7th January 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,409

THURSDAY, 7 JANUARY, 2016

NFF top staff, Abubakar, shot dead —P45

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New electricity tariff takes off Feb 1

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Ambode appoints Fagbohun LASU VC

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N150

New fuel price: DPR gets tough on erring marketers

Nigeria should increase VAT rates —IMF —P11

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•Supports fuel subsidy removal, tasks FG on careful borrowing •We're ready for diversification of economy —Senate President

Ex-FIRS boss, OmoiguiOkauru, to head Lagos N25bn Employment Trust Fund —P13

We have no apology to Shiite members —GOC —P6

General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Adeniyi Oyebade, inspecting some weapons seized from members of Islamic Movement, in Kaduna, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

My wife and I agreed to sell our baby for N500,000 —Suspect —P8

More influential Nigerians on EFCC radar —Magu •Says it won't spare bureaux de change culpable in arms deal •Buhari not teleguiding EFCC—FG

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news More influential Nigerians on EFCC radar —Magu 2

Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared that more influential people will be arrested soon in connection with the ongoing war against corruption in the country.

This was stated by the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday, in Abuja, during a meeting he held with online media practitioners and broadcast media managers.

According to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune by the EFCC Head, Media and Pub-

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

licity, Wilson Uwujaren, Magu assured that Nigerians would be kept abreast of the results of the anticorruption body’s investigations.

“More influential Nigerians are on the radar of the EFCC and, in the coming weeks, they would have their days in court and Nigerians will be kept fully abreast of the results of the commission’s investigations,” Magu stated.

According to him, the essence of the meeting was to solicit media support and understanding to deepen the fight against fraud, corruption and economic crimes. He asked for advice and suggestions in ef-

fectively propagating the war against graft.

The EFCC boss stated that the commission was determined to send clear message to everyone that no Nigerian was above the law, submitting that there was no scared cow in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“Apart from bringing corrupt public officers to justice, we are determined, in line with the stance of the current administration, to send an unmistakable message to everyone, that no Nigerian shall be regarded as being above the law or treated as a sacred cow as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.

“The EFCC needs you;

Nigeria needs your critical support if we are to make any headway in this important campaign against corruption. My plea for your support is underscored by my understanding that the forces which we are battling are powerful and some of them may want to use all platforms of the media to distract and derail us. If and when they come to you, please allow the

ethics of your profession, your conscience and overriding national interest to be your guide,” Magu said.

The EFCC boss explained that he had re-ordered the priorities of the EFCC and he found inspiration in the unbending will of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption.

He added that the judiciary had responded with some practical steps in the

ACTING Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Buhari not teleguiding EFCC —FG Seeks to plug leakages in MDAs THE Federal Government has denied that President Muhammadu Buhari was tele-guiding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the prosecution of its anti-corruption war.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who was joined by his finance counterpart, Kemi Adeosun, said while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), in Abuja, on Wednesday, that it was not correct to say the president was intimidating the opposition with the anti-graft agency.

Several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, have been arrested and

detained by the EFCC in recent times allegedly in connection with payments received from diverted $2.1 billion arms procurement fund from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

In denying the claim of persecuting the opposition, the minister said: “This government is not micro-managing any of the anti-graft agencies in the ongoing anti-corruption war.”

He advised the media to independently investigate allegations of corruptions and make their own judgement.

“I can assure you that no functionary in government micro-manages or directs the EFCC or ICPC on who to arrest and who not to arrest,” he added.

Meanwhile, FEC has resolved to focus on efforts to plug revenue leakages in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) as government seeks to generate more income for the implementation of the N6.08trillion 2016 budget.

In her contribution at the briefing, the finance minister said that government might dispatch auditors to some agencies with perceived excessive cost.

She said the intention was to ensure that MDAs submitted a budget subject to approval and operated within the approved limit.

She said: “The principal discussion in our meeting today was the initiative by this administration to plug revenue leakages in our MDAs that generate revenue.

form of the designation of selected courts to try EFCC cases.

When asked about the perceived unbalance nature of the arrests made so far, Magu responded by saying “Such accusations have come up a lot, but we work with petitions before us. In fact, I am eager and waiting for something from the other side, but nothing has come so far.”

...Says it won’t spare bureaux de change culpable in arms deal

(EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said that no bureau de change operator involved in the ongoing $2.1 billion arms deal probe will be spared.

Magu, who was speaking during a courtesy call to his office in Abuja by Bureau De Change operators, on Tuesday, also re-iterated the existing mutual relationship between the commission and the group in the areas of sensitisation and training.

According to him, “My operatives often tell me what they see during investigations. We need to talk to you, as some of your operators are fond of carrying huge amounts of money out of the country, since they can no longer withdraw more than $300 using the ATM. “There are fraudulent inFrom left, Minister of State, Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Transporta- volvements of bureau de tion, Mr Rotimi Ameachi; Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung; Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mr James Ocholi and change operators in the the Minister of State, Solid Minerals, Honourable Abubakar Bawa Bwari, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, at the Council arms deal scandal. There are reports of some of your Chamber, Abuja.

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

Nigerian Tribune

“The presentation to FEC was to remind ministers who supervise these revenue-generating boards of their responsibilities under the Fiscal Responsibility Act. “Let me remind you that under FRA, these boards and corporations which generate poor revenue are supposed to generate and operate surplus, 80 per cent of which is to be credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, but we have discovered that many agencies have never credited anything and never generated any operating surplus including some whose salaries, overheads capital is paid by the Federal Government.

“Then, in addition to that, they generate revenue which they spend without any form of control. One

of the big initiatives and changes of this administration is to bring all those agencies into line, to insist that they must submit a budget and that budget must be subject to approval. They must operate within that budget so that the surplus that is meant to come to the Federal Government can be seen to be used as appropriate.”

Adeosun added that the key message was that change has now come to those agencies, boards and corporations, which have been operating without any control.

“We are reining them in and making sure that the money generated for all Nigerians is spent according to approval and any surplus then comes into the CRF to be used to fund other areas of government,” she stated.

members withdrawing as much as N500million in two, three, four tranches in this arms deal scam.

So, I am greatly disturbed.

I think there should be a documentation regarding your activities, as this will enable your group to checkmate anyone who is involved in any fraudulent activity.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Bureau De Change Operators, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, had expressed the resolve of the group to join hands with the commission in the ongoing war against corruption and economic crimes.

Gwadabe said the delegation was in the commission to congratulate Magu and seek collaboration with the EFCC. “I want to congratulate you on your appointment as acting Chairman of EFCC and pray for God’s guidance, most especially as it is a period of tough choices and decisions,” he said.

He also highlighted major challenges that the bureau de change operators were facing from policy regulators and security agencies.

Gwadabe decried the activities of black marketers who, according to him, had been giving the licensed operators a bad name. “Most of the time, fraud is perpetrated within the banking premises. However, whenever there is an issue, it is the bureau de change operators who are usually attacked. Another problem is the issue of BVN registration, which I believe should have been extended to three years in order to allow more people to be registered,” he said.

He, therefore, urged the commission to organise seminars, workshop and sensitisation programmes, as part of efforts to improve the knowledge of the operators.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

news There’s nothing like $2.1bn arms gate —Dokpesi 4

Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

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ORMER chairman of DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent Television (AIT), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who is facing charges for money laundering, has

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

said that the much publicised arms procurement fund diversion scandal is a hoax.

Dokpesi made the declaration while being presented with the certificate of National Patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth

Vanguard in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He is currently facing trial for allegedly receiving about N2 billion, part of diverted arms procurement money from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Colonel Sambo Dasuki

(retd).

However, the media mogul has observed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has subjected the PDP to massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta.

He said: “I wish to emphasise that the current

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) congratulating Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, after her swearing-in as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN.

FCT High Court, not FHC, granted N250m bail —Ag Chief Registrar Sunday Ejike - Abuja

IT is not the Federal High Court of Nigeria that granted the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (retd) and others bail in the sum of N250 million, but the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Acting Chief Registrar of the court, Emmanuel Gakko, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, said that none of the federal high courts sitting in Abuja granted Dasuki and his co-defendants bail in the sum of N250 million, but the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) presided over

by Justice Peter Affen.

Dasuki, the former NSA; the erstwhile Director of the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Babakusa, are facing a 19-count charge before Justice Hus-

sein Baba Yusuf.

Dasuki was also docked in another 22-count charge before Justice Peter Affen of another High Court of the FCT along with a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former director of finance at the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu; a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir and two firms, Dalhatu Investment Limited and Jabbam Ada Global Services.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges slammed against them by the Federal Government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the two FCT high courts.

After heated arguments on applications for bail of the defendants standing trial in the two courts, the two judges handling the two sets of charges had, last month, granted them bail on various terms.

Justice Yusuf granted bail to Dasuki and his co-

defendants in the 19-count charge in the sum of N200 million each, ordered them to produce a surety each, who must be a serving or retired civil servant not below the rank of a director and that the sureties must show evidence of ownership of a landed property in Abuja of the value not lower than N200 million.

He also ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports to the Registrar of the High Court, even as he forbids them from travelling outside the jurisdiction without permission.

Justice Affen, on his side granted the defendants arraigned before him on a 22-count charge bail in the sum of N250 million each with a surety in like sum.

Affen said the surety must be a serving or retired civil servant of not lower that the rank of a director and that the defendants must also submit their travel documents with the court registrar

and that any travel plan outside Abuja must be communicated to the court.

Dasuki, along with his co-defendants are accused of misspending about $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of weapons for the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in NorthEast Nigeria.

The Acting Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, in his statement said: “It will be in the interest of the reporters and editors to note that these cases involving the accused persons are not before the Federal High Court of Nigeria as reported by some national dailies, but before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf and Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the FCT.” The statement said the Federal High Court of Nigeria is different from the High Court of FCT, which has their respective jurisdiction and enjoined judicial correspondents and their editors to cross check facts before publication.

ruling party is making efforts to impede our journey to political maturity through the manipulation of the federal system to serve purely partisan interests.

“Our party is indeed experiencing a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta, of the kind never before seen on our shores and targeted at the leadership, membership and indeed sympathisers of the PDP by the APC government of the day.

“I speak with regards to several matters before the law courts of our country concerning PDP members and especially my humble self on charges filed against us by the Federal Government and would crave your indulgence not to make any comments as doing so would be sub judice.

“However, let me call on all members of the PDP nationwide especially you members of the Youth Vanguard to remain firmly, resolute and stand behind the leadership of the party at all levels in our bid to ensure the party gets fair hearing and judgments in all the cases at the various election tribunals. The provisions of section 287 of our constitution are very clear on the obedience of court orders by all arms of government.

“Having said so, I must hasten to assure you that there is nothing like the much flaunted 2.1 billion USD arms gate. The competent courts of our land would sooner or later prove this coinage aimed at decimating the leadership and membership of our great party to be nothing but a hoax.”

He recalled that similar events has occurred in the 80s and called on members of the party to stick together to weather the present adversity.

According to him, “Some of us are reminded of the events of 1984/85 which by any stretch of comparison are similar to the unfolding events of today.

“As I have said not too long ago, we must stand resolutely united especially in the face of this momentary political adversity. For one thing, I say again that the PDP is not dead, is not dying and will not die.”

Dokpesi spoke of a free press as the bastion of democracy and vowed that his media chain would not succumb to intimidation as it would continue to propound democratic ideal

Nigerian Tribune

with transparency and accountability.

He added: “We have weathered the storm of oppression, we have been vilified many times, we have also been persecuted in our constitutional duties to make government and government officials accountable to the Nigerian people but we never wavered.

During the infamous third term tenure elongation agenda, we dared to speak up, but speak up we did!

“We have always been on the path of human rights, citizen participation in the democratic process, transparency and accountability. These ideals have not changed and will never change.

“I assure you ladies and gentlemen, the youth and vitality of this nation, our faith in Nigeria remains unshakable. We will support any policy of government that seeks to promote the ideals of good governance. But we should also not be cowed to speak up where we disagree.”

While accepting the honour done to him by the PDP National Youth Vanguard, he told the members that they were the future of the country and must decide the direction of the country.

“It is you who must bring about the actualisation of the much vaunted potential of our country. You constitute the veritable platform on which the future of this country must stand,” Dokoesi stated.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Youth Vanguard stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, on Wednesday, to protest what they said was the persecution of the party members by the ruling APC. Speaking at the occasion, the National Coordinator of the group, Ambassador Ibrahim Bala Aboki, decried the selective application of the anti-corruption war.

He said while the group was in support of the war, it however detested its one sidedness and called on the Federal Government to refrain from further arrest of PDP members.

Members of the group carried banners bearing various inscriptions including “PDP still intact,” “PDP says yes to anti-corruption,” “We say no to political media trial,” “No to selective justice,” “We say no to continuous arrests,” etc.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Dele Momodu absent as NAPTIP continues hearing in Davido/Sophia crisis Newton-Ray Ukwuoma - Lagos

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HE intervention of the National Agency for the Prohibition in Trafficking of Persons (NATIP) to remedy the protracted child custody war involving popular musician, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido and the niece of popular publisher, Dele Momodu, Sophia, continued on Wednesday.

However, the publisher of Ovation, Chief Momodu and his niece, Sophia, were not at the meeting organised by the agency in Ikeja, Lagos.

The musician, who was

reportedly ill and hospitalised, arrived the Ikeja, Lagos State office at 11.07 a.m.

It was gathered also that the reason for the closed door session was to consider the statement of Chief Momodu concerning the alleged child trafficking and illegal custody of Sophia’s baby, Imade, filed against the Adelekes.

Dele Momodu and Dr Deji Adeleke, Davido’s father, were at the NAPTIP office on Monday, only for Dr Adeleke to storm out of the meeting 30 minutes after it commenced.

Meanwhile, Chief Momodu has responded to the pathology report released

by Davido on social media,

indicating traces of cannabis in the breast milk of his niece, Sophia.

Momodu, in a statement refutting Sophia’s Igbo smoking lifestyle, called the Adelekes to order.

“The newspapers were awash this morning and the social media has been on fire since yesterday.

“My cousin, Sophia Momodu, was comprehensively scandalised. Even a laboratory result alleging she’s a cannabis smoker was splashed everywhere. She was said to have infected her own baby with cannabis.

“The vicious authors expected some gullible people to believe them. Nothing could have been cruellest.

Our initial reaction was to maintain the ceasefire, but this latest attack against a defenceless lady who merely asked that she be allowed to enjoy the fruit of motherhood was the limit of recklessness and rascality.

“All sensible human beings should abhor and condemn this unwarranted fabrication of endless lies just to justify the act of forcefully detaching a baby from her biological mother.

Check this picture well.

That’s baby Imade with her aunt, Ashley Adeleke, who took her to Dubai a few months ago against her mother’s consent. The world has been told that the baby was so sick that she

Boko Haram kills 7 in suicide attack, raid BOKO Haram gunmen have continued their attacks since the Federal Government declared them “technically” defeated, killing seven people in a raid and suicide bombing, residents told AFP Wednesday.

The attacks happened on Tuesday in Borno State, near the Sambisa Forest hideout, where the army is looking to flush out rem-

nants of the rebel group.

The first attack happened in Izgeki village, according to a resident, who gave his name as Isyaku, from the town of Mubi in neighbouring Adamawa State.

“I received information from my relatives who fled the attack… that some Boko Haram gunmen, on bicycles, attacked Izgeki across the river from Izghe on Tuesday

morning, where they killed two people.

“The attack forced villagers to cross the river into Izghe. The gunmen pursued them. One of them who had a suicide belt on him blew himself up near the market, killing five people,” he said.

Izghe was previously attacked in February 2014, where more than 100 peo-

ple were killed as the rebels torched homes, opened fire and set off explosives.

Ayuba Chibok, an elder in the town, said there was also an attack in the nearby village of Nchiha at about 10.00 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Luckily, no-one was hurt but they (Boko Haram gunmen) looted food and burnt a large part of the village,” he added.

Why there was delay in payment of troops’ allowances —Army THE Nigerian Army, on Wednesday, explained the delay in payment of allowances to some of its officers, attributing it to challenges of implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the Federal Government.

Major-General Hassan Umaru, the Theater Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the troops of the Nigerian Army had done the country proud by their gallant efforts against the Boko Haram insurgents.

He said the authorities were doing all within their power to fast-track payment of the troops allowances as soon as possible.

“Let me acknowledge the tremendous successes and achievements of our gallant troops in the field.

“Their discipline, determination, courage and selfless service are highly appreciated by our dear nation and the world at large,” he said.

Umaru, however, said the introduction of the TSA by the Federal Government

slowed down businesses in some agencies, the military inclusive.

“We are all aware of government’s introduction of the TSA, which in one way or the other affected government organisations.

“The development also affected the payment of salaries to civilians, apart from the officers and men of the Armed Forces,” he said.

The theater commander said some troops in the theatre had also not been paid allowances due to the development, noting that there were some other administrative issues hinder-

ing payment of the allowances.

“There are issues of duplication of names, wrong account numbers, improper Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and the new policy of remitting allowances directly into individuals’ accounts,” the commander said.

He assured that both the Federal Government and the military authorities were making efforts to provide more logistics to enhance the troops operation.

“The Federal Government and the military hierarchy are doing their

best to support this noble course in terms of logistics.

“I urge you to remain focused in achieving our mandate.

“You should not allow yourselves to be misguided by unscrupulous elements.

“I must as well appreciate the invaluable support of the present administration, the government and the good people of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe for their support in the fight against terror.

“Let me thank the media for their patriotism and commitment in bringing peace to the North East,” he added.

Buhari appoints Ojudu special adviser PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Senator Babafemi Ojudu as Special Adviser on Political Matters, Office of the Vice President.

Ojudu represented Ekiti central senatorial district in the upper legislative chamber of the Seventh National Assembly.

He reportedly picked up

the letter of appointment from the Presidency late Tuesday, January 5.

Confirming his appointment to the Nigerian Tribune last night, Senator Ojudu said he assumed his new position on Tuesday.

“Yes, I can confirm that, I am now Special Adviser on Political Matters, Office of the Vice President.

I resumed yesterday (on Tuesday),” he said.

Ojudu was a member of the Senate between 2011 and 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He served as vice chairman, Senate Committee on Defence in addition to being the spokesman for the APC Senate caucus in the Red Chamber.

needed urgent medical attention in Dubai.

“Imade’s mother was deprived of attending personally to her own baby. Now wait for this; just imagine you’re the hapless mum of Imade; instead of receiving regular medical briefs from Ashley the Good Samaritan, you receive pictures of your own baby swimming with Ashley Coco inside the heavenly pool of Atlantis, The Palm Dubai, one of the most luxurious resorts in the world while anxiety is killing you back home.

“Baby Imade has been forcefully separated from her mum since July 11, 2015, when she was barely two months old. We’ve pleaded for months with the Adelekes to return the baby to her real mum. Sophie was allowed to visit her daughter once a week every Sunday inside Dr Adeleke’s guest quarters. We did not fight. We did not engage in social media wars. They said our family was too poor and beneath their status.

We did not mind.

“They said Sophie was a gold-digger, we did not respond. We only kicked when Baby Imade was to be taken out again without the mum’s necessary consent.

No one asked them to take Sophie along. We only tried

to stop the impunity and dehumanisation of a poor mother. We acted within the ambit of the law,” he said.

Sophie Momodu also condemned the hospital result claiming her breast milk contains elements of cannabis which is afflicting her suckling child, Imade.

In a letter signed by her lawyers, S. O Ajayi and Gbolahan Ajayi, dated January 5, 2016, she demanded the clinic, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, to produce details of the medical checks that linked her breast with cannabis.

She also asked for the original copy of the said pathology report alongside the produces/processes of analysis.

Sophia, in her defence, debunked the claim of smoking.

Using her Twitter handle, she said the medical report was a desperate means to take Imade away from her.

“I don’t smoke, I have never smoked weed, let alone smoke while breastfeeding.

“Cannabis was never found, it was a concocted lie just to steal away my baby,” she wrote.

She explained that she had been invited to a meeting where the cannabis claim was made.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

We have no apology to Shiite members —GOC Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

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eneral Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major-General Adeniyi Oyebade, has said that the military has no apology to members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the Shiites, over the recent soldiers clash with the sect.

Briefing journalists, on Wednesday, over the activities of the command in 2015, Oyebade noted that this was because the sect formed a parallel government within a constituted authority.

The GOC added that the military has no issue with the Islamic sect, pointing out that even some military personnel are Shiites by religious calling, but they respected and obeyed constituted authority, and the military has no issue with them.

The Army General also said over 21 Boko Haram

suspects were arrested, while over 200 camps belonging to the insurgents and armed bandits were

destroyed across North West during the period under review.

He displayed assorted

weapons, including locally made ammunitions, that were recovered from the bandits during the period,

particularly in Kaduna.

The GOC said North West is no longer safe for Boko Haram and other

Scene of explosion of a truck loaded with diesel, which crashed and burnt vehicles and buildings in Malumfashi, Katsina State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

APC seeks cooperation with China’s Communist Party •As Chinese president invites Buhari for state visit Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, signalled its intention to enter into partnership and cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC), the founding and ruling political party of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

This was a fallout of a meeting held between the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and a Chinese government delegation, led by the chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Qin Jian. The meeting was held at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

At the meeting, the Chinese chargé d’affaires Qin Jian, disclosed to the APC leadership that the Chinese President, Xi Jinping has invited President Muhammadu Buhari to China on a state visit on a yet-to-be-announced date.

Mai Mala Buni, who was represented at the meeting

by APC’s Director of Organisation, Alhaji Kyari Abubakar, said: “China is a very important technical and trading partner to Nigeria.

“Both countries have enjoyed excellent social, economic and cultural relations. As China is aware, Nigeria recently witnessed a change of government which ushered in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The time for better cooperation between both countries is now as the APC and the President Buhari administration works

to deliver on its Change mandate.”

He said healthy relations between Nigeria and China will ultimately be of benefit to Africa. At party level, the APC National Secretary identified capacity building and collaboration as areas Nigeria’s APC and the Chinese CPC can partner.

Meanwhile, the Chinese chargé d’affaires disclosed that following the successful December 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit which brought together Chinese senior government officials and most African heads of government to Johannesburg, South Africa, the Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a $60 billion

aid package for Africa.

The aid package would finance a broad range of assistance programmes to help Africa industrialise, modernise its agricultural production, boost the skills of its workers, build infrastructure and improve its health care.

Qin Jian said 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.

“We (China) have enjoyed positive and beneficial partnership with Nigeria in healthcare, economy, infrastructure development, social/cultural exchange and other areas... Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa and is a very important partner with China.

“The Chinese CPC and Nigeria’s ruling APC will pursue better cooperation which will be of benefit to both nations. Both parties can share experiences on

NLC crisis: Ajaero group threatens to quit reconciliation process Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

The group led by Comrade Joe Ajaero in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) crisis, on Wednesday, stunned Nigerians, who thought the crisis rocking the congress had been amicably resolved, when the group threatened to quit the reconciliation process, if the crisis is not fully resolved by the end of January.

Your promotion must enhance performance, Ali tells newly confirmed DCGs Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

THE Comptroller-General of Customs (CGS), Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd), on Wednesday told the six Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) whose appointment were confirmed, that their promotion must further enhance their performance in the Nigeria Customs Service.

Speaking while decorating the six DCGs and eight Assistant Comptrollers General, who had been operating in acting capacity since last year at the Customs headquarters in Abuja, Colonel Ali said

that their promotion did not come by way of lobby or compromise.

According to the Customs boss, their elevation came purely based on merit and challenging them that he expected nothing, but the best from them.

“I congratulate you and underscore the fact that your upliftment did not come by way of lobby, compromise or by way of anybody talking to anybody. It did come purely based on merit and I stand here to say we did what we did and by the records that were available.

“I expect that this upliftment will further ginger

how to develop the economy and protect the environment as well as technical support and capacity building where necessary.”

Qin Jian said.

criminals in the zone, and called on the people to report any suspicious movement to security agencies.

His words, “Army has paid heavily with the blood of its officers and men to protect this country, and so we have no apology any group, either Shiites Islamic sect, Christian sect, even pagan sect that is threatening the peace of the country.

“We don’t have any issue with the Shiites or any sect at all in the land as long as they obey the law of the land.

“But if any group tends to challenge the constituted authority of the land, it means that such group does not respect the constitution of the land.

“Even in the military, we have Shiites members, but there is no issue with them because they are law abiding citizens.

“But we have issues with those who create a State within a State, and our rules of engagement is very clear, that is, when there is threat to a constituted authority, it must be arrested before it goes full blown.

“We know the business of violence, but we apply it professionally if the peace of the land is being threatened, so we are appealing to Nigerians who are bent on causing violence to stay off.”

and enhance your performance and commitment to the service. Most of you have spent about 30 years in the service.

“Having given these years to the service of the nation, I expect nothing less than the best. I expect from you henceforth, hard work, commitment and drive for the best,” Ali told the senior officers.

He described the occasion as the beginning of history in his sojourn in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), adding that his mission at the Customs was to make it the best Service not only in Nigeria, but also in the world.

In a letter signed by Comrade Ajaero and addressed to the Chairman, NLC Reconciliation Committee, Osogbo, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, Ajaero said: “The pressure and call to duty has become recently overwhelming from our various publics for adequate response to these critical emerging national issues.

“However, we have patiently waited on the process to work itself out speedily for the benefit of the movement and membership, but unfortunately, the reverse has become the case.

“We had wanted the movement to have presented a united front in confronting these challenges but once again, we seem to have walked in error.

“We have therefore decided that it will be irresponsible and a dereliction of duty in keeping with the traditions of the Congress as a bastion of the conscience of the masses to continue with the reconciliation effort if it proceed beyond the end of this month.

“The process as presently configured has begun to work against the interest of

Nigerian workers and the Congress. It is therefore a trap we must all avoid.

Urgent action is needed to avert these worries.

“It is important that we re-emphasise that we may no longer be found available at the table any longer if these meetings continue beyond the end of January 2016.

“Do please accept the assurances of our commitment and loyalty to Nigerian workers and the various traditions and values of the Congress, even as you take urgent measures to ensure that this trap is completely removed.”

He pointed out that it has become imperative at this time to write the letter to express “our worries on the seemingly convoluted reconciliation effort, which may have unwittingly turned into a framework along the line to frustrate its original objectives.”

He said: “Rebuilding solidarity and cohesion within the Congress and the movement, which broke down as a result of some less than comradely actions of certain individuals within the family we are sure were the real intentions of the various conclaves towards reconciliation.”

news Fani-Kayode rejects N1.7bn investigation allegation 7

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

F

ORMER Minister of Aviation and Director of Publicity of the defunct Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO), Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected an allegation that he was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as the Department of State Services (DSS), over N1.7 billion he allegedly collected from the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement he released to the media on Wednesday, he said he was amused by the allegation published by an online medium.

He said it was false and noted that following its first publication of the allegation, the online medium had subsequently modified it to say that he collected the cash from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

He explained: “I have never received one kobo from President Jonathan himself, Colonel Dasuki or any other member of President Jonathan’s government. I have not ever been in receipt of any public funds and neither was I the beneficiary of any payments in cash, transfer, cheque or otherwise from

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

any government official during the tenure of President Jonathan.

“As Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan/ Sambo Campaign Organisation, I received money on behalf of the Directorate of Media and Publicity which I headed from private individuals and companies during the election campaigns, but these were not public funds but rather private contributions specifically for the presidential and other campaigns.

“Such moneys were transferred into my account by the Director of Finance of the Presidential Campaign Organisation and that account was specifically set up for the purpose of running the publicity and media aspect of the campaign for the whole country and my Directorate.

“These private individuals and companies paid their contributions into a designated account which was provided and controlled by the Director of Finance and from there she transferred it to the accounts of the various directors and various individuals that were running for public office that the PCO supported.

“The money that was sent to me for my directorate by the director of finance was used in a lawful and responsible manner and by the time the campaigns were over, my director-

NUC, TETfund, JAMB brief education ministers MALAM Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education and Professor Anthony Anwuka, Minister of State for Education, have met with heads of some agencies in the ministry.

A statement issued by Agidike Onu on behalf of the Director Press, Ihuoma Priscilla, on Wednesday, in Abuja, said the meeting was to acquaint the ministers of the activities of the agencies.

The statement listed some of the agencies the ministers met with as the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

“The meeting was aimed at acquainting the ministers about the operations of the parastatals.

“The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, and the Executive Secretary of

TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, took their turns to brief the ministers.’’

The statement said Okojie’s briefing covered from the NUC inception to date, saying that the commission had grown from strength to strength over the years.

Okojie said the commission’s mandate was to improve access and quality of university education in Nigeria and to maintain high standard on accreditation of universities and their courses.

“Till date, the number of accredited universities stands at 141, comprising 40 Federal, 40 State and 61 private universities.

“Nigerian universities now rank very high in the international community,’’ the statement quoted Okojie.

Ojerinde was quoted as saying that JAMB had continued to improve on its services, thereby easing the conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

ate had paid all of its bills for services rendered and was not owing any media house or anyone else one kobo.”

While noting that the private individuals and organisations that supported the PCO were within their rights to do so, Fani-Kayode emphasised that “Not one kobo of public funds was spent by or given to my directorate during the campaign and as far as I am aware not one kobo of public funds was spent by or given to the PCO.” He said it was usual for presidential campaign organisations to spend money given the capital intensive nature of such campaigns.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Okpighe Elohor Marian now MRS. OGIEVA ELOHOR MARIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ivuongbe Faith Ese now MRS. IMADEGBELO FAITH ESE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

The former PCO spokesman added: “Nothing was done or given to us free of charge by anyone. This should not be a surprise to anyone as the APC and President Buhari’s campaign organisation did the same.

“I opened an account specifically for the funds that were used to run my directorate and fund all our activities in order to ensure accountability and transparency.

“We also audited our accounts regularly and insisted on the highest level of professionalism from all those that worked for or with us.

“Since when such matters have become a crime or subjects of criminal investiga-

tions I don’t know. If it was a crime to speak up for Jonathan during the campaign they should just say so.

“If it is a crime to be a member of the PDP and to be in opposition they

Nigerian Tribune

should just say so. If it is a crime to speak up for and defend President Jonathan and key members of his government after he has left office, they should just say so.”

8

Nigerian Tribune

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Lagosmetro 1,110 suspects arrested in 22 days —CP Olalekan Olabulo

A view of Owo Ni Faari Market, Oshodi being demolished in Lagos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

My wife and I agreed to sell our baby for N500, 000 —Suspect Olalekan Olabulo

T

he police in Lagos State have arrested a 30 -year-old father of two for selling his 5 month-old baby for five hundred thousand naira.

The suspect was on Wednesday afternoon paraded before newsmen by the state police boss, Fatai Owoseni.

The police boss also told journalists that the police are on the trail of the buyer of the baby, simply identified as Chinendo, who is still at large with the baby.

The suspect, Ibekwe, however insisted that the sale of the baby was an agreement between himself and his wife.

Ibekwe said “the sale of Chidera, (the baby) was an agreement between my wife and I. I didn’t just sell the baby for selling sake”.

He continued that, “I was working as a motor mechanic at Ladipo Auto mar-

ket. The building housing my mechanic shop was sold by the owner”.

The suspect also continued that “I have no other source of living but someone gave me a bus to drive as a public transport, but after a while the bus caught fire. That rendered me jobless; I don’t have any other means of livelihood to carter

for my children. “ At a stage, it became difficult for me to take care of my wife and the two kids; my wife Oluchi came up with an idea of using Chidera, one of the children, to borrow money from Chinelo and our agreement with the woman was to give us N500, 000. Chinelo gave me N 250,000 and my wife

N150,000; it was my wife who carried the baby to a woman who later took the baby to Chinelo in Ihiala in Anambra State.”

Lagos Metro gathered that things were going on until the couple had a disagreement, leading to the wife reporting the sale of the baby to the police.

Ibekwe insisted that

”my wife and I decided to sell the baby and use the money we make from it to start up a business so as to better our lives and also give birth to another baby after a while.”

CP Owoseni stated that the police in Lagos were working with its counterpart in Anambra to arrest the buyer of the baby.

13 accused of robbing, raping middle-aged woman Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Thirteen suspects have been fingered in an alleged rape and robbery case.

However 12 were said to be at large, while one was arraigned on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old man, Promise Olasehinde, was accused of participating in the rape saga.

Promise who is a trader was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for the offences.

He is facing a six- count

charge of conspiracy, rape, assault, breach of peace, damages and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were committed on Dec. 27 at Makinde/ Salako St., Oshodi.

Ogu told the court that the accused and 12 others, now at large, went to the house of a middle-aged woman around 10:00 p.m. to rob her of her possessions.

“They beat her, stole her gold necklace valued at N90,000 and N25,000

cash, damaged her Samsung Galaxy X4 phone valued at N47,000 and raped her,” he said.

Ogu told the court that the accused were sighted when they were trying to escape and 12 of them escaped, but the accused was apprehended.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two

sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case to January 25, for mention.

One thousand one hundred and ten suspected criminals were arrested by the police in different parts of Lagos State. The state police boss, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded some of the suspects before newsmen confirmed the arrest of the suspects.

Two armed robbers were killed during confrontations with the police, while 15 guns of different calibers, 400 live ammunitions, 24 cartridges were recovered from the bandits. The police boss told newsmen that the suspects were arrested between December 11 and January 1st by the different police formations across the state.

According to CP Owoseni, the suspects were arrested for offences, including armed robbery, cultism, murder, child theft, rape and impersonation.

The police boss however noted that 82 out of the arrested suspects were released, after preliminary investigations showed that they were innocent.

The Lagos police chief explained that 47 of the suspects were arrested for armed robbery, while 14 were arrested for cultism.

CP Owoseni also told journalists that 1028 of the suspects had been charged to court, while 746 were convicted.

The Lagos police boss also stated that 155 of the suspects were discharged at the court, while 118 are still awaiting trial.

A 65- year-old man, who impersonated a Major General in the Nigerian Army was among the arrested suspects.

A total of 1,055 motorcycles were also impounded by the police, during the period in review

Boss pours hot water Olalekan Olabulo The police in Lagos State have begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the malicious attack on a nine-year-old houseboy by his boss.

The police at Isokoko divisional police station also

arrested the boss, simply identified as Mrs Mbakwe, who allegedly poured hot water on the houseboy.

The victim, Chinwendu Precious, has since been taken to REM YEMS Hospital in Alagbado, where he has continued to receive treatment.

9

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), receiving the report of Inquiry into the October 12, 2015 Civil Disturbance at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) from the Chairman of the Tribunal, Hon. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, rtd. (right) while the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left), watches, during the submission of report by the Tribunal, at the Conference room, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

Ibeju-Lekki crisis: Govt to issue white paper as Ambode receives tribunal report Bola Badmus The Lagos State government will issue a white paper on the killing of the managing director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, a source volunteered to Lagos Metro on Wednesday.

This came as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode received the report of the five-man Tribunal of Inquiry which investigated the civil unrest in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state, which led to Disu’s death.

Disu was on October 12, 2015 murdered during the crisis that erupted in the

area.

Governor Ambode had on October 22, 2015, inaugurated the tribunal chaired by a retired Lagos State High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, with the mandate to inquire into the origin, factors and circumstances leading to the breach of peace, as well as make recommendations to government based on the findings.

Governor Ambode, while receiving the report on Wednesday, described the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) as an important project to the economy of the state because of its stra-

tegic importance to the job creation drive of his administration.

Governor Ambode, who said he was prepared to do everything to ensure its success, vowed that any issue concerning the success of the project would be treated with dispatch.

