6th April 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,473

WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL, 2016

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Fuel: Queues end in Lagos,Abuja tomorrow, Kachikwu insists —P6

•Sokoto, Warri, Port Harcourt, others to have fuel weekend •Nigerians groan as transport fares increase nationwide

No going back on perjury case against Aluko —Ekiti govt

•I was coerced to end truce with Fayose —Aluko —P36

Work, stop blame game, PDP tells Buhari, APC —P6

A manager and account officer of a filling station arrested by the Rapid Response Squad for allegedly hoarding petrol with jerry cans, in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Electoral offence: INEC may bar culprits from contesting future elections —Chairman —P33

CCT trial begins: How Saraki laundered billions

of naira as Kwara gov —EFCC detective

—P6

•Over N600,000 per lodgment was made into his account 50 times in a day, witness alleges •Prosecution merely thrashing around to titillate public, says Saraki

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

6 news Fuel: Queues end in Lagos, Abuja tomorrow, Kachikwu insists Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

•Sokoto, Warri, Port Harcourt, others to have fuel weekend •Nigerians groan as transport fares increase nationwide From Our Reporters with Agency Report

INISTER of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to end the lingering fuel scarcity in the country this week. Kachikwu gave the assurance during an official visit to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in Abuja, on Tuesday. He said by tomorrow, there would be no queues in Abuja and Lagos filling stations. “We have to take the right policies to see that things are done well. I hope that Thursday, queues in Abuja must have cleared; hopefully, the same thing will happen in Lagos. “By weekend, we will see same in Sokoto, Port-Harcourt, Warri and others,” he said. He called on members of staff of the agency to continue to work diligently to ensure efficiency in the system. The minister said PPPRA remained a major stakeholder in the regulation of the sector. Mrs Sotonye Iyoyo, the PPPRA Acting Executive Secretary, commended the minister and solicited his support for the smooth running of the agency. Iyoyo said the agency was faced with policy, operational and administrative challenges, adding that low capacity utilisation of nation’s refineries, inadequacy of import reception and discharge facilities were some of the operational challenges. The re-assurance by Kachikwu came as Nigerians lament the attendant consequence of fuel scarcity, causing hike in transport fares. Ikorodu Garage in Lagos to Ogijo in Ogun State, along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, is now N200, instead of N100, while the fare from Ikorodu to Mile 12 hiked to N250, from N150 Inter-state’s fares from Lagos to other states were also affected significantly, as Lagos to Enugu, Onitsha and Owerri which were formerly N3,100, N2,100 and N3,100, respectively now pegged at N3,800, N2,500, and N3,800 respectively. In Badadry and Seme, only three stations sold petrol with the cost ranging from N200 to N450 per litre.

While the cost of the product ranged between N200 and N220 in Badagry, the product was sold for between N400 and N450 in Seme. The scarcity obviously affected transportation fares, which had increased by as much as 100 per cent. A trip from Badagry to Seme, which used to cost N100 by taxi, increased to N200, while Topo to the Agbalata Market increased from N50 to N100. Commuters in Ibadan, Oyo State, also lamented the hike in price of transport fares as a result of the continued fuel scarcity. Some of them, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, said they paid double for transportation to and from their different business destinations. The situation was the same at airport, as travellers and other airport users groan, while shuttle operators hiked fares.It was hard times at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the increase in transport fares by shuttle operators. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that fares were hiked from N100 to N150 for all destinations within the airport environment, while a journey to Ikeja from the airport cost N200 instead of N150. At Old Garage area motor park in Osogbo, Osun State, during a visit to the place by the Nigerian Tribune, it was observed that drivers plying Osogbo-Ibadan route who hitherto charged N300 per passenger, now demanded N600. Similarly, drivers of commercial cars plying the same route now charged N1,000 against the previous fare of N600. In Ogun, when the Nigerian Tribune visited the popular Kuto and Panseke motor parks, inter-state transport fare had been increased. Investigations revealed that a trip from Abeokuta to Ikorodu, formerly N1,000, now cost N1,500; Abeokuta to Sango moved from N300 to N500; Abeokuta to Sagamu (bus) which used to be N250 jerked to N400 while same trip inside a car moved from N300 to N500. In Enugu, during a visit to the Holy Ghost Motor Park, some of the passengers lamented the hike in transport fare. A passenger said she paid N300 from Enugu to Udi, instead of N150, while another commuter disclosed

that he paid N500 instead of N300 earlier charged by motor operators. This came as transport operators lamented the lingering fuel scarcity in the country and urged the Federal Government to take urgent measures to resolve the crisis. The operators, who spoke with NAN in Lagos,

said the ongoing fuel crisis had become a clog in their regular business operations. Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to end the hardship going through by Nigerians. The call followed a motion raised by the

majority leader of the assembly, Mr Sanai Agunbiade and seconded by Mr Segun Olulade, chairman, Committee on Health, under matter of public urgent importance. Contributing, Mr Tunde Braimoh, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and

Security, described the situation as “embarrassing,” saying the president had all it takes to salvage the situation. The speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the clerk of the assembly, Mr Ganiu Abiru, to write a letter to the president, urging him to find a lasting solution to the problem.

CCT trial begins: How Saraki laundered billions of naira as Kwara gov —EFCC •Over N600,000 per lodgment was made into his account 50 times a day, witness alleges •Prosecution merely thrasing around to titillate public, says Saraki Sunday Ejike -Abuja A witness with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas, on Tuesday, told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) how the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, allegedly laundered billions of naira when he held sway as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, the witness, a detective with the EFCC, alleged that the personal account of the Senate President at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc had an inflow of about N4 billion between 2005 and 2013. “When the defendant was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011, the commission received several petitions from various groups. One of the petitioners was Kwara Freedom Network. They brought several petitions all bordering on abuse of office by the defendant, misappropriation of public fund and money laundering. “Sometime in 2014, the then chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, received intelligence reports of suspicious transactions involving the defendant. He set up a team of investigators. Our task was to investigate the intelligence reports,” he said adding that the investigation revealed that there were several companies which were linked to the defendant. Some of the companies, he said included, Carlisle Properties Investment Ltd, Skyview Properties Ltd, LimKvars Ltd, and TIly-lie Ltd. The witness said some of

the companies maintained accounts at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Zenith Bank, Access Bank, and others, pointing out that Saraki maintained three accounts at GTB. The first account, according to him, is a naira currency account; the second is a dollar account, while the third is a pound sterling account. “The naira account was analysed, and it was discovered that between 2005 and 2013, the account had an in-flow of about N4 billion. The major source of in-flow into the accounts was loans taken from GTB Plc within the period. The loans were about N2.5 billion, and the other source of in-flows into the account was massive lodgments by individuals. Other in flows into the account were from the companies. It was discovered that money was used for the purchase of property. “The dollar account was also analysed. The major source of in-flow into the dollar account was Tily-lie Properties Ltd, which was about $2 million. Another source was from Bureau de Change companies and the rest was cash lodgments by individuals. “The cash in the dollar account between 2009 and 2013 was $6 million. We discovered that up to $3.4 million was wired to American Express Services Europe Limited, which was used to fund the defendant’s American Express Service New York card account number 374588216836009. “The defendant wired over £1.5 million to Fortis Bank for the purchase of property in the United Kingdom (UK). After that,

because of the suspicious in-flows into the account, the bank (GTB) officials were invited. The reason for the invitation of the officials was that some of the individuals making the cash lodgment into the account were bank officials. One Oluwa Tujimu reported to the commission. “From our of interactions with him, we discovered that some of the lodgments were made through a one Bayo Daudu, who was the relationship manager of the account. In our interaction with Daudu, it was discovered the cash sums were handed over to him by the defendant for lodgment in the account. “According to Daudu, he goes to Kwara State government house to collect the money from the defendant for lodgment into the account at the GRA Ilorin branch of GTB. “We discovered one name, Abdul Adama, who made transaction 50 times into the account in a single day. The sum was broken down to between N600,000 and N900,000 and was lodged the same day,” the witness said. He added that subsequently after that, one Obi made a lodgment on the same day about 20 times in the same range of N600,000 and N900,000. “We looked for Adama and invited him. He reported that the cash sums were handed over to him by the defendant and stated further that the cash sums that were lodged in by Obi into the same account were from the accused. “Adama and Obi were personal assistants to the accused while he was governor,” the witness said. Earlier, the Code of Con-

duct Tribunal had overruled Saraki’s application by his counsel, Paul Usoro, for an adjournment on the ground that Saraki had appealed the decision of the tribunal, which assumed jurisdiction to hear and determine the charges preferred against him by the Federal Government. Usoro told the tribunal that there was an application for stay of proceedings at the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the matter. “Our prayer is for an adjournment not for stay of proceedings. We are asking for an adjournment based on our motion filed before the Court of Appeal for stay of proceedings of the trial before this tribunal,” Usoro had said. Mr Danladi Yakubu Umar ruled that the commencement of trial could not be stopped by the application, which he noted offended the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Reacting, Saraki said he was glad that his trial had eventually commenced before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. He said the proceedings of Tuesday had given him confidence that if the trial was conducted fairly, he would be vindicated. Saraki said though the prosecution tried to bring in some dramatic narratives, it was clear that they were merely thrasing around and hoping to titillate the public with salacious tales. He added that he was hopeful, however, that when the time comes, his lawyer would be able to present his case.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

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Nigerians scrambling for fuel in a petrol station.

In the wake of the ongoing national fuel scarcity and power outage, Tribune Online felt the pulse of Nigerians on its social media platforms Twitter @ tribuneonline and facebook/ nigeriantribune, where they passed comments via the hashtag #TalkToTribune, on the current national situation. VICTOR OGUNYINKA reports.

HE ongoing fuel scarcity, as some analysts put it seems to have defied all economic and political calculations. Many are of the view that almost two years after the ascension of the new government following an equivocal clamour for change by both young and old, there has been little hope (if any) that points out to the end of an era as same problem keep resurfacing. Some have given a soft landing to the All Progressive Congress (APC) government, accusing the exhaustive 16 years of power by the People Democratic Party (PDP) government, allegedly characterised by degrees of impunity and extravagance as the reasons for the foot dragging activities of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. For about six weeks and counting, the length and breadth of the country, in Africa’s largest oil producer and 13th in the world, has been turned apart by inexplicable fuel crisis, adding to epileptic power supply, herdsmen crises in parts of the country, and terrorism from the Islamic sect. Nigerians, known for their weird and subtle reactions to pressing nation issues, which earned the nickname, “suffering and smiling,” have taken to social media to

#TalkToTribune

Nigerians lament fuel scarcity, power outage

• Beg govt for quick action, say ‘situation is frustrating’ lament the recurrent fuel scarcity and power outage in the country. As one commentator puts it, the fuel scarcity is not without its advantages: Most compounds are noiseless because I better pass my neighbour generator is on sabbatical leave; wives are very happy because husbands who like hanging out are now staying at home because drinks outside are not cold and no fuel to drive out; wives are now cooking good food because no more crunches, Mr Biggs, Tantalizer. Kids are now reading their books since watching television needs fuel; no more congestion in network since many phones are off; browsing and downloading is very fast because not many people

are online; people have time to draw closer to God via praying and reading His word; even God is very happy when He saw people who haven’t gone to church for months and years going to church and stay for both first and second services just to charge their phones. More critically, an interactive session organised by Online Tribune on social media, revealed that Nigerians are not happy with the present situation. Nigerians respond to the topic on how they are coping with the petrol scarcity and power outage, with the hashtag #TalkToTribune. Excerpts: (@waleolaN): Me, I’m just scared how one will pay for transportation... adesinaadeyemie (@ adesinaadeyemie): The black marketers have taken over in Saki as security agencies are not left out of buying from them.#TalkToTribune. (@tobititus1978): On issue of power, those folks that have built their livelihood around the poor state will never wish the sector to improve. Olawoye, Babatunde (@ babalose): I bought a litre of petrol for #150/L in #Ile-Ife for my final defence. The long queue is unbearable.

Nigerians waiting helplessly for fuel.

Unusual! Phones being powered for charging by a generating set.

Desperate for fuel? These Nigerians are running to get fuel.

Oladosu Olasumbo (@ oladosu2208): Just bought fuel

at coshine bank Olodo-Odan road Ibadan #86.50. No general power but we are using industrial power. Shola Folusho (@shurelar): “State of the economy “nothing is working people are dying silently. We need selfless administrators not politicians #talktotribune. Enitan (@kunleenitan): #TalkToTribune A friend just got fuel for N180/litre! Really a trying time here in #Nigeria. Rounkeh Eleyinjuege (@ronkeandrew): #TalkToTribune not funny at all. I have a fish farm, had to on my generator for close to six hours daily to pump water. Tayo

Osibel

(@detay18):

Talabi Kafayat (@kajibola): I feel like going to a neighbouring country for the next six months.

#TalkToTribune Some filling stations are selling fuel @ N150 per litre with long queues and no light in Agege, Lagos. Abara Kachi (@kachiabara): @nigeriantribune is really very bad here in Owerri. No light no fuel no money... Linda Vandane Dauda added: Same in Minna, Niger State. Chris Diasa (@chrisdiasa): Petrol only #TalkToTribune available in the black market. Power supply epileptic. Typing this in the dark. Azeez Tobby (@azeez_ tobby): @nigeriantribune ...the power outrage is terribly. Emmathem (@temmagrap): #TalkToTribune Low market, excessive heat. Talabi Kafayat (@kajibola): I feel like going to a neighbouring country for the next six months #TalktoTribune. Grant Nwaneri (@ D a d d y g r a n t 2 8 ) : #TalkToTribune it’s all been pain and anguish. It exposes the fact that we don’t have a government. It is so heartbreaking being an Arsenal fan and also a Nigerian. No jokes here please! I’m feeling like crying. Equal Rights (@ loveNIGERIAooo): As an #TalkToTribune entrepreneur, I spend a lot to run my business. It depicts the insensitivity of this government. Adewole Victoré AdenekanAbiodun: We’ve been in total blackout since last Sunday here in Abeokuta, it worsen when TCN announced that megawatts has drop to zero, God the only way forward.

8 news Nasarawa legislature suspends 6 members over alleged misconduct

he Nasarawa State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, suspended six of its members indefinitely over alleged misconduct during the proceedings of the house on Monday. The deputy Speaker of the assembly, Mr Godiya Akwashiki (PDP-Nassarawa Eggon West), who presided at the sitting, announced the suspension of

the members. Akwashiki said, “13 lawmakers and me have voted in support of a motion moved for the suspension of the six lawmakers, who misbehaved during our sitting on Monday. “They are Kassim Mohammed-Kassim (APC-Akwanga South), Murtala Sodangi (APC-Nasarawa Central), Mohammed Okpoku (APC-Udege/

Rice importation, greatest enemy to Nigerians —Ikpeazu Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahia Worried by the current dwindling economy in the country, the Abia State governor, Dr Ekezie Ikpeazu, has lamented that importation of rice remains the greatest enemy to the people, just as he said he had stopped patronising foreign made- rice for about six months. It will be recalled that on assumption of office on May 29, 2015, the governor announced to the people of the state that he will only wear made-in Aba clothes, a decision he upholds till date. Governor Ikpeazu, who said this during a quarterly press conference

in the state, noted with regret that rice importation has caused more harm than good, which he said, was responsible for the current economic problem faced by Nigerians. According to aim, within the period under review, his administration had already completed plan aimed at revitalising agric sector, trade and commerce to boost the merger allocation from federation account. Other areas included road construction, which he said, was among the five-pillar agenda, adding that 27 out of the 65 road projects embarked upon by his administration, had already been completed.

