Leadership wednessday

24.09.14

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

WEDNesday

No. 2,262

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Leadership Newspapers

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$9.3m: Reps In Rowdy Session As APC Members Walk Out

by Edegbe Odemwingie, Adesuwa Tsan, and Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja, Lagos

A rowdy session it was yesterday

in the House of Representatives as federal lawmakers from the

All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a mass walkout in protest

to the ‘killing’ of a motion seeking to probe the controversial

FG Clarifies Waiver On Auto Policy > Page 16

Chibok Diary DAY 163

$9.3million seized last week by the South African authorities.

The motion, sponsored by the deputy minority leader, Hon. Su➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

Obasanjo Would Have Rescued Our > Page 2 Chibok Girls – Ndume

Military Retracts Claim Of Chibok Girls’Release Gunmen kill 12 in Nasarawa

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L-R: Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former vicepresident, Atiku Abubakar and former head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday.

Photo By adefemi adewuyi

Only 3% Of Nigeria’s Land Mass Has Been Duly Registered – FG

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chibok diary 163

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

DAY

Chibok TweeTs

@obyezeks ALL who ECHOED SOUNDS of JOY @ news that sadly dashed our HOPE, take not back your VOICE. Echo their CRY 4 FREEDOM: #BringBackOurGirls!!!!!! @obyezeks DAY162 of OUR #ChibokGirls Too pained that our HOPE was dashed. Yet WE NEVER QUIT HOPING. So OUR VOICES RING: #BringBackOurGirls Now&Alive! @IshaSesayCNN 150+ days have passed since 200+ Nigerian girls were kidnapped. The world must not forget them!#BringBackOurGirls @WilDeji For GEJ to formally declare for 2015, #BringBackOurGirls has to have been sorted out. The girls will come home. Most of them. We wait on... ‫@‏‬ogundamisi One moment you really wish @GENOlukolade and @DefenceInfoNG got it right on #BringBackOurGirls @elnathan To avoid embarrassment, give every piece of news from the Nigerian government 48-72 hours before you form a public opinion. @zebbook That means nobody spoke to the girls to confirm their status before Gen Olukolade went to press with the victory song. God! @Bint_Moshood @zebbook I don't entirely blame Olukolade. He's not in Maiduguri, he relays information that's passed on. He was misinformed. :) Compiled by Iroka Ugochukwu

Nigeria’s foremost GirlChild activist, 18-yearold Ambassador Kaka Oyinbo, advocating the realease of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls at a Joint Press Conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Obasanjo Would Have Rescued Our Chibok Girls – Ndume

by Chika Mefor and ejike ejike, Abuja Senator Ali Ndume has expressed regret for not championing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term bid, as his government would have facilitated the rescue of the 219 Chibok girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect on April 14, 2014.

Ndume, who was speaking during the usual sitting protest of the #BringBackOurGirls group, lamented that the girls are still in custody of their abductors five months after they were forcefully taken into captivity.

“I would have championed Obasanjo when he wanted to come for third term because if he had been at the helm of leadership in Nigeria, this insurgency would have stopped,” he said.

He called on the BBOG group to continue its advocacy until the abducted girls are back, adding that the group and other similar groups have the responsibility of holding leaders accountable.

“The government is allergic to groups like this. If you can’t make your leaders accountable to provide for you, you change them.

The people should hold us accountable because the voice of the people is the voice of God,” he said.

Ndume, while speaking on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) occasioned by the insurgency in the North-east, stated that his team has started compiling names so as to have a comprehensive list of the IDPs which will help in catering for them.

“We are trying to compile names of displaced persons. This will help to deal with that issue. If you go there, you will see that they are organised. The people need help and we are doing everything to help them,” he 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

3

our stand Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Worsening Humanitarian Crisis In The North East

T

he humanitarian crisis resulting from activities of insurgents in the North East of the country is showing no sign of abating, going by reports from different agencies in and outside of the country.

Apart from concerns about the escalating number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the poor living conditions in the IDPs camps is alarming and calls for more commitment from all concerned. The growing number of IDPs from the North East is as much a threat as the insurgency itself. Reports have it that the few available camps lack adequate facilities and in addition, their poor sanitation situation makes them breeding grounds for diseases that could balloon into epidemics; something we cannot afford.

The situation in that part of the country, where insurgents have held sway for a long time now, leaving blood and tears in their wake has worsened recently, with the taking over of some towns in the region by the insurgents. Fortunately, some of them have been reclaimed by the military and many of the insurgents killed or subdued.

In spite of this success

recorded by the military, it is not yet uhuru for residents and indigenes of the affected towns, many of whom are currently forced to take refuge in camps across neighboring states, where they face the challenges of insufficient food and water, and poor sanitation. In Lamurde IDPs camp in Adamawa State for instance, it’s a staggering ratio of 300 people to one toilet. The situation is not much different at the Damare NYSC IDPs camp, where at least 100 people share one toilet. The result of such conditions has been the reported death of about 20 persons from cholera.

We find it pertinent to point out that the issue at

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

stake now is how to curb the crisis and fast enough to halt worse health crises. There is the need to quickly address the resettlement question, so that victims of the insurgency can begin to rebuild their lives and any further social and economic crises be averted.

The Borno State government has reportedly spent over N20billion in the last three years to assist and resettle IDPs across the state and rebuild their houses. Sadly though, the houses have been destroyed again by the defiant insurgents.

It is almost two months now since about N58billion was purportedly raised by the federal government to support victims of terror in the country, but since the ceremony, nothing more has been heard. Could it be that those who promised funds are yet to redeem their pledges? And what is the committee on the funds doing about it, so that the support these victims so urgently need can be provided?

Nigeria is already leading the list of persons displaced by conflicts in Africa, with the number of its IDPs pegged at 3.3 million, and it is third highest in the world. We cannot afford for things to get worse.

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

Wednesday, September 24,

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo Ebola Cases Could Rise To 1.4m By January – US Report Between 550,000 and 1.4 million people in West Africa could be infected with the Ebola virus

by January 20, 2015, a report issued yesterday by the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had said on Monday that the Ebola outbreak has been largely contained in Senegal and Nigeria, but the disease is still spreading elsewhere and has now killed over 2,811 people in the region.

“Senegal and Nigeria, the most recent of five nations to record cases of Ebola, implemented strict measures to isolate the ill and track down further possible cases - steps that Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have failed to impose, allowing the disease to take hold in cities and rural communities,” the WHO said.

The top range of the estimate, 1.4 million, assumes that the number of cases officially recorded so far, 5,864 according to the count kept by the WHO, is significantly underreported, and that it is likely that 2.5 times as many cases, or nearly 20,000 have in fact, occurred.

By Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja

2015: Jonathan Will Decide His Running Mate – Presidency

The Presidency yesterday reacted on the fate of Vice President Namadi Sambo as a running mate to President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of 2015, saying the president will declare his running mate when he formally accepts the offer to contest as Peoples Democratic Party’s sole candidate.

This was disclosed by the adviser to the president on political matters, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali at a press conference in Abuja, where he also stated that Jonathan’s adoption as PDP’s consensus candidate followed wide consultations.

Questions over the fate of Sambo on the joint ticket with Jonathan emerged after the party’s NEC last week, amidst reports that the vice president might be dropped.

The national publicity secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, however, said the party was satisfied with the working relationship of Jonathan and Sambo as the party’s winning team ahead of 2015.

But Alkali, while responding to the question, said “PDP is a very sophisticated party; it does not play its politics on the pages of newspapers.”

By Chibuzo Ukaibe and Igho Oyoyo, Abuja

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim; Niger State governor Dr Babangida Aliyu, Vi c e P r e s i d e n t Namadi Sambo and Senate President David Mark during the public presentation of the book in honour of Governor Gabriel Suswam entitled “Politics and Governance in Benue State,” in Abuja, yesterday.

P H OTO BY OY E D E L E OMOKAGBO.

Rivers: Police Reopen Locked Judiciary Complex For Okocha

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

There was pandemonium at the Rivers State High Court complex, Port Harcourt, yesterday morning when policemen, acting on the orders of the commissioner of police, Mr Dan Bature, forced the main entrance into the complex open to allow the National Judicial Council-appointed administrative judge of the state, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha in.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the policemen, who barricaded all roads leading to the complex with more than 15 patrol vehicles, had

broken the locks to the main gate of the complex, to allow Okocha access into the complex to preside over a meeting with all the High Court judges in the state.

The State High Court complex and other state courts in the state have been under lock and key for several months following a strike action embarked upon by members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in the state.

The police fired tear gas at journalists, human right activists and members of JUSUN, who had gone to the High Court complex to observe the development.

Reacting to the development, the Rivers State government accused the state commissioner of police, Mr Dan Bature of promoting illegality in the state by supervising illegal breaking and entry into the State High Court complex.

The state commissioner for information and communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who addressed journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the action of Bature was shocking and worrisome to the state government.

Semenitari said the police action was “in spite of a visit to the commissioner of police by

the chief of staff, Government House, intimating him of information reaching the Rivers State government of an intendment by Justice Daisy Okocha to break into the Rivers State High Court and hold a meeting, in spite of existing court judgements, and in spite of the strike action by the Rivers State chapter of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria.”

She advised the new CP to restrict himself to his professional duties and stop engaging in actions that could only remind the people of the state of the period when Mr Mbu Joseph Mbu served as CP in the state.

Court Restrains Taraba Speaker, Umar From Taking Further Action On Suntai’s Health Condition

By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

A Taraba High Court sitting in Jalingo, the state capital has restrained the Taraba State House of Assembly, the speaker, Hon Josiah Sabo Kente and the state deputy governor, Alhaji Garba Umar from taking any further steps or actions in relation to the office of the executive governor of Taraba State, pending the determination of the motion on notice

fixed for 26th September, 2014.

Delivering a ruling in a motion exparte filed by Barr. Elijah Nyaro on behalf of the plaintiff, Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, urging the court to grant an order of interim injunction restraining any medical panel or body of persons constituted or set up by the three defendants from carrying out any action or taking any step whatsoever to verify or examine the plaintiff

for the purpose of determining his medical status, preparing and submitting any report, the court however, refused the application, adding that the said medical panel had not been made a party to the proceeding by the applicant.

The presiding judge, Justice Silas Haruna said that the court lacks jurisdiction to make an order against a body which had not been joined as a proper or necessary party.

The court requested the defendants to fill the counter-affidavit and written addresses on the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and originating summons within six days from the date of service of the motion on notice and entering of appearance on the originating summons to ensure the speedy hearing and determination of the very urgent constitutional issues raised.

2015: Assassinations, Kidnappings May Escalate – CLEEN Report

By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja

The latest report on security threat assessment ahead of the 2015 general elections by the CLEEN Foundation has shown that incidents of politics-induced assassinations, kidnappings, armed robbery and bombings may escalate as the political

campaigns begin.

The report entitled ‘Fifth Security Threat Assessment: Towards 2015 Elections (July-September, 2014)’ and presented to journalists yesterday, also showed that 29 states were experiencing various forms of tension, which if not properly managed will result in insecurity in those states.

In her welcome remarks, executive director of CLEEN Foundation, Kemi Okenyodo, who alluded to the violence which erupted following the outcome of the 2011 general elections leading to the death of about 800 persons, said preparations for the 2015 general elections must be done with a view to preventing a re-

play of the 2011 elections.

