12th September 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,587 MONDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

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TribuneOnline

Nigerian Tribune

N150

TODAY'S SPECIAL

What to consider when choosing a school for your child

By Laolu Harolds

WITH so many schools offering different environments, teaching methods and philosophies, making the decision as to which one to put your child can be very challenging.

Yet, it is a vital step that may determine the success or otherwise of that child for life.

Psychologists have identified fundamental factors that should be considered in making that all-important choice

•Money Market —P18

– and the tuition charged is just one of many factors.

After all, it is possible to pay so much on a school and still not give your child the necessary head start in life.

So, what do you do as parents?

Understand your child Experts say that the first logical step in choosing the

•Entrepreneurship+ —P23

Continues pg10

•Leadership & Management —P19

We will get economy right soon —Buhari —P4,6,31

•Saraki, Dogara, govs, others salute Nigerians at Eid-el-Kabir

We wish our esteemed readers Happy Eid-el-Kabir

Foreign reserves down to $25bn •As Naira dips at alternative market segments —P12

Pilgrims on the plains of Arafat, on Sunday. PHOTO: SAHEED SALAWU.

Polio: FG to adopt new National Health Policy —P35

Falana to FG: Reject Swiss govt's condition on $321m Abacha loot —P32

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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news

Monday, 12 September, 2016

We will get the economy right —Buhari Leon Usigbe -Abuja

by the grace of God. He made this remark while saluting Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir,

pointing out that the present recession was the outcome of the worldwide economic downturn and failure of past administra-

tion.

In a message made available to the newmen in Abuja, on Sunday, he hailed the steadfastness of Nigerians,

Sunday, the party, in its own sallah message, reminded the president that it was only by having a competent team that he could solve the present economic woes of the country.

“Mr President, in his sallah message today, again blamed the present acute economic recession on the past administration and global economic downturn.

“Let Mr President and his Party, the APC, be reminded that it took a smart and experienced world-class economic team in 2010 to lead Nigerians through a cushioned global financial meltdown and beyond.

“It is, therefore, high time they stopped this unnecessary grumbling and concentrate on how to redeem our economy by providing good governance to the

people,” the party said.

The opposition party, under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi, felicitated with Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

It advised all Nigerians, especially the political and ruling class in the country, to emulate Father Abraham for his willingness and total obedience to the will of God by agreeing to sacrifice his only son.

P Get a smart economic team, PDP advises Buhari RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said we will get the economy right

Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari to get a smart economic team to revive the economy, rather than constantly complaining and blaming the past administration.

Responding to the assertion made by the president in his Sallah message on

in spite of the difficult economic times the country was going through.

He said: “The present recession is as a result of cumulative effects of worldwide economic downturn and failure in the past to plan and save for difficult times. It is impossible to separate the present from the past, to appreciate the extent to which mistakes of the past are affecting everyday life today.

“I assure you that this administration is working round the clock to remove the hardships the country is going through. Rail and road constructions, projects in the housing sector, support for farmers and for small and medium scale industries, youth and women’s empowerment

programmes, support for revival of industries are all designed to reinvigorate the economy and enhance living standards of ordinary people.

“We are getting security right. We are stopping corruption in its tracks and we will get the economy right by the Grace of God.” President Buhari noted that the lessons of the Eid were piety and sacrifice, which he said had been exhibited by the people in “equal measure.”

While wishing everyone happy holidays, he enjoined Muslims to live by the dictates of Islam, to keep good relationships with their Christian brothers and sisters and as patriots, maintain the spirit of the Nigerian nation.

Court Martial to decide fate of other Major-General over service discipline Chris Agbambu -Abuja

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, being received by supporters on arrival at a town hall meeting, held with his Kwara Central Senatorial District constituents in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday.

My trial, mere distraction — Saraki Biola Azeez -Ilorin

THE Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has described his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and others as mere distractions that will soon come to an end.

Speaking at a townhall meeting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Sunday, Dr Saraki said those distractions had started fizzling out.

“All the travails one is going through, for those people who believe in God, knows that all these are politics. All those are distractions not to allow us focus on issues. They always say that the truth will always prevail. The distrations are finding their ways.

“I want to assure you that throughout my eight years as governor of the state, the legacy that we left is there for people to see.

There is nobody after I left office that can say either there is any uncompleted

project or any contractor anywhere in Kwara State that can stand up and say I demanded for any gratification from him.

“I want to say that my business in government is to improve the lives of the people. If it is for myself and family, I don’t have to be in government,” he said.

The Senate President, who said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)led government had no excuse not to fix the ailing nation’s economy, adding that no responsible leader would abandon his followers in time of distress to alllow them wallow in suffering as being experienced with the current economic recession in the country.

He said members of the national economic team must buckle up and be ready to proffer solutions to the challenges confronting the economy, saying any of them not willing to offer personal sacrifice would have scores to settle with the Senate.

He, however, admonished Nigerians to exercise restraints with the ongoing efforts to find solution to the problems.

Saraki assured that the Senate, under his leadership, would not rest until the solution was found, declaring that “it is a challenge to fix the problems and improve the nation’s economy.

“We have no excuse not to fix Nigeria’s economy, but we need to be more patient on our agitation. It is important and of necessity to bring about solution.

There is no responsible leader that will allow his people to suffer just because the economy is not doing well.

“Until we find solution to Nigeria’s problems, we will not rest. It is a challenge to improve the nation’s economy and that is the primary reason people voted us into power. We can no longer engage in blame game, we are here to fix the problems. By the special

grace of the Almighty, we shall succeed,” Saraki said.

He expressed concern that Nigerians were in the habit of aiding the economy of other nations with unbridled patronage for foreign goods at the expense of the locally-made products.

The Senate President said the National Assembly had provided requisite legal frameworks to strengthen the campaign for patronage of made Nigerian goods.

Speaking on the renewed hostility in the Niger Delta, Saraki stated that only dialogue would stem the rising militancy.

Explaining that the ruins in the region had grounded crude oil production from 2.2 million barrels daily to 900,000 barrels, the Senate President maintained that engaging the concerned people in the area in talks would arrest the situation, adding that “the same method was used during Yar’Adua’s time and it worked.”

THE case involving the former Chief of Army, Transformation and Innovation Centre, MajorGeneral Ibrahim Sani, remained pending at the special court martial over offences bothering on Service Discipline.

President of the Court, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum, had inaugurated the court.

Air Vice Marshal Gbum named other members of the Special Court Martial as Air Vice Marshal Iya Abdullahi, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, Surgeon Rear Admiral Edwin Elechukwu and Colonel Saeed Musa, Judge Advocate.

Navy Captain Chris Anushiem was the Defence Counsel for Major-General

Ibrahim Sani, while Lieutenant-Colonel Ukpe Ukpe was the prosecution witness for the Nigerian Army.

Speaking shortly after the members of the special court were inaugurated, defence counsel, Navy Captain Anushiem drew the attention of the president of the court to the fact that his client, Major-General Sani was not served copies of the charge sheet spelling out the offences committed and the list of evidence or list of witnesses.

Air Vice Marshal Gbum subsequently directed the prosecution to provide the documents to the defence counsel not later than 24 hours before the arraignment of the senior officers.

The case has been adjourned for further hearing.

FG procures generators to lighten up bridges on federal roads Christian Okeke -Abuja THE Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, has commenced lightening up of bridges across the country using generators, jettisoning the hitherto solar system.

It said the action was part of the government’s efforts to ensure safety of lives on Nigerian roads.

Already, a pilot phase had been executed on Murtala Mohammed bridge in Lokoja, Kogi State, where two power generating sets with capacities of 60kv and 40kv were deployed with the aim of working alternatively between the hours of

7.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. on a daily basis.

The lightening ceremony was performed by officials of the ministry, led by the Deputy Director (Electrical and General Services), Mr Saka Odufuwa, according to a statement issued by the senior information officer at the ministry, Olusegun Ogunkayode.

He said the bridge had 44 electric poles and was a major link connecting the South-West with the northern parts of the country.

The information officer quoted Odufuwa as having said that the major reason for installing the light on the bridge was for safety purpose.

5

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

FLOUR MILLS OF NIGERIA PLC

Nigerian Tribune

POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER

05/09/2016

326.00

418,720.00

68

ADENAIKE IBIYEMI O

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

5,000.00

2

FLOUR MILLS OF NIGERIA PLC

POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER

05/09/2016

326.00

418,720.00

69

ADENEYE OLUKAYODE TAIWO

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

5,000.00

3

FLOUR MILLS OF NIGERIA PLC

12,000 METRIC TONS OF U.S. NO.2 OR BETTER SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT WITH MINIMUM PROTEIN OF 9.5 PERCENT IN BULK

05/09/2016

326.00

15,000.00

70

ODELEYE OLAYINKA

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

5,000.00

4

JEGEDE ABIODUN

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

05/09/2016

315.77

49,060.00

71

FARISON AUTO CO LTD

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

5,000.00

5

ADEKUNLE

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

05/09/2016

306.50

13,317.00

72

ODOZIM M MARGARET

SETTLEMENT OF MEDICAL BILL

09/09/2016

345.56

3,180.97

6

ADEOSUN ADEKUNLE

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

05/09/2016

306.50

11,020.00

73

AYEBIWO OLUWASEUN (CAD3000)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

318.69

2,588.76

7

AKWAZIE BRIDGET TAIWO

PAYMENT OPF SCHOOL FEES

05/09/2016

345.56

6,388.04

74

NWUBA ROSEANGELA IFEYINWA

ACCOMODATION FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

2,220.00

8

ADEOYE GBEMISOLA MARGARE (GBP6,027)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

05/09/2016

315.77

7,935.73

75

ODOZI M MARGARET"

SETTLEMENT OF MEDICAL BILL

09/09/2016

331.00

2,142.16

9

AKWAZIE BRIDGET TAIWO

PAYMENT OPF SCHOOL FEES

05/09/2016

345.36

6,006.14

76

EDWARD OGUNMEKAN

PTA

09/09/2016

309.00

4,000.00

10

HONEYDROP CO. LTD (GBP3,069.89)

MORTGAGE REPAYMENT

05/09/2016

311.39

4,042.11

77

BASSEY ANIETIE ENEBONG

PTA

09/09/2016

309.00

3,000.00

11

OJEHONMON PAUL OYAKHIRE (EUR2,315.28)

LIVING EXPENSES

05/09/2016

346.35

2,557.27

78

AJAYI MODUPE OLUFUNMILAYO

PTA

09/09/2016

309.00

4,000.00

12

OJEHONMON PAUL OYAKHIRE (EUR1,684.72)

LIVING EXPENSES

05/09/2016

315.77

1,860.80

79

ELIZABETH NANYI AKIGA-GUSAH

PTA

09/09/2016

309.00

4,000.00

13

ABISOLA KOLAWOLE OLALEKAN

EXAM FEE

05/09/2016

315.77

375.00

80

AJANI SAMUEL OLUKUNLE

PTA

09/09/2016

309.00

1,500.00

14

KAYLAN BDC

BDC SALES

05/09/2016

345.56

6,206.82

81

AZUBUIKE ONYEBUCHI

PTA

09/09/2016

309.00

2,000.00

15

KAYLAN BDC

BDC SALES

05/09/2016

345.56

6,712.76

16

KAYLAN BDC

BDC SALES

05/09/2016

345.56

9,623.55

17

KAYLAN BDC

BDC SALES

05/09/2016

345.56

3,071.15

18

KAYLAN BDC

BDC SALES

05/09/2016

345.56

10,822.54

1

OTHER SOURCES 1

05/09/2016

357.54

6,751.84

19

KAYLAN BDC

BDC SALES

05/09/2016

345.56

745.70

2

OTHER SOURCES 2

05/09/2016

332.86

6,388.04

20

UGBE NKOYO

PTA

05/09/2016

306.50

2,000.00

3

OTHER SOURCES 3

05/09/2016

314.50

5,042.93

21

ADEPONLE FOLASHADE MODUPE

PTA

05/09/2016

306.50

4,000.00

4

OTHER SOURCES 4

05/09/2016

311.39

158.00

22

OLABISI EBENEZER AKINTOLA OLASEINDE

PTA

05/09/2016

306.50

4,000.00

5

OTHER SOURCES 5

05/09/2016

300.00

88.50

23

CHIGBO CHRISTIE CHINYERE

PTA

05/09/2016

306.50

2,000.00

6

OTHER SOURCES 6

05/09/2016

300.00

11,005.07

24

CARDOSO OMOLOLA

ESTA CODE

05/09/2016

315.77

4,546.20

7

OTHER SOURCES 7

05/09/2016

300.00

476.15

25

MBULU JOSEPH CHIEDU

ESTA CODE

05/09/2016

315.77

1,400.00

8

OTHER SOURCES 8

05/09/2016

312.35

530.17

26

FLOUR MILLS OF NIGERIA PLC

396 METRIC TONS OF POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER IN GRANULAR FORM OF RAFFIA GRADE HLR 102

06/09/2016

326.00

418,720.00

9

OTHER SOURCES 9

05/09/2016

311.39

526.68

27

DARAJU INDUSTRIES LTD

MACHINERY FOR CRUTCHER

06/09/2016

306.50

60,000.00

10

OTHER SOURCES 10

05/09/2016

311.39

950.29

28

EZEKA EZINWA CHINYERE

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

06/09/2016

315.20

7,600.00

11

OTHER SOURCES 11

05/09/2016

320.00

1,855.39

29

KEMABONTA KEHINDE ABIKE

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

06/09/2016

315.20

5,000.00

12

OTHER SOURCES 12

05/09/2016

320.00

626.77

30

ADESIDA BINTA (GBP1500)

LIVING EXPENSES

06/09/2016

349.63

1,994.98

13

OTHER SOURCES 13

05/09/2016

320.00

1,056.75

31

FLOUR MILLS

12,000 METRIC TONS OF U.S. NO.2 OR BETTER SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT WITH MINIMUM PROTEIN OF 9.5 PERCENT IN BULK

07/09/2016

326.00

148,160.00

14

OTHER SOURCES 14

06/09/2016

308.27

266.00

32

FLOUR MILLS NIG

BETTER US DURUM WHEAT WITH MINIMUM PROTEIN

07/09/2016

326.00

2,260,000.00

15

OTHER SOURCES 15

07/09/2016

355.01

13,445.39

33

FLOUR MILLS NIG

BETTER HARD RED WINTER

07/09/2016

326.00

91,840.00

16

OTHER SOURCES 16

07/09/2016

335.65

37,705.23

34

GABRIEL AJILORE (CAD5000)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

07/09/2016

268.88

3,850.60

17

OTHER SOURCES 17

07/09/2016

360.80

11,781.36

35

IBEZIM UZOMA PRINCEWILL (GBP5000)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

07/09/2016

344.12

6,717.00

18

OTHER SOURCES 18

07/09/2016

364.16

1,120.18

36

ADIGUN ADERINSOLA

LIVING EXPENSES

07/09/2016

302.00

4,000.00

19

OTHER SOURCES 19

07/09/2016

360.57

34,611.56

37

UNION BANK LDN/010902-EUR

SWIFT CHARGE

07/09/2016

346.00

1,420.65

20

OTHER SOURCES 20

07/09/2016

173.94

1,977.80

38

EKWONNAH GODWIN NNANNA

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

07/09/2016

345.56

1,135.93

21

OTHER SOURCES 21

07/09/2016

325.00

2,500,000.00

39

SHAMANG TAKAI AGANG KALAT (EUR1035.18)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

