6th January 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,408

WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY, 2016

Ibadan Elders resolve Ajimobi/ Olubadan-inCouncil crisis —P2

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

Ex-PDP chairman, Haliru Mohammed, appears in court on wheelchair •EFCC picks up Olisah Metuh —P5

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

N150

PPPRA, marketers to meet over fuel price •4 refineries contribute 17% of daily petrol consumption —NNPC —P10

Nigeria does not need IMF loan—Lagarde —P4

•Says IMF team arrives next week to assess budget •Nigeria will look inwards to overcome economic challenges —Buhari •Saraki meets Lagarde today

Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu's wife gives birth to baby boy —P7

2016 budget has not been withdrawn —Presidency —P2

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), welcoming the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagards, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

PHOTO: NAN

Alaafin names Aregbesola 'Omoluabi of Yorubaland —P42

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Ibadan elders resolve Ajimobi/Olubadan-in-Council crisis

By Tunde Ogunesan

I

BADAN Elders Forum, on Tuesday, finally resolved the impasse between the Oyo State government and the Olubadan-in-Council, over the elevation of nine high chiefs in Ibadan by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, on January 1, had elevated nine high chiefs to their next ranks, following the death of Chief Sulaimon Omiyale and Chief Omowale Kuye, in November 2015.

The duo occupied the seat of Balogun of Ibadanland and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, respectively, before their demise.

Following the elevation of the nine high chiefs, the state government said it was in defiance to its order to allow the chiefs go through security screening and medical examinations, as stipulated by the Chieftaincy Law of the state.

On Monday evening, it issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Olubadan-in-council to reverse the elevation or face sanctions.

To save the situation, Ibadan Elders Forum organised a meeting between the two feuding parties at the residence of its president, Ambassador Olusola Saanu, at Agodi GRA, Ibadan.

After series of reconciliatory meetings at the residence of former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States (US), Ambassador Saanu, the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, shook hands after they had addressed the press.

The first meeting was held by 10.00 a.m. The governor joined the meeting at 1.00 p.m and left by 2.20 p.m.

He came back around 6.34 p.m. for another round of meeting, with the elders already seated, waiting for him in the living room of the building.

By afternoon, the meeting became fuller with representatives of Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU), led by Very Reverend Ademola Moradeyo, who had earlier held a meeting with the governor at his office in the Secretariat.

Other prominent Ibadan personalities, traditional chiefs and representatives of the Olubadan were also in attendance.

After the meeting, journalists were invited for a briefing around 7.30 p.m.

Leading the address, the president of Ibadan Elders Forum, Ambassador Saanu,

thanked all the stakeholders, in particular, Governor Ajimobi, who, he said, graciously honoured the invitation of the forum.

According to him, the governor had given provisional approval for the Olubadan chiefs to retain their positions, adding that they would, thereafter, follow due process in the promotion level later.

“We thank God for using the good elders of this land to resolve this issue peacefully. We have been having this meeting since 10.00 a.m. and immediately we

summon the governor, he answered us.

“After we have had a meeting with the governor in the morning, we later invited the affected chiefs to present their grievances to the governor.

“It was only a misunderstanding and the matter has been resolved amicably. We are grateful to the governor and we promise that the chiefs will follow set down regulations for their promotion,” he said.

Also, former Prelate of Methodist Church, Most Reverend Sunday Ola Ma-

kinde, thanked the governor and the representatives of the Olubadan, adding that God intervened and that the crisis had been settled by the Ibadan elders.

“The high chiefs have agreed to follow due process and the governor has given provisional approval to retain their positions,” he said.

The new Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the elevated high chiefs, said the issue had been resolved and forgotten, while he commended the Ibadan elders for their intervention.

“We have all agreed with the governor, because he is my brother and we are one family in Ibadan,” he said.

Stating the position of the government, Governor Ajimobi said “we thank God for the elders. Our elders are committed to peace in Ibadanland and our king has shown that he is a good monarch. He contributed to my success as governor.

“In this case, brothers are fighting and elders have intervened. There is no cause for further misunderstanding. We will perfect the papers because the issue has

been resolved by men of impeccable character. Due process will now take place.

Sometimes, you get married before perfecting marriage ceremony,” he said.

Others in attendance at the meeting were president, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Wole Akinwande; High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Dr Lekan Are, Chief Bayo Akande, Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Bode Amoo, Chief Adegboyega Arulogun, Professor Femi Lana, Chief Yunus Akande and former Head of Service, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.

2016 budget has not been withdrawn —Presidency T aiwo Adisa - Abuja THE Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, on Tuesday, affirmed to newsmen that the 2016 budget document was still with the lawmakers.

“To my knowledge, the budget, as laid by Mr President on December 22, 2015, is still with the National Assembly and has not be withdrawn,” he said.

He added that if there was any need to necessitate the withdrawal, there would be communication, but added that budget figures could always be altered.

“It can be worked on behind the scene after second reading,” he said.

This was as the Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume, said President Buhari could not withdraw the 2016 budget which he submitted to the National Assembly on December 22.

Ndume, who spoke to newsmen in the Senate on Tuesday, said the document submitted to the joint session of the National Assembly could not be withdrawn.

He said the president did not need to withdraw the budget because the figures contained were not sacrosanct.

The senator added that the lawmakers could always adjust the figures during budget defence process.

“It is impossible to withdraw the budget. It is not a document that you can just write and say you are withdrawing. The budget proposal that has been laid at a joint session of the National Assembly cannot just be withdrawn like that.

“Budget proposal is not a document that is sacrosanct, you can adjust it and this is why it is before us.

During the budget defence,

it can be adjusted if the need be,” he said.

Senator Kabiru Gaya, who also spoke on the budget told newsmen that the matter of budget withdrawal was not an issue.

He also said the document submitted to the National Assembly had not been withdrawn.

“I don’t think it has been withdrawn but whatever the case is, the figure of the entire budget will not change.

“Mostly it is adjustment

of priority projects. During the media chat recently, the president specifically mentioned some few projects, especially some important roads in the country.

“It is possible that some of the roads may not have been reflected in the budget. There is no way if the president speaks on something, that may be part of his campaign promises and, I think, he will try and do it. He also spoke about the railway and that there

is a counterpart funding to be put in to the project.

“So if the figure under the subhead is not defined, then he has the right to readjust it and bring it back to us. The adjustment can also be done even while we are still discussing the budget.

“Once the main figure does not change, it is possible to make the adjustment.

“Both chambers of the National Assembly will, for instance, tinker with

the figures, especially as it affects overheads, if we are cutting 30 per cent from the National Assembly budget, then it has to be done, pro rata. We must cut across 30 percent across the agencies, ministries, and all other government parastatals.

“There are duplication of figures like purchase of computers. When all the duplications are discovered, it is necessary to take them out,” he said.

NYSC scheme will be sustained —Minister MINISTER of Youths, Sports and Social Development, Mr Solomon Dalong, in Lagos, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government would sustain the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Dalong stated this when he paid an official visit to the NYSC Orientation Camp at Iyana-Ipaja, in Lagos State.

“I will stand for the sustenance of the scheme and for it to continue to grow.

What we need to do now is to introduce skills acquisition, empowerment and to repackage the scheme.

“At the level of the Federal Government, we are thinking that after the mandatory one year service, those who want to learn a trade, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship can be retained and be given more training.

“Our graduates are enlightened minds, whatever you teach them, they will survive with it. So a grant will be given to them at the end to start off and train other people,” he said.

Dalong charged the NYSC to install a high tension illuminating light at the camp, to ensure adequate security.

“You should have high tension Illumination at the camp, as soon as possible.

If you have over 2,000 Nigerians in a place like this, you should have a perfect illumination due to the present security challenges in the country.

“I am impressed with what I have seen on ground at the camp; the facilities are good, I am satisfied,” he said.

Dalong also charged the NYSC to renovate all existing orientation camps in the country.

He said it had become very important for the camps to be upgraded to accommodate the increasing number of graduates that would be expected for

the scheme.

“So as you embark on renovation, have it in mind that more people will be using the facilities. I am saying this because I do not know when we will get a new orientation camp, but we are sure that we will have more students passing out of the tertiary institutions,” he added.

Brigadier-General Johnson Olawunmi, DirectorGeneral, NYSC, while conducting the minister round the camp, said it had five boreholes which served over 200 rooms.

Olawunmi said the bud-

get of the corps was reduced from N1.7 billion to N227 million between 2013 and 2015.

He said the corps was facing serious challenges following the reduction in budget cost by the past administration.

“We pay security about N180 million yearly to secure all the orientation camps in the country out of the budget and we are left with little or nothing to run our programmes.

“We have even reduced the camp to two batches, because of lack of funds,” he added.

TSA: Water board moves to delist uncooperative banks THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) water board has warned that it would replace banks which still had challenges with aligning with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for its revenue collection.

Mr Udu Bello, director of the board, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Bello said some designated banks had been turning back customers due to challenges with the TSA. “There are some banks

that have problems with aligning with the TSA and we have been holding meetings with them.

“They are expected to sweep the remittances to the CBN everyday and it is no longer lucrative for them.

“Moreso, when there is a penalty for banks who comply, so they have been turning back our customers.

“We urge our customers to pay their bills at Unity Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank, GTB, FCMB,’’ he said.

He advised residents to improve their cooperation with the board by always paying their bills or risk disconnection.

“Some residents of highbrow areas like Asokoro and Maitama are usually reluctant to pay their charges.

“Some claim that they are using boreholes, whereas they are using our services.

Henceforth, we will remove our infrastructure from any location where residents claim to be using borehole,” he said.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

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This formidable platform gives the Group the ability to provide a one-stop shop to meet the various financial services needs of our growing customer base, and simultaneously reduce our vulnerability as a business to external shocks. The Group Executive team is therefore committed, more than ever, to unlocking the unique potential of FBNHoldings and its subsidiaries.

We will continue to provide the market with strategic updates across all aspects of our business over the course of the year; but in the interim, let me state that we will focus heavily on driving efficiencies across board. We will begin by implementing stringent cost controls with clearly assigned targets and lines of reporting for accountability across all the various business units in the Group. In addition, we will be retooling and reshaping the risk culture for ownership as well as accountability. We will also work to extract the full benefits of a financial conglomerate by driving revenue synergies across the Group, eliminating duplication of costs, institutionalising shared services, and ensuring full customer integration so we can deliver an African financial supermarket to our customers as well as robust return on equity to our shareholders.

As an institution in a sector facing significant regulatory and economic headwinds, we will explore innovative and novel methods to enhance our business offerings.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our esteemed shareholder, for your unwavering loyalty and support over the years and once again emphasise my resolve, working with my team, to restore shareholder value through operational excellence.

I wish you a prosperous 2016!

U.K. Eke, MFR Group Managing Director FBN Holdings Plc 5 January 2016

Contact us: +234 1 448500, 234 708 0625000, 234 1 9052720 I 0700 FIRSTCONTACT (0700-34778), firstcontact@firstbanknigeria.com, investors.relations@fbnholdings.com I www.fbnholdings.com I RC 916455 Samuel Asabia House, 35, Marina, P. O. Box 5216, Lagos, Nigeria.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria does not need IMF loan —Lagarde

Says IMF team arrives next week to assess budget Nigeria’ll look inwards for succour —Buhari Leon Usigbe and Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja

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HE Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Christine Lagarde, on Tuesday, said Nigeria had all the potential to overcome the current economic challenge of falling commodity prices without resorting to the IMF for financial support.

She said this while addressing State House correspondents after meeting with President Muham-

madu Buhari.

She said: “Let me make it clear that I’m not here nor is my team in the country to negotiate a loan with conditionalities. We are not into programme negotiations and frankly at this point in time, given the determination and resilience displayed by the president and his team, I don’t see why an IMF programme will be needed.”

President Buhari had, during the meeting, said his administration would look inwards, enforce reg-

ulations to stop financial leakages and adopt global best practices in generating more revenue to mitigate the effect of dwindling oil prices on the economy.

He said his administration would also enforce greater discipline, probity and accountability in all revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government.

He told the IMF chief: “We have just come out of budget discussions after many weeks of taking into consideration the many

needs of the country, and the downturn of the economy with falling oil prices and the negative economic forecasts.

“We are working very hard and with the budget as our way forward, we will do our best to ensure that our country survives the current economic downturn.

“We have also told all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government that on our watch, they will fully account for all funds that get

Members of the Sisters Forum, Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Kaduna chapter, demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim ElZakzaky, in Kaduna, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Shiite women demand release of El-Zakzaky, others Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

HUNDREDS of Shiite women under the banner of Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement, held a peaceful protest in Kaduna calling for the release of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and other members of the sect.

The protesters besieged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre on Tuesday, holding different placards, calling for the release of their members.

Later, in a press conference, the leader of the Shiite women forum, Hajiya Jamila Awwal, maintained that “although we are aware that it is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and instigate us into mob actions, we will never resort to anything outside the normal legal process of seeking redress.

“This is evident in the way we acted last year when the same Nigerian Army attacked our members and killed 34 of them including three biological sons of our leader (El-Zakzaky).

“Hence, even now that they have killed three more of his biological sons, making six within a year, we still remain undaunted, calm and resolute,” she stressed.

Commenting further, she called on the Federal Government to release their leader as well as other members of the sect with immediate effect.

Awwal, who broke down in tears during the press conference, said they were demanding for the immediate and unconditional release of their spiritual leader, El-Zakyzaky.

She said the government should also release the

corpses of their dead husbands, children and mothers that were murdered by the soldiers.

“We need to bury our

dead according to Islamic rites. As I speak with you now, I have not seen my husband since the massacre,” she said.

into their coffers.”

The president said the Federal Government was reviewing its operational costs and had directed all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to cut down on their overhead costs.

He further remarked that the Federal Government would welcome the technical support and expertise of the IMF for its plans to diversify the Nigerian economy and further unleash its growth potentials.

In her remarks, Ms Lagarde said that the IMF would be willing to assist the Federal Government in plugging revenue leakages, tracing stolen funds and restructuring its tax system.

Following her meeting with the president, Lagarde called for more flexibility in the monetary policies of Nigeria because of the adverse effect of rigid policies on the poor.

But she also advised that there must be fiscal discipline and transparency in the application of the nation’s resources so that they would not be depleted with falling oil prices.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, she also praised the determination of President Buhari to fight corruption and bring transparency to all levels of government.

She said the IMF was not in the country to negotiate a loan agreement with the authorities or impose conditionalities, but revealed that a team of economists from the Fund would be arriving the country next week to assess the 2016 budget.

“So, of course, discipline is going to be needed. Of course, implementation is going to be a key for the objectives and the ambitions to serve the country well, in

Saraki meets IMF boss, Lagarde, today Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

SENATE President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, will today lead the leadership of the Senate to a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Christine Lagarde, who is on a four-day working visit to Nigeria.

A statement by Saraki’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olani-

yonu, indicated that the meeting between Saraki and Lagarde would take place at the National Assembly.

The statement indicated further that the meeting is expected to focus on the nation’s economy, particularly the recent global developments and their impact on Nigeria.

Saraki said further that the falling oil prices at the international market has negatively impacted

the nation’s oil revenue, external reserve and increased pressure on the Naira at the foreign exchange market.

The statement indicated that the meeting between the IMF Chief and the leadership of the Senate would be coming after a similar discussion between Lagarde and President Muhammadu Buhari as well as other managers of the national economy.

order for it to be actually sustainable.

“On the current account upfront, we believe that with very clear primary ambition to support the poor people of Nigeria, there could be added flexibility in the monetary policy, particularly if, as we think, the price of oil is likely to be possibly low for longer, because clearly, the authorities should not deplete the reserves of the country, simply because of rules that will be exceedingly rigid.

“I am not suggesting that the rigidity be totally removed but some degree of flexibility will be enough.”

Flanked by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeseun and IMF Director of African Development, Antoinette Sayeh, the IMF chief recalled that since first coming to Nigeria four years ago, things have changed a lot including the dramatic fall in revenue due to oil price crash.

She said she discussed with President Buhari the challenges facing the country due to dwindling oil revenue and how to improve the country’s competitiveness.

She added: “Looking back four years ago, massive democratic change has occurred in this country peacefully. Nigeria has become the largest economy in Africa, certainly the most populated and with a very attractive market.

“But things have changed in a more complicated way in the sense that the source of revenue to the government of Nigeria, which was predominantly oil, has seen its price divided by more than half and the financing costs around are beginning to rise if only because the economic situation in the United States has improved and interest rates will begin to rise.”

Noting that emerging economies were decelerating their growth, she stated: “We have excellent discussions with Buhari and we discussed the challenges ahead stemming from oil price reduction. The necessity to apply fiscal discipline and the need to also respond to the population needs while addressing the Medium Term specificities of improving the competitiveness of Nigeria and yet also focusing on the short term fiscal situation which requires that revenue sources be identified in order to compensate the shortfall resulting from oil price decline.

“Oil is not the major contributor to the Nigerian GDP, it is only about 40 per cent but it is a big source of revenue for the government.

Continues pg7

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Nigerian Tribune

Arms deal: Ex-PDP chairman appears in court on wheelchair

Pleads not guilty to FG’s 4-count charge with son •Court to decide bail Jan 7 Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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HE former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Haliru Mohammed Bello, was on Tuesday brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a wheelchair to face the four-count

charge slammed against him and his son, Abba, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former PDP chairman was arraigned alongside his son and their company, BAM Projects & Properties Limited, an Abuja-based

reality company over their alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mohammed, alongside his son, Abba, was alleged to have aided in the diversion of funds slated for

arms procurement by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The duo are being held by the EFCC for collecting N600 million from the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Mohammed and his son

Former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Haliru Mohammed Bello (on a wheelchair), during his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday.

EFCC picks up Olisa Metuh, as PDP demands his immediate release

By Jacob Segun Olatunji, Leon Usigbe and Chukwuma Okparaocha

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, was picked up by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from his Abuja residence on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Richard Ihediwa, in Abuja, the anti-graft personnel, on arrival at his house, invited him to the commission’s headquarters.

The statement said upon enquiry on the reasons for the invitation, the officials stated that he had some issues to clear with the commission.

It said they also explained that he was not being arrested but only being invited in a friendly manner.

It added: “The operatives, four in number, came in a white unmarked Toyota Hiace bus.

“As at the time of issuing this statement, Chief Metuh is still being kept at the commission’s headquarters and his lawyers were making frantic efforts to reach him.

“While details of why Chief Metuh was invited is yet to be made pubic by the commission, it could be recalled that severally, Chief Metuh,

as the mouthpiece of the opposition party, had alerted in various press conferences and statements that he has been under threat and that the ruling party and the government have been very uncomfortable with his stance.

“The latest being the outburst and threats by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, in reaction to Chief Metuh’s criticisms of President Buhari’s widely criticized response on government’s disobedience of court orders during the last Wednesday’s Presidential Media Chat.”

The office of the National Publicity Secretary promised to keep the public updated on any development on the issue.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the PDP, on Tuesday, demanded for an immediate release of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who was Tuesday morning invited and detained by the EFCC. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the National Secretary of the Party, Professor Adewale Oladipo.

The party declared the arrest and detention of it spokesman “which did not

come to us as a surprise, given series of threats to our party’s spokesman by the APC and the Federal Government, who are obviously not comfortable with our stance on the confused state of the nation under their watch, is a continuation of APC’s grand design to silence and decimate the PDP.” The statement reads: “The arrest of Chief Metuh today underscores the growing political intolerance in our country and the foisting of a police state which was last Wednesday underscored by the President and Commander-in-Chief himself, who defended why a government in a democracy should flout constitutional provision and brazenly disobey court orders.”

“This onslaught against our spokesman, according to intelligence available to us, is part of a larger script by the government to ensure that PDP wings are finally clipped in their mission to install a dictatorial one-party state in the country.

“The excesses of security agencies under this government, especially the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) and the EFCC, in abridging the human rights of PDP members have become worrisome and a

threat to our democratic evolution.

“Nigerians and the international community will recall that on a number of occasions, the PDP, through its spokesman, has been outspoken on some undemocratic proclivities being exhibited by the APC-led Federal Government in the last seven months.”

The PDP insisted that for whatever reason Chief Metuh was arrested, his rights as a citizen under the law must not be trampled upon.

“We, therefore, demand for his immediate release and that due process of investigation and prosecution concerning him should be strictly adhered to.

“Chief Metuh, has since his arrest at about 10:00 a.m., been kept incommunicado, with his lawyers denied access to him.”

“The PDP declares the arrest of our spokesman as the last straw that may break our democracy. We, therefore, forewarn the Federal Government and its agencies to save our democracy and forthwith release our National Publicity Secretary.

“We are also calling on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to stand up for this democracy.”

were to be docked last week before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, but the prosecution informed the court earlier that the former PDP chairman was on admission in an Abuja hospital for an undisclosed illness.

They were part of those indicted in the N31 billion funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents, which the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) distributed to some PDP stalwarts for the 2015 election campaign.

A former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, currently on trial in two separate courts before an Abuja High Court had, in his statement, admitted paying about N300 million into the account of BAM Properties, which was provided by Haliru Mohammed.

Abbah Mohammed is alleged to have received N600 million from the NSA’s office in the name of BAM Properties, but the reason for the transfer of the money to the company was not disclosed.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you Bello Abba Mohammed, BAM Projects and Properties Ltd and Dr Bello H. Mohammed on or about the 17th of March, 2015, in Abuja, took possession of N300 million paid into the account of BAM Projects and Properties Ltd with Sterling Bank Plc from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceed of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd), the then National Security Adviser (to wit: Criminal breach of trust and corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 ( 2) ( d) of the money laundering (prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 ( 3) of the same Act. Count four reads: “That you Bello Abba Mohammed, BAM Projects and Projects Ltd and Dr Bello H. Mohammed on or about the 17th of March, 2015, in Abuja, did conspired to launder the sum of N300 million, which sum you claimed to have received for political campaigns when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceed of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd), the NSA (to wit: Criminal breach of trust and corruption) and

you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.” The former PDP chairman and his son pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge and the prosecution counsel, Aliyu S. Yusuf, asked for a date to commence trial and that the defendants remanded in prison custody.

But, counsel to Abba and his father, O. Osoka and Abdulazeez Ibrahim, moved an application for their bail on a very liberal term.

Abba’s counsel, Osoka specifically urged the court to grant his client bail pending the determination of the case against him, adding that the offences for which he was arraigned along with his father are bailable.

Osoka told the court that Abba will not jump bail and that he will not interfere with investigation if admitted to bail, adding that the ill-health of his client and an order by Justice Okeke of an Abuja High Court granting Abba bail are special circumstances that the court should consider and grant his client bail.

The former PDP chairman told the court through his counsel to grant him bail on personal recognition on a liberal term.

Ibrahim, who represented the former PDP chairman, told the court that his client had just undergone a surgery at the Abuja clinic and that he was brought to the court straight from the hospital to take his plea.

He said Mohammed, being an elder statesman, former minister and chairman of the largest party in Nigeria, will not jump bail or interfere with the cause of justice if granted bail by the court.

The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, having listened to arguments by parties on the bail application, adjourned till January 7, for ruling.

EFCC has already arrested and arraigned many top officials and companies related to the previous administration for receiving large payments from the ONSA from the funds set aside for the procurement of arms to tackle Boko Haram insurgents.

The former NSA himself was charged along with many senior administration officials and PDP bigwigs for benefitting from the alleged loot.

Many of them have, however, been released on bail.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Extend anti-graft probe to LG joint account, NULGE tells Buhari Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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HE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the anti-graft probe to the management of local government joint accounts in the 36 states of the federation.

The call is contained in a statement issued by the president of the union, Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, in Kano, on Tuesday.

The statement quoted Khaleel as saying “the anticorruption war cannot be complete without a searchlight on the management of the local government joint account system in the country.

“In the area of corruption, a lot of breakthrough has been recorded as some culprits are being brought

to book.

“I, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the fight on antigraft to the management of states and local government joint accounts across

the 36 states of the federation.”

The union boss also commended the Federal Government “for the concerted efforts to tame insurgency in the country.”

Nnamdi Kanu’s wife delivers baby boy THE wife of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, Uchechi Okwu Kanu, has given birth to a baby boy.

The news was broken on Tuesday morning on one of Facebook pages of the Biafra movement.

The message reads: “Good morning great Biafrans, with joy in our hearts and celebration of new arrival to IPOB family, our first lady, the wife of our

eminent leader, Joshua Nnamdi Kanu, has delivered a healthy baby boy.

Mother and child are in good health.”

Okwu-Kanu had defended her husband’s struggle for Biafra independence and argued pro-Biafrans have the right to self-determination.

She had, in her last interview about a month ago with IBTimes UK, said she needed her husband very close to her as she was eight months pregnant.

‘Nigeria does not need IMF loan’ Continued from pg4

“We discussed with the president, vice president and the ministers of finance and budget how more efficiency, more transparency, better accountability and enlarging the base of revenue could actually contribute to sound budget.”

Lagarde said she was not in the country to approve or comment on the 2016 budget but noted that the IMF would send its team of economists to do an assessment.

“It is not for me here and now to actually approve or comment on the budget because we have procedures in the IMF under which a team of economists is going to come next week, actually to do what we call the Article 4,” she said.

She stated that the team would discuss with government authorities “to really assess whether financing is in place, whether the debt is sustainable, whether the borrowing costs are sensible and what strategy put in place in order to address challenges going forward.”

On the ongoing anti-corruption war, she added: “But what I certainly mentioned to Mr President was that his fight and determination to fight corruption and his determination to bring about transparency and accountability at all levels of the economy are very important agenda item and very ambitious goal that needed to be

deliberated upon which he is definitely committed to as he indicated this morning and as he inspires his team members.

“With that, I am going to have more discussions with the Finance Minister and Governor of Central Bank.

We will be discussing issue of fiscal discipline, financing monetary policies and the degree of flexibility.

“With the fact that Nigeria has a vibrant and large economy, it still has to deal with poor people and a lot of inequalities. Those two components should certainly be the drivers of reforms, whether it is looking at subsidies and how they are structured and how they can be phased out, whether it is monetary policy and the flexibility needed and knowing what effect it has on the poor. All of those are ambitions that we could quickly recognise and support.

“Our technical discussions will continue and to those of you who wonder why the IMF Director is visiting Nigeria, it is precisely to have good discussion about these new objectives. These reform agenda that have been identified and supported by the president and also to appreciate the impact that it will have on neighbouring countries.”

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has warned the Fed-

eral Government to beware of the IMF interference; and kicked against any move to force Nigeria to devalue its currency.

In a statement issued by the congress on Tuesday and signed by its President, Comrade Nobboi Kaigama and the Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, its warning was informed by Nigeria’s bitter past experience with the financial body.

“TUC strongly advises the Federal Government to beware of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” the congress said, adding, “this warning is informed by our bitter past experience with the financial body.”

The statement read: “Our country is already in dire state and cannot cope with the IMF’s characteristic shylock conditionalities attached to its credit facilities, and must not accept same if that is what the visit is about.

“For the umpteenth time, we wonder aloud: Can’t we solve our challenges as a nation without foreign intervention? Must the Brettonwood institutions be the ones to always determine and tell us when our economy is doing well and when to devalue the naira? Why must they suggest to us how our economy can be fixed, whereas their recipe has consistently tended to end up impoverishing more Nigerians than ever before?”

Continues pg5

Nigerian Tribune

8

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Lagosmetro Unemployed man gets N10,000 bail for theft Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

A Shanty community built near the Adeniji end of the Lagos Lagoon. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Ambode earmarks N6.25bn for employment •Converts LASU to residential institution

T

he Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, in fulfillment of his electoral promise, signed the N25bn Employment Trust Fund Bill into law, promising to work hard to address unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development.

It was also revealed that the government plans to inject an annual contribution of N6.25million into the fund for four years totaling N25billion.

Ambode also signed the Lagos State University (LASU) Bill into law, describing the two bills as very significant and crucial to the realization of his administration’s policy objectives.

The governor said at the signing ceremony held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, that the establishment of the Employment Trust Fund was in line with keeping faith with the promise he made to the people during the electioneering campaign.

According to him, “One of our campaign promises was to establish an Employment

Trust Fund. Today, we are fulfilling this promise with the official signing of the bill formally establishing the Employment Trust Fund.

“This bill will address the challenge of unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development.

As I sign this bill today, an annual contribution of N6.

25billion will be injected into the fund by the state government for 4 years totaling N25billion.”

Ambode also said that a board of trustees made up of core professionals would be announced in due time to manage the fund, adding that more information on the operations of the fund would be unveiled.

The governor said the LASU bill, which he signed into law, was also a demonstration of his commitment to actualise the dream of the founding fathers of the institution, adding that he remained committed to raising the standard of academic excellence to a level comparable to other citadels of learning in the world. The bill included the conversion

of LASU to a residential institution and the approval of 70 years retirement age for professors of the institution.

While appreciating members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for the favourable consideration of the two bills and their speedy passage, Ambode said the desire of his administration was to see LASU develop and churn out young professionals who would lead Nigeria to greater heights in the near future.

Earlier, governor Ambode,

while inaugurating a new board of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission, restated the commitment of his administration to deepen democracy and rule of law, especially by carrying out periodic review of obsolete laws in the state to bring them in tune with current realities for relevance and effectiveness.

The governor said such periodic review was important especially to his administration in achieving the goal of creating an enabling environment for investors, entre-

preneurs and making Lagos globally competitive.

Governor Ambode, while alluding to the fact that all modern and civilized societies thrive on the qualities of laws which regulate and guide the actions of government, organisations, individuals and institutions, charged members of the commission to hit the ground running by expediting action on the creation of electronic portal aimed at providing access to laws of the state online from anywhere in the world.

A 32 year-old unemployed man, Jimoh Ibrahim, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for sneaking into a retail shop to steal goods, while the shop owner was sleeping.

Ibrahim allegedly committed the offence on December 30 at Aina Street, Ojota.

It was gathered that Ibrahim unlawfully entered the shop of one Olubunmi Oyedele and stole her goods, including some clothes and shoes in a bag.

A neighbour who sighted the accused when he sneaked into the complainant’s shop, raised the alarm when she saw him sneaking out with a sack of the stolen items.

He was arrested and the stolen items were recovered.

Ibrahim, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, T.O Shomade, granted him bail in the sum of N10,000 with two sureties in like sum and subsequently adjourned the case till January 27, for hearing.

Ojuelegba trailer tragedy: Bereaved demand N10b damages Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Still hurting from the loss of their loved ones, five family members of the victims of the trailer crash in Ojuelegba area of Lagos have sued the Lagos state government for N10 billion.

The families also sued the driver of the truck, Kilani Adeyanju and the owner of the truck, Wasiu Adeleke; the Lagos state attorney general, the state public works corporation and Motor Vehicle Administration

Agency.

The five family members are: Umar Abdulwahab, Usman Sulaiman, Ismala Maikankan , lbrahim Ibrahim and Umaru Sulaiman Umaru.

It would be recalled that three people died on September 2, 2015 when a 20-foot container loaded with cement fell from a truck at Ojuelegba Bridge, crushing four occupants of an SUV, with plate number LSD 532 to death.

The names of the victims were given as Abubakar

Suleiman, Kamilu Umar and Umaru Suleiman.

The suit was filed before a Federal High Court by Norrison Quakers (SAN) and Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) on behalf of the plaintiffs.

A Lagos based business man who deposed to the affidavit, Umar Abdulwahab, said that on September, 2, 2015, he received a call from the Yaba mainland hospital official informing him about the accident and the fatalities, asking him to come to the hospital mortuary to identify

the corpses of Abubaker Sule, Umaru Sulaiman and kamilu Umaru.

Abdulwahab said that he was in deep shock and pain when he saw the mangled and shattered bodies of the deceased persons which were crushed beyond recognition by the trailer that fell on their vehicle.

