8th December 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,387

TUESDAY, 8 DECEMBER, 2015

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Uproar as INEC declares Bayelsa poll inconclusive •Cancels election in Southern Ijaw LG •Dickson wins 6 out of 7 LGAs announced

—P5

Ooni Ogunwusi: New Yoruba nation will soon emerge

—P38

•Receives staff of office •Osinbajo, Sultan, govs, Tinubu, others at ceremony

Kogi: I will not be available for swearingin with Bello —Faleke —P38

Appeal Court upholds Kashamu's election

—P6

EFCC freezes Tompolo's company account Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola (left), presenting Staff of Office to the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at Enuwa, IleIfe, Osun State, on Monday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE. FEATURES AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGES 33,34,35,36,37.

•Files fresh charges against Akpobolokemi

—P40

Emergency FEC projects N6trn budget for 2016 —P12 •Buhari dissociates self from anti-social media bill •Says, timeline to end Boko Haram insurgency open to modification

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

news

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Uproar as INEC declares Bayelsa poll inconclusive

•Cancels election in Southern Ijaw LG •Dickson wins 6 out of 7 LGAs announced From Ebenezer Adurokiya, Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun

HERE was uproar on Monday, over the conduct of Bayelsa State governorship election, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election inconclusive. The development generated heated arguments between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as residents of the state took to the streets in protest. Even on social media, it was war of words between supporters of both parties. The commission, on Monday afternoon, thereafter, cancelled the rescheduled governorship election held in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on Sunday. No fewer than 120,834 electorate were expected to cast their votes in an area strongly believed to be the stronghold of Timipre Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Baritor Kpaghir, while making the clarification, said the exercise was marred with violence, hostage taking and ballot box snatching, adding that it had no choice but to cancel votes from the area. He said a later date would be announced for the supplementary election, adding that the Southern Ijaw rescheduled election fell short of acceptable international standards. “As of today, apart from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, results of the remaining seven local government areas have been collated and announced. “Reports of the elections conducted in Southern Ijaw on December 6 revealed that the election was substantially marred by violence, ballot box snatching and hostage taking of electoral officers. “Reports from political parties, local and foreign observers, among others, showed that the election falls short of the acceptable international standards for credible election. “Consequently, the commission has, in the interest of the integrity of the process, cancelled the election at the Southern Ijaw council, with a new date to be made known for a supplementary election,” Kpaghi noted. Earlier, while waiting for the result from the Southern Ijaw council, the INEC Chief Returning Officer of Bayelsa State gubernatorial election, Professor Zana Akpagu, had

said results from the riverine local government was still being awaited. He explained that he would not know when the Returning Officer from the local government area would come in with the result. However, results showed the candidate of PDP in the election, Governor Seriake Dickson, had won six of the seven local government areas released so far, while his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the APC won in one local government area. Reacting to the development, the APC described the cancellation of rescheduled election in Southern Ijaw as a ploy by the PDP to manipulate the electoral process in favour of its candidate. An APC chieftain and party agent, Dennis Otiotio, speaking with journalists after the announcement of the cancellation by INEC, said “they (PDP) knew we are leading by about 90,000 votes, that is why they are coming with this cancellation. “Look, just few minutes ago, they sent a security outfit controlled by the state government to hijack materials in Amassoma and as

they were coming with it, the JTF intercepted them and the materials were eventually brought to the INEC collation centre. “The state security outfit was taking the items to the government house when the JTF intercepted them and brought them here to INEC collation centre,” he disclosed. Speaking further on the displeasure of his party over the cancellation of the result from Southern Ijaw, Otiotio said “I suspect a clear attempt to manipulate the electoral process because you were all aware that I complained about elections in Sagbama and Ekeremor that there was no election there, as it was marred with violence and card readers were not used.” According to him, “you all heard what they said that they were here to collate and not cancel results. They should have cancelled the entire state results if they really wanted to cancel results, so that they would go back and restrategise for another election.” He claimed that the PDP, in connivance with INEC,

was aware that the APC candidate was leading PDP with about 90,000 votes from Southern Ijaw. Countering the position of APC, the PDP condemned in the strongest possible term, the wanton confiscation and transfer of voting materials by security operatives directly to APC agents for outright allocation of votes. The party also commended the people for “fearlessly curtailing APC’s rigging machinery, which led to the cancellation of the fabricated elections in Southern Ijaw council.” In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, on Monday, the party said it was proud of the actions and concerted efforts of its members in resisting “rigging and impunity. “For the purposes of the rescheduled Southern Ijaw election, we wish to make it abundantly clear that we are ready, willing and able to defend the choice of the people. “Never again will this leadership of PDP allow our party candidates to be manipulated out of any election

at any level. “In that regard, we have activated our structures across the country to defend our mandate always, with all force and means available in a democracy. “Nevertheless, we are indeed concerned about the apparent inability of the present INEC to conduct a credible election in a single state, especially in the light of the fact that very soon, they will need to conduct a general election in all the states. “Finally, for the security forces busy brutalising innocent Nigerians exercising their democratic rights, we declare that they should hide their faces in shame over the flexing of muscles in terror free zones.” There was, however, mild drama at the result announcement centre in Yenagoa, on Monday afternoon, as agents of PDP drove into the centre in two Hilux vans loaded with INEC voting materials from Southern Ijaw council. As the two Hilux vans stormed the centre, two of the PDP agents, who accompanied the items to the centre, began to explain to onlookers what transpired

and how they made their way into the centre. They said after the voting was held at Amasoma Ward 11, 10 and 9 on Sunday against all odds, they had to find a way to convey the materials to Yenagoa after they realised that it would be risky to take them to Okporoma, the headquarters of the local government where the results should be collated. Explaining how some security agents worked against the success of the poll, one of the two agents, in exhaustion, quipped: “if you see anybody in military uniform, my brother, pick race.” According to him, if they had resolved to take the electoral items to Okporoma for collation, they would have been abducted by members of the JTF or, perhaps, killed and the materials confiscated. They alleged in the presence INEC officials and police officers that the JTF was obviously working for the APC governorship candidate. When asked why they brought the voting items from Amassoma Ward 10, Continues pg6

Dickson calls for immediate withdrawal of soldiers from streets BAYELSA State governor and candidate of the PDP, Honourable Seriake Dickson, has called for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers deployed to monitor the ongoing governorship election in the state. This is just as he has accused the army of colluding with the APC and INEC to rig election in seven wards in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. He made the allegation during a live radio interview in Yenagoa, on Monday. The governor said in spite of the calls by the stakeholders for postponement of the election, as a result of the security challenges which led to the death of no fewer than five persons, INEC stubbornly went ahead without addressing the issue. He said electoral materials meant for the election were distributed late in the night and subsequently hijacked by suspected APC thugs. He alleged that some INEC ad hoc staff and corps members were still being held hostage for failure to accede to the request of some APC chieftains in the affected wards. Apart from intimidating and harassing eligible voters, members of the leading opposition party, he said, hid under the cover of darkness to perpetrate electoral

fraud which includes arrant thumb printing of election materials and filling of the election result sheets. He described the actions as undemocratic and a flagrant violation of the fundamental human rights of law-abiding people of the state by the INEC officials and security operatives. Governor Dickson called for the timely intervention of the international community

to prevail on the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to ensure fairness. According to him, “what the Nigerian government is doing is a coup against democracy and subversion of my authority as governor and even of the peace and security of this state. “If you asked: who is creating this mess? it is the APCled Federal Government deploying, for the first time,

the military personnel to humiliate and attack people and force them to vote midnight. It has never happened anywhere in this country.” Speaking in the same vein, the acting national chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said the development was unacceptable as it negated all known democratic norms. He assured the governor of the party’s support

in fighting against political criminality and injustice. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our governor and the good people of Bayelsa State. So far so good, what we have heard from Southern Ijaw is shameful and this anti-democratic measure being taken by the Federal Government, asking the soldiers to conduct election, is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

Sylva rejects cancellation, threatens legal action EbenezerAdurokiya-Yenagoa GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has rejected the cancellation of the rescheduled governorship election held at Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on Sunday. Sylva made his objection known on Monday evening in Yenagoa, shortly after INEC announced the cancellation of the result. He insisted that the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Baritor Kpaghir, lacked the right under the law to cancel an election which had been concluded, unfavourable security reports notwithstanding. The former governor expressed surprise at whatever reasons INEC may want to advance for not cancelling

results from Ekeremor, Sagbama and Nembe where, according to him, there was widespread violence. He described the REC as

one who has a soft spot and freely disposed to favouring PDP in past elections, while advocating that he be transferred from the state.

He threatened to head to court to enforce the declaration of the result from Southern Ijaw which, he said, he won.

APC’s attempt to manipulate Bayelsa poll invitation to anarchy —Fayose EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, described the failed attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the Bayelsa State governorship election as clear invitation to anarchy. The governor, who said it was shameful that the two elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Professor Mahmud Yakubu were inconclusive, called on well-meaning Nigerians and the interna-

tional community to rise up in condemnation of the plot to destroy democracy in the country. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said everything under Buhari was becoming inconclusive, adding that “if in three days, INEC could not conduct credible election in Bayelsa State of just eight local governments, one wonders what will happen during the

general election in 2019.” He saluted the courage of the people of Bayelsa State, describing them as “worthy heroes of democracy that stood their ground against agents of darkness.” He also congratulated the Bayelsa State governor and the PDP candidate, Seriake Dickson, for having the people of the state behind him, adding that “the people of Bayelsa have shown that their power is more than that of the Abuja political oppressors.”

news

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Appeal Court upholds Buruji Kashamu’s electoral victory By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundae

he Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, on Monday, upturned the October 9, 2015 judgment of the National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta and reaffirmed and returned the Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu. The appellate court in a unanimous decision held that Kashamu’s appeal is meritorious and therefore succeeds, consequently, the three-man panel set aside the ruling of the elections tribunal and affirmed as well as returned Senator Kashamu as the winner of the march 28, 2015 senatorial election in Ogun East

Senatorial district. While reading the lead judgment, Justice M. L. Shuaib held that the tribunal erred and was partisan, adding that it descended into the arena and scouted for evidence to nullify Kashamu’s election and truncate his victory. He added that it was curious, illogical and perverse of the tribunal to place so much reliance on the evidence of a prosecution witness labeled as PW 44 and further admit as evidence documents that were clearly inadmissible under the law and also act on such evidence to truncate Kashamu’s victory. According to the panel, PW 44, who posed as a forensic expert had discredited himself during cross

examination when he stated that anyone with prerequisite knowledge could do what he did and added that he had no degree in statistics. “PW 44 sold himself out and the tribunal should not have held that he was an expert when he himself had agreed anyone could do what he did. No expert opinion is needed in this case since PW44 stated that anyone, even a layman could do what he did and he has no degree in statistics. “There is no certification of the admitted print out by the said forensic expert so it is not an exhibit and he also sold himself out, when he stated that the Appendix A, B and C which was his report was printed from a computer

Ex-gov Nnamani loses

•As Ujam wins Nnaji in Nkanu-East/Nkanu-West Jude Ossai-Enugu

FORMER Governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani on Monday lost his bid to occupy the Enugu-East Senatorial seat as the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu upheld the victory of Senator Gil Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing the zone in last National Assembly Elections. Nnamani, a one time Senator and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Change (PDC) at the last senatorial poll, had approached the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Enugu, where he challenged Nnaji’s victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing alleged irregularities that marred the electoral process, which affected its outcome. In a unanimous judgment by the three-man appeal panel, led by Justice A. H. Yahaya, the court held that, “the respondent (Nnamani)

failed to prove that substantial irregularities marred the election. The evidence adduced from PW5 (forensic data analyst) only covered three out of the six local government areas that constitute the senatorial district. As such, it could not prove substantial irregularities. “I hereby set aside the judgment of the lower court and uphold Nnaji’s victory as declared by INEC.” In another development, the Appeal Court also upheld the election of Chukwuemeka Ujam representing Nkanu East/ West Federal Constituency that was challenged by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Change (PDC), Nnoli Nnaji over alleged non qualification and possession of 4,000 Permanenet Voter Cards (PVCs). Delivering judgment on the appeal brought before it by Nnaji, the lead Judge, Justice Pemu in a unanimous judgment, described the appeal as an, “academic exercise in futility.” “The appeal lacks merit

and should never have been brought before an Election Petition Tribunal. Since it is a matter of qualification, the appellant is from a different political party, he should have approached the Federal High Court. The appeal is hereby rendered a nullity and the first respondent’s victory (Ujam) upheld.”

but the tribunal held that it was PW44’s statement on oath and not a print out,” the panel stated. The three man panel further held that the case of Prince Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a non issue as the material used to nullify the results of elections in some polling units and order re-election is inadmissible in law. “The case of the first and second respondents (Abiodun and APC) in this appeal collapses like a pack of cards as the respondents fail to lay necessary foundation for the admissibility of the annexes. Exhibits A, B and C are expunged as inadmissible “PW44 was a hatchet man brought to truncate the appellant’s victory and since his testimony is that he thoroughly analysed some documents from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) register and used a computer to draw a table and print it out, the annexes are indeed a printout. “It is wrong of the tribunal to place so much reliance on the evidence of a discredited witness and use an inadmissible document to arrive at its judgment” The three man panel comprising Justices A. G.

Msheila, M. L. Shuaib and Ignatius Agube also adopted the same judgment for the cross petition filed by Prince Adedapo Abiodun. Senator Kashamu in his reaction hailed the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, describing it as a victory for democracy and the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District. “I dedicate this victory to the Almighty Allah. I am

Ajayi floors PDP in Osun IT was a moment of joy on Monday for the Chairman of the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management of the House of Representatives, Honourable Adeyinka Ajayi, representing Boripe, Ifelodun and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency of Osun State, as he floored his main rival, Mr Kayode Oduoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure. The Court of Appeal in its judgment on Monday, unanimously affirmed the victory of Ajayi and dismissed all the grounds of appeal filed by Oduoye. In his remarks after the judgment, Ajayi described the Appellate Court ruling as “an affir-

Court sacks Senator Ekwunife, calls for fresh poll in Anambra Central •Bassey wins in Calabar Jude Ossai-Enugu

THE Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has sacked Senator Uche Ekwunife representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, calling for a fresh election. The court’s judgement was consequent upon an appeal filed by Sir Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Umeh lost to Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the lower tribunal, which delivered its judgement in Awka, Anambra State.

However, at its ruling on Monday, the Appeal Court described the tribunal’s ruling as a perverse judgement, which cannot stand. It, therefore ordered Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election within 90 days. Reacting to the judgement, Umeh, who arrived the Court premises few minutes after the verdict, said it was clearly an act of God. “PDP died the day Jonathan lost election; they should cover themselves with blanket of shame. At the tribunal they were laughing at us, but today, they are covered with shame. We would have won the first election, but they introduced impunity and recklessness,” he said. On the rerun, Umeh was optimistic saying, “I will write the INEC before this election and I’m optimistic that those who were involved in the former election will not be involved in conducting this new exercise.” Meanwhle, the Election Appeal Tribunal sitting in Calabar has dismissed the Appeal filed by candidate of the Labour Party, Prince Bassey Otu, seeking to upturn the victory of Senator Gershom Bassey of the Peoples Dem-

happy at today’s verdict of the Court of Appeal. I am happy that justice has been served. I am particularly elated that the judiciary has once again risen to the occasion as the last hope of the common man. I am happy that despite the ills of our society, the judiciary still boasts of men and women of integrity and great courage who can resist filthy lucre and stand up for the truth and justice.

ocratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 Southern Senatorial district elections of Cross River State. Justice Mailari Idris, who headed the appeal tribunal, said the appellant failed to meet the conditions specified by section 16 of the Electoral Act, which he relied on for the pursuit of the appeal. “The appeal failed to meet the time span for the filing of an appeal in an election matter which must be within the 180 days as specified by Section 16 of the Electoral Act which the Appellant relied on.”

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ebiye Tina now MRS SAWYER FORSON WOYENGIEMI TINA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

mation of the rule of Law and democracy,” adding that the ruling is “a victory for the party and the people of my constituency whose mandate freely given at the last election was challenged by the PDP and its candidate. The confidence reposed in our party focus and direction has finally been given judicial approval.” He reassured the people of his constituency of his genuine commitment to their wellbeing and overall development of the area, noting that “I have never been more hopeful of a better Nigeria than now, and with your support for our party at all levels Nigeria will surely get back on track.” He called on his challenger, having exhausted all legal avenues open to him under the Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to work with him. “I enjoin him to bring his ideas for the development of our constituency to the table for consideration and action.”

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adefuye Oluwatosin Zainab now MRS ADEFUYE OLUWATOSIN ZAINAB OLALEKE GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Lagosmetro Lawmakers want end to falling trucks at Ojuelegba Bridge

A BLOCKED CANAL LOCATED AT SAKA TINUBU.STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Lagos records over 10 fire incidents within 12 hours Olalekan Olabulo

PERATIVES of the Lagos State Fire Service battled with more than 15 different fire incidents in different parts of the state in just two days. Over 10 fire distress calls had been attended to by fire fighters from different fire stations between Monday morning and afternoon. According to the fire service the fire incidents occurred at Iju, Alausa, Ewu Elepe , Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Ketu and Ijegun areas of the state. Properties worth millions of naira including houses vehicles and other valuables were destroyed in the different fire incidents. The director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Radak Fadipe, confirmed the incidents to Lagos Metro and decried the high rate of fire incidents in the state. Lagos Metro gathered that a storey building, situated on 15 Oluwole Salako Street,

Obawoke Iju on Monday went up in flames. Another storey building went up in flames on Monday afternoon at Ajegunle Junction in Oluwobare of Ikorodu. A bungalow was also destroyed by fire at Oyeleke

Estate in Alausa area of the state, while another one was destroyed at Igbe Road, City Junction in Ewu Elepe. The director of the Lagos State Fire Service while speaking on the fire incidents stated that the timely

intervention of operatives of the state fire service prevented a tanker explosion on Sunday. He stated that a tanker fully loaded with diesel fell at Toluwani Street, Pipeline bus stop in Ijegun area of

the state on Sunday. The Lagos State Fire Service chief also decried the high rate of fire incidents in the state and urged residents to be very cautious, especially because of the harmattan season.

Women group protests rising maternal deaths in Lagos hospitals Chukwuma Okparaocha A women rights organisation, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), led a protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday over alleged maternal deaths in Lagos Stateowned primary and secondary hospitals. Led by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the protesters claimed in their petition addressed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and signed by Dr. Abiola, that findings had

shown that despite the government’s efforts towards the reduction of maternal death in the state, women still experienced financial, infrastructural and institutional barriers in accessing adequate maternal healthcare in the state-owned hospitals. The organisation gave an instance of one Mrs. Omowunmi Shonuga, who they said died with her baby after giving birth at the Rauf Aregbesola Health Centre in Mosun Okunola Local Council Development Area in Alimosho on October 26,

2015. According to them, the woman arrived at the hospital, where she had registered for antenatal care at 5am, but met the gates locked and without any medical attention gave birth in the car. “She was later referred to Igando General Hospital, but encountered delays as no ambulance was available to transfer her and on arrival at Igando no bed space was available to admit her,” the group said. Also according to the group, one Mrs. Obinna Nnanna also died at Lagos State Gen-

eral Hospital, Gbagada after given birth to triplets on September 23, 2015. Another instance given by the protesters in the petition was that of Mrs. Oduyoye Folake, who they said died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after she was detained for three months for failure to pay hospital bills. The NGO stated further that there were also several reports of people being denied access to Lagos hospitals for failure to bring their spouses for compulsory blood donation.

WORRIED by the incessant loss of lives and property due to the activities of tanker drivers at the Ojuelegba Bridge area of Lagos, lawmakers in the state have called for drastic actions to end the menace. The motion was moved by Mr Desmond Elliot representing Surulere I days after a tanker carrying petroleum products fell off the Ojuelegba Bridge thus causing an inferno which destroyed many houses and cars. While urging the House to as a matter of urgency call on the director-general of the Lagos State Safety Commission to put necessary measures in place to forestall a recurrence, the lawmaker said without such adequate measures being in place, it was just a matter of time before another of such occurred. In his response, Jude Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II) posited that one of the ways to halt the menace was for articulated vehicles to be stopped from plying the bridge outright, rather they should be mandated to take the route underneath it. On his part, Tunde Braimoh (Kosofe II) called for the immediate fixing of weight barriers at the entrance of the bridge, saying this would automatically prevent heavy vehicles such as trailers and tankers from travelling on the bridge. However, the lawmaker representing (Lagos Island II) Shola Giwa argued that asking tankers to travel under the bridge rather than on it would have its own problems, rather he said it was time the state government began to enforce relevant state traffic laws which mandate articulated vehicles to travel only at night in the state.

Hoodlums Bola Badmus A paramilitary official attached to the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force was at

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Eiye members arrested for armed robbery AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A 37-year-old man, Elijah Adeyemi, and his accomplice, Adebola Obafunwa, 27, have been charged to court over alleged illegal possession of arms and conspiracy to commit robbery. Both of them were remanded in prison after they denied being armed robbers, but admitted being members of an unlawful society Eiye confraternity. According to the Police, both men were found with 12 rounds of live cartridges without any license, when they were rounded up at their hideout at Onipanu following a tip off where they had assembled to allegedly commit armed robbery. The police told the court that 12 rounds of live car-

Suspected hemp dealers arrested by the officers of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), during a special raid in Lagos.

Fuel scarcity forces prices of tomatoes, pepper, others to soar in Lagos markets THE persistent fuel scarcity, insecurity and foreign exchange restriction may have forced the prices of tomatoes, fresh pepper and chili pepper and other food items up by about 30 per cent. A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday showed that prices of the items had soared by 30 per cent in most markets in Lagos. The survey showed that a big basket of tomatoes which previously sold for N9, 100 at the Mile 12, Iddo and Whitesand markets now sells for N13, 000. A medium-size basket of fresh pepper now sells for N8, 000 from N5,600, while a basket of chili pepper goes for N12, 000 as against N8,500 it sold the preceding weeks. A jute bag of onions goes for N33, 000 from N25, 000, while a 25-litre keg of vegetable oil goes for N8,800 as against N8,200 previously.

At the Daleko Market, Isolo, the prices of the various brands of a 50-kilogramme bag of rice, which previously sold at N9, 500 now sells for N12,000. Traders attributed the lingering fuel scarcity, insecurity, foreign exchange restriction and lack of storage facility as reasons for the increase in the prices of food items. Mr Femi Odusanya, spokes-

man for Mile 12 Perishable Food Traders Association, said fuel scarcity had affected the movement and prices of goods to the Lagos market. “The number of trucks that bring goods to the market has reduced. “We get less than 10 trucks from the 40 trucks that usually bring goods to the market daily because there is no fuel to transport the goods to Lagos.

insurgency in the North-East, the clash between Fulani herdsmen and some communities are factors that have affected the rearing of livestock.” Mrs Iyabo Adebowale, a cloth seller at Docemo market, said sales had dropped. She said, “We pray and hope that business activities will improve in the few days preceding Christmas celebration.’’

Land struggle: Princess asks court to restrain LASG, Ikeja Saddle Club Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare A Princess of Onikoro in Isheri area of Lagos State, Josephine Momoh has dragged the Lagos State Commissioner for Lands, the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Ikeja Saddle Club before a Lagos High Court over allegations of trespassing on a land belonging to her, asking the court to restrain them from further doing so.

Momoh, in a suit delineated ID/258/09 and filed via a writ of summons through her counsel, Ola Sobowale, is asking for a court order restraining the three defendants from further trespassing on a parcel land situated at Isheri, near Olowora, in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state. She is also asking for a court declaration that she is entitled to the Statutory Right of

bath task force official with acid the weekend bathed with acid at Oshodi-Oke area of Lagos State for allegedly daring to stop hoodlums who were said to be moving in a Volkswagen commercial bus.

“The delay affects the goods as most of them rot before they get to the market. Traders usually add the expected margin to minimise their losses,” he said. Alhaji Tajudeen Saka, a butcher, attributed the increase in the price of livestock to the insecurity in the northeast and cost of transporting cows to the southern parts of the country. He said, “The Boko Haram

The officer identified as Akude Silas, it was gathered was immediately rushed to the Lagos State Emergency Centre, located on Lagos -Ibadan Expressway near

Toll-Gate before he was later transferred to General Hospital, Ikeja. The officer, it was learnt, was on enforcement operations duty to ensure free flow

Occupancy over the land domiciled along Isheri/Olowora Road within Kosofe local government area of Lagos and marked Survey Plan No. TJ/ LA/47/77 dated July 12, 1977. The claimant explained that the said land in dispute is a portion of a larger piece of land originally settled upon by Ikumoworo, who was the first Onikoro of Oruba Agboyi and also the Onikoro of Isheri several years ago in accordance with Yoruba Native

Law and Custom. According to her, the said Ikumoworo family as represented by the Onikoro, the Oshorun and Onikosi took possession of the land settled upon by Ikumoworo, including the land now in dispute and have been exercising joint acts ownership without let or hindrance from any quarters before the land was purportedly compulsorily acquired by the Lagos State government.

of traffic and prevent street trading around Oshodi area when he was attacked. Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Olubukola Abe, who confirmed the develop-

ment, said he had gone to the emergency ward at General Hospital, Ikeja with the heads of operations and other management staff of the task force to see the official.

tridges were found with them. “Yes, we are members of Eiye confraternity, we are not robbers, our members just drink together and have fun, just like Kegites,” one of the accused persons said. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi of an Ikeja Magistrate Court however, adjourned the case till January 28 for hearing.

Bariga residents lament poor state of roads Shalom Akpabio RESIDENTS of Ladylak, Bariga have called on the state government to come to their aid over the poor state of the road. Checks made by Lagos Metro in the neighbourhood showed that recent rains have worsened the condition of the roads. Many residents complained that they no longer took certain routes because of fear that their vehicles could get damaged in the process. Some residents who spoke to the Lagos Metro referred to the state of the roads as a total mess adding that it had been a major challenge for them to go about their daily businesses. Speaking on the state of the roads, Aminat Adeshina, a fashion designer working in the area, said, “If I want to take Abike to Bariga I have to wait for about 15 minutes at the bus stop because commercial motorcyclists often refuse to get as far as where I reside just because of the poor state the road.” Another resident who identified himself as Mr Lateef Sulaimon also said, “Because of how bad the road is, I rarely go out with my car and as such, I have to rely on public transport, which means I spend approximately 20minutes at the bus stop every day before I can get a bus.” Similarly, another resident and trader who gave only his first name, Izutek, said, “For over two years, this road has been abandoned, yet we pay our taxes. They were working on the road before but they suddenly abandoned it and nobody has seen them ever since.”

businessnews

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

OPEC’s decision to keep output high pulls oil prices close to 2015 lows

rude oil prices dipped further on Monday after OPEC failed to agree on output targets to reduce a bulging glut that has cut prices by more than 60 per cent since June 2014. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) failed to agree on an oil production ceiling on Friday after a disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The disagreement meant that the group for the first time in decades

didn’t even mention an output quota, which previously stood at 30 million barrels per day (bpd). “Past communiques have at least included statements to adhere ... or maintain output in line with the production target (of 30 million barrels per day). This one glaringly did not,” Barclays bank said. By abandoning output restraint, analysts said the group was sending a

message to other producers such as Russia and North American shale drillers that it was willing to accept low oil prices to defend market share. “OPEC is sending an ultimatum to its competitors: the fall in oil production should come from them,” OCBC bank said. Morgan Stanley said OPEC “believes its strategy is slowly working”. U.S. crude CLc1 was trading at $39.57 a barrel at 0810 GMT, down

40 cents. Internationally traded Brent futures LCOc1 were down 20 cents at $42.80 per barrel. This left both benchmarks near 2015 lows and not far off levels seen during the peak of the global financial crisis of 2008/2009. Bigger price falls earlier in the session were prevented as the chief executive of Saudi Aramco, Amin Nasser, said he expected some market ad-

justment and stabilization in 2016. OPEC’s output of more than 30 million bpd has compounded an oil glut, pushing production 0.5 million to 2 million bpd beyond demand and putting many producers under pressure. Analysts said that OPEC would likely maintain production around current levels and that a strategy on how to deal with new Iranian volumes once sanctions

UBA Group celebrates 10-year operation in Ghana

Pan-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, last week, celebrated 10 years of operations in Ghana, one of the 18 country subsidiaries outside Nigeria in the UBA group. UBA Ghana holds a unique place in the UBA Group as the flagship subsidiary of UBA having opened its offices for business in 2005, the first foray of the UBA Group outside the shores of Nigeria. Since then, UBA has gone on to open successful subsidiaries in 17 more African countries. Speaking on the significance of the celebrations, Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director of the UBA Group, said, “The opening of UBA Ghana in January 2005, represented UBA’s ambition of becoming the bank for Africans regardless of continent of residence.” To mark the 10th year milestone in Ghana, the Board of Directors of the UBA group chose Accra for their annual board meeting for the first time in the Bank’s history to show the board’s commitment to its Pan-African agenda.

