8th February 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,431

MONDAY, 8 FEBRUARY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Amaechi spent $150m in 18 days to fund APC elections —Wike

•It's a lie from depth of hell —APC chairman •Amaechi, Ben Murray-Bruce trade words on Twitter —P14

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

Labour protests hike in PDP may name ex-minister, Wakil, as electricity tariff today chairman Wednesday •To picket DISCOs offices —P7

nationwide

—P3

N150

CCT: Senators resume rivalry over Saraki —P2

Buhari orders 2016 budget uploaded online —P2 •N500bn social investments will reduce poverty –Osinbajo

Amaechi to govs: Don't waste money on frivolous airport construction —P5

If I were Jonathan, I wouldn't have contested 2015 election —Fayose

•Says Nigerians deserve truth in Buhari's sudden vacation —P3

From right, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Adewale Akanbi and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, during the Ooni's visit to the Alake's palace on Sunday.

Dasuki not a fugitive but legally retired army officer —Lawyer —P6

17 die, 74 injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway autocrash •12 killed, Area Commander, DPO, LG boss escape death as herdsmen invade Benue

—Pgs7,12

2 news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Buhari orders 2016 budget be uploaded online

T

HE Presidency, on Sunday, said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that provisions of the 2016 budget be uploaded on the web, for well-meaning critique.

This was as it denied reports that it was misleading Nigerians on the provisions of the budget which is now before the National Assembly.

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja, on Sunday, the Buhariled administration would continue to welcome wellmeaning criticism of its policies, its budget and expenditure, because it was

the only way the change promised the country would have a meaning.

“It is on account of this and in line with established tradition that the president directed that the draft 2016 appropriation budget, now before the National Assembly, be put on the website of the budget office, so that Nigerians can read it with a view to making their observations.

“In view of this, suggestions to the effect that the Presidency is misleading the public on any aspects of the budget cannot, therefore, stand the test of time,” the statement read.

It pointed out that in a reaction to a newspaper story that said: “2016 Budget: Buhari to spend more on State

House clinic than on all FGowned teaching hospitals,” the Budget Office supplied a summary of the allocations to the various sectors under the Ministry of Health, which showed clearly that the published story was inaccurate.

It said the budget office affirmed that in terms of both capital and recurrent allocations, the draft budget had put far more

Leon Usigbe -Abuja

VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo has assured that N500 billion social safety

•He must resign —SUF •No, he won’t —Melaye SENATORS loyal to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and his opponents resumed their rivalry at the weekend, with opposing camps strategising on the way forward.

The renewal of activities was a follow-up to the ruling of the Supreme Court, on Friday, which ordered the trial of the Senate President over allegation of false asset declaration.

Spokesman of the Senate Unity Forum (SUF), loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kabiru Marafa, said on Sunday that the ruling of the Supreme Court should pave the way for Saraki to resign.

But a member of the ProSaraki group, the Senators of Like Minds, Senator Dino Melaye, said on Sunday that the SUF was talking rubbish.

The Supreme Court had, on Friday, said Saraki should face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which is prosecuting him over a 13-count charge of alleged false asset declaration.

Spokesman of the SUF said Saraki had become a liability, adding that the Senate President should take the path of honour by resigning from his position.

According to Senator Marafa, it had become a moral burden for Saraki to preside over the Senate, because of the gravity of the offence.

The senator, in a statement made available to Senate correspondents, said Saraki needed to save the Red chamber of the moral burden by resigning his position.

The SUF, led by Senator Ahmad Lawal, APC’s preferred candidate for the Senate top job, had been

engaging Saraki in running battle for the seat since he emerged Senate President on June 9, 2015.

The group had filed a suit in court, challenging his emergence using an allegedly forged Senate rule book.

Marafa said in his statement that though the law presumes Saraki to be innocent until proven guilty, he should resign “before he is disgraced out.”

He added: “What’s happening at the Code of Conduct Tribunal has nothing to do with the Unity Forum; it’s between him and the State. And country’s law says he’s presumed innocent until proven to otherwise.

“By reason of omission or commission, Saraki has pushed himself to a position of disadvantage. By moving from one court to the other, up to the Supreme and got himself knocked out, what it portrays is that the Senate under Saraki is fast losing credibility.

“The most honourable thing for Saraki is to resign and face his prosecution. If he wins, the seat is always there and he can be reelected again if those that supported him truly believe he is the best person for the position. And if not, he will remain a senator like he was in the seventh Assembly.

Is it a must that he become Senate President?

“What is happening in the CCT is a personal thing to Saraki and it has nothing to do with his position as the Senate President. It has now reached the time when Saraki should take a bow to enable him to concentrate on his case at the CCT. “I don’t have anything against him as a person. He is one of the few Nigerians that ought to respect the im-

change mantra of the administration.

“The budget is a Nigerian budget and citizens reserve the right to examine its content and provide their own perspectives.

“As the draft goes through the approval process, this and many other aspects will continue to generate interest, criticism, commendation and sometimes condemnation in discussions in

the parliament, the media and the court of public opinion.

“We believe that the process of ‘change’ will be affected by, and stands to gain from these debates especially where there is good faith on all sides.

“Government has no reason whatsoever to mislead the citizens on the budget and on all other matters for whatever reason,” it added.

N500bn social investments will reduce poverty —Osinbajo •Sets immunisation as condition to benefit

CCT: Senators resume rivalry over Saraki Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

money in the 17 teaching hospitals than it did in the State House clinic.

“Having said this, we are not by any stretch of imagination suggesting that the draft budget is beyond comments or reproach, nor do we wish to dwell on this simply to make a point.

“To do that will drive away good citizens from pointing out needed corrections and ultimately defeating the

age and the integrity of the Senate more than anybody in this country. You hardly get 10 families that are blessed as far the institution of the National Assembly is concerned.

“He is a senator, a son of senator and a senior brother of a senator. They are blessed with three senators within their immediate family. So he should be in the forefront of protecting the image and integrity of the National Assembly.

“We have tolerated him based on the constitutional provisions that he is presumed innocent until he is found guilty by the court. I think he has exercised this right through the Supreme Court of the land which quashed all his grounds, he should resign honourably and face his trial in the interest of Senate and Nigerians.”

In a reaction, Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Melaye, said the SUF was talking rubbish.

He said there was no need for anyone to raise the issue of resignation at this stage. “(Senator) Marafa is a clown, we are optimistic that what is happening is not against Saraki as an individual, it is against the Senate as an institution.

“We will defend the Senate and we will no longer fold our arms on the issue.

We know that at the end of the day, we shall come out stronger.

“The case at the CCT is not about Saraki; rather, it’s about the Senate. And we will not fold our arms to mess up with the Senate. The Senate is stable and Saraki has the support of most of the senators,” he said.

net provided in the 2016 budget would reduce high levels of poverty and vulnerabilities, while also increasing Nigeria’s Human Development Index on the global United Nations (UN) rankings.

In a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday, he said President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision was to increase investments in human capital to guarantee security for all, employment and improved well-being of the people.

Signed by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, it said beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), where one million extremely poor Nigerians would receive N5,000 monthly in the year, would be paid directly through a payment system still being worked out.

It said those to benefit from the CCT must prove that their children were participating in immunisation programmmes and school enrolment.

Osinbajo said the World Bank and the Bill Gates Foundation were collaborating with the Presidency

to develop an efficient payment system.

Noting that the implementation of the programme would start as soon as the budget is passed, the statement revealed that about N60 billion would be paid out to extremely poor Nigerians.

Also to enjoy direct payment would be the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, the statement said, adding that “in the case of the CCT, those one million poor Nigerians would be paid directly, while in the case of the Homegrown School Feeding, the suppliers of the meals to the primary school pupils would also be paid directly by the Federal Government. There would be no middle agents involved.”

On the Homegrown School Feeding programme, the statement reiterated that the one-meal-a-day programme would not only feed the children and help their learning significantly, but it would also boost the local economy of the states and the local communities.

The statement recalled that the present administration had four other social investment plans, including the 500,000 direct jobs, where unemployed graduates would be trained and hired to become volunteer teachers in their communities while looking for jobs in their chosen profession.

“There is the Youth Employment plan that would take 370,000 non-graduate youths through skills acquisition and vocational training programmes in which the selection of beneficiaries for this scheme would be done on states and FCT basis. but opened to all Nigerians.

“For small scale traders, artisans and market women, there is the micro credit scheme where one million Nigerians are billed to get a one-time soft loan of N60,000 each through the Bank of Industry.

“The last is the Free Education plan for students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), where government will pay tuition for 100,000 students,” he added.

Rebuild communities affected in Ife-Modakeke crisis, Alake urges Ooni Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta

THE Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to rebuild all the communities affected by the communal war between Ife and Modakeke in 1998.

The monarch stated this while hosting Oba Ogunwusi at his Ake Palace, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Sunday.

Oba Gbadebo commended the Ooni for his move to reunite traditional rulers, describing him (Ogunwusi) as the spiritual father of Yorubaland.

He maintained that IleIfe was the source of human existence and advised the Ooni to ensure that

good history was written during his reign.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the two communities engaged in land dispute which resulted into war, whereby many lives were lost and property destroyed.

The Alake said the Ooni of Ife is one of the five principal monarchs in Yorubaland in which hierarchy are the Alaafin of Oyo, the Oba of Benin, the Alake of Egbaland and the Awujale of Ijebuland.

The monarch stated that all other traditional rulers in Yorubaland should humble themselves in order that the much needed unity may reign.

Oba Gbadebo argued that self-aggrandisement, rather than unity, was reason for many challenges

confronting the Yoruba people.

He expressed the belief that the monarch’s reign would bring about even development in Yorubaland.

“We are happy to receive you and you have demonstrated so much good upbringing already in your very short period on the throne.

“Onirisa, we are happy that you have started well since coming on the throne. You have visited all the kings; as the father of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, came to visit you to show you that he was well brought up as a man of culture. We are very proud that that was an Egba son who came to visit the spiritual father of Yorubaland.

Continues pg7

3 news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Labour, CSOs, electricity consumers protest hike in electricity tariff today •To picket DISCOs offices, NERC headquarters •NERC, others slammed with contempt charges From Soji Eze-Fagbemi, Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin, Muhammad Sabiu and Olatunde Dodondawa

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ESPITE the Federal Government’s move to stop the nationwide protest against the increased electricity tariff, Labour has insisted that the planned picketing of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) and the headquarters of National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will take place today in Abuja and all President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, who both spoke with Nigerian Tribune, said the nationwide protest against electricity tariff would go on today as scheduled.

They both insisted that the move by the Federal Government to intervene and stop the protest was already belated, adding that the meeting called at the instance of the Minis-

ter of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, could only come up after today’s action.

The Minister of Labour had intervened at the weekend and said a meeting had been scheduled between Labour, electricity distribution companies and NERC over the contentious issue.

Deputy Director, Press Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, said in a statement that the minister had scheduled a reconciliatory meeting with the NLC and electricity distribution companies to resolve the matter.

“We have gotten their letter and have invited them for discussions, including Electricity Distributions Companies and NERC,” he said in the statement, quoting the minister.

But Comrade Kaigama said: “It is belated, we are not yielding to that, we are going ahead with our plans. You media men should come out today. It is 7.00 a.m. and the takeup point is the Labour House in Abuja.

Also, Comrade Wabba said: “I think it is belated.

The rally will go on, we spoke with him, but we resolved that anything that will come up will only be after the protest on Monday.”

He explained that all their state councils and affiliates, as well as civil society allies, had been well mobilised for today’s protest and nothing can stop it.

He pointed out that already, the National Executive Council had taken a decision to reject the tariff increase, which is so outrageous, adding that in some areas, the increase was more than 50 per cent.

He added: “Nigerians are frustrated, they are already protesting and, therefore, Labour as an organisation that speaks on behalf of the downtrodden will also provide the patform for people to ventilate their anger and make their position very known and clear to government. So, we will mobilise all Nigerians to resist the new tariff.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all Electricity Distribution Com-

panies across the country have been slammed with contempt charges over the implementation of the new electricity tariff, despite a subsisting court order halting the incease.

It will be recalled that Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos, had on May 28, 2015, directed NERC to suspend all actions relating to any increment in electricity tariff pending the hearing and final determination of a suit.

Despite the subsisting court’s order, NERC, in conjunction with the Electricity Distribution Companies, commenced the implementation of the new electricity tariff on February 1, 2016.

Copies of Form 48, which is a notice of consequence of disobedience of the court’s order, have been served on the alleged contemners.

The application is expected to be heard on February 11 by Justice Idris.

Toluwani Yemi Adebiyi, in the substantive suit, is seeking an order restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff

without a meaningful and significant improvement in power supply at least for 18 hours in a day in most communities in Nigeria.

He also wants an order restraining NERC from foisting compulsory service charge on pre-paid meters not until the meters are designed to read charges per second of consumption and not a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used.

He also wants the service charge on pre-paid meters not to be enforced until there is visible efficient and reliable power supply like those of foreign countries where the idea of service charge was borrowed.

Adebiyi is further asking for an order of court mandating the NERC to do the needful and generate more power to meet the electricity use of Nigerians, adding that the needful should include and not limited to a multiple longterm financing approach, sourced from the banks, capital market, insurance and other sectors of finance to power the sector.

Finally, the lawyer is asking the court to mandate the NERC to make

If I were Jonathan, I would not have contested 2015 election —Fayose Says Nigerians deserve truth about president’s sudden vacation Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti with Agency Report EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said if he were to be in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s shoes when the decision to contest the 2015 presidential election was being taken, he would not have stood for the poll.

Fayose, in an interview with Premium Times , said the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to field Jonathan for the election, led to its loss at the poll.

He said ordinarily based on the position of the party, the North ought to have produced the party’s candidate for the election.

Adducing reasons he would not have contested the election if he were to be in Jonathan’s shoes, Fayose told Premium Times that: “The fact is that my former president, I choose my word, my former president, Goodluck Jonathan, tried his best.

“But if I were him, I would not have contested at all. You understand?

“Because it is two ways: If he did not contest and the PDP lost out, he will still be a honourable man.

“And if he had given that opportunity to the North, those who defected from the PDP would not have defected. But that is history.”

Fayose, who was asked by the online newspaper if he was in support of the decision of a committee headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, to zone the slot for the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2019 election to the North, said: “You see, time will take care of that.

“In the first place, we lost the election because we did not pick our candidate from the North, not because Jonathan, as a person, was bad. It was just a political miscalculation.”

Fayose showered encomiums on Jonathan, saying no matter what, he would stand by the former president.

He said: “Jonathan did his best and I will still continue to support him.

“You know I was not there when they took the decision about him becoming the standard-bearer, but it doesn’t matter. We can’t all put our mouths inside the soil.

“Somebody must remain with somebody.

“I will remain with Jonathan even if I am the only man standing.

“A man is not measured by the amount of food you have and the amount of properties you own.

“Sometimes, sickness is good. It reshapes your life.

“Sometimes poverty is good. It helps your life.

“Sometimes failure makes you to reorder your life. It is not the end of your life.”

In another development, Mr Fayose has said Nigerians “need to know the truth about the sudden announcement of vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari,” claiming that “the statement issued by the Presidency on his sudden vacation was vague.”

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, Governor Fayose

said “Nigerians deserve to know the truth about their president, because he is an open book that every Nigerians should be free to read.”

In the statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, the governor reiterated his allegation that “he was aware of the high-wire plot to use the Supreme Court to upturn his electoral victory.”

He insisted that “nothing will stop him from speaking the truth concerning issues in the country” and maintained that “it is suspicious that a president, who told Nigerians that he was embarking on official visit to France and Britain, last Tuesday, would suddenly commence a five-day vacation while still in the United Kingdom.”

Fayose, who prayed “for safe return of the president,” said “Nigerians deserve to know where exactly their president is spending his vacation.”

He, however, com-

mended the president for handing over to the vice president as stipulated by the constitution of the country.

He said: “We were told last Tuesday that Mr President was travelling to France and from there to London to attend the Syria Donor Conference and that he would return to Nigeria this weekend.

“All of a sudden, we were told that the president was embarking on a five-day vacation. Where and why?

We were not told.

“Curiously, it was at this same period, last year that President Buhari, who was at that time the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, disappeared from public with lies told about him granting interviews in London.

“It is, therefore, important that in future, the Presidency should be more explicit in communicating with Nigerians on issues regarding the president, because a nation’s president is an open book that can be read by anyone.”

available to all Nigerians within a reasonable time of maximum of two years, prepaid meters as a way to stop the throat-cutting indiscriminate estimated bill and which must be devoid of the arbitrary service charge, but only chargeable on power consumed.

In a related development, the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has said it was in full support of the planned picketing by Labour and civil society allies of all offices of the electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) nationwide today.

This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna, on Sunday and signed by the Secretary-General of the Textiles Union, Comrade Issa Aremu.

The statement, therefore, implored its members to join in the planned protest organised by the Labour congress.

“The protest was in order, as the electricity companies unilaterally and unlawfully hike in electricity tariff,” it added.

Also, the Labour unions under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) will shut down Lagos today to protest the recently upward review in electricity tariff.

The NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba had directed all state affiliates of NLC to shut down the discos within their constituencies.

Wabba stated: “It is a nation-wide protest, meaning that the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja, will be involved in this action. Our members have been sufficiently mobilised and are ready to go. If you are an electricity consumer and you are not happy with the bills electricity companies serve you every month, you are invited to join this protest rally.”

However, the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors appealed to Labour shelve the planned nationwide protest.

In a statement by the association, it stated that “we are appealing to organised Labour and fellow compatriots, to please, join hands with the Federal Government and the power sector operators, as we continue to work to improve the supply of electricity in the country.”

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

Boko Haram still controls Borno —Senator Garbai James Bwala - Maiduguri

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IGERIANS should be told that Borno State is equally shared between the terrorist sect, Boko Haram and the Nigerian military, Baba Kaka Garbai, the senator representing Borno Central in the upper chamber of the National Assembly has insisted.

Garbai, who spoke to journalists Saturday evening, during a condolence visit to Dalori village, where 65 people were reported killed last week by the insurgents, said truth must be told that both Boko Haram and the Nigerian nation have full control of three separate local governments in troubled Borno State, as well as level of dominance in 21 other local governments.

Garbai, who went to Dalori with financial and material assistance to the people of the village, said: “I feel highly-demoralised, devastated in the sense that this is the village we came during the election and they were going about their normal business. The activities that were ongoing was like confidence building.

“They actually got the signal a few days before the attack that the insurgents were likely to attack them, they reported to the constituted authorities but nothing was done. “ I will like to appeal to the military to intensify their efforts in ensuring they beef up security around the villages and communities that share borders with Maiduguri metropolis. It is very important and more so that this place is porous, there could be attack from any direction.”

On the conception that the insurgents have largely been overpowered by the military, he said: “It is a wrong assumption that most of the local governments in Borno State are recaptured from the Boko Haram. In reality, this is not true, in the sense that apart from Maiduguri metropolis, Bayo and Kwaya Kusar, these are the three local government are under the occupation of the Nigerian government, where

the military and police are maintaining law and order.

“Mobbar, Abadam and Kala Balge are 100 per cent occupied by the insurgents.

There are some local governments that are partially occupied by the insurgents, especially as the local government secretariats have been liberated, but their hinterlands are still controlled by the insurgents.”

Garbai gave an instance of Konduga, which was liberated, but still has many

communities in the local government area under the insurgents.

He also said “though Gwoza town had been liberated, there still remain six wards in the local government area still occupied by the insurgents.

“From my count, only three local government are fully liberated, 21 local governments partially occupied by insurgents, that is, there is still some level of Boko Haram occupation side

by side the military or any other constituted authority.

The local government fully occupied by Boko Haram are Abadam, Mobbar and Kala Balge.”

He advised that: “We should not live under the illusion that Boko Haram are decimated or weakened, these are not reality and neither a true reflection of the reality. The reality is that most of the local government areas in Borno State are partially occupied by

Boko Haram.”

On the proposed reconstruction, rehabilitation and relocation in the troubled areas, Garbai said it was unadvisable, at least for now.

He said: “If the people are moved back to their homelands, you are making them vulnerable to attack. Unless you provide maximum security and return of law and order to these areas, relocating these people would be endangering their lives.”

However, the Senate

Women fleeing Mairi village, in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, on Sunday, after Boko Haram attack on the community on Friday. PHOTO: NAN

Why insurgency thrives in North-East —Babalakin CHAIRMAN, Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr Wale Babalakin, weekend, identified poor level of education as the reason insurgency thrives in northeast Nigeria.

Babalakin explained this while delivering a lecture on the theme: “Education: Panacea to insurgency” at the University of Ibadan.

The lecture was part of the second decade of the University of Ibadan Muslim Graduates Association (UIMGA) Education Summit.

According to the erudite lawyer, very poor level of education in the region bred hopelessness, which in turn, made it easy for youths to take to violence and other anti-social behaviours against the state.

He explained that the situation, which was strengthened by high level of poverty, allowed promoters of violence indoctrinate the youth and easily enlisted them to insurgency.

Babalakin, who was the Guest Lecturer, recalled that the first generation universities in Nigeria were among the top 15 in Africa at a time, adding that the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, was also fourth in the Commonwealth.

He disclosed that he was always gripped by depression anytime he read about how poorly Nigerian universities and health institutions ranked among others in Africa and the world.

Emphasising that Nige-

ria derailed from the sound foundation in education and civil service, the successful entrepreneur insisted that the country must return to quality and affordable education for all citizens if it seriously hoped to overcome the social vices and return to the path of greatness.

Babalakin insisted that the intelligentsia failed the new generation of citizens by their failure to sustain quality of social services and structuring the country in ways that would sustain production of quality manpower for the various sectors of of the economy.

Reeling data from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s lecture at Justice Akanbi’s 80th birthday, the

lawyer revealed how lack of formal education made northeast Nigeria poor in all good indices, particularly in health and education.

He emphasised that Islam promotes knowledge and peace, stressing that anyone who uses Islam for violence is obviously not a Muslim.

In his own contributions, Professor Taofeek Abdulazeez of the University of Abuja, posited that Nigerians did not understand the major goals of education, which he said included literacy, development of critical thinking and empowerment.

He said insurgency was based on deliberate misinterpretation of education as Islamic education. There, he

1,500 women-IDPs gave birth in Borno camps in 2015 —Official NO fewer than 1,500 women gave birth in 28 internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Borno in 2015, the state Primary Health Care Management Board said on Sunday, in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Sule Mene,

Leader, Mohammed Ndume, representing Borno South in the Senate, believed that much had been achieved by the military in retrieving captured Borno communities from the insurgents.

He also said it was not out of place to begin the reconstruction, rehabilitation and relocation of the destroyed communities.

He told journalists in Maiduguri, on Sunday that: “I still have confidence in our military; I still want to believe that our military are on top of the situation. What is happening these days is the issue of intermittent suicide bombing and desperate attacks by the insurgents, because their supply routes have been cut off and they attack in order to get supplies. They have been carting away foodstuffs of attacked communities.”

He said reconstruction and relocation should still continue, in spite of recent attacks. He, however, admitted that if not immediately, at least preparation should not be set aside.

The Senate Leader, while arguing that insurgency was winding out, said the recent setbacks were not limited to Nigeria alone, insisting that United States and recently France, had come under isolated terrorists’ attacks.

told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the deliveries were recorded between January 2015 and January 2016.

Mene said about 14,600 pregnant women received ante-natal health care, psycho-social services and child nutrition support.

He said the agency had also received about 1,200 severe medical cases, which were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for proper care.

The official said the agency had established 20 Integrated Primary Health Care

Centres for IDPs in all the camps to provide integrated primary health care and referral services.

“The Borno State government has procured health kits for each of the IDPs to help cater for their immediate needs.

“We have equally distrib-

uted mosquito nets to each and every one of them,” he said.

According to him, the agency, in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Commission, had trained its drivers to ensure prompt response to expectant mothers to access health facilities.

said, they were taught that everything about the Western world or lifestyle was haram, which is untrue.

He believes that the solution is not to reform the ‘moribund education, but to revitalise Islamic education.’

Alhaji Y. K. Abdulkareem supported claims that the intelligentsia have failed Nigeria.

He bemoaned relegation of religious education and indigenous language teaching in schools.

He recommended that parents must also realise their roles as teachers meant to complement government’s efforts from home.

Earlier, president of UIMGA, Dr Saka Adewumi, said the theme of the summit was aimed at assessing the objectives of the association which was formed in 2005.

He said they included creating awareness on the need for active participation of Muslims in all levels of education, securing and sustaining Muslim education and changing the attitude of Muslims to education across cultural and ethnic diversities.

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

Don’t waste money on frivolous airport construction, Amaechi cautions govs OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

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INISTER of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has warned state governors to be prudent with their state resources, than to embark on airport projects that would not add value to the economy of their states.

Amaechi said this while fielding questions from

journalists when he was on inspection tour of some projects embarked upon by the state governments.

He said the country had many airports that were not economically viable, contending that construction of new airports must support the economic demand of their respective states.

Amaechi said the Federal Government would com-

plete new terminals at four international airports; Lagos, Abuja, Kano and PortHarcourt, and that government would embark on the construction of railway between Kano to Lagos and Lagos to Calabar this year.

“I believe that the construction of airport should be backed by the growth of the economy. There are some airports that are constructed just for the gover-

nors to land and take off.

That won’t be the idea for me as minister of transportation.

“I’d prefer that all airports that are constructed would be backed by economic demand. And when we look at the numbers, if the numbers add up...

We would not discourage Ogun State if you like to construct an airport, but we would like to advise

that they should look at the economics of an airport.

“Governors should focus on those things that would improve on the lives of the poor, not the rich. It’s the rich people that fly plane.

How many poor people know where an airport is much more fly in an aircraft?,” he said.

He, however, said the Federal Government would not hesitate to support any state government that wants to construct an airport.

In his response, Senator Ibikunle Amosun urged the Federal Government to see to the completion of the abandoned airport project located in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

I own no property in Dubai —Akpabio Iniobong Ekponta -Uyo

From left, Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel; his wife, Martha; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and his wife, Unoma, during a reception organised in their honour by Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Consultative Assembly, at Ikot Ekpene, on Saturday. PHOTO: NAN.

Navy rescues 25 foreigners from sea pirates DapoFalade-PortHarcourt TWENTY-five foreign nationals were rescued, last Friday, as the Nigerian Navy foiled an attempt by suspected sea pirates to hijack and abduct them aboard a Maersk merchant ship carrying general cargo into the country.

Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Captain Olusegun Soyemi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Onne Sea Port, Rivers State, on Sunday.

He said, following the intervention of the naval operatives, the vessel berth safely and the rescued crew members also unharmed.

According to him, the crew members, including the ship’s captain, were of mixed nationalities consisting of eight Philippines, eight South Africans, five Indians, two Britons and two others from Thailand.

Soyemi said the merchant ship, Safmarine Kuramo, was registered in Singapore and was transporting general cargo from Port-Noire, Congo, to Onne Sea Port in Rivers State.

“On January 5, 2016, at about 08:00 hours, Safmarine Kuramo was attacked by sea pirates, about 60 nautical miles off the coast of Bonny Island (in Rivers) Fairway Bouy.

“We got may-day distress call that the ship was boarded by unconfirmed number of sea pirates, after entering the nation’s territorial waters.

“We immediately dispatched a warship (NNS Centenary) and attack gunboats, led by Navy Captain

Chiedozie Okehie of the Eastern Naval Command, to rescue the situation.

“The sea pirates, apparently on sighting advancing naval troops, fled the scene for fear of being arrested by our operatives.

“The operation was largely successful as all the 25 foreign crew members, including the captain, are safe and unhurt, while cargo onboard the ship is intact,” he said.

Also speaking, Captain Okehie who led operations and who is also the Com-

manding Officer of NNS Centenary said the crew members locked and hid themselves in the ship’s citadel (engine room).

He said the rescue was successful, partly due to the courage and bravery exhibited by the captain of the ship-a woman.

He said the ship captain, against all odds, covertly gave the naval operatives briefs, even as the sea pirates on board the ship made several attempt to break into the citadel.

Kaduna partners Sahara Group, UNSDG on Food Africa Project KADUNA State government is set to partner the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and Sahara Group on the Food Africa Project that seeks to boost poverty alleviation, food security and economic empowerment in the state, Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has said.

Food Africa Project is a collaborative initiative involving Sahara Group, United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Fund and the Kaduna State government.

The strategic project management approach is a forward and backward integration model aimed at optimising the entire food value chain.

Value chain development has become one of the best strategies public sectors employ to engage and attract private investment in the agribusiness sector.

The project is expected to impact over 500,000 beneficiaries (30 per cent direct beneficiaries and 70 per cent indirect beneficiaries), including families with bet-

ter nutrition and livelihood opportunities.

The details of the partnership were unveiled during a recent courtesy visit to the Kaduna State government by officials of Sahara Group and UNSDG The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex, applauded the UN and Sahara Group for the project, stating that it would add great value to the state on food security, access to potable water and economic empowerment.

APPARENTLY disturbed by widespread allegation that he owned private property, including choice houses in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), Dubai, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has cleared the air on the matter.

Speaking in an interview in Uyo, the state capital, at the weekend, Akpabio, the current Senate Minority Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the allegation as a mischievous propaganda with evil intention.

The ex-governor, who was roundly applauded at a reception to honour him, his wife, Unoma, his successor, Udom Emmanuel and wife, Martha, as well as his Deputy, Obong Moses Ekpo, at the weekend, challenged Nigerian authorities to investigate the allegation with a view to finding out the truth.

“I never owned any property in Dubai,” he stressed and recalled that though he was lucky to preside over the affairs of Akwa Ibom in the period of economic boom, resources generated internally and from the Federation Account, were carefully invested in development projects that impacted positively in the lives of the people.

Nigerian Tribune

FG to rehabilitate dams, irrigation projects OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta THE Minister of Water Resources, Sulaimon Adamu, has said the Federal Government will rehabilitate all dams and irrigation projects towards creating agriculture produce and reducing unemployment.

He said this while on inspection of Owiwi multipurpose dam project by the Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), in Oyan and the Ogun State Water Corporation, Iju waterworks, in Ota, on Friday.

The minister, accompanied by the Managing Director of the OORBDA, Mr Akin Soyemi, said the Federal Government would not embark on any new project in the ministry until further notice.

He expressed displeasure at the state of some of the projects, while describing the Owiwi Multi-purpose dam project as a white elephant.

He said, “The river basins provide the basic infrastructure to support all year on farming. We have a lot of dams, irrigation canals and so on.

“I wanted to see for myself what we have on ground and what else we can do to support the river and to reposition them and to make them a veritable platform for employment generation and increase in food security.”

We’ve established model schools in 21 LGs —Kogi SUBEB Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE Chairman of Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mallam Nuhu Ahmed, on Sunday, said the board had established model schools and special education centres in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

He said the move was to make teaching and learning accessible and conducive to the people.

Ahmed, who said this in Lokoja, the state capital, said the board ensured even distribution of the schools in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Speaking on the non payment of salaries of primary school teachers, the SUBEB boss blamed the situation on the reduction in allocation from the federal allocation.

“The salaries of the primary school teachers come directly from the federal allocation as against the misconception that the state government was responsible for it. The reduction of the allocation to about N800 million has affected the payment of salaries.”

6 news Monday, 8 February, 2016 Lagos to train EFCC lied against our principal —Rickey Tarfa & Co •As commission releases Tarfa from custody

By Yejide Gbenga Ogundare

A

prominent law firm, Rickey Tarfa & Co, has stated that all the allegations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and their Principal partner, Rickey Tarfa, are lies as he never, in any way, obstructed the course of justice nor did he do anything that is alien to the legal practice, describing as illegal and unconstitutional, the arrest and subsequent incarceration of Tarfa.

