5th April 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,472

TUESDAY, 5 APRIL, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

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Exposed: How the rich hide money, evade tax •11 million Panama documents uncover offshore deals •Anxiety among Nigeria's super rich, powerful •Ibori, African leaders implicated —P6 •Saraki reacts to allegation on wife

It's no work, no pay if labour calls for strike, Ajimobi vows —P7

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Ondo: Police arrest 3 FGGC staff over alleged use of students' sanitary pads for rituals—P7

PDP govt failed to save for a rainy day —Buhari •APC opposed efforts to save money —PDP

—P6

HE IS MY SON, HE IS MY BOY: Fayose and Aluko at Eko Hotels on Sunday night, after the reconciliation.

Aluko in dramatic —P38 Alleged $10m scam: Ex-Lagos Solicitor-General reconciliation with Fayose denies involvement —P8

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016 2 ...AS ONOLEMEMEN BECOMES ADOLOR OF UROMI

Nigerian Tribune

Friends and well-wishers of Chief Michael Onolememen, former Minister of Works, converged on Uromi, Edo State, on Easter Monday, March 28, 2016 to witness the conferment of Adolor of Uromi, on Chief Onolememen.

The Adolor of Uromi, Chief Michael Onolememen, arriving his house from the Ojuromi Royal Palace, after his installation as Adolor of Uromi.

Chief Onolememen and his wife, Omonigho at the Ojuromi Royal Palace.

The Adolor of Uromi, Chief Onolememen, receiving royal blessing from the Ojuromi of Uromi Kingdom, HRM Anselm Eidenojie II.

The Adolor of Uromi being welcomed by HRM Anselm O. Eidenojie, the Ojuromi of Uromi Kingdom and HRM Eiluojerior I, the Onojie of Igueben.

The Adolor of Uromi with Mr Labaran Maku, former Minister of Information.

The Adolor of Uromi with Chief Emasealu, former chairman, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

From left, Chief Onolememen, the Adolor of Uromi; Mr Giwa Agbonmheirele and Chief Chris Agbobu, former Minister of State for Agriculture.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

6 news

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

PDP govt failed to save for a rainy day —Buhari •APC opposed efforts to save money —PDP

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said for a greater part of the last 16 years, the government in power failed to prepare for a rainy day, a reason the country is currently in crisis. Receiving the president of the International Civil Avia-

tion Organisation (ICAO), Dr Bernard O. Aliyu, at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, Buhari said “in the First Republic, more enduring infrastructure was built with meagre resources. But in the past 16 years, we made a lot of money without planning for the rainy day.

“We showed a lot of indiscipline in managing our economy and that is why we are where we are today. But this time round, we’ll do our best.” The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was at the helm of affair of the country throughout the period be-

ing referred to by President Buhari. Speaking further, he said “Nigeria needs to work on its potentials, so that we don’t remain permanently at the level of potentials. “If Ethiopia is sustained largely by its airline industry, we have greater poten-

tials here. We must move out, engage with the rest of the world, as we need to reestablish the integrity of this country. We need to rebuild this country again.” Buhari recounted that for the greater part of the last 16 years, oil sold above $100 per barrel, but expressed re-

How the rich hide money, evade tax

•11 million Panama documents uncover offshore deals •Anxiety among Nigeria’s super rich, powerful •Ibori, African leaders implicated •Saraki reacts to allegation on wife FOLLOWING the startling revelations that serving and former world leaders used Panama-based offshore service provider and law firm, Mossack Fonseca, to stash away billions of dollars in tax havens, Nigerians are eager to know how many of the country’s politicians and business moguls are involved. Those eager to know the enormity of funds stashed abroad by Nigerian leaders in tax havens in the #PanamaPapers may, however, have to wait a while. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which is in possession of the leaked documents, said it will release all the details “early May.” The leaked files exposed the offshore holdings of 140 politicians and public officials from around the world. The cache of 11.5 million records are a product of a year-long investigation by the ICIJ, German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung and over 100 news organisations. Nigeria’s online newspaper, Premium Times, which works closely with ICIJ, has already named the family of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, among those reported to have hidden assets in tax havens. James Ibori, former governor of Delta State, who is currently serving a jail term for corruption in the United Kingdom (UK), was also

named in the #PanamaPapers, according to a report in Newsweek. Newsweek reported that Ibori was linked to four offshore companies, one of which named Stanhope Investments was used to open a Swiss bank account into which funds were channeled for the purchase of a $20 million private jet. Saraki is currently facing trial for allegedly failing to make full disclosure of his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau. Reacting to the speculation by Premium Times, Saraki, however, said the Nigerian law did not require him to declare the assets of his wife’s family. Speaking on the report that he failed to declare at least four assets listed in the #PanamaPapers through his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said he fully complied with the provisions of the law on declaration of assets by public officers. He said the claim that he failed to declare the assets belonging to his wife, Toyin, was not true, since “he has in his different asset declarations included properties owned individually by himself and his wife.” His wife, Toyin, is from the Ojora family in Lagos. There are indications that many notable Nigerians may further be named in the leaked records. Several of such secret ac-

counts holding billions of dollars have been traced to former military ruler, Sani Abacha, who died in 1998. The documents are causing ripples across the world, with prime ministers of Iceland and Pakistan, the president of Ukraine, and the king of Saudi Arabia already named. Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s associates were said to have “secretly shuffled” about $2 billion through banks and shadow companies. But ICIJ said it would release the full list of companies and people linked to them in early May, when Nigerian officials are expected to be exposed as well. The body said the leaked data “covers nearly 40 years, from 1977 through the end of 2015. It allows a never-before-seen view inside the offshore world — providing a day-to-day, decade-by-decade look at how dark money flows through the global financial system, breeding crime and stripping national treasuries of tax revenues.” More than 200,000 offshore entities connected to people in more than 200 countries and territories are named in the leak. ICIJ’s analysis of the Mossack Fonseca files identified 61 family members and associates of prime ministers, presidents or kings in the secret dealings. Mossack Fonseca denied any wrongdoing, maintain-

FG has not returned subsidy —PPPRA Ademola Adegbite - Abuja ACTING Executive Secretary, Petroleum Pricing and Product Regulatory Agency (PPRA), Mrs Sotonye E. Iyoyo, has disclosed that the Federal Government has not returned subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol. Sotonye, in press statement made available to the

Nigerian Tribune, stated that what actually happened was price modulation policy, a system when government reviews pump price. According to Sotonye, “the Federal Government has not reversed its decision to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), moreso when there is no appropriation for subsidy in the 2016 budget. “The PPPRA wishes to

state categorically that what exists is price modulation policy, through which it considers and reviews pump price of PMS quarterly.” Sotonye, on behalf of the agency, “assures Nigerians that the funds from overrecovery in the first quarter (Q1) shall be duly utilised for whatever noticeable imbalance in April 2016, in line with the price modulation principle.”

ing that it only helped in setting up companies and did not determine how they were operated. Other Africans named so far, according to the news magazine, were President Jacob Zuma’s nephew, Khulubuse Zuma, as a representative of Caprikat Limited, one of two offshore companies that acquired oilfields in Democratic Republic of Congo in a 100 million rand ($6.8 million) deal in 2010. Khulubuse’s spokesperson, Vuyo Mkhize, however, said on Monday that “Khulubuse does not, and has never held any offshore bank account” and that the Panama Papers simply suggested he was associated with Caprikat, which was a matter of public record. In Kenya, Kalpana Rawal, the country’s second-highest judge, was linked to as many as 11 offshore companies based in the British Virgin Islands by the leak. The judge was a director or shareholder of four companies while her husband, Hasmukhrai, held the same position in seven other companies, Kenya’s Daily Nation reported. Also in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the twin sibling of Congolese President, Joseph Kabila, Jaynet Désirée Kabila Kyungu, who had been a member of parliament in the vast Central African country since 2012, was linked to Keratsu Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the Pacific island of Niue in June 2001, months before her brother was elected as the president of Democratic Republic of Congo. Kyungu has yet to comment on the allegations. The petroleum minister of Angola, José Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos, was listed as one of two individuals with power of attorney for Medea Investments Limited, which was founded in 2001 in Niue. He is yet to

respond to the leak. Meanwhile, elected leaders and top officials from around the world are responding with denials and outrage to allegations that they used secret offshore companies and accounts to hide billions of dollars. The media reports, based on a massive leak of documents, alleged the existence of a clandestine network, involving associates of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and business ties between a member of FIFA’s ethics committee and men indicted for corruption. The Kremlin dismissed the allegations as “a series of fibs” aimed at discrediting Putin ahead elections, while the FIFA official described them as “ridiculous” and “outrageous.” Some governments are, however, acting on the information. The United Kingdom, France, Australia and Mexico have pledged to investigate for possible cases of tax evasion. The CNN said it had not been able to independently verify the reports and was seeking comment from the most prominent figures mentioned in them. A German newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, obtained the files from an anonymous source and shared them with the ICIJ. Eventually, more than 100 other media organisations became involved, including the BBC, The Guardian, Univision and McClatchy.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Mustapha Ganiat Olayinka now MRS. ADESINA GANIYAH OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aliyu Muhammed now ALIYU USMAN. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

gret that the nation did not have much to show for it. Reacting, PDP rejected Buhari’s assertion that the party failed to save for a raining day, saying that it was the All Progressives Congress (APC) elements that frustrated effort of the past government to save. According to the national publicity secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, APC governors led opposition to the National Economic Council (NEC) to save money during the last dispensation. Noting the role played by APC governors in opposing the National Sovereign Wealth Fund, Metuh said the PDP was proud of its achievement in government. “We tried as much as possible to save money within the context of the law, because PDP was not the only party involved,” he said, adding that the attempt was challenged by APC elements in the NEC. He pointed out that the former ruling party cleared billions of dollars of international debts owed by the country, adding that unlike the present administration, there was no consensus by political parties to give the PDP government the opportunity to carry out its mandate. Speaking during the meeting with President Buhari, Dr Aliyu, the Nigerian-born ICAO president, commended President Buhari for his strides on anti-corruption and urged Nigeria to pay more attention to development of civil aviation. “Civil aviation is a catalyst for economic development. The level of aviation development in any country mirrors the economic development of that country,” Dr Aliyu said. The ICAO president pledged to support the development of the aviation industry in Nigeria, urging the country to improve on training and capacity development, aviation security, aerodromes and air navigation, runways, control towers, terminal buildings, among others.

7 news

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Fuel scarcity: Nigerians must hold Buhari responsible —NLC faction From Olatunde Dodondawa and Adetola Bademosi

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to hold President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for the acute fuel scarcity across the country, resulting in hardship for the Nigerian masses. Speaking through a communique issued at the end of its Central Working Committee (CWC) on Monday, in Lagos, factional president of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said his union frowned at the recurrence fuel scarcity and persistent long queues at filling stations across the country. “The NLC frowns at the reappearance and persistence of long queues at the filling stations across the nation, owing to scarcity of petroleum products recalling that fuel scarcity has returned and yet to disappear in the past months. “The CWC-in-session, while directing the Nigerian public to hold the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for the pains and all inconveniences occasioned by the prevailing fuel scarcity, advises the Buhari-led administration to do all practically possible to reverse the trend and ensure that such does not happen again,” he said. However, the perceived inefficiencies in the power sector by the operators have resulted in the calls by the Ajaero-led NLC to have observed with great concern the huge failure and ineffectiveness of the privatisation policy of the Federal Government. “Before our very eyes,

we have witnessed unprecedented power failure as a result of the steady drop in power generation. Presently, the nation is faced with sharp drop of power generation to 2,000MW and we are yet to see the end of the abysmal drop,” he said. Ajaero, on behalf of his team, instructively advised the Federal Government to remind itself of the huge failure of the privatisation of the power sector in a wider spectrum and stop any further privatisation plan it might have. “The CWC-in-session believes that going ahead with privatisation of other national institutions like Nigerian Railway and Ni-

gerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which the Federal Government plans to unbundle, will certainly portend greater socio-economic danger for the nation. Similarly, CWC-in-session suggests that the Federal Government should commence the process of withdrawing all approved licences availed miners, who have not mobilised to sites to commence business,” he stated. Meanwhile, following the longest fuel scarcity which has remained unresolved for months now, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the Federal Govern-

ment to declare a state of emergency in the oil sector. In a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, president of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson, argued that the solution to the incessant acute fuel scarcity was not reliance on importation of refined petroleum products which had defied such solution, but building of domestic refining capacity to cater for the domestic market. According to him, “issues like pipeline vandalism, Joint Ventures (JV) cash call, corruption, state of the refineries and others should be addressed. “The solution to the

problem on ground is not importation. Today they import 50 cargoes, tomorrow they important more. If they keep importing, the situation will keep coming back. There are serious issues like corruption, vandalism, JV cash call, state of the refineries and others which the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency on,” he said. Johnson said there should be a dialogue on how to remedy the problems. When asked how he felt about the return of subsidy by the Federal Government, he argued that it would not solve the challenges. The Federal Government

THREE non-academic staff of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Akure, Ondo State, have been arrested by men of the Ondo State police command for allegedly using the sanitary pads of the students for rituals. The three suspects (name withheld), who were said to have been in the illicit business for a long time, were alleged to be in the habit of picking used sanitary pads from waste bins. A source within the school explained that the activities of the three kitchen staff were blown open when

Pray for an end to fuel crisis, Adeboye tells Nigerians General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Monday, asked Nigerians at the monthly divine encounter programme, to pray against incessant fuel crisis in the country.

continues pg8

It’s ‘no work, no pay’, if labour embarks on strike, Ajimobi vows By Wale Akinselure OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has shrugged off the strike threat of the Labour movement at the expiration of the seven days ultimatum to pay salary arrears of workers, on Tuesday, vowing that the state government would meet any strike action called with “No work, no pay” rule. Speaking on Monday, in Ibadan, the state capital, Ajimobi avowed that the state government was stuck to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to utilise 90 per cent of federal allocation to pay salaries and would not accede to the Labour movement’s demand that salary payment be complemented with the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Making reference to the MoU, Ajimobi said that Labour, at the outset, acceded to the option of a staggered

salary payment, where government made it clear that salaries would paid once every two months, in view of dwindling Federal Government allocation. He said the Labour movement had rejected government’s option that junior workers receive their salaries regularly while senior workers get theirs occasionally. “Now that crude oil price has dwindled and our allocation has reduced, we decided that we pay the junior workers at first, while we alternate payment for the senior workers, which they declined. We then said that we spread 90 per cent of our allocation, which means that some workers will get salary, others will not get while such persons get the following month, which they acceded to. “We told them to know that this means that for every two months, we will owe one month salary. This

also means that in one year of alternation, we will owe six months’ salaries. We started this arrangement 10 months ago and now, we owe five months. We had told them this would happen before. “We told them at that time that we pay junior workers, which have the larger number, while the senior staff manage, but they refused. Where is the money? Now, what the Labour wants is that not only Federal Government allocation, but also IGR that we use to run government is combined. So, every payment should be spent on salaries and wages; that would not happen.” “So, giving us ultimatum is not the issue. The Labour should follow due process, negotiate with us. But, if anyone goes on strike without following due process, that person will not be paid. I promise you it is ‘no work, no pay’.” Ajimobi chided Labour’s

ultimatum as illegal and not in accordance with due process, noting that the Labour movement should rather come up with ideas on how to develop the IGR. He decried that the state’s IGR continued to be depleted and Federal Government allocation had decreased overtime, making running of the state’s affairs more challenging. “It is when negotiations have broken down that you give notice of intention to strike. It is not old time neighbour government relationship, where without discussion, you give ultimatum. Ultimatum to strike! It is illegal.” “This is a government, where law must be followed and obeyed. It is not culture of impunity, where without discussion, you issue ultimatum. It is wrong and that I don’t think that is modern day labour/government relationship. “We have about 62,000

3 kitchen staff of FGGC in police net over alleged use of students’ sanitary pads for rituals Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure.

had reintroduced subsidy which is put at N5.84 per litre. Petroleum marketers were given over 58 per cent of the second quarter import allocation of petroleum products as against a paltry of 12 per cent allocated to them in the first quarter.

some of the students, who had been on the trail of the women, caught them picking used sanitary pads from a bin and reported to the principal of the school. She said the principal, Mrs Florence Ejike, wasted no time in suspending the affected kitchen staff, while a special investigation team was set up. She, however, said the action of the principal did not go down with the girls, who slated a protest for Friday, but the timely intervention of the chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school, Mr Akin Ashimolowo, prevented them from the protest. Ashimolowo was said to

have assured the girls that the school authority would not sweep the matter under the carpet, but was alleged to have taken no positive step on the matter and the students reported the incident to their parents during last Saturday’s visiting day. One of the parents, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the arrested suspects had confessed to the crime at the police station. She disclosed that one of the suspects was a wife of a prominent politician in the state, saying the case might be swept under the carpet She said she was informed by her child that the women had been perpetrating the act for a very long time and

said “the question we want to ask the police is that, where did they (suspects) keep all the sanitary pads they have been taking all these days? Who sent them and who are they working for?” The state police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said only two of the women were in the police custody and said the command had commenced investigation into the matter. Joseph, who also refused to disclose the names of the suspects, however, said the command had not been able to establish the involvement of the arrested suspects or what they were

using the sanitary pads for as alleged by the students. He appealed to the parents, management and students of the school to remain calm. All efforts to reach the principal of the school, Mrs Ejikeme, was unsuccessful, as she was said to have traveled out of the town, while some staff of the school declined to speak with the Nigerian Tribune. Similarly, the P.T.A chairman of the school, Mr Ashimolowo, also refused to speak on the matter while a call was put through to his telephone, saying “I don’t know you and I cannot speak on that matter on the telephone.”

workers in Oyo State and we have about 10 million citizens of the state. The money we get from the Federal Government plus IGR is to develop the state, create employment, maintain running of government, infrastructural development, not just for civil servants alone.” “The money meant for 7 million cannot be solely spent on about 62,000 workers. We insisted that they get 90 per cent of Federal Government allocation, while we utilise the remaining 10 per cent and the IGR to run the state. We won’t use IGR to complement salary payment as requested by Labour. We are not scared of their strike threat. People must work for the money they get. “We urged Labour to come up with ideas on how to develop the IGR. Also, there are leakages and we have to block these leakages to improve our IGR. And we can use such funds to service not only Labour, but the entire people of the state. “Up till today, instead of having improvement in our IGR, many civil servants have been caught stealing money from the IGR. So, instead of increasing IGR, they are depleting it. Also, Federal Government allocation is decreasing and we suggested that we use the entire allocation to pay workers which labour acceded to but we noted that the entire allocation will still not take care of the entire workforce. “So, it is either we reduce staff, who are too many anyway. But because we don’t want to reduce staff, as we believe government should provide employment for the people, we suggested that we reduce salaries,” he said.

8 news

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Troops kill 15 terrorists, capture 6 in Borno villages Rescue 275 people

ROOPS of 22 Brigade Garrison, Army Headquarters Strike Group (AHQ SG), accompanied by some Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) on fighting patrol to Boboshe, Garna, Kyare, Kadawu, Gineba and Ajiri, arrested six Boko Haram terrorists and recovered Improvised Explosivemaking devices on Sunday. Although the fighting patrol team found Boboshe village virtually empty, it, however, recovered eight industrial gas cylinders and five regular gas cylinders at a primary school being used for making IEDs and also recovered a pick-up vehicle. Army spokesman, Colonel S.K. Usman, said the patrol team captured three Boko Haram terrorists at Kadawu and recovered four motorcycles, three bicycles, one solar panel and two liquid herbicides. At Garna, he said the troops also captured three terrorists and recovered seven locally-made guns from them. In a related development, troops of 152 Task Force Battalion, in conjunction with troops of Sector 1of Multinational Joint Task Force, on Sunday, carried out clearance operation in suspected hideouts of Boko Haram terrorists around Madawaya general area, cleared an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making factory, killed 15 terrorists and captured some weapons. Colonel Usman said the troops cleared terrorists in Madawaya, Jere, Kardile, Koujili, Ngenere

and Maksamari, as well as Douse, Bembem, Zombu-

lum and Taraji villages. In addition, the troops re-

terrorists’ IED-making factory at Bula Umara and killed 15 terrorists in the same area. In addition, the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, four fully loaded magazines with 7.62mm ammunition, two power generating sets, welding machines, assorted batteries and solar panels. He added that other items recovered included drums of beans and other grains, as well as Bandolier. The gallant soldiers also rescued 275 people held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists. One interesting thing was that one of the rescued people gave birth to a boy shortly after their liberation. Both mother and the child are doing fine. The troops have continued with their clearance operations of other suspected hideouts of the Boko Haram terrorists in their areas of operations.

Alleged $10m scam: Ex-Lagos Solicitor-General, Pedro, denies involvement

Clears the air on ICPC alleged investigation Bola Badmus - Lagos FORMER Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), has denied having anything to do with the alleged $10 million professional fee scam, declaring the allegation as false and malicious. Pedro, according to some newspaper publications on Monday, was reported to be facing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), purportedly following a pe-

tition by a renown Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Afe Babalola. In a 10- paragraph statement signed by Pedro, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Monday, Pedro, however, stated that there was no way he could have defrauded Chief Babalola or his firm of $10 million professional fee or any amount for that matter, saying the allegation as not only false, but also malicious. “I wish to state that his petition to the ICPC which

•Calls for restrategising to curb kidnapping, other crimes •Orders transfer of policemen from the command CONCERNED by the general crime situation in Kaduna State, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Zone 7, AIG Ballah Nasarawa, to relocate to Kaduna State, for effective supervision of security situation in the state. The IGP also ordered mass tranfer of policemen, who had served in Kaduna State command for a period of six years, while urging the AIG to evolve new intelligence gathering and crime-fighting techniques and methodologies to suit the local challenges.

They also discovered and destroyed the Boko Haram

Some of the children rescued by the Nigerian troops from Boko Haram terrorists, during a raid of their hideouts in Borno, on Sunday.

Relocate to Kaduna, IGP directs AIG Zone 7

C hris Agbambu - Abuja

covered several vehicles and motorcycles.

He charged the AIG to devise means of halting the incessant kidnappings, as well as other forms of crimes and criminality, especially in Jere, Kagarko Local Government Area of the state. It will be recalled that there had been a number of high-profile abductions in the state in the last two weeks, resulting in the death of two of the victims. Those abducted within the period included an Army Colonel, Samaila Inusa; a director in the Dangote Group, Mansur Ahmed; three clerics, Reverends Emmanuel Dziggau, Yakubu Dzarma, Ilya Anto and one Afolabi Alega. In a related development,

the Inspector-General of Police has equally directed the Commissioners of Police in Kogi State Command and his counterpart in FCT to improve on the surveillance network and high police visibility in their respective commands, especially along Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Kabba-Owo axis, to check the incessant criminal activities in the areas. He assured the citizenry of the commitment of the Nigeria Police to their safety, noting that the police, in cooperation with other security agencies wouldcontinually ensure strategic responses towards eliminating any threat to internal security of the nation.