According to him, “The report of the tribunal has been submitted today and the state government will give serious consideration to the recommendations of the tribunal and take decisions to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

“Let me assure members of the public and investors

on 9-year-old houseboy

A police source at Isokoko Divisional police station, who spoke with Lagos Metro on the incident, under the condition of anonymity described the boy’s condition as “pathetic.”

The source stated that the incident happened at a border town between Lagos

and Ogun States but that angry neighbours of the suspect brought her to Isokoko , when the police at Agbado police station could not handle it.

The police source also added that the police had taken an immediate punitive measure against the

woman by promptly arraigning her in court.

It was gathered that residents of Idowu Street, where it happened, had attempted to lynch the suspect before they handed her over to the police Residents of the area, who accompanied the suspect

alike that this government will always uphold the Rule of Law and continue to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.”

Ambode also thanked members of the tribunal for diligently carrying out the assignment within the time frame given and expressed hope that they would be willing and ready to serve the state in future when called upon.

Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said it was noteworthy that the tribunal had the inaugural sitting on Novem-

to the police station described the incident as evil and urged the police not to sweep it under the carpet .

The image maker in charge of the state police command , Joe Offor claimed not to be aware of the incident , when contacted by Lagos Metro.

ber 16, 2015 and completed the assignment within the 45 days given to it.

According to the commissioner, the civil disturbances which led to Disu’s killing in the Okunraye Community had slowed down the development of the LFTZ, saying the tribunal was set up as part of efforts to ensure safety of lives and property, prevent recurrence and enhance the economic wellbeing of the state.

The tribunal chairman, Justice Olateru-Olagbegi, in his remarks, said the tribunal received a total of 22 memoranda and 33 witness’ statements, including those from eminent Nigerians.

He added that the tribunal made a total of 24 recommendations which covered many issues, including the question of who pulled the trigger that killed Disu, as well as the remote and immediate causes of the civil unrest.

He also said that the tribunal recommended the mea-

sures to adopt in forestalling a recurrence as well as other miscellaneous matters incidental to the unrest, adding that there was no majority or minority report, but just one team report of the tribunal.

“We took time out to visit the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

We visited the Dangote Industries, Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, the villages and communities in the area, including Okunraye where the trouble began.

“We saw a lot and we learnt a lot. From what was presented to us, from what we saw with our own eyes, our view is that Lekki Free Trade Zone has vast potential to transform the economic landscape of Lagos State in terms of generating massive employment, creation of wealth, generating revenue and so on.

“Our findings reveal that the transformation would be on a scale that is hitherto unparalleled in Africa,” Olateru-Olagbegi said.

businessnews Nigeria should increase VAT rates —IMF 10

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Supports subsidy removal Kolawole Daniel and Gbola Subair - Abuja

T

he Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Ms Christine Lagarde, on Wednesday, said the Federal Government should increase Value Added Tax rates, while lending support to the decision of the government to remove subsidy on petrol.

The IMF boss, who said this while addressing the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and leadership of the Senate, in Abuja, equally called for deliberate action towards diversification of the nation’s economy.

She said the current VAT rates are among the lowest in the world and well below the rates in other ECOWAS members—so some increase should be considered.

Talking about subsidy removal, Lagarde said, “Continuing the move already begun by the government in the 2016 budget to eliminate resources allocated to fuel subsidies would allow more targeted spending, including on innovative social programs for the most needy.

“Indeed, fuel subsidies are hard to defend. Not only do they harm the planet, but they rarely help the poor. IMF research shows that more than 40 per cent of fuel price subsidies in developing countries accrue to the richest 20 per cent of households, while only seven per cent of the benefits go to the poorest 20 per cent.”

According to her, “the experience here in Nigeria of administering fuel subsidies suggests that it is time for a change—think of the regular accusations of corruption, and think of the many Nigerians who spend hours on queues trying to get gas so that they can go about their everyday business.

“At the same time, we should not forget the huge challenges facing Nigeria’s state and local governments.

These sub-national governments—which account for the bulk of social spending—have only limited tools to manage the impact of declining oil revenues.

“My message here is to manage better the smaller purse, while building capacity to increase internally generated revenue.

“The IMF can help in that regard by providing technical assistance on public financial management. We

did so for the Kaduna State government.

“We can explore how to support states’ efforts to undertake budget reform,” she said.

Lagarde then tasked the Federal Government on the need to take hard decisions on revenue generation, expenditure, debt, and investment, saying that the first step “is to broaden the tax base and reduce leakages by improving compliance and enhancing collection efficiency. At the same time, public finances can be bolstered further to meet the huge expenditure needs.”

To this end, she advised the Federal Government to increase Value Added Tax (VAT) rates, saying that, the current VAT rates are among the lowest in the world and well below the rates in other ECOWAS members—so some increase should be considered.

The IMF boss also tasked government on borrowing, saying that government should build resilience by

making careful decisions on borrowing.

She noted “Nigeria’s debt is relatively low at about 12 per cent of GDP. But it weighs heavily on the public purse. Already, about 35 kobo of every naira collected by the federal government is used to service outstanding public debt,” she said.

On accountability, she asked government to focus on the quality and efficiency of every naira spent, noting that “this is critically important.

“As more people pay taxes there will, rightly, be increasing pressure to demonstrate that those tax payments are producing improvements in public service delivery.”

She observed that Nigerian banks “are beginning to feel the impact of the growing vulnerabilities in the corporate sector. This means rising non-performing loans.”

While expressing support for the ongoing anti-graft war by the present administration, the IMF

boss said that “corruption not only corrodes public trust, but it also destroys confidence and diminishes the potential for strong economic growth. “At the global level, it is estimated that the cost of corruption is equivalent to more than five percent of world GDP,with over $1 trillion paid in bribes each year.

“Here in Nigeria, important initiatives to discourage graft are underway and should be applauded.

“Let me highlight the publication of monthly data on the finances and operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This provides information on a key sector, building confidence in transparency, and improving accountability of oil revenues, for the benefit of all Nigerians,” she said.

In his welcome address, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said: “We need to move away from the impunity and indiscipline of the past. We as a coun-

try, need to address where our strengths are and that is ensuring good governance and we believe that under the distinguish senators and members of the House, we have a focus on that and Mr President has made that commitment.

“The major issue here is to have the political will that will drive this commitment.

On the dwindling oil revenue, he said “as I said, yes we have a fallen oil price, if at $30, and $30 is coming, is better than having $110 of which only $30 is coming.

So as I said, the most important thing is to address these leakages, and we are ready to do that.”

To achieve success, he said, “the key is the diversification of our economy. In doing that, the National Assembly has a role to play in ensuring that the policies of government on diversification are sustainable and are stable, because the concern is the inconsistency of those policies.

“And in the 8th National Assembly, the House of

From left: Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha; Managing Director, International Monetary Fund IMF), Christine Lagarde; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Senator Binta Garba and Senator Bala Ibn Na’allah, during Lagarde’s visit to the Senate President, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

IMF’s visit a waste of time — Jimoh Ibrahim The Group Managing Director (GMD) of Energy Group, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, has described the current visit to Nigeria by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, by the Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, as a means of campaigning for economic conditionalities.

Ibrahim said the advice was wrong, especially at a time when Nigeria, like some oil producing countries, needs assistance and support to continue to put into implementation viable government policies.

Ibrahim said the IMF boss’ statement on the economy was “traditional and full of strategic misrepresentations,” explaining that the IMF boss had “a free day in creating an atmosphere for re-colonizing Nigerian economy and advised the Federal Government to run away from such unsolicited pieces of advice.”

He said President Muhammadu Buhari should learn from General Ibrahim Badamosi Babagida, who handed over the economy to the IMF by taking specific loan, only for the economy

to be destroyed with the “Brettenwoods organisation’s painful and colonial conditionalities.

“The government of General Babangida was simply put to an end in economic terms by the Structural Adjustment Programme, an IMF baby which remained the foundation of Nigeria’s problem.”

Ibrahim described the advice by IMF boss to Nigeria “not to be rigid in economy policy is an indirect way of asking for devaluation of naira and campaigning for ‘about to come’ IMF condi-

tionalities, knowing very well that Nigeria may ask for assistance.”

He said this was “uncalled for and a waste of time by the IMF.” Ibrahim said this was “complete disrespect to the integrity of Nigeria as a nation, wondering whether the IMF can give the same advice to President Barack Obama of the United States.”

According to Ibrahim, “10 things are likely to be the area of advice of IMF, which is already a stereotype,” insisting that “the IMF boss has not said anything new.”

Nigerian Tribune

Representatives and the Senate have come out with a legislative agenda to address some of these sectors and I believe, very soon, we address, for example, the petroleum sector, there is a bill that is going to look into the sector to ensure efficiency in that sector.”

Despite the teething problems faced by the Nigerian economy at present, the IMF gave a pass mark to the Nigerian financial sector, stressing that however, the financial sector needed to put in place measures to better reposition the economy.

Lagarde, while speaking to journalists shortly after a meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday in Abuja, also advised the banking authority to channel more resources to grow the real sector of the economy and the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

To sustain the growth in the financial sector, Largade said the IMF have had series of meetings with the representatives of the banking industry and came out with strategic mechanism of sustaining the Nigerian banking sector.

“This morning I have been with the CBN governor, I have also been having series of meetings with the representative of the banking industry and we have assured ourselves of a strategic defence on how to sustain the banking sector. We also had discussions on how the financial sector can contribute to the financing of the economy, and support small and medium scale businesses, as well as its development in Nigeria,” she stated.

Stressing that the Nigerian financial sector is strong, Lagarde disclosed that discussions were also held on how the Bureau de Change market could be improved further Also speaking during the interview, Emefiele commended the IMF boss for visiting Nigeria and the apex bank, adding that during the meeting with her, both the CBN and the IMF had very fruitful discussions with a call on the apex bank to support the real sector and SMEs in Nigeria at a very rational cost.

“Indeed, the banks themselves have promised to do better in this regard, notwithstanding some of the challenges we are presently facing” the apex bank boss remarked.

11

businessnews

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

We are ready to sell at N86.50 —IPMAN Biola Azeez - lorin

I

ndependent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to make petrol available to members of the association to ease persistent scarcity of the petroleum product.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Ilorin on Wednesday, the chairman of the IPMAN in the Western Zone, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, said members of the association are ready to sell petrol at the new pump price of N86:50 if the supply is made available by the NNPC. “The new pump prices are government price. If you look at the template of the government, we have enough room to sell at N86:50. We can sell at N86:50 when we have enough supply from the NNPC. “In fact, right now some of our stations across the western zone, for those who collect their products from the NNPC depot, they are selling at N86:50. Go to Sagamu, Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, they are selling at N86:50.

So, IPMAN is ready to sell at N86:50 in compliance with government regulation.

“As at now, we don’t have enough supply from NNPC, but the little we have, we are selling at N86:50. The NNPC said it is going to import about 78 per cent of our total requirement in Nigeria, while 22 per cent will be imported by marketers. So, if NNPC brings the product to the stream, we are ready to sell at the regulated price,” he said.

He also said many filling stations had been closed by the owners because they did not have supply.

“N86:50for instance, in Ilorin, the only loading point is Mosimi, Lagos. And most of these depots are out of stock. That why you a lot of them closed. The little ones

that are getting are the ones you see selling the product,” he added “Since the government will take it as. It’s own responsibility to give us the product,

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has hinted of its ongoing efforts towards handling over 30 million passengers’ traffic at the completion of the new terminal building at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

FAAN currently handles 15 million passengers but has projected an additional traffic of 15million this year with the completion of the terminal in Lagos.

Dropping this hint on Wednesday, the general manager, corporate communications, FAAN, Yakubu Dati, while inter-

He said the current challenge in supply was because most of the oil marketers had not been able to capture the new price on their computer system.

From left: Senior Finance Controller, The Quadrant Company (TQC), Femi Olaleye; Admin Officer, Little Saints Orphanage, Alafin Titilayo; Executive Assistant/ Admin, TQC, Buari Ololade; Senior Analyst, Client Service, TQC, Aniwura Omolayo and Media Consultant, TQC, Segun Adebowale, during a courtesy visit by the management of The Quadrant Company (TQC) to the Little Saints Orphanage in Lagos, on Wednesday.

New electricity tariff regime takes off Feb 1 —NERC As Discos urge NERC to exempt CAPMI from CAPEX Adetola Bademosi and Olatunde Dodondawa The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has, on Wednesday, reiterated that the take off date of the new electricity tariff (MYTO 2015) still remains February 1, 2016.

It also directed all distribution companies to ensure that new customers are provided with meters before they are connected to power source.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the Head of Public Affairs, Dr Usman Abba-Arabi, the commission

said the date of the take-off of the new tariff has not changed.

According to the statement, the new Acting Head of the Commission Dr Anthony Akah, said the removal of fixed charge under the new tariff regime “was in response to electricity consumers’ complaints and a measure to ensure electricity distribution companies improve on service delivery as their income is dependent on the quantity of electricity used by their customers.”

“NERC holds National

‘Lagos airport terminal to handle 30 million passengers on completion’ Shola Adekola - Lagos

we are ready to sell. We are just channels between supplier and the buyers. We are now waiting for the NNPC to give us more of the supply,” he also said.

acting with some journalists on the management of traffic before and after the yuletide period,said except for the Turkish airline’s passengers’ breach that the airports recorded a hitch free and seamless passengers facilitation.

He expressed optimism that a more safe and secured airport will be in place this new year when the new terminals under construction would have been completed while “passengers will have that experience they always enjoy outside the shores. With the completion of the new terminal in Lagos, the terminal will be able to process addi-

tional 15 million passengers which means we will able to service about 30 million passengers. All these are things put together to raise aviation to a new level this year.”

Dati said security has been repositioned across the airports with a view to meeting the challenges ahead adding that FAAN was looking forward to partnering with investors as a result of dwindling resources.

He appealed to FAAN concessionaire especially airlines to pay their debts to agencies in order to enable them to continue rendering services to them.

Assembly in high esteem and we are sure that both institutions are working to ensure that the National and consumer interests are protected.”

In his explanations, he said there are inbuilt consumer protection mechanisms and incentives for improved service delivery by the DISCOs and fair return on investment in the new tariff order.

The commission in implementing this cost reflective tariff assured that it will effectively monitor and enforce all service delivery agreements in the new tariff order.

Aside from eliminating fixed charge, the new tariff is said to have a robust mechanism to ensure that electricity distribution companies fully meter their consumers and eliminate “crazy” billing within one year.

Following the directives by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that all energy consumers must be metered within one year, the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) are calling for the Credit Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) to be exempted from the limit placed on Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).

During a media chat with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the Executive Director, Association

of Electricity Distributors (ANED), Mr Sunday Olurotimi Oduntan, stated that the CAPEX that is allowed for all discos in a year is a total average of N50billion which is grossly inadequate to meet expected improvement in the sector.

According to him, “there is huge gap in power sector funding over the years. According to the power sector privatization agreement, all the discos can only invest an average of N50billion in a year because of the present tariff structure.

“But if the CAPMI is exempted from the CAPEX limit, our members can channel their investment into metering all the customers without affecting other intended investment in infrastructural development to boost power supply across their networks.”

The CAPMI scheme is designed to allow willing customers to pay an advancement for pre-paid meter which must be installed within 60 days after payment.

In her statement, the Chief Executive Officer, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs Funke Osibodu, said because the discos directly interfaced with the power consumers, they blame the discos for every problem in power sector.

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria’s stock market shaves N317bn Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba - Lagos capitalisation Market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, on Wednesday, reduced by N317 billion as the market closed with N16.817 trillion benchmark as most blue chip companies closed negative.

All Share Index depreciated by 3.28 per cent to close at 27,180.76 basis points, compared with the 0.95 per cent depreciation recorded on Tuesday.

Market turnover, however, closed positive as volume moved up by 3.45 per cent against 98.02 per cent uptick recorded in the previous session.

Nigerian Breweries led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive volume spike at the end of Wednesday trade staking 1,794,354 volume of shares.

Lafarge Africa Plc topped the gainers table with 9.36 per cent as it added N8.99 kobo to close at N105 per share. Berger Paints Plc followed with a gain of 50 kobo to its share price closing at N10.50 kobo, representing five per cent increase.

On the downward march, Dangote Cement Plc took the lead by losing N16.57 kobo from the N170 it traded. Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc also lost 9.46 per cent off the N4.97 kobo of Wednesday trade to close at N4.50 kobo.

Etisalat affirms commitment to entertainment

By Rotimi Ige Innovative and youthcentric telecommunications network, Etisalat, has reiterated that it will continue to explore new ways to support and encourage talent development, especially the growth of the Nigerian entertainment and arts industry.

The company stated this at the premiere of the starstudded stage dance performance, Avalanche - The Kings of Dance which took place at the Muson Centre, Lagos, recently.

Speaking at the event, Manager, Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu, said the company supported the stage performance in line with Etisalat’s brand proposition. “Etisalat is a youthful and innovative brand, and sponsoring a performance of this nature during the yuletide season is a way of supporting the arts and also entertaining our loyal customers this season,” she said.

12

businessnews

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

New fuel price: FG gets tough on erring

marketers, dealers Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

T

he Federal Government has issued strict warning to fuel marketers and dealers over non-compliance to the new price regime.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) issue a warning to all stakeholders including depot owners, marketers and dealers.

In a letter by the DPR with reference number PI/ PAD/25/VOL.1/78 dated January 6, 2016 and made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, the regulator stated that: “Following the pronouncement on the new approved pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol by the Federal Government, the Department of Petroleum Resources wishes to inform all marketers and the general public that it has commenced the enforcement of the price regime in line with its mandate.

“Consequently, marketers are advised to comply with the new pump prices as enunciated in PPPRA pricing templates which stated the official pump price and ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS) for oil marketing companies to be N86.50 per litre and N77.00 per litre respectively.

“Official price and ex-depot price of PMS for NNPC shall be N86.00 per litre and N76.50 per litre respectively. All depot owners and retailers are to ensure strict compliance as appropriate sanctions shall be applied to anyone found to be involved in price manipulation.”

The Nigerian Tribune had exclusively reported that the members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) had stated the reasons why they may not comply with the new pump

price regime.

The Zonal Public Relation Officer, Western Zone, IPMAN, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Jaiyeola, stated that most members of IPMAN are out of stock, but the ones with stock may not have bought it

The Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, has approved the redeployment of 69 comptrollers serving at various commands, headquarters Abuja and zones of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

According to findings, the affected comptrollers include comptroller Jubrin Zakari, formerly in charge of Tin can Island Port to Excise Unit at the customs headquarters, while comptroller Willy Egbudin moves from Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection Unit at the customs headquarters to Apapa Area command.

Victor Dimka, who was in charge of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C

majors. And having realised that the volume they are giving them, especially, NNPC Retail stations, is more than what they can handle. So we buy from them because they don’t expect us to fold our hands,” he stated.

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele (left) and Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, after their meeting at the CBN Headquarters, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO:NAN

CBN’s ban on 41 items denied customs N240bn revenue —Ali Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja THE Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd), on Wednesday, said the ban placed on 41 items by the country’s apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deprived the Nigeria Customs Service of generating revenue up to N240 billion to the coffers of the Federal Government in 2015.

The customs boss stated

this in Abuja at the decoration of six Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs), who had been acting in acting capacity since November last year but now had their elevations confirmed.

Ali said that the customs, who was given the target of generating N954 billion last year, could have exceeded the target had the apex bank not banned those items.

Customs redeploys 69 comptrollers Tola Adenubi - Lagos

at the recommended ex-depot price of N76.

“The NNPC is focusing on the oil majors (Mobil, Conoil, Oando, MRS and Total) and NNPC Retail stations. They are giving massive loading to NNPC stations and the oil

moves to the Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection unit.

Bashir Yusuf moves from ICT unit to head Tin Can Island Port command, while Usman Kankara Bello moves from Post Clearance Audit at the customs headquarters to take over the Import & Export Unit from Jubrin M, who has been redeployed to FOU Zone A, Lagos.

Similarly, Isah Talatu moves from PTML Command to Customs Staff College, Gwagwalada while Olubiyi R.O formerly in charge of Lilypond command takes over as Controller of PTML command.

Madugu Sanni moves from Customs Training College, Ikeja to Sokoto/Kebbi/

Zamfara command; Allanah F.A moves from Tariff and Trade, customs headquarters to Murtala Muhammed International Airport command; Haruna Mamudu moves from Ogun State command to FOU Zone C, Owerri, while Maikarfi Y.I moves from World Customs Organisation unit at customs headquarters to Seme Area command.

Others are Tajudeen Olanrewaju who has been redeployed as Controller of Port Harcourt Area 1 command from customs headquarters; Dalhatu M.A moves from Human Resource Department to Lilypond command and Multafa W.J from FOU Zone D, Bauchi to head the Ogun State command.

According to him, the customs was only able to generate the sum of N903 billion in 2015, lamenting that the Service was not able to meet its target for last year.

“In term of revenue generation, we have a target of N954 billion and we have as at today generated N903 billion. If you remember that CBN policy on 41 items, when we did our analysis, it has denied us money to the tune of N240 billion.

“So if we had add that to what we have generated, it would have surpassed what we have so that is the downside of why we were not able to meet the target in 2015 but hopefully we all the tools we put in place and I hope also that government will once again look at those policies and see how they can be fine tuned. I believe that we will surpass whatever target that has be given to us,” he said.

To achieve this, Ali stated that welfare of officers would be given priority in the new year, saying that customs management was discussing with government in this direction.

“We are looking at officers welfare; officers welfare is paramount in the scheme of things that were are doing.

We have to understand that

the welfare scheme cannot move forward without adequate fund and we are working and trying to consult with government to see if we can get some increase in our own take home so that we can enhance officers’ welfare.

“Talking of numeration, office environment and housing environment and all these need money and as soon as we lay our hands on good money we can be rest assured that is our priority,” Ali stated.

He added that to achieve a customs service every Nigerian would be proud of, officers had to be hard working with a view to not only clear it of all bad impression but also shun corruption.

“When I went around the states I told the officers that they need to work and work very hard. We need to clear off the bad impression the public has about Nigeria Customs and shun corruption, laziness and the attitude of indiscipline must be corrected.

“Once we get these out of the system, we will be able to achieve all the set goals and I am much confident that with the new management that we have I have no doubt in my mind that we will attain what we have set for ourselves,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Etisalat urges SMEs to adopt innovative business model One of the leading telecommunications services providers in the country, Etisalat, has encouraged Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt innovative models of doing business to enable them accelerate their growth and increase capacity and profit.

According to the telco, being innovative will help startups and small businesses to grow sustainably in spite of environmental challenges that every business faces.

Head, Enterprise Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Bidemi Ladipo gave this advice while speaking in Lagos, at the recent Market Access initiative, organised by Etisalat Nigeria, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University. The networking forum was attended

by SME owners and larger organisations to share knowledge that can help businesses grow.

“When you are starting a small business, you have to be unique and innovative.

Don’t copy other people’s business ideas; if your idea is based on an existing one, then you have to go the extra mile by adding something unique,” he said.

General Manager, Programs and Partnership at Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Wale Anifowose, highlighted thatMarket Access Nigeria is a platform that brings together Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and large companies to network, start relationships and create opportunities to ‘buy’ the goods and services of the SMEs. He commended Etisalat for being at the forefront of promoting entrepreneurship through its various initiatives such as the Market Access and the EasyBusiness Millionaires Hunt among others.

“The market access platform has seen tremendous success since its inception in 2011.

“Market access has aided Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in networking and developing productive relationships with larger organisations.

“Last year, the platform toured the country to regions including Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt with a combined total audience of over 2,000 people for the year,” Etisalat said.

13

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Pandemonium as suspected robbers kill commercial driver in Ekiti Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

T

HERE was pandemonium in Aramoko Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, as the driver of an 18-passenger bus was killed by suspected highway robbers.

The bus was said to be owned by the late Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Omolafe Aderiye, who was assassinated in September, 2014 by unknown gunmen, this fuelled suspicion that the driver could have died under similar circumstance.

The incident, which happened few metres away from a police checkpoint, along Aramoko-Igede

highway at about 7:00 a.m., had provoked members of the NURTW, who staged a protest against what they described as alleged police complicity in the robbery.

The enraged drivers, according to sources, were said to have descended on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the council, Mr Anthony Okpaleye, stripped him naked and destroyed two police vans, during the rampage.

Rattled by the widespread suspicion that the matter was more of premeditated murder than robbery, the state government hurriedly summoned a security meeting, chaired

by the deputy governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Etop James, Director of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Duke Fubara, other security heads and the driver unions.

Recalling the events, the NURTW Chairman in the state, Mr Adekola Clement, said “the driver had just driven a few metres away from a police checkpoint when the suspected robbers had allegedly emerged from both sides of the road and rained bullets on the vehicle.

“The driver was said to have lost control when the

bullets hit him and the bus ran into the bush. We appeal that the police should be more concerned about how to protect our members than to be extorting money from them.

“The fact that robbery had earlier happened at that spot earlier today should have made the police to be on alert.”

The Commissioner of Police, however, assured that investigations into the matter has commenced in earnest, assuring that no efforts will be spared to ensure that the security of the state, particularly places identified as flashpoints fortified.

Olusola told the commis-

sioner of police to deploy more patrol teams to the Aramoko-Ijero and Aramoko-Igede axes, which he said were becoming “dens for armed robbers in recent times” and warned his men and officers against “unprofessional conduct.”

Based on the issue raised by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kehinde Odebunmi that some Fulani herdsmen were not only wreaking havoc on valuable crops, but involving in robbery, Olusola urged the security chiefs to treat all suspicious issues relating to robbery holistically to ensure that peace is returned to the state.

el-Rufai dissolves interim LG chairmen Muhammadu Sabiu-Kaduna

THE interim local government committee chairmen for the 23 local government areas in Kaduna State have been dissolved.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen and signed by media aide of the governor, Mr Samuel Aruwa.

The statement explained that the decision was based on the expiration of their six-month term of office.

“The interim management committees of the 23 local government councils were appointed on July 3, 2015 for a period of six months in the first instance. The Local Government (Administration) Law No. 12 of 2012 provides that their tenure can be extended by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

“The government has made appropriate submissions for the extension of the tenure of the IMCs, but the House of Assembly is currently on recess. Therefore, the lawful thing to do is to dissolve the interim management committees with effect from January 6, 2016.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, has therefore approved the dissolution of the interim management committees,” the statement read in parts.

The statement also maintained that the governor also extended his profound appreciation to all the IMC members for their selfless and dedicated service to their local governments in particular and Kaduna State in general.

FETHI promotes 1,649 workers Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

IN order to boost the morale of its members of staff, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele, has disclosed that a total of 1,649 workers have been promoted in the last three years by the hospital’s board.

Ayodele, a psychiatry consultant also warned the workers of the hospital against instigating crisis over leadership positions, saying such could threaten the respect, which the public has for the tertiary health institution.

Speaking in Ido Ekiti, on Wednesday, Ayodele said the outstanding November and December salaries, which had caused some unrest in the hospital in recent time, as well as arrears of allowances of 2014 and 2015 respectively have been paid.

He said the hospital has keyed into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari, as part of the efforts to curtail financial recklessness in the hospital.

Enugu govt to pay workers with IGR —Official

Members of staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune Titles, who were born in the month of January, cutting their birthday cake at the company’s boardroom, on Monday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

Ambode appoints ex-FIRS boss, Omoigui-Okauru, others for N25bn ETF board Bola Badmus-Lagos

LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has appointed a former Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, to head the Board of Trustees (BoT) for the N25 billion State Employment Trust Fund (ETF).

The governor said this on Wednesday, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna.

Governor Ambode also approved the appointment of nine others to serve as members of BoT of the ETF, saying this was geared towards addressing the challenge of youth unemployment as well as promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development in the state.

Other members of the Board include Mr Dele Martins, Mrs Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, Mr Otto Orondaam, Mrs Olufunmi Olatunde Daudu, Mr

Tunde Bank-Anthony and Mr Micheal Popoola Ajayi.

Governor Ambode also approved of the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr Tunde Durosinmi-Etti and his counterpart in Ministry of Finance, Dr Mustapha Akinkunmi to be part of the board, while Mr Akintunde Oyebode is to serve as Executive Sec-

retary of the board.

The Employment Trust Fund, it would be recalled, was signed into law by Governor Ambode on Tuesday, according to him, was in line with keeping faith with the promise, which he made to the people, during the electioneering campaign.

The governor had ex-

pressed optimism that the fund would address the challenge of unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development.

He reminded that an annual contribution of N6.25 billion would be injected into the Fund by the state government for four years, totalling N25 billion.

Salary arrears: Kwara LGs opt for staff, overheads audit Biola Azeez-Ilorin

AS part of strategies to check the delay in the persistent payment of workers’ salaries, local government councils in Kwara State have decided to carry out personnel and overhead audit.

The above formed part of the communiqué issued after the meeting attended by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, local government chairmen and labour leaders on the salary arrears to local government staff and teachers.

The chairman of the As-

sociation of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Honourable Abdulateef Okandeji, who read the communiqué, said the meeting also resolved that ALGON and other stakeholders would work out modalities on “how future allocations would be disbursed while prioritising payment of salaries of staff from hence forth.”

Honourable Okandeji, who is also the Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government, said the meeting also reviewed state and local

government finances as a result of persistent shortfall in resources and allocation.

The chairman added that government on its part said it is “neither desirous of sacking workers nor reducing the minimum wage.

Government together with Labour Unions is to explore the best ways to access fund to pay the backlog of salaries arrears – October, November and December – owed the staff of the Local Government as well as Primary and Basic school teachers in the State.”

THE Enugu State Government will no longer depend on allocations from the Federation Account to pay workers’ salaries, its Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, has said.

Speaking on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, Udeuhele said that henceforth, salaries would be paid from Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said that efforts were being made to improve on the state’s revenue to achieve the goal.

“Due to the economic situation in the country, we are going to face a situation where there will be structural development and other things that pertain to governance. The state will henceforth depend on IGR as a prerequisite for the payment of salaries,” he said.

The commissioner said that the government would introduce the Treasury Single Account to check leakages in the system.

He said that the administration had zero tolerance for corruption, noting that revenues accruable to it would henceforth be kept in a single account.

“The era of siphoning money and extreme sycophancy by a few is over.

We have to ensure the prudent management of our funds,” he said.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Appeal court judgment: Tension as protesters take over Abia Celestien Ihejirika-Umuahia

F

ollowing the nullification of the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State a week ago, massive protests have continued to trail the court of Appeal judgment held in Owerri, which ordered the swearing in of the APGA governorship candidate, Dr Alex Otti.

The peaceful protests by the supporters of the PDPled government in the Ukwa Ngwa area disrupted vehicular movement along the Umuahia Aba end of the Enugu Port Harcourt expressway while the demonstration lasted.

Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions like “return the peoples mandate, no Okezie no Abia, Our vote must count,” among others, the visibly angry protesters condemned in strong terms, the Appeal court ruling.

Pointing out that it was injustice to the Ukwa Ngwa people and Abians who gave the governor their

mandate.

Speaking at various locations where a mammoth crowd of supporters of the governor converged to air their grievance, the group urged the Supreme Court and the Federal Government to take steps to redress the injustice to avoid a breakdown of peace in the state.

According to the Transition committee chairman of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, who spoke at Ntigha junction, the people were not happy with the ruling, adding

that for the court to have cancelled the results of Isiala Ngwa North, Osisioma and Obingwa Local Government Areas amounts to disenfranchising the people, stressing that it was unacceptable to the people.

He however expressed hope that the Supreme Court would return the mandate given to Governor Ikpeazu.

Also at the Umuika junction, Osisioma junction, Ariaria junction and flyover junction at Aba, as well as other strategic spots where the people gathered,

notable personalities from Ukwa Ngwa, including Dr Gashon Amuta, Chief Sam Nwogu, Chief Don Ubani, among other spokespersons urged the Supreme Court to look critically at the judgment to avert the ugly consequences that might result from it, warning that they would resist any attempt to take away the mandate that had eluded them for over 20 years.

Contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, Mr Joshak Habila, confirmed that there were pockets of protest in some parts of the state but said

police had restored sanity in the affected areas.

He said he was personally moving around Aba and other affected areas to monitor the situation and ensure full restoration of law and order.

Joshak said police had used minimal force to disperse the protesters to restore free flow of traffic on the highway as well as other blocked state roads.

Meanwhile tension was still on the increase on daily basis following what would be the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment soon.

Father dumps PDP for APC over son’s guber ambition Banji Aluko-Benin City

One of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Omoarebu Emuan, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to support the governorship ambition of his son, Ilenre Emuan.

Chief Emuan, who announced his movement to the APC along with his wife, at a gathering held at his residence in Ekpoma, said his membership of the PDP ended the moment his son became a governorship aspirant in the APC, adding that it was his responsibility to support his son’s ambition.

He, however, solicited for the support of his former party members in the PDP for the gubernatorial ambition of his son, adding that his son was a well bred man, who will bring honour to the people of Ekpoma and Edo State.

Responding, a PDP chieftain in the council, Honourable Paul Adenomon, said the ambition of a son is worth sacrificing a lot for, describing Chief Emuan as a loyal and committed party man while he was in the PDP.

From left, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat and the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salam, as the monarch presents gift to the governor during a courtesy visit at the Government House, Osogbo, on Wednesday.

Ooni unfolds plan to rebuild buildings damaged during Ife/Modakeke communal war •Sets up Oduduwa Development Trust Fund Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Wednesday, unfolded his plans towards rebuilding parts in Ile Ife and Modakeke that were damaged during the communal clashes between the two communities.

It would be recalled that the last Ife/ Modakeke communal war, which was precipitated by land dispute and siting of headquarters of Ife East Local Government area, lasted between 1997 and 2001, where several lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

Oba Ogunwusi, who disclosed his rebuilding plans during a courtesy visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun at the Government House, emphasised that there was need for concrete action to address structural damage suffered by both Ife and Modakeke during the commu-

Invasion of Abia works commissioner’s residence by DSS an embarrassment —Govt •Demands unreserved apologies Bola Badmus-Lagos

Abia State government expressed embarrassment with what it described as early morning Wednesday’s ‘opponents instigated invasion’ of Aba residence of the state Commissioner for Works, Honourable Eziuche Ubani, by the security agencies, demanding unreserved apologies from those involved in the act.

Eziuche’s residence, according to the state government, was invaded about 2a.m. on Wednesday, by a team of men of Directorate of State Services (DSS) and

the Nigerian Army.

The government said they came in six Hilux vans, broke his gate and gained entry into his house by climbing the wall and held him hostage for four hours.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Godwin Adindu, said the Abia government also called on those funding the disturbances in the state to stop forthwith as government would not condone the violence in any guise.

Adindu said the team, led

by Stephen Agu of the Directorate of State Services

(DSS), Abuja, said they heard a report from the opposition that the commission, who was two-time member of the House of Representatives, was stockpiling arms and training people to assassinate leaders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The CPS said that during the exercise, the team thoroughly searched Ubani’s residence, including the water tank, broke his wardrobe, climbed his ceiling and inflicted injuries on his driver in his boys’ quarters after which they wrote on a paper that they found nothing incriminating in the house.

nal hostilities.

He hinted that he had constituted Oduduwa Development Trust Fund, through which funds will be raised to fund the rebuilding plans, just as he implored Aregbesola to assist in giving legal backing to the trust fund via enactment of law.

Oba Ogunwusi, however called for a more united Yoruba land and Nigeria in the interest of peace and development, stressing that he would continue to lead efforts aimed at promoting peaceful co-existent among the citizenry.

