9th September, 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,323 WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER, 2015 www.tribuneonlineng.com

Buhari sliding Nigeria into dictatorship —PDP govs —P37

•Condemn DSS' invasion of Akwa Ibom Govt House

Nigerian Tribune

Looters' trial: Sagay's committee, ICPC fail to agree on modalities —P2

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Nigerian Tribune

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STOCK MARKET: TOP 5 GAINERS

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FULL REPORT ON PAGE 12

How OBJ, Yar'Adua, Jonathan spent N2.74trn on power sector •Military govts killed power sector, Perm Sec alleges •Senators demand audited accounts of power ministry, agencies

—P3 Buhari orders review of Nigeria's foreign missions —P6

Osun workers to present pry school cert before receiving salary —P35

From left, Secretary, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Mr Lawrence Ekhator; Head, Mobile Money Financial Business, Globacom, Mr Esaie Diei; Gloworld Coordinator, Mr Ebenezer Kolawole and the Country Head, Ecobank Mobile, Mr Adeyinka Shorungbe, at the launch of Glo Xchange Mobile Money agents in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Stocks value rises by N105bn at NSE —P10

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Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Looters’ trial: Sagay’s committee, ICPC fail to agree on modalities Lanre Adewole -Lagos

HE secret exploratory talks between the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the presidential advisory committee on anti-corruption, on Tuesday, reportedly failed to provide a clear roadmap for the anticorruption war promised by President Muhammadu Buhari. While the ICPC reportedly favoured preventive measures, the presidential team reportedly favoured prosecution, recovery and jail-term.

The list of ongoing cases presented to the committee by the ICPC was also said to be considered “weak.” The list was said to be devoid of “heavyweight” suspects like former governors, former ministers and former National Assembly members. Nigerian Tribune had, last Monday, exclusively reported the coming of the meeting. The meeting, which held on Tuesday at the commission’s headquarters had many senior ICPC officials barred from it. The ICPC team was led by its chairman, Nta Ekpo, while the presidential team

was led by its controversial chairman, Professor Itse Sagay. Only a handful of ICPC top-shots were reportedly allowed at the meeting, with clear instructions to keep the details out of mass media. The meeting reportedly started a little after noon, following the arrival of the visiting team at about 12.00 p.m. An informed source revealed to the Nigerian Tribune that the meeting commenced with the ICPC team briefing the committee about the cases being handled, the modus operandi of achieving success, as well as the challenges facing the in-

vestigative and prosecuting activities of the commission. The presidential committee was said to have spoken to the need for an upgraded and inspired anti-corruption war in line with the desire of President Buhari. The need for a new approach was also said to have been strongly canvassed by the visiting presidential team, with the source disclosing that at this point, the ICPC team subtly submitted that with advanced funding, the current procedure, which was in line with standard practice, would yield better result. The presidential team reportedly favoured quick re-

sult either in loot recovery with reduced sentencing or full-blown prosecution when the suspects do not want to go into plea-bargaining. Though the covert divergent views reportedly did not resort in any overt disagreement, the Nigerian

Tribune source said there was likelihood of more meetings between the two groups. None of the two institutions was ready for comments on the meeting when contacted on Tuesday. Calls to Sagay’s lines were also not answered.

Troops intercept Boko Haram’s drugs suppliers FOLLOWING Army Headquarters directives to troops in the North East, troops of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, intercepted and arrested some kingpins and foot soldiers

of suppliers of Boko Haram terrorists with hard drugs and other stimulants between Depchi and Geidam, Geidam Local Government Area in northern part of Yobe State.

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Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

How OBJ, Yar’Adua, Jonathan spent N2.74 trillion on power sector •Military govts killed power sector, Perm Sec alleges •Senators demand audited accounts of power ministry, agencies Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

T emerged on Tuesday that Nigeria has spent the sum of N2.740 trillion on the power sector in the last 16 years. While the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, had told the Senate ad hoc committee investigating the power sector that the Ministry of Power spent the sum of N948 billion since 1999, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding company (NDPHC), Mr James Olotu, also said that the National Independent Power Project (NIPP) activities funded from the Excess Crude Account had gulped $8.23 billon (about N1.640 trillion). Igali also told the Senate committee that former military heads of state, who administrated the country from 1983 to 1999, failed to recruit engineers for the power sector throughout the period. The committee, headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari, was inaugurated two weeks ago by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who charged members to probe into the sources of darkness in the country. Igali told the committee that though the sum of N1.6 trillion was appropriated to the Ministry of Power within the period, the sum of N948 billion was eventually released. He also stated that the sum of N155 billion was released to the ministry to cushion the effects of the shortfalls in expenditure for the sector between 2009 and 2013. Speaking at the hearing, Igali said that out of 79 power generation units existing at the time, only 19 were functioning, adding that no new power plant was built between 1991 and 1999. He stated that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, brought life to the power sector, as the sector had largely depreciated with no new engineers when democracy returned in 1999. Despite the effort at investment by government, we have not been able to invest in a consistent manner in the power sector. “Investment from government and the private sector must go up gradually but consistently, as flunctuation will not help in our economic development. “I do know that despite government’s effort at funding power sector, the nation continues to experience epileptic power supply, howev-

er, it takes time to stabilise,” he said. According to the permanent secretary, power generation stood at 1,750 megawatt in 1999 when Obasanjo took over. He gave the breakdown of the appropriated funds released to the ministry from 1999, saying that in 1999, N11,205,842,051 was appropriated, but N6,697,964,119 released; in 2000, N59,064,381,817 was appropriated, N49,784,641,521 released; in 2001, N103,397,000,000

was appropriated, with N70,927,000,000 released; in 2002, N54,647,252,061 was appropriated, N41,196,117,172 released; in 2003, N55,583,099,000 was appropriated and N5,207,500,000 was released. He continued that in 2004, N54,647,252,061 was appropriated, N54,647,252,061 was released; in 2005, N90,282,833,404 was appropriated, N71,888,606,274 released; in 2006, N74,308,240,085 was appropriated, N74.3

billion released; in 2007, N100 billion was appropriated, N99.8 billion released; in 2008, N156 billion appropriated, N112 billion released and in 2009, N89.5 billion was appropriated, with N87 billion released. He added that in 2010, N172 billion was appropriated and N70 billion released; in 2011, N125 billion was appropriated, N61 billion released; in 2012, N197.9 billion was appropriated and N53.5 billion released; in 2013, N146 billion was appropriated and

N49 billion released; in 2014, N69.8 billion was appropriated and N48 billion was released, while in 2015, N5,240,000,000 was appropriated, with no money released. He also gave a breakdown of the N155 billion intervention fund released to the ministry, adding that the ministry got a total sum of N30.8 billion in 2009, N43.2 billion in 2010, N37.0 billion in 2011; N11.5 billion in 2012 and the sum of N32.6 billion in 2013. He told the committee that

the nation was experiencing increased power generation as the pipeline vandals had stemmed their activities. According to him, Nigeria's electricity generation had risen to 4,600 megawatts from 3,500 megawatts in 2013. He disclosed that the rise in generation capacity was due to the reduction in the degree of vandalism of power pipelines. The Permanent Secretary also stated that only 2,000 Continues pg44

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

5 news Military bans horses in Borno to stave off Boko Haram attacks

HE military has banned use of horses in Borno State, in order to stem attacks by the Boko Haram sect, a regional military spokesperson said on Tuesday. Insurgents on horsebacks have, in recent weeks, attacked remote communities in the troubled region, as an extensive military offensive to rout the insurgents intensified. “Military authorities have banned the use of horses in the entire Borno State to stave off Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks,” said the military spokesperson for Borno State, Colonel Tukur Gusau. The ban was imposed after talks with the state government and the council of traditional chiefs, he added.

Gusau said the military surge in the region had thrown the Islamic State group-allied rebels into “disarray”, cutting off their supply lines, including fuel. “This has forced the terrorists to abandon their vehicles due to lack of fuel and resort to the use of horses in launching attacks on remote villages. “President Muhammadu Buhari has made crushing the six-year insurgency his priority, such that in August, he gave the new military top brass three months to end insurgency. “That prompted intensive ground and air offensives against Boko Haram positions. “Buhari, a former military ruler, had sacked the previ-

ous senior command team, under whose watch the rebellion intensified, threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty and regional security,” he said. Gusau said the state-wide ban on horse-riding will allow soldiers to “distinguish locals from terrorists. “We know that only the terrorists will flaunt this ban and our troops will take the appropriate action when they come across such terrorists in accordance with the rules of engagement,” he added. Mallam Ba’Kura, a local chief in the recently liberated Dikwa district of northern Borno, confirmed the ban and said it had been endorsed by the state’s most influential chief and religious figure.

Buhari demands names of Nigerians using diplomatic passports illegally PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, directed that a list of people using diplomatic passports illegally be submitted to him. Speaking after being briefed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bulus Lolo, President Buhari said he intended to take a decisive action against offenders. “Something has to be done so that we can get back our respectability as a country. Some people carry official

passports and get involved in all sorts of negative acts. We need to do something about it,” the president told the ministry officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. On Monday, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had ordered past public officers to return their diplomatic passports. The former public office holders included governors, lawmakers at the national and state level, ministers, commissioners, local gov-

ernment chairpersons and their deputies. Also, retired heads of parastatals and other former public officers in possession of the Federal Government’s diplomatic passport were also asked to return them. The Comptroller-General of NIS, M.K Abeshi, said the passports previously held by the ex-public officers had been revoked and should be returned to the headquarters of the NIS, Abuja with immediate effect.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

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Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

FG to review number of Nigeria’s foreign missions Clement Idoko - Abuja

HE Federal Government may cut down number of Nigeria’s missions abroad, in view of the nation’s economic downturn occasioned by the dwindling oil revenue. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Paul Bulus Lolo, gave this indication shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, on the activities of the ministry. He disclosed that President Buhari had already asked that a committee be set up to look holistally at Nigeria’s representation abroad, in terms of size and the number missions. He, however, said no deadline was given by the president, but noted that action would be taken on the directive as soon as possible. Lolo disclosed that Nigeria currently had 119 missions abroad. He said: “Mr President asked the ministry to be realistic in terms of our representation abroad. We have 119 missions. He asked the questions whether we need to have that number or we rationalised based on our capacity. “Right now, the economy is looking down. We are trying to revive and revamp it. It is a matter of time. “The specific directive that he has given is that a committee be formed to look at the whole issue of our representation abroad, size and the number of missions on whether or not the

number should remain the same or we do something about those numbers,” he said. When asked about effect of possible cutting down missions abroad, the Permannet Secrtary said it was a matter of interest and ca-

pacity. “I believe what the president was saying to us was that we should cut our coat according to our material and not according to our size,” he said. On review of foreign policy direction, Ambassador

Lolo said review of Nigeria’s foreign policy was long overdue, saying, however, that the fundamentals of the nation’s foreign policy had remained sound, but relevant and that changes were the nuance that governments and regimes

THE Federal Government, on Tuesday, revealed that based on recent reports, over 54million Nigerians, out of the estimated 180 million population cannot read and write. Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Hindatu Abdullahi, who made this known in Abuja, at the flagoff of the 2015 International Literacy Day celebration, called for concerted efforts to improve the negative trend. This was against the backdrop of revelation by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), that over 757 million adults worldwide still lacked basic

for comprehensive review of the foreign policy. “The last comprehensive report was done in 1986, next year, it will be 30 years and I believe that even in the life of a child, you look back and ask, are you going in the right direction?”

Corruption: NLC, TUC advocate capital punishment for offenders Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja THE two labour unions in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday, canvassed capital punishment for any public officer found guilty of corrupt charges. In a joint press conference addressed at the Pasca Bafyau Labour House, Abuja, the NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the TUC president, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, also clamoured for immediate establishment of a special court that would speedily handle and discharge such cases. The press conference was on the scheduled national day of action against corruption and good governence, slated for Thursday, September 10. As their own contribution to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption war, the organised labour have scheduled a nationwide mass rally for Thursday and have called on all workers, their members and their civil society allies to troop out en masse to give voice in support of the president’s efforts. Comrade Wabba, who

kick-started the press conference, said the labour movements in the country had backed the anti-graft policy of the Federal Government, but added that the Buhari-led administration should go a step further by enacting capital punishment to serve as deterrent for any public official found guilty of corrupt charges. He attributed the growing phenomenon, where workers were being owed salaries for several months at state and local council

levels to corruption. The NLC president argued that if countries like China and Singapore had the courage to adopt capital punishment, it could also be tenable in Nigeria. Comrade Wabba pointed out that there was agreement about the fact that corruption had badly damaged the core of our national existence, but regretted that there was no agreement on how, as a nation, we can get out of the quagmire. He urged the Professor

literacy skills, with about two-third of them being women, mostly from Nigeria and other third-world countries. Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, in her message to mark the 2015 International Literacy Day, lamented that the number of out-of-school children and adolescents was on the rise, standing at 124 million worldwide. Abdullahi, in her speech, recalled that Nigeria in 2000, joined the rest of the world to commit itself to the six Education For All (EFA) goals and later the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which had 2015 as deadline for achieving their set targets. She said: “Regrettably, a global review of achieve-

Itse Sagay Presidential Advisory Committee on corruption to comb all our anti-graft legislations and make the appropriate recommendations for their tightening, for effective fight against corruption. He also also called on the anti-graft agencies, to as a matter of urgency, extend their searchlight to the other two tiers of government— states and local governments, adding that the level of impunity and lack of accountability at these levels were even

more brazen than at the federal level. In his own remarks, the TUC President, Kaigama, stated that both labour unions were ready to collaborate with the National Assembly to actualise the establishment of the special anti-corruption court. He also commended President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for publicly declaring their assets and noted that this should be a norm for all public officials, irrespective of class or status.

Industrial Court restrains NURTW from forcing stickers on transporters Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE National Industrial Court of Nigeria has restrained the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) from demanding for stickers from transporters in Offa, Kwara State, before they can operate in the area. It will be recalled that the state branch of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) had dragged the NURTW to national industrial court for engaging in acts capable

of breaching peace and security in the ancient city, seeking an order restraining the body. The two transport unions had engaged in a fracas over who controls motor parks in Offa town, which led to destruction of property. Following the fracas, the police waded in and arrested some suspects who were arraigned in court. Pending the matter in court, the RTEAN, through its lawyer, S. S. Umoh, on behalf A. R. Aminu and Co.,

Nigeria still has 54 million illiterates —FG Clement Idoko and Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

brought from time to time. He said: “I mentioned bringing the outcome of the retreat that was organised by the ministry only last weekend to assess our delivery, capability and mechanism and maybe suggesting that the time has come

ments and challenges of EFA since inception shows that some of the targets remain unattained, especially in many countries in SubSaharan Africa, including Nigeria. According to her, the 2013/2014 Global Monitoring Report (GMR) showed that countries like Brazil, China, Indonesia have attained 90 per cent literacy rate, while Egypt and India had about 70†to 89 per cent. But she said Nigeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan had literacy rate of less than 70 per cent. Her words: “Recent review of E-9 countries, a group to which Nigeria belongs, shows that Brazil, China, Indonesia have attained 90 per cent literacy rate, Egypt and India 70 per cent to 89

per cent, while Nigeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan have literacy rate of less than 70 per cent.” She noted that past governments generally gave more attention and resources to formal education programmes than the nonformal sub-sector, which accounted for a larger number of illiterate adults and outof-school youths. In her remarks, DirectorGeneral of the UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, called for more investment and effective policies to embed action for literacy within wider development policies. She further stressed the need for the Federal Government to prioritise education, as this would bring about sustainable development across the country.

had dragged the NURTW before the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos, seeking “for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents and or privies from further preventing members of the first applicants from loading their vehicles in Offa, pending the determination of the motion on notice.” The RTEAN alleged that the NURTW prevented its

members from operating transport business, saying members were compelled to pay for tickets branded with NURTW before they could load their vehicles. Consequently, Justice F.I. Kola-Olarere, on September 2, granted the order. The second injunction also restrained NURTW from preventing members of RTEAN from loading in Offa, pending the determination of motion on notice.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Lagosmetro Tola Adenubi

RUCKS drivers under the aegis of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) have commenced an industrial action over the enforcement of the Road Traffic Law by the Lagos State Government which restricted movement of trucks within the state between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. This is even as the boycott of container lifting services at the seaports by the truck operators has started affecting the cargo clearance procedure at the seaport terminals. Congestion is also setting in due to the fact that there are no trucks to carry containers out of the ports. Speaking to Lagos Metro in an exclusive interview, the President of AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, stated that his members have decided to withdraw their services due to the policy of the Lagos State government. “We have decided to withdraw our services from the seaports because the policy recently introduced by the Lagos State government does not have a human face attached to it. That policy is wicked and inhuman. “We will not commence

Truck ban: Showdown looms as govt begins clampdown •Drivers adamant, begin strike •Congestion looms at ports container evacuation from the seaports if they do not rescind that policy. We cannot work under those terms and conditions,” Ogungbemi stated. When Lagos Metro went round the seaports, it was observed that trucks were left parked along the road-

side without their drivers. Although many of the truck drivers left their trucks parked along a single lane along Wharf road thereby not causing any traffic gridlock, their refusal to go inside the ports has started affecting the cargo clearance chain.

Findings by Lagos Metro revealed that containers are gradually stacking up in large numbers due to no container-loading activities going on at the seaports terminals. When contacted for its reaction, the spokesman of the Nigerian Ports Author-

ity (NPA), Captain Ihenacho Ebubuegou, promised to get back to our correspondent. He was yet to as of press time. It would be recalled that the Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Oluseyi Whenu had disclosed at a

...Partial compliance at Abule Egba-Sango Akin Adewakun DESPITE the decision of the Lagos State government to restrict the movements of articulated vehicles to certain periods, it appears it might take some time before the rules are strictly adhered to. For instance, while there was a sudden disappearance of trucks on the ever-busy Agege Motor Road, especially the Abule Egba /Sango axis, at daytime on Monday, as a result of the new directive. However, they were back on Tuesday. articulated Different by Laseen vehicles were Egba, e Abul at o Metr gos around 1.30 pm, coming

A tanker seen at Maryland, Lagos on Tuesday. INSET: A trailer carrying a container seen on Tuesday morning in front of FRSC office, Ojodu. PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

from Ikeja and heading towards Sango in Ogun State. Some of state agents on that axis who volunteered information albeit on condition of anonymity said there was no directive to them to start apprehending violators.

...FRSC seizes trucks at Tollgate

...Ban violated at Oshodi, Iyana Oworo

Sylvester Okoruwa

Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

FEDERAL Road Safety Corp personnel were on Tuesday seen at the Lagos Tollgate arresting articulated vehicles coming into Lagos. A number of trucks, tankers and trailers were seen impounded and parked at the Lagos Tollgate in front of FRSC office. Attempts to get information on whether they would be fined or impounded did not yield fruit.

CHECKS by Lagos Metro revealed that trailers laden with containers plied routes like Berger, Oshodi and Iyana Oworo axis. Speaking with Lagos Metro, a commuter who gave her name as Blessing Anyanwu called on the state government to set up tax force to curb the menace. “This law has been suggested over and over again. It is about time the government sanctions wrongdoers,” she said.

meeting in Lagos with the leadership of the various transport unions in the state that trailers and articulated vehicles were no longer allowed to ply the city between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. to prevent accidents following the fatal one that occurred on September 2. He explained that the restriction was to ensure strict enforcement of the Road Traffic Law, which, according to him, was often violated by the trailer drivers. He said the government would henceforth go tough on any trailer that contravenes the law.

...Abule Egba, Lagos/Abeokuta Chukwuma Okparaocha LAGOS Metro which monitored the level of compliance with the government’s directive on the Lagos-Abeokuta counted no fewer than five trucks carrying various containers and which travelled without any noticeable disturbance or interference by

any law enforcement agency. At the ever busy Abule-Egba roundabout on the ever busy expressway, Lagos Metro spotted a truck with the two containers which was seen also struggling for space with other smaller vehicles at bad spots of the road. This roundabout is well known for the presence of

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Lanre Adewole 0811 695 4647

Security guard rapes employer’s 7-year-old daughter in Magodo Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 20-year-old security guard, Abass Haman, has been accused of raping his employer’s seven-year-old daughter. It was gathered that the accused, who lives in the gatehouse of his employers’ compound in Magodo, Lagos forced the sevenyear-old girl and had carnal knowledge of her. The victim narrated her ordeal to her friend and her mother was later informed. The accused was then apprehended by the police.

Everyday sight on Lagos roads: Overloading of rickety vehicles. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Brothers batter pregnant woman over electricity bill Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin TWO brothers have been arrested and charged before an Isolo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly battering a pregnant woman and her husband over electricity bill in Lagos. The suspects, Rabiu Rasaq, 42, and Sulaimon Rasaq, 38, allegedly assaulted Samuel Eke and his pregnant wife, Blessing, during a disagreement over payment of electricity bill. The incident happened at 9 Bakare Street, Mushin where they all reside. It was learnt the house belongs to the suspects’ late father. It was also gathered that before Samuel Eke and his wife moved into the house, the suspects had not been paying their electricity bill over the years. Trouble started after Rabiu and Sulamon asked

border too traffic officers, police officers as well as officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who all looked rather unperturbed as the truck manoeuvred its way round the roundabout like any other vehicles before eventually making its way towards the Agege end of the road.

Eke for his contribution to offset the electricity bill and he insisted that he would not pay unless they contributed their own share. This angered them and they allegedly grabbed Eke and Blessing and beat them up and damaged their property. The matter was reported to the police at Olosun Division and they were arrested and charged to court. They are facing charge of assault and malicious damage under the Criminal Code. They pleaded not guilty and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Adebayo granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. They were remanded in

prison custody at Kirikiri pending when they will perfect their bail.

The matter was adjourned till September 22, 2015.

‘Hungry’ labourer convicted for stealing crayfish, Indomie Bidemi Olowofela A 27-year-old man, Reuben Asom, has been arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ebute-Metta, Lagos for alleged theft of food ingredients worth N9,000. Reuben who resides at Railway Otto Market way, Oyingbo is facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, unlawful break-in and stealing. Reuben stated that he started loading fish at Suru-alaba market with Paramount Company Limited for about two years

He confessed that he went into a shop to steal Indomie, Maggi, pepper, egusi and crayfish. He said he did all this because he was hungry. He added that when the owner of the shop caught him, he was beaten and stabbed with bottles before he ran into a church. He further narrated that the people in the church also beat and inflicted injuries on him before he was rescued by the police. The magistrate, N.A Layeni adjourned the matter till September 10,2015 for sentencing.

Haman is facing a charge of rape. Prosecutor, Jimah Iseghede, told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 3 at his employer’s residence. The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravenes Section 258 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, denied the charge. The Chief Magistrate, Tajudeen Elias, adjourned the case till September 30 for ruling on the bail application.

UNILAG rape: Lecturer’s probe out soon Naza Okoli AUTHORITIES at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have said they would soon reveal the circumstances that led to the rape of an 18-year-old female admission seeker at the Faculty of Business Administration by a part-time lecturer, Dr Akin Baruwa, on July 23. It was learnt that the fourman committee set up by the management of the university to investigate the crisis was given up till this week to submit its report. The spokesperson of the university, Mr Olagoke Oke, disclosed this when he spoke with Lagos Metro on Monday. He said, “The committee was charged with the responsibility of finding out what led to the incident,

especially how Baruwa, who isn’t a member of the university staff, got access to the office in which the act was performed. The report will be submitted to the management this week, because this week was the deadline given to them, and then the management will decide what course of action to take.” The University of Lagos has maintained, on several occasions, that Baruwa (who is now facing criminal charges) was never part of its teaching or non-teaching staff. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNILAG chapter, Dr Adelaja Odukoya, while speaking to Lagos Metro via telephone on Monday, said the report of its own panel might be ready next week.

Lagos matron: Assembly, families set for deceased’s transition rites Chukwuma Okparaocha INDICATIONS have emerged that the Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as the Oriola and Aborishade families are set to begin the funeral rites of Mrs Caroline Oriola whose corpse was discovered in her office early last month. According to information made available to the media, the 54-year old chief matron’s wake-keep will

come up on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at her residence, in Ikeja area of the state, while Thursday, September 10, has been slated for the deceased’s funeral service, which will be followed immediately by interment. The Clerk of the House, Mr Olusegun Abiru has described the chief nursing officer who was on Grade Level 14 as a “versatile, dutiful, hardworking, commit-

ted and an outstanding staff who discharged her duty with total professionalism without fair or favour.” The Lagos House of Assembly, as already revealed by the Lagos Metro, has largely remained silent over the issue, especially after it became clear that the police have waded into the development with a view to conducting an investigation into what really happened. The late Mrs. Oriola was

said to have driven to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Saturday August 1, to receive drugs consignment from a supplier. Her remains were discovered hours later by a cleaner on routine work in her office on Monday, August 3, 2015. As contained in the report made available to the media, the late Oriola, was born on October 25, 1961 and joined the State Civil Service on June 13, 1988. She had a

Master’s Degree in Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was seconded to the State House of Assembly in 1999 and later transferred her service to Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission in 2013. The Ondo State native’s remains had been deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) morgue for autopsy.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015 10 businessnews Sugar importation: Council urges CBN to clampdown on quota defaulters

HE National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has expressed the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to beam its searchlight on local sugar refineries and producers flouting the existing presidential quota allocation of sugar importation into the country. It stressed that the act, if left unchecked, could frustrate the attainment of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) currently implemented by the Federal Government. In a press statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Dr Latif Busari, the council, which restated its commitment to the faithful implementation of the NSMP, reiterated its readiness to partner with relevant stakeholder to discourage sharp practices detrimental to the attainment of the NSMP and other national industrial goals. While soliciting for the cooperation of the apex bank in its efforts to ensure that local sugar refineries comply strictly with the approved presidential quota allocation and other sector regulations, the NSDC wants the bank to henceforth “deny foreign exchange facility to any refinery/company for any consignment in excess of the approved presidential quota allocation.” As part of the stringent measures to ensure that the country’s economic interest in the sugar sector isn’t toyed with for selfish reasons, the council wants the CBN to also, “deny foreign exchange facility for refined sugar importation not approved by the President”, as well as “deny foreign exchange facility for the importation of any sugar in retail packs.” The statement listed Dangote Sugar Refinery, BUA Sugar and Golden Sugar Company as the only local companies captured

in the 2015 raw sugar allocation and utilisation. In addition, Messrs Guiness Nigeria also got quota approval to import refined

beet sugar currently not produced in the country. The council also hinted that in spite of government’s ban on the importa-

tion of sugar in retail packs into the country, it had discovered that a company, Messrs Meditarion Nigeria Limited/Milan Group,

From left, Director, Product Development Department, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Henry Otowo; NEPC Executive Director, Mr Olusegun Awolowo and International Consultant on Technical Barrier to Trade, Dr Bruno Doko, during the inauguration ceremony of the InterAgency Technical Committee on Non-Oil Exports in Abuja, on Tuesday.