I have gone to, respond to, was as a result of his misunderstanding of my role in the settlement of the Supreme Court judgment in favour of his clients (the Gbadamosi Eletu family) in suit No. SC/146/05. “On the 13th of March, I was with Chief Afe Babalola in Ado Ekiti, to resolve the misunderstanding and we have been relating since then. We still spoke today and I verily believed him when he informed me that he did not authorise or authenticate the newspaper publications of the 4th of April, 2016. I also have his text message to me to that effect,” Pedro said. Pedro explained that he was only the Solicitor-General of Lagos State when he chaired the settlement meetings of representatives of government (from Lands Bureau, Surveyor General office, Land Registry, Ministry of Physical Planning and Ministry of Justice), the Judgment Creditors (Eletu Family) and Solicitors and third parties who had fully or partly developed the judgment land

with government’s approval and consent to their title. The third parties, he said included NICON, UAC PDC, Beach Resort Nigeria Limited, Lekki Silver Touch Nigeria Limited, among others. “At the end of the several meetings held in the conference room of the Ministry of Justice, I was able to persuade the Eletu family to agree to accept alternative parcel of land in replacement of the 216.7 hectares of land at Osapa, awarded to them in the judgment. “This is in forbearance of execution of the said judgment by Eletu family against the third parties/ occupiers of the land to avoid breach of peace, destruction of properties and injuries to persons which may occur in the event of execution as evidence by the initial attempt at execution and which made the government to intervene in the matter,” Pedro said in the statement. The former SolicitorGeneral said he acted in the best interest of the people in arriving at a resolution

of the matter between the parities concerned, even though the non-execution of the judgment delayed the immediate payment of Chief Babalola’s fee by his clients. He maintained that “I did not abuse his office at any time or in the settlement of the said judgment or any case that arose from it. I also deny hijacking any brief for any law firm or as alleged. “As regards Chief Babalola’s professional fee, it is a matter between him and his clients (the Eletu family) which I am aware is a subject of a pending case, which parties are trying to resolve in suit No. LD/1827LWM/15.” Pedro added that “there is no problem between Chief Babalola and I. I verily believe that the newspaper publication must have been sponsored by some people with intent to injure me in my credit, reputation and profession for reasons best known to them. I leave them to their conscience and wish them well.”

‘Nigerians must hold Buhari responsible’ continued from pg7

He urged them to also pray against recurrence, saying “let it be the last we will ever have in Nigeria.” While preaching to congregation at the National Stadium, in Abuja, where

the programme was held, Adeboye also prayed against scarcity in every sphere of their lives. “Father, let the fuel crisis be over and let it be the last we will ever have in Nigeria. “Put an end to the fuel crisis once and for all; let it be

over once and for all. Never again should it occur. Put an end to scarcity and let it never recurr,” he said He, however, commended the vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, for their commitment towards the programme.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

UNILAG suicide: We attempted to raise member from

the dead — Detained students

Naza Okoli

he four University of Lagos (UNILAG) students, who were arrested at Ifo for attempting to resurrect their late schoolmate will on Tuesday (today) report again at the State Criminal Investigation Division at Panti, Yaba, for further questioning. According to the leader of the four, and President of the church fellowship in UNILAG, Mr Raphael AweObe, who spoke with Lagos Metro at the weekend, the police is yet to inform them what the charges against them were. Awe-Obe further stated that contrary to earlier claims attributed to him in the media, he and the other three officials from the Fellowship had actually gone to Ogun State with the sole purpose of waking Jacobs up from the dead. He, however, said they never attempted to exhume the body. “His (Jacobs’) uncle told us to come to Adenrele Primary School, Ifo,” Awe-Obe said, adding that, “when they told us to come there, our hopes were up, because we believed it was for a prayer session. On our way to Ifo, we decided that when it was our turn to pray, we must pray that Jacobs should rise from the dead. “As Christians, we believe that when people die, they sleep. We just felt that after

all the prophets would have prayed, when it was our turn, we could actually wake him from the dead. There are examples in the Bible. Lazarus died for four days, and he was raised from the dead.

“But when we got there, we realised that he had already been buried. We met the aunt (Jacobs’). We told her we wanted to pray for him. We told her the truth: that we believed if we could pray on the body that he

•Police to quiz them further

would wake up. She told us it was not possible since he had already been buried, and that bricklayers were already working. We asked her if we could still pray, and she said we could, but that we should do it away

from the grave and that’s exactly what we did.” The students, who were transferred to the Lagos Police Command after three days in custody, in Ogun State, were released on bail, Thursday night.

“They just asked us to return on Tuesday (today) at 10:a.m.,” Awe-Obe said. “We have not been charged for anything. We don’t know what they want to charge us with.”

Bus conductor nabbed over stolen mobile phones Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

A truck carrying a container, which fell into a drainage at toll gate, opposite Motorways building, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, on Monday. PHOTO: Chima Nwokoji

Fleeing robbers kill man in road accident Olalekan Olabulo Some robbers, who were trying to escape arrest by the police, on Sunday, killed a man in a car accident, at Pako area of Isolo. Lagos Metro gathered

that the gang of four robbers were driving in a Honda saloon car with the Reg No EPE 707 CM, when they sighted the policemen. The armed robbers reportedly attempted to escape from the police and therefore

Construction work and trading activities going on at Ojota Street Market, at Ojota Bus stop as the ongoing drainage construction could not stop the traders from trading. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

started driving dangerously to scare the policemen away from the road. The robbers faced an oncoming Volkswagen car with the Reg No XN 535 LSD and crashed into the vehicle in the process. One of the occupants of the Volkswagen car, simply identified as Anslem died on the spot, while other occupants of the vehicle sustained injury. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the incident to Lagos Metro and added that three other occupants of the vehicle were injured. Badmos stated that, “the accident happened, when the robbers made bid to escape from the policemen.” She also stated that a locally-made pistol, one unexpended cartridge, two Nokia phones and a wristwatch were recovered from the two robbers when ar-

rested. Badmos added that the police are on the trail of the fleeing armed robbers and added that the injured occupants of the vehicle have been rushed to Isolo General Hospital.

A commercial bus conductor, Seun Adeoye, has landed in trouble over the alleged theft of two handsets worth N57, 000. Adeoye, 32, allegedly committed the offence on March 21, at 6:15 a.m, under the bridge on Marina Way, Lagos Island. He was accused, with others still at large, of stealing one Nokia phone worth N35, 000 and another phone worth N22, 000, properties of one Oweikan Loko and one Bello Sunday. He is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, brought against him by the police before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court. He however pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him. The Magistrate, Mrs F. M. Dalley, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum andadjourned the case till April 18 for mention.

Lawyer arrested, charged over alleged fraud Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A lawyer has been charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for allegedly obtaining the sum of N10 million under false pretence. Francis Azuh, 52, committed the alleged offences sometimes between the month of August 2014 and January 2015 at Union Bank in Marina. Azuh was accused of fraudulently obtaining the sum of N10 million, from one Ken Egbunike under false pretence of helping him to process and secure a title

document at the Lagos State ministry of Land. The Police further alleged that Azuh stole the said sum from the complainant. The lawyer who is facing a two count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretence and stealing preferred against him by the police, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Ajayi granted him bail of N500,000 with two sureties who must be gainfully employed, and have their addresses verified by the Court and adjourned the case till April 28, for mention.

news Don’t compare us with Boko Haram, Shiite insists 10

Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

HE Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the Shiite, has insisted that those propagating that the sect is another Boko Haram in the making or are collaborating with the terrorist group should drop the ideas, as their weapon is good reasoning and truth. This was contained in a statement issued to the Nigerian Tribune in Kaduna, on Monday and signed by the spokesman of the sect, Ibrahim Musa. The statement further added that “we distance the IMN from any attempt to associate it with violence and other militant activities. Sheikh Ibraheem ElZakzaky, our revered leader, has said it many times without number that: “Our weapon is positive reasoning, truth and good conduct. Guns are for the reckless and foolhardy ones. We have been conducting our affairs peacefully, calling people to the truth in the last 36 years. “So you cannot come overnight and attribute violence to us that we now resort to killing people. This is impossible. We save lives not kill them. “This is the teaching of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky for the past almost four decades and we will not derail from that in the face of many provocations as wished by the Nigerian government and its security agents. “We hereby state categorically that there are no connections or any links whatsoever between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and Boko Haram. “IMN in the first place is not the creation of any foreign security agencies, which is common with all the various terrorist groups globally. It was borne out of the desire of Muslims to live according to the teachings of Islam. “IMN has been around at least in Nigeria for almost four decades now, with its various educational programmes now commonly known in many Nigerian villages, towns and cities and with all its activities peacefully and transparently conducted. “Hence, there is no basis for any comparison with the Boko Haram that is a terrorist organisation and a creation of global imperialism with the intention of tarnishing the image of Islam. “Moreover, it is the same so called Boko Haram that bombed our brothers and sisters during an Ashura procession in Potiskum, Yobe State in 2014 and also sent suicide bombers to the

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Arba’een trek along Kano – Zaria highway killing many innocent people, including women and children. “It beats any sane imagination that IMN will now turn to the same group in what the intelligence agents

term ‘strategic alliance.’ “The IMN will like to reiterate its stance once again; we reject any violence or militant attack on anybody or any place in our name. We are not and will never become, act or relate with

any terrorist group. ‘We make bold this statement because the history of security agencies the world over is known for false flag operations, Nigeria inclusive; where a violent attack will be carried out some-

where and innocent people will be accused of the crime. Islam is a religion of peace and is not associated with violence; therefore it is illogical to associate killings and violence to true followers of Islam.

Nigerian Tribune

SON seals off yoghurt, water factory in Kaduna THE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Monday, in Kaduna, sealed the TOSCO Standard Yoghurt factory over alleged unhygienic environment and non provision of some facilities. SON said the factory lacked ultra violet treatment for water and yoghurt. The state Coordinator of SON, Alhaji Abba Bauchi, led the routine inspection of the factory. According to him, the firm’s environment is unhygienic and not good, adding that the wrong must be corrected.

Funeral

Members of 2,000 youth Immigration recruits protesting at the immigration headquarters, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

Sacked 2,000 immigration recruits protest, demand reinstatement Flay FG over secret recruitment of fresh 2,000 officers Clement Idoko - Abuja

THE 2,000 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officers recruited at the twilight of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, on Monday, protested their sack during a training programme by the Federal Government. The affected young recruits stormed the Ministry of Interior at about 9a.m. on Monday, carrying placards of various inscriptions, demanding their immediate reinstatement and payment of their emoluments. Following the botched immigration recruitment exercise in 2013, former President Jonathan gave a Presidential order for a fresh recruitment and constituted a Presidential Committee headed by the chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Deaconess Joan Ayo, to conduct the recruitment exercise in February 2015. A total of 2,000 applicants, who emerged successful from the exercise, out of the over one million candidates that applied for the jobs, were issued with employment letters after thorough certificate verifications and sent to the various Commands of Service in the 36 states of the federation and FCT for induction. But the leader of the re-

cruits, Mr Solomon Ojigbe, told newsmen during the protest that to their bewilderment, a memo was received from the Immigration Service headquarters on Friday, August 20, 2015, directing that the recruits be “dispersed forthwith.” He disclosed that the induction exercise, which lasted three months, involved mainly intense military drills, physical exercise, and aggressive courses on immigration duties, police du-

ties, border patrol, arms and weapon handling, amongst other courses relevant to the NIS. He said: “The 2,000 candidates that made the final shortlist reported at the various training institutions on Monday, May 25, 2015 and stayed for more than one week during which they were all documented and issued service numbers (the unique identity for all immigration personnel) after a thorough verification of credentials by a team from

the fraud investigation unit of the service. “It is important to note that during the period of induction, these recruits were made to buy service shoes, uniforms, and other accoutrements without any allowance or salary. Identity cards were issued some commands too. “Some went as far as borrowing or selling valuables to fund these with a firm view that salaries and emoluments should be in, in a short while.”

Nigeria may be forced to devalue its currency —Adewusi By Tunde Ogunesan

A former commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State, Dr Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, has stated that Nigeria’s mono cultural economic status may naturally force the economy into devaluation despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to devalue its currency. Adewusi, an economic, corporate strategic and Business Development expert, stated this while fielding questions from some journalists in Ibadan, at the weekend. The immediate former chairman of Wemabod Estates Plc said both classes of

Nigerians canvassing for and against devaluation of the currency were both right and wrong because the concept of devaluation on either side was not favourable to the country. He revealed that Nigeria found itself in this sorry state because of the mismanagement of the past, “coupled with the problem of external shock arising from the declining crude oil prices internationally.” According to him, “Devaluation theoretically is meant to promote export and discourage import. That is the simple meaning. It will make your export competitive, because your export becomes

cheaper, if you are exporting in volumes that you like, and if you do that, it is believed that you will earn more income and you can now turn around your economy. “Unfortunately, Nigeria exports only crude oil which accounts for over 80 per cent of our revenue. And we cannot determine the quantity that we export because there is a body called OPEC. We already have a ceiling as to how much we can export, so it means that even if we devalue, we cannot take advantage of devaluation because it cannot do anything to attract our export to other countries beyond what we currently export.”

MRS Anthonia Oluyemisi Afolabi, a retired staff of Nigerian Railway Corporation, is dead. Mrs Afolabi, 66, died on Saturday, March 26, 2016 during a brief illness. She is survived by Adedayo Fawehinmi, Olayinka Afolabi and Oluwaseyi Adedamola. The Wake Keep comes up on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at St Leo’s Catholic Church, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos between 5p.m. and 6p.m. Lying-in-state is on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 14, Eleruwa Street, WEMABOD Estate, Off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos State between 7a.m. and 8a.m. while the funeral mass comes up same day (Friday, April 15) at St Leo’s Catholic Church at 10.00a.m.; followed by Interment at Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos.

Mrs Anthonia Oluyemisi Afolabi

Fidau THE eighth day fidau for the late Engineer Bolaji A. Olatinwo comes up today, Tuesday, April 5, 2016, according to Islamic rites, at Muslim Hospital field, Mosfala, Odinjo, Ibadan, at 12 noon. Mr Olatinwo, who died on Monday, March 28 and buried on Tuesday, March 29, is survived by wife, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Engr. Bolaji A. Olatinwo

businessnews

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigeria loses $1.5bn annually to monopoly in oil logistics services OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

IGERIA may be losing $1.5billion annually to monopoly in the oil and gas logistics sector of the economy. The Chairman of Nigerdock Plc, Anwar Jarmakani, stated this during the official visit of the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) to the Snake Island Integrated

Free Zone (SIIFZ) on Monday. He argued that monopoly adds an extra cost of $3-$5 per barrel of oil produced in Nigeria, translating to over $1.5 billion per annum. Speaking during the visit, Jarmakani said the dominant monopoly in the Nigerian oil and gas logistics and supply services which has existed for over

20 years, has sabotaged the national economy, conspired and worked against any potential competitors. “This monopoly has consistently and aggressively used different government institutions to compromise, maintain and entrench its monopoly position to impunity,” he said. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for

kicking against such policy. “Regrettably, attempts have been made in times past to also use the customs. We, therefore, appreciate the fact that the present administration is aggressively doing away with such impunity,” he said. Commending the efforts of the Nigerdock Plc in providing logistics and contributing to the economy, Comptroller-General

of the Nigerian Customs Service, Colonel Ali, said the Buhari administration is ready to work with the company in the area of provision of more jobs for the Nigerian youths. “I appreciate what is being done here and I commend the investors. We will make sure more youths are employed and the workers compensated for their hard work,” he said.

Guinea Insurance restructures, appoints new directors ChukwumaOkparaocha-Lagos

FRONTLINE insurance company, Guinea Insurance Plc, has restructured its management team with the retirement of its chairman and four directors and appointment of their replacements. The retired directors, according to information made available by company’s Team Lead, Corporate Communications, Ufot Hanson, had served over nine years on the board of the company. “The company has positioned itself to go with the current tide of structural and operational changes in the insurance industry and has therefore, moved to ensure sound business practice and effective compliance with all statutory requirements and the code of good corporate governance as stipulated in section 5.04 (vii) of the 2009 Corporate Governance Code of NAICOM,” Hanson said in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune.

From left; Head, Large Corporates, Skye Bank Plc, Abuja, Mr Mike Ozigi; Area Manager, North Central, Mr Ishaka Abdulsalam; Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Directorate, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Idris Yakubu; and Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, during the presentation of the report of the biometric and verification exercise undertaken by the bank for the state government in Lafia, Nasarawa State, recently .

NSE: GTB, FCMB, Fidelity move turnover by 46.07% KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

THE Nigerian equities market closed on a negative note on Monday, as the benchmark index, All Share Index depreciated by 0.62 per cent to close

at 25, 349.07 basis points, compared with the 0.79 per cent appreciation recorded on Friday, leaving its Year-to-Date returns standing at -11.50 per cent. Also market capitalisation decreased to N8.72 trillion as against N8.77

trillion recorded at the close of trading on Friday. Market breadth closed negative as United Capital Plc led 15 gainers against 25 losers topped by Ashake Cement Plc at the end of trading at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), an

Fuel scarcity: Oil cabal out to frustrate Kachikwu, group alleges EbenezerAdurokiya-Lagos

AN oil monitoring group, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC), has fingered an oil cabal as out to frustrate efforts by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu to end the current fuel crisis in the country. This is just as the group has appealed to Nigerians to rally behind the minister as evolves a lasting resolution to the fuel crisis next week. The group made the allegation and appeal in a statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Stanley Mukoro and made available to Nigerian Tribune on Sunday in Warri, Delta State. The oil-monitoring group hailed the minister

for wading into the crises rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) as well as recently apologising to Nigerians during a meeting with Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream on the lingering fuel scarcity in the country. It described as sabotage the activities of the oil cabal channeled against the reforms being carried out in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by Dr Kachikwu, adding that Nigerians should rise against the cabal. “It is very clear to all now that the oil cabals are out to frustrate the petroleum minister, but they will not succeed,” the group said. “As patriotic Nigerians, we should all work against the Oil Cabals who are

making things very difficult for our people. We should all partner with the Petroleum Resources Minister, Dr Kachikwu to end the lingering fuel scarcity. “There some people out

there who are deriving joy from the fuel crisis in order to give the minister a bad name; we should shame such people and give the required backing to the hard-working minister.

unimproved performance when compared with Friday’s result. Market turnover closes positive as volume moved up by 14.83 per cent against 19.97 per cent decline recorded in the previous session. FCMB Group Plc, Fidellity Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc were the most active to boost market turnover as they staked 101.6 million volume of shares representing 46.07 per cent of turnover. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc top market value list.

ICCI set to diversify into agric THE Ibadan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ICCI), has assured of its readiness to key into the Federal Government policy of diversifying the economy through agriculture. The new President of the chamber, Princess Margaret Amusan-Ogunnaike, gave this commitment in her acceptance speech, at her investiture, held at the Commerce House, Ibadan. She said with the fall in the money accruing from oil affecting not only individuals and organisations, but also

the country, the chamber cannot, but be partner in progress with the Federal Government by making agriculture a priority. Towards achieving this, she said the chamber will encourage its members to engage with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) through the Agricultural Trade Group. “The downturn of economy globally, especially with the dwindling fortune of oil revenue that has adversely affected not only the fortune of individuals/enterprises, but also our nation, had ne-

cessitated the Federal Government to pursue the policy of boosting agricultural products nationwide. “We, on our part at this chamber, shall waste no time in maximising our efforts in ensuring that we benefit optimally in this regard. Our members will be encouraged to link up with IITA here in Ibadan, and tap from their wealth of experience and research among other initiatives. We have a vibrant Agricultural Trade Group under the chairmanship of Chief Ogunnaike,” she said.

Nigerian Tribune

35 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos THIRTY FIVE ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos from April 4 to April 26. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its publication - `Shipping Position’, - a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos. NPA explained that the expected ships contained buck wheat, empty containers, bulk salt, bulk sugar, frozen fish, general cargoes, ethanol, containers, crude palm olein, steel products, diesel and petrol. The document noted that four ships had arrived the ports, waiting to berth with petrol and aviation fuel. NAN reports that 15 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, wheat, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), containers, bulk coal and petrol.

‘Upgrade of airports will create employment opportunities’ THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday said that the upgrade of airport terminals in the country would create employment opportunities for Nigerians on completion. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Yakubu Datti, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FAAN is currently embarking on various projects at the 22 Federal Government-owned airports toward upgrading them to international standards. The statement quoted Mr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director of FAAN, as saying that the agency had put in place necessary commercial offerings which had resulted in renewed interest of investors in the sector. ``The ongoing projects are aimed at making the airports more user- friendly and offer passengers a whole new travel experience,’’ Dunoma was quoted as saying at the Second Airport Business Summit in Abuja. It stated that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 20-year passenger growth forecast projects that passenger numbers are expected to reach 7.3 billion by 2034.

businessnews

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Access Bank seeks shareholders’ approval to raise N100bn •As N22.4bn loan to Oando worries Fidelity Bank Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

CCESS Bank Plc plans to seek shareholders approval this month to raise up to N100 billion ($505 million) in debt capital either through a public offering or a private placement, the bank said on

Stanbic IBTC harps on early financial literacy among youths

Monday. The shareholder meeting on the proposed debt sale has been fixed for April 27. Access Bank raised N41.7 billion last year through a rights issue to fund expansion of its branch network and lending. The amount raised was less than the N52.6 billion targeted, with analysts citing difficult market conditions as reason for the shortfall. Similarly, Fidelity Bank Plc, on Monday, expressed concern over the loan it

granted Nigeria’s foremost energy firm Oando Plc, saying that it had put the N22.4 billion ($113 million) facility to Lagos-listed company on a watchlist and taken a special provision of five per cent. The mid-tier commercial lender said on an analysts’ call that the Oando loan accounted for 3.7 per cent of its total loan book and 15.2 percent of its energy loan book. Reuters quoted Chief Executive of the Fidelity

Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo as having said that the lender missed its loan growth target for 2015, which it had originally put at 10 percent. The bank said loans grew 6.7 per cent last year. The lender’s cost of risk remained within its guidance of 1.0 percent despite a 6.7 per cent growth in the loan book and weaker macro-economic indices in the 2015 financial year. Its non performing loan ratio remained constant at 4.4 percent while regula-

tory ratios remained well above the set thresholds. However, the bank said its capital adequacy ratio at 19 per cent gives it ample leverage to take advantage of emerging business opportunities. In 2016, the bank says it will focus on redesigning its systems and processes to enhance service delivery, disclosing plans to embark on cost optimisation initiatives aimed at reducing expenses by five percent.

Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

STANBIC IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has said that financial literacy education should be a continuous learning exercise among students and the younger generation in order to enhance the retention rate and application. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni, represented by the Head, Public Sector Group, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yusufu Modibbo, emphasized that having a solid foundation in financial knowledge prepares students and young adults for financial independence. Making a presentation at Government Girls Secondary School, Maimuna Gwarzo, Tudun Wada, Kaduna State, as part of activities to mark the 2016 Financial Literacy Day, Mr.Sanni said financial literacy has gone beyond opening and maintaining a savings account at a local bank. The growing sophistication of society and the attendant need for customized products, services, and solutions means that customers must be sufficiently informed to enable them make appropriate choices and manage their personal finances successfully, he said.

From right: Executive Director, Shared Services & Products, Fidelity Bank Plc., Chijioke Ugochukwu; presenting a gift pack to Executive Director, Capital Market, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar N. Onyema; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc., Nnamdi Okonkwo, during a visit by the leadership of the NSE to the company’s corporate head office, on Monday.

