Wenesday, 4 april, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Marketers demand fuel importation allocation from PPPRA

Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

Kachikwu

Vol. 6 N0. 1362

ndependent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, yesterday called on the

Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, to resume importation allocation to its member. IPMAN President, Lawson Obasi gave the charge

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Fulani herdsmen killing

while speaking to journalists in Abuja, stressing that such move would avert perennial scarcity of petroleum products in the country. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Again, FG fails to produce Dasuki in court P.5

Dasuki

National Mirror Online @NationalMirror

N150

Police redeploy Enugu CP

...as Buhari promises decisive action •Attack act of criminality –APC govs Rotimi Fadeyi and Emmanuel Ezeh

ommissioner of Police in Enugu State, Nwodibo Ekechukwu has become the first casualty of the Fulani herdsmen attack on Ukpabi Nimbo in UzoUwani Local Government Area as he was yesterday redeployed by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase. His redeployment may not be unconnected with failure by the police and other security outfits to prevent the attack, more CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

‘How N60m was withdrawn from NIMASA account’ P.7

President Paul Biya of Cameroon inspecting guard of honour mounted by Nigerian Army at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as he begins a two-day official visit to Nigeria, yesterday. PHOTO: ANAYO OPARA

States should decide on minimum wage –Odigie-Oyegun

91 Shiite members in court for alleged culpable homicide P.6 Edo Assembly Speaker, deputy impeached

P.4

P.11

News

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police redeploy Enugu CP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

so when there was advanced warning on the impending assault. It would be recalled that Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in his report on the incident, said when information about the impending attack was received, he held a security meeting where he provided the logistics needed by the police to prevent it. But it still took place. Ekechukwu was deployed to the Eastern Port Authority in Port Harcourt, River State, while Kogi State Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has been sent as his replacement. Force Spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole confirmed Ekechukwu’s redeployment. She said: “No, the CP was not sacked; he was only redeployed and we didn’t issue a statement on it because it is a normal procedure in the Force. “He has been redeployed to Eastern Port Authority in Port Harcourt and it has nothing to do with the herdsmen’s attack.” Again, President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to deal decisively with the rampaging armed herdsmen, who have unleashed a reign of terror on communities across the country. The President gave the promise on Monday night at a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN. Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, confirmed that heads of the various security agencies had been ordered to take all necessary actions to apprehend and expose those behind the heinous attacks. “We are determined to secure all Nigerians and I have told the InspectorGeneral of Police and other security agencies, in very strong terms, to deal decisively with the attackers,” the President said. He expressed his personal condolences to the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, the people of Ukpabi Nimbo and all other communities that had suffered fatalities and other losses from the recent attacks. Speaking on other national issues, the President assured the Bishops that he was acting with deliberation and moving methodically to implement his

Change agenda for the good of the country. “We need to rebuild our institutions methodically, we need to change the way we do things. “In the last 10 years, crude oil sold for more that $100 per barrel, but Nigeria did not save. That is why we have found ourselves where we are today,” Buhari told the Catholic Bishops, led by Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos. The President assured them that his administration was working very hard to fulfill all the promises it had made to Nigerians, adding that his greatest motivating factor now is the desire to bring positive change to Nigeria. On behalf of the bishops, Kaigama expressed the solidarity of CBCN with the President. “We are willing to collaborate with you and with your administration, in which we see hope for a greater Nigeria,” he said. The bishops pledged continued prayers for Nigeria and the government, expressing their conviction that the current hardships were temporary, and Nigeria would soon overcome its present difficulties. Speaking with State House Correspondents after the meeting, Kaigama called on all Nigerians to give President Buhari a chance to make the country a better place. He described Buhari as a sincere man with great sense of dedication and a man wants the best for the country. He disclosed that the President agreed that everyone was not working as he expected, saying there were some who were cogs in the wheel of progress. “We are praying and hoping that such people will see that Nigeria is greater than all of us; that we should develop patriotic disposition and our aspiration should be to put this country first,”

Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right), addresing a coalition of women groups during a protest over recent attack on people by herdsmen in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN Kaigama said. In a related development, All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors’ Forum, yesterday stormed Enugu State, condemning the recent attack on Nimbo community by suspected Fulani herdsmen. This was as Governor Ugwuanyi announced plan to set up Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp, at the community to carter for the displaced residents. Ugwuanyi spoke while addressing more than 13 non-governmental organisations and civil rights groups, who marched to Government House, Enugu on a peaceful protest in solidarity with widows and relations of those killed during the attack. On their part, the APC Governors, led by their Chairman, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Kashim Shettima, assured Nigerians that the Nimbo killings

would mark the end of such criminality in the country. Okorocha, who addressed Enugu State stakeholders at the Government House, said the delegation was in the state to re-assure the residents that they were greatly touched by the incident. Other governors on the visit included Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Rauf Aregbesola, (Osun) as well as deputy governors of Kogi and Yobe states. Okorocha said: “We are here because of the ugly incident that took place in Enugu State. Death is death, but the most painful is the one that is man-made, most unexpected. “This nation is one, irrespective of political affiliation; you (Governor Ugwuanyi) are in PDP; we are in APC, but in death, there is no party. “We have come to sympathise with you on this moment of grief and great loss.”

He equally commended Governor Ugwuanyi “for the maturity with which he has handled the situation; it would have degenerated to something else if the people had retaliated.” Okorocha added: “We see this as an act of criminality; a crime is a crime no matter where it was committed. We hereby condemn this criminal activity in its entirety. “We shall join hands with the Federal Government to make sure that this is the last in our country. “We must emphasise the unity of Nigeria; that is why we are here; all the APC governors would have been here but they decided to send representatives. “We are with you in spirit and I want to inform all the people of the South East that this matter is being handled and very soon, the culprits will be brought to book.” In his speech, Governor Shettima, who likened the

trauma being faced by Nimbo people and indeed the entire Enugu State to that of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, lauded the people over their conduct in the face of such provocation. He said: “In this kind of situation, it is easy to play to the gallery; it is easier to call for revenge, but Enugu people remained calm. “We have to find these killers who should be treated as criminals; they are criminals; they need to be treated as such. “The Igbos are very industrious, very accommodating, very enterprising; we must build this nation together; we must build this nation as brothers.” In his reaction, Governor Ugwuanyi, who commended President Buhari as well as the governors over their concern, expressed hope that the commission of inquiry set up by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

Marketers demand fuel importation allocation from PPPRA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

According to him, PPPRA in the past, used to allocate petroleum import quota to its members. He attributed the stoppage of the allocation to the current recurring scarcity. He said: “PPPRA should include IPMAN in the list of those importing products. Before now they used to give us allocation but they stopped.”

Obasi said the group is not against removal of subsidy, but stressed the need for government to make the removal gradual and in phases. He said government should ensure that refineries are working and pipelines put in order to ensure free flow of distribution of fuel across the country. He noted that his members did not embark on

products importation because government has refused to pay them subsidy on what was imported. IPMAN according to him is positioned and ready to ensure petroleum products distribution to all parts of the federation, but blamed government of frustrating its efforts. For instance, he said the recent committee inaugurated by Petroleum Resources Minister, Dr.

Ibe Kachikwu to resolve the crises in the association has completely taken over its functions. “Much disturbing is the fact that the committee has completely taken over the functions of National Executive Committee, NEC, of IPMAN and is now going about performing the functions which, by our constitution should be performed NEC.

“The present posturing of the committee, which has variously described itself as Interim Management Committee, Products Sharing Committee and Reconciliation Committee, is an ill-wind which blows no one any good,” he stated. He urged the minister to disband the committee, while NNPC and PPMC take steps to resolve the crises.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

News

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

States should decide on minimum wage –Odigie-Oyegun N ational Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said states should be allowed to fix their minimum wage according to their financial capabilities. Fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja yesterday, he said although it was a matter for the Executive arm, the executive at federal and state levels would have to consider the demand in line with their ability to pay. It would be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, recently proposed N56,000 as minimum wage for the Nigerian worker, just as a faction is also demanding for N90,000, as against the current N18,000. “That is always what happens (the demand) but this must be based on the economic realities on the ground and the ability to pay.

“Perhaps to even demonstrate that this is not a central but a federal matter that states should be allowed to make their decisions based on their ability to pay. “The cost of living is not the same in every part of the country,” he said. Speaking on the delay in appointments into various federal boards and parastatals, the chairman sued for patience, assuring that the appointments would be made at the most appropriate time. On the issue of the attack on the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, in Auchi, the chairman said what happened was unfortunate. “It is our hope that the police will get to the bottom of it and make sure that the culprits are brought to book,” he said. He promised that the national headquarters of the party would ensure free, fair and transparent primaries in the state.

L-R: Chairman, Globalisation Engagement and Internationalisation Committee, Prof. Femi Shonaike; Programme Officer, Media, Ford Foundation, West African Office, Lagos/Guest Lecturer, Dr. Paul Nwulu; Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Lanre Fagboun and Lecturer of the Journalism Department (LASU), Dr. Tunde Akanni, during a public lecture to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day, in Lagos, yesterday.

NHRC wants legislation to curb violence against journalists

ational Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has urged the African Union,

AU, and other international bodies to persuade their member nations to put legislation in place to curb vi-

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, ESEMA, and the police had been set up to ensure judicious and transparent distribution of the items to the real victims. Some of the materials donated to the community include rice, beans, garri, drugs, toiletries, foams, blankets, plastic buckets, plates, among other items. Meanwhile, National Coalition of Yoruba Youth and Students has cautioned the rampaging Fulani herdsmen to stay away from Yoruba territory. Coordinator of the group, Sunday Asefon, said youths in the region would resist any attempt by the herdsmen to carry out any genocidal action in the zone. Asefon, who spoke yesterday during a remembrance lecture in honour of Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, the late deputy governor to former Governor Kayode Fayemi, said the senseless killings in Enugu, Benue and other states by the suspected marauders underscored porosity in the country’s security. The students’ leader, who said the South West zone would use every means possible to repel these aggressors, said: “Let me sound a note of warning to these suspected Fulani herdsmen to be careful because

any attempt to invade our land shall be repelled by the youths and students of this zone. “We won’t allow aggressors to oppress and suppress our collective will. The Presidency must rise to the occasion by letting its body language in discouraging this dastardly act be felt in every corner across the country. “We will continue to embrace the Change agenda of President Buhari and offer useful advice when necessary.” In a lecture entitled: “Women Contributions to Democratic Development in Nigeria”, a former House of Representatives member, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, canvassed for more leadership positions for women to facilitate gender equality. Faparusi, who was represented by the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ado Ekiti branch, Dr. Foluke Dada, urged Buhari government to comply with the 35 per cent affirmative action to give women recognition and higher responsibilities. He said the roles women like Mrs. Olayinka, Dr. Okonjo Iweala, the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and others played in the development of the country lent credence to the fact that the country was blessed with women of virtues.

Police redeploy Enugu CP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

state “will lay all the relevant facts on the table and help bring justice to all concerned.” He added: “We are already taking concrete measures to step up security in Enugu State, especially through the reactivation and revitalisation of neighbourhood watch associations in every community in the state. “This is geared towards ensuring a holistic and concerted approach to security challenges in the state with all communities and relevant organisations being fully involved.” Also yesterday, members of the state House of Assembly, at plenary session, unanimously asked President Buhari to order the redeployment of all security chiefs in the state. The lawmakers were piqued by the unprovoked attack by the Fulani herdsmen. While condemning the bloodbath, the House maintained that what transpired at Nimbo community should be conveyed to all the international human right organisations. Thanking his colleagues for making robust contribution to a motion brought by the member representing Uzo-Uwani, Hon. John-Kevin Ukuta, on the menace of Fulani herdsmen, Speaker of the House, Hon. Edward Ubosi, urged the people

of Enugu State not to live in fear or to take laws into their hands as government was doing everything to protect their lives and property. To assuage the sufferings of the victims of the attack, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday flagged-off the distribution of assorted relief materials to them. Presenting the relief materials to the devastated community, Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mohammad Sani Sidi, who sympathised with the people, said the Federal Government shared in their grief and pains. The NEMA chief condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric act. Sidi, represented at the event by the South East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Martin Ejike Udeinya, said the gesture was in line with the agency’s mandate of responding to disaster affected communities in the country. He said: “We are here today to present relief materials to Nimbo community after carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the damage done to the area recently. “These items will help to cushion the effect of the attack on the community.” He disclosed that a fiveman committee made up of NEMA, Red Cross, the

olence against journalists. Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, made the appeal yesterday in Abuja as the commission joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Press Freedom Day. Angwe also advocated life assurance policy for journalists in countries where it was not already in place, saying such measure would ensure that families of deceased or maimed journalists were given social security protection. He also said non-payment of journalists’ salaries as and when due was a gross violation of their right to work. While stating that the commission remained committed to protecting the rights of every journalist in Nigeria, he urged owners of media organisations in the country to ensure prompt payment of salaries to workers. “The commission has in recent times received several complaints from journalists working in prominent media organisations on non-payment of salaries and entitlements. “This constitutes a gross violation of their rights to work,” Angwe said. He said the commission would not hesitate to take firm but fair decisions on the various complaints before it on non-payment of journalists’ salaries. According to him, the commission will do everything within its powers to seek appropriate redress

for these journalists as this will encourage hard work and promote balance reporting. The executive secretary further said it was important to ensure maximum protection of journalists in the country and world over as this would deepen democratic ethos. He said failure to do so would lead to social disorder and a stunted democratic process. He decried the spate of kidnapping of journalists in Nigeria over the years, saying it was disheartening that journalists, who were reliable sources of information for the society, had become endangered species. He quoted a report from Reporters without Borders, a global association of journalists that “a total of 101 journalists were killed in connection with their work for unclear reasons in 2015.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government has restated its commitment to strengthen democracy and good governance through the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated government’s position in a message to mark the 2016 World Press Freedom Day. In the message made available to newsmen, the minister described the Act, as a necessary instrument in the fight against corruption and promoting transparency in governance.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Reps ask Buhari to focus on diversification ...say Nigeria can earn its own forex

Ubong Ukpong and George Opara

ouse of Representatives, upon commencement of its sectoral debate yesterday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to focus his attention on the urgent need to diversify the nation’s economy. The House, which received the Information, Culture and Tourism Minister, Lai Mohammed, in chamber, insisted that the country could earn its own foreign exchange if it gives priority to diversification of the economy. Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the ple-

nary, emphasised that there must be urgency in diversifying the nation’s economy in order to improve its Gross Domestic Product, GDP, saying that the time for paying lip service to the task is over. The Speaker, in his opening remarks during the session, on the floor of the House, expressed confidence that all that were required to successfully transform the economy and earn it foreign exchange, were available within the country. He said: “With the fall in crude oil prices, Nigeria really has no choice, but to stop paying lip service to the urgent need for diversification of sources of revenue for the country. The acute scarcity of

foreign exchange, power supply challenges, falling GDP, fuel scarcity are some of the current matters of urgent national importance to be fixed. “It is our belief that Nigeria possesses the human and material resources required to successfully transform our economy and earn the needed foreign exchange for the country. “It is time for Nigeria to develop and transform into a knowledge-based economy. Indeed ICT, agriculture, solid minerals, culture, tourism and entertainment; trade, investment and manufacturing; taxation and finance policies; science and technology; efficient infrastructure such as power, transportation,

among others have huge roles to play in the diversification of the Nigerian economy,” he said. Dogara explained that the broad objective of the sectoral debates was to deepen the engagement of members and the executive in national development policy issues and to promote the enactment of appropriate laws to enhance Nigeria’s economic growth and development. He added that these sectoral debates, were necessitated by the compelling need for stakeholders, particularly the executive and legislature to engage in debates and dialogues towards finding sustainable policy strategies and legislations for quick re-

Men suspected to be diverting petroleum products arrested and paraded with the products by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

covery of the economy. Speaking further, the speaker said at the end of the exercise, the outcomes should be able to be applied by the Federal Government to help actualise the change agenda of the present administration. Other themes to be explored in the course of these sectoral debates, after diversification of the economy, he said, include unemploy-

Climate change, food security bills pass second reading George Oji

wo bills, the first seeking measures at addressing the negative impacts of global warming or climate change in Nigeria and the other, seeking to address potential hunger in the country passed second reading at the Senate yesterday. While the first bill was sponsored by Senator Issa Hamma Misau (APC Bauchi Central), the second bill was sponsored by Theodore Orji (PDP Abia Central). Explaining the objectives of the first bill on Climate Change and Global Greenhouse Emission, in his lead presentation, Misau said the bill seeks to address climate change with a view to assisting the achievement of a sustainable future for the country.

Again, DSS fails to produce Dasuki in court Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

rial of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, before Justice Yusuf Baba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory yesterday, suffered temporary setback following failure of the Department of State Security Services to produce him in court. Dasuki is facing corruption charges before the court in the sum of N6 billion slammed against him by the government since last year. At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, witnesses in the case were assembled in the court by

the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the trial was however, scuttled by the failure of the Department of State Security Services, DSS, to release Dasuki to EFCC for onward movement to the Abuja High Court for the trial. Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed Justice Baba Yusuf that he had made serious efforts through the EFCC to contact the DSS to produce Dasuki in court and regretted that as at the time the court was sitting, his efforts did not yield fruitful result. He informed the court that there was no indication that the former NSA would be brought to court for the trial even though the

witnesses are in court and that also Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who was supposed to be the lead prosecution counsel was at the Court of Appeal for a different matter. Atolagbe appealed to the court that the matter be stood down pending the arrival of Mr. Jacobs to come and shed more light on the absence of Dasuki. However, counsel to Salisu Shuaib, a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), said the coming to court of Jacobs would be inconsequential in the absence of Dasuki. Olujimi, a former Attorney General of the Federation, and Justice Minister,

AGF, told the court that the prosecution had failed to produce the defendant in court and ought to admit that and asked for adjournment. He informed Justice Yusuf that it is settled in law that trial cannot go ahead in the absence of the defendant in a criminal matter and prayed the judge to grant adjournment for the prosecution to enable them take steps to produce Dasuki in court on the next adjourned date. In his own submission, counsel to Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former Executive Director at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr Solomon Umor (SAN), informed Justice

ment and job creation; infrastructural development; power, energy and gas; anticorruption; accountability and transparency in government; security matters among others. The sectoral debates is the first of its kind in the legislature in Nigeria,where specific legislative time is being dedicated to undertake debates on particular sectors of the economy.

Yusuf that; “ordinarily the prosecution ought to apply for a bench warrant against Dasuki for his failure to appear in court for trial, but noted that in the instant case, the prosecution could not do so, because they are the one responsible for his absence due to his unwarranted detention. Justice Baba Yusuf in a short ruling held that that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant in court as required by law, but regretted that the prosecution has unfortunately abdicated this responsibility today as far as this case is concerned. He granted an adjournment of the trial till May 23, 2016.

The lawmaker explained that since climate change resulting from global warming is generally believed to be man-made, there is need for man - made solution to it as well through reduction of global Greenhouse emissions. Nigeria, according to him, is a major producer of fossil fuel (petroleum and coal) and a study commissioned by the World Bank in 2007 indicated that Nigeria accounted for roughly one sixth of the worldwide gas flaring which in turn spews some 400million tons of carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Concluding, Musau submitted that the bill essentially provides the legislative framework for concerted response to the challenge of global warming. Most of the senators who contributed to the debate supported it, following which the Senate passed it for second reading. In his concluding remarks, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, remarked that the bill was long overdue and that it will go a long way in addressing challenges of climate change in the country. Senator Theodore Orji in his lead debate on the Food Security Bill, submitted that Nigeria was one of the few countries of the world that has no legal framework for food security, hence, there was no accessibility to quality and adequate food security by Nigerians, noting that the bill, if passed, would compel government to provide quality food as part of its primary responsibilities.

Photo

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

NEWS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Mr. Dayo Aiyetan; Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Interview Magazine, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene and Co-founder/ Director of Open Living Loves Co-Creation Hub, Mr. Femi Longe, at a news conference on World Press Freedom Day in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Founding Chairman, Exam Ethics Marshals International, Mr. Ike Onyechere; Representative, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Hassan Salihu Anka and Representative, Ministry of Labour, Mrs. Agusta Okionghae, during the media briefing on Saving Nigeria Tertiary Education from Shutdowns and Disruptions of Academic Calendars by Ethics Resource Centre Nigeria in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa; Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and Representative of EU Sign Project in Nigeria, Dr. Adam Dawud, during the inauguration of EU-Sign Project in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Mr. Omoni Ayo-Tamuno; Representative of Rivers Commissioner for Information, Mr. Poulinus Nsirim and chairman of the occasion, Mr. Sampson Fibersima, during the 2016 World Press Freedom Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National News

Joint military force in Niger Delta kills 4 suspected pirates

he joint military force in Niger Delta, ‘Operation Pulo Shield,’ said yesterday that its personnel killed four suspected pirates during a surveillance patrol along the Ogbia - Nembe waterways in Bayelsa State on Monday. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, learnt that the shootout occurred at the same place where a Lebanese construction worker was abducted and two soldiers killed by gunmen in April. Spokesman of the joint force, Col. Ado Isa, confirmed the incident, saying that four of the hoodlums were hit by troops’ bullets and feared dead. Isa said the troops were on patrol of the waterways when they saw the hoodlums between Peregbene and Obama area of the state. The spokesman said the suspected pirates were using a speedboat with 200 horse power engine, which had been banned in the state waterways. “On sighting the gunboat,

the gunmen tried to escape. Our troops fired at them while they were trying to run away. As they were escaping, they were firing back at our troops. About four of them

were hit by bullets. “They were either dead or sustained serious injuries. “They navigated into a narrow creek, put off the engine of their boat and ran

into the creeks. They escaped with their dead. “One of our soldiers was shot in the leg and he was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment,” Ado said.

He said the troops are still combing the creeks to locate the whereabouts of the gunmen. Ado said the Commander of Operation Pulo Shield,

Maj-Gen. Alani Okunlola, had ensured regular patrol of the waterways to fish out economic saboteurs and other maritime criminals in the Niger Delta region.

91 Shiite members in court for alleged culpable homicide

aduna State government yesterday arraigned another batch of 91 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, before a Kaduna High Court, seeking death sentence for them. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that government had on April 21 arraigned 50 members of the sect on similar charges. They were among the 266 sect members arrested during the Shiite/Army clash between December 12 and December14, 2015 in Zaria. NAN reports that 256 of the arrested persons are facing charges, including death sentence, while 10 others are facing other charges in different courts in the state.

They were arraigned on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace and wrongful restrain. Mr. Dari Bayero who led the prosecution, told Justice Hajara Gwadah that the accused persons were being charged ``pursuant to Sections 97, 102, 106, 221 and 256 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State. “My Lord the charge before you is for mention. We humbly apply that the names of the accused persons be called out for identification. “My Lord the 1st, 13th, 34th, 39th, 57th, 66th and 70th accused persons are not in court and are absent. “They were released on

bail and are aware of this date particularly the accused person, No. 57, who we have proof of service on. “My Lord the 1st accused person was released on bail to one Ibrahim Haruna who is resident in Zaria. “My Lord, we hereby apply for a bench warrant against the 57th accused person. “My Lord, same is also applies against all the accused persons that are absent. I also apply for a short date for further arraignment.`` On his part, Mr. Festus Okoye who led the defence team, said the prosecution had not served any of the accused persons with the charge since the case was

filed on March 22, 2016. “My Lord our first application is that the prosecution should serve the charges on all the accused persons. “My Lord, the application for bench warrant against the accused persons that are not before the court is not proper. “My Lord, the 1st accused and his surety were not served with a copy of this charge and hearing notice and thus, are not aware that the matter comes up today. “The 13th accused person was released because he was critically ill. There is also no evidence that he was served with the charge or hearing notice. “The 39th and 70th accused persons were released

on bail because they are minors and were not served against today. I don’t have information on the 57th accused person.`` The defence counsel requested the court to order the prosecution to serve the accused persons that were not in court and their sureties. After listening to the submissions, the judge issued a bench warrant against the 57th accused person. “Bench warrant against the 57th accused person is hereby granted. Accused persons are to be served personally. “Case adjourned to June 1, 2016 for arraignment,” Gwadah declared.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

3 die, 3 injured in Ogun fire mishap Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

Members of the National Youth Councils of Nigeria protesting illegal detention and the release of the council’s president, Mr. Ikenga Ugochinyere, by the officials of Department of State Security Service, at the entrance of the embassy of the United State of America in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

How N60m was withdrawn from NIMASA’s account – Witness Wale Igbintade

Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc, Mr Oliver Ewerem, yesterday revealed before a Lagos High Court how the sum of N60 million was withdrawn from the account of Gama Marine Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Ewerem stated this in the ongoing trial of the former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Apobolokeme, and six others on how the sum of N60 million was withdrawn from the account of Gama Marine Ltd. Ewerem, who is an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC prosecution witness, was led in evidence by counsel of the antigraft agency, Mr I. A. Muhammed. He said the money was withdrawn in three tranches from Gama Marine’s account with the bank in favour of the fifth defendant. Akpobolokemi is being tried alongside six others for alleged theft of N754.7 million belonging to NIMASA. The other defendants charged alongside Akpobolokemi are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adeg-

boyega Sahib Olopoenia and the company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited. They are standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing and forgery, preferred against them by the EFCC. While testifying before Justice Raliat Adebiyi, Ewerem said on February 2, 2015, a credit of N67.450 million was paid into Gama Marine ltd’s account by a committee of Marine Times. He said on February 2, 2015, there was a credit of N28 million and same day the sum of N39.450million was also paid into Gama Marine Ltd Company. The witness also testified that between February 10 and 11, 2015, N60 million was withdrawn from Gama Marine and paid in favour of Vincent Udoye, adding that it was withdrawn in three tranches. During cross examination, Ewerem admitted that the first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh defendants were not beneficiaries of the payment of the money. At the last adjourned date, the trial was stalled due to failure to produce the Fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation by the prosecutor who appeared for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The counsels to the defendants had objected to the appearance of a private lawyer who works

with Festus Keyamo, Mr Marcel Umeh, who came to prosecute the case as Rotimi Oyedepo was absent from the court. Counsel to the second defendant, Mr E. D. Onyeke, had told the court that Umeh was a private practitioner who does not have the fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to prosecute

the case. He said Umeh was a staff of Keyamo Chambers, adding that Keyamo was given the fiat but could not delegate such powers to any of his staff. In a brief ruling, Justice Raliat Adebiyi had held that Umeh could not handle the case without producing the fiat, hence the case could not go on.

t least, three people have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained dangerous burn injuries in an accident at Mowe axis of the Lagos - Ibadan expressway late Monday night. The accident, which happened around 11pm, involved an Ibadan-bound petroleum laden tankertruck which crashed into herds of cattle crossing the expressway at Lotto Junction in Mowe town of Obafemi - Owode local government area of Ogun State. National Mirror gathered that the fuel-laden truck knocked down some cattle, killing four on the spot before it eventually veered off the road, spilling its contents on the highway. Tragedy, however, struck when another truck towing an accidented vehicle approached the area where fuel had been spilled and light sparked off from one of the irons causing friction on the road, and the entire area went up in flames.

The fire, however, consumed three people along with the fuel tanker and a fire-fighting truck belonging to Ogun State Fire Service which had been stationed in the area to prevent fire disaster, while three others sustained different degrees of burns. Public Relations Officer of the state Traffic Enforcement and Compliance, TRACE corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the auto crash, noted that one of the survivors was a fire-fighting officer drafted to the scene. Akinbiyi stated that the inferno would have been more devastating if the owners of the petroleum product had not transloaded the content of the accidented truck into another one and moved it to its destination before the incident. He added that the injured persons were taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu for treatment, while the corpses were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

Students protest: UI to remain shut Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

tudents of University of Ibadan, UI, may have to wait another month before returning to school as the school’s Senate has ratified steps taken by the administration towards resolving the crisis. Students of the institution had, for two days last week, protested against the management following what they described as the unlawful rustication of a 400-level Petroleum Engineering student, Tunji Epeti Michael, whom they alleged was punished for participating in a protest over electricity and water scarcity on campus on November 19, 2015. However to further halt escalation of the crisis, the school management ordered the indefinite closure of the school. But the students had among others demanded

the immediate reopening of the school, unconditional and immediate reinstatement of Michael, quick redress of the water and power distribution on campus, as well as addressing the ‘undue’ placement of fines and harassment of students by porters in the halls of residence. National Mirror learnt that the university debunked the claim of rusticating Michael, stating that nine students were either rusticated, reprimanded or discharged from the Independence Hall for either leading a protest or illegal occupation of the hall. It was gathered that an emergency Senate meeting of the university which was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, ratified the decision of the management to close the school and dialogue with the students while condemning what it

called the invasion of the university by students of other institutions with hooded attire. Sources at the meeting disclosed that the Senate stated that Michael was supposed to be at his place of internship for six-months when he allegedly came back to lead a protest in the Independence Hall owing to his political ambition to become the AdministratorGeneral. The Vice Chancellor was said to have disclosed that while the university required N80million per month to maintain overhead cost and maintenance of halls of residence, it had only received a total of N42.5 million covering January-April 2016, calling for more funding from the Federal Government. While noting that the immediate reopening of the school was impossible, the source said the Governing Council of the

institution that will consider the letter of appeal against Michael’s rustication will only seat on Monday, May 16, and that its decision would be communicated to the Senate. While addressing the Senate, the Vice Chancellor was quoted to have said, “I have gone round the halls of residence to ascertain their condition and I know it is not up to the standard our students should be living in. However, what do we do when the money/ overhead cost from the Federal Government falls short of what we need? We presently accommodate about 8,000 students in the halls of residence. There is absolutely nothing we can do without funding.” The VC further stated that it is not feasible to grant an unconditional and immediate reinstatement of Michael, insisting that his appeal would be tabled before the Governing Council of the institution for consideration.

South West

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Don’t incite Ibadan people, Baale warns Igbo traditional ruler Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

L-R: Caretaker Committee Chairman, Oluyole Local Government, Oyo State, Mr. Kolawole Orelope; Governor Abiola Ajimobi and pupils of Ifesowapo Community Primary School I and II, Sanyo, Ibadan, during the personal donation of school uniforms to the 400 pupils of the school by the governor, in Ibadan, yesterday.

LASUTH records first successful bone bridge surgery in W’Africa Francis Suberu Lagos has recorded the first successful bone bridge surgery in Africa, just as it successfully carried out Cochlear Implant surgeries on three deaf patients without the support of foreign doctors, the state government said on Tuesday. The state government, through LASUTH, also had its first successful kidney transplant carried out by the hospital’s team of urologists and nephrologists in November 2015 and discharged the patient in good condition on December 1, 2015, while another transplant is in the pipeline. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this during the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in commemoration of Gov-

Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

s the protests embarked on by workers of Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti, FETHI, following death of their colleagues in an accident last week entered the ninth day, the workers’ associations yesterday passed a vote of no confidence on the Chief Medical Director, Dr Lawrence Ayodele. The various associations accused the management led by the CMD of alleged insensitivity in

ernor Akinwunmi Ambode’s one year anniversary, said in just 11 months, the state government recorded remarkable feats in health sector due to the purposeful leadership and support of the governor. He said in the period under review, LASUTH in collaboration with Vision Care and South Korean Community in Nigeria provided free cataract surgeries for 120 Lagosians and treated 250 outpatients between November 9 and 13, 2015 with 100 percent success rate. He added that under the blindness prevention programme, a total of 7, 250 patients with varying ophthalmic conditions were screened at 29 different community venues out of which 4,867 representing 67.1 percent were given free glasses. The commissioner

said aside that LASUTH won several international awards of excellence in the period under review, the Departments of Internal Medicine, ENT, Psychiatry and Pediatrics were granted accreditations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, while the first female oncologist in Nigeria, Dr. Omolara Fatiregun, emanated from LASUTH. Reeling out various completed and ongoing projects in medical centres across the state, Idris said a new Critical Care Unit at LASUTH and Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM, was completed and almost ready for commissioning. He said the contract for renovation and extension of the old Ayinke House has been re-awarded with immediate commencement of work, as well as

the Psychiatry Ward. On secondary healthcare, the commissioner said projects already completed included the purchase of 26 ambulances for General Hospitals and LASUTH, procurement and installation of 26 Mobile Toshiba x-ray machines, construction and equipping of Accident and Emergency Centre in Ikorodu General Hospital, construction of Sewage Treatment Plant in Apapa and Somolu General Hospitals, installation of internet facility at the Health Service Commission for improved effectiveness and seamless performance of its activities. He further stated that major renovation works were ongoing in all the general hospitals in the state, as well as LASUCOM and School of Nursing Hostel, Igando.

the handling of the matter of the dead medical doctors and desperation in his second term bid. The Senior Staff Association chairman, Mr Akinlolu Adetula, and the President of FETHI Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Dr Austin Ibikunle, who addressed the placard-carrying workers after a meeting of the associations, condemned the media report credited to the CMD that the dead doctors did not

get permission before embarking on the trip. Three doctors from FETHI - Dr Tunde Aladesanmi, Dr Alexander Akinyele and Dr Adeniyi Atolani James - were among the six doctors and a driver that died last week in an accident along Abuja - Kaduna road on their way to Sokoto. The unions noted the alleged “insensitivity and irresponsiveness of the management of FETHI since the occurrence of

the accident. Despite being informed, nine days later, the management is yet to release a condolence statement to the bereaved families, neither has the management made any visitation to members of the bereaved families nor were they involved in the burial arrangements.” The CMD had in media reports said the protest by workers was politically motivated to deny him of another term of office

aale of Ekotedo in Ibadan, Taye Ayorinde, yesterday advised those whipping up sentiments and attempting to stand truth on its head over the recent elevation of Chief Alloy Obi as the Balogun of Ibadanland to perish the thought and respect the distinct tradition of Ibadan for peace to reign supreme. The Baale, while chatting with journalists in Ibadan, took exception to an inflammatory, unguarded and diversionary media report credited to a traditional ruler from Anambra State, Igwe Martin Ezeh Idu II, castigating the Olubadan over the recent elevation of Obi against a certain Alex Anozie. He said: “The statement is capable of causing upheaval in the peaceful city of Ibadan as Ibadan (indigenes) don’t joke with issues capable of dragging the good name of his imperial majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, in the mud. A traditional ruler should always refrain from statements and issues capable of causing disaffection, between the two tribes who have been living together peacefully for centuries because of inordinate ambition.” For ease of reference and posterity, he reminded Idu that “Olubadan Emmanuel Adeyemo had in July 1997 banned Alex Anozie from being a chief in Ibadan via letter EAA3/ Vol.1/97, whereas, Obi became Balogun of the Igbo to Olubadan in 1996, a development which Oba Adetunji only revisited recently through the coronation

ceremony of Obi in order to douse the 20 years leadership tussle among the Igbo in the city.” Ayorinde recalled that for many years Ibadan had the two Hausas at Sabo and Sasa at Mokola and three Igbo, all chiefs installed by Olubadan of Ibadanland and his council under the cover of Ekotedo which is the main base of Igbo in Ibadan. Contrary to the views expressed by the said monarch from Anambra that Anozie should be allowed to be the Eze Ndigbo of Oyo State, he said it is another ploy to beg for recognition of Eze in Ibadan. According to him, the people of Ibadan were not interested in any Igbo title in the city, stating that the Olubadan-In-Council cannot be remotely controlled by any Anambra chieftaincy or Igbo title. “The tussle between him and any Igbo man in any law court has nothing to do with Ibadan and no one can force any foreign chieftaincy title on Olubadan, his council and Ibadan in general. If he needs to continue to wear his crown and sit on a throne as he is doing, he should go and do all that in Anambra State where he comes from and not in Ibadan because photographs don’t lie,” he added. He wondered how many Ibadan indigenes own shops in Anambra State, let alone buy landed property or build houses and wear crowns like Ezes. He maintained that if the truth must be told, what Olubadan recently did by making Alloy his Balogun was final, and no amount of name calling could change the monarch’s position on the matter.

