12th July 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,543

TUESDAY, 12 JULY, 2016

Murdered female preacher:

Mum asked me to love my siblings night before her death —P6 —Daughter

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Chibok girls: Buhari won't make bogus promises, Presidency replies BBOG

•Says other rescued persons also important —P3

Alleged Reps sex scandal

US ambassador expected in House with video evidence Thursday —P6

Oyo teachers, students ignore schools' re-opening order —P32

From left, Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Mr Ibrahim Boyi; Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Head of Technical School, PAN, Mr Pakshar Yakubu and the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Garba Muhammed, when Governor Ganduje visited the PAN auto plant, in Kaduna, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria's economy will probably contract this year —IMF —P12

Theresa May to become second female British PM •26yrs after Margaret Thatcher —P37

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

3

news

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Chibok girls: Buhari won’t make bogus promises, Presidency replies BBOG Says other rescued persons also important Leon Usigbe -Abuja

A

GAINST mounting pressure to locate and rescue missing Chibok schoolgirls, the Presidency, on Monday, reminded agitators that government had been able to liberate from Boko Haram, thousands of women and children whose lives it said were as important as the abducted students.

In a reaction to an allegation made by the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement against President Muhammadu Buhari that he has failed to fulfill his election promises, the Presidency, in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja, denied that it had not done enough to rescue the girls.

It enumerated government’s effort to tackle Boko Haram insurgency and the results obtained, calling on the group to cooperate with the administration.

The statement said: “This

huge number of rescued women and children may not be prominent names and their disappearance may not have generated any massive media attention and campaign.

“However, their liberation is just as important as that

of every other missing woman and child, and a testament to the devotion of our military personnel, who daily risk life and limbs in the effort to bring back every Nigerian citizen kidnapped

by Boko Haram terrorists.”

The statement rejected the

assertion that Buhari has “broken all promises” made to the group about rescuing the missing Chibok girls and that the government had been “lackadaisical” in the rescue mission.

The Presidency appealed to the officials and mem-

bers of the BBOG campaign group not to waiver in their support for the government in the war against terrorism and in the ongoing effort to free all Nigerian citizens held captive by the Boko Haram sect.

It pointed out that the past

From right, President Muhammadu Buhari; former President, African Development Bank (AfDB) and Special Envoy, African Union Peace Fund, Dr Donald Kaberuka; African Union Senior Scientific Officer, Coordination, Dr Mohammed Kyari and Ms Wanjiru Nwaura, during an audience with the president at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

Nigeria to meet its AU financial obligations —Buhari Leon Usigbe -Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured that Nigeria will fulfill its financial obligation to the African Union (AU), particularly on programmes and operations aimed at ensuring peace, stability and security on the continent.

Receiving the AU Envoy on the Peace Fund, Dr Donald Kaberuka, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Buhari said supporting peace operations, under the auspices of the AU in several countries affected by conflict, remained a foreign policy priority for his administration.

Despite competing priorities on security and the economic downturn in the country, the president assured the AU Envoy that Nigeria would also play a central role in seeking the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) to strengthen their support for crisis-prone African countries.

The president used the occasion of the visit of the AU envoy to weigh-in on the situation in South Sudan and appeal for peace and calm in the country.

He stated: “What is happening in South Sudan is extremely disturbing and it is a very dicey situation.

“The AU leadership has a crucial role in stabilising the

country and other African countries on the brink.

“What we can do urgently to stabilise South-Sudan is very important as African leaders meet in Kigali, Rwanda this month and lat-

er in September at the UN.’’ In his remarks, Kaberuka said funding AU-led peace support operations, which had remained a challenge for member-countries was further compounded early

this year when the EU cut in its allocation to the AU Mission in Somalia by 20 per cent.

Kaberuka said the AU summit in Kigali was expected to agree on a road-

map of alternative financing for AU-led peace support operations, including a proposal for African nations to fund 25 per cent of the fund’s budget, while UN contributes the balance.

Forgery: Court to commence trial in suit against Saraki, Ekweremadu Sept 28 Sunday Ejike -Abuja

JUSTICE Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Jabi, Abuja, has adjourned till September 28, to commence trial in the two-count charge of forgery against Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and the acting Clerk, Senator Benedict Efeturi.

The Senate President and his deputy were, on June 27, arraigned with the other defendants by the Federal Government for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Rules used on June 9, 2015 to conduct the election that brought in Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.

It will be recalled that after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge slammed against them by the Federal Government, the court slated

Monday to commence trial, which did not hold because of the annual vacation for judges of the Abuja High Courts which commenced on Monday.

Defendants’ counsel, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu for Maikasuwa, Mahmud Magaji for Efeturi, Paul Erokoro for Saraki and Joseph Daudu for Ekweremadu had moved application for the bail of their clients after pleading not guilty to the charges.

The trial judge, Justice Halilu, had, after taking arguments from counsel in the matter on the bail application, admitted all the defendants on bail with two sureties each.

The sureties, the judge held, must be Nigerians, male or female, who must have landed property in either Apo Legislative Quarters, Maitama, Asokoro, Garki or Wuse District of Abuja.

Justice Halilu, who took judicial notice of the position of the defendants, said there was nothing by way of affidavit evidence that the

defendants would jump bail if allowed to go home and added that the essence of bail for the defendants was to ensure their attendance in court throughout the trial.

The judge, in his ruling, held that Section 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, presumed the defendants innocent of the charges against them and that it was normal and natural for them to be allowed bail so as to prepare for their defense.

He further said the essence of bail was for the defendants, who were presumed innocent by law, was to ensure their attendance in court throughout the trial and that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 also lent support for bail for any Nigerian accused of bailable offences as in the case of Saraki, Ekweremadu and others arraigned before him.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr Mohammed Shaibu Diri, had told the court that

he had no opposition to Saraki’s bail application on the ground that he was the President of the Senate and that the Federal Government did not want to cripple the activities of the Senate.

Diri, however, opposed the bail application brought before the court by Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi on the ground that they were likely to evade trial, having allegedly evaded the service of the charge against them.

The prosecution told the court that if convicted, the three defendants were likely to be imprisoned for 14 years and that because of the gravity of the punishment, the court should be cautious in granting them bail.

Erokoro, while moving Saraki’s bail application, told the court that apart from the charge, Saraki’s name was not mentioned either in the proof of evidence or in the police report, adding that he (Saraki) had not in anyway been linked with the alleged offence.

year of the administration had seen the Nigerian military step up bombardment of the Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorist group, leading to the capture of hundreds of insurgents.

According to it, records from the Army show the rescue of no fewer than 15,000 captives, mostly women and children from the terrorists from February till date.

It said: “In addition, dozens of communities that were previously under the control of the terrorists have been liberated, allowing thousands of previously displaced citizens to return home and resume their normal lives.

“Thousands of these women and children freed from captivity have also been reunited with their families.”

The statement further noted that along with the ongoing efforts to rid the country of terrorists and terrorism, the Nigerian government was focused on the welfare and rehabilitation of rescued Nigerians, many of whom were found in a state of severe malnutrition and illness.

The Presidency added: “While their intentions are honourable, perhaps the BBOG leadership have not considered the collateral damage which must inevitably follow its riveting and dispiriting claim that the president has ‘broken all promises’ allegedly made to the group on this issue.

“Or that he has been “lackadaisical” in rescuing the Chibok girls. The Federal Government’s focus has always been to free the Chibok girls alive and unharmed.

“The president is conscious always about the fact that terrorism in Nigeria is part of a global phenomenon. Since coming to office, his response to it has been firm and well considered.

“President Buhari will never make bogus promises or play to the gallery. It is misleading of anyone to preach that the Chibok girls are within an easy grasp. If the military under the president knew where they are held, they will bring the Chibok girls home today.

“The Presidency is open to renew cooperation with the BBOG group, international bodies, religious groups, social workers and all others who are assisting in the field to ensure that those who have so far been rescued from Boko Haram captivity are given the support they need to make a full recovery and be reintegrated fully into society.

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016 4 news Diversifying into agriculture part of restructuring, Afenifere tells Osinbajo

‘It’s not about sharing more money to states’ Bola Badmus -Lagos

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AN-YORUBA socio-political group, Afenifere, on Monday, said diversifying Nigeria’s economy into agriculture is part of restructuring the country needed to do as canvasssed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, but quickly dismissed other view by Osinbajo, which tried to “reduce the whole issue to taking more money from the Federal Government to the states.”

The group said this on Monday, in its reaction to Professor Osinbajo’s remark that it would not make any difference if states were given half of the resources of the Federal Government and that what Nigeria needed to do was to diversify to agriculture.

“Yes, fiscal federalism is part of the argument, but the issue goes beyond the monthly Federal Allocation Committee.

“The central plank of restructuring is for Nigeria to go back to the true practice of federalism, wherein mineral resources that abound in all states would be freed from the exclusive list, so that states would move into prosperity and not be reporting at Professor Osinbajo’s office for bailout from a centre that only corners what belongs to the states,” Afenifere said.

The group further added that : “They would also have enough to contribute to sustain the occupiers of Abuja and the functions that are allowed to them.”

Afenifere, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, in Lagos, by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said while it understood that the professor might “have come under pressure to lend his voice to the upholders of the status that has brought Nigeria to this sorry pass,” admonished him to be sure footed on the subject before he spoke next time.

Speaking further, Afenifere lamented that the country was reeling under crime today as the single police being maintained with the taxpayers’ money had proved incapable of dealing with the situation, pointing out that Police Commissioners now lamented at the scenes of crime these days, as they were part of passers-by terrified by the horror of

crime.

“It is clear we need multilevel policing to combat crime and have effective policing.

“From the federal down to states and local governments today, we are bogged

down with overbloated bureaucracies that consume as much as 90 per cent of available resources and with little or nothing left for development.

“We must address how long we want to travel with

this culture of waste and to see if we cannot develop better governance with a manageable architecture.

“The question of diversification is a point that advocates of restructuring have canvassed, as it makes no

sense for a country as vast in resources like Nigeria to depend on a mono-product economy. It is part of restructuring we are talking about.

“The restructuring package has a whole wide range

From left, Chief Executive Officer, NIgeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olusegun Awolowo; Chairman, Wells-San Carlos Agro Farms Limited, Dr Idahosa Okunbo; Mr Carlos Cabal Peniche of Well-San Carlos Group and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, during the vice-president’s meeting with WellsSan Carlos Agro Farms Limited , at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

of issues that have to do with justice administration, electoral system and its cost implications, conflicts arising from clash of cultures and how to deal with them to ensure peaceful co-existence,” the group said.

Afenifere, while noting that Nigeria was fast falling apart, also observed that all genuine patriots had come to a consensus that there was strong need to restructure the country to arrest the drift.

“Yes, there is a minority that is insisting that we must continue the way we are, the way the minders of some empires that have disappeared from the wired map did. The vicepresident is free to cast his lot with this group even when silence could have been golden, but he should at least try to acquaint himself with the issues so people are not wondering what are we talking and what is he saying.

“We use this development to advise all those who seek high offices to ensure they are not far from issues that shape their political environment and pay due attention to civic education,” Afenifere said.

Agriculture revival our priority —Osinbajo Leon Usigbe -Abuja

VICE-President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the importance of reviving the agricultural sector of the country in government’s effort to diversify the economy.

Speaking during a meeting at the with a group of Nigerian and Mexican agro-business interests, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, he observed that agriculture was an integral part of the country’s plan for sustainable economic growth and development.

“President Buhari has said it repeatedly that agriculture and solid minerals, especially agriculture, is our economic way out. This is the president’s vision and our job -the rest of us- is to look for ways to get that dream actualied,” he said.

Osinbajo said Buhari was ready to support the agricultural plans “in any way necessary,” while assuring that the Federal Government would ensure conducive customs and immigration policies, including tariffs, in order to attain the vision.

He added that this was why the president set up the Presidential Council on the Ease of Doing Business, to attract local and foreign investors.

“There is no doubt in which direction we should go. Agriculture is in the

forefront and we do realise the urgency of the moment and the importance of getting things done quickly,” he said.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Heinek-

en Lokpobiri who led a Mexican agro-business concern, the San Carlos Group and their Nigerian partner, Wells Farm, from Edo State and the CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President, Laolu Akande, said Wells Farm would partner with Carlos in several agricultural business initiatives and employ a total of about 85,000 Nigerians.

Ambassadorial list: Senate meets Foreign Affairs Minister tomorrow Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

OVER alleged irregularities in the ambassadorial list sent to the Senate for confirmation by the Presidency, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs will, today meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama.

Two members of the committee, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sonni Ogbuoji confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune of the meeting, but they could not establish whether the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, would also be in the meeting.

Before the Senate went on Sallah break three

weeks ago, it summoned the minister and the SGF to explain why some states of the federation were omitted in the list of ambassadorial nominees pending confirmation in the Senate.

The duo were also expected to make explanations to the lawmakers on the alleged irregularities in the list of the nominees and the reported selection of some junior officers in foreign service for ambassadorial appointment instead of their superior counterparts.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Procurement, Senator Joshua Dariye, had raised a point of order under Orders 42 and 52 on the issue.

Dariye had, while raising raising the point of order, observed that the ambassadorial list was full of omissions and irregularities, saying it should be corrected before the Senate could consider it for approval.

According to him, in his state, Plateau, those nominated by the president were not qualified, as senior career officers in the foreign service from the state were left, while their junior counterparts were picked.

He added “given the important role played by ambassadors, due diligence must be given and there should be a criteria to nominate qualified eminent Nigerians.”

Dariye prayed that “we should direct that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the SGF should appear before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to explain the omissions and irregularities and the processes by which some of these names came about.”

However, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (APC-Osun Central) seconded the point of order and called for the intervention of the Senate in view of numerous petitions, which the Senate had received in respect of the matter.

The prayer was adopted by the politicians, leading to the invitation of the minister and the SGF for explanation and possible adjustment in the list.

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

RETURNS ON SOURCES OF FUND SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY 08-07-2016

S/NO.

SOURCE 1 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

DATE OF FUND PURCHASED

2 CAPITAL IMPORTATION

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT PURCHASED ($)

8-Jul-16

282.00

10,000,000.00

8-Jul-16

282.00

220,000.00

10,220,000.00

TOTAL

RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUND SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY, 08-07-2016 S/NO.

CUSTOMER/FXPD/NON-FXPD 1 PEUGEOT AUTOMOBILE NIGERIA LTD 2 OTTUN MUSADEEQ KAYODE 3 JUBAILI AGROTEC LTD 4 NEW EARTH INVESTMENT LTD 5 ELBE PHARMACEUTICAL LTD 6 RITE FOODS LTD 7 JRHZINONE CO LTD 8 KINGS DAVID PHILLIP 9 T.G ARLA DIARY PRODUCTS LIMITED 10 NYCIL LIMITED 11 QPLAS LTD

ITEM OF IMPORT

DATE OF FUND PURCHASED

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT SOLD ($)

15 UNITS OF SKD-11(DKD) 508 ALLURE FOR PEUGEOT VEHICLES

8-Jul-16

282.50

ACCOMMODATION FEE

8-Jul-16

282.50

327,319.74 1,210.00

AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES

8-Jul-16

282.50

249,380.00

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND PARTS

8-Jul-16

282.50

151,662.00

AMALAR TABLETS

8-Jul-16

282.50

58,968.50

BEVERAGES RAW MATERIAL

8-Jul-16

282.50

231,159.33 30,321.50

BLENDER FAN PARTS

8-Jul-16

282.50

COURSE FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,600.00

DANO COOL COW FILLED MILK POWDER

8-Jul-16

282.50

148,521.74

DIOCYTL PHTHALATE

8-Jul-16

282.50

74,880.00

DIVIDEND FOR YEAR 2015

8-Jul-16

282.50

110,313.33

12 SHALDAG LIMITED 13 AKRON NIGERIA LIMITED

FISH FARM SYSTEM COMPONENTS

8-Jul-16

282.50

141,412.41

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

8-Jul-16

282.50

77,740.00

14 SUNCHEM INDUSTRIES LTD 15 BEAUMONT AROMATICS NIG LTD

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

8-Jul-16

282.50

184,632.00

INDUSTRIAL SPARES AND ACCESSORIES

8-Jul-16

282.50

4,000.00

16 STARSONIC NIGERIA LTD 17 STARSONIC NIGERIA LTD 18 STANBIC IBTC

INDUSTRIAL SPARES AND ACCESSORIES

8-Jul-16

282.50

6,799.78

INDUSTRIAL SPARES AND ACCESSORIES

8-Jul-16

282.50

8,791.02

INTERBANK SALE

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,000,000.00

19 UBA 20 WEMA

INTERBANK SALE

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,000,000.00

INTERBANK SALE

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,000,000.00

21 FSDH 22 BANJO IFEOLUWA TOSIN

INTERBANK SALE

8-Jul-16

282.50

1,000,000.00

LIVING EXPENSES

8-Jul-16

282.50

7,965.11

23 NYCIL LIMITED 24 KRISHAN NIGERIA LIMITED

MALEIC ANHYDRIDE

8-Jul-16

282.50

26,460.00

MILLING MACHINERY SPARES

8-Jul-16

282.50

17,680.00

25 SAVVY TECH LTD 26 SHALDAG LIMITED

NORRPULSE AIR FILTERS

8-Jul-16

282.50

154,138.40

PE FILTER MEDIA FOR FISH FARM

8-Jul-16

282.50

76,528.00

27 KRISHAT PHARMA IND LTD 28 DALIA MOHINDER PAUL

PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS-KRISHAT CAPSULES

8-Jul-16

282.50

127,858.44

PHR

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,450.00

29 STEFANOV STEFAN ZAHOV 30 POLADIA VAIBHAV KALYANJI

PHR

8-Jul-16

282.50

3,424.85

PHR

8-Jul-16

282.50

5,500.00

PHR

8-Jul-16

282.50

9,000.00

POLYMERIC POLYOL

8-Jul-16

282.50

101,184.00

31 FAHIM FAKHERLDIN ELKENANI 32 FEMTEJ VENTURES LIMITED 33 UNIGROW IND LTD 34 LAWAL OYINKAN MONSURAT 35 SOEWU TITILAYO IBIDUNMI

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL KURARAY POVAL

8-Jul-16

282.50

47,260.00

PTA

8-Jul-16

282.50

4,000.00

PTA

30-Jun-16

283.50

4,000.00

8-Jul-16

282.50

87,543.04 123,000.00

36 MEGA PLASTICS INDUSTRY LTD 37 LABANA RICE MILLS LTD

RAW MATERIAL RICE MILLING MACHINERY

8-Jul-16

282.50

38 OGUAMANAM IJEOMA JUDITH 39 KINGS DAVID PHILLIP

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

763.57

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

1,366.76

40 INUWA ABDULLAHI 41 OGBENJUWA EMMANUEL AND SUZAN 42 OYENUGA NOAH ABIODUN

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

1,450.00

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,144.00

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,245.80

43 ONYENEKWE CELESTINE 44 OLANIYAN SAMUEL BODE

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,615.80

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

2,815.15

45 DAVID TOLULOPE ADERINOLA 46 MOFAKO VENTURES

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

4,605.89

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

8,924.92

47 AKPALA PATRICK 48 ADEGOROYE OLUKEMI

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

10,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

10,014.56

49 ONWENONYE CLETUS 50 AIR WAVE LIMITED

SCHOOL FEES

8-Jul-16

282.50

12,699.79

SINE WAVE UPS INVERTER SETS- MPOWER

8-Jul-16

282.50

142,010.00

51 OVINOMAS INTEGRATED SOLUTION 52 HENRY WEST INTERNATIONAL LTD 53 AWOJULU ADEDEJI SAMUEL 54 TECHNOLOGY EDGE & ENGR. CON 55 KASSIM AJIBOLA

SOLAR MODULE

8-Jul-16

282.50

96,127.00

SUNSHOW BRAND AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION WATER PUMP

8-Jul-16

282.50

40,000.00 3,444.00

UPKEEP ALLOWANCE

8-Jul-16

282.50

UPKEEP ALLOWANCE

8-Jul-16

282.50

9,547.67

UPKEEP ALLOWANCE

8-Jul-16

282.50

10,000.00

9,968,478.09

For further enquiries, please contact Sterling Bank Plc. Tel.: 014484481-5 or 014489470-94 E-mail: customercare@sterlingbankng.com www.sterlingbankng.com

6

news

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Strike continues until..., PENGASSAN insists Ademola Adegbite -Abuja

From left, Regional Director, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Matshidiso Moeti; Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Minister of State, Dr Osagie Ehanire, during a meeting with the WHO regional director, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Alleged Reps sex scandal:

US ambassador expected in House with video evidence Thursday

O

UTGOING United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, is expected at the House of Representatives on Thursday, over sexual misconduct allegation against three lawmakers.

He is expected to meet the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, to provide video clips of the incident as investigative public hearing on the scandal begins that day.

The incident allegedly occurred during the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, between April 7 and April 13, attended by 10 members of the lower chamber.

Chairman of House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Honourable Nicholas Ossai, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the committee did not invite management of the hotel where the alleged misconduct occurred.

According to him, we decided not to extend invitation to the hotel management since the ambassador, who broke the information through a letter to the Speaker, had documentary evidence against the lawmakers.

The three lawmakers involved in the allegation are Mohammed Gololo, Samuel Ikon and Mark Gbillah. They allegedly solicited sex from prostitutes and grabbed hotel

housekeeper in a bid to rape her.

Ossai said the committee had also invited Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

He said the committee did not carry out any secret investigation and urged anyone with useful information to submit same to the committee on or before commencement of the hearing.

“The standard in the US is that an accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty and that is the same standard in Nigeria. Anyone who has evidence can now see the committee,” Ossai said.

Dogara had, last month, expressed regrets over the trending report on the allegation against the three lawmakers, especially in the social media.

Dogara also vowed that the House would investigate the allegation, saying that “together with the US Embassy in Nigeria, we will get to the bottom of this matter.”

He had pointed out that apart from the letter from the US ambassador, no evidence had been forwarded to his office, and that there could be no conviction without a trial.

NAN reported that the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges handling the investigation postponed the public

hearing from Monday till Thursday to enable some members of the committee who trav-

elled to perform their religious obligation in Mecca to return to Nigeria.

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), on Monday, insisted that the ongoing strike must continue until after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association billed to hold today in Abuja.

National president of the association, Comrade Olubode Johnson, who told newsmen shortly after their meeting with the Federal Government’s representatives on the ongoing strike in Abuja, said although the meeting was successful, there was still the need to have a roundtable with members of NEC on the matter.

According to him, “for us, we first want to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the high delegation here. We had a robust discussion and I know that the NEC members who gave the go-ahead for this strike are on their way to Abuja.

“After the meeting tomorrow (today), we are go-

ing to sit together and do the needful. If we are satisfied with the engagement, the sincerity and openness, definitely we will address the members of the press,” he added.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the meeting was collaborative, frank and solution seeking, saying most of the key areas were touched and a compromise reached.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the government provided PENGASSAN with useful information on issues that it needed clarification.

According to him, “we only have one matter outstanding and that will be addressed tomorrow (today) because the IOCs are not here.”

He said the issue of unfair labour practices raised

by PENGASSAN and laying off of workers without going through normal procedures wuold be addressed today.

According to him, all other issues that needed to be addressed would be sorted out today.

Murdered female preacher: Mum asked me to love my

siblings night before her death —Daughter I won’t press charges on culprits —Husband Collins Nnabuife and Adetola Bademosi -Abuja FIRST daughter of the woman who was murdered while preaching at Kubwa, Abuja, Mrs Eunice Olawale, Jessica, said her mum asked her to love her siblings and take care of them night before her death.

She also said her only consolation was that her late mum was in heaven.

The 15-year-old girl, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, said “the evening before she was killed, she woke me up to follow her somewhere, When we got to a junction, she paid a shopkeeper who she was owing.

“When we were returning home, she asked me if I noticed the love between her and her siblings, she then asked me to love my siblings as well and bring them together. She said I am supposed to love them and be their mother.”

“The last thing she told me before she died was ‘good night dear’.”

A condolence message by Jessica read: “Mummy, I can’t still believe you are gone. I love you so much. I will try to be very strong for daddy, ok.

“I will take care of my younger ones like you want-

ed me to do. Oh! How I miss you. You were so beautiful in all, suffering and pain. I miss you, come back to us.”

The second child, Michael, said her mother was the strongest woman he ever knew.

