9th February 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,432

TUESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Electricity tariff hike

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

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Labour angry, shuts down DISCOs •FG abandoned court decision on tariff —NLC •Meters distributed unevenly, tariff 'll increase economic burden —TUC —Pgs2,38 •We will follow rule of law —NERC •It's a bitter pill Nigerians must swallow —Fashola

The South-West Furore over Ondo's first local government elections under Mimiko Pages 27-32

We are investigating Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke —EFCC —P10 $150m allegation, a fairy tale by Wike —Amaechi —P39

CCT: Senators throw weight behind Saraki —P40

Remains of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, lying in state at his Ladunni compound, Oja'gbo, Ibadan, on Monday. With the body are the children of the monarch and the chairman of the burial committee, Alhaji Olalekan Alli. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

Foster father of man allegedly killed by —P42 lawyer-wife dies

Artificial forex rate hurting Nigeria's economy —Emir Sanusi

—P10

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Electricity tariff hike: Labour shuts down DISCOs •Asks NASS to review NERC law •We will follow rule of law — NERC •Heavy security mars protest in Kaduna, Enugu •FG appeals to Nigerians, labour Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Adetola Bademosi and Ruth Olurounbi

O

RGANISED labour in Nigeria on Monday made true their promise to disorganise activities across the country over hike in electricity tariff.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had, a few days ago, announced the 45 per cent hike in electricity tariff, effective February 1, 2016, saying that the new development would boost investment in the sector, adding that once more investors brought money into the sector, the cost of electricity consumption may decrease in the near future.

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reacting to the development, appealed to the federal government to suspend action on the proposed hike, saying the agenda was not in the interest of Nigerians.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba and Trade Union Congress (TUC) leader, Bobboi Kaigama had insisted that the protest planned for Monday would go as planned.

On Monday, organised labour, led by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama; and the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) stormed the offices of the Electricity Distribution Companies, (DISCOS), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Headquarters and the National Assembly, to protest the hike in electricity tariff.

The protest, which commenced early at the Labour House Abuja, through the DISCOS office at Zone 4, and NERC headquarters, Abuja ended at the National Assembly where the they asked they were met with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and demanded for immediate reversal of the increase in electricity tariff.

Besides, labour and its civil society allies asked the National Assembly to immediately review the law that established NERC and urged them to also strenghten the Consumer Protection Law “to give consumers the necessary latitude and confidence to organize themselves in response to the impunity and arbiltrariness of regulatory agencies or any other marketer or manufacturer of a product or service.”

In a letter signed by both Wabba and Kaigama, and presented to the Senate President and the representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, labour warned that their next visit to both DISCOs and NERC offices will be to completely take over the place if the increased is not reversed.

The letter read: “While today is not a day for lengthy speeches, do permit us nonetheless to say that this is the first phase of this protest. We want to assure the unprotected electricity consumers who have vested their

hope in the change mantra of this administration for a better life for Nigerians that we will hold the government accountable at all times on its promises. The reduction in electricity tariff, is one of those obligations the government owes Nigerians for a better life. We will not relent until this struggle achieves for them not just reprieve but justice.

“Accordingly, in the next phase of our struggle, we will picket all the offices and facilities of the DISCOs until they bow to public opinion on this matter.”

Addressing the rally and the Senate President, Wabba said: “Governance is about the good of the people, the welfare of the people. The company was privatised five years ago and we expect that by now, they must have added value. But instead of adding value, what we have seen is trying to exploit Nigerians by increasing tariff. For the past five years, tariff habeen increased. In this very difficult economic condition, it is difficult for Nigerians to swallow.

“We have made it clear that Nigerians must be carried

along in every policy and programme if governance is for the good of the people.

Let the laws be strengthened in a way that people cannot unilaterally increase tariff and this must be matched with the quantity of energy supplied. Everywhere in the world, people pay for what they have consumed.”

The TUC Pesident, Kaigama said: “Within the limit of our difficult economic situation, it is unwise, unjustifiable, illegal. We have made our positions known to the DISCOs and GENCOs as well as NERC and we have told

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in collaboration with Civil Society (CSOs) protest of the 45 per cent upward increment of electricity tariff in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

FG appeals to Nigerians, labour Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos FOLLOWING a nationwide protests by labour unions on Monday, the Federal Government has appealed to Nigerians, especially labour unions over the recently upward review in tariff and assured that the tariff will gown soon in near future.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, on the sideline of the second Monthly Sectoral Meeting of Power Sector Operators in Lagos on

Monday, said “it is important to state that the stability we enjoy in the market is comforting and we must do everything to protect it. That stability is giving confidence to the banks, to gas suppliers and investors, to generation companies (Gencos) and others.

A lot of people are coming into Nigeria that they want to participate in power and it is because of the stability that the government and leadership of the President (Muhammadu Buhari) have

provided since they came.

“Importantly, I understand that people have been disappointed over a long time. You feel a sense of concern that again tariffs have gone up but the truth is that this tariff ought to have been there from inception.

I didn’t know why the government of yesterday was not concerned enough to tell us this was the price. This is why you have the MYTO to review tariff every two years. Giving the impression that price will increase every

Labour pickets DISCO in Lokoja Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

THE NLC and the TUC in Kogi State, on Monday picketed the office of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over the 45 per cent increase in tariff.

The people led by the state chairman of the NLC, Edoka Onuh, and his TUC counterpart, Alhaji Abdulazeez Ganiyu, got to the office located on Murtala Mohammed way, Lokoja at about 7.

30am.

Speaking during the pick-

eting, Onuh lamented that the federal government planned to bring further hardship to the masses that had already been subjected to poverty.

He said it was wrong to have introduced the new tariff regime without the distribution companies fulfilling the agreement, part of which said every house in the country must be metered.

“This picketing is to make the Minister of Power and the federal government to

know that this increase in tariff is fraudulent and unacceptable, we are saying no to the increment,” he said.

two years. What we have done now with NERC is to give a 10-year tariff and if you look at that tariff painstakingly, you will see that in about two years from now, it will begin to come down on a sliding scale. Whatever price the tariff offers now, it is a lot cheaper than diesel generation, petrol generation, inverter generation and others.

“The government was left with no choice but to review it. We are fixing transmission. People are not investing in gas, they are just beginning to show interest.

It will get better and I can only appeal for some understanding and some trust that we do this in the best interest in the nation.”

Jigawa NLC joins protest Adamu Amadu - Dutse THE Jigawa State chapter of the NLC also staged a peaceful demonstration in protest on the increased the electricity tariff.

The NLC chairman of the state, Usman Ya’u, who led the protest and addressed

the crowd described the tariff increase by the distribution companies as unilateral and illegal.

Ya’u said “due process in the extent for that law was not followed in consonants with section 76 of the power sector reform.”

them that if they don’t take our warning seriously, we will have no other option than to continue to resort to self help. We are here because we know that the intervention of the National Assembly will take place. We are here to insist that this tariff must be halted because the follow up action will be self help and that will not go down well for the nation.”

Reacting, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said: “We have summoned the NERC even before now. We are with you, we will stand with you and ensure that no policy will in any way exist that is not palatable to the Nigerian people. Yes, we all want power, yes, we want improvement, but not at the detriment of the masses.

“Give us time and we will engage with the Executive and ensure that the right thing is done. We will do it immediately because we are people of action and you will see action immediately. That action is part of our coming out here today to stand before you and you know that we are men of action. At the end of the day, whatever we do must be in the interest of the people of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, in reactions to the protests by the Nigerian labour Congress on the hike in electricity tariff, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC on Monday, maintained that the commission will follow the rule of law.

It stated that the existing electricity tariff order which became operational on February 1, 2016 (MYTO 2015) was carried out after wide consultation with different shades of opinion, and in strict compliance with extant rules and judicial pronouncements.

The Head of Press Unit, Usman Arabi in a statement issued in Abuja, said the Commission will restrain itself from delving into a matter already before the court.

“The clarification is coming on the heels of a media statement credited to the Nigeria Labour Congress alleging certain infractions against the Commission.

“While the commission will restrain itself from delving into a matter already before the court, NERC, however, has taken note of the ongoing protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

“In this regard, the Commission hereby states that it is committed to act in the best Interest of electricity customers and all stakeholders in the development of the electricity industry,” he said

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Arms deal: Court refuses to stop Dasuki’s trial Lawyer protests denial of access to ex-NSA Sunday Ejike - Abuja

J

USTICE Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday, declined to discharge the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, from the criminal charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.

In an application brought before the court, Dasuki’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, had urged Justice BabaYusuf to prohibit the Federal Government from further prosecuting Dasuki or further seeking any indulgence from the court until the bail granted the former NSA was allowed to be enjoyed.

Daudu had premised his arguments on the fact that Justice Yusuf had, on December 18, 2015, granted Dasuki bail and after perfecting the bail conditions on December 29, he was allegedly rearrested on the order of the Federal Government and was taken to the custody of the Department of the State Security (DSS).

The defence counsel also asked the court to discharge Dasuki of all the offences contained in the charge against his client on the ground that the Federal Government cannot lawfully prosecute Dasuki, having been in contempt of the court.

He said since Dasuki was rearrested on December 29, when the bail conditions had been perfected, he had since been kept away from his lawyers and family members.

The counsel, therefore, urged the court to compel the Federal Government to obey the bail conditions granted Dasuki and allow him to enjoy the liberty of freedom, in line with the law that presumed him innocent until contrary was proven.

However, while opposing the motion, counsel for the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs, informed the judge that the motion was an abuse of the court process, because there was no evidence before the court that the accused was rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Rotimi, who is representing the EFCC in the instant case, disclosed that it was the DSS, another arm of the security agency of the Federal Government that rearrested Dasuki on the ground that it was investigating him on other series of offences.

He advised Dasuki to evoke section 46 of the

constitution and institute a civil action to challenge his arrest and enforce his

fundamental right to his liberty.

In his ruling on Da-

suki’s application to be discharged of the charges on Monday, Justice Baba-

The accountant’s office in the Cafeteria I, ABUAD, from where money was allegedly carted away.

Yusuf held that the action of one government agency cannot be attributed to the other, saying the agencies were a creation of the constitution, but with different laws guiding their operations and functions.

“The argument of counsel for the first defendant that the Federal Government should be held liable for the actions of its agencies does not interest me.

“The two agencies (EFCC and DSS) have separate identities and personalities vested in them.

“Having come to the conclusion that the complainant in this case (Federal Government) is not in contempt of my order of December 18, 2015, it is my view that this application filed on behalf of the first defendant (Dasuki) does not have any merit and

I, hereby, dismiss it,” the court declared.

Shortly after the ruling, Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji protested that he has no access to his client (Dasuki) since December 29, 2015, because he was being held by stranger in the case (DSS), which is not in this case.

He insisted that EFCC and DSS are working for the same master, which is the Federal Government.

The lawyer said: “Since all Dasuki’s legal team could not have access to him, we seek for an adjournment to enable us tackle the stranger that is keeping former NSA in custody unlawfully since last year, when he was admitted to bail.”

The judge, therefore, adjourned till March 23, for trial.

Students on the rampage in Afe Babalola University They were students with poor academic grades —Institution Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti THE serenity of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) was shattered Sunday night cum early Monday, when some of the institution’s students went on the rampage for reasons yet to be ascertained and destroyed property worth several millions of naira.

The students descended on the institution’s Talent Discovery Centre, two cafeteria, Faculty of Engineering laboratory, Owolabi Hall, male and female hostels, faculty buildings, security post, among others.

They upturned at least two cars, smashed their windscreens and those of about nine other parked vehicles, just as they also destroyed doors and windows, looted shops and burnt about eight motorcycles at the institution’s security post at the main gate.

Sources at the ABUAD cafeteria claimed that the sums of N8 million was carted away from the office of the accountant, while it also claimed that another N2 million was carted away from another office in the cafeteria.

The students destroyed refrigerators, television sets, computers in the cafeteria and also in many parts of the institution and even threw one of the Plasma TV sets at the swimming pool, into the pool.

They were said to have also beaten up some porters at the female and male hostels.

While no particular cause could be pinpointed by witnesses to have triggered the violence, some of the students claimed it was caused by some students, whose

argument over an issue they claimed they did not know, degenerated into a fight among them.

They alleged that the fight attracted security men, who allegedly in a bid to bring them to calm, shot into the air to disperse the students and everything went awry from there.

One of them said: “Some students had a misunderstanding and it later degenerated and the management now called the police.

When they came, they engaged one of the students, who was clad in army camouflage. They told him to surrender the uniform and he refused.

“At that point, police shot into the air and the students dispersed. Having the impression that the gunshot was targeted at them, they later regrouped and started the full-blown protest, leading to serious damages.”

Head of ABUAD’s Corporate Affairs, Mr Tunde Olofintila, decrying the development, said it was students with poor academic grades that went on rampage at ABUAD. Olofintila said: “The skirmish was engineered and orchestrated by those who were not doing well academically and who are not prepared to improve on their academic performances.

“But rather than continue with examination, those with low academic grades, some of who did not have clearance for the first semester and\or did not register for the examination went on the rampage and in the process, vandalised some property, the cost of which is being assessed.”

He said “Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), a 21st century modern university, which places high premium on academic, learning, research and character, has rules and regulations which must be obeyed at all material times.

“To give vent to the all-important academic aspect of the university’s business, it is a a well-known convention or culture among members of the ABUAD community that students cannot score less than 1.5 CGPA. Those who

are within this unacceptable range of academic performance are, therefore, encouraged to do better, so that they can be what the founder, Aare Afe Babalola and the management want them to be in future—great men and women.

“The founder, therefore, goes as far as awarding cash awards of N500,000 to those with 5.0 CGPA, N250,000 to those with 4.8 CGPA and N100,000 to those with 4.5 CGPA. It is on record that there are

students who have collected this largesse for two to four years consecutively.

Meanwhile, the violence was brought under control Monday morning, but the police and other security agents are still on the campus to maintain peace.

Many arrests had been made by the police, but the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State police command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, could not be reached to confirm the number of arrests made so far.

2016 budget: Senate walks out top officials of SGF, FRSC

•Say SGF, Corps Marshal must appear in person Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja SENATE Committee on Federal Character, on Monday, walked out officials of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who came before the committee to represent the SGF, Mr Babachir David Lawal and the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, in the 2016 budget defence.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, who alongside his colleagues were angered by the absence of the SGF and the FRSC boss, insisting that their failure to appear was unacceptable.

The senators said the budget defence of the two establishments before the committee was all too important to be treated with levity.

The lawmakers threatened

that they would not have a look at the budget until the SGF and FRSC boss appeared to defend the 2016 budget proposal before them.

Senator Kaura said: “I cannot understand why the SGF and the head of the FRSC failed to show up to defend their budgets. That is not acceptable, because the budget defence is something that should be taken seriously.

“Until they are prepared to appear to defend their budgets for this year, I am sorry to say this committee would not entertain representatives.”

Also, chairman of Federal Character Commission, Dr Shettima Bukar Abba and acting national coordinator of Servicom, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, while appearing separately to defend their commission’s budgets on Monday, lamented that the activities of their respective establishments were restrict-

ed due to low funding.

According to Abba, official of the federal character relied on the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government for funding in the course of carrying out monitoring exercises.

He added that the reliance of the commission’s officials on MDAs for financial support in the course of carrying out their duties exposed them to being compromised.

Responding, Senator Kaura assured that the committee would look into the complaints lodged by FCC and Servicom, with a view to addressing the issue of underfunding.

Meanwhile, the senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said on Monday, that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development must ensure Continues pg14

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6 news Why Olubadan’s remains were displayed in public —Balogun Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

By Tunde Ogunesan

T

HE Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, on Monday, has described the lying-instate of the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, as way of giving Ibadan people an opportunity to “show to the world the appreciation of the man, who had ruled us in Ibadanland.”

High Chief Balogun made this comment, following the unprecedented lying-instate organised in honour of the late Oba in Igbo-Elerin community, his family compound, in Oja’gbo, Ibadan, where his remains was laid in a transparent glass casket before the public.

According to Chief Balogun, the show was to express dynamism, socio-economic and political relevance of the late traditional ruler.

He said “the concept behind lying-in-state of Oba Odulana is to show to the world the appreciation of the man who ruled us in Ibadanland. Oba Odulana was a man of many parts, not only in Ibadan, Oyo State and indeed, the whole of Nigeria. It is in recognition of his social and economic life that his remains were laid in state at IgboElerin, Aremo and Oja’gbo family compound.

“Its purpose is to afford his people, whom he ruled over, to say bye to him before his final burial. The concept is

dynamic for the man known to be a man of the people, to be appreciated by his people.”

In Yorubaland, bodies of traditional rulers were usu-

ally not presented before the public.

The burial programme continues today, with a lecture at the Trenchard hall, University of Ibadan, at

By Tunde Ogunesan ENCOMIUMS flowed freely on Monday, as the remains of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana made a triumphant and final entry into Igbo Elerin village, a community in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.

His remains, laid in a glass casket, was driven into the town in a black Mercedes Benz NL with

“Olubadan” as its number plate, while pall bearers that accompanied the ambulance clad in traditional Aso-Oke attire.

Students of Igbo Elerin Grammar School had lined on the streets to pay their last and befitting respect to Oba Odulana, who incidentally was a prime mover for the establishment of the school in 1957.

As a mark of respect for the irreparable loss of the

We won’t wait for executive’s version anymore —Dogara INDICATIONS that the National Assembly may be heading for a showdown with the executive arm over the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) emerged Monday, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara’s declaration that the National Assembly will soon begin work on its own version of the Bill.

According to a press statement signed by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, the decision of the National Assembly to draw up its own version of the bill was reached because of the urgent need to reform the oil and gas sector.

Dogara, according to the statement made this known while receiving the international board of Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) at the National Assembly, on Monday.

He also said the bill, which had gone into its final stages, would be given expeditious consideration on the floor of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Dogara also informed the delegation that in line with the resolve of the House of Representatives to fully work with President Muhammadu Buhari to implement reforms in the oil, gas and mining sectors, the House is giving them priority attention in legislative business.

“We have repeatedly, especially my humble self, have repeatedly called on the executive to present reform proposals in the petroleum sector. However, we may not continue to wait for an executive bill on this subject matter, as we are prepared to introduce the National Assembly’s version; what we believe should be the legal framework for the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

“We cannot continue to take the blame for nonpassage of the petroleum reform legislation in Nigeria.

As I speak with you, work on our own version has reached advanced stage and hopefully, we hope to introduce it in both chambers of the National Assembly. If it happens that the executive transmits its own version of its own vision of the oil sector, we have ample provision in the House Rules for us to merge the two together. We will not continue to wait,” Dogara stressed.

Going further, he said the legislature is determined to ensure that resource curse syndrome is reversed in the country as a situation, where there is so much poverty in the midst of abundant resources is unacceptable.

Expressing the desire of the House to partner with EITI, he said it will, starting from the first quarter of this year, begin the consideration and debate of the NEITI’s Extractive Industry audit report on the floor of the House as this will help to actualise the 8th Assembly’s desire to be more thorough with its oversight functions, especially in the oil and gas sectors.

led by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, while many high chiefs and senior chiefs of the Olubadan were also in attendance.

Encomiums as Oba Odulana made final entry to Igbo Elerin community

NASS set to clash with executive over PIB Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

11.00 a.m, while his remains will be buried on Friday, at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Aremo cemetery, Ibadan.

The government team was

He further directed the committees on Petroleum (Upstream) and Rules and Business to introduce and schedule the report for debate before the end of this quarter.

Earlier, the acting executive secretary of NEITI, Mr Orji Ogbannaya Orji, who accompanied the incoming chairman of EITI and former Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr Fedrick Reinfeldt, stressed the need to fight the resource curse the country was presently faced with, which is the sole purpose for which the agency was created.

In his remarks, Reinfeldt commended Nigeria for being one of the first African

nations to key into EITI, while harping on the need for transparency and prudent use of natural resources.

Deputy Head of EITI’s secretariat, Eddie Rich, said while making his remarks, that in order to get more timely data, there was need to publish online, the account information of relevant agencies, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC), oil processing licences and contracts to help provide accurate and timely data for oversight and similar functions, rather than relying on NEITI to collate all data from the sector.

community, villagers from most of the communities that constituted Igbo Elerin trooped out in large numbers to the street to catch a glimpse of the remains of the late monarch.

In their separate tributes, former chairman of Lagelu Local Government Council, Chief Kunle Sanda, described Oba Odulana as a disciplinarian, who was more interested in the development of Ibadan than any other ulterior motives, while an old student of the school and a retired Permanent Secretary in Oyo State, Reverend Olasunkanmi Makinde, commended the late Oba for being an educationist and a prime mover for the establishment of Igbo Elerin Grammar School.

In addition, other old students of Igbo Elerin Gramar School, like Mr Taiwo Fashina and Kunle Alabi, also described the late Olubadan as an educationist, who instilled discipline into the hearts of the students when they were much younger.

In another tribute, one of

the children of Oba Odulana, Princess Folashade Bankole and the secretary of Odugade family Mr Tunji Ajala expressed their readiness to maintain the legacy left behind by Oba Odulana.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, a senior government official, Dr Gbade Ojo, said the state burial was approved for the late Olubadan “because of his numerous achievements and contributions to national development.”

The lying-in-state, which took about one hour, provided opportunity for members of Igbo Elerin community to pay their last respect to the highly reverred Oba.

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Lagosmetro Oshodi touts Bola Badmus

LASTMA officials checking cars for sticker and staff identity card to gain access to the Lagos State Secretariat on Monday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Mobile court: Overspeeding offenders

to be jailed a year

•Bullion van, vehicles to be forfeited for driving against traffic •Assault on police officers attracts 3 years jail term Olalekan Olabulo

H

ARD times await traffic offenders on Lagos roads as from today as the mobile courts put together and inaugurated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last Friday officially kicks off, with offenders who exceed speed limit while driving risking a jail term of one year or paying a sum of N100,000 or both, on conviction.

Other offences listed for conviction include assault on a traffic officer (physical), driving in a direction prohibited by the Road Traffic Law/Neglect of Traffic Directions and operating a motorcycle in a restricted area or on prohibited route.

According to the law, anybody, who assaults a police officer, on conviction would go to jail for three years or pay a fine of N100,000 or both, while driving on a prohibited route would attract a jail term of one (1) year and forfeiture of vehicle for first offender.

The second and sebsequent offender would be sent to prison term of three (3) years, as well as forfeiture of vehicle to the state. The convicts shall have their data and biometric captured.

It is also no more business as usual for operators of bullion vans in the state with the official take-off of the Mobile Court by the state government .

According to Traffic Law, which will guide the oper-

ation of the Mobile Court, any bullion van that is impounded for driving against traffic will be forfeited .

Drivers , who drive against traffic will also be made to forfeit their vehicles in accordance with the State Traffic Law. Over speeding has also a very serious implication with the offenders facing a fine of N100,000.

Drivers who are caught for overspeeding may also be sentenced to a year in prison, depending on the decision of the Magistrate, Drivers, who are in the habit of tailing emergency vehicles will also pay a fine of N20,000 on their first arraignment while they will pay N30,000 on the second arraignment .

Final year student docked for car theft Gbemi Solaja

A 400 level student of the University of Lagos, Olawale Olanrewaju Raheem, has been arraigned at the Yaba Magistrate’s court.

Twenty-four-year old Raheem was alleged to have stolen a Honda CRV Saloon car belonging to one Molade Adeyemi, on December 2 2015 The Prosecutor, W/Ser-

geant Onaiwu Iyobosa, told the court that the Honda Saloon car was parked on the school premises, where Raheem allegedly stole it on the fateful day. The car was not recovered until February 2.

She said the Honda CRV, with registration number MKO 1 JJJ, Chassis no JHLRD1874Y5023433 and Engine number

820223030117, was valued at about two million three hundred thousand naira(2,300,000,00) only.

According to her, the offence was contrary to Section 278, 1a and punishable under Section 10 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011 The Magistrate adjourned the matter till March 2 for mention.

Wrongful overtaking on the roads in Lagos attracts a fine of N100,000, while illegal U-Turn attracts a fine of N20,000 on first offence and N30,000 on the second offence.

Those who are in the habit of physically assaulting traffic officials should have a rethink as they face up to three years in prison

Okada riders, who ride against restricted route are to pay N20,000 on the first arrest, while they are to pay a fine of N30,000 on their second arrest.

Riders, who use horns that are not designed for vehicle will henceforth not go scotfree again in Lagos, as the offence now attracts a fine of N20,000 on first arrest.

A paramilitary officer attached to the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Task Force), Mr Uzan Rildwan, tasted the hazard of the job on Monday as he was stabbed on his head with two of his fingers cut off by commercial drivers and market touts under Oshodi bridge.

The injury came, following the fracas that ensued while men of the Task Force were arresting commercial buses obstructing traffic and causing traffic gridlocks at Oshodi under bridge.

Commercial bus drivers and market touts, according to a statement issued by the Public Affairs Officer of the Task Force, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, came out and attacked both the police and paramilitary officers with broken bottles, cutlasses, wood and other dangerous weapons in order to secure the release of the six arrested commercial buses.

Rildwan, who was injured during the fracas, was said to have immediately been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment before he was transferred to the General Hospital, Ikeja, for further diagnoses on his head.

Meanwhile, the Task Force has expressed optimism that the introduction of Mobile Court, which full implementation will commence

UNILAG students rob school mates Olalekan Olabulo THREE students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been arrested by the police in Lagos for a robbery attack on some of their colleagues.

The suspects were on their way out of the campus, through the University’s second gate, when two of them were arrested .

Policemen from the State Criminal Investigations Department (Panti) later arrested the third suspect, who initially escaped .

One of the suspects, said it was one of their victims who stayed around the UNILAG second gate that identified them and raised the alarm .

The suspect said: “I picked the axe at Makoko area after

some hoodlums in the area engaged each other, but I took it to school without any motive of using it to rob, but I don’t know what came over me that very day.”

“I am a foundation student in Political Science department. After my exam on that fateful day, I went to the Sports Centre with my friends to relax, when we got there, I asked another friend to invite some of the students whom we met there to come and join us, but they refused.”

The suspect also confessed, “I stood up from where we were and ordered the students to follow me to where we were sitting. I then brought out the axe and then threatened to kill them if they did not hand over their phones and

money to me.”

“After robbing the students , my friends and I left for Makoko, but one of our victims, who had told us that he was staying in Iwaya identified us. My friends were held by the policemen and the school security guards, but I escaped and was later rearrested two weeks after,” Henry added.

“I don’t know how my parents will feel if they see me in this situation. It was my friends in school who pushed into the crime, I regret my action,” he noted.

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

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Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

stab para-military officer, cut fingers on Tuesday, willensure that motorists comported themselves and complied with the state Traffic Laws of 2012.

The Task Force said the Mobile Court would be moving across different locations in the state with magistrates, lawyers, black

maria, cashier, police and towing vehicles.

According to it, the Mobile Court was set to deal with growing cases of traffic and environmental abuses in the state.

It listed offences ranging from commercial motorcycles riding against traffic,

refusal to obey traffic signs, commercial bus drivers (Danfo) who operate on motion with their doors open, among others, which the Mobile Court would handle and convict people over.

“It is expected that bus conductors should always make sure that doors of

their commercial buses are closed whenever their vehicles are on motion and must only stop at designated busstops while dropping and picking passengers; motorcycle riders should not ride against traffic or ride their motorcycles on restricted routes across the state.

Police connive with hoodlums to steal our properties — Victims •Bring a formal petition — Police Chukwuma Okparaocha RESIDENTS of Mosafejo Village, in Oshodi area of Lagos, have cried out over the demolition of their houses by agents of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

They subsequently de-

A paramilitary officer attached to the Lagos State TaskForce, Mr Uzan Rildwan, who was stabbed on his head and had two of his fingers cut off by commercial drivers and market touts under Oshodi bridge, on Monday

A resident of Mosafejo village protesting demolition of their houses by agents of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Security Operatives checking Staff identity card before staff are allowed to gain access to their offices, at the Secretariat, Planning and Urban Development, on Monday. on Monday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Pay more attention to safety on waterways, Obasa tells Lagos govt ChukwumaOkparaocha-Lagos THE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, on Monday, called on the state government to do more to safeguard the lives and property of Lagosians on the state waterways.

Obasa said this on the floor of the assembly in the wake of incessant boat mishaps in the state, moments after another lawmaker, Mr Mojeeb Fatai, Chairman, House Committee on Transport, called attention to the sad developments.

According to the Speaker, a lot still needed to be done to forestall losses on waterways which had been fingered as an alternative to decongest the road.

He said: “It is our responsibility to protect lives and property of our people. In less than eight months, we have recorded about five boat accidents.”