Doctors’ deaths: FETHI workers decry CMD’s statement as against genuine concern for the dead doctors. But in a communiqué approved by the congress of the workers in the institution yesterday at the end of the joint unions/associations’ meeting, the staff called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government “to effect forthwith a change in the leadership of the institution.” The communiqué reads in part: “That the CMD, Dr Ayodele, is becoming

rather unprofessional in his bid to achieve his second term bid. That the activities of the current management led by Dr Ayodele are not in line with the Change Agenda of President Buhari.” The workers consequently resolved that “the entire staff lack confidence in the leadership of the current management led by Dr Ayodele, hence members of staff pass a vote of no confidence in his leadership.”

South East

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Umahi dismisses rumour of herdsmen attack in Ebonyi Aliuna Godwin Abakaliki

bonyi State Governor, David Umahi, yesterday dismiss rumour that herdsmen will soon launch an attack on Ebonyi communities, this is as he insisted, that herdsmen will not leave the state. Umahi made this known while addressing stakeholders and prominent leaders of the state during an

...Nsukka students protest Nimbo killing enlarged Security Council meeting that took place at the Akanu-Ibiam International Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital. “There have been security reports that herdsmen will attack the people of Ebonyi State, but we have asked security agency not to leave any stone unturned. The governor stated that

No standard hospital in my constituency-Anambra lawmaker Raymond Nnoruka Awka

he lawmaker representing Anambra East state constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Obinna Chris Emeneka, has said that there is no standard hospital in his constituency. This is as the Anambra State Healthcare Development Agency Amendment Bill 2016 scaled through first reading in the state house of aseembly. Emeneka, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday at the state assembly complex, Awka, explained that his community Nando, one of the communities in his constituency has only one general hospital commissioned by the late former Minister for Health, Dr. Olikoye Ransome Kuti. He said that the general hospital is now moribund, thereby hampering health care services in the area. The lawmaker noted that considering the population of his community, there is a

dire need for a standard hospital in the area to cater for the health demands of his constituents as well as maximise health care delivery. Apart from the need for a well-equipped hospital, the lawmaker also maintained that such hospital should have adequate human resources to enable rural dwellers access healthcare delivery. Although, he observed too, that there are primary healthcare centres in the area, but stressed the fact that the primary healthcare centres are not adequately equipped to attend to the health needs of his constituents especially where mothers can go and deliver their babies. Emeneka had during plenary, moved a motion calling on Governor Willie Obiano to direct the Commissioner for Health to reconstruct and reequiped Nando General Hospital for effective healthcare delivery. Also his motion on Anambra State Healthcare Development Agency Amendment Bill 2016 scaled through first reading.

the people of the state are not happy when their farm lands are destroyed by the cattle of the herdsmen, stressing that the state government will do all it takes to ensure that there is understanding and peace between one and another in the state. He warned all traditional rulers and all community leaders in the state not to take laws into their hands, stressing that they should as well not collect money from herdsmen. Umahi noted that herdsmen are not authorised to cary gun around and called on the police and other security agencies to ensure that there is increase in police patrol especially where

herdsmen are residing. Umahi further lamented the increase in kidnapping and cultism activities in the state, and directed the Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University among other tertiary institutions as well as principals of all secondary schools in the state, to dismiss any student or person found involved in cultism. The governor, however, said there is no Grazing Bill in the National Assembly, stressing that no right thinking person would allow such kind of bill to succeed. In a related development, the governor suspended two coordinators from Ohaozara, his own local govern-

language in spite of being one of the three major languages spoken in the country was gradually going extinct. According to him, the language is being relegated to the background in favour of English language with many children of Igbo extraction unable to speak the language. The lawmaker also complained that French had been made compulsory for first year students of tertiary institutions in the state, while Igbo language was not offered. “There is the need to re-

men and call them to order”. Others read: “If herdsmen kill all our parents, brothers and sisters, who will feed and pay our school fees;’’ ``We say no to any other killing in the South East;” Students say no to the Grazing Bill; `` Herdsmen: enough is enough”. Speaking with newsmen, the National President of FANS, Hilary Omeke, said that the students decided to carry out the protest because of numerous atrocities allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen. Omeke said the most recent of such atrocities was the Nimbo massacre in which many people were killed, others injured and property destroyed.

L-R: Governors of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar; Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; Imo Rochas Okorocha; Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Kashim Shettima of Borno, during a sympathy visit to Enugu State Governor by his colleagues over recent attack on people by herdsmen, in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ebonyi SEMA commences sensitisation on flood disaster

bonyi State Emergency Management Agency,SEMA, has commenced advocacy and sensitisation visit to local

government areas on disaster risk prevention to avert flood and fire. Mr Ken Ozioma, Executive Secretary of the agency disclosed this in an inter-

Imo Assembly makes case for Igbo language in schools

mo State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill seeking the compulsory teaching and learning of Igbo language in nursery, primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state. The bill also called for the establishment of an agency to enforce, promote and regulate the enforcement of the law. It was initiated by Mr Donatus Onuigwe (APC member) representing Oru East state constituency. During the second reading of the bill, Onuigwe expressed regret that Igbo

ment area for coming late to the Security Council meeting in the state, just as he lock out some of his council members for coming late. Meanwhile, no fewer than 300 students from the Federation of Association of Nsukka Students (FANS) and the South East Students Association on Tuesday in Nsukka, staged a protest condemning last week’s killings in Nimbo, Enugu State, by alleged herdsmen. The students, who marched through major roads in Nsukka town, carried placards with various inscriptions, such as; ``We don’t want herdsmen in the South-East again” ``Federal Government should disarm herds-

invigorate the language by making it compulsory in schools. “There should also be debates and essay competitions in schools to promote the language,” he said. Supporting the motion, the member representing Ideato South state constituency, Mr Ikechukwu Amuka (APC), said that every effort to promote Igbo language should be supported. He explained that the identity of any tribe was their language and as such, Igbo as an indigenous language, should be made compulsory in schools in the

South-East. Amuka said that this would promote the cultural heritage of the Igbo people and called on all South-East houses of assembly to also pass similar bills into law. The Speaker of the House, Mr Iheanacho Ihim (Okigwe APC), moved the bill to committee stage, following a unanimous vote in its support. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the assembly on May 10, 2016.

view with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday in Abakaliki. He said the early sensitisation was aimed at engaging and calling attention of traditional rulers, community heads on early prevention and management of disaster. Ozioma recalled the awful experiences of fire and flood disasters that occurred in the state in 2015, which rendered many families homeless with untold hardship. “With the awful experience in 2015, we have been very loud about flood prevention; with intensive advocacy and sensitising of members of the public. “On ways to stop disaster risk by indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drain, avoid building on wa-

ter ways among other measures. He explained also that traditional rulers and community leaders were being sensitised on the need to educate people at the grassroots to avoid burning of candles, storing of fuel close to their houses, and bush burning. He said plans are underway by the state government to build camps for the fire and flood disaster victims in the state and urge residents to comply and abide by the rules and regulations. “We have advised them on so many measures to be taken in the reduction of disasters and ensure adherence in order to stop the trend,” he said. Ozioma also commended the Federal Government for its support to victims.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Edo Assembly Speaker, deputy impeached Onazena Abbey Benin

peaker, Edo State House of Assembly Honourable Victor Edoroh and his Deputy, Bright Osayande, were

yesterday impeached by sixteen members of the house over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of power and financial misappropriation The motion for the im-

peachment was moved by the Majority Leader, Foly Ogedegbe, representing Owan East constituency and seconded by member representing Esan North East, Pat-

We’re working to forestall building collapse in Delta –Commissioner

Nosa Akenzua Asaba

ith the increasing records of building collapse in some parts of the country, Delta State Government yesterday, said it is putting in precautionary measures that would help in forestalling the negative trend in the state. Part of the measures according to the state Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Joseph Ogeh, is the deliberate plan by the state government to institutionalise an effective housing policy within the state’s housing industry, which, he noted was hitherto lacking in the state. He said the state government had put machinery in place that would check the activities of quacks in the building industry, attributing greater percentage of the causes of building collapse to the use of quacks by developers. Speaking during an exclusive interview with National Mirror in his office, the housing commissioner said: “There are indeed a whole lot of things that leads to building collapse, and they are; faulty designs or the use of quacks both in

design and construction. “Today, everybody calls themselves building contractors; people who ordinarily are gloried bricklayers are calling themselves building contractors. They just get a contract, go there and build anything without regard to appropriate design, material specification and all that. ‘’If you are a contractor, you can canvass for contracts, but the failure to engage a competent engineer to carry out the construction of a building is yet another reason that leads to collapse of buildings. “Another issue is a situation where contractors in the bid to maximise profits, use substandard materials. And to remedy this, standard procedures such as appropriate study of the project site, soil investigation to determine the strength of the foundation, as well as that of the soil, appropriate structural design for the foundation of such structure must be followed. “Again, it must be a matter of government policy that before a building plan is approved, every necessary design calculation should be adhered to, just as we must insist on the use of professionals to carry out our building projects; these are

some of the things that the state’s housing policy seeks to address in Delta State,” he said.

Calabar

ross River State Government yesterday, constituted a 16-man state Orientation Committee to re-orient citizens on the need to join hands with the Federal Government towards intensifying the on-going fight against corruption in the country. This is even, as she urged members of the committee to do everything within their reach to fashion out strategy for value and ethical orientation and sensitisation to launch the fight against all form of corruption in the state. While inaugurating the committee at the conference room of the State Ministry of Information, Chairman of the Orientation

fragrant manner the House recently forged ahead to dissolved the tenure of the council chairmen without recourse to Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole. The governor had described the dissolution of the councils chairmen tenure by the House as outright usurp of the power of the executive which he said, was unacceptable and inappropriate; “The resolution is a usurpation of the pow-

ers of the executive. The house does not have the power to give such directives. It could also be recalled that 24 members of the House revolted against the leadership of the Speaker only few weeks ago which culminated into rowdy plenary session over alleged refusal by the state government to buy new official vehicles for them which later forced the House to proceed on indefinite vacation.

Some members of the Edo Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on a road walk to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, in Benin, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Edo declares 5-day public holiday to mourn late Erediuawa .Oyegun, Esele condole with Benin Crown Prince

Onazena Abbey Benin

do State Government has declared five days public holiday as a mark of honour and respect

C`River Inaugurates State Orientation Committee Richard Ndoma

rick Iluobe. Meanwhile, the member representing Unhumowode constituency, Elizabeth Ativie emerged the new Speaker while Justine Okonobo, representing Igueben Local Government Area, was consequently endorsed as Deputy Speaker The decision to impeach the Speaker whom they equally accused of promoting tribalism it was gathered, was not unconnected with the

Committee and Commissioner for Information, Rosemary Archibong, said the Federal Government alone can not win the war against this social malaise. Archibong, stated that the committee is established to strengthen the state as a creative, vibrant, tourism-based, culture-active, people-focused and educationally-progressive state, while maintaining her dignity of cleanliness, greatness and peace. She said the core terms of reference under focus is to propagate the vision and mission of the Senator Ben Ayade`s led-administration by bringing the entire citizenry and indeed resident of the state to key into its through massive education and sensitisation across towns and villages within the 196 wards of the state.

for the Oba of Benin who recently transited to immortality. The public holiday will take effect from Tuesday, May 3, 2016 to mourn the revered royal father. In a government special announcement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, only those on essential services in hospitals, health centres, the Fire Service and others are exempted from observing the public holiday. He said the Nigerian National Flag is expected to be flown at half mast across the state during the 5-day mourning period, while work is expected to resume on Monday, May 9, 2016. According to the statement, all government offices, establishments and para-

statals are expected to fully comply with the directive. Meanwhile, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and the former President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Peter Esele, have joined eminent sons and daughters of Benin kingdom to condole with the family of the late Oba of Benin, Oba Erediuawa, particularly the Crown Prince Ehenede. Chief Oyegun, the first executive civilian governor of Edo State who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on a condolence visit to the palace of the Edaiken N’Uselu, described Oba Erediauwa as a royal colossus and a great inspiration to those who were with him during his civil service years.

According to him, no matter how grievous the exit of Omo, N’Oba Erediawu may be , there is consolation in the fact, that the Oba left a well equipped, vibrant and articulate successor. On his part, Peter Esele, also one of the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial aspirants in the forthcoming November Governorship election in the state who expressed shock over the passing away of the Oba, said the 37 years reign of the late monarch was eventful peaceful and rewarding. In a statement made available and signed by the Head Protocol of the Campaign Organisation, Sylvester Ikuvbogie, Esele said in reverence of the highly respected monarch, the organisation has forthwith suspended all campaign activities.

North

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

El-Rufai reshuffles cabinet A za Msue Kaduna

aduna State government yesterday announced a reassignment of portfolios in the state executive council. A statement signed by Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, said the changes in the state cabinet involve four ministries. The statement reads: “Prof. Jonathan Andrew Nok, erstwhile Commissioner for Health and Human Services, is assuming responsibilities as Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology. A laureate of the National Merit Award, Prof. Nok is a distinguished scientist. He has led the public health system to remarkable strides in recent months. Under his leadership; the Kaduna State health team won two consecutive first prizes in the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, MNCH, week. “Prof. Nok also led the team to win MTN’s fund-

El-Rufai CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUANUKA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ONWUANUKA CYNTHIA NGOZIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JOHN NDUBUSI CYNTHIA NGOZIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINWE OGECHUKWU IGWEDIBIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINWE FLORENCE NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

ing for the maternity wards of five general hospitals. He was especially vigorous about modernising the primary health centres in the state. Prof. Nok is taking the same dynamism and leadership to his new assignment. “Malam Shehu Balarabe is moving from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism to take charge of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. “Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu, former Commissioner for Education, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. Under his watch, the government started the rehabilitation of schools, provision of furniture and the school feeding programme for primary school pupils. “To fill the vacancy in the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the governor has nominated Dr. Paul Manya Dogo as the new commissioner. His name will be forwarded to the Kaduna State House of Assembly for confirmation. Dr. Dogo, a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, is currently the chief resident consultant at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital. “Dr. Yau Idris, the former Commissioner for Environment, has returned to the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency. The governor thanks Dr. Idris for his services to Kaduna State.” CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Jude Chukwunweolu Udeh, Now wish to be known and addressed as Jude Chukwunweolu Azubuike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CHIZOBA ABUGU, now wish to be known and addressed as ABUGU INNOCENT CHIZOBA and my correct DATE OF BIRTH IS 1988 NOT 1985. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ASHAKA FRIDAY OTHUKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OJUMAH SUNDAY OTHUKE. My correct date of birth is 6th of June 1987. All former documents remain valid. Banks & general public please take note.

OSO: Formerly known and addressed as OSO OLUSOLA VINCENT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO OLUSOLA VINCENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Maria Okoduwa, Now wish to be known and addressed as Jude Maria Balogun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as Sadat Aina babatunde Mayegun, now wish to be known and addressed as Bakare Sadat Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as JOY NNENNA CHUKWUEMEKA, Now wish to be known and addressed as NNENNA ORJISON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

This is to inform the general public that my correct name is IYANDA MANSURAH OMOBOLANLE and not IYANDA MONSURAH OMOBOLANLE. And my correct date of birth is July 25th 1978 and not July 25th , 1979. All former documents remain valid. GTBank & general public please take note.

Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure (3rd left); some officials from the NYSC headquarters and Zamfara State Government, during a courtesy visit by the Director-General to Zamfara Government House, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria runs most vibrant democracy in Africa —EU

mbassador and head of European delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion, has commended the country for running the most vibrant democracy in Africa. Arrion made the statement at the 2016 World Press Freedom Day celebration with the theme, ‘Access to Information and Fundamental Freedom: This is Your Right,’ in Abuja yesterday. He described the freedom Nigerian media enjoys as an asset, adding that freedom of opinion and expression is essential in enjoying a wide range of other human rights. Arrion added that these significant steps underline the priority the EU in regarding freedom of opinion and expression as an essential foundation for democracy.

He said the EU recognises that free, diverse and independent media is essential for the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression. “By facilitating free flow of information and ideas on matters of public interest, and ensuring transparency, accountability and independent media constitute one of the cornerstones of democracy,`` he said. According to him, an informed, active and engaged citizenry is not possible without free, independent and pluralistic media He lauded the role of social media activists in deepening public discourse, shaping public opinion and promoting transparency and accountability in the country. Arrion said the social

media has thrown up new challenges, adding that all human rights that existed offline must be protected online in terms of freedom of opinion, expression and right to privacy. “Nigeria, in our assessment is a country where freedom of expression is in general respected, the traditional media is relatively pluralistic, bloggers and cyber activists share their views. “Nigeria boasts of a large, vibrant social media community, whose engagement with the socio-political processes has enriched public discourse and widened the frontier of participation on issues that concern the citizenry,” he added. Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said free-

dom of information is good for Nigerians. He said the mechanism for its operation is simple, stressing that the Freedom of Information, FoI, Law has succeeded in creating accountability and probity in governance. The minister said it has enabled Nigerians participate in governance; hence its success in curbing corruption. “Nigeria has free and independent press and they are now more comfortable with the press,” he said. He called on UNESCO to ensure that the right of information is enhanced and protected in Nigeria, promising that government would put machinery in place to ensure that the FoI is not abused.

Labour disunity causes delayed salary, bailout funds diversion —Aremu Aza Msue Kaduna

ational Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, yesterday said disunity in the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, caused the diversion of bailout fund and delayed payment of workers’ salaries. NUTGTWN general secretary and former vice president of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, said: “The current assault on the work force such as delayed payment of

salaries, diversion of bail-out funds are made possible because comrades are not united in mass actions against bad employers and bad governors.” Aremu who addressed journalists in commemoration of this year’s Workers’ Day alongside the president of the union, Comrade John Adaji, in Kaduna, called on labour unions affiliated to the NLC to critically use the occasion of the May Day to get united for a vibrant labour movement. According to Aremu, “we

regret that as we point two accusing fingers at bad governors and bad employers, the remaining three fingers point at us too who are unacceptably divided against ourselves rather than united against common class enemy. “It is time we close ranks to ensure we have an NLC that commands the confidence of workers, can be trusted by the public and respected by the government and employers. “To this extent, our union calls on NLC leaders at all levels to immediately imple-

ment the report of the NLC Reconciliation Committee under the chairmanship of Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, aimed at resolving the avoidable crisis arising from the 11th Delegates’ Conference last year. “Textile union is not happy that NLC could not have a common May Day in spite of the joint resolutions of all the parties to put the past behind. We commend Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Comrades Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero for the signed

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

‘Oshiomhole’s successor must be a technocrat who can think out of box’

Kogi still needs PDP to move forward —Wada Wale Ibrahim Lokoja

he immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada has disclosed that the state is in dare need of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to move forward. Wada who made this known while speaking at a stakeholders meeting held at the PDP Secretariat in Lokoja yesterday, stated that the meeting became necessary in view of the step the leaders of the party have taken after the governorship was lost to APC. He explained that he had wanted to convene the meeting before now, stressing that he has always considered the economic situation in the country and admitted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state is currently facing challenges. “We all worked hard during electioneering campaign and worked very hard during the governorship election, but the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC said we lost the election.. I want to commend the state working committee of the Party for keeping the flag of our great party flying”, he stated. Captain Wada noted that

PDP administration under him did very well, adding that the records are there for the people to see, urging the members to remain more focused and determined The former governor lauded the PDP members at the State House of Assembly for their resilience in spite of the challenges they are currently passing through in the House, noting that “the state belong to all of us and the is no basis for segregating anybody”. He said that environment will always bring peace in the state, stressing that this was what PDP did while in power to ensure peace reign in Kogi State. Wada stated that Kogi State is in dare need of PDP now to move the state forward, noting that what we have now is accident and God is not God of injustice. He also seized the opportunity to brief the party members of how far the party has gone in Kogi Governorship Tribunal sitting in Abuja. He pointed out that the Tribunal is special court and not like normal court , noting that all the process are already in place and on 13th of May all the lawyers will present the written addresses.

Ogun assembly extends tenure of LG c’ttee chairmen

he Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday extended the tenure of the 20 Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen in the state following the expiration of their tenure on Friday. The extension was sequel to the request conveyed in Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s April 29 letter to the assembly requesting for extension so as not to create a vacuum. The Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, had read the governor’s letter during plenary in Abeokuta. The motion for the extension was moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Adeyinka Mafe, while it was seconded

by Mr Olusola Sonuga. Also during plenary, the Speaker summoned the transition committee members of Ijebu Ode, Ado Odo, Odeda, Remo North and Ogun Waterside council areas to appear before the House over non performance. Adekunbi said that the transition committee members should appear before the house committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy on Monday with reports of their performance in the last three months. Meanwhile, the Speaker also condemned the abduction of a former Senator and Minister of State for Education, Iyabo Anisuluwo.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, being congratulated by Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Relations, House of Representatives, after his address to the House on the Diversification of Nigeria’s Economy and Real-Sector Development in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Bayelsa Gov: Tribunal begins hearing of substantive suit today Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

ayelsa State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja will today begin hearing of the substantive petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC and its governorship candidate, Chief Timipreye Sylva challenging the election that produced Seriake Dickson as governor of Bayelsa State. The three- man panel of the Tribunal headed by Justice kazeem Alogba fixed today after advising the prosecution to effect the necessary correction following discrepancies from the application that was filed before it. The governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Timipre Sylva and his party, in their petition before the Tribunal, are challenging the emergence of Seriake Dickson as governor of Bayelsa State at the December 5, 2015 and January 9, 2016 governorship election in the state. At the resumed hearing yesterday, the Tribunal was ready to proceed but was

however stalled following some discrepancies in the designation of the petition. Counsel to the petitioners, Sebastine Hon who already called the witness to move to the witness dock prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him correct the discrepancies by numbering the pages rightly. The application which was not opposed by the respondents was granted by the three -member panel of Tribunal headed by Kazeem Alogba. The Tribunal chairman while granting the order directed the petitioners’ counsel to make photocopies of the petition issued to him, served on justices of the panel and that of the respondent for uniformity. Sabastine Hon also drew the court attention to a motion he filed before it praying it to accommodate one of their main witness who participated in the election but travelled abroad immediately after the election. He also prayed the court for additional days to enable the petitioners time to prepare his case, but the respon-

dents objected the application on the ground that the application was premature. Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) who represented the Independent National Electoral Commissions, INEC urged the court not to accede to the request of the petitioner on the ground that the request was premature. On his part, counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) in his objection drew the attention of the Tribunal to a pre- trial report where in, the tribunal chairman gave the petitioner six to eight days within which to prove his case. Olanipekun submitted further that the Tribunal had already taken care of the exigencies that happened yesterday. According to him,” your lordship by your ruling on the pre- trial report has build-up what happen today and thus cannot go beyond the eight days maximum given to the petitioner.” Also counsel to Dickson, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) said that having called the witnesses and make him enter the wit-

ness box shows that the hearing of the matter has commenced. “My submission is that hearing has commenced today, there are so many consequences to what has transpired this morning. “The witness has been called, he has been made to enter the dock, I will urged the court to refused the application in the interest of all the parties in this matter. Responding on point of law, Sabastine Hon said that a pre-trial report is not final as it can be modify by the tribunal. He said, none of the respondents has been able to show any miscarriage of justice or how they will be affected if the tribunal added a day as requested. In a short ruling, the tribunal held that the application cannot be granted because it is pre-matured and speculated. He also held that by mere fact of calling the witness alone, hearing has automatically started. The matter has been adjourned to today for the hearing.

Politics

Mrs. Itohan Osahon Ogbeide is the immediate past executive chairman, Ikpoba Okha local Government Council and State Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON. She has the record of being the only female chairman to have had the privilege of serving for two consecutive terms in office. In this encounter with ONAZENA ABBEY, she talks about her legacies, challenges of local government administration in Nigeria, and the likely qualities Oshomhole’s successor should possess among other sundry issues. Excerpts: The tenure of the chairmen of local governments in the state has just ended , what was it like in the last three years ? I want to say that the journey has been quite challenging and it’s been a great opportunity to serve the people at the grassroots level. Things were quite tough considering the economic situation due to the fall in oil price and other problem occasioned by mismanagement here and there, notwithstanding we have reasons to thank God that we served our people. Available record has shown that you were the first council boss to tar roads. What exactly inspired you to achieve this feat? In fact during my first tenure, when I tarred Dumez and Amadin Street in Ikpoba Okha local government, the revenue we were getting from the federal government then was robust and there was no interference too. The comrade governor just came on board then when I was barely three months in office. The governor in his usual magnanimity gave approval for all the jobs I did and I was able to embark on many works I had lined out especially reconstruction , water challenges because erosion had sacked some of the inhabitants of some areas in my council. With the benefit of hindsight, I want to say it’s been a great opportunity to alleviate the suffering of our people. At that time, some parts of the council were cut off completely from the other which led to some people calling one side Spain and the other Morocco, it was as bad as that. But I had to move in to rescue the situation. Today even when it rains within short time the flood will clear. Part of what we also did was to alleviate the plight of our people with the introduction of Suzi cabs for displaced bike riders. I was troubled when bikes were banned considering the job lost so I felt the only way to arrest the situation was to give them hope by providing those cabs. The intervention was quite timely because we were able to touch the lives of the people which in a long way also help in reducing crime in the society. Considering the huge debt and unpaid salaries of workers the councils chairmen left behind, would you say you are

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Oshiomhole’s successor must be a technocrat who can think out of box’

said we should not even bother to go for his swearing in at the stadium but I insisted that we should go and that even if he sacked us there, we will go. At the stadium we were not given chair to seat. Behold all the people that came on the podium to give address never recognise us but when Oshiomhole mounted the podium we were the third person he recognised . After that we summoned courage to follow him to the house and he received us well and he said he was not going to dissolved the councils and he left us for two years. And that was why we mobilized ourselves and joined AC then. I don’t how many governors in Nigeria will do that. Even before the end of our tenure he called us and appreciated us, we will forever be grateful to him and assist him in any way possible and that was why we made a promise that we will do anything to support his administration to end well too.

Ogbeide

Edo needs a man who can think beyond the box in raising the economic profile of the state rather than waiting for allocation from

Abuja because Edo must move forward.

leaving the council a fulfilled person? The fact that many local governments are unable to pay salaries is not peculiar to only Edo state. It is a national issue and Edo is not the only state that cannot pay salaries but even some other states too. Edo is able to pay because the internally generated revenue has been able to rescue the situation in Edo state. Just like I said earlier allocations to councils have dropped drastically. Imagine a situation where about N600 billion is supposed to be shared but only N300billion is been shared for states, local and federal and particularly local government in Edo state pays 100 per cent teachers’ salaries. So the moment teachers’ salaries are deducted at source we are left with little or nothing to pay the workers’ salaries and that has been one of our biggest challenges particularly local governments in the metropolitan.. In Ikpoba Okha, for example, we have at least two teachers in a classroom while other have about three teachers. At a point I had to drag the NUT leadership to visit some of these schools and they were very sad about the situation, I just pray and hope that the situation will be improve soon. How have you been able to survive the male dominated murky waters of poli-

tics? Well, the grace God has been able to sustain me to this very moment believing that nobody can attain anything without the backing of God Almighty and He has been faithful particularly in a society where majority of the men believes that we are in their world, some of them even believes that there are certain positions which is exclusively for men. But thank God that we have been able to break the barriers and we have proved that what a man can do if women are given the opportunity they can do better. I am very happy that we have been able to create little opportunity for other women to climb. What was it exactly like working with Governor Adams Oshiomhole ? The governor is a very nice and gender friendly man, a man that believes in hard work and achievements, he doesn’t accommodate laziness or inability to do any given responsibility you have been assigned. I have had opportunity to hear him making promises and there is no one he has disappointed. When he came on board, the first time many people were speculating because we were in PDP that he will sent us parking. Some person

What quality do you think Oshiomhole’s successor should possess? Oshiomhole is the man of the people; he is not proud or arrogant. He sometimes loses his temper but he never allow his anger to last. So, whoever is going to take over from him should emulate the quality of the governor which has earned him the peoples’ support and attraction. Since he came on board you can see the way people talk about him both within and outside the state. We need a man who can consolidate on the achievement of the governor especially a technocrat that understand the nitty gritty of governance. Edo needs a man who can think beyond the box in raising the economic profile of the state rather than waiting for allocation from Abuja because Edo must move forward. What particular thing do you want to be remembered for? I am leaving the Council happy whether the economy is rosy or not. I have been able to install transformers in 14 communities, these are communities that have been in darkness since their creation, and it was during my tenure that we brought light to them. As we speak, the communities are better off. We have touched all the ten wards in Ikpoba Okha in one way or the other. So, I am fulfil that I am leaving a legacy that will outlived me. What kind of reforms will you like to see in the administration of local government in Nigeria? Thank you very much; I want to see a local government that will be given free hand and not necessarily autonomy. Local government should be able to decide the number of staff. The issue of over staffing has been a bane which is also responsible to the inability of most council in paying salaries. Some staffs are redundant and at the end of the month they get salaries. Many of the workers can’t justify their salaries especially nurses. Councils should be allowed to employ staff themselves based on their financial capability. We want a situation where teachers’ salaries should be taken over by the federal government, a situation where allocation meant for LG’s are used basically to pay salaries is unhealthy for the system.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos lawmaker tasks Buhari on refineries

agos lawmaker, Hon. Abiodun Tobun has urged the federal government to build more refineries and put subsidy on oil at the production level instead on the refined products which are brought from foreign refineries. This according to the lawmaker would further encourage more local productions which would increase foreign earnings. Tobun, who is the chairman of Works and Infrastructure in the state legislature, made this appeal at the media chat with Assembly’s

correspondents in Ikeja. According to Tobun, government should try as much as possible to encourage establishment of local refineries and subsidize the crude oil. “Government should subsidize crude to the local refineries, not finished products; subsidy should arise at the production level so as to save the waste and the blatant rape of our economy, sustained by the system we adopt in time past. And by so doing, indigenous refineries will thrive and will salvage our dwindling economy”, he said.

Ortom pledges to review vigilante, revenue laws Henry Iyorkas

Makurdi

he Benue State Government has said it would soon review the existing Vigilante Group and Revenue Laws of the state. Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed this yesterday at a meeting between Catholic Bishops and traditional rulers in Tiv land. According to the Governor, the Vigilante Group law would be amended to give traditional rulers more specific roles in security issues in their domains while the Revenue Law would be reviewed to make taxes more people friendly. Ortom was represented at the occasion which was held at the Pastoral Centre in Makurdi by the Chief of Staff, Mr Terwase Orbunde, who led a seven -member delegation of members of the state executive council. Others in the entourage included the AttorneyGeneral and Justice Commissioner, Michael Gusa, Education, Science and Technology Commissioner, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, and Commissioner of Works, Transport and Energy, Emmanuel Manger, as well as special advisers, Dr Adzer Abya, Titus Zam, and Tahav Agerzua. Ortom gave an account of his stewardship and also explained the loan profile of the state and its application in various sectors. The meeting was tagged conversation with all traditional rulers in Tivland with the theme ‘traditional leadership in contemporary Tivland’.

