Leadership news

18.12.14

THURSDAY

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 2,312

N150

NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

Sam Nda-Isaiah Resumes At LEADERSHIP Group

BY BOde GBAdeBO, Abuja

The founder of LEADERSHIP Group, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, will resume at the company as its group chairman tomorrow.

Nda-Isaiah was until last week

a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before entering partisan politics, he had stepped down as chairman

of the newspaper, and although there is no statutory obligation for him to do so, he stepped down voluntarily in accordance with

fresh ideas to take the businesses to a new level.

Nda-Isaiah said his involvement in politics was a hugely revealing and insightful

best governance practices.

His return will give LEADERSHIP and the entire group the opportunity to leverage

Army Sentences 54 Soldiers To Death, Acquits 5 > Page 6

➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

Budget 2015: FG Unveils Adjustment Measures, Pegs Oil Benchmark At $65pb > Page 5

Drama Behind Osinbajo’s Choice BuhAri’S ruNNiNG MATe

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His emergence resets presidential campaign

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R-L: All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) presenting his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

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chibok diary 248

Thursday, December 18, 2014

DAY

Chibok TweeTs

@OpinionNigeria The highest position Yemi Osinbajo has held in Nig is a Commissioner...now he wants to jump track to VP. #RedefineNigeria #BringBackOurGirls @edwardlaji Please since you obviously don't care for fellow Nigerians I am joining a plea #BringBackOurGirls. It will be Christmas in like 5days mercy!

@Bukkyshonibare Day 246 of abduction 9 days to Christmas 16 days to New Year #BringBackOurGirls

@OgbeniDipo #BringBackOurGirls before 2015!

Members of #BringBackourGirls (BBoG) Group advocating the release of the abducted Chibok girls during a protest in abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

BBOG Group Calls For Vigilance After Pakistan School Attack

By Chika Mefor, ejike ejike,

@tobiBowale Dr Okupe whips up hatred for the President by alleging those demanding #BringBackOurGirls are simply hating.

@NikeAdeyemi Let children live ! #BringBackOurGirls

Abuja The #BringBackOurGirls group has called on the Nigerian government to be vigilant in order to avoid a replication of Tuesday’s massacre of school children in Pakistan in the country.

Speaking at the group’s sitting protest yesterday, one of the leaders of the group, Aisha Yesufu, said it has become a global trend for terrorist groups to try to replicate the actions of other similar

groups in other parts of the world.

“With this killing of school children in Pakistan, I believe that our government should wake up and be vigilant especially in our schools. It has become a global trend that some of the terrorist groups try to replicate what has been done in other parts of the world by other terrorist groups.

“A responsible government that has the interest of its people at heart will make adequate preparations to safeguard its schools to avoid any further attack by the

Boko Haram sect,” Yesufu stated.

Also speaking, Maureen Kabrick, who led the group’s sit-out yesterday, condemned the killing of those young students in Pakistan, describing it as wicked, callous and unnecessary, and called for global action against such dastardly act.

“We had killings of school children in Yobe, Sydney and now, Pakistan. This means that the world is becoming insecure and anyone could be the next target.

“We were told before that in

times of war, women and children were spared, but it is obvious that these days and with the kinds of Islamic wars going on in the world, the most affected are the children, girls and women,” Kabrick lamented.

She urged the federal government to learn from the way and manner the governments of Australia and Pakistan handled the terror incidents as they promptly showed concern and even addressed their nations on the situation.

@am_sweezy #BringbackOurGirls tho its like a week to Christmas.

Let em celebrate Christmas with their families at least.

@JibrinIbrahim17 #BringBackOurGirls Day 247 after Abduction Day 232 of SitOut. Compiled by Ugochukwu Iroka

Members of #BringBackourGirls (BBoG) Group advocating the release of the abducted Chibok girls during a protest in abuja.

PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

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our stand Thursday, December 18, 2014

Ensuring Road Safety This Festive Season

O

ver the next three weeks, Nigerians in their millions and of different religious persuasions will be travelling in their numbers to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their loved ones. The empty houses and mansions in the villages will, within this period, again be filled with laughter and merriment.

The implication of the mass movement is that the roads, some of which are in terribly bad condition, will be forced to take on more heavy traffic than usual.

At the peak of it all, gridlocks will appear along major highways such as the Lagos-Ibadan, LagosOnitsha, Abuja-Lagos, AbujaEnugu, Kano- Lagos and many other expressways across the country. On some bad days, holdups may become the order of the day, stretching for kilometres on end. At places like Onitsha Bridge, the impending situation can only be imagined. Beyond the man hours lost and the accompanying inconvenience, the possibility of accidents, many fatal, cannot be ruled out.

Even at the best of times and when there are no festivities, the country still records a high rate of

fatal accidents on its highways, or what pass for them. According to statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 20.5 out of every 100,000 people die each year as a result of road accidents, most of them below the age of 25. It would not be far-fetched to assume that 20 per cent of these accidents occur in December.

To stop the carnage, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the figure is reduced considerably. The onus of responsibility in this regard lies first with the federal government, whose duty it is to ensure that the roads are in good condition at all times.

Its agencies, such as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC),

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

responsible for road safety administration, should heighten their level of alertness at this time, to ensure that the highways are safe for all road users.

Since they are the face of government on these roads, it behoves them to recommend safety measures, which include improving infrastructure that can help to eliminate or, at least, minimise accidents on the highways. But even more importantly, we need point out, is the expansion of its public campaign on how to ensure discipline on the highways.

It is also important to stress that accidents, in most cases, don’t just happen. Most of them are caused by human error, which implies that effort should be concentrated on changing the mindset of the average Nigerian motorist, with regard to road usage, discipline and safety. FRSC, in our opinion, must strive to meet these challenges by mobilising all its resources, men and materials. In addition, it must situate ambulances in places where there are none at the moment.

We urge the Nigeria Police, other security agencies and the whole populace to assist in this effort, which, we hope, will ensure an accident-free yuletide.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah

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

Leadership Holdings

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

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

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

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

4 news extra

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo Court Sets Aside Reps’ Invitation To Diezani, NNPC Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has set aside the letter of invitation sent by the House of Representatives to the petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to appear before its investigative panel over alleged N10billion charter jet.

Diezani and NNPC approached the court, seeking to stop the House of Representatives from probing allegations that they spent over N10billion on chartered aircraft.

In his judgement in the suit, Justice Mohammed held that the House of Representatives has the power to summon anybody irrespective of his or her position to appear before it to give explanation on how a public property entrusted to him is being managed.

The court, however, noted that this was contrary to the submission of the plaintiffs that the House of Representatives lacks power to summon them without the consent of the president.

It consequently held that the House of Representatives did not follow due process in inviting the plaintiffs.

By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

Nigerians Are Their Own Worst Enemies –Bishop Kukah Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, said yesterday that Nigerians are their own worst enemies, just as he lamented that of all the countries in the world, it is only Nigerian criminals that steal and invest in another country.

Kukah who spoke to journalists as a prelude to the formal marking of the Golden Jubilee of the Sokoto Diocese, affirmed that the Catholic Diocese in its quest to contribute to knowledge has no fewer than 16 nursery and primary schools as well as six secondary schools across the three states of the diocese (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara).

He noted further that the Bishop Kukah Unity Cup Finals will be played in Sokoto as part of activities to mark the occasion.

Lamenting that Nigeria’s problems are artificial, hence the need to trace and apply our history that once served as our unifying point rather than attacking each other on religious grounds, Bishop Kukah said he is concerned about Nigerians and not the antics of politicians.

The revered cleric urged the older generation of the country not to transfer bitterness to the younger generation.

By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

Minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, presenting the 2015 Budget to the Senate at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO.

Elections Will Hold In North-east, Military Assures Nigerians As Jonathan holds breakfast meeting with service chiefs

By George Agba, Abuja

The chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh assured yesterday that the 2015 general elections will hold in North-eastern states that are the epicentres of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Badeh who spoke to journalists after all the service chiefs had a breakfast meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Aso Rock, Abuja urged Nigerians to have faith in the military.

Asked whether the 2015 elections would take place in the troubled areas as against insinuations that there might be no elections in the North-east zone, the defence chief simply said, “Elections will hold there.

Don’t worry.

“We are certainly not losing it. We are winning the war.

Don’t worry; Nigerians should have faith in their military. The nation will win this war”.

Badeh added that normalcy has returned to Mubi, with the army liberating more communities captured by the insurgents.

“Normal life is back in Mubi and around that place. We are

liberating more and more communities. People are moving in, life is returning to normal gradually”, he stated.

On the purpose of the breakfast meeting with the president, he said, “Of course, you are aware of the security situation in the country; the president thought it fit to call us this morning to come and brief him about the current situation of things.

“We have told the president exactly where we are and our future plans. As you know, we can’t talk about our future plans here. That will mean telling the enemy what we are doing”.

Asked to comment on the

fake Boko Haram members who were arrested by the DSS vis-avis his earlier ceasefire order, Badeh said, “It is better not to discuss those things. SSS is on it; they are doing their own investigation.

“They did a briefing yesterday and they have told you exactly what they are doing. It is better we leave the SSS to handle that one”.

The defence chief said the army was not bothered about the negative perception of the war between the soldiers and the insurgents, even as he said, “Don’t worry, the military is handling fifth columnists in its own way”.

15 Killed In Taraba, Southern Kaduna Villages

By Midat Joseph, Kaduna and Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

No fewer than 10 persons were said to have been killed yesterday when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked Sabon Gida Shagogo in Donga local government area of Taraba State, even as five others were killed in Karshi village in Sanga local government area of Kaduna State.

Narrating the Taraba incident, an eye witness who spoke to LEADERSHIP, Hon Ahijo Uhaa Gbashi said that the attackers numbering over 100 invaded the village at about 4-6pm, killing 10 people and setting ablaze houses and places of worship.

He stressed that the attackers came few hours after military per-

sonnel who were on routine patrol of the area left the village.

“As I am talking to you, we are burying the corpses of people killed in the attack. We have reported series of threats of attack on our village to security personnel time and time again but nobody seems to care.

“How come the security personnel left our village and in less than 10 minutes, we were attacked, if they didn’t have prior knowledge of the planned attack and they gave way for them to attack us?

“No one cares about us. Lives and properties are being wasted on daily basis and government is not doing anything to stop the killing of our people,” he lamented.

According to him, the village

was reduced to rubble within the two hours that the attack lasted.

He noted that the Catholic Church and the Parish House were also burnt down in the process of the attack.

“Even the Rev. Father Clement Mkperaga who is in charge of our parish narrowly escaped death.

The whole village has been deserted,” he stressed.

When contacted, police public relations officer, Taraba State Command, ASP Joseph Kwaji who confirmed the attack told LEADERSHIP on phone that only two persons were killed.

Southern Kaduna Killings in troubled Sanga local government in the Southern part of Kaduna State resumed yester-

day following the murder of five persons in Karshi village.

Among those killed were a oneyear-old baby and his mother, whose father was brutally killed in an ambush on Monday.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the village was attacked by unknown terrorists early yesterday morning, leaving many persons injured.

A resident, Mr Bulus told our correspondent that five people were killed in the early morning raid on the village, while several houses and food stores were burnt to ashes when the terrorists stormed the village.

The police authorities and local government officials could not comment on the attack despite several attempts made by our correspondent.

NEWS 5

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Drama Behind Osinbajo’s Choice

LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100

One health tip daily You Snooze, You Loose

By Bayo Oladeji, Chika Otuchikere, Chibuzo Ukaibe And Bode Gbadebo, Abuja; George Okojie, Lagos and Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

Though there has been media frenzy over who becomes the running mate to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday’s nomination of the former Lagos State attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), came as something of an anti-climax.

LEADERSHIP had exclusively reported on its Friday edition of December 12, 2014, that Buhari would pick Osinbajo as his running mate.

But the manner the information of his nomination was conveyed to Osinbajo appears to be different from the usual. After series of nocturnal meetings among the chieftains of the party in the last 72 hours, the party leadership resolved to send a chartered aircraft to bring Osinbajo from Lagos.

When the party informed him of his nomination and asked for his whereabouts in Lagos in order to fly him to Abuja, he replied that was already in Abuja at the Supreme Court where he was appearing in a landmark case.

He, thereafter, came to the secretariat where he held a prolonged meeting with Buhari.

The development was said to be responsible for the delay in unveiling him to the public as Buhari himself disclosed this in his speech.

Osinbajo’s emergence from among other prominent members of the party was the outcome of dramatic scheming, high-wire politics and horse trading.

A reliable source close to the arrowheads of the party confided in LEADERSHIP last night that Osinbajo’s selection caught the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by surprise.

Tinubu himself was said to be interested in the post and had insisted that he was eminently qualified for it. The development must have been responsible for the series of meetings in Lagos and Abuja and the long delay in choosing a number two candidate for the APC. According to the source, who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, Tinubu did not know that Osinbajo would emerge as the running mate to Buhari.

He said, “I can authoritatively tell you that the emergence of Osinbajo is not an easy task.

This is because a lot of issues, interests and other national issues were considered, apart from politics. Tinubu himself did not know that Osinbajo’s name was on the list until this morning ( yesterday).

“I also wish to inform you that the situation got to a point that a top retired general from the south west had to call Buhari and blast him over why he allowed himself to be tossed about in choosing his running mate. The general further asked Buhari to make up his mind on a credible candidate and announce his name without further delay.

“Don’t forget that Tinubu has said that it is only one name that the south west is presenting (that is himself) and that Buhari cannot change the name.”

The source added that when Buhari visited Tinubu for further consultations on the issue of the nominee from the south west, Tinubu was said to have refused to see off the former head of state as courtesy demands as a result of the contentious issue as the two of them could

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

not agree on the matter.

The development was said to have devastated Tinubu while Buhari thereafter decided to choose Osinbajo and unveil him to the public at about 4:23pm at the party secretariat in Abuja.

The nominee, a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was acceptable to Buhari because of his outstanding credibility. Incidentally, Osinbajo’s name also came up in 2011 during the merger of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Speaking on why he preferred Osinbajo, Buhari said he was certain that the professor and former Lagos AG will be of great assist in the mission to rescue Nigeria because of what he called his unimpeachable integrity.

The choice of Buhari running-mate was delayed for six days after he was elected as APC presidential candidate in Lagos last week.

While presenting his running-mate at the national secretariat of the party yesterday in Abuja, Buhari said: “I have chosen a man of unimpeachable integrity, an excellent professional, a man of faith, a devoted family man and a role model to our fellow countrymen and women. He is a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, aAn alumnus of the University of Lagos and the London School of Economics.

“He is a prodigious author who has to his credit several books on civil procedure in Nigerian superior courts.

“The vice-presidential candidate is a friend of the less privileged, compassionate and zealous in service. A man of uncommon humility, a loyal, dependable and selfless patriot. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, who by the grace of God, and the vote of Nigerians, will be the next vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The APC presidential candidate admitted that the method employed in the choice was quite meticulous but rigorous: “It involved the establishment of objective criteria, broad consultations with party leaders and a few opinion leaders outside the party and interactions with a number of nominees.”

In his acceptance speech, Osibanjo said he was honoured to have been nominated as the vice-presidential candidate of the APC and especially the presidential candidate to Buhari. ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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

Sam Nda-Isaiah Returns At LEADERSHIP Group FROM FRONT PAGE

undertaking, adding that he has learnt of some strange traits from very unlikely quarters which he intends to discuss in due course.

He said he has been touched by the

number of calls he has been receiving during and after the presidential primary election, especially from young people inspired by his big ideas.

Nda-Isaiah said he remains a member of the APC and is committed to realising its promise of change.

Budget 2015: FG Unveils Spending Adjustments, Pegs Oil Benchmark At $65pb

By Nse Anthony-Uko, Adesuwa Tsan And Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

As part of measures to ensure a more sustainable expenditure profile in the 2015 budget, the federal government yesterday unveiled a set of adjustment measures to tackle the huge revenue gap created by falling oil price and massive decline in production.

Coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who announced these measures yesterday, said emphasis would be placed on increasing nonoil revenues such as taxes on luxury items, cutting down on abuse of import waivers and exemptions, ramping up on collection of 25 per cent of gross independent generated revenues by ministries, departments and parastatals (MDAs) as well as massive cutbacks in international travels and trainings for all public servants, among others.

Speaking at the public presentation of the 2015 budget in Abuja, the minister unveiled a new tax surcharge regime on luxury items which includes a 10 per cent import surcharge imposed on new private jets, estimated to yield about N3.7 billion into the treasury; 39 per cent import surcharge on luxury yachts, estimated to raise N1.6 billion, and five per cent import surcharge on luxury cars, estimated to yield about N2.6 billion of additional revenue.

Okonjo-Iweala also announced a three

per cent tax surcharge on champagnes, wines and spirits to generate about N2.3 billion and a one per cent FCT Mansion Tax on residential properties with value of N300 million and above which should yield additional N360 million, as well as additional tax surcharge on business and first-class tickets on airlines. These surcharges are expected to yield a total of about N10.56 billion in 2015.

On the parameters for the 2015 budget, Okonjo-Iweala said that oil production remains at 2.2782 million barrels per day; benchmark oil price of $65 per barrel representing a $13 drop per barrel from the $78 per barrel (i.e., about N142 billion of FG budget revenue) originally proposed to the National Assembly; GDP growth rate projected at 5.5 per cent; an exchange rate of N165 to the US Dollar; non-oil revenue (including non-federation account) of N1.68 trillion; fiscal deficit of N755 billion (or 0.79 per cent of GDP); and domestic borrowing of N570 billion, down from N571.9 billion in 2014.

Based on these parameters, the 2015 budget envisages net federally collectible revenue of N6.9 trillion. Of this, a total of N3.6 trillion is envisaged to fund the FG’s 2015 Budget, representing about 3.4 per cent drop from N3.7 trillion for 2014 budget. This is with more emphasis on non-oil revenue sources to partly ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

6 news extra End Jailbreaks Or Get Fired, FG Tells NPS Boss The minister of interior, Comrade Abba Moro yesterday, told the newly appointed Controller General of Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Dr Peter Ekpendu to put an end to incessant jailbreaks in the country, as well as clamp down on officials who conspire with external forces to free inmates, or get relieved of his job.

The minister who sounded the warning while officially decorating the new CG, and his counterpart from the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Joseph G. Anebi with their new ranks, in Abuja, said, “Henceforth, if there is jailbreak in any prison those in charge will be held responsible.

I want you to do your best and weed the prison of such characters who are bent on frustrating our efforts”.

Moro charged the prison officials to take their responsibilities serious. He said, “The uniform that you wear today bears a sign of responsibility, it is an epitome of responsibility ,you must take responsibility and anything to the contrary is not acceptable. to us.

In the ministry. “I therefore, charge you today Mr Controller General to take adequate steps and sanitise the Prisons immediately. I will hold you accountable for any failure on the part of the Service henceforth,” Moro directed.

By Christiana Nwaogu, Abuja

Nigeria Has Over 750, 000 IDPs – Kangiwa Nigeria today has over 750, 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), the federal commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajia Hadiza Sani Kangiwa, has disclosed.

Hajia Kangiwa who made this disclosure yesterday during a press briefing in Abuja said the number is a consecutive figure because “all IDPs are not in the camp, thus it is a big challenge to register those in the camps, not to talk of those outside camps”.

The press briefing was to mark the maiden National Migration Dialogue in observance of the International Migrants Day. In her address at the briefing, Kangiwa said, “The dialogue which is the first of its kind in Nigeria is being funded by the Global Programme on Migration and Development (GPMD) of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), a governmental agency of the Swiss government within the framework of the Migration Partnership between Nigeria and Switzerland”.

By Paul Chiama, Abuja

Thursday, December 18, 2014

L-R: President, Women Arise & Campaign for Democracy, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola during a condolence visit to the residence of former NADECO chieftain and special adviser on Regional integration, late Rev Tunji Adebiyi, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI

Mutiny: Army Sentences 54 Soldiers To Death, Acquits 5

By CHIKA OTUCHIKERE, Abuja with agency report

The Nigerian Army, yesterday sentenced 54 soldiers to death after they were convicted on a two count charge of criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny. Five others were however acquitted.

According to the charge sheet, the soldiers conspired to commit mutiny against the authorities of the Army 7 Division where they were attached on August 4 at the Mulai Primary School Camp, opposite AIT Maiduguri, Borno State The soldiers were the second batch of Nigerian soldiers sentenced to death by the Military courts for mutiny sometime in October.

The convicted soldiers who were mostly officers involved in the on- going fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, were sentenced to death by firing squad. The sol-

diers include two Corporals, Cpl, nine Lance Corporals, LCpl and 49 Private soldiers.

The trial of the soldiers began on October 15 on the allegations they disobeyed orders to join operations against Boko Haram. But the soldiers pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Army Captain J.E. Nwosu, alleged that the accused soldiers had on August 4, in Maiduguri, refused to join the 111 Special Forces Battalion troops, commanded by Lt Col. Timothy Opurum, for an operation.

Nwosu added the operation was meant to recapture Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State from the Boko Haram terrorists.

According to him, the offence is contrary to Section 52(1) (a) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The prosecution called the commander of the 111 Special Forces, Lt.-Col. Opurum, as one of the witnesses.

The statement of the command-

er was admitted by the court and marked Exhibit P1.

In his testimony in October, Opurum said soldiers Were tasked with advancing to recapture Delwa to clear the way for other battalions to pass through to recapture Babulin and Damboa from the insurgents.

He said he took off for the operation with only four officers and 29 soldiers as “tasked” after majority of the 174 soldiers in the unit refused to join the operation.

Opurum further said after he took charge of the Special Forces, he addressed and assured them that they could achieve the task given to them. He, however, said the soldiers were “hesitant to partake in the operation” in spite of the assurances.

Under cross- examination by lawyer to the accused, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Opurum said 47 of the soldiers who initially refused, later re-joined the forces for another operation.

Opurum said the 47 soldiers

joined after he called for reinforcement as they came under attack from terrorists, who out-numbered them and had superior weapons.

Asked if the soldiers refused to fight or refused to join the operation because of lack of superior weapons, he said all units in the North-East had requested for weapons.

On the disciplinary measure taken against the 47 soldiers, who initially refused, he said the process for that was to begin when they were court-martialled.

But Falana I had in an oral application, asked to the court for the record of weapons recovered from the 47 soldiers, when they initially refused to join the operations.

The President of the Court, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yusuf, said the application had been noted “for action.”

The General Court Martial was inaugurated on October 2 to try 97 soldiers, including 15 senior officers for mutiny.

My Security Details Did Not Teargas Tambuwal – Mark

By Adesuwa Tsan and Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

Senate President David Mark has denied in strong terms allegations that one of his security details tear gassed the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and some lawmakers last month in the ill fated police invasion of the National Assembly.

LEADERSHIP recalls that there was a mild drama at the Senate

probe of the November 20, National Assembly invasion by the police when the Divisional Police Officer attached to the parliament, Mr. James Ndachaba, indicted security details attached to Senate President, David Mark, as responsible for the tear gas cannister thrown at the speaker and his colleagues on that day.

However in a terse statement signed by his special adviser on Media and Publications, Kola Olog-

bondiyan, Mark said the security details attached to his office did not and could not have attacked Speaker Tambuwal with teargas.

The statement reads in part, “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to news reports alleging that security details attached to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, were responsible for the use of teargas on the person of the Speaker, House of Rep-

resentatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal, at the National Assembly premises on 20th November, 2014 and credited to SP. Idachaba James, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of National Assembly.

“We wish to state without equivocation that the security details attached to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, did not and could not have attacked the person of Speaker Tambuwal with teargas.”

news south-west 7

Thursday, December 18, 2014

PDP Primaries: ExMinister Laments Exodus Of Members Former minister of sports and special duties and Oyo State 2015 governorship aspirant, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, yesterday lamented the exodus of people from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following its primaries.

The former minister said in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, that some members of the party particularly governorship aspirants, House of Assembly and National Assembly aspirants who had contributed immensely to the growth of the party were forced out of the party to join other parties.

He said this was as a result of the malpractices and injustices that characterised the ad hoc delegates’ congresses and subsequent party primaries in Oyo State.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Aregbesola Closes Case As APC Opens Defence Tomorrow

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday closed his defence before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal having called 19 witnesses to establish himself as the winner of the August 9 gubernatorial election.

Aregbesola, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the first respondent in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, called two witnesses, Aminullahi

Rafiu Ayodapo and Atanda Isaac to testify before the court.

However, the second respondent, the APC, will tomorrow open its defence.

During cross-examination by the petitioner’s counsel, Chief Nathaniel Oke (SAN), Ayodapo who came from Ward 4, Unit 9, Ede North local government, told the tribunal that no voter was chased away during the voting exercise and no qualified voter was disallowed from voting on the day of election.

But Chief Oke (SAN) queried why the total number of accredited voters was

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more than the number of valid votes in Ayodapo’s unit.

The counsel told the tribunal that 411 people were accredited while 413 voted, but the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime, asked him to prove it in his final address.

Also, Atanda Isaac, who was the APC’s agent in Ward 1, Unit 1, Irepodun local government, informed the tribunal that all party agents were present when Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials displayed the electoral materials before the commencement of accreditation and nobody complained.

Tax Default: FIRS Makes More Arrest In Ekiti More heads of businesses and organisations were yesterday arrested by the Federal Inland Revenue Service in Ekiti State for evading tax.

Those arrested are the managing director of the Ado-Poly Ventures Limited, Mrs Busayo Olanipekun, the managing director of Danke Fast Food, Ado-Ekiti, Mr Bayo Aina and the head of credit and marketing of Microfinance Bank, Aramoko, Mrs Ruth Adesodun, among others.