07/09/2016

346.00

1,162.71

22

OTHER SOURCES 22

07/09/2016

314.92

7,275,000.00

40

EKWONNAH GODWIN NNANNA

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

07/09/2016

345.56

445.39

23

OTHER SOURCES 23

07/09/2016

300.00

1,117.50

41

PA BELL BDC

BDC SALES

07/09/2016

345.56

37,638.86

24

OTHER SOURCES 24

07/09/2016

300.00

6,936.26

42

BAMIGBOYE FOLAKE KEHINDE

PTA

07/09/2016

345.56

2,000.00

25

OTHER SOURCES 25

07/09/2016

307.16

2,583.36

43

AARON OLUWABUSOLA ADENIKE

PTA

07/09/2016

345.56

4,000.00

26

OTHER SOURCES 26

07/09/2016

313.79

653.30

44

ONAFOWOKAN OTUNBA SOLOMON KAYODE

PTA

07/09/2016

345.56

2,000.00

27

OTHER SOURCES 27

07/09/2016

313.79

5,874.19

45

EZIKPE ERESI NNENNA

PTA

07/09/2016

345.56

1,000.00

28

OTHER SOURCES 28

07/09/2016

330.00

297.76

46

THORPE YEWANDE ADEKEMI

PTA

07/09/2016

345.56

4,000.00

29

OTHER SOURCES 29

07/09/2016

330.00

1,417.64

47

OGUNGBEMILE ADEMOLA

PTA

07/09/2016

302.00

4,000.00

30

OTHER SOURCES 30

08/09/2016

334.23

4,475.38

48

OGUNGBEMILE OYINKAN OLOLADE ATINUKE

PTA

07/09/2016

309.00

4,000.00

31

OTHER SOURCES 31

08/09/2016

337.49

1,535.18

49

SONUBI SOMUYIWA ADEDEJI

ESTACODE

07/09/2016

315.92

570.00

32

OTHER SOURCES 32

08/09/2016

337.63

3,193.13

50

TAURUS OIL N GAS

30000 METRICS TONS OF PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT

08/09/2016

315.42

7,275,000.00

33

OTHER SOURCES 33

08/09/2016

283.00

1,900.00

51

TADECO INDUSTRIAL ENT.LTD(ADEKOYA TAJUDEEN)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

08/09/2016

315.35

5,000.00

34

OTHER SOURCES 34

08/09/2016

282.50

1,534.06

52

TADECO INDUSTRIAL ENT.LTD(ADEKOYA TAJUDEEN)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

08/09/2016

315.35

4,950.00

35

OTHER SOURCES 35

08/09/2016

199.50

4,950.00

53

D-CONNECTA SERVICES LTD(DENNIS ALE)

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

08/09/2016

302.00

4,497.06

36

OTHER SOURCES 36

08/09/2016

282.50

9,750.00

54

FABUNMI AKINWALE

MORTGAGE REPAYMENT

08/09/2016

315.35

3,858.90

37

OTHER SOURCES 37

08/09/2016

300.00

6,240.36

55

TESHOMA AMELIA ONWUKA

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

08/09/2016

302.00

2,243.30

38

OTHER SOURCES 38

08/09/2016

300.00

500.00

56

HR BDC

BDC SALES

08/09/2016

345.56

37,775.91

39

OTHER SOURCES 39

08/09/2016

306.97

505.76

57

AKINYEMI SANDRA OVUO

PTA

08/09/2016

315.35

1,699.08

40

OTHER SOURCES 40

08/09/2016

307.14

100.12

58

KADIRI ISMAILA ALI

PTA

08/09/2016

315.35

4,000.00

41

OTHER SOURCES 41

08/09/2016

330.00

314.29

59

AKINYEMI SANDRA OVUO

PTA

08/09/2016

345.56

2,300.92

42

OTHER SOURCES 42

09/09/2016

325.00

666,400.00

60

CRESCENTDEEN BDC

BDC SALES

09/09/2016

345.56

3,193.13

43

OTHER SOURCES 43

09/09/2016

307.97

665.65

61

CRESCENTDEEN BDC

BDC SALES

09/09/2016

345.56

5,862.56

44

OTHER SOURCES 44

09/09/2016

336.87

6,666.89

62

CRESCENTDEEN BDC

BDC SALES

09/09/2016

345.56

3,485.92

45

OTHER SOURCES 45

09/09/2016

371.61

194.42

63

CRESCENTDEEN BDC

BDC SALES

09/09/2016

345.56

194.42

46

OTHER SOURCES 46

09/09/2016

333.28

5,862.56

64

CRESCENTDEEN BDC

BDC SALES

09/09/2016

345.56

2,174.46

47

OTHER SOURCES 47

09/09/2016

330.00

2,142.16

65

CRESCENTDEEN BDC

BDC SALES

09/09/2016

345.56

1,535.18

48

OTHER SOURCES 48

09/09/2016

300.00

1,457.76

66

ADEYEMI KENNETH SOLA

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

10,000.00

49

OTHER SOURCES 49

09/09/2016

300.00

749.00

67

KENGOLSEN ONYINYE

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

09/09/2016

309.00

6,226.00

50

OTHER SOURCES 50

09/09/2016

310.48

73.27

6

sallahmessages

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Pray for peace, economic recovery —Saraki Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

T

HE President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Sunday, felicitated with Muslim faithful in the country as they celebrate the Eidel-Kabir and urged them to pray for peace and accelerated recovery of the nation’s economy.

Saraki in his Sallah message, signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and committed to the cause of

one united and developed country.

He observed that despite the current economic challenges, the country and its people have all that is re-

Taiwo Adisa - Abuja THE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has urged all stakeholders to keep every finger on the deck in trying to salvage the nation from the emerging economic challenges.

rians to be their brothers’ keepers.

Ekweremadu, in a sallah message made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday, said that the nation needs prayers and the concerted efforts of all Nigerians in the economic recovery task.

He enjoined the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir to pray for the nation’s quick recovery from her current economic recession, expressing confidence that Nigerians, working together, could heal the nation’s economy.

The Deputy Senate Presi-

dent, however, insisted that prayers would not be enough to see the country out of the

NATIONAL leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has called for spirit of sacrifice among Nigerians, saying it will guide in our

THE governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged the country’s Muslim community to imbibe the spirit of togetherness, peaceful co-existence and love towards one another as exemplified by Holy Prophet Muhammed.

He also called for fervent prayers for pilgrims to the Holy Land, as they proceeded to Mount Arafat for prayers on Sunday, to have a hitch-free session and

return to their respective countries in good health.

In his congratulatory message to the Islamic adherents on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, the governor said that only in an atmosphere of peace and love could the people thrive and attain their potential.

A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, add-

made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, on Sunday, also urged all Muslims in Ekiti to ensure that they adhere to these te-

nets of the peaceful religion Islam and live in peace with one another, regarding everyone that come their way as brothers and sisters.

woods, adding that Islam as a religion advocates both work and prayer.

Bello charges Nigerians to pray for Nigeria Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja AS Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Sunday, called on Nigerians to pray for the nation and be prepared to sacrifice for her greatness.

Pray for pilgrims’ safe return —Ajimobi

Let’s persevere, tolerate one another and pray for govt —Fayose GOVERNOR of Ekiti State, Dr Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated Muslims in Ekiti, Nigeria and the world at large and indeed all Nigerians of different faiths on the celebration of yet another Eid-el-Kabir sheduled for Monday and Tuesday, urging all to adhere to the tenets of peace being preached by the Islamic faith which he said are that of perseverance, tolerance, peace and love for one another.

Citing the Holy Quran: 2, 208, which says: “O you who believe enter absolutely into peace (Islam); do not follow in the footsteps of Satan, he is an outright enemy to you.”

Fayose said the word Islam itself is derived from the word meaning “peace” in Arabic.

And that Islam is a religion revealed to mankind with the intention of presenting a peaceful life where the infinite compassion and mercy of God manifest on earth.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi,

adding that the significance of the Eid-el-Kabir festival is to celebrate the true love and grace of Almighty Allah to mankind through sacrifice, devotion and faith.

Nigeria not beyond redemption —Ekweremadu

Reflect on nation’s challenges —Okowa DELTA State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged Muslims in the country to reflect on the various challenges facing the nation with a view to collaborating with the government to surmount the problems.

Besides, he said that the challenges require the cooperation of all to achieve meaningful progress and development in the country.

The governor, who stated this in a goodwill message issued in Asaba, by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, to mark this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, stressed the need for Nige-

quired to come out better and stronger.

He called on all Nigerians to live in harmony with one another irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation,

Spirit of Eid must guide us in our quest for better society —Senator Bola Tinubu

ed that the country needed these attributes to achieve the desired greatness.

The governor, who gave the charge in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, said the nation is going through an invaluable opportunity to think out of the box to rebound the nation to greatness.

According to the governor, no nation could grow without selfless sacrifices from her citizens, saying, the season is an example of extraordinary affinity to Allah for breakthrough and progress.

Imbibe values of sacrifice, endurance —Ambode Bola Badmus - Lagos LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has called on Muslims in the country to imbibe the values of sacrifice and endurance as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Governor Ambode made the call on Sunday, in his Sallah message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, saying the period of the celebration was one that called for every

Muslim and other Nigerians to embrace the tenets of sacrifice, patience, humility and brotherly love.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her place in the comity of nations,” Governor Ambode said.

quest for a better society.

Tinubu, in his sallah message, said: “This spirit of sacrifice and unselfish giving that defines this celebration must guide us all in the way we relate to others and in our quest for a better society. Through sacrifice and a heart and hand of charity we can lift up many who will in turn become better tools for the socio-economic rejuvenation we so desire.

“We must see our current economic situation as a passing phase. We shall overcome. Our faith summons us to have faith, but also to work so that things can get better.”

Ugwuanyi calls for prayers, peaceful co-existence Jude Ossai - Enugu

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to take advantage of the period of Eid-el-Kabir to offer special prayers for the peace and unity of the country.

Ugwuanyi, in a message to Muslims, on Sunday, noted that it was only through prayers and absolute faith in God that Nigeria can overcome her current sociocultural and economic challenges.

The governor harped on the need for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, irrespective of their religious and ethnic differences, adding that the God, who brought us together as one entity, will certainly take the nation to the dreams of our founding fathers.

Aregbesola preaches selflessness in service; felicitates with Muslims Oluwole Ige - Osogbo OSUN State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, on Sunday, charged Nigerians to be selfless in the discharge of their duties, as he joined others leaders in issuing

goodwill messages to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-kabir festival.

He said selflessness helps to build a nation, saying that when the welfare of the people is most paramount, it leads to the emergence of

Gov Bello calls for sacrifice, prayers Adelowo Oladipo - Minna NIGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, on Sunday, raised hope of a better tomorrow for the country after the on-going recession, insisting that tough time won’t last forever.

He expressed optimism that with a little more sacrifice and prayers, the country’s testimony shall be like Prophet Ibrahim who

reaped the reward of sacrifice by divine supply in the place of his son.

The governor, in his Eidel-kabir message, made available to journalists in Minna, urged Nigerians, especially Nigerlites, to gird their loins and bear the pains with a view to cashing on some hitherto hidden advantages of recession, with the intention to overcoming this critical period.

a society with peace, equality and growth.

In a statement signed by his director, Bureau of

Communication and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said commitment, perseverance and

prayer were the key ingredients needed as the country passes through its worst trial moments.

Al-makura preaches love, tolerance Godwin Agwam - Lafia NASARAWA State governor, Umaru Al-makura, has called on Muslim Ummah to always be guided by the attributes and lessons from the life and times of Holy Prophet Mo-

hammed, which symbolises piety, peace, love, tolerance and good neighbourliness.

The governor, who made the call through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur, said Nigeria would easily achieve

its potentials if the citizenry strive to achieve peace, security and stability.

He also, urged the Muslim community in the country to be worthy ambassadors of the faith and pray for the progress of the nation.

Emulate ideals exemplified by Prophet Mohammed —Wike RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, has felicitated with Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, urging them to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of

sacrifice exemplified by the Prophet.

In a Sallah message issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant to the Rivers State governor on Electronic Media, Governor Wike said Eid-el-Kabir is

a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.

He urged all Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance which will promote peace across the country and enhance national development.

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Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Transport fares increase as residents celebrate Sallah Akin Adewakun

People living under bridge at Ebutte Ero. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

10 narrowly escape death as bus somersaults on Third Mainland bridge Gbemi Solaja - Lagos

W

HAT could have been a huge Sallah tragedy was averted in Lagos, on Sunday, as 10 people narrowly escaped death as the commercial bus they were travelling in somersaulted and landed on another car on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The bus, with registration number, FST-668XR, was said to be on top speed when it ran into a car leaving 10 passengers serevely injured.

The bus was going on the mainland bridge inwards Iyana Oworo when it collided with a BMW car with registration number, KRD-294CN. Although there was no loss of life, some injured victims were treated at the scene while others were rushed to the trauma centre by LASAMBUS.

According to the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, (LASEMA), Mr Michael Akindele, the agency responded promptly

after it received an alert via an emergency number intimating it of an accident on the third mainland bridge.

The Agency's Emergency

Response Team, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, Police and the State Fire Service, he added, were able to promptly clear off the vehicles to allow for

Chukwuma Okparaocha

the fever, whose vector has been revealed to be rats and mice.

But, in a bid to ensure that the state does not record a recurrence of the disease, the sole administrator, Coker Aguda Development Area, Honourable Temitope Yusuf, appealed to all residents in the state to keep their environment clean, in order to be free from both Lassa and malaria fevers, two diseases that are generally known to thrive in unkempt surroundings.

He made the appeal

last week, at the LCDA Secretariat, during an awareness campaign he initiated to sensitise residents of Aguda on the prevention and control of Lassa fever.

Yusuf, who described the campaign as the first of its kind in Lagos, said keeping a good environment and not exposing food items to rats’ invasion would save people from being affected by the diseases.

He again reminded

vehicular movement.

The LASEMA boss, however, advised motorists to avoid over speeding, especially during this festive period.

Lassa: Residents warned against proliferation of rats due to unkempt surroundings THE resurgence of Lassa fever in some parts of the country has begun to set Lagos residents on their toes, as residents have been warned to desist from building an environment that will be conducive for rats to thrive.

Lagos, it will be recalled, had its own fair share of the dreaded disease as a hospital in Agbado suburb area of the state was temporarily shut down after a patient in the hospital reportedly succumbed to

residents of the fact that that the urine and saliva of rats could cause Lassa fever, while also stressing that ridding one’s environment of mosquitoes was the best way of eradicating malaria.

He, therefore, advised Nigerians not to allow stagnant water to exist in their environment. He also appealed to people to always keep their gutters and drainages clean at all times.

IT was a tale of high cost of transport fares and traffic gridlocks in Lagos, as residents prepared for the Sallah celebration.

