6th October,2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,605 THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

TODAY'S SPECIAL

8 tips for safe mobile banking

By Paul Omoregbe with Agency Report MOBILE banking is a convenient way to check balance, make transfers and payments from the comfort of your room. With the prevalence of smartphones and banks rolling out their smartphone applications (apps) mobile banking is a welcome alternative to making a trip to a banking hall on standing in line or an ATM queue.

According to Linda Rosencrance of Toms Guide, there are eight tips to help you avoid financial theft and identity theft

as you bank via your mobile device.

1. Update your device’s mobile operating system.

Be sure you’re running the latest version of the operating system (Android or iOS), because it’s likely that older versions are insecure.”The new versions include some type of a patch, like a critical security update,” said Robert Siciliano, identity-theft expert and spokesman for BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com.

Continues pg2

TribuneOnline

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Gunmen shoot ex-UI VC in failed kidnap attempt —P7

Western powers blocking Nigeria's power solution —Finance Minister —P5

GTBank MD named CEO of the Year —P12

Rowdy session as senators shoot down special status bill for Lagos —P4

LG worker goes berserk, machetes 3, hangs self —P7

The car presented to Ekiti Best Teacher (Primary School), on Wednesday. INSET: Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose (left), presenting car key to the best teacher in the state secondary school in 2016, Mr Jeje Oladele from Aara Comprehensive High School, Aara-Ekiti, during the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration, at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday. With them is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Adekunbi Obaise.

Chinese firms pledge additional $70bn investment in petroleum —P11 sector —Kachikwu

$2.1bn arms deal: FG agrees to consolidate charges against Dasuki —P2

Ondo APC crisis: Replace Akeredolu's name or forget —P29 winning Ondo, Abraham tells party

2

news

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

8 tips for safe mobile banking Continued from front page

2. Install the latest version of your bank’s mobile app. Your device will generally prompt you if the application is out of date, and the official app store will usually have the latest version. “The older apps are updated due to upgrades, functionality issues or security issues,” Siciliano said.

3. Protect your device. If you let your children, or anyone else, use your device, be sure they’re careful about where they go on the Internet, said Shirley Inscoe, a senior analyst with Boston-based financialanalysis firm Aite Group.

4. Create strong passwords for the

mobile banking app. Use both lowercase and uppercase letters, as well as numbers.

“And don’t use the same password for all your apps,” Siciliano said. Inscoe agreed that it’s critical to use unique log-in credentials for each banking app, and that none of the credentials should match those for other applications. “People tend to use the same log-in information for a number of sites,” she said. “But your banking app needs a little extra protection. So if, indeed, your email is taken over, or some merchant site is compromised through a data breach, you don’t want those criminals to get your sign-in credentials for your online banking

account.”

5. Take precautions with free WiFi. Whenever you use free public Wi-Fi in a hotel, an Internet cafe or an airport, be sure you have a VPN (virtual private network) installed. The VPN will encrypt your wireless communications over those unsecured wireless networks, Siciliano said.

6. Ensure that your device is password-protected. If your device is lost or stolen, no one can get access to your online banking information if you have a password, Siciliano said.

7. Be careful with (SMS) text messaging. “There are a lot of spam

messages that are being sent out, like offering you a cruise to the Bahamas or to the Caribbean or $100 gift cards to WalMart or Best Buy,” Inscoe said. “People who click on those links are downloading malware onto their phones that can access their personal banking information, and they don’t even realize it.”

8. Use your bank’s mobile app. Inscoe recommended that you use your bank’s app rather than signing in through a mobile Web browser, because the bank’s app is more secure. “Be sure you sign out of the mobile banking app before you hand your phone to anyone, or even lay it down,” she added.

Arms deal: FG agrees to consolidate charges against Dasuki, others As court adjourns till Oct 21 for trial Sunday Ejike -Abuja

T

HE Federal Government, on Wednesday, agreed to consolidate the criminal charges preferred against the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki and others before two different High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

This was coming barely 24 hours after the ECOWAS Court ordered the Federal Government to release Dasuki from the detention he had been kept since December last year.

The decision to consolidate the charges followed a complaint by the former NSA that putting him on trial in two different courts on the same subject matter would cause him double jeopardy.

When the case came up on Wednesday before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, counsel for the Federal Government, Mr Rotimi Jacobs and that of Dasuki, Mr Joseph Daudu, agreed to formally write the Chief Judge of the FCT judiciary, Justice Ishaq Bello, to consolidate the two charges in the interest of justice.

Both counsels applied to Justice Baba-Yusuf to adjourn the matter pending the time the Chief Judge would consider the application for consolidation.

The trial judge, who was billed to give ruling on Dasuki’s motion for consolidation on Wednesday, put off the ruling as a result of the understanding between the prosecution and the defence and adjourned the matter till October 21, 2016.

Dasuki is on trial before Justice Baba-Yusuf and another charge was filed against him before Justice Peter Affen, both of the FCT High Court on the same issue and subject.

The former NSA, who alleged abuse of judicial process in his trial applied that the two charges at the two High Courts be consolidated since they were on the same issues.

Dasuki, who is standing trial on allegation of alleged misappropriation of funds along with four others before Justice BabaYusuf, had insisted that the charges against him by the Federal Government on the same issue before another court constituted an abuse of court process.

In a motion brought pursuant to Section 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 1, 208, 396, 491 and 492 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Dasuki had claimed that the two charges revolved round the same set of transactions and facts on the alleged funds misappropriation and breach of trust.

He claimed that the two charges, No: FCT/HC/ CR/43/2015 and another one, FCT/HC/CR/42/2015 pending before Justice BabaIYusuf of the High Court No 4 and Justice Peter Affen of High Court No 24 are identical charges emanating from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and as such, must be consolidated in the interest of justice and fair trial to avoid double jeopardy.

The applicant further claimed that to stand trial before two different courts and two different judges on the same set of facts and purported transactions of the office of the NSA would be prejudicial and great hardship against him as he stood the risk of double jeopardy, having being charged in two different courts on the issue.

In the alternative, Dasuki prayed that his name be struck out from one of the two charges in the interest of justice.

In a 30-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Dolapo Kehinde, the Ex-NSA was said to be standing trial before Justice Baba-Yusuf on a 19-count charge for criminal breach of trust pursuant to Section 97, 309, 315 and 317 of the Penal Code and for also misappropriating certain properties in breach of Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission Act 2014.

The deponent also averred that Dasuki and four others were also standing trial before Justice Peter Affen for similar offences on a 22-count charge of criminal

breach of trust, contrary to Section 97, 309, 315 and 317 of Penal Code and dishonest misappropriation of certain properties, contrary to Section 17 of EFCC Act 2014.

He further averred that the

pivotal issue, whereupon the two charges revolved, was the purported $2.1billion alleged to have been misappropriated by the former NSA. The affidavit indicated that there was no distinction be-

tween the alleged transactions which led to the filing of the two charges and, therefore, it was an abuse of court processes for the two charges to have been filed separately.

President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked by the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (fourth left), Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari (third right) and other cabinet members, as they support Change Begins With Me, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

NJC receives Onnoghen’s nomination as CJN FJSC to hold interview for new council boss Oct 11, 12 Lanre Adewole -Lagos

NATIONAL Judicial Council (NJC), on Wednesday, formally received the nomination of Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Also, the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), on Wednesday, forwarded his nomination to the council.

The council is to recommend him to President Muhammadu Buhari as the appointing authority.

Buhari is expected to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation.

Onnoghen is the most senior justice of the Supreme Court.

His emergence, despite initial moves against it, has sustained the successionby-seniority arrangement in the appointment of the head of the judicial arm of government.

Nigerian Tribune learnt last night that the

council was likely to meet within a fortnight to recommend him to Buhari, considering the limited time between now and November 10, when incumbent Justice Mohammed Mahmud will retire at age 70. Cross-Riverborn Onnoghen is the first Southern CJN-designate in almost 29 years.

The Northern part has produced seven CJN in succession.

Three names were sent by FJSC on Wednesday, with NJC expected to recommend a stand-by alongside Onnoghen to Buhari.

The stand-in will become the nominee if Buhari rejected Onnoghen.

No appointing authority has ever rejected any CJNdesignate.

Nigerian Tribune can also disclose that the interview session for nominees for the soon-to-be-vacant position of the secretary to the NJC will hold on October 11 and 12.

A panel to be raised by the

FJSC will conduct the interview for the reported four final nominees.

Incumbent secretary, Halilu Danladi will exit March next year.

The Chief Registrar of the Supreme court, Ahmed Saleh Gambo, is widely

touted to clinch the job.

Others in the race are the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Aliyu Ibrahim, secretary of the Body of Benchers, Mrs H Turaki and secretary of the National Judicial Institute, Abba Maidama.

Fraud: EFCC quizzes FUTA VC, Bursar Lanre Adewole -Lagos

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently having two senior management staff of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State (FUTA) under interrogation.

They are the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola and the Bursar, Emmanuel Ademola Oresegun.

As of press time, they were being quizzed at the Iyaganku, Ibadan office of the commission.

The probe and interrogation, is in relation to an alleged case of abuse of office and misappropriation of

funds.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the Vice Chancellor was accused of drawing furniture allowance annually instead of once in four years as approved.

He was also allegedly paying himself housing allowance while residing in the university’s vice chancellor’s quarters.

It was further alleged that he diverted funds from various unrelated subheads to finance other projects without the appropriate approvals for such virement.

It is uncertain if he would stay the night at interrogation room.

3

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

4 news Rowdy session as senators shoot down special status bill for Lagos Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

S

ENATORS, on Wednesday, shot down a bill seeking a special status for Lagos State, the former Nigerian capital.

There was drama at the end of the debate as some lawmakers staged a walkout following the rejection of the bill moved by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which was seeking the passage of a bill to guarantee one per cent of federal allocations to Lagos as a special grant.

The grant, according to Senator Tinubu, would enable the state to handle the heavy burden of humanitarian challenge handed over to it as the nation’s former capital.

To protest the rejected bill, some senators walked out of the chamber while the chamber became rowdy.

It took the presiding Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, close to 10 minutes before he could restore order to the chamber.

He hit the gavel severally and shouted ‘Order’ repeatedly and at a point stood on his seat before normalcy returned.

Incidentally, a similar bill was introduced to the Seventh Senate also by Tinubu, but equally did not sail through.

While leading the debate on the bill on Wednesday, Senator Tinubu said it was targeted at uplifting the status of Lagos, being the commercial nerve of the country.

She said: “As a city which caters for the welfare of residents and visitors, Lagos is placed under a huge strain that affects its infrastructure and as welfare implications for residents and transient citizens of other states in Nigeria. Many Nigerians travelling to Lagos experience traffic congestion because of pressures on the road.

Other problems faced in Lagos include overcrowding, emergence of slumps, over stretched healthcare facilities, decreased productivity because of hours lost in traffic and other environmental challenges.”

She added: “The strategic importance of Lagos State is inherent in several sectors of the economy. Available statistics indicates that six out of 10 international passengers arrive in Lagos while eight out of 10 departs from Lagos.

This shows that Lagos is

the window through which visitors travelling in and out of Nigeria leave the country.

She stated that the bill aimed to remedy the myri-

ads of problems faced by residents and visitors to Lagos by helping in alleviation of infrastructural challenges.

The senator also added

that the bill was seeking to empower the Federal Government to make provisions for economic assistance through grants as provided for under Sec-

tion 164 sub-section (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Other Lagos senators, including Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Solomon Ol-

Ongoing demolition exercise at Abule-Egba, Lagos, for the expansion of Lagos-Abeokuta Road, on Wednesday. PHOTO: SLYVESTER OKORUWA

amilekan also spoke in favour of the bill by insisting that its benefits would rob off positively on all Nigerians.

According to Senator Olamilekan, the bill, if passed, will not only benefit the citizens of Lagos State, but the entire residents of the state, adding that the state was populated by indigenes of all the states of the federation.

Senator Sola Adeyeye, in his contribution, expanded the argument, saying Lagos should be entitled to 13 per cent of taxes and value added taxes collected from the state.

His comments that Abuja was a “rotten pampered child” drew the ire of many senators as Senator Phillip Aduda rose to demand a withdrawal of the statement.

The bill was, however, rejected when Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the sitting, put the question to the Senate.

Asset declaration: Again, Saraki loses bid to disqualify CCT chairman Sunday Ejike -Abuja

THE chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu Umar, on Wednesday, declined to disqualify himself from the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki on a 16-count charge, bordering on false and anticipatory declaration of assets slammed against the Senate President by the Federal Government.

Umar, while ruling on Saraki’s application to suspend the trial and disqualiy himself from presiding over the trial of the Senate President on the allegation of bias, held that there was laid -down procedures for the removal of the chairman or any member of the CCT in the constitution and in the Act establishing it.

The Federal Government is prosecuting the Senate President, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on the allegation that he made false/anticipatory declaration of assets and that he operated foreign accounts while in office as Kwara State governor between 2003 and 2011.

Saraki was also accused

of receiving the salary of a governor four years after his tenure had elapsed as Kwara State governor.

After cross-examining the star witness called by the prosecution for 12 days, Saraki, through his team of lawyers, led by Chief Kanu Agabi , asked the chairman of the two-member panel of the tribunal, Umar, to disqualify himself from presiding over his trial.

Saraki maintained that some of the remarks the CCT chairman made in the open court clearly portrayed his bias against him.

He said Umar, had in the course of the proceeding, threatened to ensure he faced the full consequences of the charge, despite whatever delay tactics he (Saraki) chose to employ in the course of the trial.

The Senate President insisted that the statement eroded confidence he had in the ability of Justice Umar to grant him fair hearing and prayed the CCT chairman to suspend further hearing and handsoff the matter.

Before the chairman delivered his ruling on the application, he apologised on the antiSaraki’s comments he made during the trial of the Senate presi-

dent in June, adding that, “as human beings, we are bound to make mistakes.

It is only the Almighty God that is infallible.”

The CCT boss said the alleged comments were made with free mind and without prejudice to the Senate President and the trial, adding that he was surprised that since the alleged statement was made, nobody had bothered to find out the veracity of the comment.

“Allah, the Almighty is watching us without blinking an eye, we will give account of our deeds on earth to him one day. We must therefore be fair and just in anything we are doing while on this earth”, Umar said in an emotion laden voice.

According to him, the alleged comment was not intended to prejudice the defendant and that the tribunal will move on in spite of the criticism that have trailed the alleged comment.

He said as the chairman, he cannot afford to step down from the trial because the Constitution conferred jurisdiction on assets declaration matters on the tribunal alone and not in any other court in

the country.

He said, “No court has the jurisdiction to entertain the kind of matter that we do here and once the chairman declined entertaining the matter, then no court can try the applicant (Saraki) on the charge preferred against him”.

He further pointed that paragraph 51 of the constitution which established the tribunal provides for the chairman and two other members of the tribunal, adding that, “the moment the chairman excuses himself from proceedings, the tribunal will collapse because it must have a chairman”.

The CCT boss said the constitution made it clear that a person holding the office of the chairman cannot be removed from office until the person has reached the retirement age adding that for the president of the country to remove the chairman, he must write to the National Assembly and that the National Assembly can only take action on such request with two thirds majority.

He said the nature of cases at the tribunal was different from the cases at the Federal and State High Courts, where a judge

could excuse self from entertaining a case and transfer case file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge.

The CCT boss, however, said Saraki could use the outcome of the ruling as a ground of appeal before the court of appeal, adding that, “disqualifying myself will be tantamount to bringing the trial to an end.

“The allegation of the applicant is founded on mere conjecture. Allegation of bias against a judge is very serious as it is capable of eroding public confidence on the court.

“The application is not well founded and it is hereby refused”, Umar held and then adjourned till November 7, 2016 for continuation of trial in the matter.

The trial was adjourned with the consent of Saraki’s team of lawyers, led

by Chief Agabi and those of the Federal Government led by Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe.

The lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs was absent at the tribunal yesterday, he was said to be attending another court matter at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

5 news Western powers blocking Nigeria’s power solution —Finance Minister Thursday, 6 October, 2016

M

INISTER of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has accused western powers of being a stumbling block to Nigeria’s plan to improve power output through the use of coal.

Adeosun, according to the

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said this on Wednesday, in Washington DC, United States, during a discussion on the importance of addressing infrastructure gaps in developing countries at the World Bank, International Mon-

etary Fund General Meetings.

She said though improving power supply was the cornerstone of the current administration’s goal towards economic development, yet the government was finding it difficult to get support

Oyo assembly members laud LG boss CHAIRMAN, caretaker committee for Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, Anwo Lukumon Olasunkanmi, has been lauded for various programmes and projects embarked upon since he assumed office.

The commendation was given by the chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Bolaji Badmus, when the commit-

tee came on an inspection of the council headquarters at Jobele.

According to the Badmus, local government remained the closest tier of government to the people, a reason it must be responsive and accountable to them.

He charged the committee members and top civil servants in the council to work assiduously towards ensuring adequate provision of social infrastructure for the people of the area.

On the internally generated revenue (IGR) and the border disputes confronting the council, Badmus admonished the authority to forward their complaints to the House of Assembly, especially on issues militating against their development.

Earlier in his welcome address, Olasunkanmi had thanked the committee for the visit and promised to do more projects and programmes that would add value to the people.

from western community.

“We want to build a coal power plant because we are a country blessed with coal, yet we have power problem.

So it doesn’t take a genius to work out that it will make sense to build a coal power plant.

“However, we are being blocked from doing so, because it is not green. This is not fair because they have an entire western industralisation that was built on coal fired energy.

“This is the competitive advantage that was used to develop Europe, yet now Nigeria wants to do it, they say it’s not green, so we cannot.

“They suggest that we use solar and wind, which is more expensive. So yes, Africa must invest in its infrastructure, but we must also make sure that the playing

President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abdulwaheed Odusile, presenting NUJ press identity card to the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja, during the official visit by NCPC boss to the NUJ secretariat in Abuja, on Wednesday.

FG sets up technical committee to tackle herdsmen/farmers conflicts THE Federal Government has set up a technical committee to outline a strategy to ensure peaceful resolution of violent conflicts in the country, particularly between herdsmen and farmers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.

A statement by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution’s (IPCR) Media Assistant, Abu Michael, says that the committee is under the chairmanship of the Director-General, IPCR, Professor Oshita Oshita.

Michael, in the statement, said the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau, conveyed the approval via a letter signed by the acting permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Muham-

madu Maccido.

He explained that the committee was to develop a suitable road map for an expanded stakeholders’ meeting.

“The committee, according to the terms of reference in the letter, is to outline a tentative strategy to deal with the conflict visà-vis methodology for an open stakeholders’ forum.

“It is also to situate the Niger-Benue generally and Nigeria in particular as an area of conflict between pastoralists and sedentary farmers.

“It will identify the problems underlying the conflict from regional and national perspectives.

“It will also have an overview of past investigations, including those already

implemented and to highlight the successes and challenges of each.

“The committee will also identity regional and local laws and regulations that impact the conflict,” Michael said.

He quoted Oshita as commending the minister for the appointment.

“The formation of the committee is a demonstration of the genuine commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a more peaceful and secure country for the citizenry.

“Every Nigerian is expected to make useful contribution and support the Federal Government for general progress and better conditions of living of the citizens,” Oshita said.

The Director-General urged all citizens to embrace peace as the primary law for peaceful co-existence.

Oshita emphasised the strategic role of the media and called for a more conflict-sensitive reportage of events.

He said journalists would be carried along in the process of a peaceful Nigeria.

According to him, the IPCR had put in place a comprehensive training programme to boost peace journalism for trust-building and national reconciliation.

He said the institute was seeking the support and collaboration of state governments to build capacity of media practitioners in their respective states.

field is level,” she said.

Adeosun said in spite of the need for foreign borrowing to finance the country’s infrastructure gap, the strategy was to get the cheapest money.

She said Nigeria’s debt to GDP remained very low, but that the cost of servicing those loans was high.

“Right now, we are being very conservative about our debt and we are trying to get the cheapest money possible from multilateral agencies.

“We are working very hard to make sure that we get

multilateral funds first before we go to the euro bond market, which is a little bit more expensive,” she said.

Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF, Mr Vitor Gaspar, at a news conference, said the debt was 225 per cent of world GDP. The report showed that $100 trillion was debt of the private sector, while the remaining was public debt.

To address the growing problem, the report suggested targeted fiscal interventions in form of government sponsored programmes to help restructure private debt.

NCPC boss canvasses improved welfare, salaries for journalists EXECUTIVE Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja, has urged the Federal Government to give more priority to journalism profession and increase salaries of journalists in the country.

Uja made the call during a courtesy visit to the NUJ President, Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Uja, alongside his wife, were re-admitted into the NUJ, while five members of the media department of NCPC were also inducted.

He also urged the government to institute a media training programme to help strengthen and advance the development of the journalism profession.

“I call on the government to give priority to journalism and to make people practicing the profession to be comfortable.

“Salaries and welfare of journalists should be increased; there should be CONFIRMATION OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, Mrs Olugbemiga Titilayo am the same person as MRS OLUGBEMIGA TITILAYO OLAWUNMI. My correct date of birth is 20/02/1978 and not 16/04/1971. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. UK Embassy in Nigeria and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yakubu Okolo now LAWRENCE YAKUBU OKOLO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, CRIN Headquarters, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

safety and insurance for journalists that cover sensitive places,” Uja said.

He assured that his coming back to NUJ was not just for lip service but for togetherness, growth and betterment of the union and NCPC as a whole.

In his speech, Odusile urged that the government to reduce the cost of governance and ensure prompt payment of salaries.

Odusile also advised religious leaders to create religious harmony among their members, adding that anything that would bring chaos in the media should be prevented.

6

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Metro...

crime, security, court

Hoodlums attack LASTMA officials in Lagos, vandalise van

H

OODLUMS, on Wednesday, attacked officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) at Costain roundabout in Lagos, vandalising one of their patrol vehicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the hoodlums went on rampage on suspicion that one LASTMA official allegedly hit a commercial driver with a charm while arresting him

over traffic offence.

The hoodlums and commercial drivers blocked the Costain roundabout, causing a traffic snarl on the ever-busy road.

An eyewitness, Mr Kehinde Salami, said the LASTMA official stopped the commercial bus.

“The driver was dragging the steering wheel with the officials and one of them hit the driver with hand, the driver fell down and started foaming in the mouth.

“The LASTMA officials took away the bus, leaving the man on the floor.

“While this was happening, a LASTMA patrol car 003, with registration number RT 503 LA came to the scene with two officials in it. The hoodlums pounced on them, but the officials escaped.

“The vehicle was vandalised; they even attempted to set it ablaze if not for BRT buses parked within the vicinity,’’ Salami said.

The conductor of the erring

commercial bus, who simply identified himself as Kelvin, told NAN that LASTMA officials arrested his vehicle while attempting to pick passengers at Costain roundabout, adding that the officials physically assaulted himself and the driver, until the driver fell and fainted.

“As soon as he fell, the LASTMA officials took away our bus,’’ he said.

NAN further reported that the hoodlums took the victim in a tricycle with reg-

The vandalised LASTMA vehicle. Inset is an injured commercial driver being attended to by sympathisers. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

AIG orders prosecution of arrested land grabbers

By Oluwatoyin Malik

THE Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of zone 2 command, Lagos, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, has directed the Anti-Kidnapping Team of the zone to prosecute some suspected land grabbers, who were arrested in Lagos on October 1, 2016.

Metro gathered that the

AIG, who had been duly informed of the activities of some land grabbers at Orudu, Oke Olokun Village, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, had detailed and dispatched a team of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Zone 2 Command Headquarters to the scene to restore normalcy and apprehend any individual who engages in such illegal act.

On getting to the community, the team reportedly accosted a group of hoodlums said to belong to two rival land warriors and who were posed to attack each other.

The zonal PPRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement signed by him on behalf of the AIG that the timely arrival of the police team salvaged a situation which would have resulted

Fake policeman arrested in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

THE long arm of the law has caught up with one Odiakaose (other name withheld), a resident of Irapada Street, in Matogun area of Agbado, in Ogun State, for allegedly parading himself as a police officer.

He was said to have been extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public in the area.

Metro learnt that the sus-

pect was arrested by a patrol team led by CSP Shittu Abioye, while driving a Honda Civic car marked LAGOS BW 891 LSR along Oke Aro area.

Odiakaose reportedly identified himself as a policeman and presented a police constable warrant card to back his claim, but when interrogated by the police, he was discovered to be a fake policeman, a development which led the police team to

his house for a search.

Items recovered from the suspect included a pair of police uniform, two police trousers, one police beret with crest and a police training manual.

The state police image maker, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told Metro that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ilyasu, had ordered that the suspect be investigated and charged to court accordingly.

Nigerian Tribune

in loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of innocent members of the affected communities.

Adejobi said the team arrested one Ibrahim (surname withheld) found hanging a bag on his neck, adding that when the bag was searched, two battle axes, two sharp knives, assorted dangerous charms and other items were recovered from it.

The zonal PPRO further stated that the suspect confessed that he went with other members of his gang, with the recovered dangerous items, to Oke Olokun Village to repel attacks from the rival group.

Oduola’s arrest led to the apprehension of two other suspects, AbdulAfeez and Joseph (surnames withheld) he said, adding that they were charged to court yesterday as directed by the AIG.

istration number KJA 409 QD to LASTMA Iponri office where a scuffle ensued.

The hoodlums later retreated, following the arrival of police patrol teams which removed the vandalised LASTMA car to Iponri Police Station.

A Lagos State Emergency Ambulance Service with registration number KSF 632 DR later took the victim to General Hospital in Lagos Island.

LASTMA Commander in Surulere, Gbolahan Rasheed, who was in the vandalised car, told NAN that his vehicle ran into the hoodlums at about 9.20 a.m. at Costain.

“We escaped by the whiskers. I ran to Iponri Police Station to report, while the driver of the patrol car, Abalaya, was beaten seriously,’’ said the LASTMA Commander.

He said that the commercial bus driver, who allegedly fainted at the scene, suddenly started talking on getting to Lagos Island General Hospital.

“The doctor called from the hospital to inform us that the driver had been discharged.

Rape: Court jails teenager for one year AN Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, on Wednesday, jailed a teenager, Taofeek Ibrahim, to one year imprisonment for unlawful attempt to have carnal knowledge of a five-year-old girl, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Ibrahim, 14, was tried on a one-count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge.

The Magistrate, Mrs J.O Ejale, however, gave the convict an option of N20,000 as fine.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Thomas Ojo, told the court that the convict committed the crime on July 14, 2015, at No.37, at Iwehen Street, Benin.

Ojo said the offence contravened Section 218 of the criminal code.

Man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of 2-year-old daughter AN Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa, one Idris Abu, who confessed to sexually abusing his two-year-old daughter.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Magistrate, Mr T. A. Elias remanded Abu, 43, after he pleaded guilty.

Elias adjourned the case till October 19 for presentation of the facts of the case and sentencing.

Abu, a resident of Agege, Lagos, was arraigned over indecent treatment of a child.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Rachael Donny, had told the court that the accused inserted his finger in his daughter’s private part on July 29 at his residence.

“The accused always inserted one of his figures into his baby’s private part, ignoring her cries,” he said.

Donny said the mother of the child noticed that the baby always complained that she felt pains on her private part.

The prosecutor disclosed the accused had earlier directed his wife to be sleeping in their parlour.

Donny submitted that the accused told his wife that he wanted to be sharing their bedroom with only the child.

“The baby used to cry in the middle of the night; whenever the mother rushed to the room she caught her husband naked with their daughter, with his manhood erect while he was dipping his finger in her vagina,’’ he said.

According to the prosecutor, whenever the woman confronted the accused, he threatened her with divorce.

He noted that the offence contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

NAN reported that the section provided for seven years imprisonment on conviction.

7

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

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

Power surge kills mother, injures daughter in Lagos Akin Adewakun - Lagos

The transformer that allegedly caused the fire outbreak at Oke-Ira, Ojodu LCDA, Lagos.

Property destroyed by fire in one of the houses. PHOTO: COURTESY LASEMA

Armed men shoot former UI VC in failed kidnap attempt

By Oluwatoyin Malik

A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro is currently on admission at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after he was shot by armed men at Oluyole Estate, Ibadan Oyo State on Tuesday at about 8.30p.m., in what was described by the police as a failed kidnap attempt.

Professor Bamiro, who served between 2005 and November 30, 2010, was the 10th vice chancellor of the premier university and

is currently the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode. Nigerian Tribune gathered that Bamiro and his wife, who drove in Lexus 460 Sport Utility Van (SUV), stopped by at a place near Sharp Corner at Oluyole Estate to make some purchases when hoodlums in a white Mercedes Benz attempted to kidnap him with his vehicle.

It was further gathered that there was a scuffle as the ex-vice chancellor tried to escape being kidnapped,

Alleged rape suspect escapes from courtroom A 23-year-old rape suspect, Okpara Miracle, in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Wednesday, escaped from a Magistrates’ Court through the window, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Miracle of Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State allegedly broke loose when his trial was about to start; his handcuff was removed.

He allegedly destroyed the window louvres and escaped into the nearby bush.

Miracle was arrested for alleged kidnapping, rape and cultism and was about to be arraigned for kidnapping a minor, whom he

kept in an uncompleted building in Awka for several days while having carnal knowledge of her.

Sergeant Awana Amba, told NAN that the absence of protectors on the windows made it possible for the suspect to escape.

“The accused was brought to the court in handcuff, but the handcuff was later unlocked with the hope that he will be of good behaviour before the unexpected happened,” Amba said.

The Magistrate, N. A. Onunkwo, mandated the police to intensify search for the suspect to be brought to book.

in the process of which the kidnappers shot him at the sole of a foot.

The scuffle was said to have given people an opportunity to alert a nearby patrol team which raced to the scene of the incident.

The kidnappers reportedly abandoned Professor Bamiro in order to escape arrest immediately they sighted the approaching patrol vehicle.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, told the Nigerian Tribune that policemen from Oluyole Division foiled the kidnap attempt.