The arrest, according to the FIRS State Office tax controller, Dr Nkwo Nwitte-Eze, became imperative due to the sharp drop in the oil price and the need to shore up the revenue accruing to the federal government.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

Stop Insulting Yewa People, Group Tells Bankole The Yewa-Awori indigenes of Ogun West Senatorial district in Ogun State have warned former speaker of the House of Reps, Dimeji Bankole against casting aspersions on their kinsman, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, over his emergence as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

A statement by the director of media and publicity of Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organisation, Comrade Ifekayode Akinbode, in Abeokuta yesterday, also asked Bankole to restrain members of his political campaign group from causing further dissafection within the state chapter of the party over the conduct of the party’s governorship primary.

By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Olabode George; second republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai; former Attorney-general and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, at the presentation of President Goodluck Jonathan to the South-West electorates in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA.

Yuletide: PDP, APC Disagree On Alleged Plot To Cause Mayhem

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to import thugs into the state to cause trouble during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

A statement by the state secretary of the party, Dr Tope Aluko, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said the plan of the APC was to launch attacks across major towns in the state to pitch the people of the state against the government of Governor Ayo Fayose.

The statement alleged that the leadership of APC had arranged with some of their thugs trained and armed to the teeth to unleash terror on the people of the state during the last June 21 governorship election but who later went underground due to the presence of heavy security.

But APC in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun, said it is the style of Fayose’s government to ask his aides to cry on rooftops that some people in the opposition are planning to cause trouble and then blame it

on the opposition when in actual fact, the government is the author of the trouble.

He said, “There were several instances, the most striking one being the assassination of Dr Ayo Daramola on August 14, 2006. On August 12, 2006, the same PDP claimed in a press statement that a security report had indicated that a popular politician would be killed in Ekiti State and the government would be blamed for the assassination. Two days after, a popular politician, Dr Ayo Daramola was assassinated in Ijan-Ekiti”.

Sultan Declares Open MSSN Vacation Course The Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, is to declare open the 98th edition of Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) on Thursday, December 25.

The MSSN B Zone coordinator, Alhaji Mushafau Alaran, said in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, that the formal opening will hold at the permanent site of the body at KM 30 on Ibadan/Lagos Expressway.

Alaran said that governors of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Ogun, Ibikunle Amosun and Osun, Rauf Aregbesola would be the guests of honour on the day.

The course, according to him, will hold from Tuesday, Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, 2015.

He said that Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa would be the chairman of the formal opening while Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN) would deliver a lecture on the theme of the course: “A Time to Come”.

Other highlights of the 10-day vacation course include seminars, training, empowerment, Qur’an memorisation, lectures, group discussions and sports.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

2015: Alao-Akala, Ajimobi, Ladoja Set To Break Second Term Jinx

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Former Oyo State governor and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, yesterday declared that the second term jinx in the state will be broken next year.

Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, the former governor disclosed that two former state governors and the incumbent would slog it out during the governor-

ship election.

According to him, the second term jinx which has not been broken since, would soon become history.

The former governor ascribed the spate of violence during his administration to the leadership tussle in the state chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

He asked whether the recent unrest in the state was still under

his government.

Speaking on the choice of his running mate, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, Alao-Akala said it was based on his experience in governance.

He said that Ali had served in various capacities in the state and had garnered the necessary experience.

He assured that his government would be centred on people-oriented projects if re-elected.

Alao-Akala expressed optimism that his party would win the next governorship election in the state.

The LP flag bearer promised to reshape the economy of the state by patronising local contractors to allow money to circulate in the state’s economy.

“Prioritising the needs of the people based on their demands had always been my style of governance.”

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

Drama Behind Osinbajo’s Choice FROM PAGE 5

He said: “The task of rebuilding this nation is one to which I am fully committed. There can be no other president, leader and commander that can lead that common sense revolution Nigeria urgently needs than General Muhammadu Buhari. I will proudly serve this country with him.

“General Buhari’s uprightness and fierce commitment to good governance is well known. It will be a privilege to work with him.

I come to this assignment with lots of hope and a resolve to be a part of this movement to bring Nigeria back to its lost glory. With the support of all Nigerians and the help of God, we shall make Nigeria work again.”

It is also instructive to note that Buhari had presented Osinbajo to journalists before his ratification by the NWC of the party, but he later apologised for the mix-up.

Certain individuals had been touted as possible running mate to Buhari. They were state governors: Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi and former Osun State governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola Osinbajo, a passionate and dedicated administrator For those that know Professor Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo (SAN), one thing that they cannot stop talking about is his passion and dedication to duty. Professor Osinbajo is an erudite scholar whose successes during his eight years as the attorney-general and commissioner for Justice in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 are still visible today.

One could rightly state that although he became the attorney-general by accident - as he was not a politician, he contributed more to the success recorded by that administration than any other person, as attested to by former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, in an interview he granted shorty after they left office.

“Appointing Osinbajo as my attorneygeneral was the wisest decision I ever made in my life. I am proud to be a successful governor but Osinbajo’s story is part of my success. The best thing for a government that wants to succeed is to first get for itself a good attorneygeneral. I did not know Yemi personally because I was not a lawyer. I knew him in the chambers of Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN. He is not just a legal luminary; he is wholesome, committed and a brilliant human being. Yemi is instrumental to some of the wise decisions my administration made in its eight years of service,” said Tinubu. ...His legal reforms in Lagos As attorney-general, Osinbajo introduced many reforms in the justice administration sector, part of which was repositioning the ministry of justice from a government lawyers’ agency - which it was under the military, to that of a citizen-focused department of justice.

This he did by establishing policies and programmes which promoted access to justice, especially for the poor and the needy.

It was during his tenure that the state established the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and Citizens Medication Centre.

The OPD provided free legal services to those who could not afford the cost of legal representation. Through the agency, many people incarcerated for a long period of time without charges or those arrested illegally by the police have breathed the air of freedom.

The Citizen Mediation Centre, on its part, has become the abode for many people to resolve civil disputes without recourse to the law courts.

Osinbajo as attorney-general also oversaw

Budget 2015

the elevation of the judiciary in the state. It was during his tenure that Lagos became the reference point in terms of remuneration and good working condition for the judicial arm of government with the introduction of a wide range reforms in the welfare of judges and magistrates as well as provision and upgrading of infrastructure for courts.

It was to his credit that many of the reforms he initiated in Lagos State such as Office of the Public Defender and increment of judges’ salary, among others, are being replicated in many states of the federation today.

His eight-year tenure was characterized by constant conflict between former governor Bola Tinubu and the federal government, headed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Some of these disagreements bordered on constitutionalism, federalism and the rule of law. ...His involvement in landmark cases Some of the landmark cases that he handled which has also changed the legal landscape of Nigeria include: fiscal dispute between the federating units and the federal government; disputes regarding the ownership and control of oil and gas resources; town and physical planning disputes between the federating units and the federal government.

There were also such cases like regulation of lottery business. The dispute over creation of additional local government, withholding of Lagos State’s federal allocation, state tax and telecom operations among others.

Some of the cases he handled in his private practice include: an international territorial jurisdictional dispute in the West African sub-regional court; shareholder disputes involving a multinational, private investors and state-owned investment corporations and energy disputes arising from multinational participation in power projects in Nigeria.

He was also the counsel to former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Lamido Sanusi, during the latters’ faceoff with the federal government.

In other cases, Osinbajo has advised and represented clients in a broad range of commercial and corporate issues, including securities litigation, investments and divestments, joint ventures, oil block acquisitions, product liability, fiduciary duties of directors, intellectual property, and corporate valuations. He is also involved in statutory and regulatory appraisal representation before the legislature and federal and state agencies.

He currently supervises the commercial litigation group at SimmonsCooper Partners (SCP), a leading commercial litigation and corporate commercial firm in Nigeria.

With a multi-jurisdictional competence spanning Nigeria, the United States and the United Kingdom, SCP provides a very comprehensive and integrated range of litigation, transactional, advisory and several support services to a vast array of clients.

Osinbajo was born on March 8, 1957, and obtained his Master of Law in 1980 from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was educated as Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, from 1969 to 1975 where he won African Statesman Intercollegiate Best Speaker’s Prize (1974); School Prize for Literature (HSC) 1975; Elias Prize for Best Performance in History (WASC) – 1973; Adeola Prize for English Oratory from 1972 to 1975, and School Prize for English Oratory, 1971 and 1972.

He was in the University of Lagos between 1975 and 1978, where he obtained LLB with Second Class Upper Honours and was ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

FROM PAGE 5

compensate for the shortfall in actual oil revenue.

The minister also revealed that government was looking into possible cuts in the salaries and allowances of the three arms of government as the current cost of governance can no longer be sustained.

However, she said this was a medium term plan that would require the cooperation of the legislature and judiciary.

Besides tax surcharges, the minister stated that government, as a short-term measure, had commenced a review of the implementation of pioneer status exemptions to some oil companies which could unlock up to N36 billion of additional tax revenues in 2015, adding that analysis shows that about 30 per cent of those that received tax waivers from government, especially under the pioneer status scheme, now abuse the system., In the medium term, the minister noted, it would be important to focus on tax policy to see where opportunities lie to streamline and rationalise certain taxes and levies whist looking to boost others.

“For example, Nigeria has one of the lowest VAT rates in the world and medium term efforts must involve the legislature to see what opportunities exist with VAT which largely benefits states. Whilst state governments get 85 per cent of VAT, the federal government gets just 15 per cent. A five per cent increase in VAT rate, for instance, would yield N614 billion, most of which would go to the states and local governments,” she explained.

On the expenditure side, the minister said government had instituted measures aimed at cutting spending, expected to save a total of N82.5 billion.

These include cuts to international travels and training by 50 per cent for all MDAs saving about N14 billion, while other provisions for overhead expenditure have been dropped completely - saving about N4 billion.

Also, MDAs’ provisions for the procurement of administrative supplies and equipment will be cut, saving about N5 billion; procurement and upgrade of buildings were similarly curtailed saving about N44 billion, while another N76 billion is proposed for reallocation to more impactful programmes of government in the security, health, and education sectors.

“We have also commenced partial implementation of the Government’s Whitepaper on the rationalization of Agencies based on the Oronsaye Report.

We have built in savings of about N6.5 billion in the 2015 Budget from the rationalization of some agencies, committees, and commissions.

Nevertheless, medium term measures require greater efforts to cut the cost of governance across all tiers and branches of government. This requires support from the legislature to amend laws underpinning certain agencies. A list of such laws will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration by the second quarter of 2015,” she said.

The coordinating minister earlier presented the 2015 budget estimates of N4.3trillion to the National Assembly.

She was accompanied by a retinue of

Jonathan

other ministers, including the minister of state for Finance, Amb Bashir Yuguda, and director-general, Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu.

According to the minister, the N4.357trillion 2015 budget estimates laid before both the Senate and the House of Representatives is anchored on diversification of the economy.

Speaking with Senate Correspondents after laying the budget, she revealed that the government plans to actualise its theme by shifting revenue generation from the oil sector to aggressively pursue other potential revenue generation sources, especially through taxes.

According to her, the 2015 budget seeks to protect the average Nigerian, adding that the strategy would work because food prices had not risen in spite of the depreciation of the naira.

“If you check all around the markets, you will observe that the average Nigerian is still enjoying stable food prices. In some places like Enugu, the price of garri has even fallen,”, she stated.

She further explained that inflation rate, as estimated by the National Bureau of Statistics, has fallen from 8.1 to 7.9 per cent, adding that this budget really focuses on moving the country to a diversified economy and raising nonoil revenue.

She explained, “We have made up for the fall of $13 per barrel by raising non- oil revenue through various types of taxes and policies. The surcharge on luxury goods is there, plus additional tax efforts to close leakages in revenue.”

She stated further that the benchmark price for oil was fixed at $65 per barrel while the production figure was pegged at 2.27m barrel per day.

“We have estimated a GDP growth based on the circumstances of the country, which will be about 5.5 percent; this is down from the 6.35 percent we had earlier from the National Bureau of Statistics, which is still one of the best growth rates in the world,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Senate president, David Mark, has directed that copies of the document be circulated to all senators before they proceed on their break, while pledging that the upper chamber would consider the proposed appropriation bill within two days of its resumption on January 13, 2015.

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned till January 13 next year.

Moving the motion for adjournment, Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba said it was to enable senators participate effectively in the political activities in their parties ahead of next year’s general election and to allow lawmakers to spend time with their families during the yuletide season.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Bayelsa Assembly Votes Against LG Autonomy Amidst Protest By Workers The members of Bayelsa State House of Assembly yesterday voted against 12 out of the 54 proposed amendments by the National Assembly on the constitution including local government autonomy.

The decision by the State Assembly came amidst protest by workers of the local government areas in the state who called on them to retrace their step and agree to the autonomy of local government council.

The members of the State House of Assembly led by the speaker, Hon. Kombowei Benson, voted against local government autonomy and provisions that confer powers on the National Assembly to make laws for the procedures, guidelines.

news south-South south-East 9

Enugu 2015: Anglican Bishops Threaten Showdown Over Deputy Gov’s Slot By mbawike nnamdi Enugu

Anglican Bishops under Enugu Ecclesiastical Province have threatened showdown if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to field an Anglican as running mate to the governorship candidate of the party, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The eight bishops advised the party to make an Anglican the deputy to its candidate if it wants to enjoy the support of Anglicans

in the state.

Spokesman of the bishops and the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, who addressed a press conference in Enugu along with five other bishops, alleged that despite the huge population and contribution of Anglicans in the development of the state, Chime’s government marginalised them in areas of lands, schools and political appointments.

According to him, since Ugwuanyi is a Roman Catholic, it would be wrong to field another Roman Catholic as running mate.

He insisted that doing so would add to serial political marginalisation and maltreatment of Anglicans by the state government under the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime.

“So, right now as it is, we are crying out to the world to say there is trouble looming in Enu-

gu State if Anglicans are not considered in the governance of Enugu State in the coming dispensation,” he said.

Other bishops in attendance include Archbishop Amos, Bishop of Oji River Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emma Ugwu, Bishop of Awgu/ Aninri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chijioke Aneke, Bishop of Udi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Evan Ibeagha, Bishop of Nike Diocese and Rt. Rev. Dan Olinye, Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese.

By Osa Okhomina, Yenagoa

Guber Primary: A/ Ibom PDP Carpets Attah, Etiebet, Aspirants The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has dismissed recent media outbursts by certain members of the party against the just concluded primaries of the party, warning that the members are authors of confusion who were bent on destabilising the party from its targeted comprehensive victory in next year’s election.

In a statement in Uyo, the party condemned recent statements credited to a former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, Chief Edet Nkpubre and Chief Don Etiebet, titled “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine” and published in national dailies.

By Bernard Tolani Dada Uyo

470 Graduates Get Work Experience Training In Edo In a bid to make unemployed graduates n Nigeria employable after leaving higher institutions, the National Directorate of Employment , NDE, said the agency has recruited over 470 graduates in Edo State and attached them with private and corporate organisations to acquire work experience.

Edo State co-ordinator of NDE, Miss Ayo Edegbai who disclosed this in Benin at the occasion of the orientation /sensitisation training for Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) participants noted that graduates under the scheme are paid N10,00 monthly by NDE.

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Speaker, Bayelsa House of Assembly, Mr Kombowei Benson, addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), during a NULGE protest to the assembly in Yenagoa. PHOTO BY NAN.

Protests Rock Rivers Over Outcome Of PDP Senatorial Primaries

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Hundreds of protesters yesterday blocked the Ahoada axis of the East-West road in Rivers State in protest over the outcome of the senatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Rivers West senatorial district of the state.

The protesters insisted that

the winner of the primaries and one time commissioner for finance in the state, Hon. Osinakachukwu Ideozu, was imposed on them against their preferred choice and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche.

Some of the placards displayed by the protesters read, “Rivers West says Chibudom

Nwuche is our choice”, “Bonny say no to imposition”, “We say no to dumb representation”, “Chibudom is the masses choice”, Odili leave Rivers West alone, your government was a failure”, and “Odili is a betrayer”.

It took the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Ahoada Police Division, Dr. Uche Mike Chukwuma, a chief superintendent of police

(CSP), to calm the visibly angry crowd, which included chiefs, elders, women, and youths.

Speaking at the PDP secretariat in Ahoada later, one of the protesters and a youth leader in the senatorial district, Comrade Ewah Harrison, a denounced the Rivers West senatorial district primary, describing it as ‘being patently fraudulent and lacking in democratic procedure’.

Uduaghan Presents N327.6bn Budget To Delta Assembly

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday presented a budget proposal of N327.68billion for the 2015 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Governor Uduaghan gave the breakdown of the budget as comprising N161.6 billion recurrent expenditure and N166.07 billion capital estimates, representing 49.32 and 50.68 per cents re-

spectively.

Dr. Uduaghan disclosed that the 2015 estimates was lower than the 2014 fiscal estimates

by N123.05 billion, explaining that the decrease was due to the fall in the price of crude oil at the international market.

“I wish to announce a budget proposal of N327,682,982,917(three hundred and twenty seven billion, six hundred and eighty two million, nine hundred and eighty-

two thousand, nine hundred and seventeen naira) for the services of Delta State in the 2015 fiscal year.

Constitution Amendment: Delta Assembly Okays 57 Clauses Two months after the state Houses of Assembly across the country received copies of the draft amended 1999 constitution from the National Assembly, Delta State House of Assem-

bly has adopted its resolution for the Fourth Alteration Bill, 2014, after voting in favour of 57 clauses out of the 72 clauses as proposed by the National Assembly.

It however, voted against 12 clauses including alteration of Section 7, 7A- 7Z, 66, 107, 124, 162, 197, 201, 202, 306, 318,part 1 third schedule , part 11 of the third schedule, fifth schedule part 1, sixth schedule and the alteration of seven schedule.

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stories of the Thursday, December 18, 2014

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

JAILED: 3 Fake Pastors, 2 Others Bag 7 Years For Stealing

By Kola Eke- Ogiugo, Asaba

A High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State has sentenced three pastors, and two others for stealing depositors N32million Those sentenced by the court are Glory Okeoghene, Abrefer, Joseph, Ofobu, and Rev Vincent Okpogu.

They were sentenced to between seven and 10 years imprisonment each.

Justice Felix Ohwo who handed down the sentence said the evidence before the court showed that the ‘men of God’ committed the crime, adding that their statements also showed that they were guilty of the offence The EFCC had, in its charges against the accused, stated that the clergymen were arrested after deceiving unsuspecting members of the public into investing in Mustard seed Micro investment Ltd, a wonder bank, and defrauded them of their hard earned money.

NABBED: Police Arrest 3 Suspected Tricycle Robbers

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

The Police Detectives in “B” Division Warri, Delta State have arrested three suspected armed robbers, who specialize in robbing owners of tricycles in the state.

Reports said that one of the arrested suspects, John Otomewo of no. 3 Okodemo town Okpe Road Warri had confessed to the crime saying that he took to robbery for lack of funds.

It was reliably gathered that while the suspects were making arrangement to sell the tricycles, the police detectives acting on a tip-off arrested them.

After being interrogated, the suspects admitted being members of a robbery gang that have been terrorizing Warri metropolis and also specialize in snatching and stealing of tricycles.

Sources said that they have been frequent robbery at gun point of tricycles owner in the area.

In most cases, those who refused to co-operate are shot by the robber upon which they are forced to surrender their tricycles.

Before their arrest, there have been reported cases of snatching and stealing of tricycles along Warri/Effurun/Ughelli areas.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP. Celestina Kalu said that it will no longer be business as usual for the tricycles thieves, disclosing that the suspect will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

A woman picking from a bunch of cooked cow skins at Kuje area council in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY OGOH

FRAUD: Court Jails Fake Customs Comptroller 10 Years

By Kunle olasanmi, Abuja

It was the end of road for a fraudster yesterday when Justice Dije Aboki of the Kano State High Court, Kano, convicted and sentenced one Ibrahim Hassan, popularly known as Comptroller Kangiwa, to 10 years and six months imprisonment without option of fine.

He was entenced for conspiracy, impersonation and obtaining by pretence.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dragged the fake Customs officer before the court and filed a four-count charge against him. He was accused ofobtaining the sum of N11, 074,500.00 from one Alhaji Balarabe Sumaila, at Kano.

The convict presented himself in company of his syndicate to the said Sumaila as Comptroller Husaini Suleiman Kangiwa from Zone C, Owerri Office of the Nigeria Customs Service in 2007.

He told him that he had 12 containers of textile materials auctioned by the Customs Service at the Tin Can Port, Apapa, Lagos, for sale.

The complainant, together with the convict’s accomplices, thereafter travelled to Lagos, where he was shown some containers containing the materials as discussed.

Without any scintilla of suspicion, Alhaji Balarabe paid the N11, 074,500 to the convict for processing, clearance and transportation of the goods from Lagos to Kano.

However, all efforts made by the complainant to get the goods delivered or his money paid back to him yielded no result. Justice Aboki found Hassan guilty of the charge and consequently convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for obtaining the money by false pretence, three years imprisonment for personation and another six months for conspiracy.

The sentence is to run concurrently.

ABDUCTION: Kidnappers Demand N25m Ransom For Bizman’s Release

By DONATUS NADI, Lafia

Kidnappers who abducted a businessman in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, three days ago have finally broken their silence by contacting his family to pay a ransom of N25 million.

The victim, whose name was given simply as Eminike, hails from Anambra state and runs one of prominent beer parlours on the popular UAC road in the state capital.

LEADERSHIP reports that Eminike was last Sunday at about 10pm trailed by his assailants to his house along Almakura street in Sabon Pegi area after closing from his business for the day.

Eyewitness account said upon realizing

he was being followed, the victim tried to evade his captors but no sooner had he tried to drive away than they started shooting at him, forcing him to surrender.

The kidnappers, who had a Golf salon car, used it to whisk him away, leaving his vehicle in front of his house.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the kidnappers had about three months ago released a four-man list of their targets which included him following which he was placed on high alert by the Police.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ugochukwu Theodore, said the culprits are yet to be arrested and gave the assurance that the Police were not resting on their oars towards arresting them in due course.

JOSEPH.

MAXIMUM PENALTY: 2 Robbers Sentence To Death

BY JOSHUA DADA, OSOGBO

An Osun State High Court yesterday convicted and sentenced two armed robber to death.

A statement by the press officer of Osun State Ministry of Justice, Mr Opeyemi Bello stated that Justice Jide Falola of an Okuku Judicial division sitting at Ikirun convicted Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Sunday who had earlier pleaded not guilty when arraigned on charges of conspiracy, robbery and stealing.

The prosecutor lead by Osun State Solicitor General Mrs Abiola Adewemimo had said that the offence were contrary to section 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of robbery and Firearm (special provisions) Act, cap R 11 laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and section (390) (1) Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The prosecution team from Ministry of Justice led by the Solicitor General who appeared along with Mrs Folasade Adekomi principal state counsel, called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to support the case.

The convicts were said to have while armed forcefully broken into the house of one Mr Balogun Tope a police officer attached to divisional police headquarters, Okuku on April 2010 and carted away some of his belongings.

In his Judgment, Justice Jide falola discharge them on five counts charge and they were convicted on other three counts charges of conspiracy for armed robbery, robbery, and stealing that attracted death sentence, life sentence and three years imprisonment respectively.

Justice falola however recommended that the state Governor can decide to commute death sentence to ten years imprisonment considering the age of the convict.

day

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Photo News

SHOOTOUT: 3 Kidnappers Killed In Rivers

By ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, PORT HARCOURT

Men of the Rivers State Command have killed three suspected kidnappers during exchange of gunfire with the hoodlums at their hideout in the Rumuola area of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The security operatives also rescued a kidnap victim, Mr. Standfast Barnabas, the branch manager of First City Monument Bank, Choba, who was kidnapped by the hoodlums on December 13, 2014.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ahmad Muhammed, said the policemen invaded the hideout of the kidnappers at about 12.10 pm on Wednesday following a tip-off.

The statement reads in part, “The

Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the safe rescue of a kidnapped victim. On 16/12/2014 at about 1210 hours, on a tip off, Police operatives stormed kidnappers den located at Rumuola where their victim, Mr. Standfast Barnabas, branch manager of FCMB Choba, kidnapped on 13/12/2014 was kept.

“On sighting the Police, the kidnappers engaged them in a gun duel. Unfortunately luck ran against the kidnappers as three of them were due to Police superior fire power fatally wounded while one was injured and the one in possession of their operational firearm managed to escape.

One locally made pistol was recovered this morning after a search was conducted at the house.

DEATH: Police Kill Notorious Armed Robber

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have killed a notorious armed robbery kingpin, identified as Onovo Paul Chima.

A release made available to LEADERSHIP by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu said the late dare devil robber has been in the wanted list of the command.

Amaraizu disclosed that operatives of the Awkunanaw Division of the command gunned down the notorious armed robber and car snatching kingpin.

“The deceased met his waterloo on

16/12/14 at about 8pm when he and his gang members engaged the police after they snatched an ash coloured new model Passat car around Mount Street axis of Agbani Road, Enugu, and thereafter confronted the operatives of the Awkunanaw Division already on their trail at Agbani road axis.

“On sighting the operatives, the gang sporadically fired at the operatives and their vehicle and in the ensuing gun duel, one of them were gunned down while other members of the gang who are believed to have sustained various degrees of injuries escaped, abandoning the snatched car,” the police said.

ROBBERY: Armed Robbers Invade Hospital, Steal Money, Equipment

BY Kola Eke- Ogiugo, Asaba

Eight armed robbers terrorizing Ughelli in Delta State in the last two months have visited the state Central Ughelli Central Hospital where they stole an unspecified amount of money and hospital equipment worth millions of naira.

Source said the hoodlums took advantage of the ongoing strike embarked upon by health workers across the country to break into the hospital.

It was reliably gathered that the armed robbers came in Toyota Sienna car without a registration number and shot sporadically into the air.

