5th November 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,364

THURSDAY, 5 november, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Oshiomhole probes Igbinedion over $31m cement company fund, —P8 others

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

Fasoranti accepts to continue as Afenifere

Senate committee chairmen: APC gets 41, PDP 24

N5,000 monthly stipend

n150

leader

—P4

—P15

Senate says no, dashes hope of the unemployed

•Seeks probe of SURE-P under Jonathan

—P8 Britain fears explosion downed Russian jet —P45

24 containers with N10bn pirated goods seized at Lagos ports —P15

Ogun to fix Arepo section of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway before Friday —P15

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at one of the spots being repaired by the state on the LagosIbadan Expressway, in the early hours of Wednesday. He was there with his wife, deputy governor and other state officials.

Investors lose N14.4bn as market value depreciates by 0.7% —P11

FG approves payment of N413bn subsidy debt to marketers •Warri Refinery workers stop its repairs over 12-month salary arrears

—P11

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015) PHOTOS: ALOLADE GANIYU

Senate committees: APC gets 41, PDP, 24 David Mark missing on chairmanship list Taiwo Adisa and Ayo Adesanmi -Abuja

S 1

ENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, unveiled the list of chairmen and vice chairmen of 65 standing committees, up from 56 created in the seventh Senate. Saraki, who made the announcement after the plenary on Wednesday, created nine new committees: Customs, Excise and Tariff; Diaspora and Civil Society; Drugs and Narcotics; Ecology and Climate Change; Education (Basic and Secondary); Information, National Orientation; ICT and Cybercrime; Human Rights and Legal Matters; Public Procurement; Primary Health Care and Communicable Disease Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, as well as Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare. The immediate past Senate President, David Mark, opted out of the chairmanship of any committee as he was not named into any.

The committee composition also showed that the Senate Unity Forum (SUF), the group that opposed Saraki’s Senate presidency, got 12 Grade ‘A’ committee, while the wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was named chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs. Saraki, in the composition, named his main rival, Senator Ahmad Lawal, as chairman, Committee on Defence, while another contender to the Senate presidency post, Senator George Akume, was named chairman, Committee on Army. A breakdown of the committee membership also indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) produced 41 committee chairmen, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 24 chairmanship. South West has 11 chairmanship positions, North West, 11; South East, 10; South South, 10; North Central, 12, while the North East also got 11 positions. Other top committee ap-

pointments included Senator Danjuma Goje (Appropriation); Shaaba Lafiagi (National Security and Intelligence); while Senators Hope Uzordinma (Aviation), Robert Borofice (Science and Technology) and Gill Nnaji (Communications) retained their committees from the seventh Senate. The Senate, however, suspended its plenary for today, as it fixed Tuesday next week for the next sitting. Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, who briefed newsmen on Wednesday, said the suspension of plenary was to enable four of its committees with outstanding reports tidy up their assignments and submit their reports to the Senate next week. The Senate also observed a parliamentary session in honour of the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the April 2015 election, who was a member of the seventh Senate, Senator Gyang Pwajok.

ICT experts write CBN to suspend BVN, threaten legal action By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

A group of Information Technology experts, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend the Bank Verification Number (BVN) that it mandated for bank customers in Nigeria, on the ground that it exposes confidential information of

INEC to deploy 21,947 personnel for Kogi, Bayelsa elections JacobSegunOlatunji-Abuja

1. From left, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, Evangelist (Dr) Bola Are and Pastor (Dr) Kayode Afolabi. 2. Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (right), with Evangelist Bola Are. 3. Clerics of The Apostolic Church, Remo, Area with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 4. A follower of Awo, Mr Joseph Kehinde Oshinowo, signing the condolence register. 5. Cross section of Makun Women Forum, Ewusi Palace, Makun, Sagamu.

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday night, said it would deploy a total of 21,947 personnel for the successful conduct of the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. This was contained in the daily bulletin of the commission, made available to newsmen in Abuja. According to the bulletin, “for the Kogi governorship election, a total number of 12,120 officers will be deployed, while for the Bayelsa governorship election, the commission will deploy 9,827 officers.”

private citizens and riddled with severe implications, as there are no legal frameworks in place to safeguard the data collection exercise. PIN made the request in a letter signed by Boye Adegoke, its Programme Manager on ICT Policy, adding that it was ready to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion to protect Nigerians from the fallout of CBN’s action. The letter had been sent to the CBN Governor in Abuja and had been acknowledged. According to PIN, “the call for suspension is necessary

based on the need to first enact a viable legislation to properly cater for data of private citizens as requested by the apex bank’s policy and, moreover, we agree with President Muhammadu Buhari on the need for data collection agencies to work together. “The Bank Verification Number (BVN), upon perusal, seeks to expose confidential information of private citizens and is riddled with severe implications as there are no legal frameworks in place to safeguard the data collection exercise.”

Rivers guber: Wike goes to Appeal Court Sunday Ejike -Abuja RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, has filed appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, against the judgment of the state governorship election petition tribunal, which nullified his election on October 24. In a notice of appeal dated November 3, 2015, filed on behalf of the governor by his counsel, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, the governor established 26 grounds of appeal wherein he raised complaint against the entire judgment of the tribunal. Governor Wike’s appeal

has the state All Progressives Congress (APC), its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents. The governor, in his notice of appeal, sought an order of the court of appeal allowing his appeal and an order of the court setting aside the judgment /decision of the tribunal. He further urged the court to make an “order striking out or dismissing the election petition filed on May 3, 2015 by Dakuku Peterside and the APC at the tribunal.”

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

news N5,000 monthly stipend: Senate says no, dashes hope of the unemployed 8

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Seeks probe of SURE-P under Jonathan Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

HE Senate, on Wednesday, rejected the plan to effect the payment of the planned N5,000 as monthly stipend to unemployed youths in the country, a key campaign programme of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Senate came to the conclusion following the debate of a motion moved by Senator Bassey Akpan(PDP, Akwa-Ibom), which raised concerns about the rising unemployment situation in the country.

The motion, entitled: “Urgent need to curb soaring rate of unemployment in Nigeria,” asked the government to end the growing rate of unemployment which, according the senator, had been escalating since the second quarter of 2015. He said records made available by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that unemployment statistics had grown from 7.5 per cent in the first quarter to 8.2 per cent in the second quarter. The Senate could, however, not agree on the immediate payment of N5,000 monthly stipend promised

the unemployed by the APC during the electioneering, as the senators rejected the plan. The senators dashed the hopes of the unemployed in the country, following the rejection of an additional motion to that effect by Senator Phillip Aduda (PDP FCT). After Senator Akpan had exhausted the recommendations on his motion, Senator Philip Aduda raised an additional prayer, urging the Federal Government to fulfill one of its numerous campaign promises by commencing the payment of N5,000 stipends to unemployed youths.

“The Federal Government should immediately commence the payment of the N5,000 monthly stipend it promised during the preelection campaign,” he had said. His prayer was seconded by the Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio. But the chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare, objected to the prayer, by raising a point of order. He cited order 53(6) to counter the additional prayer. The order read: “It shall

be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to conclusion during the current session, except upon a substantive motion for rescission.” His point of order led to prolonged bickering between senators of the APC and the PDP on the Senate floor. Senators of the PDP had insisted on the government implementing the campaign promise, but their APC counterparts continued to counter the move. After about 22 minuets of arguments and counter-arguments, Senate President,

Oshiomhole orders probe of Igbinedion over $31m cement company fund, others EDO State government has began moves to recover $31 million fraudulently taken from government coffers during the administration of Mr Lucky Igbinedion as governor. This was part of the decisions reached at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, held in the state, on Wednesday. Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Mr Louis Odion, said: “There is an issue of fraud that was discovered while turning our books. We found that the sum of $31 million was fraudulently taken from state coffers during the administration of Chief Lucky Ogbinedion. The governor has directed the Attorney-General to commence legal action in that direction. “So, in coming days, the state government will take legal action to ensure that what was stolen from Edo State government is recovered. When you convert $31 million to naira, it is a whooping N7 billion. You can imagine what N7 billion will do in improving the condition of Edo State.” The commissioner, who praised some landlords and companies in the state on the level of their compliance with the land use charge, said Comrade Oshiomhole had asked me to convey his appreciation and gratitude to the good people of Edo State, as well as members of the private sector, for their voluntary compliance with the Land Use Charge. “He has asked me to single out Coca-Cola Bottling Company for voluntary compliance. I think we need to put this in context. Our challenge as a government is mounting. Every day, our citizens want government to intervene, they want schools to be built, they want roads reconstructed, but the truth

is that our revenue is dwindling and without deepening the tax base we won’t be able to deliver. “So, when we find corporate bodies and citizens, who voluntarily comply with paying their taxes, we view them as partners in progress. “We have also been directed to put on notice the CEOs of some companies, notably banks, which have refused to remit what is due to the government. I am speaking specifically with regards to some banks that have failed to remit withholding tax to the state government.” Throwing light on the $31m fraud, the Commissioner for Commerce and

Industry, Honourable Abdul Oroh said: “The $31 million, which was stolen from the people of Edo State for the transaction which was designed clearly for criminal purposes. This project was called Abat Cement Company, situated at Ekpe, near Ikpeshi in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state. “The company was supposed to produce cement to take advantage of the large scale deposit of limestone in that part of the state. The company was registered as Abat Cement Company Limited and this company had three shareholders. The Abat Cement Company had 75 per cent shares, Edo

State government had 15 per cent shares and 10 per cent shares were reserved for ‘other Nigerians’. “Although Edo State government was given only 15 per cent share, 100 per cent of the revenue invested in the company, $31 million was taken from the account of Edo State government. This money was withdrawn from the account of Edo State government under Afribank. As the money was withdrawn, construction of the company started and all the major structures were in place, 90 per cent completed, machines were installed, but there was no other contribution from

any other source for the construction and procurement of these equipment. So, everything invested in that company came from Edo State government. “It is on record according to the shareholders’ agreement, those who claim to be first shareholders, Abat Holdings were given 75 million shares, representing 75 per cent, the second shareholder was given 10 per cent and the third shareholder, the Edo State government was given 15 million shares, representing 15 per cent. The agreement was signed by the Fashunu and Governor Igbinedion, who signed on behalf of the shareholders.

Women like HID are difficult to come by —Bola Are By OLakunle Taiwo A-list gospel singer, Evangelist Bola Are, on Wednesday, described Chief HID Awolowo as a legend, caring, philanthropic and virtuous wife, who perfectly manned the Awolowo dynasty and Pa Obafemi Awolowo’s legacies for many decades after Papa passed on. Dr Are, who sang one of her popular songs, and walked in with Pastor Kayode Afolabi and her Spiritual Covenant Gospel Singers International, also described Mama as an icon and incomparable with other women, adding that she stood by her husband till death and still stood until she too died. Describing Mama as an industrious woman and good business manager, she said what made her a great woman was the way she handled the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles. “She handled Nigerian Tribune very well. There are lot of people whose busi-

nesses die when they are no more, but that was not the case for Mama when Papa died; she made sure Awolowo’s legacies didn’t die; that is why women like Mama are difficult to come by,’ she said. According to her, Mama was a lover of her music. “Whenever I come to Mama, she would say ‘Bola

Are, sing that your song for me where you sang this and that’ and I would sing it.” Speaking further, she described Mama as someone who cherished decent dressing, adding that Mama gave her six dresses when she was to leave Nigeria for a performance abroad. In his own condolence message, a member of Pa

Awolowo’s campaign committee, Prince J.K Osinnowo, said Mama was the mother to the nation. “She maintained the legacies Papa Awolowo and never had any blemish. Responding, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, noted that Dr Are’s spiritual songs had healed the sick and brought back the lost.

National leadership should look into Lagos NURTW crisis —Olohunwa IMMEDIATE past chairman of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State chapter, Alhaji Akanni Olohunwa, has called on the national leadership of the union to urgently intervene in the present leadership crisis rocking the union in the state, in the interest of peace and tranquility. Olohunwa made the call on Wednesday, in his Lagos office, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune. According to him, the call became imperative, in view of the animosity that was brewing among aggrieved

members over the outcome of the recent election of the union in the state. Olohunwa noted that the election and the electoral processes which brought in the current executive of the union in the state were faulty and did not follow the laid down rules and regulations guiding electoral matters in the union. A member of the union’s trustees, Olohunwa stated that as a major stakeholder and elder in the union, he could not sit, fold his arms and be unconcerned while members were having bitter acrimony against one an-

other over the state of affairs in the union. He, therefore, urged the national leadership, led by Alhaji Usman Yasin, to urgently address the issue, by listening to the two opposing sides, with a view to broker peace between them and consequently nip in the bud, any crisis that may want to rear its ugly head over the matter. Speaking further, Olohunwa advised the leadership of the union to always engage the government constructively on any policy bordering on the operations of the union and its members in the state.

Dr Bukola Saraki, intervened to douse the tension. Saraki asked Aduda to repeat his additional prayer, which the latter did and he then put the question. The voice vote clearly divided the Senate as the APC senators voted “nay” against Aduda’s prayer, while the PDP senators voted “aye.” Saraki, however, hit the gavel in favour of the APC, which shouted “nay.” Again, Saraki yielded the floor to Senator Omoworare to raise an additional prayer and he (Omoworare) said: “I want to move that the immediate past government be made to account for every penny spent on SURE-P and other poverty alleviation programmes, and I so move, Mr President.” The PDP senators showed their disdain for the motion when Saraki put the question by refusing to vote “aye” or “nay”, as they simply kept mute. In the motion, moved by Senator Akpan, the lawmaker observed that the latest figures of Nigeria’s soaring unemployment situation by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the rate had increased to 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2015 from 7.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year and 6.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2014. “The latest statistics as released by the Bureau reveals that economically active population, or working age comprising Nigerian within the age range of 15 to 64, is now 103.5 million, increasing from 102.8 million in the last quarter of 2014, while the unemployed labour force now stands at 74 million Nigerian youths. This is truly a calamity,” he said. He also expressed concern that about N2 million had been expended on intervention funds by the Federal Government to boost the productivity of various sectors of the economy in the last five years without any commensurate impact on employment generation. “With a projected population growth of 200 million by 2020, we project an unemployed population of about 100 million Nigerians or more. “If the unemployed youth of this country are effectively engaged in gainful employment, terrorism, kidnapping, robbery and other socio-economic and cultural vices will be drastically reduced,” he said. Also on Wednesday, the Senate asked President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the funds allocated to Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) under the administration of former President, DrGoodluck Jonathan.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Lagosmetro Why I mounted roadblock — Fake MOPOL officer

Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 31-year-old man, Husseni Elisha, on Wednesday admitted that he impersonated a mobile police officer in order to pay his wife’s medical bills. Elisha was arrested at Mosalasi bus stop, Egbeda area where he mounted the road block causing traffic gridlock and forcefully extorting money from motorists and motorcycle operators. It was gathered that while he was carrying the illegal extortion, a patrol team from Area M Idimu command apprehended him and asked to know why he was doing so. He introduced himself as a mobile policeman and presented a police identity card which was later discovered to be fake. On preliminary investigation, the team discovered that he was not a policeman and subsequently arrested and took him to the command. He confessed that he was not a policeman, saying he made his papers in WAEC exam with credits and applied to join the air force and police but did not make the cut. He said he decided to come to Lagos six years ago to set up a business but again was unable to do that due to fund. He said he decided to impersonate and was using it to extort from motorists before he was arrested. On the day he was arrested, Elisha said what prompted him to embark on serious extortion was that his wife gave birth and there was no money to pay their medical bill and feeding. According to police, Elisha was caught wearing mobile police uniform, identity card and warrant and was using it to extort money from motorists and motorcycle operators. He was charged to court for the alleged offence on a three-count charge under the Criminal Code. The presiding magistrate, Mrs J.O.E Ad-

eyemi granted him bail of N100,000 He was remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri pending when he perfects his bail condition. The matter was adjourned till December 5, 2015.

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Lagos shuts 6 firms for tax default Chukwuma Okparaocha

s part of efforts to enforce tax compliance in the state, the La-

gos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on Wednesday sealed six companies for failure to remit N18.73 million personal income taxes of their workers to

the state government. This was made known by the Assistant Head of Distrain Unit of the LIRS, Mrs Oluwalomona Ekosanmi, who disclosed this to the

media after an enforcement exercise carried out by the Service in parts of Lagos. According to Ekosanmi, who led the enforcement team, the affected companies had tax liabilities of between 12 months and six years. To avoid running afoul of the state’s laws on tax remission in the future, Ekosanmi urged firms operating in the state to regularly remit personal income taxes of their workers to the service to avoid any embarrassment and disruption that would be associated with non -compliance. She further said that the enforcement exercise would continue until every tax-payer imbibes the culture of voluntary tax compliance appropriately. Some of the affected companies included a firm in the oil and gas sector, a paint manufacturing firm, and an electrical firm, among others.

Employee arraigned for embezzlement Chukwuma Okparaocha Despite the sign prohibiting the act, some lawless Lagosians still dump waste even in front of the sign board located at Ogunnusi Bus Stop, Ojodu. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

3 robbers arrested, ammunition recovered from 4 others Olalekan Olabulo Three traffic armed robbers, who were operating around Osborne area of Ikoyi in Lagos State, have been arrested by the police, while arms and ammunitions were also recovered from a gang of four robbers who were suspected to be returning from an operation. Policemen from the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SRAS) of the state police command, who were stationed at Ikoyi divisional police station while re-

sponding to a distress call of a traffic robbery arrested the suspects. Lagos Metro gathered that the trio of Oyewunmi Owolabi, Lekan Azeez and another member of the gang, simply identified as Afolarin, were dispossessing vehicle owners and passengers of their belongings when the policemen raced to the scene. It was further gathered that the suspected armed robbers were using a motorcycle to navigate the traffic when the law enforcement officers rounded

them up. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor, while speaking on the arrest of the suspects said “The strategies put in place by the Lagos State police command towards nipping in the bud the current crimes of motor traffic robbery in the state has started yielding results. “Following a distress call by a victim of motor traffic robbery at Osborne area of Ikoyi, On Monday the 2nd November 2015 at about 1800hrs, which was

promptly responded to by a team of Anti-Robbery Squad stationed at Ikoyi Police Division led to the arrest of Owolabi Oyewumi ‘m’, Lekan Azeez ‘m’ and Afolarin ‘m’ in whose possession one motorcycle (Boxer) was recovered.” Also policemen attached to the newly introduced Tactical Operational Point (TOP) mounted by the operatives of Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) accosted two motorcycles with two occupants each moving menacingly at Iyana Oba Bus-Stop.

A 35-year-old man, Stanley Nzeakor, has been accused by a seafood company of stealing various types of fish valued at N1,625,723. Stanley was also accused of conspiring with others to embezzle N250,000 at Premium Seafood company. It was gathered that the accused allegedly stole the money which was meant for the payment of various truck loaders who worked for the company. The accused who pleaded not guilty before an Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court, was admitted to bail on request of his lawyer, Oluwadare Sowunmi, to the like sum of N100, 000,00 with two sureties, one to be well known and with a house in Lagos State. The case was adjourned till December 10, 2015.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL

PENSION VERIFICATION EXERCISE OF RETIRED FEDERAL JUDICIAL OFFICERS The General Public is hereby notified that the National Judicial Council is conducting a Pension Verification Exercise of all Retired Judicial Officers and Retired Staff of the Judiciary (as defined below),who are currently on its payroll in the Six GeoPolitical Zones of the country to update its records. The affected Judicial Officers and Retired Judicial Staff are as follows:A) i ii

All Retired Federal Judicial Officers vide Federal Judicial Officers (Administration of Pension) Act,2007. All Retired State Judicial Officers with Federal Government Share of Pension.

B) All Retired Judicial Staff that worked in the Judiciary of the Federal Government of the First Republic, the Regional Governments and the States created in 1967 and in March 31st 1976, and continued with their services in the States created thereafter; whose pensions administration and payment had been transferred in 2007 from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to the National Judicial Council. NOTE: All Retired Judicial Officers and Retired Judicial Staff to be verified shall be only those that were captured in the last Biometric Exercise and are on the payroll of the National Judicial Council. No Retired Staff of the Judiciary whose name was not included in the list of Pensioners transferred to the National Judicial Council by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in 2007and is not currently on its Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Payroll, shall be verified. This Exercise does not include Retired Judicial Staff who are currently on the Contributory Pension Scheme being administered by the various Pension Fund Administrators. Newly Retired Judicial Officers that are yet to receive their retirement benefits are to kindly appear in any of the venues indicated in paragraph C with the following documents:i ii iii iv v iv v vi

Letter/Gazette of First Appointment; Letter of Last Promotion; (Appointment as a Judicial Officer); Letter of Retirement; Certified True Copy of Record of Service; Last Pay Certificate; Birth Certificate/Sworn Declaration of Age; Clearance of Indebtedness to the Federal Government of Nigeria; Two recent Passport Photographs.

C) The Affected Retired Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary are to appear before the Officers of the National Judicial Council, who are conducting the verification exercise in the Six Geo-Political Zones from 02nd to 17th November, 2015, in the High Court of each state as per the itinerary below:-

ZONES

DATE/MONTH

VENUE

NORTH EAST ZONE 1 Bauchi 2 Gombe 3 Yobe 4 Borno 5 Adamawa 6 Taraba

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

State High Court

NORTH WEST ZONE 1 Kaduna 2 Kano 3 Jigawa 4 Katsina 5 Zamfara 6 Sokoto 7 Kebbi

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015 16th - 17th Nov., 2015

State High Court

SOUTH WEST ZONE 1 Ekiti 2 Ondo 3 Osun 4 Oyo 5 Ogun 6 Lagos

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

State High Court

NORTH CENTRAL ZONE 1 Kwara 2 Niger 3 Kogi 4 Benue 5 Nasarawa 6 Plateau

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

7 FCT COURT

16th - 17th Nov., 2015

National Judicial Council

SOUTH EAST ZONE 1 Ebonyi 2 Enugu 3 Abia 4 Imo 5 Anambra

02nd - 03rd Nov, 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015

State High Court

SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE 1 Edo 2 Delta 3 Bayelsa 4 Rivers 5 Akwa Ibom 6 Cross-River

02nd - 03rd Nov, 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

Signed:

MANAGEMENT

NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL

State High Court

businessnews

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

FG approves N413bn subsidy claims to oil marketers Ayodele adesanmi And tunde Dodondawa-Abuja

HE Federal Government, on Wednesday, approved the payment of N413 billion to oil marketers as outstanding payment for subsidy claims The payment, which was made on behalf of the government by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was part of the initiatives to ensure zero fuel queues. According to the corporation“It is our belief that with the outstanding payment due to oil marketers now assured, the marketers and other downstream players will join hands with the NNPC to guarantee that the nation remains wet with petroleum products all year round.” The corporation added in a statement signed by Mr Ehi Alegbe, Public Affairs Manager, that it had already stepped up measures to eliminate the noticeable fuel queues in some petrol stations across

Warri refinery workers disrupt repair work over 12-month wages Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

THOUSANDS of angry contract staff have shut down ongoing repair works at the Warri Refining and Petrolchemical Company (WRPC) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over unpaid 12 months wages. The protesters laid siege to the company’s premises as early as 6.00a.m, on Wednesday, disrupting all ongoing work at the refinery. The workers also prevented vehicles from going in and out of the yard thereby causing heavy gridlock along the busy refinery road and expressway in Ekpan.

some major cities in the country with the injection of additional volumes of premium motor spirit, to enrich product availability in the affected areas. It stated that in line with its drive to ensure zero fuel queues ahead of the forthcoming yuletide and beyond, the corporation, he insist was working assiduously with its downstream

subsidiary company, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and other downstream players to consolidate the prevailing stability in the supply and distribution of fuel nationwide. The corporation informed that “Apart from increasing the volume of products distributed to stations across the coun-

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned managements of firms in the oil and gas sector and the government not to unduly rationalise, sack workers or indulge in redundancy under the guise of slump in global oil prices. The association threatened to resist any move in that direction, and called on the management of Nigerian National Petroleum

compliance with laid down rules regarding loading and product evacuation across board to eliminate

Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

INVESTORS on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday further lost

N14.442 billion off their investment as equity market continued on a bearish trend with 0.07 per cent depreciation. All-Share Index on the

N1bn fine: Court bars FRC from interfering in Stanbic IBTC’s operations Ayomide Owonibi OdekanyinLagos

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, barred the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) from interfering in the operations of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc pending the final determination of a suit against the regulatory agency. Justice Ibrahim Buba, in a ruling on the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by Stanbic IBTC Holdings also restrained FRCN from inviting the company’s entire Board of Directors to any meeting in connection with any statu-

tory investigation of its financial statements until the final determination of the pending suit. The judge, however, refused the third leg of the reliefs sought by Stanbic IBTC with regards to restraining FRCN from taking any step to enforce an invitation of October 16, 2015 from the council to attend a meeting. It will be recalled that Stanbic IBTC Holdings had dragged FRCN and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) to court over allegations of material mis-statements

Corporation (NNPC) to stem the wave of redundancy in the oil industry. Specifically, the association advised the NNPC to call to order the International Oil Companies (IOCs) which engage in redundancy due to the slump in international oil prices; warning that, if not quickly checked, it would further compound the already bloated labour market. Speaking on Wednesday at the 4th Triennial Delegates’ Conference of PENGASSAN, NNPC Corporate Headquarters branch, in

Abuja, President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson also implored the management of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to come out with a clear policy on frequent redundancy plans by operators in the industry. We, therefore, caution managements in the oil and gas sector and the government not to unduly and indiscriminately move to rationalise or cut jobs by capitalising on the global phenomenon.”

hoarding and other vices detrimental to the free flow of products.”

NSE investors lose N14.4bn

Managing Director, Edinho Ltd, Chief Edmond Okafor, receiving the keys of a new Toyota RA-4 SUV from Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria, Mr Peter Ndegwa, as Guinness Nigeria’s Best Overall Distributor at the Guinness Nigeria’s distributors’ conference in Lagos, recently.

PENGASSAN threatens to resist job cut over fall in oil prices Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

try, inspection team from the PPMC have been commissioned to go round our operational areas to ensure

in its financial accounts which culminated in a N1 billion fine. At yesterday’s proceedings, the judge equally granted an application by Stanbic IBTC Holdings to amend its originating summons. This was after dismissing the objections of FRCN’s lawyer, Olusina Sofola

(SAN) to the application. Sofola had argued that the application for amendment was akin to putting something on a dead issue. Sofola added that if the plaintiff had any fresh grievances, it should file a fresh suit. He urged the court to reject the request for an amendment.

Another Nigerian airline gets Lagos-London route approval Shola Adekola-Lagos

MED-VIEW has got an approval from the United Kingdom authorities to commence direct operations between Lagos and London. The airline, which agreed that competition on the Lagos-London route is intense, however, assured that it would attract air travellers to its fold through several incentives like free limousine ride for passengers on the business class and Gatwick Express for economy passengers, adding that its airfare of N149,000 start off remains as the most affordable on the route. The inaugural flight to London from Lagos is Friday, November 20, 2015. Speaking on the development, Managing Director, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, said at

present, the airline would operate four weekly flights out of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and out of Gatwick International Airport, London. Bankole observed that Nigerians were regularly exploited on the LagosLondon route by the foreign carriers, assuring that with the coming on stream of the airline on the route, such exploitation would reduce to the barest minimum, while air travellers would now have better choices on carriers to fly with to the European country and beyond. According to Bankole, the choice of Gatwick instead of the popular Heathrow International Airport was as a result of its central location, stressing that it would also cater for people Up North and South of United Kingdom.

NSE closed at 29,032.44 basis points compared with the 0.29 per cent depreciation recorded on Tuesday when ASI closed at 29,052.87 basis points, with its year-to-year returns standing at 16.23 per cent. However, market turnover closed positive with volume increasing by 8.90 per cent, a fast pick up from 45.88 per cent decline recorded on Tuesday. Oando Plc led the gainers’ chart, adding 47 kobo to its N6.51 per share to close at N6.98 kobo. Guinness Plc followed with a 4.99 per cent gain, closing at N136.42 per share. Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc closed at N19.85 per share with a 4.97 per cent gain, while Wema Bank Plc’s shares appreciated by 4.26 per cent to close at 98 Kobo per share. Among 27 quoted companies on the laggard chart, Mobil Plc led with a 9.75 per cent loss to close at N138.99 per share, followed closely by Fidson Plc with a 9.68 per cent loss, shedding 33 kobo from its N3.41 per share it traded with at the beginning of the day. By the end of trading activities on Wednesday, 3,073 deals were made, trading 181,596,881 shares worth N2,055,278,553.