Politics

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Land security, thuggery, traditional institutions, marriage and Tiv values formed the agenda of the meeting. Bishop of Gboko Diocese, William Avenya, stated that the forum was initiated by Bishop Athanasius Usuh during Governor Gabriel Suswam’s tenure and approved by the late Tor Tiv, Dr Alfred Torkula, to deliberate on the welfare of Tiv people. He listed hospitality, justice, industry, defence of self and territory, decency, beauty, neatness, openness and acceptance of others, insatiable hunger for continuity, capacity for consensus, noticeable culture and oneness of language as well as appointment of leadership as attributes of the Tiv that were fast being eroded. Bishop Avenya advocated the development of strategies that will enable the Tiv to restore the positive values and build a better tomorrow.

Ward Congress: PDP adopts consensus formula in C’ River Richard Ndoma Calabar

he Cross River State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has adopted consensus formula in the conduct of its wards congress to select the ward executive of the party. The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Moses Bisuake stated this while fielding questions from journalists adding that the state leadership of the party has begun collation of results at the various level of the 196 wards in the state. He said that the state hierarchy of the PDP is at the peak of the exercise stressing that the consensus process is only left to be con-

firmed. “The exercise is pulling out successfully, the state is calm; you know before now the people have reached a consensus, so materials were just released to them to see how they can confirm what they have in consensus before now,” said the PDP state publicity Secretary. He maintained that the entire exercise is 99% peaceful across the state. “Results from the various wards have started arriving the office” he said When asked to explain if the PDP has commence collation of the results in Cross River State, the publicity secretary responded; “they are being processed, but some local government like Obanliku that is far

have not gotten here yet; so some that have come, we have collected and are being collated.” When asked to explain the fate of the four Cross River communities who were involved in communal clash with regards to the exercise, he said , “you know that the commissioner for Education comes from there; before now he has been home trying to see how he can broker peace amongst these communities. “When materials were distributed, he was contacted and he said the place was safe enough to take the materials there; and actually that evening, the next day which was Sunday, materials were distributed.” The Cross River state

PDP ward congress committee is headed by Olorogun Taleb Tebite, in company of the Secretary of the PDP National Election Panel, Idris Abdulaziz,Daniel Yusuf,Mr.Shaibu Ali,Friday Adebo,Prof.Sam Agibilo,and Alhaji Yahaya Alfa who arrived Calabar from the party’s national Secretariat in Abuja to the state Secretariat . They said they came to oversee the congresses to determine new executives at ward, local government chapters and the state level ahead of the party’s national congress. The Process started on Sunday to choose men and women of proven integrity to fill the party’s ward exco across the 196 wards in Cross River.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu (middle, in white), with APC stakeholders from the South-East Zone after the stakeholders’ meeting at Uburu in Abakalili, yesterday.

Give Umar deserved recognition, severance, group tells Ishaku

he Taraba Peoples Assembly, TPA has called on the state governor, Dairus Dickson Ishaku to give former acting governor , Alhaji Garba Umar deserving recognition’s as a former Chief executive in the state. The group also urged Governor Ishaku to pay Alhaji Umar and his political appointees their severance allowances and benefits. The state government under Governor Ishaku has refused to recognize Alhaji Garba Umar UTC as a deputy governor and subse-

quently Acting governor of the state. The group in a statement signed by its coordinator, Martins Andekin describes Governor Ishaku’s refusal to recognize the two years administration of Alhaji Umar as a disservice to history and posterity. The group said if former Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy Sani Abubakar Danlandi were paid their severance allowances, Ishaku should shun political, religion and ethnic myopicness to pay Alhaji Garba Umar and his political ap-

pointees their well deserved severance allowance . Andekin said also the current administration will be benefiting about N30bn from the Federal Government based on Federal roads completed by Garba Umar administration. “Within the two years, Alhaji Umar completed various roads projects which includes the Jalingo- Sunkani - Garba Chede Road a 72 kilometre Stretch at N12. 4billion, Marraba - Baisa Road at N7. 2 billion. The Bali - Sarti - Gembu a 237 kilometre Road em-

barked upon by Alhaji Umar two years administration is currently above 80 percent completion with N11.9bn paid out of the N17 billion total cost. The Federal government verification team has certified and commended the contractor for a perfect job, while the State Government had put in a claim of between N28 and N30 Billion for the projects. He stressed that its morally wrong for Governor Ishaku to be benefiting from a regime he has

refused to recognize, honor and punished anyone associated to it. “ It’s a fact that Alhaji Garba Umar piloted the affairs of Taraba State for two years under which ever circumstances, he governed and his humble efforts today are bringing good tides to the state. “ There’s no vacuum in government, UTC’s two years administration in Taraba left legacies of good projects many of which Ishaku today is ‘re commissioning’ as new projects.” Andekin noted.

Mail Mirror

Politics

From The Senate with

George OJI

t was an open display and demonstration of anger and rage as the senate received the news of the killing of over 50 citizens of the Nimbo community in the Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by some alleged Fulani herdsmen last Tuesday. The senators who spoke with one voice, devoid of party, religion, ethnic and tribal differences, condemned the act as needless, mindless, inhuman and criminal. The lawmakers used the occasion of the motion sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) to voice their displeasure of the heinous act. To underscore the importance the senate attached to the incident, the motion was the only business of the day in the senate penultimate Tuesday as the lawmakers postponed all other businesses slated for discussion in the order paper. Indications that the senate was not going to take the matter lightly emerged early in the day as the lawmakers upon resumption, quickly entered into a close door session, which lasted for over one hour. It was gathered that it was during the executive session that the lawmakers agreed on how to proceed with the business of that day. In the emergency motion, which was sponsored by Utazi , the senate bemoaned the horrendous carnage the herdsmen carried out in the Nimbo community, which left in its wake, about 50 people who were very gruesomely murdered and over 100 others who were severely injured, besides countless number of houses and other property, which were set ablaze. The motion offered the lawmakers opportunity to individually pour out their feelings and emotions on the growing menace and criminality of the Fulani herdsmen across the entire length and breadth of this country. At the end of the senate debate on the matter, the lawmakers arrived at a number of resolutions aimed at addressing the issue, at least in the interim, while it mandated the committee it set up to advise it later on the longer terms solutions to be adopted later. First, the senate resolved to summon the nation’s Security Chiefs to appear before it to brief them on efforts being made to put an end to the multiplicity of killings being perpetrated all across the country’s remote communities by the Fulani herdsmen. The upper legislative chamber also resolved to set up a six-man ad-hoc committee, comprising one member each from the six geo political regions of the country, under the Chairmanship of the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume ( APC Borno South), to carry out thorough investigation of recent attacks of the herdsmen and recommend possible ways out of the menace. Members of the Ad- hoc committee besides Ndume are Senators, Isiaka Adeleke ( APC Osun West), who represents the South West zone, Mao Ohunbunwa ( PDP Abia North), for the South East zone and Abdullahi Adamu ( APC Nasarawa West), for the North Central zone. Others are Senators, Shehu Sani ( APC Kaduna Central), for the North West zone and Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP Bayelsa East), for the South - South zone. The lawmakers further resolved and urged the security agencies in the country to improve their intelligence gathering capabilities by being proactive rather than reactive to the incessant threats to the internal security in the country, even as the senators urge the security agencies to enforce the laws on arms bearing by unauthorized persons in the country and called on the Nigerian Police to expedite action regarding the establishment of a Rapid Response Police Unit around the communities where these attacks take place . In addition, the senators resolved and urged the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies to urgently dispatch relief materials to the Nimbo Community and other neighbouring communities of Nkpologu, Uvuru, Ugbene- Ajima and Adani to ameliorate the living conditions of the victims of the attack who have become Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. Utazi in his submission while moving the motion said Boko Haram may be a child’s play to the current Fulani Herdsmen attacks if decisive action is not taken against them by government and people at all levels.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How Senate responded to Enugu killings

Ndume He called for the introduction of community policing across the country as a prelude to establishing state owned police services later which he said, would be more on ground across the various communities in the country in tackling such internal attacks. According to him, “the rate at which the regularity and audacity of the attacks are taken place in different parts of the country in recent time, Nigeria may be sitting on keg of gunpowder if not urgently curtailed by relevant authorities in the land”. Virtually all the senators who contributed to the debate spoke in same voice as they condemned in strong terms , the menace of the activities of the Fulani herdsmen across the country.

Update on the appointment of NASS Acting CNA It appears that the last is yet to be heard regarding the power play over the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the acting Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA. The National Assembly Service Commission had in a letter dated April 20, 2016 and signed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Adamu Mohammed Fika, announced Omolori as the acting Clerk to the National Assembly. This followed

the notice of retirement served by the incumbent CNA, Salisu Maikasuwa. The current Clerk is scheduled to proceed on his retirement leave from May 13, while he officially bows out on August 13. Not pleased with the choice of the Commission, the Senate President Bukola Saraki, asked the commission to reverse the appointment of Omolori in favour of the Clerk of the Senate, Ben Efeture. Saraki communicated his views on the matter to the Commission via a memo by his Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu. First, Saraki explained that he was opposing Omolori’s appointment because it did not reflect the earlier decision made between the leadership of the senate and the Commission on the matter. Secondly, he stated that he had gone through the records of the duo and found out that Efeture is senior to Omolori. As a result, Saraki said that the person most qualified for the job was Efeture. By last week, the Commission dared Saraki when it came out to insist that it was standing by its choice of Omolori and was not ready to reverse that appointment. By the way, the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2004, gives the commission the powers to appoint the CNA, but in consultation with the leadership of the National Assembly, which comprises mainly the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Saraki further stated that his position on the appointment of Efeture was backed by the support of members of the management team of the Commission. To substantiate this, he flashed a memo, which showed the signature of members of management of the Commission who signed in support of Efeture. By the weekend in Abuja, one of the commissioners of the Commission, who Saraki claimed to have backed his position on the matter, Idi Adamu Nirigi (commissioner representing the North east geo- political zone in the Commission) came out to dissociate himself from the claims of Saraki. Nirigi explained that what Saraki is exhibiting as evidence of support by members of the management of the Commission was just the signature of those who attended the meeting called by Saraki in his house to discuss the matter. According to the Commissioner, those signatures had nothing to do with the position of the members on the matter. Revealing what transpired at the said meeting at Saraki’s residence, Nirigi said, “While I was sitting, one of my colleagues (amongst the four we met at the residence) walked towards my seat with a sheet of paper, which he gave my colleague sitting close to me – Alhaji Rufai Tuta to sign and thereafter gave it to me. I noticed the paper was merely to write our names, the zones we represent and signature to indicate our attendance at the meeting and we signed accordingly. “I am therefore shocked and surprised to learn that I signed a document. No document was presented at the meeting and I did not sign any document but an attendant sheet.” As things stand, there are more still to be heard on the matter.

The upper legislative chamber also resolved to set up a six-man ad-hoc committee, comprising one member each from the six geo political regions of the country, under the

Chairmanship of the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume ( APC Borno South), to carry

out thorough investigation of recent attacks of the herdsmen and recommend possible ways out of the menace.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Lagos to increase food supply by 25% –Suarau agos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau, yesterday reiterated the state government’s resolve to increase food supply from less than 15 per cent to 25 per cent within the next four years. The commissioner who disclosed this while giving account of achievements of the Ministry of Agriculture at a press briefing to commemorate the first year in office of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in Lagos, noted that the aggregate food supply internally is less than 15 per cent of total food consumption; but added that the state is poised to increase this to 25 per cent in the next four years. Suarau stated that the state has continued to intensify efforts in the agricultural areas where it has comparative ecological and socio-economic advantages, despite its high industrial status, population density and pressure on land for non-agricultural purposes. These areas, according to him, include fishery, livestock and vegetable production as well as agro-processing with emphasis on value addition. According to him, some of the programmes and projects intensified in the last one year to boost food production include collaboration between Lagos and Kebbi

states for the development of agricultural commodities like rice, wheat, ground-nut, onion, maize/sorghum and beef value chains. Others are the Youth Empowerment Scheme (AGRIC-YES) at Araga, Epe and continued establishment of infrastructural facilities at Songhai-Avia, Badagry under the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme. He stated that in furtherance of the ministry’s effort to engage youths and boost rice production in the state, 100 farmers, through the FADAMA III additional financing programme, have been settled on the 500 hectares of land acquired in Eggua, Ogun State, adding that through this, rice cultivation has so far improved in the state. The commissioner also explained that the state government has continued to address the various challenges facing agriculture in the state such as declining land for agricultural activities, encroachment by land speculators as well as promotion of the use of agricultural land for its intended purposes, adding that the agriculture ministry has intensified the establishment of additional farm estates in Eluju-Mowo and Igbodu respectively through public-private partnership arrangement.

a laudable achievement not just for YFP but for the Nigerian oil and gas industry as a whole and indeed Lagos State which can now be addressed as an oil producing state. Recording this achievement in the present global oil climate together with the peculiar challenges of the field is clearly no mean feat. We are very proud and appreciate the efforts, determination and commitment of the entire Aje Project team, past and present , the constant support from our regulators, the DPR and Ministry of Petroleum and our

financiers. We believe this crucial support will spur us on to even greater achievements.” Aje is an offshore field located in OML 113 in the western part of Nigeria in the Dahomey Basin. The field is situated in water depths ranging from 100 to 1,000 metres about 24 km from the coast. The Aje Field contains hydrocarbon resources in sandstone reservoirs in three main levels - a Turonian gas condensate reservoir, a Cenomanian oil reservoir and an Albian gas condensate reservoir.

Francis Suberu

Traders from Olorunsogo Market in Oshodi protesting proposed demolition of their market by Lagos State Government, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Hijab ban: Appeal Court president to set up special panel Wale Igbintade

resident of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, is to set up a five-man panel of the court to hear an appeal against the ban of hijab (head coverings worn by Muslim women) in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State. The appeal which was slated for hearing yesterday could not proceed as Justice Amina Augie (presiding) held that the matter is a constitutional matter which requires a full panel of the court to adjudicate on. Justice Modupe Onyeabor of an Ikeja High Court had on October 17, 2014, dismissed the suit instituted against the Lagos State government by two 12-year-old girls under the aegis of the MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit. Dissatisfied, the appellant urged the appellate court to set aside the judgement and protect their constitutional rights. When the matter came up yesterday, Justice Augie stated that the appeal is on the rights of the appellants to wear hijab to school in line with Quranic injunction, but because it is a constitutional matter it must be heard by a five-man panel of the court. Justice Augie

stated that because of the constitutional nature of the appeal and in the interest of justice, hearing of the appeal would be adjourned to enable counsel to the appellant apply to the president of the Court Appeal to constitute a full panel of the court. Justice Augie said: “The appeal is very sensitive since it involves the right of the applicants who are Muslims, to wear the hijab over their school uniform in accordance with their religious beliefs. We are a three-man panel, and more importantly, we are all Muslim panel.” Responding, appellants’ counsel, Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem (SAN) acknowledged that the appeal is sensitive in nature and would most likely get to the Supreme Court. Adetola-Kazeem urged the court to make the record of proceedings available to enable him write to the president of the Court of Appeal. Lagos State government had banned the use of hijab on the argument that it was not part of the approved school’s uniform for pupils. Following the ban, the students filed the suit on May 27, 2013, seeking redress and asked the court to declare the ban as a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.

In her judgment, Onyeabor held that the prohibition of wearing of hijab over school uniforms within and outside the premises of public schools was not discriminatory. According to her, the ban does not violate Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the plaintiffs. The judge said Section 10 of the Constitution made Nigeria a secular state and that government must maintain neutrality at all times. Onyeabor said government therefore had a duty to preserve the secular nature of the institutions concerned as argued by the then Lagos State so-

licitor-general, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN). She noted that since the public schools are being funded by the government, it was therefore competent to issue dress codes and other guidelines to the students. According to her, the use of uniforms engenders uniformity and encourages students to pursue their mutual academic aspirations without recourse to religious or any other affiliations. The judge had observed that the uniformity sought by the government in the issuance of the dress code would be destroyed, should the prayers of the plaintiffs be granted.

YFP begins oil production at Ajefield

fter over 25 years of exploratory, appraisal and developmental activities, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Co. Ltd (“YFP”) has successfully pioneered the opening of the Frontier Benin Embayment as the Aje Field is the first field to record production from this part of Nigeria and also first production outside of the Niger Delta. YFP is a wholly owned Nigerian company and is the Operator of OML113. The other partners are New Age Exploration Nigeria Limited, EER

(Colobus) Nigeria Limited, Pan Petroleum (Panoro Energy) Aje Limited and PR Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited. Commissioning of the Front Puffin FPSO was successfully completed after its arrival in Nigeria on March 16. Oil produced from the Aje field will be stored on the Front Puffin which has production capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day and storage capacity of 750,000 barrels. The Chairman of YFP, Tunde Folawiyo, said: “The attainment of this milestone is indeed

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Time we took the climate seriously ceans have absorbed about 30 percent of human-made carbon dioxide around the world, storing dissolved carbon for hundreds of years. As the uptake of carbon dioxide has increased in the last century, so has the acidity of oceans worldwide. Acidification of oceans has had its attendant consequences on marine life, reefs and fisheries. Many may not like to admit it that the scourge of global warming is also partly a security issue. The present international refugee and economic crisis arising partly from global terrorism (Boko Haram case in Nigeria) and from rise in sea level; flooding of large population centres, in particular in north eastern part of the country (including the Internally Displaced Persons camps as a result of insurgency) have added to the complicated challenge of climate change in Nigeria. It can be so easy to talk about the challenges of global warming without coming out with any meaningful solution. It is said that it is very easy to destroy but never easy to create. It is on this note that having identified the cause, we feel we are duty-bound to present the solutions. Just as we were able to show that over 60 percent of the causes of climate change are as a result of human depletion

of the environment, we must understand that the solutions to climate change lies in our hands. As developing nations, it is understandable if government takes the lead role(s) in our daily lives. This is why we have divided much of our proposed solutions into those dealing with policies and those having to do with behavioural change. Having laid this template, let us now go on to present our proposed solutions. First, developing nations must make climate change a serious political issue. In Australia for instance, the 2007 federal election was strongly influenced by the stance made by competing political parties on climate change. It is, therefore, so pathetic and worrying that developing countries do not appear to be taking global warming as a sort of national emergency. For example, Nigeria’s two main political parties, the APC and PDP have no official views either in their manifestoes or any other document regarding climate change at least during the 2015 presidential campaigns. Are we really serious about tackling this challenge headon? No matter how we view this scourge now, one thing is obvious: Strong and urgent action needed to combat climate change will require a healthy dose of political will, and the courage to make tough choices to save ourselves and the future generations. Before we are misconstrued, we need to come out clear that

Idowu Sowunmi

Mrs. Amosun’s dexterity

Olalekan Waheed Adigun Continued from last Wednesday

The safest energy sources are those that utilise the natural energy

flows of the Earth climate change should be a totally non-partisan issue as it has been in Nigeria, but since it affects all people and all countries there are times we need to take sides. If climate change is continued to be seen by the major political parties as an important issue, for so long will it be marginalised by apparently more immediate concerns. The next option is for Nigeria to consider “green electricity“ - electricity produced from sources which do not cause burning coal and gas in power stations, which release millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, the main gas responsible for climate change and in turn have negative consequences on the environment. It is true that every type of electricity generation will have some impact (positive or negative), but some sources are more “green” than others. The safest energy sources are those that utilise the natural energy flows of the Earth. These are known as renewable energy sources, be-

Celebrating an amazing woman @ 50

er willpower and focus to bring out the best in any context she finds herself has tenaciously distinguished her from the rest. She devotes a considerable part of her time, energy and resources on regular basis to advance the cause of the less privileged and champion initiatives that support the needy in our society. Her dream is aimed at empowering and uplifting the disadvantaged people regardless of their age, education status, religious and political affiliations. Welcome to the world of Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State. Born some 50 years ago on May 2, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun on May 2, joined the elegant circle of Golden Jubilee club. No doubt, 50 is a milestone; and clocking the golden age called for a celebration of some sort. Working with Mrs. Amosun since January 2012 as one of her close aides has given me the opportunities to know her better and appreciate her genuine passion to assist, support and empower the less privileged and the needy in our society. Beyond her care for the good people of Ogun State, Mrs. Amosun has become a mother-figure to many in the government circle in the state, touching their lives with so much compassion outside their official duties. Personally, I was somehow agitated and disturbed over a domestic matter in February 2013, which made me sleepless

and compassion to help others is second to none fot sometime. In my state of restlessness, I picked up my phone around 2am and began to fiddle with it – I played music, changed my BB Display Picture amongst others. Suddenly Mrs. Amosun sent me a message to my phone, asking me why I was not sleeping at this time of the day. I was shocked to my bone marrow. I responded by saying I was trying to get some things sorted out. Dissatisfied, she probed me further: “Are you sure?” And I said “yes’’. I didn’t really want to bother her about my personal challenge. Another touchy encounter I had with he was on May 30, 2013. I got a call from Lagos that my wife was in labour and had just been rushed to the hospital. I asked the caller about the condition of my wife, but he was not audible enough. I called my wife severally, no response. I called my mother-in-law, no answer. I became worried. I stumbled on the number of our family doctor; called him but he didn’t pick too. My worries increased. So I resigned to fate, hoping for the best. I went to my DP and I wrote: “It’s well - I believe, it will end in praise.” Immediately, the governor’s wife asked me: “What’s the problem?” Of course, I had no option than to open up. She offered some prayers and encouraged me to be calm. About one hour after, I received a

call that my wife had just delivered a bouncing baby girl and that both were in good condition. With so much elation, I sent message to the governor’s wife that my family had just been populated with a baby girl. She congratulated me and sent message to my wife. My takeaway? As a caring mother, Mrs. Amosun often feels strongly concerned about the welfare of people around her and she has successfully extended the same kind gesture to the good people of Ogun State. Mrs. Amosun’s dexterity and compassion to help others is second to none. I was at lost momentarily the very first day she said she would be climbing the Mountain Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for the sole aim of raising funds for the victims of the insurgency in the North East of Nigeria, who were scattered across various Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Nigeria. While I was still struggling to come to terms over her decision, it dawned on me that indeed Mrs. Amosun has a strong-willed empathy spirit to always support the less privileged. No wonder she has been using every single opportunity to call on individuals, corporate bodies and any other interested parties to join her in lending a helping hand to the less privileged. This, she often expressed with a Yoruba song: Eni k’eni ti iwo ba ni ipa, l’ati se iranlowo fun ooo, Oun na l’eni keji re, Toju re, meaning: “Endeavour to help the needy you can afford to assist, for such person is

cause they will never run out. There is a scientific prognosis that the future of energy clearly lies in renewable sources such as solar, wind and wave power. Aside from climate change, there are limits to available oil, natural gas and coal. ‘Green power’ is electricity that comes from these technologies, but is delivered to you in the same way as ‘dirty power’ from fossil-fuel burning. That is, down your power lines. As more people take up this scheme, it will drive ever greater investment in these technologies, reduce cost of delivery, and so further hasten the pace of update. It’s a feedback, and you can be the catalyst of change. This green energy has been used in the United Kingdom and other advanced countries for several years, include taking advantage of wind, solar, hydro and wave, and tidal power. There is also geothermal, biomass, landfill gas and waste incineration. Due to lack of the technical know-how, Nigeria and many other developing countries may not be able to afford the use of more complex green energy sources like the biomass, geothermal, landfill gases, but definitely they can afford the rest. To be continued Adigun, a Lagos-based political risk analyst and independent strategist, wrote via adgorwell@gmail. com

your brother or your sister”. Her ‘communal spirit’ of lending a helping hand to the less privileged made Mrs. Amosun to initiate different complementary programmes to that of her husband, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his overall mission to rebuild Ogun State. Through her foundation, UPLIFT Development Foundation, she has been focusing on poverty alleviation, using UPLIFT as an acronym for ‘Understanding People’s Limiting and Inhibiting Factors Today.’ The Foundation provides intervening programmes to empower the vulnerable and the needy, with basic facilities to achieve the ultimate goal of making them self-sufficient. Some of her programmes include: UPLIFTing the Aged; Free Eye Camp; UPLIFTing Women; UPLIFTing Widows; UPLIFTing Unemployed Graduates; Uplift Cancer Awareness Campaign, among several others. Mrs. Amosun has built a strong tie with the vulnerable citizens across the length and breadth of Ogun State. Happy 50th birthday to a mother, a mentor and a confidante! Sowunmi, media aide to the wife of Ogun State governor, can be reached via idowusowunmi@gmail.com 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 May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Governors, new revenue formula and ECA proceeds

tung hard by the financial incapacitation of state governments, governors of the 36 states in the country under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) were in Abuja last week in search of solutions. At a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, they pressed for a new revenue allocation formula in favour of states and the sharing of $2.3 billion proceeds in the Excess Crude Account (ECA). It was obvious from the remarks of Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, who chairs the NGF that the governors viewed bailout funds to states by the Federal Government, the latter’s restructuring of their debts, and its promise of refunding monies states spent on federal infrastructure, et cetera, as temporary measures. Part of the medium term programme Yari said states were looking at included ensuring resources due for the past 10 years to states were made available to them, while agriculture and mining were said to be for the long term. “We have to find a solution; otherwise we would keep going back and forth because you have the plan for $100 per barrel; and now oil is selling below the expected price”, Yari deposed. This is a clear indication that the eyes of the governors are incorrigibly fixed on petro-dollars.

President Buhari has promised to look into their plights through an inter-ministerial committee. But our prediction is that whatever emerges at the end of the day may boil down to state governments making do with palliatives and handouts from the FG. For, if the past efforts of the National Assembly and recommendations of several national dialogues on re-jigging the nation’s revenue allocation formula in favour of states are anything to go by, states may well wait till eternity for the realisation of that dream under the nation’s present warped federalism. The clamour by states for the sharing of proceeds from the ECA is also indicative of how non-committal they still are when it comes to saving for the rainy day - one grave mistake that partly contributed to their plight presently - notwithstanding claims of misapplication of parts of the proceeds by former Dr. Goodluck Jonathan government. Persuasive, nonetheless, is Yari’s argument that states are bountifully endowed but overburdened financially. “Everything comes from the states - the oil, agricultural produce and mining - and people are in the states; while the Federal Government is in Abuja. Therefore, if any state has any issue and it is known to Mr. President, I doubt very much

Why then are states afraid of confronting the reality headlong by pushing for fiscal federalism especially?

if he will be able to sleep with his two eyes closed. We are closer to the people and have many challenges in the states”; the NGF chairman stated. With an argument as strong as the one just quoted, it is puzzling that the NGF proved so lily-livered to agitate for fiscal federalism, in a country where until the first military putsch of January 15, the defunct regions were fiscally independent, generating their own revenues and remitting 50 percent of same to the FG. Again, this boils down to the petro-dollar curse, because it is the earnings from crude oil that literally vanquished the groundnut pyramids up North, as well as Palm oil, cocoa and other lucrative cash crops down South. Former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State, when he publicly commented on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) quite recently, stated: “…I have read such screaming headlines as: ‘Plateau to explore solid mineral’;

‘Ondo partners US firm on bitumen exploitation’; ‘PIB: Nigeria mulls 40 percent sale of new oil firms’. There is also a determination to unbundle and completely reorganize NNPC. It has also been reported how ‘experts make case for solid mineral policy’. The Hon. Minister for Solid Minerals, Dr. Fayemi has been quoted as saying ‘There is nothing in any law in this country that prohibits states from being active participants in the development of minerals endowed in their states”. It is obvious, therefore, even with the financial difficulties of today that the ultimate panacea for insolvency of states is fiscal federalism or inward looking. Why then are states afraid of confronting the reality headlong by pushing for fiscal federalism, especially? Who is afraid of fiscal federalism and why? In truth, if there is really any temporary solution to the revenue crises in states, it is perhaps the clamour for a new revenue formula. States should tighten their belts, do away with wasteful spending, profligacy and looting, look inwards and grow their economies. They need to be seen by the public, their workers and organised labour as making the necessary sacrifices and sincerely committed to liberating themselves and their people financially.

ON THIS DAY May 4, 1919

May 4, 1979

Students’ demonstrations took place in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, protesting the Treaty of Versailles, which transferred Chinese territory to Japan. The ‘May Fourth Movement’ was an anti-imperialist, cultural and political movement which grew out of student demonstrations in Beijing, protesting the Chinese government’s weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, especially the Shandong Problem.

Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Thatcher (1925 2013) was a British politician and the longest-serving (1979–1990) British Prime Minister of the 20th century, as well as the only woman ever to have held the post. A Soviet journalist nicknamed her the ‘Iron Lady’, which later became associated with her uncompromising policies.

May 4, 2002 An EAS Airlines’ BAC 1-11-500 crashed in a suburb of Kano, Nigeria, shortly after take-off, killing more than 148 people. The jet crashed into houses on take-off from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, killing 75 passengers and crew on board and about 70 more on the ground. The airline was involved in two crashes between early 2001 and May 2002; which led to the revocation of its certificate for negligence.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

‘To avoid infertility, don’t delay child bearing’

Ageing and health

Franka Osakwe and Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

ith about 45.9 million Nigerians, (27%) of the population, including pregnant women and children harbouring the malaria parasites in their blood and at the risk of severe morbidity and death from the disease, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole has advanced reasons why malaria has continued to thrive in the country, defying potent control measures designed to check its menace. Speaking at a briefing to commemorate this year World Malaria Day in Abuja last week, the minister put the blame squarely on Nigerians, saying they constitute the greatest obstacle in the fight against the malaria scourge through their inability or failure to embrace measures aimed at defeating the ailment. Adewole, who was represented by Director of Family Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Wapada Balami, disclosed that the government spends an estimated N480 billion in the prevention and treatment of malaria every year in the country. Yet, he said, many citizens of the country die needlessly of the disease every year while many households lose income because they are too ill from malaria to go to work. Not only that, several children are out of school on account of malaria, and a good number fail to attain their optimal potential in life as a result. These happen because, according to the minister, many people in the country accessing available interventions recommended for fighting the disease. “For example, the use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) has been confirmed to be very effective in preventing malaria, however most Nigerians are recalcitrant in its use. Between 2010 and 2013, the proportion of persons who slept inside LLINs the night before actually dropped from 23% (MIS 2010) to 13% (NDHS 2013), in spite of the 80% coverage attained through mass campaign with over 70m LLINs. “This is unfortunate because majority of people have to use the nets for it to be optimally useful to the society. Indeed if 80% of Ni-

Why malaria thrives: Nigerians are to blame, says Minister

Prof. Adewole

gerians use LLINs correctly and consistently, it is possible to break transmission of malaria and set us on the path to the desired malaria free Nigeria,” the minister said. He particularly accused pregnant mothers in the country for missing the opportunity provided by improved antenatal attendance to protect them and their unborn babies from malaria through Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy, IPTp. Experts at another forum, a symposium in commemoration of the World Malaria Day, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), in collaboration with Malaria Society of Nigeria, tagged ‘End Malaria for Good’ agreed with the minister. In a presentation, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tolu Arowolo, disclosed that no fewer than 131,400 (30%) of the 438,000 global malaria

deaths occurred in Nigeria last year, from the World Malaria Report, 2015. According to her report, the 2015 malaria survey showed that 27 per cent of Nigerians (45,900,000) have malaria parasites with the highest occurrence in the north. Giving the malaria prevalence by zone, she said North West has the highest malaria cases of 37 per cent, followed by North Central and North East, with 32 per cent and 26 per cent occurrence respectively. Also, she said South South has 19 per cent, South West 17 per cent and South East 14 per cent. Dr. Arowolo, said malaria in Nigeria is a public health problem, with pregnant women and children being the most vulnerable. She explained that malaria if not treated early can progress to severe cases and death. “Based on this, we are emphasizing on prompt treatment of

positive persons using the recommended ACT. We are emphasizing on accurate and timely diagnosis either through the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or microscopy. For severe malaria, we recommend the IV Artesunate, in area of high and stable transmission, we recommend IPT in pregnancy and infancy”, she said. While describing the statistic of Nigerians with malaria parasite (about 27% of Nigerian population) as frightening, Head of Malaria Research Program in NIMR, Dr. Sam Awolola, said government need to create an enabling environment for malaria control. “Most of our researches are funded by external bodies. Government need to own the research by putting in the right infrastructure and human capacity to carry out research”, he said. In his speech, the Director General, NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah, expressed concern over the latest national malaria report which indicates that malaria still account for over 60 per cent of outpatient visit, 25 per cent of infant death, 30 per cent of all under-five deaths and 11 per cent of maternal mortality annually. “Based on these figure, we are concerned as a research institution that a lot still need to be done to end malaria. So far, NIMR has maintained the National malaria DTET sentinel site in south west Nigeria, TB and HIV ISO certified reference centres as repository for Nigerian TB and HIV isolates. We also have strong link with stakeholders in malaria vector control locally and internationally. “In the last couple of years, NIMR, malaria research competitive advantage has been on drug efficacy therapeutic test and research on mosquito vector control. A key area for our malaria research in the coming year is to demonstrate the feasibility of malaria elimination using integrated intervention approach in partnership with Sysmex-partec”, he added.