Union Bank records achievements in 2015 ONE of Nigeria’s financial institutions, the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc., made a net interest income up to six per cent to N53.8 billion in the year 2015, as against what was recorded in 2014, which was N50.6 billion. The bank also recorded a customer deposits up 12 per cent to N569.1 billion in 2015, as against the N507.4 billion recorded in

December 2014, reflecting increased customer confidence in the bank. Commenting on the results, the Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa, said “2015 was a challenging year across board, with significant operational and economic headwinds. Notwithstanding the difficult operating environment, Union Bank maintained its focus on business and

Nigerian, London exchanges to host capital market conference KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

IN line with its commitment to provide quoted companies global visibility and access to deep capital pools, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) will host its 2nd NSE/LSEG Dual Listings Conference on April 12 in Lagos. The conference, themed ‘Leveraging Cross-Border Capital Markets for Sustainable Growth’, is primarily targeted at companies keen to explore a London/Lagos dual listing. Other attendees will include corporate finance experts, lawyers, capital market operators,

and regulators who are key stakeholders in the capital market. The conference is in furtherance to the agreement signed in November 2014 between the NSE and LSEG to strengthen cooperation and jointly promote mutual development between the two exchanges, with the being held on June 22, 2015 in London. The Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, said “The Exchange is committed to growing the capital market and believes that its development is fundamental to the sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy.

Financial markets today have to be global in nature, as the demand for- and supply of- capital has no boundaries.

transformation initiatives, which yielded desired results. Our gross earnings, excluding one-time gain on sale of subsidiaries, are up by 11 per cent, compared to 2014. “With the launch of a reenergised brand identity and a retail model focused on customer needs, we increased our customer deposits by12 per cent yearon-year. Our simpler and smarter banking solutions have enabled us make strides in customer service delivery, which has reflected in independent industry surveys. We continue to strengthen our e-banking platforms as we acquire

new customers and migrate existing ones to these platforms, realising increased gains in revenues and reducing service costs. “Looking ahead, with the operating environment expected to remain challenging, Union Bank remains focused on delivering quality financial services to our customers and value to all stakeholders.” ‘“We believe we are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in emerging sectors of the economy as well as deepen our stronghold in key geographies around the country,” he said.

KPMG predicts tougher risk environment for businesses in 2016 OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

A leading global consulting firm, KPMG, has predicted a tougher risk environment for businesses in Nigeria having identified top 10 business risks facing companies in 2016. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the sideline of the launch of its report on the ‘Top 10 Business Risks

for 2016’, Tomi Adepoju, Partner, Risk Consukting Services, KPMG, stated that “executive management today face an unprecedented number of new and emerging risks that can threaten corporate strategy if they are not proactively identified and properly managed. “They will need to keep a close watch on these risks

this year. It is imperative for each organisation to carefully evaluate and put an effective enterprise-wide risk management structure and process in place. If you have begun the risk management journey, it is essential to determine which aspects of your risk management process requires enhancements and take active steps in addressing them.”

Nigerian Tribune

‘Nigeria will be among 20 top world’s industrialised nations by 2020’ Ademola Adegbite-Lafia

THE Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, Innocent Chukwuma, on Monday, said the company was determined to make Nigeria one of the 20 top world’s industrialised nations by 2020. Chukwuma also announced that the company used 60 percent local content for all its brands. He made this known during the visit of the management team of the company to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in his office in Abuja. The chairman said Innoson, being the first indigenous motor manufacturing company in Nigeria, was set to reduce drastically, the prices of vehicles and cut down the country’s dependence on imported vehicles. According to him, “we are proud to inform the minister that we use 60 percent of local content for all our brands which include City Shuttle buses, Intercity Shuttle buses like 14, 18, 21, 23, 33 seater buses, Double Cabin pickup vans 4WD, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and IVM Sedan cars, (IVM) Fox and Umu. Special purpose vehicles like waste compactor truck, street sweeper truck and swing arm waste disposal truck. “Our major request is to help us accessing foreign exchange to enable us keep and maintain our over 7, 200 employees. We wish to also request for a government policy to ensure that homemade goods are protected and patronized by all levels of governments and agencies,” he pleaded.

Naira stable at N321 to dollar at parallel market THE Naira on Monday continued to exchange at N321 to the Dollar at the parallel market. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nation’s currency has maintained this value since April 1. The Naira, however, slide against the Pound Sterling and Euro as it traded for N445 and 355 respectively, from N457 and N357 it traded last week. Meanwhile, the Naira also sold for N197 to the Dollar at the official interbank rate. Traders at the foreign exchange market said that activities at the market had yet to rebound after the weekend break.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture

Why Buhari should fine tune, sustain the GES scheme COLLINS NNABUIFE assessed the progress made by the previous administration in curbing the corruption in the agricultural sector through the introduction of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme.

GRICULTURE is the second most important sector after the petroleum sector in Nigerian economy with respect to foreign exchange earnings. Currently, the contribution from to the GDP is estimated at about 21 per cent. The sector provides the bulk of food consumption in Nigeria with about 60 per cent especially in the rural areas, and employs about 70 per cent of the work force. With the introduction of the Growth Enhance Support (GES), the Nigerian agriculture sector wore a new look from what it used to be in the past years. The GES is a government initiative which enables farmers have direct access to subsidised fertilisers and free seeds through the E-wallet system. The E-wallet is a system where farmers get alerts on their mobile phones on the where and when to collect their subsidised fertilisers and free seeds. Prior to the reform in the agricultural subsidy administration and delivery system, otherwise known as the GES in 2011, fertilisers subsidy policy went through three distinguishable regimes, the period of wholesale public sector involvement in production, procurement and distribution from 1976-1996. The period of government withdrawal from production and marketing activities from 1996-2000 and the period of partial privatisation and commercialisation From 1999-2011. In the period preceeding the introduction of the GES, subsidy was administered directly by the Federal and state governments. Under the direct subsidy scheme, the

Federal Government purchases fertilisers through public tenders and deliver the fertilisers to state government for onward distribution to smallholder farmers. The federal and respective state governments pay 50 per cent of the the fertilisers price while farmers pay the remaining 50 per cent. Government procurement and distribution of fertilisers was characterised by corruption, rent-seeking practices as a result of this, only a small proportion of smallholder farmers got fertilisers at the subsidised price. After the introduction of the GES in 2011, the distribution of fertilisers was solely the work of agro-dealers. The government compiled the list of registered farmers which as at the last count this year was 14 million. This registered farmers gets alerts on their mobile phones to go and pick subsidised fertilisers and free seeds from the Agro-dealers close to them. This method eliminated government’s direct involvement in the distribution of these

farm inputs which in turn reduced the corruption in fertiliser distribution. If the Buhari led administration is very serious on fighting corruption, the Growth Enhancement Support scheme is a welcome approach in fighting corruption in the agricultural sector. Going back to the old ways of doing things will drag the agricultural sector backwards. What the present administration needs to do is the fine tune the GES scheme and work on its shortcomings. The old ways of agriculture is what made Nigeria a net importer of some basic food items which can be produced locally if the farmers were empowered. It’s sad to know that Nigeria spends over N365 billion on rice importation per annum which means that the Nigerian spends one billion everyday on rice importation. The total demand for milled rice in Nigeria is approximately 5.4 million MT per annum, of which approximately 3.3 million MT is produced locally and 2.1 million MT is imported.

On oil palm, the government should seek ways to regain the lost glory of Nigeria in oil palm production through the bridging of gap in national vegetable oil production estimated at 350,000 MT per annum.

The present administration should aim at producing and processing at least 2.1 million MT million rice locally which is currently being imported, thereby achieving national self-sufficiency in rice production. Also, Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world, with a total of 55 million MT of fresh cassava roots in 2014. Despite its comparative advantage in cassava production, Nigeria is not one of the major players in the global value added trade of cassava based products. Nigeria is the largest importer of wheat grains, starch, sweeteners that can be partially substituted for cassava Based products. Nigeria spends over N635 billion annually importing wheatwheat which can be substituted with cassava flour. Wheat flour can be partially substituted with High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) which Nigeria can produce in abundance. The Buhari led administration should promote investment in alternative renewable energy using cassava by-product as inputs. The government should also expand cassava production and make Nigerian cassava competitive internationally. Cocoa is Nigeria’s single largest nonviolent foreign exchange earnings commodity, contributing about 35 per cent to agricultural GDP and employs over 22 million people in the agricultural sector. The global market demand is in the increase for cocoa bean due to growing consumption in emerging countries. In addition, there is an increasing local demand for cocoa products due to health and nutritional benefits. The government need to seek ways of doubling the production of cocoa and increase employment opportunities in the subsector. The new administration needs to also expand the cocoa GES to cover all the 16 cocoa producing states and at least a target of 100,000 beneficiaries annually through strong mobilisation and registration of cocoa farmers. On oil palm, the government should seek ways to regain the lost glory of Nigeria in oil palm production through the bridging of gap in national vegetable oil production estimated at 350,000 MT per annum. The government should also facilitate the distribution of at least 9 million improved tenera nuts, which is a high oil yield and early maturing variety. To achieve all these, it is pertinent for the government to work on the existing Growth Enhancement Support scheme which has driven the the Nigerian agricultural sector this far. It is obvious that the farmers are thriving well in the GES due to the business approach the sector is taking unlike the old developmental approach. Agribusiness which is a component of GES has recently attracted $5.6 billion local and foreign investment which local investment have an edge over the foreign investment. One of the campaign promises of President Muhammadu Buhari was to provide jobs, if this promise is to be kept, agriculture if taken very serious will contribute over 80 per sent of jobs this administration will offer. The GES will be the driving force force in this present administration’s Change Agenda. It will be very important if the Federal, state and local government key into this scheme and regain the nations glory in food production.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria to regain its place as world largest producer of cocoa Collins Nnabuife - Abuja THE Federal Government has said that plans are on the way for Nigeria to beat Ghana and Ivory Coast and become the largest cocoa producing country in the world. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, stated that the ministry has already developed new cocoa breeds capable of beating the two nations. The minister, who said oil and gas cannot create 1 million jobs for unemployed Nigerians, disclosed that the agriculture sector could engage about 20 million people, across the entire agricultural value chain. He wondered why the country still lacks behind the two African nations, despite enormous potentials to grow the economy crop in 23 states across the nation. “Nigeria needs to surpass Ghana and Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast is targeting 2 million tons now. Ghanah is a bit lower than a million, we are battling at 250, 000 tons and Cocoa can grow in at least 23 states. What happened to us? Oil and Gas,” Ogbe said. The minister, however, instructed the Ag. Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Dr Feyisara Okelana to prepare intensive implementation plan to ensure government achieve the new target. “Nigeria needs CRIN badly,” adding that the research

Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture

FG to launch N59.7bn youth in agriculture scheme in September DR Nteranya Sanginga, Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), on Sunday said the Federal Government would launch N59.7 billion Youth-In-Agriculture Scheme in September. Sanginga, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, said the scheme would be sponsored by the federal government and African Development Bank (AFDB). The director-general said IITA would train those enrolled in the scheme, adding that beneficiaries would be trained on how to

make agriculture a business with good networking. “The programme tagged “Enable Youth Empowerment Agribusiness programme, will engage youths in agribusiness for 18 months to enable them learn how to make agric business plan. “Each will be given between $25,000 and $300,000 as loan to start a business. “The programme started by IITA in 2012, was taken over by the federal government and AFDB to create employment in agric sector.

“To support this objective, the programme will be extended to 36 states and Abuja in September. “After the programme, we expect the youths to become chief executive officers of factories, companies and creators of jobs rather than job seekers,” he said. Sanginga urged the youths to develop positive mindset in agriculture and take good advantage of the programme. “They should be serious with the training because at the end of it only those who did well will be rewarded,” he said.

institute should design a roadmap to restore coffee plantation. “There is no future in imports. We will find money to support you. When you produce, package it like every other package.” According to him, global market for coffee trade is about $70 billion while $5 billion of the market share could go to the local farmers as profit. On 572 staffs of the institute that were denied of their salaries and 91 sacked by the institute human resource department, the Minister directed the ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Mrs Bunmi Shobowale to rectify the payment issues as well as work with CRIN to reabsorb the staffs.

Ogbeh task NFTC on the passage of fertiliser bill Collins Nnabuife - Abuja IN line with the present administration’s determination to create wealth and employment, ensure food security and sustain livelihood in the country, the Federal Government has formally inaugurated the National Fertilizer Technical Committee (NFTC). The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh who inaugurated the 11-member-committee in Abuja yesterday said the committee members which include scientists were drawn from some Agricultural Research Institutes, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Fertilizer Industries and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development. Chief Ogbeh explained that the resuscitation of the National Fertilizer Technical

Committee (NFTC) which was set up in 1985 with the mandate to advise the government on technical and related matters had been afloat with irregular meetings which was last held in 2007. The Minister said government was poised to ensure availability of good quality fertilizer products that conform to the provisions of existing legal and regulatory framework, noting that, some unscrupulous people in the fertilizer sub-sector have been ripping off farmers the benefits accruable to them for their investments. He stressed that the ministry is committed to implementing a regulatory system that would regularly capture and report the activities of quality control in fertilizer subsector, with an assurance to cub all negative activities such as outright adulteration, underweight of bags, mis-

branding and packaging of non-fertilizer products as fertilizer among others ,that are not in the interest of Nigerian farmers. The Minister tasked members of the committee to work assiduously in ensuring that the draft Fertilizer bill at the National Assembly is passed into law. Chief Ogbeh urged them to allow their wealth of experience to bear in serving the country and the ministry in particular. The committee which has Prof. Victor Okechukwu Chude of the National Programme for Food Security as the Chairman and the Director, Farm Input Support Services Department of the ministry as the Secretary is mandated to give advice on the following areas which include: Specifications for various forms of fertilizer; Procedures and laboratories for sampling and analysis of fertilizers; Packaging

standards, labeling, handling and storage; Market infrastructure and facilitation including appropriate dealer and retailer networks; Survey of fertilizer products currently in the Nigerian market; fertilizer quality control issues and consideration ; Correlation of soil nutrients maps developed by the Ministry and way forward on research for alternative sources of fertilizer raw materials among others. In his response on behalf of other members of the committee, the Chairman, Prof. Victor Okechukwu Chude of the National Programme for Food Security, thanked the Minister for the confidence and trust reposed in them and described the composition of the committee as well selected. He promised that his committee would commit all resources at their disposal to deliver on the mandates given to them.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

editor

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

Tackling kidnapping in South West

IDNAPPING is now thriving in the South Western part of the country; before now, it used to be a South East and South South problem. The kidnap of three female secondary school students in Lagos State recently shows the problem we have on our hands. We, therefore, need to work very well so as to bring an end to this evil act before it degenerates further. I want to suggest that kidnap suspects are sentenced to death once they are caught. Houses of Assembly in the South West should enact laws which will make kidnapping punishable by the death sentence alone. Again, when this happens, governors should quickly append to the death sentences so that convicts won’t spend needless years in detention while awaiting the hangman.

In our prisons today, we have many death-row inmates spending over 30 years before anything happens to them; we should not encourage this. As soon as an inmate reaches the limit of his judicial rights, then the sentence should be carried out. This will also help decongest our prisons, which are just so terrible for human habitation. However, before enacting this law, the governments of the region must synergise to ensure that there are jobs for youths. Unemployment is one of the biggest problems facing our youths today. The majority of our youth are well-educated, and when they find themselves doing nothing after leaving school, they take to crime in a bid to survive. South West governments must set the pace in the country. Efforts should be

made to create jobs for our youths. A great opportunity lies in the agribusiness sector;

it is said that agribusiness can absorb all unemployed youths in the country. South West governors

should identify the opportunities in this sector so that jobs can be created for our youths.

•Dr Tajudeen Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Increasing Nigeria’s electricity generation THE terrible state of electricity in the country should make us look towards using nuclear for electricity generation. Today, we generate less than 2,000MW of electricity, and this will never make us develop economically. Just a couple of years ago, we became the largest economy on the African continent, thereby displacing South Africa, but what is funny is that the former apartheid enclave generates about 48,000MW of electricity, while we generate a ridiculous 2,000MW. We will never achieve our potential without stable electricity. Having said this, another

way through which we can generate electricity is using nuclear sources. Apart from the hazards of generating electricity through nuclear sources, we can quickly achieve about 50,000MW. If we are not really comfortable with nuclear energy, then we can look at solar, or wind farms. These are clean energy sources which should be encour-

aged in the country. No matter the economic policies of government, we will never develop without constant supply of electricity. I want the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, focus on generating more megawatts of electricity. Even if this is the only thing the Buhari administration will do in four

years, then Nigerians will appreciate it. Even, apart from economic development, constant supply of electricity will help reduce crime; when an area is well-lighted, then criminals will think twice before going to operate there. •Silas Uche, silas_u2001@yahoo. com

Still on the ongoing fuel scarcity I am hopeful that the current fuel scarcity being experienced across the country will soon easeoff, going by the promises of the Minister of State

for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corportation (NNPC). However, I want to remind the Federal Government that Nigerians are really suffering as a result of the scarcity, and we have been pushed to the limit of our endurance. It is so sad that some filling stations now sell as high as N200, and as a result of this, transport fares have gone up; food prices are now at an all-time high. Already, landlords are passing these increment in the standard of living to

their tenants. It is high time government took pity on Nigerians; we are really suffering. Everything should be done to ensure that the supply of fuel normalises in the country. Why is it that countries that don’t even have crude oil are not going through the same challenges as us? The fact is just that our challenges are man-made. Everybody wants to profit at the expense of the state, and I don’t think this is fair enough. •Usman Ahmed, Kaduna.

Nigerian football is in a mess IT’s a disaster that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not be playing at the African Cup of Nations in Rwanda next year; the team lost to the Pharaohs of Egypt. It is so unfortunate that Nigerian football has deteriorated over the years; we no longer have committed players, and our football administrators are after their selfish interests, and not what the country will gain. Everything is on the reverse in the country; what pains me most is that football is the only thing that unites Nigerians. We have been divided politically, regionally, but sports, especially football, is the only

thing that unites us. Many football loving Nigerians were already looking forward to the Nations Cup next year. It is so unfortunate that this will no longer happen. If officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have any shame, then they will resign from their positions. Nigerians are tired of apology everytime the Super Eagles fail. What will assauge Nigerians will be the resignation of NFF officials, who do not really care about football in the country. •Femi Adeyi, Ikotun, Lagos.

editorial

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The NNPC restructuring

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was established to refine, prospect, and generally engage in the handling of petroleum for the manufacture and production of petroleum products and derivatives. In addition, it was meant to engage in the purchase and marketing of petroleum products and byproducts. It consists of a group of companies which have a central governing body at the corporate headquarters. According to its enabling Act, at the apex of the group structure is the Board of Directors, with the Honourable Minister as Chairman. The management team is led by the group managing director. The operational performance of the NNPC in delivering its core mandates has been a subject of debate over the years. The corporation is seen as a bastion of inefficiency, nepotism, corruption and bureaucracy. Under NNPC, Nigeria became the largest net importer of refined products in Africa, losing trillions of naira as subsidy payments under dubious circumstances over the years. The trend of the corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance has declined over the years from the height of glorious performance in the 70s and early 80s, to the current inertia. Worse still, the NNPC is among the worst performers among other comparator national oil companies in countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Malaysia, among others. The public confidence perception index of the NNPC is arguably one of the lowest among publicly-owned institutions in Nigeria. The NNPC has not been configured to deliver corporate efficiency and effectiveness, mainly because of extensive political interference in its operations. The group managing director (GMD) and other members of the management team spend an average of two years in office before they are replaced. Appointment and promotion to top management positions are hardly based on merit and qualification, neither do competence and exceptional performance guarantee security of tenure. It is no wonder, then, that the accounts of the NNPC has over the years been in the red and the supply of petroleum products to Nigerians sporadic, with long queues at petrol stations becoming a regular feature of life. Even gas supply to core gas users like electricity companies has been a major problem. It is therefore not a matter of debate that the NNPC as presently constituted cannot deliver on the goals and aspirations of Nigerians. If the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) had been passed by the National Assembly, the nation would have seen a more modern, leaner, more purposeful, more commercially

oriented and more efficient national oil company that will definitely transform into a successful global company. Thus, while the transformation of the NNPC Group is long overdue, nevertheless, we have issues with the process adopted by the current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, who also doubles as the serving GMD, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, in restructuring the corporation. Placed against any global benchmark of corporate governance for such magnitude of restructuring, the process is flawed, no matter the good intentions behind it. There was no properly constituted Board in place, which would have included external Board members, and who would have provided robust contributions to the merit or demerit of the current approach as against other approaches, as well as the process of appointing the heads of the new units that emerged from the restructured process. The Minister of State, acting also as the GMD with the internal members, carried out the restructuring based, as is often the case, on the recommendations of foreign consultants. In most Nigerian organisations, internal management members hardly have the courage to disagree or provide alternative opinions to those held by their bosses. In addition, with the PIB still before the National Assembly and with the promise to commence debate on it very soon, will the current restructuring survive the post-PIB Act? Was there any discussion between the legislature and the Minister of State on the current restructuring to ensure that the PIB Act, when it is eventually passed, does not fundamentally alter the composition of the newly established units? The clouds of uncertainty will certainly continue to hang over the restructuring. With the existing Act governing the operations of the NNPC, including the different budget approval limits, reporting structure, among others, the current restructuring may not be more than a cosmetic change, until a proper enabling Act is passed that will give the force of law, rather than mere ministerial policy pronouncements that can be reversed at any time. New investors will definitely take notice of the difference. The president must do the right thing by constituting a proper Board for the NNPC to provide appropriate governance structure for the NNPC. We also call on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the PIB to remove the decade-long uncertainty in the petroleum sector. There is also the need to reconsider the expediency of the positions of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director being constituted in one single individual. Even if it is legal, it is not expedient.

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opinion

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Protect your bank details!

had just finished punching the last word of this week’s initial column on EgyptAir hijack and was getting set to dash home to enjoy the the remaining hours of my Saturday when my device buzzed at exactly 6:37 pm. It was a text message from an alien MTN line, +2348106308524, not registered on my phone and it read thus: “Dear customer, Due to the BVN validation in compliance with CBN bank directives, your ATM card has been De activated call our help line on 08106308524 now” I called a colleague’s attention to the blatant scam and we laughed it off. I was just going to ‘kill’ my laptop and head home, but I had a re-think. Not all Nigerians would be able to recognise this as scam at the first glance. Some people may actually fall into this malodorous ditch and lose their hard-earned money to some conniving idiots. So I decided to play along, just to get enough information to do this story and so I called the number and recorded this conversation. Note: the conversation is unedited; the grammatical errors are as were spoken Veracity: I got a text message from a number asking me to call because my card has been deactivated. Scammer: we are sorry for that inconviniences ma. Ma is it about your BVN? Veracity: Yes and I am surprised because my BVN is done. Besides, it wasn’t even specified which of my accounts has been deactivated because I have a number of accounts. Scammer: Ma, this is the customer care assistance agency for interswitch management. We are from the CBN. We are in charge of ATMs and network services. So all you have to do is answer some security questions that will help us reactivate your ATM card for free. Veracity: Ok, what are the questions? Scammer: Have you done your BVN? Veracity: Yes, but which one of the banks specifically are you working for? Scammer: First Bank, UBA, Zenith, GTB and Union Bank. Veracity: Well, I don’t have an account with any of those banks Scammer: Is they link your ATM card? Veracity: You are saying you work for First Bank and the others, but I don’t bank with any of those banks? Scammer: Where did you have your account? Veracity: I have accounts with new generation banks, Sterling and Diamond (not my real banks) Scammer: Any bank you are use, we pass your message to other banks where they help you connect with your customer care in your bank. Veracity: ok, so what do you want me to do now? Scammer: just answer some security questions to make our works easier so we know the card is for you or someone else.