Egbin plant to create industrial hub by 2019 —Mgt Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

NIGERIA’S largest power generation company, Egbin Power Plc, has reiterated its commitment to enhance economic growth and development in the nation through the creation of an industrial hub that will support industries with uninterrupted power supply. Kola Adesina, Chairman, Egbin Power, said the company’s industrial park which is projected for completion by 2019, would be designed to support small, medium and large enterprises and ultimately make Egbin town a confluence of industrial activities. According to Adesina, Egbin Power also plans to double the plant’s capacity to 2,670MWs from its current 1,320MWs. “We are planning to raise the plants’ capacity by additional 1,350MWs to the existing 1320MWs to become 2,670MWs by 2019.”

business

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for Wednesday, 4 november, 2015

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news Petrol hoarding: DPR to fine erring filling stations N2m •Seals off over 50 stations in Ibadan 13

By Tunde Ogunesan with Agency Reports

HE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says N2 million fine will be imposed on any petrol filling station in Kwara State hoarding, cheating and indulging in sharp practices. DPR Operation Controller in the state, Mr Salvation Philip, said this on Wednesday when he led a team on inspection of some petrol stations in the state. According to him, apart from paying the fine, the affected stations will also be suspended for two months. The warning came on the heels of lingering fuel crisis in Ilorin. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that few filling stations in Ilorin and environs, which have the product, have long queues of motorists. Philip said the measure would not only send warning signal to marketers but also deter others believed to be perpetrating the unpatriotic act. He said hoarding of fuel was criminal and would be treated as such. The controller said that the affected station would be banned from lifting fuel in any depot of the country. He said that DPR would formally communicate to the erring companies the embargo placed on their operations. He said that the department was disturbed by unwholesome activities of some station owners because their illegal practice affected business activities and masses in the state. During the inspection, the monitoring team visited a petrol station on Ajase-Ipo Road, and discovered that the station was selling at N120 per litre, contrary to the official price of N87. The DPR boss directed the station to immediately revert to the approved price and warned that the agency would not tolerate sabotage. About 3,200 litres of petrol was discovered in another station on the road when the team visited the station. The station manager claimed that the product was reserved for the owner of the station. Philip described the action as a clear case of hoarding, warning that the agency might impose N2 million fine on the station. “Hoarding in this critical time is criminal and we would treat it as such. “I don’t think it is a good thing to keep fuel for personal use while members of the public it is meant to

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

serve are denied. “From now, this act of sabotage would be meted with full wrath of the law to serve as deterrence to others. “Any station found wanting will pay N2 million fine and would be suspended for two months,’’ he said. The controller said that the monitoring of filling stations in the state was to ensure compliance with the laid down rules and regulations governing oil and gas sector in the country. Meanwhile, as the effect of fuel scarcity bite harder in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the inspection teams of the DPR, Ibadan field office, yesterday sealed off no fewer than 50 filling stations across the state for various offences.

In an interview with journalists, Operations Controller, Mr Olakunle Ogunlana, described the fuel scarcity as ‘artificial’ and informed that “government is doing enough to ensure availability of petroleum products across the country and will not hesitate to deal with saboteurs.” He added that the sealing exercise and subsequent sanction became inevitable as some independent fuel marketers in the state continually take undue advantage of unsuspecting public by selling the product far above the government approved pump price. Acting on tip-off and series of complaints from the members of the public

in certain parts of the state, the staff of the Department, in separate teams with the assistance of men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) visited the interior parts of the state where sharp practices are most rampant. According to sources around Apete area where one of the teams inspected, the pump price of petrol sells between N105 and N110 per litre and an additional charge of N100 for every 10litres bought. Also, another filling station located on Sango-Eleyele Road was sealed off for selling above the government approved pump price. Romkol Global Oil, Apete, Solace Global Resources

Limited, Apete, Muhatorm Petroleum Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited all in AwotanIludun, Mericom Business Heritage, Arola, Towafad Interbiz Limited, Arola and Gilog Oil Nigeria Limited, Awotan were also sealed off. The team that inspected Apata, Ashipa, New-Garage, Arapaja and its environs also sealed more than 20 stations. Notably are Moore Filling Station at Apata Odo Ona which was sealed for selling PMS at N110 per litre and its refusal to revert to government approved price and D-Nest, Apata/New Garage Expressway, Kuola which got sealed for selling at N100 per litre while Sabara oil, Oleyo road, Ashipa was sealed for selling above pump price.

Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola (right); Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun State, Prince Gboyega Famodu (left) and one of the site engineers, Musbau Kazeem (second right), during the inspection of the ongoing construction of Osogbo High School, on Wednesday.

Kogi, Bayelsa governorship candidates to sign peace accord THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would hold a peace accord conference for contestants of the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa gubernatorial elections. INEC Deputy Director, Publicity Nick Da-

zang, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday. Dazang said the conference for Bayelsa State had been scheduled for November

10, while that of Kogi State would be held on November 18 alongside with the state’s stakeholders’ forum. “A peace accord is going to be signed by the contestants in both Kogi and Bayelsa states. The idea is

I’ve completed 70km roads in urban renewal programme —Wike Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that he has completed over 70 kilometer roads across the state since the inception of his administration. He said the completed roads included Township roads in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Eleme and Oyigbo Local Government Area. The governor made the disclosure while speaking after the inspection of the Industry/NPA and Borokiri roads, all in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday. He said that road reconstruction revolution of his

administration was aimed at improving the state’s economy. The governor, who expressed satisfaction with the pace of road construction in the state, said the state government would complete key roads in all the adjoining local government areas to the state capital. “We are interested in infrastructural development because these roads drive the economy. We have engaged in the total revolution of the road infrastructure for the overall growth of the state. “You can see the joy on

the faces of the people during today’s inspection visits to Industry/NPA Road and Borokiri. You can see that the people are happy with the government for the revolution in the road infrastructure sector,” he said. He stated that his administration had embarked on key projects in housing, education, environmental and agricultural sectors in the last two months. He also said that dedicated clearance of blocked canals in Port Harcourt, Eleme and Obio/Akpor local government areas within the period had led to less flooding in the affected areas.

to commit the contestants and followers to peace. “INEC is holding the conference in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),” he said. He said that the exercise was necessary as both Kogi and Bayelsa states were part of the states recognised as ‘flash points’. “Already, there are reports of people stockpiling arms in the two states, but we have not confirmed the authenticity of these reports. “One of the Civil Society Organisations we work with- Transition Monitoring Group- has alleged that there is a stockpile of arms in one of the local governments in Kogi State and about two in Bayelsa State.” Dazang said that the commission had called the attention of appropriate authorities to the reports. “It will be recalled that before now, there have been reported cases of election violence in both Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold “Imitate Jesus” Regional Convention Nov 6 - 8 THE fourth of the witnesses “Imitate Jesus” Regional Convention will come up this weekend, November 6 – 8, at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ifatumo Village along Ibadan / Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. The “Imitate Jesus!” convention will examine Jesus life as outlined in the Bible, and emphasise how all, regardless of their background, lifestyle or religion can benefit in practical ways from his examples and teachings. Highlight of the programme will be the keynote address, entitled “Concealed in Him are the treasures of wisdom”, to be delivered Friday morning. This was contained in a press release made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by the Media Officer, Mr Sunday Olukayode Oladele. He said Jesus sermon on the mountain offers timeless advice that can help parents to better their time and resources to build a more secured and loving family environment. Jehovah’s witnesses have been extending personal invitation to everyone from Oyo, Ogun and Osun states to attend the convention. About 20,000 delegates are expected at the upcoming six series of the convention that will commence this weekend. The convention will also feature talks, interviews, demonstrations and experiences; and there will be baptism of new members.

All Saints Church holds 55th choir festival All Saints Church (ASC), Jericho, Ibadan, will be holding its 55th Choir Festival on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 5:00p.m., on the church premises. It will feature hymns, anthems, solos, duets, trios, instrumentals, among others, to adore the Lord Jesus Christ. Dignitaries expected at the concert are the minister-in-charge, The Very Reverend Adesola Kuyebi; assistant minister, Reverend Canon O.B Ajomale; the choirmaster, Mr J.A Morakinyo; organist, Professor Ayodele Falase; the associate organist, Dr. Christopher Ayodele and Chairman, Anniversary Committee, Dr. Olusola Famuyide, among others.

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Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Nigeria’s airport facilities obsolete, FAAN MD tells Senate Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

HE facilities and equipment at the airports across the country were acquired over 30 years ago and therefore obsolete, the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma, informed the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Aviation, on Tuesday. Speaking during his ap-

pearance before the Committee, Dunoma disclosed that it was the reason behind the rating of the nation’s airports as the worst in the country by an international aviation agency. The Managing Director mentioned conveyor belt, generators, elevators and air conditioners as those equipment that were no longer functioning as expected because the agency could not afford modern ones to replace old ones.

Dunoma stated that some time ago, the FAAN management had to invite the manufacturers of a giant generator installed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Lagos, from Germany to help fix the faulty power plant. According to him, the response from the manufacturers was disappointing as they responded that it would be difficult to fix it because the brand was no longer in use and that the parts were

not readily available again, even expressed surprise that the generator, which was as old as the airport itself, was still in operation. He regretted that the facilities were being overstretched because new ones had not been acquired in recent years, but however, disclosed that efforts were being made to acquire new ones as part of the current remodelling project going on at all the nation’s airports.

However, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of aviation, Hajia Binta Bello, said budgetary provisions alone was not enough to transform the nation’s airports, stressing that a former aviation minister, Stella Oduah, made use of intervention funds to execute her remodelling project. She lamented the state of the Port Harcourt airport, especially the departure wing and attributed its condition to the non completion of the project started by the last administration, but informed that the committee set up to work out the possibility of setting up a national carrier had concluded its work and that her ministry had submitted the report to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval. She disclosed that “We are waiting for President Buhari’s approval so that we

NYSC to loan corps members N2m each for SAED By Olawale Olaniyan

From left, National Secretary, Old Students Association of Wesley College of Science, Dr Frederick Babatunde Odutola; Honourable Bisi Alamu; winners of the quiz competition, Oladapo Abdulsalami and Oladipupo Olawale, representing Wesley College of Science and the principal of the school, Mr Idowu Adeosun, during the quiz competition to mark the 110th anniversary of the school, at Elekuro, Ibadan. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Old students ready to manage Wesley College if ... —National Secretary By Tunde Ogunesan

THE national secretary, Wesley College Old Students Association (WESCOSA), Dr Fred Odutola, has declared that the old students were ready to take over the school, manage and ensure better standard, if government was not ready to improve on the current decaying structures in the school. Dr Odutola stated this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, during the students’ quiz competition organised by the old students as part of the college’s 110th anniversary celebrations. The national secretary lamented the sorry state of infrastructural facilities in the school, saying it behoves an act of neglect on the part of government. According to him, “we’re talking about sense of belonging, we just came around and discovered that these structures are becoming dilapidated because it is now government school and government is paying lip service to free education. “We know government can run it. We understand that even in this school, there

are about 28 teachers whose salaries are being paid by the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA). A lot of structures are being done by old students, the doors of the jubilee hall was replaced 10 years ago, they are all broken now, the chairs are broken and the jubilee hall has become an extension of the dining hall. We are not

happy about these developments, so we have come together and see how we can rebuild the walls of Wesley College. “After the 110th anniversary, we want to have a 10-year plan from 20152025, so that within these 10 years, we will modernise Wesley College. And if government is tired of running

this school, they should return it back to us. We can run it better and get things done better. We can get scholarship for the students and also attract scholarship from the old students who are in high places throughout all countries of the world. We want to save this college from going totally down,” Odutola noted.

Osun Assembly wades into medical doctors’ strike Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

WORRIED by the continued strike action by the members of Osun State Association of Medical and Dental Officers (OSAMDO), Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday, met with the leaders of the union as part of the moves to end the industrial action. At a meeting with the executives of OSAMDO, the house leadership, led by the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam said it would support the officers to get their dues. The Speaker, who empathised with the medical personnel over their

demands, assured that all efforts would be made to ensure that their demands were met. Briefing the press after the meeting, OSAMDO chairman, Dr Isiaka Adekunle and the chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said the discussion between the union and the parliament was fruitful. Adekunle, who commended the lawmakers for their intervention, said the union executive would call an emergency meeting on Thursday, to inform its members and decide on the next line of action.

While maintaining that the decision to suspend the strike could not be taken alone, he said all efforts would be made to convince the union members to suspend the action. Also, Oyintiloye said the union and the legislature had some understandings over the way forward on the need to suspend the strike action in the interest of the generality of the people. He, however, appealed to them to return to work and support the government in its quest at ensuring provision of effective qualitative healthcare delivery to the people.

THE Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, has urged corps members to key into the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAEDP), so as to be job creators and not job seekers after service year. Olawumi said this on Tuesday, at Oyo State NYSC Permanent Orientation camp, Iseyin, during his familiarisation tour of camps nationwide. He disclosed that the directorate of NYSC was ready to offer loans to 500,000 corps members who engaged in the programme the sum of N2million each for their business take off. Olawumi stated that corps members needed to be loyal and patriotic during and after service years, just as he urged them to be ambassadors of the country wherever they find themselves. He said “SAED programme was designed to turn some of these corps members to job creators and not job seekers, and we realised that when we introduced the skills, it was not just sufficient, they needed to be empowered because if you give them the skills and they don’t have money to set up small businesses, then the work done is zero, so based on that we approached Bank of Industry and Heritage Bank.

can take the draft bill to the Federal Executive Council once it is inaugurated. Everything about the project is ready.” Both the FAAN MD and the permanent secretary agreed that privatising the nation’s airports may not be feasible for now because only three of them are currently viable.

UNILORIN Alumni Association holds congress THE University of Ilorin Alumni Association holds its congress on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the UNILORIN Auditorium (Basement), Main Campus, by 10a.m. According to a statement signed by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Wale Fasakin, delegates are expected to arrive on Friday, November 13, 2015. Further information about the congress can be obtained from the national secretariat of the association at UNILORIN.

God of Bethel Int’l Ministry holds annual 7 Thursdays of Power GOD of Bethel Int’l Ministry, behind Obat Tower, Elelu, Adegbayi, Ibadan, Oyo State, will hold its seven Thursdays of power from Thursday, November 5 to Thursday December 17, at 9am-12pm, at the church auditorium. With theme, “The Advocate,” the programme will feature salvation, deliverance, praise worship, breakthrough, prophetic declaration, among others. Ministering are: Pastor Seun Oyewusi, Pastor E.B. Taiwo, Pastor Taiwo Omoseyin and Pastor Kayode Isaac, while Prophetess Akinola Florence Olubanke is the chief host.

Prophetess Akinola Florence Olubanke

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Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Customs seizes N10bn pirated goods at Lagos Port Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

IRECTOR-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Afam Ezekude, on Tuesday, revealed that goods worth N10 billion in 24 containers were seized by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Lagos Port and handed over to the commission. This was even as he stated that piracy was an organised crime and as such, there should be concerted efforts from all stakeholders to tackle the menace in the country. Speaking while receiving the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd), who paid a familiarisation visit to the NCC office at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, Ezekude informed that lots of pirated works entered the country from China and other Asian countries. The NCC boss informed the Comptroller-General of Customs of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two organisations in 2011, which enabled NCC to set up a unit at Lagos Port to carry out joint inspection, with a view to ensuring that goods coming into Nigeria conformed to copyright laws of the country. While acknowledging that the commission had initially been receiving cooperation from Customs operatives at the port, Ezekude, however, lamented that NCC was not getting the usual cooperation now. “We started very well and I will like the cooperation continues for us to achieve our respective mandates,” the NCC boss said. According to him, port operators ought to realise that the commission had a genuine work to do at the ports, appealing that NCC should have access to shipping manifest, with a view to ensuring that pirated works were not allowed to come into the country. Responding, Colonel Ali

informed that he was on the visit, with a view to introducing himself to strategic stakeholders, which NCC was one, adding that it was also meant to create a platform, where both the Customs and the NCC could

interact on a regular basis. Ali, who solicited greater collaboration between the two organisations, stated that both NCC and the Customs were working towards achieving a single goal, submitting that in view of that,

they had to work together. “All of us are working for one goal— to uplift this nation. We have a lot of things in common, hence, need to work together,” the Customs boss stated. He implored the man-

Rice investors brace up for adverse effect SMUGGLING of rice from across the Nigerian borders has reached prohibitive levels, with hundreds of trailers plying back and forth neighbouring countries carrying illegal shipments of the staple food. The nation’s supply gap was estimated to be around three million tonnes by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and half that number by the Federal Government earlier this year. However, legal importers paying full tariff of 70 per cent have not been able to compete with smugglers who enjoy a free ride to the market, aided by negligible tariffs in neighbouring Cameroon and Republic of Benin, taking advantage of porous borders. Another pertinent problem hamstringing rice investors is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ban of foreign exchange for rice imports, among other products, choking the importation supply chain. The resultant shortage in the market is now being exploited by smugglers, who prospered significantly in 2013, when they were able to move in around 2.5 million tonnes through the borders, without paying a kobo as import duty. It will be recalled that in 2013, the Federal Government increased the importation tariff to 110 per cent, as against zero- duty regime administered in Benin and Cameroon. As Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) struggles to robe-in the smugglers, the market is rapidly filling up with cheap quality rice, also

frustrating efforts of commercial agriculture by key investors in the rice value chain. Large multinationals, including Olam, Stallion Group and Dangote, have announced large scale investments in the value chain which are crucial in Nigeria’s quest to meet a growing annual demand of 6.5 million tonnes per annum. Stallion Group is expanding its capacities to produce 1.5 million tonnes in Nigeria, while Dangote had announced plans to farm 100,000 hectares for rice production. Effective curbing of rice smug-

gling is essential to get these projects to fruition and encourage millions of farmers to get back intensively to rice farming. The National Rice Millers’ Association of Nigeria (NRMAN), said this week, that the NCS erred in its decision to lift ban on importation of rice through land borders. Chairman of the association, Mohammed Abubakar, said the NCS went beyond its statutory mandate as an enforcement agency in taking such a policy decision. Besides, Mr Abubakar said if the Customs succeed-

kunle Amosun, the Ogun State governor said: “In the real sense of it and for me, there are no federal people, the people plying this road and other affected federal roads within our axis are our people. We are all Nigerians and we are already collaborating with the Federal Government to contribute our own quota to ensure that this road is fixed.” The governor, accompanied on the inspection by

ed in its decision, it would destroy Nigeria’s rice value chain attained by the previous administration. Reports emerged that the huge influx had been noticed in the market from last Saturday, the worst affected being Lagos and South-West. Rice arrives in big trailers of between 12001500 50 kilogrammes bags from Cotonou. There is substantial under-declaration and non-payment aspects in these shipments, making it non-viable for legal importers and local producers to compete with these shipments.

Fasoranti accepts to continue as Afenifere leader Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure LEADERSHIP of the PanYoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Wednesday, converged on Akure, the Ondo State capital and unanimously rejected the offer of Chief Reuben Fasoranti to step aside as the leader of the foremost Yoruba group in the country. Fasoranti, however, accepted to continue to lead the group against speculations that a new leader might emerge after the emergency meeting, which was called by the SecretaryGeneral of the group, Sehinde Arogbofa. Speaking after the meeting of the group, the publicity secretary, Yinka Odumakin, disclosed that members at the meeting pleaded and prevailed on Fasoranti to continue to steer the leadership of Af-

enifere. Odumakin said the octogenarian accepted to continue to lead the group and withdrew his resignation letter earlier submitted to the Secretary-General of the group. “The meeting resolved to urge him to continue as the leader of Afenifere and baba (Fasoranti) has agreed to withdraw his resignation letter and continue as our leader. The good news is that Baba has withdrawn his decision to step aside. “The meeting also appreciates the selfless, dedicated and exemplary leadership Chief Reuben Fasoranti had given to the group since he became the acting leader in 2004 and later the leader of the group. “We took cognisance that he took leadership at the most challenging period of the organisation and

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Amosun to fix Arepo section before Friday CONCERNED about the plight of commuters on the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Ogun State government has embarked on palliative work on bad portions of the expressway. Speaking during an inspection tour of the ongoing palliative work being carried out by the Ogun State Ministry of Works on the federal road at about 1.00 a.m. on Wednesday, Senator Ibi-

agement of NCC to include Customs officials in their training programmes, saying that would enable Customs personnel to be grounded in copyright issues and enhance collaboration between the two organisations.

his wife, Olufunso; Ogun State deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga and members of the Ogun State executive council, assured that the really bad portions of the expressway presently causing gridlock around the Arepo area would be fixed within three days. He said this was even more necessary, in order to ease traffic on the everbusy road before this com-

ing weekend, when major churches on the expressway were billed to hold their monthly programmes which often attracted millions of worshippers. Governor Amosun assured that the state government was expediting actions on putting in place palliative measures that would “make the road easily passable within three days and we are not only working on this road.”

the country, in spite of his old age, he has discharged his duties creditably well and has been a stabilising force. “We are glad to inform you that after listening to the whole meeting, Chief Fasoranti graciously accepted and withdrew the offer of resignation. He is also to see us through the moment ahead in terms of all the plans of reorganisation, reinvigoration, mobilisation and relaunch of Afenifere within the Yoruba and, within Nigeria and in diaspora,” he said. The Afenifere spokesman also cleared the air over the alleged disunity within the group, saying there was no crack in the Afenifere family. Odumakin explained that there was no plan by the group to choose a new leader, saying the leader of the group is still alive, though there could be internal arrangement within the group to choose a person to act during meetings. Confirming his acceptance, Fasoranti said he decided to withdraw his resignation letter in order to move the group forward and abide with the resolution of members of the group. The meeting, held for several hours, had the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Korede Duyile, Chief Supo Sonibare, among others in attendance.

Ooni-elect is our role model —Poly classmates B y T unde O gunesan THE Accountancy class 2002 of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, has described the Ooni-elect, Prince Enitan Adeyemi Ogunwusi, as a role model to the product of the citadel of knowledge. The set, which described the election of one of them, said they were proud of the choice of the new traditional leader of the Yoruba race. Ooni’s classmates, in a press release, a copy which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, said: “It is a honour to have you as an alumnus of the Accountancy Department, The Polytechnic Ibadan. The lecturers, staff and students, both past and present, rejoice with you. “You are a role model to us and your path is a sure way to follow. We are so proud of your achievement that we are going to scream it out aloud to the whole world. “We celebrate with you as you ascend the throne of your fathers; we pray that God will grant you good health, knowledge, wisdom and understanding to rule his people,” the statement read.

Ganduje signs MoU with FG on erosion control KANO State government has signed a subsidiary agreement with the Federal Government for the implementation of the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management project. The World Bank supported project aimed to help reverse threats to land, water resources and livelihood, and will be implemented in seven states, including Kano. In his remarks shortly after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, assured that his administration would provide its counterpart funding to make sure that citizens of the state reaped the advantages project. “This part of the country is having the problem of gulley erosion and other funds of land degradation and unless something is done, eventually our farmland will be reduced,” the governor stated.

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Thursday, 5 November, 2015

I won’t sack workers —Audu

HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, on Wednesday, asked workers in the state to disregard the insinuation that he would sack many of them if re-elected as governor at the November 21 governorship poll. He assured the workers that he would not retrench any of them if voted to power, saying that the retrenchment allegation was the figment of his opponents. Audu said this at Oguma, the headquarters of Bassa Local Government Area during his campaign rally tour in the council area. He said he was ready to improve the working conditions of the workers as he would put an end to percentage salary payment to the workers immediately he assumes power. The former governor said the state workforce should not entertain fear of loosing their jobs, add-

ing that he would maintain a cordial relationship with them in order to restore the lost glory of the

JUST as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensify their campaign ahead of the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, both parties have engaged in war of words. Contained in a statement issued in Yenagoa, signed by APC Campaign Director, Mr Nathan Egba, the party noted that the attack on its supporters during the “Operation Clean Bayelsa/ Evacuation of Refuse” was condemnable. The APC campaign, codenamed “Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation”, reiterated that the exercise was carried out to forestall the possible break of epidem-

Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

KOGI State governor, Idris Wada, on Wednesday, urged the people not to be deceived by the antics of the opposition, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party and its candidate had nothing to offer them. He said another four

years of his administration would enable him consolidate on the foundations he had laid for the socio-economic development of the state. The governor said this at the Abejukolo Township Stadium in Omala Local Government Area of the state, in continuation of

We’re poised to reduce poverty among Kogi women —Wada’s wife Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

WIFE of the Kogi State governor, Hajia Halima Wada, on Wednesday, said her pet project, Kogi Women Empowerment Network (KOWEN), was geared towards reducing poverty level among market women and artisans in

ics, as both school children and pedestrian have continued to breathe the stench from the refuse that has completely cut off a section of the Mbiama/Yenagoa Road and other roads in the state. The PDP, however, responded swiftly, saying that they would not join the tissues of lies that the APC is spreading, when it was clear that their supporters threw caution to the wind and attacked Governor Seriake Dickson convoy at the UltraModern Swali Market while on community campaign tour. The Media Director-General of the Bayelsa Restoration Campaign (BRCO), Mr Jonathan Obuebite, called on the APC to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign.

the state. She, therefore, urged the market men and women associations in the state to continue to support the present administration to be able to do more for them. The governor’s wife, who gave the advice at the inauguration of the executive members of the association, Kabba Bunu chapter, also urged the canvassers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of the state to continue their support for the state governor, Idris Wada, ahead the forthcoming governorship election. Wada, who spoke through the wife of the deputy governor, Tokunbo Awoniyi, said the programme to engage them as canvassers, was to make them key into plans of the Wada agenda, and for them to jointly work out programmes that would enable them be self-reliant and tools to improve their trade and profession. The wife of the governor charged the canvassers on the need for house-tohouse, door-to-door campaign to enable the PDP win overwhelmingly.

Blackmail will not deter our support for Sylva —Alaibe group Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

NOT comfortable with the unsavoury development and lies that the unsuspecting people of the state has been fed with, Head of the Ndutimi Alaibe Support Group, Mr Patterson Ogon, has said that the blackmail against Mr Alaibe would not deter his support group from backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, in the December 5 governorship

sponsible leader would allow workers to go home empty handed at the end of the month in this modern

Don’t be deceived by oppositions’ antics —Wada

Bayelsa PDP/APC engage in war of words ahead Dec 5 poll Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

state. While lamenting the plight of the workers, Audu noted that no re-

poll. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Ogon and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Yenagoa. He noted that from the time of the conceptualisation of the governorship ambition by Alaibe up to the time of the eventful withdrawal from the race, “at no time did he display desperation. Like others who desired to run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC),

Chief Alaibe’s burden was how to extricate the state from the abysmal leadership failure that now holds sway.” Ogon was emphatic that “the decision taken by our principal to back the candidature of Chief Sylva for the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State was not a personal one. It was a collective decision taken in the overall interest of the APC, his teeming supporters and the people of Bayelsa State.”

his campaign towards the November 21 governorship election. Wada, who expressed delight over the huge turnout of people, urged them to reelect him so as to continue his transformation programme for the state. The governor also described Omala as a foundational stronghold of the PDP since 1999, assuring that work on the ongoing Abejukolo Township Road would commence soon. He said, “I have met with contractors handling the Abejukolo Township Road project and by the grace of God they will be on site in few days. Work on the General Hospital, Icheke, will commence before election.” The governor also hinted that as finances improve, his administration would attend to some roads in the local government, listing the roads to include Idris-Okpotala-Bagaji Odo, Akpacha-Ogodu-Ibado, Ankpa-Abejukolo, OfugoIka-Icheke and Ogodu-Ollah-Ikebe.

age; even as he chided the present government in the state for being economical with the truth over the bailout. On infrastructural development, Audu expressed displeasure over the con-

dition of the road he constructed years back to Bassa council headquarters at Oguma, promising to rehabilitate all the feeder roads and the main highways in the council for economic activities to pick up.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

8 1. From left, Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar; Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness, Rilwan Suleman Adamu, during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace by the All Progressive Congress (APC) governors in Bauchi, recently. 2. Ambassador Yemi Farounbi (middle), flanked by his wife, Evelyne and Chief Lekan Alabi, during the birthday of Farounbi, at NTC Road, Ibadan. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU 3. From left, chairman on the occasion, Professor E.A. Akinlo; acting Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Professor Olakunle Frank Odumosu; guest speaker, Mrs Olusade Taiwo and Professor F.O. Nyemuth Roberts, during the NISER seminar series, held at NISER Conference Centre, Ojo, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-KE 4. Professor Taoheed Adedoja (left), Pro-Chancellor of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa

5. 6. 7. 8.

