20.10.14
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
MONDAY
No. 2,276
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Chibok Diary DAY 189
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BBOG Group To Monitor Ceasefire > Page 2 Agreement
Oriental Energy Denies Afren’s N16.5bn Loan By Emeka Umejei, Abuja
Oriental Energy has denied that it is indebted to Afren Plc to the tune of $100 million. In a press statement signed by Oriental Energy’s
Ameena Indimi Dalhaltu and made available to newsmen yesterday, she said: “Oriental categorically denies that
the forward sale of crude oil transaction of $100 million in July 2012 was a “loan” as mischaracterized by the Afren
press release.” According to Indimi, Oriental and Afren entered into the Oriental Ebok
15 Killed As Wukari Boils Again > Page 4
Forward Sale of Crude Oil Agreement in July 2012, a common place transaction in the upstream sector. “Forward sales of crude oil ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5
2015 apc challenge
More Troubles For Jonathan In S’South 5
Our party intact, up to the task – Metuh, Ojougboh
L–R: The celebrant, former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon; Vice President Namadi Sambo and former minister of defence, General T.Y Danjuma, during Gowon’s 80th birthday banquet at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Saturday. Photo by remi akunleyan
Gowon @ 80: He Is A Good Example Of An Elder Statesman – President > Page 4
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chibok diary 189
Monday, October 20, 2014
DAY
Chibok TweeTs
@FisayoAransiola The fate of our abducted #Chibokgirls is indeed a measure of our civilisation as a nation. #BringBackOurGirls Now and Alive! @topefowowe Father we call upon you today to unravel the unknown and mighty things behind our Chibok girls' release. Father, let our Chibokgirls come back home alive and safe for you are the God of all flesh and there's nothing too hard for you to do. @okandeji Our Lord that freed the Israelites from bondage will surely arise in his majesty to intervene for our girls and others. @IYKESTAN10 This too will pass. It will end in praise and thanksgiving to God. @RABBI_edge Parent wailing in tears and saying thank you GOD, hoping release for the Chibok school girls #Bringbackour girls!
Policewomen block supporters of #BringBackOurGirls campaign from marching to the president’s official residence in Abuja on October 14, 2014. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO
@TahirSam 188 Special Prayer Service Unity Fountain Abuja #BringBackOurGirls, for humanity sake. @RABBI_edge I believe in fighting for freedom #BringBackOurGirls is a good cause. Live from #Fountain of unity Abuja.
BY ChikA MefOr and ejike ejike, Abuja
@ade4niyi The #Church in Nigeria owes #BringBackOurGirls a responsibility not to relent! @heleore It’s over six months in captivity! BringBackOurGirls Now! & Alive! @kollylaco The happiest people on this planet earth are not those who live on their own terms but are those who change their terms for the benefit of others. Compiled by TUNDE OGUNTOLA
Chibok Girls: BBOG To Monitor Ceasefire Agreement Following the report that the federal government has reached a agreement with the Boko Haram sect for it to stop its attacks in the north eastern part of the country and also release of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls, the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) had stated that it will continue to monitor the situation as events unfold. The group, in a press release, stated that it was hopeful that the abducted Chibok girls will be released shortly. “Local and international news media have been agog with news that the federal government of Nigeria and the Boko Haram sect have reached a ceasefire, which also includes the release of the 219 abducted Chibok girls. “While we await official confirmation from our presi-
dent over this development, we are extremely anxious but cautiously optimistic that the abducted Chibok girls will be released swiftly or at least in a matter of days,” it said. The group stated that beyond the release of the Chibok girls, the federal government should also ensure the release of all other Nigerians and non-Nigerians abducted by the sect before and after the Chibok girls were kidnapped. “We hope that the ceasefire will allow for dialogue, peace and an atmosphere that will promote the rapid development of the North East Sector while continuing to prioritise the education of children, especially girls. “Early evidence of the workings of the ceasefire will help considerably to boost public confidence. So we encourage the FG to release as much information as is possible, within reasonable constraints.”
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our stand Monday, October 20, 2014
Gowon: A Prayerful SoldierStatesman At 80
G
eneral Yakubu Gowon turned 80 yesterday. The avalanche of tributes and activities that marked the day attest to the worth and essence of the former military leader, who continues to impact Nigeria and Nigerians positively. Perhaps the history of the nation would have been different if fortuitous circumstances had not seen Gowon placed as head of the country on July 29, 1966. At least, the territorial integrity and geography of Nigeria would have been tampered with but for his genius and fastidiousness about the task to “keep Nigeria one”. Although he had leadership thrust on him at the rather young age of 31, Gowon found the ability to rally distinguished political leaders and technocrats to work with him. It is a fitting tribute to him that he stoically preserved the unity of the country when it was embroiled in a three-year civil war a few months into his administration. His war cry of “Go On With One Nigeria (GOWON)” rings true of and is consistent with his passion until today. The essence of his wartime message is indeed more germane today than it was 47 years ago, because of the evil uses of the ethnic and religious cards. Very
altruistic and compassionate, the patriotic fervour of Gowon inspired the diligent execution of the “Three Rs” - Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - after the war, for the integration of aggrieved Nigerians east of the Niger. A sagacious and futuristic leader, he set the nation on the path of rapid growth through his national development plans. We believe that if his focus on industrialisation, infrastructural development and capacity-building had been built upon, Nigeria would have been way ahead of many of the nations known as the Asian Tigers today. Out of power, Gowon radiates the uncommon attributes of humility, simplicity, Godliness and contentment for a man who
Editor Sadiq Abdullateef Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director
governed the country for nine years. Gowon returned to school and studied up to PhD level. He continues to carry himself with dignity and has abstained from scandals that would taint his integrity. Rather than fuelling mawkishness, he has taken on the challenges the country is facing spiritually through the Nigeria Prays initiative that transcends denominational lines. His public spiritedness continues to guide the activities of the Yakubu Gowon Centre for National Unity and International Cooperation. The NGO offers vital interventions for good governance and the wellbeing of the Nigerian masses through its engagement in the task of eradicating infectious diseases, like HIV/AIDS, guinea worm, river blindness, malaria and other communicable diseases in many states. Even as he does all of this, he also serves as a moral compass for the current leadership and inspiration for would-be leaders. Gen. Gowon is a symbol of statesmanship, patriotism, vision, and courage. These are some of the excellent leadership qualities that have guided him through his years of active public service. We salute this role model who inspires, prays and is ageing gracefully and wish him more years in the service of God and the Fatherland.
Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Ademola Oladosu Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko Joy Adekanye
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4 news extra
Monday, October 20, 2014
Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo 15 Killed As Wukari Boils Again Just when the Taraba State government set up a committee on reconciliation and restoration of victims of the crisis in the state, another crisis has erupted in Sondi settlement in Wukari local government area, leaving 15 people dead. An eye witness who spoke to LEADERSHIP said that the trouble started in the area when gunmen in the early hours of yesterday suddenly attacked the settlement and opened fire on the innocent people, killing some residents of the area. According to the eyewitness, the attackers were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen who launhed a surprise attack on the people as they were preparing to return to their areas. The eyewitness further said that the attackers did not spare Gidin Waya which is also part of Wukari local government where two of the victims were said to have come from. According to our informant, the attackers had successfully carried out their operation without any hindrance and left before the arrival of the police. When contacted, the spokesman of the Taraba State Police command, Joseph Kwaji confirmed the attack, saying that two persons were killed at Gidinwaya while seven were killed at Sondi. By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo
Terrorism: Fight Should Not Be Left For Govt – Omeri
The director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri has said that the fight against terrorism should not be left for the government alone. He said rather, citizens should see it as a civic responsibility to the nation irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliations. Omeri stated this at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation programme on “Security Alert” organised by the agency in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The DG who was represented by the director of special duties, Mrs Ngozi Ekeoba said that the sensitisation programme was in line with the mandate of the agency to educate, inform and enlighten the masses on the insecurity facing the country and what citizens need to do in the circumstance. He said, “When there is peace in the country, the government will be able to carry out the necessary development we desire for the progress and transformation of the country.” He urged all Nigerians to join the government to fight the current security challenges facing the country. By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja
L-R: Two APC presidential aspirants, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting of the party’s northern states’ stakeholders in Kaduna over the weekend.
Gowon At 80: He Is A Good Example Of An Elder Statesman – Jonathan We continue to stand for one Nigeria – Northern Govs By Igho Oyoyo, Abuja and Abu Nmodu, Minna
President Goodluck Jonathan has described former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, as a good example of a genuine elder statesman who every Nigerian political leaders should emulate. President Jonathan, who made this known at the birthday thanksgiving service of Gen. Gowon at the National Christian Centre in Abuja yesterday, described Gowon is somebody deserving to be honoured because of his exemplary leadership. According to Jonathan, Gowon
is a good example of elder statesmen, noting that statesmen look towards the next generation just as Gowon has done and is still doing. He said, “You (Gowon) is a good example of elder statesmen. You are a true patriot of this country. We know that some of us are not expected to come and talk about General Gowon because when he was the head of state, I was still in primary school. “But one thing we knew then about Gowon was that as a patriot and the head of government then, he was prosecuting the civil war. He did not see the Biafran side as a thing that must be crushed. He saw the war as a struggle of Nigerians and his emphasis was ‘how do we keep Nigeria together.’ “That was why the slogan, ‘to keep
Nigeria one’, is a task that must be done,’ came up. His commitment was to unite this country, that is, to keep Nigeria one, not to win a war, or defeat an opponents and crush the rebellion, but to keep this nation indivisible. Gowon did that very well. At the end of the war, rehabilitation, reconciliation and reconstruction came up. And that was the emphasis.” The president noted that to underscore his commitment to keep Nigeria one and to prepare the nation for the future generation, “since he (Gowon) came back from his studies, he has been working with every regime to see that we develop our nation. He is somebody that we all should emulate.”. In his response, Gowon, said that he was humbled by all the praises
showered on him. “I feel humbled, but that all glory and thanks should be given to God,” he said, and urged every Nigerian, whenever there is trouble, to put every thing in the hands of God and He will solve them. Meanwhile, chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, urged Nigerians to celebrate General Gowon’s 80th birthday, remembering why we must ‘Go-On-With-One-Nigeria,’ the general’s undying conviction which the northern governors shared. Governor Aliyu made this comment in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Israel A. Ebije.
Boko Haram Ceasefire: ‘FG Negotiating With Impostors’ By Abdullahi Umar, with agency report
A journalist with access to some top leaders of Boko Haram, Ahmad Salkida has alleged that one Danladi Ahmadu, who reportedly represented the Boko Haram group in ceasefire negotiations with the federal government, is an impostor. The journalist, presently living in exile, asserted that Ahmadu is not part of the sect’s Shura Committee (Governing Council), and therefore, was not authorised to speak on behalf of Boko Haram or the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, adding that the federal government was caught in the hoax of negotiating with an impostor. According to him, it is the sect
that ought to announce a ceasefire and not the federal government since it was Boko Haram that declared war on the Nigerian state. Salkida made these assertions in a series of tweets in his twitter handle monitored by LEADERSHIP and Saharareporters. “Where in the world will a government say they killed Shekau, and two weeks later, met a delegation sent by the same Shekau to discuss a ceasefire? If we are Chinese, some people claim Shekau is a title and ‘Boko Haram’ always finds his look-alike to assume Shekau each time they kill him? Haba! When we said Shekau was alive two weeks ago, we were nearly crucified here. Now the federal government agrees that Danladi Ahmadu speaks for Shekau? Is Shekau mutating?” he wrote on twitter.
“I challenge Danladi Ahmadu to an open debate if he has the interest of Nigeria at heart. Who is he? Where was he pre-2009? Why is he leading this? The name Danladi, based on ‘Boko Haram’ ideology, is ‘filthy.’ It refers to ‘someone born on Sunday,’ unlike the norm of picking strictly Muslim names. “I don’t care if it is Idriss Deby or whoever; Danladi Ahmadu is NOT part of ‘Boko Haram’ Shura (governing council) nor speaks for them as far as I know. It also appears that government is more interested in shadows and bubbles than in substance and clear headed engagement with the ‘Boko Haram’ ideology.” Salkida explained that his parents were displaced because of the insurgency, adding that he was speaking based on facts. He
advised the government to desist from tagging Nigerians ‘APC’ members for daring to state the facts. He tweeted that the present rhetoric about a ceasefire with Boko Haram shows that the Nigerian government and military have no clear understanding of the sect’s ideology and principles. “Sincerely, I wish my govt best of luck as they work to bring back normalcy but govt must think to do things differently to build confidence,” he wrote in his twitter page. Less than 24 hours after ostensibly agreeing to the ceasefire, the terrorists carried out attacks on communities in Borno and Adamawa states, killing dozens of people and destroying houses and other property.
NEWS 5
Monday, October 20, 2014
More Troubles For Jonathan In S’South By Bode Gbadebo, Abuja
In the face of a possible challenge from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), President Goodluck Jonathan’s strategists have moved to avert a depletion of votes from his immediate political zone, the South South. The zone is said to be considered “unsafe and fragile” for the president and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), due to bickering among members of the ruling party. Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta states are listed among the states in focus. But PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh has dismissed as “erroneous” any impression that the party was facing challenges as a result of friction in any part. The party said it was intact and up to the task ahead of it. All the same, in the thinking of some around the president, pockets of intra-party crises in the states of the PDP were not in the interest of the president’s desire to return in 2015. The president’s kitchen cabinet members are said to be particularly disturbed by the crisis of confidence that has crept into most state chapters of the PDP in the SouthSouth amid reports that the APC is considering picking its presidential running mate from the zone. According to a source close to the presidency, a few factors were being considered in the renewed efforts to reposition the South-South zone. These include whether or not the APC will actually pick its running mate from zone. And if the vice presidential candidate of the opposition party does come from the zone, how the president’s handlers as well party strategists will stave off “possible depletion of PDP votes” is another issue said to under consideration. “In the last few days, we have been watching the political scenario and quite honestly, every day has come with some measure of interesting revelations as we approach the 2015 elections. “As a party, we are determined and we are very sure that Mr President will win the 2015 presidential contest. But the issue is beyond the win, how to win convincingly without the possible depletion of the PDP votes and strongholds is our goal, because a lot of things are coming up by the day in the states.
Jonathan
“It has therefore become necessary, in view of recent happenings within the polity, to review the tactics we had put in place before the declaration of General Muhammadu Buhari last week. In essence, we have to return to base and have a critical analysis of a possible Buhari candidature, because that is the only man who can come close to contest, if he emerges as the candidate of the APC,” the source said. The source, a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) said that even though some of the president’s trusted men were reviewing earlier strategies to win not only the presidential poll, but also as many seats as possible in the National Assembly election, latest revelations from some of the affected states were “disturbing signals”. For instance in Rivers State, LEADERSHIP learnt that the PDP was already considering zoning the party’s governorship ticket to the riverine areas of the state. This latest development is coming on the heels of pressure from some influential forces who have vowed to stop an Ikwerre governorship candidature. Former minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike, an Ikwerre indigene, is already threatening to dump the PDP if the zoning is allowed. Wike was said to have left the Federal Executive Council on the strength of a promise that he would fly the party’s ticket. The rumoured vice presidential bid of Governor Amaechi (also an Ikwere indigene), coupled with his resolve to field an APC candidate outside Ikwerre appears to have effected a change of heart in the direction of a non-Ikwerre man. For now, Senator Magnus Abe, ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100
One health tip daily Don’t count calories
Keep your weight steady with a glycemic-indexdie (orlowGI) diet. When compared with other diets, the GI diet was the best of all for losing weight’ The diet ranks carbs according to their effect on blood glucose levels. Carbs with a low G Iscore produce only small fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin
levels, whereas high-GI foods cause a sudden sugar rush. Avoid processed foods and ‘white stuff’ - white Consider installing a reverse osmosis water filter with an added carbon filter, which will remove everything. But since ‘everything’ includes minerals too, be sure to supplement.
Oriental Energy Denies Afren’s N16.5bn Loan FROM FRONT PAGE
among partners are a common practice in the international upstream petroleum industry. In fact, the Forward Sale Agreement was an agreement for the prepayment of oil,” Indimi explained. “Oriental agreed to sell approximately one million barrels of its future oil production to Afren, thereby permitting Afren to book those reserves in 2012. The reason the $100 million payment to Oriental was included in Afren’s balance sheet for December 31, 2012, under the line “Prepayment and Advances to Partners” is because it was, indeed, a prepayment for Oriental’s future oil production.” Indimi said that Oriental deflated the $100 million forward sale, which Afren erroneously referred to as a loan even when Afren properly deducted $100 million in oil equivalent barrels from Oriental’s 2014 Profit Oil. “This was provisioned under an amendment to the original Forward Sale Agreement by the Amended and Restated Ebok Joint Operating Agreement of August 2013 (“JOA”). This was agreed so as to conform to the terms of the original Forward Sale Agreement in allowing Afren to recover $100 million in Profit Oil from Oriental’s post-Payout share of Profit Oil barrels,” Indimi said. For his part, executive chairman of Oriental Energy, Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, said that the press release by Afren
Plc and the report of Wilkie Farr and Gallagher (UK) (WFG) indicting it of sharp practices were baseless and unfounded. “Afren’s press release, including their summary of WFG’s findings, was little more than a collection of suppositions, unsupported innuendoes and a series of false and defamatory statements,” said Indimi. Oriental insisted that throughout the almost three months of the WFG investigation, never once did WFG attempt to make contact with Oriental to question or verify the purpose of the Optimisation Agreement, the Crude Oil Forward Sale Agreement, the Joint Ownership Agreement (JOA) or any other matter having a bearing on the investigation within Oriental’s knowledge. “Oriental, therefore, condemns all conclusions drawn by WFG as to the intent and true purpose of those agreements as biased supposition, and further condemns Afren’s current executive leadership for its failure to respond to the numerous overtures that Oriental made to resolve these issues,” said executive chairman Indimi. He said while it had become necessary for Oriental Energy to set the record straight, he “regrets that the agreed protocol with Afren that required it to provide Oriental with an advance draft of any proposed press release for comment was blatantly ignored by Afren”.
6 NEWS
Monday, October 20, 2014
More Troubles For Jonathan In S’South FROM PAGE 5
Lee Maeba and Hon Dakuku Peterside are the prominent non-Ikwerrre aspirants. Either way, the 1,817,762 votes recorded by the PDP in the 2011 presidential election may not be achieved in 2015, with Amaechi’s hold on the state as the incumbent governor. In Delta, the situation, though similar, is with a different effect, as the resolve of the party leadership in the state to zone the governorship seat to the northern senatorial district has ruffled feathers. The Urhobo ethnic nationality, which constitutes the central senatorial district, is already threatening to join forces with the APC if they are zoned out. They are basing their position on the 2011 election figures. Out of the 1,378, 851 votes polled by PDP’s Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election, Delta central senatorial zone (the Urhobo) delivered 824,000 (59.0 per cent), while the north to which the governorship was zoned recorded 149,000 (10.8 per cent). The south senatorial district polled 405,851 (29.4) in the said election. LEADERSHIP gathered that leaders of the Urhobo ethnic nationality have resolved to field a candidate in the APC, if the senatorial district was not considered in the PDP. To this end, submissions are said to have been made to both the Presidency and the national leadership of the PDP on the need to repudiate the earlier
zoning in favour of the northern zone. Consequently, five names are said to have been considered as possible successors to Governor Uduaghan. They are erstwhile secretary to the state government, Ovie Omo-Agege, Paulinus Akpeki, David Edevbie, current deputy governor, Amos Utuama and Senator Emmanuel Aghariavwodo. Barring the unforeseen, the race may narrow down to Omo-Agege and Aghariavwodo. Both had contested the last October 2013 senatorial by-election, until the former was prevailed upon to step down for the latter to emerge. In Akwa Ibom State, the seeming ouster of Senator Aloysious Etok by Governor Godswill Akpabio has reportedly stirred up rough waters, with reports that the embattled senator was already considering another platform upon which to return to the Senate in 2015. This is even as PDP BoT member and a former governor of the state, Chief Don Etiebet and Victor Attah respectively, have vowed to stop Governor Akpabio’s anointed governorship aspirant, Udom Emmanuel in the election. In Edo State, the APC challenge would be greater for the president, should the opposition party decide to fly a presidential ticket with Governor Adams Oshiomhole on it. Regardless, Metuh dismissed the scenario, saying the PDP had
nothing to worry about. “There is nothing to worry about at all. All these are rumours you men of the media should ignore. I make bold to say that they are media imaginations. “Very soon, I know that there will be reports about friction between the NWC and senators, between governors and president and so on. I can tell you that there is nothing like that; the party is intact. We are up to the task and nothing is real in the real sense of it to shake us anywhere in the country,” Metuh said. Also reacting, the PDP national vice chairman (SouthSouth), Dr Cairo Ojougboh said that issues of the scramble for position by governors and senators, or zoning among districts had long been resolved. “Such issues as you have asked are no longer our challenges, we have resolved all issues. Even in areas where governors and senators had issues, they have been resolved, so there can’t be a situation as you have asked. “South-South is total for President Jonathan, it is total for PDP. The only stray state, which is Rivers, is even going to join us soon, including Edo State. I urge you to ignore all such rumours, because we as a party, we have resolved to instill fair play. No governor will be allowed to cheat anyone and all qualified party members will exercise their rights,” he said. Automatic Tickets: Jonathan, PDP Govs In Late Night Meeting In Aso
Rock In a related development, President Goodluck Jonathan last night entered into a closed door meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors at the presidential villa, Abuja. Details of the meeting which commenced at about 9:40pm at the First Lady’s conference room was still unknown at press time. But LEADERSHIP gathered that the meeting may not be Buhari unconnected with the seeming row between the governors and the party leadership over the directive that there should be no automatic ticket for governorship aspirants after the party had unanimously endorsed and adopted Jonathan as its sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election. The governors were said to have been angry over the party’s decision not to accord them the opportunity of getting automatic ticket for Oshiomhole those seeking second term or for those wishing to give same to their anointed candidates in their various states. The meeting was ongoing at the time filing this report. The state governors present the meeting were those of Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Ondo, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River, Katsina, Abia, Niger and Taraba. The governors of Kogi and Nasarawa were represented by Metuh their deputies respectively.
Ceasefire: Military Unhappy With Insurgents’ Violation By Bayo Oladeji, Abuja and MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna
The violation of the ceasefire agreement by the Boko Haram sect at the weekend has not gone down well with the military, and its leadership says it is studying the situation. According to reports, no fewer than 20 Boko Haram fighters in two pick-up vans stormed Maikadiri in Abadam local government area in the northern part of Borno on Friday evening, shooting into homes. The insurgents reportedly killed the father of the former speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Goni Ali-Modu during the attack. A renewed attack on Shaffa, Hawul local government area, south of Borno on Saturday morning by scores of Boko Haram insurgents who rode to a village near the town in the early hours of the day, shooting indiscriminately, also reportedly left some eight people dead. A military source explained
that the ceasefire information was a directive from the Presidency and that the military was not involved in its negotiation, but said, “We are watching the unfolding events with a view to responding appropriately if the violation continues. “We are not involved in the ceasefire agreement. We are just acting on the Presidential directive. It is our hope those criminals abide by it or risk the consequence. We are aware some of them attacked some people in some villages in two local government areas in Borno State, we are monitoring them. It is our hope that such violation would stop or they face the consequence,” a serving general said. Also speaking on the matter, a security source explained that the violation of the ceasefire pact by the insurgents was the result of either a communication gap between the leadership of the sect and its various camps or was due to factionalisation of the sect. “There are two reasons that
could be responsible for the attacks on those villages, as reported by the media. One may be some of their soldiers have not received directive from their leaders about the new development. Two, it could mean some of the them do not accept the ceasefire and this would be known if the attacks continue.” Attempts made to speak with the director of information, Defence Headquarters, Major General Chris Olukolade on the development were still unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report. The Boko Haram Truce Was A Scam – Shehu Sani The president of the Civil Right Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Shehu Sani, yesterday said that the ceasefire pact between the federal government and the Boko Haram sect was a complete fraud. Sani, who had initiated talks between the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the leaders of the Boko Haram sect, said, “It is either government
sat with fake persons or the government is part of the forgery. “The person who made the claim of speaking on behalf of the group is a fraud.” Sani recalled that it was not the first time such a hoax had occurred. He said: “In 2012, one Abdulaziz made claim of speaking on behalf of the group and said they had reached a ceasefire over five times, the group disclaimed the ceased fire. In 2013, one Muhammad Marwana also claimed to have spoken on behalf of the group and reached a ceasefire; that turned out to be a fraud.” He went on to fault the current ceasefire on the number of reasons. “Number one is that the person addressed himself and the group as Boko Haram while the group does not address itself as Boko Haram. “Two, he claimed to speak for the group, while it is only the leader of the group that has always spoken for the group. And he even went
Badeh
further by making statements such as ‘our government’, ‘our country’. These are words that the group does not consider using,” he said, adding: “I think government has fallen into a scam or it is part of the scam. Hassan Tukur should be able to explain further.” Sani said he believes that the journalist, Ahmed Sakilda, is still the credible person to get the correct information from as far as this issue is concerned.
news extra 7
Monday, October 20, 2014
2015: Haruna Advocates Law For IDPs’ Participation In Elections The minister of youth development, Mr Boni Haruna, has charged the National Assembly to fast-track a legislative provision to enable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country participate in the 2015 general elections. Haruna, a former governor of Adamawa State, underscored the need for the law against the background of what he described as a huge number of displaced Nigerians in various parts of the country. Haruna hails from Michika local government area of Adamawa State, which has suffered series of attacks by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The insurgents had razed Haruna’s family residence in Kuborshosho. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has engaged the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) on how Nigerians who have moved from their original locations to other places will be able to vote during the elections ahead of the 2015 election. Speaking over the weekend, Haruna said IDPs should not be denied their rights to vote and exercise their civic responsibility regardless of whether their condition was caused by insurgency, natural disasters like flood or any other circumstance.