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688

Veracity: ok, go ahead. Scammer: are you with your ATM card ma. Veracity: Yes (but no, in reality) Scammer: can you call out the serial number, the long digit number that is in front of your ATM card. Veracity: what other information do you need aside from the serial number, so I can get them all ready? Scammer: Just call your serial number. We do it step by step, when you call your serial number; we log it in and forward it to your bank. The charade ended right there because I got so infuriated

and rained curses on the man on the other end who hung up and all other attempts to get him back on line were futile. What a country! What happened to making honest living through hardwork? What happened to integrity and honesty? Why will the young people of today do just about anything to drive luxury cars and own super smart phones? It beats my imagination, but while I am struggling to unravel that conundrum, certain organizations directly linked to this story must try to mitigate if not completely eradicate such occurrences from the nation by being the watch dog. I must call the attention of security agencies most especially the police, the EFCC, telecommunications outlets specifically in this case MTN and banks nationwide. While the telecommunication companies work with the security agencies by providing details of all registered phone line users, the banks must keep drumming it into the grey matters of customers never to share their bank details with anyone to avoid unpalatable stories.

EgyptAir hijack: Was it just about a woman? EXACTLY three decades and 365 days ago, EgyptAir Flight 648 was hijacked on 23 November by the terrorist organisation called Abu Nidal. The flight took off at 8pm on its Athens-to-Cairo route with 89 passengers and 6 crew members but never made it to its destination. It was referred to as “the world’s bloodiest hijack” with 59 dead and 32 wounded. 31 years later, however, On 29 March 2016, EgyptAir Flight 181 departed Borg El Arab Airport in Alexandria at 06:38 local time for a short flight to Cairo International Airport, carrying 56 passengers plus seven crew, but after takeoff, the captain was informed that a passenger claiming to be wearing an explosive belt was demanding that the aircraft be flown to Cyprus. The flight had been hijacked by 58-year-old Egyptian, Seif El Din Mustafa, who claimed to have done so because of his ex-wife, saying “What’s someone supposed to do when he hasn’t seen his wife and children in 24 years and the Egyptian government won’t let him?” Ironically, while most of the media painted a picture of a romantic situation in which a man was trying to reach out to his estranged wife, Mustafa’s ex-wife described her marriage to him as the “darkest chapter” of her life. Her words: “The seven years I was married to him were the darkest chapter in both mine and my family’s life. I can assure you he never cared about me or his children, both when he was in Cyprus and after he left” So what was Mustapha’s motivation? Why was he saddled with fake explosives, hijacking a flight and throw-

ing passengers into pandemonium? Though authorities have said the hijacking was not related to terrorism, Mustapha was confirmed to have skeletons in his cupboard. According to Egypt’s Interior Ministry, the 58-year-old has a criminal record that includes forgery, impersonation, burglary and drug dealing. Mustafa was sentenced to one year in prison for forgery and escaped in 2011. After additional legal procedures, his sentence for forgery resumed on January 5, 2014 and he was released almost exactly one year later. Homer Mavrommatis, director of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs Crisis Management Center described the hijacker as “unstable” for as Egyptian authorities negotiated with him,” he kept on changing his mind and asking for different things,” Mavrommatis said. The hijack of March 29, 2016 may momentarily pass as hilarious or even absurdly romantic because Mustapha let the women, children and Egyptians on board leave and because no causality was recorded as opposed to the colossally tragic hijack of 1985 where over 50 people were murdered in cold blood, but Veracity posits that it must not be overlooked and simply waved aside for our world has fallen prey to terrorism.Unequivocally, Veracity agrees with Sajjan Gohel of the Asia-Pacific Foundation, London, who described it as a more “oldfashioned type of terrorism”. People like Mustapha are a threat to human lives and potential terrorist. What if that seemingly uneventful hijack was him simply doing a dry run for ISIS?

X-raying the conflict between nomads, farmers By Rashid Aderinoye OVER the years, there have been conflicts of different nature in Nigeria; such conflicts include industrial disputes between employers and employees, organised labour conflicts, conflicts due to leadership and political tussles, ethno-religious conflicts, and conflicts borne out of perceived marginalisation and deprivation. But for the purpose of this presentation, attention will be given to the persistent conflict between nomadic herdsmen and farmers, which is receiving both national and international attention in recent times. Similarly, conflicts between nomadic fisher folk and fishing communities also occur in some parts of the country where the two groups co-exist. Retrospectively, incessant conflicts between nomadic herders and farmers have been prevalent in states like Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Bauchi, Adamawa, Zamfara, Katsina and the FCT. Similarly, a number of states in the southern part of the country like Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Delta and Cross River also experience herdsmen and farmers conflicts. In an attempt to find out the immediate and remote causes of these conflicts, the National Commission for Nomadic Education, through its field staff, teachers, and extension agents, established the following as prime or remote factors that have triggered conflicts over the years: Areas hitherto identified and demarcated as grazing reserves by the local, states and federal government authorities have been taken over by big time and other local farmers, thereby, depriving the pastoralists of grazing rights. In some cases, while demarcating such grazing areas, alternative lands were not provided to farmers, thus both

resource users have been utilising same space for dual purposes. An example is Paikonkore grazing reserve in Gwagwalada area council of the FCT. In other areas, community leaders and influential members took over grazing areas as economic main stay and collect money and other royalties from pastoralists to enable them graze on lands where farmers have cultivated their crops. Expansion in rural farming results in the encroachment of stock routes, grazing corridors and blockage of resting and watering points. Climate change, diminishing availability of land space for grazing, massive trans-border stock movement and infiltration, deterioration of existing grazing lands, scarcity of water, poor carrying capacities of grazing reserves, inadequate pasture, endemic diseases and parasites, among others result in migration to greener areas occupied by farmers and other natural resource users such as fishermen. The conflicts, negative socio-economic factors and criminality had impacted negatively on the overall livelihoods of both pastoralists and farmers. Consequently, it has resulted in the loss of lives and properties, destruction of schools and

other infrastructural facilities. Displacement of communities, loss of means of livelihoods, which leads to increased poverty and loss of interest in education and mistrust by victims. The unbalanced role of the media in exaggerating reporting of the occurrence of these conflicts have further exacerbated the crisis and induced countless reprisal attacks in areas hitherto not affected by the conflict. Now, in finding a lasting solution to the problem, governments at all levels – federal, state and local — should come up with joint resolution on the effective identification of areas demarcated as grazing reserves, stock routes, resting and watering points in each local government and administer as such. Also, areas demarcated, alternative land should be allocated to farmers for their farming activities and adequately compensated. There is the need to strengthen the management of Grazing Reserves and stock routes with a view to gradual sedentarisation for qualitative livestock practices. Introduction of tracking and biometric registration of livestock, as well as the creation of cross-border buffer zones and development of satelite technology for mapping transhumant movements will go a long way in preventing the confrontations. Also, government should ensure that no community leader commercialise such areas so demarcated for grazing for their selfish interest. •Professor Aderinoye is the executive secretary of the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE).

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

leadership &

management with Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

The 60-second

business coach

Quote

page 24

Leadership

page 24

Leaders’

forum page 24

The leader and his ego By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

uccess is almost impossible without self-confidence; hence many great leaders have their DNA packed with it. With the level of confidence they possess, they are undaunted by any challenge no matter how seemingly intimidating. As they take on challenges and record success, their confidence level rises a notch and they become more daring. Repeated and sustained success has

“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is mangiven. Be grateful. Conceit is selfgiven. Be careful.” —John Wooden

a way of getting into the heads of the successful to becloud their reasoning. This is when the issue of ego comes in because at this point, the leader is convinced that everything is about him, not about the organization he leads. He believes, like Louis XIV of France, who said at the height of his reign that ‘I am the state’, that he is the organization’s moving spirit and without him it is doomed. Continues on pg24

Thierry Mbimi, Partner and Head Finaicial Public Management, KPMG, Nigeria

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

leadership&management Leaders and egocentricity

BOOK

Continues from pg23

He wants acknowledgement of his success from every quarters, he courts attention like a baby, he brooks no dissenting voice, it is either his way or the highway. At this point, the leader is egodriven. Ego puts a wedge between a leader and his people. That usually is the beginning of leadership decline. Once a leader is cut off from his people, his descent becomes a cinch. The reason is that the ego-driven leader is usually narcissistic and myopic. He is controlled by the sense of his omnipotence. At this point, even the best of his admirers avoid him because he is like a bull in a china shop, everything on sight is billed for destruction. Why leaders are egocentric Psychologists are agreed that ego-driven people suffer from deep-rooted feelings of insecurity. The mask of egocentricity is used to shield the fear of insecurity. That is why every action of an egodriven leader is to court attention. He wants to overshadow everyone around him. He wants to be the cock of the walk. He takes the counsel of blowing one’s trumpet oneself to unreasonable height. He feels that his importance would be undermined unless he overstates it. So, proving his grandiose value becomes an obsession. His overstated importance is a bulwark to hide his insecurity. On the contrary, those who are not plagued by any feeling of insecurity are not ego-driven; they are not bothered about whether their inputs are given adequate recognition or not. They do not believe that they have to drive others under for them to enjoy prominence. They are content to even get lost in the crowd. They hardly draw attention to their accomplishment and feel a sense of embarrassment when their achievements are highlighted by others. Egocentricity affects effectiveness. A leader who has lost the confidence of his people cannot have optimal result. So, when a leader becomes egocentric, irrespective of the level of his competence, his efficiency experiences a slide. Leaders work through others to do what they have to do. When the link between them and their people is broken, they lose their verve, and, in the course of time, their efficiency. How leaders guard against ego-

Ojoma Ochai, Career Solutions centricity Leaders, in spite of being hugely successful, do not have to succumb to egocentricity. They can sidetrack the malady by doing the following. Placing corporate interest above personal interest Successful leaders eventually become the face and voice of their organizations. At that point, unless care is taken, there may arise a conflict of interest between the leader and the organization.

Leaders who are humble enough to take feedbacks hardly become egocentric.

Amadi Nwokocha, President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Qatar Leaders, especially those at the top executive level, must always double check the real reasons behind the decision they take. They have to determine whether it is to advance their personal cause or the cause of the organization? Is it for their own good or for the good of the organization and his people? It is not always an easy call for leaders to walk the high road but what keeps the highly successful leaders who eventually become great on the high road is the understanding that they are not in office for themselves but for the organization and its people. One of a leader’s most important tasks is to preserve the organization for the next generation. Most of the organizations that have bitten the dust were unfortunate to have ego-driven leaders in charge at a critical point of their existence. Such leaders were not taking decisions based on group interests but on personal interests. That lack of indiscretion by the leaders drove those organizations under. Never trust too much in your ability The undoing of egocentric leaders is their knack for showing that

Olatoyosi Adekoya, Vice President, HR, African Finance Corporation they have an opinion on every issue. Usually they drown other voices in a discussion and herd others to see issues from their own perspective. The danger in this is that once

Folake Sanu, ED, Wema Bank others realize that the leader always wants things his way, they will stop volunteering their opinions. So, it is best for leaders not to trust too much in their own ability and

this is demonstrated by their willingness to allow others to ventilate their views. What great leaders do is that once they introduce the topic of discussion, they allow others to take charge and come up with their positions. Even where they do not agree with the views expressed by others, they do not become disagreeable; they understand that everyone has a right to their opinion.

sings his praise, he gives the credit to his team, saying his people made the feat possible. When there is a problem, he does not hang his people; instead he is willing to take the bullet for them. A leader who shares credits with others and is willing to take the blame when things go awry is an unlikely candidate for egocentricity.

Be willing to take feedback Leaders who are humble enough to take feedbacks hardly become egocentric. Egocentricity is about the self and nothing else. Those who are enslaved by their personal wishes and desires do not care to get any feedback from anybody. They are too conceited to ascribe any importance to others’ views. But leaders who want to go far never despise feedbacks. They are cognizant of the fact that improvement is possible when there is a process of assessment. Feedbacks are an avenue for people to improve on their current level of performance. So, rather than looking down on feedbacks, great leaders not only take them but also process them and take what they think they need to up their game.

Groom others The greatest problem with an egocentric leader is that he is unwilling to share the limelight with others. His belief is that the world revolves round him and whatever is not about him is trivial. The way to get out of that crevice is to learn to groom others with the mind of making them improve on whatever accomplishment the leader might have recorded. Every leader is a moulder and a mentor. So, to dull the appetite for egocentricity, a leader must deliberately prop up other leaders, not followers. Just like a parent would want the offspring to be better, a leader would also want his protégés to go farther and higher than he has gone. Learning to deliberately groom others for leadership positions is a way of clipping the wings of egocentricity.

Transfer credit, take blame For the egocentric leader, he must be the focus of all activities. Consequently, he is unwilling to give credit to others for the great things they may have done. Rather than give credit, he appropriates it. He claims credit for what he did not do and is quick to blame others when they go wrong. To beat this trap, a leader must prime himself to give credit to others even for what he did. When his group records an outstanding performance and everybody

Final thought Anybody can get to the top if they have the requisite competence but those who make lasting marks are those who are not driven by their ego. Everyone has an ego; everyone has the tendency to be ego-driven. But the wise do not enslave themselves to the dictates of their egos; instead they put their egos under. This is what keeps them relevant for a long time.

THE 60-SECOND business coach

5 Ways to Be More Influential Janine Garner There is an evolution going on, the world is moving fast, and the pace of change is only going to keep increasing. It’s challenging us to rethink what we do and how we do it—to rethink how we will operate as leaders into the future. It is challenging us to develop new operating systems for success and to learn to lead movements, to help our teams feel secure enough to think, to innovate, to be curious about new solutions. It’s challenging us to influence change. Here are five ways to be more influential: 1. Build transformational connections. The connections you create are the ones that will decide your success or failure. In our time-deficient world where dreams of change are big and visions of a future are ours to own, making connections has to be about the real and the genuine—about the interplay of a select group of people who are working closely together, strategically creating plans

to succeed. This is not about quantity, but like-minded thinkers who understand what you want to achieve. It is here that transformational connections are possible: a select group of people providing quality thinking; creating new perspectives; pushing you further than you could ever go alone; supporting you and taking great pleasure in seeing you succeed. 2. Lead out and embrace diversity. To lead out—to see the potential in new connections, in the collective intelligence—is part of the art of influence. It’s understanding that by working together, we create opportunity—by respecting the myriad of different abilities of others, by accepting the value in corporate and entrepreneurial viewpoints and by seeing the value in cross-sector relationships. Leading out is facing out—it is leading with rather than leading for; it is to lead toward not away from mutual opportunities for success. 3. Beat your own drum.

Every choice and action we take, every word we speak, has the ability to influence others and their decisions. What does “owning your choices” mean to you? Is it about making X decisions on X day, or is it about accepting ownership of who you are? Do you own your skills, your flaws, your values and your dreams? Do you own your excuses and your vulnerabilities? Do you own your life, or does it own you? We are all unique individuals put on this earth to shine. Your views are unique to you, your thoughtful voice is your gift, and you matter—you are an integral part of driving change and influencing others. 4. Kick complacency in the butt. You have to be your key competition, so make sure your first competitive audit is always with yourself. Better your end goal, push yourself to do more and to be better. Ask the hard questions: Are you on the path to success, or are you stuck because of critics, or maybe it’s you and your self-doubt? Throw fuel on your own fire and light up the sky.

5. Speak up and collaborate openly. True influence requires one critical thing: for you to speak up. You can influence more if you collaborate openly and willingly, with complete, honest and full disclosure. You have the ability to influence one to one, many to many, more to more—your team, your colleagues, your leaders, your children, your friends, your family. If you don’t speak out, you are not leaning out, being brave, or showing willingness to have courageous conversations and contribute to the collaborative experience. You are not creating the space to gift your knowledge, thoughts, opinions or expertise to others. You are not enabling an opportunity for others to listen, learn and add value. One thing is for sure: The world is moving quickly. And if you continue to sit still, then you will inevitably come to an influential standstill. Stand in your spotlight, own your vision and lead out, because it is here that you have the chance to influence more through inspiring, shifting and creating movement around you.

The 10X Rule By Grant Cardone The secret to extraordinary success is to put in 10 times the relevant effort than most people, and to condition your mind for the success. You also have to recognize that with the increased efforts, increased obstacles will confront you, and you have to work your way around and through them. Mega success is not possible without overexposure, because you have to be everywhere at the same time, so people recognize your name, brand and logo. There are eight big ideas from the book. 1. Approach every situation with an in-it-to-win mindset: Tackle every project with the 10X Rule, acting like you have to succeed because your life depends on it. Take appropriate, consistent and persistent action, and over time, you must succeed. 2. Surround yourself with exceptional thinkers and doers: It’s been said that you are the sum total of the five people who are closest to you, so surround yourself with exceptional thinkers and doers who will motivate you to become a better version of yourself by putting in 10 times the effort. 3. Murphy’s law is always rearing its ugly head: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. This aligns with what Cardone says, “People optimistically overestimate how well things will go and then underestimate how much energy and effort it will take just to push things through.” You will always face obstacles that you never dreamed of when working on achieving your goals, some may be so big that they stop you in your tracks. 4. Go after your goals with the speed of a hare and the steadfastness of the turtle: In the fable, the Turtle and the Hare, the hare rushes, becomes tired, so decides to take a nap, while the turtle moves slowly, is persistent, winning the race because he doesn’t give up. But in the book, Grant Cardone recommends that you adopt traits from both the turtle and the hare to achieve success.

You move 10 times faster while being consistent and persistent. Learn to over-commit: 5. This forces you to operate at the ten times level to deliver on your commitments because you will have to take massive action. When you over-commit, you will face unimaginable problems, but when you are persistent and consistent with your high level of action, you will deliver at levels that will amaze both you and your customers. 6. Expand when the economy is contracting: When the economy is contracting, the knee jerk reaction is to cut costs and lay off workers, but many successful companies were started during a recession. Grant Cardone recommends that the way out of a recession is to expand, push and take action, despite what others are saying and doing. The intent is to take whatever action is needed to dominate your sector. Be proactive, take re7. sponsibility for your life: Everything that occurs in your life, good or bad, is your responsibility, even if outside forces are at play. If something negative happens to you, even if you did not have control over it, ask yourself, “If this situation arises again, what can I do to reduce its negative impact?” This new mindset puts you in the driver’s seat of your life, and you occupy a position of power. Master yourself: Before you can dominate your sector, your goal, dream or ambition, you have to first dominate your every interest, thought, and consideration. You have to learn how to master yourself first.

leadership&management

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Tope Popoola is a Human Capital developement Consultant and Pastor. Please feel free to send questions, feedback comments on this column to

topheritage@yahoo.com or visit http//turbochargedforsuccess.blogspot.com

On the visit of Mrs Osinbajo to Agatu Community Permit me to deviate slightly from the tenor of this column today to address a germane issue that has generated needless controversy in recent times. It is the “so-called pictorial reportage of the visit of Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President, to the displaced persons in Agatu community in Benue State. In recent times, I took a break from commenting on several issues in our polity. It was a deliberate decision simply because so much toxicity is in the public domain that sickens any normal person. So much sensationalism. So much falsehood. So much negativity. So much desperation. So much frustration. I refuse to join the train. However, when I see outright misrepresentation or attempts to malign people in public office or positions of leadership for no just cause other than puerile, infantile mental docility and ‘bad belle’, my stomach turns. And I don’t care which party the person maligned is from. I am a Nigerian committed to my nation first before any partisan interests. Leadership in any climate is not a walk in the park. However, anyone who wants to lead an orchestra especially in these parts must learn to turn his back on the audience and face the music! I have seen some photos circulated on social media on the visit of the Nigerian VP’s wife to victims of the Agatu killings. She has been accused of flying a presidential jet just to make a paltry donation of some relief items. And these photos have gone viral with minimum intelligent interrogation. I shuddered to myself, “Is this what we have been reduced to as a people or the blinders of partisan politics are still obfuscating some people’s minds?” I head an initiative that has donated thousands of pillows to public hospitals in Nigeria. The least we have given at any time to any recipient state is 300 fibre pillows. But at no time have we taken photographs with the delivery truck. The truck is always parked somewhere while we go for the presentation with just about three or five pillows. Does that now mean that we came with only those three? Mrs Osinbajo flew in an aircraft. Obviously whatever she

wanted to donate would have preceded her in trucks and probably warehoused before her arrival. Only a few items would have been brought to the presentation venue just as symbols of what she came to do. I would not be surprised if she was the one who insisted that the entire consignment be not brought to the venue. That is the kind of person she is. She did not go there to make a political statement or canvass for votes! I know Dolapo Osinbajo. She does not know me so I have no personal interests behind defending her. I can say without fear of contradiction that even when she was outside the corridors of power, her initiatives and contribution to the society far outstripped what many of the social media armchair critics could ever dream of. As wife of the VP, she would NEVER do less than she did in a private capacity. Not everyone is a noisemaker or grandstander. By the way, even if a person gives only a tin of milk, what right have you to criticize him if you have not given one? Many of the people who initiate and spread all these negativity have never contributed ANYTHING to ANY meaningful cause in the society. I challenge ANY of them to stand up and tell what he has done for the Agatu people or any group else for that matter! Seizing every opportunity to demonize positive initiatives no matter how small, and attacking every move of leadership is not a sign of intelligence. It is crass myopism and betrays shallow-mindedness of the first order. If we continue this way, it would be difficult for men and women of good will to rise up to contribute their quota to the development of our nation. If all you can do is throw mud, DO NOT EVER SEEK TO BE OR DO ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT in your life because life is a cycle of seed and harvest. It will gather every mud you ever threw, mix it with some cement, turn them to bricks and throw them right back at you! You will reap what you sow! We are experiencing hard times as a people right now. YES.

I am not insensitive to that. But I am hopeful. Nigeria will rise above the current challenges. We will beat the odds. This nation will be great again. But no one experiences the joy of holding a new-born baby if there had not first been birth pains! The path may be tortuous but I KNOW that there is light at the end of this tunnel. And when that light begins to shine, where will you bury your head if all you have done in this trying time is just to flog anything and anyone on social media just because you can type on a keyboard? I do not know of any nation on earth where the citizens use their intellect and time just to tear down their own nation and leaders like we do in Nigeria. I have been around this world a bit. And I have seen WORSE nations than Nigeria. A nation is built when citizens take responsibility for their little corners and concentrate on fixing things at that level. You may not have access to Aso Rock. But you have access to a community. What value can you contribute there? An aggregation of a critical mass of positive contributions by its citizenry is what makes a nation great, not petulant, uninformed criticism. Talk is cheap. But according to the Chinese, it does not cook rice! We are the people. Our leaders come from among us. The President today used to be just a neighbour to some people in Daura. You could be the one there tomorrow. I had serious issues with the PDP administration. I took up the last administration on many issues and have done so with the current one. But I never joined the bandwagon to call the President Jonathan names or abuse his person. Our leaders represent our peoplehood. When we abuse them, we actually demean ourselves. By all means let us intelligently interrogate policies. Let us discuss issues. Let us hold government accountable. It is our inalienable right. But for God’s sake, let us not send our intellect on vacation! Remember the sky is not your limit, God is!

