Leadership

24.12.14

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY

No. 2,315

NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER

Chibok Diary DAY 254

N150

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

Nigeria Needs To Learn From Pakistan – BBOG Group

> Page 2

mutiny

Military Arraigns General, 14 Senior Officers In Lagos 100 more soldiers for trial in Abuja Gunmen kill 31 in Kaduna, Taraba 5

L-R: Executive director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Dr Ado Muhammad; Kogi State deputy governor, Yomi Awoniyi and managing director, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Mr Lekan Asuni at the national launch for pneumonia vaccine in Nigeria by the PHCDA in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Monday.

‘Drop In Oil Price, Chance To End Fuel Subsidy’

By Emeka Umejei with Agency

report

The tumbling price of oil that has slashed Nigeria’s revenue and shaken currency and stock

markets presents Nigeria with an opportunity to discontinue fuel subsidies that amount

to $7billion annually, reports Bloomberg.

However, some analysts

say that President Goodluck Jonathan may not explore such option with elections in view in

FG Mulls ‘Hall Of Shame’ List For Criminals > Page 4

February.

“Politics often trumps prudence and there’s an entrenched social expectation ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

Christmas: Army Restricts Vehicular Movement In Borno, Yobe > Page 32

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chibok diary 254

Wednesday, December 23 , 2014

DAY

Chibok Tweets @hamletgarcia17 Day 252 of abduction 3 days to Christmas 9 days to New Year #BringBackOurGirls @OpinionNigeria Nigerians say they're the most educated, of what need is education if it cannot be put to better use? #RedefineNigeria #BringBackOurGirls @Bobbylv1 No girls, no votes. #BringBackOurGirls We will not forget.

@NaeSimon I can't believe over 250 girls are still missing from Chibok, Nigeria. Have we forgotten? #BringBackOurGirls

@bankeey Thats how the chibok girls are not back nd its 3days to xmas... #bringbackourgirls #prayfornigeria @BBOG_Nigeria We stand with Pakistan over the #PeshawarAttack as we condemn terror attack on children #BringBackOurGirls @being_vishnu Day 1, 10, 100 or 1000.. wich i sincierly hope it won't go upto.. I won't fail yu my sisters..my voice ll b urs till eternity

@AishaYesufu Don't think bc u are not in North East it doesn't affect u. When it was happening in middle East we thought we were safe #BringBackOurGirls @comfort_dauda Tragic way to spend CHRISTMAS for #ChibokGirls, parents, IDPs in camps, homes, trapped in mountains, hills, bushes & people in NE Nig! Compiled by Ugochukwu Iroka

Members of #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group advocating the release of the abducted Chibok girls during a protest in Abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

Nigeria Needs To Learn From Pakistan – BBOG Group

By Chika Mefor, Ejike Ejike,

Abuja The #BringBackOurGirl has stated that the nation has a lot to learn from Pakistan in the way the issue of the 141 people, including 132 children who were killed by the Taliban at an army-run school in Peshawar, was handled.

Speaking while discussing the group’s visit to the Pakistan High Commission on Monday, one of the members of the group, Aisha Yesufu stated that the unfortunate event had shown a clear difference on how the issue of the Chibok girls and the in-

surgency in the northeast was handled in the country.

The BBOG group had paid a visit to the Pakistan High Commissioner on Monday where the Pakistan High Commissioner, Lt. Gen Ashraf Saleem, pledged his country’s willingliness in helping Nigeria in the rescue of the Chibok girls and the elimination of terrorists in the country.

Saleem also stated that his country had the experience to help the nation tackle the problem of insecurity and explained how his government were able to immediately

carry out a raid, killing about 200 Talibans, including the seven who carried out the dastardly act in the school.

Saleem had also revealed that the unfortunate event in his country had brought about unity as every citizen in the country supports its government and military in its fight against the terrorists, a lesson which the group stated, ought to be emulated by every citizen of Nigeria in the country’s bid to overcome the country’s common enemy, which is insecurity.

The group, therefore, called on Nigerians to come out

united to fight insurgency in the country, adding that it was only when the nation is united that the war against terrorism will be won.

“We need to ask ourselves if we are playing our roles as citizens. What matters to many of us now is money which is truly a great shame to our generation. It is rather unfortunate. When there is no unity, we won’t come out victorious. When we don’t have a common value, unity will not grow. We must emphasise things that will unify us rather than things that divide us,” it said.

Members of #BringBackOurGirls group during another protest calling for the release of the kidnapped schoolgirls.

PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

3

our stand Wednesday, December 24, 2014

NASS And The War On Corruption

A

total of N1.4trillion or over a quarter of the nation’s federal budget was alleged to have flowed out of Nigeria in the year 2012 through various transactions involving the nation and the rest of the world.

This information was released by a United States of America-based research and financial advisory group, Global Financial Integrity (GFI). Incidentally, the sum is different from, perhaps, a larger amount that may have been lost to corrupt practices by local agents of sleaze.

The report, again, draws attention to the growing uneasiness of the international community to the less than robust response by the Nigerian government to the worries created by corruption in a supposedly democratic dispensation featuring a legislature that exercises oversight functions. In the face of dangers associated with massive levels of corrupt practices in the country, nothing short of a more proactive stance by the National Assembly is expected. This is the intention of the Constitution.

Nigeria’s regular mention in anti-corruption circles is informed by the perceived lethargy on the

part of government to tackle it, even when there is apparent evidence to encourage such. For the avoidance of doubt, the issue here is the attitude of government towards the various forms of corruption, which include the use of official positions by public servants to serve their private interest.

The context, we need stress, includes all categories of public servants ranging from the police officer or bureaucrat who demands gratification before carrying out official duties, to the top level government official who loots public funds under his or her brief. The syndrome, in our view, constitutes a violation of the sacred ethos of

Editor Sadiq Abdullateef Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

public service, which the government owes itself a duty to address.

Even as corruption may predate the present administration, its rising incidence and the impunity driving fresh cases have imposed a moral burden on it. Of note are the several instances of reported cases involving highly placed public officials who were not only let off the hook, but also even offered protection to enjoy their ill-gotten favours. A more odious dimension is when the high profile culprits get a mere slap on the wrist, while those involved in lesser cases are sanctioned. This scenario, which is widespread in the country, accentuates the double standard with which the fight against corruption is being prosecuted. It is also why the fight against corruption is yet to yield the desired result.

It is our opinion that the government can still acquit itself by shedding its fixation with protecting ‘sacred cows’ and reverting to the various, glaring, high profile cases of corruption for the purpose of resolving them, as required by law. It can further address the endemic corruption in mainstream public service, with a view to plugging all loopholes in the system and reducing the cost of governance.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah

Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko

Leadership Holdings

Managing Director Abraham Nda-Isaiah Executive Director Nnamdi Samuel New York Office Mohammed Bello Shehu London Office Dr Bello Salihu Johannesburg Office Abiodun Oguntuase

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

4 news extra

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo FG Mulls ‘Hall Of Shame’ List For Criminals President Gooodluch Jonathan has sais the federal government is considering the establishment of a Hall of Shame to contain names of criminals and social misfits to serve as deterrent to any Nigerian who indulge in criminal activity, President.

According to him, immortalising the names of criminal minded people in the proposed hall of shame will make families and youths to be aware of the kind of shame they will face after engaging in crime.

Jonathan spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja when the Legends of Nollywood led by its chairman, Paul Obaziele, conferred on him the Grand Patron of the group.

He said, “I heard you saying that you are planning a Hall of Fame; We are thinking of having a hall of shame where the names of criminals would be written.

“This will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to indulge in criminal activities as they would not want to soil their family names”.

Acknowledging the contributions made by the actors and actresses in the film industry, the president commended Nollywood for contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

By George Agba, Abuja

Xmas: ACF Tasks Christians Over Tolerance, Forgiveness, Self-sacrifice

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has stressed the need to embrace tolerance and forgiveness for one another.

ACF in a Christmas message issued through its national publicity secretary Muhammad Ibrahim and made available to newsmen noted that, “The 25th December of every year commemorates the birthday of Jesus Christ the messiah. Christians all over world celebrate this day with prayers and activities of self sacrifice, good neighbourliness and love for the common good of the society.

“The period also gives the Christians the opportunity to reflect on the life and good teachings of Jesus Christ especially his tolerance, forgiveness and self sacrifice.”

ACF while wishing Nigerians especially Christians happy celebration, urges all, both high and low to practice the virtue of tolerance, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and love for one another.

ACF also called on leaders especially politicians to remember that the power given to them by God is transient, therefore, they should make the best use of it. for the establishment of a society free of injustice, corruption and

By Isaiah Benjamin Kaduna

L-R: Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi; Abia State governor Theodore Orji; vice president Namadi Sambo and minister of transport, Senator Idris Umar; during the inauguration Enugu- PortHarcourt-Enugu intercity train service in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN

APC Backtracks On Commitment To Issues-based Campaign – PDP

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to adhere to a commitment to issues-based campaigns ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The national publicity secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, dismissed the claim by the APC that the description of its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari as “semi-literate jackboot” by the PDP national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, amounted to reneging on the commitment.

According to Metuh, “In the PDP, we occupy the moral high ground as far as our commitment

to issues-based campaign is concerned. Our word remains our bond. Since, we made that commitment, we have focused on issues.

“We have also taken up the responsibility of drawing the attention of Nigerians to the obvious cases of incompetence and failings of the APC and those who aspire to the leadership of our nation through that platform.

“There has never been any instance that we have maliciously attacked the characters of those on the presidential ticket of the APC; rather, we have been alive to our responsibility of offering public service so that Nigerians will not

be deceived.

“The particular statement by Professor Oladipo, referred to by the APC, which we even consider as complimentary, does not in any way compare with the many instances of vicious, malicious and provocative attacks on the person and office of our presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, after we made the commitment to engage in a decent campaign.

“It is on record that a few days after the commitment alluded to by the APC, Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso, attacked the person of President Jonathan, describing him as an ‘incompetent commander-in-chief.’ No person-

al attack could be more vicious and unconscionable.

“Similarly, the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has consistently prosecuted a hate campaign against President Jonathan, describing him as ‘an enemy of Rivers people.’ I ask the APC and my friend, Lai Mohammed, if this destructive campaign sounds like a love song to him?

“Also, the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, at the church event to mark the 60th birthday of APC deputy national chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, in Ifaki-Ekiti, attacked the person of President Jonathan describing him as ‘a misfit’ for the presidency of the nation.

...No, Practice What You Preach, APC Tells PDP

By Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the PDP as a janus-faced bumbling party for engaging in a serial mudslinging against the party and its leaders, especially in the aftermath of its hugely successful national convention in which Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was elected as the APC’s presidential candidate.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the same PDP that has been preaching issuesbased electioneering campaign has done nothing but mudslinging against the person of Gen. Buhari, his running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, its national leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed the entire APC. It said the spokespersons for

President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP, apparently stung into a stupor by the rancour-free emergence of the party’s candidates for the 2015 general elections and the overwhelmingly positive reactions from Nigerians, have thrown caution and decency to the wind by their crude, rude and rambling statements. ‘’What is issues-based in calling Gen. Buhari a ‘semi-literate jackboot’ as the PDP’s National Secretary Wale Oladipo has incautiously said? Where are the issues in the pejorative reference to Prof.

Osinbajo as an ‘acolyte’ of Tinubu, or in describing Tinubu himself as a puppeteer, as the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh has said in the most vitriolic and irresponsible statement that can ever be issued by the spokesman of a ruling party anywhere?

“Where are the issues contained in the statement by the serial bumbler and gormandizer called Doyin Okupe, who regards Gen. Buhari’s refusal to enrich himself from the public till as a vice rather than a virtue? Why would a ruling party go after the jugular of the opposition simply because it took its time in choosing its presidential running mate, especially since it did not run foul of any electoral law in doing so?

“The truth is that the Jonathan Presidency and the PDP have no issues to canvass during the electioneering campaign for the 2015 general elections because they have wasted the mandate given to them by Nigerians on the altar of unprecedented corruption, incomprehensible incompetence and cluelessness and perhaps the worst leadership ever inflicted on

our country,’’ APC said.

The party expressed delight that Nigerians have taken it upon themselves to respond to the PDP and its barbarians, especially in the social media.

“Had these philistines been monitoring the reactions of Nigerians to the capricious comments they have been making against the person of Gen. Buhari and his party, they would have desisted.

But then, they need to impress their paymasters. It seems the more they pour invective on our leaders and our party, the bigger their pay. We wish them luck in their ludicrous pursuit and shadow chasing,’’ it said.

APC assured Nigerians that its campaign for next year’s elections would be based on how the party plans to restore hope to the forlorn citizens.

NEWS 5

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Military Arraigns General, 14 Senior Officers In Lagos

BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos; MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna and Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

The Nigerian Army has begun the court martial of one brigadier-general and 14 other senior officers in Lagos, on Monday night, over various offenses in the north eastern part of the country.

The army began their trial at the 9th Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja, in Lagos State.

They were alleged to have committed the offences while being deployed to lead various units in the battle to dislodge Boko Haram.

Although journalists were prevented from entering the place, a senior military officer revealed to LEADERSHIP that it was a closeddoor trial and only soldiers were allowed entry.

The officer disclosed that the trial was necessary in the army’s campaign against the Boko Haram sect in the country as it would serve as a deterrent to any soldier who may think of absconding from duty or betraying the force in anyway in the war against the terrorists.

LEADERSHIP recalls that about 54 soldiers from the 111 Special Forces battalion attached to the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army were recently found guilty of mutiny and sentenced to death by firing squad.

They were accused of disobeying a direct order from their superior officers who ordered them to take part in an operation to dislodge the Boko Haram sect from Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State.

They were to recapture the towns from the terrorists.

The soldiers’ defence was that they refused to participate in the operation because the army did not provide them with the required combat and support equipment needed for

such operations.

In a similar development, a set of 12 soldiers were earlier in the year sentenced to death by firing squad for shooting at a car conveying their commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mohammed in September, this year.

They faced a court martial and were found guilty of incitement and mutiny against the GOC at the army’s 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri, on May 14.

All efforts made to reach the public relations officer in charge of 9 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Major Gbadamosi, to comment on the development were futile as he could not be reached on phone for confirmation.

Military to court-martial another 100 soldiers in Abuja The Nigerian military has concluded plans to court-martial about 100 more soldiers in Abuja, following their alleged involvement in offences linked to the fight against the Boko Haram sect According to an online medium, Premium Times, the soldiers were transported from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to Abuja where they are to be arraigned before the General Court Martial.

Again, 17 Killed In Southern Kaduna …As NEMA Donates Relief Materials A total of 17 persons, including aged women and children, have been confirmed dead in a broad daylight killing spree by gunmen in Southern Kaduna village.

This came just seven days after the killing of five people by a similar terrorist group in Karshi village of Sanga local government area ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

According to Chinese longevity philosophy, jing, or essence, is the basic substance of life.

Innate essence is inherited from parentage and can be refined through practices such as tai chi, qigong, and meditation, while a second kind of jing, acquired during your life, can be replenished through diet, nutrition, and longevity herbs.

A formula for enduring youth passed down in our family medical tradion contains such essence-building herbs as Chinese wild yam, ligustri fruit, schisandra berry, sesame seed, eucommia bark, ho shou wu (fo ti) root, and cistanches root. Studies of all these plants confirm their positive effects on the hormonal, immune, and metabolic systems.

‘Drop In Oil Price, Chance To End Fuel Subsidy’ FROM FRONT PAGE

for fuel to be subsidized,” said Gareth Brickman, an analyst at Johannesburgbased ETM Analytic, who was quoted

by Bloomberg.

“The last time subsidies were reduced, there were widespread protests, and given how contentious the political environment is in Nigeria with the elections and ongoing ethnic divisions, it is likely this will be the case again.”

Managing director of BIC Consulting, Dr. Boniface Chizea, concurs that “the president appreciates that fuel subsidy is a hot potato with elections in view”.

For his part, the president,

Independent Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria (ISAN), cautioned that oil slump is just under a few weeks, and therefore not enough reason to rush into removing fuel subsidy, which could backfire when oil prices recover.

“I am an advocate for the removal of fuel subsidy in the oil sector but we do not need to make such decision in haste. We must be very careful,” Nwosu warned.

However, Chizea said it is possible to remove fuel subsidy but with a proviso that the “landing cost must be at least at N97 for it to happen. And that should not in any way translate to increase in pump price as being speculated.”

Christmas: Army Restricts Vehicular Movement In Borno, Yobe

By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri

As a measure to avert possible attacks by Boko Haram terrorists, especially during the yuletide, the Yobe State government yesterday announced a five- day ban on all kinds of vehicles within the state.

The ban, according to a statement issued by Abdullahi Bego, the special adviser on Press Affairs and Information to Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, was sanctioned by the governor at the end of a security council meeting in Damaturu, the state capital.

According to Bego, the restriction would commence from 6pm today to 7am on Sunday, December 28, 2014.

Unlike in Borno State where all vehicular movements will be restricted for the same period of five days, the ban in Yobe State is only for vehicles coming

into or leaving the state.

Bego added, however, that people in various towns across the state can move with their vehicles freely within their own towns except during the curfew hours imposed earlier.

He clarified that hospital ambulance services on emergency assignments will be exempted from these restrictions.

“The state government and security agencies took these decisions in view of the need to ensure the safety and security of citizens throughout the state, especially in the festive, yuletide season,” advising the people to show understanding and patience as these measures were taken in the overall interest of the state and the people. ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

6 news extra Traffic Congestion In Lagos, As Residents Shop For Christmas

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

There was traffic congestion in virtually all parts of Lagos metropolis yesterday as many Lagosians shopped for Christmas.

LEADERSHIP observed in Obalende area of the state that many motorists groaned for several hours in the traffic gridlock before they resorted to driving against the traffic.

In the ever-busy Ikorodu Road, the vehicular traffic was so bad that it snowballed into the lane of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit, thereby clogging their swift movement on the lanes.

At the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, vehicular traffic came to a standstill for five hours. The traffic logjam caused by last minute rush to Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda, during his visit to bomb explosion victims at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, yesterday. shop and travel out of the state PHOTO BY NAN. persisted till the late hours of the day.

Some of the people travelling out of Lagos told LEADERSHIP around Seven Up, Toll Gate ernment that it is a northern busi- gave him old AK47 that cannot even ment. Industrialisation, the essenarea that their hope of getting by GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos ness is bad. Let them go there. shoot. You are risking his life. They tial factor, from elementary ecoto their destinations on time had been dashed due to the As the nation suffers the pains in- It may not be what they intend have a right to protest that. You nomics is power.

He said those making the allelong hours they lost to the flicted by insurgency daily, the di- but that is the way people read it. don’t kill them for that.” rector general of Buhari Campaign Whether people say it or not, you The governor assured that a Bu- gations that he is the one funding gridlock.

A motorist who identified Organisation, Governor Rotimi will see clearly that the federal gov- hari-led government if elected by All Progressive Congress (APC) achimself as Stephen said, Amaechi has said that the country ernment has not done well enough Nigerians will deal with the issue tivities are enemies of democracy.

Amaechi said, “Anybody who of insurgency.

“I am travelling to Osogbo needs a strong-willed leader like Gen- in the area of insurgency.

“It is not because we have a bad He pointed out that the country said we spent money should come to celebrate Christmas but eral Muhammadu Buhari urgently to military. Our soldiers are well may be broke now because of two out with evidence. We have mainthis traffic within Lagos is contain terrorism in the country.

Amaechi who stated this at an in- trained. It is because they are not factors, saying, “the diversion of tained that consistently that Nigefrustrating my plans. The joy I had when I set out for this teractive session with journalists in well funded. Between the period funds in the Nigeria National Pe- rians would fund us and that is why journey is no longer there. I Lagos said when Chadian rebels in- that the money gets to the military troleum Corporation (NNPC). It has we have launched in our campaign am sweating inside the vehicle vaded Borno State in the past, it was and the period it is released, some affected Nigerians including me”. meeting a fund-raiser and we will “The price of goods are rising be- ensure that we will convince Buhahere. We have not moved for Buhari that chased them away, say- amounts of money disappear.

“So, we have to deal with the is- cause the price of dollar has risen. ri to be the only signatory to that some time now; the vehicles ing it takes a strong leader to achieve such security feat. sue of corruption and that is where Inflation is on the rise. The presi- account. are at a standstill.”

He said, “How many Nigerians re- the military is having problem. dent cant deny that. The way to “We can’t fight the president on At Awolowo Road, Ikeja, there was also traffic gridlock member that Buhari is a strong lead- Because if they are not properly deal with that is to fight corruption. funds, see how much he raised from caused by the long queue of er? You need a strong leader to chase equipped, they cannot fight insur- Once you fight corruption, you save those who collected the 2.3trillion money, that money you saved from Naira on oil subsidy and they have vehicles moving into Shoprite away Boko Haram or Boko Haram gency. will chase us away. There are reports “You want to kill 50 military of- corruption will be put back in the to pay back if he is not prosecuting to shop for Christmas. that 32 persons have been killed in ficers who are saying please equip economy and that would create em- them on oil subsidy, why should

By George Okojie, Lagos Bauchi and Gombe, so you need a us properly; we can’t go to the bat- ployment.

“We will fight the president with Buhari to actually fight the insur- tle front without the right weap“We will deal with power because the people of Nigeria who need gents. on; now you are sending a soldier if you do not deal with power, you change. The symbol of change for our “The attitude of the federal gov- to fight a man with RPG and you certainly cant deal with unemploy- party is General Buhari and the APC.

Nigeria Needs A Buhari To Stop Insurgency – Amaechi

2015: Buhari Meets Volunteers In Lagos

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday met a group of young men who had volunteered for his campaign in Lagos.

Buhari personally made the announcement via his twitter page, saying “I am in Lagos at the moment to meet a group of passionate young volunteers and get their input – GMB”.

The national leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former FCT minister, Nasir El-Rufai, Rivers State governor and directorgeneral of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi were in attendance.

Buhari was expected to listen to the volunteers on the best way to actualise his dream of leading Nigeria in 2015.

By Midat Joseph, Kaduna

FG To Encourage Better Trade Relations With Developing Countries – Jonathan

By George Agba, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that his administration was actively committed to encouraging and supporting the development of more mutuallybeneficial trade and economic relations between Nigeria and other developing countries.

The president who stated this in separate audiences with the new ambassadors of Cuba and Zimbabwe noted that in keeping with its commitment to privatisation, trade liberalisation and the full diversification of the Nigerian economy, the federal government was ready to engage in greater economic ties with Cuba, Zimbabwe and other emerging

economies.

He said, “Nigeria is a very vast economy. We are not just about oil. We have a very vibrant business community that has a global presence in both the service and non-service sectors.

“We will encourage these businesses to expand their interests into your economies”, he told Ambassador Carlos Eleterio Trejo Sosa of Cuba and Ambassador Lovemore Mazemo of Zimbabwe, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to him.

President Jonathan noted that with the full support and encouragement of his administration, Nigerian businesses were already operating successfully in some Af-

rican and European countries, and making commendable progress in the development of entrepreneurial skills, resource mobilisation and global competitiveness.

The new ambassadors thanked President Jonathan for receiving them and assured him that they will work hard to boost trade and economic relations between their countries and Nigeria.

Also in an audience with the outgoing Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ali Abdo Suleiman, President Jonathan applauded the cordial bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

He said cordial ties had encouraged leading Nigerian companies to establish branches in that country, adding that economic ties be-

tween both countries have improved significantly in the last three years.

President Jonathan also observed that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries has resulted in regular flights from Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to four major cities in Nigeria - Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Kano.

He commended the outgoing ambassador for working hard to boost trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia during his tenure in Abuja.

Ambassador Suleiman, who served in Abuja for three years, told the president he was leaving with very happy memories of Nigeria.

News north-central 7

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Saraki Donates Pension To Scholarship Scheme

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The former governor of Kwara state, Dr Bukola Saraki has launched a scholarship scheme to assist indigent students in tertiary institutions in the state.

One hundred students will benefit annually from the scheme tagged Abubakar Bukola Saraki Students Foundation (ABSSF) .

A statement by Saraki’s media aide, Bamikole Omishore said, “Senator Saraki, who served as a two-term governor of Kwara State, and as the chairperson of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) during his tenure, has also announced that he will be donating his accrued pension arrears from the time of his governorship (N45million) which he has not taken a kobo from, to kickstart the start-up funding of the foundation.

“Senator Saraki has also committed his future pensions from

short news

Niger Guber Race: Nasko Picks Kantigi As Running Mate Barely a month after he emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Niger State, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko has named Alhaji Liman Isah Kantigi as his running mate for the 2015 gubernatorial election.

Alhaji Umar Nasko made the announcement yesterday after a closed-door meeting of PDP Stakeholders held at the Government House, Minna.

A statement by the chief press secretary to the state governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Israel Ayegba Ebije, said the announcement of Alhaji Kantigi by the PDP governorship candidate followed due process.

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

his time as a governor towards this initiative, to ensure the longterm sustainability and viability of the programme.

“Recipients of the ABS scholarships will also be mandated to dedicate at least four hours of their time each month to the development of their immediate communities.