By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja
Editors Honour Late Remi Oyo Tomorrow Nigerian editors will tomorrow file out to honour their former president, Dame Oluremi Oyo, who passed away on October 1, 2014 at the age of 62. Tagged “Media Afternoon of Songs and Tribute in Honour of Remi Oyo,” the event comes up at the Media Centre of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Iganmu, Lagos. It starts at 4pm and closes 6pm. Organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) and NAN, the special programme will afford editors the opportunity to go down memory lane about the woman who led them for two terms (four years), and who brought dignity and respectability to the NGE. The afternoon will be characterised by hymns, Bible reading, prayer for the Oyo family, exhortation, testimonies, and others. “It’s a solemn opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of the woman who served the NGE, journalism, and indeed, Nigeria well,” said Femi Adesina, NGE president. By Laolu Oladipo, Lagos
A two-month-old baby, Benson being tested for fever in Liberia. PHOTO BT AFP
Explosives Hit Edo PDP Chieftain’s Wife’s Property APC, PDP trade blames By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City
The political tension in Edo State yesterday heightened following the detonation of an explosive device which exploded at the security gate of a residential property which also served as a clinic belonging to the wife of the former secretary to the Edo State government, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, now a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The incident which occurred at No 16, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, a few metres away from one of the gates leading to Government House, the seat of power, created panic among residents. Meanwhile, Pastor Osagie Iyamu, yesterday accused the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of making threats to his life and master-minding the attack on his wife’s clinic.
In a swift reaction, however, Governor Oshiomhole, speaking through his commissioner for information, Hon Louis Odion, described the said attack as not only laughable but also another wild allegation which fits into PDP’s jaded style of stage-managing assaults on its agents to be used as pretext by its thugs to attack officials of Edo State government and agents of the APC. However, no life was lost as the only security guard on duty at the gate narrowly escaped death. He was said to be patrolling the premises which houses blocks of flats when the unidentified suspects threw in the said explosive device. Addressing hordes of newsmen yesterday, Ize Iyamu narrated, “Last night at about 10:40pm, I got a text from one of the tenants living here, saying that a bomb had been thrown into my wife’s clinic; so immediately, I called a tenant who told me that it just hap-
pened; so I called the security agencies and I rushed there. I actually found that a bomb was detonated; security agencies were able to see the wire that was used from across the road, and it was a white wire and a masking tape. “I want to say categorically that I am not surprised at what happened even though the dimension was sudden. I say categorically that I hold Governor Adams Oshiomhole responsible because in the past few days, he has threatened my person publicly; I have it on tape even in many fora and the rally he held at Ikpoba Okha where he falsely accused me and some other PDP leaders of masterminding the attack on the legislative quarters. “Many of you will recall that since I left APC, it has become Oshiomhole’s pastime to mention my name at every opportunity he has and I have a right to associate politically. Osh-
iomhole has made this state ungovernable by his action and conduct. I want to make it clear that Oshiomhole cannot intimidate me.” Odion in his response stated, “By Ize-Iyamu’s ludicrous account and his haste to accuse Comrade Oshiomhole of culpability for a supposed crime yet to be investigated, we are persuaded to believe he is merely acting out a script. It is laughable indeed that any sane man will be targeting an obscure clinic that is, at best, now moribund. “Again, Mr Ize-Iyamu’s reference to cultists being engaged against PDP is ironic and laughable. Even as fulltime president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Oshiomhole was known for his non-violence philosophy. On the contrary, Edo people know those with the history of cultism and violence dating back to their schooldays”.
Stop Making Unguarded Utterances, Ekundayo Replies Fayose By Alo Abiola, Ado Ekiti
The immediate past Ekiti State commissioner for information, Tayo Ekundayo, has urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to study the handing over note with him before making unguarded utterances. Ekundayo, in a telephone conversation with newsmen at the weekend, explained that all credit facilities obtained by the Kayode Fayemi administration were not only documented but were also made public. He said Fayemi formally approached the capital market in Lagos
to obtain a N25billion bond which he used in financing various landmark projects in the state. Ekundayo, who disclosed that the federal government owes Ekiti State as much as N20billion under the immediate past regime, said “Fayose should study the handing over note carefully before making unnecessary noise about the debt profile of Ekiti”. “I have been hearing that the debt profile of Ekiti State now stands at N84billion. I want to say that it is nothing near that figure. We have noticed that tendency in the past but we have refused to join issues with
him. It is too early for Fayose to be talking about us. He should understand that there is a difference between being a candidate of a party and an executive of a state.” Ekundayo further explained that over N14billion has been paid out of the N25billion, advising the new governor to settle down for business of governance rather than engaging in “cheap propaganda”. “Fayose should know that he has assumed a new status now which is quite different from where he was before. What I will advise him to do now is to settle down and see how
he would improve on the legacies of the Kayode Fayemi administration. He said, “The truth of the matter is that our government took N25billion from bond market and that is open to the public and we have paid about N14billion out of it, and the federal government is owing Ekiti nothing less than N20billion. The money is part of unpaid Ecological Fund and some federal roads built by the state government, among which is Ado-Ekiti-Ifaki road”. “The task of governing Ekiti is not going to be a tea party”, he concluded.
8 News north-central
Monday, October 20, 2014
APC, PDP Trade Blames Over LG Caretaker Committee By Abu Nmodu, Minna
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State and its Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have exchanged banters stated over the appointment and inauguration of caretaker committees to run the affairs of the 25 local government areas of the state. While the publicity secretary of APC, Jonathan Vatsa, said in a statement yesterday that the action of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government of Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu was unconstitutional and a show of impunity, the publicity secretary of PDP, Mohammed Hassan Saba has described APC as bereft of the knowledge of the law. APC said in its statement condemning appointment and inauguration of the committee: “We view the excuse of closeness to 2015 general elections advanced by Governor Aliyu as the reason for the non-conduct of elections into the 25 local government
short news I’ll Expose Niger To World Class Economic Standard – Bello Former minister of Commerce, Eng. Mustafa Bello, has stated that his entrance to the governorship race of Niger State was informed by the desire to expose the state to world class economic standard through a systemic action plan of restoration. He said what is needed for the state’s governorship in 2015 is a true leader and not a ruler, which is why he has prepared an action plan that will make him a leader instead of a ruler of the people. Mustafa Bello, who spoke after declaring his intention to contest in Minna, cautioned the people of the state on who they choose to occupy the governorship seat of the state. By Abu Nmodu, Minna
councils untenable and unacceptable. Whose responsibility it is to conduct local government elections and general elections? Is it that of the governor?” the party queried. The party challenged the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) to come out and tell Nigerlites why it could not conduct local government election when it was aware that local council’s life span is only 3 years. Vatsa added that PDP is afraid of going into local government elections for fear of defeat, and resorted to “the appointment of unconstitutional caretaker committees to continue to do its bidding and to use them for rigging 2015 general elections.” Reacting to APC’s position, Saba said that it has knowledge of local government law, because the 2001 Niger State local government law, section 97 as amended, gives the government the authority to appoint caretaker chairmen.
Langtang North Poll: Temlong Commends Tribunal For Declaring Dul Winner Gen. John Temlong (Rtd), a member of the just concluded National Conference, has commended Justice JD Mann of the Plateau State local government election appeal tribunal for declaring the candidate of Democratic People Party (DPP), Hon. Dan Dul, as the lawful winner of Langtang North Council poll held on the 25th of February this year. LEADERSHIP recalls that Hon. Dan Dul of DPP had filed a petition challenging the propriety of the declaration of Godwin Nanmwa Kumzhi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Peter Dalyop. Temlong, while reacting on the judgment in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Jos, said the judgment is a victory for democracy, a victory for the people of the state and especially a victory for the people of Langtang north local government council. “I feel quite excited, because it shows that there are judges who can stand up despite all odds to deliver justice as it should be.” By Achor Abimaje, Jos
short news Ex- Minister Bio Declares Guber Ambition Former minister of Transportation and two time speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Isa Bio, has publicly declared his interest in contesting the governorship seat of the state in 2015. The Baruten (Kwara North) born politician promised to bring his vast political experience into bear in developing the state if elected as the governor. Bio made the declaration at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Ilorin with his political associates and some of the leaders of the party in attendance. He promised to prioritise education, agriculture, infrastructure, and sports development and run a transparent of government . By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin
L-R: Parish priest of saint Donald’s Catholic Church, Karu, Rev Fr. Sam Tumba; Benue State gov Gabriel Suswam and auxiliary Bishop of Abuja and Titular Bishop of scampa, most Rev. Anselm Umoren at the 5oth birthday of Rev. Fr. Tumba in Abuja, yesterday
Kwara Monarchs Endorse Ahmed For Second Term By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin
Traditional rulers from Kwara north senatorial district have endorsed the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term in office. The monarchs premised their decision on what they called Ahmed’s various people oriented developmental programnes, especially in their zone. They pledged to continue to support for government in nurturing the state through growth and development. The traditional rulers, led by Etsu Patigi and vice chair-
man of Kwara State traditional council, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar, gave this endorsement when they paid a congratulatory visit to Governor Ahmed at the government house in Ilorin on his recent awards, both at home and in far away France. Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers from the zone, Alhaji Chatta Umar commended Ahmed for his numerous achievements in the areas of health, education and youth empowerment. Umar also appreciated the governor for appointing an
appreciable number of people from the senatorial district into his government and prayed God to grant the governor electoral success in the 2015 elections so that he could deepen the delivery of democratic dividends in the state. Responding, Governor Ahmed, who attributed the success of his administration to the support given it by traditional rulers in the state, promised to strengthen existing relationship between the two institutions with a view to addressing issues relating to youth, women and children.
Nasarawa PDP Chairman, 2 Others Tipped To Succeed Maku BY DONATUS NADI, Lafia
The chairman of Nasarawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Yunana K. Iliya and two other party members have been tipped to succeed Labaran Maku, the former minister of Information who was holding the ministerial slot for Nasarawa State. Maku resigned from his position last week to enable him run for the office of the governor of Nasarawa State in 2015. LEADERSHIP checks reveal
that the other likely candidates are Mike Omeri, director general, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Mamman Alakayi of Federal Character Commission. Few weeks before the resignation of Maku, some stakeholders of the party had met to take a decision on who succeeds Maku, and who will assist the party in the forthcoming elections and the three names where suggested. Although most people are of the view that the next person should be a grassroots politi-
cian, others are of the view that the choice should come from the party. Those who nominated the state’s party chairman argued that he had helped the party to stand on its feet despite opposition in the state while there are indications that Mike Omeri might not have it smooth as most people have reservation that he is an Abuja politician with little political value to add towards PDP’s quest to wrest power from the APC in 2015.
We Have Not Adopted Any Presidential Candidate – Nasarawa APC BY DONATUS NAD, Lafia
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has denied insinuations that the leadership of the party in the state is working behind the curtains for the emergence of an anointed candidate as presidential flagbearer in the 2015 general elections. The state chairman of the par-
ty, Mr. Philip Shekwo, stated this in Lafia on Thursday, saying at no time has the party considered such a position especially when aspirants are still emerging and consultations are still ongoing. “Candidates are still canvassing for support and I assure you that the party has not taken any such decision but at the appropriate time we shall take a decision to this regard if need be,” he stated.
Reacting, the immediate past chairman of the party, Arc. Stanley Buba, said although Gen. Mohammadu Buhari is widely perceived as the leader of the party, it does not mean that people would be forced to vote agaist their will. “There are delegates to the presidential primaries and all will vote according to their consciences without any form of coercion or duress,” he said.
Monday, October 20, 2014
news north-East, north-west 9 Former Kaduna Deputy Gov Dumps APC, Picks LP Ticket should have his head examined.” ate, this time on the platform of
2015: Jonathan’ll Get 25% Votes In Chibok – Sen Aruwa BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN Kaduna
A chieftain of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Senator Mukhtar Ahmed Aruwa, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will not only win the presidential elections in 2015 but will also get the required 25 percent votes, even in Chibok. Chibok is the now famous town in Borno State where Boko Haram sect abducted nearly 300 school-
girls six months ago and are still holding over 200 hostage. The senator, who is aspiring for a return to the Senate in 2015 told newsmen in an interview at the weekend, that whoever is doubting the re-election of President Jonathan in the 2015 election is misled. According to him, “25 percent votes for Jonathan is even possible in the embattled Chibok town of Borno State, and anybody who doubts the president’s re-election
He asserted that the security challenges ravaging the country, particularly the North-East, was not Jonathan’s making, noting that it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to find solution to the insecurity and not to crucifying the president. Senator Aruwa, who represented Kaduna Central under the ANPP from 1999 to 2007, said his aspiration to go back to the Sen-
the PDP, was necessitated by calls from the people of the senatorial district who had approached him to help salvage the poor representation of the district at the National Assembly. He said, “Jonathan will win more than ever before because if you talk about security challenges, I’ve told you and everybody knows that it is not the responsibility of Jonathan alone. It’s all of us.”
Secretary-General, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, Malam Mohammed Mohammed; Chairman, Malam Musa Ibrahim and Assistant SecretaryGeneral, Malam Nasiru Yalo, at an interactive session with newsmen in Kaduna. PHOTO BY NAN
short news Gbagyi Natives Back Gurara State Creation
The Gbagyi ethnic nationality in Jere Chiefdom in Kaduna State has made known their support to agitations for the creation of Gurara State from the present Kaduna State. A member of Jere Traditional Council in Kaduna State, Malam Philibus Tukura, who made his people’s stand known, said the decision was taken in the interest of peace and accelerated development of the area. He said those opposed to the idea were contradicting the position of their chief, Dr. Usman Sa’ad. By Midat Joseph, Kaduna
Drug Abuse, Time Bomb In Nigeria –JNI Chairman BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Concerned by the worrisome degree of drug abuse among Nigerian youths lately, Sokoto State chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Bello Nagwari, yesterday warned that the impending danger of such attitude, if not checked, would be very devastating to the nation. Speaking at a one-day sensitisation campaign tagged “Drugs To Fruits” organized by Unity, Peace and Mobilization NonGovernmental Organization (NGO), Alhaji Bello further solicited an improved funding of the relevant agencies to adequately tackle the menace.
While acknowledging the fact that the federal government was doing its best in that direction, Alhaji Bello stressed that “improved funding of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), improved facilities, vehicles as well as other operational and logistic requirements would enable them to fully tame the menace of drugs abuse and addiction in Nigeria.” He insisted that the menace of drug abuse, especially among the youths, has reached a high point and needs urgent attention. “The menace of drug abuse is like a time bomb in Nigeria and the government is doing its best, but the time to act is now,”
he said. Collaborating the position of the Sokoto JNI chairman, the State chairman of Unity, Peace and Mobilization NGO, Alhaji Nura Attajiri said that the campaign was part of efforts to complement government’s efforts in dealing with the menace of drugs consumption, especially among the youths, and trafficking. According to Attajiri, “The event is to encourage the youths to shun drugs and migrate to the consumption of fruits, hence they are the leaders of tomorrow. This will therefore make the youths will then be useful to themselves, their families and the society,” Attajiri stressed.
Taraba Distributes Relief Materials To Windstorm Victims By Andrew Ojih,Jalingo
Following the recent windstorm that destroyed valuable property in Bangodo community in Kakara ward of Sardauna local government area of Taraba State, the Taraba State government has distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to the internally displaced persons (IDPS) taking refuge in Kakara Primary School. Distributing the items yesterday in Sardauna local government area of the state, the executive
secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Nuvalga Dan-Habu, said that the administration of the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garaba Umar, was concerned about the welfare of displaced persons in the state. He added that Umar had warned that the items should be channelled to the right people and the purpose it was meant for. “As part of quick intervention, the action governor, Alhaji Garba Umar approved the supply of
two long trucks of emergency relief materials to cushion the hardship of the people,” he said. He noted that all the residential houses in Kakara community in Sardauna local government area of the state were pulled down during the windstorm. “The windstorm claimed lives, destroyed valuable items and also left several people injured and displaced,” he noted, even as assured the IDPs that government would continue to deploy all available measures to reduce their suffering.”
short news
I‘II Revive Industries, Create Jobs If Elected Kano Gov – Mustapha Kano State PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Umar Mustapha, has pledged to revive the lost glory of functional industries in Kano and create more job opportunities if elected Kano governor in 2015 general election. “Major problems killing industries in the country are inconsistency in government policies, lack of energy supply, lack of purchasing power and influx of foreign goods,” Mustapha noted. By Abubakar Salihi, Kano
Former deputy governor of Kaduna State during the Dabo Lere tenure, Engr. James Bawa Magaji has surprisingly dumped the All Progressive Congress (APC) in favour of the Labour Party (LP), LEADERSHIP learnt. It was gathered that Engr. Magaji, who is among the first defectors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, has left his former party to contest the 2015 gubernatorial election under the platform of Labour Party (LP). Our correspondent also gathered that LP has fixed November 1, 2014, for the formal presentation of the flag to Bawa Magaji. Magaji, who hails from Southern Kaduna, defected to LP and officials of his new party have unanimously agreed to present him as the sole candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial election. LP national vice chairman in charge of North-West zone, Umaru Mohammed said with the block votes of Southern Kaduna, LP is sure of taking over Kaduna in 2015. “We are determined to produce a governor in Kaduna State and that is why the party searched for a credible candidate in person of James Bawa Magaji,” he said. By Midat Joseph, Kaduna
Turaki Promises To Overhaul Education In Kebbi
Zubairu Abdullahi Turaki, one of the PDP gubernatorial aspirants in Kebbi State, has expressed concern over the state of education in Kebbi, especially the poor attendance to schools and poor performances in external examination, saying he would reform the sector if elected as state governor. Speaking to journlaisdts yesterday in Kebbi, the state capital, Turaki said: “In Kebbi State, education attainment is very low; few people go to school, and even if they go few graduate from the school. “In any case, when they graduate the result is very poor, and if you look at the national statistics, we are among the last states in terms of passing WAEC, generally,” he said. He maintained that no meaningful development can take place without education and promised to tackle education head-on in order to address the problems associated with it. On the issue of recent pronouncement by Zuru elders for nominating three politicians from the emirate for the gubernatorial race, the young politician said he was not deterred as the elders cannot be speaking for the whole population of Kebbi. “After all, what matters in politics is the majority of people, not few elders,” he said. By Yahya Sarki, Kebbi
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stories of the Monday, October 20, 2014
...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE
dEATH: Victims Of Extrajudicial Killing Get Compensation By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja
Victims and family members affected by the March 18, 2014 crisis at Tse-kucha in Yandev, Gboko Local Government Council of Benue State, have expressed appreciation to the National Human Rights Commission for its intervention in their petition on the case of alleged extra-judicial killing pending before the commission. After receiving the petition, the commission organised preliminary investigations and conducted hearings after which parties explored mediation and reached agreement. The Chief Press Officer, NHRC, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, stated that the agreement was brokered by the Governor of Benue state, Dr. Gabriel Torwua Susuam between representatives of the victims and Dangote Cement Plc. According to her, this amicable settlement resulted to the acceptance by the management of Dangote Cement plc to pay a monetary compensation of N5 million each to the families of the seven deceased persons and N2million each to the seven injured persons. The affected group had earlier petitioned the commission on the alleged killing of seven youths and wounding of several others by soldiers on guard at the Dangote cement factory. This resulted in protest by the youth of the community against what they considered as an act of impunity by the military men who shot one Terhile Jibor in the mouth following his refusal to clean up his excreta with his mouth as ordered by the military officers after excreting near the cement factory. While calling on the general public to be law abiding, the Executive Secretary of the Commission Prof Bem Angwe promised that the commission would continue to hold any institution accountable for human rights violations committed by them.
ARREST: 9 Electricity Vandals In Police Net By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command at the weekend paraded nine suspected electricity cable vandals at Ezi Orsu, Oguta Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner for Police Abdulmajid Ali, who briefed journalists at the command, said that the suspects were arrested through a distress call by some residents of the area. Abdulmajid, who reiterated the determination of his command to rid the state of hoodlums, appealed to members of the public for continued cooperation to help the police rid the state of crime.
Cultural display: Two Gbagyi girls displaying their rich culture at an event in Abuja. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPHPHOTO
INFERNO: Woman Burnt To Death Trying To ‘Rescue ‘Osusu’ Money By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
A young woman is reported to have died from severe fire burns sustained during a fire explosion in her residence at Uzere community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. It was gathered that the woman popularly called Esther (surname withheld) hails from Akiewhe community in Isoko North Local Government Area, but resides at Uzere with her lover before the incident occurred. The victim, who sells petrol in the black market, had large plastic barrels inside her house where she stores fuel. On that fateful day, she had prepared a meal but, unknown to her, the kerosene stove she used was not completely put off, and the jars of fuel
caught fire which took her life. Investigation revealed that the victim was responsible for her death. An eye witness disclosed that the victim, who had managed to escape the initial fire explosion, later ran back into the house in a bid to collect her N200,000 which she claimed was her group’s money despite appeals against her bid by the crowd which were gathered at the blaze scene. Unfortunately for her, she was not as lucky as she thought because the house was already in flames and even when she emerged several minutes later, she had been severely burnt and the money she held in her hands were partially burnt. Sympathizers were said to have rushed her to hospital for immediate medical attention but on the way she gave up the ghost.
ABDUCTION: ASUU Expresses Worry Over Kidnap Of Lecturer By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Delta State University (DELSU) Chapter, has raised the alarm over the kidnap of one of its lecturers, Dr. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, expressing fears that ever since the kidnap of the university Don over a week ago, no group has claimed responsibility for his abduction or contact with the family. Tonukari, an associate Professor of Microbiology at the Delta State University, Abraka went missing on his way from Sapele to Abraka on Monday 13 October, 2014. His car was found abandoned in the neighbourhood of Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state. But statement jointly signed by the
Chairman, ASUU-DELSU, Prof Abel Diakparomre and Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, they called on those holding him to release him immediately and unconditionally without harm. The statement described Tonukari as a peace loving, humanistic, philanthropic individual, who believes in the welfare of the vulnerable, defence of the oppressed and support for the progressive. It also called on security agencies to step up efforts at ensuring his safety and unconditional release. The statement read in part: “Lecturers are peaceful, unassuming, loving and harmless set of people who commit themselves to the realisation of functional intellectualism and pragmatism.
REVOLT: Youths Attack District Head’s Palace BY abu nmodu, Minna
Irate youths over the weekend allegedly attacked the palace of the district head of Manta in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Alhaji Labaran Manta, destroying the palace and his property. LEADERSHIP gathered that trouble started when the district head instructed the youths to stop holding meeting, aimed at disrupting the work at the construction of Shiroro Hydro Dam following issues relating to the payment of compensations on the farmlands and other property forfeited for the construction of the dam. It was gathered that the youths deliberately broke the order of the district head on the stoppage of such meeting in his domain and gathered to hold the meeting on the fateful day. The district head, it was gathered, got wind of the meeting and sent his palace guards to invite the leaders of the group, an invitation, a source said, the group turned down but later one of the youths visited the district head. It was learnt that the other members of the youth group after being told of one of their leaders being held in the palace, allegedly besieged the palace destroying property in the palace. A source in the village told LEADERSHIP that the district head was hurriedly rushed to Anguwan Daji in Minna before the irate youth could hurt him. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Niger State Command, Mallam Ibrahim Abiodun Gambari, confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP while adding that the situation has been brought under control.
STORIES OF THE DAY 11
Monday, October 20, 2014
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Photo News
BUNKERING: Boat With 65,000 Litres Petrol Seized BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja
The Nigeria Navy has seized a 40-meter long wooden boat carrying about 65,000 litres of petroleum products, suspected to be diesel or crude oil from bunkerers on the River Niger in Lokoja. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lokoja, the Commander, NNS Luguard, Lokoja, Commodore Shuwa Abdulrahim Muhammed, said the petroleum products were stored in nine Geepee tanks of 500 liters each. He said the boat was discovered at a mash area on River Niger around lokoja on October 13 by the command while on patrol from Baro, Niger State to Lokoja and Idah in Kogi State. According to him, as at the time of discovery, the boat was abandoned by bunkerers due to intensive patrol around the area by the NNS, saying that with the discovery, the menace of oil theft is not only restricted to the Niger Delta alone but anywhere they can locate pipeline conveying petroleum products. He said the seized products would be handed over to the officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for test to determine the type of product and evacuation, while the boat will be destroyed with all the equipment. “The federal government’s policy and directive from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, on zero tolerance on oil theft, illegal bunkering on our water, would be enforced with a view to eradicating the menace, which have
First Lady and president, Africa First Ladies’ Peace Mission (AFLPM), Dame Patience Jonathan; Wife of South Africa President, Mrs Nompumelelo Zuma and her husband, Jacob Zuma, at a dinner for the commencement of AFLPM meeting in Pretoria, South Africa.
Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin
led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the federal government,” he said. He, however, called on the public to give useful information to the command in its effort to eradicate oil theft on the water ways. Item recovered included a wooden boat, about 65,000 litres of products suspected to be crude, or diesel stored in nine Geepee tanks of 500 litress each, two pumping machines, three Yamaha boat engines, three hoses, 150 litres of PMS, a machete, ruber bucket, one bag containing machine tools and five empty 25 litres of jerry cans. Also speaking, the representative of the NNPC, Joseph Idoko, said the product would have to undergo test to determine whether it is diesel or crude.
L-R: Lagos State commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba; deputy governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Gov. Babatunde Fashola and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, during the celebration of Fashola’s 2,700 days in office, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo By Nan
NABBED: Bank Manager Arrested For Aiding Robbers By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
The insider game in bank robbery again played out during the week when a senior bank manager, who allegedly runs an armed robbery gang, was arrested along with two members of his gang for attempting to rob a bank in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. The arrest of the bank manager followed the confession made by two of the suspected gang members that a staffer of the bank, who happened to be one of the managers and one of their brothers, contacted them to rob the bank as a huge amount of money was slated for transfer on that day. Our correspondent gathered that the suspects were sighted when they were loitering around the bank premises with a bag containing their weapons. Suspicious of their activities, the bank’s private security and policemen
on duty arrested them and, after searching their bag, one battle axe and other items were recovered. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu confirmed the arrest of the suspects, saying that following their rest and interrogation, the two suspects confessed that their brother who is a staff of the bank, hired them to rob the bank as he told them that a huge amount of money would be transferred from the bank to Ellu village. According to the police spokesperson, the suspects further confessed that the bank worker advised them to ambush the clerk on the road and rob him of the money that would be on transit. While saying that the suspects have been charged to court for conspiracy and attempted armed robbery, she disclosed that a battle axe and other items were recovered from the suspects.
L-R-Director at the UN-Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, Professor Oyeyinka Oyebanji; minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna; permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Henry Akpan, during a meeting with the officials of UN-Habitat and National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH
Members of an Igbo cultural troupe during the Igbo Day celebration in Abuja.
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$3.5bn
NNPC’s outstanding “legacy liabilities” amounted to $3.5 billion
NGOs Not Exempted From Paying Taxes – FIRS By NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has emphasised that the Nigerian tax laws did not exempt non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from paying taxes. Acting executive chairman of the service, Mr Kabir Mashi, who made this known yesterday, in Abuja, noted that NGOs have erroneously assumed that they were exempted from all taxes. Speaking during a sensitisation programme on tax administration of NGOs, Mashi, who was represented by director, modernisation department, Mr Osy Chuke, said, NGOs, being not for profit entities were only exempted from paying income tax.
