7th October 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,343

WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER, 2015

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Army arrests Why I will Boko Haram not join financier

UK wants Alamieyeseigha extradited

politics —P16 —Dangote

•Asks sect members to surrender now

—P16

—P14

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Senate unveils 21 minister-nominees

FULL REPORT ON PAGE 12

—P4,6 •APC leaders, nominees lobby senators •PDP, civil society group, others knock, hail list Rotimi Amaechi Babatunde Fashola Kayode Fayemi Ogbonnaya Onu Chris Ngige Audu Ogbeh Lai Mohammed

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Rivers Lagos Ekiti Ebonyi Anambra Benue Kwara

Abubakar Dambazau Emmanuel Kachikwu Abubakar Malami Solomon Dalong Amina Mohammed Osagie Ehanire Aisha Alhasan

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From left, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Chief Femi Otedola, at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos, on Tuesday.

Kano Delta Kebbi Plateau Kaduna Edo Taraba

Adebayo Shittu Suleiman Adamu Kemi Adeosun Ahmed Isa Ibeto Ibrahim Usman Jubril Hadi Sirika Udoma Uyo Udoma

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Oyo Jigawa Ogun Niger Nasarawa Katsina Akwa Ibom

From left, General Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor S. O. Oladele; President, CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun; Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran; General Evangelist, CAC Worldwide, Prophet S. K. Abiara and General Secretary, CAC Worldwide, Pastor E. E. Mapur, at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos, on Tuesday. PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

9 1. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, presenting letter of condolence to Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. 2. From left, General Seidu Balogun, first military governor, Ogun State; Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, AVM Bayo Lawal, former Military Governor, Benue State and Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran. 3. Pastor Gbadebo Lawal of RCCG Region 12, Ogun State presenting letter of condolence to Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 4. From left, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Com-

modore M.O. Amoda (retd). 5. Mr Anthony Chiejina, Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Dangote Group (left) and Chief Femi Otedola. 6. Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) greeting mother of the Vice President, Mrs Bisi Osinbajo. 7. A cross section of NAWOJ executives members with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 8. A cross section of Unity Ladies Society members from Ogun East Senatorial District with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 9. A cross section of market Women/Men Associaton of Ogun State. 10. A cross section of Remo Rentals Providers members.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

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Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Senate unveils minister-nominees

•To commence screening on Tuesday •We will consider all petitions against nominees—Senate •Akpabio kicks against incomplete list •APC leaders beg Saraki, senators as nominees kick-start lobbying Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

ENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, unveiled the list of 21 ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari. The president, in a letter dated September 30, asked the Senate to screen the list of 21 nominees, in accordance with Section 147(2) of 1999 Constitution. The letter read: “In accordance with Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I have the honour to forward the attached partial list of ministerial nominees for Senate confirmation. The list of the remaining nominees will follow shortly. “It is my hope that this exercise will receive the usual kind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic.” The list included Abubakar Malami (SAN)-Kebbi, Abdulrahman Danbazau-Kano, Senator Jumai Alhassan-Taraba, Alhaji Lai Mohammed-Kwara, Babatunde Fashola-Lagos, Adebayo Shittu-Oyo, Solomon Dalong-Plateau, Senator Chris Nigige- Anambra, Rotimi Amaechi-Rivers, Audu Ogbeh-Benue, Amina Ibrahim-Kaduna, Dr Osagie Ehanire-Edo, Kayode Fayemi-Ekiti. Others were Emmanuel Kachikwu-Delta, Kemi Adeosun-Ogun, Ogbonnaya Onu-Ebonyi, Honourable

Ahmed Musa Ibeto-Niger, Ibrahim Musa Jubrin-Nasarawa, Senator Hadi Sirika-Katsina, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma-Akwa-Ibom and Engr Suleiman Adamu-Jigawa. Saraki read the list, which was submitted to him at 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday last week, upon the resumption of Senate sitting on Tuesday. President Buhari had, in his October 1 speech, said he had forwarded the first batch of ministers to the Senate. The second batch is being expected in a short

while. Speaking to newsmen in the Senate, on Tuesday, Senate spokesperson, Dino Melaye, said the screening would kick off next Tuesday, adding that the lawmakers would ensure a thorough and painstaking process. He told Senate correspondents that the screening would be thorough and diligent in the interest of Nigeria, adding that it would be between Tuesday and Thursday, next week. The Senate spokesperson said: “While we want to expedite action on the

screening and confirmation, we would also exercise diligence. We would ask for their Curriculum Vitae, so that senators would have the ample time to study the resume which would give the senators the opportunity to ask questions.” He, however, stated that the Senate would not summon President Buhari for allocating the Ministry of Petroleum to himself, adding that insinuations that Buhari would be summoned was figment of imagination of some

APC leaders, nominees lobby Saraki, senators LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have flagged off a series of lobbying aimed at softening the grounds for ministerial nominees, whose names were unveiled in the Senate, on Tuesday. It was learnt that Saraki’s

Guest House in the Maitama area of Abuja, had become a Mecca of some sorts, as leaders of the party continued to troop in to plead for favourable screening of some nominees. Senators have also come under intense pressure, as

APC leaders continuously visit to lobby for their nominees. It was gathered that senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also come under intense lobbying from APC leaders. Sources also confirmed

RIVERS State Police Commissioner, Mr Musa Kimo, has warned that the state police command will not allow a planned protest by two opposing groups, scheduled to hold in the state capital. The Rivers police boss, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmad Muhammad, on Tuesday, said the two groups were planning to hold the protests, either in support or against the nomination of a former governor, Rotimi Amaechi for ministerial appointment. “The Rivers State police command has uncovered clandestine moves by two opposing groups to stage a protest in Port Harcourt, purposely to express their

that Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and the presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, who have kept themselves at arm’s length for some time, had reunited, as Enang visited Akpabio’s office in the National Assembly for a peace meeting.

PDP condemns Buhari’s ministerial list JacobSegunOlatunji-Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, condemned the list of President Muhammadu Buhari’s minister-nominees sent to the Senate last week for confirmation as read on the floor of the Senate, on Tuesday by its president, Senator Bukola Saraki. In statement available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday by its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party declared that “by a mere look at the list, one can tell

that there is nothing to be excited about, especially considering the length of time it took the president to come up with it.” According to the party, “looking at the list, it is hard to put a finger on why it should take any serious-minded and focused government, six months after its election to assemble such a regular team.” It said “the list and the length of time it took have further confirmed the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) -led administration is driven by propa-

ganda and deceit; a development that raises doubts on

support or opposition to the ministerial nomination of Amaechi by President Muhammadu Buhari. “Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police, hereby, warns these groups to jettison the plan to stage the protest so as not truncate the existing peaceful co-ex-

istence in the state. “While the command respects the individual’s right of peaceful assembly, it will not tolerate a situation, where such protests will lead to breach of public peace and breakdown of law and order. “The Commissioner of Police enjoins the good people

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, is unimpressed by the ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking to Channels Television shortly after Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki reeled out the names on the list at plenary, Nwaoboshi said

of Rivers State to remain calm, hopeful, confident and trusting in the ability of the command to discharge its constitutional mandate of ensuring public peace and security, as well as upholding democratic rights and rule of law, please,” the statement read.

Financial analysts tip Adeosun as finance minister ANALYSTS in the Nigerian financial sector have tipped Kemi Adeosun, a former investment banker and London-trained accountant, as likely President Muhammadu Buhari’s pick as finance minister. According to a report monitored on Bloomberg, financial analysts, including Bismarck Rewane, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Co,

tipped Adeosun as a likely successor to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Nigeria’s Finance Minister. As far as Rewane and Manji Cheto, vice president of Risk Adviser Teneo Intelligence, were concerned, Adeosun, who was finance commissioner of Ogun State for the past four years, was the most likely candidate to fill the role from a list of cabinet

the sincerity of its anti-corruption crusade.”

We thought Buhari will pick saints —PDP Senator

Police warn against planned protest Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt

people with “inordinate ambition.” He also said the senators would probe into all petitions received against any of the nominees, as according to him, the petitions would form part of the items that would determine senators’ opinion. He stated that all petitions would receive prompt attention. Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, however, queried Buhari’s failure to send the list of 36 minister-nominees at the same time, adding that

nominees President Buhari recently sent to the Senate. “Adeosun has a strong background,” Bloomberg quoted Rewane to have said. He added that, “She has a lot of energy and is high on integrity. She’s pro-reform and is a realist.” Adeosun has degrees in Economics and Public Financial Management from universities in London.

the screening would be thorough. “We have taken so long to have ministers and when the list came out, we found nothing special. These are names known to Nigerians. “We have seen the names. I don’t know what to say, because we were expecting saints,” he said. He added that the era of according special privilege to former senators was over, saying Nigerians were expecting a lot from the screening.

not sending the list at once would deny some states of representation. Akpabio, who spoke on the Senate floor, raised a Constitutional Point of Order, insisting that the president was bound to appoint ministers from the 36 states. He also said the list of ministers unveiled had not shown any change as expected by Nigerians. Saraki, however, only noted his observation and proceeded to the next item on the order paper. Akpabio said: “We will do our best to ensure robust debate, fine-tune the policies of the APC-led administration to better the lots of Nigerians and ensure Nigeria gets out of the current economic doldrums. So far, on a personal note, I am impressed with the list that was sent by the president. “I believe that he has kept to his word by ensuring that we sort out a lot of people of integrity, who can salvage the country. “But of course, the Senate will still do its work of screening and re-screening and I pray that more than 70 or 80 per cent of the list should pass through.” Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang, who was also on hand in the National Assembly, said he would reach out to senators to ensure smooth screening. Enang and the Senate minority leader, Akpabio, held a secret meeting, with sources in Abuja saying that it was aimed at getting a soft landing for the nominees. The duo later spoke with newsmen after the meeting.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

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Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Dangote, Otedola, CAC leaders visit the Awolowos, hail HID By Olayinka Olukoya and Saheed Salawu

AGNATE and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo will be missed for her role as a pillar for the family and the country. Alhaji Dangote made the remark on Tuesday, when he visited the Ikenne, Ogun State home of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The businessman, who came in company with a fellow businessman and oil mogul, Chief Femi Otedola, said Mama Awolowo’s popularity transcends the West, as it spreads through the entire country. “Mama was a great pillar not only for the family of Awolowo, but also for the West and Nigeria in general. She will be greatly missed, but we will keep thanking God Almighty for giving her a great life of 99, very useful years. “She worked not only for her community, but for Nigeria. We thank God for her life and we will keep praying for the rest of the family to continue to be together,” Alhaji Dangote said. President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, also on Tuesday, led the General Superintendent, Pastor S. O. Oladele; General Evangelist, Prophet S. K. Abiara and several other officers and members of the church to visit the Awolowos to celebrate the matriarch. Pastor Akinosun described Mama Awolowo’s life as a lesson in faithfulness and steadfastness and urged women to follow in her footsteps. “It is very hard to find the words to describe Mama Awolowo, because Papa himself described her as his jewel of inestimable value. She was that and even more. “She was known for her faithfulness and steadfastness, particularly during the travails of our dear Baba [Awolowo]. We really thank God for her life,” the CAC leader said.

In the same vein, Prophet Abiara praised Mama Awolowo for complementing her husband in touching people’s lives in Nigeria and beyond. He particularly emphasised the impact of Chief Awolowo’s free education programme on him. “I benefitted from Papa’s free education programme. If not for what Papa did, I probably would not have been able to understand simple words like ‘sit’ and ‘stand.’ What Papa and Mama did can never be forgotten, so, we thank God for their lives.

“All leaders that come here to pay tributes to Mama should try and learn lessons from her and her husband. Their works are living after them. They have bequeathed an undying legacy to humanity. “We thank God for the lives of Mama and Papa, because they have affected the lives of many people not only in Nigeria, but in the world. I want the family to emulate them. I want to encourage all our leaders to do works that speak after death. Papa and Mama have done works that speak

after death,” Prophet Abiara said. President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeayinwa Omowale, who led members of the association from the South-West on a condolence visit to the family, said every woman who desires to be treasured like Papa Awolowo did Mama HID, must take a leaf from the life of the Yeye Oodua. “We should celebrate Mama Awolowo, and while we are celebrating her, we should take some things from

REACTIONS have started trailing the ministerial list forwarded to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, which was read on the floor of the Upper Chamber on Tuesday. According to the former general secretary of theAirline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Alhaji Muhammed Tukur, it was being expected that the second ministerial list the president would

men. She was steadfast. She persevered. She was honest with her husband. She was a pillar to her husband and the family. When Papa passed away, the woman stood like a man and kept the family together. I wish her peaceful rest,” he said. Other religious, trade and social groups, including the Intercessory Prayer Group, Our Saviour’s (Anglican) Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos visited Ikenne, on Tuesday, to identify with the Awolowo family.

FG directs MDAs to cut costs in 2016 budget Clement Idoko -Abuja THE Federal Government has, ahead of budget plan, directed all government ministries, departments and agencies to cut costs under the 2016 budget. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the directive, adding that this had become imperative in order to control expenditure of the Federal Government, which he said was too high. This was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande. The vice president spoke at a one-day sensitisation session on the 2016 Budget and 2016-2020 Medium Term Plan of the Federal Government, organised for permanent secretaries and Director-Generals, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was quoted as telling

the top government officials that in order to achieve the socio-economic goals of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, amidst dwindling oil revenues on the one hand and the

vast number of Nigerians who live in poverty on the other, there was the need to change the way budgeting was done. “The greatest challenge to us is controlling ballooning

Ogun Peoples State Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has called for a comprehensive review of the education policy in the state. He said such review, which should address multifaceted problems facing the sector, should also look into improving the welfare and compensation packages for the teachers. Isiaka, in a message to the teachers on the occasion of the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day, said he was saddened with

the plight of the teachers as enunciated during the event and opined that the only way to address these plights was to review the education policy of the state, to protect the rights of the teachers and provide conducive working environment for them. The investment banker turned politician, who spoke through the director of publicity of his campaign organisation, Ifekayode Akinbode, said “the entire education policy in Ogun State is sick and gravitating towards precipice, if not reviewed.”

eloquent statement by Mr President that the change that Nigerians voted for had come to stay. “It is a bold and unmistakable statement that Mr President is very clear about his mission to reposition our great country, Nigeria. It is a statement that puts to shame professional blackmailers and smear campaigners. “The Rivers Progressives Front, hereby, wholly

endorse and express total support for Amaechi, the lion of Niger Delta politics and a leader of the commonsense revolution. “We urge the Senate of the Federal Republic to accordingly approve the nomination of this rare gem of our time, who as governor of Rivers State, engraved his name among the best governors Nigeria had and will ever produce,” it said.

Group lauds Buhari over Amaechi’s nomination The Rivers Progressives Front, a body of senior politicians and professionals in Rivers State, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the nomination of their son and leader, Mr Rotimi Amaechi as minister in his cabinet. The group in a statement by Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo, said his nomination, among other tested progressive leaders, was an

forward to the lawmakers would contain names of technocrats, who were key to the paramount change Nigerians were seeking. Speaking on the first list, which he said consisted politicians, Tukur said it was not out of place to see such names, in view of the roles they played in the victory of Buhari at the polls. “If the president believes that these are the people he can work with to bring a change to the country, so be it. An average Nigerian

recurrent expenditure and freeing up resources for growth-related capital expenditure. “We need to cut overheads too, we can’t spend as we used to spend. We need to

block leakages, increase accountability and transparency. This is an absolute necessity, the level of corruption is an outrage and we have to deal with it,” the vice president was quoted as saying.

Isiaka calls for review of Ogun education policy

Aviation stakeholders make case for technocrats Shola Adekola -Lagos

her life – the way she stood by her husband and the fact that after the demise of her husband, she remained a rallying force for the people of the South-West and, indeed, Nigeria,” she added. According to Omowale, Mama HID deserves the reputation of being one of the women that set the pace for the emancipation of women in Nigerian politics. First military governor of Ogun State, Major-General Ayodele Balogun, also extolled Mama Awolowo’s virtues during his visit. “She is a role model to wo-

is only interested in getting the essential things of life and once the president assures Nigerians that he can put smiles on their faces with them, there is no problem about that,” he said.

In his own remarks, Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu, the general secretary of Nigerian Aviation Professional Association (NAPA), expressed his delight at the list.

According to him, it was not enough for the teachers to call for the reinstatement of their members illegally sacked or to de-

scribe the construction of the model schools as “misplaced priority,” adding that a decisive action must be taken.

‘Omokore not arrested by EFCC’ THE billionaire oil tycoon and major player in the oil and gas sector during the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration was not arrested over corruption and money laundering charges by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as first reported by Reuters and subsequently cited by THEWILL. Reuters quoted an official at the EFCC as the source of its original report.

However, THEWILL, in its report, said Mr Omokore was at the EFCC office in Abuja on Monday, where he was questioned and allowed to go home after his Lagos home and office were raided by EFCC officials at the weekend. THEWILL spoke to Mr Omokore on the phone on Tuesday afternoon and he said he was in his Abuja residence. Calls to EFCC spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwajaren,

CACOL knocks Fashola, other ministerial nominees REACTIONS on Tuesday, trailed the official disclosure of minister-nominees by the Senate as the National Coordinator of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Dr Debo Adeniran, described the nominees as recycled politicians and, indeed, a bunch of noise-makers, as President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier tagged ministers. Adeniran said this when he spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on phone.

The CACOL chieftain, who disclosed that his group had already written to the Senate, asking it to visit Lagos and see what Fashola left, said CACOL would ensure a sustained protest in terms of street protest and engage in close monitoring of the ministry that Fashola might be posted. While maintaining that President Muhammadu might have dared to ignore the complaints of the people and should, therefore, be prepared to contend with meeting them on the battlefield.

president that I was going to be on his list, yes, it came as a surprise. The president is a surprise master, let me put it that way. “He did not tell anyone to the best of my knowledge and I would have thought

that I was in vantage position to know more than others. I was with him for five days before then in New York at the United Nations General Assembly and he never uttered a word about his list to me or to anyone else."

Bola Badmus -Lagos

Buhari didn’t tell me I'll be minister —Fayemi Kolawole Daniel - Abuja FORMER Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday, disclosed that despite his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari, he did not tell him he will be nom-

inated as a minister in this present administration. Speaking with newsmen at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, he said: “Well, to the extent that I was not told by the

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Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

MKO’s brother knew why we annulled June 12 election —IBB By Tunde Ogunesan

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) has revealed that MKO Abiola’s younger brother, Mubashiru Abiola, knew why the June 12, 1993 election was annulled. Mubashiru, 74, died at his home in Gaa Sabo area, Abeokuta, the Ogun State chapter, last week Friday, during a protracted illness. In a condolence message personally signed and sent to Mubashiru’s family, the former military president described MKO’s younger brother as a “down-toearth, unassuming, and devout Muslim.” IBB stated that “despite the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, presumed to have been won by his elder brother and irrespective of the backlash, our relationship still blossomed, largely because he understood the circumstances that necessitated our action. He was a very frank family man who abhorred

malice to a great extent. “As a member of the Abiola family, I had a very robust and close relationship with

him, a relationship that spanned over three decades. “Even though his death came to me as a shock, I

Samuel Olu Abolarin, a resident of Lugbe and gym instructor in the Ministry of Finance, has given an account of how he lost his wife, mother-in-law and brother-in-law in the Kuje bomb attack. He explained that his late wife, Christiana Abolarin, who until her demise was a student of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, had visited her parents to celebrate the Independence Day. According to him, his wife had a good time with her parents at a garden close to the bombed Kuje market, adding that it was while they were all strolling back home that night that the bomb exploded. “She called me around 9.00 p.m. that they were through at the garden and that they were all strolling home because it wasn’t far from the house,” he said. Abolarin stated that he had expected her wife’s call again until around 11.00 p.m. when he heard that there was an explosion in Kuje. The news prompted him to dial the wife’s number but he could not reach her. He said, “My father-inlaw called me at midnight that the explosion affected them and they could only see the younger sister of Samuel’s wife and his 11 months old baby “According to my father-inlaw, they searched all round and couldn’t see them, so

purpose was not in doubt.” The former president, who said he felt a personal loss at the news

Senate passes Bill to modernise railway system Ayodele Adesanmi-Lokoja

THE Senate on Tuesday passed for Second Reading, a Bill seeking to repeal the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act of Nigeria 2004 with the aim of modernising the railway system in the country for more effective operation. The Bill will revolutionise the Nigerian railway system for enhanced transportation through the creation of appropriate regulatory agencies that will make it comply with international best practices, if eventually passed into law. The Bill, which was sponsored by Senator Andy Uba is titled “A bill for an act to repeal the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, Cap N129, Laws of the Federa-

tion of Nigeria, 2004, and to enact the Nigerian Railway Bill, 2015 to provide for the regulation of the Railway sector in Nigeria.” The Bill, according to Senator Uba is to create an enabling environment for the railway sector and to boost the transportation sector of Nigeria’s economy. He lamented the long years of neglect of the rail sector in Nigeria, noting that the consequences of the neglect have manifested in the bad road network in Nigeria which was worsened by heavy duty trucks that ply them. Uba expressed sadness that there had been little or no investments made on the Nigerian rail sector from the mid 1980s, when the Nigerian Railway Corporation

How man lost wife, mother-in-law, brother-in-law in Kuje bomb attack Christian Okeke-Abuja

am consoled by the fact that he lived a very honest life without giving room to sentiments. His sense of

we waited until the next day when we came to the National Hospital and found the bodies of my wife, motherin-law and brother-in-law all mangled beyond recognition, at the mortuary. “In fact, I could only recognise her through the wrapper my mother gave

her to always use to back our baby. “I was looking for where she will do her Industrial Training (IT) in my office. I also intend to put the baby in day care of our office but never knew that Boko Haram had another plans for us,” he said.

declared bankruptcy, just as he lauded efforts made by former President Goodluck Jonathan as the most visible so far. According to him, the process of revival of the rail sector in Nigeria will come about through provision of rail service component to overhaul the business of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, in a bid to drive

A former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, on Tuesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to limit his prosecution of corrupt public officials only to the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. He insisted that all those indicted in the $182 million Halliburton bribery scandal in Nigeria must be prosecuted like their accomplices in Britain and the United States of America (USA). He spoke just as a former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri, and former Supreme Justice, Honourable Justice G. A. Oguntade, have called on Nigerians to support the anti-graft war declared by President Buhari. They spoke at a public presentation of a Book, ‘Nigeria: The way through corruption to the well-being of a people,’ authored by Dr Abdullahi Shehu, an associate Professor of Criminology at the Na-

tional Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) held at International Conference Centre, Abuja. Nnamani argued that limiting prosecution to those who served under President Jonathan would be inappropriate in view of the enormity of the damage corruption has done to the country. The former Senate President said many Nigerians trooped out to vote during

best practices. He said, “The new Bill seeks to provide for the appropriate legal framework for the implementation of Government’s reform programme on the railways system, while providing a platform for the introduction of Private Sector investments and promote competition for the delivery of efficient rail services in Nigeria.

Ilesa council boss to checkmate kidnappings, criminal activities By ’Ronke Sanya

The Executive Secretary Ilesa East Local Government Council, Honourable Lanre Balogun has promised to do all within his power to checkmate increase in kidnapping, armed robbery insurgency including other criminal activities at Ilesa East Local Government area. Honourable Balogun stated this while playing host to Osun State Commissioner of Police, Kolawole Sodipo in his office. According to the Honourable Balogun, it would be out of place to see armed robbers and kidnappers unleash terror on innocent people through

Prosecute Halliburton indicted persons, Nnamani charges Buhari Clement Idoko-Abuja

it towards efficiency. He said the old act is deficient and has so far jeopardised its efforts to make it work, adding that the proposed repeal of the old act became necessary because the new law, which would be put in place as replacement, will make the Nigerian transportation sector to be in consonance with international

of Mubashiru’s death, prayed that God grant his family “the fortitude to bear the loss.”

the last presidential election to confer legitimacy on the government of President Buhari, because of his campaign promise to rid the country of the evils of corruption. Waziri, said for the anticorruption to succeed, all Nigerians should support the efforts of the current administration of President Buhari, who demonstrated political will to fight the battle.

abduction. The council boss stated further, “No amount of money will be too much to spend to challenge these criminals from oppressing the people within the society.” Sodipo in his address stated that he recognised the Local Government

Council boss as the Chief Security Officer of the council, which was why his office was the first place to visit at Ilesa. The CP said he was at Ilesa to sound a note of warning to criminals that Osun State would never be a hiding place for them.

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Lagosmetro Woman leads gang to defraud retired AIG of N1.8m Lanre Adewole

As seen at Ogudu Bus stop, how safe are these buildings with a part of the fence already collapsing? Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa

Tanker explosion at Oshodi kills one, consumes two vehicles Olalekan Olabulo

ne person was killed early on Tuesday as a tanker fully loaded with about 33, 000 litres of fuel went up in flames at Oshodi area of Lagos. The deceased person, simply identified as Oyan, was busy siphoning fuel from the spillage from the fallen tanker when a loud explosion caught him unawares. Apart from the tanker, two vehicles were also burnt in the inferno, but the quick intervention of men of the Lagos State Fire Service saved many other vehicles and buildings. The explosion at Oshodi created serious tension traffic gridlock as vehicles that were trying to link Agege Motor Road from Apapa Expressway were caught in the traffic. Lagos Metro gathered that the incident leading to the explosion started when the tanker with the registration number XT 936 SMK attempted to link Cappa end of Oshodi from Charity Bus

Stop area. The part of the tanker conveying fuel got completely disconnected from the vehicle, resulting in it falling by the road side. The content spilled onto many parts of Oshodi, towards the office of the National Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and towards the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre. Fire fighters were busy curtailing the effect of the spillage of the tanker when an accident, involving two vehicles resulted in a spark

that led to the explosion. An eye witness, Kehinde told Lagos Metro that “Instantly, there was an explosion and a very thick smoke covered the whole of that area.” A truck, carrying two 20foot containers was waiting for fire fighters’ go ahead to continue its journey, when a pick-up van with the registration number TST 548 XJ which was on a top speed, rammed into the truck. The resultant effect of the explosion led to the death of Oyan, who was directly near the point where the explo-

sion occurred. Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, while speaking on the incident, stated that the effect of the fire incident would have been massive if area boys in the area had disturbed the fire-fighting operation. Fadipe also enjoined tanker drivers in the state to always check every part of their vehicles, before putting them on the road. He further stated that the quick response of firemen from Isolo, Ilupeju and later Ikeja prevented a bigger fire incident in the affected area.

A four-man gang of suspected e-mail scammers led by a lady has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly duping a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Felix Uyanna of N1.8 million. The quartet was docked before a Federal High Court, Lagos by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police, Ikoyi. A three-count criminal charge of cybercrime was preferred against them. Prosecutor, CSP Effiong Asuquo alleged in a charge dated October 2, 2015, and marked FHC/L/402c/2015, filed before the court, that between the months of April and May, 2015, the accused persons hacked into the email account of Adebayo Orefuwa, and used the name to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1.8 million from the victim. The offences alleged to have been committed by the accused persons are contrary to and punishable under sections 27(1)(b): 22(2) (a), (b)(i)(ii)(iii) and 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act 2015, and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same law. They entered a not-guilty plea. Asuquo asked the court to remand them in prison custody pending trial, but the defence counsel, Mr. Ben Ebechina, kicked, urging the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal term.

Alternatively, he desired the accused persons being remanded in SFU’s custody. Trial Judge, Justice Yunusa Mohammed, adjourned the case till October 19, 2015, and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody pending when their bail applications will be heard.

People of Lagos West Senatorial District, including Alimosho on Tuesday rolled out a list of demands before Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, urging him to ensure construction of an overhead bridge in Agege and cause the expansion of two bridges that will lead Ipaja to Isheri Osun, all in a bid to ease chaotic

transportation problem in the area. Beside, the leadership and people of the senatorial district also demanded of the governor the construction of Isuti Road that would make easy access to water transportation to connect them to CMS in Lagos in just 45minutes, as well as completion of the mini stadium at Abesan. Bisi Yusuf, a member of

the Lagos State House of Assembly, listed all these at the maiden edition of the Quarterly Town Hall Meeting, which took place at Abesan Estate, Alimosho area of the state, where Governor Ambode came to render account of stewardship since he took over power on May 29, 2015. Other dignitaries present at the well-attended event, include Deputy Governor,

Dr. Aderanti Adebule; Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, was represented by Yusuf; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello; the Chief of Staff (CoS), Mr. Olakunle Ojo; the Body of Permanent Secretaries and Executive Secretaries of Local Governments and LCDAs. Others are traditional rulers, professional bodies, mar-

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Lanre Adewole For demonstrating insatiable sexual urge, a sex-buyer, Chikwado Omokwa, has lost a portion of his right ear to sexual satisfaction. An older sex-seller, Precious Osas, said she had to inflict bodily injury on the 25-year-old customer when he was not ready to pay more for added value of more rounds of sex. The 36-year-old sex-hawker is cooling off in Kirikiri prison, pending when she would perfect her N50,000 bail. Osas was arrested and charged before Isolo Magistrates’ court after the sex romp at a popular hotel in Okota went awry. According to the police, the bargain between them was N3,500 for an all-night session, but Precious refused to deliver after the first round. Precious said her customer was over-charged and she had to struggle to cope with him for the period the single round lasted. Trouble reportedly started

ket men and women, artisans, religious clerics, among others. According to Yusuf, who is representing Alimosho Constituency in the Lagos Assembly, constructing an overhead bridge at Agege would ease greatly the traffic congestion always experienced in the area, while lamenting that it took eight hours most times for motorists to move from Ikeja to Ile-Zik.