NEPC inaugurates committee on standardisation of non-oil exports Gbola Subair -Abuja WORRIED by the spate of rejection of some of Nigerian products in the international market, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council ( NEPC) has inaugurated an inter-agency committee designed to chart a proper focus for Nigeria’s non-oil exports towards achieving a zero reject policy and repositioning the non-oil sector as the nation’s first line revenue earner. The inter-agency technical committee includes trade information, export procedure and documentation and capacity building, quality standards and compliance. Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, stressed

that recent developments in the international economic and political scenes had drawn attention to the need for the country to reduce dependence on oil and urgently diversify the economy. Awolowo, who noted that Nigeria witnessed a steady growth in non -oil exports in 2013 by contributing USD 2.97 billion to the economy, representing 15.9 per cent increase over $2.561 billion in 2013, said all the gains were, however, being threatened by the recurring issues of rejects of Nigerian exported agricultural commodities and food items. He said: “Nigeria is on the EU restricted list for some products which stipulates that there should be 50 per cent physical inspection for specified imported food items, thereby

creating a barrier to food export trade.” Some of the reasons, according to the NEPC CEO, included non-compliance to administrative procedures like documentation

Tola Adenubi - Lagos

tinations on the continent, including Nigeria. Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday at the Djibouti Business Forum organised by the Djibouti Consulate and Sifax Group, Mr Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman, Djibouti Ports and Free Trade Zones Authority, said the challenge of long transit time to Africa was due to lack of adequate rail and air connections among African countries. In a bid to address this challenge, Aboubaker said Djibouti, which is located along the second busiest shipping

route in the world that transits 60% of the world maritime traffic, was making efforts, alongside other countries, to build maritime, aviation and other logistics infrastructures across the continent. This, he said, would boost trade on the continent. He said: “We are developing the sea-air cargo business to serve land-locked East and Central African countries, as well as far away West African countries which currently have to endure unreasonably long transit time for their imports coming from Asia.

import/export requirements, incorrect filling of information for entry, inadequate information and know-how on entry/ requirement for food imports to the EU.

Stocks value rises by N105bn at NSE THE value of shares traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Tuesday rose by N105 billion, moving from N10.334 trillion recorded previous day, to N10.439 trillion. The 1.02 per cent increase in the value of the stocks on the day’s transaction was represented by 30,358.87 points, up from 30,052.20 attained on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerian Breweries topped the gainers’ table with N2.80, to close at N128.05 per share.

Djibouti launches sea, air cargo services to Nigeria DJIBOUTI, one of the countries in the Horn of Africa, has finalised plans to launch sea, air cargo services to Nigeria and other West African countries. When this becomes fully operational, it is projected that the service will reduce transit time from Europe and Asia to Nigeria by as much as 50%. The service will involve shipping goods from major ports in Europe and Asia to Djibouti ports, from where such cargoes would be airlifted directly to various des-

had continued to flout the provision of the extant fiscal policies, an act it said shouldn’t be allowed to continue.

“This has been handicapping the business community for many years and the development of sea-air cargo services, especially for high value goods will be a great solution.” Aboubaker further noted that the country had invested millions of dollars in infrastructure development in order to meet the demands of becoming a multimodal regional hub for East Africa, as well as being a key player in the seamless connection of Africa, especially through rail and air.

Julius Berger followed with a gain of N1.50, to close at N43.50, while Zenith Bank gained N1.45, to close at N17.85 per share. Dangote Cements’ share price appreciated by N 1.31, to close at N170, while Okomu oil gained N1.23, to close at N25.83 per share. Conversely, Guinness led the losers’ chart with a loss of N3.78, closing at N25.22 per share. ConOil lost N2.92, to close the day’s trading at N27.13 per share, while UACN fell by N1, to close at N34 per share. Transcohot depreciated by 76 k, to close at N7.10, while Flour Mill declined by 50k, to close at N22.60 per share. NAN reports that a total of 226.648 million shares, worth N1.99 billion, were traded in 4,531 deals, compared with 214.954 million shares, valued at N1.76 billion, traded in 3,893 deals, the previous day. UBA emerged the most traded stock, accounting for 52.09 million shares, valued at N221.08 million, in 531 deals. It was trailed by Access Bank, which sold 28.61 million shares worth N145.09 million in 184 deals, while UBCAP accounted for 26.61 million shares, valued N40.69 million in 227 deals.

Nigerian Tribune

Ecobank, Zenith, others commend, pledge support for Glo Xchange PARTNER banks of Glo Xchange, the mobile money super agent network of integrated telecommunications network, Globacom, have recommitted themselves to the success of the mobile money super agent network while commending Globacom for the initiative. Glo Xchange agents, journalists and other guests present at the commercial launch of Glo Xchange agent network at Mike Adenuga Towers, headquarters of Globacom on Tuesday, also expressed their excitement about the introduction of the mobile money scheme. Speaking at the event, Mr Yinka Shorungbe, Country Head Ecobank Mobile, one of the partner banks, said that the Glo Xchange mobile money agency would bridge the existing gap in the financial sector. “This is true financial inclusion and this is the first time we are getting it right,” Shorungbe said. He pledged that the mobile money platform will soon be extended to customers in the Diaspora to facilitate offshore money transfers. Stanbic IBTC’s Network Manager, Chioma Okoye, said that “what Globacom has done is truly amazing. What we really need for mobile money to work is an ubiquitous mobile money agent network, and this is what Glo has provided.” She pledged the commitment of IBTC to the Glo Xchange project until the financial inclusion goal is attained. On her part, Nnenna Igbani of First Bank’s Agent Management and Mobile Financial Services department also pledged the continuous support of their organisations to the Glo Xchange mobile money project. She announced that all mobile money transactions are affordable and all agent transfers are free. Globacom has now rolled out about 1,000 well trained and market-ready mobile money agents that were recruited and trained last year at town hall meetings held in over 30 cities of the country. The company plans to inject 10,000 agents into the market in the next 12 months.

businessnews

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

CBN to sanction banks for non-remittance of FG’s revenue by Sept 15 C hima Nwokoji - Lagos

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned that it will impose severe sanctions on any bank that fails to remit all revenue due to the Federal Government or any of its agencies into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) or designated accounts maintained and operated in the apex bank by September 15 th. “Banks are therefore directed to ensure that all such funds are remitted in line with the directive on or before the given deadline,” the bank warned in a circular signed by the director of banking supervision CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins and obtained from its website yesterday The Presidency on Monday set a deadline of Tuesday, September 15, 2015 for full compliance with a directive that all revenue due to the Federal Government or any of its agencies must be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) or designated accounts maintained and operated in the CBN, except otherwise expressly approved. While President Buhari said the development is to aid transparency and facilitate compliance with Sections 80 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Managiing Director Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane said DMBs were heading into financial and operational storms in view of what he called the increasingly difficult conditions under which they are operating. According to Rewane, the performance of banking stocks is expected to worsen “as the operating environment remains volatile and economic slowdown persists.” Also, a Lagos-based fi-

nancial investment house, Afrinvest West Africa

Limited said the Nigerian National Petroleum Cor-

poration, NNPC, had earlier began withdrawing its

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim (centre), presenting the most recent in-house publications to the President/Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Chief (Mrs) Debola Osibogun, when the president paid a courtesy visit to NDIC’s Senior Management with other CIBN council members. From right is the CIBN first Vice-President, Deacon Segun Ajibola, CIBN second Vice-President, Dr Uche Olowu (second left) and CIBN Registrar/Chief Executive, Mr Seye Awojobi look on.

THE United States Government has said companies in the country want to invest in Nigeria and its people but only if there are investor-friendly policies and reforms that will make Nigeria an attractive place to do business. It expressed full support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to fight corruption and said it will go a long way towards

“This had an impact on liquidity level in the banking system, resulting in a surge in money market rates during the period as banks scrambled for funds to cover their liquidity positions. “With the TSA implementation now extended to all federal MDAs, the Nigerian banking industry, on an aggregate basis, would be affected in terms of deposits and funding cost structure.” In a related development FBN Capital, an investment arm of FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, stated in its money market reports last week that the NNPC withdrew about N400 billion from the banks last month pushing cost of funds: Open Buy Back, OBB, and overnight interest rates to a record high of 50 per cent.

IBEDC parleys stakeholders on tariff review By Kehinde Akinseinde IBADAN Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has revealed plans to review its tariff plans to mitigate losses recorded in the cause of conducting its business. The company, while making this known to its stakeholders at a public consultation forum on tariff review of Oyo and Ibadan region, on Tuesday in Ibadan, said it was expedient for IBEDC to redress its tariff structure to avoid collapse of the power sector and to ensure that customers get increased power supply. Regional Technical Director, IBEDC, Mr Moses Oyewole, while explaining the tariff review objectives, said the restructuring would address the challenges of the past which include non cost-reflective tariff, inadequate power supply, poor metering, inaccurate billing and obsolete infrastructure, among others.

Other objectives of the tariff review, according to him, are “to build on the improvements achieved so far, such as network strengthening, distribution capabilities, customer service and metering; and to build the foundation for the future which is a 10-year plan premised on fairness, empathy and equity between customers and the industry.” IBEDC said the key areas of the review would be the capital expenditure, operational cost requirements, power availability and ATC&C losses which would determine the tariff structure. Deputy Managing Director, IBEDC, Mr Oladipo Ayodele, while giving further explanation said the company could not continue to run on credit as the company needed to make upfront payments for its investment each year and as well recover the same in addition to interest over the

life of the asset. Mr Ayodele revealed that the operating and maintenance expenses in the contract during the acquisition of the company from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was not what is actually required to fully cover the level of operations envisaged, thus laying a burden on IBEDC resulting in losses on the part of the company. However, stakeholders at the forum, expressed their

making Nigeria a more attractive place to invest. Charles Rivkin who is Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs spoke in Abuja at Nigeria-American Chamber of Commerce conference and said that US has already encouraged Nigeria to create a business friendly environment that welcomes outside investment, safeguards intellectual property rights, and does not rely on trade bar-

riers. “We are encouraging the new administration to adopt policies that welcome foreign firms, protect their intellectual property, and allow firms the freedom to use their supply chains as they see fit,” he said. According to him, Nigeria is capable of competing in the global marketplace, but noted that Nigerian industries will not be able to compete if they continue

dissatisfaction saying that the tariff should either remain the same or reduced. They added that the company should addressthe removal of fixed charges, estimated billings and metering issue, among others. Mr Tayo Badmus from Oke Ogun, said IBEDC should not in any way increase its tariff as there were challenges meeting the present tariff, especially the estimated billings. He noted that the issue should

be addressed without delay so that the injustice of paying for others’ shortcomings would be totally dealt with. The Deputy MD, however, assured that their views would be duly relayed to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), as Distribution Companies (DISCOs) had no control over the cost of power which is usually passed to consumers as tariff based on the pricing agreed between the GENCOs, TCN and NERC.

SEC suspends Stanbic IBTC Holdings’ right issue Chima Nwokoji - Lagos THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has suspended the proposed rights issue of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, pending the resolution of enquiries from other relevant regulatory bodies. Shareholders of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc had ear-

Our firms ready to invest in Nigeria if... —US Christian Okeke - Abuja

funds from banks for retirement into CBN.

to rely on import bans and high tariffs to survive. Rivkin noted that the US government was committed to doing everything it can to support the new government’s economic reform plans as well as it efforts to tackle corruption and reform the energy sector. He said, “My purpose is simple: to do my part to continue to advance our economic engagement in this region, of which Nigeria plays a vital role.

lier approved a proposal by the Board of Directors to allow shareholders receive new ordinary shares, instead of the whole or any part of the interim dividend to be declared for the financial year ending December 31, 2015. As part of the Stanbic IBTC scrip dividend scheme, the new ordinary shares was to be credited as fully paid, and expected to rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares of the company, according to the resolution, which was unanimously adopted at the company’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting that took place in Abuja recently. In response to the suspension, the management of Stanbic IBTC Holdings said it has noted the suspension by SEC of its proposed rights issue, pending the resolution of enquiries from certain relevant regulatory bodies. “The management of Stanbic IBTC will continue to

engage with the relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that these enquiries are addressed in a time. Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, the banking subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, remains well capitalised and has sufficient liquidity,” the management stated in a notice. Reacting to the suspension in a statement, the bank said: “Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC notes the suspension by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission of its proposed rights issue, pending the resolution of enquiries from certain relevant regulatory bodies. The management of Stanbic IBTC will continue to engage with the relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that these enquiries are addressed in a timeous manner. Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, the banking subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, remains well capitalised and has sufficient liquidity.”

business

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

DAILY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) FOR TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2015

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

14 news 2015 EKITI STATE EDUCATION SUMMIT PHOTOS: Tommy Adegbite IN ADO EKITI

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Ekiti education summit tasks stakeholders Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

ARIOUS stakeholders, including university dons, education experts and administrators on Tuesday brainstormed at the Ekiti Education Summit organised by the state government to profer solutions

to problems the government said it identified in the primary and secondary education sector of the state. At the well-attended programme held at the Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Hall in Ado Ekiti, speakers agreed primary and secondary education in the state was in dire straights and

Why Ajimobi has not appointed commissioners —Oyo Chief Whip 1

THE Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has explained that the non appointment of commissioners by the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in the last 100 days, was a deliberate attempt to ensure credible cabinet that will move the state forward. Mr Akinmoyede, who represents Lagelu constituency, told journalists in Ibadan, on Tuesday, that the governor was being careful and strategising in selecting people that will work with him. “The political structure that would be put in place is that which will favour the masses and the party, that is why the governor has been careful Over the issue of appointments,” he added.

While maintaining that the governor has succeeded in giving hope to the people of the state, the lawmaker said that Senator Ajimobi’s achievements in the state are unprecedented. He further stated that the APC led government in the State will not appoint corrupt people that can dent the achievements of the present administration. His words: “Governor Ajimobi is†a man of integrity that has the love of the masses at heart.All what we need is to demonstrate strong sense of commitment towards the growth of the State. The lawmaker urged the people of the state to be patient with the governor as he unfolds his developmental plans in the State.

needed urgent intervention. The state governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, at the opening of the summit declared that his administration would do everything humanly possible “to restore the lost glory of education at all levels in the state,” and added that the summit was aimed at bringing back sanity to the sector and seek partnership with interested individuals and stakeholders towards making the goal a reality. He regretted that the once vibrant education sector he left behind in his first term tenure had been destroyed and left to rot, saying “I want an education sector that will be disciplined, qualitative and result oriented.” He said: “The policy direction of my administration is to put teachers first among several other challenges. To achieve all of these, it is my determination that the drivers of the education project, top of who are the teachers will be given the required attention.” Fayose said the target of the summit was to work on how best to restore the lost glory of education, address current poor state of infrastructure in schools as well as placing teachers appropriately as major stakeholders.

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4 1. Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Ayodele Fayose; Are Afe Babalola and the chairman, Ekiti Education Summit, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, exchanging pleasantries during the 2015 Ekiti State Education Summit, in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday.

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2. Cross section of traditional rulers, at the event. 3. From left, Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka; Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo and the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, at the event. 4. From left, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Pastor Kolawole Oluwawole; Commissioner for Education, Mr Jide Egunjobi and the deputy governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kolapo Olusola.

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Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Deinde Fernandez

FUNOLOGY

• He was a Nigerian Business mogul, Diplomat and Permanent Representative of Central African Republic to the United Nations. He was considered one of the richest men in Africa. He was so rich that he owned an island in America.

CHURCH BOY

• Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1936.

• He was also once the Consul for Benin Republic (then Republic of Dahomey). He was a long-time adviser to President José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola. • In 1992, he was appointed as Special Adviser to the President of Mozambique on International Economic Matters, a position he held for three years.

SEGELUULU

• Fernandez, a friend of George Bush snr, died September 1, 2015 in a Belgium hospital during a brief illness. He was 79.

THERE ARE 10 DIFFERENCES IN THE CARTOONS BELOW. THE DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE MARKED IN B

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

18 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

editor

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

Need for Nigeria to diversify its economy

IGERIA is definitely on the right path with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. I am happy that the president has said that we need to diversify from our over-

reliance on oil to other sectors of the economy. In the last decade, Nigeria, alongside Sudan, Algeria and Angola were the only oil-producing countries on the continent. There was also no shale oil production then, and the

Yoruba people should unite PERMIT me to use this opportunity to call on Yoruba people in the country, and those in the Diaspora to unite so that we can fight for the interest of the group on a common front. I believe Yoruba people are suffering today because of the curse placed on them by Alaafin Aole in 1835, but it is high time we revoked the curse. Before talking about how to revoke the curse, let me just explain what really brought about the curse. Afonja, the then oba of Ilorin and the Are Onakakanfo (Commander of the Yoruba army) had rebelled against Alaafin Aole. In annoyance, Alaafin Aole placed a curse on the Yoruba race, saying the race would fall in the face of onslaught by foreign armies. Today, Yoruba people are the best in wherever one finds them, but they will never unite to fight their ‘wars’ on a common front. Since the late Aole placed the curse, there has been no unity among Yoruba people, with many only fighting for their personal interests. Our tribe is afflicted with jealousy, betrayal, hatred, witchhunting, among others. This is the same problem we are facing in today’s democracy; we have seen instances whereby Yoruba politicians have been stopped from attaining high positions by their fellow Yoruba. This is so unfortunate. Yoruba in Kogi and Kwara are also fighting to be geographically linked to their brothers in the South West, but we are not hearing anything from our people in the mainland. We should all come together to fight this war so that Yoruba people outside

the South West can be reunited with their kinsmen. Yoruba people must start praying so that the curse placed by the Alaafin Aole can be reversed; I am happy that we have great men of God who are from the Yoruba ethnic stock; they should also lead the prayer so that we can break the curse. Not being united will bring us a lot of problems. •Oluwole Peter, Oke Ere, Yagba West, Kogi State.

United States was importing more that 50 per cent of its oil from Nigeria. Today, more countries are now producing oil on the continent, and they no longer need to buy oil from us. A good example of this is Ghana. This West African neighbour used to buy oil from Nigeria, but today, it is an oil-producing nation. The shale producers in the US and Canada have also helped in reducing the demand for our oil in North America. What we are having on our hand now is a supply glut; more countries are now producing oil, and less countries buying. As a result of this, it is now a buyers’ world. Oil buyers dictate the terms because they have alternatives. President Buhari is also a farmer, and he knows the importance of investing in agriculture.

Many of our youths are unemployed today, but if we can focus on agriculture, we can reduce unemployment by 100 per cent. We still import over 70 per cent of what we consume in this country; if our youths can be assisted to start their agricultural ventures, then we will definitely reduce the huge capital outflow. It is as a result of this that I want to commend former President Goodluck Jonathan, who launched the YouWin programme. Through this, many youths who have business ideas are supported with funds to execute it. President Buhari should not just jettison all the projects of the Jonathan administration. He should look at the success the past administration had made and expand it. The Jonathan government also focused on the establishment of car fac-

tories in the country. Nigeria is a huge market for car makers, and this policy will help create jobs for our people. The most important thing, therefore, is for President Buhari to surround himself with intel-

ligent people who can map out strategies that will make this country a multieconomic country. •Nelson Ekwale, UNIBEN, Edo State.

Waiting for Buhari’s ministers SINCE his inauguration on May 29, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has been steering the affairs of the nation solely without the appointment of ministers. Nigerians have been clamouring for the president to unveil his ministerial list, but he is yet to do so, and as a result, he has come under heavy criticism. In response to the criticisms, the president had given reasons why he is yet to appoint the team who

would work with him. He had, however, promised that he would make the list available by September. But September is here, and failure to abide by his words might cause Nigerians to end up losing interest in his government, irrespective of what he brings to the table. The president would be seen as a dictatorial leader and as a result, he would have betrayed millions of Nigerians who reposed their trust in him by giving him their votes and the constitution he vowed to protect and uphold while taking the oath of office. Though we voted for Buhari, we know he cannot steer the ship of this nation alone. He needs people who will articulate sound ideas that will help achieve government objectives. He needs people who will advise and assist him, while he performs his constitutional duties as the president; and he needs people to see to the day-to-day running of the ministries. All these and many more are the reasons he needs hardworking and noncompromising ministers. It should be noted that at the end of the day he will be held liable for everything that goes on in his administration. The question now remains that can he shoulder these responsibilities alone all in the name of saving some money for the country by not appointing a minister? I would rather advice the president to look out for professionals and technocrats who will work to bring back the nation’s glory irrespective of their backgrounds. •Solomon Odeniyi Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.

editorial

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

NERC: Another nebulous relief

HE senate’s demand that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) provide justification for the monthly Fixed Charge being collected from electricity consumers by the Distribution Companies (DISCOS) has driven the commission to offer another nebulous relief. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, August 17, 2015 that the DISCOs had agreed “to find a way to restructure the Fixed Charge such that a consumer who does not receive electricity does not pay the Fixed Charge.” He said the commission had held several consultations aimed at guaranteeing financial viability in the industry without making consumers to pay for electricity not consumed. The NERC has, at different times, sounded like an organisation committed to the protection of public interest only to disappoint the people’s expectations at the end of the day. In April last year, Dr. Amadi offered a relief that no consumer could take advantage of. He announced that consumers were authorised to refuse to pay the Fixed Charge for any month in which they did not enjoy electricity supply for 15 days. The condition precedent that he gave for anyone to enjoy such a right was that the culpability of the distribution company must be firmly established. In our subsequent comment, we sought to know what, in the judgement of the NERC, would constitute a day whether supply for one hour or even less would be equated with service for one full day or whether consumers could base their claim on 360 hours which make 15 days. It was apparent that the commission granted the relief with tongue in cheek. In its response to persistent public protests against the Metre Maintenance charge, the NERC rose to the occasion by promptly putting an end to it. The action that earned the organisation widespread commendation was followed almost immediately by the introduction of the Fixed Charge which was tied to no particular service to electricity consumers. The chairman/CEO of the commission defended the Fixed Charge as a global best practice and he has continued to defend it at every available opportunity. His argument is that its abolition will adversely affect the upgrade of the system. The recent announcement by Amadi that only those who receive electricity will pay the Fixed Charge falls into

the same category with April last year’s authorisation to consumers to refuse to pay this unjustifiable component of the electricity tariff unless the 15-day supply condition is satisfied. The modus operandi of the regulatory agency suggests that it no longer sees electricity supply as a monopoly. It appears oblivious of the fact the privatisation of the utility has not altered the fact that today’s DISCOs are also monopolies. Like their predecessors, the DISCOs have no competitors and they have been exploiting this undue advantage to fleece the customers who, in normal circumstances, should be treated as kings. A substantial percentage of consumers’ premises are unmetred and estimated billing, characterised by utter arbitrariness, remains a major issue almost two years after the privatisation that was touted as the final answer to Nigeria’s power problem. A great percentage of consumers have continued to bear the burden of unconscionable bills while applications for metres take years to be attended to when not ignored. How many consumers have had the Fixed Charge removed from their electricity bills on the grounds that they did not enjoy power supply for 15 days in any particular month? The regulatory agency is eminently positioned to access such figures - if they exist - and share them with Nigerians. The utility has a history of forcing consumers to pay for services not rendered and getting away with it. Will these same exploitative distribution companies voluntarily remove the Fixed Charge from consumers’ bills? The NERC should give a decisive instruction to the DISCOs instead of leaving it to them to do whatever satisfies their business interests? The statement that any consumer who does not receive electricity will not pay the fixed charge is strikingly illogical. Should such a consumer pay anything at all? What will they be paying for? Darkness? Doesn’t that contradict Amadi’s statement that consumers should not pay for services not rendered? There have, at different times, been reports of protests by communities to which outlandish bills had been issued after months in total darkness. Is the regulatory agency endorsing the extortion to which people in such a situation are always subjected? It should not be left to the DISCOs to decide what to do in such a situation. They should be told what to do in the public interest. Enough of nebulous reliefs.

