Leadership tuesday by LEADERSHIP Newspaper

23.09.14

tuesday

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 2,261

NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER

Chibok DAY Diary

162

N150

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

18 DAYS TO GO... Displaced Persons' Camps: BBOG Group Calls FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY OF 41 For Urgent Government Intervention > Page 2 BAZE UNIVERSITY, ABUJA

Heritage Bank To List On Stock Market by Bukola Idowu, Lagos

Heritage Banking Company Limited (HBCL) has said it would list on the Nigerian

Stock Exchange (NSE) after raising fresh capital through

the market and concluding the purchase of Enterprise

Bank and combining the two entities.

PDP Confirms Sambo, As Mu’azu’s Posters Flood Abuja > Page 6

Speaking with journalists yesterday, the managing director and chief executive of HBCL, Ifie Sekibo confirmed ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

boko haram

Soldiers On Death Row Moved To Kainji, Lagos Kept underground in military facilities One week after, fighter jet still missing

Headmistress of Madonna Nursery and Primary School, Rev Sis Felicia Anukanti, screening pupils of the school for Ebola Virus Disease, as the students resumed, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo By nan

chibok diary 162

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

DAY

Chibok TweeTs

@obyezeks • 6h DAY161 HOPE maketh not ashamed. The HOPE that has kept us demanding shall not fail our Daughters. They shall #BringBackOurGirls Now&Alive! Members of #BringBackOurGilrs advocacy group singing solidarity song and advocating the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE

@BBOG_Nigeria Internally displaced Nigerians are increasing in numbers. Currently at 3.3 million #BringBackOurGirls @yinkanubi Now that we know the real and the "fake" Shekau has been killed, can we now go and #BringBackOurGirls ? @Adwal_Peter #BringBackOurGirls: BringBackOurGirls: the sudden and unsusccessful campaign that made Boko Haram world-famous @OMG_Its_6ix Na so dem free those #BringBackOurGirls ish sha ! If you support Jonathan for a second term, you lack raw sense ! @obyezeks It is sadly DAY161 of OUR #ChibokGirls: WE all in one accord ECHO their cry for FREEDOM & DEMAND: #BringBackOurGirls!! #BringBackOurGirls!!! @BBOG_Nigeria The kidnap of our #ChibokGirls is not a northern problem, its a Nigerian problem to resolve #BringBackOurGirls @BBOG_Nigeria Day 155: At the Abuja daily sit outs, we spend 1 minute everyday on positive thoughts for the 219 #ChibokGirls #BringBackOurGirls Compiled by Iroka Ugochukwu

OMOKAGBO

IDPs: BBOG Calls For Urgent Government Intervention by Chika Mefor and ejike ejike, Abuja The #BringBackOurGirls group has called on government to consider it as a matter of urgency, the issues of taking responsibility and catering for the people who have been displaced by the activities of the insurgency in the Northeast who had found themselves in other states and become refugees outside the country. The group who was speaking during its normal sitout yesterday stated that it was saddened at the conditions of the IDPs in camps whose normal lives were destabilised and are now living without any means of livehood. It called on the government to not only own up to its responsibilty of catering for these persons who are in and outside the country but also see it as a matter of urgency to stop the insurgency and bring lasting peace to the Northeast. “ It was reported that fund has been made available for IDPs at the Northeast. What is government doing with those in other states and outside the country like Chad and Cameroon. The government needs to take responsibility of its citizens in and out of the country seriously, “ the group stated. The group which recently visited three camps of the IDPs situated in Nasarawa, pledged to continue to help them adding that another visit to them will be schedule soon. “ We are not leaving the issue of the Chibok girls. We have decided to continue to visit the IDPs and do whatever we can for them because their lives have been destabilised due to the very same situation that brought about the abduction of the Chibok girls. “As for the group, we will continue to collect items from people and decide which IDPs we will take them to. It is very important that we as humans do something about them and do whatever we can for them,” it said.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT TOILETS SANITATION IS A GLOBAL NEED BUT A NEGLECTED PRIORITY

1/3

BECAUSE IN RURAL

AREAS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 1 IN 3 PEOPLE HAVE NOCHOICE BUT TO DEFECATE IN THE OPEN

BECAUSE EVERY 20 SECONDS, A CHILD DIES AS A RESULT OF POOR SANITATION

BUT STILL SANITATION REMAINS A NEGLECTED ISSUE. ONLY 1/4 OF TOTAL WATER AND SANITATION FUNDS ARE SPENT ON SANITATION

our stand Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The $9.3m Scandal

ecently, a private jet, Challenger model 600, took off from the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and landed some hours later at Lauseria International Airport, Johannesburg. The plane had on board three passengers, two Nigerians and an Israeli. It also had a small crew, headed by the pilot, one Captain Ojongbede. In the process of customs and immigration formalities, it was discovered that they were carrying the sum of $9.3million in 100 dollar unused bills; this is equivalent to N1.5billion. The money was stashed away in three bags. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) seized the money. “The money was detained as it was undisclosed/undeclared and above the prescribed limit,” they said. The aircraft was temporarily impounded, but later allowed to return to Abuja. The passengers provided documents as evidence that they were in South Africa officially to purchase weapons for the federal government of Nigeria. After further interrogation about the money, the South African authorities, represented by National Prosecution Authorities (NPA) said, “The explanation was flawed

and riddled with discrepancies.” The NPA has obtained a court order to freeze the money. Another dimension to the saga has indicated that president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has substantial shares in Eagle Air, the owners of the private jet. The CAN president has denied, unsatisfactorily, any knowledge of the ill-fated transaction. The entire South African arms purchase scandal has raised several questions about our national security and integrity. First, why did it take more than a week for the episode to be fully exposed? What is the true identity of the principal actors involved in the saga? If indeed (as they claimed) the passengers were working officially for the Nigerian government, why did

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

they break all existing arms purchase protocols? Is it true, as they claimed, that the arms were to be purchased for the intelligence community and if not, who were the arms meant for? Or is everything a lie and the intention to launder the money, as is being alluded to? We note that the country is presently in a crisis situation and a tightening of security measures is urgently required. There have been worries that the ongoing insurgency in the country is actually sponsored by officialdom. And now, this huge sum finds its way out of the country without proper explanation. If it was for the purchase of arms, for who and for what purpose? This question becomes pertinent as the nation approaches election year. Already, politicians are reeling out vile rhetoric, threatening fire and brimstone. In our view, such inappropriate behaviour within the nation’s borders is bad enough, but taking the shame of the nation’s nagging corrupt tendencies to far-off lands is stretching indiscretion to the limit. We insist that the government owes the nation more plausible information on what led to the idiocy that played out in South Africa.

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

Leadership Holdings

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

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital. We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed. We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

4 news extra

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo JNI Tells FG To Address N9.3m Arms Scandal The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday asked the federal government to address the matter of the private jet laden with $9.3million cash in the name of purchasing buying arms in South Africa. JNI said it was reacting with total disbelief over the recent incident. Secretary-general of the JNI, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Khalid, in a statement, expressed shock at “government’s full knowledge of it, despite its illegality and the attempt to intervene in such a scandalous matter,” saying “there is more to the explanation given by the government on the matter.” He asked government tell Nigerians the facts of the issue, even as he expressed hope that “the matter will not be wheedled with.” He also decried the incourteous speeches attacking other leaders, which leave much to be desired and over-heat the polity and posed some questions to government: “Why was the presidential fleet of jets not used? With the current trend of cashless financial transaction, why is such huge amount carried in cash? Isn’t arms deals executed via third party? Where is the Ministry of Defence and the office of the National Security Adviser?” By Midat Josph, Kaduna

Continuous Voter Reg: INEC Extends Phase II Exercise The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the second phase of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by seven days. The exercise which began yesterday (Monday, September 22) will end on Sunday, September 28, 2014, from 8am to 4pm each day. The 12 states involved are Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, FCT, Jigawa, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Sokoto and Yobe. The commission had earlier refused to extend the exercise despite complaints by many eligible voters that they were prevented from register due to heavy downpour when the exercise began on August 20. Instead, INEC said it would create special centres in each of local government area in the affected states for people who were unable to register when the exercise ended on August 25 to do so. But in a statement yesterday, the commission said the extension was “occasioned by the large turnout of eligible voters and the heavy rains that coincided with the exercise which took place from August 20-25, 2014”. It advised eligible voters in the affected states to take advantage of the extension to register in order to vote in the 2015 general elections. By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

L-R: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a handshake with General T.Y. Danjuma (retd) in Lagos State yesterday.

Taraba Attorney-General To Suntai: You Must Face Medical Panel By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

The commissioner for justice and attorney-general appointed by the acting governor of the state, Barr. Musa Tende, has said that Governor Danbaba Suntai must appear before the medical panel set up by the Taraba State House of Assembly last week, if truly he is fit to resume duty. Barr Tende made this assertion following Governor Suntai’s refusal to appear before the five-

man medical panel set up by the speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, to determine his health status. Reacting to rumours that Suntai would not appear before the panel on the ground that the case was in court, the commissioner insisted that the governor was under oath to appear before the panel to ascertain his fitness or otherwise. The commissioner who spoke to LEADERSHIP over the phone noted that there was nothing

wrong with the governor appearing before the panel as, according to him, the laws permits him to do it. He wondered what would amount to contempt of court in evoking Section 189 (1) (b) and Section (189) (4), adding that merely saying the governor cannot appear before the panel means he has something that was distrubing him and not because of legal implications. LEADERSHIP learnt that Sun-

tai was not prepared to appear before the medical panel. Danbaba, who spoke through G.T. Kataps. said the medical panel was part of the reliefs the governor sought in the suit he instituted against the Assembly when he wrote and requested to resume office when he returned. In his refusal, Suntai hinted that since the case was in court, it would not be wise for him to appear before any medical team until the case was dispensed with.

CJN Warns Court Registrars Against Bribe By By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, has warned court registrars to desist from soliciting and collecting bribes from desperate litigants, or risk consequences if caught. The CJN, while speaking during the opening ceremony of a workshop for secretaries, court registrars, process clerks and bailiffs, said that because all the

bad eggs in the judiciary had not been fished and flushed out does not mean that what they are doing should be copied by the good ones. The CJN, who was represented by Justice Walter Onnoghen, a justice of the Supreme Court, said that the public was now more critical of the conduct of judicial staff perhaps buoyed by public outcry against some unwholesome conducts of judicial staff like leakage

of judgments before delivery, demanding bribes and acting as go between for some overzealous litigants and corrupt judicial officers. “Some of the corrupt ones amongst you have gone ahead to solicit for and collect millions of naira from unscrupolus litigants on the pretext that they are acting for judicial officers handling their cases. This is bad and reprehensible.

“Many judges and magistrates have been violently attacked by hoodlums on the mistaken belief that they did not perform even after money has been given to them through their staff,” the CJN said. She disclosed that many had been caught and disciplined but so that many had so far escaped detection, adding that evil remains evil whether punished or not.

publicity secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, yesterday restated the overwhelming confidence of the party in a winning team that had transformed Nigeria in less than four years in office despite obvious challenges. “There is no doubt whatsoever that the vice president has the implicit confidence of the president. The PDP is therefore very pleased that they are working together in

actualizing the transformation agenda to the popular acclaim of both Nigerians and the international community. “ “We wish to place on record as well that the 66th NEC meeting of our great party which endorsed President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the PDP for the 2015 general elections, responsibly reasoned and anchored this decision on the outstanding performance of the

Jonathan Presidency of which Vice President Sambo is an integral part of. He noted that the motion, which was unanimously endorsed by NEC left no room for any form of speculation as Sen. Jim Nwobodo, who had seconded it, expressly commended both the president and the vice president for lifting the banner of the PDP very high while praying the NEC to approve the motion.