But the state Police Public

Relations Officer, DSP. Celestina Kalu said she was yet to receive report of the robbery, adding that the police were committed to eradicating all forms of crime in the state.

A security officer who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the robbers entered the premises through the fence leading to the doctors’ quarters.

The medical director of the hospital Dr Moses Eyovwerhuvuu, declined comments on the incident but investigation revealed that Ughelli and environs have been under siege of robbery attacks, especially during the night where unsuspecting victims are subjected to inhuman treatment after robbing them at gun point.

L-R: Permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac-John Nwaobiala; executive director, Nungtso Charity Foundation (NCF), Mrs. Indeyang Henry Nkwocha; founder/ CEO, NCF, Mrs Kifasi Danladi Jerusha, and head of service of the federation, Barrister Danladi Kifasi, at the 2014 NCF end of the year party for orphans, widows and the less -privileged in Abuja.

L-R: Incoming director-general, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Agency (NESREA), Dr Lawrence Anukam, taking over the mantle of leadership from the outgoing NESREA DG, Ngeri Benebo,during the handover ceremony in Abuja, yesterday. Photo By ogoh joseph

Health officials taking the sample of a woman’s blood for HIV test during hiv and aids awareness campaign by the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDs (NPLWHA) in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday. Photo by nan.

L-R: Special adviser to executive secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Harry Obe; founder, Association of Criminal Justice Practitioners, Barr Juliet Ibekaku and the author of the book, ’Who Cares About Human Rights’, Emmanuel Onwubiko and chief executive, Communication and Knowledge Management Consultant, Dr. Abiodun Adeniyi, during the unveiling of the book in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN.

12 news NATIONAL Harmattan Haze: FRSC Harps On Safety

By Abdullahi Umar, with agency Measures report

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Insurgency: Shekau Replies Emir Of Kano In New Video

Disturbed by the pervading adverse weather condition and attendant road traffic challenges, the Federal Road Safety Corps has advised motorists to be conscious of the foggy weather condition in the early morning and late evening mist, usually associated with the harmattan season.

According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Imoh Etuk, “Just last week, the Abuja-Lokoja highway experienced a thick fog which enveloped some parts of the corridor between 6.00am and 7.30 am, especially the 30km stretch between Yangoji and Awawa (near the NNPC pump station), with attendant visibility challenges beyond 70 metres on most stretches of the highway”.

By Ejike Ejike, Abuja

2015: PDP Will Win General Elections Governors Boast Inspite of the absence of some of its members at its first meeting after crisis ridden party primaries, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday boasted that the party will win the 2015 general elections.

They also reiterated their commitment to ensure the success of the party in next year’s general elections.

The governors who met for a little over three hours on Tuesday in Abuja said as field commanders of the party, the onus is on them to mobilise their people to vote massively for PDP during their elections.

However only 14 out of 21 PDP state governors were present at the meeting.

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

IGP Hails Conduct Of Operatives During Party Primaries The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has given a pass mark to the conduct of security operatives during the recently concluded political party primaries saying that they exhibited the highest degree of professionalism Abba who made this known yesterday during the 2nd IGP Award to gallant officers organised in collaboration with the Puzzle Group, noted that policemen lived up to expectations during the primaries, and expressed the confidence that they would also perform well in the 2015 general elections.

The awards went to three police sergeants, Bonzei Belasia, Ibrahim Biki and Usman Mohammed, as well as a post-humous award to Sgt. Memuna Yusuf, who was killed by Boko Haram gunmen.

By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja

A man claiming to be Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a new video responding to a call by emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II that Nigerians should defend themselves against the extremists.

The royal father last month urged Nigerians to defend themselves against the Boko Haram sect which has mounted a bloody campaign against Nigerians; kill-

ing, maiming and overrunning territories.

The 20 minutes video according to Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) showed the sect leader speaking in Arabic, Hausa and his native language Kanuri, saying the emir was too late on his call to Nigerians for self defence against the sect.

The emir in his call urged religious and community leaders to undertake the immediate task of instilling courage in their people,

particularly the youths, in order to prepare for self defence against Boko Haram attacks.

He reminded Muslim clerics of the saying of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that whoever dies in defence of his country, family, life or wealth was a martyr.

The emir also called on the people to make preparation for self defence in whatever way possible.

“People must not wait for soldiers to protect them. There are even instances where soldiers on ground ran away in the face of at-

tack”, he said.

The royal father’s comment may have motivated the group to attack the emir’s Mosque in Kano killing over 200 worshippers and injuring several others.

But the emir said, “We will never be intimidated into abandoning our religion, which is the intention of the attackers.”

The terror group has carried out a wave of attacks in the north in their quest to establish Islamic caliphate similar to that of the Islamic State [IS] in Iraq and Syria.

short news Nigerian Youth Parliament Elects New Speaker The Nigerian Youth Parliament has elected a new Speaker, Hon. Abba Waziri, following the stepping down of the former Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Maibasira due to his position as the National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The election of the new Speaker who hails from Gombe L-R: Minister of works, Mike Onolememen; minister of steel development, Mohammed Sada, and minister of trade and investment State follows the Olusegun Aganga during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN announcement by the former Speaker of his intention to step down which he A report recently went viral that SA maintains an MOU with the

By Samson Echenim, Lagos described as a Tompolo acquired six warships Navy on anti-piracy, oil theft and moral obligation The director-general of the Ni- from Norway. But the NIMASA other sea crimes. The contract to compelled by his geria Maritime Administration boss said they were not warships, GWVSL was signed in February new position in and Safety Agency (NIMASA), but decommissioned boats pro- 2012 and was to be renewed anthe PDP. Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi has de- vided for the Navy on behalf of nually based on satisfactory perHe expressed bunked the allegation that ex-mil- NIMASA and that the boats are formance. his gratitude to itant Government Ekpemokpo- now manned by the Navy.

There are however, indications his colleagues for lo, popularly known as Tompolo Tompolo sits on the board of that some staff of GWVSL are ditheir cooperation bought warships, explaining that Global West Vessels Specialists rectly involved in anti-piracy paand support durthey were not warships but boats Limited (GWVSL), a company trol, as the company was reported ing his tenure as meant for the Nigerian Navy for the agency awarded a multi-mil- to have lost its managing director Speaker. the purpose of combating piracy, lion dollar contract to provide an- in one of such face-off with crimoil theft and other sea crimes.

By Chika Mefor, ti-piracy platforms, while NIMA- inals in the sea last year.

Abuja

Tompolo Bought Boats For Navy, Not Warships – NIMASA’s DG

40 Years Of ECOWAS: Region Hampered By Political Instability – Mahama

By Raliat Ahmed-Yusuf, Abuja

Chairman of ECOWAS and president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has said that for the past 39 years, the region’s quest for economic development and regional integration had been hampered by several factors including, political instability.

ECOWAS will mark 40years of its establishment next year.

Mahama disclosed this at the

opening of the 46th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government in Abuja yesterday.

With specific reference to Mali,the ECOWAS chairman urged all parties to bury their differences and redouble their efforts for peace and security.

Mahama also disclosed that since the beginning of 2014, notable progress was made in addressing the political and secu-

rity challenges but despite these progressive strides, the sub-region continues to be affected by multiple security threats.

Notable among these are transnational organised crime, cross border security challenges in the Sahel and Mano River basin and also Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

Mahama reiterated the regional blocks commitment to addressing every security threat,

adding that the trio of peace , security and stability are great requirements needed for attracting the much needed investment that will help to create jobs.

While noting that the coming year will be a demanding one considering that elections will be held in five member states namely:Nigeria,Togo,Burkina Faso,Guinea and Cote ‘Ivoire, Mahama assured the states of ECOWAS’ assistance.

13

Thursday, December 18, 2014

NortherN GoverNorS’ WiveS ForuM

Congratulations Honour to whom its due!

Congratulations to our amiable Mama Peace on the conferment of an outstanding award by National Council for Women Society (NCWS).

We identify with the indefatigable mother per excellence!

More grease to your elbows. We pray God to increase your wisdom, strength and health as you compliment the efforts of Mr. President .

THe TraNSforMer

DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN

FIRST LADY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA President African First Lady’s Peace Mission Grand Patron NCWS

SIGNED:

Arc. (Mrs.) Yemisi Dooshima Suswam

Chairperson, Northern Governors’ Wives Forum & First Lady of Benue State

14 News north-central

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Court Orders 21 LG Chairmen In Kogi To Vacate Office

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

The Kogi State High Court sitting in Koto-Karfe has ordered the 21 local government chairmen in the state to vacate office within 24 hours of judgement.

Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye in a judgement he delivered yesterday directed the state Attorney-General to comply with an earlier order handed down by the court.

The court had earlier nullified the election that brought the chairmen into office, over improper composition of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) and therefore declared its activities null and void.

Justice Omolaye-Ajileye had in his ruling ordered the local government chairmen to hand

short news FIRS Clamps Down On Tax Defaulters In Kogi Tax defaulters and business establishments that had failed to register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), have been charged to update their tax status or risk being sealed off by the revenue office.

The controller of micro and small tax office of FIRS, Kogi State, Mr James Akinloye Akinfewa stated this in Lokoja yesterday during the tax enforcement operation conducted by the agency around Lokoja metropolis where no fewer than seven business outfits were sealed off over offences bothering on non remittance of taxes and outright refusal of some business offices to register with FIRS.

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

over to the most senior director in their respective councils with immediate effect.

The court in its latest ruling ruled that its December 4th judgement be complied with within the next 24 hours.

It reads, “In the circumstances of this case, I hereby direct the 2nd defendant, the Attorney-General of Kogi State and the Chief Law Officer of the state to ensure compliance with the orders of this court handed down in its judgement of Monday 8th day of December 2014 within 24 hours from now”.

Indications however emerged that sacked local government chairmen may have engaged the services of a team of lawyers, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to challenge the court order.

Kwara To Spend N119.8bn In 2015 The Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday presented 2015 budget proposals of N119.8 billion to the state House of Assembly.

The 2015 budget estimate shows an increase of N4.2 billion over the 2014 revised appropriation representing 3.7 per cent.

The budget is made up of recurrent expenditure of N46.4 billon which represents 39 percent of the total budget size; public debt servicing is N11.2 billion which represents 9 percent of the total budget size.

The capital expenditure stands at N62.1 billon representing 52 per cent of the total budget size.

Presenting the budget tagged “budget of introspection and job creation,” Governor Ahmed said that “the projected internally generated revenue (IGR) is N16.4 billion while the projected capital development fund receipts and aid and grants is N29.7 billion.

“The statutory revenue due to the state from federation account is estimated at N33.6 billion. The estimated revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) is N7.5 billion, while the estimated revenue from non-oil/ excess crude account is N2.5 billion.

“The other anticipated source of revenue for funding the 2015 budget is from a bond of N23 billion to be sourced from the capital market and to be repaid back by 2022.

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

short news

Benue: CMD, Patients Decry Death Rates At BSUTH The Chief Medical Director of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Prof. Orkurga Abraham Malu has decried the increasing deaths recorded in the hospital, saying all teaching hospitals across the country record high death rates.

There have been concern from patients and other members of the public over increasing deaths at the hospital which, according to them, was caused by inefficiency and inconsistency of the medical personnel in the health facility.

Malu stated that all teaching hospitals nationwide do record high death rates.

Christmas decorations in Area 1, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI.

Benue Deputy Gov, Assembly Members Set To Join APC

By Solomon Ayado, Makurdi

Mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially aspirants that lost tickets in the just concluded primaries of the party, is looming in Benue State, LEADERSHIP has learnt.

This is even as there was serious fracas in the Benue State House of Assembly and the House session halted when a lawmaker announced his defection from the ruling PDP to the opposition APC. Many other lawmakers who had contested

the PDP primaries and lost are all set to decamp to various opposition parties.

The deputy governor of the state, Chief Steven Lawani who lost the PDP governorship ticket in the primaries is also set to defect to the opposition party. Lawani is aggrieved because, according to sources, he was denied ticket to fulfill the aspirations of the Idomas to rule the state.

However, the defecting lawmaker, Mr. Baba Odeh is representing Otukpo/Akpa state constituency and had decamped to

the APC because he could not win the ticket of the PDP in the just concluded primaries. Odeh is the chairman House Committee on Finance and also leader of G23, a group of all PDP lawmakers in the state.

Fracas ensued in the State House of Assembly during plenary, when the speaker, Terhile Ayua (PDP) refused to announce the defection of Odeh despite having formally written to the House over his intention to defect to another political party. The situation caused the lawmakers to trade words angrily.

Niger Polio-free For 3 Years – Gov Aliyu

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

The governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu has stated that for the third year running the state has not recorded any polio case in any part of the state even as only six polio cases were reported in Nigeria so far.

He stated this yesterday in Minna when he received Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Polio led by its chairman and Shehu of Bama in Borno

State, Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar ElKanemi who were in Minna for their quarterly review meeting.

Aliyu attributed the success so far recorded in the polio eradication campaign to the cooperation received from traditional, and religious leaders as well as parents in the state.

PVC Distribution: Niger Declares Friday, Monday Work -free Days The Niger State government

has directed state civil servants to observe Friday, December 19, as work free day for the distribution of permanent voter cards (PVCs).

This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday in Minna by the chief press secretary to the governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Israel A. Ebije.

Ebije maintained that the holiday does not affect staff of federal government and private business establishments in Niger State.

Tiv Forum Backs Senator Gemade For Second Term

By Millie Ibe, Abuja

A group, Zone A Tiv Media Forum, has expressed its readiness to support Senator Barnabas Gemade for second term in the Senate.

In a statement signed by the president of the forum, Mr. James Ngutor, in Abuja, it said

By Solomon the senator’s performance withAyado, Makurdi in the last three and a half years

at both the Senate and his constituency informed their decision to back him.

Gemade, a one term senator and former PDP national chairman and Board of Trustee member, is the APC senatorial candidate for Benue North East constituency. He defected to the opposition APC after serially complaining to the party that his state governor and rival

for the senate slot, Governor Gabriel Suswan, was manipulating the primary election process in his(Suswan’s) favour.

The statement explained that the forum was backing Gemade because of his laudable achievements in terms of human capital and infrastructural development in the zone, adding that he has done more for the people than any other senator in the state.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

business

NEWS/BUSINESS 15

N2bn Amount of money requested by Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, from the state parliament

Microfinance, SME Funds: Edo seeks N2bn

BY Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has requested the state parliament’s for approval to access the sum of N2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s N220 billion microfinance Small and

Medium Enterprise (SME) Economic Funds.

The request, contained in a letter dated November 28, 2014, and signed by the governor, was read during yesterday’s plenary session by the deputy clerk of the House, Mr James Omotama.

The speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe, in his submission, directed the House Committee on Rules, Business and Government to submit its reports on the request within 24 hours.

Also, during plenary, yesterday, the fourth alteration

bill of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution scaled through its first reading following the suspension of Rules 42-46 of the House.

The House is expected to commence the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill during plenary.

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)

BATN Acquires 11 Units of PAN Locally-made Peugeot Vehicles

BY Samson Echenim, Lagos

In response to the country’s revived National Automotive Policy, the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), yesterday, acquired 11 units of different models of Peugeot cars assembled by the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited at its Kaduna plant.

During a brief delivery ceremony at the tobacco company’s headquarters in Victoria Island where both organisations described the transaction as “a sign of new things to come between them,” the head, Corporate Communications, PAN Nigeria Limited, Mr Musa Usman Bashir, said, “The BATN purposely bought the cars in compliance with the federal government’s call on public and private

organisations to buy madein-Nigeria cars in support for the automotive policy.”

The newly revived automotive policy activated last year by the federal government seems to be gaining traction as early local assemblers appear to be breaking new marketing grounds. In this transaction, the BATN bought four units of the Peugeot 301, four units of 4008, two units of the 3008 and a unit of the 508, all of which come in automatic transmission.

The BATN’s director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Freddy Messanvi, said that the choice of Peugeot cars for the company, as against other earlier local assemblers, was predicated upon the company’s inventory of Peugeot cars L-R: Executive director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr Waheed Olagunju; president/chairman of the council of the by its operational offices Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Gusau and CEO, Crownfits Books Ltd, Mr Taiye Adeyemo at the 15th MSME Confrence and Exhibition in Lagos. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA outside Nigeria.

Port Charges: Court Dismisses Case Against Regulator, Orders Refund

by Samson Echenim, Lagos

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, yesterday, dismissed the case brought against seaport economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), by the Seaport Terminals Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and some shipping companies for reducing port storage charges and shipping charges at the nation’s ports.

Justice Ibrahim Buba, in his ruling, also

ordered the service providers to refund all the charges they had collected from importers from November 3, 2014, when the notice to stop such charges was issued by the regulator.

The NSC became Nigeria’s seaport commercial regulator early this year by an executive declaration, following perennial complaints by freight forwarders and importers about “arbitrary charges by terminal operator who became managers of the ports by a concession contract with

the federal government in 2006.”

Despite infrastructural improvements at the ports occasioned by heavy investments by the concessionaires, port users continued to complain about the numerous charges on their cargoes, prompting the federal government to declare the NSC as the ports commercial regulator at the request of port users.

The reversion of cargo storage charges, demurrages and other charges on November 3 this year to existing charges

as of May 2009 by the new regulator was a major step to test its control of the seaport.

The court, which in its ruling, yesterday, upheld the appointment of the council as the ports economic regulator, said the council has the powers to give directives on the shipping charges at the ports.

On November 3, 2014, the STOAN sought judicial intervention to stop the NSC from enforcing a notice restricting the service providers from collecting storage charges they had introduced on

their own as against the rate approved by the minister of transport in 2009. The new regulator also ordered an increase in the free storage period at the ports from three to seven days, while equally directing shipping companies to reduce their shipping line agency charges from N26,500 to N23,850 per 20ft container and from N48,000 to N40,000 per 40ft container.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

16 NEWS/BUSINESS

PPPRA To Marketers: Sell Above Official Price, Face Sanction

By Juliet Alohan, Abuja

The executive secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, (PPPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, has directed all petroleum marketers to sell products from all pumps at their respective stations and at the officially approved pump price of N97 per litre, or risk being sanctioned.

This is even as he has assured the Nigerian public that there is sufficient Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country to guarantee uninterrupted fuel supply, stating the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other oil marketers have adequate product in stock to last throughout the festive season and beyond.

He gave the assurance in a statement issued yesterday, following observed panic buying among motorists, which was occasioned by fears that the on-going industrial action by oil workers’ unions might lead

to product scarcity.

He said, “We wish to reassure Nigerians that there is steady supply of products across the country and the trend shall continue as the government is in discussion with the unions to address their grievances.

“Petroleum products stocks data indicate that the country had been consistent with building the land- and marinebased stocks, which today stand at over a 40-day sufficiency,” the executive secretary said.

He further informed that additional vessel nominations are being handled by the agency to discharge products at various depots across the country.

While noting that the PPPRA has consistently, within the last four years, guaranteed uninterrupted products supply, the Ahmed reassured Nigerians that the agency remains resolute in its mandate of ensuring adequate products supply and distribution nationwide.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

NCC, NESREA Harmonise Guidelines As Telecom Towers Hit 29,000

BY Chima Akwaja, Lagos

With telecommunications base transceiver stations (BTSs), which transmits radio communications waves to mobile phones, topping 29,000 in Nigeria, two regulatory agencies – the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) – have harmonised positions on what should be the acceptable setback guidelines that should be complied with when telecoms are siting their BTSs. Henceforth, in extreme cases, the setback, which is the distance (in metres) left between the foot of a BTS and the nearest residential infrastructure, will now be a minimum of seven meters.

The NESREA, over the years, raised fears of possible health hazards for

residents living close to telecoms towers.

While the NCC, has been implementing a five-metre setback for telecoms operators when building their telecoms towers, the NESREA had insisted on 10 metres. The disparity in the setback guidelines has, thus, created regulatory clashes between the federal government agencies.

However, speaking at the second West African Conference on Electromagnetic Fields Exposure and Health organised by the NCC in Lagos, yesterday, the commission’s executive vice chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah, said that the two agencies are working to harmonise their guidelines to bring about a rancourfree regulations activities between the two agencies.

Represented by the NCC’s executive commissioner, Technical Services, Mr Ubale Maska, said that following the

rancour that ensued between the two agencies in the past, efforts have been made to harmonise positions towards further ensuring that base stations are sited in a way that will not cause any health risks.

Juwah said, “There have been issues on setback guidelines before now. But the agreement is now seven meters.

New sites should be 10 metre while existing sites only need to comply with the NCC provision of five metre.”

He, however, said that in a situation where a 10-metre setback is not attainable because of space “the NCC and NESREA officials will visit the site, assess the situation and approve a minimum of seven metres setback.”

He said that the conference was important owing to the continuous growth the industry is witnessing and the need to deploy more base stations for enhanced quality of service while allaying public fears that BTSs induce health risks.

Yuletide: Fidelity Bank Rewards Loyal 2014 Customers In Kaduna

BY ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

As a token of appreciation for its customers who contributed to the success of the bank in 2014, the management of Fidelity Bank, Ungwan Sarki branch, rewarded 10 customers with awards and certificates.

Speaking on the occasion, the bank’s general manager and head, North Central Region, Idris Yakubu, said the bank decided to reward its customers for their patronage.

“We here at Fidelity usually hold our customers’ week every first Monday of the month to appreciate our customers.

“Also, the Save for Scholarship promo is still ongoing until the raffle draw which is slated to hold in January.

The bank, in 2014, has received several awards, including the best private bank in Nigeria and best place to work. We are preparing to open two more branches in Kaduna in 2015 as well as set up more ATMS,” he highlighted.

L-R: Manager, Corporate Sales (South-South/South-East), Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs Nneka Owolabi; an Etisalat corporate customer, Mr Kanu Nnanna; head, Regional Sales (South-South), Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Enekwachi Aja and analyst, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor during the December Shopping Dash organised by Etisalat for its corporate customers at the SPAR supermarket, Port-Harcourt on Tuesday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA

NSE Trades 481.85m Shares

By OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday traded 481.851 million shares valued at N6.2 billion in 3,822 deals.

The volume of transactions represents 84.6 per cent increase over the 261.055 million shares worth N3.3 billion traded in 4,108 deals on Tuesday.

The Financial Services sector boosted the performance as the Guaranty Trust Bank emerged the most traded

equity.

The sector accounted for 110.19 million shares valued at N2.25 billion. Fidelity Bank came second with 65.54 million shares worth N95.21 million, while Custodian and Allied Insurance accounted for 58.32 million shares valued N218.39 million.

Continental Insurance traded 35.25 million shares worth N29.26 million, while UBA exchanged 28 million shares valued at N96.3 million.

However, the stock

market has continued to consolidate on the bearish trend as the NSE All-Share Index depreciated by 2.78 per cent or 827.92 points or to close at 28,961.67 as against the 29,789.59 achieved on Tuesday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation declined by N273 billion to close at N9.562 trillion from the N9.835 trillion posted on Tuesday. Seven Up recorded the highest price gain of N7.70 to close at N166.70 per share.

It was trailed by Beta Glass, which gained N1.26 to close at N26.46, while

Union Dicon appreciated by 54 kobo to close at N13.95per share.

Etranzact and Red Star Express gained 14 kobo each to close at N2.94 and N3.75 per share respectively.

Conversely, Seplat led the losers’ chart

by N14.01 to close at N266.24 per share. Nestle lost N12.39 to close at N770.61, while Forte Oil dropped N10.80 to close at N205.33 per share.

Total went down by N7.89 to close at N150.11 and Mobil lost N7.55 to close at N143.50 per share.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thursday, December 18, 2014

energy news

Labour Dispute: TOTAL Explains Position To NUPENG/PENGASSAN French oil major, Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited, whose termination of the appointment of one of its workers was a major factor to the oil workers strike, has called for understanding from the unions.

Total said its attention was drawn to statements made on December 14, 2014, by the national leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that the threeday warning strike is in part designed to press “for the reinstatement of the national zonal secretary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mrs Elo Victor Ogbonda, who was sacked by Total E&P Nigeria Ltd.” Reacting to the statement, the company said that following a routine corporate reorganisation, 71 employees from Port Harcourt and Abuja, including Elo, were given letters of transfer to Lagos in August, 2014.

According to Total, Ogbonda received a transfer and inconvenience allowance of more than N9 million and then refused to relocate to her new location.

Instead of approaching her employer to re-consider her transfer, she complained to a number of external parties and agencies and invited them to intervene in a routine internal employeremployee matter. She sought to force a reversal of the transfer, citing her role as a Port Harcourt zonal official of the union as a reason.

The company also claimed that at the same time, Ogbonda absented herself from work without permission for over 30 days.

“Total had the option to summarily dismiss Mrs Elo Victor Ogbonda for refusing to proceed on transfer and/or for absenting herself from work for more than seven days without permission, both a clear breach of the terms of her employment contract which she signed.

Total E&P was magnanimous in waiting for 30 days before terminating her appointment with full benefits even though she has not yet refunded the transfer allowance.

ENERGY /BUSINESS 19

‘Inexperienced Firms Are Running Power Sector Down’ stories By Chika Izuora, Lagos

Experts in the power sector has said they will not accept excuses by the Ministry of Power over the current drop in electricity generation which has thrown most parts of the country into darkness.

On Monday, the website of the ministry opened a new vista of challenges in the power sector, disclosing a sharp drop in power generation.

Information on the ministry’ website indicated that generation had dropped by 2,954.51 mega watts (mw).

It said 64.01mw of electricity was stranded on account of weak and insufficient equipment used in distribution and claimed that the sector generated 3,206.09mw as of December 2 but unfortunately went down to 2,954.51 by December 11. The government had boasted that it has the capacity to generate 5,000mw by the end of 2014.

