4th November 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,626 FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER, 2016

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I almost resigned after assuming office —Buhari

Says •'I inherited a badly managed economy' •'Recession not making of my administration' —P2,11 •AfDB approves $600m financial support for Nigeria

239 migrants die in INEC fixes two shipwrecks off Dec 10 for rerun Libya —UN Rivers —P30 —P37

More trouble for Budget 2017 as Senate condemns MTEF —P3

Migrants being rescued after tragedy of two boats off the Libyan coast, on Thursday. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES.

Reps to probe arms procurement panel —P4

NJC bars 7 arrested judges from sitting —P2

Herdsmen in Ekiti sign deal with govt

FG charges Supreme Court Chief Registrar, 2 others over alleged N2.2bn bribe

—P10

—P2

2 news

Friday, 4 November, 2016

NJC bars 7 arrested judges from sitting Lanre Adewole -Lagos

HE National Judicial Council (NJC), on Thursday, said all judicial officers facing high profile criminal probe will not be allowed to sit again. The new position was contained in a statement signed by its director, media, Mr Soji Oye. Seven judges are being probed for alleged money laundering by the Department of Security Service (DSS). Four of them are serving judges, including two justices of the Supreme Court. Another eight judges are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged high-profile corruption. The council itself is investigating seven other judges. The office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice also gave the names of six judges to the DSS for investigation, bringing the total of judges under different shades and layers of alleged corruption probes to 31. A section of the public, including the DSS, had called for the suspension of the raided judges from duty. “The NJC, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, at

its 79th meeting held on November 2 and 3, 2016, set-up a transparency and anti-corruption policy implementation committee, with Justice E. O. Ayoola (retd) as chairman, Justice Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of Borno State and A. B. Mahmoud, President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) as members. “Council also decided that judicial officers shall not be standing trial for alleged corruption related offences and be performing judicial functions at the same time. “Council, however, decided

that it will ensure that judicial officersbeing investigated for alleged high profile criminal offences do not perform judicial functions until their cases are concluded,” the statement read in part. In the wake of the DSS raid of the residence of the seven judges and their subsequent arrest on October 7, NJC rose from an emergency meeting to denounce the operation, calling it an assault on the independence of the judiciary. It also held that until the DSS places before it the alleged offences of the raided

judges, the council would not take any decision against them. DSS had, in a memo dated October 10, 2016, with reference no LSD 960/11, specifically requested the council to suspend the four serving judges among the arrested seven. The memo, signed by Ahmed Ahmed on behalf of the DSS Director-General requested the council to immediately suspend all the judges found to have been involved in grand corruption or based on petitions already submitted to it, including the

already arrested judges. NJC, in a paid advertorial, however, rejected the request, while holding on to its earlier resolve that the raid was an attempt to railroad judiciary into doing the biddings of the executive arm of government. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which earlier supported the NJC, later backtracked, calling for the suspension of the arrested serving judges from the bench. The outgoing CJN personally responded to NBA’s switch of position, maintaining that the due

President Muhammadu Buhari, with the acting Director-General of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jonathan Juma, and others, after a parley with participants of the Senior Executive Course 38, at the State House, on Thursday.

I almost resigned after assuming office —Buhari Clement Idoko -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said he was alarmed with what he met on ground and almost ran away from Aso Rock soon after he was sworn in as president. Buhari said he was scared when the enormity of the country’s economic crisis dawned on him. He spoke while addressing the Senior Executive Course 38 (2016) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The president, who digressed from the prepared speech he was reading, said he was surprised to discover that in spite of the huge oil revenue realised by the past governments, nothing was on ground to show for it. He said he discovered that the country did not make any investment in infrastructure and other essentials, in spite of the huge revenue that accrued to successive governments since 1999. Buhari said “gentlemen, I have to digress now. For 16 years, there was unprecedented revenue realised. The oil projection which can be verified was 2.1

million barrels per day, 1999 to 2015. The average cost of each Nigeria’s barrel of oil was $100 per barrel. “When we came, it fell to less than $30 per barrel and is now between 40 and 50 (dollars). Actually I felt like absconding because 27 out of 36 states in Nigeria cannot pay salaries and we know they have no other source than to depend on salaries. “And I asked any savings? I was told there was no savings. I asked: what have you done on agriculture, power, rails, roads? ‘Nothing.’ You know more than I do because you move around. I have not been moving around since after elections but you do. How many of the Trunk A roads are still good enough? How much power do we have?” The president further noted that he was startled when he was informed that the huge revenue from oil was spent by successive governments on importation of food and petrol in the name of subsidy. He wondered how many Nigerians, apart from the elite class, could afford imported food items, or even have tasted for them that would warrant such expenditure. “I was told the money was used to import food and fuel. I didn’t believe the answer and I still don’t believe it. Until

now substantial number of people in the East eat garri and groundnut; in the West, pounded yam, cassava, vegetables; in the North, tuwo which is made from any of the grains: millet, sorghum. They eat it in the night and warm it in the morning and eat it and take fura da nunu in the afternoon. How many of those people can afford foreign food? “Then they said I should check out the petroleum sector. The legislature dedicated 445,000 barrels per day and that is just 60 per cent of our requirements. I said ok, what of the 40 per cent? The marketers that are bringing it just present documents, papers are just stamped and monies are taken away. “This is the type of things that the Nigerian elite are doing for our own country. When you go back, look at your colleagues and encourage them to be truly Nigerians,” Buhari noted. The president, however, said he was glad that Course 38 had been able to deliver on his challenge to them to do a report on how to strenthen institutional mechanism for poverty reduction and inclusive development. He appealed to Nigerians to continue to have abiding faith in his administration, in spite

of the current hardship in the country, saying he could not afford to ignore the poor who made great sacrifice to bring him into power. He noted that the economic recession was not the making of this administration, but a consequence of bad management of the economy in the past couple of decades. The president, however, pledged the commitment of his administration to ending extreme poverty in Nigeria. According to him, though the current recession was not limited to Nigeria, as “there are far, far worse cases than Nigeria,” his government was working assiduously towards ensuring that the country came out of the recession vibrant and strong. The president maintained that poverty reduction and inclusive development had become pillars of the administration and “very close to his heart.” “One year ago, during the presidential parley with the participants of the Senior Executive Course 37 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, I saddled the management of the institute with the responsibility of looking at strengthening institutional mechanisms for poverty reduction and inclusive

development in the 2016 course. “I recall with pleasure that when I was giving this task, six months after this administration came into office, the selection of the theme was not only apt but also timely. Today, poverty reduction and inclusive development have become pillars of this administration and very close to my heart,” he said. Presenting the report earlier, the acting DirectorGeneral of NIPSS, Jonathan Juma, said a lot could be done by the national institute if more robust budgetary support was extended to it. “For the Institute to operate as an “apex institution” and be at the forefront of relevant researches for national development, it is required to recruit and retain top level academics, very senior technocrats and other experienced specialised experts. “At the moment, I must confess to you that the national institute is operating below its conceived capacity, due to its inability to attract a full complement of requisite staff who would conduct research across broad strategic areas of national life and also impact new knowledge,” he submitted.

process of law must be followed before any form of sanctions could be taken against the judges. He said it would also be illegal to ask the judges to go on compulsory leave without any formal complaints lodged against them with the council. NBA and CJN ended up with a peace meeting penultimate Thursday, where it was mutually agreed that the affected judges be restrained from sitting, while the suspension call was dropped by the lawyers’ body. Justice Mohammed told his guests at the Supreme Court peace meeting that the two justices of the apex court, who are involved in the raid, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, had been recused from all cases. He also explained that he could not personally stop Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who was also arrested in the raid from sitting, since his immediate supervisor is the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Auta. The NJC, last week, wrote DSS, explaining why the judges could not be sent on suspension, since they were not facing any probe before the council. The decision by the council, on Thursday, was a formal position on the raging controversy.

FG charges S/Court Chief Registrar, 2 others over alleged N2.2bn bribe Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Federal Government, on Thursday, filed a ninecount criminal charge against the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Gambo Saleh and two others, over alleged N2.2 billion fraud at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Others named in the charge no. CR/13/2016 and dated November 3, 2016, are Muhammed Abdulrahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal, all members of staff of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The defendants are specifically accused of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and taking gratification by public officers contrary to Section 10 (a) (i) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same section of the Act. One of the defendants and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Saleh, is the preferred candidate for the post of secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

3 news

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Today’s special:

Microwaving food in plastic dangerous?

By Sade Oguntola Almost every modern home has a microwave oven. It is a modern convenience to quickly scoop frozen food from the freezer and in a short time, food is ready to eat. In fact, for many career women and eateries in big cities, it is seen as “almost impossible/pretty difficult” to do without as it ensures hot meals can be served quickly. But despite the widespread use of microwave ovens and their excellent safety record, cooking food with microwaves somehow makes food less healthy by zapping away nutrients the body requires. In fact, the situation is far worse when the food is cooked or warmed in plastic containers. “Microwaving food needs to be minimised, and if it cannot be avoided, it is better using a ceramic or glass container labelled for use in microwave ovens. It is double disservice using microwave and plastics because a chemical substance, BPA, which is dangerous to health is leaked into the food,” Dr Funmi Akinyele, Chief Executive Officer, Food Basket Foundation, Ibadan, said. According to her, where heating food in plastics cannot be avoided, it is better to do it for a short period of time. There’s no single substance called “plastic.” The term covers many materials made from an array of organic and inorganic compounds. Substances are often added to plastic to help shape or stabilise it. For example, bisphenol-A (BPA) is added to make clear, hard plastic. Also, phthalates is added to make plastic soft and flexible. The FDA long ago recognized the potential for small amounts of plasticizers to migrate into food. So it closely regulates plastic containers and materials that come into

contact with food. But some with a microwave-safe icon or the words “microwave safe,” displayed on it are approved for use in microwave ovens. However, that a plastic container has a microwave-safe icon or the words “microwave safe,” displayed on it is not tantamount that it is safe for human health. “The manufacturer is only saying that it will not cause fire or damage to the microwave oven; they are not saying anything about what it will do to the food or your health,’ she declared. Unfortunately, plastic containers that are BPA and phthalates free are not too common in Nigeria. Such containers are not marked on the bottom with the letters “PC” or recycling label. Also, they are more expensive that those with BPA and phthalates in them. Reports indicate that BPA and phthalates are “endocrine disrupters.” These are substances that mimic oestrogen, a human hormone, and which can interfere with growth and throw off normal hormonal interactions. Animal studies, and a few human studies, have raised the possibility that exposure to BPA may cause reproductive problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. In comparison, Dr Akinyele said that the conventional ovens are better than microwave ovens in preparing meals. “The cooking time of a conventional oven is far more than that of the microwave oven, but yet the conventional oven is 100 times better. And of course, you are still better doing away with putting the food in plastics,” she declared. Even foods should not be warmed in disposable plastics often used in parties. “It is better such food is emptied into a ceramic or glass containers labelled for use in microwave ovens, “she added.

What about keeping hot foods in plastic coolers, drinking hot tea or coffee from a plastic cup? The expert discouraged their use, saying that there is also the possibility of the plastic leaking into the hot food or drink, adding that food flasks with inner glass or metal or ceramic cups are better. The danger from drinking sachet water or bottled water stored under the sun, she said, is similar. “It is not a huge amount of these chemicals that the body takes in at a time, but over time, it gets accumulated in the body. So, we are causing damage to our body without knowing,” she declared. Here are some things experts recommend to keep in mind when using the microwave: •If you’re concerned about plastic wraps or containers in the microwave, transfer food to glass or ceramic containers labelled for use in microwave ovens. •Don’t let plastic wrap touch food during microwaving because it may melt. Wax paper, kitchen parchment paper, white paper towels, or a domed container that fits over a plate or bowl are better alternatives. •Most takeout containers, water bottles, and plastic tubs or jars made to hold margarine, yogurt, and foods such as cream cheese, mayonnaise, and butter are not microwave-safe. •Microwavable takeout dinner trays are formulated for onetime use only and will say so on the package. •Old, scratched, or cracked containers, or those that have been microwaved many times, may leak out more plasticizers. •Don’t microwave plastic storage bags or plastic bags from the grocery store. •Before microwaving food, be sure to vent the container: leave the lid ajar, or lift the edge of the cover.

More trouble for 2017 Budget as Senate condemns MTEF Taiwo Adisa - Abuja rouble appear to be mounting for the yet-to-be presented 2017 Budget, as the Senate, on Thursday, said the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which was submitted to the lawmakers in September, was empty. The MTEF and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) form the foundation for the 2017 Budget, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. The National Assembly must pass the MTEF and FSP into law before it can consider the new budget. Senate But Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, who spoke on the Senate floor, said the 2017-2019 MTEF/ FSP, which contained parameters for the 2017 budget, was empty. The document, submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari, on September 30, fixed oil production quarter and the benchmark for 2017. Senator Ndume, who raised a point of order to complain about a newspaper publication credited to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the emptiness of the MTEF was the cause of the delay being experienced in considering the document by the Senate. He complained about a report in the national dailies on Wednesday, where the Minister of Budget and National Planning was quoted as blaming the National Assembly for the delay in the presentation of the budget by President Buhari.

Ndume said the Presidency, rather than the National Assembly, was responsible for the delay in the presentation of the budget. Ndume stated that the Minister had so far stalled all efforts made by the Senate to interface with the executive over the troubled document. Ndume said: “We received the MTEF on September

30, instead of submitting it according to law by September 1, and not later than. That is not even the problem. The problem is the content. I have a copy. I went through and the copies that have been circulated. I talked to some experts. Even in this chamber, we have people we can call experts. “If you look at this document that they call

MTEF, it is empty; it is empty and it doesn’t contain anything. If you have nothing, how do you consider something? “Going through and knowing that it is empty, on October 19, I forwarded a letter to the Minister to meet the Senate on the way out, but he failed to turn up on Tuesday, the meeting was slated for the 1st of this month.

“The third paragraph of the letter I wrote to him states thus, to enable the Senate objectively review the MTEF from a holistic fiscal perspective, we deem it necessary to invite you to a meeting to brief the leadership of the Senate on Tuesday, November 1. “Before then, I said, you are requested to please send the following documents ahead the meeting, because that is

2017 budget ready for submission to NASS —FG Sanya Adejokun - Abuja EVEN with brickbats over proposals to borrow $30 billion from international sources to finance substantial parts of 2017, 2018 and 2019 budgets, the Federal Government disclosed on Thursday that it was ready with the 2017 budget. This is as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the process of collating budget inputs from ministries, departments and agencies for the 2017 budget deviated markedly from previous experiences. Speaking with reporters during the second presidential economic communications workshop, Ahmed said the executive was only waiting for the National Assembly to conclude work on 20172019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). “We planned 2017 budget very carefully, so it wasn’t done in a rush like the last budget. We are also consulting with various stakeholders, including businesses, the civil societies and the National Assembly.

“We have a very high hope that the process we put up this time, by putting in place an IT system, thereby minimising the human interface in the budget process, will make 2017 budget a very high quality one. “In past budgets, an MDA will prepare its budget and submit either by flash or by instructing another person to enter it in the system,” she said. She explained that in order to avoid hitches of 2016 budget creeping in to next fiscal year, MDAs of government would have to submit their budgets to a designated web portal domiciled in Budget Office. This time around, the minister noted that inputs from individual MDAs would not be submitted to her ministry in flash drives, but would be done though a designated budget web portal online, which the budget office would then review and return through the same channel after corrections had been effected. “The new process was designed to limit human interface and ensure a better and quality 2017 budget,”

she said. Ahmed admitted that 2016 had been very challenging to the Federal Government in terms of revenue receipt and budget implementation. “It’s been very challenging for us. Apart from the fact that we are in recession, we have some of our people facing humanitarian crisis in the North-East. “The Niger Delta crisis has pruned down revenue from oil and gas. We have a lot of projects that we planned to do but the revenue yield

is not as we projected in the budget. This is largely due to vandalism of major oil infrastructure in Niger Delta region,” she added. On the status of 2016 budget implementation, the minister said “the budget was presented in December 2015, it was only approved in May 2016,” adding that the 2016 budget performance was reflective of the low revenue outturns attributable to the global and domestic developments.

No Sharia bill before us —Reps spokesperson Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja The House of on Representatives, Thursday, declared that there was no bill on Sharia Law before it as being speculated in some quarters. Fielding question from newsmen, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas, said, “As far as I am concerned, we don’t have any such bill (Sharia law). On the $30 million loan request from the presidency, the House

spokesman said, the inability of the House to consider the request this week had nothing to do with perceived frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature. According to him, the House resolve not to entertain the request now was as a result of the event in the Senate where the matter died, stressing that the request would be looked into at the appropriate time. The Senate had refused to endorse the request because it was not accompanied with details.

what will make us to have something to consider, but he refused to honour any of the requests physically and materially.” He asked the Senate to discuss the report credited to the minister, adding that “we cannot afford to start the 2017 budget process with this blame game.” Senate President, Bukola Saraki, however, moved to rescue the minister from possible verbal assaults from Senators by announcing that the minister had told him that he didn’t make such statement to any reporter and that he would issue a rebuttal later. Saraki said: “I think it is important that I share some information on this because I too saw this article yesterday (Wednesday) in the newspapers and I also took it up with the minister on why this was being done and he denied the article and promised that he was going to make a statement to debunk it. He sent me an email saying he never gave the interview. “Be that as it may, I think the matter is serious enough for the Leader to have raised the issue. I have not seen it in the papers today, but I will take him by his words. But again, when those kinds of statements come out, the denial is sometimes not seen.” The Senate President, however, praised the Senate Leader for raising the issue, adding that all the information being requested from the executive as regards the 2017 budget were necessary for the processes to run without the blame game.

4 news Reps to probe arms procurement panel

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

HE House of Representatives, on Thursday, put machinery in motion to investigate the committees set up by the Presidency and office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in respect of arms procurement. The House has subsequently mandated its committees on national security, intelligence and public procurement to investigate the activities of the committee and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative inputs. It will be recalled that a 13-member Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP) was set up to investigate the $2.1 billion arms deals involving the former NSA, Sambo Dasuki. Moving a motion of urgent public importance, Honourable Chris Azubogu said during the inauguration of the committee on August 31, 2015, they were mandated to conclude the assignment within 90 days. He equally said: “a similar committee was set up by the office of the National Security Adviser on October 19, 2015 with a similar mandate and had covered more number of companies which had submitted its report on February 26, 2016. The committee was able to verify more than 300 companies as indicated in the submitted report on January 26, 2016.” The lawmaker then noted that the committee, after the expiration of the number of days given it, had

requested for an extension of two weeks to conclude the assignment, which was granted.

To this end, he said up till now, the committee had not submitted its report. This, he said, had led to non-

payment to companies that had executed various jobs/ projects leading to untold hardship on the contractors,

Some internally displaced persons (IDPs) queue for medical attention at Gubio IDP Camp in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has set up a special and dedicated team to immediately commence thorough investigation into all cases of alleged sexual abuses, exploitation, harassments, gender-based violence and professional misconduct on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in some of the North-Eastern states contained in a report published by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) against camp officials, vigilante groups, soldiers and policemen, among others. The IGP, who said he was irrevocably committed to the protection of all Nigerians, especially the vulnerable group, such as IDPs, expressed deep concern

on remuneration of nonexecutive and part time chairmen, members and directors of the governing boards of Federal Government parastatals, agencies and commissions,” of October 9, 2015 and October 23, 2015, urging for strict adherence to payment of hotel accommodation for such members; and the committee, based on the circular, should only sit four times a year.” He, however, raised the alarm that, “committee members have been accommodated at government’s expense without commensurate result, in line with the Federal Government policy at reducing cost of governance, it has to be corrected.” When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, it was supported by majority of members.

Bailout funds diversion: Minister, CBN Gov, DG DMO absent at Reps’ sitting •Committee halts investigation •Says delegated officials not competent Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja THE move by the House of Representatives to unravel the myth behind the disbursement and utilisation of the over N700 billion bailout funds to the state governments by the Federal Government for the settlement of unpaid salaries, gratuities and pension, on Thursday, hit the rock. This followed the absence of the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele and the Director-General

of Debt Management Office (DMO),Mr Bright Nwankwo, before the House ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the matter, which sat in Abuja, on Thursday. While the CBN Governor was represented by Mr Umar Abubakar, an Executive Director, the DG of DMO by Mr Oladele Afolabi, the Minister of Finance did not send any representative. Expressing displeasure over the absence of the minister, the CBN boss and the DMO DG at the investigative panel, the committee, chaired

by Honourable Sadiq Ibrahim, dismissed their representatives, saying, “they are not competent officers.” The committee, while disclosing that following the directive of the House to carry out investigation into the handling of the bailout funds by the state governors, it quickly wrote to the minister, the CBN and the DMO demanding for the relevant documents that would assist it in carrying out the assignment, and also lamented that the responses received from them were negative.

IGP sets up panel to investigate alleged abuses at IDP camps Chris Agbambu – Abuja

vendors and workers. The lawmaker said the committee failed to “adhere to the guidelines

over the submissions in the report and had directed the special investigative panel to carry out discreet and unbiased investigation into all the cases of abuse and misconduct alleged in the report. The IGP called on the HRW officials to avail the investigative team more facts that would assist the police investigative team to conclude the inquiry into the alleged 43 cases mentioned in the report. He also directed commissioners of police in locations where IDPs camps were situated to beef up security and ensure adequate safety of all IDPs and ensure that all perpetrators of any criminal act were decisively dealt with in accordance to the law. The IGP urged all police officers and other personnel

deployed to the IDP camps to strictly adhere to the rules of engagement. Idris assured all Nigerians and the international community that the force

would not condone any act that would violate the dignity of the IDPs by individuals or group of persons in the camps or anywhere in the country.

According to the committee,” the attitudes of these top government officials show who is mismanaging the economy of the country. Nigerians should rise up and call for their resignations immediately.” In his contribution, Honourable Sunday Karimi said: “This is not acceptable, we are to serve the interest of our people, when funds were disbursed as bailout to settle workers’ salaries, gratuities and pension and the money was diverted to other things. That is wrong. People are suffering. People are dying and you refused to give us the necessary information. “The information you are supposed to give to us, you are hiding them, this is against the Freedom of Information Act. We are going to conduct a

Senate committee commends NEMA THE Senate Committee on Special Duties, on Thursday, commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for rendering wonderful humanitarian services nationwide. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Senator Abdulazeez Nyako, the chairman of the committee, gave the commendation when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in

Damare, Yola, Adamawa states. Nyako said the committee had visited various camps in Borno and Adamawa states, noting that it was satisfied and convinced at the way the agency was managing the IDPs and taking care of them properly. “From the appearance of the IDPs and the cleanliness of the camps’ environments, the committee is convinced and satisfied with the services of NEMA. “ We are going to support NEMA to lead and control all the activities of

humanitarian organisations in the country,” the chairman said. He confirmed that the only problem uncovered during the visit was shortage in water supply in some camps, adding that the committee would invite the Minister of Water Resources for explanation. Speaking earlier, Mr Sa’ad Bello, the agency’s operational coordinator in charge of Adamawa and Taraba states, said the number of IDPS had significantly dropped from over 600,000 to l8,958.

public hearing on this matter during which the committee will invite all the workers’ unions in the whole federation, they will tell the whole world how much was collected as bailout and now much was paid to them.” C o n t r i b u t i n g , Honourable Yinka Ajayi, who described the action of the absentees as an insult on the National Assembly as an institution, stated that all of them must be compelled to appear before the committee in person, in order to tackle the matter at once. Other members of the committee, while expressing deep concern over the lukewarm attitude of the officials in treating the disbursement and utilisation of the bailout funds, stated that the officials should be reminded that they were government employees, being paid with tax payers’ money and who they should be accounted to. Ruling on the matter, the chairman of the committee, Honourable Ibrahim ordered the trio of the Finance Minister, the CBN governor and the DG DMO to appear physically before it with all relevant documents earlier demanded from them to be able to carry out its mandate, saying the officers that appeared before it were not competent to do justice to the matter at stake.

5 news

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (second left) with the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma (second right), during the presentation of the report, on Thursday. With them are Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume (left) and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabueze.

Budget minister lauds Saraki over reforms Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

INISTER of Budget and N a t i o n a l Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has lauded the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for his efforts in reforming the budget process.

Udoma, who stated this during the presentation of the report of a technical committee on the budget reform process in Nigeria, which was inaugurated by Saraki in July 2016, added that the executive arm of government was solidly behind the Senate president on the reforms.

Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno TROOPS of 8 Task Force Division, Nigerian Army, on Thursday, intercepted a group of suspected Boko Haram insurgents allegedly on a mission to loot logistics supplies in surrounding villages. Colonel Sani Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations Department, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State. He said that the troops were patrolling the Monguno-

No intention to withdraw from ICC —FG THE Federal Government, on Thursday, said Nigeria has no intention of withdrawing its membership from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This was contained in a statement by the acting spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jane Adams, in Abuja, on Thursday. Adams stated that Nigeria was poised towards improving the working methods of the court for efficient delivery of its mandate in the service of humanity and equitable justice. She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs observed the recent developments on withdrawal of membership of the ICC by some African countries, describing the actions as national decisions. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that South Africa, Gambia, and Burundi had, in October, announced their intent to withdraw from the ICC.

Brimari road when the incident occurred. “On sighting the patrol, the insurgents engaged the troops in a shootout that lasted for about 15 minutes before they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the patrol. “In the encounter, two insurgents were neutralised and their weapons, including one FN rifle loaded with a magazine of 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one AK 47 rifle with three magazines were captured. “Also recovered from the insurgents were two motorcycles, drugs, wrappers and clothes,” the statement said.

“This initiative has the full support of the executive,” he said, adding that the executive was of the view that the budget process was something that must be worked on closely by the two arms. “Consequently, your initiative to look at the reform of the process is an initiative that we welcome and which was why the Director General of the Budget Office, with my authority, participated fully in the deliberations. “As the Senate leader indicated, the success of any budget depends on very close collaboration between the executive and the legislature. I believe that this process that you have embarked on and the reforms will help to smoothen some of the issues that arise from time to time when we are considering the budget,” he said. Saraki, who received the report from the chairman of the technical committee and Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume, described the report as one of the most important exercises of the Senate so far. He commended the committee for complying with the stipulated time frame for the exercise.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

crime, security, court Fire destroys buildings, property worth millions of Naira in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

A bakery and a few residential houses were, on Thursday, razed by fire at Agbassa community, in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Metro learnt that the incident was caused by a breach of electricity as a result of high power voltage from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The resultant inferno, when Metro visited the scene, destroyed goods worth millions of naira. No life, Metro learnt, was lost to the inferno, but residents of the area were seen wailing over the loss amid a biting economic reces-

The burnt buildings at Agbassa community in Warr South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ekiti INEC Secretary kidnapped Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

HE Administrative Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

in Ekiti State, Dr Muslim Omoleke, has been kidnapped. Metro gathered that Dr Omoleke was kidnapped by yet-to-be identified people at Iwaraja commu-

nity, near Ilesa, in Osun State, at about 4.00 p.m. on Thursday. He was said to have been intercepted by the abductors and driven away into the forest of Ijesaland,

alongside his driver and his child. “They later released his child and the driver and the vehicle, but took him away. We have not heard anything since then,” a

Teacher arraigned for defiling pupil Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos

A 20-year-old teacher, Lekan Eniolobo, who allegedly inserted his penis into an 11-year-old pupil’s mouth has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Eniolobo was alleged to have committed the offence on October 21, at Ayodele Shitta Street, Isheri Osun, Lagos. Allegedly confessing to the crime, Enilolobo said: “I usually teach the victim and two others after school hours in Ikotun. When the girl was brought to my place, I said they should buy a notebook for her, but her parents did not. “I gave her an assignment, but she did not do it. When she came to me on Thursday during school

period, I asked of the notebook, she said her mother did not give her the money. I told her to go to JSS one class and join the other two girls; that I would soon be with them. “When I was done with my classes, I joined them there and taught them for the day. My house is not far from the school. “My mum called me to come home and do the dishes. I told the girl to go with me, that I would buy the notebook for her at a woman’s shop near my house. She went with me; I bought the book for her and she said she was hungry. I bought her biscuit and as I was about to go, the woman said I should bring her bottle which had been with me. I told her I would bring it later, but she refused.

“She said the victim should go with me to the house, so that I would give her the bottle. That was how the girl went with me to the house. “I took her inside our parlour. I put her on the chair and put my manhood in her mouth. I did not touch her private part. They have done a test and confirmed I did not touch her there. She did not cry and she did not complain. But she went home and reported to her parents,” he said. The suspect, who pleaded not guilty, is standing a count charge of assault. According to the prosecutor, Inspector S. Imhonwa, the offence committed was punishable under Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The magistrate granted

him N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till January 12, 2017 for DPP’s advice.

source told Metro. When contacted, the spokesperson of INEC in Ekiti State, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, confirmed the incident and said security agencies in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states had been contacted on the incident. Gbadegesin said he visited Ondo and Osun states on official duty and that no contact had been made by the abductors or “do we know why he was kidnapped.”

sion. An eyewitness, who refused to disclose his identity, relayed the incident in pidgin that “na when I hear say people dey shout fire oh!, naim I come. “Food items, clothes, money, everything burn finish for the house; na only few things person fit carry commot. “Na when light come nor tee, people dey shout fire, na then we begin try off am and call fire service before them come.” Another resident, who took Metro round the debris, said the fire got worse as a result of storage of gas in cylinders in the bakery which, he said, aggravated the fire. Meanwhile, the Warri Divisional Fire Service Officer, Mr Francis Tamigbe, said his command received the distress call around 2.00 p.m. and were able to quench the inferno. He advised the public to be careful with electronic appliances and flammable objects as the harmattan season was fast approaching. “My message to the public, especially as the harmattan season is at hand, is that parents should watch over their children and advise them to avoid playing with matches and other items that could cause fire outbreak,” he pleaded.

Lagos CJ sets 11 prison inmates free Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos

THE Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, on Thursday, set 11 prison inmates free from the Badagry prison. While setting them free, Justice Atilade charged them to return to the larger society and sin no more. The freed inmates were Ekene Eze, Eze Onyejegbu, Femi Adeyanju, Sunkanmi Adefila, Abayomi Opeyemi, Saheed Muhammed, Nwankwo Godwin, Abubakar Dutse, Timothy Kosoko, Saka Ajide and Emmanuel Abayomi.

