. While apologising to Nigerians over the dete-

riorating power situation in the country, Oduntan, said the latest incident involved one Major Musa, who led a gang of soldiers to an injection sub-station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and beat the staff on duty blue and black leaving him with several injuries. “The practice of the Nigerian military beating up our staff is totally unacceptable and it has to stop. “We are calling on the President who himself is a retired General of the Nigerian Army and the Commander in Chief of Armed Forces to call his boys to order,” he said. He said for Nigeria to have a semblance of reliable power supply, it needed about 20,000 mw, which required huge investments. He said the country achieved 5,074mw recently, with capacity to

do more in stranded assets scattered all over the country, which could easily translate to another 5,000mw. “So, if you construct a brand new generation plant that can give 10,000mw at about $12 billion, Nigeria can achieve the 20,000mw by 2019,” he added. He noted that Nigeria now represented the largest potential energy growth market in the world. According to him, with a population of about 160 million, Nigeria needed about 160,000mw of power to ensure reliable uninterrupted electricity supply across the country. Oduntan said about $40 billion (N9 trillion), or three times the Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, was required to achieve the feat but could be done using

would welcome greater support from the agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to begin the generation of electricity with nuclear energy. While in Washington DC, the President and his delegation which includes Governors Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey On-

yeama; National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and the Director-General of Nigeria’s Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Prof. Lawrence Anikwe Dim, would also hold bilateral meetings with other participating Heads of Government and high-ranking United States Government officials. The delegation is expected back on Sunday.

many global sovereign funds, private equity funds and hedge funds which were dedicated to generation and energy infrastructure projects, looking for markets. He said Nigeria needed to convince investors of the security of their investment. “To do this,” he said, “the country must demonstrate integrity and transparency in the way it manages funds and their deployment.” Government, he added, must also provide sovereign guarantee against loss of principal funds invested in public projects. To achieve reliable power supply, Odutan said the industry needed supply assurance of fuel, no matter the domestic production, industrial demand or power demand. Federal Government

should also deregulate the price of gas for power to remove gas supply as a limitation on gasfired generation growth, identify and explore the feasibility of coal production in the states with coal resources. According to him, coal generation capacity might be 5,000-10,000mw based on reserve estimates. In addition, an LNG regasification (receiving) terminal, connected to the domestic gas pipeline system, should be built to have the flexibility to buy LNG (gas) from any market in the world and ensure security of supply. He said the LNG terminal would pay for itself many times over with a lower cost of gas, increased supply and the economic value of far more energy production.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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L-R: Chief Launcher, Dr Kase Lawal; Chairman on occasion, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Author, Amb. Olusola Saun and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, at the presentation of a book “Audacity on the Bound - A Diplomatic Odyssey” by Amb Olusola Saun in Ibadan, yesterday. L-R: Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu; Chief (Mrs) Bose Adeboye; Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mazi Paul Ibe and wife of Atiku Abubakar, Hajiya Titi, during the Child Dedication and Thanksgiving of Mr Ibe’s son, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Subogea and Burundi representative, Mr Manirakiza Alphonse; Chairman, Airport Business Summit and Expo 2016, Mr Richard Aisuebogun and Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Toyin Okpaise, during the Airport Business Summit and Expo in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade; Book Author, Chief Folake Sholanke, SAN, and Prof Pat Utomi, during the presentation of Chief Sholanke and Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, book titled “Oral and Written Advocacy: Law and Practice”, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

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PDP BoT advises Sheriff not to elongate his 3 months tenure

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, has advised the party’s National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, not to extend his tenure beyond May. Acting Chairman of BoT, Walid Jubrin, who gave the advice while addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, urged Sheriff to heed the advice and not stay in office beyond three months. Jubrin said the advice became necessary “following calls by praise-singers calling on Sheriff to extend his tenure.’” He explained that following the unanimous approval of Sheriff by PDP Governor’s Forum, the National Caucus, BoT and the National Executive Committee, the tenure, as well as that of the National Working Committee,

NWC, should terminate on May 21. He said, “The above responsible bodies have approved that the tenure of the national officers will end immediately after the convention when new officers are duly elected. “The present NWC received an overwhelming ovation at the meeting of the national caucus, BOT and NEC by overlooking their 2017 tenure in support of the three months approval of the respected organs of the party which should strictly be complied with. “Instead of listening to praise singers, Sheriff should follow the path of honour by simply taking a bow in May 2016 after the national convention. “The recent courtesy calls to Sheriff and the presentations being

made, especially calling on him to continue beyond the stipulated three months tenure is an invitation to trouble, anarchy and the return of impunity in PDP.” Jubrin urged Sheriff to come out clearly to exonerate himself from such tenure elongation plan and maintain his stand on the three months given him by NEC. According to him, if he does that, his honour and integrity will be more respected and will remain in the PDP record book of achievers. The acting BOT chairman also advised the party to adhere to Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s Post-Election Review Committee’s recommendation that the PDP should seek its 2019 presidential candidate

from the Northern part of the country. He warned of the dangers of not adhering to the recommendations aimed at compensating the North “for the obvious violation of the zoning arrangement in the 2011 election.” According to Jubrin, this led to a major apathy against the party in the north from 2011, culminating to its poor performance in the 2015 elections. “The national caucus, BOT, and NEC have already approved this recommendation by unanimously zoning 2019 presidency to the north. “To change this decision now is a further invitation to impunity, lack of party democracy, nonadherence to party zoning principles, influence

of ‘god fatherism’, lack of respect for the decision of constituted party organs, self-imposition and killing the PDP. “Anyone who attempts to reverse the position by changing it with another position will ever remain an enemy to the north, a mercenary and killer of PDP. “All members of the party must unite not to allow themselves to be bought by anyone and not to be tempted with anything to divide and rule us. “All PDP members must be ready to cooperate to say final bye-bye to impunity, lack of internal democracy, god-fatherism and naked exhibition of man’s inhumanity to man by man,” he said. He added that the BOT would resist any move by anybody to destroy the

good foundation set by the PDP founding fathers and shall remain the conscience of the party. Jubrin maintained that the above submission was done based on the powers given to BOT by the party’s constitution, part ix section 32 5(a) (b) (c) (g) and 6. He added that the BOT intended to meet next week to further strengthen its position in support of the last decision of the various organs. According to him, other items on the agenda for the meeting include membership of BOT sub -committees. He added that the BOT was also expected to be briefed by Sheriff on the approved party congresses and convention committees of finance, zoning and reconciliation.

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Fuel scarcity: Kachikwu says ‘I won’t resign’ GeorGe oji ABUJA

inister of State, Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, yesterday ruled out the possibility of resigning from office following public outcry over the lingering fuel scarcity in the country. Kachukwu stated that as both minister and Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, he still had a lot of work to do to sanitise the oil and gas sector of the economy. The minister, who made the disclosure when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to explain measures by his ministry to address the current fuel scarcity, called on those wishing to come to Abuja to protest his stay in office to spare themselves such troubles as it would be counterproductive. He said: “All those planning to come to Abuja for a protest should save their fuel. I am not going to resign. I have a lot of work to do.” Kachikwu regretted that Nigeria remains one of the biggest oil producing countries in the world that still suffers fuel scarcity. The minister also used the occasion to apologise to Nigerians over his comments that the scarcity had defied solutions and that he could not perform magic to redress the issue. He said he made the comment as a joke and never intended that it would hurt the sensitivity of Nigerians. “I do apologise for the comment that I made jocularly with my friends in the press about not being a magician and it offended Nigerians; it was not meant to be, it was a side jocular issue. “I did go on to explain what needed to be done, I did not know that it would create the kind of hyperbole (exaggeration) that it did. “Let me first admit that I am not a typically experienced politician, I am a technocrat: I come to work and some of the phraseologies that I may use, while being acceptable in the arena in which I play obviously will not be acceptable in the public political arena.

“So if anybody’s sensibilities were offended by those, I totally apologise. “I share the pains of Nigerians, I feel that pain everyday when I walk the streets: on Easter day I was in Lagos monitoring fuel distribution and the depots: I have given 24 hours attention to the problems. “I have continued to work with one sole purpose which is that every problem must have a solution and I think that is the reason I was picked,” he said. The minister assured that by the time measures put in place by his ministry began to yield results, the scarcity would be over in about a fortnight. He blamed the current scarcity on product diversion and pipeline vandalism. To address the issue of diversion, Kachukwu disclosed that his ministry was working towards computerising the distribution system by installing trackers on trucks to monitor their movement. He also said NNPC was collaborating with Civil Defence Corps to provide security and monitor the movement of fuel trucks across the country. He regretted that out of about 200 trucks that leave Lagos to supply petroleum products to Abuja, about one third get diverted and find their ways to the black markets. The minister also said attacks on pipelines had become so sophisticated that members of the civil defence could no longer match the vandals. He disclosed that NNPC was currently engaging the unconventional security services to join forces with the military to police the pipelines. He regretted that Nigeria remained one of the few unfortunate countries in the world where its citizens engage in the destruction of its own infrastructures. The minister noted that the long term solution to the recurring incidence of fuel scarcity remained the fixing of the refineries to compliment imports as well as liberalising the sector such that government took the back seat while the private sector drove the business.

L-R: Group Executive Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ventures, Mr Babatunde Adeniran (left) with Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream over the lingering fuel scarcity in the country at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Abducted army colonel killed in Kaduna

igerian Army yesterday confirmed the death of its officer, Col. Samaila Inusa, who was abducted by gunmen in Kaduna at the weekend. A statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said Inusa’s body was found yesterday evening around Ajyaita village in Kaduna. Usman stated that preliminary investigation re-

vealed that the senior officer might have been killed on the same day he was abducted, as the body was found already decomposing. He said: “The Army wishes to regrettably inform the public that Col. Samaila Usman, who was kidnapped on Sunday, March 27, 2016 was found dead today (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. “His body was found decomposing around Ajyiata

village off Eastern Bypass Kaduna, Kaduna State. “Arrangements are in progress to move the body to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. “We wish to state in clear terms that whoever is behind his abduction and murder would be fished out to face the full wrath of the law.” It would be recalled that the late Colonel was abducted by gunmen from his car around Kamazo area,

near Refinery Junction in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Saturday, March 26. The abductors intercepted the officer’s personal car, and later dropped off his wife before leaving with him as they travelled along the Abuja-Kaduna road. Army authority had placed a reward of N1m for information that would lead to the rescue of the officer.

FCT police rescue kidnapped boy, arrest suspects

CT Police Command said it had rescued an eightyear-old, primary two pupil of China Assisted School, Nyanya, Prosper Arinze, who was kidnapped recently. This was contained in statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Anjuguri Manzah, in Abuja yesterday. It said the suspected kidnappers of the boy had also been arrested. It would be recalled that Arinze was kidnapped on March 11 after closing from school by two suspects aged 24 and 23, respectively, (names withheld). The statement said the kidnappers had contacted the father and

demanded for a ransom of about N1m before the victim would be released. It said on receipt of the complaint, the FCT Commissioner of Police set up a Joint Rescue and Investigation Team headed by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID. It said that for the safety of the victim, the police couldn’t arrest the suspects until the victim was released. “Working on clues and other intelligent leads gathered during the cause of investigation into the matter, the two suspects mentioned above were trailed and arrested in Masaka and

Auta Balefi in Nasarawa State,” it said. The statement further said that during interrogation, both suspects confessed to the offence. “The principal suspect, who is an electrical apprentice to the second suspect confessed to the police how he masterminded the kidnapping and how the ransom money was shared between the two of them. “I am happy to inform you that the victim was rescued safely and arrangement is being concluded to recover the ransom money from the identified bank accounts operated by the two suspects for the purpose,” it said. The statement said the suspects would be ar-

raigned in court on completion of investigation. It enjoined parents and guardians to be vigilant and pay more attention to the way and manner their children and wards were being taken to and from school. “Schools are also advised to go a step further and work together with the parents to ensure adequate safety of their pupils and students. “I wish to assure that the FCT Police Command will continue to work with stakeholders in school administration in the FCT to further strengthen the security arrangement already in place for the safety and security of pupils and students in all schools throughout the territory,” the statement said.

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Saraki urges closer collaboration between Nigeria, Colombia GeOrGe Oji ABUJA

enate President, Bukola Saraki, has called for closer collaboration between Nigeria and Colombia in order to improve diplomatic ties and enhance democratic governance in both countries. Saraki, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, spoke when he received a parliamentary delegation from Colombia, led by Senator Edinson Delgado in his office yesterday. He also said the National Assembly was open to relationships with other advanced parliaments across the globe to broaden its legislative experience and knowledge of its lawmakers. He noted that Nigeria and Colombia have a long standing relationship that needs to be oiled and improved upon for mutual benefits, just as he canvassed strong investment in Nigeria’s economy by Colombian investors. He said: “We are happy that you are here. I believe your visit will further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Colombia. “For many years, lots of opportunities have not been harnessed by both countries in spite of the fact that Nigeria and Colombia have a lot of things in common.

Here in Nigeria, we have two chambers just like you have in Colombia. “We are very identical; we must build this relationship and that is why I am encouraging this visit particularly at this period of diversification of our economy,” Saraki said. The Senate president extended invitation to the parliament of Colombia for cooperation and exchange of programmes that would improve the quality of law making in both countries. Earlier, leader of the Colombian parliamentary delegation, Senator Delgado had called for mutual cooperation between his country and Nigeria for diplomatic and economic benefits. Delgado said the team which comprised Colombian businessmen and investors was in Nigeria on a three-city tour of Lagos, Yola and Port Harcourt to foster partnerships and explore opportunities with a focus on commerce, industry and agriculture between both countries. He promised to work hard to improve the economic and parliamentary relationship between Colombia and Nigeria. “We are keen to strengthen our diplomatic relationship and establish basic opportunities between our two countries.” Delgado said.

L-R: President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; son of the late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Mr. Olumide Braithwaite and daughter, Omowunmi, at the residence of the late Dr. Braithwaite in Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Anyaoku urges Buhari to constitute economic team Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ormer Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute a strong and experienced economic team to help take the country out of its present economic crisis. He made the call while delivering a speech as chairman at the launch of a book titled, ‘Audacity on the Bound: A Diplomatic Odyssey.’ The book written by a former Nigerian ambassador

to Ethiopia, Ambassador Olusola Sanu, in commemoration of his 86th birthday anniversary, was reviewed by Ambassador (Chief ) Oladapo Fafowora. Anyaoku said the best way to take the country out of the economic mess characterised by high inflation, high cost of living, fuel scarcity, dwindling oil revenue and shortage of power is to think outside the box and immediately constitute a think-tank of economic team that could work towards whether the naira is going to be devalued or not. The former diplomat, while describing the au-

NSE, CECP to acquire first mobile cancer centre in Nigeria

igerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in Nigeria, ECP, have concluded plans to acquire the first set of Mobile Cancer Centre, MCC, in the country. NSE chief of staff and head, Corporate Services, Mr. Bola Adeko, announced this while briefing newsmen in Lagos on Monday as part of activities lined up for NSE 2016 Corporate Challenge slated for May 14. Adeko said the corporate challenge was the exchange’s corporate social responsibility, CSR, initiative aimed at giving back to the society. He said the CSR was introduced in 2013 to create awareness on cancer scourge in the country, adding that many Nigerians have died of the disease. Adeko said the NSE

realised N36.5 million in 2015’s corporate challenge which would be used for the acquisition of MCC. According to him, NSE would continue to work closely with CECP in the fight against cancer. Also speaking, the executive secretary, CECP said the first set of MCC would be acquired in October, and would be located in Abuja and Lagos before the end of 2016. “The two mobile cancer units, the one that is related to the NSE, the Exchange contributed their own resources apart from what they raised. They are working towards another one,” she said. According to her, MCC takes care of awareness, screening and treatment at the grassroots. She said that each MCC cost $600,000, noting that every state should have a mobile centre.

Nzelu commended the NSE for its national drive to provide cancer screening units in the country. “They are shinning light that other corporate organisations should emulate in the fight against cancer,” she said. She urged government to introduce incentives that would make it easy for private sectors to donate and contribute towards the eradication of the disease in Nigeria. Nzelu said that in other developed countries, governments create tax incentives and rebates for its citizens. She added that such policy in Nigeria would attract more private sector participation in the campaign against the disease. Speaking on the risk factors of the disease, she explained that smoking is a major risk factor as it is the cause of more than 40 per

cent of all cancers. “Smoking is a big risk factor. The problem with smoking is that it does not affect only the primary consumer; the legislation that people should stop smoking in public places should be implemented to reduce the risk of others dying from what they know nothing about. “This implementation is already on in other countries to protect others from being affected,’’ Nzelu added. Speaking on the 2016 Corporate Challenge, Mr Olumide Orojimi, NSE Head, Corporate Communications, said that take off point for the race is Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos. Orojimi said that participation fee for listed companies was N400,000, and N100,000 for brokerage firms and non-listed companies N500,000.

thor as a rare gem who has been showing a high level of intellectual prowess since they met in New York 53 years ago, said the memoir of the octogenarian is “an instrument or material for the present generation.” While providing solutions to global challenges and problems such as terrorism, insurgency, insecurity and financial crises confronting most countries of the world, Anyaoku challenged former diplomats to, as a matter of concern, put their own experiences and times in a book for young generations to learn from. He maintained that the various problems identified in the past by Sanu, have vindicated his call for restructuring of the Nigeria’s presidential system of government where a chairman of a local government has an array of advisers and assistants. He said: “I will like to use this opportunity to restate my view that President Muhammadu Buhari should stick to his non-devaluation agenda and constitute a team of experts to best tackle the economy crises; experts and analysts who will best tackle the economic crisis, including whether the naira will be devalued or not.” Former Military Head of State and Special guest of honour at the event, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), said Ambassador Sanu’s contributions and innovations led to the establishment and creation of many organisations which contributed to the integration of African nations in the past. While reviewing the 500-page, 21-chapter book written within a year, the

book reviewer, Ambassador Fafowora, described it as a well-articulated material that highlights the 86 years of Sanu’s experiences, life and time. Ambassador Sanu, born on March 24, 1930 and currently the chairman of Ibadan Elders Forum, thanked God and those who have supported him since his birth, describing his feat as the first Ibadan indigene to be appointed as ambassador as a rare opportunity. Present at the event are the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ajeogunguniso 1, with other Ibadan high chiefs; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Alani of Ido-Ani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye; Chief Philip Asiodu, Emeritus Prof. Olu Akinkugbe and Alhaji Ahmed Joda. Others are former governor of the old Oyo State, Dr. Victor Olunloyo, Chief Femi Okunnu, General Oluwole Rotimi (rtd), Chief Adebayo Akande and wife, Nike and Chief Adebayo Oyero. YUSUF: Formerly known and addressed as YUSUF SAMSON ABIODUN now wish to be known and addressed as YUSSUF SAMSEDEEN ABIODUN All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU CHINYERE PEACE JOHN now wish to be known and addressed as ALIEGWU CHINYERE PEACE. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A. Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OMACHE ADEKPE now wish to be known and addressed as IDIKWU DENNIS ADEKPE. Born on February 28th, 1988. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A Plc, Access Bank Plc and general Public take note.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Union, FAAN bicker over charges on SAHCOL, NAHCO Olusegun KOiKi

L-R: Representative of Chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral Abdullateef Akintola; representative of Chief of Army Staff, Col. Shehu Mustapha and Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs, Kastina State, Alhaji Amzah Muhammad-Brodo, during the Zaymar Islamic Research and Development Educational Conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

YABATECH reopens, begins semester examination

aba College of Technology, Lagos, on Tuesday reopened for academic activities after four-week break to mourn the death of a final year student, who died on February 10. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, who monitored the resumption, reports that anxious students trooped in to complete their undertaking forms and collected examination dockets. Security was beefed-up on the campus, as only students with the institution’s identity cards were allowed in. Some students were seen rushing to their various course supervisors to submit undertaking forms and were collecting their examination dockets. At a female hostel, ‘Akada Hall’, scores of students

Olusegun KOiKi

resident of International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, yesterday arrived in Nigeria on an official visit. Aliu is, however, expected to have a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of the country’s aviation industry.

were seen queuing for allocation of bed spaces. An ND II, Business Administration student, Miss Adebamigbe Fadaini, told NAN that she was very happy to be back on campus. Fadaini said she spent the break to read and prepare hard for the examination. “I have completed my registration and collected examination docket, the process is very simple. “I just want to be through with the examination once and for all, because we have wasted a lot of time this session. “I am very happy to be back on campus,’’ Fadaini said. Another student, an HND I, Micro Biology student, Miss Toyosi Adekanye, commended the management for reopenA source close to the Ministry of Aviation confided in our correspondent that some of the issues Aliu might discuss with President Buhari include the recent suspension of national carrier project by the government and its implication on the entire aviation industry in Nigeria. Also, the source noted that Aliu would also discuss the challenges confronting the nation’s airlines especially on access to finance and import duties.

ing the college. Adekanye said that she was ready for the examination, but urged the management to provide basic amenities during the examination period. “I am happy to be back on campus because back home, there were so many distractions from reading. “I have filled the undertaking form and also collected my examination docket, everything is ready for the examination,’’ she said. Also, the Head, Public Relations Unit of the college, Mr Charles Oni, told NAN that the management was prepared for the smooth conduct of the examination on March 30. Oni said that the interests and welfare of the students were important and that the management would continue to ensure

that. “We love our students even if they pretend and do not acknowledge it, but as parents and management, their welfare is very important to us,’’ he said. The Academic Board of the college had on March 16, directed that the institution be reopened on March 29. The board also announced that the 2014/2015 second semester examination would start on March 30. It directed all students to fill an undertaking form to be of good conduct during the examination. The college was closed following students’ protest on February 11, over the death of a student, Miss Comfort Dazan.

ational Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, has petitioned Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, over what it described as imposition of ‘arbitrary’ charges on the two ground handling companies in the nation’s aviation industry by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. The union accused the airport landlord of increasing charges on the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO Plc and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL, without following due process. The union in a petition with reference number NUATE.GS/HMS.FMT/ ENP/006-16, dated March 22, 2016, and signed by acting Secretary General, NUATE, Mr Olayinka Abioye, listed electricity bill payment in Lagos Airport monthly by each of the ground handling company at N6.2 million, while it paid N80,000 monthly in Abuja Airport. At Port Harcourt Airport, the union alleged that the ground handling companies pay the sum of N75,000; Kano Airport, N120,000 and N10, 000 monthly at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2, Ikeja, Lagos. The union also listed other charges collected by FAAN to include toll plazas, concession fee, apron pass, rent, On-DutyCard, ODC, airside drivers’ license, access card, access for fuel tankers, direction signage, screening machine fee, construction of equipment parking bays, land charges and link road construction. But, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati in a statement to our correspondent on the issue said that the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had

set up a committee to address all charges collected by the agencies. Dati explained that the management expected anyone with complaint on the issue to forward their grievances to the committee. He said; “There is a ministerial committee set up by the ministry to address charges by agencies. It is expected that those with such complaints exploit this window. As a responsible organisation, we await the findings of this highly respected committee.” The union said that in order for FAAN to be seen and appreciated by its business partners such as NAHCO and SAHCOL, it must ensure that consultations takes place before any change in tariffs are imposed. The union stressed further that such increment should not be an annual event, “done in the shady manner, lacking in transparency, bearing in mind the consequences of the impact on the users. “As partners in progress with all these bodies, we wish to ensure a level playing field for all, where there would be understanding and good reasons for any increase in charges and concurrence by parties without threat to the jobs of our members and or insolvency of any of the companies, including the Airport Operator (FAAN). “We urge your good office, to speedily intervene sir, to avoid imminent crisis as the workers of these bodies and other concerned concessionaires are groaning under heavy yoke of multiple payments, by inviting them to a meeting where parties could vent their opinions, ideas and suggest possible ways of ameliorating the unfortunate situation, as we also try to avoid any of them getting involved in unethical practices inimical to our safety and security considering the nature of their operations.”

ICAO President visits Nigeria

…may discuss aviation issues with Buhari A statement issued in Lagos by the General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, hinted further that the ICAO President would also hold several meetings in the country among which was the meeting with the stakeholders in

the aviation industry. It would be recalled that Aliu was elected as the first African to lead ICAO on November 18, 2013. Before his election, Aliu had served for eight years as the ICAO Council’s Nigerian Representative. He was the pioneer Director of Air Transport

Regulation, DATR, at NCAA from 2000 – 2004. He succeeded Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez of Mexico. During Aliu’s 2014 – 2016 triennium, ICAO has established five comprehensive strategic objectives. These are safety, air navigation capacity and efficiency, security and facilitation,

economic development of air transport and environment protection. ICAO has 191 member countries. The current ICAO Council’s Nigerian Representative, Mr. Martins Nwafor, arrived Nigeria earlier ahead of the president’s state visit.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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CBN tasks Nigerians on legitimate int’l businesses bolAdAle bAmigbolA OSOGBO

L-R: Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Alake Adeyemo; Managing Director, NLNG, Mr Baba Omotowa; Master Student in the Faculty of Technology, Mr Lekan Bade; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka and representative of Minister of Health, Prof. Temitope Alonge, at the inauguration of NLNG- University of Ibadan Automation Laboratory in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

School proprietor bags 10 years jail for defiling 10-year-old pupil Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

roprietor of God’s Grace Nursery and Primary School, Ado Ekiti, Mr Babatunde Ibitoye, was yesterday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a 10-year-old pupil of his school. Justice Toyin Abodunde of Ado Ekiti High Court, in the judgment, agreed with the evidence of the victim in the case, saying she had been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the proprietor had sexually abused the victim, who was her pupil at the time the offence was committed. Justice Abodunde said she agreed with the position of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, and the victim’s

evidence to the effect that the proprietor was caught at the scene of the incident and could not have denied knowledge of the offence. The judge said, “I rely heavily on the evidence of the victim that the defendant had been having sexual relationship with her before he was caught. Some of the teachers even gave evidence that she bled profusely few days before that time further confirmed that she had been sexually abused. “The fact that the defendant was caught pants down was enough to prove that the accused person committed the offence contrary to section 31(c) of the Ekiti State Child Rights Law 2013 and he is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without op-

tion of fine”. Ibitoye was caught on June 10, 2013 in a bush near Fayemi market in the Agric Olope area of the state capital where he sexually abused the victim on pretension that he was taking her home after school hours. On the day, Ibitoye was said to have taken about four pupils in his bus and drove towards a bushy area near the market to excrete, but only to go to the bush with the victim. Before going to the bush for his illicit act, Ibitoye had sent other pupils on different errands for his intention to materialise. Some auto mechanics in that vicinity had suspected the proprietor’s movement and went to the bush where they caught the convict having carnal knowledge of

the pupil. He was later apprehended by the people and handed over to the police at Ologede Police station in Ado Ekiti for onward transfer to the police headquarters for prosecution. The school had since the incident been closed. The Chairperson, Federation of International Female Lawyers, Mrs Rita Ilevbare, praised the judgment, describing it as “a landmark in the battle against rampancy of rape in the state”. Ilevbare, who urged victims of rape to always speak out, said silence would never help their course, praised the state Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and the victim’s parents for diligent prosecution of the case.

adele Abiodun Olaniran, where the union said it owed the general public the painful truth on the state of affairs at LAUTECH, “especially the highly irresponsible nature of the two visitors to the university, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Abiola Ajimobi.” The union said while Osun State owed 12 months, Oyo State owed five months, which has now constituted a serious clog in the wheel of progress of the institution.

The ASUU boss stated that it is no longer sustainable to pay salaries through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as this was having serious effects on other activities of the institution which are not supposed to be compromised under any guise. According to him, nonrelease of subvention has led to backlog of various allowances such as Earned Academic Allowances and promotion arrears, because the IGR that was

supposed to be used for these allowances were been diverted to pay staff salaries. He further lamented that the academic staff are made to work under increased lecturer/ student ratio and other unfavourable conditions to ensure uninterrupted academic session for the management to be able to meet up with payment of salaries which is not only delayed but also irregular and unreliable and not so forthcoming.

ASUU berates Aregbesola, Ajimobi over poor funding Kemi olAitAn IBADAN

cademic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, has berated the lackadaisical attitude of both Oyo and Osun states on the release of subventions to the institution. This was part of the resolutions at its congress held yesterday and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Ol-

s part of measures to revive the country’s ailing economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has urged Nigerians to engage in other legitimate international businesses apart from oil to earn foreign exchange. This was disclosed by Branch Controller of CBN in Osun State, Mrs. Oluyemisi Adebayo, while speaking in Osogbo at a training workshop organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN-Entrepreneurial Development Centre for Bethel Joy Professionals Awareness Initiative and Cooperatives. Adebayo noted that with determination and dedication, Nigerians can earn dollars from other sources apart from oil, saying they can earn more through processing of farm produce for export. She also encouraged the participants to always lodge their business earnings in banks in order to have access to loans and to be able to seek for assistance from the govern-

ment. In his remarks, the Chairman, Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Reverend Olumide Kehinde, called on Nigerians to aid the quick economic recovery of Nigeria by embracing change of attitude. The clergy, who is the Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, said being honest is the basic principle by which the nation’s economy can be revamped quickly. He lamented the current economy meltdown across the globe and Nigeria in particular and advised people to work assiduously to reduce poverty in the land. He noted that the nation can only revamp the current bartered economy quickly and thrive in business activities when we are doing it with all honesty, adding that any business activity based on lies and corrupt tendencies cannot stand. While commending the organisers of the training workshop for the initiative, Reverend Kehinde maintained that the training workshop is part of efforts towards assisting in revamping the nation’s economy.

Ansar-U-Deen delegates’ congress attracts 6,000 members …as society condemns Boko Haram ifeAnyi eduzor

his year’s delegates’ congress of the Ansar-u-Deen Society of Nigeria held in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, over the weekend, attracted about 6,000 delegates from within and outside the country. Declaring the congress open, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Olushola Kolapo, commended members of the society for their humanitarian work and efforts at ensuring a peaceful society, just as he enjoined them to elect leaders that would pilot the affairs of the society in the next three years, peacefully. In his welcome address, President of the Society, Alhaji Abdulateef Femi Okunu (SAN), commended Ekiti State government for accepting to host the

congress even as he hailed members for their unflinching support since the present executive where elected three years ago in Osogbo, Osun State. He urged Muslim within and outside the country to rally round and condemn the activities of Boko Haram, as they have nothing to do with Islam. Chairman Board of Trustees Ansar-u-Deen Summit University and former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith, while addressing the press expressed delight that the university has been given approval by the National University Commission, NUC, and that all modalities for its smooth take off in September this year has been put in place, noting that the university is set to be among the best in the country.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Nigeria loses fortune to crude oil export –ECCIMA

irector-General, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, Mr. Emeka Okereke, yesterday said

the country had lost fortune through decades of crude oil exports. Okereke, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria,

NAN, in Abuja, described the situation as a ``huge national economic waste’’. According to him, the country failed to realise that petroleum by-products were essential ele-

ments that could grow the economy. He said that asphalt; lubricants, sulphur, wax, and other petroleum byproducts were vital raw materials for agriculture,

L-R: Principal Manager, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mrs Pamela Roberts; Controller, Enugu Zone, Mr Ayuba Ibrahim; Management Assistant, Mr Alfred Ijah and Assistant Director Claims, Mr Aloysius Ezeoke, during a news conference on activities of NDIC at the ongoing 27th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

manufacturing, construction and other key sectors of the economy. According to him, developing the value chain for those products locally has a huge potential for economic diversification, job creation and poverty reduction. Over 6,000 items, many of them end-user products, are made from petroleum waste by-products. The items include toothpastes, fertilizers, perfumes, insecticides, petroleum jelly and soap. Others include vitamin capsules, ink, tyres, nail polish, clothesline, cassettes, shoe polish, and vehicle parts. Okereke said: “The Federal Government should take bold steps to tackle the issue of wastage of essential petroleum by-products through exportation of our crude oil. “Concrete measures are needed to either build modular refineries or revive the existing three

refineries through public private partnership arrangements. “This is very necessary to ensure that our crude oil is refined locally and the leakages in the management of the petroleum resource blocked.’’ It would be recalled that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, recently said it was cheaper to import petrol at the moment than to refine it locally. Kachikwu told newsmen in Abuja that until the refineries were brought back on stream and all the vandalised pipelines fixed, local refining would be uneconomic.