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opinion

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Buhari’s 100 days in office By Daminabo Franklin FOR a government that is yet to deliver any spectacular benchmark against its self-imposed messianic mission and the wellspring of support that heralded its rise to power, it is understandable that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s first 100 days in office has been mired in controversy. It needs not have been so. The controversy arose largely from the divergent views expressed by the president and leaders of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the matter. While the APC leaders had confidently asked Nigerians to wait for Buhari’s scorecard after his first 100 days, the president had left no one in doubt that he did not subscribe to any form of jamboree to showcase his performance. Nigerians will readily agree with President Buhari on the need to do away with the jamboree but not on the desirability of periodic stock-taking. To resist a jamboree should not automatically translate to a complete disavowal of the historical nexus between the first 100 days in office and the performance trajectory of an administration. The crux of the argument is the legitimate expectation that a leader should be able to establish the benchmarks of his administration after 100 days in office. In other words, a leader who is still groping for a roadmap after 100 days risks being dismissed as ill-prepared for the task. Paradoxically, people are beginning to regard the Buhari administration in that light particularly with his failure to constitute his cabinet, a group whose membership he should have known even before being elected. Nigerians are not excited by the argument that he is looking for ‘saints,’ the unblemished extra - terrestrials whose monk - like distaste for material things would accord Nigeria respect on the global transparency index. At the other end of the assessment, it is tempting to subscribe to the argument that operating without a cabinet (a violation of the Constitution?) gives him the opportunity to run the country as a sole administrator while implementing some hidden agenda. So how has he fared in his first 100 days? Let us recall that Buhari had hinged his voter appeal on three cardinal premises: waging a war against corruption, rolling back terrorism and revamping the economy to create jobs. Full power supply and such other economic indices were all embedded in these broad categories. We can proceed to examine his performance against these parameters. However, before we go any further, it is remarkable that in spite of the bitter campaign that preceded his election, it has not occurred to the President to unambiguously benchmark national reconciliation or healing as an important and urgent national challenge. Most Nigerians heaved a sigh

of relief when, at his inauguration, he stated that he would be President for all. However, it will appear that the applause went off too early: indeed, it is a source of immense anguish that in his first 100 days, President Buhari has, through his utterances and appointments deepened the religious and ethnic divides that have been the bugbear of national life in Nigeria. When he made the tacit reference about discriminating against those who did not vote for him, many had thought that it was a slip of tongue. But those who know Buhari very well had no doubt whatsoever that he meant every word of his. That explains the fact that out of all his appointments so far, he has conveniently ignored the South East geo-political zone as if it does not exist. Some have argued that it is a throwback to his first coming as military head of state when there was no military officer of South East extraction in the first Supreme Military Council he constituted; others have pointed to the low coverage of the South East when he was chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) during the reign of General Sani Abacha. To make matters worse, statistically, it can be argued that, going by the appointments he made in his first 100 days, Buhari regards the entire south as a mere supporting cast in the Nigeria

project. Besides, the administration needs to convince the public that limiting the anti-corruption fight to the Jonathan era meets the tenets of fair play and does not amount to a witch-hunt or selective justice. Not with scandals like Halliburton and Siemens still very fresh in our minds and begging for resolution. To be seen to be fair, Buhari should throw his searchlight back to 1999. That’s not too far back: the records of oil receipts, power and road sector projects as well as the privatization process are still available. As a matter of fact, it has been suggested that to give his anti-corruption fight greater credibility, the President should start by probing the sources of funds for his campaign. Sure President Buhari is familiar with the adage that to come to equity, one must do so with clean hands! We can only wait and see how this drama plays out. Meanwhile, it is too early in the day to pass a verdict on the economic programmes of the government. But critics are quick to point out that his promise to firm up the value of the Naira has not been fulfilled. Such critics argue that failure to anticipate the collapse in oil price is indicative of a weak economic team and a clear danger that we are in for a government by guess work. What about the improved power supply situation? Nobody expects Buhari to take credit for this. For this is one sector where his administration is yet to take any major step in its first 100 days? What we are left with is the inescapable conclusion that the country is beginning to reap the dividends of the sustained implementation of the power sector road map even into the dying days of the Jonathan administration. To acknowledge this contribution will not, in any way, diminish the stature of President Muhammadu Buhari, a stature that has been adroitly demonstrated in his commanding presence in the West African subregion in the past few months. In summary, the feeling out there is that in spite of the frenzy over the anti-corruption campaign, from a policy standpoint, the first 100 days of Buhari have been marked by a befuddled vision and the unmistakable absence of any clear landmarks except for provocative infractions of extant civil service rules and the disquieting repudiation of the federal character principle. Whether Buhari will learn the lessons and correct his mistakes or whether, like the Bourbons of France, he chooses to learn nothing from history, is left to be seen. • Daminabo Franklin wrote in from Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State of Nigeria.

Adefuye: Celebrating one of Nigeria’s most erudite diplomats By Femi Soneye

PROFESSOR Adebowale Adefuye was a diplomat par excellence. He was one of Nigeria’s best professional diplomats at the time of his death. In his long and distinguished career, Prof Adefuye served in a number of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, including United States, Jamaica, Belize and was a former director of strategic planning at the British Commonwealth Group. After 14 years with the Commonwealth, Adefuye took a job with the Economic Community of West African States, where he served as an Advisor for two years, from 2008 to 2010. He became the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States in 2010. Professor Adefuye was intelligent and handsome, always well dressed. He could walk into any international gathering and mingle comfortably with royalty and the elite. He could lecture for hours without notes. His many skills brought credit and honour to the country. My association with Prof Adefuye at the embassy of Nigeria, Washington, was very different. Working closely with him, I saw his benevolence and magnanimity. He was ready to help anyone who needed his assistance or guidance. I remember a top level meeting I had the privilege of attending with him at the US State Department. It was an emergency meeting, as a matter of fact we had to divert from an event to answer the summon from the US government. The US government had concerns and wanted clarification. At the meeting the manner in which Prof Adefuye spoke was indicative of his rich knowledge of all the four ‘vedas’ as well as intricacies of grammar. Besides, his articulation of speech and scholarly use of the language was simply outstanding and whatever he spoke came straight from his heart with no hint of hypocrisy. Adefuye was quick to seize the opportunity as he saw a great possibility of forging a win-win alliance. Quite predictably, the meeting took place at the State Department, which led to a treaty of friendship and mutual help. His articulation of the issue, the sequence in which he deliv-

ered the message, his choice of words and expressions to describe Nigeria, the manner in which he introduced his government and himself while seeking his friendship and alliance with the US government – all make for a wonderful lesson in the subtle art of diplomacy. My first encounter with Prof Adefuye was a little over three years ago, when he requested to see me in his office, after series of media fireworks against the government of Nigeria. I well remember my trepidation facing him on that occasion. I remember on August 7, 2015 the last time I saw him, he was

Professor Adefuye was intelligent and handsome, always welldressed.

full of life, we laughed together, discussed every topic and he shared with me some new things that God has done in his life. He was looking forward to a new challenge with hope and enthusiasm. It was not all rosy, as he also shared some disappointments with me, especially the role played by some folks in the last one month. He kept me for over two hours as we discussed everything, at the end of the meeting, he sent me on an errand, an assignment he never waited for me to return with the message. If I knew it would be the last time that I would see you walk out of the door, I would have given you a hug and a kiss, and would have called you back for one more. It is true what they say, you do not realise what you truly have till it is gone. Prof Adebowale Adefuye, you meant so much to a lot of people and you are going to be missed immensely. You were a warm-hearted and tender person to all. If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, I would videotape each action and word. So I could play them back day after day. On the 28th of August 2015 you were taken away from us unexpectedly. It was indeed a shock to all those who knew you. I know you are in a better place now, pain free, and happy, but still it does not feel like this has actually happened. We are going to miss you so much and I know so many people are too. You are always going to have a place in our lives and hearts. I can sit here thinking of what could have been, should have been and would have been if things were different, but that is not what I want to concentrate on. I want to hold onto and remember the good memories I have of you. Prof, I think of you as a person of great integrity, intellectual curiosity, candour, warmth and good humour. Sleep tight Baba. Rest in Peace. •Soneye is the Publisher and CEO of Per Second News.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015 Editor: Bayo Alade featuresdesk@yahoo.com 0805 500 1747

features A crowd of affected subscribers waiting to register their SIM cards at the MTN office, Lagere, Ile-Ife.

SIM re - registration: The fustration, agony of subscribers

In the aftermath of an NCC directive, VERA ONANA writes on the hardship Nigerians are facing as they attempt to reregister their SIM cards.

EMITAYO’s mother was baffled as she attempted for the umpteenth time to put a call through to her son who was supposed to pick her up from the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. Astonishingly, she had spoken with him in the morning before boarding at the Kano airport, but all her efforts at reaching him in Lagos failed as she heard the same message at every trial “the person you are trying to call has been barred from receiving calls.” This occurrence is typical of several other traumatic experiences that have trailed the recent, National Communications Commissions (NCC) directive on full Subscribers Identity Module (SIM) cards registration. The commission had on June 15, 2015 warned telecommunications operators in the country to either reregister the SIM cards of some of their subscribers whose data were not properly taken or risk heavy monetary fines. Consequently, some network providers have been sending out notifications to affected subscribers before barring their GSM lines while some others have done so without prior notification. In order to avoid such incidences, affected network subscribers nationwide have mostly dropped everything to comply with the mandate of network providers, but how easy has the SIM registration exercise been? Nigerian Tribune spoke with a number of affected subscribers who once again, have had to go through arduous circumstances to comply with another sudden directive or face disconnection. Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, a student who simple identified himself as Adekunle la-

Saheedi

Adekunle

mented bitterly about the stressful condition he has been subjected to in a bid to register and verify his MTN SIM card. “I got the message last week and I never paid any attention to it, but MTN kept sending it intermittently. In fact, I got about 30 messages reminding me of the registration. It got nauseatingly unbearable, so I decided to visit this registration outlet as the MTN office was literally flooded with people. The annoying thing is that I have registered this SIM card before. I don’t know what this rubbish is all about again. This is simply unjust,” he said. Talking about his experience at the registration centre, Adekunle said “It has not been easy. I’ve been waiting for over three hours and I cannot say for sure if my SIM card will be registered today. I was here yesterday and I was given a serial number but it I couldn’t get it done because the crowd was too much. This is simply unjust

and unbearable.” Another student who does not want to be named complained bitterly to Nigerian Tribune: “The only reason I am taking all this ill treatment is because I cannot afford to lose this phone line; it is my main contact. So, I had to put off all my activities in school and endure this scorching sun for the registration. Here in Ile-Ife, we have only two registration centers. MTN needs to do something about this; people should come here to register at their own convenience. Subscribers should not be threatened by service providers. Imagine barring people’s lines within such short time frame. It is unfair,” he concluded. For Mrs. Adelowo, a civil servant, the exercise has been tremendously inconvenient. She said: “A text message was sent to me reminding me of this registration after I’ve done it before. I have been here since previously trying to get my SIM card

registered. It has not been convenient for me because it is time-consuming; I left my work just for this registration. I was here around 9am and I left at about 5pm but I still could not get it done because of the crowd that thronged this place. The number was about 600 and we agreed that they would start from where they stopped yesterday, but the agreement flopped. Now we are starting all over again. It has been tedious and time consuming.” However, she added that subscribers were better off not being treated like beggars. She stressed that since money was being made off service users, they deserved better treatment from network service providers. Tunde Akanbi, a student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, bitterly narrated his experience. “This is my second time of coming here to no avail. I was here yesterday, but my SIM was not registered. I just hope that I can get it done today. I have been here since 5:30am this morning. It is really annoying,” he said. Olubanke Saheedi, a retired military officer insisted that the exercise was detrimental to the health of the aged and pregnant women. “Many people have been coming for the past one week for this registration. This exercise has distracted a lot of people from their personal businesses. MTN is not helping Nigerians at all because whenever you recharge they deduct unnecessarily,” he said. Going further, he added that “the bad thing is that we have been queuing under the sun, MTN did not even provide any form of shelter for us; no canopy. I will say Continues

pg22

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Before you buy that shaving stick By ‘Laolu Afolabi

shaving stick is as important to men as cosmetics are to women. It is one essential thing men use to keep themselves neat. For many, even after using a shaving stick, after-shave lotions and creams are applied on the face to keep it smooth and bumps free. Women too make use of shaving stick. Therefore, in choosing a particular shaving stick, certain things must be considered by men, in order not to allow bumps and rashes to spring up all over their faces. These days, many counterfeit producers have taken over the market, producing fake and unapproved products for unsuspecting consumers. Some even go to the extent of producing these fake products with brand names of some wellknown and established companies in the market. Recently, two companies in the country laid claim to original BIC products, which has in its stock the BIC shaving stick. While a company known as Nigerian Ball Point Pen Industies (NIPEN) said it has the franchise for the marketing of the product, another Onitsha-based company, BENDUSCO said it also had the right to distribute in BIC’s name. However, fake products in circulation have always put consumers’ lives at risk. There is the fear for consumers’ health. There had been complaints from consumers who had fallen victims of such products. Report of rashes, bumps on skin of unsuspecting users and other untoward health issues are very common. Some customers have switched their allegiance to other products due to their inability to differentiate between fake and original products. This development has reduced patronage and loss in revenue for the original company. Manufacturers and genuine importers of shaving sticks recently staged a solidarity protest at the Standard Organisation of Nigeria’s office in Lekki, Lagos. NIPEN had, during its solidarity rally to SON office, said the raid on BENDUSCO, D&K in Onitsha and evacuation of several trucks of sub-standard and fake shaving sticks from the company was a

Fake

Original with sharp picture of male model

Original with SON certificate number

Fake

Fake Shaving sticks step in the right direction. “As a result of this act of adulteration, we have lost so much patronage. We keep receiving complaints from our customers expressing their dissatisfaction. “As a result, we want to publicly declare that BENDUSCO is not a franchise of the BIC company. If BENDUSCO claims otherwise, we demand that documents of ownership be produced to that effect.” Director of Laboratory Services, SON, Mr Louis Njoku, on addressing the solidarity protesters said, “In the case of shaving sticks, if customers use the wrong quality of blade to shave, it will

have a negative impact on the skin and as such, other health implications. “That is why shaving sticks are crafted in such a way that the quality of the materials used must be ascertained before production.” However, BENDUSCO International Company Limited had also protested against SON in Awka, the Anambra State capital. During the protest, its workers called for the removal of a director in the agency, alleging that he had frustrated indigenous companies through his actions and inactions.

SON, it was learnt, had raided the company and carted away all its products, claiming that it was not in consonance with the NIS certification. The leader of the group, Mr Benjamin Nwizu, had allegedly said that his life was being threatened by officials of SON for refusing to offer bribe. Reacting, SON said its new Act had given the agency the power to prosecute erring manufacturers whose products do not conform to the minimum requirement of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).

‘Barring people’s lines within a short time is unfair’ Continued from

pg 21

our coming here is a great loss to us as subscribers but to them, it is of great advantage. I have been coming here in the past three days and I am yet to have the registration done. I got here at 6:30am and there was already over 30 people on ground. It is this bad because the whole of Ife has only two registration points. This exercise is detrimental to our health. With my age, I have stayed under the sun for the past three days,” he concluded. For Olayinka Kolawole who has used his SIM card for over a decade, he could not explain the rationale about the sudden registration exercise having registered twice before. “I have been using this line for about 13 years and I have registered it two times before now. After I got the messages repeatedly, I came here thinking I could quickly get it done and leave but to my dismay, I was here from morning till about 6pm. We queued until 6pm and were told that the machine had stopped working. We were under the hot sun with no place to sit all the while,” he said adding that “I am pained, this is really bad. MTN has not

done well. I am a teacher and I left my school just for this registration but ended up wasting the whole day.” Rashidat Aderemi who said she had been on the queue since 10 am in the morning and had visited the registration centre the previous day complained of headache and body pains. “I was here around 10am till evening yesterday but I was unable to register my SIM which I have been using in the past eight years. It has really been stressful. I have been having headache and my legs have been aching me under this sun. I just hope that I would be able to get it done today. I arrived at 8am and my serial number is over 100 but I have decided to be optimistic,” she said. Mrs Ogundele, a business woman, complained bitterly to Nigerian Tribune saying “I was here from 6am to 6pm yesterday. MTN sent me a message informing about the SIM deactivation and before I could even understand the situation, my line had been barred. I have registered the SIM before now but they insisted that I register again. I am number 125 on the queue and I have been here since 6:30 am. They have been wasting our time, putting us

in bondage. I left my business for this registration. Only four people have registered since 6:30am. The registration is being handled by just two operatives. For Adegoke Rotimi, being elderly paid off as he was fortunate to register on his third day of visiting the registration centre because the elderly, handicapped and pregnant women were given special consideration. However, he complained about the process. “The procedure is too low; the way MTN has been handling it is not commendable. The company should have many outlets where this registration can be conducted. In Ile Ife, there are only two centres and that is why people are clustering here since the exercise commenced. I was here two days ago and finally registered today at around 6am. It was simply by luck. The SIM card registration is a good initiative but I would like to appeal to service providers that they should extend the registration period. The bad thing about this exercise is that some SIM cards were not registered properly forcing users to come back for another round of registration. Those are the challenges we are facing here,” he concluded.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

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

Ayade strengthens Carnival Calabar to boost foreign patronage

By Wale Ojo-Lanre

HE governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade has renewed its commitment to give one of the state’s revenue generation sectors, Tourism a boost through the building of synergies with relevant individuals and sponsors to give the Carnival Calabar a broader scope and to attract more international patronage. This was coming on the heel of the governor appointing the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr Ikechi Uko as the Consultant for Carnival Calabar vis-àvis the ongoing practical effort to leverage on the enviable status his predecessors have created for the 32-day festival. The playact of Professor Ayade’s commitment to boost the carnival was the recent performance by the carnival contingent at the maiden edition of Accra Weizo in Ghana, which did not only show their expertise in the organisation of carnival, but also a state that understands the basic trend in international marketing. The governor’s promises at the Accra Weizo manifested in the appointment of Mr Uko as tourism consultant to boost the carnival’s international outlook and

Governor Ben Ayade, Cross River State

Ikechi Uko

also to break newer grounds. Speaking with Tribune Tourism Magazine through a telephone interview from Ghana, the international consultant to Carnival Calabar, Mr Uko, who spoke with great enthusiasm, said he is ready to take the carnival to the next level. According to Uko, “The carnival has a good brand name and domestic patronage which has given it a leap in recent years

with different foreign participations, and with the commitment of governor Ayade to scale up its patronage, I think we are on the right track. “As a consultant saddled with the responsibility to internationalise the carnival, it is my duty to build on the good brand name the carnival has maintained and also to give it the international hype and structure that will make it sink in the minds of different carni-

val enthusiasts, countries and groups seeking a carnival destination. The carnival needs to hit more international platforms to give it a foreign hype that will meet and attract people from different continents in their numbers. “We need road shows when you talk of internationalising the carnival. The Accra Weizo mini show, which got a lot of feedback in terms of delegates signifying interest to attend the 2015 edition, was a huge success and a tip of the iceberg of what we should be expecting. “We have a strong brand backed up by domestic support which is what everyone wants to see, so what we would be doing now is to give it a wider view internationally. “The governor has shown sincerity of purpose in his commitment by identifying and focusing on tourism as a money spinning sector with Carnival Calabar getting a premium value to build on its brand status. The governor believes the carnival is now a mature product and should be harnessed properly as an international tourism product. “We have to move with the carnival trend and since we have all it takes to brace up with the dynamics of leading carnival countries, the sky is the limit for us.

tourism

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

ATQ to list top 100 hotels in Lagos AS Lagos expands as one of Africa’s most important city with a population of 21 million and a middle class of 4 million people, there is a need to assess the quality of hospitality and its competitiveness. To this end, Travellers Magazine is compiling a list of the Top 100 Hotels in Lagos to be published in November 2015 edition. According to the publisher Mr. Ikechi Uko “we are doing a survey among hotel managers of over 200 hotels in Lagos chosen by us to determine the leading hotels in Lagos.” A questionnaire survey is being carried out by the magazine, among these managers. Travellers Magazine by ATQ is the first travel Magazine in West Africa Published since 1996.The journal serves as one stop shop for airlines, Hotels, Restaurants, Tour operators, Travel Agents, State Tourism Board etc. Travellers’ magazine is set to be the in-house magazine of over 100 hotels in Nigeria and Ghana. Already Guests of Holiday Inn Airport hotel Accra, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Accra and Southern Sun Hotel Lagos enjoy copies of Travellers for their reading comfort. It is now an inflight magazine for Africa World Airlines that flies between Ghana and Nigeria and also within Ghana. AWA was voted as the best Domestic Airline in Ghana. AWA is the strategic partner to South African Airlines on the Accra/Washington DC route. AWA is expected to carry all SAA passengers between Nigeria and Ghana. This partnership provides a huge opportunity for visibility. It was the inflight magazine for Virgin Nigeria before it stopped operating. The voting will also be done on the web portal www.atqnews.com; the biggest travel news portal in Africa. Atqnews.com newsletter is issued twice a week to over 100,000 persons globally. The website receives an average of 300, 000 hits monthly, with 1,142, 395 million hits in the first quarter of 2015. With 39, 368 visitors browsing through 141,074 pages of which 51 percent of visitors are from Nigeria. About 8 percent are from USA, 8 percent from UK, another 8 percent from Europe while about 2 percent are from other African countries with Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Gambia among the leaders in Africa. 53.80% were returning visitors while 46.2 percent were new visitors. The votes on the website will constitute 40 percent of the result while the vote by hotel managers will have a value of 60 percent. The voting starts in August and ends on the 15th of September and the result will be published thereafter with certificates for the winners.

Starwood hotels & resorts unveils water story WITH more than half of its current and future properties in areas facing critical water issues, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., a leader in hospitality for water conservation, recently shared its holistic water story detailing the company’s efforts to tackle this important matter. As part of the company’s overall strategy on water issues, which include scarcity, flooding, and quality, Starwood has set a wide water system reduction goal, a new technology dedicated to property actions and offered conservation focused on guest programs with community partners. “Some say water is the new oil and as we execute a global growth strategy, water is not only an environmental consideration, but also a potential business risk that impacts on guests, properties and the communities where we operate,” said Ken Siegel, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Head of Global Citizenship at Starwood. “Starwood has to look beyond conservation and leverage innovation and partnerships to limit its environmental impact, support and enhance its local econWomies, and protect people and the planet, while delivering an unmatched guest experience.” In July, Starwood announced that it was nearing its 20 percent water reduction goal by achieving a 17.26 percent decline in water consumption since 2008. The reduction follows the launch of Starwood’s 30/20 by 20 environmental goals in 2009, aimed to cut energy use by 30 percent and water use by 20 percent by 2020 globally.

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr John Kennedy Opara and President Muhammadu Buhari during a briefing on the commission in Abuja, recently.