It was also learnt that the state Commissioner of Police, Sam Adegbuyi, in company with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations in the state command, Sanusi Buba, visited the former vice chancellor at the UCH at about 11:00p.m on Tuesday.

Also speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the incident, the Director of Public Communication at the University of Ibadan, Mr Tunji Oladejo, said that the institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Gbemisola Oke and the Registrar, Mr Olujimi Olukoya visited Bamiro in the hospital on Wednesday

on behalf of the university’s management.

Oladejo added that though the Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka, was not around, he had also reached the former vice chancellor on phone and wished him speedy recovery.

A middle-aged woman, identified as Mrs Okanlawon Florence, was said to have been electrocuted while attempting to quickly put off her fridge during a fire incident that occured at Oke Ira, in Ojodu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, on Wednesday.

The fire, which was attributed to a faulty PHCN 22 KVA transformer at Shokoya Close, Off Dapson Street, was said to have affected four buildings, that derived their power supply from the transformer.

Confirming the report, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr Adesina Tiamiyu, stated that while the combined team of residents, bystanders and the emergency team were able to quickly put out the fire, Florence had been electrocuted, while her daughter,

Taiwo Okanlawon suffered severe burns.

The LASEMA boss stated that while Taiwo had been admitted at the General Hospital, Ifako Ijaye, where she and her mother were rushed to, Florence died on admission as a result of severe burns sustained during the incident.

He added that the agency had since contacted the Ikeja Electric Plc at Oke Ira to immediately disconnect power supply to the affected houses to prevent further disaster.

Describing the incident as pathetic, the LASEMA boss believed such incident could have been avoided through adequate precautionary measures.

While assuring the public of the agency's resolve to conduct proper investigation into the matter, Tiamiyu, however, advised Lagosians on the need to ensure that electrical appliances are disconnected while not in use.

LG worker goes berserk, machetes 3, hangs self Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

THERE was confusion in Ode-Ekiti, headquarters of Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, as a man, identified simply as Aderiye, committed suicide after inflicting three persons with machete cuts.

Sources in the community said the incident, which occurred Tuesday evening, created pandemonium as the deceased was said to have gone berserk after the close of work in the evening.

According to the sources, Aderiye was a staff member of the Gbonyin council, attached as a security guard to the private residence of the chairman of the council, and was said to have been without incidents, while he went about his duties on the fateful day, after the Tuesday resumption of work.

The sources claimed that

the deceased “started behaving strangely around 7.00 p.m. and was reported to have gone to the streets shortly afterwards, with a machete with which he chased people indiscriminately.”

They claimed that he had inflicted cuts on three people in their stomachs, heads and backs during the rampage.

Members of the community were said to have gone after him. After combing the streets without seeing him, they headed to his residence, where he was said to have been found hanging from the ceiling.

The injured were said to have been rushed to a private hospital in the community, while the residents were still confused on what could have propelled such unwarranted attack and the deceased’s dramatic

death.

A member of the community said: “This to us is a dramatic death. We have never witnessed such incident in the town and I am not aware that the man had any mental illness.

“In fact, those that were attacked are in serious pain; one of them is on a danger list. People are still wondering what could have caused the attack and why the man committed suicide.”

Confirming the incident, the state command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, said the body of the deceased had been deposited in the morgue.

Adeyemi explained that investigation into the cause of his death had already commenced, while also affirming that a postmortem would also be carried out.

8

news

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

FG to procure vehicles worth N3.5bn for Prisons Service Clement Idoko -Abuja

From left, Dr Adeolu Akande; former governor Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; former Vice-President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and former Oyo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Nureni Adisa, during a courtesy visit by Ladoja to the former vice president, in Lagos, recently.

N6.9trn 2017 budget projection unrealistic —Chairman, House committee Sanya Adejokun -Abuja

T

HE N6.886 trillion budget being proposed for 2017

by President Muhammadu Buhari has been described as grossly unrealistic, in view of current economic realities.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Parliamentary Budget and Research, Golu Timothy, disclosed this on Wednesday, adding that with an oil price projection of $42.5 per barrel and militancy in Niger Delta, reducing crude exploration to one million barrels per day, the Federal Government may not be able to source enough funds to finance the proposed budget.

“The executive ought to approach the legislature in a manner that says: I want us to see this thing together. Is it feasible to achieve a N6.9 trillion budget? We would have told them it is not feasible. What are the sources of financing?

“We have a committee on Legislative Budget and Research which does the analysis and then hand it over to the committee on Finance. The Committee

on Finance sits and analyse the projections, whether it is realistic to obtain half of that money from the sale of 2.2 million barrels of crude a day at $38/barrel. Note that 2.2 million barrels per day projection has been halved due to activities of militants. Wishes are not horses, otherwise, we would have wished for five million barrels’ production per day.

“As it is now, the crisis in the Niger Delta will not allow that. Throughout the tenure of the late President [Musa] Yar’Adua and President [Gooluck] Jonathan and even during the President [Olusegun] Obasanjo’s time, the crisis was there.

The budget is for a period of 12 months and so no magic will settle the crisis, especially when the economy has not been diversified,” he said.

Even at that, he lamented that in the N6.9 trillion proposed budget, agriculture and solid minerals, two sectors said to be major areas of diversification, in view of the crude oil situation, were neglected.

“The total budget of N6.9 trillion has only one per cent dedicated to agriculture; one per cent to solid minerals which is more

lucrative than even the oil sector.

“If past governments failed because of lack of planning and lack of right policies, this government must adopt a realistic change mechanism so as not to follow the

Tension in Kaduna as Christians, Muslims kick 40 lump cases discovered at Ogun against Shi’ite’s new building cancer screening exercise As Amosun’s wife commissions screening centre MORE than 40 different cases of lumps were discovered among women and one man in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the UPLIFT cancer awareness and screening exercise organised by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun.

The screening exercise, which recorded a large turnout of women and men, had in attendance different Nollywood artistes, who also participated in the cancer awareness walk across Abeokuta metropolis.

The artistes used the occasion to encourage people to come out and examine themselves.

Some of them were Iyabo Ojo, Kate Henshaw, Dayo Amusa, Toyin Aimakhu, Odunlade Adekola, Do-

Reps task police, DSS on release of abducted ex-minister, husband THE House of Representatives, on Wednesday, directed the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to facilitate the release of former Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Mallam and her husband.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Honourable

Sunday Katung.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the couple was kidnapped on Monday on the Kaduna/ Abuja road.

Moving the motion, Katung called on the police and the DSS to intensify efforts to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped couple.

path of failure,” he said.

On special powers being sought by the President to deal with current recession, Timothy said there were already enough legislations to deal with any emerging situation.

THE Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, approved the sum of N3.5 billion for the procurement of 320 operational vehicles for the Nigeria Prisons Service.

Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau, who briefed the State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, said this was part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system.

He added that the procurement of the operational vehicles would facilitate the ongoing efforts to decongest Nigerian prisons, as this would help in conveying inmates to courts for their trials.

He also said total inmates population in Nigerian prisons stood at about 65,000, adding that out of the figure, about 70 per cent were awaiting trail.

Dambazau noted that part of the problem was lack of logistics, because there are 5,022 courts which, on a daily basis, prisons officials would have to transport

inmates to attend to their cases.

He said what the Federal Government was doing was to reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial.

The minister, who disclosed that the Criminal Justice Act 2015 had made provision for alternative to sentencing, otherwise known as non-custodian sentencing, maintained that the courts could now use that, instead of sending the individudal to prison and apply other means of dealing with his case.

“In our efforts to strengthen criminal justice system and to also contribute towards decongesting the system, we presented a memo for the procurement of 320 operational vehicles for the prison service at the cost of N3.5 billion.

“This procurement is from local manufacturers, assemblies and vendors within Nigeria and the effort is to follow through government policy to ensure that most of the procurement and such vehicles are done locally. That will also provide opportunity for job creation and things like that,” he said.

He said there was need for the police and other security agencies to step up surveillance on the Bwari/Jere/ Kaduna road.

He expressed concern that 48 hours after the incident, the police and other security agencies were unable to secure the release of the victims.

ris Simeon, Sola Kosoko, Tayo Odueke (Sikiratu Sindodo), Kemi Afolabi, Eniola Egwuota, Yetunde Adeyeye, Funke Etti, Femi Fadeyi, Lepashandy, Opemipo the little Maradona, among others.

The artistes also joined the governor’s wife to commission Mrs Amosun’s UPLIFT Development Foundation Cancer Screening Centre, located at the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.

The UPLIFT Development Foundation Cancer Screening Centre has also been built at the state hospital in Ota and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu.

The two screening centres in Ota and Sagamu are expected to be commissioned on October 21.

Speaking at the awareness and screening campaign, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Mrs Amosun said early detection through regular screening was the surest way to prevent cancer.

She noted that the aim of the campaign was to educate women about breast and cervical cancers, while urging women to take action and not take the information for granted “because cancer is real.”

Mohammed Sabiu -Kaduna

PALPABLE tension is now brewing in Saminaka, headquarters of Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as Christian and Muslim community kicked against the new building site by Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ite.

The two faith groups in the council have, therefore, called on the government to quickly avert another bloodshed.

In a letter of complaint/ security alert, dated September 26, 2016, issued by provincial pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Oludare Ojo and addressed to the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter and security agencies, the church said the return of Shi’ite to the area was a threat to the church and community.

“This is to bring to your notice that the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) led

by El-Zakzaky is working on a building right in front of our church – The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Nassarawa, behind Post Office Saminaka.

“This project has been abandoned for over seven

years. We believe this was due to the issue the church raised against them in 2009.

“We are aware of an agreement reached between the the church and the group in 2009 (see attached), but due to the recent incidents in the country and the Shi’ite’s modus operandi, we see their return as a big security threat to the church and the community at large.

We pray that the building project be discontinued, since the church building has been in existence years before their coming,” the letter read.

Report said Muslim clerics in the area had equally alerted the Sarkin Saminaka and security agencies of threats by some members of the communities to forcefully pull down the building if urgent action was not taken.

Reacting, spokesman of Shi’ite, Ibrahim Musa, said “when we were worshiping with other Muslims, they said they don’t want us, that is why we decided to build our centre.

“The building is just an Islamic centre.We have an Islamic school also in Saminaka. We got an order today that the building should be stopped. I don’t think any true Christian will be against us.”

9

news

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Ondo 2016: INEC distributes 1.2million PVCs

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Ondo State, on Wednesday, said it has distributed a total of 1,201,073 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to registered voters in the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the state capital.

He said that 344,006 PVCs were yet to be collected and urged those yet to collect theirs to do so while distribution continued.

“It is important to stress at this juncture that only the PVCs would be used to vote during the governorship poll, while the smart card readers would be used for accreditation of voters,’’ he said.

He added that selling of PVCs or manipulation of the card, was a grievous offence punishable under the law with fines and prison term.

The REC urged the electorate in the state to have confidence in INEC, assuring that the commission would remain unbiased, neutral and fair to all.

In his remarks, Mr Fatai Adams, the deputy chair-

man, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, said that politicians had become more aware that violence did not count.

Adams advised politicians to play the game according to the rules to ensure peace in the state during the election.

S/West agric summit holds today As stakeholders call for sub-national agric policy

By Doyin Adeoye THE Director-General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Mr Dipo Famakinwa, has assured farmers and other relevant stakeholders that the South West Agricultural Summit (SWAS), which will begin today (Thursday), is aimed at raising agricultural consciousness, which is part of keying into the diversification agenda of the Federal Government.

Speaking at a press briefing in Ibadan, recently, Famakinwa said SWAS 2016, is set to address sub-national issues affecting agriculture as well as outline action plans that will tackle the challenge farmers are facing in the South West.

“What we are doing is creating an organisational framework for a regional economy that is powered

by agriculture. We are also going to create a situation where the role of the government, the supporting agencies as well as the private sector, is made clear. So, we are looking forward to placing the business of agriculture in the hands of those who are structured for it.

We will see a proper framework of agriculture emerging from this summit,” he said.

With the theme Achieving an agro-powered regional economy,’ SWAS 2016, is convened by AgroNigeria in partnership with the DAWN commission, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).

Nigerian Tribune

10

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

11

businessnews

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Chinese firms pledge additional $70bn investment in petroleum sector —Kachikwu

T

HE Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, on Wednesday said Chinese private sector companies had pledged an additional investment of 70 billion dollars to the Nigerian economy.

Kachikwu said this while addressing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over

by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that the Council was briefed on the outcome of the ministry’s China roadshow which took place in January.

He said that 70 billion dollars pledges were different from the pledges that were made earlier when President Buhari visited China “which was an all African type front basis; this is completely separate.’’

He announced that the ministry’s investment target in China was initially to raise 40 billion dollars, which was the total cost of the nation’s infrastructure gap for the oil industry.

He said that the China roadshow, however, raised pledges of over 70 billion dollars for NNPC and government related potential investments and loans facility.

The minister added that it would be a great achievement If the country could realise at least 20 per cent of the pledges.

Kachikwu disclosed that a 40-man business team from China would arrive in the country later in October.

According to him, some of the facility lines close to about four billion dollars, out of the 70 billion dollars pledges, are almost readily available as investment packages to the Nigerian economy.

“So, a lot more of work is still on the pipeline and how we would now crystallise this into actual investment, but we are encouraged by what we are receiving in terms of the distinction and the contacts.

“Hopefully by the end of the month when this 40man team comes, we would be able to make substantial progress.”

According to Kachikwu, the Council also approved the hosting of international flare reduction convergence meeting in Nigeria between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

“We will use that as a chance to role out efforts by the ministry to address the flare.

“You are aware Nigeria is next to Russia in terms of the highest flaring nation.

“Even though we have progressed positively to reduce 70 per cent ?of the flare,

the 30 per cent we still flare is about 10 per cent of the world’s flare. So, this is a huge amount of gas.

He, however, stated that the country was doing a lot in terms of gas policies which would embody the flare initiatives.

He said that Nigeria had signed onto the 2030 world

Bank/UN led efforts made in eliminating flare completely by 2030.

“The memo was to intimate the council that we have been asked to host the flare conference and council approved the motion to host that.”

The minister said that the Council approved the re-

suscitation of the National Council on the Hydrocarbon.

According to him, the council is an ombudsman that meets once a year in an extraordinary times to review policies in the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy.

“It should be a gathering of people from business, oil

sector, oil communities and ministries that are directly or indirectly affected by the policies we role out in the ministry.

“The council had been in existence but in the last couple of years, disappeared into oblivion and today the council approved for us to resuscitate it.

From left, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Mahmud Mohammed; Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Roseline Bozimo and NDIC Managing Director/Chief Executive, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, at the opening ceremony of the 2016 NDIC seminar for FCT and state high court judges in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Revenue: Customs generated N1.2bn in September Tola Adenubi-Lagos THE Seme Command and the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has generated combined total revenue of N1.2bn in the month of September 2016.

According to a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Seme Customs Command on Wednesday, Selchang Taupyen, the command collected a total of N1, 129, 115, 213.23 as revenue for the month of September, 2016.

The Command also made a total of 76 Seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N67,729,225.18 for the period under review. The upsurge in the revenue figure for the period under review is said to be unprecedented in recent times.

“Though the previous

months were characterized by a lot of challenges that militated against the smooth collection of revenue in the Command, it is heart-warming to note that efforts put in place to address the challenges yielded the expected result far above the preceding months. The amount generated surpassed the sum of N883, 791,678.88 that was collected within the same period under review in 2015.

“Commenting on the revenue figure generated, the Seme Custom Area Controller, Victor Dimka disclosed that the previous challenges of revenue in the Command have been overcome. He pointed out that there will be a boost in revenue if the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Republic of Benin trans-

lates into handing over of all transit vehicles to Seme Command.

“The CAC pointed out that this impressive performance will go down memory lane to justify the commands commitment and determination to succeed at all course. He said the Command remain undaunted and cannot be deterred in performing her statutory responsibility

THE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has released a publication announcing that it would waive all penalties and interests due on tax defaults for three tax years.

According to the publication, the tax waiver is available to any taxpayer that declares its unpaid tax between October 5, 2016 and November 24, 2016 (45 days), adding that the waiver covers only tax due for the years 2013 to 2015.

It was further noted that the taxpayer when making the declaration is required to make a full or part payment of at least 25 per cent of the unpaid amount and present an instalment plan for any remaining balance.

The publication made available by financial auditors PricewaterhouseCooper explained that Section 32 of the FIRS Establishment Act (FIRSEA) holds the relevant provision of the law that generally empowers the FIRS to impose penalties and interest for unpaid taxes. The Section

NSE: Profit taking dips market by 0.95% Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba -Lagos THE Nigerian Equities market continued on a downward trend as lead key indicator the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index (NSE ASI) depreciated 0.95 per cent to close at 28,009.40 basis points on Wednesday in comparison to 0.20 per cent lost in previous session when the ASI closed at 28,277.93 basis points. This leaves year to date returns at 2.22 per cent.

Investors on the Nigerian equities market lost N92.2 billion as market capitalisation closed at N9.620 trillion compared to N20.5 billion lost on Tuesday when market capitalisation closed at N9.712 trillion.

The downward movement on the market was consequent on profit taking in Forte Oil Plc that lost N7.4 to close at N158.5 per share, PZ Cussons Plc which dropped N2.01 of its share price to close at N18.69 per share, and Dangote Cement Plc that fell by N1.99 to close at N181.01 per share. Unilever Nigeria Plc and Flourmill Nigeria Plc likewise lost N1.1 and N1.05 respectively to close at N45.9 and N20.05 per share.

Investor sentiment remained negative as market breadth closed with 20 gainers to 22 losers. PZ Cussons Plc led the list of declining stocks as it fell by 9.71 percent or N2.01 to close at N18.69 per share, Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc followed with a decline of 8.57 per cent or 6 kobo to close at 64 kobo per share.

Nigeria shines in Montreal

As 152 nations unanimously vote Nigeria for ICAO council seat Shola Adekola -Lagos NIGERIA’S aviation sector has again recorded a giant feat in far away Montreal, Canada when for the first time the 152 International

FIRS grants 45 days amnesty to tax defaults Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

no matter the challenge,” Taupyen explained in the statement.

In a related development, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the NCS also in the month of September collected N131,700, 824.75 as revenue. This is even as the unit intercepted various prohibited items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N101, 546, 650.00 in the same month.

Nigerian Tribune

also allows the Board of the FIRS to waive (in part or in whole) the applicable penalties and interest where good cause is presented. The waiver is therefore in line with the law.

“The approved tax waiver is a commendable initiative in a time when a lot of businesses are struggling to discharge their tax obligations.

From a tax administration perspective, it may lead to significant recoveries of previously undisclosed tax debts and ultimately expansion of the tax base,” PwC said.

Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member states unanimously voted for Nigeria to secure a seat on the Council.

Securing the seat in the Part II category at the ongoing 39th Assembly of the world aviation regulatory body, means that Nigeria will be a member of the Council for the next three years before another election.

Expressing his excitement, Nigeria’s minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika declared “I feel great, I feel that Nigeria has taken its rightful place. We are being elected into Part II yet again. Nigeria has been in this council since 1962.

“We have been contributing our quota and aviation has taken the centre stage now in the world especially post 9/11. Security has come

to centre stage without diminishing safety.”

After the election, the ICAO President, Dr O.B. Aliu paid a visit to the Nigeria office in the ICAO headquarters to congratulate Senator Sirika, the Permanent Secretary and aviation chief executives present on the success of the election.

Also, the Secretary-General of African Civil Aviation Commission, (AFCAC), Ms. Iyabo Sosina congratulated Nigeria, urging the country to put effort in the development of aviation.

According to ICAO, “Each Member State is entitled to one vote on matters before the Assembly, and decisions at these Sessions are taken by a majority of the votes cast, except where otherwise provided for in the convention.”

12

businessnews

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Naira appreciates at interbank, holds steady at parallel •Reps decry fall of naira market Chima Nwokoji with agency report

T

HE Nigerian naira on Wednesday, October 5, remained at N476/$1 in the parallel (black) market as it was on Tuesday, October 4.

This left naira’s black market value unchanged since it dropped 1 point from N475 to the green back.

Currency dealers at the same market segment said the local currency exchanged for N510 to the Euro and N585 to the British pound. This is just as activity level at the interbank market buoyed 3.12 per cent as the local currency settled at N310.24 to the dollar compared to N320.312 to the dollar which it sold for on Tuesday.

The naira remained pressured last week as a result of illiquidity in virtually all segments of the foreign exchange (FX) market as the naira/dollar exchange rate at the parallel market crashed to an all-time low of N490/$1 on Friday compared to N440/$1 on Monday.

The Apex Bank’s attempt to centralize the inflow of FX to official channels (through registered international money transfer operators (IMTOs) and the interbank by suspending unregistered IMTOs while threatening to sanction individuals operating as international money transfer agents continues to constrain supply of FX to the parallel market.

However, the exchange rate at the interbank has remained broadly stable

as a result of frequent interventions by the apex bank. The naira/dollar spot rate opened last week at N308.50/$1 on Monday, but depreciated to

MEMBERS of the National AirTraffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN) have alerted of the acute shortage of air traffic controllers required to man the country’s 24 functional airports.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of NACAN 4th annual general meeting in Lagos, the ATC President, Mr Nkambo George declared that there were only 97 trained and licensed communication personnel nationwide which he said was grossly inadequate to cover operations across the airports in the country.

Nkambo, who also stressed the need for the provision of Aeronautical fixed telecommunications network, a ground to ground operation for safe, efficient, economic air navigation said, some stations like Kebbi, Bauchi and

N311.62/$1.

According to dealers at Afrinvest, in the futures market, investors continue to take advantage of the Over The Counter

(OTC) FX Futures to hedge exposures to the Nigerian market in a bid to limit currency movement risk. Accordingly, the total value of open OTC FX

From left, Partner, Management Consulting, KPMG, Yetunde Kanu; Partner & Head, Tax Regulatory and People Services, KPMG, Wole Obayomi; Partner & Head, Technology Advisory, KPMG, Joseph Tegbe; Senior Manager, Management Consulting, KPMG, Tinu Ipadeola; acting Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission, Lagos, Ahmed Bashir; Partner & Head, Management Consulting, KPMG, Segun Sowande and Head of Sales & Markets, KPMG, Nike Oyewolu, during the British Deputy High Commissioner courtesy visit to KPMG Office, Victoria Island.

Nigeria’s economic challenges creating difficulties for its neighbours —IMF THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Nigeria is creating economic difficulty for its neighbours, being a very important of economy in the west African region.

Speaking at a press briefing on the IMF Fiscal Monitor report in Washington, Catherine Pattillo, head, fiscal policy and surveillance division, IMF fiscal affairs department, said Nigeria’s challenges were hurting its neighbours.

NACAN alerts of shortage of air traffic controllers Shola Adekola -Lagos

N312.99/$1 by midweek before appreciating to N305.31/$1 by Thursday as the CBN intervened with dollar supply. The interbank spot rate closed the week at

Dutse lacked the facilities.

The NACAN president who declared that there was no employment into the department between 1989 and 2012, appealed to the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to approve the basic training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, for officers to be properly integrated into the mainstream to boost the acute manpower shortage in the department.

Nkambo, noted that NAMA as an air navigation service provider has the responsibility of rendering its task with high sense of professionalism but lamented that certain elements in the agency were hell bent on “merging or integrating” two operational departments saddled with distinct functions as outlined by Annexes of ICAO.

“The slump in oil production and slow growth has created challenges for the country (Nigeria), but one statistic that is quite striking to me is that the debt profile is weakening and interest payment account for more than 45 per cent of Federal Government revenue,” Pattillo said.

“On fiscal side, the important priority should be in safeguarding fiscal sustainability, which means, importantly, to increase non-oil revenues and implementing an independent price-setting mechanism that minimises fuel subsidy.

“So, these are two priorities, while also, of course,

improving public service delivery so that citizens can see the benefits of good governance and services financed by the government.

“As you know, Nigeria is a very important economy in the region and its success has positive spill over for the region, particularly in West Africa and its challenges then creates difficulties for its neighbours.”

Vitor Gaspar, IMF director, fiscal affairs department, also said the debt rise is characteristic of the oil-producing economies.

“Message number one is that if you look at the global debt and deficit landscape, you’ll see that

the countries that have the highest public sector deficit are oil exporters.

“Nigeria is in debt group as a country that was very much hit by very low oil prices. That is a general message because it applies to oil exporters in general; the group of oil exporters have shared some characteristics.

“The most important point in my view of general relevance is that for countries in sub-Saharan Africa to deliver on SDGs, for most of them, the key challenge is the building up of revenue mobilisation capacity through tax capacity building; that’s a key priority,” he said.

Futures contracts rose by $614.1 million Month on Month (M-o-M) at the end of September.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concern over continuous fall of the naira against major currencies and resolved to investigate the foreign exchange transaction process.

This was sequel to a motion entitled “Call for Investigation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Forex Policies” sponsored by Rep. Ali Isa (PDP-Gombe).

Moving the motion, Isa said that in spite of the weekly releases of foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Bureau de Change (BDCs) and the banks, the value of naira had continued to depreciate.

Contributing to the debate, Rep. Mojeed Alabi (APC-Osun) expressed dismay that the CBN governor had continued to turn down invitations to him to the house to explain some of the fiscal policies to the legislators.

According to him, for failing to honour the summons of the house over the falling value of the naira, the CBN governor and his team should be sacked.

Also, Rep. Olawale Raji (APC-Lagos) decried the poor state of the naira and inconsistent fiscal policies, saying that Nigeria was the only country where “black market” figures were quoted as official.

“Who is in charge of our Forex, CBN or the black market? This is the only country in the world where the black market rates are quoted on television.

“If Nigeria were to be a normal country, the CBN governor and his team should be sacked,” he said.

GTBank MD named CEO of the Year MANAGING Director/Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Segun Agbaje, has emerged the 2016 Ai Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) 30 CEO of the year.

This was announced at this year’s 9th annual Ai CEO Investment Summit which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Launched in 2007, the Ai Institutional Investment and Capital Market Awards is the only pan-African Awards designed to recognise Africa’s best performing stock exchanges, listed companies, investment banks, research teams, regulators, socially responsible companies and sovereign wealth and pension fund in-

vestors.

The investment and business leadership awards aim to reward exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across Africa, whilst recognizing the institutions and individuals improving the continent’s investment climate.

According to Hubert Danso, CEO of Africa investor, “We are proud to honour a prolific business leader whose contribution across the continent has raised Africa’s profile as a viable international investment destination.”

“In winning this award, GTBank’s CEO, Segun Agbaje, has displayed astute foresight in positioning the GTBank brand at the fore-

front of the African banking industry by providing alternative approaches to inclusive banking and economic growth across the continent.”

Commenting on the award, Agbaje said, “I am

Agbaje

humbled and happy to be recognized as the 2016 Ai Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) 30 CEO of the year. This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the amazing team of people at GTBank.”

13

editorial

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Amnesty International: Nigeria’s scorecard

T

HE two damning reports which emanated recently from Amnesty International (AI) concerning human rights abuses in Nigeria have without doubt been disconcerting. The fact that any liberal democracy is not enforcing basic human rights should ordinarily worry even the vilest of sceptics because such routine human rights abuses are only known as the forte of fascist, totalitarian regimes and probably a few theocracies.

The reports alleged that critics and journalists were being unduly harassed and jailed and that the police Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) routinely murdered suspects while still in detention during investigations. For many Nigerians familiar with this narrative, the AI has merely stated the obvious even if such reports hugely detract from the country’s global image and reputation.

As expected, the Inspector General of the Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has issued a release denying the AI reports although, in the same breath, he also summoned the SARS operatives to Abuja, possibly for some questioning. The truth however is daily reflected on the crime pages of the country’s dailies which consistently publish news of human rights abuses, frequently with pictures. The AI, citing the conflict between the country’s armed forces and terrorists and the consequent internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as the deaths of thousands of victims may have scored the country low on human rights abuses, but the case was also worsened by the widespread torture and other maltreatments by the police and other security agencies whose disregard for human rights can only be described as legendary.

Indeed, this week, a non-governmental organisation based in France, Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), identified the Anambra and Enugu state commands of the Nigerian Police Force as possessing the highest records of human rights abuses in Nigeria. According to the body, out of 50 cases of torture and various human rights abuses in the Enugu Command of the force, 40 had to do with gunshot wounds. It said such cases were perpetrated by officers and men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), with Anambra State having the worst record.

The AI also did not overlook the demolition of informal settlements and the forced eviction of several thousands of people and it recorded the failure of the administration to investigate and sanction the retired service chiefs

for their potential responsibility for war crimes under international law as a minus for it. The treatment meted out to the arrowhead of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, who has been kept indefinitely in detention for an offense that could have been tried in court and dispensed with, was also registered against this administration as a human rights abuse. In any case, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court, on Tuesday, ordered the immediate release of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who has been kept in detention by the Federal Government since December 2015, without trial. The court also slammed a N15 million fine on the government. It noted: “The re-arrest and detention of the applicant after he had been granted bail by three courts since December last year makes a mockery of the rule of law.”

For many reasons ranging from attitude to infrastructure, it may take a while for Nigeria to impress the AI given the international standards. But it should be possible for the country to improve in terms of attitude, especially of the personnel of the security agencies. The IGP’s denial of the AI’s report appears to be a poor face saving ploy despite the huge evidence in favour of the AI’s observations. It is even not necessary to deny the AI’s reports, as the Federal Government can easily regard the reports as a wake up call to improve on its standards in subsequent ratings. It is not as if the AI will sanction the country beyond the poor, plummeting reputation which the country has acquired over the years, and which the denial cannot suddenly improve.

While the IGP’s response was ordinarily a commendable gesture showing concern for the AI’s ratings, his denial before investigating the veracity of the allegations in the reports put a question mark on his supervisory competence. The country may not be able to control the activities of dissidents and insurgents, but it can respond in ways sanctioned positively by international standards. The abuses should not be aggravated by the cruel zealotry of the security agencies.

We expect that the government will be provoked by the AI’s damning reports to do the needful in improving the country’s human rights records by investigating and reflecting on its activities in order to check its modus operandi.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)

Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D

GOT NEWS?

Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna.