According to him, “we are all here to show our appreciation to the governor, I use this opportunity to say that our relationship will continue to grow, what we have in Ife is great to the extent that foreigners acknowledge it.”

In his response, Aregbesola tasked traditional rulers in the state to help government in educating people on the need for the payment of tax, maintaining that Ooni in his capacity as father to all Yoruba monarchs should assist government in that direction.

LAPO seeks women empowerment for national development Shola Adekola-Lagos

Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) has described women and girls as indispensable entities in national development.

Speaking at the Outstanding Women Leadership Award held in Benin City, the Founder, Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said no appreciable development can be made either at the local, national or international platform without recognising girls and women as equal players in decision-making, and empowering, up-skilling and investing in them.

He said LAPO has for over two decades been at the forefront of women struggle, promoting legal and policy reforms and supporting projects that empower women socially and economically.

Dr Ehigiamusoe said; “by acknowledging and celebrating women achievers, the organisation ensures that the role and contributions of women, which ordinarily would not have been seen or heard, are recognised and immortalised.”

Pay our constituency allowances, lawmaker charges Al-Makura Ademola Adegbite-Lafia

A member, representing Akwanga North Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Honourable Peter Mbucho, on Wednesday, appealed to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura-led administration in the state to pay parliamentarians’ constituency allowances for the speedy development of the grassroots.

According to him, “the constituency service which is the constituency allowance enables legislators to take care of their immediate problems and to enable them embark on people oriented projects.

“But today, Governor Tanko Al-Makura decided on his own not to continue to pay constituency service and the reason is best known to him and it is in view of this that I want to appeal to him to reconsider and pay constituency allowance to legislators.

Honourable Mbucho, a third term member, who is also the chairman, House Rules and Business made this appeal, while speaking with newsmen in Akwanga, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Bayelsa: I brought peace to Niger Delta —Sylva

APC has come to take over govt —Party chairman Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

T

he Bayelsa State All Progressives Party (APC) governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, on Wednesday, responded to the weighty allegation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson, accusing him of plan to sponsor violence in the rerun election in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.

The APC standard bearer averred that he was a man of peace and that he had never been involved in violence, saying “I am the author of peace in Bayelsa; and I also brought peace to Niger Delta through the initiative of the amnesty programme when militancy was at its peak in the region.

Sylva said Dickson had a penchant of accusing him of plan to sponsor violence when in the true sense; he (Dickson) is the one actually mobilising and paying thugs to win an election that he would lose in Southern Ijaw council.

Speaking at a press conference in Yenagoa, Sylva said the APC had won the election, but for the cancellation of the result of the December 6 re-scheduled election, which according to him the PDP procured, adding that the APC was prepared for the rerun in Southern Ijaw, which was their stronghold.

The APC standard bearer said in spite of the glaring violence perpetrated by the PDP, where armed militants and thugs attacked APC members, as well as committed all manner of electoral fraud in Sagbama, Nembe and other areas the PDP claimed to have won, yet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the results, but chose to cancel the result from Southern Ijaw that would have given him victory.

He, however, put the record straight that the APC would win overwhelmingly from the I50, 000 votes in the rerun poll on Saturday.

Sylva recalled that as governor, he was most criticised, yet he did not hunt the people, but lamented that the Dickson government was intolerant to Bayelsans, hence he has always place his interest above the state epitomised by the resurgence of heaps of refuse that poses serious health hazard in the state.

The APC standard bearer,

however, called on the security agencies to closely monitor Dickson’s activities, as he has procured military uniforms to thugs and arms

moved into government house in a fire service van.

In his remark, state party chairman of APC, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, said that

the APC has come to take over the government in Bayelsa from a PDP government that has lost focus and the APC would occupy Creek

Haven and commence programmes that would bring prosperity to the people and accelerate development in the state.

From left, deputy governorship candidate of Apc, Elder Willson Igiri; governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva and the state chairman of the party, Tiwei Orumigha, during a news conference on Southern Ijaw governorship rerun, in Yenagoa, on Wednesday. PHOTO: Nan

I never accused Dickson of giving bribes to REC —INEC SPO Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

The Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ted Francis, on Wednesday, denied accusing the Resident

Electoral Commissioner (REC), Baritor Kpagir, of collecting N200 million from Governor Henry Seriake Dickson to compromise the governorship election in the state.

Following the cancella-

Police restrict movements in affected LGAs TMG to deploy 99 quick count observers Adetola Bademosi and Chris Agbambu - Abuja

As part of efforts to ensure adequate security for the forthcoming rerun gubernatorial elections that will take place in seven out of the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State, scheduled to take place in the state on Saturday, January 9, 2016, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, has reassured that adequate security logistics and manpower have been strategically deployed to achieve a most conducive electioneering atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the Police have commenced extensive security operations in the state, including the deployment of plain cloth detectives and surveillance helicopters for aerial patrols, while gunboats and speedboats will complement the Police Marine Unit to con-

vey security personnel and election materials to riverine communities. Armed personnel from Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit as well as Counter Terrorism Unit of the Force are on ground to support the ongoing security operations in the state.

According to PR Nigeria News release, the IGP has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to supervise security arrangements. He will be assisted by one Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police and three Commissioners of Police.

Over 5000 conventional policemen have also been deployed for the election duty.

In the same vein, the IGP has also placed an order banning movements in and out of the LGAs where elections will hold with effect from 6am to 6pm on Saturday.

tion of the election in Southern Ijaw LGA, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had claimed that Francis had allegedly claimed on oath that Dickson allegedly bribed the REC to the tune of N200 million to compromise the election.

But in an interview with the African Independent Television (AIT), Francis came out to forcefully deny and denounce such statement credited to him by the APC as pure blackmail against INEC and attempt to discredit the election.

He said he was shocked to hear that his name was being peddled in the media for something he knew nothing about; noting that he felt embarrassed that such a statement could be fabricated to tarnish his name and that of the electoral body.

‘I want to use this opportunity to state categorically that I never said anything like that as the APC was only playing to the gallery.

The statement was totally strange to me and I feel highly embarrassed by it all,” he said.

The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) had in a statement signed by its Central Zonal Chairman, Bobolaiyefa Owopelei, dismissed the allegation as a figment of the imagination of the enemies of democracy and the Ijaw

nation.

Following the rebuttal of the APC allegation by Francis, Owopelei reiterated his conviction that the state REC, Baritor Kpagir, could not be bribed because of his stance on integrity, adding that APC’s allegation was only a political stunt to discredit INEC having failed in a desperate bid to bribe the REC, compromise him and the election.

The group said in a statement that APC was bent on destroying the REC for refusing to be bribed.

“Immediately the REC granted interview that an interested party in the election reached to him to be bribed to compromise the election, the APC reacted negatively by sponsoring media war on the REC with the intention to embarrass and discredit him but the public can see beyond such antics,’ he stated.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, has perfected plans to rig the rerun election in Ammasoma, Southern Ijaw, a place considered to be the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) being the hometown of the late former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Ammasoma is said to boast of three wards with over 35,000 PVC card carrying

Sylva’s press conference lacks substance —Pdp

Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, reacted to the press conference held by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, which it described as “cheap copycat” and a total failure because it ended up saying nothing substantive.

In a statement by the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, the party said the conference was a complete sham as Sylva appeared delusional and lacked confidence and coherence.

It further observed that Sylva seemed “obviously rattled ahead of defeat.”

Obuebite claimed that Sylva struggled throughout to put his points across which he regarded as a lack of confidence and understanding of the issues being asked and thus, an embarrassment not only to himself but also to his party, the APC and its leadership.

He stated: “Sylva embarrassed himself before the entire world with his poor performance at the press conference as he was hardly coherent and in most cases, he appeared like someone beaten and thoroughly rattled.”

NSCDC deploys 4,000 personnel, sniffer dogs FOR the forthcoming rescheduled rerun in Bayelsa State on Saturday, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has directed the deployment of 4,000 personnel and sniffer dogs to provide massive security before, during and after the election.

The personnel have been mandated to ensure a smooth and peaceful election in Bayelsa State.

According to the corps helmsman, ‘’I implore the politicians who are vying for the elective office to behave like statesmen by accepting defeat and victory with an open mind, as violence cannot lead anyone anywhere.

Moreover, without the electorate they cannot lead anyone in Bayelsa State and cannot attain the position sought after.’’ The leader of the corps also appealed to parents and guardians not to be tired in admonishing their children and wards not to fall cheap to the unethical behaviour of politicians who use the young ones to cause mayhem.

16

Thursday, 7 January, 2016 PHOTOS: ALOLADE GANIYU

50TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF MRS ADEPEJU BABALOLA, AT JOGOR CENTRE, IBADAN

Mrs Adepeju Babalola (middle), cutting her 50th birthday cake with her husband, Mr Femi Babalola and the children, Ore and Eri.

From right, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem; state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Paul Ekpo; Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Adviser to the governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh; Information and Communications Commissioner, Deacon Aniekan Umanah and the president of the state Publishers Guild, Mr Ernest Akpan, during the investiture of Ekpo as its grand patron, in Uyo, on Wednesday.

Sacked non-indigenous teachers appeal to Ortom Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

T Mrs Babalola, flanked by the Lydia Group.

HE non-indigenous teachers retrenched by the Benue State government in 2005/06, have appealed to Governor Samuel Ortom to pay their entitlements.

The aggrieved teachers, through their spokesperson, Messrs Chioma Okafor, Mba Felicia, Nwankwo Irene and Juliana Eze, decried the refusal of the state government to obey a subsisting High Court order issued in 2008, directing the payment of their

entitlements after being disengaged from service.

Most of the affected teachers were said to be women, they regretted that the delay in paying them after being laid off from the service of the state, had led to the death of some of them, who they claimed ,died in penury.

They also decried the failure of their legal counsel to diligently seek available means to ensure that the 2008 judgment of the Makurdi High Court, was implemented .

According to them, “When we were disengaged by the state government in

2005/06, we approached the court and at the end, the court directed the state government to pay us our entitlements.

“Moves were actually made to effect the decision of the court but government complained that the sum involved as presented by our counsel, was on the high side.

“We expected that an amicable resolution of the matter would be reached, but till date, we have been left in the cold and we must confess that we are not happy with the way our counsel and the state have gone about this issue.”

US promises increased foreign investment in Nigeria Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel- Abuja

From left, Olatunji Kolapo Oluwasemire, Chief (Mrs) Mojisola Oladapo, Mr Babalola and Mrs Ebunoluwa Oluwasemire.

THE American government, on Wednesday, promised to strengthen the diplomatic relations between it and Nigeria and

as well increase foreign investment in the country.

TheUnited States Embassy officials in Nigeria, led by its Economic Officer, Kelly Moon and the Political Officer, Martin Hardinger, gave the assur-

NAF appoints new spokesperson

From left, Chief Femi Alofe-Aluko, Chief A.A.L. Ayomide, Justice A. A. Gbolagunte and Mrs Fehintola Bello.

Mrs Peju Adejumo, flanked by Mr Gbenga Fisher and Mrs Sola Fisher.

THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointed a new spokesman to manage its public affairs activities.

The new Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, replaces the former Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, who has been moved to the Defence Headquarters, as Theatre Information Officer.

Alonge’s new appointment was created recently to handle media operations with respect to the ongoing counter- insurgency operation in North East.

The new office is part of the recent efforts by the military leadership to restructure the North East

campaign in order to effectively counter Boko Haram insurgents and enhance the success of Operation Lafiya Dole.

Until his recent appointment, Group Captain Famuyiwa, was the deputy director of Public Relations and Information ,at the Headquarters of theNigerian Air Force. He enlisted into the NAF on August 17,1990, as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 42.

He graduated from NDA on September 16, 1995, and emerged as the best graduating cadet in the Department of Chemistry and Faculty of Science as well as the overall Best-AllRound Air Force cadet in his set.

ance in Abuja, on Wednesday, during a courtesy visit to a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State.

The team, while promising that the United States would collaborate with the government of Nigeria on the diversification of the nation’s economy, said that it would as well, help the country in its effort to economic recovery through diversification of the economy, including investment in the transportation sector.

Welcoming the team, Honourable Agbonayinma, commended the American government for its support to the country in the areas of health, education, agriculture and security, saying that the US government believed in selfless leadership.

Agbonayinma said his main task was to pursue legislations that would promote “a Nigeria of our dream”, adding that his goals and vision was to ensure a better country.

17

Thursday, 7 January, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (left) and his wife, Olukemi, receiving a gift from Senior Assembly Minister of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Irowo, Akure, Pastor Benson Falokun, at the cross over service, on New Year Eve.

From left, renowned actress and cast member, Hear Word, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett; Etisalat Nigeria’s Specialist, High Value Sponsorship & Events, Amaka Agu; Manager, High Value Sponsorship & Events, Opeyemi Lawal; Director/Producer, Hear Word, Ifeoma Fafunwa; Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani; Nollywood actresses and cast members, Hear Word, Joke Silva and Bimbo Akintola, at the Grand Performance of the 2015 edition of Hear Word, sponsored

by Etisalat Nigeria, in Lagos, recently.

The awardee, Alhaji Azeez Koleoso, flanked by former chairmen, Chief Nureni Akanbi (left) and Alhaji Kamarudeen Salaudeen, at the award by the Community Development Association, Ibadan, held at Fijabi palace, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

Mrs Modupe Olayinka Johnson surrounded by her children and grandchildren, during her 70th birthday ceremony held in Akure, Ondo State.

From left, bride’s parents, Elder and Mrs Fadela Orimadegun; the new couple, Femi and Tosin and the groom’s parents, Elder and Mrs Akinmusira, at the wedding of their children held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Akingbade Road, New Gbagi, Ibadan, recently.

From left, Mr Oyelude, Mrs Osundoyin, the couple, Mr and Mrs Bamidele Oyelude, Mrs Oyelude, Deacon Omotola Osundoyin, at the wedding held at Egbeda Local Government, Wema, Ibadan.

From left, Engineer (Mrs) Adenike Laguda, Chief (Mrs) Rukayyat Biobaku and Mrs Funke Talabi, at a programme in Biobaku’s residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently.

Alhaji Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao (middle) being conferred with the title of Bashorun Musulumi by Young Islamic Renascent of Nigeria, at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Sunday.

With him is the member, House of Representatives, Honourable Abiodun Awoleye (left).

Legislative Assistance, Mr Olu Oladeji (left), presenting cash and food items on behalf of Honourable Ayodele Oladimeji to the people of Ado, Irepodun/Ifelodun Ekiti federal constituency, recently.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

18

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

yournews

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323

2016: What managers of our economy should do A new year is here, and the first thing the managers of the economy should do is to ensure a stable naira against major currencies of the world, particularly the dollar.

The fall in the price of crude oil has reduced the country’s earning power, and as such, there is less dollar for importers to buy goods from their foreign suppliers. So, we should be looking at how to earn more foreign exchange without relying solely on oil. This is the solution to our problems.

Now, we should start producing what we consume at home. We should also fix the refineries so that we wouldn’t have the need to be ferrying huge dollars abroad to import petroleum products. I am happy that the refineries are beginning to work minimally. All hands must be on deck to ensure that all the refineries work at full capacities.

Again, those things which we can produce in the country should be banned from being imported.

Apart from oil, rice importers also demand for forex, but why is it that we cannot produce rice in commerical quantities at

Foreign trips: Let’s support Mr President SOME political bigots have begun criticising President Muhammadu Buhari for his frequent foreign trips, but only reasonable minds know what Nigeria stands to gain from such trips.

What the president is doing is re-building Nigeria’s battered image among the comity of nations, and he should be commended for this.

Today, a Nigerian leader is being welcomed in all parts of the world; this was not possible until now.

People should learn to criticise constructively.

That the president is travelling up and down is for the benefit of the Nigerian nation and the people, and we need all the help we can get at this point in our national life.

Femi Dada, 08183920427

home? What we are doing by importing is that we are giving jobs to people in the producing countries, while our youths roam the streets doing nothing. Now, if we

ban some items, it will encourage local production of the commodities. Nigerians should be encouraged to go for shoes and bags produced in Aba, in-

stead of going for imported luxury goods. We need to change our mentality for our country’s survival.

We will keep struggling economically if we don’t

encourage local production of the majority of products that we consume.

James Oyibo, 08104543842

•For the love of dogs!

Towards ending corruption

R

eCENTLY, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Guinea Ebola-free. Guinea was one of the countries that suffered the most as over

8,000 people were killed.

Nigeria and Sierra Leone had earlier been declared Ebola-free by WHO, with only Liberia waiting to be given a clean bill of health.

Now, I am comparing Ni-

Jonathan’s confab report can still be useful During former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the Nigerian people had a national conference, whereby different people from different sectors of the economy participated. I can’t recollect how much was expended on the confab, but I know it was huge. However, now that a new administration is in power, does it mean the reports of the confab would no longer be implemented?

Despite the criticisms surrounding the confab, I still believe it must have a thing or two that would contribute to national development. I don’t want President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison the report just like that. He should look at it with a view towards implementing the aspects that are people-friendly.

We shouldn’t just let all the money spent on the contributors for three months go to waste just like that.

Gbade Hakeem, 08072977112.

geria’s corruption situation with Ebola. If we can tackle corruption as we tackled Ebola, then our country will develop.

We may not see corruption killing us physically like Ebola did, but the lack of quality health facilities, good roads, among others, which kill innocent people can also be likened to the Ebola scourge.

Today, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s topmost priority is to combat corruption at all levels of government. To achieve this, I want to strongly advise Mr

President that we should deal with corruption as we dealt with Ebola. Everyone was on guard to ensure we overcame the virus.

As a result, I hope the other organs of government, the legislative and judiciary, as well as all Nigerians, should tackle the issue of corruption once and for all.

All Nigerians should be whistle-blowers; we must all abhor corruption, and it is only when this happens that we can truly develop.

•Isola Tayo, 08062086668.

Bombings: The beginning of the end of Boko Haram SINCE President Muhammadu Buhari announced that the Boko Haram sect would be defeated, they have sustained their spate of suicide bombings and attacks in the North East, particularly in Maiduguri.

This just shows that the sect is close to being defeated, but they are giving their all by fighting back.

While commending the military for the good job it is doing, it is high time our soldiers focused on how to detect the bombers before they carry out their heinous crime. The military should use military drones to map out areas where these terrorists converge before going for their evil operations. With this, the military will be able to tackle them.

This is, therefore, why we need the support of Western nations in this war against Boko Haram; we are at the twilight of the war, and the earlier it is won the better. once again, I want to commend the military for the good work it is doing; if not for our gallant soldiers, the terrorists would have succeeded in taking over large swathes of Nigerian territory.

At this period, the military needs our prayers and support to win the war finally.

•Sanmi Adekunle, 08191143941.

What our leaders must do to achieve a great Nigeria Political office holders must justify people’s confidence in them by striving to fulfill their promises, especially the ones they made during electioneering campaigns. This is because this is the only way that the change of government can make meaning to them.

Fundamental issues affecting the country such as insecurity, corruption, unemployment and poor power supply should be given prompt attention.

Also the political con-

sciousness of the people is now high and they will no longer vote for those who cannot add value to their lives.

Nigerian political leaders should also turn from their wicked ways and evils, so as not to incur the wrath of God as the foolishness of the nation’s rulers will attract divine punishment.

Clearly, Nigerian politicians do a lot of things which God hates. They tell lies under oath, trust in deceitful works and so on.

They make promises and

break them and worship gods, hence, they should turn a new leaf, to avoid God’s punishment.

The leaders and the followers should go back to the scriptures for God to reveal His glory in all of us, with a divine comfort, also, the clerics should speak and preach the true messages of God to the church and the nation and open the ears of the people to God’s approved ways of life.

Also, Nigerians should rededicate themselves to the service of God and human-

ity. Also the difficult situations facing the country demands a lot of sacrifice from the collective efforts of both the leaders and the led.

Men of God are not left out, they should always pray for the nation’s leaders so that they will be able to surmount every obstacle on the way and lead well, so that Nigeria can attain greatness, peace, tranquility and God’s blessings.

Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel, 08033733470.

19

editorial

T

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

GSM operators’ sharp practices

he liberalisation of telecommunications services and the subsequent advent of the Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) brought to an end the hardship that had for long characterised access to the telephone. Prior to that development, telecommunications in Nigeria was in a sorry state and the telephone was a facility that was not meant for ordinary Nigerians. The state-controlled Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), like many other government-owned establishments, was grossly inefficient and corrupt. Its services were poor and costly and subscribers were always at its mercy.

Although the GSM was a great relief, the initial charges by operators were exploitative and the tendency to hurriedly recoup their investments was apparent in their approach to the business. Subscribers were being charged per minute at a prohibitive cost of N50.00.

But for the stiff resistance from various quarters, they wanted to impose what they called access charge as another component of payment for their services.

As more players were licensed to come into the business, the competition became keener and the various operators began to introduce diverse ploys and devices to fleece and even defraud their subscribers. Phone users are being frequently inundated with unsolicited calls and messages. The GSM handset has been turned to a medium in which proverbs, jobs, quotes, prayers, ringing tones, tips on different subjects and other nondescript services are being advertised. Most of the time, the attention of the user is drawn to the handset by calls and messages from the service providers and not from friends, relations or business associates.

The GSM operators have not only been forcing unsolicited and disturbing calls and messages on phone users, they have also been making deductions from subscribers’ credits without their consent. These deductions are either for ringing tones or the sundry services which the subscriber at no time applied for.

The subscriber is simply informed that a particular service has been renewed and a certain amount has been deducted.

At an Industry Consumer Advisory Forum organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Lagos last November, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers of Nigeria said about N360 million was being deducted from phone users accounts for unsolicited Short Message Services annually. The association said its conclusion was based on the calculation that each of the 150 million active

GSM subscribers had been losing an average of N200 each month. Representatives of the various operators at the forum said the messages were not emanating from their networks but from those they identified as Value Added Service (VAS) providers. The contribution of the NCC official at the forum was that the organisation was going to meet with the GSM operators to discuss their challenges in curbing the activities of the VAS providers on their networks. Whatever the case may be, stakeholders should ensure that subscribers are spared the inconveniences.

The experience of a substantial number of subscribers to the data service of the GSM operators is another unpleasant dimension. Subscription for data service is a separate contract between the subscriber and the GSM operator. It is quite distinct from calls and short message services for which the desired amount of credit is loaded.

The time and date the data service contract is to expire is always clearly stated. It should be left to the subscriber to decide whether or not to renew the contract and when to renew it, if he or she chooses to do so.

What has, however, become the standard practice is a resort to unilateral action that borders on sharp practice. The GSM service providers have been making unjustifiable deductions from the calls and SMS accounts of subscribers after the expiration of the contract. The deductions are at times to the tune of thousands and tens of thousands of naira. They have been blaming this bad practice on the design of the smart phone and not on the way they have configured their own equipment to interface with the smart phone. The excuse is utterly untenable. A major source of worry is that all the major networks are involved and the regulatory agency put in place to oversee their operations and check their excesses - the NCC appears helpless in dealing with the situation.

The NCC should wake up to its responsibilities and put an end to the double whammy of deteriorating service and illegal deductions. Its posture of helplessness does not portray it as a competent organisation. The operators’ attempt to pass the buck to VAS providers is untenable.

Have the VAS providers been hacking into the systems of the various networks? Have the operators also not been benefiting financially from the illegitimate deductions?

Nigeria has been ranked among the highest phone users in the world. The GSM operators are already making a lot of money through legitimate means. They should not be allowed to supplement income from lawful sources with proceeds of extortion. The sharp practices should stop.

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20 opinion

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Opposition and misplaced priorities

By Raymond Oise-Oghaede

L

ooking closely at the present socio-political and economic situation in Nigeria, it will be an understatement to say that the growth and image of the country have been greatly battered by the mismanagement of the past. It is therefore, not surprising to see the pervasive and alarming rate of insecurity, unemployment, corruption, infrastructural decay, political intolerance, moral decadence and other societal vices that have eaten deep into the system. Though, the present administration is battling tooth and nail to tackle the problems head-on, it will require the highest level of patriotism/commitments and contributions of all and sundry to make headway and positive impact.

However, misplaced priority and irrational criticisms on the part of those that form the opposition are major issues capable of throwing spanners in the wheel of progress.

You will agree with me that it will be very difficult (if not impossible), for any government to achieve much progress if the opposition adopts unpatriotic and inconsiderate tendencies in their desire to take over power.

In a democracy, the common priority of the opposition is to replace those in government. Therefore, they employ different types of tactics and measures in the course of achieving their aim. Though, there is nothing wrong in forming an opposition to a sitting government if this priority is reasonably, objectively and patriotically pursued; it becomes a problem and undesirable if dubious, criminal, unreasonable, wicked and unpatriotic tendencies are devised in their pursuits.

In other climes, the people in opposition put the interest of the country and citizens foremost in their criticisms and other activities against the government. They constitute themselves as checks to forestall the ruling party from derailing in governance. They study the policies and programmes of government and devise ways of improving on them and presenting same as manifestoes to swerve the electorates’ votes in their favour in subsequent or future elections.

In the Nigerian context, opposition is seen as an avenue to pull down the ruling government and take-over governance. The politicians are known for pursuing their selfish interests not minding the negative effects such actions will have on the country and the masses. Every step and policies of government are condemned or made to look worthless and appalling in the eyes of the electorates just to justify their sentimental and selfish aims. This trend is synonymous with our democracy and it has persisted since

independence which explains the numerous military interventions in the country’s politics. The efforts put-in by all patriotic and well meaning Nigerians and the international community before democracy was eventually restored cannot be quantified. With the coming of the Fourth Republic, one would have expected that the people must have learnt their lessons and handle things more naturedly by drastically curtailing, if not permanently eradicating the trend, but, the reverse is the case as the situation is getting worse by the day.

Misplaced priority is not an ideology of a particular party, ethnic group or religion; most politicians are guilty of this anti-democratic and progress-killing activity. In as much as this review recognises the fact that, in politics, there are no permanent friends or foes but, permanent interest; our politicians have misconstrued this principle to mean personal and selfish ambitions/interests. As a result, the permanent interest of the people in opposition is to pull down the government in power at all cost, not minding the damage or pains it will inflict on the innocent masses and the growth of the nation. The people in government also see the opposition as enemies of the nation who should not be trusted come rain or shine. The situation is so bad that even if it is obvious to the whole world that something is white; the opposition will always see that thing as red, blue, black, green or any other colour (but not white), so as not to be perceived as giving credence to the policies and activities of government in power. In such situations, it will be difficult (if not impossible), for a nation to progress because mutual suspicion will pervade the polity.

It is very important to mention at this juncture that, when the issue of Boko Haram started, the government and opposition played politics to the gallery until it got out

of hand. If the issue had been handled with all sincerity and patriotic zeal most of the deaths recorded would have been, averted. No wonder, the whereabouts of the Chibok girls is still a mystery.

Today, a lot of sensitive issues are springing-up and our people are still handling it with levity and in the usual mannerisms. The ongoing anti-corruption war; secession agitation in the East; soldiers - shiites’ clash in Zaria; persistent fuel scarcity; election violence and alleged malpractices in Southern Ijaw; political imbroglio in Kogi and numerous others deserve unwavering commitments and co-operations of all well meaning Nigerians to tackle.

Expectedly, the masses continue to suffer endlessly and instead of the opposition to join hands with the present government to fighting the problems and finding lasting solutions, they are trading blames and accusations. Their relationship is still that of cat and mouse.

From the aforementioned, it is obvious that the people seem not to have learnt any lessons from the past and are gradually walking into another tight corner. We must not allow this to happen again for the sake of the nation’s survival. Consequently, the aim of this review is to prick the conscience of those concerned and remind them that there is need to have a rethink and embrace national interests in place of misplaced priorities which have done us greater damages than good. All hands must be on deck to handle issues objectively and patriotically without fear or favour.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the efforts of the present administration are gradually yielding results, there is need for all well meaning Nigerians to come on board so that the dividends of democracy will be fully brought to bear on the lives of the masses.

The government should also handle all issues with patriotic zeal and must not apply political sentiments, they must go to equity with clean hands. Criticisms and advices of the opposition should be perused to determine those that will be beneficial to the generality of the people.

We should forget about political affiliations in this fight for total freedom from poverty and all societal vices.

Interestingly, it is only names, symbols, ideologies and manifestoes of political parties that differ; the members are citizens of this country. Obviously, parties will come and go; governments will come and go; politicians and administrators will come and go; people will come and go; but, the country will remain.

Raymond Oise-Oghaede, a public policies commentator sent this piece from Surulere, Lagos.

Of negligence and Nnewi fire disaster

By Chukwuma Okonwo

YeARS ago, as a growing up lad in Onitsha, I had witnessed several fire incidents in both residential and commercial places.

There was nothing then, like a fire service. Fire incidents were quenched with water mixed with some detergents, or buckets of sand. Once a fire broke out, everybody would run haphazardly, while some would grab buckets to fetch water wherever they could find it – dirty water was usually the best option.

With a mixture of different options – water and sand – the fire would eventually be quenched. And people would give glory to God. There were no fire procedures. Fire fighting steps and evacuation procedures were unconventional, hence things were done at the discretion of the people. While some would help in quenching the fire, the victims would look the devil in the eye and jump in to rescue their property or loved ones from being burnt. Sometimes some would pray (loudly) for God to send down his fire-fighting angels from heaven to quench the fire.

Today, I have grown, and although there is fire service, relatively so to speak, but some of the options I witnessed as a kid are still validly applied. No one wants to wait till eternity for the fire service to arrive, and then count losses. No doubt, fire incidents have become notable occurrences in Nigeria in recent times. We have seen them happen on-again-off-again across the country. Fire incidents have now become alarming. Fire incidents often come with severe burdens on the victims (most noticeable), as well as the owners of the property (or employers as the case may be in commercial places) and the environment (most inconspicuously). The burdens come with legal obligations and liabilities.

Christmas eve, being a day that ushers in Christmas day, comes normally with some sort of surge of joy. On December 24, 2015, the Christmas eve joy in the air turned into dark smoke with shouts of mourning when Nnewi fire tragedy occurred at Inter Corp Oil Limited. Death figures have been estimated at over 100, while the number of people injured and

the value of property lost have not been ascertained. If one had been around a place where a fire incident occured, one will have experienced first-hand the mental shock from such an incident.

Fire incidents in Nigeria provoke a fit of temper. This is because in most fire incidents, the common denominator is usually negligence on the part of the person(s) who caused the fire, the victims and the owner(s) of the property, who have failed to adhere to fire safety measures. The Nnewi fire tragedy was not divinely programmed, it was man-made and an act of negligence. And it was avoidable.

That tragic fire incident strengthens the need for the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Federal Fire Service, the Department of Petroleum Resources, and other relevant government institutions with statutory roles to play in ensuring health and safety in the oil and gas industry to wake up to their responsibilities.

No doubt, the Nnewi fire tragedy was petrifying, now it has become one of those fire incidents at gas stations that have happened in the past. We have seen such explosions happen in

Lagos, Abuja to name a few. My guess is that the level of disturbance that we have experienced due to the Nnewi fire explosion is the same as any other (similar) explosion in Lagos or Abuja or elsewhere in the country. Yet such explosions continue to happen. And we continue to lose lives and properties. Unfortunately, we only take record of lives and property lost, but ignore the cost of the disasters on our environment. Fire incidents at gas stations continue to happen because we continue to pay less attention to our legal obligations and liabilities that ordinarily should make them not to happen. Perhaps this is time for us to start thinking deeply. Maybe if the driver of the tanker had thought about his duty of care, the fire incident would not have happened. Maybe if the drivers who had caused similar fire incidents in the past had been prosecuted and jailed, the incident would not have happened again. May be if Inter Corp Oil Limited (and other oil firms) had internal compliance measures that ensure strict compliance to the transportation of oil and gas materials, fire explosions would not have happened.

In a civilised world, negligence is a serious issue in organisations and workplaces. And so is duty of care. Nigeria’s tort law, like the English tort law, documents the relevance of the duty of care and the applicability of action in acts of negligence. The tragic fire incident that happened at a gas station in Nnewi on Christmas eve strengthens the need for the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Federal Fire Service, the Department of Petroleum Resources, and other relevant government institutions that have statutory roles to play in ensuring health and safety in the oil and gas industry to wake up to their responsibilities. These government institutions have mandates to prescribe and monitor standards in gas stations. In these institutions, there are officials whose duties are to ensure compliance to the prescribed standards in gas stations.

•Okonwo is a member of the Nigeria Economic Society (NES).

21

Thursday, 7 January, 2016 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo Palace singers in procession during the Ibagwa-Nike Ofala Festival

Thrill as Ibagwa-Nike marks Ofala festival Jude Ossai - Enugu

H

ISTORICALLY, the progenitor of Ibagwa-Nike (Eze Okwe) Kingdom in the present Enugu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State was said to be one Ezenwudala, son of Ozizi Koko, a warlord from Angwa community in Idah, Igala in Kogi State.

Ezenwudala was said to have had other three sons namely, Ibagwa-Aka, IbagwaAni and Alor who occupied the present Enugu-North Senatorial Zone of the state.

The present Ibagwa-Nike is a significant community largely because it was the centre of trade, culture and economic activities in pre-colonial era.

Perhaps, the visible story of the IbagwaNike could be the reason the Ofala Festival celebrated by the community each year has continued to attract top dignitaries across Igboland, Middle-Belt and even beyond.

The 7th edition of the Ofala Festival, which began on December 29, 2015 and, was presided over by Igwe (Dr) Emmanuel Oluchukwu Ugwu, the Anyanwu na walu Oha 1 of Ibagwa-Nike.

Maka Ndigbo, which was in attendance, observed that the first day started with the arrival of guests at about 6pm after which there was an opening prayer to kick-start the event

at Enenwudala auditorium, IbagwaNike. There was interactive forum, royal induction and gala night.

On the second day, there was homage by the Council of Elders to the royal father, Igwe Ugwu after which special prayers were held.

The highlights of the event were

the conferment of chieftaincy titles on recipients and royal dance by the traditional ruler.

One other striking feature noted during the celebration was how the Igwe Ugwu, in a resplendent outing, led by Palace officials, carried the "Ududu-Eze" whose principal content was the Holy Bible,

CREW

Igwe and Lolo Ugwu in a procession at the festival.

Enugu police nab pipeline vandal —pg22

a reminiscence of the biblical Ark of Covenant carried by the priests in ancient Israel.

In a goodwill massage, the Secretary to Enugu State Government (SSG), Elder G. O. C. Ajah noted: "Ofala festival is our people's cultural way of thanking God for the productive activities carried out during the year, thus showcasing our cultural heritage" The leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not left out in the Ofala Festival as the state chapter of the group stressed: "It is noteworthy to point out that your Royal Outreach Ofala Festival represents a symbolic tradition in Igbo world view".

Indeed, true to its bidding, the state chairman of the pan-Igbo group, Chief Eric Ebeh and the Secretary, Chief Fidelis Ojobo respectively were on hand to add glamour to the event.

To Reverend Professor Chidi Ehiriodo, the Bishop of Wesley Synod and International Vice President of the United Nations-Polac Peace Programme, a nongovernmental organisation, noted that the successful story of Ibagwa-Nike Kingdom under the Igweship of Ugwu could not be overemphasised.

"We are pleased that you have used your position to impact positively on the larger society and lived up to expectations through the various peace projects you have embarked on including this festival."

"As a Mayor for peace and peace advocate of the United Nations, we encourage you to continue the propagation of the peace ideals and sustainable development goals of the United Nations to actualise peace not only in your constituency and community, but the larger society which is what we stand for", he added.