He said that where however, an NGO engages in activities from which it derives profits, then it would be required to pay taxes on such profits like any other profit making entity. “Also, other than income taxes, they are not exempt from paying taxes such as the value added tax on goods and services. They are also required to deduct and pay over personal income taxes from the salaries and allowances paid to their employees, among others. “We have observed over time that there is widespread misconception that NGOs are not required to register with the tax authorities, that they should not file tax returns or pay taxes, amongst other wrong notions.
L-R: Minister of state for finance, Amb Bashir Yuguda; minister of finance and co-ordinating minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; chairman, forum of commissioners of finance and commissioner for finance, Ebonyi State, Mr Timothy Odah and accountant-general of the federation, Mr Jonah Otunla at a National Council of Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) meeting held in Enugu.
Abuja-Idu-Kaduna Rail Will Be Ready By Dec – FG BY Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja
The federal government said the ongoing construction of AbujaKaduna standard gauge rail line would be completed and delivered by the end of 2014. This was made known by the minister of transport, Senator Idris Umar, at a ministerial press briefing on the programmes and projects of the ministry and its agencies. Umar also mentioned that about 155kilometre of the rail track has been laid out of 187.5kilometre which constitutes 85 per cent of the project. The minister also disclosed that the
Proposed Bill To Bar NNPC From Obtaining Loans Without Legislative Approval By Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja
The House of Representatives is set to debate a bill which will prohibit the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from obtaining loans without the approval of the National Assembly.
construction and rehabilitation of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge rail line was expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2015, even as he added that arrangements have been concluded for the purchase of two more locomotives in the first quarter of 2015 to be added to the 25 HP locomotive acquired from General Electric for narrow gauge rail lines. While stressing the importance of transportation in the economic, political and social development of any nation, Umar expressed optimism that the ministry was leaving up to expectation to develop an adequate, safe, environmentally The bill for an “Act to amend the NNPC Act to ensure approval of the National Assembly is sought before any loan is obtained,” is sponsored by Hon. Raphael Igbokwe. The proposed bill seeks to amend NNPC Act, Cap. 123LFN 2004 by adding a new sub-section (6) which provides that: “The President shall cause the estimate submitted in pursuance of section (5) of this section, to be attached as part of the appropriation bill to be submitted to the National Assembly.” In February 2013, the minister of petroleum resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, in a monitored report confirmed that the NNPC’s outstanding
sound, efficient and affordable, integrated transport system within the framework of a progressive and competitive national and international market economy. He stressed that the rehabilitation of over 90 per cent of the entire existing narrow gauge lines throughout the country was ongoing; the rehabilitation is the first segment of the 25 years Railway Strategic Vision. Senator Umar further stated that the main Western line, Lagos-Kano (1,124kilometre) was completed and passengers’ services and haulage of goods along the line were flagged off in December, 2012. “legacy liabilities” amounted to $3.5 billion. Igbokwe sponsored a motion in 2013 on the borrowing of a $1.5 billion loan the NNPC said was needed to pay off debts accruing from importation of petroleum products for domestic consumption. He argued that the plan to borrow the $1.5 billion was not included in the 2013-2015 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF). The federal lawmakers alleged that the various regulatory agencies including Debt Management Office (DMO) did not approve the $1.5 billion borrowed by the corporation.
“The rehabilitation work in Eastern line Port Harcourt- Maiduguri (1,657) is progressing steadily with the Port Harcourt-Gombe segment, including the branch line from Kafanchan-Kaduna expected to be completed December, 2014. “Rehabilitation of sidings and loop lines along the Western line, including connection to key industrial locations within Apapa, 74 stations and branch lines between Lagos and Kano, the 300meter link between the Apapa Port Complex and the national line and the spur line to the Kaduna power plant complex have commenced and would be completed by the end of 2014.”
According to Igbokwe, Section 44(2) of the Fiscal responsibility Act prescribes a mandatory condition, that government in the federation and its agencies and corporations desirous of borrowing shall show the existence of prior authorisation in the appropriation or other Act of law for purpose for which the borrowing is to be utilised (to the National Assembly). “Furthermore, sub section (3) of same section 21 (2) mandatorily requires the minister to cause the budget estimate submitted by the corporation and agencies to be attached as part of the Appropriation Bill to be submitted to the National Assembly.” Tambuwal
BUSINESS QUOTE If you think your boss is stupid, remember: you wouldn’t have a job if he was any smarter. John Gotti, gangster (1940-2002)
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Niger State To Promote Exports by Abu Nmodu, Minna
The Niger State Government is planning to promote the export of products from the state by developing products along the value chain. This is even as the director- general of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Joseph Odumodu, has harped on sus-
tained quality of products manufactured in Nigeria . The director- general, Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion Agency (NCEPA), Alhaji Mohammed Kontagora, disclosed this while representing the Niger State governor,Muazu Babangida Aliyu, over the weekend in Minna at the presentation of Nigeria Industrial
Standard (NIS) mark of quality certificate of excellence to awardees in Niger State by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). He stated that the value chain initiative was based on the fact that the state government cherishes the contributions of the private sector in its aspiration for the state economy to
be among the three top economies in the country. He disclosed that the state has developed and encouraged such value chain initiatives in shea butter because it has a very high comparative advantage for export in addition to meeting the nation’s need. Earlier, Odumodu has stated that the only way that goods
from Nigeria could meet up with global competition was for the standards and quality of the products to be improved upon at all times. Odumodu, who was represented by the director, operations of the organisation Mr Nelson Adebiyi, maintained that a good product would always attract global attention.
BoI Rewards Timely Loan Repayment By OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos
General manager, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), Mrs Yinka Fashola (right), in a group photograph with awardees of the LASRRA Merit Award during the governor’s rendering of account of stewardship to commemorate the 2,700 Days in Office of his administration in Lagos.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Debuts In Lagos This Week By Chima Akwaja, Lagos
The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will officially go on sale in Nigeria on Friday October 24, 2014. The device will be available for purchase through all authorised Samsung partner stores and telecom operator stores nationwide. Director of information technology and mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Emmanouil Revmatas, said that a formal launch of the new device in Nigeria would take place at Samsung’s Experience Store in
Ikeja City Mall, Lagos on the same day, with lots of exciting gifts and Samsung accessories for consumers that purchase the device at the event. The Galaxy Note 4 retains its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3’s whopping 5.7-inch screen, with substantial innovation and upgrade in design and performance. The screen now boasts a Quad High Definition Super AMOLED technology that stretches to 515 pixels per inch to allow users enjoy sharper images and brighter colours. Coupled with this is Samsung’s
innovative adaptive display that optimises screen view depending on available lighting conditions. A sleek metal trim and premium leatherfeel back cover make the latest Note device the most desirable handset in the market. Other highlights of the device include a powerful 3220mAh battery that goes from zero to 50 per cent battery charge in just 30 minutes as well as an improved S Pen which now comes with two writing options, Calligraphy and Fountain and the ability to edit images using the device’s Snap Note feature.
NECA Wants FG To Privatise Ailing Refineries By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos
The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has advised federal government to privatise the nation’s ailing refineries. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, director-general of NECA, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, advised the government to jettison what he called sloppy attitude to privatisation, and fully embrace the policy with a view to strengthening the nation’s economy.
According to him, nothing stops the federal government from privatising the nation’s ailing refineries having recorded success in the privatisation of power and telecommunication sectors in the country in recent time. He also advocated the need for the federal government to privatise the nation’s airports in order to give room for efficient service therein. Oshinowo stressed that privatisation remains the best option to deliver basic social
amenities to the people. He also submitted that some of the federal government’s agencies function as a clog in the wheel of the nation’s economic progress because of ill-defined roles. Citing the Consumer Protection Council of Nigeria (CPC) as one of the agencies that has no defined roles,the NECA DG said the agency was now competing with the Nigeria Security and Minting Company (NSMC) and other agencies of the government.
The Bank of Industry (BOI) has rewarded ten of its customers who have shown excellent performance by fully repaying the loans they collected. The managing director of the bank, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, said that the bank’s board of directors has approved the establishment of a hall of fame into which exemplary and outstanding customers, big and small shall be inducted. Speaking at the bank’s head office in Lagos over the weekend, Olaoluwa said, “We development banks derive our funding not from millions of depositors like the commercial banks but from government funding which is provided from government resources that are limited, finite and subject to competing demands. “Therefore, the effect of any loan default is more severe, with certain socio-economic consequences which is capable of defeating government’s laudable objectives of financing the strategic sectors of the economy of promoting small and medium enterprises and of creating jobs for Nigerians,” he said. He added that when customers default on their loans, they deprive other Nigerian businesses of the much needed access to finance. Olaoluwa said that the 10 companies inducted into its hall of fame obtained credit facilities from the bank at least twice and fully repaid the loans, saying that the companies had proven that integrity was not a function of size or of business environment. He pointed out “there are two sides of a coin, just as we have had exemplary customers, we also had the very bad and difficult ones with shady character and questionable integrity and their names have been placed on the blacklist of loan defaulters.” The 10 companies inducted into the bank’s hall of fame are Ammasco International Limited, Kano, CCNN, Sokoto, Cobef International, Port Harcourt and Happinex Foam, Benin. Others are Innoson Technical and Industrial, Benin, Nigerian Aluminium Extrusions, Lagos, Nigerian Foundries, Lagos, Paul B Nigeria, Enugu, Rumbu Sacks, Kano and Supercor Industries Limited, Bauchi. “As a bank, we hope to increase the number of customers in the hall of fame and minimise the blacklist,” Olaoluwa added.
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Access Bank Gets Business Continuity Management Systems Certification
L-R: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikufuriji; Olympic milk brand ambassador, Peter Okoye; managing director, Nutricima, Mr Suneel Vasudevan and chairman, Nutricima, Chief Kola Jamodu during the official unveiling of the powdered Olympic milk and Olympic Apple flavoured drink in Lagos. PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI
AMCON, Heritage Begin Acquisition Completion Phase
Stories By Bukola Idowu, Lagos
The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) said it has commenced the acquisition completion phase of Enterprise Bank following the final payment by Heritage Bank’s investment arm, the HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL)on Wednesday. The AMCON, in an emailed response, confirmed that “the HISL has paid the required balance for the purchase of Enterprise Bank,” adding that “as per the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), the agreed completion phase will now commence, this includes seeking all regulatory approvals.” Heritage Bank, in a statement issued yesterday, announced the full payment of the 80 per cent balance of its purchase price for the bank in fulfillment of the major requirement necessary for its full acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited. The AMCON had last month announced the HISL as the preferred bidder for Enterprise Bank with an October 15 deadline to pay the 80 per cent balance of the bid price after the latter met the deadline for the payment of the initial 20 per cent, leading to the signing of the SPA last month. The Enterprise Bank
acquisition is expected change the status of the regional bank which commenced business last year to a national bank. Heritage Bank had acquired the banking licence and liabilities of the defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN). The acquisition of Enterprise Bank, which currently boasts of 165 branches, will increase Heritage Bank’s points of presence from the current 15 experience centers to nearly 200 branches across the country. The development has equally confirmed the HISL’s earlier expression of readiness to fulfill all conditions necessary to consummate the acquisition of Enterprise Bank to completion. Meanwhile, the management of Enterprise Bank Limited has reassured its customers that the emergence of the HISL as the new owners of the bridge bank will not in any way disrupt its operations but would rather strengthen its ability to provide better services to its customers. A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the bank assured that customers of the bank would continue to enjoy excellent service delivery irrespective of the imminent change of ownership following the full payment of the bid amount of N56 billion by Heritage Bank Limited.
According to the bank, “the transparency and successful sale of the bank by AMCON should serve as a guarantee to our esteemed customers that the combination of the two banks is a step in the right direction that will ensure increased potentials for further value addition to all stakeholders.” Undoubtedly, the synergies of combining Heritage Bank’s aggressive market focus and technology orientation with Enterprise Bank’s legacy and branch networks would produce a highly customer-centric institution. All structures, it continued, have already been put in place to engender a seamless transition to a new financial institution that will distinguish itself as a bank of preference in the industry. The bank encouraged everyone, including customers of the two combining entities, to fully embrace the emerging bank. Enterprise Bank Limited came into being on August 5, 2011, following the intervention of the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in Spring Bank Plc and the subsequent takeover by the AMCON, who appointed the outgoing board of directors and management team with the charge to reposition the bank and make it attractive for investors.
Access Bank Plc has been awarded the International Organisation for Standardisation, ISO, 22301:2012 certificate for “Societal Security - Business Continuity Management Systems.” The award was presented to the bank by the British Standard Institute (BSI) after about three months of business impact analysis across all the departments of the bank. Speaking during the presentation of the certificate in Lagos, group deputy managing director of Access Bank, Mr Obinna Nwosu, said the certification is based on international best practices deployed by the bank to manage business continuity. According to him, the ISO 22301:2012 specifies requirements to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a documented management system to prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events when they arise. “The ISO 22301 standardisation certification will help improve the bank’s business by ensuring planned, effective business continuity management at all levels, including organisationwide identification and understanding of critical business processes and the impact of disruption, timely and orderly responses to incidents/ business disruptions.
We Won’t Renew Nonperforming Directors Appointment – CBN The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it will not renew the appointment of bank directors that are not performing. Speaking at a CBN/FITC Continuous Education Programme for directors of banks and other financial institution in Lagos, the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by the deputy governor, Financial System Stability, Dr Kingsley Moghalu, urged bank directors to be up to the tasks that they have been appointed. “There would be assessment of bank directors and if you are found as not performing; going forward the central bank would not approve the renewal of appointment of members of board of directors if we find that you have not performed as you should,” he stated.
BDCs Appeal To CBN For Increased Forex Sale
All structures have already been put in place to engender a seamless transition to a new financial institution that will distinguish itself as a bank of preference in the industry
The Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) in the country has appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for an increase in the weekly sale of foreign exchange to each operator, and an extension of its occasional intervention in the market to reduce Forex demand pressure at the retail end of the market. Speaking under the aegis of ABCON, the BDCs lamented that while over 2,000 operators have laboured to comply with the N35 million mandatory caution deposits, the $15,000 weekly sale to each BDCs by the CBN is inadequate to cover operating costs. “Considering the difficulties that the BDCs are currently facing, due to the volume of the weekly sales granted to the BDCs as against the associated costs in the business, we are strongly suggesting that the CBN should consider increasing the weekly sales to the BDCs from $15,000 to $50,000,” the association said in an appeal letter to the CBN governor.
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NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
26/28, MARINA LAGOS
26/28, MARINA LAGOS
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3877
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3878
PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM NETWORK AT TIN-CAN ISLAND PORT, LAGOS STATE
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF HSE (SAFETY) AND RELATED EQUIPMENT 1.0. INTRODUCTION The Nigerian Ports Authority hereby invites interested and competent firms with relevant experience to tender for the supply of HSE (safety) and related equipment as follows:
A. INTRODUCTION The Nigerian Ports Authority hereby invites reputable and competent contractors to submit Prequalification documents for the Rehabilitation of Water Supply System Network at Tin-can Island Port, Lagos State. B. SCOPE OF PROJECTS
LOT 1 Supply of Search and Rescue Equipment LOT 2 Safety Equipment for Enforcement of Minimum Standards for Trucks operating in the Ports (LPC and TCIP) LOT 3 Supply of Hard Suction Pipes Please, Note that Bidders are not allowed to bid for more than Two (2) Lots.
A detailed scope of the project shall be made available to the prequalified bidders. C. PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT
2.0. SCOPE OF SERVICE The scope shall be the supply of HSE (safety) and related equipment as detailed in the Standard Bidding Document.
Interested companies should submit Three (3) HARD copies (One original and Two copies) and a SOFT copy (Word, excel and/or PDF) of the bound bid documents duly signed, paginated, separated by dividers and arranged in the order outlined hereunder:
3.0. INVITATION TO TENDER REQUIREMENTS Interested companies should submitthree (3) HARD COPIES(One original & two duplicate Copies) and a SOFT COPY (In MS Word/Excel/PDF) ofthe bid documents. The Hard copies must be bound,duly signed, paginated, separated by dividers and arranged in the order outlined hereunder:
Mandatory Requirements (SOFT and HARD COPIES) 1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). 2. Evidence of Company Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2011, 2012 and 2013). 3. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. 4. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act. No. 19 of 2011.
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS 1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). 2. Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years 2011, 2012 & 2013 3. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. 4. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act No. 19 of 2011
Other Requirements (SOFT and HARD COPIES) 5. Evidence of similar projects executed in the past including letters of awards, completion certificates etc. 6. Company profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel. Attach certificates. 7. Evidence of personnel registration with COREN (attach certificates). 8. All relevant information concerning contact, telephone, fax and e-mail address of company representative 9. For Joint Venture (JV)/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided. E. SUBMISSION OF PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS One (1) soft and Three (3) hard copies of Prequalification documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked as “PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM NETWORK AT TINCAN ISLAND PORT, LAGOS – STATE” PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 3877 addressed to “THE SECRETARY TO THE TENDER BOARD, NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY” and dropped in the designated Tender Box located on the ground floor of Nigerian Ports Authority Headquarters at 26/28, Marina Lagos not later than 11.00am on Tuesday, 4th November, 2014.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS 1. Evidence of similar projects executed in the past including letters of awards, completion certificates etc. 2. Company profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel 3. Evidence of existing and working Quality Assurance and Control Systems 4. Evidence of financial capability from a reputable bank 5. All relevant information concerning contacts, addresses, telephones, fax and e-mail address of company or representative(s) 6. For Joint Venture (JV), Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided 7. Bids must be in English language, in clear HARD & SOFT COPIES and signed by an official authorized by the bidder. 4.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested companies are to collect Standard Bidding Documents from office of the General Manager Procurement, Ground Floor, NPA Head Quarters on evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of N30,000.00 (Thirty thousand Naira) only (Bank Draft in Favor of Nigerian Ports Authority). 5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Prospective bidders are to submit for each of the LOT desired, One (1) soft copy and Three (3) hard copies of each TECHNICAL and FINANCIALBID which should be packaged SEPARATELY in SEALED ENVELOPES and clearly marked as either “Technical Bid” or Financial Bid”. Furthermore, the reverse side of each sealed envelope should have the name and address of the bidder and then enclose the two sealed envelopes together in a bigger envelope addressed to “The Secretary to the Tenders Board, Nigerian Ports Authority and clearly marked “INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF HSE (SAFETY) AND RELATED EQUIPMENT” specifying Lot No, and Public Notice No. 3878 and dropped in the designated Tender Box located on the ground floor, Nigerian Ports Authority Headquarters at 26/28, Marina Lagos not later than 11.00 am on 01 December, 2014
All received bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at the Conference room, 1 Joseph Street, off Marina, Lagos in the presence of bidders or their representatives. Please, ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager, Procurement as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager (Procurement)” on e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org. Note that this invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any responding company for; 1. Award of Contract or Acceptance of any tender. 2. Wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. All costs incurred as a result of this tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
All received bid documents will be opened immediately at the Conference room, 1 Joseph Street, off Marina, Lagos in the presence of bidders or their representatives.Please, ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager, Procurement, room 029 ground floor, as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager (Procurement)” on e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org. Note that this invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any bidder for: 1. Award of Contract. 2. Acceptance of any tender as wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. All costs incurred as a result of this tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
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Monday, October 20, 2014
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
26/28, MARINA LAGOS
26/28, MARINA LAGOS
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3879
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3880
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR MONITORING OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISCHARGE IN ALL JETTIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF NPA
1.0. INTRODUCTION The Nigerian Ports Authority hereby invites interested and competent firms with relevant experience to tender for the supply of personal protective equipment for the following departments: LOT 1 LOT 2
Harbours Department Security Department
Note that Bidders are not allowed to bid for more than One (1) Lot. 2.0. SCOPE OF SERVICE The scope shall include the supply of coverall, safety boots amongst others. Further information will be provided in the Standard Bidding Document. 3.0. INVITATION TO TENDER REQUIREMENTS Interested companies should submitthree (3) HARD COPIES (One original & two duplicate Copies) and a SOFT COPY (In MS Word/Excel/PDF) ofthe bid documents. The Hard copies must be bound,duly signed, paginated, separated by dividers and arrangedin the order outlined hereunder: MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS 1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). 2. Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years 2011, 2012 & 2013 3. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. 4. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act No. 19 of 2011 OTHER REQUIREMENTS 1. Evidence of similar projects executed in the past including letters of award, completion certificates etc. 2. Company profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel 3. Evidence of existing and working Quality Assurance and Control Systems 4. All relevant information concerning contacts, addresses, telephones, fax and e-mail address of company or representative(s) 5. For Joint Venture (JV), Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided 6. Bids must be in English language, in clear HARD & SOFT COPIES and signed by an official authorized by the bidder. 7. Evidence of financial capability from a reputable bank. 4.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested companies are to collect Standard Bidding Documents from office of the General Manager Procurement, Ground Floor, NPA Head Quarters on evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of N30,000.00 (Thirty thousand Naira) only. [Bank Draft in Favor of Nigerian Ports Authority] 5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS The Bid documents are to be submitted in One SOFT COPY and Three (3) bound HARD COPIES (One original and two duplicate copies), paginated and separated with dividers as indicated above with the technical and financial proposals packaged in separate envelopes and then both enclosed in a bigger envelope and addressed to “The Secretary to the Tenders Board, Nigerian Ports Authority and clearly marked “INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT” specifying Lot No, and Public Notice No. 3879 and dropped in the designated Tender Box located on the ground floor, Nigerian Ports Authority Headquarters at 26/28, Marina Lagos not later than 11.00 am on 1st December, 2014. All received bids documents will be opened immediately at the Conference room, 1 Joseph Street, off Marina, Lagos in the presence of bidders or their representatives. Please, ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager, Procurement, room 029 ground floor, as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager (Procurement)” on e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org. Note that: 1. This invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any responding firm for award of Contract. Acceptance of any wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. 2. All costs incurred as a result of this tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
A. INTRODUCTION The Nigerian Ports Authority seeks to engage the services of competent contractors to monitor discharge of petroleum products across all jetties within the jurisdiction of the Authority. LOT 1 2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION JETTIES IN WESTERN PORT AREA JETTIES IN EASTERN PORT AREA
Please, note that bidders are not allowed to bid for more than One (1) Lot B. SCOPE OF PROJECTS The scope of the project includes comprehensive monitoring programme to capture in detail the number of petroleum vessels calling in the affected jetties as well as the volume of petroleum products discharged at any given time by each vessel. A list of the jetties would be made available to the prequalified bidders. C. PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Interested companies should submit three (3) HARD copies (one original and two duplicate copies) and a SOFT copy (MS Word/Excel/PDF) of the bound documents duly signed, paginated, separated by dividers and arranged in the order outlined hereunder: Mandatory Requirements (SOFT and HARD COPIES) 1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC. 2. Evidence of Company Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2011, 2012 & 2013). 3. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. 4. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act. No. 19 of 2011. Other Requirements 1. Details of relevant verifiable experience of similar monitoring of petroleum products. Please, attach copies of transaction documents including award letters and project completion certificates. 2. Evidence of business presence in the relevant pilotage districts or locations. 3. Company profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel. 4. All relevant information concerning contact, telephone, fax and e-mail address of company representatives. 5. Bids must be in English language, in clear copy and signed by an official authorized by the company. 6. Evidence of financial capability from a reputable bank. D. SUBMISSION OF PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS One (1) soft and three (3) hard copies of prequalification documents (comprising one original and two duplicate copies) should be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked “PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR MONITORING OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISCHARGE IN ALL JETTIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF NPA” specifying Public Notice No 3880 addressed to The Secretary, Tenders Board, Nigerian Ports Authority and dropped in the designated Tender Box located on the ground floor, Nigerian Ports Authority Headquarters at 26/28, Marina Lagos not later than 11.00 am on Monday, 3rd November, 2014. All received bids will be opened immediately at the Conference room, 1 Joseph Street, off Marina, Lagos in the presence of bidders or their representatives. Please, ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager, Procurement, ground floor, as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager (Procurement)” on e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org. Note that this invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any bidder for: 1. Award of Contract. 2. Acceptance of any tender as wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. All costs incurred as a result of this tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
23
Monday, October 20, 2014
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
26/28, MARINA LAGOS
26/28, MARINA LAGOS
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3881
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3882
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR REMEDIAL WORKS
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON VARIOUS ENGINEERING WORKS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.0. INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian ports Authority hereby invites reputable and competent contractors to submit tender for the under-listed projects: PROJECTS Remedial road work on road section from Army Signal Barracks to Liverpool roundabout – both sides Remedial Works on NPA Clinic Car Park and Sports Ground Spectators Car Park at Bode Thomas, Surulere Lagos
LOT Lot 1 Lot 2
2.0 SCOPE OF PROJECTS The scope of the project shall include and not limited to all Remedial Works as detailed in the Standard Bidding Document to be issued to bidders. 3.0 TENDER REQUIREMENTS Interested Bidders should submit three (3) HARD COPIES) and a SOFT COPY (In MS Word/Excel/PDF) of the bid documents. The Hard Copies must be Bound, Duly signed paginated, separate by divider and arrange in the order outlined hereunder: Mandatory Requirements (Hard/Soft Copies) a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) b. Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2011, 2012 and 2013) c. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. d. Evidence of compliance certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act No. 19 of 2011 Other Requirements (Hard/Soft Copies) f. Evidence of similar project executed in the past, including letters of awards, completion certificates etc. g. Company Profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel. h. Evidence of Personnel registration certificate with COREN. i. All relevant information concerning contacts, addresses, telephones, fax and e-mail address of company or representatives j. For joint ventures (JV)/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be provided 4.0 COLLECTION OF FINANCIAL TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested Companies are to collect the Standard Bidding Document from the Office of the General Manager, Procurement Room 029 ground floor of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Headquarters 26/28 Marina Street Lagos on the evidence of payment of nonrefundable fee of N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) only for each LOT in bank draft in favour of Nigeria Ports Authority. Note all tender sum from N300 million and above should be conveyed with a 2% bond of the tender price. 5.0 SUBMISSION OF TECHNICAL/FINANCIAL TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested Bidders are to submit bid for each of the Lot desired, One (1) SOFT and Three (3) HARD Copies of “TECHNICAL and FINANCIAL” BIDS SEPARATELY (One original and Two duplicate copies) packed in SEALED envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid” Furthermore, the reverse side of each sealed envelope should bear the name and addresses of the Bidders and thereafter put the two sealed envelopes together in a bigger envelope addressed to the “The Secretary to the Tender Board, Nigerian Ports Authority and clearly Mark “INVITATION TO TENDER FOR (TITLE/DECRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC PROJECT) “ specifying PUBLIC NOTICE NO: 3881 LOT NO; and then drop the bid in the designated Tender Box on the ground Floor, room 029 Nigerian Ports Authority Corporate Headquarters, 26/28 Marina, Lagos not later than 11.00am on Monday 1st December, 2014. All Bids received will be opened immediately at the conference room annex no. 1 Joseph Street off Marina Street Lagos in the presence of all bidders or their representatives. please ensure the you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager Procurement as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager, Procurement” or e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org PLEASE NOTE This is not an invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any responding company for: 1. Award of Contract 2. Acceptance of any tender and wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. All costs incurred as a result of this prequalification tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. While Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
The Nigerian Ports Authority hereby invites interested and competent firms with relevant experience to submit documents for the under listed consultancy services LOT 1 LOT 2 LOT3 LOT4
Consultancy Services for Construction of Observation Tower for Nigerian Navy at Takwa Bay, Lagos Consultancy Services for Shore Protection between Berth 12 and Integrated Oil Depot at Tincan Island Port. Consultancy Services for Construction of Ogogoro Jetty for Nigerian Navy at Ogogoro Island, Lagos. Consultancy Services for Erosion Control at Calabar Port.