Ikeja Marketing Office.

Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.

Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630

14

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

yournews

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323, 08055001746

•What a serene riverine environment. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

No to sale of national assets THE idea that some of our national assets be sold is a disservice to the people of the country. This government should realise that these assets had passed through several previous governments, and selling them now would not do the nation any good.

These are assets established by our previous leaders to provide services to Nigerians, or to generate money for the government, so selling them would mean that the reasons for which they were established have been defeated.

The Federal Government should look for other ways to get the nation out of the current recession rather than selling our national assets to wealthy individuals. Therefore, we must not mortgage the future of our country for today. Instead of selling these national assets, all our political leaders accept salary and allowances cuts just as Saudi Arabia is doing at the moment.

•Iyayi Lawson, 08059412659

Curbing naira’s free fall

T

he naira has continued to be in free fall, crashing to an unprecedented low of N500 to $1 in the parallel market last Friday. There is pain and anguish across segments of the population and market Illiquidity is already hurting the real economy. The impact of the crash of the local currency has included inflation, labour layoffs, factory closures and inability of many citizens to meet basic needs such as food, health care and accomodation. It is, indeed, exasperating. Like other markets, foreign exchange markets are imperfect.

To ease the pressure, the government should immediately impose restrictive import tariffs on luxuries and non-essential items.

Tooth picks, non-medicinal cosmetics, apples and packaged foods and drinks, among other nonessentials, should attract very high tariffs. Success requires marked improvement in the efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Ser-

vice to beat smuggling, while the concerns of the industrial sector over identifying goods that are also raw materials should be

taken into consideration.

The Central Bank of Nigeria should step up its surveillance, monitoring and sanctions to check

the ongoing round-tripping and sharp practices by banks and bureaux de change. Now, beyond these short term measures, Pres-

ident Muhammadu Buhari should treat the crisis as an emergency.

•Balogun Funsho, 07034444976

Why our economy is in recession The challenges we are facing at the moment has to do with the fact that we over-relied on oil. When the going was good, we

didn’t save for the rainy period, and thus, we enjoyed the money while it lasted. It is so unfortunate that a large chunk of mon-

ies were also stolen.

Now, due to the fall in the price of oil, we are suffering economically, and we are regretting the fact

that we didn’t plan for the rainy days.

•Bamidele Akindele, 08022982373

Proposed LG autonomy: Kudos to Buhari I want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for saying that he supports local government autonomy. He has aimed high at moving the country forward by saying the 774 local governments in the country would become autonomous.

The president’s decision is welcome as it will help strengthen democracy at the third tier of government. While the Federal Government sends allocation to the local governments, the greedy governors, because of the joint

accounts they operate with the local governments, mismanage the funds for the third tier of government. This is why the local governments are not functioning as they should.

President Buhari’s position on the local government autonomy will, therefore, correct all these illegalities, while also promoting democracy.

I, therefore, want the

president to quickly put in motion towards ensuring that local governments become free of state governments.

•Abidoye Kolawole, 08063254401

Appeal to NERC, CPC, BEDC We, the residents of Ogwuashi-Ukwu community and the entire Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, appeal to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Consumer

Protection Council (CPC), to help us call on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to fix all poles and cables, as well as abandoned transformers in the communities, because we have not been

enjoying electricity supply for 11 years now.

I hope the government will restore our electricity within the shortest period of time.

•Feyi Akeeb Kareem, 08052212361.

opinion SDGs: Making Nigeria embrace the data revolution 15

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

By Greg Odogwu

R

ECENTLY in Abuja, the Women Environmental Programme, a non-governmental, non-profit, nonreligious and voluntary organisation established in 1997 by a group of grass-roots women in the country, made history by training about 25 Nigerian youths on data collection for the purpose of monitoring developmental governance.

The training of data collectors was done under the project, “Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Local Government, Through Open Data Collection in Three Area Councils of FCT, Nigeria.” The project, which is being implemented by WEP in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, aims at determining the status of basic amenities, creating awareness on fiscal activities of area councils and eliciting interest of the citizenry to participate effectively in the development of their communities.

To understand the significance of this project, one must look at our current socio-political environment. Is it not baffling that with the perennial political mantra of “delivering the dividends of democracy” right from 1999, Nigerians at the grass roots have yet to have concrete testimonies of these purported interventions?

During the last administration’s Presidential Summit on the defunct Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), all the state governments’ representatives at the event were reeling out data on the projects they had undertaken and the lives they were touching. Yet, when hard facts came out on the achievement of the MDGs, it was evident that Nigeria scored abysmal low points.

And this situation raises two questions: Given that most of the data on our development process comes from the international community, are these statistics to be trusted? And then, if our government officials are so certain that they have affected the lives of the ordinary Nigerian, how did they scientifically ascertain the impact of their projects on the grassroots communities whom they were meant to represent and oversee?

The answer is manifest in the fact that as a country we have

no accurate way of gathering data from the grass-roots communities. And, ironically, the ones that come back to us from our foreign development partners were as a result of foreignsponsored data collection projects, which are arguably inefficient, because of over-dependence on random sampling and other haphazard methodologies.

This is the reason why, up till this moment, there are still ongoing debates about the exact percentages of compliance as regards the achievement of the MDGs. The statistics and facts concerning its success in Nigeria are still iffy.

And this is exactly the reason why the world’s governments decided that the current Sustainable Development Goals should toe a different line of strategy. When they convened in July 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to agree on a framework for financing the new SDGs, it was agreed that there would be a “key window of opportunity to improve the existing, haphazard approach to data collection and reporting.”

Following the progress made under the MDGs, which guided global development efforts from 2000 to 2015, the world was determined that the SDGs for the period 2016 to 2030 would continue to fight against extreme poverty, but would add the challenges of ensuring more equitable development and environmental sustainability. Crucial to their success, therefore, will be strong government systems and in particular strong statistical systems that can measure and incentiv-

ise progress across the goals.

According to opendatahandbook.org, open data is data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone – subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and share alike. The data must be available as a whole, and at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably by downloading over the Internet. The data must be provided under terms that permit re-use and redistribution including the intermixing with other datasets. And, everyone must be able to use, re-use and redistribute – there should be no discrimination against fields of endeavour or against persons or groups.

Interestingly, I see a new vista of youth participation in government, if only the Nigerian youth can catch the vision of this evolving data revolution.

If the dream of WEP and other similar organisations that are set to train our youths come to reality, then we can rest assured that a new day has come in grass-roots politics and in general political participation.

I see that with open data internalised in Nigeria, the days of “political abracadabra” are numbered. No more will politicians stay inside their campaign offices and manufacture data of nonexistent community projects with which to lie and bamboozle the uninformed electorate. Right in the midst of their campaign crowd will be youths armed with raw data from the field – statistics that have been professionally and scientifically generated to track governance services and infrastructure.

On that day, no politician can “lie” to any constituent anymore; and no government official can “obfuscate” our international development partners, who are frustrated by paucity of data and transparent governance which inhibit their intervention efforts.

And it is a gladdening development that some youths are catching the vision; and when they reach the critical mass, they will lift the nation into a new socio-political paradigm.

We all must lend our voices to that of the United Nations in its admonition that both donors and recipient countries must look to join the data revolution.

•Odogwu is a public affairs analyst.

Rethinking occupational wellness

By Ehi Iden

I recently read a story on social media about a bank worker who committed suicide. The story got me disturbed. I was not too concerned about the reason behind his action because of the many versions to the story. I examined the story from the position of occupational wellness.

I may think in this direction perhaps because of my profession but we have always advocated that employees’ wellness must be fully integrated into the overlapping wheels of good business processes. We do not currently have that in most organisations in Nigeria. Even when the global economic hardship places much pressure on everyone, we all feel the huge negative effects but no one seems to talk about it. We are all mute, mutually frustrated and productivity suffers leading to more round of pressure on employees to scale up. This has been the cycle.

The World Health Organisation’s definition of wellness indicates that, “It is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely absence of disease or infirmity.” Examining workplace wellness in this context, one will realise that an employee can be present at work with no disease or illness and yet may not be well when weighed in on health balances. The question is, what are we doing wrongly?

In the new global workplace we find ourselves, there is a huge temptation to place profit above the health of employees. In most organisations, profit is the only tone and cultural body language and not about employees’ wellness.

Occupational health has evolved beyond merely looking at accident prevention and physical harm to employees but also employees who are in distress and suffering silently. This class of harm is the emotional harm suffered by employees in the course of performing their duties. It includes psychosocial issues such as burnouts, stress, work overload, workfamily balance, fatigue, workplace harassment and a number of other associated non-tangible issues.

For example, stress is not like an open injury that can be seen and dressed; burnout is not like tumour that can be opened and removed. It is not like an open wound that can

be plastered but its effect on workers is far-reaching.

Work-related emotional harm is a very complex condition that must be systematically addressed from the root.

Workplace wellness studies have recommended employees’ engagement as a useful tool in giving employees the psychological support in delivering organisational expectations.

This is as simple as doing nothing, but because the management process has not been clearly defined in our culture, it has become so deficient in our corporate DNA and both the employees and employers suffer for it. Absence of employees’ engagement could make organisations lose much without knowing. Everyone moves on as if all is well. This is where occupational health with human resources has become very imperative. We all must remember that management is about people, not just things.

Managers need to understand that employees are people with emotions. If there is something happening in their personal lives, they will have limited capacity to deal with issues at work. Most of the cases bordering on under-performance by employees have nothing to do with work. They are traceable to their homes. Employees’ homes and families have become an integral part of their wellness.

When good workers have challenges, managers and management need to support and pull them through.

We preach team spirit but when things go wrong, we are so quick to sacrifice our team member without looking at how certain things negatively impact on them. If managers learn

to carry along employees when they most need it, they become a stronger community and are empowered in unimaginable ways.

A re-invigorated employee is an organisation’s most powerful force; he or she becomes a better version automatically.

Managers need to understand that they are managing people and every act of theirs has a great influence on emotions.

Most times, employees’ burnout without anyone noticing; a most versatile employee may recline to the point that he is hardly seen. Managers should be concerned and investigate what such employee is experiencing. Such an employee will need mutual support to be up again and we should remember that employees spend an average of seven hours in the office.

The work environment is a great influence on employees’ overall performance. The Employees Assistance Programme is also lacking in most organisations. Who does the employee talk to when he is bereaved? Are there debriefing processes?

Are there provisions for counsellors or psychologists within or outside the organisations? Is there a return-to-work policy and processes after illness or workers just migrate from hospital bed to the office? Have we created a work environment that creates room for trust so that workers can open up to counsellors and mental health professionals?

There are new and emerging workplace diseases and conditions lately and they are all offshoot of the workplace conditions. Globally, ageing workforce is fast becoming an issue; people are also going into early retirement because their health conditions would not allow them reach the retirement age. Most of these issues are linked to workplace conditions.

What is happening now in work places is not idealism of suicide, it is suicide in the real sense of it. When we drive employees far beyond what they can handle, we will have complex issues to handle.

We should relax the work environment with the confidentcethat an employee who is not giving his or her best today, could become a super performer tomorrow.

•Iden is an occupational health and safety expert.

16

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

maka nd’igbo

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

Free medical: Army brings smile to Enugu community Jude Ossai - Enugu

O

VER 5,000 residents of Ogbaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have benefited from a Free Medical Outreach provided by 82 Division Nigerian Army.

The outreach was aimed at enhancing Civil Military Relations. It was a suitable platform to check and regulate persons affected with lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, eye defect and several others.

Speaking to newsmen, the Vice Chairman of the Awgu Local Government Area, John Ikemefuna, while commending the GOC 82 Division for the Free Medical Outreach, noted that the event would go a long way in cementing the cordial relationship between the good people of Awgu LGA and the Nigerian Army.

He further called on the people of Awgu to come out en-mass to take advantage of the good gesture from the Nigerian Army.

Similarly, the traditional ruler of Mmaku Community, Igwe Rotarian Okongwu, Nk-

'Police failure hampers agric development' Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri PROFESSOR of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Julius Sunday Orebiyi, has said that development of agriculture in Nigeria has not been able to keep pace with the desired expectations despite several agricultural policies and programmes put in place by the past governments.

He made this observation while delivering 29th Inaugural Lecture at FUTO entitled “Aricultural Credit: A policy catalyst needed for poverty reduction and rural agriculture transformation in Nigeria” Professor Orebiyi explained that even though the Nigeria agricultural policy had always provided, among others, for adequate financing of the agricultural sector development, it was very sad to observe that government expenditure on agriculture had been shown not to be substantial enough to meet the objective of policies.

This, he said, accounted for why Nigeria could not depend on herself to supply the large fraction of her food needs for herself sufficiently.

Said he: “Since the Nigerian economy is dependent on petroleum as a source of its revenue and the chief export driving the wheels of the economy, poor financing of the agricultural sector continued to lead to increased reduction in supply” According to him, this, in turn, continues to trigger off inflation in the country and its attendant consequences of fall in the value of Naira and price instability which is even more pronounced today than any other time in the past as far as the history of this country is concerned.

puma-Ike 1 of Mmaku, expressed his deep gratitude to the GOC for remembering his community and the lovely indigenes of Awgu with this all important free medical service.

The high point of the exercise was the arrival of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru at the venue of the free medical outreach in Awgu.

He inspected various units of the exercise and made a symbolic presentation of a free medicated eye glass to Mrs Udenta Roseline, one of the numerous beneficiaries.

82 Division Nigerian Army GOC, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru donating drugs to one of the beneficiaries.

Enugu Police arrest 17 armed robbery suspects Jude Ossai - Enugu POLICE detectives in Enugu have arrested 17 persons suspected to be armed robbers.

Police source said that the suspects, who had been a torn in the flesh of members of the public in relation to their robbery/cult activities, were arrested at the weekend by the operatives at Nkanu-West Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the story, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, said the names of the suspects were: Nnamani Chinonso ( 18 ), Obeagu Agbani, Nnamani Ekene, Ani Chidera, Ogbu Chinenye, Friday Anih, Nnamani Daberechi, Nweke Frank, Nwoye Chigozie, Eze Chidera, Ede Ifeanyi, Chukwu Chukwuebuka, Ejim Monday .

Others were Nwatu Samuel, Emmanuel Udofia, Onyekachi Ejike and Okenwa Emmanuel.

Amarizu said that items recovered from the suspects included two short double bar-

The suspects on parade by the police in Enugu

rel locally made guns,2 short single locally made guns, one long locally made single barrel gun, 22 live cartridges and cartridge host.

The Police image maker said that the suspects blamed their involvement in the alleged crime on satanic act and prayed for second chance to be given them.

Reacting, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, commended the efforts of his operatives and the partnership in existence between the state police command, the public and other sister security agencies in the state which led to the arrest of suspects.

He maintained that the Police would continue to engage itself in the onslaught against crime and criminality in the state through various proactive policing programmes, and essentially the state police command programme on cultism and other vices, otherwise known as POCACOV to ensure that youths are well sensitised.

He also frowned at the situation of youth involvement in cultism and other vices without knowing its negative implications and advised youth to watch the kind of friends they keep.

Fake products: NAFDAC solicits collaboration with Abakaliki traders Jude Ossai - Enugu THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Coordinator in Ebonyi State, Richard Anichukwu, has called on traders at Abakiliki for stronger collaboration in the war against fake drugs and food products in the state.

Anichukwu made the call on Thursday at an enlightenment to reawaken the consciousness of the public to NAFDAC regulations at the Abakpa Main Market.

The NAFDAC coordinator said that the exercise was aimed at drumming public support through enlightenment and sensitisation against the dangers of dealing in and consumption of unwholesome NAFDAC regulated products.

According to him, the collaboration with members would enhance the process of checking the influx of fake, adulterated drugs, food and beverages and chemical products injurious to humans.

"We are here today to seek the collaboration and cooperation of members of the main market and we believe that the synergy will enhance effective control of influx of unwholesome products in the market.

17

Thursday, 6 October, 2016 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

In continuation of its preparations for the forthcoming commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Flora Nwapa’s book, Efuru, the National Organising Committee (NOC) of the Efuru@50 paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. Leading the delegation was the NOC’s Chairman, Dr Wale Okediran. Other members of the committee on the visit were the Chairman, Flora Nwapa Foundation, Barrister Uzoma Nwakuche, who is also the son of Flora Nwapa, Chinyere Obi-Obasi, Ikeogu Oke, Salamatu Sule, and the committee’s secretary, Glory Obasi.

On arrival at the University of Abuja campus, the NOC members were received by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Ef-

Efuru at 50 NOC visits Abuja varsity fiok Uwatt, as well as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Professor Vicky Sylvester, both of whom accompanied the team to the Vice Chancellor’s office.

Other members of the University of Abuja staff present at the meeting were the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof.

Abu Mallam; Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr Musa Olaoye; Dr Daniel Omatsola and Safiya Yero.

In his remarks at the meeting, Wale Okediran explained that Flora Nwapa was being celebrated in view of her position as the first African woman published writer.

This was why the Flora Nwapa’s Foun-

dation has decided to organise a five city celebrations between November 29 and December 11, 2016. The visit, therefore, was to intimate the VC of the Abuja leg of the celebrations, which has been fixed for December 3 and December 6, 2016.

While a children’s carnival will take place at the NTA’s Arena on Saturday, Dec 3, a symposium which will attract local and international scholars will take place in the university on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. Dr Okediran, therefore, sought the university’s support towards the success of the event.

In his response, the VC thanked the

committee for choosing the university as one of the conference venues.

While acknowledging the significant contributions which the Humanities have made to the nation at large, he hoped that the Sciences would also do the same in the nearest future. He promised that the university would do all it could towards the success of the forthcoming events.

In closing, the Dean of Arts, Prof. Uwatt thanked the VC for the promises and promised that the Faculty of Arts would do everything to make sure that the event is a huge success.

Once upon a time comes alive in Abuja Once upon a time, the familiar phrase made popular by its use at the beginning of folk tales the world over, acquired new meaning as the theme of Abuja Writers Forum’s free one-day workshop for aspiring writers, which was held recently.

The workshop attracted many budding writers from diverse backgrounds, with some even coming from neighbouring states, while others had to give up important engagements to participate because it was just what they needed to get their writing off the ground.

Hauwa Gambo, a journalist from Kaduna, bitten by the writing bug, likened her journey down to Abuja to participate in the workshop to Mohammed’s proverbial trip to the mountain because the mountain would not go to him.

“I had been yearning to attend a programme like this but there has been none in Kaduna, so when I heard of this one in Abuja, I could not afford to miss it,” she said.

The visibly exited lady was only expressing the thoughts of most of the participants.

The workshop, a brainchild of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), is one of the programmes the forum organises regularly to provide authors, dramatists, poets, playwrights, screenwriters and performing artistes a platform to hone their skills and air their talents. Others include the monthly Guest Writer Session which features the work of published authors, poets and playwrights; and the weekly critique sessions that affords writers the opportunity to have their works-in-progress reviewed by their peers.

The workshop, the first AWF free writing workshop since the forum started its regular subsidised version, initially drew over 40 interested writers, but the number had to be pruned down as some late entrants failed to meet up with the pre-event reading list. In spite of this, the turnout was impressive. When the programme started at 9.00 a.m., the usual stiffness associated with a group of unfamiliar people meeting for the first time pervaded the air, but the informal setting and Dr. Emman Shehu’s unique teaching style, in the words of Ohepo Ali, soon made the workshop “great fun and challenging.”

Built round the familiar “Once Upon A Time” start of fairy and folktales, the workshop, according to Shehu, was organised primarily “to unlock the budding

•A cross-section of participants at the workshop. writers’ creativity by leading participants to realise that everyone has a story to tell.”

Starting from, ‘Once upon a time’, he led the participants to develop the phrase into two short story outlines in a few minutes, surprising them with the realisation that each already had a story that just needed a little more effort to complete. With this story – the first for many participants – many excitedly discovered that their struggle to write had ended and that they

The concluding session focused on plot development and principles for organising stories, as well as innovative ways to create characters.

could write after all.

Said Roselyn Jeremiah, another participant, “it was the magical key we needed to unlock our creativity in writing.”

At noon, when the first session ended, the workshop participants had learnt how to develop their techniques and various ways to improve their writing.

In a short interview after the first session, Shehu disclosed that the workshop only covered short story writing because of its short duration. After the coffee break at noon, veteran broadcaster, Edith Yassin, took over with a short lecture on general media etiquette. Once again, an invaluable lecture prepared participants for challenges ahead. Questions came thick and fast at the end of her lecture, a clear indication of the interest it generated.

In the concluding session, which focused on plot development and principles for organising stories, Dr. Shehu revealed innovative ways to create characters that enhance plots and strengthen stories, novels and plays.

Speaking at the end of the progamme, Shehu, the President of AWF, who is also the Director of the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) Abuja, revealed that as a follow up to the preliminary workshop, the forum would soon host a full introductory writers’ workshop that would teach in-depth writing skills for drama,

novel and poetry.

Abuja-based magazine publisher, Humphrey Onyima, could not hold back his praises for AWF, which he says has had tremendous impact on his literary development. He was so appreciative of the preliminary workshop that he admitted he would be attending the forthcoming introductory writing workshop, while also inviting other literary lovers.

“I want to thank the founder and President of this noble forum for what he and the AWF have done to develop the creativity of aspiring writers. He has started a movement that is as innovative as any I have known or heard of anywhere else, and it deserves all the support. I know that my writing will improve with these workshops,” he said.

Onyima was not alone in heaping encomiums on the organisers of the workshop, as another participant, Hauwa Gambo, said she was glad she came.

“It has turned out to be much more than I expected. If I am in such a workshop for four weeks, there will be no stopping me afterwards,” she added.

Indeed, AWF’s writers’ workshops and programmes have become the defining factor in Abuja’s literary circles. In addition to its monthly Guest Writer Sessions, the forum holds three critique sessions every month to afford members the opportunity to have their works in progress reviewed by peers, a practice that has been of tremendous importance in the literary development of her members. Over the years, some of her members have won literary contests in Nigeria and abroad.

Ezenwa Ogochukwu from Anambra State, a writer and business developer, feels the forum has done more than enough to blow its own trumpet. Olu Omoniyi, a student, agreed, adding that he found the workshop creative, educative and innovative and was surprised that attendance was not in much larger numbers. He encouraged AWF leadership to keep up the good work as it was helping many people to achieve their ambitions.

For Plateau born Haruna Yabzai, a quantity surveyor, the forum has been a revelation. “Shehu is the type of person who inspires and encourages you, and carries you along in his presentations. The workshop today is exciting. It gives one the prompts to keep on writing, especially when you face a blank sheet of paper.”

arts&review Kabana Republic fictionalises the Nigerian situation 18

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

By Adewale Oshodi MARUFH Bello’s Kabana Republic: The Land of Hurricane, no doubt, is a story about the happenings in Nigeria. Bello uses his creative prowess to highlight the challenges facing the youth in the country, while revealing the extent some will go in order to make a meaning out of life.

Just recently, Bello presented the book to the public, with attendees commending his foresight on how he was able to fictionalise the challenges facing the country, while proffering solutions to such problems.

In his opening remarks, the chairman on the occasion, High Chief (Senator) Lekan Balogun, who also represented the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, admitted that after reading the book, he had no doubt that it is the story of Nigeria that the author is telling.

“I am deeply impressed with this literary work, as the author, through literature, has been able to bring attention to what is happening in the country; it is not that this is the first fiction about the country, but the author has added his voice, and I hope our leaders will also learn from it.

“In the book, the author discusses those issues that are wrong with the Nigerian state, from the high unemployment rate, to the favouritism that goes on in government quarters, among other ills.

“It is unfortunate that we have not made much progress all these years, when in fact, those countries that we got independence at the same period have gone on to become so much developed.

“The truth is that all is not well with our country, and this is what the author is trying to point out with his book, Kabana Republic: The Land of Hurricane; while this is definitely not the first book published detailing the precarious state our country is in, our leaders owe the citizens a duty to work hard towards

From left, the author of the book, Marufh Bello; chairman on the occasion, Senator Lekan Balogun, and the Compere, Femi Olukunle, at the event.

addressing those problems highlighted in the book by the author,” Senator Balogun said.

In his review, Edmund Obilo described Kabana Republic as a country in conflict with itself; a land of suffering and dependency, suffering and myriads of underdevelopment.

Obilo explained that the novel centres around a young man, Ladi, who completes his youth service but finds it hard securing paid employment.

The reviewer highlighted the struggle Ladi goes through to become a graduate, only to find himself struggling to get a job.

“Ladi joins politics, but he is schemed out, and while his struggles continue, he, alongside other disgruntled youths, decide to take up arms against the state, which leads them to kidnap the Governor General. Their action is their way of saying: ‘enough is enough’ to the leaders of the state who have made it impossible for youths to enjoy opportunities that will better their lives.

“In the end, the youth are arrested, in-

cluding Ladi, but providence smiles on them when the Governor General intervenes in their situation, admitting that the leadership has failed the youth. However, while it is a happy ending for Ladi, millions of Nigerian youths are still struggling with the issues addressed by the author in Kabana Republic.

“In fact, Kabana Republic is a story of Nigeria, and it is written in simple, fluid and thought-provoking style which the reader will enjoy. The book is also an addition to Nigeria’s collection of revolutionary literature,” Obilo said.

In his comments on the occasion, the author, Bello, said he was spurred to pen the fiction to highlight the ills in the Nigerian society.

“Kabana Republic is a satirical fiction about the plight of an African graduate and the prevailing situations in his fatherland. Parody, rhyme, assonance, alliteration, rhetorical questions, proverbs, wise sayings, etc. are used as techniques to bring to the fore the overall goal of the work and its very essence.

Developing one’s thought for positive living A review of Dr Olasumbo Ajoke Savage’s inspirational book, Seed of Thoughts and in-depth Conversations.

IN today’s world, several books have been written to inspire and motivate people, and this is what Dr Olasumbo Ajoke Savage’s book, Seed of Thoughts and in-depth Conversations, is also out to achieve. However, Dr Savage’s work is not just another inspirational book, but one that takes another dimension towards highlighting the power of thoughts and deep thinking.

The book’s opening words say it all: “Ignite your passion. Dreaming that vision without execution represents hallucination.” Everybody has that beautiful dream of a brighter future, but taking the first step towards achieving that vision becomes the problem, and that is why the author describes dreams as mere hallucination. To understand how negative not taking steps is, the meaning of hallucination explains it better.

According to Wikipedia, hallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. Therefore, the positive dreams we have for ourselves are mere hallucinations until we take the step towards actualising them in real life. For example, somebody who envisions himself towards becoming a successful businessman, but has not started reading about management and business, while also

saving the start-up capital is only having hallucination about a future that he will never experience.

This, therefore, makes the author to open the book with the thoughtful meditations of sages, which will definitely motivate readers to take that big leap of faith towards achieving their dreams.

However, the author highlights a very important issue about life when she says: “Second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, the year is going.

What is your plan of purpose for the year?

Are you really planning to achieve anything at all? Don’t forget, failing to plan is planning to fail.”

With the dawn of any new year, many people will make plans for the whole of the year, but in actual fact, many will not achieve anything throughout the year because of the lack of will, or fear to take a step of faith. To these people, they only have hallucinations about a positive situation which they will never experience in real life since they have refused to leave their comfort zones.

It is as a result of this that the author says that “man is not just on earth to wake up and dress up for a job, but that man has a life assignment to fulfil that which will bring him good success.

Dr Savage is, however, not leaving the reader to the fate of finding his own destiny, as she gives motivational thoughts that will help him navigate through life’s challenges. These thoughts will definitely inspire the reader towards taking hold of his life and future.

One of such inspirational thoughts is: “You are born to have positive impact on

your generation. Your talent and skill will elevate you if you utilise them positively.

Meditate on this for therein lies your greatness.”

With this, the author is aware that everybody is born with a talent, and the ability to identify one’s talent, or develop a skill, will definitely propel one to greatness.

This portion is apt in the case of many of our youths today who are wasting away because they can not find paid employment. Dr Savage is telling them today that if they search their inner minds, they will discover that they are naturally gifted in one way or the other, and through which they can change their economic lives for the better.

Another of the thoughts says: “Make sure nothing stops you from reaching your goal, not even yourself! Refuse to be contented with just enough! Stretch further to the level of more than enough with your skill and talent so as to be of benefit to humanity! I am sure you admire great achievers of your time; you are just one of such waiting to breathe greatness to mankind.”

These inspirational thoughts by the author target all spheres of human existence like fear, positive thinking, health, management, love, confidence, change, among others. The final part of the book features letters written to Dr Savage to put into book form all her encouraging thoughts being shared with the world on social media. We should not forget that in her Dedication, Dr Savage appreciates her friends on social media for encouraging her to do more to get the inspirational words into print. This is, therefore, the result of those words of encouragement.

“Kabana Republic is a piece spiced with varied languages and tinted with the two other elements of the English literature genres, namely poetry and drama. It, in itself, is a prose.

“The main preoccupation (central theme) of Kabana Republic is exposition of how bad socio-political and economic organisation of a state’s affairs can negatively impact on the life achievements, comfort of every citizen, particularly a graduate, comparing him with his contemporaries in other worlds.

“Many other writers in years past have written about the situation of the country, and coming up with mine now reveals that nothing has changed over the years.

“I, therefore, hope that our leaders will focus on the challenges facing this country, while working hard towards solving them, so as to make the country conducive for all and sundry.

“This book is, therefore, a veritable tool to re-orientate our people via homes, schools, religious houses (churches and mosques), private and government establishments so as to have a mindset that would be useful for a national development. It is in the light of this that I would like to appeal to parents, teachers, political leaders, captains of industries, religious leaders and examinations bodies, to accept this book as an inevitable/indispensable tool in the crusade of re-building our nation and Africa as a whole, especially in this era of “Change Begins With Me” of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration,” the author said.

POEM What a country!

Workers work all day long Going to bed tired and hungry Ghost workers collect their loot With ease in the dark Spouses pawn one another For dreams of million naira

Whatever status or fame Kings, lords, workers or farmers Bow before, must Men of means, women of wealth Stoop before the mighty dollar Naira, pound and YenIn our crazy rat race Do children even count?