Speaking at the occasion, Igwe Ugwu said: “I am an advocate of peace, detribalised Nigerian and an epitome of truth and history. I have served my community in different capacities. I have served humanity in various capacities and have remained an enigma to my peer group towards the transformation of my community and advancement of the goals of the common man".

According to the paramount ruler, "as in the past, this seventh edition of New Yam/Ofala celebrations showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of IbagwaNike Kingdom" Igwe Ugwu, on behalf of the entire people of Ibagwa-Nike, commended their guests, friends and well-wishers for honoring their invitation and making the event a success.

The festival, which ended with a New Year resolution for families and friends at Igwe's palace has come and gone, but the memory will remain fresh in minds of the people of Ibagwa-Nike and their wellwishers for a long time.

How son killed father on Christmas Day —pg22

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

22 makand’igbo

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Enugu police nab pipeline vandal Jude Ossai - Enugu

P

OLICE detectives in Enugu have arrested a suspected petroleum pipeline vandal involved in the siphoning of petroleum products in the state.

The suspect, whose name was given as Okechukwu Okeke from Umuhu Awgu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was picked on December 30.

It was gathered that the suspect,

alongside others now at large, had allegedly entered Umurah Ndeaboh bush on the eve of Christmas at about 12 midnight in Aninri Local Government Area of the state and siphoned petroleum products with equipment which included two pumping machines, pipeline sealants and generator.

Confirming the story, the state Police Public Relations officer, Ebere Amarizu, said that some spanners

and a Leyland 13,800 litres truck with registration number XF 312 PHC were discovered, adding that the alleged culprits had already tampered with the pipeline and were siphoning oil into their waiting truck kept at a very long distance from the vandalised area before the security operatives caught them.

Amarizu said: “The hoodlums, who had sensed that danger was lurking,

took to their heels that midnight, but the operatives had to recover their half filled truck with AGO, otherwise known as diesel as well as their implements also intesified their search which led to the arrest of Okechukwu Okeke”.

The police image maker further said that the suspect, Okeke, maintained that he was from Umuhu Awgu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and that he was 28 year-old, but lived in Alese Eleme by Portharcourt Refinery Road, Rivers State.

According to Ebere, the suspect claimed he was the owner of the truck which he used to drive at times, but added that he also had a driver and that it was one Ejike whose identity was not known to him that drove the vehicle.

He further disclosed that for a period of one month, he did not see Ejike with his truck from where they used to park at Refinery Park, but confirmed that he had not reported the case of his missing driver and truck to the police.

“Meanwhile, full scale investigations have commenced by the operatives of the Anti- vandals Unit of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department of the Enugu State Police command with a view to unmasking those behind the illicit incident as suspect, Okeke, is now helping the operatives in their investigations”, the police spokesman concluded.

How son killed father on Christmas Day Jude Ossai - Enugu The suspect standing beside the equipment with which he was allegedly siphoning the product.

New Year celebration: Foundation fetes kids in Anambra Suzy Oruya - Onitsha CELEBRATING God for gift of life, Godwin And Patricia Okeke Foundation hosted children of their community and other communities around Adazi-Ani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anamba State for a New Year party.

The party, among its kind, which was organised under the auspices of Godwin and Patricia Okeke Foundation (GPOF), a foundation set up as multi-disciplinary Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with interests in three core areas of Community Health, Community Development and Global Education was established about six years ago.

About 2,000 children and adults have so far benefited from its Hope Scholarship scheme under Godwin Okeke and Patricia Okeke Foundation (GPOF) with majority of the beneficiaries in the tertiary institutions and colleges across the country.

During this year’s children’s party, children of Adadzi-Ani community, home town of Godwin Okeke, the Chairman of the Foundation and other beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme and even nonbeneficiaries were treated to sumptuous dishes and prices after dance competitions.

The event, which attracted the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike and his counterpart from the Information Ministry, Dr Uju Nworgu, was, however, described as a tradition, courtesy Godwin and Patricia Okeke Foundation.

A beneficiary of Hope Scholarship programme under the foundation, Miss Chisom Nnaji, an SS3 student of Supreme Knowledge Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkpor near Onitsha, stated that five of her siblings were granted scholarship in Supreme Knowledge Comprehensive School, owned and administered by Lady Okeke. Miss Nnaji said she regarded herself as a daughter to the couple who treat other people's children as their own.

Impressed by the parental conduct and

Some of the children at the party

care of her benefactors, despite her poor parental background and town of origin, Ubahu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu state, Miss Nnaji charged other children to make judicious use of the scholarship scheme to librate their families from intense poverty.

On why the foundation was established about six years ago, Lady Patricia Okeke said it was her passion to help children to succeed in life that propelled their interest to establish the Foundation.

PAULINUS Ugwuoke, aged 60, from Imilike Agu in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State was hale and hearty and might not have had any premonition that death was lurking around him not to talk of being carried out by his son on Christmas day.

But that was the true life situation.

Ugwoke was killed by his son, Anselem, throwing the entire family members and the community into mourning mood on the day Christians and well-wishers were celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Maka Ndigbo gathered that on the fateful day, at about 10pm, Anselem and his friends in crime had engaged his father in a serious exchange of words over a yet to be established issue.

The quarrel later resulted in physical combat which led the son hitting his father with an object. The old man was left unconscious and was later confirmed dead.

It was further gathered that Anselem and his friends took to their heels immediately they observed that the man was dead.

Confirming the story, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, said that a full scale investigation had commenced into the alleged incident, adding that a manhunt on Anselem and his accomplices had also been intensified with a view to tracking them.

Amarizu said that the body of the decease had been deposited in a nearby hospital for post-mortem examinations.

He also disclosed that an elder brother to Anselem, one Sunday Ugwuoke, had expressed grief and surprise over the death of their father. The body of the deceased is now deposited in a nearby hospital for postmortem examinations.

23

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

education

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

Are school holidays really still ‘holidays’?

Naza Okoli-Lagos

T

HIS is how many schoolchildren spend their holidays today: they wake up early in the morning and prepare for what is variously known as ‘Holiday lesson’, ‘extra classes’, or ‘summer coaching’. They prepare early so that their busy parents can drop them off at school before proceeding to work.

To these children, the only difference between a school term and a holiday is that they do not wear uniform during the holidays.

“When I was in primary school, there was nothing like holiday classes,” said Olumide Ayodele, an English Language Instructor at the ICS Language Consult, Ikeja. But these days, it is compulsory in the primary and secondary schools.

“Even where they say it isn’t compulsory, the teachers begin the new term’s work during the holiday classes; and when the new term begins, they don’t revisit what they have taught; they start ahead.”

Perhaps the problem is really one of definition. What is the meaning of ‘holiday’?

For what purpose was it designed?

Professor Phillips Okunola of the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Lagos said holiday was never intended to accommodate academic work.

“Parents can engage their children in some other things which are educative but not direct teaching and learning,” he said.

“After asking students to stay for 14 weeks or more in school, there is need for them to go home and relax and do something different from what they have been doing for the past 14 weeks. The activities I have in mind are those that will enhance and enrich their knowledge – activities like excursion, visiting historic centres, visiting museums, visiting different states to learn their culture; they may even engage in activities of Man O’War.” Learn and play Professor Mopelola Omoegun is a specialist in Guidance and Counselling at the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Lagos. She told Tribune Education on Monday that learning during the holidays should be “light” rather than “rigorous”.

She said: “If you don’t keep children busy during the holidays; if they are not gainfully employed or engaged, they may find avenues to commit atrocities or fall into peer influence and different vices.

This is why it is better to keep them busy during the holidays. Nowadays, especially in Lagos, parents are very busy; they are not even available. But it is not only academic work that children should be doing at school during vacation. They could go for excursions. Academic work should be very light, not rigorous, because they are on holiday. And they shouldn’t go to school as early as seven or eight. They could start at 12 noon and finish at 2 pm.

And all these I have said should be for the

long vacation which usually comes up between July and September. For the other holidays (usually two weeks), they should stay at home and rest.”

Okunola also agrees that a measure of learning may be necessary during the long vacation, but maintained that such learning should be given only towards the end of the holiday.

“When students go on long vacations for about two and a half months, then two or three weeks of coaching may be necessary; but it shouldn’t be immediately after the term. In fact, it should come two or three weeks before resumption; and this coaching should be directed towards what they (the students) will need as entry behaviour for the next class.”

‘Many factors” Holiday classes are also seen as good business opportunities for school owners and teachers. A private school proprietor and Chairman of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Ebute-Metta Zone, Lagos, Deacon Omoyajowo Peter, admits that schools have “got it wrong.”

He said: “We have to ask: why is it that in the curriculum, there is provision for holiday? Even right from the time of the Bible, God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. That means that rest is paramount in everything we are doing.

But you see this issue has many factors to it. We have the parents, the society, the school and the child.

“I’ll start with the society – the economy. An average parent who works for six hours or even 10 hours cannot put food on the table. Parents now have to do a lot of work. Parents have to work for 24 hours.

Such parents do not have time for their children. Some of them may even stay away from home for three months – like those who work in maritime.

“Now talking about the schools – I even thought you would start from the closing time during the term. Ideally, a school is supposed to close at 2 pm. Because of economic gain, these schools keep their students for such a long time that they get home around 6 pm. It is wrong. If any school tells you that they are doing extra lessons, it is wrong; it is not part of the curriculum. Schools are only taking advantage of the fact that parents do not have time for their children. They (the schools) now feel they might as well take over the responsibilities of the parents.

And most of them simply do it for the financial gains. According to the psychology of education, a child of less than 10 years old would have a concentration span of only four hours to learn in a day. After three months of academic work, a child is supposed to rest for at least three weeks.”

‘Dicey situation’ It would seem that there are other instances where schools, aware that holidays needn’t be solely about learning, take the “fun” too far. Mr Chidi Adorah, a former classroom teacher who now works as

a private tutor in Awka, spoke with Tribune Education last week.

“There is a child I have been tutoring since Basic 1,” he said. “He always came first in his class. But this term, he came second. And that was because during the long vacation in August, his parents sent him to a school for holiday classes, so I didn’t teach him. There at that school, the teachers just go to play with the pupils during the holidays. You would hear them playing and screaming around the school for hours until their parents come to pick them up. When this boy resumed school and I began to tutor him again, I noticed he had become too playful. It showed in his performance at school. Eventually he came second. You see, it’s a dicey situation. Learning during the holiday is good, because the brain is like the muscles.

When it is not properly exercised, it begins to diminish. But it shouldn’t be intense. Three times per week is adequate.”

Changing times In the past, men left home every day to work, while their wives tended their homes and children. After school, children ran home to their mothers; and during the holidays they stayed at home to help – or in some cases, went out to work with their fathers. This is no longer the case today.

The country may very well be raising a generation of young people who have little or no experience of how a home is run, or what constitutes quality family time. And it is here that the real problem lies.

education Korea to build N5bn Model Schools in FCT 24

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Donates instructional materials to Adamawa, Gombe schools Clement Idoko - abuja

T

HE government of Republic of Korea has earmarked N5 billion for the construction of Model Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of its contribution to the development of basic education in Nigeria.

It has also donated some instructional materials and computers worth $400,000 to boost teaching and learning in some schools in Adamawa and Gombe states.

Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Mr. Jung Sang-Hoon, presented the items with two units of 2016 KIA Mohave SUVs to the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Suleiman Dikko, in Abuja.

The items donated through KOICA include 200 units of computers, eight printers, four copiers and six types of computer software, meant for distribution to four schools constructed by KOICA in Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Kogi states.

Dr Dikko while receiving the items commended the government and people of Korea for the support to basic education in Nigeria, saying KOICA has carved its name in gold in the hearts of the Nigerian children.

He said the donation came at a time the Federal Government just restated its commitment to developing basic education in Nigeria. He said KOICA had over the years spent $5million on various projects and programmes in basic education in Nigeria, and that the donation would further boost the quality of basic education delivery in the country.

Dikko said, “The donations we are celebrating today stem from the fact that after KOICA constructed the schools and handed them over in 2012, UBEC continued to provide additional support to the schools in order to sustain the project and add value to what has already been provided by KOICA. “In this regard, the commission, in close collaboration with the beneficiary states’ Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs, supported the schools with

all-round fencing with gates and security posts, alternative power supply, connection to public water and electricity supplies.

“UBEC also assisted in providing industrial grade boreholes, additional two blocks of four classrooms for kindergarten classes,

well equipped libraries and four computer rooms at the cost of N5.5 million each.”

KOICA Country Director, Sang-Hoon, said his coun-

try is interested in supporting Nigeria not only in creating access but also raising the quality of basic education.

Project Investigator, Professor Adewale Dipeolu (arrowed) with other team members during the test-running of the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Puree into bread in the laboratory at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) recently. The Sweet Potato for Health and Wealth in Nigeria is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).

He commended the federal government’s school feeding initiatives, saying primary education is a human right and that the initiative will encourage increased school enrolment.

Sang-hoon also said that the agency had renovated four primary schools it built in Adamawa and Gombe states.

He explained that the donation was part of the Korean government’s ongoing projects in Nigeria, expected to last till 2018. He also said that Korea planned to invest $15 million in Nigeria during the period.

“This donation is part of the project activities that will last until 2018 with an investment of 15 million dollars sponsored by KOICA. We expect our donation will serve to help in the monitoring and evaluation as well as implementation activities for the projects of the commission.

NUC ranks UNIJOS second best among second generation varsities Isaac Shobayo - Jos THE University of Jos has been adjudged the second best among second generation universities in the 2015 ranking by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

A statement by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Information and Publications, UNIJOS, Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi, says the university came second only after the University of Ilorin among second generation universities in the country.

The second generation universities are the 12 universities established between 1970 and 1985 to meet the increasing need for university education in Nigeria, especially in the area of science and technology.

“University of Jos, however, ranks 7th in the overall ranking of all federal, state and private universities in Nigeria. NUC named the University of Ibadan in overall first position while Covenant University was rated as the best private university in Nigeria,” Abdullahi stated.

The statement further noted that a 2013/2014 Law graduate of UNIJOS, Okwor Kenneth Ononeze,

earned First Class Honours in the November 2015 Bar Final Examination of the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja.

“The Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Council of Legal Education, Mrs. Max-Uba, conveyed this through a letter of commendation to the University of Jos and addressed to the vice chancellor, Professor Hayward Mafuyai,” he added.

Reacting to the developments, Professor Mafuyai was delighted at the news of the university’s current ranking, describing it as clear recognition of the enormous work being done in the university.

He said it was encouraging that the university is being appreciated for the impact it is creating towards human capital development in the country, and that the ranking is consistent with the university’s global rating.

The statement quoted him as saying: “If not for some challenges, the university could have achieved greater success.” He then enjoined all stakeholders to rally round the university to ensure that it achieves its full potential.

Professor Mafuyai described the performance of graduates of the university as excellent and comparable to the best in the world.

Commenting on the performance the university’s Law graduate, Ononeze, in the Final Bar Examination of the Nigerian Law School, Mafuyai com-

mended the efforts of lecturers and other staff of the university, who he said are sacrificing a lot to ensure that the students get the best education.

Why UNILORIN is number one —VC by kehinde adio

The vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has said that the university has continued to maintain its Number One position among universities in Nigeria because it is “blessed with a crop of dedicated staff who take their jobs seriously.”

Professor Ambali made the comment in Abuja recently during a visit to the Federal Ministry of Education, saying that the choice of the university by most admission seekers in the country is due to its over 15 years uninterrupted academic calendar.

The vice chancellor, who was responding to a question posed to him by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on why UNILORIN is the most preferred university among admission seekers in the country, said, “We

ensure that we give the best education deserved.

In the last 15 years, we have never closed our doors to our students.

“We have a dedicated crop of both academic and non-teaching staff that take their jobs seriously.

We try to work towards our mission by ensuring that we create the enabling environment conducive for teaching and learning, and we cherish very much that when you come to the University of Ilorin you will feel proud to belong to the academic environment.”

Noting that the university has zero tolerance for vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, indecent dressing, corruption and laziness to work, among others, the vice chancellor said, “We have a well-cultured system on ground that whoever is caught will face the disciplinary committee; and if

found guilty, will be asked to go”.

Ambali also told the minister: “We have a number of MoUs with a number of international partners.

We also have quite a number of international students. We also have a very good and robust research outfit. We won a total of 10 research grant awards out of 22. The University of Ilorin is the first to attain such height in terms of research grants awards and among several other achievements. That has made the University of Ilorin truly the preferred choice.”

Also with the minister during the meeting were the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folasade Yemisi-Esan, among other top ministry officials.

25

education

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

‘Our mission is to produce job creators, not job seekers’

Mr Matthew Oladeji Eyitayo is the Rector The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki (TOPS), Oyo State. In this interview, he speaks with TUNDE ADEGBOLA on his recent appointment as the substantive Rector of the institution, among other issues. Excerpts:

N

ow that you have been confirmed as the substantive rector of the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, how do you feel?

I feel elated to be the pioneer rector of the polytechnic. To get to the top of one’s career elicits feelings of satisfaction and fulfilment.

business activities in the institution. TOPS have block industry, water factory, cattle ranch, fish hatchery, bread bakery, among others. The institution is planning to embark on large scale mechanised farming and fish production to shore up internally generated revenue (IGR). In addition, we plan to float a microfinance bank.

How will the elevation enhance your performance to bring more development to the institution?

The confirmation of my appointment as the substantive rector encourages me to want to do more. It shows that someone somewhere is watching what you are doing and it is being appreciated. Though the current development at TOPS seems unprecedented, the management under my watch is hungry for more all-round developments.

Employers are saying that most of the available graduates are unemployable, where have we got it wrong and what are you putting in place to improve the quality of education of your students?

While the Saki campus was under The Polytechnic, Ibadan, our students have always been excelling, even at institutions they chose to further their studies. Many alumni of the institution have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour. They are actually getting in touch with the school. Presently, TOPS engages in intensive training for staff: both academic and non-academic, to give new orientation on training employable graduates.

Concerning admission processes in the institution, how far have you gone?

Since Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has listed the institutions it wants to work with; TOPS is now privileged to process admission directly through JAMB. So, all our intakes for the current session have their admissions processed through JAMB. The first set of graduates of the institution would be graduating in 2016/2017 academic session.

Considering decreasing state allocations, are there plans to step up drive for internally generated revenue?

Already, there is TOPS ventures which coordinates all

Nigeria is trying to find solution to its economy

Sound entrepreneurial education has been put in place to assist the students in various vocations

Matthew Eyitayo woes, what efforts are you making in preparing your students to become employers of labour after graduation?

The mission of TOPS is to churn out job creators and not job seekers. Sound entrepreneurial education has been put in place to assist the students in various vocations. Teaching in the institution is practical oriented, as students are exposed to practical and excursions where they garner requisite experience that would position them to meaningfully contribute to the economic development of the nation. Now, our graduates can go into the larger society with a sense of fulfilment, self-reliance and confidence.

‘But for PTA, most public schools would not have teachers in Kogi’ Comrade Ranti Ojo Mathew is the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) in Kogi State. In this interview with AYODELE ADESANMI, he speaks on the state of public schools in the state and teachers’ welfare.

Some state governments have stopped the payment of West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) fees for secondary school students. What is your take on this matter?

To me, the payment of WASSCE fees is a misplacement of priority in the first place; it’s political. The welfare of teachers in the state and instructional materials are below average. In particular, welfare of teachers is at a very low ebb, as government does not pay teachers’ salary regularly. Presently, in the country there are some states that owe teachers over eight months salary; but thanks to the bailout of the Federal Government. If you say you are paying WASSCE fees for students and you neglect the teachers, who is going to teach the students and prepare them for the examination? Then, what type of performance do you expect from the students? Pay a visit to the public schools and assess the infrastructural facilities available.

Look at the buildings and the seating arrangement in the classrooms. The environment is not conducive for learning. Private schools take advantage of this and provide all these and most of them have better patronage.

Sadly, successive governments have succeeded in killing public schools through their policies and inadequate funding. God is going to judge them, as most of the policy makers today at the helms of affairs went through public schools. Instead of using their position to improve on the situation of the public schools, they prefer to establish their own private schools, which only the rich can afford. Teachers in Kogi State, for over seven years, have been crying to the government to recruit more teachers to supplement what is on ground, but our cry has yielded nothing. This present government made efforts to recruit 500 teachers in order to augment and fill the gap created by the retired teachers since 2012, nobody has been re-

Therefore, the only way to patronise their private schools is to cripple the public schools and make them not conducive for learning. How many of our leaders have their children in public schools? To them, whether the public schools exist or not does not matter to them. Funny enough, most of these public schools today are existing on the mercy of the parents. Go to any public school and talk to the principal; they will tell you their experience.

But for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) that is making some funds available, most of those schools would not have had any teachers.

Matthew cruited. Every year in this state, not less than 100 teachers have been going on retirement for over seven years.

Last year,over 140 teachers were sent off. This year, the number on the list for send-forth on my table is 97. With this scenario of no recruitments, it will worsen the situation. Some are even transferring their service to the mainstream of civil service, because as a teacher, their welfare is not considered. Any time government is paying workers leave allowance, teachers are always considered last. Even the 2013 (leave allowance) that government is paying presently, teachers are being paid last. If teachers are being considered as second class citizens, how do you want such teachers to put in their best?

You said government is killing public schools.

How? Most of the private schools available are owned by our so-called leaders, the policy makers or their cronies.

How would you assess the level of education in Kogi State?

As far as secondary education is concerned in this state, we are retrogressing. Before 2009, we had about 6000 teachers; but today, how many do we have? It’s less than 3000. Yet, students’ enrolment is increasing because population keeps on swelling. We also don’t have enough teachers. If you want to see the reality of our schools, go to the rural areas; move away from the cities. What you will see will amaze you. In the secondary schools in this state, from 2013 to date, teachers have not been paid their leave bonus. Also 2011 to date, teachers have not been promoted – even annual increment has been ignored.

With all these indices, what percentage do you want me to give in the rating?

How have the schools been coping with the non-recruitment of teachers?

This is obvious. Availability of qualified teachers, availability of instructional materials, good conducive learning environment would give us good results. But with the picture l have painted, which output do you expect?Of course, failure! The percentage of passes recorded in the WASSCE in this state is as a result of private schools.

Even most of the private schools are miracle centres; to boost their status they know what they always do. Most of the results students are parading are ‘miracle results’.

Students that are not well taught, how can they pass?

What students do is to go to the villages to go and register for their examination, leaving the urban centres.

26

education

Thursday, 7 January 2016

Varsities can lead in actualisation of sustainable development goals —Okojie Clement Idoko, Abuja

E

XECUTIVE Secretary, National Universities Commission (NOUN), Professor Julius Okojie, has challenged Nigerian universities to take the lead in the actualisation of the new Sustainable Development Goals-2030.

Goals one to six of the global development agenda, entitled ‘Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, directly address health disparity in developing countries like Nigeria, with particular focus on poverty, hunger and food security, health, education, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and water and sanitation.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja, Okojie insisted that universities have the capacity to come up with cutting-edge researches and technological breakthroughs that could help in addressing the nation’s development needs and needs of the communities.

Okojie said the low global ranking of Nigerian universities notwithstanding, graduates from the institutions have ranked top in the world.

“We have reports that even Third Class graduates from our universities come out as First Class students in some of these topmost universities in the world.

We must encourage our

system. Nigerian universities are doing well,” he said.

He also noted that basic education in Nigeria is weak, and that efforts must be made to strengthen that level of education if the nation must get it right.

Okojie noted that there is a better quality assurance today in the Nigeria university system than what

it used to be, saying “the problem has never been with the tertiary institutions. Nigerian students are performing excellently well in other universities of the world.”

He challenged stakeholders in the education sector to critically re-examine reasons the foundation level of education in Nigeria is faulty.

From left, relative of Pass.ng awardee, Amaka Ani; founder, Pass.ng Platform, Samson Abioye; an outstanding student in 2015 UTME and Pass.ng awardee, Joshua Ani, with Digital and PR Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Erhumu Bayagbon, during the award presentation at the Pass.ng Excellence Awards 2015 held in Ikoyi, Lagos recently.

UNILORIN Law graduate among best 8 in 2015 Bar final exams Biola Azeez, Ilorin A 2013/2014 Law graduate of the University of Ilorin, Mr. Amoo Oluwatobi Ayobode, was among the eight student lawyers that made First Class Honours at the recently released November 2015 Bar Final Examinations results of the Nigerian Law School.

The seven others came from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo; the University of Lagos, Akoka,Yaba; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Abuja, and the University of Maiduguri.

Twenty three other students from the University of Ilorin also made the Second Class (Upper division) while 52 others made the Second Class (Lower division).

In recognition of Amoo’s exemplary performance, the Council of Legal Education has written a letter of commendation to the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Abdul-

Ganiyu Ambali.

In the letter, signed by the Secretary and Director of Administration, Mrs E.O. Max-Uba, the council said, “This feat is indeed commendable and is testimony to the fact that hard

work and discipline will always yield excellent results.”

Tribune Education recalls that UNILORIN’s Faculty of Law was adjudged the best Law Faculty in the country early

last year based on the cumulative performance of its products in the 2014 Bar Final Examinations. In the 2012 and 2013 Bar Final Examinations, the university consistently came second.

Ekiti rulers pledge support for EKSU FOUR eminent traditional rulers in Ekiti State have pledged total support to the upliftment of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.

The support came from the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; the Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi; the Alaworoko of IworokoEkiti, Oba Michael Aladejana, and the Olufaki of Ifaki-Ekiti, Oba J. O. Agbaje, during separate visits by the vice chancellor, Professor Samuel Oye Bandele, and members of the university management to them.

The Ewi pledged to support the vision of the vice chancellor in utilizing the large portion of land be-

longing to the university to embark on commercial agriculture. He promised to help prevent land speculators from disrupting the project.

Earlier, the vice chancellor had solicited the traditional ruler’s help to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the university, and that commercial agriculture would be a priority in that line.

On his part, the Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemi promised to support all steps taken by the vice chancellor to improve the university, and stressed that as the Chancellor of the institution, he would ensure that the entire university community re-

mains peaceful.

At his palace, Oba Aladejana asked the vice chancellor to assist in giving employment to the indigenes of Iworoko-Ekiti, to which the vice chancellor gave his word.

The vice chancellor promised that the university would be open and fair in its recruitment exercise to the indigenes of Iworoko-Ekiti. He then thanked the Alaworoko and his chiefs for ensuring peaceful co-existence between Iworoko community and EKSU students.

The Onifaki, Oba J. A. Agbaje, also assured the vice chancellor of his cooperation, saying that Professor Bandele was not a stranger to him.

Perspective AAUA brand in the eyes of Okebukola, Adesina Debo Ikuesewo-Akinbami “I have found that Adekunle Ajasin University is a stable, upwardly mobile university with tremendous potential to be one of the best in the world.”

These were comments by Peter Okebukola, the eminent Professor of Science Education and celebrated egghead who typified a builder and a stabilizer of enduring structures as the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“I have come across the products of Adekunle Ajasin University around the world. They are very sober, wellbehaved, disciplined and well-schooled in their disciplines of training,” he added.

Okebukola’s words aptly describe the story and the current status of Adekunle Ajasin University. In her 16 steady years of existence, and in the face of dire challenges, Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria’s reigning best state university, defied a lean beginning and put on a huge weight as a consequential institution and it is fast burgeoning as Africa’s centre of academic excellence.

The young Nigerian university, all along, has been busy building a rich history, writing distinct story of creativity, of devotion to distinction and of abiding resolve to affect humanity differently.

In practice, Adekunle Ajasin University does the charge of an ivory tower with utmost sobriety and finesse, first by attracting the best minds to itself through inflexible commitment to merit-driven admission; then, by carefully moulding the young minds as champions in various spheres.

As credence, the NUC named it Nigeria’s best state university in 2005. The United States Transparent International Standards, USTIS, in its 2014 Survey report identified it as Nigeria’s Best State University 2013.

In her short existence, Adekunle Ajasin University has traversed the academic world in the superlatives producing worthy continental medallists – an Olympic athlete, best candidates nationally in the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria examinations in 2009 and 2010, overall best student at the year’s Bar examination, among other golden feats.

The university’s landmarks surely draw intellectual and entrepreneurial giants to it. These milestones must have spurred Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of African Development Bank, foremost reformer and 21st century farm manager, to stoutly identify with this university.

He (Adesina) saw the successes of the university as a direct product of her sterling leadership. He believes that the university has been largely lucky with the crop of personalities that have steered its affairs. He saw the enormous abilities of its staff. He saw the communal cooperation and commitment to excellence. He saw the zeal and zest for the best in its students.

These two distinguished Nigerians are convinced that AAUA is on a sustainable path. These legendary Africans measured Adekunle Ajasin University and scored it high.

Similar to the stance of these illustrious scholars was the impressions of the Visitor to the university and governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, CON. For him, Adekunle Ajasin University represents the face of excellent academic standard that his government preaches.

According to the governor, “Adekunle Ajasin University has the potential for global relevance. I, therefore, challenge this university not only to move from being the best state university to the best university in Nigeria, but to also embark on ground-breaking researches, climb the global Webometric ranking and produce Nobel laureates.

“If it was possible for this university to emerge as best state university twice in 14 years, produce best students nationally in the Nigerian Institute of Bankers examination in 2009 and 2010 respectively, produce the best Law student at the Nigerian Law School Final Bar Examination in 2014, win gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and represent Nigeria in the 2012 Olympic Games, then ruling the world in research and winning the Nobel prize are attainable.”

Governor Mimiko’s assurances and charge to the university and the portrayal given of the university by the two distinguished academics will serve as a roadmap, a target and a motivation for the university to be where it should be in the years ahead.

Ikuesewo-Akinbami writes from Akungba Akoko

27

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

aviation

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

anchor Shola Adekola

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

What NCAA must do to stop capital flight —Owolabi

Agric export could earn Nigeria over $52 billion yearly —Okakpu, CEO, ABX World Stories by Shola Adekola

T

he Chief Executive Officer of ABX World Nigeria Cargo, Captain John Okakpu, has urged the Federal Government to initiate policies that will stimulate the export of agricultural produce with potential to generate over $ 52 billion annually.

He said the promotion of over 75 farm produce for export by air could create over 20 million jobs for youths across the country.

Okakpu who said promotion of agricultural produce has become imperative in the face of slump in the price of crude oil in the international market, declared that current global realities have made it imperative for government to be more creative in exploring other sources of revenues rather than depending on crude oil.

He said his firm was promoting training with farmers and players in the supply chain and logistic business, on how to package Nigerian farm produce to scale through export standards prescribed by the European Union and other institutions.

According to him, ABX World Nigeria in collaboration with Arik Air and Skyway Aviation Grand Handling Company (SAHCOL) as cargo airline and process handling company, are already strategising to reposition Nigeria’s agro-allied produce exports to markets across

Europe and the rest of the world.

The firm, Okakpu hinted is pursuing a revolutionary project that will leapfrog the agricultural sector in the country while boosting the supply chain involving transportation, logistics, aviation, packaging, among others; in a bid to creating jobs for the teaming youths.

He said both Arik Air and SAHCOL, which are European Union certified with ACC3 and RA3 certifications respectively, will ensure the produce are accepted in the international market.

The certifications he said is evidence of the acceptability of EU Governments to rely on the due compliance of ABX World and the partners to help ensure that all laws concerning farm produce export is complied with.

According to him, already, ABX WORLD has reached out to the Federal Government to leverage global agro-allied sub-sector, while breaking the challenges posed by dependence on revenues from crude oil sales.

“Assuming one million out of over three million Nigerians living in the United Kingdom make purchases of food items from Nigeria at the cost of $100 weekly even with the current exchange rate, Nigeria cannot make less than $5.2billion from this sub-sector annually,” he said.

While urging President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to

jettison dependence on the oil and gas sector, which he said appears bleak, Okakpu added: “We know the price of crude oil today. Nigeria is largely a mono-dimension economy focused on crude oil extract, export and import. Our banking sector is no way to be reckoned with the rest of the world. God wants to reposition Nigeria, which is the reason we are faced with the crude oil price downfall.

“People like me would prefer the crude oil sales for $10 (USD) per barrel, because that will wake us up from slumber. Before crude oil, Nigeria was, but we lost our focus because of that.

“For Nigeria to balance her budget at the moment, crude oil has to sell for $128 (USD) per barrel.

How do we make up the difference? Is it by producing more? Do we have the capacity to produce more to make up the difference?

We have no choice than to go back to the foundation which is agriculture.

“To bring about the required turnaround, he said that the firm has engaged top supply chains players in Europe to facilitate export of over 60 per cent of the agro-allied produce into the European market.

“Our strategy is to get farmers through their respective cooperative societies for training on how and get certified on the supply chain processes such as the kind of pesticides to use. Through that,

they can be guaranteed three year of supply.”

He canvassed the establishment of a purpose-driven cargo facility, strategically built around passenger airports to attract and sustain airlines’ interest in the business just as he called on the Federal Government to consider airfreight subsidy in the agricultural sector for rapid growth of agro - allied sector and aid the ailing economy.

According to him, under the platform, over 20 million jobs are set to be created on the provision of $0.50 (N100.00) per kilogramme of agricultural produce for airfreight transportation.

“This is an avenue to bring all participants together to integrate their individual roles in this sector.

ABX World strategy is to generate over 50,000 tons of agricultural produce annually for export, while targeting produce such as pumpkin leave, fresh ginger and garlic, white and red sweet potatoes, washed bitter leaf, etc.

“It is going to be a very painful task and journey that will take a lot of time and hard work, because the attitudes of some government officials are discouraging the system from moving forward. But the bottom line is that we are no longer talking about classroom theories. Our goal is to champion agro-allied export in Nigeria. We don’t want to lead, because we are already leading,” he added.

The immediate past managing director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), Dr Oluropo Owolabi, has called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intervene on the issue of ground handling tariff charge on foreign airlines operating in the country to prevent capital flight.

Owolabi made the call while speaking with some journalists before he bowed out as the Chief Executive Officer of the ground handling company with best warehousing in Africa.

The outgoing CEO said while foreign airlines operating into Nigerian airports milk the nation dry through the payment of peanuts as ground handling tariff, Nigerian airlines operating foreign services pay through the nose to get similar services in foreign airports.

He said this was so because of the issue of disagreement or lack of trust over the tariff charge between the two major ground handling companies operating in the country.

“How long would an investor wait to recoup such money and then we have these airlines are not ready to allow you increase the tariff. I am appealing to NCAA to look into issue of both SAHCOL and NAHCO on the issue of tariff.

While foreign airlines milk Nigeria dry on tariff, Nigerian airlines which operate to foreign countries, pay through their noses.

This is because of the foreign airlines are playing upon the issue of little disagreement or distrust of two major ground handling companies which is not suppose to be,” he said.

Owolabi said the problem begun to rear its head when the ministry of transport relinquished the role of tariff fixing to the regulatory body saying what used to obtain was having a uniform rate for the ground handlers leaving them five percent allowance to play with.

He lamented the present situation where NCAA approves different tariff for ground handlers at the same time which he said foreign airlines have continued to exploit to their advantages and to the disadvantage of the nation’ economy.

“We have made a lot of moves to allow us to sit down and iron out and solve these problems, but it is yet to be sorted out.”

28

aviation

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Emirates records 9% growth in passengers’ traffic in 2015

crucial moment With Shola Adekola

0803 365 4818

Curbing the excesses of Turkish Airlines

Late last year, December 20, 2015 precisely, the hope of many Nigerians who arrived the country aboard Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to celebrate christmas with their loved ones became dashed courtesy of the violation of their rights.

The passengers were shocked on arriving the country to discover their luggage did not arrive with them.

