8th November 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,628 TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

TribuneOnline

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Buratai weeps as Lt. Colonel, 6•Army soldiers are buried will ensure thorough scrutiny of deaths, he says —P2,3

•Boko Haram: Borno now 50yrs backward —Shettima

"

ised epitom ur n e m e o Thes ry best of ed the ve ey exemplifi y h t a , it r y militar es of our mil , lu y the va h are loyalt lfless whic ge, se , coura , honour e n li ip ct disc , respe service nd dignity. a

"

Wife of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Ali, Amira, with the children being consoled by a relative. PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER DANLADI.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, reading his funeral oration. PHOTO: NAN.

Tribune AGM holds today —P11

Remains of the fallen heroes, during the burial at the Nigerian Army Cemetery, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI. MORE PICTURES ON PAGES 2 AND 3

Ondo PDP crisis: Legal fireworks begins at Appeal —P8 Court

How AGF's letter led to —P4 suspension of judges —CJN

Clinton, Trump in tight race as America elects 45th president today —P37

2 news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Buratai weeps as Lt. Colonel, 6 soldiers are buried •Army will ensure thorough scrutiny of deaths, he says •Boko Haram: Borno now 50yrs backward —Shettima Chris Agbambu and Collins Nnabuife -Abuja, with Agency Report

G

Scene of the fire fight where Abu was killed.

Army will ensure thorough scrutiny of deaths —Buratai Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja CHIEF of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, on Monday, said the military would thoroughly probe the death of LieutenantColonel Mohammed Abu Ali in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents last week Thursday.

Buratai, who stated this while reacting before a Senate committee hearing in Abuja, said Ali’s death in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists in Mallam Fatori area in northern Borno was an eye opener to the military.

He revealed that one

officer and five soldiers and a naval rating got killed in an ambush at the Mallam Fatori area.

According to him, some responses and comments of some highly-placed individuals in the country were constituting danger to national security.

“I want to tell you that the fight against Boko Haram insurgents is a matter of concern to everyone and what we are going to witness today (Monday) at the burial ceremony should be an eye-opener.

“Although we have several cases of soldiers’death in battle field in the past, at this point in time, it calls for proper scrutiny

because of the responses by individuals and, indeed, organisations to national defence and security issues.

“We must take the issue of defence and security very seriously so that, collectively, we would fight these insurgents to its final conclusion,” he said.

Buratai said as a result of the controversy over the location of the military in the Maitama extension axis of Abuja, the military would soon relocate to more convenient places.

“We need to relocate the headquarters of the current military office. The current location is not so convenient for us,” he said.

LOOM enveloped the atmosphere at the Army Cemetery, Abuja, on Monday, as LieutenantColonel Mohammed Abu Ali and six other fallen heroes were interred.

Tears fell freely during the emotional period, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, weeping while reading his funeral oration.

Those at the burial, including wife of the president, Aisha Buhari and family members of the fallen heroes, could not restrain tears as the coffins bearing the remains of the deceased were led in a procession to the burial place.

Aside Lieutenant-Colonel Ali, other victims were Sergeant Muazu Ibrahim, Sergeant Hussain Jafaru, Sergeant Bassey Okon, Corporal Chukwu Simon Private Salisu Lawal and Seaman Patrick Paul.

They died when the terrorists attempted to seize Mallam Fatori in an attack on November 4.

During his funeral oration, Buratai extolled the gallantry of the fallen heroes, adding that they were dedicated to their duties before they paid the supreme price.

The soldiers were inducted into the Operation Lafiya Dole in 2014, in a bid to fight the Boko Haram insurgents and liberate the North-East from their hold.

“They were brave, precise, professional and inspiring.

They led the battle to recapture Monguno, Baga, new Marte, Bama, Gwoza, Banki Junction, GamboruNgala, Yale, Yanteke, Bita, Deruwa, Daira Kangaruwa and Mallam Fatori.

“In these battles, they rescued children and women, fathers and mothers, the young and the old and restored peace and hope to Nigerian citizens.

“At last, on November 4, they paid the supreme sacrifice in the battle of Mallam Fatori,’’ Buratai said.

According to him, the deceased epitomised the very best of Nigeria’s military. “They exemplified the values of our nation and the military which are: loyalty, discipline, courage, selfless service, respect, honour and dignity,’’ he said.

Buratai also said the deceased fought for the unity of the nation, adding

that “your labour will never be in vain.”

He promised that the army would take care of their survivors.

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari, said the deceased had shown unalloyed commitment to the nation.

“They were fearless, responsive, inspiring, selfless and dedicated to their duties.

“The selflessness of these gentlemen reinvigorate the memories of other great fallen heroes, who stood firm in the defence of our dear nation,’’ the president said.

Buhari noted that the deceased had paid the supreme sacrifice in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the NorthEast, adding that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

He also noted that their

contributions had resulted in the restoration of normalcy in the region.

“It is, therefore, our resolve that the labour of these fallen heroes shall never be in vain,’’ he said, adding that insurgency and terrorism would be defeated.

Others at the funeral were included the service chiefs, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State; Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau; Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Senators Ali Ndume, Dino Melaye and Phillip Aduda.

Also at the burial were wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, among others.

The deceased were interred at about 5.55 p.m., after all necessary military Awards were presented to the families of the deceased by the Nigerian Army, with special prayers held for the fallen heroes.

...Saraki, Gov Sani Bello mourn From Taiwo Adisa and Oladipo Adelowo SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, in a condolence message on the officer and other victims, expressed sadness over their death.

He described the late officer as a patriot who lost his life in the defence of his fatherland.

He lamented the incident that led to the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammed Abu Ali and other gallant soldiers, while he described the late Ali as one of the nation’s vibrant and promising officers in the army.

“We have lost a fine soldier and patriotic young Nigerian. This sacrifice is one of the many that Nigerians and, most especially, the Armed Forces, have made in taming the misguided terrorists in our land.

“The death of Ali is a big burden that this nation is bearing in the bid to restore peace to all parts. We have lost hundreds of our security operatives and innocent Nigerians in the struggle.

“My heart goes out to Ali’s young wife and three children. My heart also goes out to Ali’s father, BrigadierGeneral Abu Ali (retd) who had equally served the nation as a soldier.

“His death came at a time our loyal and courageous troops are flushing out the last vestiges of the terrorists from the North-East. We shall sorely miss the late

Ali’s bravery, courage and inspirational leadership,” he said.

He, therefore, called on all security agencies across the land not to relent in considering the anguish and lamentations that followed the death of Ali, adding that the Senate would continue to support them in the fight against terrorism.

Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, described the late Lieutenant-Colonel Ali as a national hero, whose battle ground conduct was worthy of commendation and emulation by all Nigerians.

Governor Bello said the fallen officer’s discipline, gallantry, bravery, patriotism, selfless service, commitment and clear understanding of the battle space and what was at stake ensured various successes recorded in the operations he led in the fight against Boko Haram, particularly the liberation of territory occupied by the terrorists in the North-East.

The governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said Abu Ali was an example of a gentleman officer, who lived by the professional demands of his calling through tactical deployment of strategic directives from the military high command in support of counterterrorism operations (Operation Lafiya Dole) in Continues pg3

3 news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Soldiers bearing the remains of the fallen heroes to the burial site, on Monday.

Boko Haram: Borno now 50 years backward —Gov Shettima Clement Idoko - Abuja BORNO State governor, Mr Kashim Shettima, on Monday, lamented that the level of destruction by the heinous activities of the Boko Haram sect has taken the state backward by 50 years, with educational institutions worst affected.

He, however, said the state is now safe for rehabilitation efforts to take place, as well as rebuilding and expansion of educational institutions.

Shettima made this remark in Abuja, when the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Adamu Abubakar Rasheed, presented a letter of recognition for the establishment of Borno State University to him.

The governor, who was accompanied by the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume and state officials, told the NUC boss that before the expiration of his tenure, the state would forward request for recognition of additional two universities that would be specialised institutions.

“At the risk of sounding repetitive, Borno State has been taken 50 years backward, no thanks to the vicious Boko Haram we inherited in 2011. As we all know, hate for education is the fundamental principle of the Boko Haram.

“This explains why they focused so much attack on educational institutions.

In the educational sector alone, a total of 5,335 classrooms and other academic buildings were destroyed by insurgents across 512 primary schools, 38 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions in

Borno State.

“The objective was to bring down education in a state that has a long history of learning. As far back as 625 years ago, Sultan Uthman Bin Idris of Borno, in his communication with Sultan Barquq of Egypt in 1391, portrayed Borno empire as one that takes pride in writing and learning.

“Today, Boko Haram wants to reverse that noble pride, but we will not let them do it. We shall continue to invest heavily on education,” he said.

The governor disclosed that Borno State had seven tertiary institutions and in spite of the Boko Haram insurgency and its huge financial impacts, the state

was in the category of states that pay the best salaries to tertiary workers and “most importantly, we do not owe salaries.”

He noted that it would be a major responsibility to add a university to the too many expenditure, which include ongoing reconstruction of destroyed communities.

“If we are serious about

ending Boko Haram, if we are serious about rebuilding Borno and repositioning it for the future, there is nothing like providing quality and affordable education to our teeming population of uneducated youths,” he said.

Shettima, revealed that contracts of N3.4 billion

Ending terrorism requires support of all Nigerians —Buratai Chris Agbambu -Abuja

Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, consoling one of the wives of the late soldiers.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, consoling with the father of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Abu and Etsu Bassa, Alhaji Abu Ali. PHOTOS: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI AND CHRISTOPHER DANLADI.

had already been awarded for the first phase of physical development of the university, including the construction of five faculties of Science, Social Science, Management Science, Arts and Education, while students hostels and other facilities were being put in place.

CHIEF of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Yusuf Buratai, on Monday, said the support of every Nigerian was key to ending terrorism in the country.

He said the military was on its own, working to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram, while describing the death of a top military officer, Abu Ali, at an offensive by Boko Haram as “loss that cannot be in vain.”

Buratai spoke in Abuja, at a seminar on insurgency, adding that “it is a challenge for all of us to ensure that the fight against insurgency receives total support from everybody.”

The army chief noted that caution should be applied in handling anything that had to do with the army in particular.

“We need to work together and synergise together.

Insurgency is a situation whereby the insurgents have melted into the society, and we have some elements within the society that are still supporting them.

“Defence and security is an issue that should be the concern of everybody. It is an issue that should not

be discussed as a political issue; it must be discussed with caution and high sense of patriotism.

“Welfare of our troops is key, so we call on the Nigerian press to take note that if they are Nigerians, they should not smear the military,” he said.

Also speaking, John Peter Pham, who is the Director of Continues pg8

...Saraki, Gov Sani Bello mourn Continued from pg2

the North-East.

He said Ali’s timeless quote, “Pray, stay alert and stay alive. If someone must die, let it be me” which has gone viral with his death, revealed the kind of person and life that he lived as a military officer.

He condoled with the family of the departed hero, President Muhammadu Buhari, the defence ministry, the military high command, the government and people of Kogi State, the Etsu Bassa Nge and officers and men of 272 Tank Battalion over the loss.

4 news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Today’s special: Eating date fruit will increase sexual performance, libido — Experts TWO experts,, on Monday, in Lagos, advised men to eat date fruits, saying its consumption would enhance their sexual performance and increase their libido.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) that date fruits, when taken appropriately by men, could also improve health conditions in many other ways.

Dr Aminu Kazeem, a sexual health therapist, who works at Energy for Sex Clinic in Lagos, said men who had performance problems should incorporate dates in their diet.

He said: “A date fruit is a one-seeded fruit of the date palm tree, which is botanically known as Phoenix dactylifera and belongs to the family of Palmae (Arecaceae) plant.

“The common English names are dried dates, dates, date palm, etc; usually oblong, with varying sizes, shapes, colours, consistencies and quality.

“Eating dates will promote sperm quality and quantity as it is one of the best natural fruits used for male fertility.

“It also increases the size of testes in men and the size of breast in women.

“Consuming the fruit can help to treat sexual disorders because it is a natural aphrodisiac.”

He explained that dates contained high levels of estradiol and flavonoid which aid sperm motility and increase sperm count.

He also urged men who want to improve their masculinity to eat the fruit, stressing that “sexual health is important for both husband and wife for a good and everlasting relationship.”

A nutritionist, Mrs Toyin Adeola, also said eating dates could treat sexual impotence, help to improve sexual activities and increase the production of sex hormones.

She added that the fruit was good for the health of both males and females.

She said: “Date contains many vitamins and minerals, which are essential to boost sexual power, even in older persons.

“The fruit is packed with amino acids for sexual stamina, as well as a good dose of fruity sugars which make them sweet.”

The nutritionist, who described the best way it could be taken to achieve best result, however, advised diabetic patients to seek doctor’s advice before consuming dates.

She said “It is advisable to remove the seed and grind seven or eight pieces of dates and soak in water for about two to three hours.

“Add one glass of milk and one teaspoon of honey and drink at least once a day to boost sexual power.”

She also advised both men and women to eat natural foods that could enhance sexual stamina than taking pills made with chemicals which might harm sexual health.

NAN reported that the fruit was very popular in the market, especially where they hawked fruits.

Date fruit is popular in the Northern part of the country and can be seen being hawked along with tiger nuts.

How AGF’s letter led to suspension of judges —CJN Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Monday, said the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to prevent judicial officers standing trial from performing judicial functions, pending the determination of their investigation was to preserve the independence of the judiciary of the country.

Speaking while swearingin Justices Amina Augie and Justice Ejembi Eko into the office of Justice of the Supreme Court, the CJN, who is also the chairman of the NJC, said the decision to suspend judicial officers from performing judicial function, if under investigation, followed communications it received from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The AGF, he said, told the NJC that he was embarking on the prosecution of the affected judicial officers to enable them to defend themselves in the allegations against them.

Justice Mohammed said the country would suffer and true democracy would be undermined if the confidence in Judges of the nation’s court was undermined and the independence of the judiciary was eroded.

The CJN, who said the two new Justices were appointed to the Supreme Court at the time the judiciary was facing lots of challenges, expressed the hope that they would adhere strictly to their oaths of allegiance to dispense justice without fear or favour.

“Now more than ever, it is important to be firm, honest and steadfast in the discharge of your duties, while striving to emulate the greats of this court by enthroning the rule of law and respect for our courts,” the CJN said.

Justice Mohammed

assured that the judiciary, as an arm of government, would remain resolute in its commitment and resolve to uphold it is independence

and adjudicate with utmost fairness and justice as prescribed in the constitution and the law.

He charged the new Justices

of the Supreme Court and all judicial officers to be firm and honest in the discharge of their judicial functions as this would have multiple effects

on the society.

“You must remain blind to personality and status and remain the hope of all men, whether common

or uncommon. Hence the integrity and impartiality of our courts must not be in question or compromised,” he said.

N’Assembly proposes July to December budget preparation calendar THE National Assembly, on Monday, identified 15 key reform strategies, including the adoption of a budget calendar, which would begin with the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the second week in July and end with the President signing the Appropriation Bill into law by third week of December every year.

The strategies will also include provision of laws

on development plans by the Federal Government, which are aimed at easy and timely preparation of the budget and its efficient implementation.

These followed a report submitted to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume-led technical committee on the reforming the budget process in Nigeria.

It equally proposed

2016 budget: NCCE, 21 colleges have shortfall of N8.2bn —Muhammadu Clement Idoko -Abuja THE Executive Secretary of National Commission for Colleges of Education(NCCE), Professor Bappa-Aliyu Muhammadu, on Monday, said the commission and the 21 Federal Colleges of Education under it, had been faced with major problems of nonrelease of funds and shortfalls in yearly allocations.

He made this known in his brief presented to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), led by its chairman, Senator Jubrin Barau, on oversight visit to the commission.

Muhammadu said the commission was financially handicap as a result of inadequate budgetary provision, as well as delay in releases which had hampered most of the activities of the commission.

He particularly listed

shortfall in capital budget, personnel and overhead costs, which had invariably affected payment of salaries, accreditation exercise, researches and mentoring, among others.

He said: “For instance, the unreleased fund for the commission’s accreditation exercise to the various Colleges of Education in the country for the year 2016 is N94,866,099.00.

“It is important for the Senate Committee to note that the commission is having a shortfall in personnel cost for the year 2016. This was made known to the committee at 2016 budget defence.

“The commission was directed to present its actual personnel cost to your distinguished committee, which was complied with.

The actual figure was also forwarded to the Budget Office of the Federation prior to the passage of the budget.

a budget calendar that would ensure that the president assents to the appropriations law by third week of December, while the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is submitted in the second week of July as the first step in the budget process.

The report, which will be discussed at plenary this week by the Senate, also includes amendments of the relevant sections of the Constitution and extant laws, as well as enactment of new laws to improve the country’s budgetary process and align it to international best practices.

Other key recommendations in the report included the proposed provision of a legal backing for national development plans and enactment of organic budget law to fix a realistic budget calender.

According to the report, the broad strategies aimed at improving the budget process “revolves around reforming laws and frameworks for budget formulation, enactment and implementation, aligning the budget process to international best practices, strengthening capacities and institutions for budget formulation and implementation, as well as strengthening the revenue base for budget implementation.”

The reforms strategies for budget preparation are in the report made up of the following: “Alter Section 81(1) of the 1999 Constitution and amend Sections 11 and 14 of the Fiscal Responsibility

Act (FRA) to provide for a fixed and realistic budget calendar by which the president will present the budget to tue National Assembly by the first week of September, considered and passed by November 30, and assented to by the president by the second week of December.

“Provide legal backing for development plans to serve as basis for the annual budget and ensure continuity of development plans.

In this regard, complete the legislative actions initiated for the enactment of laws: “Development Planing Act” and “Project Implementation and Continuity Act,” pending in NASS. “Amend Sections 13-18 of the Fiscal Responsibility

Act to link MTEF with a development plan. Then: have a long term (10-15 years) development plan to be implemented with threeyear MTEF and Mediumterm Sector Strategy (MTSS). National Assembly to support the development plan with a resolution and ensure that the annual budget is linked to it.

“Amend the FRA to enlarge the list of stakeholders to be consulted during the budget preparation process. Then, there should be pre-budget consultation between the legislature and the executive, as well as between the executive and the public.

And during the budget defense by the MDAs before the committees, relevant stakeholders should be invited.”

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016 5 news Olaniwun Ajayi: His death decimates true Yoruba leadership hierarchy —Ajimobi

O

YO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described the death of the foremost leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, as a huge blow that has decimated the hierarchy of true Yoruba leadership.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the governor, Mr Yomi Layinka, said that Afenifere, the entire Yoruba and the country at large, have lost a rare, committed and disciplined leader of repute.

Although, the late Isara Remo-born Yoruba leader, passed on at a ripe age of

91, the governor lamented that he died when the country was in dire need of sages required to proffer solutions to the myriads of its socio-economic challenges.

Describing Olaniwun Ajayi as urbane and affectionate, the governor said that his modest lifestyle was a lesson in humility,

despite his accomplishments as a distinguished writer, great Yoruba leader and philosopher.

The governor recalled that the late leader proved to be a dependable rallying point when patriots were in the trenches to wrest power from the military, which made him one of the very few heroes and

...a catalyst to Nigeria’s democracy —Akeredolu THE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress( APC), for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has commiserated with the people and government of Ogun State on the death of the elder statesman and nationalist,

Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, who died on Friday, at the age of 91.

In a statement personally signed by him and made available to news men in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday, Akeredolu described Olaniwun Ajayi, as one of the catalysts that

piloted Nigeria out of authoritarianism into democratisation.

“Olaniwun Ajayi was one of the political descendants of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who never deviated from the modicum of operations of the Awoists, despite unwavering temptation and

... a worthy Yoruba icon, advocate of true Federalism —ARG Bola Badmus- Lagos THE Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), on Monday, expressed sadness over the death of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, describing the deceased as a worthy Yoruba icon and dogged advocate of true federalism in Nigeria.

The group said this in a

statement made available to newsmen in Lagos by its publicity secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, while commiserating with Afenifere, on the death of Olaniwun Ajayi.

The group, which said the news of the death of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi came to members at the burial of Ibidapo Awojolu, who was the chairman of Afenife-

re, Ekiti State chapter, remarked that, “It is sad that we are losing our rare gems at a time we need them most.”

The ARG said the service which he rendered to Yorubaland and Nigeria, which continued to until he breathed his last, was invaluable and would be sorely missed.

intimidation to derail. He was a trust worthy and dependable ally of Chief Awolowo till death. He was a progressive, who says the truth on any issue that affects the Yoruba race and Nigeria as a whole, irrespective of whose ox is gored.

“His contribution to the Pan-Yoruba movement, Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and The Patriots, are still fresh in my memory. He was a resilient fighter and an unbiased public commentator. “ He was one of the visible catalysts that used the instrumentalities of the law, courage, activism and the mass media to wage war against the military gladiators thereby paving the way for democratisation in the nation of Nigeria.”

heroines of democracy the country now enjoys.

“I visited you at Isara Remo in February to tap from your rich repertoire of knowledge and to drink from your fountain of wisdom. But, little did I know that your warm welcome, as you ushered me into the inner recess of your modest home, was a way to bid me farewell.

“You were bubbly, energetic and full of life, with a strength that belies your nonagenarian status. This, definitely, is an attestation to your disciplined and spartan lifestyle.

“How I wish the young

ones of today can emulate your way of life, which was a lesson in path to gerontology, piety, discipline, hard work, modesty, love for humanity, dedication to the course of Yoruba and fear of God. I have no doubt that you fought a good fight and you finished your course.

“Your death has created a huge vacuum in the hierarchy of true Yoruba leadership. You left us when your wisdom and experience was badly needed to pilot our dear country into safety from this turbulent socio-economic weather.

You will be sorely missed.”

6

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Metro...

Nigerian Tribune

crime, security, court

Man fractures 8-yr-old son’s hands for going missing for 2 days Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos

A

N eight-year-old boy (names withheld) has been rescued by the police after his father fractured his hands and locked him up in his room at 20 Kolawole

Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos State.

Three other siblings of the rescued boy were also freed from the room by the policemen who arrested their father, Adeyemi (other name withheld).

The suspect reportedly beat the young boy to the point of breaking his hands because he was missing for two days.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the suspect had reportedly

made attempts to do away with the children since he got separated from their mother.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest of the father to

Metro.

Metro also gathered that the landlord of the building where the children were locked up reported the incident to the police at Dopemu Police Station.

A neighbour of the arrested

gation should be done to also apprehend fleeing suspects, while the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

“The command will no longer tolerate any act of impunity and recklessness under any guise of cultism,” the police spokesperson added .

man, who spoke with Metro under condition of anonymity, disclosed that the injured boy had been missing.

“The boy had been missing since Saturday and the father had looked everywhere for him until they found him on Monday.

“In annoyance, the father beat him and he was injured seriously, but he later took him to where he was treated.

“The man has been finding it difficult to take care of the children since he got separated from their mother,” he disclosed.

Badmos said “the police, while investigating the incident, rescued all four children who were all locked up in the room.

“This suspect, Adeyemi, of 20 Kolawole St, Dopemu, physically abused his eightyear-old son, causing serious fracture to both hands for getting missing.”

The Lagos State police image maker added that “ the victim was reported missing on Saturday and found on Monday, only for the father to brutally assault him, also leaving all four children were found locked up at home alone before the landlord came to report the assault and abuse of the children by their father and step mother.”

Badmos also stated that “the case has been transferred to gender office at the state headquarters.

“Worthy of note is the fact that the father had consistently tried to do away with the children since he divorced their mother,” she pointed out.

sengers on-board the moving trains.

Further findings revealed that the attack on the Lagos Mass Transit trains was triggered when illegal train passengers, early last week, hauled bottles from atop the moving trains on unsuspecting road side passersby, thereby injuring a group of hoodlums around Agege bus-stop area.

Following that attack, the hoodlums, it was gathered mobilised themselves and started throwing stones and

other dangerous objects on any train that passes through the Agege bus-stop area.

This ugly trend, it was later learnt, had spread to other parts of Lagos where trains pass through, Ikeja and Iju area inclusive.

When contacted, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, told Metro that he was not in the country, but has been briefed that 100 roof-top riders had been arrested Monday morning.

DPO, 4 others axed by armed men in Anambra Suzy Oruya - Onitsha

ARMED men numbering about 16, on Sunday stormed Ogidi Police Station, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State and butchered the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Hassan Musa and four other policemen with axes and machete.

It was gathered that the armed men tied white band on their heads when they stormed the station about 9.00 p. m on the fateful day.

The incident took all by surprise as they beat the armed policemen at the gate before gaining entrance into the station from where they made straight to the counter where the DPO was seen standing and attending to official matter.

Reports had it that the assailants who were armed with axes and machetes, immediately axed the DPO on his shoulder and hand, which made him to collapse.

Four other policemen were also said to have been axed.

The DPO is presently at a hospital in Ogidi, where he was rushed to when he collapsed.

Luck, however, ran out on one of the assailants, as he was shot on the leg whilr trying to escape, as he was arrested by the police.

In a confessional statement, he said they were members of the newly formed Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) from Asaba, theDelta State capital, adding that they came to look for arms in the police armory.

Reacting to the incident, the former provost of Nigeria Bar Association, Pat Agbata, said the attack was barbaric and a deliberate act to harm the DPO and his men, as he called for thorough investigation.

The suspected cult members

Police arrest 4 members of Awawa Cult group in Lagos Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos

FOUR members of the dreaded Awawa cult group have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

Metro gathered that suspected members of the group, who were armed with dangerous weapons, were on rampage around Kadiri area of Dopemu, when they got arrested.

Policemen from Dopemu Divisional Police Station, who responded to a distress call, arrested the suspected cult members where they were hiding .

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, while confirming the arrest of the suspects to the Metro, said the cult members were arrested with varying degrees of wounds. .

A police source at Dopemu Police Station, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with Metro, said the cult members were early Monday terrorising residents and passersby around Kadiri area.

The police source also stated that the cult members, numbering over 15, took advantage of the confusion created by their activities to rob unsuspecting residents and passersby.

The state police spokesperson said “Today, at about 0930hrs, the command, through its operatives from Dopemu division received a distress call that some bad boys popularly known as ‘Awawa ‘ were on rampage in Kadiri area in Agege, wielding dangerous weapons.

“A patrol team was drafted to the area, where four male suspects Sherif, Ismail,

Amusa and Abel were arrested with various degrees of injuries, all hiding in a building at No 29, Abeje Street.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed the suspects be transferred to SARS, be given medical care in custody while discreet investi-

Thugs attack Lagos Mass Transit trains Tola Adenubi - Lagos MANY of the Lagos Mass Transit trains which transit Ijoko-Lagos on a daily basis have been subjected to attacks by thugs and hoodlums alike following incitement by roof-top riders who take delight in sitting on top of moving trains.

Metro gathered that thugs and hoodlums threw stones at moving trains around Agege and Ikeja environs, thereby traumatising pas-

7

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

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

Fake soldier nabbed for stealing iPhone in Warri Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

The

A fake soldier, was Monday morning, nabbed by traders at popular Robinson Plaza in the heart of Warri for stealing an iPhone from a lady.

He was later identified as 21-year-old Jafar (other name withheld), from Adamawa State.

Jafar narrowly escaped being clubbed to death by an angry mob for allegedly robbing a female victim of her iPhone.

The incident occurred at about 9.30 a. m, as traders and residents got angry

suspected

Police parade 8 illegal bunkerers Chris Agbambu – Abuja

T

HE Police High Command, on Monday, paraded eight suspects and 18 tanker trailer trucks loaded with illegally refined diesel through illegal bunkering and vandalisation of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) products.

Force spokesman, DCP Don Awunah, while parading the eight illegal bunkerers in Abuja, said another 10 suspects were in police custody in Lagos State with two vessels, Ellen and MB Opuda Vessel, with 18 trucks all loaded with diesel.

According to him, the massive destruction of government investment in the petroleum industry and loss of lives through the criminal activities of some undesirable elements had continued unabated.

This situation, which has assumed worrisome dimension and poses negative effects on the economy, made the Inspector-General of

Police (IGP) to reorganise and empower the anti-pipeline vadalisation unit of the force to decisively tackle these criminals and their collaborators.