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Lanre Adewole olanreade@yahoo.com 0811 695 4647

Navy harassment at Apapa killing our members, causing gridlock — Tanker owners Olatunde Dodondawa Following alleged excesses of the Nigerian Navy personnel at Apapa depot in Lagos, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ (PTD) Union has warned of imminent industrial action which may culminate in fuel scarcity unless the Federal Government calls the military officers to order. The PTD union appealed

to President Muhammadu Buhari to address the challenges as part of his efforts at fighting corruption. National Chairman, PTD union, Comrade Salmon Oladiti, said in a statement on Tuesday made available to Lagos Metro that the op-

erations of the naval officers have not only been impeding the loading of refined petroleum products and free flow of traffic, but also causing the untimely death of drivers. “Illegal operations of the Navy around our operations are the major problems of

tanker drivers. There are so much extortions, harassment and beating of our members who fail to meet their demand. “We want the activities of the Navy to be checked, they are not trained to be controlling traffic. Their activities are

affecting our operations. “We have recorded two deaths now; we don’t want more people to die due to their extortions and illegal operations. We want them to be withdrawn from the road. “In fact, most of the grid-

lock in Apapa area is caused by the activities of the Navy who will not allow our members to pass without paying them. “Those that were unable to meet their demands faced stringent punishment and harassment,” he alleged. He stated further that a motor boy, Comrade Abbas Salmon, was crushed to death on October 1, 2015 on Kirikiri bridge after being stoned by a naval officer because the driver of the truck refused to bribe. “The driver, Mr Ibrahim Kasali, is currently on admission in hospital. If our members are not safe, we will leave the depot and tank farms for the Navy. Our members get scared seeing Navy men with guns. We can be orderly without them, their activities may soon cause fuel scarcity as some of our members outside Lagos do not want to come to load at the Apapa depots again,” the statement said. The union argued that it had a traffic taskforce that could control traffic successfully within the depots.

Confessing to his crime, Enyiobi said he went there with two of his gang members, Uchechukwu and Emmanuel, and forced Chukwudum’s house-help to surrender the car key to them following a death threat. Before bolting away, they

tied the house girl’s mouth, legs and mouth and locked her inside the flat and attempted to drive the SUV out of the estate. However, luck ran out on him when he approached the security gate in the estate and the security guards who knew the owner of the SUV accosted them. When he was unable to give a satisfactory answer, the owner who was away at work was contacted and he arranged for their arrest, with Enyiobi nabbed and others escaping. He was handed over to the police at Ago Palace division who charged him to court, while his gang members who escaped are still at large. The prosecutor, Inspector Aboyomi Abass, urged the court to jail Enyiobi to serve as a deterrent to others, despite not wasting the court’s time by entering a guilty plea.

Sex-worker b ites ear of customer wit h high libido

Alimosho residents place demands before Ambode at town hall meeting Bola Badmus

when Omokwa demanded for more rounds and Precious demanded for more money. The partners disagreed and a fight broke out, with Precious allegedly chewing off Omokwa’s right ear. Omokwa, who was bleeding profusely, raised an alarm which attracted the attention of the hotel workers, and subsequent arrest by the police at Ikota division. At the station, Omokwa reportedly relayed how he paid Precious N3,500 for sex throughout the night and also paid extra N350 for registration. He said Precious allowed a round, demanding for more money for extra rounds. Precious reportedly corroborated Omokwa’s story, adding that her refusal for extra rounds was because Omokwa’s libido was high due to intoxication and also throwing up in the room.

This truck carrying another truck unprotected could result in a fatal accident if the truck falls onto the road. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Car-thief pleads guilty, jailed two years Lanre Adewole A car-thief has pleaded guilty and accordingly jailed for two years without an option of fine. 26-year-old man, Somadina Enyiobi, confessed to specialty in stealing SUVs.

The magistrate, Mrs O.A. Adebayo, of Isolo Magistrates’ court sentenced him to two years jail term for conspiracy and stealing, as a deterrent to others. The Oraifite, Anambra State-born jail-bird reportedly stormed a compound in

Green Estate along Ago Palace Way in Okota and stole a parked Venza SUV. The SUV with registration number KSF 203 DA belonged to one Godwin Chukwudum whose domestic help was the one at home when Enyiobi and his gang struck.

Free eye test, treatment for Orile Agege residents Akin Adewakun In tune with its objective of enhancing the lives of the people, especially those of indigents in the society, a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, Destiny Focus, over the weekend, in Lagos, organised a free eye screening test for residents of Pleasure Area, in Orile Agege Local Government Area of the state and its environs, with more than 100 residents participating in the exercise. The exercise, which pro-

vided a platform for residents to have free eye screening from the medical personnel provided by the organisation, also availed those found with eye defects, the opportunity of being treated and given eyeglasses at subsidised rates. Explaining the rationale behind the initiative to Lagos Metro, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Mrs. Titi Fasuyi, explained that health constituted a major area of focus of the organisation, adding that the decision to

embark on the exercise was informed by the need to address the health challenges of Nigerians, since it was becoming increasingly difficult for them to have access to quality health services. She argued that though the eye constituted a very important organ of the body, people still found it very difficult taking good care of their eyes due to ignorance and financial constraints. Mrs. Fasuyi explained that the exercise therefore provided the people of Orile Agege and its environs to

know their status, while also providing some medical remedies for those found with defective sights. “What we’ve done is to contribute our own little quota to the enhancement of the average Nigerian’s health, especially those that cannot afford the medical bills in the hospitals today. We are providing free screening exercise because knowing one’s eye status is also very key. “Besides, we also decided to provide medical experts that would give some health

tit bits to the community since we are sure that information is power, and many people are having various challenges today because of ignorance,” she argued. While calling on governments both at the centre and the state to support NGOs in their task of providing succour for the needy in the society, she however frowned at those using such organisations to defraud innocent Nigerians, insisting government should not shirk in its responsibilities of bringing such people to book.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Lanre Adewole olanreade@yahoo.com 0811 695 4647

Navy harassment at Apapa killing our members, causing gridlock — Tanker owners Olatunde Dodondawa FOLLOWING alleged excesses of the Nigerian Navy personnel at Apapa depot in Lagos, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ (PTD) Union has warned of imminent industrial action which may culminate in fuel scarcity unless the Federal Government calls the military officers to order. The PTD union appealed

ites ear of h high libido when Omokwa demanded for more rounds and Precious demanded for more money. The partners disagreed and a fight broke out, with Precious allegedly chewing off Omokwa’s right ear. Omokwa, who was bleeding profusely, raised an alarm which attracted the attention of the hotel workers, and subsequent arrest by the police at Ikota division. At the station, Omokwa reportedly relayed how he paid Precious N3,500 for sex throughout the night and also paid extra N350 for registration. He said Precious allowed a round, demanding for more money for extra rounds. Precious reportedly corroborated Omokwa’s story, adding that her refusal for extra rounds was because Omokwa’s libido was high due to intoxication and also throwing up in the room.

This truck carrying another truck unprotected could result in a fatal accident if the truck falls onto the road. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Free eye test, treatment for Orile Agege residents Akin Adewakun IN tune with its objective of enhancing the lives of the people, especially those of indigents in the society, a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, Destiny Focus, over the weekend, in Lagos, organised a free eye screening test for residents of Pleasure Area, in Orile Agege Local Government Area of the state and its environs, with more than 100 residents participating in the exercise. The exercise, which pro-

businessnews BoI launches N2bn NYSC graduate entrepreneurship fund 10

Gbemi Solaja - Lagos

s part of its efforts to provide lasting solution to graduate unemployment in the country, the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) have launched N2 billion Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) to empower thousands of youth corps members across the country. Speaking at the joint launch of Fund in Lagos, BOI Managing Director, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, said the GEF provides a platform for the NYSC members to be trained and granted access to finance for actualising their viable business ideas. Speaking further, the boss

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

who said job creation in Nigeria had not kept pace with the growth in the working age population, noted that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that each year, about 1.8 million young Nigerians enter the already saturated labour market, adding that over 50 per cent of youths in Nigeria were unemployed. He stated that the objectives of the GEF was to develop the entrepreneurship

skills and capacity of the NYSC members, deepen financial inclusion by de-risking the NYSC members and making them eligible for small business loans, while also developing the next generation of Nigeria’s business leaders and promoting a business “can-do” spirit among Nigerian youths. He, however, explained that an innovative approach was required to tackle the social menace of graduate

unemployment that had engulfed the country. “The strategy was to identify the innate talents of the young graduates as soon as they leave school, build their capacities for self-reliance; and also empower them to establish their own businesses, thereby creating jobs not just for themselves, but also for other youths that they may employ,” he said. While also highlighting the component of the

fund, the BOI boss hinted that there would be selection and screening of 1,000 NYSC members that would participate in the capacity building process through an online business idea competition and a three-day capacity building programme which would cover areas to help NYSC members to develop their own bankable business plans, which would form the basis for loan consideration.

CEBRAD holds 3-day capacity building in honey production The Centre for Bee Research & Development (CEBRAD) is organising a three-day conference for key players in the apicultural business under the theme, ‘Maximizing Apicultural Potential as a Way Forward to Oil Dependent Economy in Nigeria.’ The conference, holding between November 9 and 12 at Brymor Hotels, Osogbo, Osun State is aimed at providing updates on advances in all aspects of beekeeping and developing strategies for reaping success from this industry in the areas of dissemination of research findings, latest beekeeping technology, globalisation and trade issues as a better alternatives to monolithic oil-dependent economy. According to Mr Bidemi Ojeleye, Director of the centre, the conference is a major event in the beekeeping calendar and the nation’s biggest national beekeeping event because it will attract people, from the hobbyist to the commercial beekeepers, MDAs relevant to beekeeping and economic activities of the nation and development programs workers, among others. About 150 participants from within the country will attend, while more than 30 scientific papers from the academia, research institutes and industries and about 20 symposia papers will be delivered during the 3-day

From left, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Mr Alderman Alan Yarrow; Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Zakawanu Garuba and Managing Director, Jaiz Bank, Mr Muhammed Islam, during a roundtable with Nigerian regulators on non-interest finance in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Daikin targets $230m profit in Middle East, African markets Akin Adewakun - Lagos

Daikin Industries has reiterated its confidence in the Middle East and African markets, insisting that one of its targets for the 2015 financial year which ends in April 2016, is to enhance its bottomline with $230 million, an upward review of its 2015 $193 million profit record. Disclosing this in Lagos while announcing the debut of the company’s air conditioners split units into the nation’s market, the company’s president, Middle East and Africa, Mr Sano Ryoji, stated that though the company had been around in Nigeria for over two decades carving a niche for itself in industrial air conditioning, it had decided to expand its frontiers by producing airconditioners for residential use. The decision, he explained, was informed by market agitations for the products in residential use, a development that had seen

the company launch its first set of air conditioners split unit in November 2014. While expressing the company’s determination to challenge the status quo and be a front runner in the air conditioner market in Nigeria, Ryoji stressed

that one of the competitive advantages of the products is that they are built to meet peculiar air conditioning needs of Nigerians. “For Nigerians, energy consumption is very central in the choice of an air conditioner. Closely relat-

ed to the inverter advantage which our products have is the fact that Daikin air conditioners have in-built protection against unstable power supply and blackout, which completely eliminates the need for an AVS device or stabiliser.

PwC to organise capacity development workshop for media OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

As part of its efforts to boost professionalism in the media and to also improve its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a global frontline player in tax and audit services, has concluded plans to hold the second edition of its annual media capacity development training seminar. The event holding for the second consecutive year is aimed at developing and further deepening the ability of the average business and economy reporter to have understanding of the

technicalities in reporting the various sectors of the economy. The event, tagged PwC capacity enhancement workshop for journalists 2015, is scheduled to hold in Lagos on Friday, October 9, 2015 and it is scheduled to train a minimum of 30 different journalists from 30 media houses. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune on the level of preparedness for the event, Delia Asuzu, spokesperson of PwC, stated that this year’s edition is targeted at Information and Communication Technology (ICT) editors and correspondents, as well as their col-

leagues on the energy beat. “We believe that the training programme is a give back to the Nigerian society, this is so because if you empower a journalist, you have empowered the multitude of people that reads him or her, and the nation also benefits from the accurate and precise dissemination of information,” she said. According to her, this year’s edition of the programme is not limited to just the print media alone, but it also brings together the online news publishers and broadcast journalists from both the radio and television stations.

Nigerian Tribune

businessnews

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Standard Alliance Insurance posts N4.33bn premium income Gbemi Solaja - Lagos

oremost insurance underwriter, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, has said the company recorded a gross premium of N4.33 billion in 2014, improving upon the 3.78 billion posted in the previous year despite challenging macroeconomic environment. Disclosing this at the company’s 19th Annual General Meeting in Lagos last week, Chairman, of the company, Dominic Oneya, said notwithstanding the 2104 performance, the company had continued to improve its efforts to take advantage of the business atmosphere from the ‘No premium , No Cover’ principle. The company also witnessed growth in its underwriting profit to the tune of N1.4 billion compared to the N1billion recorded in 2013. He assured the shareholders and the insuring public of the company’s determination to bring improvement to the bottomline in future endeavors. He expressed optimism in the Nigerian business environment, saying that the company’s 2015 outlook would be highly driven by the reform and change agenda of the government which would be keyed into. “We are very positive about the current financial year 2015. Our company is determined to take advantage of the wind of change and to turn this into profitable opportunity by readdressing our focus and efforts to the market place. “The future outlook of insurance appears to be positive, especially as the insuring public becomes

fully adjusted to the ‘No Premium, No cover’ principle,” he said. The recent happenings

in the global economy have brought risks to the top of the agenda of businesses and investors, especially

the rout in the crude oil markets as well as weakening of performance in the emerging markets. Do-

From left, Oloruntimilehin George, Head, Financial Institutions, Standard Chartered Bank; Olatunde Akande, Special Assistant to CBN Governor on Development Finance and Edwin Nzelu, acting Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) at a workshop in Lagos, on Monday.

Heritage Bank celebrates 2015 customer service week As a way of appreciating her teaming customers for their loyal patronage over the period, Heritage Bank Limited joined the rest of the world to mark the annual Customer Service Week themed ‘Everyday Heroes.’ The event, which is celebrated in the first week of October every year, is a unique period when service organisations like Heritage Bank Limited and global agencies extol the patronage and loyalty virtues of their esteemed customers by introducing several unique and special

activities to appreciate the customers. As a way of making this year’s edition a memorable one for customers of Heritage Bank, the financial institution, which is now bigger and better, having emerged from a merger exercise of the former Heritage Banking Company Limited and former Enterprise Bank Limited, has lined up a number of activities to celebrate and appreciate them. Some of the activities, which will be implemented during the period, include

elaborate decoration of all experience centres of the bank and complimentary candies, sweets and chocolates, as well as branded corporate gifts for customers, among others, during the period. A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the bank, which highlighted the message of the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ifie Sekibo, said that the Customer Service Week had again provided a good opportunity for every staff,

Tribunal closes N28.2m VAT refund suit filed against FIRS The Tax Appeal Tribunal in Abuja, on Tuesday, closed a N28.2 million suit filed against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by Milan Nigeria Ltd. Mr Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), the acting Chairman of the tribunal, said in his ruling that ``the matter is hereby determined following the terms of settlement reached by both parties.’’ He said that going by the letter received by the tribunal from Milan Nigeria Ltd., it stated that as at Sept. 14, the company had a balance of N1.8 million to be paid to FIRS. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Milan Nigeria Ltd. had filed an appeal in May 17, 2012 against FIRS through the tribunal for VAT refund of N28. 14million.

mestically, the impacts of a mixed micro-economic environment also paint the picture of a possible

There were several appeals on various claims by both parties, one of which stated that Milan Nigeria Ltd. owed FIRS N23. 17million. Milan then appealed that FIRS should deduct the above sum from the VAT

refund of N28.14 million. In the same appeal, Milan requested that the deduction of N4. 95 million should be used to settle future tax liabilities by FIRS. Milan also appealed that the interest and penalties

claim of N53. 01 million by FIRS against the company should be waved off. Mrs Angela Gabadi, the Counsel to FIRS and Miss Ifedayo Owoso, Counsel to Milan, in an agreement expressed appreciation to the ruling of the tribunal.

units, groups and regions in the bank to delight all stakeholders at all Heritage Bank touch points. The statement added that this objective will be achieved during the week because every staff is involved, ready and in tune with the fact that customers of the bigger and better Heritage Bank Limited will this period enjoy the best of service delivery during the Customer Service Week and always, a tradition that will continue afterwards. For Heritage Bank Limited, this year’s edition of the Customer Service Week is very unique because it is the first for the new bank which is now better positioned to offer unparalleled banking services across over 165 Experience Centres and counting, 33 Automated Banking Centres, 365 ATMs and over 4800 POS terminals across the country.

New mobile phone application storms Nigerian market By Seun Fayiga A new service called Swap Naija is set to provide a convenient and secured platform in transferring airtime across mobile networks for the first time in the history of cell phone use in the country. The Swap Naija App, powered by Qwerty Communication Ltd, provides a platform to help mobile phone users transfer or “port” airtime on their lines from one network to another. The App is available for

Android and Blackberry 10 devices while other platforms would be introduced subsequently. It is already a common function to transfer airtime to another person but only on the same network. However, Swap Naija offers the option of transferring to another network without worry or stress. The service, which officially kicked off last week, is currently going through a preliminary version for initial testing.

Speaking with the Swap Naija Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Mr AkinwaleOye-Lawrence, he said that the initiative for the application was birthed two years ago and he alongside his team had been testrunning and building the technology. He also spoke about the application and why the public should look forward to making use of it. He said, “Most technological inventions are geared towards improving and shaping

society for the better. And the Swap Naija application is determined to provide a fast, secured and convenient platform that enables mobile phone users to share airtime across networks. The aim is to improve the society. It is also the first of this kind of platform in Nigeria.” Mr. Opeoluwa Aiyegbusi, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, spoke concerning his hope for the new mobile application, stating his optimism in reaching more people.

surge in insurance activities. Meanwhile, Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited has disclosed that the insurance regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has given approval in principle to go ahead with the a merger with the Standard Alliance Insurance Plc Speaking at the company’s 15th Annual General Meeting, the Chairman, Bode Akinboye, who said that the merger had reached an advanced stage, added that the merger would bring about a bigger, robust and resilient insurance company. It also said that in order to reposition the company financially to support its risk underwriting capacity, it would embark on steps to restructure its balance sheet in the form of capital fund injection.

FirstBank tasks women-led SMEs on tax compliance Chima Nwokoji-lagos

FirstBank Nigeria Plc, through its Sustainability Centre, has called on women-led Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) to be committed to paying taxes as this will ensure their business sustainability. This, the bank said, was a way of reinforcing its commitment to promoting empowerment, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion amongst women. Taking women entrepreneurs through the importance of tax compliance at a two-day workshop on Tuesday, a tax consultant from KPMG advisory services, Mr Emeka Ezomike, advised participants to first keep appropriate records to be able to know what profit has been made and what portion should be set aside for tax. He believes that companies should first pay tax before thinking of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Ezomike, while discussing tax reviews, audits and investigation, described tax audit as “routine examination of accounting and tax records of a tax payer by the tax authorities to determine whether the correct amount has been paid and tax payer has complied with the relevant tax laws and provisions during a specified period.” According to him, the ideal situation which Nigeria is striving to attain is that when taxes are paid and the government did not do what it ought to do with the taxpayers’ money, taxpayers have the power to vote out the government.

business

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for tuesday, 6 SEPTEMBER, 2015

news Buhari applauds British support for recovery of Nigeria’s stolen funds 13

Clement Idoko—Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the renewed support from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria. Special Adviser to the President, Media Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said Buhari had separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence. President Buhari in the statement noted that British, Swiss and other foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations. The President, however, called for acceleration of the processes of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices. “Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started. “It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue. “He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,” the President told the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul

Arkwright. Arkwright assured him of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted

resources. “We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) receiving letter of credence from Ambassador Designate of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, Mr Saleh Fhied Saleh, at the Presidential Villa, iAbuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

THE Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday, nullified the election of the lawmaker representing Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Kolade Akinjo, on technical ground. The tribunal, which was headed by Justice Antony Ogar, premised its decision to nullify Akinjo victory on his inability to formally dump the Labour Party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before contesting for the House of Representatives seat in the March 28 election. The tribunal ruled that, though Akinjo scored the highest number of votes in the election, he was not qualified to fly the party’s

Rural dwellers storm NYSC health programme in Delta Alphonsus Agborh -Asaba SEVERAL seekers of good health, in Okwe community near Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday, trooped out in large numbers for treatment as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme kick starts its health initiative programme for rural dwellers. Pregnant women, the elderly and children were examined and treated by volunteer corps medical personnel even as the recipients commended NYSC for the laudable programme. Mrs. Maria Okeke an expectant mother told the Nigerian Tribune that many sick persons in the rural areas could hardly afford medicare due to high cost implications. Earlier, the state director of NYSC, Mrs. Olive Etukudor, said a follow up would be carried after the scheme. The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier- General JB Olawumi said the health initiative was taking place in all the local governments in the country.

Kuje, Nyanya bombings: Police to review security

Delta FRSC wages war against overloading

Chris Agbambu -Abuja

Alphonsus Agborh -Asaba

procedures in Abuja IDP camps FOLLOWING last Friday’s multiple bomb explosions in Kuje and Nyanya, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising FCT, Niger and Kaduna states, Bala Nasarawa, has ordered the review of the security procedures in all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Aside reviewing the security situation, the AIG said security arrangements in the three states under his zone would be enhanced to checkmate any further breach of the peace even as he urged the citizenry not to feel intimidated. Nasarawa, who was speaking when he paid a working visit to the FCT Police Command, charged officers and men of the command to join

in the wind of change blowing across the nation in the performance of their duties with a view to convince the public that “there is a new Police force different from the past.” He noted that under the new dispensation, the Police cannot be left behind hence; old ways of brutalization, non-respect of human rights and uncultured manner of talking to Nigeri-

Ondo tribunal nullifies Ilaje/ Ese Odo federal election Hakeem Gbadamosi -Akure

Crimes Commission. Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance,” the British High Commissioner assured the President.

Nigerian Tribune

flag for the election Akinjo, having scored the highest number of lawful votes was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the election.

However, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Ayedatiwa, who was dissatisfied with the result of the election, challenged the outcome of the election at the tribunal. Ayedatiwa hinged his

grouse on the premise that Akinjo who represented the PDP in the election was not qualified for the election, saying he did not obtain waiver from the necessary organs of the PDP before contesting the election.

ans should be discarded and left behind. “There is a new wind of change with a government that believes things should be done differently and better. Officers and men of the police must key into this change. So, please change your way of thinking; your orientation; your character and the way you talk to members of the public. I am talking to you as a father. If you want to continue in this job, you have to change your ways. “Things are changing for the better and the police cannot be left behind. No member of the public will respect you if you are brutal, if you don’t respect their human rights. I am not saying you should be weak, no; but be firm and decisive.”

‘Teachers’ empowerment, essential ingredient to development’ By Oluwatoyin Malik THE Chairman of Ikorodu branch of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Lateef Babatunde Oduguwa, has described the empowerment of teachers as an essential ingredient needed to achieve sustainable development in Nigeria. Oduguwa stated this on Monday during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day,

held at Teachers’ House, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Emphasising on the theme of this year’s celebration which was “Empowering Teachers, Building a Sustainable Society”, Oduguwa said that it aptly referred to teachers as important agents of sustainable development. He added that the theme was in agreement with a popular saying that the outlook of any nation in terms

of development is a reflection of her teachers. He noted that empowerment should entail provision of decent working conditions in terms of good salary, allowances and housing for all teachers, professional autonomy and academic freedom among others. Also speaking on the significance of the World Teachers Day, the branch secretary, Mr Femi Fako-

lade, said that it was set aside to recognise the importance of teachers all over the world. Mr Fakolade advised the government to invest in training and retraining of teachers and provide better welfare packages. He enjoined Ikorodu teachers to be loyal to the union, saying that the current executive council led by Oduguwa was poised to deliver its promises.

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Delta State, has waged war against overloading by commercial vehicle drivers, insisting that the right of passengers must be protected. Zonal commanding officer of the Corps in charge of zone 5, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Shehu Zarki, said in Asaba that the war would be sustained in order to bring sanity on the roads. This was just as about 10 overloaded vehicles were impounded in Asaba, on Tuesday. Zarki, who was speaking while addressing officers in Asaba, said all insecurity associated with checking overloading had been identified as “we are collaborating with the police and other security agencies to carry out the assignment . “Overloading tempers with comfort of other passengers, any attempt to check it will definitly be applauded by Nigerians. “Therefore, you must not relent in the efforts to fight overloading on the highways. Meanwhile, the state ‘ember months’ safely campaign had been flagged off in Asaba, with a charge to motorists to change their attitudes on the roads or face unpleasant consequences.

14 news

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Oct 1, 2010 bombing: Okah attempts suicide in court Sunday Ejike - Abuja

Nigerian returnees from Central African Republic due to crises in the country, eating at NEMA transit camp in Yola, Adamawa State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Army arrests Boko Haram financier

HE Nigeria Army said it has arrested one Mohammed Maina, a suspected financier of the Boko Haram sect. According to Sani Usman, Army spokesperson, Maina also doubled as stimulant supplier for the insurgents. Usman also disclosed that troops of the Nigerian Army killed scores of the insurgents in an operation at a Borno village on Monday. “Troops of 112 battalion and special forces in Mafa and Dikwa, respectively, on a joint fighting patrol raided a Boko Haram camp at Bulungwa Naibe, in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State on Tuesday. “During the operation, quite a number of the Boko Haram insurgents were killed and the following items were recovered— one buffalo vehicle mounted

with an anti-aircraft gun, a rocket propelled grenade, two machine guns and one sub-machine gun. Others included five AK47 rifles, one fabrique nationale rifle and two sewing machines used for sewing uniforms by the terrorists. “In a related development, troops have also intercepted and arrested a suspected Boko Haram financier and

stimulants dealer, Mohammed Maina in Bama, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. The suspect, a native of Ngurosoye, came from Shuari village. He was arrested with the sum of N1 million cash and some items.” According to Usman, investigations revealed that Maina “supplies them kolanuts and other items, especially stimulants.”

He further revealed that kolanuts was in high demand among the terrorists, as it keeps them active at night. “It is apparent also that he plies Maiduguri-Dikwa-Kulli axis, where he gathers monetary and other materials contributions from Boko Haram sympathisers along that axis and sends same to the terrorists’ camps,” he said.

IT was a melodrama on Tuesday, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the alleged mastermind of October 1, 2010 bombing, Charles Okah, attempted to end his life so as to end his trial. Okah, who is standing for terrorism, sought the permission of the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, to air his views over what he termed “endless trial,” due to his lawyer’s absence in court. Justice Kolawole obliged his request and Okah, who spoke for about five minutes, said: “I have been incarcerated for about five years now and I have a family to cater for. “My children would grow up without feeling the warmth of their father. I’m tired of this endless trial,” he screamed. Nigerian Tribune observed that after Okah ended his emotional statement, he reached for a chair in the court and quickly moved towards a window in a fivestorey building, where he attempted to break the louvres and jump down.

Military to Boko Haram terrorists: Surrender now THE Nigerian military, on Tuesday, warmed members of the Boko Haram sect to surrender immediately. A statement by the acting Director of Defence Information, Colonel Sani Usman, asked members of the sect to desist forthwith from all acts of terrorism and surrender themselves. Usman said any of them

who failed to do so would be dealt with. “This is to warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now. “We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves. They should follow

their colleagues who have so far surrendered. Failure to surrender will result in serious consequences, as our troops are fast closing up with them. “We equally appeal to parents, families and friends of all those involved in Boko Haram terrorists activities to kindly persuade them to desist

and renounce their membership of the terrorist organisation forthwith. “We also wish to appeal to the good people of the North East, in particular those of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, to prevail on these terrorists to renounce their evil ways immediately,” the statement read.