In other words, all what they required to use to enjoy the Yuletide were left behind in Istanbul by the airline.

In the midst of the confusion that set in, the staff of the airline at Abuja airport failed woefully to manage the unpardonable blunder as they became economical with the truth.

As expected, the affected passengers who became agitated and aggressive forced their way into the airport tarmac having overpowered the few security officials on duty to create scene to express their frustration.

Since the incident unfolded, it is not certain that anything concrete has come from the side of the airline except that they keep on bringing the abandoned luggages in piece meal.

Well, it is cheering to hear that the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has called for an investigation into this inhuman treatment meted out to the Nigerian travelers on their land.

Again, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has also issued an ultimatum to Turkish Airlines to provide a full situation report of events surrounding the bad treatment.

The CPC through its Director General, Dupe Atoki, accused the airline of deliberately boarding the passengers knowing that their baggage would not be transported with them.

“Those passengers, some of who travelled with minors, were put to great inconvenience and hardship as they were unduly deprived of their belongings and other items necessary to accomplish the purpose of their trips,” she said.

There is no doubt that the latest bad behaviour of the airline, although not peculiar to it alone, is an illegality that has become the trade mark of many of the foreign airlines who take Nigerian travellers for granted at any slightest opportunity.

Certainly, mistakes do occur, but what stands out a good and organised company is in its ability to manage crisis during emergencies, a quality which Turkish Airlines lacked.

It will still be recalled how a staff of the same airline assaulted a Nigerian female traveller in Istanbul when queried why she was put on stand by despite the fact that she had a confirmed ticket purchased from the airline.

Again, the injustice meted out to a Nigerian student whose flight was wrongly re-routed by the airline staff on landing in Istanbul is still fresh, as the little boy was not only denied continuing his flight to his final destination, but was locked up for days without food before been flown back to Nigeria and made to forfeit his admission to the school. Therefore, Turkish Airlines is not new to illegalities in Nigeria.

It is at this juncture that the Crucial Moment is calling on the relevant aviation authorities and the CPC to ensure they get to the route of this latest negligence on the part of the airline.

The airline should be made to face the music this time around, as there are rules laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regarding baggage delay, missing baggage among others.

There is an urgent need to clip the wing of the airline. The time is now.

Nigerian Tribune

Key players welcome FG’s proposed plan to privatise airports Stories by Shola Adekola

K

ey players in the country’s aviation sector have tasked the Federal Government on areas it should improve on in the New Year.

The key players said their expectation is for the government to privatise many of the country’s airports to guarantee efficiency and service delivery.

Lending his voice to the call was the former Chairman, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, who described the Federal Government’s recent declaration to privatise or concession most of the country’s airports as a welcome development, adding that the pronouncement and the implementation of the directive was a vindication of what he and others had championed over the years.

According to him, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as presently constituted do not have what it takes to efficiently manage over 26 airports.

Ore stated that the country had no choice than to privatise the aerodromes, adding that each of the viable airports should be grouped with two or three others that are not so viable.

Equally speaking on the issue, the former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and an aviation security consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) stated that the matter would have become history if government had been decisive.

“We have about 26 airports, how many are viable?

Most of the airports do not have runway lightings. Aircraft cannot operate into most of them at night. The new government should concentrate on what they want to do, sell Lagos airport

and take along another two or three that are not viable.

Privatisation should stop at the terminal building while security should be in the hands of the government,” he said.

The key players, however, urged the government to concentrate on manpower development especially with Aviation Security (AVSEC) of FAAN, insisting that the department is presently poorly staffed.

Equally, they decried the status of many airports which they said lacked perimeter fencing, noting that these are issues the government must tackle to forestall the incessant incidents of stowaway that became a recurring feature in the aviation sector in the past three years.

Passengers to enjoy Lufthansa Express Carsharing, car2go at airports In collaboration with the worldwide operating carsharing company, car2go, Lufthansa passengers from Nigeria and around the

world can make the most of preferential conditions when using the car2go service.

This is made possible as

Med View Airline director tasks FG on dollar sourcing The Executive Director, Technical Services, Med View Airlines, Mr Lookman Animashaun has tasked the Federal Government on the need to aid indigenous airlines to acquire dollars at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for their many transactions.

Animashaun equally canvassed reduction in the price of aviation fuel which he identified along side scarcity of foreign currencies as two key areas that airlines are asking the Federal Government to intervene if the airline industry is to grow further.

Animashaun who made the call while taking questions from the media during the airline’s inaugural flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia insisted that both factors mentioned have had an adverse effect on the airlines.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will conclude another year of growth underscored by standout milestones across its fleet, network, and customer experience initiatives.

Its growing business footprint also delivered increasing positive impact on the economies and communities it serves.

Since January 2015, the airline has carried over 51.3 million passengers, which represented 9 per cent more passengers during the same period in the previous calendar year.

Emirates operated around 3,600 flights on average per week, or over 186,000 flights in 2015, travelling more than 824 million kilometres around the globe, which is the distance equivalent of more than 1,000 trips to the moon and back.

The airline served over 57 million meals on its flights departing Dubai, and handled over 35 million pieces of baggage in Dubai alone.

Remarking on last year’s accomplishments, Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said: “2015 has been one of considerable growth for Emirates as we continued to steer our course despite the headwinds of regional conflict, unfavourable currency impact, and shaky business and consumer confidence in many global markets.”

Animashaun who represented the Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole at the flag off of the route was emphatic on the way the help for both challenges should come, declaring that the airline understood the situation government is in but stated that airlines should be treated exclusively too in the sourcing for funds.

According to him, the airline business is riddled with a lot of costs and all of them are dollar based from buying parts to other essential services, he however lamented that despite the skyrocketing of the dollar ticket prices have not increased and airlines are feeling the brunt. “ One of our major problem in the industry is dollar based, all the spares we

procure are done so in dollars and we bring them in a daily basis and we also have to source for dollar to fund these things, it has not been easy.

“You can imagine the value for the ticket has not increased but the dollar exchange rate has gone astronomically high,” he said.

On what government should do, Animashaun enthused; ” Government should help the industry by allowing them to access funds through the use of the CBN exchange rate for our transaction.”

For him, the amount paid in for aviation fuel is a staggering 45/50 per cent of the indigenous airlines’ operations saying it will not help them compete better internationally.

the Lufthansa Express Carsharing which was launched throughout Europe in December 2015.

With the new brand, Lufthansa Express, passengers can find various options for comfortable and convenient travel to and from the airport, along with their flight all in one place.

In addition to buses, trains and even helicopters, Lufthansa Express Carsharing offers passengers yet a further option for easy transport to the airport.

This is a particularly attractive service for passengers travelling alone or as a pair.

At the airport, passengers can park the smart fortwo vehicles provided by Lufthansa’s partner car2go in specially designated parking spaces near the terminal.

The service will be launched in Germany at Berlin-Schönefeld, Berlin-Tegel, Cologne/Bonn, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart Airports.

29

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

maritime

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

‘Apapa traffic: Truck operators should provide holding bay’ Nigeria’s maritime sector has suffered persistently from perennial cargo lull and attendant job losses in the past months. In this interview with selected newsmen, the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup shares her thoughts on the possible way forward. TOLA ADENUBI was there. Excerpts

D

o you think the passage of the Port and Harbour Bill will aid port operation?

The Port and Harbour Bill has been in the National Assembly for years with each successive legislative assembly failing to pass it into law. The bill was at various stages of passage in the lower and upper chamber of the National Assembly during the seventh assembly. However, it was not passed into law until the lawmakers ended their session. You are aware that the bill, which has provisions for various aspects of port operations, especially the roles and responsibilities of key players in the nation’s seaports, also suffered the same fate in the sixth assembly. You will agree with me that the maritime industry is suffering because of its non-passage. That is why I want Mr President and the Minister of Transport to work hard to ensure that the Port and Harbour Bill is promptly passed into law.

The Minister of Transport must work harmoniously with the National Assembly, especially the Senate Committee on Marine Transport as well as the relevant House Committees to ensure that the bill is passed into law.

I strongly believe that if the Minister of Transport and the relevant committees in the legislative arm of government work closely, the passage of the bill into law would no longer suffer any delay.

What is your take on the restriction on rice importation by the past government via imposition of high tariff?

There is no need to place any restriction on the importation of rice into the country as it does not make any economic sense to do so.

It is common knowledge that neighbouring countries such as the Republic of Benin and Togo rather than Nigeria are the ones benefitting from the restrictions on the importation of rice into the country. Since local rice producers cannot meet the present demand for rice consumption, which is 1.7 million metric tons per annum, it makes no sense to restrict the importation of the commodity.

I agree that we must look inwards as a nation, but it has to be properly planned. It has to be gradual so that we do not lose the revenue accruing from import duty on rice to the ports located in our neighbouring countries.

As I speak to you, all the rice imported into the Republic of Benin and Togo end up in the Nigerian market as a result of the porosity of our borders. Even if we keep security operatives at the land borders for 24 hours, smugglers will still bring in the rice into Nigeria through numerous illegal routes all over the place. We should not deceive ourselves. We cannot be losing huge revenues

ing bay that is 95 per cent complete opposite Tin-Can Island Port Complex? Why is the federal government not putting it into immediate use to solve the gridlock in Apapa?

Although the idea of asking the trucks and other articulated vehicles to move on only one lane of the road while other motorists move on the other lane is a temporary relief, to me that will be tantamount to creating another problem in a bid to solve one. Has the authority considered the implication of allowing those heavy duty trucks park for days in some cases for months on the bridges and the roads? Apart from the security implication, do the authorities take cognizance of the heavy weight of these vehicles on the bridges linking the roads to Apapa?

Have they taken a look at these bridges and the roads?

Some of these roads and bridges were constructed over 50 years ago. They were not constructed to carry stationary weight for long hours, not to talk of days or weeks.

Some of them already have cracks. When last did structural engineers and other professionals carry out thorough checks and studies of these bridges? If they have done so, what are the measures put in place in the short, medium and long term to implement the recommendations made by these professionals? I hope we are not waiting for one of these bridges to cave in one of these days before something is done.

Princess Vicky Haastrup while our neighbours are gaining. Yet, we say Nigeria is broke. This is the time we need all the money to take care of our basic needs. We should not hold the short end of the stick through acts of commission or omission.

Go to the ports situated in our neighbouring countries, they are experiencing high activities. They are filled to the brim with rice-laden vessels. They are even trying to expand some of their terminals to take in more rice-laden vessels. Nigeria is where the market is. Therefore, all those bags of

Even if we keep security operatives at the land borders for 24 hours, smugglers will still bring in the rice into Nigeria through numerous illegal routes all over the place.

rice imported through the ports in the Republic of Benin and Togo end up in the Nigerian markets. Go to the open markets, you will see different kinds of assorted brands of foreign rice on display. Where does this foreign rice come from? Your guess is as good as mine.

What is the solution to the perennial Apapa gridlock?

The gridlock in Apapa and the poor state of the port access roads is a shame. I have no doubt that the building of holding bay or parking lot will help to decongest the port access roads. It will also ease the traffic snarl in Apapa and its environs.

However, it is not the responsibility of terminal operators to provide loading bays to trucks coming inside the port to do business.

That is the responsibility of the truck owners. They are in business to make money. All the truck owners should come together and provide a loading bay for their trucks. They should provide the loading bay for their trucks because it is not proper for them to use their business to hamper other business operators in Apapa and its environs.

By the way, government can show them the way to go. What happened to the load-

What has been the impact of the auto policy on port operations?

The auto policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria is good. It is a good policy because over time it will help Nigeria and Nigerians to hold their own. It will also arrest capital flight and provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths currently roaming the streets for non-existent jobs.

However, the implementation of the policy ought to be in phases and gradual. This is due to the fact that there are many things we ought to put in place before we start the implementation of the policy. For instance, we need to put a structure in place. We need to have the facilities on ground. We need a robust steel industry. We need to have regular electricity supply. This is because if you buy diesel at the prevailing price to power a generator for the production of a car, by the time you add other variables, the cost will be so high that it would be beyond the reach of an average Nigerian. The cost of the locally produced vehicles would be far ahead of the ones produced overseas. At the end of the day, the essence of the auto policy will be defeated.

Continues on pg 38

Nigerian Tribune Thursday, 7 January, 2016 30 maritime SOAN assumes membership of Commonwealth Maritime working group Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos

T

he Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) has been admitted as one of the three members of the Commonwealth Maritime group of nations.

Disclosing this to the Nigerian Tribune in an exclusive chat, the President of SOAN who also doubles as the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Starzs Investments Group, Mr Greg Ogbeifun advised Nigerian ship owners to look up to foreign partnership if the nation hope to acquire crude carriers that will help lift the nation crude oil.

According to him, “Currently, Nigeria is losing colossally because foreign crude carriers are the ones lifting our crude.

Indigenous ship owners need to collaborate to float a crude carrying fleet because we don’t have the money to buy them individually and our government is not at this moment looking at that direction.

“But if we come together and step out into the international community to engage companies that have crude carrying vessels but don’t have guaranteed cargoes to lift, then we would have moved a step forward in that perspective.

“All we need do is to work out an arrangement with these foreign crude carriers’ owners to get involved in our crude lifting business. The role the government can play is to give a guarantee of these cargoes.

“In the last Commonwealth business conference, where SOAN played a major role, the Commonwealth maritime decided to form a working group of three members.

The number one member of that working group is the British maritime. The number two member is the Malta maritime while SOAN of Nigeria is the number three member of that working group.

“The communiqué that came out of that business conference has been forwarded to the 53 Heads of Government of the Commonwealth.

“Nigeria can latch on to this opportunity to see how the Commonwealth nations that have redundant shipping fleets can collaborate with us to form a company. They

will bring their vessels while we will bring our cargoes.

In going this way, there

won’t be much in capital outlay but the Federal Government has to give its supports first before it can

become reality. Government has to give its consent that these cargoes will be available for the ves-

sels to carry. That is just the role government will have to play.”

The Commonwealth

group of nations had hosted its inaugural Commonwealth business forum in St Julian’s, Malta to see how members can forge a better economic working relationship amongst themselves.

It would be recalled that over the years, indigenous shipping companies have been disadvantaged in crude oil lifting in Nigeria.

It has been a trade only for foreign firms. The arrangement has been on Free on Board (FOB) basis under which the buyer of crude oil products pays and takes every risk of transporting the products. This indeed has been a safe arrangement for the federal government as it suffers no risk as to the carriage of the products to the buyer. But under the arrangement, the indigenous shipping companies are excluded from the trade as the buyers arrange their own shipping companies to carry the wet products.

Seme Customs surpass November, December revenue target The Seme Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has stated that the command has surpassed its revenue target for the months of November and December, 2015.

According to a statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, “The command exceeded its November 2015 monthly revenue target of N1,021,790,667.33 with 25 per cent excess collection.”

The statement also added that, “In the month of December 2015, the skyrocketing revenue profile collected was N1,420,219,873.03 which exceeded the monthly revenue target with N398,429,206.30.

“This translated to about 40 per cent excess collection. The December 2015 collection also exceeded the November 2015 collection with N146,984,814.12

which represent an unprecedented figure that has never been recorded since the creation of Seme Area Command.

“The command also made 17 seizures with a Duty Paid Value(DPV) of N6,967,260.00 for the month of December 2015.”

The Acting Customs Area Controller, D/C Sabo , H.A

attributed the success story recorded in the command to the determination and commitment demonstrated by officers and men of the command, in strict adherence to import procedures and guidelines following the lifting of restriction on rice importation through the land borders.

The Controller disclosed

that the command was able to generate that much because its import procedures and guidelines is premised strictly according to the official bench mark price of $470 per metric tonne.

He reiterated that an outstanding performance of this nature over the years have not taken place in the history of the command.

The Acting Customs Area Controller used the opportunity to call on the stakeholders, the host community and the mass media to support the service in order to achieve its mandate of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade across the nation’s frontier and border security.

....as Kaduna/Katsina Customs generates N5bn in 2015 The Kaduna/Katsina command of the Nigerian Customs Service collected N4.9 billion as revenue from January to November 2015.

Customs Area Comptroller, Gidado Bala Muhammad who disclosed this while addressing newsmen said the figure was a little above the sum of N4.5 billion collected by the com-

mand in 2014.

He said the command also seized goods that included rice, cooking oil, with duty paid value worth N135 million, assuring that the war on seizure of contraband good would be intensified.

Muhammad listed items seized to include used vehicles, pharmaceutical

products, China Green Tea, vegetable oil, macaroni and spaghetti.

“Our warehouse is filled to capacity now as any available space is used as constructive warehouse for safe keeping,” he said.

He said no fewer than nineteen suspects are undergoing prosecution and added that one suspect is awaiting prosecution due

to the public holiday.

According to the Customs boss, “within the period under review, thirteen officers suffered different degree of injuries in the cause of discharging their legitimate duties in the hand of smugglers”.

We will smoke smugglers out of their hole and make the business unattractive”.

Nigeria, losing on import restriction to neighbouring countries Continued from pg 38

At present, we are losing from all fronts. The restriction placed on imported vehicles, especially the fairly used ones, popularly called “tokunbo” has resulted in the stagnation of the terminals built purposely to handle imported vehicles - that is the roll on, roll off (RoRo) ports. If you go to Five Star Logistics or Grimaldi, they are virtually idle because there is little or no business.

Yet the same kind of ports in

our neighbouring countries such as Republic of Benin and Togo are booming with big business.

The importers are diverting these used vehicles there. These countries are making a lot of money from import duties and other levies collected from the ship owners and other port users while Nigeria is losing.

Yet through smuggling and other shady deals, these vehicles end up in Nigeria because this is where the market is. How can we be losing

huge income to other countries when we need all the money to meet demands?

ENL Consortium was recently conferred the international Seatrade award. How does it feel to be recognised on such global platform?

We are very pleased with the award. We have worked hard for it. Anyone who knows the state of things when we started about a decade ago compared to the present level will agree

that we have added value to the maritime industry. We have spent billions of naira to upgrade the terminal and procure modern cargo handling equipment. We have not rested on our oars.

We are still spending.

We are training and retraining our staffs and a lot more. That is why we have a harmonious working relationship with our workers, especially the dockworkers.

We feel highly honoured.

The award was a surprise

because you will never know you are a winner until you get to the venue of the event. We thank God for this recognition. We thank our staff who made it happen. We commend their loyalty and dedication to duty over the years.

There is no doubt that without the support and cooperation of our employees and stakeholders, it would have been impossible to achieve these feats, which are giving us accolades from far and near.

31

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

‘Artists can survive solely on their profession’ Dr Ellis Oyekola, a Senior Principal Lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, recently won the Michaelangelo prize for painting. In this interview with ADEWALE OSHODI, he speaks on his numerous international awards, and why he is not being accorded the honour at home. EXCERPTS:

Art in the Western world is very profitable; most African artists are brought to limelight by the western sponsors, who promote their works globally. Contemporary art in Nigeria is still developing in terms of financial gains because only few people patronise art. I want to give kudos to Yemisi Shyllon, who as an art lover and collector has invested so much in art through his collections and putting smile on faces of artists. I think there are other art lovers, collectors and patrons in Nigeria, let them follow the footsteps of our Great Yemisi Shyllon by collecting and investing more in the arts. However, I am dedicating the awards to God for sparing my life and giving me the support to achieve these fits and also giving Him the glory.

T

ELL us about the recent award you won in Italy?

Early September this year, I received an email letter inviting me for an award, Michelangelo International Prize – Artist at the Jubilee.

I was a little bit sceptical and have to inquire and find out the genuineness of the award which turned out to be real. I later sent the requested document to the organisers, Francesco Saverio and Salvatore Russo, International artists and curators from Italy.

Also in October, I received another mail from the same organ inviting me for another award, Artist At The Castle.

I accepted the invitation and forwarded the requested documents.

The Michelangelo International Prize- Artist at the Jubilee took place at the popular Palazzo Cardinal Cesi at the Vatican City in Rome on December 10, 2015, while the Artist at the Castle award took place in The CastelloOrsini di Nerola- Rome on December 11, 2015.

I had earlier received another invitation from The AssociazoneCulturaleAccademia “Italia in Arte Nel Mondo”, Brindisi, Italy for the awards of International Contemporary Artist 2015 and International Award for Human Rights 2015.These awards were given to me not only for appreciating my professional and intellectual activities in art globally but also for my contributions to the development of the anticipatory function of evolutionary change Humanity due to the “ reading” of the aesthetic and scientific work of art in the broader European Culture in the world as quoted in their invitation letter. It was a very high recognition granted my performance.

The event took place on 17th December, 2015 in Lecce, Italy at the Ancient and Monumental Theatre “G” Paisello. All the awards have backup certificates with a special one as an Honorary Member of The AssociazoneCulturaleAccademia.

So what other international awards have you won?

I have received series of awards globally. In 2006, I participated in A.A.W. International Workshop and group exhi-

•Dr Ellis Oyekola bition and received a certificate of excellence as a participant from Nigeria. In Pampelonne, France, I also participated in Artist in Residence 2008 at The Air Le Parc and was awarded a plaque of recognition. I was in Zambia in 2010 for an International workshop and group exhibition(Insarkartists Workshop 2010) and received a certificate of excellence as the only participant from Nigeria. In 2011, I received the fellowship awards of the Virginia Centre for Creative Arts, Virginia and The Hambidge Centre for Creative Arts and Sciences, Georgia all in the United States as resident artist.

Apart from the above recognitions, I have equally participated in art programmes across the West Africa sub-regions. I was in Ghana and Burkina Faso in 1997 and 1998 respectively for both PANAFEST and SIAO 98. I participated in a group exhibition under international artists, to mark the 50th independence anniversary tagged GHANA AT 50 and received a catalogue and certificate of ex-

cellent performance.

My recent award is from The Anima Mundi Art Festival 2013 and 2014 in Lithuania where I delivered a paper on, Spiritualism in African Art and participated in a group exhibition as the only African artist from Nigeria.

What is the significance of these awards to you as an artist?

I feel very proud receiving these awards as a contemporary African artist from Nigeria. As a cultural ambassador, its significance could be seen in the projection of our cultural heritage through my artistic statements globally, Art education in Africa is brought, life, to the doorsteps of the western world. Whenever I am out, apart from exhibiting my culture through my dressing, I also represent my family, home-town, department, institution, state, country and the African continent.

As a contemporary Nigerian artist, a legacy is been left behind for upcoming artists to emulate, a sort of inspiration for them.

With a very good marketing strategy, one can survive solely on sales of artworks

While you are being celebrated on the global stage, is it not surprising that not much recognition has been accorded your work locally?

A Yoruba adage says, “Nile niadie o tiniyi” meaning the fowl is not popular in its domain. The only award that I have received locally is the Justice of the Peace of Oyo State in 2000, which was given as a result of my artistic activities globally.

Other grassroots awards and recognitions are given by students associations, societies and clubs. This exposes the negative disposition in which art finds itself in this part of the world. All the awards I received were as a result of my passion for art. I don’t know the organisers neither do I have any connection with them.

I didn’t lobby for them; they were given to me meritoriously. An example could be seen in the case of our great Wole Soyinka who was not so much known in Nigeria until he received the Nobel Laureate which shot him into limelight.

You are a Senior Principal Lecturer at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, but your passion for art has taken you all over the world, do you want to say an artist can survive solely on the profession in Nigeria?

I will say emphatically yes, in the sense that if you are hardworking and produce very good art and can manipulate your ways through government and rich individuals with a very good marketing strategy, one can survive solely on sales of artworks. The internet is also a viable place for the sales of your works. Networking, international connections, art residencies and exhibitions are also viable areas that can keep the artist surviving as a professional.

You can equally reach out to the middle class by making your works affordable and not too exorbitantly high because of the need for profit. Though artworks are priceless, we should not necessarily price our works higher in order not to scare patrons.

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arts&review

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Biafra in the eyes of a Prisoner of War (POW) BOOK REVIEW A review of Fola Oyewole’s Reluctant Rebel, by Wale Okediran.

A

LL of us have somehow flirted with madness, rebellion, or simply the desire to return to that natural state in which rain is rain, the earth is the mother of all fruit, and the night covers us like a cautious lover .. Raquel Carrio’ My first encounter with ‘Reluctant Rebel’ written by Lt. Fola Oyewole was on a sultry afternoon on November 30, 1983 at the University of Ibadan Bookshop. After parting with the sum of N2.50 which was the cover price then, I soon became the proud owner of another book on the Nigerian Civil war. Before then, I had consumed other books based on the war such as ‘The Biafra Story’ (1969) by Frederick Forsyth, ‘Why We Struck’ (1981) by Adewale Ademoyega, ‘Sunset In Biafra’ (1975)

by ElechiAmadi, ‘The Nigerian Revolution And the Biafran War’ (1980) by Alexander Madiebo, among others.

Back home, I finished reading the very engaging book the same day and tucked it away in my study. However, the current increasing agitation for a return to Biafra by some Igbo groups made me go back to the book in an effort to see if I could unearth something that will give me an understanding of the reason why man is always trying to move his homeland or culture towards the abyss; towards the loss of its utopias and roots, and finally to destruction.

Lt Fola Oyewole was a Nigerian military officer of the Yoruba stock who was imprisoned in the Enugu Prison before the commencement of the Civil war but was released by Lt Col Odumegwu Ojukwu when the war began. Although he had the choice to return to the Federal side, Oyewole chose to fight for Biafra for the entire three years duration of the Civil War. As Oyewole himself put it; ‘’ I was not supposed to be in the East, all Westerners having been expelled the previous October. It was an act of benevolence that

I was allowed to stay in the region at all.

Why should I aspire to serve in her army or regional command? If I was not satisfied I had a choice—go home. But at that moment that was the last thing I wanted to risk without adequate guarantees’’.

Even at that, the author who christened himself ‘A Reluctant Rebel’ did not believe in secession. As he put it; ‘’ I had never embraced the idea of secession even though I was accommodated and fairly treated in Biafra: I still knew as the Biafrans knew too, that I was a Nigerian.

The Biafrans produced many reasons to justify their actions. However, I was not convinced secession was the best answer to their problems neither did I think war was the best or right solution. But whatever my views, I was still a soldier under orders, so I had no choice but to comply, and on Friday, 4 August, 1967 1 left Enugu for Onitsha to join 18 Battalion.

I was not alone on the journey: Captain Adeleke had also been posted to the same battalion, and we travelled in our personal cars one after the other. We reported at the unit location that same evening. The following day we were both appointed as Infantry Company Commanders, by the Commanding officer, Major H. Chukwuka. I was to command ‘D’ (Delta) Com-

pany.

Although Nigerian literature is replete with several accounts of the Nigerian Civil War as mentioned above, I consider Folu Oyewole’s ‘Relunctant Rebel’ to be in a class of its own. The book detailed a one-man account of what happened before, during, and after the 30 months Nigerian Civil War of July 1967 to January 1970 due to the then Eastern secession(Biafra). The well-written book contained activities seen from the Biafran side of the war through the eyes of a Yoruba soldier fighting for Biafra. With hints of humour every here and there, the book proves to be a good read, regardless of some esoteric military terms and information. With the many blood chilling revelations seen from the angle of the soldier who saw it all, ‘Reluctant Rebel’ is a good reminder of another remarkable war story ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’ by Erich Maria Remarque which was set against the First World War from the point of view of a German soldier.

Divided into 10 Chapters, the opening Chapter depicted the release of the author from prison by Lt Col Ojukwu (Ojukwu Sets Me Free) and ended with his return to jail (Back to Jail) this time, by the Nigerian Authorities who did not consider his release from jail by Ojukwu as a legal action. In between these two Chapters were the remaining 8 Chapters with highly enticing captions such as; Biafra Goes To War, Into The Mid -West, Back To Headquarters, Scientists And Mercenaries, Wartime Courts-Martial, Pressure On All Fronts, The Beginning Of The End, and The Federals’ Final Push’ Oyewole was not the only military officer of non- Eastern extraction who fought for Biafra. Others were Lt Col Victor Banjo, Major Wale Ademoyega, Maj C. K. Nzeogwu ,Capt G. S. Adeleke, Lt F. O. Olafimihan , Lt B. O. Oyewole , Lt A. N. C. Azubuogor, Lt A. A. O. Egbikor among others. While some of these non -Igbo soldiers had been in eastern prisons before the onset of the Civil War, some of them especially those from the Mid -West had moved into Biafra after the beginning of hostilities for different reasons ranging from their own protec-

Indigenous literature focuses on Yoruba cultural beliefs A review of Akande Michael’s Idaamu Omoribiwon (Travails of Omoribiwon).

The book has eight chapters and is written in Yoruba Language. It reflects various Yoruba cultural beliefs and practices, ranging from traditional marriage, naming ceremony to polygamy.

The narrative dwells on the life of a woman named Omoribiwon, unravelling her business, her marital and family life among others. Omoribiwon is plagued by series of problems from her early life.

From age 13 she sets out to work as a housemaid in order to eke out a living.

She is later trained as a tailor and from that her life takes a different turn with noticeable improvement in her quality of life. However, somewhere along the line her love relationship goes awry with the fiancé jilting her on her account of her dogged refusal to get pregnant before marriage.

Omoribiwon later becomes the third wife of Alabi Adetunji and the union is blessed with five kids.

But her first child, a boy, suffers kidney damage necessitating an immediate kidney transplant to keep him alive.

But no one among the family member is ready to donate a kidney to him however the mother volunteers one of hers.

The transplant is successful and things return to normal for the son and herself, including the other members of her family, however, temporarily, as exactly a year after, the son suffers a relapsed following a brief illness. In the process, Adeola, Omoribiwon first child dies.

Omoribiwon is full of grief, but later consoles herself. She bounces back and continues to live her life in good health and sound mind.

Some of the lessons to be drawn from the book include the power of connection, perseverance, sacrificial life and truthfulness as well as dedication to family life, children and contentment with one’s state in life.

The book is written by Michael Akande, a lecturer at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education in Oyo town, Oyo State and it is his first novel publication but he has over the years published a number of textbooks for students.

tion to that of insistence by Biafran authorities who could not totally trust nonIgbo soldiers who claim to be fighting for Biafra in the Mid- West.

Although many of the incidents in Oyewole’s book have now become common knowledge, the fact that they were narrated from the Biafran side by a credible witness makes the information very reliable.Regarding the events that preceded the war, Oyewole had this to say; ‘’ May 1967 was the worst for the stagemanaged demonstrations; with their attendant disruptions of normal life. Civil servants seized the opportunity of taking illegal holidays. At the slightest opportunity they abandoned their jobs to go to rallies or demonstrations which ended in their houses during hours they normally should have been at work. Markets were closed at short notice for traders to attend one demonstration or the order. Even those who did not believe in the demonstrations were forced to join; failure to do so involved the risk of mob action against both the trader and his wares. Motorists often had a rough deal, being made to carry symbols of support for the demonstrators which were often large enough to obscure the driver’s view. Drivers going in the opposite direction to demonstrators ran the risk of being stoned and returning home without any windscreens in their cars’’.

As for the famous Aburi Confab in Ghana, Oyewole like many other commentators on the war, applauded Ojukwu’s performance at the meeting.According to Oyewole; ‘’Listening to the live recording of the Aburi proceedings no one could be left in doubt that Col Ojukwu dominated the deliberations. He did more talking than any other member of the Supreme Military Council: most of the proposals adopted were his ideas.’’

In the same breath, however, Oyewole upbraided the same Ojukwu for not managing his ‘victory’ in Aburi very well. As he put it; ‘’But Ojukwu threw modesty to the winds and made fools of his Supreme Military Council colleagues. He publicly declared himself the champion of a ‘Southern Cause’, to the embarrassment of both the West and the Mid-West governors. Slowly but steadily the East was isolating itself’’.

Oyewole also believed that Gowon’s decision to split the old Eastern State into three during the 12 states creation in the country was a master stroke. As he put it; ‘’ Gowon decided to divide the Federal Republic of Nigeria into twelve states. Six of them carved from the former Northern Region and three from the former Eastern Region.

As I re -read ‘Reluctant Rebel’, it occurred to me that instead of feeding the renewed agitation for Biafra, it will be a good thing for our youths who form the bulk of the agitators, and who were not primary witnesses to the previous horror to pause and go back to a better understanding of why and how the first putsch played out. By so doing, they would appreciate that it is better for them to learn to enjoy the sweet and fertile land of their fathers instead of becoming caught and imprisoned by sterile prejudices, puerile discussions and primordial actions that will bring nothing but ill-wind.

•Dr Okediran is a former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

33

Thursday, 7 January, 2016 Editor:

health YOU&EYE

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

SEX,SEXUALITY&YOU

Top your health resolution with these techniques

INSIDE

We’ll judge Adewole’s tenure based on NHIS coverage —NMA President Page 36

NATURAL HEALTH

How palm oil boost fertility in men Page 37

The best time to have sex!

HEALTH QUOTE

Page 37

NATURALHEALTH

By Victor Ogunyinka

I

T is an old saying, but it is true that ‘he who fails to plan, is already planning to fail.’

In the wake of a new calendar year, (a leaping one at that), everybody, in the way they know how, have prospects and targets of what would make a successful year for them, but unfortunately, plans for a healthy living is one aspect people have planned to fail in unconsciously.

The problem is not in the ‘tall order’ targets we set in the beginning, but it is in the inadequacies of making it come to fruition.

Why should I bother about health resolutions for the year? Some would say, after all, we end up eating what we see not what we like because of economical challenges. Interestingly, building a good health has nothing, in any way to do with the economy.

As Ifenna Udeaja, a scientist puts it, money doesn’t define a good health, common sense does.

In fact, studies have shown that when there is too much to spend, there is a chance to misspend and so it is with health too.

One thing that must be strictly considered in building a good health is what makes a good health.

Dr Tolulope Okedere, medical officer at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State, hinted that the best way to pursue good health is by eating balanced diet, taking vegetables and fruits seriously, exercising and adequate rest.

While buttressing on the need for a healthy New Year resolution, Elisabeth Ajani, a food scientist explained that having a well balanced diet is one of the most important parts of maintaining a generally healthy body.

Without a balanced diet, it’ll be very difficult to maintain proper health.

“A balanced diet means that you consume foods from

each food group most, if not every day. In addition, you should consume a variety of foods within each food group, having a wide variety of foods from food groups will allow you to consume a variety of different nutrients. If you eat mostly protein foods, but very little fruits or vegetables, your diet isn’t balanced. Following the appropriate portion sizes of each food group: three to four ounce of protein, one cup vegetables or two cups leafy greens, half cup chopped or one small pieces of fruit, and one ounce or half cup of grains.”

Many people spend more time in working out how to make a diet balanced, but the problem is more of how to eat a balanced diet.

Mrs Ajani espoused that researches have shown that a lot of people, though, have a representation of all the classes of food in a meal, time of consumption of the meal sometimes makes them function abnormally.

“What should a person eating dinner around 10 or 11pm expect to get from such food? The food may contain all the nutrients in the world, but it is not likely to serve the eater because it is a tale of doing the right thing at the wrong time. What you eat is just as important as when you eat it. Researches have shown that the best times to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner if you want to lose weight; you need to make sure you’re up by 7am. The optimum time to have breakfast is 7.11am, dieters say. The best time for lunch is 12.38pm and the best for dinner is 6.14pm. Leaving dinner later than 7pm can be dangerous.

Just like food, it is pertinent to take fitness and exercises quite seriously to stay healthy and refreshed all year round.

A reasonable number of persons start the year with full vigour, loading their to-do list for the year with prospective activities, pledging to lose weight and get fit but after few weeks, many find their resolves slipping. Gyms that were over flowing with people in the first weeks of the year become quite empty before March!