In his response to the present scenario in an interview with the LEADERSHIP, the national coordinator of Power-Up Nigeria, Mr Adetayo Adegbimle, said that government has spent the last one year experimenting

with the Electric Power sector, under the rudder of inexperienced administrators in the form of private companies, thereby wreaking havoc in the sector.

Adegbimle also noted that the electric power regulators (the Ministry of Power and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)) have spent the whole time also dancing to the tune of the new administrators by making sure customers are being continuously “skimmed and scammed” with no recourse to the rules that govern the Electric Power Sector Reform.

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

2015: ‘Public, Private Firms Will Be Subjected To Inspections’

BY Friday Atufe, Lagos

External auditors’ reports on the financial statements of public and private companies will be subjected to more robust quality inspection by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) in 2015.

According to the executive secretary and chief executive officer of FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee this has become imperative

because auditing standards have become high profile issues in the light of recent events globally and obvious national surprises, adding that auditors play a crucial role in ensuring that financial statements could be relied upon by users.

“Given current international trends and the critical role that auditors have, it seemed desirable to embrace some degree of changes being

considered internationally might be required in the Nigerian space.”

Consequently, although the current pass/fail model in auditors’ reports shall be retained but FRC in 2015 will required communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report: Definition, determination, including factors, description and documentation as

well as several additional enhancements to the auditor’s report: Independence, tenure, addressee the auditor needs to address its report to the appropriate authority.

Implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Also in 2015, federal and state governments shall flag off the implementation of International Public Sector

Accounting Standards (IPSAS) following the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2012.

In a bid to adopt the new accounting standards, the federal government has begun to review its acts while state governments are presently reviewing their laws. However Lagos state government has concluded the review of its laws.

Property Mart Gives Out Incentive On Citiview Estate

Property mart Real Estate Investment Limited, one of leading real estate firms in Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to ensure that every Nigerian has access to a home.

To achieve this objective, the company recently concluded plans to roll out incentive for buyers of its news estate called Citiview Estate.

According to the managing director of Property Mart,Mr. Adeyinka Adesope, the incentive is borne out of the desire to satisfy its numerous consumers without making life difficult for them.

He said that between now and Christmas, customers can enjoy an incredible discount on each home and land purchased at Citiview Estate thereby becoming proud owner of a home in Lagos “Citiview Estate is strategically located just less than 10 minutes away from Central Business District, Alausa, it is a perfect escape from the bustle of Lagos. This well-planned estate is zoned into different residential schemes with appreciable thoughts towards recreational and commercial areas,” Mr. Adesope explained.

He further disclosed that when Citiview Estate was introduced in 2010; a plot of land in Scheme 1 was sold for N3.8 million.

“12 months after according to him, the same plot was pegged at N5.5 million representing a staggering 69.1% appreciation,” he disclosed.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

INTERVIEW /BUSINESS 23

Thursday, December 18, 2014 What informed the need to launch the NAPSAS programme?

We found out that as the old National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) staff graduated to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) old age had caught on up with most of the apprentices.

We found that the area of apprenticeship was empty and needed people to fill it. We don’t have the climbers, the lines men, the cable jointers among others, and we can’t operate without them. That’s why the ministry came up with this programme to fill the gap. We, in the ministry, our role in the transformation of the power sector is like that of a shock absolver, we watch the activities in the sector to see where we need to come in from time to time to address any problem and this programme is one of such. As we continue on the transformation agenda, we will keep looking at areas that need to be transformed.

How will the programme create employment for youths in the power sector?

Let me start by commending the president for putting in all efforts at addressing the issue of unemployment in the country.

Recently, a committee was set up on job creation,headed by the Vice President, in collaboration with the private sector; as a government we have a duty especially in the area of addressing unemployment. If you look at what is happening in the North East, those who are participating in this crime are mostly youth. As a nation, to engage these youths for positive activities is better for us. As a government, we have to look for an opportunity to address this issue of unemployment and this scheme, the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme(NPSAS) that the president graciously approved to engage 7,400 Nigerian youths, to train them in apprenticeship in order to fill the vacuum in the power sector. We have to commend the government for this scheme. This is a good step expected of any responsible government. With the engagement of the youths, at the end of the day, we are not only addressing the issue of unemployment, we are also filling the gap in the sector.

What is the criterion for deciding on who is eligible to participate in the programme?

In line with best practices as obtainable in any part of the world, we engaged consultants because we want to engage people who will be productive, so we needed to do it right. We are not just going to start employing people, the consultants are the ones given the responsibility of selecting and screening people from both the states and federal level. So at the end of the day,

interview

NAPSAS Programme Will Eliminate Shortage Of Manpower In Power Sector –Wakil The federal government recently launched the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS), with intent on training 7,400 Nigerian youths as apprentice in various areas of the power sector. In this interview with JULIET ALOHAN, Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, explained how the scheme was initiated and what purpose it is meant to serve. He also gave a hint about other programmes being considered for implementation in the sector Excerpts

is trying to solve their problems.

Wakil

whoever is selected as will be capable of contributing positively to the power sector; we are not just opening up to everybody so that the scheme does not end up being counter-productive at the end of the day.

With the engagement of the youths, at the end of the day, we are not only addressing the issue of unemployment, we are also filling the gap in the sector

Will there be any special priority given to any part of the country, like the North East, under the scheme?

This is an ongoing programme; this is the first phase and then we will continue to other phases.

Apart from this programme, there are other instances where we are making a case to government concerning the north east on how to treat the youths from that area, especially with regard to the security challenge in the area.

But this one is a take-off programme, so we need to ensure it is balanced and that it ultimately succeed. Probably, in subsequent edition, we may consider a special case for the north east to see how they can be given consideration so that at the end of the day people in the area will know that government

What is the probability that after undergoing the NSAPS training, these youths will be engaged by power generation and discos companies, given that some of them laid of some staff after taking over the companies?

The beauty of the programme is that when we started at the conception level, we didn’t make it a federal affair, we made sure that the states were involved. We are collaborating with the states by way of contributing 50-50 and the Discos and Gencos were also carried along. It was like a stakeholders meeting at the conception stage and the chief executives of all the Gencos and Discos were there so they are very aware of the programme.

Infact we are trying to help the system because they need more of the youth apprentice. Some of them probably laid off some of the staff they inherited because of old age and unproductivity and here we are, training young men who government is spending substantial amount of money to train. So it’s a free bonus they are getting because these are trained people being given to

them. I want to assure you that they need more than this number we are training now, because they need to make profit from the companies they bought and to make profit you need quality staff and equipment. So we don’t have fear on whether the youths would be absorbed because we carried everyone along and we are working together on the programmme.

One year after the privatization, the issue of billing is still a challenge.

Some people feel they are billed more than they consume, how is the ministry resolving this?

This is one critical issue that needs to be looked at dispassionately. I understand that there is billing problem in some instances; that most times consumers are not paying as expected. So this calls for the need to address the issue of metering, and government is looking in that direction already.

We are also looking at how, holistically, at the end of the day we can have a balance between the consumers and electricity distributors. This however, is the responsibility of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), but we in the ministry will continue to play the role of shock absolver and provide the leadership, while the regulatory body handles the issue in manners that will protect both the consumer and distributor.

What other programmes are being considered for implementation in the power sector?

The NAPSAS is one of government’s programme aimed at engaging youths and apart from this, I had a discussion with some companies, where we are planning an institute of renewable energy to be cited in the North East. It would be a first of its kind world class institute.

However, we are yet to decide on the city it will be domiciled; we are still at the discussion stage and discussions are yet t be finalised.

I am disclosing it because it’s a good intention. Apart from that, when the European Union and UNIDO called at my office, I had discussions with them on how to come up with a programme that can address youth restiveness especially in the North East. But for them, they can’t act on any proposal until they have seen our programme of action; they work base on programme of action. So I have just engaged a consultant to come up with a programmme of action on how we can engage the youths. It would be a deliberate programme targeted at engaging the youths; so this is on the way.

Still, we are discussing with some of our donor agencies on rural electrification to come up with programmes that can address the issue of unemployment and engage the teeming youth across the country. So we are coming up with programmes, not one nor two. So we are making progress.

24 commerce/BUSINESS

Thursday, December 18, 2014

commerce REPORTS

ABUCCIMA To Increase Regional Trade

L-R: Registrar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Rotimi Omotoso; 1st deputy vice president, ICAN, Deacon Titus Soetan; executive director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Obinnia Abajue and president, ICAN, Mr Chidi Ajaegbu at the launch/unveiling of the ICAN-Stanbic IBTC Bank credit card in Lagos .PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA

FG, S/African Banks Discuss Funding For Buyers Of Made-In-Nigeria Cars

Stories BY Kingsley Alu, Abuja

The federal government is intensifying talks with some banks in South Africa to fund prospective buyers of vehicles made- in- Nigeria.

The director-general, National Automotive Council, Aminu Jalal, said that this is one of the several ways the government employing to develop the automotive market.

Addressing the media in Abuja recently during the launch of Peugeuot Automobile Nigeria auto finance scheme, Jalal said these South Africa financial institutions had specialty in funding of prospective buyers of vehicles, adding that this would stop the usual practise in Nigeria where people pay outright for the vehicles they want to purchase.

Also in the market’s development, he said were some tariff issues, explaining that vehicle manufacturing was longterm and very capital intensive.

“A lot of the manufacturers

actually make more money financing the research of the vehicles than they make in the assembly of these vehicles.

There is also after-sales service and sales of spare parts, among others.”

According to him, make profit, a manufacturer needed to produce 7,000 to 8,000 vehicles and that anything below would likely result to a loss.

According to him, the ratio of imported vehicles to those assembled in the country would be regulated until zero import was achieved.

Another method that would be used to develop the market was to discourage smuggling, he said and that the Nigeria Customs would check all registered vehicles to ensure they paid the correct duty.

According to him, the federal government, with intent to revive the activities of auto component manufactures, had given N11.5 billion loan to 32 companies to assist them in production.

He said the companies got the

loan at an interest rate of 7.5 per cent, listing the companies as belonging to the filter, plastic, tyre, those that mould bumpers and dash board, among others.

He said a quarter of them had repaid the loan but that they had a challenge with competition from importers of similar product from China and India.

These products come much cheaper, saying that those who survive were those who trade by the side, importing and producing. On the resistance of some people to the auto policy, he wondered if Nigerians were comfortable with the importation of cars rather than have them manufactured in the country.

According to him, many countries, particularly in the last couple of months, that have a market, have said they must have an automotive policy, saying the industry was over a hundred years and that apart from the pioneers, Germany, France, Britain and USA, all others that followed have an automotive policy.

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), has disclosed plans to increase the chamber’s regional trade.Its newly elected president, Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, dropped this hint during the 2014 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the chamber where he was elected into office for three years.

Ejinkeonye said in order to boost the sector, his administration would organise different programmes, including seminars and trainings for the small and medium enterprises, operators in the country.

He said, “One of my plans is to increase regional trade, the statistic that is available to us shows that 85 per cent of businesses Africans do is outside Africa. Our interest within this three years is to promote trade within African region, with emphasis on the West Africa sub-region.”

He also added that his administration would give priority to developing infrastructure within and outside the chamber’s complex to promote trade and business in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond.

While commenting on poor funding of SMEs, he said, “We always have limitations which is financing the SMEs but like I said, innovation is a vital tool. A very good business man will not put finance first, but idea and introduction of new things.“It is not just the bank that can finance business, bank has always been the most expensive way of financing business. Means of financing business could be through friends, through relations, people that believe in your ideas, venture capitalists and many others.”

FG Urges DISCOs To Patronise Local Manufacturers

A lot of the manufacturers actually make more money financing the research of the vehicles than they make in the assembly of these vehicles

The federal government has directed all the electricity distribution companies in the country to patronise local manufacturers in line with the policies put in place by government, designed to ensure the accelerated development of the industrial sector.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, dropped the hint in Abuja at a one- day stakeholders’ forum on Metre/ Transformer Manufacturing in Nigeria organised by the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment in collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

In his address read by the director, Industrial Development and Inspectorate, Mrs Awobokun Omotanwa, the minister said that his ministry has received series of complaints on non-patronage and the influx of meters and transformers into the country by local manufacturers of these items.

He said the purpose of the meeting was to bring together stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges confronting the sub-sector and to come up with ideas and workable plans for the formulation of appropriate strategies and policies to support the sector.

‘Nigeria Will Save N1.27bn From Cassava Annually’

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The director-general of Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Dr. Gloria Elemo, has said Nigeria would save N1.27 billion annually from the use of cassava as bakery products, instead of wheat.

Elemo, said that this at the 2014 workshop of Commerce and Industry Correspondent Association of Nigeria (CICAN)

in Lagos.

She said that the use of cassava in bread-making would reduce the quantity of wheat being imported yearly.

She said, “We must reduce our reliance on raw materials from abroad, especially if we have it in Nigeria. We will save N1.27 billion if we start manufacturing cassava- based bread,” saying that the volume of foreign exchange expanded by the government

annually importing agro commodity such as rice, wheat, barley malt among others runs into billions of dollars.

She stated that Nigeria depend largely on the importation of finished goods from other countries which is said to be exporting jobs that should have been created for its citizens.

Speaking on research and development, Elemo mentioned that it had begun to make

a significant impact on the economy, and also serve as a major contributor to job creation as well as growth in the national GDP She also emphasised a significant growth witnessed in the MSME sector in the subsequent year due to the transfer of FIIRO’s research &development and technoentrepreneurship development effort to micro and medium

enterprises in Nigeria.

She added that the institute’s pioneering R&D efforts in cassava process in Nigeria which has led to the development of over 25 commercial cassava products, saying that the development and production of High Quality of Cassava Flour (HQCF) which the institute has utilised in partial substitution of wheat flour to produced cassava bread since 60s.

education

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

22

Year old undergraduate wins Onga cooking contest

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

Students during an exams

Baze Varsity Urges End To Insurgency Guest speaker calls on academia to proffer solutions Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

He pointed out that the fight against insurgency which is not restricted to Nigeria alone must be dealt with beyond Nigeria and with genuine support from Frenchspeaking countries

Lending its voice to the call to end insecurity in the country, BAZE University has urged all Nigerians to see the ongoing war against terrorism as necessary to secure the territorial integrity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity and team up with government to realise the objective.

The university, in a public lecture on the evil of terrorism, frowned at the destructive activities of the insurgents and stressed the need to halt the ugly trend in the country in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

The minister and deputy chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, who spoke at the public lecture with the theme ‘Political Dynamics,

Internal Terrorism and National Security: Issues, challenges and prospect of peace restoration in Nigeria’ condemned terrorism in all its ramification.

He defined terrorism as usually a premeditated attempt to spark violence by the armed against the unarmed. He explained to the students that the armed must not necessarily be the military against the civilians which is common place but could be the civilians against themselves as has been witnessed in the political landscape of the country with numerous examples to serve as case studies.

“Internal terrorism is otherwise called insurgency by experts.

Terror can be any shocking degree of violence unleashed at a target regardless of definition of the target and environment.

Terrorism like all the grandiose ideologies is international in outlook, network, sources of resources and operations.

Insurgency is simply a resistance

against an unwanted element in a given domestic setting,” he further stated.

He said terrorism operated in two types of cadre, referred to as active and passive and bemoaned the fact that “Nigerians belong to the passive cadre as most of them have developed sympathy for terrorism. Some see it as an avenue to bring down the government. Some are sympathetic to the cause of war and the war cannot be won as it is not about the government.”

He pointed out that the fight against insurgency which is not restricted to Nigeria alone must be dealt with beyond Nigeria and with genuine support from French-speaking countries.

Saying human attitudes are usually laced with ideologies which serve as engine rooms for their thoughts and possible goals, he contended that terrorism was not any different as experts had revealed that the motive could be political, religious (which is

often hidden in politics), socioeconomic, etc.

He encouraged particularly the students as seekers of knowledge and leaders of tomorrow to identify issues that threaten peace and which have the potential to culminate into terrorism and deal with them, adding “inability to address stress situations have brought us to this present situation.”

“Insurgency took us unawares because we were unable to identify issues that cause stress.

Not addressing the plight of the out-of-school children and neglecting the needs of the underprivileged has contributed to terrorism and with a reminder that the exploited today will be a major threat tomorrow as long as the human survival instinct remains innate and alive”, he further said.

Harping on the need to find lasting solution to the problem, Suleiman lamented the limited number of scholars

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26 EDUCATION/NEWS

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Ssanu Warns FG Against Further Delay In Negotiation

short news

ITF Trains 74,000 Youths In Skills Acquisition

By Michael Oche, Abuja

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU) sent a strong warning to the Federal Government, to immediately put in place a machinery for the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement or face a nationwide strike in the universities.

In a communique issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan and made available to journalists yesterday, the union, said the 2009 agreement signed with SSANU in 2009 is long overdue for renegotiation.

The communique signed by SSANU President Comrade Samson Ugwoke and the Public Relations Officer, Comrade NAD Aboribo, also frowned at the failure of government at all levels to pay the arrears of earned allowances.

The communique reads in part: “SSANU-in-session continues to note that the 2009 FGN/ SSANU Agreement is long overdue for renegotiation and the insistence of the union that this agreement be renegotiated has not been respected by the government.

“NEC-in-session therefore, warns government on the dangers of its insensitive stand on this matter as such is capable of completely disrupt the relative peace in our universities . SSANU-NEC therefore, urges the Federal Government to put in place a machinery in motion for the renegotiation of this agreement without any further delay.”

The union warned that academic session may be disrupted should the government fail to begin payments of the arrears.

“NEC-in-session considers the fragile peace and the anxieties of staff in Nigerian universities and Inter University Centres, as a result of non-payment of the balance of the arrears of the earned allowances.

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

Students of Glisten International Academy during their cultural carnival and end of the year party in Abuja yesterday.

photo

by adefemi adewuyi

Rector Advocates For Vocational, Tech Education JOSHUA DADA, OSOGBO

The need for government to harness vocational and technological education at achieving national development for the country has been stressed.

Addressing participants at the 7th International Conference of Science, Engineering and Environmental Technology held at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, the Rector, Mr Patrick Hussain observed that without harnessing vocational and technological education, the nation and her people would continue to grabble with abject poverty, hunger, unemployment and under utilization of national resources.

According to him, “vocational and technological education is no doubt the most important and effective tool for individual well-being and national transformation.

Without technological education there is no harnessing of technology. Without harnessing technology, our nation and people would continue to grabble unsuccessfully with the present predicament of abject poverty, hunger, unemployment and under utilization of national resources.

While promising to improve on staff, students’ welfare and staff development programmes in the institution, the Rector

declared his avowed determination and commitment to refocus the Polytechnic to assume a national leading role and global significance in all the spheres of vocational and technological education delivery.

He said that “the development of a virile academic culture in this polytechnic is one of my avowed goals and the occasion affords me another opportunity to restate some of the key indices of my vision as the Rector of this Polytechnic.

Hussain advised that all tertiary institution should endeavor to use academic gathering for the promotion of national growth, development and stability.

According to him, “no doubt participation in conference is a requirement for promotion of academic staff in the Polytechnics and other tertiary institutions, but we should look beyond that and see how we can make such academic gatherings as this to promote our national growth, development and stability.

Speaking at the occasion, Osun State Deputy Governor who is also the State Commissioner for Education restated the commitment and determination of the state government to uplift the standard of education in the state to a viable level for the needed growth and development.

She however solicited for the support

and cooperation of the people of the state assuring that the present government will not leave any stone unturned in achieving the economic and industrial growth of the state.

In his address, the Chairman of REPCOMSEET, Dr. Wilfred Igboama noted that the theme: “Scientific and Technlogical Innovations—Road Map to National Development” is chosen in order to turn away from theoretical research and bring about innovations that will be translate into national and global developments.

He charged the participants to use the conference in evolving more effective methods and technologies that will be practically beneficial to all as a nation and the world at large.

He commended the state government for what it has done at improving the standard of education in the state noting that the current administration has done a lot in all the sectors of the state.

Baze Varsity Urges End To Insurgency

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in the field of peace studies and conflict resolution and urged the students in their academic pursuit to see the area as one so neglected and screaming for attention.

He said “Nigerian scholars should be able to proffer solutions to the act of terrorism in Nigeria.

Research and adequate academic

work is needed. Also, synergy between the academia and the government is also needed.”

The minister said fighting a war was a psychological thing as it defied AK-47, ammunitions and military kit and stressed the need for the resources provided for the military especially the rank and file to get to them.

The pro-chancellor of the institution, Sen Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, in his vote of thanks, further‎ gave a blueprint of the institution concerning the issues dealing with security and the need to have disciplined students with a sense of social responsibility towards insecurity and their immediate

environment.

He charged the students to work with an open mind and willingness to be receptive to any kind of knowledge and not to cage and limit themselves within only their fields of discipline especially with the issue of insecurity becoming everybody’s business.

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, December 18, 2014

FEATURE/EDUCATION 27 SCHOOLS REPORTS

Four Nigerian Schools Receive British Council’s Global Award

By Taiwo Ogunmola Omilani, Lagos

Four Nigerian schools, Glisten International Academy-Abuja, Grace Schools-Lagos, Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School-Rivers and CITA International School-Rivers have being presented with the British Council International School Award (ISA).

Lynda Ashaolu, British Council Schools Project Manager while speaking at the awards presentation ceremony in Lagos said across the world, there is a growing recognition that scoring high marks in exams alone will not ensure success for young people.

Ashaolu pointed out that only those who will be able to collaborate, think critically, work InterA 22-year-old law student of University of Lagos, Miss Temitope Oyedija (middle) emerged the overall winner in this year’s culturally and resolve issues creatively will take Onga National Campus Cooking the world forward.

According to her, “Teaching these valuable skills can be quite challenging but by working with each other, young people across the world can develop these skills enjoyably while mastering their core subject areas”.

She further observed that ISA is a benchmarking scheme which accredits and celebrates schools for excellence in embedding an international dimension in their curriculum.

by Kuni Tyessi, Abuja “ISA provides a framework for schools to develop cooking is a universal art done of dishes enjoyed by different an action plan and implement international A 22-year old law student in every part of the world. Based cultures across the country; activities throughout the year, and encourages of University of Lagos, Miss on this, he said Promasidor’s and create an emotional bond schools to collaborate with schools overseas to Temitope Oyedija; has emerged target is to make the competition between the brand’s target create a rich learning experience for students the overall winner in this year’s premium amongst the youth in audience and the Onga Seasoning through use of ICT, creative pedagogical practices through active engagement and Onga National Campus Cooking Nigeria. and real context for learning”.

Onubogu stated that as a one-on-one interaction.

Competition thereby winning Other contestants present the star prize of 2014 KIA Rio national competition, the cooking contest launched in August 2014 at the Grand Finale include the full option.

With the Okro Soup and was activated in 14 campuses first runner up, Isaac Uzoenyi, a Garri she prepared at the Grand spread across the country such student of Abia State University; Finale of the competition held that many willing students could Jessica Egbenwonu, a student of Faculty of Technology, University at the Indoor Sports Hall of gain access to participate.

by Abu Nmodu, Minna Satisfied with the competition, of Ibadan; Miss Arafat Azeez, the university, Oyedija dazzled other regional winners who Edna Obi, Senior Category student of Environmental Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida represented 13 other universities Manager, Promasidor explained Resources Management, Federal Aliyu has approved the appointment of Professor in the country. that the event achieved its University of Agriculture, Farouk Abdulraheed Haruna as the pioneer Vice Kachi Onubogu, Executive objectives which include giving Abeokuta (UNAAB); and Chancellor of the newly established Niger state Director, Commercial, students across select campuses Christopher Xyztus, student of University of Education, Minna.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the opportunity to sharpen School of Natural and Applied In a letter of appointment signed by the sponsors of the competition; who their culinary skills; enlighten Science, Federal University of Secretary to the state government, Hon. Saidu made the announcement said the public on the wide variety Technology, Minna.

Ndako Idris said the appointment is for a single term of five years and it is expected to take from January 1, 2015.

According to the governor, the appointment of Professor Haruna was in recognition of His track record of achievements as the Provost of the state college of Education, Minna, a position been running yearly for the last 10 so much in the lives of young Ruth Choji, Abuja he occupied until his appointment. years, adding that it started small Nigerians over the years.

The governor, in the letter of appointment ``One of our reasons was to bring Mr Moses Siasia, the Chairman of but had become very large. said “as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of this ``It leads to cross board the Young Professionals boss to the Nigeria Young Professionals university, you are expected to bring your wealth Forum (NYPF) was recently partnership with international come and experience what young of experience and administrative skills to bear in honoured as Young Person of figures and organisations; it people are doing around here. the discharge of your duties”. ``We are looking forward to the year, 2014 by Accorage is primarily targeted at young He pointed out that “you are expected to Entertainment, oragnisers of the resourceful Nigerians as a means synergising with him to better the replicate and even surpass your performance to reward handwork, skills and lot of young people in Nigeria,’’ Ita Safari Awards in Calabar. as the Provost, College of Education Minna said.

The awards dinner was held enterprise,’’ he said. where you recorded tremendous achievements On the criteria used in selecting Responding, Siasia thanked to recognise great young minds in infrastructural development, improvement who are making a lot of impact in Siasia for the award, Ita said that the organisers for recognising in learning conditions and general Students the group checked the NYPF boss’s what he was doing and urged different areas of specialization. conduct”.

Speaking during the profile and realised that he was young Nigerians to be diligent and The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, presentation, the Head of the doing a lot for young Nigerians dedicated to whatever positive they Professor, Mohammed Yahaya Kuta while found themselves doing.

Accorage group, Mr Eyo Ita, said both at home and abroad. presenting the appointment letter to the new ``Based on his capacity and Siasia cautioned young people that Safari Awards was geared Vice Chancellor in a brief Ceremony in his office towards encouraging young achievements which are evident, against looking for short term on Wednesday, said the delay in the taking off of rewards as good rewards might Nigerians who were making impact he has earned himself the award. the University since October was to enable the ``He is among the very few not come immediately but with in the Nigerian society. government secure the approval of the National She said that the awards had had young Nigerians that had impacted time and patience.