The ECCIMA DG, however, blamed the collapse of the country’s oil infrastructure on neglect by previous administrations. He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration to end the circle of ineptitude in the management of the sector.

PDP dissolves all party structures in Imo Group plans economic summit in Imo

Chris Njoku Owerri

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dissolved all party structures at ward and local government levels of Imo State with immediate effect. Addressing journalists

at the party secretariat, Okigwe Road, Owerri, the state capital, yesterday, the state’s party Chairman, Vitalis Okafor, disclosed that in a few days time, the committee would constitute caretaker committees in all the 27 local government areas and 305 wards in the state.

According to him, in the appointment of local government areas and ward caretaker committees, there would be wider consultations among leaders of various local government areas. Despite threats by the former caretaker committee led by Nnamdi Anyae-

Ugwuanyi donates N8.5m to victims of farmers, herdsmen clash EmmaNuEl EzEh enugu

nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has called for peaceful settlement of the fracas between farmers in Ugwuelshi community of Awgu Local Government Area and Hausa/ Fulani herdsmen resident in the community. The crisis arose over alleged destruction of crops of the villagers by the herdsmen while rearing their cattle. Ugwuanyi, who engaged the villagers and other stakeholders in a town hall meeting yesterday at Ugwuleshi Primary School field, promised to compensate the farmers whose crops were destroyed with

the sum of five million naira. He also dished out the sum of three and a half million naira on the spot to Awgu Transitional Chairman, Stanley Okeke, for logistics aimed at securing the release of 76 members of the community, who are being detained at a prison custody in Umuahia, Abia State capital, on allegations of illegal possession of firearms, an aftermath of the clash with Hausa/ Fulani herdsmen. Ugwuanyi while commending the Ugwuleshi community for the peaceful way they had conducted themselves since March 17, 2016 when their men and sons were taken to Umuahia, described the crisis

as a security matter which had earlier occurred at Uzo Uwani and Nsukka Council Areas, between the villagers and the Fulani herdsmen, but were resolved through the intervention of the state government. He stated that; “the present crisis in Ugwuleshi community will be settled, so that both parties will continue to live harmoniously.” Ugwuanyi emphasised that he was personally moved to visit the community to appeal for calm because his administration was doing everything possible to ensure that enabling environment of peace was maintained in Enugu State as a measure of attracting investors into the state.

hie to disrupt activities of the current exco, Okafor said his committee would soon commence a 10-day local government sensitisation tours. “The tour is of utmost importance in view of the oncoming congresses,” he said, adding that the time table would soon be out. He, however, vowed that his committee would not hesitate to discipline any member who ran foul of the party’s rules or conducts himself in act considered to be indiscipline or anti-party activities. The chairman thanked all executive members of the immediate past ward, local government areas and state executives for their support and steadfast in the midst of rift within the party. He assured that any former executive member who intends to seek for reelection at a level- playing ground as “we prepare for a credible and inclusive congress.” Okafor called on all members to join hands to restore power to the people as the party looks forward to really salvage the state in particular and the country in general come 2019.

Chris Njoku Owerri

group under the auspices of Centre for Study of Development Economics, CSDE, is to organise an indigenous economic summit in Imo State to lift the state from the shackles of poverty. Chairman of CSDE, Dr. Eze Sampson Osuagwu, disclosed this yesterday while addressing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ secretariat, Owerri. He said the summit, which would hold between June 24 and 25 this year at the International Conference Centre, Owerri, is being organised in commemoration of the 40 years anniversary of Imo State. According to him, the summit would be used to take stock of the successes and failures of the state over the years with a view to learning and correcting the mistakes. He said, “The summit is indigenous; we shall brainstorm to articulate our vision for a prosper-

ous Imo State that is capable of generating enough resources internally.” Osuagwu said that the summit would create a sustainable economic base to eliminate poverty amongst the people by the year 2030 as envisioned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030. The chairman said that the purpose of the summit is among other things, to articulate ideas that would shape policy formulation and implementation in the state. On the goal of the summit, Osuagwu called on the stakeholders in the state to use the forum to contribute their knowledge in the design and implementation of policies to ensure that the affairs of the state are congruent with the wishes of the people. He regretted a situation where the state government cannot meet up with her economic challenges of the time with the monthly allocation from the Federal Government account.

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Edo varsity not to serve Oshiomhole’s interest Oarhe DicksOn Benin

do State government says the new state university is not to serve the personal interest of any individual but the generality of the people, a statement from the Governor’s office said yesterday. The statement signed by Executive Director, media and public affairs, Governor’s Office, Mr. John Mayaki, described the investment on Edo State University as well informed, a progressive initiative, timely, auspicious and people-oriented. Mayaki said, “This clarification became necessary owing to the political slant that was recently laced with the investment by those I term as political-bureaucrats or red tape and their puerile media outing. “There is no amount too big that is invested on education or can be said to be a waste. Not even the location of the university can be faulted except for wolves in sheep’s clothing who would argue blindly and blandly because the decision for the investment either outshined their paymasters or intentionally join the bandwagons for the sake of chewing their jaws. “The decision for a new university is easily the most significant investment in education any progressive and futuristic government can think of. This type of initiative has the capacity to change the lives of those who live in the host area and beyond and lots of educational aspirations would have been made possible from that investment. “No doubt, it would stimulate employment generation, urbanise localities, boost economies, infrastructure, transport and healthcare and open its doors to the ever-increasing cohorts of learning and degree seekers who are unable to secure admission due to inadequate space in the stateowned Ambrose Alli University, among others. “When you talk of the funding of the new university, don’t forget that it was built according to sustainability principles with great possibility for positive spin-offs for the state. It will encourage locals to seek university education as an alternative to the polytechnic

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

in Auchi, Edo North Senatorial District. “To argue that the new university is unwarranted is to be short-sighted or parochial and at best, be an ethnic irredentist who argues blandly because it was not hosted in their birthplace. “When former Governor Lucky Igbinedion conceptualised and built the Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital, there were ‘red tape’ who felt it was unnecessary; they do so because it was not located in their birthplace. They were not altruistic. “It was a noble idea achieved by that administration; the question of abandoning the Central Hospital in terms of manpower, equipment and funding were also on the table but that does not invalidate the fact that there was a need for a new hospital irrespective of its location. “I like to think that we have a decent value system and as such must not be tempted by underhand tactics. Or else, if the university was hosted in your community or birthplace, would you have argued against it? We must excuse reprobates and no-goods. “I also like to think that if today must be better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today, we all, collectively, must strive for improvement and the Adams Oshiomhole led administration is in the forefront to achieving just that. “If there is anything we should and must remove from our present system forever, it would be what I termed ‘political bureaucracy.’ The Adams Oshiomholeled administration runs hot foot with fresh ideas but ‘red tape’ and political bureaucrats want government to stop. It’s like driving with one foot on the accelerator as evident in this government while political bureaucrats have a foot on the brake. “The dualisation, expansion, beautification project of the Airport road is a spectacular case in point, just as the new Edo State University. But Governor Oshiomhole is determined that we, the people, cannot be the helpless victims of these detractors and red tape, who have held us back. Red tape, not only exist in government, it abounds in politics; but we must rip down the red tape collectively.”

Three feared dead in another Agip Oil pipeline explosion

ational Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has confirmed another pipeline blast at an oil field operated by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, in Bayelsa State, killing three people. Director-General of the agency, Dr. Peter Idabor, confirmed the deaths during a telephone interview with the News Agency Nigeria, NAN, yesterday, in Yenagoa.

He said, however, that a staff of the agency was lucky to escape death during the incident. A source in Olugboro community told NAN that the dead people were maintenance workers, repairing crude oil pipelines at Olugboro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The explosion which occurred on Easter Sunday, also left several people injured.

Idabor said the survivor had drawn the attention of the oil workers to the breach of safety procedure and left the scene shortly before the incident occurred. “I received a report of the incident from our staff in Yenagoa office and luckily one of our officers on the team survived. “Because of the safety conditions of the place after inspection, my staff

left the place and he was not affected. “I am going to report the matter officially to the Minister of Environment today,” Idabor said. On July 9, 2015 a similar blast at Agip’s oil field in Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw left 14 people dead. A regulatory official of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment and NOSDRA and 12 maintenance crew members were among the victims.

President, Ogbakor Ikwerre, United States and Canada branch, Mr Fortune Woluwo (l) presenting document to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Mobile court jails motorist for bribing FRSC marshal

pecial Mobile Court sitting in Ekiadolor, near Benin, Edo State, yesterday sentenced a motorist, John Williams, to a 14-day imprisonment for attempting to bribe a Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, marshal on duty. The magistrate, Mrs. Franca Ogboator, convicted the accused on a three-count charge of number plate and seat belt violations as well as attempting to bribe a marshal. Ogboator, however,

gave the accused an option of N10,000 fine. The magistrate ordered the forfeiture of the money, which was admitted as exhibits to the Federal Government. She cautioned the convict to be of good behaviour always. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Williams had pleaded guilty to the charges. Earlier, the prosecution had told the mobile court that the accused, who resides at 8, Kudirat

Abiola Way, Oregun, in Ikeja, attempted to bribe the officer with N2,500 to escape arrest. Meanwhile, the Tollgate Unit of the FRSC said it prosecuted 39 offending motorists at a mobile court sitting in Ekiadolor during the Easter holidays. Unit commander, Mr. Adewale Ameen, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Benin that the offenders were arrested by a special patrol team during the Easter holidays.

He said they were arraigned before Mrs. Ogboator yesterday. Ameen said all the 39 offenders were found guilty of various traffic offences ranging from non-possession of passenger manifests to seat belt violations. The unit commander added that the court, which sentenced the motorists to various jail terms, however, gave each of the convicts an option of a fine, with a charge to obey traffic laws in the future.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Achieving food security, our priority —Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi AbujA

resident Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is trying to achieve food security following the fall in oil price. According to him, investing in sustainable agriculture is one of the best ways to provide jobs for the people and keep the nation productive. Buhari spoke yesterday while receiving the outgoing South Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Makuet Riak, at the Presidential Villa. According to a statement issued by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari told the outgoing envoy that Nigeria’s economy, which has been heavily dependent on oil over the years, has been adversely affected by the drop in global oil prices. “Investing in sustainable agriculture is one of the best ways to provide jobs

for the people and keep the nation productive. “Food security is important to any country and that is what we are trying to achieve here, years after we `threw away’ agriculture for oil,’’ the President said. Buhari urged the South Sudanese government to invest more in agriculture and not to be solely dependent on oil revenues to grow the nation’s economy. The President said South Sudan could avoid the mistake made by Nigeria in its over-reliance on oil revenue. Buhari also praised the excellent relations between Nigeria and South Sudan and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening existing bilateral ties. In his remarks, Riak described his four-year duty tour as his country’s first ambassador to Nigeria as very fruitful. He said South Sudan is blessed with fertile land and would welcome more investments from Nigerian companies.

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Troops kill five, arrest 15 cattle rustlers in N’West ...recover weapons, 1,304 livestock, destroy 10 camps

Ubong Ukpong AbujA

igerian Army yesterday said its troops on special operations in the North West have killed five and arrested 15 cattle rustlers and bandits. A statement released through its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, also stated that arms and ammunition, among other dangerous weapons, as well

as 1,304 livestock were recovered from the bandits. Usman further disclosed that 10 camps of the cattle rustlers were discovered and destroyed by troops. The army said troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies under the auspices of Operation ‘Sharan Daji,’ in the last one week recorded this tremendous success in the fight against cattle rustling, banditry and criminality, particularly in the North West.

“In Kaduna State, the Division’s Internal Security Force, DISFORCE, has recovered 108 livestock and killed one armed bandit and recovered one AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition. “In Zamfara State, which is 1 Brigade’s area of operation, the troops recovered 419 livestock, arrested one bandit and recovered a locally made pistol from him. “In Kano and Katsina states, the 3 Brigade was also able to recover 677 livestock,

destroyed 10 cattle rustlers and armed bandits camps and recovered four locally made pistols and seven dane guns. The troops also killed four cattle rustlers and arrested 14 other suspects,” Usman stated in his breakdown. He further said the ongoing operations are aimed at completely eradicating the menace of cattle rustling, armed banditry and other criminalities in the North West geo-political region of the country.

We’re working hard to change Nigeria –Lasun Ubong Ukpong AbujA

ouse of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun, says the Federal Government is working hard to change the country for good. Lasun therefore, called on all to be patient and support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards the actualisation of this change. A statement by his chief press secretary, Wole Oladimeji, yesterday, disclosed that Lasun said this during his coronation as Basorun of Obaagun, with his wife as Yeye Basorun of Obaagun, Lasun said, “We are going to struggle very hard to change Nigeria. We are committed in moving Nigeria forward; therefore, we seek cooperation with the administration of President Buhari.” He said the National Assembly is strongly backing the President in tackling the issue of corruption and that as soon as that is settled, people would begin to enjoy dividends of democracy. “On our part as legislators,

we will continue to raise bills that would change the face of the nation and complement the executive by providing enabling environment for the masses by empowering them,” he stated. Lasun, therefore, called for patience and perseverance so that government could be focused and do the needful to the people who have been suffering for very long. At the ceremony, His Royal Highness, HRH, Olobaagun of Obaagun, Oba Jimoh Adebisi Okunade, Kayode II, solicited the support of all for government to make Nigeria greater and better. He said Nigeria as a nation could not break up due to the unity and relationships that exist among various tribes in the country. The royal father maintained that whoever or group of people hoping or predicting that Nigeria would break up are only deceiving themselves. He stated that Nigeria as a nation is blessed with abundant resources that needs be annexed and develop the country to a level we want it to be, but that such could only be achieved through unity.

A member of Public Health Professional of Live Healthy Organisation (LHO), Christabel Okonji, attending to children at the Apa IDP camp during a Public Health Intervention Programme on Child Health in Apa LGA of Benue State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Police arrest 7-man inter-state car robbery gang pRiscilla dennis MinnA

seven-man syndicate of inter-state car robbery gang is currently in the net of the police command in Niger State after being caught negotiating the sale of a Lexus SUV Jeep for N700,000 in Minna, the state capital.

The vehicle marked Abuja, YAB-214TD, was forcefully taken away from the victim at Mabushi in Abuja and brought to Minna. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Bala Elkana, while parading the suspects, told newsmen that the command was able to arrest members of the gang and recover the car based on

a strong and reliable tip-off. According to him, during the robbery, while the husband and other victims were locked inside the toilet at Mabushi in Abuja, the gang carried his wife in the Lexus car to an ATM point where they forced her to withdraw N100,000. He said the car was brought into the state by a

Bello decries prevalence of begging in North

overnor Abubakar Bello of Niger State yesterday in Abuja expressed concerned over the rising level of street begging by children and women in the northern region. The governor stated this at a two-day conference on Promoting National Stability through Constructive Social Relations with

Constituted Authority, organised by Zaymar Islamic Research and Development Education Centre. Bello said the number of children and women who engaged in street begging portend serious security threat to the next generation and called for deliberate efforts to arrest the situation. The governor, who was

represented by his adviser on religious affairs, Alhaji Tanko Ahmad, called for deliberate efforts by all stakeholders in the region to end the menace. Bello expressed optimism that the outcome of the conference would provide solutions to the socioeconomic challenges facing the country and chart a new course for the nation.

transporter simply identified as Gideon who claimed to be a taxi driver in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, after being given to one Seidu Mohammed who is a motor mechanic that works on vehicles stolen before they are sold to willing buyers. The leader of the gang, Suleiman ‎Umar, a 23-yearold who hails from Kaduna, during an interview, confessed to stealing the car. He said they met the owner of the Lexus Jeep at a popular night club in Abuja, where he stole the masterkey which they used in accessing the apartment. After the arrest, items found by the police on the suspects are three laptops, a pistol, ATM cards, Lexus jeep, three wrist watches, gold rings and necklaces as well as cash in Naira, Dollars and CFA.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Politics

BVN exposed thousands of ghost workers in Bauchi State —Abubakar

Buhari’s change agenda needs time —Nwobodo EmmanuEl EzEh Enugu

former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Muhammadu Buhari as he works to actualize his change agenda. He made the declaration shortly after attending a reception organised in his hon-

our by the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. Nwobodo, who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, said “with time, the change will be manifested.” While re-stating that the change would come, he however, averred that the change might not come exactly the time we want it, advising Ni-

gerians to be patient. Nwobodo who built a Library Complex for Bigard Seminary when he was a governor, said though there were challenges facing the country, he was optimistic that the change was bound to bring out some pleasant surprises. He commended President Buhari over the ongoing implementation of the Single Treasury Account,

TSA expressing happiness that Nigeria had gotten a lot of funds through the implementation of the TSA. Reacting to the reception organised in his honour by the authorities of Bigard Memorial Seminary, the former Anambra Governor said he was overwhelmed and happy that he was remembered. Nwobodo expressed happiness that brilliant young men decided to leave every-

thing in the world to serve God, assuring them that they would be rewarded. Describing the seminary as the biggest in the world, he recalled that he was instrumental to the famous visit of the then pope of the Catholic Church to the seminary when he was governor. Going down memory lane, Senator Nwobodo, further recalled that when he was detained and released in

the past, Bigard also entertained him, adding that “the Catholic Church assisted me so much when I had challenges in the past.” Earlier in his speech, the Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Albert Okechukwu Ikpenwa commended Nwobodo for donating a library to the seminary, describing the library as one the best in the country.

Association donates items , seeks govt intervention for IDPs EzEkIEl tItus Bauchi

he Independent Multimedia Association, Bauchi state has donated items worth over N1 million to 750 internally displaced persons just as it seeks for government intervention to resettle the displaced persons The chairman of the association , Alhaji Sulaiman Shehu Usman while presenting the items to the IDP’s in Bauchi said, the aim is to bring succor to the affected persons. Items donated according to Usman are household Materials, wrappers, soaps, pomade, cooking materials, drugs among others The chairman stressed that, the decision to embark on the donation exercise followed their concern on the plights of the IDPs in the entire Northeast “The association find it deem as philanthropists to rekindle the hope of the victims of insurgency in the North/east region. However, our aim is to ensure peace and unity among our people” s Usman said. He stressed that the IDPs were identify through the religious and traditional leaders where some of them registered on arrival from various destinations. According to the chair-

man, the IDPs were given the relief materials based on their needs ranging from food stuffs, drugs, wrappers, household materials among others The association therefore urge stakeholders and government at all level to come to the rescue of the IDPs . Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Hajia Fatima Bama expressed gratitude for the gesture She said, she was forced to leave Bama, Borno state apparently to escape from the wrath of insurgency while others come from other states

L-R: Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger, Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi and Abiola Ajimobi Oyo State, during the 8th Bola Tinubu Colloquium as part of activities to mark Tinubu’s 64th birthday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday.

Ortom inaugurates BSIEC, calls for transparent LGs elections hEnry IyorkasE Makurdi

overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday inaugurated a seven-man State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC with a charge on them to ensure fairness and accountability in the conduct of the forthcoming councils polls in the state . He gave this charge while performing the inauguration ceremony at the People’s House in Makurdi as he enjoined the members to be prudent and accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities . He urged the appointees to be liberal in their conduct with a view to ensuring that

the elections which is to hold in the second quarter of the year is anchored on fairness to all the parties concerned in the state . He however assured the populace that the forthcoming council poll would be devoid of any acrimony

which often associated with the conduct of elections such as manipulations of electoral materials and snatching of ballot boxes . Earlier, the Chairman of BSIEC, Dr. John Tsuwa pledged on behalf of the

members to carry out the assignment with diligence and urged the stakeholders to give them maximum cooperation to enable them achieve the desired result . According to him, “ left to us as individuals we can’t achieve anything if the

stakeholders do not give us the nod to do what is expected as electoral umpire”.. Governor Ortom reconstituted the new commission following the expiration of the tenure of Professor Philips Ahire’s team a fortnight ago .

Ishaku refutes rumour of cabinet shake up JustIn tyopuusu Jalingo

overnor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state has denied the rumour making the rounds that he is set to drop some of his appointees, following his victory at the Supreme Court.

Ishaku who made this known yesterday in Jalingo in a chat with journalists said he was not contemplating dropping any of his appointees at the moment, adding that the appointees did not in any way affect the running of government as salaries were been paid as at when due.

The governor was reacting to a story in a national weekly publication that he was forced to make some appointments when his election was being challenged in court to win the sympathy of people and satisfy certain interests and that soon he will drop many of his appointees. “I know very well that

Taraba is a civil service state and when I pay salaries I know the extent to which people benefit. “I did not just made the appointments because Taraba is a civil service state and I want to give people a source of living, no. I give them work to do and there is so much to be done.

Politics

Barrister Mohammed Abubukar is the governor of Bauchi State. He spoke with journalists who witnessed an award presented to him by the Forum of former National Assembly Distinguished and Honourable Members (of the 1st - 4th Republics) in Abuja at the weekend on some of his achievements in office and effects of the Boko Haram insurgency among others. MARCUS FATUNMOLE was there for National Mirror. Excerpts:

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

BVN exposed thousands of ghost workers in Bauchi State —Abubakar Till daTe, we have discovered abouT

22,000 workers who are doubTful,

i don’T wanT To say They are ghosT workers, and

Are you talking about your predecessor? Yes. That is the government I took over from. So, I felt there is a need for me to devote 16 per cent of the budget to surpass the Abuja declaration which requests that at least 15 per cent of the budget be devoted to health. One issue that has been trending in

i do

noT wanT To say we have discovered

22, 000 ghosT

How do you feel about this award? I feel humbled, but also highly elated for receiving the award; my reason being that it is traditional for top ranking officers of Nigeria to be offered awards of different types. In some cases, the office holders even solicit for the awards. But, in this case, this is an award coming from a set of people who have played their roles in the development of the nation at one point or the other – the Association of Senators and House of Representatives members from the first to the fourth republic headed by no other person than, Dr. Joseph Wayas. He was one time Senate President. They surprised me with this award. This is the reason why I said I am humbled and I am highly elated, but I feel reinvigorated in the service of my state. Your government recently set the pace in the country by allocating 16 per cent of the state budget to the health sector. What motivated you in doing this? If you look at all the indices, in terms of maternal mortality and infant mortality you will discover that my state virtually brings up the button. We are probably better than only one or two states in that respect. So, for anybody who wishes to engender development in the polity where he heads, he must strive to provide good health care delivery system because that is the beginning of everything. Health they say is wealth, health is everything. Even this politics we play, if you are not healthy, you will not be able to play it. So, I realized the need for me to do something different from the way health delivery system was being run in my state . When I took over, I discovered a lot of money had been sunk in the sector, but no corresponding results because what they succeeded in doing was to erect a lot of infrastructure. In a lot of cases, they provided good infrastructures, good equipment but no trained hands to manage them.

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workers because iT is give and Take. before this committee, this committee will interrogate them, this committee will record their statements under caution, this committee will compile a case therein so that ultimately we will prosecute this people. But, we are doing this very carefully because not only that am I a lawyer, I was a one- time director of prosecution. So, I know what it requires to succeed in prosecuting most people, what must be in the file, so I have set up that committee to compile those files for me.

Abubukar various states of the nation and indeed at the federal level is tracking ghost workers from the payroll, what is the situation like in your state? I have done a lot to checkmate ghost workers in my state. That is the burning issue now in Bauchi. From January to date, I have embarked on an exercise to cleanse the payroll of Bauchi state. I started with a physical verification, and then I went into Bank Verification Numbers, BVN. And, BVN has done a lot for us. Till date, we have discovered about 22,000 workers who are doubtful, I don’t want to say they are ghost workers, and I do not want to say we have discovered 22, 000 ghost workers because it is give and take. They may be genuine workers that have been caught up with one glitch or the other in the system because technology itself has its glitches. For example, for my deputy, the result of the BVN crosscheck came up negative for him for the simple reason that the name which he registered for the BVN and the name we are calling him officially on the payroll of Bauchi are different. So, there may be instances like that. But, I know for a fact that no matter what, those instances will not surpass 5,000. So, even if they go up to 5,000 we have still discovered upwards of 10,000

ghost workers in Bauchi state. There is need to promptly make scape goat of people promoting this corruption. The Finance Minister reportedly said many bank managers would go to jail as a result of ghost workers. Can we start this punishment from Bauchi state? They are not scape goats, they are culprits. Anybody who perpetrates this is not a scape goat. And, what I have done is to set up a panel of experts comprising a high ranking lawyer from the Ministry of Justice, a high ranking detective from the police, another detective from the SSS, one from the Office of the Accountant-General, another from the Office of the Auditor-General. As I am speaking to you now, they are sitting in Bauchi, they are scrutinizing all the papers in respect of those culprits we have been able to pinpoint, because there are some cases where you will see a male name with the BVN and another female name with the same BVN, meaning the genuine worker is receiving two salaries, one in respect of his name and the other in respect of the female’s name. For such people, we have brought them

The focus of the global community is on the North-East in which your state falls, what would you want the global community to at least assist your state with now? By the grace of the almighty God, even though we are located within the NorthEastern sub-region, we have not been in the epic center of the Boko Haram insurgency. But, that is not to say we have not suffered. We have suffered in terms of being peaceful, therefore, everyone who runs away from the war zone run over to us. By our estimation, Bauchi metropolis would have been satisfied with 12.5 million litres of water per day, but today the requirement of water in Bauchi state metropolis surpasses five million litres. That is because of the sudden influx of people into the state. And, that is not the only service that is overstretched because of that. All the other services are overstretched. Go to Bauchi now, a lot of youngsters even those that found themselves in schools are learning in some cases under trees because we don’t have the classrooms. We have had a sudden influx, so these are areas where the international help should come in. But, most importantly, the root cause of the insurgency must be addressed; poverty, ignorance. If you do not address them, you come over and do a wishy-washy job, rebuild classrooms, rebuild hospitals and other government structures that have been destroyed by Boko Haram and you do not address the problems of poverty and ignorance, then you have not done anything.

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Politics

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Aregbesola has lost focus —Ogunwale Senator Felix Ogunwale was until recently a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, but announced his return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the Central Senatorial District meeting of the party held in Osogbo. Ogunwale, who represented the Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007 at the Red Chamber in a media chat, explained why he left APC. BOLADALE BAMGBOLA brings excerpts: some quarters for lacking coordination. What is your take? I just told you that when Aregbesola came in , he was doing what people of Osun wanted. But now all that have changed. People of Osun called him,’ symbol’ then. I don’t know if they still call him that. I urge you now to go to the streets and call 100 people interview them about happenings in Osun at the moment and bring back your report. I am certain 80 people will tell you Osun is in wrong hand. I will never belong to a party where advices are always rejected. Even if at all they will not be used, the right thing is that those in authority must listen to advice. I am back in PDP for good.

Your left PDP for APC almost two years ago and the party is still in power. Why did you dump APC again for PDP? May be you are not living in the state but I will answer you. First and foremost, when the incumbernt governor, Rauf Aregbesola came to power, he was with the people. He was tarring roads and engaged in some living- changing projects and that drew people to his side. In any new administration, especially in Osun here, people formed their opinion about government, looking at the numbers of roads your have tarred. By then, he realised 90 per cent of Osun people are with him. What was your contribution to the successes recorded at the time? I will not say probably, that my advice was part of the successes recorded during the period. I belonged to the populace. I have never belonged to the elite. Oyinlola, then was believed to have done some things that affected the fortune of PDP and made people to turn against us. In Aregbesola then, Osun people saw a Messiah, a saint. But has that changed? Go to the streets, call 10 people and interview them. I am certain not even two out of the number will praise Aregbesola. Osun people have shifted base and I have to move with them because I belong to them. Immediately after the August 2014 elections that returned Aregbesola to office, did you see any serious work on the projects he initiated? You live in this state , lets face the reality. So what am I doing in APC again? They know that wherever I am, the party will carry the day. So you mean joining PDP now will return the party to power soon? Look, 50 of Aregbesolas, 150 of Tinubus

With your coming back to PDP, can we safely assume that former President Obasanjo is close to returning to PDP bearing in mind your closeness? No comment .

I just told you that when

aregbesola came In , he

was doIng what

osun wanted. but

people of Ogunwale cannot stop PDP from gaining control of government in Osun come 2018. I am speaking from the position of someone that sees the two parties and know the political terrain of Osun inside out. APC has lost focus and that is why someone like me that be-

longs to the masses, who never belong to the elite is moving out. You just declared that APC has lost focus, but the PDP your are moving to has been coming under attacks from

now all that

have changed.

Adams, Oyebode, Afenifere chieftains mourn Braithwaite RobeRt Awokuse

ore reactions continued to trail the demise of the late politician and elder statesman, Dr Tunji Braithwaite. Braithwaite who passed on Monday in a Lagos hospital has since been receiving accolades for what many described as a fulfilled life lived by the late sage. In his message, Professor of International Law, Akin Oyebode said “a big tree has fallen in the forest. Tunji Braithwaite abandoned his class in favour of the poor, marginalised and the underprivileged.” Oyebode lamented that the late legal icon and activist did not live long enough to achieve his goal of a better society. He however expressed optimism that his legacy would be endured by posterity. In his submission, Afenifere chieftain, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi said “for his legacy and ide-

ology to be sustained, the best thing for you and me is to continue to insist that Nigeria must have true federalism. Look at what is happening at all levels of government, we have someone you call a president when really and truly he is a monarch or a dictator. “So in a country that is multi- lingual, multi -cultural and virtually in everything we are not the same; the diversity is very clear, so we should have true federalism for the peace and progress of the country. Also speaking, the Lagos State Chairman of Afenifere, Chief Supo Shonibare said Braithwaite stood for the interest of the underdog and oppressed in the society. The National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC and Founder of Oodua Progressives Union, OPU, Otunba Gani Adams said: “The death of elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite marks a closure in another chapter in the history of our great country Nigeria. Dr. Tunji Braithwaite though died at a ripe age of 82, but his death

at this point of our political life has robbed Nigerians of the opportunity to drink from his rich pot of wisdom”. “As the last man standing from the political titans of the second republic, during which he founded the Nigerian Advance Party, NAP, Dr. Braithwaite surely contributed his quota to the growth of his fatherland. “I saw him from close range as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference during which he canvassed for a confederal constitution. “His robust contributions to deliberations and discussions on the floor of conference contributed in no small measures to the success of the National Conference. With his death, let those in authority go back to his advice that the Conference must be as much a development conference as a constitutional one,” he said. He further urged the federal government to set to work the machinery to immortalize the great nationalist.