Some of the residents of the metropolis, who spoke with Lagos Metro, complained about their inability to move freely within the city in the last three days, a development, they argued, had also led to high cost of transport in the state.

Hitherto, the city had been experiencing unusual calm in the area of traffic gridlock, as movements around the city had been relatively free.

"I was on my way to Lekki from Iyana Iba on Friday. I left home around 3.00pm, but never got to Lekki until 8.00pm. It was that terrible.

The appointment I was supposed to attend for 5pm in the evening at Lekki was missed,' he lamented.

Another resident, Mr Olaniyi Oluwatoyin, explained to Lagos Metro that it took him close to five hours to make a journey between Egbeda and Sango, a journey that normally should not have been more than one and a half hours.

Another resident of the city, Mr Azeez Olanrewaju, stated that it took him more than three hours between Berger Bus Stop and Mountain of Fire, on his way to Ibadan from Lagos, on Sunday.

Meanwhile,transport fares within and outside the city are aiming for the roof as of press time.

Driver, aide allegedly burgle employer's house, steal N53m Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A driver and an aide have been accused of stealing jewelry and cash worth N53 million from his employer.

The driver, Michael (Surname withheld) and his aide, Oyinfoladara, allegedly committed the offences on May 23 at 29B, Tokunbo Macaulay Street, Magodo Phase 1.

They allegedly stole

their employer’s gold and diamond jewellery worth N40 million, $50,000 (about N10 million) and N3 million cash, all amounting to N53million.

It was gathered that when the owner of the property (name withheld), a female, got home on the day of the incident, she discovered that her apartment had been raided and she immediately reported the matter to the

police.

During investigation, it was discovered that the accused also abducted one Elizabeth to an unknown destination.

They were arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court where they both pleaded not guilty and the presiding magistrate, P.A Ojo, granted them bail in the sum of N2.5 million and adjourned the matter till October 17.

Members of Concerned Federal Pensioners, Know Your Right Initiative; Activist For Good Governance and Women Arise Initiative For Change, during a peaceful protest to mark Comrade Declan Ihekaire's 48th birthday in Agege, at the weekend. PHOTO: OVADJE ELLIOT

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news

Monday, 12 September, 2016

‘Recession, opportunity to move from underdeveloped to developed nation’

By Wale Akinselure

R

ESOURCE persons have urged the Federal Government to come up with policies that encourage local inclusion, local production, productivity, hard work and creativity, describing the current recession as an opportunity for the country to move from under development to development.

The resource persons advanced this position while speaking on “Ensuring Sustainable Production And Consumption Patterns: Policy Implications,” at the 2016 Founder’s Day celebration of Development Policy Centre (DPC), Ibadan, on Friday.

In her remarks, Chairman, DPC Board of Trustees, Professor Bimpe Aboyade, averred the need for the nation to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the nation to witness economic development.

One of the discussants, Professor Samuel Olofin of the University of Ibadan, decried the nation’s import-driven economy and

focus on exportation of natural resources, while describing them as the bane of sustainable development in the country.

He described statements by government officials on timeline for an end to the current recession as based on hope rather than grounded on real policies that would engender sustainable development.

Similarly, Professor Olufemi Ajayi of Obafemi Awolowo University decried the decreasing value of the naira against foreign currencies and crave for dollars by Nigerians due to huge reliance on imported goods and labour.

Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, Dr Tunji Olaopa, posited that a “cabal” benefitted from importation and hence stifled the growth of the industrial base of the nation’s economy.

He derided the country’s focus on crude oil despite its comparative advantage in cocoa production, cassava production, agriculture and agro-processing, textiles and garment.

Termed focus on “Made in Nigeria,” Olaopa canvassed for locally-generated production and consumption pattern, wondering why the nation imported what it could produce.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, represented by the Asoya of Ile Isoya, Oba Adebanjo Adedeni, called on Nigerians to imbibe love among one another for the nation to witness real development.

Contributing, a chieftain of pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, called for intellectualism in governance to bring about the implementation of impactful policies in the polity.

The list of resource persons who contributed to the discourse included Brigadier General Oluwole Rotimi (retd); General Alani Akinrinade; Chief Folanke Solanke; Professor Bolanle Awe; Professor Johnson Ekpere; Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Tunde Adeniran and a former Editor in Chief of Nigerian Tribune, Mr Felix Adenaike.

END OF SESSION TALENT SHOW OF REDEEMER’S AMBASSADORS SCHOOL, OPPOSITE ZARTECH, OLUYOLE ESTATE, IBADAN

1

2

3

4 1. Pupils cultural Dance performance.

2. Ballet Dance performance by the pupils.

3. Nursery 2 pupils dressing up for school.

4. Free-style opening performance by the pupils.

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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news

Monday, 12 September, 2016

What to consider when choosing a school for your child Continued from front page

right school for your child is to determine what type of student he is and what environment he will most likely succeed in.

“Before thinking about the features of any particular school, begin by looking at your child’s needs, strengths and overall personality,” says educational consultant, Judy Winberg.

Since your child is like no other, she says it would be advisable to first understand his unique capabilities, wants, needs and motives, and spend some time figuring out the kind of environment in which he can learn the best.

Parents may also need to consider the child’s interests and talents and what cocurricular activities are available in that potential school to address these; the values (religious or otherwise) of the school and how they mesh with the family’s values; and the educational tools (e.g., technology) that are used in the classroom.

Evaluate the schools Parents are advised to look at specific schools to see what they have to offer. They could also speak with fellow parents about their impression of the schools, though what other parents say about a school may not necessarily be one of the deciding factors.

Visit potential schools According to Winberg, touring the school you are considering putting your child in is not out of place.

“When you’re inside the school, look into the classrooms to see if the kids look engaged. Are they talking with one another, or is the teacher sitting behind the desk while the kids works?” Winberg says.

Other questions to ask during the tour, she says, include what type of parentteacher communication exists at the school, what qualifications the teachers have, how financially stable the school is, and if there has been consistent leadership at the school.

Ask questions Since your child will be spending five days a week here, you want to be sure you understand the philosophy and the policies before you make a choice.

A Counselling Psychologist at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mrs Emily Oluyemisi Adeniji, identified the following factors as essential in deciding the school you put your child, if optimum performance is your target: Location The distance of the school to your house needs to be considered, says Adeniji.

“You need to ask yourself whether the school will be good as boarding or day school. Are you going to be taking your ward to school, or will he take the school bus or public transport?”

But more importantly, she says the location of the school should be considered in terms of where it is situated. Is it located close to a market, industrial estate, beside a major road with/without road signs, near a river/beach and many other factors that are considered to be distracters?

It is not a good idea to consider putting a child in a school that is located in an environment that can impede high academic performance or even endanger life.

Class size Congested or overcrowded classrooms do not promote effective learning, as teachers will find it difficult managing such classes.

Mrs Adeniji says there will be increase in indiscipline among such students and aca-

demic achievement will suffer.

Personnel/staffing She also says it is worthwhile to know the qualitative and quantitative levels of teachers employed in the school you are choosing. There are instances where school managements, due to inadequacy of requisite personnel, ask teachers to combine related subjects but ones in which they have no requisite expertise – just to maximize profit.

School facilities Parents are also advised to pay attention to available facilities in the potential schools their children will attend. These include laboratories, instructional materials, computer rooms with computers, sport facilities and so on – things that are required in developing the three domains of learning (cognitive, affective and psycho-motor) of your wards.

Tuition And of course, parents are advised to consider the affordability of a proposed school.

There should be no rat race.

“Do not compel yourself to send your wards to the same school that your friend’s ward attends. This could be dangerous and tantamount to waste of precious time of your ward, who may drop out when sent out of school for non-payment of school fee.”

Past records Adeniji also believes that parents need to ask questions about the past record of the proposed school in both internal and external examinations; and if the school is a centre of excellence in both moral and academic performance.

Guidance and Counseling There is also a compelling need to find out if there are provisions for guidance and counseling programmes in the school.

Adeniji says: “It is very important to consider a school with functional counselling services as incorporated in the National Policy on Education (1977, 1981 and 1988).”

The right fit… or not?

So, your child is already in school? How do you know you found the right fit for him/ her? Psychologists do not leave parents without help still. They suggest the tell-tale signs that show that parents have either made the right choice – or not.

Signs that a school setting fits your child Your child is eager to go to school.

He\she acts energised and happy at the end of the school day.

You see tremendous progress in your child’s overall development – academic, physical, social and emotional – throughout each school year.

Your child feels that his\her abilities and interests are appreciated at school.

Your child has friends and acquaintances who like and accept him at school.

Signs that may signpost a wrong (or potentially wrong) choice of school for your child Well into the school year, your child is hesitant, or even adamantly opposed to going to school.

Your child is not just tired, but worn down and unhappy at the end of most school days.

He/she has made little progress (academically, socially, emotionally or physically) in the past year.

Your child often says “school is boring.”

Your child expresses little interest in what she’s learning at school.

Your child often says that teachers or other kids do not understand her or do not like her.

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Nigerian Tribune

12

businessnews

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Forex reserves down to $25bn, as naira dips at alternative market segments Chima Nwokojji-Lagos

D

ESPITE recording an inflow of $595 million into the country’s foreign exchange(forex) reserves in just 72 hours as confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria’s forex reserves declined week-on week by 0.84 per cent to US$25.20 billion as at Wednesday, 07 September 2016.

The decline in reserves was in spite of a week-onweek (w-o-w) increase in global crude oil prices, especially Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC’s) reference basket price which appreciated by 6.21 per cent to US$44.61/barrel as at Thursday, 08 September.

According to CBN data, a total amount of $594,862,612 flowed into the foreign reserves between August 24, and August 29, three trading days; pushing the reserves from an 11-year low of $25,600,746,725 on Wednesday to a monthlyhigh of $26,195,609,337 on Monday.

Nigeria has been battling low oil prices, which had seen its foreign exchange receipt fall from about $4 billion a month to less than $500 million per month.

Similarly,as currency dealers predicted penultimate week, the Naira depreciated at the alternative market segments amid sustained pressure on foreign exchange supply in the just concluded week At the parallel market, the Naira traded between

N423.00/US$1.00 and N425.00/US$1.00 from Monday to Thursday before eventually closing the week at N424.00/US$1.00 on Friday.

Activity level at the interbank market waned compared to the week before last as the naira/ dollar spot rate traded at

a tight band of N314.20/ US$1.00 and N314.92/ US$1.00 between Monday and midweek, appreciated to N308.00/US$1.00 on Thursday and finally depreciated 0.8 per cent to settle at N310.64 to a dollar on Friday.

The Naira/USD exchange rate depreciated at

THE Federal Government has mandated the Singaporean firm, Pacific International Line (PIL) to come up with a Business plan that will ensure the survival of the proposed new National Shipping Line. This is even as shippers and ship-owners have disagreed over the viability of the proposed new national shipping line.

Speaking over the weekend at the inaugural Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference held in Lagos, a member of the entourage to Singapore and Managing Director, Ceo Starz Group, Engineer Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun explained that PIL will take 40 percent of the business venture while the remaining 60 percent will be taking over by Nigerians.

most street traders closed their businesses and traveled for the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

One dealer said, “This week, we expect sustenance of the bear pressure on the Naira particularly at the parallel market as greenback inflows remain weak.”

Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro representing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (right), presenting the CEO of the Year and the Bank of the Year award to Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe (left), during the Business day 2016 Banking Award held at Eko Hotel on Friday, in Lagos. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

BVN: 23.2m individual bank accounts not linked Chima Nwokojji-Lagos

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has disclosed that the number of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) linked to customers’ accounts as at August 23, this year was 36.7 million while the total number of individual customers in the banks was reported as 59.9 million

as at the same date.

The above disclosure quickly exposes the fact that 10 Months after deadline for registration, a total of 23.2 million out of 59.9 million accounts belonging to individual customers in the banks are yet to be linked to a BVN. CBN Director, Banking and Payment Systems De-

Singapore to develop business plan for Nigeria’s national shipping line Tola Adenubi-lagos

the Bureau De Change and parallel market by 0.72per cent and 0.12per cent to N418/USD and N424/ USD respectively.

Some currency dealers believe that the Naira will experience more pressure this week as the interbank money market remained closed till Wednesday and

According to him, “The PIL will own 40 percent stake while Nigerian private sector players will own the remaining 60 percent stake. Under the MoU signed in Singapore, PIL has been mandated to develop a business case for this brilliant initiative.

“After PIL develops the business case, it will be presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria for review and subsequent adoption.

“The proposed shipping line will delve into Bulk, liquid and general Cargoes operations. So it will not be limited to one aspect of maritime business. We are also looking at future agricultural exports being done by this shipping line.”

Meanwhile, Shippers and Ship-Owners have expressed divergent opinions on the fate of the proposed

national shipping line.

Also speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Jonathan Nicol expressed lack of confidence in a national shipping line due to somersaulting government policies.

partment, ‘Dipo Fatokun said the Bank is working out regulatory framework that would enable it to either blacklist fraudulent bank customers, or at least, place them on watchlist across the banking industry.

Fatokun who disclosed this over the weekend at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Bi-Monthly Forum hosted by the apex bank in Lagos, said such feat can only be achieved with the help of the Bank Verification Number.

He explained that the BVN involves capturing of customers’ physiological or behavioral attributes – fingerprint, signature among others which is coordinated by the CBN and banks in collaboration with the

Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS).

Data from the CBN showed that although efraud rate in terms of value dropped by 63 per cent last year, after the BVN introduction and improved collaboration among banks via the fraud desks, the total fraud volume rose significantly by 683 per cent within the year compared to 2014 figures.

“Any bank customer resident in Nigeria without a BVN would be deemed to have inadequate KYC. Effort is on-going to ensure that customers of Other Financial Institutions (OFIs) such as Microfinance Banks (MFBs) & Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) are brought into the system through their BVNs,” he said.

IBEDC launches new billing system THE management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has launched a new billing system that is “geared towards meeting the expectations of its valued customers across the franchise.”

The company said the billing system, tagged EMS -Electricity Management System, provides an online real time payment platform that enables customers to make payments of their electricity bills at

any IBEDC designated payment center and service hub across the IBEDC franchise coverage area.

The new billing platform also features a customer relations management system that seamlessly integrates with IBEDC’s call centers for superior customer service delivery. Apart from offering a one-stop billing platform with robust content, the upgraded bill form comes in a new and attractive A4

paper format, containing comprehensive customer information, detailed energy bill breakdown and summary, energy consumption trend analysis, as well as NERC’s contact address and contact phone numbers.

Customer bills will now be made available through SMS and an e-mail, ensuring that billing information is made available in a convenient and secure manner, the company added.

BEDC wins Africa quality achievement, 9ja safety awards

BENIN Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) bagged two awards: African Quality Achievement Award as the Most Innovative Power Distribution Company in Africa in 2016 and the 9ja Safe Merit award respectively, in recognition of its ‘excellent commitment to quality improvement in electricity supply across the network and for actively promoting health, safety and environment as cornerstone of business performance.’

The African Quality Achievement Award (AQAA) according to a statement from the DISCO is an annual event initiated at celebrating leadership innovation and creativity in quality management in Africa.