Sambo Is Part Of Our Winning Team – PDP By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it was satisfied with the working relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, noting that the vice president is part of the party’s winning team ahead of the 2015 election. A statement by the national

NEWS 5

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Soldiers On Death Row LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100 Moved To Kainji, Lagos One health tip daily

Minimah

By Kunle Olasanmi, CHIKA OTUCHIKERE and Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

The 12 soldiers condemned to death by a military court-martial have been moved to military facilities in Kainji in Niger State and Lagos, LEADERSHIP learnt yesterday. A reliable source said that the soldiers had been moved to an underground cell at the military intelligence Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos State. The source further said that they are facing inhuman treatment at the underground cell where they were kept. The soldiers were tried and convicted for mutiny by a military court-martial last week. The source said, “About 10am on Sunday, somebody called to tell me that the condemned soldiers were about to be moved to an unknown destination. While going, they (officers conveying the condemned soldiers) stopped over at Kanji, Niger State, to drop some people and then moved to Lagos from there. “When they got to Lagos, they were taken to Military Intelligence Headquarters where they were kept in an underground cell without any window. Since the death sentence was passed on them, they have not been well fed. “With the kind of treatment meted out to them, their chances of survival are very slim. They still have the right of appeal and should be treated well so that they don’t die in custody before the appeal is filed, heard and determined.” Since the verdict was passed on the soldiers, many Nigerians have been appealing to the military authorities to reduce their sentence, with some even appealing to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene. One week after, military jet still missing More than one week after a military jet purportedly deployed

for air strikes against Boko Haram insurgents was declared missing by military authorities, LEADERSHIP can confirm that the whereabouts of the jet are still shrouded in mystery. Defence authorities announced last week that the aircraft disappeared around Adamawa State air space where intense fighting with the insurgents was ongoing to recapture some of the territories reportedly taken by the terrorists. Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, had ‎said in an electronic mail in the early hours of the next day after the disappearance was reported that the aircraft, an Alpha jet, had been missing since Friday, September 12, 2014. Olukolade disclosed that the aircraft left Yola at 10:45am on an operational mission and was expected back to base by 12pm same day but had not been found. The defence spokesman who revealed that the aircraft had two pilots on board said the military had started search and rescue efforts meant to establish contact with the crew and subsequently recover the aircraft. ‘We are still searching for missing aircraft’ Reacting to enquiries from LEADERSHIP yesterday, the Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said the Nigerian Air Force was still searching for the missing aircraft. “We are still searching for the aircraft. All hands are on deck; every suspected place is being combed and once it is located the public would be informed. It is very unfortunate but we will surely find it. The area is Sahel and full of hills and mountains. We strongly believe it would be found,” the spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian military yesterday said it had subdued more members of the Boko Haram sect, and that they were now surrendering their weapons. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) made this known in a tweet in which it said that 10 terrorists surrendered to some troops at Kawuri village in Borno State. According to the DHQ, the terrorists are being held by the military for debriefing. “Another set of 10 terrorists yesterday surrendered to troops at in Kawuri. In custody for necessary security debriefing #VictoryforNigeria,” the military said. The DHQ also revealed that five members of the group had earlier surrendered during a massive onslaught by troops in Kon➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Check You Acid/Alkaline Balance – But In Relation To Your Metabolic Type A food’s effect on the body depends upon the body’s many homeostatic controls, including the autonomic nervous system, the master controller of metabolism. According to Wolcott, vegetables alkalinise an autonomic-dominant person, but acidify an oxidative-

dominant types, those whose oxidative or aerobic system (responsible for the ‘long slow burn’ that keeps running in the background) is the controlling force. To maintain a slightly alkaline status, determine and eat for you metabolic type.

Heritage Bank To List On Stock Market FROM FRONT PAGE

the listing of the bank, although he said the amount to be raised from the market was yet to be ascertained and would be determined after “we have done our mathematics”. He said, “We will surely list on the NSE and that will happen as soon as the combination of the two banks is concluded. So shareholders should get ready and dust their pockets, because we are coming.” Sekibo however expressed his desire to retain the current staff of Enterprise Bank, saying, “There is no better managed institution that has gone through what they have gone through and have done as well as they have with good results. They are a set of people that we are proud of.” Sending a good news signal to the current staff of Enterprise Bank, the Heritage Bank boss said, “If and when the two banks are combined, we will engage staff of Enterprise Bank. We will need the staff as they need us to have a seamless integration. “I desire that no one will lose his job with the combination, but that desire will be the function of other things. However, we have about 15 experience centres and they have over 150, so we have no choice but to work with them,” he stated. Also speaking, the managing director of HBCL Investment Services Limited, a special purpose vehicle of the bank, Segun Akanji, explained that the investment company was able to emerge the preferred bidder for Enterprise Bank, because “we had consistently provided super optimal information to advisers of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AM-

CON).” HBCL signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with AMCON after it paid 20 per cent of the N56billion bid price of Enterprise Bank Limited two days before the September 21, 2014 deadline. LEADERSHIP findings showed that the agreement between the bad bank and HBCL will be signed in Abuja this morning. HBCL’s investment arm emerged the preferred bidder for Enterprise Bank last week, 15 months after the bank had been put on sale. Heritage Bank was expected to pay the initial deposit of 20 per cent or N11.2billion 48 hours after the SPA was signed, or forfeit its position as the preferred bidder to the reserve bidder, Fidelity Bank Plc. However, LEADERSHIP reliably gathered from sources inside HBCL, that the bank had been able to raise the initial deposit and will sign the SPA and pay off the initial deposit today. The bank is still expected to pay up the balance of N44.8billion by October 13 three weeks after - or forfeit to Fidelity Bank. Heritage Bank, former Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, was announced as the preferred bidder over Fidelity Bank and 22 other interested investors by AMCON, Thursday last week. Heritage Bank bought the bank under its investment subsidiary, HBCL Investment Services Limited and will now acquire the entire issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of Enterprise Bank Limited, following the approval of the board of directors of AMCON. The statement by AMCON noted that the emergence of HISL and Fidelity Bank as the ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

6 NEWS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

PDP Confirms Sambo, As Mu’azu’s Posters Flood Abuja By Chibuzo Ukaibe and Onukogu Kanayo Jubal, Abuja

Five days after the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election, a new twist to his possible vice presidential candidate has been introduced. While what appeared reprieve came the way of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday as the party officially confirmed him as President Jonathan’s running mate for 2015, posters pairing the president with the national chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu also yesterday surfaced in strategic areas of the capital city, Abuja. Regardless of the Jonathan/ Mu’azu posters, however, the PDP has insisted that the current vice president was part of the winning team and had the confidence of President Jonathan to carry on with him as one presidency. There had been musings in political circles that Sambo’s job was under threat, following covert moves by some influential northern powerbrokers within the party to displace Sambo. No less than three northern governors have been linked with the pressure being put on President Jonathan to drop his deputy as running mate for the 2015 presidential election. The Mu’azu twist is the latest move made in this bid. The inability of last Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting to expressly state the status of the vice president had heightened speculation that Sambo’s job was still under threat. But Mu’azu has dismissed the post-

ers, saying mischief makers were behind them. The PDP, in a statement issued yesterday said Sambo remained part of the position it had taken on the president. The ruling party said the Presidency was one. The statement, signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, aside describing Sambo as part of the party’s winning team ahead of the 2015 election expressed confidence in the vice president. The statement read, “There is no doubt whatsoever that the Vice President has the implicit confidence of the President. The PDP is therefore very pleased that they are working together in actualising the transformation agenda to the popular acclaim of both Nigerians and the international community. “We wish to place on record as well that the 66th NEC meeting of our great party, which endorsed President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the PDP for the 2015 general elections, responsibly reasoned and anchored this decision on the outstanding performance of the

Jonathan Presidency, of which Vice President Sambo is an integral part. “This motion, which was unanimously endorsed by NEC, left no room for any form of speculation, as Senator Jim Nwobodo who seconded it expressly commended both the President and his Vice for lifting the banner of the PDP very high, while praying the NEC to approve the motion.” Nonetheless, posters of the president and the national chairman were seen around the FCDA, NTA and Federal Secretariat areas of Abuja and were pasted courtesy of a group by the name National Chairman Support Group. The campaign posters had on them inscriptions such as “The game has changed for better transformation; a united Nigeria is possible beyond 2015”, “Support for Dr Goodluck ‘Ebelle’ Jonathan (President), Dr Adamu Muazu (Vice President)”. Mu’azu’s media aide, Akin Oyegoke has however described the posters as mischievous. “This is purely mischief that

is most condemnable in its entirety. It must be ignored, because this is not the first time things like this will be brought to the public. “At first, these mischief makers said the national chairman was eyeing the presidency, now that the president has been endorsed, they have shifted their focus to the president’s running mate. “This is totally condemnable, because it is misleading; the national chairman knows nothing about the said posters,” Oyegoke told LEADERSHIP. PDP sets up 8-man committee for Yobe The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up an eight-man caretaker committee to oversee the operations of the party in Yobe State. According to a statement by the party’s spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, the committee has Alhaji Sule Abdulkadir Doguwa as chairman and Ahmad Sani Kaura as secretary. The statement did not, however, include the names of the other members

Heritage Bank

Soldiers On Death Row Moved To Kainji, Lagos

FROM PAGE 5

preferred and reserve bidders respectively, resulted from a rigorous and competitive bidding process, coordinated by its financial and legal advisers, Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Vetiva Capital Management Limited and G. Elias & Co. Enterprise Bank commenced operation in August 2011, as a full-service commercial bank with a national banking license, after it was nationalised and acquired by AMCON. The bank operates via a sizeable distribution network of over 160 branches, spread across major markets and commercial centres in Nigeria and with over 177 ATMs, 57 Cash Centres and 2,000 POS terminals.

duga, saying that the insurgents also pleaded for mercy while surrendering their weapons. The DHQ also affirmed that there was no raid in any part of Nigeria as widely reported by some Cameroonian soldiers, and asserted that all operations in Konduga, its environs and all border locations within Nigeria were handled by Nigerian troops. In another development, security operatives have apprehended five persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect at the Damare NYSC camp where internally displaced persons are being sheltered in Yola. The public relations officer of the Adamawa State Police Command, Michael Haa, confirmed

the arrest of the five suspected Boko Haram members, saying that investigation was ongoing. The five suspects were picked up by plainclothes security agents. Boko Haram commander killed not Shekau Meanwhile, a Nigerian military intelligence source has disclosed to an online news medium that contrary to reports doing the rounds that the Boko Haram kingpin, Abubakar Shakau, was killed in a military operation in Konduga, the top Boko Haram figure killed was actually one Bashir Mohammed, leader of the Islamist sect’s Uye camp. The intelligence source said that Nigerian soldiers, not Cameroonian troops, killed Bashir Mohammed last Friday

in a fierce battle against Boko Haram insurgents in Konduga, Borno State. The late Mohammed, who bore a striking resemblance to Abubakar Shekau and had appeared in a recent video, was killed as he led insurgents who were attempting to capture Konduga and then make a bid to seize Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. No raid by Cameroonians in Nigeria - DHQ The Nigerian military has put a lie to claims that Cameroon was responsible for the elimination of some terrorists in Nigeria last week. According to a tweet from the handle of Defence Headquarters, “There was no raid whatsoever by Cameroon or any foreign forces

of the committee. Meanwhile, PDP, in the same statement blamed the opposition for trying to cause confusion over the activities of their zonal integration committee. The party, last week inaugurated a zonal integration committee to facilitate reconciliation among members and smooth operations of the party across the six geo-political zones ahead of 2015. But PDP said, “Our attention has been drawn to a plot by the opposition to cause confusion among our leaders and members by organising groups to disrupt the activities of the recently inaugurated PDP Zonal Integration Committees in some states, while attempting to distort the facts regarding their role in relation to the party structures in the states. “The national leadership wishes to state categorically that the Zonal Integration Committees have absolutely nothing to do with the party structures in the states and have no powers whatsoever to interfere with their composition and activities. “The national leadership has immense respect for the dictates of the provisions of the PDP constitution with regard to structure, roles and powers of our party leadership at all levels and will ensure that this is respected at all times. “Members of the committees are indeed notable and respectable leaders of the party who know that it is not within their schedule to interfere with the party structures in the states.”