The Polytechnic Ibadan Tourism Club inducts new members THE Tourism Club International of Polytechnic Ibadan celebrated their 7th annual convention in a grand style at the famous Rotunda Hall inside the campus. In his welcome address, the outgoing president of the club, Tr. Olajide Akinola commended the members for their cooperation during his tenure and applauded his executive team for their cooperation too. Akinola stated further that the convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of all memebrs in order to discuss or engage in some common interest and champion the course of advancement for the club. "Moreover, the common interest of our gathering is on youth tourism, the essence for the topic to orientate our members and the participants on the need to tap from the tourism sector and serves a means of empowerment irrespective of our various courses", Akinola said. The guest speaker, Managing Editor/Publisher of Travelscope Magazine during his presentation highlighted the basic definitions of tourism, global prospects, benefits of tourism and global forecast. He educated the participants on the prospect in the tourism sector, the significances of tourism on Nigeria economy and the basic industries in the tourism sector, which he highlighted as accommodation; food & beverages, recreation & entertainment, transportation and

New inductees taking oat of allegeance at the Seventh Convention of The Polytechnic Ibadan Tourism Club, Ibadan, recently.

travel services that could be ventured into by the participants in the future. The President of the Tourism Comet Club, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Tr. Adedamola Abass conducted the induction of about 24 new members of the club nd assited by the outgoing president, Tr. Akinola. The handling over ceremony to the incoming executives of the club was moderated by the past presidents of The Tourism Club of Polytechnic Ibadan, Tourist Emily Oladunke, Tourist Stephen Akinwale, President of the Tourism Comet Club, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Tourist Adedamola Abass. In his acceptance speech, the incoming president commended the outgoing executives for setting a good precedence for the club and to have revived the club back to its old glory. The guest speaker, Mr. Olumuyiwa was presented with an award for his contribution to the promotion of youth tourism while all the guests and participants were thrilled by various cultural groups and upcoming artists invited from within the campus. The celebration was witnessed by members of other clubs within the campus and graced by dignitaries from the tourism sector, Mr Thompson Ukekki, Mr Alonge Oluwasina, and Ms. Adebola Opasina.

tourism

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Museum of Unity, preserving traditional technologies of adire eleko By Adeyera Kolawole Samson

HE Yoruba people are specialists in the act of using starch paste as a medium on textiles to be dyed. The textiles dyed in this manner are called Adire Eleko. There are two methods of applying starch which are: stenciled pattern and free hand pattern. This system of starch’ resist dying is similar to Javanese batik except that starch is used instead of wax to make designs on the textiles. After the starch dries, the cloth is dyed and the starch is scraped or flaked off when the dyed textile is dry. The starch used for this pattern is made from either cassava or corn flower and it is called Lafun or eko. The Lafun

is mixed with alum and boiled to make a thick mixture. According to one source, if no alum is added, the starch would dissolve in dye vat. Another source added that copper sulphate is added to help keep the starch fresh and longer. Traditional technology of making starch resist textile have been claimed to be more recent in origin than the tie and dye. However in 1972, the President of stencil cutter in Abeokuta who indicated that by calculating the generations involved in this traditional method of technology, starch resist were made during the late 1800s. In this traditional technology where stencils are used, the making of the stencil and painting starch are done by men. First a piece of metal is cut into a rectangular shape which

Lagos Chamber of Commerce honours La Campagne THE gale of awards and recognition for La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort has continued with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) being the latest organsiation to honour the Ikegun Village, Lekki, Lagos – based African themed resort. The occasion was the 2015 Commerce and Industry Awards, which held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. It was a well attended event with all the names in the corporate world in contention for honour and recognition under the trappings of glamour and blitz with a blend of entertainment, wining and dining for the night. The resort was honoured with the award of the best theme resort in Nigeria making it the third awards and recognition in a roll for the resort this year alone. First was the Tourism personality award for the President and Founder of La Campagne Tropicana beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye at Accra Weizo by the organisers of Akwaaba - African Travel Market and Tourism personality award by Paceworking, a Nigerian led organisation based in London. Two years ago the resort was named as the best resort in Nigeria while last year it also got named as the best beach resort in West Africa. Both awards came through Akwaaba. For the president of La Campagne, Akinboboye, the awards and recognition coming two decades after the setting up of the African themed resort, is something to be proud of and celebrate as the Pan African theme and culture that he had laboured to promote and market has finally gained the much desired recognition by the people. Coming this far, he said has not being an easy task as he had to endure different challenges but standing firm and focused on his belief as well as being consistent, factors which he said had helped in the realisation of the dream when he first step foot in the jungle of Ikegun Village as a 29 years old boy, brimming with energy and a vision to conquer the world with his love for His fatherland. According to him, Africa remains the centrepiece of his world and commitment insisting that the only way Africa can build it's tourism industry is to base its development on Africa culture as it is the most unique and pervasive product that the continent has in abundance and can use as a springboard to attract tourists to the continent. He also described all the accolades and honours coming the way of the resort and his person as a collective one and

not just a personal one as he paid glowing tributes to all members of staff and personnel of the resort, who he said have worked tirelessly and passionately with him in birthing his dream and nurturing the project over the years. Without their unalloyed commitment and devotion as well as encouragement, he said it would had been difficult coming this far with the dream of building and promoting African themed resort hence he has decided to dedicate the recent award from LCCI and others to his teeming personnel for standing by him all these years. He assured that better days are ahead, adding that the future holds a lot for tourism while charging investors and the government to pay serious attention to the tourism development by focusing on Nigeria culture, which he said is the greatest and most comparative advantage that the country has over others rather than the cheap copying of European tradition whilst banishing Nigeria’s culture to the backwaters of history.

may be any size, commonly twelve inches by eight inches. The first stencil was cut from the lead lining chest, cigarette boxes or boxes used to import matches. Designs which will later become motifs on the textiles are made on the metal and marked with a pen. The metal is placed on wool and the design is chiseled or cut out with a suitable tool. In some cases pieces of wire gauze is inserted to make a pattern of fine holes. A table is used to hold the layer of textile which is to be stenciled. Each piece of textile is numbered and spread out in full size and nailed through the corner onto a table. The stencil is positioned on the top textile and the starch is applied with a metal starch applicator. The starch is pressed into the fabrics and the surplus is scrapped back into the nearby bowl. The stencil is then repositioned and the process repeated. Stencils are used for a period of time and may be stored and brought out at a later time and re-used. They are used on plain white textiles which is dyed indigo or commercially printed cloths to subdue the colors in the original pattern. For example the cotton may have red or yellow designs on white covered with zigzag pattern of indigo, leaving the patches of red and yellow to show through the indigo stencil design. Pattern of stenciled textile are obviously less detailed than those done by hand because of the limitation of the medium. Some stencils designs original designs, some are copied motifs in commercially printed textiles and others are copies of free hand starch resist pattern such as the one called Olokoto which means the one with snail or rope. The majority of stenciled textiles came from Abeokuta. Generally, the design of a stenciled pattern involves repetition of simple motifs. Stencil cuttings as a traditional technology can be used to produce different types of motifs from the environment such as birds, animals and reptiles. These motifs can be used and modify to suit the medium of the stencil. On the other hand, doing starch resist textiles by hand is a more laborious process than doing the stencils textiles. In this case, the starch is applied by a women or a girl with a palm leaf rib or feather. Ibadan has been the main centre of free hand starch painting. Usually a woman employs children to help draw the designs. During this process, the children become skilled dyers (aladire). Each girl or a woman who paints a textile puts her trade mark or signature on the hem of the textile in order to identify it when it comes out of the dye pot. Hand painting starch resist textiles is always divided into square and motifs drawn within each square. Two popular designs are called “Ibadan dun” which in context means Ibadan is sweet or pleasant and Olokun which literally mean “Sea goddess” or mother of fortune. Olokun is a complex design and is distinctive because the numbers of rectangles dividing the textile are different from other textiles. There are two rows of five large squares with long rectangle at each square and at the bottom are twelve smaller squares. Conclusively, traditional technology should be encourage among the youth of today, not only for making starch resist pattern on textiles but also for others like pottery making, bead works, tailoring, making of black soap, processing of palm oil, carving and sculpture. All these should not be allowed to go into extinction. Adeyera Kolawole Samson, Principal Technical Officer, Conservation National Museum of Unity, Ibadan.

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

energy

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

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

INSIDE Declining crude price affecting gas market —NLNG

NIPCO laments challenges confronting CNG usage in Nigeria

Experts differ on proposed JV scheme for refineries

Page 27

Page 28

Page 27

‘Improvement in power supply not sustainable’

it using one approach. Embedded will give us quicker and cheaper access to additional capacity. It will also make for provision where anybody with access to N50 to N100 million can be a player. They can make things happen quickly. Based on that, I’m not of the view that it is the only route. I’m more of the view that we need to diversify how and where we get energy. And then, let it be relevant to the need of the people that want to consume the power supply.

Mr Biodun Ogunleye is a power solution consultant and the Managing Director, PowerCap Limited. In this interview with OLATUNDE DODONDAWA, he examines the perennial challenges confronting power supply, suggesting permanent solution to the power crises with emphasis on off-grid solutions. Excerpts:

HAT do you think the present administration has done differently to boost power supply across the country as being celebrated right now? For me to say power has improved, it would be nice for us to have effective measurement as to what amount of improvement. Is it in terms of duration, availability or quality of the power supply or appropriateness of the supply to consumers? The other issues you may look at is how sustainable is this improvement. Does it has to do with one or more components in the energy mix being more available now; or what did we actually do differently to make the improvement possible. This is an experiential thing based on your own experience. It is easy for people to just say out of the blues, it appears power has improved. It goes beyond that. Few months down the lines, if we drop 1,000MW, which is easy because if the whole Egbin cluster does not get gas supply, we will drop more than that? So, if you say to yourself this is what we have done to see the improvement, then I will agree power has improved. I’m not in an agreement, I am still skeptical about the improvement and I believe it is temporal. Are you saying the improvement cannot be sustained? I can’t see what will make for sustainability. I can’t see the structure we have put together to address or mitigate the cyclical drops and trends we have historically experienced.

Mr Ogunleye Could it be the need to increase transmission capacity? There are so many approaches in dealing with these issues. We don’t necessarily have to rely on the transmission networks to make electricity available in all the nooks and crannies of this country. That approach is relatively outdated. The sage of growth and the demand that we have on ground do not permit us to have big network. The amount we are going to

We need to separate the delivery of electricity supply to end users from politics. We need to deal with power as business.

spend on every transmission infrastructures, why don’t we spend it in getting additional generation capacity and embed them within the distribution networks. If we do this, it will solve lot of the problems. Overtime, when we have big projects that will turn out like one million megawatts, then you can be talking about big transmission infrastructure because we have to wheel those supply to load centers. In effect, if we say Mabilla is coming up with 1,000MW and have issues to bring it down to Lagos where it is actually needed, then I will say you are correct. But where we can wheel gas to the edge of Lagos and like 20 other smaller plants can deliver that to Lagos, why don’t we focus on those smaller plants. And this takes me back to the claims that power has improved. I want to see those things we have done differently to make for that improvement. Now, are you advising the government to focus on embedded generation? Anytime you have a perennial power challenge like the one we have right now, the only solution inform you not to solve

As a stakeholder in power sector, what is your advice on how to address the challenges of ineffective metering system? We need to separate the delivery of electricity supply to end users from politics. We need to deal with power as business. The distribution companies (DISCOS) must be allowed to do the business as they intend. The regulator, that is Nigerian Electricity Regulator Commission (NERC), needs to only issue guidelines as to how and what should be done by placing all the limitations and drive the direction. The discos should be allowed to engage with the environment with their service providers and the rest of the value chain in the way they deem best fit to be able to service the needs of their numerous customers in the best possible ways and immune the few that do not believe that we need that CAPMI scheme. The implication of CAPMI is that though it may sound good on paper, but in reality, it does not feel the pinch of metering and lack of meters. It simply provides the layer of cover and blocks of excuse for the discos to run away from their responsibilities. NERC is trying to spoonfeed them with CAPMI in place and this should not be the case. If any disco is really serious about resolving the metering challenges, they should clear the backlogs and move on. If CAPMI contractors are not meeting the expectations, they should negotiate their way out of it and if people have paid for the meters and can’t get supplies, they should resolve it. Let’s take a head-long approach to resolving it. We cannot just continue like this.

energy Experts differ on proposed JV scheme for refineries 27

HE position of the Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, that the four refineries will not be privatised but would rather be operated in a Joint Venture (JV) arrangement with private investors has received different reactions from stakeholders in the oil and gas business. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Energy Services Limited, Dr Diran Fawibe, argued that the proposed sale of refineries was due to frustrations because of the embarrassment and lack of performance of the refineries over the years. “As you are aware, when we have refineries with 445,000 barrels production per day (bpd) and we were not able to get about 100,000 bpd it was a serious problem. Now, many people have said the refineries should be sold while others were against it because it would amount to selling the family saver. “But if we want to go about it, it is either you sell or put it on a JV basis. That’s exactly what the GMD is advocating. When the announcement was made many of us advocated for either outright sales or run it as JV. Like the PH refinery that was established in 1965, Shell built it in JV with the FG and BP was managing it. The arrangement was such that it enabled the refineries to maintain itself, pay staff salaries and build a workforce loyal to the company and also pay dividends to shareholders. “Over the years, things have gone awry. Anything in the hands of the government is never sustainable. Even the arrangement being proposed by the GMD with his background could work but is it sustainable? “After he must have left office, will the arrangement be sustainable? But if we are able to build a culture where we can manage a refinery like it is being done in other countries, then there is no reason why we should actually sell. But the best option would have been where the management would be like that of a private sector. “Although, I have not got the details on how they intend to do it, but the private sector should have equity stake in the business then you are assured that both parties will be able to put together the fund,” he stated.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

On why would it be difficult for the government to manage refineries efficiently, Fawibe posited that, “Refinery business is a very serious business and over the years, the government has not demonstrated the discipline to run the business. When you don’t have enough money as operating cost, not to talk of capital budget, then you can’t

maintain a refinery. “You have to do the predictive maintenance, routine maintenance and Turn Around Maintenance (TAM). From these series of maintenance, many things would need to be changed if you don’t want to have downtime. But the government, NNPC and the refineries management going cap-in-hand begging for

money from either allocation or national assembly, I don’t think that kind of arrangement would be able to give the kind of momentum needed for GMD proposal to be sustainable. But if the JV is such that the government will put its money, other parties involved will put their money, then the arrangement will afford the refineries to be run as busi-

ness not like a public corporation.” Another source within the NNPC who preferred anonymity argued that if the four refineries have been managed by private investors, they wouldn’t have lacked the needed maintenance. “Let me use the Kaduna refineries as an instance. When it was built in 1980,

Nigerian Tribune

Turn Around Maintenance was being carried out every two years (1982, 1984, 1986) until it was not done in 1988. Efforts to revive the refinery late last year was to come at a cost because the Japanese company that built it was demanding huge amount to bring the needed spare parts to be replaced in the refinery.

A refinery

Declining crude price affecting gas market —NLNG THE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has stated that the low oil prices in the international market is beginning to threaten gas business and urged the Federal Government to brace up as the situation may affect its revenue as the continuous fall in global crude oil prices may negatively put pressure on gas. NLNG noted in a communique from the recently held third NLNG commercial division external stakeholders forum in Abuja that the fall in global oil prices would continue till the end of 2015, adding that it might worsen in the coming year. The company expressed worry over the impact the fall in crude prices was having on its revenue, stressing that the entry of the United States and Australia into the LNG market was also “a real cause for concern.” According to the communique, “the recent fall

in crude oil prices from above $100 per barrel in early 2014 to below $50 per barrel in early 2015 and its impact on global LNG/ gas prices as well as the demand/supply positions in both our primary and secondary markets in the Atlantic and Pacific Basins have had a significant impact on our revenues and profitability. “The trend, which will persist till the end of 2015 and may even worsen in 2016 with the entry of US and Australian LNG volumes into the market, is a real cause for worry.” Nigeria has one of the largest gas reserves in the world with proven 187 trillion standard cubic feet reserves and is the second largest supplier of LPG globally, supplying four million tons of the product per annum. In Nigeria, LPG is primarily used as cooking gas. In addition, it noted that although these challenges were being managed, the

regulatory environment had shown increasing uncertainties. By the end of year 2015, Iran is also expected to enter fully into the already saturated crude oil market which may crash the crude price further going into year 2016. In a related development, the NLNG has sought for a more robust partnership with the Rivers State Government on the protection of its staff and assets, as well as the provision of a peaceful business environment for continued and successful operations in the State. It said it would also boost its community engagement and skill acquisition of community people. Speaking at the opening of NLNG’s Head Office in Port Harcourt, Babs Omotowa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, said without Rivers State Government support, it would be difficult for the company to accomplish laudable achievements it

has come to be known for. “Any negative impact to our people and assets would hamper our ability to deliver on our obligations to our buyers and adversely affect the value we bring to government revenue. “Our relationship with Rivers State represents a unique partnership between government and a corporate giant, coming together for a shared purpose: to impact in the most positive way possible a better Rivers State and Nigeria. “Today, by this ground-breaking to erect our new head office, we make an unequivocal statement that Nigeria LNG Limited is a partner with the people of Rivers State in the sustainable development of the state and its people. Our resolve in 2010 to relocate NLNG’s head office to Port-Harcourt right next to its support base was and still is a business decision. “It made good business

sense to be in close proximity to our world-class plant located across the river in Bonny. It also made sense to be closer to the people and over hundred and ten (110) pipeline communities whose activities have a direct impact on our company’s ability to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural gas liquids (NGLs) to many locations around the world,” he added. Mr Omotowa assured the Rivers State Government of continued support through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. “We continue to support the government in building capacity and empowering its people through various scholarship awards across secondary and tertiary levels of education and, more recently, through our support for the University of Port Harcourt to upgrade its engineering laboratory. The upgrade comes at a cost of two million dollars.

energy

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

A gas plant

NIPCO laments challenges confronting CNG usage in Nigeria Tunde Dodondawa - Lagos

leading indigenous downstream operator, the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) Plc, has blamed its inability to form a Joint Venture company with Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) and lack of awareness for inadequate usage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria. The CNG is a cheaper alternative to premium motor spirit (PMS) and Auto Gas Oil (AGO) otherwise called diesel and it is environmentally friendly when compared to other fuels. In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, the company’s spokesman, Mr Taofeek Lawal, stated that “lack of awareness about the innovative CNG powered vehicles and the absence of policy on natural gas usage as alternative fuel for vehicles and lack of natural gas supply across Nigeria was responsible for poor patronage. The stagnation of CNG revolution in Nigeria was also due to the inability of NIPCO and the Nigerian Gas Company to float a Joint Venture (JV). He also blamed lack of gas infrastructure, pricing and government support as factors militating against CNG expansion in Lagos and its environs. “Nigerians are well informed about the CNG projects but it could improve. The best time to deepen CNG usage was when government increase the price of petrol which ordinarily would have forced motorists to think about the alternative fuel considering the cost benefits of powering vehicles with natural gas. “N55 per standard cubic feet

(scuf) of gas is equivalent to one litre of petrol which currently sells at N87 with government subsidy. All the necessary approval from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has been obtained by the company before commencement of operation. And we have also concluded arraignment to build CNG refilling stations in Lagos and environs to further boost our presence in the metropolis,” he said. Besides, Lawal confirmed that over 5,000 vehicles now use CNG as fuel in Nigeria. He said the idea and the project were conceived and operations commenced in 2009 and that the CNG usage has come to stay in the country. The company said contrary to other opinions, CNG powered ve-

hicles had come to stay in Nigeria, since the inception of the project in 2009. “More than 4,000 vehicles had already been converted to use CNG in Benin, Edo State, while over 500 vehicles are also operating in Lagos on the environment friendly CNG. The aim of the CNG refilling stations in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, was to provide alternative to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol at a reduced cost and to boost national socio-economic growth. He also said aside the economic gains, CNG targeted reduction of unfriendly automobile emissions and exposure of Nigerians to the innovation of powering vehicles on gas. NIPCO’s spokesperson said the

company had about 10 CNG operating stations nationwide, while others are under construction. He added that the patronage of CNG refilling station at Ibafo, Ogun State was impressive with an average of five minutes drive by commercial buses and private vehicle owners. “Ibafo CNG station, near Lagos, is a world class facility with about 12 dispensing pump for light and heavy duty trucks refilling facilities. It is also sustainable because it is private sector is taking the lead while the government provides enabling environment for it to thrive. The conversion of vehicles to become CNG compatible cost between N200,000 and N300,000; but the cost profile of CNG vehicular conversion came with a flexible

repayment package and depends on the choice of the kit,” he stated. On how the conversion works, he explained that “When you want to convert your vehicle to be CNG-compatible, you will pay as low as N20,000, then we will put you on installment payment anytime you come to fill your cylinder. This method makes it convenient for our customers to pay within some months depending on your usage. “A cubic feet of gas cost N55, if you are on our debt list, you will be paying N80 per cubic feet which means that remaining N25 will be servicing your debt. This will continue until you complete the payment. Because of this payment method, we have over 5,000 vehicles running on CNG in the country,” he said.

Ikeja Disco advocates cost-reflective tariff among consumers THE management of Ikeja Electric (IE) has urged the consumers within the zone to embrace a cost reflective tariff so that the company would serve them better. Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, Chief Executive Officer of company, made this appeal during a twoday consultation on tariff review with stakeholders and consumers within its network. “Instead of NERC to fix the new tariff for electricity consumers, they now consult consumers in the different zones and come back for approval. Consequently, we have to consult you on the way forward,” he said. He said DISCOs were just like a daily collector, adding that majority of the money paid to them were going to Generating Company (GENCO) and Transmission Com-

pany of Nigeria (TCN). “Of every N100 collected from our consumers, only N15 goes to our pocket. “We pay N65 to GENCO and TCN, N15, while others like NERC will share N10. So, we are left with only N15 out of which we pay our workers salary and replace faulty equipment and others. “To be honest with you, because we do not have a cost reflective tariff, most of the DISCOs have not even paid the other chain. Due to crisis of litigation against the proposed tariff review, we have met with the Vice President, Yemi Osibajo, on the issue. The Vice President has called on DISCOs to go and negotiate with consumers and come back with good reasons for the tariff review,” he said.

Ajifowobaje urged consumers within the zone to be objective in dealing with the issue, adding that it would be difficult for the company to obtain loan from banks if they do not have cost reflective tariff. Mr Olurotimi Oduntan, the Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), said energy was being subsidised by the Federal Government before it was privatised. Oduntan said there were lot of gap in the business because they were still operating at the last tariff which was based on exchange rate of N158 per dollar while dollar was around N200 per dollar. He added that due to the present tariff structure, DISCOs were not making any profit and if things continued this way, the power business

might collapse. The director further said the purpose of the forum was not to increase the present tariff but to open book and go through them together. Also speaking, the Director of Finance, IE, Mr Aigbe Olotu, said six active members of value chain were being paid money from what they collected at the end of the month. Olotu said 90 per cent of what they used to produce electricity supply was in dollar and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rate for power sector had increased to N198 per dollar. The director further said three factors responsible for the gap in the business include cost of gas, exchange rate and inflation rate. He said despite the fact that all these had increased, the tariff remains the same.

tribunebusiness

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

CBN policy

Setting the record straight By Dickson Enobong

EADING through the piece by Odilim Enwegbara with the title, Why Buhari Must Reform CBN, published in one of the national dailies, one gets the picture of a piece, which on the surface, smacks of an over-boiling steam for patriotism and consummate desire to ensure that the management of the Nigerian economy delivers growth and generate employment. It is apparent that the author was extremely fascinated with efficiency and elasticity of the Chinese economy, which he copiously cited as an example in terms of GDP growth (7.5 per cent annually) and job creation. Given his intellectual capacity, it becomes difficult to reason why he thinks that it takes the manipulation of only one variable (money supply) to achieving macroeconomic objectives of full-employment growth. There is currently no literature in economic science that suggests achievement of macroeconomic objective of full-employment growth by just manipulating a single variable (money supply). The usual practice all over the world has shown some sort of symbiotic and supportive relationship with the fiscal authorities in order to ensure economic growth and employment. It is all the more disturbing, the way and manner the writer bandied and elevated Quantitative Easing (QE) used by the industrialized economies to a magic wand. Simply put, QE is expansionary monetary policy, which connotes increased money supply or cheaper cost of fund. In the delicate art of policy economic management, policy prescriptions, whether tight or expansionary, are hardly deployed without necessary recourse to the structure of the economy in question. That Country A applied QE in peculiar circumstance, does not necessarily suggest that Country B must also do the same without taking into consideration the inherent structure of its economy. The huge infrastructural gap that charac-

terizes the Nigerian economy over the years, obviously explains the apparent rigidity that characterizes the Nigerian economy, thus, placing some limitations on the relative efficacy of monetary transmission mechanism to actualize full employment economic growth. In other words, even if the Central Bank of Nigeria were to have subscribed to Enwegbara’s prescription of massive dosage of QE, it would have resulted to a sub-optimal outcome, with minimal impact on the Nigerian economy. One key challenge in the conduct of monetary policy operations in Nigeria is the fact that the Nigerian economy has a long history of fiscal dominance, with the CBN being constantly confronted with excess liquidity problem. Given this situation, any attempt at QE (expansionary monetary policy) has often frittered away in terms of the high inflationary rates. Also, in line with the key mandate of the apex

A delayed or lack of clarity from the present administration on key economic questions such as economic policies, the future exchange rate policy and tax policy is discouraging direct investment and financial inflows to Nigeria

bank, “to maintain price and monetary stability”, the CBN in keeping with the tradition of most central banks have always preferred to rein in inflation within single digit level, since QE would not register any appreciable growth. Like the saying goes, if you cannot improve on the condition of the poor, it is better to leave him where he is. It is only stable inflation rate that can ensure that. Most advanced economies, the United States inclusive, have been experiencing low, if not, negative inflation and low GDP growth. This readily explains why these advanced economies adopted QE geared towards boosting growth. On the other hand, the Nigerian economy has been battling with perennial liquidity surfeit and recently, followed by declining GDP growth, hence the action of the CBN in deploying tight monetary policy measures to rein in inflationary pressure. It is equally important to point to the writer the need to properly situate the context within which comparative policy analyses are made if the essence is aimed at making positive contribution to the society. In other words, we compare like with like. Dissecting Enwegbara’s thesis more analytically, reveals a deceptive ploy to blackmail the apex bank by comparing Nigeria with the economies of US and China, with well-developed infrastructure that ensure efficient and effective monetary transmission mechanism, making their economies very elastic. It is simply foolhardy to assume that by manipulating a single variable (money supply) in an economy with humongous infrastructure gap we can achieve macroeconomic objective of growth and employment generation. Monetary policy has its limitations, which explains the reason for collaborative efforts of fiscal authorities in the drive to achieve sustainable economic development. Nigeria is not an exception. The CBN has always applied quantitative easing in some deserving circumstances that yielded desired result. For example, at the onset of global financial crisis, the CBN deployed a unique quantitative easing

through the bailout granted to eight distressed commercial banks. In realization of the increasing need to provide funding for real sector activities that translates to economic growth and job creation, the current management, under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, embarked on various types of real sector development initiatives aimed at inducing employment generating growth. That is quantitative easing in all sense of it. Above all, the uniqueness of the approach remains the fact that it recognizes the interest elastic nature of the Nigerian economy, and therefore designed the development financing model in a way that shields these real sector entities from market determined interest rates. This explains why the interest rates for all of the real sector development initiatives of the CBN were pegged at single digit (9 per cent). If indeed the intention of the leadership of the CBN was to feather the interest of commercial banks, as the author would want the public to believe, the financing structure would have been made to be governed by market determined interest rates. The intention of the writer became clearer towards the end of his article. Monetary policy was merely used as a subterfuge to deliver the intended deadly punch, which is to incite the Presidency to dismantle the present leadership of the CBN, and call to dilute the independence of the bank. From every ramification, the present leadership of the CBN has gone beyond mere verbal pronouncements to demonstrate, in real terms, concrete efforts in enunciating policy prescriptions aimed at real sector development and employment generation. Nothing can be farther from the truth, especially the CBN policy that barred importers of 41 classified goods access to foreign exchange demonstrates in strongest terms, a bold initiative ever taken by any government agency to encourage domestic production and employment. Dickson Enobong, a financial analyst wrote in from Calabar.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, gives an insight into the approaches President Muhammadu Buhari will deploy in the war against corruption, insurgency and repositioning economy. KOLAWOLE DANIEL brings some excerpts:

UNDRED days have passed under President Muhammadu Buhari. How far do you think the administration has fared? When the President visited the United States, he did say that he does not believe in celebrating 100 days because such activities are fraudulent and that he will not engage in deceit. That is why he went to his Daura home town. If Nigerians has anything to say about It they should say it and I can assure you that the President will hear. Does that mean there is nothing much to show? Well, Nigerians will decide whether there is anything to show or not. You represent public opinion. Without meaning to blow our own trumpet, I just left a town hall meeting in Suleja organised by the BBC and I took my notes. The ordinary Nigerians are praising President Buhari for security in the country and some of them scored him 90 percent and above. A tailors there who use to open shops for two hour in three days and now, they can open their shop for up to 20 hours a day and some of them are saying that sometimes they have 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. I think this is an opportunity to clear the useless claim by the PDP that it is the work of Jonathan that President Buhari has come to claim credit for. The records are there with the Ministry of Power. All the records are there. They are saying power has improved because it is raining season. Let me say that none of the hydro plants has added any megawatt. What is going on is that, like the Americans will say, there is a new Sheriff in town. People are taking their cue from the fact that there is a no nonsense President who has taken over the administration of this country and his body language sends the message. Nobody is blocking gas pipelines; the gas is flowing and there is better management and everybody is standing up to do the right thing. Better management also means better engagement. Whether it is the host community or youth groups who are undermining things, they are looking at an administration that is selfless and serving the country for the sake of the country. This is the thing that is responsible for the improved power supply. No hydro station has increase output. The gas is flowing because people are sitting up. At the town hall meeting, somebody said they drove from Suleja to Yola and back without any policeman or soldier stopping them to ask for bribe and the same thing happened on the way back. There is an environment that

Shehu

How Buhari will recover looted funds —Shehu has been generated by the presence of Buhari in Aso Rock. Whether anybody like it or not, it has changed things and we are feeling safer and when people go to sleep they are comforted by the fact that there is somebody who will bolt the door. All these things about security is happening because the soldiers themselves believe that they are being led by a caring leader. Citizens are feeling that the pressure of insecurity is going away not because Boko Haram has been eliminated completely missed but because of the work that has been done. The management that has been brought to bear on the nation’s security is reassuring. PDP wants to take away our attention. They issued a statement saying that there is corruption going on even with Buhari in

government. Maybe, they are alerting President Buhari that the men they left behind are still continuing with their old game because Buhari left everybody behind. In that case maybe, we should watch out and do something about that. So, the country is being managed properly and competently, and that is where we are.