Health & Wellbeing

eople worldwide are living longer. Today, for the first time in history, most people can expect to live into their sixties and beyond. By 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and older is expected to total 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015. Today, 125 million people are aged 80 years or older. By 2050, there will be almost this many (120 million) living in China alone, and 434 million people in this age group worldwide. By 2050, 80% of all older people will live in low- and middle-income countries. The pace of population ageing around the world is also increasing dramatically. France had almost 150 years to adapt to a change from 10% to 20% in the proportion of the population that was older than 60 years .However, places such as Brazil, China and India will have slightly more than 20 years to make the same adaptation. While this shift in distribution of a country’s population towards older ages – known as population ageing started in high-income countries (for example in Japan 30% of the population are already over 60 years old), it is now low- and middle-income countries that are experiencing the greatest change. By the middle of the century many countries for e.g. Chile, China, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation will have a similar proportion of older people to Japan. A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families, but also for societies as a whole. Additional years provide the chance to pursue new activities such as further education, a new career or pursuing a long neglected passion. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities. Yet the extent of these opportunities and contributions depends heavily on one factor: health. There is, however, little evidence to suggest that older people today are experiencing their later years in better health than their parents. While rates of severe disability have declined in high-income countries over the past 30 years, there has been no significant change in mild to moderate disability over the same period. If people can experience these extra years of life in good health and if they live in a supportive environment, their ability to do the things they value will be little different from that of a younger person. If these added years are dominated by declines in physical and mental capacity, the implications for older people and for society are more negative. Ageing explained At the biological level, ageing results from the impact of the accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time. This leads to a gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity, a growing risk of disease, and ultimately, death. But these changes are neither linear nor consistent, and they are only loosely associated with a person’s age in years. While some 70 year-

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ageing and health

•There is no ‘typical’ older person Key facts

•Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%. •By 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older will outnumber children younger than 5 years. •In 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries. •The pace of population ageing is much faster than in the past. •All countries face major challenges to ensure that their health and social systems are ready to make the most of this demographic shift.

olds enjoy extremely good health and functioning, other 70 year-olds are frail and require significant help from others. Beyond biological changes, ageing is also associated with other life transitions such as retirement, relocation to more appropriate housing, and the death of friends and partners. In developing a public-health response to ageing, it is important not just to consider approaches that ameliorate the losses associated with older age, but also those that may reinforce recovery, adaptation and psychosocial growth. Common health conditions associated with ageing Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, and dementia. Furthermore, as people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time. Older age is also characterized by the emergence of several complex health states that tend to occur only later in life and that do not fall into discrete disease categories. These are commonly called geriatric syndromes. They are often the consequence of multiple underlying

factors and include frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, delirium and pressure ulcers. Geriatric syndromes appear to be better predictors of death than the presence or number of specific diseases. Yet outside of countries that have developed geriatric medicine as a specialty, they are often overlooked in traditionally structured health services and in epidemiological research. Factors influencing Healthy Ageing Although some of the variations in older people’s health are genetic, much is due to people’s physical and social environments – including their homes, neighbourhoods, and communities, as well as their personal characteristics – such as their sex, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. These factors start to influence the ageing process at an early stage. The environments that people live in as children – or even as developing foetuses – combined with their personal characteristics, have longterm effects on how they age. Environments also have an important influence on the development and maintenance of healthy behaviours. Maintaining healthy behaviours throughout life, particu-

larly eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and refraining from tobacco use all contribute to reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases and improving physical and mental capacity. Behaviours also remain important in older age. Strength training to maintain muscle mass and good nutrition can both help to preserve cognitive function, delay care dependency, and reverse frailty. Supportive environments enable people to do what is important to them, despite losses in capacity. The availability of safe and accessible public buildings and transport, and environments that are easy to walk around are examples of supportive environments. Challenges in responding to population ageing Diversity in older age There is no ‘typical’ older person. Some 80 year-olds have physical and mental capacities similar to many 20 year-olds. Other people experience significant declines in physical and mental capacities at much younger ages. A comprehensive public health response must address this wide range of older people’s experiences and needs. Health inequities The diversity seen in older age is not random. A large part arises from people’s physical and social environments and the impact of these environments on their opportunities and health behaviour. The relationship we have with our environments is skewed by personal characteristics such as the family we were born into, our sex and our ethnicity, leading to inequalities in health. A significant proportion of the diversity in older age is due to the cumulative impact of these health inequities across the life course. Public health policy must be crafted to reduce, rather than reinforce, these inequities. Outdated and ageist stereotypes Older people are often assumed to be frail or dependent, and a burden to society. Public health, and society as a whole, need to address these and other ageist attitudes, which can lead to discrimination, affect the way policies are developed and the opportunities older people have to experience Healthy Aging. A rapidly changing world Globalization, technological developments (e.g. in transport and communication), urbanization, migration and changing gender norms are influencing the lives of older people in direct and indirect ways. For example, although the number of surviving generations in a family has increased, today these generations are more likely than in the past to live separately. A public health response must take stock of these current and projected trends, and frame policies accordingly. Courtesy: WHO

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

US-based hospital to train Nigerian doctors on diabetes treatment Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

US-based hospital, PreHab Diabetes Services, has offered to train Nigerian doctors in the US on treatment of diabetes. The hospital also pledged to build hospitals in different geo-political zones of the country to help manage high burden of diabetes in the country. The effort will ensure prompt diagnosis, treatment of patients, while doctors trained by the hospital will acquire more skills needed to deal with the disease, Founder/ Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Robert Tate, said at a National Diabetes Symposium in Abuja recently. Tate told National Mirror: “We’ve developed a Nigerian diabetes initiative. We want to take Nigerian physician to the US to train them, to bring them back so that they can train other Nigerians. After we do that, we want to develop clinics here, equipped to American medical standard to be able to treat patients. And, through the clinics, we will provide all testing supplies and medicines. “Training for the programme will take three

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

months. Each group will consist of three physicians to train for three months and then come back. When they return, we will send another group and it will continue. We are collaborating with the (Federal) Ministry (of Health) They will set up a committee to nominate the physicians, and then, they will go. “The Association on Diabetes states that without testing, without proper diagnosis, without medicines, it is impossible to treat any patient with diabetes,” he added. He said the programme would be carried out in collaboration with the Diabetic Association of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health. “Our ultimate goal is to have a clinic in all of Nigeria’s key strategic regions. We will also have a teaching hospital where we can teach not only Nigerian physician, but physicians around Africa. We want Nigeria to have authority in diabetic management in Africa. The ultimate of the programme is to have a decrease in cases of diabetes in Nigeria, as he informed that his facility had been able to manage diabetes in America that there had been no amputation of patients’ legs for 30 years.

Groups plan one-million-man protest against FG over nation’s health systems

…Blame crisis on silence among citizens Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

igerian Health Watch and One Campaign groups are finalizing plans to mobilize one million Nigerians to engage the Federal Government over the state of health in the country. Nigeria Country Representatives, One Campaign, Edwin Ikhuoria said the effort is aimed at informing government of the degree of poor state of health in the nation. He added that the protest is also intended to help awaken majority of citi-

zens of the country whom he said had been too silent on the state of health across the nation. At a forum in Abuja, tagged “Making Our Voices Count: Active Citizenship for Health,” the groups called for the implementation of the National Health Act to guarantee effective and satisfactory health service delivery in the nation. Joined by Health Reform Foundation, HERFON, Christian Aid, Education as a Vaccine, BudgIT, the groups said citizens of the country had been too silent on activities within the sector, and that they unknow-

ingly pay for not speaking out by obtaining poor services. Ikhuoria said the campaign he is leading would focus on making government implement the National Health Act and fulfil 2001Abuja Declaration among African leaders where 15 percent of national budget was agreed to be committed to their health systems. In his remarks, Chairman, Board of Trustees, HERFON, Dr. Ben Anyene, said despite all efforts by stakeholders to change health system in the country for common good, suc-

cessive governments had been resistant to such change. He said what is more important is not approval of certain percent of annual budget to the nation’s health system but assurance that funds released are used for desired purposes. Anyene, who chaired the session, blamed “weak” health system in the country on insensitivity by successive governments. Discussants at the forum also examined other challenges that had bedevilled the nation’s health, such as massive corruption, strikes, inadequate human resources among others.

NMA floats N20m endowment fund for relatives of late Ekiti doctors Marcus Fatunmole

ABUJA

he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has instituted a N20 million endowment fund to assist children and other relatives of its members who died along Abuja-Kaduna highway recently on their way to Sokoto state to attend its 56th Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting. A communiqué issue at the end of the conference said the association was deeply pained by the death, and had to abridge its activities at the conference in honour of the late delegates who were to represent Ekiti State at the event. Meanwhile, NMA has elected new National Officers Committee, NOC, to run its affairs for the next two year. According to the communiqué, Prof. Mike Ogirima emerged president of the association, while Kingsley Enweremadu and

Adamu Umar emerged1st and 2nd vice president respectively. Other officials include Yusuf Sununu, Secretary General; Ahmed Jacob, Deputy Secretary-General; and Dan Jumbo, National Treasurer. NMA said in spite of the tragedy, it was able to carry out free Medical Outreach Program to the people of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto state where it said general and specialist medical services were offered to people in the local government. A total of 754 patients were given attention, out of which 170 surgeries of different sub specialties were successfully carried out, the communiqué said. It informed that the association resolved that the former interim administrator of Federal Medical Centre Owo, Dr Adediran Kolajo, be suspended indefinitely and referred to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for further disciplinary action.

A Naval medical personnel, Mrs Akunyemi Lolade attending to some people at Kebbe Local Government Area, during the Nigerian Navy Medical Rhapsody 2016 Outreach in Sokoto recently.

3 Nigerians diagnosed with Lassa fever daily –Prof. Tomori Franka Osakwe

ontrary to the assumption that Lassa Fever is a seasonal disease, The Chairman, Lassa Fever Control Committee in Nigeria, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, says no fewer than three people are diagnosed of the disease daily, with the recent outbreak already claiming up to 40 lives. According to him, poor disease surveillance system has caused the escalation and persistent reoccurrence of Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria. Speaking at a symposium on Lassa fever organized by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Tomori said that Lassa fe-

ver has been claiming lives over the past 47 years without concrete strategies to bring it under control. “If you are not hearing of new cases, it is not that the disease is not occurring, but because our disease surveillance is not up to par. We deceive ourselves that it’s a seasonal disease, but the fact remains that it occurs throughout the year”, he stressed. Prof. Tomori, who is also The President of the Nigeria Academic of Science (NAS), said the nation failed years back, to see the disease as a national emergency on time, and did not put measures on ground to prevent future reoccurrence. “We have little value for life, until more than 100 people die of a disease, it is not an emergency, For many

years, Lassa fever has been with us but we don’t take it serious. In other parts of the world, when a single person dies of a disease, it is a national emergency. For how long are we going to continue to call a tragedy an embarrassment? “We have abandoned disease surveillance and control activities; there was a time people worked together, the laboratories at Ibadan, the Ministry of Health, NIMR, joined forces to protect the country. In the 60’s to 80’s at Ibadan, we produced every reagent we needed in the country. We did not depend on importation. But now we are lazy and everybody wants to make money from importation”, he said. He said six to seven laboratories in the country cannot give proper results and

this is due to lack of government support. The only few that function in the country do so with support from donor agencies and backing from abroad. On the effort of the committee, he disclosed that a vaccine trial for Lassa fever will soon commence. In his address, the Director General, NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah, said the national response to the 47-year-old epidemic in Nigeria has remained largely poor and there appears to be no strategic plan to allocate fund for Lassa and other viral Haemorrhagic fevers research, surveillance and appropriation response. Ujah mentioned lack of manpower and well equipped laboratories as part of challenges hindering the institution from recording success.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘To avoid infertility, don’t delay child bearing’

ow will you define infertility? Infertility as a disease condition is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after having unprotected regular intercourse for twelve calendar months. So, if a couple is living together and they are having regular intercourse of at least three times a week for 12 months and there is no pregnancy, then, such a couple is said to be infertile. Infertility can be primary or secondary. In a couple that has achieved conception before, you refer to it as secondary infertility. But in couple that has never had any conception before, it is primary infertility. For example, if a woman has never had a baby before and she has been trying with her husband to get pregnancy and she cannot get it, you define that as primary infertility. Then, you call it secondary if there has been a prior pregnancy. That is just the difference. What could make a couple or someone who has got a child to find it difficult to bear children again? That refers to secondary infertility. There are two types of factors responsible for it. It can be male-factor infertility; it can be female-factor infertility. We talk of the male factor infertility, where the man can have problem with the sperm count. If the sperm count is low, it may lead to inability of the man to impregnate his wife. Again, if the sperm count is normal but the quality of sperm being produced is abnormal, that can also account for male-factor infertility. What are the factors that can cause poor quality sperm? Infections like gonorrhoea, syphilis, then, trauma; if a man has had any trauma in his testicles or surgeries to his testicles or radiation of chemicals. For instance, if there is a leak of radiative materials, that can lead to low sperm count or poor quality sperm. That is male-factor infertility. Then, the female factor: there are three levels. It can be at the level of ovulation which means the woman is not releasing eggs. It can be at the level of the fallopian tube. If a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, that can lead to secondary infertility. Then, at the level of the uterus, if a woman is not menstruating, it is unlikely she conceives. Those are the three levels of secondary infertility you can have in a woman. What can cause this? The commonest cause of secondary infertility in sub-Saharan Africa in women is infection. Infection can be sexually transmitted; it can follow abortion. If a woman has had abortion and the abortion was complicated or the abortion was infected, that can spread the infection to her womb and the fallopian tube and it can block the tube. That can lead to secondary infertility. Again, after childbirth, if a woman delivers her baby in an environment that is unhygienic, she can have infection after delivery. That can spread up into her womb, into her fallopian tubes, into the peritoneum, and it can lead to secondary infertility. Also, if a woman has what is called severe post-partum haemorrhage after delivery, she may bleed to the extent that the bleeding can lead to what is called necrosis of the pituitary gland which is in the brain. And, the pituitary gland being in the brain is responsible for the release of certain hormones or signals called follicle-stimulating hor-

Out of 10 couples in Nigeria, between three and five suffer from infertility, says Consultant Obstetrician/ Gnaecologist and Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gnaecology, General Hospital, Bwari, Abuja, Dr Garba Omale, in this interview with Health Reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE. He also advocates early marriage, among others, to ease child bearing. Excerpts:

Dr. Omale mones. These hormones are responsible for stimulation of follicular development of the woman’s ovaries. So, severe postpartum haemorrhage or bleeding after delivery by a woman can also contribute to secondary infertility. These are the major causes of secondary infertility in women in sub-Saharan Africa. How prevalent is infertility among couples in Nigeria? The prevalence actually varies across geographical or geo-political zones to another one. For instance, in the geo-political zones where maternal mortality and morbidity is high, like in the North-East and North-West, maternal mortality is high in the far North because women don’t access antenatal care and some of them deliver at home; that may lead to infection after delivery. But, at least, of every ten couples, about three to five may have infertility. There have been instances where couples have challenges with infertility suddenly got issues after long years of marriage. What is responsible for this? There are two ways they can get a baby. One of the ways is IVF, the In-Vitro Fertilization. IVF essentially means that a woman or a couple that cannot achieve pregnancy naturally goes to see a doctor and they are given some medications. The woman is given some medications, her egg is harvested; the man’s sperm is also collected. The egg and sperm are fertilized in a test-tube and the embryo that results from that fertilization is incubated; it is put into an incubator until the embryo develops into 16-cell stage. Then, the embryo is transferred into the womb of the woman; a womb that has already been primed with some medications will accept the transfer. That is what we call In-Vitro Fertilization. The success rate of In Vitro Fertilization

is about 35 percent, even in the best of centres, it is about 35 percent. This means if ten couples go for IVF, only about three to four will achieve success. That is one of the ways people who have been battling with the problems of infertility for years can achieve their desire to get a baby. We’ve also heard of miracle babies, cases that are rampant in the South-East and SouthSouth Nigeria. What happens essentially is that the couples look for a willing girl that would carry a baby and they buy the baby. That practice is illegal. So, somebody will carry the baby (in her womb) and the couple will buy the baby and they say it is a miracle baby. But, scientifically, pregnancy can be achieved from IVF. Is it possible that intending couple go for fertility test before marriage? It is possible. But, if you look at the definition of infertility, it says that if a couple living together, having regular, unprotected intercourse for 12 calendar months cannot achieve a pregnancy, then, one can say there is infertility. So, people intending to marry, you cannot tell them to go for fertility test unless if they have been co-habiting for at least 12 calendar months and there is no pregnancy. I don’t think it is all culture or all religion that allow for pre-marital sex. What is your opinion on permanent family planning; as we’ve seen instances where couples with children have to look for babies again perhaps for reasons such as death of children among others? Yes, permanent family planning means in a woman, you do bilateral tuber ligation. That is permanent, irreversible family planning for a woman. Usually, there are certain criteria that should be met before you offer a woman permanent family plan-

ning. One of the criteria is that the woman should be 40 years and above. We usually don’t offer it to a woman that is under 40 years of age. Of course, the woman should have discussed with her husband and she should have at least three or four children. So, unless a woman has met these criteria, it is unlikely that any doctor will offer her BTL. For those that have BTL, it is irreversible because if you have to reverse it, you have to take the woman to the theatre and rework her fallopian tube. And, the success rate after such a surgery is not so encouraging. I don’t advise any woman that is under 40 years or any woman who still desires to have children in the future to go for BTL, What are lifestyle practices that can enhance fertility? One of the lifestyle changes that we advise, especially for the men folk is that they should stop drinking alcohol. They should also stop smoking. Even for the women, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking has been scientifically proven to affect fertility negatively. In the men, it can lead to decrease sexual performance; it can also lead to decrease sperm count. In the women, it can lead to decrease ovulation and it can also affect, even if they do get pregnant, the pregnancy to get to nine months; meaning that they can have miscarriage. We advise them to avoid alcohol, abuse of substances such as heroin, cocaine and all other drugs that affect fertility negatively. Then, weight; people that are overweight tend to have problem with fertility. A couple that is intending to achieve pregnancy should be advised to go on diet that will make sure that their weight is within normal. How can we treat infertility? The treatment essentially depends on the cause. If it is due to male factor, for instance, low sperm count or poor quality sperm, there are medications that the man will take to improve the quality of the sperm and the quantity of the sperm; that is, the sperm count. For the woman, it also depends on the causes. If it is ovulatory infertility, which means the woman is not ovulating, you give her drug that will make her to ovulate. If it is tubal factor infertility, meaning that the woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, she can either do surgery to unblock the fallopian tubes or the woman can go for IVF. And, if the woman is not menstruating properly, you can also give her drugs to regulate the menstruation. So, essentially, the treatment depends on the cause. When is fertility at its peak in both men and women? In women, fertility is at its peak between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age. For men, it is also at its peak between 18 and 40 years of age. My advice is that as much as possible, people should start their family early. I prefer people to marry when their fertility is still at its peak. But, today, people delay child bearing because of career. You find out that the problem is more now than in the past because people tend to delay family because of career. So, the earlier the better.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

26 The National Summit on Culture has held as a step towards reviving the culture and tourism sectors as potential income earners; Is the government ready to walk the talk?

My environment writes the lyrics —Aduke 25 FG pledges support to cultural festivals

Consolidating on gains from National Summit on Culture Alh Lai Mohammed and Mrs Mbanefo at the summit

Joel Ajayi

hortly after Nigeria’s independence Culture and Tourism industries played critical roles in the mainstream of Nigeria’s economy, but all of sudden, the sector which had brought innumerable growth and development to the country, went moribund as a result of crude oil discovery. Although known for its dependence on oil revenue, Nigerian experts have pointed out the huge potentials of the largely untapped culture and tourism sector of the nation’s economy. From the look of things, it seems as if the tourism and culture which has been rejected stone in the past years will soon be a corner stone of the nation to brighten the dwindling country’s economy. That is why history was made from 27th to 29th of April when Ministry of Information and Culture held a National summit on Tourism and Culture where the stakeholders in the tourism industry all over the country converged on Abuja to deliberate on how to grow the sector in the country through initiating advisory and consultative processes. The 3-day National summit on Culture and Tourism with the theme: “Repositioning Culture and tourism in a diversified economy.” While declaring the 2016 National summit on Culture and tourism open, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who Represented by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Okechuwku Enelamah, regreted the neglect of the sector and promised will soon be the bedrock of Nigeria’s economy under his administration. He noted that Tourism was a rejected stone that would soon be rejuvenated to address the dwindling economy of the country. According to him, though Culture and Tourism sector is driven by private sector all over the world, the government would provide favourable policy, conducive environment to encourage investment in

Craft works from Nigeria the sector. While speaking on the importance of the summit, the convener and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, explained that the summit was designed to explore all the various opportunities in tourism sector to improve the economy. He explained that change mantra of Federal Government can only be sustained if culture and tourism provide needs drives such as; community theatre projects, music concert are effective tool for re-orientation of Nigeria. “The crash in the price of oil, the mainstay of our economy, has triggered a disaster for the economy. But, this administration has decided to turn that disaster to a blessing by diversifying the mono-product economy and widening our national revenue base. We want to turn adversity into sustainable fortune by tapping our National cultural heritage and tourism.” He also restated Federal Government’s commitment to supporting and elevating the nation’s numerous festivals to enable them to contribute their quota to national development, while also preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. On his own, the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation NICO, and Chairman of the communiqué drafting committee for the summit, the Barclay Ayakoroma, said Culture and Tourism sector is a big industry that cut across many sectors namely; agriculture business, aviation, sport

Artworks from Nigeria

For maximum efficiency, all relevant agencies in the sector must be aligned;

Nigerian core values

must be re- introduced through

teaching of cultural values in the

Nigeria school system amongst other. While reading over 40 outcomes and suggestions and recommendations from the summit and as well as the way forward to repositioning the tourism sector Ayakoroma revealed: “It’s unarguably the biggest sector of economy which Nigeria cannot avoid to folds our hands while other country were reaping bountifully and main social economic benefit derived this global vibrant sector.” The suggestions considered included: consistency and continuity in government policy at all levels to develop tourism and culture, to this

end Nigeria has to muster the political will to develop it; A law should be promulgated for the local government, states and even federal government to establish and maintain museums. For maximum efficiency, all relevant agencies in the sector must be aligned; Nigerian core values must be re- introduced through teaching of cultural values in the Nigeria school system; In order to address the situation it call for cultural rebirth to reposition Nigeria for the global community. The summit also noted the needs

for all stakeholders in the industry to come together to project culture and tourism sector positively; identified inability of Nigeria to recognized another sector of economy aside oil and gas as a challenge; Sustaining and development of tourism is complex as the need to put in place public private partnership PPP strategies, enabling environment and appropriate legislation; Tourism development funds which is long overdue and call government to make it functional for effective development of the sector. Not only that the summit recommended that the action on the reviewed cultural policy for Nigeria and endowment for the art is unnecessary delayed; job creation rural urban integration, peace are critical for national development; More stringent legislation need to be in place for museum and monument from disgraceful destruction across the country amongst other suggestions were put in place to salvage the situation. Meanwhile, as part of government’s effort to ensure the just concluded National Summit on Tourism and Culture not to be a mirage, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the closing ceremony of the summit set up 6-man committee to harmonise the outcome of the summit and come up with recommendation in the next four weeks. According to him, in order not to allow this summit to go down the way of previous summits in the past, we find it note-worthy to set up the small committee to harmonise all the outcome of the summit. He said: “we decided that it will interest the federal government that this should not be another talk show that is why we come up with idea of setting up a small implementation committee that make a recommendation and will give if possible a time line for the implementation of what we discussed in the last 3 days. “We are able to seek and agreed the conscience of following people to serve in the committee which Dr Paul Adaniku who will serve as Chairman while Mrs. Bolanle Austin Peters, Chief Tony Akingbogun, Mr Bernard Azubike, Dr Prof Abudulamidi Ahmed members and Mr Gorge Ufot will serve as committee secretary.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

VOICES Charly Boy

had to muster a ‘lotta’ courage to write you this letter, please don’t get pissed with me, because there is no way on Earth that I can stand your vex, as one of your authentic sons. First of all, I ‘wanna’ thank you for all thou have given me, beautiful children, a beautiful and soulful wife, a family filled with love, Mum and Dad, nice motor bikes, belief in Self. But most importantly that gift, the ability to shift gears when the context calls for it and being able to generate and evaluate several different options in order to respond effectively to any situation, adjusting to any condition that I face instead of struggling with the way things are. Thank you God for all your mercies, but shey you also know that I have worked hard for all that I have today, with the talent you blessed me with. In short BABA, you built me for the Nigerian roads, no shaking, who born dem. There are so many things that confuse me about you which bring me to the real reason why I’m writing to you. But I guess you already saw this coming, no be you, Alfa and omega. (1). When I hear some people say that Christianity is the only true religion approved by you, I get a bit confused. What happens to the rest of the people who do not belong to that religion? Will you send them to hell? Why should they suffer if

A letter to God

First of all, I ‘wanna’

thank you for all thou have given me, beautiful

children, a beautiful and soulful wife, a family

filled with love, Mum

Charly Boy

they were raised in an area which did not expose them to the “one true religion”? For example, there are about 1.2 billion Catholics. What happens to the 5.6 billion people who are not Catholic? What happened to the people who died prior to the organized religion or the concept of YOU, default to eternal damnation? Why is it acceptable to join a religion that was created by a single man? For example, King Henry created the Church of England. How do we know if YOU sent them or if it meets your approval, this religion? How do we know that any religion is approved by your person? Too much confusion, waliiitaliii. Why is it acceptable for religions to evolve? Various religions have changed over time due to cultural pressures – how do we know these changes are “authorized” by YOU. (2).God, you are supposed to be perfect I don’t get it how you ended up creating imperfect humans, and we are told that we are all created in YOUR image and likeness. For me I’m sorry Baba, I don’t get it. How can a whole YOU create imperfect things, by the way why don’t YOU just destroy Satan, once

and for all? Why is Satan allowed to tempt us anyhowly? Is it fair? Why would YOU even allow the creation of Hell? As CharlyBoy what I put out in terms of my image tallies with the persona of Charly boy because I have a kickass attitude. When I see some human beings, I definitely know that there is no way they can be YOUR creation, say who die? For a lot of Christians, the Bible is the “truth” and the “law” – then is it not strange that humans are accepting laws written by men, and that there are many different versions seen from different perspectives? GOD please which one is correct? We have old and New Testament, and one too many versions, because human beings are imperfect their stories may as well be imperfect. (3).Why does a perfect BABA like YOU who is all powerful and has all knowledge – require us to praise YOU by going to Church. Should it not be sufficient for us to thank/praise YOU in our own way? Why do YOU require praise at all? Why do only humans need to praise Him, while other species are off the hook? I am just asking questions, or I shouldn’t be asking questions? Will YOU punish me for asking questions? But you are fair and just. Abi? Why is there often contempt for those who question religion? If humans were given the gift of intelligence and the freedom of choice, why should they be punished for using it? Why is there continuous conflict between different religions, and between those who believe, and those who don’t? How can anyone know if they are correct? Why is the universe, Earth, and life so imperfect? Why would YOU create a world where there is so much… wrong, so much Beef, so much Gobee. I just tire for this matter. And while we’re at it, I’m just really concerned about the myriad religions that say that believing anything other than them will result in going to hell. I mean, Christians say that Muslims will go to hell, and Muslims say Christians will go to hell. Can you help me out here? I haven’t even gotten into Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Daoism, Taoism, ancient Greek gods, ancient Roman gods… what would you recommend someone do BaBa God. Abegi, help me with answers before I kolo just thinking about thequestions. My dada don scatter here, oh I forget say I no get dada again but my internal dada dey intact. Mark you, “God works in mysterious ways are not acceptable answers for me ooo” So, park well.

MEMORABLE READS What is your favourite book I am not a ‘reading’ person really, I don’t read ‘book book’ in that sense. I read news articles and commentaries and also read about automobiles. I have read and like Ola Rotimi’s ‘The gods are not to blame’ and Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things fall Apart’ but my favourite reads are actually Christian literature. I can’t remember the characters in ‘The gods are not to blame’ too well now.

Who is your favourite author? I like T. D. Jakes. I will always take

Mike Aremu Musician

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

a look at any book written by him even if I don’t end up buying it or reading it from cover to cover.

What is your annual expenditure on books? I don’t buy many books. A catchy title is what draws my attention to the bookstands, even when I am not familiar with the name of the author. For me it is also the theme of the book, what the topic is all about, even though I might not remember the title of the book or its author, I always remember the topics.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

My environment writes the lyrics —Aduke Her brand is original, different, and revolutionary. Meet Ayobamidele Aladekomo, aka Aduke.

t a very early age, she had passion for deep philosophical thoughts and words coupled with the love for rhythm. Music was not farfetched for her. Knowing fully-well that the easiest way to make money as a female artiste is to show her bodily endowments and sing about love, sex and other vulgar themes, a path which many female artistes prefer to thread, Aduke decided to sing like a revolutionist. She heads a band named SSV (Sticks, strings and Voices) and debuted her first show in 2010, with Aduke and Fwendz ‘an evening of poetry and conscious music featuring Kafayat Quadri, Sistasoul, Adewale Oreshade’. She has performed at literary events and art festivals in Nigeria. During the January fuel subsidy crisis in Nigeria, which led to nationwide protest and strikes, a 24-year old neo-soul and afro jazz music artist caught the attention of the young and old as a result of her ability to capture the pain and cry for change from ordinary Nigerians. Given the immediacy and poignancy of her song, Hear the Voice, Ayobamidele Aladekomo better known as Aduke was catapulted to national prominence for capturing the frustration with her

Aduke

Nigeria is a country where there is a story to tell all around.

environment, life and

God inspire my lyrics

visceral lyrics. Hear the Voice of the wailing masses, they are wailing for food/They are wailing for water/Hear the voice of the wailing masses/ They are wailing for light/They are wailing for shelter…/Since I was a child, I have been shouting Up NEPA… Several endearing responses aroused from well known tabloids – “hauntingly disconcerting” and “another exposition from a beautiful mind…In one song, Aduke expressed the anger of her generation, who have grown up without the right infrastructural system and live with the damaging effects of a corruption and mismanagement.” “For me it was a moment to express long felt pain, I come from a neighborhood where people can’t sleep at night when it rains because of flood. “People fill bad roads with dirt to level it up and make it pliable! My environment writes my story. Hear the Voice is the voice of millions of Nigerians in unity. I sang the song to express the feelings of those who have no means to express themselves and struggle to get by every day.” She added. An artist of many talents, Aduke is also a poet and has worked as part of Segun Adefila’s Crown troupe of Africa. “My music encompasses every facet of life from love, trust, friendship, faith, hope and happiness, factors that make up the human existence. I want my music to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation and my dream is to be internationally relevant not only as a musician but also as an ambassador of Nigeria. “I just sing... No classification, I’m African, I sing and sound the way I do so many people have tried to help me identify my genre so we are between neo-soul and afro-soul, maybe we would figure it out one day... Life inspires my lyrics. Nigeria is a country where there is a story to tell all around. My environment, life and God inspire my lyrics”, she disclosed. Aduke also revealed that her mother, who is a law lecturer at UNILAG, was initially not comfortable with her choice of profession. According to her, she is determined to make

Aduke_ her proud as she has given her blessing to the career path she chose. She said, ‘‘I am very happy with a recent incident. My mother sent me a text message after watching one of my shows. She gave me her blessing and I was so touched. This is a career I have chosen and I will endeavour to give it my best to ensure I make an impact. I now perform monthly at Freedom Park, Lagos. I cannot hide the fact that I am still faced with the problem of funding but I am certain that my talent will make a way for me. My primary aim is being a foremost performing artiste out of Africa’’ Aduke whose major influences as an artiste are Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, India Arie and Fela will love to work with artistes like Sound sultan, Suspect, Nayosoul, and Ese Peters. She has no album yet. When asked about the challenges she

MIDWEEK JUMP

Poetry from African languages

Poetry in African language

odern Poetry in Translation is publishing a focus on translations of poetry from African languages this summer. The deadline for submissions for this issue is 16 May. MPT only publish translations of poetry (and not original Englishlanguage poetry) and the translations must be pre-

viously unpublished. MPT welcome works from any age, but have a preference for contemporary works. You are welcome to send submissions of up to six poems. You must be able to obtain rights for the reproduction of these translations both in MPT and online on their site. They pay a fee to contributors.

faces in the industry, she said her major challenge is the lack of structure.“There’s too much short cuts and substandard results. The world is listening to Nigerian music now but what are we dishing out. Everybody is guilty” She’s the last of two children, Aduke is a graduate of history and Strategic studies from the University of Lagos. Her other singles include ‘Made in Lagos’, ‘Lekeleke’, the love song, ’Faraway’ and ‘Iso Kekere’. ‘The single ‘Made in Lagos’ is a song that addresses rural / urban migration which is a common trend in major cities all over the world, inspired by real life situations. Aduke has performed on stage with the likes of late Fatai Rolling Dollar, Orlando Julius and Ade Bantu, and has performed as an opening act for artistes like Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti.