DCP Awunah disclosed that in a coordinated operation, based on credible intelligence and assistance from the key players in the petroleum sector, the anti-pipeline vandalisation of the police arrested 20 suspects, impounded two vessels and 18 trucks loaded with stolen petroleum products.

The names of the 10 suspects in police custody in Lagos were Tumbiri (captain), Thomas (Company’s Representative), Godwil (Chief mate), Alfred (Engineer) and Emmanuel (Deckhand).

Others were Godwin (Electrician), Omokete (Engineer Cadet), Victor (Seaman), Suleiman and William (surnames withheld).

He said on November 1, at about 0220 hours, a sustained surveillance and monitoring of Ellen vessel and crew members sailing

from Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states waterways to Lagos State with illegally refined AGO (diesel) on board was embarked upon by the IGP’s task force on illegal petroleum bunkering.

“Consequently, on November 3, at about 0830 hours, the task force trailed and intercepted Ellen vessel at Satomen’s Jetty located at Amuwo Odofin in mile 2 area of Lagos State, where it had discharged the illegal refined AGO (diesel) into 18 trucks, 33,000 litres each.

The vessel, crew members, the 18 trucks and other suspects were promptly arrested and taken into custody by the IGP’s task force on petroleum and illegal bunkering,” he disclosed.

Also, in a similar development, another vessel branded MB OPUDA SHIP was also intercepted and arrested at the same Satomen’s Jetty located at Amuwo Odofin in mile 2 area of Lagos State after discharging suspected illegally refined AGO (diesel).

Awunah added that on October 28, at about 1600

hours, operatives of the IGP’s task force on petroleum and illegal bunkering, on a tipoff, stormed an illegal local refinery located at Adogu village, in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, where two trucks loaded with illegal AGO products, 20,000 litres each were intercepted.

The five suspects arrested were Harison, Mohammed, Idris, Emmanuel and Suleman (surnames withheld), during interrogation volunteered confessional statements and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.

The force spokesman disclosed that investigation into the case was being intensified to arrest other members of the group at large, ading that suspects would be promptly arraigned on completion of thorough investigation.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects were one White Scania Lorry with Registration No. RBC 552 ZS (covered body), one Toyota Previa bus with Registration No. EKY

Police arrest 2 Fulani herdsmen for murder Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

TWO Fulani herdsmen have been arrested by the men of the Ogun State Police Command over alleged killing of another Fulani herdsman in an attempt to steal his cows.

The incident, according to a statement by the command’s image maker, Abimbola Oyeyemi, happened at Itadodo

area of Ofada in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were Abdulahi and Mohammed (surnames withheld).

They were said to have lured the deceased, identified as Garuba (surname withheld) while grazing with his cattle with two of his kinsmen into a nearby bush and

macheted him to death on October 28.

They were arrested following a tip-off by a motorcycle rider who saw them while carrying out the dastardly act.

The Divisional police Officer (DPO) of Owode Egba, CSP Sheu Alao, was said to have led his men to the scene and the two suspects were arrested.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the homicide section of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

Iliyasu reiterated that crime and criminality would no longer have a place in Ogun State.

659 BJ, four pumping machines, one big blue motor jack, two motor batteries, four shovels, one filling machine (yellow colour) and two tarpaulins,” he disclosed.

He further said that on October 13, at about 1200 hours, intelligence gathered by the IGP’s special task force on petroleum and illegal bunkering revealed that vandalisation of NNPC pipeline was ongoing at Monkey’s village Okpella area of Edo State and the task force swiftly moved in; on sighting the police team, the vandals took to their heels and abandoned a lorry and some tools used for vandalisation.

“The suspects were Amechi (owner of the illegally refined product), Ezechi and Mamud (surnames withheld). Exhibits also recovered were one truck XB 169 GWB with 33,000 litres of diesel and one truck loaded with diesel.

“The three suspects mentioned above were arrested by the IGP’s task force on petroleum and illegal bunkering in Abia and Kaduna states.

The first and second suspects were arrested in Abia State after vandalising NNPC pipeline at a point in Owaza area of Abia State and siphoned 33,000 litres of cooked diesel, while the last suspect was arrested in Kaduna Sytate for being in possession of a truck loaded with 25,000 litres of cooked diesel suspected to have been vandalised.

“They will be arraigned on completion of investigation,” the force spokesman said.

seeing that the suspect was dressed in full military camouflage.

Luck ran out of the suspect when one of his female victims, whom he had robbed the previous day, recognised him and raised the alarm, prompting the fake army officer to take to his heels.

Metro gathered that the fake military officer was wielding a dagger in his hand to scare his assailants while attempting to escape.

He was eventually caught several kilometres from the plaza and was beaten blue black with a deep cut inflicted on the right side of his head.

The mob was poised to set the culprit ablaze when soldiers guarding the plaza and some mobile policemen came to his rescue.

The mobile policemen eventually handed over the fake army officer to soldiers on duty at the residence of former Chief of Army Staff, Major-General David Ejoor (retd) to confirm the identity of the soldier.

The soldier on guard duty at Major-General Ejoor’s residence swung into action and dispersed the mob at the entrance gate who insisted to send the culprit to his early grave.

He also refused to handover the unidentified officer to police officers from the Nigeria Police Force ‘B’ Division in Warri.

A few minutes later, men from the Nigerian Army Barracks, 3 Battalion, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, whisked the suspect away to the barracks for further interrogation.

Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the 3 Battalion could not be reached, but a senior officer of the Battalion, who spoke to Metro, but pleaded anonymity, said the culprit was a fake soldier and an impersonator of the army, adding that he had been kept behind bars at the barracks while report was being forwarded to the headquarters.

He noted that the culprit was being given medical attention due to the severity of the injuries he sustained during the mob attack, adding that he was not coherent enough to give full details of what transpired.

8 news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Ondo PDP crisis: Legal fireworks begins at Appeal Court •Poroye, others asked for setting aside of panel Sunday Ejike -Abuja

L

EGAL fireworks began at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in the appeals emanating from the leadership crisis rocking Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), between the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee of the party.

The Justice Ibrahim Salauwa-led three-member panel, which took over from Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey’s panel, which disqualified itself over allegations of bias, adjourned proceedings till Monday for parties to move their applications.

At the proceedings on Monday, Bela Nwufor, representing Biyi Poroye of Sheriff faction, asked that the new panel constituted by the president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to hear all appeals emanating from the state chapter of the PDP be disbanded, on the ground that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the appeals.

Nwufor, in a motion dated November 3, 2016, which he filed on behalf of his client, prayed the court for an order setting aside the administrative decision of the Appeal Court president setting up a special panel, while asking that all the files in the appeal be returned to the registry of the court for due process to be followed in constituting a panel to hear the appeal.

He said the panel, sitting at the Court of Appeal, had the power to set aside the administrative decision if it contravened the constitutional rights of the applicants.

He also told the panel that appeal court president set up the new panel after receiving a request in that direction from Eyitayo Jegede, who won the primaries of the Ondo PDP under the Makarfi-led caretaker committee.

According to Nwufor, it was a well settled law that the rules of natural justice, enshrined in section 36 (1) of the constitution, applied equally to a court decision as well as administrative

decision, adding also that Jegede made a representation to the president of the appellate court (PCA) for a special panel to hear his motion and his request was granted.

“The PCA, acting administratively, ought to have, upon the receipt of the presentation by Jegede, called for our own representation and the absence of this amounts to violation of our rights to fair hearing,” he argued.

He then asked the court to set aside the decision, having breached the rule of fair hearing and asked that all the case files be returned to the registry of the court for due process to be followed in setting up the special panel.

Earlier in his submission, counsel for Jegede, Chief Wole Olanikpekun, had sought leave of court to appeal the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, delivered on June 29, 2016.

Olanipekun argued that the counter motion of the respondents was attacking the administrative decision of the PCA, who is not joined

Osun govt sacks OSPOLY ASUP chairman, suspends secretary Reinstates 20 sacked workers Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Osun State Polytechnic, Iree Chapter, Comrade Dotun Omisore, has been sacked

by Osun State government while his general secretary, Mr Oduwole Omotayo, was placed on indefinite suspension.

However, the government reinstated about 20 workers of the institution who had earlier been disengaged for one offence or the other.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that Omisore’s sack and Omotayo’s suspension followed their refusal to respond to three different queries issued them by the school management.

The said queries came on the heel of a letter sent to the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) by the ASUP chairman and secretary, alleging that the management of OSPOLY was running the institution with incompetent staff members.

Credible source informed the Nigerian Tribune that the school management had sent a query to both Omisore and Omotayo, but they allegedly refused to reply, prompting the management to re-send the query for the second and third time which the duo also allegedly failed to respond to.

But, Omisore was said to have written a letter to the

school management when the fourth query was sent to them.

A copy of the disengagement letter of Omisore obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, which was dated November 2, 2016 and signed by the Registrar, Mr B.M Salawu, reads: “Following the consideration of the reports of the Visitation Panels to the four stateowned tertiary institutions in the state, Osun State government has approved your disengagement from service of this institution with immediate effect in the interest of the state.

“You are to handover the institution’s property in your care to your Head of Department.”

When contacted, Omisore confirmed his dismissal, saying that “I am going

to challenge my dismissal in court because the action of the institution’s management cannot stand the test of time. It is totally unwarranted and illegal.”

Meanwhile, the management of OSPOLY, in an internal memo with reference number REG 40?/ VOL/31 and dated November 3, 2016, has announced the reinstatement of the 20 sacked workers of the institution.

as a party in the matter.

In his submissions, counsel for the Senator Sheriff-led faction of the PDP, Godswill Mrakpor, told the court that neither the application by Jegede nor the motion filed

by Nwufor were ripe for hearing.

Meanwhile, members of state executive of the PDP loyal to Sheriff in six SouthWest states, led by Biyi Poroye, factional chairman of the Ondo PDP, have asked the Court of Appeal to reverse the decision by Justice Bulkachuwa to constitute a fresh panel to hear appeal relating to the dispute.

In a motion filed by Mrakpo, they also asked the court to disband the panel comprising of Justices Ibrahim Salauwa, Ignatius Igwe Aguba and George Mbaba, allegedly set up in breach of the applicant’ right to fair hearing.

Poroye and others equally prayed the court to order the return of the case files relating to the appeals and the application for leave to appeal as an interested party (against the decision of the Federal High Court of October 14, 2016 in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/395/2016), filed by Jegede.

They argued that not only did the President of the Court of Appeal act

without hearing from them, the case, being a pre-election matter, did not warrant any urgency to require the constitution of a special panel.

They added that those who filed the appeals against the June 29 and October 14, 2016 decisions of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, were not parties in the cases leading to the decisions.

The applicants also argued that no orders were made against any of them (those behind the new appeals), adding that they (the applicants), who were plaintiffs in the suits, were not informed when the president of the Court of Appeal acted solely on the

request by the appellants to constitute the panel on the grounds of urgency.

They have also filed a motion before the Supreme Court seeking a stay of all proceedings before the Court of Appeal.

The motion, filed by two members of the party, Benson Akingboye and Ehiozuwa Agbonayiwa, particularly sought stay of “all further proceedings and further hearing in CA/ABJ/402A/2016 filed on behalf of the PDP by a lawyer engaged by the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party’s leadership.”

The court, however, reserved rulings in the applications as hearing of the appeals continues today.

Ending terrorism requires support of all Nigerians —Buratai Continued from pg3

African Centre for Atlantic Council, noted that there were few relationships in Africa that were strategically important to the United States government.

“So part of these reasons is why we have the interest and the opportunity to see what is being accomplished and what further needs to be done,” he said.

He went further by saying

“it is important that our two sides get the opportunity to speak and understand better the pressures, the demands and requirements of each side.

“That is what our partnership is about, open communications. So I’m very privileged to be able to come to Nigeria, building the partnership we need for international security in the 21st century,” he said.

news Buhari visits Edo, inaugurates projects 9

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, in Benin, the Edo State capital, inaugurated the remodeled 200-bed capacity ultra -modern central hospital.

President Buhari, who said he was impressed with the edifice, noted that it was ”the best way to do things and the best thing to do for the people” by any government.

While commending Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s efforts at uplifting the lives of the people, Buhari said “I respect his sacrificing his personal comfort to constructing the edifice”.

He said that he was in the state for the third time to inaugurate projects execut-

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

ed by the governor.

Earlier, Oshiomhole said that since the hospital was established in 1902, successive governments had tried to renovate the hospital.

He, however, said he was embarrassed by the state of the medical facility during his first visit and decided that rather than continue with the “piece-meal renovation work; we decided to demolish and rebuild the hospital.”

Oshiomhole stressed that this was with the conviction that public health facility should not be inferior to private ones.

The governor said that one way to show equality was for government to pro-

vide good health facilities and stop lamenting about foreign medical tourism.

Meanwhile, President Buhari ,has commended Governor Oshiomholeled administration in the state for the construction of phases II and III Siluko Road to specification.

President Buhari gave the commendation when he inauguratd the Upper Siluko Road in Benin City,on Monday.

The president, who also commended the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Clem Agba, for a job well done, said he was impressed with the design and the construction of drainage on the road.

Buhari said” I am impressed with the design, the drainage and the construction of walkways on the road. The road will stand the test of time.

“Oshiomhole could have built a new Government House but he choose to construct roads for his people”, he said.

According to him, Oshiomhole has exhibited a great commitment and good intention towards the people.

On his part, Governor Oshiomhole thanked the people for their understanding during and after the construction of the road.

Oshiomhole said “I want to thank the people foe their

understanding because we have had to relocate graves, shops markets among others, to expand the road.

Earlier, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has commended President Buhari, for the anti-corruption stance of his administration The tradtional ruler said President Buhari’s management of the country’s scarce resources will improve the welfare of the people.

Oba Ewuare, who spoke during the visit of President Buhari to his palace, expressed joy that President Buhari was the first person he would receive at his newly-built palace since his coronation on September 20.

Centre for Ethics to launch Rostrum at OAU THE Centre for Ethics and Cultural Orientation (CECO), an interdisciplinary, non-governmental organisation (NGO), with focus on research for development, policy initiatives and social advocacy; in support of efforts of arms of government and other corporate bodies towards achieving sustainable development in the country, will launch rostrum at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State, soon.

It focused on matters relating to civic virtues, work ethics and social trust in the country, “Our aim is to set in motion the process of enthroning ethical culture in both public and private sectors through strategic public engagement and advocacy designed to revive lost cultural and ethical values. “ The CECO, in pursuant of its focus on research for development, has saddled itself with the task of bridging the gap between the society and tertiary institutions. Bringing the “town and gown” closer will no doubt, ensure sustainable impact of ivory towers in the process of governance, growth and development of the nation.

However, towards this, it has commenced making contacts with faculties and departments in tertiary institutions with a view to establishing strategic alliance with them.

One of our institutional frameworks for strategic policy enrichment is the rostrum. The Rostrum is conceived as an international platform for public lecture series. The rostrum will feature scholars, outstanding professionals and conscientious political leaders.

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), with Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, at the commissioning of Samuel Ogbemudia College, during his visit to the state, in Benin City, on Monday.

N136m fraud: EFCC closes case against former acting NIMASA DG AyomideOwonibiOdekanyinLagos

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, called its eighth and last witness in the trial of a former acting Director General of NIMASA, Calistus Obi, charged with N136 million fraud.

Obi, who was also an executive director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), was charged alongside one Alu Dismas, a former personal assistant to the former director general of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

They are standing trial on eight counts bordering on the offence to which they had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail in the sum of N5 million each.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the defence counsel, Mr Wale Akoni, commenced cross examination for the prosecution witness, Mr Chukwuma Orji, who is an investigation officer with EFCC.

Under cross examination, Akoni showed the witness an exhibit representing a mandate card on intelligence gathering and asked him to identify if the first accused was a signatory.

In response, the witness, argued that the exhibit was only a part of the mandate

card and did not represent the entire document.

When asked to restrict himself to the portion given to him, the witness replied: “in this part of the mandate, his name is not one of the signatories but I insist that this is not the entire mandate,” The trial judge, Justice

Mojisola Olatoregun, informed counsels that she did not possess the luxury of time and so, would only avail parties one month to sought themselves.

She, then, adjourned the case till December 15 for parties to adopt their processes.

Former Appeal Court president, Dalhatu, dies at 65 Adelowo Oladipo, Minna

A former acting president, Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, is dead.

The late judge died at the age of 65 on Monday, at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babaginda Specialist Hospital, Minna, the Niger State capital .

He was appointed as the acting president, Court of Appeal ,in August 2011.

He was born on July 12, 1951 and attended the Central Primary School, Minna, from 1959 to 1964, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.

He attended the Arabic Teachers College, Sokoto,

between 1965 and 1969, for his Grade II Certificate.

He also attended the Abdullahi Bayero College, Kano and School of Basic Studies and Preliminary Courses between 1971 and 1972, as a remedial for a degree course in Ahmadu Bello University(ABU ), Zaria.

Dalhatu was at the Institute of Administration, ABU, Kongo campus between 10973 and 1975, where he obtained LLB Degree in Law. Between 1976 and 1977, he attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar on July 1, 1977.

He started his professional career in Law as Pupil State

Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Niger State, in 1977.

He commenced his legal professional in 1989, when he was appointed High Court Judge of Niger State. In 1993, he was promoted to the higher bench as a Justice of Court of Appeal.

He has served in the Court of Appeal, Calabar, Cross Rivers State, as presiding justice; Lagos division of the court as presiding justice of the 2nd panel; Ilorin division, as presiding justice.

Until his appointment as the acting President of the Court of Appeal, he was the presiding justice of Sokoto division.

Saraki to create 40,000 direct jobs in Kwara Biola Azeez, Ilorin

SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has planned to create 40, 000 direct jobs in the next four years for youths in Kwara State under skills acquisition training and empowerment programme (STEP) of Saraki Employment and Empowerment Centre (SEEC).

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, on Monday, the managing consultant for STEP, Mr Nasir Abdulqadir, said that 250 beneficiaries out of 10, 000 applicants had been selected for the pilot scheme that would commence on November 12.

The consultant said that the programme was aimed at training and empowering youths with advanced skills in computer engineering, software development, animation, mechatronics engineering, cinematography, event management, interior decoration, catering services, among others “The goal of the senate president is to directly train over 40,000 youths from within and outside Kwara State in skills that can make them compete with their counterparts all over the world. With 40,000 youths trained in the next four years under the STEP programme, we believe the multiplier effects will have direct impact on job creation and economic growth of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

Yobe electoral commission holds LG poll Feb 11 THE Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has scheduled election into the 17 Local Government Council Areas of the state for Feburary 11, 2017.

This is coming after the commission released timetable for the election on Monday.

The chairman of the commission, Alhaji Muhammad Jauro, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Damaturu.

Jauro stated that the timetable is in conformity with the 90 days’ notice for the conduct of the local government election as provided in the constitution.

He said the improved security situation in the state motivated the commission to release the timetable for the election.

The chairman of the commission said the commission had acquired an updated version of the state’s voter register from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised.

10

businessnews

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

N25bn ETF: Lagos targets 100,000 entrepreneurs by 2019 •To create 300,000 direct, 600,000 indirect jobs Bola Badmus - Lagos

L

AGOS State government said on Monday that it has set a target to utilize the N25billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) to provide financial support to over 100,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the next three years.

Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, saying the fund was put in place, in line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for all Lagosians.

This is just as Oyebode expressed optimism that the fund would have multiplier effect with the capacity to create 300,000 direct and 600,000 indirect jobs while about 200,000 new tax payers would be added to the state’s tax net.

He also disclosed that the LSETF Board had set its target to raise a minimum of N25 billion from domestic and international donors, in addition to the N25billion already committed by the state government, saying such step was being taken in order to ensure sustainability of the Fund.

Oyebode, while acknowledging the fact that Lagosians were eagerly awaiting the commencement of the fund, especially with the challenging economic recession, said the Board set up to manage the funds had spent the last few months perfecting strategies and addressing grey areas ahead of the commencement of the disbursement of the funds later this year.

According to him, the Board of Trustees (BoT) embarked on several strategy sessions to define the mission, vision, core values and strategic framework to

guide the Fund’s activities.

“After the completion of the research exercise, the Board working with its appointed consultants developed a strategic framework articulating the goals of the Board, the key interventions designed to enhance job creation, and the support-

•fund’ll impact on the lives of Lagosians —Commissioner

ing infrastructure needed to deliver the set goals. This exercise has now been concluded and approved by the Lagos State Executive Council,” he said.

Highlighting some of the framework for the disbursement, the executive secretary said the fund would

provide loans to MSMEs at a single digit interest rates per annum, while training and capacity building and technical support would be provided to drive growth and job creation.

“The businesses we support must demonstrate capacity to repay our

From left, Dr Vincent Akpotaire, Acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise; Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on privatisation; Senator Shaaba Lafiagi, Member, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Anthony Youdeowei, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric, during the oversight visit by the Senate Committee to Ikeja Electric Plc, Lagos on Monday.

NNPC dismisses purported increase in petrol pump price Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has said it is not empowered statutorily to tinker with the pricing template of petroleum products as erroneously reported in some national dailies.

In a press statement on

Monday, NNPC stated that the price adjustment in its downstream facilities from N141 to N145 per litre is still within the price band of N135 and N145 per litre approved on May 11, 2016, by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), the statutory body in charge of petro-

leum products pricing.

The corporation assured marketers and motorists of its readiness to continue to play its statutory role of being the supplier of last resort and ensuring energy security for the nation.

The NNPC further confirmed the availability of over 1.6 billion litres of

ROYAL Exchange Plc, one of the leading insurance and financial services group in Nigeria, at the end of the third quarter has announced a 22 per cent growth in its Gross Written Premium (GWP) from its business activities in the first nine months of the 2016 financial year It recorded the sum of N8.87 billion as at September 2015 to N10.82 billion as at 30th September, 2016.

The insurance group also

PMS in-country that would last 45 days consumption.

The NNPC said there was no time its management met the President to push for a hike in the pump price of petrol to N150 per litre.

It advised journalists to always cross check their facts before going to press.

Ecobank, Visa partner on low cost digital payment solution VISA, the global leader in payments, has partnered with Pan African bank, Ecobank, to roll out mVisa, an innovative mobile payment service, in 33 African markets by year-end.

The service will initially

launch in the key markets of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania and signals Visa and Ecobank’s ambitions to successfully enable mVisa across Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Visa is a globally recog-

nised brand. We are therefore excited to accelerate the growth of digital payments in partnership with them. Our joint objective is to leverage mVisa to underpin a robust mobile payments ecosystem that

Royal Exchange grows Gross Written Premium by 22%

By Gbemi Solaja

loans; be owned by Lagos residents duly registered by the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA); show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS); and have valid Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).

stated that its Gross Premium Income witnessed an increase of 15 per cent over the corresponding period in 2015, with the 2016 amount standing at N9.38 billion, compared to N8.19 billion achieved the same period in 2015.

Net claims paid to Royal Exchange clients grew marginally by 4 per cent from N2.43 billion to N2.52 billion for the third quarter.

Net Income for the period amounted to N2.67 billion, with a modest growth of 12 per cent over that of 2015,

which stood at N2.36 billion.

Profit Before Tax (PBT) grew to N274.60 million as at Q3, 2016 from N111.34 million achieved in the corresponding period in 2015, resulting in a growth rate of 14 per cent.

Commenting on the third quarter results which has been announced on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Alhaji Auwalu Muktari, Group Managing Director, Royal Exchange Plc, stated that in spite of the economic recession, Royal Exchange

was able to grow its business portfolio by focusing on the ever-growing retail insurance market as well as participating in largeticket corporate transactions.

He added that the group witnessed growth along most of its performance indicators because the company focused more on its core business of insurance and implemented a cost optimization strategy across all the subsidiaries of the group, which resulted in profitability and growth across the group.

will make financial inclusion, at an affordable and sustainable price point, a reality across our markets,” said Ade Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO of Ecobank.

“We are excited to partner with Ecobank to bring mVisa to the 33 African markets in which they operate,” said Andrew Torre, group country manager for Visa in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Through this partnership we can enable Ecobank to offer an interoperable mobile payment service with real benefits to drive digital transformation across the continent. Backed by the advantages of Visa’s global network - security, reliability and global acceptance mVisa allows any consumer with any mobile device to make payments both domestically and internationally.”

Nigerian Tribune

Dangote urges govt to channel more funds for SMEs ALHAJI Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group, has called on the Federal Government to provide more funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to expand their businesses and create more employment.

Dangote made the call on Monday in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should channel more funding to the SMEs to stimulate economic growth and development.

The chairman said that the best way to generate employment and improve the standard of living for Nigerians was to pump more funds to boost SMEs as the engine of growth and higher employers of labour than large companies.

“The CBN should also step up its interventions in the area of improving funding for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). This will create jobs and raise the standard of living of the people.

“Effective funding of the small and medium scale enterprises will drastically reduce the high rate of unemployment in the country.

NAICOM prioritise adoption of compulsory insurances

By Gbemi Solaja

THE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has stepped up its efforts towards ensuring that compulsory insurance covers are adopted in the country As part of this efforts, it recently called for the support of the Gombe State government on implementation and enforcement of five compulsory insurances in the country, especially, as the second phase of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) is about to take off.

The compulsory insurances include, Motor (Third Party) Liability Insurance, Builders Liability Insurance (Buildings under construction), Occupiers Liability Insurance on Public Building, Healthcare Professional Liability Insurance and Group Life Insurance.

Speaking during a visit of the executives of NAICOM to Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, on Friday, the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Muhammed Kari, said that the commission wants to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the state in a bid to sell compulsory insurance products across the state.

11

businessnews

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Q3: Nigeria records zero FDI Earns $1.8bn forex Sanya Adejokun- Abuja

F

OR the first time ever, Nigerian economy failed to record any foreign direct investment (FDI) in the third quarter of 2016.

And as the economy continues to suffer from the twin evil of low crude prices and devastating activities of Niger Delta militants, value of foreign currency imported into the country declined to $1,822.12 million or $1.822 billion during the same period.

This was the first quarter on record in which no capital was imported in the form of FDI, other capital, even if in previous quarters, the amount was not significant.

However, despite the paltry amount, National Bureau of Statistics described the figure as an increase of 74.84 per cent relative to the second quarter but a fall of 33.70 per cent relative to the third quarter of 2015.

In the three months of July, August and September, highest level of capital imported was in August, when $894.00 million was imported, the highest level since July 2015.

“In September $649.76 million was imported, which was still more than any month in the first and second quarters. In contrast with the previous quarter, where other loans explained the majority of the increase, a number of investment types contributed to the quarterly increase,” NBS disclosed in the Nigerian Capital Importation document released in Abuja on Monday.

Of the total quarterly increase, 85 per cent was accounted for by increases in portfolio investment in bonds and money market instruments, the latter of which comprises short-term funding securities such as treasury bills and commercial bills from Central Bank of Nigeria.

Portfolio investment was the largest component of imported capital during the period under review and accounted for $920.32 million, or 50.51 per cent.

“Although portfolio equity declined by 28.12 per cent relative the previous quarter, this is outweighed by large increases in other types of Portfolio Investment. Bonds increased from zero in the second quarter, to $369.00 million in the third, and Money Market Instruments increased from $57.50 million to $350.20 million over the same period, an increase of 509.03 per cent.

“This is the first quarter since 2007 Q2, in which equity was not the largest part of Portfolio investment at

$201.12 million. This type of Portfolio Investment remains considerably subdued relative to previous highs of $4930.55 million in the first quarter of 2013,

and $3875.35 million in the second quarter of 2014.

“The second largest component was Other Investment, which accounted for $561.61 million, or 30.80

per cent . As in each quarter in the last year, no capital was imported in the form of Currency or Trade Credits. In addition, other claims decreased further to $0.06

million, which represents only 0.01 per cent of Other.”

As in each quarter over the past two years, FDI accounted for the smallest share of imported capital

From left, Akinkunmi Abimbola, Retail Business Manager, Ado Ekiti, Sterling Bank Plc; HRM, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru, Onigede of Igede ; High Chief Seriki Aja Lemo of Igede Ekiti and Mr. Ola Olorun Felix Olatunde, Sterling Bank Agent in Igede at the financial inclusion activation in Igede town, recently.