in any part of Nigeria’s territory in pursuit of terrorists as claimed in some reports allegedly quoting Cameroon military authorities. “All operations ongoing in the environs of Konduga and all associated border locations within the country are completely being undertaken by Nigerian troops.” While the Nigerian military is yet to officially name some of the top terrorists killed in recent operations, more suspected insurgents have continued to surrender themselves to the troops. Another set of terrorists surrendered to troops at Kawuri yesterday. Military officials confirmed that those that have surrendered had been taken into custody for necessary security investigations.

news extra 7

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

JIBWIS Wants FG To Probe $9.3m Impounded Jet The Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) has called on the federal government to clarify the issue of the impounded Jet Bombardier Challenger 600 with Registration No 808HG in South Africa loaded with dollars amounting to $9.3million. The group, which made the demand yesterday in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP, said the clarification and/ or probe on the issue is imperative as the said jet belongs to a religious leader even though he claims to have leased it to another company. The statement signed by the national chairman of the Islamic organisation, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, queried why such a huge amount of money was conveyed in cash on a trip purportedly to purchase weapons for the Nigerian Security Service. “Such a transaction could have been done in a formal way and the arms company should have been responsible for delivering the weapons to Nigeria.” By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja

UniUyo Student Arrested With IEDs A diploma student of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Kufre Anwana, was yesterday caught with two improvised explosive devices (IEDS) at the male hostel of the school. It was gathered that some students had alerted the operatives of Peace on Campus Initiative (PCI) about a bag containing the IEDs which were in custody of the suspect. Operatives of PCI were said to have trailed the suspect to his hostel where it was discovered that the suspected bomber was in possession of IEDs which were concealed in a bag. The Anti-bomb squad of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Ikot AkpanAbia, Uyo, which was drafted to the scene ascertain situation, on discovering the IEDs, arrested the suspect. The squad, according to eyewitnesses, detonated the two IEDs, even as they conducted a search round the hostel. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, DSP Etim Dickson, confirmed the incident. Dickson noted that the explosives were homemade devices, which could have been invented by any of the science students in the university. He added that the police would get to the roots of the matter while, urging students and parents not to entertain any fear about possible breakdown of law and order in the university community. By Bernard Tolani Dada Uyo

l-r: Controller of works in charge of lagos, Federal ministry of Works, engr Godwin eke, works minister, arc mike Onolememen and mD, julius Berger Plc, engr Detlev lubasch, during the inspection of ongoing works on apapa-Oshodi expressway in lagos, yesterday.

Synagogue Tragedy: Death Toll Increases To 115 By TaiWO OGunmOla Omilani, Lagos

South African minister in charge of Pretoria’s response to disaster, Jeff Radebe, said yesterday that the death toll from the Synagogue Church building collapse has now increased to 115, and 84 of them were South Africans. He said, “We understand from our assessment team that the total number of people who have perished is now 115, but those are not all South Africans”. Speaking after about two dozens injured survivors were repatriated home, he said the casualties included 84 South Africans. Minister Radebe gave the number of the injured that ar-

rived home as 25, saying that one person refused to board the medical evacuation plane in Lagos and chose to return to the church which crumbled in Lagos on September 12. “The plan was to bring back all the 26, but “there were only 25 who actually boarded the aircraft because one returned to the Synagogue yesterday,” he added. The 26 survived after being trapped under the rubble when a Guest House attached to the church run by a prominent Nigerian preacher, TB Joshua collapsed more than a week ago. Biggest evacuation in 20 years A 19-member medical team including specialised doctors, nurses and medical military

paramedics took care of the injured on board a military C-130 aircraft. “It’s the biggest evacuation effort by the (South African) Air Force since the dawn of democracy two decades ago”, said Radebe. Two orphaned toddlers that lost their parents in the tragedy were among the survivors that returned home yesterday. Sixteen of the wounded were in critical condition, with some having their limbs amputated and one developed gangrene in the toes. Others had developed kidney failure and were on dialysis. Radebe thanked the “Nigerian government for the cooperation that they have had with us

in order to ensure we executed this task as a matter of extreme urgency.” “We are keenly waiting, as the South African government, for the investigation that is being conducted by the Nigerian government so that we get to the bottom of the cause of the collapse of this building that has caused us this national disaster,” he said. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the first investigation meeting would be held today involving state and federal bodies as well as engineers to assess the collapse and determine its causes and the next step to take.

2015: See Me As New Atiku, Former VP Tells Nigerians By GeOrGe OKOjie, Lagos

As aspirants jostle for presidential tickets in their various parties to contest the 2015 presidential election, former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to see him as a brand new politician refined to transform the country. Atiku who said this yesterday in an interactive session with journalists in Lagos said the period he has

been out of power has given him the ample opportunity to study the challenges rocking the country and measures needed to solve the problems. He said, “As I have already indicated, I will be offering myself as a candidate under the platform of my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). “If anything, I want you to see me as a new Atiku. I was in government from 1999 to 2007 and I al-

ways thank my God that it did not continue. I have had a break. That break has enabled me to interact with ordinary Nigerians, listen to them and know what they want. Probably if I had continued and become the president, I wouldn’t have been the new Atiku that I am now.” Atiku added that allegations of corruption levelled against him were the handiwork of his political adversaries bent on denting his image.

He said, “I have not been charged for corruption; I am the most investigated Nigerian today. All these investigations revealed nothing, so it is a question of perception. I am capable of running a corruption free economy. “Corruption can always be tackled by deploying political will and building institutions to deal with it. No administration has done that in the country better than our administration”.

Supreme Court Affirms Obiano’s Election By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

The Supreme Court has upheld the victory of Anambra State governor, Willy Obiano in the November 2013 governorship election. The apex court in three separate judgements dismissed the appeals brought before it against the election of Governor Obiano by the All Pro-

gressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Chris Ngige and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Tony Nwoye for lack of merits. In November 2013, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted governorship election in the state and declared Willy Obiano of APGA as the winner after scoring 180,178 votes.

In the said election, Tony Nwoye of PDP polled 97,700 votes while Chris Ngige of APC polled 95,963 votes. Not satisfied with the results of the elections, both Nwoye and Ngige alongside their parties filed petitions against the election of Governor Obiano. They begged the state Election Petition Tribunal to up-

turn the election of the governor but after listening to their petitions, the court turned down their requests. They then headed for the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the tribunal but also had their requests turned down. Ngige, Nwoye and PDP had in different suits approached the apex court to upturn Obiano’s election.

8 News north-central

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

8 Aspirants Jostling PDP Guber Ticket In Niger – Gov Aliyu By Abu Nmodu,Minna

The Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu has disclosed that eight members of his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have already indicated their interest to contest for the governorship ticket of the party. Aliyu, who disclosed this at the 1st Niger State Investment Climate Summit yesterday in Minna, revealed that three of the eight aspirants are from his cabinet, another one a local government chairman and the four others outside of his government. The governor listed the names to include the deputy governor Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, the commissioner for Works Alhaji Mohammed Muazu Bawa and the chairman of Wushisishi local government area Alhaji Saidu Wushsishi as well as his chief of staff Alhaji Umaru Nasko Aliyu said his chief of staff had gubernatorial ambition and had

short news Ajaokuta Steel: Belgore Denies Statement The chairman of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Kola Belgore has denied statements recently credited to him on the current status of Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State. The AMCON boss was quoted as saying that the government was wasting N3.4 billion monthly to pay the salaries of 6,000 workers who were doing nothing at Ajaokuta Steel Company. Belgore’s denial was contained in a letter he personally sent to the management of the company which was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday. By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

informed him that he was still consulting with his people and the leadership of the PDP but did not give the names of the other aspirants outside of his government. The governor however said that in order to avoid unnecessary acrimony and generate bad blood, he has asked all the aspirants to meet and peacefully pick one of them to fly the party’s flag in the 2015 governorship polls. Dr Aliyu said his interest in a person from within taking over from him was informed by the need to have somebody that will continue the good works and policies he had put in place. LEADERSHIP learnt that there are some powerful party men from Abuja and Niger State who may be working for the emergence of Mohammed Babangida, but his father, General Ibrahim Babangida, has always expressed reservationd over such move.

NGO Holds Rally For Jonathan, Confers Award On First Lady Following the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) sole presidential candidate, a non-governmental organization (NGO) The Presidential View and Endorsement Platform (PVEP), an initiative of God`s Wealth Care Foundation (GWCF), will hold rally for the president. The NGO, which is one of the campaigners for Jonathan’s second term bid ahead of the 2015 polls, also commended the office of the special adviser to the president on political affairs, Professor Ahmed Rufai Alkali, and the Goodluck Support Groups (GSG) for the success of last week’s Abuja summit. The national president of the PVEP, Mr. Chibuzor Chinweuba, said the rally entitled, “Consolidating the Transformation Drive through Continuity” will hold on October 16 at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. According to him, part of the activities expected to mark the event is the conferment of distinguished mother of the nation award to first lady Dame Patience Jonathan. Chinweuba explained that By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja

short news 501 Kwara Pilgrims Airlifted To Saudi The first batch of 501 intending pilgrims from Kwara State were on Sunday evening airlifted from Ilorin International Airport to Saudi Arabia. The Boeing 777 Airline that airlifted the pilgrims left Ilorin airport at 6:34pm . The airport was crowded by friends and families of the pilgrims who came to see them off. The chairman, Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Usman Olosun, said the screening of the pilgrims was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. He praised the pilgrims for abiding with the laiddown rules guiding the pilgrimage. By Abdullahi lesin, Ilorin

A cross section of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) during their swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

Int’l Peace Day: WEP, NSCDC, UNDP Call For Ceasefire By Christiana Nwaogu, and Paul Chiama Abuja

As the International Day of Peace is being celebrated, major stakeholders in the Country, tasked with the mandate of ensuring maximum peace and eschewing the acts of violence in Nigeria have called on insurgents and perpetrators of other economic crime to build democracy and implement cease fire. The stakeholders, Women Environmental Programme (WEP), Niger Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolu-

tion (IPCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which worked under a consensus to mark the day said, the decision to mark the day was taken in view of the appeal by Civil society groups, women group among others, in honor of the adopted Chibok girls. The Chief of Army staff. LT General Kenneth Tobiah Minimah in his speech noted that the much seeked peace can only be achieved through maximum understanding , adding that all stakeholders must not support opportunists and anarchists but play role in strengthening

democracy for the future of Nigeria The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof Ade Abolurin, said his agency believes that in the interests of world peace and for the sake of future generations, the International Day of Peace should be an opportunity for peace loving people particularly, world leaders to plunge into deep thinking in order to establish more just international economic relations and curb greed, selfishness and corruption among others.

Bassa Youths Back Nda-Isaiah For President BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja

Youths Initiative for Good Leadership (YIGL), an umbrella group based in Kogi State, yesterday called on Nigerians to rise up in support of Sam Nda-Isaiahs’ presidential bid. Chairman of the group, Mallam Musa Baba, who led a delegation of Bassa sons and daughters to National Museum in Lokoja, Kogi State, said Bassa youths were in total support of

Nda-Isaiah’s presidential aspiration. “We have seen leadership quality in him and we are proud of what he has done through his write-ups and others to correct the society”, he noted. Mallam Musa, who described Sam Nda-Isaiah, founder of LEADERSHIP Group Ltd and APC presidential aspirant, as an upright person, said, “Nda Isaiahs’ antecedents from the hey days shows leadership quality in

him to build a virile nation. “It is now ripe for Nigerians to clamour for credible leaders, to pick through their past records and not just through zonal selection; that informed our decision to give our support to the presidential bid of Sam Nda-Isaiah. “Nigeria needs a capable person to take it to the promised land; Sam has done well with his contributions for the societal development. 2015 presidency is for him”, he concluded.

