Leadership news

13.11.14

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

THURSDAY

No. 2,292

NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER

Chibok Diary DAY 213

Leadership Newspapers

N150

@leadershipNGA

Chibok Girls: NLC Women's Group Wants Boycott Of 2015 Elections > Page 2

Local Hunters Kill 75 Insurgents In Adamawa 5

Liberate Maiha town

Female suicide bomber injures 4 in Kontagora Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, displaying the new N100 note designed to commemorate Nigeria’s Centenary, at its unveiling in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY nan

Oyegun, Mark,Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, Others Condole Nda-Isaiah Over Father’s Death > Page 4

FG, States Borrow N2.25trn As Debt Rises To N10.8trn > Page 5

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chibok diary 213

Thursday, October 13, 2014

DAY

Chibok TweeTs

@JeffOkoroafor Today in Nigeria, bomb goes off more often than I get to see NEPA light in my house. #RedefineNigeria #BringBackOurGirls @ZinoNeckBreaker What happened to #BringBackOurGirls? R they home or have ppl given up on them? @HelenJonesMP It has been 212 days since 273 Nigerian school girls were kidnapped.

We must not rest until they are safely home #BringBackOurGirls @Bukkyshonibare • Day212 of abduction 43 days to Christmas 50 days to New Year #BringBackOurGirls @EiENigeria It took 8 days to return the petroleum minister’s sister when she was kidnapped.

It's day 212 and we're still crying: #BringBackOurGirls @HarrietHarman Thoughts & deepest sympathies w/ families of students killed in Nigeria.

Every child deserves to be safe in school. #BringBackOurGirls @obyezeks DAY212 of OUR #ChibokGirls What are WE ASKING!#The TruthNothingButTheTruth !#TheTruthN

NLC Wants Boycott Of 2015 Elections

Says govt is only interested in election

By Michael Oche, Abuja

The National Women Commission, the women wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to mobilise women across the country to boycott the 2015 general elections should the federal government fail to rescue the abducted Chibok school girls.

The chairperson of the commission, Comrade Lucy Offiong who made the charge yesterday in Abuja lamented that the government has not shown enough commitment to rescue the girls.

She said that it was regrettable that rather than doing anything within its power to en-

sure that the girls are rescued, government was busy preparing for election.

In demonstration of their concerns as mothers, Comrade Offiong urged all women to use their voting rights to insist on the release of the girls, failure of which they should all boycott all elections slated for 2015.

She said, “The abducted school girls are potential workers and members of this commission. We are very concern about it. We are going to come up with a communiqué with all the women that are gathered here for the conference. We are going to draw from their personal experiences, especially

those girls are brought back, there should be no election in this country.

“It is a serious matter, a sovereign state like Nigeria losing territories to insurgents and government is merely interested in election. I think we are in a war situation. I think election should be put on hold until the country is returned to normalcy.”

On the conference, the NLC commission chairperson, said it would avail the women, drawn from the 36 states of the country, including the FCT, the opportunity to interact. with a view to adding their voices to the cause of a better Nigeria.

Chibok Community Raises The Alarm Over Mobile Dependence/Addiction: A Growing Trend Impending Attack By chika MefOr and ejike ejike, Abuja

The vice chairman of the Chibok community in Abuja, Mutah Nkeki has raised the alarm on the impending attack on the Chibok community in Bornu State.

Speaking with the #BringBackOurGirls group in Abuja yesterday, Nkeki said his people in Chibok have received information on a planned attack and take over of the town because it is the only secured town in that area.

“I received a call from our people at Chibok that they got information that the Boko Haram sect members were coming to attack Chibok. Our peolple were frightened. Everybody was looking for where to hide. We, here in Abuja could not sleep. We were all

Too Addicted To Technology?

worried but we thank God that this morning, we were told that our people were safe,” Nkeki explained.

He however called on the federal government and the security agents to help protect the community and the people of Chibok as the community has suffered a lot in the hands of the insurgents and may not survive another attack.

It would be recalled that on April 14, this year, the insurgents succeeded in abducting over 200 girls in the Government Secondary School, Chibok. and up until now, the government and the security agents are yet to rescue these girls.

Also, with the wave of insurgency ‎across the Northeast, and the taking over of major cities like Mubi recently; town like Chibok is at the mercy of the terrorists.

othingButTheTruth!@ Abu_Aaid When will FG bring the butchers of 63 school boys in Buni Yadi to justice? #BringBackOurGirls #StopBokoHaram Day 212

Compiled by UGOCHUKWU IROKA

those from the troubled north east zone.

“I regret to say that it has been so politicised and government has not done what we expect as women. These girls would have been seriously exposed to all forms of inhuman treatments. They must have been so violated.

“We are not even sure about their state, whether they are still alive or not. But since government keep assuring us these girls are still alive, it must shun politics and do everything possible to rescue them.

“I want to say that if Nigerian women can rise just as we are going to rise from this our conference and push that until

Members of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) Group during one of their protests demanding for the rescue of the abducted chibok schoolgirls in abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

20%

56%

of smartphone users logon to facebook before they even get out of bed.

admit to not exercising or skip exercises due to technology.

59%

34x

of smart-phone users admit to feeling disoriented, distraught or lonely without their smartphones for a week

the average number of times an average smart-phone user check his/her phone.

Get More Done

98%

75%

75%

REPORT THEY MULTI-TASK EVERYDAY DUE TO THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY

USER THEIR MOBILE DEVICES WHILE ON THE TOILET

GET MORE THAN 6 HOURS OF SLEEP PER NIGHT DUE TO PRODUCTIVITY

3

our stand Thursday, November 13, 2014

Commending INEC

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly reversed its decision to create an additional 30,000 polling units, an exercise that would have brought the total number of polling units in the country to 150, 000, against the present 120, 000. The additional polling units, the electoral body claimed, were part of its effort to ensure free and fair elections, in which the electorate would be fully captured. INEC said that it took the decision after it reviewed reports sent in from the states by the resident electoral commissioners on reconfiguration of the polling units and the creation of extra.

INEC also made reference to the controversy its decision to create more polling units generated and how it was actually accused of favouring a particular geopolitical area over others. The electoral body admitted that the polity became heated in the process and with the apparent inadequacy of time to satisfactorily streamline the exercise, it was left with no choice but to jettison it. INEC however said that it would

continue with the use of voting points, to mitigate the pressure overcrowding in polling units during the elections creates.

We commend INEC for the bold and courageous move it made to reverse its decision in consideration of overwhelming public opinion.

At the peak of the controversy, INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega also found himself in the line of fire, as it was erroneously believed that he was out to favour the part of the country he is from, to which most of the new polling units were allocated. We note that very few public officers in Jega’s position would have been honest enough to admit that a decision previously

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

taken was not sufficiently thought through. Most would have insisted on defending what was obviously an error of judgement. If INEC had not made this all important reversal, INEC, and Jega in particular, would have been roasted alive on the spit of public outrage for facilitating electoral success, if his kinsman were to win the presidential election.

We note that since Jega’s appointment to replace Professor Maurice Iwu, he has remained consistent in his determination to give Nigerians elections they can be proud of. With all the violence that visited the 2011 elections, observers, local and foreign, still scored the exercise a decent pass mark. As a followup to that, elections in Edo, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states were also judged to have been reasonably credible. Jega has also pledged that the 2015 elections will be even more credible and in our opinion, this latest decision of the electoral body is confirmation of that intent.

If INEC could also tidy up the distribution of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), its integrity would have been established.

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 Joy Adekanye

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, November 13, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Bode Gbadebo, Adesuwa Tsan, Millie Ibe, Abuja and Midat Joseph, Kaduna

Prominent Nigerians yesterday condoled APC presidential aspirant and LEADERSHIP founder, Sam Nda-Isaiah, over the death of his father, Pa Clement Nda-Isaiah.

They include the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senate president David Mark, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Gen. Jerry Useni (rtd), Sen George Akume, Sen Bukola Saraki, Mamman Daura, Dr Mahmud Tukur, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Dr Haroun Adamu and Alhaji Lai Mohammed among others.

According to them, the late NdaIsaiah left an indelible mark and that he will be greatly missed.

Senator Mark, in his condolence message to Sam Nda-Isaiah, extolled the virtues of the deceased, whom he said nurtured great minds piloting the affairs of frontline media houses and helping to propagate democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

In the message issued by his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark recalled his robust relationship with the late Pa Isaiah, whom he met during his sojourn in Niger State as the then military governor in the early 80s.

Mark said, “Pa Isaiah was a hardworking, disciplined and committed Nigerian who believed in the unity of the nation. He was such a bold and courageous man who stood for the truth no matter who was involved.”

In his own condolence message issued by his special adviser on media and public affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the deceased as a patriot was left his mark as a journalist and community leader, and urged his immediate family and friends to keep his legacies alive.

The national publicity secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Muhammed described the passing of Pa Ndanusa Isaiah as sad and shocking, coming at a time when he is needed most. Speaking with LEADERSHIP on phone last night in Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed said Pa Isaiah was a great journalist who left behind a worthy son.

He added, “Sam is one of our leading presidential aspirants and it is sad for him to lose his dad now.

But we cannot query God, since he was old and has left behind a worthy legacy in Sam.” Pa Clement Nda-Isaiah: Our Father Lived A Fulfilled Life – Children The children of late Pa Clement Nda-Isaiah yesterday eulogized the virtues of their father when he was alive. ...He Was My True Hero - Sam Nda-Isaiah The founder of LEADERSHIP

Bishop Edwin Jarumai of International Praise Church, Abuja (left) with the founder, LEADERSHIP Group, Sam NdaIsaiah when the bishop paid a condolence visit to the Nda-Isaiah family in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO

BY GBENGA ABIOLA.

Oyegun, Mark, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, Others Condole Nda-Isaiah Over Father’s Death Group and APC presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah, who spoke to journalists at his Kaduna residence, described his father as a very upright man.

“My father lived a fulfilled life.

He was very happy. He saw all his children grow and saw his grandchildren. He didn’t lose any of his children and grandchildren while alive. Father died a happy and fulfilled man,” he said.

“My father was always a very serious man since I knew him. He was a very serious man all his life.

You would never see him engage in any activity that could bring shame to his reputation. He was my true hero. Through God, my father made me what I am today.

“I am sure that my father is happy today and that is why we don’t want to mourn him; we only miss him. We thank God for everything.

“People can draw inspiration from my father’s sincerity. I think one of the trademarks of public service is corruption. You see people living beyond their means, and nobody seems to care. We never saw our father live beyond his means.

“In a country where pensions are not paid, our father raised his children to be strong on their own after the zenith stage of his career.

“He didn’t steal anybody’s money and it is obvious; if my father was corrupt, the world would have seen it. He didn’t steal any money and yet he lived happily and talked confidently up to the last day of his life.

“The lesson is that, as Nigerians, we should always stick to some basic ethics , no matter what”.

He Was My Father - Jacob Isaiah (Younger Brother)

To the younger brother of the late Pa Nda-Isaiah, Jacob Isaiah, the death of Baba has created a big vacuum in his life.

He said: “As an elder brother, Clement was very good to me; we never argued or disagreed with each other. We respected each other’s views and opinions.

“It is only the two of us that are males in the family of five; the other three are females. I always treated him as my dad. He took care of me very well.

“He was very good. I feel sad because my best friend and partner is gone. I don’t have a friend now,” he said. ...He Would Have Been A Millionaire If He Wanted -Joseph Nda-Isaiah (Son) To the second son of Pa Clement Nda-Isaiah, Papa was a hardworking man during his days as a journalist.

He said, “Some of his colleagues thought he was using charms to work because of his desire to give his best. He never joked with his job.

“He was a very honest and sincere person. He loved his children equally. He was a giver.

“Our Father would have been a millionaire if he had stolen money. He did his job diligently with the fear of God. There was a time when he was offered money to rig an election, but he refused to collect the money and insisted that election must hold there.

“He told us the story of how he was taken as an INEC adhoc staff to go and supervise an election in a remote community and some people brought money and told him to give them the ballot papers to thumbprint the candidate of their

choice; my father rejected the money and insisted that election must hold.

“He was very strict and hated lies. We learnt good virtues from our father.”

ERSHIP Holdings, Mr. Abraham Nda-Isaiah, “Daddy was a disciplined man.”

“He was a very upright man, and taught us the fear of God. We will forever miss him.”

...I’ll Never Forget His Memories - Grace Isaiah (Daughterin-law) To Mrs Grace Isaiah, the first daughter-in-law of Pa Nda-Isaiah, Papa was more than a father to her.

“I knew Baba 18 years ago when his son, whom I was dating, officially introduced me to him. Baba has been a father to me since the day I met him.

“I can never forget his memories; we had sweet times together with him when he was alive.

“Baba was a very blunt person.

He predicted the sex of my four children before they were born.

Baba would tell stories and pray for me.

“When Papa was 79, I made a birthday cake for him and took it to him; he took the cake and said to me: ‘Even if you don’t want riches, you, your husband and my grandchildren are going to be extremely rich because you have taken care of me.’

“My friend that loved me so much is gone. I just pray that God will give each and every one of us in this family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“Baba was a very truthful person. I will miss his sincerity, a sincerity that I have never seen even in my own father. He would talk to me like a friend. His children took his sincerity as a habit.”

...He Was My Pillar - Somon Nda-Isaiah (Son) To Solomon Nda-Isaiah, the Entertainment Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspapers, the news of his father’s death came to him as a great shock.

“I received the news in the early hours of yesterday morning and I thought and believed that I was dreaming.

“I will ever live to remember him; he is a father anyone on earth will wish to have any time, any day.

He was my pillar. I can never forget the fatherly and wonderful advice that has really shaped my life and will continue to shape my life for the better. He really lived a fulfilled life. I pray that his gentle soul rests in perfect peace, amen,” said Solomon.

...He Was A Disciplined Father - Abraham (Son) To the managing director, LEAD-

...He Lived An Accomplished Life-Jonathan - Nda-Isaiah (Son) Mr. Jonathan Nda-Isaiah told our correspondent in tears that his father lived a fulfilled life while on earth.

“He lived an accomplished life and I am sure he is in a better place.

He left his footprints in the sands of time and we will forever miss him, his words of encouragement and prayers. Adieu, my father.”

Meanwhile, family members and friends of the Nda-Isaiah yesterday thronged the family house to sympathise with the family and pray for the peaceful rest of their late father.

NEWS 5

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Local Hunters Kill 75 One health tip daily Insurgents In Adamawa

LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100 Don’t count calories Keep your weight steady with a glycemic-indexdie (orlowGI) diet. When compared with other diets, the GI diet was the best of all for losing weight’ The diet ranks carbs according to their effect on blood glucose levels. Carbs with a low G Iscore produce only small fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin

levels, whereas high-GI foods cause a sudden sugar rush.

Avoid processed foods and ‘white stuff’ - white Consider installing a reverse osmosis water filter with an added carbon filter, which will remove everything. But since ‘everything’ includes minerals too, be sure to supplement.

FG, States Borrow N2.25trn As Debt Rises To N10.8trn

BY NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja The federal and state governments have in the last one year borrowed no less than N2.52 trillion, the latest data released by the Debt Management Of¬fice (DMO) has shown.

This value excludes the $1billion debt recently approved for the federal government for the purchase of arms to fight terrorism.

On a year-on-year basis, the nation’s total debt stock rose to $10.84 trillion as at September 30, 2014, compared to N8.32 trillion in September 2013.

Data on external and domestic debt profile for the country, obtained from the agency’s website yesterday, indicate that external debt for federal and state government’s rose from N1.28 trillion in 2013 to N1.48 trillion in 2014.

However, the federal government’s domestic debt remained on the same level of N7.65 trillion, bringing the sub-total to N9.13 trillion in 2013, compared to N8.32 trillion a year earlier.

The domestic debt profile of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which was not captured in 2013, accounted for the difference of N1.7 trillion in 2014 which saw the total debt profile rising to N10.84 trillion.

According to the DMO, the actual domestic debt stock for 34 states and the FCT, and the estimated stock for Ekiti and Bayelsa states as at end December,

Nigeria Needs N56bn For Vaccines

2013, were used to arrive at the September 2014 figure, an indication that actual figures at the end date are higher than the N1.7 trillion, since some states had accessed the capital market for bonds between January and September.

On a quarterly basis, the total debt has increased by over N800 billion in nine months, compared to N10.04 trillion recorded at the end of December 2013, and over N400 billion compared to the N10.43 trillion recorded as at June 30, 2014.

With the continuous fall in oil prices, which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official figures said stood at $83.12 per barrel as at end of October, $112.75 by end of December 2013, analysts have predicted that government would still borrow more in the last quarter of this year and first quarter of next year, more so as 2015 is an election year.

However, the federal government has maintained that the country’s debt profile is highly sustainable, particularly in view of the rebased gross domestic product which led to Nigeria emerging as the largest economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world.

The minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said that following the rebasing, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 19 per cent to 11 per cent while the tax revenue-to-GDP ratio dropped from 20 per cent to 12 per cent.

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Okeke, Abuja

Nigeria needs N56 billion for the purchase of vaccines between now and 2018 if it is to save additional 570,000 children’s lives by 2020.

This disclosure was made yesterday in Abuja during the commemoration

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola; Abu Nmodu, Minna and Abdullahi Umar, with agency report

The effort by Boko Haram insurgents to install a leader, or Amir, in Maiha town of Adamawa State following its annexation of the town has suffered setback as about 75 members of the sect were allegedly killed by a combined force of hunters and a local vigilante group who subsequently liberated the town.

Maiha local government had fallen into the hands of the insurgents on Monday after they launched an offensive which claimed the lives of several soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel while others fled.

Afterwards, local hunters and vigilante group mobilized themselves and took the war to the insurgents who were already basking in their easy victory.

The local hunters and vigilante group were reported to have overwhelmed the insurgents as they confronted the militants in their hundreds, killing dozens of the Islamists and recapturing the town.

They also vowed to repel any further attacks on their town.

A Maiha resident, Mallam Sani Pella, said that before the attack on the insurgents, he saw about 10 truckloads of the local fighters heading towards Maiha.

Another resident of the area, who affirmed that about 75 insurgents were killed in the battle, said there is no member of the Boko Haram sect anywhere in Maiha local government as they had all retreated to Mubi following the crushing defeat they suffered.

Another resident of Maiha told reporters in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, that the remaining residents who were trapped when the insurgents captured the town, have now started fleeing in their numbers in fear of reprisal by the insurgents.

Meanwhile, Islamic leaders in Adamawa State have distanced the religion from violence, saying that the reign of terror being perpetrated by the insurgents is un-Islamic as the aim of the religion is to foster peace and harmony among people.

The Muslim leaders, who said the violence being perpetrated by the insurgent group was not in any way connected to Islam, counselled the insurgents to stop attributing their wicked activities to Islam.

The Muslim leaders made this clarification during an interactive session with a team of officials of the United States Agency for International Devel-

of World Pneumonia Day which had its theme as “Universal Access for Pneumonia and Care.”

Speaking at the event, the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, asserted that given the significant burden of vaccine-preventable deaths, scaling up vaccine coverage must be given the desired attention.

COAS Kenneth Minimah

opment (USAID) led by its Mission Director, Mike Harvey.

Spokesman of the Muslim Ummah, Uztaz Dauda Muhammad Bello, said the activities of Boko Haram sect were at variance with the teachings of Islam and that Boko Haram’s association of Islam with violence was the height of deception.

The cleric dismissed the position of the insurgents that killing of non-Muslims was legal and insisted that Islam did not in any way condone mass killing, looting, destruction of property and abduction of innocent girls, saying that anybody who embraces these atrocities is a mere criminal and should be treated as such.

According to him, “Islam means a religion of peace and is concerned about promotion of peace among the Muslim Ummah and among the non-Muslims.”

He explained that there is no compulsion in the practice of Islam as being propagated by the Boko Haram insurgents, adding that the prophet, during his time, never forced anyone to become a Muslim.

In his submission, the public relations officer of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Adamawa State chapter, Uztaz Saidu Bobboi, also condemned the sect’s activities as not being in tandem with the teachings of the religion.

While delivering his speech, USAID Mission leader Mr Harvey sympathized with Nigerians for the unprovoked violence being perpetrated against them by the Islamist sect. ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

He said that there was the need to make appropriate budgetary provision for vaccines, and pledgedg to work with health authorities to ensure vaccine security, funding and sustenance.

“We will be a key player knowing that we have a key role to play in nation➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thursday, November 13, 2014

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8 NEWS

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Local Hunters Kill 75 Insurgents FROM PAGE 5

Harvey’s team, accompanied by the members of the American University of Nigeria community, led by its president, Professor Margee Ensign, later distributed relief materials donated by USAID to some internally displaced persons in the state capital.

Female suicide bomber injures 4 in FCE Kontagora A female suicide bomber yesterday detonated a bomb at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kontagora, Niger State, killing herself and injuring four students.

The students were said to be in lecture and examination halls.

Another report, however, claimed that about 10 students died in the blast.