The quality award for instance, is aimed at identifying, recognizing and rewarding companies, personalities and products that apply quality culture and quality management best practices to the analysis, planning and implementation and control of policies designed to achieve corporate objectives in both profit and non-profit making organizations in Africa.

According to the organisers of the award, the criteria used in selecting nominees included compliance, reliability, quality awareness drive, ethical standard and policies, service delivery, resilience, value and operational excellence.

The BEDC said the awards reflected series of efforts put in place by the company to boost access to electricity and improved services to customers in its franchise, in addition to pushing safety both at the workplace and on the network including occupational health, safety and environment initiatives.

The company’s initiatives in this regard include procurement of personal protective wears, distribution substations fencing, and safety jingles.

As part of the process to improve quality of power supply, the company has commenced the installation and activation of approximately 2000 transformers across its network.

It will be recalled that BEDC had earlier in the year became the first electricity distribution company to emerge a winner in the maiden edition of the Electronic Payments Incentives Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Award as it came tops as the best Cashless Driver-Corporate category.

The award was initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) Plc.

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editorial

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The high costs of drugs

HE current economic recession in Nigeria is taking a frightening toll on the polity. Almost on a daily basis, Nigerians are waking up to the reality of the continuously biting pangs of the economy.

The cost of living is heading for the rooftops, with daily essentials going beyond of the reach of the people. Apart from rising food prices and scarcity of cash to purchase goods, the foreign exchange crisis which has made foreign currencies scarce and their exchange rates to the naira unbearable, has greatly affected essential consumables.

On the list of these consumables, drugs rank high. Nigeria, like many other developing countries, has its own share of avoidable sicknesses and diseases besieging a high number of its citizens. The most vulnerable members of this group are the elderly who are naturally afflicted by ailments that are most times age-related. In some cases, many others fall prey to these ailments due to the daily afflictions of existence.

The foreign exchange crisis has ensured that drugs which were hitherto barely affordable have gone out of the reach of the people.

In a recent news report, the Saturday Tribune of August 26, 2016 brought the poignant nature of the crisis into focus.

Common but deadly ailments like hypertension and diabetes which afflict very many Nigerians and require daily intake of drugs, many of which are not manufactured in Nigeria, have gone out of the reach of their patients. According to the report, millions of sick Nigerians, especially old persons and pensioners who battle chronic illnesses, are victims of this high cost of medications. Due to the nation’s worsening foreign exchange crisis, the prices of these life-saving drugs have skyrocketed in a frightening proportion while essential drugs have vanished from the pharmacies.

The national president of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Alkali, confirmed the worsening drug situation, calling for governmental subsidy of imported diabetes drugs. The association, which recently disclosed that a disturbingly huge 1.56 million new cases of diabetes were discovered in 2015, with about five million people living with the disease, is particularly worried about government abandoning those suffering from the ailment to their fate.

Diabetes, among others, is attended to by daily intake of drugs imported from other countries. Alkali said: “Most

of the diabetes drugs are imported. The current foreign exchange situation in the country has affected almost all the drugs.�

The aftermath of this is that many of those who battle these ailments invariably make a recourse to self help which oftentimes comes in the form of reliance on herbs and other local remedies. While the efficacy of herbal remedies is not being disputed here, the danger is that those who suffer from the ailments could easily become victims of quacks and fraudsters, leading to premature and avoidable deaths.

This is an unacceptable phenomenon in a 21st century world which is seeking to make drugs affordable and available to those who are afflicted by one ailment or the other.

We are worried by the high cost of drugs and its effects on Nigerians who are already finding it extremely hard to live due to the harsh economic climate. Apparently due to the virtual absence of statistics in the administration of Nigeria, the rate at which many people die as a result of their inability to access the essential drugs may not be in the public domain.

However, victims of this high cost of drugs are casualties whose cases Nigerians confront in different neighbourhoods and homes on a daily basis. All right-thinking persons must lend a voice to redressing the situation.

Given the debilitating effects of the foreign exchange crisis on the drug sector of the economy, we advocate that official subsidy be placed on many of these life-saving drugs. This will ensure that the mortality rate of those battling these ailments is brought down to a tolerable level. Government must also ensure that it checks the tendency among some importers of these drugs to shortchange Nigerians. More fundamentally, at this time of foreign exchange crisis, it may not be a bad idea for government to make foreign exchange available to importers of these essential drugs so that they would ultimately be affordable to their suffering consumers.

Generally, however, the naira must be properly floated and allowed to find its feet on the international market.

We urge government to show adequate c oncern for vulnerable Nigerians who are victims of this economic crisis. This can be exhibited by ensuring that life-saving drugs are affordable and available on the shelves, the economic recession being faced by the country notwithstanding.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 12 September, 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.

On the postponed Edo gubernatorial election

T

HE reason security agencies gave which then lead to the postponement of the Edo State gubernatorial election was not tenable enough. The security agencies cited that they needed more time to provide security for the election, but what were they doing all these while since they would have been duly informed that an election would be

taking place in the state on September 10?

The idea that thugs or militants could attack voting centres does also not hold water because if this is the case, then the postponement will also mean a postponement of the violence by those who had planned to perpetrate it, and that is if the intelligence report is true in the first place.

Instead of postponing

elections, it is important that security agencies take their work seriously, and not use their inefficiencies to disrupt the country’s democratic process.

No matter the security arrangements put in place for the election, those who will create violence will still do so, but it is the responsibility of our security agencies to be ready at all time to nip in the bud such violence.

How FG can ease Nigerians’ economic pain WE have read the stories of people who have committed suicides due to their inability to provide for their families. In fact, an elderly man who was not paid for more than six months by his company committed suicide in Maryland area of Lagos last month.

Another young man had jumped from a high-rise building just because he could not make ends meet.

Apart from the stories of suicides, we have also heard of families selling their children to survive.

All these are not surprising when a country’s economy is in recession, but it is important for Nigerians who are feeling the pains of economic situation not to lose hope.

Resorting to suicide or selling one’s children will definitely not bring about the desired ‘happy ending’ to the challenges we are currently facing.

However, in order to reduce the pain of Nigerians, I think the government can allow for the importation of food for a period of time without collecting import duties. It can be for a period of six months.

The essence of this is just to reduce the suffering of Nigerians, and I believe it won’t jeopardise the government’s policy on agriculture.

When foods are brought into the country enmasse without the government taking import duties, it will help reduce the cost in the market, thereby making more Nigerians to be able to afford it.

The prices of food, particularly rice, have gone

above the roof in recent times, and this has affected the feeding lifestyle of Nigerians. Some families now just eat breakfast and dinner, while some eat just lunch and take snacks for dinner. Every now and then, those in positions of authority say they are aware of the suffering of Nigerians, but they are not going hungry themselves. Nigerians are hungry, and this is fuelling an increase in crime.

As a result, the Federal Government should quickly allow the importation of food without collecting import duties for a period of six months. When food is available, then the situation will be manageable, and the saying goes: ‘An hungry man is an angry man,’ aptly describes this situation.

•Memunat Kareem, Lokoja, Kogi State.

If security agencies are pointing to credible information that some militants plan to attack voting centres during the Edo election, how would they (security agencies) react to terrorist attacks in some parts of the country?

Would they tell the terrorists to inform them of the time they want to attack, or would they tell terrorists to postpone their attacks because they are not ready? Security agencies in the country must know that being alert at all times is the hallmark of their assignment.

It is, however, an understatement that I am highly disappointed that the Edo election did not take place last Saturday.

Having said this, the Ondo State gubernatorial election will also be coming up in two months time, and it is important for our security agencies to do whatever they want to do now, as Nigerians will not tolerate further disruptions to their civic exercise in the name of unsubstan-

tiated security reports.

It is also important for security agencies to also train their officers in countering emergency attacks.

This will go a long way in

making them to be ready for unforeseen incidents.

•Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

Postponement can cause voter apathy I was shocked when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finally succumbed to security agencies, thereby postponing the Edo State gubernatorial election by two weeks.

This postponement can result in the lack of interest in the election by voters, and it might lead to the emergence of a candidate who is not really popular among the voting public. INEC should consult the country’s security agencies before selecting a day for election in the country, as postponing elections is not good for the electoral body’s image. At a time when we are hearing about incon-

clusive elections, postponing elections is now fast becoming the norm.

We should not forget that that was how the 2015 general elections were postponed in the name of fighting terrorism in the North East.

In order to avoid future embarrassments for the organisation, INEC should consult security agencies on when it wants to hold elections, and the security agencies can begin work immediate it is notified by the electoral body, and not wait till the zero hour before deciding that it is not ready to provide security for the elections.

I, therefore, hope this is the last time INEC and security agencies will postpone elections in this country, as this is not helping our democratic experience.

•Olusanya Olufemi, Surulere, Lagos.

Banks should lend to agric sector FOR the country to get out of the economic mess it finds itself, then there is need for massive investments in agribusiness.

However, one of the biggest problems facing agriculture in Nigeria is the lack of support from financial institutions.

Banks will not willingly lend to agribusiness, and when they do, the loans come in double digits, which is not fair enough.

Nigerian agribusiness operators need the support of the banks to prosper, and I hope with the fall in oil price, banks can focus its attention on agriculture.

•Nugwa James, ojonugwajameson@ yahoo.co.uk

15

opinion

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Lasisi Olagunju Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

I

DEAL journalists are a special breed. They see the world as theirs to mould in the image of whatever is good and desirable. They are vulnerable and at the same time impregnable. They do not worship in the shrines of gods that fight the helpless. They are guardian angels of those things classified as public good. A CNN programme anchor once immodestly described journalism as the best job in the whole world. But the journalist has very few friends. He is not a fool; he knows. He knows the flashes of smiles that receive him in places his assignments take him are crocodile smiles. He knows the work he does opens doors for him and in equal measure, closes doors against him. He knows the society merely tolerates him and silently wishes he would quietly vanish into the dark of the night.

All eyes are on the journalist whatever he does. Ekiti people have a song warning he who is being watched by all eyes to tread softly. Lives and careers have been built or interred by actions and inactions of the superman who decides what the people must know and what they must believe. When the media offends you, you cannot frontally charge at it. Why? You must pass the message without suggesting that you are passing any message. What you say against the media in your soundproof bedroom you cannot say at the palace square. Mitt Romney who had the unenviable luck of running against mercurial Barack Obama in the 2012 United States Presidential election got frustrated by what he thought was a media determined to ensure his defeat in that election. At a dinner for Catholic humanitarian causes, he attacked the media without attacking it. He said: “Now I never suggest that the press is biased, I recognize that they have their job to do, and I have my job to do. My job is to lay out a positive vision for the future of the country, and their job is to make sure no one else finds out about it.” That was the abysmal degree of trust that existed between him and the press.

Politicians never really like the press and its practitioners. The media too looks at the political class with utmost suspicion, sometimes with indignation, sometimes with disgust. Both always have agenda which are always not of the same colour and texture.

When the media chooses the politician to fight, it does not matter who he is. He could even be a journalist himself, the moment he crosses over to the other side, he becomes a suspect. He becomes susceptible to all the vagaries that go with operating in the privileged concave of oppressors. For the journalist, a war never ends until he is the victor. Steely resolve is wired into him. It is in his DNA. So what happens when the battle is between a journalist and others who claim journalism as their vo-

Journalists and hunger in the land

cation/avocation? Two forces with claims to invincibility are likely to wreck the shrubs of the forest. Their chosen standoff promises to be interminable.

I felt so with Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He, last week attracted to himself, the kind of focus no one prays to have.

He had suggested that the hardship Nigerians face under this government he serves is exaggerated. He judged that, despite the noise in the media about hardship in Nigeria, he was somewhere in the north where he noticed that food was still very cheap and affordable because he bought 50 oranges and a watermelon with “just N1000.”

While some commentators have seen his suggestion as shocking and uncalled for, for me, what I felt when I read it was horror that he chose the social media to ventilate his views about the condition of the Nigerian economy.

The terrain he chose was not a conventional battleground for a media general like him. And, I am sure, he has found out that, that terrain is as treacherous in its anonymity as it is lethal in the speed and spread of its bullets. Since last week, the ace journalist’s name has not stopped trending online. He must have felt, first, a feeling of shock, then anger, at the depth and breadth of the online media attacks that followed that Facebook post. He is not used to being silenced or having his rights curtailed by whoever.

Abacha and the people in his government can testify to his gallantry. And, so, he first came out with a piece explaining himself but, again, what exists in the social media is an implacable mob. Once you cross the line drawn by the unwritten rule of online engagement, you do not attempt to explain your position in a self-righteous manner. The mob will charge harder at you. I do not know why the ace journalist thought silence after that message

would not have been a better strategy against a force seething with populist anger. But a veteran in struggles and battles of ideas, he followed up that ‘explanation’ with another shot, aimed at his traducers: “Lynch-mob, cyber-hyenas, cyber-vandals, character assassins: this is the motley crowd that has seized Nigeria’s social media space, either on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. It is a mob and functions like any other mob, pouncing on targets, remorselessly, twisting your words to achieve a preconceived end.” Interesting!

Would he have written what he posted if he was not in government? No one in government pushes anything into the media without a goal. Did Onanuga achieve his objective at the end of the day? He has been around for a long time. He had been in the trenches fighting the people’s cause. But in the slippery terrain of today’s angry, hungry Nigeria, heroic acts of yesterday never serve as one’s armour, especially if one is now an obvious member of the power elite. That the people’s editor of yesterday is the big boss of a federal government agency today drills a chink in his armour. He should know. He is no longer an untouchable. He has lost his innocence.

I do not know how many persons in government today wish to be exposed to the unfriendly, harsh realities of a media that does not take prisoners. When you work in government, all eyes, seen and unseen, are watching you. You must therefore choose what to say and what to write. Defending any government anywhere is one of the most difficult jobs. You write and cancel words and write again. You query your every sentence and give answers to every unasked question before you push the information out. It becomes particularly tricky and risky when the social media is the preferred channel. The social media is an agent of change. It is democracy bearing another name. That, ironically, makes it a forest of doves, lions, snakes and scorpions.

The doves are very few and they do not stick out their fragile necks in defence of persons marked for online demolition. On the social media, warriors have no place in their heart to think of taking prisoners.

Experience in politics and government teaches better than the best teacher. For the journalist in government, every experience, no matter how unpleasant, enriches one’s appreciation of that thing called power and its demands. And it is not as if the system itself is appreciative of valiant efforts. It has a way of throwing the unwary to the dogs. It is the very home of treachery. But then, you become a better journalist only after going through the university of government appointment, especially if you are wise.

Sallah: The significance of the sacrifice

By Francis Adedigba EID AL ADHA, which is called Ileya festival in Yoruba language, is one of the important feasts in Islam. Every year, Muslims celebrate this feast which commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham/Ibrahim. It is usually a time of celebration and feasting for all Muslims around the world. As we wish Muslims a happy celebration, it is good for both Muslims and Christians to know the significance of this feast.

This Muslim feast, Eid al adha, traces its origin to the Quran, but Muslims believe that it has a Biblical connection, as Quran, Sura 37:100-110 narrates the sacrifice of Abraham (Ibrahim). According to these verses of the Quran, Abraham had a vision to sacrifice his son. He narrated the vision to his son who agreed that both of them must submit to Allah.