You cannot afford not to have high-quality mentors (Part Two) One of the things I began to do many years ago was to study biographies of great men and women, who rose out of obscurity into limelight. It has always been my burning desire to know what made them who they were, because if I can know what made them who they were, what made them can also make me. My research over the years has made me understand several principles that made them who they were, but today, I am going to unveil just two of them. Remember, if you too can walk in shoe-leather those principles that made great men and women in their day and time, they will make you great too. Principles are no respecter of persons. If they worked for them, they will work for you, on the condition that you apply them! Two of the things that great men and women who lived before us placed a very high value on are knowledge and mentoring. One of the great men that I love so much is Thomas Jefferson and over the years, I have read virtually every book and article that has ever been written on him since he passed on. Jefferson was an earnest student, who was always passionate about throwing himself into his studies. He was faced with endless temptations in his days just like you are being faced with today, but the degree to which he valued knowledge cannot be overstated. He employed his precious time to develop an educated mind, when most of the folks of his day were wasting theirs on horse racing, card playing, and drinking. Like Jefferson, I strongly counsel you to develop an educated mind and not join those who are wasting their time on worthless things. Those who will lead the continent of Africa in the days to come will need to develop an educated mind when they are still below 30 years of age. This is unavoidable, on the condition that you want to be relevant to the future of Africa. Remember, Africa is the next frontier! Secondly, Jefferson, the man who dominated 24 years

out of the first 32 years of the United States of America, understood the power of mentoring. But it is so unfortunate, because the emerging generation of Africans do not know the amazing power of mentoring. There are too many Africans, who are aspiring to lead this continent in the days to come, but who are not following anyone today—who is actively in leadership. There are too many youths today, who are too proud to be led, but they want to lead others in the days to come. The truth is, if you will not follow today, you cannot lead tomorrow. You have no right to lead, if you are not following. Sweetheart, you will become like the people you spend your time with. Those who you spend your time with will determine where you are going. If you do not spend your time with quality people, forget about having a multihued, vibrant and colorful future. This is why you cannot afford not to spend your time with men and women of high quality. Over the years, I have chosen very carefully those who I spend my time with. Why? Because the people I keep company with will definitely have a deepseated positive or negative mark on my life, either I do know it or not. Have you ever sat to evaluate those who are in your circle of influence? Do they add value to you or they constantly take value from you without adding any value to you? One of those who mentored Thomas Jefferson was William Small. History has it that Small did not only open doors before the mind of Thomas, but also, he literally opened doors for him in Williamsburg. Accompanying Small, Jefferson soon found himself as a guest at the table of colonial governor Francis Fauquier—the most powerful man in Virginia. They were often joined by Small’s close friend, George Whythe, the professor of law at the college and one of the most notable attorneys in the col-

ony. Jefferson spent many enjoyable evenings listening to three of the most learned men in Virginia—all leaders in their own fields. These three men were to him the very models of successful leadership. It was his relationship with those three men that prepared him for the White House a few years after! Real mentors do open doors of opportunities for those who are within their circle of influence. There are too many doors that are beyond your strength to open. You will need those who are ahead of you to open them. Also, there are doors that will not open for you just because you are visionary and because you esteem the value of integrity. Only real mentors can open them! And this is why you need high quality mentors. High quality mentors do open literal doors for those who are following them, and they do open doors of knowledge for them. Where you want to get to in life, business and leadership, some people are already there. What you desire to know in life, some people already know it. What you want to do, some people have already done it. What door are you dreaming of opening? There is somebody somewhere who can open it for you. Look for him or her and share your walk with him or her. What I am teaching you today is going to make a great leader out of you. This is a very powerful wisdom that has helped me in life and it is going to help you to, if you can put it into practice. Lastly, high-class mentors will grant you a rare access to relevant knowledge and they shall take you to relevant people. Remember, every ‘Jefferson’ needs a ‘William Small’ and every ‘Nelson Mandela’ needs a ‘Walter Sisulu’ to fulfill leadership destiny. You desire to become great in the days to come? Then you shall need to start sharing your walk with some great men and women—who are within your reach today.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

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South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

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Sola Da vid-Bor ha

South West bank CEOs

Yemi Adeola

Oiling Nigeria’s economic wheel By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

Lad i Ba log un

Adesola Adeduntan

EOPLE of the South West have been playing significant roles in the banking industry since the establishment of Segun Agbaje a branch of African Banking Corporation in Lagos in 1892. Over the years, professional bankers from the region have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the industry. There was a time in the country when the industry was dominated by South Westerners as over 50 per cent of bank chief executives were from the Yoruba stock. Even now, the trend has not changed much as eight out of the 20 banks in the country are managed by thoroughbred professionals from the South West. These ladies and men have devoted their intellects, energies and other resources to oiling the nation’s economic wheel. Segun Agbaje, GMD/CEO, GTB Since taking over as the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Segun Agbaje has consolidated on the strength of the bank and improved its profitability. This has resulted in GTB being one of the most respected banking institutions in Nigeria. A thoroughbred professional from whose pores excellence oozes, Agbaje has no doubt about what he has to do to make his bank the preference of the market. He knows he has to

bring convenience to his customers; hence, GTB spares no effort when it comes to innovation. Agbaje also knows that he has to grow the bank’s customer base that is why he continually seeks the development of new products with the potential to pull in more customers. He also knows that he has to put a lid on the cost of his operation. For this reason, he stretches the value from every naira to guard against operational cost eroding the benefits that should accrue to the shareholders. Genial and unassuming, Agbaje surrounds himself with equally competent people and this accounts for the strides the bank continues to make. As a testimony to Agbaje’s leadership excellence, GTB was last year named the 2015 Bank of the Year and Most Innovative Ai SRI 30 Company by Africa Investor (Ai), at the prestigious Ai Institutional Investment and Capital Market Awards 2015, which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Continues on pg28

Inside

THE NEW OLUBADAN PALACE

24 years after, still a project in the making pg32

Bola Adesola

Ai hinged the choice of GTB for the award on the bank’s ability to continuously deliver notable success and significant progress across its businesses, despite increasing regulatory headwinds and an extremely challenging business environment. Similarly, Finance Monthly Magazine picked Mr. Agbaje as the CEO of the Year 2015. Mark Palmer, Finance Monthly Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, speaking on what qualified Agbaje for the award, noted that “The success of every business starts with a strategic, resourceful and engaging leader. It is these qualities that help foster team spirit and employee motivation, which in turn create a successful company. “In winning this award, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc stands out as one of Africa’s most successful, innovative and forward thinking CEOs whose inspiring leadership has helped create an enduring organization with deep beneficial impact

Segun Oloketuyi

Day Ebute Iga people celebrated Oluwe festival pg32

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Nigerian Tribune

Behold, S/Westerners in the banking industry Continues from pg27

on the wider community and society at large.” Segun Agbaje joined Guaranty Trust Bank as a pioneer staff in 1991 after a stint with Ernst & Young, San Francisco, USA. He rose through the ranks to become an Executive Director in January 2000 before being elevated to the position of Deputy Managing Director in August 2002. He was appointed Acting Managing Director in April 2011 and became Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer on June 22, 2011. Agbaje, who holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco, USA, serves on the boards of several other companies including Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia) Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited and also a Director on MasterCard Advisory Board Middle East and Africa.

Adesola Adeduntan, MD, First Bank of Nigeria Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan trained hard to become a veterinary doctor but the love for serving men outweighed that for treating animals. Hence, he abandoned veterinary medicine practice to embrace banking. His voyage into banking commenced when he was employed as a graduate trainee by the defunct Afribank, where he worked mainly in banking operations. Later, he was at Arthur Andersen Nigeria, where he served as a manager. He was a Senior Manager in the Financial Services Group of KPMG Professional Services ahead of his joining Citibank Nigeria Limited where he held various positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. He also served as Senior Vice-President of Citigroup within Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Banking Division. He worked at the African Finance Corporation (AFC) where he served as a Business Manager before moving up to become the Chief Financial Officer and a director. On July 1, 2014, he joined First Bank as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director. He became the MD/CEO on January 1, 2016. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Adeduntan is a Director of FBN Holdings. He also serves as a Director of Nigeria Interbank Settlement System PLC (NIBSS) and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange. Adeduntan is widely respected in the industry as a man who knows his onions and is regarded as one of the most profound and thorough professionals the industry has ever known. These qualities earned him the prime position in the country’s premier banking institution. All First Bank stakeholders are confident that with the ‘man of figures’ in charge, the only way for the bank to go is up. Adesola Adeduntan attended University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. He holds an MBA from Cranfield University Business School, United Kingdom which he attended as a distinguished “British Chevening Scholar”. He has attended executive/leadership programmes at Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford and INSEAD. Ladi Balogun, MD/CEO, FCMB Ladi Balogun is a great son of a great father. His father, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, blazed the trail of establishing a bank without the involvement of either the government or foreign partners. Mr. Balogun is determined to turn that bank

Joseph Sanusi into an institution that will outlive both his father and himself. And he is on the path to achieving as he keeps deploying strategies which have resulted in geometric progression in the bank’s profit, customer base, balance sheet and reach. The young Balogun is seen as a highly cerebral professional to whom nothing is really daunting. He confronts challenges with the resolve of a lion and the energy of a buffalo. He networks very well and is quite easy to work with. The respect he enjoys in the industry and beyond is not conferred; it is earned. He is not honoured because he was sired by Otunba Subomi Balogun, it is because he is Ladi Balogun, having proved his mettle. Mr. Balogun’s foray into banking started in 1993 at Morgan Grenfell and Co. Limited, one of UK’s most prestigious investment banks, which was later consolidated into the investment banking division of Deutsche Bank. As a corporate finance officer, he was part of a team that structured numerous complex debt deals running into several billions of dollars in Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Asian sub-continent. Subsequently, he worked at Citibank in New York in the area of structured trade

Funke Oshibodu finance covering the CEEMEA region (Central and Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa). He joined FCMB in 1996 as an Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive. He later became the Executive Director in charge of Investment Banking Group ahead of his becoming the CEO. He is a director of City Securities Limited; CSL Stockbrokers Limited, First City Asset Management Limited and Interswitch Nigeria Limited. He sits on the Advisory Committee of one of Nigeria’s leading private equity firms (SME Partnership). Balogun has received extensive training both locally and internationally, including attending a Citibank-sponsored Professional Development Programme as well as the Credit Course for Senior Bankers and the Advanced Credit Course for Senior Bankers at the Citibank School of Banking. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom (1993) and an MBA from Harvard Business School (2000), United States of America. Timothy Oguntayo, GMD/CEO, Skye Bank Demure and suave, Timothy Oguntayo

Over the years, professional bankers from the region have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the industry.

comes across as the poster boy for banking astuteness. These qualities he has deployed to make Skye Bank one of the strongest in the country. His banking career commenced in 1981. He had worked with a number of leading banking institutions before joining the defunct Prudent Bank, which merged with four others to form Skye Bank Plc. He was part of the team that steered the successful merger of Prudent Bank with the other legacy institutions forming Skye Bank, and has since been a core member of the executive team driving the growth of the bank to its present height. Oguntayo is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is the pioneer MD/CEO of Skye Financial Services Limited (the investment banking arm of Skye bank) before the bank’s divestment from it in 2012. Mr Oguntayo is on the board of Unified Payment Services Limited. He equally served on the Board of Skye Stockbrokers Limited, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc and Kakawa Discount House Limited. He was appointed Acting GMD/CEO on April 15, 2014 and became the substantive GMD/CEO on August 1, 2014. Prior to his appointment as GMD/CEO, he was the Executive Director responsible for the supervision of Corporate and Investment Banking Group, Commercial Banking in the South–West Region and all the international banking subsidiaries of the bank. A multi-skilled and shrewd banker, his experience spans corporate banking, corporate finance, financial advisory and project finance, commercial banking, and public Continues on pg29

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Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

S/W bank CEOs: Taking banking sector to greater heights ing Chief Legal Counsel and Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Public Sector & Infrastructure. He then moved on to Trust Bank of Africa Ltd, where he served as Deputy Managing Director between June 2003 and December 2005. The merger of Trust Bank with four other banks thrust him into Sterling Bank where he became Executive Director, Corporate & Commercial Banking in January 2006. He later emerged as the GMD/CEO in 2007. Over the years, he has positioned the bank for profitability and turned it into a household name. As a reward for his visionary leadership, Adeola was named in 2015 by the BusinessDay Media Limited as the Most Outstanding CEO in the country. Also earlier in the year, Lafferty Group rated Sterling Bank the best in Nigeria, the third best in Africa after Capitec and Barclays Africa and the 10th best financial institution in the world. Adeola serves as a Director of Sterling Asset Management Trust Limited and Kakawa Discount House Limited. He had also served as a Director of UnityKapital Assurance Plc. Yemi Adeola holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Ife and Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Tunde Lemo

Bisi Onasanya, former First Bank MD Continues from pg28

sector funds management, amongst others. One of the major achievements of Oguntayo since assuming the headship of the bank is the successful acquisition and seamless integration of Mainstreet Bank. Oguntayo is an alumnus of the INSEAD, Fontainebleau in France. Sola David-Borha, CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Competence and strong character are the two characteristics that distinguish Mrs Sola David-Borha, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings. A highly revered professional, David-Borha has been able to take the institution many notches higher than the level it was when she took over its management. She joined the board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc in 1994. At various times, she was overseeing the Corporate Finance and Corporate Banking Departments, Project and Structure Finance Departments, Asset Management, and Private Banking. She later served as Head of Investment Banking Coverage for Africa (excluding South Africa). She was Acting Managing Director of IBTC Chartered Bank Plc (Oct 2007 – Jan 2008). She later became Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank. She became CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank in May 2011 and was elevated to the position of CEO Stanbic IBTC Holding in 2012. David-Borha is a Director of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Ltd, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Ltd, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Stanbic IBTC Ventures Ltd, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), First Securities Discount House, Credit Reference Company, Frezone Plant Fabrication Int Ltd, First SMI Investment Company, Fate Foundation and Redeemers Interna-

tional School. She is also a Non-Executive Director and Member of Audit and Risk Committee of Coca-Cola HBC AG. Mrs David-Borha, a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, studied Economics at the University of Ibadan and bagged an MBA from Manchester Business School. She also participated in the Advanced Management Training programme at Harvard Business School. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). Mrs Bola Adesola, MD, Standard Chartered Bank Mrs Bola Adesola is a lawyer who has contributed immensely to the banking and financial services subsector of the economy. Reputed as one with the Midas touch, she worked in Citibank for nine years in senior leadership roles in Nigeria and Tanzania and made an indelible mark. She later joined Kakawa Discount House as the Managing Director, where she achieved record business performance. She also worked with the First Bank as an Executive Director, where she was responsible for the Corporate Banking business, and later managing the entire business in the Lagos Directorate including retail, corporate and commercial banking. She joined Standard Chartered

Bank in 2011 as the Managing Director. As MD/CEO, she provides leadership for the Group in Nigeria through developing overall country strategy and direction. Mrs Adesola sits on the board of the Financial Markets Dealers Association having served in various capacities in developing the Nigerian Money Market, the Interbank Settlement Systems and the Discount House subsector. She is also the chairperson of the Central Bank of Nigeria Bankers’ Sub-Committee on Women’s Economic Empowerment. She is a member of the Nigeria National Competitiveness Council, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013 and was recently appointed the first female Vice President of Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA). An Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria, Mrs Adesola holds a Law degree from the University of Buckingham, UK and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. She is an alumna of both Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School. Yemi Adeola, GMD/CEO, Sterling Bank Plc Mr Razack Adeyemi Adeola started his banking career at Citibank Nigeria Ltd, which he joined in 1988. He worked at Citibank in various capacities includ-

There was a time in the country when the industry was dominated by South Westerners as over 50 per cent of bank chief executives were from the Yoruba stock.

Segun Oloketuyi, GMD/CEO, Wema Bank Plc Although Segun Oloketuyi studied hard to emerge as one of the top students in his Chemistry class at the University of Lagos, he forgot about burette and pipette shortly after graduation. His love for figures overcame the pull of chemicals. So, he opted to train as an accountant despite his degree in Chemistry. He joined Akintola Williams and Co. as an Auditor in 1985. He later moved to Chartered Bank Plc where he was an Assistant General Manager. He was also at the defunct Prudent Bank, where he was a Deputy General Manager. In October 2005, he was appointed the Acting Managing Director of Bond Bank, during which he steered the bank through a successful merger process with Skye Bank Plc. Following the successful and hitch-free merger, he was appointed an Executive Director (Finance & Enterprise risk Management) in January 2006. He was also the Post-merger Integration Coordinator that worked with different integration teams and external consultants following the merger of the different legacy banks that formed Skye Bank Plc. He was later appointed Executive Director (of Finance and Enterprise Risk Management). He was later moved to Business Development across Lagos and South West Directorates of the bank before he joined Wema Bank Plc as the GMD/CEO. Since joining Wema, things have been looking up for the bank as the hemorrhaging that had plagued the bank has since seized. Mr. Oloketuyi served as the Chairman of the Board at Great Nigeria Insurance Plc, he was also a Director of Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Oloketuyi bagged a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Lagos. He holds an MBA of the Lagos Business School and attended the Advanced Management Programme of INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.

30 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ibadan Grammar School of philanthropists

Ibadan Grammar School, the premier secondary school in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital derives its strength in its loyal alumni. TUNDE BUSARI, after a recent visit to the school, reports

HE Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbedebo, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Chairman Sheraton Hotel, Mr Goodie Ibru, Chief Executive Officer of Globacom, Sir Mike Adenuga, Chairman of Splash FM, Chief Adebayo Akande, Former Ambassador Olu Sanu are very important personalities who have contributed to socio-economic development of Nigeria. Beyond that, however, they have one thing in common. They share history of passing through the famous Ibadan Grammar School (IGS). They are all mountaineers, a distinct catch-name of sorts with which IGS students proudly address one another. Arguably, IGS is a topmost beneficiary of its students’ hearts of kindness with the school’s hilly landscape dotted by magnificent physical structures donated either by individual former students of the school or the Old Students Association. The Principal of the school, Elder Ajani Francis, an old student himself, confirmed that the former students had always been an important pillar of the school development in reference to their regular contribution to the school. “With due respect to all Oyo State Government has done to improve the school, we are also blessed with former students who are successful today in various fields of endeavour and giving back to the school, In terms of provision of amenities. “I should not be counting them because they are many but if you go round you will see their names inscribed on some blocks. They have been of great assistance in pushing the school above others. National President of Old Students Association personally fortified our security by employing additional guards,” he said.

On ascending the school premises from the main entrance, the most conspicuous building is an Elder Francis Information Technology Building funded by the Chairman of Globacom, Sir Mike Adenuga. The one-storey structure is a treasure which is said to have since improved computer education of the students and teachers. There is also an Electronic-Library, a new innovation in academic milieu. The Emmanuel Alayande Hall is not just another school hall. It is one which can compete favourably with public event centres given its space and necessary facilities. Although currently having a slightly falling ceiling, the hall hosted the Emmanuel Alayande Memorial Lecture held on March 31 to celebrate the school Founder’s anniversary. A Physics Laboratory built by the North American members of the Old Students Association, was just commissioned the same day Corpers’ Lodge named after Mr Goodie Ibru, was handed over to the school

authorities by the Lagos State Chapter of the Old Students Association. One attribute with which students of IGS are identified is their extreme self-esteem. Severally termed arrogance, the students have no apology for the identity. National General Secretary of the Old Students Association, Oluwarotimi Sodimu, said he might not have successfully weathered the storm of life were he a lily-livered. “I have no regret for being rascally because it helped me to achieve my gals in life. Also looking at our seniors like my national president showing the stuff of the old day, I know I am on the right track as a Mountaineer,” he said. Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Reverend George Lasebikan, who was the guest lecturer at the 4th Alayande Memorial Lecture, also argued that one needs to be tough to deal with Nigerians, whom, he said, are always ready to take one’s advantage. Many principals have steered the ship of Ibadan Grammar School since inception. One name, however, stands out and radiates on the lips of the students and teachers. The name is Venerable Emmanuel Alayande, a native of Ibadan. Between 1948 and 1968, he was in charge as principal, Alayande symbolized diligence

A Physics Laboratory built by the North American members of the Old Students Association, was just commissioned the same day Corpers’ Lodge named after Mr Goodie Ibru, was handed over to the school authorities by the Lagos State Chapter of the Old Students Association.

and discipline. Joined the school in 1947 as vice-principal, his era witnessed a rapid transformation of the school from Oke Are to its present site. Besides, he, it was who embarked on recruitment of graduate teachers and also sponsored teachers to the university to boost their capacity. Alayande also introduced the Higher School Certificate education as well as remedial science programme. To his credit also was the admission of girls to the school. National President of the Old Students Association, Venerable Muyiwa Oyewole recalled how Alayande would not spare rod and also scold lazy teachers, describing him as a role model to students and teachers and even parents. He said students cannot pass though Alayande without making an impact in life because of his thoroughness and discipline. To, the president, strictness was a way of life of his former principal. “He is a teacher of teachers who had no room for indolence or frivolities. He believed in caning you to make you a better person after school. This is the value that has helped so many of us to excel in our chosen fields. I pray principals of this generation go into archive and dig out materials on how he did it,” he said. Encouraged by Alayande’s record, the current school principal said he is unrelenting in preserving Alayande’s legacy in the school. He said it would be difficult for any principal to obliterate it from the school. “The value and character with which Alayande molded his students is what we are following till date. Our students are doing us proud in all aspects of education. Just last year we emerged Oyo State champion in Handball. We cannot have this kind of serious old students association of which I am a member, and misbehave,” he said. Perhaps, seen certain odd behavior among students during the Founder’s anniversary the president of the Old Students Association impressed it upon teachers to always rise to their responsibilities.

31 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

THE NEW OLUBADAN PALACE

24 years after, still a project in the making The on-going new Olubadan palace, at Oke Aremo

Twenty four years after the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) conceived the idea of a new palace for the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the state of the palace is still an issue to behold. TUNDE OGUNESAN reports.

BADAN traditional council system is unique. Unique in the sense that to emerge as an Olubadan requires ascending some chieftaincy lines which are rarely completed before the age of 70 years. This, of course, is part of the reasons most people who become the Olubadan are septugenarians. To become an Olubadan, one must have gone through the Otun or Balogun line. Also, When an Olubadan emerges, his private residence is being used as his palace. So, today, Ibadan can boast of many palaces used by various Olubadans that had emerged. From the era of Alesinloye, Akinyele to Odugade and now His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ogungunniso I, the story is the same. During the reign of the late Olubadan Yesufu Oloyede Asanike, the first official palace in the history of the ancient city was commissioned for use. But sooner than later, the edifice situated at Oja’Oba, Ibadan fell short of a befitting residence for the ever rising status of Olubadan of Ibadan. Immediately, the umbrella body of all socio-cultural societies/clubs of Ibadan extraction both at home and in the diaspora, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), during the reign of the late Chief O.O. Bello conceived another idea of a befitting palace for the Olubadan of Ibadan in 1992. It set up a technical committee, got approval for a 3.91 hectares of land situated at Oke-Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government. And just as in the case of the one located at Oja’ba, five years after, the same group (CCII), under the leadership of Chief Bode Amao realised that the land would not be enough to accommodate all the envisaged components of the palace complex. Chief Amao’s executive also in its wisdom considered having Ibadan House located in the precinct of the new palace complex. They went further by acquiring another 5.98 hectares to make the total land area of 9.88 hectares for the Olu-

badan palace projects. 17 years after this step, fund raising exercise for the constructing of the new Olubadan palace took place in January 2014 and on September 10, 2014, the sod turning ceremony of the new palace was performed by the Governor of Oyo State,

Chief Akinwande said the new palace, when completed, will not only be an envy but would have fulfilled the long time ambition of the association of having a seasoned papal envoy which will be a pride to all sons and daughters of Ibadan.

Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Today, though, the first phase of the palace is nearing completion, the President General CCII, Chief Wole Akinwande informed that the original concept had to be broken down into phases to enable the association achieve its objectives on the palace. The new palace, according to him, encompasses an accommodation section, office section, banquet hall, gardens and relaxation centre. In an interview, Chief Akinwande said the new palace, when completed, will not only be an envy but would have fulfilled the long time ambition of the association of having a seasoned papal envoy which will be a pride to all sons and daughters of Ibadan. He said “we pursued the idea of another palace because the one at Oja’ba proved to be inadequate in terms of facilities there. I mean there are not enough space around the premises. No parking space for cars, no open space for deliberations and so on, So, it’s a long time ago that decision was taken that another palace was needed.” According to the First President General of CCII, “To put another palace in place, we have to acquire the land, so the land was acquired in two places; it was large enough, about 10 acres. Then, in January 2014, we did a launching exercise to raise fund for the project and by September 2014, we started the construction. “The original concept was broken down into phases, and phase one is what we’re looking at now, which is basically the accommodation and offices for the Oba.

Chief Wole Akinwande, President General CCII The facilities like the banquet hall and other features are not there, just the basic things. The palace is now roofed and some finishing projects like plastering, plumbing are going on. The plumbing and electrical pipes have been acquired but have not been fixed yet. They will come at the last stage, after the flooring and roofing.” To many, the new palace should have been in use by now but Chief Akinwande said the association also wanted it that way but for the economic situation in the country. His words, “It is gratifying to note that efforts towards the construction of the palace had yielded result as the project has reached an appreciable completion stage. The first phase which consists of the main building to house the Olubadan is almost completed having been roofed, plastered and with some internal fittings in place. “However, Work has come to a very slow pace now because of lack of fund. As soon as we get money, we want to finish that phase. The situation of things now is already requesting that we fence it so that anybody who moves in will have some level of security which is what we will do. After phase one, the next phase is to put in place all other facilities in the original plan. There should be a large car park, an event hall, access roads from the main road, because there will be one or two access roads to the palace. One is private entrance and the other is public entrance. That will be after the main things have been put in place. He concluded that the CCII is already forging a new understanding and common strategy with the Olubadan Advisory Council and also with the Olubadan palace committee to intensify effort in raising more funds towards quick completion of the project.

32 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

and Inaki off. , s t a o bo take The twjowu set to Ma

Nigerian Tribune

Abota male, ats had u l O bo iefs . ree ch ter the shrine The thd Ajanu, af lekasehun an for Kun left

Day Ebute Iga people celebrated Oluwe festival

Abiola Kosoko

Annual Oluwe Festival of Ebute Iga community, in Ikorodu Local Government was held penultimate week. TUNDE OGUNESAN was there and reports.

HE annual Oluwe festival of Ebute Iga community in Ikorodu Local Governemnt Area of Lagos State is one of the oldest traditional festivals in Yorubaland. Traced to the 15/16th century when the progenitor of the descendants of the land, Asajon Otuyelu, came to Lagos from Ile-Ife, Oluwe festival has grown to be known beyond the shores of the community. Today, the indigenes are not leaving any stone unturned to make it an international festival that will attract tourists from across the world. Oluwe festival, which literally means ‘Lord of the river’, is an annual event, which holds every third month of the year. On Sunday, March 13, 2016, this year’s edition was held amid pomp and ceremony. The Ebute Iga community went agog as indigenes across the globe gathered to celebrate, mark and pray to their progenitor, Asajon Otuyelu. According to the Oba-elect of Ebute Iga, Asajon of Lagos, Chief Ahmed Ojebiyi Olokodana, the festival “was in compliance with an order from our forefather, Asajon Otuyelu who established Ebute Iga town aroung 16th century. He came from Ile-Ife with natural powers and powerful spirits. The spirits are the ones that we come here to appease every year, particularly in the month of March, for peace and tranquility to reign in the town.” Chief Ojebiyi added further that “In celebrating the festival every year, we offer sacrifices to the gods at Kunlekasehun shrine on the deep ocean as prescribed by our forefathers. After that, we return after good news and further offer the second round of sacrifices to shrines here on the downstream according to their requests. We offer rams, goats, hen, ect. to about 15 shrines.” There are two boats, specifically meant for the trip. These boats are positioned by the downstream of the ocean for the two lineages who are traditionally allowed to embark on the trip. They are Inaki and Ma-

jowu lineages in the town. Some selected indigenes of the community are chosen accordingly to occupy the boats, either to paddle, drum or as chiefs who will perform the rite at the destination. Before they take off at the point known as “Oju Ota”, few metres into the ocean, residents and visitors always gather to have a glance of events before the final take off of the boats with heavy drumming. At that point, there is a strong warning that women must ensure that their legs don’t sneak into the riverside. As the teams are preparing, three traditional chiefs – Olumale, Abota and Ajanu will remain, in a unique positions inside the oceans at Oju Ota to offer prayers and perform some sacrifices before bidding the team good bye. But before the trip at all, the Inaki and Majowu boats will have to make three traditional trips on the same spot. This, according to Chief Ojebiyi, is to showcase the members of the team to the entire people of the community before their departure. At the final lap, the chiefs will in turn bid the team good bye, with Olumale among the three chiefs leading the traditional prayers. While leaving, the king then begins to offer prayers for the team, community and eventually return to the community to perform other sacrifices before the team returns from the trip which was said to be around four to five hours. On their way, Chief Ojebiyi said a powerful spirit, after the Olumale prayer, will lead the team to Kunlesakun shrine where the sacrifice will

be made. On return, the two boats Nigerian tribune was informed would have put on a new look. This symbolises celebration and sign of acceptance of sacrifice. Chief Ojebiyi further revealed that the team will also be accompanied by the same spirit, that is why the team must be in order because nobody must fall into the river, which is another reason why non-indigenes are not allowed to make the trip. When they arrive at the “Oju-Ota”, the spot where the boats took off, the boats will come together as Chief Olumale will swim underground to take some quantity of water while under the boats and take it to a thick forest by the side of the town. This water, Chief Ojebiyi stressed is sacred and is available for use on special occasions till the next festival. He revealed that the water is available at the shrine.” When they return, the king then leads some traditional chiefs in the town to perform sacrifices to the 15 shrines located within the community to offer prayer to the founding fathers. Ebute Iga is still relatively underdeveloped. This annual festival, if improved upon, can become a source of tourists’ attraction to the area and in turn develop the community. A Tourism development consultant, Prince Abiola Kosoko who also hails from Ebute Iga shared his experience on how some indigenes of the community have been rallying support to activate the tourism potential of the festival. According to Kosoko, “we’re working

Ebute Iga is still relatively underdeveloped. This annual festival, if improved upon, can become a source of tourists’ attraction to the area and in turn develop the community.

Chief Ahmed Ojebiyi, Asajon of Lagos round the clock to make things happen because politics have taken so many things away from Ebute Iga and that includes our statutory positions. This community is a first as far as Ikorodu Local government is concerned. Go back to 1816, 1872, with documents to back it up that the only community around the riverine area is Ebute Iga. After Ebute Iga, you now talk of Igbogbo, Ijede and no other one. But politics brought about Oko Odu to become Ikorodu because they were into politics big time. They took over the name Ikorodu and made it a local government, which means all other older communities now fall under it. “Politics have taken so many things and make us look redundant. So, what we’re looking at now is to see how we can bring our people back to the grassroots. We’re looking at bringing back the aquatic stadium because this is where the entire thing started from. The Oko eshi, ibrogoga and others. “The things that make Ikorodu to stand out always start here first. If we don’t do this, they will not do theirs. It is the same name but because they have been able to politicise it and make it look beautiful with the support of government here and there, that is why they are moving ahead. You cannot make the head to be the tail, the head will always be the head. They all know that if it is not done here, it is not done there. “Being a Tourism development consultant, what I’ve been able to look at is that as from next year, all the necessary things will be taken care of. We’re getting videos of what they are actually doing down the stream and up the stream, so that by next year, we will be getting the aquatic stadium ready, getting the palace ready and then make it a thing that will attract tourists and make people happy,” he said.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

news

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

NEPC boss has demonstrated ample capacity to reposition economy —Northern Youth coalition Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

HE Northern Youth Coalition for Positive Change (NYCPC) on Monday said the Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo, has demonstrated ample capacity to make the council relevant in repositioning the Nigerian economy. Its president, Mr Adamu Adamu, who stated this while reacting to the allegation of tribalism levelled against the NEPC boss in the running of the council, affirmed that the latter was not in anyway tribalistic. Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, the leader of the coalition expressed confidence in Awolowo’s leadership, describing him as a detribalised Nigerian, who has treated the north and all other regions fairly in all his undertakings, and should therefore, be accorded maximum respect for placing merit above ethnic sentiments. He warned that no one should go about slandering patriotic Nigerians in the name of ethnicity, as the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari did not subscribe to such mundane issues and have rooms for technocrats, bureaucrats and professionals like Awolowo, who are ready to move the nation forward in every ramification. NYCPC boss lamented that those accusing NEPC CEO of tribalism did so for lack of information, considering the robust relationship he has with a vast majority of the youths in the northern region. According to him, “people fail to realise that some chief executive officers of government agencies have no option but to work with the officers they met in the office. It will be great injustice to remove those public officers on account of their ethnicity simply because the existing configuration appears not to favour other groups. “The Northern Youth Coalition for Positive Change is of the view that hierarchy and competence should not be sacrificed to please a few people. What we read in the online publication about the accusation of tribalism left us baffled because it seemed the aggrieved petitioners wanted standards to be compromised for their own interest. “We, therefore, decided

to respond in this fashion because we are worried that the distractions from the baseless accusations can shift focus away from the economic revitalisation that the country should be pursuing through the diver-

sification of our export base beyond crude oil. “If we can get the economy right through this, we think it will enable more northern youths and other Nigerians to get employment or even grow small scale businesses.

This is more important than petty and personal ethnic sentiments that do not add value to us as youths. “Since Mr Awolowo has shown what is possible with diversifying our export, he should be allowed

to focus, instead of pandering to base mentality, the criticisms and demands we should be directing at him at this stage should be for him to do more in the shortest time possible,” he pleaded.

From left: President, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Mr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu; Minister of State for Transport (Aviation), Senator Hadi Sirika; President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, after a meeting with the ICAO delegation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Why Niger Delta may lose out in science-based jobs —Acting NDDC MD Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

ACTING Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has expressed worries that the region may lose out if most jobs in future would go to sciencebased job-seekers. She made this known, on Monday, while addressing a press briefing on the grand finale of the Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Programme of the commission, scheduled to take place tomorrow. Semenitari also disclosed that girls in the Niger Delta would mostly be affected as only a few of them were interested in sciences, adding that new surveys indicated that only 14 per cent of girls go into science fields globally. The fear, the NDDC acting Managing Director said, informed the commission’s on-going intervention in the education sector in the region, with particular attention paid to the STEM fields namely, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She said the GEMS programme was borne out of the desire, as well as social commitment and responsibility, to bridge the existing gaps as related to gender-related issues in

the Niger Delta region. “Of great importance are the science and technology areas, which are very vital in ensuring that our people begin to play a more definitive role in the oil and gas sector, which predominate activities in the Niger Delta.

“The mission of GEMS is to promote innovative research and standardsbased practices which will encourage students with interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to thrive in the 21st Century global economy.

Speaking on the coming event, Mrs Semenitari said young 33 girls from public secondary schools from the nine states that made up the NDDC would be presented to showcase the potentials of the country in science and technology.

Wike orders engineers to be on sites Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has ordered various engineers in the state Ministry of Works to always be in the field and ensure the effective completion of the various projects across the state.

Special Adviser to the governor on Special Projects, Mr Cyril Dum Wite, made this known while speaking with newsmen after his maiden meeting with departmental heads of the ministry, where he resumed as the interim supervisor, on Monday. It would be recalled that

Edo Assembly speaker, clerk risk jail terms Banji Aluko - Benin City

THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, ordered the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Honourable Victor Edoror and clerk of the Assembly, Barrister Lawson Ugiagbe, to appear before it or risk jail terms. The order was given by Justice Olukayode Bada to the Solicitor General of Edo State, Mr Oluwole Iyamu, to produce the duo in order to explain reason why they should not be committed to prison for disobeying its

order to swear in Mr Sylvanus Eruaga as member representing Etsako West State constituency II. Justice Bada said Edoror and Ugiagbe, through their counsel, rebuffed attempts by counsel to the PDP candidate, Dele Igbinedion, to resolve the dispute arising from the court’s issuance of forms 48 and 49 on the speaker and the clerk. The judge noted with dismay that Eruaga’s lawyer, (Dele Igbinedion) had made attempts to discuss the matter through their counsels, but they rebuffed him.

Governor Wike had, last Friday, suspended the state Commissioner for Works, Mr Kelvin Wachukwu, for alleged negligence, having failed to deploy site engineers to monitor some three projects. The suspended commissioner was immediately replaced by Wike, who the governor directed to take over the responsibility of supervising projects in the ministry in the meantime. Speaking on his meeting with the ministry’s departmental heads, on Monday, the new supervisor said it was in line with the directive of the governor to ensure that projects across the state were effectively supervised. “I have charged the engineers in the ministry to leave the comfort zone of their offices and ensure that they are regularly on site. This is most especially when provisions have been made for site inspection and project vehicles provided in the contracts that have been so awarded.

Guard killed in Benin Banji Aluko - Benin City

A 52-year-old night guard attached to a mobile phone shop located at Airport Road in Benin has been killed. The late guard, whose name was given as Abdulai, and another guard, Austin, were reported to be on night duty when the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday. The whereabouts of the second guard, however, remained unknown while the body of Abdulai was discovered within the premises of the shop. The late guard was said to have suffocated to death as his hands and legs were bound and a piece of cloth tied around his nose and mouth. Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiodun, were unsuccessful, but the corpse of the late night guard was later evacuated by policemen from Aideyan Police Station, Benin.

Rape: FIDA commends Ekiti judiciary, decries high rate of rape Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

THE International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has praised the judiciary in Ekiti State and particularly lauded the judiciary for the conviction of Mr Babatunde Ibitoye, for the rape of a pupil in his school. FIDA also said the judiciary in the state deserved commendation for also ensuring expeditious handling of such issues in the state in order to cleanse the state of the menace. Chairperson of FIDA in the state, Mrs Rita Ilevbare, who gave the commendation in a statement in Ado Ekiti, said the 10-year jail term handed Ibitoye, without an option of a fine, was a “landmark.” An Ado Ekiti High Court had through a judgement delivered by Justice Toyin Abodunde last week Tuesday, jailed Ibitoye, a school proprietor, for 10 years, for defiling an 11-year old pupil of his school. The offence, a breach of the State Child Rights Acts 2012, was committed in June 10, 2013. Ilevbare , who rued the rampancy rape cases in Ekiti in recent time, charged those who had fallen victims not to conceal useful information that could be of help, saying shrouding such information under secrecy had never helped the fight against the menace.

south-westnews Aluko in dramatic reconciliation with Fayose 38

By Bola Badmus and Sam Nwaoko

KITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and former secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr Temitope Aluko, on Sunday night met in Lagos to resolve the lingering crisis between them, which has made the duo to be at loggerheads since Fayose won his re-run in 2014. Both Governor Fayose and Aluko were seen coming out of Eko Hotel Signature around 11:30p.m. where they had both met to resolve the issue that had kept them apart for sometime. The parley was said to have been facilitated by the immediate past speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Dele Olugbemi, who was also seen coming out with the duo of

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Governor Fayose and Aluko, to see the latter off. Answering reporter’s question, Aluko said he had come down to see Governor Fayose, who he addressed as his brother, declaring that the crisis that led to misunderstanding between them was being resolved and that appreciable progress had been made towards achieving a lasting peace. Aluko, who blamed the crisis on interference and insinuations from some quarters, said the processes leading to renewed peace between him and the governor was being achieved without any string or condition attached. Aluko, when asked to explain his surprised visit to Governor Fayose said: “Yes, we had a wedding yesterday, and the whole family came down and we

had all other well- meaning Nigerians around. In the last one and a half hours, I have met with my brother, Governor Ayodele Fayose. We are resolving the issue. We have made appreciable progress and we hope and pray to God that there will be peace.” He insisted that his new move had nothing to do with looking for positions in government but purely to bring about peace in the state. Governor Fayose, in his response, said reconciliation was ongoing and that considerable progress had been recorded so far. “We have to resolve the issue and we have made considerable progress as he said. His coming is to further strengthen the progress he is talking about and I am sure if this is not important, he won’t be here.

He is here because there must be peace and I want to let you know that we discussed a lot of issues,” the governor said. Fayose, while speaking further, said he remained the father of the state, adding that “Let me tell you, I am the father of the state and so whatever has happened in the past, I see it as one of those things. If I should leave him to the whole world, who will be there for him? Nobody. I am his father, I am his brother, whatever the past has held for all of us, I am still his father.” On his part, the facilitator of the peace move, Honourable Olugbemi, who is the immediate past speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, said he decided to intervene in the resolution of the crisis in order to move the party in the state

From left, Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa; the celebrant, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; the Osile Oke Ona Egba, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso and the Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, cutting the 74th birthday cake of Evangelist Obey, at Decross Gospel Mission Church, Lagos, on Saturday. PHOTO: SEYI SOKOYA.

Osun to open register for poor, vulnerable in 12 LGAs OSUN State government says it has completed the process of opening registers for poor and vulnerable people in 12 out of 30 local government areas of the state. Mr Femi Ifaturoti of the State Operation Coordination Unit for Youth Employment Social Operation (YESSO) said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Monday. Ifaturoti said having a unified register was part of the requirements for the execution of the scheme in

states across the country. “We have re-validated the register in 12 local government areas so far; and as soon as we are ready, beneficiaries will start taking the stipend.” He said that communitybased single register of the poor and vulnerable people was aimed at identify the extreme poor in the state. The coordinator said that the register would enable the identified people to benefit from social protection intervention of the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government is currently articulating a reform agenda for the social protection sector as a means of ensuring that the present unacceptable levels of poverty are reduced to the barest minimum. “Driving this reform agenda is the recently established National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) under the Office of the Vice President. “The office has the responsibility of coordinating all social safety net initiatives in the country,’’ he said.

Ifaturoti said the World Bank is backing it up with 300 million dollars in the implementing states. According to him, YESSO is meant to provide increased opportunities for youth employment and social service delivery, as well as harmonise the implementation of social protection interventions. The coordinator, however, said that the World Bank had adopted the Osun Youth Employment Scheme (OYES) as the platform for the implementation of YESSO in the state.

forward, describing the estranged PDP chieftain as a good fighter and one of the few people from Ekiti that could stand and confront the evils. Olugbemi also said there was no condition attached to the resolution of the crisis, pointing out that the crisis was unavoidable as it was even normal for husband and wife to quarrel sometimes and also resolve issues. It will be recalled that Aluko had made several damning allegations against Governor Fayose concerning how he allegedly took advantage of the then federal might to subvert the Ekiti poll’s credibility, describing the 2014 that brought Fayose back in office as a “coup against Ekiti people.” Aluko, who is Fayose’s friend of 40 years and former Chairman, Security and Intelligence Committee of his campaign organisation, also alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan gave Fayose $37 million cash to prosecute the poll in which security agents, including soldiers, were allegedly deployed against the opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state. His grouse with Governor Fayose, according to him, was that the governor reneged on his pre-election promise to make him his chief of staff. In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has stated that the reconciliation of Aluko with Governor Fayose notwithstanding, Aluko remains expelled and unwelcome in the party. A statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Jackson Adebayo, said the return of Aluko to Governor Fayose was personal and would not affect his expulsion from the party. Adebayo said “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State described whatever happened between the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and the expelled former secretary of the party, Mr Temitope Aluko, in the meeting held in Lagos was personal and will not affect the expulsion of Aluko from the party.” Adebayo, who reacted to the reported truce meeting, said “as far as the PDP in Ekiti State is concerned, Aluko has been expelled and he remains expelled.”

Nigerian Tribune

Gov Amosun extols Ebenezer Obey at 74 By Seyi Sokoya

OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described the music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, as a philanthropist and a worthy icon of the Gateway State, Nigeria and beyond. Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, as a special guest at the thanksgiving service that marked the 74th birthday of Ebenezer Obey at Decross Gospel Mission, Headquarters of Praise, Mulero, Iyanapaja, Lagos State, on Sunday, also prayed and felicitated with the music icon. He added that, “Chief Ebenezer Obey is my father and I hold him to a great esteem. Ogun State is proud of him. His impact has gone beyond the state, Nigeria and also spread to the entire world. His 74th birthday is a huge milestone and the state and the entertainment industry have really benefited from his God-given talent.” In his remarks, Ebenezer Obey appreciated God for the gift of life and everyone that came from far and near to celebrate with him.

Ibadan North East boss lauds Ajimobi’s wife for life enhancing activities THE wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, has been described as a woman of great virtue who has always displayed the traits of a supportive mother and wife through her lifeenhancing activities. The Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Honourable Lekan Afuye, congratulated Mrs Ajimobi on her 57th birthday anniversary. The chairman described Mrs Ajimobi as a blessing to the state and partner in progress to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, considering the number of programmes she initiated towards making life pleasurable to the aged, widows, children and the entire citizens of the state. Honourable Afuye, therefore, prayed to God for continuous guidance and sound health for the governor’s wife in order to actualise her vision for the people of the state.

south-westnews Oyo should be food basket of the nation —Ajimobi, Alaafin, Olubadan 39

By Wale Akinselure

YO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, traditional leaders, local government chairmen and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, on Monday, resolved to chart a renewed course in agriculture in the state. The renewed focus on agriculture, according to Governor Ajimobi, had become expedient in view of the dwindling crude oil price at the global market and the attendant reduced Federal Government allocation to states. The focus, according to Ajimobi, is to ensure that Oyo State becomes the food basket of the nation. Lamenting that the state had underutilised its vast rich land, Ajimobi said that about 100 hectares in 28 agrarian local government areas would be deployed for use in the renewed agricultural initiative of the state government.

Petrol scarcity grounds commercial activities in Ondo, as fares up by 100% in Ekiti COMMERCIAL activities were on Monday grounded in Okitipupa, Ondo State, sequel to the increasing fuel scarcity, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported. NAN revealed that many filling stations were not dispensing, while a few of them were selling at between N200 and N250 per litre. The busy roads: OkitipupaOre, Okitipupa-Igbokoda, Okitipupa-Igbotako were deserted as few passengers were also seen at both old and new motor parks while some pedestrians trekked short distances. Few workers were seen at the Okitipupa Local Government Secretariat, the State Specialist Hospital, magistrates’ and high courts premises. In spite of the market day, the main market also recorded low turnout as few traders and buyers were seen around and it was unusually quiet compared to previous market days. In a related development, transport fares of routes linking other towns with Ado Ekiti have gone up by 100 per cent, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Ajimobi spoke at the event, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. Ajimobi maintained that the agriculture initiative would be all-inclusive, enjoining traditional rulers to work with the state government in ensuring that the people of the state massively engage in farming. In view of the dwindling

price of crude oil at the global market, he noted that agriculture was the only way out of the current economic challenge. “Oyo State should be the food basket of the nation rather than just a passage to convey as well smuggle goods to other parts of the country. The initiative will be all-inclusive and sustain-

able. Students, youths, unemployed, women, institutions, small farmers, market women, traders association will all participate. And we will ensure we cover all the value chain starting from land clearance to cultivation, harvesting, transportation, storage, marketing, distribution and consumption.