Okenyodo stated that the recent happenings in the country beg the question of whether the rights to vote can be safely exercised and the fundamental rights effectively protected by the agencies of government vested with the responsibility of the 2015 elections.

NEWS 5

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Military Retracts Claim Of Chibok Girls’Release

Minimah

By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri and Donatus Nadi, Lafia

Controversy is now trailing the news that some more of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect had escaped. From 12 noon yesterday, news began to make the rounds on various conventional and social media platforms, that some of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect on April 14 this year had newly escaped and were seen near the Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri. The information spread like wildfire across the nation and beyond.

As the rumour went viral, the atmosphere in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital became charged with excitement.

Some online media had even reported that the military spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade had confirmed the development, which further fuelled the excitement, as some concerned persons began to call parents of the abducted girls to congratulate them.

But investigation by LEADERSHIP revealed that the news was not only false, but also nothing more than the figment of the imagination of some persons, who hurriedly jumped to conclusions when they saw some vehicles conveying young girls into Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri.

An impeccable military source who spoke to LEADERSHIP by phone said that the girls assumed to be newly escaped Chibok girls were from among the 57 who had escaped earlier.

The military source, who pleaded anonymity said, “The information was not true. What we have in the barracks were some 32 out of the 57 Chibok girls that were being conveyed to Kaduna, where the state government had arranged new schools for them. And for them to get to Kaduna safely, they needed to be accompanied by some security personnel.”

The officer expressed concern that the false alarm had caused a lot of tension, even amongst mili-

tary operatives. He said that Abuja had come down hard on the officers of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, wanting to know how such an important development would occur and get to the media before Defence Headquarters or the presidency was briefed.

“We are sick and tired of all these rumours and it is giving us serious problems lately. Just last week, some persons had gone to the media and started spreading the rumour that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau was killed, when all the while we have been saying that the person in question was one of the commanders of the terrorists that was killed while leading an attack on Konduga,” the military source said.

The rumour of the girls’ escape prompted Major General Olukolade to state in a text message that “The widely and baseless information that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls have been freed and rescued is not true please.”

In another development, unconfirmed information reached journalists in Maiduguri yesterday, that one of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls had left the camp where she was being held to visit her village near Chibok town, where she was said to have attacked and killed her younger sister who was the only person she met at home.

The source who revealed this to LEADERSHIP said the girl fled back to her captors after taking the life of her younger sister. Neither the police nor the soldiers contacted on this development could confirm the incident.

Chibok Girls Rescue: Military again makes a u-turn The Nigerian military once again made a u-turn when the director, Defence Information, Brig Gen Chris Olukolade retracted an earlier statement that claimed that a number of the abducted Chibok girls had been freed.

Olukolade, according to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), had earlier stated that an undisclosed number of the girls was in the military’s custody and that the exercise was “ongoing”, only for him to retract the statement moments later, saying the girls in the custody of the military were not those from Chibok, as originally thought.

He said, “The story circulating in respect of the release of the Chibok girls is not true please,” adding that, “the buses that drove into the barracks were conveying other individuals.”

This is the second time the Nigerian military has been forced to reverse claims of having rescued the missing girls. On April 16, two days after the girls’ abduction, the mil➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100

One health tip daily

Eat organic whole foods and opt for locally grown, seasonal organic produce Pesticides have been implicated in many illnesses, including infertility, cancer, birth defects, skin irritations and impotence.

Organically reared stock fed on grass (what they’re meant to eat), not grains, and organic produce not only contains substantially more of

the basic nutrients than intensively farmed varieties, but also up to 10,000 secondary nutrients essential for human health. As organic bacon and sausages may still include nitrates (carcinogens), purchase them from sources that guarantee nitrate- free products.

$9.3m: Reps In Rowdy Session FROM FRONT PAGE

leiman Kawu Sumaila (Kano/APC), was voted out without debate in contentious circumstances, causing a walkout by the aggrieved APC lawmakers.

Two Nigerians and an Israeli had attempted to take $9.3 million in cash into South Africa, in a jet owned by the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor. They had said the cash was intended for the procurement of arms and ammunition from South Africa.

Earlier listed on the Order Paper of last Thursday, the motion was stepped down, because of the absence of the motion sponsor.

On Tuesday, Kawu, who brought the motion under ‘Matter(s) of Urgent Public Importance’, pointed out that the motion ought to have been listed on the Order Paper of the next legislative sitting, since it was not taken in the immediate past legislative sitting.

Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Albert Sam Tsokwa (Taraba/PDP), reported that Kawu did not contact him after the first listing.

“I presumed that he (Kawu) was no longer interested in the matter. That was why it was not listed on the Order Paper for today. As a leader, he ought to have known how things are done in the House,” Tsokwa said.

The presiding deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, after consultation with Tsokwa allowed the motion. However, after Kawu’s lead debate, the matter was put to a voice-vote without contributions from other lawmakers. It was voted out.

Tsokwa, while reacting to the walkout by the APC members said, “The minority would always have their say while the majority has their way.”

He explained that Kawu’s motion was defeated at plenary

through normal parliamentary procedure and not political machinations.

“It was unfortunate that APC members had to walk out because their motion was defeated. They know what to do if they are aggrieved; they would have called for the division, which they did not do,” Tsokwa said.

“They would have studied the mood of the House before going ahead with the motion. They had the option of stepping down the motion till the time they would have more members on their side,” he added.

The APC lawmakers, led by the minority whip, Samson Osagie (Edo/APC), subsequently addressed newsmen and demanded an explanation from the executive arm of government on the arms deal.

The address by the APC lawmakers and posers for the Executive was as follows: “We are here this afternoon to bare our minds on a very scandalous, very disgraceful and very appalling event that took place a week ago that borders on the image of our country, Nigeria. Let me state clearly that we are not just here as the members of the APC caucus of the House. We are also here as concerned Nigerians who hold the mandate of the Nigerian people to defend their interest, to ensure that corruption is reduced to the barest minimum if not totally eliminated, to ensure that our country’s integrity remains intact in the eyes of the international community. We are all aware that a week ago or so, the South African government impounded an aircraft purportedly belonging to a top religious leader in this country that was used to carry $9.3million. They were said to be in mints and have never been used.

“As if that was not enough, the federal government has come up to ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

6 NEWS

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

IGP Meets Tambuwal, Assures Hitch-free Elections In 2015

By Edegbe Odemwingie and Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The acting inspector-general of police, Suleiman Abba, on Tuesday in Abuja said that the Nigeria Police was committed to ensuring hitch-free general elections in 2015. Abba made this known to newsmen shortly after a closed-door meeting with the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

He said that the Nigeria Police was poised to address

challenges that might impinge on the successful conduct of the elections.

“If you have challenges you come for solutions to those challenges. Of course you know too well that we have the elections ahead of us. And we should make sure that we are not only properly equipped, but that we even have enough personnel to perform those responsibilities. And so appropriation is done here and that is why I am here,” Abba said.

Gov Shettima Visits Konduga, Holds Closed-door Talks With Military Commanders

By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri

Borno State Governo Kashim Shettiam, yesterday made an unscheduled visit to Konduga, the town where the Nigerian military troops had been recording successes over the attack of Boko Haram member in recent times, Leadership reports.

The governor who arrived Konduga accompanied by a light security guards manned by his personal security details, were nearly prevented from getting into the almost deserted town by some heavily armed and redalert soldiers who suspected his convoy was an enemy’s before one of their commanders stood them down.

Though the purpose of the visit could not be ascertained, some of the journalists in the government house press crew who accompanied the governor there as well as some other security operatives, were all

asked to remain in their vehicles along side other government officials as the governor alone went into a closed door meeting with the commanders of the troops there.

The governor came out about 30 minutes later, accompanied by the top military officer, went straight into his vehicle and returned back to Maiduguri.

Journalists on the crew saw a Konduga town that is half deserted, even as some said the road leading to Bama was totally barricaded by soldiers who have manned several heavy duty war machines all over the town.

Though some of the villagers were still seen leaving the town for Maiduguri, 35km away, others who probably had no where to go were also seen trying to live their normal life as they even moved the town’s market from its original position to the outskirts of Konduga along the road leading to the state capital.

$9.3m: Reps In Rowdy Session FROM PAGE 5

own up that it was that such money was carried and that it was meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the purpose of fighting insurgency. The questions that we have for the federal government are as follows: Is it faster or safer to do an international transaction of such magnitude by ferrying cash across the continent or simply wire transfer that can go through in matter of seconds or matter of few hours? If indeed, the matter involves security issues like the purchase of arms by foreign government like Nigeria, why was the South African government not brought into the picture before hand and how could South African government be sure that the arms were purchased legitimately by the Nigerian government and not by the insurgents when there were no officials of the NSA office or the Director of state security department that accompany such money?

“If indeed the manufacturers of such equipment were expecting large sums of money by cash, why did they not make adequate arrangement with the authorities in South Africa to declare the cash on arrival since it was the law in South Africa that you must declare any amount in excess of 2.500 dollars? Why was the money belonging to the federal government and meant for the purchase of equipment for the federal government moved by a private jet when we have over five to six airplanes in the presidential air fleet?

Why was the money not accompanied by the officials of NSA and DSS? “Why would the government that is at the peak of promoting cashless policy in our country be the chief breaker of that policy by moving such amount of cash, if indeed, it was a legitimate transaction of federal government? Why were the officials of our embassy in South Africa not on hand to make the entry easier and smoother? Since the South African government has said the amount is above the limit of cash allowed into the country, why would a whole government like Nigeria not know the simple immigration law of a sister country and why would they have to take it out of the Oliver Tambo international airport and went to

land in a village where you have a local airport? Why would government of Nigeria seek to smuggle 9.3 million dollars? A country that is regarded as a giant of Africa smuggling amount worth 1.5 billion Naira, in a country where citizens are wallowing in poverty for unexplained reasons? Is it just a wicked coincidence that the aircraft belonging to a personal friend and an unapologetic ally of the president in the person of the chairman of the CAN was used to smuggle the cash?

“If contrary to the above posers, the transactions were contracted out to a private company in Nigeria, does it amount to the offense of money laundering under our laws for the federal government to have allowed that company to attempt to pay for the equipment by cash to the tune of that amount without passing through financial institutions?”

The APC lawmakers concluded: “For us as a people and for us lawmakers, we find this unacceptable, unethical, illegitimate and in our view, it is an illegal transaction.

Nigerian government owes the Nigerian people an explanation as to what that source of money comes from and the purpose for which it was made.

“There is no denying the fact that given the circumstances of this transaction, there were ill motives and it cannot be unassociated (sic) with money laundering or an attempt to steal the Nigerian money belonging to the people of Nigeria up to the tune of 1.5 billion Naira, 9.3 million US dollars.

“We call on the federal government, we call on this government to tell Nigerians why it has to do what it has done and there is no amount of official intimidation, official harassment of good people of this country and those who intend to speak on this matter that should cover this transaction that is clad in illegality and illegitimacy.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that the South African police are investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen, who tried to take $9.3m (about N1.5bn) in cash into South Africa illegally and a cross-section of Nigerians have been calling for further probing into the matter.