Braithwaite

Mail Mirror

Politics

From The Senate with

George OJI

or the first time since the commencement of the current democratic dispensation in May 1999, the National Assembly last week Wednesday, March 23, passed the first All Progressive Congress, APC - Government owned budget; the 2016 budget appropriation bill. The 2015 budget that the APC has been implementing since last year was prepared by the former PDP Government. The passing of the 2016 budget bill by the National Assembly was historic in many ways. First, it was the first time that the two chambers of the National Assembly closed ranks and worked in harmony, such that the two arms of the legislature passed the harmonized versions of the same budget separately on the same day. As a result, there was no need of setting up a conference committee to reconcile the separate versions of the bill by the two chambers as used to be the case in the past. Right from the onset, there was a common understanding at the leadership of the parliament, particularly at the level of the two appropriation committees of the National Assembly to approach the budget jointly by the two chambers of the legislature. This was why during the budget defence exercise by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government, MDAs, the joint committee chairmen of the appropriation committees had course to carry out joint press briefings to update the media, albeit, Nigerians on the progress of the budget, particularly the challenges they met along the way. Secondly, this was about the first time that the lawmakers were very circumspect and painstaking in scrutinizing the budget, leading to all the expositions witnessed from the document, which led to the now famous cliché of budget padding, budget manipulations and budget tampering. A corollary of the on-going was that also for the first time, the lawmakers had course to reduce, instead of upping or padding the total figures of the budget; slashing the N6.08 trillion budget originally submitted to the parliament by President Muhammadu Buhari by N17 billion to N6.060 trillion. In the past, it was the lawmakers that used to encourage the MDAs to pad up their budget and at the end when the first releases were made, favours exchanged hands. One unique component of this year’s budget is that even though it has been passed in March, there is a provision in the bill by the lawmakers that its implementation must run a 12- month full financial year circle. “In line with the provisions of section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, this bill will run for a course of 12 months, starting from the date it is assented into law,” section 11 of the budget read. Moving forward, as part of the new budget innovations, it is expected that the lawmakers would not just stop at passing the bill, but would in addition, up their over-sighting of the implementation of the budget, such that the document would serve the main purpose of impacting positively on the lives of Nigerians. The journey that finally culminated in the passage of the 2016 budget appropriation bill last week was actually began on December 22, last year when President Buhari presented the document before a joint sitting of the National Assembly. In a very glamorous event that had in attendance all members of the National Assembly and almost all the members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC who accompanied the President on the trip, Buhari laid before the parliament a budget proposal that contained the estimates of revenue and expenditure of the Federation for the 2016 fiscal year in the aggregate sum of N6,077,688,000,000 (Six Trillion, seventy seven billion, six hundred and eighty million naira) only. Out of the principal amount, N351,370,000,000 (Three hundred and fifty one billion, three hundred and seventy million naira) only is for statutory transfers, N1,475,320,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred and seventy five billion, three hundred and twenty million naira) only is for debt services, while N2,648,600,000,000 (Two trillion, six hundred and forty eight billion, six hundred million naira) only is for recurrent (Non-debit) expenditure. The document also showed that the sum of N1,845,540,000,000 (One trillion, eight hundred and forty five billion, five hundred and forty million naira), inclusive of N157, 150,000,000 (One hundred and fifty seven billion, one

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How National Assembly passed first APC wholly owned 2016 Budget

Dogara

Saraki

They also recommended proper engagemenTs in The fuTure beTween The budgeT office of

federaTion and The mdas on budgeT The

conTenTs hundred and fifty million naira) capital expenditure in statutory transfers and N86,000,000,000 (Eighty six billion) as interest on capitalized loans is for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2016. In the senate, the 2016 appropriation bill was debated for three days, including Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 January 2016 respectively. The bill was read the second time on January 27, passed and consequently referred to the committee on appropriations for further legislative action. Thereafter, the appropriation committee developed a work plan in consultation with the senate leadership and leadership of the standing committees to advance work on the bill. Subsequently, work at the level of the various subcommittees of appropriation held between February 1 and March 8, 2016. In the course of the work of the appropriation committee, a joint meeting of the senate and House of Representatives committees on appropriation held an interactive session with the Minister of Budget and National Planning (Senator Udo Udoma Udo), Minister of Finance (Mrs. Kemi Adeosun), Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN (Mr. Godwin Emefiele), Accountant General of the Federation and the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify grey areas of the budget. While preparing the details of the 2016 budget, the National Assembly adopted a bench mark of $38 per barrel on crude oil, based on the recommendation of the National Assembly on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF and the Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP. The executive proposals of crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) and an exchange rate of N197 to $1 were also adopted. After due consideration of the submissions of the various sub-committees and interaction with relevant stakeholders, the National Assembly finally approved the following figures

for the 2016 budget appropriation; Aggregate expenditure, N6,060,677,358,227, N351,370,000,000 is for statutory transfers, N1,475,320,000,000 is for debt services, N2,646,389,236,196 represents recurrent expenditure, N1,587,598,122,031 is for capital expenditure while N2,204,936,925,711.16 represents the amount dedicated to fiscal deficit. The joint appropriation committees of the two chambers of the National Assembly said they observed during the course of working on the 2016 budget that the figures from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government were fraught with some inconsistencies, which goes against proper budgetary procedures and processes, with attendant implications. They also observed that available revenue for appropriation was grossly inadequate to meet huge the demands of the MDAS to prosecute needed programmes for national development across all spheres of the economy. In addition, the lawmakers observed that the 2016 budget appropriation seeks to stimulate the economy, but regretted that the recurrent expenditure as compared to the capital component at a ratio of 30:70 per cent is very high, which takes away from the infrastructural stimulus funding that the country so desperately needs for development. This was as the lawmakers further regretted that the 2016 appropriation contained a number of omissions, particularly in the area of personnel cost, which compelled the appropriation committees to fill some of the gaps, even as there are many outstanding cases, which could raise serious concerns in the course of the year. In view of the observed shortcomings, the lawmakers recommended that subsequent budgets should be submitted in strict compliance with the provision of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, to enable the National Assembly conduct proper engagement and to conclude the budget process in good time. They also recommended proper engagements in the future between the budget office of the Federation and the MDAs on budget contents, in order to avoid what appears to be a disconnect between them and the processing of budget proposals to ensure harmony between the parties. The lawmakers further recommended that Government must endeavour to increase and diversify its revenue generation stream, given the yarning gap between collectible revenue and actual collections. Finally, the lawmakers urged that from the 2017 fiscal year, Government should endeavor to shore up capital expenditure by substantially reducing recurrent expenditure, because this is the only way to free resources for critical infrastructure towards economic growth and development.

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South West

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Ekiti begins N5.7bn flyover, to complete other projects abiOdun nejO ADO EKITI

Students of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, waiting for hostel allocation as they resumed yesterday after a 4-week forced holiday. PHOTO:NAN

Lagos at 50: Ambode’s choice of Soyinka in order –Group Francis suberu

oalition of Ibile Professionals yesterday supported Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s choice of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as co-chair of ‘Lagos at 50’ celebration committee. According to a statement released by its general secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Hassan, the group said Governor Ambode’s decision to include the Nobel Laureate was in order, adding that members of Eko Foundation are rabble-rousers and noise makers seeking cheap publicity and relevance.

Alhaji Hassan stated that Lagos State is made up of five divisions, namely: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe, adding that all the divisions are relevant for the progress of the state. He condemned insinuation that indigenes were marginalised just because some Eko Foundation members who are exclusively from the Lagos Island division, have lost out in the search for appointment. He said the Lagos Island division enjoyed the seat of power in Lagos in the last eight years as against other divisions, and that the Coalition of Ibile Professionals would

resist any campaign of calumny against Governor Ambode who, he said, has been successfully balancing the state affairs and appointments to the excitement of all divisions of the state. Alhaji Hassan vowed that members of Coalition of Ibile Professionals shall not fold their arms and allow the so-called indigenes with foreign names to usurp stable and peaceful co-existence in the state. He said: “How else can one describe the President of Eko Foundation, Professor Oluwole Smith, who failed to qualify on the list for Lagos State University, LASU vice chancellorship in the last

selection process or is it Mrs. Teju Philips or Mr. Lawal Pedro who have non-indigene antecedents, and cannot therefore claim to be more saintly than the Pope. “We should be grateful for having Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi and Professor Wole Soyinka appointed by a governor who has recognised their qualities to add glamour and depth to an international event for celebration of a cosmopolitan city like Lagos. “Eko Foundation should purge themselves of its base and narrow sentiments if it expects to be taken seriously. Enough is enough,” Alhaji Hassan said.

Keep off our party, LP warns Mimiko OjO Oyewamide AKURE

ndo State chapter of Labour Party has warned Governor Olusegun Mimiko against creating crisis in the party with a view to dividing it in the state. A statement issued yesterday in Akure by its state secretary, Ronke Akerele, said the party would not participate in the April 23 local government elections. The party appealed to Governor Mimiko to keep off and stop controlling it through the use of some impostors who have been

speaking on its behalf. It said: “Our attention has been drawn to the plan of the governor to keep parading fifth columnists as self-styled members of the party for selfish interest. We hereby state clearly that anyone who is not known to our party cannot speak or represent our party in any capacity. “We also wish to inform the general public that Labour Party shall not participate in the waddle council election. The party appeals to the governor to channel his energy to the task of governing the state at this critical period.

“We shall rather engage the government in constructive criticism for the benefit of all, which we consider more important than petty issues of divisive politics that is fast becoming trademark.” The party urged the

governor to pay salary arrears of the state workers as soon as possible to reduce the hardship of the people. Governor Mimiko was a member of the Labout Party till October 2014 when he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

kiti State government yesterday flagged off construction of a 1.2-kilometre flyover to ease vehicular movement in the state capital. The governor said the flyover, which would take traffic from the High Court area to Ojumose area of the capital city, and which is expected to be completed in two years, would gulp N5.7 billion. The governor, who spoke while flagging off the project in Ado Ekiti, assured that his administration would complete all ongoing projects before its termination in 2018. He promised to extend the ongoing dualisation of Ado-Ekiti road to Ikere Ekiti roundabout, in addition to making impacts in all council areas of the state in terms of infra-

structural development. The governor who promised to leave behind good legacies in the state, said: “I will not leave behind any project uncompleted. I will not leave behind any liability for my successor. “There will be a new ultra-modern state High Court Complex before I leave office. What (the court complex) we have here is the way we inherited it from the old Ondo State, nothing has been added to it,” he said. The governor said he would comply with an order of the court, asking him to stop the Ekiti Airport project and payment of N5 million damages to the displaced farmers and landowners. He said he would consequently follow the right path for the project, saying that “the Ekiti airport project is dear to me and Ekiti State.”

Truck crushes woman to death in Ekiti abiOdun nejO ADO EKITI

middle-aged woman on a commercial motorbike was yesterday crushed to death by a tipper truck in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti, the state capital. Rider of the commercial motorbike, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, has been rushed to nearby Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, where he is receiving medical attention. Eye-witnesses, who traced the cause of the accident to failure of the truck’s brake, said the truck driver, on seeing what he had done, ran away before anyone could rush to the scene to rescue the victims. When journalists visited the accident scene yesterday morning, men of

the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Nigeria police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were already on ground, managing the development. FRSC public enlightenment officer in the state, Mohammed Olowo, said the body of the deceased has been deposited at EKSUTH mortuary. The FRSC official said: “We do not know the whereabouts of the driver now, but the Association of Tipper Drivers in the state has come in. The truck would be impounded and taken to the police station. We have also rushed the Okada rider to the hospital because he was seriously wounded. We are appealing to members of the public who know the dead woman to come to the state mortuary for her body.”

Oyo workers issue 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

rganised labour in Oyo State has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the state government to settle over five months arrears of salaries owed the workers. The ultimatum was issued yesterday in Ibadan by the Nigeria Labour Con-

gress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and Joint Negotiation Council, JNC. State NLC Chairman, Mr Waheed Olojede, who spoke at a news conference, said the 7-day ultimatum would commence today and lapse on Thursday, April 7.

He said the unions had considered the prevailing condition of workers and pensioners with five months unpaid salaries and the failure of government to accede to previous requests. The government and the unions in 2015 signed

a memorandum of understanding on how the salaries would be paid. Olojede said the unions had written to the state government requesting for a meeting, which he claimed the government failed to accept

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Still on Lagos and menace of open defecation AlAo diyAolu

his rather shameful culture of open defecation has continued to stain the image of Lagos as a rising mega city. For, adults the business is often done under the cover of darkness. For children, it is usually done in the open under the supervision of adults. This horrible practice is one of the fundamental aspects of sanitation issues that mirror our underdevelopment as a nation. Open defecation has unhealthy and unhygienic repercussions. Despite all the infrastructure renewal efforts of the Lagos State government, poor sanitation and open defecation practice remains a hurdle the state must overcome before entering the league of developed cities. From Agege to Apapa; Epe to Badia; Ikorodu to Badagry, and other such communities in the state, it is common to see people on the highways disembarking from their cars to defecate openly along the road. Walking along the railroad tracks even gives one more panoramic view of things as people - male and female - engage in mass open defecation. On the streets, behind bushes, in groves of trees, in rivers or streams, inside gutters, dump sites, in motor parks, markets and what have you, people use faeces to litter the environment with impunity. Even some of the fanciest areas are not exempted. The question is why is the practice so rampant? Many of those who indulge in the

habit come into Lagos without making any arrangement for a decent accommodation. Just like people travelling abroad without any conceived idea of how they could earn a decent living, many people see Lagos as the New York of Nigeria. They came to the city and make garages and other open spaces their homes, where they sleep and do other things. But not just the homeless defecate openly in Lagos; many residents of populated areas built in the classic ‘face-me-I-face-you’ model are also guilty of this. In many of the poor neighbourhoods in the city, where these houses may be found, poor sanitary condition reigns supreme. Hence, it is not out of place to see houses with more than 30 tenants without a single latrine. Some other buildings have latrines that are unusable or overfilling and had to be abandoned. In such a situation, people resort to open defecation. Unfortunately, however, it seems only few people appreciate the extent of this problem which could degenerate into an epidemic in the state. It is a fact that many deadly diseases currently ravaging the world are linked to open defecation and other poor sanitary practices. The practice triggers death, contaminates food, transmits diseases, causes respiratory diseases and other related diseases. A study has claimed that open defecation can cause mental and cognitive stunting among young people. Many people seem not to understand that the quality of our lives is substantially

a 2012 WorLd bank report reveaLs that

nigeria Loses n455 biLLion annuaLLy due to poor sanitation

a reflection of the quality of the environment which we inhabit. Many still seem not to comprehend that open defecation creates a host of problems that exceed the merely aesthetic. Beside health implications, open defecation also affects the economy. A 2012 World Bank report reveals that Nigeria loses N455 billion annually due to poor sanitation. This is 1.3 percent of the national GDP. It should also be understood that an individual produces 200 gram of feaces every day. One can imagine the volume of the mess that goes in to the river and those that end up in our source of water and food when there is flood. Worryingly, according to WHO, one gram faeces of an infected person can have up to 10,000,000 viruses, 1, 000, 000 bacteria and 1000 parasite cysts and 100 parasite eggs. The next question is what should be done? In Lagos, open defecation is against the law. But it is not suffice to simply enact a law and say people

For the uniformed critics of Nelly Mayshak Aminu AbdullAhi

t is important for people to note that once there are indications of misdemeanors and investigations are ongoing every one remains innocent until proven guilty. The embattled Director General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs Nelly Mayshak, was recently suspended to allow for investigation of allegation of corruption at PTAD under her watch. Let it be unequivocally stated that no one has accused her officially of embezzlement as investigations are still ongoing. It would be recalled that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosu, in a statement signed by her Special Adviser (Media), Mr Festus Akanbi, said the suspension was only a “normal” process, adding that the Ministry of Finance “promises to make public the findings of the investigative panel on the issues leading to the suspension.” No one has officially found her guilty yet. It is a public display of ignorance when people resort to the social media to publish libelous articles all in a bid to seek for cheap popularity. There has been unconfirmed report that Mayshak earns a whooping between N50 and 60 million as monthly salary. This is false and baseless. But assuming this is true, then the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commissions should be taken to task by her critics since it amongst other functions advises the federal and state gov-

Let it be unequivocaLLy stated that no one has

accused her officiaLLy of embezzLement…

ernments on National Income policy, instead of displaying their ignorance via the social media. It is impossible for her to earn such out of this world salary since her emoluments are subject to approval by the Commission and anyone in doubt should go to the Commission for verification instead of spreading cheap and baseless rumors. Well, let us things that are true about this woman. Nellie Mayshak, spent years working for the government of Ontario, and no one ever accused her of stealing and corruption. It is true she left a good legacy while working for the government of Ontario and that legacy lives on even while now working for Nigeria as PTAD DG. One of her critics says she is nominated for “every manner of society award. Yet, she was on the high table at every event.” Yes, Mayshak has received several awards in appreciation of bringing glow to the face of pensioners. Some pensioners had told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the verification exercise held sometimes in February 2015 under Mayshak’s watch was the best since the history of pensioners’ verification in the country. A retired Commissioner of Police, Chief Samuel Fetipigi, said the pen-

sioners were happy with the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme being transferred to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) under Mayshaks watch. According to him, ``All the problems that had beset the payment of police pensioners are being resolved by PTAD. ``Our pension has been updated to the new rate, while many of the arrears have been paid. I am sure that by the end of this exercise, all police pensioners, including widows and the next of kin would not have problems anymore,’’’ he said. Mrs Mayshack has assured that any police pensioner not captured in the exercise still had another chance to do so in the zonal offices. She also digitized the old pension scheme known as Defined Benefits Scheme for effective service delivery to ensure seamless payment of pensioners as well as bring transparency into the system. PTAD under her watch leveraged on technology to get database of pensioners and to help the agency to know the actual number of pensioners by removing ghost pensioners from the system. For a woman that has done this much for pensioners, we don’t need a Pius to tell us to nominate her for society award and make her to be on the high table at every event, we know she deserves it so he should keep his advice to himself. Sometimes in May 12, 2015, Ordinary Ahmed of the popular radio programme “Berekete family”, had

should stop defecating in the open without sufficiently changing their mentality. The government needs more campaigns to enlighten the populace about the danger of open defecation as a lot of people are still ignorant of the UN-supported Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) operational in the state since 2013, which places the burden on communities to take responsibility for the sanitation of their environment. Perhaps, the campaign should not be left for the government alone. The media, artists, comedians, religious bodies and civil society group etc, should be actively involved. Our popular musicians can take a clue popular musician, Lagbaja (the masked one), who once called on those who defecate openly in the city to return to their villages. It is also important for agencies saddled with the responsibility of enforcing sanitation laws in Lagos to be alive to their responsibilities. In other countries like Nepal, where only about 46 percent of the population have access to toilets, Nepalese have adopted a name and shame approach where offenders’ names were pasted in the community centre. This method though has not stopped the practice, but it has nonetheless been effective. Can Lagos borrow this unique model? Diyaolu wrote from Agbado- Ijaiye, Lagos.

invited Mayshak for clarifications on accusations of not respecting civil service rules. Her response: “That is not true I did not appoint myself, I do not monitor myself, the agency reports directly to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and the Hon. Minister of Finance; there is a permanent secretary. We are bound by the rules of the public services. The office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is our boss that we report to. National Pension Commission (PENCOMM) is our regulator, we have a host of institutions agencies of government that we report to that regulate our activities and are truly in support of the effort that we are carrying out in PTAD. We are bound by the rules and we obey all the laws of the public service of Nigeria”. This outstanding public sector reform expert that has worked in the Canadian public service and those of Ghana, Liberia, Sudan, Kenya and South Africa, etc, cannot be rubbished and pulled down by some uncouth writers. I advise critics to keep mute and await the findings of an on-going investigation. That the egg from the farmer’s poultry smells foul does not mean we should behead the farmer. Abdullahi wrote from Akwanga, Nasarawa 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 30 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

Eligibility of school fees, medicals for forex allocation

ate last month, while speculation was rife that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might add foreign exchange allocation for the payment of school fees and medical treatment abroad to the 41 items already on its forex restriction list, the bank went public with a livid riposte, dismissing the whispering as mere misgivings. A statement credited to its Director of Corporate Communications, Mallam Ibrahim Mu’azu, implored the public to disregard the public impression that the CBN had stopped the allocation of forex to Nigerians seeking to pay school fees and medical bills overseas. We cannot discountenance the possibility that CBN’s reaction was in response to the harm the speculation did to the exchange rate of the naira at the time. For reports revealed that the rumour engendered the hoarding of the dollar by hard currency speculators, leading to the drastic shot down of the value of the naira from N307 to the dollar a week earlier to N345, about 12.3 percent depreciation. It is, therefore, not improbable that CBN spoke up to forestall further sharp drop in the value of the local currency. Few days before CBN cleared the air, however, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Edu-

cation Trust Fund (TETFund), Senator Binta Masi, said Nigeria was currently spending over $2 billion annually in capital flight on education overseas. Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji also revealed that as two years ago, 30,000 Nigerians spent $1 billion annually on medical tourism. The international rating of Nigerian universities presently is also anything but flattering. Indeed, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings released last September indicated that only one Nigerian university - the University of Ibadan - ranked among the first top 800 universities in the world. It was number 601 out of the 800 universities surveyed. On health, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ranking of the World’s Health Systems’ placed Nigeria in the 187th position out of 190 countries sampled, a report published early this month said. We had contended in times past that the government’s tardiness in making the nation’s education sector work bespeaks of its poor sense of commitment, whether at federal or state level, to the welfare of Nigerian students and their parents, who make enormous sacrifices for the acquisition of tertiary education locally. Nigerian top officials feel no

We… strongly suggest that the Fg should extend its iron cast restriction on Forex to Foreign education and medical tourism qualms in allowing the nation’s public universities to decay simply because most of them have no stake in the nation’s universities. With their jumbo pay, out-ofthis-world allowances and other perquisites, they can afford to send their children to expensive schools abroad or to fix them in very expensive private universities in the country. The same goes for the health sector. This trend in vogue for decades had made many argue, based on the reality of Nigerian leaders’ crude selfishness that only a strictly enforced rule barring top public officials from educating their children and wards outside of the public school system while the functionaries are still in office can guarantee a change of attitude by the government to the decay in the public education system. We wholly back this view, not just for the education sector, but for its health counterpart as well. And we would disagree with any

protest from the affected officials that such a policy would strip them of their right to educate their children wherever they prefer; the truth being that the typical Nigerian official today is so unreasonably selfish and callous in attending to the public’s welfare that none should opt to take up a public appointment if he or she does not accept such basic conditions of serving a public that is being shamefully cheated. We recall that in 2012, the then Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, spoke of plans by the government to stop public servants from wasting public funds on foreign medical trips; in a country where past and present heads of state, governors, law makers, ministers, commissioners and top civil servants – alongside their families – routinely troop abroad for medical care, sometimes to indulge, at tax payers’ expense, in such vanities as tucking in their bloated tummies! Prof. Chukwu’s revelation has turned out a hollow outburst by a top government functionary, unfortunately. We, therefore, strongly suggest that the FG should extend its iron cast restriction on forex to foreign education and medical tourism, especially involving the children and wards of politicians and top bureaucrats, if it truly wants to salvage those sectors from further ruin.

ON THIS DAY March 30, 1976 The first ‘Land Day’ protests were staged in Israel/ Palestine. Land Day is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians of the events of that date in 1976. In response to the Israeli government’s announcement of a plan to expropriate thousands of dunams of land for security and settlement purposes, a general strike and marches were organized in Arab towns from the Galilee to the Negev.

March 30, 1981 United States’ President Ronald Reagan and three others were shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C. hotel by John Hinckley, Jr. Two people were wounded, but there were no fatalities immediately. White House Press Secretary, James Brady, who was left paralyzed from a gunshot wound related to the shooting died in 2014, while Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

March 30, 2009 Twelve gunmen attacked the Manawan Police Academy in Lahore, Pakistan and took over the main building during a morning parade. About 750 unarmed police recruits were on the parade ground at the time of the incident. Security forces arrived 90 minutes later and were able to take back the building by 3.30 pm. Five trainees, two instructors and a passer-by were killed, while a suspect was captured alive in a field near the school.

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Health & Wellbeing

Diarrhoea: How inappropriate treatment kills 2970 U-5 children annually in Lagos 22

FG reassures on free treatment of TB

TB: Not yet success story for Nigeria •Records 250,000 deaths annually •Ranks No. 4 among high-burdened countries •Undetected and Undiagnosed tuberculosis on the increase •WHO says battle is only half-won globally Sam EfEraro

he World Tuberculosis Day was marked worldwide on Thursday March 24, the 134th anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of mycobacterium tuberculosis, with a call by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for new commitments and new action in the global fight against tuberculosis – one of the world’s top infectious killers. However, while WHO seems happy that there has been tremendous progress in recent years as the world is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reversing the spread of TB by 2015 the story in Nigeria was not so impressive. The health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole announced that the country is still recording as many as 250,000 deaths every year from the disease while there is “a distressing” rise in cases of undetected and undiagnosed tuberculosis in the country. In a speech at a World TB Day event

Global Fact File •9.6 million people fell ill with TB in 2014, including 1.2 million people living with HIV. •In 2014, 1.5 million people died from TB, including 0.4 million among people who were HIV-positive. •TB is one of the top five killers of women among adult women aged 20-59 years. 480,000 women died from TB in 2014, including 140,000 deaths among women who were HIV-positive. •890,000 men died from TB and 5.4 million fell ill with the disease. •An estimated 1 million children became ill with TB and 140,000 children died of TB I 2014. •The TB death rate has decreased 47% since 1990, with nearly all of that improvement taking plc since 2000, when the millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set. •Between 2000 and 2014, 43 million lives were saved through effective diagnosis and treatment. •In 2014, 6 million newly diagnosed cases were notified to national TB programmes. This is about 63% of the 9.6 million people estimated to have fallen sick with the disease. This reflects a gap in both reporting

organised by Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited in Abuja Adewole said Nigeria is currently number four, after India, Indonesia, and China amongst the 22 high-burdened countries that of detected cases and access to care. •Globally, the treatment success rate for people newly diagnosed with TB was 86% in 2013. •Globally in 2014, and estimated 480,000 people developed multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and there were an estimated 190,000 deaths from MDR-TB •123,000 people were diagnosed with MDR-TB in 2014, about a quarter of the total 480,000 new cases of MDR-TB that occurred in 2014. •A total of 111,000 people started MDRTB treatment in 2014, an increase of 14% compared with 2013 •Extensively drug resistant TB (XDRTB has been reported in 105 countries by 2015. An estimated 9.7% of people with MDR-TB have XDR-TB. •Eight new or repurposed ant-TB drugs are in advanced phases of clinical development. •Fifteen vaccine candidates are in clinical trials. Their emphasis has shifted from children to adolescents and adults. •New diagnostics, drugs and vaccines are necessary to achieve the ambitious targets set in the End TB Strategy.

account for 80 per cent of global tuberculosis (TB) burden. “Of this global group, Nigeria accounts for 15 per cent of the gap in tuberculosis case notification. The implication is that only one out of six cases of tuberculosis roaming around are detected, while five out of six roam around undetected. In other words ev-

erybody is not safe,” the Minister lamented. However, it seems Nigeria is not alone. Worldwide, WHO says no fewer than 9.6 million people fell ill with TB in 2014, including 1.2 million people living with HIV. Also in the year, a staggering 1.5 million people died from TB, including 0.4 million among people who were HIV-positive. Also, An estimated 1 million children became ill with TB and 140,000 children died of the disease in 2014. ”While there has been significant progress in the fight against TB, with 43 million lives saved since 2000, the battle is only half-won: over 4 000 people lose their lives each day to this leading infectious disease. Many of the communities that are most burdened by tuberculosis are those that are poor, vulnerable and marginalized,” WHO said in its statement to mark the World TB Day. Calling on countries and partners to “Unite to End Tuberculosis” the organization says ending TB will only be achieved with greater collaboration within and across governments, and with partners from civil society, communities, researchers, the private sector and development agencies. “This means taking a whole-of-society and multidisciplinary approach, in the context of universal health coverage.” WHO however acknowledged that a number of countries are strengthening the strategic agendas of their TB programmes, by adopting newer tools, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Know the signs

he bacteria that cause TB is spread through the air from person to person. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. There are two types of TB conditions: latent TB infection and TB disease. TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. If TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease. People with TB disease usually have

symptoms and may spread TB bacteria to others. A cough lasting 3 weeks or longer is a symptom of TB disease. People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms, but may still need treatment. TB bacteria most commonly grow in the lungs, and can cause symptoms such as: A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer Pain in the chest Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus from deep inside the lungs) Other symptoms of TB disease may include: •Weakness or fatigue •Weight loss •No appetite •Chills •Fever •Sweating at night Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Health & Wellbeing

Diarrhoea: How inappropriate treatment kills 2970 U-5 children annually in Lagos 22

FG reassures on free treatment of TB 20

TB: Undetected and undiagnosed cases on the increase •Records 250,000 deaths annually •Ranks No. 4 among high-burdened countries •Undetected and Undiagnosed tuberculosis on the increase •WHO says battle is only half-won globally Sam EfEraro

Know the signs

Health & Wellbeing

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TB: Undetected and undiagnosed cases on the increase CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

extending access to care and linking with other parts of government to reduce the financial costs borne by patients. Also, other countries are partnering with researchers to speed development of diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines, and to improve delivery. “For example, India which is home to more people ill with TB and multidrugresistant TB (MDR-TB) than any other country, has committed to achieving universal access to TB care with its campaign for a TB-Free India. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is expanding its capacity to test patients rapidly for drug-resistant TB and is initiating use of bedaquiline, a new, WHO-recommended drug in MDR-TB treatment. In addition, by making TB case notification mandatory in 2012 and by intensifying efforts to engage the private sector, case notifications rose 29% in 2014 alone. “In working towards universal health coverage, South Africa has greatly expanded access to Xpert MTB/RIF, a WHO-recommended rapid molecular test for TB and drug-resistant TB. South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV who are receiving TB preventive treatment in the world. “In Thailand, where a large percentage of the population has access to health services at modest cost, efforts are focusing on ensuring that all residents – including migrants – have access to TB treatment.” On Nigeria, WHO observed in its review of country progress that following the country’s national TB prevalence survey which found many more persons ill with TB than expected, it is pursuing approaches to expand overall TB service access, and to increase active case finding among high-risk areas. “The number of health centres providing TB care and treatment will be increased, particularly in the slums and among defined hard to reach populations, Rapid molecular testing will be expanded to improve diagnosis. Medicine vendors in communities are being engaged to refer persons with TB symptoms. The National TB Programme also plans to introduce a web-based information management system to facilitate TB case notification.” But Nigeria and other countries with

Anyone who coughs should be educated on cough etiquette heavy TB burden will need to do more to be able to end TB as advocated by the theme for the 2016 World TB Day. According to WHO, formidable challenges remain including fragile health systems, human resource and financial constraints, and the serious co-epidemics with HIV, diabetes, and tobacco use. It will be recalled that the World Health Assembly, convened annually by WHO at the UN

FG reassures on free treatment of TB Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

he Federal Government has reassured on free treatment of tuberculosis, otherwise known as TB in the country. Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, gave the assurance in his address to commemorate the 2016 World TB Day in Abuja recently. He said TB is curable while diagnosis and TB drugs are available free in all treatment centres for the disease in the country. He also stressed that persistent cough for two or more weeks could be TB and urged anyone having persistent cough to contact a health facility promptly.

What to do In order to reduce exposure in households where someone has infectious TB, the following actions should be taken whenever possible: •Houses should be adequately ventilated; •Anyone who coughs should be educated on cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene, and should follow such practice at all times; While smear positive, TB patients should: •Spend as much time as possible outdoors; •If possible, sleep alone in a separate, adequately ventilated room; •Spend as little time as possible on pub-

Palais des Nations in Geneva, passed a resolution in May 2014 approving with full support the new post-2015 Global TB Strategy with its ambitious targets. The strategy aims to end the global TB epidemic, with targets to reduce TB deaths by 95% and to cut new cases by 90% between 2015 and 2035, and to ensure that no family is burdened with catastrophic expenses due to TB. It sets interim milestones for 2020, 2025, and 2030. The resolution calls on governments to adapt and implement the strategy with high-level commitment and financing . It reinforces a focus within the strategy on serving populations highly vulnerable to infection and poor health care access, such as migrants. The strategy and resolution highlight the need to engage partners within the health sector and beyond, such as in the fields of social protection, labour, immigration and justice.

lic transport; •Spend as little time as possible in places where large numbers of people gather together. Cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene means covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. This can be done with a tissue, or if the person doesn’t have a tissue they can cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve or elbow, but they should not cough or sneeze into their hands. The tissue should then be safely disposed of.4 Educating people about TB is also an important part of TB prevention, as well as ensuring that people who need TB treatment receive it as soon as possible. Source: TB Facts.org

The Minister said government’s determination to ensure functional primary health centre per each ward across the country would help in tackling the disease and guarantee functional service delivery at affordable cost for people in the country. Adewole noted that the management and control of tuberculosis had been included in the services to be delivered in the revitalized primary health centres. “Government will continue to provide drugs for the management of drugs resistant TB. The Federal Ministry of Health will also continue to build the capacity for management of drugresistant TB at all levels…”while this is ongoing, we shall aggressively pursue the expansion of services for all forms of tuberculosis. He disclosed that “the Ministry of Health has responded to the call made at the 62 World Health Assembly in May 2009 for member states to show commitment towards achieving universal access to diagnosis and treatment of drug resistant TB (DR-TB) by 2015.” According to him, such call had spurred the establishment of eight reference laboratories among the six geopolitical zones in that nation. Adewole lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for including health as one of the key components of the ‘Change’ agenda of his government, even as he thanked the wife of the President for accepting to be National TB champion, through which she would

Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole

promote fight against the disease. Adewole noted that government had scaled up the number of sites with GeneXpert technology from 96 in 2014 to 198 in 2015 “to enhance diagnosis of drug susceptible and drug resistant TB.” Speaking at the event, wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari who was represented by wife of Governor of Cross Rivers State, Dr. Linda Ayade, lauded the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health for its efforts toward elimination of TB in Nigeria. Mrs Buhari called for greater partnership among stakeholders working on the TB elimination as a way of taming the disease in the country.