The families are seeking for N10 billion damages against the respondents jointly and severally.

No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.

9

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Owonifari Market shut as Oshodi gets facelift Bola Badmus Lagos State government on Tuesday ordered closure of Owonifari Market within Oshodi and relocated affected traders and shop owners to the newly built Isopakodowo Market stalls at Bolade area in Oshodi.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen, saying the government had also commenced the fencing-off of the set-back on Agege Motor Road that stretches from Ilupeju end of Oshodi all the way to the PWD/Ikeja GRA end of the area.

According to Ayorinde, the move was geared towards the need to sanitise and beautify the entire Oshodi area and bring transformation, in particular, to the Owonifari loop as well as the entire busstop terminals, which have somewhat constituted a menace and an eyesore within the locality.

He added that the fencing-off of the long stretch of the setback was being undertaken to assist the Federal Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation in particular with a view to beautifying the area and safeguard lives along the railway corridor by discouraging street trading and indiscriminate use of the

space.

Ayorinde said the ongoing fencing-off and beautification of the road setback from Ilupeju bypass to PWD/Ikeja GRA would constitute the first phase of the transformation of the

Oshodi area.

The second phase, he added, would begin from PWD/Ikeja GRA and stretch all the way to Agege/ Pen Cinema axis.

He stated further that Lagosians should expect

It was a of disturbing train fire disasters in some parts of Lagos State as a market in Ejigbo, a students’ hostel in Akoka, a satellite campus of the Lagos State University and houses and shops in some parts of the state went up in flames.

Millions of naira worth of goods and properties were reportedly destroyed and many residents rendered homeless but no life was lost.

Residents of Mafoluku area of Oshodi had to attend to two separate fire incidents while residents of Egbeda, Ikorodu and Ikeja also had their share of the fire outbreaks.

The director of the Lagos

located had been properly allocated shops within the Isopakodowo Market and that the demolition of the loop was in the best interest of the people who should expect a world-class bus terminus there.

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (right), congratulating a member of the newly inaugurated Law Reform Commission, Dr Omogbai Omo-Eboh (left), during the inauguration of the State Law Reform Commission, at the Conference room, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday. With them are - member of the Commission, Mrs. Sola Williams (second left) and Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN (third left).

Seized goods: Customs, petitioners meet today

The Federal Operation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked members of the Centre for

Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) who wrote a petition against the unit to come forward with their

Incessant fire outbreaks: Fadipe calls for caution Bola Badmus

from this transformation exercise, a new Oshodi that would be sane and safe, where both traders and commuters would be pleased to visit and trade.

The commissioner assured that the traders being re-

State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, decried the high rate of fire incidents in recent time and warned residents to be cautious.

The Lagos State Fire Service boss also told Lagos Metro that operatives of the agency attended to at least seventeen fire calls on Sunday.

Millions of naira worth of goods and properties were on Saturday destroyed as fire ravaged a bungalow, situated at 4 Sadiku Street in Mafoluku area of Oshodi.

More than six apartments in the building were completely destroyed as fire fighters, who arrived at the scene met the fire well alive.

The Mafoluku Oshodi inferno was said to have started from a spark from high volt-

age from one of the affected buildings.

Residents of Mafoluku were still groaning over the Sadiku incident, when another building situated at 27 Olowu Street also went up in flames.

Three shops were completely burnt as fire ravaged a building, situated beside the Bible College at Awolowo Road, Oke Ota Ona Ikorodu.

Fadipe confirmed all the incidents to Lagos Metro and added that operatives of the agency had at the same time on Saturday attended to a fire incident at the Ejigbo Market.

A hotel at Okunola Street in Egbeda area of Lagos State also in the early hours of Monday was gutted by fire.

evidences against any of the unit officers.

This is even as the unit stated that alleged payment made by the owner of the goods, Mr. Chinedu Ekeze, could have been made to impersonators parading themselves as Customs officers.

Speaking to Lagos Metro in an exclusive chat, the spokesperson of the FOU, Zone A, Uche Ejesieme, stated that it was most likely that Mr. Chinedu Ekezie made payments to impersonators parading themselves as Customs officers. He however asked the aggrieved petitioners to come to the unit on Wednesday with evidences of their claims.

According to him, “the NCS was the first agency of government to key into the Treasury Single Account (TSA), so I don’t know which account the owner of the seized goods made payment into because we operate a single account now.

“I want to believe that they

were swindled by impersonators claiming to be Customs officials. However, I will like them to come down to the unit with their claims so that we can thoroughly investigate the matter and see if their agreement is true.”

It would be recalled that a human rights group, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) recently petitioned the Customs headquarters on Tuesday 29th, 2015, forwarding copies of petition to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, Comptroller-General of the Customs, Minister of Interior, and host of others.

In the petition, the group demanded the return of made-in-Nigeria goods and some bags of rice belonging to one Mr. Chinedu Ekeze which were seized illegally

by Customs officers attached to the FOU, Zone A unit.

Police remand 23-yr-old over friend’s murder Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 23-year-old man, Emmanuel Akintan, has been remanded in prison for allegedly murdering his friend, Tunde Biobaku.

It was gathered that the offence was committed on December 9, 2015, at about 6.00 p.m. at Egan-Igando.

According to the police, Akintan allegedly murdered Biobaku by stabbing him with a broken bottle on his left hand after an argument which degenerated into a fight. The police further alleged that Biobaku died as a result of the wound on his left hand from the broken bottle.

The offence according to the police, contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Being a murder case, the plea of the accused was not taken when he was arraigned before an Ebutte Metta court.

The presiding magistrate, B.O. Ope-Agbe, ordered that the accused be remanded in Ikoyi prison pending receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Artisan arrested over rape Olalekan Olabulo A twenty-seven-year-old aluminium fabricator, Tobi Taiwo has been arrested by the police in Lagos State for allegedly raping his girl friend’s best friend.

The suspect, while speaking with Lagos Metro, confessed to the crime and claimed that he purposely did it to punish the victim for giving his girlfriend to another man.

Tobi is currently cooling his heels in one of the cells at the anti-robbery section of the State Criminal Investigations Department of the Lagos State police command.

The suspect told Lagos Metro that “the lady (the victim) is a friend to my girlfriend. Her name is Temitope, while my girlfriend’s name is Victoria. I did it to her because she called my girlfriend for a man in her area and I wanted to punish her for that.”

10

businessnews

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

PPPRA, marketers hold strategic meeting over fuel price DPR enforces new petrol pump price in Ondo, Ekiti Olatunde Dodondawa and Hakeem Gbadamosi

F

o l l owin g claims of neglect by independent marketers that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has prioritised product supplies to oil majors and NNPC retail stations, there are indications that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and marketers will hold a strategic meeting this week.

During monitoring of product loading at the depots around Apapa area, a source informed the Nigerian Tribune, on Tuesday, that “all marketers, not just the members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), are not getting adequate products from the NNPC. “Everyone is not happy because the PPPRA currently has no board. The Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Farouk Ahmed has no legal right to unilaterally review the pricing template of petroleum products without the board approval usually chaired by the Minister of Petroleum.

“We have registered our displeasure and the Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Farouk Ahmed has assured to meet us this week.”

He said the depot owners were affected by the new pricing template which, he said, may affect adequate fuel supply in the long run.

While giving comments on the challenges of lack of foreign exchange to import refined petroleum products, he claimed it is difficult to source for foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the reason many marketers are not importing and relying on products imported by the NNPC. “NNPC remains the sole importer right now because of the challenges of obtaining foreign exchange. Although, if we get dollars from the CBN, the landing cost of petrol would be far lower than the pump price, thereby leading to ‘over recovery’,” he said.

Over recovery is when the landing cost is cheaper than the pump price and in that case, marketers will refund the Federal Government of the excess.

The Nigerian Tribune had exclusively reported

that marketers accused the NNPC of favoritism in product allocation.

The Zonal Public Re-

lations Officer (PRO), IPMAN, Western Zone, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Jaiyeola, had stated that “they

are giving massive loading to NNPC stations and the oil majors. And having realized that the volume

they are giving them, especially, NNOC retail stations, is more than what they can handle. So we buy

From left: Director Of African Affairs, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Seyeh Antoinette; Managing Director, IMF, Christine Lagarde and the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, addressing a news conference after a meeting of the IMF boss with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, onTuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Banks’ credit to domestic economy rises by 2.7% to N17.176bn Chima Nwokoji -Lagos Data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that at N17.176 billion, aggregate credit to the domestic economy increased by N452.4 billion or 2.7 per cent in September 2015 and N739.2 billion or 4.5 per cent above the levels recorded a month earlier and at endDecember 2014, respectively.

Also, Net Domestic Credit (NDC) increased from its level in December 2014 to N21, 519.8billion in the month of September 2015, reflecting an increase of N2, 246.03 billion or 11.65 per cent compared with December 2014.

This was 17.65 percentage points below the provisional programmed target of 29.30 per cent for fscal 2015, but 19.76 per cent higher than the level achieved a year earlier.

On the other hand, at N12.990 billion, total credit to the private sector was N51.5 billion or 0.4 per cent below the level achieved in the preceding month (August).

According to the latest

quarterly report released by the apex bank, net claims on the central Government stood at N3.748.9 billion, representing an increase of N519.4 billion or 16.1 per cent above the level recorded in the preceding month.

Similarly, total assets/liabilities of the 703 Microfinance Banks that reported in third quarter (Q3) 2015 stood at N361.6 billion, representing increase of N51.4 billion or 16.6 per cent above the level reported in the preceding quarter but, decreased by N75.2 billion or 17.2 per cent below the level reported in the corresponding quarter of 2014.

The 16.6 per cent growth in total assets majorly reflected in the increases of N37.8 billion or 39.3 per cent, N8.8 billion or 21.6 per cent and N3.3 billion or 2.1 per cent in Liquid Assets, Other Assets and domestic credit, respectively.

The expansion in total liabilities was largely accounted for by the increases of N21.9 billion or 28.8 per cent, N15.5 billion or 32.1 per cent and N12.2

billion or 7.8 per cent in shareholders’ fund, other liabilities and deposits, respectively.

The Microfinance Banks’ aggregate credit to domestic economy amounted to N160.8 billion, representing increases of N3.3 billion or 2.1 per cent and N10.6 billion or 7.0 per cent above the levels reported in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2014, respectively.

The 2.1 per cent increase in domestic credit was largely accounted for by the increases of N3.3 billion or 2.4 per cent and N0.2 billion or 1.2 per cent in Loans & Advances and Short Term Investments (TBs), respectively.

These increases were, however, moderated by N0.2 billion or 3.6 per cent decrease in long term investments. Credit to domestic economy accounted for 44.5 per cent of the total assets of Microfinance Banks in Q3 2015 The broad measure of money supply (M2) yearto-date decreased marginally by N195.03 billion or 1.03 per cent to N18.718

billion in September 2015 but grew by 2.85 per cent on year-on-year basis.

Thus, M2 growth was 16.27 percentage points below the provisional programmed target of 15.24 per cent for fiscal 2015.

According to the apex bank, 1.03 per cent yearto-date contraction was due to the decreases of 9.89, 3.01 and 0.74 percentage points in the relative contributions of foreign assets (net), other assets (net) and credit to state & local governments, respectively.

The banking sector net credit to government witnessed an increase of 142.38 per cent year-to-date, representing 106.33 percentage points increase above the provisional programmed target of 36.05 per cent for fiscal 2015.

This increase was attributable to the N699.6 billion drawdown of government deposits and the N937.9 billion expansion in claims on government (Appendix VII). The movement was traced to N440.4 billion and N259.2 billion drawdown of government deposits at the central bank and commercial banks, respectively.

from them because they don’t expect us to fold our hands.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has begun to visit filling stations in Ondo and Ekiti states to ensure that major and independent marketers comply with the directives of the Federal Government on the new pump price of N86.50 per liter.

The action of the DPR was sequel to the threat by the independent marketers in Ondo State, on Monday ,not to sell fuel at the new price.

The marketers and some NNPC stations within the state capital have been threatening not to comply with the new pump price and vowed to sell at the old price which is between N100 and and N130.

The DPR team, led by the Acting Controller in charge of Ondo and Ekiti states, Godwin Obasuyi, has promised to ensure that all the stations visited by his team complied with the pump price of N86:50k.

Obasuyi said the inspection became imperative in order to ensure that all the fuel stations in the state are selling at the recommended price.

The team sealed off a filling station in Oke Ijebu area of the capital city, Koleman Petroleum and Olusile Petroleum situated at Oba Ile in Akure north local government area of the state.

The controller expressed displeasure over the attitude of the dealers and marketers for not complying with the new price and the threat to continue selling at at their convenient price.

He said the agency would not hesitate to seal off any fuel station that faied to comply with the federal government directives.

He said the marketers were hiding under the pretext of buying the product at high price and advised them not to buy the product rather than selling above the recommended price.

It will be recalled that most petrol stations across Ondo State capital and its environs did not open for business on Monday.

The independent marketers, resolved to shut down operation in the state in protest against the new price which they claimed the DPR was planning to forced on them.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

FG plans inter-ministerial committee to fast-track NNPC reforms —Buhari

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari said an inter-ministerial committee would soon be established to speed up the re-organisation and reformation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The president said this in Abuja at a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), JinYong Cai, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Buhari said that reforming the NNPC had become inevitable in view of the corruption and abuse of its present structure in the recent past.

He also cited Nigeria’s current need to maximise income from every source of revenue as a further imperative for reforming the NNPC. He said government was making efforts to boost national revenue so that it

Nigeria contributes 15 million to 3.5 billion global traffic Shola Adekola - Lagos The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has said that preliminary figures compiled by its team and released recently show the total number of passengers carried on scheduled services rose to 3.5 billion in 2015, a 6.4 per cent increase over last year.

Out of this figure, Nigeria contributed little over 15 million to the traffic.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) a total of 3,710,618 passengers travelled through Nigeria’s airports in the opening quarter of 2015, representing a decline of 453,144 passengers or 10.88 per cent from the preceding quarter, bucking the upward trend observed throughout 2014. The series peaked in Q4 of 2014, with 4,163,762 passengers travelling, up 227,744 or 5.59 per cent from Q3 of the same year.

According to NBS, the lower number of air passenger travellers in Q2 largely resulted in the overall decline in air passenger traffic which stood at 3,423,077 passengers in Q2 compared to 3,710,618 passengers in the previous quarter.

For third quarter, passenger traffic stood at 3.8 million while fourth quarter report is yet to be released.

The fourth quarter traffic could be as high as four million going by the huge travel demands in the yuletide.

could effectively implement its programme of change and significantly improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

Cai, who is also the Vice

President of the IFC, said with proper reform and re-organisation, NNPC could become Africa’s largest company.

“You have brought mon-

umental changes since you got to power. You have brought in strong leadership and Nigeria has the opportunity under you to become highly reputable.

“In NNPC, you can create an entity that is dominant in Africa, and this is the right time to do it, with the momentum you have created,“ he said.

From left: President, Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Babajide Komolafe; Executive Director, Heritage Bank Limited, Mrs Mary Akpobome and Managing Director/CEO Heritage Bank Limited, Mr Ifie Sekibo, at the official presentation of the FICAN Gold Award to the management of the bank, in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Oil prices fall to $36.69 per barrel Oil prices fell on Tuesday on concerns about the pace of economic growth in China and a stronger U.S. dollar, handing back some of the gains triggered by an escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Reuters reported that the global benchmark Brent crude prices were down 17 cents at $37.05 a barrel at 1314 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI)

crude slipped seven cents to $36.69 a barrel.

“It is the Chinese stock market sell-off and the strong dollar that are pressuring oil,” said Tamas Varga, oil analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates.

Chinese stock markets fell again on Tuesday after a seven per cent dive on Monday, rattling markets worldwide and prompting action

from the central bank and stock market regulator.

Concerns about the economy in China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, were worsened by news that national rail freight volumes logged their biggest ever annual decline in 2015.

“Last year we talked about supply and demand even surprised on the upside. But with this news flow from

NSE: Trading continues bear trend, sheds 0.95% Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba -Lagos The equities market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed on a negative note on Tuesday to follow the previous day trend, as All Share Index, a major indicator, depreciated by 0.95 per cent to close at 28,102.14 basis points, same as the 0.95 per cent depreciation recorded on Monday.

Market turnover, however, closed positive as volume moved up by 98.02 per cent against 60.75 per cent decline recorded in the previous session.

Market breadth also closed negatively there were 15 gainers against 28 losers on the chart.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated led gainers with five per cent increase by adding 84 kobo to close at N17.64 kobo per share.

Fidelity Bank Plc followed closely with 4.83 per cent gain having closed the day

with an addition of N0.07 kobo to the stake of N1.45 kobo per share.

Livestock Feeds Plc also appreciated by 4.51 per cent to close at N1.39 kobo per share after adding N0.06 kobo to its share price. Also, Africa Prudential Registrars Plc increased its share price to N2.60 kobo after an increase of N0.08 kobob.

On the northward chart, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc made the lead with 9.26 per cent loss of N1.53 kobo from the N16.53 kobo it traded on the Nigerian Bourse, closing at N15 per share.

Unity Bank Plc followed with a loss of 10 kobo or 8.93 per cent to close at N1.02 kobo per share, while Nigerian Breweries Plc shed N6.46 kobo or five per cent from N129.20 kobo it traded to close at N122.74 kobo per share.

Likewise, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc shaved eight naira off the N160 it traded to close the market of the day at

N152 per share.

At the end of the day trade investors bought and sold 195,969,167 shares worth N1.9 billion in 2,975 deals, an improved trade compared with Monday trade of 98,965,945 shares worth N700.5 million.

China, demand fears have come back,” said Frank Klumpp, oil analyst at Stuttgart-based Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg.

The U.S. dollar hit a onemonth high against a basket of other currencies, weighing on oil prices as it made holding dollar-denominated commodities more expensive.

The oil market largely shrugged off rising political tensions in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Kuwait recalled its ambassador to Iran following attacks on Saudi missions by Iranian protesters, state news agency KUNA reported.

Analysts said as long as the conflict did not impact oil production in the region it would not have a consequence for oil prices.

Nigerian Tribune

CBN to sell $10,000 to BDCs as naira gains strength Chima Nwokoji -Lagos The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will today, January 6, 2016, commence sale of $10,000 each to the 2699 licensed Bureau De Changes (BDCs) at the first dollar sale of the year.

This is even as the value of the naira strengthened to N262 to the dollar at the paralel market yesterday.

The greenback which sold at N265 on Monday gained N1 after it sold for N262 to a dollar as demand for forex dropped.

Meanwhile the Acting President of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said its members have begun to pay up the N250,000 renewal fee as directed by the apex bank.

CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Mu’azu, yesterday confirmed that there would be dollar sales to BDCs, contrary to reports that the apex bank will stop sales of foreign exchange to BDCs. The apex bank last week published the list of 2,699 BDCs whose licenses have been confirmed having introduced the new requirements in a bid to correct observed deficiencies in the operation of BDCs in the country.

CBN had reviewed the mandatory cautionary deposit for BDCs to N35 million, while the application fee was raised to N100,000, the licensing fee to N1 million, annual renewal fee for the forex dealers was also increased to N250,000.

Last month, CBN published revised guidelines for the operations of BDCs which ordered BDCs to close all branches within 90 days, saying branch operation is no longer allowed in the subsector.

4 refineries contribute 17% of daily petrol consumption Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos

The four refineries that have been in comatose for decades have begun to contribute about 17 per cent of daily consumption of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, to national daily consumption.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) put national daily consumption of petrol at 40 million litres per day.

The corporation also said the nation’s three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri have

attained a combined daily production of over 6.76 million litres of petrol per day.

In a statement by the corporation signed by its spokesman, Ohi Alegbe, and which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, it is projecting the domestic refining capacity of the refineries to hit over 10 million litres per day by the end of January 2016.

The breakdown of the petrol yield from the plants indicated that while Port Harcourt Refinery which

was re-streamed a week earlier is producing some 4.09 million litres, the Kaduna refinery is contributing some 1.29 million litres and Warri which was re-streamed on Sunday is posting a yield of some 1.38 million litres.

The corporation confirmed that the petrol volumes from the refineries which are currently operating at an appreciable percentage of their nameplate capacities will help stabilise the fuel supply and distribution situation in the country.

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business

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for Tuesday, 5 january, 2016

top 5 gainers

top 5 losers

13 news UTME: Ojerinde expresses worry over

discriminatory cut-off marks Clement Idoko- Abuja

T

HE Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, has expressed worries over the discriminatory cutoff marks, of 180 for universities and 150 adopted, respectively, each year in favour of the polytechnics and colleges of education.

Ojerinde noted that the discriminatory cut-off marks, usually approved annually by the stakeholders, at the Combined Policy Committee meeting, has defeated the aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

He spoke on Tuesday, in Abuja, while briefing the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, on the activities of the board.

Ojerinde was among the chief executives of some parastatals in the ministry that briefed the minister, on Tuesday, on their

mandates, organisations’ structure, achievements and challenges.

The Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, and the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Professor Suleiman Bogoro, also took turns to brief the ministers and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Folasade Yemi- Esan.

Ojerinde said that the board has continued to improve on its services, thereby easing the conduct of the UTME and speedy release of result of the examination which is now completely computerised.

According to him, about 600 centres have been identified for the 2016 exercise, including special centres for the physicallychallenged and candidates in the Diaspora.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Okojie had briefed the ministers about the commission from its formation to the present day, saying that the commission has grown from strength to strength over the years.

According to him, the trust of the commission’s activities is to improve access and quality of university education in Nigeria, stressing that it has continued to maintain high standard on the issue of accreditation of universities and their courses.

Till date, the number of accredited universities, he said, stands at 141, comprising: 40 federal, 40 state and 61 private universities, adding that Nigerian universities now rank very high among international community system.

The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Professor Bogoro, said that the fund has become a brand for many African countries, noting that five countries had now established similar fund modeled after the Nigerian experience.

Professor Bogoro reiterated the strategic importance of the fund, which he noted, has also been widely acknowledged as being the messiah of the education system, especially since the time it was dedicated to the service of tertiary institutions alone.

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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news

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Ajimobi decries street trading, poor waste management Cautions against waste disposal by roadside

By Wale Akinselure

O

yo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has expressed repulsion at the continued flouting of the state’s rules against street trading.

Ajimobi, on an on-thespot assessment of the situation in the state capital, Ibadan, stated that government would go all out to enforce street trading rules and other sanitation laws.

Noting that enforcement of the laws would commence this month, he intimated of the recruitment of more people to enforce sanitation laws.

On the part of the people, he called for attitudinal change, noting that government had continued to enlighten, educate the people accordingly.

“It is a disgrace that despite all our efforts, people have refused to obey the simple rule of street trading.

We intend to rid Oyo State of street trading. Starting from this month, we intend to enforce the rule against street trading.

“We will fortify the Waste Management Authority and employ more people to ensure that we clean the streets on a daily basis.

However, our people must contribute their quota, in terms of attitudinal change.

Our people must engage in sanitation on a daily basis.”

Adding, Ajimobi decried the poor waste disposal habits of the people, noting that the state had committed resources to waste management.

In the same vein, General Manager, Oyo State Waste Management Authority, Mr Joseph Alabi, has said that the state government would no longer be responsible for carting away refuse from the middle of the road among other authorised dump sites.

The latest development, according to Alabi, is that people would patronise the about 300 private collectors that the state government had engaged to collect waste on a pay-as-you-dump basis.

Alabi intimated of a new system, including fines that would ensure that waste generators were responsible for the waste they generate.

“Overtime, government has been responsible for carting away refuse from middle of the road, authorised places. But, we cannot continue this. And, that is why people must be responsible for the waste they generate.

“We have engaged over 300 private collectors to collect wastes from every nook

and cranny of Ibadan from the generators and they pay a token fee on the quantum of waste generated. We have agreed with market associations, and community development councils that at each market, private collectors, on specific days, will collect the waste on pay-asyou-dump basis.”

“If anyone dumps refuse in the middle of the road or walkway, the minimum fine to pay is N2, 500. If anyone uses vehicle not authorised by government to dump waste, or move waste from one place to another, the fine ranges between N25,000 and N50,000, as well as imprisonment be-

From left, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Head of Local Government Administration, Mr Akintomide Akinpelu, during an inspection tour of major roads and markets by the governor, on Tuesday.

Brace up for higher taxation, Ijaduola tells Nigerians

By Dayo Ojerinde

Mr Anuoluwapo Ijaduola, a chartered accountant from Federal Inland Revenue Service, while delivering the Annual General Meeting (AGM) lecture, has hinted that with the current dwindling oil revenue, the citizen should brace up for a higher taxation com-

pared to what they have been paying before.

“We’ve all been talking about diversifying our economy, yes it is good, but it is not the only way out, it will not happen overnight. Corporate organisations, companies, individuals should be ready to pay more in terms of taxes. If

we want the country to move forward, we must be ready to pay our taxes, even more than what we have been doing before. Borrowing money can only be a short term remedy,” he submitted.

Mr Ijaduola, who was the guest speaker at The Excel Assembly Foundation, gave

Gov Ayade pays unscheduled visit to ministries, locks out commissioners Anthony Ubong-Calabar

Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade on Tuesday paid an unscheduled visit to some ministries, where he ordered three commissioners to be locked out for failure to be at their duty posts as early as 8.a.m.

Ministries visited by the governor included Agriculture, Water Resources, Women Affairs and Sustainable Development.

At the Ministry of Agri-

culture, where Governor Ayade made his first port of call, neither the commissioner, neither Professor Egrinya Eneji, nor any of his directors was available to receive him. No explanation was, however, offered for the commissioner’s unavailability.

A similar visit to the Ministry of Water Resources, along Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Calabar, Governor Ayade was visibly enraged that the commissioner, Gabe Odu Orji, was not on

duty as of the time of his unscheduled visit, prompting his directive that he be locked out.

Of the four ministries visited, only the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Stella Odey, was on hand to receive Governor Ayade.

The governor, who expressed his disappointment at the seeming lack of dedication to duty by the various heads of the ministries, particularly commended Odey for what he described as her devotion to duty.

Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) recently.

The seminar, tagged: “Provision of other enterprises support service in Ibarapa East/ Ido Federal Constituency,” held at the legislative hall, Ibarapa East Local Government, Eruwa, highlighted various ways in which Nigerians could become independent and be free from poverty.

One of the trainers, Mr Adebayo Olaifa of Disoe Global Services Limited, outlined ways such as: identification of business opportunities, strategies sales and marketing, human resources management, book keeping and quality management, business registration and legal matters as means to success in businesses.

It is essential for Nigerians to engage in small-scale business —Expert

By Olaide Sokoya

The need for the establishment of more small and medium-scale businesses among Nigerians has again been emphasised in order to totally eradicate poverty and unemployment among youths and Nigerians at large. As experts have advised Nigerians to engage in small-scale enterprises

tween three months and six months.

“People should cooperate with government. Government has injected so much into collection of waste.

This fund generated can be diverted to other sector of the state’s economy and improve the living standard of the people of the state.”

as well as starting with anything, no matter how small, and not always depend on the government.

This was examined during a week-long seminar organised by the Honourable member for Ibarapa East/ Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Honourable Sunday Adepoju, in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises

this hint when the foundation held its 2015 AGM at the Academy Suite, Ososami, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mr Ijaduola, however called for proper accountability and judicious use of taxes been paid by the citizens as this will encourage them to do more when they know where their money is going.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was tagged ‘Oluyole 2015’ with the theme “Dwindling Crude Oil Prices and its effect on Taxation: The Accountant’s Perspective,” gave room for members of the association to give their views on the way forward in this era of economic recession.

The AGM, presided over by the Premier of the Foundation; Mr Ogunbode Olayemi, had in attendance registered members from all over the country.

The Chief of Administration of the Foundation, Mr Babatunde Afolabi, while speaking on what Excel Foundation stands for said; “Excel Assembly Foundation is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and we are saddled with the objective of building excellent culture and developing individual professional skills. Our Annual General Meeting is held every December, it’s a forum where all our registered members gather to discuss the state of the Foundation, give statutory reports and chat a way forward for the Foundation,” he submitted.

Nigerian Tribune

DELSUTH doctors protest kidnap of colleague Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba Doctors at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara have staged a peaceful protest against the kidnap of one of their colleagues, Dr. Obiabo Yahaya.

The doctors, who are members of the state chapter of Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, and the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, stormed Government House in Asaba on Tuesday lamenting that they have become endangered species in the hands of kidnappers.

Dr Obiabo Yahaya, a Neurologist, was abducted on December 29, 2015.

In its protest letter handed over to the state governor Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by Secretary to the State Government Hon. Festus Ovie Agas read by MDCAN Vice Chairman, Dr Ejiroghene Umuerri, the association urged the state government and security agents to ensure the safe release of their colleague within the next 24 hours.

Stakeholders clamour for One Health system in Nigeria

By Doyin Adeoye

Stakeholders in the health sector have advocated a better collaboration between health personnel across the sector.

This call was made at a lecture series organised by the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, on Tuesday.

With the theme: ‘One Homo Sapiens, One Animal, One Environment, One Medicine and One Health,’ the guest lecturer at the event, Professor Ade Ojeniyi, said that there is no dividing line between animal medicine and human medicine.

Speaking on how stakeholders can work together for the ‘One Health’ system to thrive, he added that “the object is different, but the experience obtained constitutes the basis of all medicines. They need knowledge that we share the same environment, the same diseases, the same therapy, the same prognosis and the same epidemiology.

news Labour minister laments lack of data on civil servants

15

Soi-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

T

he Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, lamented that the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation does not have the data and number of workers in the federal civil service.

The minister, speaking during a meeting with the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, in his office, in Abuja, explained that he had contacted the office of the Head of Service and the Federal Civil Service Commission, when he came in, to know the number of the civil servants in the workforce, but was surprised to discover that they do not have the data.

He said: “I thank you (Comrade Oshiomhole) for your observation on the implementation of unemployed programmes. The NDE is the government organ established by the government for employment creation and generation. It is also empowered to have statistics and data base for unemployed people in Nigeria and even the employed.

“Since I came here, I have made contact with the office of Head of Civil Service, to know the number of civil servants that are employed in the Nigeria civil service, but the record was not there. I thought I was making a mistake, so I approached them at the Federal Civil Service Commission and they said that they rely on the ministry to declare vacancies on them so that they will know the number of people employed. So, things are upside down, we need data base.”

The minister added, “the unemployment situation in Nigeria is horrendous, it is alarming, it is an emergency situation. It is a national emergency.”

He, however, expressed satisfaction that President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to tackle the issue of unemployment and added that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is going to roll out a number of programmes to tackle unemployment.

The minister further explained that the N5, 000 to vulnerable and unemployed is conditional, and for those who want to learn a trade.

“It is not that you lie down in your house and we will come and give you N5, 000. The N5, 000 is the minimum baseline; you can get N10, 000 depending on where you are involved.”

He said the massive

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

job creation would come through well thought out programmes such as Graduate Teachers Conversion Programme, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), Vocational Skills Acquisi-

tion and Upgrading, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) for the vulnerable persons including market women.

The minister also ex-

plained that subsidy was not included in the 2016 Budget Appropriation, because “there is no subsidy to be done,” adding, “if the time comes for subsidy to

be done, there is a provision in the appropriation that it will be done. If there is the need to do subsidy, government knows what to do. It shall be done.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left), being received by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige (second left) and the Minister of State, Mr James Ocholi (right), during the governor’s visit to the ministry, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Fire razes 52 shops in Ibadan, Ado Ekiti From Sam Nwaoko And Tunde Ogunesan

Sanyo community in Ibadan was on Tuesday morning thrown into a state of mourning as a fire outbreak razed over 40 shops and goods worth several millions of naira were destroyed.