University Commission.

UNILAG Undergraduate Wins Gold Medal, Car In 2014 Onga Cooking Contest

Gov Aliyu Appoints Rasheed VC Of New Varsity

NYPF Chairman Bags Safari Award

28 news Lagos APC Picks Lagos SSG As Ambode’s Running Mate There are indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has settled for the state’s secretary to the state government, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, as the running mate to the APC’s 2015 governorship candidate in the state, Mr Akinwumi Ambode.

Our correspondent gathered that Adebule was unanimously endorsed by the party leadership in the state to balance its political equation of giving the slot to a devout female Muslim.

An APC House of Representatives member, who did not want her name in print, said, “Everything in Nigerian politics now is based on religious sentiment. The country has been polarised along religious lines. Ambode is a Christian, so a female Muslim is needed to be his deputy.

“In Lagos, we normally use females as deputy governors for gender equality and when you look at the current scenario, Adebule with her high religious background and close affinity with the Muslim community in the state was unanimously endorsed.”

Adebule has been a prominent member of the Muslim Students Society (MSS). She holds a doctorate degree and has lectured at the Lagos State University (LASU) before her appointment as the SSG and her political activities.

She comes across as a loyal party member who is 100 per cent committed to the ideals and programmes of the party and has grass roots support amongst the Awori who are inhabitants Ojo LGA of the state in the Badagry Division of the state.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Synagogue Building Collapse: Anti-bomb Squad Yet To Conclude Investigation

By OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

The head of the anti-bomb unit of the Lagos Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Olakunle Olanrewaju, yesterday told the coroner conducting an inquest into the collapse of a building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) that its report on the incident is not ready, three months after.

Olanrewaju, who stated this while

testifying before the Coroner’s Court, said that the police decided to conduct a Post-Blast Investigation (PBI) because it was suspected that a blast might have been used on the collapsed guest house.

The Lagos State government had on September 26, set up the coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of the building collapse which left about 115 people dead.

Most of the victims of the collapsed building which served as a guest house were of South African

nationality.

Olanrewaju also testified that the Explosive Ordinance Devices (EOD) Unit of the Nigeria Police would only go to the site of any disaster, if there is any reasonable suspicion that an explosive must have been used on the said scene.

He stressed that the decision of the Lagos police boss to dispatch the EOD personnel to the SCOAN collapsed site was because there was the need to investigate the possible use of explosives on the collapsed

guest house.

He told the court that he was mandated by the state commissioner of police (CP), Kayode Aderanti to move to the collapsed guest house and conduct the investigation because the police have a duty to investigate any suspicion of the commission of a crime.

The police witness said, “The mission of the EOD team led by my humble self was to find out whether or not the building collapsed as a result of the use of explosives."

By George Okojie, Lagos

LASU Crisis: ASUU Wants Fashola’s Intervention The Lagos zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has waded into the latest union crisis at the Lagos State University (LASU), calling on the Visitor to the institution, Governor Babatunde Fashola to speed up action in the crisis, even as it threatened to take legal action against the purported interim leadership of ASUU in the institution.

Speaking at a press briefing after a congress attended by the zonal leadership of ASUU, the coordinator of the Lagos zone, Dr Adesola Nasir affirmed that the Dr Adekunle Idrisled exco is the leadership recognised by the national body.

The LASU branch of the union had split after some aggrieved members who had been suspended by the Idris-led faction held a congress, installing an interim leadership last week. The institution’s administration had, however, recognised the interim leadership and withdrawn the certificate of Dr Adekunle Idris.

Nasir, who stated unequivocally that the Dr Adekunle Idris-led exco is the only one known to ASUU at both national and zonal levels, emphasised that the activities of the suspended members are anti-union.

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Bustling Idumota market in preparation for Christmas in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN

Unity Schools: Discriminatory Cut-off Marks Illegal – Court

BY OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

Justice John Tsoho of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday declared as unconstitutional the disparity in the admission requirements into the federal government’s Unity Schools across Nigeria.

The court reached this conclusion while delivering judgement on a case filed by former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the minister of education from

further acts of discrimination in admission into Unity Schools.

According to the judge, the action of the minister of education in prescribing and applying different requirements for candidates seeking admission into Unity Schools is in violation of Section 42(1) of the 1999 constitution.

Justice Tsoho also held that the provisions of the constitution is superior to any administrative law or policies adopted by the minister of education.

The court, therefore, or-

dered the minister to apply uniform admission requirements, especially cut-off marks to all candidates seeking admission into Unity Schools.

Agbakoba had joined the attorney general of the federation and the minister of education in the suit seeking a declaration that the action of the minister in prescribing and applying different requirements including cut-off marks for candidates seeking admission into Unity Schools is in violation of the constitution.

The lawyer had also prayed the court for an order directing the minister to apply uniform admission requirements especially cut-off marks to all candidates seeking admission into Unity Schools.

The federal government had in its counter affidavit to the suit submitted that the policies on education particularly as it relates to qualification for entry into Unity Schools is formulated to represent the federal character of the country as enshrined in the constitution and subsidiary legislation.

Bode George Manipulated Lagos PDP Primary, Obanikoro Tells Court

By Kunle Olasanmi, Lagos

A former minister of state for defence and governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has accused a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Olabode George and the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mr Jimi Agbaje of recruiting armed thugs to achieve

their aims at the governorship primary held on December 8.

In an affidavit which he filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja in support of his suit, the former minister said he saw the police recover five guns and rounds of ammunition as well as live cartridges from the thugs brought by Chief Olabode George and Mr Jimi Agbaje, a co-aspirant during the party primary.

Obanikoro is challenging the conduct of the December 8, 2014 governorship primary in which Agbaje was declared winner. Obanikoro with 343 votes came second behind Agbaje who polled 432 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.

In the suit, the former minister urged the court to nullify the primary and order a fresh one to be conducted on the grounds of alleged

electoral irregularities that marred the December 8, 2014 exercise.

During the proceedings yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, after Obanikoro’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), moved an exparte application, asked the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission to appear in court on December 23.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

news north-East, north-west 29 2015: ’Buhari, Solution To Nigeria’s Woes’

Govt Activities Stalled In Taraba As Officials, Politicians Move To Abuja

By Andrew Ojih, Kebbi

Official government activities as well as political activities in Taraba State have been grounded for the past two weeks as government officials and politicians have shifted their struggle to Abuja.

Key members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and key government officials who are responsible for the running of government have all left for Abuja to enable them win the favour of the seat of power against the 2015 general election.

Following the shift in the struggle for the 2015 general election to Abuja, official government activities have been paralyzed as Jalingo, the state capital, appears not to bubble with life anymore.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that all the aspirants for the gubernatorial positions have all relocated to Abuja to fight their course at the national secretariat of the party, even as our investigation has proved that the result of the gubernatorial primaries which declared Darius Ishaku the party’s candidate was not a

true reflection of the feelings of the delegates who were reportedly locked out of the venue of the election.

A trip to Government House, Jalingo, government ministries and parastatals as well as PDP secretariat, together with the various campaign offices of the politicians who are looking for various elective positions, showed they were all deserted.

LEADERSHIP checks also revealed that the political actors in the state, particularly in the PDP, are concerned with the occupant

of the governorship seat by 2015 and are making relentless efforts to ensure that they do not miss out in contributing to the occupant’s victory.

The official announcement that followed the said gubernatorial primaries that was shifted to Abuja, to the ordinary people in the state was the end of the battle but it was rather the beginning of more struggle for the gubernatorial position, a senior civil servant in the state in the ministry of information ,who spoke on anonymous condition, lamented.

L-R: Permanent secretary, Political and Security Affairs, Adamawa State, Mr Ibrahim Manuel; representative of the chairman, Presidential Committee on Victims’ Support Fund, Mr Alkassim Abdulkadir; executive director of the committee, Mr Sunday Ochebe and Amina Haruna, during presentation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yola, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN.

Constitution Amendment: Katsina Assembly Opposes LG Autonomy Katsina State House of Assembly yesterday voted against autonomy for the local government system just as it kicked against state creation.

Voting at its sitting yesterday on the clauses outlined for considerations in the ongoing constitution amendments, the PDP- dominated assembly also approved the continued stay of state independent electoral commission.

In a unanimous voting, the assembly gave its consent to the agitation for the seperation of the office of minister of Justice from that of Attorney General of the federation.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the plenary, the majority leader, Dr Lawal Aliyu Musawa (PDP, Musawa) said the assembly’s decision was in line with the yearnings of the good people of the state.

Commenting on state creation, Musawa said “we feel what the nation needed is good leadership and not more states”.

By Muazu lazeh, Katsina

Gov Nggilari Forwards Commissioner-nominees To Adamawa Assembly

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

Three months after he was sworn in as the substantive governor of Adamawa State, Governor Bala Nggilari has yesterday sent the list of 21 commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly even though he is yet to send the name of his deputy.

The failure of the governor to form a cabinet that will assist him in running the administration has crippled economic activities in the

state as almost all projects have come to a standstill as many in the state.

A resident of Yola , Mr. Peter Sini, said the situation has exacerbated the bad economic situation in the state.

The development has also caused anxiety within the political environment as many speculate that it is a tactic deployed by the governor to reserve as much funds as possible before he leaves office considering that he is not

contesting the gubernatorial election come 2015.

In his letter to the House entitled, “Nomination for appointment to office of commissioner,” Nggilari urged the House to approve the names so as to fasttrack development in the state.

Three women were among the 21 nominees selected from each of the 21 local councils of the state.

The women nominees include, Mrs Rejoice Calvin, Mrs Marylyn Babayi and Mrs Patricia Yakubu.

Dakingari’s Commissioner, 7 Others Dump PDP For APC

By YAHYA SARKI, Kebbi

The Kebbi State commissioner of education, Alhaji Samaila Abdulmumin Kamba and the vice chairman of Dandi local government, Mohammed Salah Fana as well as six other councillors of the same local government have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) The six Dandi local government councillors who defected include:

Garba Ibrahim,Geza ward; Nasiru Umar, Kamba/Keda ward; Lubabatu Usman, Kamba Maihausawa; Abubakar Mohammed Fingilla, Kinga Kwai Fingila ward; Sule Bako, Maigwazo ward, and Bashar Musa Shiko, Shiko ward.

Receiving the defectors at the APC secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state chairman of the party, Barr. Attahiru Maccido commended the courage of the defectors and assured them of equal treatment in the party.

He also disclosed that very soon, the party would receive more prominent politicians from the PDP. Responding on behalf of the defectors,the vice chairman of Dandi local government, Salah Fana explained their move.

He said: “We left PDP because the party has sidelined our political godfather, Samaila Abdulmuminu Kamba; because of the injustice to our political mentor, PDP has also lost grip of our people,” he said.

Only the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, can address current challenges facing the nation, a group, the Unified Associations of Daura Emirate has said.

The Unified Associations of Daura Emirate, an umbrella body of town associations from five council areas of Daura emirate in Katsina State, said the APC candidate has all it takes to take the nation out of the woods when elected.

Addressing newsmen in the ancient town of Daura, on behalf of the association, Kabir Salisu Daura said General Buhari is a detribalised Nigeria who has real love of the nation at heart.

He said voting the Daura-born general is the best Nigerians who are desirous of real change could do considering the myriads of challenges confronting the nation.

“We are passing through the worst moment of our national life as the current security challenges, corruption and near collapse of infrastructure has shown.

“What the nation need is a disciplined, detribalised and focused leader to take us out of the woods and make our nation truly the giant of Africa that it is.

In General Buhari we see such a man,” he said.

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

NESREA Launches Great Green Wall Project In Zamfara The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched the Great Green Wall project in Zamfara State in an effort to curb the menace of desertification in the state.

The launch ceremony was conducted soon after a one-day training workshop to sensitize youth volunteers who will execute the project along the border belt between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

NESREA director-general/ CEO, Dr Ngeri Benebo, who was represented by the agency’s deputy director, Strategic Alliance and Partnership, Mr Dutse Salka, described the Great Green Wall (GGW) concept as a programme aimed at combating desertification in 46 local government areas in 11 frontline states, namely Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.

She discloses that official estimate indicates that between 50–70 percent of the people of these states are adversely affected by the drought and desertification.

By Abba Kabara

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THE NATION’S CAPITAL 35

FCT SDS Advised Physically Challenged Persons Against Street Begging

By Igho Oyoyo

The Social Development Secretariat (SDS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on physically challenged people in the FCT to avoid engaging on street begging, that it has hazardous effect on their lives.

In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, in commemoration of the 2014 Day of Physically Challenged Persons, explained that the secretariat embarked on the gesture to discourage the physically challenged from engaging on street begging.

Onuh, while noting that it is the obligation of the social development secretariat to carter for the people with disabilities, explained that even if they engage in begging for a whole year, the proceeds from such begging business, can not buy them a bag of rice or a good clothing material.

“You can attest to the fact that some of your friends have lost their lives as a result of carelessness of drivers who are ran over by such drivers. So, I encourage you not to engage in street begging because it is not good for you and the FCT Administration is totally against it,” she advised.

On the need to equip them with skills, Onuh encouraged them to always make good use of the opportunities provided by the Social Development Secretariat, to acquire necessary skills and knowledge that will make their lives meaningful.

She however solicited the contribution and support of well meaning Nigerians, both government and private, who have the resources to join hands in a philanthropic outreach, to reach out to the needy with food items, clothing and other cash donations.

On advisory note, Mrs. Grace Adogo warned them to desist from street begging, as the social development secretariat will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the street begging.

In his response, one of the leader of the association of the physically challenged in Abuja, Suleiman Ahmed, expressed his gratitude to the secretariat for remembering them with food and clothing materials, ahead of christmas celebration.

Some items, which include bags of rice, beans, salt, corn, millet, red and groundnut oil, as well as clothing materials were distributed to the physically challenged persons in the spirit of the Christmas celebration.

2015: Council Boss Advises Politicians To Shun Violence

By Chika Mefor

The chairman of Gwagwalada area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Jibrin Giri has called on politicians in the area to be patient and shun violence, as it does not bring development to any society.

Giri said that violence has caused a lot of damages in various areas in the country and called on them to preach peace to their followers, which will help in the development of the council.

He stated that various actions by politicians have brought about chaos in the council and called on them to always be conscious of what they do and make sure their actions benefit the people.

Giri also called on the residents to continue to be law abiding citizens, in order to ensure a peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections in the area.

He further appealed on residents of the council to support his administration, as he has a lot of projects on hand that would benefit the people.

“I am calling on all politician to remember that they should always act peacefully and shun corruption. They should remember that the council is their home and work towards making it a peaceful place to live in,” he said.

Members of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), picketing the entrance of Radio House during a warning strike in Abuja yesterday. photo by nan

2015: Former Abaji Boss Declares Support For Zhin

By Igho Oyoyo

The immediate past chairman of Abaji area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, has promised to support the House of Representatives candidate for Abuja south, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Danladi Zhin during the 2015 general elections.

Muhammad, who also contested for the House of Representatives, but lost out with a total of 33 votes, while incumbent House of Reps member, Isah Egah Dobi, got 56 votes at the PDP primary election held on December 6, stated this when the party’s candidate visited him at his residence in Kuje on Tuesday.

According to Mohammed, he would mobilize all his supporters across the four

area councils, including residents of the Abaji Rural Areas Development Association (ARADA) to ensure they vote him at the polls.

“We are reasoning together before the election and by God willing, we are going reason together after the election. I want to assure you of my complete support, even if you do not come to visit me. My supporters and I, have started working for you, “he said.

He however, harped on the need for people to shun tribal and religious politics, saying that for some people to show hatred against another tribe, is a sin against God. “It is a sin for one to hate another tribe, because of his tribe or religion. It is an offense before the eyes of God,“he said.

Earlier, the House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Danladi Zhin, said he

decided pay him a visit, in order to seek for his support, saying any person that attached politics to tribe or religion is out cheat his people.

“Therefore, you should count on me that I shall ensure that the voice of people of the Abuja south federal constituency is heard in the House of Representatives of the National assembly by the grace of God, “he said.

The chairman of Kuje area council, Shaban Tete, appreciated the effort of the former council chairmen for playing politics without rancor and bitterness during the party’s’ primary election.

“Honestly, you have truly shown us that you are a truly politician, and you have shown us that politics is not played with bitterness. We shall one day give you that support too,“ he said.

Kwali Boss Promises Completion Of Ongoing Projects

By Chika Mefor

The chairman of Kwali area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Ibrahim Daniel has promised to complete all on-going projects in the council before the expiration of his administration.

Daniel who spoke during an interview with journalists stated that he was satisfied with the level of work going on in the council, adding that with the pace the projects are going, they will be completed before the end of his tenure.

According to the chairman, the

introduction of revenue consultant in the council has boost the revenue generation in the area, that collecting tax has been a difficult task in the area.

He further added that the council had taken it upon itself to educate and sensitize residents on the importance of revenue generation and how it would help to bring development in the council. “ I am happy with the level of development work going on and pledged to continue to work for the betterment of the council,” he said.

Daniel added that despite the

limited resources, his administration will continue to ensure the electorate enjoy the dividend of democracy as it was priority in his administration.

The council boss, who also attributed the ongoing development in the council to relative peace enjoyed in the area, called on the residents to continue to support and pray for the council in order to make it one of the best in FCT. “I appreciate residents of the council and called on them to continue to pray and support us. It is important for every leader to have support of his people,” he said.

36 OPINION

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Okotie And 2015 Politics

By Waleade Mudashiru

The resolve of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to skew the electoral process against new structures like the Rev. Chris Okotie-led Fresh Democratic Party, FRESH, has received enough coverage in the media, to warrant a definite response from the agency, but nothing has been heard, weeks to the 2015 elections.

Despite Justice Gabriel Kolawole’s ruling, and INEC’s halfeffort at appealing the verdict, which voided the party’s deregistration, the nation still awaits concrete actions even as Prof.

Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC recently blew the whistle signalling the commencement of campaigns towards the 2015 general elections, which has produced two candidates – Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (APC).

INEC’s attitude means two possible things: The agency could choose to honour the judgment deep into the campaign season, meaning the party should conduct hurried, haphazard and inordinately expensive campaigns; or it could opt to pointedly disregard the court’s ruling and stand by the de-registration.

Either way, the electoral agency already has a potentially explosive situation and conflict of interest on its hand, because sooner or later, the judicial system must be challenged to take action against the agency’s vicarious flouting of its pronouncements.

Justice A. Adeniyi while delivering Hope Democratic Party, HDP’s victorious verdict, made reference to the refusal of

Jega

INEC to obey the verdict on the same subject delivered earlier in FRESH’s favour by Justice Kolawole. Yet, the Commission still stands its ground. This is why the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, in the light of his recent comment on personal interests which conflicts with ruling especially in political cases, needs to act fast, to salvage this matter of utmost judicial urgency, because this soap-opera could stall the 2015 transition, if the party carries out its threat and eventually succeeds in getting the court to stop the coming elections based on the agency’s violation of its constitutional rights and the disregard of its victorious verdict.

These repeated smorgasbord of miscarriages ignited the tinder box of a new paradigm of political representation, which the new parties represent. Yet it is an intensely populist position: New parties which seek to overthrow the decadent and expired elite, who created the enabling environment for the corruption-poverty-

When men like Rev. Okotie stepped onto the political rostrum in 2002, it was with a resolve to challenge the status quo with his paradigm shift philosophy

insecurity triad to spiral out of control, are being strangulated.

The increasingly steeped political and economic slide which has been a harrowing experience for us highlights the systemic failures of government, which is another reason why politics should not be left in the hands of our politicians.

Their spurious excuses for total disregard for the plight of the majority of our population cannot be hinged on anything else but the mismanagement of our extractive assets, and the result is this new wave of austerity measures; an unending protraction and downward spiral of the nation’s fortunes and image, despite the trillions of dollars oil income, which of course were embezzled over the last five decades.

Nigeria has reached the tipping point, where small trends grow into a critical mass affecting everything from the marketplace to political opinion. When men like Rev. Okotie stepped onto the political rostrum in 2002, it was with a resolve to challenge the status quo with his paradigm shift philosophy which pledges to deviate from the graft, embezzlement and cronyism which is the mainstay of our ruling class. But the powers that be won’t have it, and with the many intrigues playing out on the political landscape, watchers of the unfolding events are wondering how Okotie will achieve this goal, seeing that INEC’s dilly-dally tactics may stop the pastor from contesting in the forthcoming general elections.

– Mudashiru wrote from Oyo State

Shema And The Burden Of History by abubakar kurfi

abdullahi

The haze of the harmattan, no matter how strong or dusty, cannot hide the rays of the sun.

The gale of the 2015 electoral ambition that is beginning to blow across the country and in particular, in my home state of katsina, is a case of how temporary the harmattan haze is trying to hide the rays of the sun.

As an indigene of katsina State who has always taken deep interest in its affairs and who has kept his ears very close to the ground in order to know the true state of affairs at the grassroots, I feel disturbed that some people are trying very hard to denigrate the sterling qualities of Governor Ibrahim Shema in order to promote their own unbridled ambition to become governor next year.

Various comments in a cross section of the media criticising

him on the allegation that he made incisive remarks by calling on the people to crush political opponents, like cockroaches, is very untrue, as he was quoted out of context, after all, the governor has since the denied it.

In 2007, while campaigning for governor, and again in 2011, Governor Ibrahim Shema said, “Oh Allah, if You give me power, also give me the ability to use it justly according to Your dictates.

If I will not be just, Allah deny me this quest for power.”

Personally, I believe that he has justified this pledge to be just, even given our shortcomings as humans. This is because Shema’s first actions when he took the oath of office as Katsina State governor was to sign a bill providing full, free, compulsory and universal primary and secondary education for all Katsina State indigenes. He followed that up by providing hundreds of new schools and refurbishing all the

old ones.

He also provided free antenatal care for pregnant women and for young children. Recently Katsina State conducted local government elections which has been adjudged as the freest and most peaceful in the history of the state.

I know human memories are short, but let us not forget how Governor Ibrahim Shema dealt with the issue of ‘kauraye’. These political thugs had become the single biggest menace to peace and progress in Katsina State.

While some people argued that ‘kauraye’ were needed, Governor Shema said he could not see why, if his own son could become a useful member of society, the sons of poor parents should not also be educated and empowered to become useful members of society.

He then built the huge youth and craft village that teaches dozen different skills. All the former political thugs –’kauraye’

went through various skills acquisition and were then given the tools and seed money to start a trade. It is one of the most successful social experiments in the history of Katsina State.

Shema wonderfully fulfilled his election pledge that every young child of Katsina State will be trained and become useful members of the society.

Therefore, all the people who are now running around and trying to tarnish the record of this great son of katsina by saying he ordered for violence in katsina, should calm down and look at the truth in the face.

He has done his best to promote peace and hamony in katsina, just as he has successfully delivered on his promises to the electorate. History will forever remember him as someone who restored peace and unity and above all transformed the state beyond peoples’ expectations.

– kurfi sent in this piece from Katsina

Inside Out

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The Tinubu Element In The Buhari/ Osinbajo Ticket

I

t is now confirmed what the LEADERSHIP newspapers exclusively reported in its last Friday edition that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will run on the same All Progressives Congress ticket with Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari against President Goodluck Jonathan/Arc. Namadi Sambo of the Peoples Democratic Party on February 14, 2015.

These pairing have the trappings of the April 16, 2011 election and much more. On the face value, it may mean Buhari substituting Pastor Tunde Bakare, an Egba man with Pastor Osinbajo, an Ijebu man to satisfy ethno-religious campaigners. That argument does not however satisfy the intense need for change that the country yearns for at the moment.

The APC is standing on the threshold of history. It is already beginning to play into the hands of those who do not see change as a fundamental recipe for Nigeria’s backwardness. The stories of dollars changing hands at various hotels and Teslim Balogun Stadium cast a pall of doubt on the much vaunted credibility of the polls that produced Buhari.

His rivals in the primaries may have been assuaged by other interest and the old soldier’s stature but they silently moan over the subliminal treachery of State governors and delegates who gave them false hopes.

It may also be a false start for the leadership of the party to delusionally continue to live in self-denial that a man openly humiliated will not seek revenge or at least cry if he cannot over-power his assailants physically or numerically.

Insiders will tell of how Ogun State is on the throes of the relatively unknown Social Democratic Party (SDP) because of the ill-treatment given to the Olusegun Osoba group by the same leadership that believe in zero-sum politics. The party standard bearer made a first major gaffe by openly ceding the selection of a running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. When the Lagos strongman is seen as the sole custodian of the soul of a collective institution that APC is, room will be created for storming petrels like Bukola Saraki, Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwanso to have a rethink about their romance with the nation’s main opposition party.

Perhaps the most thoughtless move ever made in the political history would have been if when Bola Tinubu, who was asked to scout for a VP saw it as his property and attempted to covet it. From the avalanche of strong Turks in the party, it is preposterous for Tinubu, the kingmaker, to himself want to be crowned.

When nationalists are thinking APC will dare to bring the change by bringing revolutionary youngsters in its fold to run with Buhari, Tinubu, not wanting to be out-shined by these new stars, brought forward Pastor Osinbajo. Without prejudice to his preeminence and qualifications to be vice president, many Nigerians without luggage or primordial ties would have loved to be associated with the Raji Fasholas, Adams Oshiomholes and the likes. They have become models in their rights and not a few would look away from the branding of Buhari as a fundamentalist in a Muslim/Muslim ticket. It has happened before and these men do not come across as Islamists in the terrible form Boko Haram and ISIS have been identified.