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TB: Undetected and undiagnosed cases on the increase CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

FG reassures on free treatment of TB Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Water is scarce, let’s preserve it –NESTLE frAnkA osAkwe

estle, a global nutrition and wellness company in Nigeria has called for the preservation and protection of fresh water sources in the country. The Country Manager, Nestle Waters, Mr. Jason Lambe, made the call during the company’s ‘Together 4 Water’ event to mark the World Water Day in Lagos. According to him, over 60 percent of the earth is water but not even up to 20 percent is good enough for drinking and so there is need to preserve the one that is available. The event which saw school children and teachers massively present at the company’s premises in Agbara, Agbara, Ogun State drew attention to the importance of fresh water conservation through fun, hands-on pedagogical activities developed by its NGO partner, ‘Project WET.’ Mr. Lambe, explained that the event was aimed at educating children about the water cycle, water preservation and challenges. “Nestle waters, in partnership with Project Wet Foundation, drives strongly its water education program in schools. Project Wet, a global water education for teachers program

is aimed at illustrating the importance of water in people’s life while providing a better understanding of the benefits of water for healthy hydration. “In 2015, a total of 5, 994 school children and 363 teachers from 155 schools in Lagos and Osun states benefitted from the program. PWET is expected to expand to other parts of the country with a target to reach over 8, 000 students by end of 2016. Explaining the water project the country manager said: “Nestle has over the years developed an outstanding expertise in water management. Nestle water ensure its operations are efficient and we have proactively collaborated with other stake holders on initiatives that preserve water resources over the long term. Nestle water has improved its water efficiency globally by 19% over the last five years.” In addition, Nestle Waters Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Dr. Samuel Adenekan, said the event is aimed at identifying with the United Nations on World Water Day. “This is an annual event dedicated to responsible management of water resources. As a leading company in Nigeria, of course this is part of our goal as well.”

PPP will reduce morbidities, mortalities in Nigeria -Experts mArcus fAtunmole ABUJA

ublic-private-partnership (PPP) is the only way to guaranteeing improved health services, which will culminate in reduced morbidities and mortalities in the country, health experts have said. The experts, comprising managers of both public and private health institutions in the country and senior officials in the Federal Ministry of Health said in Abuja recently that the idea had become imperative given the present dwindling revenue for the government and poor infrastructures in public hospitals. Many of the experts who spoke with National Mirror at an event in Abuja titled: “Public-PrivatePartnership in Health in Nigeria,” with the theme “Creating New Quality and Efficiency Frontiers and Reversing Medical Tourism,” said the few health institutions where PPP had been operational

in the country bear testimony to quality service delivery, higher productivity and improved infrastructures. One of the participants, Oluwakemi Lawanson, an independent health and governance consultant told National Mirror that for the nation to forge ahead and be able to meet quality demand of patients and save more lives, the country needs extra hands. “Government needs the support of the private sector. They cannot do it alone. You know Nigeria is joining its global peers now to be going into the universal coverage. Before we can effectively implement universal health coverage as a nation, we need to put quality in place. “We need to put certain systems that are working uninterrupted, make services affordable to these patients, easily accessible to them. For us to be able to do that, you will agree with me that the government cannot do that on its own.”

A cross section of students during the Nestle’s ‘Together 4 Water’ event held at the company’s factory, Agbara, Lagos.

Lagos moves against sickle cell disorder AfolAbi GAmbAri

he Lagos State Government says it is finalising policy on treatment guideline for people living with Sickle Cell Disorder, even as the disorder has been declared as a major public health issue. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who made the disclosure at a seminar organized by National Sickle Cell center in collaboration with Sickle Cell Non Governmental Organisations, stakeholders and those living with the disorder in Lagos, said the disorder had become an emergent health concern, given the data of 300, 000 to 500, 000 children born with it yearly in Africa. “About 50 per cent of the births belong to Nigeria as the most populous country in sub-Sahara Africa,” the

commissioner, who was represented at the seminar by Dr. (Mrs) Oyenuga Olajumoke of the SCD Control Unit in the Health Ministry, remarked. “Lagos is offering free medical treatment to children under the age of 12 years, while finalisation for the policy on treatment procedure for all sufferers is on the way,” Idris said, adding, “Machinery has been set in motion for the proposed policy on Hemoglobinopathies.” Chairman, Dabama Sickle cell foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Ibekwe, who spoke on behalf of the NGOs, said the seminar would form a coalition of one voice which will boost information gathering on the science of management of the disorder. “Knowing the rising numerical population of those with this disorder, NGOs should be well informed through continuouss medi-

cal seminars and education in order to avoid passing wrong or obsolete information to the sufferers,” Ibekwe said. EU supports immunization in FCT with N188mMarcus Fatunmole (Abuja). The European Union, EU, has supported immunization of children in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, against polio and other child-killer diseases with 859,147 euros (about N188, 338,000) EU, through the European Union Support to Immunization Governance in Nigeria, EU-SIGN, began a five-year (now extended to eight years) project in 23 states of the federation and the FCT, with 55 million euros, according to FCT immunization expert, Dr . James Onoja Attah, at the launch of the EU-SIGN in Abuja recently. He said out of the grant, 35 million euros was for routine immunization,

while 20 million euros was budgeted for polio. Minister of Budget and National Planning has since been the National Authority Officer for the fund and project, Attah said. The goals of the project, according to him, are sustainable quality routine immunization through effective primary health care system and to support the interruption of wild polio virus in the country. He added that the project would contribute to reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality in the country. Giving a breakdown of the grant as 859,147 euros (N188,337,940), State Technical Assistant, STA, EUSIGN, Dr Bola Njoku, said the fund would be used to procure direct drive solar refrigerator, cold room, vehicles, motorcycles, computer systems and boost health systems in the FCT.

walk to Celebrate Survivors of Rape and Sexual Assault in Lagos State’, saw supporters carrying banners with inscriptions such as: ‘Are You Man Enough To Stop Rape, Say No To Rape;’ ’Rapist Must Face the Wrath of the Law, Punishment For Rape Is Life Imprisonment’. The managing partner, Partnership for Justice, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba while speaking to newsmen explained the need for the awareness walk. “We want people to know that rape is a crime and that Lagos state government has a law to protect children and so they should not engage in the act anymore because if they do and they are reported they are going to be prosecuted and sentence to life imprisonment”, she said.

While commending the effort of Lagos State in this fight she said: “The government has tried to put in place all those things that we need such as family court, sex defendant crew, family support unit and police. But then the individual has to do their own beat, you and I as members of the community need to take the additional step to demystify rape. We should stop begging on behalf of rapist. We should stop using the name of tribe and religion as an excuse to let people that have committed this crime to go free. We need to be more conscious of the fact that when you rape one child every other child in that community is unsafe.” In addition, a medical practitioner and consultant to Mirabel centre Dr.

Alagbe Oyedeji, who fully participated in the walk said the negative impact of rape affects the psyche of the victims. “It tends to put some of them into psychiatric problem in future because these children are highly at risk. It can affect them educationally, most especially the emotional aspect of it. And when there is emotional imbalance it can affect all aspect of life,” Dr Oyedeji averred The manager of Mirabel centre Juliet Olumuyiwa Rufai, expressed her joy for the exercise. “We feel that it is a great opportunity to create awareness; make sensitization in our community about the prevalence of rape and sexual assault because there’s high rate denial in the society that it is not happening.

Report rape cases for justice, Group urges Nigerians Juliet umeh

igerians have been encouraged to avoid living in denial of rape and to report the perpetrators to the appropriate quarters for justice to take its course. The call came recently during a march against the menace round the streets of Lagos Island. The event which was held to mark International Women’s Day 2016 was organized by Partnership for Justice/ Mirabel Centre, (sexual assault referral center) in collaboration with the Lagos State Domestic Violence and Sexual Response Team (DVSRT) and the Motherhood Magazine. The sensitization programme with theme: ‘A

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Water is scarce, let’s preserve it –NESTLE frAnkA osAkwe

PPP will reduce morbidities, mortalities in Nigeria -Experts mArcus fAtunmole ABUJA

A cross section of students during the Nestle’s ‘Together 4 Water’ event held at the company’s factory, Agbara, Lagos.

Lagos moves against sickle cell disorder AfolAbi GAmbAri

Report rape cases for justice, Group urges Nigerians Juliet umeh

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diarrhoea: How inappropriate treatment kills 2970 U-5 children annually in Lagos Franka Osakwe

his year’s world water day comes with an astounding report that no fewer than 2,970 under-five children in Lagos State alone, die annually from diarrhoea acquired through unsafe drinking water. According to the latest data from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with international partners, diarrhoea and pneumonia remains the major childhood killer diseases in the state, accounting for 9% (2,970) and 10% of the state’s annual under-five deaths which is 33,000. Although these deaths are preventable and treatable, not much has been done in terms of prevention and treatment. For instance, The United Nations Commission on life-saving commodities- UNCoLSC, recommends Zinc-Low Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Salt (Zinc-LO-ORS) as first line treatment for childhood diarrhoea rather than the usual ORS. This is because Low Osmolarity ORS (LO-ORS) reduces stool volume during diarrhea crisis by 30% compared to the Regular ORS. The regular ORS also contains high salt content that results in dehydration-the major cause of diarrhoea death, experts say. However, investigation by National Mirror revealed that in Lagos, as well as other states (except Kaduna State), LOORS/Zinc is not included in the state’s essential medicine list. It was gathered that the LO-ORS/Zinc co-pack is currently out of stock at the Primary Health Centre (PHC’s). Hence nurses have resorted to the high osmolarity oral rehydration salt which is no longer recommended. Also, a recent survey conducted at the end of 2015 by CHAI showed only 76% availability of the LO-ORS/Zinc co-pack across the 280 PHCs in the 57 LGAs/ LCDAs in Lagos State. Confirming this, Assistant Director, Medical Services and Disease Control, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr.Mazeedah Erinosho, told National Mirror that the products are not available now in PHCs because they have been exhausted since mid 2015. “We are working on getting new stock that will be available for caregivers free instead of at a cost”, she said. At this year’s World Water Day, Lagos State Government held a brain storming session with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PSN-PACFAH) on how to improve in the management of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia in the state. Explaining the Lagos state experience in managing childhood diarrhoea, Dr. Erinosho, admitted that the State has no written policy for the management of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia even though treatment at health facilities are in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. “The LO-ORS/Zinc pack and Amoxycillin are not included in the state’s essential medicine list. Although the product are stocked as essential drugs, they are not for free. Care givers have to buy the product, and The Zinc co-pack are not available in all the PHCs. However, we are working on

Dr. Mrs. Moyosore Adejumo FPSN, representing the Honourable Commissioner for Health Lagos State Dr. Jide Idris, making a remark.

making it available for free at the PHCs”, she said. Explaining the State’s challenges at the private hospitals, Dr. Erinosho, said they found out that most of the nurses are auxiliary nurses, who do not know how to prepare the ORS. However, she said the state is working on increasing availability of LO-ORS/Zinc co-pack in all health facilities across the State through procurement process from indigenous reputable Pharmaceutical companies. “We are also working on improving knowledge and skills of health workers across the State on appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia. We are increasing awareness on the use of ORS/Zinc co-pack and Amoxycillin dispersible tablet, through jingles and training of Community representatives, PPMVs and TBAs”, she noted. In his presentation, PSN-PACFAH Program Officer, Dr. David Akpotor, called for the inclusion of Amoxicillin DT and Zn/ LO-ORS at the Lagos State essential medicine list as well as the timely release of

funds for the Procurement of these essential medicines as captured in the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board’s 2016 Budget. On prevention of childhood diarrhoea, Dr. Akpotor, said exclusive breast feeding, completion of routine immunization, good hygiene and the use of clean water, have been shown to drastically reduce death from diarrhea. While deliberating on ways to prevent adulteration of the life-saving commodities, Director, Registration and Regulatory Affairs, NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, assured that NAFDAC would ensure that the drugs are of good quality, safe and efficacious. In a communiqué, the stakeholders agreed that Lagos State Government should encourage the use of Zinc and LO-ORS co-pack instead of the Standard/ High Osmolarity-ORS, in line with the revised WHO, UNICEF and Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) approved guidelines. They said that there is a need to scale-up the availability and affordabil-

ity of Zinc-LO-ORS across all health facilities for the effective management of Childhood Diarrhoea. They decided that Lagos State Government along with other relevant stakeholders should support the adoption and full implementation of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc-LO-ORS as first line drug in Childhood Pneumonia and diarrhoea management. They also called for a timely release of the budget allocation for the procurement of the Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea commodities especially as captured in the LSPHCB 2016 budget. They agreed that; “The Lagos State Ministry of Health should emulate the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board (LSPHCB) and create specific budget lines for the procurement of the essential commodities-Amoxicillin DT and Zinc-LO-ORS. The Lagos State Government should develop a Standard Treatment Guidelines document that will include the aforementioned Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea commodities. They should also revise the State essential medicines list which was last updated in 2012, with the inclusion of the aforementioned commodities. “Local Healthcare Providers and Private Sector Actors (Manufacturers, Distributors, and Community Pharmacies) are encouraged to increase production, distribution and appropriate promotion of the use of the aforementioned commodities. “Frontline health workers including Community Pharmacists and Proprietary and Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) should be trained to identify the danger signs of Childhood Pneumonia and refer appropriately; “The frontline health workers mentioned above should also be properly trained and re-trained to manage acute and uncomplicated Childhood Diarrhoea cases,” the communiqué stated further.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diarrhoea: How inappropriate treatment kills 2970 U-5 children annually in Lagos Franka Osakwe

Dr. Mrs. Moyosore Adejumo FPSN, representing the Honourable Commissioner for Health Lagos State Dr. Jide Idris, making a remark.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Tribe: Onyeabo completes ‘controversial’ film

My paintings, a reflection of my past —Olamide Oresegun 25

Nollywood’s anti-piracy strategy Quite interestingly, there seems to be a positive shift in the art of recouping money spent by Nollywood producers. It’s the cinema! Busayo Wale

iracy is still being seen as thorn in the flesh of movie makers in Nigeria because of its menace of making the professionals lose their hard earned money even though a school of thought believes the piracy has helped the Nigerian movie industry in propagating millions of films worldwide, thus making Nigeria attain its stellar position in world movie market. “How can you recoup your investment? How can you survive in such an environment? It is a major issue for Nollywood” are the grueling words of Zik Zulu Okafor, of the Association of Movie Producers, in an interview sometimes ago hinting how the growing rate of piracy was giving Nollywood producers a lot of concern and needed to be tackled with more vigour. “Piracy is killing Nollywood. You make a film today; next week you will see it in the compilation of 20 films, selling at N100. “How can you recoup your investment? How can you survive in such an environment? It is a major issue for Nollywood,’’ he said. “To fight piracy, you must be formidable and you have to have the wherewithal,’’ he said And fortunately, some of the movie producers have been found ‘formidable’ by using the cinemas to show their ‘intellectual properties’ and thus circumventing the virus of pirates that eat deep into their purses. Films like ‘Tango With Me’, ‘Phone Swap’, ‘The Meeting’, ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’, and ‘The Return Of Jenifa’ have proven to be commercial success through their showing in various cinemas in and out of the country. The chairman of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Rivers State chapter, Engr. Reginald Orlu, disclosed that the nefarious activities of pirates in Nollywood is now reduced with the return of cinemas in the State and Nigeria as a nation through premier of the movies.

Cinema The movie producer who stated this during an interview recently, disclosed that the way things are organised in the industry today is that after shooting a film you take it to the cinemas for premier here in the country after which you still go abroad and do the same thing, before you send the film to the market. He stressed that the good thing about this is that pirates will not see the film to pirate. According to him, even before the movies go into the market the producers must have realised the money they spent, because in most cases through premier which is the showing of the film for the first time, they receive their money in dollars and before the film is seen in the Nigerian market, it had already entered the foreign market, so pirates find it difficult to pirate the films since it is already in the market abroad where the pirates sell their pirated copies. Engr. Orlu explained that “Lost Number” a movie produced by Ifeanyi Dike, a member of the As-

sociation of Movie Producers, Rivers State which was premiered sometimes ago, is being premiered in London after which it will enter the London market and other foreign countries before entering the Nigerian Market, so the pirates are checkmated. Tango with me, released in May 2010 was directed, produced and written by Mahmood Ali-Balogun starred Genevieve Nnaji, Joke Silva, Joseph Benjamin, Bimbo Manuel, Ahmed Yerima and Bimbo Akintola. With a budget of over N30 million, the producer must have made his money back since the release of the movie in mid 2010. Cinema halls were well patronized because of the movie and Mr. Ali-Balogun would not have made less than N60 million. Phone Swap is a romantic comedy, another high grossing movie that cost more than N60 million. It was produced and directed by popular director, Kunle Afolayan. The Meeting is also another film that surely raked in twice its production cost of over N30 million. Pre-

LateLy, NoLLywood reLeases Like FiFty, oxFord GardeNs aNd BeyoNd BLood have opted For the ciNemas to avoid the iLL Luck oF piracy.

miered on Friday, October 19, 2012, at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Rita Dominic produced flick which featured artistes like Nse Ikpe-Etim, Linda Ejiofor, Kate Henshaw, Jide Kosoko, Chinedu Ikedieze, amongst others was showing at the cinemas at least four times a day when it was released and it was showing for over eight weeks, with cinema halls filled. Anchor baby, directed by Lonzo Nzekwe, produced by Lonzo Nzekwe and Jeremy Hood, starred Omoni Oboli, Sam Sarpong and Terri Oliver. It was released in the USA on January 27, 2011 and in Nigeria in December 10, 2010. The movie, written in two weeks and shot in 12 days, cost about N80 million. Anchor Baby was in the cinemas for 18 weeks, showing twice a day for the first eight weeks. The Return of Jenifa was directed by DJ Tee, while the movie was premiered in the U.S and Nigeria. Starring Antar Laniyan, Eldee D-Don, Banky W, Helen Paul, Iyabo Ojo, Ireti Osayemi, Denrele, Omawumi, Yinka Quadri and a host of others. It was premiered at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on September 23, 2011. When people realized the much awaited movie was at the cinema, the crowd became uncontrollable. Some would sit on the stairs of the cinema halls while some stood just to see the movie. Undoubtedly one of the best Nigerian

movies, it was at the cinemas for over 12 weeks. The award-winning movie is still aired by television stations till date with people watching it over and over again without being bored. Figurine, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan, was released October 2, 2009. The movie gulped over N50 million. It received 10 nominations and won five awards at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2010, including the award for Best Picture, Heart of Africa, Achievement in Cinematography and AMAA Achievement in Visual Effect. With so many critical acclaims on sites and blogs tagging the movie as the best Nigerian movie they have seen, Figurine was at the cinemas for about three months, showing at least once a day with the cinema halls filled to capacity. The producer was said to have raked in the millions he invested. Furthermore, Mirror Boy, a fantasy adventure drama, shot in England and The Gambia, was released on January 17, 2011. The award-winning movie gulped over N70 million, and up till now, the movie is still winning awards. Mirror Boy was at the cinemas for about 12 weeks, showing at least twice a day. More recently is ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ which was released into the Nigerian cinemas on the 1st of August. It set a new record in box office figures. The movie is right now at the number one spot in Nigerian cinemas, ahead of Marvel Studio’s ‘Guardian of Galaxy’, raking in over N300Million in one week. Lately, Nollywood releases like Fifty, Oxford Gardens and Beyond Blood have opted for the cinemas to avoid the ill luck of piracy. With the profiles of the above movies, it can be argued that the ambience of the cinema halls, the people’s love for a good film, the ability to continue the film’s showing in different venues at the same time with the price per show being twice or thrice its DVD value, the truth that the film narration cannot equal watching it, the wide use of adverts, and the fact that their monies will be recouped within a very short time are the core reasons why Nollywood producers will always opt for the cinemas.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Africa in self-conversation Femi Odugbemi

n important strand of that conversation forms the theme of this year’s festival - #CHANGE - Documentary as agent provocateur. Simply put, #CHANGE is about connecting our emerging vibrant cinema and creative industries to the realities of our communities. It is about impact filmmaking. It is about embracing the power and promise of documentary to do more than archive history, but to facilitate history. We are delighted to present close to 50 films in 3 venues that show in different ways the essence of this theme. Today Africa’s journey to political maturity is best expressed by the fact that democracy is beginning to find its feet across the continent. There is now a clear rejection of coups and military tyranny, despots and People power, the essence of democracy’s promise, has also been demonstrated in a more vibrant contest of ideologies and political activism. Clearly, the people of Africa are keen for democracy to mean something more than an opportunity to choose political leaders or political ideologies. They want a democracy that translates to development, improvements in their quality of lives, better education, better healthcare, better economy, constitutional guarantees of their liberty and freedom in their pursuit of purpose and prosperity. This year’s IREP festival comes at a time when it is most important to take the African storytelling experience to a new level of reckoning and celebration. The post-colonial issues of identity and inequitable sharing of economic resources have created constant tensions and armed conflicts in many of Africa’s nations, with devastating impact on politics, governance and development. The landscape in countries where bitter civil war and armed struggle raged for decades is littered with experiences needing articulation especially as regards its impact on young people. In countries like Nigeria, the absence of armed conflict has not always meant peace, given the violence and corruption of our politics and its adverse effects development. The dimensions of documentary as a tool

MEMORABLE READS

Femi Odugbemi

In realIty however,

for deepening experiences and mediating history makes it a powerful tool to unpack what we need to grow our nascent democracies. The proliferation of digital equipment and the ease of use of modern camera equipment has created immense activity in the fiction-film genre amongst the young and restless across the continent. Nollywood in Nigeria is now a globally acknowledged phenom that has engaged the attention of audiences, scholars and filmmakers across the world with guerrilla filmmaking styles and street theatre content. Because it is articulating the socio-cultural and political experiences of Nigeria, some have argued makes

them as well, in some form, documentary. In reality however, a fiction film has a different contract with the viewer than a documentary. Fiction promises entertainment first and reflection second. In fiction you invite the viewer to suspend disbelief. It is an invitation to go into an imaginative world. Documentaries offer reflections first and foremost. It invites debate. Perhaps therefore the foundational value of the process of engaging in this discourse is to project the question of WHICH CINEMA FOR AFRICA? Clearly Africa needs cinema that does more than entertain. We need cinema that deepens democracy, strengthens Governance structures, advocates responsibility, elevates accountability, fights diseases poverty and illiteracy. The critiques of corruption, poor governance, ethnic divisions, economic paralysis can find a stronger footing if filmmakers turn their cameras on the issues of realities. These are issues of depression for the viewers. But there also issues of INSPIRATION: We need to interrogate the evolution of cultural identities fostered by globalization. What are the Influences of new technologies? We need to reflect on Issues of Civil soci-

Who is your favourite author?

books annually?

a fIctIon fIlm has a dIfferent contract wIth the vIewer

than a documentary.

fIctIon promIses

entertaInment fIrst and reflectIon second

I’ve got quite a few really. But Wole Soyinka is up there. Chinua Achebe, John Grisham and Mario Puzo are also my ideal authors.

What book is the best from your perspective?

It is difficult to say. Chinua Achebe should be it for me. But I read all kinds of books; mostly books about filmmaking. I like Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. I like ‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo and ‘The Man Died’ by Wole Soyinka.

What book initiated your interest in what you are doing today?

‘A Director Prepares: Seven Essays on Art and Theatre’.

How much do you spend on

ERNEST BHABOR Film Director

I’m not sure. I really don’t have a budget for books. When I see, or hear about a good book I get it. I have a very extensive library - print and digital books.

If you decide to write a book what would be its theme?

I’m actually writing one at the moment. And it’s a fictional story based on my childhood and youth days in Nigeria. And I’m also considering writing some books about filmmaking down the road.

What has reading done in your life?

Reading is enlightenment. I have acquired immense unquantifiable knowledge from reading.

eties and the emerging economies of Africa? What is our development ideology? Development is a conscious agenda that requires mass mobilization. Documentaries is and must be at the centre of that conversation. The complication of documentary of course is the intersection between art and activism. The perspectives of the filmmaker are formed by his background, heritage and experiences. Objectivity is remote. The answers offered are a function of the questions asked. It is possible to distort the answer by the question. The narrative of reality and “truth” does not allow for simple answers. But because its content is about shared experiences, its capacity for emotional connections cannot be contrived. That is why the people of our countries have for so long found the existing models of propaganda documentary structures offensive. We have to engender a new consciousness that reframes documentary’s image as a tool for the documentation of personal experiences and an important platform for deepening our democracy, development and empowering human rights. Odugbemi is Executive Director/co-Founder Foundation for Development of Documentary Film in Africa (iREP International Documentary Film Forum)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

My paintings, a reflection of my past —Olamide Oresegun

This painter is one whose passion for visual art is irredeemable. Let’s take a ride into Olamide Oresegun’s world. IsIguzo DestIny

lumide Oresanya is Lagos-based painter and hails from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State. A young man in his early thirties, he has an unusual painting sense and skills. He comes from a humble background and before now was to most of his followers a hidden treasure until the painter took advantage of the internet and social media to launch himself to glory. Unlike most youths who have taken advantage of the internet to commit cyber-crimes and get involved in frivolities, Olamide Oresegun has demonstrated with his sudden fame through the social media that the world is open to everyone and what we use with what is available to us may determine how successful we become. What motivated this painter to choose a career in painting according to him, “It is God Almighty and my immediate environ-

Oresegun

Life is simpLe.

Life is beautifuL. sometimes things are not the exact way we see them.

for exampLe, i

sometimes caLL my friends to Look at the white cLoud and see the image it creates. it might be the image of an animaL, person or thing.

ment”. He has also used this medium to talk about childhood and childhood experiences, a period of formation and arguable the most important time in everyone’s life. “Mostly, my paintings are a reflection of my past. They are things I saw when I was growing up. Children living in riverine areas. Their pure innocence. People’s ‘day in day out activities’ in the less developed parts of Nigerian society. These are the things that creep into my mind every time I pick up my brush”. Also this motivation is guided by a personal philosophy that influences his paintings. Olamide has a very simple and unusual view of life, and it is that: “Life is simple. Life is beautiful. Sometimes things are not the exact way we see them. For example, I sometimes call my friends to look at the white cloud and see the image it creates. It might be the image of an animal, person or thing. And they usually agree with me after taking a second glance. So, sometimes I do paintings of these things I see up in the clouds. It’s just like giving people, things, situations a second chance because things may not be exactly the way we thought them to be”. Asked how he ensures his audience are impressed into buying his works by connecting them to the ideas or messages he tries to pass across because of the personal philosophy

Oresegun and other personal influences inherent in his paintings, he said: “Please note that my painting is not entirely an option of making money to me. This is because if it was, I wouldn’t be here today. Painting is my life. It is my passion. People find it easy to relate with my paintings because I tend to breathe life into them. I put in my soul and my experiences in life. So the addition of all these makes the paintings real and easy to relate with. They are not just paintings but the past of someone, the presence of someone or the future of someone. Olamide feels he has a long way to go even with his sudden fame. He is far from being fulfilled. He told the reporter that “I wouldn’t say I’m not fulfilled. But in truth I still have a longer way to go in achieving my dreams”, which having the means of affording a decent life should be part of it. His only fear is that Painting has not been that lucrative for him and it has not really paid off even though it has been paying his bills. Asked the highest pay he has ever earned, he declined to answer. “Hmmm.... I’m not sure I want to disclose

MIDWEEK JUMP

Lagos-Berlin Residency programme

In context of its partnership with the Centre for Art and Urbanistics in Berlin, the cultural office of Local Government of Wedding/Berlin, SAVVY Contemporary art space Berlin and Goethe-Institut Lagos offers a three month residency for artists and practitioners from Nigeria, interested in cross-discplinary theory and practice dealing with “the city”. Artists should be working professionally in their fields and have a broad range of projects and exhibition experience; practitioners should have some years of professional experience. The residency sees itself as a platform for interdisciplinary artistic and curatorial

activities dealing with the phenomenon of the “city” in an international perspective. Its main partner, ZK/U in Berlin promotes international exchange on global issues, in the light of what is happening in one´s own backyard.

Lagos-Berlin residency space

that oo”, he said. Olamide has done several exhibitions and auctions of his art works, talking about the experience, he said they were worthwhile and very successful.When asked which of the older artists doeshe look up to and what about the person’s works motivates him he said, “I have been greatly influenced by my teachers Kolade Oshinowo, Anthony Ogunde, Peter Coker, and Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe. Their individual and unique style of painting inspires me. One significant thing about Olamide is that his new popularity has not changed anything and will not affect his zeal for future works. “Actually it hasn’t changed anything for me per say. I’m still going to stick with my original plans but maybe with a few modifications”. He also advised other upcoming artistes to “have trust in God Almighty, believe in yourself, know what you are doing and what you want, then stick with it so that when every other things fail, God wouldn’t fail and your trust in yourself will make you go through the storms”.

The Babishaiku 2016 Poetry Award The Babishaiku 2016 Poetry Award is looking for Africa themed haiku with clear images, settings and juxtaposition. They encourage experimental haiku but submissions should be three-line haiku structure. The award has two categories: Category 1 – Open to all African poets (living in Africa), the top three winners will receive 150 USD each and participation in the 2016 Babishaiku mentorship programme. Category 2 – Open to all African poets (living anywhere in the world), the top two winners will receive 700 USD and 300 USD respectively. The top ten will be part of the 2016 Babishai mentorship programme and participate in various festivals across the world.

Babishaiku Poetry Awards

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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FAR AND NEAR

Tribe: Onyeabo completes ‘controversial’ film Ngozi EmEdolibE

fter five years of painstaking work, involving shooting and post-production, Tribe, the highly anticipated film directed by multiple-award winning filmmaker, Ifeanyichukwu Onyeabo, is ready. The film coming on the stable of IGOSTEVE Pictures is set to come to cinemas in Africa and the Diaspora in the coming weeks. Obviously one of the most audacious film projects in Nollywood ever, Tribe which commenced recording in 2010 in Ghana, employed the services of actors and crew members from eight African countries and Jamaica after a 3-nation tour for auditions. The classic African story was set in Africa about five centuries ago, employing the basic tenets of African culture, attitude, and temperaments to achieve what the African film industry has been yearning for. According to a statement by the producers, the film highlighted values and vices that make the African continent an effervescent hub of activities, especially in the years of yore. “From greed, to betrayal, to bravery, to love, Tribe is a film that has a good dosage of such emotions in a manner the cinema lovers would be glued to their seats. After all the years, put into the work, nobody would expect anything less than a classic from us. We went

Tribe (2) out of our way to get the characters that will interpret the roles, the way we wanted. That took us to three African countries of Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. After the casting, we also embarked on another mission of training the cast to fit into the roles. The film has very impressive martial arts skills on display as was typical of the African society then, so we brought in experts in this field to train majority of the actors”.

Although the film is reputed to have consumed millions of naira, the producers are keeping mum on the financial implications of the film, preferring to humbly call it ‘a story that deserves no resources to be spared.’ The action-packed film had on parade actors like Peter Bunor (Nigeria), Fred Amugi(Ghana), Peachman Akputa (Nigeria), Amanda Ebeye(Nigeria), Kofi Djabi (Jamaica), Ekow Blankson(Ghana), Kafui Danku-

Charles-Dean (Liberia) and Williemena Pinky Appleton (Liberia) alongside over two hundred actors who traversed the luscious locations where the film was shot. Available snippets of the film indicate that fans would find the dialogues, sound, lighting, plot, action and acting as the highpoints of the work. According to Onyeabo, known for many blockbuster films in the industry, “Tribe is an African story that cannot be pigeon-holed to any African country. Tribe, as a film evolved its own language, which is spoken and understood by the characters. They established a culture that is unique to them while being acceptable in most African communities.” The story of Tribe in Nollywood has had an interesting albeit controversial slant since it started in 2010. For instance, it led to the remand of the producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabo, by the Economic abd Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following disagreements with his partners. But he was subsequently absolved of any wrongdoing by a law court, which also asked that an unreserved apology be tendered to him (Onyeabo) for being illegally remanded. It is however interesting that five years after, he and his partner, have put the differences behind them and are currently collaborating to showcase the film to the world as Tribe also gets set to journey to festivals in Cannes, Durban and Berlin.