Used as credits or bartered For rice, yam and beans As hunger scotch the land Blessed with palm wine Yam, oil and land Who cares for the banks?

Their vaults so ravaged Burnt-out by robbers’ fire Tanks, farms and holes Preffered choice havens For stolen wealth, conrnered patrimony People cry! No money! No food Hundred expired with chronic foodlessness Remnants from the filthy rich Sweet toasts for empty stomachs Lawmakers dress to kill Robust, fresh and full Their kingly cups flowing with Fine wine and the royal beer In a land thirsty for rails and roads In the post polls season Voters lick their sorry wounds Inflicted by greed and vanity By desperate crawling aspirants Hungry for power and dough

By Ade A. Ajakaiye, Ibadan.

19

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

education

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

9 500 Nigerians studying in the US Naza Okoli - Lagos

Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Professor Godwin Onu (second left) with other officials inspecting candidates for admission, during the Computer Based Test (cbt) examinations at the institution in Oko, Anambra State on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

FG to launch education investment promotion initiatives Clement Idoko - Abuja

T

HE federal government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is to launch an education investment promotion initiative as part of efforts to attract more funding to all levels of education in Nigeria.

The initiative, according to the Project Coordinator and Chairman of COGNITUS Consulting, Mrs Arete Zoe Amana, is to open up the education sector and facilitate domestic and foreign direct investments for education development.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, Amana lamented that the nation’s education sector has been plagued with so many challenges despite government’s spending on the sector.

She decried a situation where only about 20 per cent of over 1.5 million candidates seeking admissions to tertiary institutions annually in Nigeria are offered placements.

Amana said: “Poor results in the General Certificate in Education, non-payment of staff salaries in Nigerian institutions of learning at all levels, deficit of quality teachers and moribund technical and vocational education institutions, parlous state of the learning environment across the spectrum and overall quality issues point to the core challenge of funding and good governance for both public and private institutions.”

She said the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, would host what she called EDUINVEST Nigeria from 1st to 3rd of November, 2016 at the Calabar International Conference Centre.

She explained that EDUINVEST Nigeria 2016 is a domestic platform for the convergence of stakeholders in the education

sector and knowledge industry to discuss investments and innovative financing strategies as well as launch specific initiatives for education development.

The forum is a platform for multi-stakeholders engagement platform which will lead to the emergence of a new framework for investments and financing of education in Nigeria.

Amana said the current economic recession calls for strategic efforts to be made to reduce the huge capital flight running

into billion of naira spent by Nigerians on education of their children in Ghana and other countries abroad.

She noted that even though the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has prescribed 26 per cent of national budget to education, government alone cannot fund education.

She said the education sector in Nigeria must be opened for both domestic and foreign direct investment.

There are currently about 9,500 Nigerian students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States of America.

This was disclosed last week by Darcy Zotter, the Public Affairs Officer, Office of the United States Consulate General, Lagos, at the 17th Education USA College Fair held at MUSON Centre, Lagos.

According to her, Nigeria is one of the highest contributors to the pool of international students in the United States.

“Moreover, the US offers you unparalleled educational diversity and variety,” she said. “The US has almost 5000 accredited institutions and over 600 courses of study.

The US Higher Institutions also offer international students many opportunities for practical training through the Curriculum Practical Training and Optional Practical Training.

“At its core, the role of the US Mission in Nigeria is to facilitate and build connections between the United States and Nigeria. One of the best ways these connections are built and mutual understanding is fostered is through education exchange.

For us, that is what this College and Career Fair is about.

“We are happy to provide Nigerian students who wish to study in the United States a unique opportunity to learn about the diversity of programmes offered at various US educational institutions.”

According to Zotter, American Universities have always been ranked among the best universities in the world, with more than 70 consistently appearing among the world’s top 100.

The fair which had a total 32 American universities participating, was attended by hundreds of students drawn from different secondary schools in Lagos.

Employment: Nigerian youths face bleak future outside agriculture —Landmark Varsity VC Biola Azeez - Ilorin The Vice Chancellor, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Professor Aize Obayan, has raised the alarm that there will be no jobs outside agriculture to meet employment needs of young people in the country by 2035.

Speaking with journalists on the occasion of the 62nd birthday of the Chancellor of the university, Bishop David Oyedepo, in OmuAran at the weekend, the vice chancellor said that the dire economic situation in the country had necessitated urgent intervention from agricultural sector in a bid to transit from import-based to the desirable exportdriven economy.

“According to a World Bank projection, about 100 million young people will be joining the labour queue by 2035. This is an awful picture of a nation with lesser job opportunities; this implies that there will be no jobs outside agriculture to meet the employment needs of these people.

“Experts agree that the next gold pool of jobs will be in agriculture and services sector of the economy,” she said.

Professor Obayan, who noted that the

global economic downturn occasioned by the fall in crude oil price is taking its toll on Nigeria, added that attaining success in the agricultural sector would reduce food importation that fuels domestic inflation and depletes foreign reserves.

“As an importing nation that needs dollar reserves to support her import needs, Nigeria’s reserves keep depleting as world oil price declines. To stop bleeding the external reserves, the Central Bank of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to begin to process raw materials so as to get more value and earn more foreign exchange.

“Wisdom, therefore, demands that agricultural products should be used as input for our own home-made products so that we can export finished products,” she said.

Professor Obayan also said that the agricbased institution had not relented in championing crusade of awareness that agriculture is not just about farming but about entire value chain, which she added had been gaining grounds.

“It is capable of turning people, particularly the youths, into agricultural entrepreneurs,” she said.

Professor Obayan also said that the Land-

mark University had collaborated with other agricultural farms like Shonga Farms, Kwara State; Songhai Farms, Benin Republic, and Elpassso Farms in Pretoria, South-Africa with intention to boost food production and reduce poverty in the country.

She described the Chancellor of the university, Dr. David Oyedepo, as a visionary leader of a global repute whose obedience to the divine call and passion for the vision had brought remarkable transformation to the educational landscape and agricultural revolution in Africa.

“We are here today, celebrating a man with a selfless service to God and humanity; an illustrious son of Africa who through capacity initiatives and efforts has provided hope to many lives globally.

“We are appreciating God’s grace upon the life of His servant whose agenda to drive change and transformation in Africa and the world at large is unmistaken.

“We are celebrating a man of vision who demonstrated a prompt obedience to divine instruction and by this provides a better platform for the landscape of agriculture and education.”

education Delta govt hikes tuition fees in tertiary institutions 20

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Ogwashi Poly introduces N20,000 fees Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

B

EGINNING from this academic session, students of tertiary institutions in Delta State will pay more for tuition as the state government is set to implement the resolutions of the education summit held earlier in the year.

According to findings, the increase in school fees is necessitated by the harsh economic realities plaguing the country.

Institutions where a new school fees chart may have been worked out include the Delta State University, Abraka; the three polytechnics, the two colleges of education and College of Physical Education, among others.

Although the adjusted tuition fees have not been made official by the government, it was gathered that fees for course registration and other miscellaneous expenses have increased.

The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Jude Sinebe, when contacted on the development, said the state government had not issued a statement on the increase, “advising that people should be patient until the government’s position is made known.”

Speaking to the Tribune Education, the chairman, governing council of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku, Dr. Festus Okumbor, said the management of the polytechnic has decided to introduced a N20,000-per-annum tuition fees.

According to him, “hitherto the school operated a

tuition-free for all non-indigenes and indigenes, and that cannot continue any more in line with the economic realities.”

Dr. Okumbor disclosed that previously, fees paid by students were administrative cost, and that the authority had to lay bare all

A professor of Biochemistry at the University of Ilorin, Professor Musa Yakubu, has canvassed that the teaching of general aspects of traditional medicine be incorporated into the nation’s secondary school syllabus.

Delivering the 163rd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin, entitled ‘Knocking Down the Barriers to Four O’clock Activities and Reproductive Inadequacies’ in Ilorin at the weekend, Professor Yakubu advised the federal government to develop Nigeria’s traditional medical systems that should be tagged ‘Naija Traditional Medicine’.

try were reviewed before arriving at the token fees of N20,000 per year.

The chairman explained that as a way of subsidy, it

costs the state government about N600,000 to train a student, considering its financial obligations to lecturers, workers and infrastructure.

He said every tertiary institution is free to introduce its tuition fees or how to generate fund.

NMC to improve quality of teaching, learning of Mathematics Clement Idoko - Abuja

From left, Registrar, Barr. ‘Toyin Obatosin; Provost, Dr. Abiodun Oladunjoye; Deputy Provost, Dr. Olusegun Ogunyanwo and Dean School of Health Information Management, Mr. Gbenga Owodunni at the media conference on the 40th anniversary of the Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

OSCOHTECH celebrates 40th anniversary Provost lists achievements, challenges Laolu Harolds OGUN State College of Health Technology, IleseIjebu, Ogun State, will soon begin awarding degrees in Medical Laboratory Science, Environmental Health and Health Information Management, in affiliation with the Kwara State University, Malete.

This was part of the achievements reeled out last week Wednesday by the provost of the college, Dr Abiodun Oladunjoye, while unveiling plans for the 40th anniversary celebration of

the institution.

He said plans were at an advanced stage on this, and that the college was only waiting for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be approved by the Ministry of Education.

OSCOHTECH was established in 1976 as a school under a department in the Ministry of Health, and operated temporarily from Itamogiri in Ijebu East Local Government. It moved to its permanent site at Ilese in 1982.

The school was upgraded to a college with polytechnic

Don wants traditional medicine in secondary school syllabus Biola Azeez - Ilorin

financial commitment of the school before the students’ leaders.

He said tuition fees of other institutions in the coun-

Yakubu urged Nigeria to realise the health benefits and economic advantages of herbal medicines, and set up guidelines and policies on the use of medicinal plants.

He also said that government should create a conducive environment for traditional medicine by supporting its research with grants that would involve industry linkages, adding that it should integrate such into the nation’s health care delivery system as it is done in India.

“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies should step up their regulatory mecha-

nisms to make Nigerian herbal products meet good manufacturing practices and global standards,” he said.

Professor Yakubu also advocated the management and conservation of indigenous plants as well as commercialisation and exportation of herbal remedies.

He challenged Nigerian universities to establish laboratories and research centres to identify bioactive contents of various medicinal plants in the country, saying that the establishment of the facilities is necessary to know the pharmacological properties and side effects of medicinal plants in the country.

status in 1976, while the law establishing it was amended in 2010 to facilitate its transfer to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

According to Oladunjoye, the college that started off with 41 students and two programmes now runs 11 programmes duly accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and various other professional boards and councils.

Graduates from the college, he said, are now mobilized for the National Youth Service from four departments – a feat he described as the first in any College of Health Technology in Nigeria.

He also disclosed that the Pharmacy programme of the college has been accredited by the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).

Oladunjoye listed other achievements of the college to include various educational and academic collaborations with KWASU and the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State as well as regular payment of staff salaries and allowances.

Tribune Education recalls that the provost recently told the House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology who paid a working visit to the college that OSCOHTECH was able to generate N135 million between January and July, 2016.

When asked how his management was able to achieve this IGR feat, Oladunjoye attributed it to prudent management of financial resources.

He also credited part of the feat to the computerization of the college’s accounting system. But above all, he said the college had never borrowed any kobo from any bank for its operations.

But he spoke of the challenges of the college too, top of which is paucity of funds; unexpected and unilateral increase in indexing fees of some courses by some professional bodies as well as limited carrying capacity of students indexed by the professional bodies/councils.

While thanking the alumni of the institution and the state government for their support, Oladunjooye appealed for more financial assistance from the alumni and other well meaning individuals.

The 40th anniversary programme, according to him, will kick off with a Jumat Service on November 11; and a Christian service on November 13, 2016.

A novelty match is scheduled for Monday November 14, to be followed by a community health screening on November 15; while an anniversary lecture/cocktail will hold on Wednesday November 16.

The programme will culminate in a convocation/ Award Night on Thursday November 17.

THE director and chief executive of the National Mathematical Centre, Professor Stephen Onah, has said that the centre is committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning of mathematics, mathematics education and the mathematical sciences at all levels of the education system.

Onah stated this in an address at the closing ceremony of a One Week Workshop for Mathematical Science Lecturers on Computer Statistical Packages for Research Analysis in Abuja.

He said that the centre has through workshops and conferences established that the two sources of problem of the teaching and learning of the subject are the teacher and student.

The NMC chief executive was not happy that at all levels of the education system, the quality of teaching and learning of mathematics and the mathematical sciences is low.

To address this, Professor Onah noted that the NMC has developed appropriate strategies which include incentive scheme for pupils, students, teachers and schools; production of teaching modules for primary and secondary school mathematics teachers and production of mathematics workbook for primary and secondary school teachers.

The acting co-coordinator of Mathematical Science Education Programme of the centre, Dr. Bernard Azuka, stressed that the objective of the workshop is to, among others, make the participants proficient in the use of computer packages for research analysis and update their knowledge on relevant computer statistical packages for research analysis.

21

education

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

We’re determined to eliminate quackery in teaching profession —TRCN registrar

The crusade to make teaching a well regulated profession in Nigeria has received greater fillip since Professor Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye assumed office as the registrar of the Teachers Registration Council (TRCN) in August 2016. In this interview with LAOLU HAROLDS, he speaks on some of the progress so far achieved as well as plans and activities of the council.

T

o date, how many teachers have registered with the Teachers Registration Council?

As at today about 1.5 million teachers have so far registered with the Council. However, the number with licence is rather low. Let me advise our people: that to be licensed as a teacher is a thing of dignity. That means you can practice in any part of the world.

In terms of legislation, is there a constitutional framework to compel anyone involved in teaching to belong to the TRCN? And what is the sanction for practicing without membership?

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria was established by Act 31 of 1993, not TRCN Act Cap T3 of 2004, with the mandate to: determine who teachers are, for the purpose of the Act, determine what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as teachers under the Act, and raising the standards from time to time as circumstances may permit.

The Council also has power of enforcement through the Teachers Investigation Panels and Teachers Tribunals to enforce compliance. However, we are still at the level of persuasion, we are gradually moving to enforcement soon.

we are currently developing the test items. The trial roll-out should come up in the first quarter of 2017.

Recently, there was a pronouncement that soon, everyone teaching (at all levels) without a practising licence will be stopped. How feasible is this, especially considering the tertiary level and the endless mushrooming of private schools?

Both the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah have completely subscribed to that position. According to the minister, ‘Nobody that is not qualified, registered and licensed by TRCN will be allowed in Nigerian classrooms’. The era of quackery in teaching in Nigeria is over. Nigeria has successfully dealt with quackery in food and drugs; the same war will be waged on quackery in the teaching profession.

Ajiboye ally a qualifying examination beyond the university degree. What is the plan of TRCN in this regard?

TRCN is in the process of deploying the Professional Qualifying Examinations. The modules have been developed and

The Council also has power of enforcement through the Teachers Investigation Panels and Teachers Tribunals to enforce compliance.

However, we are still at the level of persuasion, we are gradually moving to enforcement soon.

In Law and accounting professions, there is usu-

Talking about making teaching a profession, what are you doing about regulating the remuneration for teachers? And how do you plan to enforce this?

Teachers’ remuneration is of utmost concern to the Council; but one thing is very clear is that teachers receive similar and comparable pay with their colleagues in the other segments of the civil service. In fact, some take better pay in some states. So, teachers should stop looking down on themselves. Their counterparts in the civil service receive the same pay with them. In fact, in so many states of the federation now, teachers are appointed as Permanent Secretaries!

What kind of professional relationship are you planning to forge with the various teachers training institutions (including the colleges of education and the education faculties in universities)?

Part of the mandate of TRCN is to monitor the quality of teacher education and teacher preparation. We are trying to forge partnership with the National Universities Commission and the National Commission for Colleges of Education to ensure that TRCN forms part of the accreditation processes in the Faculties /Institutes of Education and Colleges of Education respectively. I am sure very soon, there will be an agreement on this.

Ibadan Poly NASU organises seminar, honours rector with award

By Modupe George The Rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor BabatundeFawole has urged the executives and members of the Non- Academic Staff Union (NASU), The Polytechnic, Ibadan, branch to be studentsfriendly always and portray the institution positively to the outside world in their dealings with them.

He stated this in his opening address during the first orientation seminar and award programme,organised by the Non-Academic Staff Union of the institution tagged: ‘An Injury to One is an Injury to All’, held at the conference centre of the institution.

Professor Fawole noted that NASU is a very formidable union that cut across polytechnic, universities, research institutes and allied institutions, contributing to the academic and research programmes through their unquantifiable support to the teaching and non-teaching activities of the various institutions where they work.

According to him dialogue is a potent weapon the union should employ

in requesting for their right or entitlements, saying ‘the idea of employing students’ tactics such as closing of entrances into the institution should be dropped permanently, whenever there are reasons to make demands, which the union believe the management for one reason or the other fail to respond to early enough.”

While delivering the seminar lecture entitled: “After Office, What Next?,” the guest speaker, Mr C.OAkinnayajo, stated that retirement is a period of life, which every worker, should look forward to with joy and great expectation.

Akinnayajo said adequate and long term preparation needed to be made for retirement through hard work, prudent planning, realistic goal-setting, partnership with God, effective prayers and faith, among others, for it to be a time of joy, rest and happiness.

He advised NASU members toplan their families so as to be able to provide adequately for them after retirement, live and maintain a disciplined lifestyle

old age, as well as break bad habits such as drinking of alcohol, smoking, uncontrolled sexual activities, among others to avoid their associated diseases.

While speaking on the rationale behind the programme, the Branch Chairman, NASU, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Comrade IbraheemAdekunleAkande, noted that seminar was put together to address the ‘after retirement chal-

lenges’ faced by some of the union members in the institution and as part of the activities earmarked to celebrate his first years in office.

“We observed that our peopleusually have issues when they are retiring, all because they didn’t plan for the future. Some evenhave high blood pressure and we don’t such things to happen in our midst again. This is why we us-

ing this medium to prepare them that is not when the management sent them retirement letters that they should start preparing for the future, rather they should be proactive in their plans,” he stated.

According to him, “the creation of workers-friendly atmosphere in the institution by the management, under the leadership of Professor, Olatunde O. Fawole cannot be over-

emphasised, hence the reason for bestowing on him a honourary award in recognition of his openness, humility and hard work in this institution.”

The State Chairman, NASU, ComradeOlusola Fatoki, congratulated Professor Fawole for the award and lauded him for his exemplary leadership and selfless service to the polytechnic community and the union.

PLASU holds first convocation in December Isaac Shobayo - Jos The Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, Professor Doknan Sheni, has implored 900 graduands of the institution going for the National Youth Service (NYSC) to be good ambassadors of the university.

He gave the advice while addressing the prospective Youths Corp Members during a briefing and sensitization forum organised by the Directorate of Students Affairs of the university in conjunction with the State NYSC Secretariat.

He also disclosed that

the first convocation of the university would be held in December 2016.

Tribune Education recalls that the university, which was established over 10 years ago, has not been able to graduate any student as a result of closure occasioned by clashes of interests by the former Governor Joshua Dariye administration that established the university and its predecessor, Senator Jonah Jang, who closed the institution for three years.

The convocation, which will be the first since the establishment of the uni-

versity, will come up on December 12th this year.

“In fact, the event of today is yet another milestone in the history of this university, seeing that our graduands are heading to serve the nation as corps members. This event is historic and the happiest day of my life. After 10 years of waiting, PLASU is now mobilizing its first and second set of graduates for national service,” he said.

He said that the first accreditation of the programmers of the university attested to the fact that the university has come of

age and would continue to move forward. He charged the graduands to kickstart the process of forming an Alumni Association, promising to provide an office for them to operate from and to work toward the growth and development or the university.

Also speaking, Mrs Christiana Salwang, representative of the state NYSC secretariat, enjoyed the graduates to strictly adhere to the tenets of the national service by being disciplined and committed toward contributing to the growth and development of the nation.

22

education

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

TSA killing tertiary education, SSANIP tells FG Isaac Shobayo - Jos

S

ENIOR Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has called on the federal government to exempt tertiary institutions from the Single Treasury Account (TSA), saying it is not favorable to tertiary education in the country.

The observation was contained in a communique issued and signed by its National President, Reverend Sunday Sabo; and National Secretary, Chief Fred Jegede, after the 50th General Council meeting and executive council meeting of the association, held at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos.

The meeting observed that the implementation of the TSA should be reviewed because its implementation is starving the tertiary educational institutions of needed funds.

The association noted further that the TSA implementation is also slowing down the day-to-day running of the polytechnic and other levels of tertiary education.

“We therefore suggest that

the tertiary education be exempted from the implementation of the policy.

“For instance, in the provision of basic social amenities in the school, the students will not have the patience to wait for the process created

by TSA. Students will not want to wait for government if they are to read for exams and there is no electricrity or water to cook in the hostel.

“If a lecturer drops dead,

the school has to wait for a year to recruit another lecturer; this will delay a lot of things,” it reads.

It also made a case for the payment of arrears of CONTISS 15, appointment of rectors for some federal polytechnic (TETFund), constitution of visitation panel for state-owned tertiary institutions, and so on.

The union also raised its voice against the planned

sale of some national assets to cushion the economic recession, saying, “Councilin-Session condemns in its entirety the planned sale of strategic national assets by the federal government in an attempt to get out of the present economic recession.

“This plan is viewed as an attempt to further impoverish the already downtrodden masses,” it noted

Fatima College alumni donate Chemistry laboratory to alma mater Rukayat Odewale FATIMA College, Ikire, Osun State’s Old Boys Association, Ibadan chapter at the weekend, donated a chemistry laboratory to the school to mark its 60th anniversary.

The president of the Ibadan chapter of the association, Henry Otoibhi, promised on behalf of the group to contribute towards the growth and development of the school.

While speaking at the event, Otoibhi appealed to the Osun State government to consider returning the college to its founding owners.

Among those present at the event was a representative of the college’s 1950 set, Rev. Monsignor Ajibola; Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Environment, Mr. Waid Gbadamosi, represented the 1960 set; Mr. A. Okesola 1970; Dr. Patrick Oyeniyi, 1980; and Engineer Akinyele, 1990 respectively.

The high point of the even was the award session, where three students of the school were recognized for their outstanding performances in the just-concluded West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The students thanked the alumni association, while also promising to keep the flag of the college flying.

The Principal, Mr. Obasa Olasunkanmi, also a former student of the school, appreciated the Old Boys Association, using the forum to also appeal for more textbooks for the school.

President, Fatima College, Ikire, Old Boys Association, Ibadan chapter, Henry Otoibhi (middle) while handing over the chemistry donated by the association to the Principal, Mr. Obasa Olasunkanmi (right) at the weekend.

LAUTECH alumni condemn attack on bursar, Osun indigenous staff Oluwole Ige, Osogbo The National President of the Alumni Association of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Babajide Bewaji, has con-

demned the recent reported attack on the bursar of the institution and some staff of the university who are Osun indigenes.

He described the attack as unnecessary and counter-productive.

In a press statement, a copy of which was made available to Tribune Educaction, Bewaji reaffirmed that in the face of law, “our alma mater is a venture of both Oyo and Osun states. The Supreme

National Library of Nigeria seeks collaboration with FUTA, Minna Adelowo Oladipo - Minna The National Librarian/ Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria, Professor Lanre Aina, has solicited for collaboration with the Federal University of Technology, Minna in the areas of education, publishing standards and continuous professional development training programmes for staff of the university library.

Professor Aina said the collaboration was necessitated by the university’s research antecedents and commitment to academic excellence, adding that it would assist the university’s researchers on the global best practices in publishing standards and in the development of the university library.

He described the National Library of Nigeria as the

steward of Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural heritage, and urged universities, publishers and authors to adhere to the existing law on deposition of specified copies of their publications with the library.

Professor Aina, however, frowned at the non-adherence of some universities, publishers and authors to publishing standards by not obtaining the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) from the apex library.

“It is expected that all publications carry the ISBN, in the case of books, and ISSN in the case of serials,” he said.

In his response, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Musbau Adewumi Akanji, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancel-

lor (Academics), Professor Oluwole Morenikeji, congratulated the National Librarian on his well-deserved appointment, saying that the impact of the National Library would now be felt based on the antecedents of the new helmsman.

Professor Akanji said the University Library is at the centre of all research activities in the university, based on massive investment in books procurement and with a vibrant department of Library and Information Technology.

The vice chancellor said the university would always ensure that all books produced by staff meet global standards, and urged the National Librarian to beam his searchlight on the activities of roadside printers and the use of fake ISBN.

Court judgement of March 22, 2012 pronounced that under section 2 and 7 of LAUTECH Law, no government can unilaterally own the university without mutual engagement between the two parties.”

He noted that given the fact that indigenes of both states have been cohabiting harmoniously for more than two decades, Bewaji said that it was disheartening to discover that the controversy over the ownership could degenerate to physical attack on members of staff.

Bewaji further condemned the attack by what he termed a faceless group within Ogbomoso, describing it as an attempt to sow the seed of discord that would not augur well for the peaceful resolution of the crisis in the institution.

“I sympathise with the host community for the effect this strike action is already having on the economy of Ogbomoso, as LAUTECH is a critical economic catalyst with over 50,000 population. Let us all eschew bitterness or any form of face off because LAUTECH project is a collective responsibility we must all build as there is strength in synergy,” he said.

UI don proffers solutions to challenges of agric extension services A Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development in the University of Ibadan, Professor Ademola Ladele, has proffered solutions to the challenges of Agricultural Extension Services in Nigeria.

In an Inaugural Lecture which he delivered, entitled ‘Extension Everywhere, Extending Nowhere: The Cacophony of Agricultural Extension in Nigeria’ at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan, Professor Ladele noted that agricultural extension grew out of the need to solve problems for those who had non-formal education.

These farmers, he noted, would be involved in an ongoing process of sharing useful information that will assist in acquiring the necessary capability to utilise this information and technologies effectively.

He listed the major challenges that mar the effectiveness of agricultural extension in Nigeria to include unsuitable farmers’ production environment and value chain; weak judgment and faulty agricultural policy implementation, as well as poor funding of agriculture.

NISU members tasked on excellence, character building

By Kehinde Adio THE immediate past executive secretary of the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Professor Rashidi Aderinoye, has charged members of the National Ifetedo Students’ Union (NISU) to pursue their academic programmes rigorously alongside character building.

Professor Aderinoye gave the charge recently at the presentation of an educational award of excellence conferred on him by the union, to mark the grand finale of Olubosin Secondary School’s competition organized for secondary schools in Ifetedo, Osun State.

He noted that though the pursuit of academic excellence is essential in the skill development process of a child, character building will make a child to assume an ambassador status in the society.

23

Thursday, 6 October, 2016 Editor:

health

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

Childbirth:The changes women require in Nigeria Women have complex needs during childbirth. But experts, in this report by SADE OGUNTOLA, say that the quality of health care services in Nigeria continues to fail pregnant women and highlight aspects of childbirth in Nigeria that need to change.

P

REGNANCY and childbirth can be the most simple, straightforward process ever. But one of the most overwhelming misfortunes that have endured throughout history is the death of women during pregnancy and labour. And sadly for many Nigerian women, childbirth often results in the death of mother or baby or both, bringing with it a huge burden of grief, pain and heartbreak.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) report on ‘Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2013’ classifies Nigeria as one of the 10 countries of the world that contribute about 60 per cent of the world’s maternal mortality burden.

But many of these deaths are preventable if aspects of how women give birth in Nigeria are changed. The outcome of a qualitative study by the WHO’s Better Outcome for Labour Difficulty (BOLD) project indicated many challenges to improving the quality of maternity care in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings of the study was recently deseminated in Abuja.

Labour wards inadequacy According to Dr Bukola Fawole, Country Coordinator, BOLD project, “The constraints within the hospitals, particularly the more recently constructed ones, includes space constraints in the labour ward. It is not every woman who comes during labour, particularly those who come in early who are admitted immediately.

Some are asked to go back and return later.

“Initially, some of these women come in when the babies are alive. But by the time, they return because they have not been effectively monitored, some of them have lost their babies. If they had been admitted, examined and their labour monitored, possible problems would have been identified and appropriate interventions instituted,”he said.

Bleeding, leading killer of pregnant women Although bleeding and disorders arising from hypertension in pregnancy remain the leading causes of death in pregnant women, “once we identify it and we implement appropriate interventions early, we are able to prevent such maternal deaths,” he said.

Dr Fawole, who identified finances, women empowerment and social issues as constraints to women’s access to health care in

labour, declared as alarming, the high rate of death in babies in the womb and newborns, the study also found.

Some of the stillbirths actually happen at the time of admission for delivery. And a lot of factors contribute to it, including health system factor, the provider factor and so on.

Women’s expectations in labour

The women said many doctors and midwives did not communicate in the language that they understood how their labour was progressing.

SEX, SEXUALITY&YOUR HEALTH

The BOLD project found that many women who had given birth in a Nigerian hospital had one or two horror stories to tell about the poor state of facilities in labour ward, rude health workers, or mothers having to share beds. These were also not supportive of ensuring safe mothers, safe babies, a medical officer at the Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Professor Femi Oladapo, said.

He declared: “They expressed the need for a supportive and respectful care, including empathy and emotional support from providers.

“The women said many doctors and midwives did not communicate in a language that they understood how their labour was progressing and why interventions were given, making them passive participants in the labour process.”

Although health providers could do more to make labour more comfortable for women, Professor Oladapo stated, health workers’ expectation from the women were

NATURAL HEALTH

Sexual problems in woman (II) Page 26

Fluted pumpkin leaf juice for flawless skin Page 26

many.

Many women, health providers’ claim, do not follow the instructions they are given to ensure safe mothers and babies.

Professor Oladapo added that the use of pathogram, a tool developed to monitor labour in remote locations over 40 years ago, was difficult to use since doctors or midwives might be seeing many patients at once despite its many flaws.

Innovation is key However, Professor Joao Paulo Souza, also a medical officer at the Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, stated that care around the time of birth is most critical to mothers and newborn babies’ survival and, as such, the BOLD project had developed an electronic tool that could serve as an alternative to pathogram.