“We are not doing enough to protect our people, we

should evaluate our laws on water transports. Our major concern is to protect the people,” he noted.

The Speaker further remarked that the state government should do more investigations before giving licenses to boat transport operators, as well as constantly evaluating them. Therefore, as part of ways to find a solution to the problem, Obasa said it had become necessary to invite the Commissioner forTransport, the Special

Adviser to the Governor on Transport, as well as the the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), to explain what could be done to stop the needless loss of lives.

Earlier, Mr Fatai said the committee’s findings during a visit to the scene of the January 21 boat mishap in Ikorodu revealed that the boat was very weak and that the captain was inexperienced and had also exceeded the approved speed.

Buttressing the point, another lawmaker, Mr Rotimi Olowo, Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, said LASWA had failed to compel boat operators to comply with safety rules. Olowo decried the standard of boats on waterways, operations and precautionary, stressing that many of them fell short of the best practice worldwide.

Mrs Omotayo Oduntan, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, who added that

there was need for foreign investment, urged LASWA to provide more life jackets for school children.

Oduntan urged the relevant agencies to enforce standard and check the activities of dredgers.

Similarly, Mr Lanre Ogunyemi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, said most deaths on waterways were needless, stressing that LASWA was not effectively empowered for monitoring.

FRSC cleaner caught with 32 number plates AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A cleaner, who works with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Monday, denied stealing car number plates that were allegedly found in his possession.

Twenty-six-year old Ismail Mohammed, who was employed as a cleaner with the FRSC was allegedly nabbed with 32 pieces of car

number plates and a bag of clothes, all valued at N376, 000.

The incident happened at the Ojodu- Berger office of the FRSC, on February 1.

Ismail, whose duty was to clean offices on the premises, was allegedly caught with the items.

When he was interrogated, he could not give satisfactory answers. It was later discovered that the bag be-

longed to one Muhammed Abubakar, a staff of the FRSC who left them in his cabinet at the office.

According to the Police Prosecutor, Frank Inah, Ismail had already been accused of taking other people’s belongings without their knowledge.

“The accused is fond of taking people’s things without their consent,” he said.

Inah said the offence con-

travened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ismail, however, pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Osinbajo, granted him bail in the sun of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Osinbajo adjourned the case till February 17 for hearing.

manded the immediate withdrawal of police and taskforce officials from the community, while also calling for the arrest and prosecution of police officers, who they insisted worked with hoodlums to rob people of their properties.

Led by some of their representatives, which included elderly men and women, physically challenged individuals, as well as nursing mothers, the residents called on the government to save their community from going into extinction.

The protesters, who chanted different solidarity songs, carried placards with various inscriptions like: “We are now homeless,” “This is not the change we voted for,” and “Please save our Community.”

Other placards they carried also read: “This is injustice,” “We want justice for Mosafejo Community,” “They pushed us away from our house with bulldozers,” and “We have always been voting for you, don’t afflict or oppress us,” among others.

The residents, who, for hours pitched their tent in front of the State House of Assembly, called on the Speaker of the assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, to prevail on the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to restore their property.

The group also appealed to Senator Olamilekan Adeola, who represents the community in the Senate to save their community from further demolition.

They stated that the entire community was given a seven-day notice to vacate the entire area, adding that before the expiration of the notice, some task force officials came with hoodlums and chased residents away.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos Police Command, Superintendent Dolapo Badmus, denied having knowledge of the development.

She however noted that if residents of the community were sure of what they were accusing the police of, they should write a petition to the Lagos Police Command which would take clinically look into the matter.

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We’re investigating Okonjo-Iweala, Allison-Madueke —EFCC Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawoel Daniel-Abuja

T

HE Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu on Monday, disclosed that the agency had commenced investigation of the former Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke and a close associate of the former Petroleum Minister, Kola Aluko.

The EFCC boss dropped the hint while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes chaired by Honourable Kayode Oladele, to defend its 2016 budget estimates.

The EFCC boss while responding to questions from a member of the committee, Honourable

Non-smart phone users to enjoy Facebook without Internet on Glo MILLIONS of non-smart phone users in Nigeria can now enjoy the privilege of using their phones to connect to Facebook without internet connection on Nigeria’s next generation network, Globacom.

The process. Ordinarily, customers are required to purchase data and hook to the internet only on smart phones before gaining access to social platforms including Facebook.

With this service, the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is leveraged as an access medium for smart and non-smart phone users to connect to their Facebook accounts and carry out primary Facebook activities such as News Feed, My status, Like or Comment, Finding friends, Requesting for Friends and more.

Globacom said in a press statement over the weekend that the service will cut across all segments.

“As a home-grown telecom company making Nigerians proud, Glo Mobile is proud to offer subscribers the most innovative services at the most pocket-friendly rates,” the statement said.

According to Globacom, the introduction of Facebook without Internet is a clear testimony that the company is a premium brand with innovative services designed to meet the expectations of all its customers.

Razak Atunwa on whether the former ministers and Aluko were under investigation, responded in the affirmative.

He also said “very soon, we will go into the petroleum industry”, stressing that, such investigation, “we have to build capacity, we have to bring in experts to enable us tackle what we are doing properly and the

investigation must be conducted properly. We have internal lawyers and external lawyers, we have to pay insurance.”

On the agency’s budget the EFCC boss asked the Committee to approve “additional N500 million to assist in our operational activities as more sectors of the economy might likely come under investigative

activities during the year.”

The EFCC’s 2016 budget is made up ofN11, 422, 991, 540.00 for capital, and N2, 999,245,761.00 is the overhead component of the recurrent and further requested that “the National Assembly should graciously support a planned recruitment of additional 750 staff of different cadres in 2016.”

The chairman of the committee, Honourable Oladele, in his speech noted the good work the EFCC had done saying the action of the agency had helped the country recover looted funds from former public officers and their cronies in the private sector.

He assured the anti-graft agency of the support of the committee in its fight against corruption.

Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle), and Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC/NIPP) (left), being conducted round the transmission and distribution facilities at the Alagbon Transmission and Distribution Complex, during the second monthly meeting of the minister with sectoral participants in the power sector at the Alagbon Transmission and Distribution Complex, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday.

‘Artificial’ forex rate hurts Nigeria —Lamido Sanusi MUHAMMADU Buhari, Nigeria’s president, risks exacerbating the country’s economic woes and undermining his government’s achievements on security and corruption by endorsing exchange rate policies that are doomed to fail, an influential former central bank governor has said.

Lamido Sanusi, governor from 2009 to 2014, told the Financial Times that he was disappointed to see Buhari’s strong security and anti-corruption efforts overshadowed by a monetary policy regime with “very obvious drawbacks that far outweigh its dubious benefits.”

As governor, Mr Sanusi won international acclaim for cleaning up Nigeria’s banking system and later blowing the whistle when billions of dollars in state revenues from oil sales went missing.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with Buhari’s public endorsement, last year imposed tight capital controls and pegged the naira at an official rate currently 35 per cent stronger than the black market rate.

The policies sparked capital flight and hurt Nigeria’s reputation as a frontier

market investment destination.

“Unfortunately, because the exchange rate is right out there in front now, monetary policy is being seen as the barometer for broader economic thinking,” he said in an interview at his palace. “It is sad that on this one policy you get it so wrong that you risk taking away attention from everything else you are doing.”

Noting that the president had been dealt an extraordinarily difficult hand, he added: “There are no easy options and devaluation is a bitter pill.” During his own tenure as governor he had also resisted it. “But I had reserves of over $40bn and an oil price at over $110,” he said.

Oil prices have nearly halved since Buhari took office eight months ago. At the time the treasury was heavily depleted following the failure of the state oil company to remit billions of dollars in oil revenues under his predecessor, who enjoyed a sustained boom in prices.

The country’s economic woes were now being exacerbated, Sanusi argued, with the currency peg and restrictions in the foreign

exchange market creating “a lot of speculative and precautionary demand.”

Exporters and investors “are holding on to foreign currency, as no one would sell at the rate the government is setting”, while “the government does not have the reserves to keep the exchange rate at its official level in the market,” he said.

“These policies have been tried in different parts of the world and in this country before and they have just never worked. No matter what the stated intention behind them, they are wrong.”

The gap between the black market rate and the “artificial” official exchange rate would keep widening, Mr Sanusi predicted, until the bank adopted a more realistic policy or the price of oil climbed and dramatically increased reserves.

Mr Buhari has said repeatedly that he will not devalue the naira.

Nigerians voted the former general into office last year largely because of his reputation for being tough on corruption and security. Mr Sanusi pointed to a number of early victories on these fronts: a military

offensive had put Boko Haram insurgents, who have ravaged the north-east, on the back foot, and the president had begun root and branch reform of NNPC, the notoriously opaque state oil company.

“These measures are good for the economy and display strong political will to change the system,” Mr Sanusi said. “But getting monetary and fiscal policies right will be crucial for broader progress in structural reform.”

Meanwhile, the president’s anti-corruption stance was “totally inconsistent” with the foreign exchange regime he supported, Mr Sanusi said, pointing to the arbitrage opportunities this had created.

“This encourages corruption and rent-seeking similar to the fuel subsidy regime” that enabled industrial scale theft of oil revenues under the previous government.

A more flexible exchange rate policy at this point was the “least bad option”. “We are hopeful that given all the other positive things done so far, policy will head broadly in the right direction and flexibility will come in down the line.”

Nigerian Tribune

29 ships laden with petroleum products, other commodities, to arrive Lagos TWENTY-NINE ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos from Monday to February 25.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its publication - `Shipping Position’, - a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

NPA explained that the expected ships contained buck wheat, bulk salt, soda ash, containers, ethanol, crude palm olein, petrol, kerosene and diesel.

The document noted that six other ships had arrived the ports, waiting to berth with petrol.

NAN reports that 14 other ships are at the ports discharging buck wheat, general cargoes, bulk rice, frozen fish, base oil and petrol.

NAMA begins 24 hours radar coverage of Nigeria’s airspace Shola Adekola-lagos

THE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), last week began the provision of 24 hours en-route radar service to airspace users at both the Kano and Lagos Area Control Centres (ACCs).

The area radar service which hitherto was only available between Mondays and Fridays from 7am to 7pm has now been extended to 24 hours daily and seven days a week.

Speaking on this development, the Managing Director of NAMA, Ibrahim Abdulsalam said ‘’this feat became feasible following an aggressive manpower training by the agency to boost capacity of safety critical Air Traffic Control and Engineering personnel required to provide the service.

“With this development, we have further enhanced safety and efficiency in air traffic management because the use of radar increases capacity to maximize utilisation of available airspace with precision, accuracy and less workload to the Air Traffic Controllers and flight crew while also enabling aircraft to fly at optimum trajectories.”

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We’ll use TSA to part-fund budget —Minister •As ministeries, departments return N2.2trn to the treasury BySulaimonOlanrewajuand Gbola Subair

F

INANCE Minister, Kemi Adeosun, on Tuesday, said funds saved from the Treasury Single Account will be used to fund part of the budget.

Adeosun, who said this while delivering a keynote address at a one-day TSA workshop for accountants-general of states in Abuja, noted that the adoption of the TSA policy by the Federal Government had made possible a grasp of the total quantity of government funds at any point in time.

The N6.08 trillion 2016 budget has a deficit of N2.2 trillion and the government is considering borrowing locally and from multilateral agencies to bridge the deficit.

But the Minister said with funds from the TSA, the borrowing needed to finance the budget might not be as much as earlier envisaged.

The Minister said, “The balance (of TSA), which changes daily as MDAs remit revenues and make payments, according to the latest reports from CBN,

exceeds N2.2 Trillion. I can report that work is now ongoing within The Treasury, to determine how much of these funds can potentially be utilised to part-fund the 2016 budget and how much relates to pending commitments. This, of course, will reduce the amount to be borrowed.”

She added, “The TSA has provided us with financial information on the revenues of agencies funded by government and has reduced revenue suppression. This information is being used to drive our programme to enforce compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and ensure that Revenue Generating Agencies generate expected surpluses and remit to the Federal Purse.”

The minister also stated that the policy had eliminated opportunities for brokerage and other cor-

rupt practices that previously encouraged agencies to accumulate funds with commercial banks rather than apply them to their intended uses.

Mrs Adeosun added that the policy would reduce payment delays to contractors, minimise late payment penalties and would consequently improve project completion times and service delivery.

While enumerating the benefits of the policy, she said TSA had corrected the practice of government borrowing short term funds at high rates of interest, whilst simultaneously having idle funds in various bank accounts.

She added, “In practice, TSA is an essential reform for any government wishing to pursue fiscal sustainability and prudent management of its resources.

It increases accountabil-

ity and transparency, improves the processing of payments and collections and reduces borrowing costs.”

The minister urged participants at the workshop to discuss and brainstorm on ways and means of improving the revenue base of the country through full implementation of TSA and blocking of all leakages and improving the efficiency of revenue administration.

She said, “The revenue base of the country is still low and its administration still leaves room for improvement. This is bedevilled by a range of problems such as poor computerization, lack of skilled and dedicated employees, corruption, lack of awareness and, of course, unpatriotic conduct by some of the operators.

“This clearly indicates

that the underlying assumptions underpinning the 2016 budget may only be realised with serious efforts put in place towards revenue efficiencies and expenditure discipline such as implementation of the TSA and Cash Management concepts by all tiers of government.”

In related development, ministries, departments and agencies have remitted N2.2trillion to government covers.

Adeosun made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at a one-day treasury single account workshop for states accountants general, saying that work was still ongoing within the treasury, to determine how much of these funds could potentially be utilised to partly fund the 2016 budget and how much relates to pending commitments.

FG gives Flourmills, others 7 days to leave port access road

THE equities market closed today on a positive note, as All share Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) appreciated by 2.02 per cent to close at 23,977.87 basis points, compared with the 0.07 per cent depreciation recorded previously.

Also the market capitalisation gained N163 billion to close at N8.246 trillion naira as Dangote Cements boosted sales amidst massive sell-offs.

At the end of trading, market breadth closed negative as Dangote Cement Plc led other 16 on the gainers chart against 22 losers topped by Conoil Plc, following previous unimproved performance.

Market turnover continued downward trend as volume declined by 65.67 per cent against 79.00 per cent decline.

First City Monument Bank Group Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Holding Plc and Zentith Bank Plc were the most active to boost market turnover with a total of 89,066,547 volume of shares.

Zenith Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc top market value list, while NPF Microfinance Bank Plc led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive volume spike at the end of the session.

IO furniture innovation award season 2 begins

Tola Adenubi-lagos

THE Federal Government has issued a 7 days ultimatum to Flourmills Nigeria Plc, and other haulage firms to vacate the major Lagos port access road ahead of a re-construction effort of the road by Dangote Group. This is even as findings revealed that the reconstruction effort by Dangote Group is primarily a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort.

According to a public notice sponsored by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and placed in some national dailies, the 7 days ultimatum to vacate the ever busy wharf road was served to organisations like the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO); all Truck Terminal Users; Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); Association of Maritime Truck Operators (AMATO); Joint Council of Seaport Truck Operators (JCOST); Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN); Flourmills of Nigeria Plc (FMN); Nigeria Police Area B Command, Apapa; and Nigeria Police Railway Command, Apapa.

NSE: Equities market appreciates by 2.02%, adds N163bn

From left: Programme Officer, Integrated Water Resource Management, OXFAM Nigeria, Eyong Sunday; Sustainable Development Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Osita Abana; Country Director, Concern Universal Nigeria, Tim Connell; Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Peter Ndegwa; Country Representative, WaterAid Nigeria, Dr Michael Ojo, and Communications Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Olayinka Edmond, at a media briefing on their partnerships on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes on Monday in Lagos. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

CBN intervention in real sector development hits N1.3bn BySulaimonOlanrewaju,Gbola Subair and Chima Nwokoji

EFFORTS of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) in growing Nigeria’ s non-oil sector is still being pursued vigorously as its intervention in the development of the real sector currently stands at N1.358billion.

A breakdown of the disbursements so far shows that Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) received N300 billion, the MicroSmall and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) stood at N220 billion, the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) N75 billion and the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Fund (NIRSAL)

netted N213 billion.

Other interventions by the apex bank included N50billion Nigeria Export Import Bank [NEXIM] and N500billion Export Refinancing and Restructuring Facility.

The CBN governor , Godwin Emefiele, declaring open the 21st Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors, on Monday, in Ibadan stated that the apex bank had gone beyond its primary mandate of ensuring Monetary, Price and Financial System Stability.

Like many central banks in emerging economies, Emefiele said the CBN had gone a step further by directly supporting different sectors for developmental purposes.

He said “The far-reaching objectives of the CBN in the implementation of schemes

and programmes for real sector development focuses on the inherent potential in the sector vis-à-vis our conviction that the sector has sufficient employment capabilities, high growth potentials, contributes significantly in accretion to foreign reserves, expands the industrial base and apparently diversifies the growth potentials of the national economy.

“The real sector as you know is the engine of every economy as it facilitates the production of raw materials, which adds value to the domestic economy and consequently serves as a source of wealth creation and income generation to the productive population, the real sector also provides effective linkages among crucial sub-sectors

such as agriculture, manufacturing, power, financial services among others,” the governor, who was represented at the occasion by CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Mr. Adebayo AdekolaAdelabu, stressed further.

Noting that central banks in more developed economies of the world such as the Federal Reserve of the United States and the Bank of England had directly intervened in boosting their economies by injecting funds and subsiding rates, thereby growing their respective economies, Emefiele explained that the CBN role in the real sector of the Nigerian economy is to help deepen the country real sector and improve revenue generation base.

By Ruth Olurounbi

IO furniture, leading interior design and furniture manufacturing firm, in reaffirming its commitment to create opportunities for young talented Nigerians, has announce the commencement of another innovation awards that will help them move forward.

Young Nigerians talented in furniture and interior design enthusiasts will, therefore, benefit from the launch of the second edition of the IO Furniture Innovation Award, which commenced last year.

With award scheduled to kick off this month, IO Furniture says it believes “firmly that this platform will start a conversation that will inspire and motivate the youth in the design industry as well as highlight the potential to command the next wave of furniture and interior design trends and also display the endless possibilities of design and manufacturing in Nigeria.”

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Arms deal: Ex-CDS, Badeh, at EFCC Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja

THE immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, on Monday, returned to the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to answer questions from a panel investigating arms procurement in the Armed Forces between 2007 and 2015.

The former CDS had honoured EFCC’s invitation last Wednesday and spent about 30 minutes with the anti-graft agency before he was asked to go and return on Monday.

Badeh and 16 other serving and retired Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army officers, including two former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu

and Air Marshal Dikko Umar, as well as 21 companies and their directors are being investigated specifically on their roles in fundamental breaches in the arms procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) within the eight-year period.

Their investigation followed a presidential directive to the commission to further investigate the officers based on the recommendation of an audit committee set up by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Monguno (retd) to audit arms procured in the Nigerian Air Force between 2007 and 2015.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that Badeh was

grilled by the panel currently investigating the indicted retired and serving officers for many hours.

As of the time of filing this report, the former CDS was still with the commission and it was not sure if he would be granted an administrative bail so he could go or be detained by the anti-graft agency.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Affairs Minister under the administration of the late General Sani Abacha, Chief Tom Ikimi, is being quizzed by EFCC as part of the ongoing investigation into the $2.1billion arms procurement fund diverted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

2016 budget: Senate walks out top officials of SGF, FRSC Continued from pg4

the immediate completion of 73 women acquisition centres across the country.

Speaking during the budget defence session with the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Al-Hassan in Abuja, Tinubu believed the completion would enhance employment, especially for women.

The lawmaker described the Women Affairs Ministry as one dear to her heart, pleading with every Nigerian woman to show interest in the affairs of the ministry.

She noted that a situation, where only three out of the 75 acquisition centres were completed, did not speak well of the ministry, asking the ministry to furnish her with

Illegal arrest, detention: Tarfa slams N2.5bn suit against EFCC LESS than 24 hours after he was granted administrative bail from his unlawful arrest and incarceration from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office, Lagos lawyer, Rickey Tarfa, on Monday, approached Federal High Court, Lagos, accompanied by 32 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, led by the former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, asking the court to compel the anti-graft agency and its acting chairman, Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, to pay him N2.5 billion.

Apart from the monetary compensation, Tarfa also asked the court to compel the defendants, which included Moses Awolusi, the operatives that illegally arrested him and the Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai, to release his two mobile handsets deceitfully collected from him on Friday, February 5 at their Ikoyi office in Lagos, to the court for the purpose of destructing all information, data and other retrievable materials stored in the two handsets.

He also sought an order urging the court to direct the defendants to release his Mercedes Benz SUV with registration No. KJA 700CG unlawfully seized from him.

The Senior Advocate also asked the court to order EFCC, Magu and two other defendants to publicly apologise to him in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, social media and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), as well as Channels Television within 24 hours from the day of the judgment of the suit.

Besides, he asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining all the defendants and their agents from further violating his rights apart from the payment of N20 million for the cost of this suit.

The 52 -paragraph affidavits in support of the suit was sworn to by the Head of Rickey Tarfa Chambers, Mr John Olusegun Odubela, who narrated the genesis of Tarfa’s ordeal as a witness to the gestapo tactics employed by the antigraft agency.

No date has been fixed for the hearing.

the breakdown of how the N270 million voted to equip the acquisition centres was spent.

According to her, “we should stop the business of abandoned projects which was so common in the last administration.

“We should complete the projects for the benefit of Nigerian women. It is in the interest of the Nigerian women that the projects are completed without further delay.

“We also want the headquarters of the Women Affairs Ministry to be completed. We have made our case.

In 2017 budget, we want to see that something tangible is provided in the budget for the completion of our headquarters.

“This is a change government; we don’t want to see abandoned projects. The ministry should collate the number of projects and ensure that they are completed.”

Senator Tinubu said the completion of the acquisition centres became necessary, especially when they were constituency projects.

Senator Tinubu said she was still maintaining her stand that the budgetary allocation to the ministry was too meagre, adding that the onus was on the management of the ministry to ensure that funds allocated to the ministry was judiciously utilised.

The minister, Aisha AlHassan, said the government was doing all it could to ensure that all abandoned projects were completed, pleaded that new committee should take over the projects initiated by their predecessors.

She explained that the N270 million in the budget was not meant for equipping only three acquisition centres, saying the money was voted for the Economic Services Department of her ministry.

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Nigerian Tribune

Femi Ibirogba adefemi2007@yahoo.com 0811 695 4646

Organic agribusiness: Sustainable

path to

development

By Femi Ibirogba

N

IGERIA has the need to reposition agriculture in the country for strategic economic development and sustainable food production purposes. This need, is particularly necessitated by the reality of failure of the mono-commodity economy which the country has hitherto depended on. The nation’s economy becomes gloomy because the value on the sole economic commodity plunged. The current government has often reiterated the need to diversify into agriculture so as to achieve the triple objectives of economic development, employment provision and food security. There is no doubt that agricultural strategy can successfully achieve the objectives if well pursued. The effort has to be well-focused, in order to be fulfilling, durable and sustainable.

Low external input agriculture, the mode in which the endeavour started, is basically sustainable.

Scientific intervention in agriculture, referred to as green revolution, which introduced extensive use of external inputs, such as chemicals, machineries and other synthetic farm inputs, drastically changed the way agriculture is practiced. Consequence of the intervention, manifested in extractive agricultural production practices, when was characterised by use of resources without replenishment, made the endeavour in everything about productivity but sustainability. The campaign about sustainable agricultural practices is not about going back to the traditional agriculture, but to a practice that methodically adopts appropriate low external input practices and scientific techniques as represented by the organic agriculture principles. What makes organic agriculture unique, is that, all deleterious inputs whether synthetic or natural are

prohibited and soil building’practices are mandated.

According to Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the World Food Summit Plan of Action recognised the importance of appropriate input technologies, farming techniques and other sustainable methods, such as organic farming, to assist farming operations to be profitable, with the goal of reducing environmental degradation, while creating financial resources within the farming operation. This highlights the need to consider organic agriculture as the right strategy to adopt for profitable and sustainable agriculture. In some developed countries, organic agriculture has come to represent a significant portion of the food system (e.g. Austria and Switzerland) and others are experiencing growth rates that exceed 20 per cent annually (e.g.

USA, France, Japan, Singapore). Some of the developing countries have small domestic organic markets (e.g. Egypt) and a few have begun to seize the lucrative export opportunities presented by organic agriculture (e.g. exports of Mexican coffee and Ugandan cotton).

The demand for organic products has created new export opportunities for the developing world. While some consumers express a preference for locally-grown organic foods, the demand for a variety of foods all year-round, makes it impossible for any country to source organic food entirely within its own borders. As a result, many developing countries have begun to export organic products successfully (e.g. tropical fruit to the European baby food industry, Zimbabwean herbs to South Africa and about six African nations export cotton to the European Community etc).

Typically, organic exports are sold at impressive premiums, often at a priceof 20 per cent higher than identical products from non-organic farms. This implies that

it is becoming easier to realise substantial income from agricultural activities, when pursued through the organic agriculture strategy.

The need to mainstream Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) into the agricultural production systems of member states of the African Union Commission by year 2020 was agreed upon by their Heads of States in January 2011 (EX.CL/Dec.621 XVI). It was suggested that systematic introduction of courses on the concept to students of agriculture will produce graduates who will be more equipped with the comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for engaging in productive and economic agricultural production. The campaign for sustainable focus in agricultural production, thus has to be taken to the next generation. This necessitated the need to review what is being taught to the future agricultural practitioners. The effort is necessary in order to highlight the need to discriminate appropriately in the use of contemporary technologies for agricultural practices.

This effort would also posit the youths as key players in agriculture being refocused.

A project by the Ecological Organic

The stakeholders equally opined that aspects of the Ecological Organic Agriculture could be ingrained in primary and secondary curricula, based on the idea that we cannot be too early to introduce a good orientation.

Agriculture in Nigeria organised a curriculum workshop to review the curricula and training materials and facilities of 10 higher educational institutions in South West of Nigeria with the aim of determining the content of EOA courses in four (certificate, diploma, undergraduate and graduate) programmes. It was discovered that the Association Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities (ADAN) had proposed that Bachelor of Agriculture be split into seven options with specific EOA related courses included in each of the options. This suggests institutional support for the inclusion of EOA into agricultural education at higher education levels. This focus was appreciated and supported, when tabled for discussion, by the organic agriculture stakeholders at a meeting held at the auditorium of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. The stakeholders equally opined that aspects of the Ecological Organic Agriculture could be ingrained in primary and secondary curricula, based on the idea that we cannot be too early to introduce a good orientation.

The immediate and long-term implication of this effort is that it will provide sustainable employment to the teeming unemployed population in the country, thereby curbing poverty, delinquency and crime. This will take the country towards the path of real economic prosperity and holistic socioeconomic development.

Several informed opinions have affirmed that youths are not interested in agriculture as a profession basically because of the typical meagre income from the activities. Several efforts and interventions to improve income accruable from agricultural enterprises have not yielded expected results. Imbibing organic agriculture strategy might just be a paradigm needed to effectively attract the younger generations to agriculture.

17

agriculture

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

‘Agriculture, solution to Nigeria’s unemployment problem’ Paul Ilona, Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, in this interview with FEMI IBIROGBA in China recently, spoke on why the crude oil price should reach zero dollar adding that Nigeria needs to see agriculture as an alternative to strengthen the economy.

H

OW will you rate the value chain development in the root and tuber crops sector in Africa?

My worry has been that Africa has so far failed to put action and value to its strength. I want to compare roots and tubers in Africa with wheat in Australia and America. They, at a point, decided to add value to wheat as a raw material and today, if you don’t eat bread, you feel incomplete. If you look at these continents, they tried to identify their strengths and they went ahead to build their economies based on their strengths. This is not the case in Africa. And if you take Nigeria for example, we remain the largest producer of cassava, yam and cocoyam in the world and among the largest producers of sweet potatoes. The question is: Which of these major root and tuber crops have we brought to the status of a major income earner to the country? The answer, to me, is none. And what will make a nation growing so rapidly in population to fail to realise that its future is a lot more important than today? We are looking at the future of Nigeria and Africa. There should be more emphasis on how to accentuate our strength. We should not be looking at what we have now; we should be looking at what can truly add value to Nigeria and Africa in the future.

How can we then go about accelerating value addition to these crops as the strength of Nigeria and Africa?

The point, again is that the country does not have a platform for development, and the country has not made efforts to build on its strength. If we have identified our major crops as strengths, we should have thought of how to develop them along the value chain. Cassava as a plant on the field means nothing until it gets to the table as food and brings money to farmer.