A season of Bangla drama

Submissions are now open for A Season of Bangla Drama organised by Tower Hamlets Council which will take place in November. Now in its 14th year, the drama festival is firmly established in the cultural calendar, and provides a major platform for writers to showcase their talent and celebrates novel perspectives of contemporary British Bengali life. The deadline for submission is Wednesday 25 May. The council will be looking for originality and innovation and priority will be given to organisations

based in Tower Hamlets. The festival will run every weekend from November 3 to 27 on stages across the borough. The main programme of performances will be supplemented by a fringe programme of talks, walks and exhibitions.

A season of Bangla drama

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

FG pledges support to cultural festivals Joel Ajayi

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to supporting cultural festivals to enable them to contribute peace and national development in the country. Mohammed re-stated this at the weekend in Mangu, Plateau State, when he attended the Puus Kaat Festival, an annual gathering of sons and daughters of Mangu to showcase their rich cultural heritage. According to him, the reason we are working hard to give national and international prominence to our festivals and also support our creative artists is because of their potential to contribute to the growth of our GDP, provide jobs as well as foster peace and unity. He said: ‘’the Arts and Culture, as well as Tourism sectors are the only ones that are capable of providing opportunities, including jobs, to those who ordinarily would not have been employable, perhaps because of their lack of education. That is why we say the

sectors are pro-poor, pro-the-underprivileged and pro-rural. These are the only sectors that import the market to the products.” Alhaji Mohammed said the Puus Kaat Festival, which came a day after the conclusion of the National Summit on Culture and Tourism organised by his ministry, is set to benefit from the far-reaching resolutions made at the summit that included enlisting of festivals into a national calendar, as well as training of festival managers and creative artists. “It is significant that this festival is coming just one day after we concluded a well-attended National Summit on Culture and Tourism in Abuja. Part of the decisions taken at that summit is to ensure that every local government in Nigeria celebrates at least one festival a year, in our efforts to build a national calendar of festivals that will attract people from within and outside Nigeria, just like we have at the Rio Carnival in Brazil and in Edinburgh, Scotland, just to mention a few. “Also, it was decided at the National Summit that we must build the capacity of the managers of our various festivals through

Artistes at the National Summit on Culture and Tourism. training and re-training by resource persons. I want to assure you that the organizers of Puus Kaat Festival will be among those to benefit from this training. “We will also build the capacity of creative

artists and adequately equip our various arts and crafts centres across the nation to enable them function more effectively. We will then follow up by creating local and international markets for the products,” he said.

AFRIMA remembers Papa Wemba

Papa Wemba

he International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, AU, mourns the death of Papa Wemba, real name Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba. The iconic musician from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during the FEMUA Urban Music Festival on April 24, 2016 at the age of 66. Papa Wemba was considered an African icon and world music star after fusing his Central African musical heritage with Western pop, rock and rap. He pioneered a blend of African, Cuban and Western sounds, which became one of Africa’s most popular music styles. This earned him the nickname

“King of Rhumba Rock”. Besides his musical influence, Wemba popularised Sapeur fashion, an eccentric look with three-piece suits, shiny black leather shoes and flashy accessories. Reacting to the death of Papa Wemba, President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada said: “At AFRIMA, we feel a sense of humongous loss since the announcement of the death of Papa Wemba. This is the time we at AFRIMA and Africa at large need him the most. He was one of the African music legends that had shown interest in attending AFRIMA 3.0 in November this year. He was a voice of Africa, an icon of African music and epitome of Africanness. His pride and commitment to African music

Miss Heart of Nigeria sues for peace Regina Otokpa

Sefi Attah ready with new anthology Isiguzo Destiny

he winner of the 2016 Miss Heart of Nigeria Beauty Pageant, Miss Veronica Ugbor has called on Nigerians to give peace a chance to reign, as there could be no meaningful development without peace. Queen Veronica while speaking with news men in Kano gave this charge against the backdrop of the imbroglio rocking the National Assembly as well as the senseless killings in the different parts of the country, noting that for the country to be better, it behoves on every Nigerian to care for one another and be united against terrorism. She pledged her readiness to use her position to better the lot of less privileged Nigerians even as she noted that currently plans are underway to partner with organisations that would help her actualise set goals. Earlier in her address, the founder/CEO of Glam Vision International, organiser of Miss Heart of Nigeria, Miss Lauretta Charles noted that emergence of Miss Heart of Nigeria Beauty Pageant was informed on the need to promote volunteerism among young girls, add value to humanity and above all touch lives positively, a value fast fad-

and sense of dressing were part of the narratives of African culture. These are the African narratives we shared and are propagating across the world.” Dada said further: “The International Committee of AFRIMA recognises the role of African legends, dead or alive, in music, culture and entertainment. In 2014, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was honoured with a Posthumous Legendary award for his contribution to the narratives of Africa while Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa won the award at the 2015 edition in Lagos, which coincided with the group’s 55th anniversary of telling the African story worldwide.”

Miss Heart of Nigeria ing from society. She said: “It takes only a beautiful heart to make a difference in the society that is gasping for peace like breadth of fresh air. If things must change in this country it must first start from us as individuals.” The Abia State born model further disclosed that “the event hopes to be a unifying factor that would bring Nigerians together irrespective of their religious or cultural affiliations. More so, Miss Heart of Nigeria is redefining the concept of pageantry as it is working on inculcating both service and humanity to beauty. Hence, we believe in the synergy of a beautiful outlook and a beautiful heart”.

igerian born novelist Sefi Attah is set to release an anthology of short stories soon, having published three novels. The samurai writer is best known for her debut novel Everything Good will Come which was published in 2005 and was well received in Nigeria and abroad. The bildungsroman novel Everything Thing Will come announced Sefi Attah as a serious writer who has eagle eyes for pertinent social issues and was followed by two other novels: Swallow (2010) and A Bit of Everything (2013). Sefi Attah was reluctant in revealing details of the publication for fear of getting into trouble with the publishers but revealed that one of the stories in the Anthology is entitled Ties. According to the numerous award winner and dexterous story writer, “Ties’ is about a Lagos society party in London. I wrote it in 2014, during the previous government, but it’s pertinent”. She also released an excerpt from the story: “Yemisi doesn’t have any clients

Sefi Atta in the bar. She usually gets work through her connections with the banking crowd in Lagos. Akin has a private equity firm and his clients are senators, governors and government ministers, former and incumbent. Only to her would he admit they are a bunch of thieves”. Art Lounge gathered that the story centres on the issue of corruption and corrupt Nigerians who swindle money and travel abroad to attend high society parties. Such story in this period of overwhelming corruption scandal may redirect Nigeria to the right path and Nigerian can hardly wait for another masterpiece from Sefi Attah, the master story teller.

Business

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CSEA urges monetary Govt’s policies desirable for economy if supported with private sector authorities to review incentives –Owoeye forex policy 30 28

Tasking FG on Ogoniland clean up, five years after UNEP report

Lack of Transport Policy hindering industry’s growth –Experts FRANCIS EZEM

takeholders in the transport and logistics chain in Nigeria have decried the total absence of a National Transport Policy in the country, which has over the yeaars hampered the growth and development of the sector. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council NEPC, had said recentlt that the high transport cost due to poor transport infrastructure wipes off more than 30 per cent of the nation’s nonoil export value, which makes such products uncompetitive in the international market. Chairman of Ports Consultative Council PCC, Otunba Kunle Folarin, one of the stakeholders, who spoke at the inaugural transport leadership lecture organised by kings Communications Limited in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Transport in Lagos, said that there was urgent need to develop a concise and documented National Transport Policy framework. According to him, more than 56 years after the attinment of political independence, the nation’s transport sector seems to be grooping in the dark due to the total absence of a national transport policy framework that ought to provide the roadmap that woul engender the growth of the industry. According to him, the ab-

sence of a policy on transportation in the country has also hindered the creation of a transport regulatory authority that is expected to regulate and set standards for the industry. He cited the failure of the National Assembly to pass some transport-related bills before it comprising the National Transport Commission NTC, Bill, Ports and Harbours Bill and the National Inland Waterways Bill, some of which have spent over eight years without being passed into law. He decried a situation whereby the road transport has, which is the commonest and most frequenty used has been reduced to an all comers’ affair due to the inability of the gov-

ernment to create a road transport regulatory authority. He however made a strong case for the evolution of a transport masterplan that would pave way for the emergence of an integrated transport system under the auspices of the National Transport Policy. Another stakeholder and a maritime lawyer, Mr. Emeka Akabogu, while speaking at the event, noted that the absence of a National Trnsport Policy does not make for the growth and development. He noted that most European, American and even Asian countries, including the Asian Tigers first developed their transport system, which paved. Way for the development of

their economies. He said; “Efficient and integrated transport system is crucial for the development of any economy aand that is to say that no nation develops without first developing her transport infrstructure”. He however rgued that a National Transport Policy is the first step towards developing the trnsport system, as the policy framwork would provide the needed roadmap for the actual development of the systems. Akabogu therefore called on the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amechi to urgently evolve a transport policy that would herald the emergence of n integrated transport system in the country.

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

Marketing Manager, Tolulope Lawani; Enterprise Printing Account Manager, Francis John Angbo; Managing Director, Ify Afe and Trade Marketing Manager, Allison Alassan, all of HP Inc during a media conference in Lagos recently.

ICAN decries non-adherence to accounting principles ...says IPSAS must work in Nigeria Priscilla Dennis, Minna

he Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, ICAN, has decried the non-adherence to accounting principles in financial dealings by organizations in the country, saying it will remain unwavering to its commitment to accountability, probity and transparency in its activities. The National President of the institute, Otunba Femi Deru, who bemoaned reluctance by many organizations in the country to comply with best accounting principles t at the Northern Zonal Districts Accountants Conference tagged Minna 2016 with the theme: “ IPSAS Adoption in Nigeria: Impli-

cation on Accountability and Probity”, decried the situation where record keeping was being handled with levity by organizations and by refusing to comply with laid down rules of financial management. He said that it was for this reason that it welcomed the introduction of International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSA, by the Federal Government as template for reporting financial activities in both government and private organizations in the country. “IPSA must work in Nigeria, if there is any country that it must work. We have heard of non cooperation, we must all coopetrate for the growth of financial progress.”

Deru, who is the 51st President of Institute, noted that over 50 years of the establishment of ICAN, the Institute had trained Chartered Accountants in line with best global practice. He explained that within the period, over 18,000 Accounting Technicians were trained and currently delivering value in various sectors of the economy, across the nation. “ICAN was established in 1965 to regulate activities our activities and we have continued to deliver its mandate in training accountants and accounting technicians and will never weaver from accountability, probity and, transparency in our dealings”, Deru assured.

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, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Govt’s policies desirable for economy if supported The National President of Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria, RiMIDAN, and Managing Director of Elephant Group, Mr. Tunji Owoeye, in this interview with ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, believes that recent government policy measures, including the CBN’s forex policy restricting some 41 items from forex official window, are desirable for stimulating and promoting local production and self-sufficiency in the economy, if completed with incentives for the private sector. He also speaks on other ways to boost local industrial production. Excerpts:

ir, could you give an insight into the current level of rice production in Nigeria?

There are two categories of rice production namely, paddy production and processed rice. In term of processed rice, I think it is about 3million tonnes. About 2million tonnes are from informal processing mills, that is, the small scale fabricated mills while the remaining one million from the integrated rice millers. So, it is approximately 3 million tonnes.

What level of productivity do we ficient in rice? We need about 5.5 to6 million tones. So, there is a gap of 2.5 to 3 million tonnes to close the gap if we are to be self-sufficient and put ban on its importation. Will you support outright ban of rice importation and at what point? At the point that we could have achieved full self-sufficiency in the rice production it should be banned totally. But right now we have not achieved full self-sufficiency so I think right now there should be import substitution in the sense that we should look at the domestic investment in the rice value chain, the companies that have domestic investments in the rice value chain or planned investment in the rice value chain; it should still be supported by giving incentives to import difference between actual capacity and the consumption level regarding the production. What is your reaction to the recent ban of rice importation through land borders by the Nigeria Customs Service? It is a good initiative from the government; it helps local investors in the rice value chain to consolidate on their investments so that it is not eroded by manipulating tendencies of smugglers, ensuring that whatever investment they make is not lost. You said there should not be total ban on the importation of rice in the country yet but if there is no ban on the importation, do you think the country would be serious

need to make Nigeria suf-

Owoeye

with its own local production? No, there should be no total ban until we achieve self-sufficiency. It has happened in cement and sugar so it can also happen in rice too. What we are saying is that we have about 3 million tones gap, which must be bridged. That gap should be made available by the investor companies who already have existing vibrant investment in the rice value chain and those that have traceable planned investment as an incentive for them to bring more investment into the rice value chain. So, those should be allowed to import to bridge the production gap. Recently, the CBN restricted some 41 items from assessing foreign exchange through the official forex widows as a way of promoting local production. Do you think the policy measure is in order? It is a local approach to a local problem. Yes, it is in order to the extent that. I mean the CBN will just need

to be proactive in ensuring that the policy works, because if you look at it there is a lot forex that these commodities are taking away from our limited resources. But what they should have done or continue to do as before is to ensure that, before the completion of self-sufficiency, there is support for those that have the investments in the value chain, approve their effort so that they can do some business to close the gap because if they do not close the gap between production and consumption, some negative must happen and that is why the smugglers forcefully take advantage in that situation. On the impact of the policy, I think it is giving us another opportunity to look inward for solution. When there is a challenge, you look inward and think of where to turn to so this is giving us an opportunity to look for solution internally and that’s what we begin to look at. I think if we take Nigerian approach to Nigerian crisis; it

When there is a challenge, you look inward and think of where to turn to so this is giving us an opportunity to look for solution internally and that’s what we begin to look at. I think if we take Nigerian approach to Nigerian crisis; it is going to help us in a way to make us to be disciplined and to take production and diversification much more serious

is going to help us in a way to make us to be disciplined and to take production and diversification much more serious. So, it has a positive result, although it is a sacrifice that we have to make. Do you think Nigeria is ripe for such policies considering the current level of manufacturing in local production? Well at some point in time we have to rise up to the occasion and there has to be sacrificed. At a stage where the country is now, you will see that it is the time when we have to make all the sacrifice. It is not whether we should take but it is a necessary measure for us to take. At some point in time, there would be a turnaround to have a turning point to ensure that we begin to address our long term problem with a long term solution. There has been wide campaign for economic diversification into agriculture. Do you believe that agriculture is crucial to the drive to reverse the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy? Agriculture and agribusiness will play a significantly role in the diversification of our economy but obviously agriculture and agribusiness alone cannot, we have mining, we have services. Services also play very vital role but agriculture is where we have the largest GDP and that is where we have the largest employer of labour. Sir, it has been claimed that for agriculture to play that role of re-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Executive Discourse

with private sector incentives – Owoeye forming the economy, it must be industrialised. In your view, is the country moving towards that direction? We don’t have any other root than industrializing. Yes, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. I think CBN is doing that with selective products. CBN cannot intervene in all the products at the same time so, it has started intervening in rice, wheat, beans, sugar and I think as time goes by, there will be much more intervention, not only from CBN but from other developmental partner institutions. With the political weight that we are seeing in present government, and of course the wiliness and seriousness in agribusiness that we have on ground, there will be a turning point.

As an expert, which other policy do you think is needed to optimize the performance of the economy? To correct that notion, we are the players; I don’t know why you call us experts. Well, the policies by the government are okay. As a matter of fact, we have no choice than to diversify the economy so, that policy should be strengthened, there should be consistencein the policy and should be incentives for the private sectors that are driving thoseprogresses. And that would go a long way in ensuring positive outcome. How do you rate government’s support and commitment to agriculture? As we stand today, because there are little alternatives, I think it is encouraging. It is encouraging. As stakeholders, we want consistency, we want much more engagement and we wantsupport in terms of finance and security and I’m sure Government is showing clearly remarkablesupport for the sector but I’m sure it can get better. What is your assessment of agric sector policy direction of the present administration when analysed within the context of the immediate past government’s? First and foremost, I want to thank the President of Nigeria and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service for assessing and taking a second look into stopping the initial approval of reopening land borders for rice coming into the country. Based on circular that came in October 2015, the government through the Comptroller General of NCS initially objected to our proposal on the ground that Nigeria should not ban rice from the neighbouring countries through land borders being a member of Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS. Secondly, they felt that the much needed revenue could come in through the land borders. But from experience, because we are stakeholders who have been in this business for years, we told them that they couldn’t manage the process

The apex bank has been supporting massively in the production of rice because hitherto production has been in comatose.

But the effort of CBN with the approval of the President will improve the sector. There has been a lot of improvement in rice production and most farmers are excited to produce rice today

of allowing rice to come through the land borders due to many unapproved routes that entered this country and Nigeria Customs doesn’t have the number of personnel and facilities to monitor those routes. Although NCS wanted to increase revenue through the borders, which was good intention; we knew the economy saboteurs would take advantage of the gesture, which they did. We made presentation to management of customs and now we are delighted that they have finally granted our request on land borders. After all, the rice we eat is per-boiled rice and our neighbouring countries don’t produce per-boiled rice. So, why are we bringing per-boiled rice to our country through the neighbouring countries that don’t produce it? They get the revenue from their ports while sending the rice to Nigeria. That is disincen-

Owoeye

tive to investors and rice farmers in the country. With the decision of the reverse order, we are happy that government is responsive to our cry and we believe that it will increase our capacity and production in the rice value chain. We have members of our association that are investors in rice production and have invested heavily in commercial rice plantation. We have state governments like Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano and Benue that have done so much work in reactivating and getting their rice farmers back to work. We have the CBN governor who has secured the permission of the President of the country to pursue the agro borrows programme that was in November last year, and we have N40 billion Central Bank investment in rice production across the varieties belt. The apex bank has been supporting massively in the pro-

duction of rice because hitherto production has been in comatose. But the effort of CBN with the approval of the President will improve the sector. There has been a lot of improvement in rice production and most farmers are excited to produce rice today. The rice millers in Kebbi state are fully operational; also rice millers are fully operational in other rice producing states. Because CBN is intervening in the sector and so, we at Elephant group, an input supply and processing company, are excited to be part of this. A lot of people are asking us question, when are we going to be self-sufficient in rice production in the country. With this kind intervention we are getting from CBN, massively intervention and support, single digit interest rate for rice production and processors, also with the kind of interventions we are getting from other financial institutions in the country and capital adequate the value chain stakeholders are putting to this sector; we believe that before the expiration of this current government, we will be close to self-sufficient, if this tempos are increased. How has your relationship, as an association, been with Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture been in terms of funding support? They give some of our value chain operators support but it depends on exactly what you need to know where to come in. Bank of Agriculture is getting much more vibrant in the game now, especially for refinancing input supply for the production. And with the empowerment from the CBN and other BOA’s shareholders, I’m sure the bank would have more capacity to undertake much more lending to the sector. And I’m aware that Bank of Industry and also Bank of Agriculture both have a product that cater for the youths who want to venture into agriculture/agribusiness but have no startup capital. They can approach them and get the fund in as much as they fulfill their requirements. Mechanised farming is a key to agricultural productivity generally but then Nigeria is yet to optimize mechanization opportunities. What do you think is responsible for this? If you go to the Northern part of the country, you will see those big planters and other equipment for mechanised farming. We practise mechanised farming Nigeria but not to the level that is expected, so we need more investors in that area. Having said that, we still need the small holder farmers to operate side by side on a sustainable basis because if we use mechanised farming alone for all the business, we are not going to achieve optimally in term of employment. So, there has to be a balance between the mechanised farmers and the small holder farmers.

Business News

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CSEA urges monetary authorities to review forex policy David Audu

he Center for the Study of Economies in Africa, CSEA, has advised the Nigerian monetary authorities to review the current foreign exchange policies in order to attract more investments to the economy. The Centre, in its latest monthly Nigerian Economic Update report which appraises developments in key economic sectors, The report, coming against the background of Morgan Stanley Capital International’s, MSCI, threat to delist the country from its Frontier Markets Index by April ending 2016, though it was not carried out, noted that given that Nigeria was previously removed from JP Morgan’s index in 2015 in similar circunstance, an additional exclusion from MSCI

world frontier market index will further reduce investors’ confidence, with its negative effects on the stock market. The CSEA therefore advised Nigerian monetary authorities on the need to revisit the current foreign exchange policies in order to only reverse the negative signals perceived by investors but to also restore confident that will stimulate investments. The report attributed the continued decline in foreign exchange against major world currencies, especially the dollars, to government increase of forex supply to manufacturers and oil marketers in order to encourage local production in an effort aimed at curbing the present fuel shortage experienced in the country. Also reflecting on the power sector during the period, the re-

Transcorp to acquire NNPC’s gas plants nationwide Richard Ndoma, Calabar

hairman of the Board of Directors of Transcorp Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu, at the weekend disclosed that plans had reach advanced stage on discussions between management of his corporation and that of NNPC on the planned buy over of that latter’s abandoned gas nationwide. This is even as he hinted that the gas plants when acquired by Transcorp would be re-streamed to achieve full capacity utilization and subsequent operations. Elumenu, who made these disclosures at the just concluded 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the corporation, commended its management for another successful business year. According to him, part of the plans of the Transcorp conglomerate is to invest more in power generation with the short term target of increasing the Group’s internal power generation from 300 to 800 megawatts to power their operations across the country from June this year. He, however, maintained that electricity had in the past affected operations of the corporation negatively, stressing that the board and management are left with no other option other than taking purchasing the NNPC gas plants for utilization. The Chairman said: “We are almost concluding discussions with management of NNPC to buy over their idle gas plants in the country. We want to revamp these plants to boost our internal power generation for our op-

erations. “We are doing this because power has been one of our greatest challenges both in our companies and our country. Revamping these idle plants will also enable our host communities have access to electric power. This move is part of our corporate social responsibility. “As a way of helping the country, we also encourage other blue chip firms to emulate our efforts in power generation because if we have power the national economy will grow”, Elumelu added. He recalled that Transcorp Power Ltd, which is an arm of the conglomerate, had acquired Ughelli Power Plc, one of six successor generation companies unbundled from Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

port noted that its analysis shows a decline in power generation in Nigeria by 8.5 percent from a peak of 3,675 mw to 3,362 mw between April 3, 2016 and April 10, 2016, noting that this record was however still below the 5,074.7 mw, the highest peak ever attained in the

country. The CSEA report noted further that the declining power supply, which has been attributed to vandalism of pipelines and gas shortages, has continued to distort economic activities in the country. “With the persistent fall in

L-R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Adenrele Adesina and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Bimbo Ashiru, during a press conference to unveil the 3rd edition of Ogun State Investors Forum held at Governor’s Office, Abeokuta yesterday.

Global financial services IT spending to hit $480bn Isaiah Erhiawarien

lobal financial services IT spending will reach almost $480 billion worldwide in 2016 with a five-year compound annual growth rate, CAGR, of 4.2 percent According to a series of new International Data Corporation, IDC, Financial Insights Worldwide IT spending guides, the new series of guides for banking, capital markets, insurance, and financial services risk serve

as an industry benchmark for consistent, detailed market data on the industry. The annual guides provide a profile of IT spending across more than 80 functional processes, and a variety of geographic regions, institution types, financial services segments, technology categories, and company size tiers. Senior Research Analyst, IDC Financial Insights, Karen Massey, in the report said that the corporation was excited to

SimbaPay raises single money transfer to Africa to $45,000

imbaPay is revolutionizing the remittance space through its official announcement of raising the single transaction limit to a whopping $45,000. This is substantially higher than the previous transaction limit of $3,000. This increased transfer limit raises the bar for digital transaction providers to the African continent According to Victor Karanja, Head of Operations at SimbaPay, sending money home and buying property across Africa has just become a whole lot easier. “A pain point for customers in the past has been having to undertake multiple transfers to complete a single purchase.” “A key risk with multiple transfers was exchange rate fluctuation. Sending up to $45,000 with

electricity generation, the possibility of attaining the targeted 10,000 mw by 2019 seems unattainable, and advised government that identifying a clear strategy towards increasing power generation and curbing vandalism is urgently needed.

just our mobile app will protect senders from the fluctuation that arises when one splits up the transfer,” said Karanja. African immigrants in the European countries can now easily complete larger purchases in Africa such as that of property, vehicles and paying large hospital bills or university fees via the SimbaPay app. As an incentive to users, SimbaPay money transfers of more than $3,000 will also automatically qualify for the daily SimbaPayDiscounted Exchange Rates. With the Discounted Exchange Rate, a user gets to transfer money at a more favourable exchange rate than the standard SimbaPay exchange rate. EU based Africans will now be able to send large amounts of money back home instantly and free of charge.

Money transferred via the service to Africa is credited instantly at the destination mobile money wallet, merchant or bank account. “What further sets SimbaPay apart from other money transfer services is that the App can do more than just send money directly to mobile money services such as M-Pesa. SimbaPay can also send money to bank accounts in Africa and to Pay Bill merchants such as schools and utility companies,” said Karanja. The app’s higher transaction limit is immediately available on all SimbaPay platforms including iPhone, iPad, Android and Web. In 2015, SimbaPay was named the Overall Winner at the prestigious Demo Africa 2015. SimbaPay also launched free, instant transfers to all Nigerian banks last year.

introduce a different view of U.S. financial services spending on 3rd Platform technologies covering cloud, mobile and big data/ analytics. “These foundational components of digital transformation (DX), have significantly impacted IT budgets in 2016. Forward thinking financial institutions understand the value of leveraging these technologies to better meet the demands of performance, efficiency, compliance, and competition.”, Massey said. Key highlights of the new spending guides include IT spending forecasts for banking, capital markets and insurance to reflect the significance of these technologies in financial services. According to IDC, banking IT spending accounts for the largest portion of financial services IT spending at more than $275 billion worldwide, as well as delivering the largest growth at 4.5 percent adding that financial services risk management will reach $85 billion worldwide in 2016 across the three sectors, with a growth rate of more than seven percent. The report showed that overall, worldwide IT spend is growing, with a 4.5 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the 2014–2019 period, adjusted up from 4.4 percent forecast in 2H15. Regional forecasts consider unique and differing conditions.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Business News

Why flight delays, cancellations persist –Stakeholders Olusegun Koiki

takeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry have identified technical and economic factors as some of the reasons why flight delays and cancellations continue in the sector despite the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to curb the act in the country. The President of Aviation Round Table, ART, Elder Gabriel Olowo in an interview with our correspondent said that technical snags on aircraft, poor fleet size of an airline, extremely poor weather and even Very Important Persons, VIPs, movement could cause delays or at times cancellation of flights. Olowo hinted that aircraft snags if not immediately known could hamper safety, which may lead to avoidable air accident, stressing that this could lead to flight delays or cancellations depending on the magnitude of the snag. While noting that a flight could be cancelled if the aircraft remained unserviceable after two to three hours 2-3 hours, the industry player also identified poor fleet size to replace unserviceable

aircraft at any one time and late arrival of operating aircraft from previous service as some of the reasons why flights could be delayed or cancelled by an airline. He explained that it was pertinent for airline operators in such circumstances to constantly brief and update passengers to avert speculations and possible unrest among them. Olowo said: “There are also standard practices on what to do as delays get extended and may be eventually cancelled. This ranges from light refreshment after an hour or so to a full meal ( lunch or dinner depending ) after about three hours or to the hotel for overnight stay in the event of 24 hours delay with all layover expenses paid. “This may not be necessary at the point of flight origin if cancellation is determined in good time to allow passengers return home, but definitely so at transit points.” The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Centurion Securities, Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) in his own view said the regulatory agency, NCAA was happy that someone was keeping tabs on the inadequacies and carelessness of airlines, but queried the efficiency of the

agency to properly regulate the airlines. Ojikutu noted that the air travellers had not been protected enough by NCAA especially when theairline abruptly delay or cancel flights without notice. He also said that the regulatory body should, instead of rolling out figures, busy themselves with the cause of these delays and cancellations to aid in reducing them to the barest minimum, stating that

some of the cancellations may be traced to safety. “Situations where the numbers of flight delays are more than 50 per cent of the total number of scheduled flights within certain period should be worrisome. So also are the delays, which are more than 10 per cent of the daily schedules. The regulator should worry more about the causes of these cancellations and delays than roll-

ing out the figures, which showed an average of more than 2,500 cancellation every month or over 80 cancellations in a day. “This should not be acceptable in the industry that prides itself with encomium of Category One Status and a success in recent International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Audit. To me, some of these cancellations and delays could be traceable to safety issues”, he added.

Heritage Bank partners Oyo State on economic initiatives GTbank’s boss tasks banks on SMEs’ devt

L-R: Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mr. Bamidele Ajayi; Executive Chairman FIRS, Mr Tunde Fowler and Chairman Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate the accounting procedures of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Hon. Michael Eyong during an Investigative Hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday.

n line with the current drive by the government to diversify the economic and revenue base of the country, Heritage Bank and Oyo State Government have gone into a multi-billion naira partnership to revive agriculture and boost agro-allied businesses in the state. Tagged, Oyo State Agricultural Initiative, OYSAI, the state government announced that the project is part of its revolution in the agricultural sector and a massive empowerment programme for both youth and women across the state. A statement by the bank’s Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe, quoted the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at the launching of the project in Paago Village, along Igboho – Okeho road, last week as saying that the state has “successfully secured a viable partnership with some private investors and financial institutions to back up the project in the areas of poultry development, rice production and processing along the value chain.” The governor thanked Heritage Bank and other partners for electing to support the project aimed at diversifying the state economy and drive self-sustainability by adding value to the lives of about one million beneficiaries. He added that the proj-

ect will also reposition the state as the food basket of Nigeria and generate massive revenue for economic emancipation. “Farming is attractive; we want to make it more attractive. The programme will create jobs, wealth and socio-economic productivity. It will link agriculture to small business and manufacturing. The programme will also improve the lot of women, youth and small scale businesses,” Ajimobi said.

Niyi Jacobs

he Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, has called on all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the country to support the development of the small and medium scale enterprises in the country. Agbaje, who gave the charge at the weekend during the unveiling of the GTBank Food

& Drink fair event, which was held in Lagos, advised the affected banks to prioritise growth of SMEs in their operations in view of their strategic roles in nation’s economic development. He stressed that strengthen the growth of the small scale businesses in Nigeria will definitely yield to the economic transformation that all have being yearning for. Agbaje said: “For GTBank,

US Court dismisses case against FATCA disclosures

he US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has dismissed a case brought by Senator Rand Paul (R – Kentucky) and a group of individuals, who attempted to make several challenges to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). The case, Mark Crawford, et al vs. United States Department of the Treasury, et al (No. 3:15CV-00250), sought to stop the enforcement of both the intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) negotiated by the US Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with other foreign jurisdictions to enforce

FATCA, and also the account reporting requirements of both FATCA and FBAR. FATCA, enacted by the US Congress in 2010, requires all financial institutions (FIs) outside of the United States to submit regular information to the IRS on financial accounts held by US persons with a value of at least USD50,000. Otherwise, certain payments of US-sourced income face a 30 percent withholding tax. An FBAR must be filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by American taxpayers who have one or more bank or financial account located outside the United States, or signature authority over such accounts, whose aggregate value exceeds USD10,000 at

any time. In their introduction to the case, the plaintiffs stated that the FATCA and FBAR “laws and agreements impose unique and discriminatory burdens on US citizens living and working abroad,” and that “the challenged provisions are unconstitutional and the defendants [Treasury, IRS and FinCEN] should be enjoined from enforcing them.” The plaintiffs called IGAs unconstitutional, as they had not been submitted to the US Senate for its advice, consent or approval, while they also “nullify the right of individuals to refuse to waive foreign privacy laws that would otherwise prohibit their banks from disclosing their account information to the IRS.”

we are incredibly excited to showcase the diverse culinary mosaic that Nigeria uniquely offers to the world as a prime destination for food enthusiasts from around the world. “In addition to showcasing the wide array of Nigeria’s culinary community as well as the richness of Africa’s cuisine, GTBank is putting the fair together in order to help the SMEs in the country”, he added. According to him, the fair will reinforce the bank’s commitment in supporting small business and promoting the bank’s rich heritage. The first GTBank Food & Drink is a 2-day event, which is designed to showcase Nigeria’s emerging food industry as well as offer a wide variety of cuisines, such that attendees will be able to taste their way around the world. The fair will be headline by two critically acclaimed international chefs: Marcus Samuelsson and Raphael Duntoye. Ethiopian born and Swedish raised, Marcus Samuelsson is a James Beard Awardwinning chef, New York Times bestselling author, and a judge for the highly rated TV show CHOPPED.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Commerce & Industry

Epina to train youths on ceramic manufacturing ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

pina Technologies Limited is set to develop entrepreneurial skills along ceramics value chains by organising a training session for the youths as way of reducing unemployment in the country. Speaking on the training, which would be held this month at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, FIIRO, Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Professor Patrick Oaikhinan, said the training would expose the participants to the rudiment of ceramics production as they would also be able to set up their own businesses along its value chain. Oaikhinan, who noted that ceramics was a sector which has been underexploited in the country, said it became necessary to organising such training in the ceramics industry in order to develop the sector to its potential, develop local production and put end to importation of ceramics into the country.

