4th January 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,406

MONDAY, 4 JANUARY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Davido/Sophia Momodu baby saga shifts to NAPTIP today •As Davido exposes all —P5

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Buhari's social Buhari's opinion Hope for naira as intervention on Dasuki, Kanu interbank forex programme for the personal —Presidency market opens today needy —VP's office —P2

Treasury Single Account

—P28

—P4

NASS won't allow Executive control its finances —Dogara •Says Nigeria is a democracy not an empire •Advocates independent agency to oversee govt receipts

—P3

$2.1bn arms deal: FG arraigns ex-PDP chairman, Mohammed, son tomorrow —P2

African, Asian bishops threaten to quit Anglican Church in gays' feud —P41

From right, wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife, Folu, during the 2016 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Sunday.

Olubadan chieftaincy: Ibadan system self-reforming —Lekan Balogun —P6

Borno hunters plead to battle Boko Haram in Sambisa •Bakare to Buhari: Chibok girls must be located, rescued

—P2

news Borno hunters plead to join military against Boko Haram in Sambisa 2

UNTERS in Borno State, on Sunday, called on the military to allow them join in the war against insurgents in Sambisa Forest, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported. The Borno Emir of the Hunters, Malam Mai-Gana Mai-Durma, made the appeal in Maiduguri, while addressing newsmen. Mai-Durma said the call became imperative because the hunters were familiar with the terrain at the dreaded forest, the hideout and operational

Monday, 4 January, 2016

base of the terrorists. “We are appealing to the military authorities to allow us join the fight against Boko Haram at the Sambisa Forest. “We are ready to pursue the terrorists because we know the terrain very well,’’ Mai-Durma said. He said that the military should align them with members of the vigilance group, popularly known as the civilian JTF, for effective result. “We will overrun Sambisa in partnership with members of the civilian JTF if given the opportunity.

“This will help to complement the effort of the military in the anti-terrorism operation,’’ Mai-Durma said. He lamented that hunters from the 27 local govern-

ment areas of the state had been rendered idle by the Boko Haram terrorism. “Hunters from all the 27 Borno council areas are all in Maiduguri with our leaders doing nothing at

present because of Boko Haram. “Rather than idling away, we want to assist the military in crushing Boko Haram terrorists,’’ Mai-Durma said.

Nigerian Tribune

He also appealed to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, to assist in forwarding the request to the military authorities for consideration.

Buhari’s statement on Dasuki, Kanu personal opinion —Presidency Leon Usigbe - Abuja

THE presidency has explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement which suggested that he was against granting of bail to former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), and leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nmamdi Kanu, both of whom are still being detained despite court orders granting them bail was a “personal opinion.” Responding to a question during his first ever live broadcast Presidential Media Chat last week, President Buhari had said that it was dangerous to release Dasuki and Kanu, as ordered by the courts, as they might jump bail. Both men are standing trial for various offences ranging from corruption and treasonable felony. But in an article entitled: “Media chat, a win-win move,” the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicly, Garba Shehu, said the president merely expressed a personal opinion on the matter to which he was entitled. While reviewing the performance of the president and responses from Nigerians, he stated that while the president was entitled to hold his opinion, he could not however impose his opinion on the courts. The presidential aide said: “Addressing the issue of Biafran agitations, the president drew lessons from history on the strategic consequences of failing to act with firmness and great wisdom. His eco-

nomic review presented a sobering picture not only for the government, but for the general public to heed the warning signal. “On the other hand, many understand his comments regarding the bail for Colonel Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu to mean that government would use all avenues in the legal system to ensure that they are made to face trials. “Under the constitution, no one can stop the courts from doing their jobs. “On any given day in court, lawyers argue the pros and cons of given issues. As writers and commentators in the media, this is what we do always. The one who argues for bail and the one who argues against it are both entitled to their views. Continues pg3

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle), receiving a New Year greeting card from members of the Women in Politics Forum (WiPF), from left: Vice-President, South, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor; Vice-President, North, Hajiya Hafsat Mohd-Baba; President, Mrs Ebere Ifendu and the National Patron, Iyom Josephine Anenih, during their visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday. PHOTO: NAN.

Chibok girls must be located, rescued, Bakare tells Buhari By Seyi Gesinde

THE Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to tell the national security operatives to rescue the Chibok girls from their abductors or sack its leadership if not capable of discharging their duties. Bakare, who stated this

during Sunday’s thanksgiving service in his Lagos church, said this should be achieved in record time “whatever means they have to use, either by flying continuously over Sambisa forest, we should do it until we locate them.” He frowned on the level of work done thus far on the search of the missing girls, blaming the security operatives of not doing

enough to rescue the girls from the Boko Haram terrorists who had since claimed to have the girls in their custody. Bakare charged President Buhari to review his intelligence network if not capable of rising to the challenges of his office. “If the DSS head is not doing the right thing, he should be changed,” Bakare said. “How can we as a na-

$2.1bn arms deal: FG to arraign former PDP chairman, Haliru Mohammed, son tomorrow Sunday Ejike - Abuja

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will, tomorrow, arraign former National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Haliru Mohammed Bello, and his son, Abbah, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Mohammed and his son are being held by the EFCC for collecting N600

million from the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd). The duo were to be docked last week before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed but the prosecution informed the court earlier that the former PDP chairman was on admission in an Abuja hospital for an undisclosed illness. Mohammed and his son were part of those indicted in the N31 billion funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents, which the Office of the National

Security Adviser (ONSA) distributed to some PDP stalwarts for the 2015 election campaign. A former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, currently on trial in two separate courts had, in his statement, admitted paying about N300 million into the account of BAM Properties, which was provided by Haliru Mohammed. Abbah Mohammed was alleged to have received N600 million from NSA office in the name of Bam Properties but the reason

for the transfer of the money was not disclosed. The EFCC has already arrested and arraigned many top officials and companies related to the previous administration for receiving large payments from the ONSA from the funds set aside for the procurement of arms to tackle Boko Haram. The former NSA himself was charged along with many senior officials of the last administration and PDP bigwigs for benefitting from the alleged loot. Many of them have, however, been released on bail.

tion not know where the Chibok girls are?” Bakare asked rhetorically, saying: “Let us as a nation learn how to put a round peg in a round hole.” Commenting on President Buhari’s sincerity as the country’s leader, Bakare said: “I told my wife, this is the first time we have a president that will be very sincere and precise about what is happening, but I said we need more than sincerity. “How many of you watched the media chat, you will see that the president was sincere with the state of the nation, but we need more than sincerity. “Even, if the DSS head is from Daura or anywhere, if he is not performing, let us get somebody who will do the right thing. If these girls are daughters of the politicians, do you think we wouldn’t have located them?” Bakare said it was unacceptable to give up the girls, advising that a special task force should be set up to specifically rescue the girls wherever they are and if the head of the intelligence agencies fails to carry out the assignment, they should be sacked.

news NASS won’t allow Executive control its finance —Dogara 3

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Says Nigeria is a democracy not an empire

By Leon Usigbe and Kolawole Daniel

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has said though the National Assembly agrees on the need for all Federal Government revenue to go into Treasury Single Account (TSA), it would not, how-

ever, allow the executive to control the finances of the legislature and the judiciary, since Nigeria is a democracy and not an empire. In a series of tweets on Sunday on his Twitter handle, @doyakubu, where he was exchanging tweets with Sahara Reporters, he maintained that the three arms of government must be independent in line with

the principle of separation of powers guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. He observed that notwithstanding the good intention of the TSA, it could not be allowed to override the provisions of the Constitution. The Speaker noted that though President Muhammadu Buhari may not nurse a sinister motive

with the TSA at the moment, nobody could foretell the future. He recalled that the National Assembly supported the TSA in line with Section 80 of the Constitution, adding: “As to revenue, we agree in line with Section 80 of the Constitution that all federal receipts go into the TSA. “All (Ministries, Depart-

Children having fun in the pool at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ikogosi-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, as part of the New Year celebration, on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN.

Controversy trails selection of second-in-command to Ooni Candidate for Obalufe stool to emerge this week —Ooni’s media aide Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

ONTROVERSY has continued to trail the process of selection of candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Obalufe of Iremo, as the process commenced at the weekend. Ten aspirants from the Aga ruling house accused the selection committee of allegedly planning to announce the name of a particular aspirant from the female lineage. The position of Obalufe, who is the prime minister of the ancient town and second in command to the Ooni of Ife, became vacant following the death of the late Obalufe of Iremo, Oba Solomon Omisakin. But, the process of selecting a new Obalufe, which was being held at Ife Recreation Centre, located at Lagere, became rancorous, with contenders for the position pointing accusing fingers at the selection committee, headed by Comrade Ayoola Olafiranye.

Credible source informed the Nigerian Tribune that the committee invited all the 10 aspirants and they were screened but before it could submit its reports, majority of the contenders accused the committee of planning to announce the name of an aspirant from the female lineage, Elu Abayomi and that Elu was allegedly not qualified to contest. Supporters of the contenders were said to have spoiled for a showdown should the committee announce Abayomi as the candidate for the vacant Obalufe stool. One of the contenders, Fatai Adiyeloja, who expressed worry over the development, warned the aggrieved supporters of contestants in Ife to remain calm, saying there was the need to maintain peace and tranquility in the ancient town. However, a traditional chief in Ife, Chief Atimi Bada, Logun Apata of Ile-Ife, informed journal-

ists that “contenders for the vacant stool of the Obalufe must come from male lineage and those from female lineage could contest, only if there is no competent person from the male lineage.” He stated that “this rancour was avoidable if the committee had done the right thing in a transparent manner. We all know that the female lineage can contest only if there is no competent person from the male lineage. But in this situation, there are nine contenders from male lineage, yet, the committee attempted to pick the only one person that came out from the female lineage. It is not right.” The Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni of Ife, Comrade Moses Olafare, however said there was no tension or crisis in Ife over the selection of new Obalufe of Iremo, explaining that “the process is ongoing and it has not been concluded. “There are stages of the

process. The only thing is that the people were just anxious to know who would emerge as the next Obalufe. The candidate for the stool would be announced before the end of this week by the appropriate authority. I can tell you that there is no problem or tension at all in Ile-Ife,” he added. Meanwhile, the head of Aga Ruling House, Chief Bello Adiyeloja, said since the contenders had passed vote of no confidence on the committee members, the best option was to dissolve the committee to prevent avoidable trouble in the town, just as he urged the people of the town to remain calm. The chairman of the committee, Comrade Olafiranye, refused to comment on the report of the committee, arguing that since the contenders, their supporters and other people had passed vote of no confidence on the committee, he would prefer not to comment on the issue.

ment and Agencies) MDAs and Arms of government are not exempted when it comes to revenue. NASS stands for this but the executive cannot and must not control the finances of agencies that are independent of it. “No matter the good intention behind TSA, it cannot override the constitutionally guaranteed principles of separation of powers.” Apparently reacting to criticism concerning the legislature’s perceived reluctance to implement the TSA, he suggested that the lawmakers had not broken any law, saying, “instead of this hogwash, let us prove to Nigerians that we have (not) violated any law. “We have sworn to defend our constitution and that’s what we will do except it’s amended, our stand holds. “President Muhammadu Buhari may have good intentions and may not want to manipulate NASS, judiciary or INEC but who knows the future? “That is why we must always promote institutional

independence rather than measures that tend to compromise them.” Dogara stressed that the legislature and the judiciary should be distinguished from the MDAs. “I mean horizontal distribution of powers as opposed to federalism which relates to vertical distribution of powers. “As for revenue, all NASS receipts go to TSA. We are part of it. Get the arguments right. “We are part of TSA but opposed to executive control of NASS, judiciary and INEC except as the Constitution allows. “Think outside the constitution and our laws. Nigeria is a democracy not an empire. “This should be the ideal position or we create an agency that is independent of all arms of government to manage the TSA. “We may need a special law to take care of special circumstances. “In line with that, NASS will remain strong and unshaken in defending the constitution and democratic norms cum ethics.”

‘Buhari’s statement on Dasuki, Kanu personal opinion’ Continued from pg2

“It is harsh of anyone to deny the president an opinion on these matters when all of us are freely commenting upon them. Muhammadu Buhari is first a citizen before becoming a president. He is entitled to hold views as you and I are under the constitution. “What will be wrong is when he tries to impose those views on the courts or on anyone, and this he will not do as the elected president of Nigeria.” Shehu observed that while the president received largely positive review from the public, he also received knocks on his position on some issues including bail and hijab banning. According to him, “As to be expected, the president got some knocks on the issues of Nnamdi Kanu of Biafra and ex-National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. There were attacks also on government policy on the use of Naira Mastercard abroad and the hijab. “The hijab issue in particular has been taken completely out of context with attention-Imams swearing and shouting at

the president for merely contemplating the need to consider what to do about a national security problem, not that a decision has been reached. “But on the whole and overall, the president came out shining, out of what turned out to be a very dramatic evening. In one word, the outing erased many doubts of the president’s articulation and his coherence of thinking.” While recalling some of the quotes by the president as highlighted by different media platforms, Shehu praised the president for his composure and good articulation of his thoughts during the chat. He wrote; “A Twitterer asked this question at one point: ‘Is this the one they said was brain-dead.’ When President Buhari spoke, it was ram rod and straight talk, which many believe is what is needed to clean up the decadent status-quo and the Augean stable. “Many said they liked his hang on Biafra and the accusations of the marginalisation of the South-East states. He was unpretentious throughout. This alone had the effect of reinforcing his reputation for candour.”

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

‘Buhari’s social intervention programmes for the needy’

he social intervention programmes of the Buhari presidency, for which about half a trillion naira has been proposed in the 2016 budget, is not a oneoff scheme, but a combination of several well-thought out programmes emphasising direct connections with the extremely poor and the needy, among other categories of the masses of this country. This explanation was offered on Sunday, by the Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, during an interaction with the press. According to him, the plan of the Buhari presidency is not only comprehensive, but has taken care of some of the factors that led to the failure of previous poverty alleviation schemes put in place in the past. “One of the major differences here is that the social intervention programme such as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), would be a direct transfer of N5000 monthly to the extremely poor among us. And this is a safety net that several advanced nations have put in place long time in their history often at times of economic challenges.” “The money would be paid directly to the people concerned on the condition of school enrolment and immunisation. “This way we are expanding school enrolment and also assuring physical well-being.” Besides, that he explained that the School Feeding Programme, which is another aspect of the social intervention programmes is going to be entirely home grown, unlike previous Federal Government plans in the past which relied on importation. He said the “Home grown school feeding programme” will commence in public primary schools in the new

year, providing adequate nutrition to school children, promoting local farming, boost agriculture and create jobs and wealth locally. “We have experts working in the presidency, collaborating with experts from global bodies, who together bring to bear international

best practices working on how best to implement these programmes.” “I can tell you that no sooner President Buhari resumed work that many of these experts have been meeting and planning on how best to implement these plans. We are not

fewer than one million jobs in 2016, including 500,000 graduate-youths to be engaged as teachers and another 500,000 non-graduate unemployed people who would be trained as artisans, making a total creation of about one million direct jobs.

From left, Youth Chaplain, Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Reverend Adebayo Adenekan; Canon Residentiary, Venerable Abraham Odumuyiwa; Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Bishop Olushola Odedeji; his wife, Lydia; Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Venerable Abel Ajibodu; Diocesan Evangelist, Venerable Goke Agara, Reverend Benjamin Okere and Mrs Titilayo Odumuyiwa, during the new year thanksgiving service held at Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Outcome of 2015 elections, proof of God’s love for Nigeria —Ambode

•As Adeboye urges Nigerians to move closer to God Bola Badmus -Lagos Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Sunday said the outcome of the 2015 elections was an eloquent testimony of God’s love for Nigeria. Governor Ambode said despite the predictions of anarchy and possible unrest, God showed His mighty hand upon Nigeria and for the very first time, the nation experienced a smooth and peaceful transition from one civilian government to another, and the ruling party became the opposition. The Governor, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja during the 2016 Annual Thanks-

giving Service, also reassured Lagosians of the determination of his administration to work hard to achieve all-inclusive progress and prosperity for all in 2016. Governor Ambode said despite the bleak economic outlook predicted in many quarters, Lagos State will grow in leaps and bounds and take its rightful place among the major city-states of the world. He said: “Our youths will become gainfully employed. Our young girls and women will be protected and encouraged to give their best.” “Our entrepreneurs will experience a boom and our State will work for everyone. We are

Let your lives show gratitude to God, cleric enjoins Christians Pastor Godwin Ukwat, a clergyman in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, on Sunday, said that every Christian should live a life of thanksgiving to God. Ukwat, who gave the charge at the thanksgiving service of the church in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, said the act of thanksgiving provokes miracles. He said that Christians should cultivate the habit of appreciating God, not only for what He had done,

talking here of something hurriedly put together or a programme where some consultants would take the huge chunk of the resources.” Also, as part of the half a trillion naira to be spent, there is in the budget proposals, a provision of no

but also for what He was going to do. “For me, the most strategic thanksgiving is the one in which you are thanking God for what God is about to do; it is a very strategic investment,’’ the pastor said. Ukwat, who preached on the theme: “The 12 Baskets of Blessing”, said God performed a miracle with five loaves of bread and two small fishes to feed over 5,000 people. “If you begin to thank God

for what he is about to do, it means that you have faith and you believe in what God can do; and of a truth, He can do it,’’ he said. Ukwat said that God is all-sufficient and has compassion on the needy, urging the people to always put their trust in Him. According to him, God has the power to perform miracles and turn situations around and by thanking Him; one enables Him to do more in his or her life).

determined and God willing, we shall achieve all-inclusive progress and prosperity,” Governor Ambode said. Speaking on the essence of the Thanksgiving Service, Governor Ambode said: “We are gathered this evening in thanksgiving to the Almighty for the grace to witness the beginning of 2016. This annual thanksgiving has become a tradition where we come together to sing the praise of God for the continuous peace and prosperity of our dear State.” “This service is an acknowledgment of the overriding power of God in the affairs of men and the need for us to trust in His grace and benevolence as a government and a people.” “The fact the we are gathered here is enough proof that we are covered under the banner of the Lord’s grace and that He surely answers prayers when He is called upon. It is with this abiding faith that we call on Him as we commence another journey in 2016,” the governor said. He acknowledged the religious and spiritual leaders in the state for their ceaseless prayers and intercessions for the people and government. He specially appreciated the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch

Adeboye and his wife for their commitment in the service of the Lord through persistent exhortations and prayers. In his exhortation, Pastor Adeboye said despite the predictions for 2016 in the wake of the dwindling oil prices likely to result in loss of jobs, those connected to God can surmount these challenges. He said those who seek to prosper in the New Year must take a stand to be closer to God. Special prayers were offered at the service for the state and Nigeria by clergymen including Bishop Mike Okonkwo, His Eminence, Most Reverend Chukwuemaka Kalu Uche, Methodist Prelate; Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Archbishop Adewale Martins, Most Reverend E. A. Ademowo, among others. Bible reading at the service were read by Governor Ambode’s wife, Bolanle; Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola; Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Honourable (Mrs) Lola Akande, and Chairman of Conference of Executive Secretaries of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State, Honourable Alabi Kolade David.

Nigerian Tribune

Be hopeful, Koleoso charges Nigerians A former national chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso, has enjoined Nigerians to be optimistic for better days ahead in the country. In a New Year message released in Ibadan, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, Koleoso, a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, congratulated the good people of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State and indeed the entire Nigerians for seeing yet another year. He commended the present administration in the country for running open and inclusive government, thereby promoting a sense of belonging amongst the various component units making up the Nigerian federation. The Babalaje of Saki land called on those in leadership and positions of authority to renew their commitment to nation building and place national interest above personal pursuits.

IT firm urges govt to use technology in governance AN Information Technology (IT) firm, Signal Alliance, on Sunday, urged government at all levels to utilise technology for efficiency in governance. Mr Chukwunonso Emeh, the firm’s Director of Sales, said in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the use of technology would improve government efficiency and investment potential. He said that the government needed to look toward technology in strategising and bringing on board policies that would transform the Nigerian economy in 2016. According to the statement, the international community, through different governing bodies, has introduced indicators that are used as guide to enhance certain attributes within a country, using specialised solutions and services. It said there was the need to use those indicators (services and solutions) to help address shortcomings within the Nigerian government ecosystem.

news

Dele Momodu By Tunde Busari

he raging controversy between the ace hip-hop act, Mr David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, has taken a new turn with the involvement of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the matter. The development perhaps informed Davido’s decision to spill the bean and reveal the entire undercurrent regarding his relationship with one Sophia whom he referred to as mother of his daughter. In a release by the media consultant to the Adeleke family, Alhaji Olumide Lawal, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, Davido said he was unaware of the paternity of the baby named Imade until after DNA had established it. He clarified that he never was in love with Sophia, nor was there a marriage plan between them, adding that he only assisted her in time of need. Davido said apart from giving Sophia an accommodation at Lekki, he also registered her at a private hospital for pre and post-natal medical cares. “The burden of medical bills, feeding, transportation and sundry costs rested on my person. No family member of Sophia, including Uncle Dele Momodu rose to help or guide Sophia,” he said. Davido said once the DNA confirmed the status, Sophia started to apply maximum financial demands on him, including deliberate extortion. “When the going was good, Sophia had told me plenty things about her uncle Dele Momodu that I need not repeat here. And she never invited me to go with her to visit him and I don’t have the knowledge that she ever visited him throughout the time she stayed in my house. “She always explained that a visit to Uncle Dele was needless and unnecessary,” he said. The Hip-hop act expressed curiosity on Momodu ’s action that prevented the little Imade from travelling to the American Hospital in the United Arab Emirate where the baby was scheduled to have medical treatment. He said at the point of death in November 2015, Imade was rushed to Dubai for treatment, after which she was returned to Nigeria. “Why did she not think it necessary to move to Sophia’s apartment to help her out and show her the tricks of motherhood when Imade was newly born. Not once did she visit Sophia and her baby until December 2015. She gave neither care, love nor financial support to Sophia. Now, at seven months old, and a child with special medical needs, Mrs Momodu rushed to the Lagos Airport to stop the scheduled treatment of Sophia,” he said. Davido urged Momodu to stay off his family, pointing out that “his daughter is not who had

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Davido- Sophia Momodu saga shifts to NAPTIP today as Davido exposes all a baby for me, and he has been too much of an absentee uncle to Sophia to have any traction on the moral authority that commands the soul and heart of this matter. Sophia never formally introduced him nor his wife to me, at anytime. Why are they now crowding my space and that of my daughter?” He also alleged that weeks after Sophia was delivered of his daughter, she hit the streets and night club, thereby abandoning the baby at home. She would, he added, sleep all day and party all night and when awake, denied the baby needed attention. “Imade was in her custody for two straight months, unchallenged and uninterrupted, until the baby took badly and severely ill in July. Imade cried, ceaselessly, for 48 hours. She was rushed to the hospital where her condition confounded medical experts. Several tests were conducted on her and later on the mother. “Medical reports, herein attached (exhibit 1), proved that Sophia’s blood was polluted to the maximum level and she had, by the process of breastfeeding, infected her child with complicated medical conditions. The trouble spot for Imade was her lungs. She had difficulty breathing largely because of the contaminated breast milk.” Davido further said the medical experts were enraged by the treatment meted out to Imade allegedly by her own mother and declared her unfit for the caring and the nursing of a delicate baby. The team, he stressed, determined that they would hand over the baby to the Children’s Welfare Authority of Lagos State Government. Davido stated that his family pleaded with the hospital management and also promised that the baby would be kept from the mother take over her responsibilities for Imade’s wel-

The burden of medical bills, feeding, transportation and sundry costs rested on my person. No family member of Sophia, including Uncle Dele Momodu rose to help or guide Sophia.

fare. “Voluntarily, Sophia, in the attempt to avoid the handing over of the baby to the children welfare authority, agreed to a compromise position that she would transfer Imade to the Adeleke family until the pollution in the systems of both mum and daughter was completely and comprehensively cleaned out. “The medical expert also indicated that the full damage to Imade’s person could not be ascertained right away and that her mental state now or in the future could not be determined nor predicted, until perhaps when she would have attained adulthood. This was why and how Imade was transferred to the custody of the Adeleke family.” Davido said, owing to her reckless night clubbing, he refused to buy her a new car as earlier promised. He recalled his father’s advice to buy the car for her but which he withheld because of her dangerous lifestyle. “Her clubbing rendezvous escalated. In fact, she had gone to a club on Victoria Island and spent N250,000 in one night. Unashamedly, she told the management of the club to slap ‘Davido’ with the bill. I have refused to pay but till date, the club has never let off the harassment of my person for the settlement of this wild bill,” he said. Despite the development, he said from December 23 to 28, 2015, Sophia lived at his father’s Lekki residence in peace, except for the first one hour when she allegedly misapplied a medication and Imade speedily vomited for a fearfully long time. “On December 29, less than 24 hours of leaving my father’s house, Sophia was at the airport accompanied by her uncle and his wife to stop the child from travelling abroad to receive necessary and needful medical care. She was welcome to join us if she had bought her ticket or her uncle had funded her for the trip. “In December she received N500,000 as her allowance without doing anything for Imade. Life is not a bed of roses, neither have I ever promised Sophia a rose garden.” On her Twitter page, Davido said Sophia claimed she had recovered Imade from captivity. However, he said the claim was father from the truth, adding that Sophia knew Imade was with her till December 28, at his father’s house. “Sophia also claimed that she hasn’t

Davido seen her daughter in 5 months, this cannot be true. Sophia spent every Sunday with her baby at my father’s house since July 2015 when she voluntarily transferred Imade to the Adeleke family. She and her daughter constantly appear on her Facebook and Twitter pages throughout this period of five months. “The picture of reconciliation with Imade after ‘captivity’ that she posted on her Twitter page came directly from the photo shoot she posed for at my father’s house during the Christmas stay,” he added. When the Nigerian Tribune spoke with Chief Momodu on the matter, he declined comment but referred our correspondent to his lawyer. The lawyer, Mr Gbolaga Ajayi of S.O. Ajayi and Co, expressed unwillingness to speak owing to the petition he said he had earlier submitted to NAPTIP. “We are expected to be at the NAPTIP office tomorrow (today) at 10.00 a.m. in respect of the petition we had written to the agency and copied the Presidency, VicePresident, the Immigration, DSS. But I can tell you that Sophia has dated Davido for four full years. “They met in Abuja during one of Davido’s shows and started a relationship. The lady had once spent a whole year with Adeleke family. She is familiar with them. She was in Dubai with them in December 2014 during their annual family holiday,” he said. On the airport incident, the Lagos Islandbased lawyer said Chief Momodu was aware of the Adeleke family’s scheduled trip three days before their departure, hence his report at the Immigration desk of the family’s attempt to take Imade out of the country. “An immigration officer, on sighting the family at the airport, asked about the maternity of the baby and Davido’s sister claimed she was the mother and the officer took her passport,” he said. Regarding the claim that Chief Momodu is a stranger, the lawyer said Chief Momodu and Davido’s father had earlier held a meeting to settle the matter. “The said meeting involved some dignitaries, including royal fathers. I think the summary of the matter is that it is when a mad man is killed that it is discovered that he has family,” Ajayi said.

Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran Saudi Arabia has announced that it is severing diplomatic ties with Iran following Saturday’s attack of its embassy in Tehran during protests. Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi foreign minister, made the announcement on Sunday as the

foreign ministry announced that it would ask the Iranian diplomatic mission to leave the kingdom within 48 hours, Al Jazeera said. The Saudi foreign ministry has also announced that the staff of its diplomatic mission have been evacuated.

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Olubadan chieftaincy: Ibadan system self-reforming —Lekan Balogun By Tunde Ogunesan

HE newly installed Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun and Senator Rashidi Ladoja, respectively, have said the request of the state government to produce medical certificate as well as undergo security screening before they were elevated to their current respective status is a prerogative power of Olubadan of the Ibadan.

In separate interviews few hours after their installation ceremony, the duo made their positions known; saying the decision to elevate the nine chiefs was a prerogative power of the Olubadan of Ibadan. The Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Ladoja, while speaking with newsmen at his Ondo residence, Bodija, Ibadan, said he was not aware of the said letter but appealed for calm over the matter. Suing for peace, the former governor of Oyo State

said: “I don’t act on rumour. Nevertheless, such directive was never part of the Ibadan system. I think we should just allow the sleeping dog to lie. “It is the Olubadan that decides whom he wants to install as chief. It is the prerogative of the Olubadan, so I am not aware of any directive stopping the elevation. What I know is that I was invited by the Olubadan-in-Council for an elevation,” Ladoja said. In his reaction, Senator Lekan Balogun said: “I have

been a chief since 1989. For anybody to now say that my medical certificate is needed is strange. As far as I know, they said they want to reform Ibadan chieftaincy title. It is already self-reforming. “The system you meet is a function of the town’s history. It has not become part of the requirement and so it is not meant to be obeyed now. The governor is proposing reformation, but it has not become law. If he says we should submit medical certificate, for what

purpose would that be for a chief who has been in line for over 30 years?” Those promoted on Friday included High Chief Saliu A.O. Adetunji, formerly the Otun Balogun, now the Balogun of Ibadan land; High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun, the former Osi Olubadan, promoted to the rank of the Otun Olubadan; High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Osi Balogun), now the Otun Balogun; High Chief Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, promoted from Ashipa Olubadan to the rank of the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land and High Chief (Dr) Olufemi Olaifa, who was promoted from Ashipa Balogun to Osi Balogun of Ibadanland.

Maku calls for removal of immunity clause from constitution

Catholic Archbishop of Jos, His Grace, Ignatius Kaigama (right), distributing food items to the less privileged to mark the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in Jos, Plateau State, on Sunday. PHOTO: nan

Farmers/herdsmen clashes: Sultan, Ewi meet, propose ban on night grazing Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti THE Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, have recommended a total ban on night grazing of cow herds in Ekiti State as part of efforts at putting an end to incessant clashes between farmers and cattle rearers in the state. A government statement on Sunday, said the monarchs arrived at the decision at a parley held at the Ewi’s palace in Ado Ekiti, and stated that “the traditional rulers emphasised that night grazing should be prohibited from 6pm to 6am.” It added that “committees made up of farmers, cattle rearers, security agencies, representatives of traditional rulers and representatives of Local Government Areas should also be established at community, Local Government Area (LGA) and state levels. The parley, which was organised to settle the persistent conflicts over alleged grazing rights and destruction of farms by cattle herds, was attended by representatives of the state govern-

ment led by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Kehinde Odebunmi; members of the Ewi-in-Council; representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto and National leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)

led by its National President, Alhaji Muhammadu Kirwa Hardon Zuru; representatives of the Police and Department of State Services (DSS), as well as various farmers’ groups and leaders of the cattle rearers in the state. Commending the state

government for efforts at maintaining peace in the state, the stakeholders stressed the need to curb the ugly trend, noting that though Ekiti people were reputed to be hospitable, it would not only be uncharitable, but also unwise to take them for granted.

Kwara pry school teachers to begin strike today The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara has said primary school teachers in the state will embark on strike today, Monday, to protest the non-payment of their four months’ salary arrears. The chairman of the union, Comrade Musa Abubakar, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, in Kaiama, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara. NAN reports that the strike action would begin just when schools were expected to resume from their first term holiday. Abubakar said that the

union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the state following the non-payment of their four months’ salary arrears. He said that the primary school teachers in the state had been loyal and dedicated to duty in spite of the failure of the government to pay them salaries for months. “I want to believe they have tried. If the members of the National Assembly are not paid for four months, I doubt if you will see anybody in the red or green chambers. “I recall in Oyo State; they were not paid for just two months and some House of Assembly members did not

go to work. “So for us to have worked for four months without pay, I think the teachers have tried and that is why we told the government that we cannot guarantee any industrial harmony again. “We cannot guarantee any teacher going to class on Monday to teach with empty stomach except the problem is addressed,” he said. He explained that the union would start a sit-athome strike action beginning on Monday to press home its demand. According to him, workers from other sectors will soon join in the strike action in the spirit of solidarity.