State, during his visit to His Royal Highness, Professor Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar, the Emir of Ilesha Bariba, Kwara State, recently. From left, bride’s parents Mrs Deborah Adeleye and Mr Ademola Famuwagun; former Miss Omowunmi, Mr Famuwagun Temidayo (tribune staff ) and groom’s parents Mr & Mrs Rufus Famuwagun. Chief Rotimi Paseda, governorship candidate of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in last 2015 general election paid a courtesy visit to Oba Michael Adeniji Sonariwo, the Akarigbo of Remoland at his palace in Sagamu. Prince Adebayo and Princess Opeyemi Adekunle Aromolaran, during their wedding ceremony, held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, recently. Mr and Mrs Aderemi Abiodun Adebiyi after their wedding at Ibadan North East Local Government, Iwo Road, Ibadan, recently.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08116954645 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

yournews

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323, 08055001746

Still on CBN’s forex restriction During the forex crisis, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banned deposits of dollar into domiciliary accounts. According to the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, many people were speculating on the naira, and that was why our local currency was falling against major international currencies. However, now that the naira has stabled against international currencies, I think it is high time the sanction was lifted. This is because many Nigerians who travel abroad come back home with foreign currencies, and since they cannot deposit in their accounts, they keep them at home, and this is risky considering the high crime rate in the country. I think the CBN should give this policy another thought as soon as possible. •James Oyibo, 08104543842

FERMA, rehabilitate LagosBadagry expressway Commuters and motorists plying the Lagos-Badagry Expressway are really suffering considering the number of potholes on the road. These death traps are having negative impact on the economic situation of the area. The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is responsible for rehabilitating Federal roads, but I wonder what officials of this organisation are looking at till this important road got to the state it is now. As a result of this, I want to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on FERMA to help us rehabilitate this expressway so that those who ply it can heave a sigh of relief. •Damisa Sunday Thomas, 08144250902

•Sunset! PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

We need debate on local government autonomy FOR some time now, there have been debates on whether local governments should be autonomous, that is, free from the control of the state governors. Some state governors stifle the development of the local councils under their control; their funds are deducted at will, and most of these councils can’t do anything without the approval of their governors. This is one reason it is advisable for the councils to be autonomous. However, when this happens, some council bosses also do not pay their workers. They also behave as Lords in their domains since they have nobody to report to. This decision should be left for the members of the National Assembly to take, but whatever decision is reached, our anti-corruption agencies should be so

strong so that any council chairman or governor who mismanages the economy of his domain will be brought to face justice. Therefore, I think there is the need for a public debate on the merits and demerits of autonomy for local governments in the

country. The local government is the closes to the people, and ordinarily, it will make sense for it to be autonoumous. But there are many people who feel once this happens, the country is heading towards the wrong direction.

Coming up with a public debate will help us weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such step. It will also help boost Nigeria’s internal democracy. I, therefore, want to suggest that the National Assembly should constitute a committee that will be sad-

Olawale Isola, 08062086668.

Govs must allow LG elections Many governors in Nigeria have deliberately stopped conducting local government elections in their states. This is defintely encouraging corruption in our system as the governors manipulate the funds meant for the council areas through their stooges who are appointed as chairmen. When the local government election is not conducted in a state, there will be no development because the chair-

talking about, and it is the bane of our political development. I, therefore, want to charge President Muhammadu Buhari to order state governors to conduct

man is not given the mandate by the people to serve them. Here, the mandate is given by the governor, and the chairman must do his bidding. It has been revealed on several occasions that governors mismanage funds meant for the local government administration, and this will continue if the people do not have a say in who rules over them at the council level. This is part of the poor leadership system we are always

I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to ad-

metaphor for good virtues, a leader, the iconic bait who attracts nobles and commoners, a woman who never stumbled nor get rumbled even in the face

of the worst threats in life, the pillar who sacrificed might for ideals, the mortal Jewel of inestimable value. Adieu, Mama HID, we will definitely miss your

wise counsel. You defended the country well, and particularly the Yoruba nation, when Papa left the scene. •Akinola Iwilade, 08035883705

elections into their local governments so that the people can truly have a say in who administers their affairs at that level. •Jimoh Mumin, 08034435211

Appeal to BEDC on supply of electricity to Ekiti

As Mama HID goes home In Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo’s demise, I saw Nigeria missing a political, royal, pristine pearl of virtuous womanhood, a man in a woman, a symbolic

dled with the responsibility of going round the country to sample the opinion of Nigerians on this. It will be better if the committee engages the people in a

dress the issue of electricity blackout in Kota Ekiti. I am also urging our lawmakers at the state and national levels to appeal to the electricity company as well. We are law-abiding citizens in this community, and we don’t default in our bills payment, so it is most unfortunate that we are experiencing this blackout. •Agboola Alfred, 08039173377

editorial

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Litigants and delayed CTCs

HAT on earth could have prompted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State to desperately clamour for the Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by the National and State Election Tribunals? According to media reports, a letter dated October 28,2015, written by Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), counsel to both the PDP and INEC, had specifically requested the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to intervene in getting the Certified True Copy of the judgment to forestall imminent miscarriage of justice. Without doubt, Certified True Copies of judgments are sine qua non to all post-litigation procedures, including appeals and even implementation of judgment, and ideally should be taken for granted as a simple legal process. So, it beggars belief that the counsel to both the PDP and INEC should request the CJN to intervene to forestall imminent miscarriage of justice. Obviously, there must have been many of such miscarriages of justice in the past due to delayed Certified True Copies that may, with financial prompting or any other vested interests, have been subjected to alteration. It may be impossible to ascertain that the judgment will be implemented to the letter if the Certified True Copy is not provided or if it is unduly delayed. The dictum that justice delayed is justice denied becomes relevant at this juncture. In any event, it becomes worrisome that the issue of Certified True Copy of judgment will become an issue to be influenced at the height of the judiciary structure, the CJN, that it will require his intervention to forestall miscarriage of justice, and we cannot but wonder what will happen to the hordes of common people who have approached the judiciary for various legal reprieves but who do not have the clout to seek the intervention of the CJN. If the conservative nature of the judiciary is to

blame for the manual way of writing judgments in longhand, what should be held responsible for the delay in accessing the Certified True Copies after the judgments have been delivered? How will the electoral reforms be implemented if the judiciary is still being shackled by a seemingly simple problem like accessing the CTC? We understand that many judges may have a long way to catch up with computer literacy, hence the hesitation to adopt the laptop as a tool in the administration of justice, but the judiciary must consider how to hasten the issuance of CTCs without sacrificing its authenticity. Although there could be instances when the volume of the judgments could be intimidating and sharing the typing could be illadvised, yet delay should be the last option of all the consequences. Part of the requirements of the electoral reforms stipulate a time bar within which cases can be appealed, and in such instances, delay could frustrate the litigants and therefore the cause of justice. The ultimate ideal of justice is that not only must it be done, but also be seen to have been done. This cannot be so when the CTC is routinely delayed by the courts for whatever reasons. The CJN should urgently impress it on the judges to set up efficient structures in order to hasten the process of accessing CTCs in their courts without sacrificing their authenticity. It will be dangerous if the courts as an integral part of the judiciary are implicated in any way as obfuscating justice in the country. The letter purported to have been addressed to the CJN by the counsel to both the PDP and INEC is to be seen as an embarrassment to the judiciary. It is not only unnecessary; it also shows that the judiciary has been defaulting in a major area of its core duties. It certainly does not require a special letter to the CJN to obtain a CTC elsewhere; it is taken for granted, and we hope the CJN will take appropriate steps to correct the obvious anomaly expeditiously.

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opinion

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

the

avant-garde

Kogi, Bayelsa as Buhari’s, Yakubu’s acid test

N 16 days from today, the people of Kogi State will file out in thousands of thin crooked lines and will be wearing the masks of voters.They will decide who will be their governor. Similarly, Bayelsans will on December 5 be either renewing the mandate given to incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson (the Hulk Hogan Governor) or show preference for one of his predecessors, Timiprey Sylva. The battle in both territories will be fierce and the fierceness is not because it is a war of the forces of good against the forces of evil. In Nigeria, politics is not a battle where the warlords are keen on freeing the majority of Nigerians from the airtight cage of poverty into which they have been corralled by the ruling elite. It is a battle for control of state resources for personal gains. The two elections are coming against the background of the bitter-sweet taste in the conflicting judgments given by the election petitions tribunal, especially as they relate to the issue of card reading machines. In the petition filed by Jimi Agbaje against the election of Akinwunmi Ambode, the Court of Appeal held that the Electoral Act does not recognise card readers and its use and consequently threw out the baby with the bath water. But in the judgment delivered in Rivers State, the tribunal held that there is no conflict between the Electoral Act and the directive on the use of card readers. The election in the state was nullified largely because of the circumvention of INEC’s directive on the mandatory use of the machine for accreditation of voters. In Ebonyi State, the verdict of the tribunal was contrariwise. It held that INEC guidelines on election were mere instructions with no force of law and could therefore not be a ground to challenge an election. In the build up to the last elections, there was a heated debate over the propriety or otherwise of the introduc-

tion of smart card readers for the election. Public opinion was in favour of the use of the technology and not a few Nigerians bought into INEC’s argument that the device would enhance the credibility of accreditation process. While the debate lasted, lawyers and other actors in the judiciary did not voice concern about the need to amend the Electoral Act to accommodate the use of the smart card readers. They knew they would latch onto the lacuna to swing things in favour of their clients at election tribunals. Now, there is a new INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, and he will soon meet with stakeholders and draw out guidelines for the conduct of the two elections. Of what use will the guidelines be, going by the decisions of some of the tribunals mentioned earlier? His predecessor had stressed the mandatory use of card readers for the last governorship election. But that order was flagrantly flouted by most of the Resident Electoral Commissioners and the electoral officers in each of the local government councils. This prompted Professor Attahiru Jega to, at a post-election retreat in Uyo, urge the tribunals to do justice to the petitions from aggrieved candidates. But did the tribunal do justice to the petitions on the nonuse of card readers as Jega said? It is very easy to rig Kogi and Bayelsa elections by the party that offers the most mouth-watering deal. And there are many loose nuts in the operations of INEC that

Nigerian Tribune

with Dare Adekanmbi

m:08053412982 e:samueldare2002@yahoo.ca t:@dareadekanmbi

RECs exploit to wreak havoc on the electoral process. For instance, the electoral officers are custodians of the password to the database of their councils’ voter registers. With this, it is very easy to duplicate the PVCs and all the cards so duplicated will be read as genuine by the card readers. The only obstacle to the use of such cards is the fingerprint authentication which can be bypassed at the voting unit. Some politicians also collude with the RECs to withhold the cards of potential supporters of their opponents. It is just a matter of getting five canvassers from each polling unit to collate the names of those who are for and against them. The list is taken to the EOs to either delay or withhold the PVCs of such people. The PDP raised allegations of interference from the Presidency and the Directorate of State Service in the verdicts delivered by the various tribunals. The Chief Justice of Nigeria has also expressed dissatisfaction with the bashing the judiciary has received in the wake of the judgments. Will President Muhammadu Buhari urge the CJN to probe the judgments delivered by the various tribunals? Buhari vowed to order the prosecution of security operatives found to be guilty of complicity in the malpractices that characterised the election in some states. Now that no soldier or policeman has been found guilty by the tribunals, will Buhari direct the new INEC boss to commence the process of prosecuting the permanent staff involved in areas where elections were nullified? Non-permanent staff too should be banned from participating in future elections. Under the PDP Federal Government, even the ruling party lost some states to the opposition and heavens did not fall. Buhari will have to use the coming polls to convince Nigerians that he is the democrat he said he was before the election. Already, he is being accused of withholding the bailout funds for Kogi and Bayelsa which are opposition states. The votes of the people must be the basis upon which the new governments in those states will be formed. It is when this is done that Buhari will be building on the foundations laid by Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

Of power probes and national interest By Ikeogu Oke

AS revealed by some recent newspaper reports, Nigerians are to expect yet another probe of the power sector by one of the two tiers of the National Assembly, this time the House of Representatives. This new probe, if and when it happens, would be coming on the heels of the probe of the same sector by the Senate, which had commenced on September 8, 2015, but whose outcome remains indeterminate. So we have a situation where, in about two months, two probes of one sector of the economy have been proposed – and may be executed with or without clear results – by both tiers of the federal legislature. And the two are not the only probes of the sector to have been proposed or carried out by the National Assembly. In 2007, the Federal House of Representatives had also instituted a probe of the power sector, chaired by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, whose outcome also turned out to be indeterminate, and during which the house committee directly responsible for the probe became mired in allegations of corruption. It must be acknowledged that these incessant – and alas indeterminate – probes may be an expression of the National Assembly’s commitment to its oversight function, which would be commendable depending on the outcome. But even if probes rather than oil were to be our country’s main revenue earner, and we could mine or manufacture probes for export to alleviate our present economic distress resulting from the slump in the price of oil, shouldn’t we on the other hand be interrogating the desirability of such repetitive and fruitless probes of the power sector by the same arm of the federal government, while pointing out the harm they can do to our national interest? That harm is multi-layered. But first: Even if such probes were to have economic value as I have indicated above – like some minable, exportable, revenue-earning natural resource – their overexploitation as it appears in the case of the Na-

tional Assembly in relation to the power sector should still attract the condemnation due to any abuse. But the main harm they cause to our national interest, which is insidious, begins with the likelihood of their portraying ours as an unserious country to the international community. One of the news stories which announced the latest probe – published on page 8 of Vanguard of October 15, 2015, and entitled “Reps probe BPE over sale of power assets – states that “the House, in a resolution on the motion entitled Alleged Non-transparent and Fraudulent Sale of Power Assets by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE..., bemoaned what it called lack of openness in the processes leading to the sale of power infrastructure to private investors.” The story also states that the House, having unanimously passed the motion through voice votes, “resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the processes and sale of all aspects of power assets ...by BPE to determine if there were malpractices and misconduct in the exercise.” Also, that “the House will ..., in the course of the investigation, determine whether appropriate value was had for money and if any person breached the rules and the law.” Incidentally, the motion was sponsored by John Okafor, who represents Ehime Mbano/Ihite Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State. And while reading the story, I couldn’t help noting that

the motion was referring to the same transaction lauded by Dr. Richard Ichord, the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Transformation, while speaking at the Nigerian Power Sector Investors Conference held in Abuja on February 14, 2014, which I attended. During his remarks at that conference, Dr. Ichord revealed that in his “over 30 years’ experience in privatisation” Nigeria’s power sector reform and privatisation was “the most comprehensive and most transparent transaction in recent history”. Unless I am persuaded by a superior authority, I will continue to believe that this testimonial by Dr. Ichord’s was a very rare case of a transaction carried out within our borders being openly validated for integrity by someone who may be regarded as a voice for the international community. And here lies the contradiction that could portray ours as an unserious country to the international community: We expend a lot of energy and resources trying to project our nation in good light to the outside world, to convince the world beyond our borders that our country is being wrongly characterised with violence, corruption and such ills, and so is safe for investors and their money. Yet on such rare occasions when the outside world commends us as a country for conducting business transactions creditably, we turn round to call our integrity to question with the likes of Hon. Okafor and the House of Representatives alleging “non-transparency” and “fraudulence” against such transactions. But there is a more grievous consequence for our national interest from such allegations. It is that, proven or not, and considering their sometimes high-profile government sources, they are likely to make investors, especially foreign investors, consider our country a high risk destination for investments due to such purported intractable moral challenges, with the result that they would prefer to take their investments elsewhere. •Oke, a public affairs commentator, lives in Abuja.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo

Enugu LG polls: 2 communities protest marginalisation Jude Ossai - Enugu

Igbo people following a vehicle conveying a corpse at a burial ceremony

Rural economy: CD urges S/East monarchs to reduce cost of burial ceremonies Suzy Oruya - Onitsha

HE Campaign for Democracy (CD) has urged the traditional rulers in the South-East to make concerted efforts towards reduction of cost of burial rites and ceremonies in the zone. The chairman of CD, Anambra Chapter, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, made the call after a condolence visit to the family of his deceased father-in-law and philanthropist, Chief Martin Nnabuife, in Umuchu near Nnewi. Ezekwueme said that the high cost of burial rites and ceremonies was a big financial burden on families and a drain on the South-East local economy. He noted that the development had forced most families in the zone to “sell off their lands, which is the only economic legacy left by their patriarchs’’. He regretted that while moderate burials cost nothing less than N250, 000, some societal burials cost as much as N5 million within a zone where most of its productive industries had been shut down. "And if a family or community that is struggling to get out of poverty and youth unemployment would continue in imprudent and wasteful spending on the dead, what then is left for the living to manage in the harsh economic realities of today". “Our elders as well as custodians of the culture, especially the traditional rulers, must come to a round table and put a ceiling

to this practice draining the economy of the South-East as we would not shy away from discussing the high cost of burial rites and ceremonies which are currently consuming families and community economy in the entire South-East. “Even when you critically look at it, you would notice that 90 per cent of items

needed for these burials are imported into the zone, thus removing the little we have to manage ourselves,’’ he said. The chairman described his fatherin-law as a community leader with impeccable integrity, noting that the deceased would be buried on November 27.

CREW

Cultural display as part of a burial rites in Igboland.

Don decries rampant child abuse in sub-Sahara —pg22 Africa

TWO communities in Enugu-East Local Government Area of Enugu, Mbulu Owehe/Amokpo, have sent Save Our Souls (SOS) to the government of Enugu State over what they described as gross marginalisation in the chairmanship position in their local government. According to the two autonomous communities made up of Amokpo, Aluluan Eziama, Nokpa, Onyohu and Amaowelle, since the creation of Enugu East Local Government in 1997, none of their citizens had been the chairman of the council area. The communities made known their grievances when a delegation of the two communities, led by Mr Ignatius Okafor, Ward Chairman, paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Honourable Edward Ubosi, in his office. The delegation lamented that out of the local government which is made up of four zones such as Nike Town, Nike Uno, Mbulu-Iyiukwu and Mbulu Ujodo, Mbulu Owehe/Amokp villages have been short-changed, out-witted and completely forgotten in the scheme of things. "Unfortunately, we remain confined to the level to which we have been relegated, short changed, out witted and have been forgotten completely since the creation of Enugu East Local Government Area in 1997. "Mr Speaker sir, the people of Mbulu Owehe zone have the firm and unfettered belief and conviction that you, in concert with other well meaning stakeholders, can bring your efforts to bear towards readjusting and balancing this trajectory so as to ensure justice, equity and fairness, which have endured since ages as the essential ingredients of democracy and good governance," the delegation pleads. They also prayed the Speaker to relate their request to the governor for proper action to be taken. In his reply, the Speaker thanked them for the visit saying that it showed that democracy was working. He assured them that he would relate the message to the governor and promised to convoke a stakeholders meeting of Nike people so that no one would be marginalised in choosing who the chairman of the local government became.

FG, Enugu govt move to rehabilitate roads

—pg22

Jude Ossai-Enugu-South East Bureau Chief 08052817955 Joe Nwachukwu- Owerri 08033271227 Suzy Oruya- Onitsha 08063653735

22 makand’igbo

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Don decries rampant child abuse in sub-Sahara Africa Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri

pparently worried by constant rate of child abuse and raping of ladies in Nigeria and Africa in general, CLEEN Foundation organised a one-day workshop on abuse of human rights with attendance drawn from the South-East zone, to sensitise the people of the region and create awareness on the need to stop the trend. Speaking on the occasion, a don from Faculty of Law, Imo State University, Owerri, Chigoziri Ojiaka, has raised the alarm over the escalating trend of exploitation, discrimination and sexual abuse of children in sub-Sahara Africa, noting that the unhealthy development had become a formidable obstacle and impediment to the full development and survival of the children. In a paper on “Sexual Abuse of Children in Nigeria – the Effect” which she delivered at a workshop on sexual and genderbased violence in Nigeria organised by the Nigeria Police, in collaboration with CLEEN Foundation in Owerri, Mrs Ojiaka

observed that the vulnerability of children arose from a highly probable exposure to different grades of risks and a reduced capacity for protection. Defining child sexual abuse as a form of abuse whereby an adult uses a child for sexual stimulation, the university teacher explained that in sub-Sahara Africa, millions of children were faced with problems of exploitative labour, sexual abuse, servitude, discrimination, physical and psychological abuse, pornography and prostitution. declared: “These constitute She impediments to full development of personality and survival of children; hence the need for special protective measures and safeguards”. While enumerating the rights of the child, in the Child Rights Act, under the criminal code and penal code as well as the effects of sexual abuse on victims, survivors and parents, Mrs Ojiaka urged all stakeholders, community and religious leaders, proprietors of schools and government agencies to join hands in the crusade against the menace of Child Sexual Abuse, adding that outdated laws

FG, Enugu govt move to rehabilitate roads Jude Ossai - Enugu RESIDENTS of Enugu and indeed majority of Ndigbo would soon smile as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Federal Government have reiterated their commitments to rehabilitate major roads in the Southeast which are becoming impassable due to their deplorable condition. It was learnt that the Enugu Economic Planning Commission set by up the state governor, last week Thursday, resolved to rehabilitate roads and enhance tax administration in the state. In a press briefing at the end of the maiden meeting of the commission in the new administration chaired by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, noted that an Inter-ministerial committee to harmonise the issue had been constituted, headed by the State Commissioner for Finance and co-chaired by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. Governor Ugwuanyi had since undergone on-the-spot assessment of roads in the state with a view to ascertaining the

present state of roads in the state. It was observed that most of the roads reconstructed/rehabilitated by the immediate past administration in Enugu State now have potholes, raising questions as to the quality of work done by the then government of Sullivan Chime. Maka Ndigbo also recalled that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, apparently disturbed by the worsening condition of roads in Enugu and other parts of the Southeast geo-political zone, told journalists in Enugu recently when he was asked to comment on roads in Igboland that the worst problem bogging down people of the southeast zone was dilapidated road networks, saying the situation was clear to the Government at the Centre. Professor Osinbajo noted that despite government financial constraints at the moment, there was a need to make improvements on roads in the South East where commerce throve and people moved about a lot to earn their living. As it is, expectations in Igboland are high as the people of Enugu State and other easterners are looking up with optimism to the day the words of their governor as well as the Vice President would come to pass.

should be reformed in line with global practices and development. She stressed that victims/survivors and family members must break the silence by reporting the crime while special police unit should be empowered to protect children from abuse and handle cases with world class standards. National President of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) and wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Mrs Agharase Arase, represented by the Imo State chairperson of the Association, Mrs Wunmi Lakanu, regretted that the spate of both reported and non reported incidents

of sexual and gender-based violence in the society had become worrisome, requiring collective efforts to salvage. Mrs Arase said that several national and international conventions had condemned the upsurge of sexual and gender-based violence in the society, but which had unfortunately remained unabated. She appealed to parents and concerned stakeholders to join hands with all relevant government and non-government agencies to remedy the situation, stating that POWA had continued to make useful contributions towards the elimination of sexual abuse and gender violence.

Mrs Ojiaka delivering a paper on Sexual Abuse of Children at the workshop.

Alleged police brutality: Fear grips Eha-Alumona community Jude Ossai - Enugu SOME residents of Umabor community in Eha-Alumona, Nsukka Council Area of Enugu State have fled their homes following a reported mass arrest of residents by the police. Community sources disclosed that both youths and elderly people were leaving the community in droves, describing the action of the police as shocking. According to them, no fewer than 20 persons have been arrested. It was gathered that the development is a fallout of an alleged attack on a police station in the community. According to a source, "what happened yesterday night in Owerre Umabor is most shocking and strange; some youths from Eha community allegedly attacked the police station the previous night but to our greatest shock, instead of the police going there to make arrest, they came to Umabor community in the night and started arresting even the elderly men. "The police are not in doubt over the people that attacked the police station; they are not in doubt over the people

that blocked Makurdi Expressway. So, this latest action by the police is most condemnable. "They went as far as entering the family house of Nsukka Council chairman, where they also arrested three persons. "As I speak to you, our place is deserted now. We are calling on relevant authorities and the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to come to our aid. The governor should please save us from this intimidation. "The police know they have issues with Eha community, not Umabor. Does it mean they are afraid of going there? The Tuesday clash was caused by a similar action because they stormed a viewing centre and arrested some residents; now they are at it again. They should stop this unnecessary mass arrest". When contacted on the issue, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State, Ebere Amajurizu, said normalcy had been restored in that community, adding that efforts were being made to stop trouble in the area. He said police were, however, still looking for the counsellor that caused the mayhem in the community.

Abada Market traders happy over plans to conduct executive election Suzy Oruya - Onitsha

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (5th right)flanked by members of the state House of Assembly from various constituencies, during an inspection visit to an erosion site at Abor Town, Udi LGA, along old EnuguNsukka expressway on Monday.

Traders at the Abada market, Onitsha, Anambra State, have expressed satisfaction over resolve by the state government to conduct election for the executive of the market possibly by November this month. The state government, it was gathered, made the resolution so that the market would be like others that had their leaders democratically elected. Making this disclosure to newsmen, the President General of the Traders in the state, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, said:

“Election is going to be conducted in the Abada market soon, but we are waiting for the date and it has to be on a neutral ground”. “The market has to be like others by making it to have element of democracy”, he added. The election was, however, scheduled to hold early last month at Hotel Resort, along Onitsha/Asaba Expressway, but ended in fiasco and was postponed sequel to alleged falsification of voters’ register and late conduct of the election.

Nigerian Tribune

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

campusbeats

Doyin Adeoye 08058130577 kreatifink@yahoo.com

President impeached as fraud rocks Delta SU •I was not aware —President For calling off a senate meeting convened and other allegations of financial misconduct, the National Association of Delta State Students’ Union (NADESSTU) has suspended its national president, Shaka Emomine. In a statement jointly signed by the national senate president and senate clerk, Agolo Samson and Onoriode Segun respectively, after its inaugural meeting which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, it ordered Emomine to handover the association’s properties in his possession to the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board with immediate effect, while it empowered the vice president, Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole, to

Some of the newly inducted doctors.

UNIBEN inducts medical doctors, dental surgeons

he University of Benin (UNIBEN) inducted her newly qualified medical doctors and dental surgeons last Wednesday with an advice to them to shun unethical behaviours and be guided by the rules of the medical profession. The induction ceremony, which was held at the Akin Deko Main Auditorium of the institution saw 90 medical doctors and 14 dental surgeons swearing to the Hippocratic oath. The vice chancellor of the university, Professor Faraday Orumwense, commended them for successfully completing their trainings, while calling on them to show compassion when attending to their patients. He added that the university has successfully discharged her duties by training them to the present level. Professor Moses Mommoh, Dean of Medicine, also commended the new doctors for finishing the medical training, adding that they must be guided by the ethics of the profession, else, the law will catch up with them. He further charged them to seek ways of improving the health sector rather than compounding the loads of issues currently bedevilling the sector. Mommoh used the occasion to commend Professor Orumwense for his developmental strides in the medical college, while also appreciating the lecturers and doctors that trained the new graduands. He further pleaded with

the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to consider an upgrade of the current admission quota of UNIBEN Medical School. “Every year, we watch thousands of qualified candidates refused admission because of our current carrying capacity. We just pick the best from the thousands who are qualified. Our Medical School happens to be the most subscribed in Nigeria because of the policy of merit as a consideration for admission, which was instituted by the former vice

chancellor, Professor Osayuki Oshodin. We will be glad if the quota is increased so we can accommodate more students, considering the fact that we have the facilities on ground and we are building more,” Mommoh said. The highlight of the event was the swearing to the Hippocratic oath and signing of the induction register. Hafiz Shaka was rewarded as the best graduating student in Surgery in the Part five Professional Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) Examinations.