At Expensive Multimedia Talent Hunt show REgiNa otokpa

Expensive of Wazobia FM

fter three long months of listening to various artistes perform in different arts including comedy, acting, script writing, dancing and music, the talent hunt finally came to an end with winners emerging in all categories however; Onoh Luke rapped away the star prize, a brand new car. Filled with emotions, he said he was the last contestant to purchase the form and never anticipated his victory at the talent hunt. The 20 year old who before now etched a living by selling liquid soap said “I am very grateful it is only God that made this happen, I never knew I would win though my friends kept saying I would be the one to win the car.“ One of the judges, Peter kundum, stressed that the competition was fair and the judges had consistently been objective in their submissions regardless of their emotions or attempted interferences at some point.

“we were professional, at some point you will clash with the whole feeling of emotions, you will see somebody come in to sing a gospel song or something that will appeal to your emotion, some will come and tell you stories of their life and it is so disturbing but we have to stick to the game because out there in the larger society it is harder than ever. Nobody cares what religion you belong to, what people care about essentially is what you have to offer. Reacting to allegations of being too harsh he said “our personality is what we sell as judges and that is what judges do all over the world. We have to be ourselves, we cannot pretend so we have to be harsh especially at this final stage, a car is not a small prize.” He called on the winners to tighten up their belts to remain in the game and to those who fell along the way Kundum stressed that “they have done a great job, there are stars in them it is just that at the end of the day we just have to get a winner but I have seen people who are stars especially among the last stage.”

RMD, Henshaw thrill at Calabar Food Festival RichaRd Ndoma

igeria top celebrities like Richard Mofe Damijo,Kate Henshaw were among the many who graced the Calabar Food Festival, which held in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State. Briefing journalists in Calabar, one of the organisers of the ceremony, Mr. Anointed Enoh stated that the preparation for the festival which lasted for three days, would have top Nollywood stars like Richard Mofe Damijo,Kate Henshaw and several others come to Calabar to grace the three days’ event. Enoh said that the top celebrities would be in at the ceremony to greet their fans who according to him would be very well prepared to see the stars stressing that the Nolly wood stars would attend the ceremony to give national and international acceptance to the festival. “There will be music all day and Nollywood celebrities,

Henshaw

Richard Mofe-Damijo and Kate Henshaw, among other stars, were in attendance to greet their fans and add colour to the festival,” Enoh maintained. The MD of Chorus Limited maintained that the festival is purely private sector driven adding that residents of Calabar metropolis always find fun and fascination for all age groups at the event. “The adults can unwind and be entertained, while the teenagers are engaged and smaller children can play in a safe environment. They will be able to sample an amazing variety of delicious foods and beverages and each day, an impressive collection of international and Nigerian chefs will show creative ways to prepare excited recipes and create new dishes from traditional ingredients,’ he added. Also speaking, the former Managing Director of Cross River Tourism Bureau, Mr.Michael Williams said that the initiative was another way to bring chefs of international repute, attract Creme de,la Creme to Calabar metropolis so as to add value to the economy of Cross River Sate.

Business

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Insurance firms seek collaboration with airline operators30

FG should support banks to finance renewable energy projects –Oye 28

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Counting costs of perennial fuel crisis on economy

We’ve not constituted Committee on Stamp Duty collection –FG IsaIah ErhIawarIEn

he Minister of Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, has disassociated itself from the establishment of a committee purportedly raised by the acting Post-Master General for the processing of the appointment of agents to collect stamp duty on behalf of the Nigeria Postal Service. The Minister, in statement issued by his Special Assistant, Adeyanju Binuyo, at the weekend, indicated that NIPOST had not been authorised to appoint new agents in respect of collection of stamp duty. He stated that it was expedient to thread with caution and ensure that all issues bordering on the administration of the stamp duty by NIPOST are done in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to due process, transparency and accountability. Shittu therefore directed the suspension of any new process in this regard until a new Post-Master General is appointed by government, adding that a few corporate bodies and organisations were claiming to have an agreement with NIPOST in respect of this matter. This is just as he noted that

there were now in the public domain, many claims and counterclaims on the matter saying that the issue of the stamp duty is a serious business for government. He clarified further: “The Federal Government has projected an accrual in excess of N2.5 trillion from payment of Stamp Duties from the financial services industry as outlined by the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is indeed a significant contribution to national revenue pegged at N3.8 trillion in the 2016 budget. “It therefore needs no empha-

sis to state that the Government places a big premium on earnings from the enforcement and diligent collection of fees on Stamp Duty”, Shittu added. He recalled that the CBN had in January issued a circular directing all banks and financial institutions to charge stamp duties on lodgments into current accounts with value of N1,000 and above and that the apex bank had emphasized the need to shore up government revenue from the non-oil sector, especially from taxes and rates.

The bank also reiterated that the measure was in compliance with the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act, LFN 2004 as reinforced by a court pronouncement in suit No. FHC/ L /CS / 1710/2013 and therefore directed all Deposit Money Banks and other financial institutions to commence charging N50 per eligible transaction in accordance with the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act and the Federal Government Financial Regulations 2009.

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

Dana Air

L-R: Managing Director of Legacy Insurance Brokers,Mr Babatunde Thomas; President of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers(NCRIB), Mr Kayode Okunoren and Chairman of NCRIB, Northern Area Committee, Mr. Olalekan Olaniran, during the workshop organized by the Area Committee for brokers and underwriters in Kano, Kano State recently.

We can’t pay new permit levy, say truckers FranCIs EZEM

opes that the face-off between the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, and truck owners over the imposition of N10,000 annual truck permit levy would be quickly resolved had been dashed as the truckers have insisted on nonpayment of the levy. A coalition of truck owners and perators associations compriring the Truck Drivers branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria RTEAN, and Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO, among several others had last week, ordered its members to withdraw its trucks from the nation’s seaports in Lagos, thus giving rise to fears of an impending congestion. The withdrawal of the truckers services was sequel to the flag off of the enforcement of the new Minimum Standards on trucks operating at the

nation’s seaports, especially the Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Ports Compplex both in Apapa, Lagos part of which is the imposition of the mandatory N10, 000 annual sticker levy. Meanwhile, Chairman of AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, insisted that the truckers, who are already grappling with the current economic hardship in the country cannot be cajoled to accept the imposition of additional charges under any guise. According to him, standardisation of trucks, which the coalition supports in its totality should not necessarily imply the imposition of additional levies, such additional charges would only worsen the plight of the truckers. “The economic situation in the country occasioned by the dwindling value of the naira with the attendant high cost of maintenance, declining import volumes, which has kept

many of the trucks out of business and the ever increasing pump price of. Automotive Gas Oil AGO, also called diesel. It was gathered that the plight of the truckers was made worse by the poor state of the port access roads with the attendant high cost of maintenance, increasing cases of extortion by the various security and traffic operatives at the ports’ approaches and sometimes wilful destruction of the body parts of these trucks, especially side mirror and chromes by these operatives when the drivers refuse to offer them bribes “The truckers are endangered specie, we are faced with high cost of maintenance, fake spare parts, lubricants, terribly bad roads with the attendant negative effects on the vehicles extortions and vandalisation of the trucks by security agencies” he lamented.

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

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

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG should support banks to finance The nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electricity supply remains pathetically unstable despite sundry efforts by past administrations and current drive by the President Buhari-led administration to increase supply for socio-economic development in the country. In this interview with UDEME AKPAN, the Chief Architect, Go Solar Africa, Mr. Femi Oye, speaks on how exploring renewable energy sources could help bridge the power generation and supply gaps in the country.

ow essential are efficient electricity generation, transmission and distribution in the nation?

Efficient electricity generation, transmission and distribution are very central to all economies, especially an emerging or developing nation. Modern economies run on power, and given modern competitiveness among nations, any country without efficient system of generation and access to electricity will always fall behind in all metrics of development. Can you assess the policies and programmes of Oye previous administrations targeted at providing adequate and stable power in the nation? Of course, the last administration launched the Power Road Map in the nation. Before then, the unbundling policy for the defunct National Electric Power dividuals, households and com- ugly situation in the coming Authority, NEPA into generation, panies, in terms of productivity? years? Well, we have not yet seen the transmission, distribution compasigns of the readiness to redress the Of course all sectors of the econnies and their privatisation was power imbroglio. I say this because, omy have remained on their knees largely achieved. However, investors it has continued to use pricing as because of poor power supply . At kept a long distance to recapitalising the sole strategy of growing invest3,500mw of power generation, the the assets they acquired in order to ment in the sector. But we know that economy kept tottering, unable to attain effectiveness and efficiency in for years of pre-paid scheme, which sustain the level of economic potenthe chain. tial that Nigeria is endowed. This could be the only strategy for effecWhat in your opinion scuttled spiraled into low economic productive tariff collection, the huge sums their efforts to provide uninter- tivity, high cost of investment, high of money generated from the mainrate of unemployment and so on. tenance fees of N750 by the distriburuptible power to consumers? Over the years, the power sector Even when the power generation tion companies have not translated remained among the most misman- reached 4, 000MW-45000MW, issues into genuine efforts to make the sysaged sectors of the economy. Govern- of distribution architecture became tem more efficient. ment proved incapable of supplying a problem. What options or strategies will power using the normal public seryou advocate for consideration by In your opinion, is the Presivice system. I think that insincerity the present government to boost dent Buhari-led administration and corruption has also bedevilled electricity and by implication, on the right path to reverse the the sector so that it became conduit pipe for wasting the little resources of the country. ver the years the pOwer sectOr I think too that poor developing remained amOng the mOst mismanaged planning or deliberate acts of sabotage combined to derail the effective sectOrs Of the ecOnOmy Overnment implementation of adopted policies and strategies targeted at providing prOved incapable Of supplying pOwer electricity to the citizens. For inusing the nOrmal public service system stance, there was a case where heavy power turbine and other materials think that insincerity and cOrruptiOn were procured but the access road to deliver them on-site was not prohas alsO bedevilled the sectOr sO that vided.

How has such inability affected many stakeholders, especially in-

it became cOnduit pipe fOr wasting the little resOurces Of the cOuntry

stimulate all sectors of the economy for growth ? I will suggest that this government should change its tactics. The strategy has remained that of private provision of power. This tactics will include ensuring that power is generated from all possible sources, including the renewable â&#x20AC;&#x201C; solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, etc resources. In particular, as the world moves steadily to renewable energy provision, the power sector in Nigeria will benefit from what has already been provided. The tactics will require government leadership in terms of policy and legislation to back certain strategies for power generation and distribution. Does renewable energy have any promise of assisting the nation to tackle its power dilemma? Renewable energy provides a major opportunity for Nigeria to resolve its power challenge. Like I said earlier, solar and wind power technologies have advanced. What is required is for the policy that provides for private sector support for small players including homes to tap into the solar technology. If the government provides the fiscal incentives such as feed-in tariffs, net metering and flexible tariff systems, carbon pricing through Renewable Energy Credits and others for simple family units and small business players, it

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

renewable energy projects â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Oye will be easy to create a revolution in power pooling through the renewable system. Which countries can we look at as best examples of how to harness renewable energy for national development? Germany for instance plans to have 35per cent of their energy pool come from renewable supply which has achieved 100 per cent by 2015. Sweden is already supplying power to many European economies. These are economies we should be emulating. China already benefits from their inventions in renewable energy such that they are supply the world with hardware in this regard. How did these countries tap into the renewable energy opportunities and what lessons can Nigeria learn from them? It started with leadership commitment and knowledge on the benefits to economic development that this provided. This enabled them to provide appropriate policies and regulations targeted at encouraging private enterprise in this regard. Once the private sector operators appreciate the efforts of the government, they will work to grow innovation to scale. What are the processes involved in exploiting renewable energy sources in the nation? The first step is to provide the enabling policy and regulatory environment that encourage private enterprise. This should be complemented with appropriate fiscal incentives to ensure sustainable growth of such technologies. What have been the contributions of your company in the past few years? In the last three years, we have worked extremely hard to bring solar energy close to consumers in a very affordable and easily accessible way. Through a simple Carbon pricing model, we are able to offer free Solar Mini grids to customers in the Bad-Grid zones on Pay-As-You-Go; Today 1-Watt Solar has an installed capacity of 3.9MW. We have also provided efficient and healthy cooking experience to homes especially, women through the introduction of the biofuel gel and efficient cookstoves which frees the light-cooking energy competition. Our goal has been to remove darkness occasioned from national power supply failure. We are not only filling the gap, but ensuring that government readies itself to make renewable energy a major consideration in its electricity supply strategy. What is your short, medium and long term plans in the sector? The short term option is to decen-

If the Government Is by any means serIous, prIvate and home owners can Generate what they need throuGh wInd and solar whIle the Government provIde a specIalIsed

renewable enerGy credIt throuGh the cbn and commercIal banks at sInGle dIGIt Interest capItal tralise energy generation and supply to participating states and local governments. This will leave the Federal Government to do the grid investment for the long term. If the Government is by any means serious, private and home owners can generate what they need through wind and solar while the government provide a specialised Renewable Energy Credit through the CBN and commercial Banks at single digit interest capital. The point is, Nigerians are losing their mind for lack of innovation in offering by the administration. Has the banks and other financial institutions been assisting to provide funds for investment? At this stage of the development of this innovation, banks have largely shied away from participating. Given the initial cost outlay that attends to renewable energy deployment, and the low level of disposable income among citizens, the funds required to provide this technology will have to come at a single digit. Unfortunately, Nigerian banks are far from seeing the potential in this. Their cost of funds is very discouraging for this type of investment. This is where government could come in by encouraging banks, especially developing banks with a fund dedicated to facilitating renewable energy deployment in the economy. What is the place of effective regulation in attracting more foreign and local investors into the power sector? Let me emphasise that policies and regulations are critical to engendering effective and efficient power supply system. This will include incentives such as soft loans, grants, tax breaks, solar energy rebates, net metering and flexible grid access; and incentive-based regulations such as tax reductions, grants, subsidies and transfers and so on. Also, regulations for feed-in tariffs, energy mandates and so on are very useful at this point. Why has it been difficult to provide adequate meters to consum-

ers? It is only difficult because of government involvement. If the government is serious as it tried to be when the citizens protested the hike in energy tariff, the meters will appear. You recall that previous administrations up to 2007 merely paid lip service to this issue and which serviced the corrupt system prevalent everywhere in the polity. This means that consumers have a major role to play to force the investors to provide meters for efficient pricing

of power consumption and removal of corrupt links in the chain. But most importantly, the government must demonstrate power to sanction non-provision of such key element in the service chain. What other major constraints exist in the sector and how can they be tackled? The Single-Mega Grid system of generating electricity is dead. We are locking in the dogma till tomorrow because there is so much greed at the grid. There exist a mix of smart grid, batteries, fuel cell and mini grid decentralised solutions across the world that can be engineered to double the existing installed capacity from the grid. We cannot move forward by locking our faith in the past. The government needs to demonstrate strong commitment, sincerity of purpose through respect for rule of law, transparency; clear policies and regulatory framework. Despite all the challenges that abound, it should be noted that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power dilemma is not insurmountable. If solution will not come from the top, someday, it will come from the bottom.

Business News

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Insurance firms seek collaboration with airline operators Olusegun KOiKi

t least two Nigerian underwriters of aviation insurance, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance and NICON Insurance have canvassed improved synergy between the insurance sector and aviation industry in order to improve the performances of the two sectors of the economy. Analysts in the insurance sector pointed out that effective cooperation between the two would lead to a win-win situation. Speaking at an event in Lagos, the Managing Director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Eddy Efekoha, said that complying with the rules including on time payment of premiums would ease indemnity should there be risk. He said that the company currently leads in 12 aviation insurance policies and co-insure another 36 with a gross aviation premium income of N17billion in 2015.

Efekoha explained that the numerous plane crashes in the past, business interruption and supply chain risk exposure necessitated the need for regulation as well as aviation insurance in the industry. He listed policies for the sector to include aircraft hull, passengers, aviation third party as well as excess liability also included are aircraft hull war, aviation refuelling; hanger keepers liability and airport operator liability. He added, “In accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 2006, every airline Operator providing air transport services for hire and reward, must have adequate Insurance for passengers/cargo and third party. The insurance must be sufficient to pay compensation of $100,000 per passenger in case of death or injury. Also, the Managing Director of NICON Insurance represented by a manager in the company, Mr. Vincent Okomayin stated that the primary responsibility

GTBank clarifies ‘Bank737’ e-payment service

Tbank has finally unveiled the meaning behind the rhyming numbers ‘Bank737’ which over the last few weeks has put Nigerians in anxiety, especially with the billboard, hash tags and radio hypes. According to the bank, “‘Bank 737’ is a simple, smart, and safe way to bank anytime, anywhere and on any device.” The bank explained that, the number makes opening of account simple as dialing a number from mobile phone or transferring funds. It also noted that paying bills could be done at any time of the day, even long after banking hours. Adding that, “it makes one to make an urgent transfer online and data quicker. This will enable customers to complete their transaction. “Truth is, at some point or the other, we have all experienced those moments when we wished banking could be as simple as ABC and 123. Well, in this case, GTBank has made it as simple as 737. “With ‘Bank 737’, GTBank customers can perform banking functions such as transfers to all banks in Nigeria, check account balance, open a GTBank account, buy airtime, pay bills, BVN linking, token code generation, card less withdrawals and lots more from their mobile phones.” Commenting on the launch of

the product, the bank’s Managing Director, Segun Agbaje, said that “the launch of the product marked another milestone in the bank’s quest to make banking truly simple for its customers. He explained: “We remain firm on our objective to deliver banking products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our ever-growing customer base by leveraging technology to make banking faster, safer and more accessible for all our customers.” The bank’s latest E-payment service, known as the 737 banking, is considered a veritable alternative to in-branch banking as it offers a faster, safer and more convenient way to perform financial transactions.

of both local and international regulation was to ensure safety of life and property of passengers/ third party. He added that the role of airline operators in aviation insurance was to provide adequate and reliable insurance cover. He said that NICON started aviation insurance in Nigeria and was the sole indigenous insurer of the now defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways for a couple of years, bring to bear a wealth of experience in

aviation insurance. According to Okomayin, for smooth synergy airlines are supposed to provide relevant information about the subject matter of insurance from insurance, request adequate cover as well as ensure timely payment of premium as at when due to forestall a situation where the insurance industry would have to pay claims despite delay in premium payment. He also called on airline operators to comply with safety regulations under the Interna-

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II); the Chairman of Gran Imperio Group, Mr. Ayo Ojuroye; Founder of FCMB Group and Olori Omo-oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun and his wife, Olori Abimbola Balogun, during a courtesy visit by the Ooni to Otunba Balogun at his residence in Lagos recently

Ringer Africa Deals Group acquires Nigeria’s online firm DaviD auDu

ne of Africa’s e-commerce companies, Ringier Africa Deals Group, on Wednesday announced its acquisition of one of Nigeria’s biggest online shopping platforms, DealDey. RADG is a newly-founded joint venture between Swiss Ringier Africa AG and South African Silvertree Internet Holdings (Pty) Ltd, According to the group, the acquisition represents an expansion of Ringier Africa’s portfolio beyond publishing and digital marketing in Nigeria and Silvertree’s first e-commerce investment in

the country. The deal sees the two companies invest significantly in Nigeria’s fast-growing multi-billion dollar e-commerce sector as part of their partnership in the Ringier Africa Deals Group. DealDey Co-CEOs Kehinde Oriola and Etop Ikpe say the DealDey team is excited about joining forces with the newly-formed Ringier Africa Deals Group. “It offers great opportunities as DealDey brings its wealth of experience in technology, merchant management and consumer behaviour in Nigeria to leverage the Ringier Africa portfolio in marketing, classifieds and media

Africa Tax Symposium holds June in Uganda

tional Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, stating that on the part of the Insurance regulator, National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, they would ensure the scope of policies issued by the insurance sector was enough to provide the required support in the event of a mishap. “Airline operators are advised to ensure that all aspects of their operations are adequately,” he said.

he Africa Tax Symposium , which is an annual authoritative event drawing together tax professionals from all over the continent, has been scheduled to hold in Uganda from June 4 -6 this year. The aim of the Symposium is to analyse the most pertinent international tax issues of the day and to place them within the African context. This is reflected in the signature theme, Trends in International Taxation: An African Perspective Building on the success of the inaugural Symposium, this year’s event will focus on today’s burning tax issues, such as the post-BEPS landscape, aggressive tax planning, transfer pricing and challenges impacting particular industries and transactions. These topics will be brought to life by a rich selection of renowned tax experts. The Symposium

presents a wide range of speakers from tax practice, industry, revenue authorities and academia. This compelling mix is enriched even further by IBFD’s top experts on Africa. The Africa Tax Symposium is an initiative of IBFD’s Centre for Studies in African Taxation (CSAT), a think tank devoted to the study and development of African taxation. Through the Symposium, CSAT aims to contribute to deeper and more analytical knowledge of international tax across the continent. CSAT also sponsors research into areas of tax policy relevant to particular sectors in Africa. One way of effecting this is by means of “CSAT scholarships,” under which qualifying researchers receive sponsorship for pertinent research work.

as well as Silvertree’s e-commerce expertise towards supporting the sustainable growth of the group.” The group noted however that in the new group, Kehinde Oriola will continue as the CEO of DealDey as part of RADG, while Etop Ikpe will be moving on to new ventures. Also, as acting CEO of RADG, Damien Bonnabel, current Head of e-Commerce for Ringier Africa and General Manager of Ringier Kenya, will be working with the management of DealDey and the group’s other companies. DealDey, the online deals e-commerce platform, was launched in 2011 by serial entrepreneur, Simdul Shagaya, together with Investment AB Kinnevik. With over 1 million users, 15,000 active merchants and 20,000 verified listed businesses, DealDey is the largest online deals business in the region. In addition to its core platform, DealDey today also comprises of the couponing platform Promohub and discovery platform, both forming part of the acquisition. Ringier Africa Deals Group, RADG, the purchasing holding company, has been created by a carve out of the leading Kenyan online deals out of Ringier Kenya and of the leading Ghanaian online deals platform Tisu out of Ringer Ghana.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Business News

Ntel reactivates SAT-3 submarine cable for operations IsaIah ErhIawarIEn NatCom Development & Investment Limited, trading as ntel, Nigeria’s largest and most advanced broadband LTE network, has announced the reactivation and return to service of its SAT-3 submarine cable. The SAT-3/WASC/SAFE or South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable is the longest submarine communications cable in the world with 17 landing points linking Portugal and Europe to South Africa, with connections to several West African countries along the route. The cable also forms part of the SAT-3/WASC/SAFE cable system, where the SAFE cable links South Africa to Asia. The SAT-3/WASC/SAFE system provides a path between Europe and Asia for telecommunications traffic that is an alternative to the cable routes that pass through the Middle East. SAT-3 provides access to global

markets and enables “seamless and diverse” connectivity to the rest of the world. In a statement announcing the successful repair and reactivation of the cable for service, Chief Executive Officer,ntel, Kamar Abass, said that the repair of SAT-3 remained a healthy development “for datahungry consumers and corporates in need of superfast and abundant broadband carried over a robust fibre network with significant capacity and low latency. “SAT-3’s 17 landing points and intermediate branches incountry and abroad provide for connections all the way to the Far East, thanks to our alliance with SAFE”, Abass enthused. Potential customers of SAT3 include, Nigeria’s GSM and LTE operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), major international companies, Private Telecom Operators, Content/ Hosting Operators, Infomedics/

Infomatics Operators, the judiciary (for the execution of realtime on-line matters), banks and the military as well as airline operators. SAT-3’s repair also included the cable’s physical diversion away from shipping lanes in the approach to the Port of Lagos. In the past, the dropping (and dragging) of anchors by such traffic had been associated with disruptions to the cable. With

the repaired system’s activation, the system’s Upgrade IV will also be implemented. This boosts its throughput capacity from 420Gbps to 920Gbps in the northern segments and from 340Gbps to 800Gbps in the southern segments. SAT-3 Nigeria is now positioned to better address Nigeria’s need for super-fast internet connectivity, data-hungry applications, high-quality video-on-

demand and increasing social media usage, thus enhancing customer experience. Today, submarine cable systems carry more than 98 per cent of all overseas voice, data and video traffic. This year, ntel expects to connect hundreds of new customers to the SAT-3 system, including many who have successfully used the system in the recent past.

Labour accuses ITF boss of reneging on pact terms

arely one month after taking over as the Acting Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr. Dickson Unuoha, has been accused of reneging on the terms of the agreement reached with the organised labour on how to move the agency forward. The workers cited one of the terms to include reviewing of all contracts approved by him as well as payments made on them. In a letter dated March 17, 2016 sent to him, the joint workers unions which comprised the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transportation and Corporations (SSACTC), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreation Employees (AUPCTRE), insisted that failure by the Acting Director General to act on their demand would plunge the ITF into another industrial action. The workers’ unions alleged that since he took over the organization, Onuoha had been running it in a manner that suggested that he was acting the script written by the former DG, Mrs. Chukka-Onaeko. The letter titled “Insincerity of the Acting DirectorGeneral In Sustaining Industrial Harmony,” and signed by 20 officials, indicated that they had earlier advised Onuoha through a letter of Febru-

ary 18, against approving and making payments to contractors. The labour leaders cited the meetings they had with the Acting Director General of which the resolutions led to the setting up of joint management/unions committees to investigate if there were payments made on the day he resumed office, and who approved the payments, for which contractors and the amount involved. They however alleged that the ITF boss reneged on terms of the agreements entered into with the unions, including his failure to provide them details of the February bank statements from where they would have ascertained payments made to contractors.

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr Tomi Asuni; Managing Director Ekimiks Ltd, Mr Tope Miriki; Director General International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga and Guest Speaker, Mrs Lolade Adesola at the training on Developing Strategic Skill for Agricbusiness in Ibadan yesterday PHOTO:NAN

Artisan wins 4-bedroom duplex in Fidelity savings promo

…as Bank doles out N29m cash prizes

dianosen Adodo, an artisan based in Benin city, Edo State became a proud owner of 4-bedroom duplex in Rivers State, having emerged the grand prize winner of the fifth bi-monthly draw of the Fidelity ‘Save-4 Shelter’ promotion. The house, a masterpiece of modern architecture is located at 7A, 5th Avenue off Road 2, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt. Rivers State. The lender has so far given out N29 million as rent sup-

port to winners of its ongoing savings promo. Speaking at the fifth prize presentation of the Save-4 Shelter promo in Port Harcourt, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said that the savings promo is designed specifically to raise awareness on the need for the Nigerian populace to imbibe a savings culture. The Managing Director, who spoke through the Executive Director, South, Aku Odinkemelu reiterated the bank’s dogged commitment towards the provi-

European stocks rebound after 4-Day declining streak

uropean stocks snapped their longest losing streak in more than a month as markets reopened after the Easter holiday. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3 percent at 3:19 p.m. in London. It earlier erased an increase of as much as 1 percent as miners reversed gains. The volume of shares traded was a fifth lower than the 30-day average. The benchmark fell for the past four sessions amid slides in banks and resource-related companies, signaling a loss of momentum in

the rebound that more than halved its 2016 decline. Investors are speculating on the pace of U.S. interest-rate increases after stronger-than-forecast economic growth there boosted the case for a hike. Data today also showed U.S. consumer confidence rose more than estimated in March. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks in New York after European markets close. “Markets are reversing losses from Thursday when nobody wanted to take positions ahead of the long weekend,” said Michael

Woischneck, an equities fund manager who oversees the equivalent of $166 million at Lampe Asset Management in Dusseldorf, Germany. “All eyes will be on Yellen when she talks later today. The next move driving the market will come from the central banks, especially the Fed.” The Stoxx 600 rallied as much as 14 percent since a Feb. 11 low to a two-month high amid optimism about central-bank policies, before losing steam. It’s still on course for its first monthly advance since November, rising 0.7 percent.

sion of superior customer service, formally handed over the keys and title deeds of the highvalue property to an ecstatic Adodo in an elaborate ceremony. The bank also presented cash and consolation prizes to the following customers: Nkeiruka Chijioke (N500, 000), Eric Amadi (Generator Set) and Igbagara Lee Barile (Refrigerator). She pointed out that similar exercise was going on concurrently in Lagos where the financial institution was presenting fantastic prizes to winners of the fifth draw of the Fidelity ‘Save 4 Shelter’ promotion. Adodo expressed his sincere gratitude to Fidelity Bank Plc, further urging other financial institutions to tow the same line of rewarding their customers. Last November, Hadiza Kuburat Umar Suleiman won the first promo 4-bedroom duplex located at Lingo Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja. At the Lagos event which was coordinated by the Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, Nneka Onyeali- Ikeja, the bank disclosed that over 200 winners are expected to emerge by the time the promo ends in April.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Commerce & Industry

Forex restriction on 41 items desirable for our nation’s economic growth – Prof. Oaikhinan

While some few manufacturers who basically import their raw materials have been bemoaning the CBN’s policy restricting importers of some 41 items from sourcing their forex from official windows, other industrialists have seen the monetary policy stance as a desirable strategy to boost the nation’s industrial capacity. In this interview with ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, the President of Ceramics Professional Association of Nigeria, CERAPAN, and the CEO of Epina Technologies Limited, Professor Patrick Eguakhide Oaikhinan, sees the policy as potentially beneficial to Nigeria’s economy if stakeholders support the apex bank in its implementation.