Some of the traders, who spoke with newsmen, informed that the fire started about 1:00 a.m., when power was restored by the electricity distribution company and men of the State Fire Service successfully came to the rescue to quench the fire at about 3:00 a.m.

Affected traders, who could not control their emotions lamented and

wailed freely, and called on well meaning Nigerians and the government at all levels to come to their aid.

One of the affected traders, Mr Ade Olaoye, who sells provisions and liquor, speaking with Nigerian Tribune said that no fewer than 45 shops were affected in the inferno, putting his loss at close to N1 million.

He revealed that the fire started from a power surge which affected one of the refrigerators in one of the affected shops.

Another victim who also sells liquor and frozen foods, Mrs Kehinde Olatunji disclosed that she lost all her stock which consists of frozen foods, jewelleries, wrist watches, drinks, food items

to the fire. She also appealed to the government to come to their aid.

Another victim, who simply gave his name as Elder John, revealed that “this would be the second time I would be a victim of fire incident in this market” as he put his loss at N650, 000.

“I was also affected two years ago, when this market experienced similar fire incident. I just stocked my shop with goods before the incident,” Elder John, who was surrounded by sympathisers, lamented loudly.

However, while the affected victims were counting their losses, hoodlums swooped on the remnants of their shops to loot items before many of the shop

There is need for functional fire fighting unit in markets —Bello Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

IN order to combat the increased trend of fire incidence in major markets, Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has called for functional fire service unit in markets across the country.

The governor stressed the need for the fire fighting facility in markets on Tuesday after an on-thespot assessment of the inferno that raised 48 lockup shops at Abdulkadir Kure Ultra Modern Market, Minna, early hours of

Sunday.

Bello, who lamented the incessant fire outbreak in market places across the country, maintained that further inferno can be forestalled or curtailed, when all major markets in the country have functional fire fighting units.

When briefed that the Minna market fire disaster was aggravated by some small generators locked up in the affected shops, the governor said that the state government will install an industrial power generator in the

market, to address the frequent fire outbreak in the market, caused by the generators.

He then directed the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Abbas Musa to find out the capacity of the generator that would be suitably sufficient for the market.

He said as soon the generator is installed it would be prohibited for anyone to use generator in the market.

owners came to the scene of the incident.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 12 shops were razed at a shopping complex in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, following a fire caused by some people who were burning the bush.

The shopping complex, which was located near the popular Ile Abiye Hospital on Ilawe Road, was gutted by fire at about 1:20 p.m. with goods worth millions of naira destroyed before men of the state’s Fire Service reached the scene.

One of the victims, Mrs Oluwatoyin Genge, claimed that some unidentified individuals were burning bush inside Ile Abiye Hospital, before it spread to the complex.

“I don’t know where to start again but I want the government to assist us,” Mrs Genge lamented.”

Oluwabanke Ojo, an expectant mother, lamented the huge loss incurred in the blaze. She explained that, she is a graduate who took to trading after searching for jobs in vain, for six years.

Ekiti NEMA Head of Operations, Saheed Akiode, said the agency contacted the Fire Service after receiving a distress call.

He disclosed that recommendations will be made to appropriate authorities for assistance to the victims.

Kogi East senatorial seat contenders intensify efforts Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

Following the judgment of the Court of Appeal that ordered a fresh election into the Kogi East senatorial seat in the National Assembly, stakeholders and contenders for the seat have intensified efforts at getting the tickets of their parties to contest the election.

Already, the All Progressives Congress (APC), who lost the seat at the appellate court over its failure to conduct primary election have also started preparation as one of the aspirants, Danladi Okutepa, called on party’s stalwarts in the area to support him to emerge the party’s candidate for the election.

Okutepa, who spoke in Ayingba, Dekina Local Government Area of the state, urged the stakeholders to take into consideration his antecedents and past contributions to development of the party and the senatorial zone in general.

He admonished the party to consider party loyalty in deciding who gets it ticket, stating that the APC should not make the mistake of fielding any of those who have just joined the party.

Ogun reopens sealed markets in Ota The Ogun State Government has ordered that markets in Ota, which were sealed over violation of environmental laws be reopened.

It said the markets, which were closed down on Monday, as a result of indiscriminate refuse dump, be reopened for business after the market men and women cleaned up the markets.

State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday, enjoined market men and women as well as residents of Ota area to ensure that their environments were kept clean at all time and maintain environmental laws and not dump their garbage on the medians or drainages.

The government also warned residents and traders in Ifo Township, Mowe/Ibafo and Ijebu Ode areas of the state, which will be the next destination of the government’s team, to ensure compliance with the laws, saying government would not hesitate to wield the big stick on anyone who violates the rule.

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016 16 news Jonathan named International Person of the Year

•Dedicates award to Nigerians, says ‘we shamed prophets of doom’

T

he African Sun Times, Africa’s number one and largest newspaper in America, has announced Dr Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as its International Person of the Year.

The categories of awards, which the newspaper has chosen this year include International Person of the Year, African Statesman of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Company of the Year, Pan-African Person of the Year, Diaspora Person of the Year, Most Influential Person of the Year Under 40, and the African Tourism Ambassador of the Year.

“Jonathan shocked the whole world by swiftly calling current Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and conceding his defeat in the March 29 Nigerian presidential

election, thereby stopping the predictions of violent bloodshed in Nigeria, and keeping his words that he would not allow the blood of a Nigerian to be shed to further his political ambitions. The world has started to recognise Jonathan’s courageous act,” the newspaper wrote.

Jonathan dedicated the African Sun Times International person of the year award to Nigerians.

“I thank The African Sun Times for naming me as its International Person of the year, 2015. I am indeed humbled by this honour.

When I think about it, I

understand why this medium may have thought me worthy of such an honour.

However, I believe that my people, the Nigerian people, are more deserving of this honour.

“We, the Nigerian people put to shame naysayers and prophets of doom. In 2015, we held most transparent, violence free and credible elections that transferred power from one political party to another and from an incumbent to the opposition, without rancour, bitterness or strife. In the process, we proved that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of

any Nigerian or any national of any country for that matter. That to me, is a most worthy testimonial of the character of the Nigerian nation and the resilience of our people which is why I dedicate this honour to them. May God continue to bless Nigeria and Nigerians. GEJ,” he posted on his verified Facebook account.

Jonathan also expressed optimism that the country would surmount the challenges confronting it in the New Year. “In the 80s, our people sang and danced to the hit song ‘Nigeria go survive’. I am convinced

that in 2016, Nigeria will not only survive, she will also thrive and help drive the peace, prosperity and unity of all her people,” he wrote. “We are all brothers and sisters born from the womb of one Nigeria and as I have said previously, we would not be Nigerians if God did not will it. “Having found ourselves as Nigerians by the divine providence of God, let us celebrate our Nigerianness and make 2016 our turning point year in which we embrace each other and work as a team to advance the frontiers of Nigeria in every field of human endeavour.”

Pray for Buhari, political office holders, Subomi urges Nigerians Founder First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Group and Olori Onigbagbo of Ijebuland, Chief Subomi Balogun, on Monday, urged Nigerians to continue praying for President Muhammadu Buhari, politicians and others in position of governance to make the country a better place than they met it.

Balogun, who spoke with newsmen after the 2016 New Year thanksgiving service at the Tunwase Court, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, admonished Nigerians to pray that God should touch the heart of those who want to cause confusion or hardship to Nigerians.

He noted that Nigerians need to learn how to live together as a nation and therefore needs to pray for God to protect and guide us in the right way to live as a community.

“It is the duties of all Nigerians to make Nigeria great again and now is not time to criticise government activities.”

According to him, Nigerian leaders and the country need prayers at this critical time. “We should pray for Nigeria, particularly our president and other politicians to be successful. We need to pray for God to motivate our leaders to do their best for Nigeria.

From left, a former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel; Founder, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Chief Subomi Balogun; the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ijebu-Ode, Reverend Father Martin Ajayi, during the thanksgiving service organised by Chief Balogun at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

We have not redeployed any comptroller —Customs Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

CONTRARY to the report that went viral on social media on Tuesday that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hamid Ibrahim Ali (retd), has approved the redeployment of 69 Comp-

trollers of Customs serving at various commands, the headquarters in Abuja and zones, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it did not carry out any redeployment.

The social media was awash with report of the redeployment, on Tues-

day, quoting a purported document obtained from the Customs, but Customs Public Relations Officer (PRO), Wale Adeniyi, told Nigerian Tribune in his office in the Customs headquarters, Abuja, that there was no iota of truth in the said report.

Information minister begins replacement of buses for ministry’s staff Christian Okeke-Abuja

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, commenced the process of phasing out old staff buses in the ministry and replacing them with new ones for the convenience of the staff.

He handed over the keys of two newly-acquired buses to the Joint Staff Union of the ministry.

The minister was accompanied on the task by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, and other top officials.

He, however, assured that he will continue to place emphasis on welfare of the ministry’s staff in order to boost their morale and enhance their productivity.

Alhaji Mohammed recalled that a couple of weeks ago, the management had decided in a meeting that the vehicles in the pool were getting very old and that the ministry would be gradually replacing those vehicles as funds were made available.

“We believe that it is morally wrong of us to expect workers to come early

to work when they are using staff buses that are 20 years old,” he said.

The minister assured that the presentation of the vehicles marked the beginning of the numerous welfare packages that would be unveiled for the workers in due course.

He said, “I want to assure you that this is the beginning of our gesture to make the welfare of workers in the Ministry of Information and Culture a priority, because without their cooperation, the ministry cannot achieve what we want to achieve.”

Adeniyi, a Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG), noted that an issue like redeployment could not be kept secret, saying that, “any time we carry out any deployment, we will make it known to the public immediately.”

The Customs PRO, informed that the Service had identified some officers behind the report, saying that the matter would be treated based on the rules of the Customs Service, adding that the customs service, “would not tolerate officers who suppose to know an internal document, which was not even signed, but went ahead to release same.”

Meanwhile, a source at the NCS headquarters informed the Nigerian Tribune that some officers had been arrested over the issue, refusing, however, to mention the number of those arrested.

According to the source, the ‘arrested’ officers were behind the release of the purported document to the media.

Kashamu, Solaja celebrate physically challenged persons Matron of Ijebu Igbo Physically Challenged Persons Association, Chief (Mrs) Ibilola Solaja, recently hosted the physically challenged persons during the Christmas and New Year festivals at the Orimolusi’s Palace in Ijebu Igbo, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the association.

Solaja stated in her opening speech that the society at large should not look down on the physicallychallenged and that those who have them in their families should let them join Ijebu Igbo physicallychallenged persons association in order for them to have meaningful assistance.

Prince Buruji Kashamu, the Senator representing Ogun East in his own goodwill message sent to the association, stated that he is not in the Senate to enrich him, but to let the underprivileged benefit from government, stressing that before his election he had been assisting the people of Ijebuland and Ogun State in general and now that he is the representative in the Senate he would not forget the physically-challenged including the able-bodied.

Kogi gov-elect mourns Atta Kogi State Governorelect, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, on Monday, described the death of Dr Abdul Atta, a foremost medical practitioner and Permanent Secretary of the Northern Nigeria Ministry of Health, as a personal loss.

Bello, in a statement from his media office, said Dr Atta died when his experience in healthcare and good governance was most required.

“This is the time when the experience, garnered over the years by Dr Atta was most needed to help reinvigorate our near comatose healthcare services in Kogi State, but this is the time God invited him,” he lamented.

The Governor-elect recalled the huge contributions of Dr Abdul to healthcare services in Nigeria, adding that, he will be remembered for his patriotism, professionalism and his undeniable commitment to the promotion of healthcare delivery.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

tribune cartoons

Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Obiageli Ezekwesili

(Madam Due Process)

FUNOLOGY

•Born on April 28, 1963 in Anambra State of Nigeria.

CHURCH BOY

•She is a Nigerian chartered accountant.

She is a cofounder of Transparency International, serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in Berlin, Germany.

•She served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and then as Federal Minister of Education during the second-term presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. Since then, she served as the Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division from May 2007 to May 2012.

SEGELUULU

•In the aftermath of the nearly 300 mainly Christian girls that were abducted from Chibok by Boko Haram, Ezekwesili was instrumental to the start of the viral #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media, which trended internationally.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

THERE ARE 10 DIFFERENCES IN THE CARTOONS BELOW. THE DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE MARKED IN B

A

B

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

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editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08078891826.

It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Harnessing the skills of illegal refinery operators

E

VERYday, we keep hearing about security agencies destroying illegal refineries, but our country definitely needs help now, as our refineries are not working at optimum level despite the billions being spent to turn them around. Is it not an irony that the so-called illegal refineries are working well despite their makeshift nature?

This tells us one thing about Nigerians, and that is, we are a brilliant people, but it is unfortunate that

the government itself has not realised this.

Now, instead of destroying the illegal refineries, I want the Nigerian government, through the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, to bring the operators together are allow them to go ahead with their operations.

If we can have about 20 íllegal refineries made legal by government, refining crude into Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, then we would have created jobs, as well as get

other sources of revenues for government.

No one will then need to inform the saboteurs at our main refineries on the need to back-off; I believe saboteurs are only responsible for why our refineries have refused to work. If the refineries are able to meet local demand for petroleum products then there will be no need to import fuel, and this is the end of the road for some oil firms. As a result, some people have collaborated with officials at these refineries so that they won’t ever work.

On the killer cop in Lagos I was so shocked reading about how a drunk policeman in Lagos killed three people and himself in a Lagos hotel recently.

According to the report, the policeman, who had been drunk, had challenged the three men who went to the hotel for enquiries, to buy beer for him.

He said he would shoot them if they didn’t. Nobody in his right senses would buy the beer considering the state in which the policeman was, but as the three men were leaving the hotel premises, he made good his threat by killing them, and then killed himself.

This incident is so tragic because here was a policeman who was handed a gun to protect the people but he used it on those he was to protect.

There are many other policemen like this, who carry arms but are not always sane in their relationship with people due to the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Somebody had said this policeman had even tried to shoot him some days back because he did not buy beer for him. I know the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who heads the station where this man was stationed would have been hearing some reports about him, yet he kept allowing him to go out with weapons.

It is high time tougher psychological tests were done before policemen or

soldiers are given permission to carry arms. We shouldn’t just assume all is fine after they graduate from their trainings.

We should be able to look at their psychological wellbeing, their families, among others, and it is only when we do this that we can prevent these needless deaths.

I just don’t know how the relatives of the deceaseds would be feeling now, particularly the mother of the twin brothers.

I hope the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase will also ensure that this does not happen again.

•Festus Agada, Surulere, Lagos.

I am glad with the good work President Muhammadu Buhari is doing to rid this country of corruption. However, we must also look at what we can gain from the situation we have found ourselves.

If we can harness the skills of the operators of the illegal refineries, then we may no longer need to

attract foreign investors to come and invest in the country by building refineries. Government will only need to support these new operations with a little funding, and then we are good to go.

Therefore, our security agencies should stop destroying illegal refineries; rather, we should look at

what we can benefit from the intelligence of the operators.

Everything should really not be about Western ideas. We should be able to use our brains also.

At this period of economic travails, we should look inward for survival.

•Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

Of retirees and delayed gratuities I want the National Assembly to make a law that makes it mandatory for the government, both the Federal and states, to pay the gratuities of retirees within six months of their retirement from service.

This will go a long way to reduce their suffering in their old age.

The humiliation Nigerian retirees are subjected to is not fair at all, as successive governments, particularly at the states, keep deferring the payments of their gratuities.

It is so humiliating that

some states are yet to pay the entitlements of those who retired over ten years ago.

Even the new so-called pension scheme is not what it promised to be, as retirees are given peanuts as retirement benefits.

The solution to the plights of retirees is when their gratuities are paid on time; with that, they will be able to invest it wisely for their upkeep especially when the monthly pension is not paid on time.

We should learn to respect and treat our senior

citizens well because it is a point everyone of us will also reach at a stage in our lives.

•Idayat Kassim, Id_kassim@gmail. com

Help, electricity supply to Osogbo is terrible Over the past few months, the supply of electricity to Osogbo, the Osun State capital and its environs has significantly nose-dived.

This development has made it easy for men of the underworld to perpetrate their dastardly act in parts of the capital.

Again, the importance of electricity cannot be overemphasised; apart from the fact that it boosts the economy, it also makes the people have a feeling that all is well.

I know that the current administration, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is doing its best, it must, however, focus on achieving uninterrupted power supply before the end of its first term in office.

The appointment of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State, to man the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing shows the direction in which this government is heading.

Before then, I am, thereby, using this opportunity to call on the Distribution Company (DISCO) in charge of this area to do something about this terrible situation before it gets out of hand.

•Agboola Isau, Iludun, Osogbo.

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editorial

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The attack on teachers in Osun

N December 7, 2015, some students attacked their teachers at the Anglican High School and Adenle Middle School in Osun State leading to the closure of both schools by the Osun State Ministry of Education.

The students caused the crisis to resist the implementation of the qualifying examination the state wanted to conduct to select those whose West African Examination Council (WAEC) fee would be paid by the state government. The students were reported to have chased their teachers with guns, machetes and clubs. Osun State Police Command has taken six of these students before an Osogbo Magistrates Court for allegedly attacking their teachers and therefore causing a breach of the peace.

Previously, a teacher at the Osogbo High School was injured with an axe following a bloody clash between students of the school and students of Government Technical College, Osogbo, in 2014.

These incidences reflect the general downturn in postprimary education in Osun State and in Nigeria in general.

They indeed reflect the moral crisis in the school system as cases of violence, indiscipline and truancy have become common feature of public schools.

Discipline is one of the core values in primary and postprimary education. The idea of basic education is to develop students into disciplined and responsible individuals able to function, participate and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic and political life of the community.

However, with the increasing crisis of discipline and morality in the schools, these goals of basic education may never be realised, posing a danger to social stability and development of Nigeria’s human resources. This is unacceptable and must be taken with all the seriousness it deserves. Public schools still cater for a larger number of children of school age in Nigeria.

Thus, it constitutes a critical section of the educational system that must not be neglected if the country is to realise its full potential.

The incidences call attention to a number of issues. The first is the poor infrastructure in the schools. Pupils still sit under trees to receive lectures in some schools in the country. Many of the classroom buildings have been dilapidated without repairs for years. In several states, educational policies have ignored this infrastructural challenge or complicated it further by misconceived and self-interested or even egoistic interventions that do not address the challenges on the ground.

For instance, some states have embarked on a number of experimentation with school systems when basic infrastructures are not in place, such as merger of schools.

Others have introduced new-models or designs of schools building in schools already blessed with sufficient buildings but without laboratories and libraries, while several other schools are without minimum classrooms to accommodate students. In doing these, they brought down old classrooms without replacing them as the building of the model classroom have been delayed due to financial pressures. Still, others do not even consider education a priority. Many public schools suffer from shortage of teachers, and available teachers are owed several months arrears of salaries. The crisis of discipline is therefore also linked to the poor social environment of the schools as well as lack of facilities for students’ relaxation and recreation during school hours.

Ultimately, the collapse of discipline is partly linked to violence and cultism among pupils in primary and post primary schools. Teachers no longer discipline their pupils because of fear of attack. Students beat teachers at will without consequences. Many parents of public school students are poor. They are unable to cater for their children. Some of these children have to work on the streets as part-time hawkers.

They are therefore exposed to negative social behaviours and stresses that complicate the work of teachers. The public school teacher is, therefore, expected to do more with less resources, given the poor social and physical environment. It is, therefore, no wonder that these failures are emerging.

Beyond the debate about the desirability or otherwise of corporal punishment, discipline has to be returned to the schools. In this regard, a multi-pronged approach is called for. The family must be reclaimed as the foundation of social life. There are too many poor and dysfunctional families in Nigeria.

There is need for collaboration among parents, teachers, private sector organisations and the government in charting a way forward.

Government intervention must include the fact that teachers have to be paid regularly and promptly. They will also need additional training on the changing environment and how to handle sensitive situations. Teachers need, also, to be protected by specific measures designed to address cultism in schools, while schools need to build relationship with their immediate communities. Most importantly, government must monitor and investigate developments in schools in order to provide support for those with special needs.

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opinion

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Biafra: Things are not always so simple

By Olalekan Waheed Adigun

R

ECENTLY, at an event in Ikoyi, I made a new friend. His name is Charles and as he told me, he is from Arochuckwu in Abia state. As we got talking, I fell in love with his deep knowledge of history and politics. He seems to have a firm grasp of several political-cum-historical topics, ranging from terrorism to US politics. We both agreed on every topic raised, until one of us brought up the issue of Biafra!

I wasn’t surprised to know that Charles, like many Igbo I know, is a pro-Biafra supporter when I asked about his views on the arrest of the Director of the pirate Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. But unlike most pro-Biafran agitators that I know, he has read several books written about both sides of the Nigeria-Biafran War, before coming to conclusions on the matter.

On Kanu’s arrest and continuous detention by the Directorate of State Service (DSS), my new friend brought out the traditional pro-Biafran argument of “marriage incompatibility”. He argued: if a marriage is no longer working, the best solution is to part ways or divorce peacefully. For my friend Charles, he told me, he didn’t witness the war, but bloodshed is way out of the cards as far as achieving “self-determination” for Biafra is concerned. He argued that the solution is just too simple. The solution he proposed is for Nigeria to conduct a United Nations (UN) supervised referendum to decide the future of Biafrans.

I made him realise that I am not really against Biafra as such, although he found this difficult to believe. I informed him that what I am against is the fact that the agitations by people like Kanu is only filled with political opportunism, which to me the President Goodluck Jonathan administration represented. I quoted Carl von Clausewitz, the great Prussian general, in his classic On War, where he writes, “Everything is very simple in war, but the simplest thing is difficult. These difficulties accumulate and produce a friction, which no man can imagine exactly who has not seen war.”

The Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 is

an Act of the Scottish Parliament, which was passed on November 14, 2013 and came into force on December 18.

Together with the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013, it enabled the Scottish independence referendum of 2014.

I reminded my friend that the struggle for Catalan independence in Spain dates back as far as 1640, with the unsuccessful first Catalan Republic after the Reaper’s War. In the subsequent War of the Spanish Succession, Catalans hoped to salvage their institutions of home rule, in the face of a centralising Bourbon pretender, rather than outright independence. And support for Catalan independence, unlike that of Biafra, is based on the thesis that from the 19th century Catalonia has been a nation, derived from contemporary political and cultural ideology based on the Catalan history, its language and unique culture. If things were that simple, we will have had an independent Catalonia today.

Still on Catalonia, I informed him that if it were by conducting referendum, the Catalan Government had conducted a referendum on independence on November 9,

2014. And, since the Spanish government has refused to recognise the outcome of the referendum which returned over 80 percent “Yes” vote in favour of independence, a “Republic of Catalonia” would probably have to wait longer.

In 1973, a referendum was held on the question of Northern Ireland’s continued existence within the United Kingdom (also known as the Border Poll). That was the first time that a major referendum had been held in a region of the UK. The vote resulted in an overwhelming majority stating they wished to remain in the UK. The nationalist, Catholics and other pro-Independence groups boycotted the poll which led to a turnout of only 58.7 percent of the electorate.

In November 14, 2013 the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill, setting out the arrangements for the referendum, was passed by the Scottish Parliament into he Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013, coming into force on December 18, and enabling the Independence referendum of 2014. There were serious fears in other parts of the UK that should Scotland attain its independence, Northern Ireland, with a history of violent attacks against British authorities, would highly likely to go as well.

After several years of conflicts, some say since 1955, the Sudanese government approved the request for a referendum for Southern Sudan in 2011, on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent. The final results of the referendum show that over 90 percent voted in favour of South Sudan’s independence. No one prays for the situation the new country finds itself today. Most people will probably recall that it took over 20 years of protracted conflicts for the country to part through a referendum. If things can be so simple!

Things may look simple, but they are not always so simple. This was what I told my friend and I hoped he agreed.

•Adigun sent this article via olalekan@olalekanadigun.com

Still on the Biafra agitation

By Ilesanmi Omabomi

I have always been reluctant to get involved in the issue of modern day Biafra partly in order not to stoke the flames of an already burning fire and also in order not to contribute to an environment that makes reconciliation more difficult.

However, I always knew that history often does not afford one the opportunity to be neutral in circumstances like this. In a way, a desire for neutrality can be described as tantamounts to playing the fiddle while the fire rages.

The irony of the current agitations for Biafra and the arguments in support of it, is that the first time the Biafrans tried to secede from Nigeria in 1960s in pursuit of their right to self-determination, the clearest evidence provided in support of their recognition of every nation’s right to self-determination was the invasion of minority then Midwestern, western and parts of current Delta region of Nigeria.

These ethnic groups were not a party to the decision to secede nor could they be described as culturally or historically Igbo. But they were invaded anyway and an Igbo man, Dr. Albert Okonkwo, was appointed governor of the predominantly non-Igbo Midwestern Region.

I have always believed and continue to believe that a people that cannot be protected by an existing governmental structure have a right to self-determination. How this self-determination is carried out depends on the nature, context and circumstances of the threat to the people.

I believe that the Hausa/Fulani and later the Igbo had a right to self-determination in the window between January 1966 and July 1967 for reasons that are obvious and need not be regurgitated here.

I grew up with a lot of respect for the late Odimegwu Ojukwu and I still do. At the very least, I admired him for his brilliance and oratory.

However, this admiration has not obscured my willingness and ability to examine whether Biafra was fully pre-

pared for the war which he launched against Nigeria in 1967.

Yakubu Gowon’s May 5, 1967 decision to create twelve states out of the existing regions in Nigeria and undoubtedly a covert attempt to weaken Ojukwu’s power and support base and his fear of replacement as governor and consequent decision to declare the Republic of Biafra and invariably war on Nigeria on May 30, 1967 have been viewed by some as an act of self-preservation dressed in the garb of Igbo nationalism. As much as I admired Ojukwu and supported his arguments for self-determination as I will support that of any other ethnic group, empirical evidence shows that he was not tactically and logically prepared for a war he had a reasonable basis for believing he could win. His army’s invasion of the minorities put a lie to his claimed understanding of the right to self-determination.

The evidence from the first Biafra/Nigeria war tells us

that a Biafra Republic will not be content with having only Igbo citizens.

Its invasion of Midwest and Western regions and attempts to subjugate the minorities of the Niger Delta by force undercuts the self-determination argument. Despite this, I am not prepared to argue against the right of Biafra advocates to self-determination. However, they must not expect Nigeria and Nigerians to submit to unreasonable demands.

Since they believe that the current structure of the country is oppressive to them, an argument which may not be completely wrong as far as each and every group is concerned depending on their views of oppression, and the progenitor of Biafra, Ojukwu once said that “since oppression is maintained by force, it is only possible to remove that oppression by a counterforce,” those who support and desire Biafra must be ready and prepared to fight to overthrow the system they view as oppressive by force.

Those on the other side have an obligation to resist and crush any insurrection. I see the arguments from both sides but I also recognise the right of Nigeria to resist Biafra’s threat of secession. No one but the totality of Nigerians have a right to balkanise the country.

Whoever must do so must be prepared to use force and do so successfully or face the consequences. After all, “a revolution is not a dinner party.”

Before the idea of Biafra can gain traction and sympathy with other non-Igbo Nigerians, the pro Biafra Nigerians have a lot to do in explaining to other Nigerians why the Igbo in their earlier quest for the realisation of Biafra, attempted to swallow up other minorities like those in the then Midwest and current Niger Delta and why they should be trusted not to attempt the same again. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander!

•Omabomi is a public affairs analyst.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

by Wale Ojo-Lanre 0803 349 0986 waleojolanre@gmail.com

By wale Ojo Lanre

T

HE subsuming of the Culture and Tourism Ministry under the Ministry of Information by President Muhammed Buhari in September last year threw a big spanner into the travel and tourism

sector.

For tourism stakeholders and practitioners were shocked by this singular act of the President on who hope of restoration and buffering of the hitherto seemingly weak Culture and Tourism was placed.

Though before the scrapping, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was undoubtedly in shambles particularly under the immediate past administration where things were at the low ebb.

For weeks after merging of ministries was announced, stakeholders held their breath in awe and making the matter worse was the silence about where the hitherto Culture and tourism would be.

This stance placed some industry practitioners and associations in speculative predictions, comments and expectations.

But the speculation was however laid to rest recently when the new Minister of Information and Culture formally met the Director-Generals of the parastatals under the defunct ministry and spewed out the magma of truth.

He declared without mincing words that some of the parastatals are being headed by “square peg in a round hole, alerting of an impending rumbling in the house of tourism.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed said: “Without mincing words, the parastatals under the old Culture and Tourism Ministry, which are now under the new Ministry of Information and Culture, have suffered a crisis of leadership.

There are square pegs in round holes at the leadership cadre of some of the parastatals. Sometimes where academicians are required, administrators are holding sway.

There is a critical lack of understanding of the mandate of the various parastatals by some of the heads. Where they understand the mandate, there is a serious lack of capacity.”

He alleged that some of the Director–Generals were sleeping on gold mines and failed to exploit the gold mines “but you have either refused to realise this, simply feigning ignorance or totally lacking the capacity to mine the gold. It can no longer be business as usual. Stop feeling second class, snap out of your complex and mine your gold.”

Consequently, the Minister stormed the National Theatre Complex not only to douse the controversy going round on the alleged selling of the national edifice declared to all that the Federal Government was going to explore tourism to create job and as veritable source of revenue for the nation and the restive youths.

He disclosed that culture and tourism would be tapped to create jobs for Nigerians and revealed that his ministry would soon unveil a nationwide cultural festival calendar honed well to assimilate over 36,000 from unemployment market.

Alhaji Mohammed revealed that the Federal Government would collaborate with state governments to produce the calendar to guide Nigerians, particularly tourists on when and where festivals were holding.

According to him, “we are poised making the culture and tourism sector vibrant by properly harnessing its potentialities to generate revenue for this country and generate employment for the citizens.”

He revealed “One of the suggestions that I put on the table in my ministry is that we will liaise with every state government to give us 10 cities in their states and these cities in each state will give us 360 cities. And with the five local governments in the Federal Capital Territory, we will have 365 festivals. Then, we can have a calendar of festivals in Nigeria which means at least one day in Nigeria there will be festival,” he said.

The cultural tourism proclamation has continued to generate interest and discussion.

Ayo Olumoko

Jemi Alade

Wanle Akinboboye

Muyiwa Salami Alhaji Lai Mohammed

As Lai Mohammed sets template for Cultural Tourism To Wanle Akinboboye, President, La Champagne Tropicana Resort, “It is a sign of good things to come.

At least the Federal Government has announced a tourism content which is culture. Now there is an action to be taken. It is different from a situation where there has been no action and no movement. Cultural tourism is a fantastic idea only if the Federal Government is serious and ready to pursue this to its rightful economic sense. If it is well tendered, nurtured and developed, Nigeria will reap bountifully from it. However, it must be noted that the Federal Government and other tiers should be ready to develop destination. Cultural tourism entails development of destination as to keep the traffic growing and unceasing. It is good to develop 365 cultural festivals, but bad without developing destinations that will cater for the interest of tourists.

“Also, the Federal Government or other tier government must be ready to create latitude which will enable stakeholders to explore the accompanied opportunities that cultural tourism will engender. For example, any festival which will command over 5,000 people, there must be a destination or destinations. For it should not be a day off thing. There should also be incentives for investors who will like to invest in the area to cater for tourists. It is a good idea if well horned and implemented with precision.