I however want to take solace in the fact that Tinubu was able to see through the limited lenses of politicking to thrust forward a Fashola. It may be one of the positive changes if Osinbajo and Buhari put a lie to PDP stance that “General Buhari is not in charge, may have been compromised and willing to be appropriated.

In fact, patriotic Nigerians from across the six geopolitical zones are now embarrassed that General Buhari is playing a godson to Alhaji Tinubu.

politics today Thursday, December 18, 2014

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

Uduaghan

Ibori

Delta Guber: How Ibori Stopped Edevbie Monday December 8, 2014 marked a significant milestone in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s journey to the 2015 gubernatorial polls in Delta State. Kola Eke Ogiugo writes on the horse-trading, intrigues and fears that stopped an Urhobo indigene from emerging as the candidate in the state.

Even in a London prison where he is currently serving time, Ibori operates as lord of the manor, acting as the consultantin-chief of Delta State political issues

C

hief James Onanefe Ibori, the fugitive exgovernor who sent the Urhobo nation into the woods for the past eight years running has once again ambushed them as they attempted to get out of the woods, sending them back with a below the belt punch.

In the year 2007, James Ibori had, against the desire of the Urhobo people, his kinsmen, manipulated the outcome of the governorship primary held in Ogwashi-Uku in favour of his cousin, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, to succeed him as governor.

This action, coupled with the

slam on the Urhobo people who he labelled as ingrates (Edemirukaye), pitched the Urhobos against Ibori and they joined forces with his political foes to land him in jail.

But even in a London prison where he is currently serving time, Ibori operates as lord of the manor, acting as the consultant-inchief of Delta State political issues and determining who should and who should not occupy a particular political office; whether elected or appointed.

To be fair, during his eight years as governor of Delta State, Ibori made millionaires out of paupers and this generosity endeared a large number of the Urhobo

political class to him, such that members of the Ibori political family became sub servants to the political will and direction of Ibori and anything the ex-governor said was law, even if it is from the London Prison where, like an oracle shrine, they troop to consult hm.

This it why as 2015 inches close, preparations for the general election has the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau in it.

In 2007, during the OgwashiUku guber primary of the PDP, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was said to have defeated Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan hands down and should have emerged as the flagbearer of the party and governor of Delta State. Rather, he allowed Ibori to manipulate the primary result in favour of Uduaghan with an accord that he will succeed Uduaghan eight years after.

A man known for keeping to his words, Ibori appointed Okowa as the secretary to the state government and subsequently

saw that he became a senator to expose him and enable him feel the national pulse before returning to be the governor of Delta State in 2015.

But as 2015 approached, various interest groups confronted and threatened to dismantle the plan for Okowa to succeed Uduaghan.

First among the agitators were the Urhobos who opposed the claim of the Anioma nation that it was their turn to produce the governor. They argued Urhobos of Delta Central have produced a governor for eight years in the person of James Ibori (19992007), the Itsekiris of Delta South have produced Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan as governor 2007-2015, and as such, it was only reasonable, morally justified and proper that the Anioma nation be allowed to take a piece of the pie.

But the Urhobos rejected the Anioma claim, arguing that there was no time the PDP had ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 38

37

38 POLITICS TODAY

Thursday, December 18, 2014

How Ibori Stopped Emergence Of Edevbie As PDP Governorship Candidate ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

Uduaghan was already measuring his political prowess with Ibori’s and when the gong was sounded, the last order was passed

by Ibori to destroy the Uduaghan plot

any agreement to zone the governorship of Delta among the 3 senatorial districts. They pointed out that since the state capital is located in Asaba, an Anioma zone, it was irrational for them to own the state capital and at the same time, produce a governor. They also lamented that the Anioma nation had over 90 percent of federal appointments due to Delta State and therefore, they see the governorship seat as compensation.

The argument encouraged many Urhobo sons to see the possibility of succeeding Uduaghan and they began to aspire to become governor. Undaunted, the Anioma politicians held fast to their claim and taunt political tension was created.

At one end of tug was the leadership of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) who were convinced that the Urhobo could succeed Uduaghan and boasting of its demographic strength, roared like a lion. From the UPU stable, Ovie Omo Agege, Kenneth Gbagi, Paulinus Akpeki, Amos Utuama, Omene Ogene, David Edevbie and Vincent Oyibode were spotted for the game.

At the Anioma end, 14 aspirants indicated interest. Notable among them were Ifeanyi Okowa, Victor Ochei, Tony Obuh, Godswill Obielum, Ndudi Elumelu, Clement Ofuani, Ngozi Olemeje, Syvester Monye, Sam Obi, Peter Okocha, Festus Okubor, Charles Emetulu, and Mike Uwaka.

Earlier, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, from the Ijaw axis, also bounced into the field.

All actors began to play their tune, consultations among the PDP stakeholders went on and as characteristic of Deltans, no one saw the others as superior.

The UPU maintained its temp of reclaiming power and the Anioma, led by the erstwhile Delta State PDP chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, drew the UPU’s attention to the futility of its action.

At the plateau of tug of war, Tony Obuh, a close ally to Governor Uduaghan was visibly drafted into the race and obviously enjoyed all paraphernalia of government support.

His appearance intimidated all other aspirants who ganged up to protest the glaring support Tony Obuh enjoyed from the state governor.

The UPU was pissed off to discover that Uduaghan, just like Ibori, was poised to subvert their desire to produce the next governor, threatening that should Uduaghan be allowed to go ahead with the PDP ticket, Urhobo nationals would not vote for President Jonathan in 2015.

Pressure came from all corners on

Edevbie

Uduaghan to drop Obuh, at least for the sake of the political fortune of PDP in 2015.

To consolidate and hold a firmer grip on the bid to produce the next governor, the UPU organised a mini-primary for its sons in the race, during which Olorogun David Edevbie emerged as the sole candidate of the Urhobo nation for guber primary election.

Consequent upon this decision, the UPU asked all other Urhobo aspirants to step down for Edevbie.

Chief Paulinus Akpeki and Prof.

Utuama, the deputy governor complied with UPU directive.

Once this was done, Edevbie’s political campaign organisation was dismantled and all of a sudden, the governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan took over the campaign structure to help the UPU’s dream come true just 24 hours before the D-day.

It is not clear how the UPU were able to persuade Uduaghan to its side but earlier, when Uduaghan hoisted the Obuh flag as orchestrated by Chief Fred Majemite , Chief Ighoyota Amori.

Monday Igbuya and host of the other Urhobo sons who claimed to be loyal to the governor, the UPU had placed a sanction on the Urhobo-born Obuh activists with a threat of Urhobo ancestral curse hovering. Amori and others quickly retraced their steps, went back to UPU to apologise, denounced Obuh and pledged loyalty to UPU. They were pardoned but Monday Igbuya never regretted his action and never complied with the call for repentance.

It would be recalled that the fortnight to the eve of the guber primary, the Itsekiri and Ijaw locked horns over the EPZ project and at the end of the day, the ground breaking ceremony for the project was aborted. The sad development, we learnt, pitched Governor Uduaghan, represented

by Chief Ayiri Emami, against the Ijaw nation represented by Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.

So when Uduaghan made a

Okowa

dramatic shift in favour of UPU choice, put state machinery to support Edevbie and the likes of Ayiri Emani were visibily taking up positions side by side with UPU’s dream, all hell was let loose in the Ijaw camp. It was said that should Uduaghan be allowed to succeed with his new alliance to produce the next governor, the economic fortune of the Ijaws, as far as the Itsekiri expansionist threat subsisted, would be endangered.

At this point, hopes were high that Edevbie who the media coincidentally described as the dark horse, was going to fly the flag of the party. But silently and aggressively, the Delta Political Vanguard, which is the political machine of Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, was working and ready to puncture and deflate the UPU cum Uduaghan combined force to seeking Edevbie’s emergence as the flag bearer.

A week before the guber primary, Governor Uduaghan, who indicated interest to dislodge Senator James Manager from the seat of Delta South senatorial district at the National Assembly stepped down and James manager was re-elected in the primary election. According to Prof. S.W. Ibodje, the decision of governor to step down was in realisation of the reality of his incapacity to win. But the threat to take the seat of James Manager and the carry over issues arising from the EPZ brouhaha had angered the Ijaw nation and they waited for pay back day.

It was also learnt that Chief Ighoyota Amori had not really been a friend of Olorogun David Edevbie right from the days when they both served in the Ibori administration.

Again, pay back time came on Monday December 8 at the Vents Centre, Asaba, where the guber primary held.

Monday Igbuya, who remained resolute against the UPU directive and saw the popular Uvwiamuge Declaration as hopeless, as well as the UPU threats, also poised for a showdown with the union.

In Uvwie, Evelyn Ojakovo was also not well disposed to UPU declaration and so lurked at the corner waiting for a kill order.

All these politicians were described as core Ibori loyalists and by this time, Uduaghan was already measuring his political prowess with Ibori’s and when the gong was sounded, the last order was passed

by Ibori to destroy the Uduaghan plot that tended to truncate his pledge to Okowa.

While Ighoyota Amori leads Ethiope-West delegates, Monday Igbuya leads Sapale delegates and Evelyn Ojakovo leads Uvwie delegates. They all voted for Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa to emerge as the winner of the PDP guber primary election.

Ibori’s daughter, Erhiateke, was also said to be vehement at ensuring that her father’s order is taken out to the last letter and thus, Oghara delegates queued behind Okowa.

For reasons earlier explained, Chief Government Ekpemupolo gave the order to all Ijaw delegates to vote for Okowa and the end of the day, with the votes of Urhobo divided and a huge support coming from the Ijaw nation, the Urhobo nation was ambushed and dealt a fatal punch below the belt. Okowa came out with 406 votes to beat Edevbie who had 299 votes.

Apart from Ibori/Ijaw ambush, other reasons have been adduced to the dismal performance of the dark horse in the race. Inside sources said close confidants of David Edevbie were not faithful and helped to sabotage the endeavour. Some of them were said to be people of questionable character and for their presence, political weight that would have supported Edevbie stayed away and pitched tent with Okowa.

Spies and agents of Ibori’s political machine were also said to relay very sensitive reports and finally, it was alleged that those trusted with money meant for the delegates never delivered, and so UPU was disgraced with a knockout punch.

39

Thursday, December 18, 2014

REPORT OF THE

TRANSFORMATION

AGENDA

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

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

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

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

To participwiathteph:otographs, charts and graphs and call

ng nisation’s achievements90alo2, Henry Ubimago: 08068640944, Simply compile the orgaUw 43 31 Iyobosa ugiaren: 08:03 Tosin Allen: 08052116707spaper 6, 76 52 45 06 07 in am nj ew Adebayo Be t Abuja resident n n a in m o d e th in Show and tell it

40

Thursday, December 18, 2014

THE

ELECTABLES On December 30th, 2014

Who

Makes The List?

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

This is a must read!

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news NATIONAL 41

Thursday, December 18, 2014

PDP Youths Roll Out ‘Jonathan’s Profile Of Achievements’ Some youths of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP under the aegis of PDP Youth Network, yesterday unveiled a book on President Goodluck Jonathan, ‘The Profile of Achievements of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

The event which drew a large audience of PDP stalwarts was also used as avenue to highlight the works of President Jonathan which the organisers said have not been publicised and made available to every Nigerian.

National coordinator of the Network, Dr Ibrahim Waziri Ibrahim who delivered the welcome address said President Jonathan has been working steadily to transform the country but has not been trumpeting his achievements.

Chairman of the Network, Comrade Richard Ossai, while speaking on the book said the network decided to publish the book and distribute it free-of-charge to Nigerians in order to get every Nigerian familiar with the achievements of the President.

By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja

Glisten Academy Fetes Parents With Cultural Fiesta One of Abuja’s most prestigious colleges, Glisten Academy, organised a cultural carnival on Tuesday, to mark the end of the school year and to get the children to display their various cultures. It was also an avenue to emphasise that our culture should not be swept away by the avalanche of Western intrusion into our society and value system.

The carnival offered the parents an opportunity to see their children in a new way and to appreciate culture from the viewpoint of the young.

The children performed a variation of dances from Ibibioland, Efikland, Yorubaland, the Swange dance of the Tivs, the Nkponkiti and Atilogwu dances of the Igbos.

By Paul Chiama, Abuja

Jigawa Releases N1.2bn For Projects The Jigawa State executive council has yesterday approved the release of N1.2 billion for the execution of various development projects in the state.

The state commissioner for information, youth, sports and culture, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim announced this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the council meeting.

He said the projects include the construction of accommodation facilities at Manpower Development Institute at the cost of N650 million.

He said the contract which include the provision of 48 self contain rooms was awarded to Babandoki general enterprises.

By Muh’d Zangina Kura, Dutse

‘National Health Act To Save N211bn For FG’

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Okeke, Abuja

The federal government has said that the new National Health Act would cause government’s savings in healthcare delivery to rise from N17 billion in 2015 to over N211 billion in 2025 if the Act is fully implemented.

The supervising minister of health, Dr Khaliri Alhassan disclosed this today at a stakeholders’ meeting on the president’s signing of the health bill into law.

“Individuals and families will have more disposable income

through reduction in catastrophic health expenditure occasioned by very high cost of out of pocket expenditure when the mandatory social health insurance scheme that will be supported by the Act is implemented,” the minister said.

According to him, “The Act provides for a minimum package of essential health services for all citizens to guarantee a more productive life and will impact positively on infant, child and maternal mortality rates which currently are highly unaccept-

able at 69 and 66 per cents respectively.”

Alhassan added that with the Act, “The president has unleashed a most critical transformation in the health sector.”

He explained that beyond the provision of additional funding, the Act guarantees fairness in the allocation of resources or treatment of outcomes among different individuals and allow Nigerians to obtain the best possible value for the resources used.

“The multiplier effects of this will holistically manifest in in-

creased life expectancy of Nigerians, as well as increased productivity. It is the one singular instrument required to unlock economic goodness and health to Nigerians,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Health Sector Reform Coalition, Executive Secretary, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Dr. Muhammed Lecky, said the signing of the bill is a legacy achievement and that its implementation will save the lives of 3 million women and children over a five-year period.

short news Jigawa Poly Receives N300m TETFUND Intervention The Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse received over N300million as 2013 project intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

The director of Works of the polytechnic, Aminu Sadiq revealed this while speaking with newsmen L-R: Cassava mechanisation expert from Brazil, Marcos Develdove; , workshop chairman, Dr Oyebola Oyebanji; Delta State director of on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Felix Kehis; senior technical assistant to the Minister, Dr Martin Fregene rector.

He said, out of and consultant on cassava farming, Engr Tony Egba, during the train the trainer workshop on cassava farming mechanisation the total amount organised by the ministry in Abraka, Delta State. allocated to the school, the management of the school set aside standing section of Onitsha-EnuHe briefed the media alongN240 million for

By George Agba, Abuja gu Expressway, Amansea-Enugu side the ministers of aviation, Oscapital projects.

The federal government yesterday in Enugu State in favour of Messrs ita Chidoka, transport, Idris Umar Aminu approved the sum of N57.34billion RCC Nigeria Limited in the sum of and trade and investment, Oluseexplained that, for the rehabilitation, construction N24.243billion with a completion gun Aganga. the school has and review of various roads across period of 36 months.

He noted that the project is exalready designed the country.

Briefing journalists after the pected to generate employment and advertised Supervising minister of informa- FEC meeting, Mohammed said for not less than 25 engineers, 100 the tender for 10 tion, Nurudeen Mohammed gave there was a budgetary provision of skilled and 435 semi-skilled workcapital projects the hint after the last Federal Ex- N400million in the ministry’s 2014 ers in the course of execution. to meet with the ecutive Council (FEC) meeting be- appropriation and N11billion unguidelines of the FEC also approved the award of fore the yuletide.

TETFUND. der SURE-P 2014 appropriation contracts for the rehabilitation of He said FEC awarded a contract which is enough for the takeoff of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birni YauBy Muh’d Zangina for the construction of the out- the project. ri-Kontagora-Makera Road.

Kura, Dutse

FG Approves N57bn For Roads

NUC Identifies Causes Of Corruption

By Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

The National Universities Commission(NUC) has identified poor incentives and poverty as some of the root causes of corruption in public institutions.

The executive secretary, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie stated this at the opening ceremony of a oneday seminar on Corruption and its Effects in the University System in Abuja.

The seminar was organised in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Represented by the deputy executive secretary, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, Okojie said that corruption undermines democracy and creates instability. ``Corruption entails unethical practices such as stealing, impropriety, lying, indiscipline,

lawlessness, among others.

The root causes of corruption are weak government institutions, poor incentives, lack of transparency, absence of key anti-corruption rules, poverty and scramble for resources,’’ he said.

He said that NUC established anti-corruption unit in 2008 and had ensured that all vice-chancellors set up anti-corruption units in their respective institutions.

According to him, the fight against corruption led to the closure of illegal universities and screening of documents to guard against forgery. ``Some of the manifestations of inflation in the university system include inflation of contracts, forgery of certificates. ``A few of our erstwhile colleagues were sent packing for forgery; we have closed lots of illegal universities.

42 BUSINESS/AGRICULTURE

Thursday, December 18, 2014

ATA’s Impact Is There For All To See Nigeria is bouncing back to glory in agriculture and is set to surpass the old time.

The voices of beneficiaries in the sector lend easy and solid credence to this.

Before the Goodluck Jonathan administration, agriculture was a no go area for many people in various areas.

The industry was, particularly, averse to agriculture and most agrobased processing private concerns depended on imported raw materials.

This is fast changing as the private sector is moving at an increasing pace into agriculture, with commitments in billions of dollars.

Let us look at rice, one of the biggest agricuture produce, briefly. The private sector is responding strongly to President Jonathan-led rice transformation policy as the number of integrated rice mills has grown from just one, three years ago, to 18 today.

These mills are producing high quality local rice that meets international standards and competes well with imported rice. In case this has not been obvious to many, let it be known now that Nigerian rice is tastier and healthier than imported rice.

There are signs that the goal of making Nigeria a net exporter of rice will be achieved faster by encouraging large commercial farms that will complement our small-scale farmers. Large mechanised rice farms, like OLAM’s 6,000-hectare farm, will not only boost food production but also provide significant opportunities for jobs in rural areas.

Dangote, in August, 2014, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to commit $1 billion to rice production. Big investors don’t gamble with their money. So this developmentshould be a pointer to foot draggers.

Only recently, the chairman of Rice Importers Association, the chief executive of the Elephant Group, announced his company’s decision to invest huge sums in rice. The conglomerate is going into Niger State to invest in two farm locations apart from the farm it is already operating in in Moniya, Ibadan.

Critics of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) will not get the picture right by sitting in their comfortable rooms and offices and expressing belief. The farms are in Nigeria. The locations are known. The identities of the people we are talking about are indisputable. Just

agric focus

this morning, a former and development finance commissioner of agriculture institutions, making this in Kebbi State, on a short the first public–private encounter, remarked that partnership (PPP) of its kind

BY OLUKAYODE OYELEYE one of the biggest rice mills for agricultural financing in north western Nigeria, in Nigeria and indeed, any the Labana country in rice mill, is Africa.” milling rice.

With a One may be $100 million tempted to (N16.5 ask if that billion) is true. But capitalisation the chief target, executive of the FAFIN Labana is will invest not a hidden between N80 figure. and N800 It is time million in to restore tailoredNigeria’s made debt, once lost equity and hope in quasi-equity agriculture, solutions for a sector commercially that is fast viable SMEs becoming and financial the beautiful intermediaries bride across the among real agriculture investors. value chain.

The train The FAFIN is moving. also has an L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan testing a headphone given to him as a sovenir by a nagropeneur ambassador, associated The tide is Oladapo Oyebanjo a.k.a. D’Banj and minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, $10 million changing. during the launch of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme and the Fund for Agricultural Finance Only those technical in Nigeria held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN. who see the assistance possibilities facility that will will provide partnership (PPP) initiative stakeholders to catalyse appreciate it. And that grants in support of business that will transform the increased financing for explains why even foreigners development, extension and agriculture. This was to bridge landscape of private sectorare quick to spot the changes, other technical services to focused agricultural financing the wide financing gap that and are making commitments had existed between supply investee companies. in Nigeria by leveraging to agriculture investment in Unlike in the past, the fund, private sector capital to and demand for agricultural various parts of Nigeria. significantly scale-up financing under the Goodluck Jonathan finance. Only approximately For those accustomed to administration, is meant to SME agribusinesses in N396 billion of agricultural foreign tastes, it is time to to impact on the intended Nigeria. finance is supplied today, learn to get used to eating beneficiaries. Following a “Small- and mediumprimarily from commercial what we produce locally. The rigorous selection process, sized businesses are globally banks, compared to the urgent task before us now is to estimated demand of up to a Nigeria-based private recognised as economic add value to all our products growth engines in agriculture. investment firm, Sahel Capital N2.3 trillion. and build agricultural value Partners, was selected as the The Nigerian scenario over Through the introduction chains, from the farm to the fund manager for the FAFIN the past two decades was of instruments such as the table. The current and planned credit guarantee scheme which is dedicated to catalysing clearly a case of neglect and investment of over $100 an agriculture-led economic funded by the Central Bank of lip service. With sufficient million by OLAM is a very Nigeria, the Nigeria Incentive- financing support, they will be growth with shared prosperity good example of how to build in Nigeria through enhanced able to grow their businesses Based Risk Sharing System integrated rice value chains, agricultural productivity, significantly, generate for Agricultural Lending combining commercial rice value-added processing and attractive investments (NIRSAL), farmers and small farms, out-grower schemes market linkages. It is the first and fuel the growth of the and medium enterprises of small farmers and modern private equity fund in Nigeria Nigerian agriculture sector,” (SMEs) in the agricultural rice mills. More of such rice to provide both tailored observed by the minister of sector are increasingly business investments will be financing and technical agriculture, Dr Akinwumi accessing the much needed promoted with the incentives assistance to commercially Adesina. financing to drive their under the new rice policy. viable small- and mid-sized businesses. However, given The FMARD launched Without doubt, Nigeria will agriculture businesses and that SMEs represent a the FAFIN in an effort to become a net exporter of high will fill the existing gap for large segment of Nigerian increase financing to SMEs quality finished rice within the agribusinesses, accounting for in agriculture. Through its growth financing, thereby next five years. contributing to ensuring over half of all value-addition $15 million investment, Agricultural financing has Nigeria’s food security. in the sector and 40 per cent the ministry is a sponsor been a major problem in The launch of this fund of financing demand, the and anchor investor in the the sector until 2011. Now, on Tuesday by President ministry identified the need FAFIN, alongside the German the sector not only attracts Goodluck Jonathan is to ensure that this group has Development Bank, the KfW, commercial bank funds, it testimony to the importance appropriate access to finance. and the Nigerian Sovereign has become attractive to he attaches to the positive In early 2013, through Investment Authority (NSIA). financial institutions outside changes in agriculture. A clear a unique partnership with The minister remarked that Nigeria. As part of the onthe German government, “the initial contributions from statement of political will to going reforms of the ATA move agriculture to a higher the ministry designed the FMARD, NSIA, and KfW launched in 2011, the Federal and launched the Fund will serve as seed capital to the level is being made and for Ministry of Agriculture and for Agricultural Financing FAFIN, while the fund size will those considering when to Rural Development (FMARD) begin farming, the time is in Nigeria (FAFIN) as an be scaled-up by contributions has worked with various now. innovative public-private from private sector investors

Thursday, December 18, 2014

43

44 world news

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Pakistan PM Calls To ‘Defeat Terrorism’

Troops helping evacuate children from the school Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that his country’s political leadership is united about wiping out Taliban fighters from the country a day after at least 162 people, mostly children, were killed in a school attack.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday following a meeting with leaders across the political spectrum, Sharif said that the conference had agreed the war against extremism needed to be fought with national consensus and determination.

“This fight will continue until all terrorists are defeated,” he said. “At no stage there would be any discrimination between the good and bad Taliban and all would be dealt equally with an iron hand.”

Leaders from Pakistan’s political party had gathered at the Governor’s House to deliberate upon a course of action following Tuesday’s horrific attack on a military school in Peshawar that left 162 people dead, including 132 children. Seven

gunmen had entered the school and opened fire on students in one of the bloodiest days in the country’s history.

On Wednesday, people around Pakistan held candlelight vigils and prayers to mourn the victims of the Peshawar school attack, as parents buried their children during mass funerals in and around Peshawar.

“I have come here to offer my sympathy to those mothers, those people whose children were martyred in Peshawar’s school yesterday,” said Aman Ullah, a participant of vigil in port city of Karachi.

The Pakistani Prime Minister said the meeting agreed to form a committee to prepare a “Plan of Action” that would be finally approved by the national political and military leadership.

Sharif said the committee, headed by the Interior Minister, would submit suggestions in seven days. Representatives of military and intelligence agencies would be included in the committee.

–Al Jazeera

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job search INTERVIEWS NETWORKING PERSONAL BRANDING JOB SEEKER PROFILES Networking isn’t about working a room or telling everyone how fabulous you are. Real networking is building meaningful, lasting, mutually beneficial connections one person at a time.

This new and improved definition of networking means being true to you; capitalising on your strengths, and tossing aside ‘rules’ that don’t match your temperament. The book’s self-assessment identifies your networking style. However, here are a few titbits designed especially for you: 1. Be true to yourself You are better qualified to be you than anyone else. Stamp out networking advice that demands you behave in ways that drain you. Harness natural abilities as networking strengths rather than liabilities. Like to listen, not talk? Do it. Energise alone? Go for it. Prefer one-on-one conversation? Arrange it.

2. Realise less is more Be selective. Go to fewer events and be more focused when attending – rather than dragging your weary self to every business opportunity and showing up like a networking prisoner.