The chambers made this assertion in a release signed by John Olusegun Odubela, the partner and Head of Chambers, adding that there is no justification for the vindictive arrest of Tarfa while performing his legal duties “Rickey Tarfa & Co has been watching with consternation, the unfolding drama perpetrated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the unconstitutional arrest and incarceration of our Principal Partner and Head of Practice, Mr Rickey Tarfa, while he was performing his professional duties on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the premises of the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere, Lagos.

“Rickey Tarfa and Rickey Tarfa & Co. will never be party to the agents who obstruct the course of justice as the action of the EFCC makes a mockery of the legal profession. There is no law that justifies the vindictive arrest of a person in the court premises, more so a Minister in the temple of justice, just as no law supports the arrest of a legislator in the hallowed Chambers of the Legislature.”

According to the release, the chambers for avoidance of doubt, needs to put it in the public domain that, “contrary to the blatant lies dished out by the EFCC, Mr. R. Tarfa was at the Lagos High Court in continuation of his professional duty to defend his clients, Ghanhoue Sourous Nazaire and Zenou Modeste,” both of whom are Beninoise nationals and had been charged to Court on allegations of forgery of their company resolution and Form CA7, in a charge delineated LD/1709C/15; resulting from a matrimonial dispute.

They said Rickey Tarfa,, had led Messrs John Olusegun Odubela, Mumuni Bamidele and Grant Onwuka before Hon. Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi (Mrs)

to court to continue the defense of the clients in the trial fixed for Friday, February 5th, 2016.

“It is pertinent that, up till the time of the Gestapo like tactics deployed by the EFCC, on Friday, our clients had been enjoying court bail and the EFCC bail, hence the issue of jumping bail was out of the question. It thus borders on extreme mischief to insinuate that issue of jumping bail, or resisting lawful arrest was at the heart of the show of shame enacted

by EFCC operatives at Lagos High court premises on Friday, 5th of February, 2016.

“Going by the court pro-

ceedings of the day in question (Friday, 5 February, 2016) evidenced by the Certified True Copy (C.T.C) duly checked by the court’s Registrar, Oyenoye Tope, one G. C. Akaogu Esq., prosecution counsel informed the court that the defense team had served him with some processes and he would need time to respond to the said processes. R. Tarfa, confirmed the statement of Akaogu Esq, adding that, the prosecution had been harassing the 1st and 2nd Defendants (Gnanhoue Sourou Zanaire and Zenou Modeste) by inviting them for further investigation on the on-going trial.”

Tarfa was said to have urged the court to intervene in the complaint of ceaseless harassment by EFCC despite the pendency of the charge. Though, Mr Akaogu Esq, denied the invitation by the agency and the court adjourned the application of the defendants for hearing on its merit to February 19, 2016.

“True to R. Tarfa’s fears, however, the operatives of the EFCC swooped on his clients while in the court room and whisked them away. At the same time, Mr. R. Tarfa was arrested along with them and forced to drive in their convoy to the EFCC under armed police escort. The

EFCC operatives said he (R. Tarfa) too was under arrest for “obstructing the course of justice.”

It is germane to state that the matter before the court has no bearing with corruption related issue. It is purely between a husband and wife struggling for control of a manufacturing company they jointly promoted. it is purely a matrimonial issue that went sour,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Mr Tarfa was released from EFCC custody. He was seen leaving the commission’s office in company with the president, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Augustine Alegeh.

bricklayers, compels contractors to hire them Bola Badmus-Lagos

LAGOS State government has restated its commitment to partnering artisans in the state in the area of job opportunities, just as it promised to roll out a master craftsmen project aimed at empowering the state-based artisans by retraining them in modern building techniques and providing the necessary tools required for them to improve their efficiency at work.

The Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said this while playing host to members of the Building Consultants and Artisans Forum (LASBAF) and Association of Building Consultants and Artisans in his office.

Adewusi for burial April 8

By Tunde Oguensan

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, representing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (second Left) and his wife, Mrs Ukah (left), presenting a special birthday card and a special letter from the governor to Professor Pat Utomi (second right) and his wife, Ifeoma, during the 60th birthday celebration of Professor Utomi, in Lagos, at the weekend.

‘Dasuki not a fugitive, retired legally from Nigerian Army’ Sunday Ejike-Abuja THE immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) is not a fugitive as claimed by the Federal Government, but a lawfully retired officer of the Nigerian Army, his counsel, Ahmed Raji, has stated.

Dasuki legally left the Army in 1994 and his exit in the military was officially gazetted

by the Federal Government, through the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1999.

Responding to an allegation that the Ex-NSA was a fugitive and being currently held by the Department of State Service (DSS) on alleged breach of army service rule, counsel for Dasuki, Raji, claimed that the allegation was a fallacy and

a concocted lie to confuse the court as the prosecution had no answer to the well-grounded objection raised by the defence.

The lawyer claimed that, “the allegation of fugitive against Dasuki cannot hold water or stand in the face of the law in view of the official gazette of the Federal Government that confirmed his retirement

Audit of constituency projects indicts lawmakers Ayodele Adesanmi-Lokoja AUDIT Survey conducted

by Media Support Centre on Constituency Projects across the country alleged a widespread fraud in the handling of over N100 billion worth of constituency projects fund by the lawmakers in the last three years.

Following the fraud detected, the report of the survey called for immediate scrapping of the constituency projects fund and allow the executive to handle such projects in

keeping with the anti graft war of President Mohammadu Buhari.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had, in a move to make it more transparent, transferred the implementation of the constituency projects to the Ministry of Special Duties, but the report added still alleged that most lawmakers still hijacked the projects and the funds for its implementation.

The report of the survey, which was conducted in 2015, by the Media Support Centre and made available

to newsmen in Abuja, also exposed large scale abuse of the projects by the 469 federal lawmakers .

According to the report, budget for the projects were not only shrouded in secrecy, but were allegedly diverted by some lawmakers.

The Executive Director of the Media Support Centre, Mr Wale Fatade, told newsmen in Abuja, that the polls covered over N100 billion appropriated for the constituency projects for period of 2013 to 2015 only.

from the military.

Raji said, “It is curious that the prosecution counsel, in the charges preferred against the former NSA, who initially claimed ignorance of the reason behind the denial of bail is now coming up with these excuses. I am tempted to believe that my learned friend, Rotimi Jacobs, must be genuinely mixing-up facts or mistake of identity.”

The lawyer further added that: “The allegation is baseless, unwarranted and malicious, because his exit was in the gazette of the Federal government. We, accordingly, urge those holding Dasuki in the custody in flagrant disobedience to the court order that granted him bail to have a rethink and respect the rule of law.”

A counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of Dasuki on alleged money laundering, Rotimi Jacobs, had, last Thursday, told Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf that Dasuki was being detained by DSS in spite of the bail granted him by the judge because of his past in the military.

THE former Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi, will be buried on Friday, April 8, at his residence, Adewusi House, LAUTECH area, Ilorin Road, Ogbomoso.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and made available to journalists, at the weekend.

According to the statement, the burial rite would commence on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 with a day of Tribute and Cultural display at the MKO Abiola Hall, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso. On Wednesday, April 6, the corpse will leave Bowen Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, by 12noon to his residence at 40/42, Amilegbe Street, Ilorin, Kwara State for lying-in-state between 2.00pm-4.00p.m and Night of Tributes and service of songs by 4.00p.m at the same venue.

Commendation service will hold on Thursday, April 7, by 10.00a.m at Immanuel Baptist Church, Sabo- Oke, Ilorin.

Thereafter, the corpse will leave Ilorin for his Ogbmoso residence where Christian wake will hold by 4.00p.m.

On Friday April 8, between 8.00-9.00am, his body will be laid in state at his residence, Adewusi House, LAUTECH area, Ilorin Road, Ogbomoso, while the final burial service holds by 10.00a.m at Beulah Baptist Conference ground, Ogbomoso.

His remains will be intered at the Adewusi House, LAUTECH area, Ilorin Road, Ogbomoso, while entertainment of guests will come up at Ogbomoso Recreation Club, Ogbomoso, immediately after the interment.

7

news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

17 die, 79 injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway autocrash

By Oluwatoyin Malik and T unde O gunesan

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EVENTEEN people lost their lives as 79 others were injured in a fatal accident which occurred on Sunday morning around Sepo area, on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The accident involved an articulated vehicle and a Peugeot J5 bus, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) around 9.30 a.m.

The victims, Nigerian Tribune learnt, were heading to Lagos from Kaduna.

According to the Oyo State Sector Commander, FRSC, Yusuf Salami, the accident was caused by impatience, over speeding and struggle for the right of the way by the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the accident.

Salami, who revealed that all affected persons were adults, said “A Peugeot J5, with number plate XS 626 LSV and a DAF articulated vehicle with number plate AA 902 MML, crashed as both drivers were struggling for the right of the way.

“They were both going to Lagos when the accident happened around 9.30 am on Sunday. It happened just before the campus of the Dominion University in Sepo, on the Lagos/Ibadan

Expressway.

“There were 96 people involved with 17 confirmed dead. It is obvious that both drivers were overspeeding and suddenly lost control of the vehicles. The Peugeot bus was loaded with passengers and goods, but the casualty figure rose because the other vehicle was travelling to Lagos with huge amount of illegal passengers,” he said.

Salami further added the corpses of the dead had been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital morgue in Ibadan, while the injured persons were taken to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; Ibadan Central Hospital, Ososami and Kejide Hospital, also in Ibadan.

When the Nigerian Tribune visited the victims, who are mostly covered with dust from the scene of the accident at the hospitals, one of them, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, Sanni Umar, admitted that the driver of the articulated vehicle they were travelling in was overspeeding.

Umar disclosed that he was heading to Ikorodu park to make ends meet, adding that they also had in the articulated vehicle more than 26 motorcycles, popularly known as okada.

“We’re coming from Ka-

duna State, heading towards Lagos. I am going to Ikorodu to continue my business. Some of our people have their okadas up to 26 inside the trailer. The trailer was actually speeding very much,” he said, adding that the driver of the “small bus” and the that of the articulated vehicle were actually trying to overtake one another.

Umar noted that they were more than 65 in the

trailer, and, in his own assessment, he said “18 people died on the spot.”

His other colleagues also admitted high number of occupants of the trailer but at a higher number than what Umar stated.

At Kejide hospital, Challenge, Ibadan, the doctor on duty told the Nigerian Tribune that “the accident was fatal, according to the FRSC official and when you consider the number of

“Onirisa, we are very sure that your regime will be a major breakthrough in the search for unity among the Yoruba Obas. Actually, there is nothing wrong in terms of unity, it is egotripping; of what people will think of me. I want to promote my own image, that is what has been wrong with us all that wrong.

“When we stop promoting self-image, then there will be unity among us. Everyone of the principal Obas in Yorubaland had a letter of appointment. Nobody has made you Oba of a place that you have not conquered and retained in terms of conquest.

“So, why must you call yourself what you are not?

Please as you go along, let this your humility be your watchword. The Bibles says anyone that humbles himself shall he exalted.

“I have no doubt in my mind that at your very young age, God himself has put you there, so that you will start the reign as a young man. And in your own time, Yorubaland will

go to the level that we all have been imagining,” the Alake said.

In his response, Oba Ogunwusi said peace, unity and tranquility of Yorubaland were the focus of his rule.

While admitting the supremacy of God, the monarch stated that the Yorubas were more blessed than the Hebrews and the Arabs.

“In all my life, I will give thanks because the reasons for me to do so are many.

An example of it is today, because there is a King who is superior to us as kings.

Everyone calls us ‘Kabiyesi’ (meaning there’s none to question you) and they will worship us; including those who like it or not.

“But, there is another King that we earthly kings ought to worship and I have decided that I will worship him in all my life. I also thank Him for making me witness today.

“We the people of Yorubaland don’t know our worth.

We are the one God cherished the most. God loves us more than the Hebrews and Arabs because everything started from us,” he said.

He added that “as the

mission.”

The medical personnel also informed the Nigerian Tribune that with the four victims brought to them, eight corpses, according to him, were dropped at the mortuary.

At Ibadan Central Hospial, Ososami, Ibadan, the doctor on duty, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 20 injured victims were undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Ex-minister, Wakil, emerges PDP chairman Stakeholders mull national caretaker committee Leon Usigbe, Jacob Segun Olatunji and Christian Okeke - Abuja BARRING any unforeseen circumstances, former Minister of State for Power in the immediate past administration, Honourable Mohammed Wakil from Borno State, will be named as the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) this week.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that his nomination had been agreed upon by stakeholders of the party from his zone, the North East, which the party leadership requested to forward a candidate to serve out the tenure of Dr Adamu Mu’azu,

who resigned after leading the party to electoral defeat last year.

Last Tuesday’s meeting called in Gombe for the purpose had been unable to reach a consensus, which had apparently now been achieved after more horse trading among the parties involved.

When ratified by the party national organs whose meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday, Wakil, who was majority leader in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003 and later, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will serve out the remainder of Mu’azu’s tenure, which ex-

Rebuild communities affected in Ife-Modakeke crisis, Alake urges Ooni continued from pg2

victims -both injured and number of dead.

“Twelve victims are on admission here with one of them sustaining minor injury, but the rest sustained high degree of injuries from fracturs, cuts and bruises.

We had to reject another four victims brought in later on because our facilities have been stretched, considering the number we had at the same, moreso that we have other patients on ad-

Kabiyesi (Alake) has said it in his speech, once unity enters Yorubaland, that is when we will know our value, because all the mysterious things in the world are from us and there is no place where you won’t find such in the entire Yorubaland.

“God gave it to all of us but the absence of unity has not allowed us all to know this.

God has started the work and He has exemplified it here today. Alake also highlighted it. The wish of our ancestors is for us to unite.

“We, sons of Ife, are just caretakers; Ife belongs to all the sons of Yoruba. God has intervened in our matter. Love and unity are the things we should be talking

about because we said we want development but love and unity must come first.

“But if we place development before love and unity, that is not good enough. For this reasons, I am happy with what came out of our father’s mouth.”

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the government was pleased with peace move being undertaken by the Ooni.

He urged the monarch to also support the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led Osun State government towards ensuring progress among the populace.

pires at the end of March.

His emergence was said to have been endorsed by Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, who was intent on pushing the post out of his North East zone or Gombe State, in order to avoid any negative consequences on his 2019 presidential election because of the zoning principle of the PDP. Apart from Wakil, other persons from the zone interested in the position were two former Special Advisers (Political Matters) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak (Adamawa) and Professor Rufai Alkali (Gombe), who was also the PDP national publicity secretary.

Also interested were immediate past Minister of the

FCT, Dr Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); former National Vice Chairman (North East) Senator Paul Wampana; Ambassador Iliya Damagum, Senator Sa’idu Kumo and Abdulahi Jalo Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, initially showed interest but had since abandoned the ambition.

Current PDP National Vice Chairman (North East), Senator Girgir Lawan, who summoned the North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe to nominate a chairmanship candidate, ended up presenting himself as the candidate. continues pg43

8

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagosmetro How we steal, sell stolen gadgets at computer village —Suspects Olalekan Olabulo

Infrastructural development going on at the Lagos Atlantic Mega City. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

I shot victim because he sat on our fence, Policeman confesses Gbemi Solaja

A

39-year-old man, Sergeant Ologunowa Ojo, has been remanded in prison over alleged murder.

Ojo, who was formerly a Police officer in the Lagos State Police Command, was posted on duty at Frajend Investments Nigeria Limited, Akodo, where he serves as a guard.

The incident occurred on February 3, at the Shapati area, Elemo Ajah.

Ojo was accused of killing a 45-year-old man, Taye Akande by allegedly shooting the deceased on his buttocks, using his AK 47 rifle.

Ojo pleaded guilty before an Ebute Metta Magistrate Court stating that, it was an accident.

“I was just on duty and the owner of the building had instructed that he did not want anybody sitting on the fence, but most times, neighbours come around and sit there. After series of warnings, on this fateful day, I got into an ar-

gument with them and as a security man, I brought out my gun to scare them but one of them (the deceased) engaged me in a fight and started dragging with him.

Suddenly, the gun cocked and hit him in his but-

tocks,” he explained.

According to him, he was thereafter rushed to the General Hospital Akodo where he later died.

Ojo has since been dismissed from the Lagos State Police force.

His offence is punishable under Section 221 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs H.O. Omisore adjourned the continuation of the trial to March 9.

A serial burglar and the receiver of stolen goods has confessed to marketing their wares at the popular computer village in Ikeja.

The burglar, Joseph (surname withheld) also confessed to the police in Lagos State that he was paying over N240, 000 as hotel bills from proceeds of his unlawful activity.

He was over the weekend arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after a successful operation at Gbajobi Street in Ikeja.

The Imo State-born suspect told the police that he relocated from his parents’ home, when the environment no longer befitted his status adding that he pays N8, 000 daily at a hotel located in Egbeda area of the state.

Investigations by the RRS which were later confirmed by the suspect and some of his victims revealed that there had been repeated cases of break-in around Gbajobi Close, Balogun, Ikeja.

The residents around the area have reportedly lost several valuables and cash to burglars.

The RRS operatives recovered three laptops and five

mobile phones from the suspect, who was returning to his hotel.

The suspect narrated that “I was returning to the hotel when I was accosted on Awolowo Way by RRS operatives. They stopped to check my bag and found one Mac laptop, two HP laptops, two iPhone 5, one blackberry classic and two Nokia Touch phones.

“The house I broke into is a two-storey building behind Jabita Hotel in Balogun, Ikeja. I scaled its fence around 3:00 a.m. and I finished the operation around 4:00 a.m. I have broken into some other houses in that area before, where I stole handsets and laptops.

“I am into yahoo yahoo but money has not been forthcoming like before. I could barely make N100, 000 and N50, 000 unlike before. That is why I used burglary and stealing to augment my earning,” he confessed.

He further added that, “I stay in the hotel with my girlfriend and a couple of friends come around. Benjamin is the only buyer that I have.”

According to his buyer, Benjamin, a phone repairer at the Computer Village, Ikeja, “I buy phones and laptops from him. I used to visit him in whatever hotel he lodged in to buy the stolen items.

This is the third time that I would be buying laptops and phones from him.”

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmus confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Lagos Metro.

Badagry

9-year-old Olalekan Olabulo

Deplorable state of Ebute Ero Boat Jetty environment with rickety boats that transport passengers from Lagos Island to Ikorodu on the Lagoon waterways.

PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

THE body of a nine-year-old girl, who died in the weekend Badagry canoe tragedy, has been recovered, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The body was on Sunday recovered by emergency workers from the state and federal emergency workers,

9

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Decomposing body of suspected Omo Onile abandoned at Sango •We’ll act soon —LG Tola Adenubi

Men of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) carrying out repair works at Barlett Bus Stop, Ilasa on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, on Friday.

Traffic mobile court: NURTW warns Danfo, Okada,

Keke NAPEP operators THE Lagos State council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede has warned commercial drivers in the state to always comply with Lagos State Traffic laws so as not to fall victim of the newly-inaugurated mobile court, set up to summarily try traffic offenders.

Lagos State government, last week, inaugurated Special Offences (mobile court) to deal with growing cases of traffic and environmental abuses in the state. The court to be manned by qualified magistrate will summarily try cases involving traffic and environmental offences.

Offences by commercial motorcyclists driving against

traffic, refusal to obey traffic signs, commercial bus drivers (danfo) who operate on motion with their doors open, among others, will be tried by the mobile court.

Speaking on the mobile court, the NURTW boss, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede said, “Conductors should always make sure that the door of the bus is closed whenever the

vehicle is on motion. Okada riders should not ride against traffic or ride okada on the highways. We have been telling them before and now they should comply in their own interest.” Agbede added that he was sure that the step taken by the state government would bring sanity to the system.

RESIDENTS around Ijako area, under Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have bemoaned the abandoning of a dead body for days along the road leading to the bus stop.

Lagos Metro could not confirm if the dead body was male or female due to the fact that it had decomposed beyond recognition.

Residents of the scene where the dead body laid were seen avoiding the area due to the stench oozing from the spot where the dead body laid.

A resident, Alfa Mustapha Orioye, said, “Ijako is under Ifo Local Government, so when we all saw the dead body dumped here in the early hours of Wednesday, we expected the officials to come around and pick it.

“Seeing dead body around this area is not new to us because of the power struggle that persists among the land sellers popularly called Omo Onile. Their struggle

Alausa accountant in missing N3m website fund scandal Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

AN accountant with the Lagos State Treasury Office, Alausa, has denied stealing N3.05 million belonging to

the government.

Muideen, it was alleged, secretly removed the sum of N3.05 million from the treasury’s bank account and converted it to personal use.

canoe tragedy: Body of

recovered

assisted by local divers.

Its spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye said search would continue for the other missing passenger, who is also believed to be a child.

All the passengers in the ill-fated canoe which capsized at Iworo while returning to Idagba are said to be from the same family.

The canoe was reportedly

not registered for commercial purpose. It was said to have taken off from Idagba with 10 passengers and dropped them at Iworo where eight other passengers were picked enroute Idagba before it capsized.

The jetty chairman, who was interrogated by the marine police office, Badagry, has been released.

The stolen money was meant for infrastructural and website development in the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The alleged theft was later discovered by the management and all efforts to get him to refund the money proved abortive.

The matter was reported to the Police and Muideen was arrested and charged before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, on single count of stealing.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.J. Awope, granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum, who must be gainfully employed.

The case was adjourned till February 26 for mention.

A sinking ship at CMS. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

for land acquisition usually leads to violence and deaths of warring members.

In most cases, officials of the Ifo Local Government usually come around to pick them up. However, in this case, we are yet to see them and the dead body has decomposed, causing intense stench around the area which could cause epidemic,” he stated.

Findings further revealed that environment before the tipper garage is under the control of the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government while after the tipper garage is under the control of the Ifo Local Government.

When contacted on the telephone, the Director of Information of the Ado Odo Ota Local Government, Mrs Ayorinde promised to inform the environmental officials of the local government.

“I will inform our environmental officials so that they can go there and take away the decomposing body,” she stated.

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

Gas Leak: Reps summon Total Nig MD over affected communities •Carpet GSM operators over unsolicited messages, caller tunes •As communities demand N7bn in damages Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

T

HE House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions at the weekend gave the Managing Director of Total Nigeria, Alexis Vovk, up till today to appear before it or risk being arrested over a gas leak in Rivers State.

The affected communities, Obita / Egita in the state, through their lawyer, had petitioned the House of Representatives and demanded for a sum of N7 billion in damages following a gas leak that ravaged the communities.

The Chairman of the Committee, Uzoma Abonta asked Vock to appear in person in the bid to resolve to matter, adding that he would be compelled by arrest if he refused to appear before his committee by today.

In another development, the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications has queried operators of Global System of Mobile Communication GSM over continued unsolicited messages and caller tunes to subscribers of telecommunication services in the country.

The Saheed AkinadeFijabi led House Committee on Telecommunications said that a situation where the network service providers deduct money from their Nigerian subscribers to their networks was not acceptable to it and the people of the country.

Akinade-Fijabi said: “I find it difficult to make calls,the network providers always say that my calls cannot go through, why?”

The committee also queried the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its failure to keep the telecom service providers on their toes by putting appropriate sanctions on unsolicited messages and caller tunes and for failing to attend the meeting despite receiving its letter of invitation.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has directed that the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should meet over the sale of the Nigerian’s Telecommunications Ltd (NITEL) and its mobile communications subsidiary, Mtel.

The meeting, according to the House Committee

on Communications, was to review commercial and technical areas of the sale of the national carriers as it affects the telecommunications regulatory body and

the BPE. Akinade-Fijabi explained that the decision of the committee followed the discovery during its investigative hearing where

it was discovered that the NCC was not carried along in the disposal of the NITEL and Mtel to a consortium NATCOM through a liquidator.

The committee added that the invitation of NCC to the investigative hearing was to ascertain the roles played by the regulatory body in the sale.

From left: Head, Brand Management and Communication Strategy, Sterling Bank Plc, Chima Nwankama; Executive Director, Abubakar Suleiman; Chief Consultant, HT Limited, Mrs. Feyikemi Odunuga and one of the previous winners,Michael Onobote, during a press conference on the launch of the second season of the “Meet the Executive Programme” in Lagos.

Low crude price will last for longer —Finance minister •Urges Nigerians to adapt to new realities Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos

THE Federal Government has urged Nigerians to adapt to the era of low crude oil price which has resulted huge decline in government’s foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking at a KPMG sponsored forum of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at

the weekend themed “Navigating Current Economic Realities,”the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said: “We have to adjust to the low crude price that will last for longer time.

We didn’t get here overnight and we won’t get out of here overnight. We have been talking about diversification for over 40 years

and nothing has been done till date.”

She said the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) has been growing but at a decreasing rate when compared with other crude oil producing nations.

“Our GDP growth rate was nine per cent from 2005-2010. It fell to five per cent on the average in

‘Lagos remains hub of trade and economy in Nigeria’ Bola Badmus-Lagos

THE Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, said Lagos remains the nerve centre for trade and investment in Nigeria, expressing the willingness of investors from her country to partner the state on several areas of interests, including security, energy and eEducation.

Suomela-Chowdhury spoke to Government House correspondents shortly after she led a delegation, including the Deputy Minister, Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Matti Anttonen, to a meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House, Alausa.

The ambassador said

they were in Nigeria to explore opportunities of cooperation, describing Lagos as the destination of choice considering its massive economic potentials.

“Seriously when you talk about promoting trade and economic relations in Nigeria, you have to come to Lagos because everybody knows that it is the business centre of Nigeria. So we are very happy to be here.

“We’ve just had a fantastic meeting with the governor and we very much appreciate his disposition to meet all the businesses that were in the meeting and in the delegation and this is what we have been talking about in the meeting,” she said.

Suomela-Chowdhury

said the multinational companies from Finland had been doing businesses in Nigeria for several years, including Wartsila and Nokia, adding that several other companies and investors were willing to partner the state in the areas of health, ICT, education, security and energy.

“They are basically in business in telecommunications and also in public safety and also we have smaller players in many different sectors; in heath, ICT and so on. Education is also very interesting and it’s up to the companies where they find these opportunities and win-win situations that they are going to invest and have operations in Nigeria,” she said.

2011 till date. This is primarily because the economy is consumption driven with no capital formation growth in the economy. No oil based economy should be where we are today,” she said.

Speaking on the country’s savings measures, Adeosun said “we have been able to save N5 billion in December through the biometric payroll system we introduced. We have embarked upon biometric payroll system having captured 320,000 employees and 23,000 irregularities were discovered. Savings from salaries and other leakages will be used to support the welfare programme of the Federal Government.”

The forum was organized by the global consulting firm, KPMG, for the CFOs on how to salvage the fortunes of their respective companies during the trying times.

Tola Adeyemi of KPMG described the CFOs as the conscience keeper and the optimiser of business opportunities, balancing ambitions with propriety, governance and risk management.

Unemployment: ILO country manager slated for CSR Children report launch FURTHER to the successful convening of their third annual CEO Forum in October last year at the offices of the Ford Foundation, CSR Children said it has concluded plans to officially release its report on youth unemployment outlining a framework for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) action.

The organization added that Country Manager, International Labour Organisation (ILO), Dennis Zulu, would deliver special remarks at a roundtable breakfast meeting where the launch will occur on February 16th, 2016.

Toyin Olakanpo, President, CSR Children and the author of the report, said the report was based on the perspectives and opinions shared at the forum by top CEOs, business leaders, diplomats and other key stakeholders on the key sectors of entrepreneurship, agribusiness, dual vocational training and the creatives Industry to find sustainable solutions for youth unemployment using Goal 8 of the SDG as a guide.

FAAN begins installation of airlfield lightings in 13 airports Shola Adekola-Lagos

THE hitherto flight cancellations and other challenges attributed to bad weather especially poor visibility being experienced by domestic airlines in particular will soon be reduced to the barest minimum as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has embarked on the installation of airfield lightings at 13 airports across the country.

This is just as FAAN has commenced the certification of the country’s airports which may be concluded by the end of this month in preparation ofr the coming audit to be conducted on Nigeria by the International Covil Aviation Organization (ICAO) slated for March.

Dropping this hint at the weekend, the corporate communications manager for FAAN, Yakubu Dati said at the completion of the installations of the safety components, airlines can now conveniently fly to these airports at nights.

businessnews ‘Why many states may call for another bail out in 2016’ 11

Chima Nwokoji-lagos

T

HERE are strong indications that many state governments will run into funding crises and eventually call for another bail out before year end.

Economy and finance experts who gave this hint over the weekend are concerned that in spite of the projected drop in revenue accruals from the Federation Account and huge debt overhang, the cumulative financial figures of state governments has shown that about 12 states made huge increases in expenditure totalling N697 billion in their 2016 budget.

The affected states did not give any indication that they will fund their budgets through borrowing except that they intend to increase their internally generated revenue, (IGR), which over the years have consistently fallen short of projections.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Com-

Monday, 8 February, 2016

pany (FDC)Limited, Mr. Bismark Rewane in the latest monthly breakfast note presented at the Lagos Business School said poor capacity in generating IGR as seen in 2015 in many of the States implies that another bailout maybe imminent if this IGR capacity remains unchanged.

Also, most of the states are already indebted to banks so much that they can no longer borrow given the debt management option already in place for them.

For instance,it has been reported that Imo state is owing over N100 billion

prompting the Central Bank of Nigeria to place the state on the “No Borrowing list’, meaning that it will no longer borrow from any bank in Nigeria and no approval will be given to them for external loans at the moment.

Available records show that Sub-National debt stock at the state level amounted to N1.7trillion in 2015 with Lagos state having the lion share of 35.8 per cent, Kaduna and Edo States trailed with 6.7 per cent and 5.0 per cent respectively.

According to the FDC’s

boss, state debt will also rise in 2016 as news flows currently suggest that more states are planning to secure loans.

“However, the viability of many of these States remain a concern as their capacity to generate IGR are yet to be addressed.

Save for Lagos State (N276.1bn ) and perhaps Rivers (N89.1bn) and Delta (N42.1bn) whose IGR represented 39.0 per cent, 12.6 per cent and 6.0 per cent of total for all the 36 States as at 2014 in that order, poor capacity as seen in 2015 in many of the

States implies that another bailout maybe imminent if IGR capacity remains unchanged,” Rewane stated.

In the breakdown of their 2016 budgets sent to their various legislatures penultimate week, some of the 12 states expanded their expenditure by over 100 per cent.

The states are Cross Rivers which jumped to N350 billion from N127.85 billion, an over 173 per cent increase followed by Oyo state jumping by over 113 per cent to N165.1 billion from N77.1 billion last year.

Dangote begins construction of new 9m tons capacity cement plant

IN a deft move to consolidate on its leadership in the cement sector, Dangote Cement Plc has announced the commencement of the construction of new cement plants in two communities in the country.

The new plants are expected to add nine million metric tonnes per annum to the company’s current local cement output of 29.25 million metric tonnes, bringing it to a total of 38.25 million metric tonnes per annum.

The company said the communities in which it is setting up the new plants are Okpella in the northern part of Edo State, South-south of Nigeria with a three million per annum plant and another six million per annum capacity plants in Itori in Ogun State, South-west of the country.

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, who made the announcement in Lagos, explained that the Okpella plant will be made up of one line and will produce a total of 3 million metric tonnes per annum, and the Itori plant which will deliver approximately 6 million tonnes per annum from two procution lines.

Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku (second right) Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Rasheed Olaoluwa(2nd left) Executive Director,Small and Medium Enterprises BOI, Waheed Olagunju (left) beneficiary and president of Excellent Men cooperative Society, Kau LG, Jalingo, Ifraimu Nyapari, during the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of MSME development Funds in Jalingo, Taraba State, at weekend.