Please, Note that Bidders are not allowed to bid for more than Two (2) Lots in this advertisement B. SCOPE OF SERVICES This will be as contained in the Request for Proposal which will be issued to prequalified Consultants. C. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST REQUIREMENT Interested companies should submit three (3) HARD copies (one original and two copies) and a SOFT copy of the bound bid documents duly signed, paginated, separated by dividers and arranged in the order outlined hereunder: Mandatory Requirements (SOFT and HARD COPIES) 1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). 2. Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years 2011, 2012 & 2013 3. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. 4. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act No. 19 of 2011 5. Evidence of Company and Personnel registration Certificate with COREN Other Requirements (SOFT and HARD COPIES) 6. Evidence of similar projects executed in the past including letters of awards, completion certificates etc. 7. Company profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel 8. All relevant information concerning contact, telephone, fax and e-mail address of company representative 9. For Joint Venture (JV)/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided. 10. Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorized to bind the bidder to a contract. D. SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST DOCUMENT The expressions of interest (EOI) documents are to be submitted in triplicate (one original and two duplicate) copies (One (1) soft and three (3) hard copies) for each desired lot, paginated and arranged with dividers as indicated above. The expression of interest documents should be submitted in sealed envelope and addressed to the “SECRETARY TO THE TENDER BOARD, NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY” and clearly marked “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR (Description of Service and Lot number), P.N. 3882“, and dropped in the designated Tender Box located on the ground floor, room 029, Nigerian Ports Authority Headquarters at 26/28, Marina Lagos not later than 11.00am on Monday 3rd November 2014. All received bids will be opened immediately at the Conference room, 1 Joseph Street, off Marina, Lagos in the presence of bidders or their representatives. Please ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager, Procurement as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager, Procurement” on e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org. Note that this invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any responding company for; 1. Award of Contract 2. Acceptance of any tender and wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. All costs incurred as a result of this tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
24
Monday, October 20, 2014
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY 26/28, MARINA LAGOS
PUBLIC NOTICE NO.3883
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE CONDITION SURVEY OF VARIOUS PORTS A. INTRODUCTION The Nigerian Ports Authority seeks to engage the services of competent consultants for Condition Survey of the Und`er listed Ports. LOT 1 2 3
PROJECT DESCRIPTION Condition Survey of Calabar Port Sheet Piles, Cross River State Condition Survey of Sapele Port Sheet Piles, Delta State Condition Survey of Koko Port Sheet Piles, Delta State
Please, note that bidders are not allowed to bid for more than Two (2) Lots B. SCOPE OF PROJECTS The scope of the project would be made available to the prequalified bidders. C. PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Interested companies should submit three (3) HARD copies (one original and two duplicate copies) and a SOFT copy (MS Word/Excel/PDF) of the bound documents duly signed, paginated, separated by dividers and arranged in the order outlined hereunder: Mandatory Requirements (SOFT and HARD COPIES) 1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC. 2. Evidence of Company Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2011, 2012 & 2013). 3. Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. 4. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act. No. 19 of 2011. 5. Company and personnel’s registration with COREN for the engineering services. Other Requirements 1. Evidence of similar projects executed including award letters and project completion/payment certificates. 2. Company profile to include names, qualifications and experience of key personnel. 3. All relevant information concerning contact, telephone, fax and e-mail address of company representatives. 4. For Joint Venture (JV)/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be provided. 5. Bids must be in English language, in clear copy and signed by an official authorized by the company. D. SUBMISSION OF PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS One (1) soft and three (3) hard copies of prequalification documents (comprising one original and two duplicate copies) should be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE CONDITION SURVEY OF VARIOUS PORTS” specifying Public Notice No 3880 and appropriate LOT No and Title, addressed to The Secretary, Tenders Board, Nigerian Ports Authority and dropped in the designated Tender Box located on the ground floor, Nigerian Ports Authority Headquarters at 26/28, Marina Lagos not later than 11.00 am on Monday, 3rd November, 2014. All received bids will be opened immediately at the Conference room, 1 Joseph Street, off Marina, Lagos in the presence of bidders or their representatives. Please, ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the General Manager, Procurement, ground floor, as the Authority will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “General Manager (Procurement)” on e-mail: info.procurement@nigerianports.org. Note that this invitation to tender does not place any obligation on the Authority to consider any bidder for: 1. Award of Contract. 2. Acceptance of any tender as wrongly placed tenders would not be entertained. All costs incurred as a result of this tender invitation and any subsequent requests for information shall be borne by the bidding companies. Late submission will not be entertained and only short-listed companies will be contacted.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
BUSINESS/insurance 25
Monday, October 20, 2014
PTAD Lists Hurdles To Regular Pension Payment STORIES By Chika Izuora,
Lagos
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) created under the provisions of the Pension Reform Act (PRA 2004), now amended 2014, has said it would take sometime to totalling resolve the crises facing the pension industry. The agency said chief among the problems was lack of transparency which gave rise to indecent style of stealing and embarrassing corrupt practices leading to monumental theft. The director-general (DG) of the PTAD, Nellie Mayshak, who gave insight into activities of the agency in Lagos said till date several
genuinely retired civil servants cannot draw their hard earned pension because their names are missing from the list of pensioners. Mayshak, who was addressing disenchanted pensioners in Lagos during its “Stakeholder Sensitisation Workshop On Pension Management Under Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS)” held that the corruption that characterised the industry resulted in the smuggling of nonexisting pensioners into the list, thus depriving genuine retiree’s their money. She said that the PTAD has exerted energy in transforming the process and systematically bringing sanity into the system.
According to her, the intervention of the agency has resulted in monthly payment of pension to those captured in the database which is still being perfected. The DBS lacked such data in the past she said. One of the key achievements of the agency according to her is introduction of electronically generated payment through the government integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS). She observed, however, that many payments made to pensioners through their banks were being returned. The DG said they were able to track the returned money through a robust
Police Pension Scheme A Big Mess – Mayshak
mechanism the agency established to check failed payments made to pensioners. But she said, however, that while payment dragged sometimes is because the agency is not in custody of such money. “Electronic payment is restoring trust in the system, there are many people on payroll who are not pensioners but we have conducted miniverification of some categories of police and civil service pensioners, established robust complaints resolution mechanism, improved services for pensioners, restored payment of monthly pension to genuine pensioners who were removed from the payroll,” Mayshak said.
The Nigeria Police Pension scandal once again came into focus when the director-general (DG) of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs Nellie Mayshak, disclosed some sharp practices recently uncovered by the federal budget office. Mayshak, who was speaking to pensioners from various security agencies who formed part of the stakeholders at its sensitisation workshop, lamented that up until now, some police officers who retired about six years ago have not received their pension and are not captured in any of the available documents. The DG, who was visibly sad over the incident, described the situation as very unfortunate and inexplicable. She said many police officers are retired many years ago but because of deep corrupt practices they could not find their names on retired police files. “It is a big mess,” she lamented, adding that from the budget office,
the police pension receives about N1.5 billion monthly while they actually pay out N500 million. She said, however, that the agency has successfully consolidated the three pension offices and pension departments/ boards of trustees of all federally funded parastatals. Mayshak named them to include the civil service pension department (CSPD), police pension department (PPD), and the custom, immigration, prison pension department (CIPPD). She said the strategies being adopted by the agency is still evolving and because federally funded parastatals are about 300, the agency will continue to bring them on board as it gains knowledge and strength. “We want to assure all genuine pensioners of the safety of their money. We have ensured seamless transfer of your money directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to your bank accounts to make it safe.
NCRIB Battles For Space In Disaster Management
The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) is mobilising resources and embarking on advocacy initiative to ensure the insurance industry is given its rightful opportunity to participate in disaster management. The council laments that the insurance industry, which had the professional obligations
of risk mitigation, had often been sidelined in disaster management in Nigeria contrary to what obtains in developed countries of the world. To reverse the trend, insurance involvement in disaster management is to take the centre stage at the National Insurance Conference of the NCRIB in Abuja on October 22. The theme of the conference is ‘Disaster
Management: Any role for Insurance?’ According to the chairman of the events organising committee of the conference, Sola Tinubu, the conference which is expected to draw participation from disaster and insurance management institutions in Nigeria and abroad, is to further impress the role of insurance industry in disaster management.
Custodian Introduces Mobile Insurance Application Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited has unveiled a mobile insurance application that enables customers to do their transactions on their internet-enabled devices. The company said in a statement that the application could be used on smartphones, iPads and computers. “This mobile app called Custodian Direct is in line with the efforts of the National Insurance
Commission (NIC) to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria so that the majority of the people can embrace insurance as a way of life,” it said. The firm said Custodian Direct was a self-service insurance product that would allow its existing and prospective customers to purchase and manage their insurance policies from any internet-enabled device. Using the application,
according to it, customers can manage their insurance policies, submit and track claims and generate their insurance certificates and policy documents without relating with any agent. According to the statement, the application helps customers take pictures and file a claim at the scene of any incident involving insured items without visiting the offices of the insurance company or speaking to an agent.
NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY 26/28, MARINA LAGOS
CORRIGENDUM The Nigerian Ports Authority hereby wishes to draw the attention of all concerned bidders and General Public to an earlier publication in Federal Tenders Journals, Guardian and Daily Trust Newspapers of Monday, 22nd September, 2014 in respect of: 1. Invitation to Tender for The Rehabilitation of Tin-can Island Port Water Supply Public Notice No: 3873. This is hereby cancelled for public interest and will be re-advertised as Pre-qualification of Contractors for the Rehabilitation of Water Supply System Network at Tin-can Island Port, Public Notice No: 3877 We regret any inconvenience this might have caused you. SIGNED MANAGEMENT NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
26 CAPITAL MARKET/BUSINESS
Monday, October 20, 2014
CAPITAL MARKET REPORTS
Market Capitalisation Sheds N741bn
Analysts Differ On Compulsory Listing for Top Firms STORIES By OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos
Capital market analysts have expressed mixed views on the proposed bill seeking to compel top private firms to list their shares on a recognised stock exchange. While some analysts are of the view that multinational companies in the country must be compelled to list on a stock market so as to deepen the Nigerian capital market and contribute to the nation’s economic growth, others are of the view that compelling companies to list may drive away foreign companies from Nigeria to other African countries. The bill, sponsored by a member of the House of Representatives, Mr Chris Azubogu, applies to companies that have an annual turnover exceeding N80 billion or whose shareholders’ funds surpass N40 billion and it passed the second reading stage at the House of Representatives in June. The bill is entitled ‘A Bill for an Act to provide for private companies whose shareholders’ funds exceed N40 billion or annual turnover N80 billion, or their total assets N80 billion, to convert to public liability companies and get their shares listed on the stock exchange, thereby promoting growth for both the companies and the Nigerian capital market and other related matters. The managing director of Highcap Securities Limited, Mr David Adonri, said such a bill had become necessary because efforts to get the companies to list voluntarily had not yielded the desired result. “We have discovered that several
persuasive strategies have been put in place in the recent past and the response has not been too encouraging. That underscores the need for legislation to compel major enterprises in this economy to be publicly quoted,” he said. According to him, as it is, the contribution of the Nigerian capital market to the rebased gross domestic product (GDP) is just about 15 per cent or below, whereas in several other emerging markets and advanced economies, the contribution of their capital markets to GDP is far higher. “That is why our own market lacks the absorption capacity and any credit boom in the economy drives it into a bubble. So it is a welcome development and we support it,” he said. Adonri, who noted that various legislation such as the indigenisation decree had contributed to the growth of the market in the past, insisted that legislation was still vital in developing the market. In his own view, a stockbroker with Golden Securities Limited, Mr Tunde Oyediran, said there is need to urgently shore up the liquidity of Nigeria’s capital market which will in turn restore the much needed investor confidence. “Getting the telecommunication firms as well as oil and gas multinationals to list on the exchange will boost liquidity that will transform the fortunes of the capital market,” he said. Oyediran cited instances of some African countries that have legislation in place compelling multinationals to list on the host countries’ exchanges, saying,
“In 2002, Kenya enacted the Foreign Investor Regulation, which compelled multinationals operating in the country to list on the capital market. The legislation, provided for a minimum of 25 per cent reserve of the issued share capital for local investors, while the balance of 75 per cent was left for other categories of investors.” However, a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Limited on Tax and Regulatory Services, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, recently at the media enhancement training organised by the PwC in Lagos, said, “If all the companies operating in Nigeria with shareholders’ funds in excess of N40 billion or with annual turnover of over N80 billion are forced to list on the Nigerian bourse, the foreign firms may leave the country for other African countries because such it is not encouraging. Also, he stated that if private big companies list on the exchange, the market may not have the capacity to absorb the shares. He said, “This is because investors will want to sell their shares in other companies to buy the shares of companies like MTN, Glo, Chevron and so on. So if everybody is selling and nobody is buying, prices will tumble and this may crash the market.” According to him, when Dangote Cement came to the market, because of the huge shares it has, it could only list five per cent of its shares. The $80 billion market capitalisation of the NSE is just a fraction of the market capitalisation of a company like Apple with $500 billion.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed last week on a bearish note as the shares of companies remained subdued by both global and domestic economic concerns. According to analysts from Cordros Capital Limited, fears of a faltering global economic recovery as well as the falling crude oil prices given its potential impact on government earnings and the exchange rate are some of the major scares affecting investors’ sentiments towards the local bourse. They noted that a benign outlook for the rest of the year in view of the upcoming election also continued to force investors to stay back from the market. The market capitalisation depreciated by N741 billion or 5.55 per cent to close at N12.613 trillion when compared with the N13.354 trillion posted the previous week. Equally, the All-Share Index decreased by 2,246.66 points or 5.55 per cent to close at 38,197.73 as against the 40,444.39 achieved the previous week.
Foreign Investors Trade N110.4bn In August Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) in the equities market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) traded N110.40 billion in August. According to the bourse domestic & foreign portfolio participation report for August, the FPI transactions at the nation’s bourse which recorded its lowest flows for the year in July increased significantly to N110.4 billion in August, up by 95.68 per cent from July 2014. The domestic investors conceded about 62.86 per cent of trading to foreign investors as domestic transactions decreased significantly from 74.83 per cent to 18.57 per cent while the FPI transactions increased from 25.17 per cent to 81.43 per cent over the same period Total transaction for the domestic and foreign portfolio participation on the NSE decreased by 25.49 per cent from N181.97 billion in January to N135.58 billion in August and foreign portfolio investors’ inflows accounted for 39.73 per cent of total transactions while the outflows accounted for 41.70 per cent of the total transactions in August 2014.
Berger Paints Appoints 3 New Directors
there is need to urgently shore up the liquidity of Nigeria’s capital market which will in turn restore the much needed investor confidence
Berger Paints Nigeria Plc has announced the appointment of three new non-executive directors to its board to replace those who recently retired. The new directors are Mr Raj Mangtani, Adekunle Olowokande and Mr Patrick Nnamdi Buruche. Mangtani holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Bombay. He is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management and the Indian Professionals Association of Nigeria. He is the managing director of Emychem Limited, a leading chemical marketing company. He also serves on the board of such notable manufacturing companies as Metcem Limited and Zaika Foods Ingredient Ltd as non-executive director. Olowokande is a chartered accountant with considerable work experience in the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria. He holds a Masters Degree in International Finance from the London Metropolitan University. While, Patrick Buruche holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He is a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and a registered with the COREN.
Monday, October 20, 2014
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Monday, October 20, 2014
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Monday, October 20, 2014
REPORT OF THE
TRANSFORMATION
AGENDA
zi go .N Dr joon Ok
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
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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.
la
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Dr. O luseg
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.
un A gang
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.
a
To participwaithteph:otographs, charts and graphs and call
sation’s achievements along o: 08068640944, Simply compile the organi08037880164 or 08099231246, Henry Ubimag21 16707 Reginald Ibe: 52766, Tosin Allen: 0805 newspaper 45 06 07 : in am nj Be o ay Adeb ent inant Abuja resid m o d e th in it ll te Show and
30
healthful
Monday, October 20, 2014
. . . C O N D U C I V E TO G O O D H E A LT H O F B O D Y O R M I N D
rid your pet of the critters. (Oddly, one of the most consequential insect bites, that of the deer tick that transmits Lyme disease, rarely causes itching.) • Fungal infections. If your itchy rash looks flat and brownish red and is in a dark, warm, moist spot like your groin, armpits, or feet, you probably have a fungal infection. Over-the-counter fungicidal creams, ointments, and powders are the initial treatment of choice, though stubborn infections might require oral prescription medications. • Skin allergy. The red, blistery, sometimes weepy and intensely itchy condition of contact dermatitis is, as its name indicates, caused by direct contact with an allergen. Common culprits are shampoos, heavy metals (especially nickel) in jewelry, elastic in underwear, liquid detergents, poison ivy, and poison oak. But the cause can be difficult to pin down, since it might be as obscure as a single ingredient in a hair spray. Steroid creams can provide some relief until you find and banish the culprit.
To Scratch An Itch
T
hough itching is a universal human affliction, science still cannot fully explain the exact mechanism by which we perceive an itch-or why scratching provides such fast relief. What we do know is that several chemicals produced by the body can cause itching, the most notorious being histamine. We also know that, though itching and pain sensations are carried by different nerve fibers, there must be interconnections. Very hot or cold applications, for example, can make an itch stop. And oral painkillers can often help relieve it. A study that scanned brain activity in people with deliberately induced itching found that when they were allowed to scratch, areas of their brains associated with unpleasant sensations, such as itching, became less active, while areas associated with pain became more so. Itching is a symptom that can signal a near-limitless variety of problems, from trivial to lifethreatening. If you have a persistent itch, here’s how to proceed. Itching can be generalized or limited to one or more specific lo-
cations. If the itch is localized and accompanied by a rash, here are the main culprits to investigate, in approximate order of likelihood: • Common insect bites. Bites from mosquitoes or no-see-ums usually require only a cold compress or steroid cream to ease discomfort. Spider bites can cause blistering and ulceration in addition to itching and might require topical antibiotics. If you’re stung by a bee, carefully remove the stinger. Consider seeking medical attention when inflammation and swelling extend well beyond the bite site, since you might require oral antihistamines or corticosteroids. • Less common insect-related itching. Scabies (which is diagnosed with a skin biopsy), head and pubic lice (crabs), bedbug bites (mostly on the torso), and flea bites (usually below the knees of dog owners) all cause severe itching. Each requires a specific eradication technique. Overthe-counter permethrin shampoos generally eliminate head and pubic lice and scabies. Call a professional exterminator to get rid of bedbugs. As for fleas, the remedy is to
Itching all over With or without a rash, itches that have spread over your whole body sometimes indicate more serious conditions. Common causes include: • Dry skin. This is the most common cause of total body itching and is especially likely in the dehydrated air of heated winter interiors. The main danger of such itching is scratching, which can lead to skin infections caused by resistant bacteria. Faithful use of emollient creams can help, especially after bathing or showering. Hives. Also known as urticarial, this itchy, generalised rash of red skin bumps or wheals is usually caused by a reaction to medications or foods. Penicillin is a common offender among drugs, and shellfish among foods. If you can identify the cause, stay away from it for good, because it might cause an even more severe reaction the next time. But sometimes the source is never found, in which case you have idiopathic urticarial. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are often necessary. • Systemic illnesses. More rarely, generalized itching, usually without a rash, can signal conditions that include anaemia or thyroid, live, or kidney disease. And at times it can be a tip-off to lymphoma or an underlying internal cancer. If you experience prolonged itching over your whole body that you cannot attribute to an allergic reaction or dry skin, a visit to your doctor is in order. Culled from Guide ti Better Health
Lowering Blood Sugar
Sandwiches And Bread
Top 7 Foods To Avoid To Combat Headaches Naturally
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Night shade vegetables: Vegetables including eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, when heavily consumed cause headaches
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Tinned Soups: Tinned soups consist of added preservatives that can cause headaches.
➌
Segmented Soya Products: Soya sauce contains two of the most headache causing chemicals which are tyramine and MSG.
➍
Smoked/ Dried Foods: All smoked, pickled, fragmented or marinated meats specially smoked or dried fish causes headaches.
➎
Dried fruits and nuts: These foods contain a substance called sulfites, which are basically responsible for triggering the headaches.
➏
Aged Cheeses: All types of cheese specially aged cheese causes headaches.
➐
Cold Foods: It is a well-known factor that cold foods especially ice creams cause severe headaches.
Once you understand that blood-sugar control has to involve a reduced-carbohydrate diet, you might conclude that sandwiches must become a thing of the past. You would be wrong. Bread is not something you need to forsake, but you do have to be discriminating about the type of bread you eat, and the amount. Before we get to what is allowable, first let me dispel a myth that has been perpetuated by well-meaning but deluded folks: just because a bread is whole wheat does not mean you can eat as much of it as you like. Whole- wheat bread is definitely more nutritious than white bread, but it is almost exactly like white bread in its propensity to break down into sugar and hit your bloodstream with blazing speed. A blogger named Richard Smith decided to run a test on him and compare the effects of whole-grain foods on his blood sugar to a 12-ounce Pepsi. The Pepsi, containing 42 grams of carbs, raised his blood sugar to 156 one hour after eating. But eating two slices of wholewheat toast with milk raised his blood sugar to 173. Oatmeal and milk spiked his blood sugar to 163. Most doctors and medical “experts” would roundly condemn drinking the Pepsi (foydiabetics) but would give the soymeal and the whole- wheat toast a free pass. Smith concluded, “It is no surprise that meals with whole-grain starches have about the same effect on my blood sugar as drinking a 12oz. Pepsi.” In a word, bread can be a good food in moderation, but you have to be extremely careful. Let’s get back to sandwiches. You do not have to give up sandwiches! You just have to be discriminating about the bread that you use and the ingredients you place between the bread. You can order low-carb bread and bread mixes from any number of internet companies. Check the carbs, but almost all of these are low enough to allow you to use two slices in a sandwich without running up your blood sugar. But if you’re like me, you prefer items that can be purchased at your local grocery stores. They’re almost always cheaper, you don’t have to pay for shipping, and they’re more convenient. And if possible you would prefer foods already made and ready to consume rather than things you have to bake. Culled from 60 ways to Lower Your BLOOD SUGAR
31
Monday, October 20, 2014
4,000
The Ebola Virus Disease is presently ravaging Liberia, Sierra Leone and Gurinea with a death toll of more than 4,000 people
72
Scientists estimate that an average lifetime total heart beats is based on an average of 72 beats per minute during an average lifespan of 75 years
Best Postures In Front Of Your Computer Screen In this technology driven world it is imperative to use technology for the reason it has been created- to make things easier for us! But if using technology is taking a toll on your body then it’s time to analyse your ways of using it. People constantly complain of stiffness of neck, eye strain and headaches because of computer usage. Here are the best postures to maintain while sitting in front of your computer screen to avoid the unnecessary strain: Shoulders: Sit in an upright position with your eyes in straight line with the top of your com-
puter screen. Relax your shoulders by resting your elbows on the arms of the chair and wrists at the table top. Eyes: Avoid eye strain by taking frequent breaks to look away from the screen. Focus on any distant object. You can also close your eyes for a few seconds and press it with your palms for instant relief. Make a conscious effort to blink your eyes in between your work because it helps in lubricating them. Neck: Simple neck exercises can help you get rid of the excess pressure on the neck. Culled from zeenew.com
Foods That Make You Smell Bad
Prolonged Use Of Touch-Screens Leads To Chronic Shoulder Problems
The way in which we eat food influences our body odour as well as our breath. Impurities and toxins in the body from improperly digested foods result in body odour. Body odour occurs due to excessive use of deodorants, but sometimes, it can also be of food items. Here is a list of foods that make you smell badRed meat: It causes stagnation in the body. It also putrefies in the digestive tract and releases all sorts of toxins into the bloodstream through the large intestine. This in turn is ejected as flatulence and sweat that reeks.
A new study has revealed that using touch-screen keyboards on tablet computers for long periods of time could lead to chronic shoulder problems. The study found that touch screen, or virtual, keyboards, which lack a feedback mechanism indicating a key has been pressed, require less typing force and finger-muscle activity than conventional keyboards, but tablet users must keep their fingers hovering above the keyboard to avoid accidentally activating the keys, Fox News reported. The study found that the muscle activity in the forearms was lowest when the subjects were typing on a virtual keyboard, while it was higher in the trapezius muscles in the upper back, which support the shoulders and arms.
Daily Consumption Of Fruit Juice Can Create Problems For Your Heart A new study has found that daily consumption of fruit juice can actually prove dangerous for the heart. According to study’s lead author, Dr Matthew Pase, from the Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, the sweet drinks could significantly increase the central blood pressure of the people who have it on daily basis than the ones who have it occasionally, which could heighten the risk of heart attack or angina and cognitive impairment, the Daily Express reported. She added that though fruit juices have the essential vitamins, they also contain high amounts of sugar, and the findings were important since it was commonly believed that it is good for health. Culled from zeenew.com
Foods with pungent ingredients : Food with strong smelling ingredients like garlic and other spices cause bad breath. Not only bad breath but they are also responsible for body odour because of the sulfurous gases produced when digested. Too fibrous food: Gases like hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane are released when you eat too much foods that contain soluble fiber like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes. These food items can give rise to pungent body smell.