Rising from a two-hour closed door meeting on the matter and other related security issues with the chief of defence staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh and other service chiefs, the chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, George Sekibo (PDP/Rivers East) made this disclosure to Senate correspondents.

According to him, investigation into the controversial deal by his committee continues.

“We are still investigating the alleged $9.3million deal. We have started the investigation. When we get through with the investigation, we will brief you, but facts available to us now from the security chiefs show that the money belongs to the Nigerian government,” he said.

$9.3m belongs to Nigeria – Senate As controversy continues to trail the seizure of $9.3million from two yet to be disclosed Nigerians and one Israeli in South Africa last Monday, the Senate yesterday declared that the seized money belongs to the Nigerian government.

...Says death row soldiers can appeal On the death sentence passed on 12 Nigerian soldiers for mutiny, Sekibo stated that the Senate was not under pressure to intervene in the matter.

He said, “No, we are not under pressure, because the Armed Forces is established by an Act of the National Assembly. The Act spelt out categorically the conduct of the soldiers and the way they are to behave wherever they are. If you join the military, that Act is to guide you and your conduct. If you go contrary to any of the prescribed sections of the Act, the punishment prescribed for the Act you violated will come on you.

“So the military did not just wake up one day and say that they are going to kill Mr A or Mr B. They went through the necessary processes and they found them guilty.

But I think that those found guilty also have a way out. They can go on appeal and if the appeal finds them not guilty, that will be it. But for what the military has done, they have done the best thing; because you must instil discipline in the Armed Forces. If you don’t do so, one day, all of us here will be sacked and you will not hear of this place. I think we should encourage the military,” he added.

killing twelve people and injuring scores of others.

An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP that the suspected Fulani attackers invaded the village at about 4am and opened fire on the villagers, killing people on sight and burning down houses.

“We woke up with heavy rain and saw many Fulani people with AK 47 rifles surrounded the village and started shooting in all directions and burning houses,’’ the eyewitness said.

The attack on Gidan Gambo is

the latest in a series of attacks on Eggon communities carried out by suspected Fulani mercenaries in recent times, since hostilities broke out between them and other ethnic nationalities in the state.

Police public relations officer (PPRO) of the state command, ASP Numan Ismaila confirmed the incident, but said only one casualty was recorded in the attack.

The PPRO said that the command had since deployed its men to restore normalcy in the troubled area.

Military Retracts Claim Of Chibok Girls’ Release FROM PAGE 5

itary had claimed that most of the girls abducted had either escaped or been freed and that only eight remained in captivity, only to withdraw the statement on April 18 after parents and locals of Chibok challenged the report.

In that episode, Olukolade had released a statement saying the report was “not intended to deceive the public”. The girls are currently in their six month of captivity.

Chibok chairman reacts When LEADERSHIP contacted the chairman of the Chibok community in Abuja, Tsambido Hosea-Abana, he stated that the news was not true, adding that it was a mix-up, which occurred when some of the abducted girls who had escaped earlier were being transported to Maiduguri.

“It was reported that they were intercepted by the JTF. As far as I know, the girls have not been released. If I hear otherwise, I will

inform you,” he said.

Gunmen kill 12 in Nasarawa Gunmen, in the early hours of Tuesday reportedly killed no fewer than twelve persons and burnt down several houses in Gidan Gambo, an Eggon community in Lafia local government area of Nasarawa State.

The attackers, numbering over 200 and armed with sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles, defied the early morning rain and launched the attack on the village,

news extra 7

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

2015: Atiku Declares For Presidency Today ...As S’West Endorses Bid Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will today formally declare his presidential ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former vice president’s declaration is coming against the backdrop of his endorsement by south-west caucus of the APC. A press statement by his media office in Abuja said the former vice president would make his formal declaration at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja at 10am.

According to the statement, the activities marking the declaration would be a largely youthfocused event to emphasise Atiku’s passion for the challenges facing young men and women in the country.

Youth economic empowerment is one of Atiku’s cardinal objectives because he regards them as the fulcrum around which the development and future of Nigeria revolves, the statement noted.

By Bode Gbadebo, Abuja

Synagogue Building Collapse: Senate Moves To Avert Further Disasters Piqued by the incessant building collapse in the country with the recent collapse of Synagogue Church building in Lagos which claimed over 115 lives, the Senate has mandated its Committee on Housing to organise a sensitisation public hearing on this menace.

The upper chamber also urged federal and states Ministries of Land and Survey, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and other regulatory agencies to wake up and ensure compliance with building rules and regulations.

The Senate also urged all the rescue operations agencies in the country including NEMA, Fire Service, Red Cross, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to always be at alert in order to rescue victims in similar incidences.

The resolutions were sequel to an adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Adbulmumin Hassan (Jigawa South West) under the title “The alarming rate of building collapse in Nigeria.”

In the motion, Senator Hassan observed that the rate at which buildings were collapsing in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country were alarming and quite worrisome.

He added that aside from claiming the lives of innocent citizens and foreigners, the frequent building collapse have also led to the loss of property worth billions of naira.

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah

NYSC coordinator in Anambra, Mrs Bassey Ekpe (2nd l e f t ) u nv e i l i n g a statue which depicts an effigy of a female corps member carrying the inscription, “ Welcome to Umuawulu, a peaceful home for corps members,” PHOTO BY NAN.

2015: APC ‘ll Remedy Ills Of Nigeria – Oyegun Sam Egwu, Lokoja

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, yesterday likened the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a bad dream.

Speaking at the Lokoja Township Stadium, Kogi State, during the formal reception of Kogi PDP defectors into the party, Oyegun, said the APC, as the largest growing party in Nigeria, had come to remedy the ills heaped on the country by the PDP. Oyegun was supported by prominent members of the party, including General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor

of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwaso, APC Deputy National Chairman Senator Lawal Shuaibu, National Deputy Chairman, South West, Engr. Segun Oni, former governor of Kogi State Prince Abubakar Audu, former Minister of State for Petroleum Shuaib Abdullahi, APC National Treasurer Bala Muhammed and National Organizing Secretary Senator Osita Osinaz, among others.

The former governor of Edo State formally handed the party’s flag to a set of defectors led

by Nigeria’s former ambassador to Botswana, Ambassador Isaac Onu, and members loyal to former Kogi PDP governorship candidate, Alhaji Isa Jibril, a.k.a Echocho.

Another set of defectors was led by a former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and former acting governor of the state, Clarence Olafemi.

Oyegun commended the defectors, saying the situation of Kogi State called for men of “steel.”

He said: “APC is growing so fast.

Many of you know I have been here three times in the past and I tell you this is the biggest crowd I have seen.

“The PDP is finished anyway.

Have we forgotten the N20 billion? Have we forgotten the N225 million armoured car? Can we forget the $9.3 million? Can we forget Boko Haram? And here in Kogi State, look at the very stadium we are standing, where the

government cannot fix its roofs.

“But, I want to tell you that as soon as APC comes into power, we will change all these for the better.

“Teachers are not paid, workers are not paid and it is a challenge for you to ensure that they do not rise again. It is not an easy job, but we shall not make the mistake we made in the past. I want to assure you that APC is the only party with vision, dependable and willing to do the needful.”

Buhari said the next general election will be tough and urged party members to collect their voter cards and keep them well.

He also called on Nigerians not to vote in those he described as treasury looters.

2015 VP Ticket: Anenih, Others In Closed-door Meeting With Lamido

BY MUH’D ZANGINA KURA,

Following the controversy trailing the endorsement of President Jonathan as sole candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 2015 presidential election and the plot to dump Vice President Namadi Sambo, the party’s high powered delegation led by Chief Tony Aneni

yesterday held a closed-door meeting with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.

Chief Tony Aneni, who is the PDP chairman board of trustees (BoT), stormed Jigawa State Government House with his entourage barely a day after the national publicity secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh visited the state.

The meeting held between Governor Lamido and Tony Anenih-led delegation lasted three hours at the Presidential Lodge, Dutse Government House.

When contacted about the outcome of their meeting, Chief Aneni declined to comment, insisting that he was in the state to see his ‘son’.

Aneni also declined to com-

ment on speculations doing the rounds on a plot to dump Vice President Sambo for Governor Lamido.

“Lamido is a mature leader, a true party loyalist who deserves all the rights and privileges in the party. This my third visit to Jigawa this year and we have no any problem with Governor Lamido,” he said.

Torture: Amnesty Report Baseless – FG

BY By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

The federal government has described the Amnesty International report which indicted the Nigeria police of torture as baseless The chairman, National Committee Against Torture, Dr. Samson Ameh (SAN), who spoke in Abuja yesterday said that the report was not written in good faith.

He added that the police had

come a long way as it have taken unequivocal stand against the use of torture by its officers.

“Right from training, the Nigeria police are being taught on how to use modern technological equipment in detection of crime so that they do not need to resort to old crude method of extortion.

“The significant aspect of the police syllabus is that it contains a section on human rights so that right from the training the police

are taught on the need to observe the human rights of citizens.

“In the course of our visit to police stations, we were very pleased to see that in each station there is an anti-torture unit where anybody, either police or non-police citizens can report any act of torture, or other cruel, degrading treatment or punishment meted to them.

“Indeed the Nigeria police should be commended for es-

tablishing the Anti-torture Desk rather than being condemned as has been done by Amnesty International in their report titled ‘Welcome to hell fire: Torture and other I’ll treatment in Nigeria’.

To show how mischievous their report is, they renamed the Anti-torture Desk in police station as quote and unquote ‘Torture Desk’ in order to paint Nigeria black in the eyes of the world”, he said.

8 News north-central

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

2015: Benue Endorses Mark – Suswam Says decision irrevocable

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

Benue State governor, Dr Gabriel Suswam unequivocally announced yesterday that there is no vacancy for the Benue South Senatorial seat presently occupied by the president of the Senate, Senator David Mark, saying “Our decision to return him to the Senate in 2015 is irrevocable”.

Foreclosing the hopes of likely aspirants to the seat, Governor Suswam said “We in Benue State have endorsed the candidature of Mark to return to the Senate. The position of Senator Mark is not contestable. We want him back and there is no question or argument about it”.

Addressing a large audience of Nigerians, majority of whom were Benue indigenes at the presentation of a book entitled “Suswam, Politics and Governance in Benue State” in Abuja

short news Exminister Extols Virtues Of Late Kwara APC Scribe

Former minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi yesterday extolled the virtues of the late secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Yemi Afolayan.

Abdullahi who was outside the country when Afolayan passed away, yesterday paid a condolence visit to the Afolayans at their Ilorin residence.

He praised the deceased for his commitment to work and political astuteness.

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

yesterday, Suswam maintained that “Mark’s Senatorial seat is not contestable. Mark remains our choice. There is no vacancy.”

The governor said, “As the state is united behind President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015, so also we are solidly behind Mark for the 2015 senatorial seat. The Senate president has performed creditably and it is only logical that we give him the needed support and encouragement to continue the good works in the upper legislative chamber.”

In his remarks at the occasion, President Goodluck Jonathan who spoke through the vice president, Namadi Sambo praised Governor Suswam’s giant strides in the state which he said transformed the state from a once rural setting to an entrepreneurial environment.