So adding value is a primary driver of adoption of any technology today. The last time I reviewed what could be done with cassava, I came up with about 100 products. The crop that can be used for about 100 products has no, so far, received any meaningful attention from the country. This shows that we really don’t understand what development agriculture is all about. They even quote at the federal level that agriculture contributes about 45 per cent to our GDP. If we know that agriculture is important, and contributes significantly to the economy, why are we not seriously developing it? Why are we not really adding value to agriculture, if we want to really create jobs and wealth?

Once we realise these, they will make us develop technologies and products in the value chains of these crops.

You made mention of employment through the value chain. What is the potential in the yam and cassava crops?

No Nigerian should be unemployed

Paul Ilona today. Now, Nigeria consumes almost 90 per cent of its cassava production, meaning that we don’t really have much for export. The export potential that is not on ground can go as much as 100 million metric tonnes per annum. If you look at the starch sector alone, we have got four major companies. If these four companies are able to consume even 100 metric tonnes daily, they will put pressure on cassava production in Nigeria. We

A functional starch, ethanol, cassava flour or glucose syrup plant should be able to engage no fewer than 10,000 farmers and additional 5,000 service providers along the value chain.

need to open up space for private sector operators to come in, we need to create market for them. A functional starch, ethanol, cassava flour or glucose syrup plant should be able to engage no fewer than 10,000 farmers and additional 5,000 service providers along the value chain. So, if we know that a plant can engage 15,000 people meaningfully and we encourage private sector operators to come onboard, they will create more. But investors have not come because they want protection for their investments. Where is the land for them and where are the free export zones? Why are we still importing starch and ethanol into the country? We still depend on the developed world for wheat importation. Why? Allied Atlantic Distilleries Ltd claims that production of cassava ethanol in Nigeria is less than 10 per cent of the local need. Do you think stopping its importation will help boost local production?

Stopping its importation is not a good idea. You should not stop importation because if you do, you will stop activities

Nigerian Tribune

along that value chain. Ethanol is used for wines, spirits and drinks and stopping its importation without local capacity to produce will end up killing the industrial activities associated with the product.

With less than 10 per cent ethanol production at home, how can we boost up its production locally to meet the demand and activate the economy?

The government must wake up. We must realise that agriculture is the way to go. I am a proponent of bringing the price of crude oil to zero. If the price does not come to zero, Nigeria won’t wake up. Before oil, we were producing groundnut, oil palm and cocoa, but as oil comes, we became lazy. Let the crude oil price come to zero dollar and we all go back to the drawing board. Which other country in West Africa depends on oil? And they are all growing.

Can’t Nigeria grow without oil? We can.

What impact do you think this congress will have on the root and tuber crops in Nigeria, in terms of production, productivity and value addition?

The question should be to what extent can those of us who attend the congress influence policies? Congresses like this should attract the Nigerian government, ministries of agriculture and commerce and know what to take home. Scientists who are here can hardly influence policies.

The best you can do as a scientist is that you write a paper and get it published in an international journal. That is not good enough. Look at the presentation from Thailand, showing clearly that 100 per cent replacement of maize with cassava is possible in animal feeds formulation.

Nigeria is not a major producer of maize, we are a net importer of maize. So, why are we using maize that could be used for something else when we have cassava? We keep spending foreign exchange on the material we can replace with cassava.

There are many lessons from this congress, but who takes the lead? Who do we speak to when we get to Nigeria?

You talk to them and the next thing is thinking that you are looking for contracts (money). All of us are here in China, in a supposedly small town, Nanning, that can be compared with Oyo or Ife in Nigeria.

But Nanning is competing with best cities in Germany and around the world. People have taken time to develop their own systems. We need to wake up in Nigeria and that is the truth. Our strength is in agriculture, but we don’t have a better platform for it yet. Why is it so difficult for Nigeria to have a model that shows our business gurus in Nigeria that if they put in their money into agriculture, they will do well? Why are people looking up to other sectors that add very little value to the growth of the country? Why have we so neglected agriculture and yet every developed country in the world depends on it? Look at Holland, it cannot do without agriculture. It is the base of its economy. Even the USA that we think depends basically on technology takes agriculture as primary. Every country that cannot produce its food will have problems developing, because it will end up spending what it should have spent on infrastructure development on recurrent expenditure.

So, our food import is huge and we need to stop it. There is huge potential for us to use our crops as raw materials to develop our industrial sector. Unless we do this, we will always go to see good things outside and come back in misery.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

editor

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

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

Terrorism: Britain should do more for Nigeria

S

OMETIMES, I prefer Nigeria was colonised by France rather than Britain.

Going by Nigeria’s history, it seems the British specifically clogged the country together for it to fail. Or how can we explain the

marriage of different peoples, different cultures to make a nation?

The French, on the other hand, could be described as true ‘mothers.’ France wants the best for her colonies. Even, after the hand-over of power, the

French, unlike the British, never left their colonies by themselves. Although this has been criticised by some political analysts in some quarters, it is, however, a good thing that these countries still have a big ‘brother’ in France.

During the Bakassi issue, before Nigeria finally handed over the territory to the Cameroonians, the French were anticipating a war between Nigeria and Cameroon, and in the event of a war, France would have come to the

Government should promote rail travel THE Nigerian government should make the rail system functional, so as to reduce the burden on our roads. I am happy with the progress made during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan as far as the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) is concerned. Many years ago, I travelled by speed train from Shanghai to Beijing in China. The 250km journey took a little over an

hour with the speed train.

In the developed world, there are many ways to travel, thereby reducing the burden on road and air travel. With the frequent mishaps and near-mishaps in our aviation sector, as well as the terrible accidents on the roads, it is necessary we focus on resuscitating rail travel in the country. Once again, I want to commend the Jonathan administration

Repeal contributory pension scheme The Federal Government, through the National Assembly, should repeal the contributory pension scheme. The scheme, which came into operation during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is not realistic enough. I know of a retiree who earns about N6,000 per month because he could not contribute enough before he retired; what will this buy in today’s Nigeria?

The pension fund operators also said workers cannot withdraw their pension until they are 60 years of age. There are many people who opt to retire before they are 60; these people can only be given a fraction of their contributions.

The huge fraud being recorded in the contributory pension scheme is also a good reason for it to be repealed. I hope we can revert to the former scheme.

•Eyitayo James, Abuja.

No to increase in electricity tariff Government has approved the increase in electricity tariff, saying it would help in bringing uninterrupted electricity to Nigerians. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, stated this recently. I, however, want to disagree with this.

Nigerians should not suffer for the failure of past governments to make things right. For years, Nigerians have been paying for power not supplied, so what moral right does the

government have to ask us to pay more in order to improve electricity supply?

This is the time for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to come out in support of the Nigerian people. Our people have been burdened by the various policies of government because of the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, and the new electricity tariff will only add to that burden.

Julius Akagbodi, Asaba, Delta State.

for bringing the rail back to life, but we still have a long way to go. We need to modernise the cabins of our train, as well as extend rail lines to all state capitals.

The world has advanced in rail technology and there are speed trains that can cover long distances in hours and at the comfort of passengers.

With this, I want to urge the leadership of the Nigerian government, the

Ministry of Transport and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to encourage international transport companies to invest in Nigeria’s rail sector.

Government should help Nigerians get cheaper and convenient mode of transportation, and the rail system fits this bill.

•Chigozie Daniel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

rescue of its former colony.

When the Islamists were moving towards the Malian capital a couple of years ago, France had to send in soldiers to stop the Islamists. Today, Mali is quite stable. Even in the Central African Republic (CAR), another French colony, French soldiers are there to bring about peace in a country divided along religious lines.

The opposite is what we are experiencing in our relationship with the British. Although some people would say we are independent now, and should be able to make decisions by ourselves, there are, however, certain supports we should be getting from Britain, as a former colony.

While we are not saying that we can’t make decisions on our own, I think we need help in the war

against the Boko Haram insurgents.

The president, Muhammadu Buhari, keeps saying the terrorists have been technically defeated, but they still pose a big threat to the country. The terrorists are still staging attacks on a daily basis, the majority of which are never reported.

Now, Nigeria needs the military assistance to defeat the terrorists, but Britain is less concerned about us; we should forget about the military trainings, what we need are weapons to fight the insurgents.

It is not too late for Britain to get its foreign policy right as regards its relationship with Nigeria, and some of its former colonies.

•Dr Taju Alalade, Ilorin.

19

editorial

f

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Obasanjo’s letter to NASS

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo recently wrote a letter to the leadership of the 8th National Assembly to complain about the continuing lack of openness in the running of the Assembly, particularly in relation to the finances, salaries and allowances of members. Chief Obasanjo stated that the National Assembly’s budget was shrouded in secrecy, beyond the contents of the overall national budget, with nobody knowing how it was disbursed. In addition, he noted, the salaries and allowances of members were not known to Nigerians.

Chief Obasanjo further called attention especially to the alleged plan to purchase cars worth over N4billion for the use of the lawmakers, insisting that this was not only insensitive to the economic emergency facing the country, but a deliberate continuation of the ostentatious disposition of National Assembly members, clearly unreflective of the people they represent and the oversight assignment they have in government. As far as Obasanjo is concerned, the current National Assembly members are not in tune with the present realities of Nigeria and are therefore not in a position to move the country forward. He thus admonished them to change their ways if they wished to make any positive impression on Nigerians.

We appreciate and support the sentiments expressed by Chief Obasanjo in the letter to the National Assembly, as it is quite in order to call the attention of public leaders to the expectations of the public from them, especially where they seem to be operating out of sync with economic realities.

This is particularly important because the whole essence of democracy is to ensure that leaders and representatives in government are held accountable by the people, such that they are responsive to the yearnings and interests of the people, rather than being in government for the promotion of personal interests. And what better way to get leaders and public officials to listen and take note than being prodded to do what is right by those who have been in leadership positions before, like former President Obasanjo?

The letter also comes at a time when Nigerians are worried by the past opaque activities of the National Assembly which have made it a drain on public resources through unscrupulous budgetary allocations and underhand deals related to oversight responsibilities, instead of being a

check on the excesses of the executive through purposive and efficient oversight activities.

Indeed, it is embarrassing that Nigerians keep wondering about the usefulness and essence of the National Assembly, to the extent that hardly anybody could point to what it has contributed to the sustenance of a more developmentoriented democratic rule in Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999. We therefore join other Nigerians in calling on the current National Assembly to institute a new regime of openness and show that its members and functions could contribute positively to redirecting governance to development and the welfare of the people. This would be one good way of reacting to the letter from Obasanjo, rather than the usual Nigerian way of further exchange of tirades.

Nonetheless, it must be stated that the current National Assembly would have been under tremendous pressure to perform well if the past Assemblies since the return to democratic rule had laid a better foundation for such meritorious performance. Unfortunately, even the Assembly under President Obasanjo was more remarkable for corruption allegations, particularly against the presidency, to the extent that what Nigerians would perhaps remember about that era was the ugly display of alleged bag loads of naira during plenary as evidence of the corrupt inducement from the executive led by President Obasanjo. When the allegations surrounding the so-called third term agitation are added and the continuing lack of accountability on the enormous resources committed to power projects under Obasanjo without any noticeable improvement in power supply in the country, it would seem ironic that he is now the person admonishing the current National Assembly to be committed to accountability and eschew corruption.

While the leadership and members of the National Assembly really deserve to be called out and told in no unmistakable terms to work and function within a new ethos of responsible and responsive leadership committed to serving the people, perhaps they would have been minded to take such admonition more seriously if not coming from Obasanjo, who they have claimed is not in a position to lecture them on corruption. Avoiding this ugly scenario of personality clashes overshadowing logic is, certainly, one good reason why leaders should always strive to be above board in the discharge of their duties.

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20 opinion

Tuesday,9 February, 2016

Onu’s pencil idea: A national mortification

I

hate it, I detest it. As a matter of fact, I frantically abhor sounding like an emissary of quietus every now and then, but the perplexing and inexplicably irksome events that keep unfolding in this country of ours, like fruits from the ancient Greek cornucopia, apparently leave me no other sane choice. Such mediocrity! Words may fail to aptly encapsulate the tenebrosity of my nauseating dismay every time the flatulent words of Ogbonnaya Onu, Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, resonates in my head.

Could this be any plausible form of strategy with which we get to show the world that we are truly the Giant of Africa?

Excruciating deliberations take me over as I ponder on how on God’s green earth, we earned that epithet in the first place.

For in today’s Nigeria, it sure sounds like an aberration. Chinua Achebe, God bless the indefectible brilliance of an immortal writer, was almost infinitely right in his compilation, “There was a Country.”

How I wish I knew her centuries ago. Without respite but for decades, I dreamt a pretty dream of loving the almost infallible woman she was when a naira was equivalent to a dollar. When innovation was given national aegis and radically celebrated.

How I desperately wish, that I had met her when she had her dignity unmarred. When, like the proud peacock, she would display the beautiful colours of her behind. Alas, there was a country!

Harrowingly, today, her negative transmogrification beats even the imagination of gargantuan brained geniuses.

What happened to this beauty? I would subsequently wail, amaranthine tears that mirror royal blood will besmirch my melanin-influenced hue and you should too, if pencil production is the landmark achievement our nation will be celebrating in 2018. In fact, there is plenty and so much more to weep for.

On the last day of the first month of the leap year, Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, ecstatically revealed his brilliant idea that would supposedly bring about a messianic intervention in the lock down situation of arid unemployment. He confidently announced that 100,000 jobs would be created when Nigeria started producing its own pencils in 2018 while reiterating that his national fortune revolving idea was in fact President Muhammadu Buhari’s impeccable plan to revamp the wholesale production sector.

The minister expressed optimism that the plan would have a meaningful impact on the economy, because the aim of his ministry was to “COMMERCIALISE DEVELOPED IDEAS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS TO PRINCIPAL LEVELS.”

Yes, that is where the crux of today’s matter lies – commercialising developed ideas… but allow me to ask this question? What is the definition of a developed idea? How does an ordinary pencil production plan level up with great innovations in the ferocious attempt to rid our economy of the putrefaction that has for long held it hostage? Pencil production in 2018? Really, if that is the master strategy a formidable ministry as that could come up with for impacting our economy; we might as well throw in the towel and bury our heads in sand?

Have we not seen? Have we not heard of actual ideas? No, innovations would be more appropriate at this juncture. Have we not read? Have we not watched the quantum leaps real science and technology has made in this dispensation?

Real scientists and researchers out there are conjuring up innovations and producing elements that are striking sane minds worldwide with temporal insanity in a bid to demystify real scientific discoveries. How redundant is our science and technology that in 2016, we are yet planning to make pencils?

Perhaps, we may want to pitch our argument on the mediocrity pedestal of not comparing Nigeria with a country like China, whose HB pencils we have been importing for decades, because China has been a producer economy for decades while Nigeria is barely just learning to sit on her impoverished behind but before your mind tows that talent swallowing, invention obstructing, path of reasoning, read this...

Onu said “to produce pencils, we need wood, graphite, rubber for the eraser and possibly, we will need aluminium to hold the rubber in place.” Note RUBBER. China is a big consumer of rubber resources and has been

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688 ranked first in the world for 10 consecutive years. According to statistics, rubber consumption in China has accounted for more than 30% of the global consumption.

China is currently the world’s largest consumer of natural rubber, guzzling 4,760 kt in 2014. This represents a year-on-year rise of 13.1%, making up 39.1% of the world’s total consumption.

Consequently, natural rubber consumption will continue to grow in China and is expected to reach 6,791 kt by 2018 when Nigeria is planning to start her own pencil production.

However, limited by unfavorable weather conditions, China’s rubber output is rather low; only 857 kt was accounted for in 2014. Therefore, in order to meet supply-demand gap, China has to import a large amount of natural rubber from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, with imports reaching 2,610 kt in 2014, which made up 54.8% of total consumption that year.

Ironically, in this same rubber-scarce China, the Chinese pencil industry, based on the 2004 statistical data, produces 9.8 trillion pencils per year, 80 per cent of which are exported throughout the world including Nigeria!

Nigeria, on the other hand, in 2014, for emphasis, just two years ago, ranked number 8 on a list of countries with the highest positive net exports for natural rubber. Investopedia defined net exports as the value of a country’s total exports minus the value of its total imports, thus giving a value of the surplus between the value of each country’s natural rubber exports and its import purchases for that same commodity.

While Thailand had the highest surplus in the international trade of natural rubber, Nigeria came 8th with $86.2 million (down -84.4%). Such positive cash flow confirms Nigeria’s strong competitive advantage for rubber but we are just planning to start pencil production in 2018 not even car tires!

Yes, that would have been something to look forward to by car owners who spend fortunes in buying imported rubbers for their wheels.

I could go on venting but words are failing me already.

Therefore, I will just sum it all up with the Yoruba adage that goes “eni l’ori o ni fila’; eni ni fila o l’óri” loosely translated as “ the one who has got a head doesn’t have cap, while the one with a cap lacks a head.”

I sincerely hope that the Ministry of Science and Technology, instead of this pencil business, will seek out geniuses like 36year-old Ifiemi Felagha, who built a light plane named Destiny in Bayelsa and Aghogho, the young man without a degree, who flew an airplane and make an empire for this nation.

Forex crunch, bad choices and Nigeria’s future

By Adewale Adebayo

Whether on televisions or radios , newspapers or magazines, websites or blogs, or even on facebook and twitter, different reactions continue to trail the current forex challenge in the country and the announcement by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, recently, that Nigerians should prepare for hard times ahead. According to media reports, the CBN had disclosed after its Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja that while the period of low oil prices, which last occurred in 2005, lasted for a maximum of eight months, the current situation is expected to continue over a longer period of time. He warned that the situation would necessitate huge sacrifices from Nigerians as well as hard and uncomfortable choices.

However, despite the diversity of opinions and the multiplicity of comments from all those who have been reacting since the news broke, there is a common thread. It is the fact that, as a country, we have made very bad and terrible choices over the years, and some of them even dating back to political independence in 1960. Truly, if we won’t mince words, these bad choices have been many. Indeed, very many!

For instance, successive leaders in the country, especially those that took office from the end of the First Republic, and their ministers of planning and national development, only talked about the necessity of diversifying the nation’s economy so that oil would no longer be the major source of our national revenue. Yet, while the good times lasted, they did little or nothing to concretely ensure that this lofty agenda was achieved during the tenure of their regimes and administrations, or set on an irreversible course for their successors to complete.

For many of the former military leaders we had, after delivering their annual budget speeches, it appeared things ended there so long petrodollars rolled in easily. Even their ministers who

stood on podiums to speak at conferences and meetings failed to achieve anything worthwhile in that direction. No detailed, actionable, and realistic long-term strategic plans were put in place. Meanwhile, in the few occasions where these were in place, there were no stakeholders’ consultations to get the necessary buy-in, let alone for the plans to be implemented.

And even in the few times when policies were put in place, the aftermath was usually policy summersaults years later when another government comes to power!

But to really demonstrate how unserious we have been as a country, and indeed, how we evidently cared little about our national economic well-being, we saw nothing wrong, wasting billions of dollars importing fuel and settling oil barons claiming fake subsidies every year, when the sane and sensible thing we could and should have done was ensuring that our refineries were all working at optimal capacity and satisfying our internal consumption needs while exporting the excess. That way, the 40 percent of official foreign exchange demand being used for importation of refined petroleum products would simply have been unnecessary.

I think our insatiable craze and appetite for foreign goods was also another of our bad choices. We adamantly refused to wean ourselves of the inferiority complex and belief that all things

foreign or imported are superior and better. We assumed all things indigenous or locally-produced are not good enough and of lower quality. In fact, we so loved importing all kinds of things, some of which could even be produced here in Nigeria, that the average import bill of the country skyrocketed from N148.3 billion in 2005 to N917.6 billion in 2015, a whopping increase of over 500 per cent, all within just 10 years, according to the CBN. Yet, if we had developed our manufacturing sector as well as focused on further expanding agriculture, we would have leapfrogged our economy to higher heights beyond even our own imagination. Unfortunately, we didn’t think along those lines.

Many of these actions not only underdeveloped the country, but also further worsened the poverty level among Nigerians.

This is aside the fact that our leaders and elites further worsened the situation too by sending their children to study overseas when they could have made our own educational institutions first-class and world-class if they really had the vision and will.

After all, it is said that where there is a will, there is a way. They equally believed our hospitals aren’t good enough to take care of them when they are sick and started flying abroad for treatment instead of fixing our own hospitals here. They flew to places like Germany, London, France and Switzerland. Of course, many of them sadly died over there.

The final nail that sealed the coffin for us was the pervasive corruption in the system and the scandalous salaries and entitlements politicians gave themselves when the national minimum wage of N18, 000 can’t sincerely take any worker home. Even aids and loans from development partners and international agencies were diverted and not fully used for the purposes they were meant for.

•Adebayo, an economist,01 wrote in from Lagos.

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Intrigues as PDP top shots battle for chairman

Hassan Dankwambo

Mohammed Wakil

As all national organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meet this week with the hope of ratifying a new national chairman, LEON USIGBE looks at the dynamics that may affect the resolution of the ongoing leadership crisis of the party.

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will, this week, seek to crystallise the process of reorganising its leadership at all levels but the former ruling party is on tenterhooks. It has summoned meetings

of its National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The tenure of its executives from the ward, local government, states through national level expires this March, and it

seems confused about the direction to go, especially because of the difficulty in selecting a substantive national chairman to serve out the tenure of Dr Adamu Mu’azu.

It had, by December last year, scheduled its Ward congresses for Saturday, February 27,

High wired intrigues have set into the race and appear to hinder what ought to have been a fairly straight forward process involving only one geo-political zone

2016; Local Government congresses for Saturday, March 5, 2016; State Congress for Saturday, March 12, 2016; Zonal congresses for Wednesday, March 16, 2016, to culminate in the national convention on Saturday, March 19, 2016, where it hopes to elect a new national chairman.

The party has given the go ahead to the North-East to nominate a candidate for the post, but it did not do that on its own accord. It was pushed by Dr Ahmed Gulak, the former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan who had approached a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Abuja seeking an order to compel the PDP to replace Mu’azu with another politician from the North-East to serve out Mu’azu’s tenure. Recall that the Bauchi State-born Mu’azu resigned last year after leading the former ruling party to a stunning defeat at the polls. Rather than call for election immediately to replace him, the deputy national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, colluded with the rest of his leadership and stepped into Mu’azu’s shoes in acting capacity, and has remained there to the consternation of party stakeholders from the North-East.

Following a favourable ruling obtained

by Gulak and his subsequent effort to physically seize the post, the PDP quickly summoned a North-East stakeholders’ meeting last Tuesday in Gombe, but it failed to reach a consensus on who Continues on pg22

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

The 2019 presidential race connection Continues from pg21

to nominate as the new national chairman of the party. Apart from Gulak (Adamawa), several other individuals from the region showed interest in the office.

Among them are Professor Rufai Alkali (Gombe), the former PDP national publicity secretary, who also replaced Gulak as Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Jonathan; immediate past Minister of the FCT, Dr Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); former national vice chairman (NorthEast) Senator Paul Wampana; Ambassador Iliya Damagum, Senator Sa’idu Kumo, Abdulahi Jalo and a former Minister of State, Mohammed Wakil. A former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, initially showed interest but has since abandoned the ambition.

The current PDP national vice chairman (North-East), Senator Girgir Lawan, who convened the North-East stakeholders’ meeting to nominate a chairmanship candidate, ended up presenting himself as Nyesom Wike a candidate. Wilberforce Juta, a former governor of old Gongola State had his named mentioned briefly too. Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku is believed to have touted his candidature.

But high wired intrigues have set into the race and appears to hinder what ought to have been a fairly straight forward process involving only one geo-political zone. The leader of the North-East zone and governor of Gombe State, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, is said to be uncomfortable with the idea of a PDP national chairman emerging from the zone. Reason: if NorthEast gets the post, it may leave telling consequences on his own touted presidential ambition in 2019 because of the zoning policy of the party.

Therefore, he prefers it to go to another part of the country. If on the other hand, it could not be pushed out of the North-East, it must not go to a politician from his home state, Gombe. The entry into the race of Girgi Lawan, is thought to be convenient for Governor Dankwambo because he is from Borno State. If the governor cannot get his wish to push the post out of the zone, observers say, he may work for the emergence of Girgi Lawan.

Beyond the fact that Governors Dankwambo and Ishaku, the only PDP governors in the North, are not on the same page on how to proceed with the process of selecting a nominee or indeed, who should be the nominee, there are also grumbles from some aspirants who alleged that they have been deliberately shut out of the process. They say even though they had signified their intention to be considered for the post, they were however not invited to last week’s stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe. Alhaji Gambo Lawal and Ibrahim Birma (a lawyer), both from Borno State, were left out, just like A.Y. Gombe from

Gombe State.

The disagreement between Dankwambo and Ishaku, as well as the lack of consensus among the various candidates, set the stage for the stalemate that the Gombe meeting became and now threatens to jeopardise this week’s national organs’ meeting. Without a North-East consensus candidate, the national hierarchy may now seek to impose a choice for the region which can come with

further complications.

On the o t h e r hand, the NWC led

by Secondus as acting national chairman may seize the opportunity to Lawan have its tenure extended as some other interests in the party are already scheming for.

Some PDP watchers believe that last week’s Supreme Court’s victory clinched

by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has strengthened Secondus’ chances to

carry on as the acting national chairman pending when it is able to re-organise and conduct its congresses. It will also be impossible for the party to go ahead with the congresses that were slated to start from the 17th of this month without bringing more acrimony upon itself as NEC has not

office or venture into the uncharted course of setting up a national caretaker committee, just as it may have to do at all other levels if congresses cannot hold. Some people are already beginning to argue that this is the way to go; that a caretaker committee made of selfless individuals with a six-month or even a year duration, which can reposition the party, will not be out of place.

They say since the PDP’s constitution accommodates caretaker committees at the state level, it will not frown at it at the national level under a “Doctrine of Necessity.”

The role of PDP Governors Forum There is no doubt that the PDP Governors Forum headed by the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, will play a key role in the ratification of a new national chairman of the party. For one, the Forum had issued a press statement on January 27 in response to Gulak’s move to assume office as national chairman of the PDP, saying that it would not be party to an illegality.The governors’ position was contained in a communique issued by the forum after its meeting in Abuja and signed by the Director General of the forum, Earl Osaro The statement read in part: “The Ayodele Fayose invasion of the party headquarters on Wednesday by Ahmed Gulak, who reportedly assumed the Chairmanship of the PDP, is regrettable and condemnable. We take cognisance of the judgment by the court in Abuja which ordered the acting chairman to vacate office for any other person from the North-East zone of Nigeria. Our party constitution has enough provisions for that and the necessary process has been put Bala Mohammed in motion.” It stated that the appropriate approved them. More organs of the party would meet soonest importantly, whoever to elect a national chairman of the party is chosen from the North-East can only from the appropriate zone. legally remain in office till March ending In this connection, it is highly likely that when Mu’azu is due to have ended his ten- Governor Mimiko and his counterpart in ure.

Ekiti, Governor Ayodele Fayose, will be This may force the party into taking a po- making deft political moves this week. sition to either extend the NWC’s stay in Fayose has been the most critical voice of the opposition, and commands the politics of Ekiti, where the PDP is currently unchallenged at the state House of Assembly and National Assembly levels.

Though the situation is slightly different in Ondo where the APC has substantial representation in the National Assembly, the fact that the PDP controls the government in the state and has a clear majority in the National Assembly coupled with the general perception of Mimiko as a credible voice in the politics of the South-West geopolitical zone will give him a leverage.

In spite of that, the PDP will be keen to avoid whatever will set it against the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in however it decides to resolve the lingering leadership crisis.

Following a favourable ruling obtained by Gulak and his subsequent effort to physically seize the post, the PDP quickly summoned a North-East stakeholders’ meeting last Tuesday in Gombe, but it failed to reach a consensus on who to nominate as the new national chairman of the party.

23

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

The 60-second

business coach PAGE 24

Nigerian Tribune

leadership &

management

with Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

PAGE 24

Leaders’

forum PAGE 24

Quote LEADERSHIP

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work. —Harry Golden

How organisations reinvent themselves

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

C

HIEF Moshood Abiola had the shock of his life in 1983.

Having risen to the pinnacle of his career with money streaming to him from every corner of the globe while being courted by first-class presidents and revered royalty, Chief Abiola had assumed that whatever he wanted in his country was his for the asking. He had joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which was the ruling party, and had emerged as one of its major financiers.