Loko, Musa Ali(APC-Keffi East), Makpa Malla (APCWamba) and Abubakar Kana (APC-Kokona West). “These lawmakers are suspended from the house indefinitely without salary and allowances over their misconduct,” he said. The Majority Leader of the house, Mr Tanko Tunga (APC-Awe North), had moved a motion for the suspension of the six lawmakers over misconduct and for corruption allegations they levelled against members of the house. Tunga said that the suspended lawmakers had alleged that the executive arm of government bribed some members of the house to support the appointment of sole administrators for 11 local government areas by Governor Tanko Al-Makura. Reacting to their suspension, Malla (APC-Wamba), who is the chairman, House Committee on Information, on behalf of the suspended lawmakers, described the action as “a rape of democracy”. “This is ridiculous; they have no basis of doing that because it is an assault on the rule of law.

Wednesday, 666 April, April, 2016 2016 Wednesday, April, Wednesday, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

businessnews

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

NNPC offers to discuss revenue retention claims —NRGI OlatundeDodondawawithAgency Reports - Lagos

HE Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) has stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has offered to talk to an international watchdog that says it failed to hand over billions of dollars in oil revenues despite government promises to tackle mismanagement and corruption. In a report published this week, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) said NNPC withheld around two-thirds of the $6.3 billion of oil proceeds in the second half of 2015. NRGI said that was an increase of 12 per cent from the proportion kept under the administration led by Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, in 2013 and 2014. The NNPC has previously said such accusations failed to account for its costs. The oil sector in Nigeria, Africa’s top crude producer, accounts for about 70 percent of national income. The constitution requires NNPC to hand over its oil revenue and money is then paid back based on a budget approved by parliament. But the act establishing the company allows it to cover costs before remitting funds to the government. On Friday NRGI posted a statement on its website in which it said NNPC had offered to hold talks. “NNPC has invited NRGI to meetings where NNPC will clarify its position. NRGI appreciates NNPC’s open doors and willingness to engage, and will post further updates based on these discussions,” it

THE Lagos State Government has paid accrued pension rights of N912 million to 165 retirees mainly from Local Government and State Universal Basic Education Board for the month of March, 2016. Speaking at the 25th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate presentation ceremony recently, the State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pension, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke, said that the regular monthly payment of accrued pension rights, being entitlements of retirees under the old pension scheme, underscore its importance to the Ambode led administration. He assured everyone present that the state government remains committed to making the State a role model for other States

Winner emerges in Oando marketing writing competition

scale raises questions about fiscal responsibility, especially, at a time when public finances are stretched, and the federal government is looking to fund more of its budget with debt,” the report said. OANDO Marketing Plc has announced Adeyeye Adetola Rachael as the winner of its feature article writing competition with theme; Environmental Sustainability. The competition, which kicked off in February 23, 2016 as a means of encouraging personal skills development literary skills and eco-friendly attitude amongst Nigerians. A medical personnel at the Eko Club Atlanta Outreach, Dr Adeyeye Adetola Rachael, emerged the winner. Describing writing and reading as a hobby. Adeyeye commenting on her participation in the competition said “writing has always been something I have done by the side, so when I saw the call for submissions, made up my From left: President, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Mr. Olumuyiwa Aliu; General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam mind that I was going to Adurogboye and Chief Operations Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, during Aliu’s arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) from participate.” Abuja. The reward for the champion in the winner-take-all competition was N40,000 and publication of the winning article in national newspapers. The theme of hind Swaziland and Paki- education, health, gover- priority one. Swift and dis- the competition revolved Chima Nwokoji-lagos stan. nance, and civil society as ciplined action will allow around climate change and A new report by The Boston According to the report, areas that require immedi- Nigeria to fully harness its the solutions available for Consulting Group (BCG), “Unlocking Nigeria’s Po- ate attention, and outlines vast resources and poten- developing countries to has ranked Nigeria 142nd tential: The Path to Well- the root causes of these tial, most notably its vibrant adopt earth-friendly acout of the 149 countries in Being,” released yesterday, challenges and a series of and entrepreneurial popu- tions. the Sustainable Economic improving Nigeria’s infra- actions that can drive mean- lation.” Development Assessment structure through priori- ingful progress. The value of Nigeria’s in- Access Bank (SEDA) data set when it tized investments will help The most critical focus, frastructure stock is about comes to converting wealth to secure its long-term suc- the report says, must be ad- 35per cent of GDP, com- partners UBER into well-being. cess as Africa’s largest econ- dressing Nigeria’s weak in- pared with an average of to provide As measured by Gross omy. frastructure—doing so will about 70per cent for large Domestic Product (GDP) The report launch coin- enable the country to make economies. A key reason for Seamless per capita, the SEDA report cided with the opening of much-needed progress in the shortfall he said is that transport launched on Tuesday puts BCG’s new office in Lagos the other key areas and di- Nigeria invested just $664 services the country just ahead of this week. versify sources of foreign per capita (adjusted for purGbola Subair-Abuja Libya and Angola and beIt identifies infrastructure, exchange. chasing-power parity) in inLuis Gravito, Senior Part- frastructure annually from ONE of Nigeria’s leading ner and Chairman of BCG’s 2009 to 2013. financial institution, AcLagos office and a coauthor This amount is 3 per cent cess Bank Plc in partnerto emulate in regards to nomic situation a lot of of the report, said, “Eco- of GDP, compared with an ship with UBER Nigeria, the regular payment of re- fraudsters are on the prowl nomic pressure, including average of $3,060, or 5 per a technological driven sertirees benefit. as such they should be very low oil prices, a possible recent of GDP, for several vice provider is set to bring Earlier, the Director-Gen- vigilant as well as report cession, and a declining nai- peer countries. Without de- accessible, affordable and eral of Lagos State Pension any negative experience ra, make it imperative that cisive intervention, that gap convenient means of transCommission (LASPEC), from their Pension Fund the country move quickly is likely to widen Gravito portation to people living Mrs. Folashade Onanuga Administrators to the to address major gaps—and stated. in the nation’s capital city said that the State Commission. infrastructure should be of Abuja. Government, through The bank, according to its LASPEC, has paid more Executive Director, Personthan N11Billion into the al Banking Division, Victor Retirement Savings AcEtuokwu, in this innovacounts of 2,654 retirees, Ayeni submitted that bills monthly and we pay tive partnership is leveragadding that 1,108 of the OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta retirees were from Local THE Chairman of the government needed to what we are billed by the ing on UBER’s platform to Government/ SUBEB, 669 Ibadan Electricity Distri- totally hand over the con- Transmission Company create more businesses and from TEPO, 583 from the bution Company (IBDEC), trol and transmission of of Nigeria, unfortunately generate more employment Mainstream Service and Dr Olatunde Ayeni has at- power to the private sec- a lot of the members of opportunities for people livtor, saying that his com- the public don’t know ing within the operational 294 from Parastatals. tributed the erratic power pany distributes whatever this,” he said. area of the scheme, saying She said, “Within 8 supply in the country, to He lamented that the the bank want to build more months of assuming du- vandalism, theft and refus- it gets from the transmiscompany is struggling to small businesses in Nigeria ties, this administration al to pay bills as and when sion company. survive, because vast ma- which are the bedrock of “What we get is what we has been able to put smiles due by consumers. distribute; unfortunately jority of members of the any economy. on the faces of 2,815 retirHe said this when he led Speaking at a press conferees and has expended the members of the Board of that is the nature of the public are not paying their ence to introduce the partbills, adding that payment job. We don’t distribute sum of N12.4 billion on ac- Directors of the company, what we don’t get. We are of bills from the public is as nership in Abuja, Etuokwu crued pension rights.” to the Alake and ParaShe advised the benefi- mount Ruler of Egbaland, the last in the line of the low as 43 and 44 per cent, said the bank would provide ciaries to invest the funds Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at value chain that interface while he put the collection considerable interest loan to with the public, so when from industrial metres at any person that wish to inwisely, reminding them his Ake Palace, recently. vest in the business. we collect, we also get 97 per cent. that due to the harsh ecosaid. NNPC posted the text of the statement on its Twitter feed, but a spokesman could not immediately be reached to confirm the details or say when the meetings would take place.

Last month, Nigeria’s Auditor-General and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission both said NNPC failed to remit billions of dollars to the public purse during the Jonathan era.

The NRGI report said that until there are agreed rules governing how much money NNPC can keep, and how it must spend the money, it will continue to “leak” out of the system. “NNPC spending on this

Converting wealth into well-being: Nigeria ranks 142nd out of 149 countries

Lagos pays N912m in pensions Tola Adenubi with Agency Report

Nigerian Tribune

IBEDC chairman blames vandals, others for lack of electricity

12 news

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Work, stop blame game, PDP tells Buhari, APC Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been advised to desist from current blame game and focus on the effort of delivering their electoral promises to Nigerians. National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali ModuSheriff, who gave the advice on Tuesday, observed that nearly a year after assuming the leadership of the country, Buhari and his party had continued to blame their lapses, including fuel scarcity, on the past administration. He was speaking while inaugurating four special committees including zoning, convention, finance and reconciliation, at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja. “Instead of addressing the problems, APC chose to blame PDP. We in PDP are repositioning to tell Nigerians

that we can do better. We are now in opposition,” ModuSherif stated. He said it would serve the APC no good if it continued to moan over the past, rather than facing the business of governance. According to him, “the leadership of the party (PDP) shares the pains of Nigerians after one year in office of the APC. Nigerians now have an opportunity to compare the PDP and the APC and Nigerians are the ultimate judges. “Instead of APC providing solution, the APC is blaming PDP for lack of petrol in Nigeria. I would like to advise the leaders of APC to stop blaming the PDP. We are now in opposition, repositioning the party to show Nigerians that we can do better.” The party boss recalled that both President Buhari and APC national leader, Senator Bola Timubu, had, within the space of 24 hours, blamed the 16 years of PDP administration for the current economic

crisis in the country, by not “saving for a rainy day,” as well as the present fuel scarcity in the country. “There is no political party in the country that can lead on the pages of newspapers alone,” he said, adding that “the APC leaders should leave us alone by allowing us to concentrate on the task of repositioning of our party.” He said the ruling party would not allow rigging of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election, as members would defend their votes. In his remark, chairman of the national convention committee and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, promised to conduct a convention that all party members would be proud of. Also speaking, chairman of zoning committee and Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, promised that his committee would be impartial in the discharge of its duties.

Abuja-Kaduna rail project not feasible in May —Amaechi Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, said the official launching of Abuja-Kaduna rail project will not be feasible on May 29. Amaechi disclosed this at Idu, Abuja, while inspecting the arrival of two new coaches, by the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). He said the development was due to earlier refusal of Daughters of Charity Hospital in Kubwa to relocate for the alignment of the rail track. The minister, however, said negotiation had been completed with the hospital, adding that a new facility, including a convent, would be built for them by the contractors on a new site. “We have two coaches here, the remaining three will arrive in the next 10 days from Lagos but so far we have been able to resolve what made us not to keep to the date. “The Daughters of Charity hospital refused the demolition of their place to allow for the alignment, the negotiation have taken place and we have agreed that demolition will commence tomorrow. “The fencing will start from today, we will keep to our own side of the bargain, we have given them the C of O which they have confirmed and the contractors have agreed to build the hospital and convent.

“We have been told by the engineers not to give time anymore for the official launching.’’ Amaechi said there would be primary training for 1,000 staff for maintenance of the rail line, while the issue of security and conveyance of passengers from the city centre to Idu rail station would be resolved before the test-run. Also speaking, Mr Fidet Okhiria , acting Managing Director, Nigeria Railway

Corporation (NRC) said the coaches have a life span of 30 years. He said apart from the routine maintenance of the coaches monthly, quarterly and annually, they would also be conveyed to the manufacturers, after 10 years for general overhaul. Okhiria said out of the five coaches expected, one would be for executive class and another was a parcel van coach designed for passengers with excess luggage.

Abandoned babies A case of suspected child stealing with reference No. CR.4386/2015 which was transferred from Sango Division to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta was referred to the Anti-Human Trafficking/Women and Child Protection Unit for discreet investigation. The case read: That on October 22, 2015 at about 13:15hrs, one woman (name withheld) carried a set of female twin which she claimed to have given birth to on October 20, 2015 to a Primary Health Centre, Joju, Sango-Ota in Ogun

State for immunisation. After comprehensive interrogation and cross examination on both the subjects and the acclaimed mother, it was discovered that she was not the biological mother of the babies and that they were not twin. Anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of their biological mother/ relatives of the subject’s mother, should please, contact the nearest police station or the Director of Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Taiwo Amosun

Kehinde Amosun

editorial

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oshiomhole on free and qualitative education

URING a recent visit to the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja, Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, underscored the importance of educating every child in the country when he said that the future of Nigeria lay in the quality of its human capital. He, however, went ahead to add that given the reality of the nation’s GDP, quality education could not be free. While we concur with the first part of the governor’s submission, we strongly disagree with the statement that quality education cannot be free. The fact is that among forward-thinking nations, cost is the last consideration when issues of human capital development are up for discussion. Such nations pull out all the stops when it comes to the education of their people. Our position is that quality education can be free and we have had examples of that in this country. The free education programme run by the Western Region government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo was clearly qualitative. This is evident in the contributions of the product of that programme to the development of this country. That programme, which was later adopted by other governments in the country at various times, was the turning point for the nation’s human capital, educational, economic, social and political development. Without that intervention, Nigeria, most likely, would be numbered among the continent’s backwater countries. At the risk of stating the obvious, we like to point out that what Chief Awolowo did by providing free and qualitative education is responsible for the current level of development in the country. Consequently, what those at the helm of affairs now do with respect to the provision of free and quality education will determine the kind of future that awaits the country. The governor premised his submission that quality education cannot be free on the nation’s dwindling revenue but he conveniently forgot to mention that in spite of the slide in the nation’s income, some of his colleagues have yet to scale down their ostentatious lifestyle. Functionaries of the states still junket all over the world and maintain kilometer-long convoys of vehicles when they commute from one place to the other. If the state can afford to fund the excesses of its officials, what excuse can it generate for failing to educate its people? Governor Oshiomhole’s statement is in tandem with the nation’s attitude of throwing money at problems. There is the warped thinking, especially at the level of government, that paucity of fund is the cause of every problem and the provision

of money is the answer to all worries. Nothing can be farther from the truth. In this case, increasing fees in the universities is not the Almighty Formula for solving all the inherent problems in the university system. It is not clear how increasing tuition fees will improve the quality of instruction in universities or the autonomy of institutions. Apart from just harping on funding, the government needs to allow the university to run as it is supposed to so that the society can maximally benefit from its investment in the system. What Governor Oshiomhole seems to be pushing with the ‘quality education cannot be free’ slogan is the commoditization of education. When education is commoditized, many of the nation’s poor are deprived of access to it. Then, education will be on offer only to those who can afford to pay high fees. When education is turned into a luxury item that is only accessible to those with the wherewithal, it is the society that is shortchanged. With the commoditization of education, a lot of people whose geniuses would have contributed to the transformation of the society are denied access to education and deprived the platform to express their ingenuity. And again, government should stop establishing new universities to score cheap political points when the extant ones have not been properly funded. Rather than advocating education’s commoditization, what the governor should be championing is the democratization of university education. When the process is properly democratized, everyone is able to access education. With democratization, there will be scholarship schemes to enable the indigent but cerebral students to benefit from the process. There will also be student loan schemes which will make it possible for students who are unable to secure any of the available scholarship schemes to get a loan with which they can fund their education and pay back much later after the completion of their education and securing a job. Then, those already working but who still yearn for university education should be encouraged to embrace the distance learning system. At the same time, those whose sponsors can afford to pay huge sums can seek to be educated in private universities. Without putting all of these other alternatives in place, pushing for the commoditization of university education is akin to shutting the door to education on the significant majority. No country can experience serious development that way. University education is too important to be made available only to those who can afford to pay huge sums for it.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

editor

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

Restructuring Nigeria’s tax regime

HERE has been a misconception that giving tax incentives to the rich helps incentivise job creation because the capitalists are perceived to be job creators. The truth is, it does not. The ordinary consumer is more of a job creator than a capitalist. Business people taking credit for creating jobs is highly unfair. Business people hire workers as their last resort, as they only hire to keep pace with the consumer demand. The Nigerian Personal Income Tax Act is unfair for allowing fixed tax rate for resident companies, while varying personal income tax rates. The rigidity of the resident company tax rate allows for unnecessary overgrowing of few companies and making many more to close down. Small, medium and big companies pay 30 per cent of their profits as tax ir-

respective of their returns and size. Consequently, the rich are getting richer and more citizens that are of middle class are relegated. Statistics have shown that we have a higher number of unemployed people as the number of millionaires continues to increase over time. If millionaires can create jobs, we will not have the level of unemployment we are having now in the country, which is as high as 23.9 per cent, excluding the estimated 30 per cent more that are under-employed. The individual consumer needs to be incentivised. If the minimum wage is to keep pace with the inflation rate, the minimum wage would have been anything above N25,000 by now, just within five years since it was reviewed to N18,000. Jobs are a consequence of eco-systemic feedback loop between customers and

businesses. If the middle class thrives and does well, both the capitalist and the poor benefit. Therefore, let the rich be taxed more, so that we can create more middle class people who consume more and then create jobs by virtue of their consumption. The company tax system should be proportionate to the income level. Businesses with profit less than N80 million should be taxed at 25 per cent. Business profits above N80 million, but not up to N500 million, should be taxed at 30 per cent. Any profit margin above N500 million should be taxed at 35 per cent. This should not include companies operating in the petroleum sector. There should not be credit breaks for big companies unless for special circumstances. However, tax breaks can be allowed for small and

medium companies. The minimum wage should be upgraded to N25,000. With the ongoing austerity measures, government expenditure (re-

current) must be reduced by at least 10 per cent every year for four years. The tax rates should be increased and compliance enforced.