Jonathan noted that Benue State remains the agricultural hub of Nigeria and one of the most peaceful states in the country making progress.

short Int’l NGOs Want news Govts To Tackle Don Climate Change, Inequality, Poverty Proffers Solution

As the 69th UN General Assembly meets in New York to discuss development agenda in 2015, two international nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), Beyond 2015 and Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa (CSDEA), have called on governments all over the world to take quick steps towards tackling climate change, inequality and economic crises.

They said that this would be a way of ensuring a new world order which would ensure safety of lives and better human rights.

This call was contained in a press statement jointly issued by the two groups and made available to LEADERSHIP by the executive director of CSDEA, Mr Theophilus Ekpon.

The statement said the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as set at the beginning of the millennium have recorded a lot of achievements which included reduction in extreme poverty, more access to clean drinking water, improved access to education and reduction in maternal mortality.

By Paul Chiama, Abuja

To Violent Conflicts

The director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin, Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji, has advised Nigerians to embrace functional dispute resolution strategies in order to stem the violent conflicts in the country.

Adedimeji in a lecture entitled ”No Cause For Conflict, Really?”, said that the current security situation in the country calls for a sober reflection, and affirmed that ethnic, linguistic and religious diversities in the country are “tinderboxes that are vulnerable to exploitation by the arsonists and anarchists” among the people.

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (left), welcoming Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Soyinka Olaogun and Chairman, Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr Akinpelu Aina, during a courtesy visit to government house in Ilorin, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Kumuyi Visits Nasarawa, Says Nigeria Will Overcome Challenges

By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

The general superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William F. Kumuyi has arrived Nasarawa State for a three-day prayer and supplication, assuring that the nation would overcome its present predicaments.

Pastor Kumuyi who stated this shortly after arriving Lafia yesterday said the programme is meant to usher in a renewed

period of peace and conciliation in a state that has witnessed security challenges in the recent past.

He urged Nigerians to continue to pray and cultivate the habit of tolerating one another irrespective of religious, cultural or political affiliation.

“Prayers for our country are working, though they may be slow by human understanding, and I assure you of change in the

near future,” he said.

He added that “we must continue to teach ourselves how to be tolerant of each other because it is an attribute; and so, we must make conscious effort to be tolerant of one another”.

The Deeper Life helmsman also charged religious leaders on moral education that borders on respect because tolerance which is essential for coexistence is a result of an education process.

Nasarawa Assembly Accused Of Inciting LG Chairmen Against Al-Makura

By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

Following the public hearing by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA) to scrutinise local governments’ fiscal responsibility as a result of their inability to pay staff salaries for up to three months, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Gada Mohammed, has cautioned the lawmakers against inciting local government chairmen in the state against Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

Alhaji Mohammed said this

yesterday in Lafia while condemning, in strong terms, inciting statements by the lawmakers that Governor Al-Makura is withholding finances meant for local councils, especially the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (Sure-P) fund.

He condemned the lawmakers’ action, pointing out that it was the same Assembly that outlawed the former arrangement where the state government augmented salaries of financially backward local governments only to turn round and blame AlMakura for non-payment of staff

salaries.

The APC chieftain also cautioned that the action of the lawmakers is in furtherance of their botched attempt to impeach AlMakura as they are finding it hard to concede defeat.

The lawmakers had on Monday at a public hearing by the Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Petitions and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs accused Al-Makura of starving the chairmen of funds, thereby making it impossible for them to deliver on their campaign promises.

Niger To Dissolve LGCs Before PDP Primaries

By Abu Nmodu ,Minna

The governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has informed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State of his intention to dissolve the local government councils before the party’s primaries, even as the party promised a level playing ground for all the aspirants.

This is coming on the heels of a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the governor on Monday at the party secretariat and the disclosure by the governor that

eight governorship aspirants are seeking the ticket of the party.

The publicity secretary of the party, Mohammed Hassan Saba told journalists after the stakeholders’ meeting that the governor was categorical about the level playing ground the party is offering to its aspirants to ensure that acceptable candidates emerge for the next general elections.

He stated that the governor also informed the party stakeholders of the need to dissolve

the local government councils because the tenure of three years of the councils is coming to an end.

He stated that the local government councils would be dissolved before all the primaries of the party leading to the general election.

Saba said the stakeholders resolved that whoever emerges candidate of the party at all levels would be fully supported to ensure that the party comes out victorious in the next general elections.

news north-East, north-west 9

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Yerima Ngama Counsels PDP Supporters Over 2015

Kaduna Killings: Why Our Women Protested Nude – Sanga Natives

By Midat Joseph, Kaduna

Ninzom youths in Sanga local government area of Kaduna State yesterday defended their wives nude protest before the state governor, Alh. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

They said their women protested in nude to show the level of their anger over government’s negligence to provide security.

They added that nude protest by widows was a culture of the majority of native people of Sanga local government as a sign of anger.

The national president of Nizom Ninzom Progressive Youths(NPY), Mr. Bezard Wuyah, spoke to newsmen after hundreds of nude women protested in Fadan Karshi, Sanga LGA, during the condolence visit of Governor Mukhtar Ra-

malan Yero to the village that had seen several attacks with a total death toll of 300 since July this year.

Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna Indigenes Progressive Forum (SKIPFO) yesterday berated the visit of Yero to Sanga, saying it was a show of force and lack of empathy to the victims going by what it said was the huge number of armed security men that escorted him

to the place.

Wuyah said, “It has come to the notice of Ninzom youths that some people have been taking advantage of the display of anger by widows who demonstrated half naked before the governor to seek for favour.

“I want to make it clear that the women who demonstrated were from Gwandara, Nandu, Mada, Numana, Nimzom and Gwantu.

L-R: Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; Director, Northern Region, Skye Bank, Alhaji Kauru Mohammed and Chairman, House Committee on Finance of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon Aliyu Balarabe Jigo, at launching of Point of Sales (POS) machine, at Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO BY GBENGA ABIOLA.

short news CCPN Commends Kebbi Over Efforts To Eliminate Malaria The executive director of the Centre For Communication Programme Nigeria(CCPN), Mrs. Funke Fagbemi,has commended the Kebbi State Malaria Elimination Programme for adopting measures to eliminate the disease.

Mrs. Fagbemi,made the commendation while addressing participants at the USAID supported workshop on development of media material on malaria elimination.

Federal Allocation, IGR Inadequate For Development Projects – Yero

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN

Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero yesterday said that federal allocation and the dwindling internally generated revenue are grossly inadequate to execute meaningful development projects in the state.

He said the state government will soon commence a programme where development projects would be based on tax payment by residents.

According to the governor,

“The current Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state and the dwindling federal allocation were not enough to develop Kaduna State.”

The governor disclosed this in Kaduna while launching the Point of Sales (PoS) Terminal for the revenue collection and powered by Skye Bank.

According to Governor Yero, his government has a huge budget that is expected to be financed by the IGR, unfortunately, the revenue has been stagnant at about N1billion per

month, for the past five years, hence the need to develop new and accountable means of revenue collection.

“It is against this background that we have introduced POS to check revenue leakages and other challenges associated with tax collection,” he said.

On the government’s plan to take focus development on tax-paying residents, Governor Yero explained that, residents who evade taxes were the ones who criticise government the most.

2015: Group Endorses Kwankwaso/Amaechi Ticket

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

A political group, APC New Generation Initiative has endorsed Kano State governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi as presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively in 2015 election.

In its meeting held at Pixi Hotel, Port Harcourt the group which referred to itself as a coBy Yahya Sarki ,Kebbi alition of youth leaders said

there has been consultations as to the emergence of new leaders who have shown abilities and can move the nation to greater heights.

A statement jointly signed by the coordinator, Malam Balarabe Rufai and the secretary John Nwakanma respectively further said that the adoption of Kwankwaso and Amaechi was in line with the agitation for new leaders to replace the aging politicians like Atiku Abubakar and

Muhammad Buhari, who have immensely contributed to the development of the country and need to step aside.

It acknowledged the leadership of the APC and resolved however to work assiduously with whoever emerges as the flag bearer.

“We have had meetings in the six geo-political zones and we stand by the party’s decision to zone positions and the Kwankwaso/Amaechi ticket is our own position”, statement said.

short news 2015: Group Endorses Ishaku Darius As Nigerians get closer to the 2015 general elections, a group known as Taraba Masses Movement for Good Governance has endorsed the minister of state for Niger Delta, Ishaku Darius as their sole candidate for 2015 gubernatorial election.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Jalingo, the chairman of the group, Hon. Timothy Samson said that their unflinching support for Darius to succeed the ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai was based on his track record of achievements.

By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo.

Former minister of state for finance and frontline member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama, has called on PDP supporters to remain focused and committed to the party’s success in 2015.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after submitting a letter to the national chairman of PDP and National Working Committee of the party, he said, “ I refer to our group’s letter of 7th September 2014, in which we notify you that we have lost confidence in the neutrality of the national vice chairman, NorthEast zone, Senator Mohammed GirGiri Lawan in handling the problems affecting our great party in Yobe State.”

He accused the national vice chairman of north east zone of bias in giving letters for the collection of names of people to conduct ward congresses. He accused him of misinterpretation of “our group’s concensus proposal and deliberate withholding of vital information that will guide the national working committee.

By Hussaini Jirgi Damaturu

Adamawa Pilgrims Seek Revoke Of Contract With Kabo Airline Adamawa State pilgrims have called on the state government to revoke the contract it entered with Kabo Airline following the failure of the airline to commence their airlift to the Holy Land according to schedule.

The airlift of the state pilgrims was to commence on Saturday September 20, 2014 and end on 23rd September, 2014 but the airline company did not leave up to that contractual agreement thereby leaving intending pilgrims stranded as up till the time of filing this report the exercise has not commenced in Yola.

As a result, many intending pilgrims from Adamawa North bedeviled by insurgency and who are billed to be among the first set to depart to the Holy Land are now stranded at the Hajj camp since last Saturday.

Disturbed by the failure of the company to commence airlifting of the pilgrims the state government may be forced to shop for another airline to airlift the pilgrims in order to avert a looming crisis.

It was reported that the government has ordered the State Pilgrims Welfare Board to shop for “a reputable airline” for next year’s Hajj exercise.

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

10

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

stories of the ...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

Death: Police Probe Headless Bodies In Rivers

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

The police detectives in Asaba, Delta State are currently probing various headless bodies allegedly found in Delta Community (name withheld) flowing streams.

Reports said that there have been unidentified headless bodies allegedly found in the streams; a situation, which at present, is creating rumpus in the community.

Sources said that the headless bodies may be that of insane persons but the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Celelstina Kalu, confirmed that the police were working round the clock to bring to book, the culprits, adding that no arrest has been made in the ongoing investigation.

As it were, there has been palpable tension and fear of the unknown in the community where in the last three weeks, there have been physical activities of suspected ritualists, who have killed no fewer than three persons with their bodies mutilated.

DSP Celelstina Kalu, however, assured that the police would get to the root of the bizarre activities disclosing that some persons are currently being interrogated for useful information.

LOVER’s DUEL:

Girl Bites Sister For Snatching Lover

BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos

A woman has landed in an hospital for allegedly dating her younger sister’s lover when the jealous girl discovered and bit her in the breast at Lagos Island, yesterday.