Continues on pg24

Otto Orondaam, CEO and Founder, Slum To School

24

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

leadership&management THE 60-SECOND business coach

Organisations and need for reinvention Continued from pg23

Having properly positioned himself as a strong force in the party, he went after two things in 1983; he wanted his wife, Simbiat, to become a senator in Ogun State while he wanted the national chairmanship of the party for himself. The wife got the party’s nomination but lost the election. Abiola himself also lost the bid to displace Chief August Meredith Adisa Akinloye as the party’s chairman. He was spurned in his home state and spewed by his party.

The two losses brought him down to earth. He realized that if he wanted to get anywhere, politically, in the country, he would have to reinvent the Abiola brand. He decided to do just that.

He resigned his membership of the party and began a process of worming himself into the hearts of the people.

He became more involved in community development and philanthropy.

Across the length and breadth of the country, he supported worthy causes and identified more with the ordinary folks. The Abiola brand was reinvented and became so popular that when he vied for the presidency in 1993, despite running on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, he won overwhelmingly all over the country and even defeated his opponent in his backyard.

Need for reinvention Reinvention is rethinking the business to have a new model. The essence of this is to activate a change in the market or keep pace with market realities. The market is never in a static state; it always evolves. The companies that constantly reinvent are the ones that are retained in the consciousness of the market and they are the ones that are profitable and last the distance.

In the book, Re-inventors: How Extraordinary Companies Pursue Radical Continuous Change, Jason Jennings opines, “Your job as you know it and your business as it is currently run will eventually change. The only chance any of us has for prosperity is to constantly re-imagine, rethink and reinvent everything we do and how we do it in order to remain relevant. We must all become re-inventors, and we’d better do it quickly.”

The need for reinvention cannot be better put.

How organizations are reinvented A number of steps are taken in the process of reinventing an organization.

Here are some of them.

Recognizing need for reinvention The process of reinventing an organization starts with the recognition of the need for it. This is the point at which the leadership of the organization comes to understand that continuing

on the route the organization has always trodden cannot deliver the desired result. It is this realization that leads the organization to embark on the process of reinventing itself.

Recognizing the need for reinvention is a consequence of a number of factors. The first is deciphering what the market wants. A company does not exist for itself; its existence is tied to market satisfaction.

Therefore, it must be in tune with what the market wants. Many companies underplay this and, as a result, underrate the market.

Man’s craving for out ntry of this world products Idemudia Okojie, Cou t ial Derivatives Cha We , er nag Ma is incomprehensible Bismark Rewane, CEO, Financ but the yearning is always there. A company that makes it a point of duty to always satisfy the yearnings of the market will have the market eating out of its palms.

The second factor is watching the trend.

Apart from paying attention to the bottom line to ensure the company remains profitable, and managing the top line to see the inflow of revenue, the next most important task of a chief executive is watching and understanding the trend in his industry as well as the economy as a whole.

It is his success in this regard that will determine whether there will be a business for him to Oriahi Anderson, CEO Ladi Delano, CEO, manage in future or not.

Zimylink Brand Managers ica Afr Bakrie Delano Every CEO should see trend, the company he manages NIPOST fizzled out as it was caught NIPOST’s trajectory as a legacy that has to be preserved so napping. Thus, it was beaten at its game In its heyday, the Nigeria Postal Serthat it could be handed over to sucby joiners. vice (NIPOST) was a dream postal orgaceeding generations. To accomplish Given its vast network and infrastrucnization, delivering mail items to homes, this, he has to be conversant with the ture, NIPOST was positioned to be a schools and business outfits. But beyond development in his industry so that his major player in electronic fund transfer its primary function of mail delivery, it company will not be left behind in the was also heavily involved in fund transfer but that is a potential that was never scheme of events. realized. with its sale of postal and money orders.

A leader may be forgiven for not Why did NIPOST fail to seize the Its presence in the remotest parts of being a trend-setter but no leader will opportunity offered by technology to the country made it a veritable channel be forgiven for failing to watch, unmake itself more relevant to the people for city dwellers to remit funds to their derstand, interpret and align with the by being in the fore front of electronic kinsmen in the hinterland. NIPOST trend because such failure can lead to fund transfer? It was either because was also involved in international fund the collapse of the organization. the organization was not conscious transfer. But when technology improved of technological developments that and electronic fund transfer became the

affected its industry or it did not take this seriously. Neither is excusable.

Now, NIPOST depends largely on the government for its capital projects. But that would not have been had the leadership reinvented the organization in line with the reality of new technologies at the appropriate time.

Tinkering with the vision Once the need to reinvent is recognized, the next step is to tinker with the vision.

By the time Jack Welch became the chairman of General Electric in 1981, the company was doing very well. However, in spite of the apparent success being recorded by the company, Welch realized that the level of success would not be adequate to see the company through the challenges of the future.

This realization led him into coming up with a redirection that resulted in the reinvention of the company. He tinkered with the vision of General Electric. Welch decided that the company and its subsidiaries would only operate in industries where they were either number one or number two. The import of this was that merely being a player was not enough for the company; it had to be a market leader wherever it chose to operate. This changed the orientation of the company completely and many subsidiaries that were just marginal players in their sub-sectors had to be sold. This buoyed the company as it became one of the most profitable companies in the world. The reinvention rejuvenated the company and made it the bomb.

Though a vision is an organization’s compass, it is not necessarily permanent.

As time evolves and situations warrant, visions are subject to change. That is what happened to General Electric. It reviewed its vision at the nick of time. That is what NIPOST failed to do that took it from the zenith to the nadir.

Fashioning out appropriate strategy Strategy is the leg on which vision walks. The success of a vision is dependent on the quality and the appropri-

A leader may be forgiven for not being a trend-setter but no leader will be forgiven for failing to watch, understand, interpret and align with the trend because such failure can lead to the collapse of the organization.

ateness of the strategy that is used to drive it. So, when the vision changes the strategy has to follow suit. The strategy employed by Chief MKO Abiola to reinvent his brand was attaching importance to those issues considered important by the people. He knew religion was important to Nigerians and he played along.

Though a Muslim, he attended church programmes and donated generously to them just as he supported Islamic causes.

Similarly, he stretched his hand of fellowship to Nigerians from other parts of the country. He identified so much with all the peoples of the country that he was honoured with chieftaincy titles from almost every community in the land. The strategy worked and Abiola became the toast of most Nigerians.

Work the strategy It is said that the way to hell is paved with good intentions. Many organizations have good intentions of reinventing themselves but they just stop short of doing that because of the inability to walk the high ground of working out the strategy to the letter.

Taking a cue from the deposit money banks after failing to take the lead in electronic fund transfer in the country, NIPOST also came up with a fund transfer product to get a slice of the action in the fund transfer market. The product, Postcash, was launched with fanfare but it soon petered out. The organization had a strategy to push the product into the market with a view to making it the preference of Nigerians but after working on it for about a year without any appreciable result, it abandoned it. NIPOST’s staying power was too weak to make its reinvention through the introduction of the Postcash work.

Last line The dinosaur became extinct because of its failure to reinvent itself. Change is the only constant factor and organizations that want to remain relevant must reinvent constantly.

8 things successful people never waste time doing

By Cynthia Bazin We’re all looking to be successful in life, but sometimes we are wasting our time doing things that are holding us back from reaching our full potential. And, often, we don’t recognize those things until someone points them out.

It’s important to analyze how we spend our days, hour by hour, and regularly look for ways to work smarter, ways to eliminate time-wasters. So, to get started, here are eight things that productive, successful people never waste their time doing.

1. Don’t get sucked into social media Being on social media—checking notifications Facebook, scrolling through pictures on Instagram, reading quick updates on Twitter, whatever—is part of everyday life.

But if you don’t control how much time you spend on it, the hours will fly by and you won’t have accomplished anything on your to-do list.

So either put a time limit on it—set an alarm for when you need to minimize it, close the app, do something else—or only get on after completing necessary work projects. Use social media as a reward.

BOOK

2. Don’t go through the day without a plan Successful people have a purpose, a laserfocused plan of things they want to achieve on a particular day. I believe in writing things down—but only the top two or three priorities I need to accomplish that day, not a long list of things.

Write down your top priorities and break down those large tasks into more reasonable steps and you’ll see yourself wanting to get them done and crossed off the list.

3. Don’t do emotionally draining activities If you want to step into a truly successful life, you have to focus on things that positively fuel your life. Productive people don’t waste their time on things that emotionally drain them.

Before committing to activities on your schedule, be sure the activity will positively add to your life. If you believe it won’t, then think about saying no to it. Also, don’t feel obligated to give an answer right at the time you’re being asked to do something. Think before you say yes and know that it’s OK to say no to requests for your time.

4. Don’t worry about things you can’t control Successful people realize that worrying gets you absolutely nowhere in life, especially if you can’t do anything about a situation.

So turn your thoughts to action-based activities. Focus on things you can get done.

5. Don’t hang out with negative people It’s said that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So if you

want to be your best, you have to surround yourself with the best people.

Be sure to eliminate negative, toxic energy around you. If you want to soar in life, you need to unload what is weighing you down.

6. Don’t dwell on past mistakes Successful people make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. The key to being successful in life is not making the same mistake twice, learning and growing from mistakes, and becoming a better person because of them.

So when you make a mistake, get into a mindset that the mistake is done with and you can’t go back to the past. Focus on what you learned and design a strategy to positively move forward from it.

7. Don’t focus on what other people are doing It’s great to be inspired by what other successful people are doing, but when you’re constantly comparing yourself to the next person and it’s bringing you down, it’s time to shift your mindset.

Be inspired by others, but focus your mindset to only compete with the most important person: yourself.

8. Don’t put yourself last in priority We all go through times that we don’t get enough sleep or exercise because we need to work on a big project. But for long-term success and happiness, you must put yourself first on the priority list. Some great ways to do this is to kick start your day by doing something you love to do—maybe it’s completing a great workout, meditating, journaling or reading your favorite book.

The Obstacle is The Way

Reviewed by Mike Dariano Being productive doesn’t seem like it has much to do with philosophy, and sometimes philosophy seems like the opposite of productivity. Sitting around and debating arcane positions instead of getting up and getting work done are opposed in almost every regard. But with The Obstacle is the Way, author Ryan Holiday has written a book about how to use philosophy as a system for being productive. In How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, creator of Dilbert, Scott Adams writes that being productive for him wasn’t about tips or tricks but applying a systematic approach to doing work. Each thing he did fit in his system and through persistence within that framework, he succeeds.

Holiday, in turn, writes about using the philosophy of Stoicism as a mental model for being more productive, not only in work, but in life itself.

The book has three key sections – Perception, Action, and Will – and in each of them Holiday applies a view of Stoicism to hypothetical or historical examples to show how something can work.

Perception “You will come across obstacles in life— fair and unfair. And you will discover, time and time again, that what matters most is not what these obstacles are but how we see them, how we react to them, and whether we keep our composure.”

The angle from which you see a situation can determine everything about how you react to it. If you’re stressed from a huge project at work, consider how you got to be in such a stressed position. Did you procrastinate and that led to these feelings?

Was there a task that took too long? Seeing challenges as opportunities to grow is a key tool within stoicism

for finding value in opportunities other people throw away.

Action “Our movements and decisions define us: We must be sure to act with deliberation, boldness, and persistence.”

Even if we can adjust our perception to viewing all things as having value, there will still be obstacles we have to move. Holiday doesn’t suggest that when our way is blocked we divert our paths, rather that we look at the boulder blocking our path and try actions to supplant it. We try to chisel, climb, or move. What matters most is doing something. The bolder may not move, try, fail, and try again.

Action will be a bumpy road, expect this moving forward. Holiday gives plenty of examples in the book from ancient Romans to current businessmen but you know this in your own projects.

Things never move constantly forward at the same pace but we need to put in the energy to keep moving.

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leadership&management

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

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

Leadership and the challenge of resourcefulness - 3

SELF-CENTREDNESS is guarantee for permanent smallness. I have always maintained that those who are wrapped up in themselves always make a miserably small package.

Greatness never lies with those who identify a problem.

Neither is it with those who analyze it. It can also never be found with those who only recount it. Greatness is always with those who take responsibility to solve it. When you see anyone whose desire is to solve specific problems for people, the possibilities are endless! The failsafe pathway to sustainable success is problem-solving. Every human being embodies certain problems. Inside every problem lie untold possibilities of breakthroughs for those who can look outside the problem for a solution. If you want to be an icon in your generation, enlarge your capacity for contribution!

Have you noticed that in any profession, those who take the pains to specialize are the ones that become significantly successful? General practitioners do get by but specialists are the bomb! Who would you rather entrust a surgery on your heart to, a cardiologist or a general practitioner?

People are largely remembered for one of two things; the problems they cause or the ones they solve! The choice about what you will be known for is yours! Consumers are always the ones enriching contributors.

Structure and order are the precursors of growth and provision. Before God created Adam and gave him the mandate of increase, He put a structure in place. Vision may create a system, but it takes structure and order to maximize its potential. It was therefore not an accident that Jesus requested that the people be organized in groups of fifty before they were served. When there is no clear structure in managing resources, there will be a lot of waste. Organizations with a definite structure make it easy for people to function in positions of need or strength. Order makes progress predictable and outcomes measurable. Even the best of resources will be wasted in an atmosphere of chaos. Imagine a situation where the entire multitude that needed to be fed had been asked to help themselves to the multiplied bread. The ensuing melee would have ensured that most of the food would

have been wasted while a significant number would have gone without food, talk less of having leftovers! In a crowd of five thousand men, it is safe to surmise that there would be at least twice that number of women and children! Imagine fifteen thousand thoroughly famished people surging forward to get a bite of bread and fish! The stampede would have dispatched a number of them to an early grave not to mention injury to several others!

Attitude, more than aptitude, is always an indicator of possible altitudes. A positive attitude sees the cup as half-full but a pessimistic attitude sees the same cup as half-empty.

When a pessimist sees a cloud, all he sees is the gloom.

An optimist looking at the same thing thinks rain, a cool weather and abundance of harvest! Jesus and His disciples were presented with the same challenge. His disciples saw a bothersome crowd that should be dispersed to go and fend for themselves. Jesus on the other hand saw the opportunity for a miracle. The result was that He expressed an attitude of gratitude that led to the miracle that He was able to perform. A resourceful leader is nothing short of a miracle worker with an uncanny capacity to literally squeeze water from out of the rock!

The story is told of a man who had two sons who were diametrically opposed to each other in nature. One of them was a diehard cynic and pessimist and the other an ever-upbeat, incurable optimist! Their father got worried at the two extremes of character and decided that there had to be a way to get them both properly tempered. He wanted the pessimist to learn that every cloud has a silver lining while he wanted the optimist to know that even roses come with thorns. He decided to seek professional counsel consequent on which he came up with a plan. Lock the pessimist up in one room with a well-laid out table filled with the daintiest of delicacies and exotic wines. Then lock the optimist up in a barn filled with horse dung and some farming implements.

They were both to remain in confinement for a full day at the end of which it was believed that each of them should have evolved a middle-of-the-road attitude to life. At the

end of the time prescribed, the door to the room housing the pessimist was opened first. He was found grumbling and cursing for having been locked up with such temptation that would make anyone who succumbed to it fat and unhealthy.

He had not touched a single item on the sumptuous menu!

When they opened the barn that had the optimist in it, he was covered from head to toe with dung. He had a shovel in his hand and was sweating profusely as he shoveled away!

When asked what he was doing, he replied, “With this load of horse manure, there must be at least a pony somewhere in here and I don’t intend leaving this place till I find it”!

Another lesson from the episode of Jesus feeding the multitude is the fact that great leaders, even in the midst of abundance, abhor waste! Several people have become millionaires from what some others threw away! The recycling industry is a huge one and continues to grow by the day. It is premised on the fact that what some see and treat as trash, others see as treasure! I have seen several expensive art works produced from items scavenged from dustbins! Every organization is an amalgam of resources, human and material, no matter how ‘insignificant’. Effective leadership is about harnessing both to produce desired outcomes.

Finally, more often than not, comfort and abundance hardly produce progress. Vision does. Leadership resourcefulness is best demonstrated in crisis. Confronted with a fight-or-flight situation, resourceful leaders choose the former! Transformational visions have been known to be products of great pain and discomfort. In a crisis, the leader puts on his thinking cap. Instead of wringing his hands in victim mode like most people around him, he takes the position that there is a way out even if he has not yet figured it out. Having settled it in his mind that there is a desired outcome, he begins his thinking from the outcome; “Give them something to eat.”

Greatness begins when you are able to confront and solve problems that others whimper about and run away from. So when a lemon is all that life presents you, think of lemonade! The sugar will show up!

Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!

The basin and towel model of leadership A few years ago, I developed this leadership sculpt and I have adeptly taught it at many conferences, seminars and corporate meetings, and the result has been so indubitable.

A model is everything when it comes to leadership. If the model is flawed, then the leadership impact cannot be positive. You cannot be leading with an obsolete, old-fashioned and outmoded model and expect to lead relevant organizations, nations, higher places of learning and so on. And as an individual, you cannot be operating an old-fashioned leadership model and expect yourself to be relevant as a leader.

If your leadership model is out of date, you’d certainly lose relevance as a leader. This is not debatable.

When the leadership model of a nation’s president is past it, it will affect negatively the entire citizenry of that country.

And if the leadership model of the current president of Nigeria is superseded, it shall negatively shape every Nigerian.

We are currently struggling in Africa because the leadership model of our leaders is outmoded. This is the obsolete leadership model of most of our political leaders, business leaders, religious leaders in Africa…: African leaders do make those within their sphere of influence to ‘wash their hand’.

This model of leadership is out of date. What does it mean to ‘wash the hand’ of those in leadership? African leaders are served by those within their sphere of influence; African leaders do not serve their people. In developing countries, the common man exists for those in leadership while those in leadership exist for the common man in developed countries.

I have been at many corporate and religious organizations where employees and followers only breathe to ‘wash the hand’ of their leaders. They only serve their leaders; their leaders do not serve them a hoot. This is an obsolete model of leadership. This is one of the major reasons why many companies and religious organizations are not relevant to-

day. The leader is a boss, not a servant. Everyone runs in different directions when he or she is around. Everyone under his leadership exists to fulfill alone his own destiny and corporate goals, while their own destiny and corporate goals remain as desert mirage. This type of leadership model is archaic! If this is the leadership model you are operating, you need a complete paradigm shift.

There are too many CEOs and religious leaders who do not know that leadership is all about serving those who are under their leadership. Serving those under your leadership does not reduce you from being their leader, infact it does magnify you before your people. In Africa, we wrongly think that serving those under our leadership is degrading, undignified and humiliating. We need a paradigm shift in leadership on this continent.

Even in our homes in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. The leadership model of most of our men is very obsolete. Most men in Nigeria and Africa as a whole are still using the obsolete leadership model that our progenitors handed down to us. The wife only ‘washes the hand’ of the husband. Most men in Nigeria are served; they do not serve a hoot in their homes. This is one of the major reasons why many homes are falling apart today.

Why? It is because most of our men do not know how to serve in their homes. Most of our men have turned their wives to slaves, because they do not know what leadership is all about.

Do not forget: relevant leaders serve, they are not served.

This is where I am coming. What is then the acceptable model of leadership for all times? Leaders, who know their onions do ‘wash the feet’ of their followers. I have already sold this leadership model to many business schools and religious organizations in Nigeria and it is working like wild fire. You may need to adopt it too, if you want to become relevant in this generation.

In 1993, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) changed some of the rules of football. Take for instance,

goal-keepers were stopped from touching back passes with their hands, throw-in was changed to kick-in and golden-goal rule was introduced. When those rules were changed, everything about football also got changed. And every player had to play by the new rules. Question: Is it possible for a player to say, I am not going to abide by the new rules, because I prefer the old rules to the new ones? You know the answer. It is the same thing when it comes to leadership. You cannot stick to the model that makes people under your leadership ‘wash your hand’ and be relevant when the new model (leaders washing the feet of their followers) for all times has caused a major shift in leadership.

I know what I am teaching today is strange to this continent.

Infact, it is like a taboo for a leader to ‘wash the feet’ of his followers. But without this, you cannot really impact those following you. It is when you are ‘washing their feet’ that you can touch their heart and bond with them. You cannot truly lead those you have not bonded with. The major slip-up many leaders are making in Nigeria is that they are asking for the hands of those whose hearts they have not touched. In leadership, you touch the heart first before you ask for the hand. You want to ask for the hand of a woman? Touch her heart first. You want to ask for the hand of your husband? Touch his heart first. You want to ask for the hand of your employees? Touch their hearts first.

Lastly, before the current president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, is allowed to ask for the hands of Nigerians, he will need to touch their hearts first. And the only way to bond with the people is to touch their hearts, to serve them, to ‘wash their feet’. President Buhari is not allowed to maintain the status-quo in leadership, if he wants to leave behind a mark that can never be erased by generations after him.

If he too wants the citizenry to ‘wash his hands’ as others— who came before him, he is going to fail as they did.

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Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

The South-West

Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056 CREW

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r us; cont Got news fo bune@yahoo. ttri southwes hwesttribune@ ut co.uk or so ail.com gm

Furore over Ondo’s first local government elections under Mimiko The agitations as to whether Ondo State will conduct local government elections during the eight-year tenure of Governor Olusegun Mimiko appears to have been laid to rest, but not without some intrigues, reports HAKEEM GBADAMOSI the timetable for the poll.

The last time local government election was held in the state was in December 2007, but all the elected council chairmen and councillors in the18 local government areas, who were elected then, were relieved of their positions by the present administration. This followed the removal of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu as governor of the state by the Appeal Court. Since then, the local councils

have been administered without elected officials.

The sacked council administrators headed to court to challenge the illegality of their removal and the state government had been appointing caretaker chairmen for the administration of all the 18 local government areas in the state whose tenures were revalidated Continues on pg29

E SID IN

C

ONTRARY to speculations from some quarters that Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko would renege on his promise to conduct local poll in the state before the expiration of his tenure in February, 2017, the state government has commenced the process of conducting elections into local councils in the state, through the State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) which recently released

ple o pe a gb out : E e ith d um ally a e w r s t do u radu er A : t m ire can’ mi’s cy g ang d A ru lega g a m u K ba in ru m Yo beco

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

For Egba people, it’s Adire business for life OLAYINKA OLUKOYA, takes a look at why production of Adire is peculiar to Egba people , the economic, social and cultural advantages of the fabric and why it has become a trade that will survive all weathers.

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dire as a fabric is a product that is synonymous with the people of Abeokuta. From the far North, East and even across the globe, people throng the ancient city of Abeokuta to transact Adire business.

Although, there are some other places in the country where Adire is being made,the fact remains that the people of Abeokuta; of the Egba extraction from the Gateway State, are known as the core professionals when it comes to making of Adire.

The acceptability of the Adire fabric is universal,as many visitors or tourists to the ancient town of Abeokuta, always make it a point of duty to visit the popular Kemta-Itoku market, to buy the fabric.

Adire/Kampala,over the years,has become a fabric used for AsoEbi for different social gatherings, school uniforms,especially private schools, among others.

The popular Kemta/ Itoku Adire market is always a beehive of business activities as early as 8.00am everyday,as prospective buyers go from one stall to the other to select different designs and colours.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the Iyaloja Kemta-Itoku Adire Market, Alhaja Sadiat Akamo, said the making of age-long adire/kampala is changing with time.

She explained that new dynamics in terms of modern technology had been introduced into the making of prized Adire fabrics compared to what it used to be in the Obasanjo olden days.

The market leader added that the present day Adire makers are exploring every avenue in terms of quality and designs to make it more attractive and acceptable globally.

Iyaloja Akamo explained that the price ranges from N1,500 to N20,000,depending on the quality and type of textiles used in making the Adire.

She further said that the Adire material is adorned by the low and the high, the rich and the poor in the Nigerian society,adding that former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former governors of the state and the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, are promoters of the fabric.

The market leader also noted that the material is for all seasons, saying people feel more comfortable in it than other materials because according to her,the material used in its

ing of material to tying, dying and packing.

The septugenarian also noted that many of them engaged in the making and sale of the Adire fabric were bequeathed to them from one generation to the other and that the business cannot die in anyway.

She said, “I’m from Jojo Family in Kemta. This trade was be-

Daniel making must be 100 per cent cotton.

Alhaja Akamo said the Adire materials come in different colours and designs and equally sewn in different styles by designers.

She explained further that the production process of Adire textile material is normally tasking and tedious from the sourc-

Amosun queathed to me by my parents who equally inherited the business from their own parents. It gladdens my heart that I was brought up in the business and I also trained my children in the Adire trade.

“We have different groups under those of us that do the sales of the fabric.

The people in the tie and dye; batik and

those who use machines as well.”

Asked to comment on the patronage and sales of the fabric, Madam Akamo, said the fabric is well accepted by all and sundry and that thousands of people visit the market on a daily basis.

“We thank God, the business is doing fine. Whoever is in the trade and is not prosperous, that means he’s not destined to be in the trade. But all of us here in this market; we thank God we are all doing well in the business.”

She commended the State government and its officials for patronising the Adire market from time to time,acknowledging the fact that they receive patronage from abroad.

The market leader also pointed out the security challenge in Osoba the North as a factor responsible for low patronage in recent time.

“The patronage we get from outside Abeokuta and even from abroad are much more than what we get locally because their purchases have continued to ensure a boom in our business. The insecurity in the North has, however, been responsible for the low sales we experience these days locally. But government patronage has cushioned the effect of the low sales in the home front. The governor’s wife and her entourage have made it somehow compulsory that they must always turn out for their outings in Adire fabric.

The state government also uses the fabric in the beautification of the roads.

“Other state governments also patronise us regularly. I remember when (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu was honoured with chieftaincy title in Abeokuta, a lot of Adire fabric were purchased for use during the Continues on pg31

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Nigerian Tribune

Furore over Ondo local government election Continues from pg27

by the State House of Assembly every six months.

The litigation against the state government by the former Chairmen has been fingered as one of the factors hindering the conduct of local government election, but the marriage of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in 2014 put an end to the tussle between the sacked chairmen and the state government.

However, despite condemnation from the opposition parties over the failure of Mimiko administration to conduct local government election in the state in the past, the announcement of the local council election was greeted with mixed feelings. Though most politicians at the grassroots received the news with enthusiasm.

Adekola Giwa, a member of the the All Progressive Congress, ( APC) from Oke Agbe in Akoko North West said the local government election will afford his party to test its popularity in the state, while a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ita-Ogbolu, in Akure North local

government area, Busuyi Oke described the development as a welcome one but long overdue.

However, the leadership of the two political parties seem not to be on the same page with their members on the election. The APC chairman in the state, Isaac Kekemeke said while the party supports democratic structures at the local level, the pending suit at the Supreme Court remains an impediment.

Kekemeke said “One of the things that the state government has said repeatedly is that it is not conducting the local government election because of this pending suit.

This suit is still pending, for seven years it has been pend- Adekola Giwa ing and local government for the judiciary.” election has not been conducted.

Kekemeke also criticised the “This suit is coming up sometime composition of the State Electoral in April, Why the sudden u-turn Commission (ODSIEC), saying to conduct this election during “he who pays the piper dictates the the pendency of this case at the tune”and noted that the umpire will Supreme court. We believe that it is not proper, it is not respectful of the always do the bidding of the state government. judiciary and we do not want to be Apart from this, the APC chairpart of this contempt and disrespect

Don’t turn our health centre into filling station — Magaji Are community cries out Biola Azeez - Ilorin RESIDENTS of Sabo-Oke, Alalubosa, Ilupeju communities in Magaji Are Ward 2 of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed to both the authorities of the state and local government, the senate president, who represents Kwara Central senatorial district and community elders in the area to intervene in the alleged plan by land grabbers to demolish the only community health centre in the area.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered from the people that an individual had claimed to have purchased the piece of land, Investigations revealed that the building serving as the community health centre was among the structures constructed by the administration of Governor Mohammed Lawal for the purpose of providing primary healthcare services in all wards in the metropolis but was not equipped with medical facilities before the expiration of his tenure.

It was also gathered that the Kwara State Action Committee on AIDS (KWASACA) later used

the building for its operation for few years until recently when the office was relocated and thus vacated the premises.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune , the vice chairman of the Community Development Association, Mallam Umar Abubakar, said they learnt that the piece of land, measuring about four plots on which the health centre was erected, will now be occupied by a filling station.

The people have therefore called on Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is the senator representing Kwara central zone, to save their community from the

We love peace, and that’s why we are now using this opportunity to call on the appropriate authorities.

land grabber, who are trying to turn the only community health centre into a petrol station.

“The community just noticed that a bulldozer drove into the compound of the health centre and started demolishing the fence of the building recently and people of the community rushed to the spot of action to know who was responsible for the demolition and why? The driver of the bulldozer said one lawyer sent them to demolish both fence and health centre. So, we immediately stopped them from demolishing the structure.