Keystone Bank Sierra Leone wins two awards Lender promotes financial literacy in Nigeria KEYSTONE Bank Sierra Leone Limited, a subsidiary of Keystone Bank Nigeria Limited, has won two awards at the inaugural edition of the Sierra Leone Council of Chief Executives Awards ceremony held at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Sierra Leone.

While Keystone Bank Sierra Leone won the award for Best Bank for 2016, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ime Okon, according to a statement from the lender, won Best Foreign CEO of the year.

Receiving both awards

from the organizers, CEO, Mr Ime Okon said, “Our products have given us strength and they cut across from school children to the market women to the institutions and businesses. We are not finished yet as we will be launching more products in the market very soon as we hope to broaden our horizon and make Keystone Bank a leader in Sierra Leone.”

Mr Okon noted that Keystone Bank was the last to come to Sierra Leone but the strides the lender has made has catapulted the institution to the top. He

said “This rise to the top saw us win such a meritorious award from a high profile organisation like the Sierra Leone Council of Chief Executives.”

He thanked the customers of the bank for their support and for making Keystone Bank feels at home in Sierra Leone. He also appreciated the support of the Head office in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, in line with activities to mark World Savings Day, Keystone Bank Nigeria has engaged students in schools across Nigeria to educate them on

soft furnishing products.

However, she disclosed that the prevailing economic recession has spurred her team to look backward in sourcing for equally quality raw materials that can deliver the kind of high standard that Rosemary’s Showroom is renowned for in Nigeria and beyond. “Today, we

now look inward. The current situation in the country has taught us to look inward and this has taught us a good lesson. It has taught us to come out with creativity that now stands us out. We now have Kente fashion, Adire Fashion and a host of other local content laced products we produce,” she stated.

Rosemary’s Showroom leverages on economic recession to increase local content AN indigenous soft furnishing company, Rosemary’s Showroom, has increased the amount of local content contained in its production of various products. The company made a U-turn from it’s hitherto production formula when over 65% of its raw materials were sourced from abroad.

Mrs. Ezinne Kufre-Ekanem, Chief Executive Officer, Rosemary’s Limited, owners of Rosemary’s Showroom, disclosed this during the opening of the company showroom in Abuja on Saturday.

According to her, Rosemary’s Limited had over the 13 years of its existence used majorly foreign content to produce many of its choice

Tribune AGM holds today THE 27th Annual General Meeting of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles comes up today.

The event will hold at No 6, Yeye Odu’a Street, Ikenne Remo, and beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The meeting would receive

and consider the accounts for the year ended June 2016, and the report of the directors and auditors.

The meeting would declare a dividend, authorise the directors to fix the remuneration of the auditors and elect members of the audit committee.

the rudiments of financial literacy and the importance of embracing a savings culture early in life.

The programme, which is in line with the initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Bankers’ Committee on financial Literacy, took place in 11 schools across each geo-political zone in the nation.

The World Savings Day is a global event commemorated annually on October 31, to increase awareness on the importance of savings as a path to financial empowerment. The global theme for this year’s edition is; “Grabbing hold of your financial future” and it speaks to the ever growing desire of everyone the world over to take control of their lives in the area of personal finances.

Speaking on the programme, Managing Director of Keystone Bank, Mr Philip Ikeazor highlighted the importance of having a good grasp of the principles of saving and financial literacy at a young age. He said, “Saving is an important aspect of financial security because it fosters a level of financial freedom that enables you to absorb expenses that come up without having to go into debt in order to meet your commitments.”

Ikeazor also emphasized the positive impact a good savings culture would have on the economy.

with a total of $340.64 million imported within this component, or 18.69 per cent of the total.

The report also noted that country from which Nigeria imported by far the most capital was the United Kingdom, which accounted for $1,097.59 million, or 60.24 per cent of the total.

Following the UK, was the United States, which accounted for $426.98 million, or 23.43 per cent of the total.

Both UK and US retained their position as the first and second largest investor into Nigeria in most quarters since 2010.

Netherlands accounted for $94.44 million, or another 5.18 per cent of the total value.

“These three countries together, therefore accounted for roughly nine tenths of total capital imported into Nigeria,” the report stated.

LCCI charges CBN to review MPR WORRIED by the high lending rate to the private sector, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has charged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) Dr Vincent Nwani, Director, Research and Advocacy, LCCI, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that reduced MPR would stimulate the economy through improved access to credit facilities.

NAN reports that the Monetary Policy Committee had on July 26,2016 increased the MPR by 200 basis points from 12 per cent to 14 per cent to combat inflation and stimulate growth.

MPR is the benchmark rate at which commercial banks can borrow from the central bank to boost the level of liquidity in the economy.

“The private sector has long been chased away from the banking halls.

Monetary Committee raised MPR from 12 per cent to 14 per cent in the wake of recession.

“Today, private sector can only borrow between 25 per cent and 35 per cent from commercial banks and if you are borrowing from microfinance banks, it can be as high as 50 per cent.

“Who borrows such money? To do what? Except if you are doing an illegal business; even the ease of getting this credit is cumbersome.”

12

businessnews

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

2016 LAGOS INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

From left, Secretary, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mrs Folashade Kolawole; Vice-President/ Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Mr Sola Oyetayo; Managing Director, Code of Conduct Bureau , Mr Sam Saba and Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Babatunde Runwase, at CCB Special day at the ongoing 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair, on Monday in Lagos. Photo; Sylvester Okoruwa.

NDIC warns Nigerians against activities of ‘wonder banks’ Stories By Akin Adewakun and Qudus Kasali - Lagos

N

IGERIANS have, again, been warned to steer clear of activities of illegal funds managers, otherwise known as ‘wonder banks, insisting that such practice does not enjoy the support of relevant authorities.

Giving the warning on Monday at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) special day at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said such warning had again become imperative since many Nigerians had continued to fall prey to the antics of these illegal fund managers.

Alhaji Ibrahim insisted that those who patronised those wonder banks were doing so at their own risk, since those ‘banks’ were neither licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), nor NDIC, and as a re-

sult, clients of such outfits would not enjoy any insurance cover, in case things went awry.

The NDIC boss therefore appealed to members of the public to patronise only banking institutions that display ‘Insured by NDIC’ tag, issued by the corporation, in their banking halls or entrances.

He, however added that

the corporation had set up an interagency committee, under the Financial Services Regulatory Coordinating Committee (FRSCC), as a way to checking the activities of such illegal fund managers across the country.

Alhaji Ibrahim explained that the decision of the corporation to participate at this year’s fair was informed

by the need to create public awareness among Nigerians, especially depositors.

“It is in furtherance of the aforementioned public awareness strategies that the NDIC recognises the importance of participating in the annual Lagos International Trade Fair which, not only attracts indigenous and international manufacturers and investors, but

still falling victims to the mouthwatering interest being offered by these illegal funds managers.

“I must sound a note of warning that those who patronise them do so at their own risk. For the avoidance of doubt, these illegal funds managers are neither licensed by Central Bank nor under the NDIC insurance coverage,” he added.

Why we are making a maiden appearance at this year’s fair —CCB THE code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has attributed its decision to participate in this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair, to its determination to reinforce the federal government’s campaign for a positive change in the attitudes and conduct of all Nigerians in public and private sectors of the economy.

This year’s edition is the Bureau’s maiden appearance in a fair that is in its 30th edition.

Making a presentation on Monday, in Lagos, at the Bureau’s Special Day at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair, the Chairman of

the Bureau, Sam Saba, stated that though the Bureau is into the business of fighting corruption and abuse of public office, it decided to participate at the fair, a predominantly private sector business forum, because it also emphasizes the role of ethics in corporate business, just as it does for public service bureaucracy.

He argued that for a corporation or company to deliver the expected returns to all the stakeholders, it must abide by all relevant laws, regulations and ethics of doing business.

The CCB boss, however stressed the need for any

company or corporate organisations to imbibe the universal characteristics of integrity, accountability, openness, selflessness, transparency and honest leadership for it to be described as ethical.

November, in the state.

The NACCIMA boss made this call at the ongoing fair, in Lagos.

While emphasizing the importance such fairs hold for any economy, the NACCIMA boss argued that the initiative needed every government support in order to achieve the aims and objec-

tives for which they are set up.

He therefore appealed to the government of the state to facilitate the process of getting a permanent site for the annual Fair, as a way of growing the annual trade exhibition and further enhancing the economy of the state.

While reiterating the Bureau’s determination to fighting corruption and abuse of office in the country, Saba noted that the Fair would provide an avenue for it enlighten the public on its essence.

“The Bureau notes that the Fair is a wide forum of interaction for businesses, media and government institutions. This, in essence, is the rationale behind the Bureau’s appearance in this year’s Trade Fair.

BRT strike, not enough to dampen Trade Fair spirit IT was still business as usual on Monday at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), venue of the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair, despite the decision of workers of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit System,

Expedite action on Trade Fair permanent site, NACCIMA boss charges Lagos government THE National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem, has charged the Lagos State government to facilitate a permanent site for the hosting of the annual Lagos International Trade Fair, which holds in every

also provides a platform for the corporation to interact one-on-one with depositors and other stakeholders.

“I wish to sound a word of caution to members of the public on the activities of illegal funds managers, otherwise known as ‘wonder banks’. It is worrisome to note that despite repeated advice, many unsuspecting members of the public are

“Trade Fair, such as this, needs to be supported heavily by governments in order to attract investors and achieve its goal of economic development. That is why I’m appealing to the state government to help facilitate the process of getting a permanent site for this annual fair,” he stated.

popularly known as BRT, to embark on an industrial strike on Monday.

Though movements around the metropolis were a bit cumbersome, since the Lagos BRT constitutes a major means of movement for Lagosians since its introduction some years ago, residents of the city still managed to find their ways to the venue of the fair for the day’s activities.

Some of them who spoke with Nigerian Tribune, stated that though it took them time and efforts to get to the venue, the decision to pull out the BRT buses at that particular period, was not enough to dampen their crave to at-

tend the Monday’s fair, an indication, perhaps that the Trade Fair spirit is still strong here.

Mrs Lawal, a businesswoman, however appealed to the management of Lagos BRT to quickly find a way of resolving the labour crisis in the company so as to encourage many Lagosians, who would want to be part of the fair.

A security man at the venue of the fair, who would not want his name in print, however saw the industrial action embarked upon by workers of Lagos BRT as ‘a blessing in disguise’; since it ensured a free flow of vehicular movements around the venue of the fair, on Monday.

13

editorial

T

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Sexual abuse in IDP camps

HE rights agency, Human Rights Watch (HRW), recently reported extensive human rights abuses in some Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDPs) set up for the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. The global rights body specifically mentioned about 43 cases bordering on sexual abuses, exploitation, harassment and gender-based violence. In the alleged gross professional misconduct and indiscipline, camp officials, soldiers and members of vigilante groups were reportedly fingered as culprits. This report, though yet to be officially verified, is a damning blow on a government that is currently grappling with the rampant cases of alleged diversion of relief materials, including food and medicaments, provided by local and international donor agencies for the IDPs. This seemingly brazen display of corrupt tendencies, indiscipline and abuse of power by some officials is a reflection of the larger society, but the victims of these vices this time around are unusual and that speaks eloquently to the heartlessness of the alleged perpetrators.

In some of the reported cases, camp officials and security personnel allegedly raped women and girls or used financial and material benefits to lure them into sex. This is legally wrong and morally reprehensible. Given that these hapless compatriots were already smarting from one big, horrendous trauma in the hand of Boko Haram insurgents, the extensive sexual abuse and exploitation allegedly being visited on them by their supposed protectors is wicked and disgraceful.

The renewal of captivity trauma which the current abuse represents is inimical to the healing of the psychological wounds earlier inflicted on the victims by the terrorists. The allegation that some camp officials were also responsible for diverting and not letting the much needed support get to the IDPs despite commendable government and donor agencies’ efforts and support, is indeed damning . This entire malfeasance has veritable potential to exacerbate the process of healing that is very critical for the IDPs to regain their self-esteem as normal human persons.

It is rather tough to fathom how the minds of some people work, otherwise how can it be explained that the administrators and protectors of the victims of terrorists are not only criminally cheating them out of the relief materials but are also exploiting and attacking them sexually? This is outrageously unfeeling. The point should be made that, aside the cases of outright rape, the alleged cases of sexual assaults with seeming consent procured by deception of material benefits are still rape. The assaulted

women and girls could not have refused the appalling overtures of the security agents and officials because they have power over them. Inducement and threat, of course, are critical elements of rape. In other words, the victims were not yielding to the lure of material gain but to the overbearing influence of the security personnel and other officials being alleged as culprits in these scandalous and heart rending episodes.

It is, however, somewhat soothing that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered immediate commencement of thorough investigations of the HRW’s report by the relevant security agencies. And in compliance with the presidential directive, the Inspector-General of the Police, Ibrahim Idris, has reportedly set up a special investigation team to probe the cases. This is somewhat gratifying as it markedly detracted from the official attitude, in the past, of dismissing such report even before official investigations, if any, were launched. We urge that this seeming state attitudinal shift be extended to the sincerity of the investigations and implementation of the outcomes.

Over the matter at issue and going forward, state institutions must be allowed to function independently. The country needs strong institutions that function independently within the ambit of the law and able to resist untoward interference from any quarters. For instance, the police or any other security agency need not cover up any member of sister security outfits who engage in illegality, criminality or any form of inappropriate conduct. Doing otherwise will amount not only to betrayal of the common trust reposed in it but also criminal dereliction of duty. This admonition becomes imperative now that the probe panel on the alleged killing of the Shiites would appear to have led to nothing, yet it is glaring that there were incidents of extra-judicial killings.

To demonstrate that we have, at the highest level, a political leadership that has the willpower to act decisively on untainted outcomes of investigations, the relevant investigating institutions should show greater level of thoroughness and, more importantly, sincerity in the handling of their assignments. Therefore, the HRW’s allegation of sexual assaults in the IDPs camps should be subjected to painstaking inquiry, and the culprits identified and made to face the full weight of the law. Nigeria is not and cannot be a country where everything goes as neither the government nor the governed benefits anything from such an awful image.

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

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

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

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

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

GOT NEWS?

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

Ikeja Marketing Office.

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

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

14

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

LETTERS TO THE

editor

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

Still on death penalty for kidnappers

I

want to urge members of the National Assembly to start the debate for the legalisation of the death penalty for kidnappers in the country. This is the right thing to do at this moment, considering the frightening dimension this evil act is taking in the country.

I want to commend the Lagos State House of Assembly for passing the law to make kidnapping punishable by the death penalty. This will go a long way in bringing about a reduction in this crime. We should, however, not allow international organisations like the Amnesty International, and the European Union (EU) threaten us on our decision to serve the death penalty on convicted kidnappers. Nigeria has a peculiar issue on its hand as far as crime is concerned, and the earlier it is taken with all seriousness, the better.

We have heard stories of workers kidnapping their bosses, and we have heard the story of a brother kidnapping his sister’s children. All these happened because the criminals felt they could obtain some money from their victims.

We should also realise that some people have now taken it to be their ‘business,’ looking for high-profile people in the society as their targets.

The abduction of a traditional ruler in Lagos, the wife of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, and several others should serve as a pointer to the fact that the situation will degenerate further if no concrete step is taken now to curb the activities of these kidnappers. In fact, the current hardship being felt by Nigerians is aiding the increase in the crime rate, and it is, therefore, high time for the National Assembly to began

the debate on punishing kidnappers with the death penalty. We all know that extra-ordinary situations demand extra-ordinary measures, and this is why it is important that the legislative arm of government come up with the punishment to be meted to those who involve themselves in kidnapping.

Consequently, the National Assembly can order the establishment of a special court for trying kidnapping cases at accelerated pace. This will enable justice to be dispensed as fast as possible to the criminals.

It is also important for the relevant agencies of government to start sensitising the youth that kidnapping is a crime, including assisting kidnappers. I read the statement from one of the arrested criminals who kidnapped the royal father in Lagos that he didn’t go on the

operation to kidnap the Oniba of Iba, but his assignment was just to feed the royal father. I also read the statement of another

accomplice in a kidnapping case that he only accommodated the victim for a night. Therefore, our youths should know that

aiding kidnappers is as serious as committing the actual crime.

•Nugwa James, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Protests: Oyo students need discipline IT is so shocking that some secondary school students in Oyo State could set their classrooms on fire simply because the state government introduced a policy that would make the state competitive educationally in the country.

After the last promotional examination, the government ensured that it would no longer accept automatic promotion, as the state is not where it should be educationally, despite the fact that it is the Pacesetter state.

As a result of this, several unserious students who failed their promotional examinations, but would

ordinarily have been promoted as it was done in the past, were told to repeat.

This angered the unserious students, and they went on a rampage, destroying classrooms. We should not forget how some students also protested when Governor Abiola Ajimobi first came up with the idea of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for public schools in the state. Then, the students destroyed several public buildings, including Governor Ajimobi’s vocational centre at Oke-Ado, Ibadan. It took the intervention of the then Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Leye Oyebade, to save the situation from degenerating further.

It is really embarrassing that these are the types of students public schools are producing in Oyo State.

Despite acquiring education without paying tuition, public school students in the state ought to be appreciative to the state government, while

doing everything possible to excel in their studies, but this is not the case. In fact, it is being speculated that unmotivated teachers who don’t get paid on time have left the students to their fate. It is, therefore, necessary that discipline is returned to schools in the state.

It is so unfortunate that those who were not part of the burning of the classrooms are now suffering as a result of the actions of a few unserious students.

The state Commissioner for Education, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, should, therefore, come out with policy towards returning discipline to Oyo public schools.

I also want to commend the new policy of the government which brings an end to automatic promotion in public schools, as this will make the students to be serious academically.

•Alhaji Saheed Olaoluwa, Ibadan.

FG, focus on IDPs’ sufferings I want the Federal Government to focus more on the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East. There have been several reports on some government officials working at the camps but who have been diverting the items meant for these helpless people.

This is definitely not how to treat people who have gone through tragedies in their lives as a result of the insurgency in their region.

I, therefore, want the Federal Government to specially focus on the situation in the IDP camps, as it is incomprehensible that people could be starving in the camps when the government has provided everything for them to survive on. If our people cannot manage the camp effectively, then the government should call on the United Nations to take over

the administration of the camps. However, this will be a big slap on our face as a country. I keep wondering why our people are so greedy and have no fear of God. This sums up why our country is in the way it is at the moment. Why will any sane mind work towards profiting from the plight of the IDPs? This is part of the corruption President Muhammadu Buhari is trying to wipe-out, and it is important that focus should be on the IDP camps as well.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) must embark on a massive investigation of those administering the IDP camps.

•Yusuf Maida, ABU, Zaria.

15

opinion

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Standing with Nigeria’s female IDPs

A

S I perused the report further, the indignation I felt grew stronger…there was no comprehending the horrendous happening; it is simply vile, obnoxious, utterly inhumane and downright upsetting. After failing as a nation to ensure the safety and protection of our citizens, we are falling short of conferring any immunity on these already broken people as they strive to pick up the pieces of their lives in the most unsanitary places.

This shouldn’t be happening; this shouldn’t be even conceived, alas, its reality holds severe semblance to that of the rising of the sun.

What evil? In IDP camps? I found myself cringing at the thought of it.

It is harrowing that our inactions as a nation rendered millions of people, most especially women and children, homeless but, what is more saddening is the fact that those who are supposed to help nurture these fragmented women back to a state of wholesomeness are like the depraved, taking advantage of them. It should hurt every woman; it should make our hearts bleed, we should unanimously not only demand for explanations but for justice to be served.

Yes, for the perpetrators of such dehumanising acts, swift justice must be demanded. In fact, the hour has come to, may be, invoke the death penalty for such dastardly acts against women who are supposed to be under government care. For like sly foxes, they have entered the chicken coop and committed atrocities.

The October 31, 2016, report of Human Rights Watch (HWR) “Nigeria: Officials abusing displaced women, girls” has been etched in my subconscious like a blood-sucking leech. Nothing has been able to obliterate the gory imagery that has been conjured by my exceptional imagination skill since I read that report. If a volcanologist were to use a seismograph on my heart, he would warn of an imminent gargantuan earthquake.

Isn’t it disheartening that based on a situational assessment of IDPs in the North East that was carried out in July 2016 by NOI Polls, a Nigerian research organisation, 66 per cent of 400 displaced people in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states attested to the fact that camp officials sexually abuse displaced women and girls.

According to HRW, a 17-year-old girl reported that just over a year after she fled the frequent Boko Haram attacks in Dikwa, a town 56 miles west of Maiduguri, a policeman approached her for “friendship” at the camp she was being held,

and then later raped her.

Another 16-year-old girl who fled a brutal Boko Haram attack on Baga, near the shores of Lake Chad, northern Borno in January 2015, said, according to HRW, that she was drugged and raped in May 2015 by a vigilante group member in charge of distributing aid in the camp.

It was a similar tale from another 18-year-old girl from Kukawa, a Borno town, 112 miles from Maiduguri, the state capital, who said that a member of Civilian Joint Task Force – a self-defence vigilante group working with government forces in their fight against Boko Haram – initially gave her privileges, including passes that allowed her to leave the camp, but then he raped her.

These women and girls, if they had a choice, wouldn’t be living in those infection-fraught government shacks with no food to eat, no potable water, no healthcare and worst of all, no freedom of movement. However, life happened to them and brought them to the valley of dead bones. On several accounts have the media and some NGOs in the country lamented over the deplorable conditions of the IDP camps in Nigeria, and while we are still crying like forsaken Orangutans in the belly of the dark forest over that situation, we have yet to deal with sexual abuse and violation in those filthy pits!

The recent NOI report about IDP camps in Nigeria was devastating. According to NOI survey results released by NOIPolls Limited, the vast majority of IDPs in the North-East lack access to food, potable water and healthcare. Analysis shows that almost nine in 10 IDPs (85 per cent) do not have access to quality food and regular meals, about eight in 10 IDPs (78 per cent) do not have access to potable water, while almost seven in 10 IDPs (69 per cent) lack access to quality healthcare. These results represent a general overview of what is happening in both official and unofficial camps, across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688 One of the women in the HRW report said of one of the camps in the North East thus: “Life is terrible here in this camp. For the past three days, we have not eaten because there is no firewood to cook the food. To make it worse, they will not even allow us to go out to fend for ourselves. Most times you have to beg the camp officials to intervene with the guards before they will give you the pass to go out. Why will you refuse if any of those people ask you for marriage? You have to survive.”

So whether the marriage proposal is real or a sham, these women’s only instinct is that of survival and in other to stay alive, they pay a bigger price. They are exploited, raped and violated.

Imagine the level of hardship experienced by IDPs, so much so that the practice of “sex for food,’ or even “sex for freedom of movement” in and out of the camps became the only means of survival. A senior female lawyer and advocate in Borno State corroborated the reports made by NOI and HRW. “I have reports of women being sexually harassed in camps by security agents, civilian JTF, and managers of camps. This information has reached us, we have investigated a few. We even have an instance where a security agent raped a woman, who later gave birth to a child. Seriously this is happening in camps.”

That 16-year-old girl, molested, raped in exchange for the basic necessities of life – food, water, shelter speaks volumes of how committed this nation is to protecting the vulnerable, whom are in those precarious situations because of some national ineptitude to protect her citizenry. That 16-year-old girl could have been your daughter, your sister or even the mother of your children. While it is heartwarming that the president, Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock over this situation, and will commence a probe going by these words on his twitter handle: “I have seen the new @hrw report, and asked the Inspector-General of Police and concerned State Governors to investigate immediately,” I have chosen to stand with the female IDPs of Nigeria and I implore every Nigerian woman to do the same. These are our sisters and from where I stand, an injury to one is an injury to all… If you feel like keeping quiet because it is the North East that is being ravaged today, I solemnly hope the tides won’t turn. I call on Nigerian women; we must use all we have got to ensure that this not only stops, but perpetrators are sufficiently dealt with, while we unequivocally stand with the female IDPs of Nigeria.

Bringing attention to the world of radiographers

By Abdulfatai Kolawole Bakre

TODAY is the World Radiography Day, and it is a day set aside to celebrate the discovery of an unusual radiation by Professor Conrad Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. He named it “X-radiation” which signified an unknown type of radiation.

This unusual X–Ray has brought great dynamics and advancements into the field of health and medical practices all over the world.

Historically, World Radiography Day is celebrated on November 8 each year. The date marks the anniversary of the discovery of x-radiation. Today’s event makes it the 11th edition in Lagos State, Nigeria. Radiographers world over use the date to promote radiography as a profession, create public awareness about the vital contribution of radiography to modern health care delivery system and to increase public awareness of the safe use and the adverse effects of indiscriminate use of radiation.

Radiography is the art and science of using any form of electromagnetic radiation and wave form of energies on humans, animals and objects that could lead to the production of any forms of medical/industrial imaging. Imaging modalities such as x-ray imaging, ultrasound imaging, computed tomography imaging, radiotherapy imaging, radionuclide imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and thermal imaging are used. Images are produced and interpreted to promote health in humans and to detect damages to equipment without actually dismantling it.

Radiography is a health profession established by decree no.42 of 1987 now Cap R1 Laws of the Federation of 2004.

This is an Act to establish a board for the control and practice of the profession of radiography in Nigeria similar to laws that established other professions like medicine, pharmacy,

among others.

Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-rays to treat malignant disease called cancer, and sometimes used to treat benign tumours (benign diseases). Radiotherapy treatment can either be palliative or curative (radical). Usually, treatmentin radiotherapy is often split or fractionised into a number of radiation doses usually given over a number of days ortimes. This is to allow a larger dose of radiation to be given and reduces the amount of normal tissues been irradiated thereby reducing the side effects of radiation to the patient.

The radiographers who work in this department are called Therapy radiographers. They are specialist professionals qualified, certified and licensed in the localisation and treatment of different forms of cancer using ionizing radiation. In a standard treatment, radiotherapy is often given with chemotherapy to enhance the effectiveness of such treatment.

The level of practices and experience of radiographers ranges from general radiographer to advanced practice/ specialistradiographers. The current advancementin role extension as obtained in developed countries is the position of Consultant radiographer.

As at today industrial radiography in Africa has not been effectively exploited in terms of training and practice. Even, the ubiquitous medical radiography practice has not been

effectively exhausted and expanded as it is obtained in the developed world.

Anybody engaging in any of the above without adequate registration of the hospital/ facility and personnel are doing so illegally in Nigeria and such facilities/hospitals are advised to put things right with relevant authorities immediately.

Members of the public patronising any facilities/hospitals must know that it is their right to ask questions about the standard of the service they receive. This is because the adverse effect of radiation can lead to serious consequences.

Only a licensed radiographer is empowered by law to dispense ionizing radiation on bodies.

However, radiography practice in Nigeria public and private hospitals calls for serious concerns. These concerns range from structural design of the facility/ department to equipment and personnel. Most time when the departments of radiography or radio-diagnostic are to be designed or constructed radiographers are not consulted. It is a common occurrence for a radiographer to be sidelined during the decision making process of equipment procurement and planned modification of his own department.

Unfortunately, radiography equipment are very expensive and most of the equipment procured by the management at times are old generation equipment that has been discontinued from their country of origin.

It is on this note I will like to call on the Federal and State governments via the Federal Ministry of Health to address the challenges in our health system by increasing the number of radiographers in all the public hospitals and equally make available to all radiographers and staff of radio diagnostic department a comprehensive life insurance policy.

•Bakre is a Lagos-based radiographer.

17

Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

For enquiries, contact:

08116954637, 08039521408

FG trains farmers on Tuta Absoluta

Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

T

HE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with Fadama III Programme, has organised a capacity building workshop on strategies for management and containment of Tuta Absoluta in Tomato production in Nigeria for field officers in the 19 northern states including the Federal Capital Territory .

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shehu Ahmed, who presided over the workshop in Abuja said, the initiative was borne out of the need for Government to continue the awareness and upgrade of the technical know-how of relevant desk officers and extension staff as well as subject matter specialists of Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) on the systematic and well-coordinated approach required in the management of Tuta Absoluta and its spread.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Horticulture in the Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Kanu Michael, said: “capacity building is a key component activity towards achieving the goal of food security and import substitution of the agriculture policy document the ‘Green Alternative’ 20162020.”