He was rewarded with a laptop and 1,000 Pounds. Speaking at the end of the event, Hafiz said hard work and divine favour saw him through. He encouraged the younger colleagues to be studious and cling to God, adding that they should endeavour to build a solid foundation while in preclinical school; as it was one of the ways of succeeding during the clinical phase. Eddy Uwoghiren (400-Level, Medicine and Surgery, University of Benin)

UNILORIN students clear illegal dumpsite in Kwara BRAIN Builders International (BBI), a non-governmental organisation, and the ‘We Are M.A.D’ (Making a Difference) Initiative, a voluntary youth organisation, at the weekend held a cleaning exercise at an illegal dumpsite in Kulende area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The exercise brought together youth volunteers, mostly students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), and youths from the Kulende community. Speaking during the exercise, the principal initiator of BBI, Olasupo Abideen, a student of UNILORIN, said they carried out the exercise to show by example the essence of cleaning the environment and to let the community know that it is everyone’s duty to participate in keeping the environment clean.

“Health education begins at home and it is the responsibility of every resident to dump solid waste at designated sites. Most illegal dumpsites are created by waste generated from nearby houses in the community, and people need to desist from such act,” he said. He added that they also undertook the exercise to help inhabitants of area find solution to the problem of dumpsites in the community. Tony Joy, a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and coordinator of ‘We Are M.A.D,’ said the project has been carried out in Ondo State and now in Kwara, and will be extended to other states across the country, as the vision is to see a dirt-free Nigeria by 2020. Joy also encouraged residents of the area to take charge and desist from unhealthy practice that can

engender epidemic breakout. Both organisers thanked the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) and the State Ministry of Environment and Forestry for their support. While appreciating the organisers of the project, the youth coordinator, Kulende Community Development Association (KCDA), Mr Yahaya Quadri, said they have done very well in cleaning the site, while also urging the residents of the community to desist from dumping refuse on the land. He also urged the government to provide the community with a bin that can serve them all, as houses there cannot afford to pay private contractors. Habeebulah Morakinyo (300-Level, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin)

take over in acting capacity. Emomine, has however, denied the allegations, describing it as a ‘kangaroo arrangement.’ “I was not aware of any meeting. I was told that I was impeached and this cannot hold water,” he said. When asked to comment on the financial allegations levelled against him, he said: “I don’t need to tell you anything. Go and ask those who alleged me. At least, they should be able to say whatever it is authoritatively,” he said. Saying that the suspended contravened section 19, Sub1(b) of the NADESSTU constitution, the statement listed other allegations against Emomine as: “Holding on to funds meant for the senate for a period spanning over two calendar months, amounting to gross financial misconduct, contravening sections 15(6) and 15(7) respectively. “Unjustly enriching himself at the expense of the association by commercialising the association’s bus without remitting proceeds to the associations’ purse, constituting a breach of section 29(d) of the associations’ constitution. “Engaging in fraudulent and dishonest practices; not remitting in full, funds meant for the just concluded senate meeting where N400,000 was disbursed, as against the N1,000,000 released to, and collected by him from the state government for this purpose. “Selling and unilateral sharing of youth empowerment schemes’ slots given to the association by the executive governor, thereby denying access to the scheme by the most qualified cadre of our association, and our indigent members. “Conniving with some government representatives to defraud the association to the tune of N450,000, being money meant for demobilisation of national executives upon a courtesy visit paid to the executive governor.” It, therefore, set up a 5-man committee headed by Peter Onoriode to give a comprehensive report of further probe and investigation on the issues raised on the suspended president. Meanwhile, the senate has approved the conduct of a bye-election by members of the NADESSTU Electoral Commission (NEC), which produced Onoriode Segun as the Senate Clerk; Amiwero Shola as Deputy Senate President; Eguono Okeoghene as Public Relations Officer; Ossai Anthonia Chisom as Treasurer; Chimeke Kelvin as South-West Coordinator; Ogisi Bisoubou Marvis as South-South Secretary, and Emmanuel Odemaro Oweki as South-South Coordinator.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

education

Editor: Laolu Harolds 08111845016 tribune.education@yahoo.com

How Nigeria loses billions of naira through student migration Naza Okoli, Lagos

T is estimated that over 18,000 Nigerian students are currently enrolled in universities and colleges in the United Kingdom alone. An online journal, International Students Guide, says “international student market in UK is worth more than 17 billion dollars, and Nigeria is the third largest country after China and India that is sending a large number of its students to the UK.” Indeed, several sources have indicated that “seven per cent of the total students’ population in the United Kingdom are Nigerians.” Also, according to a recent report published by the Abuja Inquirer, 74,000 Nigerians are currently studying in Ghana, while 8,000 are enrolled in U.S. universities. In May 2015, while on a visit to the University of Lagos, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Perry J. Calderwood, said there were (9,000) Nigerian students in universities across Canada. In November 2012, Premium Times, citing a publication by a non-profit organisation, Exam Ethics International, reported that “Nigeria spends N1.5 trillion annually on students studying abroad,” describing the trend as “a huge economic loss” and the “greatest negative balance of payment any country can suffer.”

The drudgery To many who opt for higher education abroad, it is the poor state of Nigerian universities that they find unacceptable. From teachers’ strikes to inadequate facilities, most public universities in Nigeria are in a bad shape. “I left Nigeria after my first degree at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,” Ayodeji Kolawole who now studies Engineering in Canada told Tribune Education on Monday. “My father spent a lot to make sure I came here (Canada). Education here is nothing like what we have in Nigeria. It will take us a long time to get to this level. The facilities are here. We are taught by people who are well motivated to teach. It’s just so good.” However, there are scores of private universities in Nigeria – many of which were established specifically to address the rot in the public education system. However, recent surveys have shown that most of these institutions are severely under-subscribed. Indeed, according to figures released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), a number of private universities received less than 10 applications each in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This has been attributed to high cost, restrictions on student’s activities, and poor staff strength. It is, in fact, known that many lecturers in private universities are “visitors” from neighbouring public universities where

National Universities Commission (NUC) building, Abuja they are permanently employed. Space According to information on the website of JAMB, nearly two million students sit for UTME every year, even though there are only about 500,000 spaces available in Nigerian tertiary institutions. “Over one million candidates contend for less than 500, 000 spaces in Nigeria’s higher institutions yearly,” it said. “In 2014, the JAMB registrar stated that only 35 per cent of the 1,735,892 candidates that wrote the UTME in 2013 were admitted.” Interestingly, there has been a sustained effort from various quarters to promote open and distance learning as a viable alternative to the conventional system, given the limitless scope of the ‘virtual space’. Speaking recently at the inauguration of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, described distance learning as the new trend in education. “I must also say that we are in a period of change; and because we are in a period of change, we cannot continue to see education the orthodox way,” he said. “As we move on, we have to ensure that we provide education that is sustainable to our youth. We must see education in a way that is entrepreneurial; education that can empower and ensure that our citizens will earn jobs. “We also have to realise that with the youth population that we have, there is no way we are going to meet the educational demands of our people through the conventional way. That is why I will seize this opportunity to let us know that besides the conventional way of education, the new

trend in education is open and distance learning… That is why it is on record that China in a period of 15 years educated 500 million people through open and distance learning.” In spite of the tremendous success recorded by NOUN and other institutions offering online programmes, there has not been any significant decline in the number of students seeking admission abroad. Government-sponsored Curiously, the Federal Government and some states in Nigeria have initiated programmes through which students are sponsored to study abroad. The Federal Ministry of Education, for example, through its Bilateral Educational Agreement Awards, offers undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for courses in Russia, China, Morocco, Turkey, Algeria, Romania, Serbia, Japan, Ukraine, Cuba, Greece, Czech Republic, Syria, Macedonia, Mexico, Egypt, and Tunisia. In November 2014, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that the Kano State government spent N10 billion between 2011 and 2014 on 2000 students it had sponsored to study abroad. “This is part of the state government’s effort to empower our youth to enable them to contribute their quota to the development of the state and the country,” Alhaji Ali Yako, the then Kano Commissioner for Higher Education was quoted as saying. The Rivers State government, under Governor Rotimi Amaechi, sponsored “thousands of students” to countries like Canada, England, Scotland and India, under the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), according to a report published by Sahara Reporters in May 2015.

Adequate funding as remedy Professor Segun Ajiboye, the Zonal Coordinator (Southwest) and Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) told Tribune Education on Monday that what he considered worrisome was the rate at which Nigerians patronised many of the low-grade universities in neighbouring African countries. “In the real sense of it, there is nothing wrong with people going to study abroad. The sad aspect of it is when they go to these smaller countries, especially the West African countries, where the universities there cannot compare with the ones we have here. We have discovered that students now go to Ghana, Benin Republic, and the rest of them. And they are not even going to the reputable ones in Ghana, like the University of Legon. They are going to those mushroom universities in Ghana, where they are given degrees after only two years. And these are students, who ab initio, are not even qualified to apply to any university in Nigeria; many of them don’t have five credits. Who are their teachers there? Most of those universities operate from one-storey buildings.” Admitting, however, that Nigeria loses billions of naira yearly as a result of student migration, Ajiboye said the government could help by funding its own schools better. “That is why ASUU has always been calling the attention of the government to it,” he said. “We could mitigate this migration if we can adequately fund the universities in Nigeria. We can expand the carrying capacities of the existing institutions in Nigeria to make sure that they are able to absorb more students. If we do that then we will be able to reduce the amount that we spend on ventures that may not be worth it at the end of the day.”

education

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Govt should monitor funding in varsities

—EKSU VC

O you think the Federal Government’s decision to peg the tenure of vice chancellor to a five-year single term is a wise decision? I think it’s a wise decision. There is nothing a vice chancellor wants to achieve that he cannot meet within five years. The timeline for a good vice chancellor should be between four and five years. How did you feel when former Governor Kayode Fayemi lost his bid for second term? Were you not bothered that you might lose your job with the coming on board of a new government different from the one that appointed you? No, I wasn’t (bothered). There is a tradition here in Ekiti and in the university that when a government changes, then the vice chancellor should also change. There were petitions against me from people that wanted to be vice chancellor. I knew that that was their tradition here before. I was not bothered. I knew I was on leave; I would go back easily to OAU. I have missed my teaching and research, my primary duty. So, whether I was removed or not didn’t bother me; and that was why I didn’t lobby. I was not threatened a bit. What was the situation at the university when you came in? The situation was not as good as this. When I came in, it was at a time we just had a merger of three universities and the merger didn’t bring additional funding because the funding the then University of Ado Ekiti was getting was still the same, even after the merger of the other universities with the then University of Ado-Ekiti and there was an increase in the personnel too, because it was a seamless merger. We had to inherit the staff of the two other universities. It was like a liability. We did not have enough infrastructure; we didn’t have enough space for these people and the learning environment, as a result of that, was not conducive. There was serious budgetary bleeding that we hardly managed to survive. But now, we thank God that we were able to transform the university. How do you manage in EKSU with the usual lamentation about funding? We have very serious financial predicament in EKSU. Our salary bill now is about N400 million every month. The subvention we get from government is N260million. That means we have to come up with about N150 million every month to add to the government’s subventions to pay salaries. We still need another N100 million for general maintenance. Was there any occasion you felt like quitting the job because of the challenges you faced from students, staff and the problems you inherited? No, once I accepted, I knew that there would be challenges. I have never been a quitter and I will never quit because I ap-

In this interview, the outgoing vice-chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Professor Patrick Aina, discussed with TAYO LEWIS issues in the education sector in Nigeria, as well as his experience at EKSU. Excerpts.

proached the job carefully. Even at the peak of a seemingly insurmountable challenge, I did not lose hope. I will never quit. When you resumed at EKSU as VC, the catchphrase ‘world class university’ became almost a cliché. I want you to enunciate specifically some of the things you met and some of the things that you have been able to achieve. The first thing I did when I came was to improve the infrastructure. Today, to God be the glory, we have put up 30 new buildings within four years. And these are not just buildings; they are modern buildings that you expect in a world class university. We have laboratories with equipment that you can hardly find in any other university in Nigeria today. More importantly, we have a College of Medicine that is rated as one of the best in Nigeria. When I came in 2012, we had 49 academic programmes accredited at a go. The accreditation of the College of Medicine for example was thorough, because we just had the MBBs examinations for the first time. We put up about 45 students and only three failed. That is the best for a first timer university anywhere in the world. That means we have the right personnel, right number of professors and teachers, right equipment and students. How were you able to achieve all these considering the lean purse of the university? Actually I feel surprised that I really achieved all these within a short time. I want to give the glory to God because it’s only God that can do it. How would you counsel as to how a vice chancellor should relate with their Visitors to the university? A vice chancellor is an academic professional; not a politician. A vice chancellor that is worth his salt doesn’t have to lobby politicians. The only relationship you can have with your governor or president (who is your Visitor) is your hand work and nothing else. That is what I have been doing. Normally, I don’t have time to attend state functions because my priority is the university; and that was how I related with the two governors and I am happy they realised this. They respected me for it. The president will soon appoint a minister of education. What kind of person would you want as a minister of education and what do you think should top the agenda for education in Nigeria in the next four years? I don’t believe any nation can develop

Prof. Aina

without good education. I think they should improve the funding in education. In line with UNESCO recommendation? It may not be in line with the UNESCO recommendation because we are still a very poor nation. Other sectors need money too. We may not be able to fulfill that UNESCO thing right away, but there should be improvement and then government should monitor the money they give to the universities. Government should not just give money to the universities without monitoring. If you give money to the university, tell them you want result. All years, they have been doling money to the universities; they don’t even care what they do with the money. University should be like an investment and you expect returns. That is why we are not making tangible headway. There are two schools of thought: one is of that we don’t have enough universities in the country, while the other say there is already a proliferation. What is your take on this? I don’t think we can have enough uni-

Government should not just give money to the universities without monitoring. If you give money to the university, tell them you want result.

versities in the country. Even in Boston, in the USA, there are over 100 tertiary institutions in the city. It depends on the quality. People are talking about proliferation because what we have presently are not even well equipped. We don’t have the carrying capacity for students and if you cannot meet the carrying capacity, then you need more universities. But what is important actually is not the quantity but quality. How would you counsel your successor to be able to maintain and build on the legacies you are leaving behind? Fortunately, I know the incoming vice chancellor. I know his antecedent. He is somebody with exceptional pedigree and we have been relating very well even before he decided to contest. He was once a vice chancellor in the defunct University of Education, Ikere Ekiti, so I think he is coming in with some experience. This is a more complicated university, very complex. He is a man of God, but he would also need to have a closer relationship with God and he has to show a lot of maturity. He has to be focused. I never had a clique; I never had what you call a kitchen cabinet because I try to avoid gossips. I would advise him to just be himself alone and relate well with everybody. He should not listen to gossips. You can’t but hear some, but just wave it aside. When you started as lecturer, did you have these achievements as some of your dreams? Honestly, I didn’t. All I wanted to be was a professor. I wanted to excel as a professor. You know I am in a rare field of research, which is Soil Physics, where you do modeling of water movement in soil, how water gets to the plant, how you can make plant survive during dry season. This vice chancellorship thing, I think, is God-made.

education IBB varsity researchers search for smokeless coal fuel

Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

URSUANT to the nation’s quest for alternative sources of energy to boost economic development, the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, has commissioned a team of researchers to assess coal deposits in four states of the country to be used as raw materials for the production of a new brand of smokeless source of energy in homes. While commissioning the team recently in Lapai, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, stated that the project, codenamed ‘Clean Coal Project’, is worth N21million and was listed among 13 projects that received awards, based on the competitive Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund Expert Assessment in June this year. Professor Maiturare explained that apart from the University of Ilorin, it is only Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, that was the other only university in Northern Nigeria listed in that

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

round of awards. Professor Maiturare, who disclosed that the project was being financed by TETFund, which is under the supervision of the university, admonished the department of Geology & Mining and the research team to comply with the timelines set for the project so that other research proposals of the university to TETFund could also be considered. The vice chancellor assured that the university would continue to make meaningful contributions to national development through research works; adding that such research projects would continue to develop capacities in the students and upcoming researchers, who would be participating in the project. He applauded the Federal Government for providing window of opportunity to Nigerian universities to undertake application-driven innovative researches through the TETFund, saying the gesture will afford the Ivory Towers in the country the opportunity to gain additional equipment from the research project. Earlier in his presenta-

tion, the leader of the research team, who is also the Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Tech-

nology in the university, ProfessorNuhuGeorge Obaje, explained that the types of coal needed for the

project were deposited in parts of Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue and Niger states, pointing out that prelimi-

nary investigations by his team revealed that the areas had the mineral resources in large quantities.

Teacher and students of Maryland Catholic Grammar School, Ogbomoso, during an excursion to the Tribune House recently.

FUTA student wins NIQS national essay competition OPEOLUWA Akinradewo, a 500level student in the Department of Quantity Surveying Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, has clinched the first prize in a national Students Essay Competition organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors during her Second Research Conference (NIQS RECon2) recently hosted by the university. Akinradewo, came first among other students of higher institutions across the country who also participated in the Essay Competition entitled:“Emerging

Development in the Nigerian Construction Industry: The Roles of Quantity Surveyors.’’ The award attracted a plaque and a Certificate of Excellence, while Murtala Aliyu, President of the Institute was on hand to present the coveted prize to the winner. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, has congratulated Master Akinradewo describing him as a worthy ambassador of the university and also an example of quality and excellence.

Chief (Mrs) Grace Oluwatoye (arrowed) founder, LIFEBUILDERS flanked by students of Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesha and students of Ikolaba Grammar Swchool, GRA Ibadan, their teachers and the facilitators at the end of the training programme.

LIFEBUILDERS sensitises youths, opens resource centre By Modupe George THE founder, LIFEBUILDERS, a non-governmental organisation in Ikolaba, Ibadan, Chief Grace Oluwatoye, says that young people need a place away from the hustle and bustle of city life where they can come together to discuss issues that affect their lives. Mrs Oluwatoye made the remarks last Wednesday

Provost tasks teachers on integrity, discipline TEACHERS in colleges of education have been advised to make integrity and discipline their watchwords. The provost, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Dr Rasak Adefabi, made the call at two different fora within the college’s academic community. Adefabi said that as teachers of teachers, lecturers in the colleges should live above board and be role models to student-teachers.

He said high ethical and professional values should be exhibited at all times, as these will have a more lasting effect on the students than the theoretical lectures. Adefabi said that in order to deliver high quality service, teachers are to keep up with trending issues in the education sector by availing themselves of the ‘E’s in the Internet world, such as e-library, e-textbooks and different e-modules for teaching in-

structions, among others. “Lecturers who fail to key-in into updates in their fields will definitely draw students back to obsolete methods of the teaching profession, he said. “This will, to a large extent not augur well for the development of the teaching profession in particular and the education sector in general, since no society can rise above the quality of its teachers,” he stressed.

during the grand finale of Life Skills and Leadership Training, organised for inschool youths as well as the inauguration of a Youth Resource Centre by the organisation. Young people, she said, don’t have confidence talking to their school-based counselors on life issues, especially on the issue of sexuality, because they are confused and are bombarded with a lot of negative information through wrong peer and media influences. The construction of the resource centre, she said, is the organisation’s way of responding to the needs of young people in the public schools on issues of reproductive health, friendship, planning\decision-making, among others, for self-actualisation. “Our resource centre is a place where young people within the neighbourhood would have access to oneon-one counselling if they have need on pertinent issues of life; information

that is very germane to life and knowledge-based information on the Internet. “We have put in place a vibrant library with computers and internet facility, games arena, youth club, sport pavilion and a youthfriendly clinic at the centre and we have competent resource persons in the house to take care of them. We have 12 regular staff and we have a team of capable volunteers who will be coming here to address them,” she stated. Speaking further, she noted: “We have dealt with some after-school issues which have to do with English Language and Mathematics education. We have discovered that the SMS style of sending messages has really affected the English of our young people, and so we have put a package together whereby within two weeks they can get the basics about the subjects and from there they can go back and make use of the library.”

She hinted that there is opportunity for any inschool youth to drop by and register at the centre, adding: “it is a social service; we are getting sponsors through the foundation to help a child attend and enjoy the educational services that we render.” Miss Adeolu Ilesanmi, a scholar delegated on a full scholarship from the US to LIFEBUILDERS, who also doubles as the representative of the patroness of the foundation, Mrs F.I. Stephen, encouraged the students in attendance not to take for granted the lifetransforming information they have been exposed to during the cause of their trainings. Tomilola Olapoju from the Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesa and Animashahu Ayomide of Ikolaba Grammar School, Ibadan both thanked the facilitators for the knowledge imparted in them, and for preparing such a resource centre for students.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

maritime

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

anchor Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

How neighbouring ports threaten Nigeria’s quest for hub status Nigeria is a coastal state with about 853 kilometres Atlantic coastline and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers a total area of approximately 315, 950 square kilometres. With its volume of import trade, it qualifies to be the hub for vessel traffic in West and Central Africa, but this is not so, writes Tola Adenubi. Excerpts.

s the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigerian ports are strategically located at the turning point between West and Central African regions. The nation’s ports location enables it to serve the trade between West and Central African economies, down to the Cape Town axis on hubibng basis. Nigeria six major ports, excluding oil terminals with cargo handling capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum, consist of berthing facilities that include 93 solid cargo berths, 11 bulk liquid cargo berths, and 63 buoy berths. This is in addition to a large number of privately owned jetties under government supervision. However, despite these immense resources, Nigerian ports have been experiencing a lull in cargo throughput at her ports in recent time. Many cargoes now prefer her neighbouring ports as point of destination, thereby making a mockery of her 853 kilometres Atlantic coastline and the 2006 port reform process. Notable among the ports ripping cargoes away from Nigeria seaports are Port Autonome de Lomé (Port of Lome) in Togo and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA). These two ports have contributed the most in terms of cargo rip-off from Nigerian ports, no thanks to unfavourable government policies on the part of the Nigerian government. Neighbouring ports re-strategising With a draught of 15.5m compared to the 13m available at the Lagos seaport, the Port Autonome de Lomé (Port of Lome) is gradually becoming the hub in the sub-region. Aided by dysfunctional government policies in Nigeria, the Port Autonome de Lomé went into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transnet of South Africa to assist with improvements in container handling and freight rail operations. In the last two years, Port Autonome de Lomé with its deep harbour has been edging towards a regional trans-shipment hub, attracting quality investments from major players like MSC, Bollore Logistics and China Merchant Holdings. In September 2014, the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA) signed a cooperation agreement with the Transnet National Port Authority of South Africa. One is aware that GPHA and other sister port authorities often send delegations to cross-fertilize ideas with their colleagues at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), however one is not sure if such visits had culminated into bi-lateral or co-operative agreements.

South African influence It is no news that many of the neighbouring ports are turning to South Africa for help in diverting vessel traffic away from Nigeria’s seaports. Transnet National Port Authority of South Africa commands the most advance seaport in the continent, ditto her port infrastructure. Arguably, one major factor responsible for this feat is the early recognition by the country’s leaders to integrate transportation into economic development. While many African countries seem satisfied administering their ports as public utilities, South Africa is perhaps the first in Africa to corporatize the management of her national transport infrastructure including the seaports. Transnet SOC Limited was

Goods are being diverted to neighbouring ports. That is exactly what is happening now. Ships containing rice and other cargoes are being diverted to Cotonou and their government is smiling.

formed in April 1990, by the government of South Africa as a limited public company or corporation, merging the operations of the country’s seaports and railways under one entity. Till date, this holding company remains a State owned enterprise, while its port division is administered under two business lines namely, landlord businesses (Transnet National Port Authority of South Africa) and Transnet port terminals (SAPO). Issues back home Having a modern port facility does not guarantee an efficient port system. Other variables including a deep access channel, simplified customs clearance, excellent terminal handling and a cost effective inland transportation network all guarantees an efficient port system. Despite the huge investments ploughed into the port industry by private investors since the Federal Government concessioned the ports in 2006, Nigeria’s port sub-sector is still rated as one of the least competitive not just globally, even when benchmarked against other African countries. In the World Bank ‘Doing Business 2015 Report’, Nigeria is ranked (same in 2014) 156th out of 189 countries monitored. In terms of ‘Trading Across Borders’, Nigeria is ranked 28th in sub Saharan Africa. According to the report, to export from Nigeria; documents preparation takes 12

days; customs clearance and inspections take 3 days; ports and terminal handling take 4 days while inland transportation and handling take 3 days; bringing it to a total of 22 days. For import procedures: documents preparation takes 14 days; customs clearance and inspections take 12 days; ports and terminal handling take 5 days; inland transportation and handling take 2 days; bringing it to a total of 33 days. Mauritius is the highest ranked “trading across borders” country in Africa. Export procedures in Mauritius take 10 days, while import procedures take 9 days. Customs clearance in the island nation is concluded within a day due largely to the implementation of an advance electronic single window platform (TradeNet system). To better understand the above statistics, the average cost of clearing a container in Mauritius is $710 US Dollars, in Nigeria it is $ 1,695 US Dollars. Hub status endangered Speaking to newsmen recently, the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup stated that government policies have aided vessel diversion to neighbouring ports in the sub-region. “Lot of government policies are having an adverse effect on cargo throughput. You can see from the pilotage that fewer vessels are coming into Nigeria. There has been a reduction in the volume of cargo coming here particularly in the last few months. Some of these policies like the one from the Central Bank on FOREX and the ban on the importation of certain goods have not helped matters. A lot of us are operating at 30 per cent to 40 per cent of our usual capacity. “For instance, at the ENL, in the last one week, only two vessels called at our terminal and this is how it has been with other terminals. “Goods are being diverted to neighbouring ports. That is exactly what is happening now. Ships containing rice and other cargo are being diverted to Cotonou and their government is smiling. These same goods will still find their way back into the Nigerian market courtesy of our porous borders. Nigeria is not ready for the Auto policy until certain things are put in place. “The RoRo terminals like Five Star Logistics and Grimaldi are suffering because of this. It is cheaper for importers going to neighbouring countries to clear their cargo there. First, the customs duties are minimal compared to the custom duties being paid on cars coming into Nigeria, especially new cars. Even second hand cars, the minimum amount you can clear one is N300,000, it doesn’t matter if the car was bought for $500. We should first work towards developing the auto industry to about 70 per cent before implementing the Auto policy,” she stated.

maritime

Nigerian Tribune

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

MWUN faults vessel discharging procedures Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos

aritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised the alarm over illegal and unregulated discharge procedures of vessels that berth in Nigeria waters. This is even as the labour group explain that these vessels were being discharged illegally without the required labour related offloading standards being enforced on them by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Most culpable to this anomaly is the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic (LADOL) Base and Bonny midstream. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune on this anomaly, the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Tony Emmanuel, stated that the rising cases of unmonitored vessel discharge at Nigerian seaports pose security dangers to the nation. “The law of this country is clear on who should discharge a vessel when it’s berthed at the ports. That job is carried out by only registered dockworkers. Can you imagine that when Industrial chef called at LADOL, its contents and all the cargoes onboard where discharged from the vessel by the crew of the ship? To make matters worse, the crew kof the vessel were mostly foreigners. “It’s an Act of parliament. It is statutory. It is the law of the Federal Government that said nobody other than a registered dockworker is allowed to work inside the port terminals, jetties and even in the bonded terminals. “But today, many of the operators are violating these laws. How can LADOL allow a vessel berthed in its base to be discharged by the crew member of the vessel? Aside the fact that it deprives Nigerians of jobs, it also con-

stitutes security concern because the crew of the vessels are foreigners who would not raise any alarm if they spot any dangerous cargo onboard the vessel during discharging. “Dockworkers are Nigerians and owe the country a duty to raise alarm if what they are offloading contains dangerous cargoes, but the crew members of the Industrial chef are not Nigerians, who knows what were discharged?