We quickly informed Baba Magaji of the community, Alhaji Jubril Zubair and our lawyer, and also went to Police ‘A’ division to lodge a formal complaint on what was happening in our area.

“The policemen later came to inspect the site, the driver of the bulldozer was taken away including other people working on the land. We later learnt that the lawyer went to the police station to effect bail of the people arrested, saying he had bought the land.

“Police called us together and told both parties to leave the land first and go and settle the dispute

man said since the advent of this political dispensation, no state governor has ever lost local government election to opposition and said Ondo State council poll will not be different, and said “So, why do we as a party need to disorient our people and our supporters. All of these and many others are challenges we have and we are looking at them to be able to take a position whether to participate or not to participate. To participate is to help massage Mimiko’s ego, support illegality and to allow ourselves to be distracted from our singular mission of wrestling power in a few months time.”

But the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Hon. Banji Okunomo wondered why APC in the state that has been clamoring for local government election suddenly chickened out from taking part in the election. According to him, APC’s recent position is a show of fear which confirmed that the party is not popular in the state. since the lawyer claimed to have bought it from Bureau of Land.

“The community went to the Bureau of Land to make verification and the present Director General of the Bureau promised to go through their records and find out the authenticity of the lawyer’s claim, explaining that, he just resumed as new DG. But up till now, the DG has not got back to the community despite our frequent visits to the him to know the outcome”, he said.

It was also gathered that the people of the community also went to meet with Magaji Are to report what had been happening in the area, while the Magaji Are, promised to investigate the matter.

“Baba Magaji later called the Local Government Chairman of Ilorin East, Barrister Lateef Okandeji, to do something about the issue. Both chairman and Magaji Are, resolved to give back the health centre to the community because it is the only government health centre in the community. And that they will give a part of the land to the lawyer in the interest of justice and peace.

“To our surprise, bulldozers still came to continue demolition of the fence of the building and people of the community stood against them. The 80-year-old Magaji was arrested by the police.

We followed him and he was released later.

“After the police had told both parties not to do anything on the land and building, the lawyer still brought bulldozers on Thursday, January 28, 2016 to continue demolition, the action which the people of the community stopped.

“We love peace, and that’s why we are now using this opportunity to call on the appropriate authorities and Kwara State government to quickly intervene in the matter and save the only health care center in our community from demolition,” he said.

He faulted Kekemeke’s claim on the impending suit and said the suit has since been withdrawn.

He explained that “the suit is an internal affair of the party and the issue has been resolved since it’s a family affair” Okunomo also said that APC’s claim over opposition not winning local council election does not hold water, noting that opposition parties in Lagos State won some seats during the last local council election in Lagos State and said “ the fear they have is the fact that they are not popular and not acceptable to the people. They have no excuse not to participate but they are afraid of defeat.”

Though, the leadership of SDP in the state has not taken a concrete decision, but the State Chairman of SDP , Korede Duyile said the notice given to the leadership of the party was short and the party leadership needs to meet and decide on what to do on the issue.

But, a leading aspirant of the party, Olu Agunloye said, “ the decision of governor Mimiko to conduct local government election less than six months to the next governorship election in the state was aimed at destabilising and crippling the opposition parties ahead of the governorship election which is expected to hold in October this year” Nigerian Tribune however gathered that political crisis is brewing within the camp of the PDP across most local government areas in Ondo State, the crisis arising from imposition of chairmanship candidates on members of the party. Some of the affected local government areas include, Akure South, Owo, Ifedore and Ilaje local government areas of the state.

Report indicated that stakeholders in the these aforementioned local government areas have started rejecting the choice of the party in their various areas. For instance, the choice of the current Caretaker chairman of the Akure South local government area, Adebayo Alarapon is tearing the party apart in the local government. Some of the leaders of the party have reportedly concluded arrangements to dump the party for APC if the party leadership insisted on Alarapon candidacy.

The formal declaration of these leaders has been slated for tomorrow or Thursday while some other groups are anxiously waiting for the pronouncement of Alarapon as the party candidate for the local government election, before taking a concrete position. Alarapon who was said to be purportedly anointed by the governor failed to find favour with most of the leaders from the local government who vowed to work against his emergence.

Similarly, youths from Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of the state, under the aegis of Owo Concerned Youths and Citizens, last Wednesday, called on the leadership of the PDP in the state not to impose candidate on the people of the area. They frowned on the choice of Olumide Folahami as the Chairmanship Continues on pg31

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Kurumi’s museum

Yoruba heritage gradually becoming a manger

Inside Kurumi’s proposed museum

Ijaiye Orile community is one of the bedrocks of Yoruba culture and heritage. Indeed, the history of the Yoruba race is incomplete without a narrative of the life and times of the progenitor who was not only a war general but also one of the elite that first received a white missionary. But this is the extent of their civilisation and pride, as today, the glory has become faded. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports

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ETTING to Yoruba warlord, Kurumi’s ancestral home from the nearest town centre, Moniya, by commercial transportation is not an easy feat. It takes an average of an hour for the rickety cab which should normally be off road based on its condition to get its required full load of passengers of five or six depending on the luck of the driver (two in front and four at the back), a testimony that Ijaiye-Orile community is off the map of towns that people are compelled to visit.

The journey is in no way different from a typical trip to the hinterland; no spectacular attraction or scenery, just a long stretch of road interspersed on both sides with ancient houses that are falling apart or in different stages of disrepair.

And after 20 minutes drive on a smooth, tarred and somewhat deserted road, only meeting two cars, a lorry and three motorcycles, Kurumi’s village comes into view unannounced.

In fact, there is nothing to indicate to a visitor that he has reached his

destination, as the major road from Moniya in Ibadan cuts right across Ijaiye community in the middle through to Oyo West Local Government in Oyo onwards Iseyin town.

No sign post or landmark monuments, and if such an individual is not careful, he may well be on his way to Iseyin before he knows he has passed his destination.

Welcome to Ijaiye Orile community, a town just 20 kilometers from Ibadan but with a civilisation difference of over a million kilometers.

to gain a pride of place in the civilised society. The life and times of Kurumi is the plot of some great novels and the making of many epic movies.

His life is shrouded in diverse It is a small, sleepy and agrarian controversies and contradictory community that despite the fact that exploits but the magnificence of it has produced a number of great his community remains only in men, is permeated with an aura of these dramas and books in his helplessness, neglect and unavoidmemory. able resignation to the vagaries of Kurunmi was said to have fate. established a personal ascenThe fact that the community has dancy; king, General, judge, a rich cultural history and is an imexecutioner and entertainer portant part of the Yoruba heritage, that ensured that every refugee being home to a foremost Aare Ona in the town submits to his will Kakanfo of the 19th century and or quits the town while he warlord, Kurumi, has in no way maintained a strong rivalry helped the people of the community with many neighbouring towns.

The warlord domesticated all the gods in his compound and turned them into captives whom he alone had the right to consult and must be at his beck and call at all times. He was stubborn, arrogant, abrasive and a war-monger.

Today, the Kurumi compound, like all other buildings in the community, is falling apart. Even the relics of the various outbuildings of the compound are long gone and years of neglect have made

Ijaiye though filled with electric poles with electric wires and other power holding installations; had not had a glimpse of electricity in the last two years.

the inhabitants of the town to be cut off from what happens around as they have since acclimatised to not being part of the scheme of things. The Kurumi house is dilapidated and reflecting its age with nothing to show its significance in ages past. The only thing that still thrives in the compound is the huge baobab tree standing in its glory where the few descendants still living in town sit to enjoy the breeze after farm work.

Ijaiye though filled with electric poles with electric wires and other power holding installations has not had a glimpse of electricity in the last two years while potable water is, of course, also a scarce commodity. The community is in all ramifications cut off from the realities of modern day existence. And Kurumi House which should be a monument in spite of attempts to give it a modern touch and sustain it, is just a four-bedroom modern hut with blackened roof, interiors and floors with no furniture and cooking is done right in the centre of the building.

Members of the community, Continues on pg32

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Adire is as good as Western fabrics — Komolafe, Adire exporter Chief Executive Officer, Kijiji Africa, an Europe-based fashion outfit founded to create events to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the African culture in general and that of Nigeria specifically, OMOTUNDE KOMOLAFE has been importing Adire festival all over Europe since 2013. Before that, he was in African culture business for over 10 years. A business man and fashion consultant, he tells RUTH OLUROUNBI why exporting south west culture was passion he hopes to continue for a very long time.

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HAT inspired you to export Adire festival to Europe?

I am sure you remember the Austria Adire Carvinal 2013 which you wrote about. Because of the success of that event, I decided to take the concept to the UK for the consumption of a bigger audience.

Yes, I remember, that was your first ever Nigerian Adire fashion event organised in Vienna, Austria.

What has been the theme of subsequent shows?

The events are done to promote the Nigerian heritage with the aim of bringing Nigeria on the world tourism map. As you know, the Nigerian Adire Fashion Event in Austria drew a huge crowd across the world to see the beauty of the Nigerian people. Our aim was and still continues to be to promote handmade Adire fabric from western part of Nigeria.

My main purpose was to show the Africans and our European friends that our fabrics are as

Komolafe Some of Komolafe’s exported materials good as the western fabrics for urban wear design and as a result promote made in Nigeria garments. I did Adire bikini fashion show as part of the carnival and a little bit of fashion expo for Nigeria as part of the image building for Nigeria in the Europe.

How has the reception been?

So far, it’s been good because there are more Africans here and also the society is more tolerant to foreign cultures. The festival is not for the consumption of Africans

but for all those that believe in culture and its power in bridging the gap between nations. Our highlights of the business include: exhibitions, fashion show, award, stage performances and beauty pageant.

I was going through your collection the other day and I saw the Adire swimwear collections you showed the world in a fashion show.

Furore over Ondo local government election Continues from pg29

candidate for the PDP in the local government area saying he is not the choice of the people.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Johnson Olupona, said the warning became imperative in order not to lose the area to the opposition in the forthcoming election, warming that the youth might opt to work for a more credible candidate from the opposition camp if the leaders of PDP insisted on Folahanmi. The group also appealed to Governor Mimiko and the State Chairman of the Party, Chief Clement Faboyede to reverse the party’s decision on imposition, and should allow the wish of the people to prevail.

The situation is not different in Ifedore local government area of the state. The state party chairman, Faboyede, hailed from this local government. The party choice was also rejected as members of the PDP alleged undue influence by leaders of the party. A member of the party in the area, Charles Akinjoko, while speaking with our reporter said “the planned imposition of candidate by our leaders is not acceptable and will not work, all the aspirants should be given a level playing ground to test their popularity at the PDP primary elections.”

According to him, the imposition of any candidate against the will of the people could lead to violence and unimaginable crisis, adding that imposition of candidates was a negation and violation of PDP’s stand on free, fair, credible and transparent primary elections. He called on governor Mimiko to use his good office to prevail on Party leaders across the state and particularly Ifedore, to retrace their steps to avoid crisis in the party.

Hundreds of members of the party from Ifedore local govern-

ment however staged a peaceful protest last Friday, protesting against alleged imposition of candidate ahead of April 23 local government election in the state. The protesters, armed with placards of various inscriptions, accused some leaders of the party including traditional rulers from the area of working toward imposing the incumbent caretaker chairman of the council, Hon. Olaniran Wemimo, as the candidate of party.

The protesters who are mainly youths said the leaders have earlier met and endorsed an aspirant, Temitope Komolafe as the candidate and expressed disappointment over turn of events.

They stated that some traditional rulers and leaders of the party have been collecting signatures in order to present the said incumbent as the candidate.

The leader of the youth, Jide Omolanwa , who spoke with journalists during the protest, said members of the party in Ifedore is against the move by some leaders of the party in the local government and traditional rulers to impose a candidate on them.

A leader of PDP in the state who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the recent occurrence is alien to the party in the state. He specifically alleged governor Mimiko and some leaders of the party of masterminding crisis in the party through imposition of candidates across the local government areas He said “ for instance the primary for the candidate of the party in Ilaje local government area was conducted thrice, with Jephta Obakpolor emerging winner of the contest each time, among the 17 aspirants. But because a prominent traditional ruler said he did not like the boy’s face, the governor yielded

to this and replaced him with an unpopular candidate” The leaders said a day should have been set aside by the party for the primary across the state with the party delegates picking their candidates rather than imposing candidates.

He said “ We, in PDP are apostles of internal democracy and we started experiencing these imposition style of leadership after the marriage of Labour Party and PDP in the state. This imposition is all about the next governorship election. The governor is imposing his men who will be his stooge during the gubernatorial primaries to pick the party candidate and I am sure the governor will be the architect of his own misfortune if we lose this party to the opposition eventually” The source in the party also contended that Mimiko is wary of the stiff opposition member of the old PDP might form against him during the gubernatorial primary and said “they deliberately created crisis in some areas where gubernatorial candidates of the party might emerge for the next election, in order to polarise the party and weaken its structures in these areas” But the PDP Publicity Secretary, Okunomo described the allegation as unfounded, baseless and total falsehood, saying governor Mimiko has no annoited candidates.

He said the governor only instructed leaders of the party across the 18 local government areas of the state to conduct primaries that will produce a credible candidate that will fly the flag of the party in the April 23, election.

Okunomo said “ I want to believe those saying this are not members of our party, because our party has a way of reconciling issues within us and the governor will not interfere with the outcome of the primary.

If there are issues within our party, we should rather solve it within us rather taking to the public.

“I want to categorically tell you that governor Mimiko will not give room for imposition of candidates and I want to assure you that the process that will produce these candidates will be free, fair and credible.

But Okunomo expressed optimism that the party will not lose the state to the opposition and said the controversy trailing the PDP primaries is a family affair which will be resolved amicably. The PDP Publicity Secretary however confirmed that though controversy trial the conduct of the primary in some areas but said the party leadership is handling the issue in order not to snowball into crisis.

Okunomo said “ PDP remains one big family in this state and we have method of resolving issues, if at all there are issues. So far, so good, there are no issues that cannot be surmounted.we are going into the election as one indivisible big family” Meanwhile, the PDP has said there will be no going back on the election, challenging the opposition to test their popularity with the council election slated for April, 23, 2016, Nigerian Tribune gathered that at least no fewer than 17 registered political parties have shown their intention to participate in the April 23 local government poll in the state, while the people of the state are anxiously waiting to elect their representatives at the grassroots.

Political analysts however predicted doom for PDP in the state if the leadership of the party delayed in nipping the looming crisis in the bud. They opined that the outcome of the local council poll will go a long way to determine the future of PDP in the state.

Yes, I am still in the business.

Creating urban fashion with our folk fabrics has been more than business for me, it’s a passion and all for me.

You said this festival has gone beyond business for you and has become a passion, why is that? Is it because you want to promote the rich culture of Southwest to the world?

Yes, this is one of those events created for the purpose of promoting African Culture and heritage to the world. As we know, cultural diplomacy is the key to open the door of understanding between nations.

For instance, I am organising a 6-day festival from July 25-30, 2016 in London. I’m also thinking of doing the same festival later in the year in Nigeria. For Nigeria, I am thinking of September.

Have you experienced any challenges along the way?

Yes, I have but challenges are always expected in anything we do in life, the industry is hectic especially if you are doing unique projects like I always do.

A trade Egba people can’t do without Continues from pg28

ceremony by the government and people of Lagos State. No minister or governor visits Abeokuta without taking some fabrics from the Itoku Market back home,” she said.

She identified, as a great challenge, indiscriminate seizure of their textile raw materials by the men of the Nigeria Customs Service.

In his view, the Otun Babaloja of Adire/Kemta market, Alhaji Wasiu Erinfolami, also corroborated Akamo that there had been a lot of tremendous changes in the processing of making Adire.

Erinfolami added that materials such as voile lace, ankara and expensive guinea materials were being used to make Adire compared to what it used to be some years back.

“There are tremendous changes in the business of Adire. Our fore fathers started with “Alaro dudu” and “Adire Eleko”,but now we design the fabric with modern technology.

He also said that Adire material is being used as school uniform by some private schools and used at social events.

The State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Chief Muyiwa Oladipo, said the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has not left any stone unturned in ensuring that the Adire business continues to thrive.

Oladipo said government has upgraded the popular,Itoku market with the construction of an ultra-modern market for the use of the traders. He also admitted that there had been great improvement in the quality of Adire fabrics.

32 thesouth-west

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Nigerian Tribune

Inside Kurumi’s Ijaiye Orile museum Continues from pg30

including the elders, have become embittered that they have lost hope and do not have trust in the words of anybody that promises to better their lots. Even the town head expressed the reluctance to talk about the community’s plight again since all efforts in the past yielded no result. The acting town head is Chief Oye Olaniyan and to him, the government has failed and countless stories and calls for help had not yielded any fruit towards helping the community and they are not willing to continue talking when they are convinced that nothing good will come out of their repeated stories.

They believe that people just visit their community to get their stories for personal gains and move on once their assignment is done. A descendant of Aare Kurumi, who relocated to the community after his retirement, Adeyemi Olubanjo Eesuola, was very blunt in his conversation with the Nigerian Tribune, and he was initially adamant that he was not going to talk to anybody since, according to him, previous talks were unfruitful and a waste

of time. The oldest descendant of Kurumi in the community, who at present lives in Kurumi’s house where the ar-

THE Federal Government has been called upon to consider citing a higher institution in Sepeteri, Saki East Local Government Area of the state, to fast track the development of the town.

This appeal was made by a septuagenarian, Pa Elisha Olanrewaju, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.

“We want to appeal to the Federal Government to consider citing a higher institution in our town, Sepeteri. When you talk of development, to an average indigene of this town, the next request on everybody’s lip is the presence of a higher institution.

This is paramount in our hearts and we will be grateful if this can be done.

“We’ve got lands in abundance to host any institution given to us.

Our people are accommodating,

Pa Elisha Olanrewaju

that was once our local government chairman, while

Aare Kurumi’s house

tifacts are kept, Pa Tijani Salami, expressed the same view.

According to Eesuola, “I am

‘Sepeteri needs higher institution’

By Tunde Ogunesan

not talking to you or any other person. We have done that in the past without any

this can be attested to by some of the staffers of the annex of the University College Hospital (UCH) who were recently posted here. Sepeteri people are friendly, especially to visitors “Without mincing words, we have accommodated them to their surprise. And with the hospital gradually commencing full blown operation, we believe if we have an educational institution located here, other features of development will follow,” Pa Olanrewaju said.

When asked if he has any clue whether the present administration has any plan to establish any institution, he said he had no idea of such. But he maintained that “when government wanted to establish an institution, part of her considerations, aside political point is availability of adequate land mass, that Sepeteri can provide without any hitch.

“We are very sure that if Sepeteri can be considered at any point, it will definitely spur development in other areas. We can say that about Saki, Ire, Esa-Oke and even Ife in Osun State. And again, cities which had missed such opportunities continue to lick their fingers till today.

“Though in general, development in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state is not as rapid as in other areas. We believe citing a higher institution of learning in our region, with first point of call in Sepeteri, because of accessibility, will further expose the region to a high degree of development.

Hence, our appeal to both the state and federal governments,” Olanrewaju noted.

result, so we cannot continue to give out information about our heritage or town to anybody. A white man even came from America recently, took pictures of all artifacts and promised to be back but that was the end. The last time we had light here was two years ago though this community had electricity installations before Moniya but nothing had been done and we have explored all avenues to get electricity restored.

“The community is left to fend for itself, we are shouldering all the responsibilities. In fact, to put Aare Kurumi’s compound on the list of important monuments since the cultural society and government are not interested, we decided to build a hall to keep his things and make it a museum, we did this ourselves but the project could not be concluded due to lack of funds.

“It will take a lot of money to conclude and we don’t have the kind of resources needed, we are farmers and majority are old, what can they do? It is very unfortunate that one of our own

listing his achievements state that he built the hall, it is a lie and we wanted to charge him to court but we decided it will be a waste of time and funds that is already scarce.

“There are so many things that could make this place a tourist attraction, we have the masquerades of war used by Kurumi, that was the one stolen

by Bashorun Ogunmola from Ibadan at a time but when he got to Ose River, the mystic river of Ijaiye, he couldn’t see anything again except when he turned back so he had to abandon the masquerade before his vision was restored and he could to find his way home.

“It is very powerful and people still come from far and wide to pay homage to it and receive blessings. The Ministry of Tourism even promised to fence it for us but nothing has been done, even these Yoruba artistes come here to shoot films and they promise to help but it is the same old story,” Eesuola concluded.

Today, the proposed museum

is standing dejected, waiting for a miracle that will give it door and windows among many other things and is at present home to errant livestock while its entrance is the resting point for some family members who have the need to relax after some hard labour.

The inhabitants of the town stated that Ijaiye Orile, the hometown of Kurunmi, the Generalissimo is the origin of the various Ijaiye communities across the country and in particular mentioned Lagos, Abeokuta and other areas in Ogun State.

But there seems to be a consensus among the people that anyone that comes there is only there to explore their history for personal gains and nobody or the government is concerned about their welfare.

A resident who is a commercial motorcycle rider told Nigerian Tribune that they are not happy with the situation of their community. “It is very bad and we are unhappy with the situation. People just come to this place, get information for their purpose and make money for themselves without a care about the welfare of the people or the development of the town. We are being exploited by everyone and it is a source of sadness to us all” Some youths in the community stated that it was obvious that the whole nation and the Yoruba race have forgotten that Ijaiye is part of their heritage, adding that if someone like Kurumi can be forgotten, what fate lies in wait for them that are unknown. “We have been forgotten and Kurumi is not appreciated. This cannot happen in other countries, the Yoruba people do not value their heritage and that is the reason we are like this. The Yoruba race has failed us and government is not even alive as far as we are concerned.

It is better the Yoruba race does not allow its history to die,” Ayo, a representative said.

For Ijaiye community, the past exploits of the progenitor and his memories are not enough to sustain them as a community.

Remo Secondary School (RSS) 1964/68 set during the dedication of RSS 64/68 Family House, built by RSS 1964/68 Class set and donated to the school at the school compound, Sagamu Remo, Ogun State, last Sunday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

infotech

anchor Bode Adewumi

m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

From left, Executive Commissioner, Mr Ubale Maska; Executive Vice-Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta; Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo and Director, Policy Completion and Economic Analyst, Ms Josephine Amuwa, all of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), during an international press conference organised by the NCC in Lagos, recently.

8-point agenda:

NCC boss promises quality, innovative, world-class ICT

By Bode Adewumi

T

HE gathering was designed to be a press conference, but it turned out to be a familiarisation tour, as the new helmsman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, last week at the Sheraton Hotels in Lagos formally met with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) reporters and writers.

The meeting, which was an avenue for the unveiling of his agenda for the foremost government agency, became even more curious in that it has been postponed on two occasions due to some more urgent assignments.

The NCC boss was accompanied by other executive members of the commission including the Director of public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo; the Director, Public Affairs; Ms Josephine Amuwa, Director, Policy Completion and Economic Analyst and Executive Commissioner, Mr Ubale Maska, among others, most of who are known faces to the journalists present at the event.

Professor Danbatta in his remarks, appreciated journalists for the support he has received so far since assumption of office despite the fact there had been no formal introduction, while also praising his staff members for a job well done.

Introducing his eight-point agenda, Danbatta said that the Commission over the years has earned a reputation as a foremost telecom regulatory agency in Africa.

The Commission, he said, hopes to catalyse the use of ICT for enabling different aspect of national development. The Commission, he pointed out, has initiated sev-

eral programmes such as State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI) and Wire Nigeria Project (WIN) to help stimulate demand and accelerate the uptake of ICT tools and services necessary for the enthronement of a knowledge society in Nigeria.

He added that in order to achieve its mandate, the Commission has put in place various strategies that will enable it become a responsive, world-class communications regulatory organisation that promotes a market driven communications industry that fosters universal access to Information and Communications Technology for all Nigerians.

“The essence of the eight-point agenda is to promote innovation, investment, competition and consumer empowerment in and on top of the communications platforms of today and the future, maximising the power

The essence of the eight-point agenda is to promote innovation, investment, competition and consumer empowerment in and on top of the communications platforms of today and the future.

Nigerian Tribune

of ICT to grow the economy, create jobs and enhance national competitiveness through the deployment of broadband infrastructure to facilitate rollout of broadband services that will hold out opportunities and higher network quality of service for all Nigerians.

According to Danbatta, the eight-point pillars rest on a tripod of ‘As’ which include, Availability of Service, Accessibility of Service and Affordability of Service in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda, an ideological shift in creation of structure for social benefits and inclusiveness for national development.

He outlined the eight-point agenda to include facilitation of broadband penetration through provision and optimisation access to and use of affordable fixed and mobile broadband in Nigeria; improve suality of service by promoting the availability of reliable, interoperable, rapidly restorable critical ICT infrastructure that are supportive of all required services; to optimise usage and benefits of spectrum by maximising availability of spectrum in order to provide diverse and affordable ICT services and ensuring that spectrum acquisition does not distort marketing competition.

Others are to promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities, saying by this, ICT innovations will be promoted in ways that improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, increased investment in youth and promotion of SMEs for new business delivery breakthroughs; and to facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders to foster ICT for sustainable economic development and social advancement; to protect and empower consumers from unfair practices through availability of information and edu-

cation required to make informed choices in the use of ICT services; to promote fair competition and inclusive growth by creating a competitive market for ICT services that foster fair inclusion of all actors in innovative ways that facilitate new investment, job creation and consumer satisfaction and to ensure regulatory excellence and operational efficiency through effective regulatory framework, efficient processes, strict compliance monitoring and enforcement efficient management of internal resources and structure and maintain a commitment to transparency.

“Wealth creation through application of human knowledge and creativity is steadily outpacing wealth creation through extraction and processing of natural resources.

Knowledge has increasingly become an important means for value creation. Hence, with globalisation and the technological revolution of the last few decades, knowledge has clearly become the key driver of competitiveness and is now profoundly reshaping the patterns of the world’s economic growth and activity,” he said.

He maintained that “the policy goals of the NCC recognise the immense socio-economic importance of ICTs to national development and therefore seeks to ensure that the infrastructure necessary to provide ubiquitous broadband services is available and accessible to all citizens at affordable rates. Broadband is the next frontier in the ICT industry which will help in the speedy transformation of the Nigerian economy.”

Hence he added that: “This strategic Vision 2015-2020 responds to this by setting out the foundations, for future growth and competitiveness that will be sustainable and inclusive and which would address our principal societal challenges as a nation.”

He finished his presentation to a rousing applause from the audience who acknowledged the depth of his vision for the regulatory agency and which many hope would help lift the industry and the country higher as it attempts to drive its revenue base from oil. Next was the question and answer time.

As expected, most of the journalists were brimming with questions, but the EVC took his time to answer all the questions without parrying any.

When asked about the contentitious issue of the MTN $5.2 billion fine, the NCC boss said that the Commission may consider MTN Nigeria plea to settle out of court.

“I can confirm that MTN still seeks out of court settlement. MTN is trying to get this issue settled amicably. We have been informed by our own counsel that the honourable Judge handling the case has granted the request for a settlement on the matter.

“The intention is not to kill MTN because we would like the industry to continue. We would like it to be vibrant and I think this is a matter that needs to be resolved amicably and we are working towards that,” he said.

The EVC pointed out that MTN had filed a law suit, but that the NCC was told by its lawyers late last Tuesday that it wanted an out-of-court settlement.

He also responded to a question concerning the issues of unwarranted deductions of subscribers’ airtime by the operators as well as unsolicited text messages and unsolicited voice calls, saying all these must stop.

He said the Commission would engage the operators on these issues to fashion a way of putting a stop to them or regulate them to an acceptable level.

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Samsung launches Smart School in Ogun Stories By Bode Adewumi

S

AMSUNG Electronics West Africa has launched Smart School for teachers in Ogun State, in partnership with the Ogun state Ministry of Education. This is coming shortly after Samsung opened its first Smart School for teachers in Abuja in December last year.

“The Smart School concept is implemented in urban schools with the infrastructure, but not the skills needed to use IT for teaching and learning,” explained Mr Chang Wook Lee, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa.

“In line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to improve education, we believe it

Yudala tops Googles 2015 trending brands list YUDALA, Nigeria’s first true composite online and offline retail chain launched in August last year, has added another significant feather to its increasingly decorated cap by coming out on top of a list recently put together by world’s leading search engine Google, highlighting the top ten trending Nigerian brands of 2015.

The exclusive list, which has Yudala in second place behind Air Peace, captures the top brands which retained the interest of Nigerians and saw the highest spike in traffic over a sustained period last year.