BoI to revive moribund industries in Taraba Gbola Subair-Abuja

THE Bank of Industry is set to revive moribound industries in Taraba State with the provision of funding support to the state government.

The Managing Director, of the Bank, Rasheed Olaoluwa said this Jalingo, during the flag-off of the

disbursement of cheques to the beneficiaries N700 million Micro Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) Development Fund jointly managed by the Taraba State Government and Bank of Industry (BoI).

Olaoluwa said the development finance institution would assist the state to effectively harness some of

its agricultural and minerals potential to stimulate its economic activities.

In demonstration of the bank’s commitment to assist the state, he urged the management of the state owned cassava processing plant to update all the documents relating to the plant with a view to having

NCC rates Glo best network in new internet subscription THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again rated the next generation network, Globacom, as the leader in new internet subscriber acquisition in the telecommunications industry.

According to 2015 third quarter statistics featured by the NCC on its website, Globacom gained the highest number of internet users in September of 2015 with over a million new internet users on its network.

The industry regulator said that Globacom had 21,896,229 internet users on its network as at the end of September, up from 20,765,379 data users in August. The figure showed an addition of 1,130,850 new internet subscribers within the period.

Globacom’s figure was much more than the total number of new internet users who joined the three other major telecom operators, MTN, Airtel and Etisalat. The three recorded a

combined total of 716,450 new internet subscribers in September.

The closest to Globacom was MTN which recorded an additional 423,448 new internet users on its network. Airtel placed third with 235,941 new subscribers, while Etisalat recorded the least number of new internet users in the industry with additional 57,061 new data subscribers joining the network in September.

the opportunity to access funding from the bank.

“I really didn’t appreciate how much potential Taraba has until I came for this visit. With the interactions I have had with the governor, the agroprenurers and other stakeholders in the last two days, it is clear to me that Taraba is one of the most blessed states in Nigeria,” he said.

He added that the bank had identified key clusters that represent viable opportunities for SMEs to do business in the state.

Apart from the N700 million matching fund, of which some beneficiaries were presented with cheques, Olaoluwa said the bank had invested over N90.6 million in support of genuine businesses in the states in pursuance of its core mandate of boosting economic activities and curtailing unemployment.

Nigerian Tribune

ANED charges labour on protests, says ‘let’s grow power sector’

By Ruth Olurounbi

THE Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has called on organized labour unions to abandon their agitations for protests against the new electricity tariff, saying “protest is not the way forward.”

ANED said it would rather that the “organized labour and fellow compatriots” joined hands together with the Federal Government and the power sector operators, “as we continue to work to improve the supply of electricity in the country.”

Saying “Nigeria’s growth has been crippled for far too long by decades-old deficiencies in the power sector,” ANED said “private sector-driven efficiency and realistic market prices” would continue to give sector “a new lease of life.

“For the first time in the history of Nigeria’s power sector, electricity generation has hit an all-time high of 5,075MW, demonstrating the evolution and progress in the capacity of the sector to meet the country’s power needs, a major requirement in the drive to grow the nation’s economy and improve quality of life.”

According to it, the recent attainment of 5,075MW generated, transmitted and distributed “has to be viewed in the context of a sector that barely generated 2,000MW, prior to the start of the sector reforms, a little over five years ago. We believe that this is only the beginning and that we can accomplish much more improvement in the sector, if all the stakeholders work together in partnership.”

In the view of this, the association reassured customers that the “continued increase in generation over the last few months will continue to translate into more electricity that is supplied to their homes and businesses.

Distribution Companies (DisCos) will continue to do all that they can do, to distribute power that is transmitted to them.

“ANED and its members are sensitive to customer anxiety over the recent increase in electricity tariffs.

As such, we hereby provide our customers an assurance that the increase is no more than that which is necessary for critical improvement of an electricity infrastructure that has suffered decades of neglect.”

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Nigerian Tribune

DAILY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) FOR FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY, 2016

TOP 5 GAINERS

TOP 5 LOSERS

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

Amaechi spent $150m to fund APC —Wike •A big lie from depth of hell —Amaechi Dao Falade-Port Harcourt

G

OVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has alleged that his predecessor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, spent a whopping sum of $150 million dollars to finance the elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the former governor spent the huge sum between December 1 and 18, 2014 to sponsor the national election campaigns of APC. The governor made the allegation while speaking at a thanksgiving service, held at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumueprikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday.

Vowing to recover all the stolen money belonging to the state, he called for a comprehensive fight against corruption and canvassed support for the prosecution of all those who were allegedly behind the looting of the state fund.

“The national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie -Oyegun, said his party will not wish to lose Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom,

Delta and Bayelsa states, because they are the resource base of the nation, even if the price of oil is going down.

“Well, I don’t blame him because from December 1 -8, 2014, they took from Rivers State coffers $150 million and change it at the bureau the change to finance APC campaign.

That was the period we

were having primaries. So, Rivers was also like the finance base of APC,” he said.

However, former Governor Amaechi described the allegation as a big lie, saying Wike’s day of reckoning was awaiting him and that he would soon account for all his deeds.

The former governor, reacting through the pub-

licity secretary of Rivers APC, Mr Chris Finebone, said he was also sure that Wike only made the allegation to please his audience and would not take a step further.

“That is a big lie taken from the very depth of hell.

Wike talks big and tough, but behind his tough-talking is a moronic coward.

“He won’t advance that

accusation beyond the comfort of his audience.

His deeds are awaiting him and at the appropriate time, he’ll be held to account.

“If he is serious, let him go to court and summon Rt. Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. But you can be sure that he won’t do taht, because he knows that Amaechi is without

From left, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; former governor, Dr Peter Odili and the former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, at the reception of the thanksgiving service to mark Wike’s victory at the Supreme Court, at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuipirikom, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.

Amaechi, Ben Bruce trade words on Twitter THE Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and a serving Senator, Ben Bruce, on Sunday, engaged in a twitter fight over the activities of the current government.

The fight was set off by a tweet posted by a popular tweeter user, Japhet Omojuwa, who tweeted that Ben Bruce should not be taken seriously.

“The reason I will NEV-

ER take people like Ben Bruce serious is because when they saw a leader (GEJ) do wrong, they kept quiet. Don’t be Bruce,” he said.

The tweet seemed appar-

ently targeted at Mr Amaechi whose administration was accused of spending N80 million to organise a dinner for Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka.

Apparently sensing the

12 die, Area Commander, DPO, LG boss escape death as Fulani herdsmen invade Benue again Johnson Babajide-Makurdi

BLEAK weekend in Benue State, as no fewer than 12 persons were reportedly killed with several persons injured in a violent fight between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv people in Buruku Local Government Area of

the state.

The incident, which was said to have occurred on Saturday, ravaged two communities in the council area, Tom Anyiin and Tom Ataan, all in Mbaya Tombu, in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the

chairman, Godwin Iorsue, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Buruku and the Area Commander were, on Sunday, ambushed by the herdsmen when they visited the trouble spots to assess the situation in the area.

Saturday’s attack came barely a week after Fulani

Abovewhispers.com debuts on Monday ABOVEWHISPERS.com, a blog for those who want to have a mature engagement online debuts on Monday.

The new blog, which is primarily, (but not exclusively) aimed at middleaged women, will provide an opportunity for people to engage in discussions about a range of issues such as politics, social justice, development, financial security, women’s rights, health, entrepreneurship, popular culture, faith, parenting, relationships, and other relevant areas.

Abovewhispers is the ini-

tiative of Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, well known women’s rights advocate, international development specialist and social entrepreneur. She has many years of experience in designing programmes and mobilising resources for women’s movements. She was the Director of Akina Mama wa Afrika in the United Kingdom(1991-2001), an international development organisation for African women. While she was at AMwA, she established the African Women’s Leadership Institute which has produced over 6,000 wom-

en leaders in many African countries. She left AMwA in 2001 to co-found the African Women’s Development Fund, a pan-African grant making foundation for women’s organisations based in Ghana. She served as Executive Director of AWDF till December 2010, when her husband Dr Kayode Fayemi, became governor of Ekiti State.

According to her, “this is a unique platform to engage with other people in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Women have a lot of stories to tell, of their struggles and triumphs.’’

herdsmen invaded a community in Agatu Local Government Area of the state, in a reprisal attack killing 15 persons and having scores injured.

One Nomor Iorbee, who fled the troubled area, told the Nigerian Tribune that the suspected Fulani herdsmen, without prompting, invaded their community and unleashed terror on them. ‘‘This made everyone to flee the village,’’ he said, adding that he was still searching for his wife and children.

Buruku Local Government chairman, Iorbee, who spoke to newsmen on phone, said he and the senior security officers were ambushed when he invited them to accompany him to assess the development and make further reports, but unknown to them, while the natives left the area, the suspected herdsmen took over the entire community and ambushed them on their way back.

jibe thrown at him by the Senator, Amaechi wasted no time in responding to Mr Bruce; accusing him of being a coward.

“A coward who is not bold enough to name the minister that he alleged criminally spent N80million on dinner is unfit to sit in our Senate chambers,” he said.

Mr Amaechi’s spokesperson, David Iyofor Sunday confirmed to Premium Times that the twitter handle used in responding to Mr Murray-Bruce (@ ChibuikeAmaechi) belongs to the Minister of Transport.

He also said the minister’s response was triggered by Mr Bruce.

The senator responded to Mr Amaechi by referring to the recent Supreme Court judgment that upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as governor, thereby, stifling the hope of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and Mr Amaechi’s ally, Dakuku Peterside.

He posted another tweet on his handle @benmurraybruce saying, “When you have been Wike’d, you become wicked! But you will always be my beloved brother, no matter how much you transfer the anger on me.”

blemish,” Finebone said in an sms.

Governor Wike had also disclosed that he would not have stood for a rerun election, if the Supreme Court had upheld the verdicts of the two lower courts which nullified his election as the state governor.

This, he said, was because there was an evil plot to cause bloodbath, allegedly through the use security forces to instigate heavy loss of lives in the state.

Wike, however, said God worked to avert the danger, noting that, “Nothing is impossible with God. Men of God prophesied, a few days to the Supreme Court, that the judgment will confirm the mandate given to us by the Rivers people.

“We won the election clearly, as has been confirmed by the Supreme Court. If there was a rerun, I wouldn’t have contested because there would have been bloodbath. I resolved not to be part of anything that would bring bloodbath,” he said.

The governor said a plot had been hatched to arrest and detain him to discourage the people of the state before the national and state assemblies rerun elections which had been postponed to March 19, 2016.

According to him, the political powers were already indiscriminately arresting leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the state, preparatory to the rerun exercise.

He, however, said the Supreme Court’s ruling had averted bloodbath in the state and restored the confidence of the people in the judiciary.

Wike restated his earlier declaration that he would not allow the rigging of the rerun elections in the state, warning that any Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) staff who attempted to rig would be treated as an armed robber.

“I am the executive governor of Rivers State and a strong one for that matter.

We will support INEC to conduct credible elections.

However, any official who plans to rig will get the treatment reserved for armed robbers,” he said.

In his sermon, Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province, Dr Ignatius Kattey, said the victory of Governor Wike at the Supreme Court had brought peace to the state and called on the governor to be the father of all the people of the state.

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

16 news SERAP appeals World Bank’s decision on spending of Abacha loot

Monday, 8 February, 2016

S

OCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an appeal to Access to Information (AI) Appeals Board against the World Bank’s decision dated November 25, 2015 “to provide patently insufficient information on the spending of recovered stolen funds by the late General Sani Abacha.”

The organisation said it considered the decision “a serious violation of the AI Policy, as it amounts to improper or unreasonable restriction of access to information.”

In the appeal dated Feb-

ruary 5, 2016 and signed

by SERAP deputy executive director, Olukayode Majekodunmi, the organisation said, “Following receipt of several documents from the World Bank totalling over 700 pages on the Abacha loot, SERAP commenced independent investigations and verification of some of the information supplied with appropriate agencies and institutions of government.”

The appeal reads in part: “SERAP is concerned that the World Bank failed and/ or neglected to provide several portions of the information requested on the spend-

ing of recovered Abacha loot managed by the Bank.”

“SERAP notes that one of the guiding principles of the Policy on Access to Information (AI Policy) is recognising the right to an appeals process when a request for information in the World Bank’s possession is improperly or unreasonably denied.”

“SERAP argues that there is a strong public interest case here to override the corporate administrative matters, deliberative information or financial information exceptions of the AI Policy if the information being requested falls under

one of these exceptions.”

“SERAP believes that it is not harmful for the Bank to disclose specific details of the information requested.

SERAP also notes that the sole remedy available to those who prevail in the appeals process is to receive the information requested.”

SERAP therefore requested the Access to Information (AI) Appeals Board to exercise its prerogative and allow disclosure of the following specific information and any feedback from the World Bank Evaluation Team on the issues below: Evidence and list of the 23 projects allegedly completed

with recovered Abacha loot, and whether the 23 projects where actually completed; and what became of the 2 abandoned projects.

Evidence and location of the eight health centres built with recovered Abacha loot reviewed by the World Bank Evidence and location of the 18 power projects confirmed by the World Bank How the $50 million Abacha loot received before 2005 kept in the special account was spent Evidence and location of schools which benefited from the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in the amount of N24.25 billion.

Evidence and location of the 13 road projects completed with the recovered Abacha loot, including the names of the three of the largest road and bridge projects in each geo-political zone.

Dogara to pay SSCE fees of IDPs Banji Aluko - Benin City

From left, eldest child of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Professor Femi Lana; widow, Olori Moriyike Odulana; daughter, Princess Bose Omotosho; daughter-in-law, Princess Bola Femi-Lana and Princess Yemisi Sowunmi, during a service of songs in honour of the late Oba (Dr) Samuel Odulana at the Cathedral of St Peter, Aremo, Ibadan, on Sunday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

I’m psychologically prepared for Benue rerun —Mark Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

THE immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has stated that the growing interest of his people and endorsement by various stakeholders for him ahead of the February 20, 2016 rerun election for Benue South senatorial district has encouraged and made him psychologically prepared.

Mark said he is overwhelmed by the uncommon support and solidarity by his constituents and therefore emboldened to face the election.

He promised to serve and defend the interest of his constituents at all times no matter the odds and circumstance.

According to him, “I am psychologically and emotionally prepared for the rerun election on account of the growing support from my constituents who are urging me on. I enjoy the support and confidence of my people. God helping us I will not let them down, I will serve creditably.”

Senator Mark’s confi-

dence is anchored on God, the overwhelming support and solidarity from his Benue South constituents who see him as a rallying point and a symbol of their hopes and aspirations.

For them, the forthcoming rerun election is a battle for the interest and survival of the Idoma people which Senator Mark represents.

Already, PDP Senate caucus led by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, Benue State House of Representatives caucus, Benue State zone C House of Assembly caucus, the League of Idoma Professors, the Idoma Dreams, the Idoma Young Professionals, the Idoma Prosperity Group, as well as women groups,

have separately thrown their weights behind Senator Mark for the rerun election.

The various groups anchored their support for Senator Mark on the basis of achievements for his Benue South constituency and his antecedents of effective and quality representation in the National Assembly.

Olubadan deserves befitting burial —Adetunji AS the final funeral arrangement of the late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade1, gets underway, the in-coming Olubadan, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, has called on well-meaning individuals in the land to give his predecessor a befitting burial.

Oba Odugade, the 40th Olubadan of Ibadan land, passed away last month at the ripe age of 101.

Welcoming well-meaning individuals, including Chief Harry Akande, Elder Wole Oyelese and the del-

egation from the senate, led by the deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Naallah, into his palace over the weekend, High Chief Adetunji noted that the late monarch did Nigeria as a whole and Ibadan in particular a lot of good.

According to him, the greatest legacy that Oba Odulana left behind is peace and harmony among diverse people in Ibadan land.

“I intend to follow up on that. Baba Olubadan was also an advocate of the creation of Ibadan State. It is my fervent prayer and hope

that God will grant this request in my lifetime.”

The Olubadan-designate expressed gratitude to the senate delegation for considering it worthy to immortalise the name of the late monarch, adding that he would be counting on the support of the same law makers when the time for the creation of Ibadan State comes.

He also expressed gratitude to the Ajimobi-led administration and Ibadan High Chiefs over their role in giving the late monarch a befitting burial.

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has promised to pay the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees of students at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the International Christian Centre for Mission, Uhogua, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The speaker also said the IDPs, who are mostly children from Borno and Adamawa states, will soon be relocated to their localities as soon as peace is fully restored to their areas.

Dogara, who gave the assurance when he visited the IDP camp located in the outskirts of Benin City, thanked the government and the people of Edo State for accepting the children, pointing out that 40 per cent of them have lost their parents.

The speaker also used his coming to Edo State to commission constituency projects of the lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Honourable Ogbeide Ihama, namely a constituency office and three ambulances equipped with medical equipment.

Speaking during a church service at the camp, Dogara admonished the IDPs to put behind them their sordid past experiences in the hands of insurgents and face the future, adding that reflecting too much on the past would only hinder their resolve to face the future.

Borno govt to provide free education to 23,000 orphan-IDPs THE Borno Government says it will offer nursery and primary school scholarships to 23, 000 orphans taking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

Alhaji Ahmed Satomi, the chairman, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), disclosed this on Sunday, in Maiduguri, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Satomi said the gesture was aimed at catering for the education of the vulnerable children who did not have anybody to sponsor their education.

He said the orphans, who were unaccompanied children found in various Boko Haram liberated towns, would be engaged in meaningful activities that would make them forget their traumatic experience.

The SEMA official explained that the agency, in collaboration with other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) was doing everything possible to cater for the welfare of the orphaned children.

Akwa Ibom: Govt to sponsor 310 widows on pilgrimage Iniobong Ekponta -Uyo

AKWA Ibom State government has concluded plans to inject more funds into religious tourism with a view to accommodating more Christians on annual pilgrimage to the holy land of Israel, where they are expected to grace some historical sites and attract some spiritual cleaning and blessings.

Towards this end, no fewer than 310 widows, 10 each from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state are expected to number among other beneficiaries in the spiritual sojourn that is expected to also bring blessings to the state.

The state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, announced this during a solidarity rally staged by Akwa Ibom women at the Governors Lodge, Government House, Uyo, at the weekend.

He disclosed that the next phase of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs) loans in which the women are often the beneficiaries, has been increased by 65 per cent “to enable the women access more funds to do their businesses.”

17

INSIDE LAGOS

Monday, 8 February, 2016

pixmart

ALABA IGBAROOLA: 08155975474

SYLVESTER OKORUWA: 08115708541

From left, Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lajos Arendas; a student of Trinity International School, Ofada, Ogun State, Miss Sowunmi Ololade and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Perry Calderwood, at the opening ceremony of the two-day Canadian Education Fair, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday.

From left, Senior Registrar, Community Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Olalekan Makinde; Country Manager, Nigeria and Ghana, OMRON Healthcare, Mr Olugbenga Abiodun; MD/CEO of Mebik Pharmacy, Pharm. Bridget Okocha and Senior Marketing Manager, Europe, Middle-East and Africa, OMRON Healthcare, Paul Stevens, at the OMRON Medical Connect Media Parley, in Lagos.

From left, the chairman, Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN), Mr. Pattison Boleighia; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Chief Compliance Officer of the bank, Mr. Ademola Onigbanjo and the vice chairman of the committee, Mr. Olusiji Adeyinka, during the January 2016 general meeting of CCCOBIN, hosted by FCMB on January 28, 2016, in Lagos.

Managing Director, Grand Oak Ltd, Mr. Akshay Kumar; Promotion Manager, Mrs. Kate Akeju; chairman, Lexcel Group of Companies, Mr. Ola Rosiji; the Store Assistant, Grand Oak Ltd, Abia State, Mr. Ndukwe Okoro, displaying his 25th Year Service Award and the Media & Market Research Manager, Grand Oak Ltd, Ms. Linda Temienor, during the Long Service Award/Staff New Year Party held in Lagos recently.

From left, General Manager, Nigeria, Moet & Hennessy, Paul Auriol; Chief Executive Officer, Things Remembered, an in-flight Catering company, Mrs. Adeola Omikunle and the Brand Manager, Hennessy & Spirit, Lere Awokoya, during the launch of Hennessy Bar, in partnership with Things Remembered, at the departure area of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

From left, Head, Money Transfer Services, Diamond Bank Plc, Chekwube Ohaeri; a winner, Omoniyi Damilola; Assistant Marketing Manager, Western Union, ECOWAS, Ebere Nwaolikpe; another winner, Mrs Kofoworola Balogun and the Money Transfer Services Executive, Onyebuichi Irogbarachi, at the Western Union “Talk For Free Promotion� ceremony held in Lagos recently.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 8 February, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08053412982.

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

Amnesty International and human rights abuses

N

OBODY can tell me that the Amnesty International, as an organisation, does not support terrorism; just recently, the organisation called on world leaders not to sell arms to the Nigerian government “because of human rights abuses by its soldiers.”

It is so painful that officials of this organisation sit in their cosy homes, while writing on issues they know nothing about. It is funny that the organisational found nothing wrong in criminals torturing innocent people to death, particularly by slitting their throats. On assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari said that the military would adopt a new strategy in the war on terror, and would take the issue of human rights very seriously. With this new

thinking, the military has been doing everything possible to curb the infringement on human rights. So what else does the Amnesty International want?

The organisation has continued to constitute itself as a stumbing block to Nigeria’s victory in the war, and it is high time the Nigerian government tackled the claims of human rights abuses leveled against our soldiers.

President Buhari should keep telling the world that the country’s military will continue to respect human rights. We really need the weapons to defeat the insurgents, and that is why the president’s diplomacy should be supported by all Nigerians.

The first victory for the president was when the United States donated 24 Mine-Resistant Armoured Vehicles to the military re-

British referendum: Can the EU survive?

FOR some time now, the United Kingdom has been trying to renegotiate its membership of the European Union; some believe the current EU laws are unfavourable to the Queen’s country, and as such, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been negotiating with EU leaders.

Part of the laws Cameron wants to come into effect is curbing the payment of state benefits for EU citizens for four years.

It is believed that the UK is drawing millions of people from less-prosperous EU states because of its welfare system. So part of the proposal is for the UK to stop paying benefits to new EU citizens for the first four years of their arrival. This will also lead the country into a referendum, possibly by 2017, on whether to stay or opt out of the EU. In my opinion, the EU can never work for some reasons; there are prosperous and less prosperous states bandied together to form a union. It will always be a situation

whereby the less-prosperous states will continue to rely on the wealthier states for survival. This may not be in the form of grants, but through migration.

In recent years, we have seen an upsurge in the number of Eastern Europeans migrating to the UK and Germany for economic survival. Even when Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland, among others, were in a recession, their young citizens moved enmasse to the more stable countries.

These economic migrants, who are always ready to do more work with less pay, then start to take local jobs, meaning local citizens now find it hard to secure work since the migrants are ready to do the work for less. This will then result in internal wranglings.

I am happy that the British will soon get a chance to decide if they want to remain in the EU; if the UK opts out, then I foresee more countries deciding to leave the union.

•Dr Taju Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

cently. This will help our soldiers move in bobbytrapped areas without the fear of being blown up.

However, we need more than that. We should not forget that former President Goodluck Jonathan was ready to buy Cobra helicopters but the US government refused to

sell, stating that the helicopters were too sophisticated for our military. It is hoped that the goodwill President Buhari is enjoying will make it possible for our military to procure the helicopters now. We need weapons that will be able to spot the gathering of terrorists, while blow-

ing them up with precision before they set-off of their journeys of death.

We also need sophisticated helicopter gunships, which will enable our airforce wage the war against the terrorists from the air.

This helicopter is different from the fighter jets that we are currently using.

In essence, we just need all the help we can get so that we can bring this war to an end, and Amnesty International should have amnesty on us so that we can acquire the right weapons.

•Onyebuchi Ezeh, Eket, Akwa-Ibom State.

Buhari, procure weapons for the military LAST week was deadly in Maiduguri, Borno State, when members of the Boko Haram insurgents attacked a town, killing about 85 people.

Despite the victory the military had recorded over the terrorists, it is still surprising that they could still stage attacks that could be as deadly as that of last week.

Some residents even claimed more than 100 people could have been killed in the attack.

President Muhammadu Buhari is enjoying huge global ratings at the moment, and he should leverage on that to procure state-of-the-art weapons that will annihilate the terrorists.

I know the military has tried, but Nigerians are increasingly frustrated with the continued killings in the North East.

The problem with the military boils down to the fact that it does not have the weapons to finish-off

the war.

Our president had visited the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, and many other countries, but what is stopping us from acquiring weapons for our military now?

One thing is sure about this insurgency, we will never be fully focused in our economic development plan if we don’t end the war as soon as possible.

I am happy that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Bu-

ratai recently visited the Colombian military to understudy how it is faring in the war against the FARC rebels; I think he should also go to Sri Lanka to see how the military defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels.

The secret to victories in wars lies in weapons, and I hope the president will do something as soon as possible.

•Isaac Kuta, Jos, Plateau State.

19

editorial

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Reopening old wounds at the NFF

t

HE recent ugly spectacle of a near clash of fists between the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick and the Founder of Giwa Football Club and erstwhile contender for the NFF presidency, Mr Chris Giwa, in the office of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, is yet another sad reminder of how things thought to be settled in Nigeria could blow up unnecessarily at any point. Nigerians and perhaps the entire football world had thought that peace had returned to the football house after both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) recognized the election through which Pinnick emerged as the NFF president.

Though there was an alternative election at which Giwa emerged as the NFF leader, this election was not recognized by either CAF or FIFA, and Giwa’s attempt to question the legitimacy of the Pinnick-led executive did not succeed at FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) levels.The court case which he had instituted was eventually withdrawn when pressures mounted because of FIFA’s threat to impose severe sanctions on Nigeria. The implication was that Giwa had to live with the realisation that Pinnick would be the legitimate head of NFF and Nigerians must have thought that the issue had died down. But the ugly spectacle in Dalung’s office shattered that assumption.

While nobody expected the bad blood generated by the protracted crisis on the leadership of the NFF to have fully gone away given human predilections, the so-called reconciliation by the minister was one that could not make for progress. This is because full reconciliation ought to be predicated on the acceptance of the present situation and proceeding to the future on the basis of that situation. The minister ought to have extracted an assurance that the two sides accepted the current state of affairs before bringing them together to appeal for full reconciliation. A situation in which issues have to be canvassed anew would necessarily

bring back old memories and reignite bad blood instead of helping to lower and remove animosity. This is why the platform on which the minister summoned the socalled reconciliation meeting that almost resulted into fisticuffs was doomed to fail, having lubricated the impression that things could be changed again. This impression is reinforced by reports regarding Giwa’s intention to return to the courts even after the point had been well made that FIFA frowns at taking football issues to normal courts, with such attracting severe penalties, including outright suspension of the country.

In the present circumstances, while it is indeed worthwhile to seek to reconcile aggrieved parties and ensure good working relations within the football family in Nigeria, we would advise the Youth and Sports Minister to do this without reigniting the fire in the football house. The whole essence of reconciliation should be to obtain better working relations and not to sow further seeds of discord. It is regrettable that while the ugly incident in the minister’s office was taking place, Nigeria was being booted out of the 2016 African Football Championship, suggesting that the unceasing feud in the football house is not helping the game in the country.

Nigerian football has been going down for some time in spite of the occasional flashes here and there and this is mainly because of the lack of serious, effective and efficient management of football issues in the country, following the rancour in the NFF. We are satisfied that the minister is concerned with this state of affairs, but this should be with the aim of helping to institute more enduring principles for the running of football in line with FIFA guidelines and international rules. We expect him to persuade all gladiators to work with the present executive of the NFF that is accepted by both CAF and FIFA and not to do anything that would reopen old wounds and send the NFF into yet another round of open discord. Harmony should be built on the existing structure in such a way that amends could be made without toppling it and bringing the house down again.

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20

opinion

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Lasisi Olagunju

T

Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

wo weeks ago, I had a rare privilege of getting my primary school set’s graduation group photograph courtesy of an old classmate. I tried to figure out who was who among the tiny bits of human beings that we were in those days. Some are late, many are alive to the glory of God. Although that school is located deep in the hilly forests of Ila Orangun, Osun State, among us today are men and women you can call masters in their chosen fields—academics, the security services, the civil service, business, journalism, etc. One of us even has a group of good schools in Lagos State. The government of that period and the Roman Catholic Church, which was the original owner of the school, gave us the opportunity to step out of the mire of ignorance and want and be counted among the saved. It is difficult to believe what those truly shoeless boys and girls of four decades ago have grown to become. But then, as I interrogated the photograph, I asked myself if the present public school system in Nigeria could turn rural boys and girls like we were into well-baked adults.

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) statistics published in the media last week showed that in the May/June 2015 SSCE, 1,029,871 (64.63 percent) out of 1,590,284 candidates failed to have credit passes in the English Language and Mathematics. Reports added that four Federal Government Colleges were among schools that failed to have candidates who passed English and Mathematics at credit level.

Coincidentally, two state governors last week celebrated two boys who eminently qualified to be celebrated as geniuses. Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, at a ceremony, gave a young man scholarship to study in the United States for designing an award-winning prototype of a car. Osun State governor, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, in Osogbo, gave a Good Ambassador award to a boy from his state who turned out to have the best O’Level (NECO) result in the entire country. Sokoto and Osun states have some special attraction to me. I am from Osun State a hundred percent while I did my youth service in a place

Riding on Okada to the future

called Kware Local Government Area in Sokoto State.

And, so as I gave more than a passing attention to the two stories, I asked: are these boys products of public schools? I do not have information on the Sokoto genius but at least I read that the great boy from Osun is a product of Our Lady and St. Francis College, Osogbo.

That school is owned by the Catholic Church. That is a school that has consistently been among the top 10 for years now in the country and is among the cheapest private secondary schools you can find around. I know because I am a beneficiary parent of the school and of the church that owns it. Can we then ask why the best did not come from schools owned by the government and funded with billions every year? Can we ask why?

Someone said the difference between failure and success, even between good and excellence, is the attention paid to details. In my village primary school, we had great Grade Two teachers who took care of every aspect of our development. It was the same in all other schools around us. There was a government in the old Western state that took care of every aspect of teachers’ welfare. There was a citizenry which paid attention to the all-round sanity of our society. Our teachers enjoyed teaching and beating us and we enjoyed the pains of the canes. We did not know

what the future held for us, but each of us had high hopes of a future of greatness. Honesty was then the best policy for everybody; it was not just for the poor and the cheated as we have today. Our teachers genuinely worked for their pay and got paid by the government.

There was no cheating of government by lazy teachers. There was no cheating of working teachers by non-salary-paying governments.

Attention to the right details made the development of our persons (and of our teachers) the priority of government over ego -boosting inanities of persons in power. Attention to the right details ensured that our mud house classrooms produced what today’s gilded, gold-plated classrooms have failed to mint.

So, how did things get so bad that the best that public schools could churn out are a generation of thoroughly frustrated and angry armies of Okada riders? These are young, energetic youths whose other business outside commercial motorcycling is “politics.” These are human beings who would not have any qualms gleefully announcing to anyone that the work they do is “politics.” That is what you find in almost every corner of the country. And we don’t feel alarmed? And can we ask who is to blame? Or who is free of blame?

A generation of elders that enjoyed everything deliberately ran down everything then proclaimed itself a wasted generation. Look at that generation that came after the founding fathers. Interrogate their contributions to national development and correlate their efforts with the benefits they creamed off Nigeria. Should that still be called a wasted generation or a wasteful generation? I am still thinking...