For Jemmy Alade, one of veteran tour operators and CEO, Jemmy Alade Tours “The government has just made a pronouncement . Let us see how it will go. Cultural tourism is a good content only if the government understands what it means and what it entails. It is not a top to bottom concept as the defunct or comatose Abuja carnival. Cultural tourism is about the local people and how to galvanise their culture to attract tourists and generate revenue for themselves. The government must be ready to develop destination and also ready to study and learn from other countries like Kenya where cultural tourism has been elevated to an art.

He warned that the government must at this time depart from the past posture of tourism as a usual business “For it should not be business as usual as promotion of cultural tourism needs the understanding of each culture to be promoted in order to achieve symphony of interaction, understanding and toleration.”

Mr Ayo Olumoko, CEO, Infogem, the company which specialises in cultural tourism promotion in Nigeria “This is a good step towards realising the tourism dream of the nation. So far, so good, there seems a ray of hope from the tunnel. I have said it severally that Nigeria should use its diverse culture to promote its tourism agenda. This is what some of us have been doing in our private capacity to stimulate tourism in Nigeria. But the government must also involve the private sector in implementation.”

Muyiwa Salami, CEO, Dvine Travel, “We are watching. One hopes this is not another semantic or high faulting concept which will be implemented by a novice. It is not that we have no brains in this country to develop a concept, the problem is that who implements? Are we sure the government will not bring a square person in a round hole? How ready are the states and even the local governments? I have a sound belief in cultural tourism, but I doubt the capacity of the officials for implementation. This is the crux of the matter. It is a good content,” Otunba Gani Adams, the promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation said. “I must confess that this is the first heart cheering and soul lifting policy statement concerning cultural tourism which ever emanated from this government and communicated to the people via a cultural event in Lagos ,this is laudable, plausible and commendable.”

Otunba Adams said “It seems there is now a clear vision and direction for cultural tourism promotion of Nigeria not only as an entertainment sector, but as an employment generating machine, wealth mobiliser and poverty extinguisher going by the statement credited to Alhaji Mohammed.”

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

tribunetourism Ooni Ojaja harps on cultural tourism

Lauds Gani Adams on Olokun Festival Foundation

Otunba Gani Adams and His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II By wale Ojo Lanre

T

HE divine head of the House of Oduduwa and the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, the Ooni of Ife has described the Yoruba tradition and culture as an inestimable pristine heritage of no common peer or brand anywhere in the world which must not be neglected, discarded or allowed to be subsumed by other cultures or relegated in the comity of cultures.

The Ooni made this observation while receiving the convener of Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU) Otunba Gani Adams, who led a delegation of OPU members from Europe, America and the UK to pay homage to the Ooni in his palace in Ife on Saturday, 2 January, 2016.

Otunba Adams who was accompanied by Akogun Banji Ojo, OPU, Europe coordinator, Chief Gani Oshidele, OPU coordinator Scandinavia and Ayo Awodire, its Paris coordinator, Yeye Tokunbo Babs-Olurinde, Prince Segun Akanni, Messrs Kunle Lawal and Ramon Aderinsoye and a crew of Oodua Voice and magazine congratulated the Ooni for his ascension of the stead of his

forefathers with peace, devoid of the usual acrimony, royal rumblings, family tiff and unnecessary legal tussle; “This is a pointer to the divine confirmation and endorsement

by God Almighty and the ancestral elements and spirit that rules the world. “Kabiyesi, Ooni Ojaja, your ascension to the throne is not by accident neither is it by permutation, it is a compulsion of what would be as destined by the creator who in his magnificence appended the name Enitan to your being announcing the birth of history maker and a king whose accomplishment for the Yoruba race will beat anybody’s imagination.

Otunba Adams pointed out “I am particularly more endeared to your kingly mission pertaining to our culture which is under the threat of being wiped off and constantly being violently harassed by foreign cultures.

He disclosed “Kabiyesi, it is a matter of grave concern to know that the threat to our customs, traditions and value is coming from two deadly traffic sources internal and external. Internally, we are daily being subjected to heavy cultural demonisation by monetised religious outfits which paint our cultural values, customs and rites as devilish and diabolic, which have almost killed some of our cultural events and festivals. Externally, apart from the fact that

other nations protect their own, they are luring our people into accepting their culture and dumping theirs.”

“It is our efforts at combating the imminent erasure of the pristine Yoruba culture that we inaugurated Olokun Festival Foundation, saddled with the promotion of major festivals in Yoruba land Kogi and Kwara inclusive and OPU for the Yoruba in Diaspora. “Kabiyesi, Olokun Festival is the only cultural organisation in Nigeria which has a cultural calendar of 24 festivals spread all over seven states (Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi) “Otunba Adams also revealed “It was the realisation of the fact that immigrants Yoruba in other lands are losing touch of our culture and being lured into believing that their own culture is not only primitive, but unworthy to be proud of that led to the inauguration of OPU in 63 countries the world.

He asserts “We are however glad that we have in Ooni Ojaja, a monarch burning with the passion of redeeming the cultural status of the Yoruba. Our coming here today is not only to pledge our unalloyed support and loyalty to this cause of cultural revolution, but to affirm our readiness to cultural revolution to be en-

gendered by Kabiyesi.” Otunba Adams intimated the Ooni of the next Oodua Festival which will be held on January 21 to 22 as well as the World Congress of OPU on January 25 and 26 all in Ile-Ife. Oba Ogunwusi in his royal response described Otunba Adams as a special breed of Yoruba who God has deposited in immeasurable energy and talents to be utilised for the glory of the Yoruba race.

“I see you beyond the OPC. I see you beyond politics. I see you beyond OPU. I see you as a potent instrument of cultural change and I have to commend you for your

Biggest Jesus Christ attracts tourists HUNDREDS of Catholic priests and worshippers besieged St Aloysius Catholic Church in the village to behold its unveiling which was commissioned by Obinna Onuoha, a local businessman.

Onuoha it was, who hired the Chinese company to carve the statue and place it in the grounds of a 2000-capacity church that he built in 2012.

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burning passion and efforts at stabilising Yoruba culture, tradition and customs.

“You have in the past years proved to be not only a promoter of Yoruba culture in Nigeria but an effervescent Yoruba cultural ambassador outside Nigeria.”

Oba Ogunwusi revealed “My life, my reign, my tenure, my steps, my views and conduct will be devoted to the protection, promotion, enhancement, showcasing and celebrating the pristine cultural values, customs and tradition of our heritage without blemish. For our culture has all the elements of values which no other culture can be proud of.

“Thus such an irreplaceable pristine traditional culture and custom which is generational must not only be venerated, rejuvenated, promoted, enhanced, but vibrantly branded not for mere display and celebration, but for economic benefits of our people and uplift of Yoruba’s dignity and pride.

“Divine anointment and ancestral duty has placed on our shoulders the onerous responsibility and task of ensuring the resuscitation and revitalisation of the pristine culture and custom which promote the stability of the society, good neighbourliness, compliance with the norms and rules, peace and harmony, “Ooni Ogunwusi added.

“As the custodian of the House of Oduduwa and protector of the values of Yoruba race, I will not stand akimbo, watching with glee the progressive desecration of the culture and tradition of the race and its subsequent eradication from annals of history book of advanced culture.”

He also pointed out “It is our culture, tradition and custom that make us what we are as a race in the world. We should rise up as a matter of urgency to embrace, promote, protect, display and enhance our culture and tradition for the glory of the race and for trans -generational positivity.”

Ooni Ogunwusi assured all Yoruba “I will engender a cultural revolution in Yoruba land which will accentuate and showcase the pristine beauty of our tradition and customs so well that it will be irresistible to tourists, delectable to investors and enviable by all nations,” he said.

While assuring Otunba Adams “I am assuring you of my support and that of all the elements of virtues in Yoruba land that you shall not be left alone in this glorious effort of rejuvenating the tradition and culture of the Yoruba. Just be rest assured that you have an Ooni who is lending a royal hand of support at making the Yoruba culture the cynosure of all eyes? It is a task that we shall accomplish. Oodua a gbe wa.”

statue The man who said he has had the dream of erecting the statue since he was 26 years old, said: “It’s the biggest statue of Jesus on the continent. Definitely pilgrims will come.”

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ondo sets for tourism revolution —Commissioner Hon Femi Adekambi is the new Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Ondo State. In this interview with TTH he demonstrated his understanding and passion for tourism and revealed his plans for the ministry.

AS the new Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, no doubt you’ve seen what has been on ground particularly on Mare Festival. What are the steps you want to take in ensuring that the standard is sustained?

Let me start by commending the commissioner who was overseeing the affairs of the ministry before I was sworn in . He did a wonderful job. I am so impressed with the level they have taken Mare to. My coming in means a new dawn , it means a total turnaround of things, turn around in the sense that we want to make sure that Mare Festival is taken to another level, we will improve on what they’ve done and I can assure you come next year, you will see a different Mare.

Did the economic down turn in the country in any way affect the celebration?

You see, you don’t associate economic problem with culture and tourism, because I can remember some of the nations in the world during their economic recession turned to the tourism sector and together they are getting out of their crisis. So you don’t associate economic issue with culture and tourism, it doesn’t have to do with money, but the people, how informed we are about the development and the need to promote our culture and heritage so that it will transform into wealth for us.

Of what importance is Mare Festival to the youth?

You can see for yourself the level of involvement of the youth in the lined up activities they were involved in the whole process. Mare Festivals also involve sporting activities such as marathon race, Ayo, raffle draw and other games. Also, the creative ones among them produced souvenirs for tourists to buy and they made their money. Apart from this, the festival is also a platform for talent discovery and through Mare so many talents have been discovered and we have been working on some of them to ensure that they pursue and achieve success with their talents.

Ondo State is endowed with a lot of tourism potentials, how do you want to ensure that these are tapped for the economic development of the state?

This is where exactly I am going, I want to turnaround tourism sector in the state, to become income generating sector, as well as employment generating one, because all over the world, tourism is one of the key sources of employment and wealth creation. We’ll use tourism to transform our economy, generate employment for our youths and create wealth for the people of the state. We are at a level where we don’t need to rely on oil money anymore, everything is not about oil. We should look at how we can use tourism to generate income and I can tell you that our governor has given me a mandate to ensure something substantive is done to make tourism bring sustainable development to the state.

What should Ondo State expect from your ministry in the next one year?

You should expect a new dawn, I am a goal getter, when I set out for something, I achieve it. I will prove

Hon Femi Adekambi to the entire state that Ondo State is a state for culture and tourism, it’s a state that we value and cherish our rich cultural heritage. Basically, Mare Festival is going to be taken to another level this year and another festival entirely will also join Mare. By the grace of God come Easter, there will be Ondo Carnival where you’ll see our governor costumed traditionally from all the nooks and crannies of the state, will come together to celebrate our state and it will be more elaborate because we’ll bring the entire world to the state.

How do you intend to bring the private sector into the development of tourism potentials in the state?

Basically culture and tourism sector should be a private-driven ministry, we should be generating money from the sector and we are starting this as soon as possible.

Are you not asking the Federal Government for assistance in the development of the sector?

Anywhere we can link up with including going abroad to source for private sector participation, we will do this I can assure you that we’ll invest our time and energy to make sure that we excel.

This is the seventh edition of this festival and one of the goals is to unite people of the state, to what extent has this been achieved?

You could see that people from all the local governments in the state were excited about it. I want you to know that Mare Festival is not about Idanre or Ondo, it is about showcasing our state, the concept of our governor, the visioner who introduced Mare Festival is about showcasing what we have in the state to the entire world. By next edition, we are going to see tourists and cultural troupes coming from Abuja, Minna, Kano, Lagos and Akwa Ibom, Rivers and other states in Nigeria and even tourists from London, America, South Africa and others for this festival.

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ecoscope Food wastage, a contributory factor to global warming

Having food leftovers goes beyond scrapping it off the plates. Its impacts on our natural resources and the environment at large, is enormous. DOYIN ADEOYE writes on how food wastage affects the environment.

W

Climate change could lead to energy crisis WORLD energy production could be significantly affected by the impacts of climate change, a study has claimed.

The research forecasts that by as early as 2040, factors such as rising water temperatures might diminish water supplies vital to the production of electricity. Coupled with an increasing global demand for electricity, this could impact the ability of power plants around the globe to produce enough energy.

According to DailyMail, an estimated 98 per cent of the world’s electricity supply is generated by hydroelectric and thermoelectric power plants, which includes nu-

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

clear and fossil fuel, which strongly depend on water resources.

The authors of the study, published in Nature Climate Change, warn that a rise in droughts and heatwaves, prompted by the anticipated effects of climate change, could threaten access to water resources for tens of thousands of power plants around the world.

Researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, estimate that between 2040 and 2069, 81 per cent to 86 per cent of the 1,427 thermoelectric plants they studied could see their usable capacity: the amount of electricity they can produce, plunge.

Similarly, of the 24,515 hydropower plants examined in the research, it is estimated that 61 per cent to 74 per cent of them could also see their usable capacity reduced.

“Power-generating technologies both strongly depend on water availability, and water temperature for cooling also plays a critical role for thermoelectric power generation.

“Climate change and resulting changes in water resources will therefore affect power generation while energy demands continue to increase with economic development and a growing world population,” the report said.

ITH a population projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050, it is obvious that food production in the world would always be on the increase and as such, there will always be leftovers. With the increasing population rate, the world is now producing and consuming more resources than ever.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in 2011 estimated that each year, one-third of all food produced for human consumption in the world, which is around 1.3 billion tonnes, is lost or wasted. This includes 45 per cent of all fruit and vegetables, 35 per cent of fish and seafood, 30 per cent of cereals, 20 per cent of dairy products and 20 per cent of meat.

From raw foods that go uncooked, to the cooked that are uneaten, and the leftovers on the plate, food loss and wastage have significant impacts on the environment. Water, fuel and energy are required in food production processes, storing, transportation and cooking. Besides the natural resources that are discarded when there is food wastage, greenhouse gases emissions occur in many stages of food production, therefore, contributing to climate change.

Across countries, especially the developed nations, many are not aware of the tremendous amount of food that is wasted and the impact that has on world hunger, political stability, the environment and climate change.

Food Microbiologist, Mr Samson Ajobiewe, said that wasting of food indirectly accounts for imprudent use of natural resources in the food production process, as well as being a contributing factor to environmental issues.

“Natural resources such as water and land, as well as chemicals like fertilisers and pesticides used in food production processes, are affected when people waste food. Apart from these, the fuel used in transporting the farm produce is also wasted. When food is thrown out and it begins to rot, it produces methane, which is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

“Food wastage is a global issue and many people don’t know that the simple act of scraping leftovers off their plates, contributes immensely to one of the most tackled issue in the world, which is global warming. This is one of the reasons the ‘Think Eat Save: Reduce Your Foodprint’ campaign by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), was birthed, to encourage people to reduce their foodprint,” he said.

According to experts, much of the world’s resources are used to produce food. This includes 40 per cent of its land, 70 per cent of its freshwater and 30 per cent of its energy. Therefore, every piece of food that is thrown away represents wasted resources.

Where food wastage occurs at the consumer level, food loss mostly occurs at the production, postharvest, and processing levels. Without adequate storage facil-

ities and transportation, many countries across Africa record tremendous food losses. In Nigeria, for instance, before some farm produce such as tomatoes, pepper and vegetables are transported from the North to the South West, the conditions of the roads as well as the way they are packed, make many of it unfit to eat even before they reach the markets.

Also, due to poor infrastructure and storage facilities, many of those that make it to the market, over time, also often rot away.

Of those that eventually make it to the consumer; some are still scrapped into the trashcans. This, over the years, has remained the food chain.

However, besides gas emissions, food wastage, especially those along drainages, could also cause flooding.

Land degradation is also an important factor of food wastage. Most of the food wastage at the production stage often occurs in regions where the soil is already in poor shape, and this further adds undue pressure on the land. In a bid to analyse the impacts of global food wastage from an environmental perspective, the FAO conducted a study, ‘Food Wastage Footprint: Impacts on Natural Resources,’ where it looked specifically at the consequences of food wastage on the climate, water and land use, and biodiversity.

According to it, the carbon footprint of food produced and not eaten is estimated at 3.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases. Therefore, if food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind the United States and China.

Many often wonder where else they could throw their food leftovers if not in the bin.

The best approach to this is to buy, cook and eat moderately. Where it is cooked in excess already, it could be given out to those in need, especially before it becomes leftovers on the plate. With the United Nations goal of wiping out hunger by 2030, if the amount of food wasted around the world were reduced by just 25 per cent, there would be enough food to feed all the people who are malnourished.

According to Mr Adedeji Olabode, an environmentalist, there is also a need for more investments in infrastructure and transportation in the agricultural sector.

“If more is invested in terms of infrastructure, transportation, as well as training of farmers on food processing and packaging, food wastage will be curbed to a reasonable extent. I also believe that state governments need to come up with food safety policies, as this will not only help in their productions, but will also ensure that more food is safe for consumption.

“Every individual can make an effective contribution to this effect. If people cook just what they need, then there will be no waste. Also, with more public awareness, people in turn will know the safe practices in food management. If farmers are trained on the right time to harvest their crops, how much rain some crops can be exposed to, the right equipment to use and other issues, food decay rates will reduce,” he said.

with Doyin Adeoye

m:08058130577 e:doyinadeoye@tribuneonlineng.com t:@kreatif_ink

2016 and the Environment Ministry

By Doyin Adeoye SINCE the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed came on board in November, there has been a major focus on the ministry, as she has on many occasions, proven that the ministry will in time, be a solid reference for other ministries, due to the fact that it will always prioritise environmental issues.

In two months, a lot of grounds were covered by the ministry, one of which was the minister’s visitation and inspection of some environmentally sensitive areas in the Niger Delta, Borno, Kano, Lagos, and Yobe states.

However, as the New Year starts, it is essential that the ministry firmly defines the strategies and means by which it intend to tackle various environmental issues such as deforestation, desertification, waste management, climate change, ever increasing population, oil pollution and coastal erosion, assailing the country.

Also, means of attaining the scope of the Paris Agreement need to be vividly highlighted.

Speaking through her twitter handle recently, the minister had assured that the necessary will be done to ensure that Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), a phenomenon developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is implemented.

“Federal Government will align Nigeria’s INDCs with other policies for consistence and coherency. Many are not aware of the importance of the INDCs, but the emphasis now is to get everyone on board. Communications is key for INDCs, and the implementation will be bottom up and top bottom,” she said.

Another area of focus should be the Great Green Wall (GGW) project. Many Nigerians are not aware that the country is losing a lot of its fertile land almost every year to desertification.

Aimed at tackling deforestation in the 11 frontline states: Kebbi, Zamfara, Gombe, Yobe,

Jigawa, Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, Borno, Sokoto and Kano States, the Great Green Wall is a planned project to plant a wall of trees across Africa. So there is a need to carry all along on the progress, as well as create more awareness on it.

Speaking with Ecoscope, Mr Paul O’callaghan, CEO, WestAfricaENRG Limited, is quite impressed with the activities of the ministry so far.

“Having watched what Honourable Amina

Mohammed did across Nigeria over the Christmas period, it is very clear that she has hit the ground running. It is very admirable. However, I think there is a need to quickly communicate a clear vision of her strategy, both the long term and near term expectations. Then muster the support of the states, especially the likes of Rivers, Lagos, Abia, Kaduna and the FCT, where the biggest impact can be achieved.

And finally attract private investors to assist in the execution of the strategy,” he said.

te a m i l c a e b o t s y a W 6 1 0 2 n i r e t a e ly d n e fri If you are really worried about the threat of climate change, but not sure how to lower your own carbon footprint, consider starting with your diet this New Year.

The type of food you buy and eat doesn’t just affect your health; it also shapes a global food system which is responsible for more than one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Here are New Year’s resolutions you can make to reduce your own demand for food that has a negative impact on the environment, thus becoming a part of the solution to the earth’s rising temperatures.

Become a climatarian A climatarian is someone who eats with climate change in mind, generally by cutting out food whose cultivation contributes to global warming. The New York Times defined the term in its list of new food words from 2015 as a diet

whose primary goal is to reverse climate change.

This includes eating locally produced food, to reduce energy spent in transportation; choosing pork and poultry instead of beef and lamb,to limit gas emissions; and using every part of ingredients, apple cores, cheese rinds, etc., to limit food waste.

Choose organic By buying organic, you’ll be supporting farms whose practices emit less carbon and actually help to absorb emissions.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation endorsed organic farming as a way to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.

Schedule your consumption of animal products Limit your consumption of animal products. People looking to cut back on animal products, whether for their health or for the sake of the environment have been successful with schedule constraints on vegan or vegetarian diets, such as weekday vegetarianism or meatless days.

How Calabar Carnival 2015 promote greener Nigeria

By Doyin Adeoye BESIDES its glamour, the 2015 edition of the international Calabar Carnival and Festival is worthy of note, as it was used as a platform to preach a greener Nigeria.

With the theme: ‘Climate Change,’ the event marked the 11th edition of the carnival, where trees were planted as part of the state’s campaign to combat climate change issues.

Speaking at the ‘Plant-a-Tree’ march held on Tuesday, December 29, Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, noted that the entire state, especially its capital, Calabar, would go green by the time five million trees are planted across the state.

A Professor of Environmental Science himself, Ayade, disclosed that the green carnival was not only a reminder to Nigerians of the need to protect the environment at all times, but also a business clue, as he assured the youths in the state of his administration readiness to make millionaires out of tree planting business.

“We are going to introduce urban afforestation, which is a classical departure from what we know.

There is a need to turn to climate change busi-

nesses, and we are going to make green millionaires out of that exercise. I encourage youths to partake in tree planting,” the governor said.

Tree planting cools the planet, by absorbing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. They can also cool the planet by evaporating water to the atmosphere. Trees also have warming effects because they are dark and absorb a lot of sunlight, holding heat near ground level.

Through their performances, the competing traditional bands at the event: Passion-4, MastaBlasta, Bayside, Freedom and Seagull, all highlighted the effects of our actions on the climate, and proffered solutions.

Held at the UJ Esuene Sports Stadium, the bands in various climate change interpretations,

advocated for a stop in falling of trees, control of oils spills, cleaner power plants and greener farming, among others, as ways climate changed can be tackled. The Passion-4 band emerged as the overall winner at the festival.

The governor was accompanied by the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Florence Ita Giwa and other dignitaries, at the ‘Plant-a-Tree’ march.

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Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor

energy

Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

NNPC’s role as major importer stirs controversy among marketers The decision to sanitise the oil sector has led the Federal Government to slash allocations to marketers by 70 per cent and turns Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to a major importer of refined petroleum products. In this report, OLATUNDE DODONDAWA, examines the controversy the policy has generated among marketers and how the policy can benefit Nigerians in the long run.

T

HE Federal Government, through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulating Agency (PPPRA), has released the first quarter fuel import allocations of about 1.5 million tonnes to marketers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol, in which it slashed the allocation for private depot owners and marketers by over 70 per cent.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will, according to the allocation, imports 78 per cent of the allotment while the private importers who hitherto imported over 60 per cent of the allocation are now left with about 22 per cent of the total allocation.

A source at the PPPRA said the government cut the numbers of importing, marketing and trading firms to 20 instead of 29 marketers in the last quarter of 2015.

The fuel imports were approved for all the five major oil marketers and fifteen independent marketers.

The allocations to five members of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) were, according to a PPPRA source, cut by about 70 per cent, while the NNPC allocation was jerked up from 40 to 78 per cent.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, was said to have

signed the approval and sent it to the PPPRA for disbursement to the marketers.

On his appointment as the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Kachikwu, pledged to sanitise the oil sector with special focus on promoting transparency. He expressed concerns over how the Corporation has been managed for over 37 years and reiterated his commitment to turn it into a profit making organization.

Kachikwu said the NNPC was projecting the inflow of $20 billion in 2016 to enable the corporation fund major projects and improve its bottom line going forward.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will, according to the allocation, import 78 per cent of the allotment while the private importers are now left with about 22 per cent of the total allocation.

He described 2016 as a crucial year for the NNPC, as it is expected to transit from historic loss environment to profit making domain.

He re-iterated that the corporation under his watch is rigorously executing “20 fixes” project which identified 20 critical issues that need to be addressed in order to re-position the 37 years old national oil corporation on the track of efficiency and profitability.

The target included audit cost reduction, restructuring of corporate centre and staffing, renegotiation of existing contracts, including PSCs, streamlining subsidy management, boosting pipeline security, enhancing transparency and accountability, achieving zero tolerance for corruption, re-branding of NNPC and unbundling of PPMC. Other initiatives included unbundling of the Nigerian Gas Company, reduce contracting cycle, restructure refineries, improve information technology to drive business, embed staff and business performance management, restructure JV funding and reducing cash call, improving retail profitability, deploying and attracting focused investments, re-kitting NPDC, expanding crude marketing and generating power profitability.

The decision to allocate 78 per cent of

import allocation to itself would mean that the Corporation has identified the leakages in importation of refined petroleum products, addressed the challenges and ready to partner investors who are ready to invest directly in NNPC operations.

Concerns over NNPC’s ability to handle import logistics Speaking recently in Lagos, the Executive Secretary, MOMAN, Obafemi Olawore said: “Today, out of 22 government depots, almost none is working and that’s why we should appreciate few Nigerians who were bold enough to take loan and build those depots all over the country, otherwise, it could have been worse.”

However, a source at the Mosinmi depot conformed to the Nigerian Tribune that there was a memo dated: 21 December, 2015, that instructed the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to fix all the 22 depots before 11 January, 2016.

“Based on the directives, none of us was able to travel for Xmas and new year break.

We were directed to work 24/7 to fix the depots and make them functional,” he said.

Expectedly, the NNPC may have to partner the private depot owners to ensure the challenges of storage and logistics are adContinues on pg28

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

OPEC predicts 30.8mb/d crude oil demand in 2016 Stories by Tunde Dodondawa with Agency Report

T

HE Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has predicted that global crude oil demand for its crude will hit 30.8 million barrels per day (mb/d), revealing an increase of 1.5 mb/d over the last year actual average demand.

The organization noted that the global economy continued its moderate growth in 2015 and is now expected to expand at 3.1per cent, adding that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) managed to accelerate its growth level again slightly. Reflecting on economic trends in emerging economies, OPEC reported that India saw stronger-than-expected growth and China’s momentum moderated, while Russia and Brazil experienced contractions.

It maintained that lower oil prices provided support for consumers in the US, Euro-zone, China and India, but the shortfall in investments and the lower income from the oil sector in major oil producer countries has offset some of these positive effects.

According to the organisation, monetary decisions have continued to play a key role in the global economy, not just in the OECD economies but also in China and India.

This is even as it stated that an expected interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve has affected capital flows and currencies, but the full impact will only be seen once the decision is taken.

The cartel projected that in the meantime, the increase in monetary stimulus in the Euro-zone and Japan has not been as effective in supporting these economies as planned,

pointing out that in contrast, China’s stimulus plans have achieved some success in supporting the country’s economy.

OPEC also reported a decline of about 10 per cent in its Reference Basket declined in November as lower refinery crude intake added to the oversupply in the market.

The organisation said the Basket lost $4.52 to stand at $40.50/b. Crude oil futures also fell, with ICE Brent averaging $45.93/b and Nymex WTI $42.92/b. The Brent-WTI spread widened marginally to $3.01/b.

“World economic growth figures remain unchanged at 3.1 per cent for the year 2015 and 3.4 per cent in 2016. With slightly stronger growth in the US and lower-than-expected growth in Japan in 3Q15, the OECD growth forecast remains at 2.0 per cent for 2015 and 2.1per cent for 2016.”

“The 2016 growth forecast for China remains unchanged at 6.4per cent, following estimated growth of 6.8per cent this year. India is expected to grow by 7.6per cent in 2016, unchanged from the previous report, while the

growth estimate for the current year has been revised down to 7.3per cent.”

“World oil demand is anticipated to increase by 1.53 mb/d this year, averaging around 92.88 mb/d. These projections are 30 tb/d higher than last month’s estimate, mainly as a result of better-than-expected consumption in OECD Europe and Other Asia. For 2016, global oil demand growth is expected to increase by around 1.25 mb/d, unchanged from the previous report, averaging 94.13 mb/d,” it added.

South Korea cuts LNG rates on lower import SOUTH Korea will cut retail natural gas prices for households and industry by 9% on average from January 1 to reflect the lower LNG import bill as a result of sliding oil prices, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday.

“The government will further lower city gas rates if LNG imports costs continue falling,” the ministry said in a statement.

The 9% cut will lower average retail gas prices to Won 15.69 ($0.01)/megajoule, from Won 17.24/MJ, the ministry said.

South Korea cut city gas rates several times this year due to falling LNG imports cost, reducing prices by 5.9% in January, 10% in March and 10.3% in May but increasing prices 4.4% in September.

LNG demand has fallen despite the price cuts. Kogas, which has a monopoly on domestic natural gas sales, sold 27.97 million mt in January-November, down 8.8% year on year.

Kogas sold 35.17 million mt of LNG last year, down 9.1% from 2013, the first annual decline in five years.

The trade ministry said Monday it expects South Korea’s LNG demand to fall 5% over the next 15 years due to a steep decline in consumption for power production that offsets mild growth by households and industry.

It forecast LNG demand to fall to 33.96 million mt in 2022 and 34.65 million mt in 2029, compared with 2014 consumption of 36.49 million mt.

Chevron strikes first oil from Moho Bilondo Phase 1 CHEVRON Corporation has confirmed that its subsidiary, Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited, and partners have started production from the deepwater development Moho Bilondo Phase 1b offshore the Republic of Congo.

Located approximately 46 miles (75 km) off the coast of Pointe-Noire in water depths ranging from 2,400 to 4,000 feet (750 to 1,200 meters), Moho Bilondo Phase 1b is part of the Moho Nord joint development project, the largest-ever oil and gas project undertaken in the Republic of Congo. The Moho Bilondo Phase 1b project includes 11 wells tied back to an existing floating production unit and is expected to produce a total of 40,000 barrels of oil per day.

“First oil from the Moho Bilondo Phase 1b development is the latest successful start-up in our diverse portfolio of deepwater projects, which we expect to generate value for years to come,” said Jay Johnson, executive vice president Upstream, Chevron Corporation.

“The successful development of Phase 1b demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Republic of Congo and is a testament to industry and government cooperation,” said Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company. “The project integrates the unique skills and expertise of multiple part-

ners to deliver challenging projects and new energy production.”

The Phase 1b development targeted reserves in the southern portion of the Moho Bilondo permit area. The Moho Nord subsea development, which will be the second phase of the Moho Nord joint development project, is in the northern part of the area.

The Moho Nord development project involves a tension-leg platform, a floating production unit with a processing capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil per day, and a 50mile (80-kilometer) pipeline to the onshore Djeno Terminal.

Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited has a 31.5 per cent working interest in the Moho Bilondo permit area, along with Total E&P Congo (53.5 percent working interest and operator) and the national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (15 percent working interest).

Meanwhile, Chevron said it has signed a non-binding Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply Heads of Agreement (HOA) with China Huadian Green Energy Co., Ltd. When the agreement is finalized, China Huadian Green Energy is expected to receive up to 1 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG over 10 years starting in 2020.

“This is an important step in the commercialization of Chevron’s natural gas holdings in

Australia and the establishment of our global liquefied natural gas portfolio,” said Pierre Breber, Executive Vice President, Chevron Gas and Midstream. “As Chevron continues to grow into one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers, this agreement represents further progress and diversification of our sales portfolio.”

“We welcome the opportunity to supply LNG to China Huadian and look forward to building lasting relationships with our customers in the region as the Chevron-operated Gorgon and Wheatstone projects move into operations,” said Roy Krzywosinski, Managing Director, Chevron Australia. “The China Huadian agreement demonstrates Chevron’s equity gas from Australia is well-placed to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies.

Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry.

Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company’s operations.

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Nigerian Tribune

India plans for additional refining capacity Olatunde Dodondawa with Agency Reports WHILE Nigeria is struggling to formulate policy that will end over reliance on imported refined petroleum products and boost domestic refining capacity, the Government of India is planning for additional refining capacity based on foreign agency predictions for the country.

Indian Oil Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has asked the three state-owned oil refining and marketing companies to look into building a greenfield refinery, keeping in mind the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest oil demand projections for the country.

Quoting the recently release IEA report on India’s product demand growth, Pradhan said refiners needed to plan in advance as it takes anywhere between eight and 10 years for a new refinery to be built.

India’s oil demand would rise by 6 million b/d to 10 million b/d by 2040, the highest rise projected for any country, IEA said in its recently released India Energy Outlook 2015, adding that the refining sector would find it hard to stay ahead of oil products demand.

India currently has a total refining capacity of 215 million mt/year (4.32 million b/d).

Oil product demand stood at 161.5 million mt/year in 2014, making the country an exporter.

“In the New Policies Scenario, the sheer size of India’s demand growth and lower domestic crude oil output mean that Indian

refinery output is increasingly drawn into the domestic market, and refinery capacity eventually falls behind domestic demand,” IEA said.

Indian Oil Corp., the country’s largest state-owned refiner, has been scouting for a location in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra to set up a coastal refinery like its recently completed 15 million mt/year Paradip refinery, as most of its existing refineries are land-locked.

HPCL, which has a huge gap between its refining capacity and marketing demand, was also looking at a coastal refinery in Maharashtra, but had to shelve the plan due to

problems with land acquisition.

It later opted for a 9 million mt/year refinery in Rajasthan, which has also run into difficulties after the current government decided to review the fiscal concessions granted to the project by the previous one.

Pradhan said that the Rajasthan refinery project would be brought back on track, and that details were being worked out with the Rajasthan state government.

IEA pointed out that after the commissioning of the 300,000 b/d Paradip Refinery in 2015, only few capacity additions are seen until 2020.

Though refinery expansions are expected

to continue, new refineries in the Middle East would posed a challenge to Indian refiners in an increasingly competitive products market.

Nigeria recently reviewed downward pump price of petrol which is marred by controversy. Despite the review, there is no clear policy on the state-owned four refineries which has been producing near zero capacity for decades and the government of Nigerai refuses to sell them.

There have been calls among stakeholders that they should be sold, even as scrap if necessary to promote efficiency and productivity in the refineries.

Petrobras completes sale of its natural gas unit to Japan

By Agency Reports BRAZIL’S Petrobras has completed the sale of a 49 per cent stake in its natural gas distribution unit to Japan’s Mitsui & Co, a deal that will allow the state-led oil company to meet its 2015 asset-sales target, Petrobras said recently. Under terms of the deal, Mitsui acquired the stake in Petrobras Gas SA, or Gaspetro, for Real 1.93 billion ($501 million). Gaspetro is a wholly owned holding company that controls Petrobras’ stakes in 18 state-run natural gas distributors across 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.

The sale was a key part of Petrobras’ $15.1 billion divestment plan, which included asset sales totaling $700 million in 2015 and $14.4 billion in 2016.

Petrobras is in the midst of a cash crunch after the collapse in oil prices and needs to raise funds to pay down a debt load that reached $130 billion at the end of the third quarter.

Petrobras has said that without the asset sales, the company could be forced to slash investment spending and production targets further.

Earlier this month, Chief Executive Aldemir Bendine told reporters that Petrobras would accelerate asset sales in 2016, with the $14.4 billion target being met “faster than you can imagine.”

Petrobras, however, has faced challenges in moving forward with its divestment plans.

Low oil prices have limited interest in production assets as global oil companies trim portfolios, while an ongoing corruption investigation has had a chilling effect on potential bids for stakes in its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Completion of the Gaspetro sale had been held up by the government of Bahia state, which controls local distributor Bahiagas with a 51% stake.

NNPC’s role as major importer stirs controversy among marketers Continues from pg26

dressed.

Olawore stressed that “we know government has never succeeded as sole importer to satisfy the market” but Kachikwu, with this new policy will have to convince Nigerians that government will succeed with the new policy.

Among the marketers that NNPC would have to sustain its partnership with respect to storage and logistics include Capital Oil and Gas Ltd., MRS, Folawiyo, NIPCo Plc, Conoil Plc among others.

Controversy surrounding less than 30% allocation to marketers While many Nigerians referred to marketers as ‘cabal’, especially during acute fuel scarcity when marketers held the government by the jugular, it is important to state that government policies in the past have shown that government needs the marketers for effective product importation, storage and distribution.

In the recent Q1, 2016 import allocation, most of the marketers who got 90,000 metric tones each in the Q4 of 2015 were given 30,000 metric tones in the new allocation because so many of them could not meet up with their Q4 allocations due to non payment of subsidy arrears by the Federal Government.

The marketers, however, expressed the fear that this allocation will turn NNPC into a monopoly and portend a gloomy business for them.

“This has made the government to slate a mid-first quarter review for February 15 when the level of their importation would be reassessed,” a source said.

Furthermore, the source accused the

NNPC denying marketers a level playing field to operate and warned of imminent scarcity.

According to him, “the Kachikwu is not promoting level playing field for all stakeholders to operate in the downstream sector. I hope he won’t destroy the downstream sector the same way the banking sector was destroyed.

“Right now, NIPCO Plc, Capital Oil and Gas Ltd. and Folawiyo are not loading because there is no product. We cannot access foreign exchange at the official rate while the NNPC gets its foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at official rate of N199 to a dollar.”

Corroborating what Olawore had stated earlier, he stated that “the NNPC lacks the capacity to be a major importer because it lacks the credibility. The government through its agencies including the NNPC and PPMC are still owing some companies from which they imported products last year.”

He said another problem that may lead to re-emergence of fuel scarcity is the reduction in cost of freight, storage and dispensing costs and other charges that were reviewed by the PPPRA without recourse to marketers and other stakeholders.

“We have never had it this bad when the Minister of State, in behalf of the Federal Government would fix and determine the charges unilaterally in an authoritarian manner. No members of MOMAN, DAPPMA or IPMAN was invited for a meeting before the charges were determined.

“How do they expect us to survive on storage charges of N1.50 per liter. It may result in many companies to fold up and who knows, maybe that is their agenda in other for them to float their own companies,” he

said.

While he cannot confirm if some marketers like Taleveras and Aiteo were on the list, he identified some of the private marketers that were given import allocations to include Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, MRS Oil and Gas, Heyden Petroleum, Techno Oil Limited, NIPCO Plc., Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc., Forte Oil Plc., Conoil Plc., Oando Plc., Folawiyo Oil and Gas, and Total Nigeria Plc. The Executive Secretary, Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Farouk Ahmed, had announced reduction in pump price of petrol from N87 to N86.50 per litre while NNPC Retail stations will sell at N86 per litre.

Ahmed said the reduction in the price of the commodity was due to an implementation of the revised components of the Petroleum Products Pricing Template for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Kerosene.

The breakdown of the new pricing template revealed that two different templates are in operation, one for the marketers tagged ‘Pricing Templates for PMS (OMC)’ and the one for the NNPC Retail stations was titled: ‘Pricing Template for PMS (NNPC)’.

According to the templates, the landing cost of petrol is N84.78 per litre for the NNPC while it is N85.10 per liter for marketers.

Conclusion While the decision to deregulate the downstream sector is welcomed by stakeholders, they are calling for a level playing field for equal participation.

NNPC may be assuming too many responsibilities in a sector that is supposed to be private sector driven, if truly it has been deregulated.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘We need more legislation to regulate cooperative system in Lagos’

Ayeola

Oriyomi Ayeola, the president of the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED), in this interview with LAOLU HAROLDS, speaks on the activities of the body, its achievements and challenges. Excerpts.

W

HAT exactly is LASCOFED, and what do you do as a body?

The federation is the apex body of all the cooperatives in Lagos State. We have a structure of having that apex body at the state level. We have the Multipurpose Cooperative Union at the local government level. Presently we have 20 of such. Then we now go the level of primary societies. We have thousands of these, and we have over two million cooperators in Lagos State. Our major responsibility as the apex body is to see to the betterment of the cooperative system in Lagos State. We advocate on behalf of other cooperators and societies. We go into discussions on their behalf with government or any other organization. We get them informed about the latest things in the cooperative world. These are some of our responsibilities.

How does the ordinary member at the most basic level benefit from your activities?

Individuals at that level are not members of LASCOFED; we have societies as members of LASCOFED. But whatever we do through their society, they benefit. For example, just recently we had a programme called ‘Vision for Life’. It’s for cooperators – individual members of cooperative system in Lagos State, and at the same time for residents of Lagos State.

Through that programme, we assist members, to improve their health. We have free eye screening for members. When defects are detected, we give them free eyeglasses, drugs, even free eye surgery. But on a general note, we give out information to assist our members in doing their business.

We also run radio programme, apart from publications, to get our members educated on the business they are doing. We also engage with private organizations, like manufacturers, to get their products in bulk and distribute to our members at reduced prices.

What can you point to as the achievements of the board under your watch as president?

We came in well informed about the system. The first thing we did was to change the mindset of our people. We found out that we were divided in the movement; so we made it a priority to unite all the caucuses in the system, believing that a united movement would give us better results. And I must say that I’m extremely happy that we have been able to achieve that 100 per cent. As of today, we have a united cooperative movement in Lagos State.

We also have a project we are doing here, the LASCOFED Building. It’s a very gigantic building to serve as the secretariat of the Cooperative Federation, and at the same time we want to let out some part of it to generate income. We met this project at foundation level. The construction was projected by the past administration to last for 12 years; but we felt it could be completed in three or so years if all hands are on the deck. We called our members and told them this and they accepted. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate some of our societies. We levied ourselves N200 per cooperator. Some of us turned up and remitted the funds on

When we were coming on board, we had a lot of negative politics, so to say, and this we felt would not be good for the system. It continued to divide us.

behalf of their members. When we started collecting the funds, our projection was that we would raise not less than N200 million; but at the end of the day, we had just about N11 million. But this we still appreciate. We had to call on some societies, about 10 of them, to ask for a relief in form of extension of loan to us. With that,

by God’s grace, we are now projecting that in the first quarter of 2016, we will have this building commissioned. A building that was projected for 12 years, we are now having it in three years. We feel that is commendable and one of the major achievements of this administration.

Then, LASCOFED had been organizing retreats and seminars for members; but we felt that as a form of give-back to our members, we need not only subsidise these seminars but to do some of them free. Therefore we started free seminars for our members. This is also an achievement of the present board of LASCOFED. Also when we came on board, we felt that we had a lot of cooperative leaders that had contributed a lot to the development of cooperative system in Lagos State.

From what we read, if they did not do what they did then, probably we would not be having the movement now. Therefore we felt that these people must be appreciated.

So, we looked for them – even some that operated about 30 years ago – brought them together and celebrated them. We called them ‘cooperative icons’. They felt so much appreciated. We count this also as an achievement.

Also, we looked at our cooperative unions, and we felt that they didn’t have access to much funds for them to be efficient. Therefore we introduced immediately we came on board what we called yearly subvention or grants to these people. The amount is small, but we felt we just needed to start from somewhere.

Since we came on board, we have been giving, on yearly basis, N100,000 grant to each of the unions. We hope that this, with the other funds they have, will help improve their systems.

We also look at the ‘Coop Garri’ (processed cassava meal). We process and package it in the modern way and send our members. We have 20 acres of land acquired by the immediate past board. Instead of allowing it to lie fallow, we turned it to LASCOFED farm, and from it we process this garri.

As a body, what are your obligations to the state, and what has been your relationship?

It’s for us to contribute our own quota to the development of the state economically, socially and even politically. This we have been doing adequately. And in terms of relationship with the government, we’ve had a very robust relationship. We are being supervised by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives.

Anywhere there is a lot of money to control, and influence to exert over people, there is usually politics. How far has politics either helped you or worked against you as the leader?

As I said earlier, when we were coming on board, we had a lot of negative politics, so to say, and this we felt would not be good for the system. It continued to divide us. Even when some people see that what you are doing is good, they want to criticize it and make it appear bad. But for now, I want to assure you that the type of politics we have now is a positive one; the type that has been assisting the system. I hardly take anything to the board of LASCOFED and get turned down. It’s not that they are rubber stamps. I have outstanding people on the board. We have lawyers, engineers, doctors and other people that matter in the society. We generate ideas, take it to them, give them adequate explanation and they look into it and give us consideration, either to accept or reject.

But to a large per cent, after adjustment here and there, we have been accepted.

And that is why we are having the result we are having.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Issues in N4.7bn NASS purchase of cars

Buhari

Saraki

By Kunle Oderemi & Tunde Busari

S

HORTLY, members of the National Assembly are expected to reconvene for serious legislative business in the new year. They will be resuming at a time Nigerians are contending with frustration, anguish and pains occasioned by protracted fuel shortage across the country. The intervention of the lawmakers in the crisis towards at the dusk of the out-gone year paled into insignificance, as the fuel shortage has since taken a worrisome dimension since January 1, 2016.

While the issue could return to the front burner at the National Assembly, when they resume for plenary next week, one matter that might compete for space is the controversy trailing the planned purchase of utility vehicles for members of the National Assembly. President Muhammadu Buhari had on unwittingly brought the issue to the fore during his maiden Presidential Chat last Wednesday. His promise to engage the lawmakers on the matter had generated mixed feelings among lawmakers and members of the public. The president seems indisposed

to any arm of government committing such a whooping sum of N4.7 billion on such luxury at such as the current austere time in the country. His words: “N47.5 billion for vehicles for National Assembly members, I think I will explore the possibility of that power. If I can turn down N400 million for vehicles in the presidency, I think we don’t need new cars; we can manage the old ones because of the economy. I can’t see the National Assembly spending more than N40 billion to buy cars on top of transport allowances they collected. I have to revisit this story. They

get N100 billion for their allowances.”

Somehow, his position has not gone down well with the lawmakers, who believed the National Assembly was independent of the Executive arm of government and as such should be allowed to exercise its powers as guaranteed under the principle of separation powers. Some lawmakers have tried to justify the planned purchase of the cars.

One of their reasons is that the vehicles were needed to facilitate the operations of the various committees separately set by the Senate and the House of Representa-

Once the debate on the 2016 budget begins, Nigerians will have the opportunity of knowing how much we voted for purchase of cars and how we intend spending the vote.

This is a responsible and responsive National Assembly.

tives. The committees were constituted by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, for the Senate and the House respectively.

Another reason being adduced by the lawmakers for the proposed acquisition of the vehicles is the policy that allows lawmakers to acquire vehicles under their use during the life of a particular National Assembly at the end of their tenure. While the vale would have depreciated, whatever the balance is deducted from their severance allowance at the point of their disengagement, a lawmaker told Nigerian Tribune on Monday.

Perhaps more fundamental in the argument of the lawmakers is their claim that the NASS is in first line charge and hence should be allowed to exercise its financial autonomy. It was in this regard that the leadership of the NASS made frantic efforts to expatiate on the intention of the lawmakers to buy the vehicles. While recognising the prevailing socio-economic circumstances in the country, the spokesman of the Senate had said, “The vehicles are not meant for individual Senators. They are purchased for the use of

Continues pg31

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Arguments for and against purchase Continued from pg30 the committees. For those who want to find out what happened to the ones bought in the past, we cannot expect that after four years, the vehicles will still be in the condition to effectively serve the present committees.

“The best practice in government institutions and even private organisations is for official vehicles allocated to top officials after four years of use to be sold at the depreciated value. We have been very frugal, responsive and responsible in our spending.

We have also cut down on several expenses and purchases. However, there are certain expenses that are normal in government and any organisation generally. They legislature is not an exception.

“With respect to the official vehicles of the Senate President, it should be noted that majority of the vehicles in his convoy are his personal vehicles, while some of the vehicles are the ones he inherited, including his official vehicle and the backup car, are so old that they are already developing faults and not fit for long journey. We can recall that on many occasions, his official car broke down.”

Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi however faulted insinuations that the planned purchase would gulp “anything close to the various figures of N4.5bn, N6bn or N50bn as being bandied around.”

He fingered contractors as being behind the rumour . He explained that shortly after getting the management team and the Senate services committee to commence the due process for the purchase, certain contractors ,who felt their bid for the purchase of the vehicles began to orchestrate media propaganda against the project and even leaked the recommendations of the body working on the proposed project. “Since the claim in an online medium that we are planning to purchase vehicles, we have not taken any further action on the issue. We are surprised that a proposed purchase became a subject of controversy and several figures that are far from our projections have been bandied around. While an online medium put the figure at N4.5 billion, another one said N6 billion and now the President on national television was talking about N50 billion,” he alleged.

Abdullahi said the NASS was conscious of the prevalent economic situation in the country and would not do anything that was contrary to the principle of due process and the feelings of the populace. He promised: “Once the debate on the 2016 budget begins, Nigerians will have the opportunity of knowing how much we voted for purchase of cars and how we intend spending the vote. This is a responsible and responsive National Assembly. We really need project for vehicles to facilitate our work We will however follow due process when we choose to take decisions on the purchase. We will also take into consideration the views, feelings and mood of the nation in taking the decisions. We will not be profligate or extravagant when what is apparently needed in our country is moderate and frugal spending. We however call on all Nigerians to be patient with us, and not jump the gun or rush into conclusions, particularly when no decision has been taken.”

A similar purchase was made by members of the last National Assembly. While members of the House got Toyota Camry cars, senators bought SUV Prado Jeeps. But the economic situation of the four years ago and today are completely not the same. But, because of the current crises of troubled economy, insecurity, decayed infrastructure

Dogara

and comatose solid mineral sector, critics have expressed strong reservations on the plan by the 8th NASS to spend any colossal amount on acquiring new vehicles. Their view is that such act will not only amount to a waste but showed the lawmakers as being insensitive to the stark economic realities in the country.

Some of the critics also averred that the lawmakers should preoccupy themselves with their constitutional responsibility, which primarily includes lawmaking, oversight functions, investigation of public office holders who cross the line and recommendations of such persons for prosecution or pass laws for the executive to implement. It also includes moving motions and bills that will formulate policies for the country, protect the territorial integrity of the country among other functions. This is not withstanding the fact that the two arms of government are interrelated and inter-dependent.

But, Senate President Bukola Saraki has

The president was not properly briefed by his handlers on the issue of cars. In the first place, the legislature is an independent arm of government, but most importantly, there is no way we can spend as much as N4.5 billion to buy vehicles.

also debunk claims that the Upper Chamber was planning to spend such colossal amount of money to buy cars. “Not in any time will @ NGRSenate spend N50bn or N47bn or N4.7bn on cars for Senate. Not in nay time will Senate spend N47bn on cars. (the) details of the 2016 Budget will be made available and open for public debate and scrutiny,” he assured.

Already, there are speculations that the issue of car purchase could re-enact a cold war between the NASS and the Presidency.

This is going by the stance of the lawmakers on the issue. To disabuse the minds of members of the public on the matter, and concise Nigerians that the NASS meant well, the chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget, Honourable Timothy Golu, said the president had no powers to stop members from buying vehicles if they wished. “The president was not properly briefed by his handlers on the issue of cars. In the first place, the legislature is an independent arm of government, but most importantly, there is no way we can spend as much as N4.5 billion to buy vehicles. The Senate can decide on what it wants to do and the House also has the right to decide on what it intends to do. This is democracy and the president cannot decide for the House. We have the right to spend money within the confines of the law. So, the president can’t stop the House from buying utility cars. The loans he is talking about are repayable. But just like the president and ministers have utility cars, lawmakers also need utility cars for the legislative functions,” Golu stated.

The Senate President Bukola Saraki has however strong debunked claims that the Upper Chamber was planning to spend such colossal amount of money to buy cars. “Not in any time will @ NGRSenate spend N50bn or N47bn or N4.7bn on cars for Senate. Not in nay time will Senate spend N47bn on cars. (the) details of the 2016 Budget will be made available and open for public debate

and scrutiny,” he assured.

The issue has generated a chain of reactions from groups and individuals, indicating the public objection against the lawmakers expected to have shown high degree of understanding to the state of the nation economy.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC), particularly came hard on the lawmakers, describing them as insensitive and lacking conscience and understanding of the task before them and the country.

President and Secretary General, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, in a statement, argued that lawmakers in most developed countries ride in public transportation to attend to state matters, despite the affluence of their country. The duo queried the lawmakers on state of Nigerian roads where they expect to drive the cars.

“For over two months running the country has been experiencing chronic fuel scarcity such that has never been heard of before.

The free-fall of the naira, poor health facilities, glorified primary schools as universities, closure of manufacturing companies, insecurity of lives and properties, which essentially is caused by unemployment, etc.

“Our case has become so deplorable that we have now become a laughing stock among the comity of nations. Where is the conscience of the so-called lawmakers?,” they asked.

The TUC officers, thus, threw their weight behind President Buhari and urged him to stand his ground on the issue regardless of pressure and likely blackmail he may have to face on the controversial matter.

“Some have argued that the National Assembly go away with their official vehicles after four years, having paid the current value to government coffers. But we wanted something different hence Nigerians voted for change. It just does not make any sense contemplating buying cars with almost 40 per cent of government annual budget. We just do hope the lawmakers mean well for the country,” they said.

A former member of the House, Dr Haruna Yerima did not only differ with the lawmakers, he also condemned them after collecting their constitutionally approved car loans. Yerima stated that they must be checkmated while their finances too should be subjected to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“It is morally wrong for the National Assembly to purchase vehicles for the lawmakers after collecting their constitutionally approved car loans. In 2006 when the car purchase issue came up, we stood against it.

We succeeded in stopping the House leadership under Speaker Bello Masari from buying the cars. Nigerians have the right to know how much of their tax payers’ money the lawmakers are spending and on what.

They should make public the breakdown of the budget estimates. It should not be a secret, he said.

Gabriel Giwa-Amu, an Ikeja-based legal practitioner, said it was deceptive for the lawmakers to make such demand saying there is no responsible democracy where lawmakers make a claim of car loan and still claim to purchase same car. “That is duplicity of expenditure. There is a thin line between patriotism and fraud. If the lawmakers are left to be fraudulent Nigeria people shall be fed up. They should be told that even if they have the power of impeachment, they don’t have power of governance. They should also be told that there are ways the president can put pressure on them and they will comply.

They need to know that they don’t have immunity for criminal prosecution,” he said.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

There is nothing special about NASS members’ salary —Hon Golu

Honourable Timothy Golu is the chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research of the House of Representatives.

In this interview with ISAAC SHOBAYO, he speaks on the prevailing situation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), anticorruption crusade and other issues in the National Assembly.

Excerpts:

W

HAT are the elders doing to reposition the PDP and make it vibrant again?

This time around the three senators from the state are PDP members. Six out of the eight members of House of Representatives are PDP members. It has been like this all this while. PDP is still on ground, the fact that the new government in the state is wearing the colour of APC does not make much difference. If election is conducted, especially at the local government level today, the PDP will sweep the poll because our people are still there. For some sentimental reasons, they voted for APC, but they would soon come back. It was like PDP members did anti-party. Have you seen any gathering of APC that tells you that people have moved to the party? Politically, Plateau State is a very sluggish state, it normally moves very slowly.

When we had election in 2011, the state was in crisis, workers salaries were not paid, but PDP still won. We are doing so many things to reposition the party in such a way that it will bounce back. So, many things happened before the election; many people were aggrieved over the choice of standard bearer in the last election from the State House of Assembly to governorship, even the choice of former Goodluck Jonathan. We have been meeting at various levels, the meeting now is more about strategic planning by those who love the party. We are talking about reconciliation, unity, forgiveness and so many other things. Our people are taking these issues more serious than before. It is like we took some issues for granted and got the result we got. The situation is making everybody to sit up. All those who love the party and are committed to its progress are doing everything possible to ensure that the party comes back to life. That is why you have not seen what is happening in other sides happening here by people coming out to declare that they have moved to APC. But in the Plateau State House of Assembly your party initially was in majority but suddenly became minority.

How many APC members? With one or two members ahead of PDP, that is not dominion like the last Assembly where PDP had 19 and four from other political parties.

This time around, PDP members are above 10, so it is good for check and balance. We lost a member in Quapan, the re-run election gave APC advantage because the governor and the chief of staff is from the local government and so many factors put together. But the gap of the election was not much. Before 2019, you will see a drastic change. You will see many APC members coming to PDP because they would be denied positions in APC. Do you subscribe to the notion that the ongoing fight against corruption

Golu

As at now, we don’t have cars at the National Assembly; we have spent seven months. No member has an official car even the presiding officers. But look at the ministers, the day they were sworn in, they had cars; nobody is talking about this. is targeted at the opposition, precisely the PDP? That was the impression that was created as soon as the major war on corruption started. They limited the fight against corruption to the PDP; other corrupt practices by other government are hardly mentioned.

The fight against corruption cannot achieve any meaningful result if it is done with sentiments or by a selective approach. Interestingly, the president also saw wisdom in it and said during his presidential chat that the war is going to be waged through due processes. Nobody should be found guilty except as pronounced by the court. I was happy to hear that from him because if we don’t do that we would be violating the provision of our laws. It is the law that guides the conduct of our activities and conduct of the people in the society. If we don’t do that we are going to create chaos in the country.

What is your position on MOSSOP agitation in the South-East?

MOSSOP has the right to agitate. Everybody has the right to shout but when you shout make sure that you don’t injure the next person. Just shout peacefully, so that you can be attended to. I want our brothers in the East to know that they dominated the country. There is no village in this country

that there is no Igbo man. That is an honour for the Igbo people. They have contributed immensely to the development of commerce and the economic development of the country. I think the federal government should also listen to them.

Some people especially, the National Assembly have been craving for the regulation of online media operation in the country as a seasoned journalist, what is your perception of the operators?

In fact, I want it to be regulated, because the way it is now we don’t have an editor, to censor. As people to moderate it. Somebody can be hypertensive because of what he read or see in the Facebook. It creates psychological trauma for people. There are advantages and disadvantages. The other time they posted the pictures of soldiers they said were allegedly killed by Boko Haram and that is discouraging to Nigerian soldiers.

The conventional media is being controlled by a editorial board. Nothing just comes in there anyhow, but that is not the case with social media.

The perception among Nigerians is that the National Assembly members are more concerned about their personal welfare than all of Nigerians.

What is your take on this?

It is far from the truth. It is easy for anybody in government to be accused. It is easy for a child to accuse his father because his father is naturally doing better than the son, the father has more money. So, the son can shout at the father and say you are not responsible because he has not asked the father what he does with his money. The National Assembly is so committed. When you are there, the environment is quite different. In the first place, you cannot be there and not get salary, and you cannot be in the National Assembly and your salary will be the same thing with that of councillor. It is not possible; because of responsibility, the salary has to be more. You cannot compare the salary of Central Bank of Nigeria and NNPC with those who work in the local government. Then why are they not challenging these people that we collect N18,000 minimum wage and then people in the CBN get N300,000 as minimum wage? Nobody is talking about that. These ones, you elected them to go and represent you, they come back with feedback.

There is no National Assembly member that does not do one or two things in his constituency. In the first place, the work of a legislature is to make laws, to provide oversight but because of the dynamics and changing pattern of democracy in developing society and third world like Nigeria, the legislature is doing the work of executive. There is no executive that does the work of legislature.

The legislature are doing the work of executive, which means they have to go out of their way to get something to bring to the people.

Our democracy is not yet mature. People will not really understand except those who are close and who have interest in what the legislature are doing. If there is no law there will be chaos in the society. As at now, we don’t have cars at the National Assembly; we have spent seven months. No member has an official car, even the presiding officers. But look at the ministers, the day they were sworn in, they had cars; nobody is talking about this.

Why? The media should help us to sensitize our people to know what we are doing. It is unfair for anybody to say members of the National Assembly love themselves more than Nigerians.

Can we say there is peace in the National Assembly, especially the House after the leadership crisis that rocked it at the inauguration?

There is peace because politically there will always be relative peace. There can’t be adequate peace in any political environment because it is unpredictable. Nobody knows what will happen any time because issues keep coming, sometimes they are national or international issues because there is no country that is an island. It is just like the game of football, today you cannot predict that Man U will defeat Arsenal. It is not possible until the game is over. It is like that.

Some people have stated thinking of 2019.

Some are thinking of 2023. Some people are still in 2015, so it depends on individuals and what you are thinking. But most of the things happening are linked to 2019 or link to the future. People should be patient to handle things the way they come. I also want to say something that the present National Assembly members was doing. The NASS has passed a bill on the National Assembly Budget and Research Office. It is formed after the convention budget office in the US.

33 politics&policy

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

‘Salary of public office holders should be cut’ Chief Adisa Osiefa is the chairman of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PDAN) Badagry branch, in Lagos State. In this interview with TUNDE BUSARI, he speaks on fuel subsidy and why President Muhammadu Buhari must remove it, as well as other issues.

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ash-and-carry politics is said to be the bane of our democracy. Do you see an end to it in this dispensa-

tion?

It is the sad aspect of our politics in this country. And it one of the reasons competent Nigerians are running away from politics. Somebody, who spent his life to build his career and make some money legitimately, would not be happy when asked to bring money before he is voted to serve his people. Money politics cannot take Nigeria to anywhere. I am not saying money is not involved, but it is not how they do it here.

For instance, President Barrak Obama raised his campaign fund, one dollar each, through public voluntary donation. It was on the internet. And those who believe in his capability and competence donated without looking back. This is the power of goodwill. This is the culture Nigerians should imbibe. As a matter of fact, there is restriction to how much you spend to prosecute election campaign. If investigation established that you have spent more, there is sanction. Unfortunately, it is only the rich that can contest election.

Are the voters not also culpable?

They are as culpable as the politicians who seduce them with money. Why I cannot fairly blame the electorate is that they are economically weak. They are therefore vulnerable and ready to do anything for politicians. It is a sad case but that is our social reality. The electorate, who is starved of quality education, has no mind to ask question from the politicians. Can the politicians take money to the educated? They cannot because they know they are going to be asked serious questions, answers of which, of course, they don’t have. What I am saying is that poverty is the reason money politics thrives here.

Is it true that salaries of our public office holders are too much?

This is one of the reasons for our backwardness. For instance, what a Nigeria lawmaker earns is equivalent to what his counterpart in India will earn in 160 years. There is no way a country with such bogus salary can progress when more than half of a budget goes for recurrent expenditure (at the expense of capital). My take on this is that these salaries must be reviewed downward.

No sacrifice is too much to lift the country up from stagnation. President Buhari has shown a good example. Others should follow suit so that we move away from the past.

Nigeria must grow.

Oil subsidy is a recurring issue, especially when fuel scarcity is discussed.

What is your position on this?

I am always of the opinion that the solution to the fuel scarcity problem is by building more refineries in Nigeria. Refining our crude oil here is the answer to the problem.

This will make the government to sell fuel at lesser rate to the Nigerian public. But as long as the government and other licensed importers at the expense of our Naira, the problem will persist. Unfortunately, the

Osiefa

What a Nigerian lawmaker earns is equivalent to what his counterpart in India will earn in 160 years. There is no way a country with such bogus salary can progress when more than half of budget goes for recurrent expenditure at the expense of capital.

three refineries we have are aged. This makes it difficult for government not to import. I must at this juncture say that there are many fake importers. I am saying that half of the so-called subsidy ends in the pockets of these fake importers. This I think is one of the leakages President Muhammadu Buhari must block.

What do you suggest the President should do after blocking the leakages?