It is no gainsaying that exercising have been found to improve cognitive values, aid good sleep, prevent ageing, weight control, heart health, melts away bad cholesterol, reduce sugar among others.

Another interesting feature that should make a decent list in your resolution for the year is rest and more rest.

Yes, the holy books say a little sleep, a little slumber… and poverty will come unto you… very correct for lazy people.

Rest here, is a decent reward for your body for working round the clock.

Just like you schedule long hours for work and other things that represent ‘seriousness’ in your head, rest is also as serious as the other things, Udeaja said.

“The only language your body system understands from keeping it from malfunctioning is rest. Have a schedule, a real timetable for rest like other things.

Rest isn’t inferior to other things we do, if you want to be productive in other things you do, make sure rest isn’t found wanting in your resolution list, a good rest is the secret of a productive life. The right application of all these would make a good New Year resolution,” she said.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. —World Health Organisation, 1948

34

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

Technology is changing eye care

T

O get to the International Conference Centre in Berlin from my hotel, I had a choice of taking the underground train, a taxi or the city bus. I could also walk but it could take me about an hour. I opted for a bus ride so that I could have a good glimpse of the famous city. In less than 15minutes, I was at the conference centre. I made straight for the huge exhibition hall so I could see the vast array of modern ophthalmic equipment and instruments.

I moved from one stand to another admiring the newest items of equipment and instruments designed to give better and more precise care for the patient and make the work of an ophthalmologist easier. After about two hours, my feet were tired. I decided to sit down in one of the lobbies and rest a while.

Within a few minutes of savouring the comfort and beauty of the environment, I lapsed into a deep trance. I found myself as a special guest in a hospital ward. The patients had been admitted for cataract surgery the week before and placed on low residue diet. Now, they were awaiting an enema (when fluid is pumped into their anus) so that the lower intestine would be

washed free of faecal matter.

“This is ancient. Why are you still doing this?” I asked flabbergasted. “After surgery, these patients must lie still in bed and on their back for about 10 days.

They cannot afford to strain to pass faeces otherwise the surgical wound would open up and the contents within the eye would come out,” the nurse replied.

“Don’t you suture the wound after removing the cataract?” I asked again. “We do, but, we put just one or two sutures. Because they are large threads, they cause irritation to the eyes. If we put too many, after surgery the patient would have severe inflammation with serious consequences for the eyes,” replied the nurse obligingly.

I followed my guide to the operating room. I was amazed at the sight that met my eyes. The surgeons were operating with naked eyes! There were no operating microscopes. One old surgeon had an operating loupe which looked like a pair of funny glasses to give some magnification.

Surgery took such a long time to complete and it was difficult keeping the patient still. I wasn’t therefore surprised that the wards were empty. Who would like to go through all these gruelling steps to have a

cataract removed?

Just then a Brazilian colleague I hadn’t seen in 25years shouted “Ben!” Her shout ended my dream and jolted me back to reality. We exchanged pleasantries and as we walked from one booth to another, recalling old times, we marvelled at how technology had transformed our profession.

Many of our patients for cataract surgery now have it done as an outpatient procedure. There is no need for them to

With the available technology, we can ensure the ability to see distance clearly and read without glasses

you-and-eye@gmail.com

alter their diet before or after surgery and an enema before surgery would be absurd.

We now insert intraocular lenses and the days of thick cataract glasses are over.

With the available technology, we can ensure the ability to see distance clearly and read without glasses. And for curious relatives of our patients they can watch all our procedures live, even from the corners of their houses like the world cup in South Africa.

“Look Ben!” shouted Norma, pointing at the latest models of microscopes, “glaucoma” monitors, special retinal cameras and lasers. The sales reps tried to convince us about the need to change our old equipment to the latest. Norma and I looked at each other in the face and smiled. When we were out of earshot we both echoed, “if only he knew we were two steps behind the latest technology!” It isn’t just about money; the more sophisticated the more critical repair and maintenance support is needed. These unfortunately are not available in our third world.

Brazil like Germany has a functional mass transit system with big buses, underground and “over ground” trains. Going to Lagos from Ibadan to catch my plane I had just two choices - travel by road or walk. I chose the road and a-100km journey took me over six hours. Next time I will trek!

It’s time the government allowed the private sector to provide us alternatives.

Dr Abayomi Ajayi

ivf &you

info@nordicalagos.org

0700 6673422

Second time around, not like the first time ADAMA and Usman weren’t even trying to get pregnant when they conceived their son, Aliyu. A couple of years afterwards, when they decided to go for baby No. 2, they expected instant success. But to their dismay, months passed, and there was still no baby.

Since they were already parents, Adama and Usman were a bit slow seeking help than they would, assume they were childless. They probably figured that if it happened once, it would happen again.

Adama’s personal physician didn’t help matters as she encouraged the wait-andsee approach.

However, after trying unsuccessfully to conceive for two years and lots of negative pregnancy tests, Adama, who was then 35, suddenly realised that the term, “secondary infertility” kept coming up. At the end of it all, she was diagnosed with secondary infertility.

She had absolutely no clue what it was, not until a a reputable fertility specialist explained that secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term after you already have had a baby, that she understood.

This stopped Adama in her tracks. “What do you mean you could have a problem getting pregnant after you have already conceived a child?’ She asked. “ I’ve never

heard of this before. Everyone I knew who had fertility problems, had issues getting pregnant the first time. And for me, getting pregnant was obviously easy.”

Adama was shocked at the diagnosis, and even the reassurance that it was a common problem did little to allay her concerns. “I was shocked. I didn’t think infertility applied to people who’d already had children.”

But what Adama did not realise is that secondary infertility accounts for more than half of all infertility cases. As she later discovered, the struggle over this challenge could be devastating.

“As you near 40, you don’t have time to waste—and you should see your ob-gyn or a specialist sooner rather than later,” the obstetrician advised.

“My brain then tells me that I am going to need IVF. I am old now and so are my eggs.

But what if I can’t get pregnant again? Am I really only going to have one child? Am I really only going to be able to experience pregnancy and child birth with someone else’s eggs?” Questions, questions.

Adama soon got to know that 60 per cent of women who struggle to conceive stems from secondary infertility. More than one million people in Nigeria alone are affected by secondary infertility. At this moment she started realising she wasn’t alone.

She had got pregnant the first time at

32, going off the pill earlier on because she wanted to give her body some time to normalise before trying to fall pregnant. But, just two months after getting married, she found out she was pregnant. She peed on a pregnancy test stick and it confirmed she was going to have a baby. The pregnancy progressed perfectly but at 34 weeks, her waters broke. “ I was booked into hospital for monitoring and my baby was successfully delivered

by Caesarean Section. Because he was so underweight and premature, he experienced some complications and he really became my focus for the next couple of years. I wasn’t ready to start thinking about another baby.

Aliyu grew into a gentle, sensitive and happy little boy. No obvious reasons to worry about secondary infertility.”

After her son’s birth, Adama’s cycle, which had always been long, settled into a regular 28-day cycle so she really had no reason to worry that anything had changed with her fertility. She had also started studying reflexology and felt really in tune with body. She stayed off the pill and used protection instead.

She readily tells her story. “When Aliyu turned three, we decided it was time to try again, but after six months nothing had happened. I knew something was wrong

because I’d fallen pregnant so easily the first time.

“I went to see my gynaecologist who was willing to do investigations because I had already been trying for six months. A sperm analysis didn’t detect any problem while other tests monitored my ovulation and when this happened I was sent home to make a baby.

“My period came and went and we repeated the process, but this time I was asked to do a post-coital test. This showed the sperm was dead and they suspected endometriosis. This came as a huge shock to me. I’d read about it as a possible cause of infertility but I didn’t think I had it; I didn’t have sore periods or other symptoms.

“We decided to take a break. A month later, I had a laparoscopy on day eight of my cycle and this confirmed I had stage 3 endometriosis. They cleared it out and I was told I could start trying in a couple of months again.

One of the toughest challenges infertile parents face was the inability to insulate themselves from the world of families and other children around. If they had been childless, the couple would have found it easier to say no to birthday parties and baby showers as they cope with their infertility.

To be continued next week

35 everydayhealth

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Kwara health insurance reduces deaths from stroke by 38% —Study

By SADE OGUNTOLA

F

OUR years after the establishment of the Kwara State Health Insurance (KSHI) programme, the voluntary health insurance scheme has achieved 38 per cent reduction in the risk of stroke and a more than 26 per cent reduction in the risk of ischemic heart disease in rural communities of Kwara, a study has found.

The study observed a twofold greater reduction in average blood pressure in the two studied communities, four years after start of the programme.

The observed difference in systolic blood pressure reduction between the insurance programme area (PA) and a control area (CA) of 11.43 mm Hg, the researchers said translates into a more than 38 per cent reduction in the risk of stroke and a more than 26 per cent reduction in the risk of ischemic heart disease.

The researchers inferred that the difference in systolic blood pressure reduction between the PA and CA of 11.43 mm Hg, indicated that access to improved quality healthcare through an insurance programme was associated with a significant longerterm reduction in systolic blood pressure in subjects with moderate or severe hypertension.

This population based study to ascertain sustained effect of health in-

surance and facility quality improvement on blood pressure in adults with hypertension in Nigeria was in this month’s edition of the International Journal of Cardiology.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for premature death in sub-Saharan Africa due to its associated problems such as stroke and heart attack. A decrease in blood pressure reduces the risk of these problems.

However, antihypertensive treatment coverage in Sub-saharan Africa is low due to low awareness of hypertension, and poor availability of quality care for hypertension.

In addition, hypertension treatment is often not affordable for patients. In Nigeria, almost 66 per cent of healthcare expenditures are paid out-of-pocket by patients.

For the study, 1500 nonpregnant adults with hypertension at Afon and Ajasse Ipo districts in Kwara State were interviewed and their blood pressure readings were taken.

Both districts were lowincome rural communities with comparable availability and quality of healthcare services at baseline.

Also, the survey found that the respondents on treatment in the PA were twice as likely to obtain their medication from a formal healthcare provider compared to respondents on treatment in the CA. Almost 60 per cent of

respondents in the CA purchased, often cheaper, medication from informal providers. This medication

did not add any benefit over not using any medication in reducing blood pressre, suggesting poor

From left, Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Chris Bode; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Sesan Sobowale and Head of Department, Guinness Eye Centre, LUTH, Professor Folasade Akinsola during the N5M cheque presentation by Guinness Nigeria at the Boardroom, LUTH, recently.

these surfaces, where it prevents colonisation by microbes. It defends against viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract (URTIs), such as colds and influenza.

However, the relationship between sIgA and health is complex and sometimes surprising. For example, in the case of oral health, lower levels of sIgA appear to be a risk marker for dental caries and decay, whereas high levels are associated with current oral infection.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom surveyed adults from the eldest cohort of the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study.

They wanted to examine associations between secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva and mor-

ported better adherence to treatment, and incurred lower out-of-pocket expenditures for hypertension care compared to the CA. The experts, however, linked the average reduction in blood pressure in the overall hypertensive population in both the PA and the CA to the increase in awareness on hypertension and treatment coverage created by the study’s survey.

According to them, “This finding highlights the potential of health insurance programmes, which include improvement of quality of care, to achieve sustained cardiovascular risk factor control in vulnerable populations in Low and medium income countries (LMICs).

They concluded therefore that the scale-up of health insurance programmes that cover costs of care and improve the quality of care is needed to combat the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in subSaharan Africa.

Lagos mothers need more food supplements than others —ACPN chairperson CHAIRPERSON, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State chapter, Mrs Abiola Paul-Ozieh, has called on nursing mothers, especially those working in Lagos to complement

daily nutritional requirements with multivitamin supplements as stressful working conditions in the state affect the nutritional quality of their breast milk.

Mrs Ozieh made the statement during the Re-

Saliva test could indicate future health risk LOW levels of antibodies in saliva appear to indicate a greater risk of mortality and could be an early warning sign, according to research published in PLOS ONE. White blood cells secrete immunoglobulins (Ig), or antibodies. These proteins are essential for combating infectious disease. They circulate in the body and tag, destroy and/or neutralise bacteria, viruses and other harmful or foreign materials. They do this by coating foreign materials, thus marking them for destruction or neutralisation.

Secretory IgA (sIgA) is secreted at the mucosal surfaces such as the mouth, nose and gastrointestinal tract, and can be measured in saliva.

SIgA is the first line of defense against infection at

quality treatment.

In addition, respondents in the PA were more intensely monitored, re-

tality rates in the general population.

The 639 participants’ saliva was sampled in 1995 when they were aged 63 years. Their IgA secretion rate was measured and the mortality rate was tracked over the following 19 years.

Adjustments were made for gender, assay batch, household occupational group, smoking, medication usage and self-reported health.

IgA secretion rate was negatively associated with all-cause mortality. Further analysis revealed an underlying association with cancer mortality and, in particular, with non-lung cancers.

Saliva sampling is less invasive than blood sampling. If IgA secretion rate in saliva does prove to be a marker of mortality risk, it could be used by profes-

sionals as an indicator of overall health during a general checkup.

Dr. Anna Phillips, from the University of Birmingham, explains: “There are a number of factors that can affect how well we produce antibodies and maintain their levels. There are some that we have no control over, such as age, heritability or illness, but our general state of health can also affect their levels; stress, diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking can all influence those levels.”

Dr Phillips adds that it is not yet known how saliva samples could be used in checkups, as researchers have yet to establish what secretion rate would be considered the threshold level before becoming a cause of concern, otherwise known as the “protective level.”

load Multivitamin promo raffle draw event organised by PharmacyPlus for retailers at the Protea Hotel Ikeja, Lagos.

She said, while emphasising the need for compulsory breast feeding for first two years of birth, that breast fed children may be exposed to health challenges if the nutritional ranges necessary in the breast milk are deficient due to poor feeding and stress.

She therefore urged breast feeding mothers in Lagos to support their food intake with multivitamin products to enhance the nutritional content of their breast milk.

She said, “It is true that compulsory breast feeding for the first two years of birth is non-negotiable, but we have realised that a nursing woman working in an environment like Lagos, is very often stressed up and poorly fed and cannot provide all the multivitamin ranges in the break milk. So the baby despite the breast milk may not have all the needed nutrients from breast milk and can be prone to similar health

challenges of not breast feeding. We are calling on mothers in this situation to take multivitamin supplements to boost the nutrients in their breast milk.

“This is important because it makes mother and the child healthy,” she said.

And speaking on the importance of multivitamin supplements to healthy living, Mr Chukwuemeka Obi, the Chief Operating Officer of PharmacyPlus, marketers of Reload Multivitamin, also called all and sundry to eat healthy highlighting the environment and poor eating habits as the necessitating factors for food supplements intake.

He said, “It has become increasingly impossible to get all daily nutritional requirements from food.

This is due to the kind of environment we live in and the poor eating habits. While we continue to ask people to eat the right kind of food, we also tell them to supplement their food with a good multivitamin. It is the only way to guarantee daily nutritional balance both for adults and children.”

36

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

healthpeople We’ll judge Adewole’s tenure based on NHIS coverage —NMA President Dr Kayode Obembe, the National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in this interview with SADE OGUNTOLA appraises the health sector, saying NMA expectation remains health for all.

T

HE word change is a common slogan now in Nigeria. How should it affect the health sector in the opinion of doctors under the aegis of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)?

The word change is actually very relevant to the health sector. Before the political slogan came in 2015, the year was the end of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the beginning of Sustainable Development Goals.

But the change that should be taking place in the health sector is also coded in Universal Health coverage. NMA believes that every Nigerian should have access to affordable and qualitative health care, what is called Universal Health Coverage.

This is the reason why that change is very important.

NMA in its Physician’s Week in October 2015, made vaccine-preventable diseases its slogan. Eradication of measles falls under this. No doubt, Nigeria has done a lot of good work on polio, but we want it to extend to all vaccine preventable diseases and that is why we targeted immunisation to cover 90 per cent of the population. We believe that with that coverage, measles will also be on its way out in terms of eradication.

What NMA did was to intensify the health campaign or advocacy. Doctors all over the federation were involved in this advocacy, including the news media, to ensure that the awareness reaches every nook and cranny of the country.

What followed was greater turn out for immunisation compared to the previous years. It also became freer for women to also access the service than before.

Why the choice of measles?

Our target was all vaccine-preventable diseases, not measles alone. The same system that covers measles applies to all vaccine preventable diseases.

Polio is almost gone, but measles is still a problem faced by our children. It still causes a lot of blindness in our children. Where it results into a neurological deficiency in a child, its consequences will go on for life.

Many people do not recognise it, and as such the need to draw more attention to this particular disease.

Measles is just one of the vaccine-preventable diseases. Once a child registers for immunisation, it is not only measles alone he or she gets, but all the other vaccinations.

Can you appraise the medical profession and its practice in Nigeria?

I will say that medical practitioners are doing well. Using the health indices, as an index of performance, the maternal mortality ratio dropped from about 1, 500 per 100,000 live births in year 2000 to about 454 per 100, 000 deliveries in year 2015.

However, we still have a long way to go because this maternal mortality ratio should actually be less than 100 per 100,000 live births.

So to some extent, we are making some impact, even though the conditions under which Nigerian doctors work is unlike their contemporaries in developed countries like USA and UK. Nigerian doctors have to queue up for petrol to power their generators for surgical operations.

Indeed, Nigerian doctors are coping with a lot of challenges just to keep the services going and make sure we could save lives as much as possible.

But, medical quacks are still an issue in Nigeria?

Quacks will not flourish when the police enforce the laws. Every state in Nigeria has what we call the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) monitoring unit.

The MDCN monitoring unit, which includes the State’s NMA Chairman, the Director of Medical Services and the police, are supposed to know the hospitals that are registered. So if this unit is doing well, there should be no quacks in medical practice.

The National Health Act of 2014 promises Universal Health Coverage to every Nigerian, what is stopping its implementation?

What is preventing its implementation is the government’s white paper. Up till now, there has been no gazette for it. But the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has assured that it will soon be gazetted so that we can start its implementation immediately.

What does the National Health Act of 2014 prescribe for Nigerians?

Talking about aspects of the National Health Act of 2014 that are directly related to the masses, when in full operations, it would ensure that one per cent of consolidated revenue funds will be diverted into basic health care at the community level.

50 per cent of the fund will be handled by National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); 45 per cent would be handled by National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) and five per cent by the Ministry of Health to take care of all accident and emergencies.

When anybody who has an accident or emergency, gets to the hospital he/she should not be refused treatment because he or she has no money to pay.

The 45 per cent to be handled by the NPHDA is supposed to be used to build up infrastructure in every community. Every ward should have a hospital-based system/ structure in place.

The 50 per cent of the fund that goes to the NHIS is meant to provide basic healthcare to every Nigerian. Basic health care includes almost all the diseases that usually cause death at the primary level such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and almost all communicable diseases. 15 per cent of diseases burden are treated at secondary healthcare level provided very efficient referral system is guaranteed.

Dr Kayode Obembe It is only five per cent that gets to tertiary care level; these include renal failure, cancers, complicated neurological disorders, open heart surgeries, etc.

So, the call by NMA for one per cent tax on breweries, tobacco, and telecommunication outfits to boost the health sector is really not necessary....

This is another way of pulling resources together for health just like the consolidated revenue drive in health insurance. You cannot be sure that the monies from the 1 per cent consolidate revenue fund will take care of all diseases.

In fact, there are some countries where this is already being implemented and the amount that they were able to pull from such sources supplement their Consolidated Revenue Fund. These are the types of taxes that do not affect adversely those who are paying it. In fact, Ghana is using VAT for its Health Insurance and making a lot of money from there to improve the health of the nation.

The Health Minister, Professor Adewole said that the Federal Government was to offer unfettered health services to 60 million poor Nigerians annually. Is it achievable?

The Minister is being modest to say 60 million poor people because the target is 170 million, which is the population of Nigeria that should have basic health care. Universal Health Coverage is to make sure that health care is available to every Nigerian, so if the

Minister is targeting 60 million poor Nigerians, I will say that this is modest and achievable.

And NMA is out to support it and we even want him to scale it further to 120 million people who are poor. We know that 90 per cent of Nigerians live on less than one dollar a day, so if you are going to use that criterion, almost 90 per cent will be poor and should be sustained.

The task before the Health Minister is big, but can be surmounted.

However, what is NMA’s injunction to him to ensure a virile health sector?

Well, a document was presented to him by NMA indicating our expectations on ensuring Universal Health Coverage. This is the goal of all health ministers all over the world.

We have submitted the blue print to him.

Currently, the health insurance scheme that started on 6th of June, 2005 has only covered 7 per cent. Its goal then was to cover 100 per cent by year 2015.

So, what we told the honourable minister is that the parameter for assessing success in Nigeria in his tenure will be how many more Nigerians he can bring up to the NHIS because it is a standard all over the world.

There is no civilised country in the world that does not have Health Insurance Scheme. In USA, it was 86 per cent before but President Obama said it must go to 100 per cent that is why you are hearing Obama care.

37

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

How palm oil boost fertility in men

By Sade Oguntola

F

or couples that have been trying with no luck to get pregnant and have not been able to a find a reason for their infertility, it may be time to have a simple blood test to determine if their glucose levels are too high.

With the rates of Type II diabetes rising every year all over the world, more and more infertility specialists are looking toward this health issue as a main cause of some otherwise unexplained infertility cases they see.

When it comes to diabetes and infertility the answer is clear: there is a connection. In many cases, especially among men, a high blood glucose level does not only cause erectile dysfunction, it also lowers their fertility level.

Diabetic men have much lower semen levels. The high blood sugar levels can cause serious DNA damage to sperm which can inhibit a pregnancy, live birth and even having healthy, normal babies.

While it is important to understand the risks involved in high glucose levels and fertility, it is also important to understand that simple nutritional modifications such as increased consumption of red palm oil can help to ameliorate the effect of diabetes on a man’s ability to father a child.

In a new study, scientists said intake of red palm oil was beneficial in ensuring quality sperms under laboratory conditions. It improved sperm motility that is essential for an improved fertility level.

Red palm oil is natural oil obtained from the fleshy orange–red mesocarp of the fruit of palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). It contains lipid-soluble antioxidants such as carotenoids and vitamin E and K. It is distinctive from other plants and animal oil.

The best time to have sex!

In studying the effects of red palm oil and rooibos on sperm count, motility and morphology in streptozocininduced diabetic rats, the South African researchers supplement the diets of rats with 2 ml red palm oil and / or aqueous rooibos tea extract (2per cent) for seven weeks.

The swimming speed of the sperm were measured.

Rooibos, an indigenous South African herbal tea, is made from the leaves and stems of the fynbos plant, Aspalathus linearis and its popularity as a health beverage is known both locally and internationally. The herbal tea is prepared from both the unfermented and fermented plant material.

In this study, the results showed a decrease in the progressive motility in the diabetic control group and diabetic rats treated with rooibos tea extract and in combination with red pal oil when compared with the normal control group.

However, there was an increase though, not significant in the progressive motility of sperms from the diabetic group treated with red palm oil alone.

It improved sperm motility that is essential for an improved fertility level

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

Sincerely, as adults we don’t need to take an excuse or permission from anybody before we can have sex, neither do we need to set the time or pick the time to do so. But it turns out that certain moments can be even better than other times for sex. If you don’t believe this, take a look at these…. And make up your mind.

a public presentation and you need to work on your nerves, engage your partner in a satisfying sexual bout before going out, then you can be sure of calm and composed self to deliver!

Before a big presentation A good and satisfying sexual experience calms nerves, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. If you have

In the morning Testosterone and energy levels are higher in the morning, and the increase in oxytocin levels keeps you

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

natural

health The researchers writing in the 2014 edition of the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine said : “This ability of red palm oil bringing the progressive motility to near normal indicates that it can be helpful in improving fertility”.

The researchers are Ademola O. Ayeleso, Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju, Yapo G. Aboua and Nicole L. Brooks.

Previously, the beneficial effects of red palm oil on oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) , a factor responsible for reduced sperm motility and genetic integrity of sperm, have been identified.

Written in 2012 May edition of Andrologia, the researchers corroborated that a daily intake of red palm oil might be helpful in protecting males against the adverse effects of high ROS in sperm function, thus helping to preserve fertility.

Reactive oxygen species generated by abnormal sperm can stimulate the process of apoptosis, resulting in the death of sperm.

Another group of researchers in the June 2009 edition of Medical Technology SA also described red palm as a natural ‘cocktail’ of antioxidants that under laboratory conditions can help prevent death of sperm cells.

Meanwhile, inclusion of red palm oil in one’s diet is also said to be protective from testicular damage induced by toxins such as lead in the environment, thus preventing possible resultant male infertility.

This was the ascertion of a study carried out by A. I. Jegede; U. Offor; O. O. Azu; and O. Akinloye and published in the 2015 edition of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Lead toxicity, like toxicity from other heavy metal, increased generation of ROS that invariably among other things cause a reduction in sperm count and volume as well as increased production of abnormal sperms. and your partner bonded throughout the day while the endorphins boost your mood. Sex is not a bad way to start off your day.

When you are feeling under the weather, it may seem absurd, but having sex can actually boost your immune system. Cuddling up after sex keeps you warm and the actual exercise does wonders to the weak body.

14th day of your menstrual cycle Around two weeks into a woman’s cycle, her clitoris grows up to 20 per cent bigger and becomes engorged more easily. This means that orgasm may be easier to come by on this particular day. This is right around the time that ovulation occurs, so it makes sense that your body would be craving more action on that day.

After a workout Take advantage of that post-workout glow and the added benefits of higher sexual functioning that follow. One study from the University of Texas at Austin compared women’s reactions to erotic material after a 20-minute bike ride and found that blood flow to their genital region was 169 per cent higher after a workout. Not to mention you often have a better body image post-workout. Plus the fact that your body pumps out testosterone; a crucial sex hormone when you exercise, so your natural desire will be even higher after a sweat session.

After a bad day If you need to shake off the stress of a tough day at the office, sex might be a healthier choice than a couple of beers. Sex and other forms of physical affection, even holding hands significantly improve your mood and lower stress levels. Working out that tension and frustration in bed can actually make you more passionate and enthusiastic; as long as your lover is not the source of your anger.

When you just did something scary One of the best times to get busy is right after an exhilarating experience. When your adrenaline is pumping, your body is already in a state of arousal and your sexual response is often heightened.

38

Thursday, 7 January, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

LEON USIGBE writes on the flak recently thrown at each other by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the opposition party’s criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The PDP, APC face-off over Presidential Media Chat

F

ORMER ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its successor in power, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are at each other’s throats over the preparedness or lack of it of President Muhammadu Buhari. The PDP has maintained on a consistent basis that the Buhari and his party were not prepared for governance that they were more interested in capturing power by all means, relying on powerful propaganda machinery the APC managed to come up with. PDP thinks that Buhari has since continued to flip-flop, unsure of how to proceed with the management of the economy and has more recently started to exhibit the traits of a tyrant. But, the APC blames the current woes on the years of economic mismanagement by the PDP which it says should bury its head in shame rather than seeking to distract the president.

The arguments from both sides have been ongoing with hardly a week passing by without a pungent exchange between them.

In its most recent salvo, the PDP accused Buhari and the APC of being averse to constructive criticisms despite riding to power through severe criticism, of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his government. The PDP therefore sought to express its sympathy with them over what it said was their inability to accept, with equanimity, constructive criticisms of their administration but vowed that it would not abandon its role as opposition and worship him.

Olisa Metuh, the party spokesman, said in a statement last Saturday, that it was unfortunate that the APC and its leaders, who gleefully and unjustifiably poured invectives on former President Jonathan in the guise of playing the role of an opposition party, would now not want to condone criticisms.

He noted that Buhari was pursuing an agenda to decimate the opposition to make it unable to compete for power in 2019, alleging that the current “persecution” of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki was meant to stop him from a possible shot at the presidency in the next general election.

The opposition party gave assurances that the PDP would remain the most decent, mature and constructive opposition party under the nation’s democracy, even as it pledged its respect for the person and exalted office of President Buhari.

The party recalled the hay days of the APC as the leading opposition party and some of the statements uttered by its leading lights against Jonathan. Metuh’s words: “During the Jonathan presidency, Mallam Nasir elRufai, while in the saddle as interim deputy national secretary of the APC, in a post on his twitter page, described President Jonathan as ‘lazy, docile, incompetent, clueless, hopeless and useless leader.’ Other APC

Metuh leaders made raining abuses on Jonathan a past time.”

While assessing what it said was an uninspiring performance of the president at his first ever Presidential Media Chat, the PDP said it would not emulate APC’s attitude in opposition. “The PDP is a very responsible opposition party; our leaders are mature; and we have demonstrated so in our critique of the President’s responses during the maiden Presidential Media Chat. We have reviewed President Buhari’s performance and concluded that it was uninspiring,” it noted.

Since they have confirmed that this is what the anti-corruption crusade is all about, the APC is obviously seeking to destroy the PDP so that it can push through Buhari’s second tenure in 2019 without opposition from the PDP.” The PDP introduced a new twist to its criticism as it now sees the 2019 presidential race as the driving force behind Buhari’s perceived persecution of Dasuki. Metuh claimed: “This has also confirmed our concern that this is the reason the Federal Government is persecuting, and not prosecuting, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. The APC

and its leaders fear that Dasuki, given his vast political and security network, may be harbouring a presidential ambition, more so that the PDP has zoned its presidential ticket to the north. The PDP is conversant with the sinister plan by the APC-led Federal Government to completely decimate our party by raking up all manner of allegations of corruption against the Goodluck Jonathan administration and leaders of the PDP with a view to taking them to court on orchestrated charges. Finally, we are aware that President Buhari has directed security agencies to be more vicious in dealing with our members and has continued to subtly coerce the Judiciary to convict those being charged to court. But what gives us joy is that President Buhari is not God and we will not worship him.”

But, the APC has rubbished the PDP’s assertion as childish and laughable conspiracy theories. Odigie-Oyegun may have been prepared to let go much of the PDP’s criticism but not the one that had to do with the 2019 calculations. He said in a quick response: “Whoever the PDP picks as its candidate for the 2019 presidential election is not the business of the APC. Relevant laws

The APC believes strongly in the Rule of Law, as against the kind of impunity Nigeria witnessed under the PDP for 16 years.

Oyegun in the country clearly spell out requirements for persons seeking election into all political office. The preoccupation of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari is to deliver on all the promises made to Nigerians by the party during the 2015 election.”

The APC boss said he was more interested in the performance of the president who he observed had remained on the right track in delivering his “change agenda” in the last seven months. He spoke of the PDP: “The PDP speaks of a presidential directive to security agencies and judiciary to ‘coerce’ and ‘convict’ PDP leaders and officials of the immediate-past administration with corruption charges. Clearly such abuse of presidential directives was a concept invented and effectively deployed by the PDP during its defunct 16-year rule. The APC is a law-abiding party and cannot adopt such diabolical concept. The APC believes strongly in the Rule of Law, as against the kind of impunity Nigeria witnessed under the PDP for 16 years.”

The APC boss was keen to assure that the PDP conspiracy theories would not distract the Buhari administration, law enforcement and anti-graft agencies from “the successful on-going war against corruption being waged on looters of our common wealth.”

Odigie-Oyegun added: “The ongoing war against corruption is not selective. Anybody guilty of corrupt practices will face the law.

Clearly, the PDP has chosen to blame everyone but itself for the sorry state it finds itself.

The PDP should have known that it will pay for its years of impunity, recklessness and shocking mis-management of the country’s commonwealth.”

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

My advice for Buhari —Ladoja US that forties its security system so much had Pentagon’s security network broken into, how much less Nigeria and INEC whose system have been found to be porous and penetrable for hackers. It is going to take us a lot of time to get our electoral system right. But when election stops being a do-or-die thing, maybe things will be better.

His petition, INEC and hope of success My petition is still in court and it will be difficult for me to comment on it. When I approached the election petition tribunal, I had 99.9 per cent chance that I was going to win. I had the same chance of success when I approached the Court of Appeal.

Now that I have approached the Supreme Court, maybe I should say I have one per cent chance of winning. I don’t give myself 100 per cent success chance in anything.

As a mathematician, there is something we call X slur which is though very small is not negligible. As a result of this, I always leave room for the fact that something may go wrong. This is why today, I still retain 110/70 as my blood pressure reading.

Whatever happens at the Supreme Court will help expand the scope of our law. In Nigeria today, there is no impeachment case that has been heard and will be heard without reference being made to my case.

Ladoja

Senator Rashidi Ladoja is a former governor of Oyo State and national leader of Accord Party. In this interview with newsmen in Ibadan, he speaks on why he is challenging the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the Olubadan chieftaincy brouhaha, national issues, among others. DARE ADEKANMBI brings excerpts from the interview.

T

HE structure of governance in Nigeria.

When I read in the newspaper recently that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that salaries of workers should be paid immediately, I just laughed. What has Buhari got to do with the issue of salary? There must be somebody in charge of salary who must know that salaries must be paid in time. During my time as governor, myself and the people in charge of finance agreed that salaries must be paid on the 25th of every, and a minimum of one week to any festivity. It was this agreement that developed into a structure that ensured that salaries were promptly paid. The man in charge of salaried needed not await instruction to pay salaries.

In Nigeria, we need to put such structure in place so that people won’t depend on the president for instruction to carry out routine exercises. Now, the president has said that petroleum products must be

sold at particular prices. I don’t know how many decisions will come from the current oil scarcity because it is silly to go to somebody’s filling station and start selling his fuel to people free of charge and consequently put him out of business.

The government agencies responsible for this ought to have asked the marketer how much he bought the fuel to ascertain whether the price he is selling it is reasonable or not. Most of the time, government and its agencies exercise some powers that are beyond them, thinking they are beyond everything. In reality, government is not above everything. Government ought to know that they derive their power from the people and their major interest must be to protect the people. That is a major problem in this country today and it is because we have not succeeded in putting good structures in place. Maybe by the time the structures are in place, we will start having better performances.

Reviewing the last elections.

In the last election, the then INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega’s subordinates read in upside down and there lies the problem. But if his followers agreed with him, if people were vigilant, they would be

bold enough to say no to subversion of people’s will. But that time has not yet come.

What Jega wanted to do was to ensure that each voter was authenticated before he or she was allowed to vote. And that is what happens in nearly all borders in the world.

I don’t know of Nigeria because they don’t authenticate my fingerprints when I come in here. But in Britain, they do so before allowing people to go into their country.

When I get to the US and Canada, it is the same thing, which means it is an acceptable method of validation worldwide.

Jega said if any voter fails the fingerprint process, he or she should not be allowed to vote. He also said if the Card Reader malfunctioned, the INEC officials should change it and if the new one fails again, election should be postponed till the following day. If the car reader fails to function for two out of 100 voters, then we can say that is negligible and we should proceed to voting. But, how do we describe a situation where the card reader failed to authenticate 50 per cent of the voters and yet INEC officials went ahead with voting, using incident forms for more than half of the voters against INEC’s guidelines?

People hacked and broke into INEC’s database and mass produced the PVCs. The

I told my children if I die today and they bury money in my grave, thieves would not only take the money but also kidnap my corpse and demand ransom from them.

That he went to the tribunal to retain his followership I don’t believe in throwing away good money. If I knew I would lose, I would not have put a kobo into the matter. Collecting evidence is not a joke; it takes money and effort. Did you see jubilation in town when the judgments were delivered? I still have a chance of winning.