It was further gathered that the bomb was detonated near the gate of the school, along the road between the school library, the school auditorium and the hostel hosting students who are undergoing various programmes run by the institution.

LEADERSHIP learnt that those injured were degree students who had just come out the examination hall.

One of the students told LEADERSHIP that “the incident occurred about 12: 45pm when we were in examination hall and some students were just coming out towards the area - maybe to do some photocopy of materials for their next exams - when the incident happened.

“We were all in shock and running helter-skelter because we didn’t know whether another one would explode; so many (students) abandoned their examination.”

Another student said: “We heard a loud noise from our examination hall. On coming out we saw the female bomber with detached body parts on the ground. Some students near the scene were affected.”

The Niger State police public relations officer, Mallam Ibrahim Abiodun Gambari, confirmed to LEADERSHIP. He, however, said that only the suicide bomber died at the spot while four injured students were being treated at Kontagora General Hospital.

He stated that from preliminary investigation, the target of the suicide bomber was the school library but that when she could not reach the facility, she decided to detonate the bomb.

Meanwhile, a student told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that some students died in the blast.

“At least 10 students were killed and several others injured. They have all been moved to the general hospital. We have all been asked to vacate the school,” a student said.

A lecturer, Andrew Randa, also told the BBC that he saw dead bodies, some of them decapitated.

“I heard a deafening blast and then there was pandemonium as people ran away from the scene; soldiers rushed to the college and sealed off the area,” he said.

The Niger State governor of, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has condemned the attack, describing it as dastardly and condemnable.

In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Israel Ebije, yesterday in Minna, the governor confirmed that the female attacker was the only fatality.

Aliyu urged people of Kontagora and, indeed, Niger State to remain calm as a full scale investigation had commenced, adding that the blast could not be linked to any terror organization yet.

He said the state government had already doubled the security presence in all schools in the state and had also set up a team to ensure the continuous screening of people in schools to prevent infiltrators.

Non-payment Of Salary: Leaders Of Protesting NASS Workers Arrested

BY EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE AND BODE GBADEBO, Abuja

National Assembly workers under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) staged a peaceful protest over unpaid salaries and accumulated allowances due to them at the lobby of NASS yesterday.

However, they were dispersed by policemen at the complex who whisked away some arrowheads of the protest for security breach.

PASAN members had ealier threatened to ground legislative activities at NASS over the delay in the payment of their October salaries. The threat notices were issued via a letter with reference No: PASAN/NASS-CHP/ CC/003 dated November 4, 2014 and signed by PASAN caretaker committee vice chairman, Stella Nwene and another ‘Internal Notice’ to all staff signed by publicity secretary, Godwin Kyepso.

LEADERSHIP gathered that hundreds of the legislative aides who served under the sixth National Assembly had already filed a suit before an Abuja High Court over the non-payment of their severance allowances while challenging what they called “untoward treatment” meted against them by NASS management.

Meanwhile, the current serv-

ing PASAN members were said to have in 2012 staged a peaceful protest over the non-implementation of the 25 per cent increment on their salaries every two years as stipulated in the Consolidated Legislative Salary Scale (CONLESS) which took effect from 2010.

The November 4 PASAN letter reads “I am directed to refer to the Notice to all staff by Comrade Bawa Mohammed led dissolved Executive Council, over the refusal of the management to pay October 2014 salary, with the claim the problem is associated with non-release of fund from the Federation Account.”

“We condemn the publication in its entirety and hereby call on members to disregard it for the following reasons: That the reason given by the dissolved Executive Council is fake, incorrect and misleading because funds have been released to the three arms of government from the federation account as can be verified from the Budget Office of the Federation.

“That the dissolved Executive Council cannot constitute themselves as the spoke-persons of the management against the objectives of the union as stipulated in Rule 5(a) of PASAN Constitution.

Brent Falls To 4-Year Low, Threatens 2014 Budget Emeka Umejei, with Agency Report

Brent crude fell for a third day, reaching a four-year low, Bloomberg reported.

“Brent slumped 2 percent to $80.04 a barrel, the lowest level since 2010,” said Bloomberg report.

“Oil futures in London fell for a third day amid signs OPEC members are resisting calls to lower output. The 12-member group, which next meets Nov.

27, is undecided on a production cut, Angola’s Deputy Oil Minister Anibal Octavio da Silva said yesterday. Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer, and Kuwait have signaled they’re unlikely to cut.”

The slump in Brent crude, which comprises a chunk of Nigeria’s oil export portend grave implication for the Nigerian economy considering that the 2014 budget oil benchmark is $77.50 a barrel. Additionally, the 2015 budget oil bench mark submit-

grammes in poor countries.

Graduating countries are those who have attained a GNI per capita above the GAVI eligibility threshold of $1,520.

Nigeria is currently at $2710 and, therefore, will begin graduating after the one-year grace period of 2015.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Mohammed Ado, has revealed that the country intends to freely distribute pneumococcal conjugate vaccine health facilities by December 15, 2014.

Jonathan

Nigeria Needs N56bn For Vaccines FROM PAGE 5

al budget,” he said, adding that once the country is able to eradicate polio, funds for polio could be used to fund the vaccine programme.”

While giving a caution about the introduction of vaccines, he said: “We must work with the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) to see which vaccines are compactable with our society before it is introduced.”

Earlier, the country programme leader of International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), Dr Chizoba Wonodi, in her pre-

sentation on new vaccine funding landscape and financing options, disclosed that with GAVI was gradually reducing its funding for vaccine purchase due to improvement in Nigeria economic status, adding that the country would need to fund its vaccine programme with over $340million by 2020.

She explained, “With the recent economic strides achieved in Nigeria, the country will graduate from GAVI support beginning from 2016.”

GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public, private partnership that supports vaccine pro-

“That their action is a violation of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria order that the Executive Council remain dissolved pending the determination of the suit No: NICN/ABJ/246/2014 instituted by the dissolved Executive Council seeking to restrain the Caretaker Committee from running the affairs of the chapter in line with PASAN constitution 2011, which the Court refused to grant.

“On the contrary, we are all aware that the management have decided to withhold our salary for the month of October for no justifiable reason.

“We therefore wish to humbly give the management 72 hour ultimatum beginning from today, Tuesday, 4th November 2014 to pay the salaries.

Failure to pay, all members are hereby directed to converge at the lobby of the White House on Tuesday, 11th November 2014 to demand for the payment of their salaries.”

The police at NASS, however, said they moved in to save the situation because the protesters breached security by staging a protest without permission even as there was internal squabbles in their organisation a subject of which is pending before a law court.

ted to the National Assembly under its 2015-2017 Medium Term Economic Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper is $78. This leaves the Nigerian economy in a danger zone.

However, Trade and Investment Minister, Olusegun Aganga recently told Bloomberg that through a coordinated approach between the monetary and the fiscal side of things, Nigeria can wade through the impact of the slump.

9

Thursday, November 13, 2014

INUWA ABDUL-KADIR, ESQ. (Magatakarda Babba) inuwa.abdulkadir@gmail.com

11th November, 2014 Hon. Attorney General of the Federation & Minister for Justice, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.

THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN CONTESTING ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OR BEING ELECTED FOR THE THIRD TERM I, very respectfully, crave your indulgence to raise a matter of urgent national interest for your consideration and possible intervention as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

It relates to today’s declaration of the intention of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to seek election again to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2015. This started in muted terms barely after a year or so after President Jonathan was re-elected and sworn into office. The situation became aggravated since the turn of this year in which we all have been witnessing more and more intrigues, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) setting the stage for the nomination of President Jonathan as its candidate for 2015 election.

A couple of weeks ago this drama was taken to a level unknown to any democratic principles and practice by the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party endorsing President Jonathan as its sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election in apparent disregard for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which limits the tenure of any person occupying the office to a maximum of 8 years.

To the chagrin of many patriotic Nigerians, President Jonathan was heard gleefully welcoming his endorsement and accepting same even when he knew or ought to know that such an act would contravene the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that he had sworn to uphold, protect, preserve and defend.

These and today’s declaration by President Jonathan now confirm that President Jonathan is poised to contest the election to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the third term.

My worries are the constitutional implications of such an act. Having regard to the provisions of sections 135(1) & (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, is President Jonathan yet qualified to contest or be elected to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming general elections?

I am talking from the following premiseThat President Jonathan was first elected and sworn into the office of President Federal Republic of Nigeria with late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua on May 29, 2007 in consonance with the combined effect of the provisions of sections 135(1) & (2), 142(1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That in the course of that term, President Jonathan by a fiat of the National Assembly was sworn in as Acting President following the prolonged absence of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua on health grounds. He acted as such for a period of about 3 months beginning from 9th February 2010 to 6th May 2010.

That upon the death of late President Yar’adua, President Jonathan was again sworn in as the substantive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in consonance with the provision of section 146(1) of the Constitution. This was precisely on 6th May 2010.

That term or tenure eventually expired on May 28, 2011 whereupon President Jonathan sought and was re-elected as President and sworn in for a second term on May 29th, 2011.

That the desire of President Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election is in contemplation of this term or tenure expiring on May 28, 2015.

Based on these facts, my humble view is that at the close of business on May 28, 2015 President Jonathan would have being in office for 8 years! This is what you get when you add up the 3 years late President Yar’adua and President Jonathan were jointly in the saddle and steering the affairs of this country plus the 8 months he acted as President on the fiat granted him by the National Assembly, plus the 1 year that he occupied the office with Vice-President Namadi Sambo before the election of 2011, plus the 4 years which would be expiring 28th May, 2015.

Precedents in this country since 1979 would demonstrate abundantly that the Nigerian constitutions (both 1979 and 1999) intend and, Nigerians understand it, that at any material time the duo of President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as Governor and Deputy Governor of a State in Nigeria enjoy a joint ticket and fate.

This is the reason why no person may be qualified for election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or Governor of a State without nominating another as his Vice President or Deputy Governor. This is also the reason why the disqualification or disability of either of the two persons occupying the office of President or Vice President or Governor or Deputy Governor automatically disqualifies or disables the other.

Section 142 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended refers.

1. In any election in which the foregoing provisions of this part of this chapter relates, a candidate for an election to the office of the President shall not be deemed to be validly nominated unless he nominates another candidate as his associate from the same political party for his running for the office of President, who is to occupy the office of the Vice President and that candidate shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office of Vice President if the candidate for an election to the office of President who nominated him as such associate is duly elected as President in accordance with the provisions aforesaid.”

2. The provisions of this part of this chapter relating to qualifications for election, tenure of office, disqualifications, declaration of assets and liabilities and oath of President shall apply in relation to the office of Vice President as if references to President were references to Vice President.”

To demonstrate this fact, may I recount the following political development/history in Nigeria since the so called second republic to date: (i) in 1979, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Rimi and Alhaji Bibbi Faruk were elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Kano State under the platform of the Peoples Redemption Part (PRP). Later in 1981 Alhaji Bibbi Farouk was impeached and one Alhaji Abdu Dawakin Tofa was appointed in his place;

(ii) In 1983, a few months to the Governorship election Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Rimi resigned to enable him join the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) and contest election to the office of Governor under that party and his deputyAlhaji Abdu Dawakin Tofa was sworn in as the Governor. Election was conducted that same year signifying the end of the composite term to which Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was first elected; (iii) In 1981, Governor Shehu Mohammed Kangiwa died and his deputy Dr Garba Nadama was sworn in; in 1983 election was held; signifying the end of the composite term to which Shehu Kangiwa was first elected; (iv) Also in 1980, Alh Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa was impeached as Governor of Kaduna State and his deputy sworn in. In 1983 governorship election was held signifying the end of the composite term to which Alhaji Balarabe Musa was first elected; (v) In 2002 DSP Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State was impeached and his deputy, now President Jonathan was sworn in as Governor. In 2007 President Goodluck Jonathan was nominated to run for election to the office of Governor of Bayelsa State but before the actual election he was nominated to the office of vice president. Election was yet held to signify the end of the composite term to which DSP Alamieyeseigha was first elected; (vi) Upon the demise of President Umaru Yar’adua, Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who was then the Governor of Kaduna State, was appointed to replace Goodluck Jonathan as Vice-President. Elder Patrick Yakowa, the then Deputy Governor, was sworn in to replace him as Governor. In 2011 elections were held in Kaduna signifying the end of the compsosite term which Arch Namadi Sambo was first elected.

The common feature in all these events is that fresh elections were held at the expiration of the terms for which Governors Abubakar Rimi, Abdulkadir Balarabe, Alh Shehu Kangiwa, DSP Alamieyeseigha, as well as President Yar’adua were variously elected. It was logical and lawful to do so because all and sundry understood and agreed that the terms which these erstwhile Governors or President vacated and were completed by those who took over from them were meant to be a continuous one and the same.

It is significant that none of the persons who took over and completed the terms of their predecessors in office who had resigned or was impeached or died, including the incumbent President Jonathan, insisted that he must be allowed to complete his ‘own’ four years term beginning from the date of his assuming that office before fresh elections could be held! Governor Jonathan, as he then was, was the Governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in 2003 before his nomination to the office of Vice President under late President Yar’adua.

Consequently, come May 28, 2015 President Jonathan would have exhausted the maximum time limit for any person to occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let me quickly remind that the Constitution does not contemplate that any person should occupy or remain in the office of a Governor of a State or President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a day longer than 8 years. This is the effect of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Marwa vs. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1296) P. 199 the facts of which are well known to you.

I like to draw your attention especially to the salient views expressed by their lordship at the Supreme Court on the tenure of Governors under section 180 which is identical to section 135 dealing with the office of the President. At page 280-281 of the said case the court per Onnoghen, JSC said – “From the language used in section 180 of the 1999 Constitution, it is very clear that the Constitution intended that a Governor of a State shall have a tenure of four years from the date he took the oath of allegiance and of office and nothing more, though he may spend less where he dies, resigns or is even impeached. In all, a governor has a maximum tenure of eight (8) years under the 1999 Constitution.

From the language of section 180(2) of the 1999 Constitution “the tenure of a governor shall be four years from the date …. ” when the person first elected under this constitution takes the oath of allegiance and of office which took place on 29th day of May 2007. It has been argued that the tenure of four years envisaged in the 1999 constitution is a single unbroken tenure but that submission loses sight of the glaring fact that the provisions of section 180(2) (supra) does not expect or envisage an indefinite occupier of the office of governor of a state that is why the tenure is very definite: four years” Speaking in the same vein Adekeye JSC, as page 362 said: “I must declare that in our interpretative capacity this Court does not require the amendment/alteration to section 180(2) of the Constitution to identify and declare the intention of the legislation as embodied in section 180(1) and 180(2) (a) & (b). Section 180(2) (2A) of the 1999 constitution has no effect on our stand on the constitutional poser….”

In his contribution on this issue of tenure for elected officers, Dahiru Musdapher JSC, (as he then was) at page 294 also expressed thus: “If I may briefly explain, supposing like Dr. Chris Ngige a person elected as governor holds office for 3 years before the election was nullified, he contest the re-run election and wins it and resume office for another 2 years, when the electoral tribunals again nullified the election and again ordered a fresh election which he wins again, it would mean that the person would have spent 3, 2, plus another 4 years thus making it 9 or to take it a step further it may mean he could continue ad infinitum. Clearly this is not the situation the constitution has intended it has only created tenure of 4 years no more” To cap it all, Onnoghen JSC in the concluding part of the lead judgement of the apex court in this case reiterated at page 286 that: “The time fixed by the Constitution for the doing of anything cannot be extended. It is

immutable, fixed like the rock of Gibraltar. It cannot be extended, elongated, expanded, or stretched beyond what it states. In the instant case, to calculate the tenure of the 1st respondent in the appeals from the date of their second oaths of allegiance and of office while ignoring the period from 29th May, 2007 when they took their first oaths was to extend the four years tenure constitutionally granted them to occupy and act in that office which would be unconstitutional.”

I earnestly believe that it was in your appreciation of this fact that, despite the absence of any consequential order by the Supreme Court in the case of Marwa supra after holding that the tenure of some Governors had expired, you as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation of Nigeria rose up to the occasion and gave a fiat to the Chief Judges of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Kogi and Sokoto States in 2012 directing that the Speakers of their State Houses of Assembly be sworn in as acting Governors and for fresh governorship elections to be conducted in those States.

Your timely intervention then had a most salutary and reassuring effect in those States and in Nigeria in general.

The purpose of this letter is to cause you to closely and objectively look into the unfolding political scenario, particularly the declared intention of the Peoples Democratic Party to field President Goodluck Jonathan for an unprecedented and unconstitutional third term and, in liaison with statutory regulatory bodies and others, take a patriotic stand on same before political parties conclude the nomination of candidates who would contest at the forthcoming presidential election.

Two reasons dictate that you do so now and with dispatch. Firstly, without at all intending to be patronizing, your timely intervention would afford the Peoples Democratic Party opportunity to field a qualified person as its candidate for the office of the President. Secondly, to avoid the enormous waste of fast dwindling national resources in conducting a presidential election with an unqualified person and the acrimony and tensions that results of such elections have been known to breed in Nigeria. Thirdly, your intervention would save the courts from the unwarranted trouble of having to be repeating itself on the same issues as were decided in the case of Marwa supra. Lest you forget, the Marwa’s case on which the Supreme Court gave interpretation of tenure was an appeal unusually pursued

by INEC against the judgement of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

No express consequential order was given by the Supreme Court as to the conduct of election but because the Supreme Court pronouncement became the Law with your good counsel, INEC almost immediately organised and conducted election in accordance with the Supreme Court judgement, in the four of the affected states except Kogi who had a Governor-elect and now one wonders why INEC should not give, at this juncture, clear notices of Elections as they did in 2011 by specifying states where elections will hold, and in view of the raging outcry about the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest in 2015 within the context of the Marwa’s case and also what will be the position of Governorship elections in Kaduna and Adamawa States? By May 28th, 2015 Ramalan Yero will be completing his composite tenure in which Patrick Yakowa was first elected, so also Bala Ngalari who was a couple of weeks ago sworn in as Governor of Adamawa State after the impeachment of Murtala Nyako Therefore, let me quickly say that I appreciate that this step which I urge upon you, is a most odious one and sound politically suicidal because you were appointed to the office of Attorney General of the Federation by President Goodluck Jonathan and would quite naturally not want to give any impression that you are anything but absolutely loyal to Mr. President.

However, you must constantly remind yourself or be reminded that you are more than just a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that this is a duty compelled on you by the same Constitution which the same President had on several occasions sworn himself to uphold, protect, preserve and defend.

It was Sir Wiston Churchill of Great Britain who said that “the optimist sees opportunity in every danger, the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity”. You do have the very rare opportunity of saving this country a lot of grief and rancour by the courage you bring to bear in the discharge of your duties and powers in the Nigeria of today!

At this point in our journey as a nation of diverse, but united people the Attorney General of the Federation need to use his very privileged position as the ‘conscience of the Nigerian law’ to give timely and objective advices and directives, as the case may be, to the duo of President Goodluck Jonathan and his sponsor, the People Democratic Party of which you are an exalted member as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to foist upon this great and promising country the ugly spectre of a third term.

As recent as in the days of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigerians in their millions have stated clearly their aversion to third term or elongation of tenure by whatever name or means called for any political office holder. The same Nigerians are still in the wings waiting and watchful and would again vehemently oppose any attempt or intrigues at recycling President Goodluck Jonathan as President for an unconstitutional third term.

From the consultations made by me, quite a large number of patriotic Nigerians share the views that I have expressed above although they may not have the character or opportunity to say so openly. Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, I repeat that it is more prudent to advise the Presidency which is presently under the firm grip and control of the Peoples Democratic Party not to field President Jonathan now than to defend him in a post election petition that is likely to follow if he is declared as duly returned as President for a third term.

I pray to Almighty Allah to give you the grace to appreciate the issues raised here and the courage to advise appropriately in order to save Nigeria and Nigerians further confusions, complications and disorientation.

INUWA ABDUL-KADIR, ESQ Magatakarda Babba

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stories of the Thursday, November 13, 2014

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

COUNTERFEITING: Man Bags 11 Years Imprisonment

By Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has secured the conviction of a middleaged man who specializes in counterfeiting various alcoholic drinks.

A statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja by the agency’s Director, Special Duties, Dr Abubakar Jimoh, said that the landmark judgment was delivered by the Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court PortHarcourt division, Justice R.M Aikawa who sentenced the accused person, Sunday Okeke, on a four-count charge of violating Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed Food Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr. Okeke was arrested at Orumumafi Mami Market of the Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt, for illegal production of fake and unregistered products like Bacchus tonic wine, King Edward, Centurion and Glen Garry Gold Blended Scotch.

After rigorous prosecution of the case

by NAFDAC’s legal team Okeke had his day in court when the presiding judge handed down the judgment on a four count charge with option of fine of 600, 000 (six hundred thousand naira) only.

This recent conviction has been hailed

by NAFDAC as very significant as it will send a strong signal to counterfeiters and fakers of the agency’s regulated products.

The judgment is also further testimony of the resolve of Dr. Paul Orhii’s leadership of the agency to rid Nigeria of criminals dealing in fake, substandard, unregistered NAFDAC regulated products.