A recent report said the one-child policy in China has ensured that the country now has “a population that’s basically too old and too male and, down the line, maybe too few.” Our own policy of de-education of the poor is accelerating the configuration of a population of the young that is too uneducated, very hungry, very angry and predictably combustible. Official empowerment of youths with Okada can only be deadly lullaby for all. The vehicle to a future of peace cannot be Okada. A reinvention of public education for all is it.

Towards reviving Nigeria’s agriculture

By J.A Oluyemi

Agriculture is the competent “general” that was prematurely retired from the Olympian height of playing a dominant role in the Nigerian economy. With the economy now virtually in tatters, the “knight” in a shining armour must patriotically respond to the appeal to come to the rescue of our nation. However, its effectiveness in this role is subject to a number of conditions that did not previously exist and which hinge on sustainability.

First is the potentially enormous internal market that needs to be consolidated by banning the importation of competing agricultural products and for which the nation should be prepared for a pitiless and protracted, if not endless, battle against smugglers and their internal and external collaborators. The internal collaborators are the corrupt public officials whose days may be numbered with the zero tolerance for corruption of the present political leadership. The external collaborators are the foreign suppliers of the smuggled products, who possess the wherewithal, and that possibly enjoy subsidy, to undersell local producers. They may, therefore, be a harder nut to crack, possibly requiring retaliatory and resolute approach. Not to be underrated in reducing national crop yield is climate change which, however, is a universal problem.

Whereas foreign exchange can be preserved by banning importation or minimising it with high tariffs, its direct acquisition with agriculture is by exportation.

This can be achieved by targeting a trade zone and by negotiating with those outside it, consisting of those actually in need because of internal production problems and those that require bilateral agreements. The latter

may take the form of the old fashioned but useful “trade by barter” since it would be fair that countries to which Nigeria is a market for manufactured goods should also patronize her agricultural market (produce) in compensation.

The second consideration is the continuous satisfaction of local and external demands for the agricultural products so as not to undermine the whole scheme. Indeed, production will be stimulated by price incentive generated by a stabilized market, while profitability will be maximized by research-based cutting edge technology from the myriad of agricultural and veterinary institutions in the country.

All the same, rather than production being open-ended, one limiting factor or another will ultimately arise. This factor is expectedly the availability of arable land, even when intensive cultivation and irrigation are adopted.

The extent to which agriculture can be used to diversify the economy is, on this account, open to speculation.

Moreover, land in general is subject to competing demands. However, not all exportable farm products may be affected by land constraint or scarcity and, in fact, there may be none, especially at the initial stage and this may lead to overproduction and a price fall below production cost. Overproduction will, therefore, be a red signal for remedial action to prevent or limit its recurrence and for the storage of the surplus.

The third consideration is augmenting foreign exchange earnings with value-added products. Efforts in this direction start from the agricultural institutions turning out superior genetic materials through the use of modern technology for the most marketable farm products.

Although such farm products of the best quality may be

adequate for exportation, industrialization is also essential to add value to the domestic market and even, to some extent, exportation. Otherwise the useful “lesson” of importing our crude oil from foreign refineries would seem to be lost. In fact, local production of fuel from the domestic plants should be considered.

Related to this issue is the reliance on foreign experts to solve local agricultural challenges, which is a wasteful expenditure of hard-earned foreign exchange. Of what value then are the agricultural institutions? After all, their facilities can be upgraded for any specific purposes. In fact, agriculture in Nigeria is being technologically starved in spite of the presence of several agricultural institutions. As a remedy, the approval of agricultural loans should be contigent on commitments to employ agricultural graduates. This would go a long way in solving or minimising youth unemployment.

The fourth important consideration is the privatisation of industries, of which agriculture is typical and critical. Pooling resources for productive or marketing purposes, facilitated by the formation of cooperatives or boards, does not go against any government policies. However, the elevation of agriculture from the status of mere commercial enterprise for individuals or groups to that of a national instrument of economic diversification is of government concern because it involves legislation. And only the government can enact laws against importation and engage in foreign trade negotiations.

•Professor Oluyemi was a former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan.

21

Monday, 8 February, 2016

tribune

business

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

Criticisms and counter criticisms trail state-owned airports

It is no longer news that some state governors are embarking on the construction of airports in their states. In this report, Shola Adekola writes on the divergent reactions from Nigerians and the positions of the governors on the issue.

M

embers of the public have continued to react to the news that some state governors are building airports in their respective states, with some saying the projects may have come off as unplanned.

For instance, some key playes in the aviation sector are saying that the governors may have been using the projects as a ruse in which to make money off the people of their states.

A key player, in reaction to the controversial decisions of some state governors to embark on the construction of airports in their states, said: “some Nigerian governors have turned airport construction into a personal thing now. So how can you say you are investing in an airport for your own gain?

Some state governments are putting down money, building and opening up airports but you ask, where are the passengers and which airline will be flying there? I can’t fly

to such places. Those infrastructures will rot away with time.”

Already, there are 22 airports across the

What the states need are air strips where light planes can land, and I think we already have them.

country, out of which only four are viable, as the others are redundant.

The viable ones are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA).

Among some states that already have airports include Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Bauchi, Asaba (Delta) and Gombe.

Despite the criticisms that greeted the construction of the already existing state airports by key players who have described such airports as mere decorations, some governors will soon join their colleagues who against all odds had built airports in their states to equally follow suit.

On the list of those embarking on fresh airport projects are Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Anambra, Osun, Ogun and Abia.

Reasons for building airports Defending why he is building a N17 billion airport for his people, the Nasarawa State governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, at the inauguration of the committee for the construction of the airport project, described airports as the best way of creating jobs for citizens under the prevailing economy, saying it would boost farmers’ incomes with a nearby airport for export of agriculture produce.

According to him, “the Lafia Airport will also serve as a spring board for easy evacuation of agricultural produce and solid mineral resources in the state. It will facilitate the exportation of our locally processed agricultural produce to Europe.”

Speaking on behalf of Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune recently, Lere Olayinka in the defense of the airport project Continues on pg22

22

tribunebusiness

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Aviation Minister

Continued from pg21

said: “The reality is, without the air transportation system in Nigeria, there is no way foreign tourists can be attracted to places like Ikogosi Warm Spring and Arinta Water Fall in Ipole-Iloro. But with the opportunity of flying from Lagos, Abuja and other International Airports in Nigeria direct to Ado-Ekiti and taking 30 minutes-drive to Ikogosi, we can begin to attract tourists to the state.

“Also, Ekiti being an agrarian state, we have option of a cargo handling section that would specialise in the handling of agricultural products.”

Olayinka, who said funding would not be a problem, added that all depended on getting the government’s priority right. “And I can assure you that Governor Fayose is someone who sets his goals and pursue them vigorously.”

He faulted those who criticised the decision to build an airport in Ekiti while there Akure airport is stone throw to Ado saying: “I don’t agree with that. Ibadan to Lagos is a distance of not more than one hour if the road is good, but we have airport in Lagos and Ibadan. Most importantly, every State should have its own priorities and this is one of the disruptions caused in our body polity by long years of military rule.”

Reactions Despite the reasons given by the affected state governors for wanting to build airports, their decisions have continued to attract negative criticisms from Nigerians who described such move as misplaced priority.

For Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), a former Commandant at the Murtala Muhammed Airport and a member of Aviation Round Table (ART), it does not make sense for any state governor to start thinking of building airport at a time the federal government is privatising the federal airports especially the international airports due to lack of funds.

“First, those who built airports before them cannot operate and adequately maintain them; they depend on the federal agencies (FAAN and NAMA). Second, the air traffic to these airports are often less than two per day and passenger traffic less than twenty.

The revenue so generated cannot pay the salaries of five out of at least 50 personnel needed to run the airports.

“Third, most of the states clamouring to build airports have not been able to achieve good governance and best standards in education and health. They are in many months if not years of arrears in staff salaries.”

Rather than embark on what he called wastage, he suggested that a state like Ekiti should jettison the idea of building an airport and join hands with Ondo State to make Akure airport viable.

He equally advised Osun State government to cooperate with Oyo State to make Ibadan airport more attractive.

Sheri Kyari, the Managing Director of Finum Air Services, said such move looks good on one hand so far such airports can be positioned in such a way that it could be made by the state government to be commercially viable and subsequently open up the states for business and investments and if embarking on such capital intensive projects will not tell on providing the needed dividends of democracy for the citizens then, it is alright but looking at the general trend of the economic challenges confronting the country presently, I think embarking on such projects at this point in time is a mere wastage.

The Managing Director of Med-View Airlines, Muneer Bankole, commenting earlier, called for a re-evaluation of some of the investments in Nigeria’s aviation sector, par-

Governors hiding behind projects to divert funds —Stakeholders ticularly as it concerns the ongoing quest to ensure that every state has an airport.

Airports he said are commercial enterprises

Most of the states clamouring to build airports have not been able to achieve good governance and best standards in education and health.

They are in many months if not years of arrears in staff salaries.

and not charity.

“Once you commission an airport, just like an airplane, it has to stay operational in order to ensure its various state-of-the-art technologies and facilities stay maintained or they rot due to redundancy,” he said.

According to him, the deployment of resources to construct and maintain airports had to match other economic realities, like the profitability of such investments given other socio-economic needs of citizens.

Since most airports in Nigeria are not viable, he called on governors and other stakeholders to learn to get some of their priorities right.

Joining the list of the critics of the move to build state airports espeially as it concerns his home state of Nasarawa, the former Information Minister, Labaran Maku carpeted Al-Makura over his plan to build an airport for the state saying he was not getting his priorities right in planning a N17 billion airport project for the state.

Speaking further, he said the state at this crucial period needs to invest more in agriculture for employment generation.

“This is a state that has been unable to pay her civil servants full salaries. There are lots of abandoned infrastructural proj-

ects in rural communities which the governor cannot explain to its citizens. How on earth will Nasarawa State build an airport at such a huge cost now?

“What the state needs is an air strip where light planes can land, and I think we already have them. All we need is to renovate them and put them in good shape. The money can be used to establish factories, construct rural roads, provide potable water and electricity to the rural people,” he said.

Titi Ajileye, an Abuja bound passenger said accused the states of not having the interest of the citizens at heart, saying the governors were hiding under the guise of wanting to construct airports to corner public funds.

“The Ibadan and Akure airports belong to the group of inviable airports with may be one or two traffics in a month. So why would these governors not collaborate to make the existing airports economically viable rather than waste public funds.”

Despite the barrage of attacks against the affected governors, there seems to be no going back as they have continued to show resilience in their determination to embark on the controversial airport projects.

23

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 8 February, 2016

+ entrepreneurship quote

To know values is to know the meaning of the market — Charles Dow (capital)

+

anchor Ruth Olurounbi

m:0811 695 4637 e:ruth.olurounbi@tribuneonlineng.com t:@Olurounbi

growth

3 reasons visualisation is important to you —P24

How to deal with failure

Continued from last week

Let your screw up be your motivation to try once again, and this time without making the same mistake.

Do not dwell on your mistakes, accept them When you fail, your natural instinct will be to beat yourself up. However, dwelling on your failures and blaming yourself for your mistakes is a drain on your energy.

Instead you need to accept that mistakes will occur, and failure will happen. Once you accept this, then you can focus on shaping your success.

Find the opportunity to grow Each failure and setback presents a chance for you to grow. Your job is to find

the opportunity in your failure, and turn it into a positive.

can’t change what has happened, but you can try again, this time better than the last.

Choose to be happy Happiness is definitely a choice; unfortunately many of us choose to be sad. When you fail your natural emotion will be sadness, however, don’t let your failures define your emotions. Similarly, don’t let your happiness be dependent on your success. Choose to be happy even during the worst times, and you will feel in control of your failures.

Remember that you are not the only one who failed When you fail, it often feels like the world is conspiring against you. The moment that you realize that failure is not limited to you; you can motivate yourself to get up faster. Failure is normal, and every successful person can tell you a bunch of times that they were in the same position. If they could succeed after failure, then you can too.

Continue pressing forward When you mess up, don’t get stuck in a pit of failure. What you need to do is dust yourself off and press forward. By pressing forward regardless of the obstacles, you have the chance to make progress. You

Write down a list of your successes One feeling that closely accompanies failure is that of worthlessness. To combat this feeling, you need to write down a list of all the times that you succeeded. You can

place this list on your mirror or at the front of your journal, where you can read it every day.

Now every time you have a crisis of confidence, go back to that list and see that you are capable of success.

Visualise your success Sometimes when we fail, we need to close our eyes and imagine what our success will look like. By visualizing your success, it becomes tangible rather than something out of your reach. Additionally, when you reinforce your positive mindset, you give yourself the motivation that you need to continue on your journey to success.

Ngei is a budding entrepreneur and business blogger living Nairobi.

24

+ entrepreneurship

growth

news

Why visualisation is important to you

By Ruth Olurounbi

Two weeks ago, we started “three reasons why visualisation is important to an entrepreneur” in which we discussed what visualisation is and why it is important. We will conclude today by highlighting the three reasons why experts believe visualisation is important to business growth.

Zig Ziglar, one of the most suc-

25

Monday, 8 February, 2016

cessful American salesman, author and motivational speaker once said: “If you want to reach a goal you must ‘see the reaching’ in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal.” The act of seeing the reaching is known as visualisation.

As Collins Dictionary puts it, visualisation “is a technique involving focusing on positive mental images in order to achieve a particular goal.”

Why then are entrepreneurs, especially small business owners encouraged to visualise? The following reasons apply:

“being” keeps you focused and helps you make decisions that are best for your business growth and development.

If you can picture it, it will become real Visualising what you want to achieve is one of the most powerful things you can do to help you to actually make it happen.

Boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, in many of his talks, stressed the importance of seeing himself victorious long before the actual fight.

Same with one of the most revered Basket Ball player in history, Michael Jordan, who said he always took the last shot in his mind before he ever took one in real life.

These are examples of great men who have succeeded in their respectiven fields. This law of visualisation applies to everyone who chooses to apply it to their lives ‑ be it a business person, or not.

It helps you to succeed “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp in-focus picture of it in my head,” professional golfer, Tiger Woods.

Is it possible to think of all obstacles that may likely get in the way of achieving a dream or a goal? Absolutely! But the secret is not dwell on those obstacles.

While cautioning against dwelling on possible obstacles in the way, Matt Mayberry, CEO of Matt Mayberry Enterprises and contributor to entrepreneur. com, wrote: “The problem is far too often we allow these obstacles to become so big in our minds that it inhibits us from moving forward. This is when many become satisfied with mediocrity. Don’t let this be you. Rather than creating larger-than-life barriers in your mind and dwelling on everything that will hold you back, envision yourself victorious.”

According to him, “if you can’t picture yourself achieving a goal, chances are you won’t. The more vivid you can get, the better it will work for you.”

It keeps you focused “I believe you can take mental snapshots of your future and what success looks like to you. If you mentally see yourself in a scenario, you’ll start to make decisions in your life that get you there,” Sara Blakely, billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Spanx.

Staying in a constant place of

opportunities

ARC 2016:

12 African start-ups to compete for $10,000

By Ruth Olurounbi The Innotribe Startup Challenge for Africa is calling on African start-ups for SWIFT’s African

SEED awards social, environment entrepreneurs

By Ruth Olurounbi SEED, a global partnership for action on sustainable development and the green economy, has opened nominations for start-up enterprises involved in solving pressing local issues by integrating social and environmental benefits into their business models.

The organisation, which supports innovative small-scale and locally driven entrepreneurs around the globe who integrate social and environmental benefits into their business model from the outset, said

winning enterprises will receive a tailor-made business support package, and will over the course of six months, will be offered expert advice on further developing their business plans, individual workshops targeted at their needs, high level profiling of their enterprises and access to an international network of businesses, governments and development institutions.

The winners will be selected by an independent jury of international experts, and will receive their awards at the international awards ceremony during the SEED Africa

Symposium to be held on September 28 and 29, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya.

This year’s awards include: 15 Switch Africa Green-SEED Awards for enterprises in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa or Uganda, four SEED Africa Awards for enterprises in Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia and one SEED Gender Equality Award to an enterprise, run or owned by a woman or women, that prioritises women’s empowerment and is located in Kenya. Deadline for application is March 21, 2016.

$15,000 Tech Women Go entrepreneurial contest opens

By Ruth Olurounbi TECH Women Go Entrepreneurial, a US Consulate funded project aimed at training and developing women who are technologically inclined to solve societal issues through developing technological solutions is holding a contest for Nigerian women involved in tech space.

This edition, strictly for the Nigerian females between the ages of 16 and 45 years of age, seeks women who have business idea delivered through technology, who are highly knowledgeable and interested in technology and are tech savvy.

Organisers said females with abilities to code and develop software are encouraged to apply for the

6 businesses to start today

completion.

The organisers are seeking innovative solutions in art: media, entertainment, tourism; business: economy, transportation; education: employment; health: food; politics: law and governance; religion; NGO and agriculture.

Deadline for application is February 14, 2015.

Regional Conference (ARC), coming up in Mauritius from May 17-19, 2016, for the second year running, The challenge, according to the organisation, gives start-ups young financial technology start-ups an opportunity to showcase their products and receive expert coaching and mentoring.

Entrepreneurship+ learnt that 12 companies will be selected to compete in the event, with three finalists selected to attend Sibos, SWIFT’s annual global financial services conference, which takes place from September 26-29 in Geneva, where the finalists will share the stage with fintech experts and receive $10,000 cash prize each.

“With a billion-plus population, an emerging middle class, fast economic growth and a high expansion of both internet access and mobile penetration, Africa is a hotbed of fintech activity with a lot of ideas, resources and talent still to uncover.

“Through the start-up Challenge, we want to spotlight innovation playing a role in the future of the financial industry across the African continent and provide an opportunity for young fintech companies to use Innotribe’s network and alumni to help them develop to the best of their potential,” Fabian

Vandenreydt, Global Head of Securities, Innotribe and the SWIFT Institute said.

Launched in 2011, the Start-up Challenge has become one of the leading global start-up competitions, connecting the financial services industry with more than 650 fintech start-ups around the world and reaching over 4,000 audience members through global showcases and networking events.

It will be recalled that last year, for the first time, Innotribe partnered with ARC to bring the Startup Challenge to Africa, showcasing “vibrant businesses and a genuine spirit of innovation,” in which iwiafrica, a Uganda-based company powering payments and e-commerce solutions for businesses in emerging markets, emerged as one of African start-ups selected to participate in Sibos 2015 in Singapore.

Allan Rwakatungu, CEO of iwiafrica, had since said that: “Participating in the Innotribe Startup Challenge was one of the most awesome experiences in my life. The most valuable thing is to meet companies, not only startups participating in the programme but also large banks and vendors from all over the world, make connections and close collaboration deals.”

By Ruth Olurounbi

A

s the country tries to stabilise its economy, here are low cost business ideas you can engage in and make some money for yourself at the same time.

Presentation design consultant As businesses, especially small businesses make pitches in an attempt to bid for a contract, the need for slide presentation has grown.

If you have a knack for organising presentation decks for meetings, pitches or classroom presentations, you could turn this into a consultancy business. Wale Famuyide of Ark Solutions has proven that you can turn your passion for great slide presentations into a viable business.

Web development and design This year is one year experts in business predicted that will witness a rise

in mobile consumption, thus creating an opportunity for web designers and developers who are in this field. Web designers and developers are always in high demand and have proven to be valuable to technology companies.

Online courses If you’re an expert at something, there’s likely an audience of people online who would be willing to pay to become an expert in your field – just like you, Ryan Robinson said. YouTube offers an avenue in which you can give online courses. eBooks If you think people don’t buy or read books in hard copy anymore, although that could be debatable, eBooks are great way for you to package your skills to deliver value for those seeking to learn from you. You could package eBooks on careers, tips on how to start a business, or relationship tips which your audience would find useful.

Instagram marketing For those who follow Fashion Bloggers on E entertainment or CNN’s African Start-up, they will notice that Instagram has proven to be a great platform that attracts brands and other relevant business organisations to people interested in using their account for business. You could also build your account to attract brands who will contract you to sell their businesses to your followers.

Online ad specialist Google is training people in Africa on how to use their tools to make money. One of it is the Google adwords. If you have taken the course, or you are a specialist in online advertising, this is an avenue to use your skills to make money for yourself.

As you gradually bring on more clients, you realise that consulting business begins to grow. Nigeria’s Webcoupers are one great example that comes to mind.

26

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

corporatefocus GSK Nigeria, Pharma-Deko compete for consumers’ disposable income Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

G

laxoSmithKline is one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Headquartered in the UK with major business operations in the US. In Nigeria, GlaxoSmithKline has been a dominant and leading force in the healthcare industry, having a strong presence in the country for the past 40 years.

On the other hand, Pharma-Deko Plc started in Nigeria as Parke-Davis & Company (US) operating a non-trading branch in Nigeria to promote its range of Quality Pharmaceutical products. Pharma Deko was the first Pharmaceutical Company in Nigeria to be ISO CERTIFIED (NIS ISO 9001) 12th may, 1999 Certificate No. 0000020.

However, the difficult economic challenges bedevilling Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has stunted the growth of many companies including GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc and its competitor in the pharmaceutical sector, Pharma-Deko Nigeria Plc, as both companies adopted different strategies to win more customers in order to maximise the wealth of their shareholders.

Moreover, despite the fact that the two companies adopted different strategies to multiply shareholders’ wealth by controlling larger market share, the analysis of some fundamental ratios from their third quarter (Q3) 2015 financial reports may guide prospective investors and shareholders in taking investment decision regarding the companies.

The key financial ratios that we will be looking at are Profitability ratios, Liquidity ratios, Debt/Equity ratio and Earnings Per Share.

From the analysis of the two financial reports, it was discovered that the management of Pharma-Deko relied on debt financing strategy to run the operations of the firm which accounted for the erosion of shareholders’ wealth in form of interest payment on loan stock.

Pharma-Deko recorded high gearing ratio of 10.28 compared with GSK Consumer Nigeria which recorded 1.34 gearing ratio.

The implication of debt stock on highly geared firm is that huge percentage of the profit recorded during the period will be

used to pay interest on loan while part of the remaining profit may be eclared as dividend for the shareholders if approved at the Annual General Meeting of the firm.

GSK recorded return on equity of 3.82 per cent while Pharma-Deko recorded 137.7 per cent; their respective returns on asset were 1.63 per cent and 5.29 per cent. ROA is the ratio of annual net income to average total assets of a firm during a financial year.

Gross margin indicates how efficient the firms’ management were in terms of profitability and the two firms were very efficient because GSK posted 32.15 per cent as gross margin while Pharma-Deko posted 52.6 per cent.

Net profit margin indicates how much profit is realised and available for distribution to shareholders after tax payment to government. In this regard, Pharma-Deko performed better by posting 13.2 per cent while GSK posted 2.11 per cent.

Pharma-Deko also performed better in area of operating margin by recording 4.44 per cent while GSK recorded 2.86 per cent.

Due to the fact that the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria depends on liquidity in the economy to strive, operators within the sector have to be liquid in other to compete favourably in the sector. This may have been responsible for both firms to have a healthy Current Ratio.

GSK had a current ratio of 1.09 while Pharma-Deko had a current ratio of 1.5. GSK considers divestment option. The management of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has confirmed to Nigerian Tribune that it is in discussion with the management of Suntory Beverage & Food (SBF) Ltd over possible divestment of its bottling and distribution arm of the business.

The discussion, according to the company, has to bother on a non-binding offer it received from SBF. According to the Legal Director and Company Secretary, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Uche Uwechia, “The Board of GSK has a duty to consider the non-binding offer and ensure that stakeholders are informed and engaged. We operate in a very challenging environment and it is the company’s responsibility to consider all options to in-

crease shareholder value.”

He stated that the non-binding offer it received from SBF is for its Drinks Business comprising the bottling and distribution of Ribena and Lucozade and part of the Agbara manufacturing site.

Presently, the company said the Board is considering the offer and expects to make a decision after the appointment of its professional advisers and negotiation with SBF. Uwechia explained that any potential sale would be subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and, until it completes, the Drinks Business would belong to GSK Nigeria and business as usual would be maintained.

While the discussion is going on, Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the Board has granted SBF access to certain due diligence information, but there can be no assurance that SBF will make a binding offer following completion of their due dil-

igence review, or whether the terms of any such offer will be acceptable.

Uwechia stated further that “we expect to be able to update shareholders further in due course. The financial terms of SBFs non-binding offer remain confidential and any potential sale would be subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and, until it completes, the drinks business belongs to GSK Nigeria and “business as usual” would be maintained without any change to the terms of employees working on the drinks business, no change to the commercial arrangements of customers.

“If the transaction is agreed and the shareholders and regulators were to approve the sale, the retained GSK Consumer Healthcare Nigeria business would comprise Wellness, Oral healthcare, Nutrition and Pharmaceutical/Vaccines businesses, and would remain listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).”

Return on Equity (ROE) This is a ratio that measures the ability of a firm to generate profit from its shareholders investments in the company. It is calculated as Net Income/Shareholders’ Equity.

GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 485,942/12,716,660=3.82%

Pharma-Deko Plc 149,361/108,471=137.7%

Return on Asset (ROA) This is the ratio of annual net income to average total assets of a firm during a financial year. It is calculated as Net Income/Total Assets GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 485,942/29,800,262=1.63%

Pharma-Deko Plc 149,361/2,821,216=5.29%

Gross Margin This tells you about the profitability of the company’s products. It indicates how much it costs to produce these products. It is calculated as Gross Profit/Net Sales GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 7,407,245/23,040,004=32.15%

Pharma-Deko Plc 595,326/1,131,334=52.6%

Operating Margin This takes into account cost of producing the product that are unrelated to the direct production of products such as overhead and administrative expenses. This is calculated as Operating Profit/Net Sales GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 659,519/23,040,004=2.86%

Pharma-Deko Plc 50,275/1,131,334=4.44%

Net Profit Margin This looks at how much of company’s returns are kept as net income. This is calculated as Net Profit/Sales Revenue GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 485,942/23,040,004=2.11%

Pharma-Deko Plc 149,361/1,131,334=13.2%

Current Ratio This is the ability of the company to meet to short term obligations as they fall due. It s calculated as Current Assets/Current Liabilities GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 16,648,963/15,235,876=1.09

Pharma-Deko Plc 1,576,342/1,043,706=1.5

Debt/Equity ratio is a financial ratio that indicates the relative proportion of shareholders equity and debt used to finance the company’ assets. This is calculated as Debt/Equity.

Lekan Asuni, MD, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc

Adekunle Abibu, MD, Pharma-Deko Plc

GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc 17,083,602/12,716,660=1.34

Pharma-Deko Plc 1,115,067/108,471=10.28

27

Monday, 8 February, 2016

moneymarket

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Chima Nwokoji

m:08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo.com

weeklyreview

From left, Kunle Elebute, Partner and Head, Advisory Services, KPMG; Nike James, Partner, Tax Risk Management; Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance; Tola Adeyemi, Partner and Head, Audit Services, KPMG and Victor Onyenkpa, Partner and Head, Tax Regulatory and People Services at the KPMG CFO forum and survey report presentation in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

GTBank launches cash tender for $500m Eurobond Stories By Chima Nwokoji

N

igeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank yesterday launched a cash tender for its $500 million, a 7.5 per cent Eu-

robond maturing May 2016.

This, the bank said would boost its financial strength as well as its commitment to excellence and best practices.

In its statement, the bank said the liabil-

Stanbic IBTC Bank to support sustainable business growth

Stanbic IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has restated its commitment to ensure businesses grow in a sustainable way, in line with its pledge to move individuals and businesses forward.

Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking of the bank, Mr Babatunde Macaulay, made this commitment via a statement.

Macaulay said “the bank plans to achieve this by engaging more deeply with clients through an excellent relationship management team with local knowledge and expertise that will seek

to understand the client’s business in such a way that will help it provide adequate support for the business locally and across our operations globally to achieve sustainable growth.

“We remain focused and determined to ensure business sustainability. This determination is reflected in our new value proposition to our commercial banking clients, launched in November 2015. The new proposition will ensure that we continue to meet your project financing and foreign exchange needs while providing you with access to other markets across

CBN Rates as at 2/4/2016 Currency

Buying

US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI RIYAL DANISH KRONA SDR

196 285.278 219.2848 195.8238 1.6672 0.3075 270.6225 29.7999 52.2402 29.3787 271.3032

NITTY

Central (NGN) 196.5 286.0058 219.8442 196.3233 1.6715 0.3175 271.3128 29.8764 52.3735 29.4536 271.9953

Selling (NGN) 197 286.7335 220.4036 196.8229 1.6757 0.3275 272.0032 29.9529 52.5067 29.5286 272.6874

Government Securities

Tenor

Rate (%)

1M

2.8625 -1.29 ▼

2M

4.2836 -0.28 ▼

3M

4.7978 -0.10 ▼

6M

7.9350 0.14 ▲

9M

8.7365 0.01 ▲

12M

9.3815 0.09 ▲

NIBBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

O/N

0.8817

-0.17 ▼

1M

7.9286

-0.39 ▼

3M

9.1406

-0.39 ▼

6M

10.4241

-0.56 ▼

Auction Date

1/22/2026

Security Type

FGN Bonds

Tenor

10 Year

Auction No

20-01-2016-10 Year

Auction

Primary Market

Maturity Date

1/22/2016

Total Subscription

74.99

Total Successful

35

Range Bid

5.7856 - 15.0000

Successful Bid Rates

5.7856 - 12.5000

Description

Maginal

Rate

12.5

True Yield

0

Amount Offered (mn)

40

Marginal Rate

0

True Yield

ity management exercise allowed the bank to efficiently manage its liquidity by addressing in full debt maturing in 2016.

Generally, in a cash tender offer, cash is offered to company stockholders in exchange for their shares.

These deals can offer investors attractive returns.

The extent to which this goal can be achieved through the offer will depend on the number of securities that will be tendered, giving the voluntary nature of the offer.

GTBank said it intends to maintain cash available to repay any outstanding securities, not tendered in full at maturity. It added that any securities purchased by the offeror would be surrendered for cancellation to the principal paying agent in respect of the securities.

The statement read in part, “If the offeror decides to accept valid tenders of securities pursuant to the offer, the total amount the offeror will pay holders on the settlement date for each $1,000 in principal amount of securities accepted for purchase pursuant to the offer will be an amount (rounded to the nearest $0.01) equal to the purchase price and accrued interest on such $1,000 in principal amount.”

It further explained that on the purchase price, the bank said that the offer or would pay for securities accepted by it for purchase pursuant to the offer at the fixed purchase price of $1,002.50 per $1,000 in principal amount of such securities.

Money Market Review The financial system opened last week with a high level of naira liquidity - in excess of N900 billion.

This was due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) foreign exchange (FX) intervention auction refund, Friday before last. Despite an open market operation (OMO) mop up of N113.7 billion at a marginal rate of 7.8 per cent on Monday, rates remained stable as open buy back (OBB) and over night (O/N) rates moderated four basis points (bps) and 17bps (from last week’s close) to close at 0.7 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively. However, liquidity levels declined on Tuesday due to provisioning by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for the CBN FX intervention auction held on Thursday, thus money market rates spiked to 5.8 per cent for OBB and 6.0 per cent for O/N. In a note to investors at the end of the week, Afrinvest West Africa Limited observed that rates moderated on Wednesday by an average of 107bps but inched higher on Thursday as the CBN issued N50 billion more than the maturing treasury-bills at the Primary Market Auction (PMA).

The volatility in the money market continued on Friday as system liquidity increased on the back of the CBN FX intervention refund, dropping OBB rates to 0.6 per cent and O/N to 1.0 per cent, slightly lower than 0.8 per cent and 1.2 per cent in the previous week.