3. Plan your first impression Cognitive scientists say it can take up to 200 times the amount of information to undo a first impression as it takes to make one. Who has that kind of spare time? Not you! Show up with the best version of you, every time. You never know who you are meeting.

4. Volunteer Many of us dislike networking events because we don’t know what to say to a group of strangers. Free floating through a room is a fast track to free-floating anxiety. What to do?

Simple. Volunteer to help out. Voila!

You have a purpose and something to

10 Tips For People Who Hate Networking talk about. Even better, you position yourself as someone helpful – proving how indispensable you are rather than telling everyone about it.

5. Get in line This strategy is brilliant. You walk into a networking event with nowhere to go and no one to glom onto. What’s a desperate networker to do? Get in a queue. Any queue. The longer the better!

Why? A queue gives you a place to put your body and a temporary purpose in the world. There are only two people to talk with – the person in front and person behind you. There is a reward – whatever is given out at the front of the queue. And a natural ending – the front of the queue. Nice meeting you! Ta-ta!

6. Set challenging yet achievable networking goals

Well-formed goals vary by personality. At a networking event, task yourself with meeting one or two people, not a dozen. And follow up.

7. Show don’t tell Rather than boring others with a canned advert of how marvellous you are, demonstrate live-time your fabulous self. Be useful and gracious.

Greet others with a warm smile and leap at every chance to be helpful.

8. Research Rather than wandering cavernous expo halls at industry events, do your pre-work. Learn in advance what organisations are of particular interest. Spend more time with fewer people. Impress key targets with your

knowledge of who they are and why you are a perfect match.

9. Listen Ever sense your remarks just shoot off a cliff and crash to the ground?

Who needs that kind of pressure?

Instead focus on those around you, asking thoughtful questions. Network via a sincere interest in others rather than promoting your fine self.

10. Follow-up or forget about it If you’re not following up, you’re not networking! We forget half of what we hear within 48 hours. Write personalised follow-up within two days or risk having your brilliant remarks erased permanently from the minds of those you wowed. If you’re not following up, you’re not networking.

Tips for People Who Hate Networking 1. Be True To You You are better qualified to be you than anyone else 2 . Plan Your First Impression You never know who you are meeting.

3. Get in Line There are only two people to talk with – the person in front and person behind you.

4. Research Rather than wandering cavernous expo halls at industry events, do your prework.

Interviews What To Say When An Interviewer Calls You At A Bad Time Answer the phone properly Since nearly any job is going to require that you speak to some other human being inside or outside the company, it’s important to demonstrate how you would answer the phone in professional circumstances. The first impression you give the interviewer should be an indication of the first impression you would give to that company’s vendors or customers.

Eliminate the awkward five seconds when the recruiter, probably thinking it’s you, is required to ask for you, only for you to respond with, “Who’s calling?” (or the more defensive version, “Who’s this?”).

The wrong inflection can make you seem

like you’re avoiding bill collectors, and the entire exchange slows the flow of conversation. Instead, smile – yes, smile through the phone – people can tell, then announce your name. A simple, “Hello. This is Olusegun,” will immediately confirm to the recruiter he’s reached the right person and set the stage for a pleasant exchange.

Express gratitude and enthusiasm Over the phone, your voice and attitude are the sole criteria available to the recruiter in these initial moments. This is the opportunity you were waiting for, so be happy about it. Regardless of the busy scenario you’re caught up in, if you had a second to answer the phone, then you have

a second to ensure your tone is positive.

Continue to build on your pleasantsounding foundation. Say, “Thanks so much for calling. I was hoping I’d hear from you. I’ve been really excited about this opportunity since I first came across it.”

Speak the truth Clarify that you can’t talk right now, but don’t over share. When you call someone at work who can’t speak right now, their administrative assistant says, “She’s in a meeting at the present moment,” regardless of what the case actually is, because it really doesn’t matter. Maintain the same level of professionalism – no need to say you’re two minutes from completing your ten-minute

mile on the treadmill right now.

Your objective is to politely, firmly end the current call. Demonstrate your professionalism and initiative by setting up the next call. It’s like a date. When you ask someone out, if the response is, “No, I can’t,” then you have to wonder if that means no forever or just no to that particular day – either way, not a good feeling. But if the response is, “I can’t on Tuesday. How about Thursday?” then you have something definite to go on. Apply the same concept to the conversation with the recruiter. Say, “I need to be in a quieter place in order to focus. May I return your call in one hour?”

Compiled by Olujide Olusola

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

job seeker profiles

Suleiman Is Brilliant And Hardworking

Shittu Suleiman loves to be associated with a leading and vibrant organization as well as contributing to the socio economic growth of the organization, to work assiduously towards the realisation of the organization goals, vision and mission. He has good communication, inter personal and analytical skills, highly proficient in leadership and resources management with time and people, management, motivation and team spirit. He is a graduate of History Ahmadu Bello University and a chartered manager. He can be contacted via Shittusuleiman@yahoo.com

Career happiness

7 Ways To Be Happier At Work Want to be happier at work today? A brilliant person named Anonymous once said, “Attitude determines altitude.” In today’s workplace environment, it’s more important than ever to stay positive.

Here are seven ways to smile all the way to your next raise: 1 Don your “rose colored glasses” For every disappointment, find some aspect that makes it palatable. For example, maybe you didn’t snag the flashy assignment, but your fabulous pitch raised your profile with some people who matter.

2 Use upbeat language Your words – on the phone, in e-mail, and in person – have a powerful, subliminal effect on others’ moods and impressions.

Make yours pleasant and positive by jazzing up routine exchanges.

For example, “I’d be delighted to!” is much better than “Sure,” and a thousand times better than the surly “Whatever.”

3 Cheer yourself on Write down ten statements that you’d tell your best friend if she suffered a career setback, such as, “You did the best you could, and you’ll do even better next time.” At any point in the day when you feel discouraged, pull out that list and give yourself a daily pep talk.

4 If a complaints are coming,

zip them Complaining is contagious.

It makes you feel worse, and it makes others around you feel significantly worse, too. If you can’t figure out a way to say something constructive about a problem or challenge, then keep mum. Acting cheerful in the face of challenges will boost your career and professional reputation.

5 Use “secret” mood boosters If you have a daunting workday ahead, listen to an anthem on your way to the office that puts you in a great mood and recharges your emotional batteries. Or use a good luck charm or accessory. Or wear one. Anything from a lucky suit to a lucky pen will work its magic, if it makes you feel more confident.

6 Take a “play” break If you’re in a bad mood at the office, take a five-minute break to play a light-hearted game that you’re really good at, such as ken-ken, a crossword puzzle, or Wordogram on your iPhone.

This will temporarily distract you from your negative mood, and enable you to experience a small win. The trick here is to get back to your work before the bad mood has a chance to resurface.

7 Be “complimentary” When you notice a co-worker doing something well, tell her.

Sincere compliments and praise have a way of boomeranging back to you. Soon you’ll be getting positive feedback, too.

Send your profiles to olusola.olujide@leadership.ng and all profiles should not exceed 200 words

Top 50 FRANCHISEs IN 2014 (8)

36. MiracleEar, Inc. Miracle-Ear is a hearing aid company consisting of a network of franchised and corporatelyowned retail outlets. The company is a subsidiary of Amplifon, the worldwide distributor of hearing aids based in Italy.

37. Auntie Anne’s HandRolled Soft Pretzels Anne Beiler began managing a concession stand at a farmer’s market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else.

38. Sport Clips Sport Clips is an American-based chain of haircut salons which caters primarily to men and boys.

Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, the chain has over 1,000 franchised stores as of January 2013.

39. The Maids After founding Bishop Building Services, a janitorial company, Daniel J. Bishop brought his cleaning business experience to the residential arena with The Maids in 1979.

40. Circle K Circle K is an international chain of convenience stores, founded in 1951, in El Paso, Texas, United States.

It is owned and operated by the Canadian-based Alimentation Couche-Tard.

6 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting A Response It can be hard to ascertain if it’s your resume, the job market, or who knows what else when you’re job searching and your phone just isn’t ringing. So, how do you know if it’s really your resume or if it’s something else? Here are a few reasons your why your resume isn’t getting a response:

many projects the candidate has overseen, which processes he improved, the outcome of the improvement, and how the cutting-edge technology he integrated exceeded expectations. But just saying he exceed expectations is vague; tell me which expectations were exceeded and by how much.

1 Objective statement An objective is a statement that expresses your goal of securing a future position. What this statement fails to do, though, is substantiate your fit for the opening—or articulate the value you offer the employer should they choose you over another candidate. Ditch the objective statement and utilize a job target/job title and personal branding statement instead.

4 Accomplishments are not highlighted The top 1/3 of the resume is the most important section when the hiring manager is giving it his or her initial scan. This is your prime opportunity to market your achievements. Use a highlighted accomplishments section to point out career successes that you’re proud of and that correlate to the position opening.

2 It lacks any form of personal branding Branding is about how you market yourself to the potential employer.

They have a need to fill, and you have to figure out how who you are and what you offer meet that need—then effectively communicate that to the employer. If you can’t meet a need, then they won’t see the value in choosing you over another candidate who does.

5 Duties and responsibilities have taken over Bullet points that only share basic duties and responsibilities fall very short. Maximize the space on your resume by using a challenge-actionresult format. Talk about challenges you faced, how you addressed them, and what the outcomes were. This makes the information contained within your resume much more impactful.

3 Its fluffy Your career summary is full of fluff and filler words that could apply to every job seeker on the market. Here’s an example: Dynamic, results-focused IT specialist with broad-based expertise in project oversight, systems implementation, process improvements, and integrating cutting-edge technology that exceeds expectations. Proven ability to quickly analyse key business drivers and work directly with internal/external staff, leveraging a team-centered effort that increases profitability.

It would be better to address how

6 Metrics, facts, and figures are nowhere to be found Give the employer something to remember you by. Don’t just tell them you reduced costs; state a percentage or dollar amount. Manage projects or clients? Put a number to it. Ask yourself questions like how much, how many, for how long? Asking yourself questions like these leads to answers that help you to define your successes, develop your personal brand, and market yourself more effectively to potential employers.

Compiled by Olujide Olusola

Thursday, December 18, 2014

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Drama Behind Osinbajo’s Choice FROM PAGE 8

also the winner of State Merit Award before he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School.

He also won the Graham-Douglas Prize for Commercial Law. His working experience started in the defunct Bendel State as a Youth Corps member between 1979 and 1980 when he was the Legal Officer, Bendel Development and Planning Authority. He was a partner in the law firm of Osinbajo, Kukoyi & Adokpaye and is currently a Senior Partner with Simmons Cooper Partners (Barristers and Solicitors).

His international experience saw him working with the United Nations as member of the UN secretary general’s Committee of Experts on Conduct and Discipline of UN Peacekeeping Personnel around the world (2006) and Staff member, Justice Division of the UN Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM 11).

He is currently an Ethics Advisor to the Ethics Committee of the African Development Bank (ADB) and is a non-executive director of Citibank.

Osinbajo is co-founder and board member, Convention on Business Integrity and the Justice Research Institute Ltd. In 2007, Prof. and his wife Oludolapo founded ‘The Orderly Society Trust’, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to the promotion of Christian ethics and orderliness”.

“Professor Osinbajo has authored, coauthored and edited several books and publications, including, The Unification and Reform of the Nigerian Criminal Law and Procedure Codes ; Law Development and Administration; The Annotated Civil Procedure Rules of the Superior Courts in Nigeria and Cross Examination: A Trial Lawyer’s Most Potent Weapon.

Osinbajo is a member of many professional bodies, including but not limited to, the Body of Benchers, Council of Legal Education, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, International Criminal Court, Arusha, Nigerian Bar Association; ECOWAS Eminent Persons Group for the Harmonization of Commercial Laws of ECOWAS States.

He has to his credit about 17 awards to date. The awards cut across the spectrum of society, from government to the bar and the religious sect. Professor Osinbajo also doubles as a senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He is married to Dolapo Osinbajo and they are blessed with children.

Osinbajo and APC pastoral permutation If the APC wanted to show its clairvoyance in the nation’s political terrain, it got it right with the choice of Osinbajo, a senior pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Osinbajo rates as one of the richest pastors in the country. Though he rarely exudes affluence, he is currently a pastor at Olive Tree House of Prayer for All Nations, Banana Island, a parish of the RCCG. The RCCG has 14,000 branches in Nigeria and outposts in 110 countries. The church has an estimated membership population of five million s in Nigeria alone.

Thus, as the country is now polarized along religious lines, observers submit that the choice of Osinbajo is a deft political calculation that will crush the religious card being played by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As a highly revered pastor in RCCG, he stands the chance of raking in the RCCG five million votes, with Christian sympathizers across the country aligning in that direction to clinch the number two position in the country if eventually APC wrests power from the ruling PDP in the 2015 general election at the national level.

Pastor Bukola Johnson, a pastor with the RCCG, said,” Osinbajo is a man of integrity.

His pairing with General Muhammadu Buhari will save the country from the quagmire of corruption it found itself. Right now, Nigerians are longing for leaders that have integrity that would liberate them from the mess of underdevelopment that corruption has plunged the country.”

At a forum held at the Covenant University Canaan Land, Ota, Osinbajo showed a level of understanding of the current situation in the country and the need to tackle the scourge.

He said: “In the military, the rank and file are convinced, and perhaps rightly, that funds meant for their operational convenience and welfare are simply embezzled by their superiors. The scandal surrounding the battle readiness or un-readiness of soldiers fighting the terrible Boko Haram insurgency in the north east is a case in point.

“The newspapers recently reported a mutiny of troops deployed to fight the insurgency, apparently over these issues. It is incredible indeed that with a security budget of over N1.3 trillion naira - almost a quarter of the entire federal budget, there can still be complaints that national troops are not as well equipped as the insurgents.”

“No matter how much assistance the insurgents are getting, it cannot come anywhere near the federal budget, the question is where is the money? The truth is that in the “corrupted society”, corruption and embezzlement come before the safety and well-being of the citizens, or territorial integrity of the nation. The corrupted society is self-immolating.”

He remarked that very few will deny that the perception of Nigeria and Nigerians as a place and a people with whom integrity and trustworthiness are in short supply, saying such perception affects all aspects of the people’s life.

According to him, “It affects local and international investment decisions. The frequent issue is how to find the Nigerian of integrity to do business with. The thousands of so called 419 e-mails which emanate daily from Nigeria and the huge daily scandals of official corruption conduce to this perception of Nigerians as frauds.

“Certificates and other documentation emanating from Nigeria today come under close scrutiny at home and abroad. Obtaining practically any kind of fake documentation, whether degree certificates or diplomas , bank statements or licences, is so commonplace that most institutions now devote considerable resources to verifying documents presented to them.

“The culture of cheating and pilfering is so widespread that this has become a major disincentive to establishing small businesses, especially retail ones which may require assistants and sales persons. Businesses where the owners are not hands–on almost always suffer the same fate; eventually staff pilfering and cheating will destroy the business.”

Osinbajo pointed out that the solution to most national crises must begin with an elite consensus to deal with the issue.

He said, “The Nigerian elite, constituting political, business, academic, religious actors, must decide that the nation’s core values must be repaired. The elite must accept, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations, that a corrupted society has no future and it already contains the seed of its own destruction.”

Nda-Isaiah congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr Sam NdaIsaiah, has sent a congratulatory message to

the presidential candidate of the party, Gen Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who emerged as the flag-bearers of the opposition party in her last party primaries.

Nda-Isaiah, Founder of the LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group, gave the message in a statement made available yesterday to LEADERSHIP in which he said the nomination of Osinbajo coincided with the 72 birthday of Buhari who he said, has served the country selflessly.

“I wish to congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari who emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the party’s 3rd convention and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

“It is noteworthy that the announcement of Osinbajo, a distinguished professor of law and a man of strong integrity as running mate, is coinciding with the 72 birthday of General Buhari who has served this country selflessly.

“I am confident that the candidates will lead the APC to victory in the forthcoming elections and pledge my support to this cause,” he said.

Nda-Isaiah expressed gratitude to his family, campaign team, supporters, friends and wellwishers for their support and prayers and support, which he said, brought the party this far.

Why I declined VP ticket – Tinubu As the APC finally settled for Professor Osinbajo as the vice-presidential running mate, the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said he declined the position offered to him by Buhari because of his love for Nigerians and their yearnings.

In a press statement issued yesterday and personally signed by Tinubu, he said he stepped aside to give way to Osinbajo’s candidacy, noting that winning the election in 2015 was more paramount.

He said, “I am a Nigerian who loves his country and I am hopeful about what it can become. I have seen and conducted myself as a patriot long before I thought of myself as a politician. I shall always walk this line and no other.

The former governor of Lagos State added that having participated in the engineering of the APC to what it is today and its readiness to win the coming elections, the success of the party is more important to him than becoming the vice-president.

According to him, “Nothing is more important to me than to realize this dream, not for myself but for the people of this land I so love…I helped to build this party, giving no thought to seeking an elected office because of it. My contribution to the party was never based on the expectation of a later political handout. Nigeria is in trouble and we are well past the moment for such narrow, selfish games.”

Tinubu disclosed that the party’s presidential candidate offered him the vicepresidential ticket, but he said he dropped the idea having weighed his ‘potential candidacy in all of its dimensions”.

He was referring to the distracting campaign of calumny against him that suddenly sprouted when he was being tipped to be the running mate to Buhari and the issue of his faith as a Muslim.

“I have concluded that the interests of the party, our campaign and of the nation are better served if I retain my position as the national leader of the APC, allowing me to be a bridge builder across all divides. Although, I declined the position, I want to thank General Buhari for extending the honour to me.

“Despite all the noise and opposition around my possible selection, he stood firm and steadfast. He showed the traits of a leader

in holding to a decision he believed was right despite the errant plots against it.”

Tinubu appealed to fellow Nigerians not to be swayed by those he called the cynical politicians lusting after power, who set brother against brother and neighbour against neighbour.

“Those who exploit religion should be wary.

For there really is a God and he does not like it when you play with his people or use His name to do the opposite of what He intends.

“I ask the people to remove religion from the electoral equation now that the tickets of both parties are mixed. I ask you to select the ticket best able to end the downward slide that Nigeria has endured since this government took over. I ask you to remember that too many Christians and Muslims are poor. Most of all, I ask you to remember that the true religion of the PDP is poverty, APC came to bring prosperity to the people. Please vote for that.”

Saraki hails emergence of Osinbajo, applauds Tinubu’s role For his part, the chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr Bukola Saraki, has congratulated Osinbajo on his emergence as the vice presidential candidate of the APC. Saraki said the emergence Osinbajo, a committed pastor of unquestionable integrity from the south west, further attests to the commitment of the APC to fairness and equality.

He commended the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the sacrifice and contribution to the development of APC and democracy in Nigeria.

I was arm-twisted over primaries – Oyegun Meanwhile, the APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday revealed that there were pressures on the leadership of the party by some forces within and without to compel some presidential aspirants to withdraw from the race.

Oyegun made this disclosure while receiving the report of the third APC National Convention from its chairman, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

“So many efforts were made to get me to call the aspirants together and arm twist them into stepping down for each other and I resisted it and said ‘no, we are going to organise a transparent convention so that whoever win will have no excuse in the world.’

Speaking further, he went further to congratulate the panel and assure them of more roles in the nearest future.

PDP lampoons Buhari over belated choice of running mate However, the ruling PDP has described the belated choice of Osinbajo by Buhari as his running mate after six days of his emergence as the height of incompetence.

The PDP further claimed that the eventual choice of Osinbajo is a confirmation of its stand that the APC is the personal project of a cabal commanded by former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, to expand its political and economic frontiers.

The ruling party, in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, yesterday, said: “Should power get to this cabal, who is desperate to control the political and economic power centre of the nation, then Nigeria is finished.”

“By the choice of Osinbajo, a well-known acolyte of Tinubu, who served under him as attorney-general and commissioner for justice, the APC, General Buhari and Tinubu have boldly recreated their well-known notoriety for sectional and personal interests.

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world

news ➊

➍

➌ ➏ ➎

➐

➋

➎ Ebola: Sierra

Sierra Leone is due to mount house-to-house searches in the capital Freetown to find hidden cases of Ebola.

President Ernest Bai Koroma also said that Sunday trading would be banned

and travel between districts restricted.

The measures come after the authorities banned all public celebrations of Christmas and New Year in a bit to tackle the virus.

➏ Palestine To Push

Palestinian officials have said they will press ahead with a bid for statehood at the UN, despite a warning that the US would block the move, officials in Ramallah said.

“We will submit our project to the UN Security Council tomorrow,”

a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said.

The draft resolution would call for a withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied Palestinian territory within two years and a return to negotiations.

A top court of the European Union has annulled the bloc’s decision to keep the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on a list of terrorist groups.

The decision had been based not on an examination of

Hamas’ actions, but on “factual imputations derived from the press and the internet”, judges found.

The court said the move was technical and was not a reassessment of Hamas’ classification as a terrorist group.

Leone Announces House-to-house Searches

➊ African Leaders Urge ➋ Hundreds Of West To Act On Libya M23 Rebels Escape African leaders have urged the West to intervene in crisis-hit Libya and Repatriation prevent instability from spreading across the Sahel and destabilising fragile regional governments.

Speaking at an African security summit in Senegal, leaders from Libya’s neighbours called on NATO to help stem the flow of weapons to armed groups in the region.

Fighting between forces loyal to Libya’s western recognised prime minister, Abdullah al-Thinni, and selfdeclared Islamist groups threatens nations including Chad, Niger and Mali and Burkina Faso.

About 1,000 former fighters from Democratic Republic of Congo’s rebel group M23 have escaped from a camp in Uganda where they were being held as soldiers tried tried to repatriate them, the Ugandan army has said.

The rebels escaped from the camp in Bihanga, about 300km southwest of the Ugandan capital Kampala, as they feared for their safety if they were sent back to the DRC, a Uganda army spokesman said.

UN For Statehood Vote

A family walking back from a clinic from where they collected free mosquito nets in South Sudan.

➌ Attackers Hit Bank In ➍ Ex-US Marine Southern Afghanistan Starts Hunger Strike Suspected Taliban fighters have detonated suicide bombs and then stormed a bank branch in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, officials have said, adding a total of 13 people died in the incident.

A spokesman for the Helmand governor said that the fighters engaged in a firefight with security forces, adding that six attackers, four security guards and three civilians have been killed in the incident.

In Iran

Amir Hekmati, a former US marine imprisoned in Iran, has started a hunger strike, his family said, after sending a letter to US President Barack Obama asking not to forget him.

Hekmati told his family about the hunger strike on Tuesday after dictating his letter over the phone to his sister, Sarah Hekmati, The Associated Press reported.

➐ EU Court Takes

Hamas Off Terrorist List

52 World News/Business

Thursday, December 18, 2014

$400 Million Fine For China Rail Chief’s Ally

A Chinese businesswoman has been fined $400 million and given a 20-year prison sentence after she was found guilty of colluding with a former rail chief jailed for corruption.

Ding Shumiao had taken two billion yuan ($322m) in “agent fees” for helping former railways minister Liu Zhijun set up 57 rail projects involving 23 companies, Beijing’s No 2 Intermediate People’s Court said.

The 58-year-old also gave Liu 49 million yuan, added a statement posted on the court’s verified account on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter.

“The evidence was reliable and abundant,” the court statement said in detailing the sentence of a 2.5 billion yuan ($400m) fine and the lengthy prison term.

She had stood trial in September on charges of involvement with illegal business activities worth a

total of 186 billion yuan ($30bn) that were linked to Liu, previous reports said.

They also said that she had arranged sexual favours for the politician. Ding, who is also known as Ding Yuxin, reportedly started out in business as an egg vendor in the 1980s.

She was pictured in online reports at her sentencing Tuesday wearing a pink sports pullover, flanked by security and looking visibly shaken and upset.

Liu was given a suspended death sentence last July after he was convicted of taking bribes worth 60 million yuan ($9.7m) linked to rail construction projects.

Communist Party authorities have waged a much-publicised anti-graft campaign since Xi ascended to the organisation’s leadership two years ago.

But critics say no systemic reforms have been introduced to increase transparency to help battle endemic corruption.

–Al Jazeera

US, Cuba To Restore Diplomatic Relations After 50 Years

Barrack Obama and Cuban president, Castro at Nelson Mandela’s funeral

President Barack Obama is set to announce that the United States and Cuba are moving to normalize diplomatic relations more than 50 years after they were severed, the biggest U.S. policy shift in decades of hostile ties with the island.

Obama was set to announce the changes in an announcement at 12 p.m. (1700 GMT). Previewing his announcement, US officials said the United States and Cuba would move to open embassies in each other’s capitals.

Obama spoke on Tuesday to Cuban President Raul Castro to discuss the changes in a call that lasted nearly an hour. Castro was due to speak in Cuba at the same time as Obama.

The shift will mean a relaxation in the flow of commerce and transportation by the United

States to Cuba, the officials said.

The two countries have been ideological foes since soon after the 1959 revolution that brought Raul Castro’s older brother, Fidel Castro, to power. Washington and Havana have no diplomatic relations and the United States has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba for more than 50 years.

Washington’s policy has survived the end of the Cold War as the United States pushes for democratic reform in Cuba.

As part of a prisoner swap under the new policy, Cuba freed American Alan Gross in exchange for three Cubans held by the United States, the officials said. Cuba is also releasing a US intelligence agent held for nearly 20 years.

“These steps will be the most significant changes to our Cuba policy in more than 50 years,” a senior administration official told reporters of the measures to be announced by Obama.

“What we are doing is beginning the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba.”

The official said the United States and Cuba would initiate high-level contacts and visits with Cuba.

“We will be immediately initiating discussions with Cuba to reestablish diplomatic relations that have been severed since 1961,” the official said.

