Leadership news

01.01.15

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 2,320

NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER

THURSDAY

N150

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

New Year Message: Jonathan, Buhari, Mark, Others Seek Peaceful Polls As the country joins the rest of the world to mark the coming of the New Year today, President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate president David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, APC

presidential candidate Gen Muhammadu Buhari and state governors have felicitated with Nigerians and called for peaceful

elections this year.

President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the federal government will take firm

and decisive action against any individuals or groups who would dare to disrupt public peace during the 2015 general

Twin Bomb Blast Rocks Checkpoint, Kill 13 In Yobe > Page 5

elections.

“After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

2

chibok diary 262

Thursday, January 1 , 2015

DAY

Chibok TweeTs @Chydee As you pray/dance/cheer/ sleep your way into 2015, spare a thought/prayer/ wish for the release of our Chibok girls. #BringBackOurGirls @Jerro42 #2014WasGoingWellUntil our girls were kidnapped #BringBackOurgirls @seunonigbinde My person of the year is #BringBackOurGirls family.

@asiehnamdar I hope the 200+ Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in april are reunited with their families in #2015 #BringBackOurGirls

@alondaw Today is day 261 since 273 Nigerian girls were kidnapped from their school . #BringBackOurGirls #letsnotforget ChibunduOnuzo Please #BringBackOurGirls in 2015. @eggheader "The #BringBackOurGirls is about the most recognizable campaign hashtag on social media in 2014." ~Michael Holmes on @ CNNi

Members of the #BringBackourGirls (BBoG) Group advocating for the release of the abducted school girls in abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

New Year Without Chibok Girls: Parents To Join BBOG Group Today

By Chika Mefor, Abuja

The parents of the 219 Chibok school girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect since April 14 will today join the #BringBackOurGirls group in its daily sit-out as they continue to lament the absence of their children in the new year.

The parents will have the opportunity to express their sadness to Nigerians and the outside world over the inability of government to rescue the girls and their anguish in entering the new year without them.

Speaking during the daily sit-out of the group, one of the leaders, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, stated that the event was important as some of the parents will be around to speak on behalf of other parents about their anguish and disappointment at the government’s failure to rescue their girls.

She added that the parents will also set agenda for the year 2015 and what they would like the government and the outside world to do regarding the rescue of their girls.

“Tomorrow (today) is impor-

tant because it will all be about the voice of the parents of the abducted girls. Some of the parents will be here to speak on behalf of the parents. They will set the agenda for 2015.

They will speak on their anguish of staying for over eight months without their girls and disappointment with the government of the nation.

“The Chibok community should be part of the event, too. It is them setting the agenda. They will be here to set it. It is 2015 and we need something radically different.

“We want to talk about something new. If the government has failed, is there any individuals from other countries that will do something to help us learn where these girls are and their fate? The Chibok community should be here to help set this agenda,” she said.

The group had on Christmas Day organised a protest march to the Presidential Villa, to remind the leaders of the country that the 219 abducted girls were still in captivity even as the world celebrated Christmas.

@TheJasminee "The #BringBackOurGirls is about the most recognizable campaign hashtag on social media in 2014." ~Michael Holmes on @ CNNi

Compiled by Ugochukwu Iroka

Members of the #BringBackourGirls (BBoG) group in a village square meeting at the Maitama amusement Park in abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO.

3

our stand Thursday, January 1, 2015

Welcome 2015!

L

ike a flash 2015 is here, leaving behind the carcasses of 2014 – Boko Haram, the kidnapped Chibok girls, fraud and looting of public treasuries by those in charge, falling oil prices, unemployment, a prostrate naira and gerrymandering of the political class. That is not to suggest, however, that 2014 was all tales of woe. In the area of sports, for instance, the country had more ups than downs.

But 2015 comes with its fears, anxiety and expectations. Most are worried that it is the year that predictions by nihilists indicate as when the country may disintegrate. These feelings are further accentuated by the state of insecurity and the immaturity of politicians, who, by the way they have conducted themselves so far, give the impression that they are working hard to bring the doomsday prediction to pass.

Curiously and as if by coincidence, the New Year is beginning on a political note. The political parties and the key players are getting set to go, if the quantum of resources being mobilised for that purpose is anything to go by. On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC), in a diabolically humorous manner, has fixed the presidential election that will see the combatants going for each other’s jugular on Valentine’s Day, otherwise known as Lovers’ Day, February 14. Was that supposed to be a signal to the political gladiators on the need to make love, not war in their quest for power? That is the hope of most Nigerians, who are filled with trepidation regarding the outcome of that election, especially as the politicians attempt to undo themselves through vile propaganda and intemperate rhetoric. Still, hope, like the stubborn truth, is persistent in its demands that the indivisibility and indissolubility of the Nigerian polity must be guaranteed; that

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

the youth and the unemployed must find reason to continue to participate in the Nigerian project; that corruption, which has almost wiped out the resources needed for national development will finally abate; that security of life and property will give verve to the existence of the nation and its people, and that the economy will be managed in such a way that real development and growth will cease to be platitude indulged in by the ruling class.

These, in our opinion, are not impossible demands; their achievement is not rocket science reserved for a special brand of brains. They should be and are within the reach of Nigerians, if only the political leaders would apply themselves assiduously towards achieving them with that missionary zeal most patriots are known for.

However, while we urge the political leaders to assuage our anxiety, it is our opinion that the followers have an even more crucial role to play in the process of achieving the success we all yearn for. Sitting on the fence in nail-biting agony or disenfranchising themselves for never lasting filthy lucre will make 2015 and the future less than the Eldorado we expect.

Happy New Year!

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

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo We Are Ready For 2015 Elections – IGP The inspector general of police (IGP), Suleiman Abba has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will provide maximum security for all citizens lawfully engaged in the 2015 general elections.

Abba gave the assurance yesterday, in a statement signed by the Force spokesman, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, and made available to LEADERSHIP in which he said the force has put in place modalities to ensure a hitch-free transition into the New Year.

“Against the backdrop of security challenges in the country and the general preparation for the New Year celebrations, the Nigeria Police High Command has urged worshippers both at Jummat and Church services to take adequate measures to reduce the number of vehicles around these hallowed worship centres.

“The Force equally advises operators of Motor Parks, Shopping Malls and Recreational Centres to work very closely with the Police and other security agencies as they strive to strengthen general security in their respective facilities.

The police boss directed all Zonal AIGs and State Command commissioners of police to ensure an effective deployment of all operational manpower and tools at their disposal to ensure a crime-free New Year.

By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja

I’ve Forgiven Those Who Wished Me Dead –Gov Al-Makura Nasarawa State governor Tanko AlMakura has said that he has forgiven all those who wished him dead following rumours that widely circulated in the state to the effect that he had died while receiving medical treatment abroad.

Al-Makura, who arrived Lafia at about 4pm to a rousing welcome drove through township streets as jubilant crowds lined the streets in solidarity.

Addressing the crowd that turned out to welcome him at Lafia Government House, Al-Makura who was emotional on seeing the number of people that turned out in solidarity said “this has further confirmed to me that my mandate is from the people of Nasarawa State”.

Al-Makura stated further that the show of love and support demonstrated by the citizens of the state has spurred him to be more committed to the cause of good governance for the development of the state.

He lamented that those who could not achieve their fiendish mission through democratic or peaceful means have now resorted to spreading such wicked rumours, adding “To all those who went round wishing me dead, I leave them entirely to what God wills for them”.

By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

Security operatives checking Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter at the party’s zonal rally in Gwaram, Jigawa State, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Adequate Security Will Be Guaranteed During 2015 Election – Army

By Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

The Nigerian Army High Command yesterday gave an assurance of adequate security during the forthcoming general election as its contribution towards ensuring that the exercise is free and fair.

Addressing Defence Correspondents at the Army Headquarters, the director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), BrigGen. Olajide Laleye, said the Nigerian Army will support all agencies of government and carry out directives of the federal government to ensure that 2015 elections are successfully conducted.

“We will act in accordance with lawful agencies that are empowered to do so. Equally, the Nigerian Army seizes this opportunity to reassure Nigerians of its preparedness to support relevant agencies in the successful conduct of the 2015 general election”, La-

leye stated.

He expressed the Army’s optimism that contrary to speculations, “the 2015 election will be the most peaceful, free and fair election”, as the military will do everything constitutional to make it so.

He also assured of peaceful elections in the Boko Haram wartorn North East region.

Speaking on the death sentence handed down to soldiers tried for mutiny by the General Court Martial (GCM), Laleye said that it is not within the powers of the Nigerian Army to review the judgement of the GCM which has the status of a High Court, and charged the aggrieved soldiers to go on appeal.

“The success of the Nigerian Army in the ongoing counterterrorism and counter-insurgency and indeed, other operations are hinged on troops’ discipline, professionalism and patriotism.

“Our achievements will be difficult to sustain if the Army does not undertake decisive steps to ensure it remains a formidable fighting force through time tested procedures, processes and the enforcement of its regulations and laws in line with the constitution.

“Therefore, as at today, there are three ongoing General Court Martials sitting in Abuja, Lagos and Jos. These General Court Martials are trying erring officers and soldiers for various offences. Some of the erring officers and soldiers have been sentenced while others have been acquitted according to military jurisprudence.

“The judicial process that led to the convictions and acquittals followed international best practices in military law and also conforms to relevant Nigerian laws.

“This is contrary to insinuations in the media which suggest that due process has not been fol-

lowed in the trial of officers and soldiers.

“Let me state categorically that a General Court Martial has the status of the High Court and is backed by extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The General Court Martial is not a final authourity. Its processes are not only subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior authourities but also subject to appeal.

Therefore, it is erroneous and mischievous to create the impression that pronouncements arising from the General Court Martial are an aberration or do not follow due process”, Laleye said.

He added that the outcome of the GCM has helped the Army in achieving the present level of victory against the Boko Haram insurgents, as seen in the reclaiming of Gombi, Hong, Uba, Makera, Mubi, Holma and Vimtim, amongst other towns in the North East.

Refugees ‘ll Face Continued Hardship In 2015 – UNHCR

By Abdullahi Umar, with agency report

The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) has predicted continued hardship at the various Internally Displaced Persons’ camps in 2015, the Hausa Service of the BBC reports.

The UN agency director, Antonio Guterres warned that the refugees agency will experience shortage of relief materials for the refugees in 2015 as the agen-

cy is heading towards lack of assistance from various international donors.

“The ongoing violence in the world will hardly reduce in 2015 and our agency cannot afford even half of the humanitarian materials to the displaced persons,” Guterres said.

Violent clashes between government forces and armed groups in Northern Nigeria have triggered large waves of displacements.

More than half a million civilians

have been internally displaced, while others have sought safety in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

“The humanitarian crisis resulting from this internal conflict shows no sign of abating in 2015,” UNHCR said.

“Thousands of people are fleeing to Chad, Niger and Cameroon as the crisis in neighbouring Nigeria deepens”, the UN refugees agency added.

Meanwhile, three suicide bomb-

ers have been reported dead when their bomb-laden car detonated along Bajoga in Gombe State.

The Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) reported that the suicide bombers were on their way to Gombe when the stipulated time for the explosion elapsed near a military checkpoint along Bajoga road in the state.

Witnesses told the agency that the bombers were on their way to Gombe from Potiskum, Yobe State on a suicide mission.

NEWS 5

Thursday, January 1, 2015

New Year Message: Jonathan, Buhari, Mark, Others Seek Peaceful Polls FROM FRONT PAGE

destruction of life and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around.

This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections”, he stated.

In a live broadcast relayed on national television and radio networks at 7am today to convey his New Year message to the nation, the president reiterated to Nigerians and the international community his administration’s firm resolve to conduct free and fair elections.

Jonathan also promised Nigerians that steps will be taken by his administration to shield the poor and low-medium income earners from the full brunt of stiff austerity measures included in the 2015 budget.

The stiff measures contained in the budget, he explained, are to ensure the stability of the nation’s economy in the face of the current downturn in the prices of crude oil.

On the 2015 polls, Jonathan declared that his involvement in the campaigns and election as the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) will not distract him from remaining fully focused on providing good governance and delivering better public services to Nigerians.

Jonathan warns politicians against malice, bloodshed Restating his stance that no political ambitions is worth the blood of any Nigerian, he warned politicians against promoting sectionalism, disunity, intolerance and abuse of political opponents, even as he noted that there must be a nation and a people first before politicians could think of their political ambitions.

“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders, that none of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children. The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents.

Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violencefree elections in 2015 “All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will,” President Jonathan declared.

On how prepared the electoral body was for the elections, he said, “The elections are very important for us as a country.

Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.

“Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral

contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.

“I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.

“Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch.

We will continue to do so for the coming elections.

“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections”.

The president added that the national security agencies would also be given all necessary support to beef up their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free.

“I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized”, he noted.

Assuring that his government had taken steps to protect the poor and low-medium income earners from the harsh condition that would be brought by the measures included in the 2015 budget to stabilise the economy, Jonathan said it was all about diversifying the economy.

He said, “Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.

“The non-oil sector, which has grown by an average of 8% in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy. The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.

“The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely.

We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy. We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt”.

He further assured that, in 2015, his administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that would attract significant foreign direct investment and promote policies that would ensure economic stability.

“We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures. We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers. We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100

One health tip daily You Snooze, You Loose

Staying active and exercising regularly are the foundations for living a long and healthy life. It’s no surprise that caged animals have more health problems and a shorter life span than free-range animals. Research with

humans confirms that as a rule, the more active you are, the longer you will live. In one study, the group that burned more than 3,500 calories a week lived the longest. Being lazy can actually shorten your life!

Twin Bomb Blast Rocks Checkpoint, Kill 13 In Yobe

By Hussaini Jirgi Damaturu; Raliat Ahmed Yusuf, Bayo Oladeji, Abuja and Abdullahi Umar, with agency report

Twin bomb blasts yesterday rocked a military checkpoint along Potiskum-Gombe road, killing 13 passengers and wounding three others.

The bomb blasts attacks, which occurred at about 1:45pm close to the military checkpoint, were most likely targeted at the military checkpoint who usually stop and searching vehicles who were travelling from Fika local government motor park to Potiskum local government area (LGA) of the state A witness who was close to the military checkpoint said that shortly after the bomb blasts, he counted 13 passengers feared dead in a Sharon bus with registration number Yobe XA507FKA travelling from Potiskum motor park to Gombe State.