Former Information Minister, Labaran Maku, on Sunday, called for the removal of immunity clause for elected executive officers from the country’s constitution. Maku, a gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nasarawa State in 2015, made this call while fielding questions from newsmen in Wakama, Akun Development Area of the state. He explained that the removal of the immunity clause would help tackle corruption and ensure good governance. He specifically advocated the removal of the clause that protects the president, governors and local government council chairmen from facing prosecution in breach of office. He said the immunity clause had created an umbrella for some state governors to tamper with their state resources, thereby leading to underdevelopment at the grassroots. The former minister also advised Nigerians to pray for better things in the New Year as well as pray for permanent peace to reign in the country. “Let us also pray for the peace of the country and give President Muhammadu Buhari the needed support and cooperation to enable him tackle the challenges facing the country. “I believe that the immunity of state governors should be removed, no governor needs immunity and if it is removed, this will help to check fraud and corruption,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Christian group honours Tinubu, Adebutu, others Tola Adenubi - Lagos The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Mushin, Lagos branch, has given out awards of honour to distinguished and eminent personalities whose services to the church and humanity have been noticeable and accredited before man and God. The awardees included Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; a business guru, Sir Chief Kessington Adebutu; His Eminence, Dr. Solomon Alao Olori of C&S Unification; Hon Seye Oladejo; Elder Israel Akinadewo; Mr Clement Olowokande and Rev F.K. Oguntosin. The event took place as part of celebration of the branch’s end of the year celebration held at the auditorium of the Christ Apostolic Church, Olorunsogo, Mushin, Lagos. Speaking at the event, the CAN Mushin LG branch coordinator, Pastor Johnson Oladosu, described the gesture to the distinguished Nigerians as a historic feat put together by the Mobilisation and Planning Committee of the CAN branch under the leadership of Elder J.P. Ijidola to add colour to the celebration.

Lawmaker donates N1.5m building materials in Nasarawa Ademola Adegbite - Lafia A member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, representing Karu/Gitata under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Hashimu Jibrin-Gurku, on Sunday, donated building materials worth N1.5 million to Dutsen Gogo Primary School in Karu Local Government Area of the state for the renovation of the dilapidated structures in the school. Presenting the materials at the New Year festival held at Dutsen Gogo community, the lawmaker, who identified education as bedrock of every nation, pointed out that he would do his utmost best within the available resources to make sure that quality education was bestowed on the children within his constituency. According to him, “I am your representative and I promise to discharge my duty diligently without discrimination, as such, I will do everything humanly possible to renovate the dilapidated structures in all the primary schools in my constituency.”

news I believe Buhari meant well for Nigeria —Publisher 7

HE Publisher of Orient Newspaper, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies and programmes put in place to revive the ailing nation’s economy. Ezeemo spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday. “I sincerely believe he meant well for the country by putting policies that would get rid of corrup-

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akinrinola Yetunde Olawumi now ODUNSI YETUNDE OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

tion, while stabilising the economy through focus on power generation. “But its application must be subtle so as to ensure that no sector suffers,’’ he said. The publisher, however, urged Federal Government to support indigenous investors by making economic policies that would protect local industries. “I understand the change Mr President is trying to inject into the system and I trust his intentions to be good

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ugorji Lovelyn Nneka now MRS ARINZE LOVELYN UGORJI NNEKA. All former documents remain valid. Sterling Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

for an average Nigerian. “However, it should be applied step by step and its responses should be watched in order to protect our local industries,’’ he said. Ezeemo also called on the government to review and evaluate its economic policies so that it would bring rapid development to all sectors of the economy. He said there was an urgent need to look into the high cost of raw materials, which had gone up recently.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Adesola Adijat Omolola am the same person as Okunlola Omolola Adijat. Now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKUNLOLA OMOLOLA ADIJAT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Aina Abosede Lawal now BALIKIS ABOSEDE KOSOKO. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and general public take note.

I, formerly Michael Mercy Nse-Abasi now MICHAEL ETUK MERCY NSE-ABASI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, AKERELE OLUWATOSIN PETER am the same person bearing AKERELE OLUWATOSIN OLAYEMI. All documents bearing both names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oni Modupe Oluwabusayo now MRS AJAO MODUPE OLUWABUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Esther Oluwatoyin Morakinyo now MRS. ESTHER OLUWATOYIN OLAJIDE. All former documents remain valid. UCH, Ibadan and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesogan Abiona now MISS ADESOGAN ELIZABETH TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Abosede now MISS ADESOGAN OLUWAKEMI MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adelaja Christianah Oluwamuyiwa now MRS. ADEPOJU CHRISTIANAH OLUWAMUYIWA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Zenith Bank Plc., GTBank, FCMB and general public take note.

I, formerly Ishola Abosede Adijat now OSHIYEMI ABOSEDE ADIJAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, formerly Fidelia Ego Anaebo now FIDELIA EGO ONAINOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeyemi Funke Christy now ADENIYI FUNKE CHRISTY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Isiaka Babatunde and Ayangbile Isiaka Babatunde refer to one person. Now I wish to be called ISIAKA BABATUNDE AYANGBILE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc., Wema Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aduloju Owuwaranti Seyi now MRS. OKURIBIDO FATIMO ORIYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akintaro Tomi Yemi now MRS. OLANREWAJU TOMI YEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, basiru yekini am the same person bearing BASIRU ALAWIYE. All documents bearing both names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Samuel Paul Monday now PAUL MONDAY KADIRI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Saliu Waidi Ayobi now SALIU WAIDI AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc, Iwo and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeyemi Opeyemi Gloria now OLAWUNMI OPEYEMI GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adediwura Beatrice Oluwakemi now MRS BABAYEMI BEATRICE OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alimot Adeyinka now BANKOLE OLUYEMI ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oriyomi Pelumi Ojikutu now MRS. ORIYOMI PELUMI OGUNDELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayandiran Tomilola Bosede now FOLARIN EUNICE TOMILOLA BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omobola Omotoyosi Agboola now MRS. OMOBOLA OMOTOYOSI ADEBIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Basirat Iyabo Kareem now MRS. BASIRAT IYABO GBADAMOSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ojo Sakirat Omowumi now MRS ONI SAKIRAT OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

CHANGE OF NAME

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Lagosmetro Ketu tragedy: No compensation for killing of Oyesolu twins — Police

•Anibaba residents hold procession

NDICATIONS have emerged that the Lagos State Police Command may not pay compensation to the Oyesolus, family of the twins killed along with their friend, Jejeola, by a police officer in December. This was made known by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Joe Offor, who said that he was not aware of any plan to compensate the families. Meanwhile, residents of Anibaba and neighbouring streets in Ketu area of Lagos State have called for adequate compensation for the families of the deceased Oyesolu twins and their friend Jejelola, who were killed by an inebriated policeman. The residents and friends of the slain twins and their friend, Jejeolola, at the weekend, staged a candle light procession in honour of the victims. The calls for the compensation for the families of the deceased persons are coming at a time, when the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police Force have no immediate plans for such. Some of the residents of Anibaba Street and some friends of the deceased also urged the government to enact a law, banning policemen from drinking while on duty. A resident, who simply identified himself as Femi said “it is an offence for policemen to drink in uniform but there is no law that stipulates the punishment for doing so.” He added that “the government should make a law

banning drinking by policemen in uniform. This will go a long way in reducing the unfortunate killings in our society.” Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with Lagos Metro also condemned the killings and urged the government to compensate the families of the deceased. “I know that there is no

amount of money that can bring back the dead children but the government can compensate the family, since those boys were the ones taking care of their mother.” Meanwhile, feelers from the Nigerian Navy have it that there are no plans to compensate the family of the deceased. Taiwo, until his death, was a naval officer.

A source in the Navy told Lagos Metro that “it is not the duty of the navy to compensate the family. The only duty that they have is to bury him. They are not looking at any compensation for now.” The source however quickly pointed out that “if he is entitled to any gratuities, it will certainly be paid to his family members after

the burial.” The State Police as well has no immediate plan of compensating the families of the deceased twins and their friend. Mr Offor, while speaking with Lagos Metro, on whether any compensation would be paid to the family of the deceased persons, claimed not to be aware of anything like that “for now”.

The elderly and widows at the Lagos State Government House, Alausa, on New Year’s Day for their annual welfare package. Photos: Sylvester Okoruwa.

LASU threatens lecturers, others with pay forfeiture The Lagos State University, LASU, has directed its staff to resume the signing of nominal roll before the fifth day of every month to ensure payment of their salaries.

This is contained in the university’s official bulletin made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos. According to the bulletin, the directive is

meant for both the academic and non-academic staff. The bulletin emphasised that members of staff must henceforth resume the signing of the nominal roll in their various fac-

ulties, colleges, schools, departments, centres and units from January 2016. “The university management also reiterates that as it is the practice, failure to submit the

nominal roll by the 5th of every month by any faculty, college, school, department, centre or unit will lead to the forfeiture of salary of the concerned staff for that month,” it said.

577 drug suspects arrested at Lagos airport in 2015

Edited By Lanre Adewole

08037863902 | olanreade@yahoo.com

Illiteracy pushed me into robbery — Suspect Olalekan Olabulo A 22-year-old suspected armed robber, Odunayo Mustapha, has blamed his

involvement in armed robbery and other criminal activities on illiteracy. The suspect was arrested a few days ago by opera-

tives of the Rapid Response Squad in Ajah area of Lagos State, after his gang had successfully robbed a woman of her valuables.

Also arrested by the police, is another member of the three-man robbery gang, Adebayo Akinjola whose gang operated with motor-

•7,315 kg ‘hard drug’ seized AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), on Sunday revealed that a total of 577 drug suspects were arrested by the Lagos and Murtala Muhammed Airport Commands of the agency in 2015. Confirming the arrests, the Lagos State Commander of the NDLEA, Aliyu Sule, and his Airport Command counterpart, Garba Ahmadu, said 438 drug suspects were apprehended by the Lagos command, while the airport command apprehended 139 suspects during the period. Specifically, Mr. Sule said a total of 7315 kilograms of various drugs was seized by officials of his command during the period. He said that the breakdown showed that Cannabis accounted for 7313. 06 kilograms, heroin, 413.5 grams, and Cannabis sativa, 480 grams. The State Commander, however, noted that there was a drop in the number of arrests made in 2015, compared to previous years. According to him, the NDLEA Lagos command, between 2011 and 2012, made a seizure of drugs between 10 tonnes and 8 tonnes, compared to the 7 tonnes in 2015. Mr. Sule said the decline was as a result of proactive measures put in place by the command to monitor and apprehend drug suspects at their hideouts. He appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with the NDLEA, pointing out that the war against drug trafficking was a collective responsibility. On his part, Ahmadu, the NDLEA Airport commander, said out of the 139 suspects apprehended by officers of his command, 119 were male while 20 were female.

Nigerian Tribune

The suspects

cycles along the Lekki- Ajah Expressway. Odunayo said “I am an illiterate because my parents could not afford to give me any formal education. That was why I came to Lagos to eke out a living a few years ago. I started working as a cart pusher around the Jakande area of Ajah”. The suspect also added that “the little proceeds from the cart pushing business could not sustain me so I decided to engage in robbery to make more money. Our gang makes use of a motorcycle for easy escape.” “We were able to intercept the fleeing robbers when their victim, a young lady, screamed that her mobile phone had been snatched. Immediately, we gave the fleeing suspects a chase which led to the arrest of two of them while the third suspect later identified as Lekan, made away with the stolen phone,” one of the policemen who arrested the suspects said. The suspect, who hails from Ogun State, stated that he was attracted to the victim’ s phone, which he saw, while the woman was making a call at a shopping mall in Ajah. According to him,” three

‘Air Force cadets arrested by Ambode to face military, criminal trials’ Olalekan Olabulo Two cadets of the Nigerian Air Force, who were arrested by the convoy of the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for maltreating an artisan will undergo two separate trials. The arrested air force officers have been handed over to the air force authorities by the police after preliminary investigations. They are expected to be court martialed exercise by the air force panel, set up to investigate the incident. Lagos Metro gathered that the air force officers would later be handed over

to the police for proper prosecution at a law court. Joe Offor who is in charge of the State’s Police Command, told Lagos Metro that the police had handed over the officers to the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force. Offor also told Lagos

Metro that the police was still expecting the officers to be returned to them for further prosecution. “We have handed them over to the air force authorities. They will be court martialed by the air force and returned to us for further prosecution” Offor

said. A source at the Nigerian Air Force, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with Lagos Metro said, “we have our ways of dealing with such offences”. The source however expressed his doubt on the subject that the air force

officers would be returned to the police for further prosecution, after they have been court martialed. “I am not sure that they will still be returned to the police for any further prosecution after the air force disciplinary procedures,” the air force source said.

of us left home in search of our would-be victims. On getting to Ajah, opposite a shopping mall, where traffic is usually hectic, we sighted a woman in a car holding a phone. I got off the motorcycle, forcefully collected the phone from her, mounted the motorcycle and we zoomed off.” He also added that “while on the run, we sighted the RRS men chasing us with brand new power bikes, later, they outran us but one of us disembarked and took to his heels with the stolen phone, while we got arrested.” Odunayo while speaking on the gang’s recent operation said “our first operation was carried out by the three of us in Ajah .We collected one Techno android phone from our victim.” He also added that “the phone was sold to one Mallam Hassan by Adedayo and a sum of N2, 500 was given to me. The second operation was not successful and the third one was this one that led to our arrest,” he concluded. The other suspect, Adedayo, however told his story thus: “before now, I was learning aluminium work but I could not complete it due to financial constraint”. “We just started robbing in the area and this was our third operation. The motorcycle we use belongs to the third suspect who is now at large”, he added. Joe Offor, whi is in charge of the State’s Police Command, confirmed the arrest of the suspect and added that the police was on the trail of the third gang member.

Sales agent accused of defrauding Chinese firm Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

A 30-year-old sales agent, Kingsley Onwuania, who was alleged to have obtained goods worth N9.5 million from a Chinese company, Qingdao Yuanzhou Robber products Limited, has been arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s court.

The prosecutor, CSP Effiong Asuquo, told the court that Onwuania committed the alleged offence between August 13 and 20, 2015, while he was a sales agent to a certainHelen Cai, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company. While he was working

with her, he allegedly obtained 3,465 cartons of Toyota brand of tubes and tires valued at N9.5million. Asuquo also alleged that the defendant after selling the said products converted the proceeds to his personal use. According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under sections

285 (9) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011. However, when the charge was read, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him. The presiding Magistrate P. A. Adekomayia, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N 2million, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

He said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation and the other one a level 15 civil servant, adding that they must show evidence of three-year tax payment to Lagos state and their addresses must be verified. The case was adjourned till January 21, 2016, for mention.

businessnews

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Iran says boosting oil exports depends on future demand

rise in Iran’s crude oil exports once sanctions against it are lifted depends on future global oil demand and should not further weaken oil prices, senior officials were quoted as saying. Rueters reported on Sunday that oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said Iran did not plan to exacerbate an already bearish oil market. “We are not seeking to distort the market but will regain our market share,” said Zanganeh, quoted by oil ministry news agency Shana. Oil prices are likely to come under further pressure this year, when international sanctions on Iran are due to be removed under a nuclear deal reached in July. Brent crude LCOc1 settled at $37.28 a barrel on Thursday. Iran has repeatedly said it plans to raise oil output by 500,000 barrels per day post sanctions, and another 500,000 bpd shortly after that, to reclaim its position as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ second-largest producer. “The decision on the amount of exports highly depends on the future condition of the market. We will raise our market quota steadily,” said Mohsen Qamsari, director general for international affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). “We will adjust our output to the global market’s demand,” he told Shana on

Saturday. “We will exercise great caution to prevent a fur-

egies to this end,” he added, without elaborating. Oil prices fell as much as

35 percent for 2015 after a race to pump by Middle East crude producers and

From left: Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communication, Dangote Group, Ahmed Mansur; Director, Student Supports Services, National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr Rakayatu Gurin; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie; President/CE, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Chief Executive Officer, Zouera Youssoufou, during NUC’s courtesy visit to the Dangote Corporate Headquarters, Lagos.

U.S. shale oil drillers created an unprecedented global glut that may take through 2016 to clear. The sanctions have halved Iran’s oil exports to around 1.1 million bpd from a pre-2012 level of 2.5 million bpd, and the loss of oil income has hampered investments. Qamsari said Iran would be looking to export its crude to Asia and Europe giving examples of China and India as potential buyers post sanctions. Another possibility would be buying stakes in refineries abroad, he said. “One of the methods to ensure the country’s oil sale is buying refineries in other countries but this has to be approved by the administration and the parliament,” said Qamsari. “This is a method that countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, the U.S., China and leading oil giants like Royal Dutch Shell and BP have adopted and we should not stay behind them in this field.”

Be battle ready in 2016, TUC charges Nigerians •Says we envision a tougher year Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has told Nigerians to be battle ready in the year 2016, saying that it envisioned a tougher 2016. The congress added that the tougher 2016 would only toughen the toiling masses of Nigeria and labour.

Dangote assures Nigerians on economic revival, calls for more investments Aliko Dangote has urged Nigerians not to despair but have faith in the ability of the federal government to turn the nation’s economic around in no distant future, noting that the current challenges will soon be a thing of the past. Speaking to a group of businessmen who visited him in his office in Lagos, Dangote appealed to Nigerians to contribute their quota by paying their taxes for the country to record real growth and development. He called on both indigenous and foreign investors to invest more in the economy of Nigeria, revealing that Nigeria is still one of the best place to have good returns on investment. Dangote explained that many investors whose businesses are currently thriving and doing well would have been discouraged if they had looked the nation’s economic indices

ther decline in international prices and will adopt certain methods and strat-

which by mere observation might not look good for investments. He explained that with the oil as the mainstay of Nigeria economic well being now unreliable, government and other investors should focus more on agriculture and manufacturing as the potent alternative to lifting the economy out of the wood. Dangote also assured that his company will invest more in Nigeria, create more jobs as he has an unwavering faith in the nation’s economy. He said all his investments would be tailored towards job creation, adding that economic development of the country rests more on the shoulders of the private sector operators, while government’s strategic role is to ensure conducive environment is provided by putting in place right policies that will encourage setting up of businesses.

In its new year message, signed by its President, Bobboi Kaigama and the Secretary General, Musa Lawal, the TUC said: “While we wish all Nigerians a wonderful 2016, congress also charges them to be battle-ready against greedy, ruthless, insensitive and cruel politicians.” The TUC commended the Nigerian masses for surviving yet “another albatross year; riddled with corruption, insecurity, unemployment, election problems, a year of baton change with its associated problems, and a year of insecurity in all ramifications.” The congress said 2015

was a year that challenged all, irrespective of class or creed; saying it was a year the corporate existence of Nigeria experienced the greatest threat. The congress said: “We are pained by the fact that the causes of the struggle of today were the same things the likes of late Micheal Imoudu, Wahab Goodluck, Ali Chiroma, Hassan Sumonu, M.E Kolagbodi, Chima Ubani, Olaitan Oyerinde, Bamidele Aturu, Claude Ake, Eskoor Toyo, Prof. Bade Onimode, our beloved Festus Iyayi to mention but a few staked out their lives for. “Why our leaders have become numb, insensitive

and obdurate is still what most Nigerians and the international community do not understand. “We have many worries and topmost among them is how to improve the quality of our democracy like we have in most civilized countries. We believe only the Workers Party can truly deliver the dividends of democracy to the masses and we are working towards it. “Our vision may appear utopian but we know we shall achieve it. The move has become imperative because of the failure of successive leadership. It is now time to organise, not to antagonise.”

Freight forwarders warn on imminent collapse of business in Nigeria Shola Adekola-Lagos

The chairman of National Association of Government Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja, Segun Musa, has alerted that many importers may close shop in the country in the new year following government’s bad policy. Speaking in an interview in his office at the Lagos airport on Sunday, Musa said “bad government policy being carried out by the Nigerian customs officials has forced so many importers out of business in Nigeria while others have

relocated out of the country in the last few months.” According to him, Nigerian customs officials have mismanaged the ports across the country, saying the revenue leakage was more than the money collected into the coffers of the government. Musa explained that high import tariff by customs was not favourable to importers and had led to poor relationship between importers and the customs His words: “Customs officers mismanaged the ports, they have not brought to the table any meaningful policy that will actually drive the

industry. Because they are saddled with the responsibility of checking revenue being collected by the freight forwarders, they actually mismanaged the ports.” “The revenue leakage is more than the revenue collected in Nigeria, the tariff on imports are so high and that has taken a lot of business out Nigeria. “We have criticised the president arrival report that government should not saddle the customs with issuance of that certificate but the customs came with all kinds of snow whiting discuss that they won’t be any query again when they start issuing the certificate.”

The congress said the current administration had enormous good will and started on a good note.”

Public hearing: Customs shielding corrupt officers —NAGAFF Tola Adenubi-Lagos

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has accused the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of trying to shield corrupt customs officers within its rank and file. According to a statement signed by the associations Secretary General, Arthur Igwilo, the response of the customs through a letter dated December 21 2015 with reference number NCS/ADM/MG7/018/ S.126/C shows the intention of the NCS trying to shield the mentioned corrupt Customs officers. “This kind of the above reference letter involving a seeming intimidation and coercion on matters of corruption is most disheartening. We suspect this letter may be inadvertently serving a purpose of shielding DC Saidu and Zarma from the alleged accusation of corrupt practices by the Freight agents which runs contrary to the message being passed consistently by the CGC as to his zero tolerance for corruption,” the statement read.

businessnews

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Major marketers, IPMAN comply with fuel price reduction OlatundeDodondawaAnd Akin Adewakun - Lagos

ollowing the reduction in pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol by the Federal Government from N87 per liter to N86.5 and N86 per liter at marketers’ and the NNPC Retail stations respectively, most members of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have complied to directives as at Sunday. Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that most Conoil, Total, Oando and MRS stations visited on Sunday within Lagos and its environs were dispensing fuel to customers at N86.5 per liter. The situation was the same with some IPMAN member stations like Capital Oil, Technoil, Acorn, and others. NNPC retail stations at Ogba, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, and Ifako were dispensing at N86 per liter. The major challenge to adequate fuel supply as observed by the Nigerian Tribune was inadequate supply to petrol dealers. Most IPMAN members including NYCE filling station in Akute, MAO station in Alaguntan, Mallo station in Ikorodu and some others visited were out of stock. While reacting to the development, the National Operations Controller, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, blamed the inadequacy in fuel supply to the suspension of PMS intervention scheme by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) after the Yuletide season was over. According to him, “to forestall scarcity and mitigate likely hardship Nigerians may experience during

Yuletide Season, the NNPC commenced PMS intervention scheme whereby petrol was delivered to IPMAN members on credit for inward dispense to motorists. “Our members complied and supported the government by ensuring that Nigerians enjoyed adequate fuel supply from our mem-

bers. But right now, most of our members have run out of stock and have no fuel to dispense. Once we get our normal allocations, we will begin massive fuel dispensing to motorists.” When contacted, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe said he will make available level of

fuel supply from the PPMC as soon as it was available, but assured that the corporation is doing everything in its capacity to continue to boost supply. A marketer who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to do so confirmed to Nigerian Tribune, said some marketers were trying to

From left: Government Services & Alcohol in Society Manager, Guinness Nigeria, Nkiru Ogburuche; representative of the Abia State governor, Micheal Nwosu; Sector Commander, FRSC, RS9.3, Abia State command, Stella Uchegbu, and representative of the CP Abia State, Oliver Inoma-Abbey, at the flag-off of Guinness Nigeria’s Operation Sanity, in Umuahia, Abia State, recently.

Outgoing SAHCOL boss calls for uniform tariff for ground handlers Shola Adekola-Lagos

The immediate past Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, Dr. Oluropo Owolabi, has called on the aviation regulatory body in Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA to approve a uniform tariff for ground handling companies with an allowance of 5 per cent for each company to play with if they

wanted to. He urged the NCAA to intervene on the issue of ground handling tariff charges among the foreign airlines operating into the country to arrest capital flight. Owolabi made the call over the weekend while speaking with journalists shortly before his exit as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ground handling company.

Owolabi lamented that the foreign airlines operating in Nigerian airports milk the nation dry by charging exorbitant fares, but pay peanuts as ground handling tariff. He noted that Nigerian airlines operating foreign services pay through their noses to get similar services in foreign airports. The outgoing CEO said this was so because of the issue of disagreement or

Dubai shopping festival 2016 sets to ‘unwrap the exceptional’ By Wale Olapade

AS the 21st edition of the Dubai Shopping festival gets ready to unwrap its exceptional line-up of events and activities, Dubai is set to see a string of international celebrities and famous influencers adding to the glitz and glamour of the citywide celebration that runs from January 1 to February 1, 2016. In a statement issued by Media Centre of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, the organizers said the new edition of Dubai Shopping Festival

frustrate government’s efforts aimed at ensuring adequate fuel supply by hoarding the product. According to him, “I don’t want to be involved in this pricing issue, but I’m sure that some of my colleagues are deliberately hoarding the product to maximize their gains and frustrate government’s ef-

will witness a mix of international, regional and local celebrities, influencers and trendsetters promoting DSF to an international audience and expanding the reach of Dubai as an international shopping destination. According to the statement, over 40 such personalities will be visiting Dubai during the 32 days of DSF and their presence will further elevate the overall experience of local residents and tourists at DSF’s citywide activations, exhibitions and attractions.

DSF 2016 will run under the tagline “unwrap the exceptional” with visitors being offered the opportunity to rediscover their sense of wonder, happiness and excitement from a line-up of over 150 events and activities that will be unfurled during the 32-day celebration. Speaking on the 32 days event, Helal Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing (DTCM) said: “Dubai Shopping Festival is a highlight in the emirate’s year-round calendar

of diverse and attractive events and a key driver of tourism growth.” Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of DFRE, added that: “Dubai Shopping Festival 2016 will refresh the experience for visitors by showcasing it as an extraordinary shopping journey rather than a mere sales season. Hence, our line-up of events, activities and promotions are built around the festival’s 2016 tagline “unwrap the exceptional”, which defines everything at the festival as a gift that is waiting to be uncovered and cherished.”

lack of trust over the tariff charge between the two major ground handling companies operating in the country. “How long would an investor wait to recoup such money and then we have these airlines that are not ready to allow you increase the tariff. I am appealing to NCAA to look into issue of both SAHCOL and NAHCO on the issue of tariff. While foreign airlines milk Nigeria dry on tariff, Nigerian airlines which operate to foreign countries, pay through their noses. This is because the foreign airlines are playing upon the issue of little disagreement or distrust between the two major ground handling companies which is not suppose to be,” he said Owolabi said the problem started when the ministry of transport relinquished the role of tariff fixing to the regulatory body. He observed that what used to obtain was having a uniform rate for the ground handlers and give them five percent allowance to play with.

forts in massive fuel supply to Nigerians.” Efforts to get reaction from the Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Femi Olawore, on the level of fuel supply to his members proved abortive as calls put to his line were not answered. The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Dorothy Bassey, said “we have instituted effective monitoring team in place that will go out to monitor level of compliance with the new pump price. “We will ensure that any station caught selling above pump price will have its product dispensed to customers for free. You know that there is holiday today, monitoring is going round but we are going to commence on rigorous monitoring when we resume on Monday. People just refused to change to what will be beneficial to all, but we were assured that it will not be same story from this week.” Meanwhile, most of the filling stations visited by the correspondent on Abule Egba – Iyana Ipaja axis of Lagos were still under lock as at the time of filing this report. For instance, out of the nine filling stations visited on the axis, on Sunday, only Total filling station, located very close to Katangowa market, in Abule Egba, along was seen dispensing fuel to motorists and also those that came with jerry cans. There, there was a total compliance with the federal government’s directive on the fuel price as the station was seen selling the product at the stipulated price of N86.50 per litre. Though the remaining filling stations, such as Techno Oil, Mobil, A.A. Rano, N.N.P.C, Mao, ConOil and MOJ filling stations were not selling the product, with none of the their staff in sight, the all these filling stations had adjusted their pumps to read the stipulated price. A commercial bus driver in the area, Kazeem Owoeye, explained to the correspondent that most of the filling stations, especially the ones owned by independent marketers had not commenced business since Friday, when the enforcement of the regulation was supposed to commence. “We wouldn’t know whether this is deliberate or a sheer coincidence; since if it had been the other way round, they would have been the first to commence selling the product at the new rate,” he said.

tribunebusiness

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

2015 in review:

World Bank highlights ‘historic drop’ in poverty, others N

ow that we’ve reached the end of 2015, it’s clear this was a year of major milestones, emerging trends, and new beginnings. Among other things, 2015 marked a historic drop in poverty, a major climate change agreement, and record low child and maternal mortality rates. Take a look at what the data show.

The global poverty rate fell below 10% The share of the world’s population living in extreme poverty is projected to hit a historic low of 9.6% of in 2015 – falling from 37.1% in 1990. New estimates show 702 million people living below the updated global poverty line of $1.90 per day, with the majority of them in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The milestone was hailed as the “best news in the world today” by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, and marks real progress on the road to ending extreme poverty by 2030. The world reached an accord on climate change Representatives of 195 nations signed on to the landmark Paris climate agreement on Dec. 12, 2015. Each country pledged to lower greenhouse gas emissions in what could mark a turning point in the global effort to slow climate change. The deal recognized the role of incentives in reducing emissions, including carbon pricing. Currently, about 40 countries and 23 cities, states, and regions are using a carbon price -- their outputs represent only 12% of annual greenhouse-gas emissions. As part of the Paris deal, more than 90 developed and developing countries have included carbonpricing schemes among the actions they intend to take. Climate change could have a significant

World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim impact on poverty levels. The World Bank Group is working with 130 countries to help implement “climate-smart” development and will increase investments in climate finance to as much as $29 billion a year by 2020 -- a one-third increase over current levels. The SDGs set ambitious targets for 2030 In September, the world’s countries came together to affirm the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) -- a set of 17 goals for the world. Their broad aims are to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and to address climate change. The goals are associated with a number of new targets and indicators. A World Bank study earlier this year found that many countries in the world lack the data to reliably estimate trends in poverty, and the institution has recently committed to filling these data gaps in the world’s poorest countries. This year also saw the launch of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, which aims to bring together a diverse group of individuals and institutions to make better use of

In 100 economies, women face gender-based job restrictions. In these economies, women are restricted from pursuing the same economic activities as men.

data and technology to both monitor and achieve the SDGs. Finance for development needs to move from billions to trillions The levels of Official Development Assistance (ODA) or “foreign aid” to developing countries are already dwarfed by private resource flows (such as remittances) and commercial foreign investment. The ambitious new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require equal ambition in using the “billions” in ODA and in available development resources to attract, leverage, and mobilize “trillions” in investments of all kinds. Additional funds are expected to come from two main sources: public domestic resources (such as tax revenues), where the most substantial development spending happens, and commercial finance and investment, the largest potential source of additional funding. Commodity prices plummeted The decline in commodity prices that began with metals and agriculture four years ago -- joined by crude oil in mid-2014 -continued in 2015. According to the Commodity Markets Outlook, energy, metals, and agricultural prices were down this year, in part due to increasing supplies, bumper harvests, weak demand and a stronger U.S. dollar. This end of the “commodity supercycle” will see exporters in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe adjusting to a new normal, while importers like India benefit from reduced costs. More than 60% of the world’s economies improved business rules The 2016 Edition of Doing Business identified 231 reforms that enhanced business activity in 122 countries around the world. For example, data for the past 12 years show

that in 2003, it took an average of 51 days worldwide to start a new business. This has now been more than halved to 20 days. In addition, the data shows encouraging signs of convergence toward best practices, as lower-income economies have shown more improvement than high-income economies over time. The case of Mozambique illustrates this trend. In 2003, it took an entrepreneur 168 days to start a business, but now it only takes 19 days. You can explore the data further in this interactive visualization. Changing demographics are shaping our future While the global working age population peaked at 66% in 2012, parts of Africa and Asia are seeing a surge in their working age populations, and countries in these regions have an opportunity for greater prosperity and higher living standards. According to the 2015 Global Monitoring Report, Sub -Saharan Africa will account for more than half of the world’s working-age population growth through 2050. The world’s population is set to reach 9.7 billion in 2050, and almost half the population growth will occur in just nine countries. Legal restrictions affect working women The 2016 Women, Business and the Law report finds 155 out of 173 economies have at least one law impeding women’s economic opportunities. In 100 economies, women face gender-based job restrictions. In these economies, women are restricted from pursuing the same economic activities as men and in some cases are prohibited from holding particular jobs, particularly in highly paid industries. The report finds that restrictions on women’s work lower their earning potential relative to men.