Culled from zeenew.com
Culled from zeenew.com
healthful Q &A
How Friends Can Make You ‘Fat’
Friends can actually make you fat by insisting to share a chocolate cake they know you love so much, and you know that you shouldn’t have but can’t really say no to. The new study says that people feel happier and regret free when someone insists them to indulge in sharing some dessert or indulge in other guilty plea-
sures. According to authors Fangyuan Chen and Jaideep Sengupta from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, though generally people don’t like to be forced t do things, when it comes to things that are normally associated with feelings of guilt, reducing someone’s sense of free choice could ultimately boost their overall wellbeing. In one study, a group of consumers was asked to read a book that was either entertaining or educational. These consumers were either able to choose the book themselves or simply given one of the two books. Consumers who read the educational book experienced equal levels of guilt, vitality, and creativity regardless of whether they had chosen or were given the book. However, consumers who were given the entertaining book experienced significantly less guilt and much higher vitality and creativity than those who had freely chosen the entertaining book. The authors concluded that in an effort to avoid punishment, children would say someone else “made them” break the rules. As it turns out, this evasion of responsibility also works surprisingly well for adults and may carry substantial benefits for consumers. Culled from zeenew.com
Some people say they can tell when it’s going to rain because they can “feel” it in their bones. Is this true? Yes. Changes in the weather-including a fall in atmospheric pressure, which can signal rain-can alter the pressure in the space surrounding joints, sometimes enough to cause perceptible discomfort. The effect is especially painful for people with joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, particularly when the weather changes suddenly. People with muscle inflammation or previous injuries may also suffer weather-related pain. An over- the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) or ibuprofen (Advil and generic), or using an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes on sore areas might provide some relief. Gentle exercise and stretching might also help. Culled from Guide to Better Health
32 NEWS /HEALTH
Monday, October 20, 2014
Representative of ACFF Chairman Global Expert, Mr. Cheslin Twigg; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Al-Hassan; Alliance for Cavity Free Future (ACFF) Nigerian Chapter Chairman and President Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe; Representative of the Senate President, Senator Anthony George Manzo, at the launch of ACFF in Abuja, yesterday.
5bn People Suffer Dental Condition By Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja
About five billion, nearly 80 per cent of the world’s population are said to suffer from tooth decay, which is the most chronic disease on the planet. This was disclosed over the weekend in Abuja by the chairman of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFFF) , Prof Nigel Pitts during the launch of the 16th chapter of the alliance in Nigeria. He said that many nutritional problems will affect the mouth before the rest of the body be-
cause the cells in the lining of the mouth, called the oral mucosa are constantly being created and destroyed, adding, “in some areas of the mouth, cells completely turn over, with a whole new group of cells taking the place of old cells, in three to seven days.” Pitts who was represented by Mr Cheslin Twigg explained that the alliance is a global alliance of dental and public health professionals with the primary aim to stop dental (caries) now for a cavity-free future. He said, “according to the World
Health Organisation, dental caries is recognized as the most prevalent disease in the world and it affects 60-90 per cent of children in industrialized countries as well as majority of adults.” He also called for national collaborative action to challenge leaders and stakeholders in the community to learn about cavities and how their prevalence is considered a disease that is preventable and in the early stages reversible. Speaking at the launch, the alliance chairman in the country, who is also the president of the Nigeri-
an Dental Association, Dr Olabode Ijarogbe, said that in line with the vision of the Oral Health Policy of the federal government to improve oral health status of Nigerians, the alliance intends to partner with key stakeholders in oral health in Nigeria to achieve a caries-free population by the year 2026. According to him, “the Nigerian expert panel has been carefully chosen to include some of the leaders and key stakeholders in dentistry in Nigeria, which include the most credible and respected professionals in the country.”
HPV: Experts Advocate Vaccination For Girls By VICTOR OKEKE, Abuja
Medical experts have canvassed for girls not yet exposed to sex to be administered with a new vaccine that protects women against human papillomavirus (HPV) which they said accounst for at least, 85 per cent of cervical abnormalities that can develop into cancer. A geriatrician and consultant physician with the National Hospital Abuja, Dr Ogugua Osi-ogbu made this recommendation yesterday at a summit organized by the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association with the theme, Women: An Endangered Specie; the Role of a Medic. Dr Osi-ogbu said that “Almost all cas-
es of cervical cancer are caused by HPV infection. But of more than 100 different types of HPV, only around 12 – known as ‘high risk’ types – have been linked to cancer. The vaccine can prevent the development of cancer itself, and of pre-cancers - alterations to cells in the cervix known as ‘cervical intraepithelial neoplasia’.” “HPV vaccination is ideally recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls who have not become sexually active and not yet exposed to HPV,” she said. She also admonished the medical students to ensure best practices for the treatment of conditions, engage in health promotion campaigns at the local
communities and within their hospitals. Dr Osi-ogbu, who is also the immediate past president of Medical Women Association of Nigeria told the students to “Become advocates to their communities, policy makers, governments and right groups. Collaborate with initiatives of right partners, be mentors to children and have a good therapeutic lifestyle.” Earlier in his address, the President of the medical students Eche Ugochukwu said that the medical doctor has a role in advocating for women’s right because of the valued attached to them by society which put them in a good position to influence the mentality of the publics.
Foundation Fights Breast Cancer By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos
As part of the global campaign against breast cancer, Pink Pearl Foundation - a public service charity organization championing women empowerment in the fight against breast cancer will hold its maiden one-day programme as a means to provide psychological help to breast cancer patients and survivors. According to the CEO, Pink Pearl Foundation, Orode Ryan Okpu said, The most significant progress we have made to reduce death rate from cancer is
through early detection; this yields better long term outcomes and lower morbidity rates. “Our Foundation contributes to the reduction of suffering, permanent physical damage/ disfigurement and death caused by breast cancer as we believe that if you can save a woman, then you have saved a generation.” “Hope Session is a breast cancer support group designed to provide psychological help to breast cancer patients and survivors”, he added. Okpu maintained that the support
group, which consists of informative and interactive seminars which include psychology, well-being, therapy, body aesthetics & recreation programs anchored by the foundation’s ambassadors - Maje Ayida, Banke Meshida-Lawal, Leila Fowler amongst others. “Hope Session”. Which will hold in October is testament to the Foundation’s dedication to increase public awareness through education about symptoms, prevention, diseases processes and the importance of regular examination for early detection”, it said.
40%
The Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan said about 40 per cent of women are unhealthy.
6,000
No fewer than 6,000 vulnerable women are to benefit from free medical treatment in Kwande, Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
591
No fewer than591 Nigerians have registered to join the Ebola voluntary group for deployment in Ebola hardhit Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the federal government has said.
Going Nuts For Coconut Water Scott Mendelsohn: Says coconut water is here to stay. One of the hottest trends of the past few years is coconut water. While the drink was virtually unheard of a decade ago, an increasing number of brands are being launched on the market. There’s no doubting the popularly of the drink, which is made from the juice of young, green coconuts. Data from Euromonitor show that the world’s largest provider, Vita Coco, sold nearly $US270 million of coconut water in 2013 – nearly 300 times what it did in 2004, when the first such drink was sold. Large beverage providers have also got in on the act. Coca-Cola owns Zico, the second-largest brand in the US, which generated $US87 million last year, while Pepsi owns O.N.E – the third-largest brand in the US. Coconut water is marketed as a healthy and natural drink option. Suppliers claim it is a low-calorie drink that provides many minerals useful for sports lovers, such as potassium and magnesium. But the quality of each brand varies considerably. Some providers add sugar or combine it with fruit juice.
Easy Tips For Fasting While one is fasting, lot of toxins are released from the body which makes one feel lethargic, moody or even grumpy due to lack of energy. So, for a healthy fasting it is important to be prepared a week ahead. Here are some fasting do’s and dont’s, which, if followed can minimise the side effects of fasting. Before the fast The sargi: While having your sargi early in the morning, make sure not to eat a lot of sugary food as they tend to increase hunger pangs later in the day. Instead try eating protein rich food as it is a healthy option and will keep you full throughout the day. Nuts: Eating nuts early in the morning is a good option as they are a rich source of protein and other essential fats and will leave you feeling full for a longer time.
HEALTH 33
Monday, October 20, 2014
‘We’re Still Far From Achieving Our Blood Target’ Dr Ifeoma Ogbue is the Zonal Coordinator, North West Zone of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Kaduna Center. In this Interview with WINIFRED OGBEBO she gives insight into the working of the National Blood Transfusion Service.
What are the challenges militating against blood donation in the country?
short BIO OF Dr Ifeoma Ogbue
One of the challenges is poor understanding of the general public about the constant need for safe blood; we need people to understand that even though we get a great response whenever there are mass casualties, we also need blood all the time, for accident victims, surgeries, pregnant women who bleed while giving birth, to treat infections and anaemia in children. Other challenges include insufficient sites for blood collection, not enough staff to penetrate the nooks and corners of the country. Previously held myths about blood also contributed to the slow uptake of our people, but with persistent public enlightenment and real life stories of those whose lives were saved by blood transfusion, that is beginning to change. A lot of the community resistance has begun to soften, with the active involvement of community leaders and “gatekeepers” in the national blood safety campaign. How many pints of blood does Nigeria as a country need annually, and how many presently do we have?
Ogbue is the Zonal Coordinator, North West Zone of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Kaduna Center
A very rough estimate says we need one million units of safe whole blood and blood components in Nigeria each year. However, more thorough national needs assessment will be conducted to further refine this estimate. In the past few years, it is estimated that from all sources (private and
Dr Biodun Ogungbo MBBS, FRCS, FRCSEd, MSc. Consultant Neurosurgeon
08122221616 (SMS only)
The Man Who Died Three Times And Yet Liveth! This is an appeal for your help. The story tells of the Grace of God and the endurance of love between a man and a woman. I was privileged to witness both aspects as it played out in Garki Hospital, Abuja.
How has the drive to facilitate blood donation been?
Advocacy, public education and voluntary blood donor mobilization; all these have been an enjoyable challenge. We started off in October 2004 with only nine voluntary donors. Today, in the NW Zone, with Kaduna as zonal headquarters, we have over 4000 voluntary blood donors on our register. About 300 of these donors have giving blood over 15 times. We have employed several strategies including one-on-one, tele-recruiting, adverts and jingles in electronic media, talk shows on radio and television. We use every opportunity when we get a captive audience such as during church services, after mosque prayers, at school assemblies, student rallies, etc
Surgeon’s Turf
Death Number One Mr Ikechukwu Obiora was rushed to the hospital after collapsing. He was unconscious, desperate and dying. He had suffered a stroke and had rivers of blood inside his brain. After the emergency brain scan, we rushed him into the theatre and put two drains in his head to remove blood clots. This released the massive pressure on his brain. However, he remained unconscious, dead to the world and had to be transferred to the intensive care unit for a machine to breathe for him. We intubated him by passing a tube through the mouth, the neck, his throat and into the lungs. This helped him breathe and so sustained his life.
Ogbue
government hospitals, and blood banks) the country has probably met only 50 per cent of our needs. Many people die needlessly, because of inadequate supplies of safe blood. Many others are infected from transfusion of tainted blood. Are we having an increase in the number of blood donors at all or decrease or its stagnant?
Over the past five years, we have recorded a geometric rise in the numbers of voluntary blood donors. Our data graphs for new blood donors shows a 30% increase in the number of blood donors overall, and several of these blood donors are giving blood at least three times each year. This makes our blood supplies even safer. Given the importance of blood, is the country having its blood requirement met annually?
Not yet. But we will get there, I am very optimistic. In your drive for blood donation, what are you doing in terms of safety, especially against the backdrop of haemorrhagic diseases like lassa fever, denague and Ebola. Do you have the modern facilities to screen for them?
The NBTS has trained all staff that come in contact with blood donors, and those who carry out tests on the donated blood, in universal precautions and infection control. We also dispose of all biological waste in an ethical and approved manner according to standard operating procedures. The
NBTS does not screen for haemorrhagic fevers; this is done only in very specialized labs with level 4 bio-security. However, all potential donors are encouraged to give detailed past medical histories, and are specifically asked about travel history and contact with ill persons in the preceding three months. Temperature monitoring is also done during pre-donation check-up with appropriate deferral of those not eligible to give blood. Also, given the presence of these diseases, is there a need now for blood increase in the country?
Most cases of haemorrhagic fevers require rehydration, most importantly, during the early stage of illness, for which there are appropriate fluids that can be given through the veins. In rare cases where patients who survived the initial stage begin to lose blood, blood products should be given. With the current proactive stand taken by the Minister of Health, and the rest of the health community in the country, I believe the potential epidemic has been arrested. However, eternal vigilance is our watchword. How many voluntary blood donors have walked into your centre to donate blood since the beginning of this year?
A total of 1,567 voluntary blood donors have been bled in Kaduna, some of them 3 times this year. Out of this number, 368 have been walk-in donors. The others have donated blood at mobile blood drives, and at a few fixed drives at religious institutions and schools
Death Number Two After about ten days in the intensive unit, we decided to put in a hole directly in his throat (tracheostomy) to help him breathe. This helps us in cleaning the chest and reduces the work of breathing in patients who cannot breathe well by themselves. On removing the tube at what we thought was a safe period, he deteriorated immediately and died in his bed. He could not breathe as his throat had swollen shut and cut off air going to the lungs. We rushed to resuscitate him, keep him alive and then secured the tube back into his lungs with great difficulty. Luckily, he rallied round and survived this second ordeal. Death Number Three Part of the management of this type of stroke is to shrink the brain thus reducing the pressure inside the skull. We use a drug called Mannitol. This is a type of sugar which draws water out of the brain to reduce swelling. The same drug is removed through the kidneys and in large doses can damage the kidneys. Well, that is exactly what happened! His kidneys packed up and stopped removing dirty, poisonous waste from his body. The waste was killing him, again! He became swollen like the famous Michelin man, full of water and waste that the body could not get rid of. Thus, we had another major problem to fix. This required dialysis. Dialysis is the means of using machines to clean the blood and remove the poisonous waste products from our body. Ikechukwu had dialysis every week for months till his kidneys recovered sufficiently to do the job themselves. Yet he lives! It was obvious that God has a major plan for Mr Obiora. He survived death on three occasions and today lives to tell the tale. Well, not really. He does not remember these most trying times. The single rock of support and his historian (the person who knows what he went through) was his wife. She stood by him through thick and thin till today. She supported him day and night and suffered through the agonies, his trials and tribulations, deaths and life! That is everlasting love.
34 THE NATION’S CAPITAL
NGO Sinks Boreholes In Guzape Village By Igho Oyoyo
A nongovernmental organization, Soroptimist International, has sank boreholes in Guzape community in Asokoro District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the aim of alleviating the suffering of residents. While commissioning the project, president of the organisation, Mrs. Anthonia Okoli, said the choice of sinking a borehole was part of the organisation’s cardinal point, saying that water is life. According to Okoli, about six communities have been mapped out for water projects in rural areas, as part of the organisation’s humanitarian’s service. She said that other projects being executed by the NGO include scholarship for indigent children, widow’s empowerment programme and construction of classrooms in various rural communities of the FCT. Okoli said that the organisation will also donate a well equipped shop to a widow in the FCT because of its commitment to improving the status of the less privileged in the society. In his remarks, the Chief of Guzape, Bitrus Yakubu, expressed gratitude to NGO for the water project, urging them not to relent in their effort to bring succour to the common people in the society. He said, “we have been praying for water in this village because other pumps are not functioning and today God has used this NGO to answer our prayer. We are grateful to them and I urge other relevant government bodies and good-spirited Nigerians to emulate this gesture because there are so many other needs God can also use them to meet for this community. “ The group also sensitised residents on preventive measures for the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which ranges from engaging in regular washing of hands to keeping their environment clean.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Ensure Peaceful Primaries, FCT APC Chairman Urges Party Members By Chika Mefor
The chairman of the FCT chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, has called on members of the party in the territory to ensure peaceful party
primaries in preparation for the forthcoming elections. Usman stated this in a statement signed by the public relations officer of the party, Engr. Usman Adaji. The chairman, after congratulating executive members of the party for a
successful eid celebration, urged them to focus on the forthcoming elections and the task which comes with it. He charged members of the party to ensure a free, fair and credible primary, with a view to ensuring that the party emerges successful
in the general election in the territory. The chairman also called on members and party supporters to continue to be law-abiding citizens for the continued development of the territory and the country.
Anglican Bishop Preaches Detribalised Nigeria By Igho Oyoyo
The Bishop of Abuja, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, has called for a united and detribalised Nigeria for the nation to grow and developed to its desired height in the face of the challenges confronting it. Okoh, the Archbishop of Abuja and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), made this call during the official flag-off of the 25th anniversary celebration of the church. He said that the challenges affecting the nation, which is currently affecting the church is the issue of tribalism and the absence of unity. According to the clergyman, the issue of unity in Nigeria is what the church has taken upon itself to teach the people during its anniversary celebration, highlighting the church’s desire to unite Nigerians in churches and make the issue of tribalism less attractive. “You will agree with me that we are in a country where we are not really united. If we are truly united, Nigeria would have made much progress. So, we want to emphasise it, we want to teach it and we want to make everybody accept it and give it as a gift to the nation and anybody who has gone through the teaching would have no difficulties in relating with anybody from any part of Nigeria. “The church in Nigeria should look at issues like this, particularly in relation to nation building. They should look at what the role of the individual members of the church in finding solution to the challenges we have as a country and as a church. “We are looking at, in the next 25 years, we expect that we make better contribution to nation building, better contribution to the lives of our people, not only to increase the numbers of Christians.
Traders walking out from Wuse market at the weekend. Photo by ogoh joseph
Wowo Joins Race For FCT Senate Igho Oyoyo
The former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister on Political, Budget and National Assembly, Sen. Usman Jibril Wowo, at the weekend, expressed his interest to contest for the senate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. Wowo, who has repeatedly refused to acknowledge or dismiss his interest for the position, formally picked the nomination and expression of interest form to contest for the only senatorial seat in the FCT. LEADERSHIP gathered that Wowo resigned his political appointment a few days earlier before picking his nomination form, which ended all speculations about his ambition to be the senator representing the FCT. Speaking to journalists, after picking the form, in company of the directorgeneral, Wowo Network, Abbahassan Grema, Wowo called on his supporters to be civil, as respect for the electorate
and the electioneering process is the hallmark of democratic practices. He said, “I urge my supporters to maintain peace at all times, during and after the election process; it is not about violence but about decorum, peaceful change and transition. What we are about to do is to ensure that people go about their lawful businesses unperturbed. Our aim and mission is to ensure progress in the FCT.” He said that his entrance into the race marks a new era for the FCT PDP, its leadership and residents of the territory, whom he seeks to serve through an open door policy that would ensure a two- way communication process between the elected and the electorates. The former SSA noted that he decided to join the race because of the perceived disconnect between the electorate and serving lawmaker even as he assured that he will bridge the gap if elected. “There is a disconnect between the electorate and the serving lawmaker. He has decided to stay away from his
people and the party that brought him to power. I ‘m in the race to bridge this democratic gap. My election will define a new era of good representation in the upper chamber of the National Assembly,” he promised. He assured the people that if he gets elected into office, he will promote the culture of partnership between the FCT and various business entities in the territory for the benefit of residents even as he promised to facilitate effective coordination of legislation that would improve the resident’s quality of life. According to him, “gone are the days when an elected person will disconnect himself from members of his party and the people. Picking this form today marks a turning point for the party and FCT residents a whole.” Earlier, the chairman of the screening committee, Alhaji Saidu Danmasani, assured Wowo that the party will be fair to all aspirants, stressing that internal democracy has been the defining success of the party.
OPINION 35
Monday, October 20, 2014
The PDP As A CommonRoom For EFCC Suspects By musa aBuBakar
The existence of corruption in an alarming magnitude was what gave birth to the creation of agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Diligent as these agencies were meant to operate, beneficiaries of corruption in all forms began to fight back with all the foul means at their disposal. As time went on, government agents joined in assisting or conniving and indeed, abating or participating in acts of corruption. As in a manner of institutionalisation, the federal government, in one body language or the other began selective prosecution of suspected corrupt government officials, businessmen, etc. Today, government does not seem to be firm with corruption. There exist sacred cows. Identified corrupt people are allowed to get away with the breach of the law or the perpetration of corruption and evil. When former president Obasanjo saw the need for “a fundamental reorientation within the country to build a robust culture of resistance to corruption,” less did he know that there would rather be a full blown orientation across Nigerian divide for robust culture of assistance to corruption. If Obasanjo thought that until 2005, there was no political will to fight corruption; truth is that the will is still nonexistent. The romance between the federal
Lamorde
government and former governors that are indicted by EFCC/ICPC speaks volumes of language that is not in tandem with reason. Again, thinking that the era where leaders’ stewardship was consigned to the history books is no longer the case, is truly the case. Stewardship after office has since been unexamined. His thought that history will never remove the searchlight on the conduct of those in leadership positions, as it is now, “the reliance on immunity, bureaucratic complexity and other such escape routes” is not only an option for those in leadership positions but also those outside it. Nigeria is no longer a country “that is determined to mobilise available resources to the benefit of all” or one that is there to “challenge inherited contradictions and negative coalitions” or one that is ready to “dismantle all structures that had hitherto approved of corruption and
As a ruling party at the national level, the party has become a rescue platform for these class of people alleged to have plundered public funds running to billions of Naira
primitive appropriation of public values and resources.” For upwards of seven years, cases against former governors, ministers, national assembly members and scores of political big-wigs pursued by Nigeria’s anticorruption body – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have dragged at snailspeed under the watchful eyes of the international community. As 2015 elections draw close, there now exists a marriage of convenience with the accused persons trooping into a haven that they feel safe – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Interestingly, as a ruling party at the national level, the party has become a rescue platform for these class of people alleged to have plundered public funds running to Billions of Naira. Among these governors are Peter Odili (Rivers), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Orji Kalu (Abia), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti). Others include Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Aliyu Akwe Doma (Nasarawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Bunu Sherif (Borno) who is linked to the sponsorship of the dreaded Boko Haram. Although these cases have not been determined by the courts and the suspects set free, the PDP has continued to accept them into the party with sheer show of pride. –Abubakar wrote in from Tudun Wada, Kaduna
Dele Fatokun
Reasoning Together reasoningtogether2013@yahoo.com 08158594386 (SMS only)
Keeping Your Most Precious Gift What does purity mean to the average Christian? Today we are bombarded by the “sex sells” marketing scheme of our culture; pornography is just one click away; and onenight stands and “shacking up” are the norm. I wish I could give a pious answer and say that once you become born again, sexual temptations are no longer an issue, but then I’d be lying. The fact of the matter is, maintaining sexual purity and abstinence in today’s culture is a battle, but not a hopeless one. What is the source of this
battle? Many times when I’m ministering, I like to use an analogy about little children and freshly baked cookies. If you take a plate of freshly baked cookies and place them on a table in the center of a room with a group of five-year-olds and tell them repeatedly they are not to touch those cookies, as soon as you walk out of the room, what is the first thing the children will do? They go straight for the cookies! We, as Christians, are the same way. For many generations the church has shaken its finger and
said we are not to engage in sexual sin, but without giving Biblical reasons why or instructions on how to overcome sexual temptation. So like the small children, the first thing we do is run straight to the things we are told not to do. What are the Biblical reasons to maintain sexual purity? Number one is your faithfulness to the Lord. In my own personal walk with the Lord, it has never been the rules and regulations that has kept me on the straight and narrow in the area of sexual purity, but it
has been my covenant and love relationship with Christ. Another Biblical reason to remain sexually pure is save yourself from spiritual, emotional, and physical pain. Our culture is all about “hooking up”, and then never seeing or talking to that individual again. What people do not realize is that simple act of casual sex is creating what God put in motion and was intended for a husband and wife–oneness. That is why a “casual” act of sex is not really casual. A soul to soul bond is created which is not easily broken.
Every Monday With Ibraheem a. WazIrI iawaziri@yahoo.com, 08035167963 (SMS only)
2015: Buhari Needs Our Support (2)
I
had to do a second part to this, as a follow up to my last Monday’s column due to the various reactions from readers. It does appears that people have issues with my comparison of Buhari’s popularity and acceptability with that of the late Premier of the region, Sir Ahmadu Bello and late Aminu Kano, the known champion of the emancipation of the downtrodden. Also in my claim, I stated that “it will prick the conscience of Nigeria’s democracy for decades after, should Buhari die without seeing a government or election he approves”. In this, I will need to clarify that oftentimes our opinions are meant for policy makers who are assumed to have certain basic information about the subject of discourse. It then follows that we do not have to go into too much details in order to make our points. Yes, it is true that I did not live in the times of Ahmadu Bello and Aminu Kano died while I was less than 6 years old. But written records of how they lived and what transpired are more than enough to help us gauge the times against ours and come up with some reasonable conclusions. Most records show that Ahmadu Bello and Aminu Kano are more appreciated today than when they were alive and doing their good works. In fact, going by the series of essays written by late Prof. Yusuf Bala Usman, we can easily conclude that Ahmadu Bello, during his life time, had it very tough winning elections across the North against Aminu Kano. In some instances, the figures came with very slight winning margins. This shows that the North at that time was more or less divided sharply between two extremes. This is unlike now when its majority are with General Buhari. The second point is the recent exportation of the popularity and acceptability of the General to the South West and other blocks of the country, especially considering the fact that he is the only political or opposition leader in our history, who all others, have something very kind to say about him regarding fitness and pedigree. From Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, they all at one point or the other and in the heat of politics, had something very nice and fitting to say about Buhari. There are many other reasons that space will not allow us to mention which make the General look like the most accepted and popular politician in our history. But if it is human nature to appreciate some one only after his life time, then it will be easy for us to project and have a feel of what the future will look like if the General should die without approving a government or an electioneering process. In that I assure you the vision will not look rosy. It is why also we advise statesmen and policy makers to thread with caution in dealing with our present realities so that our future will come with some guarantee. Corrigendum In my last Monday’s column, I mistakingly stated that the age of Nelson Mandela when he took the oath of office as South African president was 72. This is not correct. Mandela was 76 when he became president.
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politics today Monday, October 20, 2014
REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS
Imoke Not Against My Return To Senate – Ndoma-Egba Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) makes a case for the retention of institutional memory in the Nigerian legislature in this interview with DONALD OJOGO. This is even as he clears the air on the plot to stop him from returning to the senate come 2015. Why do you want to return to office?