Abuja bombing: Senate, Reps condemn attacks Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja THE Senate, on Tuesday, condemned Friday’s twin bomb attacks in Kuje and Nyanya areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This followed a motion by the Minority Whip, Philip Aduda (Peoples Democartic Party FCT), said the attacks were fresh calls for increased security consciousness and equipment of the military. The Upper Chamber, which observed a minute silence for those who lost their lives in the attacks, urged the Federal Government to compensate the families of the dead and cater for the injured. It also urged relevant se-

curity agencies to increase their intelligence gathering and embrace new technologies in combating terrorism, including bomb detection. Also, the Senate commiserated with the family of the late Olu of Warri and sent a four-member delegation to visit the bereaved family in Delta, while it also congratulated the Olu-designate and wished him a peaceful reign. In a related development, the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, condemned the multiple bomb blasts that rocked Kuje and Nyanya suburbs of Abuja and Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, last weekend, respectively and tasked the nation’s security agencies to brace up for more security survelliance and intelligence gathering nationwide,

in order to forestall the repeat of incessant bombing in the country. This followed the adoption of a motion entitled: “Urgent need to intervene in worsening security situation in Maiduguri, Abuja and Michika/Madagali federal

constituency in Adamawa” sponsored by Honourable Adamu Kamale at the pelnary on Tuesday. Presenting the motion, Honourable Kamale noted the continuous security challenges and related attacks by insurgents on

towns,villages and communities in Maiduguri, Abuja and Michika/Madagali federal constituency in Adamawa State, lamenting it had caused untold harship on the people, adding that the areas affected were under serious survival threat.

3 suicide bombers kill selves as bomb explodes in Niger Republic THREE Boko Haram insurgents died on Tuesday, when a bomb they were transporting exploded in Niger Republic’s far east region of Diffa, local sources said. The bomb exploded when they were about to enter Bosso town, one of the sources told newsmen, adding that the militants were planning to carry out an attack.

On Sunday, 10 people— one soldier, five civilians and four suicide bombers, were killed in two separate suicide attacks by Boko Haram in Diffa. The two bombs targeted a military camp and a Mosque in Diffa, a few days after two Nigerien soldiers were killed in an ambush by the insurgents in the same region. In the last seven months,

Niger Republic, like other countries within the Lake Chad Basin, came under Boko Haram attacks from its bases in Nigeria. A multinational force, including troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger were fighting Boko Haram, as Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, vowed to beat the group.

He was, however, wrestled by lawyers and other litigants, who overpowered him. Consequently, Justice Kolawole adjourned the suit till October 20, for continuation of trial. It will be recalled that one of the alleged masterminds of that bombing, Mr Osvwo Tekemfa Francis a.k.a ‘General-Gbokos’, died in prison custody, even as the high court, in a separate judgment, sentenced the third accused person, Edmund Ebiware, to life imprisonment. Specifically, Charles and Nwabueze were said to have superintended over varying terrorist activities which hitherto took place within the oil rich Niger Delta region of the country. Federal Government alleged that they endangered the life of former President Goodluck Jonathan while Nigeria celebrated its 50th independence anniversary in Abuja. It also alleged that the accused persons, between January 2 and March 15, 2010, within Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital and diverse places, conspired with Henry Okah, Chima Orlu, now at large and persons unknown, to make a direct attempt to endanger the lives of the governors of Delta, Edo and Imo states by seeking to drive two vehicles wired with time-regulated explosive devices into Government House annex, Warri, Delta State, venue of the Vanguard Post Amnesty Dialogue, where the said governors were in attendance, in order to cause a bomb blast for the purpose of levying war against the state. It added that a man lost his life due to that explosion. Charles was said to have, among other offences, engaged the services of one Bassey Umoren, a welder and paid him N50, 000 to construct hidden compartments into four cars, two of which were subsequently loaded with explosive devices at Port-Harcourt, by Obi Nwabueze and Chima Orlu, at large and positioned on October 1 at 08.30 hours near the venue of the anniversary for the purpose of levying war against the state. He was accused of sending two consignments of Army camouflage torches, bulletproof vests and boots to Allison for onward transmission to one Segun Llori alias Stone face, at large, for use by terrorists recruited by Henry Okah in the creeks of Niger Delta.

news

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Reps halt review of electricity tariff

•Okay bill seeking liberalisation of crude oil refining market Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawoel Daniel-Abuja

he House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to put on hold its plan towards upward review of electricity tariff in the country, with immediate effect. The House also summoned the management of the Commission to appear before it and brief the House on the situation of things to ensure that Nigerians are not short changed. The House also mandated NERC and Distribution companies (DISCO) to immediately begin the provision and installation of prepaid meters to every consumer nationwide without further delay. This followed the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary by Honourable Solomon Bulus Maren, who expressed the need for the House to intervene with a view to stop the impending ‘unrealistic’ upward review of electricity tariff by the Disco’s. In the motion, Maren raised an alarm on the matter to draw the attention of his colleagues to a recent call by Disco for a meeting with select consumers in preparation towards the upward review of electricity tariff. He stated that since Disco took over the distribution of electricity from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for close to two years, nothing has been added to the sector to warrant increase in

tariff. He warned that if not checked, “these unwholesome practices will continue to the detriment of Nigerian masses which will also slow down the development of SMEs which spur industrial development.” Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has

okayed the Bill seeking liberalisation of crude oil refining market for second reading. The House on Tuesday commenced debate on the need to open the petroleum refining market by awarding licenses and incentives to interesting individuals and companies.

Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, on Tuesday inaugurated his campaign for a second term in office with a pledge to consolidate on the achievements of his first term. This is just as the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, debunked the allegation that he had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for another party. Addressing a crowd of supporters at the CMML primary school, Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of the state, Wada said his second term in office would further bring development to the state adding that a vote for the PDP would be a vote for the

oil producing countries, should not be dependent on oil import to service its domestic demands. The bill would regulate, license and facilitate the proliferation of refineries in Nigeria, and also provide employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (second right), exchanging pleasantries with the chairman of the Board of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Kyari Bukar. With them is the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye and the Senate minority whip, Senator Philip Aduda, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, on Tuesday.

NASS, private sector partnership key to economic development —Saraki SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, said collaboration between the public sector, especially the National Assembly and the organised private sector, is crucial to the nation’s economic development. Saraki said this while

addressing the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Kyari Bukar, who led other members of the board on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. “The truth is that if we

Wada inaugurates second term campaign, pledges more transformation Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

The House at the plenary on Tuesday passed into second reading, a bill that is seeking the liberalisation of the crude oil refining market, such that Nigeria could be refining its own products. The sponsor of the Bill, Honourable Uzoma NkemAbonta, lamented that Nigeria, as one of the largest

continuation of the transformation agenda that his administration embarked upon in the last three and half years. An elated Wada said the transformation agenda of his government include development of the agriculture sector, infrastructure, human capital and industrialisation. According to him, the present administration in the state had been utilising the available resources accruing to the state for the development of the various sectors of the state. Also speaking, Idris told the crowd to disregard the insinuations that he had left the PDP for another party, saying that he remain a foremost leader of the party in the state. The former governor

charged the people of the state to continue to vote for the PDP as it remained the only party that could develop the state without siphoning its resources.

are going to build a strong economy, we in the public sector cannot do it without strong collaboration from the private sector and the level of collaboration has to be at this (highest) level. “It has to be at this level because we need to understand what the issues are and we need to be able to address them and buy into them as an agenda before us,” he said. Saraki said the Senate was already looking at some laws relevant to economic growth, with the aim of bringing them up to date in view of present re-

alities. “Just today, we were talking about the railway sector and we found out that we are looking at a law that was enacted since the 1950s. So, why are we surprised that we are not getting the necessary investment in the railway sector? I am sure it goes across other sectors of the economy,” he said. Earlier, Bukar had noted that most Nigerians were yet to fully comprehend the role of the legislature since it remained the newest among the three arms of government.

Youths protest alleged political marginalisation in Minna Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

Against the backdrop of series of protests from various groups over perceived lopsided appointments by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in Niger State, youths of Niger East Senatorial district have condemned the alleged marginalisation meted on their zone in the appointment of political officers in the state. The State governor, Al-

haji Abubakar Sani Bello, has however urged the protesters to be calm while appealing to the people to be more concerned about development in the state and not appointments. But, the group, under the aegis of Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Youth Association which led a peaceful procession to the state Government House, Minna with placards carrying various inscriptions expressed displeasure, emphasising that the appointments

were not in line with the principles of equity and fairness among the people of the state. The group, a Pan-Gbagyi socio-cultural group of youths numbering over 600 also embarked on motorcade procession on the major roads of Minna, on Tuesday and called on the State governor to correct the perceived irregularities in the appointment of officers into various positions in the public service of the state.

NDDC kicks off N1.04bn Ibeno road phase 2 Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt

THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has flagged off the construction of the second phase of the N10.4 billion Iko-Atabrikang-OpolomIwuoAchang Road in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The phase two is a five-kilometre stretch which continues from the 600-metre Ibeno Bridge to link up with another 36-kilometre Ikoro-Ntafra-Opolom Road, also being constructed by commission. This was contained in a statement issued by its Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr Toye Abosede and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday. Ceremonies for the official commencement of the second phase were performed by the NDDC Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, at Ibeno, last Friday. He said change had come to Ibeno because, apart from the road project, the commission was going to build a desalination plant in the oil-rich local government area to ensure that drinking water there was safe.

Ekiti Assembly passes security trust fund bill Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

THE Ekiti State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the state’s Security Trust Fund Bill (2015) into law, while two other bills were also successfully passed through the first reading at a plenary of the House. A statement by the Speaker’s media aide, Stephen Gbadamosi, said, “the Security Trust Fund Bill seeks to establish a fund to foster effective and enduring public/private partnership (PPP) collaboration for crime prevention, containment and eradication in Ekiti State.” The two other bills passed through the first reading at a plenary in Ado-Ekiti are Office of the Public Defender Bill (2015) and Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Bill (2015). Gbadamosi said the Security Trust Fund Bill was passed after the chairman of the House Committee on Security and Special Duties, Honourable Pelemo Dare, presented his committee’s report on the bill.

16 news

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Why I will not join politics —Dangote By Olayinka Olukoya and Saheed Salawu

ILLIONAIRE businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has explained why he will not consider joining politics now or in the foreseeable future. President of Dangote Group, the largest manufacturing conglomerate in West Africa, said while politics may be attractive to some people, the private sector is where he holds the magic wand to impact a vast majority of people, especially in the area of job creation. He made the submission in an interview, on Tuesday, at the Ikenne, Ogun State home of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, after his visit to the family to condole with them over the death of the matriarch, Chief (Dr) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo. Alhaji Dangote, who paid the visit alongside fellow businessman and oil mogul, Chief Femi Otedola, was received by Chief Awolowo’s daughters, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. “I can’t be in politics. You know, they say that when you want to clap, you need

two hands. We are in the business sector. If all of us go into politics, then who is going to create jobs? “We are in the private sector, so, we should be creating jobs. The government should be adopting good policies and seeing that the poor are not taken advantage of. That is what they should do. They are doing what they are supposed to do which, I think, they know how to

do best and we are also doing what we know how to do best,” Dangote said. Speaking on the economy, he recommended a departure from dependence on oil and a return to agriculture which, he said, served as the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy in the 1960’s. “It’s like life, things will continue to go up and down but people should not really get worried about oil going

down to $50 as it is today. If you look at it, when oil was being sold at $100 and above, there were too many leakages. I am sure that by the time we block all the leakages, we will have the same effects that we had been having before. “This will also help push us to forget about oil and go to what we were used to before. Agriculture is what we were used to. We were

exporting groundnuts. We were exporting palm oil. We were exporting cocoa and the rest. You know, we were doing very well,” the businessman said. “If you look at it, Nigeria was ahead of so many countries in the 60’s. So, I think we can go back to the farm. We have the best lands and God has given us, so, we have no complaints,” the magnate said.

From left, Globacom Business Director, Ogun State, Mr Ayo Ogunranti; popular musician, Korede Bello and a Nollywood actor and Glo ambassador, Odunlade Adekola, carrying seven year-old dancer, Tolulope Orimoloye, at the Ijebu Ode edition of Glo Slide ‘n’Bounce recently.

Flood: 11-year-old girl drown in Delta

Over 40 houses submerged in Edo Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba with Agency Reports AN 11-year-old girl has been drowned in Okpai, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, following flooding of several communities along River Niger. The girl, whose name was not immediately known, died on Tuesday, as confirmed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah. Unconfirmed report has it that two persons were allegedly drowned in Anwai area of Asaba, the state capital. A visually impaired graduate, Mr Odigie Osagie Justice, who was trapped by the rampaging flood around Infant Jesus area of Asaba, described the situation as pathetic. He recalled that in 2012, the flood completely submerged his house and “I lost all my property. Government came and even covered my house and showed it on television, promising to do something, but as I stand with you now, not even one kobo had been given to me.” About six council areas in the state, including Ndokwa

East, Oshimili South, Burutu, Ughelli South, Patani and Bomadi are already experiencing the flood, thereby sending jitters into the spines of the rural dwellers. Nigerian Tribune gathered that residents in coastal communities were, however, seen making frantic efforts to salvage their property from the rampaging flood, especially those along the River Niger, where in Oko villages several houses, including that of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edwin Uzor, had reportedly gone under. Meanwhile, succour may have come the way of the flood victims, as the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, told newsmen that the state government was already making preparations to rehabilitate them in temporary camps. Ukah said the flood management committee, headed by the deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro, was in the field, distributing relief materials and relocating the victims. In a related development,

over 40 houses have been submerged and hundreds of people displaced by flood in Udaba, Anegbette, Oghomere communities, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Some of the victims told NAN on Tuesday, that they were relocating as a result of the continuous rise in the water level of River Niger. NAN reported that the flood occurred due to the rise in the water level of River Niger, which affected the communities, leaving hundreds of inhabitants of the communities affected by the flood and had started relocating to nearby communities of Fugar and Auchi in

Etsako Central and Etsako West, respectively. The people have also resorted to premature harvest of their crops on farms due to the flood. The immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing in Edo State, Mr Donald Osikhena, who was a victim, said there had been no response from the state government since the problem started on Friday. He said the Flood Victims Resettlement Camp constructed by the Federal Government was yet to attain 40 per cent completion and had been abandoned by the contractor handling it. The Village Head of Udaba, Chief David Inetakpe, said non-completion of the

resettlement camp had led to relocation of some families to other villages, while others had moved to the upland. “Most painful is that we have not heard from the government since this problem started on Friday. “We need help and there is no point pretending about it. We need government to come to our aid,’’ Inetakpe said. Also, the Village Head of South Uneme Oliola, Chief Yakubu Ugbodaga, said the flood had impacted negatively on the lives of the people. He said the water level kept increasing by the day and appealed to the government to assist the victims.

NCC prosecuted 179 pirates, secured 53 convictions in 4 years DIRECTOR-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr Afam Ezekude, said on Tuesday, that the commission prosecuted 179 suspected pirates, while 53 were convicted in the last four years.

Ezekude made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. The commission, he said, was able to achieve the feat due to its determination to completely check

piracy in the country. “I declared a zero tolerance to piracy when I came on board as the Chief Executive of NCC in 2011. “I designed a proactive enforcement and prosecution plan that had yielded results,’’ he said.

UK wants Alamieyeseigha extradited THE case of a former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, appeared concluded, when the former President Goodluck Jonathan granted him state pardon, but the British government seems determined to resurrect the case. Reports have it that they have requested for the extradition of the former governor to London. For the British government, the former governor has an outstanding case in the United Kingdom on money laundering, which is there for him to answer. Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, was quoted as saying that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government was prepared to assent to the request of the British government. He said the United Kingdom had every legal right to demand for the extradition of the former Bayelsa State governor. “The UK is in principle correct to be making such a request, based on the fact that the crime was committed on the British soil. However, when there is delay in trial as a result of time, there may be consideration on legal grounds, so that the trial is not seen as oppressive,” he said. Alamieyeseigha, who was facing money laundering charges, jumped bail and returned to Nigeria and had since then refused to answer summons for trial to continue.

Edo assembly approves suspension of 4 LG chairmen THE Edo House of Assembly, on Tuesday, approved the suspension of four local government chairmen over alleged diversion of funds and inability to pay staff salaries for two months. The suspension followed a request letter sent to the assembly by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Julius Ihonvbere. The affected chairmen are Mr Emmanuel Momoh, Etsako Central Local Government Area; Mr Victor Enobakhare, Egor Local Government Area; Mr Osaro Obazee, Oredo Local Government Area and Mr Roland Ibierutonmwen of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

FUNOLOGY

Alhassan Dantata

• Born in Bebeji, Kano State, in 1877.

• He was a north-

CHURCH BOY

ern Nigerian kolanut trader and the wealthiest man in West Africa at the time of his death.

SEGELUULU

•

During the Kano Civil war in 1893, Dantata and his brothers were captured and sold as slaves, but they were able to buy their freedom back and returning to Bebeji shortly afterwards. Dantata, after returned to Bebeji, began using steamships to transport kolanut between Accra and Lagos.

• Aliko Dangote, the richest black man in the world, is his great grandchild. • He died in Kano on 17 August 1955 and was buried in his house in the Sarari ward.

There are 10 differences in the cartoons below. the differences should be marked in b

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

18 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Towards curbing corruption in Nigeria

ORRUPTION in Nigeria is destroying every facet of our economy and if we are not careful there may be unavoidable and eventual revolution. So, when there is a problem, a good administrator or leader must proactively find solutions to such situational problems. We are all corrupt and corrupted. Before proffering solutions let me give an amazing story of

corruption. I attended a funeral ceremony of a colleague recently and three of us went to inspect the grave but met a boy and girl of five years and two years respectively and of the same parents having carnal activities. The parents had corrupted these little children; why, by sleeping in the same room with the children. It is corruption to sleep in the same room with our children. That may be due to poverty; and

Still on Nigeria at 55 THERE is hope for the country; attaining 55 years of age is not a child’s play. Although we have experienced a lot of turbulence in our national life, we need to come together to overcome. Nigeria will definitely be great; merely looking at our human and natural resources shows a country with a future. However, we need to be united. America and other great countries of the world would not be where they are if their people were not united. Collectively, we must wage war against corruption. Corruption is the single biggest enemy facing our country today. A lot of people in public office are only there to line their pockets with money, and until we have a strong judiciary that will convict corrupt people and send them to jail, we will keep having the same problem. Our judiciary is just so weak; a highly-placed individual will steal billions of naira, and he will make a plea bargain, whereby he will pay a tiny percentage of what he has stolen, and then he is left with the rest, while a poor person will steal a mobile phone and he will be sentenced to five years imprisonment. Corruption will never be eradicated in this manner. The law should treat all Nigerians equally, irrespective of wealth or political positions. If we truly want to make Nigeria great, then it is the responsibility of all to work towards making this a reality.

Waging war against corruption on all front is the first step towards achieving this, and everybody must be involved. Nigeria will definitely achieve greatness if we don’t give up. •Idayat Kassim, Ilorin, Kwara State.

poverty too is corruption for why should there be wealthy people and very poor ones? This is exactly what we are all doing today – we are corrupting our children in all ramifications of life. In bringing an end to corruption, we must look at certain factors: Family factor: Unfortunately, the upbringing of our children have been corrupted. Our culture has been corrupted with Western culture. Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo languages are no more spoken by our children. Children are fluent in English but are deaf to our languages. We are thus corrupting our children morally and culturally. Our leaders should look into this and draw appropriate curriculum which should be taught in the schools including tertiary institutions. Religious factor: All Pastors, Imams and oth-

er religious leaders have failed this country. Religious Education should imbibe and inculcate morals into the children. Abstaining from stealing, dishonesty, acquisition of wealth, violence should be preached at home, in the schools, churches and mosques. For example Boko Haram members believe killing non-members will automatically qualify them to enter Aljana-kingdom of God. That is why they are killing themselves with others. Religious teaching should enlighten youths on the contrary. Legislative factor: Our National Assembly should enact adequate laws to prevent corruption. They should legislate laws that will include appropriate punishments. Judicial factor: Judiciary should interpret laws faithfully, sincerely and without any bias or

any form of bribery. The judicial council should be manned with honest judges. There should be a special court to try the judges too. Anti-Corruption Awareness Agency: Nigerian citizens should be sanitised and enlightened by Anti - Corruption Awareness Agents. This agent should be empowered by appropriate legislation. The squad may comprise

two different Agents that will be working together. While awareness should handle public awareness scheme to enlighten Nigerians, the anti-corruption squad should be empowered to arrest culprits including high ranking and privileged citizens, police officers, judges and personalities. •Toki Abel Adeolu, Ibadan.

How to boost Nigeria’s economy FOR some time now, the exchange rate of the naira against major currencies of the world, particularly the United States dollar, has not been stable. This has to do with the state in which the Nigerian economy is today; we are earning less foreign exchange now compared to what we used to earn in the

past. Our major source of foreign exchange is the sale of crude oil, which has seen significant drop in price in the last couple of months. It is also expected that the price will still tumble further down; this is, however, a sad news for oil producers, of which Nigeria is a top player. If we, however, don’t want our economy to be ruined by the fall in oil price, we must begin to consolidate on those things we produce in large quantities. Today, Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava; we should look further than turning our cassava into garri and fufu, and look at how to market it abroad. Cassava is used in many industries, including the animal feed sector. We can capitalise on this to generate more foreign exchange. We have other agricultural produce which we can also market abroad. Oil palm is another area we can look into. Malaysia and Indonesia are generating huge foreign exchange from oil palm, which is so useful in the cosmetics industries. Mining is another area we can focus on. There are many illegal miners in the country earning what the country is supposed to be earning. The Federal Government should liberalise this sector so that the state governments can take control of the resources in their states. •Julius Okon, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

editorial

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Falae’s abduction: Matters arising

Y virtue of Chief Olu Falae’s status in society, his abduction attracted a lot of attention and was widely viewed as a serious matter. While the issue of ransom payment remains a critical factor in the entire incident, the occupational and ethnic identity of the perpetrators of the act has given a disturbing dimension to the problem of kidnapping. It underscores the fact that the ‘kidnap industry’ has become a thriving business which has been attracting new entrants. That Chief Falae, a former minister, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former presidential candidate could be so abducted, manhandled and traumatised should be a source of worry to the government. The usual protestations of commitment to the security of lives and property each time a victim of abduction is set free has changed nothing. The frequency at which cases of abduction are being reported has shown that such assurances have become a mere routine that is devoid of meaning. The relocation of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, to Ondo State following the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari showed the importance attached to the chief’s safe return to his family. The fact, however, is that it was the payment of ransom and not the involvement of the police that enabled Falae to regain his freedom. The initial posturing of the police conveyed the impression that they rescued him from the kidnappers’ den, but the experience narrated by the chief himself sharply contradicted the claim. While the police boss was quoted as saying that “I am happy he is rescued alive,” Falae was reported as stating that “the day they said I should go … I came out of the bush. I was able to find an okada rider who took me to Owo. The place was about 10 kilometres from Owo town.” He further said that it was at a hotel in Owo that he met security personnel who took him to his house in Akure. The payment of ransom to secure the release of abduction victims has always been a contentious issue. While the police have been denying the payment of ransom, the victims and their relations have been keeping mum for obvious fear of another ‘visit’ by the hoodlums. The police have maintained their usual stand that no ransom was paid to get Falae released but the chief has openly stated that he did not regain his freedom for free. “. . . And they said they gave me until

3 pm, and if at 3 pm they don’t get the money, they will execute me. I thank God that at 21 minutes to 3 pm one of them came and said ‘the money don complete,” he said. For how long will the police stick to this pretentious approach to the payment of ransom when they have not been able to come up with the necessary strategy that can always enable them to bust the gangs of kidnappers. The statement by the police that they were not privy to any arrangement for the payment of ransom to secure the chief’s release does not take cognizance of the worries to which members of a victim’s family are subjected in such a situation. Can any responsible family given a deadline within which to pay a ransom treat a threat to terminate the life of a loved one with levity? Kidnapping is no longer a new social phenomenon in Nigeria. It is a crime that some criminal elements have embraced as a way of life. As the security agency entrusted with the responsibility of crime prevention and detection, the police should up its ante in intelligence gathering and frontally confront the menace. The implication of Fulani herdsmen in the abduction of Chief Falae introduces a new and disturbing dimension to the menace the herdsmen and their cattle constitute in various parts of the country. The nomads are in conflict with farmers everywhere because they do not see anything wrong in grazing their animals on crops which cost so much to cultivate. It is outrageous enough to destroy farmlands and launch brutal attacks on farmers. The addition of kidnapping has dangerously widened the scope of their atrocities. As we have repeatedly counselled in our previous comments, it is high time an end was put to the outdated practice of driving animals from the far north to the sea coast. Animal husbandry is being practised in other arid and semi-arid climes where deserts have been turned into pasturage and animals are confined in well-secured ranches. Nigerian cattle owners should invest in their own business by establishing ranches in which they can feed and breed animals. The government should banish the thought of creating grazing routes and reserves because it will amount to an encroachment on other people’s farmlands and become a frequent source of conflicts. The excesses of Fulani herdsmen should be checked before the victims of their atrocities resort to self-help.

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opinion

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Celebrating HID Awolowo By Oluremi Ademola Atanda

N behalf of myself and the entire nuclear and extra-nuclear members of the Atanda family of Iwo, Osun State, I am conveying to the Awolowo dynasty at home and abroad, my most heartfelt and deep-marrowed condolence and sympathy on the occasion of the transition to higher glory of our cherished mama, Yeye Odua H.I.D. Awolowo, a disheartening event that took place on that tempestuous day of 19th September 2015 at the age of 99 years. We received the sad news with sadness, agony, deep sorrow and heavy heart but “Omnibus est moriendum,” meaning all must die. “Good men must die, but death cannot kill their good names” and that “those who we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard but always near us, still loved and dear.” I can only urge the entire members of the family and all those whose lives she had touched to renew and strengthen their faith in the Almighty God and my prayer is that He grants us all, the fortitude, heart, gut and courage to bear this colossal loss. She was indubitably the greatest, noblest and eternally unbending pillar of support to the sage Pa Obafemi Awolowo at all times; in sunshine, rain, hell and high water, betrayals, persecution, hounding and harrowing tragedies during and after the demise of our adored Awolowo (acronymed Awo) who was a sage of many parts. This “Couple of the Century” could do common things in uncommon ways, and have thus left a trail on a path not taken by many. Their galaxy of responsible and transparent virtues resonate all over that the “deaf” can hear and the “blind” can see. They believed that there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor popular, but because their conscience tells them it is right, honest and dignifying. They paid allegiance to integrity, conscience and self esteem. To them, integrity “is all” which unfortunately is now sadly depleted nationwide. HID, the iconic Matriarch of the Awolowo family and of the entire Nigeria womanhood and in particular the Yoruba race worldwide, was born in humility, in humility she lived and in humility she died; she was indeed an ‘Iroko’ of Humility. She was a peaceful woman who breathed her last in absolute peace in a serene and most conducive atmosphere and divinely appointed time. I am at a great loss to find words to describe this colossal and over-towering personality personifying things that are good, beautiful,

admirable, honest and brave. She was endowed with Solomonic wisdom and knowledge. She rightly belongs to the peers of Margaret Thatcher, Mother Teresa, Indira Ghandi, and back home, Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti. She will be sorely, surely and sourly missed by Nigeria womanhood, the Nigeria Council for Women Societies, the Progressive political class, Nigeria christiandom, and all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. Let me now come down to how the late sage and Yeye Odua closely touched my life. Towards this end, I am extracting from my Biography at 70 years, published in September 2009, of how this came about. In the third week of November 1979, on a calm evening, 6:00 pm precisely, while working in my office at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Awolowo’s driver, in the sage’s three-seater Mercedes Benz, drove to my office to inform me that Papa would like to see me as early as possible but did not give a specific deadline. I felt greatly humbled by this single act. Subconsciously, I told the driver that I would see Pa Awolowo the next evening. I had a sleepless night that day and I wished I had gone to see, him immediately. The next day, I drove myself to Pa Awolowo’s Ibadan residence at Oke-Bola. I was ushered into the house, because my name was on the visitors’ list. As soon as I entered, I saw on seat Pa Awolowo, Prof. Oyediran, his son-in-law, and an elderly and handsome man who spoke in Egba dialect. Pa. Awolowo asked me to sit down and throughout, I had no breath and courage to look directly into Pa Awolowo’s face but only from a corner of my eyes. Immediately, Pa Awolowo’s wife (the Matriarch) came in with a tray of food items that excluded meat. It was at that time ‘that I knew that Pa Awolowo was a vegetarian. She came again with another tray of ‘food’ that complemented

the first one. There was no housemaid helping whatsoever. She did everything herself. What a demonstration of a housewife’s (jewel of inestimable value) rare humility and simplicity! Pa. Awolowo threw the first shot saying, “Look, see this young man, so young. He has received a unique offer on a platter of gold and he is refusing it” and he continued’ -‘ “How old are you?” “39 plus, sir” “39 plus what?” “40 by September this year, sir” “You are not yet 40 and you are getting a job of a 70-yearold. E bami dasi 0. He is rejecting the offer.” He added, “I heard you have an impressive Curriculum Vitae (C.V.). The entire C.V. you have got is inferior to the job you are refusing.” Prof. Oyediran then passed a comment, saying, “If he was invited to come and be Chairman, Civil Service Commission of his then Kwara state, he would readily accept.” The elderly person with the Egba accent spoke in the same vein. Then Pa. Awolowo continued, “Do you know that as a Premier, I had no power or authority to call the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to my office as the Commission was an independent and autonomous statutory body?” In the process, we had a sumptuous dinner and in my own kind of person, I had no answers to the questions raised by such an intimidating stature of Pa. Awolowo. The only word I uttered was a deep-hearted “Thank you, sir, I’m happy to meet great Pa. physically for the first time.” Pa. Awolowo then said “Where have you been all the times I came to see your papa and brother, Eniola Atanda at Iwo on occasions”, and I replied saying “I was abroad”. Late Lawyer Eniola Atanda was always Awolowo’s host whenever he visited Iwo. By the time I left, I was dumbfounded and nonplused. I knew I was going to accept the offer particularly out of greatest respect for the sage. As Chairman of Civil Service Commission of old Oyo State, (now Oyo and Osun), I became the youngest man ever to occupy that very enviable position where I was given all the opportunities to excel in different facets of service to old Oyo State and Nigeria in general. I wish I can go ahead spelling out the uncommonly singular achievements that this position made possible for me — administratively, educationally, politically, socially, economically, philanthropically, spreading across the globe. •Chief (Dr) Atanda is an Ibadan-based educationist.