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Fire guts Kure Market in Minna Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

bdulkadir Abdullahi Kure Ultramodern Market Minna, Niger State capital was, on Sunday, gutted by fire with valuables estimated at millions of Naira and raw cash destroyed, affecting no fewer than 48 shops. The incident, which occurred around 1:00 a.m., was blamed on the use of generating sets by some traders at the market and power outage at the market by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company

(AEDC). One of the affected victims, Mrs Anne Ogale, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune expressed shock over the incident, describing it as very unfortunate. Mrs Ogale, who could not control her emotions wept profusely, lamenting that her husband had been sick and that she fed the family and sponsored their children with proceeds from her shop, which has now been now ruined by the fire. Alhaji Babale Abubakar, also a shop owner, disclosed that traders in the

market had earlier complained over lack of good and accessible roads to the market, explained that the fire fighters came to the rescue, but couldn’t access the market easily due to the bad road. Further checks by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that most of the victims lost millions of Naira cash to the fire, due to the long public holidays by financial institutions, preventing the traders from depositing their money in the banks. The victims expressed anger at the state govern-

ment and the market’s management over the lack of fire fighting equipments in the market for prompt response in emergent situations. One of the affected victims who lost about N40 million cash in foreign currency (U.S Dollars) Alhaji Salisu was said to have collapsed on his arrival at the market and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for urgent medical attention. An eyewitness informed that Alhaji Salisu had changed the currency from Naira notes to U.S. Dol-

From left, founder and sponsor of Mark D’ball Basketball Tournament, Senator David Mark; his son, Master Mark Mark; wife, Helen and the coordinator, Mark D’ball Tournament, Mr Igoche Mark, at grand finale of the 2015 Mark D’ Ball Basketball competition, in Otukpo, Benue State, on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN

Olukoya predicts harsh economic crunch in 2016 The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries’ (MFM) General Overseer, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, on Sunday predicted that Year 2016 will be one of harsh economic crunch. Olukoya, at the church’s annual crossover night service held at its Prayer City, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, also predicted that the New Year will experience “acidic judgment on those who shed innocent blood, no matter their religion,” because “no man has the right to take the life of a fellow human being.” The cleric, who warned that the New Year will also witness “violently crashing economy,” said “2016 will be a year of destruction of blood-thirsty campaigns.” In his 40-point prediction, Olukoya said that Nigerians need to seriously pray against senseless massacres. According to him, there will be “more earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as mysterious crashes and disappearances,” adding that “children of God need

serious prayers to tackle activities of eaters of flesh and drinkers of blood in the New Year.” Olukoya predicted that “2016 shall be a year of sudden change and turn around, where slave catchers will become slaves and labours of past years shall be compensated, any-

where. “Stubborn, long-time enemies of God’s children will be in trouble, while seats and positions of God’s children, presently occupied by wrong persons, shall be recovered this year, as evil gates of Christians’ father’s houses shall be forced open.”

On the international political scene, he called for prayers for the so-called super powers, some of whose decisions, he said, angered heaven. The New Year 2016 is tagged Year of Dominion Favour and Divine Acceleration by the cleric.

Don’t lose hope, Bishop Okonkwo tells Nigerians Amid the current socioeconomic challenges in the country, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful of a turnaround for the better. Contained in his New Year message, Okonkwo said that hope and trust in God were essential to overcome the financial constraints and economic downturn that Nigerians grapple with. While expressing confidence that Nigeria boasts of a great future, he charged Christians to specially pray for wisdom for the nation’s political office holders to steer the ship of

the nation aright. Furthermore, he called for more prayers to stem the tide of insurgency in the country. He declared the year 2016 as “a year of all sufficiency” for the nation, praying that every Nigerian would live in abundance. “I urge Nigerians to put their trust solely in God because we are going to overcome every financial limitation and constraints, necessitated by the present global economic downturn. God has said that and He will surely stand. I challenge every Nigerian to look forward to a great future and always go to God in prayers. Do not lose

hope because the worst thing that can happen to any person or nation is not to have hope.” “It has become very necessary, especially now, to call on all Christians to trust God for all round sufficiency in the New Year because daily, socio-economic theories and human postulations are falling apart before our very eyes. It is no longer about being astute, skilled or being a professional, but it is now all about God and his infallible word.” Daily concepts and great ideologies are failing, but it is only the word of God that cannot fail, as it remains reliable and constant,” Okonkwo stated.

lars, so as to travel to the Republic of Togo for the procurement of goods he sells. The victims in separate interviews appealed to the state government and other relevant agencies, to as a matter of urgency, come to their aid with the view of cushioning the effect on the affected in terms of renovation first and financial assistance to get back to their various businesses. “We are appealing to governments at every level and other relevant bodies to assist us renovate the shops urgently before other assistance can be rendered so that we can start afresh because we have lost everything,” one of the victims lamented. The Niger State deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, who had earlier visited the market to sympathise with the affected victims, held a meeting with the executives of the market’s associations, officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and personnel of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to take inventory of the loss in each of the shops. Ketso directed that the list compiled should be sent through Chanchaga Local Government to NSEMA, to be forwarded to the State government immediately for appropriate action.

Man dies in boat mishap A boat mishap, on Sunday, claimed the life of a 27-year-old man in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The man died after a canoe conveying him and one other person capsized at the creek near the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), in Yenagoa. NAN gathered that the victim met his untimely death in the incident before rescue could come his way, but the second passenger in the boat survived the accident. Sources told NAN that the canoe capsized following violent waves caused by a passenger speedboat that sped past it while crossing to the other side of the creek. DSP Asinim Butswat, spokesperson of Bayelsa Police Command, confirmed the incident, stating that the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the FMC morgue.

Prayers, patriotism, should be our watchwords in 2016 —Makinde Nigerians have been called upon to be prayerful and patriotic in the New Year by Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain, Seyi Makinde, in his New Year Message signed by his personal assistant, Alhaji Akeem Azeez and made available to newsmen, in Ibadan, at the weekend. Makinde explained that this became necessary due to economic recession occasioned by low petroleum price in the international market. He recalled that “during electioneering campaign in 2014 and first quarter of 2015, as a major stakeholder in oil and gas sector of the economy, I told Nigerians and Oyo State residents that prices of petroleum will sell for less than $40. This has contributed in no small measure to dwindling fortune of the state.” He, however, urges Nigerians to be calm, patriotic and prayerful at this moment and to believe in the greatness of Nigeria.

Policeman, 23-yr-old, die in robbery incident in Yenagoa A policeman attached to the Bayelsa State command recently died of gunshot wounds following a gun duel with robbers in Yenagoa. Mr Asinim Butswat, a DSP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that a five-man robbery gang had attacked and robbed one Evelyn Patrick at Agudama area of Yenagoa on that fateful day shooting dead one Mr Victor Abule, 23, in the process. He explained that as the robbers tried to escape, they were engaged in a gun duel by a police officer, who shot dead one of them. “A police officer confronted the armed men and shot dead one of them as they were escaping. “The officer sustained gunshot wounds and he was rushed to the hospital where he eventually died. “Efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects while investigation into the incident is ongoing.”

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Police nab suspected pipeline vandal in Enugu THE Nigeria Police on Sunday arrested a suspected pipeline vandal and seized a petrol tanker conveying 13,800 litres of diesel in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ebere Amaraizu, confirming the incident, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Enugu, that the suspect was arrested after a tip-off. According to him the police also recovered pipeline drilling equipment, two pumping machines, pipeline sealants, a generating set and some spanners. “The suspect alongside others, now at large, had allegedly stormed Umurah Ndeaboh bush on December 31 at midnight, in Aninri Local Government Area with their pipeline drilling equipment. “Using a Leyland 13,800-litre truck with registration number XF 312 PHC at a very long distance from the vandalised area; they started siphoning the product (diesel) before police operatives acting on a tip closed in on them,” he explained. He added that the police were on the trail of other suspects, who escaped and assured that all those involved would be prosecuted.

Former Osun TUC chairman, Adetunji, dies Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

The Inspectors General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase (middle), inaugurating the Nigeria Police Central Information System, in Abuja, recently. With him are the Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) Dan’azumi Doma (left) and Mamman Tsafe. PHOTO: NAN

Female lawyers advocate creation of rape crisis centres

OME female lawyers in Abuja have advised the Federal Government to create rape crisis centres, counselling service and other victim’s assistance agency as measures to address the menace of rape. The lawyers gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday, in Abuja. They noted that the creation of such institutions would help in addressing the high rate of rape and its attendant effects on the victims. A lawyer, Mrs Chinelo Oputa, told NAN that rape incidents were in-

creasing in different parts of the country and there was an urgent need for government to assist the victims. Oputa said that effective and well managed crisis centres and counselling units would help the rape victims to learn how to cope with the emotional trauma and physical impacts of the assault. The lawyer identified impunity as a major factor for the high rate of rape cases, adding that reported cases of rape were, in most cases, not properly investigated before charging suspects to court, resulting in letting the suspects off the hook

or giving them light punishments. Oputa said that this accounted for many offenders to see rape as a joy ride and therefore encouraged to keep perpetrating the crime. She therefore, urged the police to conduct proper investigations when cases of rape were brought to them and ensure that the perpetrators pay dearly for the crime. Oputa stated that rape is a very serious crime and the offender must be made to face the full weight of the law. “Despite the prevalence of rape and violence cases,

Bayelsa polls: Perpetrators of violence, compromised security agents walk freely on streets, PDP alleges WITH about five days to the rescheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) and over 100 other polling units, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that perpetrators of violence walk freely on the streets in Bayelsa State. The party, in a statement issued, on Sunday, in Yenagoa, by its Bayelsa State Chairman, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff; Secretary, Keku Godspower and Publicity Secretary, Osom Macbere, demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators mentioned in their petition including the “compromised law enforcement agencies,” which allegedly “spearheaded and supervised the brutalisation and killing of voters during and after the December 5 polls.”

The party regretted that despite its petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the leadership of the security agencies, the perpetrators were still walking on the streets freely, “strategising on how to unleash mayhem in the forthcoming January 9 election.” The party recalled that INEC has scheduled fresh elections for the entire Southern Ijaw LGA and over 100 other units state-wide to take place on Saturday, January 9 2016, as a result of widespread disenfranchisement of its supporters, “who were attacked, brutalised, maimed, and even killed before, during, and after the election.” The PDP described as scandalous, the fact that nothing has been done to address the failure of vari-

ous law enforcement agencies to protect citizens during the December polls. The party said: “The under-reported case of Brass LGA is heart-rending. Our

members and major party functionaries were targeted and attacked. The acting chairman of the PDP luckily escaped being murdered.”

offenders are neither arrested nor prosecuted. Even when arrest is made, prosecutors are often reluctant to take on such cases seriously,’’ she said. Another Abuja-based female lawyer, Mrs Oluwaseye Odediran, said that most rape victims in the country lived with the trauma because of lack of counselling. She said that some of them develop phobia for men and see all opposite sex as evil. “Investigations and researches have shown that many rape victims get involved in homosexual and detest marriage if there is no adequate counselling,’’ she said. Odediran said government could partner with relevant Non-Governmental Organisations in setting up crisis centres and counselling units. Also speaking on causes of rape, the lawyer identified poor parenting as a key factor.

Peace has returned to Ifelodun LGA, Kwara govt tells corps members THE Kwara State Government on Sunday informed that peace has been restored to the warring Share and Tsaragi communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, urging corp members posted to the communities to return to their places of primary assignment. In a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, in communication and media, Mr Muideen Akorede, the state government assured

of restored security of lives and properties of the people, urging them to go about their normal activities without fear. At the onset of the crisis which saw burning of houses, resulting in injury of many, the state government had imposed a 24-hour curfew on ShareTsaragi communities, which was later relaxed. Furthermore, the state government warned that anyone found disrupting public peace and order would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of

the land. “Peace has returned to the two communities initially affected by the local clashes few weeks ago. We will continue to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people of the state. “Corps members posted to communities within Ifelodun Local Government Area and other parts of the state are asked to report to their places of primary assignment. The state as a whole remains peaceful and calm,” the statement read.

TRAGEDY struck Osun labour movement on Sunday with the death of the immediate past state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Francis Adetunji. According to family sources, Adetunji died in the early hours of Sunday after battling with an undisclosed illness. Confirming his demise, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state, Comrade Waheed Wakil said Adetunji died of an undisclosed illness. Until he left office in May last year, Adetunji was a prominent figure in the state labour movement and he had represented the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and TUC during negotiation with the state government. A native of Oyan, in Odo Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, the labour activist had been battling an undisclosed illness over the years, as a source within the labour circle hinted that “it only got worse when he left office.”

Declare your assets publicly, group tells ministers IN the light of the ongoing war against corruption, a coalition, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), has mandated all the 36 ministers in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet to publicly declare their assets. In a statement issued on Sunday by the chairman of the coalition, Olanrewaju Suraju, the group noted that by publicly declaring their assets, the ministers would have shown their readiness to complement the president’s zero tolerance for corruption and promise of a transparent government. According to CSNAC, President Buhari and his vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, have laid a good precedence by keeping in line with Section 140 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), by declaring their assets publicly, adding that, “This was also in fulfilment of their campaign promise of running a transparent government as well as eradicating corruption in the country.”

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Bayelsa 'll witness progress, peace this year —Dickson Assures on security, clampdown on kidnappers

hile 2015 was a very challenging year for Bayelsa State and the nation at large, Governor Seriake Dickson has held out hope, that even the more dire prognosis for 2016 will be overcome and the state will march forward in progress, peace and stability. Governor Dickson gave this assurance, as the state joined the rest of the world to celebrate the new year during a special thanksgiving service at the Palace of Melchizedek, in his country home, Toru Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. The governor also assured that his administration would launch a massive onslaught against kidnapping and other criminal activities in its second term. According to him, though, the administration made appreciable progress in the area of security, the recent upsurge in crime and violence is attributable to the inordinate ambition of some political actors and their activities leading up to the December 5, 2015, governorship election. He reaffirmed the state government’s preparedness to strengthen the existing collaborative efforts with security agencies to boost community policing and intelligence gathering to clampdown on kidnap-

pers and other criminals Calling on those who engaged in the unwholesome practice of kidnapping to change, the governor advised them to seek legitimate means of livelihood as anyone caught would not be spared. His words: "Let me

quickly remind all of us that, we live in very trying times that call for caution and care. Times that make it imperative for us to be watchful and try as much as possible to be our brother's keepers. Commenting on the outlook of the national econ-

omy, Governor Dickson called on the people to show greater understanding and cooperation with the government, as it seeks ways to ensure that the state does not run aground, especially, in the area of payment of salaries. He expressed gratitude

Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, during the consecration of three bishops at the Cathedral of All Saints, Ughelli, on Sunday.

Don't seek power at all cost, Okowa tells clerics THREE bishops were, on Sunday, consecrated by the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most

Reverend Nicholas Okoh, at an occasion where Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State urged clerics

to resist the temptation to seek power at all cost. According to Governor Okowa, the "church

Ensure proper implementation of 2016 budget, Ositelu urges Buhari By Taiwo Olanrewaju Primate of the Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide (TCLPFW), the Most Reverend (Dr) Rufus Okikiola Ositelu, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure proper implementation of the 2016 budget so that its dividends will get to the grassroots. The multiplier effect, the cleric noted, would affect the economy positively, “especially in the area of provision of employment for our youths, infrastructure, power, agriculture and education,” if the budget presented to the National Assembly, was properly implemented. Ositelu also cautioned on the need to cut down on wastages, especially, on spending billions of naira to purchase vehicles while delivering his New Year message at the church’s international headquarters in OgereRemo, Ogun State on January 1. The primate called on all

to Bayelsa people for their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the party would clinch victory in the supplementary election scheduled for January 9, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and a few other units across the state.

Nigerians, both the leadership and the citizenry, to have a closer walk with God by exhibiting God -fearing attributes in2016. That, coupled with the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, was major panacea for combating corruption, which he said, had eaten deep into the socio-economic and political fabric of the

nation, thereby militating against the development of the nation. According to the cleric, who commended the Federal Government for its effort so far on security issues, more collaborative efforts, commitment and better strategic approach would rid Nigeria of insurgency and terrorism. He, however, lamented

the monumental tragic dimension the Boke Haram activities had assumed, which he added, had led to unnecessary loss of lives, property and insecurity. Ositelu, who noted that Nigeria’s future is brighter, urged Nigerians to continue to intercede for the nation to occupy its rightful position in the comity of nations.

Support Buhari on war against corruption, cleric tasks Nigerians By Tolu Olamiriki NIGERIANS have been urged to give total support to the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its quest to wage war against corruption in the country. The provost of the Cathedral of St James the Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State, Very Reverend(Dr) D.O. Olagbaju, made the submission, at the weekend, during the new year service, urging Nigerians irrespective of ethnic background,

socio-economic and political affiliation, to be key players in the eradication of corruption in the country. The cleric, who said that there is no nation worldwide that can survive in a bad economic situation, advised Nigerians to be relevant stakeholders in waging war against corruption which had crumbled the nation’s economic system. While saying that 2016 is going to be a great year in the history of the nation, he said that God will perform extra-ordinary in Nigeria

and among Nigerians but said that Nigerians needed to carry out the will of God so as to make it to the end. “We must be ready to experience God. Do His will and follow Him because it is a great year. Do not follow the multitude to do evil,” he said. The cleric, however, charged Nigeians to continue to pray fervently for the nation, read the word of God as well as follow His path, adding that it is only those who follow His path that will be saved.

is the conscience of the state, therefore, clerics must not pursue political patronages or engage in flirtatious relationship with political leaders such that they lose the moral authority to speak the truth." "Ministers of the gospel must resist the temptation to seek fame, fortune and power at all cost," Senator Okowa said at a ceremony which took place at the Cathedral of All Saints, Ughelli, Delta State. Clerics that were consecrated were Bishop Foreman Nedison (Bishop of Jalingo), Bishop Olubunmi Adeyinka Akinlade (Bishop of Ife) and Bishop Andrew Olu Igenoza (Rector, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta). While congratulating the new bishops, Governor Okowa said consecration is about the church and humanity. "The state of our nation today is one that requires fervent, unceasing intercession, because the national economy is in dire straits and virtually, all sectors of our national life are in limbo." he said

Sign nominal roll to ensure payment of salaries, LASU mgt tells staff The Lagos State University (LASU) has directed its staff to resume the signing of nominal roll before the fifth day of every month to ensure payment of their salaries. This was contained in the university's official bulletin made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday, in Lagos. According to the bulletin, the directive is meant for both the academic and non-academic staff. The bulletin said the members of staff must henceforth, resume the signing of the nominal roll in their various faculties, colleges, schools, departments, centres and units from January 2016. "The university management also reiterates that as it is the practice, failure to submit the nominal roll by the 5th of every month by any faculty, college, school, department, centre or unit will lead to the forfeiture of salary of the concerned staff for that month," it said.

Jigawa APC chieftain commends Buhari on 2016 budget Adamu Amadu - Dutse THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant during the 2015 general election in Jigawa State, Alhaji Ubale Hashim, has said that there is good sense and economic advantage in the over N6 trillion 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly. The former governorship aspirant said this over the weekend in Garungabas town, Malam Madori Local Government Area of the state, while fielding questions from newsmen, saying that: "the budget is full of commitment towards reviving the country's economy" Alhaji Hashim explained that "effort by President Buhari to diversify the economy and change the source of revenue from oil to agriculture and solid minerals is commendable. According to him: "President Buhari met the country in a bad situation, where poverty, unemployment as well as security challenges in all the parts of the country became worrisome.

Monday, 4 January, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From left, chairman, Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Oyo State chapter, Mr Folorunso Olaniyan; special guest of honour, Honourable Wole Oke and Mr Gbenga Ilori, during a public lecture on due process in public procurement, organised by NIQS, at Conference Centre, Dr Deji Jinadu attending to one of the 500 beneficiaries of the free medical check-up/free lunch programme organised by the Triumphant Assembly, City of David, while the hosts, Pastor Abiodun Olusanya (left) and his wife, Tolulope, watch, on the church premises, New Garage, Ibadan,

Dr Susanna Adepoju (left) and Dr Taiwo Togun of IGO EYEwear Massachusetts, United States, with the children of Tiny & Great Creche and Nursery School, Ogbomoso, during a free eye test for the pupils by IGO EYEwear Massachusetts, in partnership with ACILD African Centre For Innovation and Leadership Development, Toronto, Canada, recently.

Members of Ifelodun Ikenne Parapo Union during the end of the year party held at Ikenne Remo, recently. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

Professor Ayoade Oduola, bride’s father (left), the bride, Dr (Mrs) Oladayo Etimbuk (middle) and her mother, Mrs Mojisola Oduola, during the traditional engagement ceremony held at Professor Oladipo Theophilus Hall, Opposite UCH, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

From left, Mrs Adenike Adejumo, Mr Soji Popoola, the bride, Mrs Omolara Popoola, groom, Mr Olaleye Popoola, Mr Okunlola Adejumo and Mrs Mojisola Popoola, during the wedding held at Jesus Life Christian Assembly, Asubiaro, Osogbo, recently.

The newly wedded couple, Mr and Mrs Olasupo Farore, during their wedding at the Federal Marriage Registry, Ikoyi, Lagos, recently. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN

Mr Ibrahim Ande and his bride, Sheidah, during the Nikkah held at their residence, Iyaganku Quarters, GRA, Ibadan, re-

The groom, Mr AbdulHakeem Adebolu and his wife, Shakirat Raheem Oriloge, during their Nikkah held at Amuloko area, Ibadan, recently.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

INSIDE LAGOS

Monday, 4 January, 2016

pixmart

Alaba Igbaroola: 08155975474

sylvester okoruwa: 08115708541

From left, His Royal Highness, Eze Fred Nwajagu, Captain Adebayo Dosunmu and his wife, Mrs. Afolashde during the investiture and award of chieftaincy title as the Akidi ama oke ala of the Ndigbo Community in Amuwo Odofin by the Eze Ndigbo of Amuwo Odofin to honour Captain Adebayo Dosunmu for his outstanding leadership qualities held at Festac, Lagos.

From left, former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh; winner, Coca-Cola Nigeria Prize for Brand & Marketing Reporter of the Year, Sulaimon Olanrewaju of Nigerian Tribune; Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Emeka Mba and acting chairman, NMMA Panel of Assessors, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye at the Nigeria Media Merit Award 2015 Grand Award presentation ceremony in Lagos, recently.

From Right, former Super Eagles International, Austin Okocha; Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, his wife, Chinyelu and ace artiste, Davido, during An Evening With MTN at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, recently.

From left, children of Dubai trip winner, Mariam and Michael Obi; Head, Mass Segment, Airtel Nigeria, Oladipo Jolaosho; Airtel customer/winner of Dubai trip, Mrs Victoria Obi, with Raphael Obi, during the departure party organised for the Dubai trip winners in the Airtel Red Hot Promo Season 3, held in Lagos shortly before their flight to Dubai on Saturday.

From left, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce & lndustry, Bimbo Ashiru; Mrs Foluke Bello; wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Funso Amosun and Mrs Kemi Ashiru, at Ashiruâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday party and wedding anniversary in Lagos, on boxing day, recently.

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (third right); his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (middle); the outgoing Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Dr Olujobi Ayodele Ososanya (second right), Commissioner II, Pastor Isreal Olufunso Alagbe (right); Commissioner IV, Oladimeji Oshinowo (third left); Commissioner I, Alhaji Razak Balogun (second left) and Commissioner III, Alhaji Tolani Odeyemi (left), during the dinner in honour of outgoing chairman and members of the Civil Service Commission at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, recently.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 4 January, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08078891826. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

2016: Agenda for President Buhari

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari should ensure that he records success in the oil, power and jobs sectors, as these are the three areas where Nigerians are feeling the most pain. First, fuel is now ‘gold’ in

the country; there are filling stations selling a litre of fuel for N140, and this has brought about an increase in transport fares. One thing about fuel in Nigeria is that once it is scarce, it affects other sectors as well. We are in a new year, and it is definite

that landlords will also increase rents. Secondly, power is no longer regular as it used to be when the president just assumed office, as some cities now barely have electricity for more than six hours a day. Many businesses have

been hit by this, particularly those that depend on electricity; the alternative of using generators is now something else as fuel is also scarce now. The third area I want the president to focus on is the area of unemployment; many have said Nigeria is

Traffic gridlock: Appeal to Gov Ambode Traffic gridlock has suddenly become the albatross of Lagos residents and an everyday discussion in the media. Lagosians go through a horrendous experience commuting daily to work; no wonder, most residents are hypertensive, wear long faces, unduly aggressive because of the harrowing daily traffic experience and lack of adequate rest. To be fair to the government, it established a traffic radio to disseminate information on traffic flow to residents and assist motorists in navigating within the city. I regularly listen to the radio each day before heading to work, however, it is unbelievable that the radio, day after day over the years, reports gridlock caused by bad spots on the roads without any action by the government or local government authorities to repair the potholes and ease the gridlock. What an irony! It is a fact that human factor and indiscipline are partly responsible for the constant gridlock, but that is the most difficult to change, not even with a million LASTMA officials on the roads. Mega cities control high volume of traffic by building flyovers and underpasses to reduce the number of conflict points and improve pedestrians’ safety. I have no doubt that previous governors and transport commissioners have visited and experienced the wonders these flyovers/underpasses can do to traffic flow in mega cities we aim to emulate. The road to Lekki, where there is a new influx of residents is a one way in and out for the commuters with a need for multiple flyovers. The state government

should look into the unidirectional mass movement of residents in the morning and evening. Almost every commuter is heading to the island in the morning and back to the mainland at close of work. In this scenario, government should encourage businesses on the island to relocate to the mainland with inducements, for the benefit of the population.

Mega cities move the huge populace through good road network, flyovers/underpasses and light rail. The deadline for the completion of the expensive light rail system has been shifted several times. A light rail that runs overhead cannot be anything but expensive. Stations on the route look more like a heavy carriage railway station for goods

carriage rather than commuters with little or no baggage. There are many traffic conflict points that need multi layer flyovers, new road networks and expanded use of water transportation will do Lagos a lot of good and move it close to the dream mega city it plans to be. •Gbade Akinyooye, Lagos.

sitting on a keg of gunpowder with huge number of its youths roaming the streets doing nothing. These are the set of people politicians use for their negative acts. We have been hearing about baby factories, armed robberies, kidnappings, among others, and we should realise that these jobless youths are behind them all. We need to engage our youths so that they can find something positive doing with their time. Apart from giving them employment, I hope the government can also charge the banks to give those who have entrepreneurial ideas soft loans to kick-start their ideas. These are three major areas that need urgent government attention, and I know that President Buhari will not disappoint

Nigerians. 2016 is the year that Nigerians will laugh. I believe all our challenges will end this year. •Obodo Charles, Benin, Edo State.

Making 4-day work week possible in Nigeria Sweden recently enacted a law that will make the citizens work for just four days a week, that is, from Monday to Thursday, while Friday to Sunday will be work-free days, and I think the Nigerian government can also look into this. Nigerians don’t rest at all, and majority of the illnesses we face are stressrelated. Even during festive periods, Nigerians still don’t travel for leisure; the most we do is to travel to our villages to see our relatives and kinsmen, and while there, we don’t even rest, as we use the opportunity to settle family issues. It is only on specific weekends when we don’t have social events that we relax at home, but if government can reduce the number of work days, then we will have fewer people developing hypertension, cardiac arrest, and other illnesses. This may sound funny, but if the Swedes could give it a thought and approve it, then we should know that this policy will be of immense benefit to people, particularly Nigerians, who don’t have time for leisure. All we know how to do is work. It is not in our culture to take vacations to relax the body system, but the truth is that when the average Nigerian is stressedup, he targets the weekend to rest. As a result, this three-day weekend will be of immense health benefits to Nigerians. •Fidelis Ekpo, Jos, Plateau State.

editorial

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Military/Shiite clash in Zaria

he country recently received with shock the report of a violent clash between soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), the leading organisation for Shiite Muslims in Nigeria, in Zaria, Kaduna State, leading to the reported death of many of its members. It was also reported that the leader of the group, Shiekh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was shot and later put in the custody of the Nigerian Army which stated that he had been handed over to police authorities. The police confirmed this, indicating that he was receiving adequate medical attention. There had been demonstrations in a number of towns and cities in the northern part of the country since the clash and there is nothing to suggest that this issue has been effectively contained as the Shiite group continues to accuse the government and the military of deliberate murder even with their leader detained without his members having access to him. There is also the international dimension to the clash as Iran, the spiritual headquarter of Shiite Muslims, has reportedly complained about the killings to the Nigerian government and it should be expected that it would be anxiously awaiting how the issue would be resolved. Incidentally, in spite of the avalanche of report on this clash, it is still not clear what exactly happened during the course of the clash as the military and the Shiite organisation have been stating different versions of the encounter. The military insisted that the clash occurred because of the plan of the IMN members to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, who was on an official visit to an army formation in Zaria. The allegation was that members of the Islamic Movement were on a procession on that day, blocking the same road the COAS’ convoy was driving on. In the attempt to clear the road for the passage of the convoy, the IMN members were said to have started shooting and some were preparing to assault the COAS’ convoy with homemade bombs. In this narrative, it took the intervention of the soldiers to protect and safeguard the life of their Chief and it was in the process of doing this that the soldiers had the encounter with the IMN members. The Shiite group understandably disputed this account, arguing that the clash was as a result of premeditated attack by the soldiers on its defenseless and peaceful members who

were on a normal and routine procession. The group insisted that its members could not have prevented the COAS’ convoy from passing on the road and that it was after the passage of the Army Chief that soldiers attacked the procession with guns and killed many. Without attempting to indicate which of these contradictory accounts is true or false, it has to be stated that none of the accounts denied that deaths were recorded on the part of members of the IMN. In which case, whatever the cause of the clash, there were many cases of death which should invite regret and the utmost interest of the Federal Government, under which the Nigerian Army operates, to want to find out the truth about the clash. In this wise, we do not believe that the Federal Government has treated the clash with the seriousness it deserves especially given its international dimension, by leaving the issue mainly to the Kaduna State Government beyond the visit of the Minister of the Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, to the area and his directive that the concerned Divisional Police Officer (DPO) should carry out effective investigation into the clash. We would expect that the Federal Government should be the one setting up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the clash with members also from independent and civic organisations in order to ensure that nothing about the clash is swept under the carpet. We do not support violent and criminal behaviour under the guise of religion, but we would also not sanction extra legal behaviour from the Nigerian Army. It is, therefore, important to be able to establish the truth and the nuances associated with the clash in order to apportion blames appropriately and ensure that all those guilty of infractions are punished adequately. Under the current democratic order, there is the need to know how to treat even issues of excessive behaviour by religious elements without allowing such to generate tension or degenerate into avoidable conflagration. The Nigerian system provides adequate remedy for illegal behaviour without descent into summary punishment for violators. We expect the Federal Government to show commitment to protecting the rights of every Nigerian including even those accused of violating rules and as such should be interested in exposing the truth about this clash to stave off such in the future.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)

Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D

GOT NEWS?

Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna. Ikeja Marketing Office. Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.

Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630

opinion

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Lasisi Olagunju

From 2015 to 2016

Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

t is amazing that we survived the year 2015 in one piece despite all the fears and tears, wear and tear. It wasn’t just a year of transition from the known PDP with its undisguised ugliness to an unknown APC with its many masked faces. The year that just ended hosted interesting fights of pigs and humans with mud and dirt soiling unexpected hands. It was a year public service workers were no longer sure they had jobs. It was a year governors realised the minimum wage harboured maximum threats to their comforts. Two thousand and fifteen was a year prophets lost their innocence as all predictions refused to obey their commands. The year 2015 came with fears of the very end but ended with sighs of relief as Nigeria survived the superpower prophecy of ultimate dissolution. In 2015, Nigeria, as usual, pulled back from the brink where it danced so dangerously. It was a year everybody was on trial — the government, the governed; the Senate and its president; the judiciary with its hood; the media and its pen. It was a year you travelled abroad and realised you couldn’t buy what you liked with your money again. It was a year your kids schooling abroad called and wondered why their country would not let them have access to their pocket money even when their parents weren’t thieves. It was a year new things started happening. The good, the bad, the ugly, all bore the smell of Change. It was a year pensioners continued to wail and cry over unpaid service entitlements. It was a year retirees’ unpaying nation budgeted N2.3billion for eleven big persons’ comfort and further tens of billions to buy big cars for the pigs of Animal Farm. It was a year of great revelations showing the genesis of a people’s ailments. 2015 was a year that prepared the grounds for the year 2016; the prologue to a repeat of 1984. 1984 and 2016 “‘How does one man assert his power over another, Winston?’ Winston thought. ‘By making him suffer,’ he said. ‘Exactly. By making him suffer. Obedience is not enough. Unless he is suffering, how can you be sure that he is obeying your will and not his own? Power is in inflicting pain and humiliation. Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing. Do you begin to see, then, what kind of world we

are creating? It is the exact opposite of the stupid hedonistic Utopias that the old reformers imagined... “... The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness: only power, pure power. What pure power means, you will understand presently. We are different from all the oligarchies of the past, in that we know what we are doing. All the others, even those who resembled ourselves, were cowards and hypocrites. The German Nazis and the Russian Communists came very close to us in their methods, but they never had the courage to recognise their own motives. They pretended, perhaps they even believed, that they had seized power unwillingly and for a limited time, and that just round the corner there lay a paradise where human beings would be free and equal. We are not like that. We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?” (O’Brien in George Orwell’s 1984). What you call the past may actually be the prologue to your — today or your tomorrow. In the past, you heard of the blood-curdling horrors of Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabab. They have turned out to be just introductory paragraphs to some other things deadlier, more lethal. Today, ISIS and Boko Ha-

ram have upped the ante, the bar is raised. Humanity loses its innocence as it struggles to refine its crude essence. We all have something in our past presaging our future. For President Muhammadu Buhari, his past as military ruler brought him back as civilian president. It was the prologue to his story. One of the most fascinating story books I have read is George Orwell’s 1984. I am not sure today’s loquacious selfie- taking generation has had the appetite to read it. I think they should, especially as they enter the year 2016 with all its promises. In Orwell’s 1984, Newspeak is the language; there is whiteblack, doublespeak. I am sure if smartphones exist in Orwellian 1984, it would be capital sin to take photos of anything not to mention of the self. Big Brother will not allow any spoilt brat endanger the state with unapproved images. 1984 is an extreme story and humanity is flying towards that extremity — if we are not there already. For the Twitter/ Facebook generation, this may not make any meaning but they may have to live it to make meaning out of it. I was around in the year 1984, and after watching President Buhari’s first media chat last week, I realised he has read the book too. And we read books for different reasons. Some read to forget their sorrows, some to learn new things, some to hone their skills, some to entertain themselves, some to just chew on something while the clock ticks. I read for all the reasons. Why do you read - and what do you read? Watching Buhari’s chat on Wednesday, I strongly felt the president read 1984 to mock George Orwell’s amateurish conjectures on how to run what Germans call Polizeistaat. I saw Buhari’s steely self come out as he was asked the Dasuki/ Nnamdi Kanu question. I heard the president as he explained that those two couldn’t enjoy the bail the courts gave them because they were in protective custody — and can’t be allowed to jump bail. I heard him and I said, yes, finally we have a protective president. As it was with pre-1984 politicians, these ones need to be protected too. The courts can’t do that. The Villa can. I was around in 1984. I connected immediately with General Buhari as he repeatedly regaled us with his first coming tales. I need to read again George Orwell’s dystopian story. Democracy kills. Freedom can be slavery; slavery can be freedom. If you are one of those who sincerely think these are normal times, I think you should read it too to know that the past is truly a prologue to tomorrow and that you need proper guidance on how to climb the mountains of the new year, and the next, and the next without falling into Big Brother’s hands. Please do. Meanwhile, I wish all of us (including the Wailing Wailers and their Hailing Hailers counter-team) a very happy 2016.

Learning from Greece’s economic crisis By Isidoros Karderinis IT is exactly five years since Greece joined the European Support Mechanism with the close cooperation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At that time, the key and critical financial data were the following: GDP amounted to $222.151 billions at the end of 2010. The public debt was 148.3% as a percentage of GDP. Unemployment stood at 12.5%. The percentage of Greeks sho were living below the limits of poverty (earning less than 60% of the national median disposable income) was 27.6%. The policy of extreme austerity applied in the country at the behest of international creditors over the years has further aggravated the economic and social reality. As a result, GDP had shrunk to 186.54 billions in 2014. Public debt has soared to 176% as a percentage of GDP. Unemployment has risen dramatically to 26%, affecting mainly young people, many of whom have brilliant scientific knowledge and as a result migrate abroad. This serious loss of talent could help the country at this critical juncture. The percentage of Greeks living below the limits of poverty is 34.6% or 3.795100 people. So, one understands from the above that the programme of fiscal consolidation in a country that was already in recession before 2010 has completely failed and it would not be rational, economically and socially, to continue its application. This particularly restrictive fiscal policy and austerity measures form an exceptionally lethal debt-recession-austerity spiral, ruling out any prospect for development. Therefore, the observed persistence in strict continuation of the extreme austerity programme by creditors will have truly tragic consequences for the country. It will lead to total economic disaster, which will not be healed for decades and certainly to an incredibly serious humanitarian crisis for the standards of a post-war Europe. The homeless and impoverished citizens who one can already be seen in the streets of Athens will multiply rapidly. Sui-

cides due to hopelessness and despair caused by the inability to survive will continue its frantic growth trend. Children blacking out in schools due to lack of adequate nutrition will become everyday part of life. The question that arises with intensification this critical period is what should be done in order for Greece to leave the pitch dark tunnel of deep economic crisis and enter the bright avenue of development and progress. First, the burden of debt the Greek economy carries on its back is huge and unbearable, and there seems no possibility of payment in full. Therefore, we need to write off the majority of the nominal value of the debt so that the debt burden of the country will be below 100% and become sustainable with a technique that will not harm the other peoples of Europe. The repayment of the remaining debt will be connected with a “development clause”, so as to serve from the development and not from any budget surplus. Secondly, require the reconstruction of production in the country with these key elements: a) The sustainable equilibrium of the balance current account through changing the mix of products in the country, thus strengthening the export orientation margins of many sectors of the Greek economy; b) The industrialisation with the implementation of an integrated sustainable industrial policy and the development of domestic research and production of a wide range of high added-value products. The processing sector is particularly critical since it is impossible to hope for a country that will rise in the value chain in the global apportionment of labour without creating the necessary manufacturing base that includes primarily the manufacture of finished industrial products; c) The special emphasis on tourism, to which Greece has a strong comparative advantage and shipping -Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world- and certainly agriculture for the production basic social goods, and d) The efficient exploitation of raw materials -such as bauxite from which aluminium is produced- and the po-

tentially large oilfields located both in the Aegean and the Ionian Seas. Thirdly, we need to build a modern, efficient and rational state that will operate with honesty and will not interpolate countless bureaucratic obstacles to business development and the effective fight against the Lernean Hydra of corruption and tax evasion, to remove the multiple negative economic, social and political consequences caused and finally to apply fair taxation. The economic effects have not only to do with the losses of state finances but also with adverse effects on the private sector. When the notion that only with the bribing of individuals holding nodal positions in public administration can achieve the desired effect is consolidated, investments are discouraged, fair competition is distorted and businesses that refuse to engage in such lawless and immoral trade are condemned to stagnation. The social and political consequences of corruption are also extremely serious. Corruption causes citizens’ resentment, frustration and a collapse of a strong sense of values. It consolidates the belief that nothing works properly and that law-abiding citizens do not feel justified in being so. Institutions are undermined, shaken and ultimately slandered by the same democracy in the eyes of citizens. We need the immediate establishment of a fair tax system that will not encourage, and will not “justify” tax evasion, but will contribute decisively to the development of taxpayers’ consciences, and will have as a result a significant increase in government revenue. These measures should apply immediately to pull Greece out of its state of coma and recession, and lead her to the much-desired path fo development, away from the wild and dead-end austerity policies, which form the spearhead of financial capitalism in its attempt to repay in full their debt, and maintain its sovereignty in an era of intense and generalised capitalist crisis. •Karderinis, a Greek, writes on global affairs.

Monday, 4 January, 2016

tribune

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor

business

Sulaimon Olanrewaju

m:08055001708 e:lanresulaimon@yahoo.com t:@lanresulaimon

2016:

Factors that will shape the economy

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

he just concluded year, 2015, was a trying one for businesses and the economy as a whole despite the projections by many respectable organizations earlier in the year that the economy would experience growth at a fast rate. During a press briefing in the year, the United States of America’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, Mr. Arun Kumar, said that Nigeria’s growth rate averaged about seven per cent over the last decade, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. He projected that the growth would continue in the year. Similarly, the CNN Money early in the same year declared that Nigeria was the third fastest growing economy in the world, coming behind China and Qatar. However, by the last quarter of that year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its 208-page World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled, Adjusting to Lower Commodity Prices, forecast a four per cent growth rate for Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The forecast, which represented a three per cent slide, was sequel to the decline in the country’s revenue occasioned by the drop in crude oil prices. The question on the lips of many Nigerians is whether the economy will toe the same line this year as it did last year. Will

the economy expand or shrink? Will it head North or South? Here are some of the issues that will determine the course of the economy in the New Year. 2016 budget President Muhammadu Buhari’s first budget is seen by many as expansionary. Many commentators believe that the N6.08 trillion budget is what the nation needs at a time like this to revive its ailing economy and to facilitate growth in many sectors. With the plan to employ 500,000 teachers, provide a free meal per day to school children and also embark on construction work, the economy would be energized as there would be quite a number of economic activities that would result in wealth creation. According to the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tony Ejinkeonye, if the budget is faithfully implemented, it would put the economy on the path of quick recovery. He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari, in his budget presentation to the National Assembly indicated that the focus of the budget would be on inclusive growth. This is expected to be achieved using the budget as a platform for putting Nigerians to work and having job creation as the primary focus of every aspect of the execution of the budget. “This is to be driven by the private sector and signifies a clear understanding of what is needed in this regard as private sector

and not civil service jobs have the potential of solving the problems presently affecting the country.” He added, “Despite the prediction that oil price may fall as low as $20 per barrel, there are still huge potentials for inclusive growth and sustainable development in the coming year notwithstanding the fact that about 50 per cent revenue is expected from oil receipts to fund the N6.08 trillion budget together with the projected increase from internally generated revenue (IGR). “For the country to actualise its goals, we need a measure of fiscal discipline and strict budgetary control monitoring and implementation.” It is the consensus of many that the budget is a hope-eliciting one. The main issue, however, as noted by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, is proper implementation. In the past, the best Nigeria ever got with respect to budget implementation was between 60 and 70 per cent. This has impacted negatively on the country. If President Buhari is able to achieve close to 100 per cent implementation, it would be a plus for him and a gain to the nation. Budget benchmark President Muhammadu Buhari’s N6.08 trillion budget is predicated on a crude oil benchmark of $38 per barrel. Although the government says it is looking at the non-oil sector to fund the bulk of the budget, it ex-

pects to rake in N820billion from the sale of crude oil. However, crude currently sells below $35 per barrel at the global market. This indicates that the government’s revenue projection from crude oil sales may miss the target. In addition to that, the IMF has said that crude may sell for as low as between $15 and $20 per barrel in the current year. If that happens, it will pose serious challenge for the economy. This is because already, government intends to finance about 30 per cent of the budget through domestic and foreign borrowing. If there is a short fall in the revenue projection, it would mean further borrowing on the part of government or a failure to execute some of the projects already earmarked for the year. With the cost of producing a barrel in the country put at about $30, it means that not only will the government be faced with declining revenue from the sale of crude in the world market, it may have to subsidise the production of crude to meet its daily supply quota if crude price falls below $30 per barrel. Subsidy removal Opinions are divided over the removal of subsidy by the government. While many people believe that the government is right not to have made provision for subsidy payment in the 2016 Appropriation Bill, there are a number of people, including members Continues pg22

tribunebusiness

Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Audu Ogbe, Minister of Agriculture

Nigerian economy in 2016: North or South? Continues from pg21

of the labour movement, who are of the view that removing subsidy would inflict untold hardship on the citizenry. According to Professor Adeola Adenikinju, Director, Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law, University of Ibadan, the government took the decision to do away with the subsidy regime at the appropriate time because of the low prices of crude at the world market. He stated that because of the fall in prices, the landing cost of imported fuel did not require any subsidy from the government. He added that subsidy on fuel was not helpful to the poor as it was the rich with a fleet of vehicles who were the real beneficiaries of the government’s gesture. He added since it had been stopped, the savings from the exercise could be deployed into cash transfer programmes that would impact directly on the poor. The Nigeria Labour Congress, in a statement issued following the announcement by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum, that PMS would sell for below N87 per litre from the beginning of the new year, noted that the government had removed subsidy from the backdoors and vowed to resist any such move. In the statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, and titled, ‘We will resist removal of fuel subsidy through the back door,’ NLC said, “In the past few weeks, we have heard discordant tunes from government officials and chieftains of the ruling APC on what the future portends for the prices of petroleum products and the management of the subsidy scheme. “Party chieftains who supported and encouraged the massive protests against subsidy removal in 2012 are now preaching the inevitability of subsidy removal. The honourable Minister of State for Petroleum first announced that come next year the price of petrol will revert to N97 per litre and that subsidy will be phased out. “Two days thereafter, he denied this and stated that what he said was that the price will operate within a band of N87 to N97 and that this did not mean removing the subsidy. The same minister now said that the price of petrol will now be N85 in January signifying the deregulation of the sector.” NLC added, “In any case, according to our laws, the determination of the recommended prices of petroleum products is the responsibility of the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). By law, the board of PPPRA is made up of stake-

holders. “None of the contradictory prices the minister is throwing up is a product of the agency. Indeed, the board of the PPPRA has not operated for over two years, although we have made repeated demands for the convening of the board.” With the foregoing, it is clear that unless the subsidy removal issue is properly managed, it could snowball into a crisis between the government and the labour movement. This would have serious effects on businesses as well as the economy as the crisis might result in the shutdown of the nation by the labour movement as it happened in 2012. Unstable exchange rate The nation’s currency has been facing a hard time since the slide in the prices of crude oil started in mid-2014. Since, then the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has had to adjust the value of the naira twice. However, this has failed to salvage the currency as it continues to fall against major world currencies. Despite the official exchange rate of N197 to a dollar, the parallel market rate is between N260 and N275 to a dollar. The CBN has been resolute in its defence of naira as it is staunchly opposed to allowing market forces to determine the value of the currency; rather it imposed some forex controls to preserve the country’s external reserves. This has drawn the ire of some foreign portfolio investors who have opted

The CBN has been resolute in its defence of naira as it is staunchly opposed to allowing market forces to determine the value of the currency; rather it imposed some forex controls to preserve the country’s external reserves.

out of Nigeria’s capital market. Similarly JP Morgan and Barclays have removed Nigeria bonds from their global bond indexes, on account of excessive control and lack of forex supply. In its review of 2015 and outlook for 2016, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) expressed concern about the state of the economy and the effects of the CBN’s policies on the operations of manufacturing firms and other private businesses. The LCCI, in the statement signed by its Director General, Muda Yusuf, noted that “The CBN’s administrative allocation of foreign exchange signposted much deeper challenges for investors and the economy. As of December 18, 2015, premium at the parallel market reached a record level of 35 per cent against the official exchange rate as the naira crashed further to 270/$ in the parallel market. “The LCCI and the business community are very concerned about the current state of the economy and the consequences of the CBN’s approach to the management of foreign exchange market over the last few months. We have previously engaged the CBN and other authorities through several forums to draw attention to the implications of forex policies on businesses and the economy.” LCCI noted that businesses, especially those with high forex exposure, would continue to face challenges of meeting foreign obligations to suppliers and partners, adding that it would also impact contractual trust and integrity. It stated, “The private operators across several sectors (fast-moving consumer goods, steel, furniture, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing) lost about N1.46 trillion in stalled business activities resulting from paucity of forex over the last six months.” LCCI, however, opined that “correction towards real effective exchange rate in the form of exchange rate adjustment is likely in Q1 2016. This will reduce the pressure on external reserves.” The management of forex will go a long way in determining how the economy fares this year. Non-payment of workers’ salaries Last year, the Federal Government arranged a bailout of N560billion for 27 state governments to pay their workers’ salaries. In spite of that, many states still owe workers a backlog of salaries. The state governors, who are battling with dwindling allocation from the federation account, are so

pressured by the burden of workers’ wages that they mooted the idea not long ago for a downward review of the N18,000 minimum wage, a move that the NLC has said it would resist vehemently. Apart from the psychological effect it has on workers, non-payment of workers’ salaries cripples the economy of the affected areas. When civil servants and local contractors are not paid, the local economy is not energized; families are affected, all the small businesses and artisans who depend on these people for patronage struggle for survival. So, in the current year, the issue of workers’ wages will be on the front burner. Some of the governors have said the only antidote to a downward review of the wages would be a downsizing of the workforce. But the NLC would have none of that. How, this plays out in the year has yet to be seen. Inflation The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that consumer prices went up by 9.4 per cent year-on-year in November of 2015, following a 9.3 per cent increase in the previous month. According to the bureau, the rise was a consequence of higher food and non-alcoholic prices due to fuel shortage. LCCI is of the view that the exchange rate volatility would likely push inflation rate further to between 10 and 11 per cent in the new year. Professor Adenikinju also states that unless the forex is better managed, the country might experience spiraling inflation because, as he explains, “the restriction of access to foreign currencies will lead to the non-availability of some items and when that happens prices will automatically shoot up.” Electricity A major hindrance to the attainment of the full potential of the economy is poor electricity supply. Unfortunately, the government has not come out with any plan to change the tide apart from approving a hike in tariff. If the government is able to come up with a detailed plan that would improve electricity supply in the country, this will greatly impact the economy as the cost of doing business would be lowered. But if the government and the service providers are unable to effect a change, it means Nigerian businesses would depend more on generators with the effect that they remain uncompetitive compared with manufacturers from other countries.

Monday, 4 January, 2016

+ entrepreneurship We become what we think about — Earl Nightingale

Sholaru on why she chose business over white collar job

anchor Ruth Olurounbi

m:0811 695 4637 e:ruth.olurounbi@tribuneonlineng.com t:@Olurounbi

5 things entrepreneurs do not need to start a business —P25

and perseverance are really important in any business. Learning never ends, So, I still hope to up my game in makeup generally and be the best at what I do. Where do you hope your business will take you? I hope by the grace of God my chosen career path takes me international and to the greatest heights.

Eniola Sholaru, a 20-year-old graduate from University of Lagos, began her business career as a makeup artist while in the university. She tells RUTH OLUROUNBI in this chat why starting a business was important for her and her hopes for the business.

OU said you are a recent graduate from the University of Lagos. How recent was

I started makeup in August 2013. So, that would be about two and half years now.

this? I graduated from the University of Lagos in November 2015.

Where did you train? I had my initial makeup training at One Thousand Looks Bridal Studio and I gained further training at Ojulewa Int’l Makeovers.

Is make up artistry something you want to do full-time as a business or just a side business? I intend to continue my makeup career as a full time business. How long have you been into make up as a business?

What really motivated you into starting a business and why did you think business is the right thing to go into? My major motivation towards starting my makeup career was my love for makeup. I have always been

Nigerian Tribune

a makeup junkie. Even as a child, you would always catch me putting on my mum’s make up and wanting to apply it on every available face. And also, while I was in the university, I wanted to be independent; so I wanted to be able to do basic stuff for myself without always going to my parents for money or financial assistance , so this also motivated me to go into makeup artistry. Up until now, makeup for me has been a part time thing because I also had school to worry about, but as a youth, having a job or something to do at your spare time makes people see you as a responsible individual

and they tend to take you more seriously because of their perception about you, so because of that mere fact, I knew starting a makeup business at the time I did was a brilliant idea. What have you learnt since you began a business and where do you hope you could do better regarding the business? I have learnt a whole lot about building relationships with complete strangers. I know now that dealing with people requires patience and wisdom. And also that hard work

Who are your mentors, how important are they to your personal and business growth, do you think? Nelson Mandela, because he was a visionary and could see the bigger picture; Oprah Winfrey because she is passionate, she takes risks and not a quitter and Tara Durotoye because she is a very successful makeup entrepreneur and she inspires me to do better. All these traits I mentioned above about my mentors are very important to my business and personal growth. Giving how far you have come, would you say you started your business at the right time, or do you wish you had started earlier. I think I started my business at the right time and I have no regrets concerning that.

+ entrepreneurship

TEEP 2015 applicants with Tony Elumelu. PHOTO: TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION

Ogun rotary club trains 1,000 on entrepreneurship Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

‘90% of TEEP2015 entrepreneurs reported increased growth’ 2016 application ongoing By Ruth Olurounbi

HE Tony Elumelu Foundation has said that over 90 per cent of the recipients of funding from its brainchild, the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), have reported increased growth in the past year. It will be recalled that on January 1, 2015, applications for the TEEP were opened to which, at the close of applications, more than 20,000 applicants across Africa applied for the $100 million programme with the hopes of receiving $10,000 funding for their businesses. The application was since streamlined into 1,000 entrepreneurs of whom 925 out of the 1000 entrepreneurs were eligible for empowerment capital funding to their business bank accounts, according to Parminder Vir, the CEO of the programme. The said entrepreneurs have since moved forward with their businesses, recording impressive reports Vir intimated in a statement to the press last week, as the foundation opened its portals for applications on January 2016. Applicants for the second annual programme, Vir said, in addition to the local currency equivalent of N850,000 as non-returnable seed capital, and the eligibility of a fur-

Monday, 4 January, 2016

ther N850,000 in the form of either debt or equity, depending on business need and other criteria; would also stand a chance to have access to access to further funding, just as the first set of the winning applicants of the programme. “A significant portion of our [2015] entrepreneurs have accessed additional external funding through the platform provided by Tony Elumelu Foundation,” the statement read in part. Vir, therefore, made a call for an even broader participation in TEEP this year, saying, “we encourage women and men with business ideas from all sectors, from every region, city, town and village across Africa, to apply. This is your programme and if you can demonstrate your passion and commitment, then this wonderful opportunity to become a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur could be yours for the taking.” Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holding and founder of the programme, added that “I believe in empowerment that can change the face of Africa as we know it. African entrepreneurs are our future leaders and I am passionate about giving them the opportunity to succeed. “The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme is a major, deliberate effort on my part, to institutionalise luck and provide seed capital funding, mentoring,

business training, pan-African networking and springboard that our aspiring Entrepreneurs need to leap from.” The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur-

ship Programme is open to citizens and legal residents of all 54 African countries. Applications for 2016 opened on January 1 and can be made by any for-profit business

based in Africa, including new business ideas which have been in existence for less than three years. Applications for the programme will close on March 1, 2016.

WORRIED by the rate of unemployed in Nigeria, the Rotary Club International has trained over 1,000 students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State on entrepreneurship. The 5-day new generation entrepreneurial education was organized by Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Altadena (District 5300), USA, Rotary Club of Skovde-Bilingen (District 2380), Sweden, Rotary Club of Sagamu Central (District 9100) and collaborated by the International Foundation for Entrepreneurial Education. The exercise was aimed at making graduates of the university job creators rather than seekers. The organisers were concerned with changing the orientation of western education graduates from running after white collar jobs which some experts have continued to describe as unfashionable. The leader of the team from California, United States, Mrs. Sarah Philips, revealed that a wide gap exists between what students were being taught at schools as against what obtains in the labour market. “I recall when I was in high school and I would follow my parents to sell at the market on Saturdays. “So when the opportunity of this nature came over there (USA), I quickly grabbed it, knowing that it

will be very useful to our students here”, she said. Philips, who is a social worker, also disclosed that the participants would be subjected to writing business paln at the end of the seminar with the best two students going home with laptops. She added that such students would enjoy close mentorship from the foundation even after leaving the shores of the university. The Chairman of Rotary Service International in Altadena, John Furykenberg, said the team put the students through the basics of how to create jobs with little capitals. He stated, “if they (the students) can follow the guidelines we provide for them closely, they will have all the needed requirements to make jobs for themselves”. The President of Rotary Club of Sagamu, Professor Amo Sonubi, said the programme was organized towards impacting entrepreneurial skills and knowledge on the students. “The truth of the matter is that there are no jobs both in the public sector and the private sector. We don’t want to see you sitting down at home after spending good number of years in the university because you cannot secure a job for yourselves”, he said. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Saburi Adesanya, commended members of the club

Five golden principles of investing time than money George Emmanuel TIME is life. It’s the basic measure of existence. Leadership is not only the ability to manage people rather the ability to manage their time. Both the poor and rich have the same 24 hours in a day, what now makes the difference? Time management! One of the untold qualities of a leader is the ability to label successes and achievements with time while the greatest agony of a leader is to negligently allow other people to spend the time for him. An entrepreneur should always strive to invest the time more than the money because no matter the huge sum lost, it can still be recovered with the permission of time while any bit of time lost is gone forever. Time is more precious than gold, having five golden principles with one face forward and never otherwise. When you

spend five minutes unnecessarily, five minutes is gone out of your life. The golden principles of successful time management, manage the manager (entrepreneur) to manage the management (organisation).

prioritising the items respectively. Identify your priority i.e. the most essential at the moment, in order to achieve most value task. The list should be based on level of importance and urgency.

Have defined visions/ goals It is impossible to set out a journey without a destination or direction rather, maps out the actual direction. An entrepreneur’s vision(s) should be clearly identified and defined to avoid confusion of directions. It is better not to have a vision at all than to invest time in pursuing undefined vision. Defining the tasks is better than conceiving the task that is not cleared.

Be organised Note that the entire item on your list would always demand your attention, prioritising them will not only help, rather organizing each by faithful timing. It might be dangerous to prioritise without allotting duration of achieving them because you will just discovered that a lot of timing is wasted on one item which would affect others. Some of the tasks might need to be delegated, shed and balance the work load with appropriate timing; each 24 hours of the day must be judiciously scheduled with adequate rest hour.

Set a preference scale The most essential truth about the time is, once spent; no recovery. Definitely, there is going to be competing tasks, preparing a To-do list and then

Be focused This is commitment to schedules and concentration to preplanned timing. Focus and make a follow-up for the valuable items and not just a mere and make sure the best is gotten within the allotted period of time. Be disciplined and strict to your organised timing, do not allow other irrelevant task outside schedule steal your time except if it’s an emergency. Be accountable A good leader should be a good “time economist” by evaluating the time spent on each task in the organisation and how effective are the allotted time. It is expedient to be frequently having a review of activities in order to determine if the time invested is wasted of gainful. This can be done daily, weekly or monthly, depending on the nature of activities in the organisation but its best done daily by individuals.

for considering the school amidst several universities in Nigeria. Professor Adesanya, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Sule Odu, said the concept of tertiary education in Nigeria was focusing more on entrepreneurship. “The concept of university education now is for us to have products that will go on their own to create jobs and not those that will be looking for unavailable jobs. “The era of graduates looking for white collar jobs is gone. People around the world are now witnessing a situation and we have decided to take the bull by the horn. “We want our students to copy the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, who donated about $45m to charity from his entrepreneurial earnings”, he said. The Vice Chancellor admitted that the students would get teachings that would be beneficial to them later in life at the workshop. One of the participants and 100 level student of Microbiology in the university, Lawal Marvelous, said that the workshop would further boost her catering career. “My vision after this programme is to set up a business after my fouryear course. I have been learning about catering and this programme is bringing out the zeal in me to further my catering sojourn”, she stated.

From around the web

5 things entrepreneurs do not need to start a business By N. Kimron Corion THERE are many articles and blog posts out there that take a look into some of the things that every entrepreneur needs to do. While different people have different views as to what entrepreneurs need based on their experiences and expertise, I believe, however, it is important to note some of the things that entrepreneurs do not need when starting a business. Though this list is not exhaustive, these are some of the things that an entrepreneur does not have to worry about when starting a business. Some of which, such as, having an office or having a business degree or large startup budget can confuse some entrepreneurs as entrepreneurial requirements but they really are not. Below is a list of five things that entrepreneurs do not need when starting a business 1. Permission As kids we were always taught to seek permission before doing things. Failure to do such could result in severe repercussions for us. Even when working in a company we are required to get permission before doing certain things. With entrepreneurship, this rule does not apply. You don’t need permission from anyone to become an entrepreneur. Some persons are pessimist by nature, and so they won’t hesitate to tell you your business will fail but always remember what Ghandi said,” First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you then you win”. You don’t need anyone’s permission! 2. An office Gone are the days when having a fancy office was part of the ingredient for entrepreneurial success. We are living in an age where going into a coffee shop with free wifi can become your office; your garage can become your office. This is not a requirement for entrepreneurship. 3. An investor Whereas it will be nice to have an investor, an investor

is not required to get involved in entrepreneurship. There are many businesses out there that can be started for very little or no money. Having an investor is not en entrepreneurial requirement. 4. A business degree This does not downplay the importance of training and workshops and some of the other good stuff that can help boost your business. But it’s not a necessity to have a business degree or a degree in entrepreneurship to become and entrepreneur. 5. A huge budget to market your start up In this day and age with the advent of social media sites and other mediums, it is quite convenient and cost effective to market your start-up venture. Gone are the days where by advertising company is needed to prepare an advertisement for you, nor do you have to pay huge amounts for radio and television spots. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pintrest has made it very easy to get the word about your business out there in a very cost effective manner and in some cases free. Once entrepreneurs can understand some of these things and realize that these are not indispensable for entrepreneurial success, more persons may be more willing to become business people. This article first appeared on huffingtonpost.com

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

corporatefocus Conoil’s, Oando’s performances in difficult operating environment Olatunde Dodondawa, Lagos

he year 2015 was a very difficult year for investors in Nigeria due to poor domestic economic policy and global economic downturn as a result of decline in crude oil price, terrorism and insecurity across the globe. However, as investors hope for a better economic outlook in 2016, there is need for careful selection of investment portfolio in order to minimise losses and maximise gains. And in deciding which company to invest in, investors must take into consideration some key financial ratios that indicate a company’s profitability and performance over the years. Profit is indispensable for the existence of business. It is the driving force for business enterprises. The perpetual existence of a firms depends on its profit earning capacity, which is considered to be the foremost factor in deciding whether to invest in a firm or not. Profit is an absolute term, whereas, the profitability is a relative concept. Profit refers to the total income earned by the enterprise during the specified period of time, while profitability refers to the operating efficiency of the enterprise. Profitability delivers the evidence about the company’s ability to spawn earnings. An enhancement in profitability sparks to an increase in stock price, thereby registering capital gains. Profitability is a measure of efficiency. Profitability reveals the snapshot measure of corporate success and thus serves as a prime metric of economic performance. Profitability ratios manifest an enterprise’s ability to spawn earnings relative to sales, assets and equity. These ratios gauge the ability of an enterprise to yield earnings, profits and cash flows relative to some indicators, often the capital invested. Profitability is outcome of numerous policies and decisions. In summary, the profitability ratios reveal the blended outcome of liquidity, asset management and debt on the efficiency of the organization. We will compare the performances of Conoil Plc and Oando Plc based on their 2015 third quarter (Q3) financial results. These two companies are operating within the same sector including upstream, downstream and midstream. The key financial ratios that we will be looking at are Profitability ratios, Liquidity ratios, Debt/Equity ratio and Earning Per Share (EPS). Profitability ratio is the capacity to make a profit and a profit is what is left over from income earned after all costs and expenses related to earning the income are deducted. Under this category, we will consider and compare the Q3 2015 results of the two companies (Conoil and Oando) under the following headings: Return on Equity (ROE) This is a ratio that measures the ability

Dr Mike Adenuga, Chairman, Conoil of a firm to generate profit from its shareholders investments in the company. It is calculated as Net Income/Shareholders’ Equity. The Q3 results revealed that Conoil Plc had an edge over Oando with respect to managing the resources at its disposal. The ratios of gross profit to sales of both companies also revealed that Conoil was able to generate

Profitability is a measure of efficiency. Profitability reveals the snapshot measure of corporate success and thus serves as a prime metric of economic performance.