The tool, called Simplified Effective Labour Monitoring -Action (SELMA) tool, was developed based on data collected from 10,000 women during labour and childbirth from nine hospitals in Nigeria and Uganda.

This digital labour assistant was designed to simplify labour monitoring and support clinical decision of healthcare providers, including non specialists, during labour to ensure safer births.

Although SELMA still needed to be further tested, he declared, “we anticipate that with this tool, we will totally transform the way labour is currently being managed in our facilities.”

According to him, “the tool provides suggestions for the management of labour, something that the pathogram does not do. And more importantly, it was developed with data from Nigeria, so it is much more applicable to women in this part of the world.”

Making healthcare a priority However, Director, Division of Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Kayode Afolabi, noting that pregnant women and children constitute a vulnerable group, said some progress was being achieved in reducing deaths in women.

“Our current maternal mortality rate is commendable, it is also a challenge that we need to work a lot harder; we need to be smarter and collaborate more with every stakeholder. We need to deploy evidence to boost our practice and that is the major reason Nigeria is partnering in the project.”

Dr Afolabi declared that Nigeria was also considering increased private sector involvement in family planning services, saying that it would ensure women have a choice on when they have children and the number of children that will not adversely affect their health.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Health would take advantage of IT and its advancements, adding: “Certainly, the BOLD project will be one of such studies that could positively impact policy in Nigeria, particularly with reference to management of childbirth.”

24

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

you-and-eye@gmail.com

Of all persons alive today, not one is like you It was the fastest, most pleasant and most friendly clearance I ever had, passing through any immigration desk in the world. As the officer took my electronic passport from me, she said, “Please go through the corridor on your right.” I complied and immediately, a screen appeared in front of me.

It read, “Welcome; Ekabo. Se dada lee de!” I was stupefied. “Ekabo,” is the Yoruba translation of “Welcome,” and “Se dada lee de” means, “I hope you had a pleasant trip.”

Before I could regain my composure, a smiling robot appeared in front of me and handed my passport back to me. “Gba iwe inrin ajo re,” (please have your passport), it said in Yoruba.

I took back my passport and followed instructions to an electronic information board near the baggage collection point.

As I stood in front of the electronic board again, without any prompting, as if it read my mind, the following statement appeared on the screen, “Dr. Ben, you are once again welcome to our great country. In this airport and in many of the facilities in our cities, we use the most modern electronic identification system, called Total Identification System.

“Embedded in your e-passport is a chip which has stored in it, some information about you. This information is now being used to identify you. I hope your questions are answered.”

“Not quite,” I muttered to myself.

There are about 7 billion people alive in the world today, millions must have lived before me, how anyone would pick me out from this complex crowd, identify me by name and even my native language was really shocking! Am I dreaming?”

The billboard was not done with me as it flashed another page for me to read, “Dr. Ben, you are unique and wonderfully made. Of all persons alive today and even those who have lived before you since the beginning of

There are about 7 billion people alive in the world today, millions must have lived before me.

your mental

time, not one is like you. Your voice is special; no other fingerprints are like yours; no-one looks like you; speaks exactly like you; laughs like you; walks like you with your exact weight, height and mannerism. We use all these facts in our data base to identify you. Do please feel free to enjoy our country.”

I couldn’t move. My legs were stuck to the ground. Finger print identification, I knew had been in use for ages especially for those who couldn’t read or write. We had inked stamp pads for this purpose but it could be messy. Iris identification on the other hand can be done unobtrusively without the person being aware of it. As you stand in front of a sensitive camera, the photograph of your iris is captured and just like the fingerprints, passed through software which compares it with billions in the data base and matches it with yours. I have had this done at several Embassies when applying for visa.

What about voice recognition? I have paid very little attention to this but wait a minute! It is on my cheap handset. I have never used it because I was afraid. Would the system recognise my voice if I had a cold and my voice were altered? I wasn’t sure. I could easily lock myself out of my phone! I was, therefore, too timid to try it. So I de-

health you &

cided to play safe by not activating it.

When I eventually found my bearing, I set out for the train to get to my hotel. True to the billboard, the systems were in use in the hotel. I received a personalised welcome at the reception desk. I was told I didn’t need any keys to enter my room. Would I be safe? I could see the number of my room as I approached it. There was no door knob. The surface of the door lit up as I stood in front of it, and in Yoruba appeared the message, “Ekabo o. Enjoy your stay,” and instantly swung open for me to enter. On the back surface of the door were instructions as to how to open and lock the door with my voice or my eyes.

The Total Identification System seemed to be heavily dependent on the iris recognition system. As an ophthalmologist, this poses some questions.

What happens after surgery, some of which may modify the colour or structure of the iris? What happens in some diseases of the eye which may severely affect the iris? I believe the computer programmer is up to the task.

This is a repeat article and pure fiction. It was first published several years ago. The technology is, however, real and I believe, are all are in use to make life more pleasant for us.

With: Jibril Abdulmalik (Consultant Psychiatrist) jabdulmalik@gmail.com

What are emotions and why do we feel them?

Why do we feel angry when people do things that we dislike? Why are we afraid to walk alone at night in areas where there are no other human beings nearby? Why do we feel happy when things that we like and enjoy occur? Can we change or control our emotions? Do our emotions have anything to do with our mental health? These and other related issues are the focus of our discussions today.

Human emotions are very strong and powerful social signals which help us to react to our external environment. They play an important role in the way we think and behave; and help us to communicate voluntarily or involuntarily with others. This is because, at our core, we are social animals.

Emotions are universal to each and every human being, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location. These emotions have evolved over time and are evidently ingrained into our genes.

For example, the facial expressions of someone who has been blind from birth, are no different from others when expressing basic emotions such as fear or anger.

Thus, the face and other parts of our body can accurately convey our emotions in such a manner that others can interpret how we are feeling.

This is very useful in terms of inter-personal relationships (non-verbal communi-

cation cues) and learning when to change direction or to make amends when it appears the other person is angry, disinterested or surprised by what you have to say.

There are three components of emotions: a). How we experience them b). How our body reacts to the emotion and c). How we behave when we experience the emotion.

What are the basic emotions?

Several theories exist about which emotions are primary or fundamental, and which others are secondary emotions. However, the majority seem to agree on six primary emotions: • Fear • Anger • Surprise • Happiness • Sadness • Disgust Fear: This is an instinctive reaction to an unmet need or worries about our safety.

For example, walking alone at night with the fear of being attacked by robbers. The body’s reaction is universally the same, with widening of the pupils of the eyes, muscles becoming tense and ready to help us escape the danger or fight it (flight-fight response) and the heart beating faster to supply our muscles with glucose and oxygen.

Anger: This is an intense and unpleasant

reaction to actions which makes us very upset. For example, we may feel humiliated, insulted, or disrespected which then leads to our experience of the emotion of anger.

It is an emotion that gives us energy which can be utilized positively (constructively) or negatively (destructively) Surprise: This is a familiar emotion that we experience when something unexpectedly happens to us, and we are caught unawares. Surprises may be pleasant or unpleasant depending on the nature of the unexpected event and it’s impact on us.

Happiness: This is another familiar emotion where we are satisfied with events or ongoing experiences which makes us to feel content and fulfilled. It is especially experienced when our desires/needs are met.

Examples include being promoted at work, doing very well in an examination, winning a competition e.t.c.

However, happiness is not always associated with having financial resources, as one may live in a good house, have food, wealth and be surrounded by family but may still have unmet emotional needs such as a need to be accepted by his/her peers in school Sadness: This is a feeling of misery which drains us of energy as well as motivation. It may occur because we feel lonely, discouraged, unappreciated, unloved or as a result of some loss.

Disgust: This is a strong feeling of revulsion which we experience when we encounter something that completely irritates us and makes us feel like throwing up.

What are the functions of emotions?

Emotions serve us in the same way our eyes, ears and other sensory organs help us to interact with our environment, by providing us with information. Some of the functions of emotions include: a). Information: The emotion of fear provides information about danger, such as when you see a snake on the road, and this makes you immediately to jump and then start running – even before your brain processes the information. b). Motivation: Negative emotions that makes one uncomfortable may motivate one to actively avoid such situations. A good example will be studying hard for an examination because you don’t want to fail. c). Interpersonal relations: It allows us to understand people and for them to understand us too. For example, seeing someone crying shows us they are unhappy and we may go over to console them.

Next week, we will discuss how our emotions affect our mental health as well as how to recognize and control our emotions.

healthnews 47 per cent of health experts commit medication errors –Expert

25

By Sade Oguntola

A

n associate Professor of Pharmacology, Dr Ibrahim Oreagba, has decried the high prevalence of medication errors

by Nigerian health professionals, indicating that 47 per cent self reported committing mistakes in prescribing, dispensing and administering medications.

Oreagba, a lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, spoke at the opening of the 2016

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

pharmacy week of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, with the theme “Advancing Pharmacy Practice through Clinical Orientation in Work-place.”

The don, who remarked that medication errors could lead to adverse drug reactions, stated that many of the medications errors are potentially harmful.

The pharmacist, who quoted the national survey on medication errors among health professionals also indicating knowledge gaps and practice

deficiencies among health workers, stated that the onus lay with pharmacists to educate the public on appropriate use of medicines.

Oreagba identified drug misuse and adverse drug reactions as public health challenges, saying that in a study far back in 2011, medication use-related problems were identified from 58.6 per cent of patients among medical outpatients in a tertiary care setting in south-western Nigeria.

He declared that the

chances of a medication use-related problem appeared strongly related to the number of medicines prescribed, adding that even self medication of commonly used medications can cause adverse drug reaction.

Oreagba declared: “Medicines are a very complex technology, not only complex in a pharmacological way, but also in application. In the USA, approximately three to five per cent of all hospital admissions are caused by a drugrelated problem.

From left, permanent secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr Yemisi Iyiola; Dr Ibrahim Oreagba; Dr Kayode Olunuga and Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan at the event, recently in Ibadan.

‘Uncontrolled blood pressure damages brain’

By Sade Oguntola FOLLOWING increasing cases of hypertension in Nigerians, an expert, Professor Adesola Ogunniyi, has urged that Nigerians should regularly take their blood pressure medicine, saying uncontrolled hypertension can predispose them to brain diseases, including dementia.

Ogunniyi, a consultant neurologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, spoke at the 3rd regional conference of Alzheimer’s Diseases International African in Ibadan.

The Professor of Medicine, who stated that Nigerians, especially elderly people should ensure they control their blood pressure, declared that hypertension might expose individuals to various brain diseases and dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, causes progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and coordination, and an inexorable decline in the ability to perform daily tasks. The exact cause of the condition is not known and there is no cure, but some therapies may help ease symptoms.

Ogunniyi said that studies in Nigeria that look at people above 65 years and above found that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is increasing, adding that the brain condition should not be overlooked as people get older.

The expert declared that studies had shown that increasing age was a major reason people develop the irreversible, progressive brain disease, adding that more women also get affected than men.

Ogunniyi, who remarked that unhealthy diet and lack of exercise can predispose to it, stated that studies have shown that obesity as people get older increases a person’s chance of coming down with dementia.

The neurologist, however, asked elderly people to be physically active and ensure they engage in activities that keep stimulating their brain.

He, however, cautioned Nigerians against self medication as they get older, saying that certain drugs as part of their side effects lower brain function.

President Alzheimer’s Disease Association Nigeria, Mr Valentine Uche Agu, stated that diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in developed countries was easier than in Africa.

Agu, who stated that myths on Alzheimer’s disease in Africa had affected its diagnosis and treatment, declared that the association was already working on creating awareness on the disease, especially at the grassroots so that people can seek help.

He also solicited for increased funding for research into drug development and related therapies for Alzheimer’s disease in Africa, adding that certain treatment modalities in Africa can be explored for development of dementia therapy.

“Over 218,000 people have supposedly died due to drug-related problems in the USA in a year. The costs of these drug misadventures were estimated to be 170 billion US dollars.”

The expert, therefore, reminded pharmacists that the scope of pharmacy practice included more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications.

According to him, “it also includes more modern services related to health care, including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information.”

“Advancing pharmacy practice is crucial in ensuring cost-effective therapies which ultimately improve or maintain patient quality of life.

“Pharmacists from all technical groups must play the leadership role in the much needed transformation of pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria. They must join hands with other members of the health team with the sole purpose of optimizing patient care.”

Oyo State Commissioner of health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan remarked that pharmacists are indispensable role in the medical team and assured of Oyo State government’s resolve on stemming fake drugs and drug fakers.

The commissioner, however, asked that pharmacists practicing in the state also regulate themselves, saying government would not allow people not certified opening pharmacy shops.

Dwindling manpower in eye care, worrisome – Acting National Chairman, Nigeria Ophthalmic Nurses Association (NONA), Mr Stephen Lamiya, has decried the dwindling manpower in the eye care profession, saying Nigeria has less than 2000 ophthalmic nurses.

Lamiya, who spoke at the opening of NONA’s annual national scientific conference in Ibadan, stated that the number was grossly inadequate considering the nation’s population.

The association’s chairman, who called for the employment of more nurses both at the tertiary and secondary health institutions to fill the gap, argued that training in this subspecialty of nursing was also important.

He expressed the displeasure of the association on deployment of ophthal-

mic nurses to areas outside their field of speciality, asking “the authorities concerned to refrain from this ignoble act that can destroy the zeal of specialisation in nursing”.

Lamiya said the 2016 annual scientific conference was to build the capacity of its members to provide excellent eye health services, based on the experiences of members of the association in the course of their practice and the threat eye conditions in children poses to the country.

He announced that the association was also providing free eye care services and 200 pairs of reading glasses as part of its activities for the conference.

National president, Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives of Nigeria, (NANNM), Mr Abdrafiu Adeniji, noted the impor-

tance of ophthalmic nurses to the eye, urging them to also extend eye treatment services to nurses, too.

Adeniji, represented at the occasion by Mrs Rukayat Afonja, declared that they should also prioritise eye health in nurses, since they also have eye challenges and this could affect their practice.

Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, who spoke through the Director, Nursing Services, Mr Taiwo Ajiboye, stated that eyes were indicators of a person’s health, and keeping them in good shape was vital to wellness, especially in children.

Adeduntan, stating that early diagnosis and treatment were critical to maintaining the child’s health, urged that special attention should always be given to the screening and prevention of eye diseases.

PCN seals 216 pharmaceutical outlets in Lagos The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed up 216 drug outlets comprising 30 pharmacies and 186 patent medicine stores, for offences ranging from operating without registration, failure to renew premises licenses and dispensing ethical drugs without supervision of pharmacists.

The Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring, PCN, Anthonia Aruya, who disclosed this to pressmen, said 43 other outlets were issued compliance directives for poor sanitary conditions and poor documentation, among others.

Aruya said on the whole, 356 pharmaceutical outlets consisting of 222 patent medicine stores and 134 pharmacies during the exercise carried for a week by the PCN enforcement team in parts of Lagos not covered in the last exercise held in August.

Aruya declared that the PCN was determined to uphold the laws that regulate the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria, stressing that the Federal Government would not tolerate the indiscriminate sale of drugs without submission to regulatory control.

Furthermore, she urged the public to purchase their medicines from licensed pharmacies and simple household remedies from licensed patent and propriety medicines vendor shops.

Aruya also urged those intending to carry out pharmaceutical business to get in touch with the PCN head office or any of the state offices for proper guidance.

“Before a pharmaceutical premises commences operation, it must fulfil certain conditions in line with the PCN guidelines. First, the premises is expected to apply for location approval. This is because not every location is suitable for Pharmaceutical business. When the location is approved, the necessary structure would then be put in place for facility inspection.”

She said the facility inspection is carried out to ensure that the right storage environment in terms of temperature, relative humidity and proper hygiene is maintained to preserve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic integrity of the medicines.

“The inspection ensures that other conditions that will promote good pharmaceutical services delivery are in place. Also the premises are expected to have a pharmacist to supervise the dispensing of ethical products to members of the public.

26

Thursday, 6 October , 2016

Fluted pumpkin leaf juice for flawless skin

By Vera Onana

I

GBOS in South East Nigeria call it ugu and can barely live without it. But why should they when it has numerous health benefits?

Telfairia occidentalis, as it is scientifically called, is a tropical vine grown in West Africa as a leaf vegetable and for its edible seeds. Common names for the plant include fluted gourd, fluted pumpkin, and ugu and it is mainly cultivated in Nigeria.

Ugu is used primarily in soups and herbal medicines though its fruits are inedible, its seeds, produced by the gourd, are high in protein and fat, and can, therefore, contribute to a well-balanced diet.

However, recently, nutritionists have been hammering on the wonders of juicing and how it benefits the body. Thus, more health conscious people are tilting towards juicing now more than before with the claim that anything can be juiced and juices are easier absorbed into the body system than solid foods. So, “while most of us have been using our ugu leaves in varieties of soups, some people have been juicing it for direct maximum nourishments,” nutritionist Efemena Okeze says.

As the name suggests, pumpkin juice is an extract from fresh pumpkin leaves and has several health benefits. And as such, it can be used as a healthy substitute for carbonated drinks.

According to Grace Tinkola, an undergraduate at a South-West University, “I

grew up drinking ugu juice sweetened with malt drink because of my mother. Then, I thought mother was just singing its praises to get us to drink it. But now that I am grown, I keep thanking my mom for forcing my siblings and me to make it a habit. It is a very healthy way of life but now I take it without the malt drink.”

Fluted pumpkin leaves are rich in potassium, calcium, iron and some Folic acid.

They also contain a healthy amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Thiamin, Nia-

natural

health

cin, vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and are a very good source of dietary fibre, riboflavin, Copper and Manganese.

The anti-oxidants such as alpha-carotene and Beta– carotene contained in the leaves help to slow down ageing process and also help to eliminate free radicals which are responsible for growth of cancer.

The iron contained in the leaves helps to improve blood levels as well as prevent anaemia. This means that the leaves are good for people with heavy menstrual periods, pregnant women or people with poor absorption due to gut diseases such as, coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease. Those who eat poor or restricted diets, those with red blood cell problems such as thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia and those with bone marrow problems and leukaemia will benefit from it as well.

Vitamin C in the leaves helps to heal wounds, form scar tissue, and maintain healthy bones, skin, and teeth. It is rich in vitamin E, which promotes a healthier skin and in turn slows down the aging of the skin.

Carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body is present in the leaves and aside from the vision benefits in Vitamin A that

the leaves provide, there are also numerous skin benefits.

Taiwo Olayinka, a beautician and owner of pretty concepts studio, explains the importance of the vitamins C, E and betacarotene on the skin thus: “Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is important for the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives the skin its firmness and strength; helps to create scar tissue and ligaments; and aids in skin repair.

“Vitamin C is an antioxidant and slows the rate of free-radical damage to collagen that can contribute to dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin and can help prevent premature ageing of your skin and damage to your DNA.” The Journal of Investigative Dermatology reported in February 2005 that people who take vitamins C and E in the long term reduced their sunburns from exposure to UVB radiation. Further, researchers saw a reduction of factors linked to DNA damage within skin cells.

Beta-carotene according to nutritionists is a strongly coloured pigment that imparts the yellow and orange fruits and vegetables their rich hues. Once ingested, it gets converted into vitamin A (retinol) which performs several biological functions within the body. Vitamin A also acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from the damaging effects of harmful free radicals.

sex,sexuality

Sexual problems in women (II) The doctor will carry out a thorough evaluation of symptoms and if necessary a physical examination. He may perform a pelvic examination to evaluate the health of the reproductive organs and a Pap smear to detect changes in the cells of the cervix. This will be to check for cancer or a pre-cancerous condition. He or she may order other tests to rule out any medical problems that may be contributing to the problem.

An evaluation of your attitude towards sex, as well as other possible contributing factors such as fear, anxiety, past sexual trauma, abuse, relationship problems, alcohol or drug abuse, will help the doctor understand the underlying cause of the problem and make appropriate recommendations for treatment.

The ideal approach to treating sexual problems in women involves a team effort between the doctors, and trained therapists.

Most types of sexual problems can be corrected by treating the underlying physical or psychological problems. Other treatment strategies focus on the following: •Providing education. Education about human anatomy, sexual function, and the normal changes associated with ageing, as well as sexual behaviours and responses may help a woman overcome her anxieties about sexual function and performance.

•Enhancing stimulation. This may include the use of erotic materials; videos or books,

masturbation, and changes to sexual routines.

•Providing distraction techniques. Erotic or non-erotic fantasies, exercises with intercourse, music, videos, or television can be used to increase relaxation and eliminate anxiety.

•Encouraging non-coital behaviours. Noncoital behaviours; physically stimulating activity that does not include intercourse, such as sensual massage, can be used to promote comfort and increase communication between partners.

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

•Minimising pain. Using sexual positions that allow the woman to control the depth of penetration may help relieve some pain.

The use of vaginal lubricants can help reduce pain caused by friction, and a warm bath before intercourse can help increase relaxation.

Effect of hysterectomy on sexual function.

Many women experience changes in sexual function after a hysterectomy. These changes may include a loss of desire as well as decreased vaginal lubrication and genital sensation. These problems may be associ-

ated with the hormonal changes that occur with the loss of the womb. Furthermore, nerves and blood vessels critical to sexual function can be damaged during the surgery.

How menopause affect a woman’s sexual function •The loss of oestrogen following menopause can lead to changes in a woman’s sexual functioning. Emotional changes that often accompany menopause can add to a woman’s loss of interest in sex and/or ability to become aroused. Hormone replacement therapy -- HRT -- may improve certain conditions, such as loss of vaginal lubrication and genital sensation, which can create problems with sexual function.

•It should be noted that some postmenopausal women report an increase in sexual satisfaction. This may be due to decreased anxiety over getting pregnant. In addition, postmenopausal woman often have fewer child-rearing responsibilities, allowing them to relax and enjoy intimacy with their partners.

Many women experience a problem with sexual function from time to time. However, when the problems are persistent, they can cause distress for the women and her partner, and can have a negative impact on their relationship. If you consistently experience these problems, see your doctor for evaluation and treatment.

Courtesy-WebMD Medical Reference

27

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Shola Adekola

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

crucial moment

FAAN tasks global operators on Africa Stories by Shola Adekola

T

HE aviation sector is expected to inject about $5 billion out of the $3.10 trillion required by the National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan (NIMP) over a period of 30 years through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

This was stated by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma at the recent annual conference and exhibition of the Airport Council International (ACI) held in Montreal, Canada.

Speaking at the session on Public Private Partnership (PPP), Dunoma hinged his presentation with a quotation from President Muhammadu Buhari saying: “We also have a huge infrastructure deficit for which we require foreign capital and expertise to supplement whatever resources we can marshal at home. In essence we seek Public Private Partnership in our quest for enhanced capital and expertise.”

According to Dunoma, the appointment of Senator Hadi Sirika, himself an aviator as the Minister of State, Aviation has fast

tracked the provision of the legislative framework and corresponding incentives to attract foreign direct investment.

“We invite investors to join the PPP process for airport management and take advantage of the great and vast opportunities, “Feets”

and Offerings in our airports”, he concluded.

The Managing Director was accompanied by Captain Henry Omeogu, Director of Airport Operations and Kabiru Mohammed, Chief of Staff to the Managing Director.

Meantime, the FAAN MD

Kingsley Nwokoma, President, Association of Foreign Airlines Representative of Nigeria (AFAR) (2nd left) speaking at the Panel Session on Aviation Transaction Integrity Summit, organised by Aviation Monitor Limited in Lagos. Listening from the left is Anastasia Gbem, Director, Legal Services, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Segun Adegoke, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Nigeria Immigration Service and Dr Harold Demuren, a former Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

British Airways may cancel free meals in 2017 THE British flag carrier, British Airways may have concluded plans to cancel free meals for short-haul economy fares from next year as passengers may now have to pay for Marks and Spencer sandwiches.

According to an online report, from January 2017, BA will charge £4.75 ($6.2, 5.5 euros) for a tomato and mozzarella focaccia, £1 for hand cooked crisps and a minimum of £4 for alcoholic drinks. No food item

Buhari commends Nigerian born ICAO President

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appreciated the Nigerian-born President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu on his hard work and being a good ambassador of Nigeria.

The message of the president was conveyed by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika when he led Nigeria delegates to Dr. Aliu’s office in Montreal, Canada.

Speaking on behalf of the president, Sirika declared: “The President recognized your hard work in championing aviation safety and security around the world.

Your programs and objectives that are set out for ICAO is unprecedented,

has urged airline operators, service providers and the business community to take advantage of the new business opportunity provided by the commencement of international cargo operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

which makes us proud of you. This is also been shown in your reelection. You are a worthy ambassador of the country. We are proud that you can put Nigeria on the world map of aviation. The President has asked me to convey his best wishes to you”.

Responding to Buhari’s message, Aliu expressed his

appreciation for the support being given to him and ICAO by President Buhari saying: “Let me take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation on your visit and to transmit through you Honourable Minister to His Excellency r.

President for all the support that is being given to ICAO and to me personally.”

will cost more than £5.

BA said the decision was as a result of extensive customer research and feedback, which highlighted dissatisfaction with the airline’s current short-haul economy catering.

The development has attracted reactions from the airline customers with some expressing support for it on the premise that it will afford passengers to enjoy better meals while others faulted the move.

Commenting, the BA chairman and CEO, Alex Cruz described the tie-up with Marks as “an ideal partnership, providing customers with a choice of products they recognise and value”.

Dana Air unveils rewards for Customer Service Week IN furtherance of its vision “to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline,’’ Dana Air has announced that it will explore the Customer service week to reward all its passengers and members of its frequent flyer program – Dana Miles.

According to the airline, all passengers flying Dana Air during the customer service week, will get instant miles, stand a chance of getting a spot upgrade from Economy Class to Business Class, free lounge access among other initiatives to ensure that its customers get extra as “Ser-

vice Champions.’’

Scheduled to hold from October 3 to 7, 2016, the International Customer Service week is celebrated annually in the first week in October, and it is usually a period set aside to appreciate patronage by rolling out activities to celebrate customers.

0803 365 4818

With Shola Adekola

Why the minister should probe the AIB controversial ‘promotion’ HITHERTO some weeks ago, the country’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), one of the aviation agencies of government saddled with the job of investigating accidents and incidents whenever they occur and make recommendations to government on how to prevent recurrences had enjoyed relative calmness.

Therefore, while the other aviation agencies had at one time or the other suffered undue interference with subsequent consequences, AIB had enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere until the recent weeks.

The peaceful serenity has unfortunately been thrown to the dogs owing to the controversial secondment and promotion of a level 12 officer from Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria to AIB. Since the secondment of the officer in question who coincidentally is the President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Benjamin Okewu, the bureau has become the battle ground for all interest groups.

Agreed that Okewu’s secondment is allowed in public service rule, but what made it ‘unique’ is the circumstances under which it took place which has generally been faulted.

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) is at the forefront of the fight against what it described as the abuse of office allegedly perpetrated by the ATSSAN president.

According to NAAPE in its latest petition addressed to the minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, dated September 26, 2016, it drew the attention of the minister to the negative impact the controversial secondment could create.

For NAAPE:”One important negative consequence of such inaction is the fostering of impunity with its attendant dislocation of due process and normalcy” Apart from the believe of NAAPE that Okewu’s secondment contradicted the public service rule, the decision to even make him the head of human resources at the expense of the qualified senior staff already waiting on the line to fill the position is injustice.

NAAPE is insisting that the promotion of Okewu from level 12 to 15 above other senior workers contradicted the principle which the aviation unions including ATSSSAN being led by Okewu have been fighting against.

While NAAPE should be commended for not taking the laws into its hand but chose to call the attention of the minister to the injustice, it is hoped that the minister who is a good listener will look into the controversy in the spirit of fairness in other not to create disharmony among workers at the bureau and the aviation unions.

Above all, there is no point sacrificing a whole establishment like AIB for the interest of one or two people. Besides, the controversy is becoming more dirty with the damaging documents being brandied about by some of the interested parties to score some cheap points.

One of such documents was the one that alleged that the present director of engineering in AIB, Engineer Emmanuel Diala was indicted for fraud while at the defunct Nigeria Airways a position which has since been found to be false.

Contrary to the allegation, a letter which emanated from the federal ministry of aviation, dated 28th July, 2003 and addressed to the director in question while he was at the Nigeria Airways, gave him a clean bill of health.

The setting up of a committee to look into the controversial secondment and promotion will unravel if the due process was followed and while questions being raised on : why the AIB Commissioner chose to appoint Okewu as the head of human resources when there were qualified top management staff on ground in line with civil service rules and why Okewu being a union leader should be given such an unlimited preference over senior staff he met at the bureau would have been answered for peace to reign.

28

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

Stakeholders demand probe of N17.5bn NPA Warri port rehabilitation projects Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos

M

ARITIME stakeholders under the aegis of the Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) have demanded the probe of the N17.5 billion spent on the rehabilitation of the Warri port by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

This is even as the apex shippers association stated that the N17.5 billion infrastructure investment made by the NPA at the Warri Ports has not reflected in the fortunes of the port which has nosedived over recent years.

It will be recalled that the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli Emiko recently stated that the Warri port and Koko ports, both in Delta State, are currently in an abandoned state.

Speaking exclusively with the Nigerian Tribune over the weekend, the President of SALS, Reverend Jonathan Nico stated that billions of naira spent by the NPA on the Warri port has not reflected in the current status of the port following its dwindling fortune.

According to him, “if NPA had spent N17.5bn rehabilitating the Warri ports, then that port would not be in the state it currently is.

What NPA claimed to have spent is supposed to be visible to the naked eyes in terms of increase in cargo operations at that port.

“I have been talking about this Warri port for some time now.

The idle state of the port is part of

the reason why many of the young men in Warri take to militancy because there are no jobs for them even after graduating from the university.

“The 0nly thing Warri has is the port. But it is currently in a sorry state. I know that Intels operate from Warri port and that is all about the port.

Nigerian cargo port, Lagos.

NAGAFF lauds Customs over improvement in cargo examination processes THE Tin-Can chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has lauded the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) ,Tin-Can Customs Command, Comptroller Bashar Umar for improving the cargo examination processes at the command.