Compliance will not be a big deal because people now have trust and confidence in the government. •Ahmed Adamu, Abuja.

Tackling building collapse OF late, the trend of building collapse in Nigeria, and particularly in Lagos, is becoming quite alarming. Sometime last year, a failed building belonging to a famous church in Lagos collapsed, leading to the death of many people. It has now become part of our daily routine to hear sad tales of collapse buildings with the attendant loss of lives and properties, injuries, structural and collateral damages to other properties, as well as public infrastructures. Though cases of building collapse are not peculiar to Nigeria, as they happen all over

the world, the trend here is becoming quite worrisome and a source of concern to all stakeholders. The latest building collapse episode at Lekki, Lagos, is a classical example of how acts of brazen impunity by a few unscrupulous individuals could actually cause havoc to a whole lot of lives. In an official statement released by the Lagos State government after the ugly incidence, it was revealed that promoters of the collapsed building were served contravention notice for exceeding the approved floors, and thereafter the building was sealed by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency. It equally added that in a shameless act of impertinence and utmost impunity, the proprietors of the building illegally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the ill-fated event. The Lagos State government’s claim that the promoters of the building disregarded official directives to stay action on the project, having been found to have contravened building regulations, was corroborated by the staff of the

organisation, who alleged that there was never a time they stopped working on the building. They simply carried on as if the orders coming from the regulatory agency were meant for the marines. It is the kind of impunity on display by the promoters of the Lekki collapsed building that has turned our country into a jungle where anything goes. Any society that is built on the sort of impunity that we experience in our clime will continue to bear the brunt. The sad thing now is that impunity is on display in almost every segment of our society. There is no point in passing the buck. We should stop the blaming game. If we are to fulfil our potentials as a nation, we have to collectively change our orientation. We have to change our value system. To begin with, those who willingly circumvent the laws of the land should be brought to book by the spirit of the law. What it takes for evil to gain a stronghold in any society is for evil to continually go unpunished. •Samuel Omojoye, Palmgroove, Lagos.

Why education should be free PERMIT me to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, to make tertiary education free in all government institutions. This will enable everybody to have equal chance of having tertiary education. The free education programme was what Chief Obafemi Awolowo used to develop the Western region when he was premier. Today, it is so difficult to

gain admission to public tertiary institutions, while the high tuition being charged by private universities is beyond most families. Some private universities charge as much as N2million per session, and this is even higher than what some families earn per annum. Government should come to the aid of poor people by making tertiary education free. •Abidemi Femi, Federal Poly, Offa,

opinion OGD at 60: Of fulfillment, accomplishments 15

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

By Sina Ogunbambo

NCE upon a time, Orile Imo was just a small community along Abeokuta-Sagamu road in Ogun State. The few houses in the community were built with mud. Apart from the farmers and petty traders who stayed at home, indigenes of the community who lived in other cities rarely visited, as there was no electricity and other public amenities. However, the story changed in 2003 when Justus Olugbenga Daniel, popularly called OGD (Otunba Gbenga Daniel), assumed office as the third democraticaly-elected governor of Ogun State. Before assuming office, OGD had done his homework on the needs of his people, and had come out with a blueprint: “My Contract with the people of Ogun State.” So as soon as he sat on the ‘driver’s seat,’ he got started with the dualisation of the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun- Sagamu 37.5 kilometres express road. From the feasibility studies, it was evident that many of the mud houses along this road would have to be demolished to give way for the innovation. The usual practice in government was to mark out such houses for demolition, demolish them, get the job on course and pay pittance to the affected landlords who have the original documents to prove ownership. However, when Otunba Daniel was briefed on this procedure, he disagreed. He wondered why government would demolish people’s houses and not provide a replacement immediately. As a result of this, his directive was that the people of Orile Imo and other settlements whose mud houses were affected by the demolition exercise be provided with newly-built bungalows. The governor instructed that the new buildings be provided with facilities that would make life more comfortable for the people, and after this had been done, the road project could start. This directive in 2003 turned around the fortune of Orile Imo, changing it into a bubbling community with modern facilities. It got to a point that indigenes in other cities in the country and those in the Diaspora returned home to erect their personal buildings. Funny as it may be, indigenes of some communities along the road, but whose houses were not touched, began trooping to the Governor’s office, lobbying that their shanties be demolished and replaced with the new houses provided for Orile Imo and other beneficiary communities. In the history of Ogun State, and if not in the whole of Nigeria,

this innovation is for the records, as it amounts to solving the problems of the people with a human face. Otunba Daniel, who turns 60 today, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, did not only dualise the Abeokuta - Sagamu road, Lalubu road and a host of others, he also commenced aggressive road construction and rehabilitation projects in all the 236 wards of the state. The former governor also succeeded in persuading the Federal Government to erect the first flyover bridge at Sango Ota. With his business acumen, Chief Daniel ensured that the private sector partnered with the government to industrialise the state, while providing jobs for thousands of unemployed people. Several investments were attracted to the state through the business-friendly policies of Chief Daniel. The former governor embarked on the Agri-Cargo airport, while bringing Chinese investors to the state; he also commenced the Olokola deep seaport project, as well as the Ogun Guadong. The zeal at which he drove the national sporting event, Gateway Games in 2006, remains unparalleled in the history of the National Sports Festival in the country. Chief Daniel’s love for sports was visible with the stadias he built across the state; his administration built new stadia at Ijebu-Ode,

Sagamu and Ilaro, while rehabilitating the existing MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. That Ogun State has the record of having the first University of Education in Nigeria is to the credit of Daniel’s administration. Under his administration, the area boys and girls became ‘good boys and girls,’ earning monthly salaries as painters under the Ogun Employment Generating Programme (OGEGEP). University graduates scouting for jobs were provided with allowances and were engaged by the government to work on certain days of the week. This had nothing to do with thousands of school leavers and graduates employed by the public service of the state during his tenure. Artisans benefited immensely from his administration as they were freely provided with sewing machines, hair dryers, generators, and other equipment to enhance their trade. The housing programme during Daniel’s administration was brilliant, as it changed entirely the face of Abeokuta and other major cities. The Olusegun Obasanjo Hilltop Estate, the OGD Workers Estate (which made about 1000 civil servants of all grades, including drivers and messengers, to become landlords and landladies), among others are testament to Daniel’s performance. The computerisation of the entire Ogun State public service was achieved by his administration, while fleet of brand new buses were provided to ferry workers to their offices. In the area of tourism, OGD transformed the Olumo Rock, turning it into a money-spinning tourist centre with the introduction of an elevator to take tourists to the top of the rock. Before then, many tourists avoided Olumo because they could not muster the energy to climb the rock, but today, that is history. New hospitals were built by his administration and many primary and secondary schools were rehabilitated. During his tenure, three former Presidents — Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Jonathan — visited the state to commission monumental projects. A marvelous politician, go-getter, gentleman and a rugged fighter on principles, I am, hereby wishing my boss, big brother, man of the people, the Otunba Obalofin of Ijebuland and Olu-Nla of Egbaland, Chief Gbenga Daniel, a happy birthday. •Ogunbambo served in the State Executive Council during Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

Sunday Adewusi: Celebrating a disciplinarian par excellence CHIEF Sunday Adedayo Adewusi, an illustrious son of Africa and pride of Nigeria, was born on December 6, 1936 to the family of Pa Abraham lsola Adeyinka Adewusi, whose roots could be traced to a small ancient village, Ajagbusi, which is cut away from the major towns and villages in present day Surulere Local Government of Oyo State. That was where a family that has been destined to come to limelight and prominence started its journey westward, thereby settling in another village named Olodanbon, in the same Surulere Local Government. After the Fulani invasion of the 19th century, the family moved to Ogbomoso and settled in Ijeru, Ogbomoso South Local Government, where a new Olodanbon’s house was established. This is still in existence today, with very strong and unbroken family tie with the original Olodanbon’s house. The maternal grandmother of Chief Adewusi was a member of the family that migrated from Ikoyi-lIe, in the present day Oriire Local Government to Ogbomoso during the Fulani invasion. In Ogbomoso, the family settled and established lIe-Oyi, OkeAgbede, Ogbomoso North Local Government. The maternal grandmother later relocated to Iresa, in Surulere Local Government, where she married a Prince and gave birth to Princess Eyiolawi Abeje. Princess Abeje grew up and got married to Pa Abraham Isola Adeyinka Adewusi. Immediately after their marriage, they travelled northwards, settling in Jos. After staying in Jos for a while, they later migrated to a village which grew to be a major railway centre in Nigeria, known as Mada Station, a district in Nasarawa, Eggon Local Government of Nasarawa State. It was in this village that Chief Sunday Adedayo Adewusi was born. Chief Adewusi started his education in Mada Station, where he attended both Church Missionary Society and Roman Catholic Mission Schools from 1944 to 1948; he always came first in his class. While in the school, strong and sound moral discipline was impacted in him by his teachers, and this influenced and shaped his life. In Mada Station, he was generally known as Sunday Abraham or Danladi Ibrahim, depending on whether the identifier was an lbo or Hausa. To complete his standard six education, young Adewusi

proceeded to the Baptist Day School, Jos, from 1949 to 1950. While there as a young and promising child, Pa Deacon Ogunjumo of blessed memory, an Ogbomoso indigene, recognised him as a Yoruba child, but could not link his name with his ethnic background. He then requested and compelled him to contact his parents to give him his proper Yoruba name. Hence, Sunday Adedayo Adewusi, his original Yoruba name, became his new identity. At the completion of his standard six education, young Adewusi led all other pupils in the entrance examination to the famous Government College, Keffi, thereby, automatically gaining admission into the college. The young Adewusi was at the Government College, Keffi from 1951 to 1956 for his secondary education. While there, his leadership qualities manifested, and coupled with his academic excellence, he was made a prefect. The way and manner he instilled discipline among his fellow students gave him the appellation, ‘Mr Cut Grass,’ as he punished his

juniors who erred by telling them to cut grass. His good moral attributes and exemplary leadership, in addition to the way he successfully handled students and instilled discipline among them, influenced one of his teachers to advice him to choose the police as a career, since the police, as a organisation, was all about discipline. Young Adewusi took the advice and joined the Nigeria Police Force as a cadet Sub-Inspector; he had his basic police training at the Police College, Ikeja from 1957 to 1958, and he distinguished himself as the best outstanding Cadet Sub-Inspector. He later went for the Man O’ War Bay course in Southern Cameroun in 1958. He came out as the overall best police officer. After acquiring certain level of field experience in policing, he was sent to the Detective Training School at Wakefield, England from 1959 to 1960 for theoretical and practical training in detective and investigative operations. While in training, he was elevated to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police. After the Detective Training School, he was sent again to Lincoln House to study the gathering of intelligence information and its dissemination. From the school, he was recommended to the Nigerian government to be posted to the intelligence service arm of the Nigeria Police, which he rejected, as he preferred to wear the police uniform. As an Assistant Superintendent Police Officer, Adewusi was posted to Ilorin, Kwara State as a Motor Traffic Police Officer. As a result of his excellent performance and achievements as a dreaded, uncompromising and incorruptible traffic police officer who instilled discipline on the highways, he was posted to Kano Motor Traffic Division, which had about 50 per cent of all vehicles in the then Northern region, as a Traffic Police Officer. There, he combined the job with vehicle inspection. During Adewusi’s career in the police, he held many positions of authority, before finally becoming the youngest ever Inspector General of Police in the country. The late Adewusi was also the Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland. •Members of the Ogbomosoland Community Foundation (OCF) sent this article in honour of the late Chief Sunday Adewusi.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Tunji Braithwaite

FUNOLOGY

•Born 1933.

•Dr Tunji Braithwaite was a prominent Nigerian lawyer, activist, author and politician.

CHURCH BOY

•The Braithwaite family has contributed significantly to the socio-political, spiritual and economic development of Africa; starting as far back as the 1880s when Rev I. Braithwaite led the first Anglican Missionary Expedition that opened up the Ijebu Province of Western Nigeria to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

SEGELUULU

•Tunji’s elder brother, the late T.A. Braithwaite was a giant in the African insurance industry and was responsible for much of the development of that sector in Africa. He is remembered for his significant impact in the development and creation of a vibrant economy. •Dr Tunji Braithwaite died at a Lagos hospital, on Monday, March 28, 2016, aged 82.