He said the workshop was intended to impart knowledge and develop skills of state level technical staff on various strategies and management practices for control and containment of the invasive pest of tomato with emphasis on use of environmentally friendly tech-

nology.

While encouraging the field officers to render technical support to farmers in achieving self-sufficiency in tomato production, he noted that it has been pro-

AS part of efforts to support Nigeria’s quest for rice self sufficiency by 2017, Olam Farm, producers of Mama Pride, has scaled up production to over 40,000 metric tons of paddy rice annually.

The farm has also increased the number of farmers in its out grower scheme from the initial 3000 to 5000 to cultivate a total of 5500 hectares of farm through the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the International Fund for Agriculture

public and private sectors in their respective states the skills and knowledge acquired.

Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Dr Babandi

Mohammed, in his opening remarks, said the country’s target to be self-sufficient in tomato production by the year 2018 might be a mirage if Tuta Absoluta is allowed to ravage farms.

From left, the World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Hajia Binta Rabiu Dan’Sitta, and Fadama National Project Coordinator, Mr. Tayo Adewunmi, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry last week.

IAR&T trains Oyo farmers to boost maize production As monarch calls for more irrigation farms, dams in South-West

By Ruth Olurounbi IN its bid to improve the production of maize and reduce the fear of farmers as a result of pests and diseases in Oyo State, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan has extended its maize capacity building/ training programme tagged ‘Maize Improvement Programme for Southern Farmers’ to farmers in Saki, Oyo and Ibadan-Ibarapa agricultural zones in the state.

Speaking in Eruwa, headquarters of Ibarapa Local Government area of the state on Wednesday, IAR&T Team Leader, Dr Olugbenga

Olam Farm scales up production Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

jected that Nigeria would attain self- sufficiency when its output averages 6 million metric tons annually.

He charged participants to fully put into good use and train others both in the

Value Chain programme.

The Project Coordinator, Olam Rice Farm, Mahesh Nimje, while speaking to journalists in Rukubi, Nassarawa State, on the increased yield of 2017 harvest said the target is to produce over 10 metric tons per hectare in two circle annual crop.

On their contribution to the self-sufficiency target in rice production of the federal government, Olam has increased it farm hectare under cultivation from 3,800 to 4,500 hectare disclosing that their plan was to cultivate 13,500 hectares by 2018.

Egbetokun maintained that the capacity building for maize farmers which had earlier been held in Saki and Oyo was to increase productivity and profitability of maize production among the farmers in the state.

Egbetokun while speaking at the training also aimed at improve the productivity said “We are moving around Oyo State to empower farmers’ technical-know-how on how to increase their production and improve productivity of maize and it is all encompassing training which includes all areas of specialty of our seasoned scientists in IAR&T. The Eleruwa of Eruwa Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola while receiving the team in his palace urged the Federal Government through the ministry of agriculture to establish irrigation farms and dams in the South-West like the way it is being done in the North.

While describing the training as timely in this period when the country is looking for other ways to make money, Oba Adegbola maintained that it is time the government make irrigation farms functional in the region.

“I am calling on the Federal Government to establish irrigation farms and dams in the southwest to boost our

own production. You know the only profession that predate farming is hunting; farming is an instrument of development which should not to be neglected.

“We have jettisoned farming after the discovery of the

oil, I am happy that Nigeria has realized itself that we are now going back to the farm.

Now, apart from production, we must think of storage, we have to prepare for harvesting time and time of scarcity.”

IITA: Govs, others brainstorm on future of Africa’s cocoa research FOR the first time in West Africa, a regional symposium focusing on the next generation of cocoa research for West and Central Africa will take place today at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

The symposium will tackle the bottlenecks faced by cocoa producers in West and Central Africa, and update stakeholders and policy makers on the recent innovations in cocoa improvement.

“This Regional Cocoa Symposium is the first of its kind in Africa. It is happening in West Africa—the hub of global cocoa production.

It will highlight the diverse roles of cocoa in improving farmers’ livelihood. It is also a forum for stakeholders to synthesize ideas on sustainable cocoa production. The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) is proud to be part of this event,” said O. Olubamiwa, Executive Director of CRIN. Notable leaders from southwest Nigerian will join academics, industry representatives, and stakeholders in Africa’s cocoa sector to discuss research priorities across both the public and private sector platforms, share research experiences and identify research needs to unleash the potential of the crop.

FUNAAB don identifies opportunities in sown pasture Says Fulani herdsmen ready to embrace technology A Professor of Pasture Agronomy and Forage Utilisation, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Jimoh Olanite, has identified the opportunities that abound in the production of hay from sown pasture for ruminant animal production.

According to him, the availability of steady supply of herbaceous forage legumes and grasses, as feed resources for ruminant ani-

mal production, had been of great challenge for livestock farmers in the country, leading to the damage of farmlands.

Professor Olanite, whose research interest involves the evaluation of grasses and herbaceous legumes as feed resources for ruminant animal production, disclosed that species like Panicum maximum, known as Guinea grass and green panic grass, and Brachiaria decumbens, known also as signal grass, were common grasses that could withstand

grazing pressure and are highly nutritious.

The professor disclosed that the major outcomes of his research on sown pasture revealed that the Fulani herdsmen were ready to utilise technologies, if the right environment was provided.

Olanite noted that he and his other colleagues were currently working on another research proposal aimed at extending this technology to solve problems relating to animal grazing in the South-West Nigeria.

18

Tuesday, 7 November, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed (left), receiving report of the visitation panel to Kwara State College of Education, Oro, from the chairman of the panel, Professor Kenneth Adeyemi, at the Government House, Ilorin.

Chief Willy Akinlude (left), with Leke Osilana, President, Diocese of Egba Guild of Stewards, during the thanksgiving service of The Most Reverend Michael Olusina Fape as the Arcibishop of The Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, held at the Cathedral Church of St Paul, Sagamu-Remo, Ogun State. PHOTO: D’TOYIN.

From left, Maiyaki Joyce, National Rescue Coordinator; Mr Okanlawon Bamigboye, Gafar Arowolo and Major R. O. A. Salawu, at the official commissioning and decoration of rescue marshals, held at the University of Ibadan New Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Newly sworn in president, Junior Chambers International (JCI), Ibadan chapter, Mrs Adelayo Fasilat Abass (left) with JCI leaders and beneficiaries of the David Agbeja Scholarship Scheme, at the 49th convention/investiture of the 40th president of JCI Ibadan, at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, recently.

From left, bride’s mother, Mrs Funmi Agboola; the couple, Mr and Mrs Adetayo Adeosun and the bride’s father, Mr Kehinde Agboola, a senior staff of Audit Dept, OYSCATECH, Igboora, during a wedding held recently.

Pa Joshua Oyeniyi Omilabu (left), cutting his 80th birthday cake and assisted by his wife, Ebun and the officiating Minister, Reverend Fafure S. Ola, at the birthday thanksgiving service held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Okemesi, Ekiti State, recently’

Senior Mother-in-Israel, Prophetess Bimbo Famakinwa (second left), cutting her birthday cake at Holy Michael Miracle Assembly Church, Ologuneru, Ibadan. Assisting her are, from left, Mr Akande Olusoji, Miss Omolayo Famakinwa and Mr Ifeoluwa Famakinwa.

The Chief Imam Alfa Tedo, Ogbomoso, Sheikh Suleiman Abina Alfa Tedo (right), presenting an award to Alhaji Onilede as Baba Adinni of Alfa Tedo Central Mosque, at Alfa Tedo area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, recently.

Forbookings, bookings,contact contact’Laolu ’LaoluAfolabi Afolabion on08054681741 08054681741 or or Tommy TommyAdegbite Adegbiteon on08116954631 08116954631 For

19

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Tunde Busari 08127593530 Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

Nigerian Tribune

The

South-West Editor Kehinde Oyetimi 08074626431

Got news for us; contact: southwesttribune@yahoo.co.uk or southwesttribune@gmail.com

The lack of federalism in Nigeria has caused the Yoruba people a lot.

We are no longer what we used to be. The caliphate by various adroit practices and cleverness, political plotting and scheming, destroyed our middle class completely.

Olaniwun Ajayi

By Kunle Oderemi

I

Inside

T came like a thunderbolt on November 4, 2016: that extremely rare Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, had breathed his last. Deep and cerebral, the quintessential politician towered above his contemporaries in political sagacity, intellectualism, erudition and bravery. His knack for uncommon details, historical facts, figures and data in chronological order referenced his personality as a mobile encyclopedia.

PLACES

Ilaro: Hilly town of harmony

His politics, passion for Yoruba nation

Methodical, sartorial and above all, pious, Sir Olaniwun discussed politics with passion and authority devoid of arrogance. His knowledge about history, dates and figures flows in a flawless chronological sequence to the chagrin of the most perceptive. His dept his reliance on his brain for

details without a pause to consult any document even at 91, was captivating and incredible.

Iconic Sir Olaniwun believed there was politics in every facet of life, including the family, since politics is about serContinues on pg20

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Ibadan North West: Template for sustainable peace policy

20 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

South-West sate governors’ elect and their deputies with the state chairman and other Alliance for Democracy leaders were hosted at Sir Olaniwun Ajayi’s Isara home in 1999.

‘There is no middle class today in Yoruba land’ Continued from pg19 vice to mankind. “My politics therefore may have started in the early 1950’s when I was elected as the secretary of Isara Secondary Education Committee,” he said. The committee was set up to prepare a blueprint for the establishment of a secondary school in the community. Incidentally, his adventure into politics at that stage coincided with the intense struggle for Nigeria’s independence from Britain, with Awo, Zik, Anthony Enahoro, Aminu Kano, among other nationalists, constituting the springboard and arrow head. It was the era of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC) and the Action Group (AG), founded and led Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1951.

From that embryonic stage, he began to foresee the possibility of going into party politics. He eventually joined the fray because of what he described as his admiration of the ideology, and philosophy and achievements of the leaders. His words: “It was the cardinal position of the action group that Nigeria should emerge a strong entity, thus it was imperative for each region to build itself, so that from the strength of the many parts, there would be greater strength in the emergence of one entity, Nigeria. For this singular reason, and some other considerations, I developed interest in party politics and formally joined the Action Congress in 1952.” But, he elected to operate at profile because he was still a teacher. He acted as a grass-root canvasser for the party. Sir Olaniwun expatiated on his foray into politics in subsequent years. While some people deny the stark reality of their political nature and claim to be apolitical and having little or no interest in politics. I do not. It seems to me that blood of politics, if there’s any such thing, flows freely in my veins, making me a good example of a political animal that we are ,” Sir Olaniwun wrote in Lest We Forget.

His encounter with Awo As a youth, he demonstrated curiousity about the exploits of great men and women throughout the world. He read the autobiographies of such world leaders and statesmen like Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, among others. When he had an opportunity to have a closer intimacy with Awo, Sir Olaniwun benefitted immensely in his quest for scholarship. This is how he recalled his first encounter with Awo, “I had gone to see my friend and Papa Awo was sitting by his balcony at his home in Ibadan reading

a book. My friend took me to him and introduced me. Papa Awo simply looked up and said hello. After that meeting, I would often visit my friend just to get a glimpse of the late sage. I would pay my respect and he would respond cheerfully. This continued a while till his interest in me became fully developed. With time Papa Awo developed more interest in me to the extent that when I was preparing to go overseas, I went to bid him goodbye in the company of my friend, Ayo Adebanjo and Papa Awo presented me with a princely gift.”

As the relationship bolstered, Awo gave him three books to quench his rapacious thirst and appetite for scholarship when he summoned the courage to confront the sage with a question on what was making him tick as a leader, politician, and great man.

After that interaction and mentoring, Sir Olaniwun affirmed that the list of his takeaways from Awo covered such grounds as philosophy, ethics, religion, cardinal virtues and party discipline and loyalty. In comparison with what obtain in the past, Sir Olaniwun said: “I look with disgust today, where political neophytes fight their leaders for positions that are transient in nature.

In many cases today (2011), politicians are engaged in all forms of political intrigues against their party. If a politician wants to run for a particular, say governor or Senate, and he/she is not nominated by his party at the primaries, he simply leaves his party for another party in order to become governor.”

While some people deny the stark reality of their political nature and claim to be apolitical and having little or no interest in politics. I do not.

Travails The Isara-born politician and lawyer appeared to have been an apostle of the principle of a philosopher, who declared that, “A man who has not found that which he is willing to die for, has not found that which he is willing to live for.” He suffered different forms of indignation and deprivation in the cause of his political struggle, but he saw those challenges as part of the price he had to pay like a servant of the people seeking solely to make the society a better place. According to him, the gain for these hazards, including imprisonment, death, trial and tribulations is the honour of sacrifice and privilege of making a difference and touching lives, unlike now, where the gain is direct access to the treasury and the perverted hazard of maiming, kidnapping, murder and treachery, which seem the order of the day. A few instances of the harrowing experiences he went through will suffice. One of the most touching of his travails was the circumstances that surrounded the travails of AG political leaders in political crisis precipitated in the Western Region in the First Republic by the centre. Another incident was when he and many others were de-humanised and hounded into prison by the establishment at the dawn of the 1979 general election in the country. His words: “About 2 or 3 hours later, we were harassed into a means of transportation. this time, a vehicle that met the occasion, also known as Black Maria-an 8-Ton Bedford lorry-came to get us. We were all hoarded in like a herd of cattle about to be transported to a slaughter house. We were packed like sardines into a truck with no seats. We had to make do with the steel floor in between drums of petrol with all the dangers associated therewith.

The long road from that prison at about 6 am to once another, was a journey of silence. Our abductors neither spoke to us nor were we allowed speaking to one another.

With guns and horsewhips, like in the days of slave trade, ready to be used, we kept our peace not knowing our new destination.”

When the vehicle stop at about 3 am to refuel, he was met with koboko from for asking to ease himself.

When the Second Republic was aborted, the military threw him behind bars for phantom charges levelled against him and political soul mates in the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Again he was arrested and detained, this time, along with 57 other

Books authored by Sir Olaniwun Ajayi Afenifere and NADECO leaders on June 1, 1995 for leading the prolonged struggle for June 12 de-annulment. But undeterred or cowed by the Gestapo of the military establishment, Sir Olaniwun and other eminent persons floated the Alliance for Democracy (AD), which triumphed in all elections but the presidential poll in the South-West 1999.

He symbolised leadership by example through vision and principle. Those virtues informed his decision to join other elder statesmen and senior citizens to found the Council of Understanding and Unity, which complemented NADECO, to fight against further military grip on the political arena.

Continues on pg22

21 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

ICON

Dr Onikepo Akande: A blend of beauty, brain

Whenever her name is mentioned, various words come to mind but none seems apt to describe Dr Onikepo Olufunmike Akande, a successful industrialist and accomplished Management and Business Consultant, who has made great impacts in the society. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE writes about the giant steps made by this icon in the business world and beyond.

W

HEN names of accomplished Ibadan women are being listed, Dr. Onikepo Akande’s name will be one of the first to be mentioned. This is not surprising considering her antecedents as a banker, a business woman and numerous achievements outside the business world; she is the first woman to be named Minister of Industry by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and honorary life Vice-President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture among many other feats.

Dr Akande made so much impact as an industrialist and economist that she was recognized across all sectors within Nigeria and outside the shores of the African continent.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan described her as “an inspiration.” In 2003, the prestigious national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) was bestowed on her in recognition of her outstanding virtues and services to the country and a recipient of the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger.

She has served in various capacities in her 72 years on earth; she is a board member of Union Bank of Nigeria and PZ Foundation, serves as the Director of the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank. She was ap-

pointed Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group Nigeria on December 8, 2015 and is the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a position she holds since December 5, 2015.]

Her educational experience is vast; she studied at University Tutorial College London and also Studied Accountancy from University of North London from 1965 to 1968.

Dr. Akande also attended Postgraduate programme from Harvard Business School B o s t o n USA, management courses from Dr Akande Oxford Uni-

versity United Kingdom and management courses from Institute for Management Development in Lausanne Switzerland.

But clocking 72 few days back has in no way slowed down the beautiful the Ekerin Iyalode of Ibadanland married to another industrialist and business magnate, C h i e f Adebayo Akande, owner of Splash F M , Ibadan, as she still exudes poise and a beautiful mien.

She continues to contribute meaningfully to the economy

of the nation and her resume continues to climb to heights that scare the average woman.

Dr Akande believes so much in hard work and its commensurate reward. She had always been ambitious and from early in life developed a love for the corporate world.

She never had to lobby for anything as her abilities opened doors for her and people always sought her out for her expertise.

She is also an advocate for the empowerment of women and believes that given the required opportunity, women can excel in any chosen field while their home remains intact. Dr Akande likes writing and is a strong believer in the Nigerian nation has been a Director of the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc since 2012.

Her style is inborn and she is always stylish whenever and wherever she is seen. This is not surprising however as she comes from a family of fashionable and stylish women.

She frequently describes her grandmother, Madam Juliet Aboderin as a very pretty and wealthy business woman, who was one of the richest women in Ibadan at her time.

She describes her grandmother as a source of motivation who prepared her well to compete favourably with men in every professional world.

Dr Onikepo Akande is indeed an icon whose footsteps continue to grow too big for many to step into.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Ibadan North West: Template for sustainable peace policy Though it comprises of indigenous areas that are prone to violence, there had been relative peace in Ibadan North West Local Government council of Oyo state courtesy of a demand driven model of governance created by the caretaker chairman in the last seven months to sustain Oyo government policy on peace. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE writes.

I

BADAN Northwest Local Government Area of Oyo state is the smallest in Ibadan municipal and receives the least allocation but has the highest wage bill among the comity of local councils within the state. Consequently, it is not easy to manage especially considering the concentration of indigenous areas that are vulnerable and conducive to crime; Nalende, Abebi, Oopo Yeosa, Idi Ikan, Origbegi, Agbaje and Orita Merin among others.

A year and a half ago, these areas were ravaged by hoodlums who visit almost on a daily basis by midnight and leave in the early hours of the morning after looting shops, killing and maiming people and raping women. These went on for over eight months before the present caretaker chairman, Honourable Wasiu Olatunbosun, was called back to office.

And few weeks after he was sworn in, there was an end to the security challenges faced in these areas and there was peace. How did the council achieve this feat? Olatunbosun attributes this to the style of governance that he employed which allowed him get first hand information on the needs of the people and their priority after touring the whole council immediately he was sworn in seven months ago, to find out the situation on ground within the council.

“When I came in, I adopted the demand driven approach of governance where people determine what they want as against what the government commonly believes they need which was adopted by my predecessors.

I let people determine what they want and the felt needs of the community, I collate all

the felt needs of the communities, I prioritize and now start picking the needs. This style has advantages.

“It makes people to appreciate the project, it is less expensive and it makes people to feel the impact of government. Sometimes, you want to do road but if you allow the people to decide, road may not be a priority to the people then, they may prefer borehole. We don’t stop at our own findings; we back it up with independent scientific public opinion research. That is our guiding principle.

“So we met all the communities; not politicians but community leaders and religious leaders to know what they need and the areas they wanted us to focus. What they told us was infrastructure, security and empowerment. In fact, their priority then was security because eight months before we came back, hoodlums had already taken over the entire indigenous areas and I promised to do that within a month. I called the stakeholders to find out those responsible for the problem and along the line we identified that it is the area boys and we invited them.

“At the meeting they said if we wanted to get a solution, we should send the elders out, we did this and they told us to raise a team among them to face the culprits if we wanted a solution. At the end, we raised a vigilante team among them, they have all they need to work and they collaborate with law enforcement agencies. And within one week, they were able to apprehend eight leaders of the gang, what the police couldn’t do in eight months; the arrested people are in prison custody at Agodi at present,” Olatunbosun said.

“The people now sleeping with their eyes close, we asked them what they wanted in their community because what they needed in community A is different from what they needed in B, despite the fact that the money we receive is low and we use 99.5 per cent on salaries and often have to add more two months together to pay one salary. But this model has helped me because instead of going for big projects that would not be appreciated by the people, I align myself with the demand of the people and despite this meager resources, I have met 85% of their demands.

The peoples request included 10 boreholes across the council and eight have been delivered, they requested for four pedestrian bridges and two have been completed, they requested for toilets as houses in the indig-

Olatunbosun

enous areas are not built with toilets and the council under Olatunbosun has built 30 units of three compartment VIP toilets.

“There was a time we had a cholera outbreak epidemic so we took the toilet issue seriously.

We have another category of toilets built by Ibadan municipal council which have been out of use for 10 to 15 years, they requested that we should help them refurbish them, we have eight in the local government and each of the toilets has about 25 compartments.

Thank God we have refurbished 7 out of the 8 in our council and one of them is among the projects to be commissioned this week,” Olatunbosun stated.

Also because installing transformers is more expensive than buying, people have been buying transformers for the communities without installing for them. They asked that the council install the transformers for them and 18 have been installed. The third part of the tripod is empowerment and because the council employs demand driven and people oriented governance policy, its empowerment took a different model.

“We had three empowerments; youths, women, old people. We don’t believe in just buying okada or grinding machine. Many have acquired skills but their parents had no financial strength to set them up so what we did in the first empowerment for youths is to buy complete equipments needed in areas of trade of each individual, we empowered them fully on this.

“The women wanted vocational training, so we got them a center and paid experts to come and give them vocational training in bead training, soap making, hair dressing, baking decoration etc for six months and after graduation, we bought them start up equipments and take off grant. We did same for old people. We had 800 women and 300 old people as beneficiaries.

22 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

His politics, passion for Yoruba nation Continued from pg20 It is also pertinent to state that he was part of the 32 senior citizens that formed The Patriots, under the late chairmanship of Chief FRA Williams (SAN) to seek constitutional reform in the country.

At the public presentation of one of his books in 2005, Sir Olaniwun was unequivocal about the poor quality of political leadership, coupled with gross impunity and injustice in the country. Thus, he declared: “In the last three decades in particular, we have witnessed in this country the ascendancy of those who ought not to have anything to do with public governance. It, is a matter of deep regret that not only did such people emerge in Nigeria, such incompetent, misguided, and even in a couple of cases, evil personages, often refuse to vacate power even when all evidence of their incapacity to push Nigeria towards greatness becomes so stark.

Why this particularly rankles is that, it is contrary to the dictates of our own culture as a people. I am talking about culture, both in the sense of tradition and also in the sense of political socialisation.”

Sir Olaniwun never minced words on what he considered as the predicament of the Nigerian federation over the years. He warned that vicious circle and circuitous circus show portended danger for the country. According to him, the way out is for the country is to decentralise power so that the people can govern themselves. He warned: “Only the deaf and the blind would disagree that Nigeria, in the way it is presently constituted, has failed. At best, it is only a lame vision of what Nigeria is equipped and destined to be, that would pronounce that Nigeria is doing well now or getting better. Indeed, the state of affairs now is so sordid that we must reject that sorry statement that Nigeria must move forward.… Only the blind will continue to move forward when the abyss lies ahead. We must return to the path of sanity, the path of federalism, the path of national debate and consensus. It is precisely because of the devastating consequences of moving forward when danger lies ahead that has informed our strident calls in more than two decades for a ‘turning back’ rather than a moving forward.”

In an interview he granted the Nigerian Tribune in 2015, he said this about the Yoruba race: “The lack of federalism in Nigeria has caused the Yoruba people a lot. What has not gone wrong in Nigeria’ Is it in agriculture, road, education, health’ All of them. Name it.

“We are no longer what we used to be. The caliphate by various adroit practices and cleverness, political plotting and scheming, destroyed our middle class completely.

There is no middle class today in Yoruba land. It is the rich and the poor. The poor are greater in number than the rich and the richness at the top is not percolating down. Should we blame the military or the caliphate.

“If you conduct a research, you will blame the caliphate.

When Babangida got there, the first thing he did was to make sure that he destroyed the middle class of the Western Region. All industries were more or less closed down. The soldiers did us a lot of evil. Before they came, Yoruba people never begged. Today, go anywhere, you will find Yoruba people begging. They don’t have to carry calabash. If things ran properly, that would never happen. The caliphate has always been in politics and power. Because of that, they are able to direct affairs during military or civilian governments.”

A man, who cherished his root without compromising his Nigerian-ness, Sir Olaniwun used all legitimate means as a political figure to promote the concept of Omoluabi, which encompasses honour, dignity, piety, industry, capacity to humaneness and brotherliness. No surprise he once affirmed: “They (Yoruba) wish to relate to others in Nigeria’s many ethnic nationalities as free-born citizens. They wish to parade the world with Yoruba and Nigerian identities that are unsoiled by the mismanagement of resources and bad governance that has turned many of our citizens into advertised criminals around the world. They want to declare on the streets of London and New York that, ‘I am a Nigeria, and I am proud.”

In his preview of the book, Nigeria: Political Power Imbalance: the bane and chain down of Nigeria’s progress and development, written by Sir Olaniwun, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), extolled the virtues of the author because he presented “a more detailed account, containing incredible new facts dredged from British archives” on the Nigerian project dating back to the colonial era to the independence. In the words of the renowned constitutional lawyer, “This work reveals many fascinating secrets which show that Nigeria is in this sad state of anomy, tragedy and backwardness, not by the accident of fate, but by a a deliberate British Government/colonial administration’s conspiracy against the people of this country.”

Another distinguished scholar, Professor Jacob K. Olupona, of Harvard University, United States, poignantly

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi flanked by the Awujale and other Ijebu Obas on his 70th birthday anniversary.

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi appointed Remo Diocesan Lay President of the Methodist Church, Nigeria (1998-2002). Among those who came to celebrate with him, from left: Alhaji E. O. Dawodu, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Pa Solanke Onasanya and Senator Dr Femi Okurounmu presents the scholarly work of Sir Olanimun as a political figure, noting that the same book “captures the complexity and richness of Nigerian history from the perspective of an active player…” He adds that the author “reflects and captures the thought and intellect of the committed nationalists of his generation-many of whom were disciples of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. According to Olupona, “Sir Olanimwun is perhaps the best spokesman for the class of devoted and dedicated leaders, and that explains why he is fearless and frank in his writing, as the book clearly demonstrates.”

Olupona only underscored the vision of Sir Olaniwun in

If you conduct a research, you will blame the caliphate. When Babangida got there, the first thing he did was to make sure that he destroyed the middle class of the Western Region. All industries were more or less closed down. The soldiers did us a lot of evil. Before they came, Yoruba people never begged. Today, go anywhere, you will find Yoruba people begging.

They don’t have to carry calabash. If things ran properly, that would never happen.

writing the book about the “evolution of the Nigerian nation as a work in progress.” This is based on the fact that the enigmatic politician exhibited his inseparability from truth and courage in the entire work of art. According to Sir Olaniwun, the solution to Nigeria’s political malaise is “not to go back what we failed to do but to recognise and concretise the six geopolitical zones and give Nigerians true fiscal federalism….” To strengthen this point of argument, he wrote: “The bane and chain-down to the progress and de3velopment of Nigeria are political power imbalance. Unless and until this is righted by way of proper federalism, Nigeria will not know peace, nor progress, nor stability….”

This is how a distinguished and world renowned scholar, Professor O.O. Akinkugbe, profoundly captures the scholarship and political sagacity of Sir Olaniwun: “In his many writings, Sir Olanimun’s reminiscences are lucid, erudite, instructive and replete with wisdom and Nigerians have a lot to learn from his profound insight which in local tongue we refer to as LAAKAYE. “Integrity, sense of hunour and of occasion, loyalty, public-spiritedness have all become rare commodity in today’s Nigeria and the likes of Sir Olaniwun have sadly become an endangered species. His palpable concern for the future of a beleaguered nation, and for the lot of the common man places him above petty ethnic and egocentric sentiments.”

On the whole, the life and times of Sir Olaniwun is akin to a book which should be read, the contents assimilated and digested, so that it can become part of an individual’s body chemistry, as he was a dogged political fighter, famous for tact, finesse and erudition. He deployed those virtues to fight any cause he believed in and espoused, even in the face of threats from the establishment to his freedom and life.