A lot of people were surprised that he had to take retired Colonel Hameed Ali to head the Custom Service, when there are several career officers for him to choose from. What informed that choice? I don’t know because the President didn’t talk to me on this. Let me ask you one question. Do you, in all sincerity know Colonel

I think the President has done the best thing anybody can do for the Custom and for the economy of this country. Otherwise, smuggling will ruin Nigeria.

Hameed Ali? If you do know him, how many of his types do we have in this country? This is the man who many probably felt should have gone to head the EFCC. But looking at the critical place of the Custom in the economy of this country, you need somebody like him. After oil, the next revenue spinner for the government is he Custom. In these few days we have been listening to briefings, I have seen people flying ideas that Custom revenue can be tripled and that there are ideas that can lead to the revenue being tripled on the basis that corruption is eliminated. I think that Col. Hameed Ali brings a rear breed of reputation that will be difficult to find. There might be a few people in the Custom Service, but maybe, they are too low in rank to warrant this appointment. I think the President has done the best thing anybody can do for the Custom and for the economy of this country. Otherwise, smuggling will ruin Nigeria. Look at what is happening in the textile industry in Aba, Ikeja, Kaduna, Kano and Gusua. There was a time when they use to employ about 400,000 people. All the textile companies in the country today can no longer employ more than 30,000 people. We have more Nigerians in need of clothing today than those so called glorious days continues pg31

politics&policy

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

‘The issue of federal appointments’ continued from pg30

of the textile industry. This is just one example. Look at the issue of rice. Ebonyi, Anambra, Niger, Osun, Kebbi, Sokoto and Kogi have been brought together by the President and given the matching order to produce the rice need of this country. The rice industry in this country has failed because cheap Asian rice is being dumped here. The President did not ban importation because that would have offended the World Trade Organisation (WTO). What he has done is to say if you want to import rice go and source your dollars anywhere you can get it. But CBN and the banks will always supply to manufacturers who want to bring in spare parts, equipment and employ Nigerians and for those who want to pay for medical bills abroad and maybe for school fees. By that action, the scope of import has been significantly reduced and that will encourage local production. There is so much cash crunch in the country today. What is responsible for that, especially considering the fact that this is happening under Buhari? I don’t know anything about cash crunch. Perhaps, the more competent people are the bankers. I should think that there is more money now going to the people because the local farmer who could sell his produce because nobody was buying will now sell their goods. The tailor who does three hours a day because of lack of electricity can now do 12 hours a day and that will fetch him more money. The revival of the economy is a process that will take a long time. It will not require government opening the vault and bringing out money and give to people. It is a working economy. Look at the businesses in the north east that were closed for a long time because of lack of patronage because of lack of security. Now, if you go to Yola it is s booming there, the same thing with Gombe. Even in Maiduguri, you will be surprised at what you see. In spite of the threat that hangs over their head, night life is resuming. This is what will bring money to the hand of people because they do business and work to earn money which they spend. So, I don’t think there is any Buhari thing that anybody can say has brought cash crunch. It is the imminent failure of the economy that the government has tried to solve. I assure you that were it not for some of the measures that the President tried to take through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), maybe you would not know the naira by now. The collapse would have been disastrous. Should Nigerians hold Mr President responsible if the insurgency is not ended in three months? The President is responsible for the affairs of this country. If insurgency is not ended in three months, what to do is not to start blame game. As head of your home, if you tell your wife that your dinner should be ready by 5pm and you come home, the dinner is not ready, are you saying you will tell her to pack her things and leave your House or you look for explanation. The President has appointed people and given them the matching order to do this within three months. Supposing your wife says the grinding machine you bought is fake, will that be her fault that she didn’t prepare dinner by 5.00 pm? A lot of people have argued that the

Shehu

The revival of the economy is a process that will take a long time. It will not require government opening the vault and bringing out money and give to people. It is a working economy.

fight against corruption is selective and just in the media because nobody has been convicted. In all the years under Jonathan, how many high profile convictions did you get? But, this is the era of change. This question would have been okay in 1984 when Buhari came to government in Army uniform. What they did then was to look around and sent to jail all those accused of corruption. We all choose democracy and democracy has due process. Even if it is your wish that those accused of corruption should be jailed tomorrow, President Buhari will not do that because he wants to follow the due process of law because the constitution protects the right of every Nigerian. If you have a case against anyone, go to the police or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission (ICPC). Even at that, they need time to investigate. Maybe, that is why the anti graft agencies didn’t have a good record of conviction in the past because they didn’t do a good job. Immediately they took such cases to court, the Judge would enter a no case submission because of the shoddy nature the case was investigated. Because there is a political purpose for that investigation, the case will collapse immediately the hearing begin. This is going to be different. This crude oil

theft, which so much has been said and for which many countries have promised to help, when the President went to America, he did not ask Obama to give him the list of Nigerians involved or those who stole money. We are doing our own investigation after which the government will now say, ‘thank you for blocking this account for a while until we are able to prove that the crude oil that left Nigeria on this day for one of your harbours did not have permission and papers to leave the shore of Nigeria and so was stolen crude.’ Such a government will have to be convinced that this money is proceed from stolen crude from Nigeria and we got promises from all over the world that they will return the money. When they return it, that again, takes a process. President Buhari will go to a judge and say this and that country has returned this money because XYZ stole our crude and these are the proceeds. That is evidence. So, Nigerians will have to be patient with the President and the process. He could be impatient himself, but he has his hands tied because the constitution is very clear about the protection of rights. You will not be happy if the President begins to trample on the rights of fellow citizens. So, let there be due process for everyone. The recent appointments by the President were received with mixed feelings, and he has promised to re-

lease the list of his ministers this month, September.... We are in early September. Can the President be given the grace of end of September? Midnight of 30th September. The president is working hard and he is focused. The kind of thing this country requires is the kind of focus that he is bringing to bear on the key challenges the country faces. The multinational Joint Task Force that has been put in place now in Ndjamena with all the countries taking part, including Cameroon, Nigerians missed the fact that Cameroon is part of it. Do you know that without deft diplomacy, this would have been impossible a few months ago? In fact, when we were going to Cameroon, the French news agency said President Buhari was embarking on a trip to discuss with an enemy country. They called Cameroon enemy country. Now, you can see that we have warmed up to each other. The President had a heart-to-heart discussion with President Paul Biya and today, a Cameroonian is the Deputy Commander of the multinational joint task force. They are supplying troops, paying their salaries. Let us face it: Boko Haram was essentially a Nigerian problem from the beginning and we allowed it to spread to other countries in the Lake Chad region. The focus requires that attention be brought to bear on certain key areas. What sense does it make if where you were born and are living, you had to stay indoor everyday because of curfew and insecurity? If they give you the choice, what would you prefer? Is it to have ministers in a jeep with dark glasses and police escorts or your ability to sleep well without the fear of the bomber? This country will not experience peace and development without peace and security. The President has made that possible and he is addressing the corruption that has eaten deep into the society. But certainly ministers will come. Sometimes, you begin to wonder where the pressure is coming from! But you understand that it is a reward for delivering my constituency and so, it is understandable. However, the country should be placed above anything else and i think that is what the President is doing. Is the government comfortable with what seems like a sectional imbalance in appointments being made by the President? These appointments do not constitute five per cent of the appointments the President is going to make and they will come in waves. The President has also made two more appointments from the South-West. Do you want Northerners to start abusing him for giving two appointments to people from the South-West? They are emotional reactions to things that will come and go. This country has gone pass that stage. I am not talking about competence because in this country, we have so many competent people all over the place. But give it to the President; he has the right to choose those he will work with or cook his food. Somebody has cooked for him for 25 years and because of federal character, you want him to remove him and bring in another person? These appointments are like a fan which must blow all sides. These things will come. Nigerians will feel adequately represented because it is the requirement of the constitution of Nigeria and that is the position of the President because he is a fair leader; he is just leader and will do right to all manner of people. Hold him to that.

politicscommentary

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Buhari’s 100 days: Placing Nigeria on the firm path to recovery By Bola Tinubu

HREE months ago, the course of Nigeria’s future changed for the better. The All Progressives Congress (APC) won a historic election. Tired of the broken promises and damaged public institutions wrought by 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) misrule, the people demanded change. By virtue of the election, the people reclaimed the primacy of their sovereign will. They demanded that government should serve them before serving itself. That proclaimed that government for the people was not only possible in this land but that its establishment was overdue. The breath of hope was restored to the body politic. On that day, we all stood more proudly and more eager to walk into the new day that had come. But change is not made simply by winning an election or ejecting a few bad seeds from office. Change requires the careful removal of the rotted timber that has made national governance such a rickety structure. It requires the bold articulation yet wise implementation of a vision and supporting policies, programs and projects aimed at making our country better, making our people’s lives better. Change does not tolerate the high rates of poverty and joblessness that insult our national potential and reduce the lives of too many Nigerians. The change we seek will revive this economy in a way that creates jobs and lifts Nigerians out of poverty that all may enjoy the dignified and secure life promised us. Change is not weakening our military to the point where it is too demoralised and ill-equipped to protect our people from terrorist violence. Change is energising that military with new leadership, better war materiel and the firm mandate to rout Boko Haram. Change is establishing peace and security so that the hundreds of thousands of displaced Nigerians may return home in contemplation of rebuilding their lives in ways better than what was before. And change means fighting corruption in all of its manifestations instead of consorting with it. No longer shall the public treasury, meant for the wellbeing of the many, be treated as the private reserve of the few. Nigeria is now 100 days into President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership. It is clear that he has begun the change Nigeria needs. He has shown the decisiveness, the incorruptibility, security, acumen and progressive vision we voted for. He has brought the leadership we desperately need. I shudder to think where we might be, had the prior administration been allowed to govern even 100 days more, let alone another four years. First, Buhari has turned the table against Boko Haram. He has not hesitated to take the fight to the terrorists, destroying their hideouts, capturing their fighters and equipment, while taking the military initiative away from them. They are on their heels and on the run. To get to this better position, he dismissed general officers who had lost heart and were too hesitant to confront Boko Haram, replacing them with new military commanders selected not on regionalism or favoritism but on the strength of their military leadership

Tinubu

Change is not made simply by winning an election or ejecting a few bad seeds from office. Change requires the careful removal of the rotted timber that has made national governance such a rickety structure. and fighting spirit. The president strengthened our security partnerships with Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and the United States to build a much stronger regional and international coalition to uproot the terrorists. He continues to reach out to other nations to further strengthen that coalition. We are no longer a junior partner in a fight that mostly takes place on our soil. Because of President Buhari, we are at the head of thismultilateral effort, driving it forcefully to a successful conclusion. We are already seeing improvements in safety across the North-East as Boko Haram retreats and retreats. Buhari will not relent until there is no more Boko Haram left to fight. Buhari is also tackling corruption. Hehas already shown dozens of corrupt officials the exit, demonstrating that he will not tolerate corruption in his government. He is

busily plugging the loopholes in the system to prevent the wholesale thievery so common under the predecessor government. The idea of a single Federal Government account is one such corrective measure. Moreover, he is studiously tracking where much of the stolen funds went. He is doing this that he may recover these public funds and bring to book those who purloined them. He will return that money to the people, using the funds to build schools, roads, and hospitals that Nigeria needs. The president is equally taking steps to pull our economy from the dangerous brink where the PDP left it and then to strengthen and diversify the economy that it may provide jobs and prosperity to all who are willing to work to improve their lot. He has fought and already cured much of the indiscipline and subterfuge that plagued the

operation of our refineries and power system. Just in the first 100 days, refinery production has increased reasonably, lowering the cost of fuel importation and thus spurring greater economic activity. He also has improved electricity production by holding the power companies accountable. By approving a package of emergency fiscal and financial relief, he has stopped the slide of numerous states into economic depression and imminent bankruptcy. By enabling the payment of back salaries to state government civil servants, he has saved millions of Nigerians from sinking into the hunger and poverty. Moreover, the funds paid to these people will be used to purchase goods and services thus energising local economies that were becoming flaccid due to lack of aggregate consumer demand. The former government should have taken this step months ago, even before the election. However, it let a bad situation fester into impending calamity. Had that government remained in office, it would have allowed the states to slide into bankruptcy, triggering a financial crisis that would have engulfed the banking system if not the entire economy. In his first 100 days, President Buhari staved the financial paralysis of the states and, as such, may have prevented a sudden and crippling financial crisis. Gone are the days of rebasing falsehood and brazen theft from our treasury. In coming weeks, he will reveal his budget. The budget will go far toward honoring his campaign promises to boost domestic industries, improve our schools to prepare our children for the jobs of tomorrow, and invest in infrastructure that will make Nigeria a better place to run a farm, build a factory, drive cars, drink water, construct homes, and create jobs. We have still a lot of work to do. While reeling, Boko Haram is not completely defeated. Our abducted girls are not back, and too many from the North-East are still unable to return home. With regard to corruption, we must not only recoup stolen money, we must rediscover lost public ethics. We need to establish the mindset that corruption is criminal and evil and do away with the mentality that has treated it as correct public etiquette. While actions have been taken to thwart imminent crisis, much needs to be done to place the economy on solid footing over the longer haul. I look forward with great optimism and enthusiasm to the government coming forward with plans to create jobs, modernize our infrastructure and diversify the economy so that our industrial sector may attain greater prominence. I salute and accept the deliberate painstaking slow fix of this government which is meant to set a stronger foundation for quick economic recovery. The effort to stem the primitive pilferage of our commonwealth must attain national priority. The Buhari administration is committed to building a new country. Looking at the fragile vehicle they inherited and at the harsh terrain they have been able to navigate, I could not be prouder of what the president, the vice president and their team have done thus far. If they continue in this manner, they will have done more than justify the people’s faith in them. They would have placed Nigeria on the path to its better self. We cannot ask any more from them than that.

politicscommentary

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015 out from the Presidency. One such directives has to do with access to foreign currencies as implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The unwarranted delay in appointing ministers to head the different ministries and the attendant one-man show being enacted by President Buhari has all but stagnated the economy, while also placing many Nigeria under untold hardship. The recourse to working with permanent secretaries is an obvious set-back to governance procedure as there is a set limit to actions executable by permanent secretaries in the ministries. To many, the attitude and body language of President Buhari is proof of his insensitivity and it reveals in stark terms that he is out of tune with the socio-economic realities of the present-day Nigeria.

By Kayode Ajulo

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has recorded 100 days in office, meaning he has spent approximately three months since his inauguration as president on May 29. Regardless of what the army of praise-singers, in whose eyes the president can do no wrong, may say, it is in tune with globally acceptable best practices to evaluate his performance as president so far. Indeed, in view of our unique circumstances as a leadership-challenged country, it is also very prudent and necessary for every socially conscious and well-meaning Nigerian- particularly those who clamoured and voted him in as president- to conduct a personal scientific evaluation of the performances of the man who promised to usher in change and a new season for Nigerians and Nigeria. It is on record that as a candidate, he promised to address three major issues concerning Nigeria, namely security, corruption and the economic crisis in the country. These then are the areas that should serve as a yardstick for ascertaining if Nigerians are on the right track or if we have been given a ‘dud cheque’ by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Security During campaign, candidate Buhari promised to address the insurgency squarely and firmly, and within six months, put an end to the activities of the extremist sect across the North-East. It is also on record that six weeks to the election, renewed counter-insurgency operations began to bear fruit as the insurgents were routed on every side by the country’s security forces who had received muchneeded arms and ammunition to successfully prosecute the war against terrorism. It was therefore a huge shock to all Nigerians when after the May 29inauguration, the Boko Haram enacted a come-back, hitting at the nation with unprecedented ferocity. June and July 2015 witnessed perhaps even more wanton spillage of blood and senseless murder of Nigerians by the terrorists than the preceding months. Even more surprising to Nigerians was the president’s declaration of his willingness to negotiate with the insurgents in the name of seeking peace. Nigerians are now left to wonder if the promise to end insurgency is just one of those “little white lies” that politicians love to tell the electorate when they are still seeking votes. While the appointment of seemingly capable officers as service chiefs generated enthusiasm and hope across the country, Nigerians are yet to record decisive victory in the war against Boko Haram. Corruption President Buhari is renowned as a person whose anti-corruption stance is legendary. In fact, it was based on the strength of this reputation that many eligible voters cast their votes for the APC during the presidential polls. “If Nigerians do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” is a statement attributed to him during the campaign season. The APC painted a picture of a Utopian environment devoid of corruption that candidate Buhari would establish in Nigeria if voted in as president. Nigerians did just that, and the question today is “what have we to show for it?” While most Nigerians wish to see a Nigeria in which corruption has become a past tense and probity established as a replacement for corrupt and opaque practices, many have accused the president of waging a heavily biased anti-corruption war in which only members of the opposition are being hounded and witch-hunted by the law enforcement agencies. Many have also wondered why certain dubious characters who have huge allegations of corruption and looting hang-

Buhari

Buhari: A superman with feet of clay ing over their heads have continued to enjoy the privileges that comes with being ‘buddies’ with the president. No doubt, the erstwhile comatose law enforcement agencies appeared to have been somewhat re-energised and we are regaled with tales of probes upon probes and discoveries of acts of grand looting in government agencies, ‘the thrust of these agencies appear prejudiced. With President Buhari, the nation has been awash with probes, DSS/EFCC busts and media trials in which ministers and allies of former President Goodluck Jonathan have been tried and convicted on the pages of newspapers without any single recourse to prosecution in the law court. It appears that a new trend of trying persons in the media has arrived in this season of change. On the other hand, persons perceived to be largely corrupt in the ruling APC seem to have gotten a pass on the many allegations levelled at them so much so that a chieftain who has an N11 billion naira fraud case in

court has recently clinched the APC gubernatorial ticket to contest in Kogi State. Is this the change that Nigerians voted for? As of today, the greatest achievement of President Buhari is on corruption. Alas, no one has been convicted but many are in “hospital custody” as the fear of Buhari’s EFCC is the beginning of hospitalisation of many. Economy Despite dwindling oil prices, one of the victories scored by the Jonathan administration is the rise of the country’s economic profile such that it was widely acknowledged that Nigeria became Africa’s biggest economy under Jonathan. The APC promised to attack the problem of unemployment with gusto and to shore up the nation’s dwindling earnings by seeking alternative revenue sources. It was therefore disheartening to learn that the stock market has suffered a rather steep fall under the new administration and that investors have lost confidence due to the badly thought-out directives being issued

It is nothing abut a mockery of our aspirations to be a truly united nation... that the president would give blatant preference to one region over and above other regions in a federating unit like ours.

National unity and integration One of the charges levelled against candidate Buhari in the run-up to the presidential poll was that he was too sectional to be a fair and just president. While perceived as a religious bigot, others claimed that he was a dyed-in-the-wool tribalist, whose main reason for seeking elective office as president was to implement a so-called Northern Agenda. A cursory glance at the geo-political spread of the appointments made by President Buhari so far appears to imbue these claims with a form of validity. Although the president declared during his inauguration that “I belong to nobody, and I belong to everybody,” his statements after inauguration in which he opined that Nigerians should hardly expect that he would treat regions that voted overwhelmingly for him in the same manner as he would treat those who rejected him with their votes, show that the president would exhibit pure bias in his leadership of the nation and disbursement of resources. It is nothing but a mockery of our aspirations to be a truly united nation in the face of our unique tribal, ethnic and religious diversity that the president would give blatant preference to one region over and above other regions in a federating unit like ours. What message are other tribes expected to get from such actions? It is unfortunate that in a uniquely fractured environment like ours where the terrain appears seeded with tribal-cum-religious suspicions, the elected president will proceed to take actions that are primed to further fracture the nation and validate the fears of the majority. Recently, Nigerians across the land have also been taken aback by the recent volteface enacted by the Presidency and the APC in the disowning of two campaign documents titled “My Covenant with Nigerians” and “One Hundred Things Buhari will Doin 100 Days” attributed to candidate Buhari during the campaign season. Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu and APC spokesman Lai Mohammed, in a combined fit of shamelessness, recently declared that the documents were neither authored by the APC, nor assented to by the party’s presidential candidate as believed by the majority of Nigerians were swayed by the promises contained therein to vote him in. The spokesmen have since declared that President Buhari is not honour-bound to fulfill the promises recorded in them. This about-turn reveals a large deficit in integrity- the very factor for which Nigerians voted for candidate Buhari overwhelmingly and elected him as president. Does this imply that the superman Buhari has ‘feet of clay’?The above denial is nothing but uncharitable act , breach of social contract, utter deceit and conspiracy against Nigerians for President Buhari and/or his party, APC and aides to deny the knowledge of these campaign documents.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

inside

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08065167178

nigerdelta

Jubilation as Issele Uku gets electricity Alphonsus Agborh— Asaba

Oseme (second right) dancing with some women in celebration of the electricity supply to the community.

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LL of us can savour a sense of real excitement in the air here as we power Issele Uku community for the first time in seven years. “I am convinced that the future holds a promise that is limitless if we can harness the power generated to deliver our new democracy and the new Aniocha North Local Government Area”. That is the expression of the executive Chairman of Aniocha North Council of Delta State, Mr Chukwugoziem Oseme, at the commissioning of the electricity to the area. Actually, jubilation by the people knew no bound on September 2, 2015 when Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) powered Issele Uku, the council headquarters, from where several other communities will hook to end seven years of total darkness. Such communities include Onicha Olona, Ezi, Onicha Ugbo, Idumuje Unor, Idumuje Ugboko, Onicha Ukwu, Okunzu, Obomkpa and many others. The elderly, youths, including traders, artisans, and government workers, trooped out in large numbers to grace the commissioning ceremony. Some of them, who spoke to InsideNigerDelta could not but expressed their appreciation to the chairman of the council, Mr Oseme, who fought tirelessly to ensure the realisation of the project. According to Mr Oseme, the quest to actualise this feat started in December 2014 when the local government action committee on power and energy was inaugurated. “The determination of the committee gave birth to the council’s partnership with BEDC which eventually crystallised in the illumination of Issele Uku town.

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“Putting this pact together can only be termed miraculous in the face of dwindling allocations currently crippling the local government councils across the state, but we forged ahead because we knew and believed that with this partnership, we were in a very real and practical step, financially unleashing the economic potentials of the communities in Aniocha North and laying foundation for new investment, job creation and prosperity . “By providing electricity, we are creating the basic infrastructure that every society needs to grow. “From this, improvements are bound to come, more people, more businesses and

Commissioner for Energy, Barrister Newworld Safugha (right), cutting the tape at the ceremony while the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Monday Igbuya (left) and others watch.