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

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

ecoscope ‘Forests still large enough to double world’s tiger population’ Forests that harbour tigers are being lost but are still large enough to take double the world’s tiger population in the next six years, according to a study, using new satellite mapping technology. But the internationally agreed goal can only be achieved if no further habitat across Asia is lost and if the “corridors” that connect tiger populations are protected, researchers warn. The tiger is the most endangered big cat, with as few as 3,200 left in the wild in the forests, swamps and jungles of 13 Asian countries. Logging, agricultural expansion and infrastructure development have all cut their habitat and they are also under severe pressure from hunting and poaching for their body parts, which are used in traditional Asian pseudo-medicine. By 2010, the rate of loss was so great that a high-level summit was convened in Russia, where tiger nations agreed on a goal called Tx2 to double the world’s wild tiger population by 2022.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Rate of illegal logging in Nigeria, terribly alarming

— ED, FRIN

Dr Adeshola Olutunde Adepoju is the Executive Director, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on forestry related issues, particularly deforestation and its effects on the Nigerian environment, among other issues. What are the visions and objectives of FRIN? he Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) is sitting on three cardinal mandates. The first mandate is to conduct research on forestry and forestry related activities, and as part of the mandate, we are the custodian of the gene bank of all indigenous trees, animals and non timber forest products in every forest in Nigeria. We are to ensure that even if any tree is going into extinction, we have at least an arboretum, where we have few stands of such tree preserved for future multiplication. So that is as regards the research aspect. We also see to how to domesticate some socio-economic or socio-cultural important trees into Nigeria and FRIN has successfully been able to domesticate some exotic species. For instance, trees like pines, tick and melina, among other species, were not from Nigeria. It was FRIN who domesticated them into Nigeria. The second aspect is training and that is why we have four colleges. It is a mandate of FRIN that whatever we have conducted research on; we need to gather people from the local and state governments, as well as policy makers who want to know about it. So that is why we award the National

Diploma (ND) and the Higher National Diploma (HND) on various programmes from one research angle or the other, where Nigerians can come and learn on exactly what the forest contains and how to maintain and sustain them. The last aspect of the mandate is to disseminate and conduct extension services on what we have been able to research and break through and train people on. We then take it to the rural areas and meet with farmers. We talk to them and research into the problems they are facing; we solve the problem and take the solutions back to them. So it is basically a three-tripod activity for us. It goes beyond all that though, and that is why we have various sections. We have the bioscience department, which furthers

research into soil and various tree species, whether there is a problem or not. The sustainable forest management department focuses its research on the existing forest plantation and non-timber forest product activities. The forest conservation and protection department on the other hand, deals with conserving and protecting the existing, and even collects leaves. That is why we have the largest arboretum almost in Africa, with over 125, 000 various species of plants that we have collected. Some of those plants don’t even exist anymore. But we have collected them so that future generations can know that these species ever existed. So there are various departments focusing on different aspects of research.

If we are getting grants from outside to expand Nigeria’s vegetation, then what are the multinational companies in Nigeria doing...

What are the critical roles of forests in achieving Agenda 2030? Forest has more than half percentage role to play. There is no way one would talk about climate change mitigation without taking about forests. The removal of vegetative cover leads to climate change. It is basically when you burn fossil fuel and green house gases escape and penetrate the ozone layer, thereby exposing the earth to all sorts of rays. So our job is to increase the

Economy without ecology means managing the human nature relationship without knowing the delicate balance between humankind and the natural world — Satish Kumar, Indian ecological campaigner

with Doyin Adeoye

m:08038000394 e:doyinadeoye@tribuneonlineng.com t:@kreatif_ink

vegetative cover. The president has promised that by 2025, he wants to create Nigeria’s vegetation cover to 25 per cent. It dropped from six per cent last year to five per cent. So achieving a 25 per cent target means that there is a lot of work to be done. How realistic do you think this vision is? It is realistic if we all support the president. By all, I mean both states and local governments. Government can only create the environment for it to succeed, the states and local governments have the power to make it succeed. And the first step to achieving this is to buy the president’s vision. They can key into it especially in the aspect of the Land Use Decree Act. Apart from any land in holding now by the Federal Government, all other lands belong to the state. So if the state is not surrendering its land for the federal to enlarge its vegetation, then how will the president succeed? So the state has to key into the vision and move with him on the mission. The state can also support the vision by making laws on tree cutting. Permissions must be taken before any tree can be cut down and the state must see that the tree constitutes a nuisance where it is, or could endanger lives before you can pass judgements on moving it. And if they allow us to work, we have the technology to move a tree from one place to another without cutting it down, no matter how big it is. By doing that, do you mean you’ll take a sample of the tree? No. We will move the tree totally without cutting it down. It is feasible; it is happening around the world. You can move the tree completely from where it is and allocate it somewhere else. We do that because we are foresters and that is our job. People have researched and in fact, you can relocate a whole forest. It might be expensive, but nothing can be expensive as having a good life. So how do you think every individual can come on board to fight deforestation? Every individual operates under a law. In Cross River State for instance, nobody can drop a tree. So it has to do with the law. The law has to be in place both at the state and national level. An average Nigerian will not know the implication of not having green around them, but if you enforce it, over time, they will come to appreciate it. Especially when they don’t have to pay bills for drugs or visit the hospital anymore, because what you breathe in affects your health. What do think is responsible for people’s attitude towards deforestation? Poverty, ignorance, lack of education and lack of alternative sources of

livelihood are major factors responsible for deforestation. Once those are addressed and people are properly sensitised about the implication of deforestation, there will be an improvement. If we operate a bottom top approach, then we will probably have good results. If there is a particular tree in a village, for instance, and it is a taboo for people cut it; if more of such trees are planted in that village, then obviously, the trees will survive in such a place. There is hardly a social cultural society in Nigeria that doesn’t have a tree that they have an attachment to, so tree planting must be economical or socio cultural to the people. And that is what we are embarking on now. We want to do a bottom top approach, rather than a top bottom approach. How much of illegal logging is actually going on in Nigeria now? You can’t quantify it. The rate of illegal logging in Nigeria is terribly alarming. If the logging is at an alarming rate, that means we are losing the forest more than we are even anticipating. I can’t count now how many of our restricted reserved areas are still intact compared to how it was in the initials. Many of these perpetrators carry out the act of deforestation at night. They work mostly at night; they arrive in the bush by 12 midnight and before 4 a.m., they are gone. Can forestry generate revenue for the economy? Yes, more than any other sector. It is, however, important that most of the multinational companies and corporate bodies in the country also support the Federal Government. If we are getting grants from outside to expand Nigeria’s vegetation, then what are the multinational companies in Nigeria doing, who are also contributing to the environmental problems. So they should be more active in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and support the vegetation expansion in Nigeria. Lafarge is trying to do that in Ogun State, so others should emulate that. Many GSM operators are making money in Nigeria, so they should also support research. We can contribute immensely to the GDP of the country if we have the enabling environment. What are the measures being taken to control this menace and what policies are in place to address the issue of deforestation in Nigeria? Like I said, the Federal Government can make statements, but the state and local governments have to support the federal to achieve that. They have to copy what states like Cross River has done. I am also aware that Ogun State has a Ministry of Forestry because they also know the importance of it. So states can do better by investing into the sector.

How much would the world save if people ate less meat? A recent report from the Oxford Martin Programme on the future of food, estimates that changes in diets could save up to $1,000 billion per year on healthcare. If the world went vegan, it could save eight million lives by 2050 and trillions of dollars. The report states that simply cutting down meat consumption within accepted guidelines would cut emissions by a third by 2050. A widespread switch to vegetarianism would cut emissions by nearly 63 per cent and a similar adoption of veganism would reduce emissions by 70 per cent. In an interaction with Al Jazeera, titled ‘Counting the Cost,’ Dr Marco Springmann, from Oxford University, discussed the future of food, food security, and how changes in food consumption and eating habits could help the environment.

Man, environment and health, re-emphasising the link By Doyin Adeoye As the world celebrates the World Health Day, it is important to reemphasise the link between man, his environment and his health. Although the environment sustains human life, it can also adversely affect it. The environment immensely affects the human health and various environmental factors can be root causes of many significant diseases, particularly in developing countries. Held annually on 7 April, the 2016 edition of the World Health Day focuses on the rising tide of diabetes worldwide. With the increasing extremes of temperature as a result of climatic change, many health conditions have been widely worsened for victims, as a result of the environment we live in. According to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on the health of city-dwellers in almost 100 countries, as world’s urban population continues to grow, health inequities especially

between the richest and poorest urban populations are a persistent challenge. The report emphasises the urgency of addressing health disparities and their determinants in cities, as countries strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “There is an urgent need to identify and reduce health inequities, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, such

as the nearly one billion people living in urban slums or informal settlements today,” said Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO AssistantDirector General for Health Systems and Innovation. “This report gives countries and cities practical tools to reduce health inequities and achieve the SDGs.”

From water, noise and air pollution, to other environmental issues, an estimated 25 per cent of deaths and diseases globally, and nearly 35 per cent in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, is linked to environmental hazards. While gas flaring continues to aid global warming, exposure to air pollution often result in accelerated aging of the lungs, loss of lung capacity, shortened life span and the development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.

US, China commit to signing Paris agreement

The United States and China are taking their climate relationship to a new level, the White House announced last week. President Barack Obama and Chinese President, Xi Jinping issued a joint statement saying they both will officially sign the historic Paris climate agreement on April 22 and will encourage other nations to do so as well. The leaders also said they would take their

respective domestic actions under the agreement “as early as possible this year.” The Paris agreement, reached under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December, commits countries to putting in place individual targets for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Countries will be expected to review and update their commitments every five years.

United States President, Barack Obama and Chinese President, Xi Jinping. PHOT: XINHUA.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Ajimobi

Hon Adeyemo

Huge public expectation and Oyo 2016 budget

WALE AKINSELURE gives an insight into the 2016 Oyo State budget passed by the state house of Assembly amidst rising public expectations.

HERE is a sudden upsurge of public expectations of the administration of the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. No thanks, to the passage of the state Appropriation bill last week by members of the state house of Assembly. The general assumption is that the action of the legislators could fire the tempo of activities of the government, as the governor gradually approaches the first anniversary of his second term in office. The 2016 fiscal year of Oyo State set sail on March 22, following the Assembly’s passage of the appropriation bill of N 173,769,404,444. The budget, which was jacked up by 5.2 per cent from the initial proposal of N165,097,845,486 presented by governor, encapsulates a rrecurrent expenditure of N100,651,599,183 and capital outlay of N73,117,805,261. While presenting the budget proposal on December 22, 2015, he had outlined the priorities of government to include Agriculture, Education and Human Capital Development, as well as Infrastructural Development, Peace and Security. He also emphasised the need to improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue by 400 per cent through the repositioning of the Board of Internal Revenue Services and strengthening income generating agencies.

The approved 2016 budget shows that about 95 per cent of it is allocated to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the executive arm. A breakdown of the allocation to the ministries showed that education, science and technology received a sum of N35,833,822,225; health (N13,747,836,000); Finance and Budget (N33,880,637,000); agriculture and Natural Resources, N12,959,649,000; works and transport, (N27,272,000,000); youth and sports (N1,787,320,000); Lands, Housing and Urban Development, N6,031,535,000; Environment and Water Resources, N4,845,000,000; Information, Culture and Tourism, 1,630,000,000. For the other arms of government, N2,530,438,958 was set aside for the legislature and N2,841,000,000 for the Judiciary. Rendering her report, Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Agbaje said that an improved budget performance in 2016 compared to the about 50 per cent performance of 2015 could only be achieved if revenue generating ministries and agencies are more committed to the cause and all leakages are blocked. In the same vein, the committee called for an end to political influence on the management of parastatals and corporations.

It demanded more positive action in tje execution of capital projects, just as the committee expressed concern that government parastatals were less effective in their revenue generating drive owing to over reliance on Federal Government allocation. The upward review in some sections of the budget, according to Agbaje, is to accommodate pension payment, funding for newly established tertiary institutions, sports and sustainable development. It will be recalled that while presenting the budget proposal on the floor of the state Assembly, Governor Ajimobi had described the last fiscal year as challenging in many ways which was evident in the low execution of capital projects and challenges in payment of workers’ salaries. This, he attributed to reduction in statutory allocation from the Federation Account, which was occasined by fall in crude oil price at the international market, coupled with demands of political leadership in an election year. Moreover, Ajimobi noted that the budget performance from the estimated sum of N143,108,660,700 for 2015 fiscal year was 53.91 per cent. However, Ajimobi gave a ray of hope that the current year would be different. He gave reasons for such optimism, one of which is the fact that the state has strategised to improve its IGR through the re-

structuring and repositioning of the Board of Internal Revenue Services and strenghtening income generating agencies. According to analysts, these measures could tranlate to the state having more funds internally genertaed this year to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens of the pacesetter state. In its desire to boost efficiency and streamline expenditure, the government has also restructured the public service through the implementation of a 13-ministry architecture. The governor had underscored need to enhance the Bureau of Investment, Promotion and Public Private Partnership towards promoting investment flow to the state. A consultant has been engaged by government in the renewed revenue drive with set targets to block all leakages and increase the monthly IGR to about N5 billion. Thus, it is no surprise that the budget is anchored on more that 70 per cent IGR. Findings revealed that the consultant would receive salary rather than being remunerated based on percentage of income generated. Ajimobi has not minced words about achieving the set IGR target owing to strategies and machineries that have been put in motion. At an average estimated monthly Federal Allocation of about N2.83 billion, about 70 per cent of the revenue is expected to be internally generated. He gave an insight to the template his administration plans to adopt towards achieving the set target: “The state must now be more inward-looking and less dependent on net-based revenue for its fiscal operations. We must change our way of doing business. We have effected major reforms of the State’s Board of Internal Revenue Services. “With this development, it is expected that our IGR will substantially increase by about 400 %, that is, from N1.2 billion to about N5 billion per month in the 2016 fiscal year. In this regard, Oyo State Government will employ carefully designed expenditure switching and expedite reduction strategies as from the 2016 fiscal year. This is a daunting task, but we believe it is achievable.” Education, as one of the four cardinal priorities of the budget, is appropriated about 20.6 per cent of the estimate. This is not far from the UNESCO’s recommendation of 26 per cent in any nation’s budget. Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Agbaje had hinted that the appropriation for the education sector was jacked up to accommodate funding for newly established tertiary institutions like Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki and Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa. Determined to arrest the decay in school’s infrastructure, the governor had promised to complete the construction and furnishing of model schools in the state in the current year. The increased funding is also expected to enhance the quality of education generally, especially the unimpressive performance of students in internal and public examinations. At several fora, Ajimobi termed 2016 a year of revolution in agriculture, so the 7.5 per cent appropriation to the sector is expected to bring about the promised empowerment of youths and women in 28 Continues on pg 25

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

How APC can defeat PDP in Itire-Ikate LG poll —Dawodu Honourable Rahman Mogbolahan Dawodu, is a local government chairmanship aspirant for ItireIkate LCDA on the platform of Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming council poll in the state. The former councilor in Odoluwo ward, speaks on his dream for the people of the area if elected. BOLA BADMUS brings excerpts:

HAT informed your decision to contest for chairmanship this time?

What do you think will give you an edge over other contestants in the race? I have been a party member for the past 15 years and the people contesting with me actually haven’t really contributed meaningful to the development of the community. I don’t think someone who is not aware of what is on ground; how people are, how they are feeling or what their problem is should be contesting the coming election. If they want to contest, they should first contribute to the party and the community, even without holding a political office in the community. So for me, I have the support of my people; the youth and the elders of the community are behind me. They are actually the ones who have asked me to contest.

I am known to my locality and it is even my people that came out and said I should contest for the chairmanship seat as they know I am capable of being their leader, having been contributing to the development of the community as a whole. They actually said I am accessible and can tackle their problems. What kind of assistance have you rendered to them to warrant such gesture from your constituency? I have done quite a lot. I sponsor people in the community to higher institutions. I have sponsored them on computer and vocational training, and I do solve some problems in the community through which I have been able to touch the lives of people in Itire-Ikate. Last year, I did a programme, which was beneficial to everybody in the community- offering free medical check-up. We gave out free eye glasses to people; we distributed more than 500 glasses, and the initiative was well supported by all APC members in the community. I equally offered free medical check- up on prostrate cancer and diabetes. We also organised lectures on family planning. The same programme was done in all the communities that make up Itire-Ikate LCDA, including Ijesha, Itire and Ikate. We also gave out GCE form free to more than 50 students and I empowered widows and market women in Itire-Ikate area. What are the challenges confronting the people of Itire-Ikate LCDA that you hope to address if elected chairman? The most paramount one is the twin problem of poor

and I believe with these people beside me, I can bring necessary development to Itire-Ikate. As you know, Oprah Winfrey has been doing a lot for African countries. So, working with her is going to be a plus for the country. I have even discussed about the community with them and they are ready to assist in their little ways, as there is provision for underdeveloped countries and with the right channel, this thing could be done.