Adekunbi was said to have seen her lover, Kamoru, with her elder sister, Jumoke, in a bar along Igbosere Road, and gave the man a slap.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that immediately Adekunbi did that, her sister, Jumoke, slapped her, declared that she was not married to him.

According to their relation who identified himself as Kolawole, Adekunbi was informed by one of her friends, Bintu, that her elder sister was dating Kamoru but she did not believe her.

They agreed that anytime she sees them together, she should inform Adekunbi. The plot yielded fruitful return when she saw them entering a beer parlour and called her friend on phone.

Kolawole said Kamoru was fondling Jumoke when Adekunbi entered and raised hell.

Kolawole said the argument degenerated into a fight and Adekunbi bit her sister in the left breast.

He said Jumoke was later rushed to the hospital by him and other relations around.

He condemned Jumoke’s action, describing it as a disgrace to the family. He also blamed the randy lover for dating two sisters.

APC supporters jubilating during the defection of PDP members to the APC in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday.

PHOTO ADEFEMI ADEWUYI

RAPE: How I Raped Girl, 13, 60-yr-old Man Confesses

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

A 60-year-old man yesterday narrated how he defiled a 13-year-old girl when he was paraded before newsmen by the Edo State Police Command in Benin City.

Edekin Ojaogbe in his confession said: “I was at home when this girl went to the toilet.

I called her and told her that I needed her. She now came to me. We entered my room and I locked the door and the window and I slept with her. It was later when I went to mould blocks that I was told that policemen from Afuze came to arrest me.

“My people begged the girl’s parents but they were angry. I have slept with her three times because I love the small girl. I am married before but I am not with her, but I have three children.

“I held her hands but I did not make love to her. But, unfortunately for me, when the girl ran away, the parents saw her and called her where she told them. They started beating me; my ribs pained me seriously after they beat me.

I was drunk, that was why. My Madam brought me here. “ Meanwhile, two persons were shot dead at the early hours of yesterday in a suspected clash between two rival cult groups.

This was as the command also paraded 46 suspected armed robbers and cultists.

The killings shocked residents of Oloku area as they woke up to see two dead bodies by the road side.

The Edo State Police Commissioner, Funso Adebanjo, who paraded the 46 suspects, including suspected cultists, said the police were on the trail of the killers.

Items recovered from the suspects included, 20 guns, 192 live cartridges, 9 recovered cars and 12 cutlasses.

Adebanjo recalled that “early this month, we paraded 68 suspected criminals and, today, we are parading 46 suspected criminals comprising armed robbery, kidnappers, rape, defilement and people involved in waging war against communities.”

JEALOUSY: Housewife Slashes Hubby’s Genitals

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

A 42-year-old jealous housewife identified as Esther (surname withheld) in Ugbolu community near Asaba, Delta State, is currently helping the police at the state CID after she allegedly slashed off her husband’s genitals during a fight that ensued over his perceived interest in other women.

It was reliably gathered that the suspect, a mother of two, allegedly attacked the husband after he was caught pants down with a woman in a hotel room, at the outskirts of the community.

Police spokesperson in the state DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed that the suspect ambushed the husband near a hotel, adding

that while he and his lover were coming out of the hotel room, the suspect emerged from the bush and engaged him in a fight, during which she allegedly slashed off his ‘male organ’ with a razor.

Sources said there have been unending quarrels between the couple at home over the victim’s randy lifestyle and the wife had severally threatened to spill his blood if he failed to desist from the act.

DSP Kalu said that the suspect, upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, adding that the incident occurred Monday evening.

According to her, the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

THEFT: Sales Boy Disappears With N1.2m

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

A 20-year-old sales boy identified as Ifeanyichukwu in Asaba Ogbeogonogo popular market, Delta State, has allegedly disappeared into thin air with his boss’ sales fund to the tune of N1.2 million.

The sales boy, instead of depositing the money in the bank account, was said to have been sighted at the Asaba Summit Motor park where he boarded a bus to an unknown destination.

His master, Ezegwu Linus, said that the sudden disappearance of the sales boy may not be unconnected with his strange relationship with some of the area boys, adding that the matter had been reported to the police after four days’ search of his whereabouts were abortive.

The sales boy allegedly disappeared with the money when his master travelled to his hometown in Owerri after entrusting the said money with him to pay into his bank account.

Tragedy: 2 Die In Ilorin After Consuming Local Herb

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

Tragedy struck at Ologbondoroko and Bofara compounds, Adeta, Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday when two brothers died after their consumption of a locally made concoction .

It was gathered that two of the three that consumed the local herb at about 8pm on the same day started experiencing abdomen pains few minute later.

Yinusa Akeju who first took the local medicine reportedly died at about 12am while his brother, Gani Owo Iya, died 30 minutes later.

When our correspondent visited the victims’ residences, all efforts to speak with their families were abortive as they declined comments.

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

day

Photo News

BETRAYAL: Woman Delivered Of Baby, Tells Lover Child Is Dead

BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos

Policemen at Ijesha Police Station, Surulere in Lagos State, were stunned on Monday when a woman who was delivered of a male child confessed that she lied to her lover that the child had died.

She told the lie because another man had paid for her pride price.

The woman, identified as Ada, was said to have told her lover, Nuru, that she was delivered of a female child on September 17, 2014, but that it was a still-birth , while she actually gave birth to a male child.

Nuru who suspected that the woman was telling him lies reported the matter to the police who arrested her.

Nuru told LEADERSHIP that he insisted on knowing where the baby was bur-

ied only to realize later that the baby is a male and hale and hearty.

Ada, however, told the police that Nuru was not the owner of the child, insisting that the child belongs to another man who had paid her pride price according to Igbo tradition.

Nuru said he believes that the child is his because of its striking resemblance to him.

Meanwhile, the police have invited the alleged owner of the baby who promised to come to Lagos because of the matter.

Nuru said he was ready to go to any length to ensure that he claimed his child, explaining that when Ada was pregnant, she was always with him and that he paid for all the medical expenses.

He said it was funny to hear her make such ridiculous and embarrassing comments.

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (left), shaking hands with Bauchi State Amirul Hajj and Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, during his farewell to the pilgrims at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN.

Rights Abuse: Soilder Arrested For Mutilating Pastor’s Hair

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

The Nigerian Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun, Delta State, on Monday arrested a soldier attached to the Aiegbor checkpoint for allegedly mutilating the hair of the general overseer and founder of Tower of Faith Ministries, Rev. Felix Omas.

A human right activist has also condemned the act.

The incident, it was gathered, took place when a tricycle carrying the general overseer was stopped by the soldiers who ordered him to get down apparently because of his hairstyle.

The soldier’s act was said to have infuriated the top leadership of 3 Battalion who were angered over the unbe-

coming act of the soldier and promptly arrested and detained him with a promise to charge him for improper conduct.

Omas, with his mutilated haircut, was almost in tears while narrating his ordeal at the NUJ Warri Secretariat.

He narrated: “I was driving my SUV jeep but due to traffic situation, I boarded a tricycle. The soldiers stopped our tricycle as we were coming from Alegbor and sat me down before cutting my hair; that my hair style violates their rules.”

An agitated Omas claimed he was heading to Warri with one of his colleagues when the soldiers forced him out and used scissors to give him a rough new haircut. He said he succumbed to the humiliation as the soldier had threatened to shoot him.

ebola FEAR: Why We Shunned Gov’s Directive On Resumption – Private Schools

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

The few private schools in Lagos State who shunned Governor Babatunde Fashola’s directive that all schools should resume October 8, 2014, said they had to contravene the instruction of the governor in order to save their students from failure.

When our correspondent visited St. Anthony International School situated at Ijaiye yesterday, the principal who refused to disclosed his name said, “There is no need of waiting till October 8 since we have provided all the facilities needed to protect our students.

“As you can see, we have procured Infrared Ebola detector and sanitizers. We have fumigated our environment too. However, we don’t want our students to fail public examinations like WAEC among others.

“We also got information from our president, Otunba Yomi Otubela, that we can resume academic activities”, he said.

When asked why the school disobeyed the state’s authorities, the principal explained that they had to open the school to save the limited time they had to teach the pupils.

At Agnolus High School which is situated at Aina Bolu Street, about 15 students were in the assembly ground praying.

The head teacher of Agnolus, Mr. Oni Oluwaseun, told LEADERSHIP that they were educating the students on EVD. “We are educating our students on the danger of Ebola and how it can be avoided. Teachers were in the school, with 15 students but without any apparatus to check them at the gate,” he said.

On his part, the president of National Private Schools’ Proprietors, Otunba Yomi Otubela said to LEADERSHIP in a telephone interview that private schools who had put in place preventive measures could resume as directed by the ministry of education.

L-R: Majority Leader, House of Representative Hon Mulikat Adeola Akande, Co-chair, board of directors, Nigeria Women Trust Fund Mrs Amina Salihu and co-founder, African Women Development Fund and first lady of Ekiti State Bisi Fayemi during a stakeholders’ dialogue forum on Nigerian women’s participation in politics, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO.

L-R: Head of Women and Youth, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Rita Goyit, head of Information Comrade Benson Ukpa, acting president Promise Anayo and secretarygeneral Peter Ozoessa during a press briefing to register their protest against the death sentence passed on 12 Nigerian soldiers in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH.

L-R: Director, Research and Rescue Operation, Nigeria Airforce Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, director-general, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi and director, FCT Emergency Management Agency Abbas Idriss during the official commissioning of the newly constructed emergency response ambulance bay in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

12

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA In furtherance of the transparency and full disclosure stance of the Central bank of Nigeria, the Monetary Policy Committee has decided that henceforth the lending rates obtainable in all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) be made public to guide business decisions.

Consequently, find below the applicable rates for each of the DMBs as at September 19, 2014.