It is no surprise that he left behind what could form part of his epitaph: “All my life, I have stood for being right with my fellow men. I sat on the bench of justice, and drank only from the fountain of truth.… I believe Nigeria should and can be great. But there are still many rivers to cross. Those who my colleagues and I nurtured and assisted to power have said we are in the departure lounge-as if they will not get there.”

23 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

ROYALTY

Osun Osogbo is a blessing to Osogbo —Ataoja In his leisure moment after he is done with multiple meetings, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun could be extremely lively. His anecdotes spiced with rich Yoruba proverbs are unparalleled. He is also an acclaimed strong Muslim. Yet he is the custodian of Osun Osogbo festival and other traditional obligations. In an interview by TUNDE BUSARI, he speaks on how he maintains balance between his faith and traditional duties. Excerpts

Y

are enough to tell you what I mean. As far as I am concerned, the state government is doing its best and we are seeing what it is doing. I am particularly giving credit to Ogbeni AbdulRauf Aregbesola for his courage to stick to his promise despite the unexpected situation he has found himself. The song everywhere now even beyond Nigeria is that of economic recession. People should be fair to Ogbeni and face the reality. We should be tolerant of one another regardless of our political affiliations. People make political parties not the other way round. We should not use politics to interpret everything. As a former civil servant, I understand the current situation but we still need to show understanding and persevere to reap the fruit in the end.

OU are a Muslim with strong attachment with Tijaniyyah sect. How do you balance this with your role as custodian of custom and tradition in reference to Osun Osogbo festival?

Every traditional ruler in Yorubaland must know that regardless of his religion, he is the one in charge of the custom and tradition of his town. He is the one his subjects look up to for the preservation of the custom. There is no dispute over it. There is also no dispute over the fact that the traditional ruler must strike a balance in a way one does not disturb the other. Regarding Osun Osogbo you referred to, you should know that the festival has transcended our domain here. It is an international festival recognized by the UNESCO. It is now a tourism product that tourists across the world look forward to every year. Osun Osogbo is a blessing to Osogbo and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

I am the chief host according to my position.

We should not mix it up. We should not forget the history of the town, which is what the festival is all about. Whoever forgets his past will live to blame himself. We are happy that the festival is more beneficial to us, starting from the name the whole state bears. Is anything more beneficial than that? It a grace we should always appreciate.

You position must have been derived from the new look of Osogbo?

How do you want me to answer this question without you accusing me of bias? But which traditional ruler will not support a governor who did what Ogbeni has done for my town during my reign? I am not an hypocrite. I am not an ingrate either. If, with the little resources, works are still ongoing on some projects not only in Osogbo, Ogbeni deserves my commendation. As an indigene of the town, are you not always happy that your hometown is wearing a look of a true state capital? We are talking of development here, not politics. He is a wonderful governor with due respect to his predecessors too.

Did you at a point in your early life see yourself as future Ataoja?

My answer to this kind of question is to thank God for all he has done because without him nothing it happens in the life of man.

The issue is not a matter of one seeing himself on the throne or not. It is manifestation of one’s destiny. My journey of life is that of a traveler who passed through different phases.

You are always seen in heavy attires, a contrast to shirt and trouser you wore as a public servant. Are you not missing those stuffs?

Do you believe in dress code?

Yes. Fine. If you believe that there are certain attires that go with your job, you should not be surprised to see me in agbada. The position I am occupying requires me to dress by example. Yoruba culture is second to none. We have rich, beautiful dresses that foreigners like to see. Agbada is one of them. So, if as a traditional ruler I am always seen in agbada, I think I am complying with the code of the stool.

Can you expatiate on this?

There is no need to bore you with the details again because my journey is in the public domain.

Our readers will be interested?

I started my life like every other child. I went to schools, I worked as a school teacher and later secretary of Osogbo Local Government Education Authorities. The rest is history.

How can you describe your six years on the throne?

The last six years can best be described as special years in my life because of the fact that they represent years of different activities and experiences. They are years one meet different people from different places.

In short they represent on important phase of my life. They are also the foundation upon which I am building the future.

Is there any difference between life before the palace and life now?

You are talking of different world. Life as a private person is totally different from life as an oba. A traditional ruler is more or less a public property. What you say or you don’t say becomes matter of public interest. What you do or you don’t do attracts public attention. But above all, we must give thanks to God for seeing us through the complexities of the status.

There is no gainsaying the fact that opinions are divided on the Osun State Government regarding the state of the economy. While some see from the lens of the government and show un-

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun

derstanding, others see it differently.

As a royal father of all sides, what is your position?

This question could be tricky. At the same time it is straight forward if one can study it well. You have just presented two positions, which are the true picture of life. A coin has two sides. And if you look at human composition, you will realize that most of our organs are like twins; our eyes, nose, ears, arms, legs.

In the light of this, you realize that humans cannot view an object same way. To be specific now, you should not expect the public to see government or leadership in the same way. Some will see positive side. Others will see negative side. It is because of these I advise people holding leadership position to try as much as their capacity can carry them to deliver their promise before their time is up so that history will be fair to them even when the people are not.

You seem to be saying that leaders cannot satisfy all?

Who can satisfy all in this world? Go to Holy

Quran and Bible, you will understand it better. What happened to prophet Muhammed?

What happened to Prophet Isah whom Christians call Jesus Christ? These examples

It is because of these I advise people holding leadership position to try as much as their capacity can carry them to deliver their promise before their time is up so that history will be fair to them even when the people are not.

Does that mean shirt and trouser is a taboo to you?

Who says it is a taboo. I am not forbidden to wear them but it must be a private wear.

When I am supposed to come out of the palace, I must be seen in my full regalia that depicts the throne.

What is your take on the state of our culture falling flat before foreign influence?

Osun Osogbo festival is evidence that we are losing a lot of things by not appreciating our culture. The number of the foreigners who come here and the kind of excitement they show always catch my interest. They want to wear our attires. They want to dance to our dundun and shekere and bata. They love mixing with us. This shows the extent they appreciate our culture. As a traditional ruler I am repeating it again that we must not throw our culture away. If we do, I don’t wish we regret it. I understand that Yoruba Language is an important subject in some foreign universities. What does this tell us? It means foreigners are learning our language to import it back to us when we are running away from our culture. The earlier we realize it the better so that as I said we don’t regret it.

24 thesouth-west PLACES The recent appointment of the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle as the chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas has renewed public focus on the town located on hill. TUNDE BUSARI writes on the town which hosts a federal polytechnic.

I

N Ogun State and the entire South-west geo-political zone of Nigeria, Ilaro is one of the major towns reckoned with by the outsiders as regards contribution to the nation-building process. The town has produced eminent personalities in various fields of human endeavours.

These distinguished figures included Dr Tunji Otegbeye, Professor Afolabi Olabimtan, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Dr S.A.J. Ibikunle, Chief Tunji Fadairo, Chief Mrs Iyabo Apampa, Alhaji Rafiu Akinola, Otunba Wasiu Taiwo among others who are equally doing pretty well in their respective callings.

The current Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle until he ascended the throne of his forefather in 2012 was also a very successful estate surveyor valuer with offices in Lagos and Federal Capital Territory and experience beyond Nigerian border.

Oba Olugbenle, who was recently appointed the Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, is a successor to many Olus including but not limited to Oba Olugbenle Agunloye, Oba Tela Adewale, Oba Ajibade Olusoji, Oba Solomon Adekunle, Oba Idowu Oduntan, Oba Samuel Adekambi Tela.

The traditional rulers left indelible mark during their respective reigns and also demonstrated strength of character that became the hallmark of an average son and daughter of the ancient town at home and in the Diaspora.

The acclaimed gallantry of Ilaro indigenes is traced to their root; to the founder of the town known as Aro. Historical accounts of Ilaro revealed Aro as a peasant farmer who defied all odds from his Oyo-Ile town and made it to the more westerly settlement which was first called Ilu Aro (Aro’s town).

Aro’s migration, it was gathered, followed an inclement period which made farming difficult and indeed unattractive vocation in Oyo-Ile and its environs, hence the need to search elsewhere for a fertile land.

The new found settlement, on top of hills surrounded by streams, would later grow to become Ilu Aro that is called Ilaro today.

Aside from Aro, another name that is synonymous with Ilaro till date is Oronna, a warrior who stood like rock of Gibraltar in defence of the town against external aggression. Oronna’s imposing presence in Ilaro ensured an enduring peace and stability in the town that it accelerated its development because the usually rampaging Dahomeans were always repelled by the superior firepower of Oronna’s army.

Oroona’s love for Ilaro people was unprecedented as he also made a vow to continue his defence of the town even after he might have transited.

Like some past heroes did, he disappeared into the earth and left behind his chain and an instruction to call him whenever necessary, especially when faced with a threat.

The spot where he exited is what is today known as Oronna Shrine where the said chain is kept and where coronation of every Olu-elect is performed.

Ilaro, just as other Yoruba towns, is also noted for a list of traditional festivals in which gods and goddesses are remembered and celebrated. Some of these festivals include Egungun, Elegbara,Alamuwa, Oro, Iya Ala and Igbala.

However, Oronna festival takes the lead, in terms of attracting culture and tourism enthusiasts to the town. The festival received

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ilaro

Hilly town of harmony

more glamour when it was elevated to full socio-cultural gathering of crème-dela-crème of the society.

Rebranded, The Oronna Ilaro Festval, it is a weeklong assemblage of a variety of activities all of which showcase the beauty of Ilaro culture in musical, dance, exhibition and contest.

The Olu of Ilaro, who, also is the paramount ruler of Yewaland, is the chief host of the festival as all the activities pass through his blessing. He is the centre of gravity on whom all eyes of indigenes and their guests are.

Akinola His position as the Olu of Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle Ilaro has imposed certain cultural responsibilities on sor Olabimtan, Chief Tunji Fadairo, Chief him as Yoruba custom and tradition require E.A. Akinlolu, Late Chief Dr A. A. Adeniji, of him.

El-Hadji Abu-Satar Idowu, Otunba Wasiu Although Oba Olugbenle is a pastor in the Taiwo, Chief Kayode Odunaro in that order house of God, there is no record that the sta- also led each committee that gave the town tus has restricted him from performing his befitting festival. royal duties including the Oronna festival, Remarkably, the success of the planning which is a rallying point to the sons and committees earned the festival a place in daughters of Ilaro and their friends. It is the calendar of Nigeria Tourism Develfestival Ilaro youths and their friends from opment Commission (NTDC) in 2012. neighbouring communities look forward to The significance of the recognition is that because of its commercial value.

Oronna Ilaro Festival like the Osun Osogbo On May 24, 1992, the festival wore a and Obanta festival, enjoy official patronnew garb when the late Professor Afolabi age with NTDC officials from Abuja attendOlabimtan-led planning committee was ing it. inaugurated.

In few days time, 2016 edition is expected While the edition took off on a slow note, to kick start precisely on November 13. The subsequent ones, however, recorded im- programme of the event include Sisi Ilaro provement with a steady increase in the beauty pageant, Football match, Egungun number of participants. and Gelede masquerade display, Poosu Despite paucity of fund, the enthusiasm Night, Talent Hunt, Onigba Aje ceremony, individually and collectively shown by suc- Visit to orphanage home, Festival dance, cessive planning committees ensured that Jumat service and Thanksgiving service. each year witnessed the festival.

The new chairman of planning committee Aside from the pioneer chairman, Profes- who is the Registrar of Federal College of

Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Rafiu Akinola assured that this year edition would raise the bar of the festival and focus on the development of the town.

That is why, he said, indigenes of the town are expected to turn out in large number to see how far the town has developed and where to contribute their own quota.

Akinola gave judos to his predecessors from Professor Olabimtan to Chief Odunaro who recently handed him the baton. He described them as true lovers of Ilaro who sacrificed their time and resources during their respective tenure.

Given this reference, he said, he had no excuse to fail in the assignment, particularly with the confidence Oba Olugbenle reposed in him and his team.

“I must not disappoint him. We are very optimistic that we would have another beautiful outing. Dignitaries have been invited and we are confident that we will have a good response. The festival is about our heritage. It is about appreciating our history.

25

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

ecoscope

Nigerian Tribune

with Doyin Adeoye

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

Lagos ‘ll soon generate electricity from waste — Lagos Commissioner for Environment

Dr Babatunde Adejare is the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment. He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on the ministry’s ongoing projects and waste management activities in the densely populated state, among other issues.

Y

OU said recently that the governor has ordered that all markets should be fenced to curb the menace constituted by street trading. It has been about three months now and work has not really commenced on that. What is the situation now?

This is not something that can be done at once, because first, we must have the buy-in of those in the market and we are trying to do that. This is because this government is basically people inclusive. And besides, the fencing, we are also going to ensure that the markets are better organised, where all the stalls will be categorised according to what they sell.

We don’t want traders on our roads anymore as some of them are losing their lives prematurely because vehicles can run into them. But that can be averted once they are in the market. So we are going to see that local governments encourage the market to be well organised.

Many parts of the state are flood prone. What is the ministry doing about this?

This is a coastal state and we are very conscious of that. So every year, we are prepared for any eventuality that may arise from the fact that we are a coastal area. We have over 200 primary canals in the state, while there are hundreds of thousands of secondary and tertiary canals. So these canals help to take water from all our settlements into the lagoon. So what we do each time is to have a pre-rainy season rehabilitation of those canals as we have strategically mapped them out.

Also, we do a post-rain approach, which we are starting any moment from now. We also do a lot of advocacy, telling people to stop dumping refuse into the canals, and we also advise them to move away from wet-

lands when the rain is getting too much.

We also painfully take away all structures that are in the right of way of our canals. We have zero tolerance for that because most of these structures don’t have approved plan and they often affect our access to the canals.

You recently expressed dissatisfaction over the state of sanitation in Agiliti area. What is your next line of action on this?

As regards Agiliti, we have awarded the project and work has started. Our plan is to open up the canal again, because the reason flood will continue to occur in such areas because the canal has been blocked by the people. So His Excellency has given us the permission to award that contract and they are working.

But the most interesting part of that is that we are reforming the management of solid waste in Lagos. And that reformation will allow us to have a better way of collecting, dumping and sorting the waste. We are going to have better sanitary landfill sites;

Dr Babatunde Adejare we are going to sell the waste to countries that burn it to get power. We are also going to go into agreement with companies that can burn waste to generate power ourselves. So there won’t be a chance for the misuse that is happening now.

As part of this reformation, we will ensure that there are lot of refuse skips all over the state and they will all be tracked.

We are also going to employ over 25,000 sweepers that will sweep on daily basis most part of Lagos, if not all. These sweepers will be working within their ward of residence so that whatever they earn, which will be above the minimum wage of this country, will be sufficient for them. Many of these changes should start beginning from the

first quarter of next year.

With many industries and cars around, how is the state keying into the global focus of cutting down gas emissions?

We are going to do a lot about the monitoring aspect of it, as a company has already been given the permission to bring in equipment to measure the emission rates of vehicles. So there will be regular testing of vehicles at the ministry of transportation to measure the emission rate.

If a car’s rate is observed to be higher than normal, then the owner will be asked to fix whatever is necessary in the car. And if it is unfixable, then the car can’t be used.

And most importantly, we have

Jigawa committed to provision of potable water for all

Gov Muhammadu Badaru

THE Jigawa State government has expressed its commitment to providing potable water in all the Local Government Areas of the state.

Alhaji Shuaibu Musa, the Special Adviser to Governor Muhammad Badaru on Water and Sanitation, gave the assurance when he inspected newly installed 100 KVA and 50 KVA water pumping generators in Babura Local Government Area of the state.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) over the weekend that the pumping generators were installed at Babura Main Pump House and Police Barrack Water Scheme respectively.

“The state government under Gov. Muhammad Badaru, is

committed to providing potable drinking water to all nooks and crannies of the state,” he said.

He added that the gesture was to enhance water supply and ease the difficulties being experienced by the people in accessing portable water.

Musa, who commended the state government’s efforts toward enhancing access to portable water, called on the people to protect all basic amenities provided by government from vandalism.

The governor’s aide went round other water facilities in the council including the Jibril Ayinla Pump House, Kofar Yamma Solar Powered Water Scheme and Late Sani Babura Primary School.

planted several millions of trees in the state, which is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to mitigate against climate change effects. Trees help to take away carbon from the atmosphere while they give oxygen. So we need more of it around and that is why the state has adopted the tree planting approach. We have planted about seven million trees, and we will be planting about one million annually.

There have been a lot of complains as regards Private Sector Partnership (PSP) in terms of waste collection. Like I said, we are reforming solid waste management in the state. And with that, the present PSP will be diverted to another aspect of waste collection, which will be in commercial areas, public institutions, market, schools and the likes. So we are offering opportunity to some big time players in the field to go after the domestic waste collection.

So it won’t just be about collecting waste, but also about managing solid waste in totality.

There will be new compartments around such that over the next two to three years, there will be about 3,000 compartments on our roads.

So they won’t just dump these refuse at landfill sites, but will also take them to material recovery facilities where they will be sorted for recycling, and then sold to companies that will use them to manufacture other things. From there, some will also be taken to places where they will be burned to generate electricity, and the remaining part of it will then go to engineered sanitary landfill sites.

So waste will now be managed holistically in the state.

Former governor, Babatunde Fashola, during his administration said that the next step for the state is to generate electricity from waste. How close is the state to achieving this?

I can assure you that we are very close. Let us keep our fingers crossed as we are seriously working towards ensuring that.

is The futuregy, green ener ity, sustainabilnergy e renewable enegger

chwarz —Arnold S

26

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Soji-Eze Fagbemi m:08179047919 e:sojiezek@yahoo.co.uk

FG moves to curb corruption in pension administration Fails to remit N63.34bn Stories by Soji-Eze Fagbemi

T

HE Federal Government has moved decisively to curb corruption and fraudulent activities in pension administration and institute best practices in the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

The government began the move even as the National Pension Commission (PenCom) revealed that the Federal Government has failed to remit N63.34 billion for its workers under the contributory pension scheme.

Executive Director of PTAD, Sharon Ikeazor, who was speaking at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), in Abuja, said the government has jointly established PTAD Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) with the ICPC to deal with the issues of fraud and corruption in the pension system.

Ikeazor said “It is also in furtherance of our determination to prevent corruption and fraudulent activities and institute best practices in pension administration in PTAD that we recently inaugurated the PTAD Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in collaboration with the ICPC. It is a bold, action-backed statement that PTAD will not allow the activities of pension fraudsters to continue under our guise.

“Pension administration is in-

deed in need of change and that change will begin with us at PTAD, as we continue to improve the welfare of all pensioners under the defined benefit scheme.”

The PTAD Executive Secretary, however, revealed that the civil pensioners were still owed 18 months, while the Police pensioners were owed 39 months.

She pointed out that PTAD was only able to offset some of the 42 month arrears based on available resources.

“PTAD is not unmindful of the complaints from the Police pensioners, but we assure everyone that working with all relevant stakeholders, towards resolving the problems.

Ikeazor, however, called on all state and federal executives of the NUP to take a message back to the pensioners, warning them that pensioners should not give money to anybody to help them process the payment.

“PTAD will never ask a pen-

Dr Chris Ngige, Labour and Employment Minister

Job creation: Senate committee lauds agencies under Ministry of Labour THE Chairman Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Sulaiman Nazif, has commended Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for prudent use of limited resources at their disposal for maximal service delivery.

Senator Sulaiman spoke during the Senate Committee statutory oversight visit to some parastatals under the ministry, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, National Directorate of Employment and National Productivity Centre.

According to him, “Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment are doing very well and it is our responsibilities as a parliament to support them towards ensuring the development of our dear country.”

Speaking further, he expressed the committee’s readiness to support the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in its drive to create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed Nigerian Youths He said: “We are not happy to see that the agencies created to stimulate employment generation is only getting three per cent of their annual budget. We need to look at this issue critically to see how we can improve on their budgetary allocation.

“Our major work is job creation, our people are in dire need of employment and we need to make job creation work for this country. If there is any area you need some amendments to the Act that established NDE, we are here to assist you in that regard for maximum performance”

Sulaiman emphasised that the National Assembly takes oversight functions very seriously because of the need to improve the relationship between the parliament and Ministry Department and Agencies and to be acquainted with their objectives” “There is a need for unity as the essence of the visit cannot be achieved without the unity of purpose; we must work together so that collectively we can move Nigeria forward,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Clement Illoh, who was on ground to receive the Senators commended the Senate Committee for their resolve to support the ministry and its parastatals in the discharge of their mandates.

sioner for money to process the payment of their pension and other entitlements. Do not give cash to anybody.”

Also speaking at the NUP NEC meeting, the Director-General of National Pension Commission (PenCom), Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, disclosed that the Federal Government is yet to remit N63.34 billion for its workers under the contributory pension scheme, while the total registered participants (contributors) under the scheme has increased to 7,240,196 as at September 2016.

According to her, one of the greatest challenges of the scheme is in the area of funding of the accrued rights of Federal Government employees, adding, “the outstanding accrued right due to employees of the Federal Government that retired between 2015 and October 2016 amounted to N63.34 billion.”

The DG who was represented by the Director of Surveillance in the commission, M.B Umar said a total of 174, 844 persons have retired under the scheme since inception.

In a bid to enhance the achievements of the a scheme, she said the commission has established a micro pension department under the inspectorate division to achieve the objective of increased pension coverage in Nigeria, promoting participation by the informal sector and an individuals that are not mandatorily covered by the Pension Reform Act 2014 and developing and collaborating with stakeholders to build awareness.

The NUP, however, warned all the state governors who are owing pensioners many months of unpaid pensions and arrears not to force them to pronounce curses on them with grey hair.

President of NUP Comrade Abel Afolayan, while addressing the NEC meeting of the Union in Abuja yesterday regretted that many state pensioners were being owed over 12 months, saying that many pensioners across the country were unhappy because they were not paid.

He commended the governors of Lagos, Jigawa, Anambra, Enugu and Yobe states, saying, “ these states are not owing our pensioners any monthly pensions and dues and we will not hesitate to sing their praise.”

He, however, admonished defaulting governors to make amend so that “old men will not be forced to pronounce curses on them with their grey hairs.

Labour Minister, NLC mourn Odugala, RATTAWU General Secretary THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have described the death of the General Secretary of the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), Comrade Henry Odugala as a huge loss to labour and the nation.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Prince Samuel Olowookere, the minister said the immense contributions of late Comrade Odugala to the struggle for a better working conditions for journalists will be greatly missed.

Expressing utter disbelief at his sudden demise, Senator Ngige said labour has lost one of its leaders whose insistence on social dialogue as a way to industrial harmony was exemplary.

“The issue of improved remuneration for practicing journalists, commensurate with the attendant job risk, unique and tasking work schedules has been on the top burner for years now.

RATTAWU which is central to this struggle has remained steadfast to achieving the objective through broad based social dialogue. The efforts of late Henry Odugala in this struggle must be put on record.”

According to the Minister, “that Odugala passed on just few days after the commemoration of the international day to end impunity and crimes against Journalists and journalism practice, a course he believed so much in, adds to the pains of his irreplaceable loss.”

“I therefore wish to send deep condolences to his family, RATTAWU, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on this sad development”.

In a statement titled “We Have Lost a Star, signed by the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson, he said the congress is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Comrade Henry Odugala, General Secretary of the Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU).

He described him as a cerebral unionist with deep convictions and capacity for spontaneity which he deployed with flourish at public fora, adding that his presentation, skills and carriage were inimitable.

27

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

with Bode Adewumi m:08055001765

e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

PayTv: MultiChoice and the price conundrum in Nigeria Stories By Bode Adewumi

T

HE place of MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GoTV, in the emergence of the PayTv in Africa and in Nigeria in particular cannot be wished away as the pioneer and the pivot for others in the sector. Over the years, the company has come to be a beacon of what television should be, especially in the areas of sports, music and entertainment.

But with time, came the problem of appropriate pricing of bouquet fees across the countries the South African company operates in. The point is that many believe that the company is ripping Nigerians, especially given the fact that the country is going through hard times. Worst still, many are of the belief that MultiChoice overprices its bouquets in Nigeria more than other African countries as evidenced by those who spoke on these issues.

For instance, Mr Bala Mohammed, in a chat said: “Contrary to the initial defence of Multichoice that it cannot afford to reduce its monthly bouquet fees across Africa due to increasing inflation and exchange rates, the company appears to have bowed to pressure as it slashed prices by over 20 per cent.

“Investigations revealed that MultiChoice was in a hurry to slash the fees, which some critics had described as a Greek gift, because of the fact that a new pay TV is about to emerge. This price cut was expected to position the company as a brand that cares for its subscribers.”

Some other subscribers, who spoke in separate interviews, disclosed that they had already stopped their subscriptions with the company while they scouted for cheaper entertainment.

For example, Mr Toba Biobaku, a subscriber to DStv, alleged that the company is allergic to providing good services for Nigerians at affordable prices.

To this manager of a construction firm, the company seems to have a passion for fleecing Nigerians without giving back value for their money. Despite the current economic recession, he stated that several Nigerians still renew their subscription and the reward they get from Multichoice is to use their monies to reward subscribers in other African nations.

“When Multichoice bowed to pressures made by consumers and the Consumer Protection Council recently, when it introduced a customer care toll free lines easily, I knew that the company has a hidden agenda. The most painful part of it is that most of us are being cheated without compensation as it failed to clear the E-16 code from our television sets for a week. When the error was erased later, my subscription was not extended,” he lamented.

Another subscriber that is perturbed by the plan of the operator of the pay TV service is the Manag-

ing Director of Right Touch Fashion.

The premium bouquet subscriber threatened to lead a peaceful protest to the Victoria Island, Lagos headquarters of the company along with some of her friends, who are also premium subscribers.

For her, the tariff of the bouquet is too expensive compared to what other subscribers in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Botswana pay. According to her, asking Nigerian viewers to pay more for fewer channels and asking their counterparts in those countries to pay less for more is absurd and a way of saying Nigerians are gullible.

“Nigeria is its biggest market and should be the most favoured or serviced nation. Without any doubt, most of the foreign companies operating in Nigeria have sabotaged our economy deliberately. We should stop deceiving ourselves that South African, Chinese and American companies in Nigeria are here to develop our economy. They are attracted by our population and they are only after their interest alone. DStv does not want us to develop our pay TV industry and that is the reason most of the indigenous firms have packed up. It does not want us to

compete with their products because it also has billions of jobless people to look after in South Africa.

If we stop viewing their channels, it would be frustrated out of our country,” she argued.

Another subscriber said there are indications that hundreds of thousands of the subscribers of the pay TV firm might not renew their monthly subscription if the company embark on the price slash in other African nations and left Nigeria out of the slash.

However, a lawyer, Mr Segun Adejola, stated that while most Nigerians suffered in silence, foreign companies like Multichoice ripped them off their hard earned money.

Aside from the fact that he also believes it is wrong for an international company to set double standards for its patrons, he said that subscribers should fight for their rights using legal means by questioning the decisions of the firm, sending complaints to regulatory agencies like the Consumers’ Protection Council and the Federal Ministry of Communication and Technology.

But reacting to the development, the Managing Director of Multi-

Choice in Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe in a chat said: “When reviewing our DStv offering and pricing points in each country, we take into account local dynamics such as inflation, currency devaluations, programming costs, overheads as well as efficiencies for each business.

“When the Naira was recently devalued we didn’t increase prices in order for our customers to continue enjoying the best entertainment at no additional cost. Our biggest costs are content and satellites which are denominated in US dollars and as such have escalated enormously since the devaluation of the Naira. We continue to pay US dollar costs, however given that our customers have faced the harsh economic conditions over the past 12 months, we have committed to absorbing these costs and not pass them on to our customers.

“The Premium package which comes to about $40 dollars a month after conversion, costs up to $80 and $90 in other countries across Africa, so even with the reduction in these other countries, the subscription prices in MultiChoice Nigeria remains one of the lowest across Africa. ”

From left, Senator Gilbert Nnaji; Dr Bukola Saraki, Senate president; Mr Olusola Teniola, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Senator Adeola Olamilekan, during the courtesy visit of the executive of ATCON to the Senate President in Abuja, last week.

There’s over taxation in telecoms sector —ATCON THE Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has lamented that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector of the economy is already over taxed and that any additional taxation in the sector would further affect the industry negatively.