“After we protested, LADOL agreed to pay our dockworkers their rightful due but the deed has been done. The vessel has been discharged. As I am talking to you, the same scenario is about repeating itself at Bonny midstream. “A vessel by the name MV Hawk has anchored along the Bonny waters and the shipping agent does not want any of the dockworkers to discharge the vessel contents. The shipping

agent wants to use the crew men to submerge the contents on barges. “We are watching events unfold and will shut the ports if that vessel is discharged. The law says nobody has the right to berth vessel midstream due to security concerns. However, if the draft of the channel is shallow, some vessels might not be able to come inside the port. Such vessel is then allowed to discharge midstream, subject to inspection

Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of ENL Consortium, Princess (Dr) Vicky Haastrup (4th from right) and other top port operators display the awards they won at the Seatrade Awards held in Dubai recently. ENL won the Port & Container Terminal Development Award for Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

LADOL scoops multiple awards in 2015 fDi rankings LADOL, the high value industrial village and Free Zone, built around a specialised port on an Island at the point of entry into Lagos harbour, has been awarded winner of the Sub-Saharan African regional free zones award and winner of the Large Tenants award for Africa, in fDi Magazine’s Global Free Zones of the Year 2015. LADOL was also highly commended as African Free Zone of the year. Winning the Large Ten-

ants award, Ladol Free Zone was praised for increasing some 37.5% capacity between 2013 and 2014. Due to the high specification infrastructure, round the clock operations and focus on delivering transparent reliable service to the Deep Offshore oil and gas market, LADOL has been able to halve the cost of logistics support in Nigeria. This 50% cost saving comes despite the fact that the facilities and equipment

are all brand new. Two awards given to LADOL, which are ‘Commendation for self-sufficiency’, and ‘Commendation for infrastructure improvements’, are being given for the first time and reflect improvements such as the ongoing development of its new 24 MW power plant, due to come online in late 2017. fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year celebrates those zones that are best in class and which are reinvesting,

Customs nabs suspected banned poultry products smuggler in Lagos The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested a suspected smuggler with 206 cartons of banned poultry products worth N1.2 million. The command also seized his fibre boat valued at N2.1 million, bringing to N3.3 million the total amount of seizures made from him. Parading the suspect, Jephiter John, the Comptroller, Yusuf Umar, said he was arrested on October 28 at about 10.30 p.m.

by all security agencies like the Navy, Customs and others. “Again, all statutory payment must have been made into government coffers before such vessel can discharge midstream. As I speak to you, MV Hawk which came in from Duala is still anchored midstream of Bonny waters, waiting to discharge.If they fail to engage dockworkers in the discharging process, we will shut the ports,”Nted stated.

around Badagry waterways. Umar said the suspect was caught with smuggled 206 cartons of banned frozen products while trying to make away in a fibre boat of 175-horse power engine capacity. According to the comptroller, the seized products are worth N1.2 million, while the fibre boat is valued N2.1 million, making it a total of N3.3 million worth of seizures made. Meanwhile, the command had seized a total of 8,216

cartons of frozen products valued N14 million under the service’s “Operation Hawk Descend”. The comptroller said the latest seizures made it a total of N17.3 million poultry products the command seized under the operation since July. He said Operation Hawk Descend was designed to have zero tolerance for smuggling in banned frozen products. Umar said the special anti-smuggling operation continued beyond its ini-

tial period of July to September due to the success it recorded. The comptroller said the operation had enjoyed support from the Customs Intelligence Unit. He added that the suspect would be prosecuted according to the law. The destruction of the seized poultry products was witnessed by operatives of the State Security Service, a police officer and staff of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

expanding or upgrading. Dr Amy Jadesimi, LADOL Managing Director, said: “The fDi awards review free zones from across the world, and for LADOL to receive these awards and be recognised in this way is a testament to the great work that the local team has done in putting our free zone on par with the world’s best. “LADOL is proud to be one of many significant infrastructure projects in the region that is changing the dynamic of the Nigerian economy, and facilitating business domestically and attracting business from international markets.” The $500 million LADOL Free Zone, is a newly developed village, to which access is strictly controlled. The infrastructure in the Zone is amongst the most robust and secure in West Africa, making it an ideal environment for industrial activities that could not be done in West Africa before – from offshore oil and gas megafabrication and vessel integration, to pipe coating, engineering and agricultural processing.

Efforts to get the management of LADOL comment on the issue proved abortive as text messages sent to the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi and the company’s media consultant, Alex Akao were not responded to as at the time of filing in this report.

Cargo clearance:

27 signatures, not 110 needed at seaports — Agents Clearing agents under the aegis of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has stated that 27 signatures, not 110 signatures are needed to clear cargoes at the seaports. It would be recalled that manufacturers in the country recently said that the process of clearing cargo at the two major seaports in Lagos requires a combination of 110 signatures, 70 from the Tin Can Island Port and 40 from the Apapa port. According to a statement signed by the National President of NAGAFF, Chief Eugene Nweke, the claim by the manufacturers is quite disturbing, un-provable, sensational, and a mockery of the port reform. “We wish to recall that, sometimes ago, the ICPC in conjuncture with the duo of Bureau for Public Procurements(BPE) and an agency of the United Nations reported that 79 signatures are required to release cargo out of the Nigerian Ports. “Then, we challenged the ICPC to publish its collated specimen signatures against a (using a particular importation as example) detailed operational flow, indicating points and mentioning functions where this signatures where endorsed or signed or are required in the course of Cargo clearing processes, starting from Vessel discharge to cargo delivery. “We did also noted that, from our last checks on the appropriate signatures required in the international trade (imports/exports clearance) flow, beginning from the; trade inquiry, opening of form M, Documentations, submission of Manifest, Berthing Meetings / operational clearance process ( from vessel discharge, cargo documentation, examination, Scanning, Regulatory agencies release/ endorsements, Customs release, Shipping Company release, Terminal release, Cargo Exiting/Delivery), in the whole of these notable processes mentioned.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

aviation

anchor Shola Adekola

m:0803 365 4818 e:sholanig@yahoo.com

Private sector-driven national carrier can work —MD, Scribe Global Services Mr Oluwagbemi Akinboro is the Managing Director of Scribe Global Services, one of the most successful travel agencies in the country. In this interview with SHOLA ADEKOLA, he speaks on issues ranging from the merger of travel agencies and the entire travel business in the country, among others. Excerpts:

ome airlines, especially foreign carriers recently cancelled commissions hitherto paid to travel agencies. How would you react to this? There is little or nothing we can do about this development because it is their business. Inasmuch as they see our economy as a growing economy and as a business based area, the individual agency operator will have to adjust since we don’t have our own airlines to compete with them, they are the ones airlifting our passengers. Whatever they throw at us, we grab. The economy itself has not been encouraging full participation of agencies, but not all of them have cancelled commissions paid to agencies. The fact is that some of them still give, but have drastically reduced their commissions. The truth, as it is right now, is that without their planes, we can’t fly our clients anywhere. What is your assessment of the travel industry in Nigeria? Travel industry is still at infancy level in Nigeria. There are still a lot more to do concerning the industry as most travellers are still in the old traditional way of just wanting to travel and book hotels, but travel business worldwide has gone beyond that to a total package service that involves everything ranging from tours, hotels, pleasure and having a company dedicating aircraft for just holidays, car rental, escort services, family settlement programme, expatriates programme where experts are brought all over the world on behalf of a company to access their business and help them grow. The travel industry is huge and is fast growing globally, especially in Asia, Europe, America and Australia, but in Nigeria, we are still struggling to move to the next stage. There has not been significant growth in the sector right now because the government is not doing enough to help the travel industry. One major challenge is the absence of a national carrier for Nigeria, which has enabled foreign carriers to continually dominate our airspace and cart away billions of naira from our economy annually without reciprocity from us. Nigerians are regularly exploited by these carriers, but on a second thought, you can’t blame them because they are in the business to make money. The airlines too argue that they pay lots of taxes flying into Nigeria, which they have to add up to their tickets. The actual fare is not so expensive, but the taxes when added up to the fare make it expensive for an average traveller. Also, we still need to expand our tourism potential in this country. There are several tourism areas Nigeria can showcase to the world, but these are flagrantly abandoned. The ones that are available are not being

Akinboro properly packaged while those in charge are not seeing new ideas in the industry. It is undeniably a huge market and Nigeria is large. We have great tourism sector in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Those countries have well packaged tourism that attracts people to their countries and earn billions from tourism alone annually, but in Nigeria, what do we earn from the sector yearly? What is your view on the planned reestablishment of a national carrier for Nigeria? Personally, I would say a national carrier as far as a country is concerned is inevitable because when you go to other countries you see their national carriers flying their flags, but the same cannot be said of this country. It’s a sad story that our national carrier be-

The travel industry is huge and is fast growing globally, especially in Asia, Europe, America and Australia, but in Nigeria, we are still struggling to move to the next stage.

Nigerian Tribune

came extinct due to some government policies, but if I would suggest, there is an every need to have a national carrier. But, having said that, the national carrier, when put in place, should not be fully dependent on the government and should not be owned 100 per cent by the government. There should be private-public-partnership in the national carrier. Let it be run like a business and not like government organisations where the government can control the Chief Executives. If you run it as a business concern, put qualified people there and not because of my closeness to the Minister of Aviation. National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), recently called for agencies to merge and consolidate their businesses for improved performance. How do you see this? Merger and consolidation is good for the industry, but companies coming together too must have same orientation and belief. Banks merged for better performances and coordinated services. Personally, I would say for the agencies, it is for them to improve their performance and take the business to another level. If five or 10 agencies can come together and pull their resources together, they can take the travel business from the level we are now to another stage and they would even be able to negotiate more with their clients, especially airlines. Consolidation of companies means bigger money, more creativities, innovations and risk sharing. In the long run, it makes the travel business a lot stronger.

Air France wins world most improved airline in 2015 award By Shola Adekola - Lagos One year after the unveiling of its first Boeing 777 equipped with the new long-haul travel cabins, Air France is reaping the benefits of its efforts and has recorded significant progress in terms of customer satisfaction. In June 2015, Air France received two awards from Skytrax: World’s Most Improved Airline and, for the second consecutive year, Best First Class Airline Lounge Dining. These awards were presented to the company at the World Airline Awards, an opportunity for Skytrax to issue a ranking which is a reference in the field of air transport. Both awards received by Air France were the result of a satisfaction survey, carried out online with close to 19 million customers. The move upmarket of Air France’s products and services is gaining momentum with the airline increasing the number of destinations served by its new long-haul cabins by introducing them on 5 additional routes on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Customers can now enjoy optimum comfort during their trips to Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Boston, Bangalore and Osaka with these exceptional cabins available on certain flights operated by Boeing 777-200. According to the airline; “On board, customers will enjoy a real cocoon in the sky in Business class, and completely redesigned seats in Premium Economy and Economy. You can even discover this new way to travel before you board, on best.airfrance.com. “Thanks to the progressive introduction of these new cabins on board the Boeing 777, at the heart of Air France’s long-haul fleet, the Company will have a total of 30 aircraft serving some 28 destinations worldwide at the end of the winter season (March 2016).”

Arik Air launches customised air travel insurance Arik Air has launched a customised air travel insurance aimed at taking passengers flying experience to a new level. The new air travel insurance enables a passenger to enjoy a customised domestic travel insurance on Arik Air with N1, 000 only. All a passenger needs do is to buy an Arik Air ticket to any destination in Nigeria, then buy an air travel insurance for just N1,000 using Verve Card, MasterCard or Visa Card. The insurance policy provides cover against personal accident (up to N1, 000,000) resulting in death, permanent disability or bodily injury within 90 days of the occurrence of the accident. The cover is from airport to airport while aboard Arik Air. The benefits also include: flight cancellation or delays of more than eight hours, N20,000.00; emergency medical expenses, up to N50,000; mishandled/ missing baggage (inconvenience), up to Continues on pg30

aviation

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

FAAN signs agreement with ACI on staff training

crucial moment With Shola Adekola

0803 365 4818

State of Nigeria’s airports and matters arising

The entire Nigeria’s aviation sector is in the news again, courtesy of the sad report aired by United States-based CNN which rated some Nigerian airports as among the 10 worst airports in the world. Since the news broke out, there have been accusations and counter accusations coming from different interest groups with different motives. The House of Representatives in its reaction while describing the development as very embarrassing, mandated its committee on aviation to investigate the allegation. Apart from the lawmakers, many Nigerians who have spoken have expressed their disappointment in the Federal Government for failing to protect the interest of the airports despite the huge public funds so far expended on them. The peak of the blame game was when the House of Representatives declared that the airports could still remain in their present unimpressive states despite the N400 billion appropriated for their upgrade by the last administration. The green chamber, however, directed the aviation committee to investigate how the huge sum appropriated for the airport remodeling was carried out and what was the result and to report back within two weeks. Already, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had reacted to the development, stating that the present status of the Port Harcourt airport was caused by the ongoing construction. A member of the house, Garba Datti, who had earlier raised a motion of matters of urgent importance entitled “Urgent need to investigate the factors that lead to the damnable rating of our airports”, described the development as uncharitable given the huge amount of money spent on remodeling, including a $1 billion Chinese loan for such purpose. His words: “We are aware that over N400 billion was appropriated by this House for the remodelling of airports to international standard. But it is surprising to hear that despite the huge investment made to remodel these airports, we still have some of the worst airports in the world, according to the survey. Since the news broke out, every side has continued to dodge responsibilities at the expense of the general public. The issue of infrastructural decay across the airports has been in the front burner for a long time with key players in the industry raising their voices which subsequent governments had shut their ears against. While the last administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan made some attempts to do something, it is however sad that despite the huge resources spent to upgrade the airports, most of the airports are still in shambles. Again, it is sad to hear that having spent N400 billion on the upgrade of the airports nothing much has happened. While no one is trying to make false accusations, the issue is that if the then members of the seventh National Assembly, particularly those in charge of aviation committees, had done their work well, the issue of how the N400 billion was used would not have reared its head now as they were supposed to monitor how the airports project was going. The height of the embarrassment was even the inclusion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the number one gateway, among the worst rated airports. As it is, there is no point for any side to start dilly-dallying as it is obvious that many of the airports are below standard and the way out now is for the government to give the upgrade of the airports priority as no serious government jokes with its airports.

Nigerian Tribune

The Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue (middle) flanked from left, Chief Pilot, Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi; Managing Director, Risk Analyst Insurance Brokers Limited, Mrs Funmi Babington-Ashaye; Managing Director, Oldmutual, Mrs Rachel Emenike, and Head of Commercial, Arik Air, Mr Trevor Henry cutting a cake to mark the 9th year anniversary of Arik Air and Arik Travel Insurance at the company’s headquarters, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Perm Sec canvasses partnership between NAMA, Air Force Stories By Shola Adekola - Lagos

he Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello has called for an enhanced and strategic collaboration between Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Air Force in the management of the nation’s airspace. Hajia Bello who was represented at this year’s Airspace Management Seminar held at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, by the Managing Director of NAMA, Engineer Ibrahim Abdulsalam, noted that this kind of collaboration between the civil and military was needed especially now to ensure success in the fight against insurgency. While stressing that the deployment of Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) along with other Air Traffic Management technologies by NAMA had greatly enhanced the safety and security of the Nigerian airspace, Abdulsalam also stated that

the deployment of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract/ Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (ADS-C/ CPDLC) by NAMA would boost military reconnaissance activities as well as the discreet operations like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) because the data link communication provides for a unique channel of communication for the exchange of messages between each aircraft and Air Traffic Control without other aircraft being privy to the conversation. The NAMA Chief therefore, pledged the agency’s readi-

Med View Airline MD wants FG to reduce charges Saddened by the poor condition of domestic airlines, the Managing director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole has advised the Federal government to urgently reduce charges imposed on the airlines by about 65 per cent in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the carriers. Bankole who spoke on ‘Em-

Dana Air re-launches Cloud 9 in-flight magazine Passengers of Dana Air are in for an exciting flying experience with the airlines’ recent re-introduction of its in-flight magazine, Cloud 9. Cloud 9 is a quarterly, fullcolor in-flight magazine with a good blend of tourism, food, health, style, music, art, celebrity interviews, and opinion page. It is also a peek inside the exciting, picturesque destinations of Dana Air’s route network According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo; “the re-introduction of Cloud 9 is part of our determination to meet, and even exceed the flying aspirations of our guests, by contributing towards an interesting and engaging in-flight experience.’’

ness “to support and partner with the military in the area of personnel training within the limits of available resources. Meantime, a total of 18 air traffic engineers in the agency are to be issued with the Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) License by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This is just as the air traffic engineers drawn from various airports across the country successfully passed their practical and written examinations conducted recently by the regulatory authority.

He said the launch is borne out of Dana Air’s philosophy of giving more to its esteemed guests while going the extra mile to advance guests’ satisfaction has always been the driving force. ‘’We have made every effort to tailor the editorial content targeting our multicultural, multi-ethnic passengers, from the brilliant articles to the enthralling images, all have been well thought out and carefully put together to intensify the flying experience of our passengers. “In less than seven (7) years of commencing operations, Dana Air has become one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, operating over 20 daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo,” Mbanuzuo added.

powering Nigerian carriers for better competition’ at an aviation seminar in Lagos, also challenged government to reduce the price of fuel considerably and ensure the availability of the product all year round saying this will enable domestic carriers to compete favourably with the foreign carriers. According to the airline chief, the policy of multiple entry for foreign airlines, has to be reviewed, advising that any foreign airline seeking multiple entry points must partner with a local airline before permission is granted. “There should be 100 percent waiver on importation of aircraft spare parts for all local airlines, there should be access to one digit loan for airlines by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with favourable repayment plan. Moreover, the government can provide equipment to the local airline as support rather than giving out funds. “All domestic airports should be improved and secured against stowaways, animal invasion and proper navigational aids and lighting system,” he said.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Dunoma Saleh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airports Council International (ACI). The agreement, which was signed at the just concluded 24th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Hammamet, Tunisia, was for the training of FAAN staff by ACI. This capacity building exercise fell in line with the authority’s resolve to further equip and widen the intellectual capacity of its staff with new trends in the aviation industry. According to the FAAN Chief, “training of operational staff had become inevitable because, globally, safety had become a major concern that needed to be addressed urgently, through the re-awakening of staff consciousness in ensuring safety and security at our airports. This is aside from the fact that the ACI training is in compliance with the recommended practise of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).” He commended the Airports Council International for the initiative on Airports Excellence in Safety (APEX) programme.

Arik Air launches customised air travel insurance Continues from pg29

N20,000; and damage to baggage, up to N20,000 per passenger. According to the airline management, this insurance is not the same as the normal cover guaranteed for all passengers in case of air crash as provided for by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulation. The air travel insurance is provided by Old Mutual Insurance Company in partnership with Risk Analyst Insurance Brokers. Commenting on the air travel insurance, Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr Chris Ndulue said: “We want to take the passengers’ flying experience to a new level and that informs the decision to introduce the air travel insurance. The interests covered by the policy is quite unique and totally different from the customary cover provided for all passengers in case of an air crash.”

Thursday, 5 November, 2015 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

‘My books tackle institutional ills’ I knew I could tell stories people would want to read. That was what started me on the journey to becoming a writer.

Adimchinma Ibe loves writing gripping, suspense-filled novels, and in this interview, the author of Treachery in the Yard explains the reason for his style, and why he has decided to take on everyday national issues through his works. Excerpts:

Do you have a target audience in mind when you’re writing? I try to write stories that could be enjoyed by everyone but of course, my target audience is the youth and middle aged persons. For one, they are greater in number in the population.

REACHERY In The Yard, your debut novel is about detectives and intelligence; what more do we need to know about it? Although Treachery In The Yard is my debut novel, I had written a few others before it that were not published. The novel is about Detective Peterside who is drawn into Nigerian politics when a bomb goes off at Chief Pius Okpara’s home. Chief Okpara is an important politician in the middle of a tough nomination battle to clinch the governorship ticket of the National Conservative Party. Before the bomb incident, rival supporters of the politicians in contention for the ticket have been at each other’s throat. Detective Peterside is, therefore, not happy with the investigation of the bombing, and the politics involved. Unfortunately, he learns that his mentor is protecting the suspect. Suspense is a major element of the story; is there any effect you want this to have on readers? You might not be far from the truth if you say that the element of suspense in the beginning of the novel is to attract the reader’s attention. But it is also an effort to build up the plot especially since I was writing in the first person, so I had to put the detective in the middle of the chaos. Writing in the first person could be a lot more difficult because you can only write what your hero sees, hears or perceives at the moment since he has to be present in most of the scenes but it also heightens the suspense, that’s why I chose to write in the first person. The hero is always where the action is happening. It makes the story more alive! Choosing a title for a novel could sometimes be a herculean task but how did you arrive by this title? : I try to always summarise my novels in my titles. The first novel I wrote that was not published was entitled: The Deserved Fate. The Deserved Fate is talking about a jealous stepmother who ends up killing her son. She had wanted to kill her stepson so her own child will inherit her husband’s wealth. The second, We Forever Crouch In Fear, also unpublished, talks about having to be perpetually subjected to oppression to the point that you lose your will to fight back the forces that oppress you. And Treachery In The Yard is about

What differentiates you from other writers? I can say that my writing introduces life in the modern day Nigeria. Also the topical and controversial issues such as police corruption, the political and social atmosphere of the modern day Nigeria make the novel to stand out. My books, therefore, tackle institutional ills.

• Adimchinma Ibe

police corruption. So I love my titles to be captivating, and I guess that’s part of my gift as a writer. Have you always wanted to be a writer? I had wanted to tell stories of what happens around me. I know if I write

these stories, people will be interested in reading them, so I started writing. So, yes, I have always wanted to be a writer. I knew I could write stories that would interest a lot of people, not like Hadley Chase, because I was into James Hadley Chase novels in my secondary school days at the time, but

The issue of publishing a book could be quite hectic for most writers; how did you arrive at getting your work published? It’s really hectic trying to get your novel published. I do not have an agent, and I had to pitch my novel with publishing houses myself until I got the contract with St. Martins Press, USA. It was not all rosy and an easy road to becoming a published writer. I remember I sent out more than twelve thousand email queries in the seven years it took to get my first novel published, and 99 per cent of the replies to those queries were rejection letters.

Gripping autism book wins Samuel Johnson prize Author Steve Silberman has won the £20,000 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction for his book about autism. The judges said Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently was a “tour de force” of journalistic and scientific research. It is the first popular science book to win the prize in its 17-year history. The shortlist had included Jonathan Bate’s Ted Hughes: The Unauthorised Life and Robert Macfarlane’s Landmarks. Historian Anne Applebaum, chair of the judges, praised Silberman’s “compassionate journalism” and said he excelled at using stories and anecdotes to explain complex medical issues to a wide audience. The American author, who is based in San Francisco, has been a science writer for magazines such as the New Yorker, the MIT Technology Review, Nature and Salon for more than 20 years. “We admired Silberman’s work because it is powered by a strongly argued set of beliefs: that we should stop

drawing sharp lines between what we assume to be ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’, and that we should remember how much the differently-wired human brain has, can and will contribute to our world,” Applebaum said. “He has injected a hopeful note into a conversation that’s normally dominated by despair.” Neurotribes, she added, was “a tour

de force of archival, journalistic and scientific research, both deeply researched and widely accessible”. In its review of Silberman’s book, The Guardian described Neurotribes as “a gripping narrative written with journalistic verve.” The £20,000 Samuel Johnson Prize was won last year by Helen Macdonald’s H is for Hawk.

arts&review

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Nigerian, Ugandan women writers for Ebedi

OUR women writers made up of three Nigerians and one Ugandan have arrived at the Ebedi International Writers Residency, Iseyin, Oyo State for their six-week residency from October to November 2015. They are, Victoria Sylvester, Fiyinfoluwa Akinsiku, Erumena Amata and Juliet Kushaba. Sylvester, a Professor of English and current Head Of Department of English and Literary Studies at the University of Abuja is from Benue State. A distinguished scholar with several published articles to her name, Professor Sylvester’s published creative works include Zuma Rock and Other Poems, Inikpim’Idoko (a play) and Long Shadows(a novel). She will be spending her time in Ebedi to complete a new work of fiction. The second writer Fiyinfoluwa Akinsiku is from Ondo State. Her non-fiction and short stories have appeared in The Punch Newspaper, The Sun Newspaper, Sabinews.com, Nigerians Talk.com and ‘Our Ram Is Haram’ -Naija Stories Anthology 2012. Fiyin recently completed her first full-length manuscript and plans to work on a collection of ten short stories during the residency. Erumena Amata, a native of Delta State had her first and second arts degrees from the Universities of Jos and Lagos.Amata’s writing experience spans over twenty five years and includes documentary scripts for television and radio, television drama scripts, jingles and commercials for radio and television, adverts for newspapers and magazines, and creating and designing programmes for television. Majority

ny to its effectiveness in the production of quality creative works, some Ebedi Fellows have produced award winning books during their stay in the residence. Apart from working on their manuscripts, residents are also expected to mentor Secondary School Students in Iseyin and environs, an activity that has discovered many hitherto hidden literary talents in the area. The residency which is manned by a five member Board Of Directors is currently under the supervision of an Administrative Manager, Mr Kofi Sacky, a Ghanaian poet who is also an Ebedi Fellow.

•From left, Erumena Amata, Juliet Kushaba and Fiyin Akinsiku of her works have been published not in print but in video and broadcast form. She hopes to use her time in Ebedi to complete a film script, ‘’Raindrops’’ which has to do with the plight of OVCs - children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The Ugandan writer, Juliet Kushaba works with the Ugandan Female Writers Association (FEMRITE) as a Programmes Officer, and her journey to Nigeria was made possible with the support of the Ethipian Airlines. Kushaba has published a number of short stories, poems and essays. Most of Juliet’s works carry themes of social change. In 2013, she was the First Runner-up for the prestigious Morland Writing Scholarship Award. Juliet also serves on the steering committee for

African Women Writers Initiatives Network (AWWINET), a network with over 12 African women writers’ initiatives. She is in charge of Strategic Planning for the Network. Juliet holds a first degree in Education and is currently pursuing a Masters in Women and Gender Studies from Makerere University. Just like Fiyin, Juliet will also be working on her new Short Stories Collection while in Ebedi. In its fifth year of operation, The Ebedi International Writers Residency is a private initiative for writers to complete their on -going works in a serene and conducive environment at no cost to the writers. It has hosted over 60 writers from Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya since inception. As a testimo-

Towards understanding personal finance BOOK REVIEW

A review of Nimi Akinkugbe’s A-Z of Personal Finance by Akin Fatimehin.

In a world in which financial freedom has come to become a major determinant of overall human happiness and general well being, a world in which how you manage your personal finances is a pointer to the direction in which all other aspects of your personal life flow, it is meet and apt that individuals pay a lot more attention to their money matters than they had done in the past Whether you are just starting out in your first job, or you are approaching retirement or somewhere in between, you need to take your personal finances seriously. In the book, A-Z of Personal Finance, the author, with a professional background of over two decades in banking and private wealth management provides the reader with useful tips on matters concerning the individual and his or her money. To appreciate the book, one may need to consider the antecedents of the author. According to Fola Adeola OFR, cofounder of Guaranty Trust Bank, in the foreword of the book, Nimi Akinkugbe is an advocate of financial literacy and education and has enlightened us over the years regarding the importance of financial responsibility and money man-

•The author, Nimi Akinkugbe agement. He goes on to say that ‘this book is a treasure for the youth, parents, teachers, counselors, mentors and professionals.’ The truth is the author of the book has integrated insights regarding the social and emotional characteristics of spending. In doing the book, Nimi reveals a unique flair for simplifying complex issues regarding personal financial management. In conclusion, Mr Adeola says that while there may be many books offering advice about personal finances, Nimi’s book stands out as one that clearly benefits from her successful banking

career spanning 23 years. Nimi’s book has continued to receive several endorsements from many individuals, financial experts and laymen alike. According to Arunma Oteh, former Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nimi’s book is a wonderful, easy to read book on personal financial that can be applied by the average person to help them come to grips with their financial realities in order to achieve financial security. Ahmed Dasuki, leading international investor and director of several blue chip companies says of the author and the book ‘Opunimi presents personal financial management skills in a practical and engaging way. She will help you manage your money whether you are just starting your first job or are closer to retirement. “Opunimi takes you through the important steps involved in securing your future and that of your family.” Lynnneete Khalfani-Cox, Money Coach, Personal finance expert and author of several best seller books, including Zero Debt: The ultimate guide to financial freedom says of Nimi: ‘She has a nice writing style and a very solid grasp of personal financial issues. I’m sure her book will be very helpful to both Nigerians and Americans. These are just a few of several endorsements of a book which is sure to emancipate every reader from the shackles of financial slavery.