“Abraham said to his son, ‘O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee. So consider, what thou thinkest of it!’ His son replied, ‘O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, of those who are patient’” (Sura 37:103).

However, when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Allah stopped him from killing his son and praised him for his obedience. Then, the boy was ransomed by Allah with a “great sacrifice.” “We called to him: ‘O Abraham, thou hast fulfilled the dream.’ Thus indeed do we reward those who do good” (Sura 37:105-106). Although the Quran did not mention the name of the son who was to be sacrificed, most Muslims believe that that son was Ismail

(Ishmael).

This Quranic story is related to the Biblical account of the sacrifice of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18). According to the biblical account, God called Abraham and asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah. He obeyed and took his son to the place of sacrifice. When he was about to kill his son, an Angel was sent to stop him from doing that. God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son.

The feast commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham is very significant to the faith of Muslims. In both Biblical and Quranic narratives, the call of Abraham to sacrifice his son was a test of his faith. In fact, chapter 22 of Genesis begins with the motive of the narrative: “After these things, God tested Abraham...” (Genesis 22:1). For the Christians, Abraham is regarded as the “Our father in faith” (cf. Romans 4:16). Anyone who believes in God must be prepared for a test of faith. The test is to help the faith to grow and not to destroy the faith.

The sacrifice of Abraham is also a call to remind all those who share the faith of Abraham about his obedience to God. He was obedient to God in his readiness to sacrifice his son. Muslims and Christians are also called to live a life of obedience to God. They are called to obey his commandments and laws. Obedience to God is their proof of love and reverence for Him. It is important to note that by calling Abraham to sacrifice is son, God was not permitting human sacrifice or murder.

That was why God provided a ransom in place of the Abraham’s son. That ransom, which is called a “great sacrifice” in the Quran, is identified in the Bible as a ram. Here, it is possible to see God’s condemnation of all forms of human killing in His name. He would not permit Abraham to kill a human being in obedience. In the same vein, he will not permit anybody to kill a fellow human being in His name.

In fact, God’s command in the Bible, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), rings a bell loud and clear.

The sacrifice of Abraham has a special meaning for the Christians. God spared Isaac, Abraham’s son and provided a ram to be sacrificed in his place. But God did not spare his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for the sins of the whole humanity. The ram provided as the ransom in Abraham’s sacrifice story is a symbol of the real ransom which God would provide much later for the redemption of the whole world. He did this because of the love He has for each human being whether Muslim or Christian. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Therefore, as the Muslims celebrate the Eid al Adha, it is a time for all Christians and Muslims to reflect on the obedience of Abraham and endeavour to imitate that obedience. It is when this is done that the real meaning of the feast will not be reduced to eating and drinking.

•Reverend Father Adedigba sent in this article via frankadeus31@gmail.com

16

Monday, 12 September, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

PDP: The uneasy calm in Sheriff’s camp LEON USIGBE writes on the seeming silence in the camp of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the last court order barring him from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.

S

INCE August 18, 2016 when a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ordered Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to stop parading himself as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has become increasingly less visible and has ostensibly toned down his rhetoric for the plum job of the opposition party.

Justice Nwamaka Ogbonna, in her judgment, placed reliance on an earlier judgment of Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court delivered on June 26, 2016 which has sacked Sheriff, noting that the judgement had not been set aside. Therefore, Justice Ogbonna held that all actions and decisions taken by Sheriff after the judgment of Justice Ashi on June 26, had become a nullity.

The former Borno State governor had shown perceived aversion to court orders in respect of the ongoing party feud as could been seen by his neglect of the May 24, 2015 order given by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which had granted an interim injunction restraining him from parading himself as the national chairman of the party. Justices Ashi and Ogbonna’s orders came after that of Justice Abdulahi Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which had been observed in breach until the Justice Ogbonna’s ruling. On his part, Sheriff had dangled his own court orders which he said conferred legitimacy on him as the validly elected national chairman of the PDP till 2018.

But Ogbonna’s orders and possibly the decision of the last national convention of the PDP to extend the lifespan of the National Caretaker Committee, seemed to have softened the claimant to the office of the national chairman because, since the August order, he has refrained from his normal and open activities as the factional national chairman of the party.

Sheriff, who would normally address the press and receive loyalists from across the country several times a week, has hardly had one occasion since the last court judgment and may therefore have pushed back the initiative to his rival and the chairman of the PDP National Caretaker

Wadata Plaza, Abuja Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. His personal office on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, which had served as his factional national secretariat, has virtually regained its status as the hub of his private airline business.

Despite producing a candidate for the Edo State governorship election, Sheriff appears to have lost interest in the poll as the faction has done little or nothing to project Matthew Idurioyekemwen who, under the Sheriff faction, is hoping to be handed the governorship post should the PDP be declared winner of the now shifted election.

Even before the postponement of the Edo election to Wednesday, September 28, there had been issues about the poll that the PDP was worried could hamper the conduct of a free, fair and credible exercise, not least the claim that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) was perfecting its strategy to rig the election.

While the Makarfi faction screamed to no ends about this, Sheriff was mute.

Same thing with the recent APC Benin mega rally graced by President Muhammadu Buhari and a coterie of APC state governors.

The PDP National Caretaker Committee was aghast that the President could be dragged away from Abuja to lend weight to what the PDP viewed as a party without a future in Edo due to the alleged high-handedness of the out-going governor, Adams Oshiomhole, whose allegedly hand-picked candidate, Godwin Obaseki,

they said had been rejected by the people.

Sheriff or his loyalists made no comment.

Makarfi was also vociferous in his attempt to ensure that the September 10, 2016 scheduled date for the Edo election remained sacrosanct against the advice of security agencies that it should be postponed over alleged threats by insurgents to invade the state and cause mayhem during the exercise.

“The postponement of the election by INEC is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the peoples’ trust in the commission and the security agencies. It is a coup against the people of Edo State in particular and Nigerians in general,” the Makarfiled National Caretaker Committee blurted to no avail. Sheriff and his men did not issue a statement on the development.

Somehow, though, he turned up at Ota, Ogun State, at the residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo supposedly

Despite producing a candidate for the Edo State governorship election, the faction has done little or nothing to project Matthew Idurioyekemwen.

Sheriff seeking solutions to the lingering leadership problems of the former ruling party.

But observers found this surreal, given the fact that Obasanjo had, in a celebrated manner, disowned the party he once led by publicly destroying his membership card.

Since then, he has hardly hidden his revulsion for the party. It was therefore not surprising that the most poignant message that emerged from that Ota meeting was that the PDP was dying and Sheriff mightjust turn out to be the undertaker.

But is his seeming silence to be interpreted as deference to the last court order?

That remains to be seen.

17

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju | 08055001708 | lanresulaimon@yahoo.com | @lanresulaimon

money

leadership

entrepreneurship

Issues in entrusting $21b Diaspora remittances to banks Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

B

ANKS have been on the firing line in recent weeks over regulatory breaches.

Just recently, nine lenders were suspended from the foreign exchange market for failure to remit $2.274 billion belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria LNG into the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA).

There were findings also by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that several other banks were abusing international money transfer guidelines.

On the basis of other money-related functions, banks have got fully involved in diaspora remittances. Yet, above incidences raise concerns about the suitability of the lenders to continue to receive and disburse estimated $21 billion Diaspora remittances to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

As such, stakeholders are calling on the apex bank to outsource the dollar distribution role to a reputable independent distributor that would make the funds readily accessible to the BDCs. This, they insist, would strengthen the foreign exchange market.

Many have made the case that judging from the role of BDCs in bridging exchange rate differential between the parallel and official markets, Bureau de Change (BDC) industry remains a critical agent for Nigeria’s economic growth, as well as the stability of the foreign exchange (forex) mar-

ket.

It was based on this understanding that, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently directed commercial banks to sell $50,000 Diaspora-related forex on weekly basis to nearly 3,000 BDC operators. But recent findings show that the lenders are reluctant to comply with the above directive, claiming that they do not have enough.

The banks refused to obey the order despite several pleas by the apex bank that they disburse the funds to the BDC operators to boost liquidity in the forex market. Hence BDC operators question the need for banks to continue to disburse Diaspora remittances estimated at $21 billion annually to BDCs as instructed by the apex bank.

Incidentally, CBN’s complaints that the lenders are violating international money transfer rules, establishing private and company accounts to harvest dollar inflows from abroad without following the right Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, did not help matters for the banks.

The lenders have been accused by the CBN of engaging in round-tripping, taking advantage of the huge forex gaps between the official and parallel markets.

“Further to the guidelines for the operation of International Money Transfer Service (IMTS) in Nigeria of September 26, 2014, we have observed that some Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) are operating accounts either as companies or companies mask-

ing themselves as individuals, for the purpose of illegally receiving money transfer flows into the accounts for onward disbursements to recipients in Nigeria,” the apex bank disclosed.

The CBN acting director therefore ordered the lenders to conduct Know Your Customer’s Business (KYCB) checks on all their customers to ensure that they do not transact in illegal/illicit flow and also freeze compromised/ identified defaulting accounts.

Speaking on these developments, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said only 10 per cent of BDCs from the Lagos market have so far accessed dollar from banks since the CBN gave the directive nearly a month ago.

“The proceeds of the international money transfer funds are not CBN money. It is not from the foreign reserves of the CBN. This is money that Nigerians in Diaspora are sending into the economy. Before, this money

came through unofficial means, some sending through hands, and at the end of the day, the beneficiary will not even get the money.

And in other countries, the Diaspora funds are strictly for BDCs,” Gwadabe explained.

The ABCON boss is urging the CBN to outsource the dollar distribution role to independent distributors since the banks have failed in their assigned role.

The operators confirmed that banks that are so far involved in the dollar sales to BDCs include FirstBank, Ecobank Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa and Unity Bank. Others are Diamond Bank, Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank.

Gwadabe disclosed that BDCs in Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja, Onitsha, Maiduguri, Benin and Enugu are yet to get a single dollar from these banks. The ABCON chief said that the banks are also selling dollar far above the interbank rate.

“Instead of staggering the payment, the banks should sell to the BDCs on the same week day, so that the impact will be felt in the market. Our members across the country have funded their accounts but the banks are not selling to them.

“The BDCs that met the CBN’s policy guidelines on the disbursement and cleared by the banks have still not received a dime from the banks,” he added.

CBN Acting Director, Trade & Exchange, W.D. Gotring, had directed through a circular to authorised dealers that all agents to approved International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) should sell $50,000 weekly foreign currency, accruing from inward money remittances to licensed BDCs. The directive was meant to ensure stability of the exchange rate and encourage participation of critical stakeholders in the foreign exchange market. The CBN also accused the banks of buying and selling forex without following stipulated guidelines.

“The CBN has noticed that some Authorised Dealers have continued to buy and sell foreign exchange referred to as ‘free funds’ despite the provision of the circu-

BDC operators question the need for banks to continue to disburse Diaspora remittances estimated at $21 billion annually to BDCs as instructed by the apex bank.

analysis lar of March 4, 2004 on the subject,” the circular stated.

CBN licenses 11 IMTOs To remove oligopoly in the money transfer business, CBN has equally licensed 11 new IMTOs to join Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria, which were previously cleared by the apex bank.

Gwadabe praised this decision, describing it as a right step in the right direction and in line with ABCON’s campaign that new operators be allowed into the market.

The new entrants are Trans-Fast Remittance LLC; WorldRemit Limited, UAE Exchange Centre LLC; Wari Limited, Homesend S.C.R.L, Small World Financial Services Group Limited and Weblink International Limited. Others are Cash Pot Limited, DT&T Corporation Limited, Fiem Group LLC DBA Ping Express and CP Express Limited.

TSA breaches by banks The nine commercial banks barred by the CBN from the interbank forex market may be fined, analysts at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited predicted.

Other financial experts also estimated that although there was no precedence of the case, the apex bank may impose a fine not less than N450 million on all the nine lenders, representing N50 million each to the affected lenders.

Former Executive Director, Keystone Bank, Richard Obire said “The CBN may want to demonstrate to the banks that it took their offences very seriously. The regulator may want to make the fines painful to them as a deterrent to others. Each affected bank may be fined at least N50 million, totalling N450 million in all,” he predicted.

Obire said although the banks are already facing hard times, but letting them go without a fine could provide a wrong precedence for the industry.

BDCs as engine block of the economy For Gwadabe, Nigeria BDCs can be strengthened to meet the forex demand at the retail end of the market so that they can continue to enhance employment generation in the country.

The ABCON boss believes that despite the challenges facing the economy, the CBN and BDCs can work together and find sustainable solutions that can help the country wriggle out of the ongoing forex crisis and achieve full economic recovery.

Besides, ABCON has reached the final stage of automation of BDCs’ operations in Nigeria, and is seeking for CBN’s certificate of no-objection on the project.

18

Monday, 12 September, 2016 CBN Exchange Rates

Date

Currency

Buying(NGN) Central(NGN) Selling(NGN)

9/9/2016

US DOLLAR

304

304.5

305

POUNDS STERLING

404.7152

405.3809

406.0465

EURO

342.456 343.0193 343.5825

SWISS FRANC

312.1791

YEN

2.9578 2.9626 2.9675

CFA

0.5052

WAUA

427.1504 427.853 428.5555

YUAN/RENMINBI 45.4897

RIYAL

81.0472 81.1805 81.3138

DANISH KRONA

46.0028

SDR

426.2384 426.9395 427.6405

312.6925

46.0784

Rate (%)

Change (%\

O/N 27.7917 -4.00

2M

16.4975 0.14

3M

16.6633 -0.03

1M 19.9983 0.19

6M

19.4375 0.00

3M 21.1732 1.02

9M

20.4653 0.14

6M 24.2699 1.40

12M

22.7542 1.48

0.5252

45.6402

46.1541

Government Securities

NIBOR as @ September 8, 2016

Tenor

313.206

0.5152

45.565

NITTY as @ September 8, 2016 Tenor Rate (%) Change (%) 1M 16.4611 0.14

Auction Date 8/18/2016 Security Type OMO Tenor 315DAY Auction No 18-08-2016 Auction OMO Maturity Date 6/29/2017 Total Subscription 236118.05 Total Successful 236118.05 Range Bid 17.9800 - 18.5000 Successful Bid Rates 17.9800 - 18.5000 Description Issue Rate 18.5 True Yield 22.0148 Amount Offered (mn) 50000

with Chima Nwokoji m:08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo.com

Cash crunch hits banks, as they borrow N881.53bn in one week from CBN

T

HERE are strong indications that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) do not have enough cash to meet their immediate financial obligations. This was evidenced by the rush to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week where they borrowed a total of N881.53 billion at 14 per cent interest rate.

Interestingly, some of the lenders had earlier in the week deposited a total of N113 billion with CBN to earn seven per cent interest rate, only to face a rising cost of borrowing from each other (interbank lending rate), which shot up amid strained liquidity.

Available records seen by Nigerian Tribune showed that Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) declined weekon-week by 24.32 per cent to N113 billion while Standing Lending Facility (SLF) increased by 24.49 per cent to N881.53billion.