This was the fulcrum of the speech of the National President of ATCON, Mr Olusola Teniola, when the association paid a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, in his office, last week.

According to Teniola, there is severe over taxation in the telecoms industry, saying though the association does not object to reforms in taxation neither do

ATCON regard taxes as burden.

“Our mandate is to support the Federal Government to succeed in attracting and protecting investments in the telecommunications industry and to make

meaningful input to all aspects of economic development including legislation and management of our industry so it continues to be the oil of growth and development.

Nigerian Tribune

OLED TV emerges new growth engine in technology ACCORDING to industry experts, there has been a growing interest in OLED TV as it is expected to dominate the next-generation TV market and is forecasted to emerge as the new growth engine in TV technology.

Experts further asserted that what distinguishes OLED TV from other TV technologies is that OLED has the ability to turn each individual pixel on or off. This, according to them, makes backlighting unnecessary, which allows for the TV to display perfect black and an infinite contrast, and that, therefore, OLED TVs can represent crisp, nuanced images even when tiny objects are placed in a dark area..

According to a statement from LG Electronics, OLED technology has several advantages and in addition to being lighter and thinner due to lack of a backlight, OLED TV’s offer excellent picture quality. Because OLED pixels emit light directly, viewing angles are much wider, plus colour and contrast stay the same regardless of viewing angle. And because each pixel can be turned off individually, OLED TVs can do their best to deliver an absolute black and an infinite contrast ratio.

Backed by 50 years of experience in the TV business, LG has built a new TV category with its OLED TV and the company is ready to bring future display technologies to current TV consumers as the world’s leading OLED TV producer.

Mr Kevin Cha, President, LG Electronics, Middle East & Africa, said of the development: From giving the world and the industry first large sized TVs, to the smartest TV interface, broadcast compatibility and best picture quality, LG’s history marks it all. With a projected increase in demand for OLED TVs, LG is keen on dominating the premium 4K TV market by increasing product supply of its OLED TVs, a completely new category of television pioneered by LG. Both industry experts and consumers have recognised LG OLED TV for its picture quality and design.

“LG has long been a leader in the television market, continuing to raise the bar with its innovative TVs. Since the introduction of the company’s first OLED TV, LG has been increasing its commitment to this revolutionary technology with each passing year. Our concerted efforts have fostered substantial market potential for this latest TV format. Globally, this has resulted in a positive impact on the sales of OLED, and we believe the strong potential of the product is creating a positive sentiment among consumers across the world including the Middle East & Africa while creating an enhanced and improved viewing experience.”

Airline deploys video tech to enhance in-flight safety for Nigerians, others IN order to enhance security and passenger protection during air transport operations Turkish Airlines has produced a new in-flight safety video, riding on latest High Definition technology, to improve the safety of its passengers in Nigeria and other countries of its operations.

The new video is featuring filmmaker and social media phenomenon, Zach King.

Turkish Airlines has been rated

for six consecutive years as Europe’s best airline, according to Skytrax, flying to more countries than any other airlines.

With the significant growth in the number of first time or irregular travellers in recent years, Turkish Airlines, chose to leverage illusion to improve the safety level onboard.

The main purpose of the video is to keep passengers’ attention high

during the explanation of important safety procedures using the power of magic.

“For passengers from Nigeria and across other African countries and beyond, the airline is offering a new proposition, which underscores the significance that we place on safety of passengers while onboard,” said Turkish Airlines Country Manager in Nigeria, Mr Tarkan Ince.

28

communitynews

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Ire-Ekiti community cries out over persistent robbery attacks Sam Nwaoko -Ado-Ekiti

T

HE Onire of IreEkiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Victor Bobade and leaders of the community have cried out to the state government for protection following what they described as the persistent robbery attacks in the town.

The people of the community said in a statement that the armed robbery attacks had become “a source of worry for all of us and the disturbing trend in the town does not look like it will end without some decisive steps

by the relevant authorities.”

The President of Ire-Ekiti Development Union, Mr. Pius Faboya, who spoke on behalf of the traditional ruler and the people, said the attacks mostly take place at the roads leading to the community, saying “it started with Ire- Ilupeju Road and the following day, they moved to Ire-Afao Road.

The robbers are alternating the two roads.”

Faboya recalled that, “about two years ago, same incident occurred in which they shot at some people.

This time, they have also shot at people. They shot at the Accountant of Ekiti State University Teaching

Hospital (EKSUTH), on his way to the Joan Taiwo Daramola Memorial Hospital in the community, run by the EKSUTH. ”We have reported to the police and Oba Bobade acknowledged that the police swung into action. But they could do more because the robberies have not stopped.

The government can re-

ally help us to overcome the problem, because we want enough security patrol which should be specifically for the road. That’s what we want.

“The government can further assist us by repairing the roads leading to IreEkiti. All the roads leading to our community are very bad. It is as if we are not part

of Ekiti State.”

Also speaking, the Amuludun of Ire-Ekiti, Chief Femi Ajayi, lamented that “the people at home are living in fear while those outside Ire-Ekiti are afraid of going home.”

Chief Ajayi said “this disturbing trend needs urgent government intervention and, apart from provid-

ing adequate security, the roads, especially Ire-Ilupeju; Ire-Afao and Ire-Igbemo also need urgent attention because they are really bad.”

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the state government has assured the people of the community that construction work would start as soon as the dry season commences.

Chieftaincy tussle: Oshodi Tapa family loses suit THE family of Oshodi Tapa of Ipetedo in Oshodi Local Government Area of Lagos State has again lost the legal battle to lay claims to the rights to install a traditional ruler for the modern Oshodi town.

This followed the dismissal of a suit instituted at theLagos High Court by members of the Oshodi Tapa family, praying the court to, among others; declare them as the only family with rights to install an Oba for the area.

Upholding the arguments canvassed by the head of Arota Ologun family of Orile Oshodi, Chief Teslim Adeola Almaroof, through his counsel, the trial Judge, Justice S.A. Onigbanjo, held that the suit constituted an abuse of court process.“I have no doubt that this counter claim constitute abuse of the process of this court and should be struck out as such since it seems to relegate issues either already settled by judicial process in previous decisions and judgments,or issues already put before the court for determination in a previously filed suit still pending in court as of the time of the filing of the counter claim between substantially the same parties.

This counter claim is consequentially dismissed for being an abuse of the process of this court,” the court pronounced.

The Supreme Court had in 2000, declared the Arota Ologun family of Orile Oshodi and the Oshodi chieftaincy family as the joint owner of the modern Oshodi town.

On its ruling, the apex court said “that the land indispute in this case, as shown on the plan attached to the statement of claim in this suit, is part of the land litigated upon in suit AB/16/57

and it is also part of the land granted absolutely to the Oshodis and Arotas by the Oba Onigbesa of Igbesa.

Meanwhile, a pressure group, Oshodi Youths Vanguard, has commended the decision of the court dismissing the action, saying they believed that judiciary has established it is the last hope of common people.

The deplorable state of Ilaro-Owode Road

Igbomina indigenes want separate state Biola Azeez - Ilorin CLAMOUR for creation of Igbomina State has been renewed by traditional rulers and leaders of the Igbomina sub-ethnic group in Osun and Kwara states.

The clamour was reechoed at the 10th Igbomina Day and the launching of N500 million development fund organised by a socio-cultural organisation, Omo Ibile Igbomina, at Ilala town in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Igbomina land comprise communities in Osun State and three local government areas in Kwara State Speaking at the occasion, the Orangun of Ila-Orangun, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, said the ethnic group

deserves a state and urged collective efforts of the people towards realising it whenever creation of states is being considered.

The royal father, while responding to the request of the people that traditional rulers from communities of the tribe should have a regular meeting among themselves to promote unity and create avenue to fostering common interests, said the rulers had acceded to the demand.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Council of Igbomina Traditiional Chiefs in Kwara State, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Sikiru Woleola, said the creation of Igbomina State is desirable as he described the tribe as being huge in population and in land mass.

He appreciated the call

for a meeting of the traditional rulers which he said was what they had been championing, adding that it had been resolved that the maiden edition of such a meeting would be hosted by the Orangun of Ila. Earlier, the president of the Omo Ibile Igbomina, Mr Timothy Adebayo, emphasised the decision of the people on the need for meetings by the monarchs

THE member representing Birninkudu/Buji Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, Honourable Magaji Da’u Aliyu has empowered 500 women and gave scholarship to 1,500 students in his constituency.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony, Honour-

able Aliyu said the gesture was part of his campaign promises which is in line with the yearning and aspiration of the people of his constituency.

Aliyu said that 23 motorcycles and 23 wheelchairs were given to some youths and physically challenged.

He pointed out that 2,313 students benefited from the scholarship pro-

Ero Federal Constituency, Honourable Funke Adedoyin, highlighted her undertakings towards ensuring attention of the government on development of the area and assured that she would soon, on her own, embark on drilling of boreholes in about 300 polling units in her constituency which includes a chunk of Igbomina land in Kwara state.

Lagos: Langbasa community charges govt on development Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos THE new Baale of Langbasa community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Chief Saheed Adeniyi Sanni, has charged

Lawmaker empowers 500 women, others in Jigawa Adamu Amadu - Dutse

to promote sustainable peace, unity and progress.

Also, the Jagunmolu of Igbomina land, Alhaji Abduraheem Oladimeji, urged the traditional rulers to love one another to be able to give their subjects a good direction for the development and progress of Igbomina land.

In her remarks, the member representing Irepodun/Isin/Ekiti/Oke-

gramme last year.

According to him, the programme is a continuous exercise that will pave the way for other interested youths who wish to advance in their studies in various institutions of learning, adding “I will continue to support my people at whatever cost to improve their standard of living.”

the Lagos State government on the provision of infrastructural development to the people of his community.

Chief Sanni gave the charge, at the weekend, during his installation as Baale of Langbasa.

He commended the efforts of the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode by making Lagos a mega city, as he pledged to work hand in hand with him in order to achieve success.

He said: “I will ensure that all my activities and plans as Baale of Langbasa will enhance the governor’s vision by making Lagos a better place for all.

“Our community is dignified with its aquatic splendor, we need government’s

attention to better the lives of our people. My wealth abound the sea, we need more infrastructure and on our part; we are ready to work with the government for a better transformation of Lagos.”

The community leader further expressed his appreciation to the people of Lamgbasa on his peaceful installation as their Baale.

He, however, promised that his administration will embrace peace, unity and unending transformation to the entire Langbasa community.

Sanni also implored indigenes of Langbasa to always discharge their social responsibilities to the community and the state at large.

29 news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

FG to invest N1.7trn on PEWASH in 15yrs Adetola Bademosi-Abuja HE Federal Government’s Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme, will gulp over N1.7 trillion between 2016 and 2030.

This was stated in a programme strategy (20162030) issued by the Ministry of Water Resources at the unveiling of the national water policies and launching of PEWASH in Abuja on Monday.

According to the document, the total capital investment needed for achieving PEWASH was put at N510 billon, out of which N290.5 billion was billed for water supply and N219.1 billion for public toilets.

It further placed the cost for household toilets at N855.5 billion, which would be largely borne by the households, while the cost of operation and sustenance was estimated at N327.5 billion.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, explained that the programme was developed to address the challenges of water supply and sanitation,hence prepare a platform towards achieving the Goal six of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs).

He stressed that Nigeria did not achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for water and sanitation due to lack of effective coordination among stakeholders and inability to harness required funds.

Osinbajo noted that with data on access to water supply and sanitation still at 69 per cent and 29 per cent respectively, there was more to be done.

T

His words: “This is still a far cry from what is needed. Indeed, with an ever increasing population and a drive to self-sufficiency in food production, the demand for water supply and sanitation services will continue to increase, thereby requiring an innovative and holistic approach towards closing the access gaps.”

He said the national water resources policy

and the national irrigation policy, which were recently approved by the Federal Executive Council ( FEC), would guide activities of all stakeholders in the sector.

“I have been informed that PEWASH will provide a new, collaborative and systematic approach to the achievement of an increased universal access to sustainable rural water supply and sanitation services involving all the

relevant stakeholders from the beneficiary communities, local government areas, state governments, development partners, donor agencies, organised private sector and the Federal Government.

“Through this wellstructured framework for project delivery, it is expected that the implementation of PEWASH will help to attain our targets of increased rural

From left, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo; Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleieman Adamu; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Rabi Jimeta, at the unveiling of the National Water Resources Policy, National Irrigation Policy, and Launch of Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

Air pollution: Thousands of Nigerians’ health still at risk, FG warns Ademola Adegbite -Abuja THE Federal Government, on Monday, warned Nigerians to be mindful of their environments, as high levels of mortality were being recorded as a result of the inhalation of noxious and toxic emissions from stationary and mobile sources of air pollution.

It said thousands Nigerians were dying prematurely every year, because of poor air quality, lamenting that

thousands Nigerians’ health were still at risk, hence, the reason to nip it in the bud.

Minister of Environment, Hajia Amina Mohammed, made this known in her keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 10th National Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), held at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Caro (Mercy Johnson Okojie), Olaniyi acted by Yomi Fash-Lanso, Mai Doya (Funky Mallam), Jumoke played by Bidemi Kosoko and Etuk (Imeh Okon) display their intriguing peculiarities.

We must work assiduously to protect our environment and our people from air pollution.

“Improving air quality in our country is a collective responsibility, involving all sector players at the federal and state levels, including the government, private sector, civil society, faithbased organisations, trade unions, the academia, the professional associations, as well as media and the citizenry,” he enlightened.

She, therefore, called for capacity building for national monitoring of emissions from both stationary and mobile sources, including the development and management of national emission inventories for the major air pollutants and greenhouse gasses.

“In Nigeria today, the citizenry is living in fears of various forms and sources. In all parts of the country, people are living under perpetual sense of insecurity and uncertainty” These fears he said might be dismissed as wrong perceptions of the realities, “but the fact of events available leaves the ordinary man with no option to be afraid”. However, Primate Okoh assured

Christians not to lose faith, as the battle to conquer all fears belong to the Almighty God. He counseled; “We must understand that fear does not come from God. The moment we find ourselves being overwhelm with any form of fear e.g. Fear of death, loss, failure, the future, unknown, taking decisions, situations, darkness, etc, we must quickly recognise that satan is at work.”

According to her, there were increasing risks of stroke, heart diseases, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and many other health problems.

“There have also been several cases of road accidents caused by reduced visibility due to emissions from automobiles.

Air pollution is also contributing significantly to global warming and climate change.

Professor Johnbull exposes students’ stock alibi for exam shortcomings AS Episode 2 of Season 2 of the TV drama series sponsored by Globacom, Professor Johnbull, airs this Tuesday, Nigerians will be apprised with the penchant of students, for blaming teachers for their examination woes.

From 8.30 p.m. on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes, Nollywood pearl, Victor Osuagwu, featuring as special guest, will join the regular cast to unravel the episode tagged “Dem Give Me.” Victor Osuagwu who acts as Harold, uncle to Flash Boy, declines to pay Flash’s school fees, compelling the HOD, Professor Abby starred by Ben Nwosu, to seize his last semester’s result because of

water supply and sanitation, and improved public health as well as expected positive impact on economic growth and human development,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister, Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, stated that although, the total amount needed for the entire programme was indicated in the document, the sum might shoot up.

N25,000 debt. This development turned Flash into a mendicant begging Professor Johnbull to help defray the outstanding fee.

Who will bail Flash out of this dilemma? What is the role of the clairvoyant Pro-

fessor Johnbull in predicting Flash’s results? Was Flash able to scam Uncle Harold?.

Do not miss Episode 2 of Professor Johnbull to get answers to these questions.

Catch other regulars like Elizabeth (Queen Nwokoye),

Okoh counsels against fear PRIMATE Nicholas Okoh has admonished Christians in Nigeria to look up to God to conquer all fears presently enveloping the nation.

Primate Okoh, the Head of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) identified these fears as Boko Haram insurgency, Herdsmen menace, fear of Grazing Reserve and Islamisation, Niger Delta Militants, Armed Rob-

bery/ Kidnapping, Recession resorting in Hunger, Starvation and Unemployment.

Addressing thousands of Anglican faithfuls, at the Sixth Edition of Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON) at the National Christian Centre Abuja on Sunday, Primate Okoh said these fears as enumerated were enough to shake the faith of Christians living in Nigeria.

Recession: Nigerians must pray fervently — Clearic OlayinkaOlukoya,Abeokuta THE Ogun State Overseer of the Depeer Life Christian Ministry, Pastor Dele Rosilu, has called on Nigerians to pray fervently for the country, so as to come out of its present economic challenges.

He noted that the situation would not last, if all Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliations should take the nation’s problems to God. The cleric urged individuals in the country, to pray for the country, by contributing their quota to nation building and development.

Rosilu said this while addressing journalists, on a one-day mega crusade with the theme “Ogun showers of miracles”, on Friday, at the Cricket Pavillion, MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

The General Superintendent of the church, Pastor William Kumuyi, would be ministering at the crusade.

Rosilu added, “Nigeria’s situation needs God’s intervention and fervent prayers. Let me tell you, it was prayers that helped the country to secure the release of 22 Chibok school girls recently.”

SON takes campaign against sub-standard products to schools THE Plateau office of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has taken its campaign against sub-standard products to schools in the state, according to the coordinator, Mr Musa George.

“We have embarked on an aggressive campaign against sub-standard products, and have chosen to start from educational institutions,” George told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos, on Monday.

He explained that the organisation chose to start with pupils and students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions of learning, to equip them with the knowledge and to identify sub-standard goods.

“We want them to understand and appreciate the detriments of purchasing and consuming sub-standard products.

“We also want them to know how to identify this sub-standard, and educate their peers and even their parents or guardians,” he said.

He said during the campaigns, SON educated the students on the need, to ensure that every product met certified standards before being purchased.

30

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

PoliticsNews

CNPP to FG: Don’t try fuel price hike

By Abiodun Awolaja

W

ITH the rumour of a possible increase in the pump price of petrol getting stronger by the day, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), on Mon-

day, warned of dirent consequences of any such plan.

The conference, which is the umbrella body of all registered parties and political associations in the country, said increasing fuel price at a time the average Nigerian would hardly afford one good meal a day would have

disastrous consequences.

It also counselled Nigerians not to put their hope in Labour unions, for any reversal of a hike in pump price if the Federal Government eventually dances to the tune of the rumour mongers.

In a statement by its sec-

retary general, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP alleged that since 2012, it had become obvious that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their allied unions had not identified with the poor masses in times of need and could not

be trusted now or even in the future.

According to the CNPP, “The only hope for the ordinary citizen in the country at a time like this is the CNPP and its coalition of civil society groups. ‘’Since the rumour of fuel price hike began to make the rounds, the observable body language of some government officials, as well as their statements point to

the fact that the increment is sure to come if the ordinary people did not resist the plan. ‘’Former and present bosses of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have, at one time or the other in recent times, maintained that the price of fuel might have to be increased from the current rate of N145 per litre due to the rising exchange rate.”

Judiciary crisis: NASS begs media to soft pedal on reportage Adelowo Oladipo, Minna

From left, Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi; Special Adviser to Oyo State governor on ICT, Mr Niyi Ajao; the resource person, deputy director/head, Wireless network, Mr B. Wakil, and deputy chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Honourable Ujam Chukwuemeka, during the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunication’s first annual retreat at the Charlton Gate exclusive Hotel, Ibadan on Saturday. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN.

THE Senate has pleaded with the media to soft pedal in reporting the crisis in the judiciary, promising that all bad eggs would soon be flushed out.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru, made the appeal during the award/gala night to mark the end of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State

Fijabi, other Reps meet in Ibadan, tackle recession

By Olawale Olaniyan And Tunde Adegbola

THE Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunication, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi has said the contribution of telecommunications could facilitate the nation’s exit from its current economic challenges, if fully explored.

Fijabi disclosed this at the 1st Annual Retreat of the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications held at Carlton Gate Exclusive Hotel, Ibadan.

Fijabi, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ibadan South West/North West Federal Constituency area of Oyo State, said the communications industry was a viable and sustainable means of generating revenue for any country.

He explained the motive behind the retreat with the theme: Telecommunications operations in Nigeria, would help members of the committee to identify and examine the impact of the fundamentals, trends and challeng-

es of the sector to enable them enact laws would will transform the industry to meet international standards.

“There is tremendous increase in telecommunication subscribers from 142 million as at August 2015 to 152 million in August 2016, which is a 5.9 per cent increase .

“The economic draught is as a result of the fall in oil prices, and a candid result of overdependence on crude oil resources as an economic mainstay. The current administration emphasises on economic diversification as one of its major polices. The communication sector is, no doubt, viable and sustainable means of revenue generation for any country.

“The House of Representatives is undoubtedly committed to exercising its supervisory powers granted by the constitution and ensuring that all government agencies and parastatals, including the communication sector maximise their potentials.”

Meanwhile, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said the tele-

coms industry was one of the key drivers of the nation’s economy, just as he called for full exploitation of its potentials.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), at the retreat, Mr Niyi Ajao, the governor the state was

looking at ICT as a key driver of the state’s economy.

He said the state would soon establish an ICT hub, where it intended to create 20,000 knowledge-driven jobs.

“We have over 400,000 students in Oyo State.

We have 2,138 primary

schools and 630 secondary schools out of which only 30 schools benefit from ICT. “We have been able to transform the state economy through ICT, having embraced ICT in carrying out and monitoring the state’s daily activities,” he said.

Council’s Press week in Minna.

According to him, “We are facing serious challenges now in the country as it relates to the judiciary. I will plead with the media to be moderate in the way they report the event because the judiciary is a very important arm of government and we need to do everything to see that the institution is actually protected and strengthened.

“We have agreed that the fight against corruption must go on and all the bad eggs be got rid of. But while we do that, we must try to protect the integrity of the judiciary,” he stated.

It will be recalled that the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, had said that all judges involved in corruption allegations will be investigated.

What Buhari, NASS must do to engender harmony —Rep From: Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel, Abuja A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Israel Famurewa, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari, should have shown interest in the leadership of the National Assembly during the contest for principal offices at the commencement of the 8th Assembly.

The lawmaker also said the problem facing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was as a result of too much emphasis on winning the 2015 elections without looking at how key positions would be shared among stakeholders.

The lawmaker, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said the interest of the president in the choice of the principal officers would not be to manipulate the process but to guarantee intra-party harmony.

“I think Mr President got it wrong from day one, for him to have not really shown interest in the leadership of the 8th Assembly. That doesn’t mean you want to lord your opinion on them. He was at least supposed to show interest in it. Those are the little problems we had at the formative part of the party,” Famurewa said.

He said that, apart from the President coming to the National Assembly for bud-

get presentation, he did not think “we really have the kind of rapport that is supposed to be between the APC members in the National Assembly both the House and the Senate and the executive, and even the political party.

“The way I know things in-house, in the past, the party would have regular meetings with elected government officials both from the executive and the parliament. For example, this issue of borrowing plan, this was supposed to have come up before now.

We are supposed to have discussed it at a caucus level.

“The Senate President is a member of the APC; the

President, who brought the proposal is also a member of the APC. They are supposed to have sat on a table and say ‘okay, Mr. Senate President. This is what we are bringing, what’s your opinion’?”

“The Senate President must have one or two inputs into that to say ‘okay, Mr President, don’t put it this way, put it this way,’ and that would have encouraged the Senate President to go to the parliament and do some underground work more-so that the party is the majority. But because they don’t have such a rapport, that’s one of the problems that’s just reflecting,” he stated.

31

politicsnews

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Ondo 2016: Why I am next Ondo gov —Jimoh Ibrahim Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

T

HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state, Mr, Jimoh Ibrahim, on Monday, ruled out embarking on aggressive or intensive campaign to win the poll, saying he was on a

familiar terrain Ibrahim, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during a parley with journalists, said he needed little or introduction to the electorate in the state, saying he had paid his dues.

He said: “This is not my first time of running for the governorship of the state.

In 2003, I ran for the governorship of the state under

ANPP. So, politics is not new and I’m not like those people who are running for the first time, I need not to do all the work by moving to all the nooks and corners of Ondo State.

“I am not new to the people of Ondo State. I ran before and I have a very impressive result at the last engagement when I ran for the governorship of this state.

It’s my ambition to become the governor of this state and I’m back to realise that ambition.”

Speaking on the choice of Mr Eyitayo Jegede, by the Markafi’ faction of the PDP as the party’s candidate in the state, he said “Jegede is brand new in the system and let him take his time, “It took me 2008 to the present date to join this po-

From left, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; former acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and chairman of the party in Rivers, Chief Felix Obuah, during a world news conference, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.

Poroye, Sheriff-led PDP insist on dissolution of new panel THE new Special Court of Appeal Penal Panel constituted to resolve all appeals in the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate crisis is set to deliver ruling on a motion seeking it to disband itself.

Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, leading the three member panel had, last Friday, in Abuja opened hearing in the multiple appeals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Senator Ben Obi, Biyi Poroyo, Eyitayo Jegede, and Jimoh Ibrahim were parties in the matter.

The Executive of PDP South West Zone, and the Ondo State Executive members of the party were also interested parties.

At the resumed session, Mr Benson Nwafor (SAN), counsel to Poroye and eight others, sought to move an application challenging the jurisdiction of the special panel.

The motion was brought pursuant to Section 36, Order 7 Rule 1 of the Court of Appeal Rules.

The motion was also supported by 14-paragraph affidavit.

The motion is asking for the dissolution of the spe-

cial panel constituted by the President of the Court to determine appeals arising from the Ondo PDP candidate disputes.

Nwafor submitted that the panel had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter, adding that its clients were not served the notice for the constitution of the appeal.

He also said Jegede, who contested the governorship nomination of the party, had approached the President of the court for

this penal, adding that it was against fair hearing.

Also, Mr Godswill Mrakpo, Counsel to the Sheriffled faction, also asked the court to disband the panel forthwith.

Mrakpo alleged that the panel was set up in breach of the applicant’ right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution.

According to the appellants, the court lack the jurisdiction to constitute the panel to hear the matter.

He equally prayed the court to order the return of the case files relating to all the appeals to the Registry of the court.

However, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN), Counsel to Jegede, urged the panel to dismiss the motion.

“We oppose this motion, we are urging the court to dismiss the motion on the basis of the motion itself and the grounds of the motion which are baseless,”he said.

litical legitimacy. You cannot come just in one day and begin to think you can win election like that in Ondo

Akeredolu promises lucrative micro-credit scheme to Akure traders THE candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has promised traders in the state a lucrative micro credit scheme if he won at the poll.

He made the promise on Monday while meeting with market men and women at the Olukayode International Shopping Complex, Akure, the state capital.

Akeredolu who was represented at the meeting by the director general of his campaign platform, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, also promised a practical government devoid of sentiment.

“What you need is a robust micro-credit scheme that will grow your business lucratively. When we get to office, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will come here to group you into at least 10 cooperative societies to be headed by elected leaders.

“A bank will be designated to manage the disbursement and repayment of the microcredit funds to the cooperative societies. Government

THE Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Ondo State,on Monday raised the alarm over what it described as the engagement of members of the All Progressives Party ( APC) by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) as its ad-hoc staff in the November 26 gubernatorial election in the state.

This was contained in a statement by the publicity secretary of the party in the state, Mr Banji Okunomo, who alleged “the worri-

some compromising attitude of the electoral body in conniving with APC in all fronts to rig the forthcoming election.”

He stated that the party was putting together a petition against the body regarding the complaint.

“The trend started with the last presidential election where INEC ad-hoc staff played an ignoble role of deciding where voters should put cast their votes.

“This time around, there are proofs that most of the ad-hoc staff so far engaged to work with INEC on November 26 are APC card

carrying members,” the PDP alleged.

Positing that the commission had derailed, the party claimed that it “discovered that an instruction came to INEC from Abuja asking its Ondo office to get a list of those to be engaged for the election from chairmen of the APC in each local government of the state.”

The PDP further alleged that the INEC, in compliance with the order, had been recruiting APC members to help it run the coming election in the state.

It stated: “This alone

officials will not handle anything and bank will not engage individuals other than the cooperative society so as to encourage accountability and transparency.