“Under the guidance of ABSSF, supervisors in the various institutions, recipients will be tasked with developing community programmes such as after-school tutoring of classes for primary and/ or secondary school students in the community. The aim of the ABSSF is to maximise the impact of the scholarships for not only the benefit of the recipients, but also the benefit of the recipients’ immediate community.

“The official launch of the ABSSF, was announced in Kwara on December 19, 2014, concurrently with the birthday celebration of the senator”.

Jang Presents N216bn Budget To Plateau Assembly Plateau State governor Jonah Jang has presented the 2015 budget estimate to the State House of Assembly.

The budget tagged “Budget of Transition and Inclusive Growth (V)” is pegged at N215,465,835, 418.00. It shows a 4.26 % drop from last year’s estimate which the governor explained is as a result of dwindling economic fortunes of the country.

He said, “The budget will be funded from internally generated revenue, statutory revenue allocation, SURE-P, expected reimbursement from the federal government and expected capital receipts.”

The governor also explained that “recurrent expenditure estimate is Ninety-Two billion, four hundred and ninety four million, three hundred and thirty five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-two naira, N92,494,335,822.00.”

The recurrent expenditure represent 42.93 percent of the total budget while the capital budget pegged at One hundred and twenty-two billion, nine hundred and seventy-one million, five hundred and ninety six naira only, N122,971,499,596 representing 51.07 percent.

He stressed that the capital budget will focus on the completion of ongoing projects.

By Achor Abimaje, Jos

short news Yuletide: Police Deploy 6,000 Officers In Kwara The Kwara State Police Command has deployed about 6,000 officers to mount intensive security surveillance across the state during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The spokesman of the command, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi, who stated this in Ilorin, added that the deployed policemen would be on 24 hours patrol as the police would make the state uncomfortable for criminals.

According to him, this measure was put in place to provide adequate security for the people of the state during the festive period.

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

Shoppers purchasing Christmas hampers at Wuse market in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Due Process, Respect Of Humanity Will Be My Guiding Principles – Tarzoor

By Michael Oche, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Hon Terhemen Tarzoor has promised the people of the state dividends of democracy, with a vow to lead with absolute fear of God, due process and respect for humanity when elected governor.

Tarzoor assured the people of the state of his commitment to serve the state diligently through result-oriented programes and policies when

elected governor of the state next year.

The governorship candidate who stated this during his “thank you” tour of Zones A and C senatorial districts of the state, said he is poised to transform Benue State beyond the imagination of Benue people.

A former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Tarzoor who led leaders and stakeholders of the MINDA axis on the tour, pointed out that having served the state in various capacities up to speaker of the

State Assembly, he believes he has all it takes to lead the state.

He assured the people that his government would be a listening one that would accommodate all views to ensure that the people are given a sense of belonging.

He appreciated the delegates across the state and party leaders who found him worthy of being the PDP candidate, promising not to disappoint them as he will lead with the fear of God and ensure that the state enjoys the dividends of democracy.

Yuletide: FRSC Targets Free Flow Of Traffic In Kogi

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

Measures to ensure free flow of traffic and reduce accidents during Christmas and New Year in Kogi State have been put in place by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state.

The sector commander of the commission in Kogi State, Dr Godwin Omiko disclosed yesterday that the command is

holding talks with the construction companies handling various road projects in the state to open the completed portions of the roads for use.

Dr Omiko stated that since the state is a gateway to almost 23 states of the federation and vulnerable to massive vehicular traffic, especially at festive seasons, it is expedient for the commission to strategise on proactive measures to reduce

gridlock and avoidable road crashes.

The FRSC boss expressed optimism that with the ongoing maintenance of the failed portion of the Murtala Mohammed Bridge on Lokoja-KotonkarfeAbuja and Okene-Nagazi roads by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), motorists would not have to go through excruciating experience on the roads.

... Secures Conviction Of 18 Drivers, Deploys 600 Personnel

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

A special mobile court set up by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Kwara State Sector Command, has prosecuted 21 road traffic offenders, out of whom 18 drivers were convicted while three others were cautioned and discharged.

They were said to have committed various traffic offences, including seat belt, overloading, safety hel-

met and other road offences.

The sector has also deployed 600 personnel to control traffic, conduct rescue activities, and enlighten members of the public in Churches and Mosques before and during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

The state sector commander of FRSC, Mary Wakawa said that the mobile court sitting along Ilorin-Ajase-Epo road was set up to

prosecute road traffic violators in the state in order to stem the tide of road traffic crashes and achieve Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crashes during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

Wakawa said that the exercise would be a continuous one and warned all road users in the state against dangerous driving, overloading with passengers and goods.

8 NEWS

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Ahmed Mourns Former Green Eagles Star, Otolorin

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has commiserated with the family of late Nigerian football star, Moses Otolorin, who died on Monday at his Ilorin country home after a protracted illness.

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Alhaji

Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed described Otolorin, known for his famous long throw-ins, who featured for the then Green Eagles, as the senior national football team was known, as “a shining star” not only to the people of the state but the whole football fraternity in Nigeria.

The governor, while praying

for the repose of the soul of the the late football star, said it would not forget in a hurry his quest for talent discovery of budding football players in the state.

“We mourn the passing on of Otolorin. We are, however, consoled with the life he lived, laying good examples for the younger footballers to

emulate. He was committed and contributed his quota to football development in our dear state and Nigeria as a country,” the statement added.

The governor urged the wife and children of the deceased to take solace in the legacies left behind by Otolorin, and advised other sports loving Kwarans to emulate the life and times of the

“patriot and committed Kwaran who brought glories to the state and the nation.”

The deceased was a former midfielder with IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, now christened, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). He died at the age of 67.

Otolorin retired as a senior sports coach at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, six years ago.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan being presented with an award by the leaders of Legend of Nollywood, Mr. Paul Obazele, Mr. Zak Orji and others during a courtesy call by the actors to the president at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN

Vandals Sabotaged Power Generation Target

Military Arraigns General, 14 Senior Officers In Lagos

FROM PAGE 5

FROM PAGE 5

Christmas: Army slams 5-day ban on vehicular movement in Borno Just as it did during the last Sallah celebration in Borno State, the 7 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maiduguri, yesterday imposed a fiveday restriction of all kinds of activity in the state as Christians celebrate Christmas, according to an official military statement.

The restriction will not only restrict vehicles from moving within the metropolis in Borno State, but also bar vehicles coming in from other neighbouring states.

According to a statement issued from the 7 Division headquarters in Maiduguri and signed by the deputy director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, the restriction of vehicular movement during the yuletide is borne out of security reports that the Boko Haram sect was planning to launch massive attacks on unidentified parts of Borno State “and particularly the state capital (Maiduguri) during the Christmas celebration”.

Colonel Usman said it was owing to this development that “the Division,

in consultation with the Borno State government and other security agencies, decided to ban all forms of vehicular movement in the state from 6pm on Wednesday, December 24 to 7am on Sunday, December 28, 2014”.

The statement, however, excluded government officials on essential services and journalists that are duly authorised by their establishments.

The announcement has caused residents and holiday travellers to embark on panic travels to avoid being held up either in the state or on the highways between Borno and Yobe.

Hundreds of travellers, who were rushing out of Borno State to beat the vehicular curfew hours, were held trapped between the highways of Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, as soldiers in the latter enforced a restriction that came earlier than that of Borno.

Most of the travellers would spend their Sallah holiday on the highway, while others who had to drive back to Maiduguri concluded their return journey on foot as soldiers there did not allow vehicles to drive into the state capital.

of Kaduna State.

District head of Aboro, Shaibu Galadima, who confirmed the killings, said 17 people died on Sunday at Angwar Dauda village in Sanga LGA when the gunmen stormed the village at about 2pm.

Galadima told officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who presented relief materials to victims of earlier attacks in the area, that most people at the Aboro displaced persons camp hurriedly moved out after they heard the gunfire out of fear.

The district head expressed appreciation the prompt response of NEMA to the plight of the displaced persons and called for more support from individuals and groups, even as he prayed for the return of peace to the area and for the unity of the country.

Earlier, the head of the NEMA team, Hajia Amina Ahman, had said the relief materials were to bring succour to the displaced persons.

LEADERSHIP reports that communities in Sanga LGA have been under consistent attacks leading to the killing of more than 1,500 people this year.

14 killed, 45 injured as Taraba boils About 14 people were killed yesterday

while 45 people sustained injuries when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attack Naturde Village in Gassol local government area of Taraba State.

An eye witness who spoke to LEADERSHIP, said that gunmen numbering over 92 invaded the village during a weeding and started shooting sporadically, claiming that 42 people died during the attack According to him, the attackers came from a neighboring village of plateau State on a revenge mission.

“As I am peaking with you, we have been burying our loved ones since morning, they have killed good numbers of our people and injured scores” he said.

The witness further claimed that the village has been reduced to rumbles within the few hours of their operation.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Taraba State command ASP Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the attack. He also told LEADERSHIP on phone that it was 11 persons that were killed by the attackers.

He added that 40 persons were also injured in the process of the attack.

He said that normalcy has since return to the village and that the state police command is doing everything possible to ensure a hitch free Christmas at this yellow tide seasons.

news Lagos 9

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Ambode Visits Lagos Assembly The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has solicited the support of the lawmakers in the state assembly for the election.

Ambode said during a visit to the Assembly yesterday that he and the Speaker of the House, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji had been friends for over 25 years and that Ikuforiji, who was also a governorship aspirant in the party, has been a rallying point for all the aspirants in the party after the election.

"Ikuforiji has ensured that we all came together as one voice after the primaries. We are all winners and we will work together for the progress of the state and we will move the state forward together.

"I came here to seek the support of all the 40 lawmakers in the Assembly. The state cannot move forward unless the legislative and the executive work together. I believe in team spirit.

Once we win the elections, we will work together as a team to develop the state. Our functions are different, but our objectives are the same," he said.

PDP To Obanikoro: We Did Not Manipulate Lagos Governorship Primary

BY By Kunle olasanmi, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied the allegation by former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro that the December 8, 2014 gubernatorial primary held in Lagos State was rigged in favour of the winner, Jimi Agbaje.

The party accused Obanikoro of working to frustrate its

plan to field a credible and lawful candidate for the next governorship election in Lagos.

It accused Obanikoro of storming the election venue with about 30 heavily armed mobile policemen.

It also argued that as against Obanikoro’s claim, it complied with its electoral guidelines in the conduct of the Lagos primary.

It also denied Obanikoro’s

allegation of over-voting during the primary election.

In a three separate processes it filed in reaction to the suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja by Obanikoro, which he sought to nullify the outcome of the Lagos governorship primary, the party through its counsel, Paul Ananaba (SAN), urged the court to dismiss Obanikoro’s suit, arguing that even if there

was non-compliance with the Electoral Guideline, “it was not substantial to warrant the prayers sought by the plaintiff.”

In its affidavit to show cause why Obanikoro’s prayers should not be granted, the PDP denied that there was overvoting, arguing that its electoral committee acted within the guidelines and conducted a free exercise.

short news

LAHA Seeks Training Partnership With UK

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Synagogue: 'NEMA, LASEMA Ill- equipped To Manage Disaster' The national executive co-ordinator of Life Savers Foundation (LSF), Mrs Fola Shoetan, yesterday told the coroner conducting an inquest into the collapsed of a building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) that lack of adequate equipment by rescuers contributed to the high casualty figures recorded during the incident.

Mrs Shoetan, who was testifying on behalf of the church also told Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe that NEMA and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are not well equipped to manage disaster situations in the country.

According to her the two government agencies came to the site of the collapsed building without the right equipments to commence the rescue operation. She therefore called on both the Federal Government and the Lagos State government to ensure that adequate equipments are provided for the agencies in order to effectively contain emergency situations whenever the need arises. The witness also maintained that statutorily responders are not supposed to leave a disaster site until a rescue operation is concluded but both NEMA and LASEMA always leave the site every night. She claimed that it was youths from the church that continued with the rescue effort throughout the night.

By Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi (left) with chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State, chapter, Davis IbiamuIkana, during a press conference in Lagos, yesterday PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI

19 Ekiti Lawmakers Want Court To Prosecute 7 PDP Lawmakers For Treason

BY OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin and 18 other lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to order the arrest and prosecution of seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for reasonable felony.

The APC lawmakers, who are seeking 22 declarative reliefs from

the court, want a declaration that the seven factional members, having conspired to take control of the Ekiti State House Assembly being a part of Government of Nigeria in contravention of the provisions of section 1(2) of the constitution and section 41(c) of the criminal Code have committed treasonable felony.

They are also seeking an order of the court directing Inspector General of Police/Commissioner of police to arrest and to prosecute the

factional seven lawmaker for act of reasonable felony.

The 19 APC lawmakers are also seek an order declaring all action carried out by the seven PDP lawmakers, especially as pertaining to Dele Olugbemi and Olayinka Abeni purportedly holding the office of Speaker and deputy speaker respectively as illegal.

The presiding judge, Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned the matter till January 7, 2015, for hearing.

The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) said an enhanced training programme for its members and in particular anticipated new entrants will further boost the house members capacity to provide direction for the incoming administration..

The House said the ongoing training collaboration with the UK government programme in Nigeria, the state accountability and Voice Initiative has enhanced its capacity to make laws.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Ikuforiji who sought for greater ties with SAVI, a state level programme of the Department for International Development (DFID) said the training would particularly benefit new members of the house in 2015.

By Chika IzuoraLagos

SERAP Urges UN Rights Experts To Halt Execution Of 54 Soldiers

By OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

A civil society organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked a group of five United Nations human rights independent experts to individually and jointly prevail on the Nigerian government not to confirm the death sentences passed on 54 Nigerian soldiers for disobeying

a direct order from their commanding officer.

The five special rapporteurs are: Christof Heyns, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Juan Méndez, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Pablo de Greiff, special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, jus-

tice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence; Mads Andenas, chair-rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Ben Emmerson, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

LEADERSHIP recalls that on Wednesday December 17, 2014, the Nigerian Army’s 7 division

General Court Martial convicted 54 soldiers for conspiracy to commit mutiny and sentenced them to death by firing squad.

SERAP in a petition dated December 23, 2014, and signed by its executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni stated that “it is not right or fair to try everyone in mass proceedings; such unfair trial should not send someone to the gallows."

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stories of the Wednesday, December 24, 2014

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

KIDNAP: Police Kill 4 Suspects, 2 Robbers

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

The police in Kokori community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, have killed four kidnap suspects and two armed robbers.

They were said to have been terrorizing the community in recent times.

While residents of the community are currently jubilating following the killing of the suspects, the police public Relations officer in the state, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed that the suspects were killed at the weekend.

She disclosed that the police rounded them up on a tip-off, giving their names as; Skeboy James, Olokpa Ben Collins Kori and Ejiro Franklyn, adding that they were among the major terrorists in Kokori community in the last few years.

DSP Kalu explained that with the killing of the suspects, peace has returned to the community, deserted over frequent robberies.

Investigation revealed that Kokori community has been under siege of robbery operations in the last six months as its residents sleep with one eye open.

Also, DSP Kalu said over 20 suspected robbery kingpins have been arrested and charged to court.

YULETIDE: Fraudsters Impersonate Coy’s Officials

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

As Christmas and New Year celebrations draw close, fraudsters have devised other means to dupe unsuspecting people and make fast money using the name of Coca Cola Plc. An individual who did not want her name on print, told LEADERSHIP that she received an SMS on her phone on Tuesday stating that she has won huge sums of money. “Congratulation: you have won N450,000; your number is among the 42 lucky winners in Coca Cola, code number (MTN3G) call Mrs. Faith for claims.

She narrated that when she called the so-called Faith, the matter took another dimension. “When I called Faith, she said I should buy N6,000 MTN recharge card and attach my account number to it and call Faith back to get the money.”

Another person also received this message in the name of Coca Cola.

But when LEADERSHIP put a call to the management of the company, they denied it.

They, however, advised Nigerians to be wise during this period as some dubious persons are anxious to make quick money by all means.

LEADERSHIP also gathered that some people also sent message in the names of banks all in the name to get quick money.

Children dancing with a clown at the Millennium Park, Abuja, yesterday PHOTO

BY DELE DAMISA

YULETIDE: FRSC Convicts 18 Drivers, Deploys 600 Personnel

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

A special mobile court set up by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara State Sector Command, has prosecuted 21 road traffic offenders, out of which 18 drivers were convicted while three drivers were cautioned and discharged for committing various traffic offences, ranging from seat belt, overloading, safety helmet and other road offences.

The sector has also deployed 600 personnel to control traffic, conduct rescue activities, and enlighten members of the public in churches and mosques before and during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

The state sector commander of FRSC, Mary Wakawa, said that the mobile court sitting along

Ilorin- Ajase-Epo road, was set up to prosecute road traffic violators in the state in order to stem the tide of road traffic crashes and achieve Operation Zero Tolerance to road traffic crashes during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

Wakawa said that the exercise would be a continuous one and warned all road users in the state against dangerous driving, over loading with passengers and goods, over speeding, use of cell phone while driving, under age driving, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, non-use of crash helmet and use of worn out tyres.

She said that any erring driver would be arraigned before the mobile court that would be sitting all through the celebration period, adding that road side camps have beeen erected in Olooru, Bode- saadu and Omu-aran.

ASSAULT: ASUU Protests Assault On Member By: Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), of the University of Benin chapter, yesterday raised concern over the alleged manhandling of its members by suspected hoodlums, who unleashed mayhem on them over disputed parcels of land allegedly belonging to the ivory tower.

The academic union, in a signed press release issued yesterday in Benin and made available to newsmen by the state chairman, Dr Anthony Monye-Emina and Okeri Henry, (Secretary), called on the law enforcement agencies to intervene in the matter to save the lives of its members.

Part of the release reads “We write to the attention of the general public to the resort to lawlessness and gangsterism against some of our members on Friday, 19, December, 2014.

“For the information of the public, the

University of Benin was in court over landed properties in the GRA, Benin City and judgment was delivered on Tuesday 16th December, 2014. During the pendency of the matter, the judgement was tampered with and we strongly believe that this is against the rule of law” Continuing, Emina said “The University of Benin promptly filed an appeal against the judgement of the High Court and appealed for a stay of execution on Wednesday, 17th December, 2014 which has been scheduled for determination sometime in January 2015.

“Our major concern is the inhuman and barbaric manner in which some academic staff were mercilessly beaten to stupor by hoodlums and their property forcefully thrown out of their apartment even when the University of Benin is yet to be officially served the ruling of the High Court. This is summarily self-help without due recourse to the laws of the land.

NABBED: Police Arrest Notorious Robber, 23 Cultists

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

The police detectives in Asaba, Delta State, have arrested a notorious armed robber and 23 suspected cultists in the last one week in the state.

Police public relations officer in the state, DSP Celestine Kalu, confirmed that the robbery kingpin, Nnamdi Ugwuanwa, among others, robbed one Ahmed Ali at Abraka Park, of the sum of N2.3million at gun point.

DSP Kalu said that the suspect upon interrogation, confessed that his gang members Dumebi Onwuegbuzia and Felix Igbeon, who assisted him with local made guns for the robbery operation were settled with N30,000 each after the operation.

It was gathered that the said Dumebi Onwuegbuzia who has been at large and on the wanted list of the police, was arrested by the operatives of SARS in Asaba as investigation showed that the suspect is a leader of Vikings confraternity and has initiated many boys into the dreaded cult group.

The suspect was remanded at Ogwashi-Uku prison for cultism in 2002 and was later released on court bail, while his trial is ongoing at High Court II Asaba.

Kalu said that the 23 others suspected cultists were arrested at various initiation centres in their hideout and would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

Meanwhile, the police patrol team in Enerhen Division led by ASP Smart Nosakhare on a tip-off that armed robbers were operating with a Camry car, swng into action, and gave the hoodlums a hot chase to motel Enerhen.

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

day

Photo News

ROBBERY: Robbers Make Away With Bullion Van, Kill 1

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

Rampaging armed robbers in Delta communities, on Monday in Umunede community near Asaba, raided a bullion van conveying money running into millions of naira after close to two hours of gun battle with policemen where one person was killed and several others injured before they ran away with the money unhurt.

Eyewitness said the armed robbers ambushed the driver of the van along the Asaba-Benin Expressway after shooting sporadically to scare motorists and passersby away.

It was reliably gathered that the armed robbers escaped with their car after killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring the policemen with the bullion van who could not withstand their superior power.

Sources said there have been

frequent robbery incidents in Umunede community especially at night fall where heavy duty vehicles’ drivers stop-over to take some rest before they continue their journey.

In what appeared to be a scene from a movie, the eyewitness further said that the robbers in a commando style ordered travellers to frog jump while the gun battle with the police lasted.

As it were, the 12 year- old- boy who was killed was said to have been hit by the robbers’ stray bullets when they fired nonstop at the van that left everybody around the incident to run for their dear lives.

But the police public relations officer, Celestina Kalu who confirmed the robbery incident, said the police would do everything possible to bring them to book, adding that no policeman was injured during the attack.

KIDNAP: Wife Of Abducted UNIOSUN ASUU Chair Rescued

by JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

The wife of the chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Osun State University (UNIOSUN) chapter, Mrs. Funmilayo Abiona, abducted last Friday, has been released.

Mrs. Abiona who was kidnapped on her way home after closing at her shop located at the junction leading to UNIOSUN, Osogbo campus at Oke-Baale area around 6pm on Friday, was recovered at a location along Ilesa/Akure road at about 4:00pm yesterday.

The five kidnap gang had whisked away Mrs Abiona in their red car and headed towards an unknown destination only to

demand for the ransom the following day.

Though it was not clear whether the family paid the N5 million ransom allegedly placed on her by the kidnappers, sources revealed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnap case.

Family source who confirmed the release of Mrs Abiona, expressed appreciation to well wishers who shared with the family, the grief of the abduction of his wife.

Efforts made to get the state police command to confirm and give further information proved abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Folashade Odoro could not be reached.

KIDNAP: Court Jails Native Doctor For 10 Years

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

An Effurun High Court, Effurun, Delta State, has sentenced a 46- year- old native doctor identified as Philip Itoje to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for kidnapping the wife of a professor working at the state-owned university.

The convict was found guilty of kidnapping one Mrs. Christiana Eruotor, wife of a professor with the Delta State University Abraka (Delsu), and he was sentenced by Justice Benjamin Ikoh who also insisted that the accused would serve his jail term with hard labour.

The court held that from the evidence before it, there were facts that pointed out that the accused person was guilty of the act.

It was gathered that the convict, who hails from Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government of the state, had been posing as “prophet” of God before the bubble burst.

He arrested by security operatives after Mrs. Eruotor, a retired chartered

accountant with the state-owned university, Abraka was declared missing.

Reports said that the victim left home on August 7, 2012, after informing her husband that she was travelling to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

But this was not to be as she did not come home and all efforts to locate her proved abortive.

The accused was arrested by the police and later handed over to men of the State Security Service for further investigation after it was established through the victim (Mrs. Eruotor’s) call data log that there was phone contacts between the accused and the victim from 2nd to 7th August 2013.

It was also established after a call data analysis, that the accused called the victim five times on the morning she was missing.

The accused, however, denied the allegations as he told the SSS that the last time he remembered to have any contact with the victim was in June 2012, which further aroused the suspicion of security operatives as the call data log indicated otherwise.

L-R: Managing director, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney; Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, SAN and marketing manager, Key Accounts, 7-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mrs. Patricia Odia-Iletogun during Lagos Countdown 2014 party, at Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI

(L-R): Operations manager, Sambajo Enterprises, Alhaji Sirajo Sambajo, managing director, Bayswater Industries Ltd, Mr. Piyush Nair and prize winner, Mallam Saminu Ya’u Yankaba at the presentation of prizes, to northern zone winners in the on-going Mr Chef Awuff Now, Now consumer promotions in Kano

Executive director, Large Enterprises , Bank of Industry, Mohammed Alkali; facilitator, KPMG Partner, Mrs Adebisi Lamikanra; MD/CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI) Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa and executive director, Small & Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry,Waheed Olagunju, during the bank’s corporate transformation retreat, in Lagos.

L-R: Executive chairman, Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Hon Okon Osung; vice president, Quality Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Corporate Social Responsibility (QHSSEC), Glenn Bestall & CSR manager Nkoyo Etuk, both of Seven Energy at the presentation of renovated six classroom blocks & exercise books donation to Ubodung Community Secondary School, Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

12

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

13

14 news NATIONAL Contempt: Judge’s Absence Stalls Suit Against Jega The absence of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday stalled hearing in the contempt proceedings against the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, over his alleged refusal to register Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) as a political party.

The matter was adjourned to 21st January, 2015, for hearing on form 49 ( notice to show cause why order of committal should not be made against Professor Jega), pursuant to order 35 Rules 1,2 and 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, and Section 6(6)a and (b) constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The plaintiffs, Rev. Olusegun Peters, Okoye Finbarr, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Khalil and Dioji Chidinma, through their counsel, Ezekiel Vem Ofou, sought an order of court committing the respondent/contemnor (Prof. Attahiru Jega) to prison for willfully refusing/neglecting to obey the full direction contained in the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Kolawole on 17th October 2014, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/880/2013.

By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

A cross section of both Muslim and Christain clerics in Katsina State have stressed the need for peaceful polls as the nation approaches the 2015 general election.