Mr President must show to the world that he is serious to return Nigeria to the right path. The news of arrest of those suspected to have pocketed our arms money is interesting. But he must go beyond that. Those found to have fed fat from the so-called subsidy money should be fished out, arrested and prosecuted. Jailing them will show that he is not back in government to add to the number of Nigerian presidents. I have faith in him. I must also say that subsidy is good.

In a place like UK, Agriculture is subsidised.

There is also the National Health Scheme.

In transport, retirees use freedom pass.

These are well implemented subsidy. But in a situation that a few cabal corner our commonwealth because they are in government or close to the corridors of power, what you have is the fuel crisis hitting the nation.

President Buhari should not spare the rod because that would demystify him before those who are already scared of him.

This suggests you have confidence in his anti-corruption crusade. Do you?

If you have followed his track record, you would understand better his personality.

He is somebody who would not say this and do otherwise. He won the election on the strength of his integrity. I think the APC also used this yardstick to field him (All Progressives Congress). He is the one that can put some people in jail for their unpatriotic behaviour while in public office. I recently read an editorial which highlighted countries where past leaders were jailed. And I mean it that some people have to go to jail to serve as a reference point. Anything short of that is a slap on the face of those who believe in the will power of President Buhari to break the back of these people. Nobody is above the law. He must assure Nigerians, through his action, that truly the era of impunity is over in this country.

Some analysts express worry over post-Buhari Nigeria. Do you have same fear?

Having seen President Buhari making gi-

ants steps, what normally comes to my mind is life after he might have completed his term, one or two. What we lack in this country that prevents us from advancing is lack of continuity. Every new administration wants to carve a distinct identity for itself unfortunately at the expense of the development of the nation. I am not saying a succeeding government should continue bad policies of its predecessor. What I am saying is that a good policy has a universal definition, while bad also has. The journey President Buhari has started needs all we can use to see it to the end. Nigerians, by my observation, are ready to follow a good leader. For instance, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, recently arrested a driver driving against traffic. He also arrested two military personnel, who kept one boy inside the booth of a car.

What does this tell you? It shows leadership by example. What he has done has shown that the era of impunity when you violated traffic rules and went away with it is history. I can only implore APC members to give President Buhari the needed support to change the heart and face of this country for better.

Do you think the party, which some observers claim composes of strange bed fellows, will give him that support?

I think the party is being careful with the president. I don’t see them turning against him. The credit of his success is their credit.

Is the party not happy that things are working now under their administration? EFCC is now waking up to its responsibilities arresting and taking suspects to court. It is a collective credit to the party that brought the change under few months. I can observe now that the Senate and House of Representatives are now showing understanding to the path President Buhari is treading. They know he is incorruptible. Once you know somebody is not a hypocrite, you will be ready to believe him and give him support.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

inside

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

nigerdelta

Land grabbing in Niger Delta: Govts, community leaders indicted

Untilled land in a Niger Delta community Banji Aluko-Benin City

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he issue of indiscriminate allocation of community land to companies in the Niger Delta region has been brought to the front burner by stakeholders on environmental and human rights issues in the area with a resolve to tackle headlong the growing challenge of land grabbing by multinational companies operating in the states.

The stakeholders, who were drawn from states in the oil rich Niger Delta region and Ekiti State, at a one-day national conference put in place in Benin City, Edo State, by the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) in collaboration with Global Forest Watch/World Resources Institute, lamented that communities leaders and state governments were opening up avenues for companies to grab community land.

They stated that state governments and community leaders erroneously entered into deceitful Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with companies operating in their areas, and in the process, signed off the future of their people.

They noted that the rising cases of land grabbing, deforestation and environmental degradation, were core issues the late Saro-Wiwa fought and stood for, urging the people to rise against the oppressive tendencies by politicians, communities and governments.

In her remarks, the project officer, Forest and Biodiversity, ERA/FoEN, Mrs Rita Uwaka, said the conference was informed by the observation that communities were

A tick forest in one of Niger Delta communities. being lured to releasing their lands for industrialisation, only to realise that there was more to it than meet the eye.

Uwaka noted that it was now becoming attractive for governments to issue land licences to companies from different parts of the world, adding that “for them (the communities), it is a sign of development because they think that when the companies come to their domains, they are coming to bring development to enhance

the standard of living and employment for their youths and other social-infrastructural amenities, but the reserve is the case.”

The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA/ FoEN), Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, in his speech, raised the alarm over growing rate of deforestation in Nigeria, describing acts of deforestation as a major environmental problem that was contributing to climate

How NGO rescued boy, 18, from being amputated

Delta Muslims fault appointment of non-indigenes —pg35 into board

—pg35

change globally with about four per cent contribution.

Uyi Ojo said the emergence of land grabbing was not driven by multinational corporations alone, but by multinational companies aided by their national governments from developed countries with the aim of using external land and water resources to produce crops and food which were exported to the international market rather than for local consumption.

While making case for the increase in the activities of small-scale farmers and the need to stop their displacement in favour of agribusiness, he harped on the need to provide loans, insurance benefits and technological support to local farmers, stressing that “it will undoubtedly create the food revolution that is required to ensure food surplus.”

He added that the aim of the workshop was to ensure that community forests continue to be managed by community-based forests’ management system that ensured conservation and sustainable development.

CREW

Dapo Falade -Rivers 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa 08065400743 austinebipade@gmail.com

35 insidenigerdelta

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

How NGO rescued boy, 18, from being amputated Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

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or one Jonny Ekwunazor, a civil servant, it was a journey into the wilderness since July 2011 when his son, Osborn, was dragged by a moving trailer along Asaba-Benin Expressway at Ekwuoma near Umunede in Ika North-east Local Government Area of Delta State.

Riding on a motor bike with a friend, the duo hooked into the trailer and unknown to the driver were left in a state of coma with the left leg of Osborn, a student, shattered.

It was a horrible sight to behold as the duo were in a pool of blood while the trailer driver drove off.

The father, who led his family to Bride of Jesus Ministry in Umunede for a thanksgiving service recently, could not but express gratitude to God for sparing the life of the son who had a successful surgery on the leg.

Osborn’s case was a pathetic one as the parents who are peasants took the now 18 year-old boy to a private hospital in Onitsha, Anambra State for treatment. He was later transferred to an orthopaedic hospital in Enugu where it was recommended that the leg be amputated. At this stage, the leg had become bigger and rotten. The family was indeed in a dilemma.

But when the cost was mounting and hope lost, the information got to a nongovernmental organisation, Hope in God Foundation located at Ika land whose primary objective is to advance the rights of physically challenged persons.

The foundation, known to have brought relief to several handicapped individuals, decided to shower love on Osborn by taking him to a renowned missionary hospi-

tal in Gboko, Benue State and footing a bill of about N1.3 million.

“When the family wanted to cut the leg, I resisted the idea”, said the facilitator of the foundation, Evangelist James Azubuike whose major occupation is farming.

“Taking the boy to NKST rehabilitation hospital, Mkar Gboko was not easy.

At last, the boy has recovered and all the glory to God”, Azubuike said.

The story of Hope in God Foundation is one that has changed lives bringing smiles to several homes where children with K

Muslims of Delta State origin have faulted the recent appointment of nonindigenes to head the Delta State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

They urged the governor to immediately dissolve the board in the interest of Muslims of the state’s origin and peace in the state.

The group of Deltan Muslims made their grievance known in a petition addressed to Governor Okowa which was jointly signed by Alhaji Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa (Representing Delta South), Alhaji Mohammed Isimah (Delta North), Alhaji Mahmud Kolodi ( Delta Central), Mr Nurudeen Ejakpovi (Delta Central), Mr Harun Akora (Delta South) and Alhaja Khadijah B. O. Alegimenhen (Delta North) on behalf indigene Muslims in Delta State.

They asked the governor to, with immediate effect, address their grievances.

“It came to us as a surprise that the reconstitution of the Board was made up of non indigenous Muslims of Igala, Yoruba and Hausa tribes as against the normal tradition of appointing indigenous Muslims of Delta State to the Board.

“This departure from previous regimes of Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan is an insult and nonentity to the indigenous Muslims,” they lamented.

They argued that the composition of the board was nothing, but injustice and oppression to the indigenous Muslims.

“A Deltan cannot go to Sokoto State to

Gboko. Most of them are from poor backgrounds. What we are doing is divine and it is only God who knows how the bills are settled.

“Sometimes, parents of the patients hardly appreciate what the foundation is doing”, Evangelist Azubuike told InsideNigerDelta.

However, for Osborn Ekwunazor, the latest celebrant of the miraculous, there is really hope in God who kept him between 2011 and 2014 when he was actually in the wilderness.

Osborn healed at last.

Delta Muslims fault appointment of non-indigenes into board Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

or bowed legs and cleft/ palate problems were treated free of charge.

Many atimes, the treated persons celebrated their new look.

According to Evangelist Azubuike, he went into the service of mankind as a result of revelation received from God at a time he was battling his children’s physical disability.

How does he settle bills that are so colossal?

“Many people are passionate enough to assist in the payment of patients sent to

claim what belongs to the indigenes of Sokoto. There is no Urhobo or Ika man/ woman that is presently representing the Christians in Sokoto Christians Pilgrims Welfare Board. Why in Delta,?” They queried.

Members of the present board as constituted included: Dr. Ismaila Okudaye, Chairman (representing Yoruba community), Alhaji Suleman Jauro, (Hausa), Idrisu Adamu Kuta (Igala), Alhaji Sule Badmus, (Yoruba) and two Deltans including Alhaji A. Amori (Secretary) and Alhaja Mariam Nabiri.

Gov Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State

Chevron Rig explosion: Bayelsa communities seek redress in American court Austin Ebipade-Yenagoa Residents of coastal communities in Bayelsa impacted by the January 16, 2012 KS Endeavour rig explosion in Chevron’s oil field has dragged the oil firm to court in San Francisco in the United States of America.

Representatives of the victims of the explosion paid an advocacy visit to Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, solicited support of the state government in the legal action.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Alagoa Morris, coordinator of the lead plaintiffs, told the Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, that the group commenced legal action against Chevron in San Francisco on December 9, 2015.

Morris, an environmentalist, said efforts of Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were commendable, urging the government to assist the victims in their search for justice.

“The lead plaintiffs thought it wise to pay you this advocacy and courtesy visit to formally inform you about the on-going cases in California and interact with you especially as your ministry also carried out some investigations on the incident.

“Governor Dickson of Bayelsa visited Koluama 2 Town hall on February 27

and made pledge to set up technical and legal committees on the rig explosion to ensure that Chevron was held accountable for the disaster.

“It is the belief of the lead plaintiffs that the government meant well and made those laudable pledges in good faith. We are here to seek assistance from the state government through your ministry.

“We wish to benefit from the positive disposition of the ministry in protecting our environment, livelihood and health of victims of the oil industry operations,” Alagoa said.

He said that seeking justice in the home country of Chevron in the United States was necessitated by the frustrations in the slow pace of the judiciary in Nigeria.

Responding, Wills noted that it was regrettable that four years after the incident, the victims were yet to get redress.

He commended the bold steps taken by the impacted communities and pledged the support of the Bayelsa government to the plaintiffs.

“We shall continue to assist this cause. I have instructed our legal unit to offer assistance and we shall continue to help with technical expertise as our technical staff will be at your disposal. Our doors are wide open to you,” Wills said.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Edited by: ‘Gbenga Opadotun olojaekuro@gmail.com 08037149731

LG to turn Gowon College into NOUN campus

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anke Local Government Area of Plateau State is planning to turn the Yakubu Gowon College, Sheram, into a campus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The chairman of the council, Mr Yohana Titus, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kanke.

Titus said that education was one of the priorities of the council.

He said the council would make all necessary efforts to encourage the youths to develop their intellect to contribute their quota to the development of the area, the state and the country. ``It will take a little more than N200 million for us to turn the college into conducive study center for the benefit of people in the central and southern zones of the state as well as our neighbouring states such as Bauchi. ``Our plan is to get the college either on lease or outright purchase basis so

as to develop it for use as a campus of the NOUN, ’’ he said.

He called on all indi-

genes of the area to support the local government in its efforts to transform area.

New Year: Council boss urges residents to remain focused The chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Shaban Tete, has called on residents of the area to remain focused and not to despair in 2016.

Tete, who made the call in his new year message, also advised the people to be their brothers’ keepers and not to lose hope as they crossed over to the New Year.

“The journey so far has not been easy from January till now but we thank God for the gift of life. We must have faith in God and pray for the leadership of this country to make life easy for every Nigerian.

“We pray that God will guide our leaders to rebuild our economy, give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and secure our country.

“As we enter another

year, we want peace in the country, job opportunities for the youth and infrastructure development,’’ Tete said.

The chairman said Kuje residents were law abiding and peace loving people, and urged them to continue with the good spirit in order to promote peaceful coexistence in the area.

He also called on the residents to celebrate without any fear or intimidation as security measures had been put in place to curtail any breach of security.

“Kuje residents have shown that they are good, gentle and peaceful people, they should continue in that spirit.

“The security operatives will be at alert and ready to curtail any breach of security during and after the celebration period,’ ’he said.

‘Attack on Gwagwalada LG boss deliberate’ Secretary, The Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Usman Yahaya, has alleged that the attack by thugs on All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for the council was planned.

Yahaya told newsmen that security lapse recorded during the party’s primaries in the area was deliberately created by some persons to make the assault on the candidate possible.

He said that while planning for the primaries, the council requested the assistance of the military, police and civil defence, but had problems deploying soldiers to the venue.

“Some people were saying that the presence of

the soldiers will scare them from electing the candidate of their choice.

“We wanted their presence just to scare hoodlums from disrupting the event,’’ he said.

He explained that when the council chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Giri, who was one of the aspirants at the primaries, arrived at the Brifina Hotel venue of the exercise, security men at the gate denied him entry.

“They deliberately refused to open the gate for him, so he had to come out of the car and walked into the arena.

“It was in the process that some hoodlums took advantage and attacked him.

“They vandalised his Personal Assistant’s car

and even broke the windscreen of my car; the chairman narrowly escaped.

“We feel it was a deliberate security lapse created by someone for us to have that problem, but thank God that everything went peacefully inside’’ Yahaya said.

He said that the council was yet to report the matter to the police but would do so to enable them to investigate it.

The secretary, however, said that no death was recorded but that one person was injured and was receiving treatment in a hospital in the area.

Giri scored 183 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Mr Garba Jibrin, who got 111 votes.

Gov Simeon Lalong, Plateau State

Boki LG constructs new road Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State has embarked on the construction of a 26 kilometer earth road linking Boki East and Boki West.

The chairman of the council, Mr Abubakar Ewa, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Boki.

He said that the council commenced the construction of the road to make the area more accessible and alleviate the suffering of the people.

“We are constructing the earth road so that people from Boki East will no longer traverse six local government areas before getting to the local government headquarters in Boki West,” he said.

According to him, the road which would cost N41.9 million is being built through direct labour.

He said that the communities through which the road passed had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the council that no compensation would be paid to them

due to lack of funds.

Ewa said that the council now generated N2 million monthly because of effective tax collection, monitoring and control mechanism.

The chairman said that the council had the capacity to fund the project and

would ensure its completion.

He appealed to the state government to take over the road and asphalt it as soon as it was completed.

“This will make the road to last longer and make it serve the people all year round,” he said.

APC sweeps Zamfara council polls The All Progressive Congress (APC) has won all the chairmanship positions in the local council election in Zamfara State.

The chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ZSIEC), Alhaji Garba Muhammad, said in Gusau that all the candidates of the party in the 14 councils had met all the provisions of the electoral law and had been declared winners of the election in their respective councils.

He said 14 political parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

participated in the election.

The PDP, however, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Alhaji Hassan Nasiha on the eve of the election, said it was boycotting the election.

The party also said since it was still challenging the election of the Gov Abdulaziz Yari at the Supreme Court, it would, therefore, not participate in the election.

Muhammad commended all stakeholders, including security agencies, for ensuring the success of the election.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

NSCDC destroys 5 illegal refineries in Cross River •Arrests suspected vandals in Kogi, Lagos, Delta, Kwara, Osun From Anthony Ubong-Calabar, Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja, Alphonsus Agbory-Asaba, Biola Azeez-Ilorin And Oluwole Ige with Agency Reports

O

N Tuesday, the commandants of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Delta and Kwara states gave a review of their activities in 2015.

In Cross River State command, five illegal refineries were destroyed in the last seven months.

Commandant Adesuyi Dayo Clement, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar, said the illegal refineries were destroyed in the creeks of Bakassi.

Adesuyi added that 15 suspects were also arrested in connection with illegal bunkering, adding that seven of them had been charged to court while three have been convicted and sent to prison; with 20 drums of diesel seized from them.

He said: “We have put two vehicles out, one in Ikom and Ogoja axis to checkmate diversion of petroleum products which is very prevalent in Cross River State. Our men sent to that area have succeeded in ensuring that diversion is reduced.

“We have also ensured that vandalisation of electric cables and other government facilities are reduced to the barest minimum. We have also put strategies in place to ensure effective crime control.”

In Kogi State, the NSCDC arrested 130 suspects for vandalism and theft across the state.

Commandant Ochogwu Michael said there was noticeable improvement in the operations of the organisation under his leadership.

According to him, the command intensified adequate protection of critical national assets and infrastructures situated within the state during the year under review.

He disclosed that out of the 130 suspects apprehended for vandalism and theft, 19 were charged to court, 4 of the cases were concluded, while 15 were still pending in court.

Michael noted that exhibits recovered from the suspects were illegal products, vehicles, pumping machine, communication cables and drum, stressing that the frequency of transformers vandalism that characterised the first quarter of 2015 in the state had reduced tremendously to the barest minimum.

He said, “It should be noted that 2015 recorded the lowest cases of vandalism in recent history with only 5 cases as against over 15 cases in 2014,” he said.

In Lagos, the command said it arrested 234 suspects for vandalism of government’s critical infrastructure and other offences.

The Lagos State Corps Commander, Mr Gabriel Abafi, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ikeja, said the command contributed immensely to ensuring that critical assets within its domain were protected.

“In view of the operation of the command in 2015, the command arrested 234 suspects for vandalism.

“The activities of the command spread across

Anti-Vandalism, Disaster Management, Surveillance/Intelligence gathering and supervision of Private Guards Companies, among others.

“The command had between January and December in the area of antivandalism arrested about 150 suspected vandals who were caught vandalising petroleum pipelines and installations.

“The arrests were made in different locations from Badagry to Isawo-Ikorodu, Amuwo Odofin, FESTAC Town, Ijora Waterfront and Oyingbo in Ebute Meta Waterfront, Igando, Ibeju Lekki/Epe axis and Apapa.

According to him, the command has mapped out strategies to ensure that the critical assets of government in the state are protected in 2016.

“This year, the command will focus especially on Lagos waterways.

“Statistics have shown that majority of the crimes committed within the state are through the waterways.

“All the petroleum products seized in the course of the arrests so far in 2015 have been transferred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution,’’ he said.

NSCDC Commandant in Delta State, Beatrice Irabor, said 20 suspected pipeline vandals and oil thieves were arrested in the state while six trucks and two mini lorry; 22 plastic tanks and 88 drums filled with stolen petroleum product, two J5 buses and 237 jerry cans of 25 litres size each filled with AGO, were recovered from the suspects .

In a statement, Irabor said a total number of four convictions were secured at various law courts of competent jurisdiction by the legal department of the NSCDC, adding that illegal refineries and other tools used by these hoodlums “at Ekatu camp, Tekele camp and Osele all in Delta State were destroyed.

Authorities of the NSCDC, Osun State command, said no fewer that 89 suspects were arrested for engaging in various illegal activities.

Sixteen of the suspects were arrested for engaging in adulteration of petroleum products, nine were arrested for vandalism, two were nabbed for diversion of petroleum product, while 62 others were arrested for involving in fraudulent activities.

Police recover stolen car, arrest another burglar in Abuja Chris Agbambu-Abuja

Following a distress call received from Lagos in the FCT Police Command Control Room that a 2014 model silver coloured Toyota corolla, with registration number BDG 783 DF, was stolen from Lagos and was suspected to be heading towards Abuja, the FCT Command immediately alerted all its safer highways team who were on the look-out for the said car and arrested two occupants of the car.

They were arrested along Dei-Dei-Zuba axis on Kubwa expressway.

Also following a discreet operation, Police operatives attached to Wuse Division arrested one Thompson Chinonso, who specialised in breaking into houses at night and carting away cash and other valuables.

He was arrested after he allegedly broke into a house at Nouakchott Street Wuse Zone 1 and stole a bag that contained one Apple Laptop, one Ipad, one Iphone, different ATM cards and different denominations of Turkish currencies.

Jigawa: JISEIC postpones February LG poll, PDP heads to court Casual workers of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company protesting over non-payment of their three months’ salaries in Kaduna, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Kogi workers, govt draw battle line over unpaid salaries Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

The entire workers in the employ of the Kogi State government, on Tuesday, threatened to lock down the state if the three months’ salaries being owed them were not paid.

Besides, the workers also challenged the government to publicly explain how it expended the

revenue that accrued to the state from October to December 2015 that it was unable to pay the workers.

The workers, who spoke under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), said they would take to the streets if the outstanding salaries were

not paid.

The Chairman of the NLC in the state, Onuh Edoka, who spoke on behalf of the workers, lamented that the people went home hungry last December and celebrated a bleak Christmas following the non payment of their salaries.

But the state government, in its reaction to the threat, said the labour

Former PHCN casual staffs protest over unpaid salaries in Kaduna Some casual staffs of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Kaduna, on Tuesday, protested over non payment of four months’ arrears of salary and asked the successor company to pay them.

The former electricity workers, said 920 of them have not been paid the four months’ arrears as agreed with the successor company, the Kaduna Electric.

The protest was held in

front of the company’s Head Office on Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, barely 24 hours after residents of Kamanzo had protested over 10 months of power outage in their area.

A spokesman of the ex-workers, Ahmad Muhammed, claimed that there was an agreement with the company to also pay each of them N2 million as final “pay-off” in addition to other entitlements. ”Only about 100 of the casual staff had been em-

ployed so far after the agreement.

“We have engaged the management of Kaduna Electric on dialogue about four times but no meaningful result has been achieved and that was why we gave them notice of this protest.

“We want them to honour the agreement entered before the sale of PHCN which had become the current Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company,” he said.

union was only economical with the truth on the situation between it and the state government.

The government through the Special Adviser to the governor, Mr Jacob Edi, stated that to the extent that labour is to be seen as working they may have tried “by playing to the gallery but in the overall interest of the state, labour has performed woefully.”

However, the labour unions regretted that the state governor, Captain Idris Wada, reneged on his promise to pay the money during a meeting he held with the leadership of the labour unions before the end of 2015.

According to him, during the meeting, the workers demanded for the payment of their salary arrears for the state workers, local government workers and the primary school teachers, implementation of harmonisation of pension arrears and consolidated salary structure.

Adamu Aadu-Dutse

THE Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission has postponed the local government election scheduled to take place in February until further notice.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the commission’s chairman, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi and made available to journalists in Dutse.

According to the statement, it became necessary for the commission to take the action to ensure enabling environment and equal opportunities to all registered political parties.

Reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jigawa State chapter, through its chairman, Alhaji Salisu Mahmud, expressed dismay over JISIEC action, which they described as a tactical plan to truncate democratic system in the state.

The party vowed to drag the commission to court to seek redress as it has already purchased forms and put its resources in preparation for the election in accordance to the time table released by the commission last December.

38 news

Wednesday, January, 2016 Wednesday, 66January, 2016 Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Lassa fever claims 5 in Taraba, Rivers From Sylvanus Viashima and Uduakabasi Patrick

T

HE Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State, Dr Wiza Inusa, has confirmed that at least, three persons have been confirmed dead and two others currently receiving treatment at the hospital from the outbreak of Lassa Fever in the state, which started on December 25, 2015.

Inusa, who announced this at a press briefing, in Jalingo, Tuesday, on the update of the epidemic in the state, urged members of the public not to panic as efforts were being made to contain the epidemic.

“So far, we have a total number of five cases of which we have had three mortalities. I urge members of the public not to panic as the hospital is doing everything to contain the situation so as to avoid further cases,” he said.

He further reiterated that “this disease is carried by rodents and simple basic hygienic procedures such as safe keeping of food items, utensils and other things in the house, away from reach of rodents and a general clean environ-

ment could help reduce the level of susceptibility.

The medical director, however, urged the public to quickly report to the hospital whenever they experienced any strange condition in their health.

Meanwhile, two people have been confirmed dead in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following the outbreak of Lassa Fever.

This was disclosed at a press briefing on Tuesday, by the state Commissioner for Health, Mr Theophilus Odagme.

According to him, the first person died on December 30, 2015, while the other died on January 1.

“Yesterday about 10.00 p.m, I had a call from a well-meaning Rivers citizen that his guest intimated him of a case that appears to be symptomatic like lassa fever, having talked with one or two persons and that he was putting me on alert to that effect”.

“Immediately we activated all the people that should be involved, we can confirm that two patients have died in Port Harcourt. The case was being managed as an infectious disease, but it was only last night about 7.00 p.m we got the confirmatory report,” he said.

Ooni to kick off ‘thank you’ visit to Aregbesola today Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will kick off his ‘thank you’ visit with a visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola today, at the Governor’s office, Osogbo.

According to a press statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni, Mr Moses Olafare, the visit will provide an avenue for the traditional ruler to express his appreciation for his support to Ile-Ife right from the transition of Ooni Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, to the subeequnt installation of Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja

II, capped with a befitting ceremony of presentation of the staff and instrument of office.

Expected to be on his entourage are the 16 members of Ife traditional council known as Agba Ife led by Lowa of Ife, Oba J. O. Ijadola, the Isoro chiefs (chief priest), led

by Obadio of Ife, Oba Ifarotimi Faloba, the executive members of Ife Development Board led, by its president, Professor Muib Opeloye, executive members of Ife Action Council, led by its president, Mr Oriire Awowoyin, Great Ife Movement, led by its president, Mr Femi Oyeyinka and others.

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Mr Mr Alawode Alawode Suraju Suraju I,I, formerly Odedele now now MR MR OLADELE OLADELE Odedele SURAJU ODEDELE. ODEDELE. All All former former SURAJU documents remain valid. documents remain valid.

Ogun State State Teaching Teaching Service Service Ogun Commission and and general general public public Commission takenote. note. take

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Miss Miss Kamorudeen Kamorudeen I,I, formerly Fausat Bola Bola now now MRS MRS Fausat ABDULYEKEEN FAUSAT FAUSAT ABDULYEKEEN BOLA. All All former former documents documents BOLA. remain valid. valid. Atisbo Atisbo LG LG and and remain generalpublic publictake takenote. note. general

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Miss Miss Olorunnisola Olorunnisola I,I, formerly Olayinka Omotuwase Omotuwase now now Olayinka MRS AYILARA AYILARA OLAYINKA OLAYINKA MRS OMOTUWASE. All All former former OMOTUWASE. documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE formerly Miss Miss Ishola Ishola I,I, formerly Muinat Bolaji Bolaji now now MRS MRS Muinat ABOLADE MUINAT ABOLADE MUINAT BOLAJI. All former BOLAJI. All former documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Otunaiya I,I, formerly Otunaiya Ayanbusola Yemi Ayanbusola Yemi now OLUWANIYI now OLUWANIYI O LL U UW W AA BB U U SS O O LL AA O OLUWAYEMISI. All All former former OLUWAYEMISI. documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE formerly Olanipekun Olanipekun I,I, formerly Funmi now now JOHNSON JOHNSON Funmi NELSONFEMI. FEMI.All Allformer former NELSON documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Liadi Liadi Sakirat Sakirat I,I, formerly Omoshalewa Opeyemi Omoshalewa Opeyemi now HAZZAN HAZZAN OPEYEMI OPEYEMI now OMOSHALEWA SAKIRAT. SAKIRAT. OMOSHALEWA All former former documents documents remain remain All valid. General General public public take take valid. note. note.

formerly Adebayo I,I, formerly Adebayo Ogunshola now now ABIODUN ABIODUN Ogunshola OLUJIDE OGUNSHOLA. OGUNSHOLA. All All OLUJIDE former documents documents remain remain former valid. Authorities Authorities concerned concerned valid. andgeneral generalpublic publictake takenote. note. and

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE formerly Miss Miss Sedara Sedara I,I, formerly Idowu now MRS Idowu now MRS ONETUFO IDOWU ONETUFO IDOWU MERCY. All former MERCY. All former documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General

formerly Miss Miss Akangbe Akangbe I,I, formerly Sakirat Bola Bola now now MRS MRS Sakirat SANUSI SAKIRAT SAKIRAT BOLA. BOLA. SANUSI All former former documents documents remain remain All valid. General General public public take take valid. note. note.

Enikanoselu Zeblon Zeblon Ayodele Ayodele am am I,I, Enikanoselu the same same person person bearing bearing Enikanoselu Enikanoselu the Zeblon Ayodele.

Ayodele. Henceforth, Henceforth, II Zeblon want to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as want ENIKANOSELUZEBLON ZEBLONAYODELE. AYODELE. ENIKANOSELU All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names All remain valid. valid. UBA, UBA, First First Bank, Bank, remain HeritageBank, Bank,Skye SkyeBank Bankand andgeneral general Heritage public. public.

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Miss Miss Adeoti Adeoti I,I, formerly Adebola Valentine Valentine now now MRS MRS Adebola AYANBUNMI ADEBOLA ADEBOLA AYANBUNMI VALENTINE. All All former former VALENTINE. documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Miss Miss Uwa Uwa I,I, formerly Chienyenwa Tessy Tessy now now MRS MRS Chienyenwa AGUNYAI CHIENYENWA CHIENYENWA AGUNYAI TESSY. All All former former documents documents TESSY. remain valid. valid. OAUTHC, OAUTHC, IleIleremain Ife and and general general public public take take Ife note. note.

CONFIRMATIONOF OFNAME NAME CONFIRMATION

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE formerly Makinde Makinde Eniola Eniola I,I, formerly Deborah now now ODEYEMI ODEYEMI Deborah ENIOLA DEBORAH. DEBORAH. All All ENIOLA former documents documents remain remain former valid. General General public public take take valid. note. note.

Nigerian Tribune

CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE formerlySerifatu SerifatuMariam Mariam I,I,formerly now BABATUNDE now BABATUNDE SERIFATU. All All former former SERIFATU. documents remain remain valid. valid. documents Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

General CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME CHANGE

formerly Olubowale Olubowale Saidat Saidat I,I, formerly Omolola now now BABALOLA BABALOLA Omolola SAIDAT OMOLOLA. OMOLOLA. All All SAIDAT former documents documents remain remain former valid. General General public public take take valid. note. note.

39 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Taofeek Sodiq now AJAYI DANIEL OLUWATAYO. All former documents remain valid.

Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adekoya Itunu Tolulope now MRS MEKWUNYE ITUNU TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ojo Olukunmi now SAMUEL OLUKUNMI AKINPADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Osuntade Oluwayinka John now EMMANUEL OLUWAYINKA JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adedeji Caroline Abiola now MRS ONI CAROLINE ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Titilayo Oyebola Oyedele now MRS TITILAYO OYEBOLA OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesina Funmilola Dorcas now MRS UMAR DORCAS FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. Federal College of Forestry, Jericho Hill, Ibadan and general public take note.

I, Basiru Tunrayo am the same person bearing Bakare Motunrayo Seun and Bakare Motunrayo Esther. Now I want to be known and addressed as BAKARE MOTUNRAYO SEUN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, OSANYINTOLA MUHEEN ADEOLA with the Skye Bank still bearing OSANYINTOLA MUHEEN ADEOLA ABOLORE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank, Skye Bank and general public.