Nurudeen Akinyo: A rest taken too early By Kehinde Olaosebikan

HAT we have just lost one of the promising indigenes of Ibadan is an understatement. The death of Mogaji Nurudeen Owolabi Akinyo has dealth a devastating blow on the political, social, business and traditional classes of Ibadan and the state as a whole. When Akeem Babare called to confirm whether the news he heard about Nuru was correct I told him straight that it could not be true. But hardly had my phone call got through to Teslim Alao, Nuru’s uncle in Abuja than the reality dawned on me that Nuru was no more. Teslim did not allow me to say a word before he sorrowfully confirmed the sad news of the demise of Nuru , a friend and brother who meant so much to me. I immediately became weak and terrified. I could not even comprehend all what he was saying on the sickness that led to the death as the instant shock and pain the news brought to me was excruciating. It was a callous death. Since 1998 when our paths crossed , Nurudeen had been a very good, humble, hardworking, amiable and benevolent person. Though a younger brother, Nuru was typical of the child that knows how to wash his hands, who certainly would dine with elders. He was a good company any time, very sociable and accommodating. Nuru could go to any length to please anybody even if meeting the person for the first time. Hanging out with Nuru was always rich and full of fun. Running a thriving travel and tour business in Abuja, Nuru took his work with all seriousness and was always ahead of competitors exhibiting an uncommon level of planning and understanding in the course of duty. This made Nuru to record high success within a very short time in tours business. Politically, Nuru made a lasting statement in the poli-

tics of Oyo State. Despite losing the contest to the House of Representatives in 2007, Nuru, rather than losing hope got stronger and contested for a higher position of Senate in 2015. And it is known that the fact that he lost the election to the Senate in the last general election did not diminish Nuru as one of the most popular and accepted

My pain is that Nuru is taking the rest too early.

young politicians of our time. His campaign was robust, colourful and comprehensive. It can be said that Nuru had one of the best posters in the last electioneering campaign. Nuru was colourfully visible everywhere in the Oyo South Senatorial District. As a mark of love for him by his family and community, Nuru without being the oldest in the Akinyo family was made the Head (Mogaji) of the popular and respected Akinyo compound. The crowd that witnessed the final burial rites of his late mother at Trans Amusement Park attested to the extraordinary popularity that Nuru enjoyed among all the strata of the society. With his death, many, mostly politicians have been in grief with many others querying why the need to struggle when we do not know when death will knock on our doors. To this query, my response is if we don’t struggle , make efforts, what do we do? We fold our arms and allow idleness or fear of death to take us away? No! We must continue to struggle and make moves till the end comes as Nuru had done. What I know is that after all the struggles and moves, Nuru has gone to take a permanent rest in the bosom of the Lord. But my pain is that Nuru is taking the rest too early. May Allah forgive him of his sins and grant him eternal rest. To the wife and children, Allah will console you. To all of us in politics, our Leader and governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi , our father and leader, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, and all the politicians across the state, may the Almighty Allah give us the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Adieu Nuru! •Agba-Akin Olaosebikan sent this article from Onipe, Ward 9, Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015 Editor: Bayo Alade featuresdesk@yahoo.com 080 55001747

features

How five northern states are battling malnutrition Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

OVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno and the new chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) had during its maiden meeting in Kaduna recently painted a gloomy picture of the region. He described the North as a ‘weeping child’ confronted with a mirage of problems. These problems he said were hunger, terrorism, poverty, infracstrutural decay, poor economy and backwardness in education. That same week, in another fora, the region was under scrutiny. In a five-day media workshop organised by a non governmental organisation, Save the Children, for health, providers and editors of both electronic and print media in the region, the issue of malnutrition came to the front burner. Journalists from Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kastina, Yobe as well as Abuja convened in Zamfara and later Katsina to take a critical look at how malnutrition affects the region. It was the belief of the participants that malnutrition is a silent killer worse than malaria and other dreaded diseases. They said if it is allowed to continue it will become an endemic too difficult to handle. Onikan Wemimo, the convener of the workshop, told the forum that early study by the National Demographic survey in 2008 had shown that Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Zamfara states have the highest number of malnourished children in the country. She disclosed that the study also shows that over one million children die every year in the country due to health-related issues. “What this meant was that 2,740 children die every day and more than half of these deaths are attributed to malnutrition,’ she declared. Today, according to the National Programmes Manager, Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN), Dr Mohammed Liman while speaking at the workshop, remarked that Nigeria is one of the six countries that account for half of all the deaths associated with malnutrition. He said in the North, the situation was so bad that one in every five children suffers from acute malnutrition. According to him, this has a profound effect on the health and human development of the region. Elaborating further on the menace, the Field Manager of Save the Children, Zamfara State, Babatunde Lawani noted that in response to the malnourished status of the region, Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN) project was conceived in 2011 by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and supported by three other consortium, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children (SC) and Action Against Hunger (ACF). According to him, these partners have made a concerted effort to reach 5 million children under the age of five since the inception of

the programme in these states, saying, ‘the idea was to reach 11 million children by 2017. In all these states, with the support of both local and state governments we have established Community Management Acute Malnutrition(CMAM) centres to cater for the welfare of the malnourished children. In the same vein, counselling units were established to offer advice to mothers on exclusive breastfeeding. According to him, in some of the affected states philanthropists have come to compliment the efforts of the international agencies by providing drugs to these children among other logistics. In the same vein, pregnant women were given adequate care at these centres before delivery. Indeed, over the years, the WINNN programme in these states have witnessed some degree of successes. For, instance, the Maternal Newborn and Child Health weeks have been observed in these states since the commencement of the programme. Also the Food and Nutrition committees had equally been set up in these states to tackle malnutrition. It was gathered that through advocacy ,

some state governments like Zamfara and Jigawa have created a budget line of N20 million and N100 million respectively for nutrition activities in their respective states. To this end, reliable sources disclosed that so far 1 million children have been reached with vitamins and food nutrients in the affected states. Findings also revealed that at the same time, within the period under review, thousands of children had died. For instance, the Director Primary Health

Nigeria is one of the six countries that account for half of all the deaths associated with malnutrition

Care, Ministry of Health, Zamfara state, Alhaji Yusuf Musa said over 2,000 children have so far died in the state. However, if the feelers emanating from Zamfara are true, that the state governor had released the sum of N3 million for nutritional activities then one could easily conclude that there is a ray of hope in tackling malnutrition in the country. But the big question on the lips of the participants at the workshop is, what happens if these partners decide to pack their belongings and leave after 2017? Are we then saying that is the end of providing succour to these helpless children? In their separate presentations, both Dr Yinka Adekugbe and Alhaji Yusuf Guru who spoke during the five-day training noted that there is the need for an holistic approach in order to end the menace. They posited that both the federal and state governments must provide palliative measures to end the scourge. According to them agriculture should receive a major boost so that there will be enough food for the people. ‘Once food is readily available malnutrition will be reduced to the barest level,” they stated. This point was also collaborated by the Permanent Secretary, Katsina State Ministry of Health, Dr Ahmad Muhammad while receiving members of the health team in his office. He stated that agriculture is one of the major priority of the state government under Governor Aminu Masari. He said apart from distributing fertilisers to farmers in time, plans are in top gear to repair all abandoned and dilapidated dams in order to boost irrigation farming. According to him, the essence is to ensure that food security is guaranteed. The resource persons also argued that women empowerment, provision of health care facilities, training of health personnel, funding and publicity are factors necessary to tackle the menace of malnutrition.

features

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

When attack on Niger village caused face-off between lawmaker, dep gov Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

T is no longer news that the recent attack on Allawa village in Shiroro Local Government of Niger State by unidentified gunmen that led to the death of the village head, a police Inspector and scores of others. While medical personnel are still battling to save the lives some victims, the state government and the Senator representing the Niger East Senatorial District at the National Assembly in Abuja, Senator David Umaru are at war over the statement credited to the lawmaker that the government did not rise to the occasion as expected by residents of the state. In a swift reaction, the state’s Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso has described as wicked and ungodly the assertion that the state government abandoned both the families of the dead victims and the injured survivors of the attack who are now receiving medical treatment at the General Hospital, Minna. He said as soon as the incident occurred, the state government quickly increased the presence of various security agencies in the troubled village. “We dispatched the Chairman, Shiroro Local Government and his team to the scenes of the incidents in the village to assess the situation, commiserate with the bereaved families as well as brief security agencies. “We also informed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, in Kaduna to partner with the Nigeria Air Force for ground and air surveillance on the community, with a view to arresting the fleeing armed men so that they can be brought to justice,” said Ketso. In a press release signed by the acting governor’s chief press secretary, Mrs Maimuna Kolo, Alhaji Ketso added that the state government had equally sent a powerful delegation to the village for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation at the village and relative peace was said to have returned, as the villagers who were earlier gripped with fear and had fled their homes for refuge elsewhere are now returning home. He added that the reaction by the state government had become imperative in order to refute the allegation by Senator Umaru that the government was not proactive enough about the plights of the bereaved relations of the victims of the attack and the survivors. However, the lawmaker, Senator David Umaru said: “with what I have seen so far, coupled with what I have been told by the injured victims recuperating on hospital beds here, I am not sure that the people are satisfied with government’s intervention. Rather they will prefer that more drastic action is taken by the government to restore normalcy to the area. I do hope that the state government will look at it from the point of view of the people and do all that is necessary to restore peace.” The lawyer-cum politician spoke with newsmen during a sympathy visit to the village and to the injured victims at the General Hospital, Minna, saying “I call on the state government to be more proactive and take more serious action to prevent and stop unprovoked attacks on innocent villagers in parts of the state especially in the Niger East Senatorial District.” He also expressed the hope that the government would be in touch with the affected people to properly assess the situation so that they can go back to their homes. Senator Umaru also observed that as of the time of his last visit to the hospital, it was only the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago that had been providing succour for the victims, while commending the monarch who doubles as the Chairman, Minna Emirate Council for the measures and efforts he had taken to calm the nerves of affected people and for restoration of peace in the troubled village. “Every time this kind of incident occurres, people always troop down to the Emir and that shows the kind of confidence they have in him because he has always stood on the side of his people. I think the efforts of the Emir must be complemented by the state government because it is the responsibility of the government to secure the lives and property of the people. So, the state

Umar Sado government must do everything possible to assist the Emir in calming the situation,” said the Senator. Meanwhile, a new dimension may have been introduced to the recent attack on the troubled Allawa village, as 14-year-old Umar Sado, the injured son of the slain Village Head, Mallam Salihu Umar, said that the attack on the village might have been premeditated. The boy, a JSS2 pupil of Umar Bahago International School Minna, stated this while relating his traumatic experience at the hands of the armed men. He said that at the time of the invasion of his late father’s house by armed men, “one of them shot me while

I do not know our assailants and neither do I know their exact number. All I can remember is that the armed men entered into our house while we were all asleep.

another person used cutlass on my head.” He, however, said he could not recognise any of the armed men who killed his father, other relations and some members of the village including a police Inspector who was the Officer in charge of the police outpost in the village on the fateful night. “I am 14 years old. I am a JSS II student of Umar Bahago International. But I do not know our assailants and neither do I know their exact number. All I can remember is that the armed men entered into our house while we were all asleep,” said Umar Sado. It is however recalled that shortly after the incident, authorities of the Niger State Police Command in a statement through its Police Publications Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Bala Elkana confirmed the attack on Allawa village. The statement read thus “on 23/09/2015 at about 0930hrs police received a complaint that on 22/09/2015 at about 2100hrs some armed bandits suspected to be Fulani cattle rustlers invaded Allawa village, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, in a large number and started firing gunshots indiscriminately.” It added that in the process, an Inspector of Police, John Sunday, attached to Allawa police out station in the village lost his life during the attack, while others were killed including the village head of Allawa, Salihu Umar, as well as two other victims namely: Usman Doma and Mohammed Umar, by the fleeing armed men. The release added further that three persons namely: Salisu Adamu, Umar Sado and one Abdullahi, sustained various degrees of injuries, while a shop was burnt down and one vehicle vandalised.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

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

Tourism is the greatest employer of labour —Mbanefo

Mrs Sally Mbanefo (middle) and Mr Chike Smart Ogbe, Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and others, during the World Tourism Day Celebration, held in Enugu, recently.

IRECTOR-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, has described tourism as the greatest employer of labour. Mbanefo who said this during the 2015 World Tourism Day, with the theme, “1 Billion Tourists, 1 Billion Opportunities,” and held in Enugu State, underscored the role of the tourism sector as a valuable and sustainable source of livelihood for millions of people. She said, the corporation under her administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure practical development and promotion of domestic tourism, which according to her, will propel job creation, develop the nation’s economy, and raise social awareness on cultural preservation and environment protection. Her words: “Nigeria has a better advantage over so many other countries to benefit from tourism. We have the advantage of population. Tourism contributes 10 per cent to the global GDP but as at now, Nigeria is not fully benefiting from tourism like other countries. For instance,

4,333,000 tourists visited Nigeria in 2013, which contributed about four per cent to our GDP, while tourism contributes 17.7 per cent to the GDP of Gambia; 13 per cent to Egypt; 12 per cent to Kenya; 11.9 per cent to Mexico; 9 per cent to South Africa, and six per cent to Cuba. “We need to know that Nigeria should focus more on tourism as the best alternative to oil, with domestic tourism as the catalyst. “I need to emphasise that Nigeria has the best of the ingredient of tourism. We have fascinating tourist sites, enviable cultural festivals, good weather, good and hospitable people. Have you ever wondered why most diplomats, after serving their terms chose to stay back in Nigeria? It is because of the warmth and friendliness of our people, environment and potentials.” Mbanefo, who emphasised that the potential of tourism in Nigeria is N4billion prayed that government should take privatisation to the next level, which according to her will further facilitate an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria.

The NTDC boss lauded the Enugu State government for making tourism alive in the state, while describing the state as a hub of eco-tourism. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary

I need to emphasise that Nigeria has the best of the ingredient of tourism. We have fascinating tourist sites, enviable cultural festivals, good weather, good and hospitable people

of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, described tourism as the way forward for Nigeria. She noted that the ministry is, on a daily basis, intensifying efforts at ensuring the money spinning sector is well developed and promoted in Nigeria, to ensure Nigerians, among the people of other countries, maximally benefit from the potentials of tourism. The Group Managing Director, Viko Nigeria Group of Companies Limited, Mr Lucky Kanu, in his speech expressed the readiness of his company to further support NTDC in promoting domestic tourism, thereby creating more jobs and wealth in Nigeria. “Our partnership with NTDC could be best described as demonstration of a successful practice of public private partnership in Nigeria, as the partnership has yielded opening of information desks in about six states in Nigeria, while we are working on a new project that will create over 500,000 jobs for the youth in every state of Nigeria,” Kanu said

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

tribunetourism Akinboboye: Nigerian who manages 172 tourism Communities in Cote d’Ivoire By Wale Ojo Lanre who was in Cote D’Ivoire

HE country, Nigeria is not only blessed with the largest number of people in black Africa, but also a wash with numerous species of tangible and intangible mineral resources that only few countries in the world can boast of. Nigerians population is not just for the numerical relevance, the country has produced men and women who have through their acts and deeds lured the world to stand up in applause of their strides. History has continued to keep us in memory of Nigerians who are daily working wonders on the international scene. Some of these Nigerians are either forced out of the system to seek expression in other lands. In the areas of Literary stardom, the name of Professor Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Elechi Amadi, Rita Pam Tarachi Abdulkareem Baba Aminu, Nana Asma’u Okri among others are world class reference. In the field of neurosurgery, Latunde Odeku who is the first black US-trained neurosurgeon cannot be forgotten in a hurry and of recent, a 22-year-old Nigerian, Emmanuel Ohuabunwa, has made history at John Hopkins University, United States for scoring a Grade Point Average of 3.98 out of a possible 4.0 to earn a degree in Neurosciences. Talking about computation, Philip Emeagwali, Gbenga Sesan – Nigeria’s first Information Technology Youth Ambassador and Afia Udofia, proved to the world that Nigeria is not a push over in the comity of countries which God blessed with cerebral men and women. The list of Nigerians breaking and stunning world records is endless and remarkably impressive. In the field of tourism and hospitality, Nigeria has never maintained the back seat as it will interest the world that a Nigerian, late Ignatius Atigbi ...was the man who proposed the inauguration of the World Tourism Day which was ratified by UNESCO to hold every September 27 annually. The recognition of Nigerians expertise in various fields and acknowledgments has not only shore up Nigeria’s image on the international scene, but has continued to cultivate respect for Nigerians. It was almost incredible in the last quarter of year 2013, when Nigerian newspapers were awash with the news that a Nigerian, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye has been sought by the government of Cote d’Ivoire to help in managing 72 tourism communities in the country. This incredulity was not out of mischief neither was it misplaced because of the impression that “How can Nigeria which is still groping to stabilise tourism sector produce such an internationally sought after tourism expert who stays in Nigeria by Cote d’ivoire, a country with historical link with French, one of the most tourism developed countries in the world?”

However, the axiom that out of the slums or ruins come out the best attest to the fact that Nigeria has produced in excess the human material to make the country great and the best in the world if only the polity allows the best to be selected. Akinboboye was just not picked by Cote d’Ivoire government as the best man to do the job. The country has quietly searched the profile of Akinboboye who is at present the Special Adviser to the government of Ondo State on Tourism and Culture. Ambassador Akinboboye is rooted in tourism and culture and has applied himself with passion to this calling. After his sojourn in America, Akinboboye who left Nigeria at the age of 16 came back to Nigeria to plough back his experience and sought out a blissful coastline enclave in Ikegun, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State and planted the first ever private resort named La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort which is also being recorded as the only resort in Nigeria which blend traditional hospitality with intercontinental outlook. In his strides to showcase Nigerian tourism potentialities to the world, he initiated Motherland Beckons, a cultural tourism home sweet home programme for millions of Africans in Diaspora which beckons on them to visit Africa their motherland and reintegrate with their roots. This he did successfully when he hosted all the World Conference of Mayors in Badagery, Nigeria. Ambassador Akinboboye apart from establishing La Champagne Beach Resort has invested heavily on promotion of African dance and drums which serve not as only means of entertainment, but powerful medium of communication which has led him to producing the first ever lady talking drummer – Ara, the first ever lady bata drummer and first ever lady Ikwe beater . His La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort has played host to numerous world class dignitaries which include ex-presidents, ministers and monarchs. His African concept of tourism promotion which is based on utilising the eco-articles and African expression impressed the former Kenyan Vice President, His Excellency Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka who visited the Resort, in Ikegun, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, on Monday, 14 April, 2012 at the head of 50-man delegation, for a fun-filled lunch. Mr Musyoka arrived at the Resort under heavy downpour with his son. The visiting vice president who was visibly impressed then said “I am highly fascinated by the three components of a tourism destination embedded here i.e. freshwater lagoon tourism, beach tourism and mangrove forest tourism, all in one place and encapsulated in a highly cosmopolitan cultural presentation.” He was conducted round the resort’s facilities where he inspected the Freshwater Lagoon “Osho” Bungalows, mangrove forest “Anago” bungalows and the Ocean Front

“Obieze Bungalows.” He also commended Ambassador Akinboboye for being able to maintain “a distinct clean resort which is giving African tourism buff a pride of place in the world.” His adroitness at injecting brilliance and glow to tourism projects made the Governor of Ondo State, Governor Olusegun Mimiko to make him a Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture. And living up to expectation, Ambassador Akinboboye dazzled tourism enthusiasts in the world when he built a first class Idanre Hills resorts in a world breaking record of three months. All these and others must have propelled the government of the Coca producing Cote d’Ivoire to invite him to manage and take

over 172 tourism communities in the country. Desirous of engaging Ambassador Akinboboye while still serving the government of Ondo State , the President of Cote d’Ivoire, in May this year despatched a delegation headed by the country’s Ambassador in Nigeria, Ambassador Toure Maman, to plead with Governor Mimiko to release him for the job . “The President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alhassan Qattara, has formally made a request to the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for the release of Otunba Akinboboye, who is the Special Adviser on Tourism, to help in the development of the country’s tourism sector.” This request was delivered to the Ondo State governor by Cote d’Ivoire’s Ambassa-

dor to Nigeria, Ambassador Maman, during a visit to the governor. The envoy, who led a team of officials from the country’s embassy in Abuja to the Government House, Akure, was received by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, who stood in for the governor. According to the envoy, her country, which is noted for its agriculture and the largest producer of cocoa in Africa, is looking at diversifying its economy with focus on tourism as a veritable source.’ To further ensure that Ambassador Akinboboye is totally absorbed in the country , 152 villages in Cote d’ Ivoire bestowed on him the title of Chef Ole Tribu de Paouflor Izuerioula Region de Marahoue. This honour, which comes with great responsibil-

Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye

ity according to the people of the region is in recognition of his commitment to the development and promotion of the tourism industry with special reference to the promotion of African culture and tradition. With this title, Akinboboye now rules over 151 villages in the region as the head and he is expected to bring his wealth of experience and resources in administering and ordering the affairs of the villages. To this end, a befitting palace has been built for him in the region through communal effort and he is expected to reside there whenever he visits the country. Ambassador Akinboboye in an interview with the Tribune Tourism Magazine at one of the tourism villages which he superintends over called Coconut Village, Monduku, Grand Bassam said “I see this invitation not on a personal recognition, but as Nigeria’s pride. “It is a testimony of the fact that Nigeria is not only a big nation in terms of population and landmass, but recognition of its huge potential in human capital development. It is also a testimony to the fact that the spirit of ECOWAS is growing stronger and tying the knot of brotherhood .firmly for regional economic integration.” He revealed that Cote D’Ivoire’s government has set a trail which other West countries should emulate by searching and engaging whoever is competent to help in fitting a perceived hole in the national scheme. Ambassador Akinboboye who conducted TTM round the village revealed the revitalisation of a once exotic haven which is gradually getting to its former form The Coconut Village is definitely a unique Resort which is located between the Atlantic Ocean and a muddy lagoon. Ambassador Akinboboye said “We are just starting. We are going to do all the needful and ensure that Cote D’Ivoire reaps bountifully from tourism. Just wait in a moment, the dollar will start to roll in.”

Omoboriowo harps on Ijero day

Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, Owa Ajero of Ijero

THE Chairman Ijero Day celebration, Otunba Rotimi Omoboriwo has called on all indigenes of Ijero Ekiti to heed the clarion call of the traditional ruler and the town by coming home on Saturday 10 October, 2015 to celebrate the 19th Ijero Day festival. Otunba Omoboriowo, who made this call at a press conference organised to sensitise and create awareness on the 19th Ijero Day celebration in Abuja said “we are being summoned by our fathers and mothers to come home and re-ignite the passion of brotherhood and conviviality for development of our town”. He pointed out “Our attention is needed at home. Our root is calling us. We have no other root than Ijero and it is the custodian

of our essence and the values of our existence. “We must answer this call not for our sake alone, but for the good and development of our entity called Ijero.” He revealed that the essence of this year’s celebration is “This year’s celebration themed ‘Unity for development.’ We are going home not only to dance and wine, make merry and reconnect our linage, but essentially to tap our reunion in ensuring development in the town.” Otunba Omoboriowo for emphasis exposed the position of Ijero Ekiti in the history of Yoruba land “Everywhere in Yoruba land, and indeed all over Nigeria, the name IJERO, rings a bell. It was one of the few towns established by the direct sons of the

great Oduduwa when the princes dispersed from lIe-lfe to establish their own kingdoms over a thousand years ago. Ajero, the fourth son of the great Oduduwa and his group first settled by the seaside in the present Awori area. They later left the lagoon side and moved into the interior. They first settled at Atose, they later moved to lIede, and from lIede to lIokuno and from lIokuno to the present Ijero.’ He pointed out “as you can see, Ijero Ekiti cannot just lag behind in contemporary development. We are indigenes of a glorious antecedent. We are forerunners and pathfinders in many fields, this must not only be maintained, but we must strive to be the best which we are in history and reality.”

OPU activities lured me to Nigeria —Bahia Ifa priestess “WHY I am in Nigeria? That is a good question to ask. And I will tell you in a plain language that the beauty of Yoruba culture lured me to Nigeria. And I must tell you also that the Yoruba cultural – tourism activities being showcased by the Oodua Progressive Union, OPC, all over the world more than any other consideration stokes my passion of visiting Nigeria”. This was the testimony of Marla Oliveira De Andrrade E Silva, a citizen of Bahia who is an Ifa Priestess in a brief encounter with Tribune Tourism Magazine in Lagos. Marla Oliveira who was one of the guests who participated in “An evening with Otunba Gani Adams “a cultural platform hosted by Creative Arts Students Association, University of Lagos revealed “I am a product and adherent of Yoruba cultural heritage and values. I have immersed myself in the Ifa Wisdom Colony and become a Priestess of Ifa corpus. I am not just an adherent of this awesome spiritual heritage. I have a temple in Bahia.” Marla Oliveira disclosed “Although this is my first time in Nigeria , I must also confess that it has been my utmost desire and dream to see this beautiful country and visit the cultural territory of Yoruba land in Nigeria.” She pointed out, “like I said earlier, my coming this time was actually made possible through the activities of Otunba Gani Adams, the Convener of the OPU who has fascinated those of us in the diaspora and sensitised the world about the uniqueness of Yoruba cultural values”. She revealed also that “I have visited many countries but there is no country that fascinated and dazzled me like Nigeria. Since I set my feet on the sand of Nigeria, I have come to realise more than before the tremendous bundle of cultural – tourism potentialities which abound in this country.” Marla Oliveira said “I have to specially thank Otunba Adams for exposing me to wonderful cultural events where I have watched spectacular performance and display of uniquely fascinating dances, Otunba Omoboriowo in outlining the activities said “we have sequentially mapped out the programmes of events which kicked on Monday and end Sunday 11 October. It includes cleaning of the town, football competition, traditional games competition, paying homage to Ajero, Sugudu night beauty pageant, award and chieftaincy title day and church thanksgiving. The apogee of the celebration will be fund raising for the palace and other developmental projects.” He commended the Owa Ajero, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole for his regal efforts and strides at developing both the physical and material assets of Ijero Kingdom home and abroad . Otunba Omoboriowo assured all that “all hands are on deck at making this year’s Ijero Day celebration a memorable and unforgettable event.

drums and chanting”. She disclosed “I am going to make use of this opportunity of being in Nigeria to visit Ile–Ife and other historical towns and tourism sites which Olodumare has blessed this country with. I will also participate in Olokun Festival and learn more about the Ifa oracle, I will learn more about the Orisas and the deities.” Marla Oliveira “Nigeria is a paragon of cultural –tourism assets which need to be packaged and promoted. What Otunba Adams is doing now has encouraged me to determine and visit Nigeria despite the entire negative stories about the country. This country has all it takes to control and command the tourism traffic to its territory.” She revealed “I must tell you also that Nigeria has a set of good cuisines. I have been eating and tasting Nigerian foods since. Ofada rice and its spiced stew, suya, moin moin elemi meje, pounded yam, asaro....all make me love this country the more.”