From left, Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita; Regional Bank Head, Abuja 1, Fidelity Bank Plc, Hassan Imam and Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo at the launch of the book, ‘From Opposition to Governing Party- Nigeria’s APC Story,’ authored by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in Abuja, on Monday.

Kachikwu: From 2016, refineries will pay directly to federation account

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and minister of state for petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu,, says from 2016, state-owned refineries will make direct payments to the federation account. The refineries are subsidiaries of the NNPC, which is the body expected to make the payments.

Kachikwu said the NNPC was adopting a plan that would give the refineries some sort of autonomy, without privatising them. In a statement by Ohi Alegbe, the corporation’s spokesperson, Kachikwu was quoted as saying high level discussions are underway with local and international investors to bridge the perennial JV cash call funding gap.

DHL, Total partner on global express services DHL Express, a foremost international express services provider and Total, Nigeria’s leading multinational energy company retailer and provider of convenience services, have joined forces to increase consumer access in Nigeria. A statement by Olawale Adetula, DHL’s Marketing & Communications Manager, West Africa, disclosed the partnership on Monday in Lagos. The statement said that the companies signed a

retail partnership in a bid to provide customers with better access to global express services. It said that a consumer looking to send documents or parcels overseas could now simply walk into a Total service station to send their shipment. The service, it noted, ensured greater convenience and accessibility to the over 220 countries and territories that DHL serves. The statement said the project was currently being piloted in 30 Total service

stations around Nigeria in the first phase, adding that 100 additional service stations were earmarked for phase two. It quoted Randy Buday, Country Managing Director, DHL Express Nigeria, as saying that it would have a great impact on consumers across the country. ``The express logistics industry, and specifically retail services for consumers and small and medium enterprises, are becoming hugely important in Nigeria.

“The new model is that refineries would now buy their own crude oil, refine it and make remittances to the federation account allocation committee (FAAC),” Kachikwu said. “They would operate a semi autonomy system that would enable them to run in a profitable manner.” Kachikwu expressed the federal government’s readiness to raise funds from international investors and the private sector in 2016 to fund the joint venture cash calls between the NNPC and international oil companies operating in the country, adding that the initiative was geared towards rebottling the government from bearing the burden of funding capital intensive projects in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. The minister assured that the NNPC over 5000 kilometres of pipelines across the country would be privatized in order to enhance efficient management of the infrastructure, bringing pipeline vandalism to the barest mini-

mum. According to him, in 24 months, Nigerians would see a positive dramatic turn in the refinery model, to meet needs not only in Nigeria but in the West African sub region.

against Iran are dropped would be discussed at the group’s next meeting in June 2016.

Planned sack: NPA, firms on collision course Tola Adenubi-Lagos

The National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC) has kicked against the decision by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to lay off 5,000 tally clerks and onboard security men. President of the association, Mr Bolaji Sunmola, gave the indication in an interview with newsmen recently. Sunmola said the matter would be taken to the Federal Ministry of Transport for resolution, adding that the NPA was ready to throw thousands of workers into the labour market alongside their employers. NPA had indicated at a stakeholders’ meeting on November 10 in Lagos that it would disengage tally clerks and onboard security men by December 15. In a letter dated November 23, the NPA notified 10 firms of its decision to disengage the tally clerks and onboard security men. The letter was signed by NPA’s Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Mr David Omonibeke. NPA explained that sequel to the stakeholders meeting on Nov. 10, management had resolved to discontinue with the services of tally clerks and onboard security men. It noted that this was based on the fact that the authority had ceded cargo handling to terminal operators in the concession areas.

Why we donated students’ centre to Pan-Atlantic University —FCMB Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr Ladi Balogun, has explained that the decision of the bank to donate a multipurpose students’ centre to Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) is part of its strategies to invest in the future, especially that of the youth. He added that the gesture was also in line with the commitment of the bank to effectively support initiatives that would enhance the standard of education in the country, as well as the well-being of the society. The FCMB students’ centre, located within the main campus of PAU at IbejuLekki, on the Lekki-Epe expressway in Lagos, is a facility devoted to students’ recreation and socialisation.

In addition, it will be an important avenue for the informal learning that is such an integral part of university life. The building features two main areas - a cafeteria on the ground floor and a mini-mall on the first floor. In the mini-mall are: a supermarket, a boutique, an agency banking service, a unisex hair salon, a laundry shop and a coffee shop. Speaking at the commissioning and hand-over ceremony of the centre on Friday, Mr Balogun, said, “we felt the need to provide the students with a conducive environment that would facilitate learning, while at the same time serve as an avenue to socialise near their hostels through basic facilities for relaxation, shopping, retail and banking services.’’

businessnews Market on rebound as turnover moves 13.80% upward 11

KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba - Lagos

arket turnover at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued a threeday gain as it closed positive with All Share Index gaining 0.73 per cent and volume moving up by 13.80 per cent against 54.91 per

Electricity sector pensioners re-elect Ubani as president

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

cent decline recorded in the previous session. The equities market closed on a positive note on Monday as ASI appreciated by 0.73 per cent to close at 27,833.89 basis points, compared with the 0.26 per cent appreciation recorded previously, leaving its Year-to-Date (YTD) returns at 19.69 per cent. Market breadth, however, closed negative as

there were only 16 gainers, against 30 losers, an unimproved performance according to analyst when compared with previous outlook. To boost market turnover, United Bank for Africa Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and FirstBank Nigeria Holding Plc were the most active with stakes of 18,612,817 shares, 17,275,642 shares and 15,113,081 shares re-

spectively. However, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc top market value list trading N784.5 million and N529.5 million worth of shares respectively. Continental Reinsurance Plc led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive volume spike at the end of the day trading. Law Union and Rocks Insurance Plc led the gain-

ers chart with a 7.27 per cent gain by adding N0.04 kobo to the N0.55 kobo per share it began trading with. Tiger Brands Consumer Goods Plc, formerly Dangote Sugar Plc, continued losing spree as it led 30 on the losers’ chart after notching 12 kobo, representing 9.45 per cent loss from the N1.27 Kobo per share it traded with.

Gbemi Solaja - Lagos Electricity sector pensioners under the umbrella body of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has reelected Temple Ubani as its president. Ubani was re-elected at the fifth quadrennial national delegates conference, where the election of national officers held in Abuja. He promised to consolidate on the works already initiated with the federal government through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited (NELMCO). He said the executive members of the sector union would continue to ensure that all outstanding arrears being owed members by the federal government are paid. He said the arrears comprises of harmonisation, monetisation, 120 per cent increase, year 2000 retirees, pension arrears and electricity rebate. He said the issue of irregular payment of monthly pensions to members every other month would also come to an end. “This administration will do everything possible to correct all anomalies in our pension benefits. “The payment of monthly pension is domiciled with PTAD now Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited (NELMCO) before now. “However PTAD management has assured us that this obnoxious period shall be eliminated in the 2016 appropriation Act. “The continued delay in payment of 120 per cent arrears of pension arising from various increases has posed a big challenge to us but the union will not rest on its oars, as the struggle continues,” he said.

From left: Acting Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji; Representative of the OPTS Chairman, Toba Akinmoladun and President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Ahaji Sani Shehu, during the NEITI Companies’ Forum, recently in Lagos.

NIPC assures foreign investors on safe investments Gbola Subair - Abuja The Acts establishing the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) guarantees against nationalisation or expropriation of Foreign investments and also provides hand-holding support to all investors. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Uju Aisha Hassan Baba, who reiterated this when she received in audience the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of European Union to Nigeria, Michel Arrion in her office, called on the investors from European countries to consider NIPC as the first port of call when investing in Nigeria. She maintained that the commission is the only agency of government that is charged with the responsibility of promoting and attracting investment into the economy and also has the legal framework on all investment related matters stressing that the main focus of the commission now is to identify and meet

targeted investors who are committed and desirous to invest in the country as well as promoting priority Sectors, especially the non-oil sectors. She emphasised that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the improvement of investment climate and rebranding, adding that the “commission has been charged with the responsibilityof ensuring that there is enabling envi-

ronment for investment to thrive.” Earlier, the Ambassador and Leader of EU delegation to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, said Nigeria has the highest EU diplomatic presence in Africa with 20 Embassies and High Commissions and 10 diplomatic offices, adding that Nigeria is a strategic partner for EU in political, economic and investment levels. He said he was in NIPC to discuss ways to attract Eu-

ropean investors to Nigeria and expressed the need for collaboration with the commission so as to protect and guarantee investments from the European nations to the country. He argued that with the largest market in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region, the European investors are ready to invest in Nigeria, but expressed worries on the protection of their investment and investment climate change.

Nigerian Tribune

University Press awards staff, customers By Doyin Adeoye The University Press Plc, at the weekend, held its 2015 award ceremony, where staff and customers were rewarded for their services and commitment to the organisation. Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Board of Directors, University Press Plc, Dr Lekan Are, said that the annual Best Staff, Best Customer and Long Service Awards ceremony, is aimed at celebrating staff and customers who have contributed immensely to the developmental growth of the company. “The Best Staff Award is one of the reward measures instituted by the Board of Directors to motivate new and existing staff to contribute their best in ensuring the consistent growth and development of the company, with the confidence that their contributions and efforts will be acknowledged and rewarded. This is in line with the company’s mission to have a well motivated workforce that will deliver superior returns of investment to all stakeholders,” he said. Educational sales representative, Warri, Mr Felix Cornelius Ezedom; Information Technology Officer, Mr Solomon Opeyemi Olodun and Stock Control Officer, Onitsha, Mr Ayoola Oluwatosin Adenekan were awarded the first, second and third respectively in the 2014/2015 Best Staff of the Year award, with a cash price of N200,000, N150,000 and N100,000 respectively. Mr I.A Alli and Mr Chris Okoli were also both awarded as the best customers of the year, while staffs, who have served the company in various capacities for a period of 10 years and above, were also rewarded for their tremendous efforts, resilience and passionate service. Eighteen were awarded in the 10-year category, one in the 15-year category and another one in the 20-year category.

NIMASA shuts more jetties for non-compliance to ISPS Code Tola Adenubi - Lagos The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said in exercise of its powers as the Designated Authority (DA) for the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code, it had shut the Magcobar Manufacturing Limited jetty at Reclamation Road Port Harcourt

and Shoreline Logistics Limited at Old NPA Port, Marina Road Calabar. “The action was taken against both facilities for failing to comply with the provisions of the code after repeated warnings to ensure compliance failed to elicit the desired result,” said NIMASA Head of Public Relations, Hajia Lami Tumaka. She said in its bid to ensure total compliance to the provisions of the code,

the agency had instituted stringent measures against defaulting facilities, having worked hard to attain its present position of over 80% compliance with the nation’s 129 ships and ports facilities. “The shut facilities will remain closed until their managers correct the identified deficiencies and pay a prescribed fine before they will be reopened for business,” she said.

It will be recalled that NIMASA had two weeks ago shut the Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited Jetty at Ibafon, Lagos for non-compliance to the ISPS code. The agency said the exercise, which is a continuous one, “is with a target to achieve 100% compliance that will guarantee the security of ships and ports facilities especially in a period when terrorists’ activities have been heightened”.

news Emergency FEC projects N6trn budget for 2016 12

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

As Buhari swears in 2 new perm secs Leon Usigbe - Abuja

HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) met in an emergency session on Monday to approve the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the 2016 fiscal year. The council is now projecting N6 trillion budget estimate for 2016 with 30 per cent of it earmarked for capital expenditure. President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the council meeting, which started at 3:00p.m. inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. At the end of the meeting, the Minister of National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, confirmed to the State House Correspondents that the Council had approved the MTEF. He said it was necessary to devote 30 per cent of the budget to capital expenditure because of the need to deal with infrastructure deficiency in the country. He added that council based its projection on a “conservative” $38 per barrel of crude bearing in mind the declining global oil price. Udoma said that the council also projected a production of 2.2 million barrels of crude oil per day to fund the budget. The minister said: “At today’s Council, the Council approved the Medium Term Economic Framework, which sets out the policies of government over the next year. It sets out the fundamental economic underpinning of the budget. “The highlights are as follows, we project and we are

working with $38 crude oil price. We consider that to be very conservative but because of the uncertainty, we felt that we should start with a conservative crude oil price. “We are also working with 2.2 million barrels a day production. It is achievable, particularly because with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which we are working to achieve, we believe that is a modest figure that we should be able to produce something higher than that. “And so next year, we are looking at an expansionist budget. We are looking at a budget that will be N1 trillion more than last year. So, we are looking at a budget of about N6 trillion. “Last year’s budget, including the supplementary was about N5trillion. So, we are looking at a six trillion Naira budget. “All the increases, actually, will be spent on capital projects, because there is the need to increase the capital expenditure because of the infrastructure issues that we have to address. “Following from this, the MTEF will be submitted to the National Assembly, and we expect a feedback from them. Thereafter, we will be working to try and get the budget finalised.” On sources of funding for the budget, he noted it would come from two sources. According to him, “We will get the funding from two sources. We are looking at trying to increase our non-oil revenue. We are also looking at getting more money from the various government agencies.

“We will also look at keeping down our recurrent budget. That means we are looking at saving what we can make from overheads. “But the level of borrowing that we anticipate and we are projecting will be well within the maximum

that we allow, which is three per cent of the GDP, because we want a prudent budget. We want a credible budget. So, we are working on the now. “On the exchange rate, we are working on the exchange rate that the Central

Timeline to end Boko Haram insurgency open to modification —Buhari Adamu Amadu – Dutse with Agency reports

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that the deadline given to the military to end terrorism in parts of the country was open to modification. Buhari, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, stated this in Dutse at the opening ceremony of the 2015 An-

nual Conference of the Chief of Army Staff. “Let me emphasise that the time frame given should serve as a guide and if exigencies of multiple operations across the country requires modification, the Federal Government will not hesitate to do so in order to address the flash points that are emerging in parts of the country. “The Nigerian Army must, therefore, develop strategies

Says ‘I’m committed to free speech’ PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has dissociated himself and his administration from the media muzzle law being cooked by the Senate. President Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the protection of free speech in keeping with democratic tradition. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who, in a statement, was reacting to the public hostility towards the social media bill now being debated by the Senate, said President Buhari has sworn to defend the constitution of Nigeria and would not lend his hand to anything that is inconsistent with the constitution.

“But he is not averse to lawful regulation, so long as that is done within the ambit of the constitution which he swore to uphold. “The president said free speech is central to democratic societies anywhere in the world. The president explained that without free speech, elected representatives won’t be able to gauge public feelings and moods about governance issues.” The president’s aide explained that President Buhari is fully aware of the public reservations about the proposed legislation, but assured that there is no cause for alarm “because the Senate is a democratic Senate. The president won’t assent to any legislation that may be inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria.”

two new permanent secretaries, Olukunle Bamgbose and Isa Dutse, bringing the total appointed by the administration to 18. 16 had earlier been sworn in at a ceremony presided over by the president last month.

Cross section of ministers at the Federal Executive Council meeting, in Abuja, on Monday. Photo: NAN.

Buhari dissociates self from media muzzle law By Tunde Ogunesan

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given us. That is the rate we are working on. “On whether subsidy will be retained, we are looking into that.” Just before the commencement of the council meeting, Buhari sworn in

Meanwhile, the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Waheed Odusile, has warned the Senate that Nigerian journalists will resist any attempt to gag the media in whatever form. Odusile stated this while declaring open the 2015 Press Week of the NUJ, Oyo State Council, held inside Dapo Aderogba Hall, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Monday. The number one journalist in the country stated this while reacting to the petitions prohibitions bill 2015, currently under discussion at the Senate. Odusile noted that “the bill is aimed at gagging freedom of expression. We would not allow them. If Nigeria fought Decree Four to a

stand still, why will the Senate initiate the bill under a new name?” He further noted that the national headquarters of the union had concluded arrangement to storm the Senate whenever a public hearing on the bill would come up. He urged all the 37 state councils of the union to express their opposition to the bill. Odusile who vouched that the union will clamp down on quackery in the profession, however, called on media owners to pay journalists on their pay roll. He specifically called on the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to pay staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) and AIT, respectively.

to address the current challenges facing the country and ensure total elimination of the insurgents.’’ He said the Federal Government would assess the present situation and act appropriately in order to end the menace of terrorism in the country. The president said that the timeline was only a guide meant to guide the military operation. He, therefore, charged the military to develop new strategies to address the emerging challenges in its operations. “Despite the achievements of the military in combating terrorism in the North-East, the challenges of terrorism in other parts of the country remains an issue of serious national concern with the potential to impede our change drive.’’ The president reiterated the support of his administration to the armed forces in ensuring that they delivered on their mandates. He commended the leadership of the armed forces and the Army in particular, for ensuring professionalism and discipline among its ranks, which he noted, had impacted positively on its operations. Buhari assured Nigerians that the recent gains recorded by the armed forces in the ongoing offensive against Boko Haram would soon restore sanity to the

affected areas. In his welcome address, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusif Buratai, assured that Boko Haram insurgency would be crushed within the stipulated deadline of December 2015 given by President Buhari. He explained that “the immediate challenge facing the Nigerian Army is the realisation of Mr President’s directive to terminate the Boko Haram insurgency not later than this month, December 2015.” Buratai emphasised further that “In response to this directive, the Nigerian Army has in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies, taken the fight to the insurgents’ enclave and I issued the directive of clearance of the Sambisa Forest within the stipulated deadline. “I assure Mr President and the entire people of Nigeria that with their support, the Nigerian Army will meet the December deadline to terminate Boko Haram insurgency and ensure peace rein in Nigeria, particularly in the North Eastern part of the country,” Buratai said. According to him, troops were deployed not only to block the access to and from Sambisa Forest, but also to identify and destroy the insurgent camps, adding that formations and unit headquarters were also relocated closer to the action points.

13 features

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Kehinde needs N60,000 to fight cancer

Damilola requires kidney transplant to survive

By Remi Anifowose

By Vera Onana

It started as a boil on the upper part of her eyes and as widely treated, her mother, Mrs Adesewa Oke,applied vaseline to soften the pusfilled abscess on the skin, thinking that in a matter of days, with regular application of the petroleum jelly, the boil would dry up and the eight-year Kehinde would be relieved of the pain. Little did she know that the small boil would grow into a cancerous tissue bulging out of her daughter’s eye. According to Mrs Oke, Kehinde was leading a normal, promising life until April 2014, when she was diagnosed of abnormal external gerutalia (eye cancer) by Dr Adetunji Lagunju, at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after all efforts to treat a boil on the upper part of her eye proved abortive. ‘’At UCH, we were told Kehinde will have to undergo an eye surgery which would cost N60,000.I have been unable to raise the money since then.I had spent all my savings on treatments but those were just to give her temporary relief. My daughter is going through a lot of pains. I need the assistance of well meaning Nigerians for her to undergo the surgery,’’

Olasoji Damilola was diagnosed of end stage renal disease at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching complex (OAUTCH) Ile-Ife, Osun State and has been placed on thrice weekly haemodialysis. However, her condition worsens and thus, requires a kidney transplant and more drastic measures so as to save the life of the 36-year-old, so that she could have a relief from the inconvenient dialysis and return to a normal productive life. Professor A.A. Sanusi, a consultant nephrologist at the OAUTHC, has estimated the funds that will be required for the transplant as N4,957,900 Donations could be paid into any branch of the First Bank Plc, through account number 3056830429 and with the account name Olasoji Damilola. For further enquires on how to help, call 08037286267 Damilola Olasoji or 08165268637.

Kehinde Oke

Mrs Oke said in tears. Also speaking, little Kehinde appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to save her life and come to her aid by assisting her mother to raise the money for the surgery. Her words: ‘’Ara nni mi (I am in pains),’’as appealed for assistance. Mrs Oke, who said she had been sent out of her matrimonial home because of her

daughter’s ailment, begged Nigerians to come to her rescue to raise the sum of N60,000 for her daughter’s eye surgery. For any financial assistance, her account details read: Account name: Oke Abiola;. Account No:0229661822, Wema Bank, The Polytechnic Ibadan or call 08156732617 or 07018138131.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Tafida,

we remain loyal….

To your vision of a one united free Nigeria and your ideals to enrich lives, inspire patriotic pride and serve the common good of all

18 years after Atiku Abubakar

Turaki Adamawa Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 - 2007

General SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA March 5, 1943 – December 8, 1997

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Femi Ibirogba adefemi2007@yahoo.com 0811 695 4646

How Nigeria can feed Africa

hen G8 leaders agreed at their summit three years ago to set up the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa, nothing much was made out of it and little did they know that someone (Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu) had nurtured the idea, waiting for the chance to make the fire burning. Of course, the issue of food security or the lack of it in Africa, Nigeria in particular, is a tetra-headed monster with complex phenomenal symptoms which call for multi-pronged solutions that goes beyond conferences, debates, summits and workshops. Indeed, it is disheartening that since the birth of the New Alliance, Nigeria has been grappling with inadequate and nonsustainable provision of food and nutrition for her development due to the absence of practical economic based-foundation for its agricultural sector. Nigeria, the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation, is expected to be playing the big-brother role in giving support to other African nations, especially in the area of food security, but little has been the case. With Africa spending a month-watering $40 billion annually to import food, certainly, there is no arguing the fact that the continent needs to put its house in order agriculturally; but most interestingly, someone is doing the job already - he is Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State. He is leading the battle against food scarcity cum poverty and the world is supporting him. While Nigeria continues to roll in optimism following decades of economic vibrancy due to crude oil products, it is now evident to all that without Nigeria’s ability to adequately and sustainably feed

its people and maximise on its massive agricultural potential, the much hyped “Giant of Africa” mantra will remain but empty words that mean nothing to the majority of those most affected by hunger. But the good news is that the economic guru who is also an internationally renowned business mogul, Governor Bagudu, has promised to tackle the lingering economic problems bedevilling Nigeria and Kebbi State. Governor Bagudu, in strong terms, promised to bring positive changes in governance by coming up with policies aimed at repositioning Kebbi State and Nigeria, economically, emphasising that the problems of poverty and unemployment would be resolved by the APC-led administration through wealth creation and job opportunities for Nigerians. Now, Governor Bagudu is making real his promises of tackling poverty and creating employment – he has kicked the ball rolling with agriculture, and his administrative prowess, his ingenuity and intuitive mien has attracted the world to Kebbi State as they queued behind President Mohammadu Buhari who launched the Governor Bagudu’s brain child towards the final onslaught with poverty, the dry season rice and wheat farming, a programme that will serve as a panacea for the dwindling economy of the nation due to the drastic fall in the crude oil prices. Of course, Governor Bagudu has started his ingenious developing of the state through agriculture because he knows that food is the key. Indeed, “food insecurity” – the technocrats’ term for hunger, remains one of the most embedded causes of discontentment among the majority of Africa’s poor.

However, some analysts have suggested that rising food prices played a crucial role in fomenting the so-called “Arab Spring” in North Africa and such Bagudu is working to stop through is dry season rice and wheat programme. Food, they said, is the key, and Governor Bagudu is working hard to feed Nigeria and other African countries. Concurring to Bagudus’s move to feed Africa, the African Union (AU) admits that economic access to food has become a decisive factor in food insecurity. President Muhammadu Buhari at the flag-off of dry season rice and wheat farming at Zauro, the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, commended Governor Bagudu for organising the programme and thanked the rice producing state governors who in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria made it possible for the occasion to take place. President Buhari, who made a symbolic presentation of a two-point N6 billion out of the fund the CBN has set aside as soft loan for farmers in Kebbi State, for this year’s dry season farming, emphasised that farming would be the mainstream of the nation’s economic pursuance forthwith. He emphatically opined that the economic survival of Nigeria could no longer be hinged on crude oil revenue as the price of oil per barrel had fallen drastically, making the agricultural sector the alternative. “My administration will pursue agriculture, not only on rice and wheat cultivation, but fish farming, cattle rearing inclusive, creating conducive atmosphere for both farmers and cattle rearers to undergo their businesses without interference,” President Buhari said.

But Governor Bagudu never lost the sight that agriculture remains the largest source of employment across sub-Saharan African – with more than 80 per cent of Kebbi people in the business. Hence he is all out to support the smallholder farmers who make up the bulk of cultivated land; who are operating at or just above subsistence level and his support would increase their yields. Governor Bagudu, “the Governor with the milk of kindness” is already Mr President’s preferred governor due to his leadership qualities, his ingenious economic ideas which are glaringly clear will be the needed panacea for the dwindling economic status of Nigeria. At the launch of the FGN/CBN/AAB Anchor Borrowers Programme, for dry season rice and wheat farming, Governor Bagudu expressed delight over the honour done to the people of Kebbi State and himself for Mr President’s acceptance to flag-off the dry season farming programme in Kebbi State, disclosing to the world that the state was endowed with rich agricultural land, very fertile for all-year farming, large water bodies and favourable climate conditions for diverse agricultural production with a special blessing of a large FADAMA land stretching for over three hundred kilometers from Sokoto to Niger State boundaries with Kebbi State. Expressing concern for farmers along the FADAMA, Governor Bagudu appealed to the Federal Governor to prevail over the release of water from Goronyo and Bakalori dams which affects agricultural production along FADAMA areas as a result of flooding, while reiterating the commitment of rice producing state governors to feed the nation. For the poorest communities, whether rural or urban, food is their main expenditure item. This applies to all countries regardless of their level of economic and agricultural development. Food insecurity is first and foremost about poverty and inequalities, and Governor Bagudu is working hard to solve this problem for Nigeria. Expressing joy and confidence that the new agricultural initiative will be a great success, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, reassured of the bank’s stand to support the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture, while Mr Audu Ogbe, Minister of Agriculture, promised that the Federal Government would no longer sit and watch quack agriculturists sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government. “Nigerian governors must stop paying lip service to agricultural investment and emulate Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; policies that benefit urban consumers at the expense of rural agricultural producers must be stopped. Nigerians must stop begging and importing food; arable land must be put in use for agricultural production and Nigerians should stop depending exclusively on donors to invest in agriculture, a leaf should be borrowed from Governor Bagudu.” Written by Orjiako Sam Orjiako

agriculture

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Agric is viable means of govt revenue, job creation —NACGRAB CEO

Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Dr Babajide Adelekan, presenting a certificate to one of the 409 vocational trainees, recently.