How close are you to the leadership of the APC? I actually don’t have a godfather. The Almighty God is my godfather and any other human being, I give respect to them. All the leaders in my community are my fathers and everywhere I go, I do give them due respect (as they are the leaders of the party).

drainage system and bad roads. The community suffers from flooding during the raining season.

How much consultations have you done within and outside the APC in order to realise your ambition? I have done that; from grassroots up to the state and to the centre. I have been attending ward and LGA meetings in my constituency.

How do you want to source for funds to tackle the problems? Thank God for my ability and exposure. I have been able to work with international NGOs, which include the famous Oprah Winfrey and John Legend Foundations in America

What do you think can constitute a barrier to your ambition? I don’t see any barrier because I have never stepped on toes, and I know people have done research about me and couldn’t find anything against me.

Hon Dawodu

Issues of leakages Continued from pg 24

agrarian local government areas in fruits and leafy vegetable production. High on the agenda of the state government is the completion of the 10,000 metric tonne capacity silo in Oyo and the increased utilisation of the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin as an agro-industrial centre. Ajimobi said special focus would be on opening up of road and extension of the national grid to the Ikere Gorge dam. Fewer capital projects were executed in the 2015 fiscal year; a trend the government attributed to paucity of funds. This year, 15.7 per cent of the budget is set aside for the Minstry of Works and Transport while 3.4 per cent is budget for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The decision of the administration to empower government parastatals to improve on their revenue generating drive is expected to also ensure fund availabilty for execution of projects. In the light of government’s resolve to improve upon its infrastructural developmental programmes for the people, Ajimobi assured of the completion of the Oyo and Ogbomoso road dualisation project while new road dualisation projects will be embarked upon in Ibadan, Ibarapa and Oke Ogun zones of the state. About 7.9 per cent is budgeted for the health sector. Against the backdrop of United Nations bodies’ recommendation that about 15 per cent be committed to the health sector, advocacy groups under the auspices of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), recently converged on Ibadan, the state capital, to call on government to increase funding to the health sector. The authorities seem to appreciate

the concern of such groups, going by the improved allocation to the health sector. The funding is expected to improve upon the facilities at the state hospitals and health centres and attend to the welfare of health workers. Other stakeholders have also been speaking on the budget, and one of them is the chairman,House Committee on Youth and Sports, Honourable Fatai Adesina. “The budget is based on IGR, which means the consultant has to meet certain targets. However, the informal sectors are not captured as the greater income would be derived from Pay As You Earn (PAYE). One needs to question where members of vehicle unions members like NURTW get their plate numbers and licence. Some of these vehicles have Lagos plate numbers whereby such monies accrue to Lagos state. Some heads of these motor unions argue that they do not get their licence in due time in Oyo State, hence their vehicle registration is done in other states. Also, one has to question if many companies, hotels and their staff who do not pay tax ,are now being captured. These staff

should be charged to pay tax like civil servants,” Adesina stated. Meanwhile, the legislature is allocated about N2.5 billion for its operation this year. Whereas the Assembly has continued to crave for financial autonomy, the necessary Financial Autonomy bill designed to achieve that goal has been gathering dust in the state assembly. Speaker of the state Assembly, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo said only a constitutional amendment could end the legislature’s reliance on the executive for survival. He remarked: “We still have to rely on the executive or the status quo remains. But, we are craving for constitutional amendment to solve that problem. The judiciary is somewhat off the hook and less rely on the budget. We believe that during the course of this administration, we will achieve the desired financial autonomy. Such will help our democracy and the legislature to effectively carry out its functions. We hope Nigerians understand our predicament.” Minority Leader, Honourable Olagunju said the budget was realistic if the consultants blocked all leakages and companies,

We believe that during the course of this administration, we will achieve the desired financial autonomy. Such will help our democracy and the legislature to effectively carry out its functions.

Hon Agbaje especially in the issuance and renewal of licences. He added that wealthy individuals, companies, and other establishments that had hitherto evaded tax were captured this time. On the priority given agriculture, he called for the provision of credit loans to farmers to begin their planting in earnest. He stated: “There are so many leakages which we discovered; during budget defence, they had to be blocked. I think the consultant that has been employed is equal to the task and will focus on other income generating areas. We can meet the target. The consultants defended their budget and explained how they intend to generate income. I am optimistic they will achieve what they set out to achieve. So, I believe that the proposed budget is realistic.”

26 politics&policy

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

OGD opened up Lagos-Ibadan expressway for development —Hon Adebutu Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, Honourable Oladipo Adebutu, a grass-roots politician in Ogun State, in this interview with TUNDE BUSARI, speaks on a former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led. Federal Government and sundry issues. Excerpts :

OU are a political ally of the former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, what is your view of his leadership style? It is clear with what has happened in the most recent past that his line of thought, his line of governance is the correct way to go, and as a consequence of that, the only way forward for our nation and state to emulate and continue his work. People of your political stature reside in GRAs and other secluded areas. What is the philosophy behind your residing among the commoners? There is nothing so special about where one resides. What is most important to me is making oneself accessible to people as much as possible. This I think is what you have here. I am always comfortable being among my people. It gives me joy not only as a politician but also as a human being. Specifically, the site is not my particular choice. It is an area where my grandparents chose to develop when the portion of the town was in the forest and I carried on that legacy. When someone has done something that is right, you should further that agenda and continue from there rather than creating a change. I believe that there is no better life than living among your people rather than living in seclusion. You can’t be in isolation from their wants and desires and their companionship with them. You have many tricycles and motorcycles in your premises waiting to be distributed to your people. Is this empowerment? The truth of the matter is as it is now we have to intervene to ameliorate the suffering of our people with empowerment. Without prosperity democracy is a sham. For somebody to vote with his conscience he needs some basic things a decent person must have. I truly believe we must empower our people if you don’t want them to trade their vote for a loaf of bread because of hunger and poverty. We must empower our people. We must help people to achieve prosperity. Otunba Gbenga Daniel made sure he created an enabling environment for people to prosper for business to thrive. On the LagosIbadan expressway, for example, industries opened up the area. Jobs were created. In all fairness and honesty, if you look back, you realise that the polity was not too tensed. Otunba Gbenga Daniel, even when he did lots of infrastructural works, laid emphasis on the local population, so that the profit could reside here. The quantum of money within local areas made the difference. What we have here now is a situation when the government gets expatriate contractors essentially taking away the profit meant for local populace. I was at a function at Abeokuta last week, one of the chief complaints of the populace was that jobs which local people can ordinarily do well are contracted out to expatriates. Tipper drivers, for instance, feel disenfranchised. Same goes to the quarry owners. Despite the billions spent on projects you find that they have minimum benefit to lo-

port to create jobs, commerce and trade, it is a good investment. If you borrow money to generate revenue to pay the debt, it is alright. But if you borrow money to celebrate your inlaw’s birthday, it is just crazy. Also, borrowing tens of billions to build disheartening edifices is crazy. Well, it is his tenure. That is his thinking. If you construct a bridge that connects Lagos State and Ijebu waterside or Odogbolu today, you will create new communities, very prosperous communities. If you borrow to do that, even the value of land exploding in that area would have paid for the loan. But for some reasons, his line of thought is different. That is the extent to which he understands it. I like to say that I am not picking a quarrel. With the way OGD had designed our road map, it would have been a great state. We had Free Trade Zones. We had the idea of a road coming all the way from Benin Republic, through Ikenne town, to create an industrial estate there. But the roads are non-existent today. They have been abandoned since the administration came to office. Do you have any intention to intervene? It goes beyond that. It is not a matter of you alone. It is a matter of your people choice. I have been in National Assembly since 1992. It is what your people choose you at a particular time. I am currently doing what my people have chosen me to do. If they choose me to do something else, we shall know.

Adebutu

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, even when he did lots of infrastructural works, laid emphasis on the local population, so that the profit could reside here. cal populace unlike days of Otunba Daniel when we had roads built with our bitumen sourced from various owners across the state and as such prosperity was created. But now, it is one man, one company and one direction. I find it pertinent to ask about all the billions essentially end up in outward flow from the local economy and of course the profit are carted away in foreign currency. How did you win election in an APCcontrolled state? We must remember that APC victory was largely derived from intense propaganda. Intense propaganda worked extensively. But in a community like Remo, the propaganda did not sell so well because the people had the opportunity to see and feel the substance of we stand for. So, that wave of propaganda was stemmed. PDP succeed I presenting a truly, truly popular candidate. What is your assessment of the Eighth House of Representatives? It is a very dynamic one and I am proud to be a member of this house. For the first time

in our history, you will see that it has not been a strictly partisan house. The House committee chairmanships were shared nearly evenly between the ruling and opposition parties. When you put thse factors in place, it encourages cooperation and camaraderie. When honourables set aside personal interests, the nation will be better off and that is what we have now in the House. I think it good for our democracy and a strong indication that our democracy is growing. What is your assessment of the past five years of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State? I think he has done his best to the extent that he understands issues. To my mind, however, I see five years of lost opportunities. My main grouse is that tens of billions were expended on non-priority projects. There is nothing wrong in borrowing money. As business men, we see value in borrowing money. But if you borrow money, you should invest it in a project capable of paying back. If you borrow money to build a sea port that will generate revenue, it is a good one. If you borrow to build an air-

The electorate often put pressure on political office holder in terms of seeking one assistance or the other. What is your position on this? The truth is that because they don’t have social security they can only ask those they feel can help them. You cannot really blame the people because their situation is desperate. Do you see yourself in APC in future going by the character of Nigerian politicians? I could have come to APC before now because my friends are there. But I don’t see APC as a truly Nigerian party, a party catering for all variable people of Nigeria. One of the things we do not celebrate is the fact former President Goodluck Jonathan was able to keep the polity calm. Regional tensions were diminished. You can see that since the advent of the government of APC these agitations are going out of hand. In Niger-Delta, you see the way different elections were held. Only a dishonest person would say the elections would turn to tribal war. Gradually you see the polarisation extend further unless the thinking of APC leadership changes. And it will be difficult for the thinking of that leadership to change because that is the nature of APC. Do you see APC ruling beyond 2019 with its own challenges? The APC borrowed a lot of fine people from PDP because we had our internal issues because we took success for granted. Now that our disgruntled brethren tired to live in the household very, very different from that they used to have, I can see all the borrowed PDP people going back home. Then, we will do like a family again. We have had 16 years of experience, and we will build on that experience. We have four years of failure. We will build on those four years of failure. We have cumulatively had 20 years experience, and we are going to build on that 20 years of experience.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

30 news

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Empower FRSC to arrest, prosecute govs, ministers, VIPs, Sultan tells FG •I had expired driver’s licence even as SGF —Lawal •N42 billion worth man-hour lost annually to gridlock in Lagos —Ambode Clement Idoko - Abuja

HE Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar, has decried the road rage exhibited by convoys of prominent political office holders, including governors, ministers and other Very Important Persons (VIPs), sometimes leading to crashes and death of innocent Nigerians. This was as he called on the Federal Government to amend the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) enabling Act to empower the agency to arrest and prosecute the VIPs for dangerous driving. Abubakar, who was the chairman at sixth FRSC Annual Lecture Series, with a theme: “State Road Traffic Management Efforts: LASTMA Experience,” said this on Tuesday, in Abuja. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer Babachir Lawal, however, stunned the audience on the occasion, when he revealed that he had been driving with an expired driver’s licence until about two months ago, when he was forced to renew it by the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi. He said: “About two months ago, when the Corps Marshal of FRSC came to my office and asked me if my driver’s licence was upto-date, I hesitated and said yes. But when he asked if I was properly captured by biometric and I removed the document to show him, behold, it had expired several months ago.” The SGF, however, called on states of the federation to establish Traffic Management Agency, in order to reduce the pressure on the FRSC on road traffic administration in the country. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to the issue of safety and security of all Nigerians. Lawal maintained the issue of road safety was a shared responsibility and urged all stakeholders to contribute their quota to ensuring safer roads in the country. The Sultan of Sokoto and the SGF spoke against the backdrop of revelation by the Corps Marshal, that road crashes had claimed the lives of about 345, 908 Nigerians from independence till date. He noted that road crash-

es accounted for about 1.3 million deaths and 50 million injuries worldwide on annual basis. Oyeyemi further stated that Africa had one of the greatest burdens of road crashes and fatality, with loss of about three per cent of Gross Domestic Product

(GDP), adding that in Nigeria, virtually every family, directly or indirectly, was affected by road crashes. The Sultan, however, said it was unfortunate that the convoy of most VIPs in Nigeria drove on the highways as if they were the owners of the road, driving

away other road users with blaring of sirens. He said he had never seen FRSC officers arresting and prosecuting these top political office holders, perhaps because of its limited power. He, therefore, urged the government to amend the FRSC laws, in order to be

properly empower the corps to arrest and prosecute them just like any other ordinary Nigerians. Meanwhile, the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has disclosed that estimated loss of N42 billion worth of manhour was recorded in Lagos

From left, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir David Lawal and the representative of Lagos State governor, Mr Tunji Bello, during the sixth annual lecture series of the FRSC, in Abuja, on Tuesday. photo: Sunday Osunrayi.

on annual basis as a result of chaotic traffic situations prior to the new regime of traffic management in the state, which began in 2000. Ambode, who was the Guest Speaker at the lecture series, was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr Tunji Bello. Sharing his Lagos experience on road traffic management, the governor said the government had taken a number of steps aimed at structural and institutional repositioning, which not only befitted the status of a megacity, but also met emerging global urbanisation standard and trend. He, however, said despite this, it should be expected that the challenges would become even more daunting with vehicular density of 224 vehicles per kilometre road, with 1,700,000 registered vehicles in Lagos and over 300,000 transiting in and out, transportation and the attendant traffic bottlenecks, saying this, therefore, became a key component of the challenge posed by an ever-growing economy as had been the case with Lagos State.

FG endorses use of herbal medicine Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja THE Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has endorsed the use of herbal medicines and recommended that the drugs be produced in the country under the supervision of Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Professor Adewole was speaking at the launch of new guidelines for regulatory activities by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC). This was as he advocated local production of all mosquito treated nets used in the country. The minister stated that government had banned importation of Mosquito treated nets and insecticides to the country, adding that “there is absolutely no reason for importation of Mosquito treated nets and insecticides from Tanzania.” According to him, billions of “hard-earned” monies were being used by the nation to import mosquito

nets and other drugs that could be produced in the country. He pointed out that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, a body of drugs and related products manufacturers in the country could produce mosquito nets, as the products are part of medical devices. Adewole directed NAFDAC to partner with Universities of Zaria, Enugu, Ibadan and Jos to enhance research into local production of drugs. Also, the Federal Govern-

ment said on Tuesday, that it would do everything it could to prevent strike in the health sector, as Professor Adewole declared that despite a threat and the 21-day ultimatum given by the residents doctors, there would be no strike. The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) had, after its extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, on Monday, gave the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands or face a na-

tionwide strike. But the Health Minister said: “I am not aware of it yet. When I get to know, I will address it. You know I am a former member of NARD and I was also a General Secretary of the group. So, I can handle my people. Leave us to handle that, I assure you that there will be no strike.” Earlier, NAFDAC’s acting Director-General, Mrs Yetunde Oni, said the launch of the new guidelines was aimed at strengthening the agency to ensure effective

regulation of the pharmaceutical industry and monitor the efficacy of products in the country. She said: “Given the scientific nature of the operations of NAFDAC, it is expected that we would regularly engage in activities to sharpen delivery on our mandate through availability of adequate tools to enhance productivity. These guidelines aid compliance by stakeholders and make regulatory activities seamless between regulators and the regulated.”