Remembering Abubakar Gimba By Paul Liam The function of literature as a tool for religious, moral and social regeneration of the society, and its cultural cognizance permeated the recently concluded National Conference on the Life and Writings of Abubakar Gimba, convened by the Faculty of Languages and Communication Studies of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. The conference witnessed intriguing academic perspectives on what Gimba’s writings and life purports for the society by distinguished literary scholars and writers alike. The various papers discussed at the conference proffered life and meanings to Gimba’s writings and as well, lauded the belief held by literary scholars that, literature serves a greater purpose more than just providing entertainment. The discourses extrapolated for the decipherability of laymen, the intrinsic social, moral, religious and cultural agenda of the writer as an agent of societal reconstruction. It was soul-gripping as one speaker after another rendered endless eulogy on the life and achievement of the deceased novelist. What was eminent amongst all those who spoke at the opening ceremony which held at the Twin Lecture Theatre of the University’s main campus, was the unanimous acceptance by all that, Gimba was a man of honour, a man who lived and died preaching morality and social justice as the panacea to a dysfunctional and retrogressive society. The Convener of the conference and Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Communication Studies, Dr E. E. Sule in his opening remarks described Gimba as a purposeful and altruistic writer with genuine intentions for the university and the society at large. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Muhammad Nasiru Maiturare in his welcome address thanked everyone who made it to the conference and reflected on the personality of Gimba. He submitted that, “the late Mallam Gimba, as we can all testify personified so many excellent qualities: a morally upright Nigerian, economist, mentor, astute administrator and a gifted writer per excellence.” Maiturare said further that Gimba laid the concrete foundation of the University as its pioneer Pro-Chancellor, and that it is on that solid foundation that he and others are impressing upon to take the university to a greater height.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015 Editor:

health you&EYE

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

sex,sexuality&You

naturalhealth

INSIDE

Nigerian Pharmaceutical companies must enjoy fixed exchange like pilgrims

—Oyeniyi, Bond Chemicals

Page 36

natural health

How hog plum, orange peel protects from malaria —Experts Page 37

When sex becomes dangerous! HEALTH QUOTE

Page 37

From left; Dr Titi Akingbola: Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge; Director, Blood and Marrow Transplant Programme, University of Illinois, Professor Damiano Rondelli and Professor Victor Gordeuk, at the media briefing to announce the hospital’s move to start bone marrow transplant, in Ibadan, recently.

As UCH is set to cure sickle cell disease

aving a child who is always sick and who has to go to the hospital because of bone pains arising from sickle cell disease is better imagined. It is the same with having an unsolicited penile erection that is associated with serious pains. But that is just a tip of the iceberg of problems thousands of individuals with sickle cell anaemia face and as such the desire to find a lasting solution to this condition seen in about three per cent of all Nigerians. Ensuring healthy lives, including a sickle cell cure, was the topmost agenda when experts from the University of Illinois decided to collaborate with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State on sickle cell disorder care. Sickle cell anaemia is peculiar and unique to Nigeria because of her population, being the most populous black nation of the world. It is a disorder that involves inheriting abnormal haemoglobins from both parents, which Dr Foluke Fasola, a consultant haematologist, UCH, Ibadan, said manifests in different forms, including anaemia, recurrent bone pain and subtle destruction of organs in the body over time. Different treatment modalities and increased awareness by parents on how they can ensure children with sickle cell disorder have lesser sickle cell crisis had led to many living into adulthood. Increased longevity of persons with sickle cell disorder, however, is not left without its problems and as such the need for more treatment modalities for its problem that is not the same in two individuals, said Dr Titi Akingbola, a UCH’s haematology consultant. Hydroxyl urea, a chemical substance, Dr Akingbola said was one of the treatment modalities to ensure persons with sickle cell disorder are free of problems like bone pain. Also, rather than having blood transfusion to

replace red blood cells which breaks down in less than 15 days, compared to those in other individuals that can last for 120 days, she added that they could undergo red blood exchange. She said: “Red blood exchange, using a machine at the hospital, means the patient can have quick relief from whatever complications of sickle cell disease for almost three months. “In the last one month, we have been able to use the machine on two patients. One is an 18-yearold with recurrent stroke and the other had priaprism, a purposeless penile erection that gives a lot of pain. The patient with priaprism had instant relief from the penile turgidity.” Bone marrow transplantation, which involves a total change of the “engine house” that produces red blood cells in the marrow of a person with sickle cell disease, is also being considered as a permanent cure that the hospital intended to start to offer. “With experts from the University of Illinois, we had a maiden meeting to brainstorm on what bone marrow is all about; who can benefit from it; what needs to be put on ground; patients’’ expectation and what other stakeholders, including philanthropist, can do to support its take off,” Dr Akingbola declared. Professor Damiano Rondelli, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplant Programme, University of Illinois, and leader of the team, speaking at a media interaction at the hospital, said the new way of doing bone marrow transplantation already in use in USA is to be adopted. It can offer cure to all age groups, unlike the old technique that is only applicable to children. Bone marrow transplant has been discovered as a cure for sickle cell disease for over 30 years. However, 90 per cent of bone marrow transplant in USA has been in children and only a few in adult patients. It involves taking stem cells that produce blood

cells from the blood of a compatible donor and giving it to a person with sickle cell disorder to ensure their bone marrow afterwards only produce normal red blood cells. For many decades, persons to undergo transplant they are given chemotherapy prior to the exercise to suppress their immunity system rejecting the stem cell being transplanted from a compatible donor. The toxicity of the chemotherapy on organs of adults, however, puts them at a higher risk of dying from the procedure, thus making children better candidates for the older procedure. However, Professor Rondelli said the new way of doing bone marrow transplantation makes use of a cocktail of drugs and little radiation rather than chemotherapy to suppress the body immunity, thus making it safer and suitable to provide cure for all age groups of persons with sickle cell disorder. In fact, the stem cell donor could be a sibling that has sickle cell trait. So getting the right donor to give stem cells for the transplantation is also made easy. UCH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Temitope Alonge, who remarked that the hospital was going into partnership with University of Illinois to provide cure for sickle cell disease, said this became imperative because of the huge number of Nigerians with the disease. Alonge said the hospital’s sickle cell centre was part of its 2014 budget and solicited philanthropists’ support to complete and equip it to kick start the hospital for provision of cure for sickle cell disease in Nigeria. While assuring that sickle cell cure would be made affordable to Nigerians requiring the facility, he added that the first four to five cases that the hospital would handle will be done free of charge.

“The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good health lies in successful adjustment to changing stresses on the body.” – Harry J. Johnson

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

you-and-eye@gmail.com

‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye..?’

T I

oday we are going to talk about, “The mote in your eye,” I announced to members of the United for Vision Club. “Pastor Sam would you like to lead the discussion?” I said, beckoning to the stranger in our midst. could see that members of the United for Vision Club were somewhat uncomfortable. If I could read their mind, they seemed to be asking, “Why and what a topic?” Pastor Sam and I shared a secret and this would unfold as we went along. So, l kept a straight face and asked Sam to go ahead. “The full text is taken from Luke 6: 41, ‘And why seest thou the mote in your brother’s eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye.’ Who can tell me the meaning of this proverb?” asked Pastor Sam, speaking behind a pair of dark glasses. “I believe it is a reprimand of those who quarrel with others for small faults while they are oblivious to their own greater ones,” answered Thomas, the undergraduate. “Excellent,” replied Sam. “What is the actual meaning of the word ‘mote’?” Sam asked again. “A mote is the layman’s term for a small whitish, dust-like speck or discharge at the junction of the upper and lower eyelids near the bridge of the nose. This is usually found in the morning on getting out of bed,” replied Jade. “That’s a very good definition but a little incomplete.

A mote can come up anytime of the day but I agree, it is commoner in the morning,” Sam added, taking off his pair of dark glasses to show a huge mote in both his eyes. He quickly dipped his hand into his pocket, took out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes. “Now look, is the mote still there?” “No, it’s gone!” the class echoed. The older members were still perplexed and wondering where all these would lead to. “Why does a mote show up in anyone’s eye? Why do I have a mote or discharge in my eye?” he asked again. Pastor took off his dark glasses once more and unbelievably, the mote was back in both eyes. The audience was now stimulated and anticipating the next step. “Pastor, please tell us why the mote reappeared in your eyes so soon after you cleaned it off?” Thomas asked. “The answer would be found in the knowledge of what caused the mote in the first instance,” said Sam. “About a week ago, I went out to preach at the Bar Beach. All of a sudden, there was a storm and it blew some sand particles into my eyes. I washed my face with some water and felt better enough to continue with my sermon albeit with some discomfort. When I got home, I started using some antibiotic eye drops. However, by the third day, I was having this discharge or mote in my eyes. I also had some mild gritty sensation, but not enough to disturb my work. Perhaps, Dr Ben would like to take over

from here.” “Thank you Sam. May I introduce you properly? Sam is an ophthalmologist during the week and a pastor at weekends! Interestingly, Sam told me he was reading Luke 6:41 to his audience at the time of the sandstorm. So when he came this morning complaining of persistent discharge in both eyes, he and I knew the answer but he couldn’t treat himself! That was why I asked him to lead the discussion. I am going to show you all the cause of his mote and proceed to its treatment.” I said. I instilled a few drops of topical anaesthetics into Sam’s eyes; waited a few minutes, then grabbed the right upper eyelid and turned it inside out. Everyone screamed as they saw the tiny particles of sand embedded in the inner lining of the lid. I took out my sterile instrument and scrapped off the sand particles. I repeated the same thing for the left eye. “What would have happened if you hadn’t removed the sand particles,” Jade asked. “The discharge would have continued. The eye too could become infected and rubbing of the lids on the cornea could lead to cornea ulcers which untreated, could result in blindness! “Now Jade, what is contained in the mote?” I asked. “A mote consists of cellular debris from the inner lining of the lids, dead bacteria and dead white blood cells (soldiers) sent out to remove the foreign bodies,” Jade explained.

Dr Abayomi Ajayi

ivf &you

info@nordicalagos.org

0700 6673422

Female infertility Female infertility is defined when a woman fails to conceive within 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse due to challenge(s) in the woman. Regular intercourse should ideally take place three to four times in a week well spaced apart, with semen deposited in the upper part of genital tract. Healthy sperm cells can survive up to three to five days in the genital tract, whereas the eggs are viable up to 24hours after ovulation. It is classified into primary infertility, when the woman had never been pregnant before, and secondary, in which case there had been pregnancy in the past irrespective of the outcome of such pregnancy Generally, fertility is at its peak in the early 20s and the chance of natural pregnancy under normal condition is 25 per cent per month, it is expected that about 80 per cent of women would have achieved pregnancy after a year of trying. The incidence of infertility is between 10 and 20 per cent worldwide and 25 per cent of couples have this challenge in Nigeria. Female factor infertility accounts for between 40 and 50 per cent of cases. About 20 per cent of affected individuals achieve pregnancy with minimal assistance but up

to 60 per cent need assisted conception. Risk factors for female infertility include: Age, sexually transmitted disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, poor diet, overweight, underweight, alcohol, tobacco use, too much exercise, Stress, uterine abnormality. The age factor is very important because from about age 35, a woman’s fertility potential gradually declines. The reason is straightforward. She is born with all the eggs she’ll have and with time, the supply diminishes. Also the remaining eggs also age along with the rest of the body. Infertility in older women may be due to a higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities that occur in the eggs as they age. Older women are also more likely to have health problems that may interfere with fertility. The risk of miscarriage also increases with a woman’s age. It is recommended that women seek medical help after a year and those older than 35 years after six months of trying to conceive. Causes of female infertility include: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis and pelvic adhesions. Ovulatory disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure and meno-

pause. Abnormality of the genital tract like uterine fibroid (depending on size and location), polyp, tubal blockage. Genetic / congenital malformation of genital tract. Immunological condition such as antisperm antibody. Management starts with fertility evalu8ation, this involves history taking, examination and investigations, to identify the area (s) of challenge and plan a wholesome treatment. Women are advised to undertake fertility evaluation along with the spouse, this

Risk factors for female infertility include: age, sexually transmitted disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, poor diet, overweight, tobacco use, stress and uterine abnormality.

way a combined factor will be identified, the husband’s education on the process and support will also be ensured while treatment lasts. Specific tests done are Hormone test while on menses; ovarian reserve test after Clomiphene challenge for older women; ovulation function tests in the luteal phase; antimullerian hormone for ovarian reserve; radiological test (HSG) for tubal patency and uterine evaluation. Evaluation of the uterus and adnexae is done with sonohysterogram. There are however finding from history or investigation that may indicate the need for hysteroscopy and (or) laparoscopy respectively, these may be diagnostic or surgical in outcome. Treatment is planned based on finding at evaluation, this would take the form of specific education and counseling based on identified knowledge gap, there may be need for lifestyle modification, ovulation induction with oral drugs or injections. Assisted conception options like intrauterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), oocyte (egg) donation or surrogacy may be indicated as the case may be. Adoption could be advised as a last option.

35 everydayhealth

Thursday, 5 November, 2015.

Half of the world is at risk of malaria —WHO By Victor Ogunyinka

From left; Mrs Caroline Bamigbade; Head, neurology unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) Complex, Ile-Ife, Dr Mrs Morounkeji Komolafe; Dr Obinna Ogbonna and Professor Matthew Olaogun at the event, recently in Ile-Ife.

Eating habits can promote stroke —Experts By Sade oguntola

xperts at the 2015 World Stroke Day celebration at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex have said that wrong eating habits and inactivity can directly affect individual’s likelihood of developing stroke. They warned at the celebration with the theme “A healthy lifestyle” that ageing, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and physical inactivity were factors fuelling the epidemic of stroke and other non communicable diseases like stroke, hypertension and diabetes. Professor Matthew Olaogun, a consultant neurophysiotherapist, who spoke on the role of exercises in the prevention of stroke, declared that millions of death and disability from diseases such as stroke could be averted if individuals comply with established preventive measures against stroke. According to him, “if you walk out regularly, enough to produce sweat, you can minimise the risk of stroke in the future. For example, adults are encouraged to do brisk walking and not jogging.” Olaogun declared that house chores are not enough exercises unless the intensity is good enough to ensure sweat breaks out, warning that inappropriate eating and drinking after exercises is also dangerous. However, while exercising, he said it was important to

also pay attention to other risk factors of stroke such as smoking, alcohol intake and high blood cholesterol level. To encourage people to make exercising a habit, he suggested individuals doing exercises they enjoy as well as join others to ensure its sustainability. Olaogun who remarked that prevention of stroke was the only affordable option for a developing country like Nigeria, noted that more men develop stroke than women although the disease tends to kill more women than men. He pointed out that people should be wary of a sudden severe headache with no known cause lasting for less than five minutes, saying it could be a warning sign of transient or mini stroke. Also speaking on benefits of good diet on prevention of stroke, Dr Obinna Ogbonna, the hospital’s chief dietician said good health was not just the absence of disease, but also absences of disabilities, adding that with appropriate lifestyle changes, over 80 per cent of all stroke cases are preventable. Ogbonna, who asked that individuals minimise their salt intake, cut down on their calorie intake, including artificial food seasoners, said consumption of nuts such as walnut and groundnut is helpful in lowering blood cholesterol level, a reason some people end up with stroke. Earlier, Chief Medical Director, OOUTH complex, Ile-Ife, Professor V A Ad-

etiloye had stressed the importance of people knowing about stroke considering that it is a major cause of death and disability in Nigeria. Adetiloye, who said many people assume that stroke

only affects adults, told the audience which included students both from secondary and primary schools in Ile-Ife, never to take the disease for granted as it could affect all age groups and gender.

“There are 15 countries that contribute about 80 per cent of malaria rate in the world and Nigeria is top on the list, India, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda among others make up the remaining countries, about 97 countries are still affected and about half of the world is at risk of malaria.” This was one of the revelations when Dr Peter Olumese, Medical Officer, treatment guidelines and policies, global malaria programme department at the World Health Organisation headquarters, Geneva, presented a lecture at the University College Hospital, Ibadan on ‘Global progress and emerging Child health, priorities in the next decades’. Dr Olumesi explained that Millennium Development Goal covers many issues but noted that the fourth and sixth centre on reducing child mortality and eradicating HIV/AIDS. He pointed that though the eradication mark of 75 per cent has not been met, the progress made so

far has been massive and promising to the eradication of malaria. “There has been progress and it has been mass, about 53 per cent success rate has been recorded between 1990 and 2015 globally. “Though Africa has not met the 75 per cent mark, but because of the high rate of malaria overtime, it has recorded higher success rate than the other regions and there has also been a decline in under five mortality rate, but with 16,000 children still dying every single day and about 11 every minute, child survival remains an urgent concern,” he said. Speaking at the event, the chairman and provost of the college, Prof Babatunde Salako explained that lectures as this was important especially for Nigeria, stating that eradicating maternal and infant mortality is germane. He charged everyone present to take advantage of the timeliness of the lecture and make the best use of the information from the world governing body on health.

Ekiti govt sets to decongest teaching hospital As Body of Permanent Secretaries suggests regular check-up for workers In line with the commitment of the Governor Ayodele Fayose-led administration to ensure effective service delivery in key sectors of the state, the state government has expressed readiness to decongest the State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) to enable citizens get access to quality and fast healthcare services in the hospital. The State’s Head of Service, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti at the monthly Peer Review meeting of the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries. The Head of Service who highlighted the efforts of the state government to include recent recruitment of 100 health personnel into the health sector, said government would review the situation of the yet-to-becompleted Oba Adejugbe General Hospital which was commissioned by the last administration without equipment to see how the new facility can reduce

indiscriminate patronage of the Teaching Hospital which ordinarily should be a research and referral centre. The Teaching Hospital currently serves as a secondary and referral facility because of the unavailability of a General Hospital in the state capital and this has compounded the challenges of medical personnel as well as patients. Delivering a lecture titled “Ekiti State Health Sector: Mandate, Structure and Policy implementation Direction”, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi disclosed that only five departments in the new General Hospital were completed while the mortuary, CMD’s and doctors’ quarters still remained uncompleted. She noted that the hospital was still not equipped as at the time it was commissioned while there were no basic amenities such as electricity and water in the

hospital. While speaking on lopsidedness in the posting of medical personnel across all medical facilities in the state, Dr Olomojobi revealed that about 400 doctors were engaged by the State Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti whose services were restricted to the tertiary level of care. The Permanent Secretary who blamed the anomaly on citizens who patronise tertiary health facilities without referral from primary and secondary facilities, stated that this was responsible for the slow attention given by doctors to patients at the referral centres which are established solely for teaching and research but not treatment of ailments meant for primary and secondary facilities. Reacting to the situation, the Permanent Secretary in Local Government Service Commission, Mrs Peju Babafemi charged

the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) to redouble its effort by working assiduously on preventive rather than curative medicine. Babafemi added that when diseases are not properly treated at the primary level of prevention, it would lead to referral for cure at a level, which the patient may find expensive and stressful. Earlier in his remarks, the Head of Service, Dr Faseluka had also suggested that the Ministry of Health should organise periodic medical check-up for civil servants in order to avert incidences of sudden fatalities of officers in the public service. Faseluka’s suggestion was a reaction to an observation that over-borrowing by workers had done more harm than good to workers, many of whom have suffered pressure and stress related ailments without knowing.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

healthpeople Nigerian Pharmaceutical companies must enjoy fixed exchange like pilgrims

—Oyeniyi, Bond Chemicals Mr Sanjo Akintunde Oyeniyi , Head of sales and marketing, Bond Chemicals Industries Limited, Lagos in this interview with Sade Oguntola talks on the need to peg exchange rate for pharmaceutical companies given the sector’s importance in the nation’s development as well as caution mothers on wrong use of syrups for children.

ond Chemicals Limited was initially set up as a retail outlet for Pharmaceutical Products in 1976 by Sir Chief Adebowale Omotosho, but later metamorphosed to Bond Chemical Industries Limited in 1988. Already it is five times its size at inception, how was this feat achieved? Sir Adebowale Omotosho, our chairman, is a highly visionary and energetic leader, who has not relented since Bond Chemist started in Ilupeju and later transformed into a modern pharmaceutical company. The mission of the company, mainly into manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs and foods, including hot drinks such as gin and whisky, remains ensuring every of its medicines meet the desired quality and excellence in pharmaceuticals for all users. Even in difficult business environment, where the purchasing power of the people is low, people still want efficacious products. Quality products will always still stand out. This is the belief of the company. We strictly maintain the quality of our products; this is what makes us to stand out. Nobody will want to take any Nigerian products when they are substandard. But when they see good Nigerian products; Nigerians would not mind patronising whenever. It is just an assumption that many Nigerians only want to patronise imported products rather than Nigerian–made products despite their quality. They are now discovering that many imported products are either fake or substandard. Now, they prefer to buy products from companies that they can identify, whose products are good. Has it been easy ensuring every of your medicines meet the desired quality and excellence in pharmaceuticals for its users given the production challenges in Nigeria? It has not been easy. In fact, it is more profitable to import medicines for sales than to manufacture them in Nigeria. But being an indigenous company, Bond Chemicals Industries management had remained committed to providing medicines for Nigerians to support the country’s attainment of self sufficiency. The belief of Sir Omotosho is that as a Nigerian company, we should provide for our own people, but it has not been easy. There are many challenges, including poor power and water supply. Bond Chemical factory in Awe, Oyo State is almost a

country to itself given that it provides its own electricity, water and security. That is what an average industry actually passes through in Nigeria today. We are hoping that with the change in government, things will improve. How have all these imparted on the cost of medicines from this company? The selling cost of a drug is dependent on the profit desired and whether the company wants to remain in business or not. But emphasis of our chairman has always been that as a company producing products for Nigerians, such must be affordable for its users. As such, we had maintained patientfriendly prices. With about 72 brands of medicines, including drugs for children such as paracetamol and basic antibiotics, our drugs come at patient-friendly prices, are of high quality; and are distributed all over the country, including where Boko Haram is striking. These gives our products edge over those manufactured by other companies. It will be heart-warming to know that Bond Chemicals Industries is the only company in Nigeria manufacturing hydroxyl urea, a drug for management of sickle cell disease. The drug, which has been extensively used in Europe and so on, has not been so much available in Africa, because of its cost. Bond Chemicals is bringing it out at a patient-friendly cost and in smaller packages of 250mg and 100 mg, unlike the 500kg that is obtainable outside Nigeria. Why did you go into hydroxyl urea production for sickle cell disease mangement? No doubt, Bond Chemicals Limited had spent more on its production than it realised from its sales. But this is expected when bringing out an innovation. Already, we are partnering with the Sickle Cell Foundation and talking with the Federal Ministry of Health being the only company producing hydroxyl urea in Nigeria. For instance, I was a representative of Bond Chemicals Limited in the drafting of standard management protocol for treating people with sickle cell disease. What caution do you give to mothers on children syrups and liquid formulations as a drug manufacturing company?

Mr Akintunde Oyeniyi Many mothers still give their children paracetamol syrup that might have been opened two weeks afterwards. We produce a lot of paediatric products, including our own brand of paracetamol called Bonadol. Like every other liquid preparation for children, once the seal has been broken, air enters and as such its usage should be between one and four days. Of course, putting such liquid drugs in cold, dry place or fridge may help preserve it further, but we recommend its use and discard after four days of opening that bottle or at most one week when it is kept in a cool, dry place, say a fridge. It does not mean that the product will become poisonous after 10 days, but we usually specify this to be on the safer side for all paediatric products in the liquid form. Policy somersault is deemed as

a major inhibition to industrial growth and economic development in the country. How has this affected Bond Chemicals Limited? Policy summersault usually experienced when there is a change in government is not good for the local industry at all. A new government comes in and announces guidelines and you as a local manufacturer quickly go to implement. By the time another government comes in this is upturned. It is not good for the local industry. In advanced countries, policies are retained over a long period. It allows the manufacturer to plan. In Nigeria, policy summersault do not allow for good planning. It usually gives local manufactures lots of stress. To be self-reliant, lot of countries ensure their banks are not only money making machines. They are made to support local industries to ensure the development and growth of the nation.

37 By Sade Oguntola

he rains are here, and so are mosquitoes that spread malaria. Mosquitoes are frequently found due to poor drainage system especially during rainy seasons which provide a better breeding place for them. Unfortunately, only a single mosquito bite is all it takes for someone to become infected with the malaria parasite and progression to malaria. Statistics reveal that malaria is the major cause of death and ill health in Nigeria. It is also the main reason for out-patient admissions, visits to health facilities and is responsible for most deaths of pregnant mothers in Nigeria. This is the reason for provocative interest in research for larvicidal compounds from natural sources that is environmentally safe, biodegradable, and has a low cost. Spondias mombin leaf extracts have proved to be a strong candidate for a natural, safe and stable mosquito larvicide to be used in population control of different mosquitoes. It could replace the conventional Diclorvos to control malaria, dengue and filariasis in breeding sites of limited size around human dwellings. Spondias mombin is commonly called Hog plum and in native language—Iyeye in Yoruba, tsdat-iamaruda or tsadar masar in Hausa and Ijikara in Igbo. The different parts of the plant, whose fruits are edible and yellowish in colour when mature, are used for different medicinal purposes. Hog plum is utilised to cure worm, cough, wounds, purge, fever, yaws, diuretic and febrifuge. In a new study, the leaves of Hog plum were extracted and were evaluated against larvae of different mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti and

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

natural

health How hog plum, orange peel protect from malaria —Experts Culex piper-fatigans responsible for the transmission of malaria, yellow fever and filariasis respectively. The researchers found Ae. Aegypti was the most susceptible mosquito species to Hog plum leaf extracts followed by An. gambiae and Cx. Quinquefasciatus . According to the study, which tested the toxicity of different solvent fractions of S. mombin on different mosquitoes, the hexane extract of the Spondias mombin leaf was the most toxic to An. Gambiae after 24 hours of application. Although the toxicity results drastically varied according to fraction and mosquito species, all the fractions were very effective against Ae.aegypti. Hexane, dichloromethane and acetone fractions recorded maximal mortality against An. gambiae and it was only hexane

Experts’ assessment of oils extracts from peels of sweet orange, lemon, common lime, tangerine and grapefruits, proved they were effective as mosquito repellents at reasonable concentrations.

When sex becomes dangerous! Most men want more sex. Whether we admit it or not, exercise between the sheets is far more important to most of us than hours spent in the gym. Sometimes you guess and wonder how much sex your friends are getting and you wonder

fraction that registered maximal mortality against Cx. quinquefasciatus. The 2014 study published in the Journal of Vector Borne Diseases involved Elijah Ajaegbu Eze, Simon Pierre Yinyang Danga and Festus Basden Chiedu Okoye. Many researchers have used plant-derived products from aqueous extracts of leaves, bark and nutshell of Anacardium occidentale (Cashew) for control of larvae of mosquitoes that cause malaria. In the 2011 edition of the journal, Animal Research International, researchers corroborated that aqueous extracts of Leaf, bark and nutshell of cashew could be used in stagnant water bodies, which are known to be breeding ground for mosquitoes. They found that the number of larvae of mosquitoes that can be killed with aqueous extracts of leaf, bark and nutshell of cashew

whether, frankly, you are getting enough. You could be right; you probably might not be getting enough sex. The truth is, the right amount of sex is the amount that leaves you satisfied but does not impinge on the rest of your life.

increased with time of exposure and the concentration of extracts, thus corroborating its insecticidal properties. Highest mortality was recorded for 30 ml of all the extracts with 68 per cent for leaf, 71 per cent for bark and 68 per cent for nutshell at 30 minutes, while 97 per cent mortality for bark, 93 per cent mortality for leaf and 73 per cent mortality for nutshell were recorded at one hour intervals. The large number of plant extracts reported to have excellent larvicidal activities also includes Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus and garlic bulbs. Researchers’ evaluation of garlic bulbs on the larvae of the filarial mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus showed that it exhibited significant activity and could be considered as potent natural larvicidal agent in stagnant water bodies. The 2010 study, published in Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, found that the ethanol garlic bulb extract was very effective against C. quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae. Previously, citrus peels because of their essential oils content have been identified as very important natural resource for either insecticides or repellent. In some places, dried citrus fruit peels are burnt on charcoal fire to repel and/or destroy mosquitoes in homes. Experts’ assessment of oils extracts from peels of sweet orange, lemon, common lime, tangerine and grapefruits, proved they were effective as mosquito repellents at reasonable concentrations. This was contained in the 2012 edition of the Global Journal of Science Frontier Research. Topical application of the extract concentrations on human volunteers revealed that 20 per cent and 25 per cent repelled mosquitoes two hours and five hours, respectively. They had a good promise for topical repellency against mosquitoes generally.