First of all, I did not write the Nigerian Constitution. The Nigerian Constitution provides for term limits for the executive; it even puts an age qualification to both. You must be of a certain age and it also provides that for some offices. In the judiciary, you must have spent a certain number of years as a lawyer to be eligible for appointment and there’s a retirement age. and it also provides that for some offices. In the legislature, the Constitution only provides for an entry age; it has no term limits, it has no retirement age. Now, why is it so? It is because of the peculiarity of parliament. So, I’m coming back because it is in the interest of the polity for us to have this stability and fortunately for me, I’ve been part of the leadership that has provided stability. How true is the allegation that you instigated youths to bar Hon John Eno from participating in the New Yam Festival because you see him as a formidable opponent against you in the 2015 senatorial race?
So, to answer your question, I’m a home boy; born in Ikom, Cross River Central, grew up in Ogoja
Well, I was not there. This is one New Yam festival I missed in many, many years. I wasn’t there during the New Yam festival because I had arrived from the United States to Abuja on a Friday evening in the first week of September. So, it was practically impossible for me to go home but I remember getting a call
on that morning from the clan head to the effect that there was an issue that some youths blocked the road because the Honourable member representing Etung/Obubra Federal Constituency wanted to go for New Yam in my village and I told them: ‘why should that be an issue’ I remember that I was going to a community in Southern Etung and to stop me, the youths removed the bridge! Yes! To stop me from reaching there, they ripped off the bridge; just to stop me from going. In another community, there was a bonfire across the road. I’ve been stopped three times: one in Abi Local Government and twice in Etung. It’s part of the game. They are seeking your attention and so, you give them that attention and on each occasion, I negotiated with them and they let me through! It’s normal in politics But it’s alleged that you are not even popular in your senatorial district. Enoh also alleged you were booed when Governor Imoke raised your hand in his village in 2011?
There was no such incident. He never raised my hand in Itigidi. It never happened. So, it’s a figment of Enoh’s political imagination; there was no such incident. And then, when you talk of not being popular, let me just by way of introduction tell you a little about myself. I became a graduate before I was 21 years, I became a lawyer before I was 22 years, I served
Ndoma-Egba
on a federal board during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari at the age of 24 years, I built my first house in my home town at the age of 24 years. I became Commissioner in the Old Cross River State which is, today, divided into present Cross River and Akwa Ibom States at the age of 27 years. I was Commissioner for Works and Transport and that ministry is today, divided into eight ministries. I ran for governor of my state in 1992; I practised law for an unbroken 26 years across Nigeria. If you check the Law Reports, you’ll see my cases there; they use my cases to teach students in the Law School. I’m a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, I’m a member of the Body of Benchers. I was a three-term Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Calabar Branch. That’s unprecedented. I was a three-term President
of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce. I say this because today, they want to re-write history as if some people made me. I was made long before they all ventured into politics; long before them. I was a successful legal practitioner; known across Nigeria. I just thought I should give this background and I had choices; as a young man. I had an option to work anywhere in the world but I chose to work amongst my people. I practised law, first in Ogoja. I practised law with Kanu Agabi in Ogoja! After Ogoja, I relocated to Calabar where I’ve lived all my life until I came to the Senate. So, to answer your question, I’m a home boy; born in Ikom, Cross River Central, grew up in Ogoja and attended higher ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 38
Donald Ojogo, Group Politics Editor ojogodonald@yahoo.com
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Monday, October 20, 2014
Imoke Not Against My Return To Senate – Ndoma-Egba ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37
The road was awarded courtesy of me. The road in Ajaso, where his wife comes from, if you go to the town now, it is asphalted. I did it. The Calabar-Nsan-Okoroba Road, that is in the budget, you can ask Godsday Orubebe, the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs...In fact, the alignment was to take the road to Okuni, it was at that point I invited Hon. Enoh and told him that, look, this is your immediate constituency, come with me let’s go to the ministry and let us change the alignment.
school in Ogoja, which is Cross River North and I settled in Calabar, Cross River South. So, I’ve always lived among my people. If popularity is being with the people, I am the one who is with the people. He is the one who is with government officials. He’s just desperate and as I said, for Heaven’s sake, at the risk of repeating myself, I wasn’t made by politics. Do you see this as a smear campaign?
First, let me say that I regret the tone of Hon. Enoh’s interview of last Friday. The family is a decent, polished, educated family and cultured as well. But, then, you should know that in every situation, there are exceptions, deviants. I think he’s just carried away by his luck. He’s a young man who’s been lucky and he’s pushing his luck too far and he shouldn’t take God’s mercies for granted. The tone of that interview, ordinarily, I would have let it pass because I don’t join issues but that tone in that interview is dangerous for the politics of Cross River. We have, so far, played politics of decency in Cross River. We are very cultured in how we address issues. I’ve been talking to the media and I’ve never mentioned names. I address issues; I state my facts. I went and inspected 41 projects I attracted to my constituency, out of 76; including the road to his village, including his wife’s village. I never mentioned his name. That tour was widely televised; showing my projects. I stopped at 41 because I believe that it was a challenge for others to also take the media and show their projects. That has not happened. Let him deal with records. He’s been in the Legislature from 1999 and I came in 2003. You stand accused of doing things for your people because you saw Enoh doing projects...
I’m not aware of anybody quoting him in public that he’s opposed to my return to the Senate
(Cuts in) I’ll get to that in a bit. As I was saying, I have 39 bills to my credit. I also publish a constituency magazine called The Report which has been published since 2003 and there, I publish my bill, projects, scholarship beneficiaries, with their names. The only thing that is not in this magazine is charity! I don’t dramatise charity because the moment you do that, it’s no longer charity. So, if he wants
What is the position of Governor Imoke in this and on your re-election bid?
Ndoma-Egba
me to dramatise charity...and they accuse me of being stingy, that I’m selfish, well, my driver lives in his own house in Abuja. Every staff I have owns a plot of land in this same Abuja, paid for by me. A lot of my staff live in their personal houses. I send people to India for treatment. Let him show me just one person whose life he has touched. Must I go and dramatise that? Must I make that public? Hon. Enoh should name his own projects. There are many people in my constituency whose children I have trained. I have over 600 students today in my scholarship scheme who are now graduates which started in 1981. It got bigger when I got to the Senate in 2003. I set up a formal scholarship scheme in 2003. If Enoh decides not to see it well, that’s his business. I have 10,000 beneficiaries of my free computer programme. They are not limited to my constituency. I have empowered people all my life; I don’t believe in the dramatizing the giving of N10, 000 to N20,000 to young men to go and drink beer. I’m not an actor. Well, Enoh specifically said he’s attracted several projects to his constituency and by implication, it means you’ve done nothing. Can you be specific about what you’ve done?
When the flag-off of the TransAfrican Highway for EnuguAbakaliki-Ikom was being done, the Minister for Works,
Engr. Mike Onolememen, in his address, stated categorically that the people just give me thanks for my persistence in getting that project. I was in the Ministry of Works almost everyday from 2003 with John Odey, who was the minister from Cross River. We started work on that project when Cornelius Adebayo was Works minister and my role in attracting that project was publicly acknowledged. The road to his village, the Ikom-Etime-Agbokim Waterfalls Road was built by me when I was Works and Transport Commissioner. For the first time that road was built, I built it and because I built that road then, his community and the Etomi community gave me chieftancy titles in 1987. The road went bad and I went to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) when Timi Alaibe was Managing Director and got them to take over the project. Ekpo Okon, who used to be our state party chairman and who was our representative in NDDC, is still alive to bear testimony. When they were going to award the project, I was the one who took John Enoh, with me to Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to say, let us insist that this project be awarded to a contractor who is already mobilized in Cross River State because I had information that they were going to award it to just a contractor and that was just what happened.
I can only tell you what I know from my discussions with my governor. I had gone to him on March 29, 2014 in his house here in Abuja. I told him of the proposed return of Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu to the Senate in 2015 and he confirmed to me that, yes, he knows. I now told him of my intention to return to the Senate as we are all part of the same leadership and he said, ‘it makes sense so that we consolidate what we have. That was what he told me. He has not told me anything different. On October 7, I was with him in his house and I mentioned this. He never told me he was against it; that he was more interested in the processes and that the process should be open and that there should be a level-playing ground. I’m not aware of anybody quoting him in public that he’s opposed to my return to the Senate. I’ve also drawn his attention to the fact that Hon. Enoh moves around in a convoy of government vehicles and government officials. There’s an allegation that you began to have problems with the governor when you introduced Goddy Jedy-Agba to President Jonathan as a governorship aspirant in your state. No such thing happened and I have said it before the president and the national chairman of our party. The president has even confirmed that nothing like that happened. That is one. Two, let us even assume that I did. Is the governorship of Cross River State an appointment? So, I took him there for the President to issue him a letter of appointment? Governorship is a process. It’s all part of the desperation, you must concoct stories to justify something you want to do.
Monday, October 20, 2014
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SALUTE TO AN OFFICER
AND A GENTLEMAN @ 80 On behalf of my humble self and my family, I, Murtala H. Nyako wish to felicitate with you, my brother, friend and cherished leader His Excellency General yakubu Gowon, Phd, GCFr (rTD) on your 80th birthday. I also felicitate with you over a well-deserved recognition as LEADErSHIP Person of the year 2013 by the LEADErSHIP Newspapers. We are proud of you, your lifestyle and immense contributions to national development and the integration of the various peoples and components of our great country. You are indeed a symbol of unity, humility, peace, progress and oneness of Nigeria. We humbly recognise the indefatigable and selfless role you played towards the sustenance of Nigeria as one indivisible entity and in doing so you engraved your name in the annals of Nigeria’s heroes whose contributions towards nation building will remain indelible in the sands of time. The Nigeria of today is indeed a far cry from the Nigeria of your days as a decent leader.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY WORTHY COMMANDER!
GENERAl
YAkuBu GOWON GCFR
Vice Admiral Mur HAMMANyEro NyAko (Rtd.) GCON Signed:JJ MurTALA Signed:JJ
44 news south-west APC, Party To Beat In Ekiti – Adebisi
Monday, October 20, 2014
Kumuyi Urges Fayose To Rule Ekiti With Fear Of God
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Hon Ranti Adebisi, has said that the failure of the party in the June 21 governorship poll won by Governor Ayodele Fayose will not work against its chances in the 2015 general elections. The former governorship aspirant, who expressed disappointment at the performances of some serving members of the National Assembly from the state, said they have not lived up to expectation in the last three and a half years. The immediate past chairman of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission made the statement in Ikole Ekiti, headquarters of Ikole Ekiti local government area of Ekiti State while declaring his intention to run for Ekiti North senatorial district seat at the weekend. By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti
By Alo Abiola, Ado Ekiti
The general superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams F. Kumuyi has urged the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose to rule the state with the fear of God and imbibe the tenets of integrity, transparency and prudence. This came as Governor Fayose promised not to allow power to go into his head and to resist any attempt by syco-
phants to mislead him during his second chance, which he described as “rare and divine”. Pastor Kumuyi gave the advice at the Deeper Life Camp in Ado Ekiti, during the thanksgiving service to commemorate his inauguration as the governor of Ekiti State yesterday. In a letter addressed to the governor by the general superintendent of the church, presented and read to the
congregation by the church’s national secretary, Pastor Jeremiah Asemota, Pastor Kumuyi said, “Leadership, either temporal or political is divine. It is given by God. So you have to know the extent you have to go in moving closer to God as you preside over the affairs of this state. Be prudent with resources management and work for the socio-economic development of this state”. While giving her testimony,
the wife of the governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose disclosed that God gave her the revelation of her husband’s return shortly after his impeachment on October 16, 2006. Mrs Fayose, who spoke before the mammoth crowd that thronged the Church camp, said “God revealed to me that my husband, Mr Ayodele Fayose would return as the governor, but he never told me the time.”
Urban Renewal: Amosun Assures Affected Landlords Of Compensation Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has assured the people whose buildings were affected by the ongoing construction works of adequate compensation. Amosun gave the assurance while addressing people of Ayetoro in Yewa North local government area of the state during an assessment tour of the area. He also said that many people have collected up to 90% of the compensation, promising that every property owner will be paid before the completion of the roads across the state. “I want to thank all our fathers and mothers whose houses were demolished during the road construction; it was because of development”, he explained. By Gbenga Adeboye,Abeokuta
Education, Catalyst For Youth Devt – NGO Lack of quality education and right empowerment have been identified as major factors contributing to slow development in Ogun West senatorial district of Ogun State. This was asserted by an insurance guru, Biyi Otegbeye, during an empowerment programme organised by Better Opportunities for Tomorrow (BOT) held at Ilaro, Ogun State, where over 3,000 schoolbags and footballs were distributed to pupils in all the 59 wards in the senatorial district. Otegbeye, a Senatorial aspirant, maintained that unless the quality of education is improved in the axis, Yewa land will continue to be at the receiving end in the state, while the desired socio-economic development will continue to elude the area. By Gbenga Adeboye,Abeokuta
All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari (2nd right); Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left); his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (right); former speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Bello Masari (left) and former Bayelsa State governor, Timpre Sylva (2nd left), during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Osogbo.. PHOTO BY NAN
2015: Jonathan’ll Lose Ondo Because Of Mimiko – Ex-NADECO Chieftain By Tope Fayehun, Akure
A former chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in Ondo State, Chief Tayo Sadibo, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan would lose the state in the 2015 general elections because of the waning popularity of Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Sadibo, who is the national coordinator of the Social Democratic Movement (SDM), a non-partisan organisation, and member of the Ondo State Liberation Movement, described Jon-
athan as a good man. But he warned the president against promoting “failed politicians and political degenerates” from the Southwest because they would not help him to win elections in the zone. Speaking with journalists yesterday in Akure, Sadibo said Mimiko defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to avoid an imminent disgrace. He said: “Mimiko has the right to join any political party of his choice. But because of the dwindling fortunes of the Labour Party in Ondo State, he has been smart enough to join PDP in
order to avoid impeachment in future. “Let me tell you, his defection has “ebolarised” PDP and the fortunes of the party have dwindled. Before his defection, PDP was enjoying some measure of acceptability with the people of Ondo State. Because of him, Jonathan can never win in Ondo State.” “If Governor Mimiko is sure of himself, if I were him, I would remain in the LP and slog it out with other political parties. If he is so sure of his popularity, he doesn’t need to align with any political party before realising his goal”.
short news 2015: No Rancour in Oyo PDP – Aspirant Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Oyo State, a governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan has allayed the fear of the people on alleged rancour within the party. Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan yesterday, he said “there is no faction in PDP. “We are one strong and united family under our state chairman, Alhaji Akeem Yinka Taiwo and our leader, Seriki Yekeen Adeojo. PDP is the most popular party in Oyo State today”. Speaking on the chances of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said that the present administration led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi has failed the masses. He predicted that the governor would be unseated without stress. Olaosebikan, a former local government caretaker chairman and former chief press secretary (CPS) to the late former governor Lam Adesina, said his verdict was based on what he called abysmal performance of Governor Ajimobi in office occasioned by his unpreparedness for governance. By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan
2015: Ajimobi Advocates Continuity Of APC Govt By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has advocated continuity in the administration of the state, saying that it will enhance growth and development. Speaking at a Town Hall meeting organised by Hon Sunday Adepoju, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in Ibarapa, the governor insisted that only the conti-
nuity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state could enhance growth and development. He recalled that the kind of growth and development attained by Lagos State could not be divorced from the continuity the state enjoyed since 1999, adding that Oyo State had not been so lucky. The governor who was represented by Dr Gbade Ojo, his special adviser on political matters, con-
demned the trend of “a term per governor’’ which had been the lot of the state over the years, including the administration of the late Bola Ige, who was openly robbed of a second term in spite of his achievements. The governor’s aide enjoined residents of the state not to allow the reactionary forces to draw the hands of the state backwards come 2015. He highlighted the various pro-
grammes executed by the Ajimobi administration to justify its continuity, saying “we all need to work together for this state to move forward. Looking at the growth of Lagos State today should be a wake-up call to all of us in ensuring that Ajimobi comes back in 2015.’’ Ajimobi described Hon Sunday Adepoju as a good image of APC, adding that the party is proud of him, and he has represented his constituency well.
news Lagos 45
Monday, October 20, 2014
Ebola: Lagos Mulls Sending Health Officers To Infected Countries * As Fashola Appoints Scientific Adviser Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola yesterday said the state government is considering sending health workers to West African countries battling to combat the deadly Ebola Virus Disease. Fashola, who gave this hint at an occasion to mark his 2, 700 days in office, held at the Lagos Television Complex, added that the state commissioner for health will provide details soon. He said, “Importantly, we must send help to these countries if we truly want to keep the gains we have recorded. “As I said, our work on Ebola continues because we must do everything to avoid a re-infection. “We have put many policies in place which the honourable commissioner for health will be communicating to you. “Some of the lessons learnt are the need for a Government Scientific Adviser to be our coordinator not only for providing scientific information about infectious diseases but also co-ordinating other areas of science based research, food sufficiency, water sufficiency, air pollution and all other things that are likely to affect our wellbeing. “Therefore, I am announcing the appointment of Dr Adekemi Oluwayemisi Sekoni as my chief scientific adviser. She will be presented shortly at a formal induction.” He recalled that the Ebola outbreak was a very challenging period, since it was a virus with no known cure and very devastating consequences. Fashola noted, “In the 40 years since it was discovered, it had never affected an urban centre. All known cases were in rural places where there were not many people. “Ebola in Lagos, with a population of 21 million people, was a time bomb of epic proportion if it developed into an epidemic.” He said though there was no precedent, “the state had to learn by itself and she did. “Still on this matter, I appeal to the federal government to maintain the highest vigilance at our land, air and sea borders. “Close scrutiny of persons from countries and regions where Ebola remains a challenge must be our first line of defence,” the governor said. B y George Okojie, Lagos
Fashola Warns FG Against Planned Takeover Of Lagos-Badagry Expressway By GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday described the planned takeover of the construction of the LagosBadagry Expressway by the federal government as unimaginable, saying the apex arm of government will have the state to deal with. Fashola who said this at an occasion to mark his 2, 700 days in office said his administration
delivered numerous dividends of democracy to Lagosians in the last 100 days and was not aware of plans by the federal government to derail development process in the state. Minister of works, Mr Mike Onolememen had said in September 2014 that the federal government planned to take over the road, adding that a new project design that involved five other ECOWAS member countries was
being undertaken. Reacting, Fashola said, “About the light rail project, I told you the red line was delayed because we have not received federal government’s approval to share their corridor. The statement credited to the minister of works, honestly, I don’t know. I have not heard about it; I have not read it. “I think it will be wise to hear what they have to say on the matter and I think it will be very
unfortunate. To even contemplate that idea, they will have us to deal with should that be the case but I don’t think that anybody who is sensible will want to stand in the way of development; what will the objective be? “You are not providing the money and the design; we are doing this so that our state can move forward. I don’t want to believe he made that statement. I think we will leave it there.”
short news New Chief Imam Preaches Peace At Installation
Managing director/chief executive officer, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr Rasheed Adejare Olanrewaju (middle) with some staff of the bank and the inducted customers, during the induction of BOI customers into the bank’s Hall of Fame, held at the bank’s corporate headquarters at Marina in Lagos. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA
N1.3bn Debt: Court Stops Murtala’s Son From Operating Bank Account By OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos
For allegedly failing to liquidate a N1.365billion credit facility, a Federal High Court in Lagos has barred Risqua Mohammed, son of late head of state, General Murtala Mohammed from withdrawing funds from his accounts in any of the financial institutions in Nigeria. Justice Saliu Saidu granted the mareva injunction while ruling on a debt recovery suit filed against Mohammed and his company, AMG Petroenergy Limited by Guaranty
Trust Bank Plc (GTB). Specifically, the court warned the two defendants in the case not to tamper with their funds in any financial institution in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Justice Saidu also restrained the defendants and their agents from tampering with or withdrawing N1, 365, 470, 643.46k pending the determination of the motion on notice. The bank had claimed that on May 18, 2011, it granted two im-
port finance credit facilities in the sum of $40million to the defendants, with an additional existing loan of N630million. Justice Saidu has adjourned the case till November 3, 2014. According to the bank the credit facilities was for the purpose of financing the establishment of local letters of credit in favour of NLNG, NNPC/PPMC and NGL to fund the payment of Gas/Condensate/Naphtha lifted based on allocation to the company by the Federal Government.
All States Have Legitimacy To Be Part Of Govt – Lawmaker By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos
Deputy whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rotimi Abiru, representing Shomolu Constituency 2, has said that all the 36 states in Nigeria have the legitimacy to be part of government, irrespective of party affiliation. He stated this in an interactive
session with Lagos State House of Assembly correspondents over the weekend. He said, “I want to appeal to the federal government that all the 36 states have the legitimacy to be part of the government, irrespective of party affiliation. “I want to give example of Osun State; in the build-up to the election, for reasons we didn’t know,
allocations of the state were held back and it was obviously political to make things difficult for the governor so that he could incur the wrath of the people. “He actually owed salaries because of this before God came to his rescue. I think the federal government should see itself as the father of the states”, he noted. The lawmaker recalled that for-
The newly installed chief imam of Osogbo, Sheik Musa Animasahun has called for religious tolerance among adherents of all religions in Nigeria. Speaking at his installation as the chief imam of Osogbo yesterday, Animasahun said there cannot be any meaningful development where there is no peace. He also called on government at all levels to ensure impartiality in the distribution of political appointments and urged them to maintain neutrality. Also speaking at the event, the imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof Abdulganiyu Oladosu called on government at all levels to correct the imbalance against Muslims in appointments into public offices. By Joshua Dada, Osogbo
mer president Olusegun Obasanjo withheld the money meant for local governments when Lagos created new LCDAs. He added, “If it is possible for us to make a law to compel the federal government to give to us what is meant for the states in terms of allocation, I think we should do so. We saw the way the late President Musa Yar’Adua was detribalised.”
46 news south-South south-East University Status: Maritime Academy Gets Abuja at the weekend, said unFG’s Approval Commends Jonathan solved problems of the people
Monday, October 20, 2014
Why I Want To Be Imo Governor – Ararume
The federal government has granted approval to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State to become a degree-awarding institution. The rector of the academy, Mr Joshua Okpo, who made this known to newsmen in Oron when the director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Chief Patrick Akpobolokem visited him, said that the authorities of the institution have been directed to constitute committees for the smooth take-off of the university. He explained that the development is another milestone achieved by his administration, adding that his vision is to transform the academy into an internationally recognised centre of excellence in maritime training. By Bernard Tolani Dada Uyo
over ceasefire truce with insurgents
BY BODE GBADEBO, Abuja
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, has given reasons why he wants to become the state governor come 2015. The former legislator, in an interview with select journalists in
which border on good governance informed his desire to salvage the ‘heartland’ of Igboland. “For me, I had the aspiration first in 2007 and it didn’t work out that time; certain things made me say I wanted to be governor in 2007 because Imo is the heartland of the South East; it is the heartland of the East actually and I believe that in Imo State, we have a lot to offer if only Imo State has in governance somebody who actually knows what to do.
“In our educational system, the governor we had that time, Chief Achike Udenwa did his best. But you know, governance and government are a continuum; I felt that those things that he tried to do are things that we can build on to further develop the state whether in the area of education, infrastructural development, healthcare, ICT, taking our state to the next level, whether it is inter-relations between our state and the neighbouring states in order to have our economies merged.
“So we felt that we would have done very well because of my experience. Eight years as a senator, a businessman, my experience of course in other areas like philanthropy in my state, I thought that I have a lot to offer,” he said. Meanwhile, Ararume also commended the federal government for brokering a peace deal with the Boko Haram insurgents at the weekend in faraway Saudi Arabia. He said given the delicate nature of the matter, the president deserved kudos for achieving the feat.
short news No Adoption Will Work In C’River Central – Enoh
NASS May Review EFCC Act Over Alleged Abuse Piqued by last week’s detention of principal officers of Edo State House of Assembly, the speaker, Uyi Igbe, majority leader, Philip Shaibu and majority whip, Folly Ogedengbe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of forgery, the minority whip of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, yesterday said the National Assembly is seriously considering a total review of the Acts establishing the commission over what he described as the “ambiguity under which the EFCC will want to hide to be used as a political tool by the ruling government.” He said the crises that have been rocking the state House of Assembly culminated in the arrest and detention of the trio last week, adding that his statement became necessary so as not to allow members of the public be deceived by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been justifying the detention of the lawmakers. By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City
Lawyer Sues NJC, Amaechi, AG Over Closure Of Courts In Rivers
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has been dragged to court by a public interest lawyer, Mr Chukwunonso Daniel Ogbe over the continued closure of courts in Rivers State. Courts in Rivers State have remained shut over the controversy in the appointment of the chief judge of the state. Also joined in the suit filed at the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt are the governor of Rivers State, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and the attorney-general of Rivers State. By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo
L-R: Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen; deputy governor of Delta State, Prof Amos Utuama; Vice President Namadi Sambo; minister of Niger Delta affairs, Dr Steve Oru; Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and member, House of Representatives, Hon Ndude Elumelu, at the commissioning of Utor Bridge in Ebu, Delta State.
Credible Elections, Jonathan’s Greatest Achievement – Walson-Jack BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Hon Nimi Walson-Jack, has said that the greatest achievement of President Goodluck Jonathan is creating an atmosphere for free, fair and credible elections. Walson-Jack, who stated this in Port Harcourt, while speaking at a prayer rally for Jonathan and Nigeria, organised by his non-governmental organisation, Rivers Converge, said the 2011 elections and
some recent polls after it have largely been accepted as reflecting the popular will of Nigerians. He said, “The spirit of democracy unleashes human potential and ability, which no other system of governance to date has been able to match. True advancement is built on freedom of choice. This to my mind is where President Jonathan stands head and shoulders above every Nigerian leader since our return to the democratic experiment in May 1999. “Until recently, the experience of Nigerians with the electoral process had been agonising. However, since
2011, President Jonathan’s administration has made conscious effort to conduct free, fair and credible elections where votes count and the will of the electorate is decided by the ballot and not by judges in election tribunals. “Security organisations have put political thugs out of business. The snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes are no longer fashionable. The counting of ballots at polling units and collation of results in the full view of television audience has put paid to the manipulations associated with announcement of results.”