A witness said: “I had just passed the military checkpoint on my way to Fika town when I heard the blast around 2pm, so I rushed back and five minutes later there was a second blast in the vehicle.”

Another passenger who sustained injuries and was admitted at the Potiskum General Hospital narrated how it happened: “We are people of Gumsa village of Gulani local government area of Yobe State. We were with my father and we wanted to travel to Jigawa State. I don’t know there was a bomb in my father’s bag until it exploded. My father is dead along with other passengers.”

A source at the Potiskum General Hospital told LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity that, at the moment, 13 people including a son of the suspected bomber died in the blast while two were injured.

The hospital confirmed that 13 persons were burnt beyond recognition, while

another two, included the driver, were injured.

The information officer of Fika LGA, Mohammed Markpolo, confirmed the incident and said the scene had been cordoned off by combined security forces, including the police explosives ordinance disposal unit.

When contacted, the divisional police office (DPO) of Fika LGA confirmed the blast and said that security agents had started investigation into the bombing.

It, however, could not give the number of casualties.

2 Germans shot dead in Abuja Two German engineers were last Saturday reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

According to reports from the German Foreign Office, the two engineers were shot dead while making a private outing on a motorbike.

According to a northern German newspaper, The Ostsee Zeitung, the two men, aged 34 and about 20, worked for Julius Berger Plc, a construction company,. Both originated from Germany’s northeastern state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the newspaper further said.

The Foreign Office provided no further details, saying the German embassy in Abuja was seeking clarification in close contact with Nigerian authorities.

However, when contacted, a source at the German embassy in Abuja said he would send the phone number and email address of the foreign office in Germany to LEADERSHIP tomorrow for further clarification.

When contacted, the spokesman of ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

6 news extra New Year: Olejeme Calls For Renewed Faith In Nigeria Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant in Delta State, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Juliet Olejeme has urged Nigerians to face the New Year with renewed hope and faith in Nigeria in spite of the economic and security challenges.

Making this call in a goodwill message through her foundation, Ngozi Olejeme Foundation, she canvassed for peace and unity among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political leanings.

She noted that Nigeria can overcome her difficulties “if only we face the challenges with a common mission and purpose”, and enjoined citizens to rally round the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration in its resolve to contain the nation’s problems especially the insecurity and economic challenges.

“The issues confronting us as a people are beyond ethnic or religious inclinations. We don’t need to politicise them. It is about our survival as a nation.

Government alone cannot solve all the problems. Government certainly needs our partnership to address the problems”, she stated.

“Therefore, whatever we can do individually or collectively to help salvage the situation, we should not hesitate to do so”, she added.

By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

Glo Donates Food Items To Lessprivileged As part of its end of the year corporate social responsibility programme, Globacom Limited has distributed food items worth millions of naira to charity organisations in Nigeria.

The company said this is one of its ways of giving back to the society during festive seasons.

Edibles and essentials for children were among the items delivered by senior staff of the company to several charity homes in key markets of the network including Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Charity organisations which benefitted from the Yuletide largesse include Little Saints Orphanage, Palm grove and Heritage Homes, Anthony Village both in Lagos; Oluyole Cheshire Home, Sango and the Ibadan Motherless Babies’ Home in the Oyo State capital; Zion Orphanage, Lugbe and St Mary’s Children’s Home for Orphans in Abuja; Oronsaye Orphanage Home, Agbodo and Edo Orphanage in Benin; Nigerian Red Cross Motherless Babies’ Home, Ogbette; Abandoned Children’s Home in Enugu and Port Harcourt, Children’s Home; Borokiri and Lifeline Orphanage in Port Harcourt.

By Millie Ibe, Abuja

Thursday, January 1, 2015

A man at the back of a tricycle at Daware village in Yola, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN

Sambo’s Comment About Lagos Ignorant, Diabolical – Fashola ‘ Agbaje Is No Threat To APC In Lagos’

By George Okojie, Lagos

Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said the comment credited to Vice President Namadi Sambo that people were leaving Lagos in droves because of high taxation is a mark of ignorance and diabolical on his part.

Fashola, who said this at the end-of-year media briefing held at the Ikeja House, Lagos, said he sincerely believes that the vice president was misquoted or the utterance could be a reflection of the quality of people the country parades as its leaders.

“That statement is a very serious display of ignorance if it was true that the vice president said so. How do you then justify the

perception that people are leaving Lagos? Is the VAT being collected from Lagos reducing compared to other states? Is the air traffic into Lagos reducing? Or have you a significant reduction in traffic in Lagos? More hotels are being built in Lagos, companies are licensing and operating in Lagos.

“Displaced people from other parts of Nigeria are moving into Lagos; has the workers’ demand in Lagos reduced? Has the demand for hospital services reduced?

“So, it is a very grave statement to make. That is why I say may be he was misquoted because that is the chairman of the Nigerian Economic Council. So, if he misunderstands what is happening in the commercial and economic nerve centre of the country, it may be a very revealing index to their understanding of the country’s economy.

“It may also confirm to you some of the things you heard from the

president that he receives all sorts of contradictory advice and may be this is part of it. It is a very dangerous statement to make; it is either an ignorant statement or diabolical, and either ways, it is not good because it tells you then why the economy is not functioning if the chairman of the economic council does not know anything about people and number. The economy is always about people,” he said.

The governor who reeled out the achievements of his administration in different sectors said the All Progressives Congress (APC) had delivered dividends of democracy to Lagosians.

On the insinuation that the candidacy of Mr Jimi Agbaje as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate is a threat to APC in the state, he said, “He is not a threat to us. Let’s go and check the result of the 2011 election.

“He got three percent of the votes cast. Even his party, we have defeated PDP in all elections done since 1999. Our candidate, Akinwumi Ambode is going to defeat Agbaje with your support. This is not the place to experiment; one needs a lot of experience to achieve what we have done in Lagos.

“When you look at what their party has done with the country, for instance, there are missing funds, non-functioning rail, epileptic power supply and others, do you want that to happen in Lagos?”

On PVC and electoral process, he said the real head of INEC should be a statistician and not a professor and academician or others.

“It is not about theory; it is about practical. People who should also do this job should be those who have managed distribution activities in the country. It is not a judicial work but logistics,” he added.

2015: FG Using Security Agencies To Weaken Opposition – APC

By George Okojie, Lagos

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over the plan by the federal government to use the security agencies, especially the DSS and the Police, to harass and intimidate the opposition with a view to decapitating it ahead of the 2015 elections.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the torrent of threats being issued recently by the minister of po-

lice affairs and the DSS, over alleged inflammatory statements by opposition leaders, is nothing but a thinlyveiled attempt at cowing the opposition and destabilising its ranks.

It said the strategy includes the ‘invitation’ of key opposition figures for questioning by the DSS, starting with the APC national publicity secretary, to be followed by arrests and detention of such figures.

APC said the impending clampdown is the PDP-led federal govern-

ment’s answer to the soaring profile of the opposition ahead of the polls, and called on local and international observers of the elections to keep a close eye on the unsavoury developments, which constitute a clear and present danger to the success of the elections.

“The minister of police affairs said publicly that he has already directed the inspector-general of police as well as the DSS to arrest anyone who makes inflammatory statements

ahead of the 2015 elections, and then went ahead to castigate the APC, thus exposing the real reason for his directive.

“The minister had barely issued his orders when the DSS, which has unabashedly become a megaphone of the ruling PDP, fired its own warning, directed pointedly at ‘a serving governor calling on men of the armed forces to rise up in protest against constituted authority’, when nothing of such happened”.

news north-East, north-west 7

Thursday, January 1, 2015

We’re Ready To Stop PDP From Rigging – APC

Sambo Reconciles Aggrieved PDP Guber Aspirants In Kebbi

By Yahya Sarki, Kebbi

Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday in Kebbi State reconciled the aggrieved PDP gubernatorial aspirants who rejected the party’s primaries in which Gen. Sarkin Yaki Bello (rtd) clinched the party’s ticket.

The vice president who arrived Kebbi on Tuesday spent the whole night of that day meeting with the aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders based in Abuja and the state.

Namadi who expressed his delight over the reconciliation also sought for support for Gen. Sarkin Yaki Bello as the PDP Kebbi gubernatorial candidate and called for all aggrieved PDP members in the state to forget the past and forge ahead for the party’s success in the 2015 elections.

“I am happy to inform you that after our meeting with all the aspirants, the lingering crises on the issue of gubernatorial candidate has been resolved

and all the aggrieved aspirants have promised to support Gen. Yaki”, he said.

Sambo also cautioned the opposition to stop mixing politics with religion pointing out that since Independence of Nigeria in 1960 , it has always been the rule that when you have a Muslim president, his vice president will be a Christian, similarly when the president is a Christian his vice president will be a Muslim saying his ticket with President Goodluck Jonathan

is not an exception.

The vice president later held the hands of all the aggrieved aspirants alongside that of Gen. Yaki to demonstrate that the crisis within Kebbi PDP is now over. The VP also commissioned the multi-million naira Makera Bridge outside Birnin Kebbi. The ceremony at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Birnin Kebbi was attended by the aggrieved aspirants , Governor Dakingari ,Gen. Sarkin Yaki Bello, Dr. Bello Haliru.

L-R: Yobe State deputy governorship candidate, Lawan Karasuwa; Kaduna State governor, Ramalan Yero; Yobe PDP governorship candidate, Adamu Maina Waziri; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Yobe West senatorial candidate, Yerima Ngama and Minister of Science and Technology, Abdu Bulama, at the State House, Kaduna, yesterday.

short news

2015: Masari Has Nothing To Offer – PDP Chieftain A chieftain of the ruling PDP in Katsina State, Gambo Abdulkadir Rimi has insisted that former speaker of the House of Representatives and APC gubernatorial candidate, Aminu Bello Masari has nothing to offer the state urging him to stop deceiving Katsina people with political rhetoric.

Rimi, in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen, was reacting to recent media reports credited to the former speaker where he (former speaker) reportedly said he was indebted to the state and its people.

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

‘INEC Must Conduct Elections In Borno’

By George Okojie, Lagos

Concerned indigenes of Borno State residing in the South West of the country have warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to think of postponding the conduct of general elections in the state due to the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

The group at a news con-

ference in Lagos yesterday insisted that INEC must do everything possible to conduct elections in the state this year.

The chairman of the group, Alhaji Kachalla Bulama said that out of the 27 local government councils in the state, 14 are effectively in the hands of the state government while the insurgents have 13.

He said that in spite of

that, the military are doing their best to drive away the insurgents from the 13 local government councils where they are presently in control.

He insisted that there would be no justification for INEC not to conduct elections in the state saying that even in Afghanistan where a full scale war is presently on, election was held there recently.

“Most parts of Borno State are peaceful and there is no reason for INEC not to conduct election in the state. Election was held in Afghanistan recently that was in a state of war,” he said.

Bulama said that there people back home are ready for the election but he added that the crisis in the state chapter of the PDP does not arguer well for democracy.

UNIMAID’s New VC Takes Chieftaincy Title

By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri

Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has taken a chieftaincy title in his home state, Gombe, Northeast Nigeria, a release from the Office of the Vice Chancellor has said.

Njodi who recently became the new VC of Unimaid got the title of “Dan Rimin Kaltungo” as conferred on him by His Royal Highness the Mai Kaltungo. and Deputy Chairman Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs Alh. Sale Muhammad Umar, OON. The turbaning ceremony which took

place at the Mai Kaltungo’s palace in Gombe State was attended by a large retinue of eminent staffers and well wishers from and around the catchment area of the varsity.

The Mai Kaltungo, Alhaji Sale Muhammad Umar, said the turbaning of Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as Dan Rimin Kaltungo (Ambassador Plenipotentiary) was based on his numerous contributions to the development and growth of education both within and outside Kaltungo Chiefdom.

The monarch said Njodi’s appointment as the Vice - Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri did not come to him as a surprise because Prof Njo-

di always excels in whatever he sets his mind on.

Prof Njodi in his appreciation speech assured the people of Kaltungo of his readiness to discharge the responsibilities incidental to his traditional office even as he further pledged more development of the Chiefdom.

He also call for unity in the Chiefdom, the state and the country at large.

Professor Njodi was born fifty years ago at Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State and attended L.E.A Primary school Kaltungo from 1967-1973 and later ECWA Primary school Kaltungo from 1973-1975.

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State have vowed to resist any rigging in the forthcoming elections saying that they are ready to die if the ruling party went ahead with its plan to rig the 2015 general elections in the state.

Deputy director general of the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Alhaji Abdurrahman Abbah who made the threat during stakeholders meeting of the party in Yola yesterday said members of the state chapter of the party would no longer condone any rigging in the state adding that they are ready to pay the supreme price in defence of their rights.

“If PDP insist on rigging elections, we will tell them that we are ready to die. Adamawa people are wise and more than ever resolved to defend their rights as they will never allow people of easy virtue to deny them of their rights anymore,” he said.

While passing similar warning, the immediate past chairman of the party and northern senatorial candidate of the party Binta Masi Garba said the party has a war to fight come 2015 general elections.

“APC represents justice. We have a war to fight to get our right. We must defend our votes so that all our candidates will win the elections,” she said.

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

NEMA Donates Relief Materials To Sokoto Flood Victims The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) yesterday donated assorted relief materials such as building materials, zincs and food items to flood disaster victims of Rabah local government area of Sokoto State.

Presenting the materials to the secretary of the local government, Alhaji Idris Aliyu for onward distribution to the victims, head of NEMA zonal operarions office, Sokoto, Mr Thickman Tanimu said it was a gesture to alleviate their plight.

While admonishing the victims to see such disaster as an act of God, Tanimu stressed that, no compensation would be enough for their psychological trauma. Therefore, NEMA only strives to alleviate their conditions.

“Nobody can stop natural disasters like flood although they can now be predicted and minimised. The consequences of such unexpected natural disasters are always unpalatable and destructive, as such, the victims will always need assistance,” Tanimu added.

By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

8 NEWS

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Twin Bomb Blast Rocks Checkpoint, Kill 13

New Year Message FROM PAGE 5

clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.

“We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system”.

Wishing Nigerians a happy and prosperous 2015, Jonathan implored them to enter the new year with renewed hope, patriotism and zeal to serve their fatherland.