NLC CWC holds crucial meeting today

Kaduna, Oyo labour crisis, fuel scarcity top agenda Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja THE Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress ((NLC) will hold a crucial meeting today at the Labour House, Abuja, to deliberate and take decisions on critical national issues. Top on the agenda of the meeting is the Labour crisis between the government of Kaduna State and its workers and that of Oyo State. The current fuel crisis in the country will also be dis-

cussed, even though the NLC is being skeptical because of the absence of one of its affiliates, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) from the petroleum sector. Already, the NLC headquarters had taken over the crisis in Kaduna and had jointly issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government of Kaduna State to stop the verification exercise which seeks to give workers the option of whether they want to

belong to a union or face a showdown. The Oyo State workers had also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, but Nigerian Tribune gathered that the NLC headquarters may come in fully to take over the protest based on the decision the CWC after the meeting. A source within the congress told Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday that the congress might mobilise to the two states, but an agree-

ment has to be reached at the CWC meeting before further actions would be taken. The CWC is one of the highest decision making organs of the NLC, as it comprises presidents and general secretaries of all affiliate unions, as well as members of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC. The source also said the issue of fuel crisis, minimum wage and electricity tariff would form discussion at the meeting.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

WHEN HONOURABLE KEHINDE ODENEYE EMPOWERED CONSTITUENTS WITH MULTI-MILLION NAIRA EMPOWERMENT SKILLS ACQUISITION (PHASE ii)

4 5

8 1.

Honourable Kehinde Odeneye, representing Ijebu Central Federal Constituency (right); Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and Arewa Funmilayo Odeneye, during the presentation of a generating set to General Hospital, Atan, at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, recently.

Motorcycles and tricycles to be distributed to beneficiaries.

Hair dryers to be distributed to beneficiaries.

Hon Odeneye addressing the beneficiaries at the event.

Sewing machines and generating sets to be distributed to beneficiaries. Inset is one of the representatives of Ileri Olorun Cooperative Society, recieving tricycle on behalf of members.

10 6.

Sewing and grinding machines to be distributed to beneficiaries.

Hon Odeneye (left) presenting a motorcycle to Baba Akio, while Hon Muyiwa Oladipo (second right) looks on.

Honourable Odeneye presenting a motocycle to Mrs Labisi, while Ogun State officer of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Kareem and others look on.

Presentation of grinding machine to Alhaja Ettu (second left), while state Women Leader (APC), Mrs Ogunleye (right) and others look on.

10. Honourable Odeneye (second left) presenting a motocycle to Mr Kazeem (middle). With them is Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

33 news

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Electoral offences: INEC to bar culprits from contesting future elections —Chairman •As FG promises legal reform to tackle outdated electoral laws Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

work with them. The INEC chairman, who

noted that the commission would conduct 69 elections

this weekend in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

and a bye-election in Osun State, said it would review

HAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Election (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, has disclosed that the commission is already working towards preventing politicians found culpable of electoral offences from contesting future elections in the country. Yakubu dropped this hint in Abuja, on Tuesday, at the Nigeria civil society situation room stakeholders forum on elections. He stated that the action became necessary, as the commission had been faced with the challenges of having to conduct rerun and bye-elections which were more strenuous than the general election. The INEC boss pointed out general election, over the years, had less concentration of individual politicians attention compared to bye-elections and rerun. Yakubu lamented the non-implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais’ report that recommended stiffer punitive measures against electoral offenders. The INEC boss, who lamented that the commission was constrained by the resurgence of violence during various elections conducted in recent times, said although it had no control over security agencies, but would continue to

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (right) and the president, International Institute for Petroleum Energy Law and Policy/Visiting Professor of Energy Law and Policy, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Niyi Ayoola Daniels, during the second National Energy Workshop, themed: “Emerging Legal/Policy Reforms in the Petroleum and Power Sectors of Nigeria,” at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium of the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Buhari urges dialogue over Burundi’s problem Leon Usigbe - Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has urged the people and government of Burundi to explore dialogue in resolving the current political differences in the country. Receiving the former Burundian President, Mr Pierre Buyoya, on Tuesday, at the State House, President Buhari said Nigeria would continue to support peace processes in the con-

tinent through the African Union (AU), which had already intervened in Burundi’s issue. Buhari said since President Pierre Nkurunziza rejected the proposal of a ‘‘stabilising force from the AU, we can’t impose it on him, but we will continue to opt for dialogue.’’ He added: ‘‘Nigeria has been playing a key role in the continent through the AU. We participated fully in ensuring a truce in Mali

and we want citizens to enjoy the impact of the truce, although the terrorists are not helping matters. ‘‘Nigeria is always committed to regional and continental peace, and we will continue to do our best.” The president told the former President of Burundi, who is the High Representative of the AU Mission to Mali and the Sahel, that he remained hopeful that there would be an amicable solution to

the situation in Burundi. In his remarks, Buyoya commended Nigeria for the role it played in restoring peace to Mali, adding that the AU was working to promote security in the Sahel, particularly through fighting trans-border terrorism. He also urged Nigeria to use its clout to work for peace in Burundi, warning that the “country is gradually inching towards a civil war.”

FCT Area Councils poll: Come for your PVCs, INEC tells electorate •Laments poor responses of electorate •As IGP restricts movement from 6.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m. AHEAD Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja area councils’ elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, pleaded with the electorate to come forward for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to enable them to participate in the elections. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of the FCT, Professor Jacob Jatau, made the plea on Tuesday, at the stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, ahead of the polls. Professor Jatau said the plea became necessary as “the commission is not comfortable with the number of those who have collected their PVCs, despite

the publicity and voter education outreaches.” He stated that out of the 1,020,799 registered voters, only 646,883 voters had so far collected their PVCs, while the remaining others remained uncollected. According to him, “we want to appeal to the good people of the Federal Capital Territory to use the remaining two days to go to INEC’s offices in the six area councils to collect their PVCs from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.” Professor Jatau, however, made it clear that “only those have collected their PVCs will be allowed to vote as readers will be deployed at the 562 polling units,2,207 voting points

and 245 voting points settlements.” This came just as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, warned potential troublemakers to keep off the FCT and its environs before, during and after the elections, as the area “is a security zone,” where only law-abiding citizens alone would be allowed to move freely and go about without any harassment while troublemakers would be doing so at their own risk. Arase, represented by the FCT’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, assured that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to ensure peaceful and credible elec-

tions the FCT was noted for, saying that the residents had nothing to fear about their security, but to endeavour to report strange faces around them. Arase, who declared that there would be restrictions of human and vehicular movements from 6.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on the election day, except those on essential duty and accredited people on electoral duties. He warned that anybody caught flouting the directive would face the full weight of the law. Also speaking, chairman of the commission, Professor Mamood Yakubu, promised that the commission was set to conduct free, fair and credible election

come Saturday, as adequate arrangements had made towards that direction. Most of the stakeholders, who spoke at the meeting, including the chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on FCT, Honourable Zaphania Jisalo, assured of conducting themselves peacefully during the polls, but warned against invasion of the nation’s capital city by state governors and other politicians with the aim of rigging the polls, saying such a situation would be resisted. They also warned against inconclusive or postponement of polls as being witnessed during rerun in some parts of the country.

arrangement with security agencies due to the security lapses witnessed recently in the rerun in Rivers State. This came just as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, assured of the Federal Government’s readiness to carry out comprehensive legal reform to address the challenges poised by outdated electoral laws in the country. According to him, “our democracy can only work and deliver accountable government where elected officials see themselves as servants of the people, who must subject themselves to credible periodic elections. “Those who are elected into offices must understand that they face the risk of being voted out of office at the expiry of their tenures by the same electorate that chose them,” he stated. According to him, “one of my top priority as AGF is to lay a solid foundation for a sustainable reform of the justice sector, where the rule of law takes preeminence over and above rule of man. “We have also identified as top priority, the amendment of the Electoral Act and other laws, in order to empower INEC and similar bodies to deal with perpetrators of serious offences,” he stated. He pointed out that some of the gaps in the electoral laws had manifested in the recent decisions of the Supreme Court in relation to election petitions, adding that the administration was very much concerned about increasing levels of electoral violence. “I have begun consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly and the Judiciary to identify key laws and priority areas for reform. Our priority areas will be clearly outlined in our justice sector reform that we will propose to the National Assembly and align it with their agenda, in order achieve reform within the tenure of this administration,” he added. The minister explained that some of the gaps in the electoral laws had manifested in the recent decisions of the supreme Court on some of the election petitions.

CORRECTION OF NAME

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Abu Muri is the short form of my name which is reflected in virtually all my credentials. Henceforth, I wish to be known, addressed and called ABUBAKAR MURITALAMOHAMMED. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, Union Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, Ganiu Ibrahim Ajibola am the same person as Ibrahim Ajibola Abdulganiu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as GANIU IBRAHIM AJIBOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajiboye Jumoke Busola now MRS AGBA TSO JUMOKE All BUSOLA. former documents remain valid. Bowen University and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Folorunsho Yetunde Aanuoluwapo Esther now MRS OGUNFOLAKAN YETUNDE AANUOLUWAPO ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Jinadu Funmilayo Kate now JINADU FUNMILAYO KATE OLOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alhaji Titilope Okanlawon now ALHAJI ABDULFATAI I. OKANLAWON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Akinwale Adekunle Akinro now MR AKINWALE ISIAKA ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Ojo Ayo now MR OJO AYODELE OLUWAREMILEKUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adesina Adeola now MRS ADEMOLA ABIMBOLA KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Taiwo Sekinat Aliyu now MRS TAIWO SEKINAT ALIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adebayo Alao now ABOLADE ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Adesina Zainab Shade now MRS WAHEED ZAINAB SHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Apata Pius Ojo now APATA SOLOMON OJO. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Adegbite Williams Olurotimi am the same person bearing ADEGBITE WILLIAMS. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEGBITE WILLIAMS OLUROTIMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abiola Saidi Olasunkanmi now ABIOLA SAHEED OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, formerly Miss Okoro Jane Obiageri now CHUKWUEBUKA JANE O. UDEMBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Kadri Abubakri Adisa now ALHAJI ABUBAKRI ADISA SALATI. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Basiru Moromoke Salmon am the same person bearing Basiru Akanbi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BASIRU MOROMOKE SALMON. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, Eco Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Eyinade Mojisola Idayat am the same person bearing Eyinade Mojibola Idayat. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as EYINADE MOJISOLA IDAYAT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. F.C.E (Special), Oyo and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Muraina Bashiru Adesola now ADELEKE BASHIRU ADESOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Iyonu Lucky Eduvie now MUSA LUCKY EDUVIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesuwa Loveth Nosakhare now MRS MAKU ADESUWA LOVETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abdulsalawu Abdulgafar Akanni now ABDULSALAMI GAFARU AKANNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Rasaq Kabiru Ayo now AZEEZ KABIRU AYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Timothy Michael Rita Ezinne am the same person bearing Timothy Rita Ezinne and Michael Rita Ezinne. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as TIMOTHY MICHAEL RITA EZINNE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Eco Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Nma Ogbonne Ibem now MRS NMA CHUKWUDI UDONSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adedayo Grace Oluwabunmi now MRS OYEMADE GRACE OLUWABUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bassey Favour Imaobong now MRS OLUMAKINDE FAVOUR IMAOBONG. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Bamigboye Adepoju Olusola am the same person as Bamigboye Adepoju. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BAMIGBOYE ADEPOJU OLUSOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adetimirin Temitope Ajoke now MRS AFILAKA TEMITOPE AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Patrick Ibukun Tenumah now IBUKUN IREYEFOJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Emete Igho Moses now ABUGOR IGHO MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Solarin Omotola Mary now MRS OWEN OMOTOLA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Yekeen Tella now LASISI YEKINI AKANO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ijisakin Kunle Tairu am the same person bearing Ijisakin Kunle Olajide. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as IJISAKIN KUNLE TAIRU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Abdulraheem Adigun Abdulrahaman ABDULRAIMI now ABDULRAMAN ADIGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Lilian Philip now LILIAN GBOMADI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ogbolu James Ogwu now OGBOLU NGOZI BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ilicafe Henry now AMAMI HENRY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Wahagou Lassissi Rachidi now EBOADE RASHEED ADELOWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Bisiriyu Fatai Olasunkanmi now MOLADE BISIRIYU FATAI OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Local Government Service Commission and general public take note.

This Box is for Sale

I, formerly Miss Awe Titilayo Oladele now MRS OLANIRAN TITILAYO OLADELE FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oladimeji Ramoni Akano now A B D U LRA M O N I OLADIMEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oscar Akan now OSCAR MICHEAL AKANIYENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akinyele Abosede Damilola now MRS ADESHINA ABOSEDE DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oyewole Sunday now OYEWOLE SUNDAY FOLORUNSO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ibojo Temidayo Ruth now MRS AKINRIBADE TEMIDAYO RUTH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ajanaku Kudirat Abosede now SEKONI KUDIRAT ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Honore Yemalo Gerad, Hemamllo Gerad now HOUNHOUI YEMALO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ustaz Lukmon Elesinmeta now AJIBOLA LUKMON OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Soyebo Tanwa Temitayo now MRS MUNIRU TANWA BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Baoku Jimoh and Jimoh Abdul Raman Iyiola am the same person bearing Jimoh Baoku. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BAOKU JIMOH. My date of birth is wrongly written as 13th day of February, 1975. The correct date of birth is 27th day of July, 1975 All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This Box is for Sale CHANGE OF NAME

I, Kasali Muritala Olalere am the same person bearing Muritala Olalere. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as KASALI MURITALA OLALERE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Ballo Muhammed Qooseem now MUHAMMED BALLO MUHAMMED QOOSEEM KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alowooja Omowumi Oluwasola now MRS ODELAMI OMOWUMI OLUWASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aliu Kuburat Bola now MRS IBRAHEEM KUBURAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Anthony Christiana Rabba now MRS BAYODE CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fatoke Tolulope Abosede now MRS OLANIYI TOLULOPE ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oluyomi Olakunle Olabode now OLAKUNLE OLABODE OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Hannah Ameh Onoja now HANNAH ILEBAYE AMOS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Omojola Temilola Helen now MRS TEMILOLA HELEN KOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This Box is for Sale

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Chukwudi Bowa Ndimkoho now CHUKWUDI NDIMKAORA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olabode Alani Fakeye now OLUWATOBI GBEMINIYI ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Muhammed Hauwa Idris now MUHAMMED HAUWA TENI. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwatomi Akingbala now MRS. OLUWATOMI AGBOOLA. All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan and general public take note.

I, Omoregbeomwan Folake Eose am the same person as Omoregbeomwan Folake Gloria. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OMOREGBEOMWAN FOLAKE EOSE GLORIA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, GTBank Plc General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwakemi Adebola Alawusa now MRS. OLUWAKEMI ADEBOLA ODEMUYIWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Funmilayo Oyeyemi Oyasor now MRS. FUNMILAYO OYEYEMI SARUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alawode Samson Folorunsho now ADEGBOYEGA SAMSON FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Osimen Patience Eghianruwa now MRS. UHUNMWANGHO PATIENCE EGHIANRUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeolu Olufunmilayo A. now ADEOLU-JADESIMI FUNMILAYO ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ayantola Lolade Nasmot now MRS AFE OLOLADE NASMOT. All former documents remain valid. Water Corporation of Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Jokotoye Bunmi Mary now OLURE OLUBUNMI REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa (UBA), Diamond Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Jatto Oluwakemi Mary now MRS AROWOJOBE OLUWAKEMI ISLAMIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oluwadasola Patience Ajayi now ABDULRAHMAN BILIKISU DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunyebi Justina Fadeke now MRS. OLAJUBU JUSTINA FADEKE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Government and general public take note.