This impressive feat by Yudala, coming on the heels of a growing litany of landmark achievements and within barely five months of the company’s existence, will certainly go a long way in dispelling any lingering doubts about the ambition of the visionaries to see the brand assume leadership of the Nigerian and African e-commerce market.

According to Google, Yudala had made huge waves in the marketplace following the launch of Yudala Online in August 2015, especially with its ground-breaking promise to deliver purchases via drones. Reports of its first successful drone-powered drop-off in November had subsequently kept Nigerians talking for the rest of the year.

Speaking on the latest recognition, Founder/Vice President, Yudala, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, reaffirmed the company’s commitment and determination to take charge and set the pace in the Nigerian e-commerce and offline retail sector.

“I am certainly delighted with the recognition we have received from Google, which is one of the world’s most popular and globally renowned outfits. It is a testimony to the hard work we have put in as well as the sound strategies we have in place at Yudala.”

is essential to equip teachers with basic computer literacy, as well as the tools they need to use ICTs for curriculum development and

more impactful teaching, and the Smart School for teachers is an important step in achieving this. Our desire is to see the average Nige-

rian teacher become very familiar and comfortable with using technology to pass on knowledge and to further develop the secondary ben-

Mrs Abosede George-Ogan, Corporate Citizenship Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa and Mr Barnabas Olaleye, Technical Manager, IT Solutions, Samsung Electronics West Africa, explaining some points as President Muhammadu Buhari examines some features of the Samsung Smart School during the commissioning of Samsung Smart School for Teachers, Ogun State, as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the state in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently.

eficiaries, which are the students,” he added.

With the launch of the Smart School for teachers, participants will receive training to empower them in accessing digital content, share content with students, monitor students’ progress and conduct assessments. The initiative is part of Samsung’s global effort to use technology to increase the quantity of students who have access to quality learning materials and facilities, as well as improve the quality of education given out by tutors.

Speaking at the launch of the Samsung Smart School, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Mojota expressed her excitement about the impact this will have on education in Ogun State. She recognised and applauded Samsung’s effort and contribution towards ICT development within the state and country at large.

“We are indeed grateful to Samsung for tapping into the goal of this present administration to train quality teachers and produce top notch students. This project will indeed change the face of education in our state for the better,” she said.

Nigeria attracts global attention as Standford University x-rays SystemSpecs’ software dev THE attention of business leaders would be on Nigeria’s software powerhouse, SystemSpecs, as it is x-rayed on Standford University SEED platform Global attention beams on Nigeria as Stanford University, California, United States, provides a platform for about 40 business leaders in the West-Africa sub-region to analyse the successes of SystemSpecs, Nigeria’s software powerhouse and operator of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s payment gateway, Remita.

According to a statement from the Executive Director of Stanford SEED, host of the event, Mr Emmanuel Kitcher, the session would offer the business leaders an opportunity to understand and evaluate the operating model of a fast growing payment technology powerhouse rising out of Africa.

Other areas the business leaders would be focusing on during the session include SystemSpecs’ origin, its transformation journey and the creative and innovative ways through which it has surmounted various environmental challenges.

Kitcher informed that Standford SEED is equally interested in ‘Systemspecs’ broad outlook for West Africa and for that matter, Africa rising. Of course, we would touch on Systemspecs’ ethical and core values, which have assisted it to excel in Africa’s largest economy”, he said in a statement.

Executive Director of SystemSpecs, Mr Deremi Atanda will address the global audience, which in addition to the West Africa

business leaders will include the Executive Director of the Stanford Seed, Global Operations Director of the institution, and Professors from the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University and staff

of Stanford SEED. Remita, which is SystemSpecs’ indigenously developed flagship payment technology platform, has significantly revolutionized the electronic payment industry in

Nigeria and is at the forefront of the federal government’s efforts to streamline its payments and revenue collection through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

NCC, GSMA open talks on capacity building to grow mobile networks GLOBAL System of Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the umbrella body for all Mobile operators, Equipment manufacturers, Vendors among others recently opened talks with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on capacity building, and other sundry ways

to attain an accelerated growth in the mobile sector.

The talks, which took place at the Corporate Headquarters of NCC in Abuja, were led by Mr Mortimer Hope, Director, Africa Region for GSMA. They were received by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC/CEO) of NCC,

Experts to discuss innovations at Ennovators’ Forum

EXPERTS in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry would converge at the 2016 Ennovators Breakfast Series (EBS) to study the processes that have pushed identity to become the new money.

The EBS is a quarterly cerebral forum, where the Dreamers, Drivers and Doers (3D) of technology business in ICT industry across Africa meet over coffee to share knowledge and network.

As technology is changing practically everything in the world, EBS offers opportunity to industry players to study trend as it relates to banking, telecommunications, insurance and government.

The first series in 2016 would hold at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos on 17 March, 2016.

According to the Editor-in-Chief of Financial Technology magazine, organiser of EBS, Mr Sola Fanawopo, this series would dissect how businesses can profit from stored identity and personal data and how this is a big opportunity for consumers.He said some of the issues that would be examined include the approach of the Nigerian banks to the global thinking.

Other areas of coverage are opportunity for e-signatures and related online trust services in Nigeria. Opportunities for private and public players [mobile operators, insurers, banks, Lagos State, the Immigration and FRSC and how they can cash the identity information stored. Can these players become identity brokers.

Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.

Mortimer, who said their visit was of dual purposes, told the EVC and his management that besides introducing his team to the NCC, they came to discuss with the regulator on capacity building which GSMA members have great expertise.

“We are available always for capacity building that will boost mobile connectivity, improve data transmission, mobile money by breaking all the barriers inhibiting growth,” he said.

Mortimer said Nigeria is a very important market hence the need for the report, Digital Inclusion and the role of Mobile in Nigeria, which he submitted to the EVC. The report was inspired by GSMA’s Digital Inclusion programme which supports the connection of an additional two billion people to the mobile internet by 2020.

The programe focuses on working with mobile operators, development organisations and governments to address the barriers to mobile internet adoption through network infrastructure and policy, affordability and tax, digital literacy and local content.

35

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

brands& marketing

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Akin Adewakun

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

APCON will be better enhanced to effectively carry out its statutory duties —Lai Mohammed The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was on a working visit to the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) house in Lagos, recently. In this interview with AKIN ADEWAKUN, he speaks on some of the issues affecting the advertising industry and the need for APCON to upgrade its resources to meet up its responsibilities.

APCON as a catalyst for the nation’s economic growth PCON is not just a key agency under the Ministry of Information, but it’s a catalyst in the advertising industry and by extension on the entire economy. APCON, I think is often misunderstood for what it stands for. It is a regulatory authority and institute. But its mandate, as given by the act setting it up, is so enormous that for them to be able to successfully execute this mandate, it will need to rack up both personnel and their resources. Like the registrar has just told us, the regulatory agency has about 6,000 channels to monitor on a daily basis. This cannot be done manually. So we must look at how we can use technology to enhance this task. We must look at how we can support the agency in this area to be able to carry out its duties effectively. Now people might wonder, what is so important about vetting. But if you want to maintain not only the advertising code, but also ensure some form of normalcy, interpersonal relationship unity, and peace, it is only then you begin to understand why APCON is very important.

A

Advertising industry and the last general elections In the run-up to the last general election, I’m sure you all saw a lot of advertisement that were capable of tearing this country apart. There were adverts that insulted ethnic and religious sensitivity of the people. There were adverts that were purely offensive to people. Documentaries that were aired, did little to unite this country, as a matter of fact, did a lot to divide us. In other words, documentaries that shouldn’t have seen the light of the day were exposed for public consumption. Anybody who watched keenly the 2015 campaign would see that communication materials, in the print, radio and television were used to further deepen the faults within Nigeria, a development that made people wondered at that time what APCON was doing in the area of monitoring and regulating these materials. Unfortunately, APCON at that time was handicaps. For instance, the political will was not there and of course, they simply lacked capacity to regulate.

This is why I appreciate the request of the registrar in getting the agency better technology to vet, monitor the airwaves and carry out the job of regulation.

The need for political-will on the part of government However, I think the most important thing is that political-will from the government. We must not forget for one minute that when we turn a blind eye to offensive jingles, we might think it’s going to help our political fortunes, but it might end up destroying the entire country. So, we must be very careful in using our powers. We must be conscious of the fact that these powers are held in trust. I’m not unaware of the various handicaps you are operating under accommodation, resources, technology and equipment.

The dissolved APCON board It is a matter I think we have to look into very fast because the absence of the council is preventing APCON from doing its job.

You see APCON does its job more through committees, which is actually committee of the board itself. It’s attracting our attention. Don’t forget we are still relatively new in office, I mean we ministers. But we are going to act on it. APCON is a specialised organisation and those who are to serve on the board must be thorough-bred professionals, must be experts in their various fields. Fortunately, government has also seen that and the next board of APCON will be a board that can lead that can advice. APCON is not just like any other board where you bring people you want to reward for their political support.

There are enough people you can reward for political support elsewhere, but when it comes to professional body like APCON,

Lai Mohammed we need people that can do the job.

Ministry of Information’s planned intervention I would also want the management to furnish me with further information, especially in the area of training and accreditation. I hope we will be able to work together to ensure that APCON performs its statutory duties, because APCON is very much relied upon, even much more than security, especially in the run-up to

elections. We know how much some adverts; some jingles nearly tore apart this country. But it’s not only at election times that APCON should be seen to be doing its duties, and not only in the area of politics, in the areas of our moral values, in the area of interpersonal relationship, I think APCON should be adequately empowered to give us a very safe environment. We will continue to engage the management so that we can make APCON truly, a model regulatory authority and a training institute.

Who wears Reckitt Benckiser’s PR crown?

WITH the public relations pitch for both corporate and products of that multinational company, Reckitt Benckiser, successfully concluded, anxiety among stakeholders especially the four top PR agencies, TPT international, Synthesis, Sesema PR and JSP Communications, that were part of the process, are at fever pitch.

For instance, not a few believe that whichever way the pendulum swings, the multinational Company would enjoy the best of communications; since all the agencies have what it takes to take it to the next level.

While the pitch process ended few weeks ago, a source that witnessed the process told Brands & Marketing that the four agencies discharged themselves creditably well.

One of the things that Synthesis Communications, run by highly experienced Desmond Ekeh has going for it is that ‘right of incumbency’. The PR agency managed the brand in 2015 and this may be a huge advantage when the final choice is being made.

Interestingly, Tokunbo Modupe’s TPT has its chances too. Besides being managed by a man that commands followership in the nation’s PR industry, managing brands in this market segment is never, in any way new to ‘Toks’, as he is being fondly called.

One of the wonders of the pitch process is the involvement of Sesema PR in the process and the ability of the firm to go the whole hog. Not a few had thought with that the demise of its founder, Alima Atta,

few years ago would sound the death knell of the PR agency and that the PR agency could emerge as one of the top four, attests to the managerial acumen of Mrs Tampiri Irimagha Akemu, its new CEO. While JSP has been quite for some time in the PR circle for some time, many still have the firm belief that it will always remain a force to reckon with, especially with the presence of its highly cerebral founder and CEO, Dr Phil Osagie.

Interestingly, the management of Reckitt Benckiser is said to be seriously scrutinising the credentials of these agencies to enable it pick the best from this pool that would help the company improve its equity in the coming year.

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Nigerian Tribune

Brand Focus: First Bank, using endowment funds as brand-building tool Stories By Akin Adewakun— Lagos

B

ESIDES the re-branding exercise that engaged this financial brand few years ago, nothing occupies the priority list of First Bank in recent times, more than the endowment initiatives the bank has been implementing of late, in

different parts of the country.

For instance, with the re-branding exercise of the bank, an exercise, no doubt, reinforced the brand’s dominance of the nation’s financial sector, has successfully completed some of the pre-occupations of the bank in recent times have been, how to effectively contribute to national

growth, by promoting educational development in the country, drive and sustain the economy through academic research, while also building sustainable capacity for tomorrow’s leaders.

Established to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in the development and advancement of tertiary education in

Nigeria, First Bank endowment structure necessitates the funding of research projects in federal universities, selected around the six geographical zones of the country. The funds were set up in various departments as approved by the Bank’s management to facilitate research work in the endowed universities.

From left, Head, Brands and Corporate Communications, Deekay Group, Mr Damilola Owolabi; Managing Director, Mr Kavine Vaswani; Head, Human Resources, Mr Soji Obasanya; Head of Sales, Mr Christy Augustine and General Manager, Mr Parmesh V., at the inauguration of Nexus office, in Ibadan.

NEXUS commissions mega showroom in Ibadan NEXUS home appliances, a brand from Deekay Group, a premier mixed trading and manufacturing company, has opened a new mega showroom in Ibadan, Oyo State.

At the opening of the showroom, located in the popular Challenge area of Ibadan, electronic consumers and some notable Nollywood celebrities who include Toyin Adegbola, Muyiwa Ademola, and Lasun Ray, thronged the new facility to feel the company’s range of products.

Displaying an array of top quality appliances, Deekay Group Managing Director, Mr Kavine Vaswani, said the company came to the ancient town to delight its consumers with top quality home appliances at affordable prices.

Nexus, he said, pioneered the introduction of coloured home appliances into the nation’s market, hence, allowing customers, for the first time, colour coordinate their homes.

‘The key to our success has been our strong relationships with our partners and over the years.

However, consumers have grown to love and trust our products.

Nexus offers home appliances such as inverters, stabilizer, fans, water dispensers, gas cookers, fridges and freezers,” he stated.

Vaswani, however, assured consumers of quality products, value for their money and pocket friendly prices.

Also, the company’s Head, Brands and Corporate Commu-

nications, Mr Damilola Owolabi said the new NEXUS brand shop in Ibadan, affords consumers the opportunity to interact intimately with the brand and experience the Nexus products on a first-hand basis.

Meanwhile, its General Manager, Mr Parmesh VR, has described Nexus as a marriage of products, consumers and the company in Ibadan to fulfill its brand promises to consumers in the state.

The company, he said, would ensure the provision of quality products and services to valued customers and continue to act with integrity, confidence and accountability in exercising its brand mission in Nigeria.

For instance, the FirstBank endowment programme was initiated in 1994, with the establishment of the Samuel Asabia Endowment in Business Ethics at the University of Lagos, with the bank presently having professorial endowments in nine federal universities, each located in the different geopolitical zones of the country. Currently, the banks total endowment portfolio is approximate N450M. The bank engaged the services of its sister company, FBN Capital to manage the investment portfolio of the various endowments to ensure maximum yield for each endowment investment in order to promote research and learning in the universities. Each professorial endowment, usually has a professorial chair occupant selected through a rigorous, but transparent process to ensure qualified candidates are engaged in the research work.

For instance, the bank’s endowment in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Uyo was instituted in March 2006 and relaunched in 2015 for outstanding research and learning activities that will promote knowledge in the short term and advance the economy, especially the oil and gas sector, as part of the bank’s corporate responsibility and Sustainability efforts at promoting growth and advancement of the sector.

The Samuel Asabia Endowment Fund in Business Ethics is also another endowment initiative of the bank, put in place for the bank’s former Managing Director, Samuel Asabia. The setting up of the endowment fund has the objective of promoting learning and research in Business Ethics.

Cussons Baby Moments 3 records over 500 entries OVER 500 babies have signified their intention to vie for this year’s edition of Cussons Baby Moments, a platform designed for parents to share the captivating and amazing moments of their babies in pictures and videos.

Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos, one of the three-member Jury, constituted to assess the entries, Mai Atafo, described the quality and quantity of entries for the Cussons Baby Moments 3 as an indication of the increasing popularity of the initiative among Nigerian parents.

He expressed delight at the sustenance of the initiative, noting that it would go a long way in upholding family values; since the primary aim of setting it up is to celebrate and appreciate family values.

“As one of the judges and a family man, I am excited because this is meant to celebrate and appreciate family values and efforts at raising children and to create a platform for them to shine.

“The event has been expanding year on year; it is obvious that this year’s Cussons Baby Moments is going to be bigger because we have

over 500 entries already. We are seeing some drastic and dramatic changes and we will be judging based on some parameters because we are not going to be bias,” the celebrated fashion designer assured parents.”

Earlier, the fashion designer had been unveiled alongside ace movie actress and producer, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry and creative photographer, Yetunde Babaeko as jury for Cussons Baby Moments 3. The three celebrities have been the jurors of the events since season 2 in

2014.

While introducing the panel of judges to kick start the season 3 of the competition, the Group Brand Development and Activation Manager, Faith Okoli, said that the Cussons Baby Moments’ initiative represents a platform for parents to share the captivating and amazing moments of their babies in pictures and videos.

According to her, “parents are required to upload pictures of their babies on the Cussons Baby Facebook page and these uploads are

voted for. Selections are based on the highest number of likes. The judges subsequently review the selected images based on some key parameters.

While explaining the rationale behind the choice of panelists, Mrs Okoli said “every baby is amazing and it is very difficult to select a winner among winners. Hence, our choice of three professionals that are not only parents and well respected members of the society, but are also renown in their chosen careers.”

StarTimes rewards subscribers with extra special offer DIGITAL TV provider, StarTimes Nigeria has announced a new offer that allows its existing subscribers recharge on any bouquet before due date and be rewarded with extra viewing days free in multiples of the number of months paid.

With the new reward scheme, tagged Extra Special Offer, the subscribers will enjoy three days (72 hours) extra free viewing per month for every recharge before due date cumulatively.

The pan-Nigeria offer which commenced this month, February,

is expected to last for the next three months.

StarTimes Marketing Director, Mr Oludare Kafar, said the special offer is designed to reward loyal StarTimes subscribers for continuous recharge, encourage subscribers to pay before their due dates and gain more free viewing time to make up for entertainment period lost to power failure challenges.

“With this new promo, our subscribers get rewarded for loyalty with three days extra free view for every one month recharge cumu-

latively after the main recharge period. They also gain opportunities for more free viewing time to make up for entertainment period lost to power failure challenges,’ he stated.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to encouraging Nigerians to embrace digital TV more, enjoy great entertainment moments with families and friends and join the digital TV generation in Nigeria as part of plans to guide the nation seamlessly into the digital TV switch over in 2017.

37

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

property

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Chukwuma Okparaocha

m: 08038984495 e: chukscop2005@gmail.com

Home Affairs: Experts’ tip on protection of properties from pest Stories by Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

E

XPERTS and stakeholders in the built environment have given tips on how to protect one’s homes and properties from being destroyed by rats, which have also been identified as the carriers of the virus causing the dreaded Lassa fever.

The experts under the auspices of the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) came up with this idea at a recent conference in Lagos, after it became evident that a lot of communities, markets and homes in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole are infested with rats.

Led by their president, Mr Ayo Ogunyadeka, the experts gave the indication that all a rat needed to gain entrance into homes was just half an inch hole, which is not more than the size of a man’s index finger.

“Both rats and mice instinctively gnaw on things. This is dangerous to property, and it can be dangerous if gnawing results in wires sparking which could lead to fire,” the group said.

Therefore, according to them, since rats thrive more where refuse exists, efforts should be made by all property owners to ensure that there dumpsters are: free of holes, well covered, placed on cement, contain minimal water, and frequently emptied.

Coming few weeks after over 4,000 rats were killed in Lagos markets in a matter of hours, the pest control experts also called for more proactive actions to combat rat menace in the country so as to curtail the spread of Lassa fever.

Also, Mr Ogunyadeka, cautioned on the abysmal use of rodenticide, because whatever is harmful to rodents can also be harmful to humans, adding that most rat poisons can equally kill humans in just a matter of time.

Therefore, to effectively combat Lassa fever, the PECAN president said the body was advocating active rodent control, which he said was best conducted using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that included both chemical and non chemical methods.

He also called for periodic fumigation of

communities, homes and schools, among others, by certified experts, saying that PECAN was ready to partner with the government in this regard.

In her presentation, a lecturer in the Zoology Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Kehinde Kemabonta, added that the best way to stop the pro-

Lagos Assembly Committee summons contractor for abandoning project THE Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Housing has summoned Armonia Properties Development Company Limited to the Assembly for allegedly abandoning the two blocks of Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS) project it is handling in Omole Phase 2 Area of the state.

Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, who led other members of the committee on a visit to the project sites last werk, expressed dissatisfaction with the stage the housing project is being handled by the company, especially when it was discovered that

they have been properly mobilised for the project.

The committee members, who were taken round the project site by officials of the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) that is supervising the sites, declared that the committee would not take it lightly with any contractor, who fails to deliver the Lagos HOMS project as at when due.

“We will not allow any contractor mess up the laudable project of the state government. The project is meant to make life better for our people and we will not compromise that. All hands must be on deck

Anglican Church set to unveil N1bn property in Bariga THE Mainland Church of Nigeria of the Anglican Communion has concluded plans complete its ongoing N1bn property at Bariga area of Lagos, which among other things is aimed at generating employment and changing the face of property value not just in Bariga, but Lagos as a whole.

In his chat with the media at the fund raising event held in Lagos to raise fund for the completion of the project which is said to have reached about 80 per cent completion, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos Mainland,

liferation of rats and mice was to prevent them from having space to breed, noting that rats are so prolific that in four months, one rat could become 4,000.

Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Adebayo Akinde, said when completed, the project would primarily serve as events centre, seminary, and centre for human capital and spiritual development, among others.

“The project was envisioned by the Women and Girls Organisation of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and its completion will see to the unveiling of a world-class conference centre which would be made available for Christians for

wholesome uses.

According to information gathered by Tribune Property, the three-year old project is at 80 per cent completion level, and had already gulped about N800 million so far.

In her remarks, the chairperson of the fund raising committee for the project, Dame Williamina Olajumoke, said the efforts and progress made so far attested to the fact that with determination, perseverance and dedication, no dream was too high to be met.

to ensure that the work is done as at when due. I wonder why officials of Armonia is not here. We will want them to come to the Assembly with NTDA officials to explain what happened to the two blocks of building they are working on,” Layode said.

Other Lagos HOMS sites visited that day by the committee, which began the twoweek tour on Wednesday, were the ones in Oko Oba, Omole Phase 1, Magodo and Akanimodo, which are still at piling level.

According to Layode, the committee decided to embark on the visit based on the reports in a national newspaper on 25 January, 2016, where the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) gave the Lagos State Government a seven-day ultimatum to revert to it on the state of the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS).

The CPC asked the state government to investigate the delay in the completion of the Mushin Lagos HOMS project and alleviate the pains of the winners.

The Lagos HOMS winners had written the CPC after an earlier letter to the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, did not yield any fruit.

The winners, in a letter dated 7 November, 2015, said their hopes had been dashed by the state government after committing their life savings to the project.

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businessnews

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Ogun, Osun protesters prevent IBDEC staffers’ access to offices YinkaOlukoyaandOluwoleIge

M

EMBERS of the NLC, TUC and Coalition of Civil Societies, in Ogun State, on Monday morning, protested the hike in electricity tariff by the federal government.

The protesters, numbering about 100 took to streets and market places, in Abeokuta, the state capital, asking government to reverse the tariff increase.

The dual-carriage road along Moshood Abiola way was temporarily blocked by the protesters led by the NLC chairman, Comrade Hakeem Ambali, his TUC counterpart, Olubunmi Fajobi and Yinka Folarin of the CCS. Workers of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) at Abiola way, were also prevented access into their offices, while many motorists were caught up in the gridlock.

Operatives of various security agencies were on ground to monitor the protest so as to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

The protesters described the tariff introduction as abnormal and unacceptable to

A/Ibom NLC, TUC joined protest

WORRIED by the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), labour leaders in Akwa Ibom State on Monday, joined the nationwide protest called by the national headquarters of the NLC. Addressing journalists in Uyo, the state capital, after picketing some electricity Generation and Distribution Companies (GENCOs) and (DISCOs) in Uyo and other locations in the state, the NLC chairman in the state, Etim Ukpong, explained that the action was in line with the directive from the national headquarters.

According to him, the unilateral decision by NERC to impose a new tariff regime has become worrisome, even as the Federal Government was yet to comprehensively fix electricity infrastructure in the country.

In the same vein, the Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akamba Awa, condemned the NERC’s action, adding such decision smacks of insensitivity on the part of the Federal Government to the plights of Nigerians.

Nigerians.

Meanwhile, some people under the umbrella of Electricity Consumers also staged a protest against the increase.

The group also took their protests to major places in Abeokuta, sensitising members of the public on the need to reject the new tariff.

Nigeria Labour Congress

(NLC), Osun state chapter, on Monday, shut Osogbo business hub of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution company (IBEDC) to register their protest against the 45% increment in the electricity tariff.

As a result of the several customers, who were at the IBEDC’s office to purchase

electricity or register complaints early in the morning were prevented from being attended to by the protesting workers.

The NLC members were also joined in the protest by students, market women and artisans.

IBEDC workers were subsequently chased out of

their office by the demonstrators.

While addressing journalists, Osun State chairman of the NLC, Comrade Jacob Adekomi lamented that was unfortunate that the DISCOS declined to honour the agreement signed in 2013 on the provision of electricity metres for all customers.

Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos chapter, protesting the hike in electricity tariff in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Labour shuts down BEDC in Ekiti Sam Nwaoko - Ekiti

ORGANISED labour in Ekiti State on Monday also took to the streets of Ado Ekiti and sealed off the situation office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in the town, and sealed off the building.

Labour centres in the state such as Trade Union Congress, led by its chairman, Odunayo Adesoye and his counterpart in NLC, Ade Adesanmi and Chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Bunmi Ajimoko, all besieged the BEDC office in the morning and made to gain entry to picket.

Operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps had prevailed on them not to enter the building but the workers themselves left the build-

ing to forestall being manhandled by the protesters.

Among the unions in the protest are: Non-Academic

THE Kano State chapter of the NLC has said the increased tariff would add to existing economic burdens of Nigerians, as it led protesters to shutdown the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

Addressing journalists in Kano, the state chairman of the NLC, Kabir Ado Minjibir said

Council; Academic Staff Union of Secondary School; Nigerian Civil Service Union, among others.

Heavy security mars picketing of EEDC in Enugu A team of joint security personnel in Enugu State marred the picketing of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) by the state branch of the NLC. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents that monitored the situation in Enugu on Monday reported that the security team blocked the various entrances to the company.

NAN observed that the team, comprising the police, army and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) prevented members of the NLC from picketing the office over the increase in electricity tariff.

New tariff’ll worsen Nigerians’ economic burden — Kano NLC Kola Oyelere - Kano

Staff Union (NASU), Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti chapter; Ekiti State Public Service Joint Negotiating

the protest was carried out in accordance with the directive from the national body.

“We are here on behalf of the Nigerians asking the federal government and other authorities concerns to as a matter of urgency, listen this cry and rescind the decision and revisit the increment on electricity tariff,” he said.

The agency reports that some of the workers left the EEDC premises as they sighted the security operatives for fear of being manhandled.

The Chairman of the state

branch of the NLC, Viginus Nwobodo, expressed dismay that the protest was not successful in Enugu state due to the presence of security operatives at EEDC entrances.

Why we protested —NLC Tunde Ogunesan - Ibadan

THE NLC and TUC in Oyo State described the increase in the electricity tariff across the country which took effect on February 1 as a violation of court process, saying all labour unions in Nigeria would resist the implementation.

They also revealed that the case on the new tariff is still before Justice Muhammed Idris of Lagos High Court.

The union leaders and their members in Oyo State capital, Ibadan, converged on the secretariat of the NLC early in the morning at Agodi from where they moved the protest train to Gate, Agodi, Iworoad, Monatan, Ring road and other parts of the town, brandishing various placards with various inscriptions to register their displeasure about the new tarrif.

Some of the Labour leaders and human rights activists, who

spoke with journalists during the protests in Ibadan called for a reversal of the implementation of the new order.

Nigerian Tribune

FG should expect tougher action if...

—Rivers NLC, TUC

THE organised labour unions, on Monday, carried out their treat to picket the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), even as they said the Federal Government prepare for more drastic action if the new electricity tariff is eventually enforced.

As early as 6:30am, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) led their members to the various PHED offices within the Port Harcourt metropolis, locking out members of staff.

Speaking at the Moscow Road, Port Harcourt head office of PHED, the two unions lambasted the power sector for exhibiting impunity and arbitrary electricity tariff, which their customers suffered at the end of every month.

The state chairman of NLC, Mrs Beatrice Itubo, said impunity in the power sector must stop, adding, “Today, we have decided that we must stop this impunity because PHED has been going about demonstrating impunity...

Today, is a warning picketing.

We are saying, give us meter.

Why are they giving us estimated bill?”