Banks access the SLF to borrow from the CBN while they access the SDF

to place deposit with the CBN. Presently the CBN charges 14 percent as interest rate on loans to banks through the SLF while it pays 7.0 percent as interest on deposit placement through the SDF. Dealers from two major investment banking and securities houses in Lagos confirmed that there was no major inflow of funds into the system, just as aggregate system liquidity opened at about N93 billion on Monday.

The situation they said caused a rise in the amounts banks borrow from each other; Open Buy Back (OBB) and Overnight (O/N) funds to 27.3 per cent and 29.1 per cent on Tuesday, further surging 5.8 per cent and 6.4 per cent to 33.2 per cent and 35.5 per cent on Wednesday respectively.

Confirming the situation, dealers from Cowry Assets Management Limited said though the Central Bank auctioned treasury bills worth N246.47 billion

via Open Market Operations (OMO), the outflows were offset by inflows in matured 195-day treasury bills worth N293.75 billion via the same OMO. The dealers said the cash strain in the financial system may continue this week because the CBN will auction treasury bills worth N183.24 billion via primary market, which will comprise 91-day bills worth N48.10 billion; 182-day bills worth N48.45 billion; and 364-day bills worth N86.68 billion.

The outflows they said will outweigh maturing treasury bills worth N96.55 billion via primary market, comprising 91-day bills worth N48.10 billion and 182-day bills worth N48.45 billion.

“Hence we anticipate increase in interbank interest rates resulting from expected strain in financial system liquidity,” stated Cowry Assets Management Limited.

A top executive of one of the new generation banks

who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Nigerian Tribune that though the CBN had maintained strong tightening stance, the cash strain situation was unexpected given that lenders had been depositing a daily average of N100.22 billion with the apex bank in recent past from excess liquidity to earn just 7 per cent interest.

It should be recalled that latest CBN second quarter 2016 economic report indicated that total deposit by banks at the Standing Deposit Facility window during the review period was N6.012 trillion with a daily average of N100.22 billion, compared with N6.

614 trillion recorded in the first quarter of 2016.

The cost incurred by CBN which is the net interest earned by banks from placing their excess liquidity as deposit with the CBN in the past six months to June, stood at N1.74 billion, compared with N1.08 billion, in the preceding quarter.

Ajimobi commends Sterling Bank’s partnership on environmental sustainability OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has commended Sterling Bank Plc for partnering with the state government to make the state one of the most environmental friendly states in the country.

The governor, who made the commendation while receiving reflective coveralls donated by the Bank for use by members of the Oyo State Waste Management Authority in Ibadan, at the weekend, noted that the uniforms would protect the highway managers against occupational hazards which they face in the discharge of their responsibilities on a daily basis.

With the donation of the uniforms, the governor who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, also noted that Sterling Bank had demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability.

“These coveralls without any doubt will make the Highway Managers vis-

ible from afar and prevent the incidents of motorists running into them.

It will provide safety against occupational hazards, give them a sense of dignity and elevate their status as they see themselves as very relevant to the society through the service they provide.”

While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to maintaining good environmental sanitation, the Governor stated that his administration would continue to take proactive steps towards waste management and sanitation in the state.

The Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Yemi Adeola, said the presentation of coveralls was in line with the bank’s strategic focus on the environment as one of its corporate’s social responsibility priorities. He added that the Bank was already in partnership with other states to ensure environmental cleanliness na-

tionwide.

The Sterling Bank boss who was represented by Mrs Temiwunmi Banjoko, the Business Executive of the Bank in the South West also said: “At Sterling Bank, environmental cleanliness is one of the cardinal points of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and that informs the bank’s continued commitment of enormous resources towards ensuring that the environment where we live is habitable.

“As the bank embarks on this mission, we consider it of utmost importance to protect those whose job it is to manage and clean the environment. That is why we came up with the idea of producing coveralls for highway managers to ensure their safety, make them more relevant in the society and dignify them while discharging their duties,” he reiterated.

Nigerian Tribune

Money Market Review THERE was positive performance in the money market last week. Rates remained in the double digit band and trended higher on all days of the week due to low system liquidity. On Monday, aggregate system liquidity opened at about N93 billion from N118.7 billion on Friday. In line with recent trends, The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mopped up a total of N107 billion in an open market operation (OMO) auction on Monday, thus Open Buy Back (OBB) and Overnight (O/N) rates settled at 20.2 per cent and 22. cent respectively. In the absence of a major inflow into the system, OBB and O/N rose to 27.3 per cent and 29.1 per cent on Tuesday, further surging 5.8 per cent and 6.4 per cent to 33.2 per cent and 35.5 per cent on Wednesday respectively.

Dealers from Afrinvest West Africa Limited said a net effect of N293.0billion OMO maturity and N139.0billion worth of OMO mop up eased OBB and O/N to 17 per cent and 18.7 per cent respectively on Thursday. System liquidity further improved on Friday, due to previous day OMO maturity, thus OBB and O/N rates eased to 15.8 per cent and 16.4 per cent respectively. Consequently, OBB and O/N rates appreciated week on week (W-o-W), up 2.8 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.

Trading activities in the T-bills market opened the week on a bearish note given lower system liquidity. Average T-bills rates rose from 16.1 per cent on Monday to 16.3 per cent on Tuesday and sustained uptrend during the week, settling at 17.0 per cent on Thursday as investors showed preference for OMO auction. Average rates declined 0.7 per cent W-o-W to settle at 16.7 per cent.

Foreign Exchange Review and Outlook The expected convergence of exchange rates at the interbank and parallel markets currently remains farfetched as the liquidity crisis in the currency market persists. Despite the re-admittance of the erstwhile suspended deposit money banks into the interbank market, the naira/dollar exchange rate remained pressured during the week. At the parallel market, the naira traded between N423/$1 and N425.00/$1 from Monday to Thursday before eventually closing the week at N424/$1 on Friday. Activity level at the interbank market waned compared to the week before last as the naira/dollar spot rate traded at a tight band of N314.20/$1 and N314.92/$1 between Monday and midweek, before appreciating to N308/$1 on Thursday. The Apex Bank intervened with dollar supply to the interbank market on most trading days of the week as autonomous suppliers remain scarce.

In the futures market, despite the AUG 16, 2017 Futures contract trading at N241/$1, the 1-Year forwards rate hovered between N352/$1 and N354.70/$1during the week (save for Tuesday when it appreciated to N314/$1), implying a weaker expectation for future price of the naira.

In the week ahead, analysts at Afrinvest expect activity level at the interbank to stay soft on the back of the general holidays declared by the federal government. “We also opine that the apex bank may continue to intervene at the interbank in the interim in order to clear up rising FX demands,” the analysts stated in a note to investors.

Bond Market Review and Outlook Rising inflationary pressures and expectations continue to determine sovereign yields movement as rates remain attractive at an average of 16.2 per cent at the close of last week. Sentiment in the Bonds market was broadly bearish as sell-offs was recorded across term structure during the week. Average yields across sovereign benchmark instruments rose on all trading days of the week save for Monday when it declined 10 basis points (bps) to close at 14.9 per cent. On Tuesday, there was bearish run in the market which drove average yields marginally up 10bps. By the end of the week, average yield across benchmark instruments rose further to close at 15 per cent on Friday.

Consequently, average benchmark yield rose 4bps W-o-W to 15 per cent. Investors continue to show preference for shorter term bond instruments on the back of attractive yields (20 per cent on the average for about 2-years term to maturity). Yields on medium and longer end of the sovereign yield curve settled at 14.9 per cent and 15.2 per cent respectively. Significant buy sentiment was witnessed on the March 2034, May 2029, July 2030 and July 2034 as yields declined 13bps, 11bps, 17bps and 34bps W-o-W respectively.

As inflationary pressures mount, investors remain highly cautious with bond investing while taking positions in mostly liquid bonds with shorter term to maturity and lower modified duration. According to the investment and securities company, “Whilst our inflation outlook remains high with yield environment expected to stay elevated, we advise investors to position in sovereign bond instruments with lower modified duration given their tapered sensitivity to changes in yield environment. In the week ahead, we expect activities in the local bonds market to remain soft.”

Monday, 12 September, 2016

MANAGEMENT Bolaji Edu, CEO Broll

Quote LEADERSHIP

Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others — John Maxwell

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

O

NE of the world’s most respected management experts, Dr. Laurence J. Peter, posits that, “In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.”

This statement is now known as the Peter Principle. The thrust of the principle is that in an organisation, employees will eventually get to their highest level of competence after which they are no longer promotable.

PAGE 20level of That point is the employee’s incompetence, the ceiling of his career in that

particular organisation.

Peter goes ahead to explain that a nongrowing company usually has incompetent employees at many levels of its structure because what is being rewarded is loyalty, not competence.

On the other hand, a growing company has competent employees heading its departments.

Thus, it is able to beat its past performance because its employees have not reached the end of their capacity.

INSIDE

Leaders and the Peter Principle’s bug PAGE 20

Leaders’

forum PAGE 21

Continues on pg20

The 60-second

business coach PAGE 20

20

21

Monday, 12 September, 2016

MANAGEMENT Continued from pg19

So, for a company to grow, it must be peopled by leaders and staff who still have new ideas, leaders who are not fixed in their thinking, leaders who will not be making references to how the company used to operate 30 years ago.

A growing company must have leaders who are in tune with today’s demands, today’s customers’ mindset and have the capacity to deploy today’s technology.

While the Peter Principle has been found to be true in most cases, a few individuals have made themselves an exception to that rule. Two of such people are Dr Christopher Kolade, former chairman of Cadbury Nig. Plc, and Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Acting Managing Director of the Bank of Industry.

Dr Christopher Kolade At 84, it seems Dr Christopher Kolade will never get to his level of incompetence as he is still much sought after by national and multinational organizations either to head or sit on their boards. After his retirement as the Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation at 45years of age, he was employed by Cadbury Nigeria Plc as Director of Administration. He eventually became Chairman/Chief Executive of the organization. On retirement from Cadbury, he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and held that position for five years. He has served as President of various national and international organizations. These include the Nigerian Institute of Management (1985-88), the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Institute for Communications and the World Association for Christian Communication.

He has also served on the board of many companies. In 2012, when Dr Goodluck Jonathan, then President of the country, needed somebody of impeccable integrity as board chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, he turned to the then 79-year old Kolade.

Dr. Kolade currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor/ Chairman of Council of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, where he still finds time to lecture on Leadership and Business Integrity.

He is also chairman, board of directors of SystemSpecs Nig Ltd, among many others.

Waheed Olagunju Mr Waheed Olagunju came into national consciousness when he became Head of the Economic Desk at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the 1980s where he distinguished himself as an economic reporter. It was the dexterity he displayed in his reportage and his profound understanding of the business environment that recommended him to the leadership of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), the precursor institution of the Bank of Industry, to headhunt him. He was subsequently appointed Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs.

For many who get such offer they would have plateaued there, seeing such ascension as the peak of their career aspiration. But through the demonstration of exceptional capacity, critical thinking and a determination to make positive impact on the organization, Olagunju did not last as the Head of Corporate Affairs. As a result of his remarkable comprehension of corporate governance, he was appointed Assistant Company Secretary and Secretary to the Executive Management Committee in 1994. Three years later, he was elevated to the position of Company Secretary and Secretary to the Board. He occupied that position for 15 years until he was promoted to the Board in 2012 as an Executive Director.

But while he was the Company Secretary, because of his profundity in strategy and planning, he was appointed General Manager in charge of Strategic Planning, Business Development and Corporate Communications in addition to his functions as the Company Secretary. Olagunju has made himself such a value-adding member of the organization to the extent that the fusion of three organizations; Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), Nigeria Bank for commercial and Industry (NBCI) and National Economic Reconstruction Bank (NERFUND) into the Bank of Industry in 2001 did not negatively affect his career progression.

As an Executive Director, he has headed the Business Development and the Small and Medium Enterprises directorates. Between April 11and May 16, 2014, he was the Acting Managing Director/CEO of the company. Again, he has been Acting MD/CEO since Febru-

How leaders can beat Peter Principle’s bug think the unthinkable.

Christopher Kolade,

Ifie Sekibo, MD, Heritage Bank

Waheed Olagunju, Ag. MD, BoI

ary 15 this year.

ciple. Here are some of them.

Posers What is it about Dr Kolade that makes the urge to stack him with increasing responsibilities irresistible? Why is it that at an age when his peers sit idly at home believing they have contributed their quotas he is still asked to head organizations and teach upcoming generation? What always makes Kolade the obvious choice whenever there are critical situations? Why has he been able to beat the bug of Peter Principle?

Why does BoI always make room for Olagunju? How did Olagunju, who was employed as a communication specialist, manage to get to the pinnacle of banking at the expense of those who were employed into the mainstream of the bank’s operation?

What was so unique about Olagunju that whenever there was a major challenge in the bank he was called upon to handle it? How did Olagunju manage to escape the Peter Principle’s bug?

Both Kolade and Olagunju practised a few principles that put them ahead of others and enabled them to beat the trap of Peter Prin-

Setting and reviewing goals The first is regular review of career goal.

Every employee at any level must set a career goal. The essence of this is to give fillip to the career. Career goal setting gives the employee something to look forward to, something to work towards.

However, as you move closer to the actualisation of your career goal, you need to upwardly review the goal to avoid the lure of complacency. If, for instance, your initial career goal is to become the manager of

BOOK In “Drive” former lawyer and author, Daniel Pink, attempts to answer the question of what makes some people perform better than others.

What drives us? He begins by summarizing the current methods used by companies to try to motivate employees, which he calls “Motivation 2.0.”

This approach, which has been the primary motivational strategy adopted by businesses, operates on the premise that people work harder to gain rewards and avoid pain.

This is basically a “carrots and sticks” perspective on driving performance, and basically states

A growing company must have leaders who are in tune with today’s demands, today’s customers’ mindset and have the capacity to deploy today’s technology.

Igho Sanomi, CEO of Taleveras Group

your department, the moment you become deputy manager you have to set a higher career goal, otherwise you become complacent which comes with a dip in the discharge of your functions. You probably have to raise your career goal to becoming a general manager so that you can at least maintain your present pace of work. If, on the other hand, you do not set a new goal, believing that being a manager will do, your productivity will decline because in your mind you already believe that you are next in line. But as your productivity heads south, your superiors will not fail to notice. The sad part of this is that you may not even become a manager because your superiors may conclude that you have reached your level of incompetence.

One unintended upside of setting and reviewing goals is that it becomes a way of life that it never stops at any point. Imbibing that practice will result in an unending improvement to the extent that it becomes impossible to ignore the person. That is the Kolade’s appeal.

Upgrade your thinking

Many people fail to realise that the higher they go on the company’s ladder, the higher their responsibility in the company, not just with respect to their physical output but in the quality of their thinking. Many senior officers believe that the higher they go the more routine their work becomes. That is why some senior military and police officers do less than they ought to. They go to officers’ mess by midday and remain their till end of the day. They are invariably shown the door before they reach retirement age.

While it may be true that the higher one goes in the hierarchy the less one is expected to do in physical sense, it is also true that as one ascends the corporate ladder, one’s thinking capacity should be enhanced to meet the expectations of the organization.