Dep. Speaker raises alarm over herdsmen’s attack on farmers in Delta —pg35

DESOPADEC board: Ijaws give Okowa 2-week ultimatum —pg35

more wealth are bound to follow. The entire population of Issele Uku and environs will benefit from this project especially families, schools and farmers on whom much of our economy depend. “We cared that you didn’t have access to power, that many of you couldn’t afford generators, that your evenings were filled with dim lights from candles to lamps. “We care that our youths are roaming the street jobless, and without power supply in the communities and economic opportunities that come with it”, Oseme said. The out pouring of his heart on electricity supply to his council area exactly depicts the totality of over 20 other communities in the four other local government areas of Delta North, where for the period of seven years there was no electricity supply. The people of Aniocha South and Oshimili North, to be precise, have been in the same shoe with Aniocha North and Oshimili South all these years. The people blamed BEDC for their woes especially since March when the 320-13233 KVA power project (step down from the national grid) was completed. The hope of the people of Ogwashi Uku, Ibusa, Ubulu Uku, Asaba, Issele Uku, Illah, Akwukwu Igbo, among others, to get connected to the step down was almost dashed. For years, before the completion of the project and months after, economic activities were at its doldrums, night life was zero and it was haunting fear at night. The sale of generating set, according to a survey, was higher in the area as virtually every home depended on generators. The step down, built by Alkaay Electric, took about two years to be completed. The commissioning ceremony was billed for May this year, but for unforeseen circumstances, former President Goodluck Jonathan did not have the grace to commission it and is yet to be officially commissioned. Nevertheless, Asaba was first to be

connected after series of battles between stakeholders who insisted that the companies and industries operating in the area should have a separate line from their own auto transformer. This was meant to avoid any interruption of power. But because of the huge revenue BEDC gets from these companies, the wish of the people was consigned into the dustbin. However, the communities went ahead to spend so much money to rehabilitate all faulty lines, re-stand the poles as a way of facilitating the work of BEDC to restore light to the customers. That is exactly what Issele Uku did while others are following suits. BEDC, in collaboration with the remaining communities, especially Ubulu Uku, Ogwashi Uku and Ibusa, is working assiduously to put the facilities in place after which the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL) will certify that the lines are okay to be energised. This is to forestall any casualty. The company is also carrying out enumeration of customers in order to tag them for the purpose of revenue collection and this BEDC says must be completed before the people get electricity supply.

CREW

Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Alphonsus Agborh 08035838703 Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa 08065400743 austinebipade@gmail.com

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Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Guinea Bissau crisis: Obasanjo visits Buhari Clement Idoko - Abuja

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo was at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, to confide in President Muhammadu Buhari on his ongoing peace efforts at the Guinea Bissau. Buhari had appointed Obasanjo as his special envoy to mediate and help find a solution to the crisis brewing in Guinea Bissau. The two leaders met behind closed-doors in the president’s office for over an hour. Obasanjo, however, declined comments when State House correspondents accosted him after the meeting, as he was being seen off to his car by President Buhari. It was, however, gathered that his visit was not unconnected with his mission to Guinea Bissau, where

Buhari had appointed him as special envoy to mediate in the political crisis. The meeting, it was gathered, was to brief Buhari on the outcome of his visit to Guinea Bissau, where he was mandated to restore constitutional order, fol-

lowing the dismissal of the Prime Minister, Mr Domingos Simoes Pereira and his cabinet by President Jose Mario Vaz. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Ad-

esina, on August 31, had indicated that Buhari had sent Chief Obasanjo as his special envoy to mediate and help find a solution to the crisis brewing in Guinea Bissau. The statement added that Chief Obasanjo had em-

barked on the first leg of his mission by consulting with the current chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Macky Sall of Senegal, in Dakar.

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), welcoming a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, during the latter’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Olu of Warri: Palace remains calm, as people go about normal businesses Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri ITSEKIRI chiefs at the palace of the Olu of Warri have remained incommunicado over the true state of the unconfirmed death of Ogiame, Atuwatse II. As of Tuesday, only security men were sighted at the gate of the expansive palace premises. People were seen going about their normal businesses. None of them betrayed any sign of any form of mourning or imposition of traditional restrictions associated with the transition of an African monarch. Shops were opened and the owners were making

transactions as usual. The palace chiefs had, on Monday morning, sent for journalists for a briefing on the true state of the monarch, but later called it off. The newsmen were told to expect a call from the palace when the chiefs are ready with their statement. It was gathered that consultations were still on as to how the situation should be handled and whatever the true state of the Olu. But as of Tuesday, neither have the chiefs called on the journalists to return for the briefing, nor was any of them ready to speak on phone, on the actual situation at hand. Attempts to speak with some of passersby proved abortive, as they all rebuffed

making any comment on the issue. The 70-year-old royal father was rumoured to have died last Friday, at a Lagos hospital, following complications from an alleged recent domestic accident. He was born in 1945 and christened Godwin Toritseju Emiko, being the sec-

ond son of Olu Erejuwa II of Iwere Kingdom (Itsekiri Kingdom of Warri). He attended the prestigious Hussey College, Warri, before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Bachelors of Law (LLB) degree. Before he was crowned 19th Olu of Warri on May

Osun govt to workers: Present pry school cert before salary payment Oluwole Ige - Osogbo HOPE of civil servants in Osun State to receive backlog of their salary arrears appears dim, as the state

government, on Tuesday, demanded the presentation of their primary school certificates for screening before the payment of their salaries.

Ondo still awaiting FG bailout, to pay salaries this week ONDO State government, on Tuesday, dismissed insinuations that it has received bailout fund from the Federal Government, even as it mentioned that workers in the state will be paid their salaries this week. Speaking with newsmen in Akure, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Yele Ogundipe, said government was yet to access the said fund, adding, however, that process was ongoing by the state to access the bailout fund. According to the commissioner, the Federal Government had earlier directed that states could only access the fund through commer-

cial banks, adding that the state got an offer letter from a commercial bank on the third of this month. “We are currently processing the payment and what the Federal Government has done is to instruct the state to access the funds through the commercial banks. We have approved one of the commercial banks and like most other states have done and they just gave us an offer letter on Thursday, September 3. “Of course, we immediately prepared memo for the state executive council’s approval, which came on Monday, that we should access the loan at the rate specified

2, 1987, he had briefly practised law at Emiko Chambers at Okere, Warri, a law firm established by his uncle. In 1983, the Olu was appointed into the Warri Traditional Council and also served in various capacities as a member of Warri Local Government Area of Delta State.

by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is a single digit rate of nine per cent.” He said further that government was hopeful that “within the next one week, the N14 billion will be received” submitting that government is still collating all its papers to be forwarded to the CBN. The commissioner said, however, that workers in the state would be paid a month salary before the end of this week, while the remaining two months arrears would be paid as soon as the bailout fund was accessed. He said contrary to calls from some quarters that the bailout fund should be

used to fund some projects, including road, the commissioner said the fund cannot be used for any purpose other than paying salaries of active workers, adding that the condition for accessing the loan did not even allow for pensioners to benefit from the package. “ The fund is for the settlement of outstanding salaries. It is not for any other purpose, it is not even for us to settle outstanding gratuities due pensioners. “It is strictly for those who are working with the state at the moment. No money can be diverted to any project, infrastructural or whatsoever, it is not allowed,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that screening forms were given out to some of the civil servants on Tuesday, with specific instruction to attach photocopies of their primary school certificates to the forms. The development followed the decision of the state government under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to organise another screening exercise to determine the actual number of the state workforce, which is now to be handled by consultant. One of the top civil servants, who pleaded anonymity informed Nigerian Tribune that a bulletin on the presentation of primary school certificates by workers would be out today to inform civil servants about the development. Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy to the governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, could not be reached.

We will go on strike if..., Nasarawa NLC warns Al-Makura Ademola Adegbite - Lafia NASARAWA State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Abdullahi Adeka, on Tuesday, threatened that the union would embark on indefinite strike, if the state government failed to rescind its decision of paying the workers their August salaries through table payment. He made this known in Lafia, the state capital, while addressing newsmen on the latest development. According to him, “if the government refuses to adhere to the terms of agreement reached with the union to pay workers through their respective banks, we would go on indefinite strike. “This is what we can do in order to prevent the stress and undue delay in the payments of our August salaries.” NLC boss told the government to respect the agreement reached on the payment of workers’ salaries, with a view to maintaining industrial harmony in the state, saying: “we have already agreed that salaries would be paid through the banks and anything short of what we agreed on, the union would not take it lightly.” Mr Adeka, therefore, directed all the civil servants in the state not to turn out for any scheduled table payment, if the governor maintained his stance on such decision. Meanwhile, the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, on Tuesday, ordered that the cash payment of workers’ salaries which was to take effect from September, should be postponed, considering the timing and processes involved in order to have a hitch-free exercise. He, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and the State AccountantGeneral to commence the payment of August salaries forthwith. The decision to this effect, according to the governor, was reached at a meeting between the government and organised labour that the process of documentation for the cash payment would commence early with effect from September salary.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

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

My suspension, political — Ovia S/West LG boss

HE chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Morrison OgunorobaOvia, has described as politically motivated his purported suspension by some councillors in the local government. Ogunoroba-Ovia said the

action, which also affected the secretary of the council, Mr Oyomire Idahosa, was a plot by some aggrieved leaders, in collaboration with five lawmakers to stop his second term ambition. Ogunrobo-Ovia stated this while briefing newsmen on the crisis rocking the council.

NOA decries female circumcision in Ohaji/ Egbema LG THE Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Imo State, Mr Vitus Ekeocha, has called for the stoppage of female circumcision in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state. Ekeocha made the call at a sensitisation outreach programme targeted at areas with the highest incidence of the practice. The programme was coordinated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It was aimed at educating representatives of Mmahu, Awara, Obosioma, Ihu Ohaji and Obiakpu communities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, on the dangers of the practice. He said the programme was aimed at finding lasting ways of eradicating the practice. Ekeocha said that the practice, which was rooted in culture and tradition, had caused a lot of harm to womanhood. He also said that the practice had negative effects on the future of the victims as it sometimes led to incapacitation or death. The director stated that community engagement with a view to shifting social norms would go a long way in eradicating the practice. A resource person at the event, Mr Benjamin Uwakwem, said cultural practices which negatively affected the lives of people should be abandoned. Uwakwem noted that the fact that a particular cultural practice had been observed for a long time did not make the practice right.

He said female circumcision had severe health consequences which include; severe pain, bleeding, shock, pelvic inflammatory disease and acute urinary retention. He said because of the unsanitary practices involved in the process, the victims were exposed to risks of contracting infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B. Uwakwem suggested that fines should be imposed on people who continued to practice Female Genital Mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the area in order to deter them. Contributing, Mr Vitalis Ekwem, a child rights advocate, stated that all customs that violated the constitution of the country should be abolished.

It will be recalled that the Ovia South West council boss was suspended by the council’s lawmakers over issues relating to fraud in the council’s internally generated revenue. The chairman alleged that the suspension was not only illegal, but that it also did not follow due process in line with the Edo State Local Government Law 2000, as amended. According to him, “Section 19 (9) states that the holder of the office (of chairman) under investigation shall not be suspended within the period of the investigation,’’ adding that he was still in charge as the elected chief executive officer of the local government council. “This is the same local government since I assumed office two years and some months ago that has not been found wanting in any way. “Yet, some people want to use the opportunity to pull it down, despite the glaring development strides that cut across all the 10 wards of the council area in the past two years and several months of my administration. “I want to say clearly that the purported suspension did not follow due process at all and that the councillors do not have the authority under the law to suspend

me. “I make bold to say that you saw the extent of the development in Ovia SouthWest, that there is no ward you go to that you will not see the presence of my administration. “Is it schools, health centres, scholarship schemes? All these we have been able to put in place for the good people of Ovia South West local government area. “We are building a long lasting legacy for our people and because of the unprecedented political growth, as well as my profile, some people see this as an opportunity to want to bring me down. “Well, I leave everything to God because God is the one who gives power and He that gave me the opportunity to serve the good people of Ovia South-West will not let me down. “If there is an allegation against me, they are supposed to set up an independent body that they themselves are not supposed to be part of those to investigate the alleged issues. “The independent body will investigate after which they will now submit the report to the said councilors, for onward transmission to the state House of Assembly, for action,” he explained.

Gov. Adams Oshiomole, Edo State

Burutu LG gets new scribe Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

THE chairman of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Ebikeme Clark, has sworn in Mr Victor Awisi as the Secretary to the Local Government. Speaking in his office where the swearing-in took place, the chairman urged the newly sworn in secretary, to see his appointment as essentially for the people of the council area, while other considerations in the course of his functions as the sectary were secondary.

Kwande LG boss bans use of 35kg bags to sell grains THE Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, Mrs Helen Ikpambese, has banned the use of 35 kg bags by middle men to buy grains off local farmers on market days, saying it was exploitative. Ikpambese told newsmen at Adikpo that the ban was to protect the farmers who gave away their grains at cheap prices. She said instead of the 35 Kg bags, she has directed the use of 28kg bags to enable rural farmers sell their produce at a good price. The council boss said the decision was to encourage farmers to sustain food production to avert crises. She regretted that the 35 kg bags were too big to be

allowed as standard measurement for the sale of commodities in a local government, whose predominant occupation was farming. She explained that the farmers needed protection from the activities of the middlemen or traders, who often times dictate the direction of the market by fixing prices. The chairman said the decision has been applauded by the farmers, especially the women in the local government area, stressing that they had started enjoying good prices on their produce. Ikpambese said she would continue to encourage farmers in the area to increase the production of Bambara

nuts and other crops for which the local government has comparative advantage. She also commended the security agencies, the traditional institution and parents for collaborating with the council to promote peace and stability within the area. The chairman said that she deliberately set out to block all financial loopholes to ensure that all generated revenues were appropriately channeled. According to her, the effort has paid off as revenue generation has greatly improved from what it was in the past. “Now, I insist that all revenues generated on market days must be banked, whereas in the past they

keep them; I have told them the benefits of keeping revenues with the banks,” she said. She, however, bemoaned the high prevalence of youth unemployment in the local government, which has earned the council a negative reputation as the breeding ground for militia. The chairman said her priority was to create ways of engaging them to be gainfully productive in the society. “I have created various market committees where some of these youths are currently serving and intended to explore several other ways of fixing them in order to make them productive in the society,” she said.

Mr Clark said that he needed not remind the new appointee that his duties were numerous as they were both political and administrative, adding that he had no doubt that with dedication to duty, diligence and cooperation of the legislature and staff of the local government council, the secretary, would perform his duties creditably. Speaking further, the local government chairman, advised Hon. Awisi to see himself as the link between the political class and the civil servants, as he pleaded with him to jealously guard against giving wrong advice and making wrong decisions, as any mistake or wrong decision on his part could have far-reaching adverse implications on administration. The chairman advised him to be humble and ready to learn on the job, as that would enhance his general performance in the long run. He urged him to work hand-in-hand with the Head of Personnel Management, Heads of Departments and other principal officers of the local government area to achieve maximum results in the overall interest of the area. Responding, Mr Awisi thanked the local government chairman for nominating him to the Delta State House of Assembly for confirmation.

news

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Buhari sliding Nigeria into dictatorship —PDP govs

•Condemn DSS invasion of A/Ibom govt house •No govt house is immune from lawful search —LP chieftain From Austin Ebipade and Bola Badmus

OVERNORS under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday morning, said Nigeria was sliding into dictatorship under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. The governors, under the aegis of PDP Governors Forum, made this known after rising from almost twohour meeting of the forum held in the inner chamber of the Bayelsa State governor’s office in Yenagoa. The PDP governors led by their chairman and governor of Ondo State, Mr Olusegun Mimiko, condemned in strong terms, the alleged invasion of Akwa Ibom State Government House by operatives of the Department of the

State Security. Mimiko, who read the communiqué of the forum to select journalists, said the invasion was against the spirit, ethos, values and fundamental tenets of democratic norms and tradition, more so with the existence of a duly elected and sworn in governor of the state. He said, “We insist that the trend must stop henceforth. No democracy survives without a viable opposition in any part of the world and we must also remember to remind the APC

that they are the real beneficiaries of the liberal democratic ethos of the PDP. “We once more advise the DSS to preoccupy itself with the task of ensuring internal security and desist from daily harassing and intimidating members of the opposition. “We implore the international community, the civil society organisations and human rights activists to call the All Progressives Party led Federal Government to order and to insist that it respects the well entrenched democratic tradi-

tion. “We all have a duty to prevent what looks to us like a steady slide of this country into dictatorship.” Mimiko said the PDP governors were worried, alarmed and shocked by such desecration, noting that it was an assault on democracy. He said situation like what happened in Akwa Ibom spelt doom and posed serious danger to the country’s fledgling democracy. He said that action was one of the continuous attempts by the APC-con-

trolled government to stifle the opposition. Of the 13 PDP governors in the country, two governors and four deputy governors were present at the meeting. The governors were Mimiko and the host, Seriake Dickson, while the deputies that represented their governors were those of Delta, Kingsley Otuaro; Abia, Chris Akomas; Ebonyi, Kelechi Igwe and Kogi, Yomi Awoniyi. Governors of Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Benue, Ekiti and

NEMA urges communities along Rivers, flood prone areas to relocate Chris Agbambu – Abuja

THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has again warned states and local governments to immediately relocate residents of communities along rivers, waterways and flood-prone areas to safer grounds to avoid unnecessary loss of lives and properties. This warning became inevitable following heavy rains and the devastating effect of floods that have been witnessed in most of the communities along rivers, waterways and flood prone areas in the recent time. The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, said that since the Agency issued early warning flood alert, it has embarked on mitigation and preventive measures against the hazard by organising workshops on flood awareness/ sensitisation campaign through its six zonal offices and six operation offices in the country. He urged state and local government authorities to always march early warning with early action by introducing flood control programmes such as clearing of drainages and canals to ensure free flow of water, construction of new drainages where necessary, preventing buildings on waterways and relocating those living along flood plains to safer areas.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors with former President Goodluck Jonathan, at his Otuoke home, in Bayelsa State.

Taraba states did not turn out at the meeting. They also did not send any representatives. However, it was learnt that most of the governors were not present because of their intention to attend Dickson’s formal declaration for second term yesterday. Meanwhile, as reactions trail the recent invasion of Government House in Akwa-Ibom by the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Labour Party (LP) said on Tuesday, that no Government House is immune from lawful search and investigation. The party said this in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Mr Kayode Ajulo, contending that Akwa Ibom State Government House is not a Diplomatic Mission or Foreign Government Embassy that would require the SSS or any law enforcement agencies to respect Geneva Convention. Ajulo said the immunity conferred on governors and their deputies as well as president and vice- president did not stop investigation and possible prosecution pending the expiration of their tenure. According to him, intelligence or law enforcement agency officials can invade any government building if there is credible intelligence about what threatens the national security.

Jonathan, wife attend Dickson’s declaration Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, on Tuesday, attended the re-election campaign rally of Governor Seriake Dickson at the Samson Siasia Sports complex in Yenagoa. Mr Jonathan, who endorsed Mr Dickson’s reelection bid, said the governor remains the best candidate for the job and urged the people to support him for a second term. Speaking at the event, Mr Dickson expressed appreciation to the former President for endorsing him for a second term, adding that the rally marked the official commencement of campaigns. He said Bayelsa was a predominantly Peoples Democratic Party state, having produced the state’s four governors in the last 16 years. He said that Bayelsa people have no room for All Progressives Congress. “They in APC have no message for the people, they will lose and we will win. They

boast that they have police and INEC, but we have you, do not be misled by their propaganda,” said Mr Jonathan. He urged the federal government and its agencies to be professional in their duties to ensure a violence free election. Mr Dickson boasted that PDP has a concrete record of performance and pledged to run an issue-based campaign in the run up to the December 5 gubernatorial

elections in the state. Also at the event were Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and several deputy governors. Meanwhile, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said that the campaign to occupy “Creek Haven,” the seat of government for a second term is not about him, but the collective interest of the people and for the future of Ijaw

nation and children unborn. The Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, is littered with poster of different support groups beckoning on Governor Dickson to consolidate on his numerous achievements in his first tenure, as they also pledge to support and vote massively to revalidate his mandate as governor on December 5, 2015. “We are not campaigning, and the campaign is not about me but our future,

IGP orders nationwide clampdown on persons inciting violence Chris Agbambu – Abuja

THE Inspector –General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has ordered an immediate clampdown on person or group of persons inciting violence and social disorder across the country. This directive becomes imperative owing to recent activities of members of the Movement for the Actual-

ization of Sovereign States of Biafran (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in some parts of the country. Force spokesperson, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, in a statement in Abuja, on Tuesday, said that this operational order empowers the police to arrest anybody fomenting any act of violence or disorder, or any act inimical to the security of the nation.

According to her, so far, the following arrests have been made Anambra State – 4; Imo State – 6; Delta State – 11 and Abia State – 1. The force spokesperson said that, the IGP further warns that all persons so arrested for inciting violence, irrespective of their class or status in the society would be charged to court accordingly.

stressing that all Bayelsans are campaign directors to educate our people in the rural areas of the stride of the PDP Government and the need to deliver hundred per cent votes at the polls.” At the stakeholders meeting, first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha enjoined Bayelsans to vote for the PDP, as the party that has transformed Bayelsa since 1999, also as the party made President Goodluck Jonathan the first minority president of the country. He said further that other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) are strange to the Ijaw nation, and sadly, that most of them are not on ground in the state. According to him, other parties, including the APC are accidental parties, as they are known to always race to hire office space when election approaches, in order to deceive Bayelsans, unlike the PDP that have an enduring secretariat for the past 16 years.

news Again, Amosun, APC fail to stop Isiaka’s petition 38

Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

HE Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) again failed in its bid to stop the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, contesting the victory of Amosun in the April 11 election. At the continued hear-

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

ing on Wednesday, two separate petitions were filed before the tribunal by Amosun and his party who are the first and second respondents respectively. According to a motion on notice obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, both Amosun and his party sought for an order setting aside the entire proceedings and report of the pre-hearing session which was closed on July 13. The respondents also

sought the order consequentially dismissing and/ or striking out the petition on account of irregularities, incompetence and/or lack of jurisdiction of the tribunal to determine the petition as constituted. It was learnt that the applications were brought in pursuant to Section 6 and Section 36 (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and paragraphs 18 (1) - (4), 47 (1) and 53 (5) of the first schedule to the Electoral

Act, 2010 as amended. However, the petitioners, in the counter affidavit, explained that all issues raised in the application were not true and that they have been adjudicated upon by the tribunal in separate applications by Amosun and the APC. The petitioners also said that the applications were brought to waste the time of the tribunal against the constitutional time frame in which the petition should be heard and deter-

Lanlehin to testify in own case, as tribunal admits additional 69 exhibits By Dare Adekanmbi THE National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, provisionally admitted additional 69 exhibits supplied by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin to justify his claim of irregularities in the March 28 election.

Lanlehin, who was Accord Party candidate for the election in Oyo South Senatorial district, is challenging the declaration of Senator Soji Akanbi as the winner of the election in all the nine local government councils in the district. The petitioner has, within two of the seven days allotted him to open his case,

Tribunal admits documents as hearing begins on Adeyemi’s petition Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE National Assembly and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, commenced hearing on the petition filed against the conduct of the Kogi West senatorial election of March 28, 2015.

... adjourns indefinitely in Adamawa to prepare for judgment THE National and State Legislative Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Adamawa has adjourned indefinitely to allow the judges prepare judgment on seven petitions filed before it. The Secretary of the tribunal, Mrs Falilat Orire, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Tuesday, that the Justice Anthony Onovo-led three-member tribunal would notify counsel in the petitions on the day for each judgment. NAN reported that the tribunal sitting in Jabi, Abuja, had entertained eight petitions — one for Senate, one for the House of Representatives and six for the State Assembly. The tribunal had earlier struck out the petition challenging the election of Senator Abdulaziz Nyako of the All Progressives Congress.

The tribunal also admitted as exhibit bags of documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which included INEC manual and guideline for the election, original ballot papers used for the disputed units, form EC8c1 for Kabba/Bunnu and the INEC report on the conduct of the primaries by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the senatorial district. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Smart Adeyemi, had challenged the declaration of the candidate of the APC, Dino Melaiye, as the winner, claiming that the exercise was fraught with irregularities in 21 units of the district. Apart from the allegation of irregularities, Adeyemi also told the tribunal that the APC did not conduct primaries before Melaiye was picked as candidate, saying this was against the provisions of the Electoral Act. At the commencement of the hearing, Adeyemi through his counsel, Kayode Olatoke, had prayed the tribunal to allow him tender as exhibits the documents following a supeana granted on the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state to produce the documents. Olatoke argued that the documents were brought in accordance with Section 218 of the Evidence Act, saying that admitting them would not breach the section.

tendered 79 exhibits and called only three out of the 11 witnesses scheduled to give evidence to prove the claim that the election was marred by irregularities. Senator Lanlehin is one of the witnesses lined up to give further evidence in chief in the petition and he is likely to do so when hearing continues today. Counsel for Akanbi, Chief Olayinka Bolanle, objected to

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the admissibility of the result sheets tendered in respect of votes from Ibadan NorthWest Local Government Area on the ground that they were not pleaded in the petition. Reacting, Michael Lana, who is counsel for Lanlehin, said it was trite law that the petitioner was only required by law to plead facts and not evidence, citing some authorities in support of his argument.

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mined. In his ruling, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Henry Olusiyi, said the applications were abuse of court processes to waste the time of the tribunal. “By these applications, the 1st and 2nd respondents are asking us to sit on an appeal over our ruling of 7th of July, 2015 and 30th of July, 2015. All the two issues raised in the two applications have been decided upon one way or the other. “The normal and proper thing for the 1st and 2nd respondents to have done

Nigerian Tribune

was to appeal and not to bug us down with these applications. This is no doubt an abuse of court process. These applications are an attempt to re-litigate matters that this tribunal has long settled.” Meanwhile, Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oluwajare Ogunnaike, closed his case without calling the listed witness. The tribunal has therefore adjourned till Tuesday, September 29, for the adoption of final written addresses by the parties.