“Government will serve as guarantor for the cooperative societies. The Interest rate will be so affordable that everyone will be encouraged to participate and 50% of the interest on every loan will be paid by government. The interest rate will be subsidised.

“The least money each cooperative society will get is N25 million. We want to truly empower you. When we help you to grow your businesses, there will be money in the economy. We will not run a cosmetic government. Our government will be very practical and devoid of sentiment,” Akeredolu said.

Responding, the president of the Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria, Olukayode Complex branch, Mr Charles Balogun thanked Akeredolu for his visit to the market with a promise to work for his success at the poll.

AD secretary files suit challenging Oke’s eligibility to contest THE national legal adviser of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Kehinde Aworele has filed a suit challenging the eligibility of Chief Olusola Oke, to contest as the party’s candidate in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

In a suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/881/2016 before a Federal High Court, Abuja, dated November 4, Aworele prayed the court to determine whether Oke, who

INEC recruiting APC members as ad-hoc staff, PDP alleges Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

State. Nobody just comes and enter like that. Take your time and queue behind.”

may rubbish the entire process as the outcome of the election may have been decided in favour of the APC by a partial umpire called INEC.” Reacting, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Segun Agbaje, said the allegation was not only false but it was designed to stir controversy in the state.

He said: “This is a reckless accusation. How can somebody just sit down in the corner of his room and come out with such allegation just to cause problem?

There is nothing like that.”

is the candidate of AD, is qualified to contest on the platform of the party in the election.

Other defendants in the suit are Chief Joseph Avaci; national chairman of AD, Chief Joseph Avaci and national secretary, Mr Akin Fashogbon; AD and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit is attached with a 42-paragraph affidavit in support of the originating summons and disposed to by one Babatunde Tijani of No. 7, Kwali Close, Area B, Abuja.

The plaintiff urged the court to determine whether “Oke, being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested in APC primary of September 3 can surreptitiously become the candidate of AD in Ondo State in the 2016 Governorship Election having regard to the provisions of Article 21.4 of the Constitution of AD. Aworele also sought the declaration of the court that: “By the virtue of the provisions of Article 21.4 of the Constitution of AD on issue of eligibility, Oke is not eligible to run for any election on the platform of the party.

32

news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Army vs Jonathan’s brother: Ex-FCT minister blamed for land feud Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

F

ORMER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Adamu Aliero, was on Monday blamed for the feud between the Nigerian Army and some civilians including a cousin to for-

mer President Goodluck Jonathan, Azibaola Roberts, over the Maitama Extension land in Abuja.

The revelation came to the open during a public hearing organised in respect of the land dispute by the Senate Committee on FCT, headed by Senator Dino Melaye.

Incumbent minister of the FCT, Alhaji Mohammed Bell, who made the disclosure in his submission before the committee, said that Senator Aliero, who was minister between 2007 and 2010, was responsible for the allocation of some plots of land already allocated to the

military in the Maitama Extension axis.

The minister stated that the land in question, which totalled 238 hectares, was originally allocated to the Nigerian Army in 1996, but added that the former minister allocated a part of it to some civilians and retired military officers in 2009.

Globacom’s Head of Operations, South-South, Mr Enekwachi Aja, flanked by winner of the “Glo Campus Data Dude”, Okata Richard Chisom (left) and winner of the “Glo Campus Data Diva”, Jumbo Joyce Enobong, during the Glo Campus Storm music concert, held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday.

Assets declaration: Saraki bought disputed property with bank loans, declared same —Witness Sunday Ejike - Abuja

THE star witness in the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki on false assets declaration, on Monday, told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that the Senate President bought the disputed property on plot 17A, and 17B or 17 and 17A, in Lagos, with bank loans and that the property were declared in his assets declaration form.

The prosecution witness, Mr Michael Wetkas, under cross examination by the defence counsel, Mr Paul Usoro, admitted that Saraki’s assets declaration form for 2007 indicated that on July 11, 2007, the Senate President declared the assets as acquired with loan obtained from bank.

Wetkas added that four years after, the same property were declared as to have been acquired from proceeds from commodity business of the defendant.

The witness, who was asked to read the bank statement of the defendant, told the Tribunal that the loans obtained to purchase the property in dispute had been liquidated prior to 2011 assets declaration by the defendant.

According to the witness who is an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), repayment

of the loans were made in five branches between May 2007 and May 2008.

The star prosecution witness insisted that the manner the loans were repaid contravened the money laundering Act and when reminded that if the offence was that of money laundering, CCT should not be the court to try Saraki, the witness kept quite.

In his reaction, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, argued that earlier during investigation, it was proven by some people that the money lodged in GTB Plc account was given to them by Saraki at the Government House.

Usoro had referred the witness to counts two and three of the charges against Saraki, which accused him of false declaration of assets while in office as Kwara State governor as well as using his position as governor to abuse the rights of the people of the state.

The witness, in the course of cross examination, admitted that five other assets were declared and that one common denominator in all the assets indicated that they where acquired with proceeds from sales of rice and sugar and that they were all acquired by Saraki before he became governor in 2003.

“For instance, the first

property was acquired in 1990, the second was in 1996, the third was in 1991, the fourth was in 1992, the fifth in 2002 while the last property in question was bought in 2006.

“On page eight of an exhibit tendered earlier before the court, the property was declared and was captured correctly in his assets form as ‘bank loan’ and the amount of loan indicated appropriately.

“After the end of tenure, by law, he was supposed to make another declaration on assumption of his second tenure, and going through the exhibit four, the declaration form read July 11,

2007. And going through the form, on page five, the property was declared and equally indicated as having been acquired with bank loan for N496 million.”

Still under cross examination, the witness admitted that he neither investigated Kwara State Government fund nor the business structure of the Senate President.

He also admitted that Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, a private company and not Saraki as an individual, acquired the property at Clover Road, Ikoyi Lagos.

The chairman of the Tribunal adjourned till today for further trial.

He stated that Aliero allocated some 600 plots of the land to some privileged civilians and retired military officers without legally revoking the allocation made to the military in 1996.

According to him, the administration of retired Lt –General (now Senator) Jeremiah Useni was responsible for the allocation of the land to the military.

The FCT minister said: “I want to just mention that the area in contention was actually an area earmarked for the Nigerian Army under the Guards Brigade, way back in 1996.

“Sometime in 2009, plot allocations were made there and commitments were undertaken by the FCTA in terms of infrastructure. Allocated plots, from our records, numbered about 600 plots out of which Certificate of Occupancy (C-of- O) have been issued to about 200.

“Payments of about N5.6 billion have been received aside commitment of about N9billion already made in respect of providing infrastructure in the area out of estimated N23 billion.”

The minister appealed to the Senate Committee to give the FCT and the Army some time to resolve the problem.

He said: “At the end of the day, we would be able to reach a solution to meet the needs of the military and of course ensure also that those who were allocated plots in the area, in terms of financial commitments, do not lose their commitments.”

He also said that the FCT authorities were already identifying all military lands in the territory so as to avoid similar encroachment in the future.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt- General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, in his remarks acknowledged that the military and the FCT were already discussing.

UI graduates 5,863, confers honorary degree on Dangote, Osundare, Bode Amao

By Tunde Ogunesan

THE University of Ibadan, during this year’s convocation, will be conferring honorary doctorate degrees on three eminent Nigerians; the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; literary icon, Professor Niyi Osundare and a business guru, Chief Bode Amao, as the university graduates 5,863 students and awarded Doctor of Philosophy to 442, to mark its 68th anniversary.

This was disclosed by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayin-

ka, while addressing newsmen at the Conference Hall of the institution, on Monday, as a prelude to the 2016 foundation day anniversary and convocation ceremony.

The university, according to Professor Olayinka, will also award certificates to 3,579 post graduate students and 442 doctorate degree students, the highest in the history of the premier university.

The convocation ceremony for the undergraduates and postgraduates comes up on Monday, November

14, Tuesday and Wednesday, November 15 and 16, respectively while that of Ph.D holds on November 17.

Olayinka further disclosed that the recipients of the university’s honorary degrees were considered to have contributed immensely to the cause of humanity and the institution. He also added that the university would use the occasion to showcase its rich research work, under the Research and Development Fair Show, beginning from Tuesday, November 8.

He also said that the military would soon relocate from its temporary locations once it identifies the lands legally allocated to it.

On the disputed land, he said: “The location is quite strategic and couldn’t have been planned for cohabitation with the civilian populace.”

While commenting on the issue, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, said that the FCT and the Army should ensure that the resolution they would adhere to takes into consideration the needs to protect the interests of the civilians who had invested in the disputed land.

Why it is difficult for Nigeria to become industrialised —Bode Amao

By Wale Akinselure

ASIWAJU of Ibadanland, Chief Bode Amao, has bemoaned the failure of the nation to become industrialised due to unstable power supply, lack of functional refinery for petrochemicals and lack of focus on iron and steel.

Lamenting that lack of electricity is crippling business and increasing the rate of unemployment in the country, Chief Amao urged President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to focus on ensuring stable electricity that would bring about competitive industries.

He also described as inconceivable the inability of refineries in the country to refine to full capacity.

Amao, who is one of the three Nigerians to receive honorary doctorate degrees of the University of Ibadan, at its forthcoming convocation, however, expressed confidence that the Buhariled government would address inefficiency, corruption and indiscipline that he said had been the bane of development.

“The three most critical things for a nation to be industrialised are iron and steel, petrochemicals and electricity. We cannot industrialise because we do not have electricity for industries to thrive. In Nigeria today, you must have generating set, you must have a borehole and to be in business, you must be a government of yourself. No doubt, agriculture should be another area of focus.

“We are in a country where we have crude oil and yet don’t have a functional refinery. Imagine the amount we spend on importing and exporting crude oil, is it sensible?”

news Oyo announces 50% reduction in salaries of political appointees 33

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Awards 28.5km road projects for N27.57bn

By Wale Akinselure

O

YO State government, on Monday, announced reduction in salaries, allowances and emoluments of political appointees as well as its spending profile with immediate effect.

The 50 per cent cut in salaries, according to the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, is among belt-tightening measures by government to cope with dwindling revenue.

Alli, who decried dwindling federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, which stood at about N1.5billion monthly, said the state’s revenue base would be shored up going by the ongoing restructuring and tax drive.

Speaking on the ongoing verification exercise of the state’s workforce, he disclosed that about 500 persons failed to turn up for verification, while some who absented themselves from work claimed to be on religious pilgrimage.

Speaking in company of some other members of the state executive council, he listed state government’s efforts to improve its revenue to include ensuring the completion of 10,000 metric tonnes of silos, opening up of roads for farmers to transport their goods, providing investorfriendly environment and the AgricOyo initiative.

Also speaking at the interaction with the newsmen, Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Wasiu Dauda, announced the award of road dualisation projects spanning 28.5 kilometres at the cost of about N27.57 billion.

The projects, which will last between 12 and 18 months, included the dualisation of Saki Township Road from Oke-Ogun Poly to Ilesa Baruba Road (11km), at the sum of N8.23 billion; dualisation of Idi-Ape-BasorunAkobo-Odogbo Barrack junction (7km), including an overhead bridge across Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, costing N7.18billion.

Others are dualisation of Agodi Gate-Old Ife Road-Adegbayi junction (7km), including underpass bridge across Lagos-

Ibadan expressway at the sum of N8.53billion and expansion of Oke Adu Junction, Agodi Gate-Idi Ape-Iwo Road Interchange (3.2km), costing N3.63 billion.

According to Dauda, the state government accessed the special intervention fund of the Federal Government on infrastructure to fund the road projects.

Also, Commissioner for

Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Isaac Omodewu, has urged owners of filling stations to obtain requisite Certificate of Occupancy or have such structures demolished.

Hinting on a review of abandoned property in the state, Omodewu urged all illegal occupants to evacuate, adding that the state government was set to acquire such property.

Account freezing: Fayose knows fate December 2 THE Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has fixed Monday, December 2, for judgment on a case brought against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by Governor Ayodele Fayose, for the freezing of his bank accounts.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the order on Monday, following the adoption of written addresses and other evidences by parties in the suit.

Governor Fayose had dragged the EFCC to court for the freezing of his two

accounts with Zenith Bank and his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, had, among others, asked the court to order the de-freezing of the accounts.

Ozekhome, in the suit with number FHC/AD/ CS/27/2016, had argued that the placing of embargo on Fayose’s personal bank accounts by the EFCC was illegal, unconstitutional and amounted to an infringement on the fundamental rights of his client.

He told the court that the EFCC acted contrary

to Section 308 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, which he said granted immunity to a sitting governor not to be prosecuted in either civil or criminal matters.

While adopting his written address and 10 paragraphs affidavit, counsel for the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the commission acted within its statutory and constitutional power, citing Section 6(5)(b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.

He also argued that the

Lead City to honour Sunny Ade, Prof Adamolekun, others

By Ibukun Adenuga

JUJU musician, King Sunny Ade and Professor Ladipo Adamolekun are among other Nigerians to be conferred with honourary doctorate degrees at the convocation ceremony of the Lead City University on November 10, 2016.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs and Communication of the insti-

tution, Dr A. M. Owolabi.

The statement added that Professor Adamolekun would also deliver the convocation lecture entitled: “The idea of Nigeria: Two challenges-Unity in Diversity and prosperity” at the International Conference Centre of the university, on November 9.

This year’s ceremony will also see the launch of Enterprise graduates of the

institution.

The launch of the Enterprise graduates, according to the statement, “provides a veritable avenue for the university to release high calibre graduates who are poised to prove their mettle in corporate Nigeria and more importantly, make positive impacts in their generation. These are job providers and not necessarily, job seekers.”

Ogun assembly charges auditorgeneral designate on accountability

By Gbenga Olumide

Wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Folu Adeboye, flanked by Pastor E. A. Odeyemi (left) and Pastor Joel Oke, Principal, RCCG School of Missions, Ede, during the school’s graduation ceremony, recently.

Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

Nigerian Tribune

action was in accordance with Sections 19, 34 of the EFCC Establishment Act. Oyedepo said: “By the provision of these sections, EFCC has power to instruct Zenith Bank to place “Stop Order” on the account suspected to be proceeds of alleged crime.”

Oyedepo contended that the prayer to set aside the order made by the applicant, “is construed by EFCC to mean that your lordship sit on an appellate of your learned brother.”

According to him, the order gotten by the EFCC was to preserve the rest, so that the in vestigation of the first respondent would not be prejudiced by the conduct of the applicant, Governor Fayose.

Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss the submission of the applicant, and prayed that the interim order obtained to stop any transaction on the frozen accounts be upheld.

Governor Fayose’s two personal bank accounts, domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, Ado Ekiti, were frozen on June 20, 2016 by the EFCC.

OGUN State House of Assembly has screened the Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s nominee for the post of Auditor-General, Mr Sunday Olubanjo, with a charge to step up measures at promoting transparency and prudency in the audited financial records of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government.

The Speaker, Honourable Suraju Adekunbi, represented by his deputy, Honourable Olakunle Oluomo, gave the charge while presiding over the Committee of the Whole House which screened the nominee at the assembly complex, OkeMosan, Abeokuta, on Monday.

Adekunbi, in a release signed by the Head, Information Department, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Lawal Jamiu, urged Olubanjo to ensure the prompt submission of audited accounts of all MDAs when confirmed by the assembly.

While responding, Odubanjo solicited the support of the legislature to ensure continued promotion of transparency in all audited accounts produced by the office.

Don commends Amosun on education policy OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has been commended on the state’s education policy aimed at making teaching more attractive, through the provision of adequate infrastructure.

A professor in the Department of Educational Foundation and Counselling, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Professor Taiwo Edun, gave the commendation while delivering his keynote address at this year’s Afolabi Olabimtan Foundation Scholarship awards ceremony, held at Ilaro Recreation Hall, Ilaro, Oyo State.

Professor Taiwo said that the Amosun-led administration had done well to transform education in the state.

While delivering his speech, a medical practitioner, Dr Olusegun Feyisetan, pointed out that education was a global issue that every country must take serious.

The secretary of the foundation and one of the children of the founder, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan, in his address, noted that the children and families of late Professor Olabimtan were determined to sustain the legacy.

news 2011 post-election violence: ECOWAS Court 34

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

adjourns hearing till Dec 8

T

HE ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has adjourned till December 8 the hearing in a case of alleged human rights violation filed by the Registered Trustees of Jama’a Foundation against the Federal Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the plaintiff is seeking N105 billion in compensation in its case brought before the court on January 16, 2014.

The damages sought are over the alleged death of 800 people and the displacement of 60,000 others in the violence that followed the 2011 presidential election.

In the suit number ECW/ CCJ/APP/26/13, the organisation said the deaths, destruction and displacement, which affected some of its members, constituted a sustained violation of their right to life.

The presiding Judge, Justice Chijoke Nwoke, on Monday, also ordered counsel to the plaintiff to “produce clean copies” of the documents and serve same to the defendants and the court.

Nwoke further ordered the counsel to the plaintiffs to make available copies of his list of witnesses.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Akola Mustapha, had earlier requested the court to grant his orders in an amended document filed to join a party to the case and to direct the defendants to produce certain documents.

The court, however, granted three out of the nine orders stated in the document.

NAN recalled that the death of the lead counsel to the organisation, Mr Abudulfatai Bello, in October 2015 stalled hearing in

the case.

The court has, however, heard the case on several

adjourned dates since then.

The applicants in the suit

lives and property during the 2011 presidential election.

A cross-section of staff members of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, at the Federal Industrial Court, in Abuja on Monday.

Industrial Court orders ABU to pay N2.6bn to 110 disengaged staff THE National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the management of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria to pay N2.6 billion to 110 members of staff whose appointments were illegally terminated in 1996.

The court has also ordered the the university to immediately reinstate all the 110 staff members.

Justice Peter Lifu, gave the order in his judgment delivered in a suit filed by the disengaged staff

against the university.

“The disengaged staff of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria should be paid the sum of (N2,585,130,678.21) as their entitlements from the date of disengagement till June 2016,” he ruled.

Lifu held that the purported termination was illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

The judge therefore directed the university to immediately reinstate the claimants as bona fide staff of the institution.

He held that the university should comply with all the recommendations of the 2004 and 2010 Presidential Visitation panel of the university and ordered it to take the recommendations as binding on it.

The 110 claimants, in 2013, instituted the suit to challenge the alleged illegal termination of their appointments by the university authority.

The claimants, who are both academic and nonacademic staff of the university, averred that they

have variously served the institution for over 20 years without blemish before the unlawful termination.

The claimants joined the Minister of Education, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice as defendants in the suit.

Counsel to the claimants, Mr Femi Adedeji, expressed satisfaction with the court’s judgment.

“The judgment is very fair; they deserve their entitlements,” he said.

N30.7m fraud/ impersonation: EFCC operative testifies against Oyo-based fraudsters Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

AN operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC), Kajethan Egerue, has testified against two Oyo State-based businessmen, Jimoh Aremu Oder-

Borno to prosecute parents over failure to enroll children in school BORNO State government, on Monday, said it would prosecute parents who fail to enroll their children and wards in schools.

“Any parent either out of ignorance or willingly refuses to send his child to school, will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Alhaji Kaka-Shehu Lawan, the Bono State Attorney General/Commissioner of Justice said.

He told the News Agen-

are asking the court to declare that the Federal Government failed to protect

cy of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that government was already offering parents several incentives to encourage them to send their children to schools.

The commissioner noted that it was lamentable that some parents still refused to send their children to school in spite of the incentives.

“The government has directed the Borno State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to mobilise all

children of school age to be enrolled in schools.

“It has also invested heavily in constructing new schools and renovating those vandalised by Boko Haram terrorists in the course of the insurgency, so as to provide conducive atmosphere for learning.”

Lawan said government had also introduced free school bus services and other incentives to attract children back to schools.

inde and Sheriff Olaseni Ajaga, accused of allegedly using the name of former Comptroller- General of Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, to obtain N30.7 million under false pretence.

Egerue, who was testifying before Justice Kudirat Jose of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, in his evidence-in-chief, told the court that he knew the defendants following a petition written by one Jimoh Oyesiji dated February 9, 2015.

The duo of Oderinde and Ajaga were arraigned before the court by the anti-graft commission on a seven - count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money and obtaining money by false pretence

contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offence Act No 14 of 2006.

While being led in his testimony by EFCC counsel, Mrs Vera Agboje and Olakunle Afolabi, the witness told the court that the defendants collected the money from the complainant as cost to facilitate the release of his goods which were seized by the Nigeria Custom Service.

He explained further that the complainant sometime in 2014, imported 8000 bags of rice which were seized by the Nigeria Customs Service, and Oderinde told him he knows someone working with the presidency that will facilitate release of the goods.

2017 hajj exercise:

Oyo State Pilgrims Board promises improved services

By Tunde Ogunesan

OYO State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing) has promised an improved service for intending pilgrims during the 2017 Hajj exercise.

This was disclosed by the chairman of the board, Alhaji Taofeek Akeugbagold Akeugberu while addressing journalists on the commencement of sale of registration form for intending pilgrims for the 2017 Hajj exercise, at board’s camp, Olodo, Ibadan.

He was flanked by the vice chairman of the board, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, representative of the preacher of the state, Sheikh Muhydeen Bello, Alhaja Balqis Bello, representative of Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Alhaji Habeeb Imam, Alhaji AbdulRasak Akuru, Chief Accountant of the board, Alhaji Abdul-Rosheed Adewole and the secretary of the board, Tunde Fasasi.

Alhaji Akeugbagold said the board had put up a friendly package that would encourage Muslims to participate in 2017 Hajj exercise.

“We have put together packages to ensure maximum comfort for different categories of intending pilgrims during the 2017 hajj exercise. The board has been tested and trusted when it comes to pilgrims’ comfort especially in accommodation of pilgrims.”

FRSC commences ‘crash the crash’ programme Godwin Agwam - Lafia

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nasarawa State Command, has commenced the ‘crash the crash’ programme to curb road accidents during the forthcoming Christmas period.

The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Faustina Alegbe, disclosed this while speaking to journalists, at the state command in Lafia, on Wednesday.

According to her, the essence of the programme is to discourage drivers against the habit of speed which endangers their lives.

She added that the command had dispatched men to man strategic points on highway to ensure strict compliance.

The sector commander added that, the command was also working tirelessly to reduce drastically overloading, which he said, increased the rate of casualties during crashes.

35

news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

FG sets up committee to end farmers/herdsmen conflict

T

HE Federal Government has set up a 16-member technical committee to develop a road map and find lasting solution to the lingering conflict between farmers and herdsmen in parts of the country.

Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), who inaugurated the committee on Monday, in Abuja, stressed the need to tackle the problem head-on.

He said the committee would be expected to draw up a road map for an allinclusive gathering of stakeholders to address the perennial crises.

“The committee is expected to draw up a road map for an all-inclusive gathering of stakeholders to address the lingering conflicts between the pastoralists and sedentary farmers,” he said.

The minister decried the escalating nature of the crises which had resulted in the wanton destruction of lives and property, and also threatening the socioeconomic development of the nation.

“You will recall that the conflict has been escalating at every passing year with more violent proportion, different dimensions and increasing geographical spread, “This has led to the wanton destruction of lives and property, distrust amongst the ethno-religious groups in the country and threat to the internal security and socio-economic development of the nation,” he said.

He gave the committee two weeks to fashion out a framework to resolving the crises which included identifying the problems underlying the conflict from regional and national perspectives.

The committee is also expected to identify regional and local laws that impact

on the conflict, and outline a tentative strategy to deal with the conflict.

Earlier, the chairman of the committee and Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Oshita O.

Oshita, assured of the dedication of members to the task ahead.

Oshita said the surest catalyst to boosting the Federal Government’s diversification effort, was to find a lasting solution to the

farmers/herdsmen crises to resuscitate the economy.

He emphasised the need for peace for any meaningful development in the country, and urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the committee in this

The new Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere (left), receiving the hand over documents from former acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, in Port Harcourt, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

We’ll fashion new path for sustainable development of N/Delta —NDDC MD

By Dapo Falade

MANAGING Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, has pledged the commitment of the newly-constituted governing board and management of the commission to fashioning out a new path for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

He made the pledge when the new board, under the chairmanship of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, took over the reins of the interventionist agency, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, on Monday.

Ekweremadu, in a statement issued from the NDDC Corporate Affairs

Department, said the commission operates a ‘4-R Initiative’ as a strategic road map for development, adding “this would involve restructuring the balance sheet, reforming the governance protocols, restoring the commission’s core mandate and reaffirming its commitment to doing what was right and proper.

“We will work to promote cooperation, collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, such as state and local governments, oil and gas companies, donor agencies, civil society organisations, communitybased organisations and other traditional institutions, in order to make regional development a shared vision and common

aspiration.

“We would have to do things differently to improve the transparency of our processes, leverage technology to increase accountability and efficiency, consult stakeholders frequently, engage proactively and be creative about the programmes that we design, to uplift the people and the region,” he said.

He noted that the focus of the commission would be on intervention programmes that would deliver real measurable developmental outcomes for the region and its citizens.

“Five priorities of NDDC will be to focus on regional development and integration; ecological management and health

Collapsed bridge linking Oyo-Kwara halts movement of prison inmates MOVEMENT of prison inmates to courts from Mandalla Maximum Security Prison in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara has stopped following the collapse of the bridge leading to the prison.

The officer in charge of the prison, Alhaji Abayomi Gbadamosi, disclosed this at Mandalla on Monday, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the effects of the collapse of the bridge.

Gbadamosi lamented that apart from inability of the prison management to move inmates to courts located in llorin, the collapsed

regard.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the committee comprised security experts, members of the academia, diplomats and entrepreneurs.

bridge had paralysed other activities at the prison.

“Operationally, the prison cannot make its statutory representation in various courts in llorin since the collapse of the bridge,” he said.

He said he could not take the risk of transporting the prison inmates through available alternative routes which he described as long, risky and tiresome.

“It is basically not safe to carry our inmates through unofficial roads, whatever happens to them would not be explainable by me, and to play safe we decided not to go to courts at all,” he said.

The official said the prison

authority would take the warrants of inmates who were supposed to appear in

court during this period to seek for other dates of adjournment.

awareness; stakeholder engagement and work with development partners and NGOs; human capital development and fostering youth engagement as well as developing the non-oil sector to attract new industries,”, he added.

Also speaking, chairman of the new NDDC Board, Senator Ndoma-Egba, said the commission would be guided by the principles of change being espoused by the Federal Government.

“Things will be done differently because circumstance have changed. The economy is now more challenging and when the times are changing, you must get more innovative.

We must cut excesses. So, we must be leaner. Our books must be cleaned up. Our projects must be properly supervised and processes, must be audited. Our finances must be audited so that we are lean and efficient,” he said.

Insecurity: UK to train Nigeria’s vigilance group members Christian Okeke - Abuja

UNITED Kingdom through its Department for International Development (DFID) is to offer training to vigilance group members in the country, in the bid to ensure efficient security of lives and property in rural areas.

The training programme, which is being planned in partnership with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria

(VGN), targets enhancing the performance of vigilante members across the country.

Commandant General of VGN, Alkali Usman Jahun, while disclosing this at a sensitisation forum for all the state and FCT commandants of the group in Abuja, noted that the organisation was putting in place other measures to complement the efforts of other security agencies at improving secu-

rity in the country.

He commended the determination of National Assembly at ensuring security of citizens in rural areas, through passage of the bill on constitutional recognition for Vigilante Group of Nigeria, which had already scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

According to him, the bill when finally passed, would go a long way in boosting security in the country.

FG presents relief materials to IDPs in Gombe THE Federal Government, on Monday, presented relief materials comprising food and non-food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gombe State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the items included 1, 200 bags of 50 kg rice, 600 bags of maize and 600 bags of millet.

Others items were 600 bags of Guinea corn, 600 bags of beans, 400 jerry cans of vegetable and palm oil, 500 cartons of indomie noodles and 200 cartons of powder milk.

Also, others are 200 cartons of Milo, 300 cartons of Omo, 300 cartons toilet soap, 150 cartons of disinfectant, 500 packs of sanitary pads and 2000 pieces of blankets.