Speaking at the prison while setting free the deserving inmates, the CJ, who explained that the visit was part of her statutory duties to decongest prisons across the state, noted that the intention was to release those who were in prison for undue reasons. Justice Atilade said the freedom was also to afford the freed inmates the opportunity to contribute positively to the society. “The objective of this exercise will remain futile if they are not truly reformed. “I urge those of you who have regained freedom today to remain good ambas-

sadors of Nigeria and shy away from crimes that will bring you back to the prison. “I also want you all to see this gesture as an opportunity to live a better life and begin afresh,” she said. Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons (DCP) in charge of the Badagry Prison, Tinuoye Olumide Timothy, had explained that the total number of inmates as of the time of the visit was 370. “One hundred and sixty-three inmates are on the awaiting trial list while 207 were already convicted,” he said.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

08116954633, 08078891950 e-mail: tribunecrimedesk@gmail.com

Court remands 2 women in prison for allegedly dumping day-old baby Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

Vehicles meander through craters and a flooded road at Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, on Thursday. PHOTO:

Couple, 2 others docked over alleged N65m jewellery theft

couple, Simon and Glory Bisong, who allegedly stole gold jewellery valued at N65 million, were on Wednesday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Simon (41) and Glory (32) were docked alongside a domestic cook, Joseph Agbeh (43) and a businessman, Amidu Musa (55). The couple, Metro learnt resided at No. 5, Tariu Jimoh Street Akute Ajuwon, Ogun, while Musa resided at No. 53, Kalukalu Street, Okesuna, Lagos Island. The other accused, Agbeh’s address was not given. They are standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property. The prosecutor, Sergeant Tubi Olajide, said the accused committed the alleged offences on two separate days. He said the first was on September 4, at 9.00 a. m, at 61 Road, House D18, Victoria Garden City, Lagos. Olajide said Agbeh, a domestic cook to one Mrs Aladepe Olajide, connived with others to steal gold jewelery valued at N15 million, being property of Olajide. The prosecutor also said

that on October 16, at Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, Simon, Glory and Agbeh, stole gold jewelery worth N50 million property of one Mrs Ada Okoye. He said Musa was caught receiving the stolen jewelery valued at N15 million. Olajide, however, said

the total value of the stolen valuables was N65 million, adding that the offences contravened Sections 285 (5), 326 (a), and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused all pleaded innocent of the charge. Magistrate Mrs O. M.

Ajayi, granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum. Ajayi said the sureties must be resident in Lagos State and their addresses verified. The case was adjourned till November 25 for mention.

Community leader murdered in Edo Banji Aluko - Benin City

A community leader in Okha village, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Pa Osarobo Ajayi, has been killed. Pa Ajayi, who was killed at his residence in the community, was the second in command in the village. The assailants were said to have acted as staff of a telecommunication company looking for a spot to erect mast in the community. Wife of the deceased, Eunice, said the assailants told the victim that his house had been identified by the firm to place its communication mast and that they would compensate him. The wife said she was outside when the men violently returned later at night and attacked her husband us-

ing axe, though they were armed with guns. She disclosed that one of the attackers tied her hands and legs in her room while two others continued the attack on her husband with the axe. She said: “I begged them that I will die, but they tied my hands and legs. One of them with gun stayed with me. The others were with

my husband.” Son of th deceased, Saturday, said he was going to work when he was called that his father had been killed. The remains of the community leader have taken to the mortuary. Police spokesman in Edo State, Stephen Onwochei, could not be reached for comments.

A Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand in prison custody of two women, Aisha Garba and Fatima Garba, for allegedly dumping a day-old baby girl. The accused were arraigned on Wednesday on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and abandonment, contrary to sections 97 and 237 of the penal code law, respectively. The prosecutor, Sergeant Lawrence Mowette, told the court that one Usman Suleiman of Tsohon area of Sarkin Pawa reported the matter at the divisional police headquarters on October 18. Mowette said the complainant alleged that he had gone to his farm at riverine

2 policemen arrested for kidnapping businessman in Delta Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

TWO mobile policemen have been arrested in Delta State for allegedly kidnapping a businessman, one Daniel Umukoro in Abraka in Ethiope East Local Council of the state. The state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the development on Thursday in Asaba, said the two policemen, Corpo-

Prophet in trouble over N800,000 unfinished project Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

FOR alleged involvement in a fraud of N800,000, a Lagos-based prophet, 52-yearold Amos Ojo, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The prophet allegedly collected the money from a man on the pretext of executing a project.

After pleading not guilty, he was granted a bail of N300,000. The accused, who lives at Waheed Ogunseye Street, Meiran, on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway, is being tried for obtaining money under false pretense and stealing. “The accused collected N800,000 from a man,

side on the same day when he found a day-old baby tied in a nylon bag and abandoned close to the railway bridge. The prosecutor stated further that investigations showed that the baby had been born by the first accused who conspired with the second accused (her mother), to abandon the child. When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor thereafter prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the police complete its investigation. In her ruling, the presiding magistrate, Hauwa Baba, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody. Baba adjourned the case to November 16 , 2016.

Muyiwa Awoleku, to execute a project for him,” a police prosecutor told the court. The offence contravened Sections 285 and 312 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The Magistrate, Mrs L. Y Balogun, adjourned the case till November 14 for mention.

ral Musa Edom and Oreva Idede were undergoing orderly room trial over their action as of the time of filing this report. According to the police spokesman, the duo were being tried for misconduct and illegal duty. Metro gathered that members of the state anti-kidnapping committee had accosted the gang of four kidnappers at Okpara Waterside a few kilometres away from Abraka where they abducted the businessman. The victim was, however, rescued and the two policemen arrested, while two other suspects escaped. The PPRO was quick to add that the victim had a business transaction with someone who invited the policemen for the illegal duty, adding that it was not a case of kidnapping as such.

news

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Northern CAN meets Buhari, protests abduction of Christian girls Clement Idoko - Abuja

HE leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Chapter, has raised the alarm over rising cases of

abduction of young girls and minors forced into marriage in some Northern states. Chairman of CAN, Northern Chapter, Mr Yakubu Pam, who led a delegation to President Muhammadu

Buhari, on Thursday, told State House Correspondents that urgent steps should be taken by the authorities to forestall crisis brewing in the North over alleged cases of abduction of young girls.

Pam said they were at the Villa to protest the rise in the abduction of underage Christian girls in the north in the guise of marriage. The Christian body warned that if the unpleasant development was not

President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (third left); Chairman of CAN, Northern chapter, Reverend Yakubu Pam (second left); Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung and others, during a visit of the Northern CAN to the president, at the State House, on Thursday.

Nigeria’ll break in 25 years except…, Akintola warns By Wale Akinselure

A legal practitioner, Chief Niyi Akintola, has reverberated calls for restructuring of the current structure of the country in line with true federalism, warning that the country would break in the next 25 years, if it continued with the current structure. Akintola, delivering the guest lecture at an event to mark the 15th anniversary of the Premier 93.5 fm, Ibadan, on Thursday, added that the over-centralisation of powers at the executive level, bred corruption. He asserted that the powers of the legislature and judiciary had been eroded by the executive at all levels of government. Bemoaning that Nigeria as a nation was yet to emerge, he decried hegemony, social injustice, anti-intellectualism and unbalanced structure of the country as the bane of real development of the country. He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt a more holistic and pragmatic approach to fighting corruption, noting that Buhari was fighting so many things at the same time, including fighting the three arms of government. “If we continue with the current structure, Nigeria will break in the next 25 years, so, we must restructure in line with true federalism. We have over-centralised everything whereby the executive is seen as the government and we neglect the legislature and the judiciary.

Over centralisation of everything breeds corruption. Speaking on the theme: “Nigeria 1960 Till Date, Our Dreams, What is it? Where is it?”, Akintola lamented the failure of the ruling class to key into the vision of leaders of the first republic to include, individual freedom under the law, equality of opportu-

nity for all, dispensation of justice to all, fair play and honesty. He wondered if today’s leaders had a sense of history evident in committing same mistakes of the past, while villains of yesterday were heroes of today. Director, Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, Profes-

sor Olawale Albert, who chaired the occasion, posited that the country lacked a responsible leadership to weld the different ethnicities and groups. Zonal Director, Premier FM, Mr Oyetunji Ogunwale, prayed for holistic measures by government at all levels to address the nation’s challenges.

Senate orders FG to refund N264bn diverted from TETFund Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

THE Senate, on Thursday, ordered the Federal Government to refund the sum of N263,931,254,708.51 diverted from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). This followed the report of the committee on Tertiary Institution and TETFund, submitted and deliberated on by the Senate. On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, Senator Abdullahi A. Sabi, representing Niger North Senatorial District, drew the attention of the Senate to the gross mismanagement of Education Tax Fund 2011 - 2015. Consequently, the Senate resolved and directed the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to invite the Executive Secretary of TETFund to explain and clarify the allegation and report back to the plenary. Chairman of the committee, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), while

presenting the report, said the committee found out that N10billion out of the N273,931‚254‚708.51 was loaned out to the PTDF, which the PTDF had recently refunded, leaving a balance of N263‚931,254‚708.51 to be refunded by the Federal Government. He explained that the loophole in the TETFund Act, which allows only the president to be the only approving authority without the National Assembly’s approval in line with the democratic dictates of checks and balances, is an anomaly. This, to him, was a clear violation of Section 82(4) of the constitution which states that “no money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any public fund of the federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.” He noted that the fact that the Executive Secretary and members of the board of trustees were all solely appointed by the president and

not confirmed by the Senate, made them not to have the strength to raise objection to the diversion of TETFund money to other uses. He noted that appointments of the Executive Secretary and that of the Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees of TETFund should be made by Mr President and confirmed by the Senate, stressing that the TETFund Act be amended.

reversed immediately, it could lead to a serious crisis in the north. It will be recalled that the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, had been accused of marrying off a 14-year-old Habiba Isiyaku to her kidnapper, Jamilu Lawal. Habiba’s father alleged that his daughter was kidnapped from school, Government Senior Secondary School, Kudun Kankara, Kastina State, by Jamilu and had been forcefully converted to Islam and married off by the emir without parents’ consent. There was also a case of 14-year-old Ifesinach Ani who was abducted in Abuja and taken to Maiduguri, then Zaria, where she was said to have been married off and 13-year-old Blessing Gopep who was stolen at age 12 in 2015. Pam said they came to inform the president about some of the challenges facing Northern Christians. According to him, the

child abductors should take a cue from President Buhari who married off his daughter properly last weekend. Pam said: “We also talked on the issue of girl child abduction in the north. This is gathering a cloud of crisis already and if care is not taken it will lead to a serious crisis. These are the issues we discussed with the president.” He also noted that Christians were finding it difficult to express their faith in some parts of the northern Nigeria. He, however, noted that President Buhari responded positively, promising to look into the matter. But a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying that he would keep faith with the oath of office he swore. The president equally pledged to restore peace to all parts of the country.

Nigeria-Benin Republic ties exemplary —Buhari Clement Idoko—Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described the security and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Benin as very beneficial to both countries, noting that it should serve as a model for other countries. Receiving the outgoing Ambassador of Benin to Nigeria, Mr Mouftaou Laleye, at the State House, Abuja, Buhari promised to improve the historic relations between both countries on other key strategic areas for the benefit of their citizens. This was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu and made available to the State House Correspondents. The president said he was very pleased with peopleto-people integration between Nigeria and Benin,

adding that his administration would continue to pursue and promote friendly relations with neighbouring countries. “Our countries and our peoples have no alternative but to remain close,” the president said. He commended the outgoing ambassador for working hard to improve relations between the two countries in the past eight years, describing his long period of service in Nigeria as a mark of the confidence reposed in him by his country’s leaders. In his remarks, Ambassador Laleye said he succeeded in his mission in Nigeria because of the strong support he got from the country’s past and present leaders. He commended President Buhari for stabilising relations between Nigeria and Benin, a relationship he described as brotherly.

Ikenne to celebrate 40th Ereke Day tomorrow ALL roads will lead to Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, the homestead of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, on Saturday, as sons and daughters of the town, both at home and the Diaspora, will converge on the town to celebrate four decades of the existence of Ikenne Development Association (IDA). The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to grace the occasion and will commission some

projects provided by sons and daughters of Ereke. The president of IDA, Otunba Olusola Odumosu, told the Nigerian Tribune that the 2016 edition of the programme would be a unique one as many developmental projects will be unveiled. He recalled that the IDA was established 40 years ago for the overall development of the town which, according to him, had been achieved to a large extent.

Odumosu said the cochairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, is the chairman of the 40th anniversary grand finale celebration. He appreciated past presidents and executive members of the association for their selfless efforts. The president called for further unity and co-operation among indigenes of the town.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

south-westnews

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Teachers’ Day celebration: NUT apologises to Ogun govt Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

HE national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Thursday, apologised to the Ogun State government, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the education industry, over the activities surrounding the 2016 World Teachers Day

celebration, as organised by the state wing. The body condemned all the issues surrounding the celebration and described it as unfortunate and highly regrettable. Addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, the National President of the union, Comrade Alogba Olukoya, flanked by other national executives, at the NUT

Hall, wondered why the state wing decided to have an elaborate celebration, despite its directive of low key celebration across the states of the federation, in view of the prevailing economic circumstances in the country. Olukoya explained that the union became worried about the development and therefore called

an emergency meeting of states in the South-West, including Lagos and Delta. Nigerian Tribune recalled that the state government, by actions of the officials of the state wing of the union, on Monday, dismissed 15 of its members, which included the state chairman, Comrade Dare Ilekoya, while 19 others were suspended, having

found culpable. The state government had instituted administrative panel of inquiry to investigate the event, with a view to identifying public servants directly or indirectly involved in partisan politics during the ceremony. The NUT boss appealed to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to pardon the public servants, by recalling and reinstating them to their duty posts. He said, “NUT is both a trade union and a professional group. The scenario that played out during the celebration called for genuine and sincere apology on our part to the state government and other stakeholders. It is not in our character to embarrass any government in power. “The national leadership of the NUT condemned this unfortunate development in its entirety, as it did not conform with traditions and modus operandi of NUT celebrations.

“At times, error could be made and what has happened was highly regrettable and embarrassing. On behalf of the national leadership of the NUT, we have come to ask for clemency from Governor Amosun. Government should be rest assured that no such condition shall repeat itself again in future. “We wish to equally apologise to the traditional rulers, whom our teachers showed disrespect to. As the teachers had been thoroughly dealt with, we appeal for the forgiveness of our royal fathers.” Olukoya added that the union would put up a letter of apology to the state government and others concerned so as to settle the matter amicably. He equally called on the state government to consider the immediate reinstatement of officials who were not party to the celebration, but dismissed or suspended erroneously.

Awolowo for honour at ISEDE 2016 summit From left, Ekiti State chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammed Nasamu; Seriki Fulani of Ekiti State, Abacha Adamu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Oludare Abegunde and Governor Ayodele Fayose, while signing a peace agreement in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday.

Herdsmen to register within 14 days in Ekiti, sign deal with govt Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti HERDSMEN operating in Ekiti State will now have to register within 14 days so as to ensure a smooth operation of the cattle rearers in all parts of the state. This is just as the state government and members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the umbrella body of cattle rearers in the country, on Thursday, signed a communique to ensure seamless operation of the grazing law in the state. These were among the agreements reached at a meeting between the state government, leaders and members of MACBAN from the South-West; traditional rulers, farmers, local government officials, community leaders, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in Ado Ekiti. The meeting was called as part of the measures to curb the tension and friction between the cattle rearers and the government and the people of Ekiti State. The cattle breeders operating in Ekiti State are to register with the traditional rulers of their host communities within 14 days, just as the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, also announced the release of the cows arrested by Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshals (EGEM) recently.

The free registration must be done within the next 14 days after which the registered names would be forwarded to the state government for data keeping. The governor also agreed to the proposal that members of the MACBAN be part of the patrol teams to be able to help in the operation of the Ekiti grazing marshals. Governor Fayose said at the meeting that having met a select group of herdsmen earlier in the week, he called

a broader meeting to involve many stakeholders in the deliberation for better results. He said: “You are all my brothers and there is no reason to trouble you. Many among you have been here for long and your families are here too. Ali Garuba from Malumfashi, Katsina State, was part of my first term administration and currently an Igbo man is a councillor in Ward 10 of Ado Local Government. What we are doing today is to ensure peaceful relation-

ship between you, your host communities and the state government. “Those killed in Oke Ako are gone and can’t be alive again and we should not allow a repeat of such terrible incident. Ekiti people buy cattle from you and you are making profit. We are not asking for much, just for you to obey our law. The law is not targeted at those who obey the law. You have to register with traditional rulers of your host communities.”

Election to hold in 33 LGs, 35 LCDAs —OYSIEC By Wale Akinselure OYO State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), on Thursday, declared that elections into both the newly created 35 local council development areas and 33 local government areas will hold on February 11, 2017. The inclusion of election into the LCDAs is a modification to an earlier announcement by the commission which indicated that election would only be conducted into the 33 local government areas. Contained in a statement by the electoral commission’s media officer, Mr Cosmas Oni, the Chairman, OYSIEC, Mr Olajide Ajeigbe, was quoted as making this declaration during his visit

to the Headquarters, 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Odogbo, Ibadan and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command. Ajeigbe had noted that the visits to all the security agencies in the state were to ensure adequate security before, during and after the election. Ajeigbe added that for the commission to achieve free and fair election, it was imperative to beef up security. In their separate remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Headquarters 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Kasumu Abudulkarim and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant John Adewole, had pledged

their agencies commitment towards providing conducive environment for the conduct of a violence-free election.

By Ibukun Adenuga ORGANISERS of the Impact South-West Economic Development (ISEDE) have decided to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo with the Yoruba Legend award at its 2016 edition. This was disclosed by the chairman and president of the Impact Knowledge Group, Mr Owolabi Oladejo, at a press conference on the forthcoming edition of the programme, slated for 18 to 25 of November, on Thursday. Owolabi stated that the selection of Awolowo for the award was based on unanimous vote by the people. Speaking on the forthcoming event, Owolabi pointed out the urgent need to bridge the gap between producers and buyers of respective products and also to improve on packaging of various products to the international standards. Owolabi disclosed further

that ISEDE 2016 would focus on fashion, agriculture, construction and technology, using four strategies; Show Them, Tell Them, Link Them and Reward Them. He also stated that the programme aimed at bringing stakeholders in the South-West together to discuss on ways to bring the zone back to the spotlight of the Nigerian economy. Also speaking, president of the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Princess Abosede AmusanOgunnaike, encouraged stakeholders to contribute to the progress and vision of the ISEDE 2016. Stakeholders present at the press conference included the Project Director, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Mr Yanju Adegbite and representative from the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), Mr Seye Oyeleye.

Oyo collaborates with CITN to improve IGR By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare OYO State government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) to boost its Internal Generated Revenue (IGR). Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, stated this on Wednesday, in Ibadan, while declaring open the Mandatory Professional Training Programme (MPTP) by the state’s Board of Internal Revenue (BIR)

in partnership with CITN. Adekanmbi explained that the state can no longer depend on the federal allocation which necessitated the need to boost the IGR, and consequently commended CITN for joining hands with the state government in organising the training programme. The president of the institute, Dr Teju Somorin, represented by Chief Otitoloju Ayodele, said “We now want to bring in the informal sector into the tax net so that they can comply with the tax regulations and perform

their civic responsibilities to assist the government. This will give everybody the opportunity to enjoy the dividends of the government,” the CITN president added. In his own remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Biyi Oloko, said that the collaboration was a good development for the state, adding that the programme would be used to enlighten the people on the different types of taxes and the need to pay their taxes regularly.

businessnews

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Recession: AfDB approves $600m financial support for Nigeria

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved 600 million dollars loan as the first tranche of a one-billiondollar budget support to help finance Nigeria’s economic governance, diversification and competitiveness programme. The Spokesperson for the bank in Nigeria, Fatima Abubakar, said in a statement that executive directors of the bank approved the facility on Wednesday. The last tranche of 400 million dollars will be approved in 2017, Abubakar said. The operation is part of a two-year (2016-2017) fiscal programme of support to enable Nigeria to implement reforms to achieve efficiency in government business, combat corruption and promote diversification. It will help the government to create fiscal space to facilitate smooth implementation of its budget, support fiscal and structural reforms and improve social sector spending to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population. The facility will also assist the country’s efforts to quickly build a buffer of foreign exchange reserves, which will contribute to easing pressure on the foreign exchange market and stabilising the naira, she said.

Nigeria’s success in efforts to achieve macroeconomic stability and economic recovery will signal the end of the current recession. An elongation of the recession has potential to severely affect the economies of neighbouring countries in West and Central Africa, she added. Abubakar quoted AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina as saying: “We must think through innovative solutions to support our

regional member countries in crisis situations like this. “We must also provide them with the knowledge products they require to get back on track.” She added that given Nigeria’s demonstrated commitment to significantly scale up infrastructure investments (30 per cent of the 2016 Budget), the resources would contribute to creating the fiscal space for investments in power, housing and transport.

These are key sectors for stimulating the strong economic growth required to exit the recession, Abubakar said. Nigeria’s economy has been hard hit by a sharp decline in oil prices, which provides the bulk of government revenues and exports although agriculture and services contribute most to GDP. Over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s exports and at least 70 per cent of government revenues come from the oil

From left, Deputy Governor, Kebbi State and Alhaji Samaila Yombe Dabai; CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, during an inspection tour of rice soya bean farms across the state on Monday.

Investors in equities market lose N380bn KehindeAkinsehinde-Jaiyeoba - Lagos

INVESTORS on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) suffered a loss of N380 billion in the month of October as the market capitalisation dropped by or 3.95 per cent to close at N9.35 trillion, against N9.73 trillion achieved in September. Also, the NSE All-Share Index lost 1,115.31 basis points or 3.94 per cent to close at 27,220.09 basis points from 28,335.40 basis points recorded in September. Analysts attributed the decline in equities market to profit taking by investors as well a reaction to poor corporate earnings by listed of companies that released their third quarter report of 2016. Equally, the volume of shares traded in the month was also affected as it stood at 3.67 billion valued at N32.02 billion transacted in 55,397 deals. This was lower than 7.95 billion shares valued at N47.39 billion traded in 65,193 deals in September. This translates to 53.84 per cent drop in the volume of shares traded by investors on

sector, which is projected to have shrunk by 1.6 per cent within the year. The economy slipped into a recession in the second half of the year because of foreign currency shortages, sharp reduction in power generation, vandalism of oil installations, lower oil production and weak investor confidence. At the end of December 2015, AfDB’s portfolio comprised 46 operations estimated at 3.01 billion dollars.

the Exchange in the month of October. The monthly statistics of transactions on the Exchange revealed that as usual, the Financial Service Sector recorded the highest volume of activities as it accounted for 2.59 billion shares worth N12.26 billion transacted in 22,698 deals. Premium Board Sector came second with a total of 455.26 million shares valued at N4.53 billion achieved in 9,081 deals as the Conglomerates industry came third with 244.46 million shares worth N434.95 million transacted in 2,326 deals and the Consumer Goods Sector sold 147.59 million shares valued at N7.62 billion in 9,735 deals. Forte Oil emerged as the worst performing stock during the period under review in percentage terms, dropping by 27.67 per cent or N45.90 to close at N120 per share against its month opening price of N165.90. NAHCO recorded a loss of 25.72 per cent or 0.89k to close at N2.57 per share against N3.46 it closed for

the month of September, Ashaka Cement lost 24.65 per cent or N4.01 to close at N12.26 against N16.27 achieved in September, while Glaxosmithkline lost

23.88 per cent or N4.68 to close at N14.92 compared with N19.60 with which it closed in September. Going by percentage consideration, the best

performing stock for the month was Caverton which appreciated by 44.74 per cent to close at N1.10 per share compared with 76k it opened the month trading.

Money entered Nigeria from 195 countries in 2015 —Western Union Sanya Adejokun - Abuja

IN a year when Nigeria lost its prime position as Africa’s prime investment destination in Africa, remittances arrived the country from more than 195 countries and Territories around the world in 2015. According to Western Union, Nigeria is one of the most connected countries in the world when it comes to receiving and sending money, which has operated in Nigeria for 20 years. “More than 195 countries and territories sent money into Nigeria, and 160 received money from Nigeria in 2015 reflecting the extraordinary global connections brought about by the rise in migration of Nigerians to many parts of the

world”, a statement from the company disclosed. Regional Vice President of Western Union Africa Aida Diarra said, “It is an honor to have served Nigerians for the past 20 years and connect them to and from nearly every corner of the world, moving the money that funds education, healthcare, everyday

living and the dreams and aspirations of their families.” Nigeria is the fifth largest remittance receiver globally, according to the World Bank. Migration destinations have remained steady since a decade ago, according to Western Union’s own trend analysis.

NNPC loses N11.22bn in 1 month —Report THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has again reported a month-end trading deficit of N11.22 billion in August. The figure was obtained on the NNPC website detailing its monthly financial and operations report released in Abuja. The corporation had posted a trading deficit of N24.18 billion loss in its July report. NNPC, however, indicated that it was able to cut down on its loss-making by N12.96 billion when compared with its deficits in previous months. The deficits were recorded even though two of its subsidiaries – the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) – had a good operational outing during the month. The report also said crude oil production in Nigeria for the period averaged 1.65 million barrels per day (mbpd), representing a 6.47 per cent production decrease from the previous month. The corporation in May, reported a profit of N273.74 million, thus reversing its reported average monthly losses of N35 billion. It has, however, failed to sustain the profit-making streak, and has in the last two months, recorded deficits. This indicates a trading deficit of N11.22 billion as against the reported July, 2016 deficit figure of N24.18 billion. “This remarkable improvement in August 2016 was largely due to increase in PPMC coastal sales and the significant improvement in NPDC’s revenue for the month under review. Meanwhile, NNPC has said that pipeline vandalism across the country has reduce by 28 per cent. The corporation made this known in its 13th publication of Monthly Financial and Operations Report released on its website on Thursday.

Customs, Army impound 6 containers of smuggled electronics in Oshodi By Tola Adenubi

THE Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigerian Customs Service, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army impounded six containers load of 40 foot containers at the Arena shopping complex

in Oshodi, Lagos on Thursday. According to the Spokesman of the FOU, Zone A, Jerry Atah, the unit acted on reliable information concerning the six containers. “We got information that six container loads of elec-

tronics were smuggled into the Arena without proper Customs clearance and examination. “So, our officers moved in and with the collaboration of the Army, impounded the containers. They are in our office as I speak to you.”

businessnews

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Lagos agog as trade fair kicks off

Akin Adewakun and Qudus Kasali - Lagos

OTHING is more suggestive of the importance stakeholders in the nation’s business community, attach to the annual Lagos International Trade Fair, than the sudden rise in the flurry of activities, in the last few days, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, in preparation for this year’s edition. A brainchild of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), this year’s edition of the Fair, scheduled to hold between Friday 4th and Sunday 13th November, 2016, is expected to cover all aspects of business and economic activities in Nigeria, while offering unique exposition for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and users of a wide range of goods and services. According to the Chamber, besides providing a platform for major businesses to showcase their offerings, one of the highlights of the 2016 edition of the Fair, expected to hold at three different centres, are the opportunities it also holds for small businesses in the country. Interestingly, one unique feature of this edition, for many people, is the aptness of its theme, Positioning The Nigerian Economy for Diversification and Sustainable Growth. For instance, the fortune of the nation’s economy has continued to dwindle by the day, a development many economists have attributed to the ‘fading glory’ of crude oil, the sole mainstay of the nation’s economy on the global market, a development that has adversely affected the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. Not a few therefore believe that no time could be more apt to focus on this issue than now when the nation is looking for ways of diversifying its economy and move away from its mono-product economy. According to LCCI, the fair, therefore, provides opportunities for various trade groups and professionals to present new products and new ideas. “Also, our foreign visitors have the privilege of visiting places of interest in the country through our hospitality and tour-

ism programmes. Moreover, eminent dignitaries and decision makers from all over Nigeria will visit the Fair on a daily basis throughout its duration. “The Fair brings into focus the full potential and business opportunities existing in Nigeria,” the Chamber said. Interestingly, just like the last edition, this year’s edition would also provide opportunities for those in the nation’s art world to express and experience their passions. For instance, the Lagos Creative Fair ‘Eko Akete’ celebrates African creativity of traditional and contemporary (Creative and Performing Art), literary works, fashion, music and Nollywood. The creative fair, which is a ten-day cultural manifestation, will provide hundreds of performers to set the Freedom Park aglow with artistic and intellectual offerings, both indigenous and international acts, fused into the biggest and best trade exposition in West and Central Africa This aspect of the Lagos international Trade Fair will focus on exposing the business side of the Nigerian creative industry and have those in its value chain interface with local and international players and investors. It is a platform, designed for the teeming population of the creative industry to meet with key decision and policy makers, regulatory agencies, media content buyers, investors and a rare opportunity for partnership using best global practice. Another major highlight of the Fair is the hosting of an international investment conference. Apart from the need to accentuate the position of the trade fair as the preeminent trade and investment forum in West and Central Africa, the conference will bring together major players in various sectors of the economy, especially the non oil sectors in the spirit of economic diversification and growth sustainability of the Nigerian economy. “The investment conference is primed to be a prestigious business event which will take the form of series of dialog sessions on various sectors of the economy. These would be facili-

tated by eminent speakers from the private and public sectors of the economy,” the Chamber stated. Interestingly, the introduction of a Special Day for corporate organisations, every day during the ten-day event, is no doubt seen by many as an opportunity for participants to really formally interact with the people at a dedicated place, Focus Centre, created by the organisers. It provides a unique opportunity for exhibitors to take the centre stage at the ceremonial arcade of the fair also known. For a minimum of one hour, organisations can take advantage of the Special Day celebrations to promote their products, services and facilities to their exhibiting and potential clients and customers. While the whistle is being blown today, Friday, for the commencement of the Fair, not a few believe that some of the high points of the Fair, would be the quality and quantity of those expected major

events at the Fair. What you need to know about 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair The Focus Centre, provided by LCCI, is where brands and businesses are expected to come and interact with their potential clients, at a fee. The Focus Centre provides opportunity for televised launchings, promotion of investment opportunities, new products and services. - The fair will take place at three distinct venues, which will host different aspects: - The main Arena, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos will hold the general interest / Business consumer fair The Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos will hold the corporate exhibitions and B2B meetings and the International Investment Conference. - Prominent Nigerians from both the public and the nation’s private sectors will play key roles at the event.