“If we don’t have food to eat and we ask her what we will eat, she will say God will provide. She encourages my daddy, during the last year convention, she paid the transportation fee for a number of people while we have not known how we will go,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that about 123 condolence messages had been written in the register, including the message from the wife of the

Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo.

Meanwhile, the husband of the deceased, Pastor Elisha Olawale, has said he will not file any charges against the perpetrators of the act if arrested, but will, instead, want them to repent.

Pastor Olawale further described her late wife, Eunice, as everything he had, adding that he would miss her absence.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, the husband of the deceased noted that he and his wife had been very open to each other, even on their individual financial stand.

According to him, “as a pas-

tor, we have been called to the ministry of reconciliation. If they arrest them (perpetrators), killing them won’t help, we are just helping the devil more.

“What I will suggest is that if they should preach to them, they should accept Christ, heaven has more gain, as long as my wife has gone to heaven, if they accept Christ, that will be myjoy.”

He further said “I will miss everything about my wife, she is my mother and my sister.

Before she died, she knew what I have in my account and I knew what she had in her account. We have been open to each other. She is almost all we have.”

...Adeboye in Abuja, avoids comment on slain preacher To host national prayer July 21 GENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E. A. Adeboye, on Monday, avoided commenting on the late Mrs Eunice Olawale.

He, instead, announced that a national prayer would be held for the nation on Thursday, July 21.

Pastor Adeboye, who

made the call in Abuja, on Monday, at the special monthly Divine Encounter programme, said the proposed national prayer would bring together Christians in the Federal Capital Territory to pray for the nation.

“I want to start by making a special announcement and I want you to

listen very carefully, on Thursday, 21st of July, all Christians will gather here in Abuja to pray for Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the prayer, which is expected to begin by 5.00 p.m. at the National Stadium in Abuja, is mainly “to cry to God for our beloved nation.”

7

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Again, Lagos, Ogun communities attacked

Victim kidnapped again after N1.2m ransom paid Opeyemi Owoaseye

S

USPECTED militants, again, attacked the Ojuoro and Phase 2, Yewa communities, Ikorodu area of Lagos, on Monday morning.

They were said to have attacked the communities on Sunday evening and around 6.00a.m. on Monday.

Lagos Metro gathered

that the militants had reportedly harassed the residents, broke into people’s houses, beat them up and cart away their valuables, including huge amount of money, phones and other valuables.

Lagos Metro learnt that the residents had fled their houses to other communities which they considered to be safer, thereby render-

Final year UNILAG student slumps, dies, while playing football Naza Okoli and Opeyemi Owoaseye

One of the deserted houses of the sacked communities. PHOTO: OPEYEMI OWOASEYE

Landlord of 4 houses flees home over wife’s beating Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

AN Igando Customary Court, on Monday, dissolved the marriage of a 50-year-old teacher, Musiliu Yusuf, and his wife, Hassana, over irreconcilable differences.

Yusuf had told the court that his wife was impregnated by one of her lovers in their matrimonial home.

The man also said his wife was in the habit of beating him on the slightest provocation, forcing him to pack out of his matrimonial home.

“My wife committed adultery, she got pregnant for one of her lovers in our matrimonial home,” Yusuf said while testifying in a divorce suit instituted by his wife, Hassana.

“My wife is promiscuous, my fellow landlords are her boyfriends. She got pregnant for one of them, they mock and make jest of me whenever they see me.

“I stopped making love to her in June 2014 due to her infidelity and in 2015, she told me she was pregnant.

“I rejected the pregnancy and even after delivery of the baby, I refused to care for her because the baby is not mine,” the estranged husband said.

The respondent tendered

the list of hotels visited by his wife and some of her lovers as exhibits.

“I packed out from the house I built on four different occasions, because I fear for my life as my wife always beat me on any slight provocation.

“I finally ran out on June 14, 2015 and refused to go back just to save my life because I don’t want to die,” he said.

Yusuf said contrary to his wife’s claims that they both built the house and school, he never collected any money from her.

The respondent also presented as exhibits all the title documents of the properties which were in his name.

Hassana, 39, a teacher, who filed the suit to end her 13-year-old marriage, said her husband threatened to kill her in order to inherit what they both acquired.

“He threatened to kill me so that he can take over what we both laboured for. He always boasts that nobody will question him if he kills me.

“We jointly bought a coaster bus and two plots of land. We used a plot to build a house, the other a school,” she said.

The petitioner said her husband was in the habit of accusing her of infidelity.

“My husband is suspicious of my moves. Every man I talk to is my boyfriend. He has no trust whatsoever in me,” the estranged wife said.

Hassana said that her husband packed out of their home without any notice to an unknown destination.

“On many occasions, he had abandoned me and the children. He once left the house for a year,” she said.

The mother of four said because she refused to grant her husband loan, he rejected her fourth child.

Delivering his judgment, the President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said it appeared that the estranged couple were tired of the marriage and all efforts to reconcile both parties had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice but to dissolve the marriage.

“The court pronounces the marriage between Hassana Yusuf and Musiliu Yusuf dissolved today; both parties, henceforth, cease to be husband and wife.

“Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation,” Omilola ruled.

A 500-level student of Estate Management at the University of Lagos, Mr Odusami Ajibola Matthew, has died after slumping at the University’s Sports Centre where he was playing football with his schoolmates on Saturday.

Some of his friends who spoke with Lagos Metro on Monday, said they were shocked because Odusami had always looked healthy.

“I learned of his death Sunday evening,” said Mr Saheed Ipaye, the President of University of Lagos Social Science Students Association who attended the same secondary school as Odusami.

“He never looked sick to me.

It is a big shock to all of us.”

A statement issued at the weekend by the Secretary, Faculty of Environmental Science Students Association (FESSA) said: “We regret to announce the sudden demise of our colleague, brother, course mate, Odusami Ajibola Matthew, 500 Level student of the Department of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences. His death is a big shock to us and we will always remember him. We pray his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

While confirming the incident, the Deputy Registrar (Information) of the University, Mr Toyin Adebule, said an autopsy would be carried out to determine the cause of his death.

“He was brought into the Health Centre without any evidence of life,” he said.

“At the Health Centre, the doctors were there trying

to resuscitate him, but all to no avail. The Dean of Students’ Affairs was around; the two Deputy Deans were around. The Vice Chancellor was informed accordingly.

All the principal officers were informed. We tried our best.

The cause of death, we cannot tell you now, until after the result of the autopsy.”

One of the lodgers told Lagos Metro who visited the deceased hostel on Monday that the incident actually happened around 4.00p.m.

He said, “Around 4pm he decided to play football with some of his friends. He was not sick, He was not marked and he was not with the ball when he collapsed.

“Nobody can actually say what happened to him. He was rushed to the medical centre, but he died there. It was really shocking.”

A colleague of the victim at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, told Lagos Metro that Matthew cried before his death that he could not move his neck.

“Although, he had stopped playing. He said he was tired and needed to rest. Suddenly, he started crying that he could not move his neck anymore and could not feel anything again. He slumped and died,” he added.

Late Odusami Ajibola

ing these communities deserted.

The militants were said to have also kidnapped a man the second time on Sunday after his family members had paid a sum of N1.2 million for his ransom last Wednesday.

Three militants were also said to have gained access to the communities through the river that links the communities to each other.

A resident, who claimed to have been attacked by the militants, told Lagos Metro that his brother was kidnapped twice.

He said: “No body knows who is who, these people are working based on information. In fact, the way they spoke were very strange, they spoke some languages that sounded occultic.

“What they want is money, to kidnap people and demand for huge amount of money for ransom. They also beat them mercilessly after collecting money from them.

“My brother was kidnapped on Monday, he was later released on Wednesday after paying a sum of N1.2 million for ransom. He was beaten up badly with several injuries inflicted on him all over his body.

“He had been kidnapped again on Sunday. In fact, around 6.00a.m today, they tried to gain entrance into the house again, but they could not, though they broke into about seven buildings close to my house.

“I am not returning there until everything is settled, because no body knows who is next. Almost everybody had run away with their family members.

“In fact, the chairman of the CDA is out of his house.”

Another resident, who preferred to be addressed simply as Mr Kola, told Lagos Metro that he was confused about where he would run to for safety.

However, the police spokesperson, SP Dolapo Badmus, said there was no such report and that a large number of security personnel had been deployed to the area.

8

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

9

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

39TH

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 39th (Thirty–Ninth) Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) of Oando PLC (the “Company”) will be held at Landmark Centre, Plot 3 & 4 Water Corporation Road, Victoria Island Annex, Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday, 02 August 2016 at 10:00a.m. prompt for the purposes of:

AGENDA ORDINARY BUSINESS 1.

Transacting the following ordinary business: 1.1. To receive the audited financial statements of the Company and of the Group for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the Reports of the Directors, Auditors and Audit Committee thereon; 1.2. To elect members of the Audit Committee; 1.3. To re-appoint Ernst & Young as Auditors and to authorise the Directors of the Company to fix their remuneration; 1.4. To re-elect HRM M.A. Gbadebo, (CFR) as a Director 1.5. To re-elect Chief Sena Anthony as a Director 1.6. To re-elect Mr. Mobolaji Osunsanya as a Director 1.7. To elect Mr. Ikeme Osakwe to the Board of Directors of the Company with effect from 08 July, 2016 as a Director whose term expires in accordance with Article 88 of the Article of Association of the Company (“the Articles”) but being eligible, offers himself for election.

1.8. To elect Mr. Ademola Akinrele, SAN to the Board of Directors of the Company with effect from 08 July, 2016 as a Director whose term expires in accordance with Article 88 of the Article of Association of the Company (“the Articles”) but being eligible, offers himself for election.

SPECIAL BUSINESS 2.

Transacting the following special business: 2.1. To consider, and if approved, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolution to fix the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors: “It is hereby resolved that the fees, payable quarterly in arrears remain N5,000,000 per annum for the Chairman and N4,000,000 per annum, for all other Non-Executive Directors.”

Voting and Proxies On a show of hands, every member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote, and on a poll, every member shall have one vote for each share of which he is the holder.

A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote in their stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

Registered holders of certificated shares and holders of dematerialised shares in their own name who are unable to attend the Meeting and who wish to be represented at the Meeting, must complete and return the attached form of proxy in accordance with the instructions contained in the form of proxy so as to be received by the share registrars, First Registrars Nigeria Limited at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road, Iganmu, Lagos, Nigeria or Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited, 70, Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001, PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa not less than 48 hours before the time of the Meeting.

Holders of the Company's shares in South Africa (whether certificated or dematerialised) through a nominee should timeously make the necessary arrangements with that nominee or, if applicable, Central Securities Depository Participant (“CSDP”) or broker to enable them attend and vote at the Meeting or to enable their votes in respect of their shares to be cast at the Meeting by that nominee or a proxy.

Closure of Register of Members The Register of Members and Transfer Books of the Company (Nigerian and South African) will be closed between 18th of July 2016 and 20th of July 2016 (both days inclusive) in terms of the provisions of Section 89 of the Companies and Allied Matter Act, Cap C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (“CAMA”).

Nominations for the Audit Committee In accordance with Section 359(5) of CAMA, any member may nominate a shareholder as a member of the Audit Committee, by giving notice in writing of such nomination to the Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary at least 21 days before the Meeting.

Dated July 11, 2016 By the Order of the Board

Ayotola Jagun (Ms.) Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary Registered Office 2, Ajose Adeogun Street Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

10

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

11

news

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Alleged N50bn debt: Court restores Jimoh Ibrahim’s companies

A

Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday discharged an interim order granted to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to take over some assets belonging to business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, over an alleged indebtedness.

Justice Abdulazeez Anka set aside the ex parte order following an application by lawyer to AMCON, Yusuf Ali, that parties have decided to explore amicable settlement of the dispute.

A sister court, presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu, had on June 14, 2016 restrained NICON Investment Limited, Global Fleet Oil and Gas Limited and Mr Jimoh Ibrahim from dealing with any assets or funds belonging to NICON Investment, Global Fleet Oil and other assets.

But, NICON Insurance Limited, Nigeria Re-Insurance Hotels Limited, Abuja International Hotels Limited and NICON Hotels Limited had in a Motion on Notice, filed by their lawyers, led by Chief Niyi Akintola and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, prayed the court to set aside and discharge the ex parte order on the grounds that AMCON deliberately failed to make full disclosure of all material facts before the court.

At the resumed hearing of the applications to discharge the ex parte order yesterday, AMCON lawyer, Yusuf Ali, told the court that since the provision of the Federal High Court rules encourage amicable settlement of dispute, parties have decided to meet and report back to court within two weeks.

The claim that Ibrahim kept £137million with Union Bank was undisputed

by AMCON. Ibrahim’s lawyer said since that fact is undisputed there is no basis for the interim order of the court.

“In the spirit of good faith to show that we are doing this to promote equity and justice, we agree that the ex parte order should be suspended so that parties can explore the issue of settlement. We have an agreement that each of the parties will nominate one chartered accountant each that will carry out forensic audit of the account. Since Union Bank is the principal bank that gave out the loan, the accountants will meet at Union Banks headquarters and they are to report back within two weeks,” Ali stated.

Confirming the agreement, Chief Niyi Akintola, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde and Jimoh Ibrahim who led a team of lawyers urged the court to set aside the ex par-

te order so as to give parties unfetter access to meet and report back to the court.

Addressing the court, Akintola submitted that parties have agreed to explore amicable settlement of the dispute adding that

the applicants have appointed the firm of Adewale Folowosele & Associate to meet with those that will be nominated by AMCON and Union Bank.

“We have appointed Adewale Folowosele & As-

sociate and await that of AMCON and Union Bank respectively. Consequently, I apply that the ex parte order of June 21, 2016 be discharged and parties will return to court within two weeks.”

However, Ali told the court that as soon as names of accountants nominated

by AMCON and Union Bank are ready their names will be forwarded to the applicants.

In a short ruling, Justice

From left, President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Isioma Chukwuma; Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari; Partner and Head of KPMG Advisory Services Nigeria, Mr Kunle Elebute and the Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Waheed Olagunju, during a collaborative meeting on de-risking entrepreneurs in Nigeria, held in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Edo 2016: APC NWC okays Obaseki as governorship candidate Kolawole Daniel - Abuja THE National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, on Monday, announced Mr Godwin Obaseki as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.

The announcement followed the adoption of the report of the Appeals Committee on Edo State June 18 Governorship Primaries, chaired by Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele.

The APC NWC decision was conveyed by the party’s National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni.

It will be recalled that the

three-member appeal committee, on Wednesday, June 29, submitted its report to the national chairman at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Other members of the committee are Alhaji Mustapha Salisu and Mrs Ekwy Onyido.

The appeal committee received petitions from two aspirants, Mr Kenneth Imansuagbon and Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi.

The committee commenced sitting on Tuesday, June 21, and sat till Tuesday, June 28.

The appeal committee, in its report, submitted that the Edo State 2016 governorship primaries was valid and while not dismissing the seriousness of the allegations and claims of the

petitioners, the issues raised were not compelling as to warrant the cancellation of the election.

The committee called on all APC stakeholders in the state to put the party’s interest over and above personal interests in ensuring a speedy and amicable reconciliation.

The committee recommended that the leadership of the party step up diplomacy in trying to reconcile stakeholders in Edo State.

It also urged the National Chairman of the party, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, to consolidate on his involvement in reaching out to aggrieved parties.

The committee also recommended that a highpowered committee be set

Obaseki hails Shuaibu’s nomination as running mate Banji Aluko - Benin City THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the nomination of the lawmaker representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Honourable Phillip Shuaibu, as his running mate.

He said the decision by the party’s state caucus to nominate Shuaibu represented one of the best things to have ever happened to youths in the state.

He said Shuaibu, despite his youthfulness, would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the task of

taking the state to the next level.

He said after consultation with the party caucus and leadership, he was pleased to have Shuaibu as his running mate.

“He comes with a lot of political experience.

He served as the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly and a member of the Committee on Works in the House of Representatives.

“He belongs to this generation of politicians, who will be joining me in this effort to take Edo to another height.

“I am happy with the de-

cision of the party and Shuaibu, being someone that I have worked with all these years, understands politics.

“I am glad I will be having somebody like him around to help provide the services needed by our people.

“We are on a mission to consolidate on the huge successes made by Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration.

“We have been part of it and I believe we now understand better what our good people of Edo State need more than the PDP, who wants to come and destroy what we have built.

God will not allow them.”

up by the party to reach out and mediate between the governor, Adams Oshiomhole and all aspirants who participated in the primaries.

Anka discharged the order and adjourned the matter till August 1, 2016.

Earlier, Akintola and Ayorinde in their applications had told the court that the properties attached by the interim order belong to the applicants who were not parties to the suit filed

by AMCON thereby making it illegal, unlawful and contrary to the provisions of Section 28 of the NICON Insurance Corporation of Nigeria Act, Cap N54 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Speaking on the development, Ibrahim said the interim order is uncalled for, abnormal and a misrepresentation. He reiterated that having deposited 137million pounds in Union Bank running at interest of 5% from 2010 to present date, the total amount due to be paid to him is over N90billion, about twice what AMCON claimed against him.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the judiciary to come to terms with justice and advice businessmen to always take their cases to the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man.

Ibrahim gave the glory of his victory to “God and hopeless Nigerians whom we tried to create jobs for.”

He also said that “truth is constant, no matter the time.”

Eschew abuse of office, IMN urges public officials THE Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has urged people in positions of authority to keep the trust entrusted to them and eschew abuse of power and disregard for due process in carrying out their assignments.

The movement also congratulated Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of this year’s Eid-elFitri celebrations.

A statement signed by Ibrahim Musa, President, Media Forum of the movement, called on Muslims to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan namely love for fellow humans, perseverance, spiritual worships and piety, hoping that these virtues would subsist beyond Ramadan.

“We should also uphold the virtues of good neighbourliness and eschew intolerance of other peoples’ opinions, in our day-to-day dealings with fellow countrymen.

“However, to those in positions of authority, they should keep the trust entrusted on them and avoid abuse of power and disre-

gard for due process,” the statement stated.

The movement also emphasised that “Islam means total and unconditional submission to the will of Allah, of which peaceful coexistence with our neighbours is among.”

The movement also commended “the press, international human rights activists and organisations that have stood by us in our quest for justice to the over 1,000 victims of Nigerian Army’s attack on members of the Islamic Movement in Zaria, in December last year. We are really grateful to you, and hope you will still be with us as the struggles continue.”

It also reaffirmed its resolve to use all available legitimate and peaceful means of expressing grievances.

The movement also noted that “we call on all Nigerians irrespective of religious divide that we should remain steadfast and prayerful that may Allah intervene so that justice will not only be done, but seen to be done in the case of the genocide perpetrated by the Nigerian Army against armless civilians in Zaria.”

12

businessnews

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

IMF says Nigeria’s economy will probably contract this year

N

IGERIA’S economy will probably contract this year as energy shortages and the delayed budget weigh on output, according to the International Monetary Fund.

“I think there is a high likelihood that the year 2016 as a whole will be a contractionary year,” Gene Leon, the fund’s resident representative in Nigeria said in an interview in the capital, Abuja, on July 8.

While the economy should look better in second half of the year, growth will probably not “be sufficiently fast, sufficiently rapid to be able to negate the outcome of” the first and second quarters,” he added.

Africa’s largest economy shrunk by 0.4 per cent in the three months through March, the first contraction in more than a decade, as oil output and prices slumped and the approval of spending plans for 2016 were delayed.

A currency peg and foreign-exchange trading restrictions, which were removed last month after more than a year, led to shortages of goods from gasoline to milk and contributed to the contraction in the first quarter.

While conditions that impeded growth in the first half of the year, including shortages of power, fuel, and foreign exchange, as well as the higher price of dollars on the the parallel market, may have been reduced, they still weigh on the economy, Leon said.

The Washington-based lender cut its 2016 growth forecast for Nigeria to 2.3 percent in its April Regional Economic Outlook from 3.2 per cent projected in February. The World Bank lowered its forecast to 0.8 percent last month, citing weakness from oil-output disruptions and low prices.

Last year’s expansion of 2.7 per cent was the slowest in two decades, according to IMF data.

“Most people would agree that if you should fix one thing in this country, it should be power. There is a need to start changing the power equation from 2016, from today, not tomorrow or later,” Leon said.

Nigeria generated an average of 2,464 megawatts of electricity on June 6, according to information from the power ministry. This is less than half of the installed capacity of 5,000 megawatts for a nation whose population of 180 million people is the highest on the continent.

It compares to power generating capacity of more than 40,000 megawatts in South Africa, which has a population a third of the size.

“While inflation will prob-

ably continue its upward trend through the end of this year, it is unlikely to exceed 20 per cent,” Leon said.

Price growth accelerated to 15.6 per cent, the highest rate in more than six years, in May and probably quickened to 16.2 per cent last month, according to

the median of seven economist estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee “may be open to tolerating a little more inflation if growth emerges as the priority, as opposed to choking inflation and squeezing the little life

out of growth.

“But the central bank in conjunction with the MPC, needs to be clear to participants in markets what exactly their priority is,” Leon said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria left its benchmark rate unchanged at 12 percent in May and will announce its

next decision on July 26.

The MPC is likely to increase the rate by 500 basis points in the next year “to address the prevailing inconsistencies between an accommodative monetary policy and a more flexible exchange rate,” Goldman Sachs said in a note on July

8.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed a record budget of 6.1 trillion naira ($21.6 billion) with a deficit of 2.2 trillion, or 2.14 per cent of gross domestic product, in May after a delay of four months.

“The fact that the budget was passed late means it’s likely not all the capital spending planned to boost growth will take place, or it will not be as prudent as initially set out,” Leon said.

If growth falls to zero per cent “then that’s a huge gap the country has to fill,” Leon said. If expenditure stays as planned, and revenue is less due to the lack of growth “then we should see not smaller but potentially a larger deficit,” he added.

The naira, which as pegged at 197-199 per dollar until June 17, strengthened 0.1 per cent to 282.33 per dollar at 3:13 p.m. the commercial capital, Lagos.

From left, MD/CEO, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc, Mrs Funke Osibodu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and Acting Director-General, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr Anthony Akah, at the seventh stakeholders’ meeting of the power sector in Benin on Monday.

Equities trading dips by 0.14% on cautious trading

Naira closes slightly lower to dollar at parallel market Chima Nwokoji -Lagos THE Naira on Monday depreciated to N282.47 to the dollar as against Friday’s close of N282.02 to the greenback.

Also, the local currency

on Monday closed slightly lower to N367.024 against the British Pounds compared to N366.1206 traded on Friday. It also lost to a little ground to the Euro as it traded for N312.219 on Monday compared to Fri-

day’s close of N311.9484 to the Euro at the inter-bank market, even as the local currency at the parallel market traded for N353 to the dollar.

Meanwhile, analysts led by the Managing Director of

How hydro-power saved Nigeria from total darkness —Osibodu Banji Aluko, Benin City THE Managing Director of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs Funke Osibodu, has disclosed that but for the rise in water level that has increased hydro-power generation in the country, the nation could have been put into darkness by militants in the Niger Delta region, who have continually blown thermal power facilities in the area.

Mrs Osibodu said as part of efforts to resolve problems associated with billing of power consumers in its area of operation, namely Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, the power distribution company would be releasing about 100,000 prepaid meters to customers.

The BEDC boss, who spoke through the Edo State head of the BEDC, Mr Fidelis Obishai, during the seventh monthly meeting of stakeholders in the power sector held in Benin City, said total power generation in the country dropped to about 1,000 megawatts from an all time peak of 5,000 megawatts due to the activities of militants before hydro-power installations

came into the rescue.

She said the BEDC had distributed 315,000 prepaid meters across the four states of operation, adding that the BEDC inherited 888,000 customers when it took over from PHCN and after a baseline study, some ghost customers were weeded out, leaving their customer figure now at about 745,000.

She said that the BEDC has about 2,000 pre-paid meters already paid for in its possession, remarking that improper addresses given by customers was responsible for the problem and that the company was on the trail of the customers in order to deliver the pre-paid meters to them.

She pointed out that the BEDC was working hard to ensure that 45 days after payment is made for pre-paid meters, customers get them, adding that the BEDC was doing this in order to ensure proper and accurate metering for its customers.

“Recently, we are all aware of the story of the Niger Delta Avengers which has affected gas pipelines. In the past two months after we made 5,000 megawatts

in this country, from the month of March, April, May, generation dropped to 1000 megawatts because the water level in the hydro stations reduced, while the gas pipelines were blown off,” she said.

Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr Bismark Rewane said the market is still digesting the impact of the N1.3trillion debit by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the $4.02 billion forward currency sale on June 20th.

The bank auctioned $3.5 billion on the futures market to clear a backlog of currency demand after it lifted its 16-month-old peg to allow the naira trade freely on the interbank market.

It sold $697 million in one-month futures, $1.22 billion in two-month contract and $1.57 billion due in three months.

5 ministers in London for investment drive

NO fewer than five Nigerian ministers are in London for the Nigeria Trade and Investment Road Show holding from July 11 to July 15, a statement said on Monday.

The statement, issued by the British High Commission, said that the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, is leading the delegation.

It listed other ministers on the delegation as Mr Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Chief Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture and Rural Development); Alhaji Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources), and Senator Hadi Sirika (Aviation).

According to the statement, the Road Show is being organised by the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in collaboration

with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

It stated that the show was for a select group of key officials from the federal and state governments, to highlight business opportunities in Nigeria to UK investors, key UK government agencies such as UK Export Finance, Infrastructure and Projects Authority.

It listed sectors being showcased as energy, agriculture, transport, solid minerals, ICT and infrastructure.

The Nigeria Trade and Investment Road Show, a week-long activity which begins with an industry event tagged ‘Nigeria Open for Business,’ will feature keynote speeches from the five ministers.

Kehinde Akinseinde Jayeoba Lagos INVESTORS continued to trade cautiously on Monday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as market indicator closed red at 0.14 per cent.

Specifically, the All Share Index (ASI) depreciated to 28,813.51 basis points, compared with the 0.51 per cent depreciation recorded on Friday, thus leaving its Year-to-Date (YTD) returns at +0.60 per cent.

Market capitalisation further decreased to N9.896 trillion from N9.910 recorded at the close of stocks trading on Friday.

As analyst had predicted that investors were on a cautions pedestal as uncertainty was at play with market direction, thus flat trading.

Market breadth closed negative as Guaranty Trust Bank Plc led 16 gainers against 32 losers topped by NPF Microfinance Bank at the end of trading session, an improved performance when compared with previous outlook.

Market turnover, however closed positive as volume moved up by 17.20 per cent against 64.50 per cent uptick recorded in the previous session.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc and FCMB Group Plc were the toast of investors as they boost market turnover with a total of 99 million shares, just as Nestle Nigeria Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc top market value list.

13

editorial

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Foiling Boko Haram’s plan in the South-West

I

T is doubtful that many people attached great importance to the startling revelation recently made by the military authorities that fleeing Boko Haram terrorists had infiltrated parts of the South-West. Perhaps what caught the attention of most people was the security alert issued by the United States on the possibility of terror attacks on foreigners domiciled in Lagos. However, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, General Isidore Edet had, at a church service marking the Army Day celebration at Saint Charles Catholic Church, Ikeja Cantonment, sounded a note of warning on Boko Haram fighters seeking refuge in Yorubaland.

According to him, it was becoming a daily routine for security operatives to apprehend suspected Boko Haram members in Lagos and Ogun states, following sustained military operation against the terrorists.

General Isidore said: “Almost on a daily basis, we arrest Boko Haram members in Lagos. They have seen that the war is being won, so they are running. The army, in conjunction with other security agencies, arrests them almost daily. Initially, they deny when we ask them questions. But when we profile them, they start revealing where they fought, how they killed soldiers, how they detonated bombs in Maiduguri, and so on. ” While we commend the gallantry and vigilance of the Nigerian military and other security agencies against the invidious activities of the terrorists, we warn that the incursion of the killer sect into Ogun and Lagos states cannot be handled with levity. Rather, the threat demands the concerted efforts and collaboration of the civil populace and security operatives, to stave off possible catastrophe. The magnitude of the damage done by Boko Haram to the North-East and indeed the nation is too grave to treat the latest incursion of the blood-thirsty sect with levity. The South-West, being the industrial and commercial hub of the country, deserves a comprehensive security apparatus in all its nooks and crannies. On their part, state and local governments should, as a matter of urgency, step up campaigns aimed at achieving improved public awareness on security.

In August last year, the State Security Service (SSS) confirmed the arrest of nine suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Lagos. In October 2014, there were reports that no fewer than 1,000 fleeing Boko Haram fighters were arrested, also in Lagos. The third round of arrests took place in the densely populated Ijora, where security operatives apprehended two suspected terrorists and recovered arms, including AK 47 rifles and explosives, in a building on Aromire Street. A bomb kept in a cooler and hidden inside the ceiling of one of the rooms occupied by one of the suspects was recovered by soldiers. Sadly, however, not much has been heard concerning all the arrests till date.

Certain factors make the South-West vulnerable to the activities of social deviants, chief of which is the rising decline in the productive sector where many were hitherto gainfully employed. There is the daily influx of other Nigerians and non-Nigerians to the region because of the perceived ample economic opportunities, leading to a dense population and the attendant crime wave. Regrettably, lack of foresight and planning by government and property owners is underscored by little or no documentation and database on the movement of the citizenry.

We commend the authorities for the wake-up call on the people to gird their loins and do the needful, as eternal vigilance remains the price of liberty. While the authorities begin to think outside the box on how to improve security at the country’s porous land borders and waterways, the citizenry should see it as a bounden duty to provide useful information to the security agencies about any suspicious movement by strangers. Property owners must insist on proper documentation of prospective tenants with the cooperation of appropriate government agencies.

In addition, neighbourhood vigilance groups should be more alive to their responsibilities. The authorities must guard against a repeat of the recent attacks on some communities in Lagos and Ogun states by suspected militants from the Niger Delta which led to the killing of hapless citizens. The South-West must and should not be allowed to be turned into another theatre of a senseless war.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

editor

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

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

Resolving the OAU crisis

T

HE responsibility of selecting the Vice Chancellor based on the autonomy given to Nigerian Federal universities is solely the duty of the University Governing Council as quoted in the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, otherwise called the Universities Autonomy Act No. 1, 2007 and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2012.

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Governing Council under the leadership of Prof. Rowland Ndoma Egba, fol-

lowed due process as stated by the law in selecting the newly-appointed VC. The Visitor to the university, who is the President of Nigeria, has the power under the law to dissolve the governing council if found guilty of any corruption in the selection process.

To this date, no litigation has been instituted in the court of law against the legitimate processes that produced Prof. Ayobami T. Salami.

It is natural and one would expect some individuals to raise eyebrow on this kind of matter but in an academic environment endowed with

erudite scholars, agitations are supposed to be addressed in a court of law instead of using the unions to achieve selfish goals After the illegal dissolution of the Governing Council through the Minister of Education, the said unions (NASU and SSANU) have not desisted from performing daily rituals, beatings, using all sorts of violence and intimidation against members of the university community whose opinions are contrary to their illegal actions, and performing all kind of acts that should not be identified with a

Buhari, IGP, save us from Ijaw militants in Ikorodu I want to call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the new Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to save us from Ijaw militants in Ikorodu, Lagos.

For some weeks now, residents have not be able to sleep in their houses, and in fact, I can say that we are refugees now, as some of us are currently squatting with friends and family members.

These militants, who came through the waters, had also attacked the convoy of the Ogun State deputy governor when she came on a fact-finding mission to ascertain what was really happening.

Several people have lost their lives as a result of the onslaught by these Ijaw militants.

If these militants could attack the security details of a deputy governor, then one wonders the fate of ordinary citizens who are not armed.

This issue is more than what the Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos states can handle themselves. It is high time President Buhari stepped in by ordering the military to deploy soldiers to the area for the security of lives and properties.

As it is now, most of the streets in communities close to the waterside have been deserted, while those who are left sleep in bushes at night, and not in the comfort of their homes.

Residents of these affected communities are, therefore, appealing to the President and the IGP to save us from these militants, because as it is now, our lives have been disrupted; we can no longer go to our

homes, nor to our businesses, while our children have also stopped going to school long before the school terms ended.

•Sina Ologunde, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

leading ivory tower.

Some power hungers among the supposed intellectuals descended so low to the extent of carrying coffin in the university environment in broad daylight, some of them went to the extent of humiliating the newly-appointed VC in his apartment before his family. NASU and SSANU are known to be articulate and honest critiques of the university management but embarrassing the newly-appointed VC in his residence is an action that has serious political and parochial undertone.

Some toothless bulldogs among these scholars have left their primary assignments. They now go about clamouring for the selection of an acting VC. The big question is; what do they really want? And what is their gain? They are expected to call the unions together, dialogue with them, thus, approach the school management in order to nip the crisis in the bud.

Therefore, the Vice Chancellor duly elected by the Governing Council should be allowed to perform the civic duties given to him under the law.

The unions (NASU and SSANU), through their

leaders, should have a roundtable meeting with the newly-appointed VC on how to meet their pending legitimate demands.

•Fisoye Fagbohun, dapomyself@yahoo. com

Letter to Fashola on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway NOW that the budget has been passed, I really don’t know what is delaying the contractors from fully concentrating on the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway.

Work on this busy road is still so slow, and this is giving frequent users cause for concern.

Accidents are claiming lives of innocent Nigerians on a daily basis, and unfortunately, these are avoidable deaths.

Since the budget has been signed, and a certain amount earmarked for this expressway, I wonder why work has not fully started by now.

I hope that the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, will do the needful so that work can begin earnestly on this road.

•Olufemi Ajayi, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State.

Militancy: Niger Delta needs peace RECENTLY, it was widely reported that President Muhammadu Buhari begged the Niger Delta militants ‘in the name of God’ to cease all hostilities. With this, the president has shown a human side to his person, and I want the militants, particularly the Niger Delta Avengers, to take the president’s ‘hand of friendship.’

The president is the Commander-in-Chief of the military, and he has the power and right to use force in the Niger Delta region against the militants, but he knows that such will add to the sufferings of the people.

It is a great opportunity now for the militants to start a dialogue with the president.

The people of the region have suffered for so long, and it won’t be fair again to have them hiding at the sight of military warplanes.

As a result, I am calling on the region’s elders to speak to youths who are causing trouble in the region. The leaders must let the youth know that one cannot really achieve anything with violence.

•Philip Osakwe, phillysak@gmail. com

15

opinion

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Our diminishing Nigerianism

A

S a little girl, mother told me many tales. I do not mean fables or folklores, but amazingly-soothing stories of the Nigerian kindred spirit, the inexplicable sense of solidarity displayed by the average Nigerian. She spoke of times when raising a child was not only a parent’s responsibility, but that of the community. She narrated scenes of communal policing, when a neighbour would without hesitation, chase plunderers from another neighbour’s farm even at imminent risk.

That was an epoch when it didn’t matter whose child you were in the time of distress, for an army of concerned Nigerians would willingly rise to your rescue as far as you are a human being, but most of all, a Nigerian. We were closely knitted in the giant web of communalism, displaying epic concern for a fallen brother. Alas, that was eons ago. My recent experience held not a tinge of similitude to the pleasant Nigeria my mother grew up in, whose memories she refuses to relinquish to oblivion.

It has been over two weeks since the horrifying experience that temporarily silenced me on this platform, suspending my most cherished interactions with a readership that has been true to this column for years. While I would want to profusely apologise for the short period of being incommunicado, it is my strong desire to open the curtains, like in a stage play and re-enact the horror I came face to face with in a bid to drive home this salient fact — the gradual but rapid stripping off of our NIGERIANISM may drown this nation in caliginous waters of social disintegration.

The glory of the king of the day was in full splendor, as his rays struck the earth surface like meteors from space, every object received an upsurge of current. It was a hot, hot afternoon and one could make an omelet, sunny side up on the tars, but I was sitting on those tars, backside gradually getting grilled like barbecue for an evening soiree. I didn’t choose a patch on the roads of one of the busiest roundabouts in Africa’s largest city to communicate with my muse, I had just been hit by the infamous Ibadan Nissan Micra, steaming red hued liquid, freely running down my face from the edge of my eyes, a badly bruised nose, broken lips and a left arm emanating excruciating pain.

My blue peep-toed flats laid haphazardly on the road, my almost brand new second pair of eyes, smashed to pieces and my cream coloured tote bag? You are right to guess that it had fast become an object of potential raid for the crooks within the small crowd that gathered after the collision. My legs were numb and all I heard was screaming and more screaming. I looked down on my denim jacket and saw blood and at that instant, my tear ducts lost their efficacy to hold the undammed salty water that began to flow like

a spring. My mouth opened and I began to scream like everyone else. In that moment of consciousness, I saw a group of riffraff gathered around my bag, like rats who just found a huge chunk of cheese but out of nowhere, a woman from the crowd, like a big feline, scared them off and thrust the bag in between my numb legs, shouting instructively at me to hold it close. I was picked up by two men and carried into the cab whose reckless driver was the reason for all that commotion, but that was when the real odyssey began.

The panicking driver had picked up a companion for moral support and they both were to convey me to the nearest health facility for treatment, while I was bleeding and writhing in pain but they began to rigmarole, driving back and off from the point of the accident. At that point, I started screaming, demanding that I be driven straight to the media house but NO. They wouldn’t take me anywhere that I gathered from this conversation: Driver: “I am worried what if I take her to the media house and I get arrested or my cab gets confisticated?”

Man: “Who says you will take her there, let’s just dump her somewhere and leave.”

Thank the heavens I was still conscious to understand what was going on. I got to the hospital eventually but the crux of this discourse lies in these questions: what if I wasn’t conscious? Would they have just tossed aside a wounded person? Would anyone have stopped to help the unconscious lady, bleeding away by the road side? Our society has been transmogrified and sadly, negatively.

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688 No one wants to take a closer look at the stranger lying in the pool of blood for diverse reasons, but in the beginning, it wasn’t so.

While some reasons for turning a blind eye may be understandable, others are simply inhumane, malicious, callous and most others are simple cowardice. I used to shrink in disbelief when I heard direful narrations of people whose bodies were later discovered after a hit- and-run because no one stopped to lend a helping hand but after almost being tossed on the road side by two humans, considering the precarious situation I was in, I would never, in my lifetime, second guess any such tale.

We are losing our humanity, our kindred spirit, our Nigerianess and above all, our communality which singles us out as a caring race, a concerned country and why?

Some claim it is due to police brutality and barbarity. So many innocent people ended up behind bars for being the Good Samaritan. In a country where you report an accident but becomes the apprehended after severe pummeling from unprofessional law enforcement agents, who would be brave enough to help? Who would want to stop a barreling car on the highway having seen a stranger in the pool of blood? What if it turns out to be only a decoy by robbers?

Sadly, we have shut our eyes because of many such evils and several souls who were genuinely in need of help, our countrymen and humans alike, have crossed the narrow sea to the land of no return.

However, after we think we have achieved self preservation, which is sadly today’s Nigerian’s superlative pursuit, would we be able to sleep at night, knowing that a human being passed on because of our inaction?

REACTIONS: Re: God will not come down After reading your article, God will not come down, I felt indicted as a lawyer who has not done much to challenge the ills around.

You opened an aspect of my faculty that I had not given any serious gaze. To say that you spoke absolute truth is to say the least. Thanks for the exposition. It is important we start helping ourselves.

—Hilary Onwe, Ibadan =============================== Your article struck a chord and I absolutely liked it. I felt like someone was voicing my thoughts. That ‘it is well’ and ‘God will help us’ mentality just angers me. Thanks for addressing that.

— 08135925253

Of govt and social responsibility to the poor

By Uguru Uchechukwu Okanagba

In view of these, it is indisputable that the authorities saddled with the responsibility of implementing our laws are living below the expectation reposed on them, even though they are constitutionally obligated to implement the laws.

Now, considering the intent and spirit of the Child Rights Act enacted by the National Assembly on July 31, 2003, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, ratified on March 17, 1988, it will be obvious and glaring that the essence is to give effect to Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution by palliating the hardship of children and young persons owing to their vulnerable nature.

It will not be out of place to bring out the salient sections and provisions that are to the effect that the right of children and young persons shall be considered paramount and shall not be treated with levity. Section 15 of the Child Rights Act provides: “Every Child has the right to free, compulsory and universal basic education and it shall be the duty of the Government in Nigeria to provide such education.”

This provision is in pari materia and on all fours with section 18 of the Constitution. Section 30 (2) of the same Child Rights

,

OVER the years, young Nigerians, particularly children, have been subjected to hawking and begging in major cities across the country, like Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, among others.

Most of these hawkers had no option than to move to the streets due to the untold hardship and life challenging situations they find themselves in.

However, it burdens my heart that in a great country like Nigeria, there are numerous laws which, if properly enforced, would positively affect all areas of human endeavour, and Nigerian citizens will be adequately taken care of. However, it is unfortunate that all these laws exist in theory only, and not in practice.

In a democratic system, laws are meant to be enforced to the latter and not just to show that we have such laws. Relying on the above premise and proposition, may I now x-ray why the problem of Nigeria is not making laws, but emforcing them.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides in Section 1 (1) as follows: “This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

By section 1 (2) of the Constitution, it provides: “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitutions.”

Section 18 of the same Constitution further provides: Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels; free, compulsory and universal primary education and free university education.

Act, which also provides that: “A child shall not be used for the purpose of begging for alms, guiding beggars, prostitution, domestic or sexual labour or for any unlawful or immoral purpose; a child shall not be used for hawking of goods or services on main cities, streets, brothels or high ways; a child shall not be used for any purpose that deprives the child of the opportunity to attend and remain in school as provided for under the compulsory, free universal basic education Act. In line with the provisions of the Child Rights Act, every citizen of this country is to be aware that there is an Act of the National Assembly that has graciously and judiciously outlined the rights of children and young persons, and equally guaranteed the protection of such rights.

It is not in doubt in view of the Act that every Nigerian child and young person has the right of education and not the right of hawking and begging on the highways and on streets during and after school hours on the excuse of being from poor background.

It is highly regrettable and an eyesore that our great country has millions of its future leaders hawking and begging in major cities across the country today.

The ages of these children range between six and 17, and even more; and these are the people who should be enjoying government welfare, which are enshrined in the constitution.

However, it is important to state that banning hawkers from the highways and streets without seeing to their welfare will only bring about an increase in criminal activities.

Consequently, I believe that the current Lagos State government policy banning hawking will bring about more harm than good. It is important that for every policy, alternatives are made available.

•Uguru, a lawyer, lives in Ibadan.

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture

Global Shea Alliance, USAID partner for growth, sustainability

T

HE Global Shea Alliance and the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID) signed in June a $13 million, five-year agreement to promote shea markets

worldwide and improve sustainable production in Africa. Under this Global Development Alliance, at least 40 warehouses will be constructed in Nigeria and 40 women’s groups will be formed and trained to man-

age those warehouses for shea collection and processing.

“The shea industry is changing and companies, governments, and donors are investing more in sustainable production and improving the benefit to 16 million women collectors and processors,” says Moumouni Konate, President of the Global Shea Alliance.

“The goal of this critical partnership is to help women collectors and processors organise into cooperatives, obtain equipment and training, and improve the financial benefit from the sale of their products.

Stronger and more profitable women’s groups will process more shea, improve quality, and protect the trees.”

During the Global Shea Alliance’s annual conference in Accra, Ghana, USAID/West Africa Mission Director Alex Deprez said, “We know well the benefits of increased trade for rural communities across Africa.

The Global Shea Alliance is pioneering efforts to grow markets and improve the livelihoods of rural women and their families that stand

at the base of the shea value chain. We are proud to partner in these activities.”

The partnership will match up to $6.5 million in USAID funds with $6.5 million in private sector funding raised by the Global Shea Alliance to implement promotional and sustainability activities in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria.

I’m going into farming —Ahmed Biola Azeez -Ilorin GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state has said that he is prepared to go into big time farming to contribute to economic growth of rural areas of the state and ensure food security.

Speaking during an interactive session with civil servants on levels 16 and 17 as well as permanent secretaries in Ilorin at the weekend, emphasised the need for economic diversification of the state to mitigate the current national economic challenge and guarantee future economic stability.

The governor noted that the slide in earnings from federation account from about N3.8 billion at the inception of his administration to a little over N1 billion monthly, called for cutting of costs in other to sustain governance and development of infrastructure.

Governor Ahmed who assured the civil servants that despite the prevailing economic challenges in the country, their welfare and regular payment of salaries and enrolments remain his top priorities, charged management staff of MDAs, as top echelons of the civil service, to put in place aggressive and progressive modalities of ensuring that the fortunes of the state improve through enhanced internally generated revenue.

The governor said the projection of his administration is to hit N3 billion mark by the end of 2016, away from the present N1.2 billion monthly which was an impressive achievement from the monthly N500 million IGR at the inception of his administration.

“We will continue to ensure that our civil servants, are happy, efficient and productive; but to whom much is given much is expected,” he said.

According to him, although, a critical factor is the personnel cost, his administration would not reduce the work force which would add to the army of unemployed but would ensure prudence in the management of available resources.

The governor asserted that civil servants’ salaries in the State are paid to date, except those who have challenges with their Biometric Verification Numbers (BVN) stressing that once the issues are resolved they would be paid.

Expert charges Nigerians on apiary investment A volunteer of the United State for International Development (USAID) to Nigeria, Mr Caleb O’biren has described apiary farming and bee keeping as a panachea to poverty, saying it is a veritable venture that could boost the nation’s economy.

Mr O’biren stated this at a five-day workshop organised by the management of Osun State Polytechnic Iree as part of the capacity building and skills acquisition programme embarked upon by the institution recently.

The apiary workshop was packaged by USAID and Winrock International, a Non-Governmental Organisation as a stable of the farmer-to-farmer pro-

gramme of the organisation to boost Agricultural technology in Nigeria through trainings and workshops for officials of tertiary institutions and local farmers in Nigeria.

According to a release by the institution’s Media Relation’s Officer, Mr Tope Abiola, participants at the workshop which included staffers of the Polytechnic and farmers in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State were trained on modern technology of Bee Keeping and Honey Production which the USAID official described as a veritable venture that could be used to provide jobs for unemployed Nigerians.

According to O’biren, an American based apiary and bee keeping specialist, “apiary is a good venture that could be done in local communities with a little capital to produce honey in large quantity.”

While explaining the importance of honey and demand for honey in all parts of the world, O’biren explained that “honey production is not capital intensive, its production can survive a country, because it is what is needed by all homes in a country. It is a daily need that is used for treatment of certain ailments. It is also used to prevent certain deceases which could cause damage some cells in our

bodies.”

While speaking on why Winrock International collaborated with the USAID to embark on training of tertiary institution staffers in Nigeria, the Director of the USAID/Winrock’s Farmers to Farmer programme enthused that “we believe that bee keeping is a kind of agriculture that is not fully known to majority of Nigerians as a low capital intensive farming that could boost their agricultural production. “We need to improve the skills of the farmers and expose them to modern apiary for production of honey in large quantity because of high demand for honey in Nigeria community.”

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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2SCALE project facilitates access to finance of N24m for rural farmers Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Towards Sustainable Agribusiness Development and Learning in Entrepreneurship programme, also known as `2scale’ has facilitated access to loan for rural farmers to a tune N24 million.

The National Cluster Advisor of the programme, Mr Thompson Ogunsanmi, made this known in an interview in Abuja.

He said the programme which is worth 45 million Euros was being implemented in nine countries in West and East Africa and is funded by Dutch Government in collaboration the private sector contributing the same amount in form of private public partnership (PPP).

He said the programme which started in 2012 in Nigeria, had registered over 42,000 farmers and about 308 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) had benefitted in areas of capacity building, coaching, simplified innovative technologies and access to market, etc.

Ogunsanmi said one of the aims of the programme which will end in 2017 was to build the capacity of the farmers to see themselves as private sector business men and women.

He added that the programme is being implemented in nine states of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Kwara, Benue, Kogi and Kaduna state via value chain approach.

According to him, the programme concentrates on working in different partnership which include dairy, soybean, cassava, groundnut, maize, rice and vegetables, involving value chain actors including linking farmers to markets.

“We have some of our

famers linked to financial institutions, pampaida Chilly Pepper Association in Ikara Local Government in Kaduna State is an example, we have linked them to Lapo Microfinance Bank and they have access loan to a tune of N24 million.

“The farmers are operating in many cooperatives over a thousand and each of them gets up to N100, 000. It is a cooperative guaranteed scheme and it enhances repayment.