He said, “As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable. We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

“As we go into this New Year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world. Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed against all odds has been our strength.

“Let us continue our march to the future, towards the attainment of our collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation – a secure nation for us and for our coming generations,” Jonathan told Nigerians.

Don’t lose hope, change is coming, Buhari tells in Nigerian youths The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has urged Nigerian youths not lose hope, despite the challenges facing the country, as there is change in the horizon.

Buhari, who made this comment in his New Year message he made available to journalists, lamented that the outgoing year recorded brutal killings of the nation’s youth.

He said,”As we welcome the year 2015, I have shared a message to Nigerians in general, but I find it crucial to send another message directly to Nigeria’s youth who are the major stakeholders of this enterprise. The year 2014 was a challenging one for most citizens of our dear country.

“We remember our compatriots who were brutally killed or maimed by evil terrorists in 2014.

I remember, with a still broken heart, that 219 of our children from Chibok are still missing, let down by a country that should protect them. I remember that, even as I speak, some of our towns and villages are yet under the occupation of Boko Haram.

“Yes, it is enough for you to despair. It is enough for you to wonder if your country cares about you and can protect you.

But do not despair.”

Buhari noted that the beauty of the New Year is that the people

can look forward with renewed hope and the knowledge that the trend can be changed.

“In Nigeria’s case, we can truly look forward to the change that the elections can, and will, bring.

Our country will be secure again.

Our country will prosper again. I have faith that 2015 is the year we shall begin to write a new story - a story of our youth creating jobs and expanding the frontiers of innovation and creativity everywhere from Mavin Records to the Co-Creation Hub; a story of genuine investment in our children and students, be they in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka or in the Delta State University, Abraka; a country that finally makes a permanent shift from our debilitating dependence on the free-falling price of crude oil. I have unshakeable faith that 2015 will be the year of change,” he said.

Mark calls for violence-free elections President Senator David Mark took stock of the nation’s chequered socio- political and economic problems in the last one year and urged citizens not to despair because there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In a similar vein, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, called for prayers and patriotic conduct for the success of the 2015 general elections.

In his goodwill message to Nigerians to mark the new year, Senator Mark, in a press statement issued by his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, said: “There is no doubt that the situation, especially insecurity, is challenging . We cannot pretend that all is well with us, but we are a nation of good faith in one God. When it seems impossible, God will make it possible.

“This trying time is only a phase in our march to greatness. With cooperation, dedication, honesty and patriotism on the part of all of us, we shall surely triumph.”

On the forthcoming general elections, Mark reminded politicians of the need to play according to the rules, saying that all civilized and decent societies are governed by laws and not a resort to might is right.

The National Assembly, he said, had fine-tuned the Electoral Act in tandem with the 1999 constitution (as amended) to make the electoral process smooth and rancour-free.

He, therefore, cautioned those fanning the embers of war ahead of the polls to think otherwise because the interest of an individual or groups cannot over ride national interest.

“Nigeria is greater than any group or individual interest. We must also remember that we must have a peaceful country before we can have the platform to pursue our individual or group ambitions,” he noted.

Tambuwal makes case for

IDPs Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to take special interest in the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been forced out of their homes as a result of the raging insurgency in parts of the country.

In his New Year message contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam, yesterday, Tambuwal said IDPs in various camps within and outside the country deserve support at all times, and that governments at all levels must put in place comprehensive and coordinated strategies that would uplift the living conditions of the affected persons.

He further revealed that the National Assembly, in conjunction with other arms of government, would support any effort aimed at finding a lasting solution to the challenges of the IDPs. “The National Assembly, House of Representatives in particular, will work with other arms of government, national and local NGOs, donor agencies and our development partners to put in place durable solutions to the challenges faced by IDPs in Nigeria and those staying in our neighbouring countries,” he said.

2015 must not be allowed to divide Nigeria - Northern Govs Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has called on Nigerians to remain more focused and ensure that the 2015 general polls do not threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria.

The forum, in a New Year message by its chairman and Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, called on Nigerians to build on the culture of peace in 2015, because it is the major catalyst for meaningful socio-economic development.

The statement signed by Aliyu’s chief press secretary acknowledged that 2015 was a crucial year for Nigeria, and advised that irrespective of religious, political or ideological differences, people must support genuine efforts aimed at ensuring that the forthcoming general elections are successful and devoid of needless bickering capable of threatening the nation’s corporate existence.

The forum’s chairman enjoined Nigerians to enter the year 2015 with renewed hopes, stressing that Nigerians cannot afford to miss out in numerous opportunities that the New Year has to offer.

While calling on politicians across different party platforms to play politics according to the rules of the game, Aliyu added that stakeholders must shun acts capable of plunging the entire country into avoidable crisis, ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

FROM PAGE 5

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahmadu Ogbole Ode, said he had travelled out of the capital city for the yuletide.

A source at Julius Berger’s head office in Abuja told Deutsche Welle that ‘two expatriate Germans’ were killed last Saturday while riding a motorcycle in Abuja.

Gerd Scharmberg, the mayor of the 34-year-old’s hometown of Born - on the Mecklenburg peninsula of Darß - said local residents were shocked by the news from Nigeria.

“There is enormous sense of commiseration here locally,” he said, adding that the deceased had visited Born only eight weeks ago.

LEADERSHIP recalls that in October 2014, gunmen shot dead a German construction expert in Nigeria’s southwestern state of Ogun while Julius Berger employees were being driven to work. A second German, a subcontractor to Julius Berger, was abducted by the gunmen and released a week later.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has operated in Nigeria since 1965, working mainly on infrastructure projects, and has a staff of 18,000 personnel.

Its German branch, Julius Berger International (JBI), is based in Wiesbaden and has 600 employees assigned in Nigeria.

Boko Haram bombs military barracks in Gombe Some members of Boko Haram yesterday attacked the military barracks at Ungwar Madaki area of Gombe metropolis. The gunmen reportedly gain entrance into the barracks unnoticed and thereafter threw several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) around the military facility.

According to eyewitness, the multiple explosions occurred at about 8pm on Wednesday, forcing soldiers and other residents in the area to scamper for safety.

The affected area is close to the state low-cost housing estate.

The number of casualties could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Boko Haram crippling Nigeria’s economy - JNI The Islamic umbrella body in Nigeria, Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI), has said that for peace and progress to be restored in Nigeria, government at all levels must wake up to their fundamental constitutional responsibility of providing adequate security to the citizens so as to stop the increasing bombings and killings by the Boko Haram sect.

In a communique issued by the group’s secretary-general, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, at the end of its one-day security meeting chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto

in Kaduna, the forum noted that the current security challenges bedeviling the country persisted largely as a result of the inability of government to deploy effective strategies to tackle them.

The group also identified endemic corruption, social injustice and flagrant disregard of the rule of law as contributing factors to the security challenges in the nation’s northeast.

It expressed fear that the economic base and development of Nigeria were being systematically and grossly crippled by various forms of violence, from Boko Haram to cattle rustling, oil theft and other criminal activities by militias.

It expressed concern that the low morale of troops due to inadequate welfare, lack of desired weaponry and failure of Intelligence, among other reasons, are severely hindering the fight against insurgency.

The JNI further stated that despite the devastation being caused by the incessant bombings and the huge loss of innocent lives and gross destruction of property, politicians at all levels had regrettably showed very scanty or no concern about the national predicament, prioritizing their political ambitions.

It also emphasised the urgent need to deploy adequate intelligence and security measures to curtail, or possibly stop, the illegal importation and proliferation of arms and ammunition which are contributing to the escalation of insurgency and other related crimes in the country.

It Islamic body urged the government to also ensure that the welfare of troops and other security personnel, who are deceased, wounded or alive in active service, be properly and speedily attended to.

New Year, Eid Moulud: Army Restricts Vehicular Movement in Borno Following federal government’s declaration of January 1 and 2, 2015, as public holidays to commemorate the New Year and Eid-el Moulud, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army has imposed a total ban on vehicular movement within its area of responsibility from 6pm on Thursday, January 1 to 6pm on Friday, January 2, 2015.

According to a press release signed by the spokesperson of the division, Colonel Sani Usman, the directive implies that movement by animals (horses), bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles and motor vehicles is totally banned in the state during the specified period.

The restriction is informed by the need to ensure adequate ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

NEWS 9

Thursday, January 1, 2015

New Year Message FROM PAGE 8

as the unity and developmental aspirations of Nigeria were sacrosanct.

“We must all make sure that the forthcoming election is devoid of violence. All hands must be on deck: the electoral body and other critical establishments connected to the forthcoming elections must be ready to go the extra mile in the execution of their respective assignments. We also expect security agencies to subject their personnel to necessary preelection monitoring trainings and programmes,” he said.

Workers must brace up for a tough year - NLC The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged workers to brace up for a tough 2015.

The union, in a New Year message by the its president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar, congratulated Nigerian workers for their courage, resilience, sacrifice and patriotism in the face of daunting challenges in the preceding year.

Omar stated that though the NLC appreciates the difficulties brought on by the collapse in oil prices, he cautioned against the imposition of unselective austerity measures.

“Already, workers continue to bear the brunt of the savage devaluation of the Naira with possibility of collateral consequences. We also strongly advise against consideration for rationalisation of staff. We support government initiatives to tax the rich through luxury taxes. More importantly, we are convinced that the surest way to manage the budget under austerity is to reduce the cost of governance. Bloated prerequisites of political office holders must be cut. Prerequisites and comfort of politicians need to reflect the reality of the times. Mr President and the State House must lead in this regard. The size of the presidential fleet, the cost of running the State House and the retinue of political jobbers can all be reasonably cut without reducing the effectiveness of the presidency,” he stated The union also condemned

the imposition of exploitative electricity tariff and urged caution in case this leads to some further unpleasantness.

On the forthcoming general elections, Omar noted that the outcome would be critical the history of Nigeria’s democracy, even as he called for transparent polls.

“We call for fair, transparent and credible elections - we insist. Nigeria is bigger than any partisan interests and its sovereignty and inviolability are sacrosanct. Workers are enjoined to come out en masse to perform their civic duty as well as defend their vote. Power lies in the voter card,” he declared.

The statement further lamented “the spate of strikes across the sectors, especially in health and education, largely because of the refusal or inability of government to honour agreements it voluntarily entered into with the unions.

Government’s behaviour further undermined the fragile peace and capacities in the sectors.”

The NLC boss further expressed regret that a number of state governments and some federal ministries and parastatals had not paid workers’ salaries for about three months, forcing them to celebrate the festive season in misery.

Gov Wada seeks peaceful conduct of 2015 polls Kogi State governor Idris Wada has rejoiced with Nigerians for witnessing the 2015 New Year, urging them to pray for peace and orderly conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

The governor, in a message signed by his special adviser, Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, advised Nigerians to use the yuletide season for the promotion of love and patriotism.

In the statement, the governor thanked people of the state for their usual support and cooperation which, he noted, were responsible for the successes recorded by his administration.

2015: Nigeria Must Rise to Elect Credible Leaders Oshiomhole Edo State Governor Adams

Oshiomhole has described 2015 as an important one for Nigerians to vote for change and get the country back to the path of greatness, rather than the present system at the federal level where nothing works.

He said, “Next year presents Nigerians with a unique opportunity to vote out the party which produced bad leaders who buffeted us with different excuses and fed us with empty rhetoric on why Nigeria is yet to achieve her greatness, after being in the saddle for 16 years.”

Ahmed assures Kwarans, Nigerians of greater prosperity in 2015 Kwara State governor AbdulFatah Ahmed yesterday assured the people of the state that they will witness greater prosperity in 2015, even as he urged the youths to be agents of change and not instruments of violence.

Ahmed, in his New Year message to the people of the state, reiterated his commitment to making the people’s life “better in new ways, to finding more jobs for our youth, providing quality health care, better schools for our children, and creating lifelines for businesses.”

Ajimobi calls for vigilance over 2015 elections Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi has felicitated with Nigerians on the coming of the New Year, urging them to continue to work for the unity of Nigeria and not to lose hope due to the various challenges currently confronting the country.

The governor, who stated this in his New Year message issued in Ibadan yesterday by his special adviser, Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, urged the people of the state to be vigilant and not allow enemies of the state to find their way back to the corridors of power.

Chime urges more commitment to nation building Enugu State governor Sullivan Chime has urged Nigerians to redouble their efforts at building a stable, secure and prosperous

Twin Bomb Blast Rocks Checkpoint, Kill 13 FROM PAGE 8

protection of life and property of law abiding citizens of Borno State throughout the period.

Colonel Usman also urged the public to report any suspicious movement of persons or vehicles in their surroundings to the nearest security agency.

Soldiers’ Death Penalty: SERAP wants UN intervention Meanwhile, a rights group,

the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked a group of five United Nations human rights independent experts to individually and jointly request that the mass death sentences imposed on 54 Nigerian soldiers found guilty of mutiny are not be carried out.

The executive director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, in a petition to the rights group, said it was not right or fair to try anyone in mass proceedings, and that such unfair

trial process should not send someone to the gallows.

He asked the group to make the request to the Nigerian government and the military.

Mumuni stressed that the imposition of mass death sentences was in breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a party.

“This Covenant limits the circumstances in which a state can impose the death sentence,” he said.

nation.

The governor advised the citizens to learn from the mistakes of the previous years and commit themselves to the task of ensuring that significant improvements were made in all facets of the socio-economic and political life of the country.

Nigeria will not divide but become stronger in 2015 – Gov Okorocha Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha has called on Nigerians of goodwill to work and pray for the oneness of the country, to prove those who had predicted the division of the country in 2015 wrong.

He said the Almighty God never made the country one to divide it again.

Okorocha, through his senior special assistant, Media, Mr Sam Onwuemedo, said that Nigeria will become stronger and more united in 2015 and beyond, noting that the country’s present bitter experience is one of the indices of all developing nations.

Gov Orji canvases support for PDP guber candidate Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has called on Abia people to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2015 governorship elections, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, to sustain and build on the solid foundations which his administration had laid for the 23-year-old state in the past seven and a half years.

In his New Year broadcast to the people of Abia State in Umuahia, which could pass as a valedictory speech as his administration would end in May, this year, Governor Orji said his government has given the state direction, hope, unity, security and economic stronghold that would stand Abia State out in the comity of states in the country, if sustained..