Similarly, Rivers TUC chairman, Comrade Chika Onuegbu, described the 45 percent increase on electricity tariff as a wrong process, declaring that the organised labour had shut down all the offices of DISCO in the state, “Today, we have shutdown all the offices of DISCO because of arbitrary increase of 45 percent on electricity tariff. The increase is wrong, the process is wrong.

“First and foremost, the increase is unilateral and arbitrary. It is impunity; it is also in a disobedient of court order, which has said that they should not increase tariff, pending the determination of the suit.

BEDC offices shut in Ondo Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

ORGANISED Labour under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State, on Monday, also complied with the directives of their national bodies to picket the electricity distribution companies in their state, against the new increased electricity tariff.

The protest was carried out under the watchful eyes of the men of the Nigeria Police Force, the Director of State Security (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who ensured that there was no breakdown of law and

order.

Explaining reasons for the picketing, the organised labour said there had been no significant improvement in the service delivery of the electricity company, saying most consumers are not metered in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the company in November 1, 2013 which stipulated that within 18 months gestation period, all consumers must be metered.

The NLC also stated that the 45 per cent increment in tariff would compound the present economic woes of Nigerian masses.

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news

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

$150m allegation a fairy tale

by Wike —Amaechi Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt

F

ORMER Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has described the allegation by his successor, Chief Nyesom Wike, that he spent $150 million from the state purse to finance the elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a fairy tale.

Wike had, during a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, leveled the allegation

against Amaechi, vowing that all the Rivers funds allegedly looted by the immediate past administration would be recovered.

However, the former governor, in a statement issued from his media office in Abuja, on Monday, said the allegation was in furtherance of the onepoint agenda of the Wikeled administration to continue to denigrate him.

“The ‘story-story’ this time is about another

PDP postpones NEC meeting Leon Usigbe And Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

THE emergence of a new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ,will be delayed for at least another week as the party has postponed its National Executive Committee (NEC) ,which was expected to ratify on Wednesday, (tomorrow) the choice of the North East stakeholders of the party.

The previously scheduled NEC meeting has been moved from tomorrow to next week Wednesday.

Also postponed are meetings of its National Caucus

and Board of Trustees (BoT) earlier scheduled for Tuesday, in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Monday, the postponement of the meetings of the party’s organs was at the instance of “critical stakeholders and leaders of our great party.”

It said the National Working Committee (NWC), has approved the shifting of the meetings of key statutory organs of the party earlier scheduled for this week till next week.

phantom $150 million that Amaechi purportedly stole from Rivers State government coffers and siphoned to his party, APC, within 18 days, from December 1 to 18 of 2014”, he said.

He described the allegation as a “new imaginary tale, another bogus, fallacious concoction”, with Wike choosing the church, a sacred temple of God, to disseminate falsehood. .“All sorts of spurious stories about alleged corruption and stealing of state funds against the Amaechi administration, have been bandied in the media with no attempt to substantiate or prove these distorted false claims that completely makes nonsense of common sense.

“Even, when Amaechi challenged the Wike -led administration and its agents to use any constitutionally available legal process to prove their jaundice, deceitful allegations against him and his administration, they have rather elected to do their own corruption probe, trial and conviction in the media; and now, even inside our solemn places of worship.”

ADDENDUM TO THE INITIAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR INVITATION TO TENDER BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Reference is made to our Invitation to Bid of Friday, 13TH November, 2015 placed in the Nigerian Tribune and Blueprint Newspapers. Due to changes in specifications/instructions from the End Users, the general public is hereby invited to submit tenders for one (1) Unit of the underlisted items: i. LOT 1H. Supply of Desktop Computers; ii. LOT 2H. Supply of Ladserjet Printers & Toners iii. LOT 3H. Supply of Scanning Machines; iv. LOT 4H. Supply of Photocopying Machines; v. LOT 5H. Supply of Refrigerators; vi. LOT 6H. Supply of Water Dispensers with Bottle vii. LOT 7H. Supply of Shredding Machines; viii. LOT 8H . Supply of LED Television; ix. LOT 9H. Supply of Palmtops; x. LOT 1OH. Supply of Laptops; and. xi. LOT 11 H. Supply of Suit Hangers.

NOTE

This advert supersedes the initial advert placed;

Submission of Bids will end on Monday, 15th February, 2016 at12:30pm

and bid opening will take place at 1 :20pm same day.

Prospective bidders are to collect details on new specifications and

bidding instructions/requirements in bidding documents from the office of the Secretary, Tenders Board (Room 1.229, Annex 1, NASS Complex).

All other terms and conditions of the initial advertisements apply

Signed: MANAGEMENT National Assembly th 8 February, 2016.

40

news

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

CCT: Senators back Saraki, say his trial a political vendetta Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

S

ENATORS, on Monday, reiterated their support for the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on the Friday’s decision of the Supreme Court in the charges

filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The spokesman of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, in a statement on behalf of others, explained that the Senate had resolved after a meeting

held in Abuja on Sunday and wide consultations, that “from the beginning of the trial last September, we have declared that this case is not about any fight against corruption. It is simply a case of political vendetta.”

Abdullahi added that “Our position remains the same. We still believe that the case is politically motivated.

“We also noted that the decision of the Supreme Court was on preliminary matters arising from the

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (left), inspecting made-in-Aba products, at the ongoing third edition of Made-in-Aba Trade Fair, facilitated by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, in Abuja, on Monday.

Court orders Tompolo’s arrest Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos JUSTICE Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, ordered security agencies in Nigeria, to compel the attendance in court of ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.

Tompolo is facing charges of N13 billion theft preferred against him by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had filed a 40-count charge against Tompolo and nine others, on January 11.

The charge borders on allegation of conversion and theft to the tune of over N13 billion.

Those charged alongside Tompolo are: Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu. Boloboere Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warrendi Enisuoh.

Justice Buba gave the order, while ruling on an application challenging substituted service of a 40-count criminal charge on the accused.

When the matter came up yesterday, Mr Festus Keyamo announced appearance as prosecutor for the EFCC while Mr Tayo Oyetibo announced appearance as counsel for the first accused.

Oyetibo then informed the court of an application filed on January 27 on behalf of Tompolo, challenging service of the charge based on a defect in the address of service.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the application on the grounds that by the provisions of Section 96 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, such application cannot be adjourned for hearing.

Commenting on the issue, Justice Buba urged counsels

not to waste the time of the court on mere technicalities.

Buba said that the whole essence of substituted service was to bring to the attention of the accused, that a charge had been preferred against him.

The judge added that regardless of however the service is effected, if the accused becomes aware of it, then the purpose of service has been fulfilled.

Buba, however, urged Tompolo’s counsel to move

his application.

Adopting his written address as his argument on the issue, Oyetibo argued that his application does not attack the competence of the charge but rather, service of the charge.

He said that the charge was effected on Agbanu St, instead of Agbamu St. Oyetibo added that the residence of the accused in Warri has a black gate, but that service was effected on a residence with seethrough gates.

commencement of the trial.

The trial proper is yet to begin. And since the fundamental principle in our legal system is that a defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty, we have decided to patiently observe the proceedings until the case runs full circle in the nation’s final judicial forum.

“It is on this ground that we want to state categorically that there is no basis for the call on the Senate President to resign until after the matter is decided in that final judicial forum.

Such a call at this time is premature, mischievous and unwarranted.

“We, therefore, reiterate our support for Senator Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate. We stand by him as he goes through the trial at the CCT where we believe he will be able to prove his innocence.

“We also call on members of the public to ignore the ranting of a few senators, who having failed to get the wish of their sponsors done on the floor of the Senate, are now launching media campaign against the leadership of the Senate.

“We want members of the public to know that the Senate under Dr Saraki has achieved stability in the legislative institution and we do not need any negative distraction at this point.

“The focus of the Senate is on the objective consideration and timely passage of the 2016 budget and we will want all Nigerians to support us as we concentrate on this important assignment.

“We also want to say that we will not make any further statement on this case until the matter has been decided in the final judicial forum.”

Operation Lafiya Dole not taken over by DHQ —Army Chris Agbambu - Abuja THE Army has clarified online media report to the effect that Operation Lafiya Dole has been taken over by the Defence Headquarters and that soldiers are not happy about it.

The army said the report was quite unfortunate and figment of imaginations of the respective media which was aimed at distracting the military, create rancour and disaffection among the components fighting Boko Haram terrorists.

In a statement, Colonel Sani Usman, who is acting Director, Army Public Relations, said since incep-

tion of the operation, there had always been a hierarchy of command and control as indeed in all military operations.

He noted that the Armed Forces Act (AFA), Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, Section 7, clearly states the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and his powers.

On the other hand, he said, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is responsible for all land operations and will continue to exercise that role and as may be directed by the President, through the Minister of Defence, the CDS or directly to the COAS as the case may be.

He said, “Operation Lafiya Dole is essentially land and air operation. The Nigerian Army has the largest troops deployed and therefore the COAS has the responsibility for the operational, command, control and discipline of the Army.

This, the COAS will continue to exercise by himself or can delegate through his field commanders.

“The recent unfortunate attacks by Boko Haram terrorists on communities close to Maiduguri, despite our successes calls for concern.

“To this end, the Nigerian Army has already commenced investigation into the attacks. All those

found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the Armed Forces Act. “A standing Special Court Martial in the North-East has already been established by the Nigerian Army. All cases of indiscipline and related acts of misconduct including human rights abuse in the operations will be tried by this Special Court Martial.

“The public and indeed Nigerians are hereby requested to disregard rumours and speculations on the alleged take over of the command and control of Operation Lafiya Dole and continue to support the fight against terrorism and insurgency.”

Nigerian Tribune

We’ll amend Procurement Act to promote made-in-Nigeria products —Saraki Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, said on Monday that the National Assembly will amend the Procurement Act to deliberately promote made-in-Nigeria products.

Saraki, who stated this while declaring open the third edition of the made in Aba products, facilitated by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), in Abuja, said that the time to encourage Nigerian products is here.

According to him, the National Assembly would make it a top priority to amend Section 16 of the Procurement Act to ensure that organisations give advantage to Nigerian products in the procurement line.

“I am fully here to show my support for the Made in Aba Trade Fair. I believe that as a country, we have no choice than to support homemade goods. I assure you manufacturers that today we have opened a new chapter in the quest to promote made in Nigeria products and we will make it a matter of utmost priority to amend the Procurement Act to compel organisations to buy made in Nigeria products.

“We shall change the operating word from “may” to “shall” to make it mandatory that companies must give allowance to Made in Nigeria,” Saraki said.

The senator representing Abia South, Senator Abaribe, who is the facilitator of the project, said that he was inaugurating the third edition of the trade fair with a renewed hope that made in Nigeria products have come to stay.

He said that his decision was to help the local manufactures showcase their wares and convince Nigerians that the goods they go abroad to purchase can be well made at home.

Sola Olagunju Foundation holds seminar tomorrow THE Sola Olagunju Foundation (SOF) will, on Wednesday, hold a seminar and empowerment programme in Ibadan.

The seminar, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Chief Olusola Olagunju, will hold at Wallan Hall, D’Rovans Hotel, Ring Road, Ibadan, at 10:00a.m.

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

NIS debunks alleged secret recruitment of 5,000 personnel Clement Idoko - Abuja

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HE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has debunked reports in some section of the media that it will commence recruitment of 5,000 personnel in March 2016.

Mr King Ekpedeme, Public Relations Officer, NIS, while reacting to the alleged reports, on Monday, in Abuja, said there was the need to get the facts right so that unnecessary anxiety was not created among interested persons.

He, however, confirmed that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had approved the recruitment of 5,000 personnel in 2012 to strengthen the workforce of the service but explained that the approval is still pending.

Ekpedeme also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved another special replacement in the

service following request by the NIS management to fill the vacancies created by the number of officers lost to insurgency as well as promotion within the service.

He said: “The attention of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been drawn to a recent publication in some newspapers that the NIS will commence recruitment of 5,000 staff in March 2016.

“The purported statement was said to be made by the Public Relations Office of

the service when clarifying what the newspapers considered as “secret” recruitment into the service.

“I wish to use this opportunity to further clarify the issues: At no time did I say that the NIS would recruit 5,000 staff in March 2016 during my discussions. It has become very important to state this fact to prevent any anxiety among interested persons or provide a window for fraudsters to dupe gullible unemployed Nigerians.

“These are facts. The Nigerian Military has successfully reclaimed all parts of the North-East of Nigeria from the insurgents. Following these victories and the imperative of moving to other areas and duties, the paramilitary agencies have been directed to have administrative presence in those areas in order to ensure that the insurgents stay off.

“Consequently, the NIS like other agencies in acknowledgment that it had

lost some men to the insurgency, while some had retired from service, yet others have been promoted to ranks that had necessitated that their schedule of duties change, forwarded a request to government for special consideration for replacement of the number that were involved in order to meet up with the manpower needed for this mandate just like others did.

“This request was considered and graciously approved by the government.

Ahmed threatens to jail tax evaders, targets N60bn tax revenue yearly Biola Azeez - Ilorin

GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has threatened to punish any tax evader in the state, as he targets N60 billion annual tax collection.

Speaking at the commissioning of office of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), in Ilorin, on Monday, the governor also said that four revenue courts had been established in different parts of the state to try and sanction those found guilty of tax evasion and avoidance.

“We cannot aim for taxdriven prosperity and economic advancement while refusing to fulfil the obligations that create those standards we aspire towards,” he said, adding that the state government would deal with anybody found obstructing the work of the KWIRS. The governor, who said that 19 northern state governments generate only 15 per cent of their revenue requirements internally and depend on Federal Allocation for the rest, added that the situation was no longer sustainable.

“The truth is that no state can lay claim to selfsufficiency or deliver the required social good for citizens without an effective tax system.

“Clearly, it is only through significant Internally Generated Revenue that Kwara State can be viable and selfsustaining,” he said.

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); his wife, Bolanle, with the first military governor of the state, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (retd), during the governor’s condolence visit to the latter, over his wife’s demise, at his residence in Lagos, on Monday.

Court restrains AGF, NDLEA, Giade from arresting, detaining Kashamu Sunday Ejike - Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday restrained the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and its exChairman, Ahmadu Giade, from taking steps to arrest or detain Senator Buruji Kashamu.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted the interim order yesterday after listening to Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, when he moved an ex-parte filed in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/479/2015.

Justice Kolawole said the order is to subsist until February 10, 2016 when he will give a considered ruling on the motion ex-parte.

Kashamu, former Director of Mobilisation, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now representing Ogun East senatorial district at the Senate. Giade, who was former NDLEA Chairman, is now Special Adviser to the AGF on narcotics.

Kashamu, in the motion ex-parte, is seeking an order of interim injunction, restraining the three (listed as alleged contemnors in the motion) from arresting, detaining or applying for a warrant for his arrest in relation to his alleged involvement in drug trade, pending the determination

of the contempt proceedings he initiated against them.

While urging the court to grant his client’s prayers, as contained in the motion, Oluyede argued that it was imperative that the alleged contemnors be restrained from arresting Kashamu in view of alleged attempt

by the AGF, NDLEA and Giade to arrest him for the purpose of moving him to the US over his alleged involvement in illegal importation of prohibited narcotics into the country.

Oluyede argued that there was valid reason for the application because there was real threat to arrest his client.

Kogi govt restores water supply in Lokoja KOGI State government said it has ordered the immediate restoration of water supply to all parts of Lokoja metropolis.

This is in response to media report about the scarcity of water in the state capital in the past few days.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the Government House, in Lokoja.

The special adviser said the problem of water supply in Lokoja dated back to November 2015, following the inability of the immedi-

ate past administration to meet financial obligation to the contractor handling the Greater Lokoja Water Project.

This problem, the governor’s aide noted, was compounded by the recent strike embarked upon by workers in the state during which the contractor also abandoned the obligation of supplying water to the people of Lokoja metropolis.

Abdulmalik, who informed that Governor Yahaya Bello had met with the leadership of CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor managing the Greater

Lokoja Water Project to allay fears over payment of debt owed by the previous administration, promised that the governor will leave no stone unturned in his determination to uplift the wellbeing of the people of the state.

He expressed appreciation for the level of understanding shown by the people of the state.

He also cautioned the media to seek clarification from different sides to a story before going ahead with publication, stressing that journalism should inform rather than misinform the public.

Nigerian Tribune

Ambode mourns Mobolaji Johnson’s wife LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, expressed sadness over the death of the wife of the first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Brigader Mobolaji Johnson (retd).

The wife, Funmi Johnson, died on Saturday at the age of 76, during a brief illness.

The governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, described Funmi as an epitome of humility, uprightness and one who had passion for teaching.

He recalled her time as first lady of the state, saying she did not let the position her husband occupied to get into her, instead choosing to maintain her simple way of life.

“She was a virtuous woman. As wife of the military governor, she still went about her normal duties.

She was seen in the market, she related with her colleagues at the Yaba College of Technology and the Federal Training Centre as well as her friends as she used to before her husband became governor. That for me is the height of humility.”

Abia gov swears in 2 new perm secs Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahia

GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has sworn in two new permanent secretaries with a charge to eschew anything that will hinder progress in the state.

Speaking during their swearing in at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, Umuahia, the governor congratulated the new permanent secretaries and implored them to remain loyal to the state government.

He urged them to support the vision of his administration as well as to emulate permanent secretaries doing well.

The governor used the forum to charge permanent secretaries in the state and the entire work force to guard their loins in view of the current challenges.

He noted that the public service is the oil that lubricates the engine of government hence the huge resources spent on them.

He urged them to justify the investment on them by being dedicated to duty.

news Foster father of man allegedly killed by his lawyer-wife dies 42

Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

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S the family of late Lowo Oyediran Ajanaku, who was allegedly murdered by his wife, Yewande, in Ibadan, last Tuesday, continue to

Governor Wike to extend development projects to all communities RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has assured all communities in the state that his administration would ensure that they are accommodated in the ongoing superlative development process.

The governor said that since his victory at the Supreme Court, the security situation of the state has tremendously improved.

Addressing the Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders’ Forum at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday, during a solidarity visit, Governor Wike called on community leaders to promote peace across the state for enhanced development.

He urged the people to cooperate with the security agencies to entrench peace in the state.

He said: “Since the Supreme Court judgment, the security situation in different communities in the state has improved. Community leaders should continue with security agencies to enhance peace for sustainable development.

“As your son, I will make you proud. The entire Rivers State is my constituency and I will touch every community across the state. We will carry good governance to every community.”

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

mourn his demise, another tragedy has hit the family on Monday, as the deceased’s foster father, Pa Oyewole Yahaya Ajanaku, died.

The death of Pa Ajanaku, who was the patriarch of the Ajanaku family, occurred in the early hours of Monday, in Gbongan, the

headquarters of Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.

Nigerian Tribune authoritatively gathered that Pa Ajanaku, aged 89, might have died of high blood pressure after the news of the alleged murder of his son was broken to him.

A member of the Ajanaku

family, who pleaded anonymity, however, confirmed the death of Pa Ajanaku at his residence at Owoope Area of Gbongan.

He hinted that Pa Ajanaku, though immediate senior brother to the real father of the late Lowo, took over his upbringing in 1990 when the deceased’s

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike (right), receiving a document from the coordinator of Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders’ Forum, Prince Paul Wonodi, during a solidarity visit by the group to the governor, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.

Pipeline vandals will be dealt with —Army Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt THE Nigerian Army declared that it can never be cowed by pipeline vandals operating in Rivers State, warning that anyone caught in the act of vandalism would be severely dealt with.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2Army Brigade, Bori, Rivers State, Captain Eli Lazarus, handed down the warning in a press release he issued in Port Harcourt,

on Monday.

According to him, some suspected vandals had, in the early hours of Sunday, destroyed a gas facility in Akala Olu Village in Oshie community, Ahoada West Local Government Area, thereby disrupting the production activities of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company.

He said the vandals were suspected members of the Icelander cult group, adding that they threatened to carry out further acts

of vandalism unless one of their members, one Emmanuel Odum, currently undergoing interrogation over vandalism and cultrelated activities, was released.

“I wish to state categorically that the 2 Brigade will not be cowed into doing the bidding of any criminal group. For the avoidance of doubt, anyone caught vandalising such critical national asset will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law.

Osun Assembly passes land use charge bill into law Oluwole Ige - Osogbo OSUN State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed into law, the State Land Use Charge Bill 2016.

According to a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the passage of the bill followed a motion by the Leader of the house, Honourable Timothy Owoeye, for the third reading and

father died.

“But on hearing the news last week, the man who was the immediate senior brother of Lowo’s dad could not bear the shock.

He developed complications and later died of high blood pressure in the early hours of Monday,” the source explained.

seconded by member representing Ede South constituency, Nureni Adebisi, at the plenary.

The bill, which, he said, was sponsored by the executive arm of government was seeking to make provision for the consolidation of all property land based rates law, the neighbourhood improvement charge law and tenement rate law into a new land based charge, to be called Property Land Use Charge to

make provision for the levying and collection of the charges and for connected purposes.

The Assembly had, on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, held a public hearing on the bill, where professional bodies and other stakeholders lauded the bill and said, it was coming at the appropriate time.

Pronouncing the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said its passage was

delayed to ensure that affordable rate that would not put unnecessary burden on the people were arrived at.

According to him, the present economic situation require that every property owner must contribute to support the government, just as he charged the executive to ensure effective sensitisation of the people to key into the new law and see reason to pay the appropriate charges.

“Additionally, it is now known that some politicians are arming these groups and encouraging them with inciting comments to breach public peace. No one should be in doubt of the capacity of the military to deal decisively with such persons.

“If anyone is caught breaching public peace particularly during the forthcoming elections, such person/persons should have themselves to blame.

Already, some suspected patrons and sponsors of these criminal groups are being closely monitored by security agencies.

“Parents and guardians are therefore strongly advised to warn their children/wards against any form of association with such criminal groups/ sponsors, otherwise the full wrath of the law would be meted to them.

“The public is hereby assured that no effort will be spared in arresting and prosecuting oil pipelines vandals and criminals,” the statement further read.

Blind suspect in NSCDC net for aiding crime Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command, has arrested a blind suspect, Muntari Idris, for harbouring criminal gangs purportedly involved in cattle rustling, kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

Idris, 50, was picked alongside Adamu Mohammed by operatives of the corps at Ungwar-Maigiginya in Igabi Local Government of the state after a tip off.

In a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna, on Monday, and signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Ascii Terzungwe, disclosed that investigation revealed that the blind man, who claims to be a businessman in landed property specialises in bailing criminals who indulged in cattle rustling and kidnapping.

‘The suspect, who denied involvement in the crime on interrogation, was however, implicated by his accomplice, Adamu Mohammed, who confessed that he accompanied the blind man many times to secure bail of suspected criminals.”

I’m seeking re-election in the interest of Rivers —Senator Abe

Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt SENATOR Magnus Abe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Rivers South-East Senatorial District re-run election in Rivers State, has said he is seeking to return to the Senate for the second time in the best interest of Rivers State.

He said this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Monday, adding that politicians seeking elective offices should elevate the interest of the people and the state above personal interest.

Abe, who chaired the Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) in the seventh Senate, also said, if voted for, he would be the only ranking APC senator from both South-South and South-East regions, which would confer on him certain privileges that would be in the best interest of the people and the region.

“The interest of Rivers State will be better protected with me in the eighth Senate. I am the only returning member of the Senate from the South-South and South-East, who served in the seventh Senate that is aspiring at this point to return to the eighth Senate.”

news NCC’s case against MTN over alleged copyright infringement begins Feb 18 43

Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, slated February 18, 2016 to commence trial in the two-count charge preferred against MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The court fixed the date for the trial following the refusal of the Managing

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

Director of the MTN Nigeria Communication, Mr Ferdi Moolman, to appear in court, as he was alleged to be evading service of the court processes and also refused to honour NCC investigators’ invitation.

NCC director of prosecution, A.T. Kohol, told newsmen that the commission would apply for a bench warrant for the arrest of the MTN boss for refusal

to honour NCC invitation and his refusal to appear in court.

“If he makes execution of the bench warrant impossible, NCC shall declare him wanted and the effect is that he becomes arrestable by any security agent whereever he is sighted especially at the airport.”

Kohol said NCC operatives have been directed to trail and keep a tab on him.

NCC, which is a Federal Government agency, vested with the powers to administer and regulate Copyright has been investigating MTN Nigeria Communication and its Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, over alleged copyright infringement.

The NCC Act gives investigators powers to invite people against whom allegation of copyright infringement

has been made.

Investigator sent out invitation letters to the MTN boss while examining criminal violation of copyright in musical works of Mr Omenuwoma Okson Dovie, Aka Baba2010, but the invitations were not honoured by the MTN boss.

In the two-count-charge signed by NCC Prosecutor and Copyright Inspector, Marypauline Olere-Luma, MTN and Moolman were alleged to have infringed on copies of the musical work of an Abuja-based musician, Dovie OmenuwomaEniwo (aka Baba 2010).

Specifically, the defendants were alleged to have distributed “sell or let for hire or for the purposes of trade or business, expose or offer for sale 3009 infringing copies of the musical work” of Baba 2010.

Ekiti primary school teachers in 2-day warning strike Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti Members of Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), First Bank of Nigeria Plc chapter, Ibadan branch, during the picketing of the main branch office of the bank, in Dugbe, on Monday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

FirstBank pensioners picket Ibadan main branch office

By Tunde Ogunesan MEMBERS of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), First Bank Plc, Ibadan branch, on Monday, picketed Dugbe branch of the bank in a warning exercise for over 160 minutes.

The former staff, Nigerian Tribune gathered, had gathered at the premises of the bank before 7:00a.m., denying staff and customers access into the premises of the bank.

Before 7:00a.m., members of the NUP, First Bank, Ibadan chapter, had barricaded the trespassers gate of the bank directly in front of the exit gate of Cocoa House with a big banner with the inscription, “Save Our Souls message to First Bank Management - We are suffering in the midst of abundance.” Ironically, a female pensioner sat under that banner drinking garri pitifully, to show their plight.

Their grouse, it was gathered, was the non payment of their monthly allowance of N15,000 and annual medical allowance. The former staff members were distributing pamphlets, displaying placards with various inscriptions. Some of their placards read: “No

entry please, First Bank pensioners are in action,” “We pensioners deserve to be treated well and not like dead woods,” “What can we do with N15,000 pension per month in Nigeria of today,” as at year 2004/2005, our pension stood at over N200 billion, according to the then Man-

aging Director, our directors should explain to the whole world what has happened to the fund,” among others.

They also, through one of their leaflets, appealed to the management of the bank that the “retirees of First Bank of Nigeria are suffering, management

have forgotten the geese that laid the golden eggs, our pension and medical allowances should be enhanced in line with the Federal Government approved 342 per cent increase” and that “our members are dying installmentally, due to lack of medical care and support.”

Exam performance will determine your career progression, Army tells officers

By Oluwatoyin Malik THE Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army, Major Mobolaji Koleoso, has enjoined candidates sitting for the Lieutenant to Captain promotion examination to face it with all the seriousness it deserves, that their performance in the examination would determine their progress in the Nigerian Army.

Koleoso stated this on Sunday, at the Tiger Officer’s Mess, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, in his address to officers of lieutenant rank who would be sitting for the examination taking place between February 8 and 12, 2016.

The number of candidates

sitting for the examination was given as 246, with 143 of them currently in Ibadan for the purpose, while the remaining 103, who he said were in operational areas in the North east, would be tested ‘in theatre’.

This, according to the Commander, means that they would be tested by their commanders at their operational bases, since they could not be withdrawn from duty.

He admonished the officers not to exercise any fear as no one was at the venue to fail them, but added that the candidates should determine their fate by showcasing their level of preparation, confidence and composure during all their presentations.

Koleoso assured them

that the setting of the examination was straightforward, realistic and within the context of approved syllabi to make them succeed.

He however, warned them not to obtain such success fraudulently, asking them to avoid acts that would tarnish their image and end their careers in the army abruptly.

Some of the objectives the TRADOC commander gave for conducting the Lieutenant to Captain practical promotions examination 2016 include the improvement of their knowledge of the military profession and assessing their knowledge in the command and tactical employment of a mechanised infantry company group, among others.

PRIMARY school teachers in Ekiti State, on Monday, began a two-day warning strike over their unpaid September 2014 salary and deductions.

The teachers had waited for the government of Governor Ayo Fayose to clear the debt they said was owed them by the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi, but said their patience had been exhausted.

There was confusion in the state when news filtered out that primary schools teachers, who form a fulcrum of the support base for Governor Fayose had announced a warning strike, while contrary information from the Association of Primary Schools Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), said primary school teachers won’t go on strike nor were they contemplating doing so.

But signal began to manifest at about 7:55a.m. when pupils, who had reported to schools for academic activities, on Monday, returned home.