Speaking exclusively with the Nigerian Tribune, the Chairman, Tin-Can Chapter of NAGAFF,

Chief Azubike Ekweozor admonished the Customs CAC for addressing the issue of delay in cargo examination at his command.

“The bone of contention has always been about complaints of delay in cargo examination. However, we want to thank Comptroller Bashar Umar and his management team for coming to our rescue. At the last meeting we had with him, he promised us that cargo exami-

Lagos port access road worsens as downpour delays Dangote’s intervention THE major access road that leads into the Apapa port, Wharf road has assumed a scary dimension has trucks now fall over themselves in the big gully and craters that have taken over the road. This is even as findings revealed that the lingering downpour has forced Messrs AG Dangote Construction Company to abandon the road temporarily pending when the dry seasons arrive.

In the first quarter of 2016, Messrs AG Dangote Construction Company, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group, had promised to intervene in the plight of the road by taking it up as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.

The construction firm had even deployed men and material to site, with high expectation on the part of road users that succour is finally around the corner.

Not much takes place there. Vessels still prefer the Lagos ports even when the cargoes they want to discharge are meant for the South-South and South-Eastern

However, the last quarter of 2016 down the lane and the road has gone from bad to worse.

For motorist plying the road, what has become of the sudden disappearance of the much anticipated Dangote intervention is fast becoming a ruse as none of the constructions firms official’s earlier deployed to site are anywhere in sight.

When contacted, the Spokesman for the Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina alluded the halting of operations on the road to the lingering downpour. “Let’s wait till when the rains are over then people will see what will happen to the road during the dry season,” Chiejina stated exclusively to the Nigerian Tribune.

nation processes will henceforth be performed twice a day.

“He told us that the new directive will commence from Port & Cargo Handling Services (P&CHS) and will gradually be extended to other terminals at his command. We want to thank the CAC that issues with the cargo examination have been corrected, including the incessant alerts from Customs valuation unit.

This has also dropped considerably.

“For achieving this feat, we at NAGAFF, Tin-Can chapter are planning a befitting honour for the CAC because since he assumed duty, the relationship between the Customs and agents have become more organised.

“The CAC and his management team have also put in place a training programme for agents. This is unprecedented. The training programme is a weekly programme and is geared at making agents better equipped to work well with the Nigerian Customs Service,” Azubike Ekweozor stated.

Charkin Maritime Academy admits new intakes ONE of the foremost maritime training institutions in the country, Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre has begun taking new intakes for the 2016/2017 academic session.Situated in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, the school is a leading provider of offshore safety and other skills training for the maritime and oil and gas industries.

A statement issued by the Chair-

man and Chief Executive Officer of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Chares Nwami said the courses are accredited by local and international accreditation bodies including Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), OPITO, International Well Control Forum (IWCF), and the International Standards Organization

(ISO).

Others are the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), International Association for Safety and Survival Training (IASST), and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC).

region of the country.

“The money spent by the NPA should be probed since it’s not tied to the current management of the agency. This money was spent by the immediate past management of the NPA, so we need to know how it was spent. Questions should be asked on what type of infrastructure have been put in place for N17.5 billion.

“First and foremost, the channels eliding to the Warri port must be navigable so that vessels can come in and out of the port. That is when we can say we have a port in Warri.

But if most of the times, cargoes are being evacuated from mother vessels through barges, then we don’t have a port in Warri. What is in Warri is a transit jetty.

“If N17.5 billion has been spent on the Warri port rehabilitation, then we need to know what that money were spent for. Such money should have reflected on the current state of the port.

“If N17.5 billion was spent on the Warri port, then lighter vessels should be able to go there and berth. Self propelled barges should be able to move cargoes from the bigger vessels to the terminals.

“We at SALS understand that there are currently too many underground pipes that need to be relocated to ensure ease of movement of vessels at the Warri port.

But with N17.5bn, that ought to have been fixed long time ago.

“We want Warri port to be functional because that will take the strain off our roads to that area from Lagos. So on the N17.5bn rehabilitation project handled by the NPA at the Warri port, we need answers on how such money was spent.”

In 2011/2012, the NPA had awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Julius Berger Terminal ‘C’ Old Port in Warri, Delta State for the sum of N9,200,000,000.00. The contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd. Also under the same period, the agency awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the AMS Terminal ‘B’ Old port also at Warri port, Delta State for the sum of N7,300,000,000.00.

The contract was awarded to Messrs China Harbour Engineering.

The third project embarked upon by the NPA at the Warri port was the reconstruction of Perimeter wall fence at a fee of N989,687,040.30. The contract for the perimeter fencing of the Warri port went to Messrs Setraco Nigeria Limited.

29

politicsnews

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

APC crisis: Replace Akeredolu’s name or forget Ondo —Abraham Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure.

T

HE runner up in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorships primary election in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, on Wednesday said the party should forget winning the November 26, 2016 election proper in the state if Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) remained as the candidate of the party.

Abraham claimed that upholding Akeredolu’s victory at the primary could rubbish the anti corruption crusade of the party and the Federal Government.

Speaking when he received some leaders of the party in Akure, he noted that President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been fighting corruption in the country since he came on board, should not be seen as promoting corruption within the system that produced him.

He said the president has always exhibited his zero tolerance for corruption and urged the party leadership not to reverse its decision on Akeredolu’s choice in order not to save the APC from defeat in the governorship election.

On a statement credited to the national vice chairman (South West), Pius Akinyelure, Abraham said he was vindicated by the claim of

fraud perpetrated during the APC primary election in the “No matter how tarry it would be, the truth will surely prevail. They have been coming up with different kinds of lies. After a long time, Chief Akinyelure, who is that national vice chairman, has come out openly to say what transpired at NWC meeting.

“What he said has vindicated me, aggrieved people and the people of Ondo

State. The people of the state know that the primary was embedded in fraud and these are the people who will not take it likely. Ondo State people are different from other parts of Nigeria.

They do not tolerate fraud and that is why after the announcement of Akeredolu, there was no jubilation,” Abraham stated.

He said the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Akinyelure

and the Appeal Committee had all confirmed the alleged electoral fraud during the primary, describing it as fraudulent and asked for a fresh one.

He however expressed disappointment over the action of the action of the national chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, over his statement that only INEC had power to substitute candidate of the party.

Oyegun had said that

only INEC has the right to substitute the name of candidate of the party after such name had been submitted to it.

Abraham called the attention of Oyegun to the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the country which stipulated that parties would substitute candidate and expressed disappointment that the national chairman did not know his right under the law.

which the electricity regulatory commission has been duly notified.

He disclosed that the government would not spend a dime on it and emphasized that power supply would be on a 24-hour basis.

Earlier, the state APC chairman, Comrade Abba

Yaro, gave guidelines on where the position of sole administrators should be zoned to in each local government and noted that names of those involved in anti-party activities were being compiled for disciplinary action.

Pro-Obaseki youths protesting in Benin on Wednesday

Ortom signs LG amendment law GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has accented to the Local Government Amendment Law passed by the state House of Assembly, which approved the appointment of sole administrators for the 23 councils in the state.

He signed the law at an expanded caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi, the state capital attended by party stalwarts across the state.

He explained that the sole administrators would be appointed for six months pending the conduct of local government polls, adding that if the elections failed to hold their tenure could be renewed for another six months.

He blamed lack of funds for the delay in conducting the local government elections, assuring that as soon as the situation improved, the elections would be held.

He noted that though the amended local government law gave him the prerogative of appointing the sole administrators, he would, as a democrat, give stake-

holders from each local government the opportunity to make three nominations which must include a woman.

The governor warned stakeholders against lobbying and assured that appointments would be made on the basis of truth, equity and fairness.

While expressing optimism that Nigeria and Benue would soon get out of the recession, he commended people of the state for heeding to his call of going back to land.

He said from what he has seen, the people have made appreciable effort and announced that some investors have indicated readiness to invest billions of naira in the resuscitation of some of the moribund industries.

Ortom disclosed that the investor for Taraku Mills has earmarked about N5 billion for the purchase of saya beans for the factory and explained that in Benue, farmers have noting to lose by embarking on large scale cultivation of the product.

On the provision of electricity at the Industrial Lay-

out, Makurdi, the governor said a firm has set aside $18 million dollars for that purpose and added that 10 mega watts of electricity would be provided.

According to him, the government has already made available five hectares of land for the project for

Reintroduce Option A4, Lagos PDP stalwart urges FG A stalwart of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ola Apena, has called on the Federal Government to reintroduce the `Option A4 voting system in the country.

Apena made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Apena, who was reacting to the allegation by a coalition of accredited election observers that the Edo governorship election was rigged in APC’s favour, said that if reintroduced, Option A4 would eliminate any form of election malpractice.

“I think we should go

back to Option A4 because Option A4 does not allow for this kind of manipulation.

“Once, a line is formed at the appointed time, if you have been accredited, they will give you something to show that you have been accredited, you come back, you line up and they count you.

“I think, our level of tolerance, our level of honesty, our level of transparency in this country does not accommodate this balloting system that we are using because we will always find desperadoes not necessarily within APC, but even with the PDP,” he said.

The PDP chieftain ex-

pressed regret that the social media was compounding INEC’s problems as results announced at the various polling units were usually posted on the internet, thus making any form of manipulation thereafter difficult.

“The advent of social media is creating a lot of problems for the electoral body because as the results are announced at each polling unit, so it goes on internet.

“It is a big problem because when you now go behind and start cancelling, doing all sorts of things, giving us some reasons why you have to cancel, people will doubt the outcome of the election.”

Ize-Iyamu, Orbih to lead street protest in Edo

Emulate Jonathan, Pro-Obaseki youths tell PDP Banji Aluko - Benin City THE Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the September 28 Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is expected to lead street protest against the result of the election, which gave the All Progressives Congress’(APC) Godwin Obaseki victory.

Supporters of Ize-Iyamu and the PDP had been protesting in Benin and other parts of the state since the results of the election were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Thursday.

According to Saint-Moses Eromosele, coordinator of the Centre for Patriotic Leadership Initiative (CPLI), an advocacy group coordinating the protest, Ize-Iyamu is expected to be joined by the Edo State chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih, and other PDP leaders and supporters across the state.

Eromosele, who pointed out that Friday’s protest would be one of more than a hundred such protests, said they were protesting against impunity, perpetration of illegality and massive electoral fraud by INEC, the APC, security operatives and Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He said, “These protests are not about Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. The protests are about you and I, our future, our hope. If they succeeded against Ize-Iyamu, it means that tomorrow when you and I also stand for election based on our track record or popularity, someone somewhere would also deprive us of victory.”

Meanwhile, some youths, on Wednesday, took to the streets of Benin to express their satisfaction with the conduct of the election, describing it as free, fair and peaceful.

The youths, who carried out their solidarity march under the aegis of Edo Youths Coalition, asked Ize-Iyamu and his supporters to accept the outcome of the election and emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan, who they said accepted defeat.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as “God has upheld the will of the people,” There was no loss of life,” “No intimidation of anybody during the election,” Edo people voted for continuity and progress,” Edo voters commend INEC, security agencies,” and sang songs.

30

politicsnews

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Ex- CNPP chairman wants NASS to rescue LGAS from governors Isaac Shobayo - jos.

A community leader in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Babatunde Onakoya (middle) raising the hands of chairmanship candidates for Odogbolu Local Government and Leguru LCDA, Wale Ahmed Shittu and Ololade Ahmed Onakoya, during a rally in Odogbolu, on Monday.

A former Plateau State chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) Alhaji Yusuf Kanam, says local government in the country must be rescued from the grip of state for Nigerians to enjoy real dividends of democracy.

He told the Nigerian Tribune that credible elections into local government elections in the country would remain a mirage because of the overbearing influence of governors on who becomes the chairman and members of state electoral commissions.

He observed that most governors merely appoint their cronies into the bodies to suit their whims and

Recession: NASS committees walk tight financial rope Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

S

TANDING Committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives have been badly hit by the slash in the allocations to the national legislature.

Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune confirms that the Committees were gasping for breath financially, following the cut in the budget of the National Assembly from a height of N150 billion in 2014 to N120 billion in 2015 and then N115 billion in 2016.

Sources in the Assembly confirmed that Standing Committees, which were entitled to about N5million running cost per quarter, now get about N1 million, while the allocation for public hearings have also been cut from N5 million per hearing to N2 million.

It was gathered that the allocations for public hearing actually vary from the weight of the event to the other.

While the highest figure now stands at N2 million, some committees are allocated N1.8 or N1.5 million for public hearings.

“The financial crisis has hit the committees of the National Assembly more than any other arm of the legislature. You can imagine that the Committees received only 10 per cent of their earlier allocations.

“Where the committees used to get N5 million, they now receive N1 million and for public hearings, it has also dropped from around N5million to N2 million in some cases and for others as low as N1.5 million. This has affected the operations

seriously,” a source in the legislature said.

The Senate has 66 Standing Committees while the House of Representatives has 96 standing Committees.

Besides the reduction in allocations, the payment of salaries and allowances

have also not been constant as before.

The National Assembly, which used to receive its allocations in the third week of the month up to early 2015, now gets its funds sometimes after 42 days.

Sources in the legislature

also stated that whereas the National Assembly has been placed on First Line Charge to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the Ministry of Finance releases the funds only when “money is available.”

The job of the Senate and

House Services Committees have been made much more difficult as no one can say for sure when funds will be available in the National Assembly,” a source privy to the situation in the National Assembly said.

caprice thereby casting doubts on the credibility of the polls conducted by state independent electoral commissions.

“The way and manner council elections are conducted in this country is questionable and calls for a total reform so as to restore sanity into the polity. Ruling parties at the state level use their influence to manipulate elections to their favour . They also deploy the platform to win subsequent elections at various levels. It is a matter of overbearing influence, as he who pays the piper dictates the tune,” Kanam said.

To redress the trend, he said the funding of state electoral commission should be from an independent body, while the members should not be appendages of the governor or the state government.

Kanam called on the National Assembly and the Committee on Reform of Electoral Law headed by former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani to look at the issue of local government election critically with the aim of making sure elections at this level are in tandem with democratic process and norms.

Ekiti Assembly crisis claims committee chairman Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

THE ripples in the Ekiti State House of Assembly has taken its first casualty, as the embattled Chairman of its Committee on Information, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, has been removed and replaced by Dr Samuel Omotosho.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that following the removal of Aribisogan, who is representing Ikole Constituency 1 and his replacement with Omotosho, who is representing Oye Constituency 1, the next move is believed to be a process of recalling him from the Assembly.

Aribisogan and the deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Segun Adewumi, have been under fire allegedly for disloyalty to the governor and for alleged secret meetings with Ayodele Fayose’s political adversaries.

Aribisogan was specially accused of meeting with the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN).

But it was gathered that deputy Speaker Adewumi was said to be in Ado Ekiti when he was alleged to have been away to Lagos, while Aribisogan was not in Ado

Ekiti at the time.

However, Aribisogan, in a statement denied meeting with the people mentioned and explained that he was in Lagos to clear the visa issues of his children studying overseas.

He insisted that he was not in alliance with anyone deemed to be a political enemy of Governor Fayose “because we worked hard to enthrone the government of Governor Fayose.”

Aribisogan however appeared before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges led by Mr Samuel Jeje, where a audio tape allegedly capturing his (Aribisogan’s) voice, was played.

In reaction however, Aribisogan described the audio

tape as “a super-imposed voice-over to tarnish his reputation.”

He claimed that his predicament was orchestrated by mischief makers in the Assembly.

The embattled lawmaker told newsmen on Wednesday after appearing before the panel, that he was questioned on whether he met Kashamu and Falana before the controversial audio was played to him.

While affirming his loyalty to Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aribisogan said he had no confidence in the panel because he had already been found guilty even before its report is released.

Aribisogan said: “The so-

called audio was a superimposed voiceover to tarnish my reputation. At the panel’s sitting, there was a presentation of inaudible voiceover claiming that they recognized my voice and I discarded it as a cheap blackmail.

“They asked me in the course of investigation whether I have met Buruji and I told them that the last time I met with Buruji was when I followed Mr Governor and Hon. Omotoso was there too but it is unfortunate that he (Omotoso) wanted to make a political gain out of this saga.

“Since then, I have not met Buruji as a person either secretly or openly. I have no confidence in the

Ogun LG polls: APC candidate promises effective leadership

By Gbenga Olumide THE chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Leguru Local Council Development Area of Ogun State, Honourable Ololade Onakoya, has promised good and effective leadership if elected in the local government election on Saturday.

Onakoya, who is the current vice chairman of the LCDA, made the pledge during campaign rallies at Egbe, Atiba, Itanrin, Ala and Omu communities.

He said his mission was to develop the LCDA within the shortest time of his administration, if given the mandate to be chairman.

While assuring the people

of the area that any candidate voted for on the platform of APC would represent them well, Onakoya declared that the era of compromising during campaign was over.

In his remarks, the Okemu of Ala-Ijebu, Oba Adekunle Dehinbo, advised the aspiring chairman to ensure that he fulfilled his promises.

panel but because of the constitutional provision, I have to attend the panel to clear my name.

“I appeared before the panel to tell them that I never met with Buruju and I never met with Falana as alleged. I am part and parcel of this government from inception and I remain a loyal part member.

“Changing committee chairmen is a routine exercise but I suspect a foul play that the outcome of the panel is already predetermined.”

When asked whether he had been invited by the governor on the crisis, Aribisogan said: “This is clearly an Assembly matter the governor has not invited me but I am expecting the members of the panel to go and investigate where the shenanigans are coming from.

“The whole saga is an immolation to destroy me and put me in a political quagmire. Look at my pedigree where I am coming from before passing judgment on me.

“Having served the government, is it possible for me to be holding meeting with Buruji and Falana and work against a government of which I am part?”

31

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

32

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

33

news

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

El- zakzaky: Protesters storm Justice ministry, demand prosecution Urge govt to severe diplomatic relation with Iran Collins Nnabuife - Abuja HE Federal Government has been called upon to severe diplomatic relationship with the Republic of Iran, over the role played by the country during the attack on the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), led by Ibrahim El-zakzaky.

The protesters also want El-zakzaky prosecuted for terrorism.

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Sovereign Rights Coalition (SRC), who led a peaceful protest from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Justice, on Wwdnesday,in Abuja ,called for the prosecution of El-zakzaky and other members of IMN involved in December 2015 attack on the convoy of General Buratai in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The coordinator of the group, Daniel Obaje, described as blackmail, comments by human rights group and western media on developments in the country as it’s concern security.

“It is pertinent for the immediate arraignment and prosecution of the leader of the sect on terror charges as deemed appropriate.

“We have also discovered that the relationship between our country and the Republic of Iran, has become cancerous and will only be beneficial if such detrimental tie is severed to prevent further damage.

“It is also chief among our demands that apart

T

from ceasing all diplomatic relationships with the Iranian republic, a total removal of its embassy from Nigerian soil is pertinent and apt.

“All blackmails by bodies, including human right groups as well as western media come to an end as

it amounts to an affront on the sovereignty of Nigeria, “It is not news that the group, IMN, led by its leader, had launched an attack on the Chief of Army Staff and his convoy in Kaduna, where in the course of the operation, he was arrested and a cache of arm

was recovered.

“These extremists have so far been allowed to further distabilise the nation and its integrity via sponsored protests and media campaign, accompanied with blackmail, using international organisations and media.

MADAM Nafisat Ode, mother-in-law of Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, is dead.

She was aged 100, She died at her residence, Idi Ope, Odo-Oba, Ibadan ,at about 9.00 a.m, onWednesday, She was survived by many children, including Olori Kudirat Adetunji, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, She would be buried at 4.00 p.m today at her residence, Odo-Oba, Ibadan, according to Islamic rites, by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abd Ganiy Abu-Bakri Agbotomokekere.

Aimiator for burial

Members of the Oke-Are Seminary Old Boys Association of Nigeria (OSOBAN), during the Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the association, in Ibadan, recently.

Aviation unions paralyse activities at Lagos airport

THE burial of Joseph Aregbetamen Aimiator, aged 72, who hailed from Ibore-Uneah, Irrua, Edo State, will take place on Friday, (tomorrow), in his compound, at Idumegbo, Ibore.

His remains will leave Stella Obasanjo Mortuary today (Thursday), for a vigil mass at his residence, No18, Iboi Street, Urora, Benin City, today, while funeral service will hold at St. Mathew Catholic Church, Eldenu, Irrua, Edo State.

Entertainment of guests will take place on Saturday, on the premises of Ibore Primary School.

Over planned concession Shola Adekola - Lagos VEHICULAR movements and other activities were temporarily paralysed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, following a peaceful protest staged by the aviation unions against the planned concession of

four international airports across the country.

The airports slated for concession according to the Federal Government are: Murtala Muhammed Airports (MMA), Lagos, Port Harcourt Airport, Aminu Kano Airport (AKA) and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (NAA), Abuja Air-

ports.

The protest, though peaceful, grounded vehicular movements into the Lagos Airport, with commuters trekking long distance to catch their flights.

As early as 7.30 am, no fewer than 1,000 unions and workers in the sector, participated in the

NGF strategises to reform governance in Nigeria

THE Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat (NGFS) said it would transform its operation and improve capacity to function as a policy hub and resource centre to reform governance in the country.

The Director-General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr Asishana Okauru, said this at the secretariat’s retreat, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

He said that the secretariat must meet the needs of its principals in order to remain relevant, adding that it would also work with partners to help improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians at sub-national level.

“When we came on board in 2009, we recognised that we could not achieve much without the active engagement of relevantstakeholders, policy professionals and sector-specific experts.

“We started by touring

A director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Princess Okorie, who received the protesters on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, appreciated their efforts and promised to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters.

Olubadan loses in-law

the 36 states of the federation as guests to our principals in company of experts, who were involved in our initial review of governance at the state level,” he said.

Okauru listed the achievements of the secretariat between 2009 and 2013, to include peer review mechanism, knowledge management and governance fair share initiative, policy

and economic advisory and polio and economic advisory.

He said that the retreat provided another opportunity for in-depth deliberation of what the secretariat ought to be doing differently, adding that the circumstances of the country’s economy, provided the need for new opportunities.

According to him, I am

excited about where we are headed, the input of relevant stakeholders will provide the secretariat to craft a new agenda and assist in shaping the implementation momentum.

Professor Abba Gambo, the Head of Department, Crop and Production, University of Maiduguri, said that the governors’ forum would lose cohesion without the secretariat.

We aren’t owing First Bank —Arisekola-Alao family Lanre Adewole - Lagos The family of late business mogul, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao and the management of his Lister Oil Limited, have denied owing First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The denial was in response to reported claims of their indebtedness to the bank.

The family, in a statement on Wednesday, said the bank “has never grant-

ed any banking facility to either Lister Oil Limited or the Estate of Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao.

Also, Lister Oil Limited and the Estate of Alhaji Abdulazeez ArisekolaAlao, did not execute any deed of guarantee in favour of First Bank of Nigeria as alleged by the bank.”

“Contrary to the denial issued by First Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, has recently established a prima facie case

of forgery of the signature on the purported deed of guarantee, which emanated from the bank purportedly to guarantee a facility granted to Lister Flour Mills Limited, a company that is distinct from Lister Oil Limited.

Therefore, it is untrue that the allegations of forgery perpetrated against Lister Oil Limited by the bank and its officials are baseless,” the statement added.

rally, which kicked off at the Freedom Square of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and spread to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The unions vowed that if the government went ahead with the planned concession of the airports, that it would ground activities in the sector, even as they alleged that government wanted to concession the airports to their cronies through third parties.

The unions carried various placards,saying ‘FAAN workers say no to concession, among several other placards, which were boldly displayed by the protesting workers and unions.

The unions, in a pamphlet distributed at the rally, said that airport concession was a threat to national security, adding that concession was aimed at killing other 17 airports in the country.

The protesting unions were guarded by the officials of the Nigerian Police and FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC), so as to prevent violence.

One of the protesting workers, Mr Chris Adewale, said that rather than the government to concession the four most viable airports in the country, the government should concession the less viable airports and allow investors to develop them.

Joseph Aimiator

Burial

MRS Oreoluwa Dorcas Babasola is dead. She died on June 25, at the age of 74.

Babasola was until her death, a devoted Christian and a community leader in Ile-Ife, Osun Osun.

Burial activities will commence on Friday, October14, with Christian wake keep, at No. 32, Lokore Street, Ile-Ife, at 5.00 p.m.

Funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 15, at Saint Peter Anglican Church, Iremo, Ile-Ife, by 12.00pm, while interment will take place at the church cemetery, Ifewara Road, IleIfe. Entertainment of guests will take place at St. John Grammar School, Ilode, IleIfe. She was survived by her elder brother, Bishop Oladele Funsho, many children and grandchildren, including Mr Sina Babasola, Tunde Babasola Mrs Iyabo Adeyeye, Mr Keji Adekunle and Ms Abigael Adekunle.

Mrs Babasola

34

teachers’day

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Oyo teachers demand govt’s transparency, recognition

By Wale Akinselure

THE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, commemorated this year’s World Teachers’ Day with a call on the state government to be more transparent and open in its dealings, making special reference to the crisis that greeted the introduction of new education initiative by the state government.

Chairman, Oyo NUT, Mr Samuel Akano, who made this call, in Ibadan, on Wednesday, decried that teachers were neglected and taken for granted by government at all levels.

He drew a symbiotic relationship between the quality of teachers and the progress of the nation, therefore, calling on government to accord greater recognition, remuneration and rewards to teachers while they were alive.

Bemoaning outstanding salaries and pension arrears in the state, he described as discouraging, the fact that secondary school teachers were owed salaries from April till date, while their primary school counterparts had last received their June salary.

To prevent imminent collapse, Akano urged the stakeholders in the sector to show greater commitment to improving the quality of life of teachers and providing requisite infrastructural facilities in schools.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, called for the collaboration of stakeholders, ranging from government to teachers, students and parents, to revive the state’s education sector in disarray.

On calls for increased funding of the education sector, Olowofela said, “Whether education receives 100 per cent, 20 or 50 per cent, if the teachers are funded and still do not do their job, the result will remain zero. There is an immutable law that whatever you sow, you shall reap. If the teachers teach well, we get good result; if they don’t teach well, we will get bad result.”

In asserting the commitment of the state government to reforming the state’s education sector, Olowofela added, “The Oyo State government does not believe in paying lip service to the rebranding, reformation and transformation of the education sector. It is the duty of teachers to stimu-

late students positively in their moral and academic pursuits. Students must therefore be trained to harmonise their passions and intellectual capacities in the interest of the nation.”

In his remarks, Secretary, NUT Oyo, Mr Waheed Olojede, emphasised the need for government at all levels to adhere to the UNESCO’s recommendation that 26 per cent of any government’s budget be earmarked to the education sector.

Olojede prayed for an end to the trend of arrears of salaries, promotion and pensions.

From left, former chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Babatunde Amuda; Oyo State chairman of NUT, Comrade Niyi Akano and the secretary of the state NUT, Comrade Waheed Olojede, at the World Teachers’ Day celebration, in Ibadan, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Teachers threaten nationwide strike over retrenchment, unpaid salaries •As NLC, NUT blast education ministers over absence Clement Idoko-Abuja

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate Union, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Wednesday, warned both the federal and state governments against nonpayment of salaries of teachers and alleged attempt to retrench some teachers in their payrolls.

The teachers have also issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Gov-

ernment to address some issues relating to their welfare, failure of which they would withdraw their services to the nation.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and NUT President, Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, spoke at a low-Key celebration of the 2016 World Teachers’ Day with theme: “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status” in Abuja.

NUT President particu-

larly said that after the World Teachers’ Day celebration, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union would meet to review issues bothering on the welfare of its members and take appropriate action if the government fails to address the demands of teachers.

Olukoya lamented that Nigerian teachers were denied their rightful status and pride of place in society and remains the

least regarded profession that has continued to suffer societal disdain, neglect and degradation.

NUT President called on the Federal Government to ensure that only professionally trained and qualified persons were engaged in the proposed recruitment of 500,000 teachers in order to promote professionalism and effective service delivery in the school system.

Olukoya, who disclosed

Fayose gives N50m cash gift to Ekiti teachers •For state’s first position in NECO exams GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, at the celebration of the 2016 World Teachers’ Day, announced a cash donation of N50million to all the teachers in the state, saying they should share it equally among them without discrimination.

At the celebration at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, with thousands of teachers in the state in attendance, Governor Fayose also gave out car gifts to best teachers in secondary school and primary school as well as cash gifts to nominees who made the short list of the Teacher of the Year selection.

At the day which had the theme: “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”, (Celebrating the teachers and sustaining the glory), the governor also promised to donate N100 million to the teachers next year if the state was able to maintain its first position in the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams next year.

Fayose, who also said the

state would soon convey a ‘parents’ summit’ to sensitise parents on their roles as critical stakeholders in the sector, thanked the teachers for their efforts and support and urged them to do more.

He said: “I am the happiest person today. I really appreciate the teachers for your efforts. The most valuable investment is in education. You don’t need to be a professor to know

that you must take good care of teachers. They are the ones moulding the character of our children.

Our young ones spend more time with them too.

“If I did not win in 2014 they would have sacked most of you, but thank God I won and we are here today celebrating your day. We will continue to enhance your performance by training and re-training you the mod-

ern day way. All your demands, I will look at them critically. Anyone that I can attend to immediately, I will do so without delay.

If I am good to you, I am only being good to myself.

The parents’ summit is to complement the efforts of teachers and it will be chaired by the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, who chaired last year’s Education Summit,” he said

Unpaid deductions: We have lost 50 teachers in one year —Ogun ASUSS Olayinka OlukoyaAbeokuta

THE Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, in Ogun State, on Wednesday, disclosed that no fewer than 50 of its members have lost their lives in the last one year, over unpaid deductions by the state government.

He said this in his speech at the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration, held

at its secretariat, along Abiola Way, Abeokuta, that the unremitted cooperative societies’ funds, bank loans and other sundry deductions were responsible for their untimely deaths.