Look forward to a more rewarding 2015 - Aregbesola The governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged the people of the state to look forward to a more rewarding year in 2015.

He also called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the new

year to pray for the continued existence of the country as it enters the election year.

Aregbesola, according to a press release by the director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, noted that year 2015 would bring about more development, peace and prosperity for the citizenry.

Fayose urges Nigerians to be optimistic in 2015 Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has urged Nigerians to welcome the New Year with faith and confidence in God for the country to overcome its myriad challenges 2015.

In his New Year message to the people in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the governor called for the support of all for the state and the nation in general to make progress, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure peaceful elections in 2015.

Fayemi congratulates Nigerians for witnessing year 2015 Former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has urged all Nigerians to go all out and effect the much desired positive change in the country’s polity this year.

Fayemi, who congratulated Nigerians for witnessing the New Year, described 2015 as a year of decision for Nigeria, urging them to join hands with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the quest to sweep out bad leadership from the country.

2015, a year of endless possibilities - Saraki Former governor of Kwara state, Dr Bukola Saraki has expressed optimism that with the cooperation of all Nigerians, things are about to get better in the New Year.

Saraki stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians, home and abroad.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, described 2015 as a year of endless possibilities.

“We must view the faults of the past as foregone days of lessons that we have learned from, and see the future as a chance to attain greatness,” he said.

Jonathan Hails Ooni Of Ife At 85

By George Agba, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade on his 85th birthday anniversary which comes up tomorrow, January 1, 2015.

Jonathan spoke through his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a congratulatory letter to the monarch yesterday. He described Sijuwade as one of the nation’s most revered royal fathers and praised his unwavering dedication to the highest ideals in his distinguished reign as the Ooni of Ife. Abati quoted the president’s

letter to the royal father thus: “On the occasion of your 85th birthday anniversary, I write to extend warm felicitations to Your Majesty on behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Yours has been a life truly worthy of celebration. You have always readily availed our administration of your wise counsel and invaluable support as we work assiduously to reposition our dear nation for enduring peace, security, accelerated growth and development. For this, we owe you a debt of gratitude.

10

stories of the Thursday, January 1, 2015

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

New Year: Okada Accident Claims 2 In Benue

BY SOLOMON AYADO, Makurdi

The North-bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, was yesterday thrown into confusion when two commercial motorcycles collided on the expressway and two persons died instantly.

The fatal accident which was said to have occurred at about noon on the fateful eve of New Year, destroyed the motorbikes and damaged the bodies of the accident victims beyond recognition.

It was gathered that although the angry youths that witnessed the incident did not act violently but traffic on the busy Makurdi-Lafia highway was abruptly disrupted. The accident happened in front of a Pentecostal church near Tonimas filling station, North-bank.

Witnesses said the deceased had jammed with another commercial motorcycle that was wrongly negotiating U-turn. Another version said the accident was propelled by the mad rush to catch up with preparations for the New Year celebration.

Men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Benue State Police Command quickly arrived at the scene and conveyed the corpses of the deceased to a nearby hospital in Northbank area of the town.

DEATH: Gunmen Kill 3 In Plateau Village

BY ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos

There was pandemonium in Kantoma village of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State when unknown gunmen unleashed terror in the community, killing three persons.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the gunmen attacked the village armed with machete at about 8:30am.

A villager from the community, Ulama Joseph, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said three persons were killed.

“Suspected Fulani herdsmen were allegedly fingered to be behind the killing,” he said.

The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abu Emmanuel, who confirmed the incident, said gunmen stormed the village and beheaded a villager and carried the head of the deceased away.

A motorcyclist carrying chickens to market at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, yesterday.Photo

By Nan

Chirld Theft: Father Of Newborn Accuses Matron, Police Chief Of Conspiracy

By Kola Eke-ogiugo, Delta

A businessman, Okatuman Ofuzinam of Ndobu quarters in Ighodo, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, has alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in lgbodo area shot him for refusing to sell his new born baby.

Ofuzinam, who returned from the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, a few days ago for treatment, stated that the DPO in charge of lgbodo Police Station shot him for refusing to collect N550,000 offered to him so that he can forget the case of his stolen new born baby at a clinic in Owerre-Olubor, where his wife, Gloria, put to bed.

He told our correspondent that on November 20, 2014, his wife, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy in a private clinic in Owerre-Olubor.

“My wife told me that after her delivery of the baby, she went out to wash her clothes only to return and not find our newborn baby. She said when she asked the matron of the clinic about the whereabouts of her son, she replied that she had sold the baby as we could not offset their N60,000 hospital bill. This claim was refuted as she later said she did not know the whereabouts of the baby.”

Mr Ofuzinam further explained that the refusal of the matron to reveal the whereabouts of their son made him report the matter to the police in lgbodo and they arrested her. The matron while at the police custody said she sold the baby to

somebody in Warri and that she will pay us the sum of N550,000 to forget about the baby. On my refusal to sell my baby, the DPO called me a fool, saying that I will remain poor forever.

The next day, I visited the station and saw the matron in company of her husband making a phone call that she had been bailed from the police custody and that the matter had died.”

He said when he asked the DPO about the whereabouts of his son and the reason for the release of the matron without his consent, the police chief him with a pistol he was holding in his hand.

It was gathered that Mr. Ofuzinam was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, for medical attention. It was disclosed to our correspondent that the DPO fled the Igbodo police station to an unknown place as Igbodo youths were after him.

After the disappearance of the DPO, the matron who was arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force, and taken to the Police headquarter, Asaba, was said to have given them clue on how to recover the stolen baby. The baby was later returned to its parents.

Ofuzinam, in an interview with our correspondent, said that he was thankful to God that he is still alive today.

“Our baby is a gift from God that money can’t buy. I am happy that our baby has been brought back to us,” he said.

By the time of filing this report, the matron was reported to be cooling her heels at the police headquarters in Asaba.

OVERZEALOUS COP: Sambo’s Security Threatens To Shoot Journalists

By YAHYA SARKI, Kebbi

There was mild drama at the Emir of Gwandu’s palace in Birnin Kebbi Tuesday night when security men attached to Vice President Namadi Sambo denied journalists, including the special assistant, Media, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Argungu and the chief press secretary to Governor Dakingari, Abubakar Muazu Dakingari, entrance to the palace to cover courtesy visit of the vice president to the Emir of Gwandu, Mohamadu Iliyasu Bashar.

Special adviser on Publicity to Governor Dakingari, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Argungu, said, “Yes I did everything I could to let those security men and one superintendent to allow us entry but all to no avail.

It’s quite embarrassing,” he said.

LEADERSHIP also gathered that the superintendent, one Offor, even threatened to shoot any journalist, including the media aides to the governor, if they disobeyed him and entered the palace, a situation which resulted in the exchange of harsh words between the journalists and the security men at the gate.

A NOA officer attached to Government House, Nasiru Ibrahim, who was among the journalists denied entry, expressed sadness over the incident.

“By Nigerian constitution, both the journalists and the police are permitted to work harmoniously to serve the society.”

day

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Photo News

THREAT TO LIFE: ICT Expert Seeks 24-hour Police Protection Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

The managing director of a leading information technology firm in Nigeria, Citadel-Oracle Concept Ltd, Mr Benjamin Joseph, yesterday alleged threat to his life.

The ICT expert, in a Save Our Soul (SOS) message contained in a three-page letter, dated December 18, 2014, through the legal chamber of Mr Ayo Faleti and Co, to the Commissioner for Police in charge of the command, Mr Kola Sodipo, he sought a 24-hour protection from the Oyo State Police Command.

In the letter made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday, he disclosed that it was the fourth time he would be raising the alarm, following persistent threats to his life and business activities by some

individuals who have come to regard themselves as sacred cows and totally above the law.

He said he had to write the command now because a directive by the office of the Inspector General of Police directing that investigation into the threats to his life by four persons and agents of four firms was not acted on since September this year.

He attached a copy of the directive from the IG’s office through the deputy IGP, Department of Criminal Investigation, Abuja and dated September 18, 2014 and signed by the Principal Staff Officer 2 to the IGP, ACP Abubakar Yahaya.

According to him, those behind his current ordeal have continued to threaten him and invaded his business premises, looting the outlet of goods worth millions of naira.

MURDERED: 10-year-old Shot Dead

By Armed Robbers In Delta

by Kola Eke-ogiugo, Asaba

A 10-year-old primary four pupil of Orogodo Primary School, Agbor, identified as Mariam Osagie, has been shot dead by armed bandits who invaded their house at Obianike Street near Local Housing Estate, Agbor.

A member of the victim’s family, one Ngozi Edokpolor, told our correspondent that he heard his sister shouting on that fateful night, and the next thing he heard was a gunshot that forced every occupant of the house to scamper for their dear lives.

He added that immediately after the gun shot, he saw five boys with three of them on mask, brandishing their guns in the process.

He said when he tried to ask what they wanted, one of them asked him

to give them money. “They succeeded in taking my handset because I told them I don’t have money. I discovered that my sister’s daughter, Mariam, has been killed after they left. Mariam is about 10 years of age and a primary four pupil of Orogodo Primary School, Agbor,” Edokpolo stated.

Meanwhile, luck ran out of a suspected motorcycle thief yesterday after he was nabbed in an attempt to steal a motorcycle at the new site of the College of Education, Agbor, Delta State The suspect who was unable to talk after much torture by the students and angry mob, had on him, an identity card, identifying him as an officer of the Nigeria Maritime Authority, with his name as Ogherohwo Anthony, Force NO 504657.

L-R: NUJ chairman, Lagos Council, Mr Deji Elumoye; president, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Femi Adesina; chairman, Editorial Board of the Nation Newspapers, Mr Sam Omatseye; Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola, and former NGE president, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, at the end of year news briefing by Fashola in Lagos, yesterday. Photo

By Nan

L-R: Gombe State governor Ibrahim Dankwambo presenting the 2015 budget to the speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Inuwa Garba in Gombe, yesterday. Photo By Nan

A cross section of graduates at the flag-off of Sure-P Graduate Internship Scheme in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo By Gbenga Folorunsho Abiola

THEFT: Police Arrest Thieves Attempting To Steal Church Equipment

By Kola Eke-ogiugo, Asaba

The police detectives in Warri Metropolis, Delta State, have arrested some men suspected to be thieves in their attempt to steal musical equipment of a new generation church, (Fresh Oil Evangelical Ministry) around Enamejuwa Street in the area.

DSP Celestina Kalu, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, disclosed that their efforts was foiled by brave men of the vigilante in the area adding that upon

interrogation, they confessed to the crime.

A resident of the street who did not want his name in print, said that thieves broke into one of the glass windows of the church, and carted away the said items which they carefully arranged at the premises of the church with a view to carrying before they were confronted by the vigilante group who overpowered them and in the process, they abandoned their loot.

DSP Kalu said that the suspects currently helping the police were arrested on Tuesday evening on a tip- off and would be charged to court on completion of the investigation.

R-L: Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi; wife of Anambra State governor Ebelechukwu Obiano; celebrant and former House Committee chairman on Public Petitions, Hon Chudi Offodile; his wife, Vivien; Governor Willie Obiano; minister of aviation, Osita Chidoka, and Hon Offodile’s son, Tobenna Chudi (Jnr), at a reception organised by the lawmaker to celebrate his 50th birthday at Barhill resort, Awka, Anambra State.

12 News north-central

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Enter 2015 With Spirit Of Forgiveness, Speaker Urges Nigerlites

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

As we enter the New Year 2015, the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly Barrister Adamu Usman has urged the people of the state to begin the New Year with a resolution of forgiveness, reconciliation and sacrifice.

In his New Year message to the people of the state, Barrister Adamu Usman said, as the nation prepares for the general elections, people must learn how to tolerate and understand one another for a peaceful transition.

He added that, Nigerians must do everything possible to sustain and guarantee the survival of the 15 years of democratic rule in the country.

He renewed his call to politicians seeking elective offices under various political parties in

short news

Benue Guber: Commissioner Resigns, Picked As Running Mate Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam has urged workers in the state to carefully prepare themselves towards the economic hardship faced by the state, saying an impending economic recession will soon occur in the country.

Suswam stated this yesterday at Government House Makurdi during the dedication of the Government House chapel. The chapel is named “Chapel of Grace” and has been supported by his wife, Yemisi.

According to Suswam, the state, country and the global community is seriously confronted with challenging economic problems.

By Solomon Ayado, Makurdi

the 2015 general elections to engage in issues-based campaigns rather than castigating their opponents or character assassination saying that such often lead to election violence.

Barrister Usman said while government at all levels and well spirited Nigerians are striving to ensure violent free elections next year, political office seekers must desist from uncomplimentary remarks during campaigns.

The speaker also charged political office holders to always educate the electorate on the art of governance so as to acquaint them on efforts being made by government to improve their living conditions.

Usman reiterated the commitment of the 7th legislature to bequeath a vibrant and effective House of Assembly.

Salaries: Prepare For Economic Recession, Suswam Tells Benue Workers Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam has urged workers in the state to carefully prepare themselves towards the economic hardship faced by the state, saying an impending economic recession will soon occur in the country.

Suswam stated this yesterday at Government House Makurdi during the dedication of the Government House chapel. The chapel is named “Chapel of Grace” and has been supported by his wife, Yemisi.

According to Suswam, the state, country and the global community is seriously confronted with challenging economic problems. and that the situation is caused by the sharp fall in oil prices.

Declaring as false the insinuation that he is parking the state funds to sponsor the forthcoming general elections, Suswam described the allegation as baseless and said that the delay in the payment of salaries is due to dwindling federal allocation.

“Benue is a very difficult state to govern. Past military and civil governors of the state have all attest to this fact. Here in Benue age is used as a yardstick in measuring ones way of taking relational decision.Whether I have done something of not, value has been added in the state during my two terms in office.

At the moment, civil servants are being owed salaries and many are busy calling me a lot of names, saying that Suswam is the cause of the problem. I am not the cause of the delay in payment of wages, Goodluck Jonathan too is not the cause. The major problem is that there is a global economic decline due to a sharp in the price of crude oil and I want to urge us to prepare before there will be a total economic recession next year.” Suswam stated.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, consoling a victim of a checkpoint robbers’ attack, Sergeant Timothy Useni, during his visit to the hospital in Nasarawa. PHOTO BY NAN

Wada Presents N110.2bn Budget To Kogi Assembly

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

Governor of Kogi State Idris Wada yesterday, presented N110.2 billion budget for 2015 to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval. The budget has a recurrent expenditure of N50. 15 billion representing 45.51 per cent of the total while capital expenditure is put at N60.05billion representing 54.49 per cent.