FCA Ibadan trains, empowers 409 in poultry, crop production

EDERAL College of Agriculture, Ibadan, last week, trained and empowered 409 youths and women on behalf of the Federal Government in a move towards employment creation and poverty eradication. The participants were trained in poultry production; catfish production; use and maintenance of agriculture machinery; modern beekeeping and honey production; cassava processing and utilization; and local and exotic vegetable production. Welcoming participants during the opening ceremony of the 2015 vocational training programme on November 30, Provost of the college, Dr Babajide Adelekan, said more than 1,000 had been trained in different areas of agriculture since the commencement of the vocational programme seven years ago. “It is a fact that the programme has significantly improved the livelihoods of many Nigerians, especially youths and retirees,” he said. He said: “The rate of unemployment in the country is alarming. Consistently poor market prices for oil and gas for the past seven months have caused significant reduction in Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture will definitely come to the rescue since it is a well-known fact that agriculture provides the greatest potential for employment, as well as production of food, cash and other commodities. “Nigeria’s agricultural sector accounts to 60 to 65 per cent employment of the labour force and contributes about 40 to 45 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.”

Guest lecturer on the occasion, Aderemi Ladotun, speaking on ‘Agriculture: an effective change agent in Nigerian economic development,’ said, “we are talking of agriculture, the production of food. To effectively synergise agriculture and economic development, consider it to be simply the maintenance of the population through adequate food security while gaining mileage on employment in addition to increase in the country’s gross domestic product, also referred to as GDP.” He added that agriculture would engage a high number of agric business executives who are entrepreneurs in their own right, willing and able to take full advantage of the policy intervention by the government. “These entrepreneurs, most of who could be among you here, could then take their niche from various value chains in several crops in Nigeria to make their mark by further creating employment to further

crash the poverty index,” he told the participants. Ladotun argued that the realisation of agriculture as a business, the current Federal Government’s restriction on some items and commodities that may no longer qualify for foreign exchange bidding are major game changers. “Suddenly, end users are looking to set up more oil palm plantations with a real value chain that could create significant employment opportunities along the value chain. Apart from the regular the Crude Palm Oil (CPO) of which at least two liters of it is consumed in every household of five, there is olein, palm kernel oil and cake for animal feeds. All these do not include baskets made out of the palms for transportation of pepper, tomato, among others,” he added. Coordinator of the vocational training, Dr Musiliu Adenekan, revealed that participants were selected purely on merit, proximity factor and

employment status, among other criteria. A participant, Mr Isa Femi Aliu, said though he had been in the poultry production for some years, he could now say he had become a more competent farmer through the training, calling for more of such to accommodate more unemployed persons and retirees. Participants were kitted with 100 day-old broilers each, feeds and medication in the poultry option; 100 catfish juveniles and feeds were given to fishery option participants each, and farm machinery maintenance tools were also given to trainees in farm machinery maintenance option, among others, apart from N5,000 transport fare given to each of the 409 participants. The provost, Dr Adelekan, urged them to avoid selling the kits given to them, and that they should ensure continuity and multiplication of the seeds, adding that they could come for free consultancy services anytime.

FG seeks legislative support for agric THE Federal Government has called for the support of the legislative arm of government towards the sustainable growth and development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made the call during an interactive session between members of the House Committee on Agriculture and officials of the ministry, led by the minister. The minister maintained that the legislative arm of government was a major player in the determination to move the country

forward. In the words of the minister, “You (legislators) are the major player in every attempt to move the country forward; you are here to make necessary laws.” Chief Ogbeh expressed the readiness and determination of the ministry to reposition the nation’s agricultural sector; he appealed to members of the House Committee on Agriculture to support various initiatives and reforms put in place for the sector. The minister highlighted various reforms and initiatives to be put in place by the ministry in order to achieve food security,

job and wealth creation and value addition to the economy. He explained that high technological development would be adopted to grow food crops, thereby achieving food sufficiency while stringent measures would be taken to ensure that an end is brought to the smuggling of food items into the country. Chief Ogbeh said efforts at reducing the importation of food items into the country would go a long way at reducing the huge sum of money spent on importation, thereby increasing the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

FEDERAL College of Agriculture, Ibadan, last week, trained and empowered 409 youths and women on behalf of the Federal Government in a move towards employment creation and poverty eradication. The participants were trained in poultry production; catfish production; use and maintenance of agriculture machinery; modern beekeeping and honey production; cassava processing and utilization; and local and exotic vegetable production. Welcoming participants during the opening ceremony of the 2015 vocational training programme on November 30, Provost of the college, Dr Babajide Adelekan, said more than 1,000 had been trained in different areas of agriculture since the commencement of the vocational programme seven years ago. “It is a fact that the programme has significantly improved the livelihoods of many Nigerians, especially youths and retirees,” he said. He said: “The rate of unemployment in the country is alarming. Consistently poor market prices for oil and gas for the past seven months have caused significant reduction in Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture will definitely come to the rescue since it is a well-known fact that agriculture provides the greatest potential for employment, as well as production of food, cash and other commodities. “Nigeria’s agricultural sector accounts to 60 to 65 per cent employment of the labour force and contributes about 40 to 45 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.” Guest lecturer on the occasion, Aderemi Ladotun, speaking on ‘Agriculture: an effective change agent in Nigerian economic development,’ said, “we are talking of agriculture, the production of food. To effectively synergise agriculture and economic development, consider it to be simply the maintenance of the population through adequate food security while gaining mileage on employment in addition to increase in the country’s

gross domestic product, also referred to as GDP.” He added that agriculture would engage a high number of agric business executives who are entrepreneurs in their own right, willing and able to take full advantage of the policy intervention by the government. “These entrepreneurs, most of who could be among you here, could then take their niche from various value chains in several crops in Nigeria to make their mark by further creating employment to further crash the poverty index,” he told the participants. Ladotun argued that the realisation of agriculture as a business, the current Federal Government’s restriction on some items and commodities that may no longer qualify for foreign exchange bidding are major game changers. “Suddenly, end users are looking to set up more oil palm plantations with a real value chain that could create significant employment opportunities along the value chain. Apart from the regular the Crude Palm Oil (CPO) of which at least two liters of it is consumed in every household of five, there is olein, palm kernel oil and cake for animal feeds. All these do not include baskets made out of the palms for transportation of pepper, tomato, among others,” he added. Coordinator of the vocational training, Dr Musiliu Adenekan, revealed that participants were selected purely on merit, proximity factor and employment status, among other criteria. Some of the participants revealed to the Nigerian Tribune that the training was an eye opener to the great potential in the agricultural sector, and that starter kits given to them would go a long way in keeping them busy and getting them to know how sustainable the practice could be. A participant, Mr Isa Femi Aliu, said though he had been in the poultry production for some years, he could now say he had become a more competent farmer through the training, calling for more of such to accommodate more unemployed persons and retirees.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

editor

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Biafra: Equality will solve this agitation

HE pro-Biafra protest is gaining momentum daily despite the rejection and denial of the movement by the South Eastern political and traditional elite. The government seems not ready to take a tough stance against them, (as usual; the Federal Government is always tough with words and no actions or few actions). According to Wikipedia, Republic of Biafra with Enugu as its capital was a country that existed between 30, May 1967, to 15, January 1970. An historical analysis of the ProBiafra movement reminds me of the 1966 civil war. A war which I have only been privileged to see in documentaries and by attentively listening to my late grandfather of blessed memory. He relayed to me a little of the gory and

horror,which I pray we never experience again. If as a child, you are not aware of this, I implore you to watch Chimanda Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun or better still, read the book, though, it is only a fraction of the horror. The people of Biafra according to Etymology are said to be the descendant of Ephraim. No wonder, Biafra was coined from the word “Bani-Ifran.” Since the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra, youths across the South-East of Nigeria have taken to the street for a showdown. I cry for these youths, who know not the macabre dance, yet beat the drum of war. A visit to Sudan would change one’s orientation. Constitutionally, their plight is quite understandable, but their mode

of agitation, totally unacceptable. Just like the Yoruba adage says “Ori bibe kolo’gun orififo” which means, chopping off the head is not the antidote for migraine. Despite my soft spot for their agitation against marginalisation, I have a strong stance against their secession threat and actions. Nigeria was forced or coerced into an unholy marriage by the British in 1960 and till date, we still have spillover effect of that marriage with many prophets of doom prophesying how we would fall apart and our centre would no more hold. I’m more of an optimist, who have seen a positive side of the unholy marriage, the strength of our unity in diversity, our rich cultural heritage, numerical strength and adaptive nature only needs a

blend of leadership and patriotism to make us seat amongst world powers. As pro-Biafra secessionists continue to trouble our national unity, it’s high time we understood the language of accommodation as our national con-

stitution seem not to be doing enough in that area, who says we can’t allow zoning in our constitution so we could have a sense of belonging. A referendum (Yes or No Vote) which I’m sure would be to the advan-

tage of the unity of Nigeria in the South East region would do a huge favour in silencing the agitators for Biafra. •Olatunji Awe, 0latunji awe@yahoo. com

MAPOLY: Gov Amosun, come to our aid There is no more time to be wasted again in the conundrum caused the 2013/14 Mass Communication ND graduates by the authorities of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. Just like it was reported weeks back that a top official of the school has directed that the 2015/16 HND admission (which these ND graduates are eligible for) be deferred till next year, the school

has shown its true colours with the omission of the names of the Mass Communication graduates (now applicants) in the HND admission list recently released by the school. On Tuesday, November 24, 2015, the admission list was released and later withdrawn by the school with unofficial reports blaming errors in the list for the withdrawal. But as of Thursday, November 26, new admissions were given to the HND applicants for several courses excluding Mass Communication applicants who sat for the same examination on Thursday, October 8 (and for some, Friday, October 9). We saw hell on the HND screening day (ask any Mapoly HND applicant) who wrote the exam where countless number of students collapsed while

waiting for hours in the rain and the sun to write this exam. We were subjected to physiological and psychological torture before this exam (security agents took time to harass us) and now more than that with the ‘deferred’ admission of the selected students. Some have blamed the deferred admissions on the unavailability of our results but we will also wish to bring to the notice of the general public that it took over a year for our school to produce our final year results when we had finished studies on October 29, 2014. The results were eventually posted on Friday, November 13, 2015 but not with errors ‘as usual’. More than 50 percent of the said results are still pending. •Albert Adebule, Abeokuta.

Changing our system of govt THE tension generated in the build-up to the last general election was gripping. However, I want to say that political tension in the country could be a thing of the past if we switch to parliamentary system of government. The presidential system which we are practising gives so much power to the centre, and that is why everything is being done by politicians to ensure their victory. When we have a parliamentary system of government, the prime minister derives his powers from the parliament, and in the event that an election is inconclusive, the winning party can form a coalition with another party. I hope the National Assembly can come up with

laws to switch our mode of government to parliamentary system, as this system will help the country democratically. Another good reason why we should switch now is that a section of the country (South East) is not comfortable with their position in the country. The agitation for a Biafra Republic will end as soon as we have either a parliamentary system or confederalism. The Natianal Assembly should, therefore, assist in leading this country aright. Nigerians are tired our legislators’ fight for relevance; we want true governance •Nelson Ekwale, Benin.

editorial

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

As Buhari’s cabinet takes off

N November, six months after taking the oath of office and pledging to institutionalize the much needed change in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari finally appointed 36 distinguished Nigerians as ministers to complete the formation of his government. The unveiling of the ministerial list after series of speculations naturally inspired criticisms and commendations. It was nevertheless marked by some significant signposts, including the merging of key ministries to reduce cost and enhance operational efficiency, and the extension of goodwill to the six geopolitical zones in the country, neutralising the accusations of sectionalism following his initial appointments. Indeed, the president seems to have reserved the greatest surprise for the South-West geopolitical zone. The president, having merged key ministries as part of his cost-cutting measures, named former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (Lagos) as the Minister of Power, Works and Housing. He also named former Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi as Minister for Solid Minerals; former Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Kemi Osun, as Minister of Finance, and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole as the Minister of Health. He equally saddled former AttorneyGeneral and Oyo State Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adebayo Shittu, with the Communications Ministry, while naming Professor Omoyele Daramola as the Minister of State for the Niger Delta. Pitted against previous appointments since the return to civil rule in 1999, these appointments indeed portray President Buhari as a leader who desires positive change for Nigeria and Nigerians. Indeed, the appointees came into office well recommended. If anything, the success stories of Lagos under Fashola has given Nigerians hope that the nation will get its power, housing and road sectors on the right path. The remarkable difference in the weight of the assigned portfolios, while highlighting the trust reposed in the appointees by the president given their

track records and the president’s show of appreciation for the massive support enjoyed by the president in the South-West during the electioneering period, also represents a pragmatic effort at reversing the perceived marginalisation of the zone in the immediate past administration. The appointees thus need to justify the confidence reposed in them by the president and, by extension, the Nigerian populace on whose behalf their appointments were made. They should see their appointments as a call to duty which would either make or mar the country. They should keep an eye on history. The ministers, apart from being duty-bound to key into President Buhari’s anti-corruption mantra by conducting the affairs of their respective ministries in a transparent and credible manner and plugging loopholes in the management of public funds, have a strategic duty of collectively exploring viable alternatives to oil, working in synergy with state governments across the country. This done, Nigeria would be put on an irreversible path to development, no longer bound by the whims and caprices of the global oil market. More significantly, they owe the nation a bounden duty to transcend the performances of their predecessors, having come into office following the decision by Nigerians to embrace a radical departure from the alleged sleaze, corruption and incompetence which characterised previous cabinets in the current Republic. If anything, President Buhari’s reduction of the security details attached to each minister should inspire sober reflections on the need to live a more austere life in public service, and put Nigeria firmly on the path of growth and development. Nigerians as a whole must now look beyond party and religious affiliations and support the new ministers with ideas, information, contacts and prayers to make their efforts seamless and fruitful. In all, President Buhari’s cabinet largely reflects the diversity of Nigeria. The nation awaits positive action from the ministers, and failure is no option.

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opinion

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

veracity

What is man?

with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688

N several occasions when I sit, encapsulated by the ambience of nature to find my muse, I lapse into a sort of dwam. In my mind, I furrow, I dig, I turn the excavated earth and sieve through its varying constitute, desperate to demystify the intricacies of life and also to cognise man. I strive to understand the unfathomable but it leaves my spirit lethargic and my heart pulverised. Questions about life often seem like an abyss in the midst of the red sea. They are puzzles like the Bermuda Triangle and riddles like the bizarre encryptions of nefarious wraiths. I stare into the steadily flowing water and a replica of what I postulate that I look like emerges. I seize this image and subconsciously, put it in the dock. Hoping that a cross examination of this reflection will allay the mental rampage I feel. Who is this person starring back at me? I inquire. Is this truly who I am? Does this reflection show what reclines in the core of my soul? Alas, the image from the water is mute. Like a dog mimics its trainer, it does all that I do. When I sway, it sways and when I lift up my hands, it does likewise. In frustration, I throw a rock into the still water and the perturbation quenches the image. Off, I wander, into the bosom of Mother Nature. Since the water fails to elucidate my confusion, I decide to tread the dark paths of the forest for answers. Darkness encompasses me but there lurks a human in the dark. As I walk, I notice it does same but when I stop abruptly, it comes to a halt also. Hilariously, it was just my shadow crassly lingering behind me in the tenebrous bosom of Mother Nature. My laborious attempts to construe the intricacies of life become reduced to inconsequential voyages through the forest and over the waters. What is man? I scream, my own voice burning my throat. Is the image on the mirror a true depiction of what we are? William Shakespeare, through the mouth of Ophelia in Hamlet, reiterated the same confusion and agony that I feel

using these words “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” The great psalmist, in all his savvy could not comprehend it either “what is man?” he equally lamented. Samuel Langhorne Clemens, the Florida born author and humorist, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, journeyed this cul-de-sac of haziness in his life time that I still travel by my ponderings today. These perplexities propelled the great American author to publish his work “what is man” over a century ago. Twain had written this while relating to the confusion of the great psalmist. Bewilderingly, a century and nine years has passed but the perturbation that provoked “what is man” decades ago has not fizzled out. As a matter of fact, every new decade has further complicated this labyrinth and man is falling deeper into entropy. Twain, over a century ago, via a conversation between an old man and a young man, asserted that the human being is merely a machine and nothing more. However, the young man had a divergent opinion and required the old man to furnish the reasons for his position. So, a long conversation ensued. Ironically, the young man, through a series of question, was made to justify the old man’s claim which began with this question, “What are the materials from which a steam engine is made?” an enthusiastic young man gave a

long list of materials. Then the old man probed further with this “To make a fine and capable engine, how would you proceed.” Again, the young man chattered away, rendering an elaborate description of the process. Next, the old man inquired “would the machine be entitled the credit of its own performance?.” An amused young man replied “certainly not! Its performance is not personal. It is the result of the law of construction. It is not a merit that it does the things which it is set to do—it can’t help doing them.” So, like a machine man was wrought by divinity and he must like the steam engine, act according to the law of construction but that was simply Mark Twain’s assertion. The holy writ however, made a comparison of man to the grass but will this comparison suffice in dissipating my stupefaction? If man is grass and not a machine, then it is only logically that he will ultimately wither. Then why do we shed tears when men fall? Would there ever be a good time for the plummet of men? Why is the end of man a conundrum to man himself? He doesn’t have a tinge of insight about his inevitable end and grovels in the dark, benighted of the day of his expiration. Shakespeare called man a player in the world. He said: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” Weird, isn’t it, that man acts out a script but cannot tell when it began or when it will end. What then is man, who knows nothing of whence he comes and cannot fathom when and how he will exit the stage? He prides himself as ‘homosapien’, wisest of all creatures, but cannot tell when divinity will scream “cut”? Machine, grass or actor, whatever man is, he’s inevitable end is to ware, wither or exit. Note: This piece was first published in February but is being republished to emphasise the fleetingness of mortality due to recent occurrences.

Challenges before new UI VC By Sunday Saanu

Recently, a significant event took place at Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan (UI), as Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka was inaugurated as the 12th indigenous Vice Chancellor of the institution. Following the smooth transition which culminated into his appointment after a rigorous selection process, Prof. Olayinka will be leading the university for the next five years. Prof. Olayinka who came first among the 13 eminent professors who vied for the position has thus, by the reason of his appointment, achieved historical immortality, joining the exclusive club of intelligent and bright, lucky minds who had the opportunity of leading the university. But beyond the celebration of this great achievement, there are inherent challenges awaiting the occupant of the hot seat. The job he is accepting is a difficult task. It is a job that requires an extraordinary amount of courage. Perhaps, the kind of courage Prof. Olayinka is expected to demonstrate in this job is defined by G.K Chesterton who says courage simply means strong desire to live, taking the form of a readiness to die. In other words, a leader who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing. If truly, the task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been, then, Prof. Olayinka should know that from now till 2020, there is no looking back. However, one of the major challenges the new UI VC will be facing is paucity of funds. Prof. Olayinka is coming at a time that is regarded by many as tough. He has a lot to do with money but the resources are not just there. Economic indications from the federal government clearly show that Nigeria is in dire strait. Yet, before now, there had been general outcry about poor funding of education! Apparently, Prof. Olayinka has to permanently put on his thinking cap with respect to raising additional funds to augment whatever that is coming from the government. Again, this is where the new VC needs to take a look at the activities of those who are hired to raise money for the university, but are perpetually looking for repeated

overseas training at the expense of the needful. Rather than raising money for the university, they prefer travelling in order to get estacode. The new VC must ask them critical questions, such as how much did they make for the university last year? How much have they raised this year? How much has the University spent on them? Where is their annual report? The current economic reality today does not allow lackadaisical attitude to work. Closely related to funding is the need to maintain ageing infrastructure in UI. Most of the structures in UI which have been put in place in the 50s and 60s are old. Many of the classrooms require facelift. Cables for electricity are old. Water pipes are begging for replacement. All of these and more, demand attention which is predicated on money. Although the immediate past VC, Prof. Adewole tried his best to remedy the situation, it is apparent that there is still a long distance to destination. Staff welfare is another challenge that is waiting for the new VC. This is where his predecessor brilliantly succeeded. Prof. Adewole creatively wormed his way into the hearts of the workers by taking their welfare as a priority. Many workers in UI will forever be grateful to Prof. Adewole with some

steps he took. Yes, the new VC can replicate the idea. The question is, where will he get money? Will the workers understand that resources have considerably diminished? This is where Prof. Olayinka will need to deploy his scientific mind to persuade the workers to show understanding in the face of “money palaver” Beyond the financial constraint, the 57-year-old Prof. Olayinka must find a way to fight the inherent lethargy and bureaucratic bottlenecks that usually delay service delivery in public service. As an institution, services should be computerised in such a way that alumni get their statement of results and certificates without facing frustration. The university has offended some of its former students by not attending to demands expeditiously. If UI is to be listed as one of the best 20 universities in the world, this is the time to activate the momentum. It is a task that requires the support of all and sundry. Born at Odo-Ijesa, Osun State on 16th February, 1958, Prof. Olayinka attended St. Bartholomew’s Primary School, Odo-Ijesa, from 1964 to 1969. He was admitted into the famous Ilesa Grammar School in January 1970 and completed his West Africa Secondary School Certificate in 1975, in Division one. He entered the University of Ibadan in 1977/1978 to study Geology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree (2nd class Honours, Upper Division) in 1981, and he was the best graduating student in his class. He proceeded to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies in September 1983, first at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London. He earned an MSc degree in Geophysics of the University subsequently received the Overseas Research Students’ Award from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of United Kingdom Universities (now Universities UK); he utilised this scholarship at the University of Birmingham for his Ph.D. research in Applied Geophysics which he completed in April, 1988. •Saanu is with the Directorate of Public Communication, University of Ibadan.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

Christian Okeke -Abuja

N many places across the country, it is a season of end-of-year activities by various organisations as the year runs to an end. But Ogwashi Uku indigenes, who are resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), decided to mark theirs in a unique way. Last Saturday, sons and daughters of Ogwashi Uku trooped out enmasse at Old Parade Ground in Abuja to mark the annual event which they also used to renew their spirit of oneness. It was an event used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people and to prepare for tasks ahead in next year. As was expected, various dance groups and masquerades were on display while the people shared happy moments together. One of the dance groups is the EgwuAja dance and from the glamour at the event, it was evident that the people who attended the event really found time to relax and meet one another again, thanks to God who, they said, spared their lives to witness the end of the year. Speaking to Abuja Xtra at the event, the chairman of Abuja Branch of Ogwashi Uku Development Association, Chukwuwike Edozie, stated that the occasion was put together by the people to thank God for keeping them alive up to this moment and to assess how far they went in the year in achieving their set targets. He said the event was a way of bringing their children, sons and daughters and elders together to appreciate them for their support in the outgoing year and to re-energise the people for next year. “It is an annual event because at the end of every year, a man adds plus to his life. We have to unify all zones and that is why we are here. Instead of having the end-ofyear event separately, in pockets, we have to bring all our people in Abuja together so you can see all our elders are here,” he said. He went further: “This event gives us an opportunity to showcase our culture. For those born in Abuja and resident here, this is an auspicious occasion for them to know what our people really do. For most of these cultures, you need to put this kind of event together for you to really appreciate them.” Edozie disclosed that Ogwashi Uku indigenes resident in Abuja were prepared to showcase their culture at the postponed Abuja carnival, but lamented that the carnival was shifted till next year. He, however, noted that the end-of-the year/cultural day aimed at bringing everybody together to discuss the issue of development as they affcted the community. He said: “One of the challenges is the issue of Ogwashi Uku not having electricity due to Bendel State Electric Authority not being able to provide the infrastructure that is needed to put light in Ogwashi Uku. “If you are talking of water, there is no water; it is no more running. 20 years ago, there was water, there was light, there were good roads in Ogwashi Uku. All the roads are dilapidated now. So this is part of meeting ourselves on these developmental efforts and the cultural development of our people,” he said. Also speaking, the President General of ODA, Sir Emmanuel Okafor, stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure that the culture of the people were preserved. He said: “Culture is transmitted from generation to generation. You see that

Some masquerades took centre stage of the cultural event.

End-of-year: Ogwashi-Uku indigenes in FCT show class what the association is doing here today is end of the year party, but instead of just eating and drinking, we decided to spice it up with some cultural performances so

that the upcoming generation, the children who were born in Abuja and do not know about the culture of the area, will learn a lot from today. So it is part of strat-

egies to ensure that culture moves from generation to generation. “Through events like this, we should make conscious efforts to organise cultural festivals both at federal, state and local levels where we will come and showcase our cultural performances and encourage our children to attend the event and not just watch television. That is how they will know that they are born into a cultural setting and that they should learn to assimilate that culture “In our culture, we have a lot of valuesvalues of respect for elders, honesty, piety and things like that. So when we are organising cultural events, it should be based on certain thematic orientation so that our youths can learn from that that is the values that our forefathers put down for us.”

Crew 1. Christian Okeke chidiabujatribune@ yahoo.com 08030947856

Ogwashi Uku women getting set for a dance at the event.

Masquerades at the event.

How AEDC, zero budget caused malfunctioning of street-lights

—Pg.22

Police arrest 12 over killing of Fulani herdsmen —Pg.22

2. Clement Idoko idokoajiga@yahoo. co.uk 08034412281 3. Kolawole Daniel kolawoledaniels@yahoo.co.uk 08030763782 4. Adetola Bademosi gloriaadetola@ gmail.com 08182214290 5. Collins Nnabuife chideraacollins@yahoo.com 08039521408 Abuja Xtra email & GSM: abujaxtra@ gmail.com 08054501406

abujaextra

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

How AEDC, zero budget caused malfunctioning of street-lights

Christian Okeke-Abuja RIVING round Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at nights reveals a lot, including the astonishing darkness in a number of areas, including the highbrows. In fact, many residents have argued that at no time is the situation as bad as now and a number of factors have been attributed to this, including the drastic reduction in the streetlights-maintenance budget this year. Checks by Abuja Xtra revealed that the situation was made worse by stoppage of payments to streetlights-maintenance contractors. The contractors, consequently, abandoned the job since September. It was gathered that the city managers have not been getting desired cooperation from Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). It was further gathered that the company was duly informed about the faulty transformers serving the streetlights in the various districts but has so far failed to fix them. The Director of Facility Management and Maintenance at Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), Mr Amobi Obiekwe, confirmed this. He also added that the activities of vandals and others street urchins who stole power cables had

thrown the city into further darkness. The acting coordinator of AMMC, Hajiya Safiya Umar, also confirmed the challenges and lamented the inability of her council to regularly maintain the streetlights. Only recently, the new FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, undertook a late night tour of the city and came face-to-face with the ugly situation. He met broken down streetlights around the city. As was expected, the minister asked for explanations. The Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Adamu Ismaila, stated that he had to adopt drastic measures in the maintenance of the streetlights on Air-

port and Kubwa expressways because of their priority status and security implication. He disclosed that officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were engaged for constant surveillance along the routes to keep vandals away. Of course, the minister was given other reasons, but he expressed dissatisfaction with some of the reasons given for the non functioning status of the streetlights. He then directed the officials of AMMC and the FCDA to immediately liaise with the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye in order to bring all the streetlights across the city to a functional status.