Gunmen Attack Police Station In Ajaokuta BY SAM EGWU,Lokoja

There was pandemonium yesterday in Kogi State as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked the Adogo Police station, in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Kogi State. The gunmen who struck Sunday night targeted the police station situated at the headquarters of Ajaokuta local government, to gain access to the armoury. A source who did not want his name mentioned told LEADERSHIP that heavy gunfire was heard around the area around

8:30pm. The source maintained that the attack by the bandits, who descended on the place from different directions dressed in mufti, took policemen at the station unawares. The authorities, it was gathered, ordered for police and military reinforcement from Lokoja. “They dynamited the armoury but they did not succeed in carting away firearms. No casualty was recorded,” said the source, The Kogi State Police Command, in a statement it issued yesterday said the unknown gun-

men were repelled by its officers. The Police Public Relations Officer, Elvis Aguebor, called on members of the public to report anybody seen with bullet wounds of any sort to the nearest police station or other security agencies. According to him, “The desire of the hoodlums to cart away arms was aborted, as the police successfully evacuated the arms from the station to safety. At the time of filing this report, no human casualty was recorded on the part of the police, while some of the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

stories of the Tuesday, September 23, 2014

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

KILLED: Cult Clash Claims 4 By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Four people have so far been killed in Lagos Island as rival cult groups and thugs clashed in Lagos Island. LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that a prominent political thug was allegedly killed on Saturday few hours after the PDP rally in Lagos. As a result of his death, three persons have also been killed in a riot that broke out in Lagos Island on Sunday. At the time of filling this story, the specific number of persons died was yet to be confirmed. It was learnt that the political thug, one Otun Azeez Asake, regarded as the most powerful ‘Area Boy’ on the Island, was killed by some unidentified suspected political thugs after the PDP rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday. Trouble was said to have escalated on Sunday afternoon when rival Area Boys, suspected to be from the camp of the late Asake, stormed the camp of one Abija and allegedly killed three persons.

BLACKMAIL: NTA Staff Accused Of Blackmailing Niger State Govt

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

The Niger State Command of the Department of the State Services (DSS) has arrested a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Sapele staffer, Tega Sampson Oghenedoro, for allegedly blackmailing Niger State Government for N50 million. Parading the suspect before journalists yesterday in Minna, the state director of the DSS, Mr. Larry Obiagwu, said that the suspect goes by the online pen name, Fejiro Oliver, whereas he is an employee of NTA and was blackmailing the state government . He stated that two other collaborators, Stanley Ogene and Francis Arinze, who cofounded the Secret Reports Group (SRG) with the sole objective of blackmailing government officials and heads of corporate organization for pecuniary reasons, were still at large. Mr. Larry Obiagwu disclosed that sometime in July/August 2014, the suspects via persistent telephone calls alerted top officials of Niger State government that he carried out a three-month investigation of the activities of state government which exposed the corrupt practices of the state government and expected government to pay him the sum of N50 million or risk the publication of his findings. The director said Tega is a grade level 08 officer of the NTA, Sapele. Obiagwu said that Tega, 28, who also works for Elombah Communication, an online news organization that owns Daily Voice Nigeria with the proprietor, Daniel Elombah, a United Kingdom-based attorney as managing editor.

A female painter at work in Nyanya, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

Murder: Kebbi Govt House Finance Director Killed, Buried In Friend’s Bedroom Kebbi State Government House’s director of finance, Alhaji Yahaya Saidu has been killed and buried by people suspected to be his business associates at Kwanawa area of Sokoto metropolis. Briefing newsmen yesterday at the Police Command Headquarters, the police public relations officer, DSP El-Mustapha Sani said the incident happened on the 15th of September but they got the report on the 18th and effected the arrest on the 19th of September, 2014. According to El-Mustapha, the deceased was said to have been called for a meeting by his agent, Bello Ubandawaki who resides in Kwanawa area of Sokoto metropolis on the 15th only to be killed and buried in his house. Parading the suspects, the PPRO said the police swung into action after getting the complaint from the late director’s wife that her husband had not been seen for three days. “Police swung into action and went to Bello Ubandawaki’s house, and discovered a newly

dug hole cemented in his bedroom; the police dug it and found the corpse and exhumed it. On further investigation, we also arrested some of his accomplices who include Musbau Musa also known as Shagon Dankikiya, Yunusa Ibrahim, Aliyu Sani, Luba Salihu and Fatima Shehu”. The PPRO, however, noted that Luba Salihu is said to be a friend to the deceased while Fatima Shehu is the wife of the principal suspect, Bello Ubandawaki who happens to be one of the children of the Kwanawa village head, Alhaji Dabadda Ubandawaki. The deceased, before his death, was said to have trusted Bello Ubandawaki as his agent to help him acquire some landed properties within the suburb of the metropolis, Kwanawa, where his father is the village head. It was gathered that Bello was given no less than N3.5million to help purchase the landed properties, but he failed to deliver and rather resorted to inviting the director for a meeting, only to kill and bury him in his house.

KILLING: ‘Fish Out Killer Of Ogoni Youth’ BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, yesterday charged the police in Rivers to fish out the killers of an Ogoni youth, Mr. Kaananwi Abor. Abor was hacked to death with cutlasses when suspected cult members invaded Taaba community in Khana local government area last Friday. The palace of the paramount ruler of the area was also destroyed by the rampaging hoodlums. The deputy speaker expressed worry that the police had not arrested any person in

connection with the death of the youth. Kwanee at a news briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday lamented that the main suspect in the incident was working freely without being arrested. He said, “We are worried about the issue of insecurity. A youth from the area was killed and almost beheaded by a group of person that invaded Taaba community in Khana Local Government Area. “We have written a petition to the police over the killing of the youth, yet the main suspect is still working freely in Khana without being arrested,” Kwanee stressed.

ROBBERY: 37 Suspects Killed, 220 Arrested In 9 Months Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has killed 37 armed robbers and arrested over 200 robbery suspects in various operations in the first three quarters of 2014. This was disclosed yesterday by the Commissioner for Police in the state, Ikemefuna Okoye, at the Eleweran headquartees of the Command, while parading suspects arrested for offences ranging from robbery to cultism. The largest number of suspects on parade was 31. Ikemefuna said his men arrested the suspects at a hotel during initiation into secret cult. The banner recovered from the suspects had a picture of a bird with the inscription, ‘National Association of Airlords, Determination Regime’. The commissioner for Police further stated that the location of arrest was known to be a notorious spot, saying his men acted on information and were able to arrest the suspected cultists. “Based on information received by Obantoko Division that some suspected cultists belonging to EYE Confraternity were having initiation ceremonu at Bolif Hotel, Obantoko area, on receipt of the information, detectives attached to Obantoko Division swung into action and raced to the scene where 31 suspected cultists were arrested,” Ikemefuna said. The police boss equally informed journalists that 170 arms, 1777 ammunitions and 116 vehicles were recovered during the period under review. According to him, over one N100 million worth of property was also recovered by his command.

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

day

Photo News

DANGEROUS DRIVING: Man Remanded Over Fatal Mishap By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

An Ilorin Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of one AbdulRasheed Salau, 24, for allegedly causing death by dangerous driving. The suspect, who is of No. 16-18 ICOH Crescent off Asa-Dam road, Ilorin, was arraigned before the court on one count charge of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 23 of Road Traffic Law (RTL). The Police First Information Report (FIR), said the suspect, on September 12, drove a Toyota Corolla with Registration number, Kwara-MUN 859 AA in a dangerous manner

and knocked down one Mayowa Adubi, a motorcyclist in Ilorin. “As a result, the cyclist felt down and sustained injuries on his head, legs and body and died on the spot. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. The police prosecutor, Matthew Ologbosaye objected to the accused’s bail application on the grounds that he may tamper with the police investigation. The defence counsel, Femi Makinde told the court that the suspect had enjoyed the police bail shortly after the accident, arguing that he would not jump bail when granted by the court.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Saratu Umar presenting a visionary leadership award to Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu, during the 1st Niger State Investment Climate Summit, at the Idris Legbo International Conference Center, Minna, yesterday. Photo by government house

OIL THEFT: 60-year-old Woman, Others Arrested By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

Men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday arrested a 60-year-old mother of 15 in Bayelsa State over offences bordering on crude oil theft. The suspect, Victoria Sorkibulor, popularly called Mama Militant, was arrested at Fish Town, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area by a special team of the NSCDC. She was paraded at the headquarters of the NSCDC in Yenagoa alongside two of her workers and two other suspects nabbed by the command for pipeline vandalism. Sorkibulor is said to be notorious for pipeline vandalism and illegal refining of petroleum products. Her workers were said to have led the security operatives to her hideout at Fish Town where she was caught and brought

to Yenagoa. Parading the suspects yesterday, the state commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said the suspects were nabbed for unlawful possession of adulterated and illegally refined petroleum products. He said 20 drums of illegally refined kerosene and Automated Gas Oil (AGO) were seized from the suspects. He explained that Sorkibulor was apprehended shortly after her workers were rounded up while evacuating their illegally refined product in a large wooden boat. He said while the boat was burnt at the point of arrest, the products were recovered for further investigations and prosecution. Agu said all the suspects were arrested on Sunday night at different locations in Southern Ijaw. He named other suspects as Goodnews Kurai, Babangida James, Daniel Sokebolou and David Ayibadigenmi.

UNREST: Gunshots Cause Pandemonium At FCE Yola, Environs BY MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola

Apprehension enveloped Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, and environs yesterday as students and residents took to their heels when soldiers drafted to the northern parts of Adamawa State, overwhelmed by the insurgency, fired gunshots into the air on their way out of the state. Students and residents of the area said they were forced to flee the area as they thought that insurgents were carrying out attacks on the institution following a recent attack launched by insurgents on FCE Kano leading to the death of many students of the institution. Reports said many people were injured in the process of fleeing from the scene as vehicles rammed into each other as the stampede lasted. Some of the students of the college reportedly left their classrooms while some were said to have scaled the fence of the col-

lege in order not to fall victim of circumstances. A student of the institution who declined to have his name on print, said he ran for a long distance to the back door of the FCE adjoining Dougirei Government House Yola. A resident of the area, Mr. Tafarki Sani, said that several people were injured while scampering for their lives, particularly female students that were about to enter the college. Another resident of the area, Habibu Tanimu said he did not run as others did because he witnessed when the soldiers who were in a large convoy shot into the air but others who did not witness the incident got panicky and started running in the ensuing melee. Angry residents have condemned the action of the soldiers, saying that it had the tendency of heightening insecurity because of the apprehension lurking in the minds of residents as insurgents continue to wreak havoc in many northern towns and villages.

Executive secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara (right) and Anambra State governor Dr Willie Obiano during NCPC 2014 sensitisation visit to Anambra State.

L-R: Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Defence, Hon Bashir Adamu, and his counterpart at Interior, Hon Umar Bature, during a discussion on the nation’s security at the National Assembly.

L-R: National coordinator, North Progressive Youth Movement for Nigeria, Alhaji Babangida Goma, presenting a cheque on behalf of the group to the director-general, Atiku Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Abdulraman Jumaita, in Bauchi.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

business

10th

Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. (GCON), has bagged the award of the ‘Telecom Investor of the Decade’ at the 10th edition of the annual Nigerian Telecom Awards

Nigeria To Resume Gas Supply To Ghana BY Chika Izuora, Lagos

Nigeria is expected to resume supply of gas to Ghana after the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) suspended their fiveday-old strike. The strike triggered a cut in supply of gas through the West African Gas Pipeline to Ghana and left the country in an energy crisis with power producers forced to shed a record 500 megawatts of electricity. All gas powered thermal plants across the country were shut down, worsening the

ongoing load shedding programme. But with the suspension of the strike in Nigeria, which was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a marathon meeting with the minister of petroleum, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, and the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, it is expected that gas supply to Ghana will be resumed. The oil workers had last Monday ordered their members to embark on an indefinite strike in protest against NNPC’s alleged refusal to address unresolved pension issues concerning workers in the oil industry.