– Reuters

Apple Halts Russian Online Sales Technology giant Apple says it cannot sell products online in Russia because the rouble’s value is too volatile for it to set prices.

The company stopped sales of its iPhones, iPads and other products in the country after a day in which the currency went into free-fall.

The rouble has lost more than 20% this week, despite a dramatic decision to raise interest rates from 10.5% to 17%.

By afternoon trade the rouble was flat with one dollar buying 68 roubles.

Its all time low, set on Wednes-

day, saw one dollar buying as many as 79 roubles.

Apple last month increased its prices in Russia by 20% after the weakening rouble left products in the country cheaper than in the rest of Europe.

Russia’s central bank said on Wednesday it had spent almost $2bn intervening in the currency market on Monday.

It has spent around $80bn trying to prop up its rouble this year, but despite that, the currency has lost more than half its value against the dollar since January, with cheaper oil and Western

sanctions over its stance over Ukraine the chief factors.

Both of these have weakened the Russian economy.

Russia’s central bank has pledged fresh further measures to try to stabilise its currency, with First Deputy Governor Sergei Shvetsov describing the situation as “critical”.

The rouble’s slide this week was prompted by fears that the US was considering a fresh set of sanctions against the country for its support for separatists in Ukraine.

– BBC

Family members mourning at the funeral funeral of one of the victims.

TALIBAN ATTACK: Pakistan Mourns School Massacre Dead

Flags were flown at half-mast across Pakistan, as the nation embarked on three days of mourning for the 145 people, most of them children, killed in a brazen attack on a school in the north-western city of Peshawar.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called a multi-party conference in Peshawar on Wednesday to discuss the state response to the attack, the worst in Pakistan’s recent history, which will be attended by leaders across the political spectrum.

During the meeting, a years-long moratorium on the death penalty in the country was lifted, with an

official from the prime minister’s office telling Al Jazeera that Sharif “approved abolishment of the moratorium on execution of death penalty in terrorism related cases.”

Also yesterday, Pakistan Army Chief Raheel Sharif was in the Afghan capital Kabul to hold toplevel security talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the commander of ISAF. Mullah Fazlullah, the chief of the TTP, is believed by Pakistani intelligence services to be operating from Afghanistan’s Kunar or Nuristan provinces.

–Al Jazeera

Up to one million people are at risk of going hungry in West African nations battling the Ebola virus due to border closures, quarantines and crop losses, UN food agencies have said.

The deadly haemorrhagic fever that has killed 6,800 people has severely disrupted daily life in the worst-hit nations of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Guinea and Sierra Leone have gone so far as to ban Christmas celebrations.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Food Programme said on Wednesday the disease and the resulting restrictions had “caused a significant shock to the food and agriculture sectors in the affected countries”.

“The loss of productivity and household income due to Ebola-

related deaths and illness as well as people staying away from work, for fear of contagion, is compounding an economic slowdown in the three countries,” the agencies said in a joint statement.

Restrictions put in place to curb the disease were also “seriously hindering people’s access to food, threatening their livelihoods, disrupting food markets and processing chains, and exacerbating shortages stemming from crop losses”.

Half a million people are currently in severe danger of going hungry, but this could “top one million by March 2015 unless access to food is drastically improved and measures are put in place to safeguard crop and livestock production”.

–Al Jazeera

EBOLA: UN Says Affected Nations At Risk Of Hunger

Wall St: US Markets Climbs Ahead Of Fed Decision to change views the Fed will start US stocks were higher shortly after the open yesterday, following a three-session losing streak for major Wall Street indexes, as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve’s final statement of the year that may set the stage for interest rate hikes in 2015.

A strengthening US economy is expected to trump global economic worries and the Fed is likely to signal it is still on track to raise rates.

US consumer prices recorded their biggest drop in nearly six years in November as gasoline prices tumbled, but this probably will do little

raising interest rates in mid-2015.

“I do think they will take in consideration slow global economic activity and perhaps mention the threat of deflation in Europe,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital in New York.

“If there isn’t a change in language, that would be the surprise,” he said, adding that as the U.S. economy continues to strengthen and lower OIL PRICES give a boost to the consumer “the year-end rally in stocks will resume.”

–Reuters

53

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Sokoto, Kano For Etisalat U-15 Q/Finals In Lagos

BY ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Sokoto and Kano have qualified for the quarter-final of the maiden edition of Etisalat Under-15 Football Competition held at the Katsina Township Stadium.

The competition which was organized by the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), and

bankrolled by Etisalat Communication company as part of its corporate social responsibility at the end of zonal trials saw Sokoto and Kano with 12 and nine points respectively emerging winners and runners up. The coordinator of the centre, Malam Isa Muhammad Musa said he was satisfied with the conduct of the competition while charging

the sponsors to sustain the overall development of the game.

Malam Musa commended the sponsors, Etisalat Communication for their commitment towards reviving the aged group tournament among secondaryschools across the country. The teams that competed at the centre are Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi and Jigawa states.

LMC Launches Promo Video For Player’s Pension Fund Promotion

By ONJEWU DICKSOn, Abuja

The League Management Company (LMC) launched a communications campaign promoting the institution of of a Contributory Pension Fund for Players by the 20 Glo Premier League Clubs.

The audio-visual campaign which has been posted on the new Nigeria Professional League website depicts two retired players who are having opposite post-career experiences. In the video, one of the players who was smart to have subscribed to

a pension scheme while in active football was shown to be flourishing and living a good life while the other player who had no pension plan was in poverty, riding on commercial buses and calling his friend for a loan.

Commenting on the campaign, Chairman of the LMC, Hon. Nduka Irabor said, “Players are the most valuable assets of the League and the LMC is very interested in their welfare not just during their active career years but also in their post career well-being” He

said the government of Nigeria recognises the importance of compulsory pension savings and has encouraged both the private and public sectors to embrace pension scheme for the workforce.

Irabor concluded by saying, “the LMC is therefore recommending the adoption of Contributory Bridging Pension by Clubs for their players. Clubs can contact the various Pension Funds Administrators (PFA) for advice on how to set up.

Together we can safeguard their future today.

Nduka Irabor, LMC boss

NFF Crisis Can Only Be Solved When Secretary Is From NSC – Are

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The crisis at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) can only be truly nipped in the bud when the National Sports Commission (NSC) produces the secretary-general to oversee activities at the Glass House, Deputy Director, Grassroots Sorts Development, NSC, Dr. Ademola Are has said.

Are who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sports at his office located within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, stressed that only a seasoned administrator who has been trained by the NSC can get things right as the secretary-general of the NFF.

Amaju Pinnick, NFF boss

“For proper accountability, the NFF secretary-gener-

al should be produced by the NSC. That unfortunately, con-

trary to the working paper of the NFF, is not the case right now. This issue should not be politicised. We should get it right and move our sports forward. Other federations have their secretary-generals from the NSC, why should the NFF be different,” he queried.

He recalled that in the recent past when officers from the NSC were the NFF secretary-generals, there were no issues because they were able to use their knowledge and influence in ensuring that the football family remained united.

“That is the only way we can bring sanity to that house because as a civil servant running the place, the secretary-gener-

al would get things right. Just like when Fanny Amun, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Sani Toro, Tijani Yusuf and Patrick Okpomo were in charge as secretary-generals at different times, things were moving on smoothly,” he emphasized.

“The crisis can be wished away when we get things right in terms of administration by allowing professionals from the NSC contribute to the board. Another thing is that right now, the board members are like full time at the NFF unlike in the past when they only come there to contribute during meetings. That is why they are always fighting,” he submitted.

Akure Comes Alive With Public Service Games

150 Golfers For One-Day Adokwu Tourney

By Salifu usmaN, Abuja

One hundred and fifty golfers will participate at the one-day Adokwu golf tournament to honour the Nigerian Airforce Technology Institute [AFTI] Air Vice Marshall [AVM] Toni Adokwu who has added another year.

The Airforce Technocrat is putting together the one day five star tourney that shall involve 150 golfers from mainly seven golf courses in the Kaduna axis, including Zaria, Kano and Jos. The event to be teed off by the Celebrant himself will take place on Saturday at the lush Wuyep Lakeside Golf course situated inside the vast

The president of Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), comrade Dahiru Hassan has said that the capital city of Ondo State, Akure has come alive since the commencement of the on-going 33rd edition of the annual public service games taking place in the city.

The president made the observation after seeing large turn-out of traders on daily basis at the Akure Township Stadium, venue of the games for various transactions.

“The city of Akure has been alive for the past 10-days due to the converging of over 10,000 athletes from various MDA’S for the 33rd

edition of the public service games which has impacted positively on the economy of the state,” he stated.

The organizer of the event, Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) have ensured that the 10-day sports extravaganza is violence free and promised to treat all participating MDA’s equally.

The games which will climax on Sunday, December 20 is featuring in nine scoring events and one demonstration sport. Defending champions, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps were deprived of participating in all ball games as they only featured athletes in racket games and track and field events.

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Kaduna Airforce Base.

AVM Adokwu had been contemplating hosting a tourney to celebrate his one year in the game and was thinking of taking the tourney to his home town Otukpo where the much talked about St. Marks course, Akpegede, would have played a great host. Adokwu indeed wanted his tourney at Otukpo to honor the Senate President, David Mark who did so much to propel him into the game by forcing a golf set on him at the time the AVM was contemplating if he indeed wanted to play the game.

“It’s interesting whenev-

er you add another year. But for me the whole thing will be more fulfilling since I have the game of golf to fall back to. I am just over a year in the game and it’s like I have been playing for a decade. Now that I am a year older, my thinking will be straighter. This is where golf will come in. Through golf you can read people’s mind. Golf will show you who is a cheat or a fellow who can handle adversity. The game reads you out completely.”

The Adokwu Birthday tourney will feature three prizes for male and Ladies in each of the four categories.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

54 sports

Thursday, December 18, 2014

CAF U-17: Amuneke Expects Tough Draw

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Emmanuel Amuneke, Golden Eaglets Head Coach, has predicted there won’t be any easy match at next year’s CAN Under-17 Championship to be hosted in Niger between February 15 and March 1, 2015. Speaking ahead of the competition draws to be held at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday, Amuneke said the groups would be evenly balanced with the calibre of teams that have qualified for what would be the 16th edition of the continental cadet championship.

The eight qualifiers include defending champions, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger (hosts), Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, South Africa, Zambia and 2013 runner-up, Nigeria and they would be drawn into two halves of four teams each. “We can’t begin to say this is the team that we want in our group in Niger and whatever we get would depend on the luck of the draw,” Amuneke, the former Barcelona winger said. “I have taken a closer look at the list of the teams that are going to Niger and I think

we have a strong pool of eight teams from the continent. “Most of the teams are from West Africa which is a very strong zone at age-grade competitions and it is interesting that there is no teamfrom the North African whereas we had Morocco and Tunisia assemi-finalists in 2013,” he added. He further reiterated that his primary objective in Niger was to qualify the Golden Eaglets for next year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be hosted in Niger.

“We know what to expect in Niger and our objective remains the same; we have to reach the semi-finals to secure one of the four tickets for the World Cup in Chile,” he noted.

“I’m waiting to see the teams that we are going to get from the draws on Sunday and that would also give us an idea of what to do.”

Meanwhile, screening of new players continues at the NFF/ FIFA Goal Project in Abuja and the former African Footballer of the Year remains upbeat that the process would throw up new talents to fortify the squad for Niger 2015.

Chelsea Can Win The Quadruple – Fabregas Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes that they can do the quadruple this season.

Goals from Eden Hazard, Filipe Luis and Andre Schurrle gave the Blues a comfortable 3-1 win over Derby County, sending them into the League Cup semi-finals.

The Blues are also top of the Premier League and have qualified for the Champions League knockout

stages, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain, while they will meet Watford in the FA Cup third round, and the Spaniard feels that the team are capable of seriously attempting a clean sweep of trophies in 2014-15.

“I’m enjoying playing in this team; we have a very strong squad and we want to go for everything,” he told Sky Sports.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out making any January additions to his squad.

Mourinho was active in the close-season as he lured Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Loic Remy and Cesc Fabregas to Stamford Bridge, while veteran striker Didier Drogba also made a return to the club.

Bolstered by the arrival of that particular quintet, Chelsea have set the pace at the top of the Premier League, reached the League Cup semi-finals and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of

the Champions League.

However, Mourinho is not anticipating any activity in the transfer window next month regarding incomings or outgoings.

“We have a short squad but we’ve got good players, some younger, some older, but the squad is very, very good,” Mourinho told talkSPORT. “Our project is to start and finish the season with the same group of players, so there will be nobody to leave and nobody to come in either.”

Mourinho Rules Out January Signings At Chelsea

Mourinho

Action from the National Fitness Test for referees at the National Stadium, Abuja on Monday.

Rivers: Oil Giant Trains Young Footballers For Foreign Club

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Multi-national oil giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) has said it is optimistic that very soon, some boys from its annual host communities’ football competition would be signing their respective club contracts with a Romanian club-side, the CS Blue Angels Football Club.

The TENPG executive general manager, Field Operations, Mr. Jean-Claude Vachet, disclosed this while speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 2014 edition of the NNPC/TEPNG OML 58 football competition for host communities, which was held at Okeh Memorial Grammar School, Elele, in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State.

TEPNG OML 58 host communities participating in the annual football competition include, Rumuekpe, Ogbogu, Elele Alim-

ini, Elele Okiniali, Obagi, Erema and Obiyede. Others are, Akabuka, Egita, Eyekele, Obite, Anwunuogbokor, Obuburu, Akabta, and Idu, which is the defending champion.

Vachet, who was represented by the general manager, Community Services, Mr. Okechukwu Okpara, said TEPNG was committed to supporting the annual completion and enjoined respective team managers and players to put in their best to ensure the competition continue to produce good talents.

He said, “We have continued to maintain standards that will add glamour and strengthen the teams in this championship. In this respect, we emphasize that the competitions remains an age grade championship for youths under 19 years of age. However, we have modified the eligibility clause to include two over-aged players to play in the competition.

“Following the adoption of this age grade initiative, we have seen supporting the young talents discovered in earlier editions of this championship to actualize their dreams of playing professional players. As we kick-off this year’s championship, we remain hopeful and optimistic that some of our boys will soon be signing their respective club contracts with CS Blue Angels Football Club in Romania. Let us join hands and pray that they succeed.

“While the management of TEPNG and our joint venture partners remain committed to supporting this annual competition, we enjoin all team managers and players to put in their best to ensure the competition will continue to produce good talents that will fit into this new paradigm and project the potentials of our youths in order to attract the attention of professional scouts.”

Sturridge To Have Rehab With Boston Red Sox Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will spend Christmas in Boston in a bid to speed up his return from injury.

The 25-year-old has already spent time in Los Angeles working on his thigh injury and will now link up with medical specialists at baseball team Boston Red Sox. He has played only three league games this season and is not expected to return to action for several weeks yet.

Liverpool owner John W Henry is also the owner of the Red Sox. England striker Sturridge suffered his most recent thigh inju-

ry in training in November, having just returned to full training after thigh and calf injuries.

Sturridge, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season, is being accompanied by Liverpool’s head of conditioning Glen Driscoll for the second phase of his recovery process.

Liverpool believe the Red Sox have specialists who could help put an end to his persistent injury problems.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers criticised England’s handling of Sturridge after he sustained his initial thigh strain while on England duty back in September.

Sturridge

sports 55

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Goulart Eyes Copa America Showdown With ‘Genius’ Messi Brazil international Ricardo Goulart says he is targeting a Copa America showdown against Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

Since July’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany, the Selecao have marched to six consecutive Brasil Global Tour victories under new coach Dunga.

Their first competitive test arrives in the form of next year’s tournament in Chile and after injury forced him to withdraw from the squad that met Argentina in Beijing in October, Ricardo Goulart is hoping he will finally get the opportunity to face the Barcelona star.

“[I want to face] Messi. He is a genius,” the 23-year-old told the official Copa America website.

“But every team in the Copa América has great players, I hope to be part of it.”

He has every right to believe he will be.

The Cruzeiro star was the Brasileirao’s player of the season as his side took the league title in 2013 and was named in Dunga’s first two Brazil squads, making his international debut as a substitute against Ecuador in September before a knock saw him replaced by a man he describes as an ‘idol’.

“I admire Kaka, he is one of my idols. I always admired the way he played, with his speed and great finishes.

“Being recognised among these top players is very rewarding.”

He was left out of last month’s friendlies against Turkey and Austria, but only because they were reserved exclusively for foreign-based players, and the former Internacional forward is intent on sticking around.

“I always dreamed of being in the national team one day.

When I heard about the first call, I was at home with my family.”

Real Confident On Ramos’ Fitness Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said that he is hopeful he will be able to play in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup after coming off with a thigh injury in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Cruz Azul.

Ramos opened the scoring with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco adding to the tally but was substituted just after the hour due to discomfort in his left thigh. “I am not in too much discomfort and we hope it isn’t anything serious,” he told www.realmadrid.com after the match.

“They are going to take a look at it tomorrow, and see how I am feeling then. I hope to play in the final.”

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was also confident Ramos would feature in the final, adding: “We aren’t worried as it was simply a case of slightly hurting a muscle and he will recover well in two days and he will be available for the final.”

This team deserves the title and it would cap off a fantastic year perfectly if we were world champions.

Los Merengues extended their winning run to 21 matches with

victory over the Mexicans and Ramos is determined that should continue in the final on Saturday against either San Lorenzo or Auckland City.

“This is a year of statistics and records for Real Madrid,” he added. “We are going through a good spell and we want to keep winning and making the Madrid fans happy. The title we are competing for is the reward for last year’s work.

We aim to win the title.”

Real are competing in Marrakech on the strength on winning last season’s Champions League .

Reus

‘Reus Should Choose Real Madrid, Not Barcelona’ Marco Reus should choose to join “global” Real Madrid over “insular” Barcelona, according to former Santiago Bernabeu defender Christoph Metzelder.

The highly-rated German forward has a contract until 2017 at Signal Iduna Park but it is widely reported that a contract clause will permit him to leave at the end of the season for a paltry €25 million, whereas his value is arguably double that.

Although Bayern Munich are the frontrunners for his signature - having bought Dortmund stars Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski in consecutive sum-

mers - Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with the 25-year-old.

Should Reus choose to leave the Bundesliga for La Liga, Metzelder has advised his German compatriot to head to the European champions rather than Luis Enrique’s men.

“If Reus had to choose between Real and Barcelona, Real would be the easier alternative,” the ex-defender, who played for the Blancos from 2007 to 2010, told Bild.

“Madrid are more global than Barcelona. Barcelona means Catalunya, they’re more insular and prefer their own youth.”

Devi Xavi

I Want To Be Like Guardiola – Xavi Xavi has revealed he one day hopes to follow in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola and make the transition from Barcelona midfielder to club coach.

The 34-year-old replaced the now Bayern Munich boss in the Barca engine room when he made the break through at Camp Nou back in the late nineties.

With his playing career coming to an end, Xavi has now turned his thoughts to what he might do once

he has hung up his boots for good, and thoughts of management are already at the forefront of his mind.

Asked whether one day the club may be referred to as ‘Xavi’s Barca’ in the same manner as Guardiola he answered: “Hopefully. I want to remain in this house in whatever capacity that is.

“I have little football left, it is clear. I can feel it in my body, I find it harder to recover, I meter out my effort, I don’t have the spark to play

every three days. I can feel it.”

The former Spain international, who retired from international football following la Roja’s disastrous World Cup campaign over the summer, then tipped three current team-mates to replace him once his career is over.

He added: “If you look at Barça, there are those who can make a career for 10 years: [Sergio] Busquets, Sergi Samper, [Andres] Iniesta, Rafinha.”

Boxer Sarita Devi Banned For Refusing Bronze Medal Indian boxer Laishram Sarita Devi has been banned for a year after refusing to accept her bronze medal at the Asian Games in South Korea in October.

Sarita, 29, had been incensed by her semi-final defeat to local favourite Park Jina in Incheon and would not wear the bronze medal at the ceremony.

A life ban had been mooted but she will be able to return in October 2015.

“I am hugely relieved,” said Sarita, who left the medal on the podium when the presentation concluded.

Boxing India said they would write to world governing body the International Amateur Boxing Association in an attempt to further reduce the punishment.

India’s Cuban coach BI Fernandez, who criticised officials after the bout, was handed a two-year ban and fined 2000 Swiss francs (£132).

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18.12.14 www.leadership.ng

The Thursday Column

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 2,312

I

With the economy on a downward spiral, it is very clear that this government has already entered its lame-duck period

N150

The 2015 Permutations And Calculations 08052407030 (SMS only) abba@leadership.ng

Abba Mahmood t was the late Senate president Dr Chuba Okadigbo who once said, “It takes political sagacity to know political arithmetic”.

Okadigbo was in the best position to know this fact. He read politics, taught politics, played politics and practiced politics till he breathed his last. He was one of the founders of the ruling party in the Second Republic, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He subsequently became political adviser to President Shagari, when advisers were real advisers.

He got elected into the Senate under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Third Republic and got elected a senator again in 1999 in this Fourth Republic, eventually becoming the second Senate president in the dispensation. He was a great philosopher and an astute politician of his time, when politics was played by politicians.

Most candidates have emerged in the major political parties for the 2015 elections. And there are several fundamental features driving the political dynamics at this time. Thus, this is the most auspicious time to look critically at the opportunities and possibilities, that is, the chances of each of the major political parties in the coming elections. It is very obvious that three things will dominate the political discourse in the coming weeks leading to the elections. These are: the security challenges facing the country, the issue of the economy, and primordial sentiments for those contestants who have nothing to offer.

The ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party’s strategy is to have a strong showing in what has now become its primary constituency, the south-south and the southeast; get whatever votes it can get in the southwest; and deploy enormous resources for patronage and parochial considerations up north for necessary geographical spread to enable it clinch the presidency again. However, politics is not physics. To that extent, there is no single variable that is a constant in social science unlike the physical science. Let us therefore analyse this PDP game plan critical-

THURSDAY

w

ly and more closely to see if it will go smoothly.

If the pronouncements of respected southwest establishment are anything to go by, the mainstream Yoruba are angry with this government.

This is because despite the fact that they are one of the major ethnic groups in this country, they have no visibility in the current dispensation, perhaps for the first time in the history of Nigeria. Apart from being marginalized in both elective and appointive positions in the three arms of government, no tangible project was initiated and executed by this government in the zone. And they are the most educated group who have strong history of standing up for the common good. Moreover, most states in the zone are controlled by the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) currently.

The southeast is one zone that the PDP thinks it has in its pocket. And, yes, there are many sons and daughters of the zone in this government.

But, objectively speaking, what has this government done for the ordinary people of the east? It was just recently, as an afterthought, that the government awarded the contract for the second Niger Bridge since Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa commissioned the first bridge there in the 1960s, one of his last public acts before he was assassinated. Even for ordinary ceremonies, the people of the southeast have to do them either in Lagos or Abuja for fear of being kidnapped. In any case, the state with the highest vote in this zone, Imo, is controlled by APC and all the votes of the remaining states can favourably be neutralized by Lagos State votes alone.

President Jonathan’s home region, the south-south, is seen by the ruling party as a walkover for the party during the next elections. But is it? First, apart from plans and hopes, there are no visible projects executed in this region since this government came to power. Even the amnesty programme by which thousands of youth from the region were sent for studies and skills acquisition, was initiated by

the late President Yar’Adua. Secondly, many groups are complaining of being marginalized in this dispensation. Looking critically at the electoral chances and voting strength of this region, the state with the highest votes, Rivers, is controlled by the APC. Another significant state in this zone, Edo, is also controlled by the APC. The votes of all the other four states can be comfortably balanced

by Kano State votes alone.

If one crosses up north, apart from media hype and propaganda, nothing tangible has been done for all these states. Poverty rate is very high; unemployment, especially among the youth, is at an alarming rate; the streets are getting meaner by the day with drug addiction and thugs; and there is cry of marginalization and relegation to the background by almost all the sections of the region.

Yes, there are some who cling to sentiments but they themselves are coming to the realization that they are embarrassed by the visible lack of achievements, ineptitude and insensitivity going on. They know that the nation is moving in a circle with killings, destruction and corruption all over. It is very obvious that the people are yearning for positive change.

Respected former UN secretarygeneral Kofi Annan wrote in his book, Interventions, that: “while there are no statistical correlations between levels of poverty and the incidence of terrorist attacks in particular countries, failed development and poverty creates inequalities that underpin many of the grievances that drive terrorism. Furthermore, a lack of development undermines a country’s ability to sustain effective domestic security forces… It is not only corruption that can make aid money ineffective or wasteful. It is weak policies, poor leadership, and unaccountable institutions that produce dire results for the lives of the poor as well.”

With the security challenge not being effectively addressed; with a party leadership that derives pleasure from generating and sustaining crisis in most branches of the ruling party; and with the economy on a down-

ward spiral, it is very clear that this government has already entered its lame-duck period. For even rigging to be efficiently done, it requires conducive atmosphere and some level of consensus of the elite. All these, for now, are not there and the military and other agencies are already very engaged in the counter-insurgency operations, have poor working and welfare conditions and therefore very low morale.

And it remains a puzzle why the PDP government’s policy seems to have been so uniformly short-sighted. The government is left not only looking evermore ridiculous but even terribly incompetent, with the president appearing not to be on top of the situation. The party apparatchiks have hopelessly failed to realize that its triumph over one crisis or adversity in itself contains the seeds of another. That is why a former national chairman of the party, Senator Gemade, can be deprived of his right to re-contest for his seat and another national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, can be so shabbily suspended. This is an unwisely narrow approach to a deep-rooted problem which embodies an illusion that money and incumbency can grant one victory. But is it true?

History is on the side of the oppressed.

GHANA MUST GO Telecoms industry attracted N1trillion in two years — FG

And all the money has been stolen!

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