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

energy

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

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

INSIDE Illegal occupants pose challenge to 1,320MW Egbin power plant’s operations Page 27

Nigeria sustains 140mscf daily gas supply to Ghana

Declining crude price: Increasing Russian output mounts pressure on prices

Page 28

Page 29

How ‘Buhari factor’ keeps marketers, stakeholders on their toes Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos

ROM late 2014 to near mid 2015, some stakeholders usually referred to as the cabals held the country and the Federal Government to ransom through creation of artificial scarcity of petroleum products across the country. During this period, acute scarcity of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol was prevalent and a litre of petrol was selling as high as N200-N300 per litre, despite collecting subsidies and foreign exchange differentials on these products. More so, before now, HouseHold Kerosene (HHK) was never sold at the recommended retail price of N50 per litre. Rather, Nigerian masses buy at above N100 per litre whenever it is available at the filling stations. What was experienced was diversion of kerosene to the aviation sector due to near similar characteristics it shares with Jet-A1 fuel or aviation fuel. Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune also revealed that sudden crash in kerosene price per litre led to recent aviation fuel crisis, where a marketer was accused of selling treated diverted kerosene as aviation fuel. Nigerians were surprised when Forte Oil Plc. rolled out kerosene at N50 per litre at its fillings station across the country in mid September 2015. Other major marketers immediately follow suit and Nigerians began to ask what has really changed after May 29, 2015. Moreso, the oil industry regulator, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which many regarded as a toothless bull dog suddenly becomes effective considering the number of erring filling stations it has sealed off in the last few months. Besides, there was palpable panic at the weekend in Nigeria’s oil industry following the news of the arrest, and bail after several hours of questioning, of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in London, by United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA). The former oil minister, who relocated to London shortly before the tenure of the government in which she served ended in May, was arrested on Friday by the International Corruption Unit (ICU) of the NCA along with four other unnamed persons

Diezani Madueke as part of an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering offences, which the agency said it began in 2013. It was believed that the four others arrested along with her were mainly her personal staff, including her driver and a London-based assistant. The five of them were later released on conditional police bail on Friday evening, pending further investigation both in the UK, in Nigeria and overseas, just as the NCA is said to be seeking a few persons of interest, mainly top player in the Nigeria’s oil industry during her five years as oil minister. Many in the sector are, however, flustered by the development as this is the first time a key oil figure will be arrested and questioned in an industry notorious for free-

wheeling oily deals and revolving doors. Not knowing what she may have told her interrogators or the documents already in the possession of the NCA, key players in the oil industry, particularly some of her close allies are said to be worried about what could be unearthed in the course of the ongoing probe and how far it will go, given the cooperation of the NCA, the US FBI, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria (EFCC), the Department of State Security of Nigeria ( DSS) , the Europol and several European crime busting agencies in a major intentional cooperation with the Buhari Administration. In an article by BBC, published on Yahoo website on Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari was described as a ‘matur-

ing’ President who is behind the arrest of erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. Buhari’s collaboration with UK government over Alison-Madueke’s arrest was compared to his attempt to ‘arrest’ also a former Minister, Umaru Dikko, in 1984, over $1billion embezzlement. According to the writer, Umaru Dikko walked out of his front door in an upmarket neighbourhood of Bayswater in London. Within seconds, agents of Buhari had grabbed him and bundled him into the back of a transit van. But the plot was botched due to non-cooperation of the Nigerian government with its colonial masters, the British Government.

energy Illegal occupants pose challenge to 1,320MW Egbin power plant’s operations 27

Stories By Tunde Dodondawa - Lagos

HE Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Plc, Mr Dallas M. Peavey, has raised the alarm that the continued presence of illegal occupants at the company’s facilities is threatening the smooth operation of the 1,320-megawatt capacity plant. Peavy also said in a statement that the presence of the former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in the company’s Housing Estate had constituted a major challenge to ensuring sustained transformation as well as security of lives and property on the plant. Peavey noted that Egbin whose sustained 1,100MW generation is driving recent increase in the nation’s power supply faces a huge setback from the current housing constraints due to the illegal occupants who were former employees of the defunct PHCN. Commissioned in 1985 as part of the Egbin Power facility, the Egbin Housing Estate was designed to provide accommodation for employees to promote staff welfare and enhanced productivity. The complex is currently being upgraded by Egbin Power’s new management as major repairs of the schools within the estate had been concluded and there is an ongoing overhaul of the recreational centres and housing units. According to Peavey, the illegitimate residents, their wards and certain groups in the community have been linked with plans to disrupt the operations of the plant and other misdemeanours such as incidences of rape, robberies and vandalism that are already occurring on the facility. “The illegal occupants are not documented and this is a huge risk in an enclosed environment. Outcomes from various investigations show that some of the criminal and untoward acts perpetrated in the estate have been traced to individuals linked to some of the former PHCN staff most of whom have either retired or transferred about eight years ago but have refused to vacate the Estate after being served quit notices for over two years now. “They continue to harass our staff and issue threats of major disruptions to the facility. The situation de-

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

serves immediate national attention considering the strategic role Egbin plays in the power sector. We therefore appeal to law enforcement agencies to urgently address the situation which may result in sabotage to the plant,” he said. The Egbin CEO said the housing constraint was taking its toll on the technical personnel and engineers who work on shift and oncall duty. He explained that no fewer

than 150 staff are being denied accommodation by the situation, a development he added had led to endless cases of “trauma and impeded productivity” in the company. “Most of the technical personnel and engineers who work on shift and on-call duty have had to seek accommodation outside the company’s facility and now find it difficult to attend to call duties especially when it occurs at odd hours. Em-

ployees on shift duty operations that end late in the night encounter several security risks on their way home,” he stated. “About 150 of our employees and their families are being denied accommodation as a result of the illegal occupants. We have staff crowded into apartments whilst the current occupants who have since been paid their severance packages and entitlements refuse to vacate the official quarters.

We have about 16 graduate engineers crammed into a 3 bedroom, with many more staff and their families being dislodged. Obviously, their prolonged illegal stay is stretching the existing maintenance facilities meant for the legal occupants. “We are calling for the prompt intervention of the government and law enforcement agencies to address the situation to ensure adequate security of lives

Canadian exploration firm, COPL awaits FG approval on oil field acquisition AN Africa-focused oil and gas exploration and development company, Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited, (COPL), announced it will soon receive Federal Government approval for field acquisition in Nigeria.

The company’s strategy is to diversify and balance its asset portfolio. The 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) partnership with Shoreline Energy, through is 50 per cent owned affiliate Shoreline Canadian Overseas Petro-

Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Salisu who confirmed the cases said the 132/330KV transmission tower worth N40million was hacked in Ikwuano town even after the community was duly compensated after obtaining a Right of Way (RoW) for the over 200km line to Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom. Salisu said the acts are responsible for the delay in completing the North-South

nificant progress in recent months and has recently agreed to an acquisition in Nigeria subject to the approvals of the Nigerian regulatory authorities. The transaction provides for ShoreCan to acquire 80 per cent equity and titled interest of an oil appraisal/development project offering near term oil production, as well as significant future exploration upside. The transaction also provides ShoreCan to take over management and operatorship of the asset. Shoreline and COPL management were in Lagos and Abuja recently and made presentations to government agencies to seek their approval. The Company expects that the transaction will be completed within the shortest possible time.

Continues on pg28

Continues on pg29

leum Development Corporation, (ShoreCan) was formed with the objective of acquiring upstream oil and gas exploration, development and producing assets in sub-Saharan Africa. The JV has made sig-

NDPHC decries equipment vandalism, seeks support THE Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has said it is seeking the intervention of the federal government and security forces in dealing with vandals attacking its power transmission projects in the Southeast. The Managing Director, NDPHC, Mr James Olotu, has written to the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, seeking for interventions in one of such cases which was initiated at the

State Criminal Investigative Department (CID) in Umuahia, Abia state capital. Olotu listed the criminal acts in Abia State alone to include vandalism of national assets of 330KVA Alaoji – Calabar line in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area on May 28 and stealing of 10 drums of transmission conductors weighing over 40tonnes on May 31 at Umuahia. NDPHC Executive Director, Legal and Company

Nigerian Tribune

and property, and most importantly, sustained transformation in Egbin,” he stated.

SMEC to consult for TCN on power substation projects AN Australian professional services firm, SMEC, has been appointed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Project Management Unit, to carry out consultancy services for the preparation of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for four electrical substations. Managing a team of local experts, SMEC will assist design engineers with the incorporation of environmentally sustainable design elements. Project objectives will include: minimising potential environmental and social impacts; ensuring designs meet World Bank sustainability requirements; completing baseline environmental and socioeconomic surveys; undertaking impact assessments; hosting stakeholder consultations. Other objectives include, preparing planning approval documentation; and developing detailed environmental and social management plans. Under the Federal Government’s plans to expand the national power generation and distribution system, the four new substations will be sited at New Kano (Kano), Biliri (Gombe), Kabba (Kogi) and Abor (9th Mile, Enugu). Specialising in major infrastructure projects, SMEC boasts over 5,400 employees and an established network of more than 75 offices throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North and South America. Founded 40 years ago, SMEC operates through six industry sectors: transport, hydropower & energy, water & environment, urban & social development, resources (mining, oil & gas) and industrial and manufacturing. Its core environmental services are listed as identifying and managing environmental impacts, risks and liabilities, obtaining permits or licenses for all project phases, managing environmental data within GIS, ecology services, environmental planning and permit procedures, monitoring and management and assessing and reporting on compliance with legislation, conditions of permits and licenses.

energy

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

NCDMB commences training of 22 Nigerians on pipe manufacturing Stories By Tunde Dodondawa - Lagos

HE Nigeria Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has sponsored 22 young Nigerians to China for training in Steel Pipe Mill Manufacturing Training. The trainees, who left Nigeria on Sunday 6th September 2015, arrived China safely the next day to commence their training at the premises of Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe Company (BSG) Limited, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The training is advance preparation by the Board to ensure that there are Nigerians with requisite skills to operate a Steel Pipe Mill company currently under construction at Polaku community near Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by Mainland Pipe Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Board. The Coordinator, Legal Services Directorate of the Board, Mrs Rose Chukwuonwe, said on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Mr Denzil Kentebe, that it would assist to realise the aspirations of the personnel, and by extension the nation. She expressed optimism that the trainees would take the training seriously and ensure that they master the skills required for the technology transfer. The Legal Coordinator reminded the trainees of the Executive Secretary’s charge to them during their pre-departure induction at the Board’s head office in Yenagoa, where he urged them to see their sponsorship to China as a lifetime opportunity. He urged them to make the best use of it and do themselves, their families and Nigeria proud by passing all tests required for rel-

evant certification in Steel Pipe Manufacturing technology, so that they would return home as worthy ambassadors, who would pioneer the operation of Polaku Steel Pipe Mill. She also reminded them

the trainees of the Executive Secretary’s admonition to them on code of conduct, reiterating that they must be careful not to break the laws of the host country especially possession and use of illicit drugs because the

punishment is very severe and that would be deeply disappointing to every stakeholder incuding the Board, family and the nation at large. Speaking earlier through an interpreter, the Deputy

Nigeria sustains 140mscf daily gas supply to Ghana THE management of Ghana Gas Company has announced improved gas supply firm Nigeria. The company put current supply at excess of over 140 million standard cubic feet (mscf) of gas per day, which makes it the country’s highest reserves since 2009. The company noted that the development came following sustained supply from Nigeria after a year breakdown on gas supply to Ghana, Togo and Benin, due to pipeline damages by a vessel in Togolese waters. Before then, gas supply was barely up to 50 per cent of the required expectation, and when supply recommenced after the pipeline was fixed, there was no

improvement for quite a while until lately, when the volumes being supplied to Ghana dropped to a record low level between the range of 30 million and 50 million standard cubic feet per day. The situation brought severe power generation challenges for the solely gas-reliant 200MW-Sunon-Asogli Power Plant at Kpone near Tema. Nigeria holds around 180.1 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves in 2014 the largest in Africa and has the second largest oil reserves of 37.1 billion barrels in the continent, according to BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2015. Despite the abundance of hydrocarbon resources,

Nigeria faces challenges in drawing investments, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) noted in February that oil production has been “hampered by instability and supply disruptions, while the natural gas sector is restricted by the lack of infrastructure to monetise natural gas that is currently flared.” At the inception when the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) started delivering gas, Volta River Authority (VRA), was unable to consume all the incoming gas, and, perhaps, now more than ever, the stretch of the pipeline between Tema and Takoradi is being utilized; gas from Nigeria has been quietly going to Tako-

NDPHC decries equipment vandalism, seeks support Continues from pg27

transmission loop connecting the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) including 563mw Calabar plant, 330mw Egbema plant in Imo, 504mw Alaoji plant in Abia State, at an ongoing transmission interchange yard in Ikot Ekpene town of Akwa Ibom state. The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali recently said the loop is expected to be completed this

General Manager of BSG, Mr Yang Zongwan briefed the trainees on how to conduct themselves within the training facility and strict adherence to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) rules.

year and would boost the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) evacuating capacity of the 6,000MW target by year end. But the NDPHC officials handling the 10 NIPPs and other facilities in the power value chain said without government intervention to stop the vandals’ act and the many unwarranted court injunctions, the projects may still not meet the set timeline. “The plants are ready but we cannot wheel out the

capacity generation to the grid due to the sabotage on our transmission lines that hinder us from evacuating the stranded power,” a source at the NDPHC said. NDPHC began its journey in 2004 as the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). It was conceived as a fast-track government funded initiative to stabilise Nigeria’s electricity supply system while the private-sectorled structure of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of

2005 took effect. NIPP was originally designed around seven medium sized gas fired power stations in the gas producing states, and the critical transmission infrastructure needed to evacuate the added power into the national grid. A commitment to electrify host communities in the vicinity of the power stations and major substations gave rise to the distribution component of the project.

radi due to increased volumes and due to challenges with Ghana’s own gas on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah. In a statement by Mr Kofi Ellis, Business Development Manager of the VRA to business newspaper at Business & Financial Times, on the sidelines of the Ghana Gas Forum in Accra recently, he stated that: “Currently, we are getting in excess of 140 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from Nigeria.” According to Managing Director, West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), Mr Walter Perez, “the Nigerian gas sector has simply found some peace, with no pipeline vandalism in the last few months. This is the main reason supply to Ghana has increased significantly and the other component is that some of the policies of the former government in Nigeria had been to invest in pipeline infrastructure and also in gas production. So we are seeing that those plans are coming through; they are actually being completed. ” This increasing supplies is actually a confirmation that there is a lot of encouraging evidences on the gas front in Nigeria, WAPco and N-Gas are not unmindful of the competition Ghana gas Continues on pg29

In his remarks, the BSG Director of Human Resources, Mr Liu Jun enjoined the trainees to be serious with every bit of their training and upbeat to succeed.

Swiss chemical group unveils plant in Nigeria A Swiss chemical group, Sika, has announced the opening of its first concrete admixture and mortar production plant in Nigeria and Ivory Coast. It has also established new subsidiaries in Ethiopia and Tanzania, with an aim to expand its business in Africa. So far, the company has expanded its presence to 16 countries in the African continent. Sika EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Regional Manager, Paul Schuler said: “Our new production facilities in Nigeria and Ivory Coast and our new subsidiaries in Tanzania and Ethiopia represent another milestone in the consequent execution of Sika’s Strategy 2018. “With the latest investments, we will further accelerate our growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and increase Sika’s market share. It demonstrates our strong belief in the potential and the prosperous future of the continent,” he said. Sika has invested in is local production plants in Lagos and Abidjan for the production of high-quality concrete admixtures and mortars, which will be supplied to the growing markets of construction, refurbishment and maintenance in both the countries. The company aims to supply its products to the international and medium-sized local contractors working on big oil and gas, infrastructure, commercial and residential projects. Very recently, in a separate deal, Sika opened a new production plant for mortars and admixtures production in Cordoba, Argentina. Located at 700km northwest of the capital Buenos Aires, it will be Sika’s second plant in the country. With the new facility, the company expects to improve its presence in the construction market in several locations in Argentina, such as Tucuman, Rio Negro, Neuquen, Entre Rios, Mendoza, and Cordoba.

energy

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Declining crude price: Increasing Russian output mounts pressure on prices Stories By Tunde Dodondawa - Lagos

HE declining crude price at the global crude market which is trading below $50 a barrel threshold may continue unabated due to over saturaded market. In September, Russia pumped oil at levels not seen since the fall of the Soviet Union thus adding to the global glut that is keeping crude prices lower. Russia’s oil output in September rose to an average of 10.74 million barrels a day, government data showed. Oil production increased 0.4 per cent from August, Dow Jones report says. The record-high Russian output adds to an already oversupplied global oil market. It is also the latest indication that Russia, one of world’s biggest oil producers along with Saudi Arabia and the United States, isn’t prepared to join the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in trimming production to prop up prices. OPEC has indicated that it will only consider a cut if other big suppliers, like Russia, join it and several OPEC members have tried to woo the country. The fall in oil prices, which are down around 50 per cent since last year, has battered the Russian economy, where oil and natural gas sales account for more than two-thirds of export revenue. The oil price slump, coupled with Western sanctions and a weakening currency, has already pushed the country into a recession which the World Bank expects to wipe 3.8 per cent off the Russian economy this year. In September, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Arkady Dvorkovich ruled out any cuts, saying that output may only decline if prices remain low for a sustained period. Mr. Dvorkovich said even then, production wouldn’t fall by much. “Russia has a different approach to the major OPEC countries, it strives to produce as much oil as it can all of the time and then deals with the consequences of the price afterwards. There is no possibility of Russia cooperating with OPEC to manage supply and there is zero possibility of Russia ever joining OPEC,” said Christopher Weafer, founding partner of

Moscow-based consultancy Macro-Advisory. Last November, OPEC, the 12-nation oil cartel, embarked on a policy of defending market share by keeping its output tar-

gets unchanged despite the global glut of crude. That has battered prices, leaving countries dependent on oil revenue, like Nigeria, to struggle to shore up its public finances.

Last Friday, Anton Siluanov, Russia’s finance minister, said oil prices won’t recover as quickly as after the 2008-2009 financial crisis. His ministry sees oil averaging at $50 per barrel in 2016

and $52 in 2017. Moscow has indicated that the country’s budget will be based on the assumption that oil prices stay close to $50 a barrel. On Friday, Brent crude,

Halliburton, Baker Hughes to shore up merger HALLIBURTON and Baker Hughes Incorporated have announced that the companies will market for sale additional businesses in connection with Halliburton’s pending acquisition of Baker Hughes. The companies stated that the new move was pursuant to the merger agreement, and in order to permit completion of Halliburton’s acquisition of Baker Hughes, the following additional businesses are intended to be divested: Halliburton’s expandable liner hangers business, which is part of the company’s Completion & Production Division; Baker Hughes’ core completions business, which includes: packers, flow control tools, subsurface safety systems, intelligent well systems, permanent monitoring, sand control tools and sand control screens; the Baker Hughes sand control business in the Gulf of Mexico, including two pressure pumping vessels; and Baker Hughes’ offshore cementing businesses in Australia, Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, Norway, and the United Kingdom. They indicated that the divestitures process for the previously announced divestitures of Halliburton’s Fixed Cutter and Roller Cone Drill Bits, Directional Drilling and Logging-WhileDrilling (LWD)/ Mea-

surement-While-Drilling (MWD) businesses was ongoing, and Halliburton is pleased that last Friday it received proposals from multiple interested parties for each business. The companies maintained that the combined 2013 revenue associated with all of the businesses intended to be divested was approximately $5.2 billion. They disclosed that the sale of these businesses will be subject to the negotiation of acceptable terms and conditions for the divestitures, the approval of the divesting company’s Board of Directors, and final approval of the Baker

Hughes acquisition by competition enforcement authorities. Halliburton anticipates that the companies will complete the sales of these businesses in the same timeframe as, and the closing of the divestitures would be conditioned on, the closing of the pending Baker Hughes acquisition. There is no agreement to date with any competition enforcement authority as to the adequacy of the proposed divestitures. The companies will continue to work constructively with all competition enforcement authorities that have expressed an interest

in the proposed transaction. The pending acquisition has received unconditional regulatory clearances in Canada, Kazakhstan, South Africa, and Turkey. Halliburton and Baker Hughes have also amended their timing agreement with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to extend the earliest closing date by three weeks, to the later of December 15, 2015 (from the current date of November 25, 2015) or 30 days following the date on which both companies have certified final, substantial compliance with the DOJ second request.

Nigeria sustains 140mscf daily gas supply to Ghana Continues from pg28

brings. There was a sense of this in the statement of the Nigerian Minister for Petroleum Resources as far back as November 2014, at an emergency meeting in Accra of the committee of ministers of the four countries in the deal. Ghana Gas, at the time, had just begun pumping about 30million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Aboadze. The minister’s representative at that meeting reminded Ghana, Togo and Benin that gas from Nigeria would remain the most

competitive in the sub-region. “Nigeria is unconditionally committed to the objectives of the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project,” the minister assured. At the recent Ghana Gas Forum, Walter Perez reechoed and reassured gas recipient nations that gas from Nigeria remained “the most competitive” in the West African sub-region. Recall that an agreement to proceed with the Offshore Cape Three Point integrated oil and gas project in Ghana has been a major boost to the country’s plan to reduce

its dependence on gas supply from Nigeria. The agreement which was signed by Italian oil major, Eni, Vitol and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation with the President of Ghana and the Minister of Petroleum, Eni said in a statement on its website. The OCTP project will provide domestic gas supply to Ghana’s thermal power plants for more than 15 years. First oil is expected in 2017, first gas in 2018 and the peak production will be 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2019, according to Eni.

the global oil price benchmark, was trading at $48.70 a barrel. The government has said because of the geology and harsh climate, Russian companies can’t adjust oil output as easily as in other producing nations. Also, the depreciation of the ruble makes it relatively cheaper to produce oil in Russia, helping to preserve oil-company margins. “The low oil prices have not had any impact on the production plans” in Russia, said Pavel Kushnir, a Moscow-based oil and gas analyst at Deutsche Bank. The bank estimates that Russian output this year will average around 10.6 million barrels of crude a day. That is above the 10.58 million barrels a day the country produced last year, a level of output not seen since the end of the Soviet Union.

Canadian exploration firm, COPL awaits FG approval on oil field acquisition Continues from pg27

Mr Arthur Millholland, President and CEO of COPL stated that, “The pending acquisition is a further step towards creating a balanced and growing E&P company. We’d like to reassure shareholders that despite the delays in Liberia and continued oil price weakness, the quality of sub-Saharan African light crude oil coupled with dramatic operational cost reductions, clearly make our strategy a sound one and beneficial for COPL and Shoreline shareholders. “This is a very high quality asset that is attractive at the current oil price environment which will add significant value to our shareholders.” COPL is an international oil and gas exploration and development company focused in the offshore West Africa. The Company holds a 17 per cent working interest in Block LB-13, offshore Liberia, with ExxonMobil the operator holding an 83 per cent working interest. COPL is actively pursuing opportunities in Nigeria in partnership with Shoreline Energy as part of its strategy to generate stable cash flow from secure offshore assets.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Buhari

Saraki

Issues as Senate screens ministerial nominees A By Kunle Oderemi and Dare Adekanmbi

number of issues are agitating the minds of most Nigerians over the proposed cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. The president had in his Independence broadcast given reasons for the delay in constituting his cabinet. His position was that it was better to do a thorough job than to rush only for avoidable lapses to begin to manifest after hitting the ground running.This excuse, in the opinion of some analysts, no matter how tenable or plausible, it might appear, has placed a big burden on the shoulder Mr President once he puts his cabinet in place. Before September 30, when the president sent a list of ministerial nominness to the Senate President, D bukola Saraki, the delay over the issues had become a major verbal exchanges between the governing All Progressives Congress and the hitherto ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)> the latter had declared that the development indicated that the APC was not only bereft of ideas but was totally not prepared to the government the country. it was the contention of the PDP that the aPc had shortchanged Nigerian voters who had reposed confidence in the APC and its promoters as the vanguard of change. Such acerbic attack from the PDP drew the ire of APC chieftains, who felt that PDP and its leaders ought to bury their head in the

sand and in shame after running the nation aground in all fronts, which has necessitated a thorough house cleaning exercise. A statement by the party had stated: “The rantings of PDP about President Buhari’s ministerial list is unnecessary, diversionary and unfounded. It is logical for anyone who intends to make a nearly-collapsed building habitable, to first demolish it and then lay a solid foundation before building on it. We met a virtually empty treasury and a battered system handed over by PDP government. Nigeria, as a country, was in comatose when Buhari took over government on May 29, 2015. Anarchy and impunity were the order of the day, and in fact the nation was rock bound. Even the Bible says, “what can the righteous do, when the foundation is destroyed?...They should apologise to Nigerians for running the coun-

try like a Banana Republic. Yet, they have the temerity and audacity to fault a government that has good plans for Nigerians. PDP leadership lacks morals and shame.” Aside the controversy trailing the choice of leadership in the National Assembly, the other issue that generated wider public discourse is the composition of the federal cabinet. It aggravated the other major political appointments made by the president, which has proved anger in sections of the country because of perceived lopsidedness. It has thus set the stage for what some observers believe could turn out to be the most debated confirmation of ministerial nominees since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999. Apparently, some stakeholders outside the fringes of the Senate nay the National Assembly, have set the tone of the public debate

Screening of the ministerial nominees will no longer be business as usual. The era of ‘take a bow and go’ is gone. We will make sure all the nominees will be screened irrespective of political, ethnic and regional considerations.

and scrutiny ahead of the screening of the ministetial nominees. Curiously, one of them is one Mr Abdulsemihi Oladele, who said the Senate is not constitutionally empowered to screen the nominees. He said the Constitution only invests the Senate with the power to confirm the nomination of Mr President. According to Oladele, who described himself as a public affairs analyst, the process by which ministerial nominations are subjected to screening is not with the true intents and purposes of its enabling law. He argued that the use of the word screening was at variance to the intents of the draftsmen of the constitution, which under Section 147 (2) states that ”Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President.” He also quoted subsection (6) of Section 147; which stipulates: ”An appointment to any of the offices aforesaid shall be deemed to have been made where no return has been received from the Senate within twenty-one working days of the receipt of nomination by the Senate Also, Section 147 requires the president to appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states of the country. It equally states what should become of the status of a member of the National Assembly that is nominated and confirmed for a ministerial appointment. continues pg31

politics&policy

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Ministerial screening in the past continued from pg30

These provisions include that: (1) There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President; (2) Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President; (3) Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution:- provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid, the President shall appoint, at least, one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State; (4) Where a member of the National Assembly or of a House of Assembly is appointed as Minister of the Government of the Federation, he shall be deemed to have resigned his membership of the National Assembly or of the House of Assembly on his taking the oath of office as Minister. Question about balance But the consistent pronouncement by President Buhari to have a leaner cabinet has elicited much curiousity as per how he hopes to achieve that in the composition of his cabinet without undermining the provisions of the constitution. It has led to varying permutations, with some saying while some states would be given full ministerial slots, others might get ministers of state, just as others could become heads of high-profile Commissions such as the National Planning Commission. However, a constitution lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo said the president is invested with the power to have less than 37 ministers contrary to the arguments in certain quarters. He asserted that those holding contrary view had not bothered to read the provisions of the constitution to determine the real intendment of the constitution. He said: “With the greatest sense of patriotism, I submit that the president can, indeed, appoint far less than 37 ministers and have a very lean cabinet. The whole idea of having at least 37 ministers is derived from Section 147(1), (2), (3) and section 302 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states as follows: ‘Section 147. Ministers of Federal Government there shall be such offices of ministers of the government of the Federation as may be established by the President.” What to expect In its wisdom, the 7th National Assembly tried to raise the bar concerning the process, procedure and confirmation of ministerial nominations. It was part of the issues that the ad-hoc committee of the National Assembly set up towards amending the 1999 Constitution. In a specific term, there was the Senate Bill 108 - Ministerial (Nominees Bill) 2011). According to the committee, the sought to make provision that will enable the National Assembly to be more effective in the screening of ministerial nominees by ensuring that portfolio is attached to each nominee. But it was reasoned that ‘assigning portfolios should remain the prerogative of the President for reasons of flexibility,” just as it was argued that “it has been shown that professional qualification does not necessarily approximate to performance in practical terms.” With the first batch of prospective ministers before the Senate, members of the public are waiting with bated breath to see how Senators will perform their constitutional function on the issue of confirmation of the ministerial list. Will the exercise be a far departure

Melaye from what has been obtainable for the past 16 years? Will it be influenced by political intrigues and undercuts that have characterised the seat of power and authority since the beginning of the current political dispensation? Are the views expressed by some senators shortly after Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, presented the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki on September 30, 2015 indicative what the public should expect from the Senate during screening of the nominees? What will be the minimum benchmark to be applied by the Senators in exercising their power? The chairman, Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, had declared that the nominees would be grilled beyond educational qualifications, because “Screening of the ministerial nominees will no longer be business as usual. The era of ‘take a bow and go’ is gone. We will make sure all the nominees will be screened irrespective of political, ethnic and regional considerations.” Ministerial screening in the past It is a constitutional requirement that would-be ministers be confirmed by the Senate, although the constitution bestows the power to appoint ministers on the President. Candidates for President Buhari’s cabinet, at least the bulk of them, are going to march to the Red Chamber for screening and Senate examination today. Copies of their CVs are expected to have been forwarded to the Senate to keep the Senators abreast of information regarding their pedigree and credentials. The ministers-to-be, being drivers of the blueprint of the Federal Government, are expected to be passed through a furnace by

Keyamo

the Senators. But experience in the last 16 years has shown otherwise. A good number of the ministerial candidates are simply asked to ‘take a bow and go’, a development that has been widely condemned and which has fuelled speculations that the candidates might have sorted themselves out with the Senators. Proponents of a rigorous screening for would-be ministers have hinged their argument on the need to convince Nigerians that round pegs are being tipped to fill round holes. The job of a minister, it is contended, is not one which should be handled with levity and by every Tom, Dick and Harry but by knowledgeable individual who will not falter in delivering the expected goods. In the past, many ministerial nominees have performed excellently at Senate screening and as many were only asked mundane questions, just as some have failed the Senate scrutiny. For instance, a ministerial nominee from Ondo State in 2005 could not explain the meaning of the acronym NEEDS, which was National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy. His response to the question what is the meaning of NEEDS asked one of the Senators was: “All I know is that needs is different from want and need is backed by want.” NEEDS was an economic policy initiated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration to solve poverty problem. Another characteristic of ministerial screening is for issues in local politics or inter-party acrimony in the states to be brought to the floor of the Senate during screening. A few nominees have had their nominations withdrawn consequently. It is the tradition that once there is a consensus in objection to the nomination of a candidate, the screening of such nominee is stepped down or withdrawn. Such exceptions have been found to

Another characteristic of ministerial screening is for issues in local politics or inter-party acrimony in the states to be brought to the floor of the Senate during screening.

occur in instances where there was no love lost between the senators representing the state and their governor. Earlier in the year, the re-nomination of Musiliu Obanokoro from Lagos State raised a lot of dust in the David Mark Senate, with strong opposition to his screening coming from APC senators mainly from the SouthWest. Their grouse was the role Obanikoro played in the June 21 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State, where he was alleged to has used the soldiers to the advantage of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election. He was then the minister of state for defence. Obanikoro’s screening had to be called off three times before he was finally let off the hook. Although unsuccessful in their bid to stop him, the three Senators from Osun State equally opposed the nomination of Alhaji AbdulJelil Adesiyan as minister, predicating their reason on his alleged complicity in the murder of Chief Bola Ige. Dr Obadiah Ando from Taraba State had his nomination terminated on account of serious objections from the three Senators from the state. As the Senate kicks off the screening, echoes of the past are expected to reverberate on the floor. Although most nominees in the past survived Senate scrutiny, a few have lost their nominations on account of either local politics in their states or fallen victim of Senate politics. In view of the reactions that have dogged certain nominations from some state, particularly in the South-West, it may not be a smooth sail for such candidates if the Senators and their godfathers act in sync. But should that happen, President Buhari holds the ace. In view of the change mantra that is still sweeping across the country, Nigerians hope that the Senators will break away from unproductive tradition of merely asking nominees to ‘take a bow and go’ and drill them. This becomes imperative as only serious-minded ministers are needed by the country at this critical time to drive the national economy, which is currently on life support, back to life. As the Senate has vowed that stringent measures have been put in place, such measures must not be politically motivated. Observers note that the Senate will win the hearts of Nigerians if the screening is thorough, devoid of political vendetta and gives the citizens insight into the capacities of the change team.