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news

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

$9.3m arms deal: Northern Christians condemn attacks on Oritsejafor, ask Buhari to probe Jonathan’s security chiefs Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

HE Northern Christian Youth Solidarity Movement for Emancipation, Justice and Self Determination has condemned what it described as campaign of calumny against the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over the $9.3 million botched arms deal in South Africa. This is as it called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order a probe of the security chiefs during ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to ascertain the truth. In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the northern Christian group, Mr James Gani, the group recommended that if found guilty, perpetrators should be punished in line with the law. The group regretted the orchestrated attempts to bring Oritsejafor into pub-

lic criticism, “because of his consistent inclination to speaking the truth notwithstanding whose ox is gored.” The statement further said that Oritsejafor proudly takes responsibility for defending the rights of the Christian community and those of the less privileged, and can never be cowed by the activities of cheap popularity seekers. According to Gani, his organisation has watched with dismay the campaign of cal-

umny by certain individuals and group of persons against the CAN president because of his uncompromising stance and quality leadership for the Christian community in Nigeria. Gani said, “Nigerians are no fools and will not allow themselves to be fooled by those who seek to strike the Shepherd just in order to get to the sheep; those embarking on the campaign of calumny against Oritsejafor should retrace their steps.

“In this political dispensation, we must all join hands as citizens to not only fight corruption, but also come up with policies that are capable of rewriting the history of this nation by positioning it in the comity of nations. “To us, anything outside this will not be acceptable and we believe that other well-meaning Nigerians who are interested in the development of this country and its people will agree

with us. It is said that wise counsel, when heeded, saves the wise.” “Now, the question here is why? Who is afraid of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and is hell-bent on creating a false perception of him? Who has taken an oath to stain the unblemished integrity of an innocent man of over four decades of ministering? Is it not obvious that it is because of his stand for truth and for his number one constituency the church?”

Ondo disburses N20m loans to traders Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Tuesday, said that his administration had disbursed over N1.5billion to all categories of beneficiaries under its various Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) while a sum of N534.3 million had been disbursed to over 1.000 beneficiaries of Micro-Enterprises (MEs) category across the state. Mimiko who disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, while disbursing N20 million loans to market traders union under Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Ondo State MSMEDF scheme, said the steps was taken as part of his government’s efforts to stamp out poverty and place the state on the fast lane of economic development. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, said his administration was committed towards developing all the business sectors in the state, noting that empowering the small scale businesses would translate to the development and growing of the society. He said the state government considered the provision of micro-loan facilities as key to transformation and bringing sustainable development.

ESOCS backs Buhari on fight against corruption By Seyi Sokoya THE leader of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS), Church Mission Baba Aladura, Dr Lazarus Anuba Onyeleonu, has revealed that the church strongly supports the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption, insurgency and to create more job opportunities. He said the church would not relent in its commitment, through fervent prayers, for the president and his team to succeed. Onyeleonu made this assurance during a press briefing to unveil the 90th anniversary celebration of the existence of the church, held at the national headquarters of the church in Lagos, on Monday. He further expressed his delight on the expansion and growth of the church which now has about 77 provinces and 1,326 assemblies, adding that, “the church has gone beyond the frontiers of Africa to countries in Europe, USA, Canada and Asia among other nations through its evangelical mission.”

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (second left), unveiling the signpost of the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji. With him is the Rector, Professor Adedayo Fasakin (left); Secretary to the State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola (middle); the Lisa of Ile-Oluji, High Chief Akinyele Fagbamiye (second right), and the chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji Community Relations Committee, Professor Yemisi Akinyemiju (right), during the handing over of St James Mega School, Ile-Oluji, to the authorities of the polytechnic as the take-off site, on Monday.

NAF promotes airmen to rank of AWOs

Echocho accuses Wada of planning to disrupt primaries

Chris Agbambu – Abuja

Allegation diversionary —Wada Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE Jibrin Isah Campaign Organisation (JICO) has accused the governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, of attempting to disrupt the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for tomorrow in Lokoja, the state capital. The organisation, in a statement on Tuesday, alleged that the governor had recruited youths from across the state to disrupt the exercise by causing bodily harm to delegates and supporters of Isah. The statement said, “The plot by Governor Idris Wada is despicable, desperate and a sign that he does not have the interest of the state as well as the party, PDP, at heart. Most worrisome is the promise of political appointments to the thugs at the end of the exercise. “Governor Wada should know that we are aware of his plan and wish to remind him that as the chief security officer of the state, his

responsibility is to protect lives and property and not the other way round.” However, reacting to the allegations, the governor through his Special Adviser on Media, Jacob Edi, said the allegations showed that the campaign organisation was confused about the issues

surrounding the primaries. The governor said he had no plan to disrupt the primaries as he was set to contest, saying he had been speaking with and campaigning to delegates with the aim of winning their votes. He said, “The governor is

known as a sticker to due process, for anybody to insinuate otherwise is mischievous, dubious, wicked and untruthful. We are set to contest the primaries, no act of diversionary tactics will stop us from contesting and winning the election.”

Wada, 2 others lock horns as PDP holds primaries tomorrow Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi State, will tomorrow (Thursday), conduct its primaries to pick its candidate for the November 21 governorship election in the state. Already, three aspirants, including the state governor, Idris Wada, Jubrin Isa and Moses Amoto, have picked forms to contest the primaries. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, in Lokoja, the secretary of the party in the state, Faruk Yahaya, said over 1,000 delegates

would participate in the exercise. According to him, the party is prepared for the primaries as it had already written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), about the event slated for the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja. He also said that all security agencies had been informed to enable the party have a hitch -free primaries. Yahaya said the delegates comprised of the three elected ad-hoc ones from each of the 239 wards of the state and other statutory delegates.

He explained that the party had, last week, conducted its ward delegate congress, where the adhoc delegates were elected, saying the exercise was free of rancour without any dissenting view. The PDP’scribe explained that the committee led by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, came to the state to conduct the ward congress that took place in a conducive atmosphere. He, however, said with the exercise concluded, “the party is set for the governorship primaries.”

AS the military intensifies efforts in meeting the three-month presidential directive to end activities of the Boko Haram sect in the North-East, the Nigerian Air Force has promoted airmen as it promises to remain resolute in the fight for the unity and sovereignty of the country. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this at the decoration ceremony of the newly promoted Air Warrant Officers (AWO) in Abuja. Abubakar charged the officers, especially the newly promoted, “on the sustenance of military ethic values and regimentation as NAF strives to achieve its current vision.” According to him, the promoted officers are expected to provide leadership and guidance by virtue of experience and service knowledge. He said: “The vantage position of AWO was a key figure in keeping the men on track towards the realisation of the current vision of the NAF, especially in the aspect of discipline, core values and service delivery.”

41 news Army uncovers plan to thwart counter-insurgency operations

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Chris Agbambu - Abuja with Agency Report

HE Nigerian Army has said that there were plans by some groups to thwart its current efforts to flush out terrorists from the Nigerian territory. This was contained in a statement signed by the acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman and made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Tuesday. The statement noted “it has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, non-governmental and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in collaboration with some of their Nigerian affiliates and CSOs, for reasons best known to them are about to start making false claims of alleged human rights violations by the Nigerian army. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. In addition, these unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements are far less concern about the general well -being of our citizens. “They are driven by material and pecuniary gains. The Nigerian army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. We have been protecting human rights and we are not party to any breach of human rights in our country or during any of our operations”. “We would not condone any human rights abuses. Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws,” he said.

“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territo-

rial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens. We would continue to solicit the support of wellmeaning Nigerians in this

FEDERAL Government, on Tuesday, said that the implementation and execution of educational programmes of Osun State governor of Osun, MrRauf Aregbesola, can equal any facility found in the United States of America. This disclosure was made by the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Dikko Suleiman, while flagging- off ceremony for the distribution of plastic desks and chairs to schools in the state by the Federal Government and UBEC, at

ly received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.

Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Yakubu Gambo (second left); exchanging pleasantries with the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, during the national inauguration of tables and chairs to the 36 states and FCT SUBEBs in Nigeria by the Federal Government, at the L. A. Government Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo, on Tuesday. With them are the state chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Felix Awofisayo and the Secretary to Osun State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right).

Gunmen kill Kogi PDP youth leader Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja UNKNOWN gunmen have invaded Ejule in Ofu Local Government Area,Kogi State, killing one of the youth leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abu Jeremiah. The incident, which was said to have taken place at about 6.00 pm, on Monday, saw the gunmen, numbering five, invading the compound of the deceased, while he was playing draft game with some of his colleagues. Eyewitness account said the people went straight for the victim as they alighted from a car that took them to the scene and shot him several times, while others ran for safety. They were said to have left the scene immediately they confirmed that Abu was dead. However, the PDP in the state has blamed the opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the death of its members, saying the opposition had

been sponsoring violence in the state in the last three months. The state youth leader of PDP, Stephen Onoji, who said this in Lokoja, while addressing newsmen, alleged that the incident was the second time members of PDP would be murdered in the state. He said a similar incident happened in the same local government on June 7, where three members

the Local Authority Government Middle School in Ayetoro, Osogbo. Represented by his deputy, Dr Yakubu Gambo, the UBEC boss noted that the choice of Osun for the flagoff ceremony by the Federal Government, was borne out of the desire to reward hardwork and dedication to delivery of democratic dividends to the electorate by Governor Aregbesola. Dr Suleiman emphasised that the home grown school feeding programme in Osun is one programme that had endeared the state to the Federal Government, say-

of the party were killed by armed thugs. He said efforts to get justice over the matter did not yield any result as the security agencies in the state were yet to make any arrest in connection with the murders. Onoji, however, said the party would be giving security agencies 24 hours to arrest the culprits, adding that the killings of the youth of the ruling party in the state must stop or they would have

to resort to self defence. According to him, the administration of the state governor, Idris Wada, had since its inception, trying to stamp out crime from the state, saying the state had witnessed peace until in recent time that political activities are picking up. But, the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo, said he was not aware of any killing by members of the party.

11 MASSOB members arraigned in Asaba As Uwazuruike vows to sustain struggle From Joe Nwachukwu and Alphonsus Agborh THE 11 members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) arrested at the weekend in Asaba, Delta State, were on Tuesday arraigned before a magistrate’s court in the state capital on a six-count charge. The charges included conspiracy, arranging an un-

FG lauds Aregbesola’s educational schemes Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

regards.” Also, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the Nigerian Army under Lt. General Tukur Buratai, had recent-

ing “Osun is the only state in the country that is diligently feeding school pupils”. The UBEC boss tasked all state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to urgently access their matching grants with UBEC which currently stands at above N58 billion by making available their counterpart funds to their SUBEB. In his address, Aregbesola maintained that the distribution of chairs and tables to schools, as little as it is, was the beginning of a revolution in education not just in our state but in the entire federation.

lawful society, possession of in- criminating documents, trying to take arms against the government and unlawfully forming an indigenous people of Biafra. Those arraigned were Ashaka Sunday, Okechukwu John, Benjamin Okwuselegu, Patrick Nwankwo, Celestine Nwankwo, Ofem Item, Japhet Uba, Ozor Okeke, Godwin Okonkwo, Charles Odikeseme and Chukwu Solomon. No plea was taken after the charges were read out to the accused before the trail magistrate, P.I. Uzonitsha, ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice. The magistrate also ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody till October 23, 2015. The police had on Sunday swooped on 150 members of the outlawed group at Oneh Primary School, Cable Point, Asaba, but arrested 11 of their ring leaders while others including children and women were warned and released. Meanwhile, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of

MASSOB, has vowed to sustain the struggle of the movement until the Biafran dream comes to reality, saying that not even harassment, arrest, detention and torture by security agents in the country could deter him. He spoke to newsmen in his private residence in Owerri shortly after visiting the AIG Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia, in response to an invitation. He, however, assured that the movement would continue to shun all forms of violence in its struggle despite persistent unwarranted provocations. Worried by midnight invasion of his residence by some armed mobile policemen last weekend which reportedly led to the arrest of some members of the MASSOB, Chief Uwazuruike explained “I am being humiliated by the police. By midnight last Saturday, I received an alert that police invaded here (his residence in Owerri), stayed for over an hour and throughout that night I could not sleep because I kept on wondering what might be the reason for that.”

Saraki gives financial support to 2 law students Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE senate president, Senator Bukola Saraki, has presented a sum of N1 million to two best Law students of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, to assist them fund their training at the Nigerian Law School. Presenting the cheque for the scholarship award to the beneficiaries in Ilorin, on Monday, the senate president said the donation was part of his Pension Scholarship Fund as former governor of Kwara State. He said the decision was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to channel his pension as former governor of the state into a scholarship scheme, adding that the exercise would be sustained for others to benefit. The beneficiaries are Mr Mohammed Abdullahi Tosin from Irepodun Local Government Area and Mr Adam Mohammed Ndakuku, from Edu Local Government Area.

Army hands over 184 stolen cows, 83 sheep to Munya LG boss Adelowo Oladipo - Minna THE Nigerian Army has promised to smoke out from their hideouts bandits, who specialised in attacking cattle rearers and forcefully take away their cows and sheep in parts of Niger State. The brigade commander, 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Minna, Brigadier -General Baba Ibrahim, made the vow while speaking to newsmen on Monday, during an inspection and handing over of 184 stolen cows and 83 sheep to the chairman, Munya Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed Bida. The handing over was witnessed by the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO), Sarkin Pawa division of the state police command and the village head of Zazzaga community in the area The brigade commander, who was represented by the commander in charge of Operation Restore Peace II, Lt. Colonel Dzarma Zirkushi, disclosed that a suspected cattle rustler, Abubakar Hassan, was arrested last Thursday in an operation led by Lt. Colonel Adamu Yakubu, Commanding Officer, 313 Artillery Regiment, Minna, adding that some of the rustlers took to their heels on sighting the soldiers.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Queen Elizabeth shapes UK’s history, becomes longest serving monarch 1. The official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II,taken by Cecil Beaton after her coronation in 1953. 2. The Queen makes her way back to Windsor Castle in full regalia following the Garter Ceremony held earlier this year. PHOTO: PA.

4 2

4. The Queen is welcomed by traditional dancers at the Polana Hotel, Maputo in Mozambique during a visit in 1999. PHOTO: PA. 5. The Queen pictured holding a young Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral in 1960. PHOTO: PA.

1 Today, Queen Elizabeth II becomes UK’s longest serving monarch, overhauling the record set by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years, seven months and two days. DOYIN ADEOYE chronicles her early years, reign, and achievements since she became Queen in 1952.

3 minster Abbey the following year, was the first ever to be televised and was also the first major international event to be broadcast on television.

“I

declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we belong.” These were the words of then Princess Elizabeth on her coronation on June 2, 1953 as she made a solemn promise to her people. That Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary would someday become queen was unexpected, not until her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated in order to marry American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. This development, made Elizabeth’s father become King George VI, and she, an heir. Crowned in front of thousands of guests, where she took the Coronation Oath to serve her people and to maintain the laws of God, she has indeed worked tirelessly to protect the image of the monarchy and her people. Born in London on April 21, 1926, Queen Elizabeth II assumed the responsibilities of the ruling monarch following the death of King George VI on February 6, 1952. The coronation ceremony which was held at the West-

3. The royal family at Windsor with a young Prince Edward sitting next to his mother and his father, Prince Philip in 1968. PHOTO: PA.

6. The Queen, sitting in the Regency Room in Buckingham Palace, looks through cards sent to her for her 80th birthday in 2006. PHOTO: PA.

Reining through over six decades, the Queen, no doubt, has become the world’s most famous monarch ever seen. Having worked with 12 prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to David Cameron, and witnessed over six decades of British history, this, is a feat worth celebrating, as only four other British kings and queens have reigned 50 years or more. “We are reminded of our past, of the continuity of our national story and the virtues of resilience, ingenuity and tolerance which created it. “I have been privileged to witness some of that history and, with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people now and in the years to come,” she said during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, which marked 60 years of her reign. The Prime Minister, David Cameron on Tuesday, described the Queen at the weekly Cabinet meeting as having a “remarkable record” and was “a symbol of Britain’s enduring spirit admired around the world,” Mr Cameron’s official spokeswoman told reporters. Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, a union which has lasted for almost 70 years. Turning 90 in 2016, Queen Elizabeth II continues to devote her life to public service.

foreig naffairs

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Migrant crisis: ‘Germany can take

500,000 asylum seekers a year’ GERMANY can cope with at least 500,000 asylum seekers a year for several years, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has said. Germany expects more than 800,000 asylum-seekers in 2015 alone - four times the 2014 figure. Mr Gabriel reiterated that other EU states should share the burden. The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, says a record 7,000 Syrian migrants arrived in Macedonia alone on Monday and 30,000 were on Greek islands.

The migrants, mainly Syrians, are engaged in a long trek which takes them from Turkey, across the sea to Greece, through Macedonia and Serbia, and then to Hungary from where they aim to reach Austria and Germany. The migrant influx has unsettled European governments and prompted diverse responses. Hungary’s conservative leadership is building a border fence to try to keep them out, but German politicians have expressed pride in crowds who turned out to welcome new arrivals.

Cameroon cleans payroll of ‘ghost workers’ CAMEROON says it does not recognise more than 10,000 people claiming salaries as state workers. Authorities published the names for a second time Tuesday as the country struggles to clean its payroll of “ghost workers” who cost the central African nation an estimated $12 million every month. Thousands of state workers from the hinterlands have been trooping to the capital, Yaounde, to find out if their names are on the list of 10 000 suspected fake

employees published this week. Teacher Emmerencia Ndum from northwestern Cameroon found his name on the list but says he is still working, VOA reported. “I just came to verify my own name but I am always in service,” he said. “I just came because there are mistakes that have been made. Some people are here. Their names are there while they are always in service. It is a list of those teachers, call them ghost teachers, who have not always been in service.”

Somalia needs army help, investment to fight Islamists —Minister SOMALIA needs more support for its national army and new investment to create jobs to help it fight al Shabaab Islamist militants, the foreign minister said on Tuesday. Al Shabaab, which once ruled much of Somalia, has been driven into smaller pockets of territory by an African Union force and Somali troops, but showed it still packs a punch earlier this month by retaking a town and killing 12 Ugandan

troops at a base. Soldiers and al Shabaab clashed south of Mogadishu on Tuesday. Nine rebels and at least one soldier were killed, officials said. Foreign Minister Abdusalam Omer told Reuters that support for al Shabaab was “shrinking” but he said the battle against the group that wants to topple the Western-backed government demanded a “holistic” approach to security and the economy.

Pope Francis makes annulment of marriages cheaper, easier

OPE Francis on Tuesday radically revised the process by which Catholics may annul their marriages, streamlining steps that many in the church considered too cumbersome and costly. The move is the latest in a series of reforms by Francis as he seeks to make the church more responsive to the real needs of lay Catholics, especially those who have long felt marginalized by the hierarchy. Without the annulments, Catholics who remarry are not allowed to receive Holy Communion, which many describe as a painful exclusion from the church’s chief sacrament. According to CNN, the Vatican’s announcement also comes just weeks before Francis makes his first-ever visit to the United States. Americans accounted for about half of the nearly 50,000 annulments granted in 2012, the latest year for which statistics are available. “This move is in accord with the Pope’s oftrepeated image of the Church as a ‘field hospital’ that goes out to meet people where they are most in need, and then to treat their most serious wounds first -- rather than stay at home and wait for people to come to them,” said the Rev. James Bretzke, an expert on papal affairs at Boston College. The three main changes announced on

Pope Francis Tuesday are eliminating a second review by a cleric before a marriage can be nullified; giving bishops the ability to fast-track and grant the annulments themselves in certain circumstances, for example, when spousal abuse or an extramarital affair has occurred; and that the process should be free, except

for a nominal fee for administrative costs, and should be completed within 45 days. The Pope’s reforms came on Tuesday in the form of two “motu proprio” documents, Latin for “by (the Pope’s) own initiative.” They become part of Catholic canon law on December 8, the beginning of Francis’ declared “Year of Mercy.” While Francis reaffirmed the “indissolubility of the marriage bond,” he also said in Tuesday’s documents that “charity and mercy demand that the Church, as mother, be close to her children who consider themselves separated.” In the end, the church’s many laws and institutions must be aimed at one chief purpose, the Pope said -- “the salvation of souls.” One prominent Catholic priest called Tuesday’s announcement “an act of mercy from a pastoral Pope who listens carefully to the concerns of the people.”

Taking all refugees would be victory for IS —France FRANCE warned on Tuesday that it would be a mistake for Europe to take in all refugees persecuted by Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, and called for a plan of action to ensure the Middle East’s diversity remained despite the mounting crisis. According to Reuters, about 60 countries, including ministers from Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, met in Paris on Tuesday to cement measures aimed at easing the return of refugees, encouraging regional governments to bring minorities into the political fold and ensure no impunity for crimes against humanity. “It’s very difficult, but if all these refugees come to Europe or elsewhere, then Daesh has won the

otherNEWS

French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech at the opening of a one-day UN conference in Paris, on Tuesday.

game,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told RTL radio, referring to the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. “The objective [of this conference] is that the

Middle East remains the Middle East, that means a region of diversity where there are Christians, Yazidis, etc.,” he said. Financial pledges

According to French diplomats, the conference should also see financial pledges that could be used to improve the situation of refugees in neighboring states, ranging from reconstruction of infrastructure to restoring basic services or training local police. “There is a humanitarian urgency,” President Francois Hollande said at the opening of the conference. “If we do not offer more help to the countries that welcome [refugees], if we do not give more support to the families that are in these refugee camps or are displaced in neighboring countries, then not only will there be tragedies... but there will be this exodus.”

Burundi opposition spokesman Patrice Gahungu killed THE spokesman for a party in Burundi opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term has been shot dead in the capital, Bujumbura. Patrice Gahungu, from the Union for Peace and Development (UPD), was targeted by unidentified gunmen as he drove home late

on Monday, police say. The leader of the same small opposition party, Zedi Feruzi, was killed in May, BBC reported. President Nkurunziza was sworn in for a controversial third term last month following several months of unrest.

ICC rejects Ivorian ex-leader, Gbagbo’s health appeal APPEAL judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have rejected a request by ex-Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo for temporary release on health grounds. The 70-year-old denies charges of murder, rape, attempted murder and persecution in the wake of disputed presidential polls in 2010. Some 3,000 people were killed in unrest after he refused to accept defeat. He was arrested in April 2011 and

his trial is due to start on 10 November. Mr Gbagbo ruled Ivory Coast from 2000 until his arrest by forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara, backed by UN and French troops. He was transferred to The Hague in November 2011. According to the Reuters news agency, court documents say Mr Gbagbo suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and an unspecified physical ailment.

The government accuses the opposition, which says the third term is illegal, of causing the violence. At least 100 people have died in protests since Mr Nkurunziza announced his decision in April to seek another term in office in elections that took place in July.

The BBC’s Prime Ndikumagenge in Bujumbura says two other people were killed on Monday in the capital but the police are still gathering details on their identities. The UPD was part of a coalition of opposition parties that was opposed to Mr Nkurunziza running for a third term.

Zimbabwe’s ousted VP signals vote challenge to Mugabe

Laurent Gbagbo

ZIMBABWE’S ousted vice president, Joice Mujuru, published plans on Tuesday to relax security and media laws and review divisive black empowerment legislation, signaling she could be lining up a challenge to President Robert Mugabe in 2018 elections. Mujuru, once seen as one of Mugabe’s closest allies, was dismissed from her government and ruling party posts in December on charges that she led a cabal that planned to topple Africa’s

oldest leader. She dismissed the accusations. On Tuesday she published a Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD) — a two-page plan that read like an election manifesto, Reuters reported. “We have been hard at work and I wish to share with you, in brief, how we propose to translate our vision for a better Zimbabwe into reality,” Mujuru wrote.

news

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Ooni: Giesi ruling house submits 6 names to kingmakers We’ll not concede our right –Lafogido Ruling House Oluwole Ige -Osogbo

S the battle to fill the vacant stool of Ooni of Ife hots up, final names of shortlisted princes jostling to occupy the stool from the Giesi ruling house were submitted to the kingmakers in Ile-Ife, on Monday. Secretary of the Giesi family, Prince Adelowo Adekunle, who made the disclosure during a chat with journalists, said the names of the qualified princes were handed over to the kingmakers, headed by the Obalufe of Iremo, Oba Folorunso Omisakin, the acting Ooni of Ife. According to him, six out of the 31 princes from Giesi ruling house that submitted their letters of intention made the final list sent to the kingmakers. He gave the names of the qualified princes who emerged from Giesi ruling house as Aderemi Adeniran Adelowo, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Adegboyega Adewoyin Coker, Taiwo Ade Ogunleye, Adetunji Ogunwusi and Okinawa Ologbenla. He explained that the candidates emerged after several screenings conducted by the family, to ensure that the best person becomes the next Ooni of Ife. “To get to where we are now, we need to set some criteria. One, the preferred candidate must be, at least, 50 years, not an underage. The pedigree of the person is also very crucial. “The person must have a good name among the people. The person must understand the Ife people; understand Ife as a major and spiritual head of the Yoruba and he must have full identity of the culture, religion and the tradition of our people,” he added. Speaking on the final names sent to the kingmakers, one of the contestants who made the list, Prince Aderemi Adelowo, expressed his confidence in the kingmakers to pick the best of the six princes. Meanwhile, the Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife has said, contrary to speculations from certain quarters, it has not conceded the filling of the vacant stool of the Ooni of Ife to the Giesi ruling house or any other. In a statement released by the head of the ruling house, SookoWalomo Adeleke Adewoyin, the Lafogido Ruling House “does not intent to and will never concede its right” to any other ruling house.