Dr (Mrs) Nike Akande, LCCI President

Investment in infrastructure’ll result in growth —Osinbajo By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, explained that the current administration decided to invest heavily in infrastructure because it is convinced the effort would translate into economic growth for the country. Speaking at the African Development Bank Knowledge Sharing Forum in Abuja, the Vice-President, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on the Economy, Dr. Yemi Dipeolu, said there is a positive relationship between infrastructure and growth in the economy, adding that Nigeria stands to experience growth given the commitment of the present administration to invest hugely in infrastructure. He stated, “There are also various estimates about the impact of infrastructure on growth but the broad consensus is that the relationship is a positive one if the example of countries like China is anything to go by. Accordingly, given its significant infrastructure deficit, Nigeria is most likely to experience growth if significant

investment is made in the building of roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, housing, dams, telecommunications facilities and electric power.” He added, “In the 2016 budget, government has proposed to spend N1.84 trillion on capital projects, amounting to about 30 per cent of the entire budget. Even though this is unprecedented in recent times, there is a realization that this figure is still way below what the country should ideally be invest-

ing in infrastructure. For instance, it is estimated that Nigeria requires about US$25billion annually for the next 10 years to grow its infrastructure to sustainable levels. It is obvious that this cannot be funded entirely by the public sector which brings the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) model to the forefront of our considerations,” the Vice-president said. Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun on the occasion re-

stated the commitment of the administration to improve the operation of the Public, Private Partnership arrangement. According to the Minister, the Federal Government believes that Public Private Partnership is extremely important to the drive to restore and resolve the infrastructure of this country, saying that solving the nation’s infrastructure problem would unlock the potential of the economy and get Nigeria out of the current challenges.

NIBSS, banks launches ‘m-cash’ for easier financial transactions By Chima Nwokoji and Elliot Ovadje

DEPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) in collaboration with the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS), and the Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday introduced a new financial services product aimed at making low-value retail payments easier. Tagged ‘mCash,’ this Micro-payment Platform is an innovative solution designed to facilitate lowvalue retail payments, drive payments by providing ac-

cessible electronic channels to a wider range of users and to further grow financial inclusion in Nigeria. Speaking at the launch of the new solution in Lagos, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NIBSS, Mr Ade Shonubi said the idea behind mCash is to further enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria by extending epayment benefits to payers and Marchants who operate at the local levels especial the Small and Medium scale business owners. According to him, mCash

leverages the mobile phone USSD technology which in recent times has become the most accessible channel for processing financial and non-financial transactions. His words: “This innovation leverages the NIBSS Instants Payment infrastructure (NIP) for immediate fund delivery to merchants accounts and the mobile telephone USSD technology which in recent times has become the most accessible channel for financial and non-financial transactions.”

editorial

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Senate’s rejection of $30bn loan request

HE Senate, on Tuesday, turned down the request by President Muhammadu Buhari for a $29.96 billion loan to finance key projects between 2016 and 2018. The Senate premised its rejection of the request on the failure of the President to avail it of detailed information of what the executive intended to do with the loan. Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who addressed the press after the plenary, noted that the request failed on technical grounds. He said, “One of the technical things that was missing there is that, even if you read the letter, it said ‘attached is a draft’ but there was no attachment.” The Senate should be applauded for this bold move to keep the executive on its toes and assert its independence. It is crystal clear that there is paucity of profundity in the various tiers of government. Serious matters are handled with levity and simple matters are allowed to compound into serious crisis. The result of this is the hard life that the majority of Nigerians are subjected to. Sending such a request to the National Assembly without attaching necessary documentation suggests that the executive either believes the National Assembly is pliant and will do its bidding willy-nilly, or it is ignorant of the procedure. While the former should never be contemplated because of its debilitating effect on the polity, the latter is not excusable because the executive is an institution and institutions are built on processes and procedures. It should be clear to all that it would be unconstitutional for the National Assembly to even consider the request without an explanation of how the expected loans would be deployed. We agree with the Senate on this issue. We insist that the executive must come up with a detailed breakdown of what it intends to do with the money sought not just “the total cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing plan is $29.960 billion made up of proposed projects and programmes loan of $11.274 billion, Special National Infrastructure projects $10.686 billion, Euro bonds of $4.5 billion and Federal Government budget support of $3.5 billion” as contained in the documents sent to the National Assembly. This will enable the legislators

to carry out due diligence on the request and position them to make informed decisions on it. We also need to stress that the President and his economic team should come up with a detailed economic policy. It is saddening and regrettable that after almost one and a half years in office, the present Federal Government has yet to present any economic road map to Nigerians. This is why the economy appears to be at a standstill. This is why various sectors in the economy are finding it difficult to thrive. What we have had so far is a knee jerk approach to managing the economy. The government has become reflexive rather than reflective in steering the ship of the economy; hence the economy seems to be permanently in the reverse gear. According to media reports, the failure of government to come up with an economic blueprint has constituted an albatross to its quest to access facilities from both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The Breton Woods institutions have tied the release of any loan to Nigeria to the production of a comprehensive economic blueprint, which would enable them to assess the performance of the economy as well as its ability to repay facilities extended to it. The import of this is that coming up with a detailed economic outline is not just sine qua non for the recovery of the economy, it is also a plinth on which the government’s effort to raise external loans rests. A well-researched economic policy will save the government from the unjustifiable desperation for seeking humongous external loans. It will show what the government needs to do to raise money locally and what it should do to curb wastage. With such a document, it will be glaring to the government that plunging the country into a $30 billion debt, which is about half of Nigeria’s debt since its independence in 1960, is a disservice to the nation’s future generations and is neither desirable nor defensible. A document like that will show to the government that hoping to pay back the huge debt with earnings from tolls on roads and train fares is illusionary. Seeking to develop the economy without a road map is putting the cart before the horse and those who put the cart before the horse always get stuck.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 4 November, 2016

editor

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Setting agenda for new NDDC leadership

N Charles Dickens’ seminal novel, A tale of two cities, which was first published in 1859, the author opens up by positing that, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times,...it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...”

The apposite nature of this timeless quote comes into sharp focus when viewed against the prism of current happenings in the country. It is no longer news that we are in a recession, as oil prices have plunged, and agitations in the NigerDelta region have resumed in frightening dimensions,

with militants coming out of the creeks to destroy critical national infrastructure. Conversely, we can bask in the positive assurance that Nigerians have always been a very resolute and determined breed who have succeeded against all odds. Our huge youth demographic, if positively channeled, can be a game

changer; one good news is that many of the leading lights in various fields of endeavours globally are Nigerians and the opportunities for growth in our country seem abundant. As such, even though the horizon looks bleak at the moment, these times present us with the golden chance to re-invent our na-

IKEDC, Ijagemo residents are tired of darkness PERMIT me a space in your widely circulated newspaper to express the trouble and greater pains that have become the lot of Ijagemo community and its environs in Lagos State for the past seven weeks. Since the devastating rains that fell around the above mentioned period, the entire Ijagemo community and its neighbouring towns had been thrown into subdued darkness, with no hope of enjoying electricity supply from the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), which has shown no appreciable concern till date. Despite the incalculable damages caused by electric spark that was occasioned by the thunderstorm, the affected

homes had grappled with various losses which they have now counted behind them in order to move-on. Regrettably, no IKEDC official has come around, either to explain what went wrong, nor provide any explanation on their plans for the restoration of power to the areas. All we hear from gravevine is that there is a problem at Ejigbo Transmission Station which affects most of the communities in close proximity to Ijagemo. Already, we in the area are only living through the grace of God. Combining power challenge with numerous other problems such as flood, terrible roads, lack of drainages and lack of health and educational facilities, which are non-existent in Ijagemo, these could,

Boosting Oyo’s tourism potentials with aso ofi I am using this medium to commend the Oyo State government for showcasing the uniqueness and the commercial prospects of aso ofi, also known as aso oke. I inherited the business from my father, and for over 15 years that I have been doing it, I do not know that it is widely accepted and liked. For many years, I used to send the materials produced to Ibadan for sale, and occasionally, get patronage from people who have social engagements. When officials of the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism announced that they would be celebrating aso ofi day to commemorate the 2016 World Tourism Day, I considered it as jamboree

cum misplaced priority. Though, I knew they were trying to showcase what I do for a living, but I did not look beyond the obvious. Since the celebration of aso ofi, I could not believe the transformation that has happened to my business, as I get enquiries and orders from different quarters regularly. Even, old childhood friends, mostly based abroad, have been ordering for the textile, as well as enquiring how they can be of help to make the business grow. I owe the government my appreciation for espousing the uniqueness and the commercial prospect and the usefulness of aso ofi. •Sheriff Abidemi, Council Road, Iseyin.

therefore, be daunting and over-bearing on us. If not for any other reason, every home needs power to pump out water from bore-holes, and this has no alternative, especially in the face of the biting economic recession. Predominantly low income earners, peasant farmers and artisans, majority of the inhabitants of Ijagemo community have exhausted their scarce resources fueling generators that are now the main source of energy, rather

than being back-up. If governments, both at the state and local government levels, have refused to show compassion by discharging their obligations, I passionately call on the IKEDC (Ijegun/Ejigbo Undertaking), not to abandon residents of Ijagemo community to their fate, but rather, the company should fix this power situation urgently so that we don’t remain in perpetual darkness. •Tony Anaele, Ijagemo, Lagos State.

tion and let the world know that many good things can come out of our country. As a nation where oil accounts for close to 90 per cent of exports and roughly 75 per cent of the budgetary revenues, the region that produces black gold is still very far from the ‘Promised Land’ of development, in spite of the huge sums that have been committed to the area by way of amnesty, and most importantly, through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), an agency created by the Obasanjo administration in 2002 with a mandate to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta. The challenges of both the NDDC and the region have been well chronicled. Some of these include infighting among the leadership team, as well as leaders in the region, misalignment between the agenda of past NDDC teams and the real developmental needs of the

area, cronyism, opaque procurement processes, as well as a myriad of other problems. It is not in doubt that the newly appointed Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, a stellar technocrat and an astute politician, is the right fit for the job. Like it is often said, everything rises and falls on leadership, the choice of Ekere is indicative of the President’s resolve to fix the problems of the oilrich region in a sustainable manner and in accordance with the extant provisions of the law. Therefore, it is important for the new NDDC management to pay close attention to enthroning accountability in all its processes and shed the toga of being just another “contract-awarding” institution. •John Effiong, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

opinion

Friday, 4 November, 2016

The North, Shiites and quest for tolerance By Adamu Tilde

ODAY in Northern Nigeria, we live in critically challenging times, with our cultural harmony rapidly disappearing and our political unity fast disintegrating, leaving social and political vacuums that are now hotly contested by two mutuallyrejecting, nihilistic tendencies, each equally vicious and destructive. One does not require a genius to conclude that our society is dangerously tethering on the edge of the precipice, heading inexorably towards a disaster. Our culture, our history, and our civilisation are under threat. The way we handle those existential challenges today determines how posterity will treat us tomorrow. This piece is conceived in fear and borne out of desperation. Fear over the North’s steady descent into a sectarian abyss, and the desperation to arrest this slide before it is too late, before we are all consumed by it. Therefore, in diagnosing our problems and proffering solutions, I do not intend to surrender ourselves to the self-imposed tyranny of political correctness that often characterise discussions such as this. The recent sectarian mob violence targeted against the Northern Shia minority should enrage any believer in justice and freedom. That appalling display of lawlessness and barbarism must be unreservedly condemned by everyone. It is bereft of any legal, moral or social justification. Those angry mobs who cheerfully lynched their fellow citizens and torched and looted their properties have desecrated the very religion (or values) they are claiming to protect, and the clerics who silently or loudly abetted such travesty have betrayed their calling as men of peace. It is beyond the scope of this piece to trace the historical root of the Sunni-Shia antagonism in Nigeria, but the Shia-military clashes of 2014, which led to the death of Zakzaky’s three children, is a watershed in the timelines of events that led us to where we are today. That tragic encounter set the stage for a more tragic one the year after, which saw hundreds of Nigerians perish, and billions worth of properties damaged, further deteriorating the already fragile sectarian stability and bringing our peoples closer to sectarian civil war. I do not intend to make light of the Shiite’s crimes and

transgressions, both real and imagined. Granted, therefore, that the Shiites stand guilty of sectarian incitement, provocation, road blockage and wanton disregard for law and order, but no Nigerian sect or party can claim innocence on all those charges, and under our laws and norms, none of those crimes carries the price of a death penalty. Human life, according to all secular and religious conventions, is sacred, and no one has the right to take any life without recourse to law, to judicial due process, except in cases of obvious self-defense. But in Nigeria, putting the sacred tag on each soul does not prevent the next Shiites from being lynched in our streets, or the next petty thief from being lynched in our markets. Extra-judicial killings have become a Nigerian hobby, and our failure to do anything qualifies as acquiescence, as an indictment on our collective humanity and pretend religiosity. More disheartening, however, is the tendency of Nigerians to view crimes through partisan and sectarian prisms. The Shia clashes of 2014 and 2015 are two cases in points. Our partisan social media commentators found it politic to describe the tragic Shia conflicts of 2014 as a massacre of defenseless Shiites by the army, but the more tragic one of 2015 as a Shia provocation against the Nigerian army. To them, justice and fairness is directly proportional to the prevailing political reality and not facts on the ground. And therefore, those who condemned the tragedy of 2014 become the staunch legitimisers of the travesty of 2015. Nothing can be more absurd!

If the political partisans are guilty of reducing human life to a political commodity based on defined exigencies, the sectarian partisans are even worse, for they not only legitimise the violence against the Shia minority, they also equate every sympathy for the victims and any criticism against the perpetrators to a sin resembling apostasy. In doing that, they succeed in silencing every dissenting voice for justice and fairness and provide a veneer of popular support to their acts of treacherous inhumanity. Many have tried to strike a balance between condemning the Shiites and the actions of the military by drawing an imaginary ethical equivalence between alleged lawbreakers (the Shiites) and constitutionally mandated law-enforcers (the security agencies). But there is no moral equivalence nor ethical symmetry. There is only one denominator here, which is that of Nigerian lives being wantonly wasted without any recourse to judicial process or the rule of law, and that a sizeable majority of Nigerians are either happy or indifferent. And the fact that such violence finds support among educated Northerners speak volumes about our appalling bigotry and intolerance. This culture of hate, intolerance and inter-sectarian suspicions bodes ill for interfaith and intrafaith relationships. As Sunnis, our children are taught to hate the Shiite-other, and Shiites are taught to hate the Sunni-other. Those indoctrinations subliminally paint the other as violent, conspiratorial and demagogic, and, therefore, incapable of peaceful co-existence and undeserving of our respect, tolerance, and understanding. By doing this, we forget or negate one of the basic principles of our own faith where diversity is seeing as a manifest of a divine design and guidance as a function of divine will. Therefore, we must all rise up against this sectarian challenge. We must dismantle all barriers to dialogue and eliminate all those factors that promote sectarian tension and radicalisation, especially for our youths. De-radicalisation, like charity, must begin at home, with the very clerics whom their respective sectarian adherents look up to for guidance and inspiration. •Tilde is a public affairs analyst.

Still on the Nigerian situation By Qansy Salako

plus staff and cabinet of about 50 federal ministers and special advisers, one executive vice president plus staff, one US Washington DC type federal capital territory with its staff and institutions, ad infinitum. Outside of this senseless administrative pyramid are millions of village heads, hundreds of thousands of district heads and thousands of city kings, all equally biting a good slice off of the GDP in annual salaries but functioning as lame duck subordinates in running the nation state. Village heads, district heads and kings used to be the administrators of our system before the Europeans came to Africa. Somehow, we missed incorporating them into our post-colonial systems at independence. Now, they just exist as rudiments of past civilisations within a new order. The results are systemic waste, incompetence and arrested development. Oil is only 13 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, but it accounts for 70 percent of government revenue and 95 percent of export income. The remaining 87 percent of the GDP, which is more stable and under local control, remains treacherously abandoned and non-contributory to national income. It is worse than that. Nigeria did not make hay while the sun shone. When crude was $110 a barrel, Nigeria did not save, Nigeria borrowed. When the crude drum tanked to $28, Nigeria plunged into a $7 billion budget deficit and borrowed more. The Federal Government takes 52 percent of total national revenue and shares the remaining 48 percent

NIGERIA kicked off as a country of high promise with great expectations at independence from Britain in October 1960. That was eons ago. The imperialist British parliamentary system soon whirled the young nation on its axis from tumult to civil war in just the first seven years. Since then, the American presidential system has proved unwieldy in the hands of vacuous Nigerian politicians. The merging of three major ethnic nations with 350 other ethnic minorities has continued to dog the national spirit. The primordial regional lines have today become burning fault lines, with Boko Haram savages scorching the North, separatist movements in the South East broiling the federation on the Biafra grill, self-destruct militias ruthlessly torching the restive crude oil laden deltaic swamps of the South South and relentless cacophony for regional autonomy sweltering in the South West. Fifty-six years later, Nigeria is chin deep in the quicksand of self-determination. Nothing works, as the country continues to dangle precipitously from one cliff to another, on bated breath. Members of the American Republican Party would go into seizures at the sight of the government size in Nigeria. In spite of its high population density, the Nigerian political structure has become thoughtlessly overengineered, going from four regions at independence, to 36 states and a federal capital territory. A puny country about the size of Texas runs the world’s most expensive political system with 36 state governors plus staff and full cabinet of about 40 state commissioners and special advisers in each state, varying number of parastatals (government institutions) on top of the ministries in each of 36 states (Lagos State has 89 parastatals) plus staff, 36 state deputy governors plus staff, some 35-member lawmakers assembly in each of 36 states plus staff, 360 federal house of representatives plus staff, 109 federal senators plus staff, 774 local government chairmen plus staff, one executive president

among the states. Beyond that, there is no synergy between the two levels of government. Governance is typically a one man show by whims and caprices of the governor in the state, but the FG has neither oversight nor control over how the monthly disbursements to the states are spent. The Nigerian political leadership at both the federal and state governments recklessly spend a majority of the country’s national revenue on recurrent expenditures (salaries, allowances, traveling, training, food, among others, which consume. They spend less than 10 percent on capital infrastructures (roads, power, rail, housing, among others, which actually create jobs and grow the economy. Now in the second year of its first four-year term, the current government is struggling to raise capital spending to 30 percent. Most of the states are not viable. A total of 27 of the 36 states are unable to pay salaries, leading to arrears of up to 14 months in some. Even the FG spends upwards of N165 billion on payroll every month. Both FG and state governments borrow and sell junk bonds just to pay salaries. As expected, the civil service work force is mindlessly over bloated. In a country that imports everything from crayon to refined petrol, the government is the number one employer. The private sector is primarily floated and fed by largess from corrupt government patronage, so its work force is largely unreliably a dot-com economic sector. Education, the main plank for development is in shambles, the street unemployment figure hovers near 90 percent. Access to good healthcare is near zero to most citizens, and Nigeria, as it is, is not working out. It has proved incapable of exploiting the enormous assets of its rich diversity, it is sinking carrying the weight of its variety and unable to make genuine progress. What a shame! •Dr Salako, a frontline social critic and commentator, lives in Boston, USA.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

supported him wholeheartedly”, she says with a sense of fulfillment twenty-eight years after his demise. She stood unflinchingly by his side for almost fifty years. Hannah’s attentiveness to, or attentive courtesy concerning, the demands and needs of her husband are almost mythical. Hannah Dideolu constantly replenished Obafemi Jeremiah. At the same time, she was a powerful influence on him in many ways. She managed the gulf between Obafemi Awolowo’s public ambitions and his private obligations and stabilized things when the one threatened to challenge the other. Therefore, he could not have succeeded in his public ambitions if she didn’t help to manage and maintain his private obligations. This was what he attested to in his autobiography where he credits her with making their home “a true haven: a place of happiness, and of imperturbable seclusion from the buffetings of life”. “Mama played a very significant role in Papa’s life”, is how Abimbola Awofeso, Obafemi Awolowo’s nephew, describes their relationship. “She was more than a pillar. She was very loyal; she gave Papa peace of mind”. Indeed, while Obafemi Awolowo may have instilled in himself an uncompromising conviction regarding his own potential greatness – which he describes in his memoir as his “great and immortal role” – undoubtedly, it was Hannah, with her abiding fortitude, exceptional devotion, constant encouragement, industry and above all, transcendental love, that pressed Awolowo, without any hesitation, towards, and sustained him in his, greatness. She was the first to identify and nurture Awolowo’s potentials with enthralling care, shrewd awareness and helpful goading. Therefore, when he called her an “ideal wife” and “a jewel of inestimable value” in his autobiography, it was only to capture what he later explained as her “outpouring of her love and devotion” which were, and remain, “beyond words”. The “Grace of God” and his “Spartan selfdiscipline” added to “a good wife”, confesses the man who is popularly called “the Sage”, were the three factors responsible for his remarkable life. However, while most people who have written and spoken about the love between Hannah and Obafemi Awolowo which led the latter to describe his wife as “a jewel of inestimable value” often repeat that golden phrase, what they fail to account for is the fundamental challenge to his psychological and mental – and, by that implication, physical – health which Hannah helped Obafemi overcome. Even Hannah herself has never articulated this publicly. It is perhaps one of the reasons why people, including even some members of their immediate family, fail to understand the deep and abiding love between the two and their unbroken bond, a space on mutual love and enduring trust into which not even their children and grand-children could intrude. All the surviving children and the grandchildren all attest to this, affirming what Ofeimum articulates. “You don’t get between Papa and Mama”. Ofeimum says, “because between them there was something nobody could enter into”. Their last child, the medical doctor, Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, corroborates this. “They complemented one another”, she says. “You could not find solace with one against the other. If they took a stand on something, they both subscribed to whatever it was. Mama wouldn’t allow you to come behind Papa’s back or vice versa”.

With

Ebenezer Babatope

0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

Wale Adebanwi on Mama HID (14)

•Mama HID Awolowo

One of the grandchildren, Ayotola Ayodeji, Oyediran’s youngest daughter, also confirms that the grandchildren understood the symbolic love between their grandparents. Even if you loved “grandma” Hannah on her own terms, she explains, you still had “to love Mama if you loved Papa”. Such was the depth of the love her grandparents shared, Ayotola writes, that even in his old age, Awolowo was ready to arrange chairs in preparation for a service in commemoration of HID’s birthday. “I recall Mama’s 70th birthday, we

Without doubt, Obafemi Awolowo’s colossal intellectual and political ambitions for regional, national and continental transformations could not have blossomed without HID’s astute capacity to nurture the home.

(grandchildren or “Janmon’ as Papa affectionately called us) along with all out close family and friends were all in Ikenne getting ready for the occasion. On the eve of Mama’s birthday, we were all struck by Papa’s enthusiasm; when he felt we were not taking things seriously enough, he began to arrange chairs for the Communion Service (held in the family chapel) by himself! We often remarked that, contrary to the erroneous talk of Papa being unforgiving, he was in fact very forgiving; the only crime we thought he would find unforgiving was one committed against his wife!” For one of Awolowo’s staunchest disciples, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Hannah could be seen as the “alter ego” of Obafemi Awolowo in the sense in which Cicero first coined the term in the 1st century Rome to describe “a second self, a trusted friend”. Adebanjo explains that whatever personal problem bothered allies and supporters which Awolowo was too busy to attend to as premier, “Mama, after consulting Papa” took care of such problems. Without doubt, Obafemi Awolowo’s colossal intellectual and political ambitions for regional, national and continental transformations could not have blossomed without Hannah Idowu Dideolu’s astute capacity to nurture the home as he embarked on his personal, intellectual and political ventures – which culminated in his description as “the best president Nigeria never had,” by the leader of the secessionist Republic of Biafra, Chief Emeka

Odumegwu Ojukwu. Yet, many who have paid close attention to Awolowo’s eventful life often miss the fact that the earliest years of his marriage to Hannah were the most traumatic, financially, socially, psychologically and also psychically – in his entire life. Lay commentators often concentrate on the years of his trial and tribulations which eventuated in his incarceration as the most traumatic. Certainly, those years were very distressing to Awolowo – and Hannah. But he had achieved a level of moral, psychological, intellectual and spiritual development by the time of the Coker Inquiry, treason trial and imprisonment (and the death of his first son, Olusegun) such that he was able to cope well with these challenges much more easily than he was able to cope with the morally and psychologically destabilizing afflictions of the six-year period after he got married. Awolowo the years between 1938 and 1944 – when he left for the UK – that is, the first six years after marriage in December 1937, were years of “severe condemnation of self and deep regrets” of his past. As he recorded in the personal notebook that he kept which he referred to as “Flashes of Inspiration” (which was later shamelessly and absurdly tendered by the prosecution as evidence of his “ambition” to “overthrow” the federal government during the treason trial), even when he overcame the financial dimension of his trauma by the end of 1942 – which more or less ended the social materializations of that trauma – unknown to everyone else, except Hannah, he still experienced deep psychological and psychic trauma. In those first six years of marriage, starting from the age of twenty-two, Hannah had to nurture a man who was entertaining the fear that his life of “unbroken difficulty” since his father died, had been transformed into “a life of permanent difficulty and failures”- as expressive in his school days “which were full of hazards, the failure of the P.E.C (Progressive Economic Corporation) and my business, my heavy indebtedness, etc. etc.,….” Between the ages of 22 and 28, Hannah, while suffering the derision caused by her not getting pregnant soon after marriage, and then bearing and nursing three infants (Olusegun, Omotola and Oluwole), also had to encourage and support a man who constantly recalled his past “deep regrets…. (and) with severe self-condemnation.” In the early years of marriage, these frightening tasks were pressed on a young lady who had been warned not to marry the intransigent man. Awolowo himself was wondering at his stage “why I was born into this world at all….” •TOPSY EBINO – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK DR. OLU ONAGORUWA AT 80 (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADANCE)

Friday, 4 November, 2016

eyesofislam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

How the Prophet relates to your challenges

Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah Al-Mukarramah

ANY times, we may fall into thinking that Allah doesn’t love us because of the trials that we are put through. But as a mercy, Allah has sent us an example that we can emulate. He gave us an opportunity to relate to the Prophet on many different levels through our trials. As we go through the life of the Prophet and see the many hardships he endured, we can begin to connect to him on a more personal level. We can see that he was human: when cut he would bleed, when put in difficult situations he would feel emotional pain – but regardless, he continued to strive in the way of Allah and kept his eye on the ultimate goal, pleasing Allah and entering Jannah. The Prophet’s life began with a hefty trial. He entered into the world as an orphan. Not only is this hard in the general sense being that the lack of a father could affect his confidence and would undoubtedly affect the way he lived, but it was even more difficult because of the culture he was born into. He entered into a culture where lineage meant everything and orphans were dishonoured. For anyone who started off life in a manner that was culturally unacceptable – be it a disability or a lineage issue – take comfort in the fact that our beloved endured the same tribulations as you, and he overcame it by the will of Allah. Without a father, our Prophet only had

his mother to cling to. When he developed an emotional connection to her, and was old enough to remember his mother clearly, he then lost her to death as well. Imagine the emotional pain he

As we go through the life of the Prophet and see the many hardships he endured, we can begin to connect to him on a more personal level. We can see that he was human: when cut he would bleed, when put in difficult situations he would feel emotional pain – but regardless, he continued to strive in the way of Allah and kept his eye on the ultimate goal, pleasing Allah and entering Jannah.

must have felt – having already grown up without ever having contact with his own father, his mother was now gone as well. But he persevered and carried on with life. The other strong parental connection he made was with his grandfather. His grandfather loved him dearly and Prophet Mohammad looked to him as a father figure. However, not long after his mother’s death, his grandfather passed away as well. Have you ever lost a parent or even both parents? The Prophet could relate. Prophet Mohammad continued to resiliently carry on. After the death of his grandfather, he went to live with his uncle Abu Taalib and built a strong relationship with him that would be a vital aid to him in his years of calling to Islam. When the Prophet received the message and began to preach, he was faced with another great trial. He was ridiculed, taunted and accused of being a madman by many of his community members. These were people whom he once happily interacted with, shared joyous moments with, and simply lived life with. Have you ever lost a child or been given the news that you will not be able to have children? The Prophet could relate. At the time of the Prophet, having male children was seen to be essential. Hav-

ing daughters was a waste of money and sometimes even a shame. Men disliked it so much that they would take their young daughters and bury them alive hoping that the next child their wife would bear would be a son. In the midst of all this, the Prophet had no sons that lived passed childhood. His community had no sympathy towards him and would call him Abtaar (cut off). Imagine having lost a son who meant the world to you and not only having to put up with the internal grief of the loss, but also the community stigma and hurtful words. But still, he remained steadfast. Have you, or someone you are close to, ever been accused of something you did not do? Has your name been blotched by false rumours and untruthful tongues? The Prophet could relate. While the Prophet was married to our Mother, Aisha, a heart-shaking occurrence took place. A man whom the father of Aisha supported and helped on a regular basis accused our beloved mother of a great sin and a great shame. Imagine one of the most beloved people to you is accused of being unfaithful. Rumours spread about her, feelings were hurt, and hearts were shattered. Eventually, her innocence was proven by a direct revelation from Allah, the Most High, and her honour restored. Have you had someone that you loved deeply return to Allah without having accepted the Message of Islam, no matter how hard you tried to convince them? The Prophet could relate. Another great sadness in the life of the Prophet Mohammad was the death of his beloved uncle. It was not just the death of the Prophet’s uncle that was saddening but the fact that this man that was so close to the Prophet passed away without accepting Islam and turning to Allah in full submission. The Prophet tried hard to get him to accept Islam but his pride and attachment to his forefather’s religion did not allow him to utter the words of acceptance before he returned to Allah. Have you ever been turned away from those whom you love while only trying to benefit them? The Prophet could relate. Humiliation, kicking out, physical hurt, verbal taunts and so many other pains were inflicted upon the Prophet throughout his life, making him a person we can relate to in almost every trial of our life. The above are just glimpses of the pains he felt in his life, yet he was always content, always at peace. His peace was internal and bestowed upon him by As-Salam, the One who is peace and He who bestows peace. Often, we think, ‘I’ve been through so much – no one understands, no one can help me’. Think again. The Prophet went through so much in his life and continued to hold strong. He can relate to the pain and the heartbreak you are going through, he knew where to turn for help. He turned to Allah the Most High. Take comfort in the fact that the Prophet can relate to you. Follow his lead and turn to the only One who can bring everlasting peace, and have faith in the fact that this alone will relieve your pain. Source: SuhaibWebb