How do you assess the CBN’s policy restricting some items from accessing forex? The restriction would have been very welcome news if the capacities for producing the affected items are locally available. However, the restriction is in the right direction to encourage Nigerians to look inward for alternatives and this approach is the best way to promote local manufacturing of some of the listed items. Nigeria has capacity in virtually all those restricted item; there is no need for us to continue importing them instead of developing our own. And I think the policy would yield good results if well executed and given time to materialise. Ceramic products are in the list of 41 banned items from forex market by the CBN and some real sector players have been commenting on its likely negative impact on their operations. Do you have the same feeling in terms of how the policy has impacted or may impact on the ceramics sub-sector? The restriction was placed on ‘Tiles-vitrified and ceramic’. The importations of ceramic products currently exceed $600million and the demand-supply gap is much. Present local production of ceramics is less than 10 per cent of our national needs. Moreover, the technical and production infrastructure facilities for ceramics processing are not available. There is no university in Nigeria that offers ceramic science, ceramic engineering and ceramic technology courses. If the current amount spent on ceramics importation is used to build ceramics development centre, the restriction will positive effect on the local economy. To be factual, I don’t think that the policy has any negative impact on ceramics, rather it would help the sub-sector to develop tremendously. Although we have not been feeling the impact as such due to the lack of infrastructure as I mentioned; I am hopeful and I am sure that the policy is timely. Is the policy restricting some 41 items from forex too harsh to the manufacturers in the country or do you think there is a need to be harsher on that policy? It is not possible to satisfy everyone. I stayed in Indian for six months for my research studies in ceramics manufacturing business. The foods that I ate were all produced locally. We all should encourage government to grow our domestic industries for competitive advantages at the global markets. So to me, the policy though may seem to be harsh but we need such policy to develop and advance our own local products. That is the practice in all other developed economies. While the government is trying to promote locally produced goods, consumers complain of low quality of those made-in-Nigeria products. How do you think this can be overcome? When industries continue to use out-dated facilities and untrained employees for production, what do you expect? For example, let us take a closer look at the production of ceramics in Nigeria. The primary raw materials for production are not characterized before usage. Unless you know the characteristics of the raw materials, it will be very difficult for anyone to formulate product composition, determine process technology and glaze application. There is no local laboratory for quality control and property evaluations. This is one area government has to work on so that we can pro-

THE RESTRICTION IS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ENCOURAGE NIGERIANS TO LOOK INWARD FOR ALTERNATIVES AND THIS APPROACH IS THE BEST WAY TO PROMOTE LOCAL MANUFACTURING OF SOME OF THE LISTED ITEMS. NIGERIA HAS CAPACITY IN VIRTUALLY ALL THOSE RESTRICTED ITEM; THERE IS NO NEED FOR US TO CONTINUE IMPORTING THEM INSTEAD OF DEVELOPING OUR OWN. AND I THINK THE POLICY WOULD YIELD GOOD RESULTS IF WELL EXECUTED AND GIVEN TIME TO MATERIALIZE

Oaikhinan

duce high quality products that will even compete in the global market. Another complaint by Nigerian consumers is that those goods made in Nigeria are more costly than those imported. What is your take on this and what do you think could be done on this? Not in all cases. For ceramics production the technical manpower, machines and glazing/decorating materials are all imported. Why will the price not be on the high side? Nigerians should invest in human capacity building to ensure availability of local technical skills. Apart from the restriction of some 41 items from official forex market windows, which other policies do you think can be put in place to actually promote and achieve made-in-Nigeria products? We need to review our university curricula for various courses to encourage entrepreneurship and promote community involvement in the accelerated growth of our industries. Courses that are currently being neglected (e.g. ceramic science, ceramic engineering and ceramic technology, entrepreneurship, etc.) in Nigeria should be included in our educational development policies. The country is trying to diversify its economy, and the primary sector to achieve that is agriculture being the sector in which the country seems to have comparative advantage. Do you think agriculture sector alone can bring about the needed economic revolution in Nigeria? Focus on agriculture alone will not result in an ‘intelligent growth’ of our economy. We need to take advantage of the solid mineral resources that Nigeria has. We need to convert these minerals into useful products e.g. ceramics. Ceramics is a worldwide leader in the economic development of nations. As one of mankind’s

oldest industries, the ceramic industry is a strategic and future-oriented sector. Through its continued commitment to innovation, the ceramic industry has demonstrated its willingness and ability to contribute to the development of a competitive and efficient national economy in the coming decades. This category of materials that includes products such as abrasives, tiles, bricks, hollow blocks, glass, tableware, refractory, spark plugs, electrical insulators, technical ceramics, etc, are used in aviation, automotive, construction, electronics, military, household, telecommunications, and medical applications. Without ceramic components and assemblies for industries as diverse as chemical, petrochemical, beverage, power distribution, mining, textile, lighting, metal and glass; and in high-temperature and high-pressure thermal processing environments the development of Nigeria will be very slow. Globally, ceramics have become a captive industry, with its market projected to reach $408 billion by 2018. What is the government’s level of commitment to ceramics industry currently? In the past, government was interested in training Nigerians in ceramic disciplines. I am one of the beneficiaries of government scholarship for ceramics engineering. Today, the interest being shown by the present administration is likely to bring about a new paradigm in ceramics development. Apart from government, we need angel investors to support the growth of ceramics manufacturing business in Nigeria. With the current economic situation in Nigeria, what projection do you have for the country in the next five years? With the current administration drive and commitment, the next five years look great. Accelerated development of agriculture and solid mineral resources will create employment for our youths, reduce ruralurban migration and encourage community involvement in the growth of our economy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Global greenhouse gas emissions drop to 32.1bn 36

NERC orders Discos to provide data on metered customers

Forex restriction on 41 items desirable for our nation –Prof. Oaikhinan

Counting costs of perennial fuel scarcity on Nigeria’s growth targets

While many development analysts have predicted that the current low oil prices at the global market may invariably undermine the attainment of the macroeconomic targets of the 2016 budget, others are saying that when analysed within the context of its medium and long term implications, the recurring fuel shortages remained one of the factors responsible for the nation’s under-development.UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU report that the economic outlook of Nigeria may be further worsened in the years ahead if the fuel menace is not frontally tackled.

ith the prolonged lull in the global oil market, many Nigerians are worried that the nation may not be able to generate adequate funds for the implementation of its short, medium and other development goals. They predicted that the prices which currently hover at over $40 per barrel may not be sustainable for long. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC indicated in its March, 2016 report that the world economic growth has been revised down for this year to 3.1per cent, after estimated growth of 2.9per cent in 2015. It disclosed that OECD growth in 2016 had been revised lower to 1.9per cent, slightly below the 2.0per cent seen in 2015. The report disclosed that in the emerging economies, India and China are seen continuing to expand at a considerable pace of 7.5per cent and 6.3per cent, respectively. The report disclosed that Brazil and Rus-

sia, however, are now forecast to see a larger than expected contraction in 2016. It maintained that the world oil demand growth for 2015 stands at 1.54 mb/d to average 92.98 mb/d, in line with the previous report. The report maintained that global oil demand growth for 2016 also remains unchanged at around 1.25 mb/d to average 94.23 mb/d. It also added that in 2016, demand for OPEC crude is expected to stand at 31.5 mb/d, 0.1

mb/d, lower than last month, and representing an increase of 1.8 mb/d over the previous year. While appreciating the deleterious effects of the lingering fuel scarcity on the economy, the Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, pointed out that the scarcity had made it impossible for transporters to source fuel at official price, thus compelling them to hike

Most filling stations sold the product in excess of n140 per liter. But the price was Much higher in the Black Market. for instance, the price of 10 liter jerry can hovered at Between n2,000 and n4,000, depending on location in port harcourt and its environs

fares with the attendant price increases in consumer goods and services. Yusuf maintained that there was also serious loss of man hours in many sectors as a result of the problems associated with sourcing fuel for operations, noting further that the operational cost in many sectors have also increased, especially as investors now generate additional power to sustain operations. The National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi indicated that the activities of his members who provide specialized services to International Oil Companies, IOCs have virtually been grounded because of the fuel scarcity. He observed that members of the association cannot carry out their economic activities anymore because of the scarcity. “Our members provide many specialised products and services to the majors but cannot do much these days as a result of the situation. Those who still carry out their operations do so at very high cost,” he noted. Specifically, investigations showed that the fuel scarcity has already impacted very negatively on the implementation of many projects and programmes in different parts of the nation. For instance, in Abuja, some residents who spoke with our correspondent admitted that the fuel situation has forced them to remain at home instead of going about their normal activities in the past few weeks. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Counting costs of perennial fuel scarcity on Nigeria’s growth targets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 A motorist, Mike Ezenwaenyi, told our correspondent that he planned to travel to village with his family during Easter but gave up the plan after three unsuccessful days of search for the scarce commodity. “The other day I was almost getting to the dispensing point at one filling station in Central Area when they came and announced that the product is finished. This was after some four hours on queue. I had to cancel my plan to travel because you can imagine when the situation is like this in the capital city it will be more troubles in the hinterlands,” he indicated. The scarcity also affected many activities in the northern states, including Kaduna. Despite the location of a refinery there, many filling stations were closed because of lack of petrol. Residents who preferred not to be named said in different telephone interviews that they preferred to stay at home because of the difficulty associated with transportation. The situation was almost the same in Lagos and its environs where most filling stations were shut because operators had no product to sell to consumers. There were very long queues of automobiles at many filling stations that had limited stocks of the product. A liter of the product was sold at between N120 and N200 per liter, depending on location. Consequently, illegal operators were seen hawking the product along major streets at exorbitant prices. For instance, the price of five liters of fuel rose from about N700 to N1, 500 while the price of 10 liters stood at N3, 000. Many major roads were empty on last Saturday and Sunday as automobile owners did not have fuel to move from one place to another. Some who made efforts to go out preferred to patronise the public transport system, popularly known as BRT. The situation was severe, particularly as there were no officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR to monitor and sanction illegal operators who took advantage of scarcity to exploit the general public. Investigations showed the agency did not have adequate plans to intervene during the holiday. The scarcity also affected activities in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state despite the location of two refineries there which should assist to ensure the fuel is delivered to consumers because of proximity. Investigations showed that most filling stations were shut throughout the period. A few stations that had commercial stocks of fuel sold it at very high prices to consumers. Most filling stations sold the product in excess of N140 per liter. But the price was much higher in the black market. For instance, the price of 10 liter-jerry can hovered at between N2, 000 and N4, 000, depending on location in Port Harcourt and its environs. Although, the scarcity appears to be a short term issue, observers said it could have a cumulative negative impact of the nation’s medium and long term goals and targets, including the Vision 20: 2020, if recurring fuel crisis is allowed to spill over into the years

Kachichukwu

Buhari ahead. This could be a disaster as the visions aims at making Nigeria one of the most 20 developed economies in the world by the year 2020. The vision is an 11 year economic transformation agenda (2009-2020) which is targeted at moving the nation to the league of top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020 with a GDP of $900 billion and per capita income of $4,000. However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has acknowledged the sufferings of the people saying it empathise with the difficulties Nigerians are presently going through due to the current fuel situation. The Corporation assured that the government is not taking their patience for granted but urged Nigerians to continue to be patient because the difficulties being experienced as a result of the situation will soon be alleviated. “We would like to assure all Nigerians that the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources/Group Managing Director, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and everybody else associated with this situation is working tirelessly round the clock to ensure relief is brought to Nigerians. “Our immediate concern is to make pet-

rol available through the interventions and processes put in place so that the queues will disappear within the next one to two weeks. As at 1600hrs of today, one (1)PMS cargo containing 42million litres has completely discharged, two (2) more PMS cargos with a combined ‘Remaining on Board’(ROB) of 44million litres are currently discharging while another PMS cargo containing 44 million litres is berthed and awaiting discharge. We have enough products lined up to ensure that the supply gap which created the problem is bridged. In order to ensure effective distribution we are working with Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), oil majors and over 1,000 NNPC staff, nationwide to ensure we overcome the obstacles in the distribution of the products,” it added. The Corporation reiterated that this present management of NNPC and indeed the Government inherited huge and complicated problems with respect to importation, distribution and pricing of petroleum products. It tasked Nigerians to recall that the sum of N522,258,934,505 meant for payment of fuel subsidy, covering the last quarter of 2014 (October to December) and the entire 2015 was approved by the Senate in December 2015 in order to pay for subsidy arrears inherited by

Although, the scArcity AppeArs to be A short term issue, observers sAid it could hAve A cumulAtive negAtive impAct of the nAtion’s medium And long term goAls And tArgets, including the vision 20: 2020, if recurring fuel crisis is Allowed to spill over into the yeArs AheAd

this government. The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Mohammed, in a statement noted that ‘for long term solutions, the NNPC and the Government is working to put in place machineries to ensure that our refineries are fixed and working optimally, while the pipelines which have been under attack for some time now are repaired. ‘The Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement for crude would commence in the first week of April and all these coupled with the fact that the President has given his support to increase the crude supply to NNPC to ensure local sufficiency of products will go a long way to solve the problems in the short and long term’. However, some stakeholders have made suggestions, capable of assisting the nation to tackle the various issues at stake. For instance, the LCCI has stressed the need to urgently liberalise the downstream petroleum sector for unfettered private sector participation and investment, subject of course to an appropriate regulatory framework. It indicated that there should be a level playing field for all operators, including the NNPC. Yusuf disclosed that this would put an end to the perennial problem of fuel scarcity in the country and the hardships suffered by citizens to fuel scarcity. The chamber noted that this would attract more investment, generate more jobs and reduce the pressure on the country’s foreign reserves. The LCCI maintained that the role of the NNPC needs to be clearly defined. Yusuf stressed that it should not be an operator and still have regulatory powers. He disclosed that a model that would allow for a level playing field for all operators including the NNPC should be adopted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

NERC orders Discos to provide data on metered customers CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said it had issued a notice to the 11 Distribution companies (Discos) to furnish information of the metered customers for validation. The acting Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akak in an interview weekend said the Commission has sent a notice on that to the Discos and would expect them to provide details of customers being metered in one month. He said: “We just sent them the notice, so we expect that they will start taking effect within a month, We are monitoring them and we also enjoin them to give us complete names, addresses and phone numbers of the people they said they metered so that the commission can run a spot random check to be sure that you actually metered.” NERC had pronounced that the Discos should publish a schedule of those whom they would meter to enable the public keep track of metered customers in the wake of a hiked tariff from February 2016. Akah said the Discos have been told to provide accurate data noting that “whether it is 10,000 meters or 20,000 they install, we are taking it very serious and that the issue of giving the commission deliberate wrong information is a criminal offence; it is something we cannot take lightly.” The Discos it was learnt have initiated steps towards customers metering after most of them committed to metering about 100,000 customers annually taking effect this year. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said it is looking for vendors for meter installation. In a pub-

Transformer

lication this week, Abuja Disco said it has 400,000 customers connected to its network of which 50% (200,000) are unmetered customers. Meanwhile, a statement from AEDC’s spokesman, Ahmed Shekarau has said its offices across Kogi, Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger states will remain open during the holidays to respond to faults, and customers’ complaints. Its cash offices and vending points across the franchise area will also be opened for business to enable customers settle their electricity bills and also buy electricity tokens. It appeal to customers to ensure safe use of electricity while urging them to always settle their electricity bills on time to avoid disconnection. AEDC opened its offices to its customers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states to respond to faults, customers’ complaints and also distribute the electricity allocated to it by the System Operator (TCN) during the Easter Public

Holidays. Similarly, the Company said all its cash offices and vending points across the franchise area was opened for business to enable customers settle their electricity bills and also buy electricity tokens. The company said in a statement that worked relentlessly to ensure that all its customers in the franchise area got sufficient power supply to enhance their comfort and joyous moments during Easter holiday. The AEDC further reiterated its commitment to improved service delivery to all classes of its customers, saying that with the renewed vigour by the present administration to grow the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), its customers should expect the very best at all times. The Company, however, appealed to all its customers to ensure safe use of electricity while also urging them to always settle their electricity bills on time to avoid disconnection.

SPDC raises gas production for power generation UDEME AKPAN

he Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC has increased gas production for manufacturing and power generation in the nation. The company indicated in a statement that the Joint Venture is producing more gas from Agbada field in the Eastern Niger Delta in support of government’s aspiration of increasing domestic gas production for manufacturing and power generation. It disclosed that Some 10 million standard cubic feet of non-associated

gas per day (MMscf/d) was produced from the Agbada Early Gas Production Facility (EGPF), into the eastern domestic gas network on March 8, 2016 and has already ramped up to 20MMscf/d of gas, with 1,500 barrels per day of oil. The company stressed that a peak production of 40MMscf/d is expected to be achieved, in addition to oil production of about 2,500 barrels per day. It maintained that the milestone comes as SPDC JV’s Afam VI - with 650MW capacity - continues to deliver power to the national grid. “We’re pleased to support efforts to-

wards increasing gas supply for manufacturers and power plants,” said Toyin Olagunju, General Manager Projects, SPDC. “We’re also pleased that the project was delivered in record time - 14 months from initiation to first gas – within budget and most importantly, safely. We acknowledge the support of NAPIMS and other JV partners, without which the milestone would not have been possible.” It disclosed that the additional gas will further boost gas availability on the eastern domestic gas network and will

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

39.19

-0.27

-0.68%

1:00 PM

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

40.09

-0.35

-0.87%

12:59 PM

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

27,490.00

-600.00

-2.14%

12:57 PM

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

1.84

+0.04

+1.99%

1:00 PM

Source: Bloomberg as at March 28, 2016

be available to enhance power generation by over 150mw. The company said that the early gas project was initiated in January 2015 pending the completion of the main Agbada non-associated gas plant. It indicated that SPDC pioneered the production and delivery of gas to domestic consumers and export markets. The company disclosed that early this year, SPDC signed a gas sale agreement with the Bayelsa State Government under which it will sell gas to the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC) for the purpose of power supply to the Kolo Creek Gas Turbine. It said that Shell is the only international oil and gas company to have set up a gas distribution business in the country, Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG). However, power generation remained low as a result of low gas supply and other problems. Investigations showed that other problems included pipeline vandalism, inadequate funding, lack of meters and corruption.

Energy Week PTDF sets agenda on renewable energy

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) one of the parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has set agenda for the development of renewable energy in the nation. The Acting Executive Secretary (AES) Mr. Aminu Galadima disclosed the efforts of the PTDF in breeding scholars outside the shores of Nigeria thereby developing the country’s human capacity sector. According to him, “the PTDF and Cranfield University, United Kingdom have been in collaboration since the inception of the OSS. To date, the PTDF have trained over 250 MSc scholars and 49 PhD scholars at the Cranfield University. “Presently, there are 14 scholars (8 PhD and 6 MSc) who are still studying at Cranefield.” Highlighting some of its interventions, particularly in the Renewable Energy Sector Aminu said the proposed training of about 50 scholars (30 MSc and 20 PhD) in renewable energy where upon graduation, the scholars will return to Nigeria to impact the knowledge in-country. He spoke further “the PTDF is also in collaboration with some institutions in Brazil and Germany in view of expanding the overseas scholarship scheme in a cost effective manner such that the most relevant areas will be covered with a more robust focus renewable energy.” He added that some of the proposed partners in Brazil include the University of Sao Paulo; Sao Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP); Brazil Research Foundation and Universidade Federal De Lavras. “Some of the partners in Germany include the German Academic Exchange Service and Alexander Von Humblodt. We are also proposing a partnership in France with n+i Engineering Institutes constituting 50 Engineering Institutes, Campus France, and the education arm of the French Embassy. “PTDF’s effort and collaboration with schools in United Kingdom (UK), United State of America U.S.A. and the United Arab Emirate (UAE) that have either directly or indirectly helped in developing the Nigerian academia which is in line with the Fund’s mandate,” he said. He told participants at the one day workshop that the framework will be such that the collaborating institutions are expected to jointly fund the research and in some cases other components of the scholarship, being the Fund’s commitment to effectively discharge its responsibilities in developing not just the international scholarships but also to impact the Nigerian educational sector through its numerous programmes, it submitted.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global greenhouse gas emissions drop to 32.1bn

UDEME AKPAN

he environmental threat of oil and gas production and utilisation may be gradually fizzling out as the International Energy Agency; IEA has put the global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions at 32.1 billion. In its latest report, the agency disclosed that global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) – the largest source of man-made greenhouse gas emissions – stayed flat for the second year in a row, according to analysis of preliminary data for 2015. “The new figures confirm last year’s surprising but welcome news: we now have seen two straight years of greenhouse gas emissions decoupling from economic growth,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “Coming just a few months after the landmark COP21 agreement in Paris, this is yet another boost to the global fight against climate change.” It indicated that global emissions of carbon dioxide stood at 32.1 billion tonnes in 2015, having remained essentially flat since 2013. The IEA preliminary data suggest that electricity generated by renewables played a critical role, having accounted for around 90 per cent of

new electricity generation in 2015; wind alone produced more than half of new electricity generation. It noted that in parallel, the global economy continued to grow by more than three per cent, offering further evidence that the link between economic growth and emissions growth is weakening. The agency disclosed that in the more than 40 years in which the IEA has been providing information on CO2emissions, there have been only four periods in which emissions stood still or fell compared to the previous year. It maintained that three of those – the early 1980s, 1992 and 2009 – were associated with global economic weakness. The agency noted that the recent stall in emissions comes amid economic expansion: according to the International Monetary Fund, global GDP grew by 3.4per cent in 2014 and 3.1per cent in 2015. It disclosed that the two largest emitters, China and the United States, both registered a decline in energy-related CO2 in 2015. The agency noted that in China, emissions declined by 1.5 per cent, as coal use dropped for the second year in a row. It maintained that the economic restructuring towards

Gas flaring

less energy-intensive industries and the government’s efforts to decarbonise electricity generation pushed coal use down. It disclosed that in 2015, coal generated less than 70 per cent of Chinese electricity, ten percentage points less than four years ago (in 2011). The agency maintained that over the same period lowcarbon sources jumped from 19per cent to 28 per cent, with hydro and wind accounting for most of the increase. It noted that in the United States, emissions declined by two per cent, as a large switch from coal to natural gas use in electricity generation took place. The agency stressed that the decline observed in the two major emitters was offset by

increasing emissions in most other Asian developing economies and the Middle East, and also a moderate increase in Europe. It noted that more details on the data and analysis will be included in a World Energy Outlook special report on energy and air quality that will be released at the end of June. The agency indicated that the report will go beyond CO2 emissions and will provide a first in-depth analysis of the role the energy sector plays in air pollution, a crucial policy issue that today results in seven million premature deaths a year. Specifically, it disclosed that the report will provide the outlook for emissions and their impact on health, and provide policy makers with strategies to mitigate energyrelated air pollution in the short and long term.

Electricity: Nigerians deserve better deal – Minister CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Minister for State, Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, has said that after 120 years of electricity generation in Nigerians deserve better service than what currently obtains in the sector. Shehuri gave the hint at the 5th Induction Ceremony of National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) Graduate Skills Development Programme (NGSDP), for 2015/2016 session in Abuja recently. He attributed the long waste-

Fashola

ful and uninspiring Journey of electricity generation which started 120 years at Ijora - Lagos State to the myriad of woes currently confronting the Nigerian nation. He urged the new inductees to see themselves, as “Agent of positive change hence they are expected to confronting frontally the myriad of problems militating against our quest for development through coordinated and innovative means of providing practical solutions to issues, which can take Nigeria into the future. The minister of state commended the inductees for being part of the strategies Government hopes to use in battling the age – long lack of stable and reliable electricity, as it intends to use youth manpower training platform to redress the deficiency in profession and technical capacity in the power sector. He said “it is a thing of joy to witness an army of youth professionals who have enlisted in the army of professionals to restore honour and hope by making positive difference in the embattled sector”. The Minister pledged the support of the Ministry to NAPTIN’s activi-

ties, urging it to ensure that the momentum is maintained and built upon. The target of 25,000mw by year 2020 as annunciated in Vision 20:2020 document, can only be achieved through a robust infrastructure development but more essentially through competent technical workforce, significant portion of this will be through increased and enhanced capacity of NAPTIN’s trainees. Shehuri paid glowing tributes to the support and collaboration efforts of stakeholders through sponsorship of trainees, Train the Trainers project and access to training facilities, adding that such synergy is a way of showing deep commitment to implementing the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Permanent Secretary, (Power), Engr. Louis Edozien has acknowledged the ever-present factor on electricity as one important resource for socio economic development, saying the rancor we are currently experiencing in many parts of the country is not unconnected to lack of access to electricity.

He enjoined the trainees to brace up to the challenge NAPTIN has offered them to build on the engineering fundamentals they have acquired. In addition, they should imbibe the right attitude, attention to procedure, character, integrity and service as their chosen field is all about precision and result orientation. “You cannot afford not to pay attention to details in ensuring that equipment and machines under your watch are well maintained as they expected not to break down so often but to last and give service.” Earlier, the Director General, NAPTIN, Engr. Reuben Okeke, had asked that NAPTIN at this stage of her development will want to have its own enabling law enacted by Parliament rather than being still subjected to law only under the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, saying that the Institute will continue to provide a reservoir of knowledgeable technical work-force that will project the sector into the digital age.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

From The Civil Service NTDC positions tourism for economic diversification Joel AJAyi ABUJA

s Nigeria’s economy awaits a breath of fresh air, the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC has intensified strategies geared towards using tourism potentials to generate more income for the country. The Director General of the Corporation, Sally Mbanefo, gave this indication when she chaired Nzeh Mada festival 2016 tourism fair in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, assuring government’s determination to generate more revenue through abundant festival in the country that are yet to be tapped. She maintained that tourism is widely recognised as one of the world`s largest industry that focuses primarily on leisure, business, travel activities and centers around visitor`s movement to a particular destination. NTDC boss however expressed optimism that the awareness the corporation is creating will reposition the sector as a main revenue earner for the country. “We have taken time to visit all the tourists’ locations across the country to see what they have and what we can do to help develop them and market them. Nigeria has over 1,000 tourists destinations including 33 museums, 65 national monuments,” she said. According to her, tourism development in Nigeria is gradually becoming of concern to many stakeholders. Said she: “Domestic Tourism remains one of

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; representative of the wife of the President, Dr. Linda Ayade and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehamire, during the 2016 World Tuberculosis Day, in Abuja. the enablers behind the country’s developmental programmes of job creation and as people travel within Nigeria, it will create unity and peaceful harmony. “We believe in the local tourism, that is why we are supporting every festival, we want to rebrand, reposition every of our historical sites. “Festivals in Nigeria

will no doubt facilitate travel businesses and promote hospitality and tourism services in Nigeria and if this is done it means there will be more job opportunities, there would be more revenue for the country, especially this time around when oil price in the world declined.” She lamented the lack of attention to tourism sector, facilities decay and

negligence as some challenges of domestic tourism in Nigeria. “One reason for delay in the growth of the tourism sector of the Nigerian economy is that attention has not been given to festivals and some historical sites like Nzeh festival in Nassarawa State. “That is why NTDC is collaborating with state governments and local

governments to develop all the abundant natural resources that are hidden in the country,” she added. On his part the Festival Director of Nzeh Mada 2016 tourism trade fair, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, explained that the 2016 edition of Nzeh Mada Festival with the title: ‘Celebrating natural’s gifts” is designed to expose the

AdeolA Tukuru

of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. Princess Orelope-Adefulire, who stated this in Abuja at the just concluded 2-day retreat on the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria added that her office was also taking steps to come up with an achievable work plan to domesticate and adopt the SDGs into Nigeria’s national development plans as well as identify Nigeria’s key areas for priority attention. “This retreat on the

implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria is therefore very timely as the forum also offers us a unique opportunity to examine what has worked and what has not worked well and proceed to develop common strategy for the domestication, mainstreaming and implementation of the SDGs into our National Planning process,” SSAP noted. The presidential aide re-iterated that Nigeria had made appreciable progress in the imple-

mentation of the MDGs, particularly in the area of universal primary enrolment, achieving gender parity in education, reducing the spread of HIV and AIDs, reducing maternal death, and halving the percentage of people living in absolute hunger for which the country received recognition from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). She also noted that the implementation of incentive based interventions such as the Conditional

FG reviews MDGs implementation ABUJA

he Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, has stated that the Federal Government is reviewing Nigeria’s implementation of the just concluded Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, in a bid to ensure a proper, accelerated and efficient implementation

Rejection of gender bill worries minister

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Economic slump: Minister urges firms to be lenient in price fixing

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tourism potentials; cultural heritage, rich material and human resources of the people.’ His words: “Nzeh-Mada is age-long colourful event during which Mada people unite to celebrate God’s blessing in the previous year and solicit continuous support in the new planting season. “Mada-Hill is of great historical essence in the history of Nigeria and it has been neglected for a very long time and we think that because of its importance and role it plays in the life of people we thought national and possibly international attention of tourist investor should be drawn to the hills at this time. “On top of this hill there is a pool, a lot of solid minerals that are yet to be tapped that is why we are here with about four different agencies under the ministry of culture to exploit the hill, we thought we should offer this historical hill to Nigeria and as well offer it to the world.”

Grant Scheme (CGS) had been key. She however maintained that “despite this appreciative progress, some of the MDGs targets were not met due to challenges in the areas of poverty, insecurity, social inequality and youth unemployment.” While highlighting the disproportionate successes recorded in the implementation of the MDGs across states, local governments and geoCONTINUED ON PAGE 39>>

We have captured 90% of IDPs –NIMC

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Civil Service

Shekau’s new video confirms success in war against Boko Haram –Women group AdeolA Tukuru, ABUJA

group, the Coalition for Women Advancement in Africa (COWAA), has described the new video by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, where he announced what could best be described as a surrender as a major breakthrough by the military in the war against the Boko Haram insurgency. According to the executive vice president of the group, Mrs Jummai Samuel Pukat, the group had recruited the services of forensic experts and could confirm the authenticity of the video by Shekau. She however called on the Nigeria Army to sustain its onslaught against the few remaining terrorists who might want to continue with their nefarious crimes. She said: “We have authoritatively confirmed the video after subjecting it to scientific scrutiny and wish to say it is authentic and represents the reaction of the group to the ongoing merciless onslaught being carried out by the Nigerian Army. “As mothers of the nation we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to see to an amnesty for those who are ready to lay down their arms and encourage the Nigerian Army to flush out every criminal element or factional group that fails to utilise the opportunity of the declaration of surrender by Abubakar Shekau who has been known over the years as the leader of the group. “In the same spirit of a new Nigeria devoid of the killings, kidnappings and terrorism that Nigerians were elated to view the video of their longest nightmare in the person of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, almost grovelling as he declared that “I am finished”. “Even without uttering those welcome words about being finished, which we believe equally applies to the terror group with which he brought this country down to its knees, the body language of the Shekau we saw in the video was that of a man who together with his minions are receiving the drubbing of their lives from the Nigerian Army ably supported by the Air Force.” Pukat said further: “The video and proclamation by Shekau should be seen as a major breakthrough in the

nation’s war against terrorism. In that video, we see and heard a Shekau who finally had the sense to admit that the end is nigh; we see a Shekau who has become gaunt ostensibly because the Army has successfully disrupted the supply routes for his terror group’s vital supplies and we see a Shekau who for the first time lost the ability to harangue the Nigerian state as he was not able to hop from one feet to the other. “We see a Shekau whom the Nigerian Army has deprived of the succour and support of his devilish Amirs (commanders), who fell to the superior will of our gallant troops in quick succession; we see a Shekau that has been abandoned by the abominable Daesh (Islamic State) to which he pledged allegiance; we see a Shekau who is facing internal rebellion within the band of bloodthirsty imps that he has gathered, we see a Shekau at the end of his tethers and with the full knowledge that he deserves whatever he has coming for him; we see a Shekau that is in need of a finishing off and we see a Shekau who must not get the mercy that he never showed his thousands victims.” The group commended the Army for sustaining the onslaught on the terrorists in a manner that degraded Boko Haram to the point where Shekau was flushed out to give proof of life to his own so called followers.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rejection of gender bill worries minister AdeolA Tukuru ABUJA

inister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, has expressed worry over the rejection of the proposed Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill by the Nigerian Senate, stating that the bill if passed would have addressed discriminatory practices against women, especially in the areas of access to education, female entrepreneurship development, participation in governance, decision

making and protection against violence, among others. The minister made this statement in New York while attending an occasion titled “Governance and Women’s Representation: Achieving Agenda 2063” to mark international women’s day and related activities. She said if the bill had been passed, Nigeria would have made a significant leap in the advancement of women in conformity with the United Nations (UN) conventions, and other related instruments on the rights and

development of women. Senator Alhassan further opined that with due respect to religious and cultural sensibilities, “we believe that the bill will be represented to the Senate as soon as all contentious areas are addressed.” The minister further said that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will always, do its best to promote the protection of Nigerian women against violence and all forms of abuses and stereotypes and promote the sustainable development and growth of women.

Senator Alhassan stressed that as a nation, “we cannot afford to neglect the women who constitute about half of our population if we are to make any meaningful development,” She added that the proposed bills was therefore crucial to the attainment of sustainable development and growth of the Nigerian women. The minister reiterated that Nigerian women would continue to urge the Nigerian Senate to reconsider its position to ensure speedy passage of the bill when it is represented.