Adewale Tinubu, Group CEO, Oando 14.8 per cent of its sales as gross profit while Oando recorded 42.8 per cent of its sales as gross profit. Inefficiency sets in when Oando that generated 42.8 per cent of its sales as gross profit recorded operating loss of 13 per cent compared to Conoil that recorded 4.4 per cent of sales as operating profit. Oando also recorded net loss of 5.4 per cent in relation to sales while Conoil recorded 2.93 per cent. The company’s exposure to debt may be responsible for the dismal performance in Q3 2015. Oando’s debt/equity ratio stood at 14.01 while its counterpart’s Conoil Plc, stood at 0.219. By implications, it means that the huge gross profit earned by Oando was used to service debt but Conoil’s less exposure to debt enabled it to generate profit and multiply the wealth of its shareholders. In the short term, investors may be willing to stake their investments in Conoil Plc rather than investing in Oando Plc. The share price of Oando Plc, a dual-listed company in Nigeria Stock Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, stood at N5.90 and R44.00 per share as of 31 December while Conoil stood at N24.74 per share as of same date. The table explains more.

Conoil 1,196,919/17,292,960=6.9%

Oando (47,647,869)/55,379,694= -86.0%

Return on Asset (ROA) This is the ratio of annual net income to average total assets of a firm during a financial year. It is calculated as Net Income/Total Assets Conoil 1,196,919/96,007,534=1.25%.

Oando (47,647,869)/831,615,301= -5.73

Gross Margin This tells you about the profitability of the company’s products. It indicates how much it costs to produce these products. It is calculated as Gross Profit/Net Sales Conoil 8,906,658/60,156,690=14.8%

Oando 41,059,393/95,784,493= 42.8%

Operating Margin This takes into account cost of producing the products that are unrelated to the direct production of products such as overhead and administrative expenses. This is calculated as Operating Profit/Net Sales Conoil 2,680,333/60,156,690= 4.4%

Oando (13,203,893)/95,784,493= -13.0%

Net Profit Margin This looks at how much of company’s returns are kept as net income. This is calculated as Net Profit/Sales Revenue Conoil 1,760,151/60,156,690=2.93%

Oando (52,034,411)/95,784,493= -5.4%

Current Ratio This is the ability of the company to meet to short term obligations as they fall due. It s calculated as Current Assets/Current Liabilities Conoil 91,055,795/78,181,860=1.16

Oando 239,116,847/373,631,370= 0.64

Debt/Equity ratio is a financial ratio that indicates the relative proportion of shareholders equity and debt used to finance the company’ assets. This is calculated as Debt/Equity. Conoil 17,292,966/78,714,568=0.219

Oando 776,235,607/55,379,694= 14.01

Monday, 4 January 2016

moneymarket

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Chima Nwokoji

m:08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo.com

Major policies that shaped money market in 2015 usage of naira-denominated cards downwards from $150,000 to $50,000 per annum. In addition, authorised dealers were to ensure that the daily cash withdrawal limit embedded in the cars per person, per day remained pegged at $300.

Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

n pursuit of its functions in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) core mandate, which involves maintenance of Nigeria’s external reserves to safeguard the international value of the naira, promote and maintain monetary stability and a sound, efficient financial system in Nigeria, among others, the CBN took several policy decisions that shaped the financial market in 2015. Below are most of the policies.

BVN hysteria The compulsory Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration was extended by three months from June 30, 2015 to October 31 to provide enough time for thousands of Nigerians to participate in the exercise. But as of the beginning of October, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that only 20 million out of the 52 million active bank accounts had been enrolled on the BVN network. In November, the accounts of Nigerians who failed to meet the deadline were temporarily blocked with the condition that they would only be able to access their accounts upon registration. A development which came as no surprise considering the fact that many Nigerians continued to appear reluctant to jump on the bandwagon, even at the cost of losing access to their accounts.

Special rate for Hajj During the 2015 Hajj operations, the Central Bank sent out directives stating that every pilgrim travelling was entitled to purchase a minimum of US$ 750 and a maximum of $1,000 as the Pilgrims Travelling Allowance (PTA) which was sold at concessionary exchange rate of N160 to the US dollar to those buying a minimum of $750. While those purchasing above $1,000 bought at the prevailing naira exchange rate on the day after the purchase. Meeting all forex demands for eligible invisible transactions as follows: Foreign ATM cash withdrawals will have a daily limit of USD300. Foreign transactions by POS or an echannel will have no daily limit. The annual limit on ATM, POS and echannel transactions remains $50,000. People were instructed to only acquire foreign currency for eligible purposes such as BTA, PTA, medical fees, school fees, mortgage payments, et cetera, through banks with the use of ‘Form A’ for invisible transactions and ‘Form M’ for visible transactions. Cash deposits into domicilliary accounts In order to stop the naira devaluation and currency speculation, Nigerian banks stopped the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits into domiciliary accounts in August 2015. An action that ultimately resulted in the increase of Nigeria’s currency against the US dollar. People were only allowed to withdraw cash in either foreign currency or the naira equivalent from their domiciliary accounts. Banks were told to not accept cash deposits into domiciliary accounts but to receive inward FX telegraphic transfer from other banks. Controls on naira-denominated card transactions consummated overseas An instruction was issued to all deposit banks, microfinance banks and primary mortgage institutions, mobile money operations, switch and other payment system services concerning electronic payment system. The bank stipulated sanctions to erring banks and payment system service providers for infringements of extant guidelines, circular, rules and regulations issued by the bank.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor.

Nationwide roll out on cashless policy to the remaining 30 states The Central Bank of Nigeria sent out a notice to all banks who began collecting charges on withdrawals above the threshold in the remaining 30 states. The banks were directed to put a hold on these charges until a directive is given by the CBN. Inclusion of some imported goods and services on the list of items not valid for foreign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange markets In the heat of the declining oil prices and naira devaluation early last year, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, mentioned that the CBN would put measures in place to protect the economy and the naira. As a result, the CBN restricted access to foreign currency and put a ban on 41 items from the official forex market. Importers of the listed goods and services were therefore denied access to for-

eign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange market in order to encourage local production of these items. The importation of these goods was not banned, thus importers desirous of importing these items were instructed to do so using their own funds without any recourse to the Nigerian Foreign exchange markets. Items not valid for foreign exchange at the Nigerian Foreign exchange windows include rice, cement, meat and processed meat producta, poultry products, steel sheets, kitchen utensils, clothes, soap and utensils, etc. Usage of naira-denominated cards overseas In compliance with the CBN directive on the international restriction of naira cards, on June 06, 2015, naira-denominated corporate cards were no longer enabled for cross-border payments with immediate effect. However, a new credit card for strictly domestic use was set to be generated for customers. This policy was to review the existing

Others In the first week of August 2015, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed all Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in the country to immediately comply with the provisions of the amended regulatory and supervisory guidelines for the subsector. In a circular to existing DFIs, the banking watchdog drew the attention of such institutions to the section of the new guidelines which states, “All existing DFIs whether established directly by an Act of the National Assembly, incorporated under Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) or any other law shall be required to obtain licence from the CBN.” According to the draft regulatory and supervisory framework for DFIs in Nigeria, besides the N100 billion for Wholesale Minimum Capital Institutions (WDFI) and N5 billion for Retail Development Finance Institution (RDFI); other financial requirements include a non-refundable application fee of N100,000 for RDFI N250,000.00 for WDFI. There are also: non-refundable licensing fee- N500,000 for RDFI; N1,000,000 for WDFI; while change of name fee is N50,000. The Central Bank of Nigeria denied accreditation to foreign printers who hitherto printed cheque books for some Nigerian banks. In a circular released on August 18, entitled: “Circular to deposit money banks, cheque printers and other stakeholders on the accreditation of cheque printers for 2015/2016” and signed by Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, Dipo Fatokun, the apex bank said it had duly notified all accredited printers and issued certificates to them. It listed all the accredited cheque printers to include Superflux International Ltd, Tripple Gee and Company Plc, Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc, Euphoria Group and Popi Printing Company Ltd.

moneymarket Hope for naira, as interbank forex market opens today 28

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 4 January 2016

Stories by Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

he interbank foreign exchange (forex) market which was closed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) penultimate week opens today, January 4, 2016. Currency analysts had predicted that the naira would remain weak against the dollar at the parallel market until the first week of January following the suspension of foreign exchange sale by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Meanwhile, the naira weakened against the United States dollar at the parallel market at the close of business last week. The local currency closed at N262 against the greenback two days after it rose from N265 to N260. The CBN had last week before last suspended its weekly forex sale to Bureaux De Change operators till today. The suspension, a normal practice in the financial services sector before the Christmas and the New Year holidays, exacerbated the current forex scarcity during the Yuletide season considering the continued pressure on the naira in recent times. Analysts said the forex sale suspension made the naira to remain weak, adding that dollar scarcity would make it difficult for the naira to appreciate during the Yuletide season. They added that low activities during the Christmas and the New Year holidays could make the local currency to remain at its current level against the greenback, or possibly drop slightly. The Acting President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, noted that forex sales had been suspended till January while busi-

NIFEX December 31, 2015 Bid

Offer

Change

Spot($/N)

199.0000

199.1000

0.00

NIBOR December 31, 2015 Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 1.0000 8.9539 10.6781 12.7629

Change (%) 0.00 -0.38 0.05 0.39

NITTY December 31, 2015 Tenor 1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12M

Rate (%) 1.4913 3.1227 3.5367 7.0229 7.3491 7.7237

Change (%) 0.33 0.23 -0.07 0.35 0.18 0.02

Government Securities Auction Date

12/23/2015

Security Type

NTB

Tenor

Auction No

23-12-2015- 91 Day

Auction

Primary Market

Maturity Date

3/24/2016

Total Subscription

143644.75

Total Successful

28122

Range Bid

2.0000 - 9.0245

Successful Bid Rates

2.0000 - 3.6250

Description

Issue

Rate

3.625

True Yield

3.6581

ness activities had slowed down till after the break. The CBN sold $10,000 each to 2,088 BDC operators in its weekly forex sale last Wednesday, totalling $20.8million (N4.1bn). Forex scarcity, which is causing persistent decline in the nation’s

external reserves, has made the CBN to ration dollar supply to the banks, importers, the BDCs and the general public. About two weeks ago, the CBN cut its weekly forex sale to the BDCs from $30,000 to $10,000 each.

Earlier, the Central Bank had refused to sell forex to over 1,600 BDCs over their failure to provide necessary documents for previous allocations. The development made the naira to fall from 241 to 280 at the parallel market two weeks ago.

The naira, which stood at N265 against the greenback before the Christmas holiday, had appreciated to N260 on Monday. The currency had fallen to a record low of N280 to the dollar at the parallel market after beating what was initially regarded as a 42-year-low.

‘Why banks will be more interested in funding importation of fuel’ among other things, it will be more profitable to build refineries and for players to operate and ensure that the product is available,” he emphasised. President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday night, officially announced the abolition of the Petroleum Support Fund, popularly known as fuel subsidy, with effect from the first quarter of 2016. The petroleum subsidy costs Nigeria as much as $7 billion a year, according to data from Bloomberg. With oil prices presently below $40 per barrel, economic managers and government officials have been challenged by stakeholders and analysts to go beyond rhetoric and move into decisive action to engender confidence in the economy.

Deposit Money Banks will be more interest in funding importation of petroleum products because in a deregulated environment, risk will be less, and they know how to structure petroleum import finance once government removes its hands from regulating the sector. Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA), Mr Wale Abe, made this observation in a Telephone chat with the Nigerian Tribune. According to him, petroleum importers would not have to wait too long to have the subsidy paid, which has been one of the risks that banks shy away from. “So, it is a good thing that the sector is being deregulated because

FGN Bonds

CBN Exchange Rates (12/30/2015) Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN) Selling(NGN)

US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA

196 290.2368

196.5 290.9772

197 291.7176

214.1692 197.6404 1.6267 0.3056 270.7026 30.1868 52.1971 28.6948 271.8128

214.7156 198.1446 1.6308 0.3156 271.3931 30.2643 52.3302 28.768 272.5062

215.2619 198.6488 1.635 0.3256 272.0837 30.3418 52.4634 28.8412 273.1996

YUAN/RENMINBI

RIYAL DANISH KRONA SDR

weeklyreview

Money Market Market liquidity was around N955 billion Naira on Thursday, in spite of efforts by the central bank twice last week to reduce the level by sales of Open Market Operation (OMO) bills. The bank sold about N 199 billion of shortdated OMO treasury bills twice last week to drain liquidity and reduce pressure on the Naira. Cost of borrowing remained held at 1 percent for overnight lending on Thursday, better than around 10.33 percent last year because of increased liquidity. Meanwhile, the opening liquidity position in the money markets was considerably higher in the first half of December relative to the corresponding period in November. The markets opened at N903.04billion on December 1st, 0.22 per cent higher than November’s position, which was N901.43 billion long. The markets have remained highly liquid following the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to reduce the monetary policy rate (MPR) from 13 per cent to 11 per cent.

Date of Auction Security Type Tenor Maturing On 2/13/2020 2/13/2020 3/14/2024 3/14/2024 2/13/2020 2/13/2020 3/14/2024 3/14/2024 Amount Offered (N mn) Subscriptions (N mn) Tot. Successful (N mn) Net Sales (N mn) Range of Bid Rates Successful Bid Rates Marginal Rate

12/9/2015 FGN Bonds 204.7868 5 Year 180 10 Year 180 5 Year 82227 10 Year

12/9/2015 FGN Bonds 205.4112 170.7672 1.4001 0.3028 240.1376 26.7946 15000 4161

11/11/2015 FGN Bonds 206.0355 171.2862 1.4044 0.3128 240.8675 26.8765 5000 2740

11/11/2015 FGN Bonds

1155 1155

17019 30 86.81 30.00

4161 20 58.97 20.00

2740 30 71.05 30.00

20 83.90 20.00

9.0000 - 15.5400 9.0000 - 10.9520 10.952

9.0000 - 14.5000 9.0000 - 11.0000 11

7.0000 - 15.5400 7.0000 - 10.2490 10.249

6.0000 - 14.5000 6.0000 - 10.0100 10.01

CBN Bills Date of Auction Security Type Tenor Maturing On 11/13/2003 2/20/2003 11/21/2002 9/19/2002 Amount Offered (N mn) Subscriptions (N mn) Tot. Successful (N mn) Net Sales (N mn) Range of Bid Rates Successful Bid Rates Marginal Rate

The 2 per cent reduction in the MPR, with an asymmetrical corridor of +200bps/- 700bps, implies that the CBN will borrow at 4per cent and lend at 13 per cent per annum. According to analysts from the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, by this significant move, the CBN will be encouraging banks to lend to the real sector rather than hoarding funds with the CBN at lower interest. Since, profitability of commercial banks are highly dependent on interest income made on loans issued, they will be mandated to increase borrowing to investors at an interest rate that is higher than what is being offered by the CBN. Short term interbank rates (OBB and O/N) averaged 0.8 per cent p.a. between the first 15 days of December, relatively unchanged from the corresponding period’s level in November. Interest rates moved in tandem with market liquidity and the markets have remained liquid as there were no major withdrawals from the system. The CBN established that present levels of liquidity are to encourage lending to the real sector and re-

5/15/2003 CBN Certificate 204.7868 91 180 180 180 26.7127 82227 37767

2/25/2002 CBN Certificate 205.4112 170.7672 1.4001 0.3028 240.1376 26.7946 15000 4161

11/26/2001 CBN Certificate 206.0355 171.2862 1.4044 0.3128 240.8675 26.8765 5000 2740

17019

4161

2740

20.5

9/24/2001 CBN Certificate

1155 1155

19.5

flate the economy. Foreign exchange market The Nigerian naira closed little changed against the dollar on both the parallel and interbank market on Thursday, while the stock index rose and the interbank rate remained at 1 percent for overnight lending. The local currency closed on the interbank market at N199.50 to the dollar on Thursday, compared with N181.50 to the dollar a year ago, down 9.91 per cent at the official window. On the parallel market, the naira traded at N266 to the dollar, weaker by 39.26 per cent from N191 to the dollar at the close last year. The central bank had pegged the Naira exchange rate at N198 to the dollar in February and scrapped a two-way interbank quote as global oil prices fell, to conserve foreign exchange reserves. Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $29.10 billion by Dec. 30, down 15.62 per cent from a year ago after efforts to support the local currency.

Monday, 4 January 2016

capitalmarket

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba

m:08057336640 e:kehinde_07@yahoo.com

Choice stock of the week Nigerian Breweries Plc falls under the Beverages-Breweries/ Distiller segment on the main board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). During the three-day trade at the exchange from Tuesday, December 29, 2015 and Thursday, December 31, 2015, Nigerian Breweries share price made a 17.53 increase to close at N136 as against the N115.72 per share it began trading with at the beginning of the week. The quoted company, in three days traded 8,187,730 volumes of shares worth N1.04 billion in 408 deals.

From left, Mr Dipo Omotoso, Head, Product Management, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE; Omotola Ekeinde, Nigerian actress and singer, and Mr Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, at the 2015 Year End Closing Gong Ceremony at the Exchange in Lagos recently.

NSE reviews composition of market indices for 2016 Stories By Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has finalised a review of its indices with changes in three of the indices, while others remained unchanged. The three indices that witnessed changes are the NSE 30 Index, NSE Insurance Index and NSE Pension Index. The NSE 30 Index showed that Fidelity Bank Plc, Total Nigeria Plc and Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc are coming in, while Cadbury Nigeria Plc, FCMB Group Plc and UACN of Nigeria Plc are exiting. The NSE Insurance Index shows the coming in of Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc and STACO Assurance Plc, while Sovereign Insurance Plc and Prestige Assurance Plc will be going out. In the NSE Pension Index incoming securities include: Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Plc, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and Beta Glass Company Plc. Whereas the stocks exiting include: Wema Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, UACN Property Development Company Plc and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated. According to the NSE, the composition of these indices will be effective on January 1, 2016. The Nigerian bourse began pub-

lishing the NSE 30 Index in February 2009 with index values available from January 1, 2007. On July 1, 2008, the NSE developed four sectorial indices with a base value of 1,000 points, designed to provide investable benchmarks to capture the performance of specific sectors. The sectoral indices comprise the top 15 most capitalised and liquid companies in the Insurance and Consumer Goods sectors, top 10 most capitalised and liquid companies in the Bank-

ing and Industrial Goods sector and the top seven most capitalised and liquid companies in the Oil & Gas sector. In July 2012, the Nigerian bourse launched The NSE Lotus Islamic index (NSE LII), which consist of companies whose business practices are in conformity with Shari’ah investment principles, with the aim of increasing the breadth of the market and creating an important benchmark for investments as the alternative

noninterest investment space widened. The NSE launched the Pension Index on July 1, 2015 to serve as performance benchmark for pension asset managers, non-pension asset managers and investors. Similarly, the Nigerian bourse launched The Premium Board Index, an equity index designed to provide a benchmark to capture the performance of companies listed on the Premium Board in August 2015.

Investors lose N1.63trn, as NSE banking index records highest loss Against the positive close of the year trade recorded on the last three days trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), activities for the year 2015 ended on a negative trend as equity prices dropped by N1.627 trillion. The loss recorded in market capitalisation at the end of year 2015 is lower when compared to N1.48 trillion in 2014 as the market lost 14.17 per cent in 2015 as against 13.22 per cent of 2014. The market capitalisation of 190 equities of quoted companies on the bourse opened the year with N11.478 trillion to close at N9.851 trillion. The NSE All Share Index, the barometer of the market movement, dropped 6,014.90 basis points in 2015 as against 6,672.04 basis points decline in 2014, representing a 17.37 per cent decline in 2015 compared with 16.14 per cent lost in 2014

as the market index opened the year with 34,657.15 points to close at 28,642.25 points. In 2015, the NSE Industrial Index was the only sector that appreciated while other seven declined. The Industrial Index recorded 27.15 points or 1.27 per cent gain during year 2015 with the sector opening with 2,139.55 points to close with 2,166.70 basis points. Dangote Cement which controls over 25 per cent of entire market belongs to the Industrial Index. On the flipside, NSE Banking Index recorded the highest loss of 82.91 points, representing 23.59 per cent from 351.40 points to end 2015 with 268.49 points. Record shows that NSE Consumer Goods Index dropped 157.35 points translated to 17.41 per cent from 903.54 points it opened with to end the year with 746.19 points. NSE 30 Index that tracks 30 most capitalised stocks

depreciated by 275.55 points or 17.63 per cent from 1,563.22 points to close at 1,287.67 points, NSE Lotus Islamic Index that tracks Islamic compliant stock dropped by 245.04 points or 10.92 per cent to end 2015 with 1,998.85 points from 2,243.89 points it opened the year, while NSE Oil & Gas Index depreciated by 23.35 point representing 6.20 per cent from 380.11 points to 356.56 points and NSE Insurance Index and NSE Alternative Securities Market dropped 7.04 points or 4.70 per cent and 4.71 points or 0.39 per cent to end the year with 142.61 points and 1,208.65 points respectively. According to analyst, year 2015 was a tough one for the Brokers Dealers community as the country was faced with lots of challenges ranging from uncertainity arising from general elections to the devaluation of naira as well as the fall in the global oil price.

Omotola to bring company to Nigerian bourse Popular Nollywood actress, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde has revealed her intention to get her company listed into the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Omotola who had the honour of closing in gong for the end of year 2015 session said upon the education received from the executives at the exchange upon her visit, she would be glad to be a part of the Nigerian Bourse. “I have already discussed with the NSE executives and we are going to work closely and together. And as soon as I am ready and as early as possible, I am going to bring my company here. I didn’t know that it was possible initially but now that I know it is possible, we shall be part of it,” she said. While noting that the entertainment industry was a high earner in the country being ranked second in the world, the ace actress noted that there was the need for more information and education to be made available to those in the entertainment industry to enhance participation. “I hope others will get this opportunity because it is a good exposure for us. We are coming from the entertainment industry; we know little or nothing about business. So this merger actually opens up opportunity for us to know what is actually available to us in the stock exchange. It will be nice if the stock exchange can conduct seminars in the entertainment industry,” she said.

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

labour 2015: A trying year for Nigerian workers —NLC

Expresses expectations for 2016, promises to be alive to responsibilities Stories By Soji-Eze Fagbemi- Abuja

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has promised Nigerian workers and the masses to be alive to its responsibilities in the Year 2016, even as it stated that the working people and the poor are entering the New Year with great expectations. The congress described 2015 as a trying and challenging one for the workers and the masses, pointing out that they expect tremendous expectations in 2016, and believe that the new government would deliver on a number of areas and provide succour that had for decades eluded them. In its New Year message, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the year 2015 was an eventful and challenging year due to a number of developments in the polity, which tested the resilience of the people. “The March/April general election took place against the backdrop of a lot of apprehension and doomsday prediction that our country would be unable to overcome the attendant crisis that would emanate from it. “The outstanding performance of Professor Attahiru Jega-led INEC, and the remarkable statesmanship displayed by the then incumbent President Jonathan, as well as the firmness of his challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari, combined to give Nigeria its first authentic transition from one ruling party to the other in our 55-year history as an independent nation,” he said. On the security front, the NLC president said the armed forces, within the year, regained its reputation as a resilient fighting force, and gallantly fought the Boko Haram terrorist insurgents, inflicting severe defeats, routing them out of occupying any part of the North East geopolitical zone, which they had terrorized for some years. He stated that though the war is still on, Nigerians now have a sense of belief that it is only a matter of time for these evil forces to be overwhelmed and defeated. He said on the issue of economic: “The year 2015 was a particularly trying one for Nigerian workers and Nigerians as a whole. The combination of falling crude oil price, our main source of foreign exchange, compounded by the legacy of massive corruption and maladministration by the Jonathan administration at the federal level, and at the state levels by state governors across political parties, had combined to further incapacitate workers and the masses of our people. “The governors had so recklessly plundered state resources that by May 29, 2015 handover date; a number of them could not perform the ceremonial handing over, a number of them left unpaid workers’ salaries ranging from three to nine months. Our economic crisis was further deepened with the free fall of the naira, which has lost over 30% of its value since the price of crude oil began to crumble. “Against the above adverse economic sit-

Ayuba Wabba, NLC President uation, rather than being creative about how to revive the economy, our political leaders (the political and economic elite) have sought to find scapegoats for their mismanagement of the economy and lack of foresight in Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses of our people.” Despite this, he said the expectation of Nigerians were very high in 2015. He said: “The working people and the rest of the poor mass of our people are entering the New Year against the backdrop of these uncertainties and other challenges. “Given the massive support Nigerians gave President Buhari as a symbol and icon of change, they expectedly harbour tremendous expectations that his government will deliver on a number of areas

The pathway of international financial institutions which the current fuel subsidy removal act is taking will lead to increases in fuel pump price and attendant worsening of the hardship of poor working people.

and provide succour that has for decades eluded them,” he said. The congress said the elite, especially the political elite, were responsible for the poor economic situations and in the light of this, it expressed its full support to President Muhammadu Buhari in his resolve to fight and defeat corruption. Wabba assured that in the New Year, the congress shall also intensify its campaign for good governance side by side with its battle against corruption. The NLC opposed the ongoing campaign to withdraw subsidy on petroleum products and deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry; believing that it was a ploy to increase fuel pump price in the long run. Wabba added, “This very fuel price increases which usually come in the name of removal of subsidy. As workers, we refuse to carry more burdens on our meagre wages. “Nigerian workers and the mass of our people will in the New Year, hold President Muhammadu Buhari to his words that there is indeed no fuel subsidy to be removed. The president having been Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources for three years (under General Obasanjo as military Head of State) and superintended over the construction of two of our four refineries, is in a vantage position to speak with authority on the issue of subsidy. “What needs to be removed is the massive corruption that we have and which has been documented in the state’s efforts to make available these essential products for Nigerians. We still support President Buhari to go after the cabal involved in this monumental corruption and dismantle them.

“That is one of the reasons that Nigerians passionately rooted and massively voted him in March 2015 in spite of the glaring intimidation and threats to their lives.” On the way forward, he said: “We are against the corrupt enrichment of a few that has gone with scams in the name of fuel subsidy. But it does not have to be taken as given that corruption in oil sector cannot be tamed. “Equally, while we commend efforts at getting the present refineries capacity utilisation levels increased, we call on the Federal Government to be more creative for us to ably expand refining capacity by building decentralised modular refineries. The State of Texas alone in the United States of America has 26 refineries with a capacity of refining 4.72 million barrels per day. “As a national priority, we must work to establish without any further dragging of our feet, modern refineries that will provide 100% of our national needs. “What we are against is the IMF-inspired fuel price deregulation. The current 50 kobo reduction in fuel price is obviously a gimmick. The pathway of international financial institutions which the current fuel subsidy removal act is taking will lead to increases in fuel pump price and attendant worsening of the hardship of poor working people.” He called for reduction of cost of governance, and demand for increase in workers’ salaries, as the present N18,000 national minimum wage in the country is too meagre to take them home. He regretted that the unemployment crisis in the country is assuming a frightening dimension. He said the congress would continue in the New Year to dialogue with the government and its various agencies on how the government of President Buhari intends to actualise its programme or promise of creating three million jobs annually. On what the congress tagged the National Assembly’s self-aggrandisement, Wabba said it was shocking that the lawmakers at the national level – Senators and members of the House of Representatives – would continue with the ostentatious standards they have set for themselves. “The planned purchase of 496 exotic cars costing several billions of naira, after getting car allowances, is not only outrageous but a mark of the manifest insensitivity of our legislators in the period of severe famine in the land,” he said. He also regretted the irregular and non -payment of pension of retired civil servants and senior citizens, adding, “while salaries were being owed for up to nine months, the situation of the pensioners were worse as many states were in arrears of pension payment for between 12 months or more. “This sorry situation is against the background of virtually all recent past and serving governors awarding themselves scandalous and end of tenure benefits while members of the legislature immorally award themselves outrageous retirement benefits running into hundreds of millions of naira for serving their states, some for just a tenure of four years.”

politics&policy

Monday, 4 January, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Sambo

Yero

Markafi

The trouble in Kaduna PDP Amidst the growing concern by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful in Kaduna State over weakening structures of the party, MUHAMMAD SABIU writes on the roles of some PDP leading lights.

Both the All Progressives congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are having their moment of trial in Kaduna State. Both are battling with some international contradictions that have been manifesting in various shapes and forms. The tendencies have led to near implosion in the APC, following the accusations and counteraccusations between two distinct camps. It has culminated in the purported suspension of a member of the National assembly, Senator Shehu Sani by the party, with the lawmaker fighting back. The dimension of the challenge confronting the state chapter of the PDP is slightly different. Its defeat at the general election of 2015 has thrown a spanner in the works of the party. The leaders are still sulking months after the poll, making the PDP look like a rudderless ship in the state. For 16 years, the PDP held sway as the governing party, producing four governors: Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, late Ibrahim Yakowa and

Alhaji Ramalan Yero. The defeat of the PDP in the gubernatorial election by the APC on April 11,2015 dealt a devastating blow to the party. in fact, it was the greatest upset for the party since Nigeria restored civil rule in May 29, 1999. The defeat was particularly devastating to the camps of leading PDP faithful like former Vice President Sambo and Senator Makarfi, who are regarded as the kingmaker in the PDP. Events in the party indicated that a number of PDP leaders are yet to come terms with the electoral loss by the party. PDP main gladiators have become passive to anything that has to do with the party. Some of the leaders have chosen to completely stay aloof regardless what is happening to the rank and file of the party, while others have relocated outside the country after the defeat of the PDP at the

2015 general election. For instance, Sambo left the shores of the country shortly after the election results were announced. Some close party allies claimed that he decided to leave the country to avert pressure from other politicians that he should pick up the gauntlet to show the way to the PDP ahead of the next political dispensation. According to them, the party needs such calibre of leader, experience and pedigree to rebrand and place it on a better pedestal for future elections. In their opinion, his decision to travel out of the country was doing more harm to the unity of the party in Kaduna State. Others however others claim that the PDP requires the injection of fresh blood for the party to recover some lost ground. They said over reliance by the PDP on some of those past leaders robbed it the savvy, capacity and ability of the younger

Some of the leaders have chosen to completely stay aloof, regardless what might be happening to the rank and file of the party, while other eminent members have relocated outside the country after the defeat of the PDP at the 2015 general election.

generation of politicians within its midst to consolidate PDP hold onto the political lever of the state. Another set of leading lights in Kaduna PDP have disappeared from public radar because of the shock and disbelief arising from the defeat of the PDP by the APC at the poll. So, they have decided to go on a sabbatical pending the time that the coast becomes clearer in the political arena. Other have chosen to suspend further political activities to enable them to face their business squarely as they had experienced mixed fortunes over the years. Following some disparaging comments by some concerned party faithful over what they perceived as the inertia of the leaders to the weakening structures of the PDP in Kaduna, a number of them have been trying to explain their current disposition to the party. For instance, an aide to former Vice President Sambo, Sani Abdullahi, stated that his principal was jetted out to Dubai after the election on vacation. Former Makarfi, who lost his bid to return to the Senate, has literally re-located to Abuja, while, the immediate past governor, Ramalan Yero, has not been visible in the public in recent times. His former media aide, Ahmed Mayaki explained that his boss was only resting with his family and that he had decided to put behind him his defeat he by Governor Nasir el-Rufai, at the poll. continues pg33

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Ishaku

Alhassan

Taraba: PDP, APC war of words over Appeal court verdict SYLVANUS VIASHIMA brings the fallout of the Court of Appeal verdict on the tussle over the Taraba State governorship seat.