Speaking on the budget tagged, “Budget of Stability” Wada said it is N18.7 billion lower than 2014 budget and will be financed from traditional sources of “Internally generated revenue, statutory revenue allocation, reimbursement from the federation account as

well as bond from capital market.

Although the various subsectors’ allocations was not given, Wada said it will cover Administration, Economic, Law and Justice, and Social sectors with each of the sectors having 64.25%; 7.04%; 6% and 22.71% of the budget respectively.

Wada however said the reduction in the budget was due to the dwindling allocation from the federation account. “Our nation is faced with precarious economic challenges resulting from decline in the international price of crude oil coupled with the negative impact of criminal activities like pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil which have hampered

the nation’s ability to meet its daily production quota.

“The future looks challenging more so as new technologies have now been developed and are being used to extract crude oil from Shale, resulting in the loss of Nigeria’s major buyer the United States of America.

“In addition, the developed world is turning inwards to seek and utilize alternative sources of energy to reduce their dependence on the importation of crude oil.

The effect of these developments has already manifested significantly in the acute reduction of funds that accrues to federation account. This will in turn, affect the state’s share of the Federation account.

Nasarawa Budgets N107bn For 2015

By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura yesterday presented a budget proposal of N107billion before the state House of Assembly for 2015 fiscal year.

In the budget estimates, which was presented by the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the overseeing com-

missioner for Finance, Hon. Mohammed Danazimi, N44.4 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure, representing 41.21 per cent, while N63.

4billion was earmarked for recurrent expenditure representing 58.79 per cent.

Administration, Lands, Housing and Urban Development got the highest votes of N20.06 billion and N14. 26 billion respectively, while Information

got N1.30 billion, Agriculture, N4.51 billion and Education N8billion amongst other sectors of the economy.

Danazumi, stated that the focus of the budget is completing onging projects and construction of rural infrastructures and expansion of educational facilities in the state. The governor stated that government achieved 55 per cent budget performance in 2014.

PDP Guber Candidate Urges Kwarans To Keep Hope Alive

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Senator Simeon Ajibola has urged the people of the state to keep hope alive and pray that their desire for total freedom will manifest in the coming year.

Ajibola in his New Year mesBy Solomon Ayado, Makurdi sage to the people of the state

claimed that Kwara State has witnessed mixed fortunes in the past years, adding that“We have experienced good times of prosperity and steady growth as the fulcrum of development in the old Northern Nigeria. In commerce and civil administration; in the arts and in academics, our state was once a front runner.

But of recent, Kwarans have experienced hard times and wit-

nessed stunted development.

“In the face of these challenging times, let us give thanks to the Almighty Creator; let us keep hope alive and be more determined than ever to direct our affairs and influence our destiny for good. With Almighty God, all things are possible”.

He reminded the people of the state that their destiny is in their hands.

13

Thursday, January 1, 2015

REPORT OF THE

TRANSFORMATION

AGENDA

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

zi go .N Dr ea Iw

joon Ok la

Arc. Mi

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.

ke O n

olem emen

.A Dr si de iA nm

wu kin na

Dr. O luseg

un A gang

a

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 participwiathteph:otographs, charts and graphs and call

n’s achievements along nry Ubimago: 08068640944, tio sa ni ga or e th le pi m co y Simpl 3143902, He 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

14 news south-west 2015: Ondo APC Accuses Mimiko Of Unlawful Purchase

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo Of PVCs

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Osun APC: Omoworare Emerges Winner In Fresh Primary

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter has accused Dr Olusegun Mimiko-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of unlawful purchase and mass procurement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in a clear attempt to manipulate the 2015 general elections in Ondo State.

The party said Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his supporters are rattled and threatened about the rising popularity and growing acceptability of APC in the state.

In a statement issued in Akure by the state publicity secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, the party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ondo State Police Command to probe the unlawful procurement of PVCs in Ondo State.

The statement said, “Apparently, this illegal act is done in bad faith and the evil plan was informed by the desperation of some unscrupulous politicians to shore up the dwindling popularity of Dr Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State.

“We have it on good authority, that the coordinator (one medical doctor) of this ‘Operation Buy PVCs’ resides in Akure and the illegal act which started in Akure has been spreading across other areas of the state”.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

Folarin Assures Oyo People Of Fruitful 2015 The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, has assured the people of Oyo State of better days in 2015 and beyond.

Folarin, in a New Year message to the people, urged the citizens not to despair in the face of daunting economic and social challenges, noting that “with a concerted effort, determination and synergy between the people and a government with a human face, the new year holds a lot of promise”.

“Our people should not lose hope, as a new PDP government in Oyo State come 2015, shall put smiles back on their faces”, he said.

In a statement by his director of media and strategy, Victor Oluwadamilare, Folarin said, “Our people have suffered enough under the present administration, which copied many ideas from Lagos State wholesale without considering the peculiarity of the culture and practices of our environment.

“In their copycat frenzy, they succeeded in destroying the livelihood of thousands of traders, resulting to deaths in many cases, while others still living have been turned to scavengers and beggars,” the statement added.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Senator Babajide Omoworare yesterday emerged again as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for next February’s National Assembly election in Osun East Senatorial District in a fresh primary election.

The victory confirmed the earlier choice of Senator Babajide Omoworare as the party’s flag bearer in Osun East senatorial district.

Omoworare, the incumbent senator, defeated his only rival, Mr Sola

Lawal in a primary election which took place at Ijebu-Jesa in Oriade local government area of the state.

He polled 2,193 votes to defeat Lawal with 49 votes in the election that was performed by 2,305 delegates, drawn from 95 wards in the Senatorial district except Ife Central where both contestants hail from.

The APC had declared Omoworare as its candidate for the senatorial district in an earlier primary election, but Lawal refused and petitioned the national body of the party for redress.

In a swift reaction, Mr Sola Lawal described the election as a sham, saying the election was an unmitigated travesty of democracy and flamboyant assault on representative governance.

He said, “It should be consigned to the trash can; no comedy can be more denigrating than putting two ballot boxes marked out by posters of contestants before delegates who were coerced to drop their ballots in the box of preferred candidates of the governor”.

Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun (right) presenting the 2015 “Budget of Continuity” to the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon Suraj Adekunbi, after the governor assented to the budget in his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday.

short news

New Year: Alao-Akala Tasks Nigerians On Patriotism The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 governorship election in Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala has called on Nigerians to be more patriotic, committed to God and the progress of Nigeria in 2015.

Otunba Alao-Akala who spoke through his spokesperson in a press statement signed by Barrister Abraham Ojo said, ”2015 is a year of decision and we can only take a good decision that will be favourable with a sincere and good spirit.

“The task of governance should not be left in the hands of those in government alone.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Ekiti: 7 PDP Lawmakers Pass 2015 Budget Behind Closed Doors Action illegal – 19 APC lawmakers

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

Seven lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of the 26-member Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law N80.94billion budget for the 2015 fiscal year.

Speaking with newsmen after the sitting, the factional speaker of the House, Hon Dele Olugbemi, said the additional N17million in the N80.77billion presented to the House by Governor Ayodele Fayose would be used for some renovation works in the Assembly.

He explained that all the three arms of government, the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature were fully involved to ensure financial balancing in the budget proposal.

Meanwhile, the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, have described the passage of the appropriation bill into law as illegal and an exercise in futility.

The lawmakers, who held a plenary in Ado-Ekiti about two weeks ago, where the seven PDP lawmakers were suspended and resolutions on the autonomy of the local governments and House of Assembly, among others, were passed and sent to the National Assembly, said all actions of the seven lawmakers cannot stand.

Speaking further on the passage of the budget, Olugbemi added that all ministries, departments and agencies of government were given a fair share of the state’s resources to bring unprecedented development to the people.

Journalists and party leaders, who were already seated at the assembly’s gallery, were however, walked out of the Chamber to allow the plenary to be held behind closed doors.

The leader of Government Business, Hon Samuel Ajibola, who raised objection about the heavy presence of non-members at the sitting he described as special and one that needed to be held behind closed door, said they were protected by laws to hold a secret session, if they so desired, adding “we are not flouting the

laws if we ask non-members to walk out”.

At this point, the sergeant-atarms and other internal security staff of the Assembly ordered those affected including journalists to take their leave.

Olugbemi, while consenting to the objection, said the House can design the kind of sitting it desires, depending on circumstances. “The action we took was as a result of exigency of time. The House can design the model under which it will conduct its sitting”.

On the size of the budget, Olugbemi said the House of Assembly’s Committee on Appropriation did a thorough job, adding that this is the first time the budgetary estimate submitted at the Assembly would be increased since 2011.

Omirin in a statement by his special adviser on m0edia, Wole Olujobi, described yesterday’s exercise held behind closed doors as one in the series of comic tales by farcical politicians holding the reins of governance in Ekiti State.

“It is sad that Governor Ayodele Fayose has turned Ekiti State House of Assembly to a safari Park where the macho postur-

ing of misguided adults in G7 is being masterfully manipulated by this accomplished choreographer of political sophistry.

“In the sitting they themselves knew was illegal, they chased away print and electronic reporters that got wind of their plan to sit.

“They held the illegal meeting with no in-house correspondents in attendance as they were also chased out. In their wisdom, they, as usual, reportedly had Lere Olayinka and Hon Dele Olugbemi’s personal assistant in attendance.

“To them, the machination is yielding astounding results that confound and defy logic. Clearly, this is illegal, unconstitutional and another toad-for-the-dinner sitting that responsible Nigerians know quite well does not have a place in our legal statute.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a cocktail of brawn and sinews, neither does it condone the boisterous essence of gangsterism,” the speaker said, adding that Ekiti State had grown beyond the motor park antics of pretenders to the throne of honourable members of the parliament.

Thursday, January 1, 2014

business

NEWS/BUSINESS 15

N1.1bn

Amount committed by Bank of Industry (BoI) for local manufacturing of smart cards

BoI Invests N1.1bn In Local Manufacture Of Smart Cards

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO,, Lagos

The Bank of Industry (BoI) said it had committed N1.1 billion to the local manufacturing of smart cards, thereby reducing importation of cards.

With a capacity to manufacture 100 million cards yearly, the BoI noted that card solutions for logical data security, physical plant security and integrity processing standards can now be accessed in the country.

Speaking during a facility tour of SecureID Limited, Lagos, the managing director, BoI, Rasheed Olaoluwa, explained that the bank is committed to the manufacturing sector as the sector remains a growth driver

and has huge potential for job creation.

“Manufacturing in Nigeria is taking a new edge. I am delighted at what I have seen today. SecureID Limited is the first integrated manufacturing company in Nigeria and Africa. What we witnessed today also happened in Nnewi recently at the Innoson vehicle manufacturing plant where cars are manufactured in the country rather than just assembling the parts,” he said.

Olaoluwa said the country is witnessing a successful backward integration of activities in the card industry through local production of cards.

“The company has established

capacity and smart manufacturing techniques. As a customer of our bank, we have supported the business and this shows that the facility has been effectively utilised,” he added.

With a capacity utilisation level set at 70 per cent, Olaoluwa explained that the BoI continues to raise its stake in industries that enhance job creation, adding that the company, with improved capacity, would employ at least 350 from the teeming unemployed population in the country.

The managing director of SecureID Limited, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, noted that the company has the capacity and the quality of operational and

administrative personnel to produce chip and PIN-based smartcards that support payments and biometric identification, verification and authentication purposes.

According to her, the company’s local production of smart cards for the financial sector, telecommunications and public sector has reduced the level of imports and exposure to the foreign exchange market.

She added that local sourcing of raw materials and effective market analysis has assisted the firm in filling gaps discovered in the market, while giving it the capacity to produce products that could serve Nigeria and other West African countries.

BUSINESS QUOTE The difference between a topflight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

Vance Packard, writer (1914-96)

First Bank Partners Etisalat On Mobile Money

BY Bukola Idowu, Lagos

In line with its efforts to drive financial inclusion in the country, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has partnered Etisalat Nigeria to make mobile payments more accessible and secure.

The partnership, which involves First Bank’s Firstmonie mobile money and Etisalat easywallet, a SIM application solution, is expected to significantly impact the uptake of mobile money in Nigeria.

Among the channels available on the mobile money platforms today, including the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) which can be

accessed by dialing *894# on any phone, the SIM Tool Kit (STK), Mobile App, Web, the STK channel is the most reliable, secure and easy to use.

The STK is a SIM-based application with a menu found in every SIM card.

This has informed the decision for the partnership involving Firstmonie and Etisalat easywallet. The aim of the partnership is to promote the use of Firstmonie mobile money on the easywallet STK menu. By doing so, there will be value added to all stakeholders in the mobile money segment, including L-R: customer relationship manager, MTN, Kano, Kabiru Kazaure, one million naira winner, Muhammad Isah and customers, agents and regional trade marketing manager, North West Region, MTN, Abdulhamid Hassan, during the presentation of prize to winners in the ongoing MTN Cash Quest Promo, held in Kano. merchants.

NSE Equity Investors’ Worth Depreciate By N1.75trn In 2014

by OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Investors’ net worth depreciated by N1.748 trillion on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2014.

The NSE-All Share Index, which is the gauge for measuring aggregate growth in the capital market, shed 6,672.04 basis points or 16.14 per cent, from 41,329.19 points on December 31, 2013, to 34,657.15 points as at December 31, 2014,

depreciating by 6.25 per cent. Specifically, the market capitalisation of equities went down by N1.748 trillion to N11.478 trillion from N13.226 trillion at which it opened trading for the year.

However, yesterday, the final trading day of the year, the stock market closed with a 0.08 per cent decline to close at 34,657.15 points while the market capitalisation shed N8.97 billion to close at N11.478 trillion Analysis of the price movement chart

indicated that Dangote Cement topped the gainers’ table by N7.59 to close at N200 per share. Seven Up came second on the activity chart with N5.40 to close at N165.40 while ETI appreciated by 58 kobo to close at N18.58 per share.