The minister tasked the officials to be proactive in tackling the challenges. He said, “Quite frankly, the city is very dark. The city was much brighter than this in the past; instead of improvement, it appears we are going backwards and this is certainly not acceptable.” Bello went stated further: “Keeping the city bright enhances its beauty, eases the job of the security agencies in securing it and also makes it easy for residents to come out in the night without any fear of being attacked.” According to the minister, lightening up the city is as paramount as keeping it secure and clean.

From right, FCT minister, Muhammad Bello; Managing Director, CCECC Nigeria Limited, Li Quingyong and Acting Director in FCT Transportation Secretariat, Mr Tony Agwanivu, during inspection of the Abuja mass rail project site at Idu, Abuja.

Police arrest 12 over killing of Fulani herdsmen Christian Okeke-Abuja POLICE in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested 12 members of an armed syndicate suspected to have been responsible for the recent robbery operation that resulted in the killing of some Fulani herdsmen at Pyakasa, in Lugbe axis of Abuja. The gang was also said to be responsible for the recent robbery at Super Cell estate, Apo, where six houses were raided, two women killed and two others injured. FCT police commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, confirmed the arrest and said that items recovered from the suspects included five AK 47, 11 fabricated revolver rifles and three pump action guns. Other items are one fabricated barreta pistol with magazines, one fabricated AK 47 rifle with magazine, one fabricated SMG, two English pistols and nine magazines, 254 live cartridges, 58 AK 47 live ammunition and 15 expended AK 47 ammunition. Mr Inalegwu said 12 exotic cars and 18 different number plates were also recovered from them. According to him, the suspects were arrested over time at various points by policemen attached to the command. He said the suspects had been terrorising law-abiding residents of the territory for over four years and also specialised in robbery operations around housing estates in Lubge and Nyanya areas of the FCT. The police commissioner assured that the police would arrest some of the members who were on the run and said that investigation had been concluded for the suspects to be charged to court. He said: “Their modus oparandi is that when they find their ways into the estate, they shoot sporadically into the air to scare residents of the estates,” he said.

Abuja rail project to be completed soon, FCT minister assures Christian Okeke-Abuja MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, has given an assurance that he would do every possible thing to fast-track the completion of the Abuja rail mass transit project. He said that he was committed to completing the project considering the relief it would bring to commuters in and around Abuja. The minister recently visited the project sites located at the airport, Wupa, Idu and Ring Road II stations to assess the level of success of the project. The assessment tour also afforded him

an opportunity to know details of the challenges hindering completion of the project. The minister did not take journalists along on the trip but Abuja Xtra gathered that the minister assured that the FCT administration would support any project that would have positive impact on the lives of residents. He was said to have expressed satisfaction with the quality of job done so far on the project but challenged the contractor handling the project, (CCECC Nigeria Limited), to redouble its efforts in delivering the job on schedule. Abuja Xtra could not confirm if the minister spoke to the financial aspect of

the challenge, but it was gathered that he assured that everything must be done to ease movements, particularly public transportation, in the city. He was quoted to have said: “This is a very important project for the residents of the Federal Capital Territory and everything would be done to see to its early completion because of its utmost benefit.” According to a source at the site, the Managing Director of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Mr Li Quigyong, who led the minister and his entourage round the sites, pledged that the project would be completed in line with the vision of the government.

Poor money circulations: Mechanics lament low patronage Christian Okeke-Abuja MANY auto mechanics in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have lamented over what they described as low level of patronage by customers. They said the situation of late showed that many customers had stopped bringing their cars for servicing and repairs owing to lack of money in circulation. “We don’t see customers come to have their cars repaired as they used to here and I believe it is because there is paucity of money in the country,” said one of the roadside mechanics who simply gave his name as Ebuka.

He said that some dedicated customers who managed to come pleaded that they would pay for the services once salaries were paid. Ebuka, who said he hailed from Enugu State, told Abuja Xtra that he and his other colleagues reported to shop daily, but stayed almost completely idle throughout the day. According to him, the situation has started to take a toll on them financially as he appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to inject some money into the system to ease the suffering of the people. Also speaking, another mechanic,

Ahmed, narrated how a customer brought his car to be fixed but after being told that doing so would cost him N42, 000, he decided to go and park the car. Abuja Xtra equally visited some auto spare part shops to ascertain their current level of patronage by customers. In a popular shop in Kubwa, one of the attendants there told Abuja Xtra that only a few people came to buy auto parts. He said: “Just check it out. When you came, you saw all of us not attending to any customer. In fact, I was almost sleeping when you came in. This is to tell you that we don’t sell as usual again.”

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

leadership &

management with Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

The leader and his critics By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan once remarked that he would go down in history as the country’s most criticized president. This was his reaction to the massive and sustained criticism that dogged his administration. Although the ex-president did not avail the nation of the basis for his submission, the truth is that everyone who takes up a leadership position has opened himself up to criticism from all quarters. More often than not, everything that fails to work is blamed on the leader. Consequently, every leader; political, business, religious, community, academic or professional, is daily loaded with criticisms. No matter how successful or exceptional a leader is; irrespective of his selflessness or astuteness, there would still be those who will not be happy with him and consequently take him to the cleaners. Criticisms make the leadership journey bumpy but without the bumps the voyage will be monotonous and uninspiring.

Nike Fowowe, CEO, Express Multi Concept Resources

Continues on pg24

Quote Leadership

inside

“Successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.” — Reed Markham The 60-second

business coach

Leaders’ forum

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

leadership&management How leaders handle criticism with their position.

Moses Siloko Siasia, Chairman, CEO, Mosilo Group Continued from pg23

Truth is that anyone who is not criticized is not leading right. Any leader who is not criticized is most likely trying to please everyone; he is playing to the gallery instead of getting engaged in the hard work of leading right. And according to Herbert Bayard, a three-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Reporting, the formula for failure is trying to please everybody all the time. So, quite often it is those who are doing well that come under criticism just as it is the footballer who has the ball on the field of play that comes under the attack of the opposing side. So, criticism is part and parcel of leadership. Leaders and criticism Almost all leaders take criticism

Emmanuel Nnorom, MD CEO, Transcorp to heart; they take it personal when they are criticized. They view criticism as an evaluation of not just their position but also their person. So, they see the criticism of their leadership as a personal attack and rise in the defence of their person. Many leaders will not spare any expense to get good press and muzzle critics. Sometimes, they allow the critics to regulate their actions and control their agenda. When this happens, the leader usually becomes paranoid as he reacts sometimes violently to criticism. The reason for this is traceable to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. According to the psychologist, being loved and having a sense of belonging is critical to man. Maslow says every human being wants to be loved and accepted. This longing for love and acceptance is

Valentine Ozigbo, CEO, Transnational Hotels and Tourism Services Limited not limited to just his family and friends, he also wants to be loved and accepted by those who are in no way close to him. This need is strongly opposed to criticism and antagonism. So, when he is criticized, even by those he does not personally know, he feels hurt about it and becomes unsettled. But really, it is infantile of any leader to take criticism personal for the simple reason that no leader can satisfy the yearnings of all the people he leads. Since he cannot please all of them, there will be discontent among some people which might result in the criticism of his actions, intentions and even style. A leader must come to terms with this reality before stepping into the leadership position. With this understanding, the leader should develop a thick skin to criticism. What he needs to

Abiola Olaniran, CEO, Gamsole

do is to be guided by a vision that is meant to ensure greater good to a greater number of people. Once he does this, he will be able to make his mark in spite of the din of critics. Why leaders come under criticism Leaders are criticized for various reasons. Here are some of them. Leaders are criticized for their decisions Leaders come under criticism primarily because of the decisions they take. One of the basic functions of a leader is decision making. In a society or organizations with varied interests, no matter how well intentioned a leader’s decisions and actions are, they will not go down well with everybody. While those who are favoured by the decisions may

hail the leader, those who hold the wrong end of the stick will kick and do everything within their powers not just to make life difficult for the leader but to also bring him down by moving against his decisions and actions. When President Muhammadu Buhari came up with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy meant to block leakages in the system and give the government an idea of how much money is in its coffers at any point in time, some people criticized him for it, saying the policy would cripple the banks that lost N2.5trillion in deposit to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). However, those who criticize a leader when his decisions are not favourable to them may soon turn round to praise him when another decision of the same leader agrees

Unmet expectations Leaders are also criticized because of unmet expectations. Everyone who is impacted by the actions of a leader has an agenda which may not be in tandem with either the leader’s agenda or the organizational goal. They expect the leader to use his position to meet their expectations. When this does not happen, they get frustrated and vent their frustration through their criticism of the leader’s actions or inactions. Although President Buhari didn’t get substantial votes from the South East during the March 28, 2015 presidential election, the people of the area still had expectations of being fairly treated in appointments into his government. They had expected the President to pick one of the service chiefs as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation from among them. When that did not happen, they started criticizing the government and this has also resulted in an escalated agitation for the resurrection of Biafra that was interred in 1970. Envy Success attracts envy. It is a fruitful tree that gets stoned by those who wish to pluck its fruits. So, even when a leader has done well, his success will not go down well with some people and that will attract criticism to him. So, success is not an antidote to criticism; if anything, it pulls criticism. But as said by Mother Teresa, “If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be

enough. Give your best anyway.” So, in spite of unwarranted criticism, the leader should continue in his stride to succeed.

leader on the spot and force him to scale up his performance. So handling criticism rightly is critical to a leader’s success. Hereunder are some of the ways criticisms could be handled.

Failure Leaders are also criticized when they go wrong. Sometimes, success gets into leaders’ heads and they make avoidable mistakes. When this happens, it offers those who have been waiting in the wings, looking for an auspicious moment to attack them, a great opportunity to descend heavily on them. Sometimes, leaders make honest mistakes which may be a consequence of wrong counsel or limited understanding of the situation at hand. This also is an opportunity for those opposed to such leaders to fry them.

Self assessment The leader needs to assess himself to find out if the criticism against him is of any substance. If the criticism is true, all he needs to do is make amends and move on. If it is not, he should just ignore it and move on as well. Feeling bad because of criticism is like giving the reins of one’s life to others, nothing can be more detrimental than that. The purpose of unworthy criticism is to cause distraction and slow down the leader’s progress, so getting worried about criticism is walking straight into the enemy’s trap.

Not all criticisms are bad Sometimes criticisms are more helpful to the leader than adulation. While praises give the leader a sense of accomplishments and may foist on him the feeling of contentment which is a precursor to complacency, criticisms keep the leader on his toes. By drawing attention to his failings, critics challenge a leader to raise his game and improve on his performance. Though the intention may sometimes be sinister, most criticisms point attention to areas that require improvement in the leader’s life. If he is not too engrossed in the negative aspect of the criticism but does what is expected of him, he will realize that the criticism is really to his benefit. How leaders handle criticism The critic is really a friend in disguise because more than the praise singers, he helps the leader to accomplish his task. Critics put the

THE 60-SECOND business coach 10 communication secrets of great leaders By Mike Myatt It is the ability to develop a keen external awareness that separates the truly great communicators from those who muddle through their interactions with others. Examine the world’s greatest leaders and you’ll find them all to be exceptional communicators. They might talk about their ideas, but they do so in a way which also speaks to your emotions and your aspirations. They realize if their message doesn’t take deep root with the audience then it likely won’t be understood, much less championed. Great communicators are skilled at reading a person/group by sensing the moods, dynamics, attitudes, values and concerns of those being communicated with. Not only do they read their environment well, but they possess the uncanny ability to adapt their messaging to said environment without missing a beat. The message is not about the messenger; it has nothing to do with messenger; it is however 100 per

cent about meeting the needs and the expectations of those you’re communicating with. So, how do you know when your skills have matured to the point that you’ve become an excellent communicator? The answer is you’ll have reached the point where your interactions with others consistently use the following ten principles: Speak not with a forked tongue In most cases, people just won’t open up to those they don’t trust. When people have a sense a leader is worthy of their trust they will invest time and take risks in ways they never would if their leader had a reputation built upon poor character or lack of integrity. While you can attempt to demand trust, it rarely works. Trust is best created by earning it with right acting, thinking, and decisioning. Keep in mind people will forgive many things where trust exists, but will rarely forgive anything where trust is absent.

Get personal Stop issuing corporate communications and begin having organizational conversations – think dialogue not monologue. Here’s the thing – the more personal and engaging the conversation is the more effective it will be. There is great truth in the following axiom: “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Classic business theory tells leaders to stay at arms’ length. I say stay at arms’ length if you want to remain in the dark receiving only highly sanitized versions of the truth. If you don’t develop meaningful relationships with people you’ll never know what’s really on their mind until it’s too late to do anything about it. Get specific Specificity is better than Ambiguity 11 times out of 10: Learn to communicate with clarity. Simple and concise is always better than complicated and confusing. Time has never been a more precious commodity

than it is today. It is critical leaders learn how to cut to the chase and hit the high points – it’s also important to expect the same from others. Without understanding the value of brevity and clarity it is unlikely you’ll ever be afforded the opportunity to get to the granular level as people will tune you out long before you ever get there. Your goal is to weed out the superfluous and to make your words count. Focus on the leave-behinds not the takeaways The best communicators are not only skilled at learning and gathering information while communicating, they are also adept at transferring ideas, aligning expectations, inspiring action, and spreading their vision. The key is to approach each interaction with a servant’s heart. When you truly focus on contributing more than receiving you will have accomplished the goal. Even though this may seem counter-intuitive, by intensely focusing on the other party’s wants, needs

BOOK

and desires, you’ll learn far more than you ever would by focusing on your agenda.

Have an open mind I’ve often said that the rigidity of a closed mind is the single greatest limiting factor of new opportunities. A leader takes their game to a whole new level the minute they willingly seek out those who hold dissenting opinions and opposing positions with the goal not of convincing them to change their minds, but with the goal of understanding what’s on their mind. I’m always amazed at how many people are truly fearful of opposing views, when what they should be is genuinely curious and interested. Open dialogues with those who confront you, challenge you, stretch you, and develop you. Remember that it’s not the opinion that matters, but rather the willingness to discuss it with an open mind and learn. To be continued

Rise above the sting of criticism Criticism is the unrecorded part of a leader’s reward package. Knowing this, a leader should be prepared for a regular meal of criticism. However, he must be able to rise above the sting of criticism to extract the gem contained therein. He must learn to convert the wound of criticism to wisdom so that he can become a better leader. It is the duty of the critic to point out what is wrong but the leader is expected to work on this, turn it around such that it moves from being a sore point to a great gain. Do what is right A leader should be guided by the principle of doing what is right in every circumstance, at all times and to everyone. This is the best way to deal with critics. If a leader does what is right, irrespective of the noise of critics, he is able to sleep soundly at night because he has a clear conscience and is at peace with himself. A clear conscience crowds out the noise of naysayers. Doing the right thing may not stop criticism but it dulls its blade, renders it ineffective and turns the critic to a mere noisemaker. As opined by Winston Churchill, a former British Prime Minister, “There is only one duty, only one safe course, and that is to try to be right.” Doing the right thing never goes out of vogue. Eschew resentment Man, being a retaliatory animal, will naturally want to pay back everyone in their own coin. He will want to show love to those who exhibit love to him and abhorrence to those who hate him. But a great leader does not travel that route. What a great leader does is to go above what is natural and do the unexpected; he shows love to those who naturally do not deserve it. He does not in any way show any form of animosity or ill-will to his critics, rather he extends to them a hand of fellowship. Once, he is able to do that, he shows his superiority to those who may not wish him well. Albeit, a great leader does not do this to stop them from criticizing him; he does it because he knows that as their leader, he has responsibility for his critics as much as he has for his praise singers. As noted by American writer and philosopher, Elbert Hubbard, “The final proof of greatness is being able to endure criticism without resentment.”

Getting Things Done (GTD) has been a staple on the bookshelf of many busy, productive people. GTD focuses on a number of things, but one of the most important for me is this: you must capture “all the things you need to get done – now, later, someday, big, little, or in between – into a logical and trusted system outside of your head and off your mind”. I’m going to walk through a couple of Allen’s primary tips to give you an idea about what this means. Capture Capture is really critical, since the primary idea of GTD is to clear your mind of any and all the things you feel like you have to do. Allen rightly notes that most of us waste a lot of brain power thinking about what we have to do now, and what we have to do next, and what we’d really like to do in the future. Capturing these things into an organized system removes them from your brain, and puts them in a place where you can deal with them when the time is right. Allen suggests creating an Inbox: this is where you empty your head of any and every thing you have to do or want to get done. At first, this will become a long list. As you get in the GTD groove, however, you use different tools to capture these items as you go about your day. I use a number of tools to add things to my “inbox”. By capturing them, I know that I can retrieve them and review them later. I haven’t lost them, but I don’t have to deal with them now. Once a week, I sit down and go through my Inbox, and begin the next step of Allen’s process: Do it, defer it, delegate it, drop it This is pretty straightforward: for each thing that you capture, those things you “have to do”, you need to make a decision about what your actual commitment is to that project. Is it something small and quick you can do right now that will take less than two minutes? Then Do It NOW. Is it something that you can’t do right now, because it might take more time or you’re in the wrong place to do it? Then create a project folder for it, and establish what the next actionable step is that you need to do for that project, and file it away. Is it something that you can delegate to someone else? Then establish who that person is and what the next action is to make sure they do it (set up a meeting, send an email, etc). Is it something that really isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things? Then drop it. Don’t do it. Forget about it. Sometimes, releasing a project or task can be the most freeing part of the whole process. Context One thing Allen points out that also helps to free your mind is the idea of context: there are some tasks you can’t complete because of the environment you happen to be occupying at that exact moment. Are you at the grocery store? Then you can’t work on your dissertation. You can, however, stop by the dry cleaners on the way home and pick up those items that have been there for two weeks. Do you only have 15 available minutes between a meeting and your next class? Probably not a good time to try to pound out that theory chapter. But it probably is a good time to send that email to your colleague, or call your doctor to make an appointment. Context helps us free space in our minds because it makes us realize that we can’t always work on something all the time: the environment we’re currently in might not allow it. This helps reduce the stress significantly.

leadership&management

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Tope Popoola is a Human Capital developement Consultant and Pastor. Please feel free to send questions, feedback comments on this column to

topheritage@yahoo.com or visit http//turbochargedforsuccess.blogspot.com

The power of ethical leadership 5

Recent events in our nation have made this series even more pertinent than I initially thought. The recent revelations about the amount of money that allegedly went under in the name of security in the dying years of the last administration leaves one wondering if leadership in our nation still has a soul! Sadder still is the fact that some people can still stand up to defend the people who perpetrated such heinous atrocities. Without pronouncing anyone guilty, it is essential that everyone suspected to have had a hand in the national rape should have their day in court. I had thought I would end the series today but as it is, I may not be able to do so until next week. In their book, The Power of Ethical Management, published in 1988, Kenneth Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale prescribed what can be termed the five pillars of ethics that apply to both the leader and the organization that he leads. They are Purpose, Pride, Patience, Persistence and Perspective. If you ask me which of the five should be put in first place, I would say perspective. Perspective has to do with our life-view, the lens from which we filter all our life experiences, dreams and accomplishments. Perspective is the prism from which we see all other things. Our perspective is fashioned by our background, experiences, relationships, belief systems and aspirations. The aggregation of these factors shapes our value system which in turn becomes our moral compass and ultimate conduct guide. The three most important questions anyone can ask himself in life are, first, “Who am I?” This is an identity question that has nothing to do with the name we bear. It is about the PERSON that we are or hope to become. The second question is “Why am I in this world?” This is a PURPOSE question that locates the individual within the context of a platform of significance on which he stands to make a difference by being a solution to specific human problems. The answer to this question is what helps the individual to determine his value proposition in the enterprise of life. The third question is “How will I do what I was created to do?” This is far from being a strategy

question. It borders on the core values that will guide conduct and ensure that who we claim or want to be is never in conflict with what we do. The answer we get to this question will shape the PRINCIPLES that will pivot and pilot all our activities and help us keep the main thing the main thing by prioritizing, streamlining and focusing all our activities. Frustration is the natural result when what we do and who we are seem not to connect. A successful life is not just about what we achieve, it is about what we become in the process. Having the trappings of success but not being able to sleep with a good conscience or not being able to smile at “the man in the mirror” is the height of failure wearing a disguise! In many of my training sessions with corporate organizations, one of the first questions I almost always ask is “Why are we in business?” More often than not, the customized answer seems to be “To make profit”. Then begins our odyssey of the discovery of an “Aha” moment, also known as the moment of truth when it dawns on all that Profit is the consequence, not the purpose of sustainable enterprise. A profit-driven enterprise will have no qualms in throwing ethics overboard. When bottom-line is the driver, people will be used and abused, figures will be cooked, quality of products and service delivery will be compromised. Ruthlessness rules. When it comes to dealing with perceived opposition (read competitor), the shark instinct takes over! According to Myles Munroe, where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable. Purpose is the “soul”, the very essence of our being. It is the higher reason why the leader or the organization can legitimately lay claim to space on earth and in the hearts of men. It is the leader’s eternity perspective. For the organization, another name for that is sustainability. The products that an organization sells must never be its reason for being in business if it wants to be around for the long haul. People don’t buy products. They buy what products do. Simply put, every buyer invests money on a perceived solution to his problem. A product simply happens to be the garb in which that solution is delivered to him. Purpose is

bigger than a hastily crafted Mission Statement that simply adorns office walls even if it makes no sense to anyone in the organization. Some of the best Mission Statements I have come across do not even mention the products for the simple reason that everyone in the organization knows that the products are a means to a greater end. The core values, processes and structure must be made to serve the purpose. Pride in our context has nothing to do with the self-promoting megalomania in a leader that gives him the impression that his individual ego is larger than corporate ethos. This kind of pride is destructive and can only lead to a “My way or the highway” model of leadership that alienates a leader from people who should significantly contribute to his success story. When people keep quiet while a leader does ALL the talking with no feedback or responses, it does not mean that his followers have lost their voices. They simply may not want to be numbered in the membership of the Barbarians’ club! In our context here, pride has to do with the feeling a leader has when his conscience tells him that he has been true to his deepest values and convictions. It is that inexplicable exhilarating euphoria that comes from knowing that we did what was right even if it was not popular. This kind of pride comes from a healthy self-esteem that neither needs to put anyone down in order to be heard or seen, nor seeks anyone’s affirmation or approval to do what the leader is convinced is right in any given circumstance. Where this is lacking, leadership becomes beastly and brutish. Humans may love animals as pets but trust me, nobody likes one in leadership. A leader with a low self-esteem is a danger both to himself and the people that he leads. His penchant to impose his opinion on everyone else’s and unrelenting approval seeking addiction will make him take actions that only benefit him even if he has to sacrifice the integrity of the entire organization to do so...to be continued. Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!

Identical twins with unidentical future Take for instance, two people can be born under very comparable situation and arrive at different destinations, destiny and future. People who sit in the same classroom and listen to the same teacher, use the same textbooks, do the same assignments, sometimes even get matching grades, but then as they grow up in life, they do not pull off the same levels of success in their individual pursuits. Even identical twins, who were developed out of the same fertilized human egg, grew in the same womb, got nurtured by the same parents, and shared clothing, friends and educational experiences in their formative years do not always end up in their adult lives with the same level of performance and achievement. One may turn out to be more successful and flourishing in his chosen and preferred line of work whilst the other never manages to find bliss and success with his existence. Also, why is it that people who are raised under the same conditions rarely arrive at identical destination? This is the reason for what I am sharing with you today. It is life-changing! Please, you need to understand that it is people’s value system that makes them arrive at different destinations in life, though raised under the same roof. Do you have your own value system focused on short-term needs or on longterm benefits? The choices you consistently make and decisions you take will in due course reveal for the whole world to see whether your value system is focused on short-term needs or on long-term benefits. The truth is: there are those who work with a value system that is focused on short-term needs and tend to make decisions that seem beneficial today but become disastrous in the future. What value system are you working with? Is your value system based on short-term needs or on longterm benefits? To become successful in both leadership and life, you will need to consistently discomfort yourself today in order to become successful and booming tomorrow. Enjoying yourself today at the expense of a thriving and suc-

cessful tomorrow is a byproduct and an offshoot of a faulty value system. Most of the youth of nowadays are having a faulty and defective value system. And no one can help anyone who has a defective value system until he or she is helped to having the right value system. Many youths are enjoying today at the expense of their future. As an effect of fleeting, passing and momentary gains, they are wasting their precious today. It is the wrong value system that makes young men and young women go bashing and merrymaking when they are supposed to be reading good books that can shape their future. It is a faulty value system that makes a book of N500 unaffordable and exorbitant, but a phone of N200,000 affordable. Also, it is a faulty value system that makes a people look for free conferences that will add a high value to them, but find it so easy to pay N20,000 to watch, listen and dance to vanity. Buddy, it was a faulty value system that made Esau sold his “birthright” because of a meal. Please understand that when your stomach begins to control your choices and decisions, it is a proof that your value system is faulty. A few weeks ago, in the city of Lagos, my friend and I drove around Opebi, on our way home after a productive day at work. It was around 6:45pm, but it was mouth opening to see many young prostitutes, standing on that road—waiting for purposeless-prospective clients. That was not the first time I would see prostitutes, but that was the first time I did see them in an open place when night hadn’t started falling! When I saw them, I screamed and put one of my hands on my head. Why are they doing what they are doing? Their value system is out of order, flawed and faulty! What would make identical twins that came out of the same womb, went through the same school, ate the same meals and slept under the same roof end up having un-identical destinations? The reason is very simple: their value system is not identical. Un-identical value systems do give birth to different choices and decisions. This reminds me of

the story of Jacob and Esau in the good book. Esau’s value system was faulty while Jacob had the right value system. Jacob and Esau were both hungry, but their decisions were not the same because their value system was not the same. Jacob’s right value system aided him to endure hunger, while Esau’s faulty value system made him trade his future for momentary gain. You need to understand that what engages your attention and seriousness is shaped by what you see as important. This is what makes twins grow up in life and later choose different paths for their lives. And this is what makes a people go through the same school but arrive at different destinations soon after. So many people see mediocrity as important while a few people see accomplishment as important. The truth is: you will eventually become what you see as important. And when you see success as important, paying the price for it becomes very easy. But when you do not see success as important, paying the required price for it becomes an unbearable yoke and burden. Last of all, once again, what makes people enjoy today at the expense of the future? What makes politicians steal what belongs to those under their leadership? What makes students play when they ought to be reading through their books? What makes a lady sleep around when she ought to be busy with her purpose for coming to the face of the earth? What makes a man abandon his family when he is supposed to be taking care of his home? What makes a public servant abandon his duties when he or she is supposed to be serving those who need what he or she is being paid for? What makes a people splurge all their income on things that decrease in value with time when they are supposed to set aside a part of it for the future? The answer is very simple: a faulty value system. This is what makes identical twins have un-identical future. And this is what will cause you and others to have an un-identical future in the days to come. See you where great people are found!