“The pay back rate as at today is at 98 per cent and they are to conclude payment by July ending so you can be sure they will meet their target; we achieved this through inclusive business model,’’ he said.

In the area of dairy production, Ogunsanmi said 2SCALE was partnering Friesland Campina (WAMCO), a diary multinational company to source its raw milk from local farmers.

He said over 600 fulani milk producers in Fashola, Alaga, Ado-Awaye, etc in Oyo State supply milk to WAMCO’s milk collection centre (MCC) in the state.

“We stated with zero liters but currently, the farmers supply over a thousand litres of fresh milk everyday to Friesland Campina WAMCO in their different MCCs. “This is one of the major breakthrough in Nigeria because people believe doing business with the fulani people is not possible.

“This is a pilot project, Friesland Campina WAMCO is about to replicate the same initiative in conjunction with the project in Ogun State,” he said.

Ogunsanmi said in the area of cassava production, 2SCALE was working with the Nigerian Breweries (NB) and Psaltry International Limited.

Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

Ogun LG boosts maize exportation to conform with international standards Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

WORRIED by the challenges militating against exportation of agricultural products in Nigeria, the Abeokuta North Local Government area of Ogun state has taken steps towards ensuring that maize produced from the state meet up with the standards required for exportation.

Towards this end, the Transitional Committee in the council area has provided free “afflasave” maize specie to over 300 farmers in the area for cultivation in this planting season.

Chairman of the Transition Committee, Ibikunle Bayowa, who disclosed this while rendering the monthly progress reports of his council, also stated that the council has also trained the farmers on the planting methods that will make their maize produce meet up with the international requirements for planting maize.

Bayowa, who explained that the free distribution of the maize specie was to assist farmers in meeting up with the WHO’s international standards which allows for exportation of only toxinfree maize, also stated that the benefiting farmers were tutored towards applying af-

flasave specie on their maize plantation before they are matured for harvest.

Emphasising that the programme was in partnership with a private business initiative: Business Supports Academy (BSA), the council boss said BSA kick started the project with 50 hectares of land at Orile Keesan community for afflasave specie maize cultivation for this planting season.

According to Bayowa, prior to the partnership with BSA, maize produce from Nigeria were bared from exportation due to the “aflatoxin” allegedly contained in maize from Nigeria which the international communities said has been proven to contain chemicals that could cause cancer if consumed.

“The local government in collaboration with BSA, trained these farmers and

gave out free afflasave maize to them simply because we want them to be financially empowered and to be able to compete favourably with other farmers of the world.”

“For quite sometime now, maize grown by our farmers in this part of the world could not be exported because the international communities believed that these maize contained toxin which they say can cause cancer when consumed.

“With this exercise, our farmers can now export their maize and this in turn, would boost the economy.

This we are hopeful, will in turn, bring in more foreign earnings into Nigerian economy.”

Bayowa further stated that arrangements have already been put in place towards ensuring that the programme is sustained for more farm-

FCU chairman seeks FG support on agricultural agenda Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Chairman of the Federal Cooperative Union, Onjefu Obe, has tasked the Federal Government to support the union towards achieving it’s agricultural agenda in its economic diversification efforts.

He said this is because

the only enterprise allowed for civil servants is agriculture.

He stated this while speaking to the media during the Cooperatives’ Walk to mark the 2016 International Cooperative Day with the theme: “Power to Add for Sustainable Future.

According to him “We are

Invest in rural transformation, IFAD tell FG Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, has urged the Federal Government to focus its investment in rural transformation for massive food production and security.

This was made known by the President, IFAD, Kanayo Nwanze, while assessing agro-industrial development in rural areas of the country.

Nwanze who also has been

passionate and concerned about youth engagement in agriculture said they can be attracted to the sector if the rural areas were transformed with basic infrastructure and other incentives.

According to him “We need the youth of today to be the farmers tomorrow, but for that to happen, we must transform our rural areas. Why are we creating jobs in other countries when we have more than 200 mil-

lion young people, and so many are unemployed?

“I mean development that is centred on people-development that invests in them. I mean investing in change that is social as well as economic so that rural areas are socially viable and economically vibrant.

I mean investing in change that is comprehensive and inclusive in its nature, and lasting in its impact.

“The benefits of rural

ers to benefit periodically.

He added that the over 300 benefiting farmers have already formed themselves into a cooperative societies to enable them access international loans which he said is being facilitated by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Commenting on the plans which his council has for the teeming unemployed youths, Bayowa explained that no fewer than 12 unemployed youths are currently being sponsored by his council for entrepreneurial training at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

He emphasised that the council also has the intention of assisting them with soft loan upon graduating from their entrepreneurial training.

transformation reach far and wide. All of us stand to gain when there is flow of goods, services and money between rural and urban areas. All of us benefit from healthy food, clean water and fresh air.

“By investing in rural transformation we can create a range of opportunities for young people in our rural areas so that they are not compelled to migrate to urban centres and big cities where

they too often fall prey to divisive rhetoric and extremism. We need to offer these young men and women opportunities to build their lives and realise their dreams in rural areas.”

According to the IFAD boss, rural development can be done and must be done, but the change must start from within. IFAD and others in development can offer support and invest and work as partners.

saying that today is an opportunity for the Federal Government to identify with the federal civil service staff union, because we are very large and constitute the major workforce of the Federal Government.

“The only enterprise we are allowed to do is agriculture; today the only music the Federal Government is singing is agriculture.

“So if the Federal Government will identify with the union, then the opportunity to drive the policy will be well achieved and more employment will be generated as well as there is a great stride in the reduction of poverty.”

He reaffirmed that “This is because a lot of the youths in the streets are children of civil servants and as such if the Federal Government will partner with the union, agriculture will be boosted.”

18

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From left, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi and Ms Adewunmi Osagie, Chairman, Harvest 2016, during the harvest launch of the Cathedral Ladies Armour Bearer Society of The Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbudulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, riding on horse to Iwo praying ground, during the Eid-el-fitri celebrations . PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

From left, Alhaji Gani Galadima, Tunde Anifowose-Kelani, Acting Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris and Alhaji Aminu Majidadi, at the inauguration of Idris as Acting IGP, at Force Headquarters, Abuja, recently.

From right, Bayo Olugbemi, husband of the deceased, with the children, Tomilade, Tofarati and Damilola, and others, during the service of songs held In honour of Pastor Mrs Olufunke Olugbemi.

Mr and Mrs Babawale Loremikan during their wedding held in Lagos, recently.

From left, Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Sagamu branch, Mr AbdulGanniyy Talib; chairman of the Sagamu NBA branch, Prince Debo Oduguwa; Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade and Justice Olanrewaju Onafowokan, during the 2016 Bar Week Programme of the association, held at Asoludero Court, Sagamu, Ogun State.

From left, Mr Olanrewaju Okelabi; his wife, Anike; the couple Mr and Mrs Kayode Okelabi; chairman on the occasion, Mr Babatunde Akande; Elder James Ojo and his wife, Yemisi, during the wedding in Ibadan, recently.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Adeyinka Samuel Oladele, during their wedding at the RCCG Wonder Parish, Odo-Ona Elewe Road, Orita, Ibadan.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08116954645 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

19

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo adisa 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

How to rescue the economy —Dogara

After about 13 months in office as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has opened up on a number of knotty issues that surrounding the present political dispensation, including the relationship between the Presidency and the National Assembly, the APC administration, war against corruption. Our man brings excerpts of the interview he had with newspaper editors.

Y

On Buhari’s anti-corruption war OU will recall that the fight against corruption is one of the cardinal promises that Mr President made before assumption of office. He had cause to say that we have to kill corruption before corruption kills us and I know he is committed to fighting corruption to a standstill. The process of doing that has become a subject of concern to some people. The EFCC is actually the agency, as we all know, that is in charge of this fight and if you look at what it has done so far, there is even a discussion as to whether they are proceeding in the right direction and whether it is not time for us to sit down and do an assessment of how the fight has been in view of the fact that in the last one year, I do not think there has been any major conviction.

It has always been a case of this person has been arrested and detained and some things have been done or he has been charged to court and then the story ends there. Only God knows whether, if we continue like this, we will suceed in fighting corruption. If the end is just to arrest people, charge them to court and thereafter nothing happens, no one is convicted—because conviction, even if you are not jailed, has a way of deterring people. The fact that you are carrying that negative appellation as a former convict has the potential to deter people from corruption in the future.

But if I am just arrested, charged to court and maybe some money recovered from me and at the end of the day, nothing happens, a lot of people may not be deterred in the future from engaging in corrupt practices. But if you look at the massive looting of the treasury, actually, I have been in government for quite some time, I could never have imagined the scale of corruption that we are witnessing right now where people took lots of money running into billions and buried them in farms. As we are speaking now, they are recovering monies from someone’s farm somewhere around Abuja.

It is very unfortunate that people stole money just for the sake of stealing. If you were the one who was in charge of fighting corruption, you would have even been shocked by the scale of the problem. I guess part of the problem we have is that the scale of the problem far outweighs the anticipation of the agencies. So, if care is not taken in the process, we may not get things right. They will have to keep their heads level to take charge of the fight and to do it effectively.

On alleged selective war against corruption On the question of one-sided approach, if we are talking about corruption, naturally, it will relate to those that had opportunity to serve in government. You will recall that the PDP has been in power for a number of years, more than a decade and if you were to weigh members of opposition that are

•Dogara in government now and had opportunity to serve, those that would have tendencies to engage in pilfering of resources, majority will come from PDP, except we are not being realistic. Even though we can’t claim that all the members of APC are saints, you pointed out that APC spent money in the cause of the campaign, but where did this money come from? Because as it is, we haven’t really had any had facts about government officials forwarding money to the cause of the campaign.

The majority of the money that was stolen was channeled towards the PDP cam-

paign. You know that this arms purchase monies, for instance, virtually everything was given for the prosecution of PDP campaign, I do not think a dime went to any member of the APC, we were all in government then. I can’t remember a discussion like that then but I knew when some of the funds were been given to some of our friends as well but I believe that no one that is of APC stock was given that money. The whole thing was scripted.

I don’t think the fight has really been one sided. If you recall, one of the closest aides to the president, I don’t want to

So for us to succeed really, we have to apply the rules across board. It doesn’t matter if you are a member of the ruling party or in opposition if you are corrupt, you have to be dealt with.

name him—when he was picked up, everyone was shocked. He had been one of the most dutiful; very close to the president, yet he wasn’t spared when evidence was adduced that he benefitted from it and he had to refund the money. And recently, one of the closest people to the Villa as well, was picked up. He has been detained and questioned; some recoveries were made from him. If the intention was that the fight should be one sided, these two amply qualify as sacred cows that should not be touched. I sincerely believe that the problem is that of evidence. If there is anybody in the APC government that perpetuated corruption and didn’t get dealt with, it could be that there is no evidence before the government right now. I know that there will be more that will come under serious searchlight of the anti-graft agencies and it doesn’t matter where they are.

One thing I will say is that in a civil society, what is important is the issue of justice. Justice comes first even before the issue of wealth, of power and everything. Following from justice is wealth and equality. Without that, you cannot even Continues pg 20

20

politics&policy

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

‘The danger in undermining NASS’ Continued from pg 19

have democracy. So for us to succeed really, we have to apply the rules across board. It doesn’t matter if you are a member of the ruling party or in opposition if you are corrupt, you have to be dealt with. In Nigeria, politics is not a straitjacket approach. It is not that if I am in APC, I am going to remain in APC forever or if I am in PDP, I am going to be in PDP forever just like it is in other jurisdictions. In Nigeria, there are frequent cases of crosscarpeting which will still happen but if the case were that if you are a member of APC you will not face prosecution, I believe that more members would have cross-carpeted to APC right now. So, it is a question of perception.

On Senate forgery case On the Senate forgery case, so much has happened. By virtue of my training, when a matter is in court, I really do not want to offer an opinion on it because as we say, it is subjudice. But I must say that there is an importance attached to all these institutions of democracy, where you have the case of government’s power being carved out and vertically or horizontally shared. There are all for some purposes. I believe that the National Assembly in any country is the bastion of democracy. Where you do not have an independent National Assembly, you definitely will have some kind of totalitarian tendencies in the government.

In the past, there was stability in regards to the work of the judiciary and the executive because usually, during military regimes or intervention, the institution that was suspended was the National Assembly and for obvious reasons. The body that now makes the law is the executive body. Ours is a democracy that is still evolving, it is not as nascent as it used to be but we still have a lot to learn.If the goal is that they want to strangle the parliament, then, definitely, we are going to run into serious problems and that will be an affront, a serious affront, on democracy and that will be totally unacceptable. But since the matter is in court, it doesn’t mean that when allegations are made, that they are true. It doesn’t.

A lot of people have been charged in courts before and at the end of the day, insufficient evidence is given. And in a case of forgery, forgery is a criminal offense and the standard of proof, the burden of proof is beyond reasonable doubt.

The Senate has spoken, it is an issue that all of us including the Senate and the House of Representatives will have to really sit down and analyze. As it is, I haven’t really seen the papers, I haven’t seen the charges, I don’t know whether they are grounded or not but I have asked, as a lawyer too, that I needed to see the nature of the evidence against the presiding officers that are being charged to court in a case of forgery. And if there is a compelling case, we won’t say he should be exempted because we are legislators.

I know that right now, there is an ongoing discussion about the propriety or otherwise of immunity being given to presiding officers of the National Assembly. I have had attacks on the social media and the conventional media. A lot of people have expressed divergent views. So if the view is that we are not entitle to immunity, then it will mean that we are conferring some kind of legitimacy to this kind of trial because in the future, we cannot stop any government that says it wants to proffer charges against a presiding officer and at the end of the day, if the goal is really to emasculate the National Assembly, that will easily be attained. But like I said, without an independent, effective National Assembly, there is bound to be problems in any given democracy. This thing was said long ago, long, long ago

by Lord Acton, when he said “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

A lot of people ask, why do we have the Senate and the House of Representatives; why can’t we even have one House? But like they say, if you think that education is expensive, why don’t you try ignorance? They are reasons behind the creation of all these institutions. Social scientists sat, they looked at the act of governance and said, look, this is the best way to guarantee liberty. Their first task was that, a free person can engage in virtually everything, in wealth generation, he can use his freedom to advance democracy and they were careful not to compromise individual liberties and they crafted this system of government to make sure that leaders are made to be true to the oath of their offices. And when there is compromise or an attempt to strangulate these departments of governments, you will find out that the government does not function effectively. So, if there is no serious basis, justifiable basis, for preferring the charge, I believe that the accusation by the Senate may

ultimately be right. That is the situation as I have seen it myself. The matter is in court; we will allow the judiciary to do their work and I sincerely believe that if they are guilty as they are alleged, that the proof of evidence will disclose any material allegation against them, then they will be free and we will continue to do the work we do in parliament without fear of any intimidation.

On achievement of APC government in one year Now, the achievement of APC in the last one year, fortunately, I am not Lai Mohammed. I don’t speak for the government, I am a legislator but I can’t run away from the fact that it is our government and whether I am Speaker or not, I have to apply my mind as a politician to what we are doing and whether we are getting it right. I would say that a lot has been spoken abut the fight against corruption, which is very important to ensure that the meager resources that we have are not frittered with and there is an ongoing discussion as well as to the effectiveness of the war against insurgency in the North-East which has helped to improve security in the land. In those days, there were even fears of Boko Haram making incursions into safe cities like Lagos. I think they even attempted.

But right now, we don’t have their kind of situation, so security has been enhanced.

When you talk of the economy, it is something that we will have to look at closely. I sincerely believe we need a very strong team that will superintend our economy because we are faced with dire challenges and we have to do something. When Obama came into government in the US, there was virtual collapse of the economy at that time, he had to look for serious minded people who sat and charted a way out of that crisis. I sincerely believe that in Nigeria as well, we are rich in diverse ways. If we

A lot of people ask, why do we have the Senate and the House of Representatives; why can’t we even have one House? But like they say, if you think that education is expensive, why don’t you try ignorance?

can put together a solid team to manage this economy, it doesn’t matter, I don’t think under Obasanjo we had the oil boom, we were earning far less than what we did subsequently, but we were able to manage the meagre resources we had.

So, I sincerely believe is just a matter of management and if we are able to get the right people in place, we will be able to swim through these dangerous waters. But as it, as they say, we are in the waters, and everything seems to be heading south. Things seem to be defying the traditional way of resolving the traditional way of resolving this kind of problems, so we need new methods. We need a strong team to really be in charge of the economy.

In terms of progress, it cannot be made without appropriation. If we recall, the budget was passed not long ago, and I had cause to talk about the Procurement Act. If you are to procure, by the standard of the laws that we have in place, it will take you, in some cases, minimum of six months. So we are looking at the possibility of amending the Procurement Act itself because this is the only way we can guarantee that money is pumped into the economy because right now, if you have the money, you want to pay for procurement, the procurement process is just on and it will close to November, judging by the standard that we have in place, for this procurement process to be complete and before you start drawing out the money, it is almost December. This has been the process and I think it is unacceptable.

So very soon, we are coming up with an amendment to the Procurement Act in two respects. Number one, to shorten the procurement process to a maximum of two months because now, there is virtually nothing that you cannot get on Google. All you need to do now is Google prices and it will give you virtually everything. I don’t see any reason why you will spend six months doing analysis, financial bids, technical bids and all those kind of things when you can sit down with your laptop and in a few hours you are done.

We want to reduce the procurement process and then the issue of payment of mobilization, which is another big problem. It is pegged at 15 percent and we believe it is unduly restricted, more so that we have this Ifex prices right now. If you have a contract with offshore element, 15 percent of your payment may not even procure a half or even a quarter of what you need. We want a situation where we will raise the bar to not more than 50 percent.

The Procurement entity will apply its disgression in saying this contract has some offshore elements, let’s pay 40 percent, 45 percent or the maximum of 50 percent to the contractor or say everything will be locally sourced so let’s pay 15 or 20 percent. At least, we want to give procurement entities disgression with which to operate.

Grazing reserve bill On the issue of Grazing Bills, we have had bills introduced on the issue of grazing and I know that it has become a highly contested matter in the polity. I believe that, as leaders, we have responsibility to halt discussions that are not healthy in the polity.

My take on this is very simple. I have had cause to talk to some of the promoters of this bill to say hey, there is this unhealthy discussion about these bills in the National Assembly, so let’s just halt and have a small group of people that will take a look at some of these issues from the contributions of Nigerians and let’s advice ourselves before moving on and as it is, that is where we are. We want to listen to the opinions of our citizens. At the end of the day, it is government of our people, we are going to do what the majority of our citizens want and not what a few want to be done. As the House of the people, we cannot run away from it, so ultimately, it is the will of the people that will triumph in this matter. Right now, we have halted all further processes on these bills.

On calls for restructuring of Nigeria and adoption of confab report by constitution review committee Like I said, there shouldn’t be any off limits discussions on restructuring. It is healthy, it is going to lead us to a destination but I don’t want to prejudge the issues because I know that these issues will come very soon to me as an arbiter and if I let the cat out of the bag, it will be too obvious that I have taken a position.

So I don’t want to say this is my position in this, I want to maintain neutrality, even though I have my own sentiments about the issues. The House committee has said they have adopted the conference report as a working document and that is only because they are the ones responsible for crafting bills that will lead to alteration to the constitution.

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 0811 184 5048

features Post-UTME screening:

Still a long road to sanity

A Post-UTME session

By Laolu Harolds

S

INCE the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, declared on June 1, 2016 what looked like the federal government’s tacit ‘ban’ on the conduct of post-UTME for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions, the ensuing confusion has refused to abate.

In the past one week alone, there have been two conflicting publications arising from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) regarding guidelines on admission.

Last week Monday, a seemingly well crafted document on admission guidelines had arisen from JAMB, but two days ago (Sunday July 10), the admission body recanted, and said that the much-talked about detailed admission guidelines were a mere ‘illustration’ by its registrar, copied from its website.

Abuse of process After a series of meetings involving the federal ministry of education and other stakeholders in the tertiary education sector has, it finally emerged that, indeed, a form of pre-admission screening is necessary beyond the JAMB’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. The secretary-general of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), Professor Michael Faborode, on Wednesday last week in Abuja, said it was agreed during the meeting that a form of post-UTME screening would be sustained.

The fee chargeable for this ‘screening’ was also pegged at N2,500.

According to Faborode, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, agreed at the meeting to a form of screening by universities, provided it is not another Computer-Based Test.

Ordinarily, this would appear to represent a measure of victory for the universities, which had insisted they must be allowed a greater say in determining whom they admit as stu-

dents, beyond the examination conducted by JAMB. But the development has also pulled the carpet off under the feet of the institutions that had been profiteering from the much vilified test.

Several criticisms had trailed the PostUTME for some years now. Chief among these was that it is a duplication of the standard test that JAMB had already conducted, thus discrediting the work of JAMB. The vice chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Professor Samuel Oye Bandele, an expert in Test and Measurement, had also said in a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune: “When you conduct a test, and that test is valid and reliable, and you administer such a test, and you say these particular candidates have been adjudged qualified to be eligible students in the university, then what is the purpose of the other test (post-UTME)?

“It is a parallel test that does not achieve anything other than to subject (candidates) to multiple examinations.”

But the most strident of the criticisms was the alleged prevalent extortion of candidates by the institutions through the post-UTME. Some were alleged to be charging candidates between N5,000 and N10,000 for the test, against the N1,000 said to have been recommended at inception.

The former executive secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor

What government should have done is to allow this year to go and then call stakeholders and discuss. What will happen now is that WAEC ‘miracle centres’ will multiply.

Peter Okebukola, recently said that the universities had deviated from the initial agreement NUC had with vice chancellors in 2004 when it introduced the post-UTME. To start with, according to him, the test was designed to be through oral interview and written essay, to take care of what the UTME could not test.

Okebukola, who was the NUC’s executive secretary when post-UTME was introduced in 2004, said the NUC and the vice chancellors then felt the need to ensure that admission seekers attained minimum cognitive competence in the relevant subjects in the discipline they wished to study; then to test candidates’ competence in written and oral English, critical thinking and ability to present ideas in a logical sequence.

“JAMB’s UTME targets only the first characteristic; while the university-level screening should measure the second,” he said.

“We got the blessing of President Olusegun Obasanjo and the National Assembly to do the following: (a) maximum charge to candidates for the exercise should be N1000, (b) candidates should be screened not with the kind of test used by JAMB but through other mechanisms,” Okebukola said.

But he said the vice chancellors jettisoned the arrangement from 2010, when most universities started conducting the same tests as JAMB, charging at least five times the agreed cost.

“Since universities have derailed, it makes intuitive sense to close the post-UTME shop,” Okebukola said.

New beginning?

Details on the exact format of the postUTME (of ‘pre-admission screening’, as the institutions now call it) that will now be conducted are still hazy.

The new arrangement (if it will involve essay writing and one-to-one oral interviews) means more work for the institutions. Now

they are forced to charge less for a more demanding exercise. How does the ministry or the NUC intend to enforce this N2,500 fee ceiling? And what about those institutions that had conducted their post-UTME screening before the latest development was announced? Will excess charges be refunded to applicants?

From details gleaned from the websites of some of the universities currently conducting their admission exercises, the fees indicated are anything but N2,500.

Registration for screening new students to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) was to end on July 1.

Students were to pay N7,000 for the exercise – N1,000 application fee, N4,500 test fee, and N1,500 for ‘computer demonstration exercise’. It can be assumed that these fees had been collected, for service rendered.

The Kaduna Polytechnic is charging a nebulous N7,000 ‘application fee’ (including bank charges) for the 2016/2017 academic session, which should be paid online “not later than 31st August, 2016 when the portal for admission shall be closed.”

But some of the institutions are being cautious still, especially those that had not commenced the pre-admission screening before the last week.

Mr Adegbenjo Adebanjo, the Principal Assistant Registrar, Public Relations, Federal University of Technology, Akure, told Nigerian Tribune on Friday: “We were waiting for a decision from the government. Now that we have a firm decision and communication, we’ll begin the process now (for the ‘preadmission screening’) within the ambit of the law prescribed by the governing authorities and in tandem with the law of the Senate of our university.”

The website of the Lagos State University, Ojo, as of Friday July 8th, 2016 still required prospective students for the 2016/2017 acaContinues on pg22

22

features

By Doyin Adeoye

I

n recent years, water bodies have witnessed unusual transformations, a trend many suspect may be linked to global climate change. The situation, however, has been exacerbated by intensified human activities, which continue to stress the already fragile bodies of water.