L-R: Permanent secretary, Kano State Ministry of Health, Dahiru Musa; manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi; commissioner of commerce, Kano State, Umar Farouk Jubril and head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf at the presentation of communication devices to Kano state government to help fight the Ebola Virus Disease in the state.

We Cannot Afford Another Financial Crisis – NDIC MD By Bukola Idowu, Lagos

The managing director and chief executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has said the Nigerian financial industry cannot afford to have a repeat of the financial crisis of 2008/ 2009. Speaking at the 2014 sensitisation workshop for operators of primary mortgage banks (PMBs) in Lagos, yesterday, Ibrahim stressed the need for banks in the country to ensure effective risk management to avert the near collapse of some financial institutions during the

2008/2009 crisis. Delivering his keynote address, Ibrahim said, “Supervisory authorities are deeply concerned about the building up of toxic assets of the microfinance banks (MFBs) which stood at about 45 per cent as at December 2013 as against the prescribed maximum of five per cent. “It is important to stress that weak corporate governance and risk management frameworks can result in risky behaviors by PMBs and can lead to the creation of huge toxic assets and ultimately put insured deposit at risk. “Our attention is now focused on both the MFBs and PMBs

so as to address the emerging challenges and our efforts can only be successful if the operators can embrace good governance and sound risk management practices.” Ibrahim, while recalling the role of mortgage institutions in the global financial crisis which originated from the United States, noted that mortgage markets are “inextricably linked to the functioning of the economy.” Ibrahim urged PMBs to ensure enhanced risk management standards as the sector is sensitive to interest rate, noting that an increase in interest rate can make repayment difficult and

BUSINESS QUOTE

result in default which he said may give rise to toxic assets. He added that only PMBs which have a track record of good corporate governance and risk management will be able to access the facility being made available by the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC). The NDIC boss said that over 60,000 applications for funding were currently being considered by the NMRC, adding that only PMBs with “strong credit underwriting standards underlying a robust enterprise risk management practices” will be able to get the funding from the NMRC.

Agriculture is now a motorised food industry, the same thing in its essence as the production of corpses in the gas chambers and the extermination camps, the same thing as blockades and the reduction of countries to famine, the same thing as the manufacture of hydrogen bombs —Martin Heidegger, philosopher (1889-1976) lecture, 1949

Adenuga, Glo Mobile, Glo 1, Win Big At Nigeria Telecom Awards By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

One of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and chairman of Nigeria’s national telecom carrier, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr, has bagged the award of the “Telecom Investor of the Decade” at the 10th edition

of the annual Nigerian Telecom Awards held in Lagos, recently. Two of Adenuga’s companies in the telecom sector, Glo Mobile and Glo 1, also swept a total of three awards in various categories, namely ‘Best Telecom Operator of the Year – Data’ ‘Most Innovative

Telecom Operator of the Year’ and ‘Best Submarine Company of the Year.’ The awards coincided with the re-emergence of Globacom as the second largest telecommunications operator in Nigeria, according to the latest

figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The ‘Telecom Investor of the Decade’ award was the highpoint of a well attended ceremony and was presented by the chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigerian

Telecom Awards, Chief Alex Akinyele and the vice chairman and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The award was received on Dr Adenuga’s behalf by a director in Mike Adenuga Group, Mr Niyi Adewunmi.

Adenuga

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES LIMITED (A SUBSIDIARY OF LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP)

2014 ANNUAL

CONFERENCE & AWARDS CEREMONY Chairman MR. SAM AMUKA Publisher, Vanguard Media Limited Keynote Speaker MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN Executive Governor, Lagos State STAR AWARDS 2013

LEADERSHIP PERSON OF THE YEAR General Yakubu Gowon GCFR LEADERSHIP GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan

LEADERSHIP POLITICIANS OF THE YEAR The G-7 Governors Dr. Babangida Aliyu (Niger) Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) Alh. Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Alh. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi (Rivers) Alh. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) LEADERSHIP BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Mr. Olatunde Ayeni

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2013 LEADERSHIP CEO OF THE YEAR Simdul Shagaya CEO, Konga.com LEADERSHIP COMPANY OF THE YEAR Chi Limited LEADERSHIP BANK OF THE YEAR Diamond Bank LEADERSHIP ICT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Jumia LEADERSHIP BANKER OF THE YEAR Mr. Philips Oduoza GMD, UBA LEADERSHIP GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) LEADERSHIP AUTHOR OF THE YEAR Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai

LEADERSHIP PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Nagari Farm Yoghurt LEADERSHIP MICROFINANCE BANK OF THE YEAR LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited LEADERSHIP TELECOM COMPANY OF THE YEAR Swift Networks Limited LEADERSHIP PUBLIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development LEADERSHIP BRAND OF THE YEAR SAMSUNG LEADERSHIP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR Ice Prince LEADERSHIP YOUNG PERSONS OF THE YEAR The Golden Eaglets LEADERSHIP SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Stephen Okechukwu Keshi

Venue: ThisDay Dome, Abuja Time: 9:00am Date: October 14th, 2014

NEWS/BUSINESS 15

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

NSE Trades 344.98m Shares By Olushola Bello,

Lagos

Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Monday, staked N4.14 billion on 344.983 million shares transacted in 4,663 deals. The turnover decreased by 40.55 per cent, compared with the 580.257 million shares worth N4.64 billion traded

in 4,388 deals on Friday. The FBN Holdings emerged the most traded equity with 65.23 million shares worth N920.82 million. Wapic Insurance came second on the activity chart, accounting for 52.94 million shares valued at N40.25 million, while Skye Bank traded 29.07 million shares worth N79.49 million. UBA sold 25.03 million

shares valued at N174.97 million, while Transcorp transacted 22.21 million shares worth N128.74 billion. The NSE All-Share Index dropped by 65.16 basis points or 0.16 per cent to close at 40,984.12, as against 41,049.28 achieved on Friday. Similarly, market capitalisation depreciated by N21 billion to close

at N13.533 trillion, compared to N13.554 trillion posted on Friday due to losses in some capitalised stocks. Unilever recorded the highest price to lead the laggardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; table, dropping N1.74 to close at N48.26 per share. Dangote Cement trailed with a loss of N1.15 to close at N222.85, while ETI declined by 90 kobo to close at N18.1 per share.

First Lady Congratulates NCC Boss For Emerging CTO Chairman By Chima Akwaja,

Lagos

The First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah, on his election as the chairman of Commonwealth Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Organisation (CTO) at the CTO Forum and 54th Council Meeting held in

Dhaka, Bangladesh. In the letter dated September 19, 2014, and signed by senior special assistant (Administration), Office of the First Lady, Ike Neliakuchukwu, Jonathan observed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Commonwealth has, once more through this election, demonstrated its confidence and goodwill, not only in you but in the Nigerian nation under the capable leadership of the President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Former Access Bank GMD Emerges NSE President By Friday Atufe, Lagos

Former group managing director of Access Bank Plc, Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede, will tomorrow emerge as the 18th president of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). Aigboje is an exemplary business leader whose achievements have earned other African professionals the admiration and respect of the international business community. Beginning with the transformation of Access Bank from a lowly-rated Nigerian bank into a leading African financial brand with his partner, Herbert Wigwe, his touch and initiative delivered superior value to stakeholders and the African continent. A quintessential banker and outstanding manager of resources, his uncanny ability to bring dreams alive has earned him a pride of place in the chronicle of successful corporate restructuring in the world, and the transformation story of Access Bank under his leadership was listed a case study for MBA students in leading Business Schools across the hemisphere. Access Bank, which is now credited with the most successful growth trajectory in the history of banking in Africa and perhaps in the EME, was incorporated in February 1989 as a privately owned commercial bank, obtained a banking licence and commenced business in May 1998. The bank converted to a public limited liability and was listed on the NSE in November 1998.

16 NEWS/BUSINESS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Customs Releases HS Code For Imported Vehicles By Samson Echenim,

Lagos

Following a protest by clearing agents at the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) in Lagos, last Wednesday, the port’s command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released the Harmonised System (HS) Code for imported vehicles. The protest came after

the trade facilitating agency attempted to begin enforcement of the 35 per cent increase on automobile import tariff in line with the revived National Automotive Policy implementation. The HS Code, also known as the harmonised commodity description and coding system, a tariff nomenclature, is an internationally

standardised system of names and numbers to classify traded products and their tariffs. Clearing agents at the PTML had alleged, last Tuesday, that the port’s customs command had commenced the collection of 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy on imported vehicles. The alleged move made the agents operating at the terminal to withdraw

their services. But the customs area comptroller (CAC) of the PTML Command, Folorunsho Adegoke, told journalists that his command was only currently collecting 35 per cent tariff on used vehicles. He also confirmed release of the HS Codes for imported used vehicles and advised licenced customs agents to use them appropriately.

He said, “Note that the new levy is not applicable for now until December 31, 2014,” he stated. The area comptroller gave the HS Code for used passenger vehicles as: 8702.1020.20, 8702.1020.29 and 8702.9020.97. He added that the HS Code for cars/four wheel drives are: 8703.2422.00, 8703.2429.00 and

8703.3121.00. Adegoke also gave the HS Code for dumpers/lorries as: 8704.2125.00, 8704.2219.28 and 8704.2320.00. He explained that once this HS Code is used, it would be impossible for any officer to classify the used vehicles as new, even as he added that these HS Codes are well known to the clearing agents.

Payment For Transformers Installation, Repairs By Consumers Fraudulent – KEDC CEO By ISAIAH BENJAMIN,

Kaduna

The managing director and chief executive officer of Kaduna Electricity Distributed Company (KEDC), Alhaji Muhammed Danlami Idris, yesterday said it is fraudulent for any electricity consumer to be made to contribute or pay money for the purchase of transformers, its repairs or installation. This is just as he said that any staff of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) or KEDC found in such fraudulent activities will not only be shown the way out but will be made to face the wrath of the law. Idris stated this during a press conference held in the Kaduna yesterday, adding that the repairs and maintenance of transformers are the sole responsibility of the distribution company and warned customers not to fall victim to any staff of the company asking for money to that effect. To this end, Idris disclosed that some part of Kaduna metropolis will soon enjoy free installation of free pre- paid meters, courtesy of the World Bank project. According to him, areas to benefit from the take off project are Goni Gora, Rigasar, Hayin Danmani and Kinkino, and electricity consumers in the state will soon begin to enjoy uninterrupted 20 hours of power supply.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

WHY KATSINA STATE SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED Q`1. Sir, can we meet you and what is Katsina Network all about ? Thank you very much, it is a pleasure to be here with you. My name is Lawal Mamman Dawai, I am the Chairman of Katsina Network of which Alh. Abubakar Mukhtar or (Buba for short) is the founder. Buba does not require any introduction to most of us in the political circle especially in Katsina state. Nonetheless, he is a well educated modern business man of International repute, a philanthropist and he also happens to be one of the most refreshing minds in the political scene. I said it all, to spare me the rather penetrating questions that I know will come out in the course of this interview about the founder. Katsina Network is a registered Association of like-minds that support good leadership. You see, we firmly believe that in spite of all our problems we have a future and it is our duty to safe-guard it using collective social responsibility model. What we do in Katsina Network is that, once we identify a potential leader and if convinced of his capabilities, we share and identify with him in that respect and sponsors part of his campaign in what ever way possible within the realms of the law. Q2 Apart from identifying and rallying round candidates, what sort of activities does the network indulged in as well ? Yes! We provide campaign materials ranging from Bill boards, vehicles, motor-cycles, and finances etc. We also play important role in shaping individual understanding of his relationship with the wider society in a way to galvanize support. Q3. Your network seems to align with the PDP, why is this so? We align our activities to PDP at the moment considering that PDP is the most stable political party in Nigeria and also taking into consideration that Katsina State is predominantly a PDP State yet, marginalized in the scheme of reward at both Party & Federal level, Katsina State deserve to be given more latitude based on its recorded achievements. Q4. Recently, the network has been crying for marginalization of the state , why is this agitations? Yes! I mean it, we are marginalized, look at it this way. Katsina State supported Mr. President, been deputy to the late President Yar’adua, we at Katsina Network supported him as we had done to our kin. We galvanized support for the PDP in the 2011 election. The State has supported all PDP activities and had been at the frontline vanguard, but we are still in a state of discomfit. The pride Federal Government project that mark its presence in the state lately after the steel rolling mill project of the 80’s is the wind-powered Energy project initiated by Late President Yar’adua, which was 90% completed long ago however, to our amazement is on the waiting list to be commissioned for almost about 3 years now. God knows the position of the turbine after long effect of weathering. What have the good and peace loving citizens of Katsina State did to deserve all this? Conversely, this is the first time within the span of this republic that katsina state is not represented at the national working committee of the PDP. It is these contradictions plaque by intrigues that is making us to be cold. This observation does not; imply that we have not exhibited