Rivers: Why Wike Will Get Pdp Guber Ticket – Opara BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt
Former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will give its gubernatorial ticket for the 2015 general elections in Rivers State to former minister of state for education, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, based on
its conviction that only the former minister can challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Opara disclosed this yesterday in Port Harcourt, while speaking at a solidarity rally organised by the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, in support of the second term bid of President Goodluck Jona-
than, and the governorship ambition of Wike. He called on the former minister to answer the clarion call of the people of the state to contest the governorship race on the platform of the PDP, saying that the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality have concluded arrangements to purchase the gubernatorial form for Wike be-
The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon John Owan Enoh, has said that the adoption of candidates in the forthcoming National Assembly election cannot work in Cross River Central. He stated this at the weekend in Ikom while making a formal declaration of his intention to contest the Cross River Central senatorial district seat in the upper chamber. This was even as the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) adopted Enoh for the Senate in 2015. By Lanre Arotimi, Calabar
fore the end of the week. The former deputy speaker said, “Every election has its strategy, and Nyesom Wike fits into the strategy of this (2015) election. So, I am appealing to our brothers, who are drumming the war of dichotomy; please, we want to recover Government House, Port Harcourt for PDP.”
news NATIONAL 47
Monday, October 20, 2014
Boko Haram: Federal Lawmaker Hails FG’s Truce Talk
Muslim Community To FCT Minister: Don’t Demolish Wuye Mosques
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, has hailed the decision of the federal government to enter into a ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, saying their activities have cost many innocent people their lives. He also disclosed that members of the House are yet to receive details of the resolutions of the National Conference. Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Ogoriba noted that anyone who assumes that the danger posed by Boko Haram does not affect him or her is in denial. “This is clearly a terrorist group because they have not really come to cite any ground for what they are doing. The innocent lives that have been lost to their activities cut across ethno-religious divide, so nobody is really safe; because if anybody in the South is of the belief that the problem in the North is only a problem for the North, then that person is mistaken.”
The Muslim community in the sprawling Wuye District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has made a passionate appeal to the federal government to have a rethink on the planned demolition of the only two existing mosques in the area. At a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, chairman of the Muslim community, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Oyetunji, said officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had written them a letter of notification on the impending de-
By Abdullahi Umar, Abuja
molition. While acknowledging that the FCT minister Senator Bala Muhammad had actually approved that a parcel of land be given to the community to build their house of worship, he, however, lamented that certain interests were still preventing the actualisation of the project. Alhaji Oyetunji said: “While we appeal to the federal government, especially through the FCT minister, to kindly suspend the planned demolition pending the resolution of issues hindering the building of the new mosques on the land approved
for the project. “As a Muslim community, we have ensured peaceful coexistence in Wuye District through propagation of religious tolerance, mutual respect and also sustaining mutual relationship with security agencies “If the two mosques are demolished, we will have nowhere to pray as congregating outside the designated places of worship may create suspicion from security agencies, especially in this volatile period. The community also appealed to good-spirited individuals and groups to support them with do-
nation towards the construction of central mosque in Wuye district. Meanwhile, our reporter has discovered that some unscrupulous officials of the FCDA had allegedly distorted the master plan of the area by allocating portions of land meant for places of worship and schools to private individuals who then converted such plots into commercial uses. One such glaring distortion has now led to the redesigning of the entire master plan because it encroached on a major road in the district.
short news Jonathan To Launch Schools, Agric Programme Today
By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja
Oyeyemi Tasks FRSC Staff Over Performance
By Ejike Ejike, Abuja
L-R: First secretary, Economic Dept, US Embassy, Abuja, Mr Joel KOPP; counselor of economy, Mr Alan Tounsignat, and chairman, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Sherif Balogun, during the visit of members of US Embassy to the chairman in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN
Heavy Debt Burden Hampered MDG Implementation – CSOs By CHIKA OTUCHIKERE, Abuja
Ahead of the terminal date for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), a coalition of civil society organisations (CSO) have revealed that the project’s implementation was impeded by heavy debt burden which, it said, largely affected the finances and expenditure of government. The CSO, which rose from a consultative meeting weekend on the MDGs Framework and Nigeria’s Post 2015 Development Agenda, put together by the
Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), identified endemic corruption, policy change and somersaults, low capacity and lack of political will as factors which made Nigeria very unattractive to investors, thereby raising the cost of doing business. According to the groups, the level of insecurity, violence and terrorism not only discouraged investment, but also hampered ongoing developmental efforts across the country. “As the world approaches the end of the implementation period of MDGs,
35 CSOs and 20 media organizations held a consultative meeting on the MDGs framework, implementation in Nigeria and the inclusion of Justice in Nigeria’s Post 2015 Development Agenda. “The main objective of the meeting was to evaluate Nigeria’s implementation of the MDGs framework, identify gaps, challenges and failures and make projections for the Inclusion of Justice in Nigeria’s Post 2015 Development framework,” the group said in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP.
CJN Has Reduced Nigerian Judges’ Worth – Ex-NBA President By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Mukhtar, has been accused of treating Nigerian judicial officers like kindergarten children. Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the co-ordinator of Rule of Law and Development Foundation, Chief Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), told journalists in Abuja that his group
.
The corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, has tasked the agencies employees to work harder to raise the stake of transformation of the corps if they must remain relevant in the ongoing efforts to make the roads safer for all. Addressing staff members of Zones 11 and 5 respectively at Oyo, Delta and Anambra State Sector Commands during his field tour to assess the level of operational preparedness for the ‘ember’ months special patrol being embarked upon by the Corps towards the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, Oyeyemi stressed the need for all staff to rededicate themselves to task of raising the stake of the Corps as the road safety lead agency in the country. On the efforts being made to restore the integrity of the licensing system of the country, the corps marshal disclosed that there was greater collaboration with the state governments with a view to reducing people’s apathy at the various driver’s licence centres across the country by improving on the process and investing more in technology. “We currently have 130 Driver’s Licence Centres operating in the country, but before the end of the year, 71 more centres would become operational to bring the total number to 200,” he disclosed.
In a bid to introduce young school children to the culture of agriculture as a business for effective sustainability, President Goodluck Jonathan will today, Monday, launch the schools agricultural programme. The programme is expected to catch them young and has a life span of six years. It is aimed at inculcating the spirit of agriculture into school children through social school clubs with agriculture abd business as foundation and also through collaboration with the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council(NERDC) in its Agric curriculum formation. By Kuni Tyessi, Abuja
would not hesitate to file a court action if the trend continues. Daudu noted that the CJN has been too much involved in the administrative duties of other courts in the country. He said though his foundation appreciates the need to instil discipline in the system as it relates to the movement of judicial officers, such discipline must not be at the expense of rule of law and indepen-
dence of the judiciary where judges can be subjected to witch-hunt on account of other reasons unconnected with their movement. The former NBA president said, “It is indeed a matter of great shock and surprise that some heads of state courts and indeed other courts were seeking permission from the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria before travelling. “The foundation is of the view
that the practice or convention that obtained during the execellent tenure of his lordship, the Hon. Uwais as the CJN was that the heads of courts merely notify the office of the CJN as the chairman of the NJC remains the best method of monitoring the movement of judicial officers. “To operate in the current manner is to reduce Nigerian judicial officers to kindergarten children.”
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Monday, October 20, 2014
zonal watch
EDO DELTA BAYELSA RIVERS AKWA IBOM CROSS RIVER
Edo: PDP Aspirant Promises N50m Loan For Market Women BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City
A House of Representatives aspirant for Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osaretin Edosomwan has promised to make available a whopping sum of N50 million single digit interest loan to women
for a period of two consecutive years if elected come 2015. Edosomwan, a former senior adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole who recently dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP, equally decried what he termed the lack of federal presence in the constituency which harbours 1.5 million people and
receives an average of N460million as constituency project, amounting to N2billion in four years. He made this assertion when he visited Oredo PDP secretariat to inform party leaders of his intention to run for the House of Representatives come 2015. The PDP aspirant who frowned at the present practice where
elected members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly only engage in mere digging of boreholes as constituency projects said he will put in place a 24-member team comprising chairmen of the 12 wards under the umbrella of Oredo Federal Constituency Committee whose responsibility will be to decide
the topmost priority constituency project to be sited in their various communities. Edosomwan, a master’s degree holder in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Benin, said he decided to contest the position after being prevailed upon by the people.
Delta: 39-year-old Man In Police Net For Raping 2-year-old Girl BY KOLA EKE-OGIUGO, Asaba
Heads FROM tHe ZONe
A march by Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) workers in Calabar on Saturday. PHoto BY lAnre Arotimi
➔ Chief ezebunwo Nyesom Wike Wike, minister of state for education, last week resigned as minister to enable him contest the 2015 governorship election in Rivers state on the platform of the PdP.
➔Hon Chibuike Rotimi amaechi amaechi, governor of Rivers state, last week revealed that there is ongoing looting of the coffers of NNPC.
➔Chief Godswill akpabio akpabio, governor of akwa Ibom state, during the week vowed not to impose a governor on the people of the state.
Women entrepreneurs to Benefit More From N220bn sMe Fund- CBN
BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that 60% of the N220billion it recently earmarked for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises would be channelled to women entrepreneurs in the country. CBN branch controller in Port Harcourt, Mr Jude Ndubisi Ekwebelem made the revelation while speaking at the national financial inclusion workshop, organised by the bank and other
stakeholders in the banking sector in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Ekwebelem, who was represented by the deputy branch controller, Mr Emmanuel Etok, said, “Recently, the bank launched the N220billion micro, small and medium enterprises development fund, 605 of which will be channelled to women entrepreneurs. All these are quite commendable and we thank the development finance department for the coordinated interventions
it has taken on behalf of the bank.” He stated that the apex bank began its financial inclusion strategy (FIS) campaign so as to reduce the number of Nigerian adults excluded from financial services from 46.3% where it was in 2010, to 20% by the year 2020. The branch controller said, “The ultimate goal of the financial inclusion strategy (FIS) is to reduce the percentage of adult Nigerians that are excluded from financial services from 46.3% in 2010 to 20% in 2020.”
Bayelsa: Threat of ocean Surge In Communities Worries Journalists, Council Workers BY OSA OKHOMINA, Yenagoa
Scores of journalists and local government workers in Bayelsa State have expressed concern over the growing threats of ocean surge in communities in Brass, Nembe, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw local government areas of the state. They were particularly worried over the situation in Koluama I and II communities in Southern Ijaw local government area, warning that urgent steps need to be taken by both state and federal governments to check the
ugly trend. The journalists and council workers, at a two-day workshop organised in Yenagoa by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in collaboration with Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), said the situation is worse due to the lack of preparedness of the state and local government areas to handle disaster and other emergency situations that almost destroyed the state. The workshop, which was held
in pursuance of Strengthening Oil Revenue Management in Niger Delta Project Phase 2, which ANEEJ is currently implementing with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, was aimed at training participants in the following thematic areas, which include definitional issues - principles of disaster management, standard practices in flood control and disaster management, the importance of early warning signal in disaster management and mass sheltering during emergencies.
A 39-year-old male carpenter, simply identified as Gbenga, residing in Okpanam area of Asaba, the Delta State capital, is now in police net for allegedly raping a two-year-old girl. Reports said that the father of the victim reported the matter to the police on observing pains in the private part of the victim, while she was urinating. Speaking on the matter after confirming the arrest of the suspect, police public relations officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), said the father of the victim, who reported the matter to the police, added that while his daughter was urinating, she started crying and complaining of pains in her private part, which prompted him to ask her what was wrong. Kalu stated that the girl’s father said that after some time, the little girl told him that the suspect whose first name is Gbenga, who works as a carpenter in his compound, had unlawful carnal knowledge of her, adding that upon the report, the said suspect was arrested by detectives and is currently helping the police in their investigation.
Akwa Ibom: NGo Plans Goodbye Package For Akpabio BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA, Uyo
As the eight-year tenure of Akwa Ibom State governor and chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, approaches its expiry date, a non-governmental organisation, the National Coalition for Social Change (NCSC), has begun series of events as part of a commendation package for the outgoing administration. NCSC central coordinating officer, Mr Joseph Uttin, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Uyo, said the resolve to organise the goodbye show for the governor stemmed from his administration’s uncommon feats in transforming the state in the last seven years. Uttin said the programme, tagged ‘G7-15 Project’ would ensure the coordination of patriotic one million Akwa Ibom people both in Nigeria and the Diaspora, to append their signatures as a special mark of endorsement of Akpabio’s performance since 2007. The events, he emphasised, would see youths rolling out the drums in celebration of a man who came with a vision to transform the state and its people and succeeded in achieving that and more. He said, “The series of events which kicked off at the weekend would terminate on May 29, 2015, when the governor would have mounted the podium to bid goodbye to the people he ruled for eight unbroken years”.
zonal watch (South-South) 49
Monday, October 20, 2014
news behind the news
2015: As Rivers PDP Crisis Deepens BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt
Last Thursday, the Senator Iya Abubakar-led integration committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the South-South zone of the country, finally met in Abuja, after several failed attempts to sit at the party’s zonal headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. According to reports, armed youths alleged to be members of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), a Port Harcourt-based non-governmental organisation, unleashed terror on opponents of the minister of state for education, and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP in Rivers State, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, and journalists, who were at the PDP Presidential Campaign Office, Legacy House, Maitama, venue of the committee’s meeting. Although, both Wike and chairman of the party in the state, Chief Felix Obuah told journalists that the meeting was peaceful, chieftains of the party in the state, including Professor Israel Owate, Hon. Lolo Ibieneye, Dr. Soibi Tolowari, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, Barrister Tubotamuno Dick and Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, insisted that they were manhandled and beaten up by supporters of Wike. Ibieneye, is a one-time commissioner for water resources in Rivers State, who alleged that he was shoved by the minister’s supporters, warned that PDP in state was sitting on a keg of gun powder and would explode at any time if the national leadership of party fails to address the problems. He said with what happened at the Legacy House, Maitama, it would have been disastrous if the exercise had taken place in the state. Collaborating Ibieneye’s position, one of the victims of the attack, Tolofari, said indeed thugs, who looked like old boxers, actually manhandled party members and elders at the venue of the integration committee’s meeting. He said, “Entrance to the building was taken over by thugs brought in by Wike and those thugs refused to allow anybody at all to enter the building. All the governorship aspirants, one after the other, they came and the thugs refused them to enter. Elders were manhandled; real thugs that look like old boxers were assaulting people.” But the minister of state for education and the PDP chairman in the state believe that the pandemonium that greeted the meeting with the PDP integration committee was caused by
Dickson
News Behind The News
Bayelsa’s Hide And Seek Game With Zoning Of Nass BY OSA OKHOMINA, Yenagoa
Amaechi
politicians, who were sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the party in the state. Wike, in a statement signed on his behalf by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said, “It has come to our notice that some opposition inspired politicians in Rivers State are sponsoring a section of the media to publish concocted and mischievous reports against the person of the minister of state for education, Chief (Barrister) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON). “Intelligence information available to us indicates that those being sponsored will in the coming days and weeks churn out false reports aimed at misleading members of the public on issues pertaining to Rivers PDP and the person of the honourable minister. Members of the public should disregard these reports whenever they see them as they are a part of a grand conspiracy of unpopular politicians clutching at straws. “These are politicians who are not on ground and are afraid of popular contest. They have resorted to negative propaganda in the false hope that they would make headway. Unfortunately for them, the true Rivers PDP members are not deceived.” The minister, who is also former chairman of Obio/Akpor local government area of the state, alleged that the media reports came from one source so as to tarnish his image, insisting that the meeting with the Abubakar-led committee was peaceful as none of his supporters attacked any politician or journalist.
Intelligence information available to us indicates that those being sponsored will in the coming days and weeks churn out false reports aimed at misleading members of the public on issues pertaining to Rivers PDP
He said, “The syndicated false report on the Thursday October 9, 2014 reconciliation meeting of the South-South Integration Committee of the PDP at the Legacy House which appeared in some national dailies of Friday October 10, 2014 is the beginning of this unfortunate scheme. “A look at the report which falsely claimed that Barrister Wike’s supporters harassed other members of the party and journalists who attended the event reveal the fact the report came from one source and was merely rewritten with slight amendments in the different papers that published same. “An aspirant, whose narration was developed into a report, simply misled the reporters. The reconciliation meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and respect, with security agencies ensuring that only relevant stakeholders had access to the venue of the meeting. “For the avoidance of doubt, supporters of Barrister Wike did not harass any person or journalist at the venue of the meeting. The minister also did not engage in any altercation with any other politician.” Apparently collaborating Wike’s position, PDP chairman in the state, Obuah, said the allegation that the minister was responsible for the attack on chieftain of the party in Abuja, was false, baseless and malicious, describing it as a sponsored image smear campaign in some sections of the media against the person of Wike.
Senior political associates and aides of the Bayelsa State governor, Hon Seriake Dickson have dipped their hands into the hornet’s nest and have started getting stung in their hide and seek game with the zoning of elective positions into the National Assembly from Bayelsa. It started as a claim by a Senatorial District known to have produced the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The Bayelsa East Senatorial district, at a meeting convened by the known allied and friend to the president, King A. J. Turner. Although the meeting, held at Ogbia Brotherhood Hall in Ogbia local government council, like all other political meetings endorsed the adoption of the president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the sole flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, and endorsed the second tenure of the governor, Hon Seriake Dickson as governor in 2016, the pronouncement on zoning threw the Bayelsa polity into frenzy. The meeting, coming under the aegis of Political Stakeholders from the Bayelsa East Senatorial district, was led by a trusted political ally of President Jonathan, King Amalatei Turner, with support from the state’s deputy governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd). LEADERSHIP gathered that going by the resolutions reached at the meeting, Senator Ikisikpo, Hon Jephthah and Hon Karibo would not return to the National Assembly in 2015. For instance, it was argued that the position held by Hon Jephthah ought to rotate between Brass and Nembe people. Jephthah is from Nembe. They, therefore, zoned the House of Representatives seat to Brass in 2015. For Ogbia federal constituency seat which Karibo currently occupies, two Ogbia enclaves, Kolo/Oloibiri and Ayama, are joint owners. Since the incumbent, Karibo, is from Oloibiri axis, the position is to be occupied by an Ayama native in 2015. The Senate position of Bayelsa East being held by Senator Ikisikpo, according to the leaders from the zone, is to be occupied by a Brass native in 2015. Ikisikpo is from Ogbia.
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world
news ➌
➊ Bagdad Won’t
➊ ➋
➐ ➏
➎ Six Egyptian Soldiers Killed In Sinai Attack
➍➎
At least six Egyptian soldiers have been killed in the Sinai Peninsula, in the most recent of attacks targeting government troops in the eastern restive region. A remotely detonated roadside bomb exploded yesterday as
an armoured vehicle responsible for protecting a natural gas pipeline passed by, sources said. Hundreds of soldiers and police officers have been killed in attacks since the army-led overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi in July last year.
➋ Fierce Fighting Rages
Fall To ISIS- US
In Syria’s Kobane
The U.S. has a “winning strategy” to defeat ISIS, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff has said. He added that he “can’t foresee” sending “large ground combat forces into Iraq.” Gen. Martin Dempsey also touched on his concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus and what’s more to come in the coalition battle against murderous Islamic extremists.
The Syrian border town of Kobane has been hit by the fiercest fighting in days as Kurdish forces repelled advancing fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a group monitoring the violence has said. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 48 mortars had been fired at Kurdish areas in the past two days with two car bombs.
➏ Taliban’s Fighters
Launch Deadly Attacks In Afghan
Hundreds of Taliban fighters have launched two deadly attacks in Afghanistan, local officials say. In Logar province, in the east, at least four soldiers were killed when militants attacked security
posts. In the central province of Ghor, up to 500 Taliban attacked two villages, a senior official has said. The number of casualties is still unclear.
Rescue teams in Nepal say that there are now no trekkers left stranded after completing their search for survivors of a devastating Himalayan storm. The focus now is on recovering bodies buried in the snow, a
government spokesman has said. It is unclear how many people may still be missing in the country’s worstever trekking disaster. At least 39 people are known to have died, and nearly 400 people have been rescued from the Annapurna trail.
48 million US citizens live in abject poverty
➌ Castro Offers To
➍ Hurricane Gonzalo: Co-Operate With US On Bermuda ‘Bruised’ By Ebola Direct Hit
Fidel Castro, the 88-year-old former Cuban leader, has said his country is ready to work with the US in the battle against Ebola, saying that such co-operation would be in the interest of “The peace of the world”. Cuba has already sent 165 doctors and nurses to help fight Ebola in Sierra Leone.
Bermudians are clearing up after a direct hit from Hurricane Gonzalo downed power lines and damaged buildings on the tiny Atlantic territory. Bermuda was “bruised” but came out of the storm better than expected, Premier Michael Dunkley said.
➐ Nepal Annapurna:
Search Ends For Surviving Trekkers
Monday, October 20, 2014
Business/WORLD NEWS 51
Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Protests: Leader Says ‘External Forces’ Involved Hong Kong leader CY Leung has accused “external forces” of involvement in the territory’s pro-democracy protests. In a television interview, Mr Leung also said the rallies, which have paralysed parts of the region for three weeks, were “out of control” The protesters want fully democratic elections, and are angered by the Chinese government’s decision to vet candidates for the 2017 polls. Police and protesters have scuffled amid tense stand-offs in recent days. Student leaders and Hong Kong officials have agreed to negotiations on Tuesday, which will be broadcast live on television. Speaking on local television, Mr Leung
said that Occupy Central, one of the main groups involved in the protests, was “not entirely a domestic movement, as external forces are involved”, although he declined to give details or name the countries he thought were involved. Mainland Chinese officials have frequently warned against “foreign interference” in Hong Kong, while Chinese state media have accused the West of “instigating” the protests. Protesters and student leaders have denied any outside involvement. Analysts have argued that China could be making allegations of external interference to discourage foreign governments from supporting the protests.
Ebola: Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Cries For Help Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the whole world has a stake in the fight against Ebola. In a “letter to the world,” she said the disease “respects no borders”, and that every country had to do all it could to help fight it. President Johnson Sirleaf added that a generation of Africans were at risk of “Being lost to economic catastrophe”. The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,500 people across West Africa, including 2,200 in Liberia. International donations have so far
fallen well short of the amounts requested by UN agencies and aid organisations. In the worst-affected countries - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - about 9,000 people have been found to have the Ebola virus, which kills an estimated 70 per cent of those infected. She goes on to say that the fight against Ebola “requires a commitment from every nation that has the capacity to help whether that is with emergency funds, medical supplies or clinical expertise”. “We all have a stake in the battle against Ebola,” she says.
Submarine Incident: Russia Denies Attack On Sweden The Russian defence ministry has denied reports that one of its submarines got into trouble in the waters off Sweden. The Swedish military has been searching the sea since Friday, following what the military said was foreign underwater activity. It has denied looking for a submarine, and said that it was conducting an intelligence operation. However, a local newspaper said Sweden had intercepted a distress signal in Russian. Soviet submarine sightings during the Cold War caused security alerts in Sweden
in the 1980s. Swedish corvette HMS Visby searches the Stockholm Archipelago, 19 October Swedish corvette HMS Visby searches the Stockholm archipelago Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine this year has fuelled suspicion about its intentions towards other neighbouring states, notably in the Baltic. It has several submarines based in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave bordered by Poland and Lithuania and facing out to Sweden, as well as a much bigger force near Murmansk on the Kola Peninsula.
52
Monday, October 20, 2014
SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, & FAITH PLATFORM
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
SPECIALISED CLASSIFIEDS PAGES YAKWO CLOSE NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
ISAAC SOKUNLE OGUNTOYINBO FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP
GROWING POTENTIALS FOR SUSTAINANCE
This is to inform the General Public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990
This is to inform the General Public that the above named ORGANIZATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Abayomi Bolarinwa - Chairman 2. Moses Olajide Iyaola - Treasurer 3. Oladapo Oguntoyinbo - Secretary
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Oghenekume Christopher Ekama 2. Ukandu Ibekwe 3. Mrs. Grace Ekama 4. Daniel Kalu Tasie 5. Imadonmwinyi Ewansetin Desmond (ACA)
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Gen. Kyuka Gwaze Achi 2. Pastor James Gomina 3. Deacon Tunde Latopa AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To promote the interest and welfare of members. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from this publication. Signed: SECRETARY
AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To fund empowering programs and award scholarships to brilliant and disciplined indigent students. 2. To develop transparent techniques for awarding scholarships and funding research.
AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To provide training on management skills to small scale entrepreneurs. 2. To provide basic accounting training to small and medium scale entrepreneur.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from this publication.
Signed: SECRETARY
Signed: OmOIGU OSARUmWENSE mARvELLOUS
THE ACHIEvER SISTERS CLUB
GATHERING OF HEAvEN mINISTRY
FLORISHING GRACE mINISTRY
The general public is hereby notified that the above CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990
The general public is hereby notified that the above MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs. Patricia Aduayi 2. Dorrit Ifeyinwa Ocan 3. Grace Eserovwe Ogbimi 4. Tosan Erero 5. Mary Onovroghene Salami
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE TIMOTHY QUEST OMAJUWA - General Overseer. 2. PASTOR FRANK OGIDE 3. EVANG. HENRY UWUJABOR 4. EVANG. ENYOTE OGHENEVWOSA GBOGB 5. EVANG. (MS) ORIGBON VELVETY 6. EVANG. (MS) OJELE EGBENU 7. EVANG. SULEIMAN HAMISU USMAN 8. EVANG. PAT NATIE
The general public is hereby notified that the above MINISTRY mentioned INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act LFN (cap 20)
AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To promote the social welfare of its members. 2. To help one another in case of an emergency. 3. To promote cooperation and unity among members. 4. To enhance mutual understanding. 5. To assist the less privileged.
mEmBERS OF TRUSTEES 1. Pastor Omoigui Osarumwense Marvellous 2. Reverend Osatohanmwen Isreal Osagie 3. Bro. Odutayo Patrick Olumide 4. Pastor Omoigui Loveth Esosa 5. Sis. Agbonlahor Patience
AImS AND OBjECTIvES 1. To preach the Gospel of Christ Jesus and to worship God.
AImS & OBjECTIvES ARE: 1. Propagation of the gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus. 2. To teach and orientate Christians for Heavenly kingdom. 3. To present Jesus Christ as light of the world.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.