Speaking during a one day seminar on importance of peace and security in electioneering period, the clerics also pledged to sustain the preaching of peace among their followers.

In a sermon during the seminar, Sheikh Naziru Kofar Baru, who stressed that Islam does not condone violence, said peaceful coexistence remains the cardinal principle of the Islamic faith.

He said peaceful election was possible if all stakeholders including politicians, security agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission cordinate their work with the fear of God. Also speaking, Reverend Gideon Biya enjoined stakeholders to support the message of peace, insisting that growth and development were achievable only under an atmosphere of peace and unity.

Earlier, in a speech to declare the workshop open, Katsina State deputy governor, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, warned residents against acts capable of causing crisis.

Our correspondent reports that the seminar which drew participants from the 34 council areas of the state was meant to enlighten residents on the need to live in peace during the general elections.

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

2015: Jonathan’s Performance’ll Ensure His Re-election – Sen Uzodinma

BY Millie Ibe, Abuja

Senator Hope Uzodinma, representing Imo West senatorial district in the upper chamber of the National Assembly has said that based on his track record of performance and other attributes that give him out as a good leader, President Goodluck Jonathan will be re-elected in the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking with journalists in his Abuja residence yesterday, Uzodinma said the Goodluck Jonathan administration has been “silent-

ly transforming Nigeria from its dark ages of underdevelopment to a 21st century economic and political force,” which earns him brighter chances of re-election in 2015.

He noted that the president had prompted and practiced true democracy by creating an enabling environment where people from diverse backgrounds and with divergent views and opinions can be accommodated.

“Under the watch of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has

been registered by INEC as a mega opposition party which before now would have been unthinkable”, he posited.

He further said the administration has continually ensured the conduct of free and fair election in the country, including the 2011 poll which was adjudged to be the most credible election of its magnitude that has ever been conducted in the country.

The senator also stated that the administration has kept faith with its transformation agenda which has opened up many sectors, including

the rail system. number of governorship elections that have been won both at the polls and in the court by opposition parties in Anambra, Imo, and Osun States, Liberalization of the press and guaranteeing the freedom of speech in a country where the stifling of the press and suppression of the citizens’ right to freedom of speech used to be the norm and the Opening up of Nigeria to the global business community and becoming Africa’s number one destination of foreign investors.

short news UniAbuja, NOA Partner To Establish Course In Patriotism The University of Abuja, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), is set to commence a new academic course in civics, morality and cultural orientation in the university, beginning from the next academic year.

Full curricular to be developed by the school will be submitted to the National Universities Commission for approval.

This was contained in a A motorcycle rider carrying a bag of rice to a motor park at Gwagwalada. Behind him is an articulated vehicle loaded statement signed with baskets full of tomatoes in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN by the assistant director of Press of the agency, Mr. Paul Odenyi, in Abuja.

By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja The platform for officer, Jerry Ambi Akungba and security men, journalists and the course of study made available to LEADERSHIP. agents of the various aspirants inThe recently concluded primaries The group said it was necessary to cluding the agent of Maku. was inaugurated at of the Peoples Democratic Party make the clarification given an allethe NOA headquar“The Yusuf Agabi Campaign Or(PDP) in Nasarawa State has been gation of irregularities made by one ganization (YACO) is compelled ters in Abuja when described as transparent and free of the contestant in the primaries, to react to a statement credited to the director genof irregularities. eral of the agency, Mr, Labaran Maku.

Mr.L abaran Maku, a governorship A non-governmental organisaMike Omeri, set up According to the group, contrary aspirant of the Peoples Democrattion, Yusuf Agabi Campaign Or- to insinuations by Maku that dele- ic Party, in Nasarawa State in thea joint committee ganisation (YACO) made this gates were not accredited, the ac- just concluded party’s primary electo work out the known yesterday in a statement creditation of delegates was trans- tion calling for the cancellation of details. signed by the organisation’s media parent and done in the glare of the result for alleged irregularities.”

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

,,

2015: Clerics Harp On Peaceful Polls

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

‘Nasarawa PDP Governorship Primary Was Transparent’

El-Rufa’i Greets Christians At Christmas, Says Kaduna Will Be Great Again

BY MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State and former Federal Capital Territory minister, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, yesterday felicitated with the Christian community over the birth of Jesus Christ.

In a statement he personally issued in Kaduna, El-Rufai noted that Christmas is not only a time for celebration, but a period for sober reflection and stock-taking of God’s blessings as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

“I wish Christians a happy period of celebration and reflections on the example of Jesus Christ as an

embodiment of peace and love,” he stated.

While appealing to Christians and the entire people of Kaduna State to be committed to religious harmony, peaceful living and understanding of one another as it has been, El-rufai assured the people of the state that Kaduna shall be great again under the leadership

of an APC government.

According to him, “This festive season is important for us to reflect on the golden attributes that bonded us together in the past, regardless of our religious or ethnic differences, and re-embrace them so that the state can rise to become a role model in peace”.ful and harmonious coexistence.”

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

business

N467b

Nigerian stock market is on bullish rebound with anticipation to close the year on a positive note as the market capitalisation appreciated N467 billion

FG, 3 Firms Sign Agreement On 1700MW Solar Projects

BY Juliet Alohan, Abuja

As part of continous efforts to boost power generation, the federal government has signed agreements with three companies to build solar power plants that would generate a total of 1,700 megawatt (MW).

The companies are South Korean-backed firm, Solius NGDC as well as Peoples’ Homes Association and Power House Energy Americas.

Speaking shortly after the Memoranda of Understanding

(MoU) were signed in Abuja, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said that the successful signing of the agreements demonstrates government’s commitments to ensuring that rural dwellers presently alienated from the national grid, have access to electricity.

He assured the firms that government would do its best to support them in acquiring both lands and licenses for their operations.

According to the terms of

agreement, Solius would build a combined 1000mw solar generating plants and also establish a training school for solar technology, while Peoples’ Homes would build a combined 500mw plants and also establish a research centre. Power House Energy on its part, would build 1mw plants in 200 villages located in six states.

Beginning with Solius NGDC Nebo said, “I am happy that you are starting with 100mw to be deployed in various places. I think this is very good. I am happy that

you have the resources for that because that is very critical.

“And also coming from South Korea which only recently has been described as the country’s foremost with homes’ deployment of solar technology, we are quite impressed with that and hope that this technology will be deployed here in Nigeria.”

On the agreement with Peoples’ ‘Home, the minister commended the firm for its plan to build 500mw facility in tranches of 100mw with the deployment of German technology.

BUSINESS QUOTE Ten minutes are not just one-sixth of your hourly pay.

Ten minutes are a piece of yourself.

Divide your life into ten-minute units and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity.

Ingvar Kampard, founder of IKEA (1926-)

‘Nigeria Produced 30mmts Of Cement In 2014’

BY Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

In pursuance to the federal government’s transformation agenda and diversification policy, it has been revealed that the minerals and metals sector produced thirty million metric tonnes of cement in excess of its 28mmts target for the year 2014.

This was revealed by the minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Musa Mohammed Sada, during the last ministerial briefing for 2014 in Abuja yesterday, where he said that the production was as a result of improved production of industrial minerals such as limestone barites, kaolin and clays.

The minister added that the surplus of 2million metric tonnes was targeted for export purposes.

Speaking on other achievements of the sector, Sada listed the granting of 4027 valid mineral titles, facilitation and commencement of exploration, mining and processing activities of 662 companies.

He also said that the ministry under his watch facilitated cement production using locally sourced mineral raw materials such as limestone, gypsum and working towards self sufficiency.

Sada added that other achievements included the “facilitated establishment of two explosives manufacturing companies in Ogun State targeted at easing the control of explosives handling and monitoring users, review and facilitated signing of 67 Mining Community Development Agreements (CDA), 239 Mines Environmental Audit Review and Compliance Monitoring as well as the formalisation of over 90 registered mining co-operatives among others.”

Also speaking on the implementation of the sector’s roadmap, Sada revealed that, “While over 2.8 million tonnes of steel had been produced, 2.1 million tonnes was imported in 2013, valued at N488.7billion.”

L-R: Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Mr Uzo Odenigbo; National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) executive, Ali Ibrahim; president, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwahid Omar and managing director, NBC Ltd, Mr Ben Langat during the NLC president’s visit to the company’s Head Office in Lagos.

Bullish Trend: Capital Market Capitalisation Appreciates By N467bn

BY Olushola Bello, Lagos

The Nigerian stock market is on bullish rebound with anticipation to close the year on a positive note as the market capitalisation appreciated by N467 billion.

The market capitalisation, which opened at N10.357 trillion, went up

by N467 billion, to close at N10.824 trillion. Also, the All-Share Index rose by 1,414.07 points or 4.51 per cent to close at 32,786.00 from the 31,371.93

achieved on Monday.

Nestle led the gainers’ chart by N41.80, to close at N877.80 per share. Seplat gained N13.91 to close at N292.18, while Dangote Cement grew by N13.46 to close at N178.46 per share.

Seven Up appreciated by N7.70 to close at N161.70, while Guinness went up by N6.56 to close at N137.76 per share.

On the other hand, Forte Oil recorded the highest price loss of

N10.90, to close at N209 per share; Glaxo Smithline trailed with a loss of N2 to close at N50, while Nigerian Breweries dipped by N1.24 to close at N151.75 per share.

International Breweries lost 47 kobo to close at N24.23, while PZ Cussons depreciated by 36 kobo to close at N24.23 per share.

Zenith Bank emerged as the investors’ delight, accounting for 57.16 million shares worth N1.12 billion. Multiverse exchanged 42

million shares valued at N21 million, while Resort Saving and Loans sold 40 million shares worth N20 million.

Access Bank exchanged 34 million shares valued at N237.62 million and FCMB sold 33.31 million worth N92.76 million.

However, the volume of shares traded decreased by 47 per cent as investors exchanged a total of 440.813 million shares worth N4.14 billion in 4,964 deals as against the 837.123 million shares valued at N5.45 billion.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

BoI Signs MoU With 10 Banks For SMEs

By OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The Bank of Industry (BoI), yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 10 Small Medium Enterprises (SME)friendly banks geared towards the development of a virile SME sector in Nigeria.

The banks are Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered, Skye Bank and

United Bank for Africa.

Speaking during the signing of the MoU, the managing director, BoI, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, stated that the synergy that has evolved between the BoI and the banks, which is unprecedented between a development finance institution and commercial banks, would undoubtedly foster greater access to finance for SMEs and financial inclusion for Nigerians.

According to him, it is our expectation that the SMEs that will benefit

from this partnership will be good corporate citizens and meet their financial obligations to the partnering banks. This will stand them in good stead for consideration for larger loan amounts with the hope that they will in the near future metamorphose into large enterprises.

Olaoluwa, disclosed that the main factor responsible for the current low level of financial support to SMEs by banks generally is the fact that their

loan requests are poorly packaged and their business plans are nonbankable. He noted that banks, therefore, decided on a multi-pronged approach to addressing the problem of poor loan packaging and access to finance. The first approach was the recent accreditation of 122 business development service providers (BDSPs) located all over the country.

On the area of collaboration, Olaoluwa said that the activities

in which the BoI and the banks will collaborate in include the provision of long-term loans to qualified SMEs by the BoI, based on its risk acceptance criteria, and provision of working capital to the SMEs by the banks, also based on their individual risk acceptance criteria.

He said, “Sectors to be financed shall include agro-processing, solid minerals and metals, light manufacturing, logistics, among others,” while adding that these

are the critical sectors identified under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan launched

by President Goodluck Jonathan on February 11, 2014.

He stated that due to the high interest rate of borrowing in the commercial banks, the BoI was able to negotiate a lower interest rate from the banks for the SMEs, saying that the tenor of borrowing will range from 6-12 months and the interest rate is MPR plus six per cent per annum.

SEC, NBA Partner On Capital Market Devt

BY NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja

... ....... ......... .. program. ...

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) have entered into partnership to work towards the development of Nigeria’s capital market.

The partnership was announced when the president of the NBA, Augustine Alegeh, and some members of his executive paid a courtesy call on the director-general of the SEC, Arunma Oteh, in Abuja.

According to Alegeh, the partnership is essential to the two organisations and the country in general to drive the present administration’s transformation agenda.

Oteh said that Nigeria’s capital market has had big issues that affected the integrity of the market, saying that the timing is perfect for the SEC and the NBA to fashion out ways to collaborate in the interest of investors and the country’s economic development.

“The timing is right for us to look at how we can strengthen the relationship between the SEC and NBA due to the task of the legal profession in fostering the rule of law in the society and the markets and the task of the capital market in transforming our economy.

“We can’t have a country that has such great potentials, men and women that are entrepreneurs, and still have a market this small. Nigerians, by nature, are business men,” Oteh said.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

My Skye... as colorful as the

Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me a gift of a Skye Savings Account Open a Skye Rainbow Account for your child today

Season’s Greetings From all of us @ Skye Bank

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

REPORT OF THE

TRANSFORMATION

AGENDA

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

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LEADERSHIP in a bid to provide a true and objective picture of the successes and challenges of the Transformation Agenda is publishing THE REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA as told by the key actors themselves in their own words unedited.

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The Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has been hailed as successful in several areas like agriculture, power, roads, macro-economic stability, foreign-direct investment inflow, and the health sector, among others. Critics cite poverty, youth unemployment, insecurity and the contracting middle class as evidence that the Transformation Agenda is not working. So who and what do you believe? Welcome to the Situation Report.

Ministries, Paratatals and Agencies who have made impactful contributions to the Transformation Agenda are invited to tell their success stories in the REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA. Private sector companies and contractors who have successfully executed Transformation Agenda projects are also invited to show and tell their success stories in the historic REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA.

To participwaithteph:otographs, charts and graphs and call

sation’s achievements alo2,ngHenry Ubimago: 08068640944, ni ga or e th le pi m co y pl Sim 314390 7 Iyobosa Uwugiaren: 08:03 6, Tosin Allen: 0805211670wspaper 76 52 45 06 07 in am nj Be ne Adebayo nt Abuja resident a in m o d e th in it Show and tell

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Environment

Feature

How Parks, Gardens Can Mitigate Climate Change

Bridging Housing Deficit: the challenge Ahead

Page 22

Page 23

News South Energyx Reaffirms Commitment To Eko Housing Project 2,438 Quantity Surveyors Registered In Nigeria– QSRBN Quacks Responsible For Building Collapse –COREN

22 HOMES & PROPERTY

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

How Parks, Gardens Can Mitigate Climate Change GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

In Lagos State for instance the government does not only have a policy on climate change but also legislating on it to ensure sustainability of initiatives for climateresilient development.

The exploration of innovative opportunities and smart solutions to contain climate change mitigation and adaptation has been adjudged viable option in stemming the impact of climate change.

To effectively explore potential solutions to the problem of climate change stakeholders across the globe have continued to raise serious concerns and tinker with strategies.

Among the many strategies on that could mitigate climate change, the establishment of parks and gardens seemed to have been favoured by governments in Nigeria now picking up the challenge of building a sustainable green resilient city.

In support for this approach, the president of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Mr. David Cadman, said that there is need for everyone to pick up the challenge of building a sustainable green resilient city.

Beyond government level, Cadman said, there is need to work with the universities in specific areas to mark each region and figure out what specifics are applicable in certain areas.

He pointed out that since 1992 not much progress had been made globally except at the local and sub-national levels.

He explained that in 2009 when the world met in Copenhagen, there was a focus that all the states would sign on with a prescription that every country must keep its emission below two degrees Centigrade, which many felt was too much.

A renowned environmentalist, Chief Philip Asiodu, stressed the need for citizens in the country to pay serious attention to measures geared towards mitigating potential threats of

climate change, especially in a coastal city like Lagos State.

Asiodu, who is the President of NCF, pointed out that small island states were more prone to the damaging effects of a warming planet than those in the inter-land.

According to him, “The impact of a rising sea level means loss of lives and properties for many people living on small islands.

The importance of Lagos as a coastal city and as the economic nerve centre of the most populous country in Africa makes it imperative to pay serious attention to any potential threat to the economy of the state.”

“All actions aimed at sensitizing the populace to the dangers of climate change and what they can do to reduce their exposure to its effects is part of the strategy for mitigating the damaging consequences.”

He added that agenda 21 of the Rio Convention recognized the plight of the earth’s coastal areas and the need for the areas to be developed in sustainable fashion.

To this end, many governments seem satisfied with the resolutions at different fora that governments at all levels should start to reframe climate change issues and seek new kinds of solutions to help affected communities to deal with negative effects of climate change that exceed their capacities.

In Lagos State for instance the government does not only have a policy on climate change but also legislating on it to ensure sustainability of initiatives for climate-resilient development.

The Lagos State government has also led a strategic stakeholder engagement programme, with awareness creation and capacity- building on green models and strategies and more importantly on the economics and business of going green.

A garden’s parking space

Regardless of the already existing parks and gardens in the state, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens, Dr. Titi Anibaba said that the state has plans to construct a Metropolitan Park in Ajetutun in Ibeju-Lekki Council area of the state.

Anibaba said, “As of today, we have about seven parks in the different local governments of the state. We have asked the local government chairmen to give us land, thus we have been able get land at Ipakodo, Ikorodu, Badagry and we have in Allimosho , Surulere.”

“The thinking of Governor Babatunde Fashola is to have it in all the 57 local governments and local council development areas in the state and I am sure LASPAK is going to achieve that.”

Anibaba assured that the project is under a five-year plan and will contain all facilities that will meet global standard of a conventional park.

On sustainability she said, “We also going to have a strategic master plan blueprint, that will see the agency running in the next five year , it is going to be a rolling plans, that be run-

ning for the next five years and after the first five years they have another five years for landscaping and beautification of the environment.”

“We are going to have an interactive website and it will get to a level where you have to come to our office because you want to use our parks. From the internet you can contact us and make payments.”

The LASPARK boss noted that over five million trees have been planted while more than 270 landscaping captured within twenty four months of establishment of the agency.

Anibaba emphasized that the importance of the greening programme of the state government, which include tree planting and creation of parks and gardens across the metropolis cannot be over-emphasised.

She affirmed that apart from the resultant greener and healthier environment, the landscaping of the sites had transformed such areas into recreational centres thereby help to mitigate effects of climate change. According to her, the success of the Lagos State Government in combating climate change with the greening

HOMES & PROPERTY 23

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

11

the project is a 11-storey building comprising a 89 apartments/ rooms

2.2bn

Bridging Housing Deficit: The Challenge Ahead

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

A total of 43, 125 housing units were added to the national housing stock from July 2010date

Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed huge housing deficit, with millions of citizens living in substandard environment or slums beset by squalor.

However, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria had estimated about N56 trillion to be able to adequately meet the housing needs in the country, just as the World Bank also estimated in 2013 that the cost of bridging Nigeria’s 17 million housing deficit was N59.5 trillion.

As part of the federal government’s effort in reducing the burden, the federal ministry of lands, housing and urban development has signed an agreement to introduce new houses in Abuja.

The agreement witnessed by the Minister of State for FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, was with Dubai based Signature Value homes, a mass housing project developer entity that specializes in providing holistic solutions for integrated community development.

The company had submitted an unsolicited proposal of intent to develop affordable mass housing under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Contractors Finance Initiative of the Ministry with a profile of successful execution of projects in India and Sub- Sahara African Countries.

The ministry said the company had subsequently made a technical presentation to its Management, adding that the due diligence carried out by the Public Private Partnership unit of the ministry has showed

that the company is technically capable and has the financial capacity to undertake the project if given the opportunity.

It also revealed that the development, which is proposed on a 20 HA land situated at Gwagwalada FCT is a mixed development that will comprise of One Bedroom, Two Bedroom and Three Bedroom flats on ground plus three upper level floors comprising approximately 1,672 dwelling on the Ministry’s land at Gwagwalada FCT, is expected to start in January 2015 with a cost of over $80 million while the first phase of 300 units will be delivered in 6 months, adding that all necessary finding have been carried out regarding the land and it has been confirmed that the said land on which the company proposes to develop the houses, infrastructure and facilities is free and unencumbered.

Based on the foregoing, the ministry’s PPP unit has considered the proposal as a viable project and highly recommended it for implementation In her address at the flag-off of the federal government nationwide mass housing recently in Abuja, the minister of Housing said that in the last couple of years, the country has witnessed tremendous progress in the housing and urban development sector in order to actualize the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan; that every Nigerian deserves to be adequately housed.

She said that this was made possible through various interventions by the ministry in collaboration with its two Parastatals, namely the Fed-

A house

eral Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

According to her, “a total of 43, 125 housing units were added to the national housing stock from July 2010-date.”

“A significant number of the beneficiaries of these new housing units are workers across the country given the focus of the housing scheme of the Ministry on affordability and quality delivery, with particular attention to low-income and middle income earners in both the formal and informal sectors of the national economy.”

She reaffirmed that government will not rest on its oars until it significantly reduce the housing deficit in the country, and ensure that all Nigerians are properly housed in properly functioning communities, with access to essential infrastructure and services.

“Our commitment to the accelerated and long-term transformation of the Sector, in line with the vision of the President, is well reflected in the revised National Housing and Urban Development Policies, revised National Building Code and the

Road-Map being finalized for the Sector,” she said.

“The establishment of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) in January, 2014 is also set to bridge the funding cost of residential mortgages by providing mortgage lending banks with increased access to liquidity and longer terms funds in the mortgage market.”

According to her, evidently, the support of the Private Sector is essential to shore up the level of investment required to meet the enormous demand for housing and provision of infrastructure, which is beyond the scope of governments alone.

She said, “Because of our firm is commitment to better manage our rapidly expanding cities and our acknowledgement of housing as not only one of man’s basic needs, but as a fundamental element required for the rapid growth of the economy, I wish to seize this medium to appeal to all the 36 State Governments to make suitable and un-encumbered land available for the expansion of this worthy Scheme for the benefit of Nigerian Workers Nationwide.”

the cost of the project has been estimated at N2.2 billion.

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news

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Quacks Responsible For Building Collapse –COREN

Eko Atlantic City

South Energyx Reaffirms Commitment To Eko Housing Project GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

South Energyx Nigeria Limited, developers of the new Eko Atlantic city project designed to provide luxury homes and infrastructure to house 250,000 people has reaffirmed its commitment to early completion of the project.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Managing Director of South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Mr. David Frame said that the cityscape is fast-taking shape off the coast of Lagos, where the first residential and commercial tower blocks under

construction can now clearly be seen in the light of day from Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island and the Marina on Lagos Island.

According to Frame, there is something new to see at night time after a section of new road in the emerging city was illuminated by streetlights.

He added that the Eko Atlantic’s road system is rolling out more and more each day, saying it is the first time any of the internal city routes have been lit.

South Energyx boss said, “We are very satisfied that the street lighting has come

on as this represents another important step in the successful development of Eko Atlantic.”

“The first row of lights along Eko Boulevard, a paved 8-lane thoroughfare that is over a mile long and is the spine of the Business District, will be extended in the New Year as the developers forge ahead with infrastructure development.

“Concrete block paved roads, spacious sidewalks and kerbs are being built in the first and second phases of developing Eko Atlantic.

“The project development area is now so large and progressing so quickly that it won’t be long

before we need internal road signs to drive around.”

Frame added that ,”To date 10 per cent of Eko Atlantic’s roads in Phase 1 and 2 are paved while 32 per cent have stone-base in place providing access to motor vehicles; furthermore 25 per cent of the roads are defined with kerb lines.”

“56 per cent of storm water drainage has been installed along with 34 per cent of stateof-the-art communications, 50 per cent of the sewage distribution network and 36 per cent of the water supply network are also completed to date.”

2,438 Quantity Surveyors Registered In Nigeria– QSRBN

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

The President of the Quantity Surveyor’s Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), Mallam Husaini Dikko, yesterday, disclosed that the number of quantity surveyors and practising films of quantity surveyors in the country are 2438 and 203 respectively.

Mallam Dikko made the disclosure at the 2014 Induction Ceremony of Newly Registered

Quantity Surveyors and practising films, and the 3rd Annual Professional Clinic on Planning and Estimating for Process Engineering Projects, held in Abuja.

He urged the newly registered 263 quantity surveyors and 34 practising firms of quantity surveyors to use their certification as a stepping stone to a blossoming and prosperous career in which ethics, competence and

integrity will be their watchword and guiding principles.

Congratulating the inductees, Dikko said, “this is no mean feat considering where we are coming from and what it takes in terms of time, skill, knowledge and resources to become a registered quantity surveyor.”

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Etim Ayakenyi, advised the members to see their registration

by the board as an opportunity to “make your contribution towards national development by teaming up with other professionals in the build environment”.

She urged quantity surveyors in the country to continuously prepare themselves professionally and collaborate with other professionals in the build environment to take full advantage of the remarkable feat in the housing sector.

The president of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr.

Kashim Ali, has linked building collapse in the country to the activities of quacks.

According to Ali, no Nigerian engineer has been implicated in any of the collapses recorded in the country.

Ali, who stated this in Abuja said, “Every building collapse that has occurred in the country had been investigated by COREN or government agencies. I want to tell you here that no Nigerian engineer has been implicated in any of the collapses; the collapses have resulted from the activities of quacks.”