Politics for me is about service and not an avenue to amass wealth. For me, God has given me money and I did not come into this world with a kobo. I told my children if I die today and they bury money in my grave, thieves would not only take the money but also kidnap my corpse and demand ransom from them. If one kobo is buried in my grave, then it means my children don’t want me to rest in peace.

If he will show interest in 2019 gubernatorial contest Is there any age barrier in Nigeria? Leave that decision to me and my party. One thing is very key: my party and I must agree. If Accord says I should contest and I say I don’t think I can contest again, the party can’t force me. And if I say I want to contest and the party says it won’t allow me to contest, I can’t force myself on the party.

That is not for today. As I said, I always gave myself 99 per cent chance of winning, even though that has now been reduced to one per cent. Now, I believe I have one per cent of winning the case at the Supreme Court.

APC says he will lose at the Apex Court and go into political oblivion That is their opinion. I don’t know how old you were in the days of Mohammed Alli, when boxing contenders boasted of winning at first round. You don’t go to war and say you will lose. They are boasting of victory in a war and playing to the gallery, which are parts of the strategy against the opponents in a war. It is now left for the opponents to allow himself to be frightened or not. We just ignore whatever they say continues pg40

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

‘I will quit politics if I become Olubadan’ that, if they could add their natural votes to those of Buhari, they would win the presidency. They knew it was Buhari that was getting those massive votes which was why he came second three times, despite changing parties. It was not the party but Buhari that people voted for. In APC today, Buhari is the senior partner. In 2011, he got 12 million votes as CPC candidate.

How many votes did ACN candidate then, Nuhu Ribadu, get? Whether his seniority in the partnership will continue, I can’t say for now. But as of today, Buhari is a very senior partner in APC.

continued from pg39

because we know there is no truth in it.

They say they will send me into oblivion.

Am I in oblivion yet? Or is it the alliance between Ajimobi and Adebayo Alao-Akala that they think is potent enough to send me into oblivion? Not at all. Those in the PDP said their party was invincible and on the strength of this boasted to rule the country for 60 years. But, they only succeeded in ruling for 16 years. APC leaders in Nigeria can’t shout Eureka yet because there is a lot of tension in the party.

It is too early to talk of going into oblivion.

Definitely at a certain time, I will have to retire from active politics and that will be when I become the Olubadan of Ibadan because I will become the Olubadan of Ibadanland. At that time, I can’t continue to be active in politics. But today, I am not the Olubadan and it is not sure that I will become the Olubadan. I only pray that I will become the Olubadan. How many people start the journey eventually become the Olubadan? So, I will continue to play the game of politics until I decide to say I have heard enough and become an emeritus politician, tutoring new entrants.

Assessment of Buhari, Ajimobi in seven months He has just spent seven out of 48 months.

One thing we need to know is that APC is an amalgam of people who hitherto had said they would not greet one another. If you look critically, you will see notice the strains and stress that have been going along with governance in the country. They started with the National Assembly; it took Buhari months to assemble his cabinet.

As for Oyo State, I think the only thing we can do is to continue to pray for Ajimobi.

When the time for politics comes, the people of the state will do the assessment and come up with a verdict. Even at the federal level, I am sure Mr President has seen differently what he thought obtained in 19841985 when he was a military Head of State.

Let’s agree that Buhari has things to learn.

But by and large, they should reduce distractions and concentrate on governance.

I am glad that Buhari was bold enough to apologise to Nigerians. That is a sign of greatness on his part.

Insinuation that Governor Ajimobi delayed the approval of chiefs’ elevation for political reasons.

I am not aware of the motive behind it.

If you were at the burial of Chief Omowale Kuye, the governor expressed his wish to sign the document as soon as it came to his office. He can’t stop us from enjoying what is our right. And as far as I am concerned, the issue that the governor should approve is a mere formality. I remember there was a time Alao-Akala did not approve my elevation when I was moving from Ekarun Olubadan to Ekerin Olubadan. But, the ceremony went ahead and I was promoted.

The Olubadan traditional system has its own structure, which is not rancorous and which is better left the way it is. This is the wish of the Ibadan people and nobody can change it without their consent.

Anyone who is Olubadan is Olubadan of Ibadanland and not Olubadan of Oyo State. We have our system and nobody can alter it, whatever the motive.

The medical certificate and security clearance demand The governor himself is a bona fide Ibadan chief. He was made the Aare Atunluse of Ibadanland. Did the Olubadan demand a medical or psychiatric certificate from him before he was installed? I am sure he won’t do anything that will displease the Olubadan. What I am expecting to see from my cousin, Ajimobi, is the fulfillment of the promises he made before the election. For instance, he promised to bring cable cars to Ibadan in his second term and I am yet to see a single of such cars. I expect to see this innovation.

A letter was written to me from the palace of the Olubadan that I should present myself for elevation to Osi Olubadan, which is mine as of right and I did. Whether the governor approved or not is not for me to know. The law says he should either give approval or disapproval within 21 days. Did he do either of those? It is the Olubadan that will answer for that.

As governor in 2003, I gave approval for the movement of certain chiefs. My predecessor, the late Alhaji Lam Adesina also did, just like Alao-Akala initially before he refused to assent to my elevation. If Ajimobi refuses to give approval, it is his own

Ladoja

I will continue to play the game of politics until I decide to say I have had enough and become an emeritus politician, tutoring new entrants.

choice and I don’t have anything to do with that.

Any regrets for not joining the AC when Senator Bola Tinubu wooed him?

No regrets at all. They not only wooed me when I was in government, they still did as recently as October 2014. If I was interested in AC then, I would not have gone to bring Accord three months to the 2011 elections.

It means I am doing what I think is right. I saw that theirs was not a party I should join and I have no regret for not joining them.

In 1999, I was the preferred governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). If Pa Abraham Adesanya and Chief Bola Ige, both of blessed memories, did not agree on anything, at least they agreed that I should be the candidate of their party in 1999. That was never in doubt. I was their

darling and this was because of the role I played during the NADECO struggle for the actualisation of the mandate freely given to MKO Abiola by Nigerians across religious and ethnic cleavages. If I was desperate, I would have joined their party. In 2014, there was a meeting of myself, Baba Olusegun Obasanjo and Bola Tinubu. Nobody knew about the meeting. I said “no” to attempts at bringing me into APC. Ignore whatever they say. I will always exercise my right of association by joining any party I like whenever I like to do so and as long as the ideals of such party tally with ours.

Essentially, politics is scheming and part of the scheming is what produced Buhari.

As presidential candidate in ANPP and CPC, Buhari had his own followership and he came second in three presidential elections with massive votes. Some political strategists came together and calculated

How well Buhari has done on economic diversification Apart from Lagos and Abuja, which are federal territories, the Federal Government has no land in this country. All other territories are owned by the states. The Federal Government will do well by providing an enabling environment for people to thrive wherever they are. It should not assume that everything must be done by it. The major problem is that when there is much money, the Federal Government acquires more responsibilities. For instance, there was a time it acquired roads which were hitherto not federal roads. About the same time, it also acquired the Western Nigerian Television (WNTV), which later became NTA. I am sure those in the Federal Government now have learnt their lessons and will restrict themselves to certain responsibilities, which they are doing by merging some ministries, departments and agencies.

Insinuations that his petition was not successful because of political forces who don’t want a rival in the South-West leadership.

I don’t know about people moving against through the judiciary. But as for stopping me from emerging as a leader in the South-West, people can’t stop me. If anybody believes in playing God, he won’t achieve the goal of stopping others from becoming what God has destined them to become. I believe in the independence of the judiciary. For the judgments of the tribunal and the Appellate Court, I believe that is the way they saw the matter, which gave me courage to go on fighting. It is an insult on the integrity of the judiciary if somebody is going to sit in the comfort of his house and reduce them to puppets or marionettes that can be remote-controlled.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2016

‘I will quit politics if I become Olubadan’ continued from pg27

Ladoja

Essentially, politics is scheming and part of the scheming is what produced Buhari. As presidential candidate in ANPP and CPC, Buhari had his own followership and he came second in three presidential elections with massive votes. Some political strategists came together and calculated that, if they could add their natural votes to those of Buhari, they would win the presidency.

41

news

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

‘NDLEA impounded N3.7bn drugs in 2015’

Shola Adekola - Lagos The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that it seized narcotic drugs valued at N3.7 billion, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in 2015.

It also disclosed that it received 183 Nigerians made up of 176 males and seven females deported on drug related offences.

Acting chairman/chief executive of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George said that the monetary value of the seized drugs underscored the threat posed by illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse. ”Drug trafficking is a serious crime capable of undermining our security. The agency is working very hard to seize drugs and financially incapacitate drug trafficking organisations. Efforts will be intensified to drastically reduce drug trafficking through continuous arrest and prosecution, as well as drug demand reduction programmes. We must continue to channel our resources towards a safe and healthy society,” she said.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Ahmadu Garba while giving a breakdown of the seized drugs, said the last arrest in 2015 was a 37-year-old lady recruited on facebook to smuggle drugs to Malaysia.

“The airport command arrested 122 males and 20 females with 594.002 kilogrammes of drugs valued at 3.7 billion naira. The drugs consist of 172 kilogrammes of cannabis, 160 kilogrammes of ephedrine, 114 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, 96 kilogrammes cocaine, 45 kilogrammes of tramadol and five kilogrammes of heroin. Interestingly the last arrest for the year was that of a lady who was recruited by a facebook lover based in Malaysia,” he said.

The suspect, Ezeabata Uju Gloria was caught with 1.325 kilogrammes of methamphetamine on her way to Malaysia.

Mr Philip Maduabuchi Akpaka, 39, who is the suspected leader of the drug cartel in Nigeria, who prepared the travel documents of Gloria, was equally arrested.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that of the total number of those arrested, 55 of them imported drugs from other countries, 62 exported drugs out of the country while 25 others were arrested within the state. Italy had the highest number of 55 deportees, Thailand 41, United States 24 and 17 from Norway.

Niger SIEC set for LG poll Adelowo Oladipo -Minna

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (middle); Minister of State, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri (third left); Permanent Secretary, Mr Louis Edozien (third right); director in the ministry, Mrs Grace Papka (second right ); Managing Director , Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) , Mr Peter Ewesor (right ); chairman, MEMMCOL, Mr Kola Balogun (second left), Executive Secretary of the Electricity Meters Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN), Mr Muideen Ibrahim (left) and others, during a meeting with the local electricity meter manufacturers, hosted by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Abuja, on Monday.

Ambode appoints Fagbohun LASU VC Bola Badmus - Lagos

L

agos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the appointment of Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun as the eighth substantive Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).

Professor Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law, was until his appointment, Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), University of Lagos.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, made this known to newsmen, on Wednesday, in a signed statement.

The commissioner recalled that, following the expiration of the tenure of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University on 31st October, 2015, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Fidelis Olisamedua Njokanma, assumed the position of Acting Vice Chancellor.

A Professor of Environmental Law, Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, was born on October 19, 1966 and hails from Akesan in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Professor Fagbohun joined the Faculty of Law of the Lagos State University (LASU) as an Assistant Lecturer in January 1991.

The newly- appointed vice chancellor rose through the ranks and by the year 2004, he was appointed Associate Professor.

He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), obtained his Master’s of Law Degree at the University of Lagos and attended the Obafemi Awolowo University for his doctoral degree programme.

At different times, he served as a member of the Senate of the Lagos State University (LASU); Head of the Department of Business Law and later the Depart-

ment of Private and Property Law; Coordinator, Law Centre; Coordinator of the Department of Environmental Law and Allied Disciplines of the Centre for Environment and Science Education of the Lagos State University, and was, for several years, the Editor-in-Chief of the LASU Law Journal.

Professor Fagbohun is a member of several academic and professional bodies and a fellow of a number of national and international institutions.

Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State University received the news of Fagbohun’s appointment with visible excitement.

Indications had emerged that Fagbohun, who was said to have come first at the

Professor Fagbohun

screening, was the preferred candidate among a larger section of LASU staff unions.

On Tuesday, December 15 2015, the Chairman of the LASU chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Adekunle Idris, had at a press conference, urged the governor to “appoint the candidate that came first”.

However, attempts made to speak with Idris on Wednesday after Fagbohun’s emergence as vice chancellor were unsuccessful.

The President of LASU Students’ Union, Mr Adeyemi Onikoro, in his own reaction, described the appointment of Fagbohun as a “New Year gift” from Governor Ambode.

“It is a welcome development,” he said. “We have been waiting for it. It’s been a month now since the screening. We expected the governor to pronounce him (Fagbohun) as VC, and he has done it. He was appointed not based on politics, but purely on merit. And everybody in LASU is in support of this. It is a New Year gift from the governor. We expect to see positive change here at LASU. We know his (Fagbohun’s) capability; our union has once invited him to our programme. We are ready to work closely with him to take our university to the next level.”

CCB verifies assets of Kano gov, 125 other officials The Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) has verified the declared assets of the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and 125 other government officials in the state.

The director of CCB in the state, Alhaji Umar Saulawa, disclosed this during an interview with

the News Agency of Nigeria, in Kano, on Wednesday.

Saulawa said the state deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, as well as local government chairmen were among others whose assets were verified.

Saulawa said the verifi-

cation exercise was conducted with the bureau’s Federal Commissioner-incharge of the North West Zone, Alhaji Ibrahim Manzo, saying that the essence of the verification was to make corrections where necessary.

The director expressed appreciation to the gover-

nor and other public officers for their turnout during the exercise and called on others to emulate them.

Saulawa listed members of the state Assembly, as well as heads of government boards and parastatal agencies comprising the next batch in the verification exercise.

Niger State Independent Electoral Commission {NSIEC} has expressed preparedness for the conduct of the January 16 local government polls in the 25 local government areas of the state.

The poll was earlier scheduled for November 7 last year, but was postponed for what the NSIEC described as logistic reasons.

The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Mr Mohammed Ali told the Nigerian Tribune during an interview in Minna, on Wednesday, that everything needed for the conduct of the election had been put in place, saying “we are now ready to go.”

Mohammed Ali said no fewer than 3,185 ad hoc staff had been trained while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is assisting the NSIEC with the voter register, ballot boxes and some technical staff.

According to him, the commission will employ the use of the card readers used by the INEC in the last general election, saying that “we have already started the training of the 14,000 staff that will operate the card readers.”

Faleke-Yahaya saga will help deepen democracy —Lawmaker

Chukwuma Okparaocha -Lagos

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Segun Olulade, said the ongoing political impasse in Kogi State involving the running mate to the late Audu Abubakar, James Faleke; the governorelect Yahaya Bello; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will help deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

Olulade, who represents Epe II, and also the Chairman, House Committee on Health, made this known in a recent chat with the media in Lagos, where he noted that it would be in the best interest of all parties concerned if the matter went as far as the Supreme Court.

“Honourable James Abiodun Faleke has gone to the tribunal on the issue, so let us wait for the outcome of the matter, but I wish we get to the level of the Supreme Court so that we can rest the case once and for all. Even if he is called upon to be the Governor of Kogi State today, we will still have to go to court to deepen our democracy.”

42 news

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Welfare of troops our priority, says Operation Lafiya Dole commander

T

he newly appointed Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Hassan Umaru, has assured Nigerian troops that their welfare is a major priority towards ensuring their commitment to the war against terrorism General Umaru, who stated this at his maiden press briefing with journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, said the soldiers have made Nigeria proud and the Nigerian army will continue to provide for their need in terms of logistics, salaries and allowances.

Concerned over the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which has affected regular payments of allowances of officers and men of the Nigerian army, General Umaru assured that some mechanisms have been put in place to address the problem.

He said: “A number of troops have not accessed their salaries and allowances due to the new policy on monthly posting to indi-

vidual accounts, BVN and differences in names of accounts. It is an issue that is being addressed.”

While commending the traditional institutions and the media for their role in sensitising the public on security consciousness and being their brothers’ keep-

ers, he said everyone must be involved in ensuring the success of the counter-terrorism campaign.

Also speaking, the newly appointed General Officer commanding, (GOC) 7 Division, Brigadier-General Victor Ezugwu, urged journalists to consider na-

tional interest first in their reportage, as the media are stakeholders and partners in progress in the war against the terrorists.

He also appealed to the media to always confirm their reports from the military authorities before going to the press to avoid

From right, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, Professor Adebiyi Daramola; chairman on the occasion, Chief Afe Babalola and Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Eniola Daramola, during the 80th birthday anniversary of Chief Daramola, mother of the vice chancellor, in Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday.

Oyo nlc salutes workers’ perseverance

By Wale Akinselure The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, has saluted the sustained perseverance and tolerance of workers occasioned by the economic challenges faced by the state.

Describing the plight of workers as miserable, the union admonished government to show greater commitment to the enhancement of workers’ welfare and approach the nation’s economic reconstruction with increased diligence.

The union’s message signed by its chairman, Mr Waheed Olojede, held that the Oyo State government should show doggedness in weathering the storm of the current economic downturn in the interest of

all and sundry in Nigeria.

Especially, NLC appreciated the state government for sustaining a harmonious relationship with the state’s workers by abiding by the existing memoranda of understanding ( MoU) between the two parties.

The union urged workers to look forward to better times this year, while calling for prayers for God’s intervention in the affairs of the state.

“The NLC acknowledges with profound gratitude workers’ spirit of sacrifice, understanding, tolerance and perseverance in the face of myriads of economic challenges in the state as occasioned by the general turndown in the country’s economy.

“We admonish our members to approach the new

year with a high sense of hope, optimism, positive attitude and dedication to duty with the assurance that the leadership of the congress in the state, shall continue to pay special attention to issues that will

cultists, on Twelve Wednesday, renounced their membership from various cult groups and were granted amnesty by the Ogun State police command.

Eight out of the 12 cultists had some weeks ago were arrested by the police, while four others joined, during an amnesty programme organised by the Police in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

At the ceremony attended by a member of the House of Representatives representing Ifo/

Ewekoro federal constituency, Honourable Ibrahim Isiaka, a member of the state House of Assembly Honourable Isreal Jolaoso, the caretaker chairman of the council area, Mr Sabitu Olalekan,the cultists swore

by Quran and Bible, that they would never go back into cultism.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that some eminent personalities in the state appealed to the Police by granting amnesty to the cultists.

Speaking at the ceremony, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulmajid Ali, said the amnesty programme would be held in

protect and enhance their welfare at all times.”

“However, it is instructive to equally admonish government at all tiers in Nigeria to demonstrate high sense of commitment to the current miserable

plight of workers and to also approach the nation’s economic reconstruction with the deserved spirit of hope, diligence and patriotism, if Nigeria will maintain its pride of place among the comity of nations.”

ESUT: Ugwuanyi orders payment of disengaged workers Jude Ossai - Enugu GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has ordered the full payment of salaries owed the recently disengaged 153 staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Governor Ugwuanyi gave the directive on Wednesday, while inaugurating

Police give amnesty to 12 cultists in Ogun OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

conflicting reports that could undermine national security.

In his contributions, the deputy Theater Commander, Major-General Irabor, said the military is determined to wipe out the insurgents and urged for the continuous support of the media.

all the 20 local government areas of the state for those that were ready to renounce their membership,while insisting that the command would not grant amnesty to any found engaging in cultism.

He, thereafter, handed those who renounced their membership to stakeholders in the council area.

Isiaka said the amnesty was a rare opportunity and pledged to empower them, to prevent them from joining bad groups, while Jolaoso explained that the parents of the cultists sought help which prompted his intervention that led to the amnesty.

the newly reconstituted governing council of the university, which has the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Reverend (Professor) Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, as the Pro-chancellor and chairman.

Governor Ugwuanyi noted that his administration took the decision in line with its promise to alleviate poverty and ameliorate suffering of the people, especially, those who were recently disengaged by the institution, adding that it will help to bring to an end, the persistent complaints and discontent of the affected staff and concerned members of the society over the matter.

He also said that the management of the institution would provide 50 per cent of the total sum for the payment of the salaries while the state government will provide the balance of 50 per cent and expressed confidence that the members of the council will deploy their proven

competence, knowledge and experience to take ESUT to the pinnacle of intellectual and technological excellence.

According to him, “the current administration would continue to sustain the current momentum of progress of the institution and assured that the welfare of the students of ESUT will remain the cardinal objective of the government.

In his address, the chairman of the council thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in members of the council to serve the state and assured him of their collective resolve to collaborate with his administration.

Other members of the council, include, Professor Obiorah Ike, Professor Sampson Ukpabi and Lady Jane Udewo Nnamani.

The vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Luke Anike, will serve in the council as an ex-officio member while the registrar, Mr Leonard Kama, will serve as the secretary.

Nigerian Tribune

Ogun govt directs revalidation of private health facilities

Ogun State government has directed that all owners of private health facilities operating within the state must revalidate or register their facilities with the Department of Hospital Services, State Ministry of Health, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

In a release signed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, stated that the step is necessary in order to enhance sanity in the state health sector.

The release made available to the ministry’s press officer, Mrs Ebunlomo Taiyese, had it that all medical centres, maternity homes, medical laboratories, diagnostic centres, physiotherapist clinic, mortuaries and alternative medicines practitioners across the state, should revalidate their facilities before March 31.

Police arrest 5 suspected cultists in Edo Banji Aluko - Benin City

Five suspected cultists have been arrested by the police in Edo State for allegedly disrupting an all night cross over service at a church in Ebelle, Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

They were alleged to have destroyed musical instruments at Disciples for Christ for All Nations Church and also beat up the presiding cleric of the church, Prophet Jonathan Momodu and some other church members.

A member of the church said one of the suspects entered the church with a bottle of beer in his hand and was smoking cigarette.

He said that entreaties to make him leave the church failed as he reportedly said that he used to smoke and drink with the head of the church.

Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the Edo State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Osifo, said the matter had been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, adding that more suspects may be arrested.

Lost item

THIS is to notify the general public that the identity card of Adedoyin Adedeji, a staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc is lost. All efforts to trace it have proved abortive. If found, please, contact the nearest police station or call 07035486812.

43

communitynews

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

‘Christians, Muslims, traditionalists live as one in Ago-Iwoye’ By ’Ronke Sanya

The traditional ruler and Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Oba AbdulRasaq Adesina Adenugba, has noted that adherents of the various religions in the town live together as one without disagreement or rift.

Speaking during the 2016 Universal Week of Prayer by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ago-Iwoye land, which was kick-started at the Ebumawe’s palace at the weekend, Oba Adenugba lauded the efforts of Christian groups in promoting peace and cordiality in the town.

He noted that: “This town is renowned for peace and unity. There is even a particular street where we have a mosque which is situated close to an Ogun shrine and not far from there is a church.”

He added that these various religious groups worship God in their own ways at the same location

without dispute.

He also appreciated the presence of the various churches ranging from the Methodist Church, Ijebu diocese, Christ Apostolic Church, Dynamic Apostle Church, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Cherubim and Seraphim Church, among others.

Also speaking at the prayer session, Venurable M.T.A. Olatona, appreciated the monarch for hosting the service at his palace, adding that the prayers had been answered being a joint effort of the various of churches.

Also at the event, were the Chairman, Universal Week of Prayer, Reverend E. O. Osukoya and Secretary, Universal Week of Prayer, Pastor S.O Adenola.

The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul Rasaq Adesina Adenugba (second right), his wife, Olori Adenike and his high chiefs, during the 2016 Universal Week of Prayer by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ago-Iwoye, at the Ebumawe’s palace, recently.

Alli Isiba residents want roads to be graded olalekan olabulo lagos

R

esidents of Alli Isiba area of Sango Ota, Ogun State

have appealed to the leadership of Ado -Odo/ Ota Local Government Area to grade the roads in the community .

The residents also called on the Ogun State government to construct the major road on Alli Isiba Street and save them the

Kwara police donate to orphanage Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The Kwara State police command has donated food items and cash to inmates of the Children Reception Centre, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin.

Speaking with journalists after the presentation of the items, which include dbags of rice, groundnut oil, bottled water, packs of noodles and N50,000 cash to the management of the orphanage in Ilorin on Tuesday, the state police commissioner, Esosa Amadasun, said the gesture was from men and officers of the command.

The police commissioner, who said that the directive for the philanthropic activity was given by the Inspector General of Police, added that the command would sustain the gesture. “ The Inspector General of Police at a meeting, said we should add the humanitarian gesture to our programmes to show that we have a human face.

Other commands are doing the same. Though it is a directive, yet it is from the bottom of our hearts. I have been deeply touched by what I saw. I wish I had been doing it much earlier.

That’s to say this would not be our last visit to show our own style of human kind-

ness,” he said.

He advised those in the habit of abandoning babies to desist, saying they should rather take the children to orphanage homes.

“If anyone brings her baby here, the person would have done a lawful thing. What is unlawful is abandoning babies in gutters, refuse dumps, toilets etc. It is a sin against mankind and God. But since government has provided a place like this, then they should utilise it and give

reasons why they don’t want to keep their babies.

They should bring their babies here where they can be adopted which is legal,” the police boss noted.

The police boss, who said he raised the money for the gift items through his salary and the ‘widow’s mite’ of his officers and men, added that the act of giving is endorsed by the two major religions in the country.

“Givers never lack. So, to all people of means, I say

give to places like this and you’ll never regret doing so,” he added.

Also speaking, the officer incharge of the home, Mr. Ikupolati Taye, said there are five categories of children in the home, namely: the abandoned, motherless, disputed, children of lunatics and lost but found children.

“Presently we have 23 children, including a set of twins. The oldest among them is 17 and the youngest is about three

stress of having to beg for grading of the road, after each rainy season.

They raised the alarm that the roads might become completely impassable, if they are not fixed before the next rainy season .

The residents described Alli Isiba and adjoining streets as very strategic to Sango, Joju and Ididroko Roads, especially, when the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway is choked with traffic .

A resident, Adeola, who spoke with Community News, said: “ It is happening again. Every year after the rain , we will be begging the local government to come and grade the

Thugs kill 29-yr-old in Kaduna, for splashing water on them Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

Some thugs in Television area of Kaduna metropolis, on Tuesday, killed 29-year-old Nansoh Emmanuel Wardam, for splashing water on them.

Community News gathered that the thugs were smoking Indian hemp and using other hard drugs on Jaba Road when the incident occurred.

It was further learnt that the deceased came from Nassarawa area of Kaduna metropolis to collect money from his friend, Monday, who lives in Television village.

Eyewitness account said as the deceased moved towards the place where the thugs were playing snooker, he mistakenly stepped on a wooden plank that fell into a ditch and splashed water on them.

A mild argument then ensued between the thugs and the deceased after which the thugs stabbed him.

It was further gathered that Wardam was rushed to COCCIN Hospital in Television Area, then to Gwamna Awan Hospital in Nassarawa, and then to Barau Dikko Hospital be-

fore he was finally taken to St. Geralds Hospital where he died.

Four suspects were said to have been arrested in connection with the case and were initially taken to the police post in Television, but they were later taken to the Police Station in Sabon-Tasha because youths of the area threatened to invade the police post in Television and apply the jungle justice on the suspects.

A friend to the deceased’s father, Ishar Iorngulun, who spoke with Community News said Jaba Street in Television Area is notori-

ous for criminal activities and is home to thugs who take hard drugs and other harmful substances.

He noted that since the incident, many revelations had been made about people who have been stabbed, assaulted or beaten by thugs in the area.

The Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Zubairu Abubakar, confirmed the incident. He said four persons had been arrested in connection with the case and that investigation into the matter is on.

roads for us.

“This year’ s case could be worse as the last rainy season left big ditches on almost all many part of the roads and it will be completely impassable, if nothing is done before the next rainy season. “ He called on the caretaker chairman of the local government in the area to deploy the council’ s grader to Alli Isiba and adjoining streets.

Another resident , who simply identified himself as Ifeanyi, said: “the long term solution is for the Ogun State government to properly construct the Alli Isiba road with asphalt.

“There are standard drainage systems in many roads in Alli Isiba . It is just left for the state government to construct the road once and for all and save us from the regular grading. “ Another resident, Niyi claimed that “the last time that this road was graded, it took the commitment of the Community Development Association. Members were mandated to contribute money for the exercise.

He alleged that “even when we had to sandfill the bad portions, the local government could not release a grader for us to grade the road so that it can last the more. We had to hire a grade for that purpose for the state government to construct it once and for all and save us from the regular grading.”

44

foreig naffairs

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

foreign affairs withseyigesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Islamic State threatens to destroy Saudi prisons after executions

I

slamic State threatened to destroy Saudi Arabian prisons holding jihadists after Riyadh’s execution of 47 people including 43 convicted al Qaeda militants, Reuters

Sid, the ISIS masked man

reported.

The militant group, which has claimed responsibility for attacks in the kingdom and stepped up operations in neighboring Yemen, singled out the al-Ha’ir

has also cut ties with Iran and Kuwait has recalled its envoy to Iran.

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh

Fresh sex abuse charges against UN forces in CAR The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic has said that it was investigating new allegations of sexual abuse of minors by peacekeepers in the conflict-torn African nation.

Last month, Reuters said an independent review panel accused the United Nations and its agencies of grossly mishandling allegations of child sexual abuse in 2013 and 2014 by international peacekeepers in the Central African Republic.

ways seeks to free prisoners, but we calculate that the ending of the issues of prisoners will not happen except with the eradica-

tion of the rule of tyrants, and then destroying their prisons and razing them to the ground,” it said in an article posted online on

Tuesday.

An Islamic State supporter killed himself in a car bomb at a checkpoint outside Ha’ir prison near Riyadh in July.

The masked man in an Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) video showing the killing of five men accused of being Western spies is believed to be a Londoner known as “Sid” who was associated with hard-line groups, Al Jazeera said.

Siddhartha Dhar - who left Britain for Syria while on

police bail after his arrest on suspicion of belonging to a banned group and encouraging terrorism - has been identified by UK media as the spokesman in ISIL’s latest death film.

The video also featured a young boy wearing a black bandanna around his head and camouflage clothing,

threatening in English to “kill the kaffir [unbelievers] over there”.

Sunday Dare, a Londoner of Nigerian origin, identified the child as his fouryear-old grandson, Isa. Dare told British media his daughter - who grew up a devout Christian named Grace before converting

to Islam and changing her name to Khadijah - had taken London-born Isa to Syria with her to join ISIL. The latest execution video revived memories of “Jihadi John”, another British ISIL member who appeared in several videos in which hostages were killed.”

UNITED Nation has condemned the purported North Korea’s test of its hydrogen bomb.

This position it took on Wednesday when the United Nations Security Council summoned a closed-door meeting which started at 11 a.m.

ET on the H-bomb test at the request of the United States and Japan.

CNN said whether or not it’s true, North Korea’s claim which Kim hinted was coming a few weeks ago got the world’s attention. And that may be Pyongyang’s main aim.

Past U.N. resolutions have included arms, nonproliferation and even luxury good embargoes, a freeze on overseas financial assets and a travel ban. None of these have stopped North Korea from continuing its nuclear programme.

North Korea had said earlier on Wednesday it successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear bomb on Wednesday, prompting scepticism among experts and offi-

cials who doubt Pyongyang has achieved such a major advance in its strike capability.

The test, the fourth time the isolated state has exploded a nuclear device, was ordered by leader Kim Jong Un and successfully conducted at 10:00 a.m. local time (0130 GMT), North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said.

“Let the world look up to the strong, self-reliant nuclear-armed state,” Kim

wrote in what North Korean state TV displayed as a handwritten note.

South Korean intelligence officials and several analysts questioned whether Wednesday’s explosion was a test of a full-fledged hydrogen device, pointing to the fact that it was roughly as powerful as North Korea’s last atomic test in 2013.

But the development unnerved South Korea and Japan and drew international criticism, including from

China and Russia, North Korea’s two main allies.

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon condemned North Korea’s action, calling it “profoundly destabilising for regional security”, while U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said it “looks like a provocation”.

No countries were given advance warning of a nuclear test, South Korea’s intelligence service said, according to lawmakers briefed by intelligence officials.

...Masked man allegedly a Briton named Sid

otherNEWS UN condemns N/Korea’s hydrogen bomb test

Djibouti cuts ties with Iran Djibouti cut its diplomatic relations with Iran on Wednesday, Saudi-owned al-Arabiya news channel said, quoting an official source.

Saudi Arabia severed its own ties with Shi’te Iran on Sunday after protesters stormed its embassy in Tehran in an escalating row between the rival Middle East powers over Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric.

Fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member Bahrain

and Tarfiya prisons where many al Qaeda and Islamic State supporters have been detained.

“The Islamic State al-

While those allegations did not involve U.N. troops or police wearing blue helmets or berets, charges later emerged of misconduct

by U.N. peacekeepers in Central African Republic (CAR).

The mission in CAR, known as MINUSCA, said in a statement it was “investigating fresh allegations concerning both sexual exploitation and abuse and other misconduct by U.N. Peacekeepers and international forces in Bangui.”

UN peacekeepers take a break as they patrol along a street during the presidential election in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic. REUTERS.

1

2

1. North Korea, on Wednesday, claimed it had conducted a “successful” hydrogen bomb test that triggered a 5.1 magnitude earthquake when it exploded at 10am local time, as seen in this picture shown on South Korean TV. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES. 2. North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un is photographed here signing the order to conduct the hydrogen bomb test. PHOTO: EPA.

3 British MPs quit in protest over ‘dishonest’ cabinet reshuffle Three junior shadow ministers have resigned in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s reshuffle, in which two frontbenchers were sacked for disloyalty and a third was moved to clear the way for Labour to oppose the renewal of Trident nuclear weapons, the Guardian reported.

Jonathan Reynolds and Stephen Doughty stepped down from their roles after Pat McFadden was removed

as shadow Europe minister for “serial disloyalty”,

including what was seen as a coded attack on Corbyn’s

response to the Paris terror attacks.

From left, retired British MPs, Kevan Jones, Jonathan Reynolds and Stephen Doughty.

PHOTO: THE GUARDIAN.

45

Thursday, 7 January, 2016

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Abuja 2016 ITF Junior Circuit:

The Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung (middle), during his condolence visit to the NFF secretariat in Abuja, on Wednesday, following the murder of Ibrahim Abubakar.

Eva Carneiro drags Chelsea to tribunal

Nigeria to drop 16 players SIXTEEN of the 39 players in the Nigeria camp for the 2016 ITF/ West & Central Africa Junior Circuit which will hold from January 9 to 17 in Abuja will be dropped tomorow leaving the team with the final 24 players that will represent the country in the 12-nation tournament.

Nigeria junior tennis head coach, Mohammed Ubale informed that South Africabased Adetayo Adetunji will be joining the team on Thursday (today) as the host nation tightens preparations for the tournament it has won its last two editions; Abuja 2014 and Lome 2015.

“It has been a very competitive camping exercise as all the players showed determination to make the fine list.

Those who were invited for the first time gave a good account of themselves because they realised that the AJC is a huge platform to launch their tennis career,” he said.

Meanwhile, Angel McLeod, who is one of Nigeria’s medal hopeful, will be given a twoday break (Thursday and Friday) to attend the burial of her mum in Anambra State.

“Angel has really been on top of her game and we are very much delighted with her performance. She knows that it is what her mum wants her to do; to play professional tennis. Hopefully, after the AJC, she will move to the ITF Training Centre in Morocco to further her playing career,” Ubale added.

The LOC disclosed that Senegal and Gabon are scheduled to arrive in the country today, while Ghana, Togo, Cameroun, Sierra Leone are due to arrive tomorrow.

Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Mali, Benin, Liberia are the other teams that will be featuring in the tournament which is in three categories - 12&Under, 14&Under and 16&Under.

The man Africa Junior Circuit is billed for Pretoria, South Africa from March 8 to 17, 2016.