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com Fact is, it is not the amount of sex you have, but the reason you go under the sheet with your lover, says sex addiction therapist, Dr Thaddeus Birchard. If you are single and your sex life is lacking, then buckle up. If lack of enthusiasm from either you or your other half is the reason you are not getting enough sex; you need to talk. Because where there is an imbalance, communication could be the bane. A diminished sex drive is not an issue in itself. The very fact that you are not having enough sex could be what is keeping you from getting out of your rut. “It could be about performance anxiety, it could be something in the relationship,” says Birchard. Talk through any emotions that are stopping you from diving between the sheets, whether it is unfulfilled fantasies or unresolved arguments. Once they’re worked out your bedroom diffidence, it will disappear. Note that sex should be part of life, when it becomes all of life, it becomes problematic. It’s an issue that’s only been exacerbated by the internet, with several applications offering hook-ups at the swipe of a thumb, without the investment in time and money to actual go out and meet people. The internet is powered by the triple A engine: affordability, accessibility and anonymity,” Birchard says. Frequent hook-

ups are not necessarily a problem, but they can become one if internet acquired sexual patterns are dangerous. If you go after them in spite of its harmful consequences, it could interferes with other important occupational or social situations. Its consequences could range from extracurricular affairs which puts your relationship at risk, to frequent unprotected sex or even paying for the privilege. All of these should be red flags that you might have a problem. Moving sex away from the internet and back into the real world is vital. But the problem is that sex is often used to distract you from underlying issues. When people feel anxious, depressed or lonely they could go on internet. This is actually not resolving anxiety or their loneliness. They are temporarily relieving it; its return could lead to another right-swiping cycle. The first step is recognising the triggers for problematic sexual behavior; if it is environmental; been in a particular club or neighbourhood, for example or something internal. Loneliness, often drives people to their phones. When you feel the urge rising, replace sex with a more positive habit that offers a similar serotonin boost. You could try the gym for example. Substitute more recreational behaviours and activities that give an enduring sense of wellbeing.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

What went wrong with my plan for A’Ibom —Attah Until last week, Obong Victor Attah was a leading light in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two-term former governor of Akwa Ibom State is quitting party politics, in an interview with TUNDE BUSARI, explains why he differs with the style of administration of his successor in Government House in 2007.

HE judgment of the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal seems ambiguous. How did you see it? I’m not a lawyer but from my personal point of view, Nigerians constitution says for anyone to be declared the governor, he or she must not only score the highest number of votes, he must also secure 25 percent of two thirds of the local government areas in the state, which in the case of Akwa Ibom State, translates to 21. What the sitting governor secured is just 25 percent of the votes in 13 local governments, which means going by the constitution, he is not a governor. It is as plain and simple as that. If you read the judgment, the Tribunal said this can be corrected by the Appeal Court and I want to believe that the Appellate Court would declare that there is no governor in Akwa Ibom State and a new election must be conducted rather than a partial election. This is not just my take on the matter; I believe it’s a common sense position and what the constitution of Nigeria says.

It is on record that your administration started the construction of Akwa Ibom Airport. When you reflect on how it was conceptualised, how do you feel? I am really very disappointed about how the airport project has been done. We have seen several other airports come up in states like Delta, Jigawa, and a few other states. They are not anything compared to what we did. What we did is a runway of 3.6 kilometres long and 60 metres wide and there is a reason for that. And the second runway was to be 4.2 kilometres long and also 60 metres wide because a disabled aircraft cannot come to land and you turn it away. And those two runways were to be separated by 1.5 kilometres. That is why the Okobo people are yet to forgive me, because I took so much of their farmland. We needed to have the two runways separated by 1.5 kilometres, because that is the estimated accident distance of an aircraft. What that means is that if there is an accident on one runway, the other must remain open. But sadly, we have not been able to achieve that.

Senator Akpabio was commissioner under your administration and it was expected you would continue as the governor of the state the relationship during his tenure. What happened to your relationship as members of the same party? He was one of my commissioners. But human beings can be unpredictable. When you expect somebody to improve on what you left behind but the person goes out of his way not only to dismantle it but also to rubbish you, the next thing a man of integrity should do is to watch. For how long did you maintain the silence? It is not that I did not talk. I did. As a matter of fact, I sent him a letter dated July 11, 2008, in which I advised him against the tropicana project he proposed to do. I told him my mind on my disagreement on the project based on several logical reasons such as siting, prioritisation and conceptualisation. Not only is the project an economic waste with no tangible benefit for the people of Akwa Ibom State, it is also blocking the drainage that should have helped in de-flooding Uyo. There is also the issue of refusal to conduct an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project. What was his response?

better. You just don’t start by publishing a letter that you write to a governor. It was when I could not get any kind of reaction that I decided to publish the letter to let people see the efforts I have made to get certain things corrected. I also remember once telling him (Akpabio) that the way we rever the position of a governor, when he speaks, it’s almost taken as an Article of Faith. I advised him to be careful in making public pronouncements, because people will believe everything hook, line and sinker.

Attah

I want to believe that the Appellate Court would declare that there is no governor in Akwa Ibom State and a new election must be conducted rather than a partial election.

The next thing I saw was an avalanche of paid advertorials in various newspa-

pers by various groups and individuals some of whom I had thought would know

The Department of State Security operatives’ raid on Government House in Uyo has caused the state an embarrassment. What is your comment on this? I have read the constitution of Nigeria and I have administered it and there is nowhere in the document that says if a particular location is being used to commit a crime, security agencies cannot go to the place to find out what was going on. Though I am not a lawyer, but I believe strongly that the DSS has the powers to raid any place or location believed is being used to cause security breaches. So, the raid is in order. To the credit of your administration also are the Science Park and University of Science and Technology. How far about them? On the issue of the Science Park, we continues pg40

39 politics&policy

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Ambode

Issues as court sacks Lagos LGs

A Lagos High Court headed by Justice Abdulfatai Lawal, sitting in Igbosere, has sacked all the Caretaker Committees in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, describing them as illegal and unconstitutional, with reactions trailing the said judgment, writes BOLA BADMUS.

HE Lagos State government was a few days ago ordered by a Lagos High Court to conduct elections into all the 20 local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state within 30 days, having sacked all the Caretaker Committees presiding in those places, which it declared as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and should, therefore, give way for a democratically elected representatives. The court headed by Justice Abdulfatai Lawal made the pronouncement in a judgment delivered in a case filed by the National Conscience Party (NCP), challenging the legality of a practice where caretaker committees were appointed to administer the affairs of local governments. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, who dragged the state government to court, had contended that such practice was contrary to the provisions of Sections 1(2) and 7 of the 1999 Constitution. So, he sought an order directing the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to supply voters register to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for the purpose of conducting elections at the local government level.Adegboruwa, also in his application, sought a mandamus order compelling Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) to forthwith conduct local government polls and declare the caretaker committees in the state as illegal. Justice Lawal, in granting the plaintiff’s

prayers, declared the Lagos State Local Government Law, which allowed for the appointment of caretaker committees over administration of LGAs and LCDAs as illegal and unconstitutional. The court rejected the argument of LAISEC that it was waiting for voter’s register from the INEC since the same voter’s register and polling booths were used for the April 2015 elections. The judge, consequently, directed LASIEC to conduct elections in all local

The court rejected the argument of LASIEC that it was waiting for voter’s register from the INEC since the same voter’s register and polling booths were used for the April 2015 elections.

governments and local council development areas within 30 days, declaring: “I call upon the Lagos State Government to immediately implement the judgment of the court by dismantling all the illegal structures of local government caretaker committees.” The state government has since indicated interest to appeal the judgement, saying it would approach the Appeal Court to set aside the declaration made by the state high court which sat on the matter. The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, said this in a statement, while reacting to the judgment. He stated that the government would file a stay of execution and appeal against the verdict immediately, even as he faulted the ruling. He expressed confidence that the state government would prevail on appeal, urging residents to remain calm as there was no cause for alarm. But since the pronouncement by the court, reactions have continued to pour in, with the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, lauding the court’s decision. Speaking through its publicity secretary, the party, described the judgment as a welcome development that should embarrass the APC which had always emphasised progressiveness and democracy, only for a court to now compel it to conduct an election that it ought to have done since October 2014. The party said, “It confirms that it is a party that does not have any respect for constitutionalism.”The PDP urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to abide with the judgment and make no move to appeal it using tax payer’s money to accomplish that “This is not the type of matter to be appealed.” The PDP threatened that should the governor make any attempt to appeal the judgment, it would not hesitate to join well-meaning democrats in the state on a mass protest, declaring that the constitution was unambiguous in Section 7, which insisted that there must be democratically elected local government councils. According to the party, it is a clear violation of the provision of the constitution for APC to have refused to conduct local government elections since October 2014. If Governor Ambode goes ahead to appeal this matter, wasting tax payer’s money on going for an appeal, we shall not hesitate to join well-meaning democrats in the state on a mass protest. “With this judgment, the caretaker committees in all the local governments must have been declared illegal, unconstitutional and what the state governor should do in this circumstance is to sack them and let the civil servants take charge. By this judgment, any Lagosian can as well not deal with any local government council as presently constituted. Governor Ambode should avoid this anarchy by doing the needful. What is needful now is that he should sack all the caretaker committees and allow the head or the council managers to be in control within the time limit the court has prescribed for elections,” the party said. When reminded that the state might find it difficult holding such exercise at the allotted time given the economic crisis many states in the country are currently facing, the PDP insisted that Lagos was buoyant and could, therefore, not find it difficult getting fund for the poll.”That is not true, Lagos State IGR, as a matter of fact, has increased from N23 billion to about N27 billion monthly now. The State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) does not need up to N5 billion to conduct election in the state. They have always under declared the amount because of leakages. To concontinues pg40

politics&policy

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Governors and local government elections continued from pg39

duct an ordinary local government election in Lagos State, the state does not need up to N5 billion, so they cannot give an excuse that there is no fund,” the PDP said. Giving his own reaction, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2015 poll, Dr Rotimi Olulana, described the ruling as a welcome development. He, however, contended that the period of 30 days given by the court for the poll to hold was too short. The LP chieftain said he would rather want the court to extend the period to a minimum of 90 days to allow for preparations on the part of all stakeholders, including LASIEC otherwise the outcome of such exercise if held within 30 days, would favour the party in power, the APC. “Well, if they want to conduct any election now, they should think properly because it is not easy organising campaigns, and so on, it is not an easy task. As far as I am concerned, I don’t think such a thing can work under 30 days, except they just want it to be a kangaroo affair.If they want us to have a very serious election, they should give them up to three months, a minimum of three months’ preparation would do. Also commenting on the ruling, a group, Save Lagos Group (SLG), commended the Judiciary, describing the decision as a landmark judgment. The group’s reaction was contained in a statement issued by its Convener, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulai-

man. It commended Justice Abdulfatai Lawal for his uncommon courage in delivering a landmark judgment that affected the local government administration in Nige-

ria, which it said governors had turned to a conduit pipe. It stressed that the judgment delivered by Justice Lawal had reposed confidence of Nigerians in the ability ofthe

President Buhari should develop the courage to tell the governors to conduct local government elections in their various states, as he promised during his inauguration speech on May 29th

Judiciary as the last hope of the common man and sustainer of thecountry’s democratic experiment. According to the group, Justice Lawal will make the Guinness Book of Records as a Nigerian judge who developed the bold spirit like Justice Olamide FolahanmiOloyede of Osun Divisional High Court of Justice, bygiving the landmark judgment to save the local government system inNigeria, particularly, in Lagos State from collapse and under-development. “But, with this landmark judgment, President Muhammadu Buhari should be able to summon an emergency meeting with state governors the rationale behind the appointment of caretaker Committees, executive secretaries or whatever names they may call it, in over 85per cent of the local government in Nigeria. President Buhari should develop the courage to tell the governors to conduct local government elections in their various states, as he promised during his (Buhari) inauguration speech on May 29th, 2015, that the Federal Government would properly monitor the 774 local governments in the nation for entrenchment of democracy in order for the country to play its role in democratic governance,” the group said. It is, however, not yet over now that the state government has moved to appeal the judgment, believing that it has very strong grounds to challenge the court’s decision on the matter.

‘Why I am leaving politics’ continued from pg38

sent 72 young men and women to Canada on IT training in order to make the place the reference point of ICT, in addition to having an incubation centre along with it. And by the time, they were ready to come back, the Park had been abandoned. So now, these first class brains have been employed by international organisations all over the world. Worse than that, when the Ministry of Science and Technology started to build incubation centres, none came to Akwa Ibom State. Now let me talk about the Sea Port, which my administration also initiated and had begun work on it. We had acquired the land for the project and my finance person, who interestingly, is now the APC governorship candidate, had paid as much as $5 million to the firm that designed the project. The original fee was $10 million, but we could only afford $5 million as at the time I left office. I had expected that if the remaining sum had been paid, by now we would have had a sea port that would be fully functional. What I was made to understand is that the C of O of the project was handed over to the Ports Authority and nothing more has happened. So, that is the sad story about that project, which contrary to stories being bandied, was not conceived by the government of Akpabio. My administration conceived that project, designed it and we were ready to take off before we left office. Let me talk about the University of Science and Technology, because that was a great innovation in Nigeria. Two years after we

were issued license for the university, the National Universities Commission (NUC) asked us why we had not started. We responded that we had started but not by their conventional method. And what we did was to acknowledge the fact that a University of Technology often suffers from lack of capable manpower, including teaching staff. So, what we did was to advertise and accept every Akwa Ibom person in the relevant faculty that has a First Class or Second Class (Upper), as Post-Graduate students of the university and send them abroad to get their PhDs or Masters degrees in their various fields and they would come back as Research Fellows and teaching staff of the university. Our plan was that within the two years that they would be away, we would have built all the infrastructure needed in the university. But sadly again, that plan was destroyed, because somebody wanted the university in his backyard and changed it to a conventional university with multi-campus structures, which was not the concept we had in mind. I feel so sad that the

tered away. I have said this before and I will say it again. The total amount of money we got in my entire eight years in office was N542 billion and yet, I did not leave any debt by the time I left office. I once drew the attention of Akwa Ibom people that in one particular year, the State House of Assembly had passed a budget of over N520 billion, which was almost what I got for a whole eight years. The immediate past government received well over N3 trillion and yet left a debt of over N500 billion. Do you now blame me for calling those years the locust years?

Attah money the state made in the last eight years, which could have been used to execute life-changing projects were frit-

Two years after we were issued license for the university, the NUC asked us why we had not started. We responded that we had started but not by their conventional method.

Can you clarify your status now? Are you still a member of Peoples Democratic Party or All Progressives Congress? Nobody should see me as one who wants to remain in PDP or therefore jump to conclusion that I am going over to APC or any other party for that matter. In my earlier interview, I had made the point that on November 20 this year, I will, God sparing my life till then, mark 77 years of life on earth. So I have become an elder statesman. There are other elder statesmen I know who have served and continue to serve this country in very eminent positions without carrying any party card. Let me thank those who recently organised a wakeup call for Akwa Ibom under the banner of ‘dakkada’. It is a very timely call in the build-up of the campaign which is ongoing. They have reminded us a number of very apt philosophical statements. One of such statements was that men are prisoners of their mindset’. Evil can only thrive when good people decide to do nothing.

news

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

Ooni Ogunwusi to end seclusion rites at Obatala shrine Oluwole Ige-osogbo

S the Ooni designate, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi continue to undergo seclusion rites at Ilofi, Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered on Wednesday that the traditional rites being performed would climax in Obatala shrine. The Ooni-elect it was gathered must worship Obatala for five days before the conclusion of the seclusion rites. Though, it could not be established if the five days will be between the 21 days he is expected to spend in Ilofi, or after, the source hinted that only members of Isoro Cult members could determine the devel-

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ejura Joan Ocholi now MRS EJURA JOAN AROME MICHAELS. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria, United Bank of Africa and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alkasim Yakubu and Bala Yakubu respectively but I want to maintain BALA YAKUBU. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc, Law Enforcement Agencies and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okporo Love Worlu. now ECHEONWU LOVE WORLU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

opment. The source further disclosed that new monarch would go to Obatala shrine to perform the five days rites which would terminate with the celebration of Ekuru festival. Confirming the development, Olufon of Ifon-Osun, Oba Adekunle Abdul Mahroof Magbagbeola, Olumoyero 11, confirmed that the rites must not end without performing sacrificial worship of Obatala. He stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;being the

first son of Obatala, I must move to Ile-Ife to participate in the rites.â&#x20AC;?

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mr Collins John now wish to be known and addressed as MR ODUNJO O N A O L A P O CHUKS. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

44 news Thursday, 5 November, 2015 Reps to probe abandonment of power projects Jigawa to boost ...NERC chair, 6 others summoned over N2.7bn severance package

water supply with N733m

Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

Adamu Amadu-Dutse

HE House of Representatives on Wednesday directed its Committee on Power to investigate the cause of the abandonment of the Omotosho-Epe-Ajah 135Km, 330KV double circuit transmission line projects at only 27 per cent completion stage and the total power outage in Epe over the years. The House also urged the Ikeja Distribution Company to urgently take measures to restore electricity supply to Epe Federal Constituency pending the completion of the Omotosho Power Project which is expected to provide permanent solution. The House equally implored the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria to make adequate provision in the 2016 budget for the award of the

contract for the construction of the said power project. The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Wale Raji. The lawmaker while moving the motion maintained that, “the travails and agonies of the people of Epe Federal Constituency comprising of Epe, Eredo, Agbowa, Ejirin and other communities with a population of over 500,000 who have been living in perpetual darkness for about 10 years for lack of electricity supply

from the National grid.” He further stated that the overloaded and overstretched 33KV line from Egbin Terminal substation is the only source of electricity supply to Epe and its environs and accounts for the erratic power supply as a result of frequent breakdowns. Manwhile, the House of Representatives has also resolved to investigate the activities of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), its chairman and six other board members of the

commission over the alleged planned payment of N2.7 billion to themselves as a severance package. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Honourable Mohammed Gololo, entitled, “need to halt the planned payment of N2.7 billion by the board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to its members” at the plenary yesterday. The lawmaker, while moving the motion said that he was aware of the de-

cision by the board to pay its chairman and six members a severance package of N2.7 billion- with N400 million for the chairman and N380 million for each of the six members. He added that, the approval of the payment of the severance package by the members of the board of NERC conflicts with the recommendations of the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission and thus, offends section 42 (1) (a) and (b) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.

Why I’m probing Suswam —Ortom Leon UsigbeAbuja

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom has explained that his administration decided to probe his predecessor in office, Gabriel Suswam, because the people of the state wanted to know how their money had been spent. Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, on Wednesday, he said the two probe panels in place were to verify government expenditure and assets for the period between 2007 and 2015 in order to put things in the proper perspective. Former Governor Suswam is already being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraudulent dealings during his tenure. Governor Ortom however said that about his meeting with the president: “It has nothing to do with the case of my predecessor. The law will take its course. “We know that just like the Federal Government and my government, we believe in the rule of law and due process. That has nothing to do with my predecessor. I am handling the matter in a legitimate manner. It has to do with the rule of law and due process.

From left, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 12 Police Headquarters, Bauchi, Tunde Ogunsakin (left), exchanging pleasantries with the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi. With them is Borno State Police Commissioner, Aderemi Opadokun, during Ogunsakin’s familiarisation tour of Maiduguri, Borno State, recently.

NDLEA impounds two ‘bullion vans’ with loads of Indian hemp Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

TWO purposely-built bullion vans and a Ford bus loaded with bags and parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) have been impounded by the offi-

cials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State Command. This was disclosed by the State Commander of the anti-narcotics agency, Mr Bala Fagge, while speaking

with newsmen at the Command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, on Wednesday. Fagge stated that the suspect identified as Ismail Adeoyo was arrested in connection with the drugs and that the suspect has confessed

KWASU suspends 6 lecturers over alleged misconduct It’s grossly unfair —Lecturers Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE Management of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has suspended six lecturers of the institution over alleged misconduct. A statement signed by the director, office of the University’s Relations, Dr Isiaka Aliagan, which was made available to journalists in Ilorin, on Wednesday, said that the suspension followed a report to the university’s management that on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, the affected lecturers abused and harassed the Chief Safety Officer (CSO) of the university in the course of performing his lawful duty. The CSO, in an attempt

to address a group of academic staff, including the suspended lecturers, found holding a meeting in the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Open Theatre without official approval or permission to use the facility, was harassed by the group. “Using the VPA Open Theatre without official permission and harassing and abusing an officer of the university while performing his lawful duty were considered by the university management to be acts of gross misconduct which are not only inimical to the integrity of the university, but also undermined the authority of the university”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the lecturers, under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the university, have described their suspension as unfair, saying they were on holiday. A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the KWASU ASUU, Dr Alao Ayotunde, said the executives of the union had notified the university community, management and staff of the congress, for which they were suspended. “The congress had over 70 staff in attendance, but only six were suspended for harassing the CSO who barged into a meeting of academic staff to harass the ASUU KWASU chapter chairman.”

that the consignments were brought in from neighbouring Benin Republic. The NDLEA boss explained that the drugs were concealed in a false compartment built by the suspect, adding that those engaged in the illicit business were so daring and innovative with notorious ideas. Fagge stated that his men acted on intelligence, saying that there was no way anyone could have suspected that the purposelybuilt bullion van were used for the illegal business. Fagge said the two vans, Nissan and Mitsubishi brands, marked with FKJ 731 XQ and LSR 837 XR were impounded at Ijebu Igbo, as the suspects abandoned the consignment when the NDLEA officials closed on them, while the owner of the Ford bus, with number plate SMK 707 XF was arrested at Ilara, in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area. He said, “One could have looked away at the site of such bullion vans on the road. No one would have thought that bags of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) could be hidden inside the vans.

THE Jigawa State government has set aside the sum of N733 million to revitalise and upgrade existing water supply facilities across the state. The state commissioner for water resources, Honourable Ibrahim Hanun Giwa revealed this while receiving delegates from Sabon Gari community of Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, stating that this was in line with the present administration’s commitment toward providing portable drinking water to the teeming populace. The commissioner explained that the first stage of the upgrade will include repair of damaged water facilities and those below production capacity will be fixed for maximum production. Garba added that, in the next year budget the APC government would include the construction of new water schemes to where there is non and also increase and expand the capacity of existing one to meet with the growing population of the area. The commissioner reiterated that the commitment of the state government to cover 80 to 90 per cent of the state population with accessible and portable drinking water in the next 4 years.

Kwara Assembly invites CP over alleged extortion, harassment of road users by police Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE Commissioner of Police in Kwara State has been directed to appear before the House of Assembly’s Committees on Ethics, Privileges, Public Petitions and Judiciary to explain the alleged incessant harassment and extortion of road users in Ilorin metropolis. Some of the areas identified by the House in the metropolis include Adeta, Adewole Round about, among other areas. This followed a matter of general public importance raised by a member representing Ilorin North West Constituency, Alhaji AbdulRafiu AbdulRahman, over the incessant harassment and extortion of road users. Also to appear before the House Committees along with the Commissioner of Police were the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer in Adewole area of the city.

Thursday, 5 November, 2015

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Britain fears explosion downed Russian jet

Putin named world’s most Suspends flights to and from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula powerful he British gov- flights there will be allowed Airbus plane. the pledge roughly coincide person by ernment has said to leave. Egypt’s Islamic State according to the Islamic calthat it increasingly No British flights are fly- group affiliate has alleg- endar. Forbes concerned that a ing there Wednesday. edly reiterated its claim to Experts said the militants

Vladimir Putin

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has been named world’s most powerful person by Forbes magazine. “Putin continues to prove he’s one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants and get away with it,” the magazine said of the Russian leader, who has topped the list three years in a row. Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel took over the second spot from United States President Barack Obama, who dropped to third. It marks the first time a U.S. president has not been in the top two in the sevenyear history of the rankings, according to the 73-person list named by Forbes. Pope Francis was named fourth most powerful, the same as last year, and China President Xi Jinping came in at fifth, dropping two spots. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the biggest mover on the list, rising 22 places to 49th. Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were both on the list, ranking 58th and 72nd, respectively.

Russian jet was brought down by a bomb and is suspending flights to and from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said on Wednesday British aviation experts are travelling to the Sinai resort of Sharm elSheikh, where the Saturday flight originated from, to assess security before British

According to ABCNews, Cameron’s office at Downing St. says “we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device.” The British government’s crisis committee is due to meet later Wednesday. The crash in the Sinai killed all 224 people on the Metrojet

have downed a Russian passenger plane over the Sinai Peninsula last week, killing all 224 people on board. In an audio recording circulated among militant supporters online Wednesday, a speaker said the crash coincided with the anniversary of the group’s pledge of allegiance to the IS group. The dates of the crash and

lack the sophisticated arms needed to shoot down a plane at cruising altitude. The speaker did not say how the militants brought down the jet. The AP could not independently verify the recording but it resembled previous statements issued by the group. The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, which

Baby survives as 41 dead in South Sudan plane A baby was pulled alive from the wreckage of a cargo plane which crashed in South Sudan, killing up to 41 people.

The boy was plucked from the mangled fuselage after the aircraft came down near a river, scattering debris and

bodies across remote farmland, Mail Online reported. He was one of only two survivors pulled from the

Rescuers carry a baby who was pulled from the wreckage of a cargo plane that crashed in South Sudan, killing 41 people, on Wednesday. PHOTO: MAIL ONLINE.

crash, but the other one later died. Antonov cargo plane crashed just 800 meters from the runway Wednesday, landing in thick woodland along the shore of the White Nile River. It was not clear if all of the victims had been aboard the plane, or if some were on the ground at the time of the crash. Reuters news reports that the plane had a total of 18 people on board include the plane’s six member crew. The crew was comprised of five Armenians and one Russian, all killed in the crash. News reports said the plane had been headed for the Paloch oil fields in Upper Nile State. Reports from the wreckage say it appears to have been carrying a cargo of food supplies as well as passengers.

otherNEWS

monitors jihadi websites, picked up the recording and circulated a translation. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said an earlier IS claim was “propaganda” aimed at damaging Egypt’s image.

Serena Williams nets phone thief SERENA Williams is hailed as a superhero of sport, but has proven her credentials in the civillian world, too. She’s taken to Facebook to tell the tale of a thwarted attempt to steal her phone. The tennis champion, according to Telegraph was eating at a Chinese restaurant, which she says was a very delicious experience and noticed a man standing about, looking shady. Ms. Williams kept an eye on him, and realised that her suspicions were correct. The man tried to steal her phone. He picked it up from where it was lying, and ran off with it. Sadly for him, Ms. Williams is an international tennis champion, so it would be fair to say that she is quite sporty, and rather quick on her feet.

Serena Williams

Republicans make state gains in US election Republican Mississippi Gov Phil Bryant casting his vote.

ELECTIONS in the United States did not carry the gravity of the 2016 races that will include choosing the country’s next president, but Republicans still scored important victories in state contests. In Kentucky, voters elected just their second Republican governor in the past 40 years as business-

man Matt Bevin used a campaign against President Barack Obama’s healthcare programme to defeat Attorney General Jack Conway. Meanwhile, Mississippi’s Republican Governor Phil Bryant easily won another term. The only other state with a gubernatorial election this year is Louisiana, which will

hold its contest later this month to replace Republican Bobby Jindal. A Democrat is favored in that race, meaning in 2016 the U.S. will likely have among its 50 states 31 Republican governors, 17 Democrats and one independent. Odd-year elections draw far fewer people to the polls than turn out

in even years, when all members of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate are up for reelection. The larger turnout in 2016 will also affect state races with 11 holding elections for governor, including seven states currently led by Democrats.