According to him, the people involved in the menace are equally the powerful people the reason they have been able to evade justice. “We are doing more to get them in check because if any of our members is involved, we have the machinery for dealing with them but for people who are not guarded by our ethics, there is nothing we can do,”Ali said. “ We are also expanding our network by engaging other institutions, enforcement agency like the ICPC with whom we have an MoU and we hope that in the cause of time, you will see some actions going on.”

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

Government Alone Cannot Provide Affordable Housing – Eyakenyi The minister of lands, housing and urban development Mrs, Akon Eyakenyi has sasid providing affordable homes for 167 million Nigerians should not be left for be left for the government alone due to the government’s dwindling revenue but that stakeholders should partner with government to realise the goal.

She also asserted that affordable housing cannot be achieved without a drastic reduction in the cost of construction.

She made this assertion in Abuja during the PRE-SUMMIT FOR THE PROPOSED NIGERIA HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT/EXPO scheduled to hold in January.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

THE

ELECTABLES On December 30th, 2014

Who

Makes The List?

The best among Nigeria’s politicians; the best among those who aspire for political and elective office; the most popular candidates; the traiblazers; Nigeria ‘s most presentable candidates and those who have the vision and sense of mission to lead.

This is a must read!

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32 THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Abuja Global Shapers Set To Disburse US Grant

By Chika Mefor

The Abuja Global Shapers are set to disburse the $45,000 grant given to them by the United States Embassy, for the purpose of promoting confidence between the Northern Nigeria youth, the Police and the Security Agencies.

In a statement signed by the Project Lead for the project which is titled, the Amana Initiative, Jake Effoduh said several youth organizations applied for the grant, but only nine were selected.

He said, “we were really impressed with the quality of applications we received.

We got applications from individuals who wanted to carry out projects on their own as well as NGOs who have an impressive track record. We even received applications from universities. We selected nine projects and our selection is rich and diverse, covering six states in the north and very inclusive of women groups and youths, both in and out of school.”

The statement further added that the selected organisations who will benefit from the grant proposed activities such as town hall meetings, radio programmes, jingles, essay competition, peace rally, trainings, community dialogue, football tournaments, amongst others.

“All of these activities are towards

realizing the goal of the Amana Initiative, to address apparent distrust between youth and security agencies in the fight against insurgency in northern states.

“This is considerable in light of several reports of human right abuses in the region and these activities seek to enhance understanding of the youth on security issues and of what works in maintaining public order and relations between security forces and youths in northern Nigeria. We hope the activities are fun and interesting but in the same vein building of trust and confidence,” the statement read.

Effoduh further stated in the statement, that the hub selected projects that identified key terrorism related problems and were able to propose brilliant ideas with their activities in addressing them.

He said, “we also looked at the ability of the proposals to meet its desired outcomes, maximizing the grant money and the possibility of the project to have future prospects.”

According to the statement, the Abuja Global Shapers will kick off the Amana Initiative in January 2015, with a launch and a dialogue series discussing issues around security, the police, civil society and youth in Northern Nigeria. All the projects under the initiative will take place from January till April 2015.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

THE NATION’S CAPITAL 33

Yuletide: ALGON Facilitates With Christians, Calls For Prayers

By Igho Oyoyo

The chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has congratulated Christian faithful in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, urging them to commit leadership of the country into the hands of God as they celebrate the Christmas.

Jiba who is also the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), said the birth of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of Christianity is premised on sacrifice and peaceful coexistence respectively, adding that residents should pray for Nigeria to overcome the present security challenges facing the country.

The ALGON boss, while delivering his Christmas message urged residents to be security conscious and vigilant against any act of violence, saying that there is the need for everyone in Abuja irrespective of their religious differences to come together as one during and after the yuletide period.

“Let us come together and pray to God for continue guidance and protection, and for God to give President Goodluck Jonathan the wisdom to steer the affairs of Nigeria. I want to further advise Nigerians to be patient with our present administration.

“We have stayed together as a people for a very long time. So, there is no need to allow foreign agents of the devil to use any of us, as agents of destruction,” he stated.

Jiba further advised that the Christmas season, which is a spiritual festival, should be celebrated with love, unity and togetherness, that with love and unity, God will not allow evil to happen in Nigeria during and after the festive period.

DWOPA Fetes Guests At 100

by Patience Ivie Ihejirika

As part of activities to mark its 100 days of existence, a non-governmental faith-based organisation under the auspices of Divine Women Purpose Association (DWOP) has hosted some members of the public to a love feast.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Servant of the organisation, Mrs Ijeoma Chikezie, disclosed that DWOP came into being due a divine revelation from God in 2014.

She said that due to the demands of her job then, which took her to various states in the country on postings, she could not obey the instruction of God to fully work for him through touching of lives, especially that of women.

“Our mission is to provide and ensure that every woman or girl-child utilises every opportunity to discover and actualize self with God’s provision for her life. This organisation also aim at empowering women in the area of identifying self and fulfilling self.

“Our organisation also provide education/ enlightenment on health, Social and wellness users, material health, VVS, HIV/AIDS, marriage and courtship education, financial resource investment and management,” she said.

She said some of the projects the targets to achieve include shelter for the homeless and destitute, building an orphanage home, providing food for the hungry, sponsoring skills training to the unemployed and giving free legal aid for women.

Chrismas travellers waiting to board vehicles in Utako Park, yesterday. Photo By Jane Okeke

FCT Indigenes Urged To Fight Against Marginalisation

By Igho Oyoyo

Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of Greater Gbagyi Development Initiatives (GG-DIN) have called on all indigenes of the FCT to unite as one in the struggle against ince Gimba Gbaiza, President of GG-DIN, who made this call at the organisation’s annual comarginalization by past and present government, in order to actualize their developmental goals.

Prnvention in Abuja, said that the aim of the convention was to give report of success and failure in the struggle for the liberation of Gbagyi people.

According to Gbaiza, the convention was also to speak about the unity of FCT indiginenes in actualizing their desired goals, saying that FCT indigenes have been suffering marginalization in the hands of government for a very long time.

“Unfortunately, we are still experiencing

marginalization in the FCT. We are saying that by the grace of God, as other states indigenes are benefiting from the state and federal government, we the indigenes of the FCT, should also be benefiting in the FCT and the federal government.

“Inasmuch as we are concerned, the government is still marginalizing our people, because other states of Nigeria have three to five senators and more members in the House of Assembly. But, in the FCT, we have one senator and two House of Representatives members.

“We are also appealing to the government to always to carry along traditional rulers and indigenous youth associations in the FCT, to see how we can move the people forward. We need to reach out to our political office holders and make them more responsible to fight for the plight of indigenous people of the FCT,” he said.

GG-DIN Head of Operations, Baba Elisha, also

explained that they are using the convention to let the people and government know that the spirit for the fight for freedom is still in GG-DIN, urging FCT indigenes that whatever has been taken from them by government, they should not resolve to self help or violence.

“We are doing everything possible to liase with relevant authorities to alleviate the plight of people of the FCT. We are using the convention to let the people know that the government in power is willing to listen to our plight, that self help will not work, rather, it will only destroy us,” he said.

Alhaji Musa Barde, the Hakimi of Galadimawa, who was present at the convention commended GG-DIN for the struggle, saying that would encourage FCT indigenes on how to take care of their culture, that despite the globalization going on in the country, they should not forget their culture.

NGO Seeks Support For IDPs In Abuja Camp

By Chika Mefor

A nongovernmental organisation, under the auspices of Dr Radcliff Save Lives Foundation has called for support from government and wellmeaning Nigerians to alleviate the suffering of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja camps.

The Country Director of the NGO, Dr Alexander Nnadozie, who stated this in Abuja during a medical outreach and distribution of relief materials to displaced persons in the camp, said the event was organized by the NGO and sponsored by the National Coordinator, House to House Network, Prince Chidi Ibe. Nnadozie said the call to alleviate the suffering of the displaced persons in the camp became necessary following the unhealthy

environment in the camp.

“The environment under which the inhabitants of this camp are living is terrible because it is bushy and can accommodate the spread of all kinds of diseases.

“The spread of airborne and communicable diseases from one family to another can strive very well here because of the kind of houses the inhabitants are living.

“The people are still exposed to a very serious insecurity because there is no form of protection around the camp,” he said.

The country director therefore called on government to come to the aide of the displaced persons, by providing shelter and water for the inhabitants of the camp.

“Even if the facility currently being used is not for the purpose

but movable accommodation could be provided for the inhabitants,” he added.

Some of the inhabitants of the camp who spoke with LEADERSHIP commended the NGO for the gesture and call on government to come to their aid.

Alhaji Usman Adamu, an inhabitant who said he had been in the camp for over seven months noted that the environment was conducive for the inhabitants considering the pattern of house.

“Our houses are constructed with polymer bags and we have been having challenges of poor ventilation. We are appealing to government to come to our aid by providing us with shelter and water to avoid spread of diseases in the camp,” he said.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE 15 SOKODE CRESCENT, WUSE ZONE 5, P.M.B 33, GARKI, ABUJA, NIGERIA www.firs.gov.ng

VERIFICATION/AUDIT EXERCISE OF HOTELS AND EATERIES IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY It has been observed with displeasure the persistent failure of Hotels, Restaurants/Eateries and other stakeholders in the hospitality industry to render Value Added Tax (VAT) returns and appropriately remit the Tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as required by the provision of sections 15 and 16 of the Value Added Tax Act as amended.

It should be noted that VAT is a consumption tax which burden is borne by the consumer of the good/services sold by the taxable person(s). The duty required of the taxable person (Hotels/Eateries) by the Act therefore, is simply that of remitting the tax charged on the goods/services purchased by their numerous customers.

In view of the failure by the operators on the industry to comply with the provision of the Act, FIRS will commence the verification/audit of all hotels, eateries and others in the Federal Capital Territory from Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Accordingly, the following documents shall be required for the exercise:           

Audited accounts Invoice/receipt booklets Guest manifest Cash books Opening and closing of registers Trial balances Analysis cash book Daily/monthly sales summary Daily bank lodgment registers Daily guest occupancy returns rendered to the State Security Service Any other document as may be requested

All hotels /eateries are advised to make the above documents available and cooperate with the Revenue Officials for a hitch free exercise MAGAM, U.M Director, Micro Small Tax Department For: Acting Executive Chairman

OPINION 35

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Adamawa 2015: Troubled Primaries And Future Of Pdp

By Ray Edmund Oche

The burgeoning cloud of controversy that hallmarked the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) occasioned by the emergence of former anti-corruption czar, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and other nominees for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate is to yet settle and has considerably weakened the political strength of the party in Adamawa State ahead of the 2015 general elections.

With this unsettling development, political pundits in the state are on the same page in their conclusion that unless a miracle happens, its chances of retaining the state after the February 2015 elections have been completely eroded.

It would be recalled that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, in a move seen as instigated by the presidency, conducted the House of Assembly, House of Representatives; Senate and governorship primaries in Abuja, a situation that has brought the party in the state to this sorry pass.

The development has considerably irked relevant party stakeholders so much so that they are bent on trading away their party’s fortune in the 2015 general elections unless new primaries are conducted in the state.

Right from the onset, there were very strong speculations that some powerful indigenes of the state based in Abuja were determined to impose Ribadu as the governorship candidate of the party, a development that did not go down well with majority of members of the state chapter led by the chairman, Chief Joel Madaki, who kicked against this based on the fact

Mu’azu

that Ribadu only recently defected to the party. They insisted that the candidate of PDP must emerge through free, fair and transparent primaries.

This insistence, seen by the apologists of Ribadu’s candidature as intransigence, almost put spanner in the works of those that are said to be scheming to impose Ribadu on Adamawa PDP. To clear the way for Ribadu’s emergence, the sponsors of the former EFCC chairman recruited the support of some people in the national leadership of the party.

With this combined force they were said to have gotten the NWC to sack the entire executive committee in Adamawa State and went a step further by suspending Chief Madaki and the state secretary, A.T Shehu from the party. This has polarized the party.

According to the aggrieved party stakeholders, the venue of

The only saving grace for PDP in Kebbi state is to allow a conduct of free and fair primary election among the governorship aspirants

the primaries was shifted to Abuja without due consultation with them, ostensibly with a predetermined aim by the national chairman of the party, Adamu Muazu to impose Ribadu on them.

From all intents and purposes, the purported primary that imposed Nuhu Ribadu on the party is in contravention of Article 26 (a) (i) (ii) and (iii) of the PDP guidelines on primaries that provide for all the primaries to be conducted at the senatorial district headquarters.

The Article provides that “In the conduct of primaries for the party’s candidates for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the primaries shall be held at the senatorial district headquarters. all the delegates to the special congress shall assemble in the constituency headquarters, the constituency headquarters shall be as prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

To further underscore the level of seriousness of the issue at hand, the aggrieved aspirants boycotted the national convention of PDP in Abuja where President Jonathan was ratified as the sole presidential candidate of the party in the 2015 election.

Judging from the foregoing, analysts are of the opinion that unless the national headquarters of the party hearkens to the voice of reason and reverses the monumental injustice done to the state chapter of the party as epitomised by the imposition of Nuhu Ribadu in a clear breach of the party’s constitution, it will be a herculean task for the party to retain the state in 2015.

– Oche, a media consultant, is based in Abuja

Time To Vote For Money (1) By victor emejuiwe

This is the time for decision making; a time to decide how much money we want in the next four years. The season of elections and campaigns are the seasons where different types of offer are being made; some are paid peanuts for their votes while others negotiate their way totally out of poverty. There are people who don’t even know how much money their vote is worth and they give it out ignorantly.

The decision we make with our vote determines how much money we would have in our pocket. As we approach the 2015 election a lot of politicians are currently moving around with money bags; looking for whom to pay in exchange of their votes.

It is a season of desperation for politicians; they truly recognise this period as the only period where power

belongs to the people.

Unfortunately, those who don’t know how much their vote is worth; do not also know how much power they have. As a result, they have either given out their vote at no cost or at a very low rate. This category of voters needs to be assisted on how to bargain in the 2015 elections.

Before we bargain, it is important we cue into the thinking of politicians; first is that the politicians are moved by large numbers of persons who have voters card. The next is that politicians prefer to buy block votes; so they do their permutations based on how many voters are registered per ward.

The third is that politicians make use of middle men to pay for the number of registered voters per ward. Finally the amount you receive as mobilisation fee is stipend compared to what was given to the middle man. So if you

are interested to vote for money, would you rather be a middle man or an ordinary individual with a voter’s card who collects stipends from the middle man?

If you insist in voting for money, then there is need to consider how much your vote is worth. This calculation would help to determine if it is really worth voting for money.

The only reason why people vote for money is as a result of poverty. Therefore, in fairness to poverty rate in Nigeria, you should calculate your vote based on the statistics of poverty index in Nigeria. It is currently stated that Nigerians live below $1.25 per day.

The current conversion rate of the naira to dollar is N180, if you multiply this amount by 366 days in a year, it gives us N65, 880, if this amount is multiplied by four years which the politician is billed to spend in office, you would get a total of N263,520. Therefore at

poverty level, those who use poverty as an excuse to vote for money should get nothing less than N263, 520.

This category of people should also consider the fact that this money can only provide for their feeding in the next four years and nothing more. Such voters should also note that the amount paid will not provide for affordable healthcare, education, good transport system, housing and even security.

If such a voter put all this other factors into consideration for the next four years, we would discover that this politician who goes from ward to ward, local government to local government and state to state can hardly buy voters from a single ward.

– Emejuiwe wrote in from Abuja ➔ to be continued

Rights Watch Emmanuel Onwubiko www.huriwa.blogspot.com

‘You Be Thief; I No Be Thief’-Battle Cry In Agric Nigeria is indeed an exciting country to live in particularly because of the diverse shades of characters that populate the top echelon of governments not just in the current dispensation but even in almost all previous administrations.

Ordinarily, Nigeria ought not to be a poor nation but due to crass indiscipline and unpardonable crime of official graft and bribery the so-called private sector the nation’s enormous financial resources have all but disappeared into private offshore accounts of these thieving elites. The nation’s foreign reserves are being depleted with a speed of lightening even with the presence of the so-called ivy league economic managers.

Governance at the state level has become anything but good even as nepotism has been elevated to an official status. In Plateau State, the octogenarian governor has just appointed his son as a commissioner of an influential ministry and in Abia both the governor and his son gave themselves the party tickets to both the national and state assemblies in the next dispensation and in most other states the outgoing governors have hand picked their successors and the national electoral panel [INEC] is in a such a messy state that it cannot guarantee free and fair election come February 14th 2015. INEC has failed in the most basic assignment of registering qualified Nigerian voters.

There is a general climate of fear amongst the hugely deprived and impoverished majority of the citizenry because of the devaluation of the national currency vis-à-vis the international currencies, USD and the British Pound. The devaluation of the national currency means that inflation would rise and the cost of living will become or indeed has assumed a disturbing dimension. There is a general atmosphere of cash crunch coupled with the fact that workers that constitute a tiny minority in the midst of massive unemployment haven’t received their wages in over three months and in Abia State there is even a report that workers have not been paid a dime since the beginning of this year but yet the state governors are spending foreign currencies as if these would go out of circulation.

Well these ugly scenarios are not the main reason for this piece but rather the hot verbal exchanges between the former Agriculture and Rural Development minister under the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime Alhaji Adamu Bello and his successor Dr Adesina Akinwunmi over who is lying about corruption in the agricultural sector and this unhealthy debate has rattled quiet a lot of feathers in the corridors of power especially coming at a tensed election period when the current administration has massively advertised lots of revolutionary claims of wiping off corruption in the distribution of fertilizer to farmers among other landmark achievements in the agricultural ministry.

The shameless dance of the naked masquerades between these two officials has revealed only but one thing. I have always suspected that all the noise generated by the current minister of agriculture which have won him many alleged phoney awards from some foreign quarters in the recent times may as well be seen from the realm of the saying that the more you hear the less you understand. Some of us have been hoodwinked into believing some of those ‘media generated’ accomplishments in the agriculture ministry under the current dispensation to such an extent that I have personally penned several articles to appraise them.

36 ISSUES

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Attack On Dankwambo : Nothing But Political Violence

by Junaidu Usman Abubakar

Often taken for granted for his in-fighting and political violence, a stance for which he has gained notoriety in the state during his eight years rule between 2003 and 2011, the peace and serenity for which the small town of Kashere in Akko local government area is noted for was shattered last week Thursday by the All Progressives Congress (APC) induced crisis in the state, which their spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, translated to the alleged intolerance of Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Talban Gombe), whose political philosophy of inclusiveness and open grassroots mobilisation advocacy in his short but glorious 4-year leadership of the state, have created an atmosphere that allows total freedom of expression, dissent and the greatest level of inclusive political participation, an ambience of democratic freedom that has encouraged even the most combative opposition.

The attack on Governor Dankwambo’s office and

personality is the hallmark of a politician’s desperation for power and an unwillingness to follow the due process (the universal adult suffrage) which should not be allowed in order not to bring Gombe to ground zero. It is the climax of an ongoing struggle for the political soul of Gombe State by political extremists, who want to reclaim power against the will of the majority of Gombawas, who now knows who their true leader is.

In his bid for re-election as the state chief executive, Dankwambo has continued to wax stronger, powered by a peerless pedigree of outstanding antecedents and impeccable credentials of performance not only as a politician but a performer of high repute which he had earlier displayed as the AccountantGeneral of the Federation (AGF) required for the accelerated progress and development of the state.

In argumentative terms, the potency and effect of Dankwambo’s dazzling performance has put the opposition APC in the state on the defensive in the contest for

leadership capacity to win over the hearts and minds of the electorate who have another opportunity to open a new chapter of progressive change and re-focused development in the state.

Bereft of a genuine political constituency after his unholy marriage to the APC coupled with his frustration at the unassailable achievements of the Dankwambo-led administration reminiscent of a 21st Century Statecraft which even his critics have been forced One of the attacked vehicles to appreciate, the notorious spokesman of the APC, Lai on the invitation of the Mohammed, striking failure to vice chancellor of Federal appreciate the brutal attack on University in Kashere to visit Governor Dankwambo for what the institution and not to it is rather than engage in empty relocate it. He was also invited verbiage, a coordinated attack to to commission some projects in eliminate the amiable governor the area, marking the point at to pave way for their political which the governor’s entourage protégé at the 2015 polls only was attacked by some hoodlums represented the smacks of the poor coordination which that have undermined the reincarnation of the banned structure the APC ostensibly Kalare activities in the area. seek to empower in the state, As a tradition, the governor they deserve sympathy for decided to pay homage to the their hollow thinking and district head when a former retrogressive approach to gov’s thugs blocked the road political maneuvering. to the traditional ruler’s palace For the record, Governor and started firing and throwing Dankwambo was in Kashere stones directly at the governor’s

car.

A political contest in Gombe between Dankwambo and a former gov cronies is reminiscent of a battle between darkness and light; between peace and war; between serenity and confusion; between death and life, development compared to underdevelopment; progress and backwardness; education and ignorance as corroborated by the near revolutionary governance that dotted Gombe state political landscape within the last four years in the state.

– Abubakar is special assistant, Press to Governor Dankwambo

politics today Wednesday, December 24, 2014

I

Only time shall tell who emerges the winner at the end of the day to become the next Bauchi State governor, as political analysts in the state say the contest is too close to call

n spite of the numerous number of registered political parties in the country, only two; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have made appreciable inroads and impact in Bauchi State. These political parties recently held their primaries and elected party flag bearers who will slug it out in the general elections schedule in February 2015.

An analysis of the politicking that took place prior to the primaries shows how vibrant Bauchi’s political terrain can be. While PDP had about eight gubernatorial aspirants who battled for the ticket, the APC, on the other hand, had about six gubernatorial aspirants who slugged it out for the sole ticket.

The aspirants of the PDP include Mohammed Ali Pate from Misau, Aminu Hammayo, also from Misau, Sen. Ahmad Abdul Ningi from the town of Ningi, Sen. Adamu Ibrahim Gumba from Bauchi North, Engr.

Magaji from Katagum, Sen. Babayo Garba Gamawa from Gamawa, and Kasim Gidado from Jama’are.

Ningi later withdrew from the gubernatorial race and picked the ticket for the Senate.

As a prelude to the PDP primaries, party stalwarts, especially those from Katagum and Bauchi Central, had clamoured for power shift. Their claim is that since the return of democratic politics in 1999, Bauchi South has dominated the political space in the state, as the zone has produced all governors who ruled the state.

Alhaji Inuwa Danladi, an aide to Governor Isa Yuguda, said at a recent press conference in Bauchi that even though there is the desire for power shift in the state, the PDP desires to present a credible candidate who will lead the party to victory in the general elections.

He believes, “Yuguda will present the best candidate for the state, a leader who desire to see the state progresses.”

Inuwa also said the choice of the party’s candidate would be based on the collective will of the people and that of the party’s leaders both at the state and national levels.

“There is the need for power to shift from Bauchi South to Bauchi Central. The former governor of the state, Alhaji Mu’azu who governed the state for good eight (8) years is from Bauchi South and Yuguda, who is in his seven and half years, is also from Bauchi South, while Bauchi North (Katagum) has tasted power before, it would only be fair for the power to shift to Bauchi Central, a zone that had never has the chance of ruling the state even

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

Abubakar

Jatau

As Jatau And Abubakar Battle For Bauchi Governorship Political party primaries in Bauchi State have come and gone but the high wired politics that characterised the political process has continues to re-echo across the state, Obed Minchakpu writes. for one hour so that they too can have the taste of power and then see what they can offer,” Alhaji Inuwa said.

Inuwa stressed that if PDP presents a candidate from Bauchi Central, “everybody, regardless of his or her zone, would surely support such a candidate but anything contrary to that will spell doom for PDP in Bauchi.”

He believes that power shift from Bauchi South to Bauchi Central will go a long way in promoting democracy in the state.

On the day the PDP held its primaries, all delegates from the twenty local government areas of the state converged at the Multipurpose Hall in the city of Bauchi amidst tight security. The contestants during the primaries include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yahyale Ahmed, former minister of State for Health, Ali Pate, Auwal Mohammed Jatau, Senator Adamu Gumba, Alhaji Bappa Azare, Senator Babayo Gamawa and the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to Bauchi State, Aminu Hammayo.

In all, a total of 842 delegates were accredited to participate in the party primaries, and at the end of the exercise, the electoral committee announced the result as follows: “Auwal Mohammed Jatau, 368; Babayo Gamawa, 116; Ali Pate, 86; Adamu Gumba, 20; Bappah Azare, 3; Yayale, 0; Hammayo, 0; and invalid votes

9.” Auwal Mohammed Jatau was declared the winner of primaries and is the elected PDP governorship candidate.

The All Progressives Congress has been the main opposition political party to the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State. Prior to its primaries, the APC was engulfed in internal wrangling as the party was factionalised.

However, with dexterity and determination to wrest power from the PDP, the APC leaders in Bauchi State first worked assiduously to resolve their differences. This peace moves brought all party members together and they eventually held congresses at ward and state levels to produce new executives for the party in the state.

Those who worked to make the dream of having a political party that is strong and virile and poised to take power from the PDP include: Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, Bala Jibrin, Barr. Ibrahim Zailani, Ali Wakili, Dr. Umaru Duhu, Dr. Adamu Dabo, Shehu Aliyu Musa, Baraden Gabas, Engr. Najib Gamawa and Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

Having successfully consolidated the gains of a united front, the party was set for the gubernatorial primaries.