There was a T-bills auction of N242.5 billion on Wednesday, more than N192.2 billion that matured on Thursday.

The T-bills auctioned were the 91 days, 182 days and 364 days tenors and were issued at stop rates of 5 per cent, 8 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively. Consequently, rates stayed high until Friday when refunds were made for unfulfilled bids at the currency auction, with average rates across tenors closing at 6.3 per cent, up 36bps week on week.

Afrinvest said it expects T-bills rates to gyrate to liquidity dynamics this week.

Foreign Exchange Review Activities in the foreign exchange market last week was largely in line with what transpired in the previous week.

The Naira/Dollar exchange rate was stable at all segments of the market, with the CBN official rate and interbank rate flat at N197.00/$1 and N199.10/$1 respectively.

Despite the N113.7 billion mopped up by the CBN from the financial system via an issuance of OMO bills on Monday, before banks submitted bids on Tuesday ahead of a CBN FX intervention auction demand was still high as financial system liquidity fell by over N500 billion after banks submitted bids for the FX auction.

Against the scarcity of FX and the restrictions in the official and interbank segments, the spread between the interbank and the BDC/Parallel segments of the FX markets have stayed high (N105.90 – N106.00) as the currency traded within a band of N305/$1 and N306/$1 at the BDC and parallel markets last week.

Although arguments in favor of devaluation remain peak in foreign exchange analysis across the industry, official statements from fiscal and monetary authorities suggest an adjustment would not be made in the short term. However, analysts believe that against the fiscal plan to borrow US$3.5 billion from multi-lateral sources to finance the 2016 budget deficit, an adjustment would likely be made before the 2016 budget is passed for more flexibility in foreign exchange management.

Bond Market Review The bonds market was bearish last week as a result of profit taking by investors in preparation for the February bond auction.

Thus, average yields increased by 40bps on Monday. The momentum was sustained on Tuesday, with a high sell pressure observed, which drove rates up by an average of 25bps.

Dealers said yields increased further by 15bps and 10bps on Wednesday and Thursday with focus broadly concentrated on January 2022 and July 2034 bonds as investors free up position ahead of primary market auction.

Average yield settled at 11.1 per cent on Friday relative to 10.8 per cent in the previous week increasing 31bps W-o-W.

28

moneymarket

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Why most customers ignored dollar deposit into domiciliary account Stories By Chima Nwokoji

W

ith foreign exchange reserves at its lowest levels in recent time, increased dollar scarcity and a lot of measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to

manage exchange rate, most bank customers have refused to make deposits into their domiciliary accounts, fearing that it is a trap set by the authorities to mop up all the dollars in people’s hand and bar them from withdrawing them at will.

The CBN had on the 11th of January, 2016 issued a directive, authorising commercial banks in Nigeria to resume acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits.

A businessman, Mr David Kwusue who has a domiciliary account in a new gener-

ation bank, told Nigerian Tribune that the lifting of embargo by the apex bank is nothing but a trap.

He said his fears were heightened by a number of factors which include CBN’s discontinuation of the daily interbank forex sales and stoppage of the

sale of dollars to the Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

“To heighten the mixed signals, it allowed citizens to deposit dollar cash into banks again raising suspicion to the effect that, most customers ignored the guideline, seeing it as a trap.

“Bank customers with foreign-denominated bank accounts in Nigeria are complaining that the banks still cannot even cash their over-the-counter cheques and give them funds from their dollar accounts when they need it.” banking However, sources revealed that there is a backlog of negotiated letters of credit, even as Nigerian sovereign bond yields rose to above 11 per

Nigerian Tribune

cent per annum.

This analysts say, is evidence of an erosion of confidence as investors fear possible defaults, but some analysts still remain hopeful that the CBN will accelerate the payment of backlog of letters of credit arrears.

Meanwhile, companies are complaining they cannot get the dollars they need to do business. And trading in the naira has since dried up.

The CBN is not meeting all legitimate requests for dollars while stating that it will. This sends a wrong signal by showing everyone that dollar supply is being rationed, meaning it is in short supply relative to demand.

Sterling Bank flags off N6m business plan competition

From Left, Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Tony Okpanachi; Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi; Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, John Aboh; Chairman, Weststar Associates, Mercedes center, Benson Uwatse and Group Executive Domestic Bank, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Patrick Akinwuntan, at the launch of Ecobank Premier Lounge at the Mercedes Place in Lekki, Lagos.

Unstable rates expected on scheduled bond issuance, maturities Money market rates are expected to stay volatile this week, opening at low levels due to high system liquidity but should inch higher midweek.

Dealers said an expected bond re-opening worth N90 billion is scheduled to be issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO) on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. The sum of N40 billion of FGN February 2020 and N50 billion of FGN Jan-

uary 2026, is expected to be offered to interested participants.

However, other dealers expect rates to decline towards the end of the week with an open market operation (OMO) maturity of N234.4 billion to hit the system on Thursday.

“We expect rates to stay volatile this week, opening at low levels due to high system liquidity but should inch higher midweek when

banks make provision for FX intervention and a scheduled bond auction,” dealers at Afrinvest said.

With aggressive mop up exercise by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as observed in recent time, together with higher risk environment, dealers expect marginal rates at upcoming bond auction to be slightly higher than the previous.

Hence, there is general expectation that bearish senti-

ment will persist in the secondary market ahead of the Wednesday auction.

In the T-bills market, some sell pressures were observed in short term maturities last week Monday due to the OMO bills auctioned by the CBN, pushing average rate across tenors marginally higher to 6.1 per cent. However, due to tighter liquidity in the financial system, rates spiked up to an average of 6.5 per cent by Wednesday.

Fear grips bank workers on massive sack rumour Most bank workers now go about their work, nursing fears of being shown the way out, following rumours of mass sack as they await the outcome of last year’s staff appraisals.

Within the last few days, Nigerians have been inundated with reports of retrenchment in the nation’s banking sector.

Just last week, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) relieved 150 staff of their duties as confirmed by a top official of the bank.

It was gathered that those affected represented five per cent of the bank’s (3,000) workforce, even as the bank claimed it had also employed some new staff to

replace some of the affected workers whose sack took effect on January 19.

This development was neither peculiar to the banking industry nor to FCMB, as some other companies and banks had done same recently but kept it a guarded secret.

An online publication recently reported that a prominent second generation bank has served some of its employees notice of termination of their appointments and services.

According to the report, “We are unable to ascertain the actual figure of those affected, with initial report claiming no fewer than 1,200 were involved from all

the bank’s branches, while a source close to the bank said that about 240 people, including eight general managers and 40 assistant general managers, were affected.”

The sack fever has been attributed to the economic downturn of the country due to weak prices of global commodities.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for the implementation of a Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive on zero Commission on Turnover (CoT) did not help matters for the banks. This is because many of them that had huge government funds to trade with

lost them to the TSA, while around N100 billion has been lost in revenue following the directive by the CBN for the phasing out of CoT. The anxiety was further heightened at the weekend, following the projection by Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr Bismarck Rewane, that banks may commence massive staff retrenchment in the second quarter of 2016 due to the tough economic situation.

Rewane, who made this forecast in his firm’s projection for 2016, also stated that state governments would retrench a significant number of workers in the first quarter of this year.

Sterling Bank Plc has committed N6 million to the commencement of its second season of Meet The Executive (MTE) initiative, a business plan competition with opportunities for winners to access grants to finance their businesses.

The fund is part of the bank’s efforts at encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting economic growth in Nigeria.

MTE is a social media led initiative geared towards supporting small business and budding entrepreneurs. The initiative is currently in the call for entries stage where interested participants submit their business ideas and plans on the bank’s website, then a review will be conducted by an independent consultant, HT Limited.

The selected applicant in the next stage will un-

dergo training, after which the entrepreneurs present their revised business plans to a panel comprising top executives of the bank, judges and venture capitalists.

Addressing journalists on the initiative over the weekend, Executive Director, Chief Finance Officer, Abubakar Suleiman said the initiative is aimed at supporting young Nigerians who have good ideas, but do not have fund or knowledge on how to run or establish the business.

He said that Sterling Bank deems it appropriate to partner with such group of people by training and guiding them on the best way to start and sustain the business, stressing that the initiative was designed to support the growth of the economy and not entirely for profit.

Skye Bank, ChamsMobile win award for product innovation Skye Bank Plc and ChamsMobile have jointly won the Nigerian best mobile money/Card combination award for their joint development and activation of a product known as ‘Kegow Visa Virtual Card.’

The award was presented to the winning organisations at the Kalahari Awards 2016, during the 6th Remittance and Mobile Money Conference, which took place in Lagos at the weekend.

The organisers of the awards, Kalahari Awards, commended both Chams Mobile and Skye Bank for partnering to develop an innovative and revolutionary

virtual card to ease payment for transactions as well as facilitate e-commerce.

The Kalahari Awards which brought together mobile money operators and card services providers from across Africa seeks to appreciate and honour operators that have distinguished themselves in the industry for their game-chaing innovations.

The innovative and Nigeria’s first Kegow Visa Virtual Card is an innovation from ChamsMobile and Skye Bank Plc, developed in association with technical and joint venture partners, Bancore, Global Technology Partners and Chams Plc.

29

capitalmarket

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Equities market posts 1.73%, loses N1.63trn StoriesByKehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba-Lagos

A

turnover of 5.087 billion shares worth N18.487 billion in 16,711 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 1.133 billion shares valued at N9.463 billion that exchanged hands in the preceding week in 16,680 deals.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 4.896 billion shares val-

SEC releases guidelines on index circuit breakers’ rule The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has released its interpretative guidance on the circuit breakers’ rule at the weekend.

The exchange also notified the market of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s January 19, 2016 approval of amendments to the rule.

The implementation of circuit breaker system is consistent with the procedures prescribed by the NSE noted that the interpretative guidance, the text of the rule and related documents may be viewed at the website of the exchange, www.nse.com.ng.

The Nigerian bourse introduced the circuit breaker last month to curtail the price instability for equities.

According to a statement by the NSE, halt in trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange was expected for 30 minutes if the All Share Index moves five per cent from the previous day’s close between 10:15 am and 1:45 pm, the market will close for the day if the circuit breaker is triggered for a second time or after 13:45 pm.

The circuit breaker contained in Article 170 under the NSE rules and regulations, was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission since May 19, 2014, but has not been activated.

The circuit breaker stipulates further that “If, following the reopening of trading after a significant market move halt, the All Share Index moves further by a minimum of five below its closing value on the immediately preceding trading day, during any trading day the exchange will halt all trading for the remainder of the day. The last traded price in any security prior to the closing of the market shall be deemed the closing price in such security for the day.”

Also, the re-opening of trading following a trading halt shall follow the procedures as may be set forth by the exchange.

“Nothing in this Rule shall be construed to limit the ability of the Exchange to otherwise halt, suspend, or pause the trading in any stock or stocks traded on the exchange pursuant to any other exchange rule or policy,” the NSE declared.

China Bourse scrapped its controversial circuit-breaker in January after finding that rather than save its stocks, it led investors to rush out on days of dwindling declines in stocks.

Scepticism, however, surrounded the NSE’s underlying motives of introducing the circuit-breaker. Some believed the goal is to prop-up the ailing exchange which lost around 17 per cent last year following the fallout from record-low oil prices.

ued at N11.396 billion traded in 9,840 deals (measured by volume); thus contributing 96.25 per cent and 61.64 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates followed with 78.909 million shares worth N211.328 million in 604 deals. The third place was occupied by the Industrial Goods Industry with a turnover of 38.917 million shares worth N4.185 billion in 1,010 deals.

Wema Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Zenith International Bank Plc, we’re the top three traded equities, measured by volume, thus accounting for 4.261 billion shares worth N8,548 billion in 3,763 deals, representing 83.76 per cent and 46.24 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation depreciated by 1.73 per cent

to close the week at 23,501.87 and N8.083 trillion respectively. Similarly, all other Indices finished lower during the week, with the exception of the NSE ASeM Index, NSE Insurance Index and the NSE Oil/Gas Index that appreciated by 0.07 per cent, 0.86 per cent and 4.02 per cent respectively.

By the end of last week trade, 30 equities appreciated in price, however lower than 38 equities of the previous week. 40 equities depreciated in price, higher than 29 equities of the previous week, while 120 equities remained unchanged, lower than 123 equities recorded in the previous week Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market lost more than N1.63 trillion in January due to profit-taking and currency volatility, according to statistics from NSE, representing a drop of 16.50 per cent to close at N8.225 trillion from the N9.850 trillion in December.

Also, the All-Share Index decreased by 4,726.10 points or 16.50 per cent to close for the month at 23,916.15 against 28,642.25 posted in December.

The volume of shares traded also declined by 5.67 billion shares worth N42.05 billion traded in 67,479 deals from the 7.23 billion shares valued N55.28 billion transacted in 53,414 deals in December. The decline represented 21.58 per cent.

According to the report, the financial services sector remained the toast of investors during the period, accounting for 3.87 billion shares worth N16.93 billion traded in 27,065 deals.

Operators, however, attributed the downward trend to the lingering instability in the global equity market, while positing that the market might improve before the end of the month when investors would reposition for companies’ reports for dividend payouts.

SEC commences e-dividend sensitisation in Lagos today The Securities and Exchange Commission will on Monday, 8 February commence a four-day robust public enlightenment programme on e-dividend registration in Lagos.

According to a release made available to the Nigerian Tribune, The event would start with a road show in strategic places within the state for three days, while a town hall meeting would cap the event on Thursday, 11 February, at the Muson Centre.

It will be recalled that the e-dividend sensitisation campaign kick stated in Abuja some weeks back with the SEC DirectorGeneral, Mounir Gwarzo promising further campaign across the geo-political zones of the country.

The SEC last year July, in collaboration

with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) launched the e-payment platform and advised investors and all shareholders in the capital market to approach their banks/registrars to obtain an e-dividend mandate form for immediate processing and upload to the e-Dividend Mandate Management System (e-DMMS).

According to Mounir Gwarzo the e-Dividend platform was a game changer in the market that would ensure that infractions are reduced to the barest minimum level.

The DG had expressed satisfaction with the level of success recorded so far as a result of the on-going enlightenment campaign, while urging investors to take advantage of the services and visit their bank/registrars

to be advised accordingly on the registration process.

“We have all agreed that this is the way to go. It is now left for the investors to go and register. All stakeholders are to be registered free in the first 90 days, after which a fine of N100 will be imposed.

“Once the e-dividend is in place, the issue of stale warrant and the travelling of investors from one place to another for the purpose of depositing the warrant would be a thing of the past,” the DG said.

After the registration process, the next phase, according to Gwarzo, would look into claims by investors who have dividends that are less than 12 years old, adding that, once the registrars certified that the claimers were the owners, payment would be made.

Choice stock of the week International Breweries Plc, last week, made the first of the top gainers for the week amidst a highly volatile market.

The company’s share value made an increase of 27.81 per cent by adding N4.45 kobo in a five-day trade, to close at N20.45 kobo per share.

The quoted company made 73 deals with 1,260,410 shares worth N21 million in a week, as its market capitalisation stands at N67.4 billion.

30

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

labour

Why we are resisting new increase in electricity tariff — Wabba, NLC President The organised labour will today take to the streets across all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on protest rallies and picketing of Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS) offices nationwide and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), headquarters in Abuja, over the electricity tariff increase. Labour will equally storm Imo State on Wednesday to protest against Governor Rochas Okorocha’s sack of 5,000 workers through a radio announcement and other anti-labour policies of the governor. SOJI-EZE FAGBEMI takes on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, on these issues. Excerpts:

L

abour’s readiness to protest against increased electricity tariff and picketing of DISCOS offices Already the National Executive Council has taken a decision to reject the tariff increase which is so outrageous, especially in some areas where the increase is even more than 50 per cent. For instance, in Abuja and Mina axis, the increase is from N14 per kilowatts to N23.50 per kilowatts, which is more than 50 per cent increase.

People are protesting already on their own, but we have directed our state councils to provide leadership for those customers, because they should be able to ventilate their arguments and frustration to the relevant agencies, especially DISCOS. In Abuja for instance, we will converge go to DISCOS, as well as the regulatory agencies because they are flouting due process.

There is a subsisting court injunction restraining the increase, but they have gone ahead to sanction the increase. I am sure that is against the rule of law, therefore, we must tell them that if we want peace and stability in our country, everybody must conform to the rule of law.

Why must they do the biding of very few capitalists that have invested in the power sector privatisation exercise, than looking at the larger interest of the Nigerian society who are being impoverished on daily bases? The fact is very clear, there is no light and you want people to pay for darkness.

About 60 per cent of Nigerians are still being billed on estimated billing system which is unfair and unjust.

So for us, we have mobilised our people; we will be there to provide leadership and we are going to those three places including the National Assembly because they must make law to stop this type of inhuman decisions that will not take us anywhere. This is the third time they are increasing the tariff and it is the same old stories they are telling us, that after privatisation everything will be normalised, there would be power 24/7. That was how they did the first increase; the second increase was under the same pretext. This is the third increase and nothing has changed.

How many megawatts have they

Wabba added to the existing megawatts since the privatisation process?

The entire capacity of Nigeria generating plant is less than 5,000 megawatts. They have not reached that target of 5,000 megawatts, even years down the line when the sector had been privatised. So, it is very cear that it has failed and they have added no value.

The Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola’s declaration that National Assembly cannot stop the electricity tariff increase I don’t think that is true. National Assembly through law can stop such increase. This is the third time there is an increase under the pretext of encouraging investors

and it has turn out to be flout.

We are aware that some of them have interests in the electricity companies, so people are speaking from the point of their interest. It is not in the interest of the larger Nigerian society, but their parochial business interest.

That is what is driving those comments, and I think that comment is uncomplimentary, it is not something that should be made.

National Assembly can make laws for the good of the people and therefore they can make laws to stop all these carnage in the system.

On Imo State On Imo State, you know our slogan is “injury to one is injury to

The sack of the 5,000 workers must be reversed because it is illegal.

That is the only condition we have.

You don’t employ or sack workers through a radio announcement.

all.” It is very clear that Rochas have not honoured his words. We were there last week and he made very clear statements that he was not ready to sack any worker or even reduce salary, but it is unfortunate that he could not keep his words.

We must therefore ensure that political leaders are responsible, transparent and must be able to honour their words. We are also aware that he has not judiciously utilised the bailout. It is one of the states we have a very big question mark on whether or not the bailouts had been utilised and it is very clear that it has not been utilised.

So we have an ax to grind with him, as the sack of the 5,000 workers must be reversed because it is illegal. That is the only condition we have. You don’t employ or sack workers through a radio announcement.

Public service rules are very clear about rules of engagement and employment. He is a public officer, so he cannot also do what is not within the confine of the laws. What he has done is illegal, it is just mere announcement, it doesn’t has any effect.

Workers’ readiness to confront the armed thugs and militias The most worrisome aspect is the use of armed thugs to chase workers out of their offices, including medical doctors, where some of them were even maltreated. We have officially written to Mr President, that gone are the days when workers will fold their arms and allow people to continue to molest them even where those processes are illegal.

We have also written to the IG and DSS that we will inform the workers that henceforth, it should now be “an eye for an eye.” When any thug comes with any weapon to inflict injuries on workers, workers should also be ready for them at their work place. Any thug that comes in, let them also be held and we will be ready to defend them because we are saying enough of these recklessness by the political elite. Those armed militias are not known to law; they are illegal and therefore we have what it takes to also match them. This is what we are going for, to empower our people and also ask them to respond effectively to some of these threats.

There is no way a worker that

has worked for 30 years, put in all his youthful years and energy, and through radio announcement without taking care of his pension, his gratuity, his condition of service, or considering the fact that he has family, pronounce that he is no longer needed in the service. That should not be expected in a democratic dispensation and therefore, it is one issue that has pushed all of us to the wall and we must respond.

So, we would be there in our numbers, including myself and we would provide leadership and any of the militias that he is ready to use, we will be ready to confront them. If he has militias groups that he thinks he can use to molest and chase workers out of their work place, we will also tell him that the land belongs to us; we own the land, therefore we will be ready to confront them.

If they come to chase us out, we will also chase them out because we have the numbers and we also have people with us; we are going to defeat them certainly. These are the issues we need to put on record and we have already some agencies of government on notice; we have written to the president, the IG and the Director General SSS that if they use any uncivilised or unlawful means against any worker, including the armed militias, we are going to respond effectively.

Okorocha treats workers as slaves after begging for their votes We will not allow a situation where workers will continue to be treated in a manner that portends them as slaves. They are not slaves, even slaves will not be treated the way he is treating workers.

He is the same person that came to the NLC office in Imo when he was seeking for reelection. He was in their office begging and portraying himself as somebody who is a saint, saying that he would work for the people, but it is very clear now that he is not working for the people.

He has almost mortgaged every aspect of the state from revenue generation to water that is supposed to be free, everything has been mortgaged. So, it is high time we tried to engage such political elites because their philosophy of governance is different from what we expect as citizens and as ordinary people.

31

Monday, 8 February, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 taiadis@yahoo.com

Media, alleged looters and question of fairness President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign has thrown up the question of perceived media trial and conviction of suspects in some quarters, YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports.

F

ew months back when President Muhammadu Buhari announced that the trial of alleged treasury looters was about to commence and the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), declared that anyone who knew that his hands were dirty should come out and confess, many knew it was not going to be business as usual At that time, a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, had called for caution, urging that the rule of law must be allowed to prevail. His stance was supported by a renowned cleric, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Reverend Matthew Kukah, who felt that a probe at this period could be diversionary for a nation that had been traumatised, expressing the belief that what was needed was healing, and practical measures to assuage the hurt.

The trials have started and there is an avalanche of allegations in the media, as well as contradictory reports trailing each trial.

Getting the right information becomes a herculean task, as so many stories crop up in various media with diverse figures and information. An offshoot of this is the condemnation of suspects by the masses on various social media platforms, a development that has made many to criticise what is now referred to as trial of suspects in the media.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, at the weekend, condemned the trial of looters in the media, describing it as convicting the suspects without giving them fair hearing. He advocated the implementation of a proper plea bargain system as a way of saving time and recovering the resources that were allegedly stolen.

Akeredolu made this assertion while speaking at the valedictory court session held by the Oyo state judiciary for Hon Justice Misitura Agbaje-Oladeinde, who just took a bow out of the bench, at Court 1 of the State High Court, Ring road, Ibadan.

According to him, media trial of suspects means that they have been condemned without their trial. He said that recovery of looted money should be the important aspect and determination of how many years convicts will spend in jail, following a plea bargain arrangement. He reiterated that an effective plea bargain system would save the prosecution a lot of embarrassment.

“Can we continue with the media trial of suspects? At what point is one deemed guilty.

If you find N5m in someone’s account, is the person guilty before being proved guilty and that guilt is established? We cannot continue the way we are going with media trial of suspects. At the end of the day, you have condemned them even before the trial and we will be the ones that will more or less suffer for it if at the end of the trial, they are found to be innocent of the allegations.

Ibrahim Magu, EFCC boss

The opinions are diverse but one thing remains constant: every suspect is innocent until adjudged guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Those that are going to try them; are they equipped for these trials? When Father Kukah said some things, some of us condemned him. But we must sit down and reconsider some things. When people make away with money, can we get them to do a plea bargain? This might save the prosecutor a lot of embarrassment because, from what I can see, both the EFCC and the ICPC are not equipped for a trial of the nature we are facing today.

“I want to call on the government to look at it again. What we want is our money back, what we want is not 500 charges of which none will be proved. What we need is two or three charges,” he said.

A top shot of the pan-Yoruba group, Af-

Justice Mahmud, CJN

enifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, also once expressed the view that looters should be taken to court. He urged the Federal Government to arraign anyone indicted, as eventual court judgments would determine whether the suspects were guilty or not.

He frowned at the act of trying suspects on the pages of the newspapers, adding that the proper thing to do was for the government to proceed to court with the evidences at its disposal. He reiterated that the government must follow constitutional procedures while pressing charges against all suspects.

According to him, “You cannot be the accuser, prosecutor and judge in your own case.

In as much as I appreciate efforts to rid the country of corruption, things must be done constitutionally. All the people indicted in the arms deal case are all innocent until proved guilty by competent courts.”

Many have also raised this concern, expressing the view that in as much as they understand the plight of the present administration and its frustration in the face of the extensive looting of the country’s resources by a few people who found their way into leadership positions, there is a need to tread with care so as not to flout the rules.

They are of the opinion that fairness, equity, rule of law, good conscience and justice need to be vigorously pursued in the anti corruption fight. According to them, the rule of law

is paramount in the fight, considering the stand of the law that dictates that all accused persons are adjudged innocent until proved guilty in a transparent and fair trial and before a court of competent jurisdiction.

They argue that, until the prosecution proves its case, every suspect is entitled to the benefit of doubt. But when cases are publicized widely, as it is being done, especially in the arms deal scandal, it is probable that the suspects have already been condemned before the actual trial.

This group believes that it is important that the agencies saddled with the prosecution of suspects base all their activities on laid down democratic processes and the rule of law.

Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, was of the opinion that suspects should not be tried in the media. According to him, “The world over, investigation into criminal activities are conducted under cover. It is only when there is a leadway that the public gets to hear of it.

“By now, we should have a global list of all those who benefitted from the so-called Dasukigate, to be able to see how many of them are currently holding big positions in the APC-led government, rather than keeping Dasuki permanently in custody so that people will not hear his own side of the story.

“So, in truth, this government is not truly fighting corruption but using it as a political tool to blacklist opposition candidates and those likely to have future political ambitions.

Secondly, it is clear to all Nigerians by now that this government lacks any economic direction so it becomes handy and convenient to lap on to some anti corruption campaign to cover the ineptitude and cluelessness of this regime,” Adegboruwa said.

However, another group argues that there is nothing wrong in the agencies giving out information, as the people need to know what the government is doing, adding that this is what the freedom of information is about. A former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Dave Ajetomobi, said there was a need for information about suspected looters to be given out to the public.

“There is nothing like media trial. You tell me whether anyone has been brought to your office for trial. It is just like the Federal Government telling us about the state of things in the country, including corruption. The Federal Government tells us about refineries, economy, electricity etc. No one is complaining about media economy, media refineries or media electricity.

“We deserve to know what government is doing hence, it is merely updating us on its activities in all areas. Only the corrupt are uncomfortable with the updates. It is expedient for the government to give regular update on anti corruption war to prevent looters from rushing to the media to say they are being victimized on political grounds,” Ajetomobi said.

The opinions are diverse but one thing remains constant: every suspect is innocent until adjudged guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

32

politics&policy

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Why I can’t join APC —Ex-LP nat. secretary Legal practitioner, Kayode Ajulo, resigned recently as the national secretary of the Labour Party (LP).

He speaks to journalists on the rule of law, among other issues. BOLA BADMUS brings excerpts:

H

ow true is the news in some quarters that Governor Olusegun Mimiko is considering you as his suc-

cessor?

Successor to Dr Mimiko as the governor of Ondo State should not be a thing that should be shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. I doubt the news as I have not been informed by Dr Mimiko of the news in any of our conversations. In any case, is it the governor that solely appoints a successor or the party or the people of the state?

Yes, Dr Mimiko is the primus in the state, a leader who has given a good account of himself and a leader of men, and I know he must have a say in who his successor is, but Governor Mimiko that I know won’t just unilaterally call ‘A or B’ and say I am considering you for governor. Certainly, he won’t play god in this manner. I think we need to outgrow this idea of godfatherism.

People need to understand that leaders emerge through a process of thorough-going self-criticism and self-development.

A process that is progressive will surely throw up many potential leaders out of which one will ultimately emerge. So that process, and the legacy being put in place, as well as the footprint is more important.

So nobody should begin to bother their head over whether the governor is grooming a successor or not.

In your view, what type of personality do you think Ondo State needs as Mimiko’s successor?

The state is made of dynamic, industrious, egalitarian, progressive, enlightened and sophisticated people. We are discerning in my state; my people are accommodating, and whosoever that should be the next governor must have the combination of these qualities. He must also have the courage to break new grounds in the area of economic diversification and social engineering, more especially in this era of dwindling oil fortunes.

I am nauseated with these cries of zoning slogans here and there. Anyone from anywhere is qualified to be the governor of my state. What matters most is competence and service delivery to all. My people are not looking for Governor of Akoko or Governor of Ikale or Governor of Owo or Governor of Ose or Governor of Ilaje or Governor of Akure, Ose, Ifira, so on at this point of our life. Governor Mimiko has done his best which certainly would be a benchmark for the incoming one; what we need is a governor of Ondo State. And mark my words: my people won’t compromise charisma, intelligence and empathy in their leaders.

A leader with a stony face is more likely to have a stony heart. Ondo people are a happy people with bright faces. They prefer charismatic leaders with tender heart to gloomy ones.

Are you contesting Ondo governorship poll?

We are all political animals. I must say I have received in recent time unprecedented calls to contest the poll, but nothing is as good as using your tongue to count your teeth and I have made it clear to my people at several fora that my present preoccupation is to face my law practice, lecture my students, engage myself in projects that promote humanity and positively develop my world.

What is your take on the ongoing war against corruption?

Let me begin by saying that corruption is a cankerworm that must be dealt with in our system. As the founder of Egalitarian Mission Africa, one of my motivations was excising this cankerworm. Any government that fails to address the issue of corruption does not deserve to be taken seriously by the people. However, some important baselines have to be established. The fight against corruption cannot just be limited to the immediate past regime, just as it must not be limited to past civilian regime, while shielding past military leaders some of whom were actually the architects of corruption in Nigeria and who rose from not having a single bicycle to their name when they forayed into governance to owning ships and oil blocks without doing any business. Alongside this is also the tendency to make it appear as if corruption is a problem of politicians and not the bureaucrats. The civil service has to be close marked and scrutinized in order to stamp out this scourge.

Another important aspect of the ongoing war, and which some of us are still watching closely is that it would appear as if it is directed more at members and allies of the PDP, while APC members, as well as members of the PDP and other parties that have jumped ship seem to enjoy a kind of immunity. There are serious allegations of corruption emanating from states against some of the APC chieftains, even those serving in the present government which nobody is talking about.

Government cannot fight it alone; individuals and organisations have roles to play. In Governor (Adebayo) Adefarati and ICPC’s case, the Supreme Court ruled that combating corruption requires positive and concerted efforts of all. Our legislators need to pass laws to open the space. In Ghana today, they have a novel Whistleblower Law, with which some corrupt judges were recently exposed through intervention of a lone masked journalist. Allow people to watch themselves, let them watch the watchers.

Let’s open the space for private prosecutors and come and see how the mighty would be falling.

I have written to the Attorney-General of the Federation to allow us to prosecute some cases pro bono, Halliburton, Pension scam, etc, and let’s see if we will deliver or not. Finally, we must not also wait until when somebody commit crime before running after him like what of some of our traffic wardens are doing, but we must create a system that makes such crime impossible and undesirable like the new salary paying system.

Are you surprised with the revelations emanating from the arms deal probe?

In Nigeria, we have been through a lot and nothing should surprise anyone again.

Maybe, the way to put it is whether one is angry at the level of impunity. We have not succeeded in building enduring institutions.

Government and government functions and funds are often personalised. We only pay lip service to the rule of law and separation of power. So, it is not surprising when you hear of a National Security Adviser barging into the Central Bank to cart away billions of Naira in the name of security and money being shared recklessly to cronies. The truth

Kayode Ajulo

I am nauseated with these cries of zoning slogans here and there. Anyone from anywhere is qualified to be the governor of Ondo State. What matters most is competence and service delivery to all. is, it was done in the past, they did it and we must never allow anybody to bamboozle us that it was a novel invention under Jonathan. What we must demand is an end to this and prosecution of those found culpable in accordance with the law.