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

brands& marketing Stories By Akin Adewakun - Lagos

ith the dusts raised at the 10th edition of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) held recently in Lagos gradually settling down, not a few stakeholders have argued that one of the issues the creative award has been able to throw up is that of the noticeable generational shift, regarding the direction of the award pendulum. For instance, unlike the usual tradition in the past, where the established agencies would normally sweep the medals stakes, this year’s edition of the award was a bit different, with a total of 10 awards including a Grand Prix, five gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals, a new generation creative agency, the Noah’s Ark, emerged the number one agency for 2015, upstaging the old generation agencies such as Insight, DDB, S.O & U and TBWA Concept among others. Also of note is the modest performance of another relatively young agency, X3M Ideas on the medals table. Sitting pretty on the number four position on the table, the Steve Babaeko-led agency was also able to prove its creative prowess over old reliable, such as S.O& U, TBWA Concept and STB MCcann at the Awards.. These latest trends have not failed to elicit reactions from industry stakeholders, some of whom saw the latest development as an eloquent testimony that the industry is growing. For instance, while expressing delight at the performances of the winning agencies, the President of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN), Kelechi Nwosu, had expressed satisfaction that creative agencies were beginning to get attention from the industry, especially the advertisers. According to him, advertisers in the nation’s Integrated Marketing Communication industry were beginning to recognise and reward excellence, as evident in the increasing number of patronages being currently enjoyed by agencies that had emerged winners at the LAIF, in recent times. The AAAN boss argued that setting up the award was designed to reward and celebrate excellence in the creative industry, adding that patronsing the winning agencies would further spur them to do more, while also re-igniting the ‘fire’ of competition in others that wish to patronize.

LAIF 2015 and the paradigm shift in IMC Kelechi Nwosu, AAAN President

anchor Akin Adewakun

m:08054683584 e:akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk

While Chuddy Uduenyi, Managing Director of Compact Communications, would agree with the claim that the new development represents the fact that the industry has continued to evolve over the years, as evident in the generational shift of the award, he, however, argued that such feats were not unexpected from those new generation agencies. “If you look at where their chief executives are coming from, you couldn’t have expected something less. Lanre Adisa of Noah’s Ark and Steve Babaeko of X3M Ideas were all tested and trusted hands before floating their agencies. Nevertheless, I think the development is rather good for the industry; since it shows that the industry is growing,” he stated. Another practitioner who would not want his name in print would rather see this as an eye-opener; since the development, he argues, signifies the direction and shape the industry may begin to take in the next few years. “This is a clear pointer to the fact that we are gradually having some emerging agencies that would soon begin to dictate the pace in the industry. If you look at the performances of these agencies, before this edition, you could see that they had been given the first generation ones a run for their money. They had never hidden their intention to be at the top, and what is happening today is a manifestation of that dream,” he stated. According to him, the agencies had been steady in their journey to “stardom”, as evident in some of their accomplishments before this latest one. “If you would recall, Noah’s Ark that topped the medal list blazed the trail in Nigeria and West Africa advertising industry, sometimes ago, when it placed the country on the world’s advertising map, with one of its works published in Leizer’s Archive,” the practitioner argued. The Leizer’s Archive is regarded as the world’s advertising “bible”.

The above position may not be farther from the truth. For instance, Lanre Adisa, the Group Managing Director of the creative outfit has never hidden his intention to build the agency into a creative one that would be able to compete both on the local and global scenes. In an interview with Brands & Marketing recently, Adisa had always dreamt of a day when creative works from this part of the globe would begin to get global recognition, especially at the annual Cannes Festival, a global advertising event where creative advertising works are celebrated. Not a few believe that this achievement, with some others recorded by the agency in the past, especially the two Emeralds it won at the just concluded 2015 Crystals Awards held in Marrakesh, Morocco, may mark Adisa’s gradual step towards achieving this. Describing this as a huge paradigm shift, Ajayi Thomas, another practitioner also believes it is a sign of growth for the nation’s IMC. “For the past 30 years, the industry had been dominated by the established agencies. But what we are witnessing at present did not start today. We had started seen signs of the shift since 7 years ago, when Noah’s Ark made its incursion into the nation’s advertising space. “Their exploits in the last four years were pointers that a day like this has become inevitable. It is a welcome development and I believe we are beginning to see the direction the industry is likely to go in the next few years,” he stated. With 30 years of dominating the nation’s advertising space being gradually being challenge by these emerging agencies, not a few believe that the much-envisaged paradigm shift is finally here. But while many believe it is good for the established agencies that are not averse to re-tooling, some believe this new development may sound the death knell of the frontline agencies that are reluctant to leave their comfort zones.

Lucky customers to win N600m in DiamondXtra Season 8

Nunu refreshes with new campaign

One of the nation’s financial institutions, Diamond Bank has announced plans to give out over N600million to 1,085 lucky customers of the bank, as the 8th edition of the DiamondXtra commenced over the weekend in Lagos. Disclosing this to the media, before carrying out the draws for the first set of winners of the season, the bank’s Head of Mass Market Segment, Osita Ede, explained that the scheme was introduced eight years ago as a way of rewarding and encouraging savings culture among Nigerians and rewarding the bank’s SavingsXtra loyal customers.

Nutricima Limited, a subsidiary of PZ Cussons, has re-launched its premium nutritional milk brand, Nunu, to further support the daily growth of the Nigerian child. Tagged Grow Everyday, the campaign, centred on mothers placing high priority on their children’s nutrition, also unveiled popular Nollywood actress and producer, Omoni Oboli as the brand ambassador, in Lagos. Speaking at the event, the Chairman, PZ, Tunde Oyelola, stated that the milk brand was being re-launched to serve the ever- growing needs of the Nigerian family. “Although the new improved Nunu is primarily formulated for growing children, even adults are not exempted from

He explained that the campaign which started with SavingsXtra was later changed to DiamondXtra, in 2013, to enable the bank refresh the campaign and make it more vibrant. Ede disclosed that since its flag-off in July 2008, over N4 billion had been won by over 4,000 lucky customers of the bank, a clear demonstration of its increasing popularity with the public. According to him, 15 customers would be rewarded on monthly basis, with 13 of such lucky customers winning N1m each. While one customer will go home with N2m, the

luckiest among them will get Salary4Life, a monthly pay of N100,000 for the next 20 years, he stated. “In addition to the monthly and regional draws, three special draws will also be held to celebrate various milestones during the year. The first special draw will take place in January 2016 to celebrate the New Year, with 30 lucky customers being rewarded with N1million each,” he added. Meanwhile 15 lucky customers of the bank won various cash prizes at the maiden draw of the Season 8 edition held over the weekend, in Lagos.

Nigerian Tribune

the goodness that comes from its active nutrients,” he said. The re-launch which was entirely a kiddies’ event, featured lively and bright kids taking turns to engage in several games, face paintings and a lot of other exciting outdoor and indoor activities. The highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the New Nunu milk which came out in grand style following a magical stunt performed by one of the amazing kids amidst smokes and confetti. Speaking on the choice of the Oboli as Brand Ambassador, Category Marketing Manager, Nunu, Charity Ilevbare-Adeniji explained that the artist typifies the exemplary motherhood experience that a typical Nigerian mother go through.

brands&marketing

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Expert decries influx of foreign lubricants

he principal partner, Lube Service Associate and technical consultant to the Nigeria Lubricant Summit, Kayode Sote, has urged the federal government to protect the local lubricant market, since indiscriminate importation of foreign lubricants has continued to hinder the local market from realizing its potential of providing 50,000 direct employments to Nigerians. Making this appeal in Lagos during a chat with the media at the Second Nigeria Summit, Sote argued that besides having the potential of creating 50,000 direct employments for Nigerians, if well-harnessed and technology driven, additional 500,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians, by engaging mechanics, oilers and greaselers. He expressed regrets that despite the high quality of the lubricants in the local market, foreign lubricants still dominate the market. “All the lube companies are technology-driven. It is the same quality product put in the imported lubricant and the same technology use abroad that we use here. So one wonders why we can’t stop the importation and buy the locallyblended ones and, with that, create jobs for our unemployed youths. “The 41 lube-license that we have in the country, can

employ about 5000 Nigerians, whereas at full capacity, they can employ more than 50000 direct jobs and

create additional 500000 indirect jobs because mechanic, oilers, greaseler will all have work to do,”

ever, argued that the influx of foreign lubricants, has continued to hinder the growth of the indus-

try, a factor he added had contributed in no small measure to the inability of the operators in the sector to meet their obligations, since they under produced. “Nigeria is the third largest consumer of lubricant in the world and at the same time, we have the capacity to meet the needs, not only Nigeria but also of the Sub-Saharan Africans,” he stated. He, therefore, called on the government to support the lubricant industry by discouraging importation of products that can be produced locally, through application of multiple taxes and interest rates.

Peak Milk wins Iconic Brand of the Year Award From left: Valentine Ozigbo, MD/CEO; Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, OON, Chairman; and Helen Iwuchukwu, Company Secretary and Non-Executive Director Emmanuel N. Nnorom, at the Transcorp Hotels Plc completion Board Meetings and the Signing Ceremony for its Series 2 Bond Issue, held at Transcorp Hotel, in Abuja.

Etisalat shines at 2015 SERAs One of the nation’s telecoms service providers, Etisalat, has been ac-

knowledged again for its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in the

Djembe Communications, Forbes unveil new entrepreneurship research findings Djembe Communications, the young pan-African communications consultancy, in association with Forbes Insights, has unveiled the findings of a study on the impact of entrepreneurship on job creation. 4,000 Africans aged 16 to 40 across Angola, Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria participated in this all-important study. The research findings revealed that Nigerians are the most pro-enterprise compared to the other countries with 86 per cent preferring to run their own business rather than work for a company. There is also a widespread belief that entrepreneurs play a key role in advancing the economy in terms of job creation (59 per cent) and introducing innovative products and services into the market mix (38 per cent). Entitled “Job Creation in sub-Saharan Africa: Entre-

he stated. While expressing his confidence in the nation’s lubricant market, he, how-

preneurs. Governments. Innovation.” the report’s findings were presented at a roundtable in Lagos attended by Nigerian government and business leaders Those in attendance include: Akinwunmi Ambode, Executive Governor, Lagos State, Nigeria, Bola Adesola, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Henry Erimodafe, Executive Director, Head UBS (Nigeria) Representative office Limited, Tani Fafunwam Chief Executive Officer, Resourcery Plc and Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder & CEO, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble. The comprehensive report illustrates that young Nigerians have a highly positive outlook on the impact of entrepreneurship on their country’s future economic growth and job creation efforts. 40 per cent of those interviewed in Nigeria believe that entrepreneurs and SMEs will be the top driver

of job creation in the next five years, ahead of technology (39 per cent) and government policies and programs (37 per cent). Djembe Communications Country Manager in Nigeria, Onome Okwah, stated that Nigerians, today, appreciate entrepreneurs as drivers of the new economy, which he described as a strong indicator that the nation is ready to move on from its over-dependence on the oil sector. “This is the time for Nigeria’s public and private sector to establish solid institutional frameworks that will boost SMES and promote entrepreneurship,’ he stated.” The top three sectors that Nigerians expect will create the most entrepreneurs over the next five years are agriculture and agribusiness (58 per cent), information and communications technology (39 per cent), and manufacturing (38 per cent).

country as it emerged the “Best Company in Education” and “Best Company in the Promotion of Gender Equality” respectively at this year’s SERAs awards held in Lagos recently. The SERAs panel of judges, comprising eminent persons from across the private and public sectors, awarded Etisalat the best company in education for its commitment to Nigeria’s educational development including the education of the girl child. Also considered is Etisalat Cliqlite, an innovative technology- driven educational tool that supports learning and development for children and teenagers from 8 to 15 years. The judges also voted Etisalat as winner for the promotion of gender equality in Nigeria through its empowerment of the girl child, a partnership between the telco and African Women Foundation. Etisalat beat other contenders such as Airtel, Lafarge, Nigerian Breweries and Exxon Mobil in the education and the promotion of gender equality categories. Commenting on the

awards, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko expressed his delight at not just winning the awards, but for being at the forefront of impacting the lives of Nigerians in many innovative and positive ways. “At Etisalat we are passionate about making life easier for our customers and members of the communities where we do business; this is why we focus on three strategic areas of interventions: education, health and environment,” he stated. He reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to Nigeria through effective partnership with relevant stakeholders and through the roll-out of more innovative solutions that will impact positively on the overall development of the country. In addition to the two awards, Etisalat also emerged as the first runner-up in the Overall Winner for 2015 SERAs Awards, while CSR Manager, Oyetola Oduyemi was named the first runner-up for the CSR Practitioner of the Year category.

In recognition of its outstanding performance in the year 2015, Peak Milk, Nigeria’s favourite dairy brand, has been awarded the 2015 “Iconic Brand of the Year”. The award plaque was presented to the milk brand at an impressive ceremony organized by the Marketing World Magazine and held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. According to the organisers, the prestigious award was designed to celebrate excellence, creativity and achievements of the marketing industry by rewarding outstanding performance across the integrated marketing communication industry. Peak Milk emerged winner in the Iconic Brand of the Year category beating several others. Responding after receiving the award, the Marketing Manager for the Peak brand, Dolapo Otegbayi, expressed the company’s appreciation to the organizers of the awards for recognising Peak as the Iconic brand of 2015. “Having been in Nigeria for over 60years, Peak is synonymous with milk and is the nation’s favourite milk. This award, coming in the year of our 60th anniversary, gives us a positive nudge that we are doing the right thing. “We thank Nigerians for allowing Peak to be part of their lives for over 60years. Peak promises to continue to support and nourish Nigerians with quality dairy milk and we are also telling Nigerians that with Peak the future is bright,” she said.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

infotech

anchor Bode Adewumi

m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (right) cutting the tape during the inauguaration of the new MTN Call Centre by iSON BPO in Ibadan, Oyo State . With him is the Group Chief Executive Officer of iSON BPO, Mr Pravin Kumar.

Ibadan call centre:

‘iSON BPO bringing innovation to outsourcing business’ By Bode Adewumi

usiness Process Outsourcing (BPO) is generally becoming an integral part of businesses worldwide. What started in the Asian countries like India and the Philippines has crept into Nigeria and it is fast developing into in a sensitive hub for investors who are creating employment opportunities through this channel for Nigerians. What is outsourcing, for those who may not know? Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is a subset of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of a specific business process to a third-party service provider. Originally, this was associated with manufacturing firms, such as Coca Cola that outsourced large segments of its supply chain. BPO is typically categorised into back office outsourcing, which includes internal business functions such as human resources or finance and accounting, and front office outsourcing, which includes customer-related services such as contact centre services. One company that is becoming a household in the BPO sector of Nigeria’s economy is iSON BPO, a company that is a subsidiary of iSON Group and the leading Customer Experience Management provider in Africa, Middle East and ASEAN regions, offering systems integration, managed services, BPO and strategic outsourcing solutions using end-to-end IT services. iSON Group is registered in Af-

rica and has presence in 25 Sub-Saharan African countries. ISON BPO, which provides Call Centre Outsourcing services, has over 10,000 employees across 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest BPO Company in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some of the countries ISON BPO operates in include Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 2016, the company plans to add nine more centres with an additional 5,000 employees in this region. In Nigeria, the company is adding a new innovation that will definitely bring development to the states and cities in which it operates. iSON has thus become the first company to exit Lagos and moves into the hinterland. In 2013, the company arrived Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and estab-

Our core business tenet is bringing IP to work against the economically draining reverse trend.

Nigerian Tribune

lished its first call centre after Airtel Nigeria outsourced its call centre operations to it. Since then, iSON has become one of the largest employers of labour in Oyo State, employing about 2000 workers who are trained in call centre operations and many more. Perhaps buoyed by the success story of the first call centre, which is located in Dugbe, the company only last week inaugurated its second call centre, this time in Adamasingba and it will handle MTN Nigeria’s call centre operations. During the inauguration last week, which was performed by the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, a visibly elated Ajimobi said as many would already know that it gives him greatest pleasure to participate in the process of establishing new businesses and corporate enterprises in the state. He said: “Not only do I love seeing our own people and foreigners starting companies here, I am usually very thankful to these entrepreneurs and investors because their firms and businesses contribute to the growth of our economy by creating jobs that better the lives of many of our people across the length and breadth of our state. “Today, I am particularly pleased to be invited as the Special Guest of Honour for a second time within the last two and half years by the board, management and staff of iSON BPO. I recall with pride that on May 15, 2013, I was here on a similar mission to inaugurate your first call centre, which is reputed to be the largest of its kind in Nigeria.

As a leading Customer Experience Management Solutions Provider in Sub-Saharan Africa, it gladdens my heart that of the 8000 employees that work with the iSON Group across Africa, 4500 of them are employed and domiciled not just in Nigeria but specifically in Ibadan, Oyo state.” According to the governor, the numbers of young men and women that are employed have since been profitably engaged and successfully pulled out of unemployment market. The governor pointed out that the fact these citizens are now productively engaged and happy means that the level of misery in the society is significantly reduced. He said it gave him immense pleasure to commission another state-of-the-art call centre facility in Ibadan again. “It gives me immense pleasure to be here again to commission yet another state-ofthe-art call centre facility in Ibadan, this time for the telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria. I understand that this new facility will employ another set of about 2500 young men and women. This is apart from training many more graduates and undergraduates at a Skill development Centre already established and running by iSON Group. “This is indeed reassuring. I trust that when this facility becomes fully operational, it will help in expanding our ever-increasing cycle of peace, security and social development in Oyo state. On our part, we shall continue to support your organisation in its impressive commitment to the economic development and well-being of our state and its people,” the governor said. Speaking earlier, Mr Pravin Kumar, the Group Chief Executive Officer of iSON Group said the high- tech call centre will serve the growing clientele that iSON has in Nigeria, while the Skills Development Centre will be for up skilling new employees in the best and contemporary methods available in Customer Service Delivery globally. “The facility has the latest technology and is comparable to any of its contemporary worldwide and is one of four new call centres that iSON is setting up in Nigeria, namely in lbadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin, and Kano. With these centres, iSON is assisting in alleviating the current spate of unemployment in Nigeria, as well as contributing towards valuable resource and capacity development in the country. “As part of our core strategy, we have invested in developing state of art infrastructure and empowering local talent to foster a better future for the African continent. Through this centre we are creating large scale employment directly in Ibadan, and engendering indirect local employment opportunities as well. Our core business tenet is bringing IP to work against the economically draining reverse trend. Therefore, we do not outsource local work outside of Africa iSON. We are committed to investing in Nigerian infrastructures as well as human capacity development,” said Kumar. Kumar pointed out that due to its effective management of Airtel’s Call Centre, which is based in Ibadan that MTN Nigeria also decided to outsource its Call Centre operation to iSON. “We already have a call centre here in Ibadan which started with 1,000 employees in February, 2013 and now has around 1,200 employees. We made commitment with the governor when he inaugurated our first facility that if it does well, we will double our capacity in Ibadan,” he said.

infotech

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

WeChat boosts Nigerian start-ups, partners Techcabal Stories By Bode Adewumi

eading global mobile communication app, WeChat, has announced a unique partnership arrangement with two Nigerian start-up companies to help them grow and gain easy access to WeChat’s growing audience with various offers in conjunction with these partners. In October, 2015, WeChat partnered with one of the leading technology blog, Techcabal for an ideathon entitled, WeChat Africabeta with the theme: CHAT 3.0. This was organised to select the most interesting ideas from Nigerian businesses and start-ups that can ride on WeChat platform. This ideathon had 80 applications, out of which top 10 were chosen, among these are Pass. NG and Traclist who are the first set of newly launched services on WeChat. Having these services built on WeChat is an opportunity for the service providers to create a native mobile app that can be accessed on all smart phones (Android, Blackberry, Window’s phone and iphone) through WeChat. Traclist - is an online marketplace with concentration on fashion retail that brings the fashion merchants and buyers together on a secured and convenient platform to transact. Traclist service is built on WeChat to provide a more personalized and customized user experience. Also give up to 10% discount to users that buy through Traclist official account on WeChat for their first order. Pass.NG, is an examination preparatory and testing platform. The platform aids users prepare for WAEC, NECO, UTME (JAMB) and post UTME to get admission into Nigerian Universities.

Pass.NG service on WeChat offers one month free subscription for users that subscribe via Pass.NG’ official account on WeChat during the period of this campaign. Speaking at the press briefing in Lagos, last week, WeChat Regional Manager for West Africa Mr. Idemudia Dima-Okojie disclosed that “with the launch of these services, WeChat is creating a vibrant ecosys-

more,” he said. According to him, “WeChat Official Account is an app inside an app that gives organisations, businesses and brands the opportunity to create a native experience within WeChat. This reduces the cost to develop a native mobile app, reduces time to market and provides easy access to healthy base of smart phone users.”

From left: Country Director, Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), Sang-Hoon Jung; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Sunny Echono and Director of e-Government, Tope Fashedemi, during a Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on e-Government Master Plan 2020, held by the Federal Ministry of Communications in Abuja.

Intel infuses learning with ICT through teacher education All over the world, there is an increasing attention on the role technology plays in preparing students for the 21st century. Unlike the traditional method of learning, which is more about the paper and pencil teacher centered approach, technology-induced learning not only motivates learning in students, but it also offers them the 21st century skills needed to remain competitive in a highly technological knowledge-based economy. However, most teachers in this

ITU releases annual global ICT data, dev index country rankings International Telecommunivations Union’s (ITU) flagship annual Measuring the Information Society Report, released last week, reveals that 3.2 billion people are now online, representing 43.4 per cent of the global population, while mobile-cellular subscriptions have reached almost 7.1 billion worldwide, with over 95 per cent of the global population now covered by a mobile-cellular signal. The report also notes that all 167 economies included in the ITU’s ICT Development Index (IDI) improved their IDI values between 2010 and 2015 – meaning that levels of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) access, use and skills continue to improve all around the world. The Measuring the Information Society Report is widely recognized as the repository of the world’s most reliable and impartial global data and analysis on the state of global ICT development, and is extensively relied upon by governments, international organisations, development banks and

tem with different services that are of value for WeChat users. “While messaging is at the heart of WeChat, we are creating a platform that goes beyond simply instant messaging, a platform that provides a set of functionality ranging from service delivery & transactions, product discovery, customer relationship management, ecommerce, media distribution and much

private sector analysts worldwide. “ICTs will be essential in meeting each and every one of the 17 newly-agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, “and this report plays an important role in the SDG process. Without measurement and reporting, we cannot track the progress being made, and this is why ITU gathers data and publishes this important report each year.” “ITU’s work in gathering and publishing statistics allows us to monitor the real progress being made in ICT development worldwide,” said Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, which produces the report each year. “Progress is encouraging in many areas but more needs to be done – especially in the world’s poorest and remotest regions, where ICTs can arguably make the biggest difference, and help bring people everywhere out of extreme poverty,” he added.

current dispensation have little or no knowledge about technology and so come across as averse to this new method of infusing technology into education, explaining why in many schools, the use of mobile devices which could help improve learning process is prohibited. To this end, future teachers, and educators, in general, need professional development, not only in technological skills and applications but also in new academic methods of incorporating technology into the classroom. At the forefront of promoting technology skills in the classroom is Intel Corporation. The blue chip company recently partnered with the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) on a 4-day training exercise tagged, “Intel Teacher Professional Development Training.” The training exercise is part of Intel’s global Teaching Programme to improve effectiveness among teachers through professional de-

velopment, by helping them integrate technology into their teaching, while promoting among the students, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills. Speaking on the training, Global Education Specialist, Intel, Shelly Shott, who facilitated the training sessions, emphasised the need for a student-centered environment which according to her is a perfect environment to introduce technology. Shott said that, “Intel believes that we have to educate our students for the 21st century. The old format of teaching does not necessarily support technology in the classroom, which is why we are advocating for a student-centered approach to learning.” Speaking on the initiative, the Corporate Affairs Group Manager, Intel, Babatunde Akinola said: “The course we are running is Intel Teaching Portfolio of Courses and we have been training teachers around the world for the past 10 years.”

Nigerian Tribune

Airtel returns with RedHot promo Season 3 Airtel Nigeria has announced the return of its groundbreaking consumer reward initiative tagged Airtel Red Hot Promo. According to the operator, this year’s edition of the reward initiative will create exciting opportunities for telecoms consumers across the country as sixty Nigerians will win an amazing Emirates Holiday in Dubai for themselves and any three of their loved ones. Each of the sixty lucky winners will then choose the other three persons who will accompany them on this all-expense paid trip to Dubai. To add to the excitement, Airtel will create sixty instant millionaires over sixty days by giving out, one million Naira in daily draws over the next sixty days. The telco added that everyone – customers and telecoms consumers - stand a chance to win big as the promo offers lots of opportunities and prizes, including millions in airtime, smartphones and other mouth-watering prizes. Announcing the initiative, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmed Mokhles, said the company is committed to connecting Nigerians to their dreams and providing credible platforms and spring boards for telecoms consumers achieve their greatness. “Airtel’s RedHot Promo is a reward programme that seeks to excite and delight Nigerians. It demonstrates our commitment to rewarding our customers for their continuing patronage and loyalty while also welcoming new users to our network,” he said. To participate and win in the Red Hot promo, customers need to accumulate points by recharging his/her line, buying any TalkMore bundle, buying any data bundles, registering for Access Money or even calling 141 (MAMO) With a point-based system, customers can improve their chances of winning by increasing their recharges. A higher recharge earns customers more points and puts them in a better position to win big in the promo.

New EMC offerings set to deliver cloud integration EMC Corporation has announced the immediate availability of a broad range of products and solutions designed to seamlessly connect primary storage and data protection systems to private and public clouds. As a result, organisations will be better equipped to take advantage of both the agility and unlimited scalability of public cloud services and the control and security of a private cloud infrastructure. As IT departments rush to keep pace with the demands of the rapidly changing business, they often rely on both the private cloud, because it is trusted, controlled and

reliable – and the public cloud – because of its low cost and near limitless capacity. Cloud-enabled storage and data protection solutions, like those being announced by EMC, empower customers to deploy a trusted storage environment where data can be automatically tiered to both public and private clouds. EMC is also launching a number of new data protection features that provide customers with the tools they need to ensure their data is protected wherever it resides, regardless of what might happen. According to Guy Churchward,

President, Core Technologies, EMC, “Many businesses have seen huge benefits from strategically moving data and workloads to the cloud. However, this often means sacrificing some control over the data. Can you move your data across public clouds? Can you intelligently manage your data through its lifecycle from flash to disk to cloud – and then move it back if you need it? And how do you protect it? Only EMC has the breadth and depth of portfolio to empower customers to take control of their data and achieve the greatest efficiencies.”