ARABA and Abia states ended the out-gone year in a dramatic way. The Court of Appeal sitting In Abuja gave separate verdicts on appeals before it in respect of the 2015 April governorship poll. For the residents of those states, as well as members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), it was a case of mixed fortunes. APGA heaved a sigh of relief as the Court of Appeal upturned the verdict of the Abia State Governorship Election Tribunal that upheld the election of Governor Ikpeazu, of the PDP. The Court declared Alex Otti of APGA as winner of the Abia poll. But, the most dramatic of the decisions of the Court of Appeal was in respect of the Taraba governorship seat. The Justices reversed the verdict of the lower tribunal that had nullified the election of Governor Dar-

ius Ishaku, based on the petition filed by the APC candidate, Senator Aisha Alhassan, now a minister. The initial judgment of the election petition tribunal had elicited much public interest, because Alhassan’s adventure in a male-dominated power centre. So, her efforts had further added a new dimension to the politics of Taraba State. It triggered heated public discourse on the prospects of the state producing the first elected female governor in the country in the person of Senator Alhassan. Coupled with that was implications of the result of the legal battle to the country’s jurispru-

dence because of the fundamental issue the lower tribunal based its judgment. It will be recalled that the political atmosphere in the state wore an unprecedented look when on November 7, 2015, the governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja nullified the election of Governor Ishaku and ordered the swearing in of Alhassan of the APC on the ground that the governor was not a validly nominated candidate of the PDP and thus not qualified to contest in the election ab initio. As news about the judgment filtered in, the streets of Jalingo that were hitherto deserted ex-

In the face of cash crunch, we are able to manage what we have more delicately, cut all the luxuries that are available to government, but expanding the horizon of opportunities for the people.

cept for heavy security presence to prevent a likely breakdown of law and order, came alive with wide jubilation. The celebrations cut across the entire state and eventually resulted in the loss of several lives and property in some parts of the state, following violent a clash between supporters of the ‘victors and losers.’ The ruling of the Tribunal became arguably the most discussed. While some saw it as a welcome development many described it as a “rape of democracy; show of judicial rascality,” and a disgrace to democracy. The state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika had described the ruling as “a victory for democracy and a proof that the judiciary has come of age.” Ironically, the then state spokesperson of the PDP, Aaron Adamu, had said the judgment was a reflection of what actually transpired in the state as his party the PDP did not conduct any primaries and as such was simply paying for its illegality. He has since been dismissed by the PDP for alleged “anti-party activities.” Ishaku expectedly headed for appeal to challenge the decision of the Tribunal, recontinues on pg33

politics&policy

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Supreme Court as final arbiter continued from pg32

assuring his teaming supporters that he would come out victorious and restoring their hope, especially for his number of aides..An interesting twist in the case came when Alhassan also headed for the Court of Appeal shortly after Ishaku to file a cross appeal in what the state Commissioner for Justice, Yusufu Akirikwen, described as an alleged clear show of lack of confidence in the ruling of the Tribunal. Alhassan challenged the decision of the Tribunal to rule that the election of Ishaku was not marred by substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act. According to a PDP stalwart, Mr John Ali, “Alhassan and the APC also realised that the ruling of the Tribunal was baseless and were very sure their case would be trashed out at the appeal, so they had to scramble for a tread to hold unto. It was a desperate move of a dying soul.” The excitement from both camps lasted for a while and died down to tensed anxiety about the possible outcome of the appeal court. Both parties were optimistic of winning at the appeal, if the content of the social media postings were anything to go by, and this also became the major topic for discussion at major fora. For instance, During the ceremonial take off Jalingo Airport, like almost every other function, Ishaku described the ruling as ‘kangaroo’ and urged his supporters to remain calm, as he was sure the appeal court would “definitely reverse that obnoxious ruling’ and hand him his mandate. On her part, Alhassan told her support-

ers repeatedly that the decision of the Tribunal would be upheld by the higher court and just in a matter of time, she would be installed as the duly elected governor of the state. These assurances from both parties further heightened the anxiety in anticipation of the Court of Appeal ruling, leaving the state with an uneasy calm. The long-awaited judgment of the Court of Appeal came in days after the Christmas celebration and just a day to the New Year. Except for the rather conspicuous security presence in Jalingo and other parts of the state, and perhaps the seeming conspiracy of the elements for a noticeable stillness, it was a typical New Year eve. But things changed rather quickly and drastically at different places in some parts of the state. Ishaku’s hometown of Takum and other areas, especially in the Southern Taraba district such as Wukari, Chanchanji, burst into wide and yet controlled celebrations, as most of people felt justice was done at last.

A former state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Honourable Emmanuel Bello described the ruling as “a victory for common sense and an indication that the judiciary had come of age.”. The Commissioner of Environment, Mrs Rebecca Manasseh saw the verdict as a “victory for democracy and the collective wish of the people of Taraba.” In a swift reaction, APC state chairman, Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika described the ruling of the Court of Appeal as “vague, baseless, without a stand and a mere myth.” According to him, there are several documented cases, where elections are nullified based on the conduct of party primaries both at the Tribunals and Appeal Courts, and even the Supreme Court. Jika, who described the judges of the Court of Appeal as human, who are subject to errors, posited that the party had rejected the verdict holistically and expressed confidence that the alleged mistake of the Appeal Court would be corrected by the Supreme Court.

There are several documented cases, where elections are nullified based on the conduct of party primaries both at the Tribunals and Appeal Courts, and even the Supreme Court.

But the mood swing in the state even after 72 hours after the ruling is too obvious not to be noticed. Shortly after the verdict, Jalingo erupted into wide jubilation, as PDP supporters thronged the streets to welcome the governor on his return from Abuja on Saturday after the Thursday victory. “It was as if the people were not so sure of the good news and needed to see the governor himself to believe,” noted John Lulu Nasiru, a youth leader in Jalingo. The Taraba Mandate Group (TMG), one of the major groups which stood firm in the course of the legal battle, stated the action of the people “is a glowing tribute to the universality of the human family, who would always condemn an act of injustice anywhere it is found. The Court of Appeal judgment that threw out the verdict of the tribunal is the greatest reward and vindication to all our supporters.” Addressing his supporters at the Presidential Lodge in Jalingo, (a hundred meters from Alhassan’s home), Ishaku stated that the prevailing mood of celebration across the state was a reflection of the acceptability of the ruling of the Appeal Court by the people. “As we speak, no life is lost and nobody has been injured since the pronouncement of the judgement on Thursday. This is unlike the unjust ruling of the Tribunal that was widely protested leading to the lost of several lives and property,” Ishaku said. Already, the APC and Alhassan have indicated that she would be proceeding to the Supreme Court to reclaim her mandate, raising the hope of the party faithful. So, the next few days will be interesting over the tussle for the states governorship seat.

Quest for fresh blood continued from pg31

He promised Yero would bounce back at the appropriate time after his current break from active politics. Other personalities like Senator Ahmed Aruwa, Nenadi Usman,Hassan Hyet and Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga have retired to face their businesses. To save the PDP from its current near coma, some stalwarts came up with what they called the PDP Stakeholders Forum. Its arrow head is a former Commissioner for Information in the state, Alhaji Rabiu Bako. Part of their aim and objectives is the rehabilitation and re-invigoration of the PDP structures in Kaduna State. It is also their plan to cement all cracks in the party and proclaim the underling mission of the founding fathers of the party. Bako, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune, further underscored the primary goal of the group. He said: “The idea behind the Forum is to bring together people of like-mind, who will continue to propagate the ideals of the party. We will continue to bring most party members together to discuss ways through which we can take the PDP to the next level.” More than four months ago, the group held its maiden forum, to be precise on September, 19 2015, nothing seems to have changed. Tagged the first Kaduna PDP conference, the one day event held at the conference hall of the Arewa House, was attended by dDelegates from all the 23 local government chapters of the PDP. The re-union recorded a partial success, as some of the leaders, who could not attend sent representatives. For example, Sambo, Makarfi and Yero were represented. However, other personalities like Senator Ahmed Aruwa; former Minister of Aviation, Hassan Hyet; state chairman of the party,

Ambassador AG Haruna, and the PDP national organising secretary of the party, who hails from the state, Mustapha Abubakar were physically present at the event. The convener of the conference, Bako had in his speech emphasised the need for the PDP and its leaders to forget about the outcome of the 2015 elections. While acknowledging the bid blow the election dealt on the party, he said the leaders owed it a duty to other PDP faithful that there was hope for the prty to rediscover itself. He said: “After our defeat at the poll, there was the erroneous belief making the round that PDP was death. PDP is intact, stronger than before and its members more united than before,” To buttress his point, he said the great strides of the PDP as the governing party in Nigeria 16 years remained indelible. He asked rhetorically: “How do you think you can crush such an institution within a twinkle of an eye?” According to him, PDP provided a robust leadership that could stand the test of time, as its administration built schools and universities in order to have quality man power in the country. He noted that it was unfortunately that the APC, which assumed power more than

seven months ago, was portraying the PDP in bad light. “It is not true that our party emptied the state treasury,” Bako stressed. For Senator Ahmed Aruwa, who presided on the occasion, the era of blame game should be over. He charged party loyalists and supporters to wake up from their slumber and explore ways of PDP reclaiming its mandate in 2019. On his part, the state PDP chairman, Dr AG Haruna had taken a swipe at the APC state administration, accusation iy of being bereft of ideas on the issue of governance. He alleged that apart from propaganda, the party (APC) had not come out to tell the people of Kaduna how they intended to improve their welfare. He claimed they had inflicted serious injuries on the citizens of the state. For instance, he said the demolition of houses, non-payment of workers’ salaries and pension to retirees had left the people in pains. The immediate past governor of the state, Yero, sympathised with the people of the state for the hardship they were passing through. Represented by a former Minister of Aviation, Mr Hassan Hyet, he stated that PDP was still the biggest party in Africa, in spite of its defeat at the poll in 2015. “We are a big party that can accommodate everyone. We are on break;

Since the conference, has there been any significant change in the attitude of the leaders towards the sad fate of the PDP in the state. Aren’t PDP structures increasingly becoming weak?

we will strategise and come out stronger in next polls,” he stated. However, months after the conference, discordant voices have pervaded the rank and file of the PDP in the state. While some claimed the conference was self-serving. Others alleged that it primarily designed to be a mere talk show. A top shot of the PDP, who pleaded anonymity, said he had been vindicated over his initial reservations about the conference. “Since the conference, has there been any significant change in the attitude of the leaders towards the sad fate of the PDP in the state. Aren’t PDP structures increasingly becoming weak?,” he queried? Another staunch supporter of the party, who gave his name simply as Tajudeen, the aloofness of the PDP figures in the state to the predicament of the party was doing more damage to its structures and following. He said the individual roles of Sambo, Makarfi, Yero, and a number of PDP leaders in the state could not be underestimated. According to him, those leaders constitute the rallying force for Kaduna PDP. Similarly, a concerned PDP stalwart said the current lackadaisical attitude of the leaders was sending a wrong signal to other party faithful, stating, “We are confused on what to do.” A PDP Youth leader, Ibrahim Bayero noted that the recent Kaduna conference was not the solution to improving the fortunes of the party. He said the party only needed to avoid some of its mistakes in the past, one of which should by promoting internal democracy. “The era of imposition should be over.PDP members should be allowed to elect their representatives at every level henceforth. That is the only we can be on the path towards total recovery from the current crisis of confidence precipitated by the outcome of the 2015 general election in the state,” he stated.

politics&policy

Monday, 4 January, 2016

‘It is premature to judge Buhari on war against corruption’ Alhaji Yakubu Layi Gobir, is a member of the apex organisation of indigenes of Ilorin, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU). He spoke with Biola Azeez on ongoing war against graft among other current national issues during the just concluded 50th annual conference of the union. Excerpts

HAT is your assessment of the ongoing anti-corruption crusade? If you look at the antecedents of the current president, the fact that between 1983 and 1985, during the regime of Buhari/Idiagbon, there was War Against Indiscipline. Indiscipline encompasses a lot of things including corruption. Many politicians got long jail terms. However, the regime was short lived and the exercise was not seen through. War against corruption is what the current president has been passionate about, and he still is. If you look at it in the context of what is happening currently and what happened in the previous administration, the government is almost bankrupt now. It is just that we don’t want to face reality. Crude oil prices are at the lowest in decades. Government is looking for all forms of revenue. One of the things that the government is harping on is increasing Internally Generated Revenue, increasing tax base and all of that. But one low hanging fruit, which I do not blame the president for focusing a lot of attention on, is stolen money. Stolen money is low hanging fruit. If you can collect it, it is like “debt” collection. It is money that belongs to government that is in private hands illicitly. I am in full support of it. I think the more the government can collect of stolen funds, the better for the economy. To be quite honest, President Muhammadu Buhari has inherited an empty treasury, he inherited a country that is in dire need of infrastructure. So, there is a big gap that he has to fill and only Allah can guide and assist him in that. Some Nigerians are angry that the anti-corruption battle is selective. What is your view about it? I think we should not be too quick to judge, because what the president has said consistently is that he is setting up the legal infrastructure of judges and of court systems to be able to bring cases to court to trial. And in the English law that we have adopted, you are innocent until you are proven guilty. What is the way forward on the Boko Haram violence? If we have to be sincere with ourselves, I think the Boko Haram saga started in 2003, and the government probably underestimated what it could become. It started because of poverty and the fact that people took advantage of people in dire need and desperate to earn a living come what may. That is where the genesis of Boko Haram came up. I am very happy with the way Mr President is handling it. He is a battle hardened General. This government does not have the patience to allow any form of insurgency or insecurity to thrive. How do you see the political situation in the country? I am excited about the political situation in Nigeria, because Nigeria is a 55 yearold-nation. It is a very young nation, and in the life of this young nation, democracy is at infancy. In fact, democracy has only just

we just need to do is to empower them and give them the guidance because they are the future. How best do you think the Federal Government can assist in putting up small scale industries across the country? There is a lot of discussion on this topic within government circles currently. If you listen to some of the speeches that the Minister of Finance has made, even from Mr President himself, there is a renewed focus on small and medium enterprises. I think the government realizes that is really where growth in the economy can come from quickly. I would encourage them to continue to focus on that sector and let us see some results coming out of that. With energy crisis the country is grappling with, do you think it is possible to run small scale business successfully? Yes, it is possible. In fact, in some of the social entrepreneurship cases that I have studied, overcoming lack of electricity has actually been the critical success factor of those businesses. For example, hand wound radios in rural communities; solar powered viewing stations in villages; and wind-powered mills on farms. There is so much that can be done without having to connect to the PHCN grid. And I think if we are really committed, there are lots of people out there that can share that technology with us.

Gobir

Criticism and debate is all part of the fabric of a healthy democracy. It should not be seen as a crisis.

started to work. Criticism and debate is all part of the fabric of a healthy democracy. It should not be seen as a crisis. This is the first time that there is a peaceful transition of one democratically elected government to an opposition party. All parties involved in the whole process should be congratulated. What is your advice to the Senate President, who happens to be your senior in school? Dr Bukola Saraki, when we were in school, was a very shy person, very humble and very respectful. I remember when my father came to visit me at school and he (Saraki) was walking back from class with his friends, he saw my father, he prostrated, greeted him very well and we exchanged pleasantries and everything. I think for someone that has known him for as long as I have, the call that I will make to him is for him to sustain that humility, because it is one attribute that I know he has. He should use it to resolve whatever political challenge he is facing. Ironically, his humility is his greatest weapon because all his life, people have always un-

derestimated his true potential. They are often shocked when he seems to achieve the impossible. What they do not see is the amount of effort he has put in, his determination, his perseverance and his fortitude. As a top member of IEDPU, what is your message to the people of Ilorin and Nigeria as a whole? Let me acknowledge the Emir of Ilorin. He is a father to me. I share a personal relationship with him. Out of all the Emirs we could have at this point in time in the history of Ilorin, I think Allah has given us the right person at the right time. He has given us a father when we his sons are beginning to grow and we need our father to support us. Most of us have lost our biological fathers. I have lost my father, Bukola Saraki has lost his father but the current Emir has stood behind him as his father would have stood beside him if he was alive today. I will like to thank His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin and wish him long life, prosperity, good health and continued wisdom in the way he has been administering the affairs of the youth of this town. The youth of Ilorin are very patriotic and dedicated. What

What is your take about IEDPU’s 50th annual conference? I am very proud of this great town (Ilorin). I find it disturbing, though, that every time I come home to see some people living in poverty or just say, managing their lives. In Ilorin, it seems we are used to this status quo, as I noticed it during the time of our fathers. Many people appear to depend on hand outs from family members of wealthy few. This is not sustainable. Interestingly, as we all know, government itself is finding it difficult. Oil revenues have dropped, and the money is not there anymore to run government. Civil servants are being owed several months of salaries all over the country. This is where I think social entrepreneurship can help. You do not need to build a N1billion factory in Ilorin or in any states of the federation to alleviate poverty. I am very passionate about poverty alleviation. The way you can do it is to encourage small scale businesses, cottage industries and artisans. Those are the things that I think can change the fortunes of Ilorin indigenes. Mechanised farming organised as co-operatives is another solution. We should look very closely at this concept of small scale enterprises, and how we can help people get the skills to be able to set up this kind of businesses. That is why I was very excited and I have identified strongly with IEDPU. One of the things I noticed they want to do with the N500million endowment fund, is to create a vocational centre. I think that is fantastic! If they are able to create a vocational centre almost like how Yaba College of Technology (in Lagos) used to be in the old days. If we can have our version of it here, I think, it would be wonderful and it would help to free people from the clutches of poverty that indigenes of Ilorin are facing at the moment.

Monday, 4 January, 2016

features

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

Egypt: Still standing strong as cradle of civilisation ROTIMI IGE, who just returned from a trip to Cairo, the Egyptian capital, where he attended an annual training jointly organised by the Union of African Journalists and the Egyptian Ministry of Information, chronicles the sights and sounds of the major cities in the country, and how it has remained strong as the cradle of civilisation.

or a visitor or anyone who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much knowledge about Egypt, the land of the renowned Pharoahs, it would easily appear as a desert land area mostly populated by Muslims. Also, with the current spate of insecurity, especially the shooting down of an aircraft carrying tourists from Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt which was hugely publicised by the media, the general perception about Egypt has not been too satisfactory to the average foreign caller. Despite all these, the Nigerian delegate from the Nigerian Tribune to the 46th training for young African journalists boarded the Cairo bound EgyptAir plane without hesitation with the hope of discovering the land of the Pharoahs. What he discovered during the three weeks training however, would change perception about Egypt and indeed, Africa. The organisers, U.A.J and the Egyptian Ministry of Information, had purposed to re-train journalists on the need to tell the African story: highlighting salient issues affecting the continent and stem the overreliance on the western media which, according to a diplomat, Omar Mohammed, only promoted stories that were beneficial to age-long assumptions. Landing in Egypt The almost six-hour trip from Abuja to Cairo was smooth and largely uneventful. Upon landing, the first thing noticeable was the blast of cold wind which, the reporter would later discover, was a normal weather condition in Egypt. It was cold, accompanied by heavy wind that the average Egyptian wore at least three various clothes. For this reason also, cigarette smoking is a common characteristic in the ever bustling city of Cairo as most men were seen drawing quick puffs from shortening cigarette sticks amidst chatter. Dressing A first time visitor would discover that the basic dress mode of Egyptians is European. Most men and women seen wore leather or fabric jackets on jeans, with leather boots or casual sneakers. Continues on pg36

Egypt is full of highrise accomodations like this

features

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Still strong as civilisation’s cradle

Cruises like the Al Saraya operate on the Nile River. Inset: The first mosque in Africa The corporate class wore suits and drove in sleek BMWs and Korean cars, which were the most popular choice of transportation. Though many ladies still covered their heads in scarves or hijab, the English style of dressing was common among most inhabitants especially in the capital, as evidenced by the myriad of shops, mostly franchises of the most popular fashion brands, which dotted the streets. For those who couldn’t afford expensive labels, imitations of such designers among other less popular but good brands, which of course, were much cheaper, were hugely patronised by the medium and lower class of Egyptians, as seen in the ever busy street markets as Attaba and Ramses Square. Most of the goods that were made in Egypt were seen to be sold in these markets. The reporter, of course, did most of his shopping at Attaba. Traffic Traffic in major cities, especially Cairo, is not for the faint hearted! Due to good roads in Egypt (this reporter saw only about three potholes in three weeks), road users have a field day running through traffic at breakneck speeds, without much regard for traffic laws. In fact, an attempt to cross the road on the first day by the reporter saw him stand on the same spot for over 25 minutes, despite standing by a traffic light indicator! However, surprisingly, accidents are not a common feature on the roads and traffic wardens are hardly seen. Traffic increases from around 3:00 pm (which is the official closing time for the working population because it gets dark around 5:00 pm) and flows easily in an organised manner with little or no help from traffic officials. Cuisine Egyptians can cook! Though the basic meal is unleavened bread with sauces, Egyptians love rice and potato, as evidenced after the trainee journalists were served rice and chips with fish, chicken or beef serving everyday for three weeks. Also, there exists an array of various accompaniments to complement their food which according to health experts is a better and balanced diet. In most kitchens and street restaurants visited, most of the cooks are men. Cairo is also a lovely city to wine and dine with many regattas and boats offering dinners on the Nile River which runs through the city. So organised are the boat dinner trips that the reporter noticed about 10 different boats catering to different customers, operating on the same axis without any rancour or disagreement. On the boats, enter-

tainment is very impressive with various offerings of music, dance and comedy. Nightlife is very interesting and local pubs, though few, are open to customers where alcohol is sold. A tourist would be mesmerised by the various entertainment spots which dot Cairo and other exotic places like Hugharda, Alexandria, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, among others. Religion Islam is the official religion for the majority of the population and it is the most important influence on culture in Egypt. The Christian community is also quite respected though being in the minority. Importantly, both communities live in peace as evidenced by the location of the religious centres, the Carvern Church known as Abu Serga, Nunnery of Saint George, among other notable Christian landmarks and the first and largest mosque in Africa, which are close to one another. Perhaps for this reason, crime is virtually nonexistent. The society is conservative, especially on issues relating to women. Women are expected to be modest in dressing and manner - no flimsy attire or loud talking and laughing, for example. The men are very happy with their position in this patriarchal society. The people are generally friendly, hospitable and very accommodating especially towards visitors. But visitors need to keep their religion to themselves - proselytizing is illegal.

If you wish to bury a loved one, you may have problems finding a place in any cemetery. This is mainly because most Egyptian families have been given plots for burying their people and even if their plot is full, they have to remove the bones of an earlier buried family member to accommodate the new one.

Inside the Smart Village The Muslims pray 5 times daily: at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Most places are closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday. It was said that during the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times. Housing The Egyptians are known for architectural masterpieces over the centuries and that remains a fact in present day. The buildings come in various shapes and sizes. A visit to the SMART village was even more wonderful. It is a fully operational communication and information cluster and business park that accommodates multinational and local companies, governmental and financial, educational, recreational, research and developmental organisations all of which share the same state-of-the-art infrastructure, facility management and a full range of business and recreational services. According to the owners, the village provides all the elements of a work-life balance which is a priority. The Smart Village is the first of its kind in Africa and is Egypt’s first CIT and business park. It has become the focal point of over 500 world corporations, hosting over 100,000 employees. Apart from specialised settlements as above, there are thousands of high-rise buildings located all over Egypt to accommodate its teeming populace. According to a citizen,

Ayman Abudulaziz, it is easier to find a flat to live in than a vacant plot in a cemetery. According to him, “Finding a place to live is easy here. However, if you wish to bury a loved one, you may have problems finding a place in any cemetery. This is mainly because most Egyptian families have been given plots for burying their people and even if their plot is full, they have to remove the bones of an earlier buried family member to accommodate the new one.” Exotic locations Egypt is full of exotic locations and tourism is an important source of revenue. In fact, it is reported that in 2010, the sector employed about 12 per cent of Egypt’s workforce serving approximately 14.7 million visitors to the country and providing revenues of nearly $12.5 billion as well as contributing more than 11 per cent of GDP and 14.4 per cent of foreign currency revenues. From Cairo to Alexandria to Ain Sukna to Hugharda to Sharm El Sheikh, various significant tourist destinations and resorts dot the landscape. Egypt, indeed, is one of the major prides of the African continent and it has, in recent years, encouraged and partnered with other African countries to promote Africa to the world as the continent to watch. At the training which afforded this reporter the opportunity to explore the country, various sessions were held to discuss the future of Africa, whereby its stories are told by its citizens and not reliance on western media. A diplomat, Mr Omar Mohammed, during one of the sessions which spanned over topics like the African Union Standby Force, the role of the African media in fostering development in the continent, among others, stressed that Africa must rise above its challenges to become the global pride.

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Stand up for nation’s development, Lasun tasks Nigerians

Scene of an accident involving a commercial bus, at Ring Road, opposite High Court, Ibadan, on Sunday. PHOTO: RONKE SANYA.

Taraba gov assures APC members of political appointments

araba State governor, Darius Ishaku, on Sunday, said he would appoint members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state into political positions, urging them to accept his confirmation as the state governor by the Court of Appeal and work with him for the development of the state. Ishaku made the remarks in Jalingo while addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists who congratulated him on his governorship victory at the court. The Appeal Court had upheld the election of Governor Ishaku of the PDP and set aside the state elections petitions tribunal declaration of Senator Aisha Alhassan of the APC as the governor. According to him, there are “many jobs” in his government that can go round the APC members.” He noted that the series of litigations that followed the April 11, 2015, governorship election, had slowed down the pace of development of the state by 30 per cent. “I am calling on all APC members to accept this judgment and come, so that we can work together for the socio-economic development of our dear state. “Sincerely speaking, I have so many jobs to share with them. Let them come. “My mandate is for four years, but we have spent many months in the court. These litigations are not helping the state,” Ishaku said. The governor said his immediate focus after the victory was to consolidate his effort on bringing peace and development to the

state, adding,“I deliberately informed our supporters to celebrate our victory in confinement as against wild jubilation that could trigger violence. “I am glad to hear from the security chiefs here that not a single person

was hurt before and after the delivery of the verdict. “My priority remains to develop the state as you can all attest to the fact that there is massive improvement in water and electricity supply in Jalingo. “We intend to now ex-

pand our operations to other council areas, focusing more on health and education,” Ishaku said. Earlier, the state PDP chairman, Mr Victor Bala, said the judgment indicated that the PDP had reclaimed its mandate.

No govt can succeed without people’s support —Lagos dep gov Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, has urged Lagos residents to embrace the new administration as theirs, by supporting and keying into the government’s policies to drive development. Adebule made the call at a New Year get-together she organised for the party’s leaders and people of her constituency in Badagry Division of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the event was held on Sunday in Lagos. Dr Adebule said that the government could not be successful without the contributions and support of the people, saying: “This is an opportunity to thank God for another year and to appreciate the people in my constituency for their support and vote of confidence. “It is also to show them that their elected leaders have not abandoned them, having been given the mandate to serve and represent them in government. “This government is their government as no government can be successful without the support of people. “I urge our people to adhere to the laws of the state

and key into government’s policies, so that we can experience the desired positive change and development,” she said. Adebule also advised the youth to empower themselves by utilising the skills and vocational centres established by the government. Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau, who is also from Badagry constituency, said the state government was committed to reducing un-

employment through the ministry. Suarau said that the ministry would in February, commence an empowerment programme and training in the areas of aquaculture, poultry and rice farming. He urged the youth to utilise the opportunity by sending their applications to the ministry. Mr Rabiu Oluwa, Chairman, APC Badagry division, also urged the people to be patient with the new government.

Deputy Speaker of the House of representatives, Honourable Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff, has implored Nigerians to stand up for the betterment of the nation, urging them to contribute their quota so that Nigeria could be great. Honourable Lasun, who stated this in Ibadan, during the 10th year remembrance fidau for late Alhaja Fatima Akinade-Fijabi, mother of Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, chairman of the House Committee on Communication, maintained that it is necessary at this point to stand up for the country to develop and compete with other nations of the world. “I want to let Nigerians know that we have to stand up for our country and make sure we develop it. The citizens of the other nations at one point or the other stood up for their countries and contributed to the development. “That is why they are where they are today, therefore, I am imploring Nigerians to stand for the betterment of the nation and contribute their own quota so that the country could be great. “We have a lot of ups and downs and I know with time, with the support of everybody, we will be able to get to where we desire and deserve to be as a country. “I am urging Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari, to be patient with the All Progressives Party and also remember that they must contribute their own quota and to make sure Nigeria becomes a great nation,” Honourable Lasun said.

...commends Glo, others for success of One Lagos Fiesta Dr Oluranti Adebule has also commended Nigeria’s next generation network, Globacom, for supporting the execution of the One Lagos Fiesta, an innovative five-day long end-of-year celebrations in five locations across Lagos State. She gave the commendation as the One Lagos Fiesta climaxed with a countdown and spectacular fireworks display simultaneously at five centres across Lagos at the stroke of midnight of the New Year. The centres included Bar Beach, which was graced by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Agege, Badagry, Epe, and Ikorodu.

Dr Adebule expressed appreciation to Globacom and other sponsors of the event for keying into the One Lagos Fiesta project, describing their contributions as instrumental to the success of the massive project. Globacom’s participation in the fiesta was attended by innovative entertainment and a wide variety of side attractions that made the event a memorable one for Lagos residents, just as Globacom’s pavilions in all the five locations were the main attractions to fun-seeking Lagosians while the fiesta lasted. Present at Globacom’s stands at the fiesta were facilities for snookers, table soccer, mock on-the-sport

kick, and video games, with other introduction of varieties like“Karaoke night” which enabled Lagos residents to try out their singing talent and won freebies, Comedy Night, which featured some of the most popular comedians in Nigeria, dancing competitions, among others. Globacom also tapped into its rich collection of brand ambassadors who ranked among Nigeria’s best entertainers, to excite fun-seekers at the venues. The long list of Glo ambassadors who graced the stages at the various locations, during the fiesta included Odunlade Adekola, Basketmouth, Bovi, Pa Latin, Burna Boy, AY, among numerous others.

Nigerian Tribune

Wike to swear in Justice Okocha as substantive CJ Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, will today, swear in Honourable Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as the substantive Chief Judge of the state. A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, informed that the swearing-in of the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State, would hold at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, Port Harcourt, by 10.00a.m. The statement also enjoined all invited guests to be on seat at the venue, at 9.30a.m.

Ogun promises prompt payment of pensions, gratuities The Ogun State Bureau of Local Government Pensions said it is committed to the sustenance of economic independence of the state local government retirees, through prompt payment of their pensions and gratuities. The Permanent Secretary in the Bureau, Mr Ayo Kolawole stated this while defending the Bureau’s estimate budget for the 2016 fiscal year, before the members of the state Assembly in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Kolawole proposed a total sum of N29.5 million as the bureau’s total expenditure for the next fiscal year, out of which recurrent expenditure stood at N19.5 million, while capital expenditure would gulp the sum of N10m. He stated that the agency which had been encouraging saving culture by the pensioners, to cater for their livelihood during old age, would ensure effective supervision and proper remittance of pension deductions under contributory pension scheme to custodians. He also noted that the Bureau hoped to make use of the N10 million capital cost for 2016 to acquire a Toyota Hiace bus, to enhance service delivery, through effective monitoring and supervision of pension management in the 20 local government areas of the state. He also noted that computer systems and furniture would also be purchased.