Women pounding yam at an eatery near Kwali market, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO

BY OGOH JOSEPH

INFERNO: Infant, 2 Teenagers Die in Lagos House Fire

By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

Two teenagers and an infant of the same family were burnt to death yesterday when a fire razed a house at Jakande Estate in Mile-2 area of Lagos. The fire which started at about midnight, destroyed the top floor of block 56 at Jakande Estate where the two teenagers and infant lived.

A statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Public Relations Officer of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in

Lagos, yesterday said, “Two teenagers and an infant of the same parent were burnt to death in a fire incident that started around 12:30 a.m on Wednesday. “The fire service came to the rescue as soon as the incident was reported to the organisation,” the statement said.

Also, the director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said two fire trucks responded at the scene of the incident to douse the fire. He said that the names of the deceased were being ascertained, adding that the cause of the fire incident was being investigated.

LOVE FRAUD: Court Convicts Man For Internet Marriage Fraud OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja yesterday, convicted an Internet fraudster, Okediji Kabiru for defrauding three white women of about $9,190 under false pretence that he was going to marry them.

Kabiru, who pleaded guilty to the 11-count charge of Internet fraud and forgery brought against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was convicted of the crimes but would be sentenced by the court on December 10.

The EFCC through its counsel, Babatunde Shonaike, had accused Kabiru, who operated under fictitious names such as Jack Loper and Patrick Dempster, of obtaining various amounts in US dollars from the three women, Jozzet Helle, Debra Williams and Manual J. Silberge.

Shonaike had also claimed that

Kabiru told the women that the money represented payment for his wedding engagement with them.

The commission also accused Kabiru, who was said to have committed the crimes on January 30, 2014, of forging various documents to facilitate the cyber fraud.

Some of the documents as listed in the charge, numbered ID/234C/2014 include a Switzerland Regional Bid Registration Certificate, an entry visa into Nigeria with number 1055487, a Driver’s licence with number BDG70992AA4 in the name of one Emeka Johnson.

The accused was also said to have presented the forged Driver’s licence to Ecobank Plc in a bid to facilitate his obtaining money from the foreigners.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences were contrary to Sections 390, 363 and 318 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

While reviewing the facts of the case on Wednesday, the prosecutor told the court that the EFCC acted upon a petition dated February 14, 2014, which accused Kabiru and his syndicate, of scamming innocent people.

The lawyer also stated that the commission deployed its investigative team who apprehended Kabiru at Abule Egba, in possession of various items used to perpetrate Internet fraud.

The court on Wednesday admitted as exhibits, the various items tendered by the prosecution, said to have been recovered from the accused person.

The items include, a laptop, an Internet modem, two mobile phones, a GTB ATM card, a Switzerland Regional Bid Registration Certificate, an entry visa into Nigeria with number 1055487, a Driver’s licence with number BDG70992AA4 in the name of one Emeka Johnson and a Bank of America cashier cheque.

NABBED: Police Arrest Teenager Over Cable Theft In Osun

By JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

Nemesis caught up with 14-year-old Hassan Musa, when he was arrested by the Osun State Police command while allegedly stealing cable wires belonging to Machine Tools Company, Osogbo, Osun State.

The suspect was caught by police personnel attached to 39 Police Mobile Force who were on guard duty at the company’s premises along Ikirun Road, Osogbo on November 1, 2014.

He was not alone in his dastardly act as two other accomplices - Musa Aliyu, 21, and SalisuJero, 22, were also involved in the stealing of the cable wires said to value at three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N350,000).

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, DSP Folashade Odoro , the suspects were caught while digging and removing some underground cables suspected to be properties of the company.

Her words: “On 1st November, 2014, our personnel attached to 39 Police Mobile Force, Osogbo, on guard duty at Machine Tools Company along Ikirun Road, Osogbo, caught the men while digging and removing some underground cables suspected to be properties of the company”.

Odoro posited that further investigation is ongoing, saying that after the investigations, the suspects would be arraigned in court.

She noted that Osun State Police Command would never leave any stone unturned in nabbing and prosecuting criminals, stressing that there was no hiding place for them.

The PPRO attributed the achievement of the police in the state to the support of the people of the state adding that Osun is a nogo area for criminals.

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Thursday, November 13, 2014

day

Photo News

JAILED: Man Bags 6 Months For Assaulting Police

by JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

For assaulting a police officer, a 27-yearold-man, Hammed Afolayan, was yesterday sentenced to six months imprisonment by an Osun State magistrate court.

Afolayan was convicted on two- count charge of assault and unlawful conduct.

He was said to have conducted himself in a manner capable of causing breach of peace at Old Garage area of the state capital on November 4, 2014.

The charge sheet reads in part: “That you,Hammed Afolayan, on the 4th day of November, 2014, at Old Garage area, Osogbo, did unlawfully assault one woman Corporal, Ojeanor Elizabeth, attached to state traffic division, Osogbo while performing her duty, when you held her hand and pointed your hand on her

nose and thereby committed an offence.” “ You did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by standing on the highway and stopped all oncoming vehicles not to move.”

The police prosecutor, Mr. Isiaka Ajadi, said that the offences contravened the provision of Sections 356(2) and 509 of the criminal law.

He admitted to be tried by the court and when the charge sheet was read to him, he admitted guilty of the allegations levelled against him by the police.

Counsel to the convict, Mrs Muslimat Nagode, prayed the court to be lenient in sentencing her client by giving him an option of fine.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, thereby sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N5,000.

VANDALISM: 444 Cases Of Pipeline Vandalisation Ongoing – NSCDC

By Chika Okeke, Abuja

The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin, has disclosed that the command is currently handling about 444 cases of persons involved in pipeline vandalisation, saying that not less than 84 perons have been convicted in different places this year.

He stated this yesterday in Abuja during an interview with newsmen shortly after a roundtable discussion on ,“The Expectations of Security Agencies towards the Media and CSO regarding Elections” in Nigeria organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a German foundation sponsored by the German government towards promoting democracy, rule of law, socially and environmentally responsible market economy in more than 120 countries.

He said that the Nigerian Navy handed about 48 vandals from Rivers State

and another set from Bayelsa State to the Command this week insisting that the suspects were prosecuted immediately.

While calling on Nigerians to complement the efforts of the federal government and security agencies towards reducing tendencies capable of inciting violence in the country, he maintained that vandals operated in the creeks and riverine areas which has toughened the war against vandalisation.

Abolurin further pleaded with the media to synergize with security agencies in enlightening and educating the populace ahead of the 2015 general elections noting that such gestures would be helpful in reducing electoral violence.

On her part, the Country Representative of (KAS) Mrs Hildegard BehrendtKigozi expressed regret that the media had been harassed overtime while discharging their official duties even as she noted that security agencies had been misused by politicians during elections.

L-R: Former Kaduna State commissioner of justice, Barr Jonathan Adamu Kish, with APC presidential aspirant and founder, LEADERSHIP Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah, when the commissioner paid him a condolence visit at his family house in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo Gbenga Abiola.

L-R: Permanent secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Amb Abdulkadir Musa; minister of industry, trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga and vice president, Guild of Editors, Mr Steve Ayorinde, at the media workshop organised by the ministry for correspondents and editors in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE.

L-R: Project manager, Nigerian Road Safety Partnership, Eng Baba Gana Ibrahim; assistant corps marshal (FRSC), Shehu Alkali Zaki and assistant corps commander administrator, Nigerian Road Safety Partnership (NRSP), Mr Maurice Okoye, during Road Safety Competence Development workshop for Garki Community in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI

THEFT: Sales Boy Disappears With Master’s N130,000 In Delta

BY KOLA EKE-OGIUGO, ASABA

A sales boy indentified as Nwani (surname withheld) at the Konwea plaza business centre, Asaba, Delta State, has reportedly disappeared with his master’s N130,000 sales of two days.

Reports said the sales boy perfected his evil act when his master travelled to Aba to buy more goods for his store. It was gathered that the sales boy deceived his master’s daughter, an 18-year-old school leaver that he was going to buy food across the road when he allegedly disappeared.

Speaking to our correspondent, the

owner of the store, Mr. Benson Igwe, said the money (N130,000) was the sales for two days, adding that he left the money with him to pay some of the outstanding debts.

He said that after waiting for two days, he travelled to the sales boy’s home town of Enugu State, where the parents said they have never seen their son in the last one year.

According to him, “My daughter waited endlessly. As he did not return, he called my line and upon my return, I reported the matter to the police at the A Division where they are currently looking for him”.

L-R: Director-general, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Mallam Aminu Ladan Sharehu; public relations officer, Abdulahi Jibril; registrar, Hajiya Safiya Umar Balarabe, and director, Examination Reaseach and Academic Service, Dr Kolawole Adeola, at a press conference on the 4th NTI Summit in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo Gbenga Abiola

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

MISSING VEHICLE This is to notify the general public that a white-coloured Hyundai Sonata saloon car with registration number BWR 642 AH and chassis number KMHEB41BABA097759 belonging to LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group Ltd is missing. The vehicle was last seen with Hajiya Mariya Ibrahim Baba. Any person with useful information regarding the missing vehicle should please contact the nearest police station or LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group Ltd through this phone number: 07035782552 Signed: Management

news extra 13

Thursday, November 13, 2014

2015: Court Fixes December 1, For Jonathan’s Eligibility Case The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed December 1, 2014 for hearing in two different suits challenging the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to recontest in the 2015 general elections.

In the first suit, the plaintiffs, Mase Daphine Acho, Saeeq Umar Sarki (both lawyers) and Murtala Abubakar were also contending that Jonathan and Sambo were ineligible to be elected president and vice president respectively.

In the second suit filed by two politicians, Adejumo Ajagbe and Olatoye Wahab, they are asking the court for an order restraining INEC and the AGF from allowing Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo to seek reelection in 2015.

A similar suit had been earlier dismissed by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi formerly of the Abuja High Court.

Not satisfied with the judgement, the plaintiff in that suit, Cyriacus Njoku had approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.

By Kunle Olasanmi Abuja

Lamorde Advises Journalists Against Selective Reporting The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamorde has charged the media to improve the current narrative on the commission by paying attention to all cases being investigated or prosecuted by the EFCC. Lamorde who spoke at the opening of a one day workshop on “Effective Reporting of Financial Crimes” for journalists drawn from the five south eastern states at Enugu described as erroneous, the perception by a section of the media that the commission was maintaining a low profile.

He implored the media not to be selective in their choice of cases to report. “The current situation where media interest in corruption cases fizzles after arraignment is unhealthy. You must be prepared to track the trial of corruption cases as that will not only help in putting such matters in public consciousness, it will also be a disincentive for compromise by errant judicial officers.

“As I speak, the commission is investigating a case of fraud in an old generation bank.

By Ejike Ejike, Abuja

L-R : Emir of Minna, Umar Faruk Bahago; deputy governor, Hon Ahmed Musa Ibeto; former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Alberto Chissano and Niger State governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and the speaker, Barr Adamu Usman, during the commissioning of Bahago Drive, on the occasion of the governor’s 59th birthday in Minna, yesterday. PHOTO BY GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Synagogue : Fashola Approves Repatriation Of 54 Dead South Africans *Says Coroner Inquest Not Prosecution

by GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday approved the repatriation of 54 dead bodies of South Africans who were among the 116 that lost their lives in the Synagogue Church of All Nations Guest House collapse that occurred in Ikotun area of the state.

Fashola gave the approval yesterday at a meeting with dele-

gates of the South African government, amid complaints by the bereaved that the bodies were being held for too long.

He explained that his administration had no reason not to conclude all issues relating to the tragic incident in line with the South African culture and traditions but would rather prefer to ensure proper identification.

Fashola said, “We regret that this has happened here. Unfortunately, I have managed such issue during the Dana plane crash and I understand the anxiety of families who want closure and the religious undertone as well.

Our responsibility is to ensure that families get closure. And those culture exist here. I know that this is an issue that has attracted global attention.

“I understand the call by South Africans to get the bodies of their relatives but we cannot at this time get the process wrong because if we release a body, we want to ensure that each family takes the body of their relative.

It will be unpardonable for us to make mistake.

“And the choice of South Africa for the test was a special decision to make the process easier for South Africans who bore the

bigger brunt of the tragedy. So since the relatives were in South Africa, it was easier to use a laboratory in the country, where we could easily take samples from the deceased families for the test.

It was meant to further demonstrate what our intentions were.

“We have no reason to deny you the right to take those 54 bodies, you have my word, you can take them whenever you are ready to do so. It is left for you to decide whether to take them in batches or wait until we conclude the exercise. But if you are ready, my team will ensure that you take them without any delay.”

2015: Police Will Use Minimum Force – IGP

By CHIKA OTUCHIKERE Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has assured that the police would not apply excessive force during the 2015 general elections pledging that his administration would curb the malpractice among the rank and file.

Abba who spoke during the presentation of the Human Rights manual for policemen and Human Rights Desk Officers prepared with the support of the CLEEN Foundation, the Swiss Embassy and other foreign missions, said it would help officers and men of the force to know and respect the rights of Nigerians.

“This is not the first time human rights would be introduced by the police but in addition to past efforts, every officer will be given a manual to guide them, every policeman would get a copy. Excessive use of force

must be curtailed and we seek the cooperation of members of the public to achieve this.”

Abba stated that human rights would be introduced into the curriculum of all police training colleges nationwide and acknowledged that the Force had always grappled with human rights issues which he said, necessitated the setting up of human rights desks at all divisional police stations.

The police boss who fielded questions from journalists on the controversy over the role of the police in the ongoing fight against insurgency, stated that the Force had always been part of the war against terrorism, noting that policemen were involved in holding liberated areas, and investigation into bombing incidents.

He however said that he had not been briefed on reports that riot po-

lice operatives led the mission to rescue the homeland of the chief of defence staff. .

DSS Tackles Rivalry Among Security Agencies The Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced a series of training for personnel of the various security organisations in the country aimed at ending unhealthy rivalry among operatives of the agencies toward providing adequate security for the 2015 general elections.

The director general of the service, Mr Ita Ekpeyong who was represented by the director in charge of Training and Staff Development, Mr A.S. Adeleke, stated this yesterday during a presentation at the start of a two-day seminar on “Security and Electioneering Governance in Nigeria: Building an Inclusive Future”, organised by the American Society of

Industrial Security (ASIS) International, ASIS, Abuja chapter.

“It is training basically aimed at creating synergy among security agencies. so that planning operations for the elections would be easier. Election security is very crucial to us.

What we are doing now as a service is to create a sort of synergy among all the security agencies in the country.

“The trainings will address unhealthy rivalry and create harmonious relationship among the various security personnel and make them to know what to do during the election,” Adeleke said.

Adeleke also said that the service was already providing security for the INEC officials involved in the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) across the country, saying that the pre-election security was equally crucial.

14 News north-central

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Navy Vows To Maintain Maritime Security and maritime security as vital component of security and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Ad- coupled with changing intermiral Usman Jibrin, has vowed national maritime politics. He that the Navy would maintain said the conference will help in Nigeria’s maritime security. contributing to socio-economic He also said that the Navy’s development in Nigeria amidst annual conference is geared to- emerging security challenges. wards capacity building of its Vice Admiral Usman, assured personnel in improving opera- that the conference aside taking tional efficiency. stock of its performance would The conference, Vice Admi- proffer workable solutions to L-R: National coordinator of Vision One Empowerment Initiative, Partners of Ibom Future Leaders Forum, Comrade ral Usman noted is geared to- any noticed short coming of Emmanuel Johnny presenting an award of Pillar of Transformation to a member House of Representatives, Hon. Gibson wards a periodic assessment the Navy.

Nathaniel at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO. of the Navy on its role in the Usman who said the nation’s transformation agenda of the economy rest with the Nigerian present administration and to Navy, assured of a clear vision review its strategies for the fu- for the 21st century. He disture. closed that the strategic manSpeaking with journalists yes- date of the Navy is geared to- BY SOLOMON AYADO, Makurdi in the agrarian state. Adeniroye ic schools, 20 are from fishing terday he noted that the confer- wards shaping and advancing was speaking when he paid a communities while 23 are pasence is important with the na- the transformation agenda of The executive secretary of the courtesy visit to Governor Ga- toralists and but that 14 pastotion relying so much on its sea President Goodluck Jonathan. National Commission for No- briel Suswam who was repre- ralists schools are currently not madic Education (NCNE) Prof. sented by his deputy, Chief Ste- functional as the nomads have Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye ven Lawani. migrated due to crisis between said yesterday that 3,592 pupils According to him, the current herdsmen and farmers in the have been enrolled into nomad- enrollment of the pupils is in the state.

Lamido ‘ll ic schools that were established 29 functional schools at MakurThe secretary lamented the KWARMA in Benue State. di and Katsina-Ala towns.

He poor infrastructural facilities Defect to Flags Off Adeniroye stated this yester- said the pupils consist of 1985 in the schools and appealed for APC After day in Makurdi after the conclu- males and 1607 females respec- assistance from government to Rehabilitation sion of monitoring exercise of tively.

2015 provide operational vehicles to Of Pothole A Federal High Court in Lo43 nomadic schools established He said, out of the 43 nomadfacilitate effective monitoring.

Ridden Roads koja was yesterday asked to – Aspirant commit to prison the chair- A governorship asThe Kwara State man of the Independent Na- pirant from Jigawa Road Maintenance tional Electoral Commission State, Abba Anas AdAgency (KWARMA) (INEC),Prof. Attahiru Jega, amu has alleged that has commenced the for contempt of court.

Jigawa State govrepair of some potCounsel to the Olama- ernor Sule Lamido holes ridden roads boro local government area will dump the Peoin Ilorin, the state and 18 others, Alh. O. On- ples Democratic Par- BY WINIFRED OGBEBO , And VICTOR million and that is a lot of mon- the massive partnerships that capital in order to oja Esq in a suit asked that ty (PDP) for the All OKEKE, Abuja ey. That is one of the US gov- these two countries have togethmake them motorthe INEC chairman be com- Progressives Congress ernment’s biggest health pro- er. This partnership for me means able.

The United States Ambassador grammes anywhere in the world,” that the US is not going to do anymitted to prison over his (APC) after 2015 elecThe generrefusal to restore the Ogu- tion. Adamu, who to Nigeria, John Erstwhile says Erstwhile said. thing for Nigeria but we are goal manager of the gu state constituency with- made the disclohis government is committing According to the diplomat, ing to do things with Nigeria, agency, Engr. Usin the Kogi State House of sure after he submit- over $600 million to Nigeria’s “When I look at our huge part- working together as two equals man Baba JubiAssembly. ted his governorship health sector through its many nerships, you think of no sector to make the world a better place.” rl who spoke while The plaintiffs/appli- forms at the nationagencies and programmes.

Erstwhile explained that all of with real impact than the health cants in Suit No: FHC/LKJ/ al secretariat of the inspecting the reErstwhile stated this yesterday sector. If you look at the number these things are having incrediCS/19/2014 are seeking PDP in Abuja yeshabilitation of Agwhen he visited the supervising of issues we are working togeth- ble impact on the lives of Nigerithe committal of the INEC terday, added that ba-Dam road, Ilorin, minister of health, Dr Khaliru Al- er on Ebola, Polio, Malaria, HIV/ ans; citing their experience at the said the agency was chairman to prison over his Lamido is only bidhassan.

AIDS, maternal/new born health, Reference Hospital in Kano. “We refusal to obey an earlier ding time pending determined to make “If you add up all the US gov- the list goes on. visited these young mothers who court order for the restora- his successful imposi- ernment’s health activities in all roads motorable “As I travel around this marvelwere HIV positive, and then we tion of the Ogugu state con- tion of a candidate in in the state.

Nigeria, it come to over $600 ous country, I always talk about got to hold their babies. stituency. the state.

Other roads listJustice P. Ayua had in a He said “Lamido ed for repair include judgement he delivered on will defect to the opCBN/Ola-Olu, Ilofthe 29th September, 2014, position after he infa and Emir’s road. ordered the restoration of stalls the candidate Jubril said that the the “suppressed Ogugu state of his choice to sucagency was embark- constituency”. ceed him. ing on aggressive

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Counsel to the OlamaHis fear is that if NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, has ers to immediately vacate the road rehabilitation Okeke, Abuja boro local government area he should leave the threatened to ‘cure the cause of premises of the agency. to reclaim the damand 18 others, in Form 49 party now, his candiTo this end, all NAFDAC officthe strike’ by stopping all training aged road. , pointunder Order IX Rule 13 ap- date will not emerge Workers of the National Agency programmes for NAFDAC work- es at the seaports, land ports, airing out that in the for Food Drug Administration ers as such claims to unpaid al- ports have been shut indefinitely. plied for the court order for and I will take over. and Control (NAFDAC) under lowances emanate from travels next three weeks, all committal to prison of the That is why he is He said “All other offices of the Medical and Health Work- for trainings. the identified roads INEC chairman for having waiting to ditch the NAFDAC remain closed. It is not would be in proper disobeyed the order of the party after his candi- ers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) Declaring an indefinite strike a warning strike. It is not JOHEyesterday embarked on a nation- at the premises of the agency in SU (strike). Workers can only recondition. court. date emerges.”