Tuesday, 8 November, 2015

property

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Gbemi Solaja

m:07065220616 e:gbemisolaja@gmail.com

Group suggests community approach to urban problems Stories By Gbemi Solaja – Lagos

nited Cities of Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) has called for a community development approach to tackle growing urban problems and challenges in the country At the presentation of Africities 2015 summit in South Africa recently, Secretary-General, UCLGA, Jean-Pierre Elong-Mbassi, said local government empowerment would bring about necessary collaboration with communities. This, according to him, would drive change in the African region. He emphasised that considering Africa as the region with the fastest rate of urbanisation in the world and its rising poverty profile, the situation on the continent deserved special attention, with a special focus and empowerment of local governments to drive the needed change. He added that every development and democracy was local or did not exist. “We are convinced that local Africa moves Africa,” he noted

The three -year event creates a platform for tackling issues affecting urban and economic development across the continent with a focus on collaborative partnerships, best practices, innovative and strategic thinking and solutions to the challenges of development and urbanisation, according to UCLG. With more than 5,000 participants at the event, and over 25 open sessions, for stakeholders ranging from the World Bank, to slum dwellers, local and national government officials, heads of state, economists, city and financial planners, investors and stakeholders, the summit dwelled on strategies to accelerate the pace of urbanisation,

migration, the urbanisation of poverty, and the disproportionate level of poverty and under development in Africa. Discussing a theme entitled ‘Shaping the Future of Africa with the People: Africa’s Local Government Contribution to the Africa 2063 Vision’, it explored such areas like public transport, urban agriculture, informal trading, neighborhoods development, green buildings, parks and open spaces, and public safety in urban settings. Mbassi, however, charged the Nigerian government on effective local and community management process, decrying that Nigeria had no good record in the area of community development and engagement.

‘Not revisiting Land Use Act’ll continue to hinder housing delivery’ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Realty Point Limited, Mr Debo Adejana, has maintained that failure to revisit the Land Use Act of 1978 will continue to hinder housing delivery in the country. He stated that the housing problems and

inability to deliver affordable housing had persisted in the country due to failure on the part of the government to revisit the Act. Adejana, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune recently, attributed the housing shortage and problems of affordability to

Ogun 2016 budget targets affordable housing, urban renewal Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has promised the residents of the state of affordable housing and urban renewal in 2016. Governor Amosun stated this recently in Abeokuta while presenting the 2016 Appropriation bill to the House of Assembly at the Hallow Chamber, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He said that provision had been made for the completion and commissioning of Orange Valley Estate, adding that the second serviced estate, Plainfield Estate, now renamed, Hannah Idowu Dideolu (H.I.D) Awolowo Estate, would also be given priority attention in the next fiscal year. Amosun stated further that A.A.K. Degun Estate, Laderin is nearing full completion, explaining that provision had been made for its early completion in the 2016 budget. He said New Dawn Estate at Agbara, which would provide 55 Terrace bungalows and

According to him, unless people were capacitated to own their own lives, to take part in the governance of their own lives, it could not be said that a country was liberated. “This is why decentralisation and empowering local people are so critical. We think it is good to celebrate the coming up of local authorities as the expression of the voice of the local people. We think it is important to overcome the divide inherited by colonisation so we came together to say we are going to stop it; we are going to participate at the local level to unite this continent and we are going to work towards the empowerment of local people to take control of their lives,” he said.

50 detached bungalows, was almost ready for commissioning, adding that the government had paid full compensation to the owners of farmland and property acquired for the construction of ultramodern housing estate at Kobape in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state. He added that as part of the ongoing urban renewal initiatives, the state government had flagged off the construction of the 600 Units MTR Garden Estate in Isheri, noting that the estate, on completion, would enable the development of one kilometer carriageway that would ease road access at OPIC Estate, Isheri. On the proposed Light Railway project, the governor said the project was closer to becoming a reality. “We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the construction giants, Messrs CCRCC/CCECC, that

will handle the project. “We expect the ground-breaking to take place in 2016. This will be a significant step in our urban renewal drive and also boost commercial activities in the state,” Amosun said. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing Development, Jumoke Akinwunmi, has said that evolvement and exposure to new trends through constant update on skills and knowledge on housing had been considered as a major way to meet the demand on housing. Akinwunmi made this known at a two-day in-house re-orientation/refresher training organised for senior staff of the state Housing Corporation in Abeokuta. Akinwunmi said experts would develop dynamic approach to execute the government policies and programmes as they embark on capacity building in their different areas of specialisation.

the Land Use Act, which, according to him, should be revisited and taken out of the constitution. He explained that an amendment of the Act had become increasingly difficult because it was in the constitution. He, therefore, called for an amendment of the Act in order to correct the shortcomings. He explained that if the issues associated with access to land were corrected, the housing shortage would have been half solved. According to him, physical access to land was not supported by the level of the infrastructure. “The country’s infrastructure is very weak. What we have in the country is linear development; a situation where infrastructure is minimal, and development only occurs where there are roads and other infrastructure, while other roads are neglected and become slums because infrastructure is not everywhere.” He decried that there were many underdeveloped areas in Lagos which could not be accessed because of infrastructure challenges. “For instance, it is often said that Lagos is congested but there are underdeveloped areas,” he said. He emphasised that paying close attention to infrastructure development had become imperative in tackling the myriad of housing problems in the country.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Buhari’s alarm over climate change President Muhammadu Buhari was at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21), which took place in Paris, France. LEON USIGBE, who covered the event, writes on Nigeria’s position on climate change as advanced by the president.

ORLD leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari gathered in Paris, France in the past days for the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21), an initiative of the United Nations (UN) to articulate international political response to climate change. It began at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 where the UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was up for adoption. The framework came into force in 1994 had outlined action to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of Green House Gases (GHGs) to avoid “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” The main objective of the annual COP is to review the Convention’s implementation. The 2015 Paris Climate Conference was expected to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. UN Secretary General, Ban ki Moon, in his opening statement, stressed the need to seize the opportunity of the Paris meeting because a political moment like it may not come again. “You are here today to write the script for a new future, We have never faced such a test. But neither have we encountered such great opportunity. You have the power to secure the well-being of this and succeeding generations,” he told the about 150 world leaders, who gathered for the opening of the meeting. President Barack Obama of the United States of America said in his remarks that the UN climate conference in Paris could be a “turning point” in global efforts to limit future temperature rises. HE wanted the negotiators from about 195 countries to deliver a meaningful deal, because the “next generation is watching.” On the eve of the opening of the Paris Conference, President Buhari approved Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) that is, the country’s plan to tackle the issue of climate change while promoting sustainable development and delivering on government priorities. The document is a requirement by COP-UNFCC in preparation for the Adoption of Climate Change Agreement at the Paris COP21 conference. The document, which has already been submitted to the UN, was prepared by the Ministry of Environment in recognition of the fact that significant challenges such as food insecurity, lack of access to energy and high unemployment, among others, remain principal constraints on economic development in Nigeria and are of primary concern to the government. It focuses on the delivery of direct development benefits and sustainable growth of the economy. The Executive Summary of the INDC points out that in addition to these challenges, the country is considerably impacted by climate change. It notes that the North of the country, for example, is highly vulnerable to drought, highlighting a recent Pew Research Center global attitudes survey which found that 65 per cent of Nigerians are very concerned about the threat climate change poses, ahead of global economic instability which is a worry to about by 48% of the citizens. Nigeria’s INDC was submitted as an expression of its determination to contribute to the success of the Paris climate summit and to grow its economy sustainably while reducing carbon pollution. While it promotes sustainable development and delivering on government priorities, government is hoping that the policies and measures included

Okowa

Buhari in the Nigeria INDC will deliver immediate development benefits and do not compromise sustainable growth. Buhari’s statement at the conference centered mainly on the devastating effect climate change is having on the Lake Chad region, which he noted poses a threat to food

You are here today to write the script for a new future, We have never faced such a test. But neither have we encountered such great opportunity. You have the power to secure the wellbeing of this and succeeding generations.

security in Nigeria as extreme events such as flooding and drought are on the increase. While he warned that such factors have resulted in the destruction of many economic and social structures, he also made a connection between the insurgency in the North-East and climate change as he observed that the drying up of the Lake Chad has deprived many communities of their means of livelihood. President Buhari therefore told world leaders at the event that they had a historic chance to save the planet by coming up with binding resolutions for sustainable development. Noting that the conference must work to make Paris a global landmark in the history of climate change negotiations, Buhari advised that nations must scale up their commitment to ensure a successful outcome and contribute to transforming the world through sustainable development. During a high-level meeting on Climate Change Challenges and Solutions in Africa, at the sidelines of the COP 21, Buhari made an impassioned appeal to developed countries to make strong financial commitments to the $14 billion urgently needed to revive the Lake Chad and save communities dependent on the lake from extinction. No fewer than five million people living in the Lake Chad Basin countries, he pointed out, have been displaced by the depletion of the lake due to climate change.

features

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Glamour, excitement as Ooni Ogunwusi receives staff of office Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

or the entire ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yorubaland, the presentation of instrument of office to the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on December 7, 2015 would forever be a historical moment. Apart from ushering in a new dawn for the town, the revered stool of the Ooni, acclaimed to be the mythical source of creation, attracted dignitaries from all walks of life to Ife, making it the destination for movers and shakers in the society. The glamour and cultural richness which accompanied the ceremony added candour and excitement, thus highlighting the pivotal role and uniqueness of Ife which was founded by the progenitor of the Yoruba, Oduduwa. It was obvious that the jubilation that greeted the emergence of Oba Ogunwusi after his selection by the kingmakers and official announcement by the Osun State government indicated the entire town’s acceptance of his candidacy and the people’s affection which cut across religious, political and social divides. The surging crowd that graced the ceremony held at Afenworo Park, Enuwa further leant credence to the unveiling of a new king, who does not only command respect and love among his people, but also possesses the credentials and mien of entrepreneurship, capable of enhancing the socioeconomic growth of Ile-Ife. Business and commercial activities were closed as a mark of respect for Oba Ogunwusi, with creme de la creme of the society, including captains of industry and envoys from foreign countries, savouring the cultural display of varied traditional groups that had come to add beauty and finesse to the event. However, apart from the greatness and uniqueness that comes with the Ooni’s stool, there are enormous challenges for the new monarch as he officially mounts the throne of his forefathers. One topmost task before Oba Ogunwusi is how to ensure unity and cohesion not only among his subjects, but also among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland, with a view to checkmate supremacy rivalries and sustain the bar raised by the immediate past Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, regarding the stool of the Ooni globally. In his address, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, said, “It is really a day that the Lord has made to rewrite the history of this ancient town for good. I wish to state clearly that the Ooni Ile Ife is not the king of Ile-Ife only but Ooni of all Yorubas. It is therefore in view of this that I am promising all Yorubas to serve everyone irrespective of their town, religion or political affiliation.” According to him, “I want to state that with the help of the Almighty God, the quality of life of my people in Ile-Ife will definitely improve. I promise to strive relentlessly to meet the yearnings and aspiration of my people. It has always been my dream to improve the standard of living of

I wish to state clearly that the Ooni Ile Ife is not the king of Ile-Ife only but Ooni of all Yorubas... I am promising all Yorubas to serve everyone irrespective of their town, religion or political affiliation.

the people, especially the youth who are the future leaders and I promise to use everything at my disposal to ensure that the lives of our youth improve.” Oba Ogunwusi continued, “I wish to solicit for the cooperation of everyone, old and young, men and women, individuals and corporate bodies in realising our development dreams, pray for peace and tranquility in Ile-Ife and its environs so as to actualise our dreams. Let us join hands to take IleIfe to greater heights and enviable position. “I wish to thank every individual and corporate body in advance for I know you will join me in my effort to rebuild Ile-Ife and its environs. I believe in openness and transparency and so all your good ideas are welcome. I cannot singlehandedly transform Ile-Ife. I need your ideas, advice, prayers and support to achieve my dream”, he added. “To my co-contestants, I am using this opportunity to extend an olive branch to each and everyone of you. I cannot do it alone, the progress and development of both human and non-human resources in Ife land is in our hands, let us come together to move Ife kingdom forward”, Oba Ogunwusi remarked. Presenting staff of office to the Ooni, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State enjoined him to carry everybody along, stressing that “I must point out that for you to get the total acceptance of your people, you must be guided by their interests. The people belong to varied interest groups.” He continued, “Such interests could be religious, political, social and ideological. You are the father of them all. Your attitude to your people will be the determinant of your success. Love them, guide them and listen to everyone. You are very fortunate to be surrounded by chiefs who loved you like their own son when you were a prince. And now they embrace you as their father, you should be in close touch with these wise elders to draw from their wisdom for the success of your reign.” In his goodwill message, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo described the throne of Ooni as a deep and revered institution among the Yoruba people, which carries the responsibility of the race. He advised the new monarch to exercise courage, integrity and loyalty to truth and charged him to be virtuous and use his position to work for the unity of the country, adding that “Ile Ife is blessed to have a youthful monarch at the critical period in Nigeria history”, just as he prayed for the anointing of virtuous of leadership as explained in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10 verses 16 and 17. Dignitaries, who attended the presentation of staff of office ceremony included Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, former acting national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala. Others include, Senator Daisy Danjuma and her husband, General T.Y Danjuma, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, Orangun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Adedotun, the Orangun of Oke Ila Orangun, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad, the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikechukwu Keagborekuzi 1, among others.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015 PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

CORONATION CEREMONY OF THE OONI OF IFE, OBA ENITAN ADEYEYE OGUNWUSI

1. From left, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the Owa of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran and the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, at the coronation ceremony of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at Enuwa, Ile-Ife, on Monday. 2. From left, former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Abubakar Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad, the Sultan of Sokoto and Professor Osinbajo. 3. Professor Osinbajo (left) with Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. 4. Former Oyo and Osun state governors, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala (left) and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

5. Professor Osinbajo (left) with Senator Jide Omoworare. 6. Lagos State goveronr, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (left) with the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. 7. Honourable Suraj Adekunbi Ishola, Speaker, Ogun House of Assembly and his counterpart in Osun State, Honourable Najeem Salami. 8. A cross section of traditional rulers on the occasion. 9. Another set of traditional rulers on the occasion. 10. From left, Chief and Mrs Gunju Adesakin, Chief Abiola Ogundokun and Mr Gbenga Adefaye.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015 PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

CORONATION CEREMONY OF THE OONI OF IFE, OBA ENITAN ADEYEYE OGUNWUSI

1. From left, Senator Daisy Danjuma, General Theophilus Danjuma and General David Jemibewon. 2. Prince Ropo Ogunwusi, father of the Ooni of Ife and his wife. 3. Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (left) with Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. 4. General Theo Danjuma and his wife, Senator Daisy. 5. From left, Chief Adekunle Ojora and his wife, Ojuolape, with the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

6. From right, Prince Ropo Ogunwusi and his wife, with Mrs Kofoworola Akanni Aluko, middle. 7. Senator Lanre Tejuoso (left) and Senator Jide Omoworare. 8. Vice Chancellor, OAU, Professor Bamitale Omole and other guests. 9. A cross section of traditional rulers on the occasion. 10. From left, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo andthe Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

37 features

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015 er, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu arrived the venue in the company of the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and former interim chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and other party leaders. Their arrival caused a stir as many guests rose to catch a glimpse of the delegates. At 2:02p.m. Osun Governor Aregbesola rose and handed the staff of office to Oba Ogunwusi amid wild ovation. Aregbesola urged the monarch to see himself as the father of all and administer as such.Oba Ogunwusi’s 10-minute-speech dwelled on his readiness to carry the youth along in his administration. Beaming with smile, he said, “I will do my best to promote social values, moral values and cultural values.” The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President of the Liberian Senate, Amazolu Gala arrived before the official flagg off of the event. Osinbajo, in his goodwill message on behalf of the Federal Government, urged the monarch to be virtuous and ensure his ascension is not just to make wealth and pleasure. Osinbajo said Ile-Ife was blessed with the choice of a young and virtuous son of Ife. “As we celebrate with pomp and pageantry today, we are reminded of the great responsibility that is trusted on you as the representative of the virtuous,” Osinbajo said. He asked the monarch to take the responsibility of leading the people on the path of virtue very seriously while he prayed that God would give the monarch the wisdom and courage to lead the people.

Ooni Ogunwusi (right) and Governor Aregbesola of Osun State continued from pg36

Community, after which he visited strategic places in the town including his family house and Obalufe compound to perform some rites as tradition demands. His passion for social service predates his ascension to the throne. It is on record that Oba Ogunwusi successfully took off the streets several thousands of youths by providing them with gainful employment. The story of two Ife indigenes, Demola Adewole and Taye Fayemi is as touching as it is revealing, confirming the kindness of the monarch. The duo had almost given up hope when fate brought them to Oba Ogunwusi, who rehabilitated them and supervised their transformation to responsible citizens. Already, Oba Ogunwusi has commenced the construction of a replica of his Inagbe Grand Resorts, an upscale leisure haven tucked between the Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos State. Named ‘Ife Grand Resort’, the project is expected to attract young men and women, businesses, corporate organisation, investors, holiday makers, lovers of Ife and Ife in Diaspora to a comfortable ambience to stay when they are away from home. With this, it is clear that the monarch will lead by example, a challenge to the wealth sons and daughters of the ancient town to return home and follow suite to put smile on the faces of the army of unemployed youths. Oba Ogunwusi’s rise to become a successful entrepreneur at a young age is no news to those who are familiar with his history from the Polytechnic Ibadan where he read Accountancy and graduated at the age of 21. He is said to have displayed an outstanding academic prowess, an effort which fast tracked his programme ahead of his mates. Instead of four years, Oba Ogunwusi com-

‘I will do my best to promote social, cultural values pleted his programme within three and went for the youth service scheme. How did he achieve it? The Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Olatunde Fawole confirmed that the monarch sat for his ATS and passed in one year while most people do theirs on the average of two years. “And that was what he used to do his Higher National Diploma. That means instead of the regular two years spent for an Ordinary National Diploma (OND), his ability to make the ATS within one year afforded him a direct entry for an HND. He did his ATS and HND for three years,” Fawole said. The Ooni also ventured into some businesses at the Polytechnic and came out of

I will do my best to promote social values, moral values and cultural values.

the school with promising entrepreneurial abilities. He is a go-getter who never accepts no for answer. This doggedness led him to explore other areas of business such as Engineering, construction, real estate and hospitality. He is currently the managing director of Howard Roark Gardens Limited. .As a real estate giant, he successfully handled multi billion naira housing/estate projects around the Lekki-Ajah and Yaba axis of Lagos State. He had a stint with Dangote Group and won the confidence of the conglomerate with his creative business concepts. To his credit also are Sparkwest Steel Galvanizing Plant, the Amalgamated Mining and Exploration Company Limited – a company he brokered for the Ondo State Government with strategic partnership and alliances from Canada.” The turnout at yesterday’s coronation beat the imagination of the local organizing committee with eminent personalities struggling to have seats. About 40 air conditioners installed to provide comfort were ineffective as guests battled with heat on their seats, using impoverished hand fan. The Ooni of Ife entered the hall and walked in just as the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar was rounding off his good will message. The All Progressives Congress (APC) lead-

Nigerians speak on Oba Ogunwusi. President Muhammadu Buhari: “As you prepare to begin the rites of ascension to the revered throne of your great ancestors, you should be prepared to put your new position as Ooni and principal custodian of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yorubas to good use in the service of your people and country, Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar: “The choice of Oba Ogunwusi venerates the totemic deep wisdom, courage and resourcefulness which the throne of the Ooni is widely acknowledged for. It is not in doubt that Your Highness made an early start in building a career and reputation in the private sector of the country, which is a source of inspiration for many young Nigerians. Your footprints in the real estate sector of the economy will continue to create the pathways for generations to come that with early start and an eye on focus, it is possible to attain greatness.” Senator Ajayi Boroffice: “With the illustrious personality of the Ooni-designate, fertile record of selfless and community services, vast experience, royal carriage and sterling leadership qualities, I firmly believe his ascension to the throne of his forefathers marks the glorious beginning of a glowing chapter in the tradition and culture of the Yoruba race. I pray that the ascension of the Ooni-designate to the revered stool of Ooni will herald prosperity to his subjects and development to Yoruba nation and the entire country. I urge the Ooni-designate to deploy his revered and influential seat to sustain and promote peace and National cohesion across ethnic origins in the country. May your reign be as tranquil and peaceful as stars at twilight and your regime be as long as Devonshire lane.” Senator Isiaka Adeleke: “Oba Enitan Ogunwusi is stepping into the big shoes left behind by his predecessors, who no doubt, left indelible marks on their reign as Obas of the Source. I wish him God’s special mercy, guidance and divine wisdom to excel and surpass the enviable records left behind by Late Oba Okunade Sijuade.”

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

I will not be available for swearing-in with Bello Jan 27 —Faleke YinkaOladoyinbo–Lokojawith Agency reports

THE All Progressives Congress’ (APC) deputy governorship candidate in Kogi, Mr Abiodun Faleke, says he

will not make himself available for swearing in with Alhaji Yahaya Bello on January 27, 2016. Faleke stated this at a meeting of APC stakeholders in Kogi West Senato-

rial District in Kabba, Kogi State, on Monday. He explained that this was in furtherance of his earlier letter to the national leadership of the party not to work with Bello, the gov-

ernorship candidate. Faleke, who was reacting to resolutions reached at the meeting that he should pursue the legal option to a logical conclusion, held that the Audu/Faleke ticket

Glo ambassador and Marvin Records star, Korede Bello, with his fans. From left, Tochi Nweke, Rita Uwaeme and Busayo Iyodo, at the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce Concert, held at the Imo International Conference Centre, Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday.

remained intact and unchanged. “I will not disappoint Prince Abubakar Audu. I, James Abiodun Faleke will not be there for the swearing in if we don’t finish the case before the January 27, 2016. “Nobody consulted me before making me a deputy to Bello. Bello too did not consult me. I have made my position known to the party leadership on this. I am not ready to betray and disappoint Prince Abubakar Audu,” he said. He exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari from the crisis. Faleke warned the leadership of the party against setting it on a path of destruction through impunity and injustice, adding that they should learn from what happened to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the present struggle was a complex one and beyond him, saying that it was about emancipation of the people and the future of the state. While asking the people not to fight or castigate anybody over the development, Faleke said those who are

New Yoruba nation’ll soon emerge —Ooni Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

ROMINENT individuals from all walks of life on Monday converged on the ancient city of Ile-Ife as the 51st Ooni, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was presented with the staff of office and instrument of appointment by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State. The new monarch declared that a new Yoruba nation would soon emerge, considering his moves aimed at building bridges of love and oneness among the traditional rulers in the South-West states. Markets, banks and schools were closed, with business activities grounded as huge crowd thronged the event held at Afewonro Park, Enuwa, just as security agents had a hectic time, controlling the surging population struggling to catch a glimpse of the new monarch. Dedicating his staff of office to the youth in Ile-Ife, Osun State and Nigeria as a whole, Oba Ogunwusi, the 51st Ooni, whose coronation came exactly 35 years and a day after the immediate past Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, received staff of office said “new Yoruba nation will soon emerge.” He disclosed that before his coronation, he had already begun consultation

by building bridges across Yorubaland, most especially among monarchs in the South-West, with a view to create leeway for renewed unity, oneness and love within the traditional institution. Oba Ogunwusi assured that he would continue to explore measures which would further deepen cooperation among Yoruba Obas, which would also have multiplying positive effects on their subjects. While tasking the youth to take positive action capable of making the society better, he further contended that “there are three cycles in life-your morning is your first step, your afternoon is when you carry the most activities and your night is when you lie down to rest.”

“But, the youth are mostly in their afternoon and I want us to work towards cohesion, team-building and not condemning our leaders all the time. Let us look at their positive side. Nobody is perfect. By looking at their positive side, there would be significant progress in the country,” Oba Ogunwusi asserted. On his ascension to the throne, he simply said, “it was ordained by God.” Presenting staff of office to Ooni, Aregbesola enjoined him to carry everybody along, stressing that “I must point it out to you that to get the total acceptance of your people, you must be guided by their interests. The people belong to varied interest groups.” He continued, “such interests could be religious, polit-

ical, social and ideological. You are the father of them all. Your attitude to your people will be the determinant of your success. Love them, guide them and listen to everyone. You are very fortunate to be surrounded by chiefs who love you like their own sons when you were a prince. And now they embrace you as their father, you should be in close touch with these wise elders to draw from their wisdom for the success of your reign.” In his goodwill message, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, described the throne of Ooni as a deep and revered institution among the Yoruba people, which carries the responsibility of the race.

Okorocha attends Owerri Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce The Owerri edition of Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce show, held Saturday night at the Imo International Conference Centre, Owerri, turned out to be a mind blowing experience for the residents of the town as the artistes who performed came to the party with their Agame, including a surprise appearance by Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. The Governor, who was obviously surprised by the huge crowd at the hall, ar-

rived just when the audience was savouring the performance of Glo Brand Ambassador, Korede Bello. Governor Okorocha also took selfies pictures against the Glo backdrop with attendees of the show and on seeing the mammoth crowd exclaimed, “so this is where all my people are.” Korede Bello, the God Win crooner serenaded the crowd with many of his beloved tracks including Ada and God Win. Ego also dazzled the audience with her sonorous voice.

MI, Wizkid and Psquare got the crowd screaming and dancing as all the acts hit waves of their melodious songs. Mr Chukwudi Ofoh, CEO, Ibari Ogwa Entertainment World, one of the biggest relaxation centres in Imo State, submitted that in all his years in showbiz, “this is the first time ever that I have seen all these big artistes performing in a single show and at no cost to anybody. Only Globacom could have brought them for the people of Owerri to enjoy.”

He advised the new monarch to exercise courage, integrity and loyalty to truth and charged him to be virtuous and use his position to work for the unity of the country, adding that “Ile Ife is blessed to have a youthful monarch at the critical period in Nigeria history,” just as he prayed for him for the anointing of virtuous leadership as explained in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10 verses 16 and 17. Dignitaries who attended the ceremony included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode; former acting national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala. Others included Senator Daisy Danjuma and her husband, General T.Y Danjuma, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, Orangun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Adedotun; the Orangun of Oke Ila Orangun, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad; the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi 1, among others.

fighting in 2015 for positions in 2019 were trying God. “People are fighting for 2019 in 2015. Are they God? What is happening is beyond human imagination,” he said. He thanked the Igalas for their support and resolve to defend the mandate with their blood and assured them that their efforts will not be in vain. Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), on Monday, said the emergence of the APC candidate in the Kogi State governorship election, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was an intervention from God to salvage the state. The conference, in a statement by its Chairman, Abdanis Ibrahim and the Secretary, Ilyas Badanga, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, stated that the election of Bello should be accepted by all and sundry as a development destined to happen. The body maintained that the result of the governorship election is expected to lead to a fresh air that was destined by God to restore the state to the path of development. The group, however, urged the people of the state to rally support for the incoming administration of Bello, adding that the new regime would rescue the state from under development. According to the group, the only way the former governorship candidate of the APC, the late Abubakar Audu, could be honoured by those that believed in him is to give maximum support to Bello to enable him succeed. The CNNP noted that Audu, who was adjudged to be a founding father of Kogi State would have died in vain if Bello was not elected, calling on the people across all divides to sheath their sword for the progress of the state. The statement read, “Yahaya Bello’s election was the first fruit of our founding father of modern Kogi, late Prince Abubakar Audu. We urged all Kogites to support this young man who is in a hurry to bring his managerial acumen to uplift the state. “We have seen how he has achieved tremendously within a short period in business and in industry and with the support of all of us he will take the state to the promise land.” The conference, however, cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over litigation from the fall out of the poll, stressing that the state had suffered legal tussles in the past administrations which had adversely affected the people.

news

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Police transfer suspected 781.5kg cannabis smugglers to NDLEA

Niger gov swears in 14 commissioners and others Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

Shola Adekola-Lagos

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 command Lagos, Mr Bala Hassan has transferred two suspected cannabis smugglers to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The suspects were arrested with 863 compressed parcels of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis weighing 781.5 kilogrammes being smuggled from Ghana by sea at Badagry. They were received by the Seme command of the Agency on behalf of the NDLEA. NDLEA commander at Seme Border Command, Mr Udotong Essien while receiving the suspects and exhibits pledged to carry out further investigation on the arrest. The commander gave the names of the suspects as Ismaila Aliyu, 26, a transporter and Edwin Igbokwe, 39, a labourer at Badagry jetty. According to Udotong, “I hereby takeover two suspected drug traffickers with 781.5 kilogrammes of cannabis from Zone 2 command, Nigeria Police, Lagos. Other items include one Speed Boat Yamaha engine, three Honda motorcycles and N480, 000 believed to be proceeds of drug business.” Speaking on the development, the Acting Chairman and Chief Executive of the Agency, Mrs Roli Bode-George commended the AIG Zone 2 for collaborating with the NDLEA in drug control.