18 islamicnews

Friday, 4 November, 2016

10th anniversary: Niger gov, MURIC, MMPN, MMWG hail Sultan Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

IGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has commended the PresidentGeneral of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his contributions to the unity, peace, progress and development of the country in his first decade as the Sultan of Sokoto. Three Muslim groups, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) and Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), have equally congratulated the Amirul Mumineen on clocking 10 years on the throne. Sa’ad Abubakar became the Sultan of Sokoto on November 1, 2006, succeeding his brother, Muhammadu Maccido, who died in an air crash on October 28, 2006. In separate messages, the governor and the groups extolled the virtues of the northern Nigeria’s most eminent monarch and spiritual leader of the country’s Muslims. Governor Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, described the past 10 years of the Sultan’s reign as filled with activities, challenges and successes. According to him, the Sultan has been able to bring hope and understanding where despair, desperation and uncertainty had taken hold. He noted the initiatives and efforts of the foremost monarch to counter negative perception about Islam and reduce influence of ethno-religious influence in Nigeria through various fora, including inviting International Joint MuslimChristian delegation to Nigeria. The governor also noted that as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III was instrumental in the establishment of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), which is championing the course of sustainable peace, security, ethno-religious harmony and peaceful co-existence among people of various faiths in the country. “The Sultan’s reign has brought unity and peaceful co-existence and greatly reduced mutual suspicion and tension among people from different religious and ethnic divides. He has been able to sustain and enhance the status of the throne and wield influence that transcends the country’s bor-

ders. “These efforts have earned the Sultan international recognition, including joint nomination with Cardinal John Onaiyekan for Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their peace-building roles. “We are proud to celebrate a strategic leader and statesman whose positive attitude, strong will, discipline, self-confidence and ability to manage people have been significant factors towards the progress and development of the Sultanate in particular and the country in general,” the governor stated. He acknowledged the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in nation building and stressed the need for government to support them by creating the right platform for them to function effectively. The governor prayed Allah to grant the spiritual leader many more decades ahead

in good health and wisdom to continue with the remarkable service to humanity by promoting mutual respect and condemning bigotry wherever it rears its head. Also, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a faithbased organisation, congratulated the Sultan in a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. “We also felicitate with the government and good people of Sokoto State, the Sultanate Council and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond. “We affirm that Nigerian Muslims only began to raise their heads with pride after the current Sultan came on board. Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III gave Nigerian Muslims purposeful, mature, dynamic and responsible leadership. “He shunned armchair leadership and became visible in all parts of the country. We marvel at his mana-

gerial skill with which he has mobilised Muslims from all sectors,” MURIC said. The organisation also described the Sultan as “a completely detribalised Nigerian, a true bridge-builder and a man of peace, who brought the Muslim Ummah closer to their Christian neighbours.” “’Leading by example, he taught us love, forgiveness, and tolerance. A patriot, he laid special emphasis on the need for peaceful coexistence in the past 10 years of selfless service to his country,” it said. MURIC advised the Sokoto State government to give the monarch special recognition and befitting status by repealing laws that empower state governors to depose Sultans. He also advised Governor Aminu Tambuwal and other Northern governors and Muslims to continue to support and cooperate with the

Sultan. Equally, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), in a statement by its National President, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said Muslims in the country had witnessed unprecedented leadership style since the Sultan ascended the throne 10 years ago and this had endeared him to the Ummah and non-Muslims alike. “As a leader, he has demonstrated to all Muslims, irrespective of their leanings, that he is father to all. Through selfless service to humanity, His Eminence has been able to preach peace, love, togetherness, tolerance and peaceful co-existence in the country. “We call on Nigerian Muslims to continue to cooperate with the Sultan in appreciation of his unequalled and exemplary leadership,” the MMPN statement reads. The Muslim Media Watch

Group of Nigeria (MMWG) also commended the Sultan for his purposeful leadership which, it said, has made him a pride of the Muslim Ummah. The National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, in a statement, said Sultan Abubakar had scaled up the level of traditional leadership by being selfless, committed, dedicated and responsive to yearnings of the people since assumption of office. The statement reads in part: “He has undertaken tours of virtually all states in Nigeria with the sole aim of promoting unity, peace and stability in the nation. “In his attempt to promote religious tolerance, he has, from time to time, organised and promoted interreligious dialogue with a view to educate the people that though we are diverse in terms of religious beliefs, we are from only one God, who enjoins us to be our brother’s keepers.”

40 women in purdah receive zakat in cash, items

From left, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; a former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the distribution of ‘Zakkat’ and endowment items as part of activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Sultan in Sokoto, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Sultan distributes N9m items to 200 widows, orphans Muhammad Sabiu – Kaduna

THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Wednesday, distributed materials worth about N9 million to 200 widows and orphans as part of activities marking his 10 years on the throne. At the event, where special prayers were said for him, the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) called for measures against rising cases of kidnapping in the country.

He also urged government at all levels to take measures to lessen the suffering of Nigerians in the face of the ongoing recession. The Amirul Mumineen called on leaders in the different capacities to fear Allah and work for the benefit of their people. He condoled with the victims of malaria outbreak in Sokoto and other parts of the country and prayed Allah to rest the souls of those who lost their lives to the disease. On his 10 years on throne,

he said this was a time for sober reflection as he was not sure if the Almighty Allah would spare him to witness another 10 years. “We are not celebrating but rather this is a period for thanking Almighty Allah for sparing us to witness today and to pray for His continued mercy, and guidance for the unity and prosperity of this nation. “We should also continue to pray for our leaders to be able to deliver on their mandates,” he said He admonished all Nige-

rians, Muslim or Christian, to lead godly lives for their own benefit in this life and the next. In his keynote address, the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, described the Sultan as a bridge builder and promoter of peace and unity. Speaking with journalists after the prayers, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, noted that in the past 10 years, the Sultan had proved himself as a peace advocate in the country and beyond.

THE Ar-Rahmah Zakat Foundation (AZF) has distributed cash and items to no fewer than 40 women in purdah as part of its empowerment scheme. At the event, the sixth of its kind, held recently in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Alhaji Taofeeq Salisu of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in a lecture titled “Financial Inclusion and Economic Development,” noted that zakat was meant to engender a level of equality in a largely unequal society, such that a receiver of the tax would also become a payer. Given Nigeria’s current unfavourable economic condition, Salisu said the Muslim Ummah could use zakat fund as a tool to improve financial inclusion and economic development. He charged all well-meaning Muslims in the society to contribute to the financial emancipation of their underprivileged brothers and sisters through the instrumentality of zakat. The chairman of the Foundation, Alhaji Abdul-Hameed Omotayo, said the idea behind the establishment of the Foundation was to promote the understanding of zakat, facilitate its effective collection, distribution and utilisation for the benefit of the Muslim populace and ultimately to increase the number of Muslims who are eligible to observe the pillar of Islam.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

fridaytreat

Nigerian Tribune

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 Instagram: @roy_ige

Jos supports artistes to be best

in Nigeria —Geniuzz

Geniuzz burst onto the music scene last year and shocked Nigerians with his songs ‘Under rate featuring label mate, Yemi Alade, Kakaraka, among others. ROTIMI IGE caught up with him recently and presents the excerpts of their interaction. Background? N a quick summary, I am by name Zakka Manji Deyin aka Geniuzz. I was born and bred in the city of Jos, Plateau State, which happens to be my state of origin. I graduated from the Zoology department of the University of Jos. I am a song writer, rap-singer and recording artiste signed to Effyzzie music Group, the same label Yemi Alade and Soti.

As a Jos boy, what memories of early life do you hold dear? I actually hold a lot of memories close to my heart, but most memorable of all has to be the jam sessions that we usually organised then. I remember that we would gather around friends and family to showcase our raw talents, whatever talent it was and at the same time use the opportunity to relate with one another. We were like one big family because we all knew each other. Why are Jos boys rumoured to be so talented? I guess the environment and orientation has to do a lot with it. Just like I said, while growing up, it was almost like a weekly thing to gather around to showcase our talents. Plus, our parents were liberal enough to let us pursue our dreams. Also the peaceful, simple, calm environment contributes to it. We have all the time and absolutely no pressure to participate in art related activities thereby allowing more and more Jos guys and ladies opt for art related activities. So, tell us a bit about your musical journey... I fell in love with listening to radio at the age of seven and that was how my journey into music began. I listened to a lot of melodious music back then; it made me really fall in love with music and I became curious on how music was made. So at age 12, I started going to studios and became a sound engineer first of all. After a while, l started writing my own lyrics and recording my songs . I used to record my songs and promote them in Jos and environs even before I became a member of a boy band ‘FABB’. I was still pursuing my solo career when I got a call from my boss, Mr Taiye Aliyu, about a year ago. And since then my growth as

an artiste has been tremendous. How did you get signed to Effyzzie? On a fateful morning, just like another regular day, l was in studio recording when I got a call from Mr Taiye Aliyu. He told me he had listened to some of my songs and he loved the sounds . He then invited me to come work with the label in Lagos. I was really excited but I had to wait to finish with my youth service before I moved down to Lagos to finalise my signing and work with the Effyzzie Music Group. I got a warm welcome and everyone on the team has been supportive. Do you feel intimidated by your label mates to deliver? Never, on the contrary, they have turned out to be blessings and motivation to me. They have been supportive and helpful of my career. We are one big family and we support each other the best way we can and that has completely taken pressure away from the picture. I know I can rely on them for support. Tell us about your songs... I have so far dropped five official singles under

the label with the first song being ‘Kakaraka’, then ‘Underrate’ featuring Yemi Alade , ‘On my own’ and the current releases ‘Connect’ and ‘Firewood’ . I have a lot of songs recorded and I can’t wait to share with my fans. How do you intend to make a bold statement in the Nigerian entertainment scene? For now I’m taking a step a time. I thank God for the powerful team I have; we have super plans on how to hit the scene. I have new music to share, videos, performances and all that. I also have a plan to drop an E.P soon . Basically, there are plans and we are taking it a day a time. It will all align in due time. Tell us something not many know about you? I’m sure many do not know that my hobby actually is cooking. I’m not being cocky when I say I probably know how to cook more than a lot of girls out there! How do you relax? I relax by listening to a lot of soft rock music most of the time. Sometimes, I read some books and also sometimes hang around with friends to get some fresh air.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 IG: @roy_ige twitter: @fridaytreat

CKAY asks Nkechi to

‘Turn Up’ CHOCOLATE City’s newest signing Ckay, is out with his first official single titled ‘Nkechi Turn Up’. The multi-talented singer, songwriter and renowned producer was officially unveiled by Chocolate City in August 2016 and has not taken his foot off the pedal ever since; writing, producing and networking. Ckay had earlier been a core member of the CBN movement prior to signing for Chocolate City and had earlier released quite a number of song under his ‘Photocopy Series’ were he did his own version of chart topping songs putting his own flavour from both production and songwriting ends. Under the 21 year old’s belt are already production credits to big singles like “Give Them” by Koker, Miracle by Dice Ailes and Lil Kesh, Ice Prince and Korede Bello’s ‘Chike’, Oritsefemi and Skales’ “Zangarewa” and both production and co-production credits on TICBN Vol 1 and Illegal Music 3. ‘Nkechi Turn Up’ is set to make the young lad a force to be reckoned with as it as been quickly described it as a “hustler’s anthem” not to be mistaken for a love song; a mid-tempo, feel good track about the celebration of success in the market place after much hard work and the grace of God. It is a song to entertain and encourage. The sound is street but the vibe is universal. ‘Nkechi Turn Up’ is basically Afro-pop and greatly inspired by highlife with tinges of the up and coming Alkayida sound. CKay intends to keep making these kind of songs that go between western and local sounds. ‘Nkechi Turn Up’ was produced by Tempo, co-produced by CKay. The music video directed by Theophilus King is set for release in a few days.

Tushow out with ‘Jejely’ TUSHOW Emmanuel a.k.a African Yoruba boy, is an artiste who is unique in his craft and is fast becoming a rave in the Nigerian music industry. Since he began music professionally some years ago, he has done a lot of great work. His last single, ‘Candycrush’ got much attention, while his ‘Copy that’ was a club banger. After working with many of Nigeria’s top artistes as Praiz, General Pype, Mz kiss etc, he is back with an Afro tune titled ‘Jejely’ ‘Jejely’, according to the Tushow, is a tune for the fans who appreciate good music. ‘I always want to make them groove to good music’, he said in a chat with Friday Treat.

fridaytreat 5 Iyanya

comments

that prove artistes may not make good label owners

OW long did it take for this deal to pull through? To be honest, it wasn’t something that we planned. After working with Don Jazzy on ‘Gift’ last year, I left MMMG, then I joined Temple Management Company and we just thought about it, we needed the Iyanya brand to work with somebody who understands the music industry and can help me fulfill that dream and make sure I get my music right which is the most important thing.

You hinted on setting up your own label when you left MMMG, what happened? Honestly, It’s not hard for me to set up my own label. It costs about N120,000 to register a label, but my brand alone demands a lot of attention and the truth is I actually started a label, like I started the movement but I didn’t even see anybody that I could trust on that level because the future and what I want to achieve is way beyond putting 10 people together and moving around with branded T-shirts, which is what everybody wants you to do. But I thought about it and decided I need something stronger, I need to concentrate on this music because you can own a label but if you are not making good music, nobody cares. Starting a label also meant that I’ll be in charge of my music, logistics and everything, it’s too stressful and I don’t think I’m ready for that and the best option was Don Jazzy because from our studio session for ‘Gift’ last year we knew our working together was always smooth and productive so we just made it official.

It’s not hard for me to set up my own label. It costs about N120,000 to register one, but my brand alone demands a lot of attention and the truth is I actually started a label...but what I want to achieve is way beyond putting 10 people together and moving around with branded T-shirts, which is what everybody wants you to do.

Did you have to think about this new deal for a long time? Yes, I thought about it, but like I said I made the decision to join them because I saw that they had what I want. First of all, Don Jazzy is an amazing producer so working with him or having him supervise my project is a blessing for me. I’m just trying to get it right. Apart from Mavin, did you get offers from other labels? There’s no offer I didn’t get. I’ve worked hard enough to have people call me and say I have money and I’m ready to invest. But like I said, people will always come through with these deals because they want to make money and when they invest and don’t make the money back they’ll abandon you. I didn’t want to take that risk and I didn’t want any body running to the media again to say I owe them for anything. Those opportunities were there but I let it all go for something I know Is very sure. Don Jazzy is a perfectionist, I just needed someone like. I’ll be 10 years in this industry in a couple of months, but I don’t want to carry that on my head, I still feel like I can learn more. How easy was it to walk away from a company you co-owned to sign up with Mavin? I co-owned MMMG and to be honest with you, the whole leg work and logistics was by Ubi Franklin which I’ll always respect him for, he did a great job, he worked really hard to make sure we got to where we are and I did my own part. So for me to start my own label, it means I’ll have to be my own ‘Ubi’ which to be honest is not very easy. So it wasn’t easy leaving it behind, but so many times you need to just let that pride go, sometimes just act like you didn’t even co-own it, sometimes act like you’ve never had a hit song because I’m not trying to end this, I’m trying to create it. I’m 30 years old [October 31], I’m trying to show people a new side of me, new music, new management everything is new. Culled from Thenetng

COSON enters into landmark copyright agreement with Disc Jockeys across Nigeria IT was a beehive of activities this Tuesday, November 1, 2016 as Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the sole approved collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings signed a landmark copyright agreement with Disc Jockeys across the federation of Nigeria. At the ceremony, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji praised the leadership of Disc Jockeys Association of Nigeria, (DJAN) for their persistence in the negotiation which has lasted many months. The COSON Chairman said he was impressed by the determination of the DJAN leadership to obtain the most favorable deal on behalf of their members. Chief Okoroji said that the significance of the agreement at a time when the Nigerian economy is challenged is that, the respect of intellectual property, which is the cornerstone of the new knowledge economy, is being institutionalized in Nigeria. He particularly praised DJ Jimmy Jatt who has worked tirelessly for this day to come true. By the agreement every member of Disc Jockeys Association of Nigeria (DJAN), shall obtain a copyright licence from COSON with immediate effect and every member of DJAN engaged in any public performance of musical works or sound recordings shall at the time of such public performance carry on him a copy of his/ her current music copyright licence issued by COSON and shall present such licence for sighting at the request of any accredited COSON agent or representative. Furthermore, no Disc Jockey shall engage in the unauthorized reproduction for sale, compilation for sale, sale or distribution of any musical works or sound recordings. While the agreement protects all

licensed Disc Jockeys from the infringement of the relevant copyright in musical works and sound recordings in a public performance, the agreement does not protect any brand owners, corporate bodies, owners of event venues, public or commercial facility owners, whose brands, venues or facilities are associated with the public performance. The agreement also states that every licensed Disc Jockey shall not engage in the public performance of musical works or sound recordings in a venue or facility not licensed for the public performance of music or in support of a brand or corporate organization which has not obtained

the appropriate copyright licence for the public performance of musical works and sound recordings. Reacting, DJAN President, Mr. Tade Adeyemi, popularly known as DJ Cool described the day as the best of his life. He commended the COSON Chairman for his magnanimity in listening to the demands of the Association while also taking into consideration the Association’s enumerated challenges. He said “ Today I can categorically say that I am the happiest man on earth because we have been on this for quite a long time and we are very happy that at the end of the day, COSON agreed to some of our terms

and DJAN also agreed to some of COSON’s terms. We are highly grateful that COSON listened to us and I am promising that on behalf of the entire DJAN members nationwide we will not disappoint.” Present at the signing ceremony were COSON Directors, Mr. Joel Ajayi, Mrs. Azeezat Allen, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji and popular reggae artiste, Ras Kimono, Also present were DJAN executives, Deejays Kolabaiye, (Vice President), DJ Desert storm, (National Secretary) Larry ( Zonal Coordinator South West Zone), DJ Alex ( Treasurer) and DJ Temple (Lagos Treasurer).

Ibadan Countdown Festival 2016 unveiled THE end of the year 2016 will be celebrated on a high note as the Ibadan Countdown Festival 2016 has been unveiled by its team of organisers. Speaking to the press during its unveiling, the Director, Administration, Mr Ayo Orunmuyi, said that the festival was deemed fit to celebrate the state and its inhabitants in grand style. Among events lined up are countdown concerts, food day, family day, business and networking day, tourism and hospitality day, cultural day, youth and fitness day, fashion day, among other activities. He added that the peak of the activities will be the fireworks display which would happen

at midnight on December 31 The Ibadan Countdown Festival will feature the best artistes from and around Ibadan, with a view to showcasing the rich cultural heritage and talents that exist in the pacesetter state. The event, which is in conjunction with Agodi parks and Gardens, is endorsed by the state government. The state commissioner for culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, who was present at the unveling, lauded the initiative, stressing that the festival would further boost the image of the state as a hub for entertainment and business.

wapTV now available on DSTV and GoTV

NIGERIA’S favourite family entertainment channel once again expanded its extensive network on November 1, 2016; as the multiple-award-winning wapTV is now available on DStv Channel 262 and GOtv Channel 102. The Managing Director of wapTV, Wole Adenuga, had this to say, “We are excited at

the many opportunities that come with this partnership between Wale Adenuga Productions and Multichoice. While this expansion would multiply the number of eyeballs being reached by our advertisers, ultimately, the major beneficiaries are the millions of DStv and GOtv subscribers all over Africa who can now enjoy wapTV’s hilarious Presenters and Characters; as well as all the top-quality family entertainment programmes by Wale Adenuga Productions and several other esteemed TV content producers”. Since it commenced broadcast on October 1, 2012 as the first pidgin TV channel in Nigeria, wapTV has quickly become one of the most watched cable channels across the country; winning numerous prestigious awards including “Best Entertainment Channel of 2016” at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA), “Favourite Entertainment TV Channel of 2015” at the All Youth TUSH Awards, “Outstanding Entertainment TV Content of 2014” at the Classic Africa Merit Award, and several others. With this new partnership, wapTV’s Network of Cable TV Platforms now consists of DStv Channel 262, StarTimes Channel 116, GOtv Channel 102, Consat Channel 812, StarSat Channel 189 and MyTV.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e Oba Akran signs cultural pact with Atlantic Bond Initiative THE Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Atlantic Bond Initiative to promote African culture at home and beyond. The pact was signed at an event organised by the Atlantic Bond Initiative, recently in Badagry, with the theme: “Promoting Strong Cultural and Tourism Ties between Africa and the US. The monarch said that the memorandum was signed basically to exhibit the cultural heritage and tourism potential which Badagry was blessed with. He described the initiative as a laudable one and pledged his commitment toward supporting cultural advocacy and development in Nigeria and beyond. “The initiative will bring about increase in foreign exchange earnings and developments to Badagry community. “I will support the initiative in all ramifications in order to create a window for blacks in Diaspora to trace their roots to Africa and especially, Badagry,‘’ Speaking during the visit, the Founder of the initiative, Mr Rotimi Vaughan explained that the whole idea was to reconnect blacks in Diaspora to their roots. Vaughan, however, said that plans were in top gear to hold Lagos-Oyotunji Cultural Heritage Fiesta at the Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, USA. He said the event was meant to sensitise the people of the community about the latest development between Badagry, Lagos and South Carolina, U.S. He said that he was a direct descendant of South Carolinian Scipio Vaughan, a former slave who became a prominent and respected family man in Camden, South Carolina, U.S. until his death in 1840. Vaughan said that he was keen to draw attention to striking data available in the area of child trafficking in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

’Wale Olapade 08055201323 wale11g3@gmail.com Winner, NMMA Tourism Reporter Of The Year

Akwaaba 2016: Experts set rescue agenda for sustainable travel, aviation industry in Africa

From left, Mr Ikechi Uko, Oganiser, Akwaaba African Travel Market; Rizman Kadiri, CEO, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL); Mr Chris Aligbe, CEO Belujane Konzult; Richard Kyereh, Head of Commercial, Africa World Airlines(AWA); Yomi Jones, Former MD, Nigerian Airways; Richard Aisuebeogun, Former MD FAAN; Capt. Mike Omokore, CEO Broadlinks Aviation; Mr Chike Ogeah, SAHCOL Vice Chairman; Aketch Dorcas, Aviation Consultant; Fatimah Garbati, Former President NATOP; Capt. Dapo Olumide, Former MD, Virgin Nigeria and Mr Femi Adefope, MD, HRG at the 2016 edition of Akwaaba Aviation Day on Monday in Lagos.

HE 2016 edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market (AfTM), held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, has set a new rescue agenda for a better, structured and economicdriver travel, tourism and aviation sector, to reposition and sustain Africa business hub and destination. The three days travel exhibition, which consolidated on its past effort to add more value to the content of the platform, streamlined its offerings to build a robust business frontier for participants. The trade show created a well modified platform where seasoned and core players in the tourism, travel, aviation and hospitality industry from within and outside Nigeria brainstormed on trendy issues hampering the smooth growth and development of the industry in Africa. The well selected panelists at the Akwaaba aviation day, individually, gave step-by-step solution to prevailing problems facing aviation industry in Africa. Speaking on the theme, State of Aviation in Africa and why airlines fail, Richard Aisuebeogun,

Former Managing Director Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said that the potentials of Aviation in Africa are underutilised. This means that there are huge opportunities for the sustainable Airlines to thrive. “Therefore for the continent to realise its full economic potential, aviation, particularly commercial air transport must be prioritised. “There is need for diversification of local economies to create economic empowerment for locals, and economic attraction for foreign business, people and traders flying in for business, etc. Governments should ensure this is achieved to support African Airlines. Captain Dapo Olumide who attributed the problem of aviation in Nigeria to lack of corporate governance and ethics said that, it is not that things cannot work in Nigeria, but a high level of interference and bureaucracy hampered the grow and development of the sector. Olumide who took the Ethiopian Airlines as a model, explained that the airline is 100 per cent owned by the Ethiopian government,

but the management of its operations is in the hand of a management board, who were given the autonomy to grow the airline to its present enviable status. “Right equipment and specification must be used for specific destination. An airline that uses an aircraft meant for a long haul for short haul and vise versa, would have a problem in the consumption of fuel and other areas of operations. “Every airline that has failed has either used wrong business plan and financial modules. You must have your plan that drives the growth of the business. An airline must not replica other airlines module because he wants to compete. In her offering, Mrs Fatimah Gabati narrowed down the problems of the aviation industry and why airlines fail in Nigeria and Africa, into three basic factors, which she enumerated as fear, attitude and refusal to obey international conventions, blaming African leaders for neglecting the Yamoussoukro accord that called for open skies in Africa.

BON Hotel expands, to add value to Nigeria hospitality industry RECENTLY, BON Hotels, a hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, hosted their official launch in Nigeria, at BON Hotel Stratton, Asokoro in Abuja. The West African arm of the group, BON Hotels International West Africa, which oversees operations in Nigeria, headed by the Founder of Protea Hotels and the doyen of African hospitality, Executive Chairman Otto Stehlik, Bernard Cassar, ex Africa Director for Protea Hotels who pioneered the expansion of Protea Hotels in Nigeria over the past 18 years, as well as Pieter Bekker, ex Protea Regional Director in Nigeria, and Director responsible for operations.

BON Hotels is a strong contender in the African hotel management space. “With Nigeria being more than ready for tourism and economically viable, the powerhouse of Africa, offers huge potential in the hospitality landscape,” Guy Stehlik explains. Gregory Ozegbe, Chairman of Africa Alliance Group, who is engaged in a joint venture agreement with BON Hotels on new projects, shares the vision for Africa. “It is our primary focus and we are positioned with the support of our shareholders and strategic partners across the world to embark on the most ambitious expansion in the history of any country in Africa. Commenting on the refurbish-

ment plan, Guy Stehlik said “Our strategy is to be competitive in our offering, service delivery and price to create a four-star standard international Nigerian hotel chain, a tourism circuit designed to meet the needs of all clientale.” Stehlik adds that they have rolled out the upgrades with minimum fuss; the hotels are operating as usual with all staff and general managers remaining in place. The group is also committed to training and empowermentoflocalNigerians and significant social investment with their BONangels platform that is focused on supporting local communities through charity drives and events. Bernard Cassar, Director of BON Hotels International, West Africa,

said, “With many larger groups exiting their business interests in Nigeria, we believe that now is the time to support the country that has given us decades of success and we will continue to add value to the local hospitality industry.”

In her submission, another panelist, Docas Aketch from Rwandair, highlighted the problems in Africa as ignorant. According to her, “we consider each other as competitors instead of partners. To sustain ourselves as Africans, we must start to interline in different operational ground to grow each other business, because it is only by interlining with each other that we can jointly succeed. Speaking on how to go forward with present state of Nigeria aviation sector, Chike Ogeah, the Vice Chairman, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd (SAHCOL), said concessioning is the way out. “Concession should be given to people who can find international partners to make things right. And if we must go the way of concession, it must be done with all transparency and everyone must be carried along. Abayomi Jones who believed Nigeria has people who can bring the change needed to reposition the aviation sector said, “we should not allow competition to kill our systems. We have over 170 million people in Nigeria, if only two per cent of the population travel, it is a hell of money. “So we must understand the dynamics of the industry and how things work, we must stop thinking of flying alone because that aspect of the business only give you five per cent but we all know an airline with conglomerate of business and we have what it takes to do it. Another expert in the industry, Chris Aligbe, in his presentation raised the issue of man-power, saying that it is a big problem in aviation sector in Nigeria. According to Aligbe, we need capacity building in core management areas in our airports. He also explained that internal and external problems must be addressed in Nigeria to succeed. Departing from the summation of other panelists, was Captain Mike Omokore’s presentation who focused on finance and the role it plays in aviation. “Finance has been a major issue in the aviation industry in the world and Nigeria and for anything to work, there must be a ready source for funds and invests. “Nigeria banks should be transparent in their dealings to create chance for international banks who are willing to partner with Nigeria in areas of interest that will enhance development.

NIHOTOUR to train ANJET on global tourism ethics ONE of the foremost regional training institutes in Africa, the Nigerian institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), a federal government agency has reactivated its bid for training excellence to boost manpower capacity for tourism and allied sector in Nigeria. As part of it responsibility to educate the educators, the institute is launching its first series of media

training, since the resumption of the Director-General, NIHOTOUR, Mrs Chika Balogun with the training of tourism journalists and travel writers under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Tourism Writers (ANJET). The training workshop is on “Global Tourism Ethics and Ethics on Brand Nigeria” holds on November 8, 2016 in Lagos.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

features

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 0811 184 5048

Proliferation of arms:

A growing national malady

With rising concerns on Nigeria’s state of insecurity, a situation which the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) has, no doubt, worsened, KEHINDE OYETIMI examines the varying factors promoting the prevalent distribution of arms, the attendant consequences and recommendations for checking the spread.