Also on the list were 1,000 pieces of nylon mat, 1,000 pieces of slippers, 1,000 pieces of plastic plates, 1,000 pieces of plastic buckets and 1,000 plastic spoons.

Presenting the materials, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, said the donation was in continuation of the Federal Government’s humanitarian service to assist the IDPs.

49 suspects in military/villagers clash get bail Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

SUSPECTS in the bloody clash between the military and villagers in some communities in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, last August, were on Monday, released after meeting the bail applications stipulated by the state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maria Dzukogi.

The High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Dzukogi, granted bail to 39 out of the 49 suspects charged and brought before the Court, over allegations that bordered on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, mischief, failure to give notice or information to public servants, being in unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and unlawful possession of fire arms.

The offences were punishable under Sections 97, 22, 327, 238, and 107 of the Penal Code Law and sections 27(1) (A)( I) Firearms act, capF28, LFL 2004.

Ten of the suspects were earlier granted bail on medical ground to afford them the opportunity to receive treatment for injuries they suffered during the clash, based on oral application made by their counsels.

36

news

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Banire steps aside as APC legal adviser

•Over EFCC investigation

I

N an unprecedented move, the national legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire, has stepped aside from his office pending the conclusion of the investigation into the allegation of his involvement in a bribery scandal of some judges.

This decision was contained in a letter to the national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, personally signed by Banire.

Consequently, Banire has further communicated this development to the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, offering to also step aside as member, Electoral Reform Committee of the government. This, he said, was in the same spirit of the moral ground that justifies his stepping aside as APC national legal adviser.

Titled: “Offer to step aside as national legal adviser pending conclusion of investigation of my person by EFCC”, copies of the five-page letter was also sent to President, Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo.

Explaining why he chose to toe this moral high ground, Banire said “On Saturday, October29, 2016, I read online, a publication titled “APC national legal adviser, Muiz Banire, Allegedly paid federal judge =N=500k”.

I was not only shocked by the purport of the publication against my person but disturbed by its negative propagandist effect on our party, the government it leads at the federal level and above all, our signature programme of anti-corruption in public life.

“I, therefore, immediately on the same day, wrote a letter which was delivered to and acknowledged by EFCC on Monday, October31, 2016, submitting myself to investigation on the allegation and offering to visit EFCC offices in Lagos, on Tuesday, November1, 2016, to be interrogated as part of that investigation. A copy of the said letter of request is enclosed herewith. Ostensibly, due to the constraints of its heavy work schedule, my request to attend the EFCC to be interrogated on the allegation did not receive attention until Thursday, November3, 2016.

“The allegation, as I have come to understand it, is that a statement of account of one Judge of the National Industrial Court, Justice J. T. Agbadu-Fishim, who is the subject of an ongoing

EFCC’s investigation, contained a June 2013 entry of a “=N=500,000.00” payment ascribed as being from one “Dr Muiz B”.

“I did not hesitate in confirming that this, probably referred to me because I remember that about three years ago, I received a text message from someone I recollected at the time to be an old colleague in my days as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, an ‘AgbaduFishim’ who was then a research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, “The last contact (of any sort), I had with this per-

•Writes Odigie-Oyegun, APC national chair

son before that text would have been about 14years earlier, that is, before I was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, at the inception of civil rule in 1999 (now 17 years).

“As far as assumption goes, he was to me, at the time of his contact, still employed by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; he never informed me that he had moved on to become a judge of any court in Nigeria and I had never throughout my own career as a legal practitioner or public functionary ever appeared in any case before any judge whatsoever at the National

Industrial Court or attended any function of the National Industrial Court that would have put me on notice that the Agbadu-Fishim I used to know had become a judge of the National Industrial Court.

“Indeed, it was with considerable difficulty that I was able to eventually recognise his face when I eventually saw him again (after 17 years of my leaving the University of Lagos) on my attendance at EFCC on Thursday, November3, 2016.”

Continuing, Banire said, “When I received the said message and his information to me of the death and

funeral programme of his mother in which he solicited for financial assistance in a tone suggesting great distress, I considered it necessary to assist an old friend in dire need. Without any further prompting, he sent his account details to me and I made a cash gift of N500,000.00 to him.

“As I have now come to realise after my interactions with EFCC that payment is being investigated from the angle of whether or not it was to influence the receiver in the performance of his judicial duties on the Bench of the National Industrial Court. This is perfectly understandable to

From left, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Isa Pantami; Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu; representative of the president and Secretary to the Government of the Fedration, Mr Babachir Lawal and the Postmaster-General of the Federation, Mr Bisi Adegbuyi, at the launch of four special anti-corruption postage stamps, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

me within the general context of the investigation in which the allegation had arisen and considering that I have lately come to also realise that two of my colleagues in chambers had been involved as defence counsel in two cases before the subject judge among 12 cases in all they have ever done at the Industrial Court since inception.

“Therefore, as surreal as I find the allegation to be, I will not stand by and watch it negatively affect the name of the Party. I will rather stand by, even in the unfair circumstance I have narrated, than allow the party that I (with you and our other leaders and members across the length and breadth of Nigeria) have sacrificed brain and brawn to build-up into the formidable party it has become as a potential tool for the political reengineering of Nigeria, and the emancipation of our peoples from want in the midst of plenty, spreading illiteracy in the age of knowledge, the ravages of commonplace diseases that have become history in other climes, and such other manifestations of poor governance that have been and remained our lot, even after 56 years of independence from colonialism.

“Mr. Chairman, Sir, it is in view of the above circumstances that I wish to temporarily step aside from my position on our National Working Committee as the National Legal Adviser of our Party until completion and final outcome of the EFCC investigation involving my person,” he said.

FG inaugurates 4 special anti-corruption postage stamps THE Federal Government, on Monday, inaugurated four special anti-corruption postage stamps created by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), to reinforce its resolve to wage total war against corruption.

Inaugurating the stamps at the NIPOST Headquarters, in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Mr Babachir Lawal, said that the war against corruption was a collective one.

Buhari commended the agency for undertaking the task to create more awareness in the anti-corruption crusade by issuing the set of stamps.

“The Federal Government is conscious of the vital role postage stamps play as powerful public relations tool; government recognises that by the features they bear, they serve as ambassadors for their countries.

“They supply information

about countries’ cultures, histories, fauna, tourism, geography, artifacts and products and the most effective medium of immortalising important national events and monuments.

“Therefore, we are prepared to support measures that will bring about a virile and efficient

postal system in Nigeria.

“NIPOST management is hereby challenged to be resilient and effective in the delivery of its services and products, so as to key into the present administration’s ‘change agenda’.

Buhari urged all Nigerians, corporate organisations and

all other critical stakeholders to embrace the use of adhesive/electronic postage stamps as a means of authenticating transactions of N1,000 and above.

“NIPOST is now positioned to be one of the highest nonoil revenue generating agencies of government; the time

cannot be better than now to look for other sources of revenue for national development.

“I enjoin Nigerians to maximize the advantage inherent in the usage of this set of four special anti-corruption stamps with the message `Say no to bribe, fraud, bunkering and theft.

THE Federal Government has launched the report of the 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS).

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, launched the survey on Monday, in Abuja.

The NMIS was implemented by the National Malaria Elimination Programme.

Adewole noted that there has been an improvement in the data collection and results from the survey.

He said that it was an opportunity to measure progress made so far and

re-energise efforts towards eliminating malaria.

The minister stressed that despite the notable progress made in the fight towards malaria elimination, the country is still far from achieving its mission. ”Malaria still remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria but we are confident that the war against malaria is winnable. ”No health doctor should treat malaria without diagnosis,” he said.

Adewole said that there have been a considerable

amount of progress in the malaria elimination fight.

He also stressed the need to scale up professional and public education.

Rex Mpazanje, Country Representative, World Health Organisation (WHO), urged the Nigerian government to make available access to malaria intervention for everyone, as this will aid in the fight. ”Although it is preventable, treatable and curable, Africa still bears a high level of the global malaria burden.”

The USAID Representa-

tive, Michael Harvey, urged medical professionals to endeavour to always make diagnosis before treatment of malaria. ”Test before treatment was key to getting it right and it will help ascertain the process in the fight against the disease.”

Stakeholders in the health sector urged Nigerians to imbibe the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying. ”We believe that with combined effort, malaria elimination can be achieved come 2020,” a stakeholder said.

...launches 2015 report on Malaria indicator survey

37

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Clinton, Trump in battle for White House as America votes

T

HE race to determine the successor of President Barack Obama kicks off today in the United States, with the two top contenders, Democrat’s Hillary Clinton and Republican’s Donald Trump head for a tight poll according to latest opinion poll.

Both candidates crisscrossed the country on Monday as they raced to sway undecided voters in a tight U.S. presidential race though tight but still has Clinton with a narrow lead in Fox News Opinion poll.

Twenty four hours to the election day, the Clinton campaign was boosted by Sunday’s unexpected FBI announcement that it stood by its July decision not to press any criminal charges in an investigation of Clinton’s email practices.

A Fox News opinion poll on Monday had former Secretary of State Clinton leading Trump, a wealthy New York real estate developer, by four percentage points among likely voters.

Financial markets brightened on Monday in reaction to the latest twists in what has been a roller-coaster presidential campaign.

Stocks and the dollar posted their biggest gains in weeks after Sunday’s FBI announcement.

In early trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 243 points, or 1.36 percent, at 18,131.33.

Opinion polls show a close race, but tilting toward Clinton. Major bookmakers and online exchanges were more confident than public opinion polling that Clinton will win Tuesday’s election.

Predictit put Clinton’s chances of capturing the White House at 81 percent.

Both Clinton and Trump will spend the day racing across a handful of battleground states that could swing the election, given the Electoral College system that awards the White House on the basis of stateby-state wins.

Trump was scheduled to hold his first campaign appearance of the day in Sarasota, Florida, where he and Clinton have been locked in a tough battle in a state with a large Hispanic-American voting population.

FBI Director James Comey again sent shockwaves

through the race by telling Congress on Sunday that investigators had worked around the clock to complete a review of newly dis-

covered emails and found no reason to change their July finding that there was no criminal wrongdoing in Clinton’s use of a private

email server, rather than a government system, while she was secretary of state from 2009-2013.

It was uncertain whether

Clinton and Trump

the announcement came in time to change voters’ minds or undo any damage from days of Republican attacks on Clinton as corrupt.

Tens of millions of Americans had cast early votes in the 10 days since Comey first told Congress of the newly discovered emails.

“Nothing’s going to change between today and tomorrow to help [Clinton] win back” undecided voters,” Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Trump, who drew wide criticism last month when he said the election was rigged against him and that he would not yet commit to respecting the outcome, questioned the thoroughness of the FBI review and said the issue would not go away.

Janet Reno, first female US attorney general, dies at 78 JANET Reno, former US attorney general under President Bill Clinton, died Monday morning following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, her sister Maggy Hurchalla said. She was 78.

Reno, the nation’s first-ever female attorney general, served in the Clinton White House from 1993 to 2001.

Born in 1938, Reno grew up in Miami, Florida, with parents who both worked as reporters for Miami newspapers. After attending Cornell University for her undergraduate degree, Reno enrolled at Harvard University for law school in the early 1960s. During her first year, she heard one of her heroes, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, speak at the Sanders Theater.

5 key battleground states to watch

THE first polls will will close close at at 6:00pm Indiana and and 6:00pm EST in Indiana Kentucky last, in in Kentucky and the last, Alaska, In bebeAlaska, at 1am EST. In tween, trickle in, in, tween, results will trickle state by by state. state.

Florida, Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia.

Pennsylvania, VirIf Trump wins three of these ginia. five an early If states, Trumpit will winsbethree of indication that weitare these five states, willinbefor ana long on Tuesday. he earlynight indication that weIfare wins or five, then in forfour a long night onClinton Tues-

is in big, big trouble.

If Clinton wins three of these five states, she’s in good shape as the midwestern USA polls close. If she wins four or five, she will almost certainly win the election.

First, and most importantly, these states are all in the eastern time zone of the US which means their polling places are among the first to close.

They will be early indicators

of which way the election is going before the other polls close.

Second, they collectively have a lot of electoral votes and have gone in both directions over the past 30 years.

Remember, the winner of this election is not the one who wins the popular vote.

It’s the candidate that wins the most electoral votes. You can do your own electoral

vote maths at 270towin.com Other states to watch: Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and Nevada.

Races are close in all these places and if the electoral vote count is tight, the candidates will need these states. Arizona, with 11 electoral votes, could be key.

Here are the states expected to be no contest, which means the electoral votes are a given: For Trump: South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska.

Georgia and Texas are closer races than Republicans would like but it’s doubtful they’ll go Democrat and the fact that Clinton has spent no time there means she knows it, too.

For Clinton: Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii.

Wild card: Utah. It could be the only state that goes for a third-party candidate and that would most likely benefit Clinton since Utah is traditionally a Republican state.

Janet Reno

South African opposition seeks to overturn apartheid-era land law

A FAR-left South African politician who wants to nationalize banks, mines and land said on Monday he would ask the Constitutional Court to scrap an apartheid-era law used to prosecute him over calls to occupy white-owned land.

Julius Malema, leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, won the permission of a judge to have his trial postponed while he challenges the 1956 Riotous Assemblies Act - a challenge legal experts said could well succeed.

Land reform is a highly sensitive issue in South Africa and has been brought into focus by the decline in agriculture in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Julius Malema

38

sport

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016 Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054, 08055444383

Kaduna Polo: El-Amin retain Georgian Cup

Pillars to unveil Ikhana

Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

MOHAMMED Babangida’s Kaduna El-Amin have retained the prestigious Georgian Cup after beating Senator Hadi Sirika’s Guards Brigade Rubicon in the final of the 2016 edition of the Kaduna International PoloTournament.

El-Amin trailed 3-5 as Guards Brigade Rubicon took the lead and maintained same till the end of the second chukka.

The third chukka resumed with El-Amin mounting pressure in their bid to score, with Bello Buba hitting at goal successfully to pull one back.

Shortly after, Ibrahim Dangaye almost levelled up for El-Amin but missed narrowly, giving Rubicon an advantage which they pushed on and scored to again increase their lead.

Again, Bello Buba pulled one back after the game resumed from a break resulting from an injury on ElAmin’s Santiago Sarnadas.

The third chukka which proved to be the longest, saw Rubicon yet again scoring to increase their lead by two goals as the third chukka ended 5-7 in favour of Rubicon.

Santiago converted a penalty in the early minutes of the fourth chukka, to pull one back for El-Amin, while few minutes later, they scored again to level scores.

Few minutes later, Bello Buba again drove in a goal for El-Amin to take the lead for the first time in the game.

As the game swung on, El-Amin sent the spectators into wild jubilation as they increased their lead by two goals, as that chukka ended 9-7 in favour of ElAmin.

Santiago broke the silence in the fifth chukka as he displaced Rubicon’s players to score El-Amin’s 10th goal in the highly entertaining game. As the chukka progressed, Bello Buba increased the tally for his team just as the warning bell to signal the end of the chukka rang, ending the chukka 11-7.

Ezenwa

I can stand in for Ikeme against Algeria —Ezenwa

G

OALKEEPER Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said he is prepared to be in goal for Nigeria against Algeria on Saturday after first-choice Carl Ikeme was ruled out due to

injury.

FC IfeanyiUbah shot stopper Ezenwa is now in pole position to be in goal in this weekend’s World Cup qualifier after deputising for Ikeme in the last two Super Eagles match-

es against Tanzania and Zambia.

“I have understudied Carl Ikeme and I will give my best for my country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, if I’m chanced to be in goal,” said the 28-year-

ITTF confirms Nigeria, 26 others for world junior tourney THE International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed Nigeria and 26 others for this year’s World Junior Championships holding in Cape Town, South Africa.

According to the list of participating teams released by ITTF for the tournament scheduled for November 30 to December 7, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria including host – South Africa will represent Africa at the eight-day championships.

Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt will present boys

and girls teams, while Tunisia will have its boys’ team with Algeria presenting its girls team for the competition.

Nigeria’s qualification was made possible following its performance at the last African Junior Championships held in Algiers, where the team finished second behind Egypt in the team events of the competition.

At Cape Town 2016, Nigeria will compete in the team, doubles and singles events for laurels.

Meanwhile, the tourna-

ment director of the championship, Joe Carrim, has said that logistics have been put in place to make the competition exciting for teams.

“The venue is ideal for the Sun International 2016 ITTF World Junior Table Tennis Championship. All venues related equipment is in place and we await delivery of the floor tables and balls. The promotional programme has taken off with weekly radio interviews by players and local organisers in the city of Cape Town,” he said.

old Ezenwa, who was in goal at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

“I’m not under pressure because it’s something I have been doing for some time now and I am confident I will prove myself again.

“We are looking forward to the game. We will all focus and work hard.

“We want the maximum three points because we all know what is at stake.”

The former Heartland and Sunshine Stars goalkeeper also said his future would be clearer in January after reports of interest from Spanish second division club Cadiz after shinning on a playing tour of Spain recently.

“There were some interests when we were in Spain recently but by January we will know where I will go to,” he said.

THE board of Kano Pillars FC has ratified the appointment of veteran coach, Kadiri Ikhana, as the club’s new Technical Adviser, just as the one time winner of African Coach of the Year Award will be unveiled today in Kano according toSportstalkafrica.com.

This will be the third time the former national U-23 team coach, Ikhana will coach Kano Pillars.

According to a statement by the club’s Media Officer, Idris Malikawa, “the board of Kano Pillars approved Ikhana’s appointment at its board meeting” adding that Ikhana will be unveiled today in Kano by the club chairman, Tukur Babangida.

It will be recalled that Pillars first won the Nigeria Premier league trophy under Ikhana in 2008 and later claimed three more titles under different managers.

Meanwhile, Babangida, has confirmed that Pillars will participate in the Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament, just as he disclosed that he had to shun a propose tour of Ghana for his team to battle with Enyimba, Lobi, Niger Tornadoes, in the proposed local tournament.

Pillars were crowned winners of the Season 3 edition after they defeated Supreme Court of Abuja 2-1 in the final.

Speaking with the Gold Cup Media Team last Sunday in Lagos, he said “The tourney is good for all the participating teams as it would help them prepare better for the up coming Nigeria Professional Football League season in December.”

Ikhana

39 tribunesport

Tuesday, 8 November, 2016

Nigerians applaud

Owoeri emerges goal king in Sweden EX-Nigeria junior international, John Owoeri has emerged the top scorer in Sweden for 2016 after he netted four times in Hacken’s 7-0 bashing of Falkenbergs FF in the last game of the season.

The 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup silver medallist thus ended the season with 17 goals as Hacken finished 10th on the table.

Sebastian Andersson of Norrkoping and Vidar Om Kjartansson of Malmo finished behind Owoeri with 14 goals apiece.

The former Enyimba forward, Owoeri who played against compatriot, Hakeem Araba on Sunday, scored in the 44th minute to give his side a 4-0 lead.

On resumption, Owoeri scored again in the 49th minute to make

GLO-CAF Awards

promo

the scoreline 5-0, while he added two more goals in the 53rd and 70th minutes to finish as goal king of the season with 17 strikes.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye remains top scorer in Greece after he scored his seventh goal of the season for Olympiacos during the derby against Panathinaikos.

Ideye, who netted 10 goals in 24 appearances last season in the Greek Super League, last Sunday scored Olympiacos’ third goal in the 44th minute.

Olympiacos are top of the league table with 21 points from eight matches, seven points ahead of closest rivals Panathinaikos.

48 clubs battle for Lagos 3X3 basketball tour FORTY-Eight clubs will vie for honours in the maiden edition of Lagos 3X3 Tour basketball tournament slated for between November 5 and December 3 in the state.

Speaking at a press parley to herald the competition, the Special Adviser to the governor and the chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Deji Tinubu said the idea is aimed at making the state sports hub in the country and beyond.

“The Lagos 3x3 tour is one of our numerous sports lined up to give budding talents in our locality the opportunity to showcase what they have been blessed with.

“Aside from the fact that it is a

competition, it will also enable us to see the fun side of basketball as there would a lot to display.

“I can also assure you that as the competition grows, the venues will be doubled in order to move closer to the people,” Tinubu assured.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, BizznessRoom, Howell Alubi, who are the tournament promoters explained that each team would consist of four players and they would compete in a round robin format from the group stage, adding that the sum of N200,000 is up for grabs as prize money.

The tournament will be held at four centres across the state.

Owoeri

FC IfeanyiUbah set to conquer Africa —Ubah T

By Niyi Alebiosu

HE owner of FC IfeanyiUbah, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has declared that the club is set to conquer the continent next year.

The Anambra Warriors on Sunday in Lagos qualified to represent Nigeria in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup following their 5-4 victory via penalties over Nasarawa United in the final of the Federation Cup played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Ubah, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil, while speaking after his club won the Federation Cup in its first attempt expressed joy at the feat, just as he said the team’s focus is now on the continental championship.

“We have to put this victory behind and face the real business of representing the country very well at the continental level. We cannot

afford to fail.

“Playing at the international level is a different ball game and as such, all the management teams are working round the clock to ensure that we excel at that level. We are bring-

ing in new players to beef up the team before we start our continental campaign. Also, so many innovations will be introduced to make this team become a brand and the envy of all even on the continent,” an elated Ubah said.

He stated that Sunday’s final lived up to its billings.

“This is an explosive final that shows the level of development of football in the country,” he said adding “we should improve on it.”

Captain of FC IfeanyiUbah, Wilson Elu (second left), before receiving the Federation Cup on Sunday, in Lagos, after his team’s victory over Nasarawa United.

THE 2016 Glo-CAF Awards promo recently launched by national telecommunications company, Globacom has been applauded by Nigerians.

Commending the company for introducing the promo, subscribers across the country who spoke to the media commended Globacom for introducing the promo and giving Nigerians the opportunity to be part of the event where they will meet and interact with African football icons.

The event which will be held at the International Conference centre, Abuja, Nigeria on January 5, 2017 is a special one as it is the silver jubilee edition, marking 25 years of CAF Awards.

Christian Ikponmwosa, a Lagosbased football fan and real estate consultant, described the 2016 Glo-CAF promo as “New year present from Glo to football lovers in the country”. He added: “I was lucky in January 2015 when I won an invite under the Reserve your seat at the 2014 Glo-CAF Awards promo and look forward to winning again this year to be able among those attending the 2016 edition.”

Also, Akor Daniel from Makurdi, said “Globacom has made it simple for Nigerians, it is now left for us to use N25, 000 and be part of the 2016 Glo CAF Awards. I will be very happy if I eventually make it to the next edition of the Awards Chukwudum Anosike, an I.T executive with Savvytech Services in Lagos said “I will definitely exceed the N25, 000 credit benchmarked for getting invite to the next GloCAF Awards in Abuja. I normally use about N20, 000 monthly and that will be about N60, 000 by the end of December. Hopefully, I will get an invite.” ”The silver jubilee of CAF Awards is another golden opportunity to appreciate and reward our subscribers who have been the brand’s pillar of strength over the years for their patronage and support and we have packaged the promo for them exclusively, ” Glo said at the launch of the promo recently.

Titled “Win a Seat among the Stars at the Oscars of African Football,” subscribers participating in the promo are expected to buy and activate a new Glo SIM or port their existing lines then use minimum of N25, 000 between 10th October and 31st December, to stand a chance of winning a VIP invite to attend the prestigious Glo CAF Awards Silver Jubilee edition in Abuja.

This offer is open to new and existing prepaid/postpaid Glo customers. Three hundred winners will emerge after 90 days and will get an exclusive invite to attend the Glo CAF Silver Jubilee Awards.

The Glo-CAF Awards Gala, sponsored by Nigerian telecommunication giant, Globacom, is expected to congregate top football celebrities and government officials across Africa.

SIDELINES

NO 16,628

TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER, 2016

N150

One thousand five hundred workers are reportedly set to lose their jobs as Africa’s top tomato paste maker, Chief Eric Umeofia, is set to move his business to Kenya, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.

When recession affects even soup ingredients, does anyone need to be told that trouble has come to the Nigerian house, bringing its own stool?

I still have 10 more years in my career —Ronaldo

Odion Ighalo (left), is already in town for the Nigeria -Algeria match.

World Cup qualifier

Iheanacho, Ighalo, Iwobi, others land in Abuja Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

S

UPER Eagles players are confident that they will triumph in next weekend’s World Cup qualifier against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.

This is even as only seven players were in the team’s Bolton White Hotel camp in Abuja by 7pm on Monday, though many more were still being expected to arrive later in the day.

Team spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye, informed Tribunesport on Monday that only nine players had so far reported to camp, adding that, “We are expecting more players to arrive this night.”

According to Ibitoye, those in camp at press time were Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Odion Ighalo and Ogenyi Onazi.Others are Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa Muhammed, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo.

Ibitoye revealed that the players were in high spirits, looking forward with positive mind to do Nigeria and its football-loving citizens

proud on Saturday against the Algerians.

“The spirit in camp is high.

The players are looking forward with positivity, even as they are expecting the arrival of their colleagues,” Ibitoye told Tribunesport.

Another source close to the Eagles camp who did not want to be named also informed that from his interaction with the early

arrival in camp, the Eagles are determined to overrun their opponents the way they stopped the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola on Matchday 1 of the African qualifying series for the 2018 World Cup. According to him, “the players are determined, not only to win Saturday’s match against Algeria to consolidate their lead on

the group table, but also pick a ticket to the Russia 2018 World Cup. “From what I am seeing among the players, our inability to win a 2017 AFCON ticket will eventually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Nigeria.

These guys are roaring to go, more so with the new technical crew in charge of the team.”

CRISTIANO Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for 10 more years after rounding off a “dream year” by signing a bumper new five-year contract with Real Madrid on Monday.

The deal, expected to protect Ronaldo’s status as the world’s highest paid footballer, will keep the Portuguese tied to the European champions until he is 36.

“What I most want is to continue enjoying the years I have left to play. I still have 10 years (ahead),” Ronaldo said after signing what he insisted will be his penultimate contract.

According to American magazine Forbes, Ronaldo topped Barcelona rival Lionel Messi as the world’s best paid sportsman in 2016 with an income of $88m.

The three-time World Player of the Year has enjoyed his most successful year at a collective level, scoring the winning penalty as Madrid won the Champions League for an 11th time in May before captaining Portugal to their first major tournament win at Euro 2016.

“After the season I’ve had, to win the Champions League, the Euros and then renew my contract with Real Madrid it

is something I never imagined. It is a dream year.

“I am very happy to finalise this dream of extending my contract. I want to continue making history for the best club in the world,” added Ronaldo.

“We will see. What the future brings you never know.

It is clear I want to finish here, but this is my penultimate contract,” said Ronaldo, who however, failed to guarantee that he will retire as a Madrid player.

Ronaldo has bagged 371 goals in 360 games in his eight seasons since swapping Manchester United for Madrid for a then world record fee in 2009 making him the club’s all-time top goalscorer.

He boasts three Ballon d’Or titles for the world’s best as a Madrid player, while he has also won two Champions Leagues, one La Liga title and two Spanish Cups.

Meanwhile, Madrid president, Florentino Perez in his remarks described the Portugal captain as a symbol of the Spannish side.

“There will be a before and after Cristiano Ronaldo. Your trajectory is marking an era.

You are the great icon of the club, a symbol of the best club in the world,” Florentino said.

Algeria begin training for Nigeria THE Desert Foxes had their first training on Sunday ahead of Saturday's match against Nigeria.

The training session, under new coach Georges Leekens, took place at the

First choice goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi (left) and his deputy Malik Asselah at training ahead of the Nigeria-Algeria match. PHOTO: COURTESY FAF

National Technical Centre Sidi Moussa in the evening.

A number of the local players who missed the training were on duty for their teams at the weekend and they were expected to team up with their mates on Monday (yesterday) when the Algerians will start observing two training sessions in a day (morning and evening).

Among the players available for Sunday's training session are Adi Rais M'Bolhi and Malik Asselah (goalkeepers); Houari Ferhani and Hicham Belkaroui (defenders), Mehdi Abeid and Sofiane Feghouli (midfielders).

Going by the original schedule released by the Algeria Football Federation, the Desert Foxes are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday in a chartered flight and leave for Algiers immediately after the match on Saturday.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 8/11/2016.