While staff are graded based on their productivity, managers are assessed principally based on their ability to proffer solutions, which is a product of their capacity to think creatively. Managers are graded at every meeting in respect of the quality of their contributions. So, to beat the Peter Principle’s bug, think out of the box, think creatively, think vertically, think horizontally,

Learn new things A recent study reveals that 51 per cent of employees have not completed reading a single competence-enhancing book after graduation. This is why productivity is low among many employees and they reach their level of incompetence quite early.

One way to beat this is to regularly upgrade knowledge and skills. As a superior, one edge you have over your staff is knowledge. But if it becomes clear to your subordinates that you are deficient of the required skill or knowledge for the job, then, you are simply saying that you have reached your level of incompetence.

As you grow on the job, you need to increase your knowledge base. The skills and knowledge that brought you to your present level are inadequate to move you beyond the present level. Olagunju understands this point quite well.

Be passionate Those who are tired of their jobs are easily discernible. It is easy to know if your job no longer excites you. Once this is noticed, your employers will conclude that you have reached your level of incompetence. Even if you are not asked to go, you can be sure that your responsibilities will be scaled down and so will your influence.

Be enthusiastic about your job and every assignment you are given. Think of better ways of doing your assignment. Kolade is over 80 years of age. Many of his mates have retired to their villages but age has not slowed down the man.

He waxes stronger by the day as he sits aboard a number boards. His secret is the passion with which he goes about every assignment. To beat Peter Principle’s bug, bring passion to your operation, it will make you irresistible to your employers.

THE 60-SECOND business coach

6 things great leaders can’t ignore

By Ron Edmondson “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” — John Quincy Adams I spend a lot of time writing and speaking on various aspects of leadership qualities in any environment that can drive a high-performance team to success. But at the end of the day, leaders either get things done or they don’t.

They develop a winning team or one that falls short.

I have succeeded and failed many times as a leader. In the military. As an entrepreneur.

As a husband and father.

When I reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t, I can break it down to six principles that have led to positive outcomes. Sometimes not monumental success, but at least not utter failure.

Whether you are leading a team in the military, corporate world, as an entrepreneur or in your own family, great leaders must…

Be passionate Believe in the mission with your whole heart. If you don’t, the team will know it. Inspire others to think bigger, disrupt the status quo and take initiative. This is something I have always struggled with. What does it mean to inspire others? How do we know if we are accomplishing this goal as leaders? It comes down to two things: passion and leading by example.

Understand your limits No leader can do everything or solve every problem. As leaders, we must focus on our strengths and outsource our weaknesses

to other trusted team members.

All high-performing teams are comprised of team members with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. They share the responsibility of winning.

Embrace what you don’t know You will not nor should be the subject matter expert on all things. You will never have all the answers. Develop a learning culture that embraces change and the sharing of information.

Find the purpose behind what you do Without purpose you can’t inspire a team to get behind the mission and vision. Why does the team exist? What is the purpose behind your leadership model? When the team understands the “why” they are far more likely to feel connected and take initiative.

Know that execution can’t happen without the team Without a team there can be no true leadership. Great leaders take a large share of the blame when things go wrong and very little share of the victory when the team wins. They provide the team with the right information and resources, remove obstacles and know when to get out of the way.

Recognize that the path to winning may be different than the one you originally thought Change is inevitable. Winning teams understand this and their leaders evangelize adaptation.

Planning is great but plans change. Great leaders invest time and resources in preparing their team and developing the soft skills necessary for building a winning culture.

Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us that you can get employees to work harder by offering external incentives and punishing failures.

While very few people would disagree with this point of view, and it can be effective in the right context, it turns out that there are numerous situations where this approach is actually counterproductive.

The business landscape has been undergoing a shift over the last 30 years from a world dominated by blue-collar, boilerplate workers to a world where employees with analytical and technical skills are in highest demand.

Research has shown that with this change from

mindless, robotic work to work that requires more critical thinking and creativity, has come a change in what drives employee performance.

It turns out that external incentives can limit our ability to think critically and creatively, which will hinder performance in the types of jobs that are becoming most important, such as computer programmers, graphic designers, and engineering.

In order to improve performance in this new corporate atmosphere, you have to offer, not external, but internal incentives.

Pink discusses three internal incentives in his

text; autonomy, mastery and purpose. Without giving too much away, employees will perform better when they are given control over the work they do, when they can better themselves, and when they are doing work that benefits others.

He goes on to describe each of these internal incentives in detail, as well as how and when to apply them.

The information contained in “Drive” is so valuable that Pink was asked to give a TED talk about this topic.

In his brief, 18 minute talk, he covers how the old, “carrots and sticks” method is no longer the best way to improve employee productivity, and

how the use of internal incentives can be more effective in many circumstances.

“Drive” is a very enjoyable read in terms of writing style and the presentation of the information.

Pink has a flowing, easy-going style, that allows him to present dry, technical details without boring the reader. Countless studies and findings are cited and examined, but the discussion is always kept at a level that any reader can understand.

While the focus of the book is on increasing productivity in a business setting, and thusly the majority of the examples throughout the book are business oriented, the author also makes a

point to show how these ideas can be applied in anyone’s life.

Whether it be motivating your children, your spouse, or even yourself, these concepts can be effective in driving performance.

“Drive” presents novel information that can benefit nearly anyone in a way that is accessible to almost everyone.

If nothing else, this text will teach you how to get yourself to be as productive as possible, both at work and in your personal life.

This is a reward that you should be interested in regardless of who you are and what you do.

22

leadership&management

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

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

The dominion of ideas 1

The world is full of several people who choose to live on Mediocre Street. They simply lay back and consume value provided by others. Whenever they lack the capacity to feed their consumption binge, they whine and complain about how terrible the socio-economic conditions are. These are the ones who, even several years after getting out of school, are constantly on the job queues, complaining about why more jobs are not being created. They are the hangers-on around politicians and public officers. They are the willing conduits for the public servant’s penchant for siphoning the collective patrimony through inflated contracts. When the easy money is no longer flowing, they create the impression that the world is coming to an end. Unfortunately, the population of people in this category is very high and so the din of the noise they are able to generate in a recession pitches at very high decibels.

Such people, even when they know why there is a recession, do not care and must find someone to constantly blame for their personal predicament. According to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria lost over twenty-three million barrels of oil to pipeline vandalism in the 21 days between August 15 and September 6. At the conservative rate of $45/barrel, that translates to about $50 million/ day or N20 billion/day at the current exchange rate of about N400/$1. The implication of this is that the free money that used to oil consumption appetites has stopped flowing. But for the mediocre consumer mind, none of these facts matter.

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, the current economic crisis may be the best time in the development of this nation. Every nation that ever became great became so on the back of a recession. America that we all point to as the bastion of economic progress, rose to world prominence sequel to a crippling recession in the 1930s. So did China.

So did Singapore which was derogatorily referred to in the 1960s as a big fishing village. Japan rose out of the devastation inflicted by the Second World War on the strength of ideas. So did Germany. Prosperity in any society has never been initiated by value consumers and naysayers. It has always been by those who generate ideas that sustainably

create or add value to the collective. Consequently, for the next few weeks, I will be discussing the power of ideas as the bedrock of meaningful progress. Those who are ready to roll up their sleeves and put on their thinking caps will ride the current storm using its waves as the raw materials for their advancement. They will later be celebrated by those who are sold out to complaints.

Ideas are the raw materials for ever creative endeavour.

And the creative spirit always uses chaos or disorder as its foundation to thrive. Every significant achievement first begins as an idea. Creation was God’s idea for bringing order to a formless world. Ideas are the response of the creative spirit to every crisis. Verily so, it has been said that Ideas rule the world! Every invention that has significantly shaped human history and development began in the seed of an idea.

According to Napoleon Hill, famous author of the classic, Think and Grow Rich, “All achievements, all earned riches have their beginning in an idea”.

Ideas are birthed in various ways. An understanding of these ways will help us to take advantage of the opportunities in such situations or moments when they come. An idea often begins as what we sometimes regard as a flash of inspiration, almost like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle whose significance only unfolds as we behold the bigger picture.

God never brings achievement wholesale in one fell swoop.

He begins with snippets of revelation, like unfolding scenes in a feature film. The story only unfolds as we stay glued to each scene. It is sometimes a long-drawn pictorial adventure that progresses with “a little here, a little there, precept upon precept...line upon line” to quote the Holy Bible. At other times, it could come in a long-drawn revelatory process like a dream or an open vision that leaves the recipient in no doubt that something unusual was in the offing. Ideas significantly engage the imagination because they actually paint a picture of a hitherto uncharted possibility, even though remote at the time they occur. Ideas may start small, but when vigorously pursued, they become bigger than we ever imagined. Pablo Picasso remains one of the greatest artists that ever lived. A virtuoso of the abstract genre of the

visual arts, he was quoted as having said, in response to how he received inspiration for his works, “I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else” Another important way by which ideas come to us is serendipity. Several inventions that have shaped the development of humanity came by accident or what some would regard as a fortuitous stroke of coincidence. In other words, they were not in the original plan or line of pursuit. According to Albert Szent-Gyorgi, “A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind”.

Alexander Fleming, a Scottish bacteriologist credited with the discovery of penicillin did not set out to invent a life-saving drug. Returning to his laboratory from a two-week vacation in 1928, he discovered that one of the vases in the laboratory had grown a mysterious mold. More intriguing was the fact that the existing bacteria in the vase tactically moved away from where the mold grew. This was a sign that the mold had the capacity to ward off unwholesome micro-organisms. He then went ahead to isolate, classify and describe the mold. Thirteen years after this discovery, researchers Howard Florey, Norman Heatley and Andrew Moyer took it to the next level by the development of a better growing mold that made it possible to isolate the quantity required for medical testing. Penicillin has since then become a classic antibiotic that has saved many lives from several life-threatening bacterial infections.

Will Kellogg didn’t set out to make cornflakes. All he did was help his medical doctor brother with his patients’ diet.

One day, while making dough for bread for the patients, he forgot the main ingredient, boiled wheat in the open for several hours. By the time he remembered and returned, the wheat had become flaky. Curiosity got the better of him and he baked the flaky dough, creating a snack that became an instant hit with the patients. He decided to push the frontiers by trying the same thing with corn. The success of that led to the establishment in 1906 of his company, “The Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flakes Company” which later became the Kelloggs Company that has sold cornflakes all over the world! ... continued Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!

Emergence of principled leaders

The English word character comes from a Latin word meaning “mark”, or “distinctive quality.” As you have seen, our character is what marks, defines, and identifies us. And you may have been asking yourself, “what distinctive qualities identify me? Are they positive or negative? Genuine character includes the following features: It is fixed, predictable and stable.

I presume that you are familiar with the saying, “Every man has his price.” This saying is very popular and fashionable in a nation as Nigeria. And it implies that every person has a point at which he will compromise his moral standards to gain something else that is a higher priority to him. Some of the usual candidates are money, fame and power. But if we want to become leaders of character, we have to stop accepting this notion—right now. There is no “price” for a leader of character that will cause him to compromise his standards, because his principles are his life. All leaders of character are therefore “set in their ways,” ethically speaking. When your character is set as either a leader or would be leader, you will not compromise because of anything as an effect of your convictions.

Nigeria does not lack men and women of knowledge, what we do have in short supply are men and women of character.

Late Myles Munroe told a story about some cement workers who forgot to keep the drum of their large cement mixed rotating. By the time they realized their error, the cement in the drum had completely dried, and they knew there was nothing they could do to salvage it.

The cement was now set and unchangeable. Those workers had to spend hours using sledge hammers to remove all the dried cement from the drum, so it could be used again.

The best time to form people’s character is during their formative years. Once we do not do it at this stage, we shall spend many years “using sledge hammer to remove all the dried cement from the drum, so it could be used again.” In the Western world, they have correctional facilities where this is done.

You do not prepare for the corridors of power when you are already there, you are to prepare for it long before you get there. Today, there are too many accidental leaders in Nigeria and on this continent. They are not leaders, but they are in leadership. They are bankrupt in character because they have no convictions. It is not that their values are still malleable, the problem is that they are of no values! The truth is, until we get it right in leadership, we are going nowhere as a nation. Remember, when it comes to nation building, leadership is everything!

Also, character is predictable and for a leader to be predictable, it means that he is consistently responsible and trustworthy. A leader of character can be relied on because he is not one thing one day and another thing next.

The question is, would you say that your conduct is predictable or unpredictable? Do your family members and coworkers tiptoe when they see you because they do not know how you will react to them on a given day? Do they have to warn others, ‘Watch out—he’s in a bad mood today’? When we demonstrate that we are reliable, we give other people a sense of security and well-being. We must become reliable in leadership, if we are going to change this nation and the entire continent of Africa. This is nonnegotiable.

As I begin to coast home today, it is said that a principled leader is predictable to the point that his character speaks for him in his absence. That is to say, people know

him so well that they could vouch for what he would or would not do in a given situation—and be totally accurate. Consequently, in order to gauge how strong your character is, you might ask several people you trust to give you an honest assessment of what they think your conduct would be under various scenarios. Use that information to help you form and strengthen your character. Please put into practice what I am sharing with you at the moment. It is going to change your life and leadership forever.

For the umpteenth time, the best time to build and strengthen your character is right now that you are not known yet. If you do not do it now, it shall be too late for you to do it when you become known. It is not when you become a leader that you’d form your character, the right time to do it is before you become a leader.

A principled leader does not change his values and principles, no matter the external circumstances. He is able to weather all kinds of personal and professional storms while remaining calm and steadfast. Ask yourself these questions: Am I consistent, no matter where I am, what I am doing, and what time of day it is? What do I do when people gossip about me, criticise me, attack my motivations, insult me, or even swear at me? Do I become a different person, losing my temper and lashing back? Am I really the person I project to others?

Lastly, buddy, leaders of solid-character are emerging in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, make sure you are not left behind. In the days to come in Nigeria, it shall be impossible for you to become a leader, on the condition that you are bankrupt in character. This is the future and the best time to buy into it is right now!

See you where great people are found!

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Monday, 12 September 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Business opportunities in poultry value chain A

By Ruth Olurounbi

S of 2013, Nigeria’s poultry industry was estimated at N80 billion ($600 million), according to a Sahel Capital (Mauritius) Limited’s 2015 report, An Assessment of the Nigerian Poultry Sector. With an approximated 165 million birds producing 650,000 metric tonnes of eggs and 290,000 metric tonnes of

next week:

poultry meat in 2013, the country’s egg production was the largest in Africa and the second largest chicken population after South Africa’s 200 million birds.

Despite series of challenges which has confronted the industry, analysts did project a 20 per cent annual growth in the poultry industry between 2010-2020 driven by Nigeria’s large population and rapidly growing middle class. This

projection provides an opportunity for investments in the industry, although prior to the projection there are a number of large commercial players in the sector most of whom are located in south-western Nigeria.

Aside the projected 20 per cent annual growth in the poultry industry, which could very much signal opportunity for investments, other challenges also pro-

How to handle difficult clients

vide an opportunity for business for entrepreneurs interested in doing business in the industry.