Again, understanding that the money was purportedly meant for electioneering campaign, I think it will be interesting for EFCC to look into the books of all the parties. The major parties spent huge sums of money on campaign, billions and billions of naira. Where did they get the money? Where for instance did those state governors that funded APC campaign get the money, when they could not pay salaries? Were there cases of money laundering at state level, just as we are now being told took place at federal level?

So, what informed your decision to resign as the national secretary of Labour Party?

I know that voluntarily resignation seems strange in our culture, but I see nothing wrong in bowing out if situation demands it. I contested for the exalted office based on certain projection, understanding and specific goals to give the Nigerian people, masses and workers a platform to actualize their political expectation. However, in life, there are times when the environment may not be conducive; where things seem to be out of order and not working out the way you projected it.

But some people said you resigned because you were eyeing the governorship ticket of the PDP? Sometimes, one wonders how some people think. I have a lot of friends and clients as a lawyer in PDP as I have in APC and other parties, but I have never given it a thought to join PDP. When the party was calling the shot, I didn’t find it worthy to join it. Why should I do that now? As it is in Nigeria, the two main political parties are APC and PDP. APC is made up of strange bed fellows, men and women whose main focus is to change power, but never prepare what to do with the power and presently they’re confused.

PDP has its shortcomings too, but what I hate most is deceit and unfortunately, APC thrives in lies and deceit and I, therefore can’t find myself in the midst of liars.

Hasty cross-carpeting or ship jumping from one party to the other does not portray a politician as principled and astute. If anything at all, it shows lack of clarity, resilience and commitment of an idea. Since I sent in my resignation letter, I have been taking things easy, reviewing my previous engagements and I won’t blindly rush into another party for any pot of porridge without any conviction bereft of collective demands and good.

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politics&policy

Monday, 8 February, 2016

‘What NASS must do on Budget 2016’

a

lot has been said about the 2016 budget, what is your take?

The 2016 budget is a good document with the noble intention of rebuilding our country; rebuilding our economy and making Nigeria stronger than it has ever been. It seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive. The budget focuses on infrastructure development, welfare of Nigerians and providing employment opportunities especially for the youth. It also provides a form of security fund for the unemployed.

I also observe that the budget seeks to improve the frontline social services by addressing the long-standing challenge of remuneration and welfare of teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, the police, fire-fighters and prison service officers. These are all very critical service providers and it is very heart-warming to see that they have been included in the reenergising of Nigeria.

It should also be stated that in 2016, taxes, duties and levies will contribute N1.45 trillion to fund the budget; while oil and gas revenue will deliver about N820 billion. This is a remarkable shift from previous budgets. For the very first time in the history of budgeting in Nigeria, the education sector was given the highest allocation. This means Nigeria could be working towards meeting the UNESCO target of 26 percent.

However, I would like to point out a few of my concerns with the 2016 budget. For example, 96.5 per cent of the entire budget goes to the executive while the legislative and judicial arms of government have been jointly allocated 3.5 per cent.This shows to Nigerians that, in truth, only a fraction of the budget goes to the National Assembly. This should put paid to the out-

Honourable Kehinde Odeneye is a member representing Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The two-time member spoke on issues affecting the 2016 budget and other national issues.

Group Politics Editor, Taiwo Adisa, presents the excerpts:

in comparison with the budgets of the previous years. Agriculture has all the potential to lead the non-oil sector in revenue earnings.

We also need to question why various recoveries of stolen public funds are not captured in this budget. Government officials have said that monies are being recovered and such funds could easily be allocated to some of the key social services. Similarly, the Service Wide Vote presents a duplication of some expenditure that have been captured in the budgets of some ministries and parastatals.

This may leave opportunities for wasteful, opaque and unaccounted expenditures.

Odeneye

cry about the so-called jumbo pay packages to lawmakers.

I also note with concern that, 70 per cent will be spent on recurrent expenditure. This, during a time when the economy is in a recession, is too high. A further fall in global oil price might put the budget in jeopardy and this brings me to the point that there does not appear to be any serious intention on the part of the government to diversify the economy, because as we can see, there is no significant difference in the budget allocations to Agriculture and Solid Minerals

How do you mean?

Every allocation and provision in this account should be captured under the affected MDAs budgets, so that the individual MDA can account for the expenditure. Nigerians need to know the specific and identifiable contingencies which have been allocated in this budget are headed.

On a final note, the Office of the AuditorGeneral which is the watchdog for all expenditure, is grossly under-funded. This is unfortunate because if the government says it wants to block leakages and eradicate corruption, then it must empower and fully fund this agency. The reports of the Auditor-General should be a very useful document for the anti-corruption agencies to work with and rely upon.

What should the Federal Govern-

ment do?

Going forward, the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, consider implementing road tax, which will help rehabilitate our failing roads and also put all necessary tools in place to resolve tax evasion issues so as to increase revenue generation to fund the budget. This will help to reduce the debt that may arise from the 2016 budget. Furthermore, it is imperative that the National Assembly assiduously carries out its oversight functions.

If oversight functions on the activities and spending of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are fully carried out and the lawmakers keep faith with their mandates, they stand the chance to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

What’s your reading of the government’s anti-corruption war. We’ve heard stories of its lopsidedness?

I don’t think it is possible to overcome corruption all at once. Certain procedures will have to be in place first before we can eradicate corruption. We must first identify the reasons for corruption and ask why people engage in corrupt practises. I think it comes down to leadership and followership. Even when a leader does not have the tendency to be corrupt, the push factor is enough to tempt him or her to be corrupt.

In Nigeria, once you are in a public office, the expectations are very high. Family and friends make all kinds of demands and expect you to do beyond your capacity. In trying to satisfy their demands, you may end up behaving corruptly. The push from society is rather enormous. We must look for and identify firm and credible leaders. Not all Nigerians are corrupt. There are credible people who have this country’s interest at heart and can differentiate between their personal wealth and the nation’s wealth.

How to checkmate fraud in arms deal—Oke In this interview with Senior Deputy Editor, JACOB SEGUN OLATUNJI, Honourable Oluwoke Oke, representing Obokun/ Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, speaks on the 2016 budget and the ongoing probe into the alleged $2.1 billion arms deal, among other issues. Excerpts: THE 2016 budget is now before the National Assembly. What is your assessment of the budget? Is it practicable considering the fall in the prices of crude oil in the international market ?

Mr President has performed his duties in line with the provision our constitution. At the time he did that, the price of crude oil was 38 to 40 dollars per barrel.

But between the time he presented the budget and today, the price of crude oil, one of the basic ingredients on which the budget rests, has declined below $30.

As a convention and before the law, that budget estimate is dead on arrival. So, the parliament will do the needful; we will be pragmatic about it. We will give a budget that is practicable to Nigerians through Mr President. As you can see, except you want to borrow to meet the short fall, in terms of the decline in production and quantity, there are two approaches to it. One, the estimate of 2.1 million barrels of production per day cannot be met.

If we have to finance the budget as it is, it means we have to borrow about N3 trillion. But like I said, we can’t deceive ourselves, we have to face the reality of the day. At the same time, we are also mindful of the yearning of Nigerians.

Are you considering coming up

with a new benchmark?

Obviously, that is why I am saying that we need to be pragmatic . We can no longer use $38 as a benchmark. We cannot even go beyond $25. It is only that price that will make sense.

Some are yearning for the immediate removal of fuel subsidy as a way forward, what is your take on this?

There is nothing like fuel subsidy. It was fraud all along. Fuel subsidy is just for a cartel, a group of people. It does not go round Nigerians. So, rather than giving it to a few people, you can spread that to pursue infrastructure.

Only last week, the Federal Government claimed to have removed subsidy on kerosene and that it is now to be sold for at N83 per litre.

How do you react to this?

We also need to look at that because when the prices of crude oil was high, kerosene was cheap, and you know kerosene is a by-product of crude oil. So, if the price of petroleum or crude oil has dropped, one also expects that the price of kerosene will also drop. We need to look at the details, we need to look at the cost of kerosene, locally and internationally, if we have to

import. Facts and figures don’t lie. Though it is something we can work around and come to a conclusion on, it beats my imagination that when the price of crude oil was between $112 and 120 per barrel, Nigerians were buying or selling kerosene at a cheaper rate. I still wonder why we are still buying PMS at the price we are still buying it. It should have dropped.

So, you are not in support of the N83?

No. I don’t want subsidy because it is for a cartel, but that N83 is questionable.

Look at it pragmatically; we need to ask PPRA how it came about N83 per litre of kerosene. It needs to explain to us.

How will you assess the ongoing anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration, given the claims that it has been one-sided?

Corruption is bad, and we have to fight it holistically; all of us, including the parliament. The only approach I do not like is media trial. The way and manner the security sector is being probed, we are making too much noise about it. We can achieve much as a matter of fact by not making noise about it because, assuming that there is truly corruption in that sector, why make much noise that the accused will run away, that they will go and block all the loopholes? It is strange that you are probing the security sector through a media war. It is a wrong approach.

You were once the Chairman, House Committee on Defence. Recently, President Buhari claimed to

Oke

have discovered a multi-billion naira fraud in the system...

Sincerely speaking, I am shocked and baffled because I served under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and a bit of it under President Goodluck Jonathan. I wasn’t in the parliament between 2011 and 2015 when the majority of these scandals occurred.

To me, if it ever happened, we need to look at our procurement procedures in the Armed Forces.

It is either we have flouted the provisions of the Public Procurement Act or the provisions concerning the Defence sector are not robust enough to checkmate all the things we are hearing. So, there is a need for us to take a look at the Defence and Security sectors’ procurement procedures and tighten them up.

34

politics&policy

Monday, 8 February, 2016

‘Why APC’ll win Ondo gov poll’

A former speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Victor Olabimtan, one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in state, in this interview with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, he speaks on zoning arrangement, and other issues. Excerpts:

T

heRE are agitations in APC over which senatorial district should produce the next governor of the state.

Don’t you think the varying agendas and ethnic attachment might affect the party in the 2016 poll?

This argument is all over the state.

There are some who believe that the slot has moved round the three districts, while some propound other theories. But as far as I am concerned, I see Ondo State as one and we have a project and the project is Ondo State. On the issue of zoning, if you look at the APC constitution, zoning is not written in the document.

But, there is a principle agreement as far as zoning is concerned. We have this unwritten agreement in Ondo State that the governorship will be rotated. It is an unwritten agreement, but conventionally put into practice. The North was the first to be there; it moved to the South and the Central, which is finishing its two-term tenure, the first of its kind in the history of the state.

If you have to base it on the principle of equity, principle of fairness and the principle of justice, the centre cannot succeed itself. It now behoves on the South and the North. The fact still remains that since this thing has been naturally put there, for equity like I said and a section not to feel marginalised for a very long time. The belief from many quarters is that it is only when the governor is from

your side that your side can develop, all because we are still myopic in our thinking and not producing statesmen as our governor. Statesmen like late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Dr Segun Agagu and Adebayo Adefarati. My take is that the next governor should be produced from the Northern Senatorial district.

Is the mutual suspicion between old APC members and those that defected from rival parties not likely to jeopardise the chance of your party?

As for the fear in the APC that those of us who joined cannot be trusted, I want to tell you something; when you want to trust the sincerity of a person, it is not only once you do that. It has always been there. For example, all the good people, those who are good people in ACN, CPC, ANPP and PDP, who now joined APC, will always be good people; and those who are bad people will always be bad people. I think what we need to do is to look at the antecedents of every individual and judge that person on the basis of his antecedents. All of us have our antecedents, except we want to deceive ourselves. We have to go back into history and examine the past activities of everybody. As far as I am concerned, that fear is unfounded; it cannot hold water because Olabimtan will always be Olabimtan; he cannot be another person; that is the truth of the matter.

There are outcries of perceived

uneven development in the state, especially from the people of the Southern and Northern Senatorial districts against the current state government. What is your take on the issue?

Whoever wants to be the governor of this state must see Ondo State as his project; such individual must not see where he comes from as his project. He must not be aspiring to be governor in other to cater for his own catchment area only. I am not mentioning name, we know what is happening. Today, the government of Ondo State is 80 per cent for Ondo kingdom and the remaining 20 per cent for the rest of the state. We say no to that. It is an abomination. Iit is not correct; it is not good; because the whole state should be the constituency of the governor and he must treat the whole state as a whole.

The current government has done nothing in the entire Southern Senatorial district from 2009 to date, I stand to be corrected.

In the whole of Akoko, nothing has been done since 2009 to date. We don’t want such a state. The state is made up of three senatorial districts: North, South and Central. We should treat all equally and as parts of the state.

The state government has been justifying its decision to borrow heavily from banks on the prospects of developmental projects it initiated. How would you rate the impact of the projects?

Any time I am going to my hometown in Akoko, I think twice because the road from Owo to any part of Akoko is the worst in the history of that area. I am 58 years old this year; that road was better 58 years ago than it is today. Let us ask ourselves: where are we going? What is happening if roads during my forefather days are now

Olabimtan better than my own days when the quantum of money that is within the economy and expertise in road construction are 100 times over what my father’s used to have?

And those roads were still better during my forefathers’ days, then something must be wrong. I have always been telling those who are close to me that I don’t want to have a better yesterday. What is better yesterday? It is wrong, not in my dictionary. Yesterday is good, today better and tomorrow is going to be best. That is my philosophy of life.

But each time we ruminate, it is always that yesterday was better. When are we going to have our own good today when yesterday was better? And this is exactly what is happening to the economy of Ondo State. Today, we can hardly pay workers’ salaries.

Fall in oil price good for Nigeria—Rep HonourableMark Gbillah, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), speaks with CLEMENT IDOKO on the 2016 budget and the urgent need to remove fuel subsidy. Excerpts: WHAT do you make of the 2016 budget, described by many critics as lopsided in allocation of resources?

First, I must say that this is the first time Nigeria is depending on non-oil revenue to drive its budget. That is very commendable and that means we are looking at diversification of our economy. Unfortunately, when you look at the intricate details of the budget, it does not reflect this general principle that Mr President and his administration have. For instance, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that is saddled with the responsibility of intervening in every disaster situation in the country has lower budget than the State House Clinic.

I will obviously not go into details, but the executive increased its own budget by almost a 100 per cent, while that of the legislature was drastically decreased.

Lawmakers have more responsibility to the Nigerian people. We are saddled with demands every day from our constituencies and it is the little intervention from us that really touch the lives of the people.

In the last 16 years, it is the National Assembly constituency projects that have really made life easy for the people in the rural communities. These are not interventions of any ministry or MDA, and yet this is the arm of government that has been maligned and denigrated by Nigerian people and even by the executive.

I must tell you that the 2016 budget

are supposed to generate non-oil revenue have not been funded adequately: very paltry amounts were allocated to agriculture and solid mineral sectors, so how will revenue come from the sectors? These are real issues that we should look at. Now, the lives of Nigerians depend on how we handle this budget. Is that not an enormous responsibility? Is that an arm of government you can disregard and not properly equip to do its function? These are the germane issues that Nigerians need to understand.

Gbillah would have been a disaster for Nigerians if not for the intervention of the legislature that will have to translate it into the real budget of change. Because of lopsided allocation of things, we are going to go through that budget into the finest detail. We are also going to have thorough oversight over the implementation of this budget, because from what these bureaucrats have shown, they are not competent to manage the implementation of the budget.

The budget was jumbled up together, even critical sectors of the economy that

What does the dwindling oil price portend for Nigeria, especially the ambitious 2016 budget?

The fall in price of oil in the global market is, in a way, a good development for this country at this time of a new government that has promised to diversify the economy. President Buhari’s administration needs to be commended for the moral resolve to face the reality on ground and act positively. What is the reality? Oil is no longer a secure means of economic and budgetary projection. It is too volatile. It is clear that the current administration has realised that this is the time to look inwards. That is why the fall in price of oil is actually to Nigeria’s advantage.

We used to base almost all our economic projections on oil revenue. But now, government is exploring alternative sources of revenue. Nigeria is richly endowed

with resources, and there is no reason we should be dependent on oil alone. We only need to develop those areas properly. The current situation is driving us to discover alternative means of internally generated revenue for the development of the country.

Also worthy of mention is that it is also working to our advantage in driving down the price which we pay for oil. You can see that the cost of fuel has already come down. What this administration should be bold enough to do now, is to remove subsidy because of what oil prices have already shown us. This is an issue we are too sentimental about. The oil subsidy has never been in the interest of this country. The intentions were good but the fallout has been to the disadvantage of this country.

How do you mean?

What I mean is that the consequences have been more to the disadvantage of the people. The intention of the progenitors, the ideas behind the subsidy was okay; the landing cost was so high, and so government augmented the cost. But that was when, first of all, we had more resources and the cost was much lower than now.

The landing cost has gone higher and the price of oil is going lower.

Then, the price of oil was much higher, so we could see the economic value in subsidy even though from the onset, I have never thought it was a good idea. Labour, Civil Society, and Nigerians need to understand that it is not a bad thing to remove subsidy.

35

Monday, 8 February, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 0811 184 5048

features Mowe, Ibafo:

Emerging mega slums

This is one of the streets in Mowe where drainages are lacking.

Makeshift buildings and decaying infrastructure are common sight in Mowe.

This refuse dump is at the entrance of Ibafo

That the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria would be stating the obvious. But for the towns of Mowe and Ibafo through which the expressway runs, it has been tales of neglect, degradation and unprecedented lamentations considering the influx of Lagos workers into the communities. KEHINDE OYETIMI reports his findings after visiting these border towns in Ogun State.

F

OR such towns that cater to major religious camp grounds such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), the Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC), NASFAT, among others, the towns of Mowe and Ibafo, have ballooned beyond anticipation.

The towns have opened up to accommodate an unprecedented number of persons, as more and more people working in Lagos are generally making a home there. This, as many claim is the resultant effect of the high cost of living in Lagos. Mowe and Ibafo have become the safety net of the urban poor of Lagos.

Life here is difficult –Ibafo youth leader For residents of Ibafo, a town that opens into about 37 villages, access to quality education, healthcare, good roads, among others is questionable because the only government owned primary and secondary schools, as well as the health centre, are in various states of disrepair.

When Nigerian Tribune visited Oba-

femi Owode Local Government Primary School, it was observed that many parts of the ceiling were broken and the few available tables and chairs were, on the average, beyond standard. The health centre also featured a washed out building, with cracked walls.

Speaking on the state of basic amenities, Sunday Odubona, president, IbafoYouth Forum and chairman, Ibafo Investment Fo-

We have not had electricity for over three years... We are not feeling government impact here at all and they come here to collect tax.

rum stated that “As a result of the fact that this place is more like an extension of Lagos, one would expect that as a result, there would be serious development but the reverse is the case. We have not had electricity for over three years. One can say that 65 per cent of people living here work in Lagos. We are not feeling government impact here at all and they come here to collect tax. There is no water, no drainage systems. The only government school we have is in a dilapidated state. We also have just one government secondary school. The only health centre available is nothing to write home about, and that is the only one servicing the entire area. Land here sells for even N1 million and above and for rent, a room goes for between N3,000 and N3,500 per month, while a well equipped self-contained apartment goes for N150,000 per annum.”

Speaking on various appeals made to various administrations to ensure development, as well as community efforts, Odubona noted that appeals have been made to various administrations but nothing much has been done.

According to Odubona, “Pedestrian bridg-

es are also an absolute necessity because people are constantly involved in accidents because of the expressway. People sell close to the expressway because there is no main market. There was a time we got a place for the traders but within two weeks, the structures were demolished because they said the land was to be used as an estate. No alternative has been provided for now. There is no single tarred road in Ibafo. In fact, all the roads are not motorable. Driving is a big problem and when the rainy season is here, people park their cars along the expressway.

Interestingly, people who have moved here from Lagos are now moving back to Lagos because of the conditions of living available here. Emergency medical situations are another issue. There was a time a woman had pregnancy complications and before she could be moved out of her area to a standard hospital, she died.”

‘We have been running on generating sets for over 3 years’ Mr Gbenga Okubanjo, a resident who Continues on pg36

36

features

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Life here is hard — Residents

Ibafo health center lacks all the trappings of a modern health facility and this is the only one that serves over 39 villages there.

A block of classrooms at Obafemi Owode Local Government Primary School, Ibafo.

Abeokuta and Ijebu Ode merge at the interchange.

Apart from ensuring free flow of traffic, we have been able to ensure that the rate of crashes is successfully reduced along this corridor. We achieved this through public education and enlightenment. Once a person has been caught for contravening traffic rules, he/she is sent to the command for public enlightenment, even before a fine is paid. We have used public education effectively, and we have a department for that.”

Continues from pg35

moved to Ibafo on April 14, 1999 noted that, “I moved to Ibafo from Lagos. In fact, then there was light. Now, for the past three years, there has been no light. We run on generators on a daily basis. We survive by God’s grace. We buy water and for the hospital, it is the one built in the 80s that we are still running on. Nobody really understands what is happening. Children aged between two or three years have no idea what electricity without generator is.”

‘I am leaving Ibafo for Lagos’ Mr Ade Emmanuel, a resident of Ibafo, who also moved in from Lagos bemoaned the condition of the town dwellers. “I came to Ibafo from Lagos because of the exorbitant prices for renting rooms there. However, now I’m preparing to move back to Lagos, as soon as I can gather enough money.

The standard of living is very terrible. When it rains, we park on the expressway. We are just managing ourselves.”

Rabiu Ganiyu, an indigene of Mowe, states that, “there is a difference between how it was when we were growing up and now.

Mowe was known for farming but these days, the young ones are not interested. In fact, we don’t encourage our children to go into farming, because it is like enslaving oneself. We would like for government to look into developing Mowe, especially for elderly people like us who can’t go into paid employment.”

We lack opportunities here –Student Isaiah Makinde, a student and indigene of Ibafo, life at the border town has been hard.

“The living situation here is the worst I’ve ever experienced. In fact, I can’t even bring my girlfriend here, not to talk of my school mates. It is really terrible. Getting water is a serious issue. There are no drainages, no roads, no industries. That’s how bad it is because the opportunities are not available.”

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is a big curse for us –Traders The Iyaloja of Mowe market, Adunni Babatunde, noted that “The expressway is a big curse. The market was here before the expressway. The terrible accidents that occur here are saddening. Sometimes, people are thrown from one side of the expressway to the other as a result of accidents, and it affects young and old, including children.

Something should be done to address the situation as soon as possible, especially the construction of a pedestrian bridge.”

Another market woman, Noimat Babatunde, who has been trading at the Mowe market for 15 years stated that, “we have heard that after three months, more shops

Adunni Babatunde

Isaiah Makinde

Gbenga Okubanjo

Adio Oguntola

will be demolished. We want to plead with government to try to start building the market where shops have already been demolished so that people can have where to move to in the meantime. People have lost so much because of their shops that have been demolished, because they have nowhere to sell from. We appeal to government to also make the proposed shops affordable for everyone.”

Mowe, which is constituted of five major towns – Imedu-Nla, (the head), Imedu Bage, Imedu Alasa, Imedu Lasogba, and Imedu Opomija, according to history, used to be a big market and a meeting point for the other towns. However, in spite of the fact that the town accommodates the expressway, access to government-owned quality education, among other infrastructural expectations, are not readily available.

Children sit on the ground for classes –Chief Oguntola Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, the Otun Baale of Imedu-Nla in Mowe, Chief Adio Oguntola, observed that Mowe has been suffering government neglect for a very long time.

According to him, “One major issue is that there is no good government school. We have only one government primary school servicing this entire section. It was built when the expressway was constructed. The roof of the school is currently in shambles and, in fact, the children sit on the ground for classes. It is when people want to rent the school compound for church services or events, that we ask them to offer services of repairing the school instead

of paying. There is no government secondary school in the entire town. After primary school graduation, other alternatives are sought.”

The need for pedestrian bridges Despite being located on either side of the expressway, the towns of Mowe and Ibafo, unfortunately, have no pedestrian bridge, and as a result, residents complain of accidents that occur on almost a daily basis.

Chief Oguntola further noted that “The pedestrian bridge is another major issue. People are constantly knocked down by moving vehicles in their attempt to cross the road. In fact in a day, two or three people lose their lives on this road. And we have been complaining. The government should please help us.

“We have a large population. In fact, a lot of people, who live here as tenants and landlords work in Lagos. We lack water. We do not have basic amenities. We pay tax, and even PHCN brings bills. We also need a major government hospital.”

Community collaboration with FRSC has been helpful –ACC Ogunjobi The Assistant Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mowe Unit Command, Oludare Ogunjobi, while speaking with Nigerian Tribune, spoke of the collaboration of the communities and how road accidents have been reduced.

“When one considers the inflow and outflow of traffic within this area, it can be said to be one of the most critical areas. This is because traffic to and from Lagos, Ibadan,

We are committed to developing border towns—Ogun govt In an interaction with Nigerian Tribune, the Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Mr Dayo Adeneye, who noted that many of the residents of these areas built houses without government approval, stated that the government’s next developmental target was border settlements such as Mowe and Ibafo.

According to Adeneye, “People live in Ogun State but work and pay their taxes in Lagos State, yet they ask Ogun to provide all the amenities. There is an economic downturn in the country but that is not an excuse not to better the welfare of our people, being the responsible government that Ogun State is. Compared with previous administrations which did not touch these areas, we have done much to develop Ogun State.

“We started with Ota and if you visit Ota now, government intervention is very serious there. During the second term of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, we have said that the focus will be on rural roads. So, we are not neglecting those border towns. In fact, that’s the next thing. The contract has already been awarded, and although there were issues with funds, things are moving forward. These things take money and one cannot give what they don’t have. For a state that receives less than N2 billion monthly and pays salaries running into N7 billion to N9 billion per month, despite that, we are not folding our hands and saying because there is no money, we will shirk our responsibilities. They are our residents and we know we have to pay adequate attention to them. We just plead for their patience.

Our people should also know that they have a responsibility to government. The government cannot perform magic.

“Whatever happens around the world also affects Nigeria. Citizens should also pay taxes and clean their surroundings. It’s easy for some of these residents to complain that the roads are bad, and that their refuse are not collected. However, they improve the Lagos economy by spending money there and also paying taxes there. We plead with our residents to help us to help them and plead with them to give us a little time. Rural roads and towns are our next target.”

37

news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Dwindling oil revenue: Saraki seeks positive tax culture Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

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HE Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on Nigerians from both private and public sectors of the economy to develop positive tax culture in order to sustain governmental responsiveness in meeting the demands of the citizens.

Saraki who disclosed this when he received the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Nike Akande and other executive members of the body in Abuja, said the deficit in the 2016 budget constitutes a serious burden for government, saying the only panacea for the present economic decline is to look inwards.

He stated that the country is going through hard times, adding “the truth is that, going forward, we must remind ourselves how we got to this situation where revenues have dropped significantly.

“As a country, we are going through a very difficult time. This is not only in

APC will disappoint defectors —Ekiti PDP EKITI State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that those who defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be disappointed in their new party.

PDP maintained that the defectors have never been asset to the party rather they have been bringing woes and tales of sorrow to it for a very long time which have been responsible for the negative impressions about the party by some people.

In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Jackson Adebayo, APC was described as “a party peopled by deceptive and cunning leaders that pride itself in use and dump syndrome; a characteristic that will spell doom for those who now defect to APC.” Adebayo added that it will only take a rational person to detect the inner mindset of an average APC leader when it comes to issue of defectors to the party.

He stressed that stories of woes and tears have always been the portions of defectors to APC which cannot be changed.

The PDP said that people like Segun Oni, Femi Bamisile and others who thought they will be considered for governorship tickets in the party will eventually be disappointed.

Nigeria, it is a global crisis. These days, era of easy money is over. We must engage private sector for better performance.

“First, we must create an enabling environment for our businesses to grow. The private sector has a role to play. There is a need to enhance a positive tax culture.

“There is a need for mutual cooperation and patriotism among different government agencies and

private organisations.

This collaboration should enhance exchange of information and reduce the incidence of tax evasion as well as fraudulent tax practices,” Saraki said.

The Senate President, in a statement by his media aide, Sanni Onogu, assured his guests of the Senate’s readiness to partner with all relevant stakeholders in the onerous task of moving the nation forward, adding

that the present economic challenges have refocused government’s intent towards diversification and moving away from over dependence on oil revenue.

He stated that government cannot single-handedly cater for the needs of all its citizens, adding, “We have to work together. We need your support. In the area of infrastructure, government alone cannot do it. We are ready to work

with you and once we can do that, we will be able to ride over these difficult times.”

The President, LCCI, Dr Nike Akande, lauded the 8th Senate under the leadership of Saraki for its supportive roles and quality of legislations, saying the chamber is ready to support every effort of the government aimed at enhancing the financial fortunes of the country.

Regional Pastor, Region 2, The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Pastor M. O. Adeogun (left), presenting a gift to the retired Inspectorate Pastor for Region 2, Pastor Jacob Ayanwole and his wife, Caroline, at the appreciation service held at the Regional Headquarters, Salvation Army Road, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Nigerian Tribune

Shehu of Bornu named UNILAG chancellor Naza Okoli – Lagos SHEHU of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai ElKanemi, will, on Thursday, be installed as Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), a statement issued by the university at the weekend has said.

The position of chancellor of the university has been vacant since the death of the last chancellor, the Attah of Igala, Aliyu Obaje, in 2012.

The statement disclosed that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, last Thursday, led a delegation of high-ranking members of staff of the university to the palace of the monarch in Maiduguri on a courtesy call.

Bello, who said it was only fitting that a first class traditional ruler serve as chancellor of the university, also informed the monarch that one of the oldest halls of residence in the 54-year-old university was named after El-Kanemi.

“We are in your palace to pay homage and show happiness over your appointment as the chancellor of our university,” said the Vice Chancellor.

El-Kanemi who assured the university management of his readiness to participate in all activities that would lead to the growth and development of the institution, said he was grateful to the president for finding him worthy of the appointment.

Reps mourns late Olubadan

Regional Pastor, Pastor M. O. Adeogun (left), presenting an award to the new Inspectorate Pastor, Region 2, Pastor Abel Afolabi and his wife, Olufunke, at the installation ceremony, held at the Regional Headquarters, Salvation Army Road, Ibadan. PHOTOS: ALOLADE GANIYU.

Osun doctors may suspend 5-month strike Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

HOPE that the striking doctors in Osun State may suspend their five months old industrial action brightened over the weekend as the chairman of the Osun State Association of Medical and Dental Officers (OSAMDO), Dr Isiaka Adekunle, assured that the union will convince members to suspend the strike.

In a statement made available to journalists

in Osogbo, on Saturday, by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Olatubosun Oyintiloye, Adekunle hinted of the hope of resumption at a meeting of the lawmakers with the leadership of the striking doctors.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, implored the doctors to suspend the industrial action in the interest of the masses, who he said were

bearing the brunt.

According to him, “you are major stakeholders in the health sector, and whenever you decide to lay down your tools, the masses suffer, people die. We are appealing that you go back to your duty posts while we continue our dialogue to ensure that your demands are met.

“The economic realities in the country and particularly in a state like ours, requires that we all make sacrifices and in making

that sacrifice, the Osun Assembly will stand by you to see that justice is done.”

Responding, the OSAMDO chairman, Dr Adekunle was said to have assured the lawmakers that their appeal would be taken to the congress to convince the doctors to suspend the industrial action.

He lamented that lack of understanding between the government and the union made the issue to degenerate.

A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Saheed AkinadeFijabi, has said that the demise of the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, was a dead blow to the entire Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole.

He said that the monarch left at a critical time when his wise counsel would be needed in deepening the nation’s nascent democracy.