Lagos, the State Chairman, MH- sume when their 2012 and 2013

By Abdullahi

By Chibuzor wide strike.

But the Director-General of WUN, Stephen Ibe directed work- salary arrears are paid.

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja Olesin, Ilorin Ukaibe, Abuja

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

NCNE Enrolls 3,592 Nomadic Pupils In Benue

short news

LG Boss, Others File Contempt Proceedings Against Jega

short news

US Committing Over $600m To Nigeria’s Health Sector – Ambassador

NAFDAC Workers Strike: DG Threatens To Stop Training Programmes

Thursday, November 13, 2014

business

NEWS/BUSINESS 15

N11.250trn Amount at which Market Capitalisation closed today

Aganga Seeks More Investment In Agric, Solid Minerals

By Samson Echenim, Lagos

The minister of trade and investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, has called for greater investment in the agricultural and solid minerals sectors of the economy, saying that dedicated policy implementation and consistency are needed for the successful execution of the nation’s Industrial Revolution Plan (IRP).

The minister, who said this at the FBN Capital’s 4th Annual Investor Conference held in Lagos, yesterday, also stressed that the country must diversify its economy to achieve the IRP. He lamented that agriculture as a sector was still operating below its potential as the “nation’s land could grow just about any type of crop ranging from tomatoes to cotton. And

we have 44 solid minerals that we can focus on,” he added.

“It is achievable. All we need is consistency and implementation. We have already drafted plans in some areas and we have identified seven areas that can make this plan successful,” he noted.

On doing business in Nigeria, Aganga said though the World Bank ranked the country higher, the nation was still not where it should be.

“That is not where I want us to be. By next year, I want us to rank higher. We are delighted that we have made progress but we should be far higher,” he said.

He said the ease of starting business in Nigeria would be further improved as the ministry was working towards online

registration of businesses.

Also speaking at the conference, the minister of communication technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said her ministry was working with other government agencies to move the ministry forward as the ICT sector is strategic, significant and important.

“There are changes in the sector but nothing has reached critical mass. Voice has reached critical mass but there is still so much to do. We are making progress on internet penetration, that is reaching critical mass, but again, there is a ton of work to do,” she said.

Moving forward, she highlighted high expectations over the next six years.

“We expect there to be more than 100 per cent mobile penetration. We expect many more Nigerians to connect to the internet and

have better speed. We expect lot more relevant content which will compel more people to get on the internet,” she said.

She also highlighted that that there should be improved IT in government by 2020 as that is one of the areas experiencing challenges. IT has to be better felt by businesses, hence there is an anticipation of bigger presence of government on the internet.

The managing director/chief executive officer of the FBN Capital, Mr Kayode Akinkugbe, said, his company was pleased to host senior representatives from the public sector who had led the effort to regenerate some of these emerging sectors, in addition to key operators from the private sector involved in manufacturing and technology among others.

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)

Transactions Remain Upbeat On NSE

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Equity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday ended on positive note for the third consecutive day.

The All-Share Index appreciated further by 296.73 basis points or 0.88 per cent to close at 33,967.48 against the 33,670.75 achieved on Tuesday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation rose by N98 billion to close at N11.250 trillion compared with the N11.152 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

Nigerian Breweries Plc topped the gainers’ table by N8.09 to close at N164.98 per share. Seven Up followed with a gain of N7.08 to close at N148.83, while Forte Oil gained N5.34 to close at N207.99 per share. Cadbury chalked up N3.92 to close N42.30, while Mobil gained by N3.50 to close at N165

per share.

Seplat topped the losers’ chart for the second day, shedding N25.42 to close at N483.11 per share. Nestle trailed with a loss of N15 to close at N910, while Flourmill shed N2.78 to close at N52.64.

Guinness lost N1.32 to close at N163.68 per share and Champion Breweries declined by 96 kobo to close at N8.98 per share.

The volume of shares traded also appreciated by 6.8 per cent with 299.912 million shares worth N7.6 billion traded in 6,120 deals. This was against the 280.704 million shares valued at N3.74 billion exchanged in 5,118 on Tuesday.

Continental Reinsurance emerged the most traded stock with 39.87 million shares worth N35.5 million. UBA followed with 24.9 million shares valued at N130.4 million, while FBN Holdings exchanged 22.2 million shares.

Arik Air chairman, Sir J.I.A Arumemi-Ikhide (middle) presenting a gift to the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Fulvio Rustico (right), when the Ambassador paid a courtesy visit to the airline on Monday.

MDGs: ‘Post 2015 Agenda Will Ensure Global Success’

BY Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

A former chief economic adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo and past president of the Nigerian Economic Council (NES), Chief Philip Asiodu has said that adopting a post 2015 development agenda will ensure a domestic and global environment for success.

Asiodu made the assertion in his keynote address at the 55th Annual Conference of

the Nigerian Economic Society with the theme ‘Post 2015 Global Development Agenda: Nigeria’s Engagement and Roadmap for Early Delivery.”

He said the theme of this year’s conference “is very important for Nigerians and Africa as a whole as it seeks to complete the unfinished agenda which the MDGs could not finish and also address new developments in which they did not fore see.”

The post-2015 development agenda is an initiative of the United Nations secretarygeneral to initiate thinking on efforts to accelerate the MDG progress. Asiodu hoped the post-2015 agenda will contribute to bringing about change of attitude in all sectors and society for the interest of a broad range of people and the mass of the people around the continent.

Speaking earlier the minister of national planning and deputy chairman, National

Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Abubakar Olarewaju Suleiman, said the theme of this year’s event is consistent with President Jonathan’s transformation agenda which is aimed at ensuring inclusive growth.

The minister, who was represented by the director, Macroeconomic Analysis, NPC, Mr Babatunde Lawal, acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded considerable progress in the face of its insecurity challenges. He said the NES is setting the pace for this year’s

conference with intellectual discuss by providing platforms for Nigerian economists to contribute to the economy and provide policy advice.

He reiterated the commission’s support and readiness to work with the NES and ensure that Nigera’s Vision 20:2020 is achieved and the objectives are actualised.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

16 NEWS/BUSINESS

Thursday, November 13, 2014

BoI Accredits PRODA As Cottage NDIC Takes Safe Money Campaign To Corpers Fund Equipment Supplier

by Bukola Idowu and Samuel Abulude, Lagos

BY Olushola Bello, Lagos

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has accredited Projects Development Institute, Enugu, as one of the technology centres to fabricate and provide equipment for beneficiaries of its N5 billion Cottage Fund.

The institute was originally the Projects Development Agency (PRODA) under the defunct east-central government but later became a research institute under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), now the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, but still retains the acronym PRODA. The managing director, BoI, Rasheed Olaoluwa, during a visit to the institute in Enugu, disclosed that it was part of a deliberate plan and strategy to link centres of innovation with industry as a similar visit had been paid to the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos.

“This is a journey. We have been to the FIIRO and are now at PRODA. I think you should watch out for more. Nigeria, in the past, had invested significantly in a lot of research

institutes that have done a lot of work and we need to ensure that those works are commercialised and leveraged by the private sector to ensure that we fast-track Nigeria’s industrialisation. And some of these technologies include the cassava processing equipment, corn flour equipment, the palmkernel cracker and oil extractor, among others,” he said.

He noted that in addition to the agro-processing equipment production, PRODA also had other technologies such as equipment for producing pencils, which if actually commercialised, will make Nigeria the only country in Africa that produces pencils.

In his response, the acting director-general of the institute, Charles Agulanna, said, “This visit is a window for the institute to start to impact positively on the economy of the country.”

He noted that the institute was pleased to be given the opportunity by the BoI to help people who were involved in the cottage or other industrial setups to obtain funds for their industries as only established outfits could create direct and indirect jobs for others.

33% Pension Increase Excites Pensioners

By Michael Oche, Abuja

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expressed its gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan over implementation and payment of the long-awaited 33 per cent pension increase which the union had been pressing for since 2010, following the upward review of the minimum wage to N18,000.

The union, in a statement by its national president, Abel Afolayan, also urged the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to redouble its effort in addressing other outstanding challenges facing the federal civil service pensioners which bordered on irregularities in the assessment of their pensions.

Afolayan, in the statement, acknowledged the effort and support of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, who took it upon himself to ensure the realisation and actualisation of this dream for pensioners.

The statement read in part, “We would also like to commend the unwavering effort of all other stakeholders who had contributed in one way or the other to ensure this implementation, particularly the immediate past minister of labour and productivity, Emeka Wogu, the director-general PTAD, director, General Budget office, the immediate past Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, and the incumbent Head of Service of the Federation. Also worthy of appreciation is the coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for releasing the fund to kick-start the payment.

“However, having appreciated you all, we wish to pause here and say that it is not yet “uhuru” until the inherent arrears of the 33 per cent from 2010 to September 2014 are paid, and we are anxiously looking forward to its being captured in the 2015 budget as promised and assured by the SGF on behalf of the Federal Government.”

In order to allay the fears of Nigerians, particularly the younger generation on the safety of money lodged in Nigerian banks, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has taken the safe money campaign to the National Youth Service Corps members.

The agency was the guest of thousands of youth corps members at an Orientation Camp in Sagamu,

Ogun State, on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, the chief examiner of the NDIC, Mallam Yanyangida Umar, urged the corps members to practise wise savings and have confidence in the banks even as they begin a new life of building their careers.

“As young people that is about to begin new lives and careers, there is need to be aware that government, through the NDIC, guarantees the security of your money in the banks. We want to convince you

that it is safer to keep money in these banks and educate you on the safety of your money should any of the banks go under or get liquidated. We encourage you to carry the message of the agency that your minimum deposit of up to 250,000 is safe and that there no need to worry about whether you’ll lose them to everywhere you go. The NDIC is in charge of your money and concerned about the interest of the bank depositor,” he said.

L-R: Former president, Nigerian Economics Society (NES), Prof. Akin Iwayemi; first lady fellow, Prof. Christiana Okojie and the two former presidents of the NES, Professor Sam Olofi and Professor Mike Obadan, during the stakeholders meeting of the NES in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

FG Approves N100.2bn For Roads, Infrastucture In Rivers, FCT

By George Agba, Abuja

The federal government, yesterday, approved sundry contracts for road construction and infrastructural development in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the tune of N100.2 billion.

According to the approval made at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, the sum of N43.86 billion was doled out in favour of Messers Reynolds Construction Company for the upgrade of the Section III of the 15km East-West Road, from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction Road in Rivers State, while N56.2 billion was earmarked for the upgrade of infrastructure in the FCT.

Briefing journalists after the weekly FEC meeting, the supervising minister of information, Mohammed Nurudeen, said work is expected to be completed under the period of 18 months.

He said it has been established that when the original contract for the dualisation of the East West Road Section III (Port Harcourt to Eket) was awarded in 2006, the 15km section between Port Harcourt and Onne Port Junction which was dualised in 1999, was in fair condition and was therefore not included in the major reconstruction.

“This critical road also leads to the strategic Onne Free Trade Zone where 15 companies worth a total $6billion USD are located. The overall cost of the project was also

extensively deliberated upon with a projection to build six bridges, an anticipated axial load and pavement section a,” he noted.

The minister also hinted that following a memo by the FCT minister, the FEC approved the upward review of the contract sum for the provision of engineering infrastructure at Wuye district in favour of Messers Arab Contractors Nigeria Ltd, to the tune of N3.4, thereby revising the contract sum from N39,68 trillion to N43 trillion.

This, he said, was to accommodate the construction of a flyover bridge at Wuye District, the interaction of Arterial Road N1/Ring Road 1 being the Nnamdi Azikiwe Road as an additional work to the contract with an additional completion period of 20 months.

news north-East, north-west 41 More Groups Join Planned AntiSambo Protests

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Bad Leadership Fuelled Insurgency In North East – Adamu Waziri

By AMINA ALHASSAN AHMAN, Abuja

Former minister of police affairs and member Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri has blamed the rising Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the North East region on accumulated poor leadership from successive governments from 1999 till date.

He also chided those who recently went to court asking for the removal of the national chairman of

PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu describing them as anti-democratic elements who were hell bent on truncating the relative peace the party is enjoying now and may be playing the script of the opposition APC. “Because there is desperation, the only thing is to sponsor faceless people to see whether they can destabilise PDP and recover lost grounds.

That is why they have come out trying to destabilise our game changer, somebody who has restored leadership and hope. I feel our national

chairman who has had eight years stint as state chief executive and was adjudged as one of the best that time is the best thing that has happened to our party,” he said.

Waziri, an aspirant to the Yobe State Government House, blamed the rising Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the North East region on accumulated poor leadership from successive governments from 1999 till date saying that the bad leadership was empirically backed by acclaimed data collec-

tion and management institutions which posited that these states have become the backwater of Nigeria’s economy with endemic poverty, pervasive illiteracy, and poor infrastructural development.

The PDP chieftain who spoke to journalists in Abuja insisted that only infrastructural development, youth employment and efforts by the leadership of these states to reduce corruption and run inclusive governments will be the panacea to the crisis bedeviling the region.

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (centre) condoling with one of the bomb blast victims in Bauchi, yesterday.

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M4D Promotes Good Governance In Jigawa Mobilisation For Development (M4D) has launched the disbursement of Participatory Community Monitor System to community based organisations in Jigawa State to promote good governance and effective service delivery through public participation.

Speaking at the flag-off of the programme the state programme manager, Dr Ibrahim Haruna Gombe said, the project is aimed at creating public accountability.

By Muh’d Zangina Kura

NTI To Graduate 56,235 Teachers – DG

By Isaiah Benjamin, Kaduna

The National Teachers Institute (NTI) is set to graduate 56,235 trained teachers in various fields, the director general of the institution, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu has said.

Sharehu who stated this while addressing a press conference preparatory to the institution’s convocation and Bi-annual Teachers Summit added that students of National Teachers Certificate, Advance Diploma in Education and Post-Graduate Diploma in Education are going to be convocated.

He said, 37,235 students of

PGDE, 18,831 of NCE and 146 students of Advance Diploma in Education will be graduating.

Dr. Sharehu further absolved teachers trained by the institution of any blame regarding poor quality of teachers, arguing that, various state governments should be blamed for not embracing a federal government institution like NTI because of politics.

He said, most state governments who are rejecting NTI products are only playing politics because they have established their state colleges of education and preferred to employ their products rather than that of the NTI.

He lamented therefore that, “most third world countries when somebody is competing with you he would resorts to condemning you rather than showing his expertise so that people would patronise him, but they would not do that, rather they would attack and critized you.”

Sharehu said NTI has the same entry criteria with other institutions, and all students admitted into the institutions must have that entry requirement before they are admitted.

He further said that their facilitators were about the best in the country who are produced by the Nigerian universities and other institutions.

No Anointed PDP Aspirant In Kano – Murtala’s Son

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Son of former head of state, Murtala Mohammed and governorship aspirant, Abba Mohammed, yesterday declared that he is not aware that there is an anointed aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State.

He nonetheless said the PDP is united and formidable enough to beat the ruling All Progressives

Congress(APC) in the state.

He stated this at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja after he returned his nomination and expression of interest forms.

He said, “PDP is very formidable and I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that PDP will win the election in Kano State. If I was not convinced I will not have been aspiring on the platform of the PDP. We will deliver Kano State to PDP come

2015 insha Allah,” he stressed.

Abba, who was a former special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on International relation and privatization, further dismissed insinuations of any preferred candidate in the Kano gubernatorial race on the platform of the PDP and stressed that the leaders of the party are guided by the interest of the state and would allow for a level playing field.

short news Jalingo Residents Decry Poor State Of Roads Residents of Jalingo, Taraba State capital have decried the poor condition of the township roads in the capital city, describing the roads as death traps.

A resident of the Magami area who spoke to LEADERSHIP stressed that the old Magami road which is one of the oldest roads in the state capital was like a foot path but was given to a construction company called Speed Engineering.

By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

Hours after President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration to seek re-election in 2015, two women groups say they would join the initiative of the Northern Emancipation Network to persuade him to drop his current vice, Namadi Sambo from the ticket.

The Women for Progress and Change and the All Women Club for Goodluck, said in a press statement yesterday, that Vice President Sambo is no more than a political liability and unnecessary electoral baggage as far as President Jonathan’s chances with the northern voters were concerned.

The statement jointly signed by leaders of the two groups Hajiya Maryam Lele Maina and Miss Brigette Kantiok Yahaya respectively, said Mr Jonathan’s chances with the northern voter would suffer if he insists on going into the 2015 race with Sambo in tow.

“Without any fear of contradiction, we wish to state that the current VP has not in anyway improved the political fortunes of President Jonathan and the PDP in any part of Northern Nigeria.

By Paul Uwadima, Abuja

Katsina Guber: Sen Yar’Adua Declares, Places Premium On Human Devt The senator representing Katsina central, Sadik Yar’Adua, has formally declared his intention to run for the governorship position of the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the promise to focus on human capital development.

At the declaration rally, which was held at the ancient town of Daura, Yar’Adua said he would follow the legacies of credible leaders like General Muhammadu Buhari and ensure poverty alleviation, if he is elected as governor.

Yar’Adua stated that he was in the best position to represent the APC in next year’s governorship election in the state assuring that the party would have no regret fielding him as its flag bearer.

“As a grassroots mobiliser and political leader, and one who staunchly believes in the ethos of social welfarism in governance, I shall ensure I accord topmost priority to the welfare of the people because government exist to serve the people,” he enthused.

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

42 news Lagos INEC Registration: APC Leader Laments Shoddy Exercise All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Yaba local government area, Alhaji Shakirudeen Farayola has lamented the shoddy registration exercise of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and warned the commission not to disenfranchise Nigerians.

Speaking to newsmen at one of the polling units in Yaba yesterday, he said, “If INEC does not want to disenfranchise people, it should re-adjust and improve on its inefficiency, because Nigerians are skeptical about the 2015 general elections. There are no INEC officials in any polling unit in our area”.

The party chairman maintained that INEC was supposed to start a new registration exercise in virtually all polling units that have been considered zero unit.

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Keyamo Writes Jonathan Over Threat From Tompolo

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Lagos base lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo has written another letter to President Goodluck Jonathan alleging threat to the lives of Chief Ayiri Emami and Chief Thomas Ereyitomi from Ugborodo Community in Warri South/West Local Government Area of Delta State.

In the letter dated Wednesday, November 12, 2014 and titled; “Threat to stop the ground breaking of the EPZ Project In Escravos: A call to rise above ethnic Considerations, Keyamo alleged that “certain

individuals from Gbaramatu Kingdom led by one High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) - who also recently threatened to kill me - have ganged up to give your Excellency certain conditions upon which you can be allowed to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the Escravos Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Project located in Ugborodo on Friday, November 14, 2014.”

Keyamo further stated in a letter signed by him that one of such conditions is that the name of the project which has since been known and referred to by its location, that

is Ogidigben (which is an Itsekiri community) must be changed to include the name “Gbaramatu” (an Ijaw community), which is a community that has nothing to do with the present location of the EPZ Project.

He said “the Ogidigben people are proud of the great people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, and are not in any way denigrating them, but there is no point renaming a project after a city that does not host such a project. It makes no sense.

Unfortunately, these elements who foment trouble constantly ride on your back as “an Ijaw man” to

make their claims. The president should rise above such mundane sentiments, and be the President of the entire country and not just the President of Gbaramatu Kingdom. Happily, the Delta State Government has graciously intervened and decided that the name of the project would be “Delta Gas City” which bears no colouration of any tribe, but surprisingly, those who claim to be your “brothers”, (to the exclusion of the rest of us), have rejected this middle-ground approach to the debacle and have threatened fire and brimstone unless you accede to their demand.”

short news Health Workers Shut NAFDAC Offices Over Poor Working Conditions

MultiChoice Builds 10 Resource Centres In Lagos Schools MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading payTV operator, has inaugurated 10 additional resource centres in public schools in Lagos to boost academic learning and improve students’ knowledge of science and the environment.

This brings the total number of the resource centres in the state to 18.

Each benefitting school receives a television set, high definition personal video recorder (HDPVR) decoder, generating set, complimentary subscription to DStv education bouquet, which contains BBC World, BBC Knowledge, National Geography, Animal Planet, National Geography Wild, History Channel, Learn and ED channel, as well as facilities such as chairs and tables, among others.

By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

UNILAG ASUU Protests Against Poor Working Conditions Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka chapter, yesterday staged a peaceful protest over what they called harsh working conditions, accusing the management of failing to implement the contents of the agreement reached by both parties.

They warned the management against further foot-dragging on the implementation of the contents of its agreement.

The union’s chairman, Dr Adelaja Odukoya said the working conditions of staff on the campus are hostile and discouraging for proper teaching and learning, adding that many of their colleagues had not been promoted in the last six years.

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos, protesting against their poor conditions of service at the University of Lagos Campus in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Terrorism: Fashola Blames FG For Boko Haram Activities

By GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola yesterday heaped the blames of insurgency that has led to the death of many people in the country at the doorsteps of President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government, saying its failure on security was responsible for the Boko Haram sect’s takeover of some parts of the country.