One practical example of such is the recent sudden drying up of a part of the Ogun River which flows under the Kara Bridge around Ojodu-Berger.

With livestock husbandry as the major source of income in the Kara community, grasslands are supporting far more animals than they can sustain, and the insatiable resource demand and the need to feed a fastgrowing population have resulted in massive grassland degradation and devastation of the ecosystem’s water-trapping capabilities.

“We first noticed that plants had grown on the surface of the river on Friday morning and by afternoon, the water couldn’t move freely again. In about two days, the river had completely turned to dry land. Many of us have never seen such happen before,” a resident who identified himself as Mohammed said.

While various activities have since commenced on the ‘dry’ land, experts have however, warned residents to keep off the area for the risks of it opening up unexpectedly.

In the past week, people have been seen commuting on the ‘dry’ land and even some go as far as driving motorcycles on the land.

Others have turned it to a spiritual ground of some sort.

What actually happened?

According to reports gathered, the OgunOsun River Basin Authority had opened the dam a week earlier, and that increased the torrent of the river flow. The plants seen on the river, known as water hyacinth, had flowed with the torrent before forming a mass on the river.

Water hyacinths are very invasive plants which are aggressive in nature. They usually thrive during the rainy season because the salinity of the water. The salt content in the water body is always diluted because of the downpour, and as such, it is the time for them to grow and culture. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds each year and these seeds can remain viable for more than 28 years. They are vigorous growers known to double their population in two weeks.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, an environmentalist, Mrs Adeola Oladejo said, “I believe that before the dam was opened, and coupled with the fact that we are in the rainy season, the water hyacinths had cultured down around that area. They weave themselves into a mat and they can cover an entire river space in less than two weeks.

“They can grow to a height of four feet and their root is fibrous in nature. So I believe that had happened before the water was opened. So when the dam was opened, it increased the torrent of the river flow and brought along the entire hyacinth that had

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Dried up Ogun River

Work has commenced on evacuation of weeds — Commissioner

•Returning to dryland very risky —Experts

The channel through which the river once passed.

cultured along the river to Kara market,” she said.

Why it stopped at Kara market “Water hyacinths are free-floating perennial aquatic plants. So, naturally, they float on water. However, the two pillars of the bridge at Kara are in the river and that had stopped the hyacinths from flowing, which caused the clogging that we are presently experiencing.

“Water hyacinth often invades water bodies that have been impacted by human ac-

tivities. When not controlled, they will cover lakes and ponds entirely. This dramatically impacts water flow, blocks sunlight from reaching native aquatic plants and starves the water of oxygen, often killing fishes,” Oladejo explained.

Environmental, economic impacts However, environmentalists have warned that the area be sealed off and no form of activity should be allowed there at all.

“The river cannot just dry up like that, especially not in the in the rainy season. The occur-

One screening, many controversies Continues from pg21

demic session to pay N5,000 for the admission screening.

But the Public Relations Officer, Mr Adekoya, said that was no longer the current situation; and that “the management will come up with a position hopefully by next week.”

The Post-UTME (PUTME) screening of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, for the 2016/2017 academic year was conducted between Saturday 14th May and Saturday 21st May, 2016. Each candidate was charged N7,000 “for processing and administrative charges.”

The Nigerian Tribune wanted to know how the university plans to respond to the current development.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Niyi Oduwole, told Nigerian Tribune on phone on Friday that “the Senate will meet and decide on the next line of action.”

Confusing signals The new ‘guidelines’ that emanated from JAMB last Monday (which the body denounced belatedly on Sunday July 10) had generated serious concerns and portended fresh challenges to the admission process.

JAMB had said on its website that the mo-

dalities would be based on point system.

The ‘point system’ means that admission would depend on the point tally of the candidate; spread out between the O’Level and JAMB results.

These had in the past one week generated a lot of criticisms, top of which was the fact that the new guidelines could confer unfair advantage on candidates who had succeeded in obtaining ‘fantastic’ results from the ubiquitous ‘miracle centres’ or through other dubious means.

But JAMB issued a statement on Sunday through its Head of Media and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, denouncing the controversial ‘guidelines’ that it said was copied

People need to stop commuting through the passage because it is very dangerous.

Water hyacinths harbour dangerous reptiles. For instance, a snake was killed right in front of us on Saturday evening

rence is as a result of anthropogenic activities.

Cattle rearers along that bridge often dump dung into this water body and this must have aided the flow of the water hyacinth, causing it block the flow of water. They best thing to do now is for people to leave that place for a while, because once there is two hours consecutive rain or more, flooding will likely occur and the outcome may be uncontrollable,” Mr Biodun Awoyode, an environmentalist, said.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, has also urged people to keep off the area, adding that work has commenced on the excavation of the weed.

“People need to stop commuting through the passage because it is very dangerous. Water hyacinths harbour dangerous reptiles. For instance, a snake was killed right in front of us on Saturday evening. We have done quite a lot in correcting what has happened and work is still ongoing. We have mobilised a contractor to move to site. who is trying to hoist a barge on the river because the water hyacinths have piled up, it cannot be removed by hand.

“Water hyacinths can be removed in three ways. It could be via mechanised harvesting or through chemicals which kills the hyacinths; however, this is not environmentally healthy. The third approach is biological, which involves conditioning the water.

Water hyacinths can be managed, but not eradicated. They are invasive plants which come without notice.

“So we are using the mechanised harvesting method through special equipment. The crane has been on sight since Wednesday and work has commenced on the Kara River,” he said.

These three commonly used control methods depends on the specific conditions of each affected location such as the extent of water hyacinth infestation, regional climate and proximity to human and wildlife.

Reacting to the situation, president of the Africa Ecosystems Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA), Nigerian National Branch, Mr Oyesola James Oluwagbemiga, noted that the situation was an evidence of climate change, which is not peculiar to the river alone.

on its website.

It said that, rather, the admission of candidates into tertiary institutions would be based purely on three pillars – merit, catchment and educationally less developed states.

Mr. Benjamin said the ‘point system’ that was wrongfully copied from the board’s website was used for illustration by the registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde.

It is curious, however, that JAMB waited a full week for the controversial, ‘wrongfully copied’ guidelines to fester in the public space before denouncing it. Could it be that the body was browbeaten by the deluge of criticisms that trailed its release into jettisoning the new system?

23 thesouth-west Tunde Busari 08127593530 Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

The

South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

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

: s n w o r c ’ s a b O a b u Yor

o o b a t e h t , c i t s y m e h T ulers ditional r this a r t a b u r ARI, in lia of Yo rapherna ority. TUNDE BUS a p t n a t r ’s auth e impo n, Oba setail, on serts the monarch of the crowns. r o h d ded crow edates n a a e b s ff g a a r t in a o s e k to w d als n pr long e ma the first n says his crow Aside the n which affirms an ignificance and th de r Ile-Ife. ta F n to a u r a b s w , Akin duduw land, O ld o O b f ument is the cro mines the history g o l U a f arriv e the arg wou gbo o e n id lu a s th x ta O e e n e , u th h r e f T rtant h o in piec an impo ruba wn, whic gardless ateru Ak

Re his to ent Yo rik Ob rown is land. re differ Yo- e ays declare that , owns the first gs , the c stool in Yoruba in w s HERE a f the history of -Ife alw of the e o from Ile insignia versions ’ crown. What th igrated m on pg?? te a b . e n s a w in Continues en to d p o ient cro ruba Ob owever, share c is n o a the pr ,h is claim nt versions cknowledgeme e Although h that Oduduwa, ded as t c r a c r a u g ir fa o e e e r es n is th given th Yoruba race is -Ife as th Obas le commo I f o f y o r c ima othe genitor of the pr n from where w o r c e of th theirs. received

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—P20 n o s e k i l , r e h t a f e k i L : e f I f o i n o O Inside

Nigerian Tribune

24 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Obas’ crowns:

The fashion, the tradition

Continues from pg23 It comes in two types. One, Are Crown, regarded as the ancient one, is worn only by the Ooni of Ife. It is put at coronation and on annual basis. It is also called Adenla and conically shaped and attached with heavily beaded veil that covers the face of the Oba. According to the Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, the Are crown is a supreme crown which spiritual essence cannot be over-emphasised. Until certain sacrifice is made, it is not put on the head of the Ooni.

“Another side of it is that it must be worn once in a year. It is important to clarify that it is forbidden not to wear it in a year. In lieu of not wearing it, sacrifice needs to be made also. The Ooni must not see its interior. It is so powerful a crown to be desecrated,” he said.

The second type is what is commonly seen on traditional rulers at social functions. Sometimes shaped in a Lawyer’s wig, it carries no spiritual importance because it is more of fashion than tradition. Even at that, without a crown on his head, an Oba is not different from his subjects.

Yoruba Obas in Nigeria, Benin Republic and the Diaspora are easily identified with their crown and so revered as a symbol and indeed custodian of custom and tradition.

In one of his articles, Afro-American Art Historian, Robert F. Thompson writes, “the crown incarnates the intuition of royal ancestral force, the revelation of great moral insight in the person of the king, and the glitter of aesthetic experience.”

With crown, complemented by horsetail and a long staff, the Oba is an authority over his subjects who also see him as their royal father whose word is binding on them.

Irrespective of modern system of government which has arguably eroded significant power of traditional ruler and turns them to ceremonial personage; the position of Obas is still sacred to the extent that modern government officials often result to them for grassroot mobilisation.

However wealthy a man is, he is forbidden to wear crown despite the fact that he can afford as many as his appetite

demands in his wardrobe. It is against chieftaincy law for one who has not been approved or is not qualified to wear the crown. That is the rule which has survived many generations.

But the flip side is that Obas are not expected to wear their

As beautiful as the crowns appear on the heads of traditional rulers, only a handful know the details of its making and efforts that go into its beautification.

crown everyday.

This seeming restriction is recommended to underscore the sacredness of the crown.

The evidence of this is seen is in the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi, who does not often appear with his crown.

The monarch, widely acclaimed as chief promoter of Yoruba culture and tradition, is rather seen in a cap called abetiaja which sits comfortably on top of his head at both private and public’s functions. The abetiaja has arguably become the Alaafin’s dress code and his identity and signature.

To analysts, the Alaafin’ s act might be informed by his better understanding of all that surround the use of the crown.

An analyst revealed that many Obas in Oke-Ogun appear to have taken after the Alaafin in this regard.

The Shabiganna of Iganna, an Oke-Ogun community, Oba Soliu Oyemola, described the crown as a special paraphernalia of the stool which should not be reduced to ordinary cap worn on a daily basis. Oba Ikuomola argues that wearing it to every outing is an abuse of the crown.

“Traditional rulers should always guide against the abuse and desecration of the crown. Crown is what separates an Oba from his chiefs and subjects. The crown is, therefore, synonymous with the stool. Unfortunately, Continues on pg25

25 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

other royal insignias. Despite the fact that it does not require much energy, impatient person cannot do it because it needs a lot of patience. Also, through the job, I have attended exhibitions where I showcased my works and made contacts.

I have made crowns for 7 first class Yoruba Obas

Can you name some of the traditional rulers on the list of your patrons?

The past and current Ooni of Ife, the Oluwo of Iwo, the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, the Ataoja of Osogbo, the Elegushi of Ikateland, the Osemawe of Ondo, the Deji of Akure, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, the Alake of Egbaland, the Olufon of Ifon, the Akinrun of Ikinrun and others.

— Asindemade

Is any of your children understudying you?

I am not one who forces children to do anything but I am happy to tell you that my daughter knows the job.

Owojori Alaba Asindemade is the first Ile-Ife indigene to make a living out of making crown for the Ooni of Ife and many other traditional rulers.

The 46-year-old, popularly called Asindemade, in an interview with TUNDE BUSARI, speaks on the knitty gritty of the making of beaded crown and other paraphernalia of traditional rulers. Excerpts:

H

OW did you start your career as a crown maker?

My father, John Owojori, the Obalubo of Ile-Ife was behind it. As a chief who was very close to the palace of the Ooni, he understood that only one person made the Ooni’s crowns. The man was from Efon Alaaye.

His name is Ajao Adetoyi Olowuro. One day, my father called me and said he liked one of his children to learn the vocation. He said he had observed me as a thorough person who was not in a haste to do things. He said it won’t take me much time to learn the trade. That was how he convinced me.

Did you not have other option?

Because I was also familiar with the palace, I understood what he said. And also because he

Nigerian Tribune

Did she show interest?

In fact, I didn’t know how she got to know it. I never knew she was watching me.

I later learnt that she tapped the skill from my apprentices.

knew that I like art work and other vocations that involve craft, I took my father’s message as divine. So, I agreed and he took me to the crown

Nothing can force me out of the job my father insisted I must do. That must be established but I am afraid the job would be infiltrated by quacks because our young ones are not ready to make the sacrifice needed to learn the job.

maker. The man was already my father’s friend.

How many years did your apprenticeship under the man last?

I started from 1986 and became independent in 1990. Since then, I had started doing it on my own and making a living from it.

How can you describe your experience on the job?

The experience is good. I thank God that I have no reason to regret my decision to go into it. I am the first Ile-Ife indigene in history to have gone into it. This record, to a large extent, is an achievement in its own right. Through the job, I have access to many traditional rulers who patronise me.

Another experience is that the job is not meant for the lazy ones. I also make horsetail, staff and

Does she have her own workshop?

No. She is still a student of the School of Nursing here in Ile-Ife. Have you any challenge that can force you out the job?

Nothing can force me out of the job my father insisted I must do.

That must be established but I am afraid the job would be infiltrated by quacks because our young ones are not ready to make the sacrifice needed to learn the job.

Yoruba Obas: By their crowns...

Continues from pg27

“it suffers abuse today as you see some traditional rulers putting it on with less regard to its sacredness. It is turned to a fashion and style thing. But we are making effort to let them see reason this should not continue to preserve the significance of the crown,” he said.

As beautiful as the crowns appear on the heads of traditional rulers, only a handful know the details of its making and efforts that go into its beautification.

Tools used to make crown include, Tape rule, scissors, needle, thread, beads, sharping stone, knife and others. Without the above, crowns cannot be made.

An Ile-Ife-based crown designer, Owojori Asinde, dismissed spiritual connotation of making crown, stressing that he does not need to perform any sacrifice to make a crown.

Conducting this writer round his workshop located in IleIfe, Asinde made a mock display of how a crown is made and asserted his strict adherence to his Christianity faith.

On the contrary, an important event during the annual Osun Osogbo festival is called Ibo Ade (Sacrifice for the crown). The event includes display of the Ataoja’s crowns of different sizes in the presence of the sitting Ataoja, the Arugba Osun and priestesses who offer prayer in the memory of the past Ataoja and also bless the sitting Ataoja.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olani-

pekun explained that Ibo Ade is an integral part of activities marking the Osun fes-

tival, saying that on no account should the

event be skipped before the grand finale of the festival which draws thousands of tourists to the town.

“We have to perform Ibo Ade as a matter of obligation. It is about the history of the town and a way to bless the past and present Ataoja. It is done in such a manner that does not attract much attention of the outsider. But there is secrecy in it because people who are supposed to be there must be present,” Oba Olanipekun said.

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Nigerian Tribune

APC Primaries: I’m still in the race —Olabimtan Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

S

peaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming gover-

norship election in the state, Hon. Victor Olabimtan has

dissociated himself from what he called ‘any sectional

arrangement in picking the flag bearer for APC’.

Olabimtan who stated in a press statement personally

Oyo LG election: opposition moves against APC domination

By Tunde Ogunesan

THERE are strong indications that members of the opposition parties in the state are working together to present a formidable force during the forthcoming local government election.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that major opposition parties in the state are currently going through one challenges or the other, hence their decision to put their heads together to ensure that they give APC a fight for their money.

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi had, on Friday, June 17, sworn in 8-man OYSIEC committee at the Executive Chamber of the Oyo State Governor’s Office. The members of the Commission are : Mr John Ajeigbe as Chairman; Mr Sunday Aborisade; Mr Adedeji Raimi; Mr David Adeagbo; Mrs Omolola Odekunbi; Alhaji AbdulRazaq Akuru; Mr Lateef Bello and Mr Rasheed Olajire.

Three of the major political parties- Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party, are currently studying the situation to participate in the election.

Sources however informed the Nigerian Tribune that PDP and Accord were reported to be working on an arrangement to ensure that the election is not a jamboree for the two parties, considering the prevalent political development in the country.

The arrangement, according to sources, is that each of the party is likely to field chairmanship candidates in their strong zones in the states while the runners-up will be presented as vice chairmanship candidates, basically on the result of the last governorship election.

Although, this development cannot be confirmed from either of the party’s sources, but indication to this effect was rife in their camps.

From left, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his wife, Olori Wuraola; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria; former Interim Head of Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan during the 2016 Harvest Launch Ceremony of the Armour Bearer Society of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

Ogun LG poll: APC, PDP, UNP flex muscle Olayinka Olukoya - Ogun

THE major political parties are flexing muscles over the proposed local government election in the state, Nigerian Tribune has learnt.

While the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is boasting that it was not only ready for the poll, the party also believes it will achieve a landslide any time it held.

The state secretary of the party, Sola Lawal, said the party it has been able to deliver on most of its pre-election promises, which could stand the APC in good stead at the poll.

He said the party has reason to be apprehensive as voters would rally round APC candidates to win in the local government election.

“We are set for the election. We are coasting home to victory based on our sincerity of purpose, coupled with the performance of our Governor. We have nothing to fear because we have continued to meet the wishes and aspirations of our people. So, the opposition cannot march us.

We are fully prepared,” he stated.

But, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Mr. Bayo Dayo, faulted the election guidelines as announced by the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).

The party ýsaid the elec-

tion notice issued by the OGSIEC to all parties was inappropriate, alleging that the electoral body failed to convene a meeting of all stakeholders where the date of election would be unanimously agreed upon.

Speaking through the party’s publicity secretary, Mr Bolaji Adeniji, the PDP contended that the election date coupled with the time-table did not give parties enough time to run the process of electing their candidates and preparing for the main election.

“We reject the timetable in its entirety and request OGSIEC to review it and come up with a more acceptable guideline that showcases the commission as being fair to all. Nevertheless, our party will commence our internal process to meet with the electoral guideline as released for now,” the PDP stated.

On its part, the Unity

Party of Nigeria (UPN) urged OGSIEC to provide a level-playing field to all the parties in the 20 local council areas and 37 local council development areas.

The state chairman, Honourable Funmilayo Oginni, said any attempt to manipulate the election would be resisted, restating that his party was sure of victory with the quality of candidates it would field for various positions.

OGSIEC had announced October 8, 2016 for the election with assurance to all stakeholders that it would adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution as regards the exercise.

“We are battle ready as a party, if the government is serious about the new date and allows a high level field playing ground. But we will resist any attempt by the state government or any of its agencies to

manipulate the election.

UPN has come to stay and we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we record victory at this forthcoming local government election.

“But, OGSIEC should not allow itself to be used as machinery to favour any political party. We want all election results to be counted at polling centre not in any government reserved area such as Local government Secretariat occupied by APC workers.

“If the state government can avoid these irregularities, I can tell you emphatically that, UPN candidates would pull surprises at the poll come October. The security agents should also rise to the occasion and display high level of professionalism without being partial to any political party, because in UPN, we are civil and disciplined,” the party leader stated.

signed by him disclosed that he has not backed out from the governorship race on the platform of APC, describing the sectional arrangement as dead even before arrival, adding “as such, I hereby dissociate myself from the sectional arrangement which died before it was born”.

The former speaker said he was not opposed to any consensus but said the process must be an all inclusive one and thorough saying any arrangement that will pitch the people of Akoko land against each other should be avoided.

He said though the people of the zone were clamoring for the governorship slot in the state, the agitation must not be unhealthy.

He specifically said the leaders of the APC from the area have not endorsed any aspirant from the area ahead of the party’s primary in August and frowned over a publication from a national newspaper.

The former Speaker said “I am not opposed to consensus but such process must be thorough and all inclusive.

Any arrangement that will pitch us against ourselves and further divide Akokoland will not augur well for us and APC as a whole.

“What was published does not have the imput and blessing of the APC leaders from Akoko North and the generality of Akoko sons and daughters who fervently pray and believe that the next Governor of Ondo State should be an Akoko indigene.

“I thank those who have shown genuine concern over this development and I assure you all that l am still very much in the race and by the grace of God and with your unflinching support, I am sure that victory will be ours. ‘’I want to thank all my supporters home and abroad who have bombarded me with calls in the last few days to confirm if I am still in the race or not because of the purported arrangement that was published in a national newspaper’’, he added.

Osun PDP reconciliation suffers setback Tunde Busari THE current effort by a group of elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State to mend fence among factional members may have suffered a setback.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that a meeting, scheduled for Monday, in Osogbo, the state capital, could not hold to the chagrin of enthusiastic members who had

looked up to it as a step to achieving early reconciliation.

Like the National Working Committee of the party, which has lately been engulfed in crisis, Osun State chapter, also has its fair share resulting into the emergence of two factional leaders.

However, an elder of the party, Chief Jinadu Suberu dismissed insinuation on the postponed meeting. He said

the elders are working assiduously to end the crisis with a view to repositioning the party to wrestle power from the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party leader said the postponement was to give enough room for a genuine truce.

Speaking further, he said conflicting interests accounted for the party crisis, but expressed optimism on

the determination of the elders to restore peace to the party.

“The internal crisis resulted from some politicians interests to get money at all cost from various chairmanship aspirants. But we are making efforts to end it soon and form a formidable team to engage the APC through ballot come 2018/2019 general election in Osun and Nigeria in general,” he said.

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New PDP secretariat causes stir in Ekiti neighbourhood Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

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HERE is disquiet among residents of Ajilosun Road in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, over the location of the new state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). is being constructed at have raised concern over the suitability of the location.

The residents, who expressed concern about the location, contended that the party secretariat currently under construction argued that such project was only suitable for a non-residential area or at the outskirts of the city.

Earth-moving equipment and construction workers have since been mobilised to the site located near Christ the King Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School and Ekiti Catholic Bishop’s Court, adjacent the Agric Olope junction.

The foundation stone was laid when Governor Ayodele Fayose, led other six PDP governors to perform the groundbreaking when they came to witness the inauguration of projects being executed by Fayose since the administration came on board.

The PDP is presently occupying a rented building in downtown Ajilosun, which had witnessed attacks by party interest groups and was also set ablaze in the heat of a protracted leadership crisis last year.

The owner of the building, who is a former state chairman of the party, Ropo Adesanya, has dragged the party to court over unpaid rent. Adesanya had since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The other faction opposed to the governor operates from another secretariat a few meters away from Adesanya’s building presently occupied by the state PDP. Some parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church, who spoke on condition of anonymity, criticized the choice of the site for the building of a party secretariat which they maintained was “unsuitable, uncalled for and inconvenient for a place of worship.”

Church members who spoke on condition of anonymity after an evening mass expressed fear that clashes and violence being witnessed at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja

could also happen at the new state secretariat being constructed in the future.

One of the respondents, who simply gave his first name as Francis said: “We have all been edgy and apprehensive since this place

was chosen as the site for the construction of a new PDP secretariat in Ekiti State. It all started as a rumour but it was no longer a hearsay when Fayose and other PDP governors came here to lay the foundation stone.

“Having a secretariat of a political party directly beside a church is unacceptable, having a party secretariat close to a school is not good. Locating a party secretariat near the residence of a bishop is not good and

this is regrettable.”

Another church member, who pleaded anonymity, said: “We are not against any party for that matter but you know what politicians can do, there can be violence at anytime. Party members

The founder of Splash 105.5 FM, Chief Bisi Akande (fourth left); his wife, Onikepo (third left) flanked by the lecturer, Chief Toyin Falola (fourth right); his wife, Mrs Oloruntoyin Falola (third right); the chairman of ocassion, Professor Bolanle Awe (second left); President General, CCII, Chief Wole Akinwade (second right) and Cheif Bayo Oyero (right) at the 9th Splash FM anniversary and 77th birthday of Cheif Bayo Akande, held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, last Friday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

Empowerment of women, youths, key to sustainable economy — Olatunji Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

A member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Tunde Olatunji, representing Ife North State Constituency, has stated that a sustainable national economy can only be built through empowerment of women, youths and individuals living with disabilities.

Olatunji noted that economy of the Western countries and the recent Asian tiger phenomenon were products of engagement of small and medium enterprises, rather than big industries and corporation.