E looked disturbed as he sat in his chair. There was something amiss in his face. He had much to say but he was compelled to give out very little. With such burden, the Delta State police commissioner, Zanna Ibrahim, last Saturday, in Asaba, while disclosing that between September 28 and October 29, it arrested over 67 suspects in the state, pinpointed the proliferation of arms and light weapons in the state. For him, this constitutes the breach of the peace in the state and across the country. Few months ago, the United Nations revealed a very troubling statistics, decrying the illicit proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the country. According the UN, out of an estimated 500 million of such weapons circulating in the West African sub region, Nigeria’s holds an unnerving 70 per cent. By interpretative extension, there are about 350 million illegal arms in the country. This was raised by Olatokunbo Ige, Director of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), during a forum on National Consultation on Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM),

in Abuja. A rather worried Ms. Ige revealed that Nigeria was under the siege of illicit arms. “The illicit proliferation of SALW has had a dramatic impact on peace and security in Africa, threatening not only the existence of the state, but also the

Analysts have, in recent times, estimated that of the about 500 million weapons that may be circulating in West Africa in 2010, some 70 per cent of these could be found in Nigeria.

livelihoods of millions of people across the continent. “Nigeria is one of the countries that is experiencing some of the most devastating effects of the proliferation of SALW as a result of spillover effect of the recent crises in Libya, and Mali as well as unresolved internal conflicts in different parts of the country especially in the North East, Niger Delta and Southern regions. While reliable data on the numbers of these weapons circulating freely in the country is unavailable, analysts have, in recent times, estimated that of the about 500 million weapons that may be circulating in West Africa in 2010, some 70 per cent of these could be found in Nigeria. “As alarming as these figures seem, it is very clear that if left unchecked, this scourge will not only jeopardize the developmental gains achieved over the last 50 years, but will also impede the nation’s capacity to achieve its developmental targets and therefore, negatively impact on the future generations,” she said. Quite prominent in her addition was the wide acknowlContinues on

pg24

features

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Influx of arms, security menace

Lai Mohammed Continues from pg23

edgment that one of the major factors contributing to the illicit proliferation of arms is the ineffective stockpile management. ‘Using the 1959 law to tackle the 21st Century security challenges is ineffective’ In his reaction at the Abuja forum on security, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM), Emmanuel Imohe, argued that there are certain deformities in Nigeria’s Firearms law, insisting that it was obsolete. He stated that it had become ineffective given the realities of the current security challenges in the 21st century. He therefore called for collaborative efforts with relevant agencies. “The 1959 Firearms Act is obsolete and using the 1959 law to tackle the 21st Century security challenges is ineffective,” he said. It is stating the obvious that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons would hold very serious security challenges for Nigeria. Instances of clampdown by security agents on the illegal movement of arms and light weapons abound. The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Port Command, on December 30, 2015, successfully impounded a shipment of arms. It largely was made up of a pistol and 980 rounds of ammunition. Earlier in 2010, October to be precise, a search carried out by the State Security Service (SSS) officials brought to the fore the contents of 15 containers that were intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos. The bill of lading which the containers had had it that the contents were building materials but after the search it was discovered that the contents had arms and ammunition, which included mortar bombs, rocket launchers, small light arms and ammunition. In 2012, 15 persons were arrested by the Benue State police command. A car was impounded alongside their arrest. The car which was laden with weapons was said to have allegedly belonged to one of the local government chairmanship aspirants at the ward congresses of the a political party. The Nigerian Army equally successfully intercepted a Russian plane in December 2014 at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State. The plane was loaded with a large amount of arms and ammunition going to Chad. Nigerian porous borders remain sources of arms trafficking –Sociologist In a study on the spread of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, Dr Moses Ikoh of the Department of Sociology, University of Jos, Plateau State, while noting the impact of the extensive and illegal distribution of arms, traced the end of the civil war in Nigeria as marking a sharp rise in the proliferation of weapons. According to him, “The end of the civil in Nigeria in 1970 marked a sharp rise in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. The Nigerian police recorded 12,153 incidences of violent crime associated with arms as against 2,315 incidences recorded in 1967 before the outbreak of the war.

Ibrahim Idris

Hameed Alli

“Researches in firearms control point to a multitude of unauthorised sources of firearms that includes, smugglers, illegal armed dealers and armed robbers, who have formed powerful cartels have flooded Nigeria with dangerous weapons. Nigerian porous borders remain sources of arms trafficking. This is in addition to firearms from blacksmiths and returnee ECOMOG soldiers from peacekeeping duties in Liberia, Sierra Leone and other places as well as unaccounted rifles from the disintegrated strike force commanded by Major Al-Mustapha during Abacha dictatorship. Both criminals and some unscrupulous security agents who have turned themselves to middlemen patronise these sources. Various groups, particularly ethnic militia – OPC in the South West, militants in the Niger Delta area, Egbesu Boys in the South South, Arewa Boys in the North and the Bakassi Boys in the South East, are believed to have imported firearms into the country. “The cost of pistols and revolvers ranged from N3,000 to N7,000, depending on who is selling it. Since they are cheap and small, they can be carried around. Their long service life makes it possible for some weapons to be passed from one conflict to the other. The same gun used in armed robbery can be used for murder and assassination and thus continue to contribute to instability and violent crime in the country. Two-thirds of police deaths in line of duty are attributed to firearms of different sizes and brands.” Speaking with Nigerian Tribune on contributory factors to the proliferation of arms, a legal practitioner, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, blamed Nigeria’s porous borders for the proliferation of illegal arms. “The problem is our borders. Most of the illegal firearms enter Nigeria through Niger, Cameroon and Chad borders,” he said. ‘Enlightenment, orientation programmes and security consciousness key to reducing spread’ Freedom Onuoha, in a report on the proliferation of

small arms recommended that “the Nigerian government should strengthen institutions and processes of governance to enhance social provisioning for its citizens, who are becoming increasingly frustrated over governance failure, thereby resorting to violent crimes that increase demand for SALWs. Government at all levels – federal, state and local – need to partner with the private sector to undertake an aggressive job creation programme for Nigeria’s teeming and idle youths. “There is a need for interventions at the national, state and local levels to be strengthened to promote peaceful coexistence amongst the diverse ethno-religious and political groups in Nigeria. This would help minimise the outbreak and persistence of violent conflicts that stoke arms proliferation. The National Orientation Agency should partner with credible civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to mount enlightenment and orientation programmes on the practice of security situation awareness or security consciousness critical to crime prevention. This will enable people to appreciate the importance of monitoring developments around them and to report unwholesome activities (arms trafficking) to security agencies.” In an interaction with Nigerian Tribune, human rights lawyer, Ikechukwu Ikeji, submits that “the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria is very disturbing as firearms of varying degrees have found their way into the hands of all sorts of people. There are laws regulating possession of firearms in Nigeria. There is the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act 2004. We also have the Nigerian Firearms Act 1999. The Robbery and Firearms Act creates a list called prohibited firearms whose possession can only be upon a licence granted by the president. “Examples of these include artillery, bombs and grenades, machine guns and rocket weapons. It also created what it called ‘personal firearm’ whose possession can only be licensed by the Inspector General of Police upon principles decided upon by the president. Examples of these include shotguns – not being automatic or semiautomatic shotguns – and certain kinds of sporting rifles.” Jennifer Hazen, in a paper titled, Small Arms, Armed Violence and Insecurity in Nigeria: The Niger Delta in Perspective, contends that “An important element of addressing insecurity and violence in Nigeria is the strengthening of the national police force to ensure the rule of law and to prevent and respond to violence. Armed violence remains a common problem in Nigeria. In much of the country, such violence takes the form mainly of armed robbery. Small arms proliferation results from a combination of large numbers of arms in circulation and a number of incentives for individuals and groups to resort to violence. “A key element of addressing insecurity and armed violence is comprehensive security sector reform. The government has yet to engage in a comprehensive reform programme, and will need to bring on board key leaders in the military and police in order to implement any strategic reform programme.”

The same gun used in armed robbery can be used for murder and assassination and thus continue to contribute to instability and violent crime in the country.

Friday, 4 November, 2016 25 features Sagamu Day: Tributes as Remo indigenes remember Akarigbo By Olayinka Olukoya SONS and daughters of Sagamu, the headquarters of Remoland, last Saturday, trooped out in large numbers to celebrate the 32nd edition of the Sagamu Day Celebration to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people and to facilitate developmental projects for the growth of the community. However, this year’s celebration, though memorable, was without the presence and royal blessings of the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba (Dr) Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, who joined his forebears on the 23rd of July, 2016 and it was dedicated to his memory for his immense contribution to the peaceful coexistence that exist among people of different tribes and ethnic groups residing in Sagamu and massive industrial growth and development recorded during his reign. The three-day celebration took off with an inter-denominational service; a traditional visit to the Orisagamu Ewa Grove; cultural displays by different cultural groups; Ebiripo fiesta among others while royal fathers from Sagamu were led to the venue of the ceremony by the Acting chairman of Remo Traditional Council, the Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu, while the families of the Oba Sonariwo were also part of the event. Members of different clubs and associations in Sagamu adorned themselves in beautiful traditional attires with different colours and designs of traditional Aso -Oke to match it. They were all full of praises to the late Akarigbo for his tenacity, doggedness and exemplary leadership in building Sagamu, during his 26th years reign on the throne of his forefathers. Both the young and old eulogized the revered traditional ruler. Addressing the gathering at the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Ita-Oba, the President of Sagamu Development Association (SDA), Professor Babatunde Ogunsanwo, described this year’s celebration as a unique one because of the numerous contributions and achievements of Oba Sonariwo, to Sagamuland in particular and the entire Remoland in general. Ogunsanwo, who is the Aare Afimogboye of Irolu-Remo, said the reason why they decided to celebrate the departed monarch was because the late Oba Sonariwo, did his best for the growth and development of the town. “I do have a great pleasure to stand with all humility to welcome you to the unique grand finale of the Sagamu Day 2016. Unique, not only in terms of the celebration of the immense contributions and achievements of Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, in his twenty-six year-reign as the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of

Co-Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Publishers of Tribune titles, Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (left) and a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs Iyaniwura Ojikutu at the event. Remoland,” he said. In his own address to the gathering, the chairman, Dr. Soile, while eulogizing the late Akarigbo, said he (Oba Sonariwo) focused on unity and love amongst all, irrespective of tribes, and enjoined whoever succeeds him to uphold the vision. Soile, who is the President, Sagamu Union, in the United Kingdom and the Bobagunwa of Remoland, described the late monarch as a wise, loving and amiable monarch with a lot of foresight and love , not just for Sagamu, but the entire Remoland. Oba Osiberu in his short address also sued for peace, love and togetherness among all sons and daughters of Sagamu. The acting president took his time to enlighten the people of the difference between culture and tradition as regards the passage of Oba Sonariwo and the celebration of Sagamu Day. He explained that the celebration of Sagamu Day has nothing to do with tradition but a matter of development and progress of the community, saying that the all traditional rite for the monarch were strictly observed. “I want to say here that after having strictly observed all the traditional rites, after the passage of HRM Alayeluwa Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, we should not dishonour him by erroneously thinking we will honour him by skipping matters of the development of Sagamu town. “The celebration of Sagamu Day has nothing to do with tradi-

tion , but rather a matter of development of Sagamu . However, traditions that do not conform with modern day ways of life must be jettisoned, “ Oba Osiberu added. Also, Oba Osiberu, called on environmental officers in the council areas to ensure a good and hygienic environment, while appreciating the state House of Assembly for passing a bill on land grabbing, kidnapping and cultism into law asking Governor Ibikunle Amosun to as a matter of urgency append his signature for the law to take off. Also, paying glowing tribute to the monarch, was the co-chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu , who spoke on behalf of the Awolowo dynasty, said the late Akarigbo was generous to a fault. She added that Oba Sonariwo was a fair and just man considering his role in the installation of Alakenne of Ikenne-Remo, saying that the late monarch supported her late mother, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, till her death. “I stand here today, on behalf of the Awolowo dynasty, to pay tribute to the late Akarigbo. He was a generous man. He took great care of Mama while she was alive. To further demonstrated his generosity, he donated a parcel of land to Mama, on which a church was built in her name, when she hosted the Synod,” she said.

Youth unemployment in focus at Ogbomoso group’s Gbegiri Day celebration By Saheed Salawu SONS and daughters of Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, under the auspices of Ogbomoso Ajilete Group, Ibadan, gathered on Saturday, 29 October, to perform an annual ritual: the strengthening of their bond and measuring of the progress and development of their cradle. The occasion was the 2016 edition of the socio-cultural group’s Gbegiri Day. The lingering problem of youth unemployment, as it affects Ogbomoso, set the stage for the group to measure the town’s development this year. Held at the NMA House, Total Garden, Ibadan, the event lived up to its name climaxing in the treatment of the band of indigenous people to their favourite dish: oka (also called amala) and gbegiri, a soup prepared with beans. A discourse on getting jobless youths off the streets and turning them into productive young Nigerians turned out to be the ‘first course’, which the eminent Ogbomosos present at the event relished no less than principal dish – the oka and gbegiri meal. A former acting Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Afolabi Adeniran (retd), opened the discussion captioned “Peace, Progress and Development: Wither Ogbomosoland?” by calling attention to what he called the fine line between joblessness among youths and the tendency of a society running amok. He described the creation of job opportunities as a condition for achieving sustainable peace. “Peace is a state of living in harmony but it is unattainable without some critical conditions, one of which is availability of jobs for the people, particularly youths. Organisations such as this should discourage our youths from the desperation for [limited] white-collar jobs and interest them in vocations. When I looked at the manifesto of this group, Ogbomoso Ajilete Group, Ibadan, I found a skills acquisition programme in there and I think that is commendable. “An idle hand, they say, is the devil’s workshop. So, we cannot achieve peace without contentment. Peace will reign supreme once there is contentment. Usually, there is breach of the peace because people are frustrated because

they have no jobs and they are hungry. It is always easy to execute plans to foment trouble or cause chaos in the society because jobless youths always constitute a willing tool. It is quite easy to recruit jobless people for devious ventures,” Justice Adeniran said. He called on the various Ogbomoso groups to come together to create a melting pot in the overall interest of Ogbomoso land. “In my reckoning, there are more than 200 social groups in Ogbomoso land, and their aims and objectives boil down to one thing: the development of Ogbomoso land. This is the reason why I am urging all of us to unite and forge a common front in realising this objective,” he said. Other discussants, including the chairman on the occasion, Prince Abioye Olatunji, agreed to the notion that youth unemployment is a critical factor of retrogression in any society. They described job creation as an important component of peace, progress and development and, therefore, called on the association to do its part by taking measures to tackle the problem of youth unemployment head-on through its social projects. They also warned against the severance of family ties due to “civilisation”, saying this was injurious to societal peace and development. A former member of

the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Ayo Adeseun, was also present at the event. The president of the group, Dr Adebayo Belo, the essence of the event was to find the way forward in the promotion and development of Ogbomosoland. “We are gathered here today to not only enjoy oka and gbegiri as of old but also to contribute in our small way to drawing a roadmap for the development of our cradle. We all want progress, peace and development of our root. It is our duty to make conscious efforts at taking Ogbomosoland to the desired level. Ogbomosoland is destined to lead, a land of industrious, educated, entrepreneurial and widely travelled people, scattered all over northern Nigeria and the entire West Africa, especially Ghana. Of recent, the Ogbomosos are a sizable population in some towns in England and America,” Dr Belo said. The medical practitioner, however, called for donations from public-spirited individuals and groups to enable the group finance its developmental and social projects which include youth empowerment and provision of amenities in some locations in Ogbomoso.

From right, President, Ogbomoso Ajilete Group, Ibadan, Dr Adebayo Belo; the chairman on the occasion, Prince Abioye Olatunji and other dignitaries at the celebration of the socio-cultural group’s Gbegiri Day, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

interview

OU established the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) 20 years ago, how would you say the journey has been in terms of successes and challenges? The road has been rough but we keep trudging on, because the association was founded on experience of breast cancer. It was not a matter of someone waking up and being in want of what to do, decide to establish a nongovernmental organisation or an association. Something moved me to found me to establish BRECAN; the experience of being diagnosed of breast cancer was not a cup of tea. Every survivor will tell you that it was you encountering your death and if you can imagine what that experience would be 20 years ago, you will agree with me that it frightening and traumatic. But when I pulled through, I felt that I should not keep quiet about it, because when I got to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan back then, there were also many women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. But I, in particular, never heard much about breast cancer. Most of the information I got was through cable TV then or the little I read in the magazines while in university in the 1970s and we all thought it was a white woman’s disease. I could never have imagined that it could happen to me. So, I felt that my opening up to the world would be my contribution through which people can be aware that one can survive breast cancer. Even if I didn’t anything, there mere fact that someone can come in here and see me alive and well would be lift the spirits of those diagnosed and it will also go a long way in dispelling the misconception that breast cancer is a death sentence. Oh yes, I can say that breast cancer is not a death sentence because I am here. There is this stereotype that cancer is a disease of the rich and so there has always been an over-concentration of cancer campaigns in the city centres. How have you been able to reach out to rural women, where the discovery of lumps in the breast might be termed as the handiwork of witches and spiritual forces? That stereotype borders on ignorance; I can tell you that breast cancer is a leveler. It affects anyone, be you rich, poor, educate or illiterate. When I got to the UCH, I saw that women affected by breast cancer were women from all walks of life; it is when people are not exposed to information that they say all sorts of thing. When I said initially that the road has been rough, you can see what I was trying to say. The readiness of our people to even embrace cancer advocacy has been quite tough, because they are still with the misconceptions that border on cultural milieu and belief system. If you grew up in an environment where they think that diseases can be caused by spiritual attacks, juju and all that, it takes a lot of time and energy to convince people and that is why the entry point of BRECAN is to fight cancer through awareness. This is because if you are not successful in dispelling all those misconceptions, there is no way a woman will readily present herself to the hospital. So, when you talk about rural women, it is not only rural women who have misconceptions; even those in the cities as well. It has been quite tough but we are gradually disseminating the information and achieving the set targets. What is the level of support from governments in all these, because there is this tendency with governments in the country to wait until a disease gets to the epidemic level before they take action? We are doing our best but the support that we expect to really to every woman in this nation has not been there. You can say it again that our governments wait for things to get out of hands before taking

Friday, 4 November, 2016 lump or a discharge from the nipples that is totally painless. The government has not done much, unfortunately, because we don’t need to wait till a disease becomes an epidemic to act and that is why organisations keep talking about it, if only they will listen. But slash and burn approach has always been the lot of our government and our system; it is not just about breast cancer; government likes fire brigade approach. Sometimes, screening is done and lumps are detected in women’s breasts but nothing is done afterwards. If we know the number of women losing their lives due to breast cancer, it is a shame to government that it has not been able to make breast cancer a health priority. Sometimes, you can have a friendly government and I will give a shout out to Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, it has been supportive of our quest.

Women’s health, welfare’ll be top priority, if…

—Wife of Ondo APC gov candidate, Betty Akeredolu

Founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) and wife of Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, speaks with MOSES ALAO on breast cancer awareness in the country, her role in her husband’s aspiration and why Ondo State women should support her husband.

action. First, has government even seen breast cancer as a threat yet? No. Is it a threat that it should be worried about? It is. It is a threat. Unfortunately, the way our people reason, they wait until things get out of hands before acting, because they feel that they have other major ailments to deal with; malaria, maternal health, infant mortality and so on but these days, the incidence non communicable diseases is also rising and we now hear of notable Nigerians who had died of cancer. If you can hear of one or two names that died of cancer, you can imagine the number of unknown Nigerians and these were people who had the financial capacities to access

any medical attention in any part of the world and yet they died. It boils down to the failure of government to do things at the right time and even those who have passed on, you would have expected them to do the right things at the right times, so we say early detection saves life. But the cultural milieu I mentioned earlier is a challenge. This is one of the reasons our people report cancer signs late to hospitals and if we are able to educate the public that cancers, especially the breast cancer that I am versed with, starts as a painless lump or any sign that could painless and one would disregard it and move on. But if we are able to bring up that information that breast cancer progresses with time and more often than not, it is a painless

I belong to the school of thought that believes that women can contribute to the socioeconomic developments of their countries once they are equipped with the knowledge and tools.

In a few months, your husband could be the governor of Ondo State. What plans do you have for the women in Ondo State regarding health care? Ondo State women can be assured that I have a lot on the table for them; before you can say Jack Robinson, things will begin to move for them positively. I belong to the NGO community and one thing you cannot doubt about anyone from that community is that the person cares, no matter the level. We can say there are those that care, care more or care most but the common denominator is that the person cares and has human feelings, because it is not easy to run an NGO or charity organisation in this country, where people hardly support. Immediately people hear NGO, they feel you are getting dollars; so for them to support with a little, they don’t, because they feel you are already living off that NGO, which is very wrong. So, doing this for 20 years shows that I care about people and that is one thing I can assure the people of Ondo State; that we will care. Already, I am planning a lot and women’s health, especially in the areas of breast and cervical cancers will be a priority for me. But my programmes will go beyond that; everything that can advance the cause of womanhood will be taken care of, because before now, I belong to the school of thought that believes that women can contribute to the socioeconomic developments of their countries once they are equipped with the knowledge and tools. President Muhammadu Buhari recently said his wife belonged to his kitchen, his living room and the other room and this has been trailed by criticisms. As a woman who been at the forefront of advocacy programmes for women, if your husband becomes governor, where will you belong and have you even been on field with him? Every marriage knows how it handles issues and we are all different, so regarding the president’s statement, the Presidency has said it was a joke; let us leave it that way. Coming to my husband, for me to be involved in what I am doing, you can see that he believes that a woman is capable. The way your husband handles the things that you do will tell you his stance when it comes to women advancement and emancipation. Obviously, my husband believes that I am capable and he has the same regard for all women. Talking about being with him on the field, you know this is our second missionary journey, so to say, and we combed Ondo State in 2012, so it is a very familiar terrain for me. Even if I don’t come out shouting from the roof tops, Ondo women should be assured that I will be doing the pillow talks for them; I will work for their best interest, so they should not entertain any fear. Ondo women will not be left out when Akeredolu forms the next government.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

arewa

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

Niger to produce one million metric tonnes of rice in dry season farming Adelowo Oladipo Minna

IGER State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has said that adequate provision has been made to enable rice farmers in the state produce one million metric tonnes of rice by the end of this year’s dry season. He said this just as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh revealed federal government’s plan to provide irrigation equipment to rice farmers in the state to enable them meet the target. The duo spoke during the inspection tour of rice farms at Danchitagi in Lavun Local Government area of the state under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme by the Minister, in conjuction with the Chairman Presidential Committee on Rice Paddy, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. Expressing his administration’s determination to ensure federal government’s policy of self —sustenance in rice production, governor Sani Bello said 90,000 square kilometres await cultivation in the state and stressed the need for a template on the technical speci-

fications from the presidential committee. He expressed satisfaction over the support from federal government and CBN, noting that the scheme had created jobs for the youths in the state but called on the government at the Centre to support the state with irrigation system for its dry season farming.

Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh who commended the commitment of government and farmers in the state to the realisation of federal government’s policy on rice, said that about N2 billion had been expended in the state through the CBN’s anchor borrowers programme.

He also promised the provision of irrigation facilities which include, solar power water pumping machines, small rice milling facilities, threshers and combine harvesters to ease rice processing and boost the economy. He said 1,700 of the over 2,000 rice farmers from 57 cooperative societies that had benefited from the pro-

gramme in the state were engaged in dry season farming while another 907 cotton farmers were to benefit from the scheme in the state. Chief Ogbeh expressed optimism that the country would soon be self sufficient in rice and for export to neighbouring countries. Similarly,the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele,

A group under the aegis of Igala Community in Kaduna has denied being banned by the paramount ruler of Igala kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu, Idakwo Ame-Oboni II . It will be recalled that recently, the traditional ruler of Igala community in Kaduna, Chief Joseph Daikwo, announced the ban allegedly by the paramount ruler. The group, however, alleged that the ban was forged by Chief Daikwo because, according to them, none of them had received the purported letter, banning them, by the Igala kingdom, two months after. Leadership crisis is currently rocking the community with Prince Ojonuba Iboyi and Mr. Agbata Michael laying claims to the

Ortom advises new Tor Tiv to swear by Bible Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

Some Nigerian farmers working on their rice field.

Alleged ban on Ata Igala’s subjects in Kaduna, a forgery —Group Muhammad Sabiu Kaduna

applauded the Niger state government and the cooperative societies for their zeal in cultivating over 30,000 hectares of land for the anchor borrowers programme.

Presidency of the community in Kaduna, leading to factional leadership. The group led by acclaimed President of Igala community, Prince Ojonuba Iboyi, in a communiqué issued after stakeholders meeting, noted that Chief Daikwo was merely drag-

ging the name of the paramount ruler into leadership crisis of the community in Kaduna. Prince Iboyi led group had on September16, 2016 caused publications in some national dailies, dethroning Chief Daikwo as Onu Igala Community Ka-

duna for allegedly breaching the constitution of the community. In a swift reaction, Chief Daikwo claimed to have obtained a letter from Ata Igala, banning Iboyi led group from participating in all Igala activities both within and outside the Kingdom

over the community leadership tussle in Kaduna State. The ban was said to have been transmitted to the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman Kaduna State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Shehu Idris, in whose domain Igala community is residing.

el-Rufai resolves Sultan Bello mosque leadership crisis Muhammad Sabiu Kaduna THE leadership crisis that have rocked the biggest mosque in Kaduna, the famous Sultan Bello mosque has been brought to and end with the intervention of the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-rufai. “It will be recalled, that since the chief Imam was removed and an interim Imam was appointed, there has been crisis in the mosque.

Those at the centre of the storm were Dr Abubakar Khalid, appointed by the Jamaatul Nasrul Islam to head the mosque on interim basis and Sheikh Ahmed Gumi the son of the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi who is spearheading the campaign of seeing that the teachings of his late father be maintained and upheld in the mosque. Findings by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that

the crisis reached a head last week when worshippers converged on the mosque to pray but resulted in a free for all fight between supporters of the two camps. It was gathered that quick intervention of the police brought back sanity and the Juma’at prayers was suspended for peace to rein. When contacted the police image maker ASP Aliyu Usman confirmed the arrest of 14 people.

However, piqued by the development, the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai invited the warring parties for a peace meeting. A statement by the governor spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that the intervention was purely on security ground, affirming that the Kaduna State Government would not tolerate the breakdown of law and order in the name of religion.

AS selection of the new Tiv paramount ruler, Tor Tiv is on, governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has advised that the new Tor Tiv must swear on Bible. Tor Tiv stool has been vacant since the demise of Dr Akawe Torkula since November, 2015, while the process of selecting chiefs and Tor Tiv began with the signing into law the Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils Amendment Bill 2016 in Makurdi few weeks ago. Ortom had earlier admonished people of the state, particularly Tiv nation, on the need for new Tor Tiv to take oath of office with the Bible, and the call has generated heat in the state. Several people including former police commissioner of Lagos state and socio critic, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, slammed the governor for trying to desecrate the traditional rites of the Tiv nation. However, the governor reiterated the call at the launch of a gospel album ‘Breakage Africa’ by the new Jerusalem singers at Aminu Kotangora complex, Makurdi last Saturday. Ortom said that it was more profitable to serve God rather than idols, adding that his success story in life was a testimony of his faith in Christ through God’s grace and mercy. “Since I came in contact with God through the Lord Jesus, I have good testimony to tell the world that only in God that one can attain higher level, at several fora I have relayed story of my life starting off as a motor tout and gradually rising to the position that I am now (governor). This is a great testimony that with God sky is the limit”.

28 arewa

Friday, 4 November, 2016

FOMWAN tasks Bauchi govt on timely presentation of 2017 budget Isaac Shobayo - Jos FEDERATION of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) in collaboration with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health Project

(PACFAH) Bauchi state chapter has enjoined the executive arm of government in the state to present 2017 budget to the State House of Assembly to enable timely take off of health activities in the state.

The leadership of the team, FOMWAN Bauchi state Amira Hajiya Yagana Mohammed who gave the advice when the body paid advocacy visit to the state Commissioner for Finance Alhaji Nuradeeen Muham-

mad, charged the commissioner to use his office to expedite action on the budget. According to her, without adequate resources, it would be difficult to tackle most of the health related challenges facing the state, funds

are therefore needed while prompt release of fund to Ministry of Health and other health related parastatals would help in addressing some of the challenges facing the sector as it relate to women and children. “We are appealing for prompt release of fund to the ministries and parastatals concerned for the execution of MNCH activities to improve the health of women and children in the state.” Yagana said She also appealed to the Commissioner of Finance to join the state advocacy team while paying advocacy to the governor to solicit his continued support for the sustainability and improvement of health for women and children in the state. She said the advocacy team was working on 4 strategic areas in child and family health in Nigeria, routine immunisation, family planning, amoxicillin as first line of treatment for pneumonia and ORS zinc for childhood diarrheal diseases and nutrition with the support of PACFaH.

Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of Borno State left with microphone receiving an award from the Nigerian Bar Association recently.

Gov Abubakar charges police to partner PCRC in crime prevention Isaac Shobayo - Jos GOVERNOR Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi state has called for close ties and synergy between members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the police saying the

two need to work together to fight crime in the state. The Governor made the call at the opening ceremony of a one day sensitisation workshop organised by the Bauchi state Chapter of the PCRC with a theme “community policing and security

awareness” held at multipurpose Sport Indoor Hall Bauchi. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Bello Shehu Illelah, the governor said the central idea of the PCRC was to redeem the image and im-

NIPSS holds think-thank conference on economic recession Isaac Shobayo - Jos APPARENTLY disturbed by the economic recession in the country and its effects especially on the common man, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has organised a conference with the theme “ From Recession to Recovery and Growth Policy Options to Nigeria Economy” to dissect and address the state of Nigerian economy and way out of the wood. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, Senator Tijjani Kaura tasked the Federal Government to be more steadfast towards addressing and proffering solution to the economic recession in the country

saying the government must be frank and tell Nigerians the state of the economy. Senator Kaura, who said the government must be frank and sincere to tell Nigerians that the nation was in deep recession, charged speakers at the conference to come out frankly on how Nigeria could come out of the wood of recession. Said he: “ Our government must be frank to tell Nigerians that the nation is in deep recession and stop playing around the issue because the performance of any economy is seen as a mirror to judge the leadership. The government therefore needs to tackle the issue head on.” In his remark at the opening ceremony of the conference, a member of

the House of Representatives, Hon Useni Kangiwa said prosperity of oil is the prosperity of Nigeria while its fall is also a fall of Nigeria adding that the cause of economic predicament in the country is as a result downward trend in the oil and gas sector. Hon. Kangiwa who said oil production in Nigeria has continued to slide to abysmal level stated that the pathetic situation was compounded by militias activities in the Niger Delta, thereby leading to dwindling revenue from the sector. He therefore advocated for the diversification of the economy adding that there are vital and veritable areas the country can exploits and focus on to rejuvenate the ailing economy.

prove public relations of the police by establishing a link between the police and the community within which they operated. “You are expected as a committee to relate with police and the public to strengthen relationship between the police and its community. With this, it is expected that cordial relationship between the police and its community of operation would improve the process of policing” Abubakar said Speaking earlier the Bauchi state Chapter Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigari, reiterated that PCRC initiative was prompted by the search for a new identity by the police to redefine its public relations priorities and strategies. “ It was created to invoke “consensus policing,” in crime control with the support of the community that is why membership of the committee cut across all facets of life such as religious, politic, schools, market community, Okada riders, NURTW, NGOs, traditional leaders, women, children organisation, and the Media, he said. According to him, the workshop will go a long away

for members to learn the objectives of the Committee and to be trained on basic of proactive information gathering and intelligence, build capacity for problems solving and enhance police community partnership engagement to deter crime communities.