From left, Vice President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), B Zone, Cosmas Oni; guest speaker, Professor Deola Adenikinju; National President, NUJ, Alhaji Waheed Odusile; royal father of the day, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba (Dr) Abdul Ganeey Adekunle Salau, Ologunebi-Ajinase 1 and NUJ chairman, Oyo State, Mr Gbenga Opadotun, during the 2015 press week of NUJ, Oyo State chapter, held at Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Monday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO OKE

Nigeria must remove subsidy to salvage downstream sector —Don By Tunde Ogunesan

OR Nigeria to salvage the downstream oil sector, the Federal Government must be ready to remove subsidy and pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and turn around the national oil company. This appeal was made by the Director, Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Deola Adenikinju, while delivering a lecture titled “Nigeria and the oil question: Balancing our development” on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 2015 Press Week, held at the Dapo Aderogba Hall, Iya-

ganku, Ibadan. According to Professor Adenikinju, “Subsidy must go to salvage the downstream sector so that our depots, pipelines are back and Nigeria will no longer need to develop on tankers for moving of petroleum products across the country, our fate will no longer be in the hands of Oliver Twist Petroleum products oil traders, we would no longer continue to take care of the rich at the expense of the poor. “We cannot underestimate the importance of right policies, especially, the ones backed by legislation, commitment of the government to transparency; openness and the establishment of right in-

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, on Monday, threatened to embark on indefinite strike, over 16 months unpaid salaries and poor funding of the university. The lecturers protested round the town of AgoIwoye, to sensitise members of the public of their plights, condemning the state government’s attitude towards the 33-yearold institution.

gerians economy. “We need both vertical and horizontal diversification in order to optimally manage our economy. Diversification has been in the forefront of policy objectives of every successive government since 1970s.” “Oil is a wasteful resource and we have less than a century, except we discovered significant oil reserves, for us to transit from an oil exporting to an oil importing country. The failure to pass the PIB and the current cloudy weather hanging over the global oil market is negatively affecting new exploration efforts. We have not been adding to our stock of reserves, rather we have been experiencing declining reserves,” he stated.

Fire service officer killed, 15 shops razed as fire guts Onitsha market Suzy Oruya-Onitsha

Fire on Monday wreaked havoc at popular Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anam-

bra State leaving one of the fire service men dead, several others in various degrees of injuries and 15

OOU lecturers threaten showdown over 16-month unpaid salaries OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

stitutions that simplifies rather than complicates investment in the oil sector will do this country a lot of good in the future. Nigeria must pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). We must turn around the National Oil Company.” Adenikinju disclosed that petroleum should be integrated with other sectors mainly in terms of forward linkages. “Over 6000 products are derivable from petroleum products. These can form the basis for developing petrochemical industry, fertilizer and ammonia industry, support the power sector.” He also suggested diversification of the economy, both vertical and horizontal in order to manage Ni-

The protesting university lecturers, who carried placards with various inscriptions, were led by their chairman, Mr Deji Agboola. While addressing newsmen, they said the strike would be “total, comprehensive and indefinite” and “shall remain in force until the state government takes concrete and sustainable steps” to address their demands. He said, “One prominent way by which the state government has been cutting back on funding of the university is the non-

payment of full salary of staff and removal from subvention head. We have written several letters to the council and the visitor to the university to this effect. Public education is a social good. “Government currently pays about half of the full salary of staff at OOU. To make matters worse, the so-called salaries are placed under the “subversion” heading; a misleading heading which could be misinterpreted as grant meant for research and development of the university.

shops razed. According to a local vigilance operative, who pleaded anonymity, the fire incidents were of two segments. The first fire started by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday evening and the security operatives in the market swung into action and put it out. He said, “N1.5 million was recovered from the shop and handed over to the owner of the shop. “The second fire started about 3:00 a.m. on Monday from one of the shops and extended to about 15 others despite the efforts of the fire service men and others who battled to put out the inferno.” He said that the man who died in the incident was one of the fire service officials from Onitsha Main Market. “He met his untimely

death when he climbed a storey building to spread the water to the inferno from there but unfortunately for him, the building collapsed and he died on the process,” he explained. “Another official of the fire service, (names withheld) also broke one of his legs and five others sustained various degrees of injuries”, he revealed further. The cause of the fire incident has not been ascertained even as Governor Obiano pledged to set up an investigating panel to find out the cause of the inferno and how to avert future occurrence. He added that he would provide fire fighting vehicle (equipment) to the traders and urged them to avoid act capable of bringing dispute to the markets in the state.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, on Monday at the Conference hall of the Government House, Minna swearin 14 newly appointed commissioners, with an advice to them to hit the ground running, emphasising that the expectations of the electorate must be met. The governor also enjoined them to be the change agents by fighting corruption as his government has zero tolerance for embezzlement of public funds. He also warned the newly sworn-in Commissioners, three special advisers and a deputy Chief of Staff at the ceremony that, “the culture of seeing political appointment as a source of amassing wealth will not be condoned.” Bello who acknowledged that the task ahead was enormous said the state has enough human and material resources to transform it economically, adding that the forthcoming 2016 Budget will be targeted to give priority attention to areas that affect the people most.

Police arrest 2 for robbing bank customer in FCT Chris Agbambu-Abuja

Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested a two-man robbery gang which specialised in hibernating around banking areas to monitor and rob bank customers, who withdraw large sums of money. The robbers, according to the police, were arrested by combined efforts of police operatives on traffic duty and a victim, who chased the suspects to traffic point where they were intercepted by the police personnel. FCT Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, who confirmed this, said the suspects, who monitored and followed up their victim after he emerged from the banking hall at a bank in Maitama axis with the cash he withdrew to his car, smartly placed a nail which gradually deflated the tyre while he was on motion. He said the incident forced the victim to stop to check the tyre, prompting the suspects to take advantage of the situation to pull off the bag containing the cash from the car and speed off on their bike.

news

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

EFCC freezes account of Tompolo’s company ...Files fresh charges against Akpobolokemi Tola Adenubi And Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin-Lagos

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the bank accounts of Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Limited (GWVSNL). The company, reportedly owned by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpomupolo also known as Tompolo, signed a 10-year maritime security contract with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2011. Under the terms of the contract, it is expected to provide platforms to be used for patrolling the nation’s waterways by the Nigerian Navy and other security operatives. It would be recalled that sometimes in July, 2015, the Federal Ministry of Transport had directed NIMASA to discontinue payment to GWVSNL. The freezing of the company’s

accounts in various banks is said to be the reasons for the discontinuation of payment by the agency. The bank accounts of former Director-General of the agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, his wife’s, Beauty Akpobolokemi and four brothers – Clement Akpobolokemi, Stephen Akpobolokemi, Julius Akpobolokemi and Victor Akpobolokemi – have also been frozen by the antigraft agency. This is coming on the heels of fresh charges of converting N2.6billion filed against the erstwhile NIMASA helmsman by EFCC lawyers on Friday.

He was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2million. Akpobolokemi was again arraigned on Friday over a scam of N2.6billion he allegedly perpetrated with six others within the agency between December 2013 and May 2015. The fresh arraignment on Friday before Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos came a day after Akpobolokemi and nine others were arraigned on a 30-count of alleged N3.4 billion fraud before Justice Saliu Saidu of the same court. The separate charge

brought before Buba on Friday had Akpolokemi, Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited as defendants. The seven were charged with a 22-count bordering on conspiracy, theft, advanced fee fraud and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused them of converting to their personal use, a total of N2, 658,957,666, belonging to NIMASA, between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015. In the said charge, signed

by Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Iseoluwa, the EFCC also alleged, among other things, that Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Nwakuche and Juan “induced the Federal Government to approve and deliver to NIMASA the sum of N795, 200, 000 under the false pretence that the sum represented the cost for the implementation of the International Ship and Ports Security Code in Nigeria Ports.” This alleged offence is said to contravene Section 8 (a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Act.

Customs, FOU zone C ’ll not be deterred by falsehood —Spokesman The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri, has said that it will not be deterred by falsehood and blackmail in its renewed onslaught against smuggling of contraband and fake goods, vehicles with fake documents and other illegalities into the country especially into the zone. Addressing newsmen, the Public Relations Officer of FOU Zone C, Owerri, Onuigbo Ifeoma, said sequel to unrelenting onslaught against smuggling, duty evasion and other illegalities by smugglers which is being fought by the unit, smugglers of fake drugs might have commenced a campaign of falsehood against the zone. “They have now resorted to using human rights group and faceless groups to attack the zone and alleging all sorts of things, including compromise against our unit in a recent national publication at a time the unit should be commended for raising the anti-smuggling tempo to a greater height. “This act is not only illegal but unpatriotic against Nigeria and the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari that has not hidden its determination to stamp out all forms of corruption and fight against all the illegalities that have been drawing the country backward.

From left; Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Chinese Consul General in Nigeria, Mr Lin Kan and a representative from Chinese Company, Joseph Huany, during a visit by the Chinese Consul General to the Governor’s Office, in Akure, on Monday.

Money laundering: Lamido’s son loses appeal Sunday Ejike-Abuja

THE Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna, on Monday, dismissed the appeal brought before it by Aminu Sule Lamido, the 34-year-old son of former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, against the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano which

found him guilty of the charge of money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed a money laundering charge against Aminu Sule Lamido who was arrested on December 11, 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano In-

ternational Airport, on his way to Egypt, for failure to declare the sum of $40,000 in the Customs Currency Declaration Form after initially declaring the statutory $10,000 to the Nigeria Custom Service. The Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said

NBA to eradicate money politics, godfatherism with electronic voting By Yejide Gbenga-Ogdnare

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has revealed that the usual challenges that trail the process of selecting the association’s president will be eradicated at the 2016 election of the body as the voting process will be electronic and members will be able to vote wherever they are in the world. The NBA with this development, will not only be pioneering electronic voting in Nigeria, but will also eradicate the issue of money politics and godfa-

therism which has become part of the bar elections in the past. The President of the NBA, Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN), made this revelation, adding that the era of spending fortunes to contest for the post of president and the influence of godfathers will now be a thing of the past as the present leadership of the NBA is set to put an end to all the challenges. “I can authoritatively tell you that come August 2016 when I will be leaving office, the elections will be conducted electronically.

It does not matter where you are in the world, in as much as you are duly registered as a lawyer and you pay your practicing fees, you will be entitled to vote. All you will need to do is open your computer, log on to the NBA website where you will see the requirements to vote. If you meet the criteria, you will proceed to another column that entitles you to vote. “The pictures and names of all contestants in all categories will also be there together with profiles and brochures.”

Aminu, a 2010 graduate of Mass Communication from the Bayero University Kano, was subsequently arraigned on February 4, 2013, on one count charge of false declaration of foreign currency. The charge reads: “That you, Aminu Sule Lamido, on or about 11th December, 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, while transporting in cash, the sum of $50,000 from Nigeria to Cairo, Egypt, falsely declared to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of $10,000 instead of the said sum of $50,000 as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.”

FG trains 100 unemployed graduates in Nasarawa Ademola Adegbite-Lafia THE Federal Government, on Monday, trained over 100 unemployed graduates under its Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), in Nasarawa State. The facilitator for GIS/ Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Ogunsanmi Richard, while addressing the participants at the Investment Conference Hotel in Lafia, the state capital, said that the aim of the programme was to train universities and polytechnics graduates on skills acquisition. He stressed that the Federal government was committed to empowering the youths in the area of skills acquisition for job creation in the country, lamenting that it viewed the current unemployment rate in the country as unacceptable, as it recognised that the only key to solve it was a concerted efforts by all the stakeholders. According to him, “basically, the internship programme is to prepare the graduates for the job market, in the quest of job search or if they want to establish on their own after this Orientation and Employability Skills Training.”

TY Danjuma, Senator Adamu, ex-VC Beike to be honoured in Nasarawa Ademola Adegbite-Lafia ALUMNI Association of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Nasarawa State, on Monday, announced its plans to honour General Theophilous Yakubu Danjuma, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa South, as well as its pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adamu Beike and the National University Commission (NUC) during its 10th anniversary, for their numerous contributions to the growth of the institution. Its Public Relations Officer (PRO) and chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the association, Mr Polycarp Auta, made this announcement, while speaking with newsmen in Lafia, the state capital. Mr Polycarp, who explained that the event was aimed at reuniting members after its 15 years of establishment, further stressed that the programme would commence on December 11 till 13, and would feature a foundation laying ceremony/fund raising for the building of its national secretariat.

news Ganduje orders renovation of Govt Girls’ Secondary School 41

Kola Oyelere - Kano

ANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the state Ministry of Education to immediately renovate Sani Yaro Hostel in the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Jogana, which was destroyed by fire on Sunday night, resulting in the death of seven students. It will be recalled that the school was closed last

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Monday, following the directive of the state Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, to allow the teachers and students of the school, and their parents to recover from the traumatic incident, which also left many students with varying degrees of injuries. Dr Ganduje, who gave the directive while inspecting the damage caused by the inferno, also gave an order for immediate renovation

of other hostels affected by previous fire outbreaks in the school. Lamenting recurrence of fire incidents in the school, the governor noted that investigations hitherto carried out could not establish the actual cause of the inferno, and therefore warned that “the management of the school as well as the students must be cautious in making use of fire or related items.” The governor thanked the

school authorities and the host community for the rapid response to the tragedy, assuring that the present administration would do everything possible to avert recurrence. While praying for the repose of the soul of the seven students of the school, who lost their lives to the fire outbreak, he enjoined parents of the victims to submit to the will of Allah, as Muslims. He also commended the state Deputy Governor

and Commissioner for Education, Professor Abubakar for the wise decision to close the school, stressing that the decision was taken at the right time. Earlier, Principal of the school, Malama Khadija Gambo told the governor that the hostel has the capacity to accommodate 500 students, noting that it was built as part of the schools’ expansion programme of the immediate past administration in the state.

Embrace info tech, Amosun charges students OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has charged students in secondary schools to embrace Information Technology (IT) in order to be relevant in the future. The Governor who gave the charge, at the commissioning of a set of IT equipment donated by the German Minister of Economic Cooperation to Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode, said the world was becoming a global village, adding that students should prepare adequately to face the challenges ahead of them. Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, said “Information Technology is the current trend globally. As young ones, you need to get all round education including being IT compliant because the age of analogue is gone for good.’’ While lauding the donor for keeping to his promises, Amosun said the equipment would go a long way in helping his government reposition the education sector, calling on the students to maximise the use of the equipment. He called on Old Students Associations, individuals and corporate bodies to join hands with the state government in building a viable education sector for the state. The Consular General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Ingo Herbert, said his country would continue to partner with the state, towards maintaining educational standard. Herbert said the donation of the IT equipment was in fulfillment of the promise made by his country’s Minister for Economic Cooperation, when he visited the school last year.

Taraba State governor, Mr Darius Ishaku; his deputy, Haruna Manu; Speaker of the state Assembly, Abel Diya; the state Chief Judge, Justice Josephine Tuktur and other officials, watching passengers disembark from the maiden flight, on Monday.

Ishaku inaugurates Jalingo airport Sylvanus Viashima- Jalingo

As part of measures to attract investors to the state, Governor Darius Ishaku, on Monday inaugurated the Jalingo Airport, just as he flagged off commercial flight operations at the airport with a maiden flight from Abuja to Jalingo marking a new dawn in the state. The maiden flight, a 48-seater Fuel Jet from

Overland Airlines, which touched down at exactly 12.56 p.m with eight passengers on board and a crew, were welcomed by Governor Darius Ishaku. Speaking on the occasion to mark the historic event, Governor Ishaku stated that the commencement of commercial flight operations at the airport, was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to open up the state

to the rest of the world to attract investors and tourists to the enormous potential in the state. “This is a milestone in the life of this administration as it fulfils one of my major campaign promises of opening up the state to investors and tourists to explore the enormous potentials lying waste here and to unlock the industrial potentials of the state.

NISLT has contributed immensely to national growth —Okowa The Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has commended the efforts of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology for the growth and advancement of Nigeria, just as he stressed that it became necessary to encourage the strides of the institute. The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Delta State, R.J. Agbaike, made this known during the 31st Annual National Conference and Scientific Workshop of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology tagged: “Delta 2015”. The event was held at the Conference Centre, Petroleum Training

Institute, Effurun, Delta State. “I am particularly delighted at the theme and sub-theme of the conference, which is “Oil and Gas Exploration: The Role of Science Laboratory Technology in the Management of Environmental Degradation.” No subject could be more meaningful in Nigeria’s present day social economic development than the one on environmental degradation which seems to be the order of the day as a result of oil and gas exploration, especially in the oil producing states,” Okowa stated. Okowa emphasised that it is of utmost importance that the required standards are met in oil and gas operations,

as well as other related fields such as pharmaceutical, food, environmental and health practices. He assured that presently, efforts are being geared towards the promotion of knowledgebased dispensation of science and laboratory technology services. The Registrar, DirectorGeneral and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Dr Ighodalo Folorunso Ijagbone, who gave the reason for the choice of the conference theme in his welcome address, said the choice of the topic was influenced principally by the fact that oil and gas exploration remained the main economic activity in the Niger Delta region.

“This is just the beginning. We already have a Helicopter in Jalingo here that will soon commence operation, lifting people from here to Gembu, Gashaka, Kashimbila and other strategic areas, so as to showcase the gifts that the state is blessed with,” Ishaku said. The Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airlines, Captain Edward Boyo, who informed the people that the airline would be running three flights weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, between Jalingo and Abuja, at a fare of N25,000 only, hailed the people of the state, for the rousing welcome and assured them of quality service from the airline. According to Boyo, “every state deserves a functional airport and an operational airline and the efforts of your governor in ensuring that commercial activities resumes here today is commendable. Your show of acceptance is also heartwarming and a show that this is what you all long for.” The governor also stated that the state had made a substantial payment to the airliner to facilitate the smooth take off of the operation and called on the people to take advantage of the opportunity to patronise the airline.

Nigerian Tribune

Lead City University slashes fee By Kehinde Adio

The management, Lead City University , Ibadan, the first private university in Oyo State, has considered it imperative to slash the institution’s tuition fee. The Vice Chancellor of the Ivory Tower, Professor Femi Onabajo, gave this information on Monday, at a press conference organised to mark the 8th convocation of the institution slated for Thursday. According to him, students who applied for courses in the Faculty of Arts such as English, Performing Art and other related courses in the Faculty of Arts will ,henceforth pay about N100,000, courses in the Faculty of Education will now go for N150,000, some science courses will now attract about N250,000, while courses run on parttime basis, especially for adults, are also affected by the slash in tuition fee. Professor Onabajo stated that the decision of the university to reduce the tuition fee, was to make university education more accessible to all and sundry in the society.

Crusade Christ the Light Gospel Church, opposite Ratibi Primary School, Oluyoro, Oke-Badan, Ibadan, Oyo State, will hold its “21 Night of Wonders at Winners’ Vigil 2015”, at the church auditorium, between Monday, December 7 and Sunday, December 27, at 12.00a.m and 12.00p.m daily. The theme of the programme is “BY THIS TIME TOMMORROW” (NI WOYI OLA) Ministering are Reverend Mrs D.A. Aremu, Prophet S.A. Bamigboye, Pastor Sola Adekunle, Prophetess Esther Oluwasogo, Prophet K. Afolabi, Prophet Daniel Oladimeji, Prophet Sunday Babatunde, Prophetess A.Olayiwola. Song ministers are Dr Bose Adeiwa, Kabiosi Queen, Lady Evangelist Bimpe Asonibare, Dr Victoria Adeleke, Lady Evangelist Bola Omotosho, Lady Evangelist Sade Odekunle. Reverend (Dr) S.O. Aremu is the Chief Host.

•Reverend (Dr) S.O. Aremu

42 news

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Saraki-led senate threat to democracy —Online publishers

As UN hears petition on repressive social media

NLINE Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN), has condemned the Social Media Bill being proposed by the senate. The bill, titled “Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” seeks to gag online media by imposing a two -year jail term for abusive statement.

The association, in a statement issued on Monday by Olufemi Awoyemi, titled “A Public statement on the “frivolous petitions bill” A public statement denouncing the “frivolous petitions bill” said, “We, the entire board and members of the Online Publishers Association condemn in the strongest terms, the motivation, process and purpose of the “Bill for an Act to Prohibit

Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith” which passed its 2nd reading at the senate in a record eight days; and is now set for a public hearing subsequent to its being referred by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; to the committees on Information Communication Technology (ICT). “We align with the Nigerian public in describing this action by the senate as

pure idleness and an abandonment of the electoral mandate to focus on laws for good governance to deliver increased welfare for the people. The senate is seeking instead to restrict the scope of human freedoms, growth of new platforms of social interaction and public accountability.” “Having engaged and consulted widely with stakeholders in the country, including members of

From left, wife of the author, Mrs Eunice Onu; the author and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; President Muhammadu Buhari; former governor of Cross River State, Mr Clement Ebri; former vice-president and chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, at the public presentation of a book, entitled: “From opposition to governing party: Nigeria’s Apc story”, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: Nan

Nigeria’s aviation sector needs overhaul —Senate committee Shola Adekola - Lagos THE senate adhoc committee on aviation, led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, visited the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Monday, declaring that a lot still needs to be done in the sector. The committee, which has on its entourage, the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, had earlier in the day, visited the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, before coming to Lagos. In a brief interaction with journalists after the inspection of the facilities, Kwankwaso stated that there was the need for

some equipment to be replaced while some require maintenance. His words: “We are very happy with what we have seen in Lagos, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.” “On the whole, I can say that we are happy on one hand, but on the other hand, we are not happy in the sense that a lot still need to be done in the aviation industry in this country. “We have seen the state of the facilities, there are some equipment that need to be replaced. We have seen areas that require a lot of maintenance and also ongoing projects that require completion as soon as possible. “So, we have seen it and

we will go back, put our heads together and see what we can recommend to the senate so that together we can move the aviation industry forward.” Also speaking, the former minister promised that the committee will pass its recommendations to the

government for implementation, saying: “We are going to make our report and recommendations on what need to be done to improve on the revenue drive and the rest will be for government to implement and the minister by extension. We will find out how to bridge the gaps”.

(AMSWON), will help to reduce the rising cases of psycho-social problems; divorce, poverty, malnutrition, juvenile delinquency, rape, examination malpractices, cultism, violence and prostitution among others. AMSWON national president, Alhaji Abubakar Bichi, who made this call in his acceptance speech shortly after he emerged as the national president of the association at its Annual General Meeting, at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

Abandoned babies A male child of about four years old found at Idi-Oro Agbede area, Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 18, 2013.

A male child of about four years old and a female child of about three years old, rescued at Olopometa Oke-Odo area, Ibadan, Oyo State, on January 24, 2014.

A baby boy of about one and a half years old, rescued at Iyaganku police station, Iyaganku, Ibadan Oyo State,on September 30, 2015.

Nigerian leaders responsible for high rate of criminal activities —Abegunrin

CATHOLIC Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese and the Apostolic Administrator of Osogbo Diocese, His Grace, Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, has declared that Nigerian leaders are responsible for the high rate of criminal activities

ravaging the country Archbishop Abegunrin, stated this in his homily during the Mass to commemorate the centenary of Catholicism in Otan Aiyegbaju, the headquarters of Boluwaduro Local Government Area, Osun State.

Involve more medical social workers in hospitals, AMSWON tells FG The involvement of medical social workers in the management of tertiary, secondary and primary health centres across the country has been described as an antidote to the array of psycho-social problems confronting many Nigerians. The employment and engagement of the experts in the area who will help the affected patients and those who would need professional advice according to the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria,

the National Assembly and the ruling government; we offer our support to the “Public March” being organised by ‘The Freedom of Information Coalition in Nigeria; on the National Assembly and across the nation on Tuesday (today) amongst the many other lawful steps to be taken individually and severally to not only stop this unjust law, but to hold the lawmakers more accountable.” Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mr David Kayo, is considering the urgent appeal against the repressive social media bill known as ‘A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith’, rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has confirmed. In a statement on Monday by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said that, “SERAP can confirm that the office of the Special Rapporteur is now considering our petition. We have received communication from Marcelo Daher, at the office of the Special Rapporteur to this effect. The Special Rapporteur has also requested a copy of the bill, which SERAP has promptly sent to Marcelo Daher. “SERAP appreciates the prompt attention to this matter by the office of the Special Rapporteur. “

Nigerian Tribune

University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, declared that most of these problems do not require medication but professional advice of trained and certified medical social workers. Bichi, who said that one of the requirements of an ideal hospital, be it tertiary, secondary or primary, is the availability of medical social workers, decried the shortage of professional medical social workers who will be willing to provide psycho-social succor to patients because “not all

illnesses require drugs or medication”. Speaking further, Bichi who said one of the factors responsible for the mass failure, examination malpractices and cultism in Nigerian schools from primary to tertiary level is the misplacement of priorities by the governments, parents, teachers and students blamed the problems on the absence of social workers who can help to discover students’ potentials and guide them based on their uniqueness.

According to him, the hypocritical nature of leaders in the country, does not endear them to the youth, because they are involved in criminal acts . Abegunrin added that many leaders in the country are far away from God in their acts and administration, thus, administering with wrong mindset. While berating the poor standard of education and immorality in secondary schools, the clergy noted that the take over of mission schools by government without proper education, impartation of moral and discipline, has made the schools substandard. He charged religious leaders not to leave education to government alone to ensure that the lost culture of morality and discipline is regained.

A baby girl of about two weeks old, abandoned at Oke-Ado, Gbenla area, Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 10, 2015.