32 politicscommentary

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Imperative of strengthening Presidency-NASS relationship By Dare Adetoye

INCE 1999, the dominant thinking in the executive branch of government in Nigeria has been one that favours the ancient aristocratic system of government in which small elite that constitutes the executive arm held sway. This is even more evident at the state level, where the principle of checks and balances has been largely undermined by the executive, as the governors practically dictate to the legislative arm. The only semblance of separation of power as espoused by renowned French Philosopher, Baron de Montesquieu, can only be seen at the Federal level where the National Assembly, against all odds, has been able to robustly exert its influence in the scheme of democratic governance. Indeed, because of the unnecessary interference and pressure that the National Assembly usually faces from the Presidency, Nigerians were gladdened when President Muhammadu Buhari made that famous line of thought in his speech, to wit: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” It raised the hope in parliamentary watchers and political commentators that this era will present a President that will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Legislature. Coming from the Olusegun Obasanjo’s experience where executive’s influence nearly marred the National Assembly and compromised its independence, through the disquiet of the Umaru yar’Adua era and the running battle that characterised the Goodluck Jonathan administration, that statement reinforced a new approach to Executive-Legislative relationship. Although we experienced a bit of improvement during the Yar’Adua and Jonathan administrations, there was however no let up in the Presidency having a say in the leadership arrangements of the parliament. It would be recalled also that the Buhari had on more than one occasion assured the nation that he was ready to work with the leadership choices of the federal lawmakers. He was quoted to have said: “I am prepared to work with any leader that the House or Senate selects. It doesn’t matter who the person is or where he or she is from ....there is due process for the selection of leaders of the National Assembly, and I will not interfere in that process.” Commentators have had to reference this to adjudge Buhari as a born-again democrat who now understands the tenets of democracy. But a few months down the line, it appears that the a few power mongers in our politics, who are never comfortable with the independence of the legislature, have wormed their ways into the heart of the President. I don’t want to make a wrong assumption that there is a special group of people whose business it is to always play up this executive supremacy over the parliament as it will be sounding superficial. However, it is an ideological thinking that has remained in our politics since 1999 and one which believes that the leadership of the National Assembly must be settled in the Aso Rock Villa and not in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly. This is very wrong and has been severally resisted. Unfortunately, this thought process has found its way into the Buhari’s presidency. At this juncture, it is apposite to tell the President some home truths: that he must now rise above the imaginary fears that power mongers, stooges and sycophants

Buhari

Buhari should engage the Legislature constructively and feed a positive relationship between them while, at the same time, he should starve the flashpoints of discord. This effort should be reciprocated by the Legislature and its leaders.

usually create around the Presidency about the National Assembly. They are at best products of contrived imagination designed to create tension and in the process pave the way for the “greasing” of some palms. In the midst of confusions and rivalries, some politicians do get richer. Although it is not in doubt that the constitutional power to impeach the President lies with the federal lawmakers, it is however an expensive venture that hardly any session of the National Assembly will want to venture into. It will be a huge distraction and an almost impossible mission in our climes. The idea of impeachment was once tried by Ghali Na’aba-led House of Representatives against Obasanjo, but the outcome was futile.

Buhari must come to the reasonable understanding that, over time, the frictions between the executive and the legislature have become a big business in Nigeria. History should avail him of the fact that there will always be some very mischievous politicians on both sides of the divide, who will never stop pulling strings to create unnecessary rivalries between the two arms while they go from behind to act as go-betweens, with profit motives denominated in mega cash. Maybe if the President is not aware of this, let him now become aware that there will be interest-induced frictions. As long as the interest of the Presidency is involved, the President or indirectly through his ministers and other aides will sometimes be

forced to play games, especially when they suspect or know that the body language of the President is in conflict with the leadership of the National Assembly. The kind of politics that plays out in the National Assembly is usually slippery, internal and peculiar to its members; it is sometimes full of uncertainty. Any time conflict in the house is externalised, because of the influence of the Presidency, it is the country that usually suffers, while more money is spent to sustain the allies of the President in the National Assembly and funds will be deployed to do media battle and curry public opinion. Yet there is no guarantee that the interest of the Presidency will prevail because a majority of the lawmakers usually prefer to be independent of executive interference. It is always a “lose-lose” situation for the nation when the executive and the legislature engage in a battle of political supremacy. The experience has never been good for the nation, but some political players know how to circumvent the process to get richer. As it is now, Buhari has no option other than to work with the National Assembly through its current leadership composition in the spirit of the interdependence, not necessarily independence of the arms of government. He must realise that the recent vote of confidence passed in the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is a strong message, not just in favour of Saraki, but in favour of strengthening and defending the institution of the Senate and the entire National Assembly. It is a bold statement deliberately made to exert its authority as both an interdependent and independent arm of government. The last vote of confidence passed in him following the disquiet that followed his emergence was sanctioned by 81 Senators. This figure increased to 83 in the last confidence vote despite his muchpublicised trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. This is noteworthy. Buhari should engage the Legislature constructively and feed a positive relationship between them while, at the same time, he should starve the flashpoints of discord. This effort should be reciprocated by the Legislature and its leaders. The consequences of a stand-off between the two arms of government will not augur well for the nation’s democracy. As the leader of the party that controls the majority seats in the National Assembly, he should reconcile all his party members and get them on board to drive his policies. The Presidential system of government is always very tough with a Parliament that could be hostile. He should therefore see the National Assembly as partners and necessary stakeholders to move the nation forward. Last lines: Buhari should avoid repeating the divisive approach he used in appointing the leaderships of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) without the confirmation of the Senate. Hiding them under acting capacity is disdainful. Unnecessary confrontations should be avoided, when following due process will still get him the necessary results. Lobbying is part of what the executive must do regularly to have its way with the Parliament. Executive lobbying of the Legislature is legitimate. The approach should not be contra bonus mores (against public morality). Atoye, public affairs commentator, writes from Abuja.

33 politicscommentary

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Akpabio

When Akpabio returned to Akwa Ibom By Anietie Ekong

IS arrival was awaited with much anticipation by a mammoth crowd of supporters. As early as 9 am on September 23, 2015, they had defied the rain and thronged the Ibom International Airport to welcome home their hero and leader, the Minority Leader of the Senate and the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio. Before his arrival, the rumour mill was awash with incredible stories about Senator Akpabio following his involvement in an accident on September 1, 2015 and subsequently being flown abroad for further medical attention. Obviously, political opponents had sought to make a huge capital and score cheap political points with the accident. With glee, the opposition in Akwa Ibom clinked glasses and popped champagne that the man they dread so much was out of the way. They had prayed fervently that he should not be back to Nigeria. But at about 2 pm, the flight which had brought him from Abuja touched down at the Ibom International Airport. The supporters comprising family members, youth and women groups and some members of the political class were thrown into frenzy when Akpabio alighted from the aircraft which had brought him. They defied the rain to catch a glimpse of him. Many surged forward for a handshake. It was such a relief for them to once again see him in flesh and blood. If the scene at the Ibom International Airport was chaotic, his triumphant entry into the world class, Nest of Champion, which was same day formally rechristened Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo was simply electrifying. From all nooks and crannies of the state, Akwa Ibom people had filled the 35,000 capacity stadium to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the creation of the state. The entry of Akpabio had tem-

porarily brought the anniversary proceedings to a halt as the Master of Ceremonies announced his arrival into the stadium. The crowd was simply uncontrollable. From the topmost row of the stadium, enthusiastic supporters who may have last seen him on the day of the inauguration of the new administration, simply jumped down to see Akpabio at close quarters. It must be to the credit of the security agencies that they were not overwhelmed by the swelling crowd who followed Akpabio for a lap round the VIP stand of the stadium. Known for his oratorical prowess, Akpabio did not disappoint when he was called upon to address the gathering. He started by introducing himself: “My name is Godswill Akpabio,” a proclamation which threw the crowd into another round of frenzy. And then he proceeded to thank the people for their prayers and support and also thanked God for sparing his life to join the people for the 28th anniversary celebration. “God gave me life, God sustained my life, and my life will never be extinguished until it is time. When the governor told me that we must celebrate Akwa Ibom at 28, he did not tell me he was planning to give me a surprise after coming back from the land of death,”

he said. Giving a background to the mishap, he said: “When that accident happened on the 1st of September (2015), I was rushing in the morning to join my daughter who was ill in her school abroad and when it happened I lost consciousness and all I shouted was “God take care of my children and my people.” But surprisingly I woke up at the National Hospital in Abuja, and within one hour after I had regained consciousness, I saw His Excellency, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel sitting by my side. I was moved to tears,” he said. The former governor was full of praises for his successor for his drive to industrialise the state. “In less than no time you solved a puzzle. You brought back Peacock Paint industry, it is working. Udom, I will ask you, how you did it? The APC factory has taken off, the LED factory has taken off, Beko Group of companies are going on in spite of the lean resources. You have continued to bring foreign direct investments to Akwa Ibom, you are attracting attention to Akwa Ibom, you are making Akwa Ibom a destination for industries, you are creating job opportunities for our children, you are showing that we were right in electing you

Shortly after the President’s call, I received a call from Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff and he said hold on for the Vice President of Nigeria. Vice President Osinbajo, he spoke with me and he prayed for me. He said: ‘I’m an anointed child of God, you will come back alive to this country; you will not die.’

as the governor of Akwa Ibom State. To God be the glory,” he said. The media had also been awash with why the former governor was flown abroad for treatment instead of the Ibom International Hospital that he had built and Akpabio seized the opportunity to address it. “Udom, when people are talking about the 20th Anniversary Hospital, they should go there and find out. Even the CT (Computed Tomography) scan that I saw in London is not up to the one that you have in Uyo. That is the one they call 64 slides. Udom, the one that you have here is 640 slides. Ten times in magnification of what you have in Europe. Why has the hospital not taken off? It is because the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria expects to register anybody who wants to work as a doctor in Nigeria. “You cannot go to Britain and work there unless you pass through the procedure. Besides the Immigration must give you the necessary resident permit for you to bring in those doctors and those doctors must in turn have at least two to three people with them in order to pass technology to them. We are not going to bring in people to work here forever. They must handover to indigenous skilled manpower trained by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. “You have assured your people, I’m sure you will tell them that in less than one month from today the processes will be completed. When I was ill (I don’t pray to be ill), if I were to be ill next time I’m sure instead of flying me for six hours to London, they will bring me 50 minutes into Akwa Ibom International Hospital and I will be very proud to come there and thereafter stand in front of you. Oh, my people. To God be the glory,” he said. Senator Akpabio was full of praises for the country’s leaders who had identified with him in his moment of pain and hospitalization. “Let me place on record the support of the President, President Buhari who did something extra ordinary. The president called the hospital that I was in London. He called the hospital line, and said put me through to the Minority Leader of the Senate who is in your hospital. And they connected him. The room number was Room 215. And he spoke with me. He said, ‘Akpabio we are praying for you. Insha Allah, it shall be well with you. “Shortly after the President’s call, I received a call from Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff and he said hold on for the Vice President of Nigeria. Vice President Osinbajo, he spoke with me and he prayed for me. He said: ‘I’m an anointed child of God, you will come back alive to this country; you will not die.’ The Senate President also called. Almost all dignitaries in Nigeria called. But who made it possible for me to even get out of here? It was my governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel,” he said. Indeed for Akpabio, it was a triumphant home-coming. His Ukana, Essien Udim, country home became a Mecca of sort. Youth groups, women groups, socio-cultural associations and political associates trooped in to see and consult with him. Impromptu thanksgiving services were held to appreciate the Almighty God for sparing the life of their leader in what could have been a fatal accident. For the four days he spent in Akwa Ibom, the people identified with their leader. He had some words for other leaders. “I have always said that when you are a leader and you hear footsteps of people behind you, you should try and look back and see whether the people are following you or running away from you. With the caliber of the people who have thronged here since I returned, I can say that the people are following me,” he said. •Ekong served as a Special Asistant on Media to Chief Akpabio.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

inside

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 0815 861 0216

nigerdelta

Market men and women hit by flood in Port Harcourt Dapo Falade and Uduaksbasi Patrick - Port Harcourt

AIN is a natural phenomenon which every human, nay living things, expected at its right time. To farmers and fishermen alike, consistent rainfall ensures buyers’ harvest and good yields. Regular rainfall also moderates the temperature, facilitating coolness of the environment after a sunny day. However, it also has its ugly side namely, flooding, which has become one of the causes of avoidable deaths across the world. Rivers State, like the other coastal states in the South-South zone, is a state surrounded by waters. Unlike some states in other parts of the country, where rainfall has not been consistent or steady, the state, known as the ‘Treasure Base of the Country’, has been having more than its own fair share of this natural gift of nature in the recent times. In the last three months, hardly would a day go by without the Port Harcourt metropolis and some other parts of the state experiencing rainfall. However, as a gift too many, the people and residents of Rivers State, especially the state capital, as well as several other adjoining towns and villages, were virtually living with their tail in their mouth as they were perpetually under the threat of flooding, caused by torrential rainfall in the past one week. As it was with some other parts of the state capital, trading activities and official businesses in most offices at the popular

One week of flood fury in Rivers Mile 1 Market Area of Ikwerre Road were put on hold last week Monday, following a heavy downpour which caused flooding on the road. A casual observer would dismiss the situation as an occurrence that would soon pass away, given the fact that there has been no reported loss of life. However, it has been observed that the flooding that occurred after every rainfall may portend more danger given the warning by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that Nigerians should still expect more heavy down-

pour that might result in a greater disaster, a replica of what happened in 2012 when thousands of lives and property worth hundreds of millions of naira were lost to flooding in several parts of the country. The situation made InsideNigerDelta to take a survey of some parts of the oil-rich Rivers State capital and its environs. The reports were quite worrisome as residents, traders and workers alike lamented that the persistent rainfall and the subsequent flooding had taken over their houses and belongings and also damaged their vehicles while

moving on the roads under the rains. Residents of Rumuodomaya in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State cried out over the incessant flooding ravaging the community and its environs as a result of heavy downpour in the past few weeks. In the same vein, traders and motorists on Ikwerre Road also lamented the pervading heavy rainfalls disturbing their businesses. The people of Rumuodomaya blamed the recurring incident on the refusal of the local government council to clear a nearby canal linking Rumuokoro, Rumuagholu, Rukpokwu and Rumuodomaya communities, despite several pleas from residents. Narrating his ordeal, last Wednesday, one of the residents, Dr Ralph Ezewuzie, said the recent flood, which occurred a day earlier, destroyed a lot of property in his clinic, including the X-ray unit, ultra-sound and the laboratory. He appealed to the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and the State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to assist residents of the affected communities to clear the canal of water hyacinth, which continues pg35

CREW

Dapo Falade -Rivers 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com

Vehicles manoeuvreing themselves out of a flooded streeet

Peace greets 2015 Delta set to recover New Yam festival N2bn micro credit —pg35 in Ogwashi Uku —pg35 loan

Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba 08035838703 Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa 08065400743 austinebipade@gmail.com

35 insidenigerdelta

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Peace greets 2015 New Yam festival in Ogwashi Uku Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

HE ancient town of Ogwashi Uku, Delta State will today (7-10-2015) commence its New Yam festival. It is a seven-day period of festivity to celebrate the power of the yam to conquer hunger while famine lasted. Last Saturday, the four days Afor market as the tradition demands, was shifted to the roundabout, close to the old palace. This usually happens in October as the shift reminds residents that the New Yam festival is just a stone throw away. It is a time of harvest by farmers who so cherished it as the main crop of the people, for men were known in those days by the number of lies in their barns. Like any Ibo speaking community, the Ogwashi Uku natives would roll out drums to appreciate God for bountiful harvest in 2015. Announcing the programmes for the festival, the Iyasei of Ogwashi Uku Chief (Dr) Collins Afuwah said this year celebration would be unique because the fragile peace which hitherto had beset it had appreciated with the people of Azungwu paying homage to the Monarch, Obi Prof. Chukwuma Okonjo recently. In the recent past and because of the struggle for the stool which is still before a court of competent jurisdiction, the Azungwu quarters of the town was not unanimous to support the Monarch in the performance of rites including the new yam festival. But following the mediation by the member representing Aniocha south constituency in the state house of assembly Hon. Angela Nwaka who is also an indigene of Azungwu, the quarter was said to have been reconciled to the seat of authority in the town. The reconciliation definitely has ushered in peace and no doubt this year celebration would be different. The Azungwu people are believed to be the pillars or strength of the community and with the new development, the new yam festival and subsequent celebration of Ineh festival by the Monarch

Obi Professor Okonjo of Ogwashi-Uku (2nd right) flanked by some of his chiefs including the Iyasei, Chief Afuah (2nd left) and Chief Lawrence Okolobi, the Ozorma of Ogwashi-Uku (top right) at a meeting to announce the New Yam festival which is a major traditional haven of the peace loving people would all embracing, according to Chief Afuwah. “We thank God we have celebrated the Iwu festival. Now it is the new yam (Iwagi) and thereafter the Ineh. This is the time ev-

ery family will eat from the fat of the earth. “In this year’s occasion, every Ogwashi Uku person and our friends or well wishers are expected to show love and support to the monarch and we also expect it to be free from every rancor”, the Iyasei exclaimed.

Delta govt set to recover N2bn micro credit loan Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba DELTA State government has embarked on an aggressive drive to recover the over N2 billion debt owed it by beneficiaries of micro credit loans in the state. According to the Secretary General of the state Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DMSMA), Mrs. Shimite Bello, the government will not rest on it oars until all monies owed by the beneficiaries were recovered. Mrs Bello was speaking in Agbor at a town hall meeting with the beneficiaries where she told the debtors especially that of the N2b Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facilitated loan to brace up or face the full weight of the law. Of the total debt, beneficiaries from Ika

south and Ika north east local government areas of the state are indebted to over N200m thereby becoming the highest among the 25 local government in the state. The Secretary General noted with dissatisfaction the huge amount coming from an area which is also the domicile of the state Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor of central bank Mr. Godwin Emefiele. She said without repayment of the loans, the government will be handicapped to give others threatening that “no person from this area will receive fresh loan expect you all redeem your debt”, adding that the sum of N400m now available for distribution soon was insufficient. Three micro credit banks- Boji Boji micro financé bank, Mainland and IC Global were used in disbursing the micro credit loans

One week of flood fury in Rivers continued from pg34

he said caused the frequent blockage of the canal. Also speaking, a landlord in Rumuodomaya, Francis Isomhie, said residents of the community had been passing through difficult times as a result of the overflowing of the canal, blaming it on the activities of traders at the Rumuokoro Market. “After the heavy rain, the compound became flooded because the water canal behind our fence was blocked by the weeds. We have made several attempts to get the local government council, to make complains. The traders by the canal are also not helping matters; they are always throwing refuse there, blocking the waterways. “We have called the attention of the local government council to it. We have called the attention of RIWAMA and they have not done anything about it. The flooding has been like that over time. We have approached NEMA which mounted pressure on the local government council forcing them to come here three weeks ago, but they only cleared the entrance into the canal. Whenever this canal is blocked, the whole of Rukpokwu, Rumuagholu, Rumuokoro and Rumuodomaya are flooded. Go into the communities now, you will notice that a lot of people are cleaning their houses as a result of the flood”, he said.

In the recent past, the procession of the Obi during the festival was almost aborted by some persons who tried to cause mayhem but were curtailed by security operatives. The Iyasei used the occasion to call on the Delta state government to create a road map for the development of the community which has wittingly being neglected by past administrations. He regretted that despite being a local administrative head quarters (Aniocha division) since 1910, no meaningful development has taken place. “We have no pipe borne water, no bore hole, no electricity for over 5 years, no motorable roads etc”, the Iyasei recalled adding that efforts of the indigenes who are well to do in their various fields of human endeavor at both federal, state and even at international levels were not enough to transform the community without the state government playing its statutory roles. According to him, the people should avail themselves with the new peace initiatives to drive home developmental agenda in other to change the master plan of the ancient kingdom.

A resident of Nwosu Street in the area, Solomon Okereke, stated that the flood destroyed his poultry farm as well as part of his wife’s church building and appealed to the state government to come to their aid by clearing the canal. Also speaking with InsideNigerDelta, a butcher and meat-seller at the Mile 1 Market, Saheed Lawal, said the flooding that occurred Monday, last week, greatly affected his business as some of meats he displayed for sale were washed away by the rain. “This is not the first time we will be experiencing flooding, but what happened on Monday was the result of a long-term neglect. Though the Ikwerre Road is one of the best in the state, the drainages are either narrow or were badly done during the construction of the road. This has been causing flooding whenever it rains. As it happened on Monday, the entire road was blocked after the afternoon rain. My business was disturbed. Even some of the meat I displayed for sale were washed away by the flood”, he said. Another trader at the market, Hellen Nnachukwu, a fish-seller, also narrated her ordeal as she claimed that the Monday flooding washed away several of her fishes. She said she incurred a huge loss in her business on that day and blamed the flooding on the road to bad drainages, adding, “we are calling on Governor Nyesom Wike to come to

our rescue and save us from hunger.” The situation was also the same at the popular Olu Obasanjo Road axis of Port Harcourt where the people and residents experienced flooding after a downpour, last Wednesday. An electrical appliances trader at the axis, Darlington John, told InsideNigerDelta that shops and trading items were often damaged during the flooding. “This road was constructed during the last administration and I think the contractors that handled the project did not put in their best because since the construction of this road, it still has the same problem.” Another respondent, who is also a trader in the area, Bright Odiegu, said the drains might have been blocked by either sands or plastic materials, blaming the residents for throwing wastes carelessly into the underground drainage. He lamented that the rain had spoilt his property and slowed down sales, thus bringing hunger to his family as he had not gathered enough money to feed them. “I believe the drainage has been blocked. I think the best thing to do is break the covering of the drains and fix slabs which I think will be easier and could be opened at any time and covered again. These drains should not be permanently covered as doing so will not work, especially during the rainy season, to avoid flooding”, he said.

and central bank of Nigeria Small and medium Enterprises loans to various beneficiaries within the Ika nation. Several speakers at the occasion charged the beneficiaries to pay back their loan while the debtors recounted their experiences some of which include timeframe for the payment, hindrances in assessing the loan on time and some farmers whose produce did not mature on time to enable them sell. Chairman, National association of micro fiancé bank, Delta state chapter, Sir Prosper Irogbo had earlier explained the difficulties the banks were going through to recover the money owed the banks by the beneficiaries.

...To rehabilitate roads in Cable Points Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba THERE is a ray of hope for the residents of Cable Points in Asaba as the Delta State government has finally bowed to demands for the rehabilitation of the entire area. The area largely populated by members of the Arewa community has been more or less a slum for years without motorable roads, drainages and public water network. Until the Niger bridge linking Onitsha and Asaba was built in 1963, Cable Point was a heave of activities for motorists who ferried their vehicles and articles across the river. The area has a big market where farmers along the Niger discharge their produce which are sold at cheaper prices. However, following the undulation of the area, coupled with its unplanned nature, the new administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa had decided to give the environment a new lease of life by approving to construct the roads and drainages. Already, the state executive councils had approved the dualization of Nnebisi road from Traffic lights to the river Niger end. According the Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on non-indigenes, Alhaji Muktar Usman, the rehabilitation would also cover Okocha and Jarret streets which have remained in the state of disrepair for too long.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Edited by: ‘Gbenga Opadotun olojaekuro@gmail.com 08037149731

Malammadori organises public hearing on 2016 budget

a l a mm a dori Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has commenced a public hearing on preparations for its 2016 budget. The Sole Administrator of the council, Alhaji Lawan Abdu, inaugurated the session in Malammadori. Abdu said that the event was to facilitate a participatory budget planning to enable the electorates,

political parties, non-government organisations (NGOs), farmers, youth and women groups to make their contributions to the preparation of the budget. He said the exercise would enable the communities to make presentation on the type of projects to be included in the budget, adding that it would promote proper budget planning, implementation and encourage financial disci-

NURTW urges council to repair motor park The Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bwari branch, Mr Abdullahi Idris, has appealed to the Bwari Area Council to repair the motor park in the area. Idris, who made the appeal in Bwari in an interview with newsmen, said that lack of functional motor park hindered the union’s operations. He expressed displeasure over the deplorable condition of the existing motor park, adding that the deplorable condition of the park made it difficult for motorists and pedestrians to carry out their day to day activities. He, therefore, appealed to the council to intervene in order to assuage the sufferings of of the motorists. “Our garage is not in good condition; when it rains, when you come to the garage it seems you are in where you plant rice, because everywhere is full with water. “We are just seeking for government to assist us; we cannot bear of putting it in good condition. “We don’t have the financial capacity to do it; we are seeking for assistance, so that we can put this garage

into good condition. “We are appealing to them to assist us,” he stated. According to him, the union has been pursuing the issue for a very long time, we met the area council authority several occasions, but they only promise they will do it, but nothing has been done yet. “Even the road leading to the garage is bad; if government can help us to repair it that will ameliorate our sufferings. “The tasks of repairing damages on our vehicle jumping gallops affect us economically. “We need a good road in Bwari; we appeal to the council authority to also take necessary steps to address this problem for us.” Idris added.

pline. The sole administrator listed the major highlights of the budget to include construction of modern abattoir at Garin-Gabas community, a shelter belt and provision of tractors and farm inputs. He called on the communities to make good presentation to enable the council include their requests in the budget. According to him, the exercise was organised in collaboration with an NGO, Mobilising for Development (M4D). In his contribution, a Commander of the local vigilante, Mallam Muhammad Dodo, requested for the inclusion of the group’s demands in the budgetprovision of a patrol vehicle and working tools to vigilante members to enhance their operation in the area. Meanwhile, the local government had distributed essential drugs to health facilities to contain the spread of measles in the area. The Director, Water and Sanitation in the council, Alhaji Yusuf Muhammad, said this while reviewing the report of the disease surveillance committee. Muhammad said that the drugs were distributed to Dakindo, Agin and other rural communities following reports of outbreak of the disease in those communities. “We supplied drugs to

Tashena communities. He added that the council had also conducted rallies to sensitise communities that were prone to flood on the need to construct embankments to prevent wa-

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr Henry Eze, has suggested joint projects between states and local governments to enhance the country’s development.

Eze told newsmen in Abakaliki that such projects would sort out funding issues and avoid delays. According to him, local and state governments should design the ratio or percentage of their contri-

council had been committed to the fight against polio in the country. “I believe that none of them is being owed as long as they have rendered services,” Daniel said. The chairman added that the council would never lag behind in the

monthly immunisation, saying “our target is to ensure total eradication of polio virus in the area”. The Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, blamed some of the area councils for not giving maximum support for the exercise.

butions toward such projects in the rural areas. “Joint projects will help identify those key areas that will touch the lives of rural dwellers. If this is done, it will go a long way in opening up the rural areas, especially for the evacuation of farm produce,” he said. The chairman said that Ishielu was known for farming and would improve more with the state government’s commitment to massive rice production. “I commend the security agencies on their efforts to ensure peace in Ishielu and across the state, the peace we enjoy today is a result of their efforts. “Ishielu is well-known

ter from submerging farmlands and houses. Haruna advised the people to desist from dumping waste in drains and waterways, as well as to keep their environment clean.