Kwara councillors take to streets over unpaid allowance Biola Azeez - Ilorin AGITATION for payment of severance and furniture allowance by the 193 councillors in Kwara state took a new twist on Wednesday, as they took to the streets, marched to the state House of Assembly to register their displeasure over the matter. The Councillors, who met with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin last week over non-payment of their allowances, rejected alleged reduction of their allowance from 300 per cent of their basic salary to 50 per cent of same. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Ilorin on Wednesday, chairman of the forum, Hon. Opeyemi Adeojo, who said their tenure would expire on November 10, 2016, added that each councillor was entitled to about N1.2 million of severance allowance. “We earlier said the issue at hand is a family matter and that our governor is a listening governor. We met with the governor and we discovered that some people in some quarters had met with governor trying to mislead him. The governor claimed that there’s no severance allowance for the elected council members. And that our furniture allowance is 50 per cent of our basic salary as against the fact that it is 300 per cent of our basic salary as confirmed from RMAFC. That’s what we dispute against.

Gov Yari frowns on slow pace of work at Magami, Dangulbi, Dankurmi road Muhammad Sabiu Kaduna GOVERNOR Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state has frown at the slow pace of work at Magami ,Dangulbi, DanKurmi, Bagega to Anka road, directing the contractor to return to work. The governor gave the order while inspecting the road linking Dangulbi to Bagega being constructed by Boroni Prono Construction Company. Yari, who was visibly angry with the slow pace of the project directed that the work most be completed within the shortest time, possible. The governor directed

that additional security be attached to the staff of the company handling the construction work for smooth conduct of their operations in the area. Governor Yari further called on the communities along the project sites to continue giving the company all necessary assistance especially in safe guarding the company’s equipment. Earlier,the representative of Borini Prono , Latrino Salvatore said insecurity in the area was one of the reasons for the slow pace of the project . But he assured the state governor that, the company would make sure the project was completed according to the governor’s directive.

news

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Sultan worthy scion of his forefathers —Osinbajo Misplaced priorities responsible for Nigeria’s underdevelopment —Sultan

ICE President Yemi Osinbajo has described the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III as a worthy scion of his forefathers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Osinbajo spoke on Thursday, in Sokoto when he declared open an International Symposium on the Sokoto Caliphate. “The Sokoto Caliphate was founded over 200 years ago on the sterling principles of honesty, piety, good governance and truthfulness, among others. “The intellectual endeavours of the founding fathers of the caliphate on theology and jurisprudence, among others, were relevant now as they were then. “They had left legacies of wealth of resources in their books premised on the principles of good governance and social justice,” he said. The vice president stressed the need for social justice, saying that its absence always lead to chaos. Osinbajo, therefore, urged leaders to always protect public treasuries and not to loot them. The vice president noted that the Sultan has continued in the path of his forefathers, urging him not to relent. Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State also described the Sultan as

an intellectually-endowed leader, and commended him for his sustained moral and royal support to his administration. The chairman on the occasion, Professor Shehu Galadanchi, pioneer vice chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, commended the Sultan for consistently working for

peace, unity and development. The keynote Speaker, Professor Murray Last, Professor Emeritus, University College, London, said the celebration of the Caliphate was to recognise its crucial importance Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Thursday,

According to him, it takes hard work to restructure and build a nation because things will never go right for lazy people who fail to tell themselves the truth. He expressed regret that most times, Nigerian leaders had misplaced priorities, putting up projects that were of no benefit to the masses.

Julius Berger to close a section of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway —FRSC THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Ogun, Mr Clement Oladele, has said Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, will temporarily close a section of the Ibadan-Lagos corridor by Sagamu Interchange to effect repair. Oladele disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, in Abeokuta. He said Julius Berger Nigeria Plc had informed the FRSC that the reason for the closure was to effect repairs on the section from November 3 to November 12. “There will be temporary closure by Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) of a section of the Ibadan-Lagos corridor by Sagamu Interchange from Thursday, November 3 to Saturday, November 12 to effect repair,’’ he said. He urged motorists, espe-

cially commercial vehicles operators, to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules. Oladele advised motorists to cooperate with the FRSC and other traffic of-

ficers who would ensure minimal discomfort of motorists during the period. “Motorists should exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules; cooperate

the title, ‘How EFCC’s Magu and Sahara Reporters Peddle Lies to the Media’. The report which is a parody of disingenuous invention of falsehood, is the handiwork of mischief makers hell-bent on causing disaffection between the Magu-led EFCC and the executive on one hand, and the members of staff of the EFCC on the other. “The EFCC wishes to put it on record that Mr Magu does not bully anyone and has not embarked on any mission aimed at blackmailing ‘some highly placed personalities in the country such as emirs, President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees or any other individual, lowly or highly placed in the society.’ “Mr Magu, who is humbled by the rare privilege to serve the country, says he has no axe to grind with any interest. His actions are dictated by professional instinct and the love for the country. It is not personal and he has no issues with anybody.”

with the FRSC and other traffic officers, who will ensure minimal discomfort of motorists during the period. “Demarcation with traffic signs have been made on

appropriate routes to follow and our men will be on ground to control traffic. “Motorists are advised to be patient and obey traffic signs and traffic controllers,” he said.

Controversy trails re-certification of state of origin in Kwara Biola Azeez - Ilorin has CONTROVERSY trailed re-certification of State of Origin by students of tertiary institutions in Kwara State as directed by the state Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS). It will be recalled that the management of KWIRS had written authorities of tertiary institutions in the

state, directing students of Kwara State origin to get fresh certificates of State of Origin, a move considered by students as exploitative. While the state government had explained that the directive was aimed at sanitising perceived illegal issuance of certificate of origin, outcries still persisted over the issue. During its Thursday sit-

ting, the State House of Assembly directed the KWIRS to immediately withdraw the letter of re-certification of State of Origin sent to various higher institutions of learning in the state. Similarly, it has also directed its Committee on Finance and Appropriation to invite the state Internal Revenue Service for clarification on the status of the

SATURDAY, 5 NOVEMBER, 2016

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Magu raises the alarm over plots to tarnish his image ACTING chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has raised the alarm over deliberate plots to ruin his reputation by forces not comfortable with his campaign to rescue the nation from the grip of corruption. The plots, he said, were already manifesting in clandestine campaigns of misinformation in the social media, intended to impugn his integrity and to pit him against certain interests, both within and outside of government. A statement by the commission, on Thursday, said “in the last week or so, the social media has been awash with fictitious reports, all painting an uncanny picture of desperation by Magu over his purported non-confirmation as substantive chair of the EFCC and of stricture within the rank and file of the EFCC workforce, leading to resignations. “One of such reports is the one making the rounds in several gossip blogs with

ans must muster courage to question their political leaders on how they spend state resources, and make input to policy issues that involves their well-being. He said it was only when citizens begin to ask questions that governors and other leaders would sit up and begin to take the people seriously.

attributed the slow pace of development in Nigeria to misplaced priorities by political leaders. Abubakar, who is the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said this in Sokoto at an International symposium on the Sokoto caliphate. The Sultan said Nigeri-

How Buhari will choose his successor —Sir Olaniwun Ajayi •Speaks on members of North’s think-tank in US, Britain entertainment

My first movie role was just a scene, but now I am living my dreams —Olayinka Olukunga-Ademo (Nnenna)

old version of the Certificate of Local Government of Origin The legislature gave the directives while considering a motion on “Contradictions Arising from Issuance of Certificate of Local Government of Origin” raised by a member representing Ilorin North-West constituency, Honourable Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman.

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Friday, 4 November, 2016

PoliticsNews

INEC fixes Dec 10 for Rivers elections at last Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, resolved to conduct the suspended elections in Rivers State, on Saturday, December 3 this year. The announcement came barely 24 hours after the Senate gave the commission a December 10 deadline to conduct all pending elections in all the states of the federation and Abuja on or before December 10 failure which it threatened to suspend the plenary. In a statement by the secretary to the commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu and made available to news men in Abuja, INEC said that it arrived at the decision “after months of intensive planning and wide consultations.”

According to the statement, the Rivers elections

will be for the National Assembly (Senate and House

of Representatives) and State House of Assembly.

In addition, the election to the Lagos, House

From left, chairman ad hoc committee to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of bailout funds by states, Honourable Ibrahim Sadiq; members of the committee, Honourable Adeyinka Ajayi and Honourable Anayo Nnebe, during the investigative hearing at the National Assembly, in Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Oyegun’s traducers after Buhari —Edo coalition Banj Aluko - Benin City

AGAINST the backdrop of an alleged plan to remove the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, a Benin-based group, the Coalition for Edo Integrity, has warned those behind the plan to desist from it and borrow a leaf from what is currently happening to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The group described the plot as satanic, undemocratic and potentially capable of causing greater damage to the unity and strength of the ruling party, alleging that those behind it were actually targeting President Mu-

hammadu Buhari Speaking with journalists in Benin City, national coordinator of the coalition, Elder Nathaniel Egbeobauwaye, said those mounting pressure on Oyegun to resign were unmindful of the deeper crises into which their illconceived motive would land the party, describing such people as fifth columnists. According to Egbeobauwaye, “those chanting anti-Oyegun slogans to pressure him to resign as national chairman should read carefully the party’s constitution on the removal and resignation of a national officer. “They should have

known by now that the party’s national chairman cannot be harassed or blackmailed to resigning or removed him from office except by the pronouncement or resolution of the party’s convention or emergency National Executive Council meeting of the party. Describing the agitators as selfish politicians, who were strategising against the President Buhari ahead of 2019 elections, Egbeobauwaye maintained that as issues stood at the APC national leadership, there were no major life-threatening crises ravaging the party that would have warranted a hurried rethinking or sug-

Rivers rerun: Wike commends Senate’s intervention RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has commended the Senate for rising to the defence of democracy concerning the rerun elections in the state. In a statement by the Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu,he said that it was important that Rivers State got its full representation at the Senate, House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly. Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt when he granted audience to a delegation of the Rev-

enue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, he said: “I thank God that the Senate has risen to the occasion. “It is important that the Senate has taken the right action that will ensure that Rivers State gets her representatives to speak for the state when issues of National importance are discussed in the Senate and the House of Representatives.” He reiterated that there was no reason the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been unable to conduct

the rerun elections because the state still generates the highest oil revenue and no pipeline vandalised as a result of insecurity. Commenting on the presentation by the delegation of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Wike faulted the claim that the non-oil sector was now generating 50 per cent of the nation’s revenue since recession. He noted that the country still relied on oil revenue, but pointed out that it was necessary to diversify the country’s revenue generation mechanism .

gestion that the national chairman should resign. He, therefore condemned, in strong terms, the APC deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, for allegedly being used and prompted by

some national leaders of the party to haul insults on Chief Oyegun, treating him with disrespect and insubordination, insisting that such ugly developments were capable of destabilising the APC.

of Representatives vacant seat will hold on December 3, while that of the councillorship seat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja comes up on the same day. Earlier, INEC said it had always been ready to conclude the suspended re-run parliamentary elections in Rivers, but subject to conducive environment for the exercise. Deputy director of Voter Education and Publicity in the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, in Abuja. The Senate had threatened to suspend plenary if INEC failed to meet the deadline. Dazang said that it was unfortunate that in spite of the commission’s readiness for the elections, some stakeholders in the state were uncooperative, not helping to create peaceful environment needed for conduct of the exercise. He said that as a sign of good faith, INEC had engaged stakeholders in several meetings in Abuja and in the state on the issue.

Edo: INEC reverses self on inspection of ballot papers Banji Aluko - Benin City

THERE was mild drama at the Edo State headquarters of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin, on Thursday, as the commission within 24 hours agreed and later disagreed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should jointly inspect ballot papers used in the conduct of the September 28 Edo State governorship election. A letter written to the Edo State chairmen and secretaries of the PDP and the APC signed on November 2, 2016, by the Administrative Secretary of the INEC in Edo State, Mr Oscar Lee, showed that an agreement was reached by the two parties to start the inspection of the ballot papers, which was expected to include scanning of ballot papers and forensic analysis. Recalled that the State

Election Petition Tribunal, last month, granted the PDP and the APC leave to inspect the ballot papers used in the conduct of the election and all appeared set for the exercise on Thursday following the November 2 letter. However, the inspection, which was supposed to be jointly started by the parties at 9:00a.m. did not start following an objection raised by the APC on the grounds that they had filed a suit challenging the commencement of the process. It was, however, later agreed that the two parties should go ahead with the inspection despite a heated argument between the agents of the two parties and the leadership of the INEC, including its legal representatives. Counsel and agents of the PDP, who were on ground for the actual inspection of the ballot papers, however, waited endlessly for hours for the

inspection to commence only to be taken aback by the electoral commission’s refusal to commence the inspection. A PDP agents, who was at the INEC headquarters, expressed disappointment that INEC could shift ground on its earlier position for the two parties to inspect the ballot papers, alleging that INEC stopped the process following an exchange of phone calls between some PDP agents and some politicians in Abuja. A counsel to the APC, who did not mention his name, said, “We have filed a petition at the tribunal but the PDP say they want to go ahead.” Speaking with journalists at the INEC headquarters, counsel to the PDP, Professor Edoba Omoregie, said the suit filed by the APC, which the court was yet to hear, could not stop the process both parties had earlier agreed upon.

politicsnews

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Fresh protest rocks Akure

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (left) in a handshake with the Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, when she paid him a visit at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, on Thursday

I didn’t bribe Appeal Court justices —Mimiko Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

NDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday, denied offering bribe of any kind to justices of the Court of Appeal. Mimiko, who stated this through his chief press secretary, Eni Akinsola, said the allegation of bribery was yet another effort to distract the judiciary and confuse the public. He said: “We have heard of the grave but specious allegation by one Biyi Poroye and Jimoh Ibrahim that Governor Mimiko openly boasted about offering, and or offered, bribe running into hundreds of millions of Naira to some Justices of the Appeal Court in respect

of the cases before their Lordships on the 2016 election in Ondo State. “We say, without any equivocation, that the governor did not offer bribe of any amount, let alone boast of doing so to any justice of the Court of Appeal,” the statement said. Poroye had, in a petition to the Court of Appeal Panel on the Ondo case, alleged that Mimiko bribed the justices. The governor added that the allegation was an obvious lie which should ordinarily have been discountenanced but for the fact that now, more than ever before, lies and falsehood were believed more than the truth. “With the prevalence of blackmail, propagation

of lies and outright falsehood on the Ondo election, we hasten to say that this ungodly lie is what it is: a concoction from the pit of hell,” the statement read.

Mimiko, who welcomed the effort of the courts to investigate the allegation of bribery, also gave hints of legal actions to seek redress.

Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THOUSANDS of protesters, on Thursday, stormed the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the delisting of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the November 26 poll in the state. Acting under the aegis of Ondo State Non-Indigenes Association, they carried placards and stormed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akure. The protesters, drawn from Hausa, Igbo, Ibiobio, Igala, Ebira, Kanuri and other ethnic groups, displayed the placards with such inscriptions as “Ondo State people say no to removal of Eyitayo Jegede’s name; No Eyi, no election; Igbo Political Platform requests return of Jegede’s name; INEC is no longer fair, and We say No to Federal Government Interference.” Speaking on behalf of the Association of Hausa and Arewa Community in the state during the protest, its secretary, Alhaji Babangida Issa, said the Hausa wanted Jegede to contest for governor because “people love

APC panel recommends Timi Frank’s expulsion Kolawole Daniel -Abuja A panel set up by All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South vicechairman,Chief Eta Hilliard, to investigate the petition against the party’s deputy national publicity secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, recommended his suspension and subsequent expulsion from the party. The report, which was submitted to APC leadership in Abuja, is yet to be

considered by necessary organs of the party for ratification or otherwise. Some of the recommendations of the five-man panel read in part: “Since the committee is not a father Christmas, it has no choice than to rely on the prima facie evidence tendered upon the petitioner, consequent upon which, the committee hereby recommends as follows; “That Timi Frank be suspended from the party forthwith in line with article 21D (f).

“That zonal executive committee should recommend to the NEC for the expulsion of Timi Frank from the party in line with article 21 D (h) (ii) and (iii).” Frank has been having a running battle with national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. The disciplinary panel chaired by Mr Solomon Edoja had, during its inauguration on October 26, said that it would follow due process in carrying out the assignment.

Ondo: Sheriff’s South-West PDP leaders seek disbandment of fresh panel Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Court of Appeal in Abuja has been asked to reverse the decision by its President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to constitute a fresh panel to hear appeals relating to the dispute over the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State. The request is contained in a motion filed, on Thursday, by members of state executive of the PDP in the six South-West states (loyal to Ali Modu Sheriff), led by Biyi Poroye (factional chairman of the Ondo PDP). They also asked the appellate court to disband the panel comprising Justices Ibrahim Salauwa, Ignatius Igwe Aguba, and George Mbaba, allegedly set up in breach of the applicants’ right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the

Constitution. No date has been fixed for hearing of the appeal filed for the appellant by B.E.I. Nwofor (SAN). Poroye and others equally prayed the court to order the return of the case files relating to the appeals and the application for leave to appeal as an interested party (against the decision of the Federal High Court of 14th October 2016 in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/395/2016) - filed by Eyitayo Jegede (factional PDP governorship candidate of the Ondo PDP), “to the Registry of the Court of Appeal to take its normal course and turn in the docket of the court.” The affected appeals are: CA/A/551/2016 filed by Ahmed Makarfi and Ben Obi against Biyi Poroye and 10 others and CA/A/551A/2016 filed by Clement Faboyede and another against 10 oth-

ers; CA/A551B/2016 filed by the PDP against Biyi Poroye and 9 others and CA/ A/551C/2016 filed by Eyitayo Jegede against Prince Biyi Poroye and 10 others They argued that not only did the Appeal Court President act without hearing from them, the case, being a pre-election matter did not warrant any urgency to require the constitution of a special panel, adding that those who filed the appeals against the June 29 and October 14, 2016 decisions of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja were not parties in the cases leading to the decisions. The applicants also argued that no orders were made against any of them (those behind the new appeals) and that they (the applicants), who were plaintiffs in the suits, were not informed when the Appeal Court

president acted solely on the request by the appellants to constitute the panel on the grounds of urgency. They have also filed a motion before the Supreme Court seeking a stay of all proceedings before the Court of Appeal in relation to the appeals pending the determination of the two appeals they filed on October 31, which have entered and given number: SC/914/2016 and SC/915/2016. The motion filed by two members of the party, Benson Akingboye and Ehiozuwa Agbonayiwa particularly seeks stay of, “all further proceedings and further hearing in CA/ ABJ/402A/2016 filed on behalf of the PDP by a lawyer engaged by the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party’s leadership. They hinged the motion on among others, that it was

wrong to allow the Court of Appeal to proceed with the appeals when they have valid appeals before the Supreme Court, which challenged the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal. The appeal at the Supreme Court, filed on October 31, 2016 by Akingboye and Agbonayiwa is against the October 29, 2016 decision by the former panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Jumai Hannatu Sankey in which it ordered accelerated hearing in the appeals. They raised four grounds in their notice of appeal, the first being that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law by their failure to first determine vital issue of jurisdiction raised in their (the appellants’) preliminary objection that there is no valid notice of appeal filed in the court below.

him all over. “We need peace to reign everywhere in Ondo State because we are here to do our business and since this man is the person the people everywhere want, we can’t afford to hit our heads against the wall. Speaking in the same vein, the leader of the Igbo protesters, Madam Florence Kachukwu, said all the Igbo in the state would boycott the next election if Jegede’s name was not listed for the poll. “You can see the Igbo men and women from the 18 local government areas gathered here. So no one needs to be told how much love our people have for this man, Jegede,” she explained. The INEC had on October 27, substituted the name of Jegede with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, claiming it was in obedience to the order of an Abuja Federal High Court. But earlier, an Ondo State High Court had restrained the INEC from removing Jegede’s name pending the determination of the substantive suit before it. Meanwhile, an aide to Jegede, Mr Olumide Ogunkua, on Thursday, denied insinuations that the wave of protests was being fanned by the Akure monarch and other politicians. “Is it the Deji of Akure that is sponsoring protests in Akungba or in Odigbo or in Bolorunduro, all areas that are not within his domain? Or when the protests erupted instantaneously at dawn and many of us politicians were still sleeping in our homes, did we sponsor them from our dreams,” Ogunkua asked. Also speaking, the PDP State Youth Leader, Honourable Adebayo Abayomi, urged the protesters not to allow their genuine protests to be hijacked by troublemakers, assuring that “by the grace of God, we will triumph in the legal battle we have entered to seek redress.” Meanwhile, women across the Akure South Council areas of the state have called on the INEC to recognise of Jegede as the governorship candidate of the PDP. The women, who are members of the party, claimed that Mr Jimoh Ibrahim had since defected to Accord Party and was not a member of their party in the state. The women, who marched from the party secretariat to the state INEC office in Akure, displayed placards with various inscriptions as “We won’t agree., Who is Jimoh Ibrahim” INEC give us our candidate, Eyitayo is our candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim belongs to Accord party among others.

news

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Reps give oil firms conditions for expatriate quota

he House of Representatives has directed foreign oil and gas companies to seek Nigeria Content Development Management Board’s approval before applying to the Ministry of Interior for expatriate quota. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)the chairman of the House’s Committee on Local Content, Honourable Emmanuel Ekon (PDP-Akwa Ibom), gave the directive on Thursday during a stakeholders meeting on expatriate quota for oil and gas companies. Ekon said that the directive became necessary due to the persistent violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 by the foreign firms. According to him, many of the multinationals persistently violated the provisions of the Act thereby failing to give full and fair opportunities to Nigerians in their award of contracts and recruitment. He said that most of the companies had no approval for the expatriates working for them. “Some of them have expatriates with no requisite qualifications to work in the industry. “The provision for the first consideration for employment and training is often ignored and many of the companies do not have offices in communities of their operation. “Also, training programmes for the Nigerian

personnel is not adequate and the requirement for succession plan is often ignored,” he said. He stressed the need for the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), to see a copy of

the board’s approval before issuing or renewing expatriate quotas. Contributing, a member of the committee, Honourable Nasir Ahmed (APC-Kano), said that compliance with the Local Content Act was crucial

to addressing militancy in the Niger Delta region “Non-compliance with the provisions of the Act is mainly responsible for militancy in the Niger Delta region .Full compliance with the Act will go a long way in

From left, Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson; Governor Akinwumi Ambode and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowoshe, during an inspection tour of projects, at Irede Road in Oriade Local Council Development Area of the state, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN.

We’ll complete Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion by 2019 —Ambode

Says Aboru- Abesan Link Bridge, road’ll be ready by 2017 Bola Badmus- Lagos Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured residents that the ongoing Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion project would be completed before the end of 2019. Governor Ambode gave this assurance on Thursday

shortly after embarking on extensive inspection of ongoing projects across the state. According to the governor, the project is a major economic catalyst for Lagos, adding that his administration was committed to seeing it through.

Recalling that his recent visit to Denmark was to finalise plans with APM Terminals to fast-track the commencement of work on the $2.6billion Badagry Deep Sea Port, he said it was important for the road network to be completed within schedule to accommodate

N400m fraud: Metuh gave Anenih, Dabo N46m, witness tells court Sunday Ejike-Abuja

A defence witness, Richard Ihediwa, in the ongoing trial of the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, told Justice Okong Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja that a sum of N46 million was paid to the former chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih and one Mallam Abba Dabo, as payment for a rented office apartment at Asokoro, Abuja, for the 2015 election campaign. Metuh, who is being tried alongside his firm, Destra Investment Limited, was accused of unlawfully receiving a sum of N400 million from the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), prior to last year’s presidential election. Ihediwa, who was being led in evidence by Metuh’s lawyer, Mr Emeka Etiaba, told the court that the media team had the mandate of laundering Nigeria’s de-

containing the tension in the region,” he said. In his remark, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said that there was the need for increased sensitisation and enforcement of the law.

teriorating image in view of the general election that were to take place and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Norh-East. He said former President Goodluck Jonathan, gave the directive on how the sum of N400 million Metuh got from the office of NSA was to be spent. The witness said that N21

million was paid to Anenih as rent for a property acquired for use by the media intervention centre. “Former President Jonathan then requested that the first defendant (Metuh) give him his corporate account so that he would forward the money for the project. “From that day, the president called him on a daily

basis for the disbursement on one or two issues regarding the project and was always assuring the president of the preparation. “Metuh got across to the president on phone and told him that the bank had confirmed the payment. The suit was adjourned till November 15 and 16 for continuation of trial

Navy deploys 4 warships, 3,400 troops to tackle piracy, oil theft, others The Nigerian Navy has deployed four warships and 3,400 troops to tackle piracy, oil theft and vandalism of critical oil and gas installations at the nation’s maritime environment. Rear Adm. James Oluwole, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, announced the deployment, codenamed “Exercise Sharkbite” on Thursday, in Onne, Rivers State. According to the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN), the warships deployed for the exercise were the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Okpabana, NNS Ologbo, NNS Burutu, NNS Sagbama, and a naval Augusta helicopter. He said that the two-day exercise would also serve as avenue to check combat readiness of troops to tackle militant attacks on oil and gas installations which plunged the nation into recession. “The exercise is an annual event for the employment of naval resources in

training for maritime operations, either exploring the effects of warfare or testing strategies without actual combat. “The exercise will enhance the capacity of the command in the fight against piracy, sea robbery, hijacking, illegal bunkering and crude oil theft, among other maritime crimes. “This exercise was informed by worsening vandalism of critical oil and gas infrastructure by militants, which has plunged the nation into recession.

the anticipated increase in economic activities within the axis. “On the part of government, it is imperative that the project is accelerated and completed on schedule. It is a 10-lane expansion project with a provision for rail,” he said. Ambode said that, though, the project was awarded to Okokomaiko, his administration was almost at financial close to give it to a concessionaire who was expected to extend the project from Okokomaiko to Seme border. “We believe strongly that the contractor has done a good job here. We have given him the right of way and it is our belief that the one that has been awarded should be completed on schedule. I am committed to this project; I am committed to the expansion of the economy of the East axis of Lagos. That is the surest way to go. “By doing this project, we would also expand the real estate value of this axis and the tourism potentials of the Badagry axis. I am confident that in no time, we should have a complete project before the end of 2019,” the governor said. Explaining the progress of work done so far, the General Manager of Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), South West, Guan Shuai, said extensive work had been done on three flyovers and interchange bridges in Alaba, Agboju and Alakija.

Niger govt to invest N2.8bn in health sector Adelowo Oladipo Minna Niger State government has said it has turned around the fortunes the state of ‘hopelessness in the health sector by investing in infrastructure upgrading and providing the much needed medical equipment in hospitals across the state. It said it intends to invest about N2.8 billion in three general hospitals in cosmopolitan cities like Kontogora, Minna and Suleja in the first phase of the initiative. Addressing journalists at the end of the state executive council meeting on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mustapha Jibril, who described the state of health sector in the state as appalling, lamented that the sector had suffered neglect, which further compounded its problem. He said hospitals in the state have not undergone turn around maintenance for about 10 years, He said to avert industrial action and mass exodus of doctors, the council had already approved the payment of 100 per cent obligation for them. “The difference will be about N160 million above what they have been hitherto paying”, he said. It said part of the innovation brought to the sector by the current administration was the recruitment of 40 doctors, 10 specialists and 70 nurses, in addition to the construction of primary healthcare centres across the state, among others.

Convention The fourth week in the series of Jehovah’s Witnesses regional convention for 2016 will commence on Friday (today) and Sunday, at the Ifatumo Assembly Hall, along Lalupon Ejioku Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. The three-day programme will feature 49 presentations, each exploring the theme: “Remain loyal to Jehovah” Jehovah Witnesses believe that loyalty is an essential part of a healthy relationship. Also, Jehovah’s Witnesses had already prepared 35 video segments specifically for the programme and two short films that will be shown on Saturday (tomorrow) and Sunday. On each day, morning and afternoon session will be introduced with music videos recorded for the convention. This was contained in a press release made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by the media officer, Mr Olayinka Dada. Tomorrow’s programme will include baptism for those who had already dedicated their lives to Jehovah.

Friday, 4 November, 2016 33 news Directors, acting directors asked to proceed on 3-month Prison decongestion: compulsory leave in Osun NYSC lawyers Oluwole Ige -Osogbo

HERE was tension among civil servants in Osun State, on Thursday, as Governor Rauf Aregbesola directed all directors and acting directors in ministries and agencies to proceed on three months compulsory leave.