On the other hand, Nestle led the losers’ chart by N31.25 to close at N1,011.75 per share. Total trailed with a loss of N7.50 to close at N142.50 while Nigerian Breweries dipped by N3.70 to close at N165.30 per

share. Total volume of shares transacted decreased by 40.17 per cent to 233.81 million valued at N4.23 billion in 2,775 deals.

Market analysts have attributed the decline to various factors, including the stoppage of the Quantitative Easing (QE) by the United States (US) Federal Reserves which resulted in funds outflow from emerging markets due to improvement in US economic indicators, the liquidity

tightening by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), uncertainty in 2015 election, the falling of the crude oil and the devaluation of the naira.

They are optimistic that the market in 2015 will be on a positive side considering that the macroeconomic factors affecting the market in 2014 will have been allayed.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

16 NEWS/BUSINESS

Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme Opens In January

By Bukola Idowu, Lagos

The $100 million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme – an annual programme of training, funding and mentoring designed to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs – is now open for entries through its application portal.

The application portal for entries open at 12:01am West African Time (WAT) on January 1, 2015, and will continue to accept applications until midnight WAT on March 1, 2015.

To participate in the programme, entrepreneurs must complete the online application form with questions on their background, experience and business idea, plans for growth and proposed panAfrican impact.

“Since the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme was announced, we have been enthused by the level of interest and excitement from entrepreneurs across Africa.

We are looking forward to reviewing the entries and identifying the first cohort of the continent’s next generation of business

leaders,” the director of Entrepreneurship, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Parminder Vir, said.

The $100 million programme, announced at the Tony Elumelu Foundation headquarters in Lagos, on December 1, 2014, will identify and support 1,000 entrepreneurs from across the continent each year over the next decade. The 10,000 start-ups and young businesses selected from across Africa will ultimately create one million new jobs and add $10 billion in annual revenues to Africa’s economy.

The programme is open to citizens and legal residents of all 54 African countries. Applications can be made by any for-profit business based in Africa and which has been in existence for less than three years, including new business ideas.

The application portal is available in English, French and Portuguese and applications will be accepted in these three languages.

At the launch, the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu, spoke of his personal commitment to empowering African entrepreneurship.

Bizwomen To Access CBN’s N200bn Loan

BY Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja

About 6,000 women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will access the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N200 billion for the promotion of small scale industries in the country.

This was disclosed by the president of the FCT chapter of the Quintessential Business Women Association (QBWA), Shimite Katung, in Abuja at the inauguration of the FCT chapter of the Quintessential Business Women Association (QBWA).

She said that the loan, which attracted nine per cent interest rate, would be disbursed to the first batch of beneficiaries.

She stated that women who will get the loan under the umbrella of the association across Nigeria are mainly farmers. The CBN had directed that 60 per cent of the loan must be given to people at the grassroots in the country.

According to Katung, the women formed themselves into various cooperative societies, with 20 members at least, in each cooperative group.

She said, “The women are applying for what they need.

Some may need just about N150,000 or over a million naira. The maximum we allow a cooperative take is about N5 million. A lot of our women applied for between N3 million and N5 million. We are 20 in number in a cooperative. The amount a cooperative gets is divided by that number.

“There are 50 cooperatives in each of the 774 local governments in the country. In each of these cooperatives, we have 774,000 women and youths as well. Altogether, when you combine them, we are 967,500.”

Thursday, January 1, 2015

SEC Approves NB, CB Merger

BY Olushola Bello, Lagos

The management of Nigerian Breweries Plc has confirmed that its merger with Consolidated Breweries Plc has now been finalised effective December 31, 2014.

According to a company statement signed by the managing director/ chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde, “This follows the receipt of approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the sanction by the Federal High Court.

NB Plc has formally informed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of the conclusion of a merger process as required by the listing regulations.”

Vervelde also indicated that the name of the enlarged company arising from the merger will be ‘Nigerian Breweries Plc’ and the company will remain quoted on the NSE. While thanking the stakeholders and regulatory authorities for their support and approvals respectively, the company stated that the process of operational integration of the two businesses “will commence

immediately in January 2015.”

With the conclusion of the merger, the enlarged Nigerian Breweries is now enabled to fully capitalise on the opportunities of the Nigerian beer and malt drinks market and create significant value, through the delivery of broader product offering, operational efficiencies and access to new markets. The merger is also expected to deliver a number of benefits for its stakeholders including shareholders, employees, consumers, trading partners, suppliers and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

L-R: Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola and the managing director and chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya during the official opening ceremony of the Lagos Countdown to 2015 in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA

Rice Importers To Pay 60% Levy In 2015 – FG

By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

The minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has said that as the drive to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in rice production gains momentum, a new policy has been approved to ensure that rice importers pay a tariff of 10 - 60 per cent.

“The new policy,” according to an end of year report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development made available to LEADERSHIP, yesterday, “is aimed at discouraging smuggling while leading to a quantum leap in the Backward Integration Programme (BIP),” Adesina said.

He added that the policy has attracted more than $1.6 billion of private sector investments and it is expected that Nigeria will become a net exporter of rice just like Thailand or India within the next three years.

The minister said, “The new policy has an inbuilt tariff/levy differential

deliberately skewed in favour of investors with verifiable BIP. These investors are allowed to temporarily import brown or finished rice to bridge the present gap in supply and demand and enjoy 10 per cent tariff and 20 per cent levy. On the other hand, mere rice traders will import at 10 per cent tariff and 60 per cent levy.”

The Nigerian local rice industry was, hitherto, comprised of entirely small-scale mills until 2008 when the first large integrated mill commenced operation.

“By 2010 the small millers were producing about 60 per cent of parboiled milled rice in Nigeria, estimated at about 3-3.5 million metric tonnes with an estimated total consumption of about 5.5 million metric tonnes,” said the minister.

He noted that initially the small mills could not generate products that could match the quality of imported rice because their

products were deficient in critical quality attributes, including a lack of uniformity, flavour, odour, high content of broken grains, presence of stones and other extraneous materials, which limited consumer acceptance of locally processed rice.

However, the situation, he emphasised, has changed as clusters of small mills have acquired destoners and polishers, and have greatly improved the quality of their product.

Speaking on the rice productions trends in Nigerian, Adesina said, “Nigeria rice sector had struggled to keep pace with post-civil war rising demands and driven by the oil boom of the early 1970s, the doors were left open for free import of rice.

There was a positive reversal of the negative rice productions trends.”

He added that Nigerian farmers have shown positive responsiveness to favourable government policy initiated by the current administration.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

17

18 BUSINESS/AGRICULTURE

Thursday, January 1, 2015

2015: Agric Paves Way For Food Security, Improved Economy In looking forward to what 2015 portends for agriculture in Nigeria, it is important to look back on 2014 and the preceding two years, then draw a trajectory of what to expect.

Foremost, the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has brought a new dawn for agriculture in Nigeria – no longer to tread the familiar path of nostalgia of those years when agriculture used to be the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. Now, agriculture is back on track to be the mainstay of the economy once again.

By simple logic, and with the benefit of hindsight, it is pretty clear that 2015 holds great prospects for agriculture in particular, and the nation’s food security in general.

Here are indices to look out for: The increased number of registered farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) means more farmers are to benefit from the subsidy support to produce more food.

The rising bank loan portfolio to agriculture means more business in the sector, more food and greater assurance for food security.

Never before has Nigeria embarked on such an ambitious mechanisation support for farmers in a manner just done on August 25, 2014 during the presidential launch of the N50 billion mechanisation funds in Abuja, which has already started to take effect at the state level. The fruit of this can only expected to begin to manifest in 2015. With more farmers having access to subsidised mechanisation support, using the GES platform, we are assured of increased in land cleared for food production and a resultant increase in farm yield.

In tandem with mechanisation is the increasing use of improved varieties of seeds of various staples under cultivation nationwide. The federal government’s policy to increase Tractor density will create more jobs and produce additional foods in a measurable way. The federal government has given a lot of farm inputs and planting materials to farmers and the benefits are becoming evident.

The Oil Palm GES scheme for 2013 and 2014 were successful targeting 15,353 farmers in 2013 and 30,000 farmers

in 2014, with each farmer receiving 50 improved tenera oil palm seedlings, 50kg bag of 12: 12: 17-2 fertiliser. Over 2,260,000 improved tenera oil palm seedlings, 53,030 bags of N:P:K–Mg fertiliser, distributed to registered oil palm farmers under the GES scheme will make definite positive difference in oil palm produce, beginning from 2015. This is apart from the heavy investment by private sector, large oil palm estate developers in many southern states.

The Sorghum Growth Enhancement Support (GES) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has supported farmers with farm inputs for Sorghum, in North East and North West states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states. The high yielding sorghum seeds given within the past three years are making a difference in absolute national sorghum production. In 2012, 500MT were, given to 50,000 farmers to plant additional 50,000 hectares of land, each farmer received 10 kg of seeds and 2 bags of fertiliser to plant one hectare. In 2013, 480MT certified seeds were distributed to 96,000 farmers to plant additional 96,000 hectares; each farmer received 5kg of seed and two bags of fertiliser to plant one hectare. In 2014, 1100MT certified sorghum seeds were distributed to 220,000 farmers to plant additional 220,000 hectares; each farmer received 5kg of seeds and two bags of fertiliser to plant one hectare. These can only raise the production volume, not decrease it.

The seed industry before the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) was characterised by low seed uptake, weak enforcement of regulation, certification and quality control processes and procedures; a few number of seed operators, inadequate breeder and foundation seeds; weak seed value chain structure, weak public-private collaboration; inefficient data collection system and weak monitoring and evaluation schemes. Not anymore, as we are now witnessing vibrant industry, backed up by Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN), that is

agric focus

BY OLUKAYODE OYELEYE

Adesina

boosting the production of major staples, particularly maize and rice.

Cotton production began almost at ground zero during the outset of ATA, as the local textile industry has all but collapsed and urgently needed a revitalisation. With massive multiplication of four improved varieties (Samcot 8, Samcot 9, Samcot 10 and Samcot 11) by the federal government, and freely distributed to 36,000 farmers, a total of 1,506.39 tons in the North West and North East has led to a cultivation of an estimated 75,000 hectares.

With the agreement entered into by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with West African Cotton Company Ltd (WACOT) on development of expensive, production, processing and marketing in the country, we are confident that the seed produced from the Seed Multiplication Scheme covering 15,625 hectares in 2012, expendable to 25,000 hectares in 2015 will bring Nigeria back on track in cotton production.

So far about 13,000 hectares were maintained across seven targeted states dominated by

Katsina, Zamfara and Gombe.

Maxi crop, a growth booster has dual purpose, increasing the number of bolls and deducing boll drop.

It also improves boll size and promotes even boll opening.

The value chain Team is working towards the development of Bt cotton at Confined field trial in 2012/2013.

In the cocoa sector, the free distribution of improved planting materials between 2012 to March 2014, capable of planting over 2,000 ha so far will begin to come to fruition in 2015 as the varieties distributed begin fruiting only in 18 months as opposed to those that took three to four years in the past.

So, a significant proportion of the goal of moving the national production of cocoa up will be achieved in 2015.

The broken wall of agricultural extension is being repaired under ATA, with the establishment, for the very first time in the history of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE) to provide policy direction, leadership,

the critically needed coordination and quality control and assurance for an effective and sustainable Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) in Nigeria that will engineer sustainable agricultural development, food security and poverty alleviation.

In 2015, the increasingly functional extension service delivery will boost agricultural productivity and will reduce losses usually associated with lack of essential extension information. With the paradigm shift to “agriculture as business” rather than a way of life, the capacity building for smallholder producers trained along each of the targeted value chains in 2014 will boost agricultural productivity in 2015.

Specifically, the impact will be felt on the 180 farmers rained under the Livestock Value Chain on the Management of Small Ruminant at the National Livestock Training Centre, Kachia; the 3,500 cotton farmers trained in different cotton producing areas; the 7,000 rice farmers trained across the country (including 60 women rice farmers in Bayelsa State, South-South Zone in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Dev. Co; the 25,000 cocoa farmers who have received training in cocoa production, processing and packaging under the Farmer Field and Business Schools; the 5,000 maize farmers also trained in both the NorthWest, North Central and parts of North-East as well as the 550 Sorghum frontline farmers trained for the value chain as master trainers.

The investment in large scale rice farming in various parts of Nigeria will boost productivity even further, surpassing the expectations in 2015.

With the leading companies in rice importation now investing in rice production, the horizon seems brighter than ever expected in local rice supply that would bring to an end the perennial capital flight associated with rice importation. The combined strength of Olam, Elephant Group, Dangote Group and others who are coming into large scale rice production is expected to tilt the balance in favour of excess production that might begin the rice export drive earlier than anticipated, perhaps beginning in 2015.

19

Thursday, January 1, 2015

HIP S R E D A u E o L y r e u r e o y h Get r yw e v e r e p es Newspa ur mobile phon paper go on yo N Mobile News with MT Service is currently available only to MTN subscribers

WORLD NEWS

EDUCATION

POLITICS

SPORTS

WEEKLY MONTHLY

Text LDW to 4900 to get daily news for 1 Week Text LDM to 4900 to get daily news for 1 Month

N30 N120

only be s n a c e c i v Ser ustomernes. c y b d e y enjo ble pho a n e S M with M setting to 388 Text TN to get Mtings Data Set

20

Thursday, January 1, 2015

commerce/BUSINESS 21

Thursday, January 1, 2015

commerce REPORTS

Institute Embarks On Demographic Registration Of Empowerment Programmes STORIES By KINGSLEY ALU, Abuja

The Institute of Empowerment and Strategy has embarked on demographic registration of empowerment programmes across the country.

This was disclosed by the director general of the institute, Dr Boniface Afifia-oru during a workshop on empowerment organised by the institute in Abuja. According to the DG the need for the demographic registration was because of the dearth of data on the various economic empowerment programmes which can be used by government policy makers and the private sector.

Dr Afifia-oru revealed that the institute has already commissioned a consultant under the leadership of Prof. Uchella Steve to help in carrying out the nationwide demographic data on economic empowerment programmes. He regretted that despite all kinds of empowerment programmes being arranged by various governments, private sector and individuals such programmes are often done without recourse to the data of what the youths actually need.

He noted that most of the time the empowerment programmes centre on buying motorcycles, wheel barrows, sewing machines and the likes, for the expected beneficiaries but which may not necessarily be what they needed.