Gov. Muhammad Badaru, Jigawa State

Council boss drums support for Buhari The Chairman, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Mr Abashiya Koto, has appealed to Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies in order to revamp the nation’s economy. Koto made the appeal in

LG boss hails joint state, LGs’ projects

Kwali LG pays immunisation workers’ arrears The Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has paid all the arrears it owed health officials engaged in immunisation in the area. The chairman of the council, Mr Ibrahim Daniel, confirmed this to newsmen in Kwali. Daniel said that the

health posts to facilitate quick response to the disease and other emergency situation,” he said. Muhammad said that the council had sensitised communities on the need to visit hospitals and keep a clean environment. This, he added, was part of measures adopted by the council to ensure effective control of diseases. He said, the council had set up disease monitoring committee to enhance effective campaign against measles and other diseases. The director urged health agencies to supply additional drugs to control the disease in the area. Similarly, the local government said it had embarked on clearing of drains to avert flooding in the area. The Head of Social Development Department of the council, Mallam Sani Haruna, told newsmen in Malammadori. Haruna said that officials of the council and residents participated in the two-day exercise in Malammadori and other major towns in the area. According to him, the exercise is imperative to enhance sanitation and allow easy flow of rain water in the communities. Haruna said that the council had also distributed 1,000 sacks to be used in erecting temporary embankment at Arki and

for farming, especially now that the state government encourages mass rice production. We will open up the rural areas for farmers to display their produce,” he said. The chairman commended the state government for the opportunity to serve at the grassroots. Eze said his priorities for the area included ensuring absolute peace, functional health centres, effective transportation and enhancement of internallygenerating revenue. He urged the people of the state, especially the workers, to be patient, respect their leaders and understand the position of the state.

Akwanga while speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in commemoration of the country’s 55th independence anniversary. He expressed optimism that the support would enhance the efforts aimed at making the country great. The chairman urged Nigerians to join hands with the present administration in the country in its fight against insurgency and other security challenges bedevilling the country. Koto also enjoined youths to shun social vices and be committed to efforts towards making the country great. He said that they could do this by shunning tribalism, nepotism, risky behaviours and other negative social vices, and be creative in their vision to move the country forward. The council boss stressed the need for the various tribes and religious bodies in the state to unite toward contributing peace and development of the area. He congratulated Governor Umaru Al-Makura on his recent victory at the tribunal.

news Tribunal upholds Mark’s election 37

Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

HE National/ State Election Petition Tribunal presided over by Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, yesterday upheld the election of former senate president, Senator David Mark. The tribunal, in over two hours judgment, dismissed the petition brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Daniel Onjeh, against the former senate president. The APC candidate was contesting that the March 28, 2015, election of Mark was marred by irregularities, such as ballot stuffing, manipulation of votes, inducement, falsification of results, abuse of office, over-voting as well as mutilation of results sheets. The judgment held that the petitioner (Onjeh) failed to provide substantially proof that the senatorial election in Benue

My victory, affirmation of people’s mandate —Awoleye By Nurudeen Alimi

THE lawmaker representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Abiodun Dada Awoleye, has described the judgment of the election petition tribunal which upheld his election victory as affirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of the constituency. Awoleye stated this on Monday, shortly after the National Assembly elections petition tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital ruled that he was the winner of the March 28, 2015, National Assembly election. He also maintained that the triumph was a sign of independence of the judiciary arm of government in the country. The three-man tribunal headed by Justice J. G. Abundaga, in the ruling, dismissed the petition of the Accord Party’s candidate, Adeniyi Adeyinka, based on lack of merit and concrete evidences and thereby affirmed the reelection of Awoleye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after scoring 34,347 valid votes to defeat his closest rival, Adeyinka, who scored 14,029 votes and five (5) other candidates.

South district did not comply with the Electoral Act 2010, as amended. Justice Dipeolu said that the evidence of the petitioner’s witnesses were contradictory as they were based on hearsay, which was not admissible in law. “Witnesses contradicted their statements in admitting that the election held free and fair in their polling units. Their evidence is based on hearsay” she said.

The tribunal also, added that the documentary as well as oral evidence did not show that the election was fraudulent. She held that the people who tendered the documents were not the makers, noting that the documents were tendered without been linked to the case. “The petitioner and his witnesses did not link the documents to the case.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

They did not show figures to prove non-compliance. He did not prove that noncompliance affected the result of the election. Ballot boxes and papers should have been brought to court to prove the case beyond reasonable doubts. Issue of falsification should have been made by the polling agents, even as the petitioner did not produce or invite anyone who alleged harassment or intimida-

tion. “Their evidence is based on the hearsay including that of the data analyst who admitted that his report was erroneous. Based on all these, I hold that the petitioner failed to prove that the election was not held in substantially compliance with the electoral act and the petition fails and is accordingly dismissed”, Justice Dipeolu pronounced.

From left, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Regent of Ile-Oluji, High Chief Johnson Fagbamiyo and the Baba Ijo of St. Peter’s Cathedral Church, Ile-Oluji, Venerable Yemi Adewakun, during a visit by Ile-Oluji elders to the Governor’s Office, in Akure, on Tuesday.

Rivers governorship election: Wike closes defence at tribunal RIVERS State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday told the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja that he had completed the presentation of all his witnesses. The governor spoke through his Counsel, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, after presenting 24 witnesses to defend his case that he was the right winner of the April 11, 2015, governorship election. Wike also tendered newspapers clippings, wherein the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega declared that the Rivers State governorship election was free and fair. The governor tendered other documents which also said that the election was peaceful, credible and conducted in line with the Electoral Act. The governor also tendered his certificate of return, APC agents list, organo-gram of INEC in Rivers State and the State APC notice of primaries election

issued to INEC. The governor’s Counsel said that documents would assist the tribunal to resolve the matter before it. Justice Suleiman Ambursa adjourned sitting to Thursday, October 8, for the state PDP, the third respondent, to open its case. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the governor had on Monday called a retired National Commissioner of INEC, Mr Christopher Iyimoga, to defend his case.

Iyimoga had told the tribunal that he was one of the three-members of INEC National Commissioner monitoring team who supervised the April 11, 2015, election in Rivers. Iyimoga told the tribunal that the election was peaceful, a position which contradicted the testimony given by Charles Okoye, also an INEC staff on Sept. 12, 2015. According to Iyimoga, Okoye who was invited by the APC to testify on Sept.

12, 2015, lied before the tribunal. He said that Okoye was just a travel guide to the team and that he had no locus standi to write a formal report which the said witness (Okoye) tendered before the tribunal on the day he testified. NAN also reported that one Mr Emmanuel Phillips, a retired officer of the Department of State Security (DSS) had earlier testified that the election was devoid of violence.

Tribunal upholds Ademola Ige’s election By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Oyo State House of Assembly election petition tribunal in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday upheld the election of Honourable Ademola Akeem Ige, representing Ibadan South East State Constituency II, in the Oyo State House of Assembly. Mr Adebolu Okikiolu Fol-

orunsho of All Progressives Congress (APC) challenged the victory of Honourable Ige in a petition No: EPT/ IB/SHA/14/15. In his ruling, Justice Abundaga dismissed the petition of APC candidate in the April 11 election for lack of merit. In an 84-page ruling, the tribunal explained that the petitioner could not establish the allegation of over

voting and electoral malpractices leveled against the first respondent, as contained in the petition. Reacting to the judgment, Honourable Ige attributed his victory to God and people of his constituency, adding that the judgment was a confirmation that the people actually overwhelmingly voted for him and his party, Accord, to represent them.

Nigerian Tribune

Subsidy fraud: 3 oil marketers to know fate on Nov 17 AyomideOwonibiOdekanyinLagos

JUSTICE Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, has fixed November 17 to deliver ruling on the no-case submission filed by three oil marketers charged with N789.6 million fuel subsidy fraud. The judge fixed the date after hearing the submissions of their counsels, Prof Alfred Kasumu (SAN), Mr Abubakar Shamsudeen and Mr Eubena Ahmedu and the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN). The marketers, Adamu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah, were being prosecuted alongside their firms - Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited. They were re-arraigned on April 1, 2014 on an amended 26-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of false documents. The EFCC alleged that the defendants did not import the 10,862 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for which they received subsidy payment from the Federal Government.

Be security conscious, Agbede urges drivers By Gbenga Olumide

THE Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has warned drivers in the state to be security conscious and be at alert while operating at motor parks Alhaji Agbede gave the warning in a release which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday. He said that the warning was imperative due to the backdrop of recent bombings at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja, where many people lost their lives. The NURTW boss further said that drivers at motor parks must always be at alert to keep bombers from perpetuating their work. He added that one of the measures to take was to ensure that all abandoned vehicles should be removed from the parks. According to him, “one way to keep bombers away is to make sure that we don’t allow abandoned vehicles in the parks.”

38 CHANGE OF NAME

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40 news

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Cost of governance: Ambode saved N12bn in 4 months Bola Badmus - Lagos

agos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, disclosed on Tuesday that his administration has been able to reduce the cost of governance in the state

by saving N3 billion every month, amounting to N12 billion in the first quarter of the administration. Ambode made the disclosure at the first edition of the Quarterly Town Hall Meeting involving the people of Lagos West Senato-

rial, where he rendered the account of his stewardship since he took over office as governor on May 29, 2015. The governor, while addressing the gathering at Abesan Estate, Alimosho area of the state, including the Deputy Governor, Dr

(Mrs) Aderanti Adebule, traditional rulers, artisans, market men and women, local government executive secretaries, Body of Permanent Secretaries, among others, said he had reduced the cost of governance through the re-alignment

From left, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; his deputy, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Senator representing Lagos Central, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, during the maiden edition of the quarterly town hall meeting, held at the Abesan Mini Stadium, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Ooni stool: Court reserves ruling on exclusion of Aregbesola from suit Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

AN Osogbo High Court presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, on Tuesday, reserved ruling on the argument to exclude the first defendant, Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from the Ooni of Ife suit before the court. Besides, the second and third defendants, Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Folorunsho Omisakin and Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola respectively, through their counsel, Peter Ogunleye, filed motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, arguing that the court lack competence to handle the case. Mr Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero had on behalf of Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife sued Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin and Lowa of Ife, Chief Ijaduola, on the decision to allow only Giesi Ruling House present the next Ooni. When the matter came up yesterday, the lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Abiodun Olaide, informed the court that he had filed a motion to exclude the first defendant, Governor Aregbesola from the case.

While he did not advance any reason for the exclusion notice, he maintained that he has the right to sue and also to withdraw his case at any time. Olaide had sought the order of the court to remove the first defendant from the

case and allow only the second and third defendants remain as defendants. But, the lead-counsel to the first defendant, Wale Afolabi who is also the former Osun State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, countered the

motion. He contended that the plaintiffs cannot withdraw from the case without asking for court permission, arguing that it was too late to challenge the declaration of 1979/80 that allowed Giesi to produce the next Ooni.

of the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and restructuring of government. Ambode said one of his administration’s first key tasks was to stabilise the finances of the state which made it embarked on a financial reengineering and reviewed the revenue and expenditure framework of the state. According to him, this has provided his administration with more funds to inject into capital projects and the initial funds to establish the Employment Trust Fund which he promised the youth in the state. “Today, a major landmark of our administration is the reduction in the cost of governance. We want a lean government with quality service delivery. “Lagos State Government is proud to declare that it has consistently met its obligations, especially prompt payment of workers’ salaries without seeking any bailout from the Federal Governor Government,” Ambode said. The governor said that his administration in August approved the release of N11 billion for the payment of arrears of pensions owed pensioners since 2010. Ambode added that his government had, on monthly basis, consistently been presenting retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme their bond certificates and had also approved the appointment of four additional Pension Fund Administrators to further boost the processes and accord staff a wider range of options.

Groups hail Shittu’s ministerial nomination By Tunde Ogunesan, Dare Adekanmbi and Moses Alao

The controversy surrounding the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mr Adebayo Shittu, as one of the ministers to form President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet has been described as needless, with individuals and groups from Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State condemning the APC top echelon in the state for what they described as treachery and bad blood. A youth group under the aegis of Oke-Ogun Development Youth League; a former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Afees Jimoh and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the area, Alhaji Yakubu Oladoja, had, yesterday, in separate statements made available to the Nigerian Tribune, criticised the top

echelon of the APC for its stance on Shittu’s nomination. The youth group, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moyo Bonuola, said it identified with Shittu and urged Nigerians to ignore his antagonists who were only whipping up sentiment to perpetuate their ‘divide and rule’ style to “derail Oke-Ogun and keep us in a perpetual state of underdevelopment.” “Adebayo Shittu’s nomination is a reflection of fairness and commitment to positive change in the interest of development. The present Federal Government has shown a clear understanding of the underdevelopment plight of Oke-Ogun. The president also seems to be very responsive and fair in the nomination. We continually pledge our support for the Buhari government,” the group said.

A Frontline Group of Saki has also applauded President Buhari over the nomination of its indigenous son, Mr Shittu, as one of the ministerial nominees. Chairman of the group, Alhaji Abd Ganiyu Olubori, speaking at a special meeting of the group, said that the choice of Shittu was timely as the nation is in dire need of such a Nigerian, adding “Shittu is a bundle of integrity and a very hard-working person who cares for the downtrodden.” Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of the OkeOgun Project Forum, Oyo State, has also urged the Senate to disregard the ranting of desperate politicians over the nomination of Mr Shittu as minister. Coordinator of the group, Mr Ismail Adewoyin, disclosed this while briefing journalists on a publication by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State

chapter, rejecting Shittu as a minister. Also, Mr Bashir Alade, convener of a group known as the Oyo State Youth Assembly, said the nomination of Shittu as minister was coming at the right time when Buhari was ridding the country of corruption. According to the group “the nomination of Shittu has laid to rest the political apprehension within the legacy parties that formed the APC. Also, a socio-cultural group, Concerned Indigenes of Saki and Oke –Ogun, has thrown its weight behind the nomination of Mr Shittu as minister in a communiqué. The communiqué was signed by Alhaji Lateef Giwa, Alhaji Nasiru Salami, Deacon Segun Olujimi, Honourable Kehinde Adetola, Mr Niyi Adebisi, Alhaji R.O Muslim and Alhaji Dauda Ofa.

Attah Igala solicits support for flood victims Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

THE Attah Igala, Michael Ameh Oboni, on Tuesday, charged the people of the state to support the efforts of the state government at bringing succour to those who have been affected by this year’s flood. The monarch stated this when he received in audience Kogi State deputy governor, Yomi Awoniyi, while on a visit to Idah and Ibaji Local Government Areas of the state to carry out an on the spot assessment of the impact of flood on the two areas. He described flood as a natural occurrence, not caused by any individual or government, lauding the swift response of government to mitigate the impact by providing shelter and relief materials for those affected. Oboni, however, called on individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the victims. Awoniyi, who is also the chairman, Flood Management Committee of the state, said he was embarking on the assessment visit to ascertain the extent of damage the flood might have caused the people of the two local government areas.

Navy intercepts vessel with suspected stolen crude oil THE Central Naval Command on Tuesday said it had intercepted a vessel and tug boat suspected to be involved in oil theft. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the vessel, registered as MT DERA and tugboat, RUNNER CHARLEY, as well as 11 crew members are in custody of the Navy. A statement issued by Lieutenant Commander Eddie Yeibo on behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, said the seizure followed intelligence report. The statement said the vessel and tugboat were apprehended at Eremor 1 Marginal Oil Field located off Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa. It stated that the vessel was laden with 6,000 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil. The statement quoted the FOC, CNC, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, as saying at the scene of the arrest that preliminary investigation was ongoing.

41 news

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigeria needs restructuring —Emir of Ilorin Biola Azeez - Ilorin

HE Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to commence process that will lead to implementation of the resolutions of 2014 national conference as a way to restructure Nigeria. Speaking at a meeting with members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, on Tuesday, the traditional ruler, who was a member of the conference, said Nigeria needs restructuring. The Emir, who said that the report of the national conference should not be discarded, added that the President should pass the report in form of a bill to the National Assembly in order to be made into constitution and law for the good of the nation. “The law is made for the people and people are not made for law. Nigerian people have gathered for a purpose, the people have spoken through their representatives. So the parliament would have to endorse it for necessary criteria that had been drawn up in the constitution. Having done that it will now be passed as a bill and people of Nigeria can now say they have given unto themselves this piece in the constitution. The one given to us by the military was not by the people of this country. The military only gave us that one to guide and rule us. Men are not supposed to be made for law, but rather, laws are supposed to be made for men. Men should be supreme. And the constitution of Nigeria will be grand norm. The highest norm, law in the land so that whatever may happen since we are still in the period of restructuring, probably the document gathered during the confab should be looked into as part of documents for restructuring. I believe it should not be thrown into dustbin as the experienced

professor, Professor Agboola Gambari has said,” he added. The Emir of Ilorin also called on the Federal Gov-

ernment to fish out identified sponsors of deadly Boko Haram insurgency in the country, expressing the hope that the insurgency

would come to an end when the sponsors are identified. He also said that the state was glad to have Senate President, Dr Bukola Sara-

From left, Vice Chancellor, Bowen University, Professor Mathews Ojo; chairman on the occasion and Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola; guest lecturer and Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor John Akande, during the first Distinguished Personality Lecture, organised by the Department of Political Science and Diplomatic Studies, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, on Tuesday.

Bayelsa: APC crisis deepens as chairman, ex-militant leader attack Sylva in Abuja •Choice of running mate tears party apart Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa THE crisis of confidence bedevilling the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on Tuesday, when the fuss over choice of running mate to the governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, shifted to his Abuja palatial home leading to hot exchanges. In the process, Sylva was said to have got a hot slap on his cheeks for what was said to be a result of his “deception and betrayal”. Both the state chairman of APC, Chief Tiwei Oruminighe and an ex-militant leader, General Africa, were involved in the fracas. Since the APC primaries, where the former governor emerged as candidate, there have been a relentless battle over who becomes his deputy as the jostle for the slot kept shifting from one supposedly anointed person to the other. Sources privy to the development reliably told Nige-

rian Tribune that Sylva had all along promised no fewer than six persons who would be picked as his running mate, but none of them has so far been named. APC state chairman, Oruminighe, was one of those initially favoured as Sylva was said to have repeatedly told him and members of his inner caucus he would be his running mate. The source, who craved anonymity, however, said Sylva only cajoled all those he promised the deputy slot, but never meant his words as he only used the promises as bait to elicit their support to get the governorship ticket at the primary election. Oruminighe as party chairman reportedly mobilised all delegates to vote for Sylva at the primaries which he won. It was gathered that the Abuja clash was fallout of the struggle on the part of Oruminighe to challenge Sylva over his refusal to name him as running mate in spite of

his repeated promises and “unalloyed support” to him at the governorship primaries election. To demonstrate his seriousness, Oruminighe was said to have gone to Sylva’s Abuja home yesterday with ex-militant leader, General Africa, to confront Sylva on the issue, but the open confrontation soon resulted into heated argument and in the process, General Africa was said to have slapped Sylva and a full blown fight erupted. An eyewitness account informed one of our reporters that the ensuing fight caused destruction of some household items. Following the attack yesterday, a reliable source has hinted that Sylva as the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State was already plotting to remove Oruminighe as state chairman. To achieve this, it was gathered that at the instigation of Sylva, some key members of the state executive were

Ghana suspends 7 high court judges over corruption GHANA’S government has suspended seven out of 12 High Court judges in the wake of allegations of bribery, stemming from a documentary made by an investigative journalist. The development followed a public outcry after the judges accepted bribe through intermediaries, as shown in a three-hour film last month in Accra.

ki, from the state, assuring that the number three man would perform creditably for the national growth and progress.

Ghana’s judiciary is revered for its efficacy and impartiality and seen as a bulwark of society that prides itself on its reputation as one of Africa’s most stable and peaceful democracies. However, the documentary put Chief Justice Georgina Wood and other judicial leaders under pressure to show a forceful public

response. The Judicial Council in a statement said ``the judges’ suspension follow the establishment of a prima facie case of stated misbehaviour against them by the Honourable Lady Chief Justice (Wood).’’ The Council had previously suspended 22 junior judges who appeared in the video and investigated the

conduct of high court judges to see if there was a case for their impeachment. Some of the judges had denied any wrongdoing and had filed a challenge in court, saying their suspension had no legal basis because documents relating to the video that were submitted by the journalist were not made available to them.

making moves to suspend him (Tiwei) as chairman. The move was also said to be causing fresh ripples within the exco as members were said to be divided on the implication ahead of a crucial election in the state. In its reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state condemned Sylva’s action, noting that ‘deceit, lies and subterfuge’ were political tricks of the APC candidate over the years. In a statement by the PDP state secretary, Keku Godspower, the party accused Sylva to have deceived PDP members into joining APC with promises of the governorship ticket and collected huge sums of money from them without fulfilling his promise. Meanwhile, the choice of who becomes the running mate to Sylva, has sparked off protests in Yenagoa, the state capital on Tuesday. Nigerian Tribune learnt that angry irate youths, numbering hundreds gathered at the party secretariat along the Chief Melford Okilo Expressway at Kpansia, to voice their anger and resentment at the dumping of state chairman of the party, Orunimighe as running mate. It was gathered that Sylva and his campaign organisation had picked a former governorship aspirant in the old Rivers State, Wilberforce, as best choice of running mate ahead the December 5 governorship election.

Lagos wins robotic competition, to represent Nigeria in Qatar NO fewer than five public secondary schools in Lagos will represent Nigeria at this years world Robot Olympiad (WRO) event in Doha, Qatar later in the year following their performances at the 2015 Robotics Competition organised by Arc Lights Limited. Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Education, Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, who disclosed this in Lagos, on Tuesday, noted that the schools are Ojota Senior High School, Ojota; Apapa Senior High School, Apapa; Army Cantonment Girls Senior High School, Ojo; Oke-Afa Junior College, Oke-Afa, Isolo and Lagos State Junior Model College, Badore. Ariyo noted that the Robotics Competition is aimed at making students learn how to build and programme robots while applying their knowledge of Mathematics, Sciences, Creative Art, Communication skills and all other things they have learned in the classroom to solve real life problems.

Akwa Ibom diaspora pledges support for Gov Emmanuel Udeme Utip - Uyo APART from throwing its full weight behind the industrialisation policy of Udom Emmanuel’s administration, Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Diaspora said they will embark on $500 million medical mission to the state in March 2016. The leader of the group, Mr John Etim, bared the minds of the diaspora community during a media parley organised by Mr Joseph Etukudo, the governor’s Special Assistant on Diaspora matters, during a visit to Uyo to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State creation. He, however, recounted previous contributions of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN) to include over 50 college scholarships, countless precollege scholarships, and free medical services to more than 10,000 Akwa Ibom people through medical missions. Mr Etim stated that the group had taken on the obligation of relentless giving, advocacy and volunteerism saying it was on record that AKISAN had set up and equipped the dialysis unit in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

news Bank manager remanded over N12m fraud 42

Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

Chief Magistrate Court siting in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of a 43 -year- old former bank manager, Fatai Aguntasolo in Olokuta Prison, over his involvement in N12 million fraud. The former bank manager was alleged to have converted the said money into his personal account and use instead of loading the money into the bank’s Automated Teller Machine ( ATM). According to prosecution, the accused person committed the offence at Ido-Ekiti cash centre of the Skye Bank Plc, under the Akure Regional Office, in Akure Magisterial District on July 8, 2015. The accused person, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ajibola Aderemi prayed the court to adjourn the case, in order to allow him to present before the court witnesses and also to study the case file. Counsel to the accused person, Mr Ajayi Adeolu, however, urged the court to grant his client bail in most liberal terms, assuring the

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

court that he would not jump bail if the application was granted. The lawyer also assured the court that he would provide credible and reliable

surety who would stand for the accused person, but the request was turned down by the court. The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail applica-

NASARAWA State Assembly, on Tuesday, directed the Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, to appear before it on Monday, October 12, to explain why the 2015/2016 admission list of the institution did not favour the indigenes of the state. This followed a motion moved by a member representing Kokona East state constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Daniel Oga-Ogazi, under matter of public interest on the floor of the House in Lafia, the state capital. The lawmaker lamented that the 2015/2016 academic session admission list of the university did not favour the indigenes of the state, appealing to the assembly to intervene, in order to provide solutions to qualified indigene candidates that were denied admission into the institution. “My colleagues, I am calling on you to support my motion to enable the Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi to appear before the House to explain his role in the 2015/2016 admission list of

‘s application and ordered that the accused person be remanded in Olokuta prison custody and adjourned the case till today, October 7, 2015 for continuation.

From left, representative of the Inspector-General of Police and Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi and the author, Assistant commissioner of Police, Sybil Akinfenwa, at the public presentation of a book, entitled: ‘Imaging The Nigeria Police - A Public Perception,’ at the University of Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Crisis: Kaduna worst hit-state —Nscdc Boss Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

Kaduna State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Modu

mously passed the resolution that the VC of the state university should appear before it on Monday, October 12 to explain the rationale behind the denial of admission this year to nonindigenes of the state. The directive came through the Speaker, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, who ordered the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolution to the VC for his appearance on Moday by 10.00 a.m.

He made the assertion at a peace workshop in Kaduna organised by NSCDC and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), on Tuesday. The workshop themed: “The Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Nigeria Youth” was attended by many youths from different organisations. Bunu, who underscored the history of violence in the country, showed that Kaduna State was worst hit. This was just as listed Kafanchan crises of 1987, Zango Kataf crises of 1992, Sharia crisis of 2000, Miss world crisis of 2002, postelection violence of 2011 and the bombing and reprisal of 2012 as major bloody crises that shook the foundation of the state

identified and removed from the pension payroll. Another set of 1,404 were classified as probable ghost pensioners because while they managed to get verified, they curiously failed to pick their pension cheques.” The statement, therefore, directed that the executive council had ordered investigations into the issue to identify the person(s) that had been collecting the pensions of the ghost pensioners. The statement read in part: “In July 2015, the total pension payroll from the state and local governments stood at 18,265. It cost the state government N543, 771,967.43 monthly to pay

the pensioners. “But at the end of the biometric verification exercise, only 15,781 pensioners were verified on the payroll. As many as 2,484 supposed pensioners did not show up at all. Of 15,781 pensioners that were verified, 1,404 pensioners did not collect their cheques, and they are being treated as probable ghosts. “The Kaduna State Executive Council has ordered further investigations into the precise identities of the syndicate behind the pension scam. The council welcomed the fact that the verification of the pension payroll will now enable the state to save N1.3 billion every year.”

Bunu, has taken a swipe at the spate of violence in the country and concluded that Kaduna State suffered more from violence than any state in the country.

Nasarawa Assembly summons VC over 2015/2016 admission Ademola Adegbite - Lafia

tion based on the nature of the charge and possibility of influencing the witnesses. The Magistrate, Mrs. Olayinka Omole, in her ruling granted the prosecutor’s

the university which has not favoured the indigenes of this state. “The act establishing the university said that 80 per cent of every admission of the institution should be indigenes, while 20 per cent should be non-indigenes but in this year’s admission, it is unfortunate that our children are crying out for not getting admission into the university,” he bemoaned. The House then unani-

Kaduna discovers 2,484 ghost pensioners Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

Kaduna State Government has discovered about 2,484 ghost pensioners in its payroll. This was made known in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media, Mr Samuel Aruwan, on Tuesday and issued to newsmen in Kaduna. This was just as it disclosed that uncovered pension racket costs the state N1.3 billion annually. “This was one of the highlights of the report on the verification of pensioners in the state that has been presented to the state executive council. “The report confirmed that 2,484 ghost pensioners were

in the goneby years. Bunu, however, said that causes of the crises were not directly attributed to the youth, adding that the victims and foot soldiers of those conflicts were the youth. He directed members of the public having civil matters to NSCDC conflict resolution unit, saying this is “where personnel who are well grounded in the alternative dispute resolution techniques will surely handle the matter appropriately.” In a goodwill message, the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Abdullahi Mohammed advised the youth against being used as agents of destruction. The NSCDC’s Commandant-General, who was represented by the zonal commandant, Nathaniel Ubong, said: “we have had enough violence in Nigeria, enough is enough, and the latest bomb blast in Nyanya and Kuje areas of Abuja was uncalled for. Every segment of the society must ensure that there is peace because Nigeria is the giant of Africa. “Let’s stand behind Mr President and have a change of mind and a change of attitudes, and ensure that peace is realised in our society for the benefit of all of us. “I want to say that our youths are made for development, they are the future leaders, and they are supposed to be Ambassadors of peace and development.”

Debasco debunks rumour of guber ambition Chief Babatunde Onakoya (Debasco) has refuted the rumour doing the rounds that he intends to pick the gubernatorial ticket of Ogun State, come 2019. Onakoya reiterated that he had no ambition for any elective post in the nearest furture, adding that he would continue to give Senator Ibikunle Amosun his total support regarding his projects and vision for Ogun State. He declared that as a businessman, what he wanted for Ogun State is good governance being the reason he had been supporting Governor Amosun’s programmes. Chief Onakoya, however, charged the people of Ogun State not to relent in their efforts, especially in prayers for the governor’s victory at the electoral tribunal, so that he could actualise his mission to rebuild the state. He also renounced his patronship of Egbe Tobalase-Dashbid of which Mrs Olayinka Onakoya is the lyalode.