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, while speaking to LEADERSHIP in the city of Bauchi, prior to the primaries, assured that APC was poised for victory in the general elections in 2015. In the same vein, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame,

told LEADERSHIP that there is no doubt that APC will take the realms of political power come 2015.

APC’s gubernatorial primaries was held in a peaceful atmosphere in Bauchi State as delegates conducted themselves in an orderly manner. The venue of the primary election, Zanranda Hotel, Bauchi, however witnessed mammoth crowd as party members from the state’s twenty local government areas converged at the venue to participate in the election or witness it first hand.

Eight aspirants contested for the governorship position in Bauchi State, and they are: Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, from Toro, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, from Katagum, Barr. Mohammed Abubakar, from Bauchi, Sadiq Mamoud, from Azare, Engr. Nuhu Gidado, from Jama’are, Barr. Ibrahim Zailani, from Toro, Abdullahi Tanko, and Engr. Gambo Umar.

At the end of the exercise, a former attorney-general and commissioner for Justice in Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar emerged the winner of APC governorship primary in Bauchi State. Abubakar polled nine hundred and thirty-six votes (936) out of the total two thousand, eight hundred and sixty-five (2,865) votes cast to emerge the winner of the primaries, beating seven others in the race.

Abubakar, 50, studied law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and has worked over the years with Bauchi State Government, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming the state’s chief legal officer, before joining active politics.

Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, a former minister of Police Affairs came second in the tough political fight for the APC ticket by polling eight hundred and six (806) votes.

He was followed by Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who polled five hundred and twenty-six votes.

The other five aspirants polled the votes recorded in bracket along with their names as follows: Engr.

Sadiq Mamoud (194), Barr. Ibrahim Zailani (161), Nuhu Gidado (86), Orlando (92), and Engr. Gambo Magaji (66).

The total number of accredited voters during the primary election is 2901 while the total votes cast is 2865, with thirty (30) votes.

With the conclusion of the party primaries, the stage is now set for the battle royale. Only time shall tell who emerges the winner at the end of the day to become the next Bauchi State governor, as political analysts in the state say the contest is too close to call.

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38 POLITICS TODAY Katsina Speaker Pledges To Support Youth Friendly Legislation

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

The speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly and aspirant for Katsina North senatorial district, Yau Umar GwajoGwajo, has stressed the need for youth centred legislation, while assuring that when elected, he would accord prominence to youth issues.

Gwajo-Gwajo, who is the longest serving speaker of Katsina assembly, stated this at Maiadua village when he addressed scores of party faithful and well wishers.

He said Katsina North has not gotten effective representation at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, urging electorate to vote wisely during the forth coming election so as to end years of poor representation.

“We have done it before and our records of selfless service are visible for all to see. If elected, we shall sustain the good things we have been doing,” he told the cheering crowd.

In a speech, chairman of Katsina North Youth Forum, Malik Danlami, said the easy way out was the election of the assembly speaker to the position of senator.

Malik said the need to support the Katsina State assembly speaker was informed by his track record as a lawmaker and former council chairman.

Danlami said the forum was convinced that voting GwajoGwajo to represent Daura zone, also referred to as Katsina North, at the Senate would ensure effective representation for the area, while also stressing that his credentials stand tall.

He said that after a careful study of all those seeking to represent the area across different political parties, he has come to a conclusion that Gwajo-Gwajo has all it takes to provide the needed representation.

“The speaker is well equipped and has advanced knowledge of legislation, having successfully lead Katsina State Assembly for eight years without any hitches.”

“The speaker, aside from being a real grassroot politician who is very conversant with the demands of the locals, has earned our respect because of his track records in various positions he has held.”

“We have no iota of doubt that electing him into the Senate will provide the needed representation for the good people of Daura zone.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

It is Unthinkable For Me To Support Maku’s Protest – Sen Jibril

by Michael Oche, Abuja

Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibril, has described as unthinkable, reports allegedly linking him to former Information minister, Labaran Maku’s protest against the process which produced the PDP Nasarawa State governorship candidate, Alhaji Yusufu Agabi for next year’s election.

A national daily had reported Senator Jibril as saying that “Maku’s protest was healthy for internal democracy and will strengthen the party’s cohesion in the state”.

Reacting to the publication, however, Senator Jibrin, who described the report as completely thwarted as he was considering suing its publishers, said it was unthinkable for him to support Maku’s acts after losing the primaries as such act contradicts the very principles which the former minister knew the PDP stood for.

He said at no time did he ever endorse Maku’s protest against the governorship primaries result in the state, noting that what he has always stood for was the unity of the party in Nasarawa State and was ready to so protect the party ‘s unity, no matter the vested interest

that exists.

“Maku has been a loyal party man and has always been with us during the time of our struggle. He cannot become the rubble rouser in the state since losing the primaries.

Any report which attempts to link me with his protests and possibly intentions to leave the party is not only evil but a well orchestrated attempt to smear my image which I will not take kindly to as I have directed my lawyers to act and respond to such reports appriooriately.

“As a known staunch party man, I will advise Maku and his supporters, as well as all others who might have been aggrieved

Jibril

after the primaries, to rally round Alhaji Agabi and support the PDP to reclinch the state come 2015 and support the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan as the state has always been known to belong to the PDP.

L-R: National publicity secretary, House 2 House, Mr Olabamiji Adeyeye; deputy national coordinator, House 2 House, Prince Henry Obok; national coordinator, House 2 House, Prince Kunle Ehinlanwo and national secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, during their press conference on support for General Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja yesterday PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

2015: 500 APGA, LP Members Defect To PPA

By OKECHUKWU OBETA, Awka

The popularity of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State has waned ahead of next year’s general elections as no fewer than 500 of its members and that of Labour Party (LP) from Nnewi South and Aguata local government areas

of the state yesterday defected to Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).

The former members of APGA and LP dumped their parties and formally announced their membership of the PPA at Ekwulobia Township Stadium, Aguata local government area during the presentation of PPA flags to candidates of the party

by its state leader, Chief Godwin Ezeemo.

Receiving the defectors, Ezeemo charged the electorate to vote PPA as the party that would rekindle their heart and better their welfare.

“People have become disenchanted with what is happening in APGA, PDP and

other political parties. They want a reliable party and that is why they are defecting to PPA”, Ezeemo stated.

He called on the people of the state to embrace PPA candidates, and stated, “We are here today to showcase our qualitative candidates by giving them the party flags”.

Adamawa: Peace Key To PDP’s Victory In 2015 - Rufa’i

BY BODE GBADEBO, Abuja

The chairman of Adamawa State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Jingi Rufa’i, has called on all party faithful in the state to be united and embrace peace in order for the party to be victorious in the

forthcoming 2015 elections.

Rufa’i, who made the call yesterday in a statement sent to journalists in Abuja, said for the PDP to be successful at the polls, all party members must be united and eschew all grievances arising from the party’s primaries. He, therefore, appealed to

aggrieved members to embrace and rally support for the party’s candidates for various elective positions during the elections.

“PDP in Adamawa State is known for peace and unity, which has brought many to the party. Everybody must come together under one umbrella in 2015 to ensure that we come

out victorious at the end of the elections,” he said.

He particularly canvassed support for the state governorship candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, saying there was the need for all hands to be on deck in order win the state for the ruling party come 2015.

news north-East, north-west 39 Yuletide: FRSC Flags-off Operation Zero Tolerance, Deploys 35,000

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Sultan Urges Muslim Students To Seek Knowledge

By Yahya Sarki, Kebbi

The Sultan of Sokoto, His eminence Dr. Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, has urged Muslims especially Muslim students to vigorously pursue and seek knowledge for the betterment of the society.

The Sultan said it was imperative for Muslim students to dedicate themselves in the persuit of knowledge as a first step towards loyalty to God and leaders as well as for peace in

the society. The Muslim spiritual leader made the remarks during Islamic Vocational Course and the presentation of Annual Hijra Calendar of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria(MSSN) which was held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.

He said, “ I’m sure you are all aware that it is only with quality education you can differentiate between good and bad and prevent unrest in the school environment and give your max-

imum contribution towards the peaceful coexistence of our society which is seriously in need.”

The Sultan who was represented by the emir of Maradun, Alh. Garba Mohammed also called for more investment in education at all levels and enforcement of discipline on children so that they will be good leaders of tomorrow.

During his remarks at the formal opening ceremony at the Islamic occasion, the guest

speaker, Prof. Idris Muhammad Buguje talked extensively on security problems facing the nation especially Muslims and the issue of sectarianism in Islam which according to him has been capitalised upon by anti-Islamic forces to aid Boko Haram insurgency.

He challenged MSSN to address immorality among students and the problem of hijab being faced by female Muslim students in some Nigerian schools.

L-R: Kaduna State deputy governor, Nuhu Bajoga, with corps marshal and executive officer, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, distributing a hand bill to vehicles at the national flag-off 2014 end of year/ new year special patrol operation in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO BY GBENGA ABIOLA.

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Katsina Awards N3bn Road Contract Katsina state government has awarded contract worth three billion naira (N3Billion) for the construction of seventy five kilometres Sandamu-RogogoBabban Mutum road.

Addressing newsnen yesterday commissioner for works, housing and transport, Arch Abdullazeez Isa Kaita said the contract has fourteen months completion period.

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

Gov Yero Presents N203.7bn Budget For 2015

By Isaiah Benjamin, Kaduna

Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has presented a budget of N203.7billion for the 2015 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

The 2015 budget is tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Continuity” which according to the governor is based on his administration’s determination to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects.

The recurrent expenditure is N72.7billion. This represents 35.7 per cent of the total budget.

The capital expenditure estimate is put at a total sum of N130.9billion. This translates to 64.3 per cent of the budget.

According to the governor, the capital expenditure for 2015 is categorised into four broad sectors including the economic sector which is allocated N42.7billion.

The social sector is allocated N37.5billion.

N23billion is allocated to the regional sector.

General Administration has allocation of N27.5billion which brings the total to about N130.9billion.

Education sector is allocated N20.5billion, health N12.2billion, water supply N16.8billion, works and transport N29.4billion and agriculture N7.1billion.

Danladi Presents N97.3bn Budget To Taraba Assembly

By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

The acting governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sani Danladi Abubakar has presented a budget proposal of N97.3billion to the State House of Assembly for the 2015 financial year.

Addressing the state lawmakers at their chamber yesterday in Jalingo, the state capital, Danladi said that the recurrent expenditure is estimated at N42.6 billion while N53billion is the capital estimate.

He stressed that the 2015 budget was prepared in a very crucial

period of both the political and economic life of the state.

He noted that the 2015 budget estimates was higher than the 2014 fiscal estimates by N13.9 billion or 16.75 per cent over the 2014 approved budget figure due to the expected refund of the sum of N25.6billion expended by the state government on federal roads in the state.

The acting governor added that N19.6billion was allocated to personnel cost while overhead cost is N13.2billion and consolidated revenue fund charges of

N9,757152,942.00 respectively.

A sectoral breakdown of the capital estimates revealed that the ministry of workers has the highest share of the budget with N22,063,221, 363.00 in view of the fact that the state needs to provide more communities with access roads.

“First and foremost, for the state to be able to meet its revenue targets as proposed in the bill before you, all hands must be on deck by all stakeholders in the effort to harness the projected resources,” he said.

short news Leaders Must Fear God – AlMustapha Former chief security officer to late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha yesterday urged Islamic scholars to preach honesty and fear of God to leaders of the country.

He spoke to participants and guests at Islamic poems competition organised by Majma’u Rijali Tijjaniyya in Zaria Kaduna State.

Al-Mustapha said, religious leaders being role models have positive role to play through preaching.

By Aliyu Yusuf, Zaria

Worried by the rate of road crashes during festive periods the Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) yesterday flagged-off a zero tolerance campaign on all forms of traffic rules violations during this year’s yuletide.

The FRSC has also deployed no fewer than 35,000 of its personnel to help control traffic as disclosed by the corps marshal and chief executive.

The national flag-off of 2014 end-of-year special patrol operation, code named Operation Zero Tolerance has the theme “Road safety is a collective responsibility: it depends on you” was performed by Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

The governor represented by the deputy governor Ambassador Audu Nuhu Bajoga commended the FRSC in its effort at saving lives and enjoined them to sustain the tempo.

He assured of government’s commitment to give necessary support to FRSC in all her activities targeted at saving lives of Nigerians.

Earlier in his address, the corps marshal and chief executive FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi stressed that the corps will not tolerate any form of reckless driving on the roads.

By Isaiah Benjamin, Kaduna

Kwankwaso Donates Laptops, Cameras To Journalists Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has donated work tools worth N8.7 million to 35 journalists in Kano.

Donating the items to the journalists, Governor Kwankwaso urged them to make good use of them.

The work tools are laptops (Acer), Midget digital (TASCAM), Headphones, Steel Cameras, Modems, Microphones and Handbags.

The beneficiaries are the journalists posted to the government from various media organisations and they represent both private and state owned media outfits.

The media outfits represented are Radio Kano, Freedom, Express, Rahama, Pyramid, Nagarta, Liberty and Cool FM radio stations respectively. Others are staff of Abubakar Rimi Television, ARTV, NTA, and staff of the State Ministry of Information and cameramen.

LEADERSHIP Correspondent in Kano, Abubakar Salihi also benefitted as a recognition of his support to the good work of government.

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

40 news south-west Adebayo Charges Fayose On Peopleoriented Policies Former military governor of the old Western State, General Adeyinka Adebayo, has urged Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose not to be deterred by criticisms of his policies, if they are meant to improve the living standard of the people.

General Adebayo, who spoke yesterday when Governor Fayose paid him a visit in his IyinEkiti country home, said going by experience, people would always be critical of government policies whether good or bad.

He said, “I am happy to see you here. My house is for everybody if you are doing good, as I see myself as a father to all. As the military governor of the old Western State, I did my best for Ekiti people.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Adeboye, Kumuyi, Obasanjo Laud Amosun For Security, Progress In Ogun

By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Three general overseers of pentecostal missions in the country, Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor William Kumuyi of Deeper Life Church and Evangelist Kayode Abiara of Christ Apostolic Church, have lauded Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for peace and progress in

the state.

The men of God gave the commendation at the 2014 Christmas Carol and Nine Lessons in Abeokuta.

The event which had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo, head of Interim National Government, Ernest Sonekan and prominent monarchs in the state featured many Christian performers.

The leading men of God expressed

gratitude to God for the progress recorded in the last three years as well as the peace being enjoyed by residents and visitors. They prayed that God would continue to do good things for the state and its people.

Quoting from the book of John, Adeboye said Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, stressing that He is also the way out of poverty and bondage.

Ondo PDP Crisis: Factional Chairman Resumes The Ondo State factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Olu Ogunye, yesterday formally resumed at the party secretariat in Akure, with a promise to reposition the party in the state to win elections.

Addressing scores of party loyalists who gathered at the party secretariat in Akure to welcome him, the chairman declared that there would be no room for illegality from any member of the party.

He said there is need for the state governor and his supporters to respect and abide by the constitution of the party, stressing that PDP is an organised party and will not allow any member to disorganise it.

By Tope Fayehun, Akure

2015: Former Ondo Speaker Dumps PDP For APC Former speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Ayo Agbonmuserin has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon Agbonmuserin was the speaker of the state legislature during the late Adebayo Adefarati’s regime before he joined the PDP. While addressing his teeming supporters, members and leaders of the APC at the state secretariat yesterday, the former lawmaker said his return to the APC is like coming back home.

Hon Agbonmuserin said he left the PDP because of lack of internal democracy and denial of justice.

By Tope Fayehun, Akure

Traffic jam at Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL OBASA.

2015: Ondo PDP Warns Mimiko Against Tampering With Candidates’ List

By Igho Oyoyo, Abuja

Some candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 general election, under the auspices of Ondo State PDP Candidates Forum, have cautioned Governor Olusegun Mimiko against tampering with the list of candidates who emerged victorious in the last primaries conducted in the state.

Hon Femi Adekanbi, coordinator of the forum, who spoke on behalf of the candidates in Abuja yesterday, said they have uncovered moves to illegally substitute the list of the candidates, alleg-

ing that the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko had frequented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a manner that suggested that the plan was actually being perfected.

Adekanbi who is one of the House of Representatives candidates in the state, said the moves were contrary to the constitution of the party and the Electoral Act, adding that the governor’s continual presence at INEC Headquarters might influence the electoral body.

He accused the governor of failing to work to peacefully integrate himself into the party and its structures which

he met on ground when he recently defected to the PDP. He expressed sadness over alleged moves to damage the character of the PDP chieftain in the state, Chief Jimoh Ibrahim by some aggrieved aspirants, and noted that Ibrahim is committed to ensuring that President Goodluck Jonathan wins convincingly in the state at the presidential poll.

Adekanbi insisted that all his colleagues are committed to fighting unjust system and cautioned that the party remains different from the other parties where defectors defected from.

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Security: Oyo APC Accuses FG Of Sabotage The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged plan by the federal government to sabotage the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi by frustrating efforts to sustain the achievements recorded especially in the area of adequate security.

The party’s director of publicity, Olawale Sadare, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, alleged that some influential members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were behind the federal government’s order withdrawing soldiers from the state special security outfit code-named “Operation Bust”.

According to the party, the decision of the PDP-controlled federal government to order the military authorities to withdraw their men from Operation Bust is a grand plan to pave way for the nefarious activities of thugs and criminal-minded persons in Oyo State, having been miffed by the success recorded by the present administration in the areas of security, maintenance of law and order.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Aregbesola Presents N197bn 2015 Budget To Osun Assembly By jOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday presented the 2015 budget estimate of N197,080,191,560.00 to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The estimate tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope”, is less than that of the current year which is N234billion.

The Capital Expenditure is N110

billion while the total recurrent expenditure is N87 billion, with the economic sector, covering agriculture and rural development, rural/ urban electrification, commerce, industry, finance and transportation taking the largest chunk of N41.6 billion.

The total recurrent revenue is N132 billion, while the capital revenue is N65 billion.

Presenting the budget before the assembly, the governor who was rep-

resented by the permanent secretary, Office of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Segun Olorunsogo, said the budget would consolidate the various achievements made in the last four years to transform the state.

The governor explained that the budget would also ensure the completion of ongoing projects and commencement of new ones that will have positive impact on the socioeconomic life of citizens of the state.

Receiving the budget, the speaker, Mr Najeem Salaam said the House would do justice to the budget and make necessary adjustments, either upward or downward, if the need arises before it is passed.

He called on the people of the state to exercise patience, noting that the financial challenges being faced now is due to paucity of funds arising from the consistent drop in the allocation from the federation account.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

We’ll Remain In PDP For Jonathan – Ex-Aide Former chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Power (PTFP), Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, has said that majority of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, who lost out during the party’s gubernatorial primaries, will remain in the party for the sake of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dagogo-Jack, who is one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP that shunned the December 8, 2014 governorship primaries of the party, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday.

He said as an individual, he has also resolved to channel his energy and resources towards ensuring that the PDP wins the governorship, Presidency, as well as the House of Assembly and National Assembly elections in the state during the 2015 general elections.

The governorship hopeful stated that although governorship primaries of the PDP, which saw the emergence of Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, as the party’s standard bearer, had defects, the decision of the leadership of the party remains supreme.

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

news south-South south-East 41

Xmas: Oshiomhole Calls For Vigilance, Pays December Salary Reinstates Ihonvbere as SSG

BY Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and security conscious as Nigerians celebrate Christmas.

In his message to the people, Oshiomhole said while many PDP states are unable to pay salaries, the Edo State government has met its salary obligation upto-date.

According to him, next year

presents Nigerians with unique opportunity to vote out bad leadership that have been a clog in the wheel of progress.

He said, “Despite the economic hardship and lean resources accruing to the state from the federation account, the good news is that the state government has paid all workers in the state civil service, including the teachers their salaries for December, 2014 to enable them enjoy the yuletide with their loved ones.

“This is in contrast to what obtains in many states of the feder-

ation, especially the PDP–controlled states, where workers are being owed salaries in arrears of three, four months and even in some cases up to eight months.

“As we approach the general elections holding in February, next year, less than two months away, Nigerians have another opportunity to elect credible leaders who will rise above the present empty rhetoric of the PDP government to confront the challenges facing the nation.

Meanwhile, Governor Oshiomhole has reinstated Professor Ju-

lius Ihonvbere as the secretary to the state government (SSG).

The reinstatement follows the review and resolution of the issues which led to the resignation of Ihonvbere as SSG on Tuesday, December 9, 2014.

In another development, the state commissioner for youths, sports and social mobilisation, Hon Chris Okaeben, has resigned his appointment in line with the electoral and constitutional requirements which mandate political appointees to resign 45 days before an election.

Anambra: INEC Laments Poor PVCs Collection The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Professor Chukwuemeka Onukaogu has expressed concern over the poor turn out of registered voters in the state for the collection of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s state boss told newsmen in Awka the state capital that the commission was seeking partnership with members of the Inter -Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for effective mobilisation and sensitisation of registered voters to go to the commission’s offices in their respective local government council headquarters and collect their PVCs as according to him less than 51 per cent of registered voters in the state had so far collected their PVCs since the distribution started few months ago.

He stated that because IPAC is an umbrella body for all political parties the organisation would be useful in organising voters to get their PVCs. “ Having IPAC as political body that functions effectively, we have decided to use the body to further drive down our message to the grassroots on the importance of PVCs collection”, Onukaogu stated. “ This body will partner with INEC on the best methodology to be adopted in enhancing the PVCs distribution and collection.

By Okechukwu Obeta, Awka

Artistes performing at the 2014 culture carnival in Calabar, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN.

SURE-P Spends N80bn On East-West Road – Agwai

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has disclosed that it has spent N80billion on the East-West road project since it entered into partnership with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in 2012.

Chairman of SURE-P, General Martin Luther Agwai(rtd),

stated this yesterday, while briefing the media in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after inspecting the East-West road, which runs from Warri (Delta State) to Oron (Akwa Ibom State).

Agwai said the overall progress till date on the road was 82 per cent completion, emphasising that federal government attaches much importance to the dualisation of

the road because “it is a major trunk outlet for the transportation of petroleum products from Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to other parts of the country”.

He also stated that the federal government had awarded contract for the upgrading of Port Harcourt-Eleme junction flyover to Onne junction (15 kilometres), to three-carriageway, adding that another con-

tract had been signed for the extension of East-West road from Oron to Calabar.

The SURE-P boss attributed delay in the completion of the road project by ending of December, 2014, as anticipated, to the terrain (over 16 bridges constructed), inadequate funding prior to SURE-P intervention, cost escalation, difficult community leaders, among others.

Rivers Guber Race: I’ll Build On Amaechi’s Legacies – Peterside

By ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Horcourt

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said that he would build on the legacies of the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi if elected governor in 2015.

This is as the APC has declared that, apart from its own efforts, Almighty God would equally fight to ensure that its governorship candidate convincingly wins the February

2015 governorship election in the state.

Peterside, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, during an interactive session with journalists, said his administration would focus on security, human capital development, wealth creation and infrastructural development.

The governorship hopeful, spoke through the director of Communication of the Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari.

He said, “Our focus will be on

security, human capital development, wealth creation and infrastructural development.

“We will build on the gains of the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. We want to continue on the legacy of the gains that have made Rivers State a reference point.”

Meanwhile, APC, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, and signed by Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, media aide to its state chairman, said it came to this conclusion that

God will help Peterside win the election because the governorship candidate is not only a well known child of God but has also started his campaign in the best possible way by dedicating the mandate given to him by APC to fly the party’s flag to God Almighty.

The party said, “We have no doubts at all that while we play our own part as humans, Almighty God himself will lead the fight for Dr. Peterside’s emergence as the next governor of our dear Rivers State.

42 news NATIONAL Forget Your Differences, Group Tells Taraba Politicians The chairman, Board of Trustees of G20 Club Abuja, Ishaku Tikon has appealed to the political elite in Taraba State to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign as the general elections approach.

The G20, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for indigenes of the old Wukari Federation of Taraba State resident in Abuja, was established basically to encourage and support the development of Taraba South senatorial district and the state at large.

Addressing members and guests at the end of the year party of the club in Abuja last week, Tikon cautioned, particularly the political class, to forget their past differences and unite in order for peaceful atmosphere to return to the state.

“We are all witnesses to the recent political events in our state in the last one year.

Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

Ajimobi Presents N141.8bn Budget

Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi yesterday presented a N141.8billion budget proposal for the 2015 fiscal year before the state House of Assembly.

The governor said notwithstanding the poor financial situation of the state occasioned by sharp drop in oil revenue, no new taxes will be imposed on the people.

Presenting the budget tagged ``Budget of Repositioning’’ on the floor of the House, the governor said that the proposal was guided by his administration’s desire to consolidate on its achievements and reposition the state.

According to him, the 2014 fiscal year also aims at solidifying the on-going physical and social infrastructural development and sustaining the peace and security.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Telecom Vital To Any Economy – Ndukwe The Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Chief Ernest Ndukwe, has said that telecom sector affects all aspect of the economy.