Chairman of the Ekiti Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Samuel Akosile, said it was quite disturbing that the allowances under content ion, were not captured in the bailout released by the Federal Government to Ekiti recently, and added that the agitation for the payment of the entitlements he said other workers had received, had been on for some time.

Nigerian Tribune

Abia bakers proceed on four-day warning strike Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahia THE Association of Master Bakers and Catering of Nigeria, makers of breads and other confectionaries, Abia State chapter, has directed its members to proceed on a four-day warning strike as a result of the increase in the price of their products.

Rising from a meeting held on Monday, in Umuahia, to press against the 20 per cent increase on the cost of their products as directed by the national headquarters Lagos, secretary of the association, Mr I. O. Ogbonna, observed that the directive was issued to their chapter shortly after the national headquarters held press conference with journalists in Lagos, last Wednesday.

According to him, the meeting at the state chapter with its members was to ensure compliance, rub minds together for effective implementation of the directive, pointing out that the increase has become necessary in view of current trend in the market.

Hon Odebunmi hails Ooni’s peace, unity agenda CHAIRMAN, House of Representatives committee on Information and National Orientation, Honourable Segun Dokun Odebunmi, has commended Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, the Ooni of Ife’s peace agenda and bold move towards enhancing the unity and advancement of the Yoruba race.

Hon Odebunmi, who represents Surulere/Ogo Oluwa Federal constituency at the National Assembly, in a statement said such move will further strengthen Yoruba as a race that will not only speak with one voice, but set pace for other tribes and stand as a determining factor for development in this nation.

“Yoruba race has been in the front burner in the annals of history of development in Nigeria, but the problem of unity, which has bedevilled the race, is a major factor that is causing serious setback for the race and I am optimistic that with the move by the Ooni, we will move to the next level.

“Oba Adeyeye visits to prominent Yoruba traditional rulers in the region is highly commendable, it is a signal that Eledumare has answered our prayer and that is why he gave us a young, committed and energetic monarch as the Arole of Oduduwa.”

44 news

Tuesday, 9 Febraury, 2016

Ondo @ 40: All set for Walter Carrington’s talk —Govt Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

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NDO State government has announced its preparedness for the hosting of former United States of America’s ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, as part of activities marking the seventh anniversary of the Dr Olusegun Mimiko government and 40th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade while reviewing activities marking the ongoing anniversary with newsmen in his office, on Monday, said the about

3-week activities which kicked off last Monday, have so far been successful.

He said the photo exhibition held last week as part of the event was of great historical value, add-

ing that people took advantage of the exhibition to familiarise themselves with details of some past events in the state.

He said the photo exhibition also narrated the

story of the strides, leadership successions, trajectory of development, political emancipation, socio-economic transformation of the state overtime, among others.

Bello orders workers’ payment without screening Yinka Oladoyinb - Lokoja FOLLOWING the threat by the organised labour over the planned screening, before payment of salary in the state, the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has rescinded the decision and ordered the immediate payment of the workers’ salaries.

The governor also directed that the workers be paid from Monday, to ensure a new lease of life for them.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, on Monday, said Bello gave the directive for the immediate payment of workers’ salaries in the state, to put smiles on their faces and encourage productivity.

“With the new directive, payment process will commence on Monday, 8th February, 2016 without further delay,” he said, and reiterated his desire and determination to work harmoniously with public servants in the state.

It will be recalled that workers in the state, had last week, suspended the sixweek strike embarked upon following the non -payment of their four months salary.

However, the next day government gave conditions to be met before the workers could be paid the onemonth salary the governor promised to pay them.

The development, however, almost led to another round of industrial dispute between the state government and the organised labour while the workers rejected the directives.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right), exchanging pleasantries with the chairperson of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt, during a visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

He mentioned further that in the course of the celebration, no fewer than 26 special projects would be inaugurated, adding that the projects being inaugurated were scattered over the three Senatorial districts in the state.

The Commissioner stated that among lined up activities for the celebration is a lecture on Federalism billed to hold on the 24th of this month, with former United States of America ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington delivering a talk.

He said the state is well prepared to host the former Envoy to Nigeria, as well as other guests expected to attend the lecture from every part of the world.

Congratulating the people of the state on the celebration, the Commissioner said as a people “we have over the years, gone through thick and thin with moments of ups and down, twists and turns, moment of griefs and joy, low ebbs, as well as periods of victory and triumphs in the course of the journey towards achieving our collective dream and fulfillment.

Presidency working with NASS to pass PIB —Osinbajo Leon Usigbe - Abuja ACTING President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the Presidency will work with the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law as part of efforts to ensure transparency in the sector.

Speaking while hosting a delegation of the global body-Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in his office, on Monday, at the Presidential Villa, he said: “we want to see what will come

out of the bill because this will give some regulatory direction and we are working very closely to get that done.”

He stressed that the Federal Government was keen to ensuring transparency, especially in the extractive industry.

“It is important for us that we handle our resources with transparency and good governance,” he said, adding that: “One of the objectives that we have set for ourselves is to ensure that we are transpar-

ent and able to handle our resources well.

“If we had handled our resources better, with transparency and good governance, we would not find ourselves where we are now.”

Noting that lessons have been learnt, Osinbajo said going forward, the government would work transparently and generate more revenues.

He stated that as a government, the present administration is determined to work with the Nigeria

Extractive Industry and Transparency Initiative (NEITI) “to ensure good governance and look at how we can generate revenues and keep proper accounts.”

Earlier, the in-coming global chairman of EITI, Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt, a former Prime Minister of Sweden, commended Nigeria’s committed to the EITI process, saying he has been following the restructuring of the NNPC and other developments in the oil sector.

Salary arrears: NLC, TUC to join forces with NUJ to picket media houses Christian Okeke - Abuja THE Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, vowed to join forces with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to force media houses owing their staff salary arrears, to clear the backlog without further delay.

The NLC and TUC chair-

men in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Amaechi Lawrence and Aliyu Musa, temporary stepped aside from the national protest against electricity tariff increment, to represent their respective chairmen at a press briefing in Abuja, where they vowed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with NUJ in enforcing salary and welfare demands for

journalists.

Representative of the Coalition of Civil Society Against Corruption, Okpanachi Jacob also joined the press conference.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that at the conference, a 14day ultimatum was issued to defaulting media houses to pay all salary arrears or risk being picketed.

Speaking, the chairman

of NUJ, FCT Council, Paul Ella, said having conducted an investigation, the council discovered that some media houses, despite their high-level patronage, have refused to respect the rights of their staff to decent condition of service, adding that some journalists were being owed unimaginable amount of salary.

We’re ready to promote locally made products — Minister MINISTER of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, on Monday, announced his ministry`s preparedness towards ensuring that Nigerians patronise locally made products, lamenting that over 200 products are lying fallow in one of the agencies under his ministry.

Speaking while receiving members of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by their president, Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, in his office, the minister explained that the ministry was moving in a new direction, to work closely with organised private sectors, with a view to creating new jobs in the country.

He said Nigerians must be prepared to patronise locally made goods to support industrialists so as to generate enough revenue and improve on the quality of the products made.

Dr Onu added that it was high time Nigerians adapted with the change mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, adding that many new programmes would be initiated later this year and subsequent years which would help to create employment opportunities for the teeming populace.

Ajanlekoko bags NANS outstanding leadership award NIGERIAN-BORN President of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE), Mr Olusegun Ajanlekoko, has bagged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National Outstanding Leadership Award.

The student body said the honour was in appreciation of Ajanlekoko’s contributions to the growth of the construction industry and infrastrucural development of the country, especially in the past three decades he had been a top player in the sector.

The award was also in recognition of his “exemplary leadership” qualities, which serve as a source of inspiration to Nigerian youths and students, NANS said in a letter conveying the award to the reputed quantity surveyor.

45 news How I was brutalised by female cadets, colleagues —Victim Lanre Adewole -Lagos

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HE victim of military brutality captured in a video that went viral, Sunday Amari, on Monday morning, told his story of an unforgettable encounter with five young cadets, including two female officers, who led the assault.

He spoke on a morning magazine show of a national television station, based in Lagos.

Dressed in the same outfit he wore about 14 months ago when the incident happened, Sunday disproved the claim by the military authority that the incident happened in Lagos.

According to him, the inhuman treatment took place on December 31, 2014, at Jabi Lake Park, Abuja, a Federal Government recreational facility.

The victim added that he was then engaged by the defunct Sure-P recreational department as a security at the park.

He claimed that he saw the cadets torturing a young man and he felt they had been drafted to the park for security reasons, only for one of them to beckon at him and order that he should cover a lengthy distance to where they were standing in five seconds.

Legislative arm, sustainer of democracy —Ogun Speaker THE legislative arm of government has been described as an organ responsible for the enthronement of good governance in any society which distinguishes democracy from unitary system of government.

The speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Suraju Adekunbi, who said this at the special plenary session in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the state, explained that promotion of democratic tenets were best promoted by a vibrant legislature with the mutual support of other arms of government.

Adekunbi, in a release signed by the Head of Information, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Jamiu Lawal, explained that the legislature is an arm of government responsible for law making, drawing the manuals of operation for the executive and template setter for the judiciary, adding that it played a crucial role in constitutional democracy in any civilised society.

He added that despite his best effort, he could not meet his demand, with the most brutal lady seen slapping repeatedly in the video, asking him to cover the said distance in three seconds, which he failed to accomplish again.

At this point, according to the victim, the lady started slapping him for failing to obey officer’s orders.

He narrated that while the slapping and hitting were on, the lady cadet asked him to look at her because all the

while he had not looked into their faces.

After taking a glance, she reportedly asked him if she was beautiful or ugly, Sunday reportedly answered “beautiful”.

The beast in her was said to have been incensed by the compliment as she was said to have rained slaps on him while calling on his colleagues to deal with him for saying she was beautiful.

At this point, the other female cadet and the three male joined in hitting him,

until according to Sunday, blood started coming from his eyes, mouth, nose, and ears.

While ordering him to remove his shirt to wipe the blood, he said the lady posed the question about her appearance again, with the victim claiming that at this point, he had to say she was ugly, a response that reportedly attracted more severe assault.

Till their disengagement from Sure-P last June, Sunday said he heard nothing

Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

from his boss or the probe allegedly initiated over the incident by the military authority.

He said he could not make it to office for days after receiving treatment at the hospital.

Sunday didn’t want the affected cadets dismissed from the military, but appealed to the military authorities to build into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) curriculum, codes on how cadets should relate with the civilians.

Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola (second left), during an unscheduled inspection tour to the ongoing construction of Osogbo Government High School, Osogbo, on Monday.

Kidnapping: AIG orders hotels to submit manifests in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya -Warri

THE Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police in charge of Zone ‘5’, Mr Musa Daura, has given an order to hotels in Delta State, to make available to the police their daily accommodation manifests in order to check criminal activities.

It will be recalled that the rate of kidnapping in Delta State has become alarming.

Daura stated this on Monday, while addressing police officers during a sensitisation visit to the Warri Area Command and divisions.

He warned officers against conniving with criminals, saying that anyone caught would be sanctioned by the police authorities.

He said the move was to check criminal activities, adding that most kidnappers often lodge in hotels and motels to carry out their criminal acts.

“All these criminals, they always lodge in hotels. They go to motor parks and board vehicles from one place to another. Henceforth, all Divisional Police Officers must demand for lodger’s manifests from any hotel. That

will definitely assist you to fight crime in the society.

Hoteliers must submit their manifest daily to their DPOs and onward to the area commanders.

“They are many hotels in Warri metropolis. Utilise your men to get the manifests from hoteliers because these people (criminals) lodge in hotels. All routes, in and out of Warri metropolis must be properly blocked, especially

at night,” he noted.

Daura also warned officers against extra-judicial killing, saying that the current police force led by Mr Solomon Arase frowned on it and cannot be tolerated.

According to him, anyone found guilty of extra-judicial killing would be dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and jailed.

He expressed worries over recent kidnapping of two

prominent traditional rulers in the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen ,where one of the traditional rulers was reported to have died in kidnappers’ hideout.

He has, therefore, summoned an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen from Delta, Bayelsa and Edo states to find a solution to kidnapping and clashes with host communities.

Synagogue: Court arraigns SCOAN, engineers Feb 18 Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos AN Ikeja High Court has fixed February 18 for the arraignment of Trustees of the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) ,over the collapse of a six-storey guest house belonging to the church on September 12, 2014, which led to the death of 116 people.

The trustees will be arraigned alongside the two engineers, who constructed the collapsed building, Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun and their companies, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy

Trust Limited The court fixed the date on Monday,, after several application to stop their trial failed.

The judge dismissed the separate applications filed by the two engineers, seeking to stop their prosecution for lacking in merit.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State government, had late last year, slammed a 111-count criminal charges against trustees of the church, the two engineers and their companies, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Companyand Jandy Trust Limited.

But the engineers (4th and

5th defendants), in the case, had challenged the legality of the court processes effected on them by the Lagos State government.

The court, had on December 11, 2015, granted an application by the prosecution to serve the 4th and 5th defendants through substituted means after several attempts to serve them was not successful.

Justice Lawal-Akapo ordered the prosecution to paste the court papers on the front doors of the 4th and 5th defendants’ addresses in the Alagbado and Ikeja areas of Lagos, respectively.

PDP chieftain denies defecting to APC in Ekiti A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ekiti State, Honourable Adeyemi Orilele, has denied planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Honourable Orilele, who represented the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II in the fourth House of Representatives, said in a statement issued in AdoEkiti, on Monday, that those who included his name among those they were expecting to defect to APC were only wasting their time.

Orilele, who said he was in support of the government of Governor Ayo Fayose, noted that as a loyal party man, he will remain in PDP and continue to support the governor.

He said there was nothing untoward in PDP in Ekiti State, that will warrant his leaving the party, adding that; “Even if anyone wants to leave PDP for another party in Ekiti, is it a factionalised APC that will be the option?

Benue South rerun: Nollywood actors drum up support for Mark Johnson Babajide -Makurdi AS rerun for Benue South senatorial district draws nearer, Nollywood actors from the senatorial zone in Benue State, have declared their support for the former senate president, Senator David Mark.

The rerun is scheduled for February 20.

The interim head of the group and chairman of the Moro Crusaders, Linda John, said the decision to support the re-election bid of Senator Mark, was in the collective interest of the Idomas and Benue State.

Linda stated that considering the laudable achievements of Mark to the senatorial district, ‘every person from Benue South , has no choice but to key into the project to return Senator Mark to the senate.”

She said: “we have all resolved that we will all vote for Senator Mark, during the rerun because that is the only way we can say ‘thank you’ to a man whose sterling leadership qualities have given our people a voice in the country.’

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

US seeks $1.8bn to combat Zika virus

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RESIDENT Obama is asking Congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to help fight the Zika virus in the United States and other countries.

In a statement on Monday, the White House said the funding would “support essential strategies to combat the virus” such as rapidly expanding mosquito control programs, accelerating vaccine research and diagnostic development and providing health care services and support for low income pregnant women.

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention,

Obama the top federal public health agency, has reported 50 laboratory-confirmed cases among U.S. travellers from December 2015 - February

2016.

The Zika virus is contracted through bites by the Aedes mosquito and can be transmitted through sex. The vi-

rus causes no symptoms in 80 per cent of people, but is a threat to pregnant women.

“We must work aggressively to investigate these outbreaks,

and mitigate to the best extent possible, the spread of the virus,” the White House said in its request.

According to the Pan American Health Organisation, 26 countries and territories in the Americas have reported local Zika transmission.

The World Health Organisation said the virus is strongly suspected to cause microcephaly, a disease that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads.

The WHO has declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency and predicts four million people could be infected between now and the end of the year.

North Korea undeterred by international condemnation NORTH Korea’s defiant stance in the face of international condemnation over its rocket launch Sunday and its nuclear test last month are in some ways strengthening Kim Jong Un’s position at home and abroad.

Domestically, the young leader is portrayed by the North’s tightly controlled state media as a strong leader defending the country’s sovereignty against hostile American and South Korean forces.

And Sunday’s rocket launch is described by state media outlets as a great technological achievement by a rapidly advancing nation

that fills many North Koreans with pride.

Official media have published interviews with North Korean citizens praising the launch as a symbol of technological progress, however it is impossible to gauge the

actual domestic support for the impoverished country’s ambitious nuclear programs and missile launches.

The U.S. Joint Space Operations Centre said North Korea’s rocket launch put two objects in orbit, but it is

North Koreans dance on the Kim Il Sung Square to celebrate a satellite launch, Feb. 8, 2016, in Pyongyang, North Korea. PHOTO: AP

unclear if either is sending out signals.

No signal has ever been detected from a similar North Korea satellite, launched in 2012, which orbits the Earth every 95 minutes.

Pyongyang has said the 100 kilogramme, metal “satellite” was equipped with cameras to send images back to Earth.

The United Nations Security Council Sunday condemned North Korea for testing ballistic missile technology under the guise of a satellite launch that contributes to the “development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.”

otherNEWS

Turkey, Germany agree on plan to ease refugee crisis

Temporary refugee camps in northern Syria have been set up for those escaping the offensive in Aleppo. PHOTO: AP

TURKEY and Germany have agreed on a set of measures to deal with the Syrian refugee crisis, including a joint diplomatic initiative aiming to halt attacks against Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.

On Monday in Ankara, officials from the two countries added that they would push

to curb illegal migration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was in the Turkish capital for talks on how to reduce the influx of refugees into Europe, said after discussions with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that she was “not just appalled but horrified”

by the suffering caused by Russian bombing in Syria.

Merkel said that Turkey and Germany will push at the United Nations for everyone to keep to a UN resolution passed in December that calls on all sides to halt without delay attacks on the civilian population.

Russia claims arrest of IS group RUSSIA’S state security police say they have arrested seven Islamic State militants who were planning terrorist attacks in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and the Sverdlovsk region.

In a statement the Federal Security Service said the men were arrested in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg and the insurgents had intended to depart for Syria once they had carried out their attacks.

An Interfax news agency report on Monday said police had searched the men’s homes and found “a laboratory producing improvised explosive devices, explosives, electric detonators, firearms, grenades, component parts for improvised explosive devices and extremist books.”

Syria ‘exterminating detainees’ — UN report

Torture, rampant disease and extrajudicial execution claim the lives of many detainees. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

THE Syrian government has carried out a state policy of extermination against thousands of detainees, United Nations human rights investigators say.

They accuse President Bashar al-Assad’s regime of crimes against humanity, in a report for the UN Human Rights Council.

The study said both loyalist and anti-government forces have committed possible war crimes.

Many detainees were tortured; some were beaten to death, and others died from lack of food, water, or medical care.

The findings come from

interviews with hundreds of witnesses and cover the period since the start of anti-government protests in March 2011.

The report says thousands of detainees have been killed while in the custody of warring parties in the past four and a half years.

Investigators suspect tens of thousands of people are detained by Syria’s government at any one time.

It describes the situation of detainees as an “urgent and large-scale crisis of human rights protection”.

Their accounts “paint a terrifying picture of the magnitude of the violations taking place,” it said.

The civil war in Syria has claimed an estimated 250,000 lives so far.

About 4.6 million people have fled Syria, while another 13.5 million are said to be in need of humanitarian assistance inside the country.

Indian leopard injures six in Bangalore school A male leopard which entered a school in the Indian city of Bangalore injured six people trying to capture it.

A scientist and a forestry employee were among those mauled during the near 10hour long effort to corner the dangerous animal on Sunday.

The leopard, which strolled into the Vibgyor International

school, was eventually tranquillised and released.

A recent wildlife census estimated that India has a leopard population of between 12,000 and 14,000.

The eight-year-old male was spotted strolling inside the school premises in the Kundalahalli area.

Footage on the school’s security

cameras showed it attacking a man near a swimming pool.

Conservation scientist Sanjay Gubbi and forest department employee Benny Maurius were injured when they tried to corner the animal and tranquillise him, reports said.

“It was a long struggle to capture the leopard. Although it was injected with tranquillis-

ers it could be captured only around 20.15 local time when the medication took full effect,” senior police official S Boralingaiah told reporters.

Wildlife official Ravi Ralph told the BBC Hindi’s Imran Qureshi that the leopard possibly strayed into the school from a patch of forest not far from the school.

The leopard was tranquillised on Sunday evening. PHOTO: KASHIF MASOOD.

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Tuesday, 9 February, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

2017 AFCON qualifier:

NFF to inspect Kaduna for Eagles/Egypt clash

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will this week inspect facilities and equipment at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna ahead of next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, told thenff. com on Monday that the inspection visit will take place on Thursday. He stated that facilities to be inspected include the playing pitch of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, dressing rooms, proposed training pitches, scoreboard, sanitary facilities, spectator stands and media facilities.

Sanusi will conduct the inspection alongside the Director of Facilities at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Engineer Shehu Ibrahim.

“We will inspect the facilities alongside officials of the Kaduna State government and the Kaduna State Sports ministry and Football Association. There is the need to

put everything in top shape ahead of this big match.

“The NFF will interface with the Kaduna State government on the areas that need to be improved upon. We will also jointly put in place a flawless medical and security plan for the match.”

The Super Eagles take on the Pharaohs of Egypt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Wednesday, March 23 in one of the day three matches of the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series.

The return leg tie will be played in Egypt five days later.

Nigeria is second on the group G table with four points from two matches, having beaten Chad 2-0 also in Kaduna in June 2015 and drawn 0-0 with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in September 2015.

Egypt remains top of the log with maximum six points, following victories over Tanzania in Egypt and Chad away in N’Djamena.

Nigeria’s Prince Aggreh (left), evades a tackle from an opponent during the just-ended CHAN 2016 in Rwanda.

Confederation Cup: No information on Congolese opponents —Cooreman AKWA United head coach, Maurice Cooreman has revealed that he knows nothing about the club’s preliminary round opponents, Vita Club Mokanda, in this year’s CAF

Confederation Cup. The reigning Federations Cup champions will face the Congolese club in the first leg of the tie at the 13,500 capacity Stade Municipal de

CAF Champions League: I can’t promise Enyimba trophy —Aigbogun NEWLY-APPOINTED head coach of Enyimba, Paul Aigbogun, has said his target is not to win the CAF Champions League title this year.

The former Warri Wolves manager who took over from coach Kadiri Ikhana, says his main preoccupation is to make the 2003 and 2004 African champions have a better season on the continent this time.

The People’s Elephant last progressed past the group stages

of the competition in 2011 and Aigbogun believes expectations should be modest this year.

“I never set out to win the Champions League trophy with Enyimba this year.

“That will be looking too far ahead. My target is to do better than they did last year (when Enyimba was beaten in the first round by Egyptian club Smouha).

“The target for now is to win our preliminary round tie in

the competition and get into the next round,” Aigbogun told Supersport.com.

Enyimba will face Ugandan club Vipers in the preliminary round of the competition.

The first leg will be played this weekend at the 5,000 capacity Buikwe Stadium, Wakiso, while the return fixture will hold on February 28 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Pointe-Noire this weekend.

Cooreman however, says his men will be prosecuting the fixture without any prior knowledge of their opponents.

“This is the first time Akwa United will be playing a match on the continent and we know nothing about the team we will face (this weekend),” Cooreman told Supersport.com.

The Belgian trainer admitted that the situation is not ideal, while trying to draw parallels during his time in charge of seven-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba FC. “When I was with Enyimba, it was different. I knew the stadium, I knew the pitch and everything about the clubs that we faced long before the game,” he said.

Aggreh set to complete Pillars move

Enyimba’s Joseph Osadiaye

KANO Pillars are close to completing the transfer of the Super Eagles forward, Prince Aggreh from Sunshine Stars.

Aggreh featured for the homebased Super Eagles at the just-ended African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2016

in Rwanda, won by DR Congo, which dumped Mali 3-0 in the final last Sunday in Kigali.

Pillars spokesman, Idris Malikawa disclosed that Aggreh trained with the club in Ijebu-Ode last Sunday after he has agreed personal terms with the team.

“He and his agent have negotiated with the management and we hope to soon seal his transfer,” Malikawa said.

The former Heartland FC player is expected to join Pillars as a free agent as his contract with Sunshine Stars has lapsed.

Cooreman

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TUESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY, 2016

A man in Kenya who suffered 60 per cent burns after setting his house on fire, because his wife refused to prepare fish for dinner told police that he wanted to kill himself over the incident. Perhaps, will the police let the man undergo psychiatric test before he leaves hospital, or how will they guarantee the safety of his runaway wife if she returns to live with the man who once attempted suicide?

Musa eyes treble as CSKA rejects Leicester's £23m bid

Oliseh

Oliseh begs Nigerians after 'You Tube' outburst He is not fit for Eagles' job —Onigbinde

By Ganiyu Salman With Agency Reports

E

MBATTLED Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has apologised to Nigerians after his outburst through the social media where he described his antagonists as insane.

A number of soccerbuffs had condemned Nigeria's unimpressive performance at the fourth African Nations Championship (CHAN) which ended last Sunday in Rwanda, where the Eagles crashed out in the group stage.

Oliseh in a U turn after his outburst via his 'You Tube' channel last Sunday, tendered an apology to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well as soccerloving Nigerians for the unpleasant action.

Tijani Babangida, a member of his backroom staff told

Goal that the former Nigeria captain has expressed regrets over his action.

“He just sent a letter of apology apologising to everyone for his utterances and that he is sorry that he never wanted to attack the NFF or embarrass them,” Babangida said.

“He was just hurt and wanted the whole world to know that we have not been given money and he is also frustrated due to the high attacks on him and his crew.”

However, Demola Olajire, the NFF’s director of media, said that he had not been informed of the coach’s letter of apology as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, soccer technocrat, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde says Oliseh, from the outset was a wrong choice for the Eagles coaching job.

“The first issue is about his appointment, he claimed he didn’t beg for the job, in

other words, the NFF begged him. And I begin to ask what qualities did the NFF see in him and begged to have him lead the Super Eagles?

“I still feel it is a big slap on the country to appoint a Nigerian or a foreigner who has never handled any club or a big team to handle the Super Eagles. That is an insult, and now the insult is now being complicated.

“Oliseh is now calling his critics insane. I watched the video and at a point was shedding tears for Nigerian football but we deserve it.

Since he got this job, he has been going to Europe for treatment, shouldn’t the NFF have verified his health condition before being appointed. Now he has the gut to insult everybody,”Onigbinde said.

He noted that Oliseh failed to demonstrate professionalism after the CHAN 2016 debacle .

“You can imagine a coach coming out a day to the commencement of the African Nations Championship that his players are not well fed and all that, what kind of result do you expect from that kind of coach?

“The question now is, will this not affect our chances in future competitions?

Now we are causing more confusion and destroying the team further.

“That is in the hands of those managing Nigeria football. I have made several enemies speaking the truth. The fact is we have administrative problems bedeviling our football,” the former Trinidad and Tobago U-17 handler said.

Oliseh, it will be recalled, took over from sacked Stephen Keshi last July and has since played 11 matches with two losses once in a competitive game, five wins and four draws.

NIGERIA captain, Ahmed Musa has set his sights on winning a third Russian Premier League crown after his club, CSKA Moscow severally rejected offers including from the English Premier League table toppers, Leicester City during the winter transfer window.

Leicester according to the Daily Mirror tabled £23million bid before the Super Eagles captain, but CSKA refused to let go the forward who dazzled at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, who has scored 10 goals across all competitions this season, reminded CSKA of his worth with a goal to help beat Valarenga in a friendly last Wednesday.

Musa, who signed a new four-year deal last year has already won the Russian league twice, in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons.

The Jos-born star seems to have put behind him a failed move to England as he has scored two goals in the preseason camp ahead of league resumption.

Nigeria will face Egypt in a double header next month in its bid to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Musa

No Nigerian player makes CHAN 2016 XI

By Olawale Olaniyan

NO Nigeria player made the Tournament XI of the fourth African Nations Championship (CHAN) which ended last Sunday in Rwanda.

This revelation emerged from the list released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the tournament which was won

by DR Congo, which defeated Mali 3-0 in the final.

Nigeria failed to advance to the knockout stage after losing 0-1 to the Syli Nationale of Guinea in its last group C match, but the team's revela-

tion was Chisom Chikatara, who finished as joint top scorer of CHAN 2016 with four goals.

Chikatara, who scored the second hat-trick ever in the tournament, in the opener against the Menas of Niger Republic where Nigeria won 4-1, also scored against Tunisia in the second game which ended in a 1-1 draw, while he fired blank against Guinea in the last group match.

However, his exploits could only earn him a place on the substitutes list as he was not considered good enough to make the Tournament XI.

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. 9/2/2016.