I, formerly Emmanuel Kola Olorunsola now EMMANUEL ABIODUN OLORUNSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olayanju Akintunde Abiodun now OLAYANJU AKINTUNDE JOHN OLUDELE ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oderinu Falilat Oluwayemisi now MRS. AKINWANDE FALILAT OLUWAYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Yunisa Zainab Dasola Shikemi now YINUSA ZAINAB DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alabi Florence Bodunde now MRS BODUNDE ABDULSALAM BOLADALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adejare Foluke Oluwatoyin now MRS. ADEJARE-DAHUNSI FOLUKE OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, James Kayode Ajayi am the same person bearing TIFASE OLUKAYODE JAMES. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as JAMES KAYODE AJAYI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adekunle Ganiyat Adeola now ADEKUNLE GANIYAT MORENIKEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ijiti Kehinde Bosco now ADEBOWALE ADERIBIGBE KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Quadri Musefiu Oyinlola now QUADRI MUSEFIU LAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Dorcas Mofoluwasayomi Abon now MRS. DORCAS M O F O L U WA S A Y O M I ADESUYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yusuf Aderonke Adeyemo now ADEYEMO RONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Oguntulu Shola Bukola now MRS BABAFEMI OLUSOLA BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abdullateef Muinnat Mayowa now MRS. MAYOWA AZEEZ. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aminu Oluyemisi Ganiyat now MRS. DAODU OLUYEMISI GANIYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Egbeyemi Ifeoluwadayo now MRS ADURADOLA IFEOLUWADAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Rahanat Abdulazeez now MRS RAHANAT MUIZUDEEN YOONUS. All former documents remain valid. The Concerned authorities and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Akorede Agboola Samson now MR MARTINS AGBOOLA AKOREDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Taiwo Babalola now MRS AFOLABI TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Samuel Mercy Otuomasirichi now MRS EBONKA MERCY OTUOMASIRICHI. All former documents remain valid. Pislib De-Varsity International High School, Felele, Ibadan, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Aminatu Oladapo now OLADAPO BUKOLA TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aminu Shadiat Folashade now MRS OLUWOLE FOLASHADE OLASHILE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adegboye Helen Olulayo now AGBI HELEN OLULAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Amodu Oluwakemi now MRS DANJUMA OLUWAKEMI TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akindayini Omonike Elizabeth now MRS AKINNOLA OMONIKE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. National Institute for Education Planning and Administration, Ondo and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Olutola Abiodun am the same person bearing Olutola Abiodun Ola. Now I wish to be known and addressed as OLUTOLA ABIODUN OLASUNKANMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

My Bank Verification and Recognised name by the Central Bank of Nigeria is Adeniyi Agboola Lasisi let all the banking institution across the world take notice of this. My other names Adegoke Agboola Adeniyi or Apostle Adeniyi Agboola Emmanuel are all my names I have droped Adegoke for my BVN recognised name. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Akinola Olatunji Habeed now AKINOLA KEHINDE HABEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abiola Odunayo now RAFIU MARY LOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Raheem Amudat (Hamdat) Motunrayo now MRS OKOTIE HAMDAT MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. Rom Oil Mills Limited and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olatona Oreoluwa Ejiroghene now MRS OWOYEYE OREOLUWA EJIROGHENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abuloye Olubunmi Oyetola now MRS DARAMOLA-MOSES OLUBUNMI OYETOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Lateef Lajuwon now MR LATEEF YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alli-Balogun. Farayola Adunni now MRS ADEWALE FARAYOLA ADUNNI All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Hamzet Taofeek Alamu now HAMUZAT TAOFEEK ALAMU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adebayo Adedolapo now AMOO ADEDOLAPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Emasogen Sunday now AGHWOKPO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Moshood Modinat Bukola now MRS OLAJIDE MODINAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adekunle Adeleke Kazeem now ADELEKE ADEKUNLE AKANNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajibola Oluwaseun Grace now MRS ADENIJI OLUWASEUN GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME/BVN RECOGNISED NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abayomi Titilayo Cecilia now OLOKESUSI CECILIA TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oluwakayode Bidemi Adigun now ADIGUN BIDEMI BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Segun Omoniyi Samuel now SEGUN OMONIYI EBENEZER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Umar Luqman now UMAR SHOLA LUKMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abuh John Felix now ABUH JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ilesanmi Temitope Oluwaseun now MRS KEHINDE TEMITOPE OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Okunade Mary Omobayode now MRS ODELEYE MARY OMOBAYODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oyetola Kunmi Adeyinka now FOLORUNSHO OLUKUNMI ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Grace Mofadeke Adegboye now GRACE TEMILADE OWOSO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Afolabi Morufu Olasumbo now AFOLABI HABEEB OLASUMBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olatoyin Adesola Joel now OLATOYAN ADESOLA JOEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Titilayo Suleiman now MRS ALADE FALILAT OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Usman Muibat Fadebi now MRS OJENIYI MUIBAT FADEBI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Teaching Service Commission Local Government Education Authority, Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Ogbomoso and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Esther Obianuju A. Effedua now MRS OBIANUJU SEGUNPAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Bola Olusola now MRS YUSUF SINATU BOLATUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alu Deborah Demilola now MRS AKINGBASO DEBORAH DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Osungbesan Abigeal Motunrayo am the same person bearing Osungbesan Yetunde Abigeal. Now I wish to be known and addressed as OSUNGBESAN ABIGEAL MOTUNRAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Fakemi Ibrahim Adekunle now FAKEMI EZEKIEL ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebisi Sherifat Olaide now MRS HAKEEM SERIFAT OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Muritala Okunola Obidiran now MICHEAL OBIDIRAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adekanmbi Adekunle Oladipupo now MABADEJE SUNDAY STEPHEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Satimehin Mary Olanrewaju now MRS ABIMBOLA MARY OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Hadija Iyabo Mukaila now MRS ENIOLA IYABODE ADIJAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Afolabi:I, formerly Miss Ayomide Morenikeji Afolabi now MRS AYOMIDE MORENIKEJI OMOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mrs Adeniyi Ajimo am the same person as MRS MURITALA AJIMAT NIKE. Now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADENIYI AJIMO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Lawal Oluwaseyi Omolola now MRS MAKINDE OLUWASEYI OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oritoke Lamidi now ADELAKUN SHERIFAT NIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aderibigbe Tiwalade now MRS ABIOYE TIWALADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Arogbesin Temitope Leah now MRS ALADESOYIN TEMITOPE LEAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

south-westnews

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

I only took leave of absence from APC —Osoba Says Alake, Awujale instrumental to his return

OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

ORMER governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on Tuesday, said he only took a leave of absence from the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the build up to the 2015 general

election. He said this during the public presentation of a book authored by a foremost politician, Chief Alani Bankole, entitled ‘Alake of Egbaland: The Succession Dynamics,’ held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Osoba said the meeting

held in his private residence, had been misconstrued and misunderstood by the general public. The former governor said the peace meeting was at the instance of national leaders, governors and former governors of the party, led by Senator Bola Tinubu.

Osoba said: “The story of what happened last Sunday has been misconstrued by the Nigerian public. The national leaders of the APC came to plead with me that I should return to the party. “I’m a founding father of APC. If I take a leave of absence from my own house,

From left, chairman on the occasion and sole administrator, Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide, Justice Afolabi Adeniran; former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala; his wife, Oluwakemi; wife and son of the deceased, Chief Mrs Ameenat Adewusi and Remi Adewusi respectively, during the day of tribute organised by the Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF) for the late Chief Sunday Adewusi, on Tuesday.

No going back on perjury case against Aluko —Ekiti govt Nothing has changed —Ekiti APC Sam Nwaoko - Aso Ekiti THE Ekiti State government has insisted that it will go ahead with its perjury case against a former secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr Tope Aluko, saying it will not withdraw the matter despite the reconciliation between Governor Ayodele Fayose and Aluko. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseeni Ajayi, who stated this when he addressed newsmen in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, also appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to continue to guide President Muhammadu Buhari, to forestall what he said was “increasing human rights abuses and gross violation of court orders in the polity.” Ajayi said: “The apology of Aluko to Governor Fayose was personal. We can’t because of this interventionist apology collapse all our cases. Government is not run that way. “We can’t abandon our responsibilities as a state just because someone apologised to our governor on a case that was already pending in court. They are not fresh cases and we will pursue it to a logical conclusion.”

The state government had instituted a case of perjury against Aluko a few days after he went on the television to allege that the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state was rigged. The state government had gone to court on the strength of the fact that Aluko served as the principal defence witness at the election petition tribunal. The court had granted a warrant of arrest against Aluko and had ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest him. He lambasted the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, for his alleged refusal to carry out the arrest of Aluko and for allegedly providing him with security cover. He said the state would file for an order of mandamus to compel the IGP to carry out the order in due course. In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has said that the rapprochement of Aluko and Fayose had changed nothing. The APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary in the state, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, said: “The purported truce between Governor Fayose and Aluko will not alter anything on the revelations so far on the probe of the June 21, 2014 governorship election fraud.”

He said the reported truce between Fayose and Aluko would not alter anything in the revelations at the probe panel, saying “it was mischievous to insinuate that Aluko was lured by APC to lie against Fayose and the military officers who were dismissed after they were found guilty by the Army probe panel.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Duro Faseyi, has described as “an insult, disrespect and a ruse to Ekiti State and its people,” the settlement of the crisis between Governor Ayodele Fayose and a former secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr Tope Aluko.

would I not return to my father’s house? I am back to my father’s house.” He added that the leaders of the party came to appeal to him on why he must not abandon the party that he laboured to build. Osoba, who was the special guest of honour, also acknowledged the mediatory roles played by two prominent traditional rulers in the state, to ensure his return to the party. Nigerian Tribune recalled that national leaders of the APC, led by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; governors of Osun and Oyo states, Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Abiola Ajimobi; former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo, among others, stormed the Ikoyi residence of Osoba, to bring him back to the party. He also disclosed that the

Alao-Akala, others shower encomiums on Adewusi By Tunde Ogunesan

IT was a rain of eulogies and encomiums at the 1,500-seater lecture theatre, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Tuesday, as top personalities from Ogbomoso, Nigeria police, government circles and others shower encomiums on the late Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi, on a day of tributes organised by Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF). The wife of the late former Inspector General of

I’ve not reconciled with Fayose —Aluko Bola Badmus - Lagos

EMBATTLED former secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Dr Temitope Aluko, has denied ever reconciling with the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, describing the parley between him and the latter on Sunday and the press interview that followed as “an organised propaganda/ drama to stain my image and malign my personal integrity.” Aluko said this while speaking with newsmen at a press conference in Lagos. The PDP chieftain maintained that even though he was under duress, there was nowhere in the arranged interview with the media where he refuted any of the allegations he

had made against the state governor concerning how the last governorship election was held. “One fact remains clear, there is nowhere that I, Temitope Aluko, refuted anything I have earlier said before Nigerians and the whole world about the manipulations that characterised the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State,” he said. Aluko, while recalling how the meeting between him and the governor came about at Eko Hotel, on Sunday, said it was based on a call he received from two senior members of the PDP, asking him to come and meet with them at the Eko Hotel for a “peace parley,” adding that he went in company of his wife. Aluko, who said he had since discovered that accepting the invitation was

Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Kayode Adetona, were instrumental to his return to the ruling party. The event attracted personalities which included traditional title holders in Egbaland, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Tunji Ishola; former Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Najeem Awodele; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole and the National President of Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta, Professor Ajao Adenekan. The chairman on the occassion, Chief Olatunde Abudu, described the book as a “customary masterpiece on the making of Alake of Egbaland.”

a tactical error on his part, pointed out that no reference was made to the 2014 governorship poll and the aftermath, including “my revelation to the public about the way the election was rigged in favour of Fayose.” “I was shocked to see Governor Fayose walked into the meeting at this point. I won’t want to bore you with the drama and face-off that ensued between me and Governor Fayose inside the meeting. Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has described the embattled former Secretary of the PDP, Mr Temitope Aluko, as “good riddance to bad rubbish” saying the state government will no longer dignify him with a response.

Police, Mrs Ameenat Funso Adewusi, was welcomed by cadet police, after which she inspected the guard of honour before she was led into the hall by the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala. She arrived at the venue of the event in company of the children and other members of the family. Leading the tribute, the former governor of Oyo State, Alao-Akala confessed that he benefited greatly from late Adewusi’s benevolence, describing him “as a special breed.” He also added that professionally in the Nigeria Police, his tenure as the IGP has continued to be regarded as the best in the history of Nigeria Police Force. The vice chairman of OCF, Alhaji Kelani Sanni, described the late IGP as a bridge builder and a source of inspiration who devoted the greater part of his life in serving humanity. In his remark, the former Chief of Staff to Governor Alao-Akala, Chief Dr Saka Balogun, said he cherished every moment of his association and relationship with him. The chairman of the occasion, Justice Afolabi Adeniran said Ogbomoso land just have to celebrate the life of Asiwaju Adewusi. The Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, Professor Sulaimon Gbadegesin, in his tribute extolled the contributions of the deceased to the establishment of the institution.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Task Force impounds 28 vehicles at filling stations, seizes 15 motorcycles Bola Badmus

Chairman, Lagos State Task Force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, arresting a vehicle obstructing traffic at Conoil Filling Station, Maryland, on Tuesday, as part of ongoing operation to clear Lagos of gridlock.

Police accuse 4 men of stealing 100 litres of diesel

OUR men who allegedly stole 100 litres of diesel at Eko Atlantic Site, Bar Beach, have landed in trouble. David Osaekete, 28; Chukwu Maxwell, 30; Patrick Agada, 46 and Inusa Momodu, 23, committed that alleged offence on April

4, 2016, at about 7.30p.m., at Eko Atlantic Site, Victoria Island. They allegedly stole 100 litres of diesel valued at N14,000, property of South Energy Nigeria Limited. According to the police, the offence committed is punishable under sections 409 and 285(7) of the

Criminal Laws of Lagos State. However, the men, whose addresses were not given, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them when they were arraigned before an Igbosere magistrates’ court. Consequently, the magistrate, Mr B. A. Sonuga,

granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with one surety each in like sum. He said the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to Lagos State and have their addresses verified. The case was, however, adjourned till April 27.

Manager, accountant arrested for hoarding, illegal sale of petrol Olalekan Olabulo TWO top members of staff of Oando filling station in Berger area of Lagos State were, on Tuesday, arrested by the police for allegedly hoarding and selling fuel in Jerry cans. The arrested staffers were the station manager, Rasaq Fakorede and the head of account, Ibrahim Adewale. They were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), who were on routine patrol to ease the gridlock created by vehicles, whose owners were queuing for petrol at different filling stations. Lagos Metro gathered that the two filling station officials were handed over to the police at Isheri divisional police station for further investigation. A source at the RRS, who spoke with Lagos Metro, said the policemen had initially arrested the manager but released him, only to re-arrest him after officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) arrived and found out that the filling station was not only hoarding

fuel, but also selling only to Jerry can owners. The RRS source also added that “there had been an earlier complaint against the filling station that they sell fuel late in the night and thereby causing serious traffic in the process. “We were there to control the traffic created by those who were buying fuel when we got the report that the arrested people were only selling into jerry cans and we quickly

moved to the filling station,” the RRS source said. He added that “when we got there, we found out that all the pumps were selling only to Jerry cans and the manager told us that he had stopped selling as the products had finished.” The policeman added that “we initially arrested the manager and we were counseling him when officials of the DPR came and accused

the officials of foul play.” He added that “there was a complaint that the management of the filling station was selling a 25-litre jerry can of fuel at N7,000 and selling to vehicles only late in the night.” He also stated that the officials of the DPR later discovered more than 3,000 litres of petrol in the underground tanks of the filling station.