Kano introduces biometic time, attendance for workers KOLA Oyelere - Kano

In its effort at instilling discipline and transparency in its workforce, the Kano State government has launched a biometric time and attendance machine for monitoring workers punctuality in their various places of work. This move was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer in the office of the Head of Service, Alhaji Mustapha Fagge, a copy of which made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday. The machine, according to the Head of service, Alhaji Muhammadu Naiya, was introduced to also check lateness and absenteeism among civil servants in the state. While performing the official test-run of the machine in his office, Alhaji Naiya expressed government’s concern over workers’ nonchalant attitude to work. It said the installation of the machine was the first of its kind in the history of the state, and appealed to civil servants to imbibe the culture of reporting to work at the stipulated time and to close at the specified time.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Islamic State claims Southern Iraq car bomb

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Erdogan: Ankara-Moscow relations at risk after airspace breach

urkey’s president on Tuesday questioned the future of relations between Ankara and Moscow after multiple reports of airspace violations by Russian military planes along the Turkish border with Syria. “Some steps that we do not desire are being taken. It is not suitable for Turkey to accept them,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a news conference with Belgium’s prime minister in Brussels, Turkey’s Hurriyet DailyNews reported. Turkey says Russian

warplanes operating in Syria violated Turkish airspace for a second time.

The Turkish prime minister has warned that Russian planes could be shot down.

Ahmet Davutoglu, has warned Moscow that under Turkey’s rules of engagement, its fighters are allowed to shoot down any warplane operating in Syria that violates Turkish airspace. Semih Idiz, a political columnist for Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper, says Ankara and Moscow are entering uncharted waters.

Israel razes attackers’ homes as unrest spreads Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan talks to the media before a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (not pictured) at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Reuters

Burundi criticises European Union sanctions Burundi’s foreign minister said while his country believes in north-south cooperation, it does not believe in neocolonialism, imperialism and domination of southern nations by the West. Alain Nyamitwe said sovereign nations are entitled to make decisions that are in their own national interests. The European Union last week imposed a travel ban and an asset freeze on four Burundi officials, accusing them of blocking efforts to resolve the country’s political crisis. On Monday, the ruling CNDD-FDD party of President Pierre Nkurunziza issued a statement accusing the EU of seek-

The Russian ambassador, for a second time in as many days, was summoned by the Turkish Foreign Ministry to receive a diplomatic dressing down. The call was to protest a Russian warplane violating Turkish airspace on Sunday. Turkish fighter jets were scrambled Saturday to intercept a Russian bomber. Turkish Prime Ministe,r

ing to fuel ethnic divisions by backing anti-government protesters. Foreign Minister Nyamitwe said even if EU nations stop their foreign aid to Burundi, they will not stop

A policeman walks away after throwing a teargas canister during a protest against Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza and his bid for a third term in Bujumbura, Burundi, recently. Photo: Reuters.

the government from making decisions that are in its national interest. He said the EU decision to impose sanctions is unilateral and Burundi is not happy about it.

Israel has razed a pair of homes belonging to the families of two Palestinians who attacked Israelis last year, according to witnesses and media reports. Israeli authorities demolished the home of Ghassan Abu Jamal during the early hours of Tuesday. Another home, belonging to Muhammad Jaabis, was also flattened. Both were located in occupied East Jerusalem. Along with his cousin Uday, Abu Jamal killed four rabbis and a policeman during an attack on a synagogue in West Jerusalem in November before being shot dead by police on the scene. Jaabis was also fatally shot by police after he drove a bulldozer into a bus on August 4, leaving one Israeli dead and wounding several others. Israeli forces cordoned off a room in a third house, belonging to Muataz Hijazi, a Palestinian who shot and

critically wounded Israeli activist Yehuda Glick in October 2014. Hijazi, 32, was killed by police on the roof of his home as officers raided it just hours after the shooting.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for one of several bombs that exploded on Monday across Iraq and left at least 57 people dead. The Sunni extremists said on Tuesday that they were targeting Shi’ites with a car bomb that blew up near a market in the southern town of al-Zubair, near Basra. Monday’s deadliest attack happened in Khalis, a majority Shi’ite town located about 80 kilometers northeast of the capital, Baghdad. That car bomb killed 35 people. Another car bomb in the Husainiya district on the outskirts of Baghdad killed 12 people. Deaths of civilians and Iraqi troops due to terrorism and armed conflict spiked sharply in Iraq last year as the Islamic State swept through large areas in the northern and western parts of the country, but have fallen slightly through the first nine months of this year. At this point in 2014, about 12,000 people were killed compared to 10,000 this year, according to United Nations data.

World Bank: African GDP declines to 3.7% Economic growth is set to slow in Sub-Saharan Africa to 3.7 per cent this year, its weakest pace since 2009, mainly due to the drop in commodity prices, the World Bank said on Monday. The region’s economy, which grew 4.6 per cent last year, will strengthen only marginally in the next two years, it predicted. “Growth in the region is projected to pick up to 4.4 percent in 2016, and further strengthen to 4.8 percent in 2017,” it said in

a bi-annual report titled Africa’s Pulse. Commodity-dependent economies from Zambia to Nigeria have suffered this year from the price rout of commodities like copper and oil, triggering currency falls that forced policymakers to tighten interest rates in response. Repeating long-standing advice to commodity producers, the Bank’s vice president for Africa, Makhtar Diop, said the slowdown should encourage policymakers to diversify economic activity.

otherNEWS

US boy, 11, held for shooting dead eight-year-old neighbour An 11-year-old boy in the US state of Tennessee has been held on suspicion of shooting dead an eight-year-old girl in a row over a puppy. The boy has been charged with first-degree murder as a juvenile. According to police, he shot neighbour McKayla Dyer on Saturday evening after she refused to let him see her puppy. Her mother Latasha said that the two chil-

dren went to the same school in White Pine, about 200 miles (315km) east of Nashville. She said the family had had trouble with the boy when they first moved to the area. “He was making fun of her, calling her names, just being mean to her. I had to go to the principal about him and he quit for a while and then all of a sudden yesterday he shot her,” Ms Dyer told WATE-TV. “She was a precious little girl. She was

mommy’s girl. No matter how bad of a mood you were in, she could always make you smile.” “I want her back in my arms,” she said. The Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit organisation that compiles data on gun violence in the US, says 559 children aged 11 or under have been killed or injured in the United States in gun violence so far this year. McKayla Dyer

Gulf coalition troops in Yemen die in Aden attack Attacks on several targets in Aden have killed 15 soldiers from the Arab coalition and its allies in Yemen, according to the official WAM news agency of the United Arab Emirates. Explosions hit a hotel housing Yemeni officials and a Gulf military base in Aden, a government spokesman and residents said, in the biggest attack on the government since it retook the city from its Houthi foes in July. Official news agency said of the dead, four were Emira-

tis and one was Saudi. All government ministers and the prime minister were safe and unhurt, Yemeni officials said, adding that the Cabinet will imminently hold an emergency meeting on the attack. Members of the Gulf coalition have been providing security at the luxury al-Qasr hotel, and the Yemeni government officials’ presence there makes it a highly symbolic target for the rebels.

Aside from forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, the Emirates has the most overt presence among coalition forces inside Yemen. The UAE has some 4,000 troops on the ground, a senior Emirati commander said last month, and boasts military hardware including tanks, armored fighting vehicles and attack helicopters. Witnesses said the hotel was on fire and that there are ambulances at the scene.

communitynews Electricity: Ndokwa youths vow to shut down Agip installation

Alphonsus Agbor-Asaba

dokwa youths in Delta State have vowed to shut down Agip Oil installations should the company fail to step down its Independent Power Plant and supply electricity to the three local government areas within the next 21 days, beginning from September 27, 2015. The angry youths, made up of different unions, said they had borne the pains of living without electricity for years whereas communities which do not produce oil and gas are enjoying electricity and they have, therefore, resolved to take action against the oil company and shut down its operations in the area. The over 300 youths handed down the ultimatum during an interaction with the member representing Ndokwa nation in the House of Representatives, Honourable Ossai N. Ossai, in Umutu, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, on Sunday. Leaders of the different groups, who spoke in unity, said the three local government areas comprising Ndokwa nation had been shortchanged by Agip as it drills oil and gas from the area, while the communities have nothing to show for it. “We have been waiting but nothing has happened. We want electricity in Ndokwa. If nothing is done besides media action, the youths of Ndokwa nation are ready to shut down the oil installation of Agip,” Chukwuma O. Chukwuma,

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

President of Pages Group International, said. Hessington Okolo, former President of Ndokwa Youth Congress, said the Agip Independent Power

Plant (IPP) was inaugurated in 2005, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he made categorical statements that Agip should step down

electricity in Ndokwa communities,, but lamented that after 10 years, nothing has been done. He said “Ten years down the line, we are still strug-

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (fourth left); flanked by the representative of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Mr John Edel (fourth right); the state deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo (left); Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Mrs Aderonke Makanjuola (right) and others, during UNESCO’s presentation of education materials to the state governor, before the presentation to the beneficiary community. Photo: Kehinde Adio

UNESCO donates educational materials, garri processing machine to Ikereku by kehinde adio

Recently, representatives of United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) were in Oyo State to contribute to adult and youth literacy development in

the state, especially at the community level. The two organisations, based on their ongoing collaborative project in revitalising adult and youth literacy in Nigeria, had donated a gaari processing machine, a generating set, 50 laptop computers fully installed with literacy

by radio lessons to Ikereku community, a community in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. Other learning materials donated for education advancement include 5,000 copies of branded exercise books and pencils; 200 copies of literacy by radio primers, and other mate-

Ibadan women applaud NURHI’s family planning intervention by gbenga olumide

Women in Oyo communities where the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) is active have commended the organisation for its family planning sensitisation, saying it had gone a long way in enlightening them on the benefits of health initiative. Speaking during the outreach programme in some primary health centres in local government areas where NURHI is actively working, some women said the misconception about family planning have been reduced to the barest minimum.

gling to get light. We are saying this time round, we will not back down. We generate 480 megawatts of electricity and we don’t even have light in our com-

According to Mrs Esther Adelani, with four children, “I was initially scared of going for family planning because of the misconceptions associated with it. “Some people will say women who use family planning methods develop big tummies, while some say they find it difficult to get pregnant when they are ready to resume having children. “However, I didn’t experience any of these when I did family planning after my second child; today, I have four children, and I am happy.” For Mrs Iyabode Idris, getting pregnant almost every year was telling

on her health, as well as on her business. “If I had known about family planning earlier, I wouldn’t have had the eight children I have now. Some people may say I was careless and had endangered my life, but if we denied our husbands, they will look outside to satisfy themselves, and the wives and children will suffer for it. “Having known about family planning for about three years now, I’ve not had any other baby. I am happy, and my husband is happy as well,” Mrs Idris, a food vendor, said. While also appreciating NURHI’s interven-

tion, the chairman of the Family Planning Providers Network (FPPN), Oyo State, Dr Monday Famakin, said. “This is not the first time we will hear about family planning in the state. “But NURHI has taken the campaign to a different level; it is taking it to local communities, while using people at the grass roots to spread the message. “We are really happy with the extension of the project by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and we know that more lives will be saved with family planning in Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole,” Dr Famakin said.

rials that could enhance effective learning in both formal and non formal learning centres. A representative of UNESCO at the presentation of materials to Ikereku community, Mr John Edel, stated that the donated materials were meant to encourage learning at the grass roots so as to reduce the level of illiteracy in the state. While commending the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for the development of adult education in the state, he called on the state government to provide skill acquisition materials in literacy centres. Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry Education, Mrs. Aderonke Makanjuola, stated that the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board and the State Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education were established as part of government’s determination to eradicate illiteracy among the citizenry. In his speech, the Ikereku community leaders, the Onikereku of Ikereku, Chief Olasunkanmi Akinyosoye, expressed his appreciation to the state government and the benefactor for the donation.

munities. If you go round Ndokwa now, only a few communities have light. “They should come and tell us why it should not be stepped down. We give them 21 days’ ultimatum, if they fail, we will shut down the IPP. Agip has been operating here for the past 50 years and we have no light. It can no longer continue”. Honourable Ossai said he shared in the pains and aspirations of his people, noting that not less than 10 oil companies are exploring oil in Ndokwa land and that the Agip IPP was inaugurated in 2005 with the promise to step down electricity to the people of Ndokwa, but lamented that since 2005, the promise is yet to be fulfilled. He said “I share in your plight, your aspiration and your goals, I sympathize with Ndokwa nation. N13.6 billion was planned for the step down in 2006 when I was a member of Delta State House of Assembly. Everything was planned to be done at the same time with Asaba but Asaba today is enjoying light but Ndokwa that produces the light has nothing to show for it. The lawmaker also said that the people of the area are angry but as a representative of the people, he would calm them down pending the determination of Agip to step down electricity and supply light to the people.

NGO screens 1,017 residents of Bayelsa for HIV As part of efforts to curtail the spread of HIV, an NGO, MercySeat Holistic Development Organisation, has carried out free HIV screening on 1, 017 residents of Bayelsa State. The NGO’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Torukuru Adakien, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, in Yenagoa. Adakien said that the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) was aimed at educating the people on the truths and facts about HIV. “We conducted this programme to support campaigns against HIV/ AIDS, especially in Bayelsa State; there is need for us to know our HIV status,” he said.

communitynews

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Ayetoro ocean surge: Ondo govt to distribute relief materials Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

HE people and residents of Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State will,

on Thursday, heave a sigh of relief as the state government will commence the distribution of relief materials to victims of the recent ocean surge in the community.

The disclosure was made by a team, which visited the community shortly after the incident. The team, led by a former Chairman of Ilaje Local Government and

Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr Banji Okunomo, said the inspection became imperative to ascertain the level of damage.

Lawmaker celebrates birthday with the physically challenged THE lawmaker representing Ibadan North state constituency in Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Segun Olaleye, recently celebrated his 43rd birthday with the physically challenged in Ibadan. Olaleye, who visited Oluyole Cheshire Home in Sango area of Ibadan, donated food items such as rice, noodles, wheat and other items to the home. The lawmaker described the gesture as a means of identifying with the physically challenged in the society. He said he would make the gesture a yearly event so as to make the physi-

cally challenged in the state feel the impact of government. According to him, it is the duty of able bodied individuals to ensure that the physically challenged are not distressed. Olaleye, therefore, urged prominent people in the society, especially politicians to support the underprivileged. “We are here to celebrate with you. We are here to show you that we care about you. It is our duty to support you and I am promising you today that I will make this gesture a yearly event.” In his speech, the representative of the physically challenged, Mr.

Kayode Lawal, appreciated the gesture of the lawmaker, observing that the celebrant could have chosen to celebrate his birthday with his friends rather than the physically challenged. He said: “We appreciate your generosity and we pray that God will be with you and your family. This home in a school. We have primary and secondary schools here. We also have some intending students who are trying to gain admission

here but we have limited resources. We need government support. This home has contributed immensely to the rehabilitation of the disable in Nigeria, especially in Oyo State. We want you to help us the more. The matron of the home, Mrs Abosede Olafikun, said the lawmaker has proved that he cares for the underprivileged, especially the physically challenged, urging other lawmakers to emulate him.

Other members of the group included the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Jephter Obakpolo; Honourable Oyebo Aladetan, Mr Imisi Ogungbure and Mr Monday Omodun. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Okunomo said the team was mandated by OSOPADEC chairman, Pastor Johnson Ogunyemi, to intimate the victims of government’s readiness to provide them with relief materials, as well as finding a lasting solution to the incessant ocean surge in the area. The team expressed displeasure at the level of destruction of buildings, churches, hall, health centres and schools among others and pledged that

government would soon renovate the affected structures and relocate the school to an environment that is more conducive for learning. Okunomo, however, commended the swift response of the state government on the issue through OSOPADEC, while also applauding the efforts of the people in providing temporary measures to alleviate the situation. The team also appreciated the efforts of the lawmaker representing the area at the House of Representatives, Honourable Kolade Akinjo, for moving a motion on the floor of the House calling for a probe of all failed contracts on the Ayetoro Shore protection.

Ekiti LG ministry lists Fayose’s achievements in one year Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

EKITI State Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolade Kolapo, has listed the settlement of longstanding chieftaincy disputes by the Governor Ayo Fayose-led government as one of the ingredients of peace in the state in the last one year. Mr Kolapo said the ministry had in the last one year settled chieftaincy matters in some communities as well as boundary disputes to ensure peace in the state. While explaining that it was not acceptable to Governor Fayose for any community to be without a ruler, Kolade said the administration had peacefully resolved ascendancy tussles in nine communities which had been without monarchs owing to interests from certain quarters. According to him, while the Fayose administration had installed monarchs in six communities, the remaining three traditional rulers would be presented with their staff of office within one week. Kolade, however, lamented that some activities of the ministry, particularly in the area of running local governments, were being hampered by lack of adequate fund occasioned

by the drop in revenue accruing to the state from the Federation Account. To ensure solution, the commissioner said the ministry had resuscitated the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Forum in the local governments in order to improve IGR in the councils. Kolapo, who spoke in Ado Ekiti at a press briefing on the activities of his ministry in the last one year, described allegations that card-carrying politicians were on the Ekiti Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) as untrue.

From left, Baale of Iragon community, Badagry, Lagos State, Chief Akingbade Akinyemi; National Coordinator, Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams; Baale of Yafin, Badagry, Chief Abiodun Patinvoh (representing the Akran of Badagry) and Nollywood actor and Olokun Festival Cultural Ambassador, Yomi Fash-Lanso, at a press conference to herald the 2015 Olokun festival organised by OPC at the White House, Ikeja, on Sunday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

10 undergo free cleft lip-palate, benign tumour surgeries Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

TEN patients have undergo free cleft lippalate and benign jaw tumour surgeries in the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), in a free surgery mission organised by the Health, Work and Shelter (HEWS) Foundation in conjunction with EKSUTH. The latest surgeries were the third that would be carried out at EKSUTH and it was sponsored by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the health mission, the General Manager, External Relations of SPDC, Mr. Igo Weli, said the mission was to restore a smiling face to beneficiaries, for the third time in Ekiti State. Weli added that the gesture by his company was “to invest in social projects and programmes to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.” The founder and President of HEWS Foundation, Dr Remi Adesiyan,

in his address, urged people to refrain from self-medication, which he said was “very dangerous to health.” Dr Adesiyan charged pregnant women not to use medicines that are not recommended to them. He also called on wellmeaning Nigerians to assist the underprivileged through financial assistance to enable them tackle their health challenges like cleft lip-palate and benign jaw tumours. He said: “Many of us in this country who God has blessed and who have the

resources should help the lunderprivileged who are suffering needlessly.” In his speech, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Olurotimi Ojo, who was represented by Dr. Adetoye Olusanya, said the state government was passionate about health issues and was putting up programmes to help the indigent. Dr. Ojo called on NGOs to emulate the kind gesture of SPDC and HEWS Foundation by giving a helping hand to the underprivileged. The Chief Medical Di-

rector (CMD) of EKSUTH, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, said the partners and the foundation were supporting the vision of Ekiti State government to make healthcare affordable to the people. Ogundipe added that the medical team comprised doctors from EKSUTH, who are carrying out the surgical exercise for the third time. Dr. Obimakinde Obitade Sunday, who is the team leader, noted that ignorance and lack of education were responsible for the disease which is treatable with little fund.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Eagles visa, NFF berates Belgium embassy As Enyeama arrives in camp

Ighalo

Mahrez beat Ighalo to African award R IYAD Mahrez of Leicester City has been named the winner of the New African Soccer’s September’s English Premier League African Player of the Month. He beat off competition from other shortlisted

Bodija Estate Baptist Church holds novelty match By Adesewa Animasahun

BODIJA Estate Baptist Church will on Friday organise a novelty match as part of acitivities to mark its golden jubilee. In a release made available to Tribunesport, Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr Segun Adebayo, Esq said the Women Missionary Union Babes and the Men Missionary Union Gallants will feature in the novelty game scheduled to hold at the sports field of the Polytechnic Ibadan, South Campus at 4.00pm. Adebayo said the Oyo State deputy governor, Otunba Moses Alake would kick-off the novelty match, while the Rector of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor Tunde Fawole will be the special guest.

stars like West Ham’s Victor Moses, Watford’s Odion Ighalo and Stoke City’s Mame Biram Diouf. In a release by the organisers and signed by the CEO of New African Soccer ‘Tunde Adelakun, it was a really close call as Africans, for the second month running, showed “exemplary quality in the highly competitive English Premier League”. Adelakun stated that “the quality was there in September, and anyone who says Africa does not contribute enough to the Premier League just needs

to see the stats from August and September. It was great to see our stars’ names popping up in every angle”. He also said that the turnout for votes was unprecedented, as people really got involved, leading to victory for Algeria-born Mahrez. “What we stand for is celebrating our stars. There is too much negativity that gets highlighted out of Africa, so much so that there is the need to show the world that football contributes a lot of good to the world at large.”

Glo charges Falconets to beat Congo NIGERIA’S Super Falconets have been urged to complete the job they started a fortnight ago when they face their Congolese counterparts in Abuja this weekend in a 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifier. Chinaza Uchendu and Chinwendu Ihezuo scored for the Falconets when the team defeated Congo 2-1 in Kinshasa a fortnight ago. Globacom in a press statement in Lagos on Tuesday said: “It is expected that the Congolese will come out fighting, but the

Falconets must show their class by beating them comprehensively in Abuja.” “We also share in coach Peter Dedevbo’s belief that his girls would beat Congo DR again. We also want the Falconets to remain focused so that they would secure outright victory and progress to the final stage,” the statement added. The national teams sponsor urged the Falconets’ handlers not to rest on their oars and guard against any surprise that the visitors may spring in the encounter.

T H E Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed disappointment that officials and six players from the domestic league have still not been issued entry visas to Belgium ahead of tomorrow’s friendly between Nigeria and DR Congo. Nigeria will also play another friendly against Cameroon in Belgium on Sunday. NFF’s technical committee chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu said the association is shocked by the lack of co-operation from the Belgian embassy in Nigeria. “We are shocked beyond words at the attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria. This action is a strange one in international sports. Football preaches and spreads peace and love, but we are taken aback at the attitude of the Belgian embassy in Nigeria,” Anyansi-Agwu said. The chairman of Enyimba FC noted

that the action of Belgium embassy threatens Nigeria’s preparation for the two matches. “Our team’s preparedness for the preparatory games ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been unduly hampered. The team’s medical crew and other critical backroom staff are held back in Nigeria. This action is not just against a Football Federation; it is against an entire nation,” he said. The affected players are goalkeepers Femi Thomas and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo, midfielder Paul Onobi and forward Prince Aggrey. The Super Eagles will face the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise, Liege tomorrow and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Dendermonde on Sunday. Meanwhile, bereaved captain, Vincent Enyeama has arrived in the Super Eagles camp in Belgium ahead of the friendlies according to the NFF. The Lille goalkeeper with 101 international caps who buried his late mother, Mrs Lucy last weekend has since joined the likes of Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi and Odion Ighalo, in the Hotel Verviers camp of the Eagles ahead of the double header.

LMC slams Ikhana, 4 clubs ENYIMBA’S Coach, Khadiri Ikhana has been slammed by the League Management Company (LMC), for making public comments that are deemed inimical to the promotion of the league. The veteran coach was fined N100,000 as the LMC ruled that the comments made by Ikhana during a post match interview after the match day 32 clash with Heartland in Owerri, did not portray the league in good light contrary to his responsibilities as a Manager under article 14 of the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches. Also, four Globacom Premier League clubs have been sanctioned by LMC for various breaches.

Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined minimum of N500,000 as the LMC exercised summary jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving the four sides. In the various notices

of summary jurisdiction signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar and sent to the clubs, they were issued the statutory 48 hours notice to submit to the decisions of the LMC or indicate in written response a choice to appear before a panel.

Eaglets, Argentina friendly holds today THE much anticipated international friendly between Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets and their U-17 Argentine counterparts will now hold today. Organisers had to call off the game on Tuesday at the last minute due to inclement weather conditions. The friendly between

the two FIFA U-17 World Cup-bound teams is still expected to take place barring any other force majeure at the earlier stipulated time of 3:30pm (7:30pm Nigerian time) and at the same venue the Argentina Football Association (AFA) Training Centre at Ezeiza.

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter’s chairmanship aspirant, Mr Niyi Alebiosu (centre), presenting election campaign souvenir to the chairman of the Oyo State NUJ Correspondents Chapel, Mr Ola Ajayi, while Mr Boye Ajayi of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) looks on. The election of Oyo SWAN is scheduled for Friday in Ibadan.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

10 1. A cross section of Yoruba Unity Forum with Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. 2. From left, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Alhaji Aliko Dangote. 3. A cross section of RCCG members, Ogun State. 4. From left, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Mrs Adebola Abimbola and Mr Sanmi Falobi. 5. A cross section of guests from Ogun State with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

6. From left, Mrs Abba Folawiyo, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Princess Yewande OnileEre. 7. A cross section of RCCG, Ikenne with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu. 8. From left, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Professor Muhib Opeloye and Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa. 9. Chief Ebenezer Babatope (left) with Mr Aramide Tola Noibi. 10. Representative of PA Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr ) Awolowo Dosumu.

SIDELINES

NO 16,343

WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER, 2015

N150

One Michael Ogedengbe, who was nabbed by security operatives in Lagos after he robbed a motorist of his handset, laptop and other valuables blamed his action on alcoholic influence. Good defence, but if one may ask, why did Ogedengbe’s ‘liquor insanity’ not lead him into trying an acrobatic show before a moving train?

Iwobi signs fresh Arsenal contract A

RSENAL forward, Alex Iwobi has signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates and has his sights set on breaking into Arsene Wenger’s first team squad. The youngster, who is currently on international duty after being called up to the Nigeria’s Super Eagles for the friendlies against Congo DR and Cameroon had previously represented England at youth level. Iwobi has been at Arsenal since he was a primary school pupil and has committed his future to the north London club. A statement on Arsenal’s official website read: “Alex Iwobi has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal. “Everyone at Arsenal would like to congratulate Alex on his new contract and we look forward to his continued progression in the season ahead.” Iwobi is highly regarded at Arsenal and was part of Wenger’s travelling squad on the pre-season tour of Singapore in July this year, and later scored his first goal for the senior side against Lyon in the Emirates Cup. However, he is yet to feature in a competitive game for the Gunners but was named on the bench for the Capital One Cup victory over local rivals Tottenham last month.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract, especially with a club like Arsenal who are so big,” he told Arsenal.com. “I’m happy to sign for them. “I like to think I have earned it. I have gone through a lot with Arsenal so to have a new and improved contract is very good and I’m happy to have earned it. “I have had ups and downs. As I was growing up I had a lot of downs, but as I get older things just keep getting better and better. “The ultimate goal is to break into the first team and play as many games as I can.” Meanwhile, plans for a first team breakthrough this season may have to be shelved, though, because, as Sportsmail revealed last month, Iwobi could be sent out on loan to gain experience ahead of a more involved role next term.

Iwobi (left) dazzles during a youth game for Arsenal.

Frankfurt will release Awoniyi for Olympic qualifiers —Siasia

HEAD Coach of Nigeria’s U-23 soocer team, Samson Siasia has disclosed he has an agreement that, Taiwo Awoniyi will be released by German Bundesliga 2 side, FSV

Frankfurt for next month’s Africa U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal, which will serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympics. “We got an agreement from the

Tax fraud: Messi’s dad faces 18-month imprisonment

Messi

THE charges of tax evasion levelled against former FIFA World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi have been dropped as prosecutors in Catalunya instead seek 18 months’ imprisonment for his father, Jorge Messi. The recuperating FC Barcelona star had been accused of avoiding €4.1 million in tax obligations from 2007 to 2009, related to payments on image rights. But Spanish authorities opted to get rid of the charges against him, marking his father as the sole person responsible for the alleged fraudulent acts. “It is not plausible to think that his unawareness of events was

intentional, or carried out seeking to defraud the Public Treasury,” the prosecutor’s ruling explained. As such, the office deemed that, given Messi’s age and close links with his father, it was Jorge who looked after the player’s business interests and “control of tax obligations”. Messi could, however, be called upon to testify in the case against Jorge, who has acted as his son’s agent throughout his professional career. As well as a possible custodial sentence, Messi Sr could face a fine of €2m if found guilty on the charges.

club before the player signed that he will be released for the competition in Senegal. So we expect them to keep to this commitment,” Siasia said. Awoniyi, who missed the just-ended 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville so as to finalise his move to Europe, is on loan to Germany from EPL side Liverpool. The youthful striker, who featured at t h e 2015 FIFA U - 2 0 World Cup in N e w Zealand, was an unused substitute in Frankfurt’s last two league games. Meanwhile, Siasia has admitted it will be difficult to get a full array of overseas pros for the tournament, but would be satisfied with a handful of them to strengthen his team. Awoniyi

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. Ag. EDITOR: TINU AYANNIYI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 7/10/2015.