He said, “It is disheartening to place on record that in the last one year, Ogun State Secondary School sector of teaching has lost as many as over 50 of its workforce to the cold hands of death, and unfortunately, we are still counting.

The union appealed to the

state government to pay the monies which they said had “long been trapped or unnecessarily saved in government’s coffers ever before Nigeria, our beloved country, strolled into economic recession.”

He also appealed to the government to make available more teaching personnel, noting that deaths, retirement, change in job and duty posts have drastically reduced the number of teachers in the state public schools.

the union would meet in two weeks time to review its demand, said the teachers would be forced to down tools if urgent steps were not taken to pay up all salaries owed teachers in primary and secondary schools in the federation.

According to him, some states owe teachers from two months to about seven months, hiding under the facts of the current economic recession to divert primary and secondary schools funds to other purposes.

He also called on governments at all levels to see to the plight of retired teachers and to ensure that their benefits in terms of gratuities and pensions were paid to them so that labour of the veterans would not be in vain.

He said: “We must sit down, assess the situation, celebrate ourselves despite the fact that we are being maligned and oppressed from here and there. It is not Uhuru, freedom is still very far from the realm of teaching.

Olukoya expressed displeasure of teachers over the absence of both ministers of education at the annual event saying, “Look at the minister of education, minister of state for education, we are celebrating education these two principal officers are not on seat.

“I am aware that the minister of education is out of the country, but that is not it, I am equally aware that the minister of state is in Jos, but today is their day, teachers of this country are not happy with them not to be physically in attendance, if it were in other clime I think something more drastic would have been done.”

35

teachers’day

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

Saraki makes case for teachers’ welfare Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja

T

HE President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, called on government at all levels to prioritise the payment of salaries and general welfare of teachers at all levels in order to secure the future of the country.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, to mark this year’s Teachers’ Day, also congratulated Nigerian teachers and their counterparts the world over, for their sacrificial contribution to the advancement of knowledge and by extension, world civilisation and development.

Saraki reiterated his earlier call that teacher’s salaries should be included as an item in the capital vote of the budget to enable them receive their salaries and allowances as at when due.

Saraki said: “There is an overarching need to prioritise teachers’ welfare so as to enable them continue to discharge their duties creditably and effectively,

particularly in this age of knowledge. It is only by doing that that we eliminate a situation where people either reluctantly go into the profession or go into it as a last option.

“It is a well established fact that teachers occupy a pristine place in our drive

towards progress and development as a nation.

Moreover, teachers are the custodians of the repository of knowledge and as such should be seen as an integral partner towards an enduring development of our educational sector.

“Issues of capacity building, training and re-training of teachers across the various tiers of our education architecture must form a fundamental aspect of our policies and national strategic plans. We must make deliberate and concise effort

to boost teachers’ confidence and welfare. Every teacher must be assured of a minimum safety net during their pre and post retirement life.

“Our teachers must be effectively protected by the existing pension schemes irrespective of their level of

Acute shortage of teachers hits Delta Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

Representative of the Minister of Education, Mrs Chetachi Azubuike; National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Michael Olukoya and the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, during the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

NUT warns against retrenchment of teachers THE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned state governments against the retrenchment of teachers and reduction of their emoluments due to economic recession.

Comrade Michael Olukoya, the NUT National President, gave the warning at the celebration of the 2016 World Teachers day, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ‘theme for this year’s celebration is “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status.”

Olukoya, at an event organised by the union to honour teachers for their role in development, described the plan to retrench teachers as misplaced.

He said that such act would jeopardise the progress of public education and the future of the Nigerian child.

He also advised state governments to be alive to their responsibility of managing basic education.

He also urged the Federal Government to increase the retirement age of basic education teachers from 60 years to 65 years, adding that lecturers at higher institutions were already benefitting.

The National President noted that for the government to effectively fight corruption, salaries and

engagements i.e. Federal, state and at local government levels. Our teachers remain critical to the change we most earnestly desire in our educational sector in particular and the nation in general. We cannot afford to treat them any less,” he stated.

He also called on teachers to rededicate themselves to their all important duty of spreading knowledge and banishing ignorance.

“Our teachers must possess the necessary wherewithal for effective discharge of their assignment,” he said.

pension owed teachers should be paid urgently.

In his address, the President, Nigeria Labour Con-

gress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, condemned the non-payment of teachers’ salary and retirement

benefits by state governments.

Wabba added that any policy not focusing on

teachers will not succeed as they have played significant roles in educating Nigerians.

Kwara teachers want 70 years as retirement age Biola Azeez-Ilorin

TEACHERS in primary and post-primary schools in Kwara State have asked the state government to increase their retirement age

to 70 years.

Speaking at the occasion, marking the 2016 World Teachers Day celebration in Ilorin, on Wednesday, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teach-

ers (NUT), Comrade Musa Abubakar, said that the vacuum created by the retired teachers in the state in recent time would be difficult to fill within the next decade.

Funds for teachers’ professional development lying dormant —el-Rufa’i THE Kaduna State government, on Wednesday, advised teachers in the state to strive to improve their professional status, for effective service delivery.

The governor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that teachers had not been accessing the provisions made by government for teachers’ professional development.

He said that the government had set aside funds for teachers’ professional training in local and foreign institutions.

“I want to hear teachers applying that they want to upgrade to masters or doctorate degree, but no one is applying and the fund is just lying dormant,” elRufa’i said.

He said that the state had allocated 35 per cent of its 2016 budget to education, far above the 26 per cent

recommended by UNESCO, to reposition the sector for quality service delivery. el-Rufa’i commended the National Council on Education for approving the re-introduction of History and Religious Studies in all Nigerian schools.

The governor was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Andrew Nok. The guest speaker, Dr Benjamin Gugon of Kaduna State University, advised the government to introduce reward system, to motivate teachers.

He also called for special salary package for teachers in the country.

Earlier, the state chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Audu Amba, commended the state government for its consistency in paying

teachers’ salaries and upgrading teachers’ terminal salary to grade level 17, equivalent to that of permanent secretary.

The NUT boss, however, called on the state government to settle the 2015 Leave Transport Grant of primary school teachers, which was yet to be paid.

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Mrs Alisabatu Dada-Onazi apologised to teachers in the state for the pains they had to endure during the verification of their employment status.

She said that 9,000 teachers out of over 77, 000 in public primary and secondary schools were found to have “questionable” employment status.

Dada-Onazi assured that the affected teachers would be re-instated once they were able to prove the genuiness of their employment.

“Teachers suffer same fate all over the world irrespective of their tier of operation. Justice demands that they should be bound by common destiny. The extension of retirement age of professors in the tertiary institutions to 70 years should be extended to teachers, who constitute foundation of education, i.e. primary and secondary education,” he said.

The NUT chairman, who said that teachers in primary schools have not been promoted since 2013, added that their counterpart in the Teaching Service Commission also suffered.

“We also demand that promotion letters for the categories of teachers that have completed all formalities of promotion in SUBEB and TESCOM be released with immediate effect while those that are qualified be subjected to all rudimentary of promotion,” he said.

The Kwara State teachers also suggested that a national policy should be formulated to make all public servants withdraw their wards from private schools to public schools.

TEACHERS in Delta State have cried out over the acute shortage of teaching staff in both public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Jonathan Jemirieyigebe, who revealed that those who retired from the classroom in the last four years have not been replaced, called for the immediate recruitment of 10, 000 teachers to ameliorate the situation in which a teacher mans a classroom with over 70 pupils or students as the case may be.

According to him, virtually all the public schools were seriously dilapidated, just as he called for a takeover of secondary schools that were handed over to missions by the state government.

Comrade Jemirieyigebe noted that the state government spent so much money to renovate some of the schools, like St Patricks College, Asaba before the handover, saying, “These institutions are now shadows of themselves.”

He said the presence of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the state governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, at the celebration, which took place at the Cenotaph in the state capital, was a sign of good things to come, adding that the governor was the first among past chief executives to attend such an event.

In his lecture titled “Valuing teachers, improving their status,” Professor Patrick Egbule of Delta State University, Abraka, said for young people to excel in schools, graduate and more meaningfully contribute to the development of the society, their teachers must derive satisfaction from the profession, enjoy high status and take pride in it.

communitynews Residents lament offensive odour, flies, rodents from abattoir in Lagos community

36

shola adekola-lagos

R

ESIDENTS of Bammeke area of Shasha, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to save then from imminent outbreak of epidemic.

They made the call in view of the stench oozing out of an illegal abattoir located within the Air Force Base, which has continued to exist like a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

with serious health and environmental implications.

The people had, before now, cried out over the foul odour coming out of the abattoir which had been traced to decaying blood of slaughtered cows which was not properly disposed of by butchers.

The stench, which had been made worsened by the rainy season, has made life unbearable for residents, many of who now go about covering their noses with handkerchiefs to avoid inhaling the odour.

Cosequently, a cold war is

brewing between residents and the Air Force Base which houses the abattoir.

The residents, who spoke under condition of annonymity for fear of being harassed by the uniformed men, accused the barracks of endangering the lives of residents through the abattoir.

According to information gathered, many children within the community have

suffered health hazards in view of the offensive odour they regularly inhale.

Besides, it has almost become impossible for residents to eat, relax or unwind publicly within the vicinity.

Aside the rains, the situation has been further complicated following the hordes of flies and rodents attracted to the area by the stench.

The location of the abattoir within a residential area contradicts the Lagos State government rule on the siting of abattoir.

The Lagos State government had earlier in February, complained about illegal abattoirs in the state.

The government had particularly faulted the location of abattoirs within military cantonments and barracks where veterinary

officers are denied access.

The areas mostly affected by the abattoir include Sokunbi Street, Ikire Street, Church Street and part of Oguntade Street all in Bammeke.

The residents are, therefore, calling on the state government to rescue them from the offensive odour which, they said, is making the area near uninhabitable.

Urhobo leaders meet, take position on development agenda alphonsus agborh-asaba

THE senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Ovie Omo-Agege, has said that the Urhobos did not need anybody to tell President Muhammadu Buhari what the Urhobos want.

Omo-Agege made the remark while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after holding a meeting with community leaders and other stakeholders in Urhoboland, in Ughelli.

He said: “We felt we should sit down, take a common position which we would present to President Buhari. We want to develop Urhoboland, we do not want individuals developed, we want the communities developed. For too long, certain forms of development have come through individuals.

We do not want that anymore as these individuals would come and go but the communities would remain and that’s the essence of the meeting.”

The senator said from the very moment President Buhari became president, there had been concerted efforts to prevent him from paying attention to the plight of the Niger Delta and to consider developing the area.

“We as Urhobos”, he said, “were not part of the plot and we do not accept it.”

“We have the Niger Delta interest at heart and we also have the Urhobo interest at heart.

“As the senator representing the Urhobo nation, my

single mandate is to protect the Niger Delta interest which must now be situated within the Urhobo interest.

“The interests have to be in alliance so to speak. We are not happy with the spate of bombings in the Niger Delta, and we believe that we require dialogue to be able to achieve certain resolution.

“We believe that the president needs to be encouraged. We believe we can create the enabling environment for him to come and develop the area,” he stated.

This rough and bumping road links Apata to NNPC in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. PHOTO: PETER OYEBANJI

Oyo Assembly to partner Zonta in combating violence against women by adewale oshodi

OYO State House of Assembly has stated that it would partner Zonta International, a non-government organisation agitating for the welfare of women, in tackling violence against wom-

en, in the state, particularly at the grassroots.

This was stated by the Speaker, Honourable Adesina Adeyemo, during the inauguration of a new executive for the Zonta Club of Ibadan at the club house in Jericho, recently.

AN Indonesian pharmaceutical company, Dexa Medica, is set to carry out a Pain Free Day programme in some communities in

Adeyemo revealed that the bill on violence against women before the House of Assembly had already passed the first and second readings, “and very soon, we will start the third reading, before it is finally passed into law.

Motorists, commuters want FG to repair Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road TO ensure free flow of traffic commuters and motorists have appealed to the Federal Government to repair the failed sections of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday, that the urgent rehabilitation of the bad portions of the road would save users the trauma of wading through traffic jams daily often lasting several hours.

A NAN correspondent, who took a trip on the highway observed that no fewer than 18 potholes are causing gridlock on both sides of the dual carriageway between Iyana-Ipaja and Ile Zik Bus Stops in Ikeja, apart from the damage to vehicles.

However, a pothole at Dopemu Bus Stop on the Oshodi-bound carriageway which had been causing gridlock had been filled with crushed stones.

Ikorodu residents to receive free medical service today newton-ray ukwuoma-lagos

The Speaker, who was represented by Honourable Oyebamiji Joshua, commended Zonta for the good work it is doing, saying that the organisation was complementing the efforts of government in promoting the welfare of women.

Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State, on Thursday.

The Brand Executive, Tunde Ojedokun, made the disclosure in a statement made available to

the Nigerian Tribune, on Tuesday.

He said the initiative will provide free medical service, including eye, ear and throat test, as well as drug prescription.

NAN also reported that the road shoulders that is, the edges at Ile Zik towards Oshodi have also failed and developed gullies.

At peak periods in the morning, motorists spend hours between Iyana-Ipaja and Ikeja because of the deplorable condition of the road, a journey of just about 10 minutes.

Also, four drainage slabs on the Oshodi bound carriageway have collapsed.

A truck driver, Mr Aliyu Bolarinwa, told NAN that the entire highway needed urgent rehabilitation.

“Between Sango and Oshodi, it is hard not to find some bad portions on the road. If it is not potholes, it is drainage problem. Government should repair the entire highway,’’ he said.

An engineer, Mr Michael Aghedo, also told NAN that

government should repair the bad portions and construct lay-by at various bus stops on the highway to reduce pressure on the main carriageway.

“The traffic on this axis is high because it is an intercity road, but there is no single lay-by on the road, so vehicles use the road shoulders as vehicles stop to either pick or drop passengers.

“As long as there are no laybys, the failures on the road shoulders will continue. Defects in the design should be corrected and be made to capture the drainage system to expand them,’’ he said.

A retired civil servant, Mrs Hassana Shuaibu, called for the resuscitation of the Public Works Department of the Federal Ministry of Works to tackle the problem of road maintenance.

“We, therefore, hope that your organisation will continue to focus on the welfare of women and the girl-child, thereby making the society conducive for this group of people,” the Speaker said.

Earlier in her inauguration address, the new president of the organisation, Mrs Iyabo Bashir, promised to continue to tackle issues militating against the welfare of women and the girl-child.

“I, therefore, want members to give me the support they had given past presidents, so that my tenure can also be successful,” she said.

Also speaking, the chairman on the occasion, Professor Ayo Oluleye of the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Ibadan, charged the new executive to focus on sustainable projects, while bearing in mind the nation’s economic crisis and scarce financial resources, “and as a result, you must not embark on projects you woill not be able to complete,” Professor Oluleye said.

A former international president of the organisation, Chief (Mrs) Folake Solanke, administered the oath of office on the new executive, with a charge that they should work hard in order to make an impact on the lives of women and girls.

37

Thursday, 6 October, 2016

EDITORS’ HOUSE OPENS TODAY OCTOBER 6, 2016

24 MOJIDI STREET, OFF TOYIN STREET, IKEJA, LAGOS

THE GUILD FINALLY HAS A PLACE TO CALL ITS OWN, RIGHT IN THE HEART OF LAGOS STATE.

HOST GOVERNOR: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode Governor, Lagos State

HOST MINISTER: SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR: Alhaji Lai Mohammed Mr. Kashim Shettima Minister of Information and Culture Governor, Borno State

CHAIRMAN: Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan Former Governor, Delta tate.

38

tribunepools

DR J.K POOLS 070739275802 (1XX 4) 3 - 10 11 - 12 - 15.

Two week of failure through wrong poological miscalculation. I have now discovered my error which will not repeat. The truth is bitter and it must be spoken either we play game or not. Sooner or later when the system colour takes off, I shall undertake a tour round the country to deliver lecture on how to forcast and pick the draws without tears.

Now staker pick two bankers from 3, 10, 11, 12, 15 and add to the above bracket games.

Good luck says DR J.K. Pools.

16 MUST X 17 LUCKYMAN 08054352685

3 DRAWS N60000 WHEN YOU WIN Winning is wonderful loosing is so sure stop loosing on pool win with our 3 sure draws at N60, 000 when you win far away fans will send N1, 500 MTN Card you must win and win well 16 must x 17

THE – LILIES 08086944309

(35 BET 39)

The – Lilies is set to help you win on pools 3 unfailing Jackpot X 5 await all our fans call now and grab the 3 jackpot X 5 with only N2000 MTN Card the road to big jackpot will be widely open for all our fans 35 bet 39.

MISTER – DRAWS 08030415683

Kidder minister to hold AFC Flyde plus 2 super draws cost N2000 MTN Card call now and win big fortune on pools 39x 39x 39x 39

SIR – BRAKA

08179667733 (12XX 07)

Bank on 12xxx 7 for a draw plus i3 Napable draws cost N1000 Glo Card obtain the 3 Napable draws and win well on pools.

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM= 09038460009= 10 NAP 11

ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET OUT N3000. MEMBERSHIP N50, 000 ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET N30, 000 Two. BANSWERS WK 11 NO 15X 20X PAIR 28F 29X 4 Bankers N6, 000 Wk 12 NO 9X 10X 27X 32X 4. Bankers N6, 000 Wk 13 No NAP NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Two Bankers N3000 Wk 11 No 15x 20x Pair 28 29x Wk 12 No 10x 32x Pair 23f 27x Two Bankers N3, 000 Wk 13 No NAP NAP Pair NAP NAP Time to win pool this Wk 13 Sunderland system 4 special Draws this Wk 13 will play 4/4 correct hurry up to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 Wk 13 No NAP NAP Pair XX= Send MTN Card 09038460009

LAWRENCE NAP -

08160052969 (3 MUST) ITS 3 WEEKS OPERATION

Congratulations, week 12 our 4 gazetted draws scores 3 over 4 correct on Nos 18x 24F 32x 34x its 3 weeks operation, Coupon No 3xxxcbk plus 3 others .this week, our 4 gazetted draws cost N100,000. Cash each week do not miss this opportunity.

GRACELAND INTERNATIONAL NAP

Set to surprise interested stakers call me 09086459272 Wk 13 Bank 40x 33x Nap xxx = 3/3 cost N5,000 only. Send MTN or ETISALAT Card to 09086459272 and get your winning game sms thanks & God bless you.

EMIRATE ARRIVED 08087104491

15X 16X 31X 48X 19XXX OH Yes! The only permanent thing in life is CHANGE All thanks to God you’ve connected to Dr. Hills fone of the PPA crew and he promised 4 weeks win to all our admires. Starting with the above free win. Invest handsomely now week 14 cost N250,000.

PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS

08055230300, 08139714848

5 NAP 7 PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 5= 2016 NO 25X 27X 28X WITH 30X 34X PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 9= 2016 NO 10X 21X 32X WITH 13X 24X PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 13= 2016 NO NAP NAP NAP WITH 5. 7 PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 14= 2016 NAP NAP NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 15= 18X 28X WK 8 NO 20X 31X WK 12 NO NAP NAP PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 16 NO NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP Key every BROWN colour Bank MILTONKD to draw No 5 ROCHDALE to draw 7 wk 13 No 5. 7 plus 3 others cost N7500.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE

THE WINNERS CHOICE WISE STAKERS DELIGHT GET A COPY AND WIN.

PLEIAD DE MAXWELL – 09099968585 OXFORD ON HARTLE POOL= 15XX 48

No premiership teams on board again due to International commitments (the world cup qualifier). So three matches were postponed due to the call up of many of their players.

Match No 2 between Bristol C and Pleetwood which was scheduled for Saturday 8th Oct. has been rearranged ro Nov. 1st, Match No. 3infact the match was postponed on chesterfield request, a new date will be confirmed later.

Match No 9. Also postponed for the same reason.

League one likely draws at Bristol. R, Coventry, Milton K.D and Roachdale and Doncater to Luton, Yeovil? For surpise win.

The conference League draws are favoured at Barrow, Braintree Bromley, Gateshed, Guiseley and N. Ferriby.

Winning line at the rear of the coupon this week from stalybride to Oxford.

Contact De Maxwell draws clinic for your sure win this week as we did in week 8 another winning awaits you. Token Manager.

Note – all postponed matches would often have their results – adjudicated by the Pools panel for the sake of the football Pools results.

ISREAL BAILOUT NAPS – 09085712800

06X 17X 31XXX BAIL OUT WEEKS – 10, 11, 12 AND 13.

LAST WEEK WINNING DIRECTIVES BEFORE OUR ANNUAL 3 WKS FIRST QUARTER BRAKE. WEEK 12 = S.S.S = SUNDLAND, SHEFF. UTD AND AWIDON = 06X 27X 31XXX LEYTON. O on LUTON AT HOME AGAIN. As it was in week 5 Week 5 – x x x - 41F 42X Week 13 – x x x – 16x 17x.

Be bailed out with the Isreal confirmed week 13 sure Nap on fixed/schedule draw tactics before we proceed on 3 weeks break till week 17. We remain commited to your winning interest = N50,000 =

UNSTOPPABLE OBINYAN AGAIN

The guru of Pools compilation and computation in Africa and the Chairman/Managing Director of kings and George group of forecast papers.

Prince Willy Ehi Obinyan said he was now ready for more action. The Zeters page 2 of Pools pointer got 9x 39x 42x winning line that added to stakers winning dividend and the Zeter hot pair in A sequence 27x 41x which turned out as 2bankers. The Shoot pointer had a lead in its 10 powerful spot where draws is exposed on No – 6x 32x 41x 47x and alternate away of 10x 10F. What an incredible performance.

Economic recession or not your winning is assured promised by the draw controller himself he therefore enjoined stakers to buy and study his group of forcast papers and the late News for regular winnings the papers are Pools Telegraph, Zeters Pools Guild, Shoot Pointer, Murphy Sports, the New Dream and Final Result.

TRIPLE SPICE AND THE WINNING TRAIN....

AS WE OFFER 36 – 38 (08035324990) This week again marks the fourth consecutive week of unfailed pair donation. We hinted at the begining of the the season that seasoned compilers should not be taken for granted this season any serious staker.

Mark it, Coupon Nos 36 - 38 will oblige us with a good draw this week.

Your best bet is to add the draw to our 1bk and get your usual 2/3.

Our 1bk still go for only N1,500 Drs cost N3,000, and 3 draws sell for N10,000 on 08035324990.be a regular winner!

OLA – CITY SET FOR WEEK 14 HIS FANS SURE OF WINNINGS JACKPOTWEEK 13 PAIRS. 17XXX 39XXX PHONE 08140575314, 08085005634

The compiler of Ola – City International assures stakers and all registered members of his 3 fixed draws for week 14, week 15 and week 16 cost N10, 000 cash each week which will surely ends all stakers.

Winning club membership fees remain N100, 00 cash while N50, 000 cash deposit accepted to be balance from your first winnings join the Lucky winners.

Pay to first Bank Plc Account No. 3033318854 and collect the 3 Draws on phone after confirmation of your payment. Pair 17xxx 39xxx

MOLLY ONE BANKERS GROUP=

08055230300= WK 12 FREE 9X 10X (WK 13 PAIR 2. 5)

WITH GOD one Bankers N2000 Wk 11 9x wk 12 No 27x Wk 13 No Nap Wk 14 Nap. Molly one Banker N2000 Wk 11 No 34x Wk 12 No No X Wk 13 No X Wk 14 No Nap Wk 15 No Nap USA One Banker N2000 Wk 11 No 29x Wk 12 No 10x Wk 13 No Nap Wk 14 No Nap Big Man one Banker N2000 Wk 11 No 39x Wk 12 No x32x WK 13 No Nap Wk 14 No Nap. Stakers try to molly one Banker Group. 4 Special draws this cost N25, 000 Wk 12 No 9x 12x 27x 34= 4/4 Wk 13 No Nap Nap Nap Nap= 4/4 N25, 000 send MTN Card 08055230300.

ACHIEVER INTER 08034097902

WEEK ‘12’ RESULY :- 27XX, 37XX, 38F & 47XX ¾ WEEK 13:- 16 OR 17 17 – NAP 17XX PLUS 2 OTHERS Congratulation with our week ‘12’ result. God save Pools promoters as our killer 4 Nap draws. Score 3 over 4 on Nos 27xx, 37xx, 38f & 47xx, Week 12 however is gone but we still have ‘3’ more operation. In weeks 13, 14 & 15, with our kuller draws which will shock Pools Promoters as stakers are bound to recovers their past losses this week 13, 13, 15. Winning is guaranted in those 3’ weeks you are all assured. We are not making empty promises as all arrangements have been made and concluded with our overseas partners this Wk ‘13’.

Nos:- 16xx 17xx plus 2 others Banker draws Nap: - 17xx plus 2 others on (P-A-R) or N10, 000 cash. 17xxx, 17xxx, 17xxx, plus 2 others.call 08034097902 – 08057309501.

DR. M. M. PROMISE, THE PAYMASTER 080371774526 HOT 16, 17

The Paymaster and Nigeria foremost Pools compiler Dr, M. M. Promise will be releasing 3 sure Nap draws to all interested stakers in weeks 13 and 14. Cost N30, 000 cash weekly; payable at UBA, to Dr. Maxwell M. Promise, Accts No. 1003610591.

AKIN MR AKIN 07067202291 (13.O.K.33)

CHELMSFORD on Coupon again controls 3 fixed draws with reference to week 8 of 12 draws. Our this week advert is to remind all our week 8 winners that another show down win is at it again. In week 8 we put many promoter on crossroads. With N35,000 your winning is sure again. Call & win. Goodluck.

MADAM EMILIA – 08068523407 (17XX + 2 OTHERS)

THE WINNERS CHOICE OF POOLS STAKERS CONGRATULAION FOR OUR WEEK 12 WINNING LINE!!!

FOR WEEK 13 – Banker – 17xxx plus (2) other and a pair... this continued in week 13,14 and 15 with 3 Nap DRAWS AND A PAIR ON SALE AT N25,000 Each week (it is a colours operation with GUARANTEE) so be part of SUCCESS FOR MORE DETAILS CALL 08068523407.. wishing you all best of luck.

ZENITH HOME OF WINNERS 08146879314 (15xx 16)

Week 11 – sure win – 05x 20x 30xxx — 21x Week 12 – Must win – 09x 27x 39x Week 13 – confirm win X X X — 15xx 16 Multiply win at Zenith home of winners Anniversary win – was designed to appreciates all stakers nationwide and our Esteem registered members.

To God be the glory, we started well he is superb. Welcome to the stakers winning home of fortune, your investment is your winning strength = N50, 000= Goodluck ((15 SURE 16)).

Thursday, 6 - 12 October, 2016 MODUPE (08033566694) 15x 16x 19 for 2 draws Winning galore at Modupe Nap Call for detail. Goodluck

IBUKUN OLU (07026839837) WEEK 14 RELEASE – 03XX AND 3 OTHERS

Readers of Nigeria Tribune should go All out with Coupon No 3xx this week Against our 3 gazetted Draws Next week 14 cost N10,000. Cash did you remember our week 06 success on Nos 13x 14x 19x scores 3 over 3 correct.

A.T.M LIVE.

07040478677/ 08056390550

WK13 :- 9.20.21.34 FREE WK14 :- X. X. X. Pair 15 x 16 The above are set to deliver, and change lives for better, cost N15,000 cash or you call for the keys which cost N50,000 cash payable to Mrs Modupeola Oseji, A/c No 2016981168 U.B.A Bank. Take a decision now. Congratulations in advance, keep your records.

INNOCENT NAP

(08095602590) 2X NAP 3

ENGLISH N30, 000 WINNER MEMBERSHIP GROUP A. N50, 000 ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET N30, 000 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 11 No 20x 21x 29x 34x 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 12 No 10X 32X 33F 34X WK 13 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP Two Bankers Wk 11 No 20x 34x Pair 14x 15x Wk 12 No 10X 32X PAIR 26F 34X Stakers try to get Innocent 4 special draw this Wk 13 cost N6, 000 Two Bankers cost N4000.

Send MTN Card 08095602590 the game will be sent to you by text message 08095502590

VIC DESTINY BLAST 13X BET 33X CALL :- 09099813819 (WK13 FREE)

Congrats to our clients who won my Nap previously. This week 13 Nap Nap Nap FREE to all pools lovers. Send me text or call 09099813819 to receive week 13 Nap FREE FREE FREE.

BOLU ONE –

07031916067 (05 MUAT 22)

Week 12 in our second week of our scheduled 4 weeks Naps. Don’t be left out of the on going winning spree. Call Bolu Nap and win fantastic money. Good luck.

PETAFE NAP –

08059186433 (17 MUST 18)

Another Brown coloured coupon setting of 3 draws and the above pair is set again. Cost N10, 000 per week or N100, 000 P.A.W. Thanks for your patronage. Goodluck.

AUSTINE CHUKWU 08054462577

NAP:- 20, 23,34 pair 24x9 after one month of research i am happy to inform you all. That the stage is now set for you to win from this week and other weeks to come. So play the above games.

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL. 08092621480

WK 13:- 05XX 13XX 22XX. The taste of the pudding is in the eating. What did the magic in week 4 and week 7 when i got the NAP with the Grace of God must repeat this week. From the archive and with the instructions from Pools Panel and the Bookmakers, the game above must play. I release the game so that club members and prospective members will complete their registration. Membership registration remains N250,000 call me on 08092621480.

For further details and discussions.

OBINYAN ON TOP GEAR, READY TO ENRICH ALL STAKERS. ATTENTION= Registration is still in progress for UK/Scottish football League season at Kings & George Organisation as MILLONAIRE CLUB MEMBER at No. 7, Mobalaji Bank Anthony Way, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.

TEL- 08022238999/8974999. Get – CONNECTED TODAY.

MAC – ANTHONY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL NAPS WKS 12, 13 & 14 NAP= XXX 3/3 GSM: 08069048857 NAP & WIN 3/3 IN HONOUR OF MY BIRTHDAY 7TH OCTOBER. CONGRATULATIONS TO PREVIOUS WK 10 & WK 11 LUCKY WINNERS COST N20, 000 CASH. PAY UBA: 2029382770. ENGR, MICHAEL AKAM. TRY IT & WIN IT NOW!!!