From left, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during the agricultural stakeholders’ forum involving 28 agrarian local government areas of the state, on Monday.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (right), with the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, during Ooni’s visit to the latter, in Akure, recently.

Ooni commends unity, love in Akure traditional institution AKURE, the Ondo State capital was agog last week Thursday as the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, played host to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan, Ojaja II, in his palace. The Deji’s palace was filled to the brim as people from nooks and crannies of Akure came to welcome the Ooni of Ife. Oba Ogunwusi, according to the people at the reception in the palace, is an epitome of simplicity, intelligence and God-fearing with clear cut vision and passion for the development of Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.

Ooni came into the palace amidst pumps and pageantry. While speaking at the occasion, Oba Ogunwusi commended the traditional institutions of Akure Community for the aural of love, unity and peace all over the place, saying that it made him feel at home and that such quality is cherished. According to him, “When I came into the palace of Alayeluwa, Oba Aladetoyinbo, Deji of Akure, what I saw made me relaxed. I saw peace, love, unity and togetherness and I must confess that I am impressed.” In the same vein, he called on other traditional rulers

in Yoruba land to be more formidable, united and embrace togetherness. He observed that Yoruba land is blessed by God and stressed the need for all the traditional rulers to come together to assert their God-given position among the comity of nations. In his welcome address, Deji of Akure expressed joy over the visit of Ooni, which he described as timely. Oba Aladelusi, who described Ooni as humble Oba with the fear of God, said he would not likely do things wrong and that Akure traditional authority was solidly behind him.

“It will be all-inclusive in terms of human beings and activities and we believe that Oyo State is best positioned in the entire South to become the food basket of the region, Nigeria and West Africa. Oyo State has the most arable land. We have over 28,545 kilometres square of land. Oyo State also has highest concentration of agricultural research institutes in Nigeria. We are the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria. So, there is no reason both in terms of location and arability not to produce and become the food basket of the nation.” Another focus aside from agriculture, according to Ajimobi, would be mining. On the manner of involvement of the traditional rulers, he said intending mining companies must get the approval of the traditional heads of their sites before approval of the state government. Decrying instances where about five persons did a job meant for one person, Ajimobi hinted that for the work force in the state to be maximised, some workers would be diverted to partake in the farm settlements. Also, He assured that the 22 dams in the state would be put to use, adding that the state targeted 150,000 metric tonnes in fish production. Soun of Ogbomoso, represented by Alhaji Samuel Sobaloju, prayed for appropriate compensation for persons whose land would be acquired for the government’s agriculture initiative. Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, called on residents of the state to embrace agriculture and use available land to farm. Supporting the state government’s drive to boost its internally generated revenue, Oba Adetunji charged residents of the state to regularly pay their taxes. In his contribution, the Onpetu of Ijero, Oba Sunday Oladapo, charged government to constitute a committee to determine crops and agricultural investments that the state had a comparative advantage before implementing the agricultural initiative. Akinbio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Oyeniyi, recounted that several agricultural investments of the state government continued to go down the drain due to poor monitoring. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, lauded the state government’s initiative to focus on agriculture as the way to resolve the current economic situation.

Nigerian Tribune

Ajumose workers protest salary arrears, poor working condition By Tunde Ogunesan

WORKERS of the Pacesetters Transport Services (PTS) popularly known as Ajumose, on Monday, protested over non-payment of two months salary, alleging insensitivity on the part of the management of the company. The protestants, mainly from the transport section- drivers, driver assistants and auto-mechanics, also lamented poor condition of service. They gathered themselves in front of the main entrance into the company and refused to resume work for the day. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the affected workers, who claimed that they were tired of excuses being offered by the management for inability to pay salary as at when due, revealed that they will not resume unless their salaries are paid. Aside the drivers, other member of staff who also spoke with the Nigerian Tribune under condition of anonymity, said they were suffering from the fallout of corrupt practices discovered by the state governor.

Reviving Olokola project, blessing to Ondo people —Oke Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

THE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2012 gubernatorial election in Ondo State and an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election in the state, Chief Olusola Oke, has described the revisitation of the Olokola free trade zone as a good development. Oke, who stated this in a statement signed by his media aide, Rotimi Ogunleye and made available to journalists in Akure, the state capital, said the project would go a long way to provide employment opportunities for the people of the state. Oke said the decision of the Federal Government to re-visit the project marked the beginning of the end to the economic darkness that was foisted on the state by the present administration in the state.

40 news Protesters storm BEDC office in Warri

Over high tariff, epileptic power supply Ebenezer Adurokiya and Wisdom Alokpa - Warri

ORRIED by the epileptic power supply, high tariff and the lack of petrol to power generating sets, residents of Sido Street, Odion-Urhobo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday, flooded the Warri - Sapele Expressway to express their displeasure. The protesters, mostly women, also frowned on the high tariff charged by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Warri, which office they besieged in search of redress to their grouse. The angry protesters, who trekked a long distance from their community through the major Warri/Sapele Road, caused gridlock on the road for about an hour. They were armed with branches of trees and placards with varying inscriptions. A more discreet checks into the protesters, re-

vealed the active presence of pregnant and nursing mothers, youths and children who are on holidays, demonstrating on the major road. On getting to the entrance of BEDC complex along Warri/Sapele Expressway, the protesters

, resorted to pelting the premises of the power station, with grasses, leaves and pebbles in order to draw the attention of officials of the company. Speaking with one of the leaders of the protesters, Mr Godwin Akana, who is also a resident of Sido

Street, he said “the increase of the tariff charges is too much; the problem has been affecting us since the commencement of fuel scarcity; “You have to enjoy what you are paying for, when you see light to use, there will be no problem; so, they should reduce

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

the tariff, it is too much for us,” he said. None of the BEDC officials came up to address the protesters but rather, scores of armed anti-riot mobile policemen were deployed to guard against possible breakdown of law and order while the protest lasted.

Niger State pilgrims participating in the ongoing

Communal clash claims 2 in Delta As community faults police Alphonsus Agborh – Asaba

TWO people were reportedly killed while several others were injured, with property worth millions of naira destroyed in Ibrede community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State. The victims were Ometobor Prince and Julius Onogemuhor. The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the crisis may not be unconnected with the invasion and forceful occupation of Anor/Odabor land in Ibrede community by some strangers. The community claimed it informed the police authority about the planned invasion but the Force did nothing to nip it in the bud. According to them: “when

we had no response from your office over the letter of invasion and occupation of Ibrede community by some strangers and Ugbo family members, who are armed, we wrote to the State Security Service (SSS), in Asaba of our client’s apprehension’’ alleging therefore, that “if our client’s letter was given the desired attention, the killings would have been averted”. The community in a petition to security operatives through its lawyer, A. Irogbo, of Irogbi Irogbo and Co Chambers said, “our client had earlier alleged that Ugbo family truly marched their threats with action and laid ambush, firing gun shots at members of Ibrede community, who were go-

ing to Otue Lake for fishing and some others going to Ankra Village, a neighbouring village and in the process ,two people were killed while several others were injured. “The remains of those who were killed have been deposited in the hospital while those injured are receiving

courage laziness and lack of creativity. A statement by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission’s media officer, Mrs Mary Gana, stated that Pastor Olugbenle, who focused on the theme “Raising value based no excuse leaders”, encouraged the pilgrims to emulate the state of Israel on their discipline, innovation and investment in technology, saying that all these resulted in their success story. Taking his lessons from the story of the creation

pation of their community by armed men to the Ashaka Police Station, Commissioner of Police and the SSS but no proactive action was taken to forestall it’’. He, therefore, urged the police to investigate, arrest and prosecute the culprits involved in the dastardly act.

Cult killings: Police arrest 14 in Kwara Biola Azeez - Ilorin

KWARA State police command has confirmed the arrest of 14 male suspects in connection with the violent cult killings in Ilorin metropolis, at the weekend. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, on Monday, the state Commissioner

Niger pilgrims receive leadership training in Israel NIGER State pilgrims participating in the 2016 Easter Pilgrimage have been undergoing basic leadership training aimed at creating values and ideas for the transformation of the country. The principal facilitator with the Institute of National Transformation, Pastor Olumide Olugbenle, while teaching on “The principle of leadership,” told the pilgrims that the change Nigerians were clamouring for, could happen if they could change their attitudes which en-

treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state. As part of the petition, he said the police have always informed the public that suspicious acts and movement should be reported to its various offices but regrettably that ‘’in our client’s case, the Ibrede community reported invasion and occu-

in the Holy Bible, Pastor Olugbenle, averred that God, while creating the world, kept working until everything was good and beautiful. He encouraged the pilgrims to embrace hard work and shun procrastination. He, however, said that Nigeria could still rise to its potentials, expressing optimism that God has blessed Nigeria with a lot of resources, adding that with hardwork and determination, Nigeria could be a better place.

of Police, Mr Sam Okaula, however, said that three male adults, were killed in the cult clashes. The police boss, who said that such items like one cut-to-size gun, one locally made pistol and five cartridges, were recovered from the suspects, expressed anger by the activities of cult members in the state in recent times. He said the command had entered into collaboration with the state’s judiciary to apply stringest legal measures against the suspects, adding that, “This time around, none of them will escape the wrath of the law”. The commissioner, who sought for more useful information from members of the public, said the cult members in Ilorin now engaged in the use of motorcycles to perpetrate their heinous crimes. Even though, there is an extant law in the state preventing the operations of

commercial motorcyclists beyond 800pm, he said most of the cult -related cases are normally carried out at dawn. “They usually use cell phones to call and lure their unsuspecting victims to a secluded area and would then descend heavily on them. Three major cult groups have been identified as responsible for these cult clashes. These are; Eiye, Aiye, and Alora,” he said. He also said that the command had spread its dragnets to some of the border towns in Kwara State, with a view to controlling the importation of light arms into the state. “The development is coming on the heels of appeal to members of the public “with illegally acquired light arms” to willingly submit same to the police, “before we impound such weapons from them with dire consequences,” he said.

Ishaku orders suspension of varsity workers Darius GOVERNOR Ishaku of Taraba State, has directed the stateowned university in Jalingo, the state capital, to suspend all employments it carried out from May 29, 2015 till date. This was contained in a letter with reference number MOE/S/34/169 dated March 22, signed by one Bala Fwadu, for the state Commissioner for Education. The letter, addressed to the registrar, Taraba State University and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, indicated that the directive was with immediate effect. The contents of the letter read in part; “His excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, has directed that all employment of staff in the university from 29th May, 2015, till date, have been suspended.” NAN gathered that the suspension has affected one of the university’s renowned senior lecturers, Dr Ibrahim Jalo, who was ordered in a letter by the institution on April 1, to hand over all the university’s property in his possession.

Convention The Apostolic Church, Nigeria (LAWNA Teritory), Remo Area, Ikenne, Ogun State, power-packed rotational pre-convention revival programme which started few days ago, will end tomorrow while the 32nd annual convention will commence on Friday and end on Sunday, at the Area Convention Ground, Benin/Sagamu Expressway, Ikenne-Remo. Ministring are Pastor Z. O. Odugbose; Remo Area Superintendent and Pastor (Dr) Gabriel Oladele Odutola, President TACN and LAWNA teritorial chairman, among others.

Pastor Z. O. Odugbose

news

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Tackle fuel scarcity across Nigeria, SERAP urges Buhari

ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “exercise his authority as the Minister of Petroleum Resources by urgently prioritising the sector and coordinating government responses to the fuel scarcity across the country.” It said “it is clearly exacerbating

extreme/absolute poverty, stripping millions of Nigerians any real opportunity to exercise their human rights and take on responsibilities.” In a statement on Monday by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said “The longer this fuel scarcity continues the greater the difficulties Nigerians will face. President Buhari now has to take

control of the Ministry of Petroleum to end continuing suffering by ensuring that fuel is available and properly distributed across the country. “There’s a lot of work to do in this sector; so the President should roll up his sleeves and sort this out before it goes out of hand. The statement continued: “Nigerians need a permanent solution to the fuel crisis. Given the country’s

status among oil producing countries, this government must not fall for the quick fix and the short-termism that characterised the policies of successive governments. “The chaos which seems to be developing across the country has subjected many Nigerians to harsh economic and social conditions, making them incapable of developing their abilities and realising their potential. “Unfortunately, this is not

Youths sitting on Jerry cans, waiting to purchase petrol as the situation worsens in Lagos, on Monday. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Residents doctors serve 21-day ultimatum, ready for nationwide strike Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has given the Federal Government a 21day ultimatum to meet its demands or face a nationwide strike. At the end of its extra-ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, on Monday, NARD President, Dr Muhammad Adamu Askira, said the doctors were poised for a nationwide strike as the association would fight the current injustice with all its capacity. According to him, increasing cases of non-payment of salaries, poor infrastructure and administrative corruption remain the biggest challenge in the health sector. The association president said: “NARD noted poor infrastructure in our hospitals which have affected the delivery of adequate health care to our teeming populace. We observed that Residency Training Programme is still not funded and without guiding policies. “We also noted the undue sack of our members from some of the training institutions. Additionally, the delay in effecting the pension deductions of our members was regrettably noted. “Whereas a labourer deserves his wages; we noted

that some of our members in stated - owned tertiary hospitals have not been pay salaries ranging from three to eight months.” Such states, according to him, included Osun, Imo, Abia, Ekiti, among others, adding: “We noted with dismay the inappropriate placement and remuneration of our members in states and federal tertiary hospitals across the nation. As such, most hospitals are paying our members only fractions of their salaries notably FETHA Abakiliki, FMC Umuahia, ABUTH

Zaria, UNTH Enugu, etc while in UCH Ibadan UBTH Benin City, LUTH IdiAraba, FMC Owerri, ISTH Irua and NOH Dala November/December 2015 salaries are yet to be paid.” He added: “In line with above realities, NARD declares a 21- day ultimatum with effect from yesterday, Monday, April 4, 2016 to press home our demands following which industrial harmony in our various hospitals may not be guaranteed if the existing realities are not resolved.” On the threat by Minister

of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, that the Federal Government would henceforth adhere and implement strictly the policy of ‘no work, no pay’ NARD declared that “there is no justification” for such a draconic policy, given that, government is yet to play its role. Askira decried the policy of withholding doctors’ salaries, arguing that, government should also mete out punitive measures to itself for failing to pay doctors who already had fulfilled their obligation by working without salaries.

How Fulani herdsmen killed Benue APC youth leader —Police The Benue Police Commend, on Monday, confirmed the assassination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in Tarka Local Government by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Moses Yamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi, that the herdsmen abducted the youth leader in his village at Tse-Tia in Tarka Local Government. Yamu explained that the youth leader was abducted in the early hours of Sunday while his lifeless body was found by the

roadside in the same village, on Monday morning. NAN reported that the youth protested the killing of their leader and blocked the Makurdi-Gboko Road for over four hours. Yamu, however, said the police had already brought the situation under control. He added that the youth should have used alternative ways to express their anger. He also confirmed the assassination of one Msughter Tyayar and Bem Ikyomke on Gboko-Ihugh road by gunmen. NAN reported that the late Tyayar was among the beneficiaries of the state’s amnesty programme.

Meanwhile,The Kaduna State Police Command, on Monday, paraded 15 persons suspected to belong to a kidnapping gang that had been terrorising the people of the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Shehu, who paraded the suspects at a news briefing in Kaduna, said they included those who recently kidnapped Mansur Ahmed on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. He said some of the suspects were in possession of foreign currencies and valuables suspected to have been snatched from their victims.

the first time that Nigerians will be put through severe economic conditions, which may amount to torture or cruel or degrading treatment or punishment. “Despite the country’s commitment under the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Nigeria ratified the Covenant in October 1993), successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999 have failed to ensure availability of fuel nationally, thereby rendering already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival. “The current development has perpetrated a string of misfortunes for the citizens: poor living conditions, ill-health, marginalisation, and an inability to enter into the life of society and assume responsibilities.”

Ambode’s critics have not studied his management style —Utomi Bola Badmus - Lagos Renowned economist and public commentator,Professor Pat Utomi, has said those criticising Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have really not taken time to study his management style, a development, he said, informed the unfair criticism of the governor and his team. Utomi said this in an interview with newsmen shortly before delivering a keynote address at the unveiling of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment otherwise known as Lagos Global. He described the governor as a man with a lot of substance, who is responsive and administering the state methodically and very sensitive. Giving his assessment of Governor Ambode, Utomi said: “The man is governing the state with the mindset of an accountant, and that informed why he was being methodic and concentrating on getting things done. “You know I have had the opportunity of talking to him (Governor Ambode) quite a number of times before the elections and after the elections. I think people have not been as fair to him as he deserves. “However, I think he is a very clever guy and I think that he is very sensitive to what is important to do, but people who are used to one style are not in a hurry usually to accept a new way of doing things, but I think he would probably be more methodic in getting things done from what I see of him.”

Nigerian Tribune

Al-Makura inaugurates sole administrators for 11 LGAs Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Al-Makura, on Monday in Lafia, inaugurated sole administrators for the 11 local government areas following the dissolution of the councils last week. Inaugurating the sole administrators in compliance with a high court judgment, Al-Makura said the state government invoked the doctrine of necessity by appointing the sole administrators to avoid vacuum. “As a government that believes in the rule of law, it could not have taken any step while the case was still in court to avoid contempt. “It is practically impossible for government to conduct elections between March 23, when the judgment was delivered and March 24 when the tenure of the chairmen expired. “Government was therefore compelled under the circumstance, to invoke the doctrine of necessity by appointing sole administrators to oversee the affairs of the local governments pending the conduct of local government polls,” he said.

Kaduna school feeding programme created 72,000 jobs —Commissioner A total of 72,000 jobs have been created under the Kaduna State Government’s School Feeding Programme introduced in January, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Shehu Adamu, has said. Adamu told newsmen on Monday, in Kaduna, that the programme would not only enhance the nutritional needs of pupils, but also empower the people and enhance their livelihood. According to him, 18, 000 food vendors were employed across the state, who in turn hired about three additional hands each, amounting to 72,000 jobs created under the scheme. The commissioner said the school feeding programme had increased economic activities in the state, with over N311 million injected into the economy every week as payment to the vendors.

communitynews

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Thunderstorm destroys properties in Okun-Owa Ijebu OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

H U N D E R STORM has destroyed properties worth millions of naira in OkunOwa Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state. The incident, which

happened last week Wednesday, left many homeless while the Multilateral Grammar School

fence was also destroyed. A victim of the incident, Mrs. Tutu Adedeji, a retired primary school head

teacher, said those affected by the incident were still counting their losses as many had no place to

stay. She said teachers and students of the only secondary school in the town,

Newly installed Aremo of Obaagun promises job creation THE newly installed Aremo of Obaagun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Prince Gabriel Afolabi, has expressed profound gratitude to the traditional ruler, Oba Jimoh Okunade Adebisi Kayode II, the Olobaagun of Obaagun, for installing him as Aremo of the community. Prince Afolabi said he would use his position to assist the community in the areas of job creation, wooing foreign and local investors to Obaagun, assisting the needy financially, soliciting government’s assistance in the provision of social amenities, constant visitation to the community to further familiarise himself with the people’s needs. Speaking further, he called on youths to be creative and shun social vices so that they can attain greatness. He also thanked the people of the community for their show of love and hand of fellowship during and after his installation, promising never to betray the confidence reposed in him. He later thanked all his friends, relatives and associates, who graced the installation ceremony at Olobaagun palace.

Eleripa of Eripa, Oba Samuel Bamidele Oyediran Akinsowon, speaking during the church service to mark the 2016 Eripa Day, at the weekend.

Eleripa appreciates well-wishers at Eripa Day celebration A front line traditional ruler in Osun State, the Eleripa of Eripa land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Bamidele Oyediran Akinsowon, at the weekend, appreciated people from all walks of life who trooped into the community to rejoice with it on its 2016 Eripa Day and fund raising for

community projects. The monarch, while speaking at the historic event held at Eripa Community High School, Eripa, according to a statement by an illustrious son of the community, Prince Adeolu Adeyemo, also expressed his appreciation to all indigenes and inhabitants of the

A group of women in Kogi State, Women Empowerment Coalition, has described the empowerment initiative of the wife of Kogi State governor, Rashida Bello, as “a timely intervention to save women and youths from poverty and deprivation.” Speaking in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the spokesperson of the group, Deaconess Margareth Adebayo, conveyed the group’s

town, who in one way or the other, contributed to the success of the programme. He, however, charged all and sundry from the town to rise up and build the town in togetherness, saying, “we must certainly unify our fatherland within this generation and hand over a united father-

land to the generation to come.” Oba Akinsowon, who affirmed that it was the cooperation of community members that made the event to be colourful and glorious, promised not to let the people down in any way. Speaking at the event, the duo of chief launcher of the day, Barrister Sikiru Oke

UK-based water charity organisation donates borehole to Kongbari Biola Azeez-Ilorin

A United Kingdom-based water charity organisation, Hope Spring, has donated a motorised borehole to Kongbari community in Okelele area of Ilorin, Kwara State. The borehole replaced

the hand pump, which the community had been using for over 16 years. The new borehole has a storage capacity of 7,500 litres of water . Founder of the organisation, Temitope Odunrinde, a Nigerian based in

Women group lauds Bello on empowerment Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

now live in fear as the school and official quarters were now exposed following the destruction of the fence. The two traditional rulers in the community, the Owa of Okun-Owa, Oba Akinyemi Abiodun, and the Olowu-Iji of Odolowu, Oba Olusegun Abajo, have called on the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to assist those affected by the storm. A community leader, Chief Sina Ogunbambo, also made a passionate appeal to Governor Amosun to render emergency assistance to the community of mostly peasant farmers and petty traders as many of them cannot immediately secure funds to rectify the damage. Meanwhile, Community News gathered that the Transition Committee Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government Area, Dr Olaniyi Opanuga, had visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment.

appreciation to Mrs Bello for considering the plight of women and youths as a priority agenda of her initiative. According to her, it is imperative for non-government organisations to key into the New Direction agenda of the present administration to ensure rapid socio-economic development of the state. Her words: “It is a thing worthy of commendation for Mrs Rashida Bello to

leave her comfort zone to attend to the needs of rural community women across the state. “The women of Kogi State are solidly behind her initiative which has started on a good note by addressing the healthcare needs of women. By also providing free notebooks for pupils, the governor’s wife has shown her desire to support her husband in making education affordable for Kogi children.”

the United Kingdom, said the community was considered because of its peculiar water challenge and passion for community development shown by the people through self-help projects. Speaking at the commissioning of the project in Ilorin, Odunrinde, who was represented by Spring Hope’s representative in Nigeria, Mr Mubaraq Oladosu, urged communities with similar water challenge to reach the organisation through its website, http://www. hopespring.org.uk He said the project was carried out by the organisation “to eliminate the long hours children and women spend in search of potable water”. This, he said, would af-

ford the children more time to pay attention to their studies while women will channel their time and energy to other ventures that will improve their socio- economic status and well-being. Odunrinde urged influential Nigerians to always think of what they can do to make life better for the masses rather than criticise government. He advised the community to consider the project as their property, guard and protect it so that it can continue to cushion the effects of the hardship they had been through for many years. Community head of Kongbari, Alhaji Anafi Mustapha, who thanked the donor for the gesture, said the project had brought succour to the community.

and the chairman of the day, Dr. Oluwole Oludaisi Aina urged the people to be united in all fronts. Some of the community leaders present on the occasion were Dr. Bade Adeyemo, Mr. Wole Oyedele, Chairman, Eripa Progressive Union (EPU), Alhaji Jimoh Durodola; Honourable Bidoye Oladipo, EPU Treasurer; Mr. Femi Kehinde, Mr. Bade Ogundiran, Deacon Lawrence Oyebiyi, Mr. Kola Omoloye, Lagos Branch of EPU; Alhaji S. Atoyebi, Chairman Morning Star Club, Eripa. Others were Rev (Mrs) P. A. Amusan, Retired Pastor, First Baptist Church, Eripa; Reverend Sam Adebayo, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Eripa; Elder Ogunsami Adedokun, First Chairman, EPU; Elder Bayo Ogunrombi and Prince Isaac Adegoke, including all traditional chiefs of the town. Also sighted on the occasion were Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Ologose of Oke-Irun, the Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr Dotun Awoyemi; representatives of clubs in Eripa like Itesiwaju Club, Eripa Blue Circle Club, Club 10 Eripa, Unique Club, among others.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

Deportation of refugees from Greece to Turkey begins MORE than 200 people have been put on boats by Greek police and sent back to Turkey under a deal the EU brokered with Ankara to stem the flow of refugees to Europe. The governor of Turkey’s Izmir province, Mustafa Toprak, said that three boats carrying 202 refugees had reached the shores of Dikili, adding that there were no Syrians on board. But there were conflicting reports on the presence of Syrians with a Greek government spokesman, Giorgos Kyritsis, telling state TV that “all of the migrants returned are from Pakistan, except for two migrants from Syria who returned voluntarily.” Kyritsis said that 136 people were deported from Lesbos and 66 from the nearby island of Chios. Later on Monday, 16 Syrian refugees landed in Germany on a flight from Turkey. As part of the deal,

for every Syrian refugee returned from Greece to Turkey, another Syrian refugee is to be resettled from Turkey to the EU, with the numbers capped at 72,000. Under the agreement, all “irregular migrants” arriving in Greece from Turkey since March 20 face being sent back across the Mediterranean. “What happened on Monday morning was a message from Europe that the door for illegal migration is closed,” Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Lesbos, said. “They wanted to send this strong message because just yesterday 500 refugees landed on Greece’s shore, just a day before the deal was to be implemented.” The deal to send people back across the Aegean Sea has been fiercely criticised by rights groups on ethical grounds.