Anybody with useful information that could lead to the discovery of the above mentioned babies’ parents should, please, contact the principal social welfare office, Iyaganku, Ibadan or the nearest police station.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Chicago shooting: Obama vows to defeat

new phase of terrorist threat

resident Barack Obama late on Sunday laid out the most sweeping defence yet of his strategy to defeat Islamic State, but he offered no United States

President Barack Obama

policy shift to confront what he called a “new phase” in the terrorist threat after a mass shooting in California. In a rare Oval Office address, Obama sought to calm a U.S. public increasingly jittery about the fight against Islamist militancy that once appeared to be waged overseas. His remarks failed to quiet Republican critics who have long accused him of underestimating the militants’ strength and staying power. Speaking in a measured tone, Reuters said Obama used his 14-minute nationally televised appearance to draw a careful line about what he would and would not

Rwanda’s president to decide on 3rd term after referendum Rwanda’s president has said he will decide whether to seek a third term in office after a referendum, possibly this month, on a constitutional change that would a allow him to run again, Reuters reported. The United States, a major donor that has long praised President Paul Kagame for rebuilding the nation after the 1994 genocide, has said he should set an example to the region by stepping down at the end of his second term in 2017. The debate about term limits has flared across Africa. In next door Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza’s election for a third term that faced opposition has plunged the nation into crisis. Other African leaders are also approaching term limits. Kagame, who was first elected president in 2003 but was seen as Rwanda’s main power broker long before that, has not announced his intentions but has said those who want him to stay must convince him.

Rwandan President Kagame

“I am still listening,” he told senior officials in the Rwanda Patriotic Front on Sunday. “Whatever you want from me will be based on the decision of the referendum and thus my answer will come after the referendum.” He did not give a date for the ballot in his comments that were aired by the state broadcaster. Senator Tito Rutaremara, a member of the ruling party, told Reuters the cabinet was expected to give a timeline this week. “We would wish it to take place on Dec. 18 but, you know, demanding is different from getting,” he said. The pro-government New Times daily cited officials saying that the vote should not be held later than Dec. 18.

do. He pledged, for example, to “hunt down terrorist plotters” anywhere they are. But he insisted: “We should not be drawn once more into a long and costly ground war in Iraq or Syria.” Obama spoke just four days after U.S.-born Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his Pakistani wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, opened fire on a holiday party for civil servants in San Bernardino, California, killing 14

people. The pair were killed hours later in a shootout with police. Obama condemned the attack as “an act of terrorism designed to kill innocent people.” But he also said San Bernardino showed that “the terrorist threat has evolved into a new phase” as Islamic State used the Internet to “poison the minds” of potential assailants. Obama also made a connection between national se-

otherNEWS curity and the need for gun control following America’s latest mass shooting. The FBI is investigating the paramilitary-style attack in California as inspired by Islamic State, which controls swaths of Syria and Iraq and has shown an expanded reach beyond its Middle East strongholds, including complicity in the Nov. 13 assaults in Paris that killed 130 people.

Kenyans mock President Kenyatta over frequent foreign travel Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has been forced to defend his frequent travel abroad after an outbreak of mass ridicule on the Internet from Kenyans mocking him as a foreign leader making a fleeting visit to their country. Kenyatta returned last week from a trip abroad that included a summit in South Africa, a climate conference in France and a Commonwealth meeting in Malta. He is due to travel to Rwanda later this week. Kenyans have been trading photos online that depict highlights of his “visit” to Kenya. In recent days, the criticism has gone viral on the Internet, with the hashtag #UhuruInKenya surging in rankings of posts on Twitter. A popular road traffic information website with more than 300,000 followers joked that a major Nairobi street had to be closed so Kenyatta could stay at the Kempinski Hotel, where U.S. President Barack Obama lived during a visit in July.

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Photos uploaded by Twitter users depict him on the typical itinerary of a visiting dignitary: signing a visitors’ book, touring a national park, greeting religious leaders and meeting other politicians, labelled as “hawkers”. In a poor country where corruption has been a central issue for decades, the mockery has struck a chord with a public angry at the lavish lifestyles of the political class. Presidential spokesman

Manoah Esipisu was obliged to defend Kenyatta’s foreign trips at a news conference on Sunday. “The cost is really nothing compared to the result,” he said, noting a $1.5 billion Chinese loan secured during the summit meeting in South Africa as one example. “We cannot claim the leadership position we have in the region yet shun our obligations to deal with regional issues.”

US visa waiver, fiance programmes under scrutiny Two mass killings, one in Paris and the other in California, have focused United States leaders’ attention on two methods by which people are allowed into the country, as they look for ways to prevent a future attack. The VOA reported that one target for reform is the K-1 visa used by Tashfeen Malik and more than 25,000 people a year who are engaged A TSA officer (left), checks a passenger’s ticket, boarding pass and passport as part of to U.S. citizens to move to the security screening at John F. Kennedy International Airport. PHOTO: AP. country. at a holiday party. people from one of 38 differMalik died in a shootout The other, the visa waiver ent countries to travel to the with police on Wednesday programme, affects a pool United States for tourism or after she and her husband of people that is orders of business. They can stay up to killed 14 people hours earlier magnitude larger. It allows 90 days.

In 2013, the latest year of comprehensive federal data, 21.2 million people entered the U.S. under the visa waiver programme, accounting for about 39 per cent of all people who came for a vacation or business trip. The House of Representatives will vote this week on a bill to tighten the programme. The measure would bar citizens or nationals of the waiver countries from coming to the U.S. without a visa if, in the past five years, they have been to Iraq, Syria or any other designated “country or area of concern.”

Israeli court jails Palestinian politician for 15 months A prominent Palestinian politician has been jailed for 15 months by an Israeli military court, the military confirmed. Khalida Jarrar, a senior member of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and a wellknown political figure and activist, was sentenced on Sunday at the Ofer military court near the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. She was arrested in April on a series of charges, including encouraging attacks against Israel and violating a travel ban. “Jarrar was sentenced to 15 months on the charges she was arrested for a few months ago, including incitement of terrorism,” an army spokesperson told AFP on Monday. The period since April will be considered part of her sentence, meaning she is likely to remain in jail until next summer.

Russia expects Iran nuclear deal to be implemented in January Russia’s envoy to the U.N.’s nuclear regulatory agency said on Monday he expected a historic nuclear deal between Iran and world powers to be implemented in January, leading to sanctions being lifted on Tehran. Under the deal, Iran must scale back its nuclear program, including its stockpile of low-enriched uranium, which it plans to do via a swap for non-enriched forms of uranium with Russia. That swap will be done before the end of the year, Russia’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Vladimir Voronkov, told reporters in Vienna.

Russia’s President Putin

communitynews

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Lafarge spends over N100m on community development OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

ommitted to the overall development of its host communities, Lafarge Africa Plc, said it has committed over N100 million to host communities in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. This was disclosed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, at the 2015 Community Day, organised by the company that the money was expended on the development of 12 communities hosting the company. She further said that 14 students from the communities were awarded with scholarship running into N1.4 million, as part of its corporate social responsibility. Adebajo represented by Mr Mike Awanayah, put the total number of the scholarships awarded to students from the catchment area at 1,300. She added that Lafarge also constructed a community health centre in Egbado, Ajegunle, as well as empowering youths and the elderly with working tools to set up their chosen vocations. The equipment include tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers and grinding machines. Adebajo said: “This effort is in line with LafargeHolcim’s group principle of situating relationship with the host communities at the core of our business, by adopting the approach of dialogue, transparency, responsibility and positive contribution to the economic and social development of our local territories. “For us in Lafarge Af-

rica Plc, Corporate Social Investment is a vital part of our sustainability drive to create positive impact in our host communities. This focuses on three cardinal areas of environ-

ment, social and economic responsibility.” She listed education, infrastructural development and health as well as safety as their impact areas which she said was their

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable ‘Lasun Yussuf, has said that he would liaise with relevant authorities to ensure the bridge and Ilobu/Ifon Road was rehabilitated, just as he tasked well-meaning Nigerians to be actively involved in the development of their various communities. He said with the present economic realities, all tiers of government in the country were struggling to man-

the continued cooperation from all stakeholders, particularly our neighbouring communities to remain afloat and be able to deliver on our promises.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc (WAPCO Operations), Mrs Adepeju Adebajo; unveiling the plaque of a block of classrooms at St. Columnciles Primary School, Batoro in Sagamu, renovated by LafargeHolcim, recently. With her are the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo (middle) and the Chairman, Royal Intiative Development Group, Olootu Michael Oyedele.

Stakeholders lament poor sanitation in Ekiti communities sam nwaoko-ado-ekiti

Stakeholders at the 2015 World Toilet Day in Ekiti State have called for improvement in peoples’ attitudes to sanitation, just as they charged governments to ensure availability of water, which they said was the basic ingredient for sanitation. At the celebration held at the Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Ado the stakeholdEkiti, ers, including non-government organisations,

health workers, local government officials, sanitation experts, government officials, among others, the participants agreed that the attitude of many Nigerians towards sanitation and open defecation was not improving and must be worked on in a bid to achieve improved health in the various communities. In a paper entitled: “Better Sanitation for Better Nutrition”, the Water Aid State Focal Officer, Mr Bamikole Adegbite,

Ilobu/Ifon Road will soon be rehabilitated —Lawmaker Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

over aching value. She assured that “Lafarge will continue to live to its billing as a socially responsible and community focused organisation,” adding “we require

age the available resources to provide amenities, even as population grows rapidly. Yussuf noted that imbalance in amenities distribution between rural areas and urban centres could only be addressed, when privileged Nigerians lead efforts to develop rural communities. The federal lawmaker, representing Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun, who said this while speaking at the grand finale of this year’s annual Ilobu Day celebration, lamented that the road leading to the community

was in bad shape and promised to liaise with relevant authorities for its rehabilitation. He, however, donated N5 million in support of various projects embarked upon by the community. In their separate remarks, Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan and Chairman, Ilobu Development Union (IDU), Alhaji Lekan Yusuff, called on political office holders, to make best use of the opportunity given to them by their constituents.

stated that “defecating openly means that diseases like diarrhea and intestinal worms can quickly spread,” and stressed the need for people in various communities to embrace the use of toilets to avoid diseases. He said: “39 million Nigerians still practice open defecation. nine out of 10 people who practice open defecation live in rural areas. We got to some big palaces in Ekiti and found that they don’t have toilets. The monarchs said they go into the bush. We saw a big four-room apartment in one of the local government areas in Ekiti North that has no toilet. “Ekiti State has the highest rate of open defecation in the South-West and that is the fact. It stands at 60.8 per cent.” Adigbite noted that “lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation, alongside absence of good hygiene practices, are among the underlying causes of poor nutrition,” saying “nine out of every 10 people who practice open defecation live in rural settings.” In his speech, the Programme Coordinator and

Director, JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Reverend Father Raphael Aborisade, wondered “how many of our local government offices have facilities such as toilets, urinals and others? Where there are, there is no water. Without water, the essence of the facilities have been defeated.” The cleric said: “Every year, we celebrate World Toilet Day, yet we still grapple with the same issues. We need to look inwards. It shouldn’t end at discussing the health issues, we must go back to our various communities and environments and multiply ourselves and see how we can change the behaviour of our people.” He charged the Ministry of Health, permanent secretaries and environmental health officials from the various local government areas in the state “and all that have gathered to ensure that we must arrive at a workable solution to the problem of open defecation and other unhygienic behaviour common among people in our various communities and environments.”

Ajimobi lauds PMI on human, community development by tunde adegbola

The governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has lauded the Pioneer Movement of Iseyin (PMI) for its human community development projects, saying that the strength of any society depends on the strength of its communities, adding that such communities thrive on peaceful coexistence and interrelationship between them. This was contained in his address at the 2015 annual week of the Pioneer Movement of Iseyin (PMI), held at Iseyin City Hall, Iseyin, on Saturday. The theme of this year’s programme is: “Education for Sustainable Development in Oke-Ogun: What must be done.” Governor Ajimobi, who was represented on the occasion by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said it was imperative to bring about the development of youths as good and reliable citizens of the nation. Delivering a lecture, “the guest speaker, Dr Wale Okediran, said for sustainable educational development in the country, young people need more comprehensive education that responds to labour market needs. Okediran added that preparation for sustainable development should start from schools. He said: “Our schools should handle vocational education in an environment filled with qualified techers and suitable teaching venues that fulfill prescribed standards and have suitable teaching/learning equipment.” In his remark, the president of PMI, Mr Adebayo Azeez, said the movement would always be commited to reviewing the wastage of intellectual capacity resulting from lack of access to good education by the people which, had hampered the development and growth of the community. He enjoined indigenes of the community to join the movement in its effort to bring development to the community. At the event, 14undergraduate and post-graduate students were awarded scholarship while some secondary school students, physically challenged students and the five best teachers in some secondary schools were also rewarded.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Etisalat retains Corporate Soccer trophy

Glo charges Dream Team to grab Olympics ticket

By Niyi Alebiosu ETISALAT Nigeria has again won this year’s Corporate Soccer competition concluded last Sunday at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos. The Etisalat men defeated their counterparts from Chevron 5-4 via penalties to successfully defend the trophy they won last year, while LAFARGE defeated DHL 2-1 in the third place match. Etisalat will now represent Nigeria at next year’s Confederation of Africa Football Corporate Soccer (CAFCO) tournament billed for South Africa. It will be recalled that Etisalat represented Nigeria at the same competition last year in Ghana where it the won the trophy. Speaking with Tribunesport, the Managing Director, Corporate Soccer Nigeria, Mr Onome Obruthe having expressed delight at the success recorded during the competition assured that the 2016 edition will be more competitive. He urged more corporate bodies to participate, in the annual tourney, saying that the competition is not only projecting the image of Nigeria, but providing healthy rivalry and mutual understanding among corporate bodies in the country.

Ighalo celebrates his goal against Norwich City last weekend.

Why I removed shirt after Norwich goal —Ighalo

IGERIA striker, Odion Ighalo has revealed he was frustrated before he netted his lastgasp goal for Watford at home against Norwich City adding that informed why he celebrated by pulling off his shirt when he finally scored.

Watford won the English Premier League tie 2-0 last Saturday at Vicarage Road with a goal to show by Ighalo, who had missed several chances before his goal during stoppage time. Prior to the goal which was his ninth this season in EPL, the Edo State-

born player had had his goal cancelled for offside though, television replays showed that the goal should have stood. Ighalo, who was heavily marked by Cameroonian Sebastian Bassong during the match day 15 clash, after scoring celebrated by pulling his shirt and earned

a yellow card in the process. “I was frustrated because I should have scored at least three goals before I did, including a good goal which was ruled out for offside,” he revealed. Ighalo is among the leading scorers in the English Premier League this season with nine goals.

GLOBACOM, has congratulated Nigeria’s national U-23 team, the Dream Team on its qualification for the semi-finals of the ongoing African U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal. A statement by Globacom in Lagos described the Dream Team as worthy champions, and urged them to go for victory in the semi-finals against Senegal tomorrow to earn one of the three tickets available for participation in the 2016 Olympics. The Samson Siasia boys, who drew with Algeria in the last group B match, opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Mali before playing a 2-2 draw with Egypt to finish second in group B with five points, the same as Algeria who however, topped the group on superior goals difference. “We reckon with the great fighting spirit the team has so far demonstrated and we believe the spirit will help the team to achieve the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy. “We also advise the technical crew to work on the team’s defence which has not lived up to expectation,” it stated.

Nigerian Emmanuel upsets American at Lagos Gov’s Tennis Cup

Emmanuel

NIGERIAN players featuring in the ongoing 15th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship began their quest for honours with victories in the first round of the competition with Sylvester Emmanuel making the headlines following his 7-6(3), 6-3 sensational win over American Anderson Reed at the Lord Rummen Centre Court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan. Emmanuel, a wild card entrant, clinched the

men’s singles title at the Dala Hard Court Championship two weeks ago and he seems to have saved his best for the Governor’s Cup as he could only watch his Team Kalotari managed a third place finish at the NCC Team Tennis final last Saturday. An elated Emmanuel said after the match that he was not surprised with his victory over Reed who is ranked 1488 in the world. “I feel great winning this match. I went into the match with great confi-

dence that I would win. This is because I played more ATP tournaments than Reed. He was a good player but I’m better than him,” said Emmanuel, who in the past few months had played in ATP ranked competition in the USA, Togo and Benin Republic. Other Nigerians who also triumphed on Monday were Mohammed Mohammed, who defeated Ghana’s Bernard Dugbah 4-6, 5-3, 5-3, while Albert Bikom also edged Swiss Jessy Kalambay 5-7,

6-4, 7-5, all in the men’s singles. Some Nigerian ladies won their respective first round matches and they were Ronke Akingbade beat compatriot Christie Nwankwo 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, while Blessing Samuel lost to Osariemen Airhumwunde 6-4, 6-2. The duo of Mohammed Mohammed and Joseph Imeh defeated the pair of Alexei Filenkov of Russia and Aldin Setkic of Bosnia to progress to the second round.

47 tribunesport

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Porto could end Mourinho’s tenure

Juan Mata celebrates after scoring in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Wolfsburg during the first leg tie at Old Trafford.

Man U must win at Wolfsburg —Van Gaal

OUIS van Gaal says Manchester United only have themselves to blame ahead of tonight’s winner-takesall clash at Wolfsburg as they bid to avoid an early Champions League exit. Van Gaal’s Red Devils must beat group B leaders Wolfsburg to ensure their place in the knockout stages having allowed the Germans to usurp them at the top of the table by being held to a goalless draw at home to PSV Eindhoven a fortnight ago. Wolfsburg will reach the knockout stages for the first time in the club’s history with just a draw, while United, who are a point behind, know anything less than a win could see them eliminated. However, United could still qualify even if they draw or lose to Wolfsburg, provided PSV do not better their result at home to CSKA Moscow in the other group match. But Van Gaal wants to leave nothing to chance in Germany. “We have a huge Champions League match at Wolfsburg,” Van Gaal told the club’s United Review magazine. “After the disappointing result against Eindhoven at Old Traf-

ford, we now know what we have to do in order to progress to the knockout stages of the competition: win. “We have not made it easy for ourselves, but we know that victory in Germany will not only guarantee qualification, but also ensure we finish top of our group.” Finishing top of group B will

mean United avoid the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the last 16. United lost at the same stage four years ago when a 1-2 defeat at FC Basle saw them bow out in the 2011/12 group stage and Van Gaal’s side is still looking for its first away victory in the group for this campaign.

THE heat in the Chelsea kitchen is rising once again and it could become too suffocating for Jose Mourinho to continue if the Blues go out of the Champions League this week. The Londoners need only a home draw against Mourinho’s old club, Porto tomorrow to reach the knockout stages and, if recent Stamford Bridge displays are anything to go by, the fans face a jittery 90 minutes perched on the edges of their seats. Remarkably, the Premier League champions have already lost 11 games in all competitions this season, including four at home, and it seems almost inconceivable that their outspoken manager could survive yet another defeat against Porto. Mourinho has tried every trick in the book in a bid to cajole an improvement from his squad, even briefly leaving out talismen

Ex-Pillars star, Abdul Haruna dies in action FORMER Heartland and Kano Pillars forward, Abdul Haruna last Sunday, slumped and died on the pitch in Kano during a football match.

Oyome retains Ibadan Ladies Open Golf title By Olawale Olaniyan A household name in Nigeria golf, Evelyn Oyome last Saturday retained the Ibadan Ladies Golf Championship title she won last last year. Oyome, who is playing handicap 5 shot a cumulative 163 gross score over two days ahead of Hannah Obadina of Sagamu Golf Club who shot 172 to claim the first runner up trophy, while Okoh-Baya had 174 gross to emerge the second runner up of the competition. This is the sixth time Oyome had won the title from 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2014 and 2015. Meanwhile, the Lady Captain of

Tiger Golf Club, Mary Okunola claimed the IGC Ladies Best Net ahead of Jumoke Cripps, Temitope Alonge and Otolola Adeisyan. Speaking with Tribunesport, Oyome who is a member of Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) expressed gratitude to God saying the victory is for her late sister who died recently. “I was determined to win this tournament because I engaged in a series of training before the tournament and thank God, the effort was crowned with success. I dedicate this victory to my late sister, Mrs Helen Adesina. Though, I got challenges from my team-mates on the second day of the competition and they

From left, the Lady Captain of Ibadan Golf Club, Mrs Temitope Alonge presenting trophy to the winner of the 14th Ibadan Ladies Golf Championship, Evelyn Oyome, flanked by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Professor Temitope Alonge and captain of IGC, Mr Akin Funmilayo during the presentation of prizes. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN.

John Terry and Eden Hazard, without any lasting effect. Midfield linchpin Nemanja Matic summed up the immediate task facing his team-mates and the coaching staff. “We are in a difficult moment and it is going to be hard to come back from this but we have to try to resolve this situation,” the Serbian international told Chelsea TV. “I think we didn’t deserve to lose the game,” said Matic after Saturday’s 0-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Bournemouth, “but when you don’t score a goal, you also don’t deserve to win”. Chelsea had offered false hopes of a revival before the game against Bournemouth, registering three straight clean sheets with a 1-0 home victory against Norwich City, a 4-0 win at Maccabi Tel Aviv and a 0-0 draw at high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

even inspired me while playing, I think I gave kudos to them,” Oyome who said winning the treble is possible with God submitted. In her remarks, the Lady Captain of IGC, Mrs Temitope Alonge lauded the participants and sponsors of the tournament saying they all made her proud.

The 27-year-old forward was playing for Kano Professionals against a selected amateur team in Kano in a friendly when he slumped and died. Pillars media manager, Idris Malikwa announced that the entire football community in Kano are in shock over his demise. “Abdul Haruna died last Sunday while playing in a friendly match between Kano Professionals and a selected amateur team in Kano. He was moving with the ball when he slumped and eventually died on the pitch,” Malikawa said. “This is a huge shock to the entire football family in Kano, we never expected this,” he added.

FRIN Ibadan wins RIGAN Games Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna FORESTRY Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, last weekend emerged victorious at the 2015 Research Institute Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) Games hosted by the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria. The FRIN team overwhelmed other 18 research institutes across the country which took part in the week-long tourney with 16 gold, 16 silver and 13 bronze medals. The Institute for Agricultural Research and Training (IAR & T), Ibadan came second with 13 gold, 15 silver and seven bronze medals, while the National Roots Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike finished third with 12 gold, one silver and six bronze medals. In his remarks at the closing ceremony, Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State congratulated the winners on their feat, just as he urged other participants to put in more efforts in subsequent edi-

tions to achieve better results adding that “this is a chance to actively prepare for the next tournament.” El-Rufa’i, who was represented by Alhaji Usman Mahmud-Hassan, the state’s Commissioner for Transport, advised Nigerians to embrace sports not only for their physical fitness but for national unity. He lauded the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) management and RIGAN executives for working assiduously to ensure the success of the Games. In his speech, the NITT Director-General, Dr Aminu Musa-Yusuf said the 2015 RIGAN Games was unique especially by featuring business forum and trade fair to give participants and visitors the opportunity to make purchases without necessarily going out. Meanwhile, RIGAN national president, Professor Rabi’u Adamu announced that the next edition of the Games would be hosted by the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Jos, Plateau State.

SIDELINES

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TUESDAY, 8 DECEMBER, 2015

For several weeks now, the fuel situation in the country has continued to defy solutions. Just last weekend an okada rider and a taxi driver both lost their lives in different circumstances in Ilorin, while trying to buy fuel. It is amazing how Nigerians fail to realise when a handshake is getting beyond the elbow and only begin to cry when the head is off.

FBI probes Blatter in $100m bribery scandal

It 'll be foolish to sack Mourinho —Ferguson

HELSEA owner, Roman Abramovich would be "foolish" to sack manager, Jose Mourinho, says former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. The reigning champions are 14th on the Premier League table having lost eight of their 15 matches this season. It has been reported that Mourinho could be sacked if the Blues fail to win their next two games. "There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time," said Ferguson. "He has sacked so many coaches in the last 10 years. I am sure he has learned by it. "He has to trust and have confidence that Jose can turn it round. In every country he has managed in he has won the big trophies. "It would be foolish to sack him. It would be bad management." Between his stints at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho won four major trophies with Inter Milan and two at Real Madrid. "Now is the first time he has been confronted with non-success during his whole career," said Ferguson, speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt London event. "For the first time in his

life he has had to deal with bad publicity and adversity and that is a challenge. "But there are signs they are getting back to a bal-

THE FBI is investigating the role played by embattled FIFA president, Sepp Blatter in a $100m (£66.2m) bribes scandal, a BBC investigation has discovered. Sports marketing company, ISL paid a total of $100m to officials including former FIFA president, Joao Havelange and exFIFA executive, Ricardo Teixeira. In return, ISL was granted lucrative television and marketing rights throughout the 1990s. Blatter denied knowing about the bribes and took no action. He even allowed Teixeira to take part in the notorious vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. reporter, Panorama Andrew Jennings has seen a letter obtained by America's Federal Bureau of Investigation which casts doubt on Blatter's denial. The letter, apparently written by Havelange, talks about the payments he received from ISL. It says Blatter had "full knowledge of all activities" and was "always apprised" of them. The letter is included in an FBI request to the Swiss authorities for help with their investigation. They ask for the file of an earlier Swiss investigation into the ISL bribes and they say "among other things, the prosecutor is investigating Havelange's statements implicating Blatter". In 2010, Blatter suppressed a Swiss legal finding that both Havelange and Teixeria had received bribes from ISL. In 2013, Blatter told a FIFA ethics committee inquiry he was unaware of the bribery.

Mourinho (left) with Ferguson . ance, although they lost last Saturday. "All good leaders will eventually find a solution. I know the guy and I know

the work he has done in football and I can't see it lasting long." On Saturday, Chelsea travel to league leaders

Leicester, who are two points clear at the top of the table under manager Claudio Ranieri and 17 ahead of the Blues.

West Ham boss laments Moses injury WEST HAM United manager, Slaven Bilic has disclosed that the injury to Nigeria international, Victor Moses is a big blow to the team as his absence will create a big vacuum in the team's attack if he stayed long by the sidelines. The former Wigan Athletic forward suffered a hamstring injury while in action against Manchester United last weekend at Old Trafford which ended in a goalless draw. "It's still too early [to

tell with Moses], but it doesn't look good again. It's a hamstring - he felt it and we had to take him off,” Bilic told the West Ham official website "It's a big blow for us, but we have to stay positive as some of the players maybe have a chance of being back for the Stoke game. If not Stoke, then Swansea." It is believed that if Moses is ruled out for a considerable period of time, it would weaken West Ham’s attacking options.

Bilic (left ) with Moses.

Oliseh invites 26 to camp ahead CHAN 2016 NIGERIA coach, Sunday Oliseh has named a 26man squad led by Nigeria league hotshot award winner, Gbolahan Salami for training camp ahead of next year’s CHAN in Rwanda. Salami emerged the Goal King of the justended Glo Premier League season with 17 goals for Warri Wolves which finished second

behind Enyimba. Also invited are regulars Kalu Orji, Austin Oboroakpo, Jamiu Alimi (defenders), midfielders Ifeanyi Mathew, Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed and Bature Yaro, forwards Ezekiel Bassey, Tunde Adeniji, Chisom Chikatara and Prince Aggrey, and goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Olufemi Thomas.

The Super Eagles ‘B’ team have already been drawn into group C of the competition reserved for players featuring in their home leagues alongside Niger Republic, Tunisia and Guinea, with matches to be played at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali. Invited players have been directed to report at the Bolton White Apart-

ments, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, on Monday, December 14.

Tonight's Champions League fixtures Wolfsburg Sevilla Real Madrid PSG PSV Man City Galatasaray Benfica

vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs

Man Utd Juventus Malmo Shakhtar CSKA Moscow Monchengladbach Astana Atletico Madrid

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. 8/12/2015.