LAWAL MAMMAN DAWAI Chairman of Katsina Network resilience in coping with lots of hurdles in the spirited attempt to be effective. Q5. Are you suggesting that the PDP at national level is equally putting the state interests aside, despite its high membership base? I think there is every reason why Katsina State should not be neglected in the scheme of PDP affairs. Please I would want you, not to confuse issues, because we have a situation here where individual or group interests and intrigues attempt to supersede reality. So if Katsina State with 34 Local Governments in which PDP have abiding confidence, I think any other consideration is cosmetic, that should not be worth the trouble. Please allow me to talk on this a little. I would like you to look at issues from the fundamental perspectives where this could have real meaning and significance from the instrument of mobilization. I see participation and performance as inseparable twins. It is from the far more difficult achievements of seeing ourselves among others that will help explain and make a lot of sense to what I mean. There ought to be some reliance on identified party pillars and support to root our cause deeply, not the cold perceptions the party is given the state. Please allow me to talk extensively on this. You see, the total number of votes cast for PDP at the just concluded local government election is 1,724,007. Thus, winning all the 34 seats for the Chairmanship tickets and 361 Councilors. Now let us make a simple comparative analysis with Ekiti State. The figure obtained in Katsina State is higher than the entire population of Ekiti. The number of votes cast in Katsina State is about three folds what PDP got in Ekiti and Osun States combined together. So, the intrigues at play should also not undermine our understanding and efforts. No doubt, what is at work, are from forces within us, which we must be able to understand, now that we know and the party is ignoring or refusing to understand what is at play, no matter what evolved, the problem will continue to be there. Thank you.

Q6. Talking about party politics and your state Leader, Governor Ibrahim Shema, has in the past seven years served as the state governor, how has he paired since? Cuts in, You see, when you talk of Party politics, you are talking about leadership and positive responses to collective demands, we supported His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema because he is the ideal leader the State needed. He is full of insight with penetrating vision and clear idea on how to commit resources to the betterment of the collective, this is a man who can inspire us to action and lead our affairs. His Excellency has perform well in the areas of Agriculture, Health, Education, Works, infrastructures, Youth empowerment and in Clean and green. He has delivered and he has consolidated democracy. Three weeks ago at the swearingin of the newly elected Local Government Chairmen that are to man the affairs of the 34 Local Government Councils in the State. He declared, that Local Governments joint accounts have N33billion in their names and that would release the whole sum to them so that they can allocate values to the generality. This is only fair that we acknowledged. Q7. Only last three weeks, elections were held across the state with the ruling PDP clinching all seats both at the chairmanship and councillorship positions, what’s your take on this? Indeed, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SINEC) deserve a special commendation by the maturity displayed in handling issues. The point here is that, opposition to ideas displayed by another party is not driven by public service motive neither it is by principles nor driven by ideologies but certainly by other considerations. When SINEC brought out its guidelines for Local Government elections, an opposition party, petitioned that 65 days is too short a time and that the fee charged are high. To facilitate issues, SINEC used its good sense of understanding and added another 30 days, then slashed the fees by 50%. What more could you say in terms of understanding that SINEC did not do. We sincerely commend them for conducting a hitch-free election, in an atmosphere that is peaceful, orderly and devoid of any rancor. Q8.Last words and your calls? My call to all the players are that, we can defend democracy and its institutions if we understand the nature and workings of the governments. The system must be allowed to discharge its functions and operate in coordinated and responsible manner. They most also be conscious with the fact that all the powers they exercised belong to the people on whose behalf and betterment those powers must be exercised. As an Association with grassroots orientation, we are urging one and all to absorb the intrinsic worth of openmindedness, harmony and understanding to continue to support PDP and rally around the good programs of the Party for complete transformation of the state. PDP as a party has delivered in Katsina State and we hopeful that the PDP at national level will fulfill its obligations to us and we all should remain unswerving, focus and committed in support of serenity in the state. Thank you.

20 BUSINESS/CUSTOMS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Confronting Illicit Trade In Tobacco

A strategic and well defined cooperation between relevant authorities is often necessary to ensure the maximum impact of all actions aimed at eliminating any illicit trade. Such partnerships, have over time, proved to be very effective and it is against this background, as part of efforts to ensure a safer world, that the World Customs Organisation (WCO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships in the fight against illicit trade in tobacco. The organisation made this known during a meeting with the World Health Organisation (WHO) where both parties agreed to continue dialogue and develop existing partnerships with a view to winning the fight against illicit tobacco trade. The development was made known at a meeting held last week between the newly appointed head of secretariat, WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), Dr Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva and the secretary-general of the WCO, Dr Kunio Mikuriya, in Geneva, Switzerland. A major objective of the meeting between the two powerful and strategic organisations is to build on an earlier agreement signed in March this year in the fight against illicit trade in tobacco. “The aim of the meeting was to continue developing existing ties of cooperation in the fight against illicit trade in tobacco products, following the signing of a Statement of Intent (SI) between both organisations in March 2014,” the WCO said in a statement on its official website. The meeting thoroughly discussed how both organisations can work together to eliminate illicit tobacco trade by raising awareness, sharing knowledge and technical expertise while also building relevant capacities aimed at achieving the goal. “During the meeting, Mikuriya and da Costa e Silva explored concrete ways in which the WCO and the FCTC secretariat could work together in raising awareness about the

customs focus

WHO protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products, sharing knowledge and technical expertise as well as building By juliet alohan capacities and promoting multi-sectorial dialogue and coordination between the organisation’s customs, health and other public and relevant sectors,” the WCO private sector further stated in its statement. partners. Furthermore, the meeting He said, also served to discuss topics “Counterfeiting of mutual interest for the is a crime that upcoming session of conference affects us all, of the parties to the WHO FCTC from exploited to be held in October this year labour being in Moscow, Russia. used to produce Mikuriya, during the counterfeits, meeting, emphasised that through to customs administrations have the harmful confronted the complexity and potentially of illicit trade in tobacco for deadly dangers decades and noted that due attached to these to its unique competencies goods, and the in end-to-end supply chain links that these management, customs illicit goods have administrations will be a key in potentially authority in implementing funding crossthe protocol upon its entry border criminal into force. and organised Dikko He stressed that close crime activities. cooperation between all “With a relevant authorities is necessary one-third of all seized maritime long history of fighting to ensure the maximum containers. counterfeiting and piracy at impact of all actions aimed The WCO secretarythe national, regional and at eliminating illicit trade in gneral, Kunio Mikuriya, who international level, the global tobacco. In concluding the commended the UNODC on customs community is ready to meeting, the secretary-general the initiative, offered his full support its UN partners in their congratulated da Costa e Silva support for the UN campaign, efforts to raise awareness about for her recent appointment even as he urged WCO members this illicit trade activity.” even as both organisations and customs’ stakeholders to With the aim of urging reaffirmed their commitment continue raising awareness consumers to consider who and to continue fostering open and about the perils of buying and what lie behind the production collaborative communication trading counterfeit goods. of counterfeit goods, the and to work together in the “The WCO is firmly campaign is a bid to boost future to counter the menace of committed to countering the understanding of the multiillicit trade in tobacco products. relentless attack on consumers faceted repercussions of the The organisation had in a by criminals involved in illicit trade, which according similar manner, earlier this year, counterfeiting as their illicit and to the UNODC is worth $250 thrown its weight behind the even dangerous goods which billion a year. According to the new global campaign against the are flooding markets across the UNODC executive director, Yury counterfeit trade launched by globe pose a huge risk to public Fedotov, in comparison to other the United Nations. health and safety,” Mikuriya crimes such as drug trafficking, The campaign, which is under said. the production and distribution the auspices of the United He also pointed out that of counterfeit goods present a Nations Office on Drugs and of particular relevance to the low-risk/high-profit opportunity Crime (UNODC), is aimed campaign is the WCO’s theme for criminals. at raising awareness among for 2014 which highlights the “Counterfeiting feeds money consumers on the dangers of importance of communication laundering activities and counterfeit goods and their link and the sharing of information encourages corruption, and to organised crime. In 2013, the for better cooperation, there is also evidence of some joint UNODC/WCO Container adding that it was highly involvement or overlap with Control Programme detected instrumental in the fight against drug trafficking and other counterfeit goods in more than counterfeits in tandem with the serious crimes,” he said.

He noted that fraudulent medicines also present a serious health risk to consumers as criminal activity in this area is big business with the UNODC reporting that the sale of fraudulent medicines from East Asia and the Pacific to SouthEast Asia and Africa alone amounts to about $5 billion every year. Mikuriya observed that criminals use similar routes and modi operandi to move counterfeit goods as they do to smuggle illicit drugs, firearms and people. He further explained that the WCO expends enormous resources on combating the counterfeit trade using a variety of means, including the organisation of global enforcement operations and the introduction of the IPM, a WCO tool which promotes cooperation and the sharing of information between customs and rights holders. Meanwhile, as a member of the WCO, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of the comptrollergeneral, Abdullahi Dikko, is already doing a lot in the area of communication and information sharing with relevant agencies with a view to combating the activities of criminals who smuggle counterfeits and other dangerous drugs and weapons into the country. The agency has since forged a cooperation with the Nigeria Police, the Navy, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as well as some neighbouring countries within the African region to this effect. Emphasising this position during the 2014 ICD celebrations in Abuja, Dikko directed officers and men of the service to explore all channels of communication necessary in carrying out the activities of the agency. He noted that for the agency to perform at its best, effective communication was crucial, especially with the migration of man from manual to electronic platforms of information sharing.

Harmonised System Convention: Guatemala Becomes 151st Contracting Party Guatemala, last week, became the 151st contracting party to the international Convention on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonised System) after depositing its instrument of accession with the secretary -general of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

Considering that more than 98 per cent of international merchandise trade is classified in terms of the Harmonised System, the WCO has said it is pleased to welcome the new comer, Guatemala, as a contracting party to the Harmonised System Convention. The WCO added that it looks

forward to the country’s active participation with respect to harmonised system matters. The main export commodities of Guatemala, which became a member of the WCO in 1985, are coffee, sugar, petroleum, clothing, bananas, fruit and vegetables as well as cardamom. On the other hand, its main import commodities

are machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity, mineral products, chemical products and plastic materials. Guatemala is located in Central America, flanked by the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and by the Gulf of

Honduras (Caribbean Sea), between Honduras and Belizethe. The harmonised system of tariff nomenclature is an internationally standardised system of names and numbers to classify traded products. It came into effect in 1988 and has since been developed and maintained by the WCO.