FAITH NAP 087077887876

WEEK 13 = 7X 10X 21XX 2X 14 free to enable you to buy our wk14 special release cost N25,000 after wk 13 result. Call 08077887876 for details.

CARMARK SUPER

WEEK 13 (08186673842)

Bankers Free Gifts 1xxx 4xxx 21xx 2 for 3 against week 14. To all customers for week 14 when ever Brandford C. and Shrewsbury meet together is going to give 2 for 3 e.g In week 1xxx 4xxx 21xxx.

To set for 3 direct Nap in week 14.

The price of the game is N10,000 while permutation is N6,500 all interested stakers should pay to IBTC Stanbic Bank Acct Number is 0001361916, the Acct Name is Mr. S.B Odesola. God bless you.

MAITO NAP – 08030785634 / 09081225091

NAP – 01X 09X 11XXX PAIR 24 & 42 With reference to week 8 now 13 another sure win guaranteed. Call now for your special win in week 13 & 14 ‘WINNING AGAIN’ PAYMENT TO Sule Ishola at Wema bank No -0221601707 = call for your winning details goodluck.

OJIKUTU NAPS

09091672122 (39XX40)

Congratulations am back from my oversea tours with 3 weeks operational Naps in week 13, 14 and 15.

Call for your winning this week 13 to enable you to win with us in the remaining 2 weeks – N25,000 each week. Join the winners & celebrates. Good luck.

PORTUGAL TWO BANKER WK 12 N3,000

X12X X34X

WK 13 BROWN NAP NAP

COROATIA

TURKEY

TWO BANKER WK 12 N3,000

TWO BANKER WK 12 N3,000

WK 13 BROWN

WK 13 BROWN

X27X X32X NAP NAP

X31X X41X

NAP NAP

SEND MTN CARD TO 09038633666 NJOROGE MR ASSURANCE – 08177474535

STAKERS RELIEF ON AUTHENTIC WINNING ADVICE WEEK 12 – SUCCESS – 05X 32X 41XXX 13F 12X FREE 4 WEEKS BANKERS DRAW. WEEK 12 12XCBK – WEEK 13 = 13CBK – WEEK 14 Week 12 – 05x 32x 41xx 12x 04x Week 13 - x x x 13x 05x Week 14 – x x x 14x 06x Week 15 - x x x 15x 07x Don’t be left out of our newly chilled and served menu for your winning pleasure and get out of the current economic recession. Trust Mr Njoroge the winning Assurance that care for your winnings. OUR PRIDE IS YOU Njoroge Assurance. N50,000 = free Nap win and standing win.

WEEK 12 XRAY.

Nigeria Tribune Pools page remain the wise stakers delight and No 1 winner’s choice on regular winning from Good soccer and narrow missed from Right time, Maito and Maito Kingdom from their kindness, our 2 bankers Experts were superb at M.B.A Expert, Sir Michael, Molly one Banker, Peter, Luckman and Double shuffle that added greatly to our readers winning dividends. Hope Bolu one, Graceland, Midweek, Godwin, Ojikutu Diamond, Olacity, Acheiver, New Era and Lady. K Fullfiled their pair promises. Many Promoters are now on cross roads with our reliable Experts recent performances No going back our Compilers promised more winning awaits you this week please, appreciate their kind gesture and be a WINNER.

39

tribunepools

PATRICK ENGLISH=

08154836338 (05 MUST 07)

Crawley on Portsmouth at away 2/2 years winning instruction confirm the above 2 games as a formidable win must and other 3 fixed matches on programmed winning formular N25, 000= Goodluck.

4 MEMBERS 4 MEMBERS 4 BANKERS (08162705220) 5XX 7

4 BANKERS COST N6000 WK 11= 2016 NO 5X 9X 20X 20X WITH 34X 39X 4 BANKERS COST N5000 WK 12= 2016 NO 10X 12X 27X 34X WITH 24F 34X 4 BANKERS COST N5000 WK 13= 2016 NO NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP 4 BANKERS COST N5000 WK 14= 2016 NO NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP Stakers try to get 4 members 4 bankers this wk 13 cost N6, 000 4 member ENGLISH system booklet out N30, 000. Winner membership Aussie 2016 N50, 000 Send MTN Card 08162705220.

SHADOW 08087670776

7XXBK PLUS TWO OTHERS This is the week you will say goodbye to poverty as shadow presenr 3 Nap draws and I hot pair. Believe it or not, your saying I know get money will be thing of the past if you can send to me N5, 000 MTN recharge Card. Please don’t allow anyboidy confuse you from doing so. A word is enough for a wise man/woman, thanks.

FORTUNE DONOR DONATES 19 – 20 (08099111828)

Your hard working and selfless Fortune Donor International is happy to donate Coupon Nos 19 & 20 to all punters this week.

Make good use of this wonderful pair and have good divided. Better still, combine them with our 1BK or 3/3 this week. Our 1BK sells for N1,5000, 2BKS cost N3,000 and 3 sure draw cost N10,000 on 08099111828. Be blessed!

MALLAM BAWA MUSA SET AGAIN

08052506287 BET 6 OR 7.

Stakers, compulsory winning awaits you in weeks 13 and 14 with my special Nap, cost N15, 000 cash per week. Please do not miss it. Payments at Access Bank to Mallam Musa Ibrahim Bawa, accts No. 0042075587.

MR. BILLY AGAIN –

08034970970 BANK 7 OR 16.

Congratulations again to both my registered members and customers that got my week 12 four games for three : 6, 18,31,39 = 4/4. This week 13 again No 7 or 16 must draw with another 2BKS cost N10,000. Register with Mr. Billy and be in money.

Registration fee – N100,000.

AUTHORITY NAP – 09030084552 22XX MUST = 22XX

Congrats your winning coast is clear to enable you with our unequal week 13 fixed Naps. Starting of another 3 weeks Nap be a winner.

N25,000 – Authority win.

MADAM FAJOBI (26XBK) 08079826939

Stakers coupon No. 26 will draw this week 13 with 2 others and hot pair cost N10, 000 cash. Pay at First Bank to Fajobi Gbenga, a/c No. 3058742139.

SHORT GUN – 07 XX 17

08050614477/08168241902.

If you go by our recent success in recent times, the above pair is due for a draw Roachale must Luton and other 3 fixed matches as confirmed draw. N25,000= good luck.

DR. NICHOLAS NAP – 09066465222.

WELCOME NAP/WIN ON – WIGAN. A on date of play Reference to week 4 and week 12= Wigan. A at away.

Wigan 1st alphabet opponent= ‘B’= 2= Wk. 4 – Wk.12 DERBY – 17X – 27X LEYTON. O – 28X – 34X HAMILTON – 40 – 47X Draw to started from No 2 and ended on 47xxx. Week 13 super win again on DONCASTER on week of play X X X= Wise stakers Rejoices= N75, 000.

BOLU ONE –

07031916067 (05 MUAT 22)

Week 12 in our second week of our scheduled 4 weeks Naps. Don’t be left out of the on going winning spree. Call Bolu Nap and win fantastic money. Good luck.

WEEK. 13 STATUS

PPP – 02, 03, 09.

SUNDAY – 05, 06.

ATTENTION PLEASE!

ALL ADVERTS ARE TO BE FULLY PAID

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE

THE WINNERS CHOICE WISE STAKERS DELIGHT GET A COPY AND WIN.

M.B.A EXPERT – 08104695618 PAIR 8XX 17.

COMPUTATION by week/dates of play pin points Scunthrope xx Luton as Potentials at least for one good draw this 3rd Brown as the duo promote one good Nap draws emerging from Science of Numbers Game sequence. Years 2003 and 2010 back both Nos 8x17 with 1-1 and 0-0 from pervious sequence primary number of week of play similarly promotes a banker draw. More than just that reach out for CLUE on 08104694618.

Goodluck.

FAITHFUL - INTERVENTION NAP - 07082899957 ANNUAL WEEK 13 WINNING STATUS= 2013/2016.

2/2 YEARS STANDING 5 OVER 5= NAP= ON FULL PAYMENT Below are the previous winning records =B + A= B= 2 and A= 1 = 21xxx Week 13’ 2013 – 04x 13x 28xx – 24x 39 Week 13’ 2014 – 08x 21x 32xxx – 24x 39 Week 13’ 2015 – 02x 31x 40xxx – 16x 19x Week 13’ 2016 – X X X - 16xx 19x

The major thing you need to have before you win with us is your GOOD FAITH. Our current authentic source of information on fixed winning/ gazette program with ‘FAITH’ made our clients MILLIONAIRES= N50, 000. Goodluck (3,4,5 draws must)

NAZAR MASTER THE PEACE SETTER, WE FLY OTHERS CRAWLS

The leading pools company in Oyo State and environs, Nazar Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan, has continued to shine in the current U.K. Pools season with its performance by paying winnings as when due.

This was made known to TRIBUNE POOLS in a statement made available during the week.

According to the pools company, “we at NAZAR MASTER are on top of the situation in the pools industry, we have fully paid all winnings to date and we are not owing anybody up to date.

We shall continue to make stakers happy with big dividend on our Treble Chance odds, while other stakeholders should count on us also for adequate reward.”

MADAM DE MADAM – 08023329191 05X 31X 41XXX

PUT PROMOTERS INTO ANOTHER TROUBLE. BIRMINHAM, BRADFORD. C. and Blackpool B – B – B= 15X 21X 34XXX 20X 4/4 Draws calculated on 4th odd week programmed Naps through foreign Experts assistance.

SHEFF. WED – BRIGHTON= 3/3 YEARS WIN. Week 5 – 2010 – 04x 23x 36xxxWeek 29 – 2013 – 10x 19x 40xxxWeek 12 – 2016 – 05x 31x 41xxxCongratulations, again our 3/3 years winning statement as directed by our Experts is to enrich all Asundry this week stop your doubts today call our media manager.

Week 12 winning scheduled on stoke, Swindon and Stevenage= 05x 31x 41xxx.

Match between Newport and Stevenage confirmed that a draw is draw despite the Panel option.week 13 – NAP – NAP – NAP= 16xx 15.

Call our Media Manager and get connected to the stakers safe place Mr Joshua for your winning details N50, 000 – Goodluck.

WITH CONFIDENCE= 08166222529, 08139714848= 42XX 43XX

Two Bankers= N5000 Wk 10 NO 14x 24x Pair 26x 34x wk 11 No Nap 15x 34x Pair 28f 29x Two Banker= N5000 Wk 12 No 10X 31X PAIR 11F 12X Two Bankers N5000 Wk 13 No NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP WK 14 NO NAP NAP One Bankers= N2500 Wk 11 RED No 29x Pair 20x 21x Wk 12 No 34X PAIR 11F 12X One Bankers= N2500 Wk 08 No 33x Pair 15F 17x Wk 09 No 28x Pair 23x 40x Wk 10 No 34x Pair 6x 14x Wk 11 No 15x 34x Pair 28 29x Wk 12 No 34x Pair 11f 12x Wk 13 No Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap. League Table Two Bankers= N3000 Wk10 No 20x 34x Pair 14x 17x Wk 13 No NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP League Table Two Bankers= N3000 Wk 11 RED NO 20x 39 Pair 29x 30x wk 12 no 31X 41X PAIR 9X 10X. One Banker N2000 Wk 07 No 34x Pair29x 34x Wk 08 No 33x Pair 21x Wk 09 No 10x pair 26x 27x Wk 10 No 17x Pair 14x 15f Wk 11 No 34x Pair 29x 30x WK 12 27x Pair 9x 10x wk 13 No Nap Pair XX Stakers try to get with Confidence two Bankers this Wk 13 BROWN cost N5000 two N2500 League table two Bankers cost N3000 one Bankers cost N2000 we set for 6 Wks operations. Wk 12. 13. 14. 15.

Send MTN Card 08166222529.

MID –WEEK MARCHES ON ...ON THE WINNING STREAK WITH 14 – 16 (08087176217)

Our trip to the welish stadium of Newport Country FC last week paid off as we were vindicated by the draw result. The pools panelists of Tony Green thought it fit for a draw. Both forms and sequence portrayed a good draw. In the same vein, we give Coupon Nos 14 & 16 for a good draw this week. Add them to our 1BK and get your2/3 our 1BK still sells for N3,000 and 3 draws sell for N10,000 on 08087176217. Best of luck!

HOPE NAPS & CO 08107128449 WK 13 (8 PAIR 11) (11 PAIR 8)

Hope do welcome fans, stakers & all to this week release and we promised to get the three draws correctly.

All interested stakers should call Hope and pay to First Bank Plc. Account No 3088328923 in person of Mr. Gbadebo Stephen A. while the week releases will be sent to you on Phone after confirmation of your payment.

Cost N20, 000. Only. Pair (8 & 11) (8 & 11) God Bless you. BYE.

MAN CITY SYSTEM 08166222529= 09038633666= 16 NAP 17

RELEASE WINNER MEMBERSHIP ENGLISH 2016 N50, 000 ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET N30, 000 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 11 RED No 9x 20x 29x 39x= 4/4 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 12 No 31X 32X 38F 34X 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 13 No Nap Nap Nap Nap= 4/4 Two bankers N3, 000 Wk 12 No 20x 29x Pair 9x 39x Two bankers N3, 000 Wk 12 No 31X 32X PAIR 9X 26F WK 13 NO NAP NAP Stakers try to get MANCITY 4 Stakers draws this Wk 13 cost N3000, two Bankers this Wk 13 cost N3000.

Send MTN Card to 08166222529, 09038633666. Winner membership English 2016, N50, 000 English system booklet N30, 000.

DR. B4 DR – 08067248396 (13XX 33) 09X 15X 30XXX 21X READ & WIN.

ARSENAL – CHELSEA winning gazet with refrence to week 28’ 2015/ 2016 and week 11 – 2016, records is our proffFollowing week Arsenal – Burnley or Burnley – Arsenal as it was in week 29’ 2015/16 and week 12’ 2016/17 Week of play as X CBK. Week 29’ 2015/16 – 32X 41X 29X= 13x 32x Week 12’ 2016/17 – 32X 41X 12X= 13x 32x.

3rd week – week 30 and week 13 LEYTON O vs PORTHSMOUTH Confirmed the 3rd week 3 draws (Nap) Week 11= N25, 000 – Week 12= N50, 000Week 13= N250, 000= winners always rejoice welcome & win.

ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE —MANAGEMENT.

Thursday, 6 - 12 October, 2016 IKECHUKWU & BROTHERS NAP –

08168157259 (13 must 33) FREE 09X 31X 34XXX= 2 WEEKS NAP

The 2 weeks Naps in week 11 and 12 rented the whole city of Lagos as we published it free last in week 12.

It is now the turn of Barnet in week 12 & 13.

Week 13 – Barnet must Brackley. = 13 must 33xxx must.

Winning continues at Ike & Brothers sensational draws pay point the winners abode.

N50, 00= Welcome & congrats (13xx 33).

VICTORY NAP – 08112429904

11X 14X 16X 27XXX WIN.

We are on board with 3 weeks operation fixed Naps. The above winning games is our introduction Nap absolutely FREE against our weeks 14 and 15 Naps cost N150, 000= Play the above win well for ease payment next week. Goodluck.

OGUGUO VS. PROMOTERS 08037586946 BET 2 NAPS 22

In weeks 13, 14, 15, Three authentic sure Nap cost N10, 000 cash each week. Pay at Access Bank to Mr. John E. Oguguo, accts No. 0045064292.

SIR MICHAEL NAP

09091874579 (2 PAIR 3)

Wk 12 result, 4xx, 10xx, 18xx, 3/3 the pair, 31xx, 34xx making 5/5.

Congratulation as our last week result got 4xx, 10xx, 18x 3/3 plus the pair 31xx, 34xx, making 5/5.

If it was not so, please ereport to EFCC. Meanwhile another 3/3 and 4/5 this week cost N20, 000.

00 call for acct No or mode of payments then bank on 2 or 3 for X.

PETER NAP (1 PAIR 2) 08076546261

Congratulation, as all is set for another winning week as the key pointer to the three draws got 31xx, 41xx 47xx, 3/3 last week, through the two bankers 31xx, 41xx was published free last week the weekly release cost just Ni25, 000. 00 pay to saving acct. No:3023114822 first Bank in Person of Mr Onaolapo Peta. A and call on 08076546261, meanwhile 1 or 2 for X.

MADAM FALETI BACK IN ACTION

08038245181 PAIR 10, 30

Week 13, 14 and 15 will be weeks of assured winnings to all who can get my Naps. Cost N10, 000 cash weekly payable at First Bank to Mrs. Sanni Faleti Abiodun, a/c No. 3007847537.

ADEOTI SUNDICATE 07051327960 FOR WKS

13 – 14 (14 – 20 – 14 FOR 1 DRAW)

The above two numbers must supply a draw with the 3 draw for this week 13 release as a said.

Last week result have nothing to do with the release. Keep watch what will happen on Saturday . cost N5,000 cash. Each wk and send it to Ahmed Shafiri A/c No: 2001788431 Zenith Bank. Ibadan.

14xxxBK 20xxxBK 14xxxBK. Thank good luck all.

LABAEKA NAP –

08053303522 (22 MUST 24)

DR. NICHOLAS NAP – 09066465222.

WELCOME NAP/WIN ON – WIGAN. A on date of play Reference to week 4 and week 12= Wigan Wigan 1st alphabet opponent= ‘B’= 2= Wk. 4 02x – 02x DERBY – 17X – 27X LEYTON. O – 28X – 34X HAMILTON – 40 – 47X Draw to started from No 2 and ended on 47xxx. Week 13 super win again on DONCASTER on week of play X X X= Wise stakers Rejoices= N75, 000.

NEW VICTORIOUS VICTOR & ASSOCIATES. 3 WKS NAP 08126994034= SILENT ACHIEVER. 8 – 8 YEARS= 3 WEEKS FIXED NAPS. KEY= Week 13’ 2008 and Week 13’ 2016.

Wk. 13= COLCHESTER Away 31’ 2008= C= 3 = 2x 3x 4xxx NAP Wk. 14= LEYTON. O. Away 31’ 2008= L= 12 = 11x 12x 13xxx NAP Wk 15 = NORTHAMPTON Away 31’ 2008= N= 14= 13x 14x 15xx NAP The contact that connected 2008 – Wks. 13 – 15 Naps is due to work in another dimention again.

Weeks 13, 14, 15 – 2016 Victorious week.

Weeks 13= N70, 000, week 14= N500, 000 Week 15 – 1MILLION NAIRA. Get victorious & Let’s celebrate you.

LAWRENCE NAP ITS 3 WEEKS OPERATION 3 MUST DRAW PLUS 3, OTHERS 4 GAZETTED DRAWS TO BE RELEASE COST N100, 00. CASH each week LAST WEEK 12 – RESULT 18X 24F 32X 34X ¾ Congratulations. Call 08160052969.

DRAW COMMANDER TWO BANKERS N3,000

WK 12 X10X X27X PAIR X04X X05X

WK 13 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

WK 14 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

BEST ENGLISH MAGIC TWO BANKERS N3,000

WK 12 X31X X34X PAIR X9X X10X

WK 13 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

WK 14 NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP

SEND MTN CARD TO 08095602590.

JACOBSON NAP – 07065292905 (13 MUST 15)

DONCASTER IN WEEK OF PLAY. Crawley in a register draw and Doncaster. No Event – No History week 13 sure Nap. Week 24’ 2014 – 05x 19x 40xxx- 20x Week 13’ 2013 – X X X – 13xx 15.

Jacobson week 13 sure win needed no story we speak winning language with the above games and other scheduled NAPS. Cost N50, 000 guarateed.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE LEN THE PROWLAGAIN WITH 31XX 41XX LAST WEEK AS WE NOW OFFER – 40 – 41 (09052942626)

Congratulation our recent back in action gazette naps is now talk of the town.

Join the wise Lucky winners today.

Call for your Nap details with the above must pair. Goodluck.

We were on sure track last week with 31xx – 41xx while the 1BK sold was 37xx making 3/3. The winning trend continuous this week with the pair of 40 -41 which should be added to our 1BK and get your 2/3 or 3/3. Our 1BK cost N1,500 2 Draws sell for N3,000 and 3 good draws sell for N10,000 on 09052942626. Join the happy winners!

ALASE DRAW MANAGER

This week 13 is going to be another week to stakers who follow Expert two weeks is enough for stakers to be rich through pools betting now that i have good information for week 13 and week 14 also week 15 = 3 weeks Naps call for details.

09081716580 (23 SURE 33)

Another fantastic win awaits you at Alase draw management office where stakers are enriched in million. Call for your week 13 sure win and get connected. Confirmed winners only.

RIGHT TIME (8,14,25), for 2drs (08054282579)

GODWIN NAP – 08156829811 = 15XX 07

32, PAIR 46,08183573342

Week 12 = 05 X 27X 34XXX – 39x 09x = 5/5 ANOTHER GOLDEN W2INNING CHANCE AGAIN WITH LEAGUE 1 team on 1 – 9 or 12 with ACCRINGTON under the Bar at Away and Home. Reference to week 8 12 draws and week 13 of almost repeated number of draws.

Week 8 – 17x 20x 31xxx – 07x = 4/4 Week 13 – x x x - 07xx 15.

Once again don’t be left out of our on – going winning galore on the stable of our current Overseas Experts. You are welcome to God approved winning pay point stakers friend – N30,000 – good luck.

JOHN SUPER TIPS BANK 3 CBK

WINNER CODE 505 08135637650 (5 NAP 10XX)

ALHAJI SADIKU

Winning is possible in weeks 13 and 14, cost N10, 000 cash per week.

Pay at GTB to Alhaji Sadiku Adedoja, Accts No. 0030411077.

Readers, I have No Gold or silver to give but draws is my food, so bank on Coupon No 3 xxxcbk Plus 2 others this week and next week cost N10,000 cash each week, our week 10 result 20x 24x 35x all drew call 09050512097.

DR. SAM – 08084077244

WIN= 13X 14X 15X 16X 17X Our introductory free win is stated above.

Prepare to win in weeks 14, 15 & 16 with N100, 000.

EDITOR’S PLACE 31 X 33

UK SYSTEM TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 13 NO NAP NAP WK 14 NO NAP WK 15 NAP NAP POWER X POWER N2000 WK 13 NO NAP NAP WK 14 NO NAP NAP WK 15 NAP NAP Winner code 505 two Bankers N2000 Wk 13 No Nap Wk 14 No Nap Nap Wk 15 Nap Nap. Adesure Nap two Bankers N2000 Wk 13 No Nap Nap Wk 14 No Nap Wk 15 Nap Nap 4 Expert. 4 Special Draws this Wk 13 cost N25, 000 Wk 13 No Nap Nap Nap 4/4 Wk 14 No XXXX= 4/4 Cost N25, 000 Wk 14 Nap Nap Nap Nap= 4/4. Send MTN Card 0813560750. The Game will send to you by text message.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH TEXT MESSAGE OF WRITE UP WITHOUT ADVERT IS REGARDED VOID . PLACE YOUR ADVERT FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLICATION OF YOUR FORECAST. THANKS POOLS EDITOR

SIDELINES

NO 16,605

N150

THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER, 2016

“I believe that anatomy should be regulated. There should be a council regulating the study and practice of Anatomy in Nigeria as there is in many other countries with power to regulate and guide the practice of Anatomy in Nigeria.”

L

AST week I started an examination of the provisions of the Anatomy Act, its importance to the study of medicine and medical research and why it requires urgent revision and amendment. I will therefore continue this week from where I left off on the issue of amendment.

The Act should also be amended to provide for a body donation programme which shall provide for certain procedures and qualifications to streamline the procedure.

For example, Who can donate How to become a registered donor Procedure at time of death Donations not accepted Death certificate Obituary Duration of anatomical study Cremation/burial of remains Registration of information Another area which is unclear is; whether Superintendents of Anatomical institutions have any powers to reject a body for other purposes other than it not being accompanied by a certificate as in S.5 of the Act; for example for the reason that such a body had been subjected to a post-mortem.

Again the act does not specify how remains are to be preserved, buried, or cremated and the duration of an anatomical examination and how funerals are to be conducted and records of burials or cremations should be kept.

Failure to create a specific Regulatory Body for the Practice of Anatomy One obvious lacuna in the Act is its inadequacy when it comes to the regulation of the practice of the Science and Art of Anatomy. The practice of anatomy has expanded astronomically through the years, and like many other specialist fields that operate with rules and ethics, it requires some regulation. Unfortunately the Act did not envisage this aspect. Other medical fields such as medicine, dentistry,

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

Musa Mohammed, the leader of the kidnap gang which abducted Mrs Margaret Emefiele, wife of the CBN governor, has lamented: “After we kidnapped the woman, we thought God has finally blessed us. But the police came and spoilt everything.” Sorry, Mohammed, God does not bless crime or criminals; He sends them to prison!

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

The Anatomy Act: Contemporary challenges (II) medical laboratory science and nursing are regulated. I believe that anatomy should be regulated as well. There should be a council regulating the study and practice of Anatomy in Nigeria as there is in many other countries with power to regulate and guide the practice of Anatomy in Nigeria.

This will reduce the burden on the minister, place more information at his disposal, and create a system for harnessing skills, knowledge and scientific discoveries in the field of Anatomical sciences and put the future development of anatomical sciences squarely on the shoulders of eminently qualified practitioners. The regulation of this all-important discipline should not just be left to the discretion of any single minister. A regulatory council if constituted should have power to establish standards of practice and education in anatomy and work hand in hand with the Minister of health. Its regulations and stipulations shall include the useful parts of the Anatomy Act and amend obsolete or ineffective sections and in general should give more power persons who practice anatomy to improve the practice of anatomy.

CURRENT TRENDS In other jurisdictions, similar statutes have been replaced with modern legislation to accommodate global developments and help shape the future of anatomical sciences. There is now serious interest in the regulation of organ donations. Organ donation is a trend which definitely must affect the way anatomy is taught practically with actual bodies. Organ donation happens when a person allows healthy transplantable organs and tissues to be removed, either after death or while the donor is alive for transplantation into another person or for other purposes. Common organs and

tissues donated include Kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bone marrow, skin and corneas. Most donations occur after the donor has died. In some countries like the USA there is a registry for donors. In 1933 when the Anatomy Act came into force, certainly, science had not improved to the point of regular organ or tissue donation, it is understandable therefore, that the Act is silent in that respect; it does not deal with the harvest of organs for transplantation, and what to do when the need to retain parts of the bodies which may be of special interest for educational, medical and scientific purposes arises. This is a lacuna which should be filled because anatomy can benefit not just from the donation of whole bodies but from the donation of organs for anatomical examination.

A donor may wish because of cultural considerations to donate only his organs so that the surviving relatives will have a “body” to inter especially as culturally, much attachment is had to such body as evidence of death. Anatomical sciences also need to be protected from negative implications of the trade in organs. Therefore, an amendment specifically referring to organ donation and handling will benefit the development of anatomical sciences while catering to other considerations.

NON-SPECIFIC OFFENCES AND WEAK PUNISHMENTS The Act also provides for offences relating to contravention of the Act and punishment but provides punishment which could seemingly neither serve as a punishment nor as a deterrent in S.11 of the Act. Sentencing and incarceration traditionally have numerous goals such as punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation. Sentencing policies are often enacted with the goal of

enhancing the deterrent effect of the criminal justice system. Severity of punishment may influence behaviour if potential offenders weigh the consequences of their actions and conclude that with the punishment, the risk is too severe. It would seem the Anatomy Act has very weak punishment prescriptions because if for instance in contravention of the Act, an unauthorized person deals with a body without permission and delivers such a body to an anatomy student who dissects it without the knowledge of his superintendent, medical practitioner etc, the greatest punishment either of them could suffer is 3 months imprisonment or a fine of one hundred naira or both as provided in S.11 of the Act. As a matter of law, the descendants and relatives are entitled to claim damages in a court of law for such contraventions. I am not aware at this time of any decided case on this point but it is an area which is open to exploration in future. I believe that such contravention is actionable. A more severe punishment is required to serve as an effective deterrent to potential offenders and to demonstrate the seriousness of the offence.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Having examined the inadequacies of the Anatomy act, one can safely conclude that a different approach is needed to establish more effective systems and procedures to improve donor rates and regulate anatomical sciences more effectively.

In re-considering the provisions of the Act with a view to bringing same up to speed with contemporary developments in Anatomical sciences, there is now one most viable option which is AN AMENDMENT OF THE ACT AARE AFE BABALOLA SAN, CON

Pinnick mobilises Eagles against Zambia •Iwobi scores brace against Plateau United Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja NIGERIA Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, on Wednesday mobilised the Super Eagles to go all out on Sunday in the World Cup qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola for the maximum three points at stake.

Pinnick, who visited the players in their Bolton White Apartment camp in Abuja told the Eagles to be patriotic enough to give their all against their

Zambian counterparts on the opening day of the World Cup qualifying series.

According to him, the Federation was doing everything possible to guarantee the welfare of the players and their officials, urging them to play their part by winning the match.

He further urged them to ignore all the negative reports about the Federation and concentrate on the task ahead of them.

Pinnick, however, assured the Eagles that their bonus would be paid by the

NFF, telling them, “It is for you to go out their and win on Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal of England forward, Alex Iwobi, got a standing ovation from an appreciative Abuja crowd on Wednesday in the Eagles’ 3-0 defeat of Nigeria Proffessional Football League side, Plateau United, in a practice match played at the National Stadium.

Iwobi, who alongside Super Eagles’ first IX came on in the second half of the match watched by a fairly large crowd,

including coaches Adegboye Onigbinde, Kashimawo Laloko, James Peters and Bitrus Bewarang, scored a brace for the Eagles.

Returnee Anderson Esiti had put the Eagles in the lead in the 39th minute before Iwobi scored the second and third in the second half.

Fans mobbed the Eagles immediately the referee blew the final whistle as they rushed to the pitch to appreciate the players for their display against the Plateau United side.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 06/10/2016.