The governor said this at the monthly Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme’s (LagosHOMs) draw held at LTV 8 compound in

Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said Nigerians handed the country over to Jonathan’s administration intact, lamenting that it has degenerated to the extent that some parts of the country have fallen into the hands of the insurgents.

He said, “They enjoy making promises they cannot keep.

You have heard promises about security, not so? Promises made four years ago. But we handed to them the Federal Republic of Nigeria with all its component parts intact, and we are back four years after with some parts of

Nigeria already taken away from them and they are saying the next four years will be better.”

He urged Nigerians to be wary of politicians who come to them during this electoral period to make superficial promises, charging the electorate to critically assess the track records of the politicians and their political parties before deciding for them.

Fashola added, “It is election time and they will start coming with vote-catching promises, but they have never kept their promises before”.

As a result of poor working conditions and unpaid allowances, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), yesterday shut down National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) offices across the country to register their grievances.

The state chairman, MHWUN, Stephen Ibe, who declared an indefinite strike in Lagos, directed workers to immediately vacate the premises of the agency.

To this end, all NAFDAC offices at the seaports, land ports, airports have been shut indefinitely.

“All other offices of NAFDAC remain closed. Workers can only resume when their 2012 and 2013 salary arrears are paid”, he said.

By Taiwo OgunmolaOmilani, Lagos

Legal Fees: Court Awards N10.5m Against PDP

By Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

A Lagos High Court in Ikeja yesterday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos chapter to pay the sum of N10.5million to a lawyer, Debo Adeleke, for failing to pay his professional fees when he represented them at the Lagos State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal between No-

vember 2011 and August 2012.

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, who gave the order while delivering the judgement in a suit filed by Adeleke, held that there is enough evidence before the court that the claimant entered into a contractual agreement with the defendant for representation at the local government election tribunal.

The lawyer, who had approached

the court after the PDP failed to respond to several pleas for his service fees, was represented in court by Onyegbulem ThankGod while Chukwuma Nmesirionye represented the PDP national headquarters.

But since the case commenced in February, only the national leadership of the party appeared in court to defend the case while

the Lagos State chapter failed to turn up.

In the judgement, the judge held that from the avalanche of exhibits before the court, which included series of letters written to the defendant, letter of offer for representation and fees payable for the services, the defendant has failed to abide by its own contractual agreement.

news south-South south-East 43

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Drama At Ukanafun Over 2nd Term Ticket In A/Ibom

Despite tension arising from the recent alleged pronouncement that the member for Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Elder Aniekan Akpan, should return to the House for a second term, the lawmaker has boasted that his return is already a forgone conclusion, having paid “the required N50million.”

Elder Akpan, whose s stated this at his village, Ikot Oku Usung, Ukanafun local government area when he led his family members and few of his supporters to a thanksgiving service in the church.

Addressing the congregation in his Annang dialect, he said, “Politics is not what people stay in the village to talk what they don’t know. It has stakes and the tickets are given to those who can meet the stakes.

“I want you to join me and thank God that I, your son, was there when the stake was raised. They needed N50million and I paid. Let me tell you that nobody in Ukanafun can pay that kind of money. Hon Emmanuel Ukoette paid N60million; all the lawmakers that are returning to the House from former Abak division paid N50million each,” Akpan boasted.

He further said that the people should not bother about zoning, explaining that those who asked him to go for a second term have put everything in place to pacify the people of Afaha, who are aggrieved by the development.

Elder Akpan advised his supporters to walk tall in the local government as nobody will change the status quo.

By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo

New Delta Commissioner Pledges To Continue Uduaghan’s Reforms The new Delta state commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Joel Bisina sworn- into the state Executive Council resumed duty , pledging his resolve and commitment to project the values and reform programmes of the governor Uduaghan.

The new commissioner who resumed duty yesterday, at the Delta State Liaison Office, Asokoro, Abuja, said, he came with zeal, determination and total commitment to ensure that this administration finishes strong, asserting that with the governor’s blueprint in mind, success was inevitable.

Bisina noted that the transformation programme in the state will be carried forward with renewed impetus to a higher level for the benefit of all Deltan’s in the Federal Capital Territory. He solicited for the cooperation and support of all officials and stakeholders in the ‘Delta Without Oil Dream’ to ensure the realisation of the governor’s vision .

By Christiana Nwaogu, Abuja

PDP Ward Congress: Group Threatens N100m Suit Against Party In C’River

By Lanre Arotimi, Calabar

A group, Cross River PDP Youths Movement for Goodluck Jonathan 2015, has threatened to institute a N100million lawsuit against the state branch of the party if the outcome of the last delegates’ election in the state is doctored.

Speaking during a protest by members of the group in Calabar yesterday, its coordinator, Mr Sol-

omon Essien, wondered why the results of the delegates’ election have not been released over one week after the ward congresses.

Essien, who expressed fear that the election results might be doctored to favour certain interests in the state, warned the State EXCO of the party not to tamper with the original list which he described as a true reflection of the people’s wish.

“On the 1st of November this

year, the PDP ward congress election was conducted in Cross River and up till now, we have not seen the result”.

“We are not happy about it; we need our result. We are now asking the National Executive of our party to release the result of the delegates’ election; they should not doctor it”.

“If they tamper with it, we will take the party to court and claim N100million”, Essien threatened.

He berated the party in the state for sealing off its secretariat for over one week, noting that such action is capable of affecting her chances in the 2015 elections negatively.

While reaffirming the group’s support for President Gooodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid come 2015, he said PDP youths in the state still stand by the ward congress’ original list of 1st November, 2014.

short news

A/Ibom 2015: Sen Esuene Declares For Guber

L-R: Officials of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC): principal manager, Mr Okpa Obaji; controller, Enugu zonal office, Mr David Adamu, and head, Evaluation Unit, Mr Stephen Eka, during NDIC’s orientation workshop at NYSC Orientation Camp in Awgu local government area of Enugu State, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

APGA Youths Flay Report Linking Gov Obiano With Amaechi

By Milie ibe, Abuja

The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), under the aegis of the APGA Greater Tomorrow for Good Governance (AGTGG), has faulted a report that Anambra State Governors Willie Obiano and Rivers State Chibuike Amaechi have been meeting and working to undermine President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group said the purported romance between the governors was untrue.

In a statement it issued which was made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja yesterday, AGTGG said that “no mem-

ber of APGA at any level is or has been meeting with or working closely with Governor Amaechi or even his proxies.”

Spokesman of the group, Comrade Emenike Sunday, who signed the statement, declared that neither Mr Dozie Nwankwo nor Governor Obiano, as individuals or in concert with each other, have ever been with Amaechi in the same political party at any time at all.

“When Amaechi was in the PDP, Nwankwo was in Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now that Nwankwo has moved on to APGA, Amaechi is in the APC,” he said Coming short of calling out some names, Emenike blamed those he de-

scribed as ‘political prostitutes’ who have been shuttling from one political party to the other for all the confusion and sponsorship of the smear article, adding that Amaechi’s wife had no political involvement outside Rivers State.

AGTGG, Emenike pointed out, is set up to foster positive leadership attitude among members and to mobilize popular support for APGA candidates.

The youth group fingered some senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants in the PDP who are jittery “that the revolutionary popularity” of Dozie Nwankwo, Chief Victor Umeh and Obiano would defeat them, as brains behind the campaign of calumny.

The senator representing Eket Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom South) in the National Assembly, Senator Helen Esuene has emerged the first female governorship aspirant to formally declare intention to contest the 2015 gubernatorial election of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Esuene, who declared intention for the race before the Obong Paul Ekpo-led State Executive of the party and a cross-section of the people of the state yesterday, said after 27 years of the state’s creation, it is proper that a woman should be given opportunity to also serve as governor of the state.

By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo

Delta Communities At Loggerheads Over EPZ Project

By Osa Okhomina, Yenagoa

The kinsmen of the former Niger Delta warlord, Government Ekpumopolo, alias Tompolo, yesterday staged a protest march against the planned flagoff of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in the state,

declaring that they are ready for war against their Itsekiri neighbours over issues of alleged exclusion and land grabbing.

The protest march, staged by hundreds of youths, women and members of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, accused their Itsekiri

neighbours, the NNPC and the Delta State government of deliberate exclusion of the Ijaw communities from the project with the naming of the project as Ogidigben and setting up of an interface committee made up of only the Itsekiri leaders.

Addressing the protesters

at the Oporoza Civic Centre, a member of the EPZ Stakeholder Communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, said they were opposed to the grand design by the NNPC, the federal and Delta State governments to oppress them.

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

Presidential Primary Will Not Tear APC Apart – Faruk Malami Yabo In this Interview with ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo says that for the first time there is adequate preparation by the opposition to take over from the ruling PDP in 2015. Excepts: Nigeria has been bedeviled with series of crimes against humanity lately. As somebody that champions the cause of peace, what do you think is responsible for all that?

Well, I think is a global phenomenon since 2001 when the World Trade Centre (in the United States) was attacked. And since then many countries have been enmeshed in security challenges. Therefore, like I said, it is a phenomenon which many well meaning and peace loving individuals and groups as well as the religious organisations have disassociated themselves from.

The religion of Islam especially has comprehensively disassociated itself from all these atrocities because Islam represents peace.

It has always been a peaceful religion and it will always be so.

Most people tend to conclude that the insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria is as a result of poverty. Do you also share that belief?

Well, you can say that poverty or lack of education can lead to so many other things but then we have other countries that are far below the poverty ratio of Nigeria but you don’t experience this.

I don’t want to mention countries but you know that there are countries that don’t even have a quarter of what we have but they are still not experiencing insurgency. So, I think it just has to do with mentality. We have such problems even in very rich countries too.

I don’t want to mention countries but you know that there are countries that don’t even have a quarter of what we have but they are still not experiencing insurgency

The northern part of Nigeria is blessed from all ramifications.

But do you think the north is adequately harnessing its potentials both natural and human for growth?

We are talking of the federal republic of Nigeria and not a region. Therefore, when you have a policy that should stimulate growth and development that policy should look at the strength of this country and dichotomise the strength to the original inherent economic strength of those regions.

We have had a country before the discovery of oil that was very, very productive, prudent and that was building infrastructure and walked on the path of sus-

tainable economic growth before the black gold started flowing. So, if you resolve the issue of north and discount the issue of south, southwest and southeast you are still going to have problems.

Nigerians are yearning for change. From your own perspective, is it change of party or individual that can guarantee Nigerians the needed development?

Apart from the immediate need for change in leadership philosophy, every party globally will at a point outlive its circle. Therefore, by my own understanding, the ruling party (PDP) has been on for the last 15 years and if you see what is happening in other countries like the United States for instance, where you see the Republican Party ruling for eight years and there will be this sudden rush for change where you will now have the Democratic Party in power. It is also the case with United Kingdom where you have Labour Party running government for close to a decade and then suddenly, people will think that whatever that Party will present is not likely going to please them; therefore, they needed a change.

So, is not just about the leader. The leadership this country should give another party an opportunity and this is the first time we are having an opposition that represents the true character of the country because you have representation from all over the country. The opposition has governors from across the geo-political zones.

There is this fear that presidential primary may tear the APC apart. What is your take on that?

I do not envisage that because as far as I am concerned everyone is in the APC in the doctrine of the ideology that the party represents. And right now, if you leave the APC where will you go to? I think there is no place for anybody if he leaves the party. You cannot expect the presidential candidate that loses the APC to go to another party.

Is it the former Head of State?

Is it the former Vice President?

Is it the former governors or the serving governors that will just defect from the APC on grounds that they are not going to get

ticket and would start going to another party? I don’t think it is going to work out that way hence nobody was promised to come for a position.

Therefore, for me, I think this is an incredible value that the APC has gotten. And if you look at the crew of people who are asking for this ticket, I don’t think they are people who will just jump overnight because they didn’t get the ticket.

Having looked at the calibre of people seeking to become president on the APC platform in 2015, do you foresee the party taking the day?

Definitely yes, and that is what I am telling you that the PDP has technically outlived its cycle and this is a natural thing that when a party stays for fourteen, fifteen years and people still think that half of their expectations are not met then you will begin to wonder and expect an unstoppable change. Secondly, the major constraint that the opposition had in the past was simply they did not constitute a reasonable number in the State Assemblies, governors and the National Assembly. When you look at the APC right now, they are positioned everywhere which shows that it is a party that is on course and I believe that the people of this great country will show some level of solidarity. Because when you keep repeating the same programme, even if you are recording success sometimes people will want that change.

What I am saying is that it is time to give this party a trial just like is being done in other advance countries.

Wamakko will soon end his second tenure as the governor of Sokoto State and there is this fear among the electorate if they could have a successor that is as accessible as he is. Do you foresee Sokoto having such an accessible governor in 2015?

Well, we are very grateful to Almighty Allah for blessing the state with a governor that has a listening ear. That has set a positive precedence that I am promising you nobody that can eradicate and that explains why people are yearning for good precedence.

Once you do that, I remem-

Yabo

ber Ghana when they got themselves on track, no matter what kind of leadership you have in Ghana is not likely going to take them backward. Because people have seen the benefit of good leadership in a country that was initially having a lot of difficulty but the last leadership put them back on track. Therefore, what Sokoto is enjoying right now is a leader with a lot of incredible goodwill, a leader with a lot of incredible compassion and then the people are praying that this legacy will continue.

It is going to be very, very difficult for anybody to reverse it.

Because once you do the opposite of what the good people are used to from this good leadership in the last seven years, then you are going to have problems in terms of policy implementation and in terms of communication with the masses.

But it is being rumuored that Wamakko has given you the nod to succeed him. Is it true?

I think that is very, very wrong to say. Once it is politics time, everybody who has stayed here for six months can pick nomination form. The beauty of it is when you have a leader whom everybody consults before taking any political decision. But what I am assuring you is that by time politics starts fully all the stakeholders will be invited and that is when the decision to identify who should succeed Wamakko will be taken. And I have told you earlier that we have a firm belief in what he has been doing.

We have a firm belief in the good work he has done and we believe anyone who is part of his team should be able to continue what he has started.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

CHIEF AYIRIMI EMAMI WRITES ON DELTA EPZ IS ITSEkIRI NATION SAFE uNDER PRESIDENT GOODLuCk JONATHAN’S ADMINISTRATION? BY CHIEF AYIRIMI EMAMI, THE AJuWAOYIBOYAMI OF WARRI kINGDOM A.k.A AkuLAGBA BEING TEXT OF A PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED AT AKPAKPA-AJUDAIBO, UGBORODO, WARRI SOUTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014 ON THE PROPOSED GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE, EPZ, OGIDIGBEN, ESCRAVOS, WARRI SOUTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DELTA STATE ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2014 BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN. GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS Let me start by first congratulating Our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on success of his public declaration of intent to vie for a second tenure after prolonged speculations. As a PDP Chieftain and one who strongly believe in the Nigerian project, I say Big Congratulations Mr. President, as I wish you greater days ahead as campaigns take off in earnest.

Your Excellency, as Chairman of Delta Water-Ways Security Committee who by my position can speak authoritatively on the security situation in Delta State, immediate past PDP Chairman, Warri South-West Local Government as well as a potent arrow-head in Your re-election bid in 2015 and most importantly a Chief in the pristine Warri Kingdom, by implication a Custodian of Itsekiri culture, people and tradition, I am deeply compelled to once again draw your attention and those of other well meaning Nigerians to what I consider another selfish, trouble shooting, sentimental and parochial move by Chief Government Ekpemupolo A.K.A Tompolo and some of his Ijaw brothers to create an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and falsehood by laying claim to the land where your well thought-out EPZ legacy project is situated so as to make you once again postpone the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the dream project slated for Friday November 14, 2014 after several postponements occasioned by continuous threats from our Ijaw neighbours.

This is becoming even more worrisome because it appears Government Ekpemupolo and his co-horts are bent on using their obvious connections in government to continually take what is not theirs through the use of threats and blackmail, yet they boast across the country of their invincibility no matter what they do.

The Itsekiri Nation is only struggling to forget pains they suffered from their Ijaw neighbours during the last Warri crisis, no thanks to the death of many Itsekiris and the forceful seizure of some of our communities by the Ijaws, yet Government at all levels have done little or nothing to assuage our pains and resettle our people in their God-given communities. Perhaps the likes of Government Ekpemupolo should be reminded that despite the ugly and regrettable incidence of the protracted Warri crisis, President Jonathan’s biggest supporter amid criticisms is the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor, who interestingly is an Itsekiri. The Ijaws should also note that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan like some other illustrious Itsekiri sons and daughters have been in the forefront of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.

The recent forceful substituting of Hon. Oritseweyinmi Omadeli’s God-given

mandate for Hon. George Ekpemupolo, sibling to Government Ekpemupolo due to the latter’s threat to Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is still fresh in our memory and it is public knowledge that Hon. Oritseweyinmi Omadeli has already contracted Barr. Festus Keyamo to seek legal redress. A lawful position that has equally seen Tompolo threatening to kill Barr. Festus Keyamo for daring to handle the case, a threat that cannot be differentiated from the Boko Haram onslaught on innocent Nigerians.

The world, particularly Nigerians must know that the land which the NIMASA Dockyard and Shipyard in Okerenkoko (Okerenghigo) which our Ijaw neighbours seem to have made their personal empire, despite being a Federal Government Project is owned by the Itsekiri people (Omadino Community precisely) and this much was again reaffirmed by a Competent Federal Court of Law in Benin City, Edo State.

While Government Ekpemupolo and his team of crisis orchestrators are brazenly making inciting security statements untouched in a Sovereign Country like Ours, Permit me Mr. President to remind discerning minds that when the Chevron EGTL project which engaged several thousands of Nigerians for many years lasted, the Itsekiri Nation which is host to Chevron accommodated the Ijaws and other Nigerians in job slots and contracts. It must be stressed that this hospitality and brotherliness of Ours will still be extended to others in Your Legacy EPZ Project at Ogidigben and therefore there is no basis for Tompolo and his Ijaw brothers’ threats to stop the much anticipated Ground Breaking Ceremony.

Mr. President, the truth must be told that the Itsekiri people can no longer fold our hands and watch Government Ekpemupolo A.K.A Tompolo in collaboration with some of his Ijaw brothers and a few Itsekiri dissidents continue to take what God has given to us.

Your Excellency, the brazen resort to continuous threats by Government Ekpemupolo to always take what belongs to Itsekiri Nation has compelled me to ask ‘If the Itsekiri people who have been Supportive of Your Administration are Safe under Your Leadership?

Please re-assure us of Itsekiri safety, ignore the Ijaw threats against this Friday November 14, 2014 Ground Breaking Ceremony of the EPZ which you confidently told the world during your re-election declaration speech Tuesday November 11, 2014 and come to carry out this constitutional right of yours and those of Itsekiri people. We don’t expect you as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to succumb to threats from some of your kinsmen who claim to be ex-militant, yet reminding us of the bloody days of Warri crisis. The World is watching!

Thanks and God Bless, Chief Ayirimi Emami, The Ajuwaoyiboyami of Warri Kingdom A.K.A. Akulagba.

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

FESTUS KEYAMO CHAMBERS Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

The President and Commander-in-Chief, (Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan), Federal Republic of Nigeria, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Your Excellency,

OPEN LETTER: THREAT TO STOP THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE EPZ PROJECT IN ESCRAVOS: A CALL TO RISE ABOVE ETHNIC CONSIDERATIONS We are solicitors to the Ugborodo Community in Warri South/ West Local Government Area of Delta State. The following members of the community namely, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Chief Thomas Ereyitomi have briefed us as follows: That certain individuals from Gbaramatu Kingdom led by one High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) - who also recently threatened to kill me - have ganged up to give your Excellency certain conditions upon which you can be allowed to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Escravos Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Project located in Ugborodo on Friday, November 14, 2014. One of such conditions is that the name of the project which has since been known and referred to by its location, that is Ogidigben (which is an Itsekiri community) must be changed to include the name “Gbaramatu” (an Ijaw community), which is a community that has nothing to do with the present location of the EPZ Project.

Your Excellency, the Ogidigben people are proud of the great people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, and are not in any way denigrating them, but there is no point renaming a project after a city that does not host such a project. It makes no sense.

Unfortunately, these elements who foment trouble constantly ride on your back as “an Ijaw man” to make their claims.

This is therefore a call for you to rise above such mundane sentiments, and be the President of the entire country and not just the President of Gbaramatu Kingdom. Happily, the Delta State Government has graciously intervened and decided that the name of the project would be “Delta Gas City” which bears no colouration of any tribe, but surprisingly, those who claim to be your “brothers”, (to the exclusion of the rest of us), have rejected this middle-ground approach to the debacle and have threatened fire and brimstone unless you accede to their demand.