E-Business/BUSINESS 21

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Telcos Seek Regulatory Openness As Investments Hit $1.7trn

stories by Chima Akwaja, Lagos

Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n operating companies (Telcos), through their umbrella body, the GSM Association (GSMA), have called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and its counterparts around the world to allow competition drive the growth of mobile telephony services instead of encouraging wholesale networks just as total investments into mobile networks globally has reached $1.7 trillion. A new study developed by Frontier Economics on behalf of the GSMA predicts a move away from traditional mobile network competition towards single wholesale networks, such as the defunct Nigerian Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Limited (NITEL), would stifle innovation, restrict investment and take-up of mobile broadband services

and ultimately be against consumer interests. The report, “Assessing the Case for Single Wholesale Networks in Mobile Communications,” analyses the historic performance of countries with a single network compared to those with multiple competitors to consider how a single wholesale network would likely perform in practice. It finds that in countries with competing networks, the 3G covered 36 per cent more population and that overall coverage increased three times faster than in those served by a single network. Policy makers in a number of countries have been considering establishing a single wholesale network instead of relying on competing mobile networks to deliver the 4G mobile broadband services, but there are currently no nationwide initiatives in action.

The chief regulatory officer, GSMA, Tom Phillips, said, “No single wholesale network has been fully implemented in any country in the world yet and designing, financing and implementing these networks will likely prove highly challenging. We believe that a radical departure from the approach of licencing competing mobile operators, favoured by policy makers for the past 30 years, would harm a nation’s consumers, businesses and economy.” In 2000, there were as many countries served by a single mobile network as there were those with competing networks. Today, only 30 countries, representing less than three per cent of the world’s population, are served by a single network. Phillips said, “Network competition has produced unprecedented growth

30% Nigerian Businesses Deploy Cloud Technology Indications are that Nigerian businesses still lagging behind, with only a 30 per cent of them currently using the Cloud technology. According to Vodacom’s executive head, Cloud and Hosting Services, Nkosi Kumalo, “Cloud is the ultimate place to do business. Most chief information officers (CIOs) spend their time managing complex IT delivery. However, by adopting the cloud technology, the turnaround time can be

enhanced. “Corporates have reduced their Total Cost of Operation (TCO) and increased productivity. Cloud technology transforms the way we do business”. He disclosed this during his speech on utilising cloud as a key business tool at the CIO forum sponsored by Vodacom Business Nigeria in Lagos. Reports show that cloud uptake is set to explode across Africa. Nkosi Kumalo stated that factors driving cloud

adoption includes improved connectivity, reduction in IT costs and the retention of key skills. “Companies can no longer afford to invest too much of their capital expenditure into IT infrastructure as this is an expensive, long-term investment.” Despite this increased interest in Cloud technology across Africa, it is evident that the major adaption inhibitor is the security of Cloud computing.

Smile Proffers Solution To Early Data Depletion The leading fourth generation Long Term Evolution (4GLTE) operator, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, has introduced new solution for customers that will help address unnecessary data depletion, while browsing the internet.

The latest innovation tagged “Blocking Buttons and Speed Control,” will help customers, especially internet users to stay long on the internet without experiencing early data depletion. The solution is available to all Smile customers through

specialised features on the Smile customer portal. The chief corporate services officer, Smile Communications, Lee-Ann Cassie, said the Blocking Buttons and Speed Control were introduced to enhance customer experience while on the internet.

and innovation in mobile services with 3.7 billion unique mobile subscribers globally in 2014, more than $1.7 trillion of total worldwide investment since 2002 and mobile 3G broadband coverage reaching over half of the world’s citizens. This indisputable success story should continue in the era of mobile broadband across the globe and particularly in emerging markets.” Advocates of single wholesale networks argue they can respond to issues such as inadequate or slow coverage in rural areas, inefficient use of spectrum and a lack of incentives for the private sector to maximise coverage or investments better than the model of network competition. However, the report demonstrates that the existing approach of network competition offers better long-term benefits.

E-business REPORTS

Samsung Opens 90 Retail Outlets In 6 Months

Samsung Electronics West Africa, in partnership with accredited local partners, has stepped up its nationwide market expansion drive with a massive roll out of 90 Samsung brand stores within months across the country. The retail expansion drive is designed to provide Nigerians avenues to interact with Samsung’s full range of audio visual solutions and an extensive range of premium household appliances in one easily-accessible location, whilst creating widespread destinations where consumers can experience firsthand extensive product ecosystem and receive personalised service from trained sales consultants. The director of consumer electronics at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Sunil Kumar, speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, last week, described the move as a confirmation of the company’s effort to make connected lifestyle products and solutions more accessible, and to offer the most consumer-centric engagement in a retail environment. “Over the years, Samsung has made strong inroads with its consumers in Nigeria. We consider the country as a key entry point into Africa. With the growing importance of the region as a primary world market for our premium consumer electronics, maintaining a strong top-of-mind position in Nigeria holds considerable importance for us from a business perspective. Our ongoing expansion drive in the country marks our commitment to delivering excellent products and services to our consumers. We see bright prospects for Nigeria’s future economically, and we expect consumer sentiment to remain positive and indeed move from strength to strength. We believe that this is the right time to expand our footprint across the retail space,” he said.

22 aviation/BUSINESS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Why Service Providers Should Implement Safety Management Systems

Stories by Nkem osuagwu, Lagos

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said it is imperative for organisations within the aviation industry to implement safety management systems within their organisations in the interest of safety and improved service delivery The FAAN managing director, Mr Saleh Dunuma, who spoke at a forum in Lagos, last week, said an organisation stands to spend more money in the area of safety issues if it fails to implement an SMS within its organisation, stating that compliance with this among airlines and other organisations within the aviation industry will help to improve the safety ratings of the nation’s aviation industry. He said, “It is a

popular saying that safety is everybody’s responsibility but above all, the top management of any organisation has the responsibility of demonstrating commitment towards the attainment of safety management system in that organisation. Some of these responsibilities are encouraging participation in safety, allocating resources to safety in terms of training qualified personnel as well as facilitating the flow of safety information that is from top to bottom which could be in form of safety seminars, publications, safety bulletins, safety meetings, flyers, etc. The safety department will monitor safety throughout the organisation and make all recommendations to top management. The full responsibility of implementing and carrying out any and all

safety directives will rest with management and the management team. The safety department, therefore, must be ready and able to present cost justified strategies for safety to management and effectively argue the rationale for implementation of any and all safety directions. He listed some major costs to an organisation that fails to implement the safety management systems to include “physical damage which includes rectifying, replacing or compensating for deaths and injuries, aircraft equipment and property damage; loss of business and damage to reputation of the organisation which implies that when an accident occurs as a result of none implementation of a safety management system, business within that particular environment would be at

Data Confirm Robust Passenger Demand, Sluggish Cargo Market Preliminary figures released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have confirmed that some 3.1 billion passengers made use of the global air transport network for their business and tourism needs in 2013. The annual passenger total is up approximately five per cent compared to 2012 and is expected to reach over 6.4 billion by 2030 based on current projections.

The number of aircraft departures reached 33 million globally during 2013, establishing a new record and surpassing the 2012 departure figure by more than one million flights. The ICAO also confirmed that scheduled passenger traffic grew at a rate of 5.2 per cent in 2013, slightly above the United Nation (UN)’s July 2013 projections. The ICAO attributed the recent

upswing to positive economic results globally and improved business and consumer confidence during 2013 in several major economies. Emerging economies grew more slowly than expected. The Asia/Pacific region remains the world’s largest air transport market based on the 2013 figures, with a 31 per cent share of total traffic representing an increase of 7.2 per cent over 2012.

IATA Symposium to Address Travellers’ needs The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the fourth annual World Passenger Symposium (WPS 2014) in San Diego, California in October with more than 700 high-level delegates from airlines, global distribution systems and travel technology providers, airports and

travel management companies expected at the event. “2014 marks a century of commercial aviation. Some 65 billion passengers have flown in the 100 years since the first airline flight. Airlines will carry the next 65 billion passengers between today and 2030. The WPS 2014 is the ideal

forum for all stakeholders in the air travel value chain to join together to set a vision and identify the practical steps in order to meet rising demand for a safe and secure air travel with a human touch,” said the IATA director-general and CEO, Tony Tyler, who will deliver a keynote address at the event.

a standstill which leads to both the loss of man hours as well as financial losses. Another danger is that the reputation built over the years would be brought to zero; legal and damage claims which are claims made by customers due to damage to property as a result of negligence to safety by the organisation. The claim could by in terms of monetary value which includes legal fees or equipment replacement.” He listed some of the benefits to include “reduced possibility of a major accident which is explained in terms that safety is all about hazard identification and risk management. Therefore if the safety management system is implemented, the awareness will help to identify hazards and possibly risk managing it before it causes an accident.

aviation REPORTS

NCAA highlights Status Of Aviation Professionals The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has released a data showing the status of licenced aviation professionals in the aviation industry as at September 2014. According to the data made available to journalists in Lagos, the NCAA acting directorgeneral, Benedict Adeyileka, said while the regulatory authority has issued out a total of 6,679 pilot licences, only 806 are still valid and of a total of 2,195 foreign plot licence it validated, only 182 are still valid. Adeyileka also revealed that the NCAA has issued 3,431 aircraft maintenance engineers licence while only 1,161 are currently valid. This is coming as industry stakeholders have lamented the high unemployment rate among indigenous pilots in the industry. Answering reporters’ questions on the influx of foreign pilots in the country, he attributed this to the government’s policy which gives airlines a free hand to bring in specific numbers of foreigners

to run their operations, adding that the industry has a fairly large number of foreign registered aircraft that are being used for flight operations and some of the aircraft are on lease which also gives room for them to operate with foreign crews. On the challenges facing then indigenous airlines, Adeyileka said they include the use of aging aircraft, high cost of leasing and financing aircraft, aging workforce and high cost of aviation fuel. He said the implication of using aging aircraft for operations include high cost of maintenance because the number of removals of components for maintenance and repair result in costs increases as the aircraft age increases. “Dispatch reliability decreases as the aircraft age increases due to discovery of unique defects which in turn decreases aircraft availability. The number of non routine findings during routine maintenance like C and D checks increases as the aircraft age increases which in turn increases maintenance cost.”

science Tuesday, September 23, 2014

132m

The stability of the regulatory environment is demonstrated in a highly competitive market that has attracted over $32 billion worth of investment in just over a decade and a mobile phone proliferation of 132 million active subscribers from a paltry 400,000 lines at the beginning of this period in 2001

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

L-R: The executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure , Engr. Mohammed Haruna exchanging a signed memorandum of understanding with the managing director of Coscharis Technologies Ltd., Mr. Sunday Mukoro at agency’s headquarters at Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja.