Canada’s first Somali-born MP sworn in NEW members of Canada’s parliament are to be sworn in, and one of them is the first Somali-born lawmaker to be elected. Ahmed Hussen, who immigrated to Canada at the age of 17, is a member of the Liberal Party, which won the country’s recent election, ending nearly a decade’s long reign of the Conservatives led by Prime

Minister Stephen Harper. Speaking about his election win, Hussen said it “means that Canada is a country that really embraces diversity and multiculturalism.” Hussen, 39, told VOA that he only decided to run last year when an opportunity presented itself in the Toronto constituency of York South-Weston.

Hussen said he did not face challenges as a Muslim or an immigrant. He said he ran a positive campaign and worked hard to recruit volunteers. “I believe strongly that our message, that of my party’s platform appealed to a lot of people in York South-Western, a very progressive platform,” he said.

Hussen said he ran on issues such as reducing taxes for the middle class, bringing 315,000 children out of poverty, and investing in transit, affordable housing, infrastructure and roads. He said uniting people and presenting a vision of hope was key.

Ahmed Hussen, a Somali-born lawmaker elected to Canada’s parliament. PHOTO: VOA.

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SAM AYO – 08109152433 06XX 17XX

Our consistence free pair is now talk of the town, why can’t you call to benefit from our winning formula – with small commitment. Goodluck

ADEOTI SYNDICATE 1ST FA CUP NAP 07051327960 3, DRAWS & A PAIR FOR WEEK 17. F. A. CUP RD. 1 COST N10, 000. (TEN THOUSAND) Cash each week. pay to AHMED SHAFIRI. A/C NOS. 2001788431. ZENITH BANK. WEEK 17 CUP BANKER BRENTFORD – BLACKBURN XX 11XXBK with 4 others. 07051327960. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION FEES. N25, 000. CASH. GOODLUCK. LAST WEEK RESULT HAVE NORTHING TO DO WITH THE RELEASE.

OLDHAM TWO BANKER WK15=N3, 000

x11x x21x WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

O.P.R

YORK

TWO BANKER WK15=N3, 000

x24x x25x

x38x x47x

WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

SEND MTN CARD TO 08162705220 EMIRATES CUP – 08087104491 17 SURE 18

KEY = MAN UTD VS WESTBROM ON NO 6. = w – m =23 minus 13 = 10 draws. Week 42. 2014/15 – 21x 34x 48xxx – 17x 18 = 10drs Week 17. 2015/16 – x x x - 17x 18= 10drs. The above reference week is once a year winning sequence. All thanks to God and our steady fast Experts that unmarked the hidden winning sequence that worked for 4 weeks from week 42 to 45. Congratulations all clients on board with Emirates flight from weeks – 17 to 20. Be sure of safe landing. Starting / ticket fee – N25, 000 = (NOW) Good luck.

NJOROGE MR ASSURANCE – 08177474535 03 RE – UNION 04

BOURNEMOUTH ON LEICESTER = Congratulations our International Pronounced Expert Dr. Grivins the Pools Panel Secretary general is now back to his office after a brief shake up in the football Ruling home that made Stepp Blatter to step aside. In fact his absence affected us a lot others contacted Experts failed us. Thank God we are fully back to the winning track, so many gazette and sequence is now unveiled to us. Let start with 2015/2016 First round magnanimous CUP WIN on strict information/directives. POSITION of Bournemouth and Leicester added together to fall on Norwich controls 3 Naps for 3 weeks and the sum of 1st alphabet Home and away No 1 = in 2014 = 1at Cup = Burnley vs. HULL =B+H =2+8=10XXX – In 2015 – A + T = 1 + 20 = 21 xxxx. In fact At Njoroge we are not used to much taking but on winning actions. Our re – union with our Man is a good omen to all Stakers nationwide. AT NJOROGE OUR PRIDE IS YOU. N50, 000 =contact fee

PLACE YOUR

ADVERT HERE

EDITOR’S PLACE (21 x 22)

47 tribunepools

PROFF INNOVATIONAL NAP= 07069009601.

07 MUST 36 05 X 18 X 30XXX – 41X MALAGA – REAL BETIS = 48? Is the 6/7 YEARS Winning gazette for our sure draws this cup week. The duo played 1-1 in their last meeting on 23RD May 2009 and other 3 draws. Our new contact is to ease your winning chances. Thank God our last week winners smile to banks on Monday. You too can have a good smile to bank with N25, 000= Welcome & Congrats.

VICTORIOUS VICTOR – 08126994034 10X 20X 30X 40XXX

Congratulations the above sure win is fixed RAITH position on coupon to play its digits. WIN – WIN – WIN. Cup free win to next cup. Week 17 cost FREE, WK. 18, 19, 20. Cost N100, 000 – N500, 000= Never neglect this free offer. Goodluck

SINBAD NAP – 07083993858 CUP – CUP – CUP – 07XX35

Congrats our 1st round Cup is irresistible and a repetition of our last year 1st round Cup winning information. Call for your winning details.

F.A. CUP MONEY DOLLAR

08135637650 = 10 NAP 11 Wk 17 two Bankers N4000. 4 Bankers cost N6, 000 Two BANKERS N4, 000 Wk 16. A wk to cup No 14x 18x Pair 26x 30x. 4. Special draws N6, 000 wk 17. F.A Cup 1 No Cup Cup Cup Cup 4. Special N6, 000 wk 18 No NAP NAP NAP NAP with 39. 40 Stakers try to get money Dollar 4 special draws this wk 17 cup. N6, 000 two special draws this wk 17 cup 1 N4, 000 two special draws this wk 17 cost N4, 000 Wk 17 cost N4, 000. Wk 17 BANKERS COST N6, 000 TWO. BANKERS COST N4, 000 Send MTN Card to 08135637650. The game will send by text message.

MR BIG - SMILING WINNING CREW

08126994034 03x 04x 07xxx 20x 21x 22x

We put smiles to stakers face so, we are on a rescue mission the above games is guaranteed for sure WIN. But the 3 direct NAP cost N5, 000 = but the permutation is absolutely free. Next week will cost N50, 000. So invest & prepare well. Good luck

GOODNA

08107048993

36 PAIR 37 WK 16 = 19XX 30XX 47XX (3 PAIR 5XX)

Goodna has done it again last week 16,with only a draws on coupon, Goodna scored 3 over 3 naps correct and the pair produce a draw. This week 17 nothing will stop him from repeating his good work of last week. Send to Goodna N5,000 mtn recharge card. You are a winner if you send to me.

ADEOTI SYNDICATE 07051327960

FOR WEEK 17 F.A.CUP ROUND ONE = 11xx CBK. MUST The Managing Director/Chairman of Adeoti Syndicate Alhaji M.A. Adeoti promised all readers of Thursday Tribune people who follow my movements. As I said last week. Last week result have Nothing to do with the release. BLACKBURN – BRENTFORD must PLAY ON Nos 11XXXBK cash. To AHMED SHAFIRI A/C. Nos 2001788431 ZENITH BANK. After confirmation of your payment the game will be send to you. Good luck to you all.

KAMARK SUPER

08186673842 CUP WIN – 9x 15x 16x 20x Congratulations the above special Cup Naps is free to all stakers most especially my customers against another Special Win in week 18 BLUE. WINNING KEY: GRIMSBY AT HOME No 29. To produce 3 direct draws and a pair. All interested stakers are to pay N6, 500 = for permutation and N7, 500 = for the Nap. Payment to S.B. Odesola at IBTC Bank A/C. no – 0001361916. Your winning is Sure ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE — MANAGEMENT

PLEIAD DE MAXWELL – 09099968585 17 – 18, 21 – 22, 39 – 40

The above pairs are to welcome you to 2015/2016. ‘FIRST ROUND CUP’. Last year 1st round Cup was promoter’s week as all know a good coin must have 2 good sides. Now its Stakers turn.Premiership appears to yield draws but with the recent result between Everton and Sunderland, the match that ended 6 goals to one. Whoa! Liverpool trashed troubled Chelsea at Stamford Bridge despite Morinho’s been mandated not to lose that match, what else? Sky bet championship and Scottish division two are your best draws region. With De Maxwell draws clinic you’re winning is sure after discharged from its surgical operation. TOKEN MANAGER. Welcome

DR B4 DR – 08062748396 = 18xx (READERS WINNING COLOMN) Week 16 – 05x 30x 47xx – S.S.D and 41

STOKE – SOUTHEND and DUNDEE = N vs N = 4/4 again Dr. B4 Dr. place is where every client is a potential winner. We had many comments on our last week questions. Thanks God, the wish won with us despite the 9 shock fill payment draws. 100 – 1 stakers are the luckiest. Congrats. DID YOU AWARE THAT 1st ROUND CUP FALL ON WEEK 17. SINCE 2013 – 2015 (check your records) Week 17 ‘cup’ 2013 opponent of Burnley to draw in week 17’ 2014 = Bournermouth xxx. Now opponent of Bournermouth and Burnley in week 17 2014 to draw in week 17 2015. (CUP NAP) = HULL and MIDDLESBRO = 18xxx. NOTE: we are not forecasters but on Authentic winning information from our soft minded EXPERTS from the source – N50, 000 = for new clients ONLY. Our last week small like was justified. (Join the Drs’ winning team) Last week winners’ and all payers. (Good luck as you (WIN AGAIN).

NAZAR MASTER REMAINS SOLID

The leading Pools company in Oyo State and environs, NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan has again reiterated that it was unshaken by the amount of winnings on its odds in the current U.K. Football Season. The pools company made this known in a statement made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week. According to NAZAR Master, “we are happy that stakers have continued to win on our odds. We are assuring them that we are up to the task of paying winnings as and when due, no matter the amount involved. Stakers and other stakeholders should continue to bet on our odds so that they would have big money to celebrate the coming Xmas and New Year.”

SOLOMON RESORT (RESCUE TEAM). 09091111800.

Our rescue team was on song last week after a while silence – Congrats. 1st cup ROUND WINNING KEY. SWANSEA ON DATE OF PLAY. Reference to week 17 2013 cup of 10 draws and week 17 cup 2015 – 10draws AND – BONUS GAZETT. ARBROATH VS EAST FIFE? If you have cup records. Good luck if not get one. We are not on probability but on fixed matches as draws. We broke our long silence due to the yearnings of our teaming clients. Draws are on tabulations & scheduled. Our foreign Expert made our success possible. He who start well with prayers will surely end well - N50, 000 – flat.

MADAM DE MADAM – 08023329191. (48 SURE 30). RAITH SURE REAL BETIS. CUP WEEK 31 2015 and cup week 17 6DRS – Week 31 – 17x 26x 49xxx= FALKIRK. 46 8DRS – Week 17 – X X X = FALKIRK X 48 Draws are hidden gone are days of more forecast winning formula. Only the Experts on geniue information on fixed matches can unveiled draws. That is why Madams had several trips for the success of our cherished clients. Meet our trusted media manager for your sure win Mr. Joshua transparent man. For your winning details. Again – N30, 000= AKIN MR AKIN – 07067202291 (READ) 02X 26X 41XXX = NO PAIR (05XXX)

AFTER SUN IS RAIN = OUR WEEKS 16, 17 & 18 NAP STARTED WELL NOW, OPENS WAY TO OUR SURE NAP CONTROLLED BY RAITH ON RANGERS. In week 8 – Raith suffered 0 – 5 defeat from Rangers. That confirmed Number 5 as draws on STOKE last week. Week 17 and 18 – RAITH ON RANGERS ON 30, 31 and 40, 41 respectively. Week 17 – X X X – 30 X 40 Week 18 – X X X – 40 X 30 Akins, 2 Experts that forms a formidable one Expert is sure of your 2 weeks NAP & WIN (RAITH on RANGERS) 30x 40x Week 16 – N25, 000 – week 17 – N100, 000 Week 18 – N250, 000 = A week Miss is a REGRET. Welcome to the winners WORLD. Goodluck

PROFESSOR ONE BANKERDS

N7500 WK 17 CUP 1= 2014 NO 19X 20X 38X= 3/3 PROFESSOR ONE BANKERDS N7500 WK 17 CUP 1= 2015 NO CUP CUP CUP= 3/3 PROFESSOR ONE BANKERDS N7500 WK 18 NO NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 PROFESSOR ONE BANKERDS N7500 WK 19 NO NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 PROFESSOR ONE BANKERDS N5000 WK 17. 2014 NO 20X 38X PAIR 48X 49X PROFESSOR ONE BANKERDS N5000 WK 17 NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP. Professor F.A. Cup English system booklet out cost N30, 000 me

HOPE NAPS & CO

- 08107128449 BANKON NO 10X NO 25 AS CUP PAIR.

To God be the glory, Hope got. Another 3 draws correctly, with Nos. 5xxx, 18xxx, 26xxx while Pair 19xxx 44f. Hope Assurea all stakers and registered members of our cup Releases this wk 17 with 100% the 3 NAPS Draws with pair. That cost N10, 000. Call Hope Naps & pay to first Bank PLC. In favour of Mr. Gbadebo Stephen. A on Acc. No (3088328923) while the week releases will be sent to you believe it we have just started bank on No 10 & No 25. As cup. Pairs win Pools. God bless. BYE

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL

08163082077 WK 16 = 2xx 19xx 26xx WK 17 = 9CBK + OTHERS The Pools Panel has revealed the secret of the current U.K. Football season to me and that is why I have been able to finish out the fixed draws. Last week, I commanded Crystal Palace and Manchester United to draw on coupon No 2 and it was obeyed. This week, as the Sole Representative of the Pools Panel in Nigeria, I command Sunderland and Southampton to draw on coupon No 9. With other fixed draws, the game costs N25, 000. Registration for membership still in progress with N250, 000. Pools Panel has no other Representative in Nigeria except me and there is no agent. Join Best Bargain to win millions and stop your losses. You are a winner if you take the wise decision today. FIXED = 9xxx 9xxx 9xxx

FAITHFUL INTERVENTION = 08082899957 09 SURE 11 - S vs S and B vs B

SUNDERLAND – SOUTHAMPTON • BLACKBURN – BRENTFORD

Our intervention motive is to librate wise stakers we don’t make noise where silence is needed. Our CHELSEA at home No 1 last week is now talk of the town on 19x 30x 41xx – 8F. Congrats once again, its no longer news telling anybody that our intervention on pools pages is put smiles to stakers faces. We are now known as stakers delights. Your faith is your winning strength. WIN! WIN!! WIN!!! = N50,000 = 3/3 Naps

Thursday, November 5 - 11, 2015 MODUPE (08033566694) 5- 7- 43. 2drs Call for super winning now.

EMIRATES CUP –

08087104491 = 17 SURE 18 KEY = MAN UTD VS WESTBROM ON No 6. = w – m = 23 minus 13 = 10 draws. Week 42. 2014/15 – 21x 34x 48xxx — 17x 18 = 10drs Week 17. 2015/16 – x x x — 17x 18 = 10drs. The above reference week is once a year winning sequence. All thanks to God and our steady fast Experts that unmarked the hidden winning sequence that worked for 4 weeks from week 42 to 45. Congratulations all clients on board with Emirates flight from weeks – 17 to 20. Be sure of safe landing. Starting / ticket fee – N25, 000 = (NOW) Good luck.

Triple Spice moves on

6n 18/26 - 08035324990 We gave out 41xx/42 for free last week and we asked you to add same to our 1Bk Draw. The draw was again available this week as it was last week. Don’t misuse the pair. Our 1Bk cost N1,500.00, 2 draws sell for N3,000.00 and 3 Draws cost N10,000.00 this week on 08035324990. Best of luck!

MANCITY SYSTEM F. A. CUP SYSTEM =

F.A. CUP SYSTEM 0903863666, 08135888720 = 7XX 9XXX

TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 16 NO 18X 19X PAIR 26X 27 TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 17 CUP 1 NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 16 NO KEY 18X 19X 26X 41X= 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 17 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP= 4/4 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 18 NO NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Stakers try to get MANCITY. 4 SPECIAL Draws this wk 17 cup cost N6, 000 two Bankers wk 17 cup cost N3000 we set for 4 wks operations wk 17 No cup cup cup cup.

AUSTINE CHUKWU

08054462577 NAP – 33x 35x 41x PERM. 15-20-21. The much awaited RED system playing 4/4 will be release in week 19. My next week advert on this page is an illustration of reference weeks of played in every RED. Play the above Nap and perm accordingly to enable you buy our week 19 Sure Nap. See our week 18 advert for details.

POOLS LINE PAPER PERFORM WONDERS EVERY WEEK.

08027818250 The Poolsline paper and fixtures are performing wonders every week. The late News of Poolsline paper is getting it every week on page two of poolsline paper since week 4 up to date.

MID-WEEK Gives 15/16 08087176217

As time flies, so the current English/Scottish Football season moves on. Lets now concentrate on the positive. The fixtures this week offer good hope. Coupon Nos 15/16 are duo for a good draw both on league standing and on sequence. Kindly use them maximally. Add the duo to our 1Bk draw this week and get your 2/3 on Monday D.V. Our 1Bk cost N1,500.00; 2 draws cost N3,000.00 and 3 good draws cost N10,000.00 on 08087176217. Be a sure winner

VOLVO NAP -

08059580326

9 PAIR 10 I am FA cup specialist; I am going to repeat my good performances this week 17. Just send to me N5,000 MTN recharge card for my 3 nap draws and I hot pair and become a millionaire this week 17.

WEEK 16 X RAY

Hurray! Fantastic winning week of 9 draws with our pools compilers as promised, starting of their 3 weeks unabated winning galore. A WEEK TO CUP (– CUP) AND A WEEK AFTER CUP. Incredible performances on Tribune Pools page with Best Bargain, Proff Innovation Naps, Akin Mr Akin got his 3 Naps and The Cyril on STOKE, they all did well on their free (KEY) one banker they promised another good outings this week. Our pair Experts had an outstanding performances the likes of Triple Spice, Right time Volvo, Sir Braka, Hope Naps, Goodna, Solomon Resort, Dosa, Emirates and consistence Dr B4 Dr. all our week 16 Compilers deserves appreciation on 9 wicked draws played. Other Experts are not push over.

MASTER OF F.A CUP DRAWS

SIR WADDY OF OLA-CITY INTERNATIONAL 3 fixed Cup Draws For Week 17, week 19, week 21 cost N10, 000 Cash each week be sure of your winnings week 17 Pair. 12xxx 13xxx pay your N10, 000 cash to first Bank Plc. In the name of OLAFENWA R. OLA-CITY Account No. 3033318854 and collect the 3 Draws on phone after confirmation of your payment.

Phone 08140575314, 08085005634. Only those who paid to our first Bank Account will surly receive the 3 Draws this WEEK. G o o d l u c k

PROPHETIC OF DRAWS ENGLISH SEASON Welcome everyone to 2015 English season FA. Cup 1st Round with authentic and currents cup system “Tagged” Wolves Cup rangers system WEEK 17 BROWN COST N5000 CASH WEEK 18 BLUE COST N5000 CUP 21 FOR SURE 4 OR (5/5) SURE 05 FOR SURE (4/5) COST CUP CUP COST N5000 ONLY SURE WEDS N5000 ONLY WITH CUP 31 WITH THE SYSTEM SURE 15 THE SYSTEM. NOTE: Our game this weeks have 100% assurance and guarantee, for winning call for more information and A/C Details @ 08151968152. Goodluck

TORQUAY TWO BANKER WK15=N3, 000

x12x x42x WK 17. CUP

CUP X CUP X

LINCOLN TWO BANKER WK15=N3, 000

x24x x29x

WK 17. CUP

CUP X CUP X

TELFORD TWO BANKER WK15=N3, 000

x38x x39x

WK 17. CUP

CUP X CUP X

SEND MTN CARD TO 09038460009

HOPE NAPS & CO – 08107128449. 10 BANK 25. Week 18 – 5x 18x 26xx Pair 19x 41f. Hope assures all stakers and registered members another CUP Nap with 100% guaranteed. Cost N10, 000= PAY IN FAVOUR OF MR GBADEBO STEPHEN. A. ACCT NO 3088328923. Your sure draws will be sent to after your payment confirmation. G o o d l u c k WK 17. F. A. CUP 1. WK 18. A WK. AFTER. CUP KINGSTON YEOEIL CRONDON.K TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

NAP NAP NAP NAP NAP NAP S E N D MT N C A R D T O 0 8 1 0 3 2 2 2 6 3 5

PETER NAP 08076546261 CONGRATULATION The odd week setting that got 16xx, 25xx 47xx in week 15, will get it again this week 17 another odd week. Though 25xx, 47xx was given out free that week. The weekly release cost just N25, 000. 00 pay to saving Acct no:- 3023114822 First bank in person of Mr Onaolapo Peter A. and call 08076546261. Your winning is sure. No – PAIR. JOSEPH CUP NAP = 08167278061

CUP! CUP!! CUP!!! 2013 – 2014 – 2015

The Years that 1st Round Cup started in week 17 = with Authentic winning gazette. I had a dream – YOU ARE A MILLIONAIRE. TOTTENHAM AWAY NO 1 – (ANNUAL) Week 7’2013 – 02x 24x 48xxx – 22 x 39 Week 11’2014 – 07x 20x 38xxx – 22 x 39 Week 17’2015 – X X X – 22 X 39 TOTTENHAM away NO 1. Annual winning formation is Real NAP of 10/11 draws cost N25, 000 =

POOLS MESSANGER – 08189931033

48 CBK + 2 othets. 3/3 MUST Stakers, we are sure of these 3 week operations and there is nothing each week. Week 17 cost N10, 000 while other weeks cost N22, 000 – respectively. Contact us on – 08189931033. Goodluck. JAMES DE WHITE

08084077244 18X 38X 48XXX – 30X 36

Stakers libration on 3 weeks unabated Naps starting from week 18 to 20. The above free win is REAL week 18 Nap will cost N100,000 – A word is enough for the WISE

SIDELINES

no 16,364

n150

THURSDAY, 5 NovemBER, 2015

“What the senate resorted to was to ask such nominees to react to allegations or petitions pending before other statutory bodies. Naturally the concerned nominees denied the allegation but in law, mere denial does not amount to full proof that the allegation is not true.”

PON the assumption of President Muhammadu Buhari into office, an issue which attracted so much debate was when the President would appoint Ministers. With the passing of each day that the President failed to give any indication as to when the appointments would be made, Nigerians across the six geo-political zones and across political dividesshared a common apprehension as to whether the President intended to govern the country without the assistance of Ministers. Assurances by the President and the ruling party that the appointments were delayed owing to a resolve of the President to appoint only credible persons did little to assure some. At the height of the controversy, a suit was instituted before the Federal High Court for a determination of questions bothering amongst others on the legality or otherwise of the delay in appointing ministers. “NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL” However when the list of nominees was eventually sent to the National Assembly, matters seemed to take another dimension. As required by the provisions of Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate must confirm the nomination of each Minister designate. Upon receipt of the list, the Senate announced that the screening of the nominees “would not be business as usual”. In the course of screening, Nigerians were treated to one drama or the other including the walk out of Senators elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). I do not really intend to state whether the screening exercise was “business as usual”or not.Without a doubt, the screening was not riddled with the “take a bow” scenario which characterised previous screenings and pursuant to which many who were not qualified for Ministerial appointment had their nominations confirmed without any attempt by the senate to seriously inquire into their qualification and suitability

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

Six masqueraders reportedly led the protest against the merger of higher institutions of learning in Osun State. Serious matter. Education is so important that even Celestial beings’ had to intervene.

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

Senate screening of ministerial nominees: Matters arising for ministerial appointment. However the screening threw up some questions including the propriety of the screening extending to allegations made against some nominees and which had been referred to law enforcement agencies. As I will shortly argue, such incidents could and should have been better handled by the Senate. However it is firstly important to refer to the provisions of Section 147 of the Constitution from where the Senate is said to derive its power to screen Ministerial nominees. The said section provides amongst others as follows: 147 (1) There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President. (2) Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President. (6) An appointment to any of the offices aforesaid shall be deemed to have been made where no return has been received from the Senate within twenty-one working days of the receipt of nomination by the Senate. A fact that is easily noticeable from the above is that section 147 does not employ the word “screen”. Therefore some have argued that the Senate lacks the power to screen the nominees and must consign its role merely to “confirm” the nominees as stated in section 147(2). But an examination of the entire section will reveal that the Senate may refuse to confirm a nominee and as indicated in Section 147(6) may even fail to make a return in respect of a nominee. Therefore the Senate is not expected to rubber stamp the

nominations received from the President. In coming to a decision it therefore must undertake an appraisal of the qualifications and suitability of the nominees which may, as decided by the senate take the form of oral examination. I am therefore of the view that the screenings are in order. The United States Senate holds similar confirmation hearings pursuant to the provisions of Article II, section 2, clause 2 of the US Constitution which provides as follows: “The president shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States . . . . “ Having stated the above, I feel that the hearings should not be conducted in such a way as to erode the powers of statutory law enforcement agencies. Some of the nominees were reported to have either subsisting Petitions or uncompleted investigations pending against them. What the senate resorted to was to ask such nominees to react to allegations or petitions pending before other statutory bodies. Naturally the concerned nominees denied the allegation but in law, mere denial does not amount to full proof that the allegation is not true. Firstly the Senate should have invited those who made the allegations to substantiate the said allegations or at least provide facts with which the affected nominees could be confronted. This would accord with the right of hearing enjoyed by all Nigerians including a complainant and the accused. This is even more imperative when it is considered that the decision of the Senate to “screen” the nominees by means of an

oral examination is itself rooted in the need to afford them a right of hearing. Why then should those who have facts with which their suitability could be questioned be ignored? Whilst the Senate claims to have set up a Committee to look into the allegations made against some nominees there is no indication that the said Committee heard from the members of the public who made allegations against some nominees or if they were heard, that the facts supplied by them played any real role in the confirmation hearings. Secondly, the Senate should have sought the views of the agencies to which the allegations were directed to find out the level of the investigations. By clearing nominees who have criminal allegation pending before other statutory bodies, the Senate could be interpreted as having given a verdict on the pending allegations thereby compromising ongoing or future investigations before those panels. As a result of these errors, the screening as stated earlier was not without dramatic moments including a walk out staged by senators elected on the platform of the PDP. As the upper chamber of the legislative arm of government the Senate is expect to be above board in the discharge of its functions. A situation in which the Senate appears to have thrown aside its own rules or contributed in any way to the violation of the law is not one that augurs well for the country. I therefore hope that the errors of judgement which characterised the just concluded screening exercise will be avoided in future screening exercises. In my estimation it is by so doing that the any future screening will be considered as having not been “business as usual.”

U-17 World Cup: Eaglets tackle Mexico for final spot •As Osimhen chases new record By Adebayo Samuel NIGERIA’S Golden Eaglets will tonight face Baby El Tri of Mexico at the Estadio Municipal Ester Roa Concepcion, in the semi-final of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Mexico it will be recalled first defeated Nigeria at the U-17 level (at Canada ‘87) 1-0, while the four-time world champions triumphed twice over the Mexicans at the last World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, 6-1 in the group stage and 3-0 in the final, though histories don’t win a match. Interestingly, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is leading the

adidas Golden Boot award with eight goals and he is no doubt looking forward to making history through the remaining games. Should he score tonight against Mexico, Osimhen will equal the all-time goal record of nine goals jointly held by Florent Sinama Pongolle of France (at Trinidad and Tobago 2001) and Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly ( at Mexico 2011) while a brace will make the Nigerian the first player to score 10 goals in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Head coach of the reigning world champions, Emmanuel Amuneke is happy that his wards are fully fit for the match, just as he assured that they are battle-ready for any level of

opposition. “The Mexicans are a very good side and their performance so far at Chile 2015 is an indication that they have a very solid structure back home. But we are working to ensure that the players are mentally ready for this big match. “They are looking forward to the game, but more importantly, we don’t have any injury concerns in the team, all the players are available for the match. “There could be minor knocks and shocks which are part of the game but the good thing is that none is enough to rule any of the players out of the game against Mexico,” said the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 5/11/2015.