The lawmaker, who is the chairman of the Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Commerce stated this during a chat with the Nigerian Tribune while flagging off the Kajola Empowerment Initiative for Women, Youth and People Living with Disabilities in Ife North constituency.

Olatunji also observed that most orphans and special people who often begged on the streets could be financially empowered through engagement in productive enterprise only if they were assisted with little funds, equipment, skills and effective monitoring.

The lawmaker contended that what was responsible for the failure of government sponsored empow-

erment programmes was poor monitoring by the relevant officials.

At the programme, no fewer than 30 physically challenged people who indicated interest in identifiable entrepreneurial activities received cash assistance between 20 and 25 thousand, while some traders also got 50 thousand naira market support grant.

Three orphanages also

received cash, food items and beverages which the donor said would be done on a monthly basis.

Mr Olatunji added that as part of measures to alleviate poverty among youths, 250 forms would be distributed to youths in the area to indicate their areas of interest for subsequent training for a period of six months and additional financial assistance to start their own businesses.

Youth parliament calls for digitalisation of Oyo state judiciary

By Tunde Busari

THE member, representing Oyo Central Constituency in the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Prince Adetayo Adekunle, has called on the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Munta Ladipo Abimbola in his office, advocating the digitalisation of the Oyo State Judiciary.

He stated that, “the digitalization will enhance e-

filing of cases by lawyers, facilitate the quick dispensation of justice, restore public confidence in the Judiciary and make judgments of court easily accessible.”

Adekunle used the occasion to present to the CJ special software that would make easy the digitalisation process. The software was designed by a young ICT expert mem-

ber of the youth parliament.

Justice Abimbola thanked Adekunle for the visit, acknowledging the global village transformation of the world where everything is now driven by Information Technology.

The CJ said Oyo State should not be left behind in the new drive promising to take the digitisation idea seriously.

Nigerian Tribune

can take up arms against one another over any issue and imagine that it happens on a Sunday whenever we are having our mass.

“Such violence can take place on a Saturday when there are ceremonies like weddings, funerals and other social functions. Pupils of St. Joseph’s may be going home or coming to the school and having them caught up in violence by party members is unimaginable.

“There is no way the Catholic Bishop will be coming from or going out of his official residence without passing by the party secretariat and imagine a situation where party members are having crisis as it happened a few days ago at PDP national headquarters in Abuja.”

But the PDP state publicity secretary, Jackson Adebayo, allayed the fears of the residents of the area and Catholic Church members, promising that the party would be a “good neighbour” when the project is completed.

Adebayo said: “Every land in Nigeria belongs to the government and whoever the government gives the land to becomes the owner. Government in its words has given this land to the PDP in Ekiti State and we are peaceful party and we have never been involved in any form of violence.

“We had coexisted with our neighbours in all places where we have our party secretariats in all parts of the state since 1998 when the party was formed and nobody has suffered any form of attack, embarrassment and molestation.

“We are a political party and not a religious organisation, we can only assure the residents of the area and the Catholic Church that we are going to be peaceful in the conduct of our activities.

“As spiritual leaders, the Catholic Church should pray for us and they should not be expecting crisis in our party. The Church should be tolerant and we will be a good neighbour to them.

“The PDP national secretariat referred to is surrounded by banks, Civil Defence office schools, hotels and other public buildings and nobody has heard that the crisis in the party has affected them.”

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Nigerian Tribune

Ooni of Ife: Like father, like son

By Oghogho Arthur Obayuwana

T

HERE is this once popular refrain: Whatever-it-isthat-matters-also-shows! The imagery it conjures quite befits the finer grains of the personality of the father of the new Ooni of Ife, Prince John Oluropo Ogunwusi. Want royalty with unassumingness and grace?

Then the father of the Ooni of Ife ticks both boxes.

In March this year, Ooni Ogunwusi caused some stir by choosing as his queen, a young cousin of mine -Sonia Otiti (Wuraola) Obanor. That decision and its consummation could well signal the beginning of a new fire that could possibly open a fresh page of history on the pile of the old Benin-Ife fraternal cooperation. But that is subject for another day.

I remember every now and then this encounter with the Ooni’s father at both Benin City and Ife where nuptial ceremonies took place. The amiable Ooni Ogunwusi Ojaja11 sent his father and other royal emissaries to fetch his bride.

We obliged him and then joined him at the Royal Court of Ife the next day for the final public act.

What struck me like a friendly cannon was the uncanny display of meekness and good breeding by the senior Ogunwusi who was flanked by his gorgeously attired and stately queen of a wife. Given our complicated world, together, they put simplicity on a pedestal that only a few men may be able to appreciate. The kind of richness of appearance that can be regarded as simple majesty!

Baba Ogunwusi navigated through the fluffy end of the ceremony with a stand out comportment, humility and calmness and thoroughly enjoyed the rendition of the Igun eronmwon song at the home of the bride’s father. As soon as I introduced myself to him as a journalist and former Foreign Affairs Editor of the Guardian, he beamed with smile and said with glee and warmth “oh my colleague from the fourth estate of the realm” And anytime we came near each other, he would stretch out his hand for a handshake. He cut the picture of a man of essential frankness. I am told he had been a radio and television anchor and star presenter in the eighties and that he had also brought honour to the profession. But it is not every now and then that society witnesses an era of an Ooni with a father…

Meeting important personalities locally and internationally is one of the things the journalistic trade freely grants.

One has had cause to meet with the very cream of top of diplomatic, political, business and traditional personalities and to sustain such relationships beyond the confines of offices, summits and conferences, to homes and lounges. But prior to March this year, I’d had business at the Ile Oodua only once. I recall meeting late Ooni Okunade Sijuade at his palace on a somewhat different setting from last March’s.

It was sometime around 2002 when the Federal government had already awarded the contract for the dualisation of the Ife-Ibadan highway. As a journalist on tour of the western states with Chief Tony Anenih who was then Works Minister, we were at the Ooni’s palace and the very regale and excited Sijuwade pointed at Anenih just as the head of delegation approached his royal dais to take his seat beside him. He spoke some Yoruba and then was very effusive with praises and prayers. Something like: “Anenih, you made this possible? This wish that we have been asking for, for years now. The Almighty would bless you, you will go far… and whatever you ask of him and us, would be granted to you…” He was saying.

And as I was saying, in both Benin City and at Ife, Senior Ogunwusi never sought to throw his weight around using any of the well-known Nigerian ‘big man’ tactic as the father of arguably the biggest traditional ruler in Yoruba land. After all, he has since made history as the first father of a living Ife king. I am convinced that the senior Ogunwusi’s breeding, has most certainly rubbed off on the Ooni leaving Nigeria with a remarkably humble royal personality.

The Ooni received with some measured panache and good cheer, everybody that came into his palace, as persons related to his new queen and generally, the people who came in from Benin. You could hold up his hand during a handshake and converse. For instance you could say: Kabiesi, I look forward to meeting you again in Abuja, etc… and being born with grace, he would listen to you give a heartfelt response.

When the Ooni left the reception hall with the usual ululation by praise singers and his band of gong beating bards, it did look as though he was retiring for the day. With his Pose, he went round the rebuilt reception area to the left of his main residence where some other royal fathers were being feted, he greeted them one after the other before entering

The father of Ooni of Ife (center), Prince John Oluropo Ogunwusi, and others at a function.

Ooni Ogunwusi, his wife and guests at a function.

So as the Ooni reigns, we must always remember his father. It has to be, that so much of the good breeding was imparted on the king by the patron father! the mansion containing his inner chamber within the palace grounds-an imposing edifice completed in 1937 by the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi. Here, as you would expect are on display some paraphernalia of royalty. The entire floor is white carpeted with the seal of the Ooni embossed on it…

Remarkably, after about an hour and half, Ooni Ogunwusi came back into the reception Marquee upon learning that the big groove in honour of his wedding was still on.

Oba or no Oba, the Ooni did not betray his constituency as he swung gracefully to the delight of the young men and women including students of the Obafemi Awolowo University as they played Kabiyesi by Dr. Sid and Don Jazy.

This Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi has all the imperial swagger and then something more: A calm mien, ability to relate with people irrespective of caste/class permutations. That he could connect well, were all on display at Ife. You might

argue that for a persona occupying the exalted Ife stool, the humility of king Adeyeye stems from the fact that he is a very young man. But he was not born last night either.

That “young man” talk counts for nothing in the circumstance when a good breeding is on display.

And never mind that before the wedding, there were some disturbing, maybe sinisterly sponsored media publications. The Ooni refused to join the throng who wanted to condemn what was revealed later to be a sacrosanct choice. He instead restored his Olori and chose to walk the lane of men of uncanny grace and wisdom.

What is on the diary is that the autochthonous people of Ife, ‘migrants’ and visitors alike, had unlimited fun inside the Ooni’s reception marquee. And the way he is going, he would continue to win more friends. He would will be disarming many with his humility and gracefulness beyond his handsome face and lotus eyes Surely if as it is said that the Ooni does not measure the amount of olive oil in his salad, then a combination of factors: Good breeding, divine fortune, distinctive personality, a man at home with his people, and an obvious heart of gold marks him out as someone who would be loved and respected by the people of Ile-Ife. In the days to come, the people of Ife and those who lay claim to the Oduduwa House would regard the coming into history of Ooni Ojaja 11 as something to be especially cherished.

As a French saying goes: Chaque chose an son temps-Everything in its time! With king Ogunwusi, Ife should never be the same again. Already, there are great expectations in the air. The time for the things fortold!

From my little observatory here in Abuja, the vistas seem at Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi as someone specially prepared at this time for the people of Ife. And besides the mythic validation by predestination, his father prince Oluropo Ogunwusi must have been carefully chosen also as the vessel to nurse such an important personality for his people. So as the Ooni reigns, we must always remember his father. It has to be, that so much of the good breeding was imparted on the king by the patron father! *Oghogho Arthur Obayuwana is former Foreign Affairs Editor of The Guardian, now Chief of Party Centre for Ethics & Values and Civic Nigerian blog and a Public Affairs Analyst based in Abuja.

29

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Stakeholders worry over inactivity at mineral sector

One of the campaign trademarks and promises of President Muhammadu Buhari prior to the 2015 general elections was diversification of the economy from oil sector to the solid minerals sector. A year after his inauguration, however, the sector seems to be inactive, writes JEREMIAH AREMU-OKE.

M

AJOR mainstream of diversification of the Nigerian economy proposed

by President Muhammadu Buhari is the mines and steel sector. This, President Buhari emphatically said, will be captured in the 2016 national budget and begin implementation immediately after passage of the budget.

The importance of this sector cannot be over-emphasised as Nigeria is in dire need of diversified income sources and it is endowed with many natural mineral resources across the country. These natural resources include gold, coal, bitumen, limestone, iron, lead/zinc and barytes.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, emphasised this when he said “The role of solid mineral development in the history of our nation’s economic development cannot be overemphasised.

“We have seen the damage that over relying on oil as a major source of revenue generation has done to our economy.

This is why President Buhari is so passionate about solid mineral development.

He has never hidden his views about how he wants the sector to be properly harnessed.

“He has seen the need for diversification of our revenue source, and solid mineral is one key area we want to properly explore. Let me remind us all that this is the era of change. And we are not just to say it, but we must be seen putting it into practice. The president didn’t send us to the various ministries to witch hunt anybody, but to ensure that things are done in a coordinated manner. The best way to face challenges is through performance,” he said.

President Buhari also emphasised the need and benefit of diversification of the economy to solid mineral sector when he said it will reduce unemployment and also help to improve security in the country, adding that unemployment and insecurity are inseparable.

While speaking with a delegation of French investors under the aegis of Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), led by its President, Mr Pierre Gattaz recently, President Buhari said the policies currently being evolved by his administration would boost domestic manufacturing and attract greater investment to Nigeria’s agricultural and mining

sector. This will also generate more funds for the national development.

“Ultimately, reducing unemployment will also help to improve security because unemployment and insecurity are inseparable,” President Buhari told the French investors.

However, the Ministry of Solid Minerals has in recent time been mostly docile, dull and if continues this way, cannot drive the vision of the government.

A mining expert who craved anonymity, asked, “When will the Ministry of Solid Minerals come out with a road map, which will buttress the vision of Mr president of making the sector a major plank in the diversification strategy for the economy? If truly the government was serious about this, we expect them to come up with a blue print in that regard.

Has the government invested in this sector?” he queried.

A source close to the ministry who pleaded anonymous, confided in our correspondent that lack of finances is crippling the mining sector.

The source further explained that all the mining sites in the country are not performing maximally to drive the nation’s economy so soon. “Let government support this sector with fund and see the result,” he noted.

A geologist and mining expert in Abuja, Dr Tajudeen Oyebanji, noted that lack of directions by government is what is affecting the sector over the years. He carpeted the government saying the present administration which promised heaven and earth on mining sector is not doing enough in that direction.

“Hindrances affecting our mining sector are so enormous, but one of the fundamental hindrances is government interest to invest in mining sector and if you are talking about interest, fund must be available to support the industry. The industry is large and capital intensive. If government is determined to invest in the industry as it has promised, massive infrastructure must be in place.”

He explained that Nigeria is blessed with many natural resources which are capable of driving the economy if truly the Federal Government is serious about

the diversification.

“I could remember there was a time expatriates from the United States visited Nigeria to access the mining deposited in Nigeria and also see how they can sign a working agreement with Nigeria, but to their surprise, we have about 38 different solid minerals across the country.

“Taking stone for instance, we have metallic stone, industrial stone and we also have the precious stone. The precious stone alone has about 38 species. Just one of these species can provide economy stability for Nigeria.

“It is enough to provide our need to take Nigeria to the promise land and forget about the oil sector. I am talking about Tourmaline alone. But before we pass through the gestation period which is a minimum of 15 years, Nigerians must endure and depend on oil as usual. I mean we have to invest for 15 years before we could get to pure and real stone that will attract polish and cutting in the mining market, which will be weighed by carat and not per gram. I am not talking of raw stone now but cutting and polish level which is now in secondary level.

“At this level, it constitutes three things, which include the cleaning, size and the colour. It must be rich in colour, clean inward and the size must be 10 grammes upward. So, before any investor could reach that level, it will wait for minimum of 15 years, which is the gestation period.

“We have all these types of stones across Nigeria. From the west to south and from south to east. We also have across the northern part of the country. I don’t know why government is not exploring this to develop Nigeria rather than mere promising.”

On the inclusion of the development of the mining sector which is in the 2016 budget, Oyebanji said if truly it is included in the budget, it can’t be implemented this year and not even in the year coming because government is not preparing for it.

“It is true that the Federal Government said it is included in the 2016 budget, but we are not seeing anything to that effect.

Government is always looking at mining sector as its destination for diversifica-

tion of the economy, but I am not seeing anything on ground to that effect. Up till this moment, there has not been any invitation to serious experts in the world.

No convention or workshop for miners in the country or outside the country. No international conference of solid minerals. All we hear from our Minister of Solid Mineral is vocabulary, but the real practical aspect of mining is not there yet.”

The geologist commended the government for inviting the World Bank for development of the sector, but urged government to expedite action, if going in that direction.

“Although I commend the government for inviting the World Bank to support our mining sector, they must begin now.

Artisanal miners were directed to form corporate bodies, which means the Federal Government will be their guarantor and the World Bank will now invest in the artisan mining industry. But is the Federal Government really serious about it? It has been like that for many years and it has not yielded any positive result.”

He advised the Federal Government to invite countries that had been successful in mining exploration as their means of survival and hold an international conference and invest hugely in the sector.

“So if the Federal Government is ready to use mining as an opportunity to diversify the economy and drag it forward, all the mining nations must be invited and hold an international conference with them. There are many nations of the world that had been successful through mining sector. So we have to invite them to support us and invest in our economy.

“Fayemi as a Minister of Solid Mineral is an embodiment of talent but he is a novice in the system. So he needs professionals. I mean practical professionals. Mining needs practical than theoretical aspect. It needs somebody who understands what is going on in the industry. He needs to step forward to show Nigerians his blueprint or roadmap for the ministry. He needs to learn about establishment of mining company, gestation period and massive infrastructures, so that he won’t be taken for granted for his empty promises,” he advised.

30

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

with Bode Adewumi m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

From left, Mr Iyiola Ayoola, Director, Corporate Affairs/Head Secretariat; Professor Adesola Aderounmu, President and Mr Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicity, Events & Trade Services Committee, all of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) during the press conference heralding the 13th International Conference of the association in Lagos, recently.

Telecoms operators dare NCC, still send unsolicited messages, calls to subscribers Stories By Bode Adewumi

W

ITH the 30 June deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for telecommunications operators to stop sending unsolicited text messages (SMSs) and calls to subscribers’ lines coming to pass last Friday, many Nigerians have expressed dismay that they are still being bombarded with unsolicited text messages and calls.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that the operators were still flouting the order, this is because many subscribers that were interviewed over the weekend as well as on Monday expressed dismay that the situation still remains the same.

For instance, Mr Emmanuel Charles, a subscriber to about three operators in a chat with the Nigerian Tribune said it was expected that they the operators would stop the unwholesome practice immediately the new month begins. He said it was his hope that the NCC is taking note of this. Another subscriber, Felix Adewale said he expected the operators to have stopped the practice even before the deadline, but that he was still receiving messages as of Monday.

It was learnt that one of the operators has announced the short code (Do Not Disturb) for those who do want to receive unsolicited messages or calls on their lines, but some people feel this would not be enough for telephone users.

According to the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) through its president, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, it was totally wrong for the operators to expect subscribers to always send the code each time they received unsolicited messages, saying this is another way of circumventing the order.

He said: “We have told them on many occasions that it is not acceptable for subscribers to be sending short codes before messages to their phones will be stopped since they never requested for it in the first instance. We told them to use two windows to pass whatever

messages they have to the subscribers. The two windows are when a subscriber asks for his balance or when subscribers load airtime on their lines, other than these, it means that they are not complying.

“Nigerians are expecting the NCC and the Minister of Communications to show Nigerians that they are in control by ensuring that

the operators comply with this order in other to give the subscribers reprieve from this act of nuisance from the operators. We are watching and demanding action from the authorities concerned that they should not allow this directive to go the way of some other directives because this development has become a menace to so many Nigerians.”

Nigeria partners UAE on Africa Investment Forum at GITEX 2016 THE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will be co-managing the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) as part of major conference highlights around the major themes of this year’s Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Show scheduled to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on October 17.

The Africa Investment Forum will focus on technology investments and how the continent could leverage on increasing value to GDP of ICT in most developing economies. Speakers across different verticals will be speaking on

ICT diffusion across different sectors that include education, cyber security, startups, retail, energy, healthcare, and finance.

More than 20 African countries are expected to participate and provide groundwork for driving further investments in the ICT sector of the participating countries.

“It is with great pleasure we announce co-managing ‘Africa Investment Forum’ on October 17 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Africa Investment Forum will be strategically located in Dubai World Trade Centre during the second day of GITEX Technology Week.

Nigerian Tribune

Kirusa launches myGenie, novel free airtime app platform for Android KIRUSA, a leader in telecommunications and social media solutions, has launched myGenie, a revolutionary free airtime App for prepaid Android users in Nigeria.

The myGenie applets Android users explore and download new and popular Android apps. myGenie users are rewarded with free airtime credits for downloading, installing, and using these Android apps. They can use the free credits to recharge their mobile numbers or gift the airtime credits to their friends and family. What’s more, myGenie also provides free airtime credits when a user invites their friends to the app, and when their friends start downloading apps via myGenie.

The apps that can be downloaded through myGenie range from games to dating to local utility apps. Some of the apps available on myGenie at the time of launch include InstaVoice, 474 Recharge, Zamba Caller, APUS Launcher, Super B Clearer, BBM, UC Browser and more.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Robert Masumbuko, Head, Financial Inclusion of African Development Bank (ADB) said: “We are excited about myGenie App being launched in Nigeria. African mobile app developers will now have the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience and get assured usage of their apps. It will also influence app usage market, thereby opening doors for fresh investments in this sector.”

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Anyanwu Jonnas Obinna, Head of Content Partnership in TwinPine said, “myGenie is a disruptive innovation in the mobile advertising space. We hope that it will carve out a new market for the App developers and support them in reaching their customers in more efficient ways than before.”

Mr David Kruyt, App Owner, 474Recharge App, said, “myGenie is an altogether new way of promoting the app developer community. It is a simple way to reach out and get the app campaigns organised.

“The most exciting part is that myGenie helps in usage and retention of the apps by incentivising customers in Nigeria, making it a win-win for both app developers and customers.”

Innovation, networking, keys to advancing national security —Aderounmu, NCS boss THE Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has said that innovation, inclusion and networking were keys to advancing national safety and security.

President of the NCS, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, who disclosed this during a media briefing in Lagos, last week, said that security was one of the most critical issues in Nigeria that needed to be tackled.

According to Aderounmu, “the NCS 26th National Conference holding in Abuja between 19 and 21 July, will provide a multi-stakeholders forum to examine pertinent considera-

tions in achieving IT enabled security to advance and achieve sustainable development.

“There is need to advance national security through innovation, inclusion and networking.

“NCS as always advocated that the usage of IT in security needs to be improved through more widespread adoption of IT professionalism in the private and public sectors.

“NCS and its members can play a major role in improving the state of security nationwide, combating terrorism, enhancing public service delivery and accountability and boosting job

creation,” he said.

He said that NCS had assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leader, international scholars to share their extensive knowledge and experience on the theme and sub-themes.

Aderounmu said that the annual event was a way that NCS was advocating for government intervention, legislation, environmental and societal change that affects the IT sector and IT enabled activities.

He said that in setting the

digital agenda for the nation, actionable initiatives would be developed during the conference to advance the IT profession and industry and build an inclusive and secure digital Nigeria.

He listed some of the speakers at the three-day event to include, Professor Mike Hungry of IFIP, Mr Aliyu Aziz, the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Professor Umaru Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), among others.

31

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Chukwuma Okparaocha

m:08038984495 e: chukscop2005@gmail.com

Stories by Chukwuma OkparaochaLagos

S

HIFTING focus to building houses with bricks has the potential of saving the cost of construction of a unit of house by as much as 20 per cent when compared with constructing the save unit with the conventional concrete or sandcrete.

This was disclosed by a housing expert and Chairman of AMIDE Clay Industries (Nig) Ltd, Toyin Adeyinka, in a chat with the media last week, which was organised to herald the unveiling of AMIDE’s 20-million capacity kiln on Tuesday, 12 July, in Ogun State.

Adeyinka, an engineer, insisted that instead of being neglected and treated with disdain, clay, which is the principal raw material for bricks, should be held shoulders-high by the government as natural resource which if well harnessed can help solve the nation’s daunting housing deficit, thus aiding the growth of Nigeria’s revenue.

While identifying overall cost effectiveness as a major advantage brick has over the regular sandcrete (concrete, sand and cement) in house construction, Mr Adeyinka said brick could save a builder about 20 per cent of the total cost of building a house because there would be no need for painting of walls, and that the rate of maintenance of a brick-house is also very low.

“We believe we are on a silent revolution in our own little way to encourage more houses to be built in the country through the use of bricks. The houses built with bricks are not only safer, but they are cheaper and last much longer than those built with concrete. Many of the houses built in Israel, South Africa, Belgium, and Egypt, among others, as well as various institutions in the US and UK are made from bricks and, after centuries, many are still standing till date,” he said.

While listing out some of the advantages of burnt clay bricks, Adetunji, who is also the chairman of Sparklight Group, a real estate and property development company, said clay bricks are known to be very resistant to fire, compared with the conventional concrete ones.

“Burnt clay brick is one of the oldest building materials known to man, which has not lost its glory to any other building material. The burnt clay has a number of advantages over the conventional sandcrete blocks thus making a good substitute if properly used.

It is lighter than sandcrete block wall thus making the imposed load (weight) on the foundation considerably less,” he said.

Also according to him, bricks have a higher bearing capacity than sandcrete block, and its thermal insulation is higher than other known building materials.

‘Building with bricks can save 20% in property costs’ “The conduit for electric wiring and other fittings can be easily laid. Brick has very high acoustic value. It has a high heat resistance thus less vulnerable to fire

disaster.

“Clay brick produces a cooling effect that makes it very adaptable for tropical use. It has high aesthetic value if properly laid.

The cost of plastering and painting is removed from the external wall. The hollow clay decking pot provides lighter and cost effective structure,” he said.