Your Excellency, we are informed that this latest provocation follows a pattern against our clients and the Itsekiri people that have existed for some time now. And on each occasion they parade your name as their “backbone”. A few examples would suffice: The Maritime University was originally located in Koko (an Itsekiri Community) when Mr. Temisan Omatseye was the DirectorGeneral. In this location, the University was easily accessible

to everybody, including the Ijaws and Itsekiris. However, when Tompolo installed his own nominee as the Director-General of NIMASA (which is the agency responsible for the running and management of the Maritime University), Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, the University was relocated to Okerenkoko, (which they claim belongs to the Gbaramatu people).

However, even the claim of Okerenkoko by the Gbaramatu people is also another example of forceful usurpation of the rights of the Itsekiris. This is because judgment in Suit No. W/29/1949, delivered on 13th October, 1951 in the High Court of Justice Holden at Warri, pronounced Okerenkoko as belonging to Omadino, which is an Itsekiri Community. However, even in the face of this judgment, the Gbaramatu people are still claiming Okerenkoko.

Your Excellency, we can go on and on, but these are a few examples of an individual and his group thinking and boasting that they are above the law, and threatening everybody to submission in Delta State, including the Governor himself.

Unfortunately, they use your name to perpetrate this unholy attitude. But at the same time, the various security agencies have not done anything to dispel this name-dropping. Recall that I sent a petition to your office and that of the D.G, SSS and the IGP about two weeks ago, that Tompolo had the temerity to call my phone and tell me of his plans to kill me. Yet you and your security agencies have refused to lift one finger over my petition.

Now, they are even threatening you in your exalted office not to come and commission a project, except their demands are met. Do we have two Presidents in Nigeria? Or two Governors in Delta State? Time will tell.

However, as counsel to the Ugborodo people and as a stakeholder in Delta State (a free born of the State), one million Tompolos will not threaten or intimidate us not to speak out against injustice. Let him come and kill all of us.

Mr. President, the world is watching you on this issue.

Yours sincerely,

FESTUS KEYAMO, ESQ.

48

Thursday, November 13, 2014

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

Omale James House 8, Road 22, Efab Estate, Lokogoma

Alice Omale and Joy Omale

Yakubu Jami BakoLocal Education Authority, Gwagwalada

Who died on the 15th June, 2014.

The sons of the said deceased.

House 8, Road 22, Efab Estate, Lokogoma

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Hosea Yakubu, Godwin Yakubu and Blessing Yakubu guardian to Shedrach Yakubu Opp. Alheri Clinic, New Kutunku, Who died on the 9th October, 2014. Gwagwalada The widow and sons of the said deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

George Willaims and Joyce Eno Onazi 8, Kikuyi Close Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

The son and daughter of the said deceased.

Who died on the 25th January, 2013.

Lucy-Ann Enoche Onazi 8, Kikuyi Close Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja Who died on the 18th May, 2013.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Kotun Olusegun Abayomi Federal Ministry of Health

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Kotun Mistura Morayoola guardian to Kotun Yetunde 12, Teachers Avenue, Aiyetobi Alagbada, Lagos

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

Mr Enoch Manager FCDA Map and Survey

Justina Jediel guardian to Jethro Jediel Nyanyan Area B, Block 2/55, Flat 2

Lt. Col. John Egeng Jasper Idachaba Nigeria Army

Who died on the 22nd August, 2014.

The widow and son of the said deceased.

Who died on the 7th June, 2014.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

MRS Hannah Idachaba and Jemimah Eleojo Idachaba 7th Avenue Federal Low-Cost Jos, Plateau State The widow and daughterof the said deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Ghassan Hachem Safieddine Plot MF 36 A, Outer Northern Express Way, FCT, Abuja

Sara Safieddine and Hachem Mohammed Safieddine No 12 Ibere Crescent Apapa, Lagos State

Who died on the 18th August, 2011.

The daughter and nephew of the said deceased.

Yohanna Madaki Nigeria Police Force, Abuja Who died on the 13th February, 2010.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Rhoda Yohanna guardian to Samson Yohanna Sanga LGA Gwantu Kaduna State The widow and son of the said deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

2X2 SPACE FOR SALE

By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The Senate yesterday received a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan seeking confirmation for the appointment of Justice Mahmud Mohammed as chief justice of Nigeria.

The letter, dated 10th November, 2014, and addressed to the Senate president, David Mark, was read on the floor of the chambers during plenary.

It reads in part: “In conformity with section 231(1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which gives the president the powers to appoint a chief justice of Nigeria, acting on recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation of the appointment by the Senate, I have the honour

2X2 SPACE FOR SALE

to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Mahmud Mohammed, CFR, for confirmation as chief justice of Nigeria”.

Mohammed’s confirmation is to enable him take over from the present CJN, Justice Aloma Muhktar, who is due for retirement on November 20, 2014.

3 APC Ogun Senators Defect to SDP Meanwhile, three senators from Ogun State who were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2011 have notified the Senate of their defection from the APC to Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The three senators are Olugbenga Kaka, Akin Odunsi and Gbenga Obadara.

2015: Abiola’s Wife Sues PDP, INEC

By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

The daughters of the said deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 11th November, 2014.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Jonathan Seeks Senate’s Confirmation Of Justice Mohammed As CJN

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of the wives of the late business mogul and politician, Chief M. K. O Abiola, Professor Akasoba Duke-Abiola, has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from re-contesting in the 2015 election.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Duke-Abiola who stated that she has interest in contesting the position of the President under the platform of PDP, through her counsel, Festus Keyamo, wants the court to decide whether by

virtue of Section 50(1) of the PDP Constitution, and Section 87(1) & (9) of the Electoral Act 2010, the PDP is not under an obligation to comply with all the rules made under the Electoral Guidelines for Primary Elections 2014 of the PDP. She also wants the court to decide whether by virtue of Article 3 (1) (a) and (b) of the Electoral Guidelines for Primary Elections 2014 of the PDP, the Plaintiff is not entitled to obtain the Expression of Interest Form in relation to Presidential Primaries of the party, having paid the mandatory sum of N22million into the account of the party.

The case has not been assigned to a judge.

KADSUBEB Establishes Service Charter, Servicom Desk

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has establishes up a service charter and Servicom desk as part of efforts to improve education service delivery in the state.

Speaking at the presentation of the SUBEB service charters and formal take off of the servicom desk, the State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali, said that SUBEB has uplift the ministry through the production of a document that can bring rapid development in the education sector.

He however urged that the document be made available to all stakeholders in the sector so that it can be studied, and see to

its full implementation.

The commissioner, who was represented by Director Project of the ministry, Mr. John Bala. also directed that by November 30, each member should have studied the document and ready to put to work the service charter of the servicom document.

According to him, classroom teachers to board members of SUBEB can be sued by the public if they are found wanting in the discharge of their duties.

Presenting the service charter, the Executive Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau said through several reforms, the board has continued to organise free quality basic education services for all school children.

49

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Promotion Supervisor Delight Marketing Services, Sokoto OND, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382193 Or send your CV to: 38b01@jbng.me Delight Marketing Service is a grand wholesaling business and they seek the employment of a Promotion Supervisor.

Job Description • Responsible for actively building and retaining customer relations and acts as a mentor to employees in order to provide superior customer service level.

• Hires, motivates, evaluates and directs staff, ensuring team members receive the training, support, adequate guidance and necessary resources to accomplish established objectives.

• Implements and monitors department objectives, standards, guidelines, and budget to achieve effective supervision of the department.

• Responsible for developing an environment that creates excitement for guests and employees, promoting and retaining a highly skilled work force.

• Oversees daily activities of staff to ensure successful operation of events and promotions as measured by guest satisfaction.

• Complies with Belterra Park standards, guidelines, and objectives and maintains administrative processes to ensure proper planning and efficient operation of department functions.

Job Requirements • Must be very smart and speedy • Must have 1-2 years of experience in marketing • Must at least have an OND qualification

Car Painter Plateau 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/381946 Our client, a new and reputable transport company with Head Office in Lagos, and has a fleet of over 1,500 commuter buses with their head office in Lagos and zones in eight states spread in the six geopolitical zones of the country and some West African states requires for immediate employment this category of staff Responsibilities: • To carry out Preventive Maintenance Programe, repairs, routine maintenance and installations based on standard specifications and to the satisfaction of clients.

• To operate efficiently electrical/ mechanical/other technical related device, plant and equipment such as lifts, sewage, water and power plant.

• Carry out daily routine facility checks, detect faults and fix them. Respond promptly to emergencies and facility breakdowns.

Qualifications: 2 years working Experience

Welder/Panel Beater Plateau 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/381964 Our client, a new and reputable transport company with Head Office in Lagos, and

has a fleet of over 1,500 commuter buses with their head office in Lagos and zones in eight states spread in the six geopolitical zones of the country and some West African states requires for immediate employment this category of staff

Visit: http://jbng.me/382050 Our client, a new and reputable transport company with Head Office in Lagos, and has a fleet of over 1,500 commuter buses with their head office in Lagos and zones in eight states spread in the six geopolitical zones of the country and some West African states requires for immediate employment this category of staff

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•

Driver Plateau

Responsibilities: • A secretary will have to take notes and dictation from the boss for drafting the correspondence or executing the work.

She can either record the dictation and transcribe it later or write it down.

• Will have to keep a record of appointments and ensure that each one is conducted smoothly and on time. Follow up for attendance, venue booking, arranging notepads, pencils, water bottles, glasses, etc. are also the duties of a secretary.

• Handling difficult situations without any assistance is one of the prime duties of a secretary. A secretary might face managerial or administration problems; she has to sort them out on her own without the interference of the senior management.

SSCE, 5 - 7 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382031

Qualifications: OND/NCE minimum qualification

Our client, a new and reputable transport company with Head Office in Lagos, and has a fleet of over 1,500 commuter buses with their head office in Lagos and zones in eight states spread in the six geopolitical zones of the country and some West African states requires for immediate employment this category of staff

Hair stylist K-Kaavi Nigeria Limited, Plateau

Responsibilities: • Remove damaged panels and components by unbolting or cutting them away • Repair damaged body panels with specialist tools and equipment • use measuring, mechanical and hydraulic equipment to restore vehicles to factory clearances • Cut and join replacement sections or damaged panels using correct welding procedures • Repair dents with plastic fillers and file, grind and sand repaired surfaces using power and hand tools • Fit the repaired panels on the framework of the vehicle and refit body hardware, such as door locks and door trims Qualifications: 2 years working Experience

Responsibilities: Taking good maintenance of the cars Qualifications: • Qualifications: O’level minimum, • Age: 25-50 years, • Experience: 5 years driving experience in a corporate environment.

Secretary Plateau OND/NCE, Entry Level Visit: http://jbng.me/382045 Our client, a new and reputable transport company with Head Office in Lagos, and has a fleet of over 1,500 commuter buses with their head office in Lagos and zones in eight states spread in the six geopolitical zones of the country and some West African states requires for immediate employment this category of staff Responsibilities: • Office assistant are responsible for managing daily office activities.

• Office assistant interact indirectly with our customers, maintain and organize the office activities, and should represent our professional and positive image at all times.

• General upkeep of the office • Manage existing and new clients Qualifications: OND/NCE minimum qualification

Office Assistant Plateau OND/NCE, Entry Level

SSCE, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382052 Or send your CV to: 38a74@jbng.me K-Kaavi Nigeria Limited is in need of candidate to fill this position Responsibilities • Performs hair style consultation in order to decide what services the client needs • Provides services to clients such as shampooing, cutting, styling, coloring and highlighting as desired • Maintains safety standards and cleanliness • Emphasizes product benefits and assist clients in the selection of retail products or services for their hair care needs • Maintains a consistent relationship with client base in order to ensure return clients • Proactively develop new customers • Attends and participates in continuing education and training in order to follow new trends and techniques Qualification and Experience • Minimum Qualification - SSCE • Years of Experience - 4 years

Computer Operator Islamic College Ilorin, Kwara HND/ BSc, Entry Level Visit: http://jbng.me/381880 Or send your CV to: 389c8@jbng.me A school is seeking a competent computer graduate for this position Job Description • Diagnoses data communication issues by working with many different people (e.g. users, programmers, phone company technicians, etc.) for the purpose of insuring the issues are resolved within a timely manner.

• Dispatches personnel in emergencies

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•

•

•

for the purpose of ensuring repairs are completed in a timely manner.

Maintains a variety of manual and electronic documents, files and records (e.g. Locknetics database, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, and providing materials and reliable resource information.

Maintains inventories of building key assignments for the purpose of ensuring availability, accuracy and security.

Operates a variety of multi-user computer systems and related peripheral data processing equipment (e.g. integrated finance system, automated work order system, etc.) for the purpose of meeting the district’s data processing needs.

Prepares written materials (e.g. lists, memos, letters, bulletins, etc.) for the purpose of documenting events, providing and/or requesting information.

Processes a variety of documents and materials (e.g. work orders, Locknetic credentials, employee hours, etc.) for the purpose of disseminating information and/or ensuring issues are resolved in a timely manner.

Responds to inquiries for the purpose of providing information and/or direction.

Job Requirements • Must have a minimum qualification of an HND/BSc in Computer Science • Must be smart and able to work independently • Must be resident in Ilorin, Kwara

Regional Manager Kano BSc, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382467 Or send your CV to: 38c13@jbng.me As a growing Company in the FMCG sector, we are committed to developing and enhancing People’s lives and career.

Developing and enhancing your carrer will influence everything we do together. We believe in long term career development and appreciate how challenges and motivation will help you reach your potential. The Company upholds the principle of Non- Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities in its recruitment processes.

Job Description • Our Regional Sales Manager will deliver operational excellence in the Region by category, channel and customer within Regional Business Plans.

• To succeed in this role, you must be an effective team leader, who can direct the region to achieve business results through a strong drive and passion for success.

Responsibilities: • Develop the Region sales volume achievement programs • Collate and analyze trade marketing reports, retail audit, and customer profile for SWOT analysis of the market.

• Develop, monitor and evaluate trade and consumers promotions for priority trade channels within SMART objectives.

• Co ordination of regional team to achieve the aforementioned.

• Regularly review sales performance and evaluation of regional sales team .

• Communicate and ensure realization of Priorities.

• Manage relationships between retailers, wholesalers, distributors and the

50 Company.

• Accountable for forecast accuracy of the region target and effective management and control of allocated Operational budget for optimal perfomance.

• Accountable for implementing company plans of market penetration and numeric distribution in a sales region.

• Prepare Monthly Regional Report with all essential elements.

• Monitor/Submit market intelligence information.

• Knowledge of any CRM application is an added advantage.

Qualifications and Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree or Higher qualification in any field of study Must have more than 5 years of Sales/ Marketing experience in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment.

Highly numerate with an understanding of finance for non-finance.

Excellent communications and negotiation skills.

Good Computer skills- Ms. Word, Ms. Excel, Ms. Power Point.

Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and must be willing to work in any part of Nigeria.

Promotion Supervisor Delight Marketing Services, Gombe OND, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382189 Or send your CV to: 38afd@jbng.me Delight Marketing Service is a grand wholesaling business and they seek qualified candidates to fill this role Job Description • Responsible for actively building and retaining customer relations and acts as a mentor to employees in order to provide superior customer service level.

• Hires, motivates, evaluates and directs staff, ensuring team members receive the training, support, adequate guidance and necessary resources to accomplish established objectives.

• Implements and monitors department objectives, standards, guidelines, and budget to achieve effective supervision of the department.

• Responsible for developing an environment that creates excitement for guests and employees, promoting and retaining a highly skilled work force.

• Oversees daily activities of staff to ensure successful operation of events and promotions as measured by guest satisfaction.

• Complies with Belterra Park standards, guidelines, and objectives and maintains administrative processes to ensure proper planning and efficient operation of department functions.

Requirements: • Must be very smart and speedy • Must have 1-2 years of experience in marketing • Must at least have an OND qualification

Freelance Broadcaster 234 Radio, Kaduna Preferred Years of Experience: Does Not Matter Visit: http://jbng.me/382151 Or send your CV to: 38ad7@jbng.me 234 Radio, requires a suitable candidate for this position.

Responsibilities: • Introducing and hosting programmes.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

• Interviewing guests in the studio, by telephone or on location,playing music.

• Reading short news, traffic, sport or weather reports.

• Reviewing books, films, music or newspapers.

• Providing links between programmes, either reading from a script and/or autocue, or improvising.

• Keeping the programme running to schedule ,responding positively and quickly to problems or changes, and improvising where necessary.

• Keeping in contact with the director and production team in the studio gallery, via ear-piece link.

Requirements: • Minimum of OND in any related discipline.

• Must have a good knowledge of broadcasting.

Marketer Monaco Guards, Kaduna OND, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382435 Or send your CV to: 38bf3@jbng.me Monaco Guards is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities: • The marketer is responsible for meeting the customer targets of the organization.

• As a marketer, you must understand who can perform a particular task in the most effective way.

• As a marketer you should devise strategies and techniques necessary for achieving the sales targets.

• As a marketer you should map out potential customers and generate leads for the organization.

• Be able to look forward to generating new opportunities for the organization.

Qualifications: • Minimum Qualification - OND • Years of Experience- 2 years

Program Manager Community Action For Popular Participation, Kaduna Degree, 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382702 Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) is a membership, voluntary, nonreligious, non-ethnic, non-governmental and not for profit, community focused organization established in 1993. Its functions are to build the capacity of CBOs, CSOs, and members in the area of Education, budget tracking, community peace building, gender popular participation and democracy. Our vision is to establish a Society where communities drive the governance and developmental process.

Responsibilities: • Line manage program officers on engine to ensure achievement of project targets • Plan and Coordinate implementation of project activities • Coordinate research and documentation • Coordinate documentation of lessons learnt and dissemination • Coordinate participatory monitoring and evaluation of project activities • Organize Project Implementation Committee and national level stakeholder meetings • Scan and periodically analyze national education programs and policies

• Ensure communication flow among Program Officers and the leadership of CAPP • Report project implementation challenges promptly to management of CAPP • Prepare periodic project report to CAPP and funding partners • Network with relevant organisations and institutions for the implementation of ENGINE • Propose project exit and sustainability strategies • Carry out any other activity as may be assigned by relevant officers and organs of CAPP. • Functional skills and knowledge, ability to work effectively in a team, • Ability to analyze data, present results and effectively monitor progress • Good command of written and spoken English and Hausa Languages • Team and membership management skills • Ability to work with diverse and large groups • Excellent communication and presentation skills • Ability to work under Pressure • Computer literacy and basic skills in Microsoft word, excel and PowerPoint etc.

• Training /teaching /facilitation skills • Self driven and motivated Qualifications and Requirements: • Minimum of a degree in any of the social sciences • At least 3 years experience in programme design and management.

Agricultural science Teacher Deazy Academy, Niger NCE/B.Ed, 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/381991 Or send your CV to: 38a37@jbng.me A school in Niger state requires a candidate to fill this position.

Job Description • The teacher enhances inter-personal relationship among the students • The teacher uses the curriculum, and current research based instructional practices to develop interdisciplinary units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students • The teacher is responsible for maintaining an on-going dialogue with other specialty teachers and coordinating curriculum integration and implementation with these teachers • The teacher works with students of various abilities assigned the classroom, including those with learning differences as diagnosed • The teacher may be required to participate in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs • The teacher uses various assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children’s work samples, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students.

Requirements • Should have a minimum of NCE/B.Ed • Minimum years of experience should be 3-5 years • Must be resident in Niger State

English Language Teacher Jams Academy, Niger BA/B.Ed, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382006

Or send your CV to: 38a46@jbng.me A school in Niger state requires a candidate to fill this position.

Job Description • The teacher enhances inter-personal relationship among the students • The teacher uses the curriculum, and current research based instructional practices to develop interdisciplinary units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students • The teacher is responsible for maintaining an on-going dialogue with other specialty teachers and coordinating curriculum integration and implementation with these teachers • The teacher works with students of various abilities assigned the classroom, including those with learning differences as diagnosed • The teacher may be required to participate in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs • The teacher uses various assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children’s work samples, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students.

Requirements • Should have a minimum of BA/B.Ed • Minimum years of experience should be 2-3 years • Must be resident in Niger State

Computer Science Teacher Verbin International School, Niger NCE/Degree, 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382121 Or send your CV to: 38ab9@jbng.me Verbins International School is in need of suitable candidate to fill this position Responsibilities • Preparing the curriculum and presenting the material to his or her class is one of the main duties of a teacher.

• Computer science teachers complete many other general tasks as well, such as tracking attendance, assigning homework, grading assignments, giving feedback and communicating effectively with students at all levels of technological understanding.

• Other tasks that teachers may complete include holding office hours, ensuring that class materials are up to date, reviewing curriculum and demonstrating professionalism in dealing with others.

• Computer science teachers at a high school may also be responsible for overseeing a homeroom or study hall.

Requirement and Qualification • Minimum Qualification- NCE/Degree • Years of Experience- 4-5 years

Music Teacher Home School International, Niger SSCE/Degree, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382529 Or send your CV to: 38c51@jbng.me Home School International is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities: • The teacher enhances inter-personal relationship among the students • The teacher uses the curriculum, and current research based instructional practices to develop interdisciplinary units of instruction that meet both the

51

Thursday, November 13, 2014

group and individual needs of students • The teacher is responsible for maintaining an on-going dialogue with other specialty teachers and coordinating curriculum integration and implementation with these teachers • The teacher works with students of various abilities assigned the classroom, including those with learning differences as diagnosed • The teacher may be required to participate in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs • The teacher uses various assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children’s work samples, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students.