The statement added that contrary to the rumours making the rounds, the only authentic chieftaincy declaration of the Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy title is the one gazetted in 1957, saying that there was no other one that could serve as reference on the Ooni of Ife chieftancy stool. “A chieftaincy declaration is like the constitution of a country guiding the conduct of the people and cannot be wished away just like that. “The hallucinations from

some quarters that it is the turn of Giesi ruling house to produce the next Ooni of Ife is just like the noise of a crowded market which nobody must listen to,” the release stated. “For the avoidance of doubt, the order of rotation in the 1957 gazette is listed in the following manner: (1) Osinkola (2) Giesi (3) Ogboru and (4) Lafogido. “It was the turn of Giesi ruling house to produce the Ooni of Ife in 1980 upon the demise of Oba Adesoji Aderemi who was from the

Osinkola Ruling House. But Giesi Ruling House, for reasons best known to them,conceded the stool to Ogboru Ruling House. The position of the law is very clear on this and that is, they have to wait for their turn again,” the statement added. The statement said the Lafogido Ruling House had qualified and prominent sons for the vacant stool, while it listed 16 of such qualified princes from its ruling house to include Oluwole Adebayo

Eludoyin, Adetayo Oladele, Professor Charles A. Adesanmi, Professor Adeyemi Adebisi, Ade Adefioye, Ajibade Olowoporoku, Aderotimi A. Adefioye and Aderemi Adekunle Okikiade. Others, according to the release, were Adediran Okikiade, Adedamola Adedotun Layade, AdelekeAdefaranye, Adeposi Adebola Odunle, Adesanya Adefisan, Adekunle Adefioye Abioye, Ademakinwa Solomon and Ahmed Aderoju Adewoyin.

Prince Adedamola Aderemi with President John Mahama of Ghana, when Prince Aderemi visited the president in Ghana.

How OBJ, Yar’Adua, Jonathan spent N2.74 trillion on power sector Continued from pg3

former workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were yet to be paid their severance allowance, as, according to him, many of those who claimed to have worked with the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) had no valid documents to prove their claims. He also said the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) used the proceeds of privatisation of the sector to settle claims of over 46,000 workers through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and Pension Commission. The committee, however, expressed worry over the failure of the government to ensure that the local governments were represented on the board of NIPP, though the councils were also part of the sponsors of the project. The committee also asked the permanent secretary to submit the detailed audit report of the ministry, to allow it tidy some of the inconsistencies in submissions. While inaugurating the committee two weeks ago, Senator Saraki had mandated it to get to the roots of

the persistent blackouts in the country, despite huge financial commitments to the power sector. Committee of the chairman, Senator Kyari, had also assured the Senate that the task would be taken seriously, adding that the committee would interact with all stakeholders to determine the cause of the nation's electricity woes. “A close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies, in order to obtain optimum performances across the board. “The abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news, in view of the current deteriorating power supply which hovers around 4,600 megawatts for a population of over 170 million people, despite the huge resources committed into it. “This compared with our contemporaries is highly regrettable. No wonder so many companies have relocated from the shores of this nation, due to increasing cost of production. “The issue of turn-around maintenance, gas pipeline

vandalism, just to mention but a few, are some of the teething problems bedeviling the sector. We must address it now in order to stem this destructive tide. The committee will beam its searchlight in this direction to put things in proper perspectives. “Having realised that the transmission segment is the major linkage between the generation and distribution fronts, increasing our capacity in this direction is

also very necessary, since power produced must be utilised immediately. “Deteriorating infrastructure in this segment must be addressed forthwith. The committee attaches great importance to this and would work assiduously in ensuring that all these leakages or slippages in this area are brought to the front burner and dealt with,” the committee chairman had said.

Alaafin to unveil $300,000 mobile hospital during Oranyan festival By Tunde Ogunesan and Tunde Adegbola THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is expected to unveil a $300,000 worth of mobile hospital donated by Honourable Bode Esuola and his wife, Dr Anu, during the 2015 Oranyan festival. This was disclosed by the coordinator, 2015 Oranyan Festival Oyo Alaafin, The Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, who stated that the festival commenced from Thursday, September 3 to Saturday. While briefing newsmen at a world press conference

held at the Ogun Courtyard at the palace on Monday, Ladigbolu said the equipment, which is already at the Lagos port, is part of a multi-faceted medical mission of the couple in honour of Oba Adeyemi. Ladigbolu said Esuola voluntarily donated the mobile hospital “to Oyo metropolis and Oyo State as a legacy of Oba Adeyemi.” He urged the people of the state, especially Oyo town, to take advantage of the free medical check-up, treatment and surgery facilitated by the couple.

Nigerian Tribune

UI to appoint new VC today By Tunde Ogunesan THE council of University of Ibadan (UI) will today announce the new vice chancellor for the institution, during a press conference to be addressed by the Pro Chancellor and chairman of council, Dr Umar Musa Mustapha, by 12 noon today. The development, according to sources, was in connection with the choice of the 15th vice chancellor of the institution, following the completion of the process by the selection team. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the authorities of the premier university began the process of appointing a new vice chancellor earlier this year, as 12 contestants gunning for the job gathered at Trenchard Hall of the university for an interactive session with staff and students. Those who showed interests are: Professors A. Adedeji, O.O. Layiwola, O.O. Akinyinka, F.O. Egbokhare, Arinola, O. Sanya, B.O Fagbemi, L. Popoola, A.I. Olayinka, A.I. Oluleye, O.D. Olaleye, A.E. Falaye and A.A. Agbaje. The principal officer is expected to officially resume on December 1, when the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Adewole, will end his five-year tenure.

Ogun appoints new magistrates Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta THE Ogun State Judiciary has appointed three new magistrates to ensure smooth administration of justice in the state. The Magistrates are Sotayo Seni, Orekoya Ibunkun Oluwa and Olusanya Oluseyi. Speaking at the ceremony held in the office of the State Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade who said the appointment of the new magistrates was aimed at reinforcing the magistracy in order to bring quick and fair justice closer to the people in the state, noted that the appointments was as a result of painstaking exercise of recruiting new magistrates to complement the efforts of a formidable team of magistrates and jurists in the state in accordance with the high standard by which the Ogun State Judiciary was known for. The CJ noted that the judiciary under her close supervision frowns at actions that could bring disrepute it and the state in general, adding that she would not condone any acts of misconduct such as negligence of duty, truancy and favouritism.

communitynews

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

Armed robbers in mobile police uniform invade Utanga ubong anthony-calabar

RMED robbers, dressed in mobile police uniform, at the weekend, stormed Utanga Community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State and carted away valuables. It was gathered that the robbers invaded the community at about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, shooting sporadically into the air before

spending over two hours robbing residential apartments, shops and petrol stations. Community News further learnt that the robbers carted away phones and an undisclosed sum of money from residents of the area. A victim of the robbery attack and a pump attendant in one of the petrol stations in the area, Mr. Fidelis Iyali, who spoke with Community News decried the

porous security situation in the sleepy community, noting that the Nigeria pPlice and other security agents had not done enough to curb the recurrence of such incidents. He, however, commended the efforts of the village vigilantes, maintaining that the robbers changed strategy to attack in the afternoon as the vigilantes had made it impossible for them to operate at night as

they used to. He added that lack of communication due to the absence of mobile phone network in the area indirectly aided the hoodlums to escape arrest by the villagers in their recent attack even as he called on mobile phone network providers to make mobile network accessible in the area. “It is unfortunate that in a business area like Utanga, we don’t have a police

station but police post. In fact, this is the last major community nearest to Obudu Ranch Resort so, the increasing rate of armed robbery attacks in recent times is worrisome. “The Saturday attack is the second within the space of 30 days. Apart from the village vigilante, we are yet to see any clear efforts by the police and other security agents to put an end to the situation,” he said. Another victim, a shop attendant, who simply gave his name as Mr. Benco, appealed to the Commissioner of Police to equip and deploy more policemen in the area. He said: “This is the second time within a month that I have been attacked

and robbed and after reporting to the police, they pretend to be oblivious of the incident. After the previous incident, I was surprised when I was told at the police post where I had gone to report the matter that they thought the sound they heard was knockout.” When contacted, a policeman, on duty at the police post in the area, Corporal Akpo Solomon confirmed the incident. He vsaid: “At about 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, we got a report of attack by armed robbers dressed in police uniform. We are investigating the incident but the absence of mobile phone network in the area is proving to be a big challenge on how to contact other stations to track down the robbers,” he declared.

Ekiti govt assures Awedele community of quick completion of road sam nwaoko-ado-ekiti

Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Suraju Adekunbi, addressing traders at the first anniversary of the Uplifted Market Men and Women Development Association, at Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, recently.

Demolition: Occupants of affected buildings want more time to relocate OCCUPANTS of buildings marked for demolition on Constitution Road, Kaduna, on Tuesday, appealed to the state government for more time to relocate. Some of the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, said the two weeks ultimatum given to them to vacate the buildings was not enough. One of the occupants, Mr Audu Shakau, said he had not been able to secure an alternative apartment. He, therefore, appealed to Governor Nasir elRufai to give them more time, adding that securing affordable apartment for rent was difficult due to the recent migration of people to the state. “We are not against the demolition exercise; all we are saying is that the short notice given to us to pack out is not enough. “Most of us are just struggling to make a living; we are living from hand to mouth, coupled with the fact that rent is currently very costly in Kaduna. “We were only given two weeks. How do we

secure a house and move within two weeks? ``The government should please give us enough time to look for a safe, comfortable and affordable apartment,’’ Shakau pleaded. Similarly, another occupant, whose house was also marked for demolition, Mr Jonah Musa, said occupants of affected buildings needed at least three months to be able to secure alternative. He, however, expressed his full support for government’s decision to bring down all the structures built on government property. Another resident of the area, Miss Latifah Sani, also expressed her support for government’s move to recover all government land encroached on by individuals at the expense of the development in the state. She urged el-Rufai to press on in his effort to reclaim all government land illegally acquired by selfish individuals. She noted that residential and commercial buildings have taken over all available space in pub-

lic primary and secondary schools on Constitution Road, making it difficult for students to concentrate and learn. “I am in full support of government decision to destroy all the buildings around the school,” she said. NAN recalled that the Kaduna State govern-

ment had in August, commenced the demolition of buildings erected on public institutions, including schools, hospitals and libraries. The media aide to the governor, Mr Samuel Aruwan, explained that the effort was to recover such illegally acquired land.

EKITI State government has assured the people of Awedele community in the state capital that the one kilometre dual carriageway project by the new Awedele Market will be completed within the next two months. The Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr. Kayode Oso, who gave the assurance while on an assessment tour of the road project, said “the road project will guarantee free flow of traffic in and out of the new market as well as serve as an alternative route for commuters going to the state secretariat thereby curbing gridlock in the metropolis.” A statement by the state’s Ministry of Information said Oso “expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the

IE urges consumers to embrace cost effective tariff THE management of Ikeja Electric (IE), on Monday, urged electricity consumers to embrace a cost effective tariff that would enable the company to sustain effective services. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the IE appeal was contained in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by Mr Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs. It stated that Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, IE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), made the call at a two-

day consultation on tariff review with stakeholders and consumers. It stated that the forum was designed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to determine new tariff structure. “Instead of NERC to fix the new tariff for electricity consumers, the distribution companies (DISCOs) now consult consumers and come back for approval,” he said. The statement described the DISCOs as daily collectors, add-

ing that the bulk of the monies collected went to Generating Companies (GENCOs) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). “Out of every N100 collected from our consumers, only N15 goes to our pocket. “We pay N65 to GENCO and N15 goes to TCN while others like NERC will share N10; we are only left with N15 out of which we pay our workers salary and replace faulty equipment,” he said.

site,” and charged the contractor in charge of the project to use quality materials in order to deliver a good job. According to the commissioner, tonnes of unsuitable materials, including top soil, rocks and debris from demolished structures have been evacuated from the project site while casting of concrete drainages have reached an advanced stage of completion. He added that the defective box culvert on Awedele stream which had been a major cause of flooding in the area would be removed and reconstructed within the next few days. Justifying the rehabilitation and extension to dual carriageway the 2.48 kilometres Afao Road, the commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Fayose-led administration to rural development. Noting that the contractor had commenced asphalt-laying on the road, he charged him to ensure delivery within the next one month. Residents of Afao community commended the efforts of the Fayose-led administration at making life more meaningful. One of the high chiefs in the community, the Agbaakin of Afao, Chief Folorunso Lawrence, recalled that previous administrations neglected the road in spite of several appeals. He expressed gratitude to Governor Fayose for rehabilitating the township road despite the meagre resources accruing to the state from the Federation Account.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

11th ALL AFRICA GAMES

Nieketien hopeful over Eagles AFCON 2017 qualification FORMER Nigeria international, Peter Nieketien has expressed optimism about the Super Eagles qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale player pointed out that the two-legged games between Nigeria and Egypt will eventually determine the group’s leader. Nieketien while speaking with Tribunesport expressed satisfaction with the goalless draw recorded against Tanzania last weekend in Dar es Salaam, saying there were a lot of positives to derive from the match. “The game was okay of sort. We manage to get the draw and the new goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme was a startling discovery. Thanks to him, we could have lost the game. Though Egypt defeated Chad by a wide margin at away, I remain hopeful that the games between Nigeria and Egypt will decide who goes through,” he said. Nieketien hailed the heroics of Wolverhampton Wanderers keeper, Ikeme who stood in for the bereaved Vincent Enyeama. “Ikeme’s display was fantastic. Three times, he was

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called to test and he was on top of the challenge. That echoes his resevoir of experience and with his coming on board, Our goalkeeping department seems more strenghten,” he noted.

Are Feyisetan laments unavailablity of training materials for powerlifters

HE head coach of the Powerlifting Federation of Nigeria, Are Feyisetan has lamented non provision of training equipment for powerlifters by the Lo-

Nigeria’s parapowerlifter during a recent meet. cal Organising Committee (LOC) of the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo, Brazzaville. The powerlifting events of Brazzaville 2015 will commence this weekend at

D’Tigers’ Stan Okoye attempts a basket during the AfroBasket 2015 final against Angola.

the Sports Complex of Stade De Makelele. Tribunesport gathered that the Team Nigeria powerlifters have been training without the equipment ought to have been provided by the hosts. It was also gathered that the equipment imported by the LOC for the games from Sweden were still being expected at the time of this report. “We have improvised for our athletes to have something to train with because we still don’t know when the training equipment will arrive from Sweden as the organisers claimed. Funny enough, other countries have emulated us using our improvised equipment to train their athletes as well,”

Nigeria will win more laurels in basketball —Umar PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar has said that the NBBF board will harness the available resources at its disposal to propel the various national teams to win more laurels for the country. In a telephone interview with Tribunesport on his return from Tunisia, Umar dedicates the D’Tigers’ victory at the 28th Africa Basketball Championship to Ni-

gerians. “I wish to say the AfroBasket trophy is for Nigerians. The board will not take the glory because we, the stakeholders and the nation as a whole have been praying and asking when are we going to lift the trophy? Now, we’ve done it and hopefully, we would lift more men and women’s trophies in the nearest future,” he said. Umar however, further

said he may not join the team in Congo Brazzaville owing to fatigue, but added that he will keep in regular contact with the team. Meanwhile, Mark Mentors guard, Dike Azuoma has assured that the squad to the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville will live up to expectations. He noted that the team would draw inspiration from the AfroBasket

squad which conquered in Tunisia “The team is cool and calm. We’re having training sessions with all players committed in the games village. The main target is to retain the gold medal. Most of us were not in the FIBA AfroBasket squad even if we’re the ones (the homebased players) which qualified the country for the AAG finals,” he said.

Are told Tribunesport at the Concord Sport Complex inside Stade de Lumite in Kintele. The former Paralympian however, said his wards are not distracted by this development. “No, it will not in anyway affect our performance when our events start because we are fully prepared as you can

see when you witnessed our camping in Ibadan. You will agree with me that we are up to the task. As earlier promised, I am still optimistic of winning 10 gold medals here. “In fact, it is possible to get additional two medals where some countries fumble but 10 gold medals are already in our kitty God willing,” he said.

Athletes savour installation of satellite tv at Games village THE camp of Team Nigeria at the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville is now bubbling following the installation of satellite television, DStv at the Games Village in Kintele by the National Sports Commission (NSC). Since Monday, the camp of Team Nigeria has come alive as various apartments being occupied by the Nigerian delegates now enjoy cable television to ward off boredom. Tribunesport gathered that the NSC took up the responsibility when the organisers of Brazzaville 2015 failed to put certain facilities in place at the magnificent Games village for the visitors to enjoy including internet facility.

One of the athletes told Tribunesport that having the facility was a boost saying it was beyond a luxury. “If you notice, everybody is happy with the installation of cable television, it is a boost because when you are less busy, you will have the opportunity to monitor what is happening even at the Games,” said an elated Team Nigeria athlete. Meanwhile, a top official of Team Nigeria said: “we’re Nigerians, we’re used to having such a facility, and each time we are without it, life becomes boring. “That’s why we moved fast to get it, so at least one can relax a bit in his room and know what is happening around the world.”

47 tribunesport

Wednesday, 9 September, 2015

US Open defeat disappointing

AAG: Falcons swoop on Tanzania NIGERIA’S Super Falcons will battle with the Twiga Stars of Tanzania today in their second group match of the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. This comes just days after the male teams of both countries played out a goalless draw in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Dar es Salaam. The coach Christopher Danjuma-led team thrashed hosts Congo 5-1 in the opening game of the competition and will be looking forward to do same against Tanzania. Nigeria and Tanzania have met once in a group game at African Women’s Championship in 2010 and

... As Glo rallies support for Dream Team, Falcons

Nigeria won 3-0. Falcons will be counting on the likes of France-based striker Desire Oparanozie, who netted a hat-trick lus one against Congo, Esther Sunday, Evelyn Nwabuoku and Onome Ebi among others, for goals as they stay on track for a third All Africa Games gold. Meanwhile, former Falcons goalkeeper, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine believes it is going to be an easy game for Nigeria given its pedigree. “Tanzanians are not the type of opposition in the mode of Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa and lately, Equatorial Guinea that can shake the Nigerians.”

—Murray

Murray

Ronaldo will score more than Messi this season

THE official sponsor of Nigerian national football teams, Globacom has urged the U-23 men’s national team, ‘the Dream team’ and the Super Falcons, to make Nigeria proud by winning their ARLO Ancelotti respective matches today at has backed Real the ongoing 11th All Africa Madrid star CrisGames in Congo Brazzaville. tian o The two teams will mount Ronaldo to p i p double assault today as they Barcelona plot their way to reaching f o r w a r d the finals to pick gold medL i o n e l als. Messi to t h e While the Super Falcons league t o p will lock horns with the goalscorer Twiga Stars of Tanzania in a w a r d the second group A match, the Dream Team VI will face this camthe Black Meteors of Ghana paign. in the opening match of T h e P o r group B as Nigerians look t u g a l interforward to victory from the national netted two teams. 48 times l a s t Globacom, in a press term to scoop statement in Lagos on Tuesday, called on both teams to go for outright victories to pave way for early qualification for the next round. “The Dream Team’ coaching crew and players have prepared very hard for this competition and we expect them to do well, while Super Falcons have the advantage of playing together for a long time. “In addition, the remarkable history of Nigeria in the competition should propel the teams to win gold medals at the end of Ronaldo the tournament,” Globacom stated .

—Ancelotti

the Pichichi award ahead of Messi, and Ancelotti has little doubt he can repeat that feat this term, even though both men remain scoreless so far in 2015-16. “It is a bit strange that neither Ronaldo, nor Messi has scored yet this season in La Liga,” Ancelotti told reporters. “But I do not have any doubts about Cristiano. I know him very well and I am willing to bet that he will win the Pichichi trophy again this season. “When I was in charge last season, he scored 61 goals

in all competitions. He really was incredible. “Messi’s drought so far is also quite unusual, but there is no reason to doubt him either. He is one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. “Cristiano and Messi are among the best ever and Spain is really fortunate to enjoy both of them.” Ronaldo, 30, has won the Pichichi trophy three times so far in his career, emerg-

ing top of the goalscoring charts in 2010-11, 2013-14 and last season.

ANDY Murray said it was “tough” to see his run of 18 successive Grand Slam quarter-finals end with defeat by South Africa’s Kevin Anderson at the US Open. The 15th seed won his fourth-round match 7-6 (75) 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-0) in four hours and 18 minutes. It is the first time since 2010 that Murray has not reached at least the last eight at a Grand Slam. “That’s obviously something that is disappointing to lose,” said the British number one. “Many years’ work have gone into building that sort of consistency. To lose that is tough.” Murray, seeded third, went into the match with a 5-1 win-loss record against Anderson but was playing catch-up from the moment the 6ft 8in South African saved three break points in game four. Anderson fired down 25 aces as he kept Murray at bay for most of the first two sets, and then held off a fightback from the Scot to win in four sets. “He is an excellent player,” said Murray. “It came down to a few points here and there. He served extremely well as he normally does, and that was it.”

LASTMA, SUBEB win Lagos HOS Cup THE Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have emerged winners of t h e 10th L a gos

‘HOS C u p ’ football competition in the male and female categories respectively. Lagos State Judiciary won the third place match in the men’s category, while the Public Service Office triumphed in the women’s category for the first time. LASTMA at the final decided at the Agege Stadium, Lagos defeated twotime winners, the State

Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) 2-0, while in the female category, the State Universal Education Board defeated the Lagos State Sports Commission also by the same margin to clinch the title for the fifth time. Meanwhile, Esther Okeowo of SUBEB won the Most Valuable Player award and the highest goal scorer in the female category, while Akin Ogundele of LASTMA and Olawale Sanusi emerged Most Valuable Player and highest goal scorer respectively in the male category. The fair play award went to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Public Service Office in the male and female categories respectively. It would be recalled that the competition which was introduced in 2006 by the Office of the Head of Service serves as an avenue for recreation and social interaction amongst public servants in the state.

SIDELINES

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WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER, 2015

AAG: Nigeria, Ghana renew rivalry PERENNIAL arch rivals, Nigeria and Ghana will clash again today in a group match of the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. Following the withdrawal of Egypt, the Dream Team VI handled by Samson Siasia will hope for a flying start when they face the Black Meteors who held Senegal to a goalless draw last weekend. At the U-23 level, Nigeria had claimed two victories in four of its past meetings with Ghana, who had a win and one draw. Ghana it will be recalled denied Nigeria of the ticket to Maputo 2011 when the Dream Team coached by Austin Eguavoen won 3-1 in Benin, Edo State but lost 0-2 in the reverse fixture in Kumasi. Siasia who had once defeated Ghana at U-23 level in 2007 in an Olympic qualifier will be all out to conquer the Meteors who are also defending champions. Dream Team striker, Etebor Oghenekaro, believes the Black Meteors will be given a fight today. “We are fully prepared for the game, we are going for victory and by His grace, we will get it. Ghana are always tough against Nigeria, we are not bothered as we are ready for them. I am calling on Nigerians to pray for us wholeheartedly, we won’t disappoint them,” said the Warri Wolves player.

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A Guinean man’s attempt to seek greener pastures by crossing over to Europe was recently foiled by Spanish security men who discovered him in the engine compartment of a car with the officer wondering how he was able to survive in that condition. But isn’t it better to be alive in a poor country than be a dead man in a rich country? After all our elders say ‘no condition is permanent.’

Oliseh’s Eagles grab first win, pip Niger 2-0 Mikel, Moses must fight for shirts —Oliseh By Ganiyu Salman and Ahmed Pele

T Rabiu Ibrahim

I have closed for 2015—Bolt SIX-TIME Olympic champion, Usain Bolt will miss the Diamond League final in Brussels on Friday after deciding to end his 2015 season early. The 29-year-old won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at last month’s World Championships in Beijing. “After the excitement of the past few weeks, I have decided not to race again in 2015,” Bolt wrote on his facebook wall. “I am already thinking about next year and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio where I will attempt to defend my titles.” The Jamaican said he would take a “short break” before returning to training next month. Bolt was not in contention for the Diamond League title in either of the individual sprint events after an injury-disrupted season. American Justin Gatlin will be crowned overall 100m champion if he finishes in the top three in Bolt Brussels.

HE Super Eagles on Tuesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt delivered the first victory to Sunday Oliseh since his reign as head coach of the senior national team. A spot kick converted by captain Ahmed Musa in the 11th minute after Anthony Ujah was wrestled in the box and the half volley, by substitute, Moses Simon in the 84th minute gave the Eagles a 2-0 victory over the Menas of Niger Republic though in a friendly encounter. What would have been Musa’s brace in the 33rd minute was cancelled by Ghanaian referee, David Laryea who ruled it for offside. Former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner, Rabiu Ibrahim was also a delight to watch as he dazzled while the game lasted. Emmanuel Emenike was also denied appearance on the scoresheet as his goal was overruled in the 75th minute. Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme gained his second cap in three days after his debut against Tanzania last weekend in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, and he kept a clean slate amid a sterling performance. Meanwhile, Oliseh in a post-match interview said star players won’t pick up automatic shirts during his reign. “There is room for everybody in the Eagles. We just want some of the players to get playing time. As I said, everyone would get their chance. Mikel, Moses, they are all in the plan but anybody coming will have to fight to get into the team as this team is playing. “I am particularly happy for Moses that he was able to get the loan move on the last day of the transfer window and this means he would be getting playing time and that is what we want,” Oliseh said. The former Nigeria captain added that no player is indispensable. “Nobody is irreplaceable, I retired and Nigeria continued and if anybody retires, Nigeria will continue. The only thing you cannot replace is Nigeria,” he said. Asked on whether he is confident that Nigeria will qualify for AFCON 2017, Oliseh said: “I will let them judge because we played there (in Tanzania) with a brand new team and picked up a point. So, we did our best and there is confidence in the team.”

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. Ag. EDITOR: TINU AYANNIYI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 9/9/2015.