He said that telecom remains a vital infrastructure for Christmas and any holiday period anywhere in the world.

Ndukwe stated this while speaking with journalists at the Phase3 Annual Christmas Carol & Cocktail held in Abuja.

“Telecom is an industry that affects all aspect of the economy and you know during Christmas, people send a lot of Messages around the world and that would have been impossible without telecom.

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

EFCC Officer Clinches Top Prize In Defence Intelligence Course

BY Ejike Ejike, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has proved its mettle as repository of some of the best talents in law enforcement in Nigeria as its officer, Austine Adache clinched the top diadem as best student among other departments/agencies in the just con-

cluded Defence Intelligence Officers Course (DIOC) 13/2014 at the Defence Intelligence College, Karu-Abuja.

Adache, a member of Course 1 Cadet Officer Programme, distinguished himself in academic and general conduct among the participants from other agencies that attended the course. Citation from the college indicates

that the honour is bequeathed on a course participant who exhibits exceptional brilliance, hard work and discipline.

The six months rigorous course that held from June 30 through December 12, 2014, drew participants from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air force, Prisons, Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, Defence Intelligence Agency, Nige-

ria Police and the Nigerian Army.

The course which is also designed to foster inter-agency cooperation covered the areas of intelligence-driven investigations, espionage, and counterterrorism, among others.

For his effort, Adache received a plaque and certificate from the Commandant of the College, Commodore M. A Emuekpere.

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HoS Counsels Women On Skills

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(HoS) Mr. Danladi Kifasi has advised women in Nigeria to always avail themselves the opportunity of skills acquisition programmes by the National Centre for Women Development.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Manga, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (middle); wife of the presidential candidate of the APC, assistant director of Hajiya Aishat Buhari (third left), deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope -Adefulire (second left) and others during Media Relations for Buhari’s wife’s courtesy visit to Tinubu at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Kifasi gave the advice when the management team of the National Centre for Women Development led

By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja an eight storey office complex to the to your administration known to all by its Director GenAuditor-General for sale at N2.950 well meaning Nigerians which need eral, Lady Onweka President Goodluck Jonathan has billion. to be addressed. “We respectfully apOwenu paid him a been asked to investigate the alleged The Auditor General Office even- peal to your Excellency to use your courtesy call in his refusal of the Auditor-General of the tually bought the property which good offices to ensure that the wrong office.

Federation, Mr Samuel Ukura to pay is located at Plot 272/273, Central against our client is corrected by enAccording to the the agency fees for the purchase of Business District, behind UAC of- suring that the sum of N120milstatement, Kifasi office building in Abuja now serving fice complex. lion due and payable to our client is said that such move as the Office of the Auditor General A copy of the petition which promptly paid. would enable them of the Federation.

“You will recall your Excellenshows the official stamp of the Chief to contribute to The petitioner, AG Properties and of Staff to the President acknowledg- cy from the approval given to this the development Investment Limited in the petition ing receipt of the petition was ob- transaction by the office of the Buof the country and written to the president through its tained by our correspondent. reau of Public Procurement vide its the transformation lawyer, Adebayo Eniwaye and Co, The petition reads, “Our client later dated December 22, 2010, apagenda of the pressaid the office of the Auditor-Gener- viewed the act of the Auditor Gen- proval for the sum of N2.68 billion ent administration. al agreed to pay it five per cent agen- eral of the Federation as regards the including the agency due and payable

By Igho Oyoyo, cy fees after the company introduced transaction as an embarrassment to our client.

Abuja

N2.4bn Office Complex: Firm Asks Jonathan To Probe Auditor-general

Terrorism: Odogwu Rallies Support For Jonathan By chritiana nwaogu, Abuja

A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Sonny Iwedike Odogwu, has called on all national award honorees to join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to contain the scourge of terror in the North eastern part of the country. He made the appeal re-

cently in Asaba where he hosted all cleared gubernatorial aspirants of his party in Delta State.

Chief Odogwu, a founding member of the PDP and one of Africa’s most successful businessmen, cautioned a section of Nigerian elite who have continued to fuel the trauma of terror in the north by their incendiary and needless critical remarks, adding that what the pres-

ident and the federal government need at this moment is support and assurance from the people, not condemnation.

He said, “Let me seize this opportunity to thank our president and leader of our party, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, for his positive leadership which has translated to good governance across all sectors of human endeavour in spite

of global disturbances of terrorism which, unfortunately, has spread across some countries in Africa and elsewhere.

“The entire world leaders, including President Goodluck Jonathan, are still battling against terrorism.

Let us assist him and the peace-loving people of the world with continuous prayers for peace, love and tranquility.

Interval

43

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

E N T E R TA I N M E N T S P O R T s

Dignitaries Grace Oga Bello's 50-year Anniversary On Stage

Yuletide: Mixed Reactions Trail Celebration

LEISURE

Bold & Crispy: Onyeka Owenu, Dakolo To Thrill Fans

New Dawn As PMAN Exco Unveils Plans Tuface, Obey make committee

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

It was celebrations galore as Adebayo Salami popularly known as Oga Bello celebrated his fifty years on stage glamorously. The celebrations which was initially postponed and now held at the MUSA Centre, Onikan, Lagos attracted actor and actresses and movie makers and protégés of Oga Bello as they came to honour the man who has given a lifetime of dedication and handiwork to propagating our culture via stage productions, travelling theatre and home video productions in what is now known as Nollywood today.

The event held recently

Oga Bello

amidst fanfare and organised by children of the legendary actor, Femi Adebayo and his brothers.

A stage play was delivered.

Dignitaries that came included the First Lady of Lagos, Mrs Abimbola Fashol Oga Bello, a gentleman from Ilorin, Kwara State was one of those that made Awada Kerikeri Organisation AKO what it is today having taking over the reins of leadership of the theatre group after his boss Ojo Ladipo aka Baba Maero died unexpectedly.

The elegant stallion and doyen of cool music, Onyeka Onwenu will be in her usual element come Sunday, December 28, 2014 as she leads an allstar cast to a jazz concert.

Tagged Audacious Bold & Crispy, the evening of amazing jazz and soul music, the event hosted by gospel icon, Wole Oni brings soul singer, Timi Dakolo, Yinka Davies, Jodie, Gloria Ibru (Mama G), Tosin Martins, Ara,

Owenu

Onyeka Onwenu & More.

The event holds at prestigious Intercontinental Hotel located at 52A Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island in Lagos.

The show will be hosted by the duo of talented Joseph Benjamin & gorgeous movie producer, Monalisa Omorodion as they add class and style

I Used To Think Promos Were Fake-Collins

By PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA

Alkali Hamza Named Medical Icon Of The Year

By Olusola Olujide, Abuja

It was a day of honour for the Chief Medical Director/CEO of Childcare and Wellness Clinics Dr (Mrs) Yarkua Alkali Hamza who was honoured by the Initiative for Positive Influence on the Youths (Youth Nigeria) as the ‘Icon of medical transformation of the year’ The award ceremony was held recently in the hallowed board room of the clinic.

In his submission, the president of the youth organisation, Ikani Matthew Paul who was represented by Henry Nwankwo described Dr Alkali Hamza as an embodiment of love, honour who is ever willing to empower the youths and eradicate poverty from the society.

The youth group representative went further to explain the rationale behind giving her

Abuja Agog With 'Korean Love Day'

Dr Hamza

the award, enumerating her personality as being impartial, a bridge builder and a medical practitioner who is out to deliver quality health services to the society.

According to the admin manager of the clinic, Mr Suleiman Abdulmunin who spoke on behalf of the members of the staff, Dr Alkali Hamza was described as woman of honour and noble character.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Alkali Hamza, a recipient of several awards, locally and internationally, described the award given to her by Youth Nigeria as one of her most cherished awards because it is coming from the people in the grassroots.

Mr Emeka Collins is a student of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and one of the four lucky winners of Startimes extra time promo draws.

Emeka, expressing joy over his present status said he cannot stop but thank God for the great opportunity that he had brought his way. He said people around him are beginning to see him as a celebrity since his emergence as one of the winners of the promo.

“This opportunity has really impacted my life and that of my family, it has changed my life, it has chan ged my status because since I won the car, everything about me has changed. In fact, people are beginning to know me as the lucky guy that won a car in StarTimes promo. It has really changed so many things about the way people see me now” he said.

Recalling his feelings when he was informed about his win, Collins said initially, he thought it was a scam and that he never believed that it was real until he received the car.

A new interim executive committee for the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria PMAN has been unveiled and they have vowed to restructure the crisisprone music union.

Briefing the media midweek, the newly constituted interim executive/caretaker committee unveiled plans to restructure the music industry of Nigeria.

PMAN has been in a long drawn internal conflict dating as far back as 2011. The Federal high court ruling in Lagos on Friday 31st of October giving legal backing for the constitution of an interim executive members comprising veteran musicians such as Pretty Okafor, Hariz Ibezim Oke’lio, Baba Dee, Sunny

Nneji

Nneji, Tuface Idibia, Tolu Obey Fabiyi, Dennis Baker and Dr. Kenny George have been regarded as a needed healing ointment for PMAN. PMAN's interim president, Pretty Okafor reassured the people and stakeholders of its preparedness to confront the problems head long.

He highlighted issues such as piracy, royalty, infrastructure, health and welfare of member as the major focus of the committee which is scheduled to last for 18 months “This time around, our approach will be more civil, sociologically broader and technologically up-todate”, he said.

StarTimes ExtraTime promo Car presentation in Abuja

He said “When I first received the call from StarTimes, I taught it was a scam. I had to tell the guy that called me to stop calling my phone. I taught it was 419 but they kept calling and calling. So I said since they are the ones calling with their airtime let me just hear what they had to say and that was how they convinced me to go to any StarTimes dealers centre or business hall to confirm my win. I never believed the promo was real until I received the car.

“I was at home; I had just finished reading and was getting ready for school when the call came in. I couldn’t believe it; it was hard for me to really comprehend how I could just win a car just like that.

I had never won anything in my life before; I have never participated in promos because I never believed in it” he said.

Ruggedman, NickB and Oriste Femi

Comedy Assembly To Thrill Residents On Boxing Day

By ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM

It’s going to be the gathering of saint’s according to the organisers of comedy assembly At 3Js Hotel Utako, 26th December when monthly comedy assembly set to thrill Abuja resident with the best of comedy for the yuletide.

According to Nick B, CEO

Bibiem Entertainment, he said the day is aside to thrill patrons who have been showing up for the monthly comedy show.

‘You can't afford to miss this super December edition for the year 2014.

I don’t want anyone to be left out of this jamboree.

This Boxing Day will be irresistible comedians, 5 arresting musicians, 2 dependable DJs. Don't forget...we shall be celebrating birthday for all those born in December with 50 gifts for the 1st 50 people’ he said.

44 INTERVAL

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Abuja Agog With 'Korean Love Day'

By ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM

Love is sharing anything good with another person. But for the Koreans it is believed to bring great fortune to people who spread love.

This was why the Korean Cultural Centre , Nigeria , in collaboration with FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB), Korean culture club, thrilled guests within and outside with various activities at Barcelona hotel , Abuja.

The event had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life and student from various schools with and around Abuja. The Hangeul Students started with performance called ‘Arriang O, Oh' Then came in, K-pop dance which JSS Area 11, performed as the guests gave them a standing ovation.

The Hanbook/Nigeria fashion show was also another attraction the moved the audience as the student were on the runway for the show.

Meanwhile some Nigerian students also showcased the various culture of Nigeria from various ethnic groups and it was carried out with precision.

Speaking on the day, the director, Korean Cultural Centre, Kwon Young-ik stressed that it's a pleasure to celebrate the Korean love day with various student and thanked the SEB for always availing themselves when the need arises. Though he stressed that the cultural centre has been in existence since 2010, the impact the centre has on cultural ties between Korea and Nigeria is immense which secured a foundation for the cultural exchange of both countries.

"I believe the KCC centre has become a comfortable and cultural place for Nigerians, a place where you can visit and enjoy cultural content. Nigeria has a historical and colourful culture. With over 2050 unique tribes. It's literature

IT’S NOT

OVER OMENESA ORUMA AKOMOLAFE

BB Pin: 2BD4E5DB 08169583699 (SMS)

The high face of a rock.

Interpreted to be hard. A tower.

Well, in the context of this article, Cliff is a barrier, not a shield. It is a wedge between you and your destiny. I have contemplated suicide thrice in my life, and I've attempted it once. Thank God for God, I'm still here. Cliff, sneaky little thing.

The Cliff mentality is a phrase

JSS Area 11 on stage with K-pop dance

KCC director presenting a mirowave oven to a student during the event

Kaduna Gets A Boost In Hospitality ...as Top Galaxy Hotel gets ready for the Yuletide ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, Kaduna

Some students performing on stage

and film industry has attracted international attention over the years." he said.

“I will like to say to flourish the two great countries' rich culture with great artistic value, we will continue to focus on strengthening our bonds and establishing a close partnership between Korea and Nigeria to ensure that cultural exchange programmes such as Korea -Nigeria Love Day that would continue to attract and promote friendship between both countries. "High point of the event was the raffle draw that saw 10 people going home with hand fans, 10 footballs were won, 5 Korean T-shirts, 5 USB and the grand price a microwave oven.

It was a day of joy, fulfilment and prosperity for High Chief John Amaechi who refused to accept that there is any insecurity in the north decided to plant an ultramodern hotel in Sabon Gari, Kaduna State.

The grand opening witnessed the crème de la cream of the society including the executive governor of Kaduna State, Dr Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, his royal majesty, Obiora II of Amuri,Igwe Charles Nwoye, Eze Ndigbo II of Kaduna State, the PDP state chairman, chief AG Haruna , captains of industries, expatriates young men and women who gathered in Sabon Gari area to welcome a great addition to job opportunities and hospitality business in the state.

Speaking at the opening, the governor of Kaduna State who was physically present at the occasion with his entourage praised the effort of the young who though saw other places 'claimed' to be peaceful across the nation to invest, but took it upon

himself to erect such structure for the people of Kaduna State creating employment for thousands of youths in the states.

He encouraged other young men and women to emulate his gesture instead of allowing themselves to be used by political confusionists.

Also in an interview with his royal majesty, Obiora II of Amuri,Igwe Charles Nwoye, the salutation was not different as he praised the effort of chief Amaechi who according to him is his son with pride. He believes that the gesture would go a long way in creating more employment in the area while urging him to also bring such investment to his own hometown.

The event was not boring as some fantastic 7- man traditional troop gave the guests what they truly deserved. While some upcoming artistes who also won the heart of the governor thrilled with some scintillating steps.

Speaking with the man who made everything possible, High Chief John Amaechi said it's been very great to see people appreciating his efforts while calling on others no to see the

L-R: Chairman Top Galaxy Hotel, John Amaechi and Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero the at commissioning of the Hotel in Kaduna

north as a war zone but a place where people are still living their lives.

"When I wanted to make this possible, there were some people who wanted me to take the investment somewhere else, but when I decided to go ahead, I got a lot of support from well-meaning individuals.

For me it's a great thing to see that I can contribute to people's lives even though they say the north is full of crisis, I believe that we can make this life easy for ourselves. , “he explained stressing that 'this hotel was conceived, built, and furnished to international standard in other to provide a decent place to all groups of people who want to have value for their money.

The hotel has all the element of business, conference, holidaying and world class accommodation which both government officials, travellers, visitors, holiday makers can experience top hospitality and comfort compered to any other hotel in the world. The increasing Gab we have noticed in inaddiquate top class hotels in Kaduna state informed our desire to build a wonder edifice.'

Above The Cliff I made up, though a common phenomenon. Cliff seems to be ever present when one is undergoing severe pressure.

Pressure is painful. Pain is painful.

It is not out of the ordinary to desire an exit from life. I totally get you. However, Cliff is not fair.

It is so unkind.

As solid as a Vliff is, it is a poor substitute to an escape. It is a precipice of disaster, that will cut your dreams short. The Cliff does not protect you. It accurately exposes you to your hurts, and misrepresents you in public,

making others believe that you are a coward. Cliff is bondage.

It keeps lying. Telling you that in him, you will find solace. The Cliff mentality is sick, longing for freedom, but wrapped in fear of where the soul may end up. Cliff jitters it is not bold or strong. It is not tough or enduring. It is just flat out weak, swimming in a pool of frightening realities related to health, finances, marriage, Career, and otherwise. Cliff takes ownership of the mind, causing great affliction without cure. Cliff wants you to give up.

Cliff has been attached to your window for God knows how long.

Whenever you open the windows , attempting to see the beautiful ray of the morning sun, here comes cliff. It is practically glued to your wall. Cliff wants you to cry.

It wants you to cave in. Cliff leads to nowhere but hell. It roasts in fire for its egotism, claiming to be God. After convincing you to take matters into your own hands, Cliff leaves you alone, it collects it's company from, searching for its next companion. Your trials

and tribulations contend with zeal and Cliff everyday. Zeal has been standing in disgust, wondering when you will open your eyes. Cliff is not your friend.

It is your worst enemy. Stop deceiving yourself. Get Cliff out of your head. It's not here to offer you help. Cliff wants you to fidget.

It came to make you tired and despondent. Almost at the door post of your victory, and here comes Cliff again. He didn't come to celebrate with you. Cliff is only here to make sure you jump.

Soar High.

INTERVAL 45

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Soppers checking out hats at Wuse market, Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE

Yuletide: Mixed Reactions Trail Celebration As the world marks the birthday of Jesus Christ, many people have continued to lament the lack of funds thus hampering a sweet celebration. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM writes

T

omorrow is Christmas!

Many families are expected to dine and wine as they unleash their festive mood by sending to ‘the great beyond’ innocent goats, hen, chickens and every other thing edible.

Christmas is a Christian holiday honouring the birth of Jesus Christ, which evolved over two thousand years ago into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian, pagan traditions into the festivities along the way. Today, Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts.

While the birth year of Jesus is estimated among modern historians to have been between 7 and 2 BC, the exact month and day of his birth are unknown, and are not the focus of the Church's Christmas celebration.

His birth is mentioned in two of the four canonical gospels.

By the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted in the East, although some churches celebrate on the December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which, in the Gregorian calendar, currently corresponds to January 7, the day after the Western Christian Church celebrates the Epiphany. The date of Christmas may have initially

been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus to have been conceived, or with one or more ancient polytheistic festivals that occurred near southern solstice (i.e., the Roman winter solstice); a further solar connection has been suggested because of a biblical verse identifying Jesus as the "Sun of righteousness" The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins.

Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and carolling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a

significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

But the case is not so in third-world countries where people are dying in wars, ethnoreligious crisis and insurgency.

The city of Abuja is taking a new look as people walk around to various fun centre.

From Gwarinpa - Wuse 2, and Garki, central area, Jabi, Utako the streets are shining with Christmas trees and lightings.

Hotels are all set to welcome guests who are willing to relax with friends while recreational centres, like Wonderland, Jabi Lake, and Millennium Park are ready to welcome fun seekers.

Though these places will surely witness an influx of fun seekers, many are not convinced that they are in a festive mood.

Michael Egwurube, a staff at Korea cultural centre, Abuja said that there is nothing special about the festive period because he's been eating rice from January-December, “there is nothing special about this rice. I will only go and be with my family, my wife and son. But for the mood, I don't see any difference from the usual days because I always eat rice" he explained.

While Mike believes that there is no reason for celebration, others are using the day to tell God to unite the nation.

Abdul Sani, said even as a Muslim, he still find time to celebrate with his neighbours.

"I take my family out to wonderland and make sure they lack nothing. Even as a Muslim we must celebrate without Christian brothers to shun these confusion about religion because we all serve one God." explained.

Also, at the motor park, travellers are paying more than what was obtained before the Christmas period. A lady who spoke in anonymity said she paid N6,500 from Abuja to Lagos something she normally pay N3,500. She believes it's due to the festive period and the fuel hike.

But even with the insecurity and fuel crisis in the country, people are ready to enjoy their time during this festive period.

The queues at the filling stations are increasing on a daily basis because of what the confusion by oil marketers who always want to make things difficult for common Nigerians.

There has never been a time when Nigerians enjoyed any festivities because of the wicked act by the government and the oil marketers who are not suffering the pinch of the scarcity.

Emmanuel Ogbe is an Abuja social commentator said he is not happy that the hike is coming in the wake of the festive period especially when the world oil market has been crashed but only Nigeria has the highest price for petroleum.

The celebration will always continue even if everyone in Nigeria is suffering the pinch of hardship while the complaints continue with flash lights all over the city of Abuja and environs.

Hotels are all set to welcome guests who are willing to relax with friends while recreational centres, like Wonderland, Jabi Lake, and Millennium Park are ready to welcome fun seekers

46 ISSUES

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Apc Primaries As Model For Democracy

By Ali Abubakar

The recently concluded party primaries conducted by political parties ahead of the 2015 general elections, particularly those conducted by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives congress (APC) were supposedly carried out in fulfilment of the Electoral Act 2010 (As amended) which stipulates in Section 87 the procedure through which candidates should emerge democratically.

However, the outcry that greeted the primaries, especially those conducted by the PDP, has left many to believe that the process of picking candidates for the next election was far from satisfactory, rather the entire exercise was marred by intimidation of candidates and delegates who were forced to do the bidding of the powers that be in some instances and in others, outright imposition of candidates.

In sharp contrast, the primaries conducted by the APC across the states, culminating in the national convention that saw the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate, have been hailed even by ardent critics of the party.

For many, the APC primaries were a total break from the past and a clear manifestation of what internal party democracy is. The self acclaimed largest party in Africa, the PDP, indeed has a lot to learn. But it seems, as it has always done, the party has squandered the opportunity to make amends in its determination to do the bidding of its paymasters.

The general discontent among its members currently is a pointer

to a major crisis brewing within the ruling PDP, with many aggrieved aspirants who felt short-changed in the process crying foul and threatening to leave the party and to equally ensure the failure in the coming elections.

Investigations across the states have shown that many of the governorship aspirants in states like Adamawa, Enugu, Rivers Taraba, Sokoto and Kebbi have allegedly vowed to frustrate the ambitions of so-called anointed candidates and work against the success of the party in favour of the opposition party wherever they can do so.

Commenting on the botched PDP primaries for instance, former Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Prof. Oserheumen Osunbor, while delivering a speech recently in Abuja, called for a new order to achieve transparent and credible elections next year, stressing that the conduct of the current party primaries to pick their candidates for the forthcoming election was far from satisfactory.

“What would ordinarily be a simple process of nominating candidates through internal mechanism at party primaries has become a major source of acrimony among major political parties. More often than not, party candidates emerge through imposition and manipulation by party leaders who hijack election materials and compromise party officials sent to conduct primaries with little or no regard for the preferred choice of rank and file party members” Osunbor said.

On his part, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, demanded the cancellation of

the following: the delegates list; accreditation, violent atmosphere, non-display of sensitive materials and non delegates voting’’.

In another letter, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross Rivers State, Mr Mike Igini, also kicked against the primaries, saying that it was “far below the standards of 2011 and this is not encouraging. The list of delegates used for the primaries was not made

public. This was imperative as two lists were in circulation.” .A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, described the party’s primaries that produced Senator Teslim Folarin as the candidate of the party for the 2015 governorship election as a charade. On the other hand however, commendations have continued to trail the APC primaries across the states and the national convention of the party that saw Buhari emerge as its presidential candidate. Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State described the exercise as a model for democracy in Africa. He said that the primaries, which was won by retired Major General Muhhammadu Buhari was free, fair and credible.

“As we celebrate these women, we are also sending out a statement to the whole of our nation that in this state and in this city, that our integrity is more valuable to us than all of our personal lives. We are building a country that our children will be proud to inherit from us and that one day they can look back and say thank you for helping us build this country. From this city, we have sent a strong message about the politics that we will also play. If I am not mistaken, our gubernatorial primaries had the largest number of aspirants but we conducted it without rancour.

“None of the candidates who contested have come out to say that the primaries were rigged or that there were more voters than those who were accredited. A candidate has emerged and we are moving on.

–Abubakar, a public affairs commentator wrote from Wuse 2, Abuja

had already assembled to ponder their next move.

“Once I arrived at the venue they insisted they must conduct the primary. They went ahead to elect me the PDP candidate.

“The electoral panel commenced their work at the socalled primary election venue…

They filled the stadium, venue of the supposed primary election, with non party members. It was an assemblage of passersby, touts, cheerleaders and office messengers who were hurriedly railroaded to the venue as a face saving measure”.

With due respect to Senator Eze, his polemics and tales are rather condescending and unbefitting. At least, even if his incredible tales deceive a few, critical minds and party faithful who were at the primary election venue could not be deceived.

One, he admitted that he was

“heading to the venue of the primary election when…” Thus, he is in agreement that there was only one official venue recognised by the state and national PDP, the INEC, delegates and other key participants enunciated in the PDP constitution, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 constitution.

This naturally explains why PDP national electoral panel led by king asara asara, the inec observation team led by its resident electoral commissioner for Enugu State, and bonafide delegates were all present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium rather than Filbon Hotel to perform their respective roles climaxing in the emergence of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the party’s governorship election candidate with 937 out of the 983 votes cast.