Qualifications: Minimum Qualification - SSCE/Degree Years of Experience- 1 year

Systems Engineer Miraloyd Global Consult Limited, Abuja Degree, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382801 Or send your CV to: 38d61@jbng.me Miraloyd Global Consult Limited is an IT Consultancy Firm that provides consultancy services to small, medium and large-scale organizations. Miraloyd Global Consult works to bring access to information technology, its utilization and its economic opportunities to all types of businesses in Nigeria through a variety of solutions. The Company constantly strives to intuitively develop products and services that aim at introducing Information Technology to the average Nigerian.

Job Description • Troubleshoot and resolve computer and telephony related issues when contacted by clients by providing both on-site and remote support.

• Installing, configuring, updating and maintaining server software/hardware.

• Complete configuration, installation and support of equipment in a Microsoft Windows environment to the specifications of client proposals.

• Managing assigned projects and program components to deliver services in accordance with established objectives.

• Other duties as may arise from time to time and as may be assigned to the employee.

Qualifications and Requirements: • A good first degree • 1-3 years experience

Network Engineer Miraloyd Global Consult Limited, Abuja Degree, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382802 Or send your CV to: 38d62@jbng.me Miraloyd Global Consult Limited is an IT Consultancy Firm that provides consultancy services to small, medium and large-scale organizations. Miraloyd Global Consult works to bring access to information technology, its utilization and its economic opportunities to all types of businesses in Nigeria through a variety of solutions. The Company constantly strives to intuitively develop products and services that aim at introducing Information Technology to the average Nigerian.

Job Description • Installing new hardware (servers, printers, computer workstations, etc.)

• Fixing network faults • Setting up user accounts, permissions and passwords • Technical support for people using the network.

• Other duties as may arise from time to time and as may be assigned to the employee.

Requirements: • A good first degree • 1-3 years experience

Pediatric Nurse Tender Years Preparatory School, Abuja RN/RM, 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382561 Or send your CV to: 38c71@jbng.me Tender Years Preparatory School requires urgently the services of qualified candidate for this position.

Responsibilities: • Initial diagnosis of a child’s condition by observing and analyzing symptoms • Administering necessary vaccinations, STARTING intravenous fluids, checking the child’s vital signs and charting the observations • Maintaining accurate records and reporting the same to the physicians • Performing basic duties like dressing of wounds, collecting samples, etc.

• Educating the child’s family about the illness and the course of further treatment • Giving emotional support and comfort • Working with doctors, medical teams and even social services arrive at the most effective solution or plan of treatment Qualification and Requirements: • RN/RM • Minimum of 2 years’ experience with children

Assistant Human Resources/Admin Manager Abuja 7 - 10 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382890 Or send your CV to: 38dba@jbng.me Plan, develop and direct Human Resource policies for the organisation and implement procedures to achieve the most effective use of human resources to achieve profitability and business objectives.

Specific accountability/ responsibilities • Plan, make recommendations and devise personnel and industrial relations policy, in consultation with other senior management.

• Establish and direct the organisation’s HR procedures and strategies, taking account of the operating environment.

• Develop, and direct the setting of performance targets, and participate in business planning and strategy determinations to ensure HR specifications meet the business objectives. Prepare budgets, and other management plans.

• Monitor industrial relations developments to prevent and settle disputes. Direct negotiations with unions, industry groups and industrial authorities to determine agreements and minimise the possibility of industrial

dispute.

• Control and co-ordinate activities such as personnel administration, staff selection and training, employee relations, wage and salary administration, security, health and safety, employee benefits and remuneration strategy.

• Direct and maintain a corporate workforce plan and initiate appropriate action in relation to the organisation’s use and development of employees.

• Represent and direct the organisation in dealings with other organisations, employer groups, industry associations, unions, government authorities and other relevant bodies as required.

• Control the collection, maintenance and interpretation of management information and records to monitor performance, control the preparation of reports (including Affirmative Action) and authorize the release of information.

• Ensure the organisation’s training activities are planned to meet current and future organisation and employee needs, and satisfy government training requirements.

• Review regularly the organisation’s remuneration policy, including its market competitiveness, benefit and reward structures, and internal relativity and equity.

• Make policy decisions as appropriate, and accept responsibility for operations, performance of staff, achievement of objectives and adherence to budgets.

• Establish lines of control and delegate responsibilities to subordinate staff; control the selection and training of staff. May train and advise other managers in Human Resources or industrial relations matters.

• Ensure all activities undertaken

by Human Resource department employees comply with relevant Acts, legal demands and ethical standards.

Business Development Officer Abuja B.Sc/HND, 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382901 Or send your CV to: 38dc5@jbng.me Our Client a leading Company into Web Designing, Business Directory, Magazine publications, Branding etc is looking for a seasoned marketer to fill in the vacant position.

Responsibilities: • Professionally and effectively employs sales skills to achieve targeted sales.

• Increase the level of sales and business mix from individual clients • Increase share of each market sector • Research and Database • Maintain an accurate and current database • Identify and develop sources of potential clients • Effectively communicate with clients to gain commitment to purchase • Maintain regular contact with Key Clients • Effectively communicate with clients via telephone, face-to-face and written communication Qualifications and Requirements: • Candidate must be smart, good negotiator, positive,eloquent in speech, very good convincing abilities.

• Candidate must know Abuja market very well.

• Candidate must be a good marketer • With a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the same field.

• Must be a B.Sc/HND Holder

Creative/Graphics Designer Colours and Codes, Abuja BSc, 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382915 Or send your CV to: 38dd3@jbng.me We are a growing Branding/Web company with offices in Lagos and Abuja. We understand the customer’s need to be ahead of the competition so our work adds speed to expertise.

Job summary The preferred candidate will design and develop graphics for web, print and pdf. He/ she will report to the creative director.

Responsibilities: • Creating brand concepts for customers.

• Designing logos, stationeries and web graphics • Presentation of on-going projects at customers premises.

• Managing existing customers.

Qualifications: • BSc in Creative Arts or any related discipline.

• A very good understanding of latest branding concepts • Must be very proficient in photoshop, coreldraw and Illustrator • Have a keen eye for colours

.Net Programmer and Database Analyst Telnet Nigeria Limited, Abuja 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/382932 Or send your CV to: 38de4@jbng.me Telnet Nigeria Limited is a global information and communications Technology Company with the mission of providing technology enabled business solutions of the highest professional standard.

With a combination of unparalleled experience, expertise, strategic partnerships, quality services, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, we are uniquely positioned to serve the needs of our customers and help them meet their business objectives.

Required Skills Profile • Proficiency in programming with common computer coding/scripting languages (HTML, JavaScript, C# .Net).Ability to Design, implement and administer different databases (Oracle MS SQL, Sybase etc).

• Proficiency in Designing, writing and performing adequate unit and integrated testing of software code segments to agreed specification.

• Ability to Design and Implement business intelligence solutions • Ability to implement software design changes at code or framework level.

• Ability to fix bugs in existing software programs as they are being detected • Proficiency in writing unit test programs when required for testing components of large and complex systems • Good knowledge of writing technical specifications/code documentations • Fast learner with good research and investigative skills for discovering and using new development technologies • A minimum of three years professional experience

52 ISSUES

Thursday, Novemember 13, 2014

Broadcast Digitalisation: The Sky Is Falling

by Timawus Mathias

The sky is falling! Yet majority of those underneath it in Nigeria are asking - is it going to hit us? This is the analogy that fits the impending digital switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting. So ignorant are the masses it is going to affect most, that they presently do not give a damn. Will it hit them?

When Nigeria switches over from analogue to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting, the first “victims” will be the multitude of owners of television sets among the country’s population of 170 million or more.

Majority of them own analogue television sets that will overnight become obsolete and literally useless. Already in many homes, the analogue TV sets are antique objects purchased with life savings, in homes where retirees are the bread winners. Even if they have caring children, it needs to be imagined the misery that many such families will be subjected to when on the day of the cut over, the sets go blind, as the diagnosis often is to the technician. “Our TV no dey see picture again”.

Because policy makers are now mainly concerned with the politics and finances of licensing and infrastructure acquisition, no one talks about the impact it will have on the common man,

as the inevitable beneficiary from digitisation. This falling sky will hit us simple folk, and hit us real bad. Overnight, there will evolve hundreds of channels to pick and choose and unless the policy makers show compassion in addressing importation of domestic TV sets and easing public acquisition, we are certain to suffer pangs of sudden growth of choice and inadequate resources. We need a baseline data of how many TV subscribers will suffer loss of their valued possession as a result of this policy execution. Help is needed in recovering some value as well as securing an environmentally acceptable way of disposing of the monumental e-waste that is imminent. We also need to assist income acquisition in view of the impending new temptations.

Inevitably, what happened in many countries that have gone ahead of Nigeria may serve as a good lesson - a simulcast service is run by TV Stations such that a broadcast is made available to viewers in both analog and digital at the same time, phasing out the analogue gradually. The ambitious desire was to manufacture the main device that would convert and enable viewers receive digital signals on analogue TV sets, funnily called Set-Top Boxes. For TV owners, buying a set-top-box is

the practical demonstration that they are partakers of millennial transformation of the digital age in Nigeria. As we drift towards the d-day of the digital switch on, there does not seem to appear, either dialogue or strategising that would ensure quality, efficiency and affordability, or even above all, local manufacture of set-topboxes, given the awesome quantity required, and the attendant value added in creation of labour opportunities.

Of Nigeria’s many TV Stations, how many are ready or even likely to be ready for the digital cutover?

At any function in Nigeria, we can readily see that a great majority of TV Programme Producers and Providers are yet to have the basic requisites for the impending change. Thus we can imagine the size of the challenge we are faced wit, from Cameras to editing slabs, studio equipment and transmitters, none of which are manufactured in Nigeria, our starting point is going to be basic.

Fundamentally, Government through the National Broadcasting Commission, should strictly enforce standards in equipment and content. When the digital switch over is attained, a vista of opportunities will blossom through the capacity for many channels, requiring that the content

development sector is addressed same time as we are addressing technical infrastructure, to avoid a high technological setting, into which poor substandard quality content is being fed.

On all of these, the supervising body the NBC can reconfigure even if it dragged its feet and wobbled.

But worrisome is the fact that there are pointers to flouting of best industry practice in the issuance of licences, which if not attended to, can challenge the integrity of the Digital Switch Over. The National interest is at stake. It is understood that 3 licences have been offered supposedly after a rigorous and seemingly transparent bidding process learning from the flaws in the allocation of GSM licences. Understandably, the first licence took account of the national interest and was taken up by the consortium of MTS membered by indigenous broadcasters including the Nigerian Television Authority.

Sadly from goings on, a scenario similar to the one playing out at the Glass House in the Nigerian Football Federation may be repeated to the detriment of the Digital Switch Over, undesirable for a process of global importance.

Pinnacle Communications Limited, earlier announced as the winner of the 2nd licence in a transparent bid process

paid N600m and was issued the licence, whereas GOTV a subsidiary of the South Africanowned MULTICHOICE Nigeria was suddenly granted a licence in total flouting of the due process.

It means that its flight even in the mobile TV platform for all this time was an ignored jumping of the gun. This type of disadvantage to indigenous companies is inexplicable and certainly raises eyebrows. More so, I understand that the three licences were disproportionately charged to the advantage of the indigenous player.

Besides there is already national angst about capital flight to South Africa on account of the enormous raking of profits by digital satellite player DSTV. Nigeria, thanks to our early independence is technically disadvantaged in the broadcast industry and even more so in content generation. Thus while South African players are already light years ahead, our lack of patriotic will has conceded so much advantage to them that it can be said that Nigeria does not even have a toehold. This is not acceptable.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission must act in the march to the digital switchover expected in June 2015, with Nigeria in mind.

– Mathias

these people ever get to where they are? Riding on the back of corpses, of course. It is terrible. Poor northerners. What the politicians at the Eagle Square forgot to mention is the introduction of violence to a region hitherto known for its tolerance. And fittingly enough it all started at the Eagle Square, the very place they gathered today to pay homage to Satan and Satanism, on October 1st, 2010 the first time Jonathan celebrated independence day as President.

Northerners in Jonathan’s corner are not conscious of their responsibilities to their constituents and whatever God they worship or their traditions of being their brothers’ keepers. It is for them a very lucrative undertaking. It is left for the ordinary man on the street to have the courage to face those crooks whenever they feel safe to come home from their abodes in Abuja. The ordinary poor must accept the shocking fact they “he is on his own” and elevate his survival instinct to a level he could be able to outlive the carnage going on around him. The ordinary Nigerian should endeavour not to let his intelligence be hamstrung by any sentimental concern promoted by propagandists, but to permit cool reason guide his choices in 2015.

Though Jonathan can be described both as mendacious and malignant, he had a collaborative host in the leadership of the north.

This accidental president has

destroyed the region and the north should therefore unite and vote him out of office. The Quislings among us should be left to the vagaries of time. Goodluck Jonathan has degraded the office of the president of Nigeria by reducing it to a clannish enclave and debauched our democracy through reptilian cunning and divisive policies. Most Nigerians are aware of this apart from the crowd from the north – the region that bore Jonathan’s destructive brunt.

Our politicians should know that allowing themselves the vain corruption of safety is not theirs and must therefore be bold enough to tell themselves that neither Jonathan nor them can give them that. Them and we are all human beings on this earth and in Nigeria, with minds, heart and limbs that could be easily hurt or broken like the poor souls in our troubled areas.

The politicians may believe their own position to be high, but no higher than the man in Limankara whose family were wiped out and he was unlucky to survive and bear the pain for the rest of his live; or the woman in Pakka who had to bear the pain of labour in the bushes of Maiha without a midwife or medical attention; or the child in the wilderness of Kuburshosho, wandering the mountain sides, living on legumes and roots for sustenance while grieving the loss of a mother and father.

– Toungo wrote in from Abuja

The Declaration Amidst Bloodshed by babayola m. toungo

I woke up this morning feeling very angry for a reason I cannot grasp. I looked around my room and went through my mind trying to locate the reason for my anger but couldn’t.

Then it hit me – Jonathan Goodluck is going to declare to Nigerians what they all know since – that he will contest for a “second” term. The sheer cruelness of the declaration less than twenty four hours after more than forty nine students were bombed to smithereens and at a time millions of people have been chased away by terrorists from their homes and almost a whole geographical zone has been surrendered by the Nigerian Army to the terrorists with its attendant consequences. I then thought is Jonathan Goodluck human at all? Is there an atom of humanism in him?

I then said to myself he won’t dare declare while most of the soil in my part of the world is soaked in blood – the blood of innocent young kids which is yet to dry. No, common sense will prevail. In the event Goodluck decides to go ahead with his declaration, I tried to convince myself that all the northerners with him would withdraw their support or at least abstain from attending this celebration of death and destruction.

Alas, Jonathan declared and northerners were falling head over heels to be recognised as attending. This got me really angry

to the extent I began questioning my sanity. Are these bunches of unfeeling, politically disconnected, grovelling politicians, genuflecting before Patience Jonathan, truly my representatives? Do we really think for a moment that the people I saw around Jonathan care what happens to us – whether we live or we die?

Have our senses being so dulled to pain by docility and timidity that we are ready to accept these people as our leaders and condone their behaviour to the detriment of the whole northern region in particular and the country at large? Have we been so mentally defeated that we acquiescent our fate with fatalism?

What kind of leadership will sit back and dine with those who doesn’t care whether their people are annihilated or not?

In the aftermath of the Kano pogroms of 1966, which itself was caused by the brutal murder of northern political and military leaders by a largely Igbo officer corps, Odumegwu Ojukwu as governor of the Eastern Region ask all Igbos then living in the north to go back to the east and declared the Biafra Republic. Ojukwu did that ostensibly to protect the Igbos from being annihilated. Whatever the demerits of his actions then, Ojukwu displayed leadership qualities by trying to protect his people from being massacred, as they saw it. While half of the northeast is taken over by terrorists, politicians from the zone are lining

up behind Jonathan in Abuja, back –patting with plastic smiles on their patsy faces.

My Adamawa state has been reduced to two Senatorial zones from three because Adamawa north Senatorial zone is now effectively under the control of the terrorists.

This zone is home to two minsters – Boni Haruna and Zainab Maina, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, the governor and Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly, a senator and two members of the National Assembly.

All of them have remained mute on the happenings in their area. While their people have ran to the bush, they are ensconced in the comforts of Abuja and most of them are with Jonathan at the Eagle Square today, mocking the memory of the dead and those whose lives have been permanently dislocated.

The coterie of northern politicians queuing up behind Jonathan is guiltier of the murders taking place in the region and they should know their hands are dripping with the blood of the innocent. I hope to God that their consciences (if they have any) should continue to disturb them and the ghosts of the dead should deny them peace for the rest of their miserable lives. The people of Adamawa state are now living in perpetual fear of being overrun by the terrorists, yet some people from the state are blaspheming on the good things Jonathan did to the north and the northeast. How did

Business/WORLD NEWS 53

Thursday, November 13, 2014

China, US Set Ambitious Gas Emission Goals

China and the United States, which together produce around 45 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide, have set ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets, with Beijing setting a goal for its emissions to peak “around 2030”.

It is the first time China, the world’s biggest polluter, has set a date, even approximate, for its emissions to stop increasing, and the White House said China would “try to peak early”.

At the same time the US set a goal to cut its own emissions of the gases blamed for climate change by 26-28 percent from

2005 levels by 2025.

The declaration came as President Barack Obama met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for talks in Beijing.

Reports from Beijing say the deal had been in the works for nine months.

“It’s a landmark deal and this is new territory for China to actually set out some goals” for tackling greenhouse gas emissions, said our correspondent.

China will look to “increase the non-fossil fuel share of all energy to around 20 percent by 2030”, the White House said

in a statement. The proportion stood at 10 percent last year, Chinese officials have previously said.

Scientists argue that drastic measures must be taken if the world is to limit global warming to the UN’s target of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, and failing to do so could have disastrous results.

China and the US will be key to ensuring that a global deal on reducing emissions after 2020 is reached in Paris next year.

The two countries have long been at loggerheads over global targets, with each saying the other should bear more responsibility for cutting emissions of gases blamed for heating up the atmosphere.

Blaire Palese, CEO of 350.org, a movement that promotes awareness about climate change, welcomed the announcement, saying it “will bring a huge difference, and we will be watching their progress. We hope it will set the momentum for other countries to follow.” –Al Jazeera

Wall Street Little Changed Near Record, Banks Slip

US stocks were little changed yesterday, as investors saw little reason to push indexes significantly higher a day after the Dow and S&P 500 closed at record highs for a fifth straight session.

Financial companies lost ground after global regulators fined five major banks - including UBS AG (UBSN. VX) (UBS.N), HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) and Citigroup Inc (C.N) - $3.4 billion for failing to stop their traders from trying to manipulate the foreign exchange market.

Citigroup, which will pay $1.02 billion to settle the probe, dipped 0.8 percent to $53.39. JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), which is also facing a penalty, fell 1.4 percent

to $60.49 as the biggest drag on the S&P 500, while the S&P financial index .SPSY lost 0.3 percent.

Tuesday’s S&P 500 record marked its 40th new closing high of the year, versus 45 in 2013. The last five-day streak of record highs was in May 2013, and the next longest was eight days in June 1997. The Dow is on a 6-session winning run, its longest since June.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI fell 7.46 points, or 0.04 percent, to 17,607.44, the S&P 500 .SPX lost 0.91 points, or 0.04 percent, to 2,038.77 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 4.41 points, or 0.09 percent, to 4,664.97.

“This is a pause. There hasn’t been any horrible news pressing down the market,” said Kim Forrest, senior equity research analyst at Fort Pitt Capital Group in Pittsburgh.

The S&P 500 has rallied more than 9 percent from a six-month low in October, buoyed by supportive economic data and corporate earnings. For the year so far, it is up more than 10 percent.

Thomson Reuters data through Wednesday morning showed that of 453 companies in the S&P 500 reporting, 74.8 percent beat expectations, well above the long-term and one-year averages. Earnings overall were expected to grow 10 percent over the year-ago period.

–Reuters

Indian Doctors Scramble To Tackle Sterilisation A team of doctors have rushed to central India after at least 12 women died and dozens of others fell ill after undergoing botched sterilisation surgery, officials have said.

A total of 83 women, all villagers under the age of 32, had the operations on Saturday as part of the federal government’s free sterilisation campaign in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state. But scores were later rushed in ambulances to private

hospitals after falling ill.

More than 50 are still in hospital while 25 of them are reported to be in critical condition, according to the Indian Express newspaper.

The Chhattisgarh state government sent a plane to New Delhi overnight to pick up a team of four doctors “to ensure no time is lost” in treating the patients, Indian Health Secretary Lov Verma told local Press Trust of India.