Akinade-Fijabi, representing Ibadan Southwest/Northwest Federal Constituency of Oyo State, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen, on Sunday.

He stated that the reign of the late monarch brought peace and an unequal development and progress to the city of Ibadan and its environs.

38 news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Rivers APC, PDP trade words over billboards, posters Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

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IVERS State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of destroying its billboards and election materials, preparatory to the state and national assemblies rerun, scheduled for March 19.

However, Rivers PDP denied the allegation, saying its members were still

celebrating the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Supreme Court and so, would not have time to destroy posters and billboards.

APC, in a petition, pointed fingers at PDP as being the masterminds of the destruction of billboards belonging to the party’s candidates in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The Obio/Akpor chapter of APC said in a copy of the petition addressed to the

Divisional Police Officer in the area, that a group of thugs and cultists allegedly working for PDP were responsible for the act.

The party, in the petition signed by its chapter chairman, Solomon Ikegwuru and secretary, Chimkweru Ejims, urged the police to investigate one of the suspects (names withheld), accused of accosting APC agents with guns and destroyed a billboard mounted along Obi-Wali Road junction.

They said the petition to the police became necessary, because such destruction of billboards was one of the build-up actions that led to violence in the 2015 general election.

“We don’t intend to take the law into our hands. We, therefore, pray that the notorious gangsters responsible for the destruction of our billboards be investigated, interrogated and brought to book.

“This is necessary, so that it will serve as a deterrent to others, as anything short of this may be an express invitation to lawlessness,” the petition read in part.

Similarly, the APC House of Representatives’ candidate for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Chief Tony Okocha, has called on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, to apprehend those behind the destruction of his billboards and posters.

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From left, Mr Bayo Awolusi ; state chairman, Alhaji Kola Balogun; Secretary, Honourable Rahmon Adepoju; youth leader, Honourable Sikiru Sanda; women leader, Alhaja Kafila Olayiwola Ajeiya and the Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, at the inauguration of Oyo State SDP executives, at the party office, in Ibadan, on Friday.

Oyo SDP swears in new executive THE newly-elected state executives of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State were formal sworn in at the state party secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

At the ceremony, where Mr Bayo Awolusi conducted an oath of allegiance before the 25-man state executive, the immediate past chairman of the party, Honourable Sunday Adelaja enjoined the new executives to be selfless and show determina-

tion and commitment to the ideals and principles of the founding fathers of SDP. He also mentioned that the new executive should be ready to commit their personal resources to building the party to greater heights.

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman, Alhaji Kola Balogun, informed the teeming party supporters present at the event that he would oper-

ate an open door policy, where every member would be giving opportunities to contribute their own quota in terms of ideas and advice.

He appealled that he cannot do it alone without the support of not only the rest of the executive members, but also all the members of the party.

He reiterated his vision and mission to ensure the party became the ruling party in the state in 2019.

Gas leak: Reps summon Total Nig MD over affected communities •To order his arrest if ...

Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

THE House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, at the weekend, gave the Managing Director of Total Nigeria, Alexis Vovk, up till today to appear before it or risk being arrested over a gas leak in Rivers State.

The affected communities; Obita / Egita in the Rivers State, through their

lawyer, had petitioned the House of Representatives and demanded for a sum of N7 billion in damages, following a gas leak that ravaged the communities.

The Total Representatives, who initially did not want to comment on the matter, was in court and already alleged that the petitioners had threatened to sue Total abroad which was affecting payments of compensations to the com-

munities.

The chairman of the committee, Honourable Uzoma Nkem Abonta, however, wondered why the petitioners would want to sue Total abroad.

He added the Managing Director should appear in person in the bid to resolve the matter, adding that he would be compelled by arrest if he refused to appear before his committee by today.

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Okocha, speaking with newsmen at the weekend, expressed surprise that some youths allegedly working for PDP could destroy his campaign materials after what the state had gone through in the past.

“I commissioned some people to go and mount my billboards and paste my posters within my area ahead the state and national assembly rerun, but some PDP boys went and destroyed them.

“My billboard at ObiWali junction by Everyday Supermarket is one of the campaign materials of APC candidates destroyed by these boys.

“This was exactly what they did to us in the 2015 elections and when we cried out, nobody listened. Now, they have started again.

We are calling on the state Police Commissioner to apprehend those behind this undemocratic act,” he said.

Reacting, however,

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Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Samuel Nwanosike, denied the allegation, saying his party was not responsible for the destruction of APC’s billboards.

He said APC members should be held responsible, accusing them of destroying their own billboards and posters, only to turn round to point fingers at PDP. “There is nothing like that (destruction of APC billboards and posters).

APC want to continue with their unnecessary allegations against PDP. “We have a leader in Governor Wike, who knows how to mobilise the electorate. We cannot be involved in such an act.

“We are celebrating his victory at the Supreme Court and do not have time to start destroying posters and billboards. APC is destroying their campaign materials and they are accusing us,” he said.

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I, formerly Mrs Adesina Odugbayi Latifat Akanke now MRS ADESINA LATIFAT AKANKE. All former documents remain valid. Management of First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olorunnisomo Mary Bimbo now MRS OGUNBIYI MARY BIMBO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Abugor Janet and Abugor Sweet now ABUGOR SWEET JANET. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Peter Sunday Samuel am the same person bearing Peter Sunday Dennis. That I wish to be known and addressed as PETER SUNDAY SAMUEL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ebo Olaide Victoria now MRS ADEJUMO OLAIDE EBO VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. ETISALAT, the Eyes’ Doctor and general public take note.

I, Oyedokun Olaide Aina am the same person bearing Sakirat Aina Oyedokun. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SAKIRAT OLAIDE AINA OYEDOKUN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Rasheed Fatimot Omolabake now MRS AKANNI FATIMOT OMOLABAKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Kazeem Mukasat Okikiade now MRS ADEROJU MUKASAT OKIKIADE. All former documents remain valid.

SUBEB, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ibitowa Muibat Ibiwumi now MRS OKUGBAJA MUIBAT IBIWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeola Mukiyat Folasade now MRS SALAU MUKIYAT FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid.

Oyo State Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ibadan and general public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss James Faith Essien now MRS. AYORINDE FAITH ESSIEN All former documents remain valid.

Sterling Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Raifu Muibat now MRS ADESINA MUIBAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Okiti Godwin Chuks now MR. MARTHIAS GODWIN CHUKS. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olagunju Oluwakemi Felicia now MRS ADEBOJE OLUWAKEMI FELICIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Siyanbade Cecilia Aderonke now MRS SAMUEL CECILIA ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. UCH and general public take note.

I, formerly Owhere Kingsley Ejiro now AGWHEFE KINGSLEY EJIRO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ayoola Adejoke Oluwafisayo now MRS AJAYI ADEJOKE OLUWAFISAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fawole Anthonia Oyedoyin now MRS OGUNTADE SEKINAH. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alowooja Temitayo Oluwasogo now MRS ADEKANYE TEMITAYO OLUWASOGO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adigun Taiwo Adunola now MRS. BUSARI TAIWO ADUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Sowole Funmilola Grace Olushola now MRS OLAOYE FUNMILOLA GRACE OLUSHOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

I, Ayankunle Olufunmilola Abike Esther am the same person bearing Adegbite Olufunmilola Abike Esther. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as ADEGBITE OLUFUNMILOLA ABIKE ESTHER. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Igho Okotie now MRS. IGHO AYENI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aluko Toyin Yemisi now MRS. OLUWASEUN TOYIN YEMISI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Buluro Foluso Mosunmola Abigael now JOHNSON ABIGAEL MOSUNMOLA FOLUSO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Chiagoro Favour Chigozie now MRS OSIGWE FAVOUR CHIGOZIE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Monday, 8 February, 2016 Nigerian Tribune 40 news Lassa fever: 110 people under watch in Ogun APC, Fayose bandy words over workers’ salary

O

Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

GUN State government has said that the number of people who had contact with a 28-year-old lady (nameswitheld) with Lassa fever case, had increased from 60 to 110.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, said the numbers of primary contact with the patient were under close watch.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the affected lady was admitted into Central Specialist Hospital and Rubee Hospital, both in Ota axis of the state, before her case was reported to the state Ministry of Health.

He said the number increased because those that were on admission at the two private hospitals where the main contact received treatment, had to be placed under monitoring.

The commissioner said the victim who is on admission, at the Isolation Centre of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, was fast responding to treatment, at the hospital’s Isolation centre.

Ipaye said the case would have gone out of hand, had it not been for the promptness of the state government, based on the information got from the two private hospitals.

He added that each of the primary contacts had surveillance officer attached to them with a themometer each, to monitor their temperature.

The commissioner said the two private hospitals had been decontaminated by the state health workers, adding that they would be re-opened as soon as possible. He stated further

that the state government regretted any indirect inconveniences the issues might have caused the hospitals.

The Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr Yusuf Quudus, said the lady was fast responding to treatment

compared to when she was brought in with so many complications, adding that the over 100 persons under surveillance would be watched closely between six and 21 days incubation period, before they would be handed over to their family members.

Anthony Ubong- Calabar

last hope of the common man, regarding the recent ruling in the case between medical laboratory scientists and the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) which granted medical laboratory scientists the franchise to operate as an independent body.

Raheem called on the Federal Government and the various health institutions to ensure immediate implementation of this and other judgments in favour of medical laboratory scientists.

The AMLSN also noted with dismay the inadequate diagnostic laboratories in the Nigeria, a country of over 170 million people, yet, coping with few ill-equipped diagnostic centres for public health emergencies.

The Association also appealed to all states in the federation to create directorate of medical laboratory services in their respective ministries of health, and to appoint the most senior medical laboratory scientist as a substantive director in the ministries of health and health management boards, as being done in nursing, pharmaceutical, clinical and other services.

“This will ensure conformance to quality management system in all medical laboratories and the implementation of ISO 15189 standard for all medical laboratories.”

Take pre-emptive measures against Zika spread, AMLSN urges FG THE Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, institute a system for screening for Zika virus, especially among pregnant women, in view of the information from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the virus is rapidly spreading to other countries of the world.

The Medical Laboratory practitioners made the call in a communique issued at the end of their National Executive Council meeting (NEC)/public lecture held in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, at the weekend.

National President of the Association, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, who signed the communique also called on governments at all levels to constitute active surveillance teams that would ensure holistic surveillance at all times, to detect early warning signals of disease outbreaks to avoid health emergencies that might impact gravely on Nigerians.

The national president also called on the Federal Government to abide by the provisions of the National Health Act, noting that its implementation is a sure recipe to overcoming the perrenial challenge of low budgetary provision to the health sector.

He, however, commended the judiciary for being the

Redeemer’s varsity comes up with improved Lassa fever diagnosis

By Kehinde Adio

FOLLOWING sudden outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria, recently, the Redeemer’s University’s World Funded African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) had intensified efforts to subside the effect of the virus on Nigerians.

At a press conference organised by the university recently, the Director of the research centre in the institution, Professor Christian Happi, disclosed that the centre had come up with an improved

diagnostics test for Lassa Fever infection.

“This year, we have developed a pan-Lassa fever test that is highly sensitive and specific.

A prototype has been produced for use by any interested health care centres in the Nigeria.

“It has been established that Ribavirin that is currently used to treat Lassa fever was not designed for the disease.

This prompted us to take advantage of our current knowledge of genomics technology to have better insight into the virus genome and eventually

identified the potential drug targets. “ Furthermore, studying B-Cell repertoire (immune response) from Lassa fever survivors, we have identified four neutralising antibodies that significantly inhibit the Lassa fever virus.

These findings have been reviewed for publication in the prestigious scientific journal Natural Immunology.

“However, efforts in our research team at ACEGID, Redeemer’s University, is also ongoing in the area of Lassa fever vaccine development.”

Sam Nwaoko-Ado-Ekiti

T

HE Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government have exchanged angry verbal volleys following the inability of the state government to pay workers’ salaries up to date.

The APC in a statement on Sunday, said Governor Ayodele Fayose should “stop deceiving workers over payment of their salaries and entitlements,” and alleged that it was persecuting union leaders.

The party in the statement

by Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, its spokesman in Ekiti, claimed that Fayose was “persecuting union leaders for demanding for workers’ rights,” warning that this “is a needless provocation that can rupture peace in the state.”

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayose, Mr Idowu Adelusi in a reaction, however, described the APC and its allegations as “unwise”, saying it was often better “not to be reacting to every foolish talk of APC because doing so is to make it feel important.

“Ekiti workers understand us and we understand them.

Since the inception of this administration, the labour has not been kept in the dark in the running of the government,” Adelusi said.

Olatunbosun had warned that the union leaders had a responsibility to the workforce, adding that they had acted constitutionally in defence of workers.

He stated that “sending security agents after union leaders was fascist conduct capable of forcing citizens to an act of rage for a slide to anarchy.”

Olatunbosun claimed that last week’s payments of two months salaries was made

into workers’ accounts and later withdrew the payments, saying this was “fraudulent conduct to sustain his grip on the “thoroughly abused” people of Ekiti people.”

Accusing Fayose of playing games with the lives of the workers, Olatunbosun said: “The governor said the state was broke but suddenly paid two months salary, after learning that the teachers were bent on embarking on protest over failure to pay their salary arrears, even though he quickly reversed a month salary from their accounts, after workers were

celebrating payment of two months arrears.”

Reacting, Adelusi said: “The labour is a member of the appropriation committee that sits every month to share allocations from Abuja. Is it not the mess left behind by the Fayemi administration that is causing problem to Fayose government, N950 million is deducted monthly by those who Fayemi administration took loan from. “If N950 million is added to N1.3 billion that came last month, it will go a long way for Fayose administration.”

Bola Badmus- Lagos

ABIA State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has urged the opposition and other detractors of government not to distract again, but allow him to focus on his mission of rendering services to the people of the state.

“Henceforth, let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the mark of our lord Jesus Christ,” the governor said, while quoting a section of the Bible, Galatians 6: 17.

According to Ikpeazu, who spoke through a statement made available by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Godwin Adindu, the protracted legal battle that ended at the Supreme Court was a huge distraction.

The governor said, having come out of such distraction, he needed all the time and energy to focus on the onerous task of rebuilding Abia State, declaring that the era of politics in Abia State was over and dead with the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Governor Ikpeazu said all the resources and time would be channelled towards full governance, stressing that he could discern the yearnings of the people for services, through their

massive solidarity to him throughout the elections and the protracted legal battle.

While noting that opposition groups hardly give up on their antics, the governor stated that the era of hauling stones should be over in the state, and called on the opposition to sheathe their sword and join him in his crusade for development of Abia.

He enjoined them to redirect their energy to something positive and meaningful for the collective good of the state.

He disclosed that his infrastructural renewal drive would receive an impetus with the kick off of the construction of three roads in Bende Local Council , saying this would bring to 50 the number of active roads being constructed by his government in the last eight months, with over 20 commissioned.

The governor further revealed that he had to focus more attention on road construction because of the deplorable condition of the roads, especially in Aba, and the need to change the narrative of Aba from a city of lamentable meltdown to a city of promise and hope.

State is the safest state in Nigeria. We pay adequate attention to security in the state. Despite the size of the state, we have been able to maintain law and order.

There are isolated cases of crime, but such cases are not threat to foreign investors.

We are also very hospitable people.”

He also urged them to take Niger State as their preferred investment destination in Nigeria in agriculture, infrastructure, mining, tourism, vocational training, water resources and education.

“If you decide to have a look at any investment module in Nigeria, Niger State is ready for such opportunity. We have taken steps to make the state attractive to investors,

which include reducing the size of government to make it more efficient by reducing the number of ministries from 24 to 13; reducing permanent secretaries from 56 to 30. All these steps were taken to change the ways business is done in government by reducing bureaucracy and making it more transparent and effective.

“Niger State has huge potential for investors in agriculture, mining, infrastructures, mining, tourism, vocational training, water resources and education, and we are ready and willing to partner with international community to make the state hub for various products in agriculture, mining and tourism.”

Let nobody trouble me again, Ikpeazu tells detractors

Niger safe haven for investors —Gov Bello Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

NIGER State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has assured British investors of safe investment climate in the state.

Governor Bello gave the assurance when he met with members of the British Parliament on the platform of All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) -Nigeria and Westminster Africa Business Group, WABG, at the House of Parliament in the United Kingdom. This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Jubrin Baba Ndache, on Sunday, in Minna.

According to the release, Governor Bello said, “Niger

41

news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Nigeria can only be great if ... —Minister Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

M

INISTER of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said Nigeria could only be great if it is able to feed its citizens, urging industries and investors in Nigeria and outside the country to help commercialise ministry’s ideas so as to create new jobs for the citizenry.

He made this known in Abuja, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministry and NASCO Foods Limited, on commercial production of high nutrient density biscuit for the National School Feeding programme.

Dr Onu reiterated that the ministry would contribute considerably to the growth in the economy, creation of jobs and the nation which is the largest economy in Africa and largest market by nature, due to its population, would diversify the nation‘s economy by producing many of the imported products so as to create new jobs for the populace.

The minister stressed further that the programme would, in the nearest future, enable Nigeria to join other nations that could feed its citizens, calling on industries and investors to help commercialise many ideas which the ministry had committed huge resources for their research

and develop upon.

“It is important to create new job in the country, because insecuriuty will decrease when we provide job for our young ones and government is relying more on non-oil for our development.

It is when new jobs are created, people get working, we will be creating wealth and government will be on a better position to help develop

our nation,” he said On MoU with NASCO, the minister said the ministry engaged its service due to its long history of excellence coupled with its demonstration of efficiency in the past.

Earlier, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Dr Gloria Elemo, explained that the choice of NASCO

School Feeding Programme on daily basis.She said “Inter- Heritage Promotions is another partner in this collaboration; the company has been selected based on its existence in R&D commercialisation and industrial linkages of R&D results with relevant sectors as well as its experience in supply chain distribution and management”, she added.

From left, Zonal Commander of RS11HQ Osogbo, Assistant Corps Marshal Stephen Maitizumahs; Representatives of the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Deputy Corps Marshal Adei Abu; Commissioner for Special Duty who represented the Ondo State governor, Mr Femi Adekanbi and the donor, Mr Rotimi Ibidapo, during the inauguration of office donated by Mr Ibidapo to FRSC, at Owo, Ondo State, recently.

Arewa youth group condemns call for Emefiele’s sack (CBN)governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the national president of the group, Alhaji Audu Zakari, said

crashes in the country.

The FRSC boss commended Ibidapo for the donation and urged other public spirited individuals, communities and corporate organisations to emulate the donor by rallying round the corps in the provision

of infrastructural facilities.

In his speech at the occasion, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Zone11, Assistant Corps Marshal Stephen Maitizumahs, said the donor is a rare gem in the society as he has done people of Ondo State proud with the donation.

sacking CBN boss now, can compromise Nigeria’s bid at recovery.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN governor for their insistence not to devalue the naira any further.

It will be recalled that a group had threatened to stage a nationwide protest if Mr Emefiele does not resign within 72 hours.

Zakari expressed concern over what he described as desperation of some groups and individuals to discredit the efforts of the current administration in stabilising the economy.

Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

preneurial skills to support the institution’s goals and strategic directions in order to respond to the business drivers in the industry.

The deputy chairman, House Committee on Land Transport, also said that IT leaders must be aware of trends in the IT field as well as possessing required excellent communication and organisational skills to drive the profession to a greater height.

“Let me therefore say that effective IT leaders must understand the nature of the business, the style and context in which decisions are made, and the technology employed for optimum services,”he said The lawmaker urged all Nigerians to begin to demonstrate high level of commitment to financial discipline

and strong-will to protect individuals and corporate organisations’ resources, by ensuring that public funds and those of the investors are not mismanaged.

“I also want to use this opportunity to inspire those of us in privileged positions at all levels that we should be bold to offer suggestions to the government on how to win its current war on corruption.

We should all as stakeholders, ensure that public funds and those of the investors are not mismanaged for government, corporate organisations and individual economic programmes to remain on course with maximum commitments from citizens and stakeholders. These are best ways we can all remain in productive business and partners in our nation building,” he said.

Collins Nnabuife - Abuja THE Arewa Youth Integrity Forum has condemned recent calls for the sack of the Central Bank of Nigeria

Assist FRSC to overcome its logistics challenges , Oyeyemi tells stakeholders THE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, has called on stakeholders to join hands with the corps in order to address the logistics challenges faced by the organisation.

The Corps Marshal made the remarks recently in Owo, Ondo State, during the commissioning of 10 rooms office building donated by Mr Rotimi Ibidapo, the chairman of Rotimi Ibidapo Foundation to the FRSC. Oyeyemi, who was represented by Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Operations, Adei Abu, said the timely donation was a demonstration of the positive response to the call by FRSC for all stakeholders to join hands in the campaign for a safer road environment, adding that the gesture would go a long way to address the logistics challenges which hamper effective service delivery.

He admonished members of the public to take issues of road safety as a shared responsibility while every patriotic citizen should participate actively in the campaign to tackle the menace of the road traffic

Foods Limited, in the partnership was based on the company‘s integrity.

“The partnership was based on integrity, experience and indigenous company which has been in existence for about 50 years and has capacity and experience to produce biscuit products to feed estimated 25 million children in public primary schools under the National

Lawmaker tasks govts, private school owners on ICT

A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Adesegun Adekoya, has tasked governments and owners of private schools to make Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills as one of the entry requirement for teachers.

Adekoya, who is a member of the House Committee on ICT, said this at the Ogun State Information Technology(IT) award/investiture ceremony of the Nigeria Computer Society in Abeokuta, at the weekend.

He noted that the business of teaching and learning had gone beyond chalk board and talk process, adding that leaders in IT must have the talents, efficient qualities, right perspectives including entre-

He said, “What is worrisome, however, is that in this age that news have the potential to go viral, the verbal sabre rattling of groups like this have the potential to send the wrong message to the outside world. It is a matter of time before their counterpart paid analysts will make projections on the basis of such utterances and the Nigeria’s rating.

“Should the markets be spooked on account of this kind of irresponsible behaviour, the economic fallouts will be felt by all of us. Jobs would be lost and those of us with jobs would be pushed into the unemployment market and would have thus, fulfilled the wishes of these jobless youths who want the country to collapse.”

He said the insinuation that CBN governor was complicit in the armsgate scandal is also an insult to the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an affront to the sincerity of its current occupant, President Buhari, who has consistently demonstrated commitment to stamping out the menace of corruption.

“It is insulting to suggest that Mr President is looking the other way in Mr Emefiele’s case. It is even more sickening to be asking President Buhari to sack the CBN boss to satisfy the whims of people who cannot even get the their facts right,” he said

INEC to conduct Plateau rerun, supplementary elections Feb 20 THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed February 20, for rerun and supplementary elections for Langtang South, Pankshin South and Plateau North state constituencies.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in a statement, in Jos, on Sunday, said that the Langtang South elections, would be conducted in the entire 68 polling units, in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment.

The court had ruled that the initial winner, Vincent Bulus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was not qualified to have contested the April 11, 2015 polls.

“The elections will also feature two political parties, out of the three that participated in the initial elections - the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the MPPP; the PDP candidate has been excluded,” the statement said.

The statement, signed by Mr Osaretin Imahiyereobo, Head, Voter Education and Publicity, said that supplementary elections in Pankshin South, would hold only in Nyelleng polling unit in Fier Registration Area.

According to him, the supplementary elections in Pankshin North, will hold in Pyabor Polling Unit of Chip Registration Area.

“In the two elections in Pankshin, all political parties and candidates that featured in the last election will feature in the supplementary elections,” he said.

Taraba youths condemn attack on varsity VC THE Taraba Youth for Peace, Good Governance and Development, has condemned what it described as attacks meant to distract the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, Professor Geoffrey Okogbaa.

In a communique jointly signed and issued on Sunday, by Samson Bwacha and Innocent Audu, president and secretary of the group, respectively, the group said Professor Okogbaa should rather be commended for turning the institution around at a time when there is widespread concern over the standard of education.

The group said it is on record that the current vice chancellor conducted the affairs of the institution in the most transparent, accountable and judicious manner since the establishment of the institution and should not be rewarded in a manner that suggests Taraba people are ingrates.

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communitynews

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Groups re-echo demand for new Oyo State

T

HE demand for a new Oyo State with capital in Oyo town was re-echoed in the ancient town of Oyo recently as eminent personalities, including traditional rulers, academics, technocrats, leaders of thought, religious leaders, politicians and professionals from the 14 local government areas of Oyo and OkeOgun areas of Oyo State gathered at a reception for elected public office holders from the zones.

Among those honoured in the reception were the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu as well as national and state assembly members from the zones.

The programme, organised by Oyo Pinnacle Club, New Oyo State Forum and Oyo Metropolitan Development Association.

Speaking on behalf of the people of the zones, the chairman on the occasion, Mr Benjamin Lala, remarked that the aim of the organisers of the reception was to influence all tiers of government towards taking positive actions on issues that are beneficial to the various communities and for the realisation of the creation of a new Oyo State from the present Oyo State.

Lala pointed out that the reception, which later turned into a forum for discussions on developmental issues in the zones, was also intended to remind of representatives of the zone what the people of the zones expect from them.

“You are hereby reminded that your choice as our representatives is a rare opportunity which is saddled with responsibilities and challenges; the challenges could bring you down or lift you up depending on the way you handle them,” he said.

Chairman of the new Oyo State Forum, Engineer F.A. Taiwo, who spoke on behalf of the organisers of the reception, observed that Oyo and Oke-Ogun zones were the most neglected areas in the state in terms of provision of social amenities which the creation of a new Oyo State would address.

He urged representatives of the areas to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the completion of projects such as Ikere George Dam at Iseyin, Upper Ogun River Basin Irrigation Scheme, Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme, Igbeti Marble Project, Fashola Farm Settlement, Erelu Water

Works, Government Technical College, Oyo-Ogbomosho Expressway as well as ensuring the upgrading of the Federal School of Survey and the Federal College of Education in Oyo to universities.

He said the reception which was originally meant to felicitate with the Minister of Communications on his appointment and to rejoice with other elected representatives from the zones, is also a way of expressing their support to the representatives in their bid to stop the marginalisation of the two zones.

“We wish to assure you of our cooperation and support in all your efforts to stop the marginalisation of Oyo and Oke-Ogun and move the zones forward.

The completion of these projects and the provision of other infrastructural facilities will certainly fasttrack the socio-economic development of Oyo and Oke-Ogun zones,”he said.

The event was graced by the member representing Afijio/Atiba/Oyo-East/ Oyo-West, Honourable Muideen Alatede and the representative of Senator

Monsurat Sunmonu of Oyo Central Senatorial District.

Traditional rulers from the two zones, including representatives of Alaafin of Oyo, led by Basorun of

Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Layinka were also in attendnce.

Others were Oba Sali Oyemomilara Azeez, Sabiganna of Iganna; Oba (Dr) Mashood Aweda

Lawal, Iba of Kishi; Oba Emmanuel Oyebisi, Onigbeti of Igbeti; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Professor Sayed Malik among others.

While responding, Hon-

ourable Alatede pledged the commitment of the representatives of the zones to the actualisation of the dreams of the people of the two zones.

President, Oyo Pinnacle Club, Chief Adebimpe Lala (sitting on third left); Iba of Kishi, Oba Mashood Oyekola Aweda Arowoduye (sitting on fourth left) and other members of the club at the event.

Ile Oluji agog over installation of new monarch Akin Adewakun-Lagos

THE serene town of Ile Oluji in Ile Oluji- Oke Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, recently went agog as the new monarch of the town, Dr. Oluwole Adetimehin, received his staff of office as the new Jegun of Ile Oluji.

Prior to this time, the town was without a monarch for some months, after the demise of the former monarch, Oba Suulade Adedugbe, last year.

Expressing his delight at the choice of a chartered insurer as the new monarch, Bode Akinwande, a resident of the town, ex-

pressed the hope that the tenure of the new royal father would bring prosperity to the town.

While commending the kingmakers for being diligent in the selection process, Akinwande said the eventual choice of the new monarch had made the wait for the selection of the monarch worthwhile.

He, however, appealed to the people of the town to support the new monarch to enable him enhance the fortune of the community.

Another resident, Pastor Emmanuel Akinwale, said he considered the choice of the former President of the

Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, as being in tune with recent happenings in the monarchical landscape of the entire Yoruba race.

“Recently, a new monarch was selected in Ile

Ife, devoid of rancour and since coming on board, the Ooni of Ife has been preaching peace. I believe the new monarch of the town will also toe this line and bring development.

This has become neces-

Offa old students renovate school hall biola azeez-ilorin

AN old school hall, renovated at the cost of over N2 million by the 61-65 set of Offa Grammar School, Offa has been handed over to the school authority.

Speaking during the presentation, which also coincided with the golden

jubilee anniversary of the set, the National President of the Old Students Association of the school, Chief Yemi Olagunju, commended the set for their contributions to the physical development of their alma mater, urging them not to rest on their oars.

Chief Olagunju, who is the Otun Jagunmolu of

25 years after creation of Abia: Community demands compensation Celestien Iheirika-Umuahia

THE traditional ruler of Ndume autonomous community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Donatus Ibe Aguiyi Oforndu II, has said that 25 years after the creation of Abia State, his people were yet to be compensated for their land by past and present administrations in the state and called on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to settle them without further delay.

According to the monarch, the situation has

forced community members to bury their dead in their respective rooms/ houses due to unavailability of land space to carry out proper burial.

Speaking with Community News in his palace, Eze Aguiyi said when the state was created in 1991 and Umuahia was declared as the state capital, the entire community embraced it with the belief that government would compensate them for acquiring their land but up till date, no administra-

sary because development can only be possible in an atmosphere of peace,” he argued.

The new king is a member of many professional insurance and management bodies.

tion had deemed it fit to fulfil the yearnings of the people.

According to the royal father, the industrial market area, the new state secretariat complex, international conference centre among other public buildings were sited in the land belonging to his autonomous community and wondered why government had refused to compensate the community 25 years after.

Eze Aguiyi further lamented that youths in

the community were languishing in poverty due to unemployment as, according to him, since no compensation had been paid, the state government should have offered youths from the community employment in the state civil service even at the lowest cadre in order to alleviate the people’s sufferings.

He, however, commended government for linking roads in the community to the rest of the world.

Offa, said the development would go a long way in complementing the efforts of individuals and groups in developing the old institution, advising staff and students of the school to maintain the structure.

Also speaking, the principal of the school, Alhaji Abdulwahab Ibiyeye, who lauded the contribution of the 61-65 set, called on other groups to emulate the gesture.

In his own speech, the chairman of the home branch of the association, Alhaji Jimoh Salako, lauded the efforts of the old students and appealed to those in positions of authority to assist their colleagues and others who have not yet secured gainful employment.

Also speaking, the coordinator of the set, Engineer Moshood Owoade, who said that the set was founded in 1987 with 40 members, added that the body had been awarding scholarship to deserving students and repaired the water works in the town in 1990.

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news

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Ilora community benefits from Pyrates free medical service

By Wale Akinselure

A

BOUT 480 residents of Ilora community in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State were beneficiaries of the free medical service offered

Ganduje commissions Kawaji health centre Kola Oyelere-Kano

KANO State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has commissioned a basic health centre, built and equipped at the cost of N37 million at Kawaji in Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Commissioning the project, Dr Ganduje described it “as a very good step towards consolidating government’s effort in increasing citizens’ access to affordable health care services.

“It will also improve primary health care services and take care of pregnant women and children.”

He promised that the state government would provide a scanning machine at the health centre to facilitate appropriate diagnoses, urging residents of Kawaji and its environs to patronise the health centre .

The governor, however, commended the Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area, Alhaji Lamin Sani, for embarking on the project, which he noted, would improve the living standard of members of the local community. He urged other council chairmen in the state to emulate the gesture.