He disclosed that despite its wider application, ceramics seemed to get little attention of investors in the country due to lack of required skills of its production. He explained that the would-be entrepreneurs need little capital and small space to start production, adding that there were varieties of things they could produce at the back of their houses including jewelries and home utensils. He said: “The use of ceramic materials across a variety of applications has grown exponentially in recent years. The widespread adoption of ceramic materials across a multitude of industries and applications, including transportation, communication, energy and manufacturing requires the supply chain to meet a plethora of end user requirements. In order to meet the growing production capacity required across disparate applications, the industry must drive innovation in manufacturing and nurture a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

“Epina Technologies Limited is offering unique three days practical training in ceramics - a virtual programme bringing together all the resources from industry and education to provide expert advice and training to help our attendees on their way to an exciting career. “Our trainers share their specialist knowledge and resources on raw materials processing to ensure that essential knowledge and skills are passed to future generations, enabling them to make significant contributions towards an ever more vibrant and forward-thinking industry”, the industrialist added. The retired university don and specialist in ceramic engineering said that he was baffled seeing some of those he lectured about 16 years ago still looking for job, adding that this ugly situation made him to resign from class and establish a business in ceramics and train people the real practical of ceramics production.

Oaikhinan

According to him, with just few days training, the participants would be able to establish their own manufacturing business in ceramics and become employers of labour rather than seeking employments. He therefore appealed to especially the unemployed youths to attend the training.

U.S. manufacturing shows signs of stability

acob Bailey conducts assembly work on an SUV chassis at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Arlington, Texas June 9, 2015. Reuters/Mike Stone U.S. factory activity expanded at a more moderate pace in April due in part to a slowdown in new orders, but a rise in export orders to a near 1-1/2-year high and signs an inventory overhang drag was fading offered hope for the manufacturing sector. Another report on Monday showed construction spending rose to an 8-1/2-year high in March and the prior month’s outlays were revised higher, implying a small upward revision to the first quarter’s pedestrian growth rate. “Manufacturing is moving forward but we have the tortoise, not the hare in this race,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors in Holland, Pennsylvania. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activi-

Small scale ceramic work

BoI reiterates support for MSMEs ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Bank of Industry, BoI, has reiterated its support for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, in the country. Speaking at an SME forum recently, the Acting Managing Director of the Bank Waheed Olagunju said that most of the policies of the bank were aimed at economic empowerment of entrepreneurs. He noted that in the past year, the bank, mindful of its vision, had repositioned to fulfill its set goals in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. He said that in order to serve its customers

better, the bank was leveraging on Information Communications Technology (ICT). “We cannot be everywhere. We leverage on ICT to get to our customers. Now you don’t need to get to our offices. Through ICT, our customers can access our service offerings online. We also have SME customer hub on our website,’’ Olagunju said. He said that the bank was passionate about youth development programmes, noting that it was introducing segmented products to meet the needs of youths. On partnership with Development Finance Institutions, the bank boss said that BoI now had a line of credit funds from the African Development Bank to assist export-based SMEs

ty slipped to 50.8 last month from a reading of 51.8 in March. Despite the fall, April marked the second straight month of expansion and was also the second highest reading in the last eight months. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for 12 percent of the U.S. economy. Economists had forecast the ISM manufacturing index dipping to 51.4 last month. Manufacturing has been hurt by weak export growth stemming from a strong dollar and soft global demand. The sector has also been hammered by relentless aggressive spending cuts in the energy sector in the aftermath of last year’s plunge in oil prices. Efforts by businesses to reduce an inventory overhang have resulted in fewer factory orders, leading to further erosion in the manufacturing sector. U.S. stocks were trading higher on Monday, while prices for U.S. Treasuries fell. The dollar .DXY weakened against a basket of currencies. (Source – Reuters.com)

Reckitt Benckiser admits selling deadly sterilisers in South Korea

ritish-based firm Reckitt Benckiser has admitted for the first time selling a humidifier disinfectant that killed about 100 people in South Korea. The head of its South Korean division was attacked by angry relatives as he apologised at a Seoul hotel. Reckitt Benckiser is among several firms whose products are blamed for the deaths. It has offered compensation to the families of those who died, as well as the hundreds more who were injured. Reckitt Benckiser withdrew its product from the market after South Korean authorities suggested a link between chemicals to sterilise humidifiers and lung conditions in 2011. “This is the first time we are accepting

the fullest responsibility, and we are offering a complete and full apology. We were late, five years have passed,” Ataur Safdar said. He added that the company was setting up a multi-million dollar humanitarian fund for the victims and their families. Many are said to be children or pregnant women. His apology was rejected by relatives at the news conference, at least one of whom hit him shortly after he took to the stage, and he was jostled and heckled. About 500 people are reported to have died or been injured after inhaling poisonous chemicals used in humidifier disinfectants manufactured and sold by several companies in South Korea from 2001 to 2011. (Source – bbc.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Chevron reports $725m loss in Q1 36

Oil prices may rise on nonOPEC membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; supply cut35

Epina to train youths on ceramic manufacturing 32

Tasking FG on Ogoniland clean up, five years after UNEP report

Despite the completion of United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, report in 2011, the clean-up of the Ogoniland has been delayed, thus fueling anxieties in the area. UDEME AKPAN who investigated the subject, reports that stakeholders have tasked the Federal Government to provide details of remedial plans and how it intends to implement them.

he Ogoniland, comprising of about 1.5 million inhabitants in Rivers State, and its extension to other parts of the Niger Delta has been in lingering crisis because of commercial oil and gas production activities which come with environmental problems. The completion of work on the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP report in 2011 was expected to assist in finding solutions to the complex challenges which fuels crises and instability for some reasons. First, the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland covered contaminated land, groundwater, surface water, sediment, vegetation, air pollution, public health, industry practices and institutional issues. Second, the report probably constituted one of the best guides to not only understanding but also tackling of the environment and related issues in the area. The approaches were also said to be very

comprehensive. For instance, UNEP identified 69 sites for detailed soil and groundwater investigations. The project team examined more than 5,000 medical records and staged 264 formal community meetings in Ogoniland attended by over 23,000 people. The samples were collected following internationally accepted sample management procedures and dispatched for analysis to accredited (ISO 17025) laboratories in Europe. Specifically, field observations and scien-

tific investigations showed that oil contamination in Ogoniland was widespread and severely impacting many components of the environment. The team found out that even though the oil and gas operations were not ongoing in the area, oil spills continued to occur with alarming regularity. The report disclosed that any delay in cleaning up an oil spill leads to oil being washed away, traversing farmland and almost always ending up in the creeks. It main-

Specifically, field observations and scientific investigations showed that oil contamination in

Ogoniland was widespread and severely impacting many components of the environment. The team found out that even though the oil and gas operations were not ongoing in the area, oil spills continued to occur with alarming regularity

tained that when oil reaches the root zone, crops and other plants begin to experience stress and can die, and this is a routine observation in Ogoniland. The report indicated that overlapping authorities and responsibilities between ministries and a lack of resources within key agencies has serious implications for environmental management on the- ground, including enforcement. It maintained that remote sensing revealed the rapid proliferation in the past two years of artisanal refining, whereby crude oil is distilled in makeshift facilities. UNEP also reported that this illegal activity was endangering lives and causing pockets of environmental devastation in Ogoniland and neighbouring areas and concluded that pollution of soil by petroleum hydrocarbons in Ogoniland is extensive in land areas, sediments and swampland. It maintained that most of the contamination was from crude oil although contamination by refined product was found at three locations. The report maintained that at twothirds of the contaminated land sites close to oil industry facilities which were assessed in detail, the soil contamination exceeds Nigerian national standards, as set out in the Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industries in Nigeria (EGASPIN). CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tasking FG on Ogoniland clean up, five years after UNEP report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 It added that at 41 sites, the hydrocarbon pollution has reached the groundwater at levels in excess of the Nigerian standards as per the EGASPIN legislation. Expectedly, the study culminated in major conclusions. For instance, it concluded that the environmental restoration of Ogoniland is possible but may take 25 to 30 years. It stressed that the report contains numerous recommendations that, once implemented, will have an immediate and positive impact on Ogoniland. The report maintained that further recommendations have longer timelines that will bring lasting improvements for Ogoniland and Nigeria as a whole. It disclosed that the hydraulic connection between contaminated land and creeks has important implications for the sequence of remediation to be carried out. The report stated that until the land-based contamination has been dealt with, it will be futile to begin a clean-up of the creeks. “Due to the wide extent of contamination in Ogoniland and nearby areas, and the varying degrees of degradation, there will not be one single clean-up technique appropriate for the entire area. A combination of approaches will therefore need to be considered, ranging from active intervention for cleaning the top soil and replanting mangrove to passive monitoring of natural regeneration. Practical action at the regulatory, operational and monitoring levels is also proposed. It is recommended that the restoration of mangroves be viewed as a large-scale pilot project in which multiple approaches to clean-up and restoration, once proven, can be replicated elsewhere as needed in the Niger Delta. “The report identifies eight emergency measures which, from a duty of care point of view, warrant immediate action. Immediate steps must be taken to prevent existing contaminated sites from being secondary sources of ongoing contamination while further risk assessments and investigations are undertaken for detailed planning of the clean-up of Ogoniland during a recommended Transition Phase. All sources of ongoing contamination, including the artisanal refining which is currently ongoing in the creeks, must be brought to a swift end before the clean-up of the creeks, sediments and mangroves can begin. “A campaign in Ogoniland to end illegal oil related activities should be jointly conducted by the government, oil companies and local authorities. It should include an awareness component highlighting the disproportionate environmental footprint of artisanal refining (borne by all sections of the community) and spell out training, employment and livelihood incentives that will encourage people away from participating in this illegal activity. Clean-up activities of the mangroves and soil should not be initiated before all possible measures are taken to stop ongoing pollution from reaching the creeks. The most extensive area in terms of treatment of contamination will be the topsoil from the swamplands. The two main options are manual cleaning of contaminated topsoil and low pressure water jetting. A portable facility which can be fixed on a barge, move through the bigger creeks and act as a base for decontamination crews should be consid-

Idabor

Mohammed

ered.” However, the implementation of the report was delayed for over four years. The reason was not farfetched. Investigations showed that the Federal Government did not put in place adequate measures to kick-start the clean-up of the area. A source in the ministry of environment noted that the clean-up was expected to be driven by the government that was also expected to provide substantial funds. He said although Shell had operated in the area, the company was not expected to bear the total burden of cleaning Ogoniland. In any case, Shell indicated in its latest report that in 2006 the Federal Government of Nigeria commissioned the UNEP to carry out an environmental assessment of Ogoniland. The company disclosed that field work commenced in 2009 and UNEP delivered its report to the government in August 2011. “The report highlighted significant environmental impacts from oil pollution in parts of Ogoniland relating to a variety of causes. It called on the Nigerian government, the oil and gas industry and communities to begin a comprehensive clean-up of the region and take coordinated action to end all forms of illegal oil bunkering, crude theft and artisanal refining of stolen crude oil causing oil contamination in Ogoniland. Most of UNEP’s recommendations – including the creation of an environmental restoration fund – were directed at the Federal Government and re-

quire it to take the lead in coordinating the activities of the numerous stakeholders involved. The report also contained a number of findings and recommendations relating specifically to SPDC as operator of the SPDC JV.” “SPDC has initiated and progressed action to implement all the recommendations directed to it by the UNEP report. The 15 SPDC JV sites specifically mentioned in the UNEP report have been re-assessed, and where further remediation was required due to re-pollution incidents, such sites have been remediated and certified by regulators. SPDC has completed an inventory and physical verification of assets for de-commissioning and has performed a comprehensive review of its remediation techniques, and made a number of changes in line with industry best practice. SPDC JV has also shown leadership by delivering the emergency measures identified in the report related to drinking water in collaboration with Rivers State Government. Accelerating implementation of the UNEP recommendations was identified as a priority by the newly elected Buhari administration in 2015. In August 2015, a roadmap was agreed between the government, UNEP and SPDC JV, which included a governance model and funding framework for the Ogoni Restoration Fund recommended by the UNEP. In May 2014 Ogoni communities took direct responsibility for monitoring the TNP un-

The action our government took to implement UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days

ahead.

Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the Government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region

der a series of agreements using the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model, the primary delivery mechanism for SPDC JV social investment projects since 2006. Under these new Ogoni GMoUs, SPDC JV provides funding to support unarmed community patrols which report incursions and suspicious activity directly to the security forces,” it added. But the implementation of the report may not be delayed much longer as the Minister of Environment; Mrs. Amina Muhammed had disclosed the commitment of the government launch the project on June 2, 2016. Represented by Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman, the minister had said the visit to Port Harcourt was to seek the collaboration of all stakeholders in the cleanup exercise. As she puts it: “The programme is expected to be launched on June 2, it has been designed to be driven by all stakeholders in the region. The essence of this is to ensure that the people of Ogoni and the region at large benefitted from the process.” President Muhammadu Buhari had also reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta which have been damaged by crude oil spillage. Speaking during a visit to the United Nations Office in the Kenyan capital, President Buhari had urged the United Nations to give more support for his administration’s efforts to clean up the region. “When I came into office on 29th May 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for the clean-up of Ogoni land. The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihoods and is clearly one of the reasons why many people in that region lost faith in government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Oil prices may rise on non-OPEC members’ supply cut STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

rices of crude oil may continue to leap in the global oil market as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries; OPEC has predicted that supplies from non-member states would drop at 0.73 million barrels per day, mbd. The organisation indicated in its latest report that the fall would amount to an average 56.39 million barrels per day, mbd. “In 2016, the expected contraction in non-OPEC oil supply will be slightly more than forecast, with output falling by 0.73 mb/d to average 56.39 mb/d.” “OPEC NGL production is expected to grow by 0.17 mb/d in 2016, up from 0.15 mb/d last year, unchanged from the previous report.” “In March, OPEC crude production increased by 15 tb/d to average 32.25 mb/d, according to secondary sources, it added. However, the recent European Union - OPEC energy dialogue noted with concern that the current price environment has considerably reduced investments. It maintained that such a massive fall in investment could in time lead to a supply shortfall and the risk of a sharp oil price rebound, as has been witnessed in the past. The dialogue noted that although producers and consumers might have different views on what an adequate oil price level is; there was broad agreement that excessive oil price volatility and/or sharp price rises would be harmful for the economies of both the producing and consuming countries. It observed that an affordable and stable oil price, alongside a balanced and

stable market, is a prerequisite for economic growth for both producers and consumers. The dialogue said both the EU and OPEC recognised that through the Energy Dialogue and through initiatives in other global fora and organisations, cooperation should be enhanced, as should understanding of the behaviour of energy and oil markets, something which is important to helping achieve future oil market stability. It disclosed that the adoption in December 2015 of the ‘Paris Agreement’ to combat climate change was welcomed by both sides. It emphasized that lower crude oil prices mainly reflect the ongoing excess crude oil supply over global demand. The dialogue said that the positive impacts of low oil prices on oil demand in major growth regions remain intact in both the OECD and non-OECD regions. It disclosed that expected oil demand growth in 2016 is in line with the average seen over the last three years. The dialogue said that on the supply side, lower oil prices have reversed the strong growth trend in non-OPEC supply into an expected contraction in 2016. It noted however, that over the previous three years, non-OPEC supply has increased significantly while on average there was no growth in OPEC crude supply. The dialogue highlighted that energy demand will increase by almost 50per cent in the period up to 2040, with oil remaining the fuel with the largest share over the next 20 years. It maintained that oil demand reaches

El-Badri

almost 110 mb/d by 2040, with developing countries accounting for most of the growth. The dialogue said that on the supply side, total non-OPEC supply is expected to increase in the next decade, but declines towards the end of the projection period. It disclosed that OPEC crude supply is anticipated to increase steadily which underscores once again the need for future investments in the industry. “However, it was stressed that the Outlook is clouded with uncertainties stemming, in particular, from economic growth and non-OPEC supply prospects.” “The EU side presented the latest developments in EU energy policies, focusing on the Communication on the State of the Energy Union of November 2015 and the ‘Security of Supply Package’ adopted by the Commission on 16 February 2016,” it added.

NNPC to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed its readiness to take practical steps toward ensuring low carbon emissions in its operations in line with the global Paris agreement in December 2015. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu made this commitment during a one-day implementation workshop of the Oil and Gas Sector inputs to Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. Represented by the Chief Operating Officer Corporate Services, Mr. Isa Inuwa, the Minister said the time has come for all hands to be on deck to combat climate change and unleash actions and investment towards low carbon emissions, resilient and sustainable future as was agreed by 195 nations in Paris last year. “The New Climate Treaty puts an end

to the strict differentiation between developed and developing countries under a common framework that commits all countries to put forward their best effort to curb Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and to strengthen such efforts in the years ahead,” Kachikwu informed. According to him, the Paris agreement requires that all parties report regularly on their emissions reduction status, implementation efforts and a readiness for international review. He disclosed that the Paris agreement is a universal legal instrument under the United Nations which opened for signature this month, April 2016, and will come to force in January 2020 once the first 55 parties, covering at least 55% of global emissions have signed up. Kachikwu noted that a proven way to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions

in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas operations is to capture the otherwise flared gas and use it for productive purposes within the economy under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). “The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a process I will prefer to entitle, “Oil and Gas Sector Carbon Initiative” which will be launched in all NNPC formations in due course, and I urge our business partners to do same in their various Organizations as well,” the Minister advised. On her part, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed represented by Dr. Yerima Tafa encouraged the NNPC to collaborate with other players in the Oil and Gas sector to mitigate Greenhouse Gas emissions stressing that Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change due to the activities in

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

44.70

-1.22

-2.66%

12:29 PM

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

45.90

-1.47

-3.10%

12:30 PM

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

29,130.00

-460.00

-1.55%

12:29 PM

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.08

-0.09

-4.36%

12:29 PM

Source: Bloomberg as at May 2, 2016

various sectors of the economy. Speaking in a similar vein, the Senate Committee Chairman on Ecology and Climate Change, Sen. Buka Abba Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to strengthen national institutions and mechanisms to establish a sustainable and functional framework for climate change governance. Earlier, the Group General Manager, Frontier Exploratory Service and Renewable Energy Division, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman informed that the NNPC will work-handin-hand with its Joint Venture partners to ensure that Greenhouse Gas emissions is reduced to the barest minimum. The One-day workshop drew participants from the National Assembly, International Oil Companies in Nigeria and experts on climate change. It would be recalled that at the 21st edition of the United Nations Conference of the parties (COP21) in Paris, December 2015, Heads of Governments, including President Muhammadu Buhari agreed to a New Climate Treaty and committed to take actions to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2 degree Celsius this century.

Energy Week

Halliburton, Baker terminate merger pact

alliburton Company and Baker Hughes have announced that the companies had terminated the merger agreement they entered into in November 2014, effective April 30, 2016. “While both companies expected the proposed merger to result in compelling benefits to shareholders, customers and other stakeholders, challenges in obtaining remaining regulatory approvals and general industry conditions that severely damaged deal economics led to the conclusion that termination is the best course of action,” said Dave Lesar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton. “I sincerely thank both our employees as well as the Baker Hughes employees for their tireless efforts throughout the regulatory review process. While disappointing, Halliburton remains strong. We are the execution company – our strategy, technologies and service quality are focused on helping customers maximize production at the lowest cost and driving industry leading growth, margins and returns.” “Today’s outcome is disappointing because of our strong belief in the vast potential of the business combination to deliver benefits for shareholders, customers and both companies’ employees,” said Martin Craighead, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baker Hughes. “This was an extremely complex, global transaction and, ultimately, a solution could not be found to satisfy the antitrust concerns of regulators, both in the United States and abroad. As we turn the page on this chapter, I want to thank our customers for their patience and continued loyalty over the past 18 months. I also want to thank the entire Baker Hughes team for their unwavering dedication and commitment during this process. Baker Hughes is strongly positioned to build on its foundation and heritage as a technology innovator that differentiates for our customers and delivers compelling value to shareholders.” In connection with the termination of the merger agreement, Halliburton will pay Baker Hughes the termination fee of $3.5 billion by Wednesday, May 4, 2016. Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Baker targets $500m savings to stabilize operations UDEME AKPAN

aker Hughes has concluded plans to save $500 million in its new cost cutting measures introduced to stabilise operations of the company. The company confirmed in a statement that it has taken steps to remove significant costs that were retained in compliance with the former merger agreement. It indicated that in addition to removing those previously disclosed costs, the company is evaluating broader structural changes to further significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency, which will allow it to better serve the rapidly shifting global market. The company disclosed that the initial phase of the cost reduction efforts is expected to result in $500 million of annualised savings by the end of 2016. It said that as it seeks to further capitalize on its leadership position as a product innovator, the company is evolving its go-to-market

strategy to align with a changing marketplace and maximize its return on invested capital. The company will be rationalising where it provides its current full-service model and will build a broader range of global sales channels for select countries, including tailored operating models. It maintained that these new channels will allow Baker Hughes to take its products to market more efficiently and participate differently in existing markets with lower investment and fewer risks. The company disclosed that in an effort to improve its return on invested capital the company has decided to retain a selective footprint in its U.S. onshore pressure pumping business, while preserving the flexibility to expand for the right opportunities. It maintained that this approach will allow the company to achieve cash-positive operations in a capitalintensive segment that is expected to remain challenging due to overcapacity, commoditised pricing and

Oil storage tank

low barriers to entry. It said that the company also is taking actions to optimize its capital structure to achieve the right balance between returning capital to shareholders, maintaining strong investment grade ratings and having the necessary cash to fund cost efficiency initiatives, while preserving

its financial flexibility. The company disclosed that as part of these plans, the company intends to buy back shares totaling $1.5 billion and debt totaling $1 billion, from proceeds of the $3.5 billion breakup fee. It disclosed that in addition, the company intends to refinance its $2.5 billion credit facility, which expires in September 2016.

Chevron reports $725m loss in first quarter

hevron Corporation has reported a loss of $725 million for first quarter 2016, compared with earnings of $2.6 billion in the 2015 first quarter. The company disclosed in a statement that foreign currency effects decreased earnings in the 2016 quarter by $319 million, compared with an increase of $580 million a year earlier. It maintained that sales and other operating revenues in first quarter 2016 were $23 billion, compared to $32 billion in the year-ago period. “First quarter results declined from a year ago,” said Chairman and CEO John Watson. “Our Upstream business was impacted by a more than 35 percent decline in crude oil prices. Our Downstream operations continued to perform well, although overall industry conditions and margins this quarter were weaker than a year ago.”

Oil pipeline

“Our efforts are focused on improving free cash flow,” Watson stated. “We are controlling our spend and getting key projects under construction online, which will boost revenues. We announced first LNG production and first cargo shipment from Train 1 at the Gorgon Project in March. Production from the Angola LNG plant is imminent and a cargo shipment is expected in May. Earlier in the year, we started up production at the Chuandongbei Project in China, and we continue to ramp up production in the Permian Basin and elsewhere.” “We continue to lower our cost structure with better pricing, work flow efficiencies and matching our organizational size to expected future activity levels,” Watson added. “Our capital spending is coming down. We are moving our focus to highreturn, shorter-cycle projects and pacing longer-cycle investments.”

It disclosed that worldwide net oilequivalent production was 2.67 million barrels per day in first quarter 2016, compared with 2.68 million barrels per day in the 2015 first quarter. The company maintained that production increases from project rampups in the United States, Nigeria and other areas, and production entitlement effects in several locations were offset by the Partitioned Zone shut-in and normal field declines. It stated that U.S. upstream operations incurred a loss of $850 million in first quarter 2016 compared to a loss of $460 million from a year earlier. The company noted that the decrease was due to lower crude oil and natural gas realizations, partially offset by lower operating expenses. It maintained that the company’s average sales price per barrel of crude oil and natural gas liquids was $26 in first quarter 2016, down from $43 a year ago. Chevron disclosed that the average sales price of natural gas was $1.32 per thousand cubic feet, compared with $2.27 in last year’s first quarter. It stated that net oil-equivalent production of 701,000 barrels per day in first quarter 2016 was up 2,000 barrels per day from a year earlier. The company said production increases due to project ramp-ups in the Gulf of Mexico, the Marcellus Shale in western Pennsylvania, and the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico were mostly offset by maintenance-related downtime in the Gulf of Mexico, normal field declines and the effect of asset sales.

It maintained that the net liquids component of oil-equivalent production in first quarter 2016 was essentially unchanged at 490,000 barrels per day, while net natural gas production increased 1 percent to 1.27 billion cubic feet per day. The company disclosed that international upstream operations incurred a loss of $609 million in first quarter 2016 compared with earnings of $2.02 billion a year earlier. It disclosed that the decrease was due to lower crude oil and natural gas realizations, the absence of a first quarter 2015 reduction in statutory tax rates in the United Kingdom, and lower gains on asset sales. The company maintained that partially offsetting these effects were higher liftings and lower exploration expenses. Foreign currency effects decreased earnings by $298 million in the 2016 quarter, compared with an increase of $522 million a year earlier. It disclosed that the average sales price for crude oil and natural gas liquids in first quarter 2016 was $29 per barrel, down from $46 a year earlier. Chevron said that the average price of natural gas was $3.91 per thousand cubic feet, compared with $5.01 in last year’s first quarter. It disclosed that net oil-equivalent production of 1.97 million barrels per day in first quarter 2016 decreased 17,000 barrels per day, or 1 percent, from a year ago.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

From The Civil Service Concern mounts over cut in 2016 polio budget Marcus Fatunmole Abuja

on-governmental organisations leading campaigns on wellbeing of children in the country have kicked against reduction in budget for polio immunisation in the country. The protest came few days after chairman of the National Immunization Financing Task Team (NIFT), Dr. Ben Anyene, frowned at the slash of this year immunisation budget by the National Assembly. Anyene had advised that the country should find alternative means to funding its immunisation programmes rather than cut budgets for it. According to him, immunisation remains the only sustainable way of keeping children in the country healthy and alive. He reminded that international donors were already set to withdraw aids which were being used for vaccination of children in the country. In its recent message, the NGOs, led by Partnership

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Fola Adeyemi; Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Oluwatoyin Suarau and Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Securities, Mr. Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni at a Press briefing on Rice Production in Lagos State and the issue of Oko-Baba Sawmiller, during the 2016 Ministerial Press briefing by Ministry of Health in Commemoration of the One year in office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Lagos Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday. Photo: BodeAgbede for Advocacy in Child and Family Health in Nigeria Project, PACFaH, said in a release made available to National Mirror last Monday that the action of the National Assembly would negatively impact efforts

NITDA, others challenge girls on ICT Marcus Fatunmole Abuja

cting DirectorGeneral/Chief Executive Officer of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has challenged girls in the country to develop keen interest in Information and Communication Technology, ICT, as one of the established areas of knowledge where they could make huge contributions to their societies.

Olatunji said ICT had become an integral part of human life, possessing great potentials for job and wealth creation, high increase in standard of living and better service delivery. According to him, women in ICT are not redundant, and could not be easily pushed out of their jobs during economic recession. Speaking at the commemoration of International Girls in ICT Day in Abuja recently, he said girls should engage in Continued on Page 39>>

NOA harps on Made-in-Nigerian goods patronage

that had been committed into immunisation against polio and other immunisation programmes in the country, and in nations still battling with the disease worldwide. The statement signed by the national coordinator of

PACFaH, Dr. Judith AnnWalker, said while countries were intensifying efforts towards eradicating polio, Nigeria could not begin to reduce its commitments to eradicate the disease not only from the country, but from African continent that

Health ministry partners NSIA on healthcare investment Chidi Ugwu

Abuja

he Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund have announced the launch of a comprehensive healthcare investment programme covering all six geo-political regions of the country. NSIA’s Communications Adviser, Titilope Olubiyi, in a statement noted that the aim of the investment programme was to catalyse private sector investment to

bridge the healthcare infrastructure gap, contribute to the reduction of the disease burden and facilitate improvement of healthcare in the country. In addition, the programme aims to reverse the outflow of the over US$1billion per year spent by Nigerians on medical tourism. The healthcare projects are being developed by the NSIA, in partnership with Federal Government Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres located in each of the six geo-political zones of the country. Under the partnership, specialist hospitals and

Nigeria gets 12 high yielding rice seeds P.38

it had hindered from being polio-free. Ann-Walker called on lawmakers and the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that adequate provision was given to polio eradication and other vaccination activities in the country to pre-

vent reversal effects in the successes recorded over the years in the country. According to the statement, more than 60 per cent of children who are not vaccinated live in 10 countries including Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines, Uganda and South Africa. “To reduce allocation at a time Nigeria remains among countries yet to cover millions of children is akin to reversing the achievement recorded after decades of huge investment,” part of the statement said. It reminded that the World Health Organisation, WHO, had called on countries to reach more children missed by routine delivery systems, “especially those living in countries, districts or areas where less than 80% of them are receiving vaccines or those living in countries affected by conflicts or emergencies. The reduction in budget allocation in the 2016 national budget of polio has not therefore responded to this clarion call.”

P.39

modern diagnostic centres which will provide advanced medical care and modern diagnostic services are being developed. At the moment, a total of 10 Memorandum of Cooperation (MOCs) have been signed. However, six agreements are at advance stages. NSIA also entered an agreement with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to jointly develop a specialist cardiovascular hospital in Lagos. The specialist hospital is expected to provide cardiovascular treatment, including diagnostics, minimally-invasive procedures,

surgery and post-surgery care in the country. As part of the programme, NSIA also secured approval from the Federal Ministry of Health to enter into a binding agreement with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) for the development of a modern medical diagnostic centre to be co-located within the main hospital complex at Kano. NSIA recently signed a binding agreement with the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, to develop a modern medical diagnostic centre co-located within the Continued on Page 39>>

Niger Delta ministry empowers 130 youths P.39

Civil Service

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NOA harps on Made-in-Nigerian goods patronage Joel Ajayi

Abuja

cting Director General of the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoba, has appealed to Nigerians to key into the present administration’s Change mantra by promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods to mainstream country’s economy. She made this appeal when the management

team of Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria paid her a visit in Abuja. Ekeoba commended the initiative for their stance on the fight against corruption and also reiterated the government’s commitment to nipping corrupt practices in the bud and returning Nigerians to doing what is right for the nation. She noted that corruption had hindered the de-

velopment and progress of the nation in the past. “We should be patriotic and love our country by practising what we preach, shunning corruption and promoting the use of Made-in-Nigeria goods to drive the cause

of the Change mantra of the present administration for the development of our country,” she said. In a remark, the coordinator of the Initiative for Demonstrating Change In Nigeria, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, commended the

agency for propagating the use of Made-in-Nigeria goods and also taking the objectives of the present administration to the grassroots. Ogah said over the years, NOA was the only government agency that

was known by rural dwellers for access to policies and programmes of any administration and urged the present administration to focus on strengthening the NOA which serves as the voice of the masses to the citizens.

FG tasks corps members on hard work Joel Ajayi Abuja

Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Suleman Kazaure, has urged Corps members to contribute their best towards making Nigeria greater. He made the call at the weekend while addressing the 2016 Batch ‘A’ Corps members deployed to Taraba State. The DG maintained that though the country seemed to face some difficulties now, especially with the state of the economy, he had strong hope that things would soon get better. “Be proud of your country; we have no other country than Nigeria,” he told them. He urged the Corps members to put the nation first in all they do, and discharge the national service diligently. Kazaure, who served as a Corps member in Taraba State in 1988, expressed confidence that the present crop of youths on national service would succeed as an emerging generation of leaders. The Director-General enjoined them to contribute to the development of their host communities, work as a team and show love to one another in line with the ideals of the NYSC. He warned them against improper dressing and un-

authorised journeys. Welcoming them, the NYSC Taraba Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Attah, told him that 1,806 of the 1,839 youths deployed to the state had been registered in an exercise he described as hitch-free. In a related development, the NYSC director general, when he addressed the 2016 Batch ‘A’ Corps members at the orientation camps in Benue and Nasarawa states charged Corps members to join the crusade against corruption. Kazaure described corruption as a monster, which had caused a lot of setback to the growth and development of the country. “We need to tackle corruption at all cost. So, let us work together to achieve that,” he said. The Director-General enjoined the Corps members to act as agents of change, adding that they should imbibe the virtues of honesty and fairness, and be guided by same in all their actions. He advised them to avail themselves of the opportunity for self-employment provided through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. “I don’t want you to go in search of jobs; instead, you should create jobs for others. If you can secure white collar job, fine. But don’t spend too much time searching for it when you have the chance to be your own boss,” he added.

L-R: Ministers of FCT, Mohammed Bello; Environment, Amina Mohammed and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, at a reception dinner organised by Association of Consulting Engineers in Nigeria (ACEN) for its President, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, on his appointment as the Minister of Water Resources in Abuja recently.

FG sets up committee to harmonise 2016 Summit on Tourism Joel Ajayi Abuja

n its effort to ensure the just concluded National Summit on Tourism and Culture is not to a waste, the federal government has set up 6-man committee to harmonise the outcome of the summit and come up with recommendation in the next four weeks. The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while inaugurating the committee at the closing ceremony of the 2016 National Summit on Tourism and Culture at the weekend in Abuja said the passion to avoid another talk show that used to be in the past was reason for the committee. The 3-day summit is with the theme, “Repositioning Culture and Tourism in a Diversified Economy.”

According to him, “in order not to allow this summit to go down the way of previous summits in the past, we find it noteworthy to set up the small committee to harmonise all the outcome of the summit.” He said: “We decided that it will interest the federal government that this should not be another talk show; that is why we come up with the idea of setting up a small implementation committee that will make a recommendation and will give, if possible, a time line for the implementation of what we discussed in the last three days. “We are able to seek and agree the conscience of following people to serve in the committee which Dr. Paul Adaniku will serve as chairman while Mrs. Bolanle Austin Peter, Chief Tony Akingbogun, Mr. Bernard Azubikwe, Dr.