The state government has also suspended four officials, including Dr RK Gupta, who supervised the surgeries.

“It appears the incident occurred due to negligence” by doctors, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, before urging patience for the autopsy results. He also said the victims’ families would each receive a compensation payment of about $6,600.

–Al Jazeera

A picture from Rosetta’s Osiris instrument showing the Philae lander on its way to the comet.

AEROSPACE: Probe Makes Historic Comet Landing European robot probe Philae has made the first, historic landing on a comet, after descending from its mothership.

The landing on Comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko was confirmed at about 1605 GMT. There were cheers and hugs at the control room in Darmstadt, Germany, after the signal was confirmed.

It was designed to shine a light on some of the mysteries of these icy relics from the formation of the Solar System.

The landing caps a 6.4 billionkilometre journey that was begun a decade ago.

“This is a big step for human civilisation,” said Jean-Jacques

Dordain, the director-general of the European Space Agency (Esa).

Shortly after the touchdown was confirmed, Stephan Ulamec, the mission’s lander chief, said: “Philae is talking to us... we are on the comet.”

Prof Monica Grady of the Open University, who has worked on the project from its earliest days, was at mission control in Darmstadt and was jumping for joy when the news came through.

She told reporters, “I can’t believe it, it’s fantastic, we’ve landed - we’ve waited so long for this.”

–BBC

EBOLA: Sierra Leone Health Workers Embark On Strike Hundreds of health workers involved in treating Ebola patients have gone on strike at a clinic in Sierra Leone.

The staff are protesting about the government’s failure to pay an agreed weekly $100 (£63) “hazard payment”. A few are still assisting at the clinic.

The clinic, in Bandajuma near Bo, is the only Ebola treatment centre in southern Sierra Leone.

In Mali, a nurse and a patient became the second and third people thought to have died from Ebola there.

Nearly 5,000 people have been killed in the outbreak of Ebola in

West Africa, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a global health emergency.

The Bandajuma clinic is run by medical charity MSF, which said it would be forced to close the facility if the strike continued.

MSF’s emergency co-ordinator in Sierra Leone, Ewald Stars, told the BBC that about 60 patients had been left unattended because of the strike at the clinic in Bandajuma.

Those on strike include nurses, porters and cleaners.

–Al Jazeera

Ukraine Crisis: Russian Troops Crossed Border – Nato Nato officials have seen Russian military equipment and Russian combat troops entering Ukraine this week, its top commander says.

“Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian air defence systems and Russian combat troops” were sighted, US Gen Philip Breedlove said.

Russia’s defence ministry denied that its troops were in eastern Ukraine to help pro-Russian separatists there.

However, the rebels have admitted being helped by “volun-

teers” from Russia.

The United Nations Security Council is convening an emergency session later on Wednesday to discuss the reported sightings.

Heavy artillery fire rocked the east Ukrainian city of Donetsk, the industrial hub held by pro-Russian separatist rebels, on Wednesday morning.

It was unclear whether the fire came from besieging government forces or the rebels themselves, or both.

–BBC

54

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Lagos, Anambra Dominate Gymnastics Lagos and Anambra have dominated the gymnastics event at the ongoing school sports festival in Otukpo, Benue. Team Anambra came second on the medals table with five gold, nine silver and eleven bronze medals behind winners Lagos with 16 gold, nine silver and four bronze medals.

Other states that won medals in gymnastics as obtained from the NSS secretariat were, Cross River with five gold, four silver and six bronze, Niger won one gold, one silver and no brone to come fourth

while hosts Benue go no medal.

John Oyewuwo, head of the technical committee for gymnastics congratulated Lagos and Anambra for coming out tops in the event. He said while Lagos was a strong force in the sport, Anambra had improved tremendously.

Oyewuwo said Anambra should encourage gymnastics as there were lots of potentials to be developed there, adding that the state should acquire more equipment and expose their athletes to more competitions and training.

Benson Udeh, coach of the Anambra gymnastics team thanked the governemnet for their support adding that he was glad to have contributed to the medal haul of the state.

In other sports, Ebonyi female handball team lost 4-1 to their Anambra counterpart in the U-17 category while their male team also lost by 22 -6 still to Anambra.

In Volleyball, Anambra dominated by beating Niger and Kano by 2-0, 2-0 respectively in the senior boys category and also defeated the Niger and Kano female teams by 2-0 respectively.

AFCON Qualifiers: Eagles Vow To Crush Congo, S/AFrica

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

African champions insist they are battle ready to crush Congo’s Red Devils and Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their two remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifier matches to ensure their passage to 2015 edition of the biannual soccer showpiece. The team made declaration yesterday in Abuja during a media parley with sports writers.

Skipper of the team, Vincent Enyeama insisted that Congo and South Africa are beatable and as such Nigerians should expect nothing less than victory in the two matches respectively. He said despite losing to Congo in Calabar last month, they will beat them at

their own backyard on Saturday.

He however called for prayers from Nigerians and all their fans home and abroad to enable them actualize their dreams of qualifying for the Africa biggest showpiece and defend the title they won last year in South Africa.

According to him; “We are ready to defend our title next year. Therefore we need prayers from Nigerians to excel in the two remaining games.”

In the same vein, Dolphin of Port-Harcourt striker, Emem Edouk, who is one of the home based invitee to the team added that with the kind of training the team is currently going through in Abuja, there is nothing stopping

them from picking six points in Pointe-Noire and Uyo, saying that the players have resolved to take the bull by the horns.

Aaron Samuel and Ahmed Musa, who both scored against Sudan at the Abuja National Stadium, say they are going to replicate the forms in Pointe-Noire and Uyo when they take on Congo and South Africa respectively.

Samuel who ply his trade in China said; “No team is unbeatable. We are going to take the game to them and pick the available points to enable us qualify for 2015 AFCON.” While, Musa insisted that, they have put the lost in Calabar behind them and are ready to make amend in the two remaining games.

Eagles Will Not Watch 2015 AFCON On TV – Enyeama

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

With just three days to the crucial match between Nigeria and Congo, Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, has assured that the teams and entire football loving Nigerians will not watch the 30th edition of Africa Cup of Nation on TV, insisted that the African champions will not only participate but will defend their trophy next year when competition get underway in January.

He gave the assurance yesterday at team camp in Abuja.

Enyeama

According to Lille of France shot-stopper: “I don’t want to be part of Eagles that will watch 2015 AFCON on TV, that is why we are working hard to make

sure that we secure the ticket. As you can see, the spirit is high in the camp and my prayer is that Nigeria’s flags will not be found missing when 30th edition of AFCON kick off in January.

“Because if we fail to qualify it’s going to affect everybody but the truth is that the players spirit is high in the camp the same way Enyeama is reacting everyone believes that we will succeed. Football is about the team, football is a game of 11 players against 11 players and I know that victory is sure.”

NSSF Games: Female Athlete Breaks 3,000m Record Onan Sule from Plateau State yesterday impressed participants and officials of the ongoing 7th National School Sports Festival by clinching gold medal in the 3,000 metres race in a record time of 10:35sec.

The Pankshin born student of Plateau origin beat Jenifer Augustine and Patience Udeme both of Cross River state currently dominating in athletics at the games to second and third positions. Jenifer Augustine raced 10:46seconds while Patience Udeme finished in 10:52seconds.

Impressed with the young distance racer from Plateau State,

Dr Bruce who is revolutionizing sports from the grassroots in Cross River State has offered to pick Onan Sule on a full athletics/academics scholarship in his sports integrated/academy programme in Cross River State.

He said for the girl to dust his highly trained athletes who were in camp for three months in preparation for the festival, she is a potential future star that must be well guided, nurtured and exposed to attain stardom.

“When I saw her I got impressed with her performance and interested in talking to people so as to release her for our integrated

sports programme in Cross River State where she will be on full scholarship and sponsorship. She is a future star that needs a well intensified programme. Since I started attending school sports in 2009 I have identified a number of them one of them I can remember in Kaduna; a primary school girl in 800 metres, a beautiful runner. I told the Kaduna people to allow me take her; I will sponsor her in school and train her and she would be the best in the country in a short while but they refused. Now I have found one here running the 3,000 metres and she beat my own girls.

Super Eagles

Uche Reunion Excites Keshi

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

Ahead of this weekend make or mar African Cup of Nations qualifier match against the Congo’s Red Devils in Port Not and next week encounter with Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo, Super Eagles gaffer, Stephen Keshi has expressed happiness in having Villarreal of Spain goal banger back in the team after a year in the wilderness.

Speaking at the media parley yesterday in Abuja, he said it is good to have the player back in the team and wish him well. “It’s good to have Uche back to the team after about a year plus of been absent from the team. I wish him success ahead of the must win clash in Pointe-Not ire at the weekend and subsequent matches.

“It’s very good to have your players with you, it makes you great.

The coaches and their players understand themselves, but sometimes some people outside doesn’t understand how it goes. For Ike it’s good to see him and also good to see the rest of the players in camp,” he said.

Also the elated Villarreal of Spain hit man told LEADERSHIP sports that he is happy to be back to the Supper Eagles, saying that he has come to join the rest of the team to make the nation proud when the team square up against their resil-

ient opponents on Saturday.

As for what Nigerian should expect from him in the two remaining qualifying matches, he said, “Nigeria you expect from the team not me because I am part of the team. I would try my best to contribute to the team success, because it not one person job. It is a team work and we are all prepared to do our nation proud again,” Uche Stated.

Uche

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

sports 55

Thursday, November 13, 2014

2015 AFCON New Host To Be Named This Week New hosts for the 2015 African Nations Cup will be named within the next three days after Morocco was ruled out amid fears of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stated.

CAF president Issa Hayatou said the regional governing body would talk to countries who were interested in taking over the January 17 to February 8 finals and expected a quick resolution amid suggestions Qatar had been sounded out about hosting the event.

Speaking to France 24, Hayatou also reiterated CAF’s stance that by giving in to Morocco’s request to have the date of the tournament moved it would set an unwanted precedent.

“Once you postpone this event, it will open the door for everybody to ask for a delay of any competition and we will no longer be credible,” Hayatou said.

“We will hurt our sponsors and partners. Everyone will say we are not ready and

Lobi To Defend Record Against Dolphins Lobi Stars central defender, Anthony Agbaji has said his side will maintain their almost 100% home record against former Nigerian champions, Dolphins. The Pride of Benue will host the Garden City side in Sunday’s Glo Premier League final match day 38 encounter at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina-Ala. Agbaji said his side are satisfied with their performance in the outgoing season though a ticket at the continent would have been more cherished.

“We’ll continue our five-star performance at home against Dolphins on Sunday aimed at ending the outgoing season on a high.

“I know Dolphins will pose a hard nut to crack possibly to dent

Issa Hayatou

finally it is CAF that will pay the price. That is what I told the Moroccans.

“We cannot sign our death warrant because if we postpone this event it will be very deadly for African football.

For 57 years, we have patiently built this house, which today is the pride of all Africans.

“They have this festival every two years and we are not about to leave the opportunity to anyone to destroy the work we have patiently developed over the years.”

Angola, Egypt, Gabon and Nigeria were the countries being touted as possible replacement hosts by the African media. our flawless home record but we won’t allow them the luxury.

“We’ve steeled ourselves to take any banter Dolphins will be throwing at us as ours is to pocket the maximum three points at stake.

“We had an eventful campaign this season unlike the immediate past season that we struggled to stay away from relegation.

“As players we regret missing out at the continent though we’re somehow comforted with the fact that we’ll be finishing strongly on the league log.

“I’m quite certain our end table position will be satisfactory to even our ardent supporters as well as critics.

“I can say confidently that the outgoing season wasn’t a disappointing one in all ramifications,” said the Lobi Stars man to supersport.com.

Lobi Stars are seventh on the 20-team Nigerian top flight log on 56 points at the end of week 37 matches.

Yerna Ikpeen of Lobi Stars FC of Markudi contesting the ball with Jolly Osas of Heartland FC of Owerri in the 2012 FA cup match.

Friendly: Brazil Thrashes Turkey 4-0 Neymar scored a goal in each half to lead Brazil to a 4-0 win over Turkey in a friendly on Wednesday, giving coach Dunga his fifth win in a row since returning to the national team after the World Cup. Neymar broke the deadlock in the 21st minute and rounded off the scoring in the 60th. Turkey defender Semih Kaya scored an own goal in the 25th and Brazil midfielder Willian found the net in the 44th.

The Turkish crowd loudly chanted Neymar’s name after his second goal and jeered the home side during parts of

Neymar vies for the ball with Turkey’s Bila Kisa during friendly match between Turkey and Brazil, yesterday.

the match.

Brazil has won every game since Dunga took over after its disappointing home World

Cup. It had previously beaten Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Japan. Dunga’s team has outscored its opponents 12-0.

NFF Elections: Appeal Committee Reserves Ruling For Today

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) electoral appeal committee sitting in Abuja, yesterday, reserved ruling on the petitions seeking to nullify the September 30 NFF’s elective congress that produced Amaju Pinnickled NFF’s board.

The committee headed by Barrister Okechukwu Ajunwa adjourned the matter to today on a day one the aggrieved loser in the elections, Barrister Iyke Igbokwe, sought the nullification of the entire elections, saying it was marred with irregularities and floated electoral guidelines.

The committee chairman before adjourned the matter, said the NFF president, Amaju Pinnick will appears before them today to present his defense.

He directed Shehu Dikko, who was disqualified from contesting NFF presidency against Pinnick, to make available to the secretariat copies of his petitions and email the same to Pinnick to for him respond to accordingly.

“NFF president will present his defense tomorrow (today). I am not sure some of us have the copies of your petition. So make

the copies available to the secretariat and make sure that they emailing it to the president so that he can respond along with other petitions he is going to respond to tomorrow.

“Tomorrow (today) will be the last sitting of this committee. We will handle Presidential presentation tomorrow and also watch Igbokwe’s video.”

Presenting his case yesterday, Igbokwe insisted that the election of Enyimba chairman, Felix Anyasi as NFF board member violated the spirit of Article 7 (b) of the Federal Character of the Electoral Guidelines which states that “no state shall produce more than one executive committee member”. He contended that Anyasi should be disqualified as he is from Abia State where Emeka Inyama, the chairman of the Nigeria National League who is also on the NFF board from.

He asked the Appeals Committee to void the entire election as similar breach led to the election of Sharif Rabiu Inuwa from Kano State, when Ahmed Kawu from the same state was already a member of the board.

Igbokwe also listed the ab-

Pinnick

sence of a representative of FIFA, CAF and WAFU as contrary to Article 12 of the guidelines of the NFF Executive Committee election which prescribed for the presence of these observers at the election. Apart from that Igbokwe said the holding of the election in Warri was also wrong as one of the contestants was from Delta State. He also said the circulation of a list of candidates to be voted for just before voting commenced was in breach of Article 11.2 of the guidelines that all campaigns must cease by midnight on the eve of election.

School Sports Festival: Power Outage Hits Accommodation Camps Power outage has hit the accommodation camps were the contingents to the ongoing National School Sports Festival are staying, thus throwing them into darkness in the last three days.

The contingents were accommodated at various secondary schools in Otukpo, Benue for this year edition with the themed “Mark of Excellence” without alternative source of power.

At Wesley High School where Plateau, Kaduna, Jigawa are camped, power supply had been cut off since the festival began on November 6, while Jesus College and Bishop Okwuoche colleges were Anambra, Lagos,

Cross River are camped had been in darkness for about 72 hours.

At St. Anne’s college were Adamawa were camped the situation was the same; water supply has also been poor as athletes do not have means of refreshing after the day’s activities.

Reacting to the development, Ibrahim Mohammad, president of the National School Sports Federation said it was bad to throw contingents into darkness without visible efforts to remedy the situation.

Mohammad expressed frustrations, saying it was not within the purview of the federation to provide these amenities, as it was the responsibility of the lo-

cal organisers to restore normalcy to the camps.

It could be recalled that the senate president had promised to subsidies feeding of athletes at the festival to with the sum of N6million and redeemed N3 million on Sunday. He promised to make good his pledged by release the balance of the N3m food subsidy today.

His Special Assistant on Sports, Dr Peter Deshi, who revealed this while making sure all things go smoothly at the games said the senate president was aware of the balance and promise made on behalf of him by his wife Mrs Helen Mark while dropping the initial N3m on Sunday.

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13.11.14 www.leadership.ng

The Thursday Column

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 2,292

S

Then, there were fewer schools but the quality of the products cannot be compared to today’s

N150

Then And Now 08052407030 (SMS only) abba@leadership.ng

Abba Mahmood

ir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was Nigeria’s first and so far only Prime Minister.

He was a man of dignity and simplicity. His oratory earned him the sobriquet “Golden Voice of Africa”. Although at independence Nigeria was not very rich in terms of money, oil being very insignificant then, Nigeria was well respected across the world largely due to the personality of Sir Abubakar as well as the relatively stable and peaceful domestic environment then.

Globally, Nigeria was consulted on all major issues. During his state visit to the US in 1961, Sir Abubakar addressed a joint session of the US Congress, an honour no other Nigerian has had since then.

Today, Nigeria is so diminished that, even to have a meeting with its immediate neighbours, France had to host it for those neighbours to attend.

The only consultation any nation has with Nigeria is to ask how the country is coping with its magnifying challenges. Even low-level diplomats from places like US have access to the highest level and are held in awe by Nigerian officials. The country has lost policy autonomy as it is always dictated to on what to do about her economy, polity, and even health policy. The nation’s government officials wait, beg and lobby to even get photo audience in the White House.

Six years after independence, a section of the country felt unhappy with the federation and decided to opt out. That section declared itself the Republic of Biafra with full complements of sovereignty: a flag, an anthem, a currency, armed forces, a civil service, a head of state and full government. Under Gen.

THURSDAY

w

Yakubu Gowon, it took Nigeria less than three years to bring an end to the Biafran secession without borrowing a kobo to do that. Nigeria united and the whole world was amazed at the pace of integration and reconciliation. It earned Gen. Gowon the sobriquet “the Abraham Lincoln of Nigeria”.

Today, the Nigerian armed forces is so mismanaged that many soldiers are deserting the field instead of fighting for the country. It is almost six years since an insurgency by a ragtag Boko Haram terrorist group but the end is not yet in sight.

They are taking over territories and declaring a so-called caliphate but it appears there is very little challenge from the government to reverse and take over these places. Citizens live in fear; innocent people are being killed daily. Places of worship are being attacked and worshippers are not spared with the incapacity of the government to confront and bring an end to their terrible senseless deaths and destruction for over five years now. Many Nigerians are moving away to neigbouring countries. Nigeria is no more safe for anybody.

The Murtala/Obasanjo administration is always referred to as the golden era of Nigeria‘s foreign policy. Nigeria was the fulcrum around which the liberation efforts for African countries which were still under colonial rule revolved. Nigeria’s Angolan policy was the defining moment. Murtala gave one of the most inspiring speeches ever at the extraordinary OAU Summit in Addis Ababa in January 1976, a few weeks before his death. Obasanjo sustained the struggle. He nationalized the British Petroleum and British Baclays Bank, among others, to force the British to speed

up the process of decolonization in Zimbabwe and the rest of southern Africa. Africa was indeed the centre-piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy and all the citizens were mobilized on this.

Today, Nigeria is not only an appendage of the Western powers but indeed the lapdog of France as far as Africa is concerned. Here in West Africa, France intervened to change a government in Cote d’Ivoire.

France intervened to save Mali from disintegration. France is the major power doing and undoing in Burkina Faso recently.

Even in non-Francophone Africa, France was at the forefront for the ousting of the Gaddafi regime in Libya. As far as Africa is concerned, Nigeria is impotent even in its immediate backyard of West Africa.

To undercover this fact graphically, recall that when some soldiers overthrew the elected government in Sao Tome and Principe in July 2003, President Obasanjo singlehandedly intervened to restore the overthrown president. Compare that with the adventure of young officers in Burkina Faso after the resignation of Blaise Compaore recently. The Nigerian president along with Ghanain and Senegalese presidents went to Ouagadougou on behalf of ECOWAS. Col. Zida was just looking at them with confidence. He never immediately responded and was instead trying to buy time.

Then, there were fewer schools but the quality of the products cannot be compared to today’s. Even primary school pupils then had better education than today’s university students, who are in most cases practically unemployable.

Then, there were fewer hospitals than now but the quality was such that nobody knew

anything about medical tourism -- travelling out for medical attention. For each General Hospital there was an ambulance attached 24/7 with very good medical personnel and quality facilities and medicines.

Then, development efforts were based on the five-year National Development Plans.

These plans were based on scientific indices. They were prepared by home-grown professionals such as Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, who later became executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

The plans and annual budgets were implemented to the letter with great patriotism and transparent accountability. Today, we have the 7-Point Agenda which metamorphosed into a “Transformation Agenda”. No one is sure when this “agenda” will lead to a meeting to take decision and implement them.

Are we really moving forward? It reminds me of the Fulani saying that “when you refuse the one that does not fast, you will get the one that does not pray”.

GHANA MUST GO I’ve fulfilled my promises to Nigerians — Jonathan

So, return to Otuoke!

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