—Ekwe sent in this piece from Enugu

Oyegun

The primaries conducted by the APC across the states, culminating in the national convention that saw the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate, have been hailed even by ardent critics of the party the senatorial primaries of the PDP conducted in Cross River central senatorial district. In a letter of appeal addressed to the PDP Electoral Appeal Panel, dated December 8, he said; “The exercise was fundamentally and fatally flawed as it fell short of the minimum integrity for an electoral process. The exercise was in complete disregard of the PDP’s guidelines for primaries in

Still On Enugu Guber Race

by Desmond Ekwe

To many political pundits who gauged Enugu’s volatile political temperature in the run up to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) congresses and primary elections, the state was one potential flashpoint, a disaster waiting to happen. Their permutations could not be faulted given the rising political tension occasioned by the fierce power contest between forces loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

However, the PDP congresses and primary elections have come and gone, and Enugu State, especially the PDP, remains one, peaceful, and waxes stronger.

The greatest credit goes to the ‘big masquerades’ who opted for dialogue and sacrifice to move both the state andthe party

forward. I was moved seeing Chime surrender his senatorial ambition to allow Ekweremadu, who has higher prospects in the legislature to continue his good work as a tested hand. I totally disagree with those who say that he had no choice having been outwitted in the struggle for structures for the primary election by the Ekweremadu group.

But I disagree. He could have opted for another party as rumoured and that would have caused the PDP a lot of trouble.

Again, I was even moved all the more watching Ekweremadu on TV dedicate his second term PDP ticket to Sullivan Chime.

Virtually all the other gubernatorial candidates like Chinedu Onu and Anayo Onwuegbu withdrew from the race in support of the highly favoured candidature of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Even the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene who went the whole length, but lost to Ugwuanyi never complained about the process. All these are acts of political maturity uncommon in our clime.

It is against this background that PDP supporters in Enugu were taken aback when Senator Ayogu Eze had a few minutes into governorship primary election at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, took to the media to declare himself Enugu PDP governorship candidate.

Finding faults with the delegates list, which he claimed was not the same one “certified” by a Federal High Court in Abuja, Senator Ayogu Eze said: “I was heading to the venue of the primary election when these frustrated delegates called me to address them at Filbon Hotel, New Haven, Enugu, where they

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, & FAITH PLATFORM

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SPECIALISED CLASSIFIEDS PAGES 69 A9 GWARINPA II MOSQUE

DELTA PEOPLES INITIATIVE FOR GROWTH

FAITH IN CHRIST LIBERATION GOSPEL INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MOSQUE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1of 1990.

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,1of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No 1 of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief S. E. Otonekwu 2. Ehinze Josephine Gloria 3. Henry Uzo Onwuegbuzie 4. Kingsley Chukwuemeka Melekwe 5. Boniface O. E. Ehinze 6. Onyebuchi Ogbaegbe 7. Omoformah Augustine 8. Anthony Osafele

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ajala Isaac Adeleke 2. Ajala Dare Lateef 3. Olaniyan Lucia Olajumoke 4. Ajala Abosede Comfort 5. Ewuji Johnson Owolabi

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Muhammad Baba Yerima 2. Hamza H. Modibbo 3. M. B. Suleiman 4. Umar Faruk Yakubu

- National Chairman - National Secretary - Member - Member - Member - Member - Member - Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To propagate Islamic teachings.

2. To undertake charitable activities.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote the unity and progress of all Deltans both at home and abroad.

2. To promote the cultural values of all Deltans and re-orient them to uphold same.

3. To mobilize and sensitize Deltans towards working for their economic growth.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET.PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET.PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Secretary - Member - Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To raise disciples of Christ through sound biblical teaching.

Any objection to this Application should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: L. OGAGA-SANDY & CO. 08063404043

SIGNED: AMECHI UDOGARANYA ESQ AMECHI UDOGARANYA & CO., NO. 13 AJOKU STREET OWERRI, IMO STATE, 08060555727

DEAN MORE INITIATIVE FOR AFRICAN YOUTH

MOUNTAIN OF HOLINESS ARMY OF CHRIST MINISTRY

MUSLIM WOMEN INITIATIVE OF ISLAMIC PROPAGATION AND EMPOWERMENT

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No 1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No 1 of 1990.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Larayetan Michael - Chairman 2. Olorunsegun Oluwaseun Naomi 3. Adekunle Bukola Olamide - Secretary 4. Mokikan Dominic Sunday 5. Mrs. Bamidele Ruth 6. James Oluwole

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Shanu Daniel Darela - Presiding Bishop 2. Kasiaka Kenny Edewor 3. Etim Anthony Oritsegbubemi 4. Falade Simeon Abisodun 5. Abioye Adekunle Kayode

The Aim and Objectives are: 1. To assist the African youth in every remification especially in skill development.

The Aim and Objectives are: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To assist believers with the practical demonstration of holy ghost.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. RUTH IDOWU 12A, KAOLACK STREET, ZONE 1 WUSE ABUJA

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. KATE OTUMU; 08036677402

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mallam Shafiu Shehu 2. Honorable Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, Con 3. Justice Abdulmumin Muhammad Enagi 4. Hajiya Zainab Abu Bello 5. Engineer Mamman Muhammad, Mni 6. Hajiya Maimuna A. Abubakar 7. Mallam Muhammad Dattijo Usman 8. Mrs. Zainab Bello 9. Hajiya Hauwa Kulu Abdullahi 10. Hajiya Hasiya Jibril The Aim and Objectives are: 1. To cater for the welfare of its members.

2. To foster peace and love among its members.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

BRIDGE LIFE AFRICA NETWORK

SAKI MOTOR DEALERS ASSOCIATION

ODETO DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ORGANISATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Ituah Ighodalo 2. Mr. Steve Nduka 3. Mr. Chidi Iketuonye 4. Atinuke Olashore 5. Mrs. Sola Nduka

The Trustees are: 1. Alh. Jubril Malik 2. Mr. Okesola Rufai 3. Alh. Lukman Esintola 4. Mr. Amuzat Yakubu 5. Mr. Adeyemi Adeoti 6. Mr. Niyi Olawuwo 7. Mr. Olusegun Adegbola

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Engr. Mathias Sardauna Yahaya - Chairman 2. Mr. James Abimaje Akpa - Secretary 3. Mr. Isaiah Alhassan Akpa - Treasurer 4. Mr. Stephen Baba Akowe - Patron 5. Mr. Abdul Emoga - Patron 6. Mr. Acheneje Sule Charles - Member 7. Mr. Mark Bala - Member 8. Mr. Noah John Ikoja - Member 9. Hon. Hajia Rabi Hassan - Member 10. Pastor Noah Oloche - Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE 1. To cater for the general welfare of the members and the society.

2. To promote peace, justice and equity.

3. To engage and organize a global network for leaders who will develop communities and encourage development.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE 1. To promote members’ and communal socio-economic welfare, unity and harmony.

2. To protect members’ professional interest and promote public-private partnerships.

3. To promote and bring about a virile automobile industry.

4. To promote humanitarian activities and social development.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. MUSAH ABDULWASII, SOLICITOR 08033880535

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE 1. To foster unity, peace, progress and socio-economic development.

2. To provide the platform for capacity building, motivation, empowerment and self actualization among members.

3. To champion value re-orientation within the society and among the political class.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: M. O. USMAN, ESQ

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATE, LUGBE CENTRAL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS Magbo Kelvin

Dantata and Sawoe Contruction Company Nigeria Ltd

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Mr Joseph Gwantu Christiana Joseph Gwantu

Behind Crisspark Maraba, Nasarawa State British High Commission, Abuja Who died on 4th February, 2014

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Angela Magbo guardian to Juliet Duruoha and Favour Duruoha Dakwa Tunga Talatu Dei-dei Abuja

Who died on 31st August, 2014 Widow and daughters of the said deceased

DATED AT ABUJA THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2014 SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

For booking or inquiry call

> HENRY UBIMAGO 08068640944

> augustine 08032325988

Widow of the said deceased

DATED AT ABUJA THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2014

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

> GLORIA OKwUM 08038722368

> ABIGAIL SAMBO 08064382438

NAME OF TRUSTEES: 1. Babatunde Bashiru Suleiman 2. Ifeanyi Ejindu, Esq 3. Olatunji Stephen 4. Alhassan Ahmed 5. Lamanti Labetek 6. Njoku Jude 7. Felix Ifeanyi Okonkwo 8. Okereke Patrick 9. Kamil Oyinlola AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote the improvement and maintenance of the housing conditions, amenities and environment of all residents of Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, Abuja.

2. To work for a secure, decent, peaceful and orderly environment.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

> GLORIA RAPHAEL 08061356519

> GLORIA ODIO 08034285851

> GRACE OJO 08035054444

50

Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ROYAL GOSHEN GRACECOURTS MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

KABAMA LAY-OUT MUSLIM ASSOCIATION

Voice of jesus welfare ministry international

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

Kabama Lay-out Muslim Association hereby wish to inform the general public that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Regulation under the Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 Part C.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PRINCE JOSEPH ECHE JOHNSON 2. REV. FR. PETER EWAOCHE JOHNSON 3. REV. (MRS) DEBORAH JOHNSON IDOKO 4. MISS THERESA OSIEGBU-EMMANUEL THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM AS MANDATED BY CHRIST. 2. TO TRAIN AND ENTHRONE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR ROYAL SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 3. TO CARRY OUT GOSPEL PROGRAMS, OPERATIONS, AND EVENTS IN ORDER TO MINISTER HEALTH, WEALTH AND SOCIAL BLESSING. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed: SECRETARY

The Trustees are: 1. Alhaji Isa Ramat Buba 2. Mal. Abdulhamid Gambo 3. Dr. Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq 4. Abdulganiyu Alabi Bello 5. Hajiya Hadiza Kabiru 6. Prof. Tijjani Abubakar 7. Prof. Adamu Ahmed Objectives: 1. To encourage and promote peaceful harmonious co-existence and communal living environment among Muslims as well as between Muslims and nonMuslims.

2. To provide forum for dialogue among members concerning good neighbourliness, discipline, social welfare and other issues 3. To advance the Educational, Social, Cultural and Economic development of Kabama Lay-out by establishment of private schools, extra lessons for both adults and children and award scholarship awards to students of the community.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission at 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, P. M. B. 198 Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publications.

Signed: Secretary

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Vera Ehizele 2. Godstime Ehizele 3. Victor Ehizele 4. Precious Ehizele 5. Rhema Ehizele

- Chairman - Secretary

Objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus round the world Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: barr SOLOMON akhigbe 08037257296

RAHAMA INITIATIVE

JEHOVAH-ROPHI INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

LEGAL NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the CTC and change of trustees under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

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

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Alh. Abdulkadir Ahmed 2. Ahmed Abdulkadir Ahmed 3. Suleman Abdulkadir 4. Alh. Abdulkadir Bala Abba 5. Hajara Ahmed

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MANDO CLEMENT (SENIOR PASTOR) 2. MRS ETHEL MANDO (CO- PASTOR) 3. ELDER GABRIEL MANDO 4. ELDER GOD’SPOWER EBUTA NDIFON

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Asma’u Abdulkadir - Chairman 2. Nana Ahmed Sa’id 3. Shamsiyya Umar Magam

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME Any objection to this CTC and change of trustees should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Needam Bekee Roseline Beke and Fortune Bekee 47 Oromeinike Street D/ Line, 47 Oromeinike Street D/ Line, Porthacourt Porthacourt

Who died on 25th March, 2013 Widow and son of the said deceased

DATED AT ABUJA THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2014 SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED: BARR CALEB N. RAMNAP

Signed: SECRETARY

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the public that the original Customary Right of Occupancy in respect of Plot No. 170 Old Kutunku Compensation Layout, Gwagwalada Abuja belonging to Mr Matthew Dike is missing. Gwagwalada Area Council and General Public, please take note

MARYAM ENDOWMENT FUND (IT NO 4131)

LIFE OFFERED -CRUSADERS INT’L OUTREACH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR AMENDMENT OF THEIR ENTIRE CONSTITUTION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

THAT THE ENTIRE CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS AMENDMENT SHOULD BE FOR WARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS Gloria Ehinsianya Oyiogu

St. Lous Nursery and Primary School

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS Eke Blessing Ukamaka

Nigeria Police Force, Abuja

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Eric Amaefule 594B, Victoria Crescent, 41 Crescent Gwarinpa, Abuja

Who died on 15th June, 2012 Son of the said deceased

DATED AT ABUJA THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2014

OGU

I formerly known as MISS ENWEREMADU JUSTINA IHECHINYEREM, now wish to be known as MRS OGU JUSTINA IHECHINYEREM. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly known as MISS IHEMBA CAROLINE IFEOMA, now wish to be known as MRS UZOWURU CAROLINE IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Eke Nkechinyere guardian to Eke Chigozie Benson 30 Panama Street Ministers Hill Maitama, Abuja

Who died on 27th December, 2008 Sisters and brother of the said deceased

DATED AT ABUJA THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2014

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

CHIKADIBIA

I formerly known as UGWUOKE CHIKADIBIA HERBERT, now wish to be known as CHIKADIBIA HERBERT. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Juliana

I formerly known as Basheba Juliana Musa, now wish to be known as Juliana Basheba Musa Paul. All former documents remain valid. Universal Basic Education Takum and the general public to please note.

BLESSING

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Elizabeth Asibor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs BLESSING ELIZABETH MUMUNI. All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note

Grace

I formerly known as Miss Waze Atama, now wish to be known as Miss Grace Atama. All former documents remain valid. College of Agriculture Jalingo and the general public to please note.

The Trustees are: 1)Morakinyo Isaac Adebayo 2)Ayoalagbe Kola Ayorinde 3)Ogunkunle Samuel Adewale 4)Auta Timothy 5) Ojo Oluwaseun Bose

-President -Secretary -Treasurer - Pro -Member

Objectives: 1. To propagate and disseminate the gospel of jesus christ to the world.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

LEGAL NOTICE

UZOWURU

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

PORT -HARCOURT ABLE GOD GARRI TRADERS ASSOCIATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. IGBE DANIEL FRANCES 2. IGWE NDUBUISI 3. UBURU JOSEPH 4. UWAH LINUS. AIMS. AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO TAKE CARE OF THE WELFARE. OF MEMBERS 2. TO PROMOTE SAFE, CONDUCIVE AND ATTRACTIVE. MARKET ENVIRONMENT. 3. TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ASSOCIATIONS WITH SIMILAR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION SIGNED: BARR E.C ORJI ESQ. SOLICITOR.

OLUCHI

I formerly known as ALARIBE OLUCHI APPOLONIA, now wish to be known as DIKE OLUCHI APPOLONIA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Paul

I formerly known as Paul Benatus Babajada now wish to be known as Paul Benatus.

All former documents remain valid.

First Bank plc and the general public to please note.

TAWAKALITU

I, formerly known and addressed as TAWAKALITU AFOLASADE MUSTAPHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS TAWAKALITU AFOLASADE ABDUL-RAHEEM. NYSC, NDHQ and the general public to please take note.

OLUWATOYIN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss OLUWATOYIN ABISOLA FOWOWE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OLUWATOYIN ABISOLA WILLIAMS-EDEM. All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note

HALIMATU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS HALIMATU SULEIMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as HALIMATU SULEIMAN ABDULLAHI (MRS). All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note

Ethel

I, formerly known as Miss Ethel Asieba now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ethel Mando. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

51

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

LEGAL NOTICE

This is to notify the general public of the loss of original offer of statutory right of occupancy and receipts of the following documents located at Kuje Area Council: Plot No. CD12 52131 – 13/2/004 – Purchasing of App. Form 0003044 – 2/11/2004 – Layout fees 0003045 - 2/11/2004 Ground rent preparation/reg. of C of O 0003043 – 2/11/2004 – Premium fees 006392 – 13/2/2004 – Processing fees for land App. Form 0006393 – 13/2/2004 – Devt. Levy for 2001 – 2002 belonging to ANEBELUNDU & SONS LTD.

This is to notify the general public of the loss of receipt of payment in respect to the following land documents located at Kuje Area Council: Plot N0. CD13 52132 – 28/1/04 – Purchase of land form 0006395 – 10/2/04 – Devt. Levies for 2001-2003 0006394 – 13/2/04 – Processing fees for land app. Form 0003051 – 2/11/04 – Premium fees 0003053 – 2/11/04 – Ground rent preparation/registration of C of O 0003052 – 2/11/04 – Layout fees belonging to P. O. Anebelundu & Co. Ltd.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Plot 890 with the following receipt Nos. belonging to CHIEF PETER ANAEBELUNDU 0009054 – 2/11/2004 – Premium fees 52129 – 15/2/2004 – Purchase of form 0003056 – 2/11/2004 – Ground rent Prep./registration of C of O 0003055 – 2/11/2004 – Layout Fees 0006397 – 13/2/2004 – Devt. Levy 2001, 2002 and 2003 Plot FL 823 60957 – 20/6/06 – Dev. Levy for the year 2003, 2004, 2005 60956 – 20/6/06 – Form and processing for commercial 60060 – 26/6/06 – Layout fees 60061 – 26/6/06 – Ground rent, preparation and registration of C of O 60058 – 26/6/06 – Premium fees belonging to PETER PAN INDUSTRIES LTD. All efforts made to trace the said documents proved abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station. AGIS and the general public should hereby take note.

THE WORDBASED LEADERSHIP MISSION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor John Egede Daniel - General Overseer 2. Engr. Francis Chidiebele Ekwempu - Secretary 3. Mr. Robert Chukwujekwu Udegbunem - Members Objectives: 1. To preach the word of God to the world.

2. To win souls for Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Plot N0. CD11 Loss of receipt 0003042 – 2/11/04 – Ground rent prep./registration of C of O. 0008196 – 11/2/04 – Devt. Levy for 2001, 2002 and 2003 0008195 – 11/2/04 – Processing fees 0003041 – 11/2/04 – Layout fees 61536 – 11/2/04 – Purchasing of app. Form 0003040 – 2/11/04 – Premium fees belonging to Ponack Investment and Resources Co. Ltd. Plot No. 897 0002684 – 17/2/2004 – Ground Rent Prep./Reg of C of O 0002689 – 17/2/04 layout fees belonging to PAUL OMOH C/0 PETER ANEBELUNDU Plot 898 006398 – 13/2/2004 – Purchase and processing of land form 0002679 – 17/2/2004 – Premium fees 0002681 – 17/2/2004 – Ground Rent Pre./registration of C of O 0002680 – 17/2/2004 – Layout levy 0006399 – 13/2/2004 – Development levy for 2001, 2002, 2003 52130 – 13/2/2004 – Purchase and processing of land form belonging to FLORENCE OKONGWU C/0 ABIGAIL O. ANABELUNDU. All efforts made to trace the said documents proved abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station. AGIS and the general public should hereby take note.

RECHERCHE- LIVING COMMUNITY INITIATIVES. THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ELDER OLAWUNI TITUS 2. CHIEF SHODOLAMU SHOKEYE 3. PASTOR AYENI FRANCIS 4. PASTOR ADARAMOYE OLUYEMI 5. PASTOR AKOMOLAFE MATTHEW 6. MR. AKINOLA EMMANUEL. 7. MR. AKEEM ADETOLA 8. MR. OLUWATADE OLUWAFEMI. 9. PASTOR OLOJEDE JOHN AIMS & OBJECTIVES. 1. TO PROVIDE AND GIVE AWARD TO THE LESS PREVILEGE PEOPLE 2. TO SEE TO THE WELFARE OF THE POOR. 3. TO PROVIDE SOCIAL AMENITIES TO THE RURAL COMMUNITIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PASTOR AYENI FRANCIS.

MBUKEYEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. FRANK UDO ARCHIBONG 2. OBONGANWAN COMFORT EKENWA ENODIEN 3. CHIEF JOHN NATHANIEL UDOH 4. NDUESO UMOUDI 5. HELEN ANIEFIOK UMANA. OBJECTIVE: 1. To bring together women of our community and encourage them to acquire basic entrepreneurial skill.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Alhaji Adamu Ahmad Hilal Adamu, Salihat Ishaq Sani and Shahida Adamu Nigeria Customs Service No 22 Dansadau Road Minanata, Sokoto

Who died on 12th July, 2014 Son and dauther of the said deceased

DATED AT ABUJA THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2014 SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

LEADERS DEN FOUNDATION

credible shareholders association of nigeria

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Adeniyi Olowfela Adesanya 2. Emeka Joseph Nnamani 3. Ogban Usetu Ogban 4. Esther Ochy Odey 5. Olawunmi Ibifiri Ekine 6. Utibeima Nasegbe Ekpe

The Trustees are: 1. Ganiyu Kudirat Motunrayo 2. Anifowoshe Raji Alao 3. Ajiboye Rasak Adeoti 4. Soliu Rasheed Olalekan 5. Ogunfowora Rahmon Bolaji 6. Arif Ope 7. Sanusi Kamolideen Adesina

Objectives: 1. To train and raise leaders.

2. To recognise and award excellent leaders.

Objectives: 1. To promote the interest and welfare of shareholders in publicy quoted and unquopted companies in Nigeria.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

GRACE ASSEMBLY GOSPEL CENTRE MASAKA

Strength in Diversity Development Centre

The general public is hereby notified that the above named CENTRE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Centre has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for the Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Samson Jerry Panaki 2. Prophetess Favour Panaki 3. Bishop Emmanuel Agbaji 4. Ekwere Ladi Lama 5. Deacon Musa Yahaya Yakubu 6. Rev. Philip Kahili Adams

The Trustees are: 1. Imam SHEFIU Abdulkareem Majemu 2. Tajudeen Kayode Uzamot 3. Evangelist Yaro Doris Philips 4. Dr. Kazeem Durodoye 5. Yetunde Ogundiran

- President - Advisor - Secretary - Treasurer

Objectives: 1. To propagate the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

OBJECTIVES: (1) To strengthen diversity for national prosperity.

(2) To promote Religious understanding, tolerance and acceptance among faiths in Nigeria.

(3) To build capacity for the entrenchment of religious and ethnic diversity in Nigeria.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

FATOYE

I formerly known as MISS ARIJE AMINAT OLASIMBO, now wish to be known as MRS FATOYE AMINAT OLASIMBO. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

ANNIE

I formerly known as ANNIE SIAH KOTIO, now wish to be known as ANNIE SIAH AJOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

DANTSOHO

I formerly known as MISS LAWAL KHADIJA OMAR, now wish to be known as MRS DANTSOHO KAHDIJA NURA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

ELIJAH

I formerly known as AWAH FELIX AMALI, now wish to be known as ELIJAH FELIX AWAH. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

HORSFALL

I formerly known as HORSFALL DAORIBIM GEORGE, now wish to be known as HORSFALL IBIM GEORGE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Joyce

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joyce Ishaya Dyagas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Joyce Nuhu Maikano. All documents bearing the former names remain valid; Panda Development Area of Nasarawa State and the general public should please take note.

OLOYEDE

I formerly known as AJAO KHADIJATU ABAKE, now wish to be known as MRS OLOYEDE KHADIJATU ABAKE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Television Authority and general public to take

MICHAEL

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOSU UJUNWA AUGUSTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MICHAEL AUGUSTINA. All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note.

Signed: Chairman

IDOKO

I formerly known as MISS AJIBADE VICTORIA YEMISI, now wish to be known as MRS IDOKO VICTORIA YEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

OKENWA

I formerly known as MISS OGBUKA CAROLINE CHIZOBA, now wish to be known as MRS OKENWA CAROLINE CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please note.

HELEN

loss LOSS OF of DOCUMENT document PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSSOF loss of OFDOCUMENTS DOCUMENT document LOSS

TOLUSHE

I, REV GODWIN CHUKWUKUEMEKA DANIEL HEREBY NOTIFY THE PUBLIC OF THE CHANGE OF THE NAMES OF MY CHILDREN TO REFLECT MY DESIRE FOR THEM TO BEAR MY DIRECT FAMILY NAME AS FOLLOWS. 1. THAT MY FIRST SON FORMERLY KNOWN AS AND CALLED ELECT DANIEL IS HENCEFORTH TO BE KNOWN AS AND CALLED ELECT D-GODWIN. 2. THAT MY FIRST DAUGHTER FORMERLY KNOWN AS AND CALLED MERCY DANIEL IS HENCEFORTH TO BE KNOWN AS AND CALLED MERCY D-GODWIN. 3.THAT MY SECOND SON FORMERLY KNOWN AS AND CALLED EMMANUEL DANIEL IS HENCEFORTH TO BE KNOWN AS AND CALLED EMMANUEL D-GODWIN.

The General Public Is Hereby Notified That The Following Documents Belonging To Victory Iyare Abebe Of Plot 943 Trinity House Mabushi Abuja Got Burnt.

1. Marriage Certificate Contracted On Contracted On 13Th April 2013 2. L.L. B Certificate 2007/2008 Issued At University Of Benin On 15Th October 2008 3. B.L. Corticated Issued On 5Th October 2010 And Body Of Benchers Certificate Issued By Council Of Legal Education On 30Th Nov. 2010.

4. Birth Certificate No B2/2.4/7574353 5. Igueben Local Government Certificate Of Origin No 001198 Issued On 6Th July 2004.