92-year-old widow battles govt over 64-year-old school Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

A 92-year-old widow, Mrs Roseline Ololo, has dragged the Lagos State government before a Federal High Court, over the alleged seizure of her schools, Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary school. She is urging the court to order the Lagos State government to return her schools, calling the actions unjust, unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful. Ololo averred that in 1940, she, alongside her late husband, Mr Akaihieobi-Ololo Ogwuand, moved from the Eastern part of Nigeria to

the Lagos colony. She said in 1952, they both incorporated a company, Akaix Africa Ltd, in which name they established Metropolitan College. “Via a letter with Ref No: CEO/18L/31/25, dated March 1, 1956, our company was granted permission by the Federal Ministry of Education to establish Metropolitan College of Commerce. “The school, for about 18 years of existence, was located at No 15, Banire Street, Surulere, in a rented apartment. “In 1966, before the Ni-

geria/Biafran Civil war, we purchased over 8.17 hectares of land at the Atire-akari Isolo area of Lagos,” she added. She said for expansion purposes and to move away from the thickly populated residential area of Surulere, they moved to the new site in 1974. “In 1976, through the Education (Private Secondary Institutions Special Provisions) Law, the military government of Lagos State took over 48 private secondary schools from their owners, including Metropolitan College.

LAGOS State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force), on Tuesday, impounded 28 vehicles obstructing traffic at different filling stations in the state. Also, the Task Force impounded 15 motorcycles for plying highways along areas were these operations were carried out. The operation, which was led by the Task Force Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, was to unlock Lagos roads from traffic caused by haphazard

parking by commercial and private car drivers who wanted to buy fuel. Spokesman of the agency told Lagos Metro that men of the Force were divided into six zones across the state to carry out the exercise around different filling stations. According to him, the operations were carried out at filling stations, including the NNPC at Ojota, Oando and Conoil at Maryland, Total at Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, Mobil at Ogba, Forte Oil at Oba Akran Road and Conoil at Ikeja under bridge.

Assembly to probe siting of petrol stations in residential areas Chukwuma Okparaocha THE Lagos State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, expressed dissatisfaction over the indiscriminate siting of petrol stations in the state. According to them, the situation, apart from going against the original building plans, could also prove harmful to human existence, especially in the advent of fire outbreak. The concern followed a petition written to the assembly by concerned citizens and read on the floor by the clerk, Mr Ganiyu Abiru. In his reaction, the Speaker of the assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, said “we are concerned with the siting of filling stations, most especially in residential areas and knowing where we are,

our safety measures is inadequate. “I share the concern of the concerned citizens that we must look into it and address this matter. “We should look at the Ministry of Physical Planning to see what measures they have put in place to discourage the springing up of filling stations, especially in residential areas,” he said. Earlier, Mr Dayo Saka-Fafunmi, chairman, Committee on Environment, had added that the Ministry of Environment was also saddled with the responsibility of carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Saka-Fafunmi said if the EIA did not permit anyone to set up any structure in an area, such company would not be issued permit.

Sympathisers trying to rescue a trapped driver of an articulated vehicle at the accident scene at Abule Egba, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

news

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Military kills 4 pirates, frees abducted soldier in Bayelsa

he Joint Military Force deployed to protect oil facilities in the Niger Delta, “Operation Pulo Shield,” has killed four suspected pirates and freed an abducted soldier in Bayelsa. This was contained in a statement signed by the force spokesman, Colonel Isa Ado and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, in Yenagoa. Ado said the feat was achieved in multiple operations conducted by the military in March 2016. He said that the soldier, whose name was not mentioned, was kidnapped by pirates on March 24 along the Nembe waterways. The spokesman added that the soldier was currently receiving medical treatment in Nembe while efforts are underway to arrest the fleeing abductors. Ado said that the force also arrested medical personnel who specialised in treating wounded mili-

tants and sea pirates after exchange of gun battle with the military. “It was revealed from our source that the medical worker has been operating in the creeks for long and providing medical service to the pirates and militants at a medical facility at Okiama Village in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa. “He was responsible for the treatment of the wounded sea pirates and their leader who recently engaged troops of the Joint Force in a shootout along

Nembe waterways in Bayelsa. “During the encounter, four of the sea pirates were killed while others sustained injuries. “However they ran out of luck as troops on getting the information cordoned off the area and arrested the medical worker while the wounded pirates escaped before the arrival of troops,” the statement read in part. In another development, the troops arrested a suspected oil thief during anti-illegal oil bunkering

around Igbematoru, OguBolo and Bille axis of Bayelsa and Rivers. Seven wooden boats, two Cotonou boats, four surface tanks loaded with suspected stolen products, seven storage tanks, each loaded with 30,000 litres of stolen crude, were impounded at the site. The site and the items were subsequently destroyed. Also troops deployed at Afiesere Flow Station in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta on March 18 foiled an attempt

to vandalise and cart away valves from wellhead 18/37 at Afiesere. Afiesere Flow Station is operated by Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). Ado stated that troops on getting information responded swiftly and recovered two valves supposedly abandoned by fleeing suspects. He said the recovered exhibits were in custody of the Joint Force while efforts were on top gear to apprehend the perpetrators.

YABATECH institutes alumni lecture series The foremost and Premier institution of higher education in Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology, has instituted an annual Alumni Lecture Series, first of its kind in the history of the college. The administration of Dr Kudirat Ladipo, Rector of the institution, approved the lecture series after considerations that Yaba College of Technology has graduated over 100,000 young men and women in all fields of endeavour in Technology and are making waves across the globe. Moreso, the age of the institution has thrown up natural challenges which the College views could be resolved if all its products are brought on board and in line with the world best practices, the College management instituted the take off of the Annual Alumni Lecture Series. The platform, the College considered would be an avenue to bring all its products to be part of her success story through a functional Alumni Body and sustenance of her heritage. To this end, the College Inaugural Alumni Lecture Series holds on Wednesday, April 13 with the topic Current and Future Trend of Technical Education in Nigeria Development.

From left, Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai; deputy governor, Mr Barnabas Bantex and a victim of Zaria bomb blast, Mr Isyaku Abdullahi, at the presentation of cheques to victims of 2015 Zaria bomb blast in Kaduna, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Govt to address youth unemployment, drug addiction —Presidential aide The Federal Government will address youth unemployment through pragmatism and active involvement of critical stakeholders of the economy in job creation. The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youths

and Students Affairs, Nasir Adhama, said: “the recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which indicates that the unemployment rate in the country climbed to 10.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015, requires pragmatic approaches to tackle

the scourge. “Even though NBS’ data gave a figure of 22million unemployed or underemployed in Nigeria, it can only be adduced that about 8 million youths may likely be within the category of the unemployed. “The current administra-

Police declare state of emergency in Kaduna over kidnapping The Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday declared a state of emergency to stem rising cases of kidnapping in the state. The command’s spokesman, Zubairu Abubakar, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, that a special team of anti-kidnap squad has been formed to track and dislodge the criminal gangs. He said the declaration of the state of emergency was on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

NAN reports that several people in towns and villages have been kidnapped for ransom by criminals in the last three months across the 23 local government areas of the state. In some of the recent high profile kidnap cases, a Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Samaila Inusa, was reportedly killed by his abductors hours after he was held on March 25. Similarly, Reverend Iliya Anthony, vice-president, United Church of Christ in Nigeria, died in the hands of his abductors recently.

The man was kidnapped along with the President of the Church, Rev Emmanuel Dziggau and Rev Yakubu Dzarma, who were later released. A former Executive Director, NNPC, and now a Director in Dangote Group, Mansur Ahmed, also regained his freedom after he was abducted recently in Kaduna. Abubakar acknowledged the cases and said that the police had made several arrests and commenced prosecution of some of the suspected kidnappers.

tion is working assiduously to ensure that the rate of unemployment is reduced through special interventions efforts, capacity building and skill acquisition where beneficiaries can also be employers of labour.” Adhama, who was speaking at a workshop on drug abuse among youths in Kaduna, said: “Idleness and joblessness can contribute to drug addictions which can squarely be addressed through active involvement of youths in productive activities. “The youths must be engaged in productive endeavours not only towards contributions to the economic development but also to dissuade them from drug abuses and other social vices.” Represented by Youth Ambassador, Umar Galadima, the Presidential Aide on Youths further called on Nigerian youths to watch out for positive developments once the Federal Government commences the implementation of 2016 Budget.

MASSOB demands release of members’ corpses for burial Suzy Oruya-Onitsha

The Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) have given the police in Anambra State a 7-day ultimatum to handover the corpses of their slain members to them for befitting burial. The groups alleged on Tuesday, that about 75 of their members were killed from February 27, 2015 when the MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, launched Biafra insignia in Igboland till date. Briefing newsmen in Onitsha on the consequences of not handing over the corpses to them at the expiration of the ultimatum, the Anambra West and Awka North Regional Administrators, Wilfred Aninze and Chukwuma Nwoba respectively, vowed to use any means to recover the corpses. They said, “We are being disturbed by these corpses to accord them befitting burial and the police cannot stop us from doing that.

Army/Shiite clash: Kaduna grants extension to commission of inquiry Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaria clashes has been granted a four-week extension to conclude its job. This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna, on Tuesday and signed by the governor’s media aide, Mr Samuel Aruwan. The statement said, “Kaduna State government has granted the extension at the request of the chairman of the Commission of Inquiry.” The statement observed, “When the Commission of Inquiry was inaugurated, it was given six weeks from its first sitting to submit its final report. “With the first public sitting holding on February 22, 2016, the final report of the Commission was expected by April 4, 2016.” However, proceedings of the commission have been repeatedly adjourned since its first public sitting. The adjournments were granted to enable the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) submit a memorandum.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune PHOTOS: ALOLADE GANIYU

57TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF CHIEF (MRS) FLORENCE AJIMOBI

From left, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence; Mrs Bisola Daisi, Mr Kolapo Daisi and Femi Obagun, at the 57th birthday service of Chief (Mrs) Ajimobi, held at the Government House Chapel, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

Governor Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, flanked by their children and wife of deputy governor, Mrs Janet Adeyemo (third left), Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade (left), to cut the 57th birthday cake of Mrs Ajimobi.

Governor Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, cutting the tape to commission the ICT Centre, donated by Chief (Mrs) Ajimobi to mark her 57th birthday, at Our Lady of Apostles Senior Secondary School, Odo-Ona, Ibadan.

Governor Ajimobi and his wife, Florence at the ICT Centre.

Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo and his wife, Janet, at the church service.

From left, Governor Ajimobi, his wife, Florence and the Chief Operating Officer, West Africa ENRG, Mrs Lolade Oresanwo, cutting the tape to commission waste clean-up and recycling initiative agenda, West Africa ENRG, at Bode, Ibadan.

From right, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Michael Adeyemo, former SSG, Alhaji Tajudeen Alli and the Head of Service, Oyo State, Mr Soji Eniade.

The celebrant, Chief (Mrs) Ajimobi, flanked by Principal, Our Lady of Apostles Senior Secondary School, Mrs B.P. Olatnde (sixth left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Oyo State, Mrs Aderonke Makanjuola (sixth right); Vice Principal, Dr Olasumbo A. Savage (second right) and the students to cut her birthday cake.

SIDELINES

Wednesday, 6 April, 2016

no 16,473

n150

Will the fuel crisis of the extremely painful, past four weeks vanish tomorrow (April 7), as the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikuwu said, or will the country merely recall, once again, the words of the great poet, Christopher Okigbo: “How many million promises can ever fill a basket?” T.S Eliot, we recall, once said ‘April is the cruellest month’ !

An action recorded during an AFCON qualifier match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kaduna, recently.

Ivanovic dumps Serbia

Dalung gives Nff nod to hire foreign coach for Eagles Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

HE Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday, gave the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) the green light to hire a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles. On the wake of the resignation of former Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, had declared that the era of Nigerian coaches handling the senior national team was over, saying that the federation was going for a foreign coach for the team. Dalung gave the nod at a meeting he held with the NFF board in Abuja, directing that the footballgoverning body should and within four weeks give him details of the source of funding for the payment of the coach when eventually hired. The minister while addressing sports journalists in Abuja last Friday had vowed to thoroughly examine whatever reasons football body might adduce for employing a foreign technical adviser for the Eagles. Speaking after the meeting with the members of the federation’s Executive Committee led by NFF president, Amaju Pinnick and

members of the NFF technical committee, Dalung noted that many factors were responsible for the Eagles’ failure to qualify for the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Such factors, according to the minister, included frequent changes of coaches, instability, internal crisis, distractions and lack of commitment on the part of players. Dalung noted that the factors, no doubt, played a vital role in the Eagles’ failure to qualify from the Group G of the ongoing qualifying series for the 2017 AFCON. He lamented that the country

would be missing out on AFCON for the second consecutive edition after winning the championship in South Africa in 2013, declaring that it was an aberration for a country to play the qualification of a single tournament with three different coaches. The minister stated that the NFF board informed him that it had expunged the controversial exclusive clause passed at the last December NFF Annual General Assembly in Abuja, where it was decided that only past and present congress members would be allowed to take part in the future elections of the fed-

Serbian tennis player, Ana Ivanovic has decided not to play for her national team, Serbian media reported on Tuesday. Ivanovic informed the Tennis Federation of Serbia about her decision as the federation tried unsuccessfully to dissuade her, according to TV channel B92. Serbian team coach Tatjana Jecmenica expressed regret about the decision, acknowledging that the national team “is much stronger” with Ivanovic’s presence. The coach noted that she will respect the World No.19’s decision, without giving further details. Ivanovic, who is one of the best current players in the Serbian national team, has played 29 games for Serbia with 20 victories. The Serbian’s best result with her national team was in the 2012 Fed Cup when Serbia lost the final against the Czech Republic.

eration. According to Dalung, “they told me the clause had been expunged and they will take it to the congress in September for ratification, as the decision was taken at the congress.” He further revealed that he had directed the federation to fashion out a code of conduct for all national team players as well as come up with grass-root development programmes. “I have equally directed the board to recognise the technical committee and come up with grass-root development programme. Also to fashion out code of conduct for all the national team players,” he said.

Match Fixing: New Chelsea boss, Conte risks six-month jail term, €8,000 fine The prosecutor in Antonio Conte’s match-fixing trial has recommended that the incoming Chelsea manager be given a suspended

Conte

six-month jail sentence. The Italy boss has been charged for sporting fraud over allegations that he failed to report match-fixing in a clash between Albinoleffe and Siena in 2011 during his time at the latter, though a ruling is not expected until late May. Italy head coach, Conte, who has been confirmed as Chelsea’s next boss after Euro 2016, has already agreed to a summary procedure, which speeds up the judicial

process and, if found guilty, will see his sentence cut by one third. In addition to the six month sentence, the prosecutor has proposed an €8,000 fine for the 46-year-old, though his lawyers remain confident of proving his innocence. Speaking to Reuters, Conte’s lawyer, Leonardo Cammarata, said: “Antonio Conte denies any wrongdoing and any knowledge of an attempt at match-fixing.”

Ivanovic

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