Average Deposit and Lending Rates as at September 19, 2014 Deposit Rate

Lending Rate

S/N

NAME OF BANK

Demand Deposit Savings Deposit Time Deposit

Agriculture

Mining & Quarrying

Oil & Gas

Ave.Int Rate

Ave.Int Rate

Ave.Int Rate

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

1

Access Bank

-

3.60

7.91

7.00

25.00

-

-

13.00

25.00

7.00

25.00

11.00

25.00

2

Citi Bank Nigeria

2.35

3.60

7.82

16.00

21.00

16.00

21.00

16.00

21.00

16.00

21.00

16.00

21.00

3

Diamond Bank

1.03

3.60

10.81

14.00

22.00

17.00

25.00

17.00

25.00

17.00

25.00

17.00

25.00

4

Ecobank Nigeria

0.01

3.60

9.97

19.00

30.00

28.00

30.00

17.50

30.50

14.00

30.00

17.00

30.00

5

Enterprise Bank Ltd

0.20

3.60

7.13

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

6

FCMB

1.04

3.60

10.00

17.50

25.00

17.50

10.55

17.50

25.50

17.50

25.00

17.50

25.00

7

Fidelity Bank

2.00

3.60

10.00

6.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

8

First Bank of Nigeria

-

3.60

9.14

9.00

24.00

20.00

26.00

20.00

26.00

20.00

26.00

20.00

26.00

9

Heritage Bank

-

3.99

11.48

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

10

Guaranty Trust Bank

0.50

3.60

7.40

7.00

25.00

22.00

25.00

8.00

25.00

4.00

4.00

10.00

25.00

11

Keystone Bank Ltd

0.51

2.29

5.37

n/a

n/a

19.00

24.00

19.00

24.00

19.00

24.00

19.00

24.00

12

MainStreet Bank Ltd

0.10

3.60

9.57

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

13

Skye Bank

-

3.60

9.87

14.00

14.00

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

14

Stanbic IBTC Bank

0.97

3.61

8.51

5.50

28.00

16.00

27.00

16.00

27.00

12.50

27.00

16.00

26.00

15

Standard Chartered Bank

-

3.60

7.60

13.00

16.00

13.00

16.00

15.00

19.00

16.00

20.00

13.00

16.00

16

Sterling Bank

1.25

3.60

8.37

7.00

26.00

16.00

28.00

16.50

27.00

16.00

27.00

15.00

28.00

17

Union Bank

0.50

3.60

8.24

24.00

24.00

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

18

United Bank for Africa

0.05

3.60

9.97

7.00

24.00

20.00

24.00

16.50

24.00

16.50

24.00

20.00

24.00

19

Unity Bank

0.5-1.00

3.00

3.5-11.00

24.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

20

Wema Bank

1.77

3.80

9.93

25.00

24.00

25.00

23.00

25.00

22.00

25.00

22.00

25.00

24.00

21

Zenith Bank

3.60

3.60

8.50

17.00

18.00

17.00

23.00

17.00

24.00

17.00

24.50

17.00

24.00

S/N

NAME OF BANK

Demand Deposit Savings Deposit Time Deposit Ave.Int Rate

Ave.Int Rate

Ave.Int Rate

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

Prime

Max.

l

Access Bank

-

3.60

7.91

11.00

25.00

14.00

25.00

15.00

25.00

15.00

25.00

13.50

19.00

2

Citi Bank Nigeria

2.35

3.60

7.82

16.00

21.00

-

-

16.00

21.00

16.00

21.00

-

-

3

Diamond Bank

1.03

3.60

10.81

17.00

26.00

17.00

25.00

17.00

25.00

17.00

25.00

17.00

23.00

4

Ecobank Nigeria

0.01

3.60

9.97

14.50

33.00

11.00

30.00

17.00

30.00

17.00

30.00

16.00

30.00

5

Enterprise Bank Ltd

0.20

3.60

7.13

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

25.00

29.00

6

FCMB

1.04

3.60

10.00

17.50

30.00

17.50

19.95

17.50

25.00

17.50

25.50

17.50

25.50

7

Fidelity Bank

2.00

3.60

10.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

17.00

26.00

8

First Bank of Nigeria

-

3.60

9.14

20.00

26.00

20.00

26.00

20.00

26.00

20.00

26.00

19.00

26.00

9

Heritage Bank

-

3.99

11.48

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

22.00

27.00

10

Guaranty Trust Bank

0.50

3.60

7.40

7.00

25.00

8.00

25.00

12.00

25.00

16.00

22.00

7.00

19.00

11

Keystone Bank Ltd

0.51

2.29

5.37

21.00

26.00

19.00

24.00

19.00

24.00

21.00

26.00

21.00

26.00

12

MainStreet Bank Ltd

0.10

3.60

9.57

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

16.28

27.00

13

Skye Bank

-

3.60

9.87

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

25.00

28.00

14

Stanbic IBTC Bank

0.97

3.61

8.51

13.75

28.00

16.00

26.00

16.00

27.00

13.75

27.00

14.00

24.00

15

Standard Chartered Bank

-

3.60

7.60

13.00

16.00

17.00

20.00

13.00

16.00

13.00

15.00

-

-

16

Sterling Bank

1.25

3.60

8.37

16.00

27.00

16.00

25.00

15.00

27.00

16.00

26.00

14.75

22.00

17

Union Bank

0.50

3.60

8.24

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

24.00

26.00

18

United Bank for Africa

0.05

3.60

9.97

20.00

24.00

24.00

26.00

20.00

24.00

16.50

24.00

20.00

24.00

19

Unity Bank

0.5-1.00

3.00

3.5-11.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

22.00

30.00

20

Wema Bank

1.77

3.80

9.93

25.00

25.00

25.00

24.00

25.00

22.00

25.00

22.00

25.00

23.00

21

Zenith Bank

3.60

3.60

8.50

17.00

27.00

17.00

23.00

17.00

25.00

18.00

24.00

17.00

24.00

Deposit

Manufacturing

Real Estate & Const

Lending Rate General Comm.

Mortgage

Transp. & Comm.

Fin. & Ins.

Govt.

These are the interest rates banks charge the public on loans and advances. It reflects the cost of borrowings and also includes all charges and commissions levied by banks.

Signed:

Management

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

13

14

business

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

28,000

land with registered title in Nigeria in sq.km

No Epidemic At Lagos Airport – FAAN

BY NKEM OSUAGWU, Lagos

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), yesterday debunked allegations of the possibility of an outbreak of epidemic at the Hajj Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos due to the state of toilet facilities used by pilgrims for this year’s Hajj exercise to Saudi Arabia.

According to FAAN’s deputy general manager, corporate communications, Mr Onyekwere Nnaekpe, the information suggesting otherwise was capable of creating fear in the minds of intending pilgrims, whose worries could be heightened by the scare of the Ebola Virus Disease

(EVD).

He clarified that nothing was deplorable about the condition of facilities at the hajj and cargo terminal of the Lagos Airport.

He said relevant government agencies responsible for the airlift and welfare of pilgrims, including the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) could not have turned a blind eye if facilities at the terminal were below standard with the possibility of leading to an outbreak of epidemic.

Nnaekpe said in a statement: ‘’The Authority wishes to state that it is untrue that “the toilet facilities (at the terminal) have been left unclean over the weeks without lights at night.

L-R: Executive Director, North, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Adam Nuru; winner of N1million at the north regional draw of the FCMB 30th anniversary promo reloaded, Mr. Chide Oguh Momoh, and the bank’s head of Corporate Communications/ CSR, Mrs. Uchenna Mojekwu, at the promo draw in Abuja

Only 3% Of Nigeria’s Landmass Has Been Duly Registered – FG

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu

The federal overnment yesterday disclosed that Nigeria has only duly documented, land titles for 3 per cent of the total land mass of 923,768 square kilometres.

Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, disclosed this in his keynote address delivered at the South –East Stakeholders’ Workshop on Land Reform held at the Universal Hotel, Enugu.

Anyim, who was represented by Senator Ben Collins Ndu, said as a result of the sad development, Nigeria has continued to be rated poorly among the comity of nations with regard to the speed and efficiency in the processes and procedures

for land governance, adding that the consequence was that the land resources in Nigeria have not been put to optimal economic advantage.

According to him, it was hoped that appropriate titling and registration of parcels shall enable holders to harness the wealth inherent in their land asset and expressed happiness that the pilot systematic land titling and registration (SLTR) projects already embarked upon by the Land Reform Committee in collaboration with Ondo and Kano State government respectively were yielding results.

He said it was also commendable that international development partners like Growth and Empowerment in States (GEMS3) which was funded

by DFID have supported the projects in these states and embarked on similar projects in a few others.

“The pilot projects have proved that land titling could be transparent and quick. The process of recording every parcel in the presence of adjoining owners is also expected to significantly reduce litigations.

We are expecting that the first set of Certificates of Occupancy shall soon be rolled out from the pilot projects. The comprehensive inventory of land holdings across the country that would be generated from the ongoing titling projects shall also aid housing census and provide data for planning.

“It is pertinent to state that the greatest beneficiaries of the land re-

BUSINESS QUOTE Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is becuase he hears a different drummer. Let him step tot he music which he hears, however measured or far away.

form programme are the states and local governments. Though the reform process was initiated, supported and encouraged by the federal government, the title documents arising from the projects shall be issued by the state government and records domiciled in the individual state land registry. The revenue arising from the process shall also accrue to the to the respective states,” he stated.

Anyim said it was therefore important that the States and Land Governments understood the programme and sincerely buy into it, adding that “we have come to the stage where appropriate inventory of our land holdings should be the concern of all.”

— Henry David Thoreau, author (18171862), Walden (1854)

‘Weak Risk Magt, Low PoS Usage Plague E-payment System’

By NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has named weak risk management framework, security issues, resistance of target customers to patronise and embrace new products, low level of card usage on Point of Sale (PoS) terminals among the major challenges affecting electronic payment system in the country.

The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, made the disclosure as a keynote presenter at the 8th Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) yesterday, in Abuja.

The theme of the conference was “Positioning Nigeria’s Payments System for Global competitiveness.’’ Emefiele was represented

by CBN deputy governor, Economic Policies, Dr Sarah Alade.

“While CBN efforts have gone into transformation of the payments system in line with global trends, we should not lose sight of the associated risks and challenges.

“These challenges include, but not limited to weak risk management framework, security issues, resistance of target customers to patronise and embrace new products,’’ Emefiele said.

He said another challenge was the “lack of unique identifier for customers across institutions and high operation cost.”

According to him, other challenges were interoperability and interconnectivity of networks, low level of card usage on Point of Sales, non-transparent pricing, among others.

He urged the institute to deliberate on the issues and come out with good suggestions to improve the payment system in the country.

“By this, we will be able to strengthen consumers’ confidence in the safety, security

and reliability of our payments system bearing in mind that when this trust is undermined, then public confidence in financial services is eroded and the economy loses,’’ he said Commenting on the payment system in the country, he said that it had witnessed remarkable achievements in the recent past.

Emefiele said that in the whole sales payment sector, a new real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system in December 2013 replaced the old that was used for over seven years.

Emefiele

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

business news

Bridge Banks’ Acquisition Followed Due Process - Ex-NDIC Boss

BY OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

Former director, Legal Services of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alheri Nyako, yesterday said the corporation and other agencies involved in the acquisition of former Bank PHB, Afribank and Spring Bank followed the due process of law in the takeover.

Nyako, who dismissed

public outcry that trailing the acquisition spoke in Lagos at a capacity development workshop organised for some members of staff of NDIC. It will be recalled that the three bridge banks namely Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank emerged from the resolution option which was jointly supervised and executed by the NDIC, Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Enterprise Bank has been recently acquired by Heritage Bank, while the others have been put up for sale by AMCON. But the resolution option and the acquisition of the banks was opposed by some stakeholders in the industry especially from shareholders of the said banks.

NDIC Commended On Financial System Stability

BY NSE ATNHONY-UKO,

Abuja

First vice president, Chartered Institute Of Bankers Of Nigeria (cibn), Deacon Segun Ajibola; Cibn President, Otunba Debola Osibogun; managing director, Accion Micro-Finance Bank Ltd, Ms Bunmi Lawson and head, human resources of the bank, Mr Emmanuel Michael, at the presentation of n2m endowment fund by accion to cibn for the best graduating university student in micro-certication programme, at the 8th Annual Banking and Finance Conference in Abuja yesterday. Photo by nan.

FG Clarifies Auto Policy Waiver

By KINGSLEY ALU, Abuja

The Federal Government has said that the ongoing implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) is taking its planned course, noting that there is no intention to reverse the implementation process of certain aspects of the policy.

The National Automotive Council (NAC) said in a statement yesterday, that government had not reneged on its promise to shift the implementation process of certain aspects of the NAIDP till January 2015 as alleged in the press, noting that the application of the levy exemption was only being misinterpreted.