When the N i g e r i a n Tribune visited the state secretariat, located at Abere, on Thursday, some workers were seen discussing the development in hush tones, expressing concern over what might be the fate of such directors, after the expiration of the compulsory leave. The state government had

argued that the directive on compulsory leave to the directors was in tandem with Rule 100107 of Osun State Service Rules, 2011. According to a circular obtained by our correspondent, “the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has directed that all officers occupying the positions of director (either in

Acting or Held Against Post (HAP) capacity and above, who are yet to proceed on 2014, 2015 and 2016 annual vacation leaves should do so with immediate effect.” The circular letter with reference no SMD. 61/159 dated November 2, 2016 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service

Bishop and Pastor (Mrs) Taiwo Adelakun of Victory International Church, flanked by Bishop and Pastor (Mrs) Mathew Adebusuyi, during the 25th marriage anniversary of Bishop and Pastor (Mrs) Adelakun, at the Church auditorium, Oluyole, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

Office, Mr S. A Aina, read in part, “the affected officers are to hand over to the next immediate officers to them for continuity of their official duties during their vacations.” “However, all officers who are to proceed on such leaves should be on standby in case they are needed for sensitive official assignment like preparation for 2017 budget estimates and ongoing staff screening exercise.” “It has been observed that many officers in the state public service have not taken their annual vacation leaves in recent time, a development that is having deleterious psychological effect on their state of health and mental stability. It is the duty of the government to address this abnormally in the overall public interest.” The letter, which was copied to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff to the Governor, Head of Service, chairmen of Statutory Boards and Parastatals, permanent secretaries, council managers, among others, however, clarified that “Heads of MDAs, where operations will be adversely affected by the implementation of this circular, are advised to contact the Public Service Office (PSO) for waivers.”

Reps urge INEC to release suppressed states constituencies •Want US-based Nigerian surgeon honoured •Urge FG to declare state of emergency on malaria Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel with agency reports THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release all the suppressed states constituencies across the country. This, the House said, should be done in line with the provision of Section 91 of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, and the 2006 population figures and forward same to the National Assembly for ratification. The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Mr Kingsley Chinda, where he said that, there are about 66 of such constituencies spread across 19 states of the federation. He listed affected states, that should enjoy new constituencies to include: Akwa Ibom (4); Anambra (3); Bauchi (5); Benue (4); Borno (2); Delta (1); Edo (3); Imo (3); Jigawa (3); Kaduna (6); Kastina (6); Kogi (2); Niger (3); Ogun (1); Ondo (1); Osun

(1); Oyo (8); Rivers (7) and Sokoto (3). According to him, failure by the INEC to carry out the proper delimitation or delineation of electoral constituencies, in several states of the country, in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended. The lawmaker also maintained that, the above constitutional provisions are mandatory; saying failure to comply with any of them is unconstitutional. When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honouurable Yakubu Dogara, it was supported by members. The House also recommended a national-award for a United States-based Nigerian surgeon, Dr Oluyinka Olutoye. It also mandated its Committee on Diaspora to liaise with necessary agencies and departments of the executive arm to fast-track and operationalise a national diaspora guideline, to regulate and harness engagements with all Nigerians in the diaspora for national development and report back within eight weeks.

The resolution came against the backdrop of a motion sponsored by Mr Linus Okorie, where he informed the House that Dr Olutoye successfully removed a baby suffering from a rare tumour from her mother’s womb at 23 weeks, operated on her and returned her back to the womb. The House also gave a standing ovation for Dr Olutoye as requested by the motion sponsor. The lawmaker then called

on Federal Government to learn to appreciate Nigerians who are doing the country proud in and outside the country. Chairman, House committee on Diaspora, Mrs Rita Orji, in her contribution, said “Nigerians doing well in diaspora should be celebrated now that they are alive, not when they are dead. This will help to encourage other Nigerians.” When the Speaker, who put the motion to vote, it was unanimously support-

ed by members. Also, the House urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on malaria in the country. The call was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion, on Urgent Matters of Public Importance by Honourable Abubakar Adamu. The House resolved that, the government should mandate the Federal Ministry of Health to fumigate endemic areas to curb the disease in the country.

Nigeria has annual shortfall of 600,000 metric tonnes in milk requirement —Agric Minister Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja THE Federal Government has disclosed that, the country has a shortfall of 600, 000 metric tonnes of dairy required yearly. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made the disclosure at a conference, which has the theme “Milky Way to Development,” which was hosted by Arla Foods (producers of Dano milk powder), Care Denmark, Billital Maroobe (RBM), Danish Agriculture

& Food Council (DAFC) and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMARD). Chief Ogbeh said the national dairy output is estimated at 700,000 metric tonnes, while the demand is 1,300,000, thereby leaving a shortfall of 600,000 metric tonnes. The Minister said: “Presently, the annual national dairy output and demand are estimated at 700,000 metric tonnes and 1,300,000 metric tonnes respectively, giving a supply gap of about 600,000 metric tonnes. We are partnering with major

national and international stakeholders in the dairy sector, to inject a considerable volume of locally produced raw in powdered milk processed in Nigeria, to meet the national demand and drastically reduce milk importation by the year 2019.” However, he noted that, it was heart-warming that there has been increased flow of foreign direct investment into Nigeria’s livestock industry from different parts of the world, particularly in dairy development.

to provide legal aid for awaiting trial detainees —NYSC boss Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

AS part of its effort at ensuring prison decongestion in the country, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure, on Thursday, said, Corps lawyers under the Corps Legal Aid Scheme would render free legal services to awaiting trial detainees. He said the corps members would carry out litigations on behalf of the accused, standing trials for minor criminal offences. Kazaure made the disclosure at a one-day workshop, for legal officers and corps lawyers in the NYSC, held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Keffi, Nasarawa State. He said these legal services; also include the payment of court fines, for prison inmates, to regain their freedom, and also carry out public enlightenment programmes on legal matters among others. According to him, the objective of setting up the corps Legal Aid Scheme was to support government’s efforts at prison’s decongestion. “There is no doubt that the objective of setting up the CLAS has been largely achieved, through many successes so far recorded. It has been in the forefront of complementing government’s efforts at prisons decongestion, through offer of free legal services to awaiting trial detainees, and paying the fines of inmates, to secure their release as well as their counseling and reformation, “This workshop is therefore organised to consolidate on the gains so far made,” he added. Also, Director, Legal services, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, in his lecture themed: Functions of The Lawyer in The Public Service, explained that, Corps members are public officers by virtue of the protection they enjoy under the, “Public officers protection Act, Cap. P41, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.” He said the workshop was organised to create more awareness, on the enormous responsibility and role of the public service lawyer, in providing diligent legal services.

34 news Lagos has attracted more foreign investment in 16 months —Ambode Bola Badmus- Lagos

AGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has said the reforms initiated by his administration in critical sectors are already yielding positive results, disclosing that the state has so far received more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the last 16 months compared with what was achieved in the last 10 years. The governor said this on Thursday, while speaking at the maiden edition of Lagos Global on TV, a programme designed to inform Nigerians on the giant strides of the state government, at driving investment and facilitating ease of doing business in Lagos. He said his administration had remained committed to creating an enabling environment for investment to thrive, contending that the resolve informed the various reforms introduced. Governor Ambode, who reiterated the vision of his administration to make Lagos safer, cleaner and more prosperous for the people, said over the past 16 months, the administration had operated on a tripod which he listed as security, job creation and infrastructure renewal. According to him, “When I won the election, one of

my priorities was to see how to improve on the ease of doing business in Lagos, and I also believe that we needed to carry out some kind of public sector reforms to drive the vision which we had actually set for ourselves, and we needed to also have a kind of structure and institutional framework that would drive the vision. “The vision is very simple: we want a safer, cleaner and a more prosperous Lagos, and one of the structures would be if we want to tackle the issue of bureaucracy in the civil service, we needed to have a 24/7 one-stop shop office where we can drive investment, especially where our businessmen can actually walk into and get everything that they need. In going about that, we decided to come up with the office of Oversees Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global.” Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investments, Professor Ademola Abass, said part of the mandate of his office was to bring in FDI into Lagos and also investment generated within the country. He said Lagos which had emerged as the fifth largest economy in Africa had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that was bigger than those of Kenya and Ghana combined.

Patronise locally made goods, services, Glo urges Nigerans GRANDMASTERS of data, Globacom, recently participated in an international trade fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with a charge to Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods. According to the National Sales Coordinator, North Central, Kazeem Kaka, the call by the Federal Government for corporate organisations and individuals in the country to patronise made-in–Nigeria goods and services, had become all the more expedient, owing to the prevailing economic condition in the country. He added that patronising made-in -Nigeria goods and exporting same, would not only create employment for the youth, but would also lead to enhanced revenue for the government as well as regulate the escalating value of the dollar compared to the local currency. Kaka described Globacom company as a proudly -Nigerian company, which he said, is fully-owned by

Nigerians, and committed to the economic empowerment of Nigerians, especially the youth who should use their productive years to yield benefits to themselves, their fatherland and families. Globacom had an exhibition stand during the trade fair where it displayed an array of products, and used the opportunity to respond to product inquiries and customer complaints. Tagged ‘Make it in Nigeria’, the fair was put together to form alliances with business leaders, trade associations, sister chambers of commerce, government agencies and foreign embassies to accomplish its goals of enhancing sustainable growth and development of businesses in Nigeria. The chamber was formed in 1986 to develop a more enterprising, vibrant and diverse economy, strengthen local businesses and enterprises, attract investment, share prosperity and create better employment opportunities in the nation.

Friday, 4 November, 2016 FAMUYIDE

I, formerly Famuyide Babalola now FAMUYIDE BABALOLA TAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMATIGA

I, formerly Miss Omatiga Jumai Fitimi now MRS JOHNSON-OSAGIE JUMAI FITIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNNIRAN

OGUNYEMI

I, formerly Mr Ogunyemi Oluremi Babatunde now MR. OGUNYEMI BABATUNDE ANTHONY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ENDURANCE

I, formerly Miss Endurance Eyarhono now MRS ENDURANCE ODIBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADESINA

I, formerly Miss Ogunniran Oluwakemi Christiana now MRS. OYELAKIN OLUWAKEMI CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Sports Council, UBA, Iree Branch and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesina Abimbola Temitope now MRS. ADEBAJO ABIMBOLA TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ademola Joseph now ADEMOLA JOSEPH ADETAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Yekini Kazeem Ajao now YEKINI KAZEEM ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEMOLA

ADEPOJU

I, formerly Adepoju Tunde Shamsudeen now ISSAH SHAMSUDEEN TUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJO

I, formerly Miss Ojo Stella Opeyemi now MRS. AKINLOTAN STELLA OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWE

I, formerly Miss Awe Abiodun Olubukola now MRS. BABALOLA ABIODUN OLUBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BADMUS

I, formerly Mrs. Badmus Motunrayo Alirat now MRS OWOLABI MOTUNRAYO ALIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SULAIMAN

YEKINI

ONABANJO

I, formerly Onabanjo Ganiyat Jumoke now TIJANI ONABAJO GANIYAT JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JIMOH

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, JIMOH AKEEM AYINLA am the same person bearing ADEWUNMI AKEEM AYINLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

AMOO ADE’

I, formerly Mr. Adebayo Olubusola Oriyomi Adeyemi now MR. ADEBAYO OLUBUSOLA ORIYOMI ADEFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oke Oyeronke Iyiola now MRS. OGUNTAYO OYERONKE IYIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluloro Iretiopin Ayomide now MRS. FRANKLIN I R E T I O L U WA O P I N AYOMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKE

AJAYI

I, formerly Odoma Enefola Adamson and Richman Enefola Adamson now ATTAH ENEFOLA ADAMS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Yusuf Mohammed Jamal now YUSUF MOHAMMED MUSA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Hajarat Adetope Olasode now ONABANJO ADETOPE HAJARAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Akibu Basirat Titilope now JUNAID BASIRAT TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODOMA

HAJARAT

OBI

OLASUPO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Lawal Ganiyu Taiwo am the same person bearing Lawal Taiwo and Lawal Taiwo Ganiyu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL GANIYU TAIWO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Abdulahi Moriyamo am the same person bearing Abdul Moriamo Funmilayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OWOYALE MARYAM FUNMILAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Lawal Oriyomi Abdulateef am the same person bearing Lawal Oriyomi Shakirudeen. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL ORIYOMI ABDULATEEF. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Badmus Wosilat Morike now MRS AJUWON WOSILAT MORIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alh. Fatai Olabanjo Ajao now ALH. FATAI OLABAMIJI AJAO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Igweh Agatha Ukwuoma now MRS. OMOLAIYE AGATHA UKWUOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LAWAL

BADMUS

ONOVUGHE

ABDULAHI

FATAI

IDOWU

I, formerly Miss Adebisi Temitope Florence now MRS. OROGE TEMITOPE FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ehinola Bolanle Toyin now OKUNADE BOLANLE JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adesanmi Oluwaseun Adewumi now ADESANMI OLUWASEUN ISRAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PROBATE PUBLIC NOTICE

AKIBU

I, formerly Olasupo Idowu Oladele now OLASUPO IDOWU MATTHEW. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Famurewa Deborah Iyewumi now MRS. AKINTOLA DEBORAH FEYIKEMI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, MRS SOFOWORA FLORENCE OLUWAJEMITE of c/o her solicitor, Kehinde Omotoso Esq. of 91, Fajuyi Road, Ile-Ife has applied to the Probate Registry of Customary Court of Appeal, Osogbo for LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION to administer the Estate of LATE PROF. ABAYOMI SOFOWORA formerly of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State who died intestate on the 20th day of January, 2015. Any objection to this application is to be forwarded to the Probate Registry of the Customary Court of Appeal, Osogbo within 14 days of this notice.

YUSUF

DATE OF BIRTH: I formerly Obi Favour am the same person bearing Rose Obi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OBIAKONWA NWENNA ROSE. My date of birth is 16th October, 1975. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Amola Busola Alice now MRS. ABIMBOLA BUSOLA ALICE. All former documents remain valid. FBN Insurance Ltd., and general public take note. I, formerly Awogbade Adewale Israel now MR. SAMUEL ADEWALE ISRAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AND I, formerly Miss Jibayo Titilayo Olabisi now MRS. SAMUEL TITILAYO OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State and general public take note.

OLAPADE

I, formerly Olapade Abiodun Saheed now OLAPADE ABIODUN ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Onovughe Blessing Omovigho now ADEBO BLESSING OMOVIGHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLULORO

I, formerly Mrs. Ajayi Adeyinka Iyabode now MRS. BOLARINWA-AJAYI ADEYINKA IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. FRSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Miss Sulaiman Bola Suliyat am the same person bearing Miss Sulaiman Bolanle Suliyat. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc., GTB Plc., and general public take note.

AMOLA

ADEBAYO

I, formerly Amoo Ade’ Olabamiji, Amoo Adeyosoye Olakuleyin now AMOO, ADEYOSOYE OLAKULEYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FAMUREWA

EHINOLA

SAIDU

I, formerly Miss Idowu Folakemi Mary now MRS. ADEBIYI-ZEAL FOLAKEMI MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEBISI

ADESANMI

ABDULSALAM

CORRECTION OF NAME: I, Saidu Usman am the same person bearing Saidu Usman Malam. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SAIDU USMAN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc., EcoBank Plc., First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Abdulsalam Bushroh Oyindamola now MRS. BAKARE BUSHROH OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Babatunde Lawrence Dayo now ADEDAYO LAWRENCE BAMIDELE. All former documents remain valid. Bowen University Iwo, University of Ibadan, Stanbic IBTC and general public take note. AND I, formerly Dayo-Babatunde Omuwa Temisan now ADEDAYO OMUWA TEMISAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunleye Omowumi Ige now MRS. OMOWUMI SMARTAYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNLEYE

OWOEYE

I, formerly Miss Owoeye Adebola Helen now MRS. OLANIRAN ADEBOLA HELEN. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

LAWAL

IGWEH

AKINPELU

I, formerly Miss Akinpelu Kemi Tosin now MRS. AFOLABI KEMI TOSIN. All former documents remain valid. University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan and general public take note.

OLUSANYA

I, formerly Miss Olusanya Faith now MRS. OGUNKELU FAITH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEOYE

I, formerly Miss Adeoye Seun Bunmi now MRS. OLADIMEJI M O F O L U W A K E OLUWABUNMI. All former documents remain valid. Sterling Bank Plc., and general public take note.

MADUKA

I, formerly Maduka Benson Anorue now ANORUE NELSON BENSON MADUKA UMUNNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJO

I, formerly Miss Ojo Iretiayo Oyinlola now MRS. ADELEYE IRETIAYO OYINLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEDOYIN

I, formerly Miss Adedoyin Helen Abolore now MRS. MAJEKODUNMI RAMOTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

OGUNMOLASUYI

ATINSOLA

JULIET

I, formerly Ogunmolasuyi Oluwatobi Johnson now OLASUYI OLUWATOBI JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Jumia Services, Obafemi Awolowo University and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Atinsola Olayemi Florence now MRS OMOYENI OLAYEMI FLORENCE-ATINSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Juliet Onyema Ogbu now MRS JULIET FAVOURED IKENNA UGWU. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria and general public take note.

I, formerly Imam Ally and Abdul Kareem Ally. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as ABDUL KAREEM ALLY AIDARA and my correct date of birth is 09 of September, 1980. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Bamidele Abdulkhabeer Abiodun am the same person as Bamidele Abiodun and Bamidele Abdukhabeer Abi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BAMIDELE ABDULKHABEER ABIODUN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Odeyemi Tolulope Racheal now MRS ADEKUNLE TOLULOPE RACHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly Miss Lawal Blessing Olaoluwa now MRS. ODUSINA BLESSING OLAOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, NYSC, GTBank, Deeper Life Bible Church and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Folashade Oyindamola Ojo now MRS FOLASHADE OYINDAMOLA OJO KARIMU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FOLASHADE

I, formerly Miss Wowo Ebiere Godstime now MRS. KUKU EBIERE GODSTIME. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adodo Oluwatosin Victoria now MRS. ADEGBESAN OLUWATOSIN VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABDULRASAKI I, formerly Abdulrasaki Funmilayo Medinat now ABDLRASAKI MEDINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AYODELE

I, formerly Ayodele Bolanle Tawakalitu now SANUSI TAWAKALITU BOLANLE All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Farinto Busayo Opeyemi now MRS ABOBADE BUSAYO OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Wasiu Oladapo Ajani am the same person as Laisi Wasiu Ajani. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as WASIU OLADAPO AJANI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oduyoye Adebusola Oluwatoyin now MRS AWOSEYEODUYOYE ADEBUSOLA OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Mrs Peju Oyedokun am the same person as Ololade Oyedokun. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS PEJU OYEDOKUN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Babalola Oluwatoyin Precious now MRS PETERS OLUWATOYIN ALICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABDUL KAREEM

LAWAL

WOWO

ERINFOLAMI

I, formerly Erinfolami Olakunle now YUSUF OLAKUNLE NURUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

WASIU

PEJU

TITILAYO I, formerly Miss Titilayo Lucia Adefuye now MRS TITILAYO LUCIA OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AKINPELUMI

I, formerly Akinpelumi Omolara Stella now OLADELE OMOLARA STELLA. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note.

DARAMOLA I, formerly Daramola Folashade Latifat now DARAMOLA SHADE LATIFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADELODUN

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Miss Adelodun Modupe Adenike am the same person as Adelodun Modupe Adenike Omoroga. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADELODUN MODUPE ADENIKE OMOROGA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

BOLARIN I, formerly Miss Bolarin Biola Rukayat now MRS OLOWOLA BIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. KAKA

BAMIDELE

ADODO

FARINTO

ODUYOYE

BABALOLA

ADESINA

I, formerly Miss Adesina Adejoke Funmilayo now MRS ADISA ADEJOKE FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FAKOLADE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Fakolade Victor Kolawole am the same person as Fakolade Victor Ayodele. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as FAKOLADE VICTOR AYODELE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank, GTBank and general public take note.

CECILIA

I, formerly Cecilia Opeyemi Coker now ADEYEYE DASOLA OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

BALOGUN

I, formerly Miss Balogun Bukola Remilekun now MRS OYINLOLA BUKOLA REMILEKUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

QAZIM

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Qazim Jamiu Akinkunmi am the same person as Kasim Jimoh, Qazim Jamiu Ayobami and Qazim Jamiu Akinkunmi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as QAZIM JAMIU AKINKUNMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

AKURE

I, formerly Kaka Omowunmi Oluwatosin now ANDU OMOWUNMI OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I wish to affirm that Akure Oluwakemi Omotola and Abayomi Helen Kemi are one and the same person. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Eleyode Victoria Olufunmi now MRS ADEYEMO ELEYODE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abolarin Omolara Lydia now MRS AYINDE OMOLARA LYDIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

ELEYODE

ABOLARIN

ODEYEMI

ALARAJE

I, formerly Miss Alaraje Anifat Jumoke now MRS KAREEM ANIFAT JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

JEJE

I, formerly Miss Jeje Funmilayo Grace now MRS OYEDIJI FUNMILAYO GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEYEMI I, formerly Adeyemi Patrick Olasehinde now ADEYEMI PATRICK OLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AWOBONA

OGIRIGBO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Ogirigbo Abraham am the same person bearing Innocent Abraham. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OGIRIGBO ABRAHAM. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

ADEGBOYE

I, formerly Miss Adegboye Serah Taiwo now MRS OLOYADE SERAH TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJOMO

I, formerly Miss Ojomo Ayomide now MRS AMAKAOJOMO AYOMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Authority concerned and general public take note.

OWOLABI

I, formerly Miss Awobona Titilope Adeola now MRS OLADELE TITILOPE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owolabi Oluwaseun Ayowumi now MRS ADEYEMI OLUWASEUN AYOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Olounwa Abiodun Tope am the same person bearing Orimisan Awo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLOUNWA ABIODUN TOPE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Heritage Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME: I, formerly Rasaq Rafiu Olola now RASAKI RAFIU OLOLA. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME: I, formerly Adubina Joseph now ADUBINA JOSEPH ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, NPF and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oni Abosede Oluwafunmilayo now MRS ADELUSI ABOSEDE OLUWAFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Shittu Habibat Taiwo now MRS SHITTU HABIBAT TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general Public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olowe Fisayo Yetunde now MRS FOLARIN FISAYO YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omoaka Paulina Adonosi now MRS FAGBEMI PAULINA ADONOSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Talabi Ibukunoluwa Modupe now MRS DARAMOLA IBUKUNOLUWA MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLOUNWA

ONI

BILIKISU I, formerly Bilikisu Olanihun now IYABO AKANKE AKINADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OLUTUNDA

CORRECTION OF NAME: I, Olutunda Obajimi Oluwatobi declare that my name was mistakenly written as Olutuhoa Obajimi Oluwatobi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLUTUNDA OBAJIMI OLUWATOBI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

OJO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Ojo Olumuyiwa Mayowa am the same person as Akinwabi Olumuyiwa Mayowa. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OJO OLUMUYIWA MAYOWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

SULAIMAN I, formerly Sulaiman Medinat Moye and Suleman Medinat now SULAIMAN MEDINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. MURAINA I, formerly Muraina Adeniyi Oluwafemi now MURAINA ADENIYI SEFIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ODANAOGUN

I, formerly Odanaogun Taiwo Oluwafemi now BENSON TAIWO OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LAWAL I, formerly Miss Lawal Lydia Abimbola now MRS DAIRO LYDIA ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADELEKAN

I, formerly Miss Adelekan Funmilola Ayo now MRS OWOLABI FUNMILOLA AYODEJI All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

RASAQ

SHITTU

OMOAKA

BLESSING I, formerly Miss Blessing James now MRS ENEBI BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note. GANIYU I, formerly Alufa Ganiyu Alaseye and Shitu Alaseye Ganiyu now SHITTU GANIYU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ALADE I, formerly Mr Alade Olajide now MR ALADE AREO OLAJIDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note. BAKARE I, formerly Bakare Risikat Iyabo now AKINLOLU RISIKAT IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

ODUNTAN

ADUBINA

OLOWE

TALABI

AKINYEMI

OLADELE I, formerly Miss Oladele Abosede Stella now MRS OLANIPEKUN ABOSEDE STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ABODUNRIN I, formerly Abodunrin Omolara Busayo now OGUNNIRAN OMOLARA BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ARALEPO

I, formerly Miss Aralepo Ibirinade Omobola now MRS ONI IBIRINADE OMOBOLA. All former documents remain valid. Authority concerned and general public take note.

ADEBARA

I, formerly Miss Adebara Adekunbi Toyin now MRS ADEKUNBI IBRAHIM TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc, Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

OKESIPE

I, formerly Miss Okesipe Balikis Bolaji now MRS OLONADE BALIKIS BOLAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OYELEKE I, formerly Miss Oyeleke Abosede Elizabeth now MRS THOMPSON ABOSEDE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADEWUMI I, formerly Miss Adewumi Temitope Kofoworade now MRS ABASS-ALESINLOYE TEMITOPE KOFOWORADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EDAWOLE

I, formerly Akinyemi Oluwaseyi Samuel now DAGUNDURO OLUWASEYI EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Edawole Ayombo Clementinah am the same person as Edawole Victoria Ayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as EDAWOLE AYOMBO CLEMENTINAH. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

MORANROOLA

ABDULRASAKI I, formerly Abdulrasaki Funmilayo Medinat now ABDL RASAKI MEDINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. GBOLAHAN

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, formerly Moranroola Isaac David Femi and Moranrool Isaac now MORANROOLA ISAAC. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TIJANI

I, formerly Miss Tijani Rasidat Gbemisola now MRS SALAU RASIDAT GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission, Ibadan, Itesiwaju Local Government and general public take note.

FAJOLOYE

I, formerly Fajoloye Olumide now FAJOLOYE OLUMIDE BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general Public take note.

THOMAS

I, formerly Gbolahan Bamidele Joseph Mike now GBOLAHANMI AYOBAMIDELE JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JAMES I, formerly Mrs James Helen Okon now MRS JAMES HELLEN MANDU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADUNOLA I, formerly Adunola Modupe Macaulay now ADUNOLA MODUPE SHOTONADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oduntan Ebenezer Opeyemi now ODUNTAN OPEYEMI OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Thomas Dayo John now THOMAS DAYO SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid. Institutions and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Durodola Adenike Oluwakemi am the same person as Amu Adenike Oluwakemi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AMU ADENIKE OLUWAKEMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank, UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Olawunmi Rofiat Adeola now ADENUGA ROFIAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH, NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Onifade Olumuyiwa Julius now ONIFADE JULIUS OLANIYI. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank and general public take note.

DAGUNDURO I, formerly Miss Dagunduro Folashade now MRS FATOYE FOLASADE IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly Amusan Sarah Temitope now EWAOLA SARAH TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DURODOLA

YUSUFF I, formerly Yusuff Olabode Muse now YUSUFF OLABODE MUZENDIC. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

OLAWUNMI

ONIFADE

AMUSAN

Friday, 4 November, 2016 BUKOLA

I, formerly Miss Bukola Omotayo Hammed now MRS OLADIMEJI BUKOLA OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria and general public take note.

EDITH I, formerly Miss Edith Omon Eguaoje now MRS EDITH OMON ETOK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADEPOJU

I, formerly Adepoju Omolara now ADEPOJU OMOLARA OLUKEMI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Skye Bank and general public take note.

FEMI I, formerly Femi Anjorin now ISIAK OLUWAFEMI ANJORIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AFEEZ I, formerly Afeez Bukola Abdul now OLUWABUKOLA DAVID OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OJO I, formerly Ojo Taye Titilayo now MRS TITILAYOMI TAIWO OLUKOYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. TAIWO

OLAJUWON

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Olajuwon Oluwakemi Ajoke am the same person bearing Olajuwon Oluwakemi Victoria. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLAJUWON OLUWAKEMI AJOKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

UGBU

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH: I, Ugbu Sunday Sonny am the same person bearing Ugbo Sunday Oluchi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as UGBO SUNDAY OLUCHI. My correct date of birth is 1st December, 1990 not 12th December, 1990 All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

SALAWU

I, formerly Miss Salawu Sekinat Folake now MRS IBRAHIM SEKINAT FOLAKE. All former documents remain valid. Ibadan North East Local Government Education Authority, Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

NA’OMI

I, formerly Miss Na’omi Yahi Musa now MRS NA’OMI YAHI SAMAILA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALAWODE

I, formerly Miss Alawode Muhibat Mojisola now MRS OYEDEPO MUHIBAT MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINBOSADE

JOHN

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH: I formerly John Sule now ONOJAH MOSES ENEJO. That my date of birth also mistakenly written as 10th day of October, 1993 instead of 25th day of May, 1993. That my correct full date of birth is 25th day of May, 1993. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AFOLASHADE I, formerly Miss Afolashade Joy Ilori now MRS SUNDAY FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. KAZEEM I, formerly Kazeem Adekunle Akande now ADEKUNLE OKANLAWON KAZEEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JENNIFER I, formerly Ms Jennifer Ashe Oamen now MRS JENNIFER ASHE YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. SALISU I, formerly Miss Salisu Hawau Damilola now MRS KEHINDE HAWAU DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TOYIN

I, formerly Miss Akinbosade Abimbola now MRS ADEBAYO ABIMBOLA MUJIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Toyin Janet Akande now MRS OLUTOYIN JANET AKANDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Taiwo Ayomide Priscilla Busola now MRS OLAGBAJU AYOMIDE PRISCILLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mohammed Oluboade Adebomi now OJO OLUBOADE ADEBOMI. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Atanda Rasaq Ishola am the same person bearing Atanda Rasak Ajagbe. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ATANDA RASAQ ISHOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank, First Bank, Stanbic Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Benson Oluwakemi Latifat now JIMOH OLUWAKEMI LATIFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alhaji Ishola Mustapha now ALHAJI MUSTAPHA ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Oladipupo Ronke now OLADIPUPO RONKE MOJIRAYO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

BENSON

RACHEAL I, formerly Miss Racheal Odunayo Omirin now MRS ALALE RACHAEL ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OLALEYE

MOHAMMED

ISHOLA

KASEEM

CORRECTION OF NAME: My correct name is KASEEM IYABO WULIAMOT not Kazeem Kehinde Wuliamot. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

ANIFOWOSE

ATANDA

OLADIPUPO

ALAKA I, formerly Alaka Mulikat Tunrayo now KAREEM MULIKAT TUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. TAIWO

I, formerly Miss Olaleye Temitope Deborah now MRS AGBABIAKA TEMITOPE DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Anifowose Kamaldeen Olalekan now OLALEKAN ANIFIOWOSE KAMALDEEN. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic Bank, First Bank, GTBank and General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Taiwo Sobande am the same person bearing Taiwo Idowu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO SOBANDE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Adefila Omowumi am the same person bearing Miss Afolabi Omowumi Bunmi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OJO OMOWUMI BUNMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Egbeda Local Government and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olayiwola Tolulope Lola now MRS ADEDEJI TOLULOPE LOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLAYIWOLA

I, formerly Mrs Akinwale Sekinat Oluwatoyin now MRS FASASI SEKINAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly Kareem Modinat now SHITTU MODINAT. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

AKINYEMI I, formerly Miss Akinyemi Oluyemi Bose now MRS DADA OLUYEMI FORTUNE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. PACHIKO I, formerly Pachiko Titilayo Ahmed now PACHIKO AYO AHMED. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note. ADEJORIN

ADEFILA

AKINWALE

AMEED

I, formerly Ameed Kaseem Olaoluwa now OGUNDEPO KAZEEM ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

BELLO

I, formerly Miss Bello Olawumi Olajumoke now MRS OLADAPO OLAWUMI OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM and general public take note.