Abudulamidi Ahmed will be members and Mr. Gorge Ufort will serve as committee secretary. “They are going to check thoroughly all the materials, the paper of resource person, paper of the analysis, the outcome of the communiqué team… “This team will be given four weeks to take this mass literature and make recommendation.” While speaking on the importance of the summit, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, explained that the summit was designed to explore all the various opportunities in tourism sector to improve the economy. He called on corporate bodies to join hands with the government. “Crash in the price of oil, the mainstay of our economy, has triggered a disaster for the economy. “But, this administra-

tion has decided to turn that disaster to a blessing by diversifying the monoproduct economy and widening our national revenue base. We want to turn adversity into sustainable fortune by tapping our national cultural heritage and tourism.” The minister maintained that the ministry had been working in the past six months quietly to see how best Nigeria could reposition culture and tourism, adding that “the importance of the tourism sector could not be quantified because it’s the only sector that are pro-poor, pro-rural and pro-underprivileged. “The sectors are not just about creating jobs or earning revenues, they also help stem rural-urban migration, foster unity, ensure holistic and inclusive growth as well reduce crime,” he assured.

d d nr. n o n d. e. u ’’ t d d r n a s

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 39

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Nigeria gets 12 high yielding rice seeds Adeola Tukuru Abuja

ederal Government’s determination to diversify her mono economy from crude oil to agriculture and other sectors has received a boost with the Republic of Guinea donating twelve (12) high yielding varieties of rice seeds to Nigeria. This is with the aim to increase rice production in the country. The donation was presented to the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Guinea by the Charge “D” Affairs of Nigeria to the Republic of Guinea, Ambassador Jerry Hassan. The ambassador explained that his decision to solicit for the varieties of rice seeds from the Republic of Guinea was informed by the commitment of the present administration to diversify the economy from oil to other sectors, particularly Agriculture. He further explained that the varieties of rice seeds which were high yielding

could be cultivated three times in a year and would boost rice production in Nigeria. The Desk Officer, Rice Value Chain, Dr. Victor Onyeneke, who received the donation on behalf of the ministry expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Guinea and affirmed that the high yielding varieties of rice seeds would reduce the cost of production for rice farmers with an increase in yield. Dr. Onyeneke stated that the kind gesture from the Republic of Guinea was not only for the ministry but for the entire country as it would go a long way in increasing food production and improving livelihoods. He explained that the varieties of rice seeds would be handed over to relevant agencies of the ministry namely - the Agricultural Quarantine Services; National Agricultural Seed Council and National Cereal Research Institute for analysis and confirmation. In his remarks, the representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director

(West Africa), Foreign Affairs, Mr. Adesina Foluso, lauded the Government of the Republic of Guinea for the kind gesture extended

to the country and called for more collaboration with other countries in the world for mutual benefits. The representative of

Abuja

he Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has finalised arrangements in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture to empower 130 youths in the delta region. The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, made the disclosure in Benin City, Edo State, during a working visit to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He noted that the youths were trained in various aspects of agriculture in Israel in 2014 with loan.

Pastor Usani paid the working visit on the governor before declaring open the two-day workshop in Benin City for the beneficiaries drawn from the states in the Niger Delta region -Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers states. The minister disclosed that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was collaborating with the Bank of Agriculture to provide the fund as loan to the beneficiaries. He added that the loan was to empower the youths to practise the various skills they learnt in agriculture in Israel.

Bank of Agriculture will provide the sum of N200 million for the empowerment programme. Each beneficiary will receive a loan of N1 million as start off fund. Usani disclosed that Bank of Agriculture would guide the beneficiaries on what to do before they could access the loan. He said that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Bank of Agriculture would co-ordinate, supervise and provide extension services for the beneficiaries and the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Scheme would provide insurance cover for them. Usani reiterated that

Health ministry partners NSIA on healthcare investment CONTINUED FROM Page 37

main hospital complex in Umuahia, Abia State. NSIA intends replicating similar strategies within the medical complexes of federal healthcare institutions in the North-East, North-Central and the South-South zones, pursuant to the tripartite Memoranda of Cooperation signed with the Federal Ministry of Health and at least one federal healthcare institution in the geo-political zones. Professor Isaac Folo-

runso Adewole, Minister of Health, said, “These projects will attract investments into Nigeria’s healthcare sector, and demonstrate the Federal Ministry of Health’s ability to work effectively with institutions such as the NSIA. The ministry seeks to modernise and expand Nigeria’s healthcare sector, and the projects being jointly developed with NSIA will ensure that Nigerians have access to world class medical services.” The Managing Director and CEO of NSIA, Uche Orji, said, “NSIA seeks to

if confirmed that the seeds would thrive on Nigeria’s soil it would be beneficial to the country.

L-R; Front Row: Kwara State Head of Service, Hajia Zahra Omar; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC), Dr. Diko Suleiman; Deputy Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dr. Yakubu Gambo and other staff of UBEC during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Niger Delta ministry empowers 130 youths Chidi Ugwu

the National Quarantine Service, Mr. Obuseh Martin said the rice seeds varieties would be subjected to analysis, with the assurance that,

transform Nigeria’s healthcare sector by facilitating private sector participation, and working closely with federal healthcare institutions. We expect that these investments will expand the capabilities of federal healthcare institutions by providing world class equipment, and the very best in private sector operations and management. This is part of a broader set of objectives designed to help build human and institutional capacity across the healthcare sector in Nigeria”.

the idea behind the youth empowerment programme was to ensure that the beneficiaries were properly guided to engage in what they had learnt profitably. Said the minister: “We want our people to benefit from the system in line with the accountability and transparency thrust of the present administration.’’ The minister added that Benin city, Edo State, was chosen to host the sensitisation programme for the workshop because of the reasonable atmosphere of peace. He added that the ministry would continue to partner with the government and people of Edo State in its policies and programmes because it would get the best from there. In view of the fact that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was paying huge amount of money for renting office accommodations for its state offices in all the nine Niger Delta States the minister requested for allocation of land from the Edo State government to build its state office in Benin City this year. In his remarks, the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, for the youths empowerment programme.

NITDA, others challenge girls on ICT CONTINUED FROM Page 37

disciplines that are ICT-related to enable them prove further that they are very important to their societies. He told scores of secondary school girls who attended the event: “ICT is now a major tool for our daily activities; hence there is a paradigm shift in the global development agenda towards the proper positioning of ICT as a driving force for virtually every sector of the economy.” He added that ICT had been playing central role in the lives of all people around the world, as according to him, over 80 per cent of all jobs had a digital component. He said there was a large and growing skills shortage in the ICT sector, as well as in the fields where technology played more important role. The NITDA boss emphasised that given current global economic crunch, girls with ICT skills would never be out of work, and would have much more flexibility in their work choices. Organiser of the event, a retired soldier, Ibrahim Baba Inna, challenged girls in the country on ICT.

Inna urged girls to take up ICT as one of the evolving areas of knowledge where women could outwit their male counterparts. He said he retired from the nation’s military after serving for 25 years to engage in activities that would benefit children in the country. “In the Sustainable Development Goal, the fifth one is gender equality. Our girls need to be more informed. They are informed, but, they really need to know more about ICT. The world we are in right now is a global village. You really need to be connected. You really need to know what is happening. That is why my colleague and I said we really need to give back to the community,” he stated. The soldier turned kidstrainer urged that sensitisation on ICT should be carried out from elementary level to all tiers of educational institutions in the country, and that the era of oil boom that had sustained the nation was gone. A teacher at Government Day Secondary School, Wuse II, Amos Nyam, called on government at the event to begin quiz competition in schools on ICT in the country, as part of ways to arouse the interest of children in ICT.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Stocks hit 5-week high on MSCI’s stance on Nigerian securities Johnson Okanlawon

igerian stocks climbed to a five-week high yesterday after index provider MSCI said it would not change the status of Nigerian securities on its frontier index. MSCI, which has invited investor feedback on the ease of access to Nigerian stock markets in the wake of currency controls imposed last year, put out a statement late on Friday saying the country would receive special treatment” in its upcoming semi-annual index review in May. Analyst from MSCI Index Management Research, Pavlo Taranenko, said the rating entity was not officially considering or consulting on a reclassifica-

tion, but only monitoring. “Any reclassification of Nigeria from the MSCI’s Frontier Markets index would have to be preceded by a consultation, like all index changes,” he added. The stock market, which has the second-biggest weighting behind Kuwait on MSCI’s frontier benchmark , gained 3.2 per cent on Tuesday to levels last seen in March. The index of Nigeria’s top 10 consumer goods rose five per cent, with Nestle leading the charge to rise 10.25 per cent, the maximum allowed. Other gainers included Nigerian Breweries, United Bank for Africa and Dangote Cement, which accounts for third of total capitalisation,

each up five per cent. However, share dealing by foreign investors in Nigeria has been declining. Foreign share dealing fell to N34.4 billion in March, down 66 per cent from a year ago, the stock exchange said, adding that more than half of transactions were deals to sell shares. Nigeria has also seen an exodus of foreign money from other assets. In September, JP Morgan announced it would remove the country from its influential emerging markets bond index due to the currency controls, which were imposed to prevent a collapse of the naira. Barclays followed suit shortly after. The country is facing its worst crisis in decades as the

fall in the price of oil has slashed government revenues, prompting the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to peg the currency and introduce curbs to protect foreign exchange reserves, which have fallen to an 11-year low. For MSCI the ease of capand Losers ital inflows and outflowsGainers is Start Date 02/05/2016 through End Date 03/05/2016 one of the key criteria inPrint itsDate 03/05/2016 market classification framework. Being excluded from Market indicators Gainers and Losers MSCI’s Frontier Market Start Date 02/05/2016 through End Date 03/05/2016 Gainers for Equities All-Share Index 25,865.50 points Print Date 03/05/2016 index would create a higher 2016-04-29 2016-05-03 S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) Market capitalisation 8.91trn hurdle for Nigeria to attract 1 NESTLE 615.26 678.32 investments. 2 ETERNA 2.30 2.53 3 TIGERBRANDS 3.03 for Equities3.30 Gainers Renaissance Capital es4 DANGCEM 163.40 171.57 2016-04-29 2016-05-03 timated in April that about 5 NB Symbol 115.89 Closing Price(N) 121.68 Closing Price(N) S/N 61 UBA 3.40 3.57 NESTLE 615.26 678.32 $480 million of MSCI bench72 WAPCO 67.99 71.38 ETERNA 2.30 2.53 marked money was in Ni83 BERGER 8.84 9.28 TIGERBRANDS 3.03 3.30 94 CADBURY 15.50 16.27 DANGCEM 163.40 171.57 geria, in both mutual funds 105 PZ 21.36 22.42 NB 115.89 121.68 and exchange traded funds. 11 ACCESS 4.05 4.25

Fidelity Bank stock slides on CEO’s detention by EFCC Johnson Okanlawon

idelity Bank shares fell to a two-month low yesterday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, detained the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo last week, prompting it to appoint an acting chief. Shares in the mid-tier bank fell 7.7 per cent to N1.08 per share, a level last touched on March 3. The shares are down 22 per cent so far this year. Okonkwo has been in the custody of the EFCC since last week, as part of investigations into transactions made in the run-up to elections last year. The bank has said that the transactions were duly reported as required by the regula-

tors and that it was cooperating with authorities. It had posted gross earnings of N34.4 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. This is contained in the first quarter unaudited report issued by the bank and made available to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The report shows that the figure was against the N36.4 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2015. Its net interest income increased by 30 per cent to N16.1billion from N12.4 billion achieved in the first quarter of 2015. Also, the bank’s net operating income increased by 6.2 per cent to N20.8 billion from N19.6 billion posted in the preceding period of 2015.

Its profit before tax stood at four billion naira in contrast with N4.7 billion in 2015, a decrease of 14.6 per cent. The report stated the bank’s profit after tax declined by 10.5 per cent to N3.6 billion from four billion naira in 2015. “The bank’s total expenses increased by 15.7 per cent to N16 billion from N13.9 billion in the first quarter of 2015,’’ it stated. The report shows that its total assets increased to N1.28 trillion from N1.23 trillion in 2015. The bank said that the financial performance for the quarter was a reflection of the continued slowdown in business activities. This is even as it disclosed that lower government revenues arising from depressed oil prices, lower interest rate

Talent is really thin.” Cohen’s comments come after billionaire Warren Buffett said over the weekend that large investors should be frustrated with the fees they pay hedge funds, which fail to match the returns of index funds. Daniel Loeb, founder of hedge fund Third Point, said last week that industry performance this year was “ catastrophic” and that funds were in the early stages of a “washout.” Cohen, who had started his hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors in 1992, said the business has “gotten crowded” with too many managers following similar strategies. Hedge funds seem to think that by hiring skilled people, they can “magically” generate returns,

he said. “It’s very hard to maximize returns and maximize assets,” said Cohen, who runs $11 billion Point72 Asset Management. It’s difficult to balance size with carefully managing an organization and delivering good riskadjusted returns, he added. Cohen rarely speaks publicly at industry events. He made the comments on a panel discussion with money managers Cliff Asness and Neil Chriss. Chris Ailman, who runs investments at the $187 billion California State Teachers’ Retirement System, said in a Bloomberg Television interview that the hedge fund industry’s fee model is “broken” and “off the table” for large institutional investors. Chriss, founder of hedge fund Hutchin Hill

UBA AFRIPRUD WAPCO UCAP BERGER

3.40 2.64 67.99 1.65 8.84

3.57 2.77 71.38 1.73 9.28

149 15 10

FIDSON CADBURY NEIMETH PZ

2.14 15.50 0.69 21.36

2.24 16.27 0.72 22.42

16 1.41 1.47 11 STERLNBANK ACCESS 4.05 4.25 regime and weaker macro17 0.99 1.03 12 TRANSCORP AFRIPRUD 2.64 2.77 economic environment con18 14.98 15.50 13 ETI UCAP 1.65 1.73 tributed to slowdown in busi19 2.90 3.00 14 CHAMPION FIDSON 2.14 2.24 20 STANBIC 13.85 14.30 15 NEIMETH 0.69 0.72 ness activities. 21 91.28 94.00 16 GUINNESS STERLNBANK 1.41 1.47 “We continued to improve 22 1.44 1.48 17 CUTIX TRANSCORP 0.99 1.03 23 1.56 1.60 18 HONYFLOUR ETI 14.98 15.50 the earnings capacity of our 24 12.70 12.97 19 ZENITHBANK CHAMPION 2.90 3.00 balance sheet (fund based in25 0.50 0.51 20 LAWUNION STANBIC 13.85 14.30 26 16.77 17.10 21 GUARANTY GUINNESS 91.28 94.00 come) despite the decline in 27 3.66 3.71 22 NAHCO CUTIX 1.44 1.48 fee income,’’ the report said. 28 4.56 4.62 23 OANDO HONYFLOUR 1.56 1.60 29 0.80 0.81 It explained that the bank’s 24 NEM ZENITHBANK 12.70 12.97 30 154.19 156.03 25 TOTAL LAWUNION 0.50 0.51 key objectives for the 2016 full 31 1.01 1.02 26 CONTINSURE GUARANTY 16.77 17.10 year remained redesigning 32 5.75 5.80 27 DANGSUGAR NAHCO 3.66 3.71 33 29.00 29.11 28 OKOMUOIL OANDO 4.56 4.62 of its systems and processes 29 NEM 0.80 0.81 to enhance service delivery 30 TOTAL 154.19 156.03 Losers 31 CONTINSURE 1.01for Equities 1.02 and cost optimisation initia32 DANGSUGAR 2016-04-295.75 2016-05-035.80 tives to reduce expenses by S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) 33 OKOMUOIL 29.00 Closing Price(N) 29.11 1 FO 214.35 193.46 per cent. The report added that the Losers for Equities bank would ensure proactive Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © 2016-04-29 2016-05-03 FGN Bonds S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) risk management, increased 1 FO 214.35 193.46 customer adoption and miBid gration to digital platforms Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © and increase retail banking Description Price Yield market share. 15.10 27-APR-2017 1.08 105.02 10.05

Buffet, Cohen, others mount attack on hedge funds n less than seven days, hedge funds have been subject to a three-pronged attack by some of the biggest names in finance. Steve Cohen, the billionaire trader whose former hedge fund had racked up average annual returns of 30 percent before pleading guilty to securities fraud three years ago, became the latest critic of the business, saying he’s astounded by its shortage of skilled people. “Frankly, I’m blown away by the lack of talent,” Cohen said at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, on Monday. “It’s not easy to find great people. We whittle down the funnel to maybe 2 to 4 percent of the candidates we’re interested in.

6 127 138

Capital, said investors will pull out of funds that aren’t giving them returns to justify the fees. (Source – Bloomberg.com)

12.77

MPR

Crude oil price

$42.41

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

197.00

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

Gain(N)

% Change

63.06

10.25

0.23

10.00

0.27

8.91

8.17

5.00

5.79 Gain(N) 0.17 63.06

5.00 % Change 5.00 10.25

3.39 0.23 0.44 0.27

4.99 10.00 4.98 8.91

0.77 8.17 1.06 5.79

4.97 5.00 4.96 5.00

0.20 0.17 0.13 3.39

4.94 5.00 4.92 4.99 4.85 4.98

0.08 0.44 0.10 0.77 0.03 1.06

4.67 4.97 4.35 4.96 4.26 4.94

0.06 0.20 0.04 0.13

4.04 4.92 3.47 4.85

0.52 0.08 0.10 0.10

3.45 4.67 3.25 4.35

0.45 0.03 2.72 0.06

2.98 4.26 2.78 4.04

0.04 0.04 0.04 0.52

2.56 3.47 2.13 3.45

0.27 0.10 0.01 0.45

2.00 3.25 1.97 2.98

0.33 2.72 0.05 0.04

1.37 2.78 1.32 2.56

0.06 0.04 0.01 0.27

1.25 2.13 1.19 2.00

1.84 0.01 0.01 0.33 0.05 0.05 0.11 0.06

0.99 1.97 0.87 1.37 0.38 1.32

0.01

1.25

1.84

1.19

0.01

0.99

0.05 Loss(N)0.11

0.87 % Change 0.38 -9.75

-20.89

Page Loss(N)

1 of

-20.89

Offer

Price

-9.75

Page

Yield

105.17

9.91

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

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

% Change

16.00 29-JUN-2019

Rate (%) Inflation

Source: NSE

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

1 of

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

World News We are not chasing the white farmers away. We are only saying ‘you have too much land and 80 per cent of the land belongs to us. –SOUTH AFRICA’S OPPOSITION FIGURE, JULIUS MALEMA

Nairobi building collapse: Baby rescued after four days Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

six-month-old girl has been rescued from the debris of a building that collapsed four days ago in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Later the Kenyan Red Cross said the baby, Dealeryn Saisi Wasike, was reunited with her father. She has no physical injuries. The six-storey residence came down in heavy rain, killing at least 23 people. Dozens of others are still thought to be buried under the rubble, but hopes of finding more alive are fading. The baby’s mother is still missing. The building had been earmarked for demolition. Its own-

Doctors attending to the rescued baby in a Nairobi hospital yesterday er, Samuel Karanja Kamau, was due to appear in court yesterday charged with manslaughter.

Kamau was arrested on Monday after officials said he did not have permission to rent out

the building’s 119 rooms. But he has not yet commented on the allegation.

Pirates ‘paid $400,000 ransoms’

ansoms of up to $400, 000 (£273, 000) have been paid to gangs which hijacked ships in the Gulf of Guinea in 2015, a maritime report said yesterday. The region was the most dangerous in the world for seafarers, with pirates becoming more violent, it added. A total of 32 seafarers had been kidnapped so far this year compared with 15 in 2015, the report said. Kidnapping for ransom took place mainly in the oil-producing areas off Nigeria’s coast, it said. The spike in kidnappings appeared to be linked to political developments in Nigeria, the report by the US-based group Oceans Beyond Piracy group said.

There had also been a sharp drop in oil theft last year, which the report put down to improved patrolling of Nigeria’s waters, and the fall in oil prices making it less profitable. One of the most high-profile cases was that of the Maltaflagged MT Kalamos, an oil super tanker, which was attacked in February 2015. The tanker’s abducted crew was freed after the $400,000 ransom was paid, the State of Maritime Piracy 2015 report said. It did not say who had paid the ransom. The latest report on the state of maritime piracy around the world offers grounds for both optimism and pessimism. The Somalia-based piracy

that grabbed the world’s attention in 2012 has all but vanished, due largely to the presence of armed escorts aboard merchant vessels that has completely disrupted the pirates’ business model. There is good news too from south-east Asia where increased co-operation between states has seen piracy attacks fall off steeply in the last half of 2015. But the Gulf of Guinea continues to be a hazardous place for seafarers with violence deliberately directed against sailors, including mock executions. Unlike the Somali basin, where there is a high degree of international co-ordina-

tion and naval patrolling, the report says West Africa’s coastal waters suffer from a lack of piracy prosecutions and a rule of law. While cargo theft is rare, kidnap for ransom is rife.

African Union Chairman Idriss Deby

Asylum seeker sets self ablaze

Somali woman seeking asylum in Australia has set herself on fire in protest at her detention at a centre on the Pacific island of Nauru.

Australia’s Immigration Minister Peter Dutton

The 21-year-old suffered critical injuries after covering herself in fuel and setting herself alight. Last week, a 23-year-old Iranian died after setting himself alight at the same facility. Nauru is one of several offshore detention centres for asylum seekers operated by Australia. Human rights groups have strongly criticised Australia’s policies towards asylum seekers. Papua New Guinea last week announced it was closing a simi-

lar detention centre, at Manus Island, after its Supreme Court ruled it was illegal. “The young Somali woman is believed to have recently returned to Nauru, having been treated in Australia for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on the island,” Refugee Action Coalition spokesman, Ian Rintoul said. She is reportedly being treated on the island for burn injuries, and a request for a transfer to Australia for medical treatment has been made. A 23-year-old man known as Omid died in a Brisbane hospital on Friday,

four days after setting himself alight in what the Nauru authorities said was a political protest. Australia’s Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has admitted there have been incidents of selfharm on the small Pacific island. “What we have been very clear about is that if people come to Australia for medical assistance they’ll be returning back to Nauru once that medical assistance has been provided,” Dutton said, adding that the 850 detainees at Manus Island to be moved to Nauru will not be allowed to come to Australia.

WORLD BULLETIN

Germany probes women’s deaths Police in Germany investigating the deaths of two women said yesterday that they were the victims of a couple who held them hostage and tortured them. According to the police, a man and his ex-wife placed dating advertisements to lure the women to their home. The suspects, Wilfried W, 46, and Angelika B, 47, were arrested last Wednesday and charged with manslaughter. The man denied any wrongdoing but his partner is reported to have confessed. Detectives believed there may be further victims and are searching the couple’s home in Hoexter, northwestern Germany. Police had for weeks been investigating the death of a 41-year-old woman, known as Susanne F, who they believed was held hostage and tortured in the couple’s residence.

‘Aleppo set to enjoy truce’ Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said yesterday that a unilateral truce declared by the Syrian military could be extended to the city of Aleppo before end of today. Lavrov said Russia was working with the UN and US to include Aleppo in the regime of calm that has covered Damascus and Latakia since Saturday. But he warned that rebels would have to leave areas where allied jihadist militants were being targeted. More than 250 people have been killed in Aleppo in the past 10 days. About two-thirds of those deaths have been in the rebel-held eastern side of the city, including 55 in an air strike on a hospital the US says was deliberate.

China investigates student’s death China has launched an investigation into search giant Baidu after the death of a student, Wei Zexi, who tried an experimental cancer therapy he found online. Zexi, who died last month from a rare form of cancer, had sought the treatment from a hospital that came top of the list on his Baidu web search. Baidu has come under fire for allegedly selling listings to bidders without adequately checking their claims. In a statement Baidu said it was investigating the matter. “We deeply regret the death of Wei Zexi and our condolences go out to his family,” the company said. “Baidu strives to provide a safe and trustworthy search experience for our users, and has launched an immediate investigation of the matter.”

North

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SON seizes 1,040 substandard electric cables in Taraba Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

L-R: Acting Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mrs Margaret Essien and Assistant Director, IDPS at Gumel Local Government Area Jigawa State, Mr Musa Tangiwa, during the Symbolic Distribution of Relief Materials to 3000 IDPS in Jigawa State at the weekend.

Sokoto seeks more NYSC doctors, English, Math teachers

okoto State Government has asked that more youth corps members with specialisation in medicine and teachers of mathematics and English Language be posted to the state for service. Governor Aminu Tambuwal made the request yesterday when the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, BrigadierGeneral Sule Zakari, paid

a visit to Sokoto Government House. He said with his administration’s emphasis on health and education, more manpower was needed to complement government’s efforts. “We need more doctors and teachers of mathematics and English language. We have a shortfall in that area. Though we will boost our manpower by employing more

hands, the posting of the youth corps members will complement our efforts in that regard,” the governor said. According to him, government would repair all lodges used by youth corps members in all parts of the state while a review of their allowances has already been approved. “We take the security and welfare of youth corps members serious-

ly,” he added. Earlier, Zakari said he was touring all NYSC camps to assess their readiness for the ongoing camping exercise taking place nationwide. He thanked Sokoto State government for prioritising the issue of youth corps members, saying it has boosted the morale of the youths and officials managing their affairs.

Masari laments delay in windmill completion James Danjuma KATSINA

atsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has lamented the continued inability to complete the 10-megawatt windmill power project in the state. Masari spoke during an official visit at his office in the state by the executive secretary of Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, NIPC, Mrs. Ladi S. Katagum. He said the windmill, located in Lambar Rimi,

James Abraham JOS

lateau government yesterday said plans were underway to amend relevant tax laws in the state, so as to boost the internally generated revenue. To this end, a Joint State Revenue Committee, JSRC, meeting was held at the Revenue House in Jos

in Rimi council area, had reached 95 percent completion stage, but that the equipment had been lying idle for almost three years now. He said the state government was spending no less than N1 million monthly to provide security at the site to check vandals. Masari attributed the delay in completing the power project to bureaucracy from the regulatory agencies in Abuja. He, however, called for

a change in attitude by power-generating companies to enable states derive maximum benefit from programmes aimed at improving the well-being of the people. On investment, the governor said his administration welcomes the idea of a one-stop shop, which would provide linkages between states and prospective investors. The governor however assured prospective investors of prompt processing of necessary documents

to attract investment to the state. Earlier, the NIPC executive secretary, Katagum, assured that the commission would continue to work on modalities to promote and attract investment to the country. Katagun said the new mandate of the commission was to promote the non-oil sector, of which agriculture, power, solid minerals and manufacturing would be accorded priority attention.

tandard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has seized 1,040 substandard electric cables and over 500 used tyres from traders in Jalingo, the state capital. State Coordinator of the organisation, Mrs. Janet Vakkai, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with journalists in Jalingo. Vakkai said the raid followed the directives from the organisation’s national headquarters that all substandard products that were hazardous to Nigerians be seized and destroyed. The coordinator noted that while used tyres were killing people on daily basis on roads in the country, substandard electric cables were causing fire outbreaks across the country.

LG poll: Four opposition parties sue Dankwambo Williams Attah Gombe Four opposition political parties in Gombe State have taken the government of Ibrahim Dankwambo before High Court 5 for failing to conduct elections into local councils in the state. The parties, People for Democratic Change, PDC, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Democratic Peoples Party, DPP and African Peoples Alliance, APA, at a press briefing accused the PDP-led government of Dankwambo of single handedly deciding all issues concerning the state from his house. According to PDC State Chairman, Adamu Jungudo, they were kicking against the non-conduct of elections three consecutive times because it was unconstitutional, adding

Revenue: Plateau moves to amend tax laws yesterday to finetune the modalities. Acting chairman of the State Internally Revenue Service, PSIRS, Mr Dashe Arlat, told journalists after the meeting that “all the members of the committee came together today so as to finetune and rectify all the existing tax laws, which

is to be passed to the State Executive in form of a bill. “This bill is what the state government pledged last year to pass to the state House of Assembly so as to look into it and pass it toward boosting our revenue in the state, ’’ he said. The chairman stressed that the issue of boosting

revenue in the face of the global recession and the need for diversification was part of the desire of this administration. “Today’s meeting is solely aimed at rectifying the bill that the committee has been working on since last year such as the revenue rate, levies, fees of

She noted that the seized items would be destroyed publically and the owners would be made to pay fine to serve as deterrent to others, adding that 20 shops where the items were seized were sealed and would be reopened only after the owners sign undertaking not to deal in substandard and banned products. “We will continue with the exercise until the entire state is completely free from dangerous products. Shop owners would be charged to court after 90 days if they fail to fulfill all the laid down conditions,” she said. When our correspondent visited the SON office along Barde way in Jalingo, affected traders were seen hanging around trying to pay their fine in order to have their shops reopened.

Local Government areas revenues for onward submission to the Executive Council of the state. “By the time we are through with this assignment and it gets to the House of Assembly, we are sure that all the revenue leakages would be blocked.

that Caretaker Committees inaugurated recently for the councils were illegal. He said financial predicament cannot prevent the conduct of elections because presidential, governorship, and National and State Legislative elections which are superior, were held without any financial pinch, and as such, a local government election cannot consume much. In his words, “Because of its dwindling popularity, PDP knows that it will fail woefully if elections are held in all 11 local government areas of Gombe State.” Also, the State Chairman of ACPN, Mohammed Sarki, said they were ready to pursue their cause to the Supreme Court in order to get justice for people of the state. But the State Chairman of DPP, Usman Abdullahi said, “The State House of Assembly should begin the process of impeaching Governor Dankwambo because he has breached the constitution so many times. He is known to have been using government apparatus to muscle the masses.”

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Fellaini, Huth charged with violent conduct

Ifeanyi Eduzor with Agency report

igeria’s Olympic team is set to depart the country for an invitational tournament billed to kick off early June in Seoul, South Korea, even as Coach Samson Siasia says players in the domestic league will no longer be released for mid-week games. “From the information at my disposal, we are supposed to be traveling to Seoul on May 29,” Siasia said yesterday. “It means we have barely two weeks to prepare adequately for that competition that will have in attendance other teams that would be going to the Olympics,” he added. Siasia, who bared his mind in Abuja after the team’s training yesterday, said he had few players in camp to start real preparations for the Olympics barely three months away. “I understand the club’s plight over the need for the players to do well in the league, but then

we must draw a line between national interest and club interest. “I have always built the foundation of my team on the home-based players, so it is players I have at my disposal who I will work and plan with. “I am appealing to all involved to please bear with us, because from May 9, to be specific, I will not release any player for mid-week games. “If the clubs cannot release these players, then I am sorry, no matter how good these players are, they cannot be part of my plans.” He further disclosed he will soon release the names of foreign-based professionals expected to be part of the preparation, saying he had delayed announcing their names to get assurances from their clubs on their release. “I’m aware there have been a lot of speculations but I am assuring Nigerians is that I will soon release their names as that will help us concentrate for the Rio Olympics,” the gaffer concluded.

Sport

A gymnast is one who wears spring and fall clothing at the same time – Anon

Rio Olympics: Nigeria set for Korea tourney … Siasia places embargo on players’ release

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Iheanacho seeks Etihad pay rise The agents of Kelechi Iheanacho have demanded a bumper new Manchester City contract that will pay the Nigerian youngster starlet minimum of 200,000 pounds-aweek over five years. “Kelechi has justified his stay at City as he is now one of the most effective forwards in the whole of Europe when you put his game time against the number of his goals,” an agent said yesterday. The 19-year-old has netted 13 goals in all competitions this season with seven of them in the Premier League. Manchester City had offered Iheanacho 50,000 pounds-a-wee last October and he is currently earning between 10,000 and 18,000 pounds a week after coming through the City youth ranks. The least paid City first-teamer is on 180,000 pounds-a-week with the biggest earner at the club Yaya Toure pocketing almost twice that sum.

Iheanacho

Iheanacho, a former Taye Academy FC of Owerri player, was part of the Nigeria U-17 team that won the cadet World Cup in 2013 where he won the “Golden Ball” awarded to the best player of the tournament. He joined Manchester City’s Academy in January 2014 and in August last year was included in a first-team squad for the first time in a competitive fixture. He scored his first career hattrick on January 30 against Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup and in the following month, was put in City’s UEFA Champions League squad at the expense of the injured Samir Nasri. He made his first team debut as a substitute in a World Cup qualifying game against Swaziland in which Nigeria drew 0-0. His first start for Super Eagles was on March 25 when Nigeria drew 1-1 against Egypt in an African Cup of Nations 2017 qualifying game.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ALABI AFOLABI RAHMAN now wish to be known and addressed as ALABI RAHMAN AJANI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS IYABO LYDIA OMORINBOLA now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS YEWANDE LYDIA MAJI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS HAUWA IDRIS now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS AHMED HAUWA. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWAYEMISI AYOBAMI OKANLAWON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWAYEMISI AYOBAMI ENILOLOBO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AYO BENJAMIN is one and same person known and addressed as LUCIEN HOMAKON BENJAMIN, with correct age of 12th August, 1975. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as Ayodabo Rasheedat Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAWOYIN RASHEEDAT TITILAYO. Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

OMANIBE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omanibe Hope Ojochide now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogwuma Hope Ojochide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABDULSATTAR DHIKIRULLAI ANMASHAUN AJIBOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN DHIKIRULLAI AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adebanjo Mojisola Ibiyemi Hannah now wish to be known and addressed as Kehinde Mojisola Hannah.All former documents remain valid, general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Miss Olapade Stella Omoyiwola now Mrs Oluwole Stella Omoyiwola. All former documents remain valid, LGEA and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKINYEMI DARE JOSHUA now wish to be known and addressed as AKINYEMI SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc., constituted authorities and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS OBISESAN GIFT SAKI now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ADEREMI GIFT SHAKIRAT. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MR AODU AKEEM now wish to be known, called and addressed as MR ABDULLAHI ABDULHAKEEN. All former documents remain valid. EKITI STATE GOVT., UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OKENIYI: This is to confirm that OKENIYI OPEYEMI MARY and OKENIYI ANUOLUWAPO MARY refer to one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as OKENIYI OPEYEMI MARY. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ADEBAYO ADEBOLA ATINUKE now wishes to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI ADEBOLA ATINUKE. The general public should please take note.