L-R: Assistant Postmaster General, Communications Department, Mrs Simbiat Onize-Lawal; Chairperson, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, Abuja Chapter, Mrs Ekaette Umoh and representative of Minister of Agriculture, Mrs. Bello Scholistica, during NNEW Networking Meeting on Women Exploiting Business Opportunities in 2016 in Abuja. PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

NYSC remains instrument for leadership devt –FG …Commissions 13 field project vehicles for corps members Joel AJAyi ABUJA

ederal Government has revealed that the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme remains an institution for leadership development in Nigeria. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Bar. Solomon Dalung, stated this in Abuja during the commissioning ceremony of thirteen brand new operational vehicles for the purpose of attending to the immediate needs of corps members. He maintained that contributions of the scheme in all developmental programmes in Nigeria were of great significance. According to him, the

contribution of the NYSC in sustaining the existence of the country could not be underestimated, reasoning that only God knew where Nigeria would have been if there were no NYSC? He said: “It is a fact that in virtually all sectors ranging from education, politics, culture, health, sports, rural and urban development as well as socio economic programmes the involvement of corps members have been very significant. “The role of corps members in election has continued to receive recommendation from both local and international observers. As the scheme expands in both corps enrollment and activities for the development of the na-

tion, so also it is in its challenges. “I want to assure Nigerian that today, the NYSC remains the fundamental instrument at the disposal of government for leadership training.” The minister added that “while away in the United Kingdom attending the Commonwealth Africa summit, a debate emerged on whether Nigeria has indeed taken the pain to conceived budgetary allocation to the youth and leadership development. “The speaker said that never in the history of this country had such deliberate effort been made and I took time not only to enlighten but educate him on NYSC which stared since 1973. That is one of the avenues Nigeria has

been investing for the development of future leaders. “Although we have our challenges as a nation but it is not a licence to deny progress, contribution that have been made so far.” Dalung then assured that the welfare of every corps members would be adequately protected. “There is no doubt that government is aware of numerous challenges being faced by NYSC. “I want to assure you that Mr. President will continue to address the needs of NYSC for the betterment of the welfare of the corps members and staff,” he pledged. Also speaking, the Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson

Olawumi, noted that the vehicles provided would be used to monitor corps members’ activities. “It is to be mentioned that after the commissioning today, the operational vehicles will be dispatched to states to commence usage mainly for corps welfare and inspection at various corps location. “In this regard, it is expected that there will be better care and increased monitoring of the corps members’ activities to ensure that they put in their best towards national development,” he said. He warned the beneficiary states not to use the vehicles without proper and adequate maintenance for the purpose of optimum performance and functionality.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 39

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

FG reviews MDGs implementation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

political zones, Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that the implementation of the MDGs in many states of the federation was hampered by factors such as poor funding, low participation, ownership and sustainability. Against this backdrop, she concluded that the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria and indeed the rest of Africa remains one unfinished business that needs to be rolled over to the SDGs. “As we kick-start the implementations of the SDGs, therefore we should re-examine and institutionalise some best practices as we all know that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aspirational, integrated, transformative, actionable and universal, targeting both developed and developing countries. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) helped in improving the economic and social conditions in several nations of the world, particularly in Africa. However, the glitch in the MDGs was that, it focused majorly on the government of each nation. “This time, the SDGs challenge both the government, private organisations and institutions,

civil society and individuals to participate in making the world a better place. It is expected that collaborative efforts geared towards a similar agenda by all the bodies will have a greater impact to the society.” In laying foundation for the effective implementation of the SDGs, the SSAP-SDGs stated that her office would be creating public awareness on the role of all stakeholders, highlighting the gaps in select sectors and propose sustainable strategies and models that could be adopted with emphasis on the role of the private sector. She said they would also identify priority issues and develop an actionable framework for implementation of the reforms in the select sectors. In his presentation the United Nations representative Ojiji Odhiambo stated that, the foundation of the SDGs was based on six pillars such as People, Prosperity, Planet, Justice, Partnership and Dignity in a world that is guided by existing obligations under the international law and respect for human rights. He said Nigeria would work on its prioritised items according to the needs of each state of the

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Babachir (l), presenting a certificate and agricultural equipment to Abdullahi Musa (r), during the graduation of Buba Industrial Village under Youth Empowerment Programme, by Yusuf Buba, member representing Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in Hong L.G.A of Adamawa.

Economic slump: Minister urges firms to be lenient in price fixing

…Seeks more investments from private investors Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

ollowing increasing exchange rate of the naira to the United States dollar, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, has urged firms offering

goods and services in the country to be lenient in fixing prices to make them affordable to the people. The minister also called on private investors in the country to support federal government in its efforts to address problems posed by high level of unemploy-

We have captured 90% of IDPs –NIMC

…Says 700,000 ID card awaiting collecting Joel aJayi ABUJA

ational Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has disclosed that it has captured 90 per cent of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in their various camps across the country. This is even as the commission revealed that over 700,000 registered identification cards were yet to be collected. It would be recalled that an estimated 3.5 million Nigerians had been displaced by insurgency, especially in

the North East. According to it, “up till today most IDPs continue to live in dire conditions in protracted displacement.” The newly appointed Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, disclosed this in Abuja, when FCT Correspondents’ Chapel, Abuja Chapter, visited him to congratulate him for his elevation to the position. The Director General, who was represented by the General Manager Operations, NIMC, Abdul-Hamid Umar, noted that the commission could not survive without part-

nering with the media. He said the commission had been able to capture over 90 per cent of the IDPs in the country. “We have taken it seriously, we visited their camps but I can tell you that its disastrous; where they live is nothing to write home about and all the internally displaced persons are willing to go back to their homes. “But as we speak today, the commission is doing all it could to ensure every Nigerian is captured. So, we have captured if not more than that but 90 per cent of internally dis-

placed persons. DG called on all Nigerian to endeavour to visit the collecting point to collect their card, adding that over 700,000 were awaiting collection. He also revealed that most of the people who registered at the National Assembly for their ID Cards in 2012 were experiencing some problems in collecting their cards because there were some technical errors in processing the cards. He added that the commission was making frantic efforts to correct the anomaly soon.

ment in the country. Bello, who made the calls in Abuja at the grand opening of World Mart Shopping Mall in Abuja recently, said given the contemporary global economy, no nation would succeed without partnership between its organised private sector and the government. The minister, represented by Group Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company Limited, Dr. Musa Musa said “Investment is a great contribution to the tourism of any nation, as well as a veritable source of job creation for our teaming youths. “Every market economy does better when it focuses on its role as a regulator, as well as in ensuring the security of lives and property of its citizenry. Essential sectors like markets, consumer goods, utilities like housing, education, health and sanitation are provided through the active engagement, support or collaboration of its private sector.” While urging investors and firms in the country to desist from using increased exchange rate of naira to dollar to increase prices of their commodity and services beyond reach of the common man, the

minister said: “producers of goods and services as well as other retail outlets in the country should moderate their prices in order to make their good and services accessible to the ordinary class of people.” In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of the mall, Francis Ogugua, said the mall was a response to the minister’s call on organised private sector to partner with the government in its efforts to boost the economic development of the nation’s capital. Ogugua said the initiative was to enhance the tourism appeal of Abuja as, according to him, it provides a viable alternative to Dubai and the Wall Marts. “This is one way by which we are responding to the call by President Muhammadu Buhari, requesting Nigerians to look inwards, as he rallies to restore the declining economic fortunes of our country. “Against this call, more than 30 per cent of our goods are from quality local producers and we plan to raise our local content to 60 per cent in no distant time,” he stressed.

Capital Market

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

US to parley Nigeria on foreign exchange rate option StorieS: JohnSon okanlawon

he United States has said that it would press Nigeria in talks this week to adopt a more flexible foreign exchange rate to boost growth and investment in Africa’s largest economy. US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told an audience at the US Institute of Peace that Nigeria should ensure that the value of the naira currency versus the US dollar was more realistic. According to her, while most people complain about the possibility of there being a devaluation, people are already operating on a devalued currency, and the only people who are not, are people who

are doing it officially. “Our recommendation is, and we will have discussions about it ... that they should look at the exchange rate and try to make the exchange rate more realistic to what the value of the naira is to the dollar,” she added. She spoke before talks in Washington to be launched by Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday and which will focus on Nigeria’s economy, security and development. Nigeria faces its worst economic crisis in decades as the falling price of oil has slashed revenues, prompting the central bank to peg the currency and introduce curbs to protect foreign exchange reserves, which have fallen to an 11-year low.

Some members of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’ monetary policy committee have said the naira should be devalued. Thomas-Greenfield said the parallel currency market in Nigeria was alive and well, warning that a rigid exchange rate, capital controls and import bans could undermine President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to expand economic growth and fight corruption. Buhari has rejected the idea of devaluing the naira. “Capital controls that limit access to foreign exchange rewards insiders and undermines the stated goals of Nigeria to increase domestic production because both Nigerian and expat investors alike tell us many busi-

Gainers and Losers nesses are unable to obtain Start Date 28/03/2016 through End Date 29/03/2016 the capital to purchase Print Date 29/03/2016 badly needed intermediate goods,” she said. The naira trades some Gainers for Equities 40 per cent below the of2016-03-24 2016-03-29 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) ficial rate on the black 1 DANGSUGAR 5.70 5.98 market versus the dollar. 2 PZ 22.79 23.90 3 UBA 3.78 3.96 The CBN last year pegged 4 TOTAL 140.01 146.50 the exchange rate to curb 5 ETERNA 1.76 1.84 6 NEM 0.75 0.77 speculative demand for the 7 NASCON 6.52 6.60 dollar and conserve foreign 8 INTBREW 18.80 19.00 Market indicators 9 PRESCO 34.25 34.60 exchange reserves after it 10 FIDELITYBK 1.37 1.38 All-Share Index 26,020.32 points restricted access to hard 11 NAHCO 3.99 4.00 and Loserscapitalisation 8.95trn currency for importsGainers of Market Start Date 28/03/2016 through End Date 29/03/2016 certain items, frustrating Print Date 29/03/2016 Losers for Equities businesses. 2016-03-24 2016-03-29 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) The International Mon1 NIG-GERMAN 4.67 4.22 etary Fund called on Ni2 DIAMONDBNK 1.30 1.18 Gainers for Equities 3 SKYEBANK 0.99 0.92 geria to lift the curbs and 2016-03-24 2016-03-29 4 ASHAKACEM 24.00 22.80 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) let the naira reflect market 5 CCNN 8.60 8.17 1 DANGSUGAR 5.70 5.98 6 NB 117.70 111.83 forces more closely, as the 2 PZ 22.79 23.90 7 TRANSCOHOT 5.24 4.98 3 UBA 3.78 3.96 restrictions have signifi8 WAPCO 80.95 77.00 4 TOTAL 140.01 146.50 cantly affected the private 9 FBNH 3.33 3.17 5 ETERNA 1.76 1.84 10 AFRIPRUD 2.51 2.39 sector. 6 NEM 0.75 0.77

Market capitalization dips N215bn on surging stocks’ dump

rading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday over selling pressure fuelled by a slide in investors’ appetite. Also, dividend adjustments on the share prices of Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank pulled down the benchmark index. The All Share Index depreciated 2.40 per cent to close at 25,277.29 points, compared to the appreciation of 0.63 per cent recorded last Thursday to close at 25,899.91 points. Market capitalisation lost N215billion to close at N8.694

trillion, as against the increase of N56 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N8.909 trillion. Stock analysts noted that the market remains short term speculative driven, as investors seem to have adopted a defensive posture with macro environment in focus. Dangote Sugar Plc led the gainers’ table with 28 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N5.98 per share, followed by PZ Cussons Plc with N1.11 or 4.87 per cent to close at N23.90 per share. United Bank for Africa Plc gained 18 kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N3.96 per share, while

Total Plc added N6.49 or 4.64 per cent to close at N146.50 per share. Eterna Oil Plc appreciated eight kobo or 4.55 per cent to close at N1.84 per share, while NEM Insurance Plc was up two kobo or 2.67 per cent to close at 77 kobo per share. Conversely, Nigerian German Plc lost 45 kobo or 9.64 per cent to close at N4.22 per share, while Diamond Bank Plc dropped 12 kobo or 9.23 per cent to close at N1.18 per share. Skye Bank Plc dipped seven kobo or 7.07 per cent to close at 92 kobo per share, while Ashaka Cement Plc depreciated N1.20 or five per cent to close at N22.80

cancer awareness and advocacy for the provision of screening and treatment facilities. He said: “We are using the NSE Corporate Challenge platform to raise funds to win the race to erase cancer. This deliberate intervention is imperative because of the statistics of life claimed by cancer and the fact that one third of these cancers are actually treatable”. “Using our access to a vast network of employees and clients of our listed companies, dealing members and other stakeholders, we believe we can work together in scaling up access to cancer screening services for early detection of cancer and provision of treatment and palliative

care services to diagnosed patients”. On the imperative of quick intervention to stem the growing numbers of deaths by cancer, the National Coordinator of the CECP, Dr. Abia Nzelu, hinted that over 100,000 Nigerians were diagnosed with cancer yearly, and about 80,000 die (10 deaths every hour) with a dismal survival rate of 1:5. According to him, the situation is worse for some type of cancers. For example, the survival rate for certain blood cancers in Nigeria is 1:20 whilst at the Tata Cancer Centre in the Indian City of Mumbai, survivorship is 99:100 for the same condition. “This poor survival rate in Nigeria is mainly due

UNILEVER NASCON AIRSERVICE INTBREW LIVESTOCK PRESCO MAYBAKER FIDELITYBK STERLNBANK NAHCO MANSARD

30.92 6.52 2.20 18.80 1.12 34.25 0.95 1.37 1.70 3.99 1.95

29.50 6.60 2.10 19.00 1.07 34.60 0.91 1.38 1.63 4.00 1.87

per share. 17 ACCESS 3.99 3.83 Cement Company of 18 TRANSCORP 1.19 1.16 Losers for Equities 19 FLOURMILL 19.00 18.54 Northern Nigeria Plc de2016-03-24 2016-03-29 20 UCAP 2.00 1.96 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) clined 43 kobo or five per cent 21 ETI 14.74 14.51 1 NIG-GERMAN 4.67 4.22 to close at N8.17 per share, 22 ZENITHBANK 13.00 11.31 2 DIAMONDBNK 1.30 1.18 23 DANGCEM 164.00 162.05 while Nigerian Breweries fell 3 SKYEBANK 0.99 0.92 4 ASHAKACEM 24.00 22.80 N5.67 or 4.99 per cent to close at 5 CCNN 8.60 8.17 Published by The6Nigerian N111.83 per share. NB Stock Exchange © 117.70 111.83 7 TRANSCOHOT 5.24 4.98 The total value of stocks 8 WAPCO 80.95 77.00 traded was N1.34billion, 9 FBNH 3.33 3.17 10 AFRIPRUD 2.51 2.39 down 59.21 per cent from 11 UNILEVER 30.92 29.50 N3.28billion recorded last 12 AIRSERVICE 2.20 2.10 Thursday. 13 LIVESTOCK 1.12 1.07 14 MAYBAKER 0.95 0.91 The total volume of stocks 15 STERLNBANK 1.70 1.63 traded was 282.70million in 16 MANSARD 1.95 1.87 17 ACCESS 3.99 3.83 3,225 deals and the three most 18 TRANSCORP 1.19 1.16 FGN Bonds actively traded stocks were 19 FLOURMILL 19.00 18.54 20 UCAP 2.00 1.96 FCMB, Guaranty Trust Bank 21 ETI 14.74 Bid14.51 and United Bank for Africa. 22 ZENITHBANK 13.00 11.31

NSE set for “eRace Cancer” 2016 Corporate Challenge competition he Nigerian Stock Exchange, in collaboration with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP, is set to host the 3rd edition of the NSE Corporate Challenge tagged “eRace Cancer.” The NSE Corporate Challenge is an annual, highly competitive and fun-filled 5-kilometre walk, run and jog competition designed to raise awareness and funds for the purchase of 37 Mobile Cancer Centers, MCCs, each valued at $613,000 each. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, Head, Corporate Services Division of the Exchange, Mr. Bola Adeeko, said the Exchange had been at the forefront of

11 7 12 8 13 9 14 10 15 11 16

23 DANGCEM Description

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.96

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

4.91

1.11

4.87

0.18

4.76

6.49

4.64

0.08 Source: 0.02

4.55 NSE 2.67

0.08

1.23

0.20

1.06

0.35

1.02

0.01

0.73

0.01

0.25

Loss(N)

% Change

-0.45

-9.64

-0.12

-9.23

-0.07

-7.07

-1.20 Gain(N) -0.43 0.28 -5.87 1.11 -0.26 0.18 -3.95 6.49 -0.16 0.08 -0.12 0.02 -1.42 0.08 -0.10 0.20 -0.05 0.35 -0.04 0.01 -0.07 0.01 -0.08

-5.00 % Change -5.00 4.91 -4.99 4.87 -4.96 4.76 -4.88 4.64 -4.80 4.55 -4.78 2.67 -4.59 1.23 -4.55 1.06 -4.46 1.02 -4.21 0.73 -4.12 0.25 -4.10

-0.16

-4.01

-0.03

-2.52

-0.46

-2.42

-0.04 Loss(N) -0.23 -0.45 -0.14 -0.12 -1.95 -0.07

-2.00 % Change -1.56 -9.64 -1.22 -9.23 -1.19 -7.07

-1.20

-5.00

-0.43

-5.87 Page

-5.00 -4.991 of

-0.26

-4.96

-3.95

-4.88

-0.16

-4.80

-0.12

-4.78

-1.42

-4.59

-0.10

-4.55

-0.05

-4.46

-0.04

-4.21

-0.07

-4.12

-0.08

-4.10

-0.16

-4.01

-0.03

-2.52

-0.46

-2.42

-0.04

-2.00

-0.23

-1.56

-0.14

-1.22

Yield

-1.95 Price

-1.19 Yield

162.05

105.02

10.05

105.17

9.91

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.25

114.57

10.57

114.87

10.47

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.88

112.93

11.31

113.23

11.22

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.83

120.16

11.53

120.46

11.47

14.20 14-MAR-2024

7.96

109.78

12.24

110.08

12.18

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.82

100.55

12.39

100.85

12.34

Page

Closing Market Prices of March 29, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

30-Jun-16

7.89

8.06

22-Sep-16

8.29

8.64

16-Mar-17

9.31

10.23

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

12.8333

10.4872

12.2247

13.6227

Offer

1.08

Rate (%) Inflation

Price

% Change

0.28

15.10 27-APR-2017

to inadequate infrastructure for cancer care and lack of well-organized system of prevention,” he added.

164.00

Gain(N)

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

1 of

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Community Mirror government cameI into a time that manyGoodluck people had abandoned Let meOur again repeat what haveoffice beenatsaying Jonathan hasthe no country’s manufacturing, agricultural and mining sector. We are doing our best to personal agenda in convening this national conference. encourage diversification into these sectors which can employ a lot of people.

Ayodeji AfolAbi

he clamour to ban Okada in Lagos could not have come at a more auspicious time than now in view of the recent outbreak of violence in Ketu-Mile 12 area of Lagos traced to an Okada rider who rode against traffic and knocked down a woman. One thing led to another and there was a wide scale riot spanning two days with millions of goods destroyed while lives were lost. The advantages of the ban far outweigh the disadvantages in all ramifications. It is gratifying to read in the dailies recently that the association of traders in the Ketu-Mile 12 market supported Governor Ambode to ban Okada as a means of transportation within Mile 12 and the adjoining communities. But I am advocating a total ban of Okada in the entire state and to be replaced with tricycles while creating other schemes to accommodate the okada operators that may be out of job as a result of the ban. There was a similar riot some years ago in Lagos which was sparked off by a scuffle between an Okada operator and a naval officer leading to the death of the okada operator. Okada riders are fond of riding their motorcycles against traffic and they don’t obey traffic lights. Okada is used in robbing motorists in traffic hold ups. Many cases of kidnapping for ritual purposes have been traced to okada operators. The case of passengers on okada disappearing while putting on crash helmets is still fresh though there is no scientific proof of this. Okada is responsible for more than 70 per cent of very fatal accidents in Lagos. It is so serious that a whole emergency ward is reserved for Okada accident victims in Igbobi Orthopaedic hospital! Okada operators are so unruly and usually aggressive and will mass against any vehicle owner who is unfortunate to have any traffic encounter with them even when they are at fault. In these days of Boko Haram and other security threats, it is safer to ban Okada before it becomes a veritable weapon in the hands of the dreaded terrorist organisation many of whom may hide under being okada operators to unleash mayhem on Lagos. Following the gruesome killing of about 15 persons in Omoku and other communities, the Rivers State government has banned the operation of Okada in four local councils on the state. In 2009, the Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly instituted a probe into the activities of Okada operators in collaboration with the security agencies and the verdict of the probe was that Okada operators were the major perpetrators

–PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Time to ban Okada in Lagos

An overloaded Okada

of crime in the state. The State government subsequently banned okada as a means of transportation in the state. The level of crime has since gone down in Akwa-Ibom state. In Ogun state, the operation of Okada has been restricted to 8pm to control cult clashes in recent times. Okada has equally been banned in Kaduna and Cross-River States. In 2013, ban on okada in the 36 states of the federation as a means of transportation is one of the resolutions issued at National Council on Transportation. It was resolved in their communique that states should discourage the use of commercial motorcycles as means of transportation in their various states as okada transportation has been detrimental to the progress of the transportation industry. If the ban on okada was contemplated since 2013, there is no reason why the Lagos state government especially, should foot-drag on the implementation of this resolution considering its mega city status. With many infrastructure that Ambode is putting in place, it will be a shame if okada litters everywhere with its high propensity to cause a breakdown of law and order at the slightest provocation. The menace of Okada can render the current efforts of the Lagos state government to woo investors a nullity. The okada menace in Lagos is the worst in the country and that is why

Governor Ambode should take the bold step now though it may cause some discomfort for commuters who live in remote areas of the city, this shall be ameliorated with time as it happened in Delta State in 2012. When Okada was banned in three major cities of Asaba, Efurrun and Warri in Delta State, commuters experienced some discomfort as they had to trek for many kilometres to get to work and to their homes at close of work. But that was temporary as the government of that state provided a viable alternative in making the tricycle more abundant to take over the routes hitherto plied by the banned Okadas. The government also developed alternative routes and repaired many bad roads that became good enough for tricycles to ply. The same measure is being embarked on by Governor Ambode with the planned construction of 114 roads within the next 6 months across the 57 Local Area Development Councils. This will make many roads in the hinterland motorable for vehicles and tricycles. Therefore, the current restriction of Okada from trunk A and B roads is not enough, the government should go the whole hog to ban Okada totally from all roads in Lagos state after holding large scale consultations with all stakeholders in the industry. I wish to warn that no matter how detailed the preparations that may be put

in place by the Government for a smooth transition from Okada to tricycles and taxis, the first day after the ban and few days after will be rough for commuters but they will get use to it because on the long run, it is good for society. Another problem that may arise as a result of the ban is that the few tricycles available will exploit the huge number of commuters that may scramble for fewer tricycles available. Therefore, before the government will effect this ban, it must procure many tricycles and sell to members of the public at a subsidised rate to mitigate the effect of the ban on okada. Apart from creating thousands of job, this will also bring relief to commuters on routes that are off the major roads. Government can also procure buses of all sizes to complement the existing BRT buses. The argument that many people will be thrown out of job is not tenable. Going by what happened in Delta State after the ban of Okada, more job opportunities will open with the introduction of tricycle. One year after the ban of Okada in Delta State, many who spoke about the policy agreed it was a success story despite the initial hurdles. There was drastic reduction in crime rate, a point corroborated by the Delta State Police Command; drop in Okada—related accidents and deaths; development of new and viable routes which otherwise were non-existent; job-creation; boom in the transport sector and so on. In a report carried out by The Pointer newspapers, a tricycle operator, Mr Livi Okezie said, “you know we don’t like change as human beings. That was why many of us, including myself, were very apprehensive when the Delta State Government insisted that it was going ahead with the ban on Okada. Frankly, some of us would have done anything to stop such a policy if we had the power. But today, looking back, one would say it was a good decision that the government took. At least, as an individual, I can confirm that I make more money now than when I was riding Okada. Besides, it is even more dignifying to own and operate a tricycle than the Okada we were used to” The fact remains that Lagos economy especially the transport sector, cannot be driven by Okada. The ban on okada will force our youth back to learn productive trades like tailoring, barbing, electrical repairing, automobile repairing etc. It will also force them into agriculture which is more sustainable and dignifying than operating okada. Banning okada will definitely open up many more job opportunities. The time to ban Okada is now! •Afolabi wrote from Surulere, Lagos

North

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ishaku refutes cabinet shake-up rumour Justin tyopuusu JALINGO

Internally Displaced Persons with relief materials presented to them by Multy Media Association of Nigeria in Bauchi State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Katsina to hold LG elections soon –Masari James DanJuma KATSINA

atsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, says local government elections would soon be held in the state’s 34 council areas. Masari, however, said there were cases the courts would need to adjudicate on before the coast could be cleared to hold the elections. He said after the elections, autonomy would be given the council areas to allow them operate so as to facilitate better socioeconomic development. The governor was speak-

ing at the presentation of empowerment packages for youths, and free community eye services in Musawa Council Area. The empowerment package was sponsored by two National Assembly members, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Funtua) and Honourable Ibrahim Murtala (Musawa- Matazu federal constituency). Masari, who spoke on several issues, said the All Progressive Congress, APC-led administration was working hard to replace bad policies with good ones at all levels of governance. He however, called for

patience and perseverance from the people as doing so would allow the state government to achieve the desired objectives. He said unlike what obtained under past government, the APC administration was not in power to squander resources, but to add value to the lives of the populace. Masari said in an effort to ensure transparency and accountability, a weekly town hall meeting was initiated to give detail account of resources coming to the state from federation account. He commended the fore-

sight of the NASS members for the empowerment packages, which he said, would go a long way to improve the socio-economic well being of people in the senatorial zone. Senator Ibrahim in his remarks, said 150 persons each from 11 council areas in the zone got free eye treatments, 12 schools were rehabilitated and three blocks of classrooms would be constructed and equipped with ICT facilities in the zone. Some of the items distributed at the occasion were sewing machines, irrigation equipment and motorcycles.

Tax evasion: Plateau threatens to prosecute banks, others James abraham JOS

lateau State government yesterday warned corporate bodies especially banks and other institutions and individuals to pay their taxes or face outright prosecution. Acting Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, PSIRS, Mr. Dashe Arlat, who spoke with journalists over the issue in Jos yesterday said: “Enough is enough” of evasions and delays in tax payment. He said that PSIRS has been given a special court for the prosecution of defaulters by the state gov-

ernment and that it has set machinery in motion to start the trial of some corporate bodies operating in the state. “We have two banks already on our radar and we will soon summon them to court to tell us why they should not pay their taxes or remit their staff PAYE to the state government. “This government owes everyone staying in the state the responsibility to provide the desired and needed social amenities and infrastructures, which come when taxes are promptly paid,” he explained. Arlat disclosed that lawyers of the service

were preparing the papers against any defaulting institution or individual who have refused to cooperate with it (PSIRS). The chairman further disclosed; ``we are sending out our staff to capture every hotel, brothels and petty traders on the street doing business to obtain and pay for business permits and annual tax. He said: “There are a lot of hotels and business outfits that are operating without business permits or paying taxes, which is criminal and must be stopped forthwith.’’ He added that the service would liaise with the Ministries of Commerce

and Industries and Land and survey to ensure that no one is left out. The chairman expressed the readiness of PSIRS to boost the internally generated revenue of the state by 40 per cent this year, 2016. Arlet said that the service was going to collaborate with the Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) and the 17 local government areas to ensure that such a dream become a reality. He called on the public to cooperate with the service by paying their taxes to enable the government to meet up with its obligations to them for a better living condition.

araba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has denied rumour making the rounds that he would drop some of his appointees, following his victory at the Supreme Court. Ishaku, who made this known yesterday in Jalingo, the state capital, in a chat with journalists said, he was not contemplating dropping any of his appointees at the moment, adding that the appointees did not in any way affect the running of government as salaries were been paid as and when due. The governor was reacting to a story in a national weekly publication that he was forced to make some appointments when his election was being challenged in court to win the sympathy of people and satisfy certain interests and that very soon he will drop many of his appointees. “I know very well that Taraba State is a civil service state and when I pay salaries I know the extent to which people benefit. “I did not just make the appointments because Taraba State is a civil service state; I want to give people a source of living, I give them work to do and there is so much to be done.

“Despite the financial challenges, work is still ongoing in the state; I am tarring some roads and providing water so that the people can see the impact of the Rescue Mission of my government. “I am working on blocking leakages and improving on the Internally Generated Revenue to save more money to pay salaries and do projects. What we have at the moment is already over-bloated, so I am seriously working on blocking the leakages and improving the IGR. By the time I am through with all these, we will have more money to run the state, so I am not contemplating any cabinet shakeup for now,” he said. Meanwhile, the governor yesterday approved the immediate removal of the General Managers of Taraba Television Corporation, TTV, Mr. Buba Yurma and Taraba State Broadcasting Service, TSBS, Mr. Irah Maiyaki. In a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hassan Mijinyawa the affected officers are directed to hand over to the most senior civil servant in their establishments. According to the release, the governor also approved the appointment of Mr. Joshua Hassan, as chairman of the board of TTV and TSBS.

Nasarawa to use BVN for March salary igbawase ukumba LAFIA

asarawa State government yesterday said it would pay March salary to only workers who have acquired Bio-metric Verification Number, BVN. Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura disclosed this when briefing journalists immediately after meeting of the Nasarawa State Development Platform held at Government House, Lafia. The governor stated that government would use the Skye Bank biometric template exercise, which was recently conducted in the state, to pay

March salary. Worried by the wave of youth restiveness in the state, he announced the immediate engagement of 1,500 youths that would be trained in various skills acquisition schemes in order to reduce the trend and add value to their lives. Similarly, Al-Makura announced the immediate recruitment of 1,500 teachers and another 1,500 nurses who are expected to undergo some professional trainings, while a stipends of N5,000 will be given to each of them on monthly basis and they would be finally engaged by the government after the exercise.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Sport

It’s not very nice, especially now when you have kids you just want to do what you can to play

Barca players honour Cruyff

–Mikel Obi

Eagles crash in Alexandria, miss another AFCON finals

uper Eagles yesterday night crashed out of AFCON 2017 finals after they lost 1-0 to Pharaohs of Egypt in Alexandria. It will be the second time in two years that the Eagles have failed to qualify for the Nations Cup. Egypt now has an unassailable seven points with only Taifa Stars of Tanzania to play the last of Group G’s game in June. Nigeria has a distant two points and the 2013 champion will not be at Gabon 2017 even if the Eagles trounce the Taifa Stars in Kaduna in September. Teenager Ramadan Sobhi grabbed the all-important goal in the 65th minute, when his toed effort from just inside the box trickled behind a sea of Nigerian legs past goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi. Despite a galaxy of foreign stars, Nigeria never really stretched the Egypt back line except in the 84th minute when Victor Moses shot from outside the box came off the post with the Egypt goalkeeper well beaten. It was also the same time in

the game in Kaduna, when he rounded goalkeeper Ahmed Shennawi but his shot was cleared off the goal line by an Egyptian defender. Host Egypt created the better chances in the first half but Nigeria also had brilliant moments during a goalless first half at a packed Borg El-Arab

Stadium in Alexandria. Nigeria played with a lot of confidence and dictated the tempo of the game for a good period of the first 45 minutes. Egypt created two early openings; Ahmed Hegazy headed narrowly past the Nigeria goal after five minutes and almost immediately skipper Al-Said

fired with a left foot from inside the box. The impressive Al-Said then delivered a low cross from the left in the 29th minute, but Mohamed Salah was not close to make contact. In the closing minutes of the first half, Nigeria goalkeeper Akpeyi pulled off two big saves

Mikel open to Chelsea exit

helsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, admits he will look to leave the London club this summer if he is not guaranteed a regular role in the side. New Manager, Antonio Conte, is expected to sign a three-year-contract with Chelsea and has already visited the club’s training ground in Cobham. Mikel’s current contract expires in 2017, but the Nigeria international insists he is prepared to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. “I have one more season with Chelsea but I know when this season ends, we will defi-

nitely sit down and try to sort out whatever needs to be sorted out,” the 28-year-old said. “If it means me staying, then I have to play because one thing I don’t want to do is to sit on the bench like I did before.” Mikel was used only sparingly by former gaffer Jose Mourinho before the Portuguese’s departure in December, and although he has been a key figure under Guus Hiddink, he is demanding assurances from Chelsea’s new manager. “It’s not very nice, especially now when you have kids you just want to do what you can to play,” Mikel added.

Mikel

from Ibrahim Salah and again skipper Al-Said. In the seventh minute, Umar Aminu dashed into the Egyptian goal area, but his shot was firmly held by the goalkeeper. Odion Ighalo had a half chance when he controlled the ball inside the box, but he shot wide in the 15th minute.