NASENI, Coscharis Plan Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution By Nkechi Isaac, Abuja

The nation is still heavily dependent on importation of furniture and other fixtures because of the lack of appropriate tools and equipment

The executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Mohammed Haruna, has emphasised the importance of appropriate tools and equipment in Nigeria’s industrial development. Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coscharis Technologies Limited at NASENI’s headquarters in Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja, he said the current dearth of appropriate tools and equipment for fabrication of the nation’s technological needs still remained the reason for massive importation in the country. He explained that the MoU between NASENI and Coscharis, which he said depended heavily on capacity building, would aim to develop equipments to reduce excessive importation. “Even though Coscharis is mostly in the area of automobile produced from other technologies, we are very happy with the committee that was able to put up a MOU draft on how the two organisations can work together

especially in the areas of the design of equipments and machines that can make world class fixtures in the country because the nation is still heavily dependent on importation of furniture and other fixtures because of the lack of appropriate tools and equipment,” he said. Mohammed added, “you will be disappointed if you start tracing the sources of most of the office furniture you see in our offices because you will discover that they come from China or through some routes in Dubai even if the wood might have originated from Nigeria because of lack of appropriate tools and equipment.” He noted that appropriate equipments were also needed to add value to various sectors of the economy being driven by technology. “Appropriate equipment are also needed to add value to our minerals so that we don’t need Italian products. Automobile generator, design and manufacturing, energy saving lighting equipment, even machine in fashion design, foundry technology, telecommunication,

and mobile technologies, an area where we are afraid that unless we restrategise we may not be able to catch up because the rate of improvement on smart phones is very high currently,” he added. Speaking on the capacity building partnership, the NASENI helmsman stressed the need to train the youth for enhanced sustenance and maintenance of current technologies on ground in Nigeria. Earlier in his remarks, the managing director of Coscharis, Mr. Sunday Mukoro, said science and technology is the main driver of development in all sectors of every economy. He said, “the most critical thing that can bring about development is science and technology. All over the world today science and technology plays a major role in the development of all sectors whether education, agriculture and every aspect of life. There is no country that can be developed country in the 21st century without the full utilization of science and technology.” Mukoro, however, emphasized the importance of following the

Haruna

trend of the times, saying that digitalization was needed for the industrial revolution of the nation. “Today where is our manufacturing industries, are we digital or analogue in our approach to manufacturing or we’re still analogue, an economy that is still depending on analogue techniques may not go far because everything in the current world is digitalized and that is why we have also identified such in NASENI because our investigation has shown that the agency can boast of a lot of infrastructure which is of interest to this nation. And which we all

24 SCIENCE/news

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

NASENI, Coscharis Plan Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution 23

must put our heads together to develop,” he added. Other objectives of the MoU between NASENI and Coscharis include the development of the mass critical skills by promoting the adoption and application of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) in technical colleges and tertiary institutions; the deployment of developed skills for the production of selected standard parts and components within some of the tertiary

Crown Flour Mill Rewards Customers In The North By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

The Crown Flour Mills Limited has rewarded its customers in the northern part of the country for their support and loyalty to the company during the last business year. At its annual customers forum for the Northern Nigeria’s customers at Tahir Hotel Kano, the company gave out cash gifts, electronics, textiles, award plaques and bags of flour to its customers. Some bakers in the region were also rewarded as part of the company’s stakeholders’ recognition initiative. Also included in the largesse were producers of bread flour, semolina, Gurasa flour, confectionary flour and noodles. The company used the occasion to launch two new products into the market, namely Mama Gold Semolina and Whole Wheat Meal which two of the leading dealers of the company, Alhaji Yahuza Abdullahi Ibrahim and Alhaji Ali AbdulRazak Balarabe unveiled on the occasion. In his address, the managing director of Crown Flour Mil,l Mr. Anurag Shukla said the company decided to introduce the new products into market in the northern region in response to popular demand as well as to promote healthy dieting. He told the customers that research was ongoing on on more new products, saying the company was set to expand its production capacity to meet the needs for high quality and affordable products. In his closing remark, the commercial director of the company, Mr. Anifowose Bolaji explained the composition of ingredients contained in the products and emphasized they are good for consumption by all persons including diabetics. He assured customers of the company’s commitment to ethical business practice and customer delight at all times. The managing director of MarketBridge, managing firm of the northern region, Alhaji Alfa Abubakar, thanked customers for their outstanding performance in the immediate past year and encouraged them to do better in the current business year, in order to benefit from greater Crown Flour Mill’s generosity. Many of the customers who spoke on the occasion expressed thanks for the recognition and appreciation showered on them by Crown Flour Mill.

Top 3 HeadlineS

institutions and other centres and to facilitate the transfer of the developed modern technologies for rapid transformation of the Nigerian industrial sector. Other areas of partnership includes the transformation and development of the manufacturing sector by jointly sourcing funds through PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) arrangement from relevant bodies to promote the use of AMT software, including solid works,

Digitalization is needed for the industrial revolution of the nation

Denies Statement On Ajaokuta Steel Complex ➋ Nasarawa Electricity Consumers Decry Power Situation ➌ Crown Flour Mill Rewards Customers In The North

By Chika Mefor

The Chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) National Governing Board, Chief Gordon Bozimo has said the newly introduced full computerisation of the mobilization process will help to reduce hardship faced by prospective corps members. Bozimo who was speaking while commissioning four coaster staff buses donated to the scheme by stakeholders recently, explained that before now, corps members had to travel back to their respective institutions of graduation to collect their call-up letters with the attendant risks, including incidence of road accidents. He pointed out that, with the online registration, prospective corps members could now print their call-up letters online.

of the institutions and NASENI institutes to determine a specific line of production that will be allotted to each of them; monitoring, evaluation and mentoring by the parties to ensure the selected products are produced within set standards and to develop a monitoring, evaluation and feedback instrument for the programme to facilitiate sustenance of the modern technology transfer amongst others.

NOTAP Boss Tasks Researchers On Result Oriented Research

➊AMCON Boss

NYSC Board Highlights Benefits Of Online Call Up Registration

CES Edu pack, 3D scanners, 3D printing in manufacturing within Nigerian technical colleges and tertiary institutions. The MoU also involves strengthening of internal capacity of the parties to promote the use of AMT software, including solid works; training of some staff of engineering departments in each of the selected tertiary institutions and NASENI institutes for the pilot phase using capacity built within the parties; evaluation

The director of Centre for Satellite Technology Development, Dr. Spencer Onuh and the director-general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Engr. Umar Bindir during a special lecture on Innovation in Abuja.

By Nkechi Isaac, Abuja

The director-general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Engr. Umar Bindir, has urged researchers to engage in result oriented research that will have direct bearing on the lives of the people. Speaking during a special presentation on Innovation, convened by the Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) in Abuja,

Nasarawa Electricity Consumers Decry Power Situation BY DONATUS NADI, Lafia

Consumers of electricity in Nasarawa State have expressed dismay over the worsening condition of power supply and arbitrary hike in electricity bills by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Compa-

Bindir said that researchers should not just engage on research for academic or promotional purposes but should embark on projects that will be relevant in the society. The NOTAP, boss who was the guest speaker at the lecture said, “research just for research sake to become a professor is not enough. It must be result oriented and impact directly on the people.” He noted that Nigeria has the strongest knowledge infrastructure to generate knowledge that can change the face of this economy. He, however, noted that knowledge alone cannot change things, adding that it has to transform to solutions that will affect the people. He said, “there is a missing link between knowledge, technology and science. The knowledge infrastructure in this country is the strongest in this continent. We have 129 universities, 98 colleges of education, 125 polytechnics and monotechnics; we have over 300 research organizations. So, by any standard Nigeria has the in-

ny (AEDC). The AEDC is one of the recently privatised electricity distribution companies which supplies electricity to Abuja, Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa states. The consumers who spoke to LEADERSHIP in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi urged the state assembly to investigate the increase in electricity bills by almost 20 percent monthly even without anyone seeing the electricity. Lafia, the state capital, and other city centres in the state have been subjected to acute shortage of power in recent months which

per cent The consumers urged the state assembly to investigate the increase in electricity bills by almost 20 percent monthly.

frastructure to generate knowledge that can change the face of this economy. However, knowledge alone cannot change things it has to transform to solutions, it must transform to potable water, agriculture products, food, health.” In his remarks, the director-general of the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof. Seidu Mohammed, said that the space agency was at the highest point of technology and constantly talking about innovations and how to transfer technology and make it applicable to the local people. Speaking to journalists, the director of CSTD, Dr. Spencer Onuh, said that the lecture has a four pronged impact on both the technical and non technical staff of the centre. He said, “It’s going to help us to change our strategy, to help us to lead and follow well, to be logical and strategic in the way we do things and motivate us.” has greatly affected economic activities. Ibrahim Saleh of Lungun Wambai said his bill was increased by almost 50 percent for the month of July. “Last month I paid N2,000; this month they brought N3,000 without any improvement in power supply, if anything the situation has grown worse”, he said. Another consumer, Mohammed Usman of Low Cost Housing Estate also complained of similar problems, saying the increase in charges was without corresponding increase in electricity supplied.

AMCON Boss Denies Statement On Ajaokuta Steel Complex BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja

The Chairman of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Kola Belgore has denied statements recently credited to him on the current status of Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State. Belgore’s denial was contained in a letter he personally sent to

Idris Wada

the management of the company which was made available to journalists in Lokoja. In the letter dated September 8, 2014 and addressed to the sole administrator of the company, Engr. Joseph Onobere, Belgore stated “I never said what was wrongly attributed to me by the media.” Belgore, it would be recalled,

was quoted as saying that the government was wasting N3.4 billion monthly to pay the salaries of 6,000 workers who were doing nothing at Ajaokuta Steel Company. The comments attracted harsh criticisms from stakeholders in the nation’s steel sector, organized labour and the management of the company among others.

NEWS /SCIENCE 25

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

science

titbits

Compiled by Nkechi Isaac

➏ ➐

➋ ➋ ➌➊ ➎

❹ ‘Clear’ Choice For Clearing 3-D Cell Cultures’ Because Brown University biomedical engineering graduate student Molly Boutin needed to study how neural tissues grow from stem cells, she wanted to grow not just a cell culture, but a sphere-shaped one. Cells grow and interact more naturally in 3-D cultures than when they’re confined to thin slides or dishes. But the very advantage of a culture having thickness also poses a challenge: How to see all the cells and their connections all the way through the culture. It’s a problem that confronts many biologists, physicians, bioengineers, drug developers- and others who also see 3-D cultures as a useful stage before moving to animal models.

➍

➊ SpaceX Aims To Step Up Launch Rate With Next Mission For Nasa A cargo version of the spaceship being developed by privately owned Space Exploration Technologies is slated to launch early Saturday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the company’s second launch in 13 days. Quick turnarounds between flights are expected to become routine as SpaceX, as the California-based company is known, adds ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station to its fast-growing launch business. –(Reuters)

➋ Recruiting Bacteria As

Technology Innovation Partners: New Self-Healing Materials, Bioprocessing Technologies

Top 3 Headlines ➊ First Water-

based Nuclear Battery Can Be Used To Generate Electrical Energy

➋ Spacex Aims To Step Up Launch Rate With Next Mission For Nasa ➌ ‘Clear’ Choice For Clearing 3-D Cell Cultures’

For most people biofilms conjure up images of slippery stones in a streambed and dirty drains. While there are plenty of “bad” biofilms around -- they even cause pesky dental plaque and a host of other more serious medical problems -- a team at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University sees biofilms as a robust new platform for designer nanomaterials that could clean up polluted rivers, manufacture pharmaceutical products, fabricate new tex-

tiles, and more. In short, they want to give biofilms a facelift, and have developed a novel protein engineering system called BIND to do so. Using BIND, which stands for Biofilm-Integrated Nanofiber Display, the team said biofilms could be tomorrow’s living foundries for the large-scale production of biomaterials that can be programmed to provide functions not possible with existing materials. They have reported the proof-of-concept in Nature Communications.

➌ First Water-based Nuclear Battery Can Be Used To Generate Electrical Energy From cell phones to cars and flashlights, batteries play an important role in everyday life. Scientists and technology companies constantly are seeking ways to improve battery life and efficiency. Now, for the first time using a water-based solution, researchers at the University of Missouri have created a longlasting and more efficient nuclear battery that could be used for many applications such as a reliable energy source in automobiles and also in complicated applications such as space flight.

➏ Coming Soon: Genetically Edited ‘Super Bananas’ Recent advances that allow the precise editing of genomes now raise the possibility that fruit and other crops might be genetically improved without the need to introduce foreign genes, according to researchers writing in the Cell Press publication Trends in Biotechnology on August 13th. With awareness of what makes these biotechnologies new and different, genetically edited fruits might be met with greater acceptance by society at large than genetically modified organisms (GMOs) so far have been, especially in Europe, they say.

Solar-cell

➎ Solar-cell Efficiency Improved With New Polymer Devices

New light has been shed on solar power generation using devices made with polymers, thanks to a collaboration between scientists in the University of Chicago’s chemistry department, the Institute for Molecular Engineering, and

Argonne National Laboratory. Researchers identified a new polymer -- a type of large molecule that forms plastics and other familiar materials -which improved the efficiency of solar cells. The group also determined the method by which

the polymer improved the cells’ efficiency. The polymer allowed electrical charges to move more easily throughout the cell, boosting the production of electricity -- a mechanism never before demonstrated in such devices.