6. Testimonial Of Good Service Issued By Soya J. Odumosu Esq And Co. 7. Certificate Of National Services And Nysc Fct/Ben/10/254621 8. Neco Certificate No 11371715Eg 9. Nysc Certificate Of Merit Issued On The 26Th Sept. 2011 10. Policy And Law Reform Centre Corticated Of Alternative Dispute Resolution 11. Primary School Leaving Certificate Issued 1992 12. Centre For Debt Recovery Enterprises Certificate And Was Dully Reported To Police Station . All Effort To Retrieve The Said Documents During The Fire Out Break Proved Abortive. General Public Please Take Note.

I formerly known as MISS HELEN MANCHIANG KEVIN, now wish to be known as MRS HELEN MANCHIANG PATRICK. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please note.

I formerly known as MISS IDOWU OMOLOLA FLORENCE, now wish to be known as MRS TOLUSHE OMOLOLA FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

52

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

world

news ➊

➍

➌ ➏ ➎

➐

➋

➎ Children Killed In Syria Air Strikes

At least 10 children have been killed after two schools were hit in a series of air strikes carried out by the Syrian government in Damascus and villages in the Idlib province, sources say.

Military jets dropped barrel

bombs on a school in the town of Safohan in Idlib province on Tuesday, killing seven children.

In the rebel held area of Douma in Damascus, another school was hit. At least five people were killed, incuding three children.

The Pakistani army has killed 32 suspected Taliban fighters in an ambush in a remote valley near the Afghan border, the military has said.

The ambush took place overnight in the northwestern

Tirah valley in the Khyber agency, one of the main smuggling routes for arms and fighters crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to an army statement.

Rafael Hui, Hong Kong’s former deputy leader, and Thomas Kwok, a property tycoon, have been jailed for corruption in a prominent trial that angered the city’s public.

Hui, 66, was given seven and

half years in prison on Tuesday for five fraud charges, including misconduct in a public office.

It makes him the highestranking official in Hong Kong’s history to be convicted of taking bribes.

➊ Ukraine Votes To ➋ France To Deploy Drop Non-aligned Soldiers After Spate Status Of Attacks Ukraine’s parliament has voted to drop the country’s nonaligned status and work towards Nato membership.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the move “counterproductive” and said it would boost tensions.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko pledged to seek Nato membership over Russian support for rebels in the east.

France is to step up police and military patrols in areas frequented by the public following recent attacks, Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said.

He said up to 300 soldiers would be deployed around the country to boost security over the Christmas period.

The attacks, seemingly unrelated, in Nantes, Dijon and Tours have left more than 20 people injured.

➏ Pakistan Army

‘Kills Dozens Of Taliban’

North Koreans enjoy a day at the Munsu Waterpark - one of leader Kim Jong projects, opened in 2013

➌ Bangladesh Politician Sentenced To Death Bangladesh’s war crimes court has sentenced a former government minister to death for rape and genocide during the 1971 struggle against Pakistan.

Syed Mohammad Kaiser became the 15th person to be convicted of atrocities by the International Crimes Tribunal, which found him guilty of heading a group that rounded up and killed about 150 people in the nine-month conflict.

➍ Algerian Army Kills Jihadist Leader Algeria’s defence ministry says troops have killed the leader of a jihadist militant group which kidnapped and beheaded French tourist Herve Gourdel.

Abdelmalek Gouri and two associates were shot dead late on Monday in the town of Isser, a statement said.

His group, Jund al-Khilafa (Soldiers of the Caliphate), pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) in mid-September.

➐ Hong Kong

Tycoon Sentenced In Corruption Case

Business/WORLD NEWS 53

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

‘Opec Oil Output Will Not Be Cut Even If Price Hits $20’

al-Naimi

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, has said oil producers’ cartel Opec will not cut production even if the price falls to $20 a barrel.

His comments reinforce Opec’s recent policy change away from restricting output as prices fall.

In November, Opec [Organization of the Petroleum

Exporting Countries] said it would keep its target output at 30 million barrels per day.

The Brent crude oil price has fallen by more than 46% since its $116 June peak.

Speaking to the Middle East Economic Survey, Mr al-Naimi said: “As a policy for Opec - and I convinced Opec of this, even Mr

al-Badri [Opec secretary general] is now convinced - it is not in the interest of Opec producers to cut their production, whatever the price is.

“Whether it goes down to $20, $40, $50, $60, it is irrelevant,” he said.

The world might not see the oil price back at $100 a barrel again, he added.

While alternative sources of crude oil, such as shale and tar sands, have caused a big increase in supply, some analysts argue that the oil price collapse is more to do with falling demand due to a slowing global economy.

Danny Gabay of Fathom Financial Consulting told the BBC that the oil price fall was “overwhelmingly, predominantly, if not entirely, a demand shock.

It’s China slowing down. The supply element is more of a reaction.”

—BBC

UK Economic Growth Revised Down

The UK economy has grown more slowly in the past year than previously thought, official figures indicate.

Revised figures show gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of this year was 2.6% higher than in the same period in 2013, down from an earlier estimate of 3%.

Also, the UK’s current account deficit widened in the third quarter to £27bn.

That put the difference between the country’s export and import of goods and services at a record 6% of GDP. David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The stark revision in annual growth confirms that the pace of recovery is slowing.”

“The most concerning aspect of these figures is that the current deficit has risen to an unsustainably high level.”

The downward revision in the annual GDP growth rate was due to lower government and business investment than first thought, and higher imports.

Despite that, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed that the UK’s GDP still grew by 0.7% in the third quarter of the year.

However, the revisions for previous quarters mean the economy is now only 2.9% higher than the previous prerecession peak.

Earlier figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) had suggested that the economy was in fact 3.4% up on that peak.

ONS chief economist Joe Grice observes that UK GDP has risen, but GDP per head is still below pre-recession levels Other statistics published by the ONS show that in the third quarter of the year, household spending (after the effect of inflation was stripped out) grew by 0.9% or £2.5bn.

The main factor was a 2.9% rise in sending on transport compared with the second quarter.

Howard Archer, at IHS Global Insight, said: “The latest economic data and surveys are somewhat mixed amid signs that increased global economic uncertainty and weakness in the eurozone is having some dampening impact on business confidence and investment.

“This may well be reinforced over the coming months by heightened political uncertainty ahead of the May 2015 general election.

“However, retail sales have been very strong, which bodes well for consumer spending in the fourth quarter.”

Martin Beck, at the EY Item Club, suggested that the economy could grow faster next year than this.

—BBC

US Economy Growing At Quickest Pace For 11 Years The US economy grew at an annual rate of 5% in the third quarter, its fastest pace for 11 years, official figures suggest.

The US Commerce Department said GDP rose faster than the previous estimate of 3.9% for the July-to-September period, boosted by stronger consumer and business spending.

This was the fastest rate of growth since the third quarter of 2003.

The strong figure builds on the second-quarter growth rate of 4.6%.

Much of the third quarter growth came from consumer

spending, which accounts for around two-thirds of US economic activity. Consumer spending grew at an annual pace of 3.2%, the fastest since the fourth quarter of 2013.

Growth in business investment was raised to a rate of 8.9% from an earlier estimate of 7.1%. There was a stronger pace of spending than previously thought on equipment, intellectual property products and non-residential structures.

After two strong quarters for the US economy, economists predict that growth will slow to an annual rate of around 2.5% in

the current October-December quarter.

But they predict growth of about 3% in 2015, which would be the fastest pace since 2005.

The US economy has struggled to regain its pre-2007 vigour following the global economic downturn, which was precipitated by the US subprime mortgage crisis.

After the recession in the US ended in 2009, growth struggled to return to its previous levels. Growth has averaged about 2.2% annually, compared with 3.3% growth in 2005.

—BBC

German author, Juergen Todenhoefer (right) pictured with some IS fighters in Mosul

Terror: Rare IS Visit Reveals ‘Brutal, Strong’ Force A German author given rare access to territory run by Islamic State has told the BBC that the group is stronger, more brutal and harder to confront than he had expected.

Juergen Todenhoefer spent six days in the IS city of Mosul in Iraq, travelling there via Raqqa, in Syria.

Mr Todenhoefer said he found IS followers highly motivated and supportive of the group’s brutality.

He said the spread of fighters meant they were hard targets for air strikes.

A former German politician, Juergen Todenhoefer is the only outsider to have travelled deep

into IS territory and back. And, considering that several Westerners have recently been beheaded, he did so at terrifying risk.

In Mosul, captured with lightning speed by IS in June, Mr Todenhoefer saw how the group imposes its extreme version of Sunni Islam.

Posters instruct men on the right positions in which to pray and tell women how to fully cover themselves.

They must not, for example, wear clothes that “resemble those worn by infidel women or men”.

—BBC

US Cinemas To Screen ‘The Interview’ Tomorrow They said via social media that …As N/Korea struggles to Sony Pictures had authorised stay online Sony Pictures has announced that The Interview will be given a limited theatrical release in the US on Christmas Day. The move comes just a week after the company cancelled its release after suffering a devastating cyber attack.

Sony Chairman Michael Lynton said he was “excited” that the comedy, about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, would now be seen.

Two cinemas in Atlanta and Austin have already revealed screenings.

them to show the film, which has caused escalating tension between the US and North Korea.

Meanwhile, North Korea suffered a second internet blackoutin 24 hours , according to internet performance measuring firm, Dyn Research.

On its Twitter feed, the firm reported a second outage this afternoon - which was restored less than an hour later.

“Internet of North Korea down again at 15.41 UTC. Second blackout since last night’s restoration of service,” the tweet read.

HIV: Doctor Charged In Cambodia An unlicensed doctor accused of causing an outbreak of HIV in a small community in Battambang province has been charged with murder.

Since late November, more than 100 people in Roka commune in northwestern Cambodia tested positive for HIV, including children as young as six years old.

On Monday, the provincial court issued three charges against 55-year-old Yem Chrin, whom many in Roka have accused of spreading the infection.

“He is charged with one count of spreading HIV. The second charge

is committing cruel murder,” Heng Luy, deputy provincial prosecutor, told Al Jazeera.

“He is also charged with violating medical ethics.”

Yem Chrin is local medical practitioner who received healthcare training in refugee camps in the 1980s and for the past 20 years has treated a vast array of illnesses for a large number of people in this community.

While being questioned by police, Yem Chrin admitted to using the same syringe on two or three patients before discarding it.

—Al Jazeera

54

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Commonwealth Medalist Shines At Lagos Taekwondo

BY ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Nigeria’s latest taekwondo revelations, Abubakar Isah Adamu and Shola Olowookere, repeated their golden Commonwealth feat by bagging gold medals in the just concluded Lagos Opens, held at Rowe Park, Lagos.

The tournament, organized by the Lagos State Taekwondo Asso-

ciation and sanctioned by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, attracted a total of 195 fighters from across Nigeria, and had in attendance most members of the historic Taekwondo National Team to the 2014 Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, where Nigeria Taekwondo got their biggest medal haul records since 1987 All African Games.

It can be recalled that Adamu and Olowookere, who are both 17 year old, won the first Gold medals in the Kyreougi [fighting] during the Commonwealth Championships, and have been touted by pundits as the future of Nigeria Taekwondo. Sunday Onofe, who narrowly missed out on a medal in Edinburgh, won the Gold medal in the -87kg Middleweight division.

tend the meeting.

He said the 2015 World Championships and All Africa Games as the two major tournaments that are crucial to the country’s qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“I cannot specifically confirm that we have the athletes that can compete well at the Olympic Games in Brazil because like other nations that considers tall athletes from other sports to represent them at the Olympics.”

Bewarang

Bewarang Urges Coaches To Join NFCA

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The National President of Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) Coach Bitrus Bewarang has advised all the National team Coaches to ensure that they affiliate themselves with their respective State Football Coaches Association.

Bewarang who made the statement yesterday said” this appeal has become necessary because of the recent happenings with Nigerian coaches and

their various clubs; especially those on national assignments.

It is a known fact that most of our Coaches in their clubs and national teams do not have existing contracts, and when they are promised welfare packages and remunerations, these are not fulfilled and in most cases there are nothing that the Coaches Association can do about it.”

He added “Because, these Coaches does not relate with

us, so there is no way we can come into their matters. But, if all the Coaches are affiliated with the Association, it becomes our responsibilities to fight for our members when they are sub charged at whatever levels,” the Plateau United General Manager said.

Bewarang went further to announce that the Association’s congress slated for 29th December in Abuja has been moved to 13th January, 2015. He said this is to ensure that all delegates at-

Umar, Khaleh, Bakare Hail Mark Mentors’ Continental Debut also defeated Malabo Kings basketball club of Equatorial Guinea to finish ninth in their induction into playing among the biggest teams across Africa.

Its chairman, Igoche Mark was singled out by stakeholders for his steadfastness and believing in the ability of the team that came into limelight two seasons ago. President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar praised the team for doing well in their first continental outing. For Umar, Mentors would have finish among the top-four if it had the needed experience and exposure but believes the team must have learnt one or two lessons from the Tunisia Champions Cup won by Angola Clube Recreativo

By ISHAKU KIGBU, Abuja

Although Abuja based club Mark Mentors finished 9th overall in the just concluded 29th Africa Champions Cup basketball for Men held in Tunis, Tunisia, the Nigeria’s sole representative at the competition have been hailed by federation president Tijjani Umar, Muktar Khaleh and former national team coach Ayo Bakare.

The Peter Ahmedu tutored Mentors who made their debut at the continent’s biggest men club championship failed to make it to the knock-out stages after starting on a promising note in group-B. They beat Abidjan Basket Club of Cote d’Ivoire 68-65 but faltered in the group remaining games. They

Mark Mentors

Patience To Be Grand Matron Of Nigeria Women Football

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The First Lady Dame Patience Ebele Jonathan has accepted the proposal of the Nigeria Women Football League to confer her with the honour of the Grand Matron Of Women Football in the country.

Revealing this in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League Chief (Mrs.) Dilichukwu Onyedinma said the First Lady convey her acceptance through a letter dated 24th November, 2014 and signed by Rosana Oba in her office.

Quoting her words, Mrs. Onyedinma said “We are happy to inform Nigerians that the First Lady Dame (Mrs.) Patience Ebele Jonathan has accept-

ed our proposal to her to be our Grand Matron.”

Dame Patience Jonathan

E Desportivo Do Libolo.

On the way forward, Umar called on all stakeholders in the game to play their part in order to see Nigerian teams both at clubs and national teams levels benefit more from activities that would propel the game to a higher level in Nigeria. According to him, 2015 will be a more challenging year for Nigeria since there would be more continental championships for Nigeria in both national and club levels.

Former head coach of the nation senior national men’s team, Ayodele Bakare on his part wants people to understand that Mark Mentors did well in its debut at the African stage by finishing ninth.

NTF Sets Sight On 2015, Calls For Support

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has unveiled its major plans for 2015 while calling for more support to the sport from private and public sectors. President of the Federation, George Ashiru said 2014 has been worthwhile for the sport following the successes recorded locally and internationally.

“I want to say that 2014 has been a rewarding year for taekwondo because we wanted to achieve some of our objectives in the year and we are happy that we were able to do this. We tagged a developmental year and truly it was a year that we were able to discover athletes that will take over from the likes of Chika Chukwumerije.

We organized six tournaments this year and we took part in five international competitions, which for us was encouraging.

At the maiden National Youth Games, we wanted to unearth new athletes and we were able to identify some of them and today some of these athletes are doing well even at international levels.

Two of the discovered athletes featured at the World Junior Championships and despite not winning medals, they gave a good account of themselves.

From this tournament, they were able to garner some experience which has been helpful to them in Gbenga Elegbeleye, DG NSC subsequent tournaments.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

sports 55

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Aguero Still A Month Away From Return – Pellegrini Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed Sergio Aguero is still another month away from a return to Manchester City’s first team.

The striker, who leads the Premier League scoring charts this season with 14 goals, damaged knee ligaments against Everton on December 6 and was initially ruled out for up to six weeks.

Pellegrini previously claimed Aguero could return to face Ar-

senal on January 18 but has now hinted at a slight delay ahead of the Boxing Day trip to West Brom.

“The injuries are the same as last week – Sergio, Edin [Dzeko], Stevan [Jovetic] and Vincent [Kompany] are not fit for this game,” the City boss told reporters on Tuesday.

“Maybe Jovetic and Kompany will be back at the end of next

week. Edin and Aguero maybe will be the second part of January.”

Meanwhile, speculation over loanee Frank Lampard’s future is yet to be resolved, with City keen to delay the 36-year-old’s move to New York City FC, but Pellegrini hopes to see the situation solved shortly.

The Chilean added: “Lampard is very important to our team so I hope he will stay here.”

Yedlin

USA Defender Yedlin Joins Tottenham Tottenham have announced that Seattle Sounders defender DeAndre Yedlin will join the club in January.

The United States right-back, 21, signed a four-year contract with Spurs in August and has now been granted a work permit to enable him to play.

“It’s important for his development he’s given time to adapt to his new surroundings on and off the pitch,” said Spurs boss Mau-

ricio Pochettino.

“Coming to us in January it will give him the best opportunity to do so.”

Yedlin has won 10 USA caps and made three substitute appearances during the World Cup in Brazil last summer.

Pochettino added on Tottenham’s website: “DeAndre is a young player with great potential who has already achieved a lot in Major League Soccer.”

I Will Decide My Future This Week – Lampard Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini hopes to resolve the future of Frank Lampard “within the next few days”.

The former Chelsea midfielder, 36, is on loan from sister-club New York City for the rest of the calendar year.

But City wish to keep him for longer and are hopeful of negotiating a deal to last until the end of the campaign.

“I repeat, Frank is very important for our team so I hope he will stay here,” said Pellegrini.

Lampard has been a key member of City’s squad this season with six goals in 15 appearances and with Yaya Toure at the Afri-

Lampard

ca Cup of Nations in January, the champions could be short in the midfield positions.

However, New York start preseason training in January ahead of the new Major League Soccer season in March.

Asked if he risked upsetting the Americans, Pellegrini said: “I don’t think so. That is why we have long conversations with all of them.

“That is just one club so I think that what is better for the club is better for all the clubs.

“I hope Frank’s situation will be resolved in the next days. I said in the beginning it will be during December we are going to have the last decision.”

Aguero (left)

Gutierrez Could Return To Newcastle First Team In January Newcastle United midfielder Jonas Gutierrez could be back in contention for a first-team place by the end of January, says manager Alan Pardew.

Gutierrez, 31, played for the club’s Under-21s on Monday afternoon after overcoming testicular cancer.

It was his first match since April, following surgery and chemotherapy.

Pardew said: “I don’t think he’ll

feature in this Christmas period, but certainly by the end of January and into February he’ll look to push on.”

The Argentine, whose last competitive game came on loan at Norwich, played for 87 minutes as captain in Newcastle’s 4-1 Under-21 Premier League Cup win over West Ham and tweeted: “I am proud to be back.”

Toon boss Pardew said: “It’s been a long, long road with the diagno-

sis he had, so we’re overjoyed.

“He is fit, it’s just getting used to the ball again, seeing a game scenario and getting back up to speed.

I don’t think it’ll take him too long - maybe even quicker than I’m suggesting.”

The former Mallorca man, who helped Newcastle win the Championship in his second season at St James’ Park, has scored 10 goals in 177 league appearances for the Magpies since arriving in 2008.

Van Gaal Demands Total Manchester United Domination Louis van Gaal has demanded Manchester United achieve total domination in every game they play.

Speaking ahead of their home clash with Newcastle United, the 63-year-old feels his side have to develop their style so that they can overcome teams only looking to defend.

United drew 1-1 with Aston Villa in their last outing to end a sixgame winning streak and. although Van Gaal says his away record is adequate, he needs to ensure maximum points at Old Trafford.

“My record in away matches as a coach is not so bad,” he told reporters. “Away, teams are more

open and want to attack but here they want to defend.

“That is why we have to build up a certain playing style so we can dominate. I’m saying every week that we are dominating for 45 or 60 minutes. We have to dominate for 90 minutes.”

United currently have seven first-team players out injured while Friday’s visit on Newcastle is the first of four games over nine days and Van Gaal does not expect many to return during that period.

When asked who will be available, the former Netherlands boss replied: “Maybe [Chris] Smalling.

[Marouane] Fellaini is still not available.”

Van Gaal

AMUSEMENT PARK

the only reason some people get lost in thought is because it’s unfamiliar territory

24.12.14 No. 2,315

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

N150

The Wednesday Column Hannatu Musawa

S

ometime in 2014, the Ebola pandemic, a.k.a. the “hydraheaded monster from the shores of Africa” came like a thief in the night, devouring everything and anything in its sights. For several years, this devastating disease has particularly haunted rural African villages and communities, saliently devouring its victims but not in huge and alarming numbers.

However, in March this year, this changed all of a sudden. An outbreak of the disease turned into an epidemic, deemphasising borders as it reached Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone (which share borders). It further travelled to Nigeria and Mali and across the African continent to Spain, Germany and the United States.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Ebola scourge brought with it the revelation that national governments weren’t adequately equipped to respond to it, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was in denial about the veracity of the virus and first responders were castigated for “crying wolf” over the devastating effects of the virus.

However, in agreement with the globally respected Times Magazine, my heroes of the year, the knights in shining armor (in this case, white armor), constituting the local special forces of doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, all health-workers, health practitioners, ambulance drivers and the international league of

— Paul Fix

WEDNESDAY

www.leadership.ng

My Person Of The Year 2014 hannatu@leadership.ng

Doctors without Borders, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Missionary medical-relief workers, fought side by side, regardless of the risk of infection and death, saved the day like heroes do in popular Hollywood movies. These doctors and health workers, who possess the “rare hero’s heart”, distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength, in times of adversity, were the true heroes in the battle against the Ebola scourge. Tales of victims who were afflicted by the virus wasn’t soothing to the ear, as they complained that the pain they felt was like nothing they had ever known. In one victim’s account, she tried likening the pain to the pain of an axe, busting your head.

While the scourge was initially treated as “an African problem” by the international community, the West African sub-region was inundated by the sheer scale of human suffering and fatalities in relation to the Ebola Outbreak, and the speed at which the virus was spreading. It was not until it reached the West in “nightmarish forms”, that they felt this was indeed a global scourge and adequate measures should be takenimmediately to halt its spread. Coming home, Nigeria was able to effectively halt the spread of the virus which claimed eight lives, the lowest when compared to other affected sub-regional countries, through the heroic exploits of our doctors, nurses and health workers.

Sadly however, the majority

of the dead were health officials. Top among the list is Sierra Leonian, Dr. Sheik Umar Khan and the brave Nigerian, Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who brazenly confronted, restricted and quarantined Mr. Sawyer, the Liberian-American who brought the virus with him into the country.

Dr Adadevoh, a senior consultant endocrinologist, was among those infected with the deadly virus while treating Mr. Sawyer.

Special recognition and kudos should also be given to Nigerian health officials who identified and placed under surveillance about 59 people who came in contact with Mr. Sawyer. Also, in the immediate aftermath of the first death from the disease, health officials shut and quarantined the hospital involved to stop the virus from spreading. Indeed, this commendable proactive feat and foresight should be applauded. The nurses who also loosed their lives while treating and tending to Mr. Sawyer are heroes in their right and should be duly immortalised.

A salient lesson that should be learnt from the Ebola saga is that the Ebola pandemic was a litmus test for the capability of the global community to respond to potential pandemics. We however failed this test, as it exposed corruption in African governments along with complacency in Western capital cities. It showed the world isn’t effectively capable of coming together in sync in combating a common healthrelated enemy.

The Ebola saga generated

a lot of mistrust within the global community; from Monrovia to Manhattan, Lagos to Louisiana. Most pre-emptive and security measures from Ebola which most countries took were the discriminatory and blatant restriction of nationals from Ebolaaffected countries; taking passengers’ temperatures at international airports; confining nationals particularly Africans from the Western sub-region to rigorous and embarrassing searches at land, air and sea borders.

As we bask in the euphoria of winning the fight against Ebola thus far, we should have it at the back of our minds that Ebola is a war and indeed a warning. The Ebola pandemic exposed the inadequacies of the global health system in that it is nowhere close to or strong enough to keep us safe from disastrous infectious diseases. The global community should begin working in tandem and in sync on measures to be taken on forestalling future occurrences of such a fearsome magnitude.

As we go about our daily activities, it’s assuring to know that we can sleep at night because a group of men and women are willing to stand and fight, irrespective of age, creed, gender or race; they are prepared to perform tireless acts of courage and mercy, for buying the world time to boost its defenses, for risking, for persisting, for sacrificing and for saving. To them, every life is as precious as theirs, but are willing to forgo theirs

As we bask in the euphoria of winning the fight against Ebola thus far, we should have it at the back of our minds that Ebola is a war and indeed a warning. The Ebola pandemic exposed the inadequacies of the global health system for the overall benefit of mankind. These doctors, nurses, health workers and care-givers risked and persisted, sacrificed and saved against all odds.

They showedresilience and gallantry in the course of the year and ensured our world is made safer to live in. This is why doctors and health workers who painstakingly fought the Ebola pandemic and are still fighting against health-related epidemics are my Person of the Year for 2014. May God forever bless these brave and precious soldiers of humanity for all of eternity.

GHANA MUST GO Jang names son as commissioner — News

Nothing for his daughterin-law?

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