38 news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Mixed reactions trail FG’s decision over plea bargain with looters

awyers in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), on Sunday, expressed mixed- feelings over the Federal Government’s decision not to consider pleabargain being contemplated by treasury looters and their cronies. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, had declared that the Federal Government was more interested in recovering to the last kobo, all public funds stolen and stashed away by top politicians and their cronies under the guise of arms purchase. The government said that such plea bargain only allowed looters to go scotfree with stolen public assets. Speaking with NAN in Abuja, a lawyer, Mr Silas Onu, said that government’s stand on the issue was in order because plea bargain was unconstitutional. “Plea-bargain is not in Nigerian laws and so the refusal of the government to subscribe to it is not misplaced; government is only strictly following the laws. “If you remember, the former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, spoke about the illegality of plea bargain. “EFCC just invented a legal proceeding that is not known to our laws; and the way we even apply it in Nigeria is not as it should be. “Plea bargain has been used in Nigeria as pardon for criminality; but plea bargain shouldn’t be like that. “It should be as is operated in America, where it should only earn you a reduction in punishment; it shouldn’t set you free,’’ Onu said. Mrs Uche Asiobi, another lawyer, who held a different opinion, stated that plea bargain should be considered

if it would be to the benefit of members of the public. “I think sometimes you have to lose something to win something. “I agree that it is hard, particularly, when you are thinking of the economy and what has happened.

“You will think that these people should pay the full penalty, but if you take that angle, you might not get the full justice you require. “So, if you realise that you will gain more through plea bargain, it is better to apply it and recover more funds.

loot,’’ Asiobi said. Another lawyer, Ms Grace Ehusani, thinks that though the Federal Government would prefer to uphold justice, applying plea bargain would encourage more treasury looters to confess.

Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola (right); National Youth Leader, Coalition of APC Supporters Group Abuja, Comrade Mojeed Yaya; (second right); Deputy National Chairman, South, Mr Kunle Ehinlanwo second left) and the state coordinator, Shekete Adamson, during the presentation of educational materials to Aregbesola, in support of his government, at the Government House, Osogbo, last week.

Faleke: Group issues ultimatum to sue INEC Bola Badmus- Lagos

A group, the Ikeja Stakeholders’ Forum (ISF), has threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if it fails to declare vacant the seat of the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable James Faleke, within the next seven days. Coordinator of the group, Mr Olanrewaju Osundairo, made this known on Sunday, in a statement made available to newsmen. He said that the commission had shirked its responsibility, by failing to declare the seat vacant,

following the decision of Faleke to accept the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State. He, therefore, called on INEC to declare the seat vacant, failure which his group would institute a suit against it, after the expiration of a 7-day ultimatum. “By virtue of the fact that

By Tunde Ogunesan

Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has set up a committee to investigate allegations of breach of public service rules, public procurement

—Zamfara APC

critical election matter. “They did not participate in the election because they wanted to see if they have successfully nurture the party’s upcoming leaders in the state.” The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the governor and national assembly members from the state, were absent during the polls. The election was, however, boycotted by the main opposition party

Faleke had transferred his franchise away from Lagos to Kogi State, he ceases to be a member of the constituency. He lacks the moral and legal rights to speak for us in Ikeja at the lower legislative chambers,” Osundairo said. stated further He that the decision of the lawmaker to contest the

governorship election, had impacted negatively on the representation of the area in the House of Representatives. The ISF coordinator said the trend must be reversed in the interest of the people of the area, who he pointed out, had yearned for their voices to be heard at the National Assembly.

Shittu moves to sanitise NITDA

Why Gov Yari was absent at LG poll The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has explained why Governor Abdulaziz Yari and other key party figures did not participate in Saturday’s local government elections in the state. Speaking with journalists in Talata-Mafara, on Sunday, Alhaji Sani Mono, the party’s scribe in the state, said it was a deliberate move to ascertain the capacity of upcoming party chieftains to handle such

“Remember that even with plea bargain the reputation of these people is already tarnished. “So, plea bargain should be used if the generality of the public will benefit from it instead of just one individual pocketing the

in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). According to the party in a statement by its state chairman, Hassan Nasiha, the PDP would not participate in an election organised by a government it was challenging its credibility at the Supreme Court. The APC state secretary, however, chided the PDP, saying that its boycott of the local councils polls was because the PDP was “afraid of defeat.”

act 2007 and perceived financial recklessness in the management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The decision of the Minister, sources informed the Nigerian Tribune, was based on the allegation of breach of public service rules according to the Act that established the agency. Shittu was said to be angered by the nonadherence to a letter with circular number PS/ MCT/014/Vol. 1/56 dated August 14, 2015 and signed by a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Tunji Olaopa, who catalogued and queried alleged breach of rules by the Director-General of the NITDA, Mr Peter Jack on sundry allegations. Another source very close to the minister, further informed Nigerian Tribune that another

petition written by Information Technology Law Practitioners Association of Nigeria and signed by its President and Secretary, Fredrick Uyabeme and Olumide Aboyade-Cole ,respectively, alleged the Director-General of fraud and administrative impunity in their six-page memorandum on the activities of NITDA and annexures attached as exhibits 1-12 in their petition which was also sent to the anti-corruption agencies. Olaopa had in the said letter to the DG entitled: Reported Breaches in NITDA, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, stated that, “it has come to my attention that there are several anomalies going on in your agency which touches on the following: breach of the public service rules as it pertains to recruitment and secondment of staff, among others.”

Nigerian Tribune

Support federal, state govts, Lagos lawmaker urges Nigerians Bola Badmus- Lagos

The chief whip, Lagos State Assembly, Honourable Rotimi Abiru, has called on Nigerians to support governments at the federal and state levels, so that they could deliver dividends of democracy in the new year. The lawmaker representing Shomolu constituency 02, made this call in his New Year message, saying the call became imperative because the era of overdependent on crude oil as a major source of revenue for the country was over, considering price drop in the international market. According to Abiru, the country has come to the level where it must consider avenues for sourcing money, including taxes to develop its infrastructure and tackle unemployment, security challenges and other problems facing it. “We must resolve to source for money from taxes, among others, to develop our infrastructure, tackle unemployment, security challenges and other problems facing us as a nation. We must all pay our taxes for us to achieve the development we want,” he said.

World innovation summit for education holds 2015/2016 programme World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) begins its first residential session of the learners’ voice programme in Doha, Qatar, today. The programme will feature workshops on leadership and communications skills. For the third consecutive year, the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Learners’ Voice Programme will host a residential session in Doha, bringing together 33 young learners, including three Qataris, for an intensive 10day workshop on education leadership at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The 2015-16 students, who began their journey at the November WISE Summit, will attend the first of the two core residential sessions from January 4 to 12 2016, designed to impart a foundational understanding of key concepts and evolving trends in education, as well as knowledge of pressing global education challenges.

news

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Convert your skills to wealth creation, Mimiko tells artisans

ndo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has tasked artisans in the state to use their skills to create wealth, especially, at this challenging period in the country Dr Mimiko spoke on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service of the state artisans' group, which held at the Act of the Apostle Church International in Akure, the state capital. The governor, who described artisans as the bedrock of the nation's economy, charged them to work hard and utilise their skills to take the nation to the next level of development. He assured of his administration's continued assistance and support to the group, stressing that their unalloyed cooperation was necessary for peace and development of the state. Dr Mimiko noted that God has blessed Nigeria with abundant natural resources, adding that the nation can survive without oil but stressed the need for Nigerians to work harder in the new year. He said "This year will be a year of prosperity and possibilities for Nigeria. The joy of the Lord is our strength, the joy is the assurance that God is with us even without fuel. In Ondo State, this year , the joy of the Lord will abide with us but we must work hard in the year. The possibility for our nation is infinite and God has endowed us". "You artisans are the bedrock of our economy

but must work harder, God has given you your skills to create wealth and to live well. We as government will strive hard to assist you. I'm bold to say that

the prayers of the saints is what is upholding our nation". Mimiko said. Earlier in his sermon, the General Superintendent of the Acts of the Apostles

Church International. Apostle Zacchaeus Adeboriota, charged Nigerians to make the word of God the pillar of their success and work in the fear of the Lord.

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (left), exchanging pleasantries with the founder, Act of Apostle Church International, Akure, Apostle Zacchaeus Adeboriota, at the thanksgiving service to mark the 2015 Ondo State Artisans Day, at the church, in Akure, at the weekend. With them is the wife of the governor, Olukemi.

Group urges Aregbesola to explore agriculture, tourism to generate revenue Oluwole Ige - Osogbo Perturbed by the financial crisis rocking Osun State, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Forum for Nation Builders and Social Development, over the weekend, urged

Governor Rauf Aregbesola to explore the economic potential of agriculture and tourism to generate income for the state. The group said that the adverse effect of dwindling federal allocation and low Internally Generated Rev-

enue (IGR) in the state, would be drastically cushioned if the government could invest in agriculture and tourism, which are strategic to the economic development of the state. In a communique issued at the end of an economic

NUPENG calls for repair of federal roads The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate federal roads in the country, to ease transportation of petroleum products. Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West chairman of the union, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos. Korodo said that the rehabilitation would reduce unnecessary delay of petroleum tanker drivers, who lose a lot of time on the roads before getting products to their final destinations. “Most of the federal roads plied by petroleum tankers have become death traps and this is causing a lot of accidents to our tanker drivers; Oshodi-Apapa Express Road, Okene-Lokoja and Owo-Akoko roads are in deplorable conditions. “Government should ensure that all these roads are repaired this year to ease the movement of all vehicles ply-

The cleric attributed the predicament of Nigeria to lack of the fear God and gross disobedience of the law, leading to premature death and other social vices.

ing the roads,” he said. The chairman urged the Federal Government to strive harder to protect NNPC pipelines from vandals across the nation. He said that this would return normal loading activities at all abandoned NNPC

depots nationwide. Korodo also urged the federal government to ensure job security for workers in the oil and gas industry and drastically reduce the issue of contract staffing. The chairman said that the union would give adequate

support to the government to make it succeed in its efforts to keep Nigerians smiling. He urged the Department of Petroleum Resources to withdraw or cancel the licence of any independent marketers that tried to frustrate its efforts.

Dry season farming yields more money —Expert Dr Idris Badiru, a senior lecturer at the Department of Agric Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, has said that dry season farming yields more money to farmers. Badiru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, on Sunday, that farmers get more returns from less effort in dry season. The agric extensionist said crops planted during the dry season are usually vegetables and maize sometimes, stressing that the products are always fresh and healthy. Badiru emphasised that planting during the dry season pays more to farmers as the vegetables are usually more expensive

and neat unlike the ones gotten in rainy season. “With dry season farming the products can grow throughout the year because ordinarily at that particular time of the year, people don’t normally cultivate. “The practice is virtually the same with that of rainy season, just that farmers will water the crops themselves. “They should do the normal land clearing, till the soil, do some weeding after all and also apply insecticide to control pests and diseases,” he said. Dr Morufat Balogun, a principal lecturer at the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, said vegetables

especially ,pumpkin (ugu) could be gotten very fresh when grown out of season. Balogun noted that farmers can plant in close containers like pot, saying that it requires no labour as they will not need to water it too often. “Also, they will not have to weed often in this case because when they put soil in the pot, the first set of weed that normally comes out is not likely to come again like in the case of the one planted directly on the soil. “Farmers can also use hydroponics system whereby you put water in a container, but the water will be nutrient (it can be fertiliser solution), you now have a substrate that absorbs little water."

summit tagged: Enhancing Osun economic development : Agriculture and tourism as key indicators, the group contended that there was urgent need to shift the state's focus from the monthly federal allocation to agriculture and tourism. The communique which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday, was signed by Ayo Odeyemi, convener of the group, Babajide Bewaji, chairman of the summit and Ismaeel Uthman, secretary of the committee. It maintained that in order to promote agriculture and enhance farming, specifically, the state government should revamp the moribund farm settlements in the state and upgrade them into agricultural industrial centres to be clustered in a community of 5000 people, who are predominantly inclined to farming. The agricultural centres, the group advised, should have state-of-the-art amenities that hitherto entice rural dwellers to cities such as internet, cable television and healthy night life. To enhance tourism for economic development of the state, the group stated that tourism centres across the state should be seen as cultural heritage, treated so and upgraded to possible standard of attraction, to bring revenue to government.

NSCDC arrests 3 for illegal trading in petrol The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State, said on Sunday, that it had arrested three people, including a filling station manager, for alleged illegal trading in petrol. The Commandant of the corps in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Dutse, that the suspects were arrested at a filling station in Taura Local Government Area. Gidado said that the manager was arrested for allowing the illegal sale of the product, while the station attendant was arrested for selling the product in the black market. The commandant said that NSCDC officers recovered nine drums of petrol loaded on a Mitsubishi truck with registration number XB 388 BKD from the suspects. “Our Anti-Bumburutu team in Taura Local Government Area arrested the sales manager of a filling station for patronising black marketeers. “He was arrested with a black marketeer and the fuel station attendant after selling and loading the commodity into nine drums belonging to the illegal dealer,” the commandant said.

Body donates food items to special homes in Ogun The Buhari–Osinbajo Solidarity Organisation (BOSO), Ogun State, led by Alhaja Bisi Adenuga, recently visited the EruObodo Home For Special Children in Ijebu-Ode and SOS Children Village, Owu Ikija, in the state and donated food items worth N.3million to the children . The motive, according to the group, was to support the efforts of both President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in their quest to make life meaningful for the underprivileged in the country. Alhaja Adenuga, during the visit, thanked God for His support and commended the South West coordinator of the group, Dr Femi Olufunmilade, for his financial and moral support. Dr Olufunmilade in his address, stated that the group's efforts were geared towards supporting the cause of the president and vice president in delivering dividend of democracy to the underprivileged in the society.

Monday, 4 January, 2016

foreign affairs withseyigesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Execution of Shiite cleric

Iran, Saudi Arabia step up war of words •Iran’s Supreme Leader vows ‘divine revenge’

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani condemned the execution as ‘inhuman,’ but also urged the prosecution of ‘extremist individuals’ for attacking the embassy.

ranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran early on Sunday and Shi’ite Muslim Iran’s top leader predicted “divine vengeance” for Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric. Demonstrators protesting against the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr broke into the embassy building, smashed furniture and started fires before being ejected by police, Reuters said. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani condemned the execution as “inhuman,” but also urged the prosecution of “extremist individuals” for attacking the embassy and the Saudi consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad, state media reported.

Tehran’s police chief said an unspecified number of “unruly elements” were arrested for attacking the embassy with petrol bombs and rocks. A prosecutor said 40 people were held. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticised Saudi Arabia for the second straight day over Nimr’s execution. “The unjustly spilled blood of this oppressed martyr will no doubt soon show its effect and divine vengeance will befall Saudi politicians,” state TV quoted Khamenei as saying. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had promised “harsh revenge” against the Saudi Sunni royal dynasty for the execution of Nimr, considered a terrorist by Riyadh but hailed in Iran as a hero of the rights of Saudi

A controversial cartoon posted on an Iranian website, thought to belong to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni, suggested the only difference between Saudi rulers and ISIS executioners were the clothes they wore.

Arabia’s marginalized Shi’ite minority. Nimr, the most vocal critic of the dynasty among the Shi’ite minority, had come to be seen as a leader of the sect’s younger activists, who had tired of the failure of older, more measured leaders to achieve equality with Sunnis. His execution sparked angry protests in the Qatif region in eastern Saudi Arabia, where demonstrators denounced the ruling Al Saud dynasty, and in the nearby Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. Relatives of Nimr, reached by telephone, said authorities have informed them that the body had been buried “in a cemetery of Muslims” and would not be handed over to the family.

Brief history of Iran, Saudi Arabia’s historically tense relationship Both Saudi Arabia and Arabia’s to be overthrown Iran are Muslim countries. and replaced with Islamic They have a vast supply of oil Republics, Iran accused the and they share no borders, Saudis of being an “agent of and yet Iran and Saudi Ara- the US.” Iran’s Supreme Leader bia’s relationship has been plagued with aggression and Ayatollah Khameni, who started the revolution, was confrontation. Saudi Arabia is a predomi- opposed to monarchies benantly Sunni nation, a sect cause he believed them to be which believes the prophet un-Islamic. Meanwhile, MuhamSaudi Arabia mad was concerned w a s that Iran was sucobsessed with ceedexporting its ed by revolution to his faexpand its intherfluence in the i n Persian Gulf relaw, gion. A b u The Mail on Bakr. Sunday said Most relations beIranitween Saudi ans are Arabia and Iran Shiites, hit rock bottom w h o in 2011, when claim al Saud US officials alM u - Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz leged a plot to hamassassinate mad’s Saudi ambasson-insador Adel law and al-Jubeir was cousin, tied to the IraAli Ibn nian governAbi Talment. ib, was T h e y his first claimed Ira“caliph.” nian nationH i s als Manssor torically, Arbabsiar t h e y and Gholam h a v e Shakuri clashed planned to over their kill al-Jubeir differing at a restauinterpreenei Kham Leader Ayatolah rant with a tations of Iran’s Supreme bomb and Islam, asthen detopirations nate an exto lead the plosive at Islamic the Saudi world, embassy in their oil Washingexport ton. policy and They have relations also clashed with the over oil and United gas export States. policies. More reSaudi Aracently, the bia, with relationits large oil ship soured of g killin The violent mob was protesting the reserves, is over Iran’s Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr, the most vocal critic of the said to fanuclear pro- Saudi dynasty. PHOTO: REUTERS. vour moderate gramme, the 1979 Islamic revolution prices over a long term period. Meanwhile Iran, which has and an alleged plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambas- been crippled with sanctions following its decades old war sador to the United States. After the rebellion, in with Iraq, has been forced which revolutionaries called to sell oil at high prices for on monarchies like Saudi short term profits.

foreig naffairs

Monday, 4 January, 2016

African, Asian bishops threaten to quit Anglican Church in gays’ feud Demand American bishops drop support for gay marriage

hurch leaders from Africa and Asia are threatening to walk out of a crucial meeting chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury unless American bishops drop their support for gay marriage. Archbishop Justin Welby last year invited the leaders of the worldwide Anglican Church to the summit in Canterbury next week in a “make or break” effort to avert a permanent split over homosexuality, the Mail on Sunday said. The row has torn the Church apart for a decade with conservatives accusing liberals of abandoning the word of God by backing openly gay bishops and marriages for gay couples and the Archbishop wants to broker a deal to allow both sides to co-exist peacefully. But insiders said a hardcore of eight to 12 conservative archbishops from Africa and Asia are preparing to quit the meeting on the

Archbishop Justin Welby

first morning unless the liberal Americans “repent” or the Archbishop throws them out. In what would be a massive challenge to Archbishop Welby’s authority, the conservatives, who represent some of the biggest of

the 38 individual Churches in the worldwide “Communion,” are then likely move to their own headquarters nearby for the rest of the meeting. While they are unlikely immediately to break their historic

I worry I won’t get to see George and Charlotte grow up, says Prince William Prince William has confessed he worries that he won’t get to see his children, George and Charlotte grow up, in a new documentary with British TV presenters, Ant and Dec. The Duke of Cambridge admitted that fatherhood has made him more “emotional” and more aware of how “precious life is.” His own mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash when he was just 15 in an event which would have affected his attitude towards parenthood. “I’m a lot more emotional than I used to be, weirdly,” said the 33-year-old, talking to Ant and Dec for the documentary about his father’s Prince’s Trust. With his brother, Prince Harry, beside him, he added: “I never used to get too wound up or worried about things. But now the smallest little things, you well up a little more, you get affected by the sort of things that happen around the world or whatever a lot more, I think, as a father. “Just because you realise how precious life is and it puts it all in perspective. The idea of not being around to see your children grow up and stuff like that. “I remember my mother and father taking us to charities and organisations and showing us what goes on. And I think seeing such a broad spectrum of life is really important from a young age to give you a bit of perspective.

Prince William, his wife and their two children. PHOTO: PA. “You don’t just live in a palace, it’s very important you get out and you see what goes on in the real world.”

Meanwhile Prince Harry talked about how he enjoyed living next door to his brother and his family at Kensington Palace.

ties with the Archbishop of Canterbury the nominal head of the Communion – they would boycott future official meetings and set up a parallel church, drawing away traditionalists from the Church of England. The Mail on Sunday has learned that feelings are running so high that the three most powerful leaders, the Archbishops of Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda, were last week on the brink of snubbing the meeting altogether, but were persuaded to attend by colleagues still hoping to force concessions from Welby. Sources said they have lost patience with the Archbishop’s refusal to discipline the liberals for ignoring official policy urging them to refrain from creating gay bishops or approving gay marriage without widespread agreement. But liberal leaders have said Archbishop Welby has assured them that no one will be expelled from the meeting. The Archbishop will instead propose that the Communion becomes a more loosely linked “federation” to keep everyone in the “family” which aides have compared to ‘moving into separate bedrooms’ rather than fullscale divorce. The bitter divisions led Archbishop Welby to postpone last year’s Lambeth Conference, the regular gathering of all Anglican bishops from around the world that has been held nearly every decade, except during the two world wars, since the 1860s. The last, in 2008, was boycotted by key conservatives furious with the liberal American Church for consecrating an openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in 2003. The Americans accuse conservatives of fostering homophobic attitudes.

ISIS threatens Cameron, releases video of 5 British spies killed ISIS has threatened British Prime Minister David Cameron in a gruesome new execution video in which it executes five suspected British spies, the Mail on Sunday reported. The terror group’s captives, dressed in orange jumpsuits, were filmed ‘confessing’ to spying for British security services. With five executioners standing behind the kneeling, shackled prisoners, a masked gunmen said in a British accent: ‘This is a message to Da-

vid Cameron.’ In the 10 minute long propaganda video, he described the Prime Minister as an “imbecile” and “slave of the White House,” adding: “Your children will pay for your deeds.” He went on to claim that the captives had been abandoned by the British government. The video, which could not be independently verified, ended with a haunting “trailer” in which a young child says in a British accent: “We will kill them over there.” David Cameron

other

NEWS

Mexican mayor killed in her home day after taking office The mayor of a Mexican city who took office on Friday was killed on Saturday. Gisela Mota was killed by armed gunmen at her house in Temixco. According to VOA, Morelos state security commissioner, Jesus Alberto Capella, said two attackers were killed and three were detained by federal police and soldiers. Mota’s leftist Democratic Revolution Party said in a statement Mota was “a strong and brave woman who on taking office as mayor, declared that her fight against crime would be frontal and direct.” The city’s general secretary, Carols Caltenco, said the city government believed some people were threatened by Mota’s inaugural speech. Temixco is about 100 kilometres south of Mexico’s capital and borders Cuernavaca, a resort that has experienced kidnappings and extortion linked to organised crime. Gisela Mota, during her swearing in ceremony as mayor of Temixco, Morelos State, Mexico, on Friday. PHOTO: AP.

New year brings minimum wage hikes for Americans in 14 states As the United States marks more than six years without an increase in the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, 14 states and several cities are moving forward with their own increases, with most set to start taking effect on Friday, Reuters reported. California and Massachusetts are highest among the states, both increasing from $9 to $10 an hour, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislatures. At the low end is Arkansas, where the minimum wage is increasing from $7.50 to $8. The smallest increase, a nickel, comes in South Dakota, where the hourly minimum is now $8.55. The increases come in the wake of a series of “living wage” protests across the country, including a November campaign in which thousands of protesters in 270 cities marched in support of a $15-anhour minimum wage and union rights for fast food workers.

Putin names US among threats in new Russian security strategy A new appraisal names the United States as one of the threats to Russia’s national security for the first time, a sign of how relations with the west have deteriorated in re-

cent years. Reuters said document, “About the Strategy of National Security of Russian Federation,” was signed by President Vladimir Putin on New Year’s Eve.

It replaces a 2009 version, endorsed by thenPresident Dmitry Medvedev, the current prime minister, which mentioned neither the United States not NATO.

It says Russia has managed to heighten its role in solving global problems and international conflicts. That heightened role has caused a reaction by the West, it says.

Russian’s President Vladimir Putin

foreig naffairs

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Obama focuses on gun control as Hawaiian vacation ends

nited States President Barack Obama returned to White House, Washington, on Sunday, from his holiday vacation, looking immediately to impose new controls on gun sales, The Associated Press reported. Obama, his wife Michelle and their two daughters departed the U.S. Pacific state of Hawaii late Saturday

night after their annual twoweek Christmas vacation in the president’s birthplace. Obama is entering the last year of his presidency, set to leave office in January 2017 after eight years in the White House. He plans to meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch Monday to discuss an impending executive order aimed at expanding background checks on gun sales,

US ‘deeply disappointed’ Rwandan president will seek 3rd term The United States is “deeply disappointed” by Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s New Year announcement that he would seek a third term in 2017, according to the United States State Department. Kagame, who has been president since 2000, has effectively been in control since his rebel force marched into Kigali to end the 1994 genocide. He had been limited to two terms, but Rwanda approved constitutional changes last year that would allow him to stay in power until 2034, if he wins elections. “The United States is deeply disappointed that President Paul Kagame has announced his intention to

run for a third term in office,” John Kirby, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said in a statement late on Saturday. The United States is a major donor to Rwanda and provides military aid. It has long praised Kagame for transforming the nation since the genocide, Reuters said. It has expressed alarm at the growing list of African leaders seeking to extend their time in office. Neighbouring Burundi, which shares a history of ethnic fighting with Rwanda, was plunged into chaos in April over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement he would seek a third term, which the opposition criticized as unconstitutional.

Paul Kagame

which he is taking in response to a series of deadly mass shootings across the United States in recent years, including last month’s massacre in San Bernardino, California that killed 14 people. The president is expected to announce the new order days before he delivers his final State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 12. “I am fired up for the year that stretches out before us,” Obama said in his weekly radio address

last week. Like his predecessors, Obama is expected to devote a great deal of the final year of his presidency to foreign affairs.The top items on his agenda include securing congressional passage of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, and a possible trip to Cuba. Obama achieved a diplomatic breakthrough last year by restoring formal relations with the communist-led Caribbean President Barack Obama waves as he walks with his daughter, Malia, island, ending more than five de- across the South Lawn on return to the White House in Washington, cades of Cold War-era hostilities. on Sunday. PHOTO: AP.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg shares sweet family photo, sends wishes for a ‘happy and healthy 2016’

The little girl with her dad was seven pounds, eight ounces when she was born and is now the heir to a $46billion fortune.

The 31-year-old and his wife Priscilla Chan, 30 (right), welcomed their baby daughter in November. PHOTOS: FACEBOOK.

Mark Zuckerberg has welcomed the new year by sharing a family photo of his wife and their five-week-old daughter. Zuckerberg posted the photo to Facebook showing the doting dad smiling down at his daughter Maxima as he holds her in his arms while his wife, Priscilla Chan, adoringly looks on. “I hope your 2016 is happy, healthy and productive,” the

31-year-old Facebook founder and CEO wrote in a post alongside the sweet snap. “As the world faces new challenges and opportunities, may we all find the courage to keep making progress and making all our days count.” By Saturday afternoon, the post, which was put up near Atherton, California, had garnered more than one million ‘likes’ and had been shared more than

14,000 times. An outpouring of well wishes were posted in the comment section by people who thanked Zuckerberg for ‘connecting the world’ and wished him and his family a Happy New Year. “Thank you for connecting the world. Thank you, because with Facebook I get to see and connect with my family from thousands of miles away,’ one person wrote in the comments.

The doting dad has not been shy over his excitement at being a first-time dad, and that stretched to his love of Star Wars last month, with a gorgeous photo of his little girl, Max, dressed as a Padawan going up on his site.

Previously, Zuckerberg shared this photo of himself changing his newborn daughter Maxima Chan’s diaper. Zuckerberg has taken a paternity leave from Facebook for two months

otherNEWS Vatican accord with Palestine comes into effect

Pope Francis embraces Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the end of the ceremony for the canonisation of four nuns at Saint Peter’s square in the Vatican City, last year. PHOTO: REUTERS.

An agreement signed last year making the Vatican’s de facto recognition of Palestine in 2012 official has come into effect, the Holy See has said. The Vatican signed its first treaty with the “State of Palestine” last

June when it called for moves to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and backed a two-state solution. “... the Holy See and the State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for (the ac-

cord’s) entry into force have been fulfilled, the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2012 recognizing Palestine as an observer nonmember state. This was

welcomed at the time by the Vatican, which has the same observer nonmember status at the United Nations. In October 2014, Sweden acknowledged Palestine, a decision that drew condemnation from Israel and led to

tense relations between the two. Israel has previously called the Vatican accord a hasty move that could damage prospects for advancing a peace agreement and impact its future diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

2 Israelis indicted in Palestinian arson case Israel has said that it has broken up a “Jewish terror” cell responsible for a deadly attack on a Palestinian family. An Israeli court indicted two Jewish militants for an arson attack on a Palestinian home last July that killed a toddler and his parents. The assailants allegedly threw

firebombs into the West Bank home as the family slept. The indictment said the suspects were members of a Jewish “terrorist organization.” They were identified as a 21-year-old West Bank settler and a minor. According to VOA, the Israeli Justice Ministry said two other Is-

raeli males were indicted for other terrorist activities against Arabs and their property. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed “zero tolerance” for Jewish terrorism. He told the Cabinet that Israel is a state of law that will enforce the law against all perpetrators of vio-

lence and murder. Nevertheless, Palestinians believe the case exhibits an Israeli double standard: They say Palestinian assailants are quickly apprehended by Israeli security forces, while Jewish militants have carried out attacks for years with virtual impunity.

Israel’s President Netanyahu

foreig naffairs

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Why armed men seize US refuge, occupy federal building in Oregon

rmed anti-government protesters have taken over a building in a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, United States, accusing officials of unfairly punishing ranchers who refused to sell their land. One them is Ammon Bundy, the 40-yearold son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who is well-known for anti-government action. He spoke by phone to CNN on Sunday at 8 a.m. ET. Asked several times what he and those with him want, he answered in vague terms, saying that they want the federal government to restore the “people’s constitutional rights.” “This refuge it has been destructive to the people of the county and to the people of the area,” he said. “People need to be aware that we’ve become a system where government is actually claiming and using and defending people’s rights, and they are doing that against the people.” The group is occupying part of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns after gathering outside for a demonstration supporting Dwight and Steven Hammond, father and son ranchers who were convicted of arson. Prosecutors said the Hammonds set a fire that burned about 130 acres in 2001, to cover up poaching. The father and son were sentenced to five years in prison. The Hammonds said they set the fire to reduce the growth of invasive plants and to protect their property from wildfires, CNN affiliate KTVZ reported. CNN law enforcement analyst Art Roderick, a retired U.S. marshal who investigated

The protesters said they plan on staying at the Malheur National Wildlife refuge building in Princeton, Oregon for as long as possible. PHOTO: FACEBOOK.