A brick house under construction

Experts back FG’s calls for single digit mortgage REAL estate experts have given their backings to calls by the Nigerian government which wants estate developers to promote single digit mortgage facility for low and middle income earners.

It will be recalled that during a summit on housing in Abuja, recently, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, reiterated the government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the housing needs of Nigerians through an affordable housing programme, as well as through the prevalence of single digit mortgage in the country.

Seeing this as a step in the right direction, experts in the built environment, in various communiqués issued by the likes of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), and the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS), among others have noted that a single mortgage interest would go a long in increasing demands for mortgage in the country. This, according to them, is good for the development of the housing sector.

They equally criticised the common practice where landlords demand for one or two years rent from prospective tenants, saying this often placed untold hardships on the already beleaguered tenants in the country.

Tribune Property reports that Nigeria’s housing deficit is believed to currently stand at 17 million, and this development has been a major concern for several

administrations in Nigeria.

At the summit, Fashola had also equally noted that the current administration would leave no stoned unturned to address the deficit in the housing sector.

“Estate developers, mortgage firms and development partners proffered steps government should take to address the housing

challenges in Nigeria,” he said.

“The consensus is that Nigeria is yet to develop a vibrant affordable housing scheme that helps Nigerians own their own houses without financial stress.

The hope is that the present administration will drive an affordable housing policy in the interest of Nigerians,” the minister added.

‘Why gap between house owners, non-owners widens’ THE gap between those who own homes and those who don’t continues to widen, and will continue to do so unless the government takes concrete and meaningful steps in tackling the housing needs of the citizens of the country.

This was the view of an expert in housing and property development based in Lagos, Mr Amadi Adiele, in a chat with Tribune Property, recently.

“The gap between those who are house owners in Nigeria and those who don’t have houses is very wide, and sadly, the gap continues to widen with time. This is largely due to the disposition of the government to housing matters in the country.

“It is unthinkable to have a government whose schemes are largely designed to take care of only a small fragment of the populace. Most of the schemes put in place by the government are so elaborately designed that the conditions surrounding them can only be met by influential people in the society, what about the low

income earners who are more in population than the high income earners?” Mr Adiele queried.

He further added that reduced schemes that should, for example, take care of the housing needs of up to 3,000 Nigerians only meet the need of just a little above half of that because such schemes are designed to take care of just a handful of people.

He insisted that government schemes, unlike the private ones, should be meant to make smaller units of land available with a view to enabling low income earners to become house owners.

Another expert Mr Adetutu Simeon corroborated this idea, but he attributed the current housing shortage the nation is facing partly due to poor infrastructural development, which according to him, creates a limitation on where people could build houses.

“The problem of infrastructure is aggravated by the way estates are planned whereby large plot allocation denies six families the opportunity of owning homes in every one hectare,” he argued.

‘Nigeria must revitalise mortgage system to boost housing’ UNTIL Nigeria revitalises its mortgage system and increase the financing of the housing sector because it is capital intensive, the sector will continue to suffer and gross deficit of shelter will continue in the nation.

This was the view of an housing expert and former President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr Bala Bawa Ka’Oje, recently in Lagos.

According to him, the nation’s housing and construction sectors have been faced with massive underfunding over the years, a development he said had brought about stunted growth and near-zero development of the sectors.

He noted that when properly guided and monitored, the construction sector could provide a veritable avenue for millions of people to be employed, thereby helping the economic growth and development of the country.

“We have a mortgage system that is not functioning well, and yet there is little or nothing that can be achieved in the housing and construction sector without adequate funding. This is because housing projects all over the world are generally capital intensive,” Ka’Oje said.

The ex-APBN boss who is also an expert and professional builder and estate developer insisted that lack of funding or access to mortgage facility had stalled many housing projects across the country, while also arguing that it was only in Nigeria that one would be required to provide almost 100 percent of the amount required to build a house.

“It is only in Nigeria that one will be expected to about 100 per cent of the cost of construction a house before one can own a house, but in other countries of the world it is not so. At time you will be expected to have just a fraction of what is needed while the rest would be spread over a period of years through mortgage,” he noted.

In the meantime, Mr Ka’Oje also opined that corruption which had eaten deep into the fabrics of the political system of the country was also having its toll on many developmental projects in the country including housing.

“Given the indices of national development, Nigeria should be closed to the promise land of actualising the dreams of the transformation that we all clamour for. All hands must be on deck.

“Double attention is required to checkmate the large propensity for corruption in the system, address the power sector reform, fix our infrastructural needs, fix employment, fix education, fix health and housing needs and also increase our general productivity level,” he submitted.

32 south-westnews

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oyo students, teachers ignore govt’s school re-opening order Govt/Labour committee meet today Govt constitutes 31-man committee on controversial education policy

By Wale Akinselure

A

PPARENTLY ignoring the order by the Oyo State government that public schools be reopened, students and striking teachers shunned schools on Monday.

The state government, through Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, had last Saturday ordered that public schools shut on June 6 due to students’ demonstration against government’s policies and actions be reopened on Monday.

Nigerian Tribune, on a survey around schools in Ibadan, the state capital, found out that while the gates of some public secondary schools remained locked, others whose gates were opened had no students or teachers turn up for resumption of school activities.

A few students, dressed in uniform, were seen loitering around their schools, in the morning, to ascertain happenings in their schools, only to return home on finding out that school activity remained zero.

It was gathered that some parents had also admonished their children and wards to remain home, arguing that it would amount to futility if their children resumed in schools whereas the teachers continued their strike action.

The striking teachers, rather, stuck to the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to continue the strike action until their demands for the payment of arrears of salaries and pensions were met.

This was evident in the usual convergence of the workers on NLC Secretariat, Ibadan, to continue their prayer session cum interaction with their labour leaders.

Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Waheed Olojede, speaking with Nigerian Tribune, on Monday, noted that it was not surprising that the teachers ignored government’s reopening order.

According to him, the issue that had to be resolved was non-payment of arrears of salaries and pensions.

“We heard that government has ordered that schools be reopened, but we are not bothered at the directive because, in the first instance, closing and reopening of schools was not part of the issues in contention. The issues on ground border on non-payment of arrears of salaries and pensions, and that is why teachers have ignored govern-

ment’s order.”

“They are not in school because they are hungry and they cannot act otherwise other than comply with the directive of the NLC that they must stay at home.

Our strike is very potent and we will sustain it. The joint committee of government and labour will meet on Tuesday and we feel that government will come to reasonable terms with us and will get this matter resolved in good time.”

“But, until these issues with regards to arrears of salaries and pensions are resolved, this strike will continue.

The government should do something very urgently to ensure that this matter is arrested and peace is restored in the industrial environment of the state,” Olojede said.

Speaking on the development, state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Niyi Olowofela, maintained that government had only exercised its power to order the closure and opening of schools in the interest of its students.

While expressing hope that teachers would soon return to schools, in the spirit of goodwill, Olowofela said the reopening of schools followed appeals from well meaning individuals and organisations.

“It is our responsibility as government to open the schools and we believe that in our meeting with the labour movement on Tuesday, wisdom and goodwill will prevail and the teachers will go back to school to teach the students so that the future of these great leaders is not jeopardised by issues that stem from misinformation,” Olowofela said.

He added that government exempted the select 17 schools from the reopening order so that the affected teachers and students would take responsibility for destroying government properties in the June 6 demonstration in the state.

In this vein, the joint committee of labour and government representatives set up to look into the issues that resulted in the ongoing strike will be inaugurated, 12p.m. today, at the executive council chambers.

Meanwhile, a 31-man committee named “Education Reform Initiative Committee” has been constituted to look at the controversial education initiative.

The committee, which has an unnamed education expert as chairman, will also have nominees from the University of Ibadan, National Parents’ Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN),

Nigeria Labour Congress/ Nigeria Union of Teachers, All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, National Association of Nigerian Students,

Market Advisory Council.

Other members of the committee are representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria, Muslim Community, Community Leaders,

Private Sector Education Practitioners/Consultants, Traditional Rulers, Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Retired Civil and Public

Servants, Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Information, Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy matters and Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Ibadan Boys High School, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, under lock and key. PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE and D’TOYIN.

Anwar-ul-Islam Grammar School, Eleyele, Ibadan, under lock and key.

St Annes School, Molete, Ibadan.

Ibadan Grammar School, Senior and Junior, Molete, Ibadan.

St Luke’s Demonstration School, Molete, Ibadan.

Salary arrears: Oyo TUC sends SOS to Buhari

By Wale Akinselure

IN an SOS letter, the Oyo State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to assist Oyo State in clearing its backlog of outstanding salaries and pensions.

The union delivered this letter in a protest to state Secretariat, Ibadan, on Monday.

Acting Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Oyo State, Mr Emelieze Andrew, in his address decried that

workers were subjected to harsh economic conditions made worse by nonpayment of salaries and pensions arrears, promotion arrears and allowances.

The letter partly read, “Our living condition as workers is daily becoming horrifying as we face sufficient torment and torture due to the nonpayment of our salaries in the state civil service in the last seven months. Our people are daily dying due to state induced penury and preventable deaths. Our families are in disarray. As a

matter of fact, life is no longer pleasant.

“Your Excellency sir, we can no longer cope with this situation. Our hearts are broken and everything is becoming nauseating, especially in the light of the harsh economic conditions facing us as a country. It is to this end that we passionately appeal to your good heart in looking at our predicaments to assist our state government in paying the workers’ backlog of salaries, gratuities and pension.”

Head of Service, Mr Soji

Eniade, received the letter for onward delivery to President Buhari, assuring that the state government was not unconcerned about the plight of workers in the state.

“Oyo State government is not unconcerned with the plight of workers in the state. It might appear to be so but that is not the situation. The process of engaging the labour to resolve this issue will start on Tuesday and I am sure that by the end of this week, a lasting solution will be found,” Eniade said.

33 south-westnews

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ekiti varsity workers down tools over salaries, subventions Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

W

ORKERS in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, on Monday, began an industrial action which they said was as a result of their unpaid salaries, allowances and subventions to the school.

The action paralysed academic and administrative activities in the institution as the various staff unions protested against what they said was “non-payment of six-month subventions, salary arrears as well as cooperative deductions among others.”

The industrial action has put spanner in the works for the EKSU students, who were billed to commence their second semester examinations on Monday.

The angry workers prevented vehicular and human movement in and out of the institution as they ensured that its main gates were locked.

Some of the lecturers in the institution said they were surprised at the turn of events as, according to them, they were not informed by their union leaders that there would be an industrial action.

Most of the workers as well as students were locked out of the institution and the students loitered about in front of the school gate.

The unions, who participated in the protest, included National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT); NonAcademic Staff Union of Universities (NASU); Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and

the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), among others.

The unions said contrary to an earlier impression in the state that the institution’s workers were paid regularly, they were being owed.

They, however, noted that recent investments in some ventures to shore up EKSU’s internally generated

revenue made it capable of taking care of paying salary, emoluments and remunerations but that all was not well.

They said the management had only been able to pay 20 per cent of the workers’ salary arrears since March this year, saying the management had failed to live up to its responsibilities

THE Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Muktar Abimbola, on Monday handed over the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Draft Bill to the Speaker of the Oyo state House of assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo, with a plea that the bill be passed soonest as possible, adding that the Community Service Bill earlier submitted to the House should also be given expeditious passage.

Justice Abimbola, while handing over the 47 parts and 481 Sections Draft Bill stated that it was a common ground to say that there was delay in trials before the court but delay in administration of criminal justice has a greater consequence as it affects the liberty of a person and a right to fair hearing.

According to him, the law when it comes into operation would have a salutary effect on criminal

The government has erroneously believed that the management can take care of the full salary payment without the subvention. But the reality is that we have only been receiving 20 per cent of our salaries since January till date with deductions, and even the deductions were not remitted into the accounts of the cooperative societies on

campus.

“We also heard that the state government is not putting EKSU in the agenda of bailout from the Federal Government, giving the erroneous impression that all is well with us, whereas we have been suffering in silence.”

Ondo guber:

Commissioner resigns from cabinet Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State inspecting the ongoing construction of Ilesa Government High School, on Sunday.

Mimiko gets African physicians’ pass mark on health care delivery THE West African College of Physicians’ Faculty of Family Medicine has described the giant strides of the Mimikoled administration in Health Care services in Ondo State as second to none in Africa.

A team of Medical experts from the Lagos based College, led by Dr Aboi Madaki, made the assertion during a courtesy visit to Governor Olusegun Mimiko in his office in Akure, following the conclusion at the weekend, of a tour of

the state Specialist Hospital and other health facilities in the state for accreditation in Family Medicine Training Programme.

Leader of the team, Dr Aboi Madaki, who said the college was proud of what he called Governor Mimiko’s unprecedented achievements in qualitative healthcare services, particularly with respect to women and children, noted that any nation that wants to make headway in healthcare

Oyo CJ hands criminal justice draft bill to Speaker Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

due to the failure of the state government to pay subventions since January this year.

Chairman of EKSU SSANU, Mr Kolapo Olatunde, said: “The state government released the universities’ subvention last in December last year, which means since January, we haven’t been getting the subventions.

delivery should take primary healthcare seriously.

While stressing that the state has what it takes to get accreditation in Family Medicine Training Programme, Dr Madaki appealed to the governor to put in place a legal framework that would ensure the sustainability of all his laudable projects in the health sector.

Responding, Governor Mimiko, who thanked the college for the visit, assured

Appeals for quick passage

justice system in the state as the provisions would not only assist in quicker trials but also has innovative inclusions, which gives greater recognition to adult suspects and child offenders He explained further that the principle of restorative

justice was more enhanced in the draft bill as focus would now be shifted to how victims of crimes could be adequately catered for and compensated rather than the previous law that focused on trial rights of an accused as it relates to fair hearing.

The Chief Judge reiterated that the new rule, which was compliance with best practices and has been adopted in other states of the federation, was a more functional model that provides for parole and community service in lieu of custodial sentences.

Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

of the ruling party in the state.

Kekemeke said “the least of the APC aspirant is better than the best aspirant in PDP. The people of the state have resolved not to vote for a party with no national leadership.”

He said the party’s primaries would be free, fair and devoid of rancour and disclosed that the APC primaries would hold between August and September.

Speaking on the need to put in place rules for the conduct of gubernatorial primary election,

Kekemeke said the rules became imperative in order to moderate the campaigns and conduct of party’s aspirants.

Kekemeke said the aim was also to create friendly atmosphere saying “ observation of events in the past weeks from various camps of the aspirants has not only shown a tendency that is capable of resulting in clashes; it has also shown that a lot more needs to be done by the party to achieve a peaceful primaries.”

The APC chairman, however, said that pending the issuance of guidelines

of his administration’s commitment to continue to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far in the health sector.

He emphasised that plans were underway to put a legal framework in place in ensuring that all his administration’s health initiatives were sustained.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, said the visit by the West African College Physicians was another attestation to the fact that Ondo State government has become a model in its qualitative healthcare delivery.

Akinmade attributed the success of the Mimikoled administration to the commitment of the governor to raising the standard of health care services across the state, which he said has received both national and international accolades.

Ondo 2016: APC will not disintegrate over large number of aspirants —Kekemeke THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, on Monday, said the number of aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket in the forthcoming governorship election, would not disintegrate the party ahead of its primaries.

The party’s chairman in the state, Honourable Isaacs Kekemeke, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, while rolling rules for the conduct of the party’s primaries in the state, described the prediction as an illusion

AHEAD of the governorship election in Ondo State, the state commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Honourable Sola Ebiseni, on Monday, resigned his appointment from the state executive cabinet.

Ebiseni, in his resignation letter, dated July 11, expressed appreciation to the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for the opportunities given him to serve the state in various other capacities.

The former commissioner, who had spent six years as a commissioner under Mimiko, said he served as “Chairman of the state Law Commission, twice as Commissioner in your cabinet, recommending me as a delegate of the South West to the 2014 National Conference and for being your preferred representative in several critical political engagements.

“To the Glory of God, there is no doubt that these positions have positively impacted the lives of our people and offered me the unique opportunity to etch my name and service indelible in the sand of time.

“Recall sir, our meeting earlier in the year, wherein I sought and obtained Your Excellency’s approval for me to consult with and engage our party members and other stakeholders of my intention to serve our dear state in the capacity of governor at the expiration of Your Excellency’s tenure.”

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

for the primaries, the state executive has resolved that: “all aspirants must endeavour to promote unity and peace in the party and among fellow aspirants.”

I, Adah Blessing am the same person bearing Adah Blessing Esther.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADAH BLESSING. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, Ojo Olawale Paul Adetiloye, am the same person as Ojo Olawale Paul and Ojo Olawale Adetiloye. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OJO OLAWALE PAUL ADETILOYE. All former documents remain valid.

Standard Chartered Bank, Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bolade Adetayo Janet now wish to be known and addressed as MISS FANIJO ADETAYO JANET. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

INEC expresses readiness for Kogi rerun Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, said it is ready for the rerun in Kogi East senatorial district of Kogi State, slated for July 23.

This is just as the commission said it would deploy at least, 1,390 adhoc staff for the rerun to be held across the senatorial district.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Samuel Usman, who said

this in Lokoja, the state capital, said the commission had put necessary machinery in place for a smooth rerun.

According to him, the date of the rerun was arrived at after due consultations with relevant stakeholders both at the state and national levels, on the conditions necessary for the re-run in the zone.

Usman explained that the local government areas that would participate in the rerun are Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji and Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu and Olamaboro.

He added that the state constituency re-run would be conducted in one polling unit out of 89 in Idah, while in Ofu election will be conducted in 79 polling

units out of 129.

The REC noted that the commission had learnt from the previous exercises, saying such lessons would be used to improve upon its past performance.

He also assured that INEC would continue to encourage mass participation in the electoral process as the current commission is poised to meet

the global best practices.

He added that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), would be used during the exercise, warning that anybody without PVC should steer clear of the polling and collation centres Usman said security agencies had vowed to secure the election and deal decisively with hoodlums, who would disrupt the process.

Strike: Police deploy over 1,000 personnel to protect govt facilities in Nasarawa THE Police Command in Nasarawa State has deployed over 1,000 personnel to guard government facilities in the state, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawal Shehu, has said.

Shehu made the information known in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday, when he addressed newsmen.

He said the deployment to the 13 local government areas and the state capital, was to ensure that government property were not damaged by hoodlums.

“The police need to protect these facilities since the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have declared an indefinite strike in the state since last week Friday.

“Nobody is going to work, so, if we did not deploy our men to be on ground and protect these facilities, hoodlums can take advantage of the situation.

“It is the responsibility of the police and the other law enforcement agencies to guarantee security of lives and property without being reminded by anybody, “ he added.

He said that the personnel would remain in their places of deployment till the workers called off the strike.

The commissioner of police explained that the security personnel would work for 24 hours till the end of the strike.

He advised members of the public to be vigilant and report suspicious movements of people or activities to the nearest security outfits for prompt action.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that workers in the state, on Friday, commenced an indefinite strike over the cut in their salaries by the state government.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (left), with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the palace, during Saraki’s condolence visit to the family of late Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, in Sokoto, on Monday.

JUTH workers stage sit-at-work strike over non-payment of salaries WORKERS of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, have embarked on a sit-atwork strike to protest the non-payment of their June salaries.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the hospital on Monday, reported that the workers came to their working place but merely sat down and did not resume duties.

NAN observed that the workers signed the attendance register at the hospital but were not attending to patients.

Speaking with NAN, Mr Samfi Kesuwo, secretary, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), JUTH chapter, said that they embarked on the strike on Friday to press home their demand for payment of the June salaries.

“We just come to work and sit down doing nothing. We wonder why only 394 members of staff were paid, out of the 2,094 workers.

“Although, we are yet to be addressed by the management over why we were not paid, rumours have it that it was a system failure from IPPIS.

“But it is amazing to us that the system recognised only Heads of Departments and the Chief Medical Director (CMD)’s loyalists and paid them.

“The burning question is, how did the system recognised the CMD’s loyalists and the heads of the departments?”

He said that the workers would continue with the strike until their salaries were paid.

Reacting to the development, the CMD, Prof essor Edmund Banwat, attributed the non-payment of salaries of most of the workers to “an error from the IPPIS”.

“An error occurred on the IPPIS platform in the course of the payment.

“The management of the IPPIS admitted that error and promised to rectify it immediately after the Sallah break but the break was extended, leaving them with only Friday to carry out the rectification.

“Unfortunately, we woke up that Friday to find the gates and offices locked by the workers over the nonpayment of salaries.

“IPPIS is in Abuja but the workers are venting their anger on us here.

“There is nothing we can do outside pleading with the workers to just wait for

IPPIS to rectify the issues,” he said.

Banwat said he just confirmed that the issues had been resolved while payment would soon begin.

“We expect many workers to get their alerts this afternoon. I already have that assurance from the IPPIS and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” he said.

Banwat dismissed the allegation that he selected those to be paid and those to be left out.

“We do not control IPPIS pay platform, it is not an internal issue. It was just an error which IPPIS has admitted and already correcting,” he said.

FG retires 2 senior prisons officers Clement Idoko - Abuja THE Federal Government has approved the retirement of a Deputy Controller-General and an Assistant Controller-General of Prisons from the service.

The affected senior officers are Aminu Suley and Ali Bala Salami, respectively.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the service, Mr Francis Enobore, said this fol-

lowed the appointment of Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

He disclosed that the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB), had approved the retirement of the officers at an emergency meeting held on June 27, 2016.

Enobore, said their retirement letters signed by the secretary of the board, Alhaji A. A. Ibrahim, on

June 28, 2016, indicated that the decision was taken as a result of the officers’ seniority in service to the new Controller-General of Prisons and in consonance with military and para -military convention.

“While wishing them good luck in their future endeavours, the CDFIPB commended the officers for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Prisons Service,” he said.

Unpaid salaries: Doctors back SERAP suit against state govts Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta THE National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has thrown its weight behind a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), before the International Criminal Court, against some state governments owing workers salaries.

The association, an affiliate of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), said it would be willing to supply intrinsic information as it affect doctors and the health sector in the country.

This was made known at a press conference on Monday, at the NMA House, Abeokuta, Ogun State, addressed by the association’s national president, Dr Nurud-Din Akindele, that the action of 13 state governors, owing workers between two to eight months was criminal, callous and sheer wickedness.

The affected states were: Anambra, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers.

“I am constrained to inform the federal and state governments that NAGGMDP, will take this press conference as a notice to all governments defaulting in payment of salaries and allowances to doctors as a 21-day notification, at the end of which we cannot guarantee continuity in rendering of services by all our doctors being owed salaries and allowances by any state in the federation,” he added.

We have subdued kidnappers in Imo —Police

THE police in Imo State have curtailed the activities of kidnappers in the recent past, according to the state command.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Owerri Area Command, Mr Frances Bissong, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Owerri ,on Monday, that kidnapping had gone down by up to 90 per cent between April and July when compared to past years.

Bissong, however, observed that criminals had adopted a strategy of robbing people with motorcycles in spite of the ban on the use of motorcycles in the state capital.

“People should beware that since commercial motorbike is prohibited in Owerri, anybody coming close to you with a bike should be viewed with caution.

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Teenagers’ equal rights, opportunities, key to national development —NPC chairman B y O luwatoyin M alik A detola B ademosi

and

T

HE chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze Duruiheoma, has said no nation can lay claim to development until its teenagers have equal rights and opportunities to lead a healthy life and be free from negative practices that limit

their capacities to make meaningful contributions to national development.

The chairman stated this at NPC office in Ibadan, Oyo State, during a press briefing to commemorate the World Population Day on Monday.

Speaking on the 2016 theme: “Investing in Teenage Girls”, Chief Duruiheoma, who was represented by the State Director, Mr

Olajire Balogun, said Nigerian teenage girls constitute an important segment of the population whose conditions have great implications for general population welfare and quest for sustainable development.

The NPC chairman, who disclosed that the population of teenage girls increased to 13,787,755 in 2016, lamented the condition in which majority of

them live and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

He stated that the future of the teenage girl would be in peril without education and quality health, while her potential might never be realized.

Chief Duruiheoma stated further while about 20,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 give birth daily in developing countries globally, the leading cause of death

Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (third right), flanked from right by the state secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ibe Nwadighioha; state deputy chairman, Honourable P.C.Onyegbu; state chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo; deputy governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu and the Commissioner for Information, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha, during a visit by the PDP state executive to the governor, in Umuahia.

among girls within the same age range are complications of pregnancy and child birth, including Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF).