Refugee being ushered into the boat for deportation. PHOTO: GIORGOS MOUTAFIS/REUTERS.

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Putin associates had $2bn in offshore accounts —Report

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Sunday on the financial activities of a dozen current and former world leaders that said associates of

AT least 25 people have been killed and dozens wounded in bomb attacks across Iraq, media reports say. As many as 10 suicide bombers carried out the attacks, which reportedly targeted members of the security forces and allied Shia Muslim militias. The Islamic State (IS) group, which holds territory in the north and west, said it was behind some of the attacks, VOA reported. In the deadliest attack,

at least 14 people were killed when a bomber blew himself up in a restaurant. The eatery was popular with members of the Popular Mobilisation, a predominantly Shia militia which has taken a lead role in the fight against IS, the Associated Press reports. Other attacks hit the southern city of Basra, Baghdad and Mashada, north of the capital. In recent months government forces backed by Shia militias and US

N international collection of journalists published a report

Russian President Vladimir Putin have moved as much as $2 billion through offshore accounts. The report is based on a data leak of 11.5 million records for 214,488 entities connected to people in more than 200 countries or territories. The leak includes emails, financial spreadsheets, passport information and corporate records. It spans nearly 40 years, from 1977 through the end of 2015. The records came from a Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca & Co. The firm specializes in setting up companies that allow businesses and individuals to move money offshore and has offices in 35 cities

Iraq: Bomb attacks ‘kill at least 25’ across the country air strikes have regained control over significant parts of Iraq from IS. On Sunday, the army said it had made progress in an offensive to recapture the western city of Hit, which has been under IS control for the last 18 months. It said it had taken the northern edge of Hit, about 140km (85 miles) from Baghdad, but was being slowed down by the presence of hundreds of roadside bombs planted by IS.

around the world, including in Hong Kong, Miami and Zurich.

Alaska Air to buy Virgin America for $2.6bn ALASKA Air Group Inc (ALK.N) said on Monday that it would buy Virgin America Inc (VA.O) for $2.6 billion to become the top carrier on the United States West Coast and compete more effectively with larger airlines. The deal appears to end what Alaska Air Chief Executive Officer Brad Tilden called a “hardfought competition” to purchase Virgin America. JetBlue Airways Corp (JBLU.O) had also made an offer for the offshoot of billionaire Richard Branson’s London-based Virgin Group, which had become famous for its mood lighting and mediarich entertainment on flights. The deal would create the fifth-largest U.S. airline after a decade of mergers that have shrunk the industry to a handful of companies. The top four control more than 80 per cent of the U.S. travel market.

other NEWS

5 year-old tested positive for Ebola in Liberia HEALTH officials in Liberia say a five-year-old boy has tested positive for Ebola just days after his mother died of the virus. According to VOA, a 30-yearold woman died of Ebola in Monrovia last week, months after Liberia was declared free of the virus. Her death followed a recent flare-up that took the

lives of at least four people in neighbouring Guinea. Deputy Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah, who is also head of Liberia’s Ebola Incident Management System, said the latest flare-up has been traced to Guinea. But he said unlike in the past, Liberia’s health system has the capacity to deal with the flare-up.

“Liberia has confirmed another case of the Ebola virus disease, making it two cases – the index case of the deceased mother, 30 years old and now her fiveyear-old son is in the Ebola treatment unit in Monrovia. But this is something that we are comfortable dealing with right now because of the

capacity that country has to respond through our Incident Management System,” he said. Neighboring Guinea announced new cases of Ebola last month, and Liberia immediately closed its border with Guinea. It also dispatched health teams to various border crossings. An Ebola awareness billboard

Congo: Gunmen attack military base, police stations

Congo’s President President Denis Sassou Nguesso

THE Republic of Congo says gunmen attacked police, military and government targets in the capital Monday, in the first major violence since the re-election of President Denis Sassou Nguesso. A statement from the government says former “Ninja” militimen, once loyal to the father of a losing candidate

in last month’s election, attacked and set fire to the Mayanga military base, four police stations and the mayor’s office in southern Brazzaville. Witnesses said the shooting erupted around 3:00 a.m. local time in the Bacongo and Makeleke neighborhoods and continued until late morning, when troops fanned across the

city. There has been no word on any casualties from the fighting. The government said it does not have proof that opposition candidates were connected to the violence but added that investigations continue. Sassou Nguesso was re-elected after getting voter approval to remove age and term limits in the constitution that would have

barred from the March 20 vote. Official results showed the president winning 60 per cent of the vote. An army general who finished third in the voting, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, accused the government of election fraud and called for a campaign of “civil disobedience” after the results were announced.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

AWC qualifier:

Oshoala arrives as Falcons leave for Senegal today

EAD coach of the Super Falcons, Florence Omagbemi has expressed delight following the arrival of Arsenal Ladies forward, Asisat Oshoala for Friday’s African Women Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal. The reigning African champions are due to leave for Dakar later today. Omagbemi insists the Falcons will not rely on individual talents but

team quality, and has expressed satisfaction with the class and quality of both foreign and home-based players in the camp. “We are not expecting any foreign-based player except Oshoala who is currently in the country,” Omagbemi told Goal. “We have almost everyone in camp and Oshoala is the only one we are expecting. We already settled the issues with those who are not in camp now. “She (Oshoala) is in Nige-

ria already and will join us in camp in couple of minutes. She is being expected just like any other one in the team. “We already had those from Sweden, France and others in camp. So It’s all about team work as we all have a goal to achieve. I’m happy she is part of it,” said the former Falcons captain. Meanwhile, Oshoala, who was on duty against Notts County in the English Women’s FA Cup quarter-final clash

West Ham eyes Ighalo WEST Ham United has joined the bid to land the signature of red-hot Watford striker, Odion Ighalo. The Sun reports that the Hammers are looking to build on their fine showing in the Premier League this season by improving their squad. Top on the priority list is a prolific Nigerian international and the East

London club has apparently identified Ighalo as the ideal target. The Super Eagles player has enjoyed a fine season with Watford in the English top flight, scoring 14 goals in 31 appearances for the Hornets. Ighalo has also been linked to Manchester United and Arsenal, though those are just rumours at this stage.

The Edo State-born striker is reportedly valued at £15-million, with only a bigmoney move set to tempt Watford to part with their prized asset. West Ham already boasts five Africans in its squad: Nigerian duo of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike, as well as Alex Song, Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho.

last Sunday at Meadow Park has confirmed her arrival in the country. “Yes, I’m around and currently heading for camp,” she told Goal by phone. The match holds on Friday at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar. The 10th AWC will hold in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3 with eight teams vying for honours.

Salami turns Ibadan Golf Club’s Captain BARRISTER Idowu Salami has emerged the new Captain of Ibadan Golf Club. He emerged unopposed after he was nominated by Architect Bashir Ayinde and was seconded by Otunba Olugbenga Runsewe. In his inaugural speech, Salami expressed delight at the opportunity offered him to lead IGC saying he’s excited by the new challenge. “It is an honour and rare privilege to be elected the captain of a golf club, not to talk of Ibadan Golf Club considering its enviable status and the pedigree of the club. “I am overwhelmed by the level of

support I got from members. I just pray that it will not wane or dwindle. I pledge not to disappoint them,” Salami said. He disclosed that he joined IGC in 2005 and later served as Secretary and second vice captain, adding that “So, you can see that I am in a familiar terrain.” He vowed to take IGC to the next level and ensure that the rich tradition of golf is respected saying “I will ensure that I promote the name of Ibadan Golf Club as the home of hospitality.”

NSC spent N250m on Dream Team in Senegal—Yakmut Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

Odion Ighalo (middle) during last weekend’s EPL game against Arsenal.

Oshoala

THE immediate past Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, on Monday defended himself against mismanaging the N2.9billion approved by the Federal Government for the country’s participation in the 2015 All Africa Games, African Junior Olympics and Rio Olympic Games’ preparation. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, had last Friday told sports journalists in Abuja, that he was not aware of what happened to the fund, saying that Yakmut did not account for the money before he was redeployed to the Ministry of Niger Delta as a director. He stated that he did not have any information on how the money was spent despite the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari

had explicitly written that the money had to be accounted for. “I am also at a loss as you are. All I know is that N2.9billion was approved and released at that time, but I want to tell you that I don’t have any information whatsoever on the money, and how it was spent. “The former DG never briefed me on it, but all I know is that Mr President wrote on the approval that the money must all be accounted for. I have to source for money from other places to take care of the country’s liability at the Olympic venue in Rio, because these things are supposed to be done before now. We want to know what happened to the money, and how it was spent,” Dalung had told journalists. However, Yakmut said on Monday that the minister was being economical with the truth by saying that he

was not aware of what happened to the said money. He revealed that the minister had instructed him to source for N250million with which the national U-23 team, the Dream Team, prosecuted its African U-23 AFCON in Senegal, which also served as the Olympics qualifier for men’s football event. Yakmut, stated that it was from the balance of N650million in the NSC’s account that he withdrew the money for the Samson Siasia-tutored team, which emerged African champion in Senegal, thus picking a Rio Olympics ticket in the process. “We had N650million left in the TSA and the minister directed that we should source N250 million for the national U-23 team while they were playing their qualifiers in Senegal. Where does he think the money come from?” asked Yakmut.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016 46 news Fire guts Pre-financing assessment of North-East rehabilitation petrol completed —Presidency Leon Usigbe -Abuja

HE pre-financing assessment for the rebuilding of the North-East has been completed, giving hope of early return of internally displaced persons to their homes. According to a statement issued by Laolu Akande, the spokesman of VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja, on Monday, the pre-financing assessment was jointly carried out last week by the federal and states governments,

alongside the global partners, the United Nations (UN), World Bank and the European Union. It said the global partners, who had signed a tripartite agreement to facilitate the assessment, are now expected to support the Federal Government in the financing of the North-East reconstruction, including an offer by the World Bank to make available $800 million towards the rebuilding.

The statement added that there were also clear indications from the global partners to do more in terms of putting in place an institutional framework to rebuild and arranging financing, even from other development agencies and additional sources. It said the assessment and validation exercises completed in Nigeria’s North-East region had revealed the quantum of

damage and the requirements to address the postconflict recovery. “For instance, while the extent of damage was put at about $9 billion, the assessment revealed that over $6 billion would be needed for immediate and near term stabilisation and recovery of the region,” it added. It called that during the final aspects of the assessment late last week in Abuja, international

development partners and donors reiterated their commitments towards ensuring that key findings of the assessments were implemented. The statement added that specifically, the joint efforts of the federal and state governments with the global partners would now be directed to prioritising the needed interventions and projects, arranging their sequence and coming up with an action plan.

Budgetary allocation killing education in Nigeria —Don By Joseph Ajayi A don from the Department of Eduactional Management, University of Ibadan (UI), Dr Ademola Atanda, has frowned on what he described as poor budgetary allocation to education in Nigeria, saying this is responsible for the gradual death of education in the country. Dr Atanda, who made this known last week in Ibadan, at a capacity building workshop, entitled: “Secondary Schools’ Administration Management and Record Keeping,” organised by Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Zone 1 for Principals and Heads of Departments of secondary schools in the zone, lamented that the nation’s budgetary allocation to education in the last 10 year had not improved and not in line with the recommendation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The don added that a situation whereby teachers were not paid for up to four or five months and classrooms became unnecessarily congested did not augur well, saying government should give priority to primary and secondary education in the country, because “that is where there are large enrolment.” While advising teachers to employ classroom control mechanism and close monitoring of students to ensure optimum performance in examinations, the education expert equally advised parents to buy books for their children and attend schools’ open days to ensure their wards were doing well in school. He also advised school communities to collaborate with government in terms of ensuring security of students.

Members of staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles, who were born in April, cutting their birthday cake, at Tribune boardroom, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Monday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

NIS tragedy: FG gives automatic employment to 105 candidates THE Federal Government has given automatic employment to 105 candidates and relatives of the botched 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment, as compensation for those that died and sustained injuries during the exercise. This was contained in a statement signed by? Mr Bassey Akpanyung, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday. The statement said after due verification, employment was given to? three family members of each deceased applicant from the aborted exercise, of which 15 families were identified, and a total of 45 family members selected. It said 60 others who were injured in th?e exercise were also given employment after verification by relevant government agencies. “After verification, 15 families were identified and a total of 45 family members selected from the deceased families. “Similarly, approval was

given for those who were injured in the same exercise to be employed. “After due verification by relevant agencies of government, 60 of those affected were considered for appointment?,” it said. The statement added that

the? two categories of beneficiaries were now undergoing training at various camps of the NIS, in compliance with the presidential directive. It said the recruitment conducted by the special presidential committee

constituted in the wake of the aborted exercise of March 2014 was being looked into. The ministry advised all those affected in the exercise to remain calm and observe decorum while the ministry resolves the matter.

Discipline Justice Yunusa, AGF tells CJN Sunday Ejike -Abuja

THE Attorney-General of the Fedration (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, on Monday, asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to discipline a Federal High Court judge, Justice Muhammed Nasir Yunusa, over professional misconduct. The AGF, in a petition, sought for disciplinary action to be taken against the judge by the CJN, who is the chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC). A similar petition by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of

the AGF was also sent to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate the criminal aspect of the allegation against Justice Yunusa. In the petition, Justice Muhammed Nasir Yunusa was alleged to have issued two conflicting and contradictory orders on July 4, 2014 in a suit No. FHC/L/CS/ 1042/2013. In the ruling, the embattled judge dismissed the notice of preliminary objection and held that the court had no jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit, but in a subsequent order made on the same day, the same judge gave a conflicting order. It was alleged that the erring judge breached

Rule 1 of the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers and he was said to have, by his conduct, infringed sections 464 and 465 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State. Apart from the petitions from the office of the AGF, it was gathered that there had been consistent telephone conversations between the embattled judge and a senior lawyer, Rickey Tarfa. Tarfa was arrested recently by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly obstructing justice when he allegedly shielded operatives of an anticorruption agency from arresting his client, Granhoue Sourou Nazaire.

station in Kano Kola Oyelere -Kano

A petrol station at Chiranci, Dorayi road in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, was, on Monday, gutted by fire. An eyewitness said the fire burnt almost half of the filling station, adding that it started around 12.45 a.m. The source said the incident occurred when two petrol tankers were discharging fuel in the filling station at midnight. According to the Deputy Director of the state Fire Service, Dr Kassim Musa, who confirmed the incident, the fire lasted almost three hours before it was eventually put out by the officials of the service, with the support of fire fighters from a private company. In another development, another fire outbreak was reported to have occurred in Makoda Local Government Area of the state, where, at least ,72 houses were razed.

FCT poll: INEC commences accreditation of journalists tomorrow THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence the accreditation of journalists who would cover the FCT Area Council elections tomorrow. The polls are scheduled to hold on in the six area councils on April 9. According to daily bulletin issued by INEC in Abuja, on Monday, the accreditation would take place at the Penthouse of the INEC Headquarters Annex II. The penthouse is located at 10, Blantyre St., off Ademola Adetokunbo Street. “Journalists who wish to be accredited to cover the elections are expected to bring along with them letters of introduction from their organisations and two passport-sized photographs. “They are also expected to identify themselves with their corporate identity cards,” the bulletin stated.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2016 47 ...AS ONOLEMEMEN BECOMES ADOLOR OF UROMI

Nigerian Tribune

Chief Henry Iriogbe, the Ezomo of Uromi Kingdom, reading the citation of Chief Michael Onolememen, the Adolor of Uromi, at the Ojuromi Royal Palace, during the installation ceremony.

From left, Honourable John Egbele; Mr David Eichie and Mr Solomon B. Okougbegun.

Chief Tom Ikimi (left), with Dr (Chief) Lee Ikpea.

From left, Professor Patrick Onolememen; Senator Clifford Ordia; the Adolor of Uromi, Chief Onolememen; his wife; former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku; Chief Albert Iyorah and other guests.

Women Leader, Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Okosun (second right), with other dignitaries. Dr Steve Oruh, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, exchanging pleasantries with the Adolor of Uromi.

Chief Onolememen flanked by some of his associates.

Benin Cultural Dance Group entertaining guests at the Reception

SIDELINES

NO 16,472

TUESDAY, 5 APRIL, 2016

N150

The story has been told of a two-year-old boy who was thrown into the streets to die after his parents alleged that he was witch. Since witches have supernatural power to do and undo, one wonders why this little 'witch' has not killed his parents.

Iwobi brought fresh air to Arsenal —Bellerin By Ganiyu Salman ARSENAL'S Hector Bellerin has hailed team-mate, Alex Iwobi saying his sheer brilliance has brought a new lease of life to the Gunners. This came on the heels of the plaudits heaped on the Nigerian international by manager, Arsene Wenger, following his heroics in the 4-0 drubbing of Watford last weekend at the Emirates. Wenger had expressed surprise at the devastating form of Iwobi, who made his Premier League first team debut last October against Swansea. “It’s surprising how quickly he’s integrated into our game. He’s worked with us since the start

Tonight's Champions League fixtures

Barcelona Bayern

v v

Atletico Madrid Benfica

Arsenal won't give up on EPL title

of the season and he (Iwobi) has grown, gained confidence and when he came in he had an impact straight away," Wenger had said after Iwobi scored his second Premier League goal of the season against the Hornets. His team-mate, Bellerin, who was also on song against Watford said Iwobi is a talent by every standard. "He (Iwobi) has shown a lot of dribbling and creativity up top. Sometimes the team needs that, it is very nice to get a breath of fresh air from a player that have come from the academy and have played in the under-21s and under-18s. We are very proud of him and he has done very well," Bellerin told www.arsenalfc.com.

—Iwobi By Ganiyu Salman

Neymar ready to play for PSG —Agent BRAZILIAN superstar, Neymar could join Paris Saint Germain, if the French giants pay his huge 193 million euros ($220 million) get out clause, his agent said on Monday. "Neymar has a contract with Barca until 2018," Wayne Ribeiro told French sports daily L'Equipe. "But the prospect of living in a city like Paris, and to play for a club like PSG is also a dream for every player. "That's to say if PSG showed interest in Neymar we could talk about it." PSG has dominated Ligue 1 since the Qatari takeover of the French capital club in 2011. Laurent Blanc's men wrapped up their fourth successive league title in

record time in March, and face Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Parc des Princes tomorrow.

Hector Bellerin (back) celebrates with Alex Iwobi during their 4-0 victory over Watford.

Mikel gets new coach, Conte at Chelsea

TALIAN coach, Antonio Conte was handed the responsibility of reviving Chelsea's fortunes and bringing the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge when he was named as its new head coach on Monday.

Mikel Obi dazzles during a Premier League game against Stoke City. Inset is his new boss for next season, Antonio Conte.

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Conte, 46, the head coach of Italy, will move to London on a three-year contract after the European Championship in France on July 10. Dutchman, Guus Hiddink has been in charge since December 19 following the

sack of Jose Mourinho, but his second stint as interim coach was never going to last longer than the end of this season. "I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that," Conte said in a statement on Chelsea's website (www.chelseafc. com). "I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros." One of the players Conte is to work with, John Mikel Obi, a few days ago vowed to quit the Blues should the new manager refuse to give him first-team shirt. The Nigerian international with a season left in his contract says he needs assurances about his place in the first-team if he is to stay put at Stamford Bridge. "If it means me leaving, fine. If it means me staying, then I have to play because one thing I don't want to do is to sit on the bench like I did before. "It's not very nice (being on the bench), especially now when you have kids you just want to do what you can to play. "Wherever it is I just want to play. When this season ends we will definitely sort out the contracts," said Mikel.

ALEX Iwobi, is still hopeful that Arsenal can challenge for the English Premier League title this season. The Gunners occupy third on the log behind Tottenham Hotspur and table topper, Leicester City. "Definitely. We are never going to give up, not until the end of the competition. We are going to fight for it. It would be amazing (to win), but we are taking it game by game and hopefully we will see where we end up at the end of the season. We believe we have a chance and we never give up. We are taking it game by game and we will see where we end up at the end of the season," Iwobi who scored in the 38th minute against Watford last weekend told www.arsenalfc. com. The Nigerian international stated that scoring at first half (against Watford) gives some respite to his team. "I think the goal before half-time gave us an extra boost and put them on the back foot a bit more. I guess getting that goal was pretty key," Iwobi said. The Nigerian international revealed that his teammates have made his stay comfortable. "Even before the game, they gave me the confidence to play. They are always helping me out in training, so I always feel confident and I’m happy to play with them," he said. Speaking ahead of West Ham clash, Iwobi said "we are trying to win every game. So it is key that we go away from home, do our best and try to come away with three points."

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