A vegetable vendor at Dei-Dei market, Abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

Stakeholders Highlight Challenges Of Manufacturing In 2014

BY Olushola Bello, Lagos

Stakeholders have highlighted the challenges that trailed the growth of manufacturing sector in 2014.

Power supply challenges, logistics challenges, the influx of imported and substandard products, preference for imported goods by Nigerians, poor access to credit, high cost of doing business, infrastructure shortcoming and inhibitive activities of government regulatory/monitoring agencies, have been identified as the most disturbing factors for manufacturers in Nigeria.

High taxes as well as high interest rates on bank loans also constituted the major challenges for the manufacturers in 2014.

The second and the third quarters of 2014 Business Confidence Index (BCI), survey by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) revealed the high growth prospects of the sector.

The index revealed that the

manufacturing sector still held a positive confidence of four per cent, which it recorded in the second quarter till the end of the year as against negative return of 10 per cent confidence it recorded in the first quarter.

According to the economic report by Renaissance Capital, (RenCap) the manufacturing sector was growing faster in 2014 than the telecommunications, oil and gas and agriculture sectors.

The report reinforced figures by the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), which showed that there was an increase in manufacturing capacity utilisation from 46.3 per cent recorded in the first half of 2013 to 52.7 per cent in the second half of the same year.

However, this sector has consistently remained at the bottom of BCI league table by steadily recording negative confidence levels. Medium and small manufacturing enterprises were the most hit by the

lingering challenges constraining productive activities in the country.

During the year, the government’s policies and activities towards resuscitating the manufacturing sector was the determination in pursuit of the implementation of the Nigerian industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), launched by the federal government in February, the local content policies and transformation in agriculture sector amongst others.

Despite a face-off between the major producers of cement over monopolisation of the sector induced by government policy, cement production was one of the manufacturing aspects that boosted the sector in 2014.

With huge investment in cement production by private sectors, the local production capacity was raised to a remarkable height to the tune of 58.5 million metric tonnes in 2014.

NEPC To Regulate Supply Chain For Non-oil Export

High taxes as well as high interest rates on bank loans also constituted the major challenges for the manufacturers in 2014

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has commenced efforts to establish local marketing structures across the country in a bid to efficiently service its export markets.

The agency said the move became necessary in order to address marketing challenges like product traceability, break in supply chain among others that emerged as a result of lowcoordinated local marketing structures.

Speaking during a forum with the theme: “Organising merchant operators into export marketing groups to address product supply challenges,” in Lagos, the executive director/ chief executive officer of NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo explained that for Nigerian exporters to properly capture the international market share, a marketing structure that connects production with actual export must be created.

Represented by the head, Market Development Department of NEPC, Matthew Iranloye, stated that the council had observed that about 80 per cent of agricultural commodities exports, including fresh and processed food items are done by merchant exporters, thus implying that the products are collected from the open markets.

SEFA Approves N107m Grant For Bio-refinery Project In Nigeria The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA); a multidonor facility to unlock private investments in small to mediumsized clean energy projects in Africa, has approved a $580,000 preparation grant for the expansion of Green Energy & Biofuels (GEB) Bio-refinery project in Nigeria.

The project is a pilot of Small & Medium Entrepreneurship Fundamentals (SMEFunds),

a social enterprise based in Lagos, and the first bio-energy cooking fuel production facility and distribution network in the country.

The SEFA grant in specific terms will finance technical studies, business advisory services and a full environmental and social impact assessment in support of the scaling-up of SMEFunds/ GEB operations, particularly the waste-to-ethanol cooking

fuel production and distribution in Nigeria, to fully harness economies of scale.

The expansion would entail growing their biogel production capacity from 1,000 to 30,000 litres/day and ramping up the cookstove manufacturing supply chain four-fold over the next three years.

Speaking after the approval, SEFA coordinator, Joao Duarte Cunha, stated, “SEFA’s support

will enable the expansion of the first commercial waste-toethanol and cook stoves operation in Africa, itself the product of ingenuity and capacity of African entrepreneurs. By offering a modern low-carbon cooking solution, GEB is also contributing to improving women’s and children’s health, creating employment opportunities and reducing deforestation associated with charcoal production.”

SEFA operates through grants to facilitate the preparation of renewable energy generation and energy efficiency projects, equity investments to bridge the financing gap for renewable energy generation projects; and support to public sector in improving the enabling environment for private investments in sustainable energy. SEFA is endowed with $60 million from the Governments of Denmark and United States.

22 BUSINESS/mines & steel

Thursday, January 1, 2015

2015: Stakeholders Envisage Mining Devt As Oil Price Drops

The development of the Nigerian Mineral and Mining sector has remained on the back burner despite efforts and promises by the government to the contrary. However, stakeholders take solace in the fact that falling oil prices will shine the light on solid minerals as way to cushion its impact on the Nigerian economy. In this report, Ruth Tene Natsa writes on the developments in the sector A meeting by stakeholders in 2013 had promised the rejuvenation of the sector in the new year, but as at the close of the 2014 Calender Year, there was no doubt that for the sector, it was a lip service year of achievement with very little or no effort by the federal government to re-establish the once vibrant sector.

As established by the minister of mines and steel development, Mr Musa Mohammed Sada, mining in Nigeria is over 2,400 years old as the nation used to be a major producer and exporter of columbite, tin, and coal, which was used locally.

He stated that royalties, fees and rents formed a significant part of the national revenue and provided jobs until government’s nationalisation policy in the 1970s and the discovery of crude oil caused a decline in the productivity of the sector and, ultimately, its neglect.

The implication subsequently was the departure of major mining companies, neglect of the sector by successive governments, domination of the sector by illegal miners, poor government policies and an almost non existing regulatory framework. Efforts by the present administration to undo the damage led to the development of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011 to guide the implementation of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.

It also led to the development of the Metallurgical Industry Regulatory Bill currently being considered by the National Assembly to facilitate the regulation of the metals sub sector as well as to the review of the Explosives Act of 1964 and Regulation of 1967 to enable it handle current situations ready for the consideration of stakeholders. In spite of all these efforts and the diversifying policy of the federal government, the sector has continued to be under funded and left to the mercy of informal miners.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Leadership in Abuja, the president, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Sani Shehu, said, “We have been appealing to the

government to develop mining to diversify the economy.”

He added that with the sharp fall in the price of crude, we expect government to walk the repeated talk on solid mineral development, maintaining that “the lip service paid to the sector should be backed by action.”

Speaking on the achievements and challenges to the Nigerian miners which has continued to hinder the development of the sector, Shehu said that the MAN, in 2014, had succeeded in moving its headquarters to the FCT, and in facilitating access to funds for its members from financial institutions as well as connecting their members to investors. Other achievements, he said, included the Annual Miners Dinner which enabled miners, government, banks and stakeholders to interact; settlement of disputes among miners and mining communities; and several collaborations with the parent ministry, Nigeria Export Import (NEXIM) Bank, export promotions as well as various embassies towards promoting mining in Nigeria.

Shehu urged that “mining should be captured in the transformation agenda and promoted as done in the agricultural and entertainment sectors. He called on the federal government to ensure the proper funding of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release conditionalities for the Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASMs) to access to $200 billion intervention fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Also speaking with Leadership, the directorgeneral (DG), National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Alex Ohikere, said the agency had in the year 2014 achieved a lot in the area of core drilling, an important aspect of mineral exploration. This he said “was made possible as a result of the new strategy adopted by the agency to fulfill its mandate.

Geophysical investigations of a number of mineral occurrences in many parts of Nigeria were also carried out to determine their prospect.

“This new strategy adopted by the agency is in the spirit of

Mining site

Private Public Partnership, with the agency providing personnel and equipment while the mineral investor, the private sector, provides the fund needed to carry out detailed exploration of mineral titles.”

He listed core or reverse drilling of 25 core holes on the Enegbaki iron ore at KotonKarfe, 25 core holes on coal deposits at Maiganga and Molko in Gombe state, 10 core holes on coal deposit at Ogboyoga, Ankpa and 10 core holes on coal at Emelewu in Kogi State. Ohikere added that “in the year 2014 alone, the agency generated over 5,760 metres of cores through core drilling, maintaining that “though capital funding from government is likely to drop to a lower level than in 2014, there is, thus, the need to be more vigorous in partnering with the private sector to continue to carry out our mandate of detailed mineral exploration in the country.”

The DG, Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Mr Mohammed Amate, on his part said that the agency’s achievements in collaboration with the World Bank, through the sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project, included transforming the agency to a fully computerised cadastre system from the hitherto analog operations. He added that “the MCO has also succeeded in training its officers to match the challenges of the new computerised cadastre system

and the application of the modern cadastre system has increased the level of efficiency and speed in processing applications for mineral titles in line with international best practices.”

He said that the new reforms has generated a lot of confidence in the minds of prospective investors, especially foreign mining companies, which has led to an upsurge in the number of applications received for the various minerals titles by investors.

“The result is that currently there are not less than 200 foreign companies that applied and obtained mineral titles doing one form of exploration or the other for different types of minerals across the country,” Amate said.

It has also increased the number of applications, resulting in increased revenue generation for the agency. Anticipating the new year, the DG said, “The expectation of the agency in 2015 is sustaining the tempo and achieving more efficiency and speed in the processing and granting of minerals titles, building more confidence in the minds of investors by administering titles in an open and transparent manner and also administering mineral titles real time (online) in line with global best practices, increasing revenue generation from processing annual service transfers, renewals and other fees.”

The new reforms has generated a lot of confidence in the minds of prospective investors, especially foreign mining companies

23

Thursday, January 1, 2015

energy news As year 2014 winds up, JULIET ALOHAN, in this report takes a look at the major development as well as the high and low points of the power sector in the outgone year and writes The year 2014 began with high expectations from the power sector following the successful completion of the sectors privatisation and takeover of the various Distribution Companies (Discos) and Generation Companies (Gencos) by the new private owners on November 1, 2013.

It was generally believed that the new owners had the financial muscle to effect a quick turnaround in the sector. Nigerians were hopeful of a drastic change in service and increase in the quantum of power generation and supply, but this was not to be the case as the year rounded up with many still dissatisfied about the quality of power supply across the country.

However, authorities have explained that unlike other sectors where money could be put in and immediate results noticed, the power sector is unique, in the sense that dividends of investments made now would take months or years to reap. Other reasons have also been put forward as to why 2014 ended with power supply still very poor.

Infrastructural Vandalism At the beginning of 2014, the federal government had projected that generation would peak at a minimum of 5,000 megawatts (MW) and possibly hit 6,000MW by the end of the year.

However, the year ended with generation hovering between 3,800 and 4,000MW. This huge difference has been blamed on the incessant vandalism of gas pipelines across the country, these disruptions officials of the ministry of power said, prevented the sector from attaining the years’ protection.

Speaking in Abuja at a forum organised for

energy correspondents, Nebo, who was represented by his senior advisor on Fuel to Power, Frank Edozien, lamented that the continuing vandalism of pipelines supplying gas to power plants undermined effort to boost power generation.

He said at least 20 incidences of vandalism occurred on major gas pipelines across the country between May and November this year, leaving the country which has a generation capacity of about 7,000MW with less than 4,000MW. “In mid-November we did hit about 42004500MW generation, but today we are doing 3,600MW because gas pipelines have been blown up. So the pattern is we go up to 4000-4200mw the pipelines get blown up and then we are down to 30003100mw,” he said during the event recently.

Some of the major pipelines often targeted include the LagosEscravos system, the Trans-Forcados line, the Alakiri-Onne LBVS and the ELPS pipeline some of which he said, takes about eight months to fix when blown up.

Regulatory Tussle Another major development in the power sector in the outgone year, was the battle for regulatory supremacy. This came about following the emergence of the NEMSA bill, a bill sponsored by the chairman, House Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhiariale, seeking to create a parallel regulatory agency in the sector and splitting the powers of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The bill which has passed first and second reading at both the House of Representative and Senate, seeks to upgrade the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL) to Nigeria

L-R: Bank of Industry officer, Mr. Gbolahan Olutomiwa; managing director, Secure ID Card, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe; managing director/chief executive officer, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa and head, Gas, Energy and Petrochemical, Bank of Industry, Ms Mabel Ndagi, during Secure ID and and Bank of Industry press conference, held at Secure ID Card manufacturing company premises in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA

2014: Power Sector In Retrospect Electricity Management Service Authority (NEMSA) and cede to it technical regulation of the power sector.

This bill is being strongly contested

by NERC, whose Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, has argued that the Electric Power Sector Reform (ESPR) Act 2005, unambiguously, mandated the Commission as sole and independent technical and economic regulator of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Amadi said: “It is pertinent to recognise that the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP 2000) and the Electric Power Sector reform Act (ESPR) 2005, which are the guiding spirit for the power sector reform unambiguously, mandate the Commission as sole and independent technical and economic regulator of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

“I will like to categorically state that there is no gap whatsoever in technical regulation in NESI as being alleged.

The Commission has put in place several regulatory instruments to address technical and safety issues arising from across the electricity supply chain in generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation.”

But the management of the EMSL on the other hand, has argued that the EPSR Act of 2005 never envisaged that NERC would be “climbing electric poles” to ensure standards.

Jide Olagunju an official of the agency, in his argument maintained that rather “NERC would set the standards for the government agency established to climb poles and do other technical inspections and certification.”

He added that the word “inspector” as used in the EPSR Act 2005 “should not be read to mean that NERC, which is essentially a commercial regulator, can do technical regulation.” This battle, which observers have described as unhealthy for the sector, still rages.

Gas Price Hike The year 2014 saw the increase in the price of gas to power plants from $1.80 to $3.30 per million Britishthermal unit (MMBTu).

The cost is broken into $2.50 gas price and $.80 for transportation, effective December 2014.

The increase according to government, became necessary following complaints by gas suppliers about the uneconomic price they sell gas to power generation companies. With the increase, government said it would now require firm commitments from gas suppliers on agreed quantities of gas to power plants.

Government added that the new price was aimed at reflecting current market trends, boost supply and trigger more investments in gas to power infrastructure.

N213bn CBN Bailout Fund The first of its kind inter-agency initiative set up to proffer lasting solutions to power supply challenges in the country announced a N213 billion facility to help offset the legacy gas debts and address the revenue shortfall in the power sector.