He also warned that the potentials of teenage girls to transform into fulfilled adults were being threatened by low literacy status, as the data from the 2006 population and housing census indicated a higher literacy level among males aged 10 to 19 (77.1per cent) than females (73.3 per cent).

Meanwhile, Duruiheoma has noted that with the increasing spate of insecurity and organised crimes in Nigeria, the teenage girls have been more at the receiving end of physical violence and abuse, urging lawmakers to ensure the vigorous implementation of the Child Rights Act (CRA).

He stressed the need to invest in the teenage girls through appropriate policies and legislations that would guarantee their standard of living.

“The promulgation of the Child Rights Act is a worthy step in the right direction of protecting the Nigerian children including teenage girls from deep-seated practices that stifle their growth into responsible adults,” he stated.

Ese Oruru’s abductor free on bail, arrives in Kano Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

MR Yunusa Dahiru, alias Yellow, the young man who was accused of abducting 14-year-old Ese Oruru from Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, has finally left custody, after spending over four months in Okaka Prisons in the state capital.

It was learnt that Dahiru was immediately taken to his state, Kano, in company

with a team of his defence lawyers, who usually flew into the state during court proceedings.

It was also learnt that contrary to speculations that no Bayelsa indigene was willing to stand surety for the suspect, due to whipped up ethnic and religious sentiments, the person who eventually fulfilled the court conditions was from Bayelsa State.

Dahiru’s team of lawyers

had been battling to free their client from prison since March but without success.

The development followed the stringent bail conditions handed down to the suspect

by Justice Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa.

Justice Nganjiwa had set a N3 million bail bond and two sureties in like sum, resident within the jurisdiction of the court as conditions for Da-

Wike gets legislative nod for N9bn bank loan As loan profile stands at N85.16bn Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt

RIVERS State House of Assembly, on Monday, granted a legislative approval to Governor Nyesom Wike to access a N9 billion loan facility from the Zenith Bank.

The fresh request by the governor for the loan was one of the executive bills presented to the eighth legislature in the state, even as the lawmakers granted the approval during an emergency sitting convened by the Speaker, Honourable Dima Dabotoru.

Governor Wike had written to the state legislature to grant his request to approach the bank and borrow the stated amount, noting that it would be used for capital projects and that the

loan would be repaid from the state internally generated revenue (IGR) earnings.

The governor’s request was approved after a debate and vote by the lawmakers and the Speaker said the loan was to fund the renovation of the General Hospitals and secondary schools across the state.

“There is need for this Honourable House to grant the request of the governor of the state, which stands as an executive bill. I call on this assembly to support the state governor to allow him access the loan. The loan, if obtained, will be used for the developmental projects in the state,” he said.

The fresh loan made it a total of eight loans facilities

approved by the state legislature and with the latest approval, the governor had borrowed N85.16 billion between May 29, 2015 till date.

hiru’s release.

He had also ordered that one of the sureties must be a traditional ruler, while the second person must be a civil servant on Grade Level 12 or above.

The bail conditions also stipulated that the two sureties must submit their three-year tax clearance receipts, and that the defence counsel must sign an undertaking that the suspect must not jump bail.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that Justice Nganjiwa later relaxed the conditions, after he was approached by Dahiru’s lawyers that they were unable to meet some of the bail conditions.

Dahiru is currently facing a five-count charge of abducting, inducing by the use

Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

day, July 8, 2016 at about 13:00 hours, based on information from a reliable source,the police Anti-kidnapping team raided the camp of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, at Iwa Village, and arrested two kingpins of the gang namely Shade Abubakar ‘M’ and Usman Umar ‘M’ all of Gawu Babangida, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The release stated further that during the operation, Aisha Ibrahim ‘F’ 17 years

Alphonsus Agborh – Asaba

POLICE in Delta State have arrested some persons in connection with the killing of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Gabriel Olisa, at Abuator Village, near Aboh, in Ndokwa East Council Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, on Monday, stated that the force would not leave any stone unturned in its resolve to unearth the murderers of the young police officer.

DSP Olisa of the Kogi State command was shot at close range by a suspected hired assassin in the presence of his wife, at about midnight on the fateful day shortly after the marriage ceremony of his younger sister.

The son of a retired police officer, Mr Napoleon Olisa, the leader of the Abuator community, the late police officer who was promoted to the new rank three weeks ago, was trailed by the gunman to his house after the party.

LASIEC new chairman, Philips to embark on tour of 57 LGs, LCDAs Bola Badmus- Lagos

of deception and coercion, illicit intercourse, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor.

Lead counsel for Dahiru, Mr Kayode Olaosebikan, confirmed the release of his client, noting that “his people have taken him away.”

He added that the crossexamination of the girl (Ese) would continue in the next adjourned date.

Oruru was recently delivered of a baby girl and is still in the protective custody of the Bayelsa State Police Command, which is responsible for her upkeep in collaboration with the state government.

Her cross-examination by Yunusa’s lawyers will continue on September 13, 2016.

2 kidnap suspects arrested by police in Niger POLICE in Niger State said it has arrested two notorious kidnap suspects at Gawu Babangida community in Gurara Local Government Area of the state, just as it also disclosed that it has rescued a 17-year-old female victim from their custody.

This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to newsmen in Minna, by the spokesman of the command, DSP Bala Elkana.

Elkana stated that on Fri-

Police arrest killers of DSP in Delta

old, who was kidnapped by the gang, was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.

It added that the twoman kidnapping gang had been responsible for various kidnappings robbery operations at Gawu Babangida and its environs in recent times, saying the suspects who had confessed to the crime, would soon be charged to court for prosecution, after conclusion of police investigation into the case.

NEWLY appointed Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Honourable Justice Ayotunde Adeyoola Philips, has revealed plans of the commission to embark on a tour of 20 Local Governments (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.

This was just as she promised that the commission would conduct free, fair and credible elections into all the 57 council areas in the state.

Philips disclosed this while speaking at a meeting with electoral commissioners and the permanent secretary of the commission, saying the purpose of the tour was to enable members of the commission to familiarise themselves with the terrain in the various parts of the state, in preparation for the conduct of the forthcoming poll in the 57 council areas.

According to her, the tour would also afford members the opportunity to assess the state of offices allocated to electoral officers of the commission in the various local government and local council development areas.

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Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Kwara gov lauds Igbomina mobile clinic initiative

K

WARA State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the weekend, lauded the initiative of Igbomina community in healthcare delivery.

Speaking at the kick-off of Igbomina Mobile Clinic in Ajasepo, Kwara State, Governor Ahmed said the initiative was complementary of the great strides of his administration in the health sector.

The governor’s representative and Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Atolagbe Alege, presented the state government’s donation of N500, 000, drugs and mosquito nets to support the project.

The Kwara State Hospitals Management Bureau also donated drugs to the Igbomina project which focuses on silent killer diseases like hypertension, diabetes and malaria.

In his welcome address, the Project Implementation Committee Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Adewuyi, said a roster had been prepared for the mobile clinic to cover the nooks and crannies of Igbominaland in Kwara State.

Royal fathers, top government officials, community leaders and other members of the community witnessed

Traders, residents appeal to Nasarawa govt over salary cut SOME traders and residents of Keffi, in Nasarawa State, have appealed to the state government to reconsider its decision to cut salaries of workers in order to ensure industrial peace.

They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Keffi.

NAN recalled that on July 4, 2016, the labour unions in the state went on indefinite strike to protest the downward review of workers’ salaries by 50 per cent.

The respondents said that their appeal became necessary because of the prevailing economic hardship, adding that pay-cut would worsen conditions of workers.

A petty trader, Mrs Sarah Oboh, said that the state government’s action would weaken the purchasing power of civil servants.

“Our problem is that the strike by workers has been affecting our businesses negatively,” she

the epochal event at the sprawling Olupo’s palace.

The programme was sponspored by the Igbomina Community North American Foundation.

On government entourage were the Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Mr. Yinka Olaoye; Permanent Secretary, Special Services in Governor’s Office, Alhaji Abdulrauf Ayinla; the Director-General, Kwara State Hospitals Management Bureau, Dr. Bunmi JetawoWinter; Director of Finance and Administration, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Ibrahim Yahaya and other top government officials.

The royal fathers at the ceremony, led by Olupo of Ajasepo and Chairman of Igbomina /Ekiti Traditional Council, Oba Sikiru Woleola Sanni, included the Arepo-Elese of Igbaja, Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola; the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede; the Oloro of Oro, Oba Abbdulrafiu Ajiboye Oyelaran I; the Elesie of Esie, Oba Yakubu Babalola; the Olusin of Ijara-Isin, Oba Omoniyi Bamigbe; the Alaran of Arandun, Oba Ibikunle

Ayinla Adekanye; the Alaran of Aranorin, Oba Joseph Oyeyipo Babalola; the Aala of Ilala, Oba Abdulwahab Adeyemi and other traditional rulers.

Members of the political

class in attendance were the Chairmen of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Babatunde Abdulsalam; his Isin counterpart, Mr Abdulmoroof Thanni , the Vice Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area, Mrs

Comfort Ajiboye and other local government officials.

Other dignitaries at the event included the leadership of Omo Bibi Ibile Igbomina led by its National President, Engineer Timothy Adebayo, and rep-

resentatives of the various Igbomina groups across the country.

Dr. O.M. Babalola led the medical team at the ceremony that comprises volunteer doctors, nurses and other health officials.

From left, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Atolagbe Alege; the Olupo of Ajasepo, Oba Sikiru Woleola Sanni and the Arepo-Elese of Igbaja-Irese, Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola, during the kick-off of Igbomina Mobile Clinic in Ajasepo, at the weekend.

Lagos pledges to tackle youth violence through empowerment Newton-Ray UkwuomaLagos PERTURBED by the spate of violence among young people in communities across Lagos State, the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, has pledged to tackle

the menace and related challenges.

The commissioner made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting with voluntary youth organisations and non-governmental organisations in Lagos, on Thursday, at Onikan Youth Centre.

She stated that unemploy-

ment was the primary cause of “crime, restiveness and inter-street cult practice” and that “the development of human capital through the concept of SAVE: Skill Acquisition, Vocational Training and Empowerment will reduce unemployment, create desired values, increase productiv-

Six persons killed in renewed communal clash in Yakurr anthony ubong-calabar

SIX persons were feared dead and houses burnt at the weekend in renewed hostilities between two neighbouring communities, Onyadama and Iyima in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, over a piece of farmland.

A resident, who did not want his name in print, told Community News that the clash, which started on Tuesday, raged on till Wednesday even as policemen were dispatched to the area by the state Commissioner of Police, Jimoh OziObeh, to quell hostilities.

The source said the policemen were overpowered and the fighting continued on Friday and Saturday, leading to loss of lives and properties on both sides.

“I set out to return to Calabar this morning (Sunday) but when we got close to the feuding communities,

we were advised to go back because the situation is very bad so I had to return to Ikom. I am considering taking Abakaliki Road.

“The people of Inyima backed by their Nko brethren have wreak havoc in Onyadama because they believe the people burnt their houses and killed many people in Inyima in April.

“Nko people are supporting Inyima this time. This is why they succeeded in entering Onyadama and killed many people and burnt down houses on Friday and Saturday.”

Speaking on the issue, the Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Ms Irene Ugbo, said antiriot policemen have succeeded in restoring normalcy in the area.

“As I speak to you now, anti-riot policemen are there and normalcy has

returned and roadblocks mounted by both communities along the IkomCalabar highway.”

ity and promote self-reliance among youths.”

Akinbile-Yusuf, who chaired the discussion tagged: “Lagos State Youth Development Forum: Challenges and Opportunities,” also said there had been significant reduction in crime and cult-related violence in the recent past due to the ministry’s engagement of youths in skill acquisition programmes. She stated, however, that “the lack of concrete and synergised relationship” with corporate organisations neutralised the achievement.

She noted that the gathering was to form a synergy with non-governmental organisations, charity homes, philanthropists and other stakeholders in order to proffer lasting solutions to the increasing rate of crime among youths.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, called on organisations to support government’s initiative of creating “a conducive environment for the development of youths.”

newly promoted officers, Yah’Salam charged them to consider their elevation as a call to greater tasks, as they would be saddled with higher responsibilities.

He reminded them of the need to be more dutiful, disciplined, courageous and patriotic.

His words: “I want to use this medium to implore you to continue to cooperate and support the group while I promise to continue to do my best in conjunction with relevant government organisations to promote the overall working conditions of the entire officers.”

Speaking on the security of life and property, Yah’Salam

assured that his group would continue to collaborate with Osun State Police Command in the fight against hoodlums.

The security expert explained that although the state was safe, cool and calm, but “ we must be security conscious at all times .”

Yah’Salam, who commended the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for his efforts in ensuring the safety of life and property across the state, advised the people not to relent in maintaining high level vigilance and cooperation with security agencies.

Harmonised vigilante group wants cooperation between Nigerians, security agents THE Coordinator of the Osun State Police Command Harmonised Vigilante Group, Alhaji Ridwan Hussein-Yah’Salam, on Saturday, urged Nigerians to work together with security agencies to combat criminal activities.

Alhaji Hussein Yah Salam made the call while decorating 25 officers of his group members who were promoted.

The security expert, who described the battle against crime as something that must be done collectively, noted that the task should not be left to government or security personnel alone.

While congratulating the

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HE post of the Super Eagles chief coach has been vacant since February this year when ex-international, Sunday Oliseh resigned his appointment after about seven months in the saddle.

However, following the inability of the NFF to meet up with some of its financial obligations in the running of the game as some of its coaches are being owed salaries, some Nigerians believe this is not the time to go for a foreign coach.

This stance was also shared by the Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, as he gave a conditional approval to the hiring of a foreign coach provided the nation’s soccer ruling body could guarantee the payment of the coach’s remuneration In a bid to ensure fair play in the course of hiring a substantive coach, the technical committee threw the job open and no fewer than 20 applications were received including from the interim coach, Salisu Yusuf, 54, who has been shorlisted alongside Paul Le Guen and Tom Saintfiet.

Other coaches who were said to have equally applied for the Eagles’ job are Giovanni Solinas, Hey Antoine, Mark Wotte, Ernesto Paulo Calvinho, Dorian Marin, Miodrag Jesic, Perry Hansen, Ove Pedersen, Adebayo Lateef Kola, Sylvanus Okpala, Peter Ijeh, Vladimir Petrovic-Pizon, Lodewijk de Kruif, Kenichi Yatsuhashi, Bjorn Frank Peters and Ricki Herbert, according to the Green-led committee.

The technical committee is expected to meet later this week to arrive at the choice of the best candidate among the trio and present its recommendation to the NFF executive committee by July 18 for ratification.

Nigeria is scheduled to begin its campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup on October 3 this year against Zambia and later face Algeria and Cameroon in a group dubbed the ‘group of death’.

Many football stakeholders in Nigeria believe only a foreign coach could lead the Super Eagles to the promised land.

Salisu, who has been calling the shots since April 21 this year on interim capacity, is having the support of the majority of his colleagues in the home front, who see the decision of the NFF to be considering an expatriate for the job as a misplaced priority.

Interestingly, Salisu, who assisted the late Stephen Keshi from May 2015 and also worked under Oliseh and Samson Siasia, equally enjoys the support of the players after leading Nigeria to victories over Mali and Luxembourg in friendlies in May this year given the remarks of Ogenyi Onazi.

The Lazio of Italy midfielder who captained the Eagles to the two friendlies said Yusuf deserves a permanent appointment.

“Coach Salisu Yusuf has been fantastic, and we would be more than happy for him to get the job.

“He’s a humble professional and we [the players] told the NFF officials in Luxembourg that they should support these coaches (including Imama Amapakabo and Kennedy Boboye) by handing them at least two years’ contracts.

“The players are very happy with him – if you see the team fighting hard for each other and staying disciplined in positions during those two friendlies, he’s the reason behind it,” Onazi had told BBC Sport after the friendlies.

Perhaps, Yusuf, a former Ranchers

Tuesday, 12 July, 2016

Saintfiet

Paul Le Guen

Yusuf

As Nigerians await Eagles’ next coach IN the next couple of days, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), will name a substantive coach for the Super Eagles with three gladiators gunning for the plum job. Group Sports Editor, GANIYU SALMAN, in this piece, presents the profiles of the shortlists by the technical and development committee of the NFF headed by Barrister Chris Green, and the views expressed by stakeholders which could determine who gets the job to be announced next week.

Bees and El-Kanemi Warriors player has also made a mark in coaching having led Kano Pillars to win the Nigeria Premier League title in 2008 and Enyimba to win the Federation Cup in 2013.

He was among the personnel who attended a coaching seminar recently in London courtesy of the NFF, and he remains the only ambassador of the indigenous coaches vying for the plum job.

Yusuf believes he has what it takes to be in the driver’s seat having understudied three coaches in the senior national team coupled with his wealth of experience.

“I feel honoured that the players find me worthy of the job because they played with freedom under this coaching set-up.

“I shared my philosophy with the players, we made them responsible for the success of the team on the pitch and they enjoyed it.

“I was assistant coach for three previous managers and I have managed all

the top teams in Nigeria. Personally I think it’s all about the opportunity to do it – so why not?”, ” Yusuf had told BBC Sport.

Plateau United veteran handler, Zachary Baraje opposed to the decision of the NFF to go for a foreign trainer.

“I am not in support of bringing a foreign coach to lead the Eagles when we have coaches who are qualified and have gone through the necessary training to be equipped for the challenge of coaching the senior national team.

“Salisu Yusuf was part of the coaches sent to the United Kingdom not too long ago for a training course and he has worked with past Super Eagles coaches as an assistant.

He should be given the chance to lead the team now.

“We are still struggling to pay the salaries of national team coaches in­cluding the ones who are dead. How are we going to offset the salaries of a foreign coach?,” Baraje had lamented last week.

Also, ex-international, Tijani Babangida, believes Yusuf is okay for the plum job saying he has proved his coaching credentials with domestic clubs.

“Yusuf has the edge over other Nigerian coaches because he understands the national team players. He discovered some of them including Ahmed Musa.

We don’t need a foreign coach because Yusuf is good enough for the job,” said the Atlanta ‘96 Olympic gold medallist.

However, Paul Le Guen is highly favoured for the job given his rich pedigree.

The 54-year-old Frenchman, once coached Rennes, Lyon, PSG all of France and Glasgow Rangers before his first international job where he led the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. He also coached Oman national team from 2010 to 2015.

Perhaps, Saintfiet, remains a candidate that suits the Eagles job given his experience with African teams.

The 43-year-old Belgian, once coached Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi and Togo, while he also handled the Qatar national U-17 side, Young Africans FC of Tanzania and Free State Stars FC in South Africa.

However, ex-international, Jonathan Akpoborie, believes only a foreigner can make the Super Eagles regain lost glory after failed attempts to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

“The truth of the matter is that we have good coaches in Nigeria, but the pressure in the Eagles is different from other national teams. European coaches can deal with sentiments better than indigenous coaches. We should only bring someone with a big reputation in Europe. We have the money, “Akpoborie, a FIFA U-17 World Cup winner in 1985 had expressed.

Also, another ex-international, Felix Owolabi (MON), said the NFF shoud go for a very successful and reputable coach with a little bit of African culture.

“If the NFF feels hiring a foreign coach for the Super Eagles is the only way to secure the World Cup ticket, so be it. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t see any Nigerian coach that can take us to the promised land at least for now. It is not out of play to ask the NFF to hire a foreign coach,” Owolabi had told Tribunesport in an interview.

Already, the NFF is said to have secured a $1.5 million bond from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and this if actualised, would douse the apprehension as regards the remuneration of a foreign coach, if eventually announced for the Eagles in the days ahead.

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TUESDAY, 12 JULY, 2016

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One Joshua Adejumo who was first paraded by the Police in Oyo State in May this year, was also on parade last month for using a woman’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card which got stuck to withdraw N543,000 according to his victim. With the first case against him still pending in court, hope this will not be Adejumo’s last police parade at least for now?

FIFA boss, Infantino, visits Nigeria July 24 F IFA President, Gianni Infantino is to pay a two-day working visit to Nigeria from July 24, during which time he will be received by the country’s President, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced.

Infantino will be accompanied on the twoday working visit by FIFA secretary general, Ms Fatma Samoura.

The Italian-Swiss, who was elected FIFA president at an extraordinary general assembly in Zurich on February 26 2016

this year, confirmed the trip following a meeting with NFF president, Mr Amaju Pinnick in Paris, France last Sunday.

“The FIFA President and Secretary General will arrive in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday, 24th July on a two –day working visit to Nigeria,” Pinnick disclosed.

During the visit, Infantino and Samoura will pay a courtesy call on President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, hold meeting with a legion of African FA pres-

idents who are expected in Nigeria to join the NFF to receive the FIFA top shots and attend an evening session with Corporate Nigeria in Lagos.

The FIFA bosses will also meet with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State before watching the finals of the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship.

A welcome dinner put together by the League Management Company (LMC), and also attended by members of the diplomatic corps is on the cards.

At the one–hour meet-

ing involving Infantino, Samoura and Pinnick on Sunday, the Minister of Sport, Barrister Solomon Dalung spoke with the FIFA boss and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to welcome the FIFA team.

Samoura, 54, was appointed FIFA Secretary General at the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City on May 12 this year.

The Senegalese, who has wide experience working with the United Nations in several countries, is the first woman to hold the position in FIFA’s 112 –year history.

From left, FIFA scribe, Fatma Samoura, NFF president, Amaju Pinnick and FIFA president, Gianni Infantino after the meeting in France last Sunday .

I can’t rule out England job —Wenger ARSENAL manager, Arsene Wenger is open to managing England but will not break his current contract with the Premier

Portugal heroes on bus tour on the streets of Lisbon being received by huge numbers of supporters. PHOTO: SPORTSMAIL. Inset: Ronaldo with manager, Fernando Santos proudly displays the Euro 2016 trophy.

Euro 2016: Portugal returns to heroic reception PORTUGAL’S heroes continued celebrating their first ever international trophy on Monday as they arrived back in Lisbon following their dramatic 1-0 extra time victory over France in the final of the 2016 Euro championship.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side were narrow winners over the hosts, a superb longrange strike from substitute Eder in extra time proving to be the only goal

over the course of 120 tension-fuelled minutes.

It sparked wild celebrations for manager Fernando Santos and his team, the party continuing both before the squad flew back to Portugal and on arrival into Lisbon. Once landing back home, Ronaldo and the rest of the Portugal squad boarded an open top bus as the party showed no signs of stopping.

For Ronaldo, lifting sil-

verware with his country was the icing on the cake of his already glittering career and the Real Madrid star was more than keen to show off his latest success.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner displayed the trophy to fans outside Portugal’s team hotel in Marcoussis on the outskirts of the French capital, clearly still delighted after an emotional evening.

Once aboard the plane,

Ronaldo posted a series of pictures to Instagram as both he and the squad continued their celebrations with the trophy.

The squad’s aircraft was even flanked by fighter jets as they made the short journey back home, with Joao Moutinho posting a video to his Instagram page.

On arrival into Lisbon, Portugal were welcomed by a stunning reception as they made their way off the plane

before embarking on an open-top bus parade.

The celebrations were the continuation of a party which is set to last for weeks and be celebrated by the whole country.

Ronaldo suffered a firsthalf knee injury in the final at the Stade de France after clashing with West Ham United’s Dmitri Payet and was forced from the field in tears after initially trying to carry on through the pain.

League club.

The Frenchman, who has one year remaining on his current deal with Arsenal, was linked by British media to replace Roy Hodgson after England’s Round of 16 exit against Iceland at the Euro 2016.

A three-man panel of the Football Association staff began the job of finding Hodgson’s successor last month.

“Could I manage England?

Why not? I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football,” Wenger told British media.

“I have one more year to go with Arsenal and I have been with them for a long time.

“I have always respected all my contracts and will continue to do that. What will I do after that? Honestly, I don’t know.

“England is my second country. I was absolutely on my knees when England went out against Iceland.”

Wenger, who led Arsenal to second in the league table last season, took over as manager in 1996 and has led them to a top-four finish in every season since.

England’s U-21 manager, Gareth Southgate, the bookmakers’ favourite to be the new England manager, was tipped to take over on a temporary basis, but is apparently not interested in the job.

According to local media, Sunderland manager, Sam Allardyce will be interviewed for the job this week while US head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann’s name is also doing the rounds.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 12/7/2016.