NFF top staff, Abubakar shot dead A sad loss to sports family —Dalung

Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation’s Head of Protocol, Ibrahim Abubakar, was in the early hours of Wednesday shot dead by gunmen.

The deceased, Tribunesport learnt, was shot in the head about 4.00am in his house Oluwunmi Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja. However, the killers were said not to have taken any of his belongings away from the house.

When Tribunesport visited the Glass House secretariat of the NFF, staff and visitors wore mournful looks and were seen in groups discussing the sad development.

NFF officials led by the General-Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, accompanied the body of the late Ibrahim, from the National Hospital, Abuja, to his hometown, Kaduna, where his remains were interred at some minutes after 12 noon.

Other NFF officials at the burial included Ademola Olajire (Assistant Director, Communications); Tunde Aderibigbe (SA to President); Dr Christian Emeru-

wa (SA to GS); Okey Obi (Chief Legal Officer); Dr Robinson Okosun; Nasiru Jibril (PA to President); Enebi Achor; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi; Paul Okwudolor; Joshua Onoja; Aliyu Ibrahim and Magaji Abdullahi.

The delegation met with the parents of the late Ibrahim and offered prayers for the repose of his soul.

There were also former NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Kaduna State FA chairman, Abdulkadir Magaji, former Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) president, Ahmed Muade and former Super Eagles’ captain, Garba Lawal.

A traumatised Sanusi while reacting to the death of Abubakar expressed shock at the unfortunate incident.

“He was full of life when he left the office yesterday (Tuesday); the Federation has lost a dedicated and assiduous staff. This is so painful,” Sanusi told thenff.com.

‘Ibro’ as he was fondly called, joined the NFF in 2007, and he is survived by a wife, three sons and aged parents.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon

Dalung, also on Wednesday afternoon paid a condolence visit to the secretariat of the NFF following the demise of Abubakar.

Dalung, who was in the company of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Christian Ohaa and other top officers of his entourage, was received by the Deputy General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme at the Glass House.

“It is really a sad loss, not just for the NFF, but for the entire sports family. This sad occurrence has again brought to the fore the need for adequate security in the country; a situation where we all live in fear of the unknown is worrisome,” he

stated.

Dalung later signed the condolence register in honour of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Wilson Inalegwu, has vowed that the police would fish out the killers of the deceased.

According to a statement made available to Tribunesport by NFF Deputy Director (Communication), Olajire, the commissioner, who arrived at the house at 8.20am and inspected the scene of the incident and the environment, said the police would do everything to nab those who committed the crime.

FORMER Chelsea team doctor, Eva Carneiro attended a tribunal hearing on Wednesday regarding her constructive dismissal case against the club.

Wearing a long, grey coat and holding hands with her husband, Carneiro made no comment to the media as she arrived for the preliminary hearing flanked by her legal team in Croydon, south London.

After the three-hour hearing, held in private at London South Employment Tribunal, Carneiro’s lawyer Mary O’Rourke told reporters that a date had been set for the next hearing, but did not reveal when.

Carneiro, 42, left Chelsea last September after being removed from first-team duties by manager Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by the Premier League champions last month.

The Portuguese tactician had rebuked her and physiotherapist, Jon Fearn for running onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during his side’s 2-2 draw with Swansea City on the season’s opening day, which temporarily left Chelsea with nine men.

Mourinho called Carneiro and Fearn “impulsive and naive”, but the Premier League Doctors’ Group said failure to treat Hazard would have been a breach of their care of duty.

Reports suggest a full hearing could take place in May or June, but the parties may agree to a settlement before the case is heard.

Pre-CHAN friendly: Eagles, Angola settle for 1-1 draw PALANCAS Negras of Angola on Wednesday forced Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team to a 1-1 draw in warmup match in Pretoria, South Africa, ahead of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

An 84th minute penalty goal by Ikechukwu Ibenegbu gave Nigeria the lead.

Ibrahim Salawu was fouled inside the box and ‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu

stepped forward to convert the penalty.

Midfield trojan Paul Onobi was an early substitute in the game as he sustained a knock in the 35th minute and was replaced by Usman Mohammed.

Angola later missed a penalty just before half time.

However, Angola drew level with a header off a corner kick two minutes from time.

Both teams used this keenly contested match to prepare for the 2016 CHAN, which begins in Kigali, Rwanda, on January 16.

Angola ought to have taken the lead in the 45th minute, but they lost a penalty awarded them.

Goalkeeper Okiemute Odah made a big save to deny the Angolans a goal 10 minutes later.

46

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OBINYAN SET TO GLADENS STAKERS HEARTS AGAIN IN 2016 The doyen of pool compilation and computation in Africa and Chairman Managing Director of King and George of forecast papers. Prince Willy Ehi Obinyan during our visit to his Lagos office he promised good winnings to stakers despite any shock draws played. He therefore implored stakers to study his fortune papers very well most especially the late News for confirmed winning where hidden draws were unveiled. The papers are Pools Telegraph, Zeters Pool Guild, Shoot Pointers, Murphy Sport, the New Dream and Final Result.

OLA – CITY F.A. CUP 3 DRAWS FOR WEEK 26 SURE OF GETTING 3 CUP DRAWS CORRECT PAIR 4XXX 5XXX 4XX OR 5XX PHONE 08140575314, 08085005634

The compiler of Ola – City Inter and Sir Waddy Naps master of F.A. Cup draws assures stakers of his 3 F.A. Cup draws for this week 26 cost N10,000 cash which will surely get 3 draws correct as predicted on Saturday. Pay your N10,000 cash to First Bank plc in the name of OLAFENWA R. OLA – CITY, Account Number: 3033318854 and collect the 3 Cup draws on phone after confirmation of your payment only those who paid for 3 cup draws will be eligible to received the release today. Phone : 08140575314, 08085005634.

MR. SOLUTION (SILENT LEADER) 08072974729 NEW YEAR WIN – 14X 40XXX= 18X BY NO.

Winning- Key= Hearts & Co Away 49.

2 weeks winning sensations - in wks 16 & 25 Week. 16 – 14x 18x 40xxx Week 25 – 14x 18x 40xxx Congratulations if you are regular reader of my column. We made our proves transparent to clean your doubts Our week 26 3rd round cup will be the greatest happening to all our clients staking carrier. Please be warned: - Invest with credible Promoters with robust finance Pools winning, when fully paid execute good projects. Get solution to your 2016 projected schedules/plans.

Mr Solution – N50, 000 – contact fee. Welcome & Goodluck.

F.A CUP. NEW CURRENT INFORMATION KEY = 09038633666

WK 25 NO 37. 40X WK 26 NO ASTON. V. NO 31X BOLTON. 10.

KEY EVERY WK 26 BLUE BANK BOLTON TO DARW WK 26 NO 10. 10.

PLUS 4 OTHERS COST N10, 000.

WK 24. BANKER. ASTON V. NO 1X 12X 13X 35X= 4/4 Wk22 blue = stoke No 10x 12x 14x 15x with 30x 31x Wk 23 RED NO 18X 27X 32X 33X= N6000 Wk 24 PURPLE NO 1X 12X 13X 35X= N10, 000 Wk 26 BLUE NO CUP CUP CUP CUP= N10, 000 WITH 10. 31.

Key every week 22 blue. Bank stoke to draw wk 22 No 10.10.10 plus. 3.

Others cost N6,000 to draw every wk 23 RED bank no 18. 32. To draw Wk 32 No 18.32 plus 3. Others wk 23 No 18.32. plus. 3. Others cost N6,000 TWO. BANKERS N5000. WK 24 NO 13X 35X PAIR 1X 2X TWO. BANKERS WK 26 NO NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP. KEY EVERY F.A. CUP WEEKS BANK ASTON V. AT AWAY TO DRAW NO 31. PLUS 3. OTHERS COST N10,000 WK 17. CUP 1 NO KEY ASTON V. 2X 10X 19X 23X WITH 12X 13X WK 21. CUP 2 NO KEY ASTON V. 6X 10X 27X 31X WITH 46X 47F WK 26 CUP 3 NO KEY. 31. CUP CUP CUP WITH. CUP. CUP. Hurry up to bet your copy to pay= 09038633666.

CLIMATE CHANGE ENCOURAGE PUNTERS AS TRIPLE SPICE OFFERS 18 – 33 (08035324990) Our last week welcome gift of 4- 12 supplied a draw to herald the trio of tony green, gordon banks and rogers hunt, the three wise men who decide the fate of postponed matches as away, home or draw. We expected more matches to be postponed and panelled, but only 2 were postponed from which No 40 was given a panel draw. Climate change at work?

This week again, barring all odds, we heartily give Nos 18 & 33 for another sure draw. Add them to our 1BK and get your 2/3.

Our 1BK still sells for N1,500.00, 2 draws cost N3,000.00, and 3 draws sell for N10,000.00 this week on 08035324990. Be a winner!

HOPE NAPS & CO – 08107128449 CUP! CUP!! CUP!!! (Pair 32 x 14) pair 32 x 14)

Hope Assures Fans & Stakers on Cup 3 with 3 Draws without fear. Call Hope Nap & Co or pay into First Bank PLC, Account No: 3088328923 and collect your 3 draws on phone where your payment are confirm cup draws cost just N10,000. Bank on 32 x 14 pair it is must. Best favour cup from Hope Naps & co. Thanks. God bless. Call - 08107128449.

DR. PROMISE WELCOMES ALL 08052207802. PAIR 21, 22

The paymaster and Nigerians foremost pools compiler, Dr M.M Promise is welcoming all stakers to year 2016 with 3 accurate direct nap draws in weeks 26, 27, 28, cost only N20,000 cash weekly, payable at UBA to Dr. Maxwell promise, accts No 1993610591. You are welcome phone 088052207802.

COMPILERS TO TAKE NOTE SUBMISSION OF WRITE UP DEADLINE IS MONDAY ONLY. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO ADVERTS (EDITOR)

DR.JACKSON AGAIN– 08156829811(14xx30) CUP CUP CUP = 1, 2, 3. = Third Cup. Congrats its now 3rd round full fixtures with confirmed winning sequence from our overseas cup managers on fixed matches congrats and win with us 3 direct draws cost N25, 000 = and a free pair! Welcome Sir. Our recent winning strenght/contact enriched many. Welcome.

SINBAD NAPS – 07083993858.

08x 39x 37xx – 2 draws.

Winning continues at Sinbad with above games and other 2 fixed draws for your 2 away Naps. Cup sure win. Call for details now.

Good luck.

SHADOW–4 PAIR 10 08087670776

The master will always remain the master of them all. Try the master 3 gazzetted Nap draws and a pair this week 26 with only N5,000 MTN recharge card and be among the 2016 lucky winners, that is the true.

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM 31.32.

09038460009= 13 NAP 27 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 22 NO 12X 13X 21X 30X WITH 14X 15X 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 24 NO 11X 12X 13X 32X 35X WITH 11F 12X 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 26 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP= N6, 000 Two Bankers N3000 Wk 22 NO 10X 12X PAIR 14X 15X Two Bankers N3000 Wk 24 NO 35X 47X PAIR 12X 13X Two Bankers N3000 Wk 26 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP Time to win pool this wk 25 Sunderland system 4 special draws this wk 25 play 4/4 correct hurry to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 wk 22 NO 10X 12X PAIR 14X 15X. 4 Bankers wk 24 12X 13X 32X 35X Send MTN Card 09038460009.

LOVE NAP –

08071066293 3-24-26-37-39-49

With love the above games are sure for good winnings to confirm the 3 direct draws Call 08071066293 for details.

Welcome to 2016 free win.

MAGIC KINGDOM – 08056753098/07085060512

3X 4X 5X PAIR 01 AND 07.

The management and staff of magic kingdom wishes all our customers a prosperous 2016 with the above New Year Nap. This is a new key for 4 weeks operation. Naps in weeks 27, 28 and 29.

Pay in favour of Balogun Adesina Kamomu, FCM Bank no 0279550010, Wema Bank no 0206965116 or G.T. Bank A/C No 0115505082.

Call 08056753098 or 07085060512. For details. Goodluck

AKANDE NAP – 27 XX 33

08025572554

Akande set to enrich stakers in week 27, 28 and 29 to break his long silence and to welcome all his fans/clients to a prosperous New year 2016.

WATCH OUT.

ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE —MANAGEMENT/EDITOR

47

tribunepools

PROFF INNOVATION –07069009601

14X 27X 28X 31X 39X XXX HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS/CLIENTS. Congratulations to you all, probably the New Year merriments gave us a low patronage from our 3 weeks fixed win scheduled for weeks 25, 26 and 27. Pre cup – cup – after cup. The above games is given out free for all our regular and new intending registered clients to prove all critics wrong. Please all interested clients on my 3 fixed draws from the above Nap are to pay N10,000 = I know what am saying, I mean unregretable N10,000. But the free permutation win is absolutely FREE. Good luck - till next week N100,000 = cost.

AKANDE NAP – 27 XX 33

08025572554

Akande set to enrich stakers in week 27, 28 and 29 to break his long silence and to welcome all his fans/clients to a prosperous New year 2016. WATCH OUT.

EMIRATES FLY TO 2016 = 08087104491

Congrats, all passengers on board to 2016 with Emirate had a successful safe landing trips. LEICESTER, BURNLEY and STEVENAGE = 04X 14X 44X. At Emirates in 2016 we regret to inform you that we may not be on board weekly again due to aviation fuel scarcity cum our Experts – advices. So you are welcome to our special 3rd round Cup Naps – N25,000 = Lets celebrates with January bumper win.

MANCITY SYSTEM F. A. CUP SYSTEM C 08135888720= 33 NAP 35

WK 16 CUP 3 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP. WIOTH 33. 35 WK 27. RED NO NAP NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP. Two Bankers N3000 Wk 23 NO 10X 20X PAIR 8X 9F Two Bankers N3000 Wk 24 No No 1x 3x PAIR 12x 32x 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 23 NO 10X 20X 27X 33X 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 24 No 1x 2x 3x 12x 32x.

Stakers try to get MANCITY. 4 SPECIAL Draws this 26 Cup cost N6, 000 two Bankers Wk 26 cost N3000 we set for 4 wks operations Wk 24 No NAP NAP NAP NAP. Two Bankers wk 26 BLUE Cup 3 No Cup Cup Cup Cup with 33. 35 send MTN to 09038633666= 08135888720.

SIR MICHAEL NAP (9 PAIR 32) 08130011263 Congratulation to all those that got last week release as they all won with 4xx, 14xx, 16xx 3/3. No pair though 4xx, was given out free.

Meanwhile another 3/3 this week cost N15,000.00. Call for acct no or mode of payment.

LAWRENCE NAP – 09050512097

For week 27. 27CBK I command Coupon No 27 to draw on Saturday against Next week release. Call 09050512097.

MALLAM BAWA MUSA ASSURED STAKERS 08052506287. Hot 9, 10

I am assuring each and every staker that year 2016 will be a year of multiple winnings and enrichment to all through my Naps. My 3 weeks unstoppable winning operation for weeks 26, 27, 28, can not disappoint you. Cost only N10, 000 cash per week. Payments at Access Bank to Mallam Musa Ibrahim Bawa, accts No. 0042075587. Call 08052506287. Do not miss it.

FORTUNE DONOR DONATES

32/33 (0809111828)

The FA cup Round III fixtures this week gives better and promising prospect as both premiership and championship leagues were featured. The only conference league team on the card is Eastleight on No 10. Lets watch how it will hold Bolton. Add Nos 32/33 and probably yet your 2/3. But our sure and unfailing BK this week cost N1500, 2 draws cost N3000 and 3 bankers sell for only N10000 on 08099111828. Join the winning team.

WEEK 26 STATUS (CUP)

EKO – 31 LKO – 17 and 36 SUNDAY – 5, 6, 7, 23, 27, 40, 44 VOID – 42.

PLEIAD DE MAXWELL – 09099968585 45 – 47 – 46 – 48 – 49.

DRAWS ARE LIKELY IN SKYBET LEAGUE ONE AND TWO S vs S to C vs C. Swindon and Southend to Crawley and Cambridge U is the sequence to our Skybet League one and two draws formation. We are having full cup fixture and teams this week so all punters must beware of sweet teams.

Not all that glitter are gold. Watch the 4 premiership on number 27 and 28 = Tottenham/Leicester and Watford/Newcastle while Peterboro trailing Preston for likely draws. Call De Maxwell draws Clinic for your sure win. Token Involved = Welcome.

AMUKO & ASSOCIATES – 07014686970

CUP! CUP!! CUP!!! 3RD ROUND WE ONLY OPERATES IN CUP WEEKS. NO COMPROMISE. Another winning week at Amuko and Associates. THE CUP MANAGER AT IT AGAIN 2ND round winning sequence was on BOLTON BRIGHTON WINNING MOVEMENT. 1ST and 2nd Cup winning teams & Numbers Week 17 (1st cup) – 10x 19x 38xxx – PARTICK Week 21 (2nd cup) – 06x 22x 41xxx – PARTICK Week 26 (3rd cup) – x x x - x x The above previous performances was designed for 1st & 2nd cup – winning confirmation.

3rd round real win is extracted from 2015/2016 cup diary.

Regulars – N100,000 – NEW – N70,000 NOTE : WE ONLY SPEAK CUP LANGUAGE. Till next cup round 4. Till then CONGRATULATIONS TO 2016.

NAZAR MASTER ASSURES STAKERS OF BETTER DEAL IN 2016 The leading pools company in Oyo State and environs, NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan has unfolded its plan for 2016 with mouth – watering incentives and dividend pay out on top of the agenda.

The company disclosed this in a statement made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week.

According to the pools company, “we have put in place huge dividend payout on our Treble Chance odd shall be fully paid. Other incentives are in place for all stakeholders in the pools industry who are doing business with us. Therefore, stakers should continue to bet on our odds during the new year. WE APPRECIATES YOU ALL.

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL 08092621480 WK 26 = 2 CBK, 14 CBK + OTHERS

Just like we did last week by releasing two bankers, which played one , we are dolling out another two bankers which must play this week. Take it or leave it, the two games above have been decided as draws by the pools panel. Any interested staker waiting to have the full package can call me on 08092621480 for us to discuss on the mode of payment which involves a token. This information is a top secret in the United Kingdom, but it was released to us due to our top priority agreement with the pools panel and Bookmakers. I want everybody to win pools starting from this week. Coupon Nos 2 and 14 are registered draws this week 26 and others fixed draws. Don’t miss this opportunity.

AKIN MR AKIN – 07067202291

CONGRATULATIONS NO 40X! NO 40XX!! NO 40XXX.

Panel or no panel Number 40 drew (1-1) NEWPORT and HARTLEPOOL Last week was confirmed as a score draw and our free pair of 48 and 49x recorded a success. Last week we sent message to all our cherished clients that from our Experts Desk in England we were assured that if to 40 drew our 3 draws this week is directed on fixed matches No pair.

But due to our advert rules we gave out free pairs on 27 and 28 xxx – N75,000 = for assured 3 fixed matches.

Welcome and win. Enough losing. Keep the smile on. Good luck.

IKECHUKWU OUTWITTED PROMOTERS

TO 2016 = ON ANNUAL WK 25 NAPS (BEST COMPILER IN 2015) Week 25 ‘2014 – 01x 15x 32xx 29x 48 Week 25 ‘2015 – 05x 18x 40x 29x 48x Week 25 ‘ 2016 – 04x 16x 44x 29x 48f.

WIN AGAIN ON 2011 and 2016 WINNING ADVICE. PLEASE READAND WIN WITH YOUR 2010/11 and 2015/16 RECORDS with you.

KEY GAME = MIDDLESBRO AWAY 11.= PROMOTER - CRUX The 3rd week must ‘MUST’ ‘MUST’ be cup week to confirm the 3 fixed matches as draws. Reference to week 26 ‘2011 and WK. 28 ‘ 2011(CUP) and week 24 ‘ 2015/ 16 and week 26 2016 (CUP) Game under middlesbro to meet Hull in the advance cup week to draw. In 2011 week 26 game under middlesbro was QPR and QPR met Hull on No 13 in week 28 cup week as fixed draw = 13xxxx Now in week 26 game under middlesbro Brighton to meet Hull in cup week 26 a registered draw HULL must BRIGHTON = 14xxx Enough stories = pay N50, 000 and win – 5 MILLION on SATURDAY

ADEOTI SYNDICATE – 07051327960 ST. MIREN – PARTICK (42X) 1 – 1 HEARTS – ABERDEEN (36X) 1 – 1

Last week (25) was the week i promised to give all member their gift, but i postponed it to this week 26 F.A. cup round 3, because GLO Company blocked my line last week Thursday. As i have week 26 F.A. cup 3rd and week 27 a week after cup round 3rd is general release cost N10,000 cash and pay your money to Ahmed Shafiri, A/c No: 2001788431, Zenith Bank Ibadan. And all those who want to be a member should send money N25,000 cash to the account. Week 26 F.A. cup banker pair ST. MIREN – PARTICK (42X) 1 – 1 HEARTS – ABERDEEN (36X) 1 – 1.

Congratulation in Advance. You have been blessed by the Almighty God. Thank. Good luck to you all.

MR CYRILS REMAINS RELIABLE IN 2016 08154836338 (AWARD WINNER) 27 MUST 28 TOTTENHAM ON WATFORD AT HOME WINNING PROJECT AGAIN = 3 WEEKS WIN Week = 5 - 13x 26x 39xxx – 8x9 Week = 26 – x x x – 27x28 Did you release that pools winning is no longer on mere forecast or pairing with compilers without a reliable source of information, in order to be sure of good winning in any week of our sure release, we are partnership with associated compilers with confirmed source Pools Panels approval.

The above key/pointer teams Tottenham on Watford is scheduled for 3 week Nap reference to weeks – 5,6 and 7 – 2015 and week – 26,27,28 – 2016, winner celebrates. Children school fees and other projects is considered paid and executed. Starting fee – N35,000 = now.

No excuse for a missed week.

SOLOMON RESORT (09091111800)

Winning Assurance at the Wise’s place Home team no 1 and 49 (same alphabets) ARSENAL HOME NO 1 – ALDERSHOT HOME 49 confirmed another super win as we did in week 8 of 9 draws.

Week 9 – B and B on Nos 1 & 49.

Week 26 – A and A on Nos 1 & 49.

Week 8 – 08x 21x 36x 45xxx 4/4.

Week 26 – X X X X – 4/4.

Join the wise Solomon of our time in a repeated winning assurance on our Newest Experts directives. Please don’t miss this golden opportunity, cup or no cup, draw is draw.

9 draws in week 8 and full odd in week 26 = cost N35,000 considered price for new members.

TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE WINNERS CHOICE. GET A COPY TODAY

Thursday, 7- 13 January 2016

MODUPE –

08033566694

14X 29X 44X NAP = 49X = 4/4

8X 27X 48X — 2 DRS

Congrats my New Year gift to all my esteem customers & callers put them to the next level. All my callers were advised to perm with No 49x that gave them 4/4. Now for your cup win Nos – 8, 27 and 48 are sure for 2. Call me for your special cup Naps details. Good luck.

MID - WEEK ENCOURAGES PUNTERS TO REMAIN STEADY ON 8 - 19 (08087176217) There was a disappointment galore last week as only few Punters retrieved part of their investment with some winnings but hard time don’t last.

We focus our attention on this week F.A Cup fixtures which involve the premiership and championship teams. From them we pick duo of Nos 8 and 19 for one sure draw on Saturday. Use them well and add them to our 1bk draw for sure dividend.

Our 1bk costs N1,500.00, 2 draws sell for N3,000.00 and 3 good draws cost N10,000.00 this week on 08087176217. You have won?

OLOYODE SUPER NAP WITH CUP KEY.

-08103244128 PAIR (46X48)

I have 3 genuine Nap draws with the complete controlling key for every cup week to play 3 automatic chain draws. Wk. 21 cup = 29x, 30x, 31x. wk. 26 cup will cost only N15, 000 cash for both Nap and key.

Seeing is believing!!! Pay at any GT Bank to MR. Oloyode Ibrahim Olamide, accts No 0154084537. Tel: 08103244128 or 08144047577.

CHAMPION NEW YEAR WINNINGS CONTD. 08069759520.

35 MUST 33

Week 25 – 16x 31x 44xxx.

Dumbarton and Dunfermline.

D and D a must in annual 3rd round cup and other 3 fixed matches Join the winners and win again from our Newest source of winnings cost – N20, 000 = Good luck.

022 CODE – 2 PAIR 3 08059580326

With God all things are possible, also with 022 code coupon is very easy to win, therefore if you want to become a millionaire, patronize 022 code nap of 3 draws and 1 hot pair this week 26. Cost N10,000 cash.

Your life will change from poor to rich if you buy my game this week 26. Call for my bank account number for payment.

F. A CUP 4MEMMBERS. 4 BANKERS 08162705220. 13 NAP 39

4 BANKERS N5000 WK 17. CUP 1 NO 11X 12X 34X 35X= N5000 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 26 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP= N5000 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 20= 2015 NO 11X 13X 20X 30X= 4/4 Stakers try to get 4 members 4.

This wk 26 cost N5000 wk 20 No 11x 13x 20x 30x wk 26 No Cup Cup Cup Cup with Cup Cup SEND. MTN Card.

JOHN SUPER TIPS – 08160052969 14 X 21 X 27 Readers, now John Super is back to business i have No Gold or Silver to give , but draws is my food just Nap above 3 draws against next week release cost N25, 000 cash. Call 08160052969.

CHARITY NAP –

08054325929 (26 HOT 14)

Ladies and gentlemen, our last week free banker did not draw Westham vs Liverpool. It’s failure leads us to the promised land of draws. Be sure that fixed draws are always sure bet. This week take it or leave it our games are SURE BET. This week with, 26 Hook 14 as strong pair for the Nap. Compensation awaits last week buyer., While interested stakers should call – 08054325929 for token. Good luck.

AUSTINE CHUKWU – 08054462577 16X 22X 27XXX PAIR 32X 45X

Congratulations and happy New Year. This is what i have for all my friends for the New Year.

Please i implore you all to play in very well against my weeks 27, 28 and 29 special releases - cost N25,000 - Goodluck.

EDITOR’S

PLACE

27 x 28

FAITHFUL INTERVENTION – 07082899957 09XX10. BLUE – BLUE – BLUE

ABC settings in blue colored coupon always scheduled/programmed to produce 3 sure draws with references.

Week 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26.

Week 6 = 23x 24x 25 = 5x 18x 43xxx NAP Week 10 = 32x 33x 34 = 3x 15x 45xxx NAP Week 14 = 43x 44x 45x = 6x 17x 49xxx NAP Week 18 = 13x 14x 15x = 4x 10x 46xxx NAP Week 22 = 36x 37x 38x = 7x 13x 40xxx NAP Week 26 = 46x 47x 48x = X X X = NAP Free pair in all blue colored coupon is the 2 dates of play.

NOTE: Faithful Intervention Nap is directed and controlled by Foreign London based Experts.

“Adequate information is always the difference between failure and success”. Be a winner – N50, 000. Let’s boost your finance in 2016.

HOPE NAPS & CO – 08107128449 CUP! CUP!! CUP!!! (Pair 32 x 14) pair 32 x 14)

Hope Assures Fans & Stakers on Cup 3 with 3 Draws without fear. Call Hope Nap & Co or pay into First Bank PLC, Account No: 3088328923 and collect your 3 draws on phone where your payment are confirm cup draws cost just N10,000. Bank on 32 x 14 pair it is must. Best favour cup from Hope Naps & co. Thanks. God bless. Call - 08107128449.

NJOROGE MR. ASSURANCE = 08177474535 (10XX33)

EASTILEIGH MUST BOLTON = E =5 – B = 2 = 5X2 = 10XXX. TOTTENHAM MUST LEICESTER = T = 20 – L=12 = A = 1 = 33XXX 2015 – ARITHMETICAL NAP is to put promoters on their toes. Number 10 and 33 is crystal clear for your 3rd round cup. Did you realised that for a while now in every week 26 = BOLTON always recorded a draw but 3rd cup is here. At Njoroge in 2016 your winning is our PRIDE. 3rd cup NAP IS A MUST FOR ALL. N25,000 = FREE WIN.

WEEK 25 X RAY

Incredible performance at Modupe Nap = free 3 draws from 10 draws – Sir Michael got his free one banker, while Best Bargain, Dosa, Akin Mr Akin, Triple Spice, Ikechucku, Sunderland, New Current Information and Dr Sanj gave good account of thier research. As promised by our compilers during our Annual meeting to enrich all their esteemed clients. You are now left with no option than browse and win with the outstanding Experts. They all meant well after serving you. Please appreciate them. Wishing you the BEST in 2016.

SIDELINES

NO 16,409

N150

THURSDAY, 7 JANUARY, 2016

“Lawyers have for far too long been unfairly isolated as the sole cause of the delay in the prosecution of cases, there is just so little a Judge or indeed a lawyer can do in certain circumstances”.

T

HE judiciary in Nigeria has come under immense criticism over what many regard as undue delay in the prosecution of corruption cases. In this regard, instances of the inability of the prosecution to either expeditiously conclude corruption cases or secure convictions have been cited as evidence of collusion between the judiciary and lawyers to frustrate the efforts of law enforcement agencies to bring to book those who have corruptly enriched themselves with public funds. The latest personality to make this point is none other than the President, Muhammadu Buhari who utilized the opening ceremony of the 2015 All Nigeria Judges Conference to lament the delay in the judicial process. Speaking through the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN who represented him at the occasion, the President is reported to have stated as follows amongst others: “Further on point of negative perception, there is both local and international dissatisfaction with the long delays in the trial process. In the past few years, this has become especially so for high-profile cases of corruption, especially where they involve serving or former political office holders.

“As my lords are undoubtedly aware, corruption transfers from public coffers to private pockets, resources required to deliver social and economic justice.

“Government’s attempts to recover such assets in accordance with the law are often faced with dilatory tactics by lawyers sometimes with the apparent collusion of judges.

“Delay in judicial processes has cost our economy dearly in terms of much needed investment, as investors prefer other jurisdictions where the progress of court cases is such more predictable and in accordance with the rule of law. Being able to reverse this trend is largely dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of a justice system.”

At the same occasion, the Chief Justice of the Federation perhaps in reaction to the negative comments made about the

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

A Nigerian, Mr Sunday Henry Dare, according to media reports, identified a boy in military outfit with AK-47 rifle in a recent ISIS video as his grandson. Perhaps, as Nigerians continue to break grounds in different fields, has four-year-old Isa’s case not diminished Nigeria’s positive image before the whole world?

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

Justice: Loss of public confidence Lawyers alone not to blame judiciary highlighted the fact that the low performance of the judiciary should be blamed on underfunding. He stated as follows: “The constitution prescribes the institutional independence of the judiciary under Section 6 of its provisions. Sections 121 (3) and 162 (9) further guarantee fiscal independence for the judiciary, a fact now acknowledged by the other arms of Government with recent resolutions by the Federal and some State Governments to pay the judiciary its outstanding and future budgetary allocations as and when due.

“However, under the circumstances, the state Judiciaries continue to encounter a further burden of facing difficulties in accessing these paltry funds from their executives in order to function.

“It is this independence that gives credibility to the scales of justice and allows our citizens to rest assured that justice is indeed not for sale.

“For this reason, I call on the heads of other Arms of Government, in the spirit of the cooperation between us, to support the judiciary’s existence and I can assure you that it will flourish and grow” The above comments immediately attracted attention and some sections of the media described it as a ‘blame game’ between the judicial and executives arms of government. However, the Chief Justice of Nigeria obviously tired of the constant attacks on the judiciary again utilised the opportunity of the visit to him by the Attorney General of the Federation to pin the blame on the lack of political will to prosecute high-profile corruption cases.

Again the CJN was reported to have stated as follows:

“Experience within the Judiciary shows that there is abject lack of political will to prosecute some of those cases pending before our various courts almost a decade in some instances.

“It is not because there are no special courts, but mostly for reasons of political expedience and other ancillary considerations.

“I would likewise wish to encourage you (AGF) to display a greater resolve than your predecessors in tackling outstanding cases before the courts. In times past, the Attorney General of the Federation would often lead teams of legal counsel in high profile cases so as to demonstrate the resolve of the government to enshrine the rule of law.

“Sadly, recent Attorneys-General have become less inclined to do this. I would certainly like to see you, as the Attorney General, appear before us especially in cases of important national purport.

“There is the need for seasoned prosecutors to prepare and file charges before courts of competent jurisdiction so that criminal matters are timeously determined.”

I have taken the pains to highlight the positions adopted by the heads of the executive and judicial arms of government so that my discussion of this issue will be placed in proper perspective.

Without a doubt, there is indeed cause to worry over the slow pace of prosecution of not just corruption cases but indeed virtually all cases in Nigerian courts. Experience has shown that cases drag on for years without any meaningful product in terms of verdicts of acquittal or conviction of the accused person. In one particular instance which is often referred to as a

source of embarrassment to the country, a former governor was acquitted of corruption charges by a court in Nigeria only to be convicted of charges brought on the same facts as those filed in Nigeria, by a court in the United Kingdom. In yet another instance, an accused person who had been convicted of embezzlement of billions of Naira in pension funds was sentenced to two year imprisonment with an option of fine of N250,000. Furthermore, a former governor was also convicted and given an option of fine of M3million while his co-accused was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. According to a report titled ‘Justice of impunity’ prepared

by Prof Bolaji Owansanoye, the amount embezzled and in respect of which charges are pending amount to about N1.3trillion.

The cases are said to include that of 15 former governors, 4 former ministers, 5 former law makers and other made up of former federal and state public servants.

Without a doubt these indeed are worrying cases. But is the judiciary alone to blame? Do lawyers also have a share of the blame and to what extent? Is there not a need to also look at other factors including the lack of political will as pointed out by the Chief Justice of the Federation?

Let me state straightway that the Judiciary and Lawyers, although not entirely unworthy of blame have for far too long been unfairly isolated as the sole cause of the delay in the prosecution of cases. As I will discuss in the coming editions, there is just so little a Judge or indeed a lawyer can do in certain circumstances.

To be continued!

Abuja agog for 2015 Glo-CAF Awards gala

By Ganiyu Salman ALL roads lead to the International Conference Centre, Abuja tonight for the 2015 Glo-CAF award gala where the new King of African football will be crowned.

Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure holds the African Player of the Year crown.

The four-time winner, Toure will tonight contend with Borrussia Dortmund’s, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ghanaian and Swansea City’s Andrew Ayew.

Mbwana Aly Samatta of Tanzania and TP Mazembe, Baghdad Bounedjah of Algeria and Etoile du Sahel and Robert Kidiaba of the Democratic Republic of

Congo and TP Mazembe are the top three nominees in the Africa-based ‘Player of the Year’ Award.

Nigerians also vying for honours at the prestigious awards sponsored by Globacom are Emmanuel Amuneke (Coach of the Year), Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets captain which lifted the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Kelechi Nwakali and the Goal King of the U-17 World Cup with 10 goals, Victor Osimhen nominated for the ‘Youth Player of the Year’ award.

Also, Azubuike Okechukwu, who captained the Nigeria U-23 to glory in Senegal and was selected the Most Valuable Player, is nominated for ‘Most Promising Talent’ alongside team-mate Etebo Oghenekaro,

who finished the tournament as top scorer, while Super Falcons’ defender Ngozi Ebere is nominated for the ‘Women Player of the Year’ award.

Nigeria’s Dream Team, which won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal last month, is nominated in the category of ‘National Team of the Year,’ alongside Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets which successfully retained the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile Yaya (left) with Asisat Oshoala during the 2014 edition. last November.

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. 7/1/2016.