The facility which was announced by the minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, is tailored to address the three key challenges facing the sector, namely; inadequate gas supply for power generation, misalignment between electricity tariff and the true cost of running electricity business and the inability of power generation companies to reliably produce the electricity that is needed with reduced volumes of gas.

It is set aside to settle the sectors legacy gas debts which stands at N36 billion and would also be used for the execution of agreed metering programmes, procurement of transformers by distribution companies as well as for the execution of maintenance programmes and procurement

of equipment by generation companies.

The fund is provided by the CBN in collaboration with deposit money banks, it would be repaid by beneficiaries over a 10-year period.

On their part, the beneficiaries would give commitments to deploy the funds to address specific challenges as preconditions for accessing the fund and expand their networks with a view to ensuring that more Nigerians have access to electricity.

Tariff Increase The year under review also saw electricity tariff increased on two different occasions. A minor tariff review was done by NERC in June 2014 and another in December which commences today. However, residential consumers have been shielded from being impacted by this recent tariff for a period of six months.

The June increase in the price of tariff affected all customer category, by an increase of N1 to N5 depending on the distribution company, but the December review would not affect residential consumers until there is a relative increase in power supply NERC said.

NERC at a public consultation on the minor review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) in Abuja noted that tariff review was the only way to guarantee investments in the electricity market and ensure better supply through cost reflective pricing.

With the commencement of MYTO 2.1, the Commission said it would now progressively hold electricity distribution, transmission, generation companies as well as other market operators to the terms and conditions of their licences.

NERC said its tariff review considers the prevailing inflation rate, exchange rate, gas price and available generation capacity to determine the increase or otherwise of prevailing cost of electricity.

24 ENERGY /BUSINESS

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Options Before Nigeria’s Power, Oil & Gas Sectors In 2015

In this piece, Chika Izuora looks at various options open to boost the Oil and Gas as well as power sector in 2015.

USA not buying crude from Nigeria anymore keeps forcing the Arabs to sell their oil at great discount the Asian countries

An understudy of the Indian power sector model by government may likely bring about some desired changes in the Nigerian Power sector in 2015.

This consideration is perhaps spurred by the offer of some $20 billion by potential international investors.

The government, toward the end of 2014, embarked on various options to possibly hand over the nation’s transmission infrastructure to private investors.

Between November 1, 2013, after government handed over key generation and distribution infrastructures of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to private investors, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which was not privatised, was left in the hands of Manitoba Hydro International of Canada.

Since then, concerns have continued to mount over the ability of the TCN to evacuate the maximum capacity of energy generated for distribution.

Government has always blamed the weak infrastructure of the TCN to generate power and now is looking at various possible options to deal with the situation. It got offer of about $20 billion from international investors to turn around the TCN. An investment plan or policy for the TCN is expected to be formulated at the end of the study being undertaken by a technical team of the Ministry of Power currently looking at China, Indonesia and Indian models. *In the new year government is likely to approve an offer either from India, China or Malaysia who actually want to do an entirely new super grid for the country: 760 KV super grid as opposed to the current 330 KV. Under the ongoing consideration, government may likely adopt a regionalized transmission system or concession it.

Government further plans to unbundle the TCN into three independent companies in 2015 so as to totally remove the System and Market Operators from the TCN to make them independent companies.

The System Operator (SO) will likely operate as a trust set up by the market participants to run their activities and government will not need to spend money on the operations of the SO, because its budget will be factored into

An oil refinery

the tariff.

Already, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian banks have signified interest to finance investments in transmission if they are assured of returns on their investment.

Meanwhile in the oil and gas sectors, experts have stated that Nigeria’s economic response through fiscal policies would go a long way in mitigating against the negative effect of crashing oil prices.

They observed that one of the mistakes made by OPEC is not cutting down on production, but this is also counterbalanced by sales of crude oil by rebel groups in ISIS and Libya.

Mr. Adetayo Adegbemle a public opinion commentator and the convener of PowerUpNigeria, a Power Consumer Advocacy Group, based in Lagos told LEADERSHIP that another major factor that would continue to affect oil prices is competition from the Arab world.

USA not buying crude from Nigeria anymore keeps forcing the Arabs to sell their oil at great discount the Asian countries.

The simple reaction therefore is to diversify our exports so much that Nigeria would no more be dependent on oil exports.

Germany has advanced greatly in diversifying their reliance on the Russian gas by encouraging Renewable Energy, and are preaching same throughout Europe.

However, low revenue

generation oil exports would mean that Nigeria would have to look elsewhere for income to support our bogus government spending.

This therefore means that we might be looking at total removal of fuel subsidy next year as well as tightening of tax laws.

Also the president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Remi Bello noted that there was an evident deterioration of public power supply in 2014 as electricity supply dropped by an average of 30 percent in most industrial parts and households in the last six months of 2014.

He noted that the progress made so far on the power sector reform particularly on the privatization of the sector but however, the power situation continued to pose severe challenges to business operators.

There were complaints across all sectors about high energy costs especially high expenditure on diesel during the year. This he said continued to take its toll on the bottom line of investors in the economy and might be a challenge to business in 2015.

He further suggested the need for National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to urgently address the growing concerns over the outrageous bills to consumers, much of which are not consistent with the earlier advertised billing template.

In 2014, as most firms especially the SMEs expressed

concern over increases in their electricity bill.

Most SMEs spend as much as 10 percent of their monthly turnover on payment for public power supply alone. Often, these firms never get the power supply they are compelled to pay for and the plan to raise tariff in the new year will pose further production challenge.

“Again, we reiterate our position that the policy of fixed charge by electricity firms should be reviewed as it is unfair to power consumers.”

In his contribution, Mohammed Badaru, president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture pointed out that in view of the critical role that power plays in the development of the national economy government should continue to work very closely with the generation and distribution companies (GENCOS/DISCOS) to achieve the desired energy requirement of the country.

According to him, all stakeholders in the power sector should collaborate to improve on the current output, which hovers between 3,200MW and 3,500MW. We also want to counsel that the tederal government should demonstrate the political will needed to drive the alternative sources of power so as to significantly improve on the power supply in the country.

education

25

Thursday, January 1, 2015

70

per cent of the candidates that sat for the exams failed

F E AT U R E S N E W S R E P O R T S I N T E R V I E W

Students writing exams

SSCE: Any Solution In Sight For Mass Failure?

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Some of these people don’t understand English Language. It is necessary to understand spoken English and how to communicate

The expectation was high when the results of students in West African Senior School Certificate Examination results started coming out this year, given assurances from various quarters that the students have been well tutored to come out in flying colours in the exams.

But when results got to the centres, what confronted the people was mass failure in the examinations.

So worrisome is the fact that the trend is now a yearly routine and observers say the phenomenon contributes to the downward trend of country’s development.

The decline in the fortunes of Nigerian students in public examination has also been linked to half-baked graduates being produced in the nation’s

universities, who in turn contribute nothing to the country’s development.

The development has made parents and stakeholders in the sector to be worried on the increase in the mass failure , even as they are calling for ways to stop the trend.

The most recent is the release of West African Examinations Council (WAEC), 2014 November/ December West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in which about 70 per cent of the candidates that sat for the exams failed.

To the consternation of all , the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Charles Eguridu pointed out that it is wrong to determine failure of candidates through their performance, saying it’s unfair.

According to him, it is not fair to judge the performance

with the number of candidates that passed Mathematics and English Language. Judging the performance of candidates based on those that passed Mathematics and English Language is not fair.

He said ,”The student of Theatre Arts has no business learning quadratic equation in order to perform well. The university system don’t have the carrying capacity and that is why they have to set bench marks in order to select their candidates.

“Somebody who is going to study Yoruba Literature demanding he must have credit in Mathematics for him to perform well as a student of Yoruba, isnt’s an issue we can debate for the rest of our lives. I don’t think Mathematical ability is necessary for success in all areas of endeavour.

“I am a psychologist and also an educationist and in all my years on

planet earth, I am yet to see where mathematical ability becomes necessary for success in all sphere of life”, he added.

Eguridu added that he is yet to see professional footballers that score very well that had credit in Mathematics including those who sing well.

“Some of these people don’t understand English Language. It is necessary to understand spoken English and how to communicate but for mathematics, it is another issue, so I want to say this is a private candidates examination. “ Those who have issues with only Biology and register to write Biology formed part of the overall entry and if they did not write mathematics and English and you use their population to calculate the percentage of success for those who have credit in the two core subjects that could be an abuse of statistics.

26

26 EDUCATION/NEWS

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Shekarau Warns VCs Against Misappropriation Of Funds

short news

ITF Trains 74,000 Youths In Skills Acquisition

by Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

The Minister of Education Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday, warned Vice Chancellors of public universities in the country against misappropriation of the N1.3trillion NEEDS Assessment Intervention fund.

He gave he warning at the opening of a one-day sensitization retreat on the Implementation of NEEDs Assessment Intervention in Nigerian Public Universities, in Abuja.

According to the minister, “Vice Chancellor must be prudent and transparent in the utilisation of the fund as they would be called to account.

“In the next few years the Federal Government expects a reasonable transformation on the infrastructures in our public institutions.

“The fund allocated by the Federal government is limited hence you must be prudent in spending and ensure value for money. Vice Chancellors should be up and doing and this administration would not tolerate any corrupt practices from anybody. Another thing the governing council of the institutions must follow is the master plan and the facilities in place must comply with the master plan.

“I want to sound a note of warning; on no account should the universities invest the intervention fund to earn interest. There must be no delay in meeting obligations to contractors, suppliers and staff undergoing training. All beneficiaries are expected to operate only a single dedicated account to which fund released by the implementation committee are sent to and from where the universities meet their financial obligations.

The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Dr. Juliet Chukkas yesterday disclosed in Kano that over 74,000 youth has so far been trained in different technical and vocational trades to enhance the national development.

Chukkas who made this known during the graduation ceremony of the 4th batch of trainees of the ITF,-NECA technical skills development project in Kano, said that the youth were trained in welding, fabrication, plumbing, electrical installation, furniture and cabinet making, autotronics and plaster of Paris POP production.

According to her out of the 74,000 youth trained in the various skills, 37,000 of them were currently being trained and were drawn from the 36 States and the FCT in the trades that are dominant and employable.

She said that Nigeria being a developing economy needs corps of technicians and artisans to support the industrialisation of the country.

The managing director noted that Nigeria being densely populated and with its vast national resources should have hundreds of technicals and vocational skills acquisition centers that will enhance its capacity to deliver better technical training system in the centers across the nation.

Cross-section of students during the Women Like Mind Empowerment Initiative’s (WOLMEI) sensitisation programme on ‘ Teenage pregnancy’ in Abuja . photo by jane okeke

Why We’re Against LG Autonomy – NUT

by Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has said its aversion to absolute Local Government autonomy was to forestall a situation where primary education is plunged into uncontrollable crisis in the country.

The Union, therefore, lauded the bold steps taken by various State Houses Assembly that voted against the proposed Local Government autonomy in the ongoing Constitutional Amendment.

Public Relations Officer of NUT, Mr. Emmanuel Hwande, in a statement in Abuja, commended the State lawmakers for the prompt action and timely return of the proposed review of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the National Assembly.

He reinforced the position of the leadership of NUT that granting of total autonomy to Local Government Councils would lead total collapse of primary education in Nigeria.

NUT President, Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, had vowed that “never again shall the primary school teachers in Nigeria be

returned to bondage, suffering, penury, deprivation and subjugation through the unpatriotic and inhuman control of salaries by the sadist Local Government operatives”.

He argued that LG autonomy would lead to scrapping of the State Joint Local Government Account and resultant nonpayment of salaries of teachers nationwide.

Olukoya, further noted that as it was in the past, the Councils would renege on remittance of 7.5 per cent counterpart contribution to pension funds of primary school teachers nationwide.

He said this also would rubbish the good intentions and contents of the Pension Act 2004 and return the primary school teacher once again to the status of a “beggar and weeping child” of the country whenever he retires.

“This will also lead to total collapse of the primary education in Nigeria consequent upon uncontrollable industrial actions that will ensue in all LG councils,” he said.

The Union, therefore eulogised the commitment and patriotism demonstrated by the legislators in their careful consideration and clause by clause vote

on all issues put forward for amendment.

Hwande said: “We note with delight the proactive stand of the State Houses of Assembly whose vote on the touchy issue of Local Government Autonomy will go a long way to retain the State and Local Government Joint Account, and sustain their joint responsibility in the payment of Primary School teachers salaries and developing the nations public primary education system.

“This noble action of our State Legislators stand in defense to protect and advance the educational fortunes of pupils in public primary schools.

“Posterity will judge them right to the glory of our children and the generation yet to be born,” he said.

NUT had been opposed to the Local Government autonomy on the ground that leaving primary school education solely in hands of LGs would destroy the system.

SSCE: Any Solution In Sight For Mass Failure?

25

“ I want to say that ad- judging success in our examination based on those who have credit in math and English is not right and It is unfair to both our country and the candidates”, he emphasised.

The HNO also stressed that in order to curb malpractices and bring sanity into the system, the body introduced customised mathematical set with inbuilt calculator which he said has reduced tremendously the incidence of candidates bringing in foreign materials. The Council also berates people who criticised WAEC for introducing “Walk-in-

Candidates.

He said, “ I was informed that some well informed individuals but misguided go about criticising Waec for introducing “Walk-InCandidate” we have no apology for that because Nigeria is advancing like other developed countries, you find in Singapore for example that they write their exams when they are ready and in a situation where the candidate needs just only mathematics and such should wait for another year because of our inefficiency, it is not an excuse. We have done it successfully before and we will do

it again.

“The work in candidate comes in on the day of examination and we ensure your registration follow the normal procedure and we allow such candidate to write the exam.

There is no way such candidate compromise the integrity of the examination. We are practitioners in the business of examining and we are the foremost examination body in Africa”.

“For example, the Council deployed biometric technology in the registration of candidates for the November/December 2014 West African Senior

School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The data captured during registration formed the basis for the identification of candidates and the taking of attendance during the examination.”

He explained that the conduct of the November/December 2014 WASSCE was concluded on October 3, 2014. Similarly, the coordination and marking of candidates’ scripts for the examination took place between October 29 and November 19, 2014 at 32 marking venues all over the Federation.