Any objection should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Signed: SECRETARY
Signed: APOSTLE TImOTHY QUEST OmAjUWAGeneral Overseer
Signed: PASTOR OmOIGUI OSARUmWENSE mARvELLOUS
IjAW INTERNATIONAL mARITImE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
WESLEY UNITED BROTHERS CHRISTIANS ASSOCIATION
DOOR OF HELP FRIENDS CLUB OF NIGERIA
This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of CAMA CAP. C20 LFN 2004.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990
The general public is hereby notified that the above CLUB named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. SIRGEORGE, OTTO KELLY 2. BARR. CLETUS EKPEBIDE
- CHAIRMAN - SECRETARY
AImS AND OBjECTIvES 1. To create awareness about the importance of maritime education bot bout the importance of maritime education 3. To bring to the fore the importance of gender participation in the maritime industry. 4. By working in partnership with maritime academic staff and Professionals to provide guality, innovative and accessible sevices. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication. Signed: BARR. CLETUS EKPEBIDE (SECRETARY)
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Henry Chima Chigbu 2. Mr. Solomon Chidirim Kanu 3. Mr. Ndudim Chigbu 4. Mr. Emenike Ogidi 5. Mr. Dominic Nnajiofor Okpara
- PRESIDENT - SECRETARY - FIN. SECRETARY - TREASURER - P.R.O
AImS AND OBjECTIvES 1. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through humanitarian services. 2. To promote unity of all members and to protect their interest. 3. To cater for members welfare . 4. To promote and protect the interest of its members, socially, financially and materially in a lawful manner benefiting the prestige of members in particular and the Association as a whole. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication. Signed BARR. jOSEPH IKORO. 07034209189
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. UZODIKE GODSON CHUKWUNWIKE - PRESIDENT 2. MR. PATRICK OGBUZE 3. HON. ANAEKWE CHARLES UDOCHUK 4. MR. EZEFIBE UCHECHUKWU 5. ENGR. AFAMUEFUNA AGU AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. Coming together is beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication. Signed: mR. UZODIKE GODSON CHUKWUNWIKEPRESIDENT
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
THE GREAT LINA FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL CLUB
IN THE HIGH COURT OF jUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUjA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF jUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUjA
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
DECEASED NAmE AND ADDRESS
APPLICANTS FOR GRANT
AJAYI FRANCIS BOLADE Allstate Travel and Tours Limited
Olaide Ajayi (Mrs) and Ajayi David No 18 Bambe Street Onipanu Lagos State
DECEASED NAmE AND ADDRESS AKOR MICHAEL MSUGHTER
WHO DIED ON THE 1st May, 2014
The widow and son of the said deceased
DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
> HENRY UBIMAGO 08068640944
No 4, T. T. Kete Street Gboko Benue State WHO DIED ON THE 14th September, 2014 The mother and brother of the said deceased DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
For booking or inquiry call
Nigeria Bottling Company
APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Patricia Jigida Akor and Yhomas Tyolumun Akor
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
> AUGUstINE 08032325988
> GLORIA OKwUM 08038722368
> ABIGAIL sAMBO 08064382438
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKENZE CHIDI THADDEUS - CHAIRMAN 2. ANORUO PRINCE OBINNA - SECRETARY 3. HON. ONUOHA CHINEDU FELIX 4. NNADI OKECHUKWU HENRY 5. ISSAC IKECHUKWU LUIS 6. ISSAC KENNETH UZOMA 7. AMATU IKECHUKWU 8. NWOSU KELECHI 9. TIMOTHY KINGSLEY CHIBUEZE AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1.TO PROMOTE LOVE,UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE MEMBERS. 2.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF ALL THE MEMBERS. 3.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: C.D.C ANYAEGBUNAm ESQ
> GLORIA RAPHAEL 08061356519
> GLORIA ODIO 08034285851
> GRACE OJO 08035054444
53
Monday, October 20, 2014
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT
DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS DAGUNDURO OLUSOLA SOLOMON University of Abuja
DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS WILLIAMS ASAKE University of Abuja
CHARITY NDIRIKI NNAJI Local Education Authority, Bwari Abuja
Alphonsus Nnaji and Paul Espendu Ede Block 16, Jigo Bwari Abuja
WHO DIED ON THE 27th July, 2014 The widower and brother of the said deceased DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Mrs Modupe Funke Dagunduro guardian to Dagunduro Esther Temitope New Life Assurance Baptist Church Gwagwalada Abuja
WHO DIED ON THE 11th April, 2010 The widow and daughter of the said deceased DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Major George Nchok Asake and Mr. Yohanna Asake Anguwan Boro Sabo Tasha Kaduna State
WHO DIED ON THE 30th April, 2013 The brothers of the said deceased DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. SCHEDULE
DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT NANCHENG NANSOH Nanre Nancheng guardian to Solomon Nansoh N.
DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT FELICIA PUTTU Puttu Napoleon and Ari Justina Tsenwa Shop G. A 32 Banex Plaza Abuja Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja
Nigeria Police Force
WHO DIED ON THE 20th September, 2013 The widower and sister of the said deceased
DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT UKWUEZE CHINANSA MODESTA Ukwueze Ikenna Johnpaul and Ukwueze Juliet Ronsberger Health Insurance Company, Abuja Idah Sabo Geri Kogi State
Longb Lantang Jos North Plateau State
WHO DIED ON THE 19th June, 2012 The widow and son of the said deceased DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
DATED AT ABUJA THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR
RHEMA LIBERATION OUTREACH INT’L The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Christy Ojeaga 2. David Samuel Odafe 3. Mr. Sunday Benson Oku 4. Taiwo Olodude 5. Sule Rashidat Abiodun 6. Lucky Ojeaga Aim And Objective: 1. To propagate the gospel of Christ.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA NASARWA JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT LAFIA
SUIT NO. NSD 4.04/2013
BETWEEN MR ABEL BEHORA Plaintiff And Access bank plc & 30+s defendant
Take notice that above named Case/Motion/Appeal will be heard At Lafia High Court on the 10th day of November 2014 at the hour of 9:00 0clock in the forenoon or so soon after as this Honourable Court may think fit in the Circumstances and you are required to attend Court at the time and place stated above. Dated at Lafia this 15th day of August 2014.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Nnamdi Abana 2. Benjamin Okpala 3. Emmanuel Kanu 4. Joseph Okafor 5. Moses Aluegbu 6. Isaac Anero 7. Gilbert Nwokoye 8. David Obiekwe 9. Ndulue Nwachukwu 10. Pius Unah Aim And Objective: 1. To cater for the welfare of her members. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission P.M.B 198 Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: SECRETARY
LOSSOF loss of OFDOCUMENTS document DOCUMENT LOSS
THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECIEPT IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO. 2-5-C AND OLD FILE NO. MISC 12581 AND NEW FILE NO. MISC 56071, DATED 11/07/05. BELONGING TO ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK EDUCATION TRUST. ALL EFFORT TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMEMT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND, KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR AGIS.
This is to notify the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Additional Trustee under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act. 1990. THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pst. (Dr) Mrs. Patience Okon Ekpo (JP) 2. Prince Mandu Okon Ekpo 3. Pastor Simon Bassey 4. Apostle (Dr) John Faithman John THE NEW/ADDITIONAL TRUSTEE: 1. Rev. Promise Daniel Etuk.
Signed: Chairman
Signed: SECRETARY
The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
OVERCOMERS EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. RC: 60982
Any objection to this addition should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission P.M.B 198 Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission P.M.B 198 Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
TRUE BROTHER TRADERS ASSOCIATION
WHO DIED ON THE 18th August, 2014 The brother and sister of the said deceased
Abdulbasit
I formerly known and addressed as Ashiat Tajudeen Abubakar now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abdulbasit Ashiat Tajudeen. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
HADIZA
I formerly known and addressed as KHADIJAT YAHAYA as mistakenly captured in my WASSCE result of June, 2013, now wish to be known and addressed as HADIZA YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, WAEC and general public should please take note.
Mandu
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mandu Clement Okon now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mandu Iberedem Udoh. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
Anayo
I formerly known and addressed as Agbasimere Wisdom Anayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Anayo wisdom. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.
Helen
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ameh Helen Enenu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Helen Agada Godwin. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
WOWO
I formerly known and addressed as MRS UDIE USHANG ESE now wish to be known and addressed as MISS WOWO ESE USHANG, due to divorce. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
LOSSOF loss OFDOCUMENTS of DOCUMENT document LOSS
This to notify the general public of the loss of original Right of occupancy in respect of plots No. MF 204 and 205 situated in Nyanya issued by FCDA. All effort to trace the said document prove abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station. General public to place take note. Signed: HILARY OPARA mni
fatima
I formerly known and addressed as fatima adamu aliyu now wish to be known and addressed as mRS fatima adamu aliyu. All former documents remain valid. Bayero University, Kano, NYSC and the general public should please take note.
MODU
I formerly known and addressed as MUSA AUDU now wish to be known and addressed as MODU LAWAN ASARIYA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
ZIKORA
I formerly known and addressed as ODUGU PASCHAL UCHENNA NELSON now wish to be known and addressed as ZIKORA PASCHAL UCHENNA NELSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
ADA
I formerly known and addressed as MISS OSUOHA ADA PEACE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADA PEACE SIMON. All former documents remain valid. Code of Conduct Bureau and the general public should please take note.
TOKURA
I formerly known and addressed as GARUBA FATIMA MEDINAT now wish to be known and addressed as TOKURA MOHAMMED FATIMA MEDINAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.
IHEZIE
I formerly known and addressed as OKEREKE EBERE now wish to be known and addressed as IHEZIE EBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
LOSSOF loss of OFDOCUMENTS DOCUMENT document LOSS
This to notify the general public of the loss of original offer of statutory right of occupancy with new file No. ED 226226 in respect of plot No. 5225 measuring about 450.00sqm situated at Cadastral Zone F01 of Kubwa Abuja belonging to Edokpolo Grace Izehiuwa. All effort to trace the said document prove abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station. The general public to place take note.
54
Monday, October 20, 2014
Nasarawa United Pips leaders Pillars Nasarawa United sustained their battle for the Nigeria Premier League title with a 1-0 defeat of leaders Kano Pillars yesterday at the Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia. Nasarawa United now have 53 points from 34 games, while Pillars remain top of the table with 56 points. It was a sweet revenge for Nasarawa coach Mohammed Babaganaru, who had led ‘The Solid Miners’ to lose to his former club in
the first round of the competition. Pillars were almost sure of getting a point from the game before referee Gabriel Adigwe awarded a penalty to the hosts for a handball in the 81st minute which Seun Sogbeso converted in the 82nd minute. Pillars goalkeeper Theophelus Afelokhai made several saves to keep Nasarawa at bay in open play. Dele Ajiboye in goal for Nasarawa was also called to duty in a number of occasions.
Nasarawa goalkeeper Ajiboye in action against Pillars
Controversy Over Para-soccer Tourney: Kano Kano PillarsPillars Basketball Thrash TeamOsun Travel 3-0Plans By Ishaku Salifu Usman, Abuja By Kigbu, Abuja
first half of the encounter. After against polio. He said this is the the break, Hasim netted up preparing for Ibrahim the Zone 3 coming only their Faso children will avoid in way Burkina The travel Kano plans Para-soccer for Kanoteam, a brace tochampionship seal their victory a become basketball club one of they them. thisinmonth end because Kano sounded of being Pillars Pillars, basketball cluba note to are thrilling encounter. and will have to travel shortchanged Para-Soccer by road isto a team sport warning their rivalszonal for the the Zone to 3 basketball is being made toThe hitevent Burkina Fasoorganised invented by which Didi, a paraplegic Ouagadougou via bus title of the 2014in National championship BurkinaParaby the Para-Soccer by road instead of byFederation air will of Nigerian who for doubles as the not be comfortable soccer tournament with a 3-0 Faso is generating controversy Nigeria (PFN)for to by mark world allegedly planned thethethe thethefederation and over President 25 personsofon thumping ofallegations their Osun in Kano with thatState pay withConcerned 16 states compete statepolio government. playedmost withofthe hands on a roller trip including them counterpart in the to opening the club is scheduled hit basketball for honour. enthusiasts above 6 feet. skate They board.fear “Having the looked at the game of the tournament played the West African nation by President of the Para-Soccer had raised the alarm that, significance of the day globally tall players will be cramped at the package ofHowever, the National road rather thanBair. Federation of Nigeria, Pillars, Nigeria’s mostMusbahu and the achievement in a Toyota Coaster bus for a on the polio Stadium, the team’sAbuja coach,yesterday. Sani Ahmed successful Didi, while commending the that basketball club journey eradication the government is over 25by hours Pillars, who from are the has Kano distanced himself states side participating are failure bound at thegovernors by road. at all levels in the country, we defending champions, the allegations that themade teamtheir for sponsoring their teams toAccording the have resolved continental zonal showpiece to organise the to the intentions known when Abdullahi tournament, appealed to parents championship annually,” Didi President Para-soccer, Musbau Lawan Didi Ortega opened scoring in early in to immunize their children said.
I Was Not Sacked – Keshi I am not happy with the way media people are reporting this to the public, because I don’t understand how you would fire someone that has no contract
Glo-league Results Kaduna Nasarawa El Kanemi Crown FC Sharks Bayelsa Utd Gombe Utd Akwa Utd Lobi Stars Heartland
Musa
0-1 1-0 3-0 0-3 4-1 3-0 1-1 2-1 2-1 1-0
Enyimba Pillars Nembe City Rangers Sunshine Stars FC Taraba Giwa FC Dolphins Abia Warriors Wolves
Former Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has insisted that he was not sacked from his job because he had no contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The new NFF board showed Keshi the exit on Thursday morning as national team coach, despite his side’s 3-1 home win against Sudan that kept the Super Eagles in the running to defend their African title. But Keshi revealed to supersport.com in Ilorin that he is surprised on how the news was disseminated that he was sacked as the Nigerian manager. “I am not happy with the way media people are reporting this to
the public, because I don’t understand how you would fire someone that has no contract. “My contract expired after the World Cup in Brazil, and I never made any effort for my contract to be renewed because of so many issues on the ground. “I have accepted my fate, and I would move on with my life, but I want to make it clear that I was never sacked because I had no contract,” he stated. It has been widely reported that Keshi had revealed that three African countries have showed interest in him to be their national team coach, but Keshi insisted that he never said such.
“I have never told anybody that three African countries are looking for me, and as far as I’m concerned, no nation has called me for any talk,” he added. The Super Eagles must win their next two games against Congo and South Africa to have any chance of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, and Keshi believes Nigeria would qualify for the championship. “I know Nigeria would qualify for the 2015 Nations Cup because we have the players that can do the job, but they need a lot of encouragement and support from Nigerians and I wish them good luck in their next two games.”
Keshi
Musa Assures Amodu Of Support CSKA Moscow winger and former Kano Pillars man, Ahmed Musa has described the sacked of Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles head coach as sad news even as he promised to give the interim coach, Shuaibu Amodu full support for him to succeed in qualify Nigeria for AFCON 2015. He Musa, who described Keshi as “a father,” believes the former Anderlecht Belgium defender has done his bit for the national team. He stated that he will put in same workload as he braces to work with Shuaibu Amodu, who he also described as ‘another father figure’. “It is never something to be happy about when your coach leaves like that, but there’s nothing I can do as I wish him the best. He
played the role of a father to us. Now we must continue from where he stopped with the new coach (Amodu) who is also a father figure with lots of coaching experience at different levels. I am ready to work with him and give my best as usual,” Musa stated. According to him, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Congo in November will determine the fate of Nigeria. The 22-year-old forward explained that winning at the Stade Municipal in Pointe-Noire on November 15 will rekindle hope of Nigeria’s Super Eagles defending their AFCON title. Musa is happy that the African champions have finally got themselves back in contention to quali-
fy for next year’s Afcon after a terrible start to the season. “It is good we have shown that we are still in it after the kind of start to the qualification, which is unfortunate. As African champions it will be very bad if we fail to qualify. That is why the game against Congo is a very important one that we must win. Once we win that, then our place at the Nations Cup will almost be guaranteed. But it won’t be easy as we think because every team in our group also want to play at the Nations Cup too. “But the good thing is that we have finally won a game in the qualifiers, and that is good for the
confidence of the team. We will continue to work hard so that we can qualify, and we will take each game as they come,” he On the exit of Stephen Keshi as Nigeria head coach, the former Kano Pillars man expressed sadness about the development. Musa followed up his fantastic goalscoring form by scoring twice for CSKA Moscow in their 6-0 thrashing of Kuban Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League at the weekend. The striker had netted twice in Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Sudan in the Afcon qualifying match in midweek, and he now hopes he can carry on with that form.
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Monday, October 20, 2014
AWC: Falcons Promise Banyana Banyana Tough Game Serena Williams
Serena Slams Russian Tennis Chief For ‘Sexist’ Slur World number one Serena Williams slammed Shamil Tarpishchev for using “extremely sexist, racist and bullying” comments after the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) president described her and sister Venus as the “Williams brothers”. The WTA took swift action and fined Tarpishchev $25 000 and disqualified him from working in an organisational capacity for a year on Saturday after he made the comments on Russian State Television on Friday. Tarpishchev, who is also an International Olympic Committee member, made an official apology later on Saturday after a WTA demand to do so but that was not enough for a clearly unhappy Williams. “I thought they were very insensitive and extremely sexist as well as racist at the same time. I thought they were in a way bullying,” Williams told reporters in Singapore on Sunday. “I’ve done the best that I can do, and that’s all I can say. So I
just wasn’t very happy with his comments. I think a lot of people weren’t happy as well. “But the WTA and the USTA (United States Tennis Association) did a wonderful job of making sure that in this day of age, 2014 for someone with his power, it’s really unacceptable to make such bullying remarks.” Appearing on a chat show, the programme host said to Tarpishchev: “I was at the Olympics, where Maria Sharapova was in the final, playing with one, with one of the...” before the RTF head responded by saying “Williams brothers”. WTA chief executive Stacy Allaster said the comments were “insulting, demeaning and have absolutely no place on our sport”. American Serena Williams, 33, is the current world number one and has won 18 grand slam singles titles. She has also teamed up with her elder sister Venus to win 13 grand slams and three Olympic gold medals in doubles.
Super Falcons head coach Edwin Okon has said South African opponents Banyana Banyana will not be lucky twice in the semifinals of the ongoing African Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia. The AWC semifinal duel for today at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia, will be a rematch of the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea that saw the South Africans stun the Nigerians 1-0 in the semifinal clash at the Nkoantoma Stadium in Bata. The Falcons topped Group A with 100% record on nine points while the 2012 AWC finalists finished as runners-up in Group B behind leaders, the Indomitable
Lionesses of Cameroon. Okon said his side are angry as well as hungry and will certainly punish the South Africans for the 2012 AWC semifinal defeat in Equatorial Guinea. “We’re angry, hungry and won’t allow ourselves to be beaten twice by the South Africans at same stage of the championship. “We must win the clash as it is quite important to our qualification for the World Cup in Canada. “We want to reclaim the AWC title we lost to Equatorial Guinea in 2012 and head to the World Cup as champions. “We’ve achieved 100% record in our group matches but the tie
against South Africa is the most crucial game; we must win to reestablish our superiority over the Southern African side. “The players are 100% in shape and raring to punish South Africa for last championship loss,” said the former Falconets and Rivers Angels head coach to supersport. com. The winners of the semifinal clash will automatically qualify for the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada. The six-time African champions finished a distant fourth in the last championship in Equatorial Guinea after losing the third place match 0-1 to the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
Ilonen Lifts World Match Play Title Finn Mikko Ilonen landed the biggest title of his career by beating top seed Henrik Stenson 3 & 1 in an all-Nordic final at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in London yesterday. Ilonen, winner of the Irish Open in June, took a grip on proceedings when world No 5 Stenson found the water guarding the green at the par-three eighth hole. The 34-year-old stretched his lead to two holes when he sank an eight-foot putt at the 11th and his Swedish rival showed his frustration at a woeful tee shot at the short 12th that finished 50 yards Mikko Ilonen from the green by angrily slamClub in Kent. ming his club into the turf. Stenson reduced the arrears by Tenth seed Ilonen splashed out birdying the long 15th after findfrom a bunker to five feet and ing the green in two but when he when he slotted home his par failed to hole out from 20 feet at putt it put him three up on a sunthe 17th it was all over. ny but breezy day at the London
EPL: We Can’t Challenge Chelsea, Man City For Title – Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believed his players do not currently possess the require ruthlessness to challenge Chelsea and Manchester City for the Premier League title. The Gunners were held to a
Asisat Oshoala of Super Falcons
Lagos Hosts 2014 Glo-CAF Awards The 2014 Glo-CAF Awards will take place on Thursday, 8 January 2015 in Lagos, Nigeria, Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced. The Awards Gala will see players and officials who have distinguished themselves during the year (2014) receiving honours for their achievements. Legends of the game including the prestigious African Player of the Year and winners in 15 other categories will be unveiled during the Gala night. Other categories are African Player of The Year (Based in Africa), National Team of The Year,
2-2 draw at home to Hull City at the weekend and required a stoppage-time equaliser from England forward Danny Welbeck to avoid losing the game. That result left them 11 points behind leaders Chelsea
Club of The Year, Referee of the Year and Coach of The Year. The rest are Most Promising Talent, Women’s National Team of The Year, Women’s Player of The Year, African Legend, CAF Fair Play Award, Youth Player of the Year and Platinum Award. Africa’s finest XI will also be revealed on the night that will be attended by the crème de la crème of the continent’s football icons. There are also two new categories; Goal of the Year and Save of the Year, to be decided by votes from the public. Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure
and six behind reigning champions Manchester City, with Southampton, West Ham and Manchester United also now above them in the table. Wenger made it clear he felt Hull should have been beaten,
was decorated African Player of the Year for the third time at the last edition held on 9 January 2014 in Lagos, whilst former Ahly and Egypt talisman, Mohamed Aboutreika scooped the Player of the Year (Based in Africa). This is the third time Lagos will be hosting the event after 2008 and 2013. Previous host cities include Abuja (2005), Accra (2006, 2009, 2011, 2012), Lome (2007) and Cairo (2010).
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AMUSEMENT PARK to lose one parent... may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both — Oscar Wilde looks like carelessness
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Guest Ebola: What Is The Risk Of Columnist Catching It On A Flight?
By Jon Kelly, BBC News Magazine, Washington
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It’s unlikely that someone who just happened to be sitting on the same flight would have cause to worry unless, say, they sat next to a patient in the advanced stages of the illness who vomited or bled on them
eople who flew on a plane with a Texas nurse on the day before she came down with symptoms of Ebola are being tracked down by public health officials. What are the chances of catching the virus from another airline passenger? The Ebola outbreak has caused anxiety among some airline travellers. One woman was photographed at Washington Dulles airport wearing a full hazardous materials suit. On one level, it’s easy to see why fears are so widespread. Aeroplanes are confined spaces. A traveller will touch surfaces like trays, armrests, pillows and television screens that have been handled by hundreds of others. Passengers wielding wet wipes and face masks are a familiar sight. Amber Vinson, the second person infected in the US, flew from Cleveland, Ohio, to Dallas, Texas, on Frontier Airlines flight 1143. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it wanted to interview the 132 other passengers. It raises the question - how worried should they be about catching the deadly disease? The answer, according to William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, is not very much. “I am sure they are concerned but the risk is essentially zero,” he says. Likewise, the CDC says the risk to “any around that individual on the plane would have been extremely low”. This is because the virus is not airborne like flu. Anyone on the same flight as a patient would not be at risk from breathing in the same cabin air. And it’s extremely unlikely that someone would catch Ebola from an armrest, a touch-screen television, or a tray, says Schaffner. Instead, Ebola is spread by direct contact with contaminated body fluids such as blood, vomit, saliva
and faeces. The virus can enter the body via infected droplets through broken skin or mucous membranes such as the eyes, the lining of the nose or the mouth. The virus “is ferocious in the body but it is a wimp when it is on an inanimate surface”, he adds. “As soon as it has arrived on the inanimate surface it has started to die off.” On inert surfaces, the virus does not last for long - “I would imagine no more than a few minutes”, according to Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor University. The exception would be “if you see visible blood or visible secretion”. CDC guidelines on tackling Ebola say that a carpet or seat cover that is dirty from blood or body fluids should be discarded in the same way as bio-hazardous material. How not to catch Ebola: • Avoid direct contact with sick patients as the virus is spread through contaminated body fluids • Wear goggles to protect eyes • Clothing and clinical waste should be incinerated and any medical equipment that needs to be kept should be decontaminated • People who recover from Ebola should abstain from sex or use condoms for three months Ebola basics: What you need to know How Ebola attacks Wet surfaces are a little more likely than dry surfaces to sustain the virus, says Dr Arnold Monto, professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan. But someone who, for instance, sits at an airline seat previously occupied by an Ebola patient would not have cause for concern, he says. Even sharing an armrest with an infected patient should not in itself cause someone to worry unduly. “Sweat would be a pretty inefficient way to transmit Ebola.”
The Ebola virus does not transmit very effectively until its symptoms become apparent. “People with Ebola do not become infectious to others until they become ill,” says Schaffner. Although Ms Vinson reported a temperature of 37.5C (99.5F) before flying, it appears that she was still in the early stages. By the time a patient is likely to pass it on, they will be feeling very sick and potentially running a very high temperature - and as a result will probably not have boarded a flight in the first place. US Department of Transportation rules allow airlines to deny boarding to air travellers with serious contagious diseases. But it’s unlikely that someone who just happened to be sitting on the same flight would have cause to worry - unless, say, they sat next to a patient in the advanced stages of the illness who vomited or bled on them. “If there was someone on an aircraft, this was an already sick person who managed to get on the plane and vomits - this is an appropriate time to park the plane on the tarmac,” says Schaffner. Someone would have cause for worry, Monto says, if he or she had looked after or cleaned up after a patient sitting next to them. “If you are taking care of them, that would be a concern.” Typically, those who contract Ebola tend to be care-givers or relatives of infected people who clean up after them. But Schaffner stresses this is an extremely unlikely scenario. At any rate, to become infected “the individual really needs to be in close contact” with the patient. Cabin crew are advised by the CDC to follow routine infection control precautions if a passenger becomes sick during a flight. These include keeping the sick person separated from other passengers as much as possible and wearing waterproof gloves and surgical masks before close contact
with them or any body fluids. Disinfectant should be used to clean infected surfaces. Aircraft have a fairly good record when it comes to controlling the spread of disease, says Monto. During the recent Sars outbreak, there were very few aeroplane-related infections, despite the fact it is transmitted through the air. “Given the amount of cases in Asia, it was relatively infrequent,” he adds. The CDC recommends that anyone who suspects they have been exposed to Ebola should notify their employer immediately, monitor their health for 21 days and watch for symptoms of Ebola. These include fever (temperature of 101.5°F/38.6°C or above), severe headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, muscle pain, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. But Schaffner says the bigger threat is not that of Ebola spreading on aircraft, but of fears getting out of control among the travelling public. “The anxiety risk is very high. That needs to be taken seriously and given appropriate attention,” he says. – BBC News
GHANA MUST GO Another four years of PDP’ll destroy Nigeria — Buhari
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