KAREEM

OGUNGBADE

I, formerly Miss Ogungbade Oluwaseunayo Rebecca now MRS AGBOOLA OLUWASEUNAYO REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SALAM

I, formerly Mr Salam Sulaiman Oyebamiji now MR ABDULSALAM SULAYMAN OYEBANJI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adejorin Eniola Abosede now MRS OWOEYE ENIOLA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODEKUNLE

I, formerly Odekunle Seun Slim James now ODEKUNLE SEUN IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM and general public take note.

OBIAGWU I, formerly Miss Obiagwu Chizoba Esther now MRS EYITAYO CHIZOBA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OMOTAYO

ADEKUNLE

SHITTU

I, formerly Miss Adekunle Mistura Odunola now MRS TIJANI-ADEKUNLE MISTURA ODUNOLA All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Shittu Nafisat Abiodun now MRS KOLAWOLE NAFISAT ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omotayo Taiwo Folasade now MRS ALAWODE OMOTAYO FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Busayo Elizabeth now MRS AYANDIRAN BUSAYO ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Adedotun Nureni Ajadi am the same person as Nureni Adedotun Ajadi and Nurenni Adedotun Ajadi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEDOTUN NURENI AJADI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Adamu Dauda Adekunle am the same person bearing Adams Dauda Adekunle. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL DAUDA ADAMS. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Andrew Osaretin Benedicta now MRS ADEDIRAN OSARETIN BENEDICTA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Salako Olubunmi Oluwanike now SALAKO OLUWABUNMI OYENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Mrs Ayoko Olufunke Elizabeth am the same person as Bello Olufunke Elizabeth. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MRS AYOKO OLUFUNKE ELIZABETH. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Musa Halimat Damilola now MRS BALOGUN HALIMAT DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olowookere Bosede Felicia now MRS ADEBAYO BOSEDE FELICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADAMU

SALAKO

MUSA

OLAKUNLE I, formerly Miss Olakunle Idowu Faith now MRS FADARE IDOWU FAITH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. JAMES I, formerly James Olajide Michael now OLOFINYEYE OLAJIDE MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AKANO

ADEBAYO

ANDREW

AYOKO

OLOWOOKERE

ELUDIRE

I, formerly Miss Eludire Oluwatomide Idowu now MRS AJAYI OLUWATOMIDE IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

FOWOSELE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Fowosele Bolanle Musili am the same person bearing Oyelakin Sakirat Omobolanle. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as FOWOSELE BOLANLE MUSILI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

SALAMI

I, formerly Miss Akano Rosemary Olutoyin now MRS ONI ROSEMARY OLUTOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Salami Idowu Oluwanifemi am the same person bearing Salami Idowu Oluwanifemi Oluwaseun. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI IDOWU OLUWANIFEMI. My correct date of birth is 11-11-1993 not 11-11-1994. All documents bearing these names remain valid. FCMB Bank Plc, GTBank Plc, Osun State University, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akintan Olayinka Oluwatosin now MRS ADEJUMO OLAYINKA OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Popoola Iyabo Sekinat now MRS SANNI IYABO SEKINAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

AKINTAN

POPOOLA

JELILAT I, formerly Jelilat Odunoye now ABAWONJO JELILAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADESIMBO

GANIYU I, formerly Ganiyu Kayode Owolabi now ADIGUN KAYODE BESTMAN. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note. ONONAIWU

OBISESAN I, formerly Obisesan Kehinde now FUNKE OLUBANJI. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note. ISRAEL

I, formerly Miss Sandra Bolatito Buraimoh now MRS SANDRA BOLATITO NZEKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Adesimbo Adekoya Adesanya am the same person bearing Adesimbo Adekoya Peter. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as ADESIMBO ADEKOYA PATER. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Israel Faith Temilola am the same person as Israel Faith Bosede. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ISRAEL FAITH BOSEDE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

ADEBIMPE

I, formerly Miss Adebimpe Rashidat Funke now MRS LAMIDI RASHIDAT ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Ononaiwu Mary Assumpta am the same person bearing Ononaiwu Mary Chinma. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ONONAIWU MARY ASSUMPTA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

SANDRA

AKUSIRINWA I, formerly Akusirinwa Emmanuel now MADU EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note. TIAMIYU

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Tiamiyu Kazeem Ajibola am the same person as Abokorere Kazeem Ajibola. Now, I want to be known and addressed as TIAMIYU KAZEEM AJIBOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

ADEDOTUN

AREWA

I, formerly Arewa Janet Aduke now MRS AREWA JANET OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note.

BELLO

I, formerly Miss Bello Mutiyat now MRS ADEKUNLE MUTIYAT MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLUWAFEMI I, formerly Oluwafemi Bukky now OWOEYE NIKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note. OMOLOLA

I, formerly Omolola Fasilat Odetokun now AKINWUMI FASIFAT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

ADEAGBO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Adeagbo Elizabeth Oluwatoyin am the same person bearing Adedayo Elizabeth Oluwatoyin. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEAGBO ELIZABETH OLUWATOYIN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

MULIKATU

I, formerly Mulikatu Olalekan Bosede now ADEDOYIN SADE BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

ENIOLA

I, formerly Miss Eniola Oluwakemi Fehintola now MRS ENIOLA OLUWAKEMI DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

ONI

I, formerly Miss Oni Modupe Sabainah now MRS ADEYINKA MODUPE SABAINAH. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

OLAOTIPIN

CORRECTION OF NAME: I, Alhaji Olaotipin Hammeed Wale, my name was mistakenly written as Olaotipin Hammeed instead of OLAOTIPIN HAMMEED WALE. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

ABIOLA I, formerly Abiola Adeyemi now AJAYI O L U WA B U K O L A ROSEMARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OWOLABI

I, formerly Mrs Owolabi Aderonke Adenike now MRS MAKINDE ADERONKE ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

SOLA I, formerly Miss Sola Jegede now MRS FADEYI SOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Friday, 4 November, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Brexit bombshell:

Kenya angry at sacking of South Sudan peacekeeping chief

Court gives condition for UK to leave EU

British court ruled on Thursday that the government needs parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, potentially delaying Prime

Italy migrants: Amnesty International accuses police of torture A leading human rights group has accused Italian police of using violent tactics to fingerprint migrants. According to BBC, Amnesty International said it had 24 accounts of ill treatment, including beatings and electric shocks. Italy’s government rejected the report’s findings as “totally false”. There was also scepticism from the European Commission. Police chief Franco Gabrielli denied that “violent methods are used in identifying or repatriating migrants”. Under EU rules, migrants must stay in the first country they reach, which is determined by where they give their fingerprints. Many irregular migrants are therefore reluctant to be fingerprinted, fearing they will not be able to leave Italy. Amnesty said the behaviour of most Italian police officers involved was professional but it called for an independent review of the allegations.

Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plans. The government said it would appeal against the ruling by England’s High Court, and Britain’s Supreme Court is expected to consider the appeal early next month. A spokeswoman for May said the prime minister still planned to launch talks on the terms of Brexit by the end of March and added: “We have no intention of letting this derail our timetable.” Reuters note that the pound, which fell sharply after Britons voted to leave the EU by 52 to 48 percent on June 23, rose after the

ruling. Many investors took the view that lawmakers would now be able to temper the government’s policies, making it less likely that the government would opt for a “hard Brexit” -- a scenario in which it prioritizes tight controls on immigration over remaining in the European single market. The High Court ruled that the government needs parliament’s backing to trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, the formal step needed to start the process of exiting the bloc. “The most fundamental rule of the UK’s constitution is that parliament is

Gina Miller speaks outside the High Court following its ruling on a challenge to the British government’s right to start divorce proceedings from the European Union, in central London. PHOTO: REUTERS

sovereign,” said Lord Chief Justice John Thomas, England’s most senior judge. Thomas and two other senior judges did not spell

Migrant boats, such as this one on the left, are often packed full of people. PHOTO: AFP

239 migrants die in two shipwrecks off Libya —UN At least 239 migrants, believed to be from West Africa, have died in two shipwrecks off Libya, a spokesman for the United Nations migration agency, said on Thursday, according to Reuters. One group of migrants, including about 20 women and six children, set off in a rubber dinghy from Libya around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, but their boat collapsed after a few hours,

said Flavio di Giacomo, a spokesman for the U.N.’s International Organisation for Migration, who cited accounts by survivors. By the time rescuers arrived, most had drowned. Twelve bodies were recovered, including three babies. About 27 survived. Another two women reported surviving a separate disaster that happened at about the same time. Their rubber dinghy was carrying

about 130 people. The International Organization for Migration said the latest deaths meant 4,220 lives had been lost in the Mediterranean so far this year, compared with 3,777 in the whole of 2015. October saw a surge in migrant arrivals in Italy, with 27,388 arriving, more than the two previous Octobers combined, and bringing this year’s total arrivals to over 158,000, di Giacomo said.

South Africa presents bill to quit ICC

Jacob Zuma of South Africa

South Africa’s justice minister presented a bill in parliament on Thursday to repeal the country’s membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC) - which the government has said clashes with diplomatic immunity laws. Reuters reports that Pretoria last year announced its intention to leave after the ICC criticized it for disregarding an order to arrest Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir during a

visit to South Africa. Bashir faces charges of orchestrating genocide and war crimes - charges that he dismisses. “At the end of this proceedings we will be tabling the notice of withdrawal that South Africa lodged with the secretary general of the United Nations,” Justice Minister Michael Masutha told legislators during a debate on the ICC. Lawmakers from the official opposition Democratic Alliance party - which is

planning to challenge the plan to leave the ICC in court - as well as the ultraleft Economic Freedom Fighters, opposed the bid to leave the Rome Statutes. It was not clear when a final debate and vote would be held. South Africa and Burundi have officially notified the United Nations of their intent to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the 1998 treaty establishing The Hague-based court.

out whether the government would need to pass a new law to begin the divorce proceedings, but Britain’s Brexit minister David Davis said this was likely if the Supreme Court upheld the decision. “The judges have laid out what we can’t do and not exactly what we can do, but we’re presuming it requires an act of parliament,” Davis told BBC TV.

Kenya says it is shocked at the decision of the UN secretary-general to sack the Kenyan commander of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan. Ban Ki-moon dismissed Lt Gen Johnson Ondieki after a report said it had failed to protect civilians in July. Kenya condemned the decision as unfair, and said it would withdraw its troops from the UN mission in South Sudan. The report, according to BBC, said peacekeepers did not act when soldiers attacked an aid compound in the capital, Juba. In the fighting between the army and former rebels, a local journalist was killed and aid workers were raped. The clashes derailed efforts to form a unity government and end the civil war.

Clinton, Trump target North Carolina as Clinton holds slight lead Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump head to North Carolina on Thursday in a final effort to shore up support in the swing state as two polls showed Clinton maintaining a narrow lead nationally just days ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. The surveys by the New York Times/CBS and the Washington Post/ABC echoed other national polls that have shown Clinton with a slimmer lead over Trump since the re-emergence last week of a controversy over her use of a private email server while secretary of state. Clinton led by 3 percentage points among 1,333 registered voters in the Times/ CBS poll taken October 28 to November 1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced on Oct. 28 that it was reviewing a new batch

of emails that might be related to her email practices. The survey, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, showed Clinton with 45 percent support compared to 42 percent for Trump, according to the Times. “About six in 10 voters over all said that the 11thhour disclosures about each candidate would make no real difference in their vote,” the Times said. There were also strong differences by gender, with more women supporting Clinton and Trump leading among men. More detailed results from the poll were expected later on Thursday. Separately, a Washington Post/ABC poll showed Clinton 2 percentage points ahead among 1,767 likely voters surveyed October 29 to November 1, 47 percent to Trump’s 45 percent.

Trump and Clinton

communitynews

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Ovie of Idjerhe commends Delta govt over road construction alphonsus agborh-delta

THE Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Erhiekevwe I, has commended the Delta State government for resuming the construction of the dual carriage way leading into Jesse town. The traditional ruler gave the commendation at the end of a 7-day prayer conference observed by the people of the community. He also appealed to the government to construct Ovade-Jesse Road, Onyobru- Waterside Road and fixing of the failed portions of Jesse-Boboruku Road. The royal father, who spoke at the end of the prayer conference at his palace in Jesse, said the annual prayer conference in the community was in commemoration of the fire disaster which occurred in the land through the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline and killed many people on October 17, 1998. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, the royal father remarked that the exercise commenced soon after irate youths set his palace ablaze years back, where he, in conjunction with members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Idjerhe chapter, went round the community to thank God for his life. He added that it was thereafter they agreed to devote a week in October every year to observe fasting and prayer to God from church to church for seven days and rounded off at the palace. The monarch further said that since the prayer

conference began, it had yielded positive impact on his people, as survivals used

the occasion to thank God for sparing their lives, while the community as a whole pray

A group, Movement for Disable Right Forum (MFDRF), has urged Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to establish Consumer Shops in each of the 20 local government areas (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to enable Lagosians buy foodstuffs at a low cost. Coordinator of the movement, Kehinde Oshilaja, made the call in a letter addressed to the governor. He said the call became necessary as a way of addressing the current recession and also to put a stop

The traditional ruler charged his subjects at this year’s prayer conference

tagged: “Pulling down evil altars in the land” to remain steadfast in the Lord.

Group tasks South-West communities on violence against persons sam nwaoko-ado-ekiti

STAKEHOLDERS have charged Nigerians to embrace the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (CVAPP) Law, lamented that the high occurrence of violence against persons in communities in the South-West was worrisome and needed increased awareness. The stakeholders, including journalists, non-government organisations (NGOs), women groups, lawyers and community leaders, noted in a communique at the end of a one-day workshop, in Ado-Ekiti, that factors militating against the awareness of the scourge should be worked on. At the event organised by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) in collaboration with the British Department for International Development (DFID), the stakeholders tasked state governors, who were yet to domesticate the VAPP law, prohibiting violence against persons, particularly women to “as a matter of urgency do so in order to protect the rights of women and vulnerable in the society.” In the communique, the participants noted that the level of importance of the media in the society as well as their role in shaping public perceptions about issues and policies of government was considered a priority. “VAPP Act is a tool for protection against infringements of rights of persons and women in particular, which most states in the South-West, particularly, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo are yet to domesticate or have states versions of it.

Participants at the workshop were media organisations (print and electronic) from Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Ekiti, while

at the escalating prices of food items in Lagos. He recalled that such approach was adopted during the administration of former Governor Lateef Jakande when austerity measures were introduced by the then Federal Government. “In this time of economic recession, the Lagos State government should emulate the above wisdom used by our past leader. “Marketing board should be established along with price control body in order to reduce the escalating price of food items we are experiencing,” Oshilaja said. He added that Alhaji

the resource person and the head of DFID Lagos office, Mr. David Ukagwu, accompanied by his assistant, Mrs. Margret Faboyo.

The Coordinator, NISD, who was the first Speaker at the programme, Mr Abiodun Oyeleye, advocated for mass production of

copies of VAPP Act, regretted the 31.1 per cent in South-West statistics evidence of Violence Against Women in 2014.

Agbara-Atan Road in Ogun State calling the attention of the authorities concerned.

NDDC presents relief materials to Opobo people By Dapo Falade

THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in partnership with RAHI Medical Outreach, a nongovernment organisation, has distributed relief materials and medical facilities to the people of Opobo in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State. The NDDC Acting Managing Director, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, while presenting the materials, said the commission was intervening in vulnerable communities in the Niger Delta area to make life more bearable for them.

Recession: Physically challenged urge Ambode to establish consumer shops bola badmus-lagos

to God for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the fire incident.

Jakande, as a progressive governor established consumer shops in each local government that made the people to buy foodstuffs at cheaper rate.

She said Opobo was suffering from the effects of oil pollution arising from oil exploration and exploitation, adding, “The water in the area is polluted by oil and it has high iron content. The salinity is also high because of the ocean. This exposes the people to water-borne diseases such as cholera.” She said access to communities surrounded by water was difficult and as such, life was usually expensive in such area, adding that the activities of oil companies impact negatively on the environment, making fishing and farming difficult. “We know that many people can no longer cope with the challenges of providing food for their families. So, in addition to medical care, we have come with some food items to make life easier for the people,” she added. President of RAHI Medical Outreach, Dr Chris Ekiyor, said the partnership with NDDC was meant to

bring succour to women, children and the underprivileged in rural communities. “We have been taking this medical outreach from one rural community to the other for the past 12 years. We are here in Opobo with the support of NDDC to provide free medical services and relief materials to the underprivileged. “The focus of this project is to ensure that we provide for those in need. We are giving

Benue gov’s wife takes breast cancer awareness to communities johnson babajide-makurdi

WIFE of Benue State governor, Dr Eunice Ortom has taken breast cancer awareness campaign to rural communities in Benue State. To this end, there was sensitisation walk embarked upon by the wife of the governor

Communal clash: Ndoma Egba sues for peace anthony ubong-calabar

Former Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba has called on warring communities of Akparabong and Bendeghe in Cross River State to sheathe their swords and embrace peace. It could be recalled that Akparaobong community in Ikom Local Government Area and Bendeghe Ekiem in Etung Local Government

Area of the state, a few weeks ago, clashed over boundary demarcation, leading to loss of lives and property. Reacting to the outbreak of violence between the two neighbouring communities, Ndoma-Egba, who is also the Chairman designate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said, “I feel distraught by the outbreak of violence between my community Akparabong

them rice, garri, groundnut oil, palm oil, yam, fish, tin tomatoes, blankets medication and insecticide-treated mosquito nets,” she said. In a related development, the NDDC Acting Managing Director, inspected the Kieprima Polo Mission Road in Opobo town repaired by the commission, noting that the completed concrete pavement road was an important link between various communities in the town.

and neighbouring Bendeghe Ekiem. “Both communities have become very close, especially through intermarriage. Even my two sisters are married in Bendeghe Ekiem. This madness is totally needless, inexplicable and I condemn it in no uncertain terms’’ He charged leaders of both communities to call their youths in order to avoid further hostilities.

and other participants with the call on Benue women to adopt lifestyles that would keep them healthy. The awareness campaign train passed through many communities which included Makurdi, the state capital, Aliade in Gwer Local Government Area and Gungul in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state. Speaking at Gungul, Mrs Ortom emphasised the need for regular breast examination. She explained that if breast cancer is detected early and treated, “there is a good chance that it can be cured’. The governor’s wife, however, lauded the state university teaching hospital for providing diagnosis and treatment on breast cancer cases.

39 tribunesport

Friday, 4 November, 2016

Federation Cup: NFF throws out Crown appeal By Nurudeen Alimi THE dream of Crown FC of Ogbomoso to advance in this year’s Federation Cup has been dashed as their appeal was thrown out by the appeal committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Crown FC, Oyo State representatives had filed an appeal after their semi-final clash with IfeanyiUbah in Kaduna had ended 2-1 in the 88th minute owing to crowd trouble, while the disciplinary committee later awarded the match to the Anambra State-side. NFF in a statement therefore upheld the ruling of the disciplinary committee which awarded the stalemated match to the Nigeria Professional Football League side. The disciplinary committee, had equally ruled that the match officials-Match Commissioner, Bege Kwasau; Centre Referee, Audu Ibrahim; Assistant Referee one, Kabiru Adamu and Assistant Referee two, Abubakar Yusuf acted unprofessionally during the match. The NFF’s appeal committee, however, adpoted the findings of the disciplinary committee which also ordered that the match officials be sanctioned appropriately. It also held that there can be no appeal against the verdict making reference to Article 70 of the NFF Statute (2010).

Strike stops top Nigerian coaches from writing CAF A licence final exams NIGERIA’S top coaches, who have been working on bagging CAF A licences, could not sit for a final examination on Thursday in Abuja, after the instructors allegedly embarked on a pay strike to protest against non-payment of their allowances. The CAF A licence course is scheduled to end on Saturday (tomorrow) and it features some of the country’s notable coaches including the Super Eagles chief coach, Salisu Yusuf, Samson Siasia, Manu Garba, Emmanuel Amuneke, Gbenga Ogunbote, Stanley Eguma, Henry Abiodun and Ladan Bosso. The coaches were all shocked when the instructors told them that the examination has been postponed without any cogent reason. The instructors are all former national team coaches - Adegboye Onigbinde, James Peters and Kashimawo Laloko. However, a source revealed to AfricanFootball.com that the instructors opted to postpone the examination because they have not been paid and they wanted that to be done before the programme is rounded off to avoid “stories” thereafter. It was also gathered that the NFF received between N250,000 and N270,000 from the participants. The payments were directly into the NFF bank account.

Anthony Joshua (left), deals with an opponent.

I would have been a better opponent for Joshua —David Price By Ganiyu Salman

S the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion, Anthony Joshua prepares for his second defence title against Eric Molina on December 10, British heavyweight boxer, David Price has said he would have been a better opponent for the Nigerian-born boxer. Joshua, born in Watford to

a Nigerian mother and father stopped American Charles Martin in the second round in April this year to become the new IBF king, while he successfully defended the belt with the stoppage of the previously unbeaten Dominic Breazeale in June. But Price, believes 34-year-old Mexican-American Molina can’t stop the boxer christened Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua by his Nigerian parents.

“The reason why I would have been a better opponent than Molina is that I would have been going in to win. Molina is not going to come to win, he’s going to mess Joshua about, and spoil for a few rounds, then he’s going to sit on the ropes and get knocked out. I would have fought fire with fire, which is why it would have been more exciting for the fans. “Getting in the ring with a

NFF fines Gateway FC N1m, orders match replayed against ABS By Nurudeen Alimi THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee has slammed a fine of N1m on Gateway FC of Abeokuta, for failure to honour the Nigeria National League fixture against Abubakar Bukola Saraki Football Club of Ilorin on October 30, 2016. The NFF Disciplinary Committee’s findings as contained in a statement made available to Tribunesport stated that Gateway FC refused to honour the match on the grounds of complaints over intimidation, harassment, inadequate security and the delay by the home team in granting them access into the stadium and the field of play. The committee also noted that the contingent of the away team, the Gateway FC, was deliberately delayed, by the home team from gaining access into the stadium and the field of play. The statement further held that: “The conduct of the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, within and around the technical area was unbecoming of an offi-

cial of his position and capable of bringing the game to disrepute.” Based on its findings, the committee ruled as follows: “That for failure to honour the fixture obligation, Gateway FC is in breach of Rule 4.2 (1) of the Rules of the NNL; Thus, Gateway FC shall pay the stipulated fine of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira only) to the NNL on or before

Tuesday, November 8, 2016. “That pursuant to the provisions of article 31bis of FIFA Disciplinary Code, due to the conduct and behaviour of ABS FC, the match shall be replayed on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at the same time and venue as earlier scheduled, with a new set of match officials, as both clubs shall bear respective costs.”

world champion doesn’t fill with me with fear or dread, it’s exciting. I was hopeful [of fighting Joshua] but the reality was they were always going to take the safer option. Molina was coming over (anyway) as my opponent, and it goes to show the level that Joshua is fighting,” Price told Boxing News magazine. Meanwhile, Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, who is the proud record owner of 17 fights and 17 wins by knockouts, said he is prepared for the showdown billed for the Manchester Arena next month. “I am pleased that everything is now set for December 10 and I can concentrate on getting the business done in the ring. There has been plenty of talk about who I may face but all I’m doing is concentrating on finishing Molina in style and putting on a great show,” said the 27-yearold former WBC international heavyweight champion.

Bar and Bench Golf tournament tees off By Olawale Olaniyan IBADAN, the Oyo State capital will host no fewer than 150 golfers across the country as the stage is set for the inaugural Bar and Bench Golf Tournament. The two-day 36-holes event scheduled to tee off tomorrow at the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC), Onireke, Ibadan, is expected to bring together lawyers, judges and amateur golfers to compete in different categories. Speaking at a press conference, the Captain of IGC, Barrrister Idowu Salami said the tourney will be the first of its kind in the history of the club. He stated that many lawyers will compete among one another dur-

ing the tournament so as to promote the game adding that other professions will also take part in the event. Salami expressed optimism that the tournament would bring a change in the history of the club as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the first vice president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the presiding judge of Appeal Court, Oyo State, lawyers, Judges among others will be present. “About 150 golfers across the federation will compete in diffreent categories as golfers are coming from Club, Jaji, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ilorin Golf Club, Ekiti Golf Club, Benin Golf Club, Ogbomoso Golf Club, Ewekoro Golf Club, IBB

Colf Club, MIC COM and Country Golf Club, Ada, Osun State, Smoking Hill Golf Club, Tiger Golf Club and Ikeja Golf Club, among other clubs. “Air France KLM is our major sponsor as they will be giving out tickets to the winner to visit the United States of America and AMNI Petroleum with other sponsors,” he said. Also, the chairman, Local Organising Committee, Yinka Abiose assured of a hitch-free tournament saying logistics have been put in place to make it a success. Meanwhile, cocktail party is scheduled for 6pm today, while the tournament proper tees off tomorrow by 7am and end with closing ceremony billed for 4.00pm on Sunday.

SIDELINES

FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER, 2016

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Nigeria doubt Ikeme injury claim N

IGERIA officials are disputing claims by English club Wolverhampton Wanderers that a hip injury has ruled out No.1 goalkeeper Carl Ikeme from a must-win World Cup qualifier against Algeria and they are now insisting on a second opinion. Nigeria welcome Algeria to Uyo on November 12 and they are leaving nothing to chance to ensure they win the game and consolidate their leadership of their qualifying section for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This week, Wolves contacted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to say Ikeme will not be available for the World Cup qualifier on account of injury. Officials are still miffed that the Premier League clubs of Victor Moses (Chelsea) and Isaac Success (Watford) deliberately

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Gunmen reportedly stormed the premises of Benue courts carting away files and documents. Their sinister motives are undisguised-to affect the course of law. Morever, the hoodlums further exhibited their dare-devilry and stole cash. They know crime doesn’t pay, so they paid themselves, even at the spot of conspiracy.

Carl Ikeme

blocked the players from last month’s clash in Zambia using injury as an excuse. “The officials wish to ascertain the severity the injury Ikeme suffered at a league game over the weekend,” disclosed a top source told Africanfootball,com. “They still believe that Victor Moses and Isaac Success were stopped from the last World Cup qualifier by their English clubs.” Ikeme’s absence is a major blow for Nigeria as he has established himself as the country’s No.1 goalkeeper since his brilliant debut in a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania in September 2015. He was the man of the match after he made several big saves for Nigeria to beat hosts Zambia 2-1 in Ndola last month in an opening World Cup qualifier.

Algeria name final 23 ALGERIA have replaced injured Adam Ounas and included two more foreign pros as well as four players from the country’s domestic league to their squad for a crucial World Cup clash in Nigeria. Nigeria tackle Algeria on Saturday, November 12, in Uyo. New coach Georges Leekens had earlier named a squad of 18 foreign pros for the

Houari Ferhani

much-awaited clash. Latest foreign call-ups are Sofiane Hanni from Belgian club Anderlecht, who is a direct replacement for injured Ounas and Jean Mehdi Tahrat, features for Angers in the French Ligue 1. The four local league players are two goalkeepers – Malik Asselah (JS Kabylie), Chemseddine Rahmani (MO Bejaia)– as well

as defenders Houari Ferhani (JSK) and Mohamed Khoutir Ziti (ES Setif). The full 23-man squad: Goalkeepers: Raïs Ouhab M’bolhi (Antalyaspor/Turkey), Malik Asselah (JS Kabylie), Chemseddine Rahmani (MO Béjaïa) Defenders: Aïssa Mandi (Real Bétis/ Spain), Faouzi Ghoulam (SSC Naples/ Italy), Carl Medjani (CD Leganès/Spain), Hicham Belkaroui (Espérance de Tunis/ Tunisia), Liassine Cadamuro (Servette Genève/Switzerland), Jean Mehdi Tahrat (SCO Angers/France), Houari Ferhani (JS Kabylie), Mohamed Khoutir Ziti (ES Sétif) Midfielders: Adlène Guedioura (Watford FC/England), Saphir Taïder (Bologna FC/ Italy), Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke 04/Germany), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon FCO/France), Yassine Brahimi (FC Porto/Portugal), Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham United/ England), Ryad Boudebouz (Montpellier Hérault/France) Strikers : Islam Slimani, Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City FC/England), Hillal El Arabi Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb/Croatia), Rachid Ghezzal (Olympique Lyon/ France-), Sofiane Hanni (RSC Anderlecht/Belgium).

‘Arteta instigated Messi tunnel bust-up’ IT was Pep Guardiola’s assistant Mikel Arteta who provoked Lionel Messi’s furious reaction in the tunnel of the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, according to Spanish radio station La Cope. The station reported that while Messi was waiting outside the referee’s room, Arteta said: ‘Anda tontorrón, vete y métete en tu vestuario,’ which translates into: ‘Move along stupid, get yourself in your dressing room.’ Messi was already fuming at Barcelona’s first group-stage defeat in the Champions League in two years and reacted, shouting back: ‘Bobo, vení y da la cara!’, a sort of: ‘come over here and say that to my face, stupid.’ Not since Battle of the Buffet between Arsenal and Manchester United in October 2004 has there been such a tunnel ‘whodunnit.’ Arteta has now emerged as the Cesc Fabregas figure in this incident although other suspects have included Fernandinho and also a lower profile member of City’s backroom staff.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com 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. 4/11/2016.

Messi