Protesters march on Court Avenue in support of an Oregon ranching family facing jail time for arson in Burns, Oregon, on Saturday. Soon after, they occupied Malheur National Wildlife refuge building in Princeton, Oregon. PHOTO: FACEBOOK.

anti-government militias for years, warned that Bundy’s call for supporters to join him might “turn into a bad situation.” “What’s going to happen hopefully (is) ... we don’t go out there with a big force, because that’s what they’re looking for,” he said. “The last thing we need is some type of confrontation.” He said that over the years, law enforcement has learned how to handle a situation like this; one that hasn’t erupted in violence and in which a law may be broken, but there’s no immediate threat to anyone’s life. The best approach now, Roderick said, is to wait the group out and to figure out how to bring a peaceful end to the standoff. ‘We are not terrorists’ After the march Saturday, the armed protesters broke into the refuge’s unoccupied building and refused to leave. Officials have said there are no government employees in the building. “We will be here as long as it takes,” Bundy said. “We have no intentions of using force upon anyone, (but) if force is used against us, we would defend ourselves.” Ammon Bundy said that the group in Oregon was armed, but that he would not describe it as a militia. He declined to say how many people were with him, telling CNN on Sunday that giving that information might jeopardize “operational security.” The elder Bundy drew national attention last year after staging a standoff with federal authorities over a Bureau of Land Management dispute. “We are not terrorists,” Ammon Bundy said. “We are concerned citizens and realize we have to act if we want to pass along any-

thing to our children.” He wouldn’t call his group a militia, but others are. “I don’t like the militia’s methods,” local resident Monica McCannon told KTVZ. “They had their rally. Now it’s time for them to go home. People are afraid of them.” A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representative said the agency and the Bureau of Land Management are aware of the armed protesters. “While the situation is ongoing, the main concern is employee safety, and we can confirm that no federal staff were in the building at the time of the initial incident,” the representative said. “We will continue to monitor the situation.” What the protesters want When asked what it would take for the protesters to leave, Bundy did not offer specifics. He said he and those with him are prepared to stay put for days or weeks. “We feel that we will occupy this as long as necessary,” he said. “We are using the wildlife refuge as a place for individuals across the United States to come and assist in helping the people of Harney County claim back their lands and resources,” he said. “The people will need to be able to use the land and resources without fear as free men and women. We know it will take some time.” He did not explicitly call on authorities to commute the prison sentences for the Hammonds, who are scheduled to report to prison Monday. But he said their case illustrates officials’ “abuse” of power. “Now that people such as the Hammonds

are taking a stand and not selling their ranches, they are being prosecuted in their own courts as terrorists and putting them in prison for five years,” Bundy said. He said the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge has taken over the space of 100 ranches since the early 1900s. “They are continuing to expand the refuge at the expense of the ranchers and miners,” Bundy said. He also said Harney County, in southeastern Oregon, went from one of the state’s wealthiest counties to one of the poorest. CNN has not independently corroborated Bundy’s claims. “I want to emphasis that the American people are wondering why they can’t seem to get ahead or why everything is costing more and you are getting less, and that is because the federal government is taking and using the land and resources,” Bundy said. “And if it is continued, it will put the people in poverty.” What the feds say Acting U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of Oregon gave a starkly different perspective on the arson case. His office declined to comment on the situation at the wildlife refuge Saturday, but it cited an opinion piece written by Williams in the Burns Times Herald last month defending the federal prosecutors’ actions in the Hammonds case. “Five years ago, a federal grand jury charged Dwight and Steven Hammond with committing arson on public lands and endangering firefighters,” Williams wrote for the newspaper. “Steven Hammond was also found guilty of committing a second arson in 2006.”

Ryan Payne, an Army veteran from Montana, participates in a community meeting in Burns, Oregon. He is among key militiamen who seized control of the refuge on Saturday. PHOTO: AP.

Monday, 4 January, 2016 44 communitynews Lagos residents shun pedestrian bridges to avoid robbery attacks

ome Lagos residents have appealed to the Lagos State government to beef up security around pedestrian bridges to check robbery attacks on them. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the residents also appealed to the state government to enforce the use of pedestrian bridges. A trader in Ile-Epo Bus Stop area, Mr Ahmed Arikenyo, told NAN that he was afraid of using pedestrian bridges because of past experience. He said he was robbed on a footbridge on ApapaOshodi Expressway. “We were robbed at gunpoint at the Ilasamaja Bridge a long time ago but the memory has refused to go. “Any time I try to use a pedestrian bridge, I see the robbers, so I feel safer running across the highway,” he said. Another pedestrian at Ikeja, Mrs Mabel Musa, said she was also robbed on a pedestrian bridge

Re-dedicate your lives to God, mankind, Olu of Warri charges Nigerians Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, has called on the people of Warri and other Nigerians to re-dedicate their lives to the service of God and mankind. Ogiame Ikenwoli made the call in his New Year message to the Itsekiri nation and Nigerians in general. He stated that the people must see service to God and man as a duty and take pride in the dignity of labour, noting that any shortcut to success does not last. He also urged his people to return to their traditional occupation such as farming, fishing, fish processing, mat weaving and other arts and crafts for which the riverine people are renown. He added that such return is to old-time occupations panacea for unemployment, poverty and crime in the area. Ogiame Ikenwoli sued for continued peace in Warri Local Government Area, asking the people to focus on the things that unite them rather than those that divide them. He prayed that the New Year would usher in peace and progress in the land.

around Gbagada area and had since become afraid of footbridges. “Despite the fact that there was a police station close by, I was robbed at the bridge on Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway, precisely, Charly Boy Bus stop, so I am afraid of using pedestrian bridges,” she said. However, Mr Ajulo Dada in Ijaiye area, said he avoided footbridges out of negligence. “Government did well by providing the bridges but we are just careless, sometimes we even forget to use them because there is no enforcement for use,” he said. Mrs Amaka Njoku and Miss Christy Kushima at Ikeja footbridge said they had fear for height and preferred to cross the highway. A trader in Oshodi, who identified herself as Iya Shadia, said pedestrians avoided the bridge because of stress. “We go through a lot of

stress in Lagos. “People are struggling, worried and anxious and government needs to address those issues

that stress us. “I am using the bridge today because of the Kick Against Indiscipline officials.

They have used a caution tape on the road median and I know they will disturb me if I cross the highway.

“My heart is pounding so hard because it is not easy to climb especially when you are above 50 years,” she said.

Members of Omu-Aran Youth Forum during a carnival in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

13 bags Omu-Aran Youth Forum merit award Thirteen persons have received merit awards from the Omu-Aran Youth Forum for their contribution to the socio-economic development of OmuAran community in Kwara State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that each of the recipients received a plaque at a dinner organised by the forum to mark first Omu-Aran Youth Festival, in Omu-Aran, last week Wednesday. Five other personalities were also inaugurated as matrons and patrons of the forum on the occasion. The recipients, according to the forum’s President, Pastor Doyin Lawal, were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the development community in the areas of community service, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The awardees are Chief Michael Abolarin, Pastor Olusola Ajewole, Alhaji Issa Salau and Deacon Richard Adewoye. Others are Alhaji Musa Salami, Chief Adekunle Oyinloye, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, Alhaji Saheed Alatise, Dr Ibrahim Kola, Mr Niyi Adeyeye and Mr Kayode Sangoyomi. Lawal said that the youth festival and the award night was aimed at championing a new direction with focus on poverty reduction and youth unemployment. He said the choice of the awardees was not based on their level of education, wealth or political influence but on their commitment to the improvement of the well-being of the people of the community. Lawal said the forum was already collaborating with Landmark University,

Omu-Aran, towards encouraging youths to embrace agriculture as a vocation. “We have identified agriculture, capacity building, education and training as factors in achieving our aim of overcoming poverty, unemployment and social vices,” he said. The chairman on the oc-

casion, Chief Hezekiah Oyedepo, advised youths on the need to create a website that would allow for a unique data base of personalities for ease of communication. The Akeweje of OmuAran, Chief Bisi Adeyemi, in a goodwill message, commended the youth for their

Complete abandoned projects in Ofiki, FG told A prominent traditional ruler in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State has appealed to the Federal Government to complete its abandoned projects in his domain. The Alagere of Ofiki land in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Bello Oyesiji, made the appeal in his address on the occasion of the third Ofiki Day celebration held at Ofiki

Grammar School play gro und. The traditional ruler specifically called on the Federal Government to complete the abandoned Agunpoopo/Owo/Ofiki/ Irawo Road and the health centre project in the area. He noted that the completion of the two projects would give the people of Oke-Ogun a sense of belonging and further endear

Kwara assembly calls for resumption of work on electrification project Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The Kwara State House of Assembly has directed the state Ministry of Energy to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the contractor handling the abandoned Alera Electrification Project in Share Ward V returns to site. The resolution was reached following the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Energy, Works and Transport on the electrification

project by its Chairman, Honourable Mathew Babaoye. This followed a Matter of General Public Importance raised by the member representing Share/ Oke-Ode Constituency, Honourable Akanni AbdulRahman. The assembly equally urged the state government to cash-back the Egba/Sangotayo electrification project to enable the contractor handling

foresight, especially in terms of security measures put in place in the community. Chairman, Irepodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Luqman Owolewa, urged the youth to continue to promote unity and peaceful coexistence in order to move the community forward.

Alera Electrification project connect Alera community to the national grid. The Deputy Speaker, who presided over the meeting, however, directed the committee to investigate petitions written by Sapati-Ile Community in Asa Local Government Area, asking the assembly to wade into the blockage of the only road linking Sapati-Ile to other towns by the Nigerian Railway Corporation thereby hampering the socio-economic

activities of the people of the area which was moved by a member representing Owode/Onire Constituency, Honourable AbdulRasheed Abdullahi and another petition written by Jimoh Alabi of Isale Ajanaku Street, Irewolede, Ilorin complaining about the diversion of erosion route which, he said, resulted in the collapse of his building which was presented by the member representing Ilorin North West Constituency.

the government to them. Oba Bello also urged the state government to make its impact felt in the town through the provision of infrastructural facilities. The monarch called on the people of the area to join in the development efforts going on in the area by contributing their quota. In his address, the senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Alhaji Fatai Buhari, assured the people of the area of government support at all times. Buhari, who was represented by one of his supporters, Prince Moshood Adebisi, also commended the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the area. Earlier, the Chairman, Ofiki Day Planning Committee, Alhaji Yinusa Olafaju, had described the three-day programme as a huge success. He commended the guests and dignitaries who graced the occasion for giving their time and for their commitment.

communitynews Joju residents, others want FERMA’s assistance on Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway

Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos

ESIDENTS of Joju, Alli Isiba, Singer, Ijako, Sugar and Owode, in Ado Odo/ Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State ,have appealed to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Ogun State government to fix the bad portions of the Joju axis on the Lagos/ Abeokuta Expressway . They are of the opinion that the bad state of the road has been responsible for the incessant traffic congestion between Sango underbridge and Joju Bus Stop. The residents stated that the situation might become worse as the bad spots get bigger every passing day. According to them, the situation may result in accidents as long and articulated vehicles often have difficult times negotiating the bad spots . Blessing, a resident of Joju who spoke with Community News said “they should

Monday, 4 January, 2016

find a lasting solution to the problem. It shows the contractor did not do a good job in the first place.

“Now, it is very predictable that you will encounter traffic grid lock on both sides of the bus stop. Driv-

ers have tough times on the road because they are always cautious not to damage their vehicles.

“This is the time for FERMA to act. The stress we go through is becoming unbearable.

Community leader blames clashes on non-adherence to religious tenets Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

From left, Director of Rehabilitation, Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Motunrayo Babatunde and Government and Community Relations Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr Gabriel Nyam, presenting a pack of Perkins Brailler to Mrs Caroline John of CMML Special School for the Blind, in the fifth phase of MTN Foundation Disability Support Programme, in Kogi State, recently.

Ewi, Afe Babalola charge Ekiti indigenes to invest in communities Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

THE Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, have urged indigenes of Ekiti State to invest in their various communities. Oba Adejugbe and Chief Babalola in their speeches, said such investments in the state would solve the problem of youth unemployment and better the lot of the people and government. Oba Adejugbe and Chief Babalola spoke respectively in the Ewi’s palace and at ABUAD in the state capital, while hosting industrialist and Chairman of Prosperous Group of Companies, owners of Prosperous Hotels and Resorts, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Abiodun Isinkaiye, who paid them visits. They lauded the industrialist for his investments in Ekiti State, which they said had added value to the state and its people, saying his recorded successes should encourage others. The monarch hinged his call on Ekiti people to come home to invest on the need to harness the vast opportunities in the state for its development, saying:

A resident of Ijako, who identified herself as Yetunde, said “what we go through daily is painful. “The road was repaired about six months ago but it was not properly done. FERMA should come to our aid.”

“Nobody will develop this place for us if we don’t. So our people have to come here to invest. “There are a lot of opportunities here that people can exploit. There are avenues for partnership with the state government. There are tourism potentialities in the state. We have

Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and the Iwaraja. Our land is fertile for agriculture and Ekiti can produce the food that can feed the nation.” While lauding Isinkaiye for his contributions to the socio-economic development of the state, Babalola, who said investing in the state would bring

about its transformation, urged other well-meaning Ekiti indigenes to heed the call to contribute to the growth of the state. Babalola said he established ABUAD, ABUAD Farms and the teaching hospital under construction in the state as part of his contributions to lift

area were profiting from Oke-Ogun underdevelopment, saying that posterity would not forgive the accomplices of those who derive joy in suppressing the growth and development of the zone. Koleoso, who is also for-

mer National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), explained that the ceremony was organised to give gratitude to God for his protection and guidance in the outgone year. He said in spite of the challenges the nation en-

the state. Isinkaiye said he derived his inspiration to establish the hotel and oil and gas outlets in Ekiti State from the love that Afe Babalola has for the state, assuring that he would expand the scope of his investments in the state in the New Year.

Koleoso harps on development of Oke-Ogun A frontline indigene of Oke-Ogun, Chief Micheal Adeniyi Koleoso, has charged the people of the zone to channel their Godgiven resources towards the development of the area. Chief Koleoso, a former secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG), gave the charge on Friday while speaking at the new year get-together held at the Oyo State Agricultural Development (OYSADEP) Office, Saki. He contended that the zone which comprises 10 out of the 33 local government areas of Oyo State was lagging behind in the scheme of things, attributing the development to a deliberate policy of neglect of the zone. The Babalaje of Saki land lamented that some notable indigenes of the

countered in 2015, Nigerians had every cause to show gratitude to God for all His favours rather than counting their losses. The ceremony was attended by representatives of all the local governments that constitute the zone.

Olukoyi solicits residents’ prayers for progress OLUKOYI of Ikoyi land in Osun State, Oba Yisau Bantale Otunla-Kodaolu 1, has urged residents of his community to pray fervently in the new year towards the upliftment of the land. The monarch gave the charge during the interdenominational service organised by both the monarch and the Olukoyi in Council on Friday, the first

day of the new year, at the palace ground. Oba Otunla said Ikoyi land needed progress this year in all ramifications, adding that residents must work towards it by praying to God to expand the land. According to him: “It is a must for everyone of us to collaborate with government to develop our community as government cannot be doing everything for us all the time.

“Let us call on the Creator to enlarge our community in terms of development like establishment of modern industries, building of institutions of higher learning among other facilities.” The Olukoyi, who charged the residents to always be law-abiding, loving and hardworking, commended them for their support to him and his chiefs in the previous year.

COMMUNITY leader and Atayero of Aramoko-Ekiti, Omoba Olusegun Aderemi, has said that the insecurity plaguing the country and the clashes in some parts are avoidable if those who profess different religions adhere to the tenets. Aderemi, a contender to the Alara stool of the community, advised worshippers— religious leaders and their followers alike— to be sincere and show love, kindness, to others as preached by the different religion. The industrialist, who spoke at Aramoko Ekiti at the launch of a book, entitled: “Effectual Prayer for Christendom: The African Psalm”, written by Chief G.B.S. Jejeniwa, said “this book which is about the power of prayer is for Christians and Muslims alike. We need to be more prayerful for God to take control of our individual lives and the affairs of the country. “If we as Christians and Muslims imbibe and practise the love preached by both faiths, then hatred, quarreling, disunity, the tendency for crime and ungodly acts will not be part of us and there will be no crises in the country,” he said. He advised Nigerian leaders to continue to strive to put smile on the faces of Nigerians in the New Year, assuring that a lot of gains would come the way of the country with the change campaign. “2015 has been slow in terms of business planting and development. But thank God for the transition. This is a period of pains, but a lot of gains are underway. “The falling oil prices is an opportunity for the country to diversify and harness the nation’s vast natural resources. There are a lot of gains coming our way in 2016,” he said.

Monday, 4 January, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Peters (right) and Arinye

Juliet Ibrahim, Robert Marawa to compere 2015 Glo-CAF Awards JULIET Ibrahim, Ghanaian actress, film producer, singer and model of Lebanese, Liberian and Ghanaian descent and Supersports of South Africa presenter, Robert Marawa have been confirmed as the official comperes of the 2015 Glo-Caf Awards. Juliet won the Best Actress in a

I will use sports to unify Nigerian youths —Adekola By Olaoluwa Olowoyeye THE chairman House Committee on Youth in the House of Representatives, Hon Segun Adekola has promised to use sports to strengthen unity among youths in the country. Hon Segun Adekola made the pledge at the kick off ceremony of the maiden edition of Segun Adekola Soccer Cup competition among all the wards in Ekiti South Federal Constituency one made up of Ikere, Ise/Orun and Ekiti Southwest local government councils. According to Adekola, the major aim of the competition is to unite and promote social relationship among the youth of the area. Adekola, who condemned the high rate of unemployment in the country said his committee is already working on how to arrest the situation. He noted that sports is a veritable means of providing jobs for the good number of Nigerian youths roaming the streets in search of unavailable jobs. He therefore said his committee will do everything humanly possible to promote sports.

Leading Roleaward at the 2010 Ghana Movie Awards for her role in 4 play and has been referred to as the “Most Beautiful West African Woman” according to A-listers Magazine. In 2014 she released a music video for her hit song “Its over Now” featuring General Pype. She also has a music video ‘Traffic Jam’ and her latest single; ‘Sholala’ Ibrahim was born in Ghana to a Lebanese father and a GhanaianLiberian mother. She studied Marketing and Journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Juliet who speaks English, French and Spanish, recently premiered her latest movie, Shattered Romance in Lagos. Robert Marawa on the other hand, is anchoring the Glo-Caf awards for the third time having co- hosted the 2011 edition in Accra with Ghanaian International, Tony Bafoe and the 2014 edition in Lagos with Joselyn Canfor Dumas. Marawa is a South African sports journalist and television/radio personality. He attended Hilton College near Pietermaritzburg and the University of the Witwatersrand where he studied Law. Born on March 1, 1973, he currently works as a presenter for Super Sport in addition to hosting 083 Sports@6 on Metro FM in Johannesburg. Popularly known as “Madluphuthu,” Marawa is currently hosting the Discovery Sports Centre 6-7pm weekdays on Metro FM. He also hosts soccer shows, particularly European Champions League review and update on Super Sport.

ITTF lists two Nigerian umpires for 2016 Olympics, Paralympics Games

ENUGU Rangers have announced they will interview candidates for the team’s posts for technical director and team manager on Friday, January 8. According to a statement signed by Rangers spokesman Foster Chime, applications for these posi-

tions are expected today. Already the club have confirmed the re-engagement of Imama Amapakabo is head coach on a year’s deal. He will be assisted by Chukwuma Agbo and Tony Bulus Tokpe and John Edeh.

IGERIA will not only has its players in action at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, two of its foremost umpires, John Peters and Cecilia Arinye have been confirmed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) as match officials for the multi-sports championship in Brazil. With Aruna Quadri and Funke Oshonaike already confirmed for the Rio Olympic Games, the certified ITTF blue badge umpires, Peters and Arinye will be among the

Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

The final match of the tournament was played between Okehi and Olamaboro local government which ended 34 to 22 in favour of Okehi. Umar solicited for more funds from the Federal Government to promote the game, saying proper funding of the game was capable of creating sources of livelihood for the youth. He said, “This is the fourth year of this tournament being spon-

sored by the Chief Justice of Kogi state , Honourable Justice Nasiru Ajanah , we felt that we should come to show appreciation and to also take a look at the talents that have been nutured over this years. “This tournament brought all the local government in the state together, unifying them through the game of basketball. I am in discussion with the sponsor to see the area where we can add value to the competition at the national level”.

Rangers shop for technical director

NBF boss solicits more funding THE Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBF) has advocated for more funding to enable it promote the game and discover new talents. The President of the federation, Alhaji Tijani Umar, stated this in Okene, Okene Local government area of Kogi state during the annual Ajanah Basketball Competition among the 21 local government areas in the state.

47 umpires listed by the world table tennis ruling body for the tournament. Globally, few umpires make it to the Olympic Games but again this has confirmed Nigeria’s relevant in table tennis with Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria being the only countries in Africa having its officials at the games. Peters, who is among the longest serving umpires in Africa, will officiate at the Olympic Games while Arinye, who is the Director of Sports, University of Lagos will be in action at the Paralympic Games. The duo has joined the list of few umpires in the world to make it to the Olympic while the late Patience Ikeme-Iwuno was among the four umpires selected from Africa for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Peters, who started his officiating career in the 1970s became an international umpire in 1980 and he has officiated at various African Games including the 2015 edition in Congo Brazzaville was also at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland while Arinye, an

ex-international is also an experienced umpire who has officiated in various international tournaments across the globe was also part of the umpire team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Besides Peters and Arinye, Algeria’s duo of Mouhssene YahiaCherif and Abdellah Boudjehem will handle proceedings in Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively while Egypt’s pair of Magdy Edriss and ElSaied Ragab will be on duty as well in Brazil. According to the President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, the listing of umpires from Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria again confirmed the giant stride made by the these countries in terms of officiating. For the list of umpires for Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Africa (3), Europe (7), Asia (6), Latin America (3), North America (2) and Oceania (1) totalling 22 while for the Paralympic Games, Africa (3), Asia (7), Europe (8), Latin America (3), North America (2) and Oceania (2) making it 25 officials.

47 tribunesport

Monday, 4 January, 2016

Leverkusen warns Arsenal to hands off Hernandez JAVIER HERNANDEZ will not be sold by Bayer Leverkusen this month, the club’s sporting director has said. The Mexican has made a huge impact for the Bundesliga club since joining from Manchester United in the summer for £7.3m. The 27-year-old has scored 19 goals in all competitions so far this season and has 17 goals in his last 14 appearances for Bayer. His form has seen him linked with a quick exit from the BayArena with Arsenal rumoured to be interested in bringing him back to the Premier League. But Rudi Voller insists Bayer have no intention of letting Hernandez leave any time soon. “We’re not selling Chicharito to Arsenal or anyone else,” Voller told Sky Germany. “He’s not for sale.”

Klopp berates Liverpool players after West Ham loss IF Liverpool’s lightweights thought Sam Allardyce had a point when he called Jurgen Klopp “a soft German” they got a rude awakening last night. The Anfield boss laid into them after their 2-0 defeat at West Ham with a bitter blast. Klopp didn’t mince his words, even though he admitted his English just wasn’t good enough to fully express the anger he felt. He said: “We are not disappointed, we are angry. I am really angry about myself. It was not enough from my team today. “We had our moments and had some chances but we didn’t take them. We didn’t score and we lost. We are to blame for that. It is our responsibility.” Klopp didn’t hold back there, either, as he turned the post-match inquest with the Press into a noholds barred assessment of his players. He added: “We could have changed our position after that first goal but our reaction to it was not right. All the TV stations tell me the situation with Alberto Moreno was a foul on him but it wasn’t given and they went and scored.

Willian sent a thunderous strike crashing into the top corner from the edge of the area on the hour mark for Chelsea. PHOTO:DAILYMAIL

Hiddink secures first win at Chelsea C HELSEA secured their first victory in Guus Hiddink’s second spell as boss to move six points clear of relegation with a deserved win at Crystal Palace. Oscar put the Blues ahead against the run of play, tapping home after being put through by Diego Costa. Once they scored Chelsea dominated, deservedly doubling their advantage with a spectacular Willian strike. Costa sealed the win with a tapin for a goal his performance deserved after Palace failed to clear Willian’s shot. Interim boss Hiddink, who guided Chelsea to third in the Premier League, a Champions League semi-final and the FA Cup in his first spell at the club, remains unbeaten since taking over from Jose Mourinho last month. The Blues’ four-match run with-

out defeat is their longest this season and moves last year’s champions to 14th in the league, still 12 points adrift of a Champions League spot. Chelsea’s away form in the first half of the season has been dire, with just six points collected on their travels. Only bottom two clubs Aston Villa and Sunderland have fared worse.

In beating seventh-placed Palace for their first away win since August, the Blues made a convincing case that the second half of the season might be more fruitful. Hiddink said he needed leaders to pull the club out of relegation trouble and in Costa the Dutchman had a player in that mould, driving his team forward at Selhurst Park and playing a part in all three goals.

Like the rest of the Blues squad during this season’s dreadful title defence, the Spaniard - who had missed the goalless draw at Manchester United because of suspension - has been below par, but he gave one of his best displays of the campaign. John Mikel Obi also shone, providing much-needed ballast to the Chelsea midfield.

Henry hails Lukaku’s Chelsea exit Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is full of praise for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. Henry says his goal glut is justification for taking the brave decision to leave Chelsea in 2014. He told The Sun: “It would have been easy for him to stay on the bench at Chelsea, pick up a big pay packet and collect an occasional

medal for being on the fringes of the squad. “But the only way any young player is going to learn and improve is through regular football. “No amount of hard work on the training ground can ever replicate the challenge of testing yourself against the best defenders in the country in a competitive match.

“And because Lukaku wanted to become the best player he possibly could be, he took his destiny in his own hands and pushed for a transfer to a club where he would get his chance to shine. “You have to give him a lot of credit for that and his attitude confirms my belief that he is heading right to the top.”

Djokovic, Nadal for Qatar Open

Djokovic

TENNIS aficionados are in for some highadrenaline action as pros of the circuit start this year’s campaign with season-opener Qatar Open here today. The six-day hard-court Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) event, that carries a combined purse of $1,283,855, has been decorated with an array of stars. Leading the fray is World No.1 Novak Djokovic. “I am looking forward to playing here. This is my second outing in Doha and it’s a perfect start to the season with great lineup of players,” said the Serbian on Sunday. Djokovic, who landed on the Arabian soil early on Wednesday, would be expecting keen contest from Spaniards Rafael Nadal, who is currently ranked No.5, and 33-year-

old defending champion David Ferrer, currently No.7. While Nadal would be looking forward to get back into the groove that saw him win the 2014 edition, countryman Ferrer is banking on fine momentum that saw him clinch the Vienna Open, overpowering Fabio Fognini, Gael Monfils and Steve Johnson in October thereby pushing his unbeaten run to 5-0. The event has assumed significance for the 29-year-old Nadal, who started 2015 as the defending champion here, but suffered a shocking three-set defeat to Michael Berrer in the first round. Also, the Spaniard would be looking to make amends to his rather ordinary 2015

season that was punctuated by injuries. Probably, one of his most forgettable defeats was his loss to French Open finalist Djokovic in the quarterfinals that ended his winning streak of 39 consecutive victories in Paris since his defeat by Robin Soderling in 2009. Even though the clay court expert went on to win the 2015 Mercedes Cup against Serbian Viktor Troicki, his first grass court title since he won at Wimbledon in 2010, he was unable to continue his good form. “Very happy to be in Doha soon for the Qatar Open. It is always a great way to start the season. Always found great warmth at this event from the staff and spectators. Fantastic event,” he said. Nadal

SIDELINES

NO 16,406

N150

MONDAY, 4 JANUARY, 2016

ECEMBER 2015 has left us forever. It will never ever return. And very many of us will be happy that it, indeed, has left the consciousness of our shores for good and for good. Clearly, it was a December that was lacking in dazzling brilliance. It began in a bleak bleakness and ended equally in a bleak bleakness. It will eternally be consecrated in our remembrances as a great bleak December. Now let me make a pertinent digression. More than several years ago, I encountered a Welsh poet Dylan (Marlais) Thomas (1914-1953). He was a very well-known poet and essayist. He authored the note worthy prose Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog (1940) and other highly regarded works in genres of poetry and drama. But it was essentially in poetry that Dylan Thomas and I encountered each other in my teen-aged days of days and years of years when I was a particularly voracious devourer of anything in print. For more than a pretty long time I boasted to no one but my pretty self that no member of my generation knew and digested printed-matter more than your lovely yours sincerely. Oh! How I saw myself as primus interpares when it came to matters of the printed word. And how sad that, as I look back now, I cannot eat books or printed words as I used to do! Age is gnawing me in fact age has gnawed and gored my large eyes – not in terms of geometric dimension - that at once used to devour and be amazed at good and bad books – at once. And my brain in some years to come will be noticed to be losing its delicate form and its serene and feline gait as it approaches in a tantivy manner any printed matter for the kill! How I wish for an indefinite postponement of the dreaded hour as we must keep on dreading this past December! I remember Dylan Thomas’s “Another September” – or was it “Another December”? No, it was “Another September!” It was a gem of a poem – in fact it was a poem of dazzling brilliance. I meant to entitle this writing before you something amazingly similar to Dylan Thomas’s even though the content would be brilliantly dissimilar. But wishes cannot always, or, for most of the time, be horses for beggars who

A university that trains individuals to become the consummate santa claus has opened in the United States. Students must have white beards and be able to speak multiple languages, maybe just in case a child gets angry at Santa’s miserable gift and starts throwing tantrums in Chinese.

in&out with Tony Afejuku

08055213059

An un-postponed December voluptuously itch to ride them. I decided to do a retreat as I hereby do. It was a tantalising December we just had – a December in which more-than-many Nigerians could not and did not enjoy a long holiday of a tantalisingly merry Christmas season that truly tantalised them. Workers of all colours and categories saw red that was redder than red and pain that was clearly more biting than grievous pain. And how one could not but have pitiable pity for federal workers and employees of all grades and categories! Ah! How many of them could buy Christmas kits and fopperies for their expectant kids and family members generally? How many of them could slaughter Christmas turkeys, fowls and goats to celebrate the traditional festivities of their best season? How many of them could even buy water to drink on Christmas day? And those who have vehicles, did they have cash to buy petrol at N200 to run them? And was there ceaseless electricity supply to run their homes throughout the long holiday? And gifts? Who dared to exchange Christmas gifts among federal employees? And was it only federal government workers who enjoyed a Christmas-less Christmas? Obviously, the answer must rise and rise to a resounding No whose choric crescendo might hit the ceiling of the nearest planet to earth. Am I dazzling you with the gift of exaggeration? And have I just said that workers enjoyed a Christmasless Christmas? I think I am under-stating

No member of the masses experienced anything nicely well to remember. Not even market women had anything nicely nice to recall or to say about this past Christmas holiday exactly what transpired in our just ended Christmas season. No member of the masses experienced anything nicely well to remember. Not even market women had anything nicely nice to recall or to say about this past Christmas holiday that was long with December pain that trapped their amazing expectations. It certainly was on account of the pain that gravely pierced her heart, as her unsold December wares stared at her, that a market woman in Bayelsa illuminated her grave December with these words: “Dem for post-pone dis December.” As the AIT camera beamed on her and her fellow sellers of un-bought wares even as Christmas was seconds away, I saw their

collective tragedy, which she expressed in her wish for a postponement of the just gone December. It was an honest wish of at once illuminating tragedy and wry humour which Dylan Thomas himself did not transparently convey to me when I first read his marvellous poem afore-said long, long ago. You see, even a market-woman could teach the well schooled and well read columnist a big lesson of pain crushing us all at our great moment of expectant dazzling joy. Unfortunately, our illiterate market-women’s wish which probably was our collective wish as well was not granted. Maybe Buhari and his presidencinologists did not see the Bayelsa market-woman on AIT whose owner, once-upon-a-time a truly radiant personage, allegedly has been tainted by Dasuki-gate. O ma se-o! You know what, if you must know: I am dying to know who will eventually carry the day in the “inconclusive” “tug-of-war” gubernatorial election in Beyelsa. Next Saturday, January 09, 2016 is the day of days as Southern Ijaw people march to vote again. Then we will be in a position truly to speak well or ill of our December that was not postponed in the annals of our economic and political calendar. What a wish! Well, well, well. … I can see from the savannah an amazingly dazzling white horse flying and flinging from the blue. Happy New Year!

Oliseh reunites with Eagles in S/Africa By Nurudeen Alimi

Oliseh

SUPER Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has fully recovered from a virus infection that kept him away from Nigeria and has rejoined the Super Eagles squad in their South-Africa training camp in preparations for the 2016 CHAN, which kicks off on January 16 in Rwanda. Oliseh, who was not part of the team’s training camp in Abuja on Saturday night, received the players and other officials in Pretoria and he surpervised the team’s training session on Sunday. “Oliseh is fully recovered now. We met him at the hotel on our arrival and he started training the team today (Sunday),” disclosed Oliseh’s

special assistant Tijani Babangida. “He put the boys through their paces, correcting their mistakes and joining them in the game itself. He’s looking a lot healthier.” On Wednesday, the Eagles will play a warmup game against another CHAN-bound team Angola. They are also slated to face Cote d’Ivoire on January 11 before they depart for Rwanda.

RESULTS

English Premier League Crystal Palace 0 Everton 1

Chelsea Tottenham

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Telephone: 08165728976; 08073598322. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribune.com.ng MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 4/1/2016.

3 1