The Director-General of NAC, Engr.

Aminu Jalal, said, “Government had already shifted the implementation of the full tariff on new vehicles from January 10, 2014 to 1st July, 2014 to enable importers clear vehicles they had ordered at the old duty rates.

Government only extended the concession on the importation of used vehicles only by another six months till 31st December, 2014.

“This was because up to three out of four imported cars are used and time needs to be given to the assembly plants to produce affordable vehicles to replace the imported used ones.

Unfortunately, this levy on new cars was misinterpreted to mean that all vehicles, including new FBU imports were exempt from levies until 31stDecember 2014.”

He added, “This could not have been the case because existing and new entrants into the assembling process under the NAIDP had started to roll out new products at competitive rates. As a result of continuous inflow of new FBUs without restriction occasioned by this misinterpretation, assemblers began to cut down on orders for assembly kits and this has the potential to derail the policy.

“Action taken was therefore urgent.

Government decided to clear this misinterpretation.

Given this clarification, the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) has been thus guided in their operations. Council wishes to reassure Nigerians that new vehicles have been stockpiled under the NAIDP awaiting buyers and there is therefore no need to fear adverse rise in prices. “ The DG explained that a special package under the NAIDP was being worked out for dealers who had made some commitments to enable them import new FBUs at concessionary import duty rates (minus the levy) until they set up local assembly operations.

He stated, “The response to the policy by investors has exceeded our expectations. The existing assembly plants have a new lease of life, with VON assembling the Nissan and Hyundai vehicles and PAN resuming assembly of Peugeot cars.

Dangote, Mobil Endorse Dame As 20 Judges Are Named

By KINGSLEY ALU, Abuja

Dangote Group of Companies and Mobil Producing have joined the league of sponsors of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

Whilst Dangote is sponsoring the Aliko Dangote Prize for Business Reporting, Mobil has taken up the Energy Reporting prize. Both are new categories introduced at this 23rd edition of the respected awards

programme.

Tony Chiejena, group head of corporate communication at Dangote, says in a message that his “organisation is delighted to partner with DAME in the belief that there is sufficient synergy between two strong private sector brands to promote media excellence”.

Ozemoya Okordion of the public affairs unit of Mobil also spoke in similar vein, saying Mobil welcomes

the opportunity to work with DAME for three years in the first instance.

“It is something that we probably should have done earlier but we are happy at the opportunity to work with DAME. Their sponsorships cover prize money and professional working equipment for the print journalists adjudged to have produced the most insightful stories in those fields in the year of assessment.

A pan African non-governmental organisation, African Peace and Development Initiative (APDI) has commended the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for its commitment to the safety and stability of the Nigeria’s financial system and for standing out as one of the leading deposit insurers in the continent.

President of APDI, Mike Femi, gave this commendation while presenting the Africa’s Meritorious Service Award of the organisation to the managing director/chief executive of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim in Abuja.

According to the APDI, president, the commitment of NDIC at keeping fate with its depositor protection mandate over the years and the various initiatives which it continued to bring to bear on the discharge of its mandate, particularly the recent Bridge

Bank phenomenon had gone a long way in boosting confidence in the nation’s financial system.

He stated that as a supervisor, it was heart-warming that NDIC had demonstrated overt transparency and professionalism in the conduct of its operation thereby serving as role model to other public institutions in Nigeria and the continent.

On the award by the organisation, Hon. Femi stated that the APDI whose membership covered 10 African countries instituted the award platform to recognise individuals with immense contributions to the economic growth and development of African countries with a view to encouraging them to aim for greater heights.

The APDI president said the significance of the award underscored the few number of recipients which for 2014 was conferred on President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and the NDIC boss.

Seaports Non-Oil Cargo Throughput Rises From 44.9MMT To 77MM In 8 Years seek ways of improving port services with focus on elimiVolume of all cargoes, but nating delay in vessel turnaexcluding oil and gas com- round time and cargo dwell ing into seaports in Nige- time at the ports. This he said ria, stood at 77 million met- informed the electronic payric tons (MMT) at the end of ments systems which the 2013, up from 44.95MMT agency had established in in 2005, just one year before recent times and continued the concession of the coun- to maintain to ensure easy try’s seaports. payment process by shipping This was disclosed by the lines and shipping agents. managing director of the Ni“In the last two years the geria Ports Authority (NPA), present management emMallam Habib Abdullahi in barked on programmes to Lagos on Wednesday while enhance efficiency in port giving account of his stew- operations. Nigerian ports ardship two years after he were also in need of huge retook over as the authority’s sources for the rehabilitation boss. of port and dredging of chanAt the event, which also nels to meet the demand of involved the unveiling of the stakeholders. authority’s Electronic Ship “Very soon there will be Entry Notice (e-SEN), Abdul- no more complaints in cargo lahi said the NPA under his movement from ports,” the leadership had continued to NPA boss enthused.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

BY Samson Echenim, Lagos

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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c

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

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Environment

Feature

Controlling Natural Disasters Through Web-based Warning System

Saving Nigeria’s Image From Menace Of Building Collapse

Page 22

Page 23

News Social Housing: Staff Union Decries Planned Sale Of FHA FG Committed To Partnering With Quantity Surveying Guild Lagos Restate Commitment To Environmental Sanitation

22

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Controlling Natural Disasters Through Webbased Warning System

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

Millions of people are affected by natural disasters every year.

These disasters have led to loss of lives, displacements, destruction of physical and durable assets and losses across all sectors of the economy globally The cost of natural disasters is estimated between US$50 and US$60 billion annually, which is roughly equal to the global development aid provided by all donor countries According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), flood, along with other hydrometeorological disasters account for about 90 per cent of lives lost in natural disasters, affecting over 250,000million people across the globe, resulting in up to 250,000 deaths in a single year.

The total economy losses from disasters were estimated at US$ 130 billion in 2013. Insured natural catastrophes and man-made disasters totaled US$ 44 billion, with flooding as a major driver.

Flood related disaster is expected to worsen due to current trends in changes and variability in climate, as can be seen in increasing incidences and intensities of rainstorms, thunderstorms and storm surges as revealed by experts The United Nations University (UNU) report has also projected that about two billion people will become vulnerable to flood by year 2050, as a result of climate change, deforestation, rising sea levels and population growth in flood prone land In 2012, Nigeria experienced a devastating flood incident which

led to the displacement of estimated 1.3 million people just as 431 lost their lives in what concerned authorities described as the worst flood ever in over 40 years.

The total value of assets and losses across all sectors of economy within the country were estimated at N1.48trillion and N1.1trilion respectively As part of efforts made by the federal government to combat the devastating incident, the federal ministry of environment evolved a web-based early warning system to provide a coordinated proactive approach to flood monitoring and prediction using forecasted hydrometeorological parameters.

The ministry noted the success of the FEWS program in flood disaster risk reduction and thereby commenced the development of the National Digital Flood Model in 2013 to enhance its forecast The Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Laraba Mallam, speaking at the public presentation of the National Digital Flood Model in Abuja, noted that the model is specifically developed for improved flood monitoring and forecast nationwide to ensure effective environmental governance and prompt response to impending flood disaster According to her, the model permits interaction between unpredicted hydro-meteorological data and earth surface conditions such as land-use and soil type to derive runoff which displays in 3-dimension GIS environment Meanwhile, She said that the major challenge to the use of the mode is for it to be adopted in

Flood

flood management service delivery in the country, adding that the launch and public presentation was conveyed to enable stakeholders interact on the operation and success of the model Also speaking at the event, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rabi Jimeta, said it has become imperative to have a reliable national tool for flood forecast considering the daunting challenges of the menace in the country She however expressed worry that relevant agencies in water and environment sector lack collaboration in the management of flood forecast for the country hence the need for the occasion to bring stakeholders together to foster cooperation among them Commending the operation, the Director General/CEO, NIMe, Dr. Anthony Abnuforom, noted that in order to ensure the effectiveness of any Early Warning System (EWS), a good understanding of the causative factors of the expected hazards is required.

“In the case of flood, rainfall regime/pattern remains one of

the primary causes. NIMET as the nation’s authoritative voice on weather, climate and water, has in its custody, the nation historical weather records spanning over 100 years.

“The agency is therefore best positioned to provide the necessary understanding and guidance on the nation’s rainfall regime and distribution.

I recall with satisfaction, the commencement of the special EWS for flood disasters, exactly six years ago and NIMet contribution in establishing the necessary rainfall observing and monitory stations at some rural communities.

“Other efforts being made by NIMet include provision of more accurate forecasts with better lead time, so as to radically improve people’s chances of living in relative safety.

Such information includes the seasonal rainfall prediction (SRP) and the drought and flood monitoring bulletin, which are made available to NEMA. In fact, the flood bulletin played a significant role in facilitating NIMet’ alert on the 2012 flood disaster” he said.

The cost of natural disasters is estimated between US$50 and US$60 billion annually, which is roughly equal to the global development aid provided by all donor countries

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

11

the project ia an 11-storey building comprising a 5-star 89 apartments/ rooms and 23

2.2bn

23 the cost of the project has been estimated at N2.2 billion.

Saving Nigeria’s Image From Menace Of Building Collapse GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Like the graveyard, peace and serenity hitherto witnessed in Lagos and other urban parts of the country was again overwhelmed by wailing caused by heart breaking building collapse tragedy that recently occurred in the country.

Though the menace had intermittently claimed the lives of many in Nigeria where value for life seems to be very minimal, this time around the collapse of Synagogue Guest House owned

by Synagogue Church of All Nations took lives of 84 South African citizens who were spiritual tourists to the church.

To expose the nation’s perennial folly and inability to get building production process right to the international community, South Africa President Jacob Zuma went to the national television in South Africa to raise alarm over the tragedy, saying,” Not in the recent history of our country have we had this large number of our people die in one incident outside the country.”

That was not all another building collapsed in Edo State came killing another three people within the same period.

It is worrisome that the scourge of building collapse, more than any other menace has grossly undermined safety of lives and properties in Nigeria in recent times.

Observers had long discovered that, while Boko Haram insurgency, its close rival in the closet of unleashing untimely deaths on innocent people both young and old could be traced man’s inhumanity to man, the challenges of buildings collapsing in various locations across the country could be traced to

human errors ,errors of knowledge, that is ignorance, error of performance in form of carelessness.

Above all in the list of the discovery is error of intent by greedy developers which have been allowed to tarry for more than necessary and the result is frequent cases of building collapse.

Overtime, it has continued to give various arms of government and the people of Nigeria sleepless nights in view of the enormous loss of huge investments in housing, properties and human life.

Unfortunately, it has become a recurring decimal, a national nightmare and enduring embarrassment so much so that in one day it can occur in both ends of the country.

It is not that the problem cannot be tackled when the right measures are put in place.

As far as the President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Kunle Awobodu is concerned there is urgent need for monitoring in building production process to curb increasing rate of building collapse in the country.

The Chartered Builder to LEADERSHIP that the building collapse guild has observed the challenges of building collapse for some years and studied the trend, affirming that the government does not have the capacity to address the causes of building collapse.

Awobodu noted that so many buildings being constructed in the country were not based on sub-soil investigation and geochemical reports, pointing that the construction were based on gambling.