I, formerly Miss Adetutu Florence Aderibigbe now MRS OLANIYI ADETUTU FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayinla Yetunde Abosede now ADELEKE YETUNDE ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Ejiro Sylvester Voke now MR OLOTA EMMANUEL OGHENERUME. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Evangelist Mrs Dorcas Olufunke Faji now EVANGELIST MRS DORCAS OLUWAFUNMIKE OLUWAFOLARIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Morili Iyabo Gbadamosi now MRS MORILI IYABO OGUNDELE. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A. Bank, Union Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mr Daniel Olusoji Faji now MR DANIEL OLUSOJI OLUWAFOLARIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ufuoma Dinah Amos Esieke now MRS. UFUOMA DINAH SYLVESTER IMOHIMI EDEGBAI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adedeji Ismaila Iyiola now ADEDEJI JIMOH IYIOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akinola Folasade Basirat now MRS. AJANI FOLASADE BASIRAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olabiyi Wasilat Abioye now MRS. ADESOLA RACHEAL ABIOYE. All former documents remain valid.

TESCOM Zonal Office, Saki and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olatimehin Mubo Ruth now MRS MUBO RUTH OLATIMEHIN FAJEMISEYE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ogungbade Tosin Abiodun now MRS OLOGBOSERE O L U WA T O S I N ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mudasiru Arulogun Ajao now MUDASIRU YUSUFF AJAO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ajibola Bolanle Rebecca now OTEGBAYO BOLANLE REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. FCMB, UCH and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Alagbe Zachariah Adesoji now DAVIS ANTHONY ADESOJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Tegbe Oludare Samuel now OLALERE OLUDARE SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Alagbe Adeola Felicia now MRS ADEBAYO ADEOLA FELICIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Leonard Kayode Agienoji now LEONARD KAYODE MAURICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ademola Rukayat Asabi now MRS AREMU RUKAYAT ASABI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mr Musiliu Sarau Babatunde now OLAYIWOLA MUSILIU SUARAU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Eyianromi Yemisi Ranti now MRS AKINSANMI YEMISI RANTI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Tawa Alimi now MUYIDEEN BOLANLE MORENIKEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fadare Christianah Foluke now MRS OREOLUWA CHRISTIANAH FOLUKE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Babalola Lydia Folake now MRS KUSORO LYDIA AFOLAKE. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc, Union Bank, GTBank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Miss Adeoye Jamilat Mosunmola now MRS GBADEGESIN JAMILAT MOSUNMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebisi, Iyabo Toyin now MRS ADEBISIOLAYINKA, TOYIN IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Nwanagu Blessing Nkechinyere now MRS OSU BLESSING NKECHINYERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olorunfunmi Ayodele Funmilayo now MRS AKOLEAJE AYODELE FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adeleke Olusola now OLAMOYEGUN HAMMED. All former documents remain valid.

Skye Bank and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Olalekan Adewale Bello am the same person bearing Olalekan Adewale Adebayo. Now I wish to be known and addressed as OLALEKAN ADEWALE BELLO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Nura Ibrahim Agoda now BAWA NURADEEN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Igudia Blessing Onyeche now MRS OMONUA BLESSING ONYECHE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Muyili Demola Salau now ADISA, SALAWU MUILI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olayanju, Funmilola now MRS OYENIRAN, FUNMILAYO RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adesina Grace Aduke now MRS ROTIMI GRACE ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Safurat Tunradun Omiyale am the same person bearing Safurat Motunradun Dauda. Now I want to be known and addressed as SAFURAT DAUDA OMIYALE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oluwafemi Racheal Ogundeyi now MRS OLUWAFEMI RACHEAL FALADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akindiya Moronke Dmotunde now MRS. ADEJOBI-AKINDIYA MORONKE DMOTUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration, FCT, Abuja, UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Olowoyeye Bukola Esther now AMUMEJI BUKOLA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olowookere Yemisi Aina now MRS. ADEDIPE OLUWAYEMISI FLORENCE AINA. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc., GT Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Emetuma Oluchi Edith now MRS CHINYERE OLUCHI EDITH. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Evan Emmanuel Monday now IKPE EMMANUEL MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Quadri Lukman Omowunmi now QUADRI LUKMAN ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Giwa, Yeside Taiwo now MRS. AKANMU, YESIDE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, AJIBADE AMUDALAT ADERONKE am the same person bearing MRS ADESANU ADERONKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Olutoyin Bolaji now MRS OJELADE OLUTOYIN BOLAJI. All former documents remain valid.

OYSCATECH, Igboora and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajewole Mopelola Oluwatoyin Arike now MRS. WILLIAMS MOPELOLA OLUWATOYIN ARIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Olaonipekun Oluwatosin Fatimo now MRS ADEKUNLE FATIMAH OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Nyendi Iliya now MRS NYENDI AKINTUNJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Babarinde Oluwabusayo Dorcas now MRS. ADEBAYO OLUWABUSAYO DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. OSPOLY Microfinance Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ariyehun Funke Bolatito now MRS OYEWOLA FUNKE CECILIA. All former documents remain valid. C.A.C. Oke-Ayo, Iseyin, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeola Omolara Adetunji now MRS. ADEOLA OMOLARA OLADEPO. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc., Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Amarachi Grace Ekweogu now MRS FATUNMBI AMARACHI GRACE EKWEOGU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Fausat Modupe Yusuff now MRS FAUSAT MODUPE OPALEMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Arowolo Olukemi Deborah now MRS ADEWUYI OLUKEMI DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

Portuguese Embassy, British Embassy, TNS RMS, First Bank, GTBank, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajaegbo Nkeiruka Stella now MRS BOB NKEIRUKA STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adetunji Tejumade Ebunlomo now MRS AMUDIPE TEJUMADE EBUNLOMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Victoria Bose Jimon now VICTORIA BOSE SAKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Anierobi Anne Chiyelu now MRS UGWUEGBU ANNE CHIYELU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Salami Olabisi Rukayat now MUSTAPHA OLABISI RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Shadia Tinuola Ayinke Idowu now IDOWUTAYLOR HALIMAT TINUOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ogunkoya Adedoja Adunni now MRS OSHIMINI ADEDOJA ADUNNI. All former documents remain valid.

Union Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Amodu Olubukola Oluyemisi now MRS UYINIMHIN OLUBUKOLA OLUWAYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Ministry of Education and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oriare Abidemi now NURUDEEN ADEBAYO RIDWANULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olopade Bukunmi Victoria now FAJINMI BUKUNMI VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adejumo Mufliat Adeola now MRS KATIBI MUFLIAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Fatai Rasheed now MR MUDASHIRU IBRAHIM OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Oketikun Kehinde Olatayo now MRS OKETIKUNLUFADEJU KEHINDE OLATAYO. All former documents remain valid. University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajibulu, Rachel Oluwabunmi now MRS AJAYI, RACHEL OLUWABUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyewo Yetunde Oyeyemi now MRS OBIEKWE YETUNDE OYEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

GTBank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Agbaje Blessing now MRS ANIMASHAUN OLABISI ANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, AGBOOLA MUJIDAT KIKE am the same person bearing AGBOOLA MUJIDAT OMORILEWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ganiyu Rianatu Lolade now OLOLADE OLASUPO. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Alhaji Ramoni Olatunde now AMUZAT RAMONI OLATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Bakare Abiodun Temitope now BUDALE TEMITOPE ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

40 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, ADEWALE ELIJAH SHODEINDE am the same person as SHODEINDE FOLUSO ADEWALE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Lasisi Opeyemi Ayansola now OLAYIWOLA OPEYEMI AYANSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Jegede Damilola Oluwabukola now MRS OBAYA DAMILOLA OLUWABUSAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Igwe, Faith Ngozi now MRS NKACHUKWU, FAITH NGOZI. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adigun Oyepeju Kafayat now MRS ADEOTI OYEPEJU KAFAYAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Nuratu Agboola now MRS NURATU GANIYU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayenuberun Omolere Joseph now AYENUBERUN GBENGA SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Apeh Gloria Ruth now MISS EGBURU GLORIA RUTH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Tolulope Adeniyi now MRS TOLULOPE JEGEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Waidi Alimi Adigun now WAIDI ALIMI AJO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akande Taoreed Babatunde now BABALOLA TAOREED BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank, First Bank, Corporate Affairs Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olawoye Ayobami Ibukun now MRS AGBOOLA AYOBAMI IBUKUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oloyede Sarah Adeoti now AKINYEMI SARAH TOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Toyin Abeji now MRS ELEBODA HELLEN TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oladapo Grace Temitope now MRS OLUBAYO GRACE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Atoki Funmilayo Titilayo now OLOFINNIYI FUNMILAYO TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Mrs Esedere Veronica Omotejhwo, that my name was wrongly spelt as Adeola Aishat Omotejhow. The correct name is MRS ESEDERE VERONICA OMOTEJHWO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, OWOYELE RAMOTALLAHI TOLANI ABIODUN am the same person as OWOYELE TOLANI RAMOTALLAHI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Okungade Olaseni Odunayo now MRS AKINNIFESI OLASENI ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunronbi Oluwafunsho Beatrice now MRS ADENIRAN O L U WA F U N S H O BEATRICE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ikponmwonba, Osaro Gold now MISS WEALTH, GLORY GOLD OGHOGHO. All former documents remain valid. Eleos Evangelical Ministry and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Rachael Temitope Adelere now MRS RACHAEL TEMITOPE OJEBUYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyalade Adeola Eunice now MRS ASIRU ADEOLA EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. Osun State SUBEB and general public take note.

I, OLADOSU KEHINDE ABIODUN am the same person bearing OGUNSIJI KEHINDE ADISA. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Lamidi Olasunkanmi Simiyu now ABDULHAMMED OLASUNKANMI ASIMIYU. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Rasaki Sukurat Dasola now MRS RUFAI SUKURAT DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Odetokun Lydia Foluke now MRS OLADOKUN LYDIA FOLUKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Akinlolu Charles Morgan now AKINLOLU SUNDAY SHOLA. All former documents remain valid.

UBA, GTB Bank, Ondo and general public take note.

I, formerly Agoro Adijat Oluwaseun now AZEEZ ADIJAT OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Isiaka O. Hajarat now OBAMI-JULIUS OHUNENE HAJARAT BRENDA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Orisabinone Olawunmi Rosemary now MRS OGUNTIMEHIN OLAWUNMI ROSEMARY. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C. and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladeji Ramota Titilayo now MRS OGUNKOYA RAMOTA TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

SUBEB, IKLGEA and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oyebamiji Matthew Blessing am the same person bearing Olukunle Ibukun. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OYEBAMIJI MATTHEW BLESSING. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Bank and general public.

I, formerly Adereti Saheed Adebayo now ADERETI SOLOMON ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Rafiu Folashade Zainab Omolade now SIPASI FOLASHADE OMOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adegoke Titilope Scholastica now MRS ADESIYAN TITILOPE SCHOLASTICA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Odigbo Cajetan Udubuisi now EMMANUEL OKAFOR NDUBUISI. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Awosoji Oludayo Iyabode now MRS ADEBAYO OLUDAYO IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Oladeji Muminat Bolawa now KARIMU BILIKISU IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Babatunde Radeyo Adebimpe now MRS SALAAM RADEYO ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid.

LGSC, ELG and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Gbadamosi Hammed now GBADAMOSI HAMMED ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Iyanda Olanike Agnes now MRS FADAIRO OLANIKE AGNES. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Jackson Victoria now MRS IDRIS FLORENCE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, First Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Olabode Sunday Olaniyi also bearing Olabode Sunday Oladiran, now wish to be known and addressed as MR OLABODE SUNDAY OLADIRAN. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly opened an account with the name OMOWONUOLA EMILY DANIEL with IBTC Bank. Now I want the name to be known as OYINLOYE OLUWASEYI DAVID. All former documents remain valid. IBTC Bank, with its BVN and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly Olokede Josiah Olusegun now OLOKEDE JOHNSON OLUROTIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Kayode Temitope Kikelomo am the same person bearing Friday Kikelomo Temitope. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as FRIDAY KIKELOMO TEMITOPE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Bank and general public.

I, formerly Mrs Adepeju Folashade Oyeyinka now MISS ADEPEJU FOLASHADE ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Victor Fatoke now AJAYI AYOOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ilori Oluwatoyin Olabode now MRS KOLAWOLE OLUWATOYIN OLABODE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Arogundade Raimat Bukola now MRS MOSOBALAJE RAIMAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Babatunde Elizabeth Odunayo now MRS FADAIRO ELIZABETH ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Oyeyemi Ayotunde Adejunmobi now CHIEF (MRS) OYEYEMI AYOTUNDE OSIBAMOWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abubakar Ibrahim now ABUBAKAR K. YEKINI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Eladekero Abraham now OPUWEI ABRAHAM. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fidelia Edoje Edirin Iyoha now MRS FIDELIA IKE CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olabode Bolanle Basirat now MRS FALOYE BOLANLE BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwaseun Oluyemisi Kemi now MRS OYEROGBA OLUYEMISI KEMI. All former documents remain valid. Emmanuel Alayande College of Education and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Gabriel Ifeoma Grace now MRS GABRIEL GRACE IFEOMA NWOKENAGU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Dinkoru Misan now TINARO JULIUS JEMINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Umukoro Elohor Sophia now MRS ELOHOR SOPHIA CHAMPION KPATEGHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Dedekimo Emuerhime Evelyn Oki now MRS ITEFUE EMUERHIME EVELYN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Apara Damilola Debbie now AGOSU BASIRAT DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mrs Petersen Oluwakemi Mariam now MISS OLASOPE OLUWAKEMI MARIAM. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That I MISS AZEEZ JELILAT ANUOLUWAPO am the same person bearing MISS AZEEZ JELILAT ODUNAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. MAPOLY and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ola Dorcas Adenike now MRS BOLORUNDURO DORCAS ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Olaiya Fausat Toyin now MRS ALARAPE FAUSAT TOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Asere Tolulope Elizabeth now MRS AYEGBOGBON TOLULOPE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mashood Olorunlogbon Yusuf now JOSHUA OLORUNLOGBON YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. GTB, FBN, Avon Technique Nig. Ltd and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ewomazino Orah, Ewomazino Dikoru now MRS EWOMAZINO IKUEJAWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Esther Ajiri Macauley, now ESTHER AJIRI MACAULEY IGHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Edah Goodluck Omatseyin, now EDEMAEDAH OMATSEYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Anuniba Seun Felin now TONLAGHA BRAKUMOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Abubakar Isah Ummar now MR ABUBAKAR GARBA ALIYU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adekitan Hannah Oluwatosin now MRS ADELAYISOYE HANNAH OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Oyo State, Ogo Oluwa LGEA and general public take note.

I, Mohammed Samsudeen am the same person bearing Muhammed Samsudeen. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED SAMSUDEEN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank, Access Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Bakare Muinat now MRS MUINAT YUSUFF. All former documents remain valid. FCMB and general public take note.

I, formerly Comfort Yagoma Okpanachi now MRS COMFORT YAGOMA MIACHI. All former documents remain valid. FCT Universal Basic Education Commission Board, Local Education Authority, AMAC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olusola Elizabeth Olubake now MRS OKESANYA ABIGAEL OMOBAKE. All former documents remain valid. FBN, Skye Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Sambo Bashiru Garba Allia Abubakar now SAMBO GARBA ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Alhawal Maruff Bamidele am the same person as Al’awwal Bamidele Gbolahan, born on March 11, 1971 and not October 12, 1971. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Waheed Oladosu Alamu now MR WAHEED ABRAHAM ALAMU OLADOSU. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Quadri Damilola Esther now ADEYEMO DAMILOLA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Adesewa Ibrahim now MR KAREEM LATEEF ADIGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

41 news

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Armsgate: SERAP urges EFCC, ICPC to probe CBN, other banks Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin- Lagos

T

he SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged anti-graft agencies to thoroughly investigate the role of banks, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and financial institutions, in the large-scale stealing of over N70 billion meant for the purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram.

In a statement made available on Tuesday, SERAP said it had sent petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

In the petitions signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group expressed concern that while the CBN turned blind eye to corruption involving high-ranking government officials, it continued to engage in anti-poor policies such as introducing charges for use of Automated Teller Machine (ATM cards, and threatening to send to jail economically and socially disadvantaged citizens who use dollars for local transactions.

“This inconsistent and discriminatory approach of penalising the economically and socially disadvantaged citizens for minor infractions while showing no concern about the over N70 billion stolen arms purchase budget, is unlawful as it is contrary to national and international anti-money laundering standards and best practices.

“SERAP believes that the CBN cannot absolve itself of complicity in the stealing of the over N70 billion and that this large-scale corruption would have been prevented had the CBN been alive to its leadership and supervisory roles in implementation of anti-money laundering standards within its systems and in other banks.”

SERAP, however, urged the chairman of the EFCC Ibrahim Mustafa Magu and the chairman of the ICPC, Ekpo Nta to urgently institute a joint probe of the roles played by the leadership of the CBN and other banks and financial institutions in the stealing of over N70 billion arms purchase funds.

“SERAP believes that the efforts to identify responsibility for the heinous crimes committed

against the Nigerian soldiers and their families should include the roles that banks and financial institutions played by aiding, abetting or failing to exercise due diligence to prevent the stolen funds from being stashed in their institutions, and thereby exacerbating the conflict in the Northeast.

“SERAP is seriously concerned about CBN’s commitment and ability to tackle high-level official corruption, especially given the fact that it was the CBN that facilitated, aided and abetted the emptying of the

public treasury by the late General Sani Abacha.

“The CBN should have learnt from this experience and not allowed without questions the withdrawal of billions of naira within a short period of time, by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“The CBN should have also tightened up its systems after helping Abacha to steal billions of dollars from our commonwealth.

Dasukigate suggests that

the CBN has taken no action to improve its systems and due diligence.

“By allowing excessive withdrawals by Dasuki and Okonjo-Iweala, the CBN has helped to fuel corruption in the arms purchase budget, and thereby contributed to the unnecessary loss of lives of many Nigerian soldiers and displacement of millions of law-abiding citizens,” the statement read in part.

“The EFCC and the ICPC now have the chance to send a clear message to the leadership of the CBN and other banks and

financial institutions that aiding and abetting corrupt government officials to steal from the poor will attract personal responsibility.

“The CBN ought to have blown the whistle, and filed reports with the appropriate anti-corruption agencies or other authorities.”

SERAP therefore urged the EFCC and ICPC to urgently institute a joint probe of the roles played by the leadership of the CBN and other banks and financial institutions in the stealing of over N70 billion arms purchase funds.

From left, the celebrant, Professor Biodun Jeyifo; Professor Wole Soyinka; Professor J.P. Clark and Professor Dan Izevbaye, during the 70th birthday lecture of Professor Jeyifo, at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, on Tuesday. Nan

Bayelsa poll: We’ll resist rigging attempts —PDP •We’re for peaceful, free, credible election –APC Leon Usigbe, Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

AHEAD of the scheduled Bayelsa State governorship supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on Saturday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on its faithful to use all means necessary in a democracy to resist any move by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the election.

The party said in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Tuesday, that it is aware of the plots by the APC to use compromised security operatives and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in its alleged attempt to produce fictitious votes and declare itself winner, but vowed that any of such unholy bid would be greeted with vehement resistance and dire consequences.

The party reiterated that Southern Ijaw was a wellknown PDP stronghold,

adding that it would never accept any results that do not reflect the will of the people.

The statement added: “We issue this statement as direct notice to the APC and their compromised INEC, military and other security operatives, who have been stationed to ostensibly assist to produce fictitious votes with which the APC intends to declare itself winner.”

Meanwhile, the APC, on Tuesday, expressed its worry over the PDP which ac-

cording to it, has allegedly been beating war drums ahead of Saturday’s governorship supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, saying that the party would always support peaceful, free and credible election.

The APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, in a statement issued in Abuja, said that the party was aware of the PDP’s ploy to intimidate eligible voters, officials of the INEC and se-

security agencies was taken following a successful media campaign by the company regardless of insurgency and insecurity in parts of the country, especially between the second quarter of 2013 and late 2015.

Shuaib recalled that before PRNigeria was brought in by the government to help counter the widespread negative narrative of the Boko Haram terrorists, only very few were aware that Nigerian troops were

LG chairman, others defect to APC in Nasarawa Ademola Adegbite- Lafia

Chairman of the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Mr Akolo Success-Ahmed, alongside some of his aides, on Tuesday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state.

Other defectors were Secretary to the Local Government, Mr Ombugadu Obadiah, as well as the Supervisory Councillor, Health, Mr Garba Abdullahi and special adviser to the chairman on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Yakubu Musa.

Addressing newsmen after the council’s meeting in Nasarawa-Eggon, the headquarters of the council, the chairman explained that the decision was borne out of Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura`s track records since his assumption of office, urging other aides to join him in order to bring more development to the area.

According to him: “I have decided to call this council meeting to officially inform my political appointees and other management team of my defection to APC from PDP because of our dear Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura`s developmental stride in our local government and the state at large.”

Apc chairmanship aspirant threatens court action against party, Niger gov Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

curity operatives deployed to ensure peaceful, free and credible supplementary elections in Bayelsa State, on Saturday.

The statement read in part: “While the APC prays for a peaceful, free and credible supplementary election come Saturday, security agencies must be on high alert over the dangerous threats by the PDP to cause a breakdown of law and order in Bayelsa State, on Saturday.”

PRNigeria to diversify operations The management of PRNigeria, Nigeria’s leading private news distribution portal has said it will diversify its operations in its integrated marketing communication to cover other segments of the economy.

Chief Executive Officer of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib while speaking with newsmen in his office in Abuja, said the decision to add other sectors to the military and

Nigerian Tribune

doing anything to counter insurgency.

“PRNigeria have been actively involved in cementing relationship between the media and security agencies in the recent past. And we have succeeded in changing the negative media narrative of the counter-terrorism campaign at a period when the Boko Haram was having the upper hand in the propaganda campaign of the war against Nigeria.”

Barring all odds, a chairmanship aspirant in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zubairu Mohammed Badamasi, may drag the party and the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello to court, over omission of names and picture in ballot paper, in the recently concluded party primaries.

He made the disclosure to newsmen in Minna, on Tuesday, after his efforts to follow due process, failed to yield results, as according to him, another candidate had been given the party’s flag for the coming local government elections in the state. The flagging off of the council election campaigns in Minna, was held on Monday.

Badamasi’s name and picture, according to a source, were omitted from the primaries ballot papers, adding that nothing was done about his complaints, even after he had officially written to the state secretariat of the party in his ward.

42 news

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

Alaafin names Aregbesola ‘Omoluabi’ of Yorubaland

T

he Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Tuesday, bestowed on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, the title of “Omoluabi of Yoruband”, just as he urged Osun people to pay their taxes.

The traditional ruler, who was at the Government House, Osogbo, to present the award, stated that the governor, has always been at the forefront of projecting the “Omoluabi ethos”, which the Yoruba race has always preached.

While explaining that he has always monitored the administrative and leadership style of the governor since inception of his administration, he said “Aregbesola has always led along the line of a true “Omoluabi”.

“The Yorubas is a tribe that always instill in their children and the youths, all the characters of a responsible and well brought up individual, I have studied the leadership style of Aregbesola among all the governors in the country and have discovered that he is the only one who have, through his leadership style, projected the “Omoluabi ethos” of the Youruba race,” he said.

“Aregbesola is man that breathes responsibil-

ity at all times, we have always been hearing of an Omoluabi for a long time and I am so happy that we now have a governor, who is leading by example.

As measure of the importance of this honour to Aregbesola, I presented to him a photo compendium and signed framed portrait congratulating the governor on his new chieftaincy title of “Omoluabi of Yorubaland,” he added.

He also used the opportunity to call on the people of Osun to support the gov-

ernment of the day by paying their taxes regularly, stressing that taxation was the most efficient way to give the people good government.

Oba Adeyemi, who lamented the dwindling nature of the federal allocation, pointed out that the only way out of the economic logjam, was for the people to carry out their civic responsibilities as individuals.

“All over the world, taxation is the way out, for government to be able to

conveniently provide for all the amenities and pay salaries conveniently, the people must endeavour to pay their taxes regularly,” he said.

“I want to urge the people of Osun to assist the current administration with the payment of their taxes, the current administration has done so much in the provision of social amenities such as construction of roads, provision of affordable health care facilities, assistance for the aged.”

“I also know that Aregbesola-led administration has been providing free school uniforms as well as feeding the school pupils, something which no government has ever done, not even the Federal Government,” he added.

Responding, Governor Aregbesola noted that the reign of Oba Adeyemi has been very peaceful and fruitful, while praying that God should make his reign more peaceful and eventful.

Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola (right), the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (left) and Imam Daud Imran Tijani (middle), during the conferment of Omoluabi of Yorubaland, on Aregbesola by the monarch, at the Government House, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

IGP warns officers over indiscriminate check of motorists’ mobile phones Chris Agbambu - Abuja Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has warned police officers who are in the habit of indiscriminate checking of personal information on mobile phones of members of the public to stop it with immediate effect.

In a police circular tagged: “Reports of alleged indiscriminate accessing of personal information on mobile phones by police patrol teams”, dated December 31, 2015 and signed by the force secretary, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Patrick Dukumor and dispatched to all police state commands and formations nationwide, on Monday, January 4, 2016, the IGP

directed that severe disciplinary actions would also be taken against any officer (s) and their supervisors Divisional Police Officers (DPOs, Area Commanders and Sectional Heads), against whom a proven report of illegal mobile phone checks not supported by appropriate court orders or operational exigency is made.

All state commissioners of police and formation commanders, were further directed to make the full content of the said circular known to all officers attached to their respective commands.

The circular also reminded officers to ensure protection of the rights to private and family life as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

CSP Abayomi Shogunle, who is the officer in charge of Complaint Response Unit (CRU), at the force headquarters, noted that the circular was sequel to several reports made to CRU by citizens, most especially, from Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Delta, Rivers and

Edo states of alleged indiscriminate checking of personal information such as emails, text messages and other forms of communication contents on personal mobile phones by some officers under the pretext of looking for fraudsters.

He said the CRU enjoins

Police arrest suspected cultist for murder in Delta EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri Operatives of Delta State Police Command, at Ebrumede Division, have arrested a cult suspect, for stabbing one Atabure Agbogho, to death, during a brawl along Ovie Palace Road, Effurun, Delta State.

This is just as a 25-year-

old robbery suspect, was arrested for attempting to dispossess one Michael Oscar of his belongings on December 29, 2015 at Obi Palace, Umunede.

The robbery suspect, whose gang members fled on sighting the police, was caught with one cutto-size double barrel locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one toy pistol,

...Ban public procession, protest EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri The Delta State Police Command has banned all forms of public procession or protest in all parts of the state with immediate effect.

This was made known in a press statement signed by the police image maker, DSP Celestina Kalu and made available to the

Nigerian Tribune, on Tuesday, in Warri,.

Kalu said the decision was necessary to ensure public safety.

She warned that “any group, union, association or individual caught violating this directive will be severely sanctioned according to the law, irrespective of the status of

members of the public not to engage in any form of conduct that could lead to the use of any form of force by a police officer, rather, the CRU should be contacted in respect of any police andcitizen contact that are not satisfactory to them.

such groups, unions or individuals.”

DSP Kalu admonished citizens, who are law-abiding to go about their lawful businesses and promptly report any person, union or association trying to breach public peace to the police or other security agencies.

According to her, groups,

unions or associations who wish to embark on a peaceful procession should formerly seek police protection before embarking on such activity, saying that the police command has reinvigorated its security apparatus to ensure the safety of all law abiding residents of the state and public utilities.

one black mask and 26 wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the deceased, who was stabbed on the neck on December 30, was rushed to Ekpan General Hospital for treatment but died after efforts to revive him failed.

The imagemaker of the state Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the two incidents in a statement.

She said preliminary enquiries revealed that a fight between two rival cult groups led to the death of Agbogho.

Kalu added that the suspect is undergoing further investigation, while the remains of the deceased, have been deposited at Ekpan General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Nigerian Tribune

Cultists flee Rivers community over death of two members UduakabasiPatrick-Port Harcourt Cultists in Elibrada community, Emohua clan, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, are now on the run following the beheading of two suspected cultists in the area.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that on Tuesday, some cultists were seen fleeing the community at midnight for fear of being killed like other two hoodlums, who were beheaded in December, 2015.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that unidentified gunmen laid siege on the community, last Sunday night and killed a boy who allegedly terrorised the entire Emohua community, during and after the last election One of the sources anonymously told the Nigerian Tribune that the problem started on Sunday night, when unknown gunmen invaded Elibrada Carnival and shot sporadically, causing a scare in the area.

When the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), was contacted on the issue, he could not be reached.

Police parade suspected armed robbers, cultists in Kwara Biola Azeez - Ilorin Kwara State police command has paraded eight suspected criminals in armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Parading the suspects, including an ex-convict and a wanted armed robber in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, the state Commissioner of Police, Esosa Amadasun, said the command has resolved to weed criminality from the state and warned would-be criminals that they would be dealt with.

The police boss said the suspects include six armed robbery suspects, who he said, were nabbed along New Yidi Road, Ilorin, at about 4:00 pm, on the new year day.

The police commissioner also said that the paraded people were members of KK cult group, which had been terrorising people in the metropolis.

He said investigations into their activities were going on, adding that they would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

communitynews BEDC moves to reconnect Ore, Okitipupa, others to national grid

43

Banji Aluko-Benin City

A

fter being in darkness for a year, towns and communities in Ondo South Senatorial District are set to enjoy electricity as the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

has commenced work towards reconnecting them to the national grid.

The six local government areas in the senatorial district, namely: Odigbo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele and Ile-Oluji/OkeIgbo, were disconnected in January, 2015, because

of non-payment of electricity bills totaling about N1.9 billion, thereby leaving towns such Okitipupa, Ore, Ilaje, Igbotako, and Ilutuntun without electricity.

The deal to re-energise the towns and communities was reached after

talks were held between the Ondo State government, the BEDC and the affected communities. At the meeting, core issues of reconciliation, enumeration, debt payment plan by the communities were considered.

In the draft agreement

before the Ondo State government, the BEDC is proposing that communities pay 50 per cent post-privatisation debt while pre-privatisation debt will be spread over a year, even as the power distribution company is looking forward to an enabling environment for its operation in the affected areas.

In order to re-energise the communities, the BEDC last month, started repair works on power installations in Odigbo Local Government Area such as replacement of poles, reconnection of cables and wires and inspection of transformers.

Speaking on the devel-

opment, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said the state government was perfecting details on the draft agreement that was received last month in order to re-energise the affected communities.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, Mr Ayodele Ikumawoyi, said local government chairmen in the affected areas held several meetings with the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, adding that the draft agreement was about to be signed for the take-off of the reconnection process.

Communities plead with FG on maritime varsity Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

This block of classrooms at Muslim Primary School, Odogbolu, Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, is a death trap. It should be pulled down or renovated. Photo: OLAYINKA OLUKOYA

Okerenkoko Federated Communities in Warri South-West LocalGovernment Area of Delta State, have appealed to the Federal Government not to discontinue work on the Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko.

Buhari urged not to relegate Ijaw, Itsekiri communities Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged not to relegate oilproducing communities of Ijaw and Itsekiri to the background in his bid to develop the nation.

President of Izon-Ebe Oil Producing Communities Forum, Mr Moses Edougha, made the plea on Tuesday during a chat with journalists in Warri, Delta State.

The Ijaw leader claimed that the Ijaw ethnic nationality which contributed a large chunk of oil and gas resources to the nation’s coffers had been relegated to the background in the scheme of things.