Earlier, the chairman of the council stated that the health facility gulped N27 million, adding that N10 million was also used to procure equipment.

In another development, Governor Ganduje has inspected ongoing works on the Murtala Muhammed Way flyover, pledging to continue to pay the contractor gradually until the work is completed as scheduled.

The governor, who was conducted round the construction site by the Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Haruna Lambu, said the quality of the project was appreciable. He, however, urged the contractor and road users plying the route to be extra careful in order to minimise the risk of accident.

by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates’ Confraternity), on Friday.

The medical outreach organised by the Pyrates Confraternity with support from the Department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, featured eye test, blood pressure test, general health check-up and free administration of drugs.

International President, National Association of Seadogs, Mr Ifeanyi Onochie, remarked that the

medical mission, which is part of the cardinal objectives of the organisation, was aimed at giving people in rural communities access to primary health care.

Community News observed that about 70 per cent of those that turned out for the health programme, had eye defects such as cataract, glucoma, partial and total blindness.

About 100 eye glasses were given out.

Investigation into the trend revealed that many

cases of the eye defects were not unconnected with the high consumption of unprocesssed cassava by the people of the community while others took to self administration of eye drops.

Onochie decried the neglect of many rural communities by government at all levels, thereby putting rural dwellers at a disadvantage position in accessing quality healthcare.

In addressing this trend, he disclosed that the association was now embarking

on a monthly medical mission as against the quarterly programme.

He, however, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of residents, noting that the programme would impact on the health of many people.

Onochie also pointed out that the organisation was set to carry out a large scale campaign against the current Lassa and Zika health challenges around the world.

The traditional head of the

Residents of Ilora community receiving free medical services during the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates’ Confraternity) Medical Mission held in Ilora, Afijio Local Government, Oyo State, on Friday.

FCT administration shifts take-off of rail system Christian Okeke - Abuja

THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has shifted the date for take-off of rail system in the territory.

Previous deadlines were not realised, forcing authorities to declare that the Abuja rail system will now become operational in the last quarter of 2017.

FCT Minister, Malam

Muhammad Musa Bello confirmed that the last quarter of 2017 is now the new target date envisaged by the FCT administration.

The minister noted that when the Abuja rail comes on stream, it would revolutionise the transportation system, as the use of personal vehicles would become unattractive.

He disclosed that the rail transportation would also

go a long way to create employment for some residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

Bello called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to build mega filling stations in the six area councils of the territory instead of only one earmarked for each Senatorial districts in the 36 states of the federation.

Citing mega filling sta-

tions in the area councils, he said, would definitely reduce pressure on the stations in the Federal Capital City.

According to him, the FCT Administration is prepared to go into partnership with NNPC, by giving befitting and strategic plots of land for the stations, which he said, would give the administration equity share in the business.

C’River community seeks permanent boundary with neighbour Anthony Ubong-Calabar

FOLLOWING the protracted boundary dispute between the people of Iyima and Onyadama in Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas of Cross River State, the village heads of Iyima have appealed to the state government to prevail on the Federal Government and the National Boundary Commission to create a permanent boundary between the two local government areas.

The appeal is contained in a communiqué issued after a one-day meeting of village heads of Iyima and made available to Community News in Calabar.

The people of Iyima lamented that the clan had in time past gone through excruciating experiences such as insecurity and disruption of socio-economic activities propelled by their neighbours at Onyadama.

Speaking on behalf of the village heads, Chief Eval Ferdinand Eyo, disclosed that since the carving out of Yakurr Local Government Area out of Obubra, the people have witnessed series of communal clash between them and the people of Onyadama, which had led to the death of hundreds of Iyima indigenes.

Chief Eyo said the community suffered the worst devastation in 2014 when hundreds of families were

rendered homeless even to date, alongside destruction of school buildings, health centres, market, farms, and installations of mobile phone networks .

“After the crisis, family heads have been dying as a result of psychological trauma, while many children are suffering from malnutrition due to scarcity of food arising from acute poverty.

“It is only Obubra and Yakurr Local Government Areas out of the 18 local government areas of Cross River that have not been provided with a defined boundary.

Government and public spirited individuals should, as a matter of urgency, wade into

the matter by prevailing on the National Boundary Commission to correct the anomalies to ensure peace and security in the area,”he said.

He said though successive administrations in the state had tried to resolve the dispute by creating a buffer zone to restrict members of the two communities from trespassing in areas of restriction, it did not yield positive results as their neighbours did not comply.

He noted that no amount of relief materials in cash or kind would compensate for their losses other than providing a realistic, acceptable and permanent boundary between the community and Onyadama.

host community, the Akinbio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Oyeniyi Olufemi, while flagging off the programme, noted that the medical mission would have great impact on the health of the people in the 19 villages in and around Ilora community.

He, therefore, called for more of such medical interventions to aid the healthy living of his subjects.

The medical consultant to the confraternity, Dr Oteri Joseph, hinted that the programme was meant to address the health challenges of all categories of people.

He, however, noted that referrals were made for patients with severe ailments and those who require surgery.

Mrs D. A. Salako, who was diagnosed of cataract in her eye, was referred to a general hospital.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Oyedunni Oyewole, was attended to for general body aches.

Oyewole, like many other patients, received drugs that would last her for two weeks.

Beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the programme, saying it would go a long way in improving their health status.

Rep mourns IGP Adewusi Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Segun Ogunwuyi representing Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal Constituency of Oyo State, has stated that with the demise of a onetime Inspector General of Police in the second republic, the Chief Sunday Adewusi, the nation has again lost one of its illustrious sons.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Sunday, Honourable Ogunwuyi described the late Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland as a gallant and fine police officer while in the service of his fatherland.

According to him,” even after retirement, Baba remained a community leader and a father to all in his immediate Ogbomoso community, Oyo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. We will all miss his wise counsel.

The lawmaker recalled that as the IGP, the late Adewusi brought several innovations into the Nigeria Police which put the country at the forefront in all regional and international engagements.

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Monday, 8 February, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Global community outraged by N/Korean rocket launch

G

LOBAL reaction to North Korea’s announcement of launching a long-range rocket has been swift and created universal international outrage.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement condemning Pyongyang for “a flagrant violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions” related to the use of “ballistic missile technology.”

Susan Rice, the U.S. national security advisor, said, “North Korea’s launch using ballistic-missile technology ... represents yet another destabilising and provocative action and is a flagrant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

Rice said the North Korea’s weapons programs “represent serious threats to our interests, including the security of some of our closest allies.”

U.S. Congressman Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, “This latest aggression underscores the importance of enacting my legislation to strengthen targeted sanctions against this brutal regime.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday blasted North Korea’s launch as a “direct

Pyongyang comply with international law.

In a statement, Stoltenberg

violation” of five U.N. Security Council resolutions and demanded

said he strongly condemned the launch, which entailed the use of ballistic-missile

“intolerable provocation.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised to “take action to totally protect the safety and wellbeing of our people.’

Obama addresses climate change

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reacts as he watches a long range rocket launch in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, Feb. 7, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS.

US President Barack Obama says climate change is “one of the greatest challenges of our time,” but America is standing up to the challenge.

“Today, clean power from the wind or the sun is actually cheaper in many communities than dirtier, conventional power,” the president said Saturday in his weekly address.

“Over the last seven

Syria refugees flee to Turkey border amid Aleppo attack TURKEY is ready “if necessary” to let in Syrian refugees trapped on its border after fleeing heavy fighting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Tens of thousands of Syrians, mostly women and children, remain stuck at the Turkish border after escaping a Russia-backed government offensive in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

“The regime has now blocked a part of Aleppo ... Turkey is under threat,” Erdogan told reporters on his plane returning from Senegal on Saturday.

“If they reached our door and have no other choice, if necessary, we have to and will let our brothers in,”

Erdogan added.

The governor of Turkey’s Kilis border province, Suleyman Tapsiz, said on

Thousands have rushed toward the Turkish border, fleeing the offensive and Russian air strikes in Aleppo. PHOTO: BUNYAMIN AYGUN/AP.

otherNEWS

Borrie Erasmus, a farmer whose family has worked and lived on the same land in the Free State province for the past five decades, told Al Jazeera he had not seen anything like it.

“On our farm, there has never been a time that there has not been any maize in

Saturday that Turkey was taking care of the 30,000 - 35,000 refugees who had gathered around the nearby Syrian city of Azaz over the space of 48 hours.

Another 70,000 may head for the frontier if Russian air strikes and Syrian regime military advances continued in Aleppo, he added.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Gaziantep in Turkey, Fadi Hajjar, a Syrian activist with the Aleppo Media Centre, said there were between 30,000 to 50,000 people waiting at the border.

years, we’ve made historic investments in clean energy that helped private sector companies create tens of thousands of good jobs,” the president said.

In an effort to continue that growth, Obama said “rather than subsidise the past, we should invest in the future.

That’s why the budget I will send to Congress this Tuesday will double funding for clean energy research and development by 2020.”

“While Republicans in Congress are still considering their position on climate change, many of them realise that clean energy is an incredible source of good-paying jobs for their constituents,” Obama said.

President Obama delivers his Weekly Address. PHOTO: WHITE HOUSE.

Tunisia completes barrier along Libya border

S/Africa farmers devastated by El Nino drought It is being described as the worst drought to have hit South Africa in 20 years.

Five out of the country’s nine provinces have been declared disaster zones as dry conditions triggered by the El Nino weather pattern continue to devastate the country.

technology and came after a widely condemned nuclear test on January 6.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye called the rocket firing an

December. We could not even try planting seeds. It has been drier than ever,” Erasmus said.

The drought is costing South African farmers more than an estimated $600m in lost crops.

While the government says it will be spending

$19m on assisting farmers, it also suggested that farmers should start adapting to changing weather patterns.

“We can’t continue relying only on dry agriculture,” Senzeni Zokwana, South Africa’s minister of agriculture, told Al Jazeera.

Anti-migrant protesters rally in several major European cities GERMANY’S antiIslamic organisation Pegida held rallies in several European cities Saturday to protest against mass immigration and what it calls the “Islamisation” of Europe.

Several thousand supporters of Pegida, which is the German acronym for Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of

the Occident, demonstrated in Dresden, Germany, the movement’s birthplace.

Riot police clashed with demonstrators in Amsterdam, where about 200 Pegida supporters held their first protest in the Dutch capital.

The riot police, who outnumbered both the Pegida supporters and those protesting against

it, intervened to separate the opposing sides and detained several people from both groups.

In Birmingham, Pegida held its first official march in Britain, although it involved fewer than 200 participants.

Its coordinator, Tommy Robinson, said that the last year’s influx of 1½ million immigrants should not be repeated.

TUNISIA has completed the construction of a barrier along its border with Libya, months after attacks on its capital and a beach resort that killed dozens of tourists.

Defence Minister Farhat Horchani told reporters on Saturday that the construction of the project marked “an important day” for Tunisia in its struggle against “terrorism”.

Two attacks claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)

group last year killed 59 foreign tourists, with Tunisian officials saying the assailants had trained in conflict-ridden Libya where ISIL is active.

“Tunisia is capable of fighting against terrorism in an active and efficient way,” Horchani said during a tour of the barrier.

The barrier, which is composed of sand banks and water-filled trenches, stretches some 200km from Ras Jedir on the Mediterranean coast to Dhiba further southwest.

Tunisia constructed berms and water-filled trenches along its frontier with Libya to try to keep out ISIL fighters. PHOTO: ZOUBEIR SOUISSI/REUTERS.

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foreig naffairs

Monday, 8 February, 2016

Taiwan earthquake: Hopes of finding more survivors fade

M

Mosquito nets costumes have been popular in Recife’s carnival. PHOTO: AP

Brazil carnival: Party goes on despite Zika virus threat IN Recife, the city most affected by the mosquitoborne disease, more than one million people in colourful costumes have been partying.

In Rio de Janeiro, huge crowds of revellers have filled the city centre to celebrate.

The virus has been linked to a surge of brain malformations in newborn babies.

The health ministry and local authorities have been handing out leaflets alerting residents and tourists to the risks of Zika.

Over a million visitors are expected in Rio de Janeiro for the carnival celebrations, which end on Wednesday morning.

This is the first test of whether fear of contamination by the Zika virus may scare tourists from the Olympics the city will host in August and September, says the BBC’s Julia Carneiro.

Brazilian authorities and the International Olympic Committee have pointed out that the Games will be held during the Southern Hemisphere winter, when conditions for the proliferation of the mosquito that spreads the virus will be less

favourable.

Fumigation to try to eliminate the Aedes aegypti, which also carries the dengue and chikungunya viruses, are continuing in many Brazilian cities during carnival.

Some 220,000 armed forces troops will launch a big clean-up operation next week to eliminate puddles of stagnant water where the mosquitoes breed.

President Dilma Rousseff has urged all Brazilians to join the effort.

More than 20 countries in the Americas have been affected by the Zika virus outbreak. Brazil has been the worst hit country.

OST of the 27 with the help of hi-tech thought that more than confirmed to equipment, sniffer dogs and 300 were inside at the time have died after cranes. Shelters are being of the collapse, as some S a t u r d a y ’ s set up for those who have students renting rooms quake were in the Weiguan lost their homes in the city would not have been Jinlong building in Tainan of two million people. registered and people may City.

Census records suggest have had guests staying to An investigation into about 260 people were celebrate the Lunar New its construction has been living there but it is now Year holiday beginning on launched.

Earlier, a six-month-old baby girl was pulled alive from the rubble but she later died in hospital.

Sunday also saw a 20-year-old man was also pulled out alive.

About 200 people have now been rescued. Nearly 500 people were injured as a result of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake, and dozens remain in hospital.

Hundreds of soldiers are involved in the rescue effort, Falling building after the earthquake. PHOTO: EPA.

GOP takes aim at Marco Rubio during debate MARCO Rubio struggled on Saturday to fend off a string of searing attacks from Chris Christie as the Florida senator’s establishment rivals tried to halt his campaign surge by branding him as too inexperienced and unaccomplished to be president.

Rubio appeared seriously rattled by the exchanges at the final Republican presidential debate before Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. He repeatedly tried to fight off Christie -- without much effect -- by shifting the focus to President Barack Obama

Burkina Faso: Kidnapped Australian woman freed JOCELYN Elliott and her husband Ken, who are in their 80s, were snatched from Djibo near the border with Mali.

The couple had provided medical services in the town since the 1970s.

Al Qaeda-linked militants said the kidnapping was an attempt to secure the release of imprisoned fighters, a jihadist monitoring group said.

The group, al Qaeda in the

Spanish police say their investigation - launched in 2014 - is ongoing.

PHOTO: EPA

Monday.

The BBC’s Rupert Wingfield Hayes, in Tainan City, says there is an increasing sense of despair among the relatives still waiting for news.

Tainan Mayor William Lai said survivors and relatives had reported legal “violations” but gave no further details.

“I’ve contacted judicial units and prosecutors have formally launched an investigation,” he told reporters.

“We’ve also commissioned three independent bodies to preserve evidence during the rescue so we can assist the residents if they want to file lawsuits in the future.

We will hold the builder responsible if they have broken the law.”

Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), said in an audio recording that it would release Mrs Elliott so as “not to make women involved in the war”, according to a translation made by the SITE Intelligence organisation.

Mrs Elliott appeared alongside Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou in the town of Dosso, Niger’s presidential spokesman said.

Efforts to free her husband were continuing, the spokesman added.

Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed that the Australian government had been in contact with Mrs Elliott following her release.

The couple were kidnapped on the same day as a deadly attack on a hotel in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou, which was also claimed by AQIM.

otherNEWS Spain breaks up ‘IS jihadist cell’ THE suspects were held in raids in the cities of Valencia and Alicante and in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.

They provided logistical support for terrorist

activities in Iraq and Syria, police say.

They say the alleged leader of the cell was also asked by IS to supply women for militants in the two countries.

Four of those arrested

and the Democrats.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, was booed during an exchange with Jeb Bush. The billionaire then turned on the audience, suggesting it was made up of party figures and big donors and was therefore biased against him -- and the booing escalated.

But it was Christie, who is making a do-or-die last stand in New Hampshire, who proved relentless on the debate stage, blasting Rubio as someone who delivers soaring speeches but has never made a consequential decision in his political life.

“Marco, the thing is this,” Christie said at the ABC debate at St Anselm’s College in New Hampshire.

“When you’re president of the United States, when you’re a governor of a state, the memorised 30-second speech where you talk about

are Spanish nationals of Jordanian, Moroccan and Syrian origin. Another two are Syrian and Moroccan citizens.

The authorities did not provide details about the

how great America is at the end of it doesn’t solve one problem for one person,” Christie said.

The GOP establishment’s bloodbath in New Hampshire Christie also slammed Rubio’s poor attendance record in the Senate.

“That’s not leadership, that’s truancy,” Christie said.

Rubio tried to blunt Christie’s attack by saying that he had not wanted to leave the campaign trail to return to New Jersey before a major snow storm last week. The senator then spoke of the aspirations of the American people.

But Christie had none of it, refusing to let Rubio wiggle out of the way of his assault, playing on a narrative advanced by Rubio’s opponents that he has simply learned a fluent stump speech and deploys it every time he appears in public.

seventh suspect.

The investigation - which is still ongoing - was launched in 2014 into what police describe as “foreign structures” of IS on Spanish soil.

China’s currency reserves plunged in January CHINA has been running down its vast foreign currency reserves in an attempt to boost the value of its own currency and stem a flow of funds overseas.

At $3.23 trillion, China still has the world’s biggest reserve of foreign currency holdings.

But that has declined by $420bn over six months and stands at the lowest level since May 2012.

“While the remaining reserves still

represent a substantial war chest, the mathematics around this rapid pace of depletion in recent months is simply unsustainable for any length of time,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia Pacific Chief Economist, IHS Global Insight.

The Chinese authorities fear a rapid devaluation of their currency, as it could destabilise the economy.

Many Chinese businesses hold debt in dollars and managing those debts with

a severely weakened yuan could cause problems and some companies to fail.

So China has been trying to engineer an ordered devaluation of the yuan, but that is proving hard to deliver.

Investors have been trying to pull funds out of investments priced in yuan and speculators have been betting on further falls in the currency.

To stabilise the situation China has been selling dollars and buying yuan.

And it has been using other tactics, including curbing currency speculation and ordering offshore banks to retain their reserves of yuan.

Commenting on the decline, veteran economist, George Magnus noted that there is “confusion” over China’s foreign currency policy.

“Clearly this can’t go on for long,” he tweeted, referring to the fall in currency reserves.

46

Monday, 8 February, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Oliseh to claim hefty pay-off should he be fired

N

IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) will have to be ready with a handsome pay-off should they fire the country’s coach Sunday Oliseh.

Oliseh’s future as Super Eagles coach is up in the air after the country’s disappointing showing at CHAN 2016 in Rwanda and his unguarded utterances ever since.

However, top officials who pleaded not to be mentioned have now said going by the contract he signed with the NFF in July, the former Nigeria skipper will be entitled to a big payoff should he now be sacked just seven months into a three-year contract.

Another source even hinted that the pay-off could be as much as his pay for three years, which could come down to as much as 180 million Naira.

“Sunday knows they want to sack him, but he will be waiting for them at FIFA. They have to be ready to pay out his contract sum,” said the source.

The technical committee of the NFF was inaugurated on Friday in Uyo, but their deliberations at their first meeting have remained top secret to further raise doubts about Oliseh’s future as Nigeria coach.

“Oliseh was one of the two major items on the agenda of the committee, but very little has been heard

about the direction the committee has taken on this matter,” another source disclosed.

It is now expected that the NFF executive committee will meet soon to discuss the recommendations of this committee.

The Eagles coaching situation has to be resolved soon because Nigeria face two crucial AFCON 2017 qualifiers against group leaders Egypt in March and the results could well make or mar their qualification chances to Gabon.

Oliseh

Mourinho reiterates interest in Man Utd job Jose Mourinho has dropped another hint that he could be set to take over from Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager, stating he is “ready” to manage a club outside London.

The Portuguese coach has been without a club since December following his dismissal from Chelsea, which came about after he led the defending champions to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

With Van Gaal’s position at Old Trafford coming under increasing pressure in recent weeks, speculation has mounted that Mourinho is being lined up to take over from the underfired Dutchman.

Mourinho has stated his inten-

tion to return to management in the near future but went one step further in his most recent interview, revealing his reasons

favourite footballers and athletes on your various channels.

Through your variety of sports telecasts in football, athletics, boxing, rugby, basketball, etc, upcoming athletes want to aspire to be the champions they watch on SuperSport. I therefore implore you to take a step further by investing in grassroots sports development either through training the trainers or partnering with us to put up structures. This will in time produce high profile athletes who will make Nigeria proud in no distant time” Dalung said In his response, Mr Brandon Foot promised to continue Supersport’s

we could move a lot, experience different countries and in my case different clubs, different football,” he told GQ.

...As van Gaal dismisses Jose Mourinho link MANCHESTER United manager Louis van Gaal says he does not believe reports that the club have lined up ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to replace him.

Mourinho, who was sacked in December, said he will be “back soon” after it was revealed his representatives had held talks with United.

Van Gaal said: “When there is such nonsense written about me, I cannot believe there is already

Dalung urges SuperSport to invest in grassroots sports SUPERSPORT International has been urged to invest more in grassroots sports development in Nigeria The Minister for Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung gave the charge when he called on the Chief Executive Officer of SuperSport Mr Brandon Foot, at their international studios in Ramburg, Johannesburg South Africa.

Barrister Dalung who held a meeting with the management of Supersport International urged Mr Foot to assist in the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria through investments in training, facilities and Programmes tailored towards helping young athletes in the country.

“We are happy for the numerous sports Programmes being transmitted to Africa through SuperSport Africa and sports loving Nigerians always look forward to watch their

behind the club-hopping years at Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid.

“When my kids were younger,

strategies towards sports promotion and sponsorship in Nigeria which already

i n cludes the Nigeria ProfessionalFootball league, the DSTV men’s Basketball league, the GOTV boxing tournament and the community based mentorship programme ‘Let’s Play’.

a relationship between Jose Mourinho and United.”

Mourinho’s dismissal from Chelsea ended his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

“I always say I need competition - I need competition every week,” the Portuguese, 53, told The Mail on Sunday. “For sure I’ll be back soon.”

Van Gaal has been under pressure at Old Trafford after a difficult second season i n

Mourinho

charge, which has seen his team’s style of play repeatedly criticised.

Olympics qualifier:

NTTF seeks NSC financial support for tournament in Sudan IN order to be part of this month’s ITTF Africa Top 16 cup and Olympics Qualifying Tournament in Sudan as well as the World Championship in Malaysia, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is soliciting for the financial support of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The tournaments which would help some of the players that had already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics to tune up for the games, while it will afford more players to book their places at the multi-sports championship in Brazil.

Already, Aruna Quadri and Olufunke Oshonaike have confirmed their spots at the Olympics while Seegun Toriola will be aiming for history as the first athlete in Africa to compete at seven Olympics as the former Africa join other players from the continent to compete at the final qualifiers in Sudan.

47

Monday, 8 February, 2016

schoolsport

Nigerian Tribune

Anchor: Nurudeen Alimi oladimejialimi@yahoo.co.in 08111847089

It’s unhelpful to approve any school without sporting facilities —Olarinoye Dr Steve Olarinoye, Zonal Coordinator, National Sports Commission, South-West zone one in this interview with NURUDEEN ALIMI, believes synergy among stakeholders is the key to the development of school sport in Nigeria. Excerpts:

S

CHOOL SPORT seems to be going into extinction, what do you think is responsible for this?

So many things are responsible. In those good old days, when we were growing up there were open spaces everywhere where you will see youths arrange themselves to play street football competitions. Most of these competitions were usually five-aside with rubber ball popularly known as ‘Felele’. The same thing was applicable to table tennis. On the streets of Lagos then, if you saw any plank no matter how small, you can play table tennis on it and it will be flowing. But where are those spaces now?

They have built houses on them. If you go to schools now, even here in Ibadan, how many schools can you say have standard sporting facilities? and that blame should go to the ministry of education because I see no reason they should be approving the establishment of schools without sporting facilities. You see, to play friendly football matches among schools is a problem. The football pitch is not there, where will they train? so that is the problem. And the ministry of education should do something about

Olarinoye

this as a matter of urgency, though the National Sports Commission (NSC), has a role to play because I believe it is a joint effort, from parents to the ministry of education, sports council and the National Sports Commission. Apart from that, no single individual can do it. Also, the corporate world should come in though, it is a known fact that the economy is bad at the moment but they should know the importance of sport.

Nowadays, there is a lot of money in sport, so, parents want their children to engage in one sport or the other. I remember in those

days as well, that there were some competitions which were national in outlook like the Academicals Cup for instance, which discovered people like me, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka and Felix Owolabi, among others.

What are the efforts being put in place by the National Sports Commission to revive school sport?

In the National Sports Commission, there is a department that is responsible for schoolsport and I think they are doing a

How many schools can you say have standard sporting facilities? and that blame should go to the ministry of education because I see no reason they should be approving the establishment of schools without sporting facilities.

Olarinoye

lot but then, their efforts may not yield any positive result unless all other stakeholders join hands with them. Government must be seen to play its role, the ministry of education should also play its own part. It is only when this happen that you can get the desired result. It must also be noted that ministry of education controls the schools, so we must work together.

Can you let us know some of the programmes lined up for schoolsport by the National Sports Commission South-West zone one this year?

It is one thing to have programmes, another thing is implementation. Of course, I am a trained sport administrator and the thing is like a farmer who does not have equipment like cutlass, hoes etc to work, he will just be a farmer by name. It is only when funds meant for grassroots development get to where it should get to, things will remain unchanged. But I believe in this present government that everything including the standard of sport will change for the better.

SIDELINES

NO 16, 431

S

MONDAY, 8 FEBRUARY, 2016

UDDENLY President Muhammadu Buhari has become a cynic. And because he has suddenly become a cynic, he has compelled me to question his pre-election and campaign slogan of change. Our man who was full of pre-election-campaign-and-preinauguration confidence to promise us almost everything that would bring positive change to our lives, has suddenly lost his vigour. He now - suddenly – has what he calls “my main headache.”

And what is our president’s “main headache”? It is the Nigerian judiciary that is not supportive of his anti-corruption presidential routine. Our awkward judiciary is the stumbling block to our president’s strong and productive battle against graft. President Buhari indicated this (and more) at a recent international gathering in Ethiopia.

Rightly, or wrongly, I would call the President’s statement a dummy. The statement was an attempt to sell us a toy, the President’s toy of inefficiency disallowing him from beginning in earnest the change that will rid us of material and physical poverty everywhere about this. Of course, lack of material and physical wealth and joy can induce – in fact, it induces – moral and spiritual poverty in one. We never envisaged that our new president would, up to now, not give thought to this magnificent thought.

No one should misunderstand me. I love Buhari’s dynamic movement toward corruption and graft which he is absolutely determined to get rid of. But it is awkward, very awkward for him to devote his unyouthful frame to only this concern. His dynamic presidential movement must be toward the elimination of unemployment and hunger, for instance, from the land.

Or is he not aware that people are dying every day, every second, every minute, every hour in the land due to lack of work or employment that is an obstacle to people living well and well?

The president and his barons must be imaginative and creative enough to put in place structures to bail the people out of their sinking boats of poverty that is devastatingly crushing, drowning them.

N150

A 27-year-old suspect currently being held by the Ogun State command, one Muyiwa Durojaiye, has admitted to joining a fake number plate production racket because he had a pregnant wife to feed. So, feeding a pregnant woman and her unborn baby with the proceeds of crime is the best way to demonstrate hot passion?

in&out with Tony Afejuku

08055213059

President Buhari, save us, save us!

Clearly, Buhari was not the cause of the prevailing pains of the dying people and their tormented relations and friends, but he has contributed - and he is contributing - to their predicaments by his not making, so far, what we may call a meaningful effort to boost and change their lives that need serious transformation. The president must kill corruption, but he also must be told that Nigerians must be alive to reap the benefits of what the death of corruption would fetch them.

His corruption crusade is meaningless if it ends up killing the very people it was/is meant to benefit.

Let’s go back a-while, even briefly, to the matter of the judiciary that Buhari has accused of giving him “headache” in his fight against corruption. Some persons who may be lacking in the language of disciplined criticism may accuse the president of an attempt to blackmail the judiciary to do his bidding.

They may argue that he doesn’t want the judiciary to maintain its constitutional independence. They may be right, these critics of the president. But we know too well that several members of the judiciary were appointed in the tenure of Buhari’s immediate predecessor. Thus there is the likelihood of their bias against Buhari who is dearly out to commit the ugly barons of the last regime to where they should be committed to - the Gulag that befits them.

In other words, the judiciary that enjoyed

President, show the people love. different kinds and measures of benefits from the last regime may be compromising - or may have compromised – themselves by twisting the rule of law out of joint in the endeavour to give sure candidates of/for our new Gulag soft landing – a stumbling block against justice, which is causing Buhari his “main headache” against official and non-official grafters.

But I have an aspirin for President Buhari: He and his barons and presidencynologists must be imaginative and circumspective enough to device the perfect or nearperfect means to destroy the means of instrumental injustice by all judges who are susceptible to emotions of compromise. If Buhari and his kitchen cabinet are sincerely imaginative and perceptive enough the judiciary and its fellow wayfarers will not be in a position to use their means of instrumental injustice against the state, the presidency and suffering Nigerians who are dying under Buhari’s presidency.

Now let me alert Buhari thus: The majority of Nigerians have had it up to here - up to their nostrils – with you.

They want jobs, good, excellent hospitals, nourishing food, workable firms and industries, un-interrupted electricity supply, well, very decently equipped schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities, useable roads, living wages and many good things of life they rightly understood your promise of change to mean. Your further delay to put in motion machinery to bring these to fruition is dangerous. By the way, why the birth of new electricity tariffs when people are dying? Why the withdrawal of kerosene at this point in time? Why are Senior Staff of university workers on strike now? Why do you allow schools in the universities to be shut for this long? Or does the president not know that one closed school is the open sesame to multiple prisons? How many of the students and pupils in the closed colleges and schools are thinking straight now? (Perhaps the closed institutions may re-open soon, very soon – as this column is ready to see its day, but the posed questions will remain ever relevant and pertinent).

President, show the people love, the love that will save them from dying under your dynamic presidency that is yet to give them a present and a future. We have had it up to here. We are maybe breathing our last. The air is very hot. Save us, save us, save us. Six months of your presidency is long enough to save the dying from dying.

Save us. Save us. Save us.

Kanu named in world legends list

Kanu

THE International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has named Nwankwo Kanu in the top 48 legend of football worldwide.

IFFHS released the first phase of the list which includes Brazilian greats Pele and Ronaldo da Lima.

Notable Africans on the list include former World player of the year George Oppong Weah, Roger Milla, Rabah Medjer, Muhammed Aboutrika, Mohmud El-Khatub and former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe.

FFHS were formed in 1984 under FIFA’s approval and they focus on archiving football records, statistics and records of assocations across the globe.

Kanu was the last Nigerian to win

the CAF African Footballer of the Year award in 1999.

He played for Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal.

Reacting, the Nigeria football Federation (NFF) 1st vice president, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi in a chat with Tribunesport by phone Sunday described the feat as a well deserved one for Kanu, adding that it also brought honour and glory not only to the former Super Eagles captain but to the country.

The Lagos Football Association chairman believes that the naming of Kanu among the legend of football will encourage upcoming players to put in their best.

EPL RESULTS Bournemouth 0

Arsenal

2

Chelsea

Man Utd

1

1

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