According to him, “They use raft foundations in some cases

The newly constructed Purplestone Mall

and at times path foundations.

And the nature of plots of land is different; very erratic. They could not expend little funds to conduct sub-soil investigation before embarking on construction. Another reason is the issue of design.

“Those who design for them are probably quacks. Both their architectural and structural designs are questionable, but the most critical one is the structural design, which has to be determined by data. When you are talking of the foundation now, the structural design must be based on empirical data obtained through sub-soil investigation.

So, that is a serious missing link.

In essence, the design might be faulty.

“In most cases, these people copy and repeat designs. A particular design they used at a site some two years back may be repeated at another site not considering the variation, the gradation and the suitability of that design to that environment”.

The building production expert also fingered influx of quacks into the profession as another issue, lamenting that professionals are not engaged by those building houses in a bid to save costs.

He said,” Some people because they had witnessed building construction in some areas may think that the same experience is applicable in other locations. Those ones are quacks; they have no prerequisite qualification to ex-

ecute such jobs. So, we go ahead to identify substandard and inferior materials.

“In most cases when a developer knows that if a building is temporarily owned by him, he will want to try and maximise profit as long as he has the property in his care. He would not want to commit too much funds into it since he knows that it will not be his own for life. He may even use sub-standard materials to maximise profit”.

He noted that poor workmanship is another serious factor that causes building collapse , adding that lots of people hire those they will pay peanuts to help them build their house.

The issue here he explained is that of the problem of poor supervision or none supervision of the work which culminates in the construction of defective building.

“There is also the problem of change of use after the construction of the building. The building, initially, might have been designed for residential use only to turn it to commercial use after completion. In the plan it will not be stated that it will be used for commercial purpose because commercial buildings are very expensive.

“So, their drawings will never state it and it will not be taken into consideration in respect of axial load or any type of load the building may eventually carry”.

There is urgent need for monitoring in building production process to curb increasing rate of building collapse in the country

24

news

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Lagos Restate Commitment To Environmental Sanitation

An estate under construction at Area 11 in Abuja, yesterday. photo by okeke jane

Social Housing: Staff Union Decries Planned Sale Of FHA

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

The Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), has kicked against the proposed commercialization of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) by the Bureau for Public Enterprise ( BPE).

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Comrade Babagana Ali, SSACTAC President, FHA Branch.

He said the proposed commercialization of the FHA

by the BPE was to liquidate the Authority, sell its assets and make the staff of the Authority redundant and later unemployed.

Ali further stated that the BPE was planning to set up a company under the Company and Allied Matter Acts (CAMA) decree 1990 to take over the clean assets of the FHA. According to him, SSACTAC is not in support of the setting up of such agency/company and urged government to adequately fund the existing one (FHA) to

meet up its roles of providing affordable houses to reduce the deficient in the country.

Ali noted that the National Housing Policy of 2012, Section 10.3.4, page 93 outlines the role of the FHA as “Develop and manage real estate on commercial basis in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Provide sites and services for all income groups with special emphasis on the no-income and low-income groups. The funds for providing for these two

groups shall be provided by the federal government and other sources.

“Provide no-income and lowincome, cooperative, rental and rural housing in all states of the federation and the Capital Territory from funds provided by government and other sources.”

He said other roles of the FHA include executing housing programmes in the public interest as may be approved by the federal government and mobilize off-shore funding for housing development.

FG Committed To Partnering With Quantity Surveying Guild

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

As part of its efforts towards becoming one of the twenty leading economies by 2020, the federal government has reiterated Its commitment to partnering the quantity surveyor’s guild The Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo, stated this at the 2014 annual conference of quantity surveyors themed: global perspective on quantity surveying, cost engineering and project management He urged the surveyors to apply their professional knowledge, skills and techniques

towards achieving economic growth and development on a national scale Arc Sambo who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Chief Femi Oladele, charged the them to revolutionalise the building and construction industry by creating by creating the appropriate avenue for. The attainment of the much needed revolution in the industry “At the global stage, I urge you to evolve a synergy with ur professional colleagues in other climes to integrate and harmonise quantity surveying, cost engineering and project

management in the country in accordance with global practice and international best practice,” he said Commending the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) for regulating the construction industry, Sambo noted that more is needed to be done in the areas of due process and transparency in the industry so as to minimise wastage through mismanagement The President of QSRBN, Mallam Husaini Dilkko, said the robust body of the knowledge of quantity surveying predisposes the practitioners to offer professional advice on legal,

communication,financial and other contractual issues in the construction and real estate of the national economy According to him, “the conference is therefore an opportunity to review development of the past years and foreshadow the future of the profession and the inherent challenges Dikko further stated that the theme of this years conference underscores the nexus between quantity surveying, cost eng ineer ing/mana gement and project management with emphasis on project cost management.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said the state government will continue to give priority to environmental sanitation of the state.

Fashola, who spoke at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, venue of the 6th Annual Training Workshop for Street Sweepers (and other stakeholders) declared that the high standard of environmental sanitation achieved in the last six years was made possible through the contribution of the State’s Street Sweepers.

He recalled that Lagos used to be ranked as one of the dirtiest cities in the world, adding that the fact that the state has been ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world was mainly as a result of the dedication and commitment of the street sweepers and managers.

He said, “I would like to thank all of you for the commitment you have shown to environmental sustenance in Lagos. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Some people have asked how we did it and I have told them that once they find committed men and women like you everything is possible.”

Noting that Lagos has left “for others who still choose to live in the past” the unpleasant epithet of being ranked one of the dirtiest cities, Fashola expressed satisfaction that the city has become a model for how to turn around dirty cities.

George Okojie, Lagos

Minister Advocates New Urban Agenda The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, has called for a new housing agenda, giving the escalating urbanization rates, with both positive and negative impacts and consequences on people, policies and economies She made the call at First Preparatory Conference for the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

“We must ensure that in 2016, we collectively put in place a practical, pragmatic and action-oriented New Urban Agenda that will transcend the Habitat Agenda. “ We must jointly evolve a New Urban Agenda that will exert similar lasting influence, building on agreed relevant international sustainable development goals, and with clear goals, principles and plan of action, and of course, ensuring above all, that we leave future generations with a prosperous future, she said.

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja

THE NATION’S CAPITAL 25

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Ebola: UBEB Sensitises Principals, Head Teachers, PTAs

By Chikelu Chinelo

In line with the condition which the National Union of Teachers (NUT) for the resumption of schools nationwide, pupils of the LEA Primary School in Mpape, Abuja, on Monday, had their hands sanitised when they showed up to resume classes, before entrance into the school and after the ‘break’ period.

When the school resumed for the 2014/2015 academic year, teachers could be seen standing at the gate ready with a bucket full of sanitised water, hand wash and sanitisers. Pupils’ temperatures were further taken in order to detect early symptoms of the Ebola virus.

A staff of the school, Aisha Oyiza, said the health kit was procured by the school from the Bwari local government council authority. She said the school had received cartons of gloves, sanitisers, hand wash detergents and cleaning agents for the school’s toilet.

The school, however, had to buy water from water vendors and make do with a bucket which they used to go about their cleaning duties.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP after a brief interaction with the members of the school staff, the headmistress, Lawal Charity, said a few members of the school staff had been trained on the administration of the preventive measure. These teachers, according to her, trained others.

“The children will wash their hands with handwash and sanitisers upon entrance into the school and after break time. This practice will continue for as long as the materials we are provided with by the council lasts. But, what is in stock will not last the entire term,” Lawal said of the school which has about 1000 pupils.

Kuje: Tete Commences Rural Electrification

By Igho Oyoyo

The chairman of Kuje area council, Hon. Shaban Tete, has said that his administration has commenced the electrification of Gadoji and Wumi communities of the council.

In a statement signed by the senior special adviser on media to the council chairman, Suleiman Sabo, the council decided to commence the rural electrification, in the wake of the prolonged darkness which the people in those communities have suffered.

According to Tete, the communities which stand to benefit from the present rural electrification phase are Tundo and Shazhi communities. He also assured that, although, the council’s administration are short of funds, his government will continue to affect the lives of the people positively.

“In the aspect of feeder roads, the council has also commenced the construction of the Shazhi-Sabo Road, because the people in that area find it difficult to access the city centre and other neighbouring villages.

“We are looking at a situation where the roads will link to different parts of the council and create easy access to neigbouring communities and the city centre. We believe that the people need our services and we are going to give it to them the best way we can.

“There are so many things we need to do for our people, but, the issue is that we lack enough funds to really do what we want for our people. Despite this, we are confident that we will deliver the dividends of democracy to our people, because, they voted for us and we will not fail them,” he promised.

An onions trader at Gosa market along Aiport Road, yesterday.

Copyright: COSON Threatens To Move Against Abuja Hoteliers

By Catherine Agbo

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has said it would soon take action against hotels and owners of other public places in Abuja who play music in their facilities without payment of copyright royalties.

COSON said it would commence full enforcement war against all categories of defaulters through its ‘Operation No Hiding Place’.

Speaking when he led a delegation to Abuja meet with the President, Hotel Owners Forum

Abuja (HOFA), Engr. Onofiok Ekong, COSON President, Chief Tony Okoroji, recalled that COSON had in December 2012, signed a landmark agreement with the hotel industry to pay copyright royalties but while a good number of hotels and similar establishments had complied, there are those whose demeanour indicates they want to continue with the brazen stealing of the intellectual property of innocent citizens.

“We have come to inform you that we have decided to end this lawlessness forthwith. We are

deploying every tool under the law. Any recalcitrant organisation that enters our net is assured that to get out, it will cost such an organisation at least 10 times the cost if it had simply complied with the agreement which you helped to negotiate. “COSON has spent substantial funds to organise several stakeholders’ forums in Abuja during which we engaged music users in the FCT on the need to comply with the Copyright Act..

We have taken the pains to be in Abuja because we mean business and we will stop at nothing within

the confines of the law to ensure that every hotel, restaurant, broadcast station, club, bar and the likes in the FCT pay for the music they use. We have begun fully the enforcement of our war against music copyright defaulters in Abuja and no one will escape us,” he emphasised.

Responding, Ekong promised to use his office to get all members to comply with the agreement, which he noted, was freely entered into with COSON “because it is for the greater good of our nation.”

NGO Calls For Encouragement Of Girl-child Education

By Igho Oyoyo

A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Maimuna Education Foundation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for the government to set up modalities to encourage girlchild education in the FCT and Nigeria.

The chairman of the foundation, Alhaji Abdulahi Adamu, who made this call at the foundation’s Annual Lecture and Financial Assistance programme in Jiwa Community of the FCT, said the foundation decided to champion the course for girlchild education in the FCT through scholarship, because of the degree of neglect which the girl-child suffers.

According to Adamu, in the

society where he comes from, little or no concern is given to the education of the girlchild, mostly in the FCT. He also revealed that as the reason behind early marriage of many girls, after their secondary education.

“We are trying to see how we can encourage them not to ignore education completely, that even when they get married, they can still continue their education.

That is why we are trying to see how we can encourage female education and discard the idea of getting married after a secondary education.

“We want to stop that and make sure that after their secondary education, they can still further higher, that even after marriage, their education should not be left behind. What

we do is to identify the best pupils among the young girls we invite for lectures and give them special assistance,

just to compliment the effort of their parents, until they get through higher education.