He called on Buhari to develop the Niger Delta, noting that “the hen that lays the golden egg must not be allowed to die.”

The Ijaw chief, however, lauded President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, observing that it was not targeted at Ijaws but cor-

rupt Nigerians.

According to him, Buhari had told Nigerians during his inauguration that he belongs to all Nigerians and not anybody in particular.

He urged the president not to be deterred in his resolve to sanitise the system.

“It is through this measure that we can stabilise this great nation. There

is corruption everywhere, especially in government circle, higher institutions of learning, the military, police force and all facets of life,” the Ijaw leader maintained.

“From day one, President Buhari had vowed to fight corruption anywhere and, this means that he is not beaming his search light on Ijaws alone,” he noted.

Group offers treatment to 20 cancer patients in Osun communities Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

A group identified as MicCom Cancer Foundation has offered free treatment to 20 cancer patients in Osun communities just as it advised that early detection of the dreaded disease would make its treatment less expensive and effective.

Addressing a press conference as part of activities rounding off its 2015 programmes in Ada, the Project Director of MicCom Cancer Foundation, Dr Tolulope Kuye said, “we have given free treatment to 20 cancer patients between the period

under review.”

She listed risk factors of cancer to include hereditary and environmental influences, stating that all women who have had children were at risk of cervical cancer.

According to Kuye: “MicCom Cancer Foundation, which was established in memory of late Engineer (Mrs) Funke Ponnle, who died of endometrial cancer on October 29, 2012, has stayed true to its vision to empower individuals and communities to reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria.”

She continued: “Our

mission is to promote cancer awareness and prevention through education, and to checkmate its burden by early detection through community wide screening and facilitated treatment of early cancers, particularly cancer of the breast, cervix and prostrate”.

While calling on eminent Nigerians, corporate bodies and philanthrophic groups to support the foundation in its resolve to offer treatment for the disease, Kuye contended that “the existence of this laudable programme de-

pends on constant availability of funds donated by organisations, governments and persons of high calibre”.

She added that during the period under review, the foundation offered free health talk and screening in Primary Health Care (PHC) centres and comprehensive health care centres in Osun State, disclosing that “we have also partnered with Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC) for free HPV screening for over 50 women in Ile-Ife and Ilesa, among others.”

Secretary of the communities, Comrade Ernest Bebenimibo, made the plea on behalf of the communities in Warri, on Monday.

He appealed to the Federal Government not to jeopardise the future of the people by stopping the actualisation of the university.

He reasoned that halting the project at the university’s permanent site by the Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi connotes an outright stoppage of the project.

“The university is the answer to our quick development, it is the only visible gain of our struggles.

“To stop the project will be inimical to the development of our land.

So, we are pleading that the Federal Government should reverse its decision so that the project can go on.

We are the main contributors to the national wealth, the school is the only thing we have to show for the exploitation of our God-given resources.

“We also call on the Federal Government to hasten the development of our area by giving us a road that will link us to urban cities,” he said.

Bebenimibo warned against the consequences of such action, saying the development could lead to another round of agitations by the Niger Delta people.

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Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

foreign affairs

with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Obama rolls out ‘commonsense’ gun control actions

U

nited States President Barack Obama has announced a series of new “commonsense” measures meant to reduce gun violence, bypassing

President Barack Obama

Congress on an issue that has sharply divided the American public.

Obama rolled out the new policies on Tuesday during a White House address, where he chided lawmakers for failing to enact tighter gun control measures, despite a wave of recent mass shootings, VOA said.

“We are the only advanced country on earth that sees this kind of mass violence erupt with this kind of frequency,” said Obama, who was surrounded by victims of recent gun attacks.

“People are dying. And the constant excuses for inaction

otherNEWS

First female Air Commodore named in Zimbabwe

A woman has broken through the glass ceiling of a high-flying profession in Zimbabwe: the air force.

The Associated Press said Ellen Chiweshe, whose title was group captain, has been promoted to become the southern African country’s first female Air Commodore, the No. 3 post in the air force.

The state-run Herald newspaper reported Chiweshe’s new rank in Tuesday’s edition, which included a photograph of Air Force Commander Perrance Shiri fitting a hat onto her head as part of a promotion ceremony.

The newspaper quotes Chiweshe as saying: “It was

a man’s world and it was difficult to break in.”

Chiweshe, one of the first women officers to work in the finance department of the air force, was promoted “not because of bias or favor but because of her competency,” the Herald quoted Shiri as saying.

Ellen-Chiweshe being decorated with her new title. PHOTO: NEWS ZIMBABWE VISION.

India says all 6 militants killed in air base siege Indian forces have killed the last of the six militants who attacked an air force base near the Pakistan border over the weekend, the defence minister said on Tuesday, though soldiers were still searching the base as a precaution.

According to Reuters, Manohar Parrikar stopped short of saying the operation had ended, but Indian officials have said repeatedly that only six gunmen were involved.

Parrikar did not explain how just a handful of gunmen managed to paralyze a large Indian air base for almost four days, insisting that security forces had done “a commendable job.”

Seven Indian soldiers were killed during the attack.

“I see some gaps (in intelligence) but we will be able to understand only after the investigation. But I don’t think we compromised on security,” he told reporters after touring the scene of the fighting. He noted that the base is large, and is wooded in some places, making it difficult to pin down the gunmen.

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (middle), prepares to leave after addressing the media at the Indian air force base in Pathankot, India, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP.

will no longer suffice,” he said. “That’s why we’re here today: not to discuss the last mass shooting, but to prevent the next one.”

The executive actions will require more gun sellers to get licenses and more gun buyers to undergo background checks. The mea-

sures will also tighten enforcement of existing gun laws, increase mental health treatment, and expand research into gun safety technology.

“We know we can’t stop every act of violence, every act of evil in the world. But maybe we can stop one act

of evil, one act of violence,” Obama said.

He also rejected criticism that he is restricting the constitutionally protected right to bear arms, saying “this is not a plot to take away everybody’s guns.”

Obama, a Democrat, for months has said he is look-

ing into ways to reduce gun violence unilaterally without having to go through a Congress led by his Republican rivals who defeated his earlier, more ambitious earlier gun control proposals.

Obama said the new rules fall “well within” his legal authority as president.

...Blamed for failing to prevent Shiite cleric’s death The brother of a prominent Shiite cleric whose execution has roiled the Mideast and set off worldwide protests is blaming United States President Barack Obama for failing to use his influence with the Saudi government to prevent his death.

“I am sorry to say that the American government did not offer to make any efforts on this, although

they knew the danger of this action and the repercussions,” Mohammed Al-Nimr said about the weekend execution of his brother, Sheikh Nimr alNimr, in an interview with Yahoo News.

“We asked very clearly for the American president to intervene as a friend of Saudi Arabia, and the Americans did not intervene,” he added.

While he personally asked officials at the U.S. consulate in Dharan, Saudi Arabia, to urge the president to speak out forcefully against his brother’s death sentence, “the Americans did not issue such a statement,” al-Nimr said in a telephone interview from Awamya in eastern Saudi Arabia. “They limited themselves to general statements from the State Department.”

Mohammed al-Nimr, brother of the Shiite cleric executed by the Saudis.

PHOTO: AFP. French President Francois Hollande (center), French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo (left), unveil a plaque in homage of the victims of last year attacks outside the kosher supermarket in Paris, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP. INSET: French President Francois Hollande kisses late police officer Ahmed.

French president honours Charlie Hebdo, kosher market victims French President Francois Hollande has honoured 17 victims killed in Islamic extremist attacks on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a kosher market and police a year ago this week, unveiling plaques around Paris marking violence that ushered in a tumultuous year.

The Associated Press said Tuesday’s ceremonies come as Charlie Hebdo is releasing a special anniversary issue laced with obscene and offensive cartoons, its surviving artists and columnists vaunting their freedom to lampoon everyone from Muslim fundamentalists to children, politicians and Catholic priests.

Victims’ families joined Hollande and other dignitaries near the building where Charlie Hebdo staff were holding an editorial

meeting when two heavily armed brothers stormed in on Jan. 7, 2015, killing 11 people. The plaque begins: “To the memory of victims of the terrorist attack against freedom of expression.”

They then paid homage to a police officer killed as he tried to chase down the flee-

ing gunmen. Spray painted on the sidewalk was a message of support for the Muslim officer, reading “Je suis Ahmed,” or “I am Ahmed,” in the red, white and blue of the French flag.

After the attacks, people around the world embraced the expression “Je suis Charlie” to express solidar-

ity with the slain journalists, targeted for the paper’s caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

Hollande then paid homage to four people killed at a kosher supermarket in an attack that revived concerns about anti-Semitism in the country with Europe’s largest Jewish community.

Congolese boy mauled by chimps to undergo facial surgery in US

Dunia Sibomana was considered the lucky one two years ago when a group of chimpanzees jumped from the trees and attacked him and two other boys as they played near a preserve in their native Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dunia, unlike the others, survived. But he was severely disfigured: His lips ripped off and one cheek

torn apart, leaving him with muscle damage that makes it hard for him to eat, swallow and communicate.

Now eight-year-old, Dunia is set to undergo a rare and complicated surgery at a Long Island hospital that will use tissue and muscle from his forearm to recreate both lips, The Associated Press said.

Dunia Sibomana

45

foreig naffairs

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016

New Saudi-Iran crisis threatens wider escalation Kuwait recalls ambassador from Tehran

T

he ongoing diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and Irans Kuwait recalling its ambassador to Iran. This action is furter escalating the regional row over the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia deepens, BBC reported.

The last time Saudi Arabia broke off ties with Iran, after its embassy

in Tehran was stormed by protesters in 1988, it took a swing in the regional power balance in the form of Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait to heal the rift.

It is hard to see how any lesser development could resolve the region’s most bitter rivalry, which has underpinned wars and political tussles across the Middle East

as Riyadh and Tehran backed opposing sides.

Riyadh’s expulsion of Iran’s envoy after another storming of its Tehran embassy, this time in response to the Saudi execution of Shi’ite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr, raised the heat again, making the region’s underlying conflict even harder to resolve, Reuters said.

At the heart of the new crisis is Saudi Arabia’s growing willingness to confront Iran and its allies militarily since King Salman took power a year ago, say diplomats, choosing with his son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to abandon years of backroom politics.

Last year, Riyadh began a war in

Players in Saudi Arabia-Iran dispute:

Where countries stand

Diplomatic tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which began with the kingdom’s execution of a Shiite cleric and later saw attacks

on Saudi diplomatic posts in the Islamic Republic, have seen countries around the world respond., The Associated Press said.

The main actors

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatolah Khamenei

Bahrain PM Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa

SUDAN: The African nation cut its diplomatic ties to Iran and gave Iranian diplomats two weeks to leave the country. Sudan once tilted toward Iran, but has been looking to Saudi Arabia for aid since the secession of oil-rich South Sudan in 2011.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: The oilrich country of seven emirates says it will reduce the number of diplomats in Iran, recall its ambassador and focus only on business relations. While backing Saudi Arabia, it may have chosen to reduce rather than completely sever ties because of a long trading history with Iran.

KUWAIT: The oil-rich country is recalling of its ambassador from Tehran, but it isn’t immediately clear how KuwaitiIranian diplomatic ties will be affected.

Tiny Kuwait is home to both Shiites and Sunnis living in peace and has the most free-wheeling political system among all Gulf nations.

JORDAN: Overwhelmingly Sunni Jordan is a close ally of Saudi Arabia in the region and a beneficiary of Gulf aid. Jordan’s government spokesman, Mohammed Momani, has condemned the attack on the Saudi Embassy in Iran.

aimed at cooling the war of words before it escalates further. Here’s a look at where countries and other regional actors stand at this point: Ban Ki-moon

OMAN: The sultanate has long historical ties to Iran and served as the base for secret talks between Iranian and U.S. officials that jumpstarted the deal reached between Iran and world powers over the Islamic Republic’s contested nuclear programme.

THE UNITED NATIONS: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to support peace efforts in Syria and Yemen and avoid escalating tensions.

Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Countries backing Iran

Countries backing Saudi Arabia BAHRAIN: The tiny, Shiite-majority island kingdom off the Saudi coast, which long has relied on Saudi Arabia for support of its Sunni rulers, was the first to cut ties with Iran. Bahraini officials repeatedly have accused Iran of training militants and attempting to smuggle arms into the country, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Those urging actions

The mediator

SAUDI ARABIA: The kingdom severed ties to Iran after attacks on two of its diplomatic posts following its execution of a Shiite cleric last weekend; it also later cancelled all flights between the two nations.

IRAN: Since the attack on the diplomatic posts, Iran says it has made arrests and has criticised the violent protesters. However on Tuesday, President Hassan Rouhani took a slightly harder line, saying Saudi Arabia’s move to sever ties with his country couldn’t “cover its crime” of executing Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Some nations have followed the Saudis’ lead in severing or downgrading ties with Iran, while others have offered words of caution

Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir

UAE President Khalifa Al Nahyan

Kuwait President Sheikh Sabah IV

Jordan’s King Abdullah II

LEBANESE HEZBOLLAH MOVEMENT: Hezbollah was founded in 1982 with the help of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after Israel invaded Lebanon. The group is one the main Iran-backed factions in the region.

SYRIA’S PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD: Iran has been one of the biggest supporters of Syria since the 1980s and has stood by Assad’s government in his country’s grinding civil war. Saudi Arabia has been one of the biggest benefactors of those trying to overthrow him.

IRAQ’S SHIITE-LED GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD: Even as Iraq is embroiled in a major war against the militant Islamic State group, al-Nimr’s execution sparked outrage among the country’s majority Shiites who have taken to the streets in Baghdad and the south, calling for an end to ties with Saudi Arabia. The Shiite-led government has warmed Riyadh that such executions “would lead to nothing but more destruction.”

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman

Syria President Bashar Al-Assad

Iraqi President Fuad Masum

Other regional actors ISRAEL: Israel considers Iran to be its greatest regional threat because of its nuclear programmme, its arsenal of long-range missiles, its support of anti-Israel militant groups and its repeated threats to destroy it. While Israel has no direct ties to Saudi Arabia either, the countries have come closer because of a shared concern over Iran’s growing influence.

THE PALESTINIANS: The Palestinian Authority issued a statement after the execution of al-Nimr saying that it stands alongside the Saudis in their fight

Yemen to stop an Iran-allied militia seizing power in its southern neighbor and boosted support to Syrian rebels against Tehran’s ally President Bashar al-Assad. Its execution of Nimr, while mainly driven by domestic politics, was also part of that open confrontation with Iran, according to political analysts.

against “terrorism.” The Saudis are the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority in the Arab world, providing them some $200 million annually. The PA, and the Fatah faction that leads it, has had a strained relationship with Iran because of its support of its rival, Hamas.

YEMEN: The Arab world’s poorest country is torn by a civil war pitting its internationally recognised government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, against Shiite rebels known as Houthis, who are supported by Iran.

EUROPEAN UNION: The 28-nation bloc, which opposes the death penalty, criticized Saudi Arabia’s mass executions and said alNimr’s case undermined freedom of expression and basic political rights in the kingdom. Since tensions flared between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the EU foreign policy chief has had phone contact with both sides, fearing an escalation would further destabilise the whole region.

THE UNITED STATES: The White House has urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to not let their dispute derail efforts to end the Syrian civil war, while President Barack Obama’s administration also hopes to see the Iranian nuclear deal through.

UNITED KINGDOM: Britain and Iran reopened their respective embassies in 2015, four years after hardline protesters stormed the British embassy in Tehran. Saudi Arabia is a key diplomatic and economic ally of Britain, though Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood said Britain told the kingdom about its “disappointment at the mass executions.”

TURKEY: Turkey has urged both Saudi Arabia and Iran to ease tensions, saying the Middle East region is “already like a powder keg” and cannot withstand a new crisis.

GERMANY: Berlin has called on Saudi Arabia and Iran to work to mend their diplomatic ties, while condemning both the mass executions in the kingdom and the storming of the Saudi missions in Iran.

RUSSIA: State news agency RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed senior diplomat as saying Moscow is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia. It’s unclear whether Russian officials have made a formal offer to work with the two nations.

46

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Davis Cup: NTF begs sports ministry for support

Super Eagles defender, Chima Akas (left) fights for ball possession during the CHAN qualifier against Burkina Faso.

Eagles must win CHAN 2016 —Babangida F ormer Nigeria international, Tijani Babangida believes the Super Eagles will have a good tournament at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) which gets underway on January 16 in Rwanda.

Nigeria is one of 16 countries that will take part in the tournament reserved for footballers who ply their trade in their domestic leagues.

Babangida, a current member of the Super Eagles backroom staff, believes positive things can be achieved by the current crop in Rwanda.

“The last time (2014), we qualified for the semifinals and finished in third place. This time, we want to win the title. Any other outcome will be unacceptable.

“Though in football, anything can happen but this team is going to Rwanda to fight and see that they get the trophy,” Babangida told SABC. He added that the fighting spirit of the team puts the Eagles in a great position to beat all-comers in Rwanda.

“I have watched this team from the qualifying matches in the Chan and I see how they play.

“Also, the players in the squad are the best in the league.

“I saw the fighting spirit in the boys when we played our qualifying game away to Burkina Faso.

“We have full confidence in the boys and we are hoping for success in Rwanda,” he said.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles midfielder, Julius Ubido has said Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over the University of Pretoria in South Africa has shown the readiness of the team for the tournament.

“That’s a good result a sign of good things to come at the championship proper and I think they will certainly excel.

“The result was not in any way a surprise one to me because each of the players is 100 per cent fit and everybody is good to go to deliver the goods at any given time,” Ubido said.

The Nigeria Tennis Federation has called for support from the sports ministry following Nigeria’s listing for this year’s Davis Cup Africa Zone III championship billed for Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The International Tennis Federation on Monday soft-pedalled on possible sanction for Nigeria despite the last-minute withdrawal from the 2015 edition in Cairo, Egypt which fuelled speculations that the country would be penalised.

However, Nigeria was included in the draw made in its London headquarters on Monday which indicated that there won’t be any sanction for the country.

NTF president, Engineer Sani Ndanusa while expressing gratitude to the ITF begged the sports ministry for early release of funds to ensure its participation at the four-day tournament billed for the clay courts of the Antanarivo University.

“This is our New Year present from the ITF and we are not surprised because if there’s any country that the ITF has to be le-

nient with, then it has to be Nigeria; our commitment to tennis has never been in doubt.

“Just last month, we hosted the Governor’s Cup championship which is among the top-rated circuits in the ITF calendar.

And in the next few days we will be hosting the Africa Junior Championship West and Central Africa qualifiers which will be featuring about 14 countries. This is the second time in barely two years that we will be hosting the event. We also hosted the AJC proper in 2010.

“So this has put us in the good books of the ITF but that is not to say we will be taking them for granted. We will make sure that we put in place all modalities that will not only see us participate, but go for one of the promotion tickets this year,” Ndanusa said.

Alongside the hosts, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Rwanda are the countries that will feature in the tournament.

Okocha, Amuneke, others to attend 2015 Glo-CAF Awards gala night Nigeria’s ex-internationals including former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘JayJay’ Okocha, Emmanuel Amuneke and Daniel Amokachi will grace the Glo-CAF Awards gala night billed for the International Conference Centre, Abuja tomorrow.

Okocha distinguished himself with Einthract Frankfurt FC of Germany, Fernabache of Turkey, Paris St Germain of France and Bolton Wanderers of England and he is noted for his stylish dribbles on the pitch.

A two-time winner of the BBC African Player of the Year, Okocha was nominated for Legends Award along with ex-Moroccan international Mustapha Hadji in

the 2011 Glo-CAF Awards.

Amokachi, ex-Everton FC, Club Brugges and Besiktas FC and former assistant coach of the Super Eagles is another top star expected at the event.

Also expected is Amuneke, who played as a left winger

for the Super Eagles. He recently coached the Golden Eaglets to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

He represented Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup and played for Zamalek FC, Sporting Lisbon and FC Barcelona.

Nigeria’s Henry Atseye

Shanghai-based firm honours Quadri today in US A Shanghai-based firm, Sengled Optoelectronics Company Ltd will today at its annual exhibition in the United States of America celebrate Nigeria-born table tennis star, Aruna Quadri.

According to a release by the company, the annual exhibition which involves customers across America will have Quadri signing auto-

graphs, taking pictures and playing exhibition matches at the colourful three-day event.

Also, the 2014 ITTF Star Player started the year as number 48 in the world.

In the rankings released by the world table tennis ruling body (ITTF) on January 4, Quadri who ended 2015 in top 50 now occupies the 48th

position, while his continental rival, Egypt’s Omar Assar is now ranked 29th from the 31st he finished in 2015.

Former African king, Segun Toriola occupies 163, while no Nigerian female player made it to the top 200 with Egypt’s Dina Meshref remains Africa’s best placing 96 in the world.

Germany-based Olufunke

Oshonaike is the top ranked Nigerian female player now ranked 207 in the world.

Meanwhile, Chinese superstars MA Long and LIU Shiwen have ended 2015 as the world’s top ranked players after both having an amazing 2015, which saw them being crowned the 2015 ITTF Table Tennis Stars last December.

47 tribunesport

Wednesday, 6 January, 2016 Zidane greets Ronaldo before his first training session as Madrid manager on Tuesday.

Fans cheer Zidane at first training Z inedine Zidane, the new Real Madrid coach, kicked off the first day of his sensational new role with a high-profile training session at-

tended by thousands of applauding fans on Tuesday.

The three-time world player of the year faces a tough challenge to drag the Spanish club out of

...Says Bale was against Benitez sack Real Madrid’s new manager, Zinedine Zidane says he accepts that Gareth Bale was against the sack of Rafa Benitez but reassured the Manchester United target that he remains a vital part of his plans.

Zidane was unveiled as the Spanish giant’s new manager after Benitez’s seven-month tenure was brought to an end on Monday.

And Manchester United is expected to make its move for the former Tottenham attacker, a move the Frenchman is hoping to see off.

“I understand that Gareth could be annoyed by Rafa’s departure because he was a very important coach in his career,” the new manager said.

“But he is going to receive the same affection from me. He is fundamental to the team and what he has been doing of late for us on the pitch is phenomenal. He will have all my support so that he continues to play well for us.’

Asked if he would persist with the BBC front-three of Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane was emphatic: “Yes the very clear idea that we have is that we will play with the three strikers.”

It was striking that he sees the Galatico front-three as non-negotiable.

He was far more vague when asked what midfielders Luka Mo-

dric and Mateo Kovacic’s roles might be saying: ‘Let’s see. Modric is important like all the players.

Let us see what happens and who plays.’

Bale will now wait to see if the dressing room cliques that made his second season uncomfortable return or if everyone pulls together behind the 43-year-old French coach.

its current crisis and back to the heights of success, and prove his ability as a coach.

Just hours after the announcement of his nomination, the 43-year-old oversaw his first training session with the club at the small Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, walking out onto the pitch to the cheers of some 5 000 supporters.

“Zizou, Zizou!” they shouted as he entered, wearing a grey tracksuit and fluorescent shoes.

Then he kicked the ball to start a training exercise, drawing shouts of “hurray”.

Zidane replaces Rafael Benitez, who struggled to win over both Madrid’s fans and their superstars during his seven months at the helm.

The club has suffered a yearlong slump that has seen it burn

Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney has been voted England’s Player of the Year for the fourth time after breaking his country’s scoring record, the Football Association announced on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old took his England tally to 51 goals, breaking Bobby Charlton’s longstanding record of 49, and top-scored with seven goals as Roy Hodgson’s side qualified for Euro 2016 with a perfect record of 10 wins.

Rooney, England’s captain, received 37 per cent of the votes in a poll of England Supporters Club members. He previously won the award in 2008, 2009 and 2014.

Stoke City goalkeeper, Jack Butland, who has produced some impressive performances this season, was elected the Under21s Player of the Year.

Rooney and Butland, 22, will be presented with their awards prior to England’s friendly against Germany in Berlin on March 26.

through two Champions League winning coaches, see eternal rivals Barcelona win the treble and suffer the embarrassment of several off-field scandals.

Zidane has his work cut out, with Spain’s many sports dailies pointing to his lack of coaching experience.

“The Frenchman is a football legend and a great figure of Madrid,” wrote the Marca sports daily – Spain’s most read.

“But his coaching experience is inversely proportional to his excellent footballer’s experience – limited... and controversial.”

Boateng returns to AC Milan Kevin Prince-Boateng has returned to AC Milan on a sixmonth deal following an unhappy spell at Schalke 04 and an aborted move to Sporting Lisbon, the Serie A club announced on Tuesday.

German-born Ghanaian international, Boateng played his last match for Milan in August 2013, but has been training with the club for several months after failing to secure a deal at Sporting, having quit Schalke under a cloud last May. A statement by the seven-time European champions said: “AC Milan announce that Kevin Prince Boateng has signed a contract with Milan until 30 June, 2016.”

Milan’s offer of a six-month contract has only added to the

intrigue surrounding Boateng’s return to the club for whom he has played a total of 100 matches across all competitions.

After the midfielder quit Schalke at the end of last season, the 28-year-old was set for a move to Sporting Lisbon only to be rejected by the Portuguese giants.

Officially, Boateng failed to secure a deal because of a disagreement over the players’ image rights.

However a spokesman for Sporting later claimed Boateng had “failed the club’s medical tests because of a problem with his knee”.

AC Milan, who host Bologna at the San Siro today, sit in sixth place in Serie A, eight points behind leaders Inter Milan.

Rooney named 2015 Player of the Year

Boateng

Confluence Queens name new coach The management of Confluence Queens, a Nigeria Women Premier League side has confirmed Shola Adewumi as the club’s new head coach for the 2015/16 season.

The Lokoja-based team which finished sixth in the just-concluded season said the appointment of the former Kogi United assistant coach became necessary, following a shake up in the technical department to ensure a better performance in the new season.

Also, former assistant coach of the club, coach Tenimu Sani Nayashi “Maja “ has returned to assist the new chief coach, while the technical adviser, Baba-Anini Musa Amorley retained his position.

However, former coach of the club, Suleiman Adamu “Zico” has been drafted to Kogi United’s team B as technical adviser, while his former assistant, Abubakar Musa “Manama” moved to Kogi United to assist coach Fatai Osho.

Speaking on the development, Chairman of the state clubs, Mallam Abdul Sule as quoted by the club spokesperson, Tosin Ojo, tasked the new technical crew to brace up and instill discipline into the team, just as he also wished them best of luck ahead of the new season.

Meanwhile, Adewumi, a former Stationery Stores midfielder in his remarks promised to put his wealth of experience to bear on the appointment saying “our watchword will be discipline.”

SIDELINES

NO 16,408

WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY, 2016

N150

An artisan who mistakenly broke the windshield of two Nigerian Airforce cadets was beaten up and locked inside the boot of their car. By a stroke of luck, Governor Ambode who was passing by came to his rescue. Ever heard of the tailess cow who has nobody except God to help it drive away menacing flies?

CHAN 2016: Eagles good

for title —Oliseh

•Face Angola today in friendly

By Olaoluwa Olowoyeye

N

IGERIA head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed optimism that the team has what it takes to win the fourth African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to begin on January 16 in Rwanda.

“I think they (Super Eagles) can do well in Rwanda because we have a very good team.

“But then in a tournament, you never know. We just pray we have a good start,” Oliseh told SABC. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations for the CHAN

2016 leading to the tour of South Africa for the final build up with two friendlies.

“We started our preparations two weeks ago in Abuja and now we have decided to come to Pretoria.

“It has almost the same altitude like Rwanda so, South Africa is good for my players. Nigeria has a good relationship with South Africa,” the former Nigeria captain submitted.

Meanwhile, the home-based Super Eagles will take on fellow Rwanda-bound Palancas Negras of Angola today in a friendly in

Oliseh (right) with Bature Yaro.

Pretoria, South Africa.

The Nigerian team had on Tuesday spanked the University of Pretoria 3-0 in a test game at the school, with a brace from forward Tunde Adeniji and one from midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew.

Today’s game is to give Oliseh who joined the team in Pretoria after missing the two-week camping in Abuja, due to ill-health, the opportunity to assess the team to be on parade at Rwanda 2016, and work out a better strategy if necessary.

Already, defender Chima Akas is to lead the team in the absence of captain Gbolahan Salami.

The Eagles’ last friendly in South Africa holds on January 11 against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the same Tuks University Stadium.

Nigeria finished third at the last CHAN in 2014, while the team will arrive in Rwanda on January 15.

At CHAN 2016, Nigeria drawn in group C will face Niger Republic and Tunisia at the Stade Régional Nyamirambo, Kigali on January 18 and 22 respectively, before it rounds off the preliminary campaign against Guinea billed for the Umuganda Stadium, Gisenyi on January 26.

Guardiola

I want to coach EPL side — Guardiola FC Bayern Munich coach, Pep Guardiola has admitted he wants to be a club manager in the English Premier League in his first press conference since announcing he will leave the Bundesliga giants at the end of the season.

“I want to coach in England,” said the Spaniard on Tuesday, before adding that he “has no new club yet”.

Guardiola’s departure at the end of his third season in Bavaria and his replacement by Italian Carlo Ancelotti were announced by the club on December 20.

The former Barcelona coach has since been linked with Chelsea after Jose Mourinho was sacked, and also with Manchester City whose own manager Manuel Pellegrini is under contract until 2017.

“I have this possibility to go to England. It’s the right time,” said the Spaniard, who turns 45 later this month.

“I’m still young and I need new challenges.

“I haven’t had offers yet, I can’t say anything more for the moment.”

“I hope that (Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge (Bayern chairman) and

the staff understand my decision, I’d be sorry if they were disappointed by my choice,” he continued, adding that he would discuss the subject “for the first time” with his players during their winter training camp in Qatar starting today.

Guardiola quit Barcelona in 2012 despite being the most successful coach in the club’s history during his four-year reign.

In January 2013 he signed a three-year deal, worth a reported 22 million euros ($24m), to coach Bayern from July that year.

Bayern, already a dominant force having won the treble in 2013 of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup under Jupp Heynckes, soon became almost unbeatable at home.

This season, Bayern has lost only two of 26 games and in the last two years swept five trophies, but the most desired, the European Cup, has so far eluded Guardiola in his time in Germany.

“Carlo is the perfect coach for this team,” said Guardiola of his successor.

“I’m sure that all will go well for him and for Bayern.”

I have not picked 3 overage players for Rio Olympics —Siasia

By Adebayo Taoreed COACH Samson Siasia has said that he has yet to decide on the three slots meant for overage players Nigeria will parade at the forthcoming Rio Olympics.

Though, Siasia late last year after the Dream Team clinched Rio 2016 ticket hinted on having the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa and Watford star, Odion Ighalo in the team, just as Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi reportedly

declared interest in being part of the Olympics squad.

“For now my plans are to utilise fully all the FIFA windows beginning with the one in March, with the hope of taking players selected to an accessible country in Europe where all the overseas-based players can come with ease, play one or two friendly games and then have them return to their respective clubsides,” he told thenff.com.

The former Super Eagles’ coach, however, disclosed preparations

for the Rio 2016 will commence in the first week of next month.

Speaking from his base in the United States, Siasia disclosed that the technical crew will use the February camping in Abuja to fish out any new player who could add value to the team.

“Since we qualified for the football event of the Rio Olympics, a lot of players both at home and abroad have been calling me that they want to play for the country, so myself and my assistants intend

to use the first week of camping to see these players who will bear the cost of their trip to the camp and accommodate themselves.

“Any of them selected will now be added to the players who made us proud in Senegal for full camping.

Mind you, no player is yet guaranteed a shirt in the team, as I have always said only the best legs will make it to Rio de Janeiro,” said Siasia who last month coached the Dream Team to win the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Siasia

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