This is to certified/confirm that Olarinoye Bayonle is the same one person as Olarinoye Afeez Bayonle, that henceforth wish to be known,addressed and called as Olarinoye Afeez Bayonle. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IDOWU ISMAEEL BABATUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as AIKOREOLUWA ISMAEEL BABATUNDE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as MRS. YEWANDE OYENUGA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KUDIRAT BOLA SANUSI. All former documents remain valid; WEMA Bank Plc, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adigun Emmanuel Ayinla now wish to be known and addressed as Adigun Emmanuel Ayoade. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NDIDI NWANKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as NDIDIAMAKA PATIENCE EYES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MMADU, IFEOMA SHALOM, Now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUKERE IFEOMA SHALOM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Kehinde Francis now wish to be known and addressed as Sunday Joshua. All former documents remain valid, general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Yusuf Babatunde Adekunle now Olufowobi Babatunde Adekunle. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWU JULIET CHIKAODILI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MAMAH, JULIET CHIKAODILI All former documents remain valid. Local Govt. Service Commission, Enugu, Udenu Local Govt, First Bank Plc and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGUNDEJI EMMANUEL, now wish to known and addressed as KOUGBADJI MEDEGBE YENAKO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MOMODU: Formerly known and addressed as Momodu Sefiat now wish to be known and addressed as Sefiat Iliasu Momoh. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NNEKA: Formerly known and addressed as Nneka Mary Ezekiel now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Ikani Acho All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified/confirm that Moronfola Nurudeen Wale is the same one person as Bello Nurudeen Wale, that henceforth wish to be addressed,known and called as Bello Nurudeen Wale. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Folasade Ruth Oyebamiji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Folasade Ruth Odefunso. All former documents remain valid. McPherson University and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

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

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Confirmation of Name.  This is to inform the public that I registered my name as Francis Temitope John and I also bear Ajigbotoluwa Temitope Francis. That both names are mine, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Hunnanu Foluke now wish to be known and addressed as Hunnanu Foluke Lydia. All former documents remain valid, general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Afolabi Jumoke Iyabo now wish to be known and addressed as Jumoke Comer. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ADELAJA OYINLOLA ADEDEYI ,But now wish to be known and address as ADEDEYIN OYINLOLA SHERIFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Amagwula Precious Ijeoma, now wish to known and addressed as Okonkwo Precious Ijeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OKE: Formerly known and addressed as OKE IFEOMA now wish to be known and addressed as OKE RUTH IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

TAIWO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiwo Regina AGBO now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Taiwo Regina AKINTUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Ajose Abosede Yomi now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Oyeniyi Ganiya Yomi. All former documents remain valid, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Known and addressed as Mr Adeyinka Oluwagbemi Richard Aremu now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Adeyinka Oluwagbemi Olowonmi Aremu. All former documents remain valid. MOCPED and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMO SELIMOT, now wish to be known and addressed as SALIMAN SELIMOT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOKORO: I, formerly known and addressed NWOKORO CHINEDU CHIADIKAOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as UKWUNNA CHINEDU CHIADIKAOBI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olufunmike Olutayo Adedayo Ajibade now wish to be known and addressed as Fatoki Olufunmike Olutayo.All former documents remain valid, general public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I hereby confirm that the person bearing Abdul Kareem Olabisi Shukurat is the same person as Kareem Shukurat. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Kolawole Ganiat Modupeola, now kolawole Ganiyat Modupeola. All former document remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Racheal Ibijoke Akinlami, now wish to known and addressed as Racheal Ibijoke Odikagbue. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHIOMA: Formerly known and addressed as CHIOMA MIRIAN UWADINEKE now wish to be known and addressed as CHIOMA MIRIAN NWANAGBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OMOLARA: Formerly known and addressed as Omolara Temitope Akinola now wish to be known and addressed as Omolara Temitope Adeboye . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Olaniran Alice Mojisola now wish to be called and addressed as Miss Oluwafemi Alice Mojisola. All former documents remain valid, Ede South Local Government State of Osun and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Yeku Rebecca Mopelola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogundipe Rebecca Mopelola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IGUDIA FUNANYA AUGUSTYNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. LASEGE FUNANYA AUGUSTYNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

NERA: I, formerly known and addressed as AKUBUE NNAEMEKA NERA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUBUE NNAEMEKA EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to certify that my correct name is ONWUKAORAH IFEANYI CHUKWU not Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onwukaorah now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONWUKAORAH IFEANYI CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Eco bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Shodipo Joseph Elizabeth Oluwaseun now wish to be known and addressed as Nwasiwe Elizabeth Oluwaseun.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Mrs Aremu Maria Olufumilayo, now Miss Amosu Maria Olufumilayo. All former document remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundapo Kafayat Olaitan, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Raji Kafayat Olaitan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

PAUL: Formerly known and addressed as Eriamiantor Paul now wish to be known and addressed as Eriamiantor Paul Ebhuohon All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OLAOTAN YETUNDE SEMIAT, now wishes to be known and addressed as OLAOTAN-IDOWU YETUNDE SEMIAT. The general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly called and addressed as Oladejo Wasiu Bayonle wish to be known, addressed and called as Oladejo Williams Bayonle. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as AKINBODE OLUSOLA OLANIYI, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINBODE VICTOR OLANIYI. All former documents remain valid; general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NDEM UDUAK ASUQUO, now wish to be known and addressed as OSSAI UDUAK NDEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that SALIU LAWAL AMOO is the same person as SALIU LAWAL OLAYIWOLA with date of birth 15th May 1970. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MOMOH MONDAY ENEOJO, now wish to be known and addressed as MOMOH JOSEPH MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ABEL ROSEMARY ANWURI, now wish to be known and addressed as OBASAIKI ROSEMARY ANWURI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

This is to confirm that am the same person bearing AKINNAWO TOLA and AKINFE TOLA EVELINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that am the same person bearing HUNSU SESI and HUNSU SESI ALICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly Known, called and addressed as IBRAHIM KAFAYAT ADEOLA now wishes to be known, called and addressed as SERIKI KAFAYAT ADEOLA. All former documents remains valid, general public take note.

xxxxxx CHANGE OF NAME NWOKORO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWOKORO CHINEDU CHIADIKAOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as UKWUNNA CHINEDU CHIADIKAOBI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

xxxxxx CHANGE OF NAME UJAM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UJAM NGOZIKA LILIAN, now wish to be known and addressed asMRS KAMANU NGOZIKA LILIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOYE CHIOMA FAVOUR now wish to be known and addressed asMRS VINCENT CHIOMA FAVOUR All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

xxxxxx CHANGE OF NAME OGBONNA: I, formerly known and addressed as OGBONNA MODESTUS, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBODO MODESTUS SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly OMOLOLA ADELEYE now wish to be known, called and addressed as OMOLOLA ADESUA ALADEJANA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU EUCHARIA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed asIJEGALU EUCHARIA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE NKECHINYERE SANDRA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNAJI NKECHINYERE SANDRA. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Enugu and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NEBOH: I, formerly known and addressed as NEBOH FREDRICK OKEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ENEH SLVESTER OKEKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AZEGBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AZEGBA JULIET NKIRUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AZAGBA JULIET NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME ASIKA: I, formerly known and addressed as ASIKA UCHECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as ASIKA UCHE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

OKOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS VERONICA OKOYE now wish to be known and addressed as REV. MRS VERONICA UCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that OKIWU BARNABAS UZOAMAKA, KIWU BARNABAS UZOAMAKA and AJAH BARNABAS UZOAMAKA refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as AJAH BARNABAS UZOAMAKA. bearing the three (3) names remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as STEVEN OFULE now wish to be known and addressed as OFULUE STEPHEN OKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as Lady Wonder Cordelia Chika Samuel now wish to be known and addressed as Wonder Cordelia Chika. All former documents remain valid. The general public Please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as KUNNUJI OLUSEGUN JAMES now wish to be known and addressed as KUNNUJI OLUSEGUN JESUTAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGUNDEJI EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as KOUGBADJI MEDEGBE YENAKO. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

OLAYINKA: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Olayinka Janet Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJIBOYE JANET TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OKONKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO BLESSING AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed asMRS ANIH BLESSING AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. ADDITION OF NAME

That I was formerly known and addressed as ONUOHA LAWRENCE that I now wish to add AMANDI to my former name that I now wish to be known and as ONUOHA LAWRENCE AMANDI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as SAFIRIYU ABDULLAHI ABIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ABORODE ABIOLA AMOBI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

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

Formerly known and addressed as MARGARET EMMANUEL NWAKANMA, now wish to known and addressed as MARGARET EDET AKPAH. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oladipupo Bidemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Orebe Bidemi Oluyole. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sholola Tolulope Ibukun now which to be known as Mrs Okedina Tolulope Ibukun.All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan and general public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLATUNJI FATIMOH A. NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLATUNJI FATIMOH OPEYEMI.FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify that IDUMA IDUMA and ALEX IKPABI IDUMA refer to one and same person. That henceforth wish to be known as IDUMA IDUMA. My correct date of birth is 20th September, 1989. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc., constituted authorities and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ISRAEL GABRIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKANBI GBENGA HENRY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. LABULO RONKE OLAIDE. now wish to be Known and addressed as MRS. BADMUS RONKE OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank and general public take note.

News 45

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

ADELAJA :formerly known and addressed as MISS ADELAJA MARIAM OLAWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMOO MARIAM OLAWUNMI.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

REUBEN: I, formerly known and addressed as REUBEN KAMSY WINING, now wish to be known and addressed as AZEGBA JULIET NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that my name MUOZOBA CHUKWUDI CHRISTIAN, was wrongly written in my account but now wish to be corrected and addressed as MUOZOBA CHUKWUDI CHRISTOPHER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ALHAJI MUHAMMED BABA now wish to be known and addressed as BABA MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS RONKE ODUNAYO ADEMOLA OLAWOYE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ODUNAYO ADERONKE ABDULKADRIL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Justina Rose Adejo, now wish to known and addressed as Justina Ireotoi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ALBERT TAIWO, now wish to known and addressed as ALBERT LAWRENCE TAIWO AYEBORIA. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Awoniyi Paul Oluwafemi am the same person as Ariyibi paul Oluwafemi, Henceforth i wish to be known and addressed as Awoniyi paul Oluwafemi.All former documents remain valid. First Bank plc and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as IYABO OSEOLOHUN now wish to be known and addressed as ALIYU ADEWALE RISILATU. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Idakwo Ada now wish to be known and addressed as Barnabas Ada. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL AJALA now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA EMMANUEL AJALA. All former documents remain valid, general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONOH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONOH CHINELO PAULINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU CHINELO PAULINE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Andrew Okosun Kababi now wish to be known as Andrew Okosun Cabani. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ENUBIAKA: I, formerly known and addressed as ENUBIAKA CHUKWUEMEKE KINGSLEY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADINEBO CHUKWUEMEKE CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as AIYELA OLATUNDE PETER, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADETEYE JEREMIAH, with the affidavit sworn documents attached. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi Martina Kaka, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs Okorare Martina Kaka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adebenro Kehinde Kafayat now wish to known and addressed as Sodipo Kehinde Kafayat. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ogwurumba Chidinma Juliana NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS Agboola Chidinma Blessing ,all former document remain valid general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as John Steven Obinna now wish to be known and addressed as John Okeke Stephen. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwabufoh Ifeyinwa Juliet now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obiamuka Ifeyinwa Juliet. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UMEH OSITA HENRY, now wish to be known and addressed as UKADIKE HENRY OSITA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWOBODO PETER ONYEAGOZIRI, now wish to be known and addressed asNWOBODO MACDONALD. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLOWU BALIKIS OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as SHITTA BALIKIS OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. LUTH and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Babayemi Helen, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Makinde Helen after a successful marriage. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ADEWOLE: I, formerly known and addressed as HASSAN TAORID ADEWOLE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as HAZZAN TAOHEED ADEWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ugbede Margret Malic, now wish to known and addressed as Adeleye Margret Malic. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Moses Irabor Felicia Irenuma, now wish to be known and addressed as Moses Felicia Irenuma. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Brown precious Lillian . Now wish to be known and addressed as precious tamunoibiwangi Lillian,all former document remain valid general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I Jeffrey Victor Benson formerly called Jeffrey Victor Chukwuekwu Oduah or Jeffrey Victor Oduah shall strictly be known as Jeffrey Victor Benson. General public please note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olowu Muinat Oluwakemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Idris Muinat Olayinka.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly OSUNMUSAN OLUWAMIDE GABRIEL now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUWAMUSAN GABRIEL OLU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that ANI UCHECHUKWU RITA and ANI UCHECHUKWU BLESSING refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as ANI UCHECHUKWU BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as YAUZAGO ARMA now wish to be known and addressed as SULEIMON ARMA MUSA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKAGBARE OMOJEVBE CHRISTIANA MARY, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UCHEREWE OMOJEVBE CHRISTIANA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olumba Chinwendu Favour, now wish to known and addressed as Chidolue Chinwendu Favour. My date of birth is 26th day of October 1987. All Former documents remain valid. General public note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, BOLAJI ELIZABETH is the same person as ADEEKO CAROLINE ADUNI, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEEKO CAROLINE ADUNI. All former documemts remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN and addressed as ASIGE OLUWATOYIN OLAJUMOKE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS AKINTUNDE OLUWATOYIN OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as FAMOUS ANDY, now wish to be known an addressed as FAMOUS NADI. All former documents remain valid. Genera public, Authorities of motor licensing office and Law Enforcement Agent please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. EKAETTE UDO UDO AKPAN. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHRISTIANA FABIAN INYANG. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I FREDRICK CHIGOZIE OHAEMESI is the same and one person as FREDRICK SUNDAY OHAEMESI now wish to be known, called, and addressed as FREDRICK CHIGOZIE SUNDAY OHAEMESI. All documents bearing all the names remain valid. Access Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ST. BENEDiCT HEALTH - CARE FOUNDATION

NATIONS FOR JESUS EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

SOIL HEALTH INT’L

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above-named body has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs. Nweke Esther O. 2. Nwokpoku Ezekiel N. 3. Miss. Usifoh Magdalene O. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To help in conservation plan of our natural inheritance. 2. To help in promotion of sustainable agriculture in the world in general and in Nigeria in particular. 3. To help mitigate effect of environmental depredation in our society. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to The Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: Secretary

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ISAIAH ABONYI 2. EUCHARIA ABONYI 3. GERTRUDE ABONYI AIM AND OBJECTIVES * To care for the Orphan/Vulnerable Children. * To promote proper and improved quality Service delivery support and care to the vulnerable children (DVC) in the community and Nigeria as a whole. * To provide services in community awareness, Nutrition healthcare for (OVC) support for shelter and aid their education Network with others. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street Maitama District Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES: 1. Pastor Aikhonmu Joseph Ikhuoria – Chairman/General Overseer 2. Pastor Ayanfe Olumide Julius 3. Pastor Aikhonmu Adanma Victoria 4. Pastor Aikhonmu Daniel Inegbennose 5. Deacon Ogbeide Daniel Iruhobhude – Financial Secretary 6. Deaconess Osazemwinde Sonia Abiemwense – Treasurer 7. Pastor Aikhonmu Dorcas – General Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To foster unity among Christians in the world. 3. To minister to the needy. 4. To empower everyone with the WORD OF GOD. 5. To establish churches and missions within Nigeria and abroad. Any objection thereto should be addressed to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 555, Ndola Square, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, Nigeria, within 28 days of this publication. Signed: ID. OMORODION ESQ BARRISTER & SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA 08038827841

Sports

Thursday, March Wednesday, May 5, 4, 2015 2016

Fellaini, Huth charged with violent conduct

Ronaldo

UCL: Ronaldo, Toure declared fit for battle of Bernabeu M

anchester City are looking to reach their first Champions League final when they take on Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu today’s evening. The tie is evenly poised after the 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, but Real Madrid, who are yet to concede a goal at home in this month’s competition, will have star man Cristiano Ronaldo back in the side after he missed the first leg with a hamstring injury. Speaking at his pre-match press confer-

ence, Zinedine Zidane said: “Cristiano is okay. He is 100 per cent. Zidane will be hoping he can lead his side to a 14th final in the competition as they look to extend an unbeaten nine-game run against English sides in the Champions League. There was also good news for City boss Manuel Pellegrini after it was revealed midfielder Yaya Toure had travelled with the squad to Madrid. The Ivory Coast international, who missed City’s last two games with a thigh injury,

Leicester deserved to be champions –Zidane

eal Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane yesterday hailed Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League triumph as a deserving reward for “phenomenal” work done by Coach Claudio Ranieri. “Miracles don’t exist in football. They have had a phenomenal season, Ranieri has done a phenomenal job,” the Frenchman said ahead of Madrid’s Champions League semi-final, second leg against Manchester City. Abu Dhabi-backed City were one of the

Premier League’s elite left embarrassed as Leicester sealed the first title in their 132-year history after Tottenham Hotspur could only manage a 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Monday. “I am happy for him and the players. It is the first time they are champions,” added Zidane. “It is admirable what they have done. There are no miracles, so it is deserved what they have done.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fellaini

M trained ahead of the second leg, but the club initially tweeted he had not travelled. However, the club later confirmed that Toure was indeed on the plane to Spain, meaning he could play some part at the Bernabeu. The only previous competitive meeting between the sides at the Bernabeu was in the group stage of the 2012/13 competition, with City leading twice before losing 3-2 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Ronaldo. While Ronaldo will be back in Real’s ranks, Zidane confirmed Karim Benzema is a doubt after the French striker limped off in the first leg with a hamstring injury. Manchester City are currently unbeaten in six Champions League matches; their longest run ever in the competition. City has lost three of their last four Champions League matches away in Spain; although they did claim victory in their most recent outing in the country in the 2015/16 group stage against Sevilla. Real Madrid are favourite to reach the Champions League final after today’s match but a repeat of the first-leg goalless draw will make either side progress after extra-time and a penalty shoot-out.

anchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Leicester defender Robert Huth have been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after an off-the-ball clash. Fellaini swung an elbow at Huth after the German pulled his hair during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. The incident was not seen by match officials but caught on video. Both players, who could be banned for three matches, have until today to respond. The charges were brought after a panel of three former elite referees watched the video evidence and decided the players’ actions warranted punishment. Should Fellaini be found guilty and suspended, he would still be available for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace because United have three league games left. Defending the Belgium international, United manager Louis van Gaal said: “It’s not in the books that someone has to b grab by the hair and then pull it behind - only in sex masochism.” In August 2015, Morecambe duo Kevin Ellison and Ryan Edwards were given three-match bans for violent conduct after they were found guilty of pulling the hair of Wycombe’s Marcus Bean.

Milo Secondary School Basketball: Edo, Lagos emerge Western champions Ifeanyi Eduzor

enson Demonstration School, Benin City and Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, Lagos have emerged Regional champions in the boys and girls categories of the 18th edition of the Western Conference Nestle Milo Secondary Basketball Championships concluded yesterday at the indoor sports hall of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. To emerge winners in the Boy’s category, Henson Demonstration School defeated hard-fighting Osadenis Mixed Secondary school, Delta State by 46 points to 37 in a well contested match. In the Girls’ category, Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School

Lagos, gave spectators something to cheer for as they defeated last year’s Regional Champions, Yejide Girls Grammar School Ibadan 34-22 to emerge champions of the Western Conference The two finalists in the boys and girls categories will represent western conference in the national finals slated for in Asaba, Delta state later in the year, making it the first time the national finals will be played outside Lagos in the 18 year history of the championship. Elated coach of the Edo team told National Mirror that he is proud of his boys even as he stated that their target is to keep improving because the national finals in Asaba will be very tough. Speaking before the finals, , Branch Manager Nestle Nig PLC,

Deji Adeshoga described Milo as a brand known in Nigeria as the number one supporter of grassroots sports, promising that the company will continue to help in the development of the game “Milo for the past 20 years has been at the forefront of basketball development in Nigeria through the Milo Secondary school basketball championship; producing many top players and we promise to sustain it. Meanwhile, the Category Business Manager of the company, Femi Akintola has reiterated the company’s resolve to continue to contribute its quota to the development of basketball in the country. According to Akintola, it is the belief of the company that sports serves as a suitable platform

for youths to learn values such as honesty, teamwork, fair play, respect, adherence to rules, discipline, perseverance, resilience

and a strong sense of purpose, describing them as the motivating factor behind Nestle’s commitment to the championship.

Henson Demonstration School, Edo State in a group photograph with their trophy

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday , May 4, 2016 Thursday September 4, 2014

Ebiye wants Ikorodu improvement after Heartland win

Action recorded during a Premiership match

oses Ebiye has admitted he was relieved at his side’s 3-1 victory over Heartland FC at the Agege Stadium last Saturday even as he charged his team mates to up their game and build on the victory. The Oga Boys earned their first win in the last thirteen matches and it was a result that they deserved. Anthony Oussou put the away side in front after ten minutes. He benefitted from Emeka Atuloma’s assist to score with his head. Two minutes before halftime, Moses Ebiye found Merenini Junior, who curled the ball into the corner from the edge of the box, before Ebiye tapped in after the hour to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the game. Ifegwu Ojukwu got himself on the score sheet from the penalty spot, after a foul by Zuomana Doumbia on Ebiye. The decision also meant that the Heartland defender was dismissed. “We were solid and did not leave any gaps between defence and attack, so that benefited us,” Ebiye said. “We started a little nervously but the equaliser settled us and I thought we had a brilliant game. “It’s a win we must now build on to show our fans that we are on the right track.”

NPFL: Shobowale targets Enyimba’s scalp K

Ebiye

ano Pillars midfielder, Azeez Shobowale is quite emphatic his side will defeat Nigerian champions, Enyimba in their rescheduled match today. The Pyramid City side will host the People’s Elephant in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League match day 7 clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. Shobowale said three points not the goal margin is key for his side in the clash expected to be a difficult one. “We are ready keenly waiting for the match day to unleash our full weights on Enyimba. “Any encounter involving Enyimba is usually a difficult tie so we do not expect anything less as we have gone the extra-mile to prepare for the match. “We are not keen on the goal margin in the clash

Nigerian tennis: Tourneys without grassroots programme, bad investment federation in getting the grassroots Florida, USA-based former Nigeria’s tennis star, Professor Sadiq A. Abdullahi, bares his mind on the current trend in the country’s tennis

“

Two week-long tournaments, the Tombim and the Dayak Opens, the Lagos Open and local ones such as the CBN are contributing their quota to popularise tennis in Nigeria. “This is a good development. It is expected many more tournaments will spring up and thus returning tennis to my playing days where Nigeria has over 15 tournaments a year. “But is this what the Sani Ndanusa-led Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF) really wants? “Yes, tennis is being brought life back, the turnout is impressive and local players are getting the exposure. The claim that the tennis revolution has begun because these tournaments are evidence that Nigerian players are getting the much desired opportunity to play against top Grand Slam tennis players in the world

is erroneous. “Ndanusa and NTF board should development a grassroots development funds. These tournament organizers should set aside 25 per cent of the total budget to grassroots tennis programmes. This is a standard global practice. Quality and talented players are discovered at the age of five around the world. The four Nigerian greats Nduka Odizor, Tony Mmoh, David Imonitie and my humble self are now ready to engage the tennis

working with the Professional Tennis Coaches Association of Nigeria (PTCAN). “The tennis revolution would have started on the right footing. If this achieved, then having four to 15 features a year over ten years would get tennis back on the right track. Sponsorship of Nigerian tennis would then be in line with other tournaments around the world and Nigerian players can comfortably compete with the best around the world.”

L-R: Member of the 1st place winner (Lightning Class), NBC Coca-Cola Regatta Cup, Lanre Mabawonku; National Sales Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Dan Fratilla; member of the 1st Place Winner (Lightning Class), NBC Coca- Cola Regatta Cup, Mike Barnes, and Sailing Secretary, Lagos Yacht Club, David Mcnaught, at the Lagos Yacht Club’s 4th Annual Boat Racing Competition in Lagos last weekend

rather the whole three points at stake. “That’s our whole interest to claim the three points and chance taking over the leadership position of the top flight. “We are somehow lucky to have claimed three points at Sunshine Stars in Akure another three points against Enyimba will be awesome while we strive to wrap up the flawless three-match win against Ikorodu United at the weekend. “The envisaged nine points will certainly give us a commanding

and firm grip at the summit. “Of course, that’s our focus to climb to the top spot and you know as characteristic with Kano Pillars once we are up there nobody can dethrone us. “We are not the type that play joke with opportunities so we will fight hard to achieve the lofty dream,” said the former ABS and Dolphins attacking midfielder to supersport.com. Pillars are second on the 20-team Nigerian top flight on 24 points from 13 matches; three points behind leaders, Enugu Rangers.

‘El-Kanemi deserved draw with Tornadoes’

l-Kanemi Warriors defender Umar Zango feels his side deserved a draw from their 1-0 defeat to Niger Tornadoes on the match day 14. The Borno outfit fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at the Confluence Stadium, with Bolaji Adeyemo’s 75th minute goal deciding the top flight clash. “We both created chances to

score but this is just another game when you feel things didn’t go your way at the end of the day. “It was close and we deserved a draw. We have some days to turn things around. We are already thinking about Heartland.” Zango is happy with his own form and the faith showed in him by Ladan Bosso.

YSFON mourns Oba of Benin

outh Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) has condoled the Government and people of Edo State over the death of Oba of Benin, His Majesty, Omo N’oba Uku Akpolokpolo Erediuwa 1 who joined his ancestors last week at the age of 92. In a statement by the Federation signed by its National President, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, it noted that it received the news of the death of their grand patron with shock, saying that the vacuum created by his demise will be very difficult to fill. The statement described the late Monarch as a sports lover who

throughout his life time sponsored the annual Oba of Benin YSFON organized football competition as his contribution towards developing football at the grassroots. “The late Benin Monarch will be fondly remembered as a sports lover who partnered with YSFON in sponsoring the annual Oba of Benin Cup which has produced great footballers for the country. YSFON while praying that God will give the entire Edo State and the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Ambassador Eheneden Erediuwa the fortitude to bear the great loss prayed that God Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest.

WORLD RECORD

Largest hairy family

N150

Vol. 06 No. 1362 Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Victor “Larry” Gomez, Gabriel “Danny” Ramos Gomez, Luisa Lilia De Lira Aceves and Jesus Manuel Fajardo Aceves (all Mexico) are four of a family of 19 that suffer from Congenital Generalized Hypertrichosis.

Arrogance of power and the verdict of history 4 Continued from penultimate Tuesday

onald Trump, the Republican presidential aspirant for this year’s USA presidential election, approves of Putin’s geopolitical avant-garde action in Syria against the rebels, who were encouraged to revolt against Assad by the ‘Free World’. Trump’s geo-political calculations are practical. He wants to re-adapt the Monroe doctrine of“America for the Americans”. He is being assisted by an unsavory partisan – the bombers of Paris, Belgium, Pakistan, Mali, Kenya and Nigeria. Since Americans cannot cope with social dislocation, they will support Trump’s iconoclastic bombasts. He speaks his mind. He is paying for his campaign. He is not going to take advice from lobbyists, special interests and secrete groups. The impression is gaining ground that “Trump will make America great again”. Donald Trump operational and political strategies are shaped by the ideas of Hans Mor-

ormer Wimbledon tennis champion, Bob Hewitt has appealed in a South African court against his six-year prison sentence for raping under-age girls. The sentence “over-emphasised” the crimes, and Hewitt’s age and health should be consid-

Guest Columnist

Emmanuel

Esiemokhai

genthau’s “Power Politics”, and the theories of Clausewitz and my theory of sociocracy. The centre-piece of Trump’s economic policies is massive job creation. After the Russian plenary session in 2014, Putin reviewed the consequences of allowing the HOCHMUT of the West, which witnessed the killing of Saddam Hussein, replayed in Syria. Putin then ordered “Ribiata Pohehali”. This led to the “Razgrom” of the sponsored ISIS “Chem chot ni shutit”! The days of chivalry are back and Sovietism took hold in Syria. America will become a sociocratic society, where consumer demands will be met by consumer surplus. The respect for human right will no longer be a slogan but a reality. Race relations will take on a new coloration as prosperity reaches “white” and “black” alike. Under Trump, his aides say innovation, scientific concerns, technological growth and a strong dollar will strengthen the sociocratic texture of American society. Tough talking Trump wins Africa will benefit from the Trump presidency, if African leaders show serious attitudes to governing their people and not stealing their wealth. The hegemonist musings of George Bush, Tony Blair and “the coalition of the willing” led to the formation of geo-politic epithets like “regime change”; “the axis of evil”, which writers with asps under their lips put forward as political slogans that have serious consequences now in Iran and North Korea. The exodus of the Arabs from the Middle East into Western Europe has caused a lot of deaths and misery. God, the Father, God the Son

The Aquarian Age has entered the era of the anti-Christ, characterized by extreme wicked acts of murder,

wars, insecurity and hardship and God the Holy Ghost have been touched by the sight of toddlers trekking for miles going nowhere in particular. The recent conversion of a Qatari prince and a Singaporean female to Christianity heralds the beginning of Christ’s repossession of the lost souls of his children. Those apostate religionists who dispute the sonship of Jesus are spiritually ignorant. Jesus is coming soon with his angels in bright array. As a pastor in the Blood of Jesus Church, I decree that the transformation power of the Risen Christ will soon show the power of the Trinity over Satan. Soon the reign of the Twelve Prophets of God will begin and this will spread to all nations. Amen and Alleluia!! The world shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH (JESUS) shall set us free. Transformation power of the Resurrection I was singing the “Credo” and “Jesus ducis memoria” after the ”Urbi et Orbi” prayer by Pope France, when I entered into cosmic consciousness for a while. The transformation

power of the resurrection hit me like a whiplash. It passed through my mind that those I-Satan, I satan (ISIS), who show no mercy in the Middle East must yield to the “Liturgy of the Eucharist” or face the wrath of “Domino Nostrum”. When the children of Israel where wandering in the desert for 40 years, it touched the heart of Jehovah, who then sent his liberation power and freed them. During the Second World War, the exodus of East Europeans who were terrorized by Hitler received the intervention of God and Hitler was defeated. Evil must yield to the power of God. The Aquarian Age has entered the era of the anti-Christ, characterized by extreme wicked acts of murder, wars, insecurity and hardship. The world media will have a field “entertaining” sadistic minds by detailed reports of unfolding tragedies. The right to doubt It is often said that a leading religion is a religion of peace. It is indeed, but when I see the pieces that fall out of terrorist bombings, beheadings, arson, desecration of churches, senseless massacre of innocent people and wanton destruction of property and the silence that greets these atrocities, I begin to develop my theories about man’s inhumanity to man. The empirical evidence these violent acts provide have helped in my quest. My interest in Darwin’s evolutionary theory has spread to the field of mental inheritance. I cannot but doubt after watching the events in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Paris, Brussels, Pakistan, and elsewhere. Man has not shown gratitude for the blood that was shed. My pessimism cannot becloud the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ and the victory over evil which is permanent. In Nigeria, as apostate religionists and roguish politicians and recalcitrant recidivists’ seek to cause confusion and derail the sociocratic revolution, the suffering people of Nigeria will resist their knavery. As pressure mounts on President Buhari not to condone crimes against Nigerians, the build up to revolutionary action becomes imminent. Concluded Professor Esiemokhai is the Academic Chancellor, BOSAS International Law Bureau, Abuja, Nigeria

Sport Extra

Ex-Wimbledon champion, Hewitt appeals rape sentence ered, his lawyer said. The prosecution said it was opposed to the sentence being reduced. The 76-year-old, who is out on bail, was convicted last year of raping and sexually assaulting

girls he coached in South Africa the 1980s and 1990s. The trial judge gave him permission to challenge his sentence, but not conviction, in the Supreme Court of Appeal. Last month, the Australian-

born Hewitt was expelled from the International Tennis Hall of Fame because of his conviction. “The crux of the matter is that age is supposed to be taken into account,” his lawyer Johann Engelbrecht told a panel of three judges who are hearing the appeal.

Bob Hewitt

Printed and published by Global Media Mirror Limited: Head Office, Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street Lagos; Abuja Office: NICON House, Central Business District Area, Abuja. Email:mail@ nationalmirroronline.net. MD/CEO: Sunday Olajide: 08060852080; Acting Editor Daily: Ben Memuletiwon 08050498541; Adverts Hotline: 07066178740. ISSN 0794-232X.