Wednesday March 30, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as MISS KARIMU SAKIRAT, now wish to be known & addressed as MRS. ADEDIRAN SAKIRAT KARIMU. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Judiciary, Gtbank, Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank Plc & general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JIMOH OLANREWAJU SODIQ, now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH OLAMILEKAN SODIQ. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify and confirm that IBRAHEEM OLAITAN SEUN is one and same person as IBRAHEEM RASAQ SEUN. Henceforth wish to be addressed as IBRAHEEM RASAQ OLAITAN SEUN. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., Union Bank Plc. and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKINYEMI SUNDAY JEREMIAH, now wish to be known and addressed as EJO SUNDAY JEREMIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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This is to confirm that I, OKOH AJENU JOY and EKERUKE AJENU JOY refer to one and the same person. All former documents bearing the above names remain mine and valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that OGUNLEYE TOLULOPE is the same person as OGUNLEYE OLUWASOLA SIMEON, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLEYE OLUWASOLA SIMEON. All former document remain valid, GTbank bank, EcoBank and the general public take note. CHANGE OF AGE

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CHANGE aOF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME/ DATE OF BIRTH

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the public that my name was mistakenly written as ANASIUDU GIFT REJOICE, instead of ANASIUDU ONYINYECHI MARTHA. that i henceforth wish to be known and addressed as ANASIUDU ONYINYECHI MARTHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME MGBOO: I, formerly known and addressed as MGBOO CHIKAODI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINEDUM CHIKAODI NKAH. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abia State University and general public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

AGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBO JOSEPHINE NWANNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FRANCIS JOSEPHINE CHIKEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UGBOR: I,, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGBOR ANTHONIA OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBAH ANTHONIA OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. Ebonyi State Ministry and general public should please take note.

ONYEAMA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEAMA OGECHI CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NWAFOR OGECHI CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME KAFAYAT: FORMERLY known and addressed as BISI RAJI KAFAYAT NOW wish to be known and addressed as BISI KAFAYAT SAMSON AMDI. All former documents remain valid. Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Barnawa Kaduna Banks and General public should please take note.

ISHAYA: FORMERLY known and addressed as ISHAYA FOLMI SHOMGWAN NOW wish to be known and addressed as ISHAYA FOLMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that ILO HERBERT and ILO HERBERT EJIKE refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as ILO HERBERT EJIKE. All former documents bearing the 2 names remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE DIVINE CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH OF ZION

I, Primate BELIE SUNDAY MICHAEL, the chairman Board of Trustee of Divine Cherubim and Seraphim church of Zion, Ilutitun Osooro National Headquarters. The following people were member of Board of trustee of Divine Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Zion Ilutitun Osooro. (A) LATE AKINDUTIRE EZEKIEL OLAJIDE (B) BELIE SUNDAY MICHAEL (C) AKINDAYOMI ENIOLA MARTINS (D) LATE IYAROMI ADEKUOROYE ISRAEL (E) FATOKUNBO JOSEPH OLATUNJI (F) OLORUNSOLA SEDRACK (G) ADENIKENJU OLORUNSOLA

—CHAIRMAN —SECRETARY —TREASURER —MEMBER —MEMBER —MEMBER — MEMBER

That the three members of the trustee have died, hence a replacement. The executive members of the church decide to replace the following people for the vacant post. (A) AWOLERE AKINOLA JOSEPH —SECRETARY (B) AKINYELE OLUSEGUN —Member (c) AKINROGUNDE OMOPARIOLA — MEMBER Authorities concern and the general public to please take note. SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UNYIME AMOS JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNNY AMOS JOHN. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS. ADEDOKUN CHRISTIANAH TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEAGBO CHRISTIANAH TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EDNOJIE CONSTANCE OTA, now wish to be known and addressed as ALIGWEKWE CONSTANCE OTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the public that my name and date of birth was mistakenly written on as USMAN MASHIRU OGUNSOLA, while date of birth as 22nd October 1989, instead of ADEKUNLE NASIRU OGUNSOLA and 22nd November 1989 respectively. that henceforth my correct name and date of birth is ADEKUNLE NASIRU OGUNSOLA and 22nd November 1989. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ISHOLA RUKAYAT YETUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OMISIPE RUKAYAT YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BABARINDE ADETUTU ABOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as BABARINDE ADETUTU ANN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEDEJI HALIMAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. Formerly known and addressed as BARRY BANKONG- ODU, now wish to be known and addressed as BANKONG- ODU AGBOR FRANCIS. Alformer documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly IDOKO DOMINIC OCHE, now wish to be addressed as DOMINIC JAMES IDOKOD. All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as KUYE ABIKE BILIKIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OBAKUNLE ABIKE BILIKIS. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EGBUJOR CHIKODI CONFIDENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHRIS CONFIDENCE CHIKODI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that am the same person as ANYEBE AGIPU MUSA and AYENBE QUEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

VAST FOUNDATION AND EMPOWERMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE TRUSTEES OF THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION WITH HEADQUARTERS IN LAGOS WISH TO APPLY TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER ‘PART C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Okobah Kingsley Chuks 2. Miss Ekwubi Gloria Ukwandi 3. Mr. Okobah Ekene Francis

…………… Chairman ………….… General Secretary …………… Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide funds to youths and traders at the grass root level who meet the organization set out criteria. 2. To provide a platform through which the less priviledged could be self employed. 3. Provision of aids to the orphanage home. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. ………………………………….. JULIUS ADEOSUN OLAOSEBIKAN ADEOSUN & CO. BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS AND NOTARY PUBLIC, 229 IKOTUN IDIMU ROAD, IDIMU, LAGOS STATE 07068971207

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly called, known and addressed as IDEABIE ASIAN IYEKEORETIN now want to be known, called and addressed as BEJAMIN FORTUNE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Eco bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I ATANSUYI OLUDOTUN JESSE is the same person as ATANSUYI OLUDOTUN JESSE OLUGBUSI OLUMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UWAGWU JOSEPHINE, now wish to be known and addressed as EBOKA JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that am the same person as SUNDAY ISAAC OGBONNAYA and AGU ISAAC OGBONNAYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as OLUWOLE DANIEL, now wish to be addressed as AJIKO DANIEL. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as MARCUS DANLADI DUNGLEK, now wish to be addressed as GODFREY DUNGLEK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABDULBAKI MARIAM TOLANI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULBAKI MARIAM OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

NWAMA: I, formerly known as NWAMA JUSTICE, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIOBI PHILIP AKPACHIEUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

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

AHMED: I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED CHRIS KAZEEM, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABDULHAMEED KAZEEM SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

NWEKE: I, formerly known as NWEKE LYNDA OGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NWEKE LINDA OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLUTAYO ABIMBOLA, now wants to be known as AKINWANDE ABIMBOLA MARGRET. All former documents remain valid. Osun state government and the general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

IKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU ONYEKA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONYEAKA EMMA YOUNG. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CARD F.C.D.A OF (AGIS) WITH LAND NO.BA61585 DATED 28/10/2012 BELONGING TO UMAR MUKAILA OF HOUSE NO.N2 STATE LAW COST BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE. ALL EFFORT MADE TO RECOVER THE SAID ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CARD PROVE ABORTIVE IF FOUND KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR AGIS .THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OJUORO OLUSOLA JOHNSON, now wish to be known and addressed as OJUORO OLUSOLA JOHNSON MOFOLORUNSO. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SANI: FORMERLY known and addressed as MOMOH SANI ONOTU NOW wish to be known and addressed as MUSA IBRAHIM ONOTU. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OPARA CALLISTA CHIDINMA, now wish to be known and addressed as OBI CALLISTA CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ADELEKE TAIWO HAFIU, now wish to be known and addressed ADELEKE-JIMOH TAIWO TAOFEEK, all former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ENO EKPO AKPAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ENO GABRIEL FREDRICK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

formerly known and addressed as MISS CHILAKA NORA CHINONYE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKOROAFOR NORA CHINONYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

PAUL: I formerly known and addressed as PAUL ROBINSON, now wish to be known and addressed as OMODUNEFE RICHARD EFE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

Formerly known and addressed as BOSEDE RISIKATU ADESANYA, now wish to be known and addressed as BOSEDE RACHAEL ESHEYIGBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLANIGBAGBE BOSE SULIYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BAKARE BOSE SULIYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MRS AFENIFORO IDOWU ADENIYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AFENIFORO ADEYINKA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. UBA bank and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME/ LOSS OF DOCUMENT

SUBERU: FORMERLY known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB SUBERU OMEIZA NOW wish to be known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB LAWAL. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AHMED SALISU, now wish to be known and addressed as SALIHU MUHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

Some time in 2007 in September I lost a newspaper edition of daily trust changing my name from EMMANUEL ISHENI .G. to EMMANUEL ISHENI and efforts to trace same proved abortive as old document remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ORJI, EMMANUEL CHUKWULADI GIDEON and ORJI CHUKWULADI G.E, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL, GIDEON CHUKWULADI. All documents remain valid. FIRST, ECO, and FCMB BANK PLC;

CONFIRMATION OF NAME SANNI TOKUNBO OLAJIDE IS THE SAME PERSON AS AJIJOLA-AROBI TOKUNBO SANNI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AJIJOLA-ANOBI TOKUNBO SANNI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OLALEYE OLAWUNMI, NOW MRS OLUWO OLAWUNMI OLALEYE. FIRST BANK,GTBANK.AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME/ DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

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

That my name was wrongly written as GARBA SULE TOYIN, instead of GARBA SULEIMON OLUWATOYIN. That my correct name henceforth is GARBA SULEIMON OLUWATOYIN. That my date of birth was wrongly written as 26th day of March, 1963 instead of 26th day of February, 1966. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

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

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

OFOMA: I, formerly known and addressed as ONYINYE NKIRU OFOMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONYINYE NKIRU ONYEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKOH OKWUDIRI GODWIN, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS OKOH JONATHAN OKWUDILI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. DIAMOND BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

This is to notify the general public that my date of birth was wrongly written as 12th March, 1988, that my correct date of birth is 1st October, 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that CHIAWOTU NDUBUISI MAURICE is the same person as UGWUNALI MAURICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEYEMO YETUNDE BOSE, now wish to be known an addressed as MRS BALOGUN YETUNDE. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

I, formerly known and addressed as ODUGBEMI MOPELOLA OMOLEWA, now wish to be known and addressed as BAMIGBOYE MOPELOLA OMOLEWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as STELLA OBY KEVIN, now wish to be known an addressed as STELLA OKPARA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM Y.A.A, now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM LAWAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as AKANDE FELICIA, now wish to be known and addressed as DOSUNMU FELICIA AKANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SHOPEJU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SHOPEJU EFUNYEMI OLATUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIDEYI EFUNYEMI OLATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADESINA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADESINA ABOLADE JOSEPHINE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBAYO ABOLADE JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OLUSHOLA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUSHOLA OMOLOLA OLAJUMOKE & MRS LANIYAN OMOLOLA OLAJUMOKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLADELE OMOLOLA OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AKALA: Formerly known and addressed as AKALA BISOLA TOLULOPE now wish to be known and addressed as ADERETI BISOLA TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ILESANMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss ILESANMI HELEN MODUPE, now wish to be called and addressed as MRS. ADEOTI HELEN MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BRIGHT ISHIOMA OSSAI now wish to be known and addressed as OSSAI VALENTINO BRIGHT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWAGWU IFEAYI SOLOMO, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAGWU IFEANYI JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DENICE: Formerly known and addressed as MR DENICE AJIBO now wish to be known and addressed as MR DENNIS OWOICHO AJIBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as MISS ADESINA RACHAEL FUNKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MAKANJUOLA RACHAEL FUNKE. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EHIAGHE HENRY OSAGUWENYI now wish to be known and addressed as AKAWE HENRY OSAGUWENYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGBU MONDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as IDEBA MALACHI MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday March 30, 2016

ILORI: Formerly known and addressed as ILORI OMOLOLA MOSIDATU now wish to be known and addressed as SULEMAN OMOLOLA MOSIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

KUKU: Formerly known and addressed as KUKU IYORO MIYENBAIKEBI, now wish to be known and addressed as KUKU MIYENBAIKEBI JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS IBEWUIKE CHINONSO JESSICA, now wish to be known an addressed as MRS NWOGBO CHINONSO JESSICA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SANUSI FOLA ALPHONSUS now wish to be known and addressed as SANUSI FOLA ARUKHAME THEOPHILUS. All former documents remain valid. General public please note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as IWALOYE OJO ADEMIBO, now wish to be known and addressed as SOLOTAN FOLAHAN TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NNAJI: Formerly known and addressed as NNAJI CHIGOZIE OMENMAYOR GODWIN now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJI CHIGOZIE OMENMAYOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

GANIU: Formerly known and addressed as GANIU TOLULOPE BUSHURAT, now wish to be known and addressed as SANNI TOLULOPE BUSHURAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SAMBO: Formerly known and addressed as SAMBO ISAH now wish to be known and addressed as ADIYO IBRAHIM ISAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGEDENGBE YEMISI RACHAEL now wish to be addressed and called as ADEYEMI JULIANA YEMISI. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ABIODUN KHADJAT VASILAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLAWALE TOPE WOSILAT. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as IJI JOHNSON ODE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBIKE DANIEL ODE, all former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, AMUDA HAMMED HAMID IS THE SAME PERSON AS HAMMED HAMID AND NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AMUDA HAMMED HAMID. DOCUMENTS BEARING FORMER NAMES REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as AIYEYUN ENOCH OLUSHOLA now wish to be known and addressed as AIYEYUN ENOCH OGUNSHOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OLAGUNJU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS TITILOLA BUSAYO OLAGUNJU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. TITILOLA BUSAYO OPADELE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NWADUKWE FRANCE NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as IBIYEMI FRANCA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKE RUTH OLUWADAMILOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. RAPHAEL OLUWADAMILOLA RUTH. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AJAGUNNA ABIODUN ADEDAYO is one and same person as Ademarati Abiodun A. now wish to be known and addressed as ADEMARATI ABIODUN A. All former documents remain valid. Federal Ministry of Health and general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

I, EDWIN UCHE BORNIVETURE, whose name was wrongly written as EDWIN UCHE VERIVENCHO, instead of EDWIN UCHE BORNIVETURE wish the general public to take note. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ONITSHA LETICIA OKWUOMA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DIKE LETICIA OKWUOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as ASIUHWU REGINA instead of ASIUWHU REGINA and the name GINA is the short form of the name REGINA. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as ASIUWHU REGINA. All former documents remain valid.

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

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ARUORIWO BENJAMIN EMU now wish to be known and addressed as AMATA BENJAMIN EMU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as NASIRU HAKIMI GARBA now wish to be known, called and addressed as NASIRUDEEN MUHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. ECO BANK PLC and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS DOLAPO AJOKE SETEOLU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DOLAPO AJOKE SONEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EUCHERIA: Formerly known and addressed as EUCHERIA AWAH now wish to be known and addressed as EUCHERIA IHEKWOABA All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EMMANUEL: I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL JOSHUA FORTUNE now wish to be known and addressed as VINABREDE MAUTON JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

UDOH: Formerly known and addressed as UDOH RUTH IFREKE now wish to be known and addressed as UDOH RUTH SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ONUOHA UCHECHI FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as UKANDU UCHECHI FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. Babcock University Illisan-Remo and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as MISS BALOGUN, TEMITOPE KAOSARA, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. IGE, ABIGAEL ARAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Immigration Services, NIS, should please take note. ADDITIONAL OF NAME

I wish to add LEBECHI to my name. henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as GEORGE ANN LEBECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ROTIMI: Formerly known and addressed as ROTIMI TAOFEEK SULE now wish to be known and addressed as AJETUNMOBI WAHAB OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NGOZI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS NGOZI DORIS OKEKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NGOZI DORIS EDOMWANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MUHAMMED: Formerly known and addressed as MUHAMMED ABDULRAUF OLAYINKA now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMED RAUF GBAGBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Sports

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos FA Cup: Synergy vows to stop Gbagada IfeanyI eduzor

T Cruyff

Barca players honour Cruyff B

arcelona paid tribute to former player and manager Johan Cruyff with a remembrance event held at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Cruyff passed away on Thursday at the age of 68 after a long battle with lung cancer. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was manager of the Catalan giants between 1988 and 1996, is widely credited with establishing the ‘tiki-taka’ style of football

associated with the club today. Barcelona’s first-team players and coaches held a minute’s silence before training on Tuesday morning before heading to the Camp Nou to participate in the remembrance event. Andres Iniesta was one of a number of current Barcelona players to pay tribute to Cruyff. Members of Cruyff ’s family were present including his son Jordi, who also

played for Barcelona during his own career. “We understood that Johan is not only ours, he belongs to the whole world,” said Jordi Cruyff. Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique also paid tribute to the former Ajax forward. “To speak of Cruyff is to speak of football,” Enrique said. A Barcelona football team logo marked with a black sash is pictured at Camp Nou stadium “He made the sport

about entertainment and titles. Johan leaves us a fantastic legacy that will continue. We will always remember him.” More than 50,000 mourners have visited Barcelona’s stadium since Saturday in order to pay their respects to the Dutch football legend. In 1979, Cruyff persuaded then Barcelona president Josep Nunez to set up La Masia, the club’s now legendary youth academy.

Butland confirms Euro 2016 absence

toke goalkeeper Jack Butland has confirmed he will miss Euro 2016 after fracturing his ankle in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin. Butland, 23, will have an operation after hurting himself moments before conceding Germany’s opener. The player was in tears as he was taken off on a stretcher and England manager Roy Hodgson described the injury as a “devastating blow” for the squad. “I won’t be able to be part of that experience now,” said Butland. Capped four times by his country, Butland has been ever present for Stoke in the Premier League this season. The exact length of his recovery period is not yet known and Hodgson will name his squad for the European Championship finals, which begin in less than 11 weeks, on 12 May. “I don’t think the European Championships

is going to be an option for me now to be honest because I won’t be able to play again between now and the end of the season,” he told the club’s website. “It is difficult because I have been working to-

wards the Euros this summer. “It isn’t the challenge that I expected or wanted this summer but I am going to approach it with the right mentality and learn from it, both physically

and mentally. “I have not had to deal with an injury like this before so I will come out of it as a stronger person and a better goalkeeper, and look forward to the start of next season.”

piad, it became necessary to collaborate with the stations in order to give sporting fans the real feeling of the Olympics from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony even as he assured that from a commercial

perspective, the agreement will be a win- win situation which will help the NOC realize funds to support the activities of Olympic movement in Nigeria. According to him, the stations were carefully se-

he woes of Ikorodu United F.C in the Nigeria Professional Football League stretched to the Lagos F.A cup yesterday morning as they were bundled out in a round of 16 game by Gbagada F.C The Amateur outfit outscored Ikorodu United 4-2 penalties at the Agege stadium Lagos. Ikorodu United handled by new coach, Sam Okpodu were favoured to win but Gbagada proved too strong for them and will now take on Synergy Ultimate Strikers in one of the quarter- final matches on Thursday at the same venue. Meanwhile, Chief Coach of Synergy Ulti-

mate Strikers, Chinedu Ogbenna has reassured that his team is determined to eliminate Gbagada United. Ogbenna said his team’s determination guaranteed a 4-2 penalties kick victory over 36 Lions last Saturday, noting that they would end the smooth run of Gbagada United in Thursday’s quarter- final clash. “We are happy that we booked a quarter- final ticket by defeating one of the Premier League club sides. “The victory was as a result of determination of the players and it is the same zeal we will apply when we meet Gbagada FC on Thursday and I want to assure our fans that our next opponents will not stand between us and the title.

Tinubu wins Muslim private schools’ tourney IfeanyI eduzor

aka Tinubu Memorial High School, Orile- Agege, Lagos has emerged winners of this year’s Muslim Private schools’ football championship tagged “ Hijrah Cup 2016”. In an entertaining finals decided at the Anwa- Ul –Islam Girls High School, Ahmadiyah, Ojokoro playground, the school defeated hard fighting Issa Williams Memorial High School, Iponri by 5-4 penalties after their game ended 1-I at regulation time. Prior to the finals, Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School won the third match after defeating

Qiblah Minds College by 4-4 penalties after their game also ended 1-1 at the end of the full 90 minutes. Gbadamosi Quadri of Saka Tinubu Memorial High School emerged the highest goal scorer with 5 goals while Habeeb Amolegbe of Isaa Williams School emerged as the most valuable player of the championship. Presenting a giant trophy to the winning team, organizer of the tournament, Prince Adewale Atiba of Atico Global Concepts Limited commended all the schools that took part in the competition for exhibiting high sense of discipline throughout the duration of the competition just as he assured that next year’s edition will be more glamorous.

2016 Olympics: NOC unveils broadcast partners

IfeanyI eduzor

s part of its efforts to ensure that Nigerians have a feeling of the forthcoming Rio Janeiro Olympics, Nigeria Olympic Committee yesterday unveiled Nigeria Television Authority, African Independent Television, Silverbird Television and HiP Television as the official television stations that will bring live broadcast of the games to the door steps of Nigerians. Disclosing this to the media during a press conference, President of NOC, Engr Habu Gumel noted that as Nigeria begins the official count down to the games of the xxxi Olym-

lected based on their track record as renowned media organizations with wide and excellent broadcasting coverage which has in the past ensured that Nigerians watch live coverage of sporting events.

L-R: Secretary-General, NOC, Tunde Popoola, NOC President, Engr. Habu Gumel and President, Aquatic Federation, Fatai Williams at the unveiling

Gumel further stated that the partnership offers viewers the chance to watch every minute of Olympic event live for the duration of the Games which involves 170 hours of live coverage across its various platforms during the Games. The NOC boss while noting that the goal of the collaboration is to educate and engage the youths through sports and to increase and reach new audience with the message and values of Olympism, listed some of the areas of coverage to include pre-Games, during and post Games entertainment programme, live entertainment at the 2018 Olympic Day/week in key cities across Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Pitch Award: Ighalo, Oshoala emerge Amapakabo eyes NPFL King, Queen of Nigerian Football title with Rangers S Action recorded at the match between Rangers and Enyimba

Today’s fixtures El Kanem v Akwa Utd Enyimba v 3SC Ifeanyi Uba v Nasarawa Utd Wikki Tourist v Warri Wolves

nugu Rangers now have the belief that they can win the Nigeria Professional Football League title this season after Sunday’s 2-1 win over champions Enyimba in Enugu. Bobby Clement and Chisom Egbuchulam netted first-half goals to

condemn the Peoples Elephant to their third away defeat of the season. Rangers head coach Imama Amapakabo believes the win at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium has given his side a huge psychological push as they look to win their first league title in more than

three decades. “I discussed with my players before the game how important it was for us to win against Enyimba. “That game against Enyimba was the game that was going to make us league champions. “They scored first and

we knew we had to dig deep because for us to emerge as league champions, we have to beat teams like Enyimba,” Amapakabo told supersport.com. Rangers stay top with 17 points from nine matches after the win against Enyimba.

3SC Football Club in Akure. “The attack by some supporters of the home team on the General Manager is unwarranted and barbaric and can’t be allowed to thrive in our football and especially now that our league venues are becoming people-friendly courtesy of the work and efforts by the League Man-

agement Company and other stakeholders, including the referees and the players. We can’t allow a few individuals to drag our football back,” NANPF said today in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Comrade Austin Popo. The union said it would continue to support and encourage developments

that will provide the enabling work environment for its members to perform, warning that “any threat to that such as the incident in Akure can’t be accepted.” “We therefore call on the League Management Company to investigate the incident and place the required sanctions on the culprits,” NANPF said.

Players Union condemns attack on 3SC General Manager

he Nigeria Players Union, the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has condemned the attack on Rasheed Balogun, the General Manager of 3SC Football Club of Ibadan, on Sunday during the NPFL week nine match between Sunshine Stars Football Club and visiting

Okpodu blames inexperience for Ikorodu’s poor run

korodu United head Coach, Sammy Okpodu says that inexperience has been a huge setback that has compelled the NPFL debutants to struggle in this season. The Oga Boys may have done so well to make Onikan Stadium a carnival atmosphere during their matches but the result hasn’t just gone their way. A win, two draws and six loses in nine matches- two of which were lost in front of their home fans has left them deep in the red zone

on the NPFL log. “The NPFL demands more than just talent, a

Okpodu

mix of experience, talent, individual brilliance and sound technical input are ingredients needed to succeed in the NPFL,”Okpodu told Goal. “Inexperience is a major setback in the team but if you saw our team’s match against Rivers United last Sunday, you’ll agree that there has been some level of improvement in terms of awareness. “We shall continue to work on the team as the league progresses. It was unfortunate that we con-

ceded those goals against Rivers United due to carelessness but the second half performance was better. However, the former Warri Wolves coach believes that Ikorodu United’s expected turn around will be a gradual process. “The turnaround is a process which has started already. We saw an improved Ikorodu United fought for the ball and kept procession in our last match but a whole lot will still go into the tea,” he added.

uper Eagles and Watford forward, OdionIghalo and Super Falcons and Arsenal new sensation, Asisat Oshoala emerged King and Queen of the Pitch respectively at the 3rd Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held after the Nigeria-Egypt clash last Friday. Other awardees includes goalkeeper of the year which was won by Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Sunshine Stars, defender of the year won by Chinedu Udoji of Enyimba Fc, midfielder of the year went to Paul Onobi of Sunshine Stars just as Odion Ighalo of Watford Fc won the striker of the year. Rasheed Yekini award went to Ggolahan Salami of Warri Wolves while his team mate Gbolahan Salami won the Most Valuable Player in NPFL with the Most Valuable player in the female category going to Ngozi Ebere of Rivers Angles. Other awards includes, Club/ Team of the year which was won by Enyimba, team of the year; Golden Eaglets, Coach of the year, (Emmanuel Amuneke), Manager of the Year (Kadiri Ikhana), Referee of the year ( Ferdinand Udoh), Player’s Agent of the Year (John Olatunji Shittu) Also State with the best grassroots football development went to Lagos State; football friendly governor was won by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Tana Aiyejina of Punch Newspapers won the football journalist of the year (Print) with that

of radio going to Godwin Enakhena and that of television going to Austin Okon-Akpan. Mobile television network provider, Globacom won gold for corporate sponsorship; silver went to Guinness while bronze went to Supersport. The 2015 Special Achievement Awards went to His Excellency, Nasir El-Rufai, Barrister Solomon Dalong, Honourable Minister of Youth, Sir Mike Okiro, Chairman Police Service Commission and Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary while Samson Siasia was honoured with the Football Achievement Award. Amaju Pinnick, the NFF President, Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel and Segun Odegbami received the Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigerian Football. In his address, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick thanked the Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for honouring the invitation of the Federation and the organisers to attend the ceremony even at short notice. According to him, Nigeria Football Federation has been partnering the Organisers because of the credibility of the award. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards thanked NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, dignitaries, voters, nominees and winners and specially singled out the media for their unprecedented support and commitment to the cause of Nigerian football.

Lagos FA Cup: Moonluck FC book semi-final ticket

oonluck FC on Easter Sunday defeated First Bank FC of Lagos in a pulsating quarter- final match that had all the trappings of a world class match. The Coach Godfrey Esu tutored side defeated highly rated First Bank FC 1 -0 in an encounter that drew a huge crowd to the Agege Township Stadium. The win took Moonluck FC into the semi-finals of the 2016 Lagos FA Cup tournament as they wait to see who their opponent from the other fixtures will be. According to Chilaka Patrick, Media Officer for Moonluck FC the lads are

going to take the remaining matches seriously until they get to their final destination. He further said that the management of Moonluck FC has done all within their means to ensure the players are well motivated to crush any opposition that stands in their way of FA Cup glory this 2016. The highly entertaining match between Moonluck FC and First bank Fc witnessed a lot of fireworks but it was Moonluck who had the better part of the day when their goalkeeper Ochie Taiwo saved a penalty kick awarded to First bank in the 70th minute.

WORLD RECORD

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

Vol. 06 No. 1337 Wednesday, March 30, 2016

N150

#iStandWithBuhari and the limits of political opportunism

t has been almost a year now that some of us, swept by the euphoria of the “change mantra”, went all out to support arguably the most persecuted presidential aspirant in Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari. We were told severally how the General intended to “Islamize Nigeria”; we were told he was a member of the Islamic State (ISIS); we were equally told of how he once promised to make “Nigeria ungovernable for Jonathan”. All these notwithstanding, we shunned every obvious temptation for ethnicity or religious bigotry to support and vote the most hated man in certain quarters as president. Since he became president, Buhari seems to have gotten new supporters, who seem to love him more than those who endured the worst conditions to support his presidential ambition. Many of these neo-Buharists never at-

eports yesterday indicated that former Brazil international, Ronaldinho, is likely to next play in the Major League Soccer of the United States or the Super League in China, according to his brother and agent Roberto Assis. Ronaldinho, 36, has been with-

Guest Columnist

Olalekan W.

Adigun

tended his campaign rallies nor donated financially in aid of his ambition. After the election, traditional Buhari’s critics, also known as the ‘Wailing Wailers’, started several hash tags on Twitter, such as #BabaGoSlow, #100WastedDays, #BudgetOfYams, #TyrantBuhari and more recently and embarrassingly, #BringBackCorruption. To all these, Buhari’s supporters have responded well too. They have launched counter attacks like: #GoOnBuhari to counter the accusations of his critics that he is a dictator. Apart from this, noticing the loss of steam and the seeming defencelessness of Buharists on social media, neo-Buharists regrouped and decided to do “something unique.” They launched what they called, #iStandWithBuhari. The group promoting the hash tag has been vocal on social media for a while now. On getting to see the group’s sponsored advert, I immediately put a call through to its secretariat sometimes last month. I was told the group intends to mobilise a whopping nine million Nigerians to a rally in support of the President. I asked if there was any election in sight which the President was participating. To this, the receiver of my call answered in the negative. He only told me of the president’s war against corruption and the commencement of operation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The question I asked myself after ending the call was: Why the rally? Inasmuch as I have no personal issue

Calling nigerians out for a rally at this time is obviously a bad

PubliC relations strategy

with showing affections to one’s country leader, this effort suffers from two obvious deficiencies. First, the poor timing of the rally especially at a time when Nigerians are facing harsh economic realities is at best uncalculated. Second, is the fact that it only exposes political opportunism and the insincerity of those behind the hash tag. Calling Nigerians out for a rally at this time is obviously a bad Public Relations strategy. The people pushing these hash tag are obviously no experts in PR. If they are, they will see the futility of their efforts even before materialising. The message is shabby, just as its medium is tactless. It appears some idle political aides want to be seen to be working hard at their jobs. It may also be true some of those people who hate the president so much are behind this mess. This leads me to my second issue. Where are the funds for the rally coming from? Who is the overt and covert sponsor of the event that could gulp a whopping N90 billion? My God! If this money can be channelled into building industries, these rally attendees will be gainfully employed.

There is nothing new in rallies of such nature. The fact that the same people who organised groups like Daniel Kanu’s Youths Earnestly Yearn for Abacha (YEA); #BringBackGoodluck; Ifeanyi Uba’s Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN); Goodluck Initiative for Transformation (GIFT); Neighbour To Neighbour (N2N) and others too numerous to mention adds to my suspicions that these are nothing but professional praise singers, flatterers, charlatans and, to say the obvious, scammers. Only recently did the true intentions of the group became manifest. Its National Coordinator Mr. Mustapha Ramalan resigned thanks to the schism within the group. Ramalan’s reason is that “… the nine million-man pro-Buhari march should be postponed because the government is still trying to pick up and hence should be given more time to justify the nine million-man march.” I dare ask, at what point did he recover his senses? If I am in a position to advise President Buhari on this matter, but I will suggest he considers taking Niccolo Machiavelli’s advice in his wonderful book, ‘The Prince’ about dealing with these charlatans. The Italian philosopher writes: “…a wise prince ought to hold a third course by choosing the wise men in his state, and giving to them only the liberty of speaking the truth to him, and then only of those things of which he inquires, and of none others; but he ought to question them upon everything, and listen to their opinions, and afterwards form his own conclusions…” Thank goodness, the Presidency understands that it does not have to keep mum in the face of these well-known political opportunists. It is gracious the President’s media team came down hard, issuing a strong “Caveat Emptor” on the matter. There has to be limits to political opportunism! Adigun, a political risk analyst and strategist, wrote via olalekan@olalekanadigun.com and follow him on Twitter @adgorwell

Sport Extra

Ronaldinho mulls MLS, Chinese Super League move out a club since ending a threemonth stay with second-tier side Fluminense last September. “The probable destination for him is Major League Soccer in the US or the Chinese Super League,” Assis said. The exceptionally gifted mid-

fielder, who was crowned World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 in addition to scooping two La Liga titles and the Champions League during his time at Barcelona from 2003 to 2008, has sensationally declared that he is far from hanging his boots, despite suggestions in

the regard. “We are leaving all options open and I think some more offers could be placed on the table soon as we move on,” Assis added. Ronaldinho has not competed in Europe since leaving AC Milan in 2011.

Ronaldinho

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