For instance, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN)’s record shows that Nigeria currently produces more than 1.25 million metric tonnes of egg per year, however, the country “is far from meeting her domestic demand for poultry Continues on p24

We’ve all had them at one time or the other – those difficult clients we can’t kick to the curb.

However, effective client management requires a keen understanding of psychological tactics.

Next week, we will discuss those tactics. Call your vendor to book your copy!

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Monday, 12 September 2016

Continued from p23

Nigerian Tribune

‘You can make N20m/year from poultry business’

products,” Dr Paul Oche Adoyi, CEO, Farmergiant Nigeria Limited said in a recent article.

Players in the sector, as well as the government have said that there is a large demand in every of Nigeria’s agriculture sector, and yet the supply hardly meet the demand. This gap provides an opportunity for those to kind of uction are the most lucrative Eggs and meat prod red for egg production rea , olds – do business in the sector. ers o-f lay tw is ear sw ers rs lay m me Some poultry far m, the income fro the to g din cor Ac Market analysis shows in. ee, involved ing of the thr they poultry business to get nt, it is the most stress me est inv on urn that there are four major ret h hig eggs and meat. Despite d of market segments that broilers and cockerel, sai d. sai llets (known as layers), at pu me ee for thr red capture the majority of the the rea rs lly rea o ica Kasali Halidu, wh ive. Broilers are typ rat luc re for mo ry are ust ts lle ind purchases of chicken meat ming pu the poultry the three, he found far at production sector of me the 12 en be at s e ha sal o for wh u, and eggs in the country ready production, Seun Adeol ilers grow faster and are cording to him, the bro k into this aspect of Ac and they include catering loo d. to sai rs, ver no yea tur 10 ick ost qu alm ke ma to g kin loo advised those companies feeding the oil weeks from hatch. He erinary services, said . ess industry, fast food outlets, sin bu the poultry years of his life in the vet 40 n tha turnre mo nt spe s ha household consumers and d take longer to make a Ezekiel Adebayo, who , are slower to grow an on es. cti sal du for e pro at tur me ma m for the hotel industry. But it is weeks for the cockerels, also reared a ding to him, it takes 24 ke cor ma Ac ll rs. wi u ile yo t bro to tha on ed recommended that poultry over in comparis does, “it is guarante of poultry farming one ” he said. should keep scanning and Irrespective of the type on the size of the farm, ing per annum depend n llio mi 0 N2 of analysing the poultry envium minim ronment and industry with an objective of identifying d for the business opportunities in the chain is inadequate fee Feed mill lue va ry ult po the of s enge poultry value chain. In fact, cording to those One of the major chall ality imported feed, ac -qu low on ce ian rel they need to. capital intensive, the chickens, thus, a forced feed mill business is the h ug tho Al a. is re However, it is important to in the business, the oviding quality feed. those interested in pr for y nit rtu po op sound a note of warning, Dr an gap provides Adoyi said. Poultry business is sing and packaging those interested in this capital intensive. But beyond Slaughtering, proces CEO of Easy Shop said, d an er nd busifou i, lam Sa that, success rates among the o the business. Salami’s From what Saudat m the poultry to get int far tions, to isa ve an ha org ily e sar rat po ces ne cor Small and Medium Enterbusiness don’t restaurants and s, me ho to ds foo sh fre prises (SMEs) operating in this ness, which supplies quality the chicken. ers of farmers who grow mb nu ring, processing ge lar a on s nd industry are limited to only depe the capacity of slaughte th wi s ole op sh 10 s ha o ion is to cover the wh 50 per cent, the doctor said, Kelvin Amadi, wh y, said although his vis his da r for pe en ers ick oil ch br 0 the 20 ng adding, “record showed that 15 and packaging on those growi ing nd pe de y ntl rre cu , he is per cent don’t even survive one poultry value chain ly. pp su daily year and most succumb to the is es, a hatchery business Hatcheries same mistake.” the business for decad in en be the ve se ha cau o be wh y se all According to tho Varied reasons contribute on investment, especi arantees a quick return a profitable one that gu tors in the world. sec to the failure rates among the fastest growing the of e on is nding on the scale ry ust ind poultry SMEs, he said. Some include ultry farming said depe po on t tan sul con a , month), the investment Dr Iseoluwa Adebayo inexperience, that is, “overesto 100 000 chicks per up s le ick ch 0 10 een tw large. However the sca of preference (be timation of ability to generate ess could be minimal or sin of bu eks ery we tch ee ha thr a as ng ly rti ick capital for sta te income as qu era gen to revenue or an underestimation rt sta can rs ne though, the business ow of cost, lack of proper managen . ess sin bu ee incubators – and the the ng rti sta small – with two or thr off ment and accounting procert the sta of u yo ive t ect tha e esp irr vis “I generally ad I can assure you, dure” and “mismanagement ur business grows. But ,” she w your incubators as yo e as soon as three weeks gro om inc g start generatin [which] could include poor recan u yo , ess sin bu ur yo size of muneration or welfare package ur consults animal said. business, the entreprene the ng rti an egg for staff,” among others. sta en wh t ate equipment to start She advised tha erinarians for appropri vet ess to as ll sin He, therefore, warned that we bu as the s in ert se exp husbandry nt to speak to tho rta po im ly ute sol ab o als “accountability, record keeping, hatchery business. It is s for the hatchery. ll as the room condition we seriousness of purpose, experas s egg y the room temperature ht rig the get be stored indoors. Ideall to ed ne ally,” ers tch ha d tise should not be jeopardize an ubators function optim “All incubators es Celsius to help the inc gre de 25 d an 15 all in the name of family or een tw must be be friendly ties. As a principle, she said. employ no one into the poultry if you cannot fire him or her!

Children, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, siblings, friend’s children etc should only Veterinary services be employed when they can be ge potential for veteriebayo said there is a hu Ad Dr to subordinate to the management value chain. According services in the poultry ry na ng uri sec in lp and accept to see business as it involvements he her, the veterinarians’ rate should be.” and reduce the mortality als im an the health of the attracts That said there are numerous ing consultancy services within the sector. Offer business opportunities in poula hefty fee, she added. try value chain. Some of them include:

25

Monday, 12 September 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ruth Olurounbi

0811 695 4637 (sms only) e:ruth.olurounbi@tribune.com.ng t:@Olurounbi

5 ways entrepreneurs can survive recession NEARLY every business has felt an impact from the recession. There has been no escaping. The root causes were universal and had a domino effect.

Some small-business owners believe they’ve seen the bottom and they are surviving they are OK and they expect to persevere with modest adjustments. These small-business owners are kidding themselves. The bottom has not been reached, and it will be a long slide until it does. We are in for a five- to 10-year disaster.

During such times, it’s easy to panic.

Panic, which is fear-driven and not based on fact but on emotion, has tremendous power, the power to change the direction of

Dangote, Irabor, others endorse Ugwu’s ‘The Smart Money Woman’ As book tour begins this month through Dec

By Ruth Olurounbi PERSONAL finance expert and founder of The Smart Money Africa, Arese Ugwu has got the endorsement of Nigeria’s top entrepreneurs as well as some of the biggest names across sectors from business, finance, media and entertainment on her new book, ‘The Smart Money Woman.’

In their review of the book, centred on financial literacy, the moguls noted Ugwu’s impressive offering in teaching about financial management with coming off as preachy.

Chairman and President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the book is “an entertaining way to learn about money.”

President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, while also commenting on the book, said: “A journey through personal finance written from a truly African context by a gifted young woman who seeks to reposition and redefine the way we think about the subject.”

Uche Pedro of BellaNaija, Betty Irabor of Genevieve Magazine and Tara Fela-Durotoye of House of Tara also commended Ugwu’s ability to tell a great, hilarious story while driving home the strong message about the changes to be made in the relationship African women have with money.

Through the book, Ugwu ventures into storytelling, spinning

a juicy tale about four girlfriends in Lagos, Nigeria navigating incredible money woes and coming out victorious.

The book is centered around the story of Zuri, a 28 year old single woman, living the upper-middle class life as a senior manager at a top firm. Despite appearances, Zuri finds herself broke, unable to make ends meet and in need of a lifestyle change.

With her best friendsTami (the flighty fashion designer), Lara (the tough oil and gas executive), Adesuwa (the conservative lawyer) and Ladun (the fabulous housewife), Zuri grows a little and learns a lot.

Through the interesting scenarios of the fictional characters, the book covers debt, spending, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, the fear and misconceptions surrounding money and the lack of it, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures and the roles they play in success; offering at the same time practical, step by step advice and solutions for a number of financial issues from investment and debt to budgeting and entrepreneurship.

Ugwu will kick off a book tour across Nigeria and Ghana from this month through to December 2016. The book tour will touch Lagos, Ibadan, Akwa Ibom, Warri, Abuja and Accra, Ghana to interact with readers. The tour will include meet and greets, book readings, book signings, exclusive brunches and dinners, interviews, and other exciting events.

business. But do you want to give in to panic, throw your hands in the air and accept self-destruction, actually accelerating it, becoming a part of the panic, stimulating more?

There’s an alternative to panicking. We are confronting change, and change is an opportunity for advances. Now you have the choice to take advantage of change it or allow yourself to be buried by it.

Make the right choices today and see the results tomorrow. It’s not just about adjusting prices -you need to broadcast your differences, tell people why they should shop with you, provide them with added value, and not discounts, and watch your business grow in a down market.

Here are a few rules of engagement that will help you successfully recast your business and succeed in the new economy: Evaluate and eliminate excessive debt If your revenues have dropped, you may not be able to service the debt you took on when your revenues were much higher. Any debt can be worked out -- secured debt, loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, mortgages, lines of credit, and even leases.

Downsize If you haven’t already, reduce your headcount and overhead. You can deliver the same amount -- or more -- by increasing productivity.

Track your finances daily -- and start today. Install a key indicator system to track your business and have daily, weekly and monthly financial reports issued. Follow profitability per job, per week, per client, per product. Use these indicators to focus on your most profitable products or services.

Make nothing that does not bring in a profit.

Reduce inventories and overhead at any cost Look for items that does not move or turn frequently. That’s where your cash is locked up -- in your cost of materials, labor, and so on, waiting to be turned into cash after it’s sold and the receivables collected. This can result in a huge cash drain.

Train and cross-train your staff. If every job or task is learned by at least one additional person, when the primary person is out, the secondary person cross-trained to perform the task can leap in and save the day. And so work continues, and productivity remains high despite the absence of a key player. Smoother production, greater productivity and happier customers mean a better bottom line.

Manage effectively This means tracking and analyzing key indicators, financial reports and productivity. Get smaller first and more profitable; then grow slowly and carefully.

Arese Ugwu. PHOTO: TY BELLO

Focus on quality That’s what wins in the long run. Never forsake this principle.

The horse is out of the barn, but there is still time to close the door...quickly. Get better, get smaller or be forced out. It’s your choice.

Culled from entrepreneur.com

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tribunebusiness

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

CBN and the produce, add value and earn foreign exchange initiative In its determined bid to partner fiscal authorities in reflating and diversifying the economy away from oil, Central Bank of Nigeria launched the initiative to produce, add value and earn foreign currency (PAVE). SANYA ADEJOKUN takes a look at the initiative and how it is working.

EXPORTS play an important role in any economy, ancient or modern, influencing the level of economic growth, employment and the balance of payments. Nations have deployed lower transport costs, globalisation, economies of scale and reduced tariff barriers to enhance exports to become a bigger share of national income. Exports growth can lead to general economic growth and then boost employment. On the flip side however, lack of export growth will ultimately lead to current account deficit, which would be an indicator of poor economic performance.

domestic economic activities, without much external dependency. This will help to solve the import substituting industrialization conundrum the country witnessed in the 1970s and 1980s. A situation in which most of the local industries depended solely on imported raw material inputs, machineries and machine parts, with complete absence of integration in the domestic economy and attendant vulnerability to external sector conditions. This was the prevailing economic condition that led the then President Shehu Shagari to declare economic austerity measure in the country in 1982.

Nosedive in foreign earning According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids in the third quarter of 2012 “was estimated at 2.26 million barrels per day or 207.92 barrels for the quarter. Crude oil export was estimated at 1.81 million barrels per day or 166.52 barrels for the quarter, while deliveries to the refineries for domestic consumption remained at 0.45 million barrels per day or 41.4 million barrels. The average price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light, estimated at US$111.04 barrel, rose by 1.6 percent over the level in the preceding quarter. Foreign exchange inflow and outflow through the CBN amounted to $14.46 billion and $9.21 billion, respectively resulting in a net inflow of $5.83 billion during the quarter.”

Conversely however, by the first quarter of 2016, the Bank reported that “crude oil production including condensates and natural gas liquids was estimated at an average of 1.82 million barrels per day or 165.62 million barrels while deliveries to the refineries for domestic consumption remained at 0.45 million barrels per day or 40.95 million barrels during the review quarter. The average price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light fell by 22 percent compared with the level in the fourth quarter of 2015. Provisional data showed that foreign exchange inflow and outflow through the CBN amounted to US$3.98 billion and $5.85 billion respectively, resulting in a net outflow of $1.87 billion.”

It is therefore in the midst of the confusion that greeted Nigerians in 2015 when oil prices plummeted to less than US$30 per barrel that CBN announced the PAVE philosophy urging Nigerians to produce, add value, export and earn foreign exchange. It is intended to make Nigerians think Nigeria, breathe Nigeria, exude Nigeria, produce and export Nigeria. It is a campaign aimed at making Nigerians realize the need to embark on domestic production of goods and services, and in addition, make conscious effort in value addition to the value chain.

Over the year, there have been efforts by Nigerians to export their goods but probably because there were no conscious efforts to support these mostly small businesses, these efforts remained largely insignificant in terms of contributions to GDP. For example, the shoe maker in Aba should be assisted by making his product’s packaging attractive first to domestic consumers in Nigeria, and secondly to the continental and foreign markets.

Example is often cited of South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, all of which were at the same level of economic development with Nigeria at the time of independence in 1960 but which are presently light years ahead with Korea’s manufacturing companies in automobile, communication and heavy industries competing favourably and even surpassing many of their peers in the West.

Thus, the initiative of CBN to motivate Nigerians to “produce locally, add value and export your product and earn your foreign exchange for your imports” (PAVE) to help local industries is a perfect substitute to the hitherto dependence on crude oil production and export with little or no impact on human welfare in terms of employment creation.

Over the years, there have been rhetoric about economic diversification away from crude oil but such declarations

The PAVE Initiative While broaching the PAVE Initiative shortly after a visit to Vice President Prof. Yemi Oshinbajo on October 31, 2015, Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said “what we are trying to concentrate on right now is how to improve and deepen the foreign exchange market by improving supply of foreign exchange into the market. And to do so, we are trying to encourage people to export and earn your export proceeds and use your export proceeds to import whatever you need to import. We are also concentrating on how to reduce the import of items that we can produce in the country today.

“So that is our focus. I’m saying and very soon the CBN will be launching a campaign called PAVE, which means “Produce locally, add value and export your product and earn your foreign exchange for your imports’’ because this is the only way we can support the efforts of CBN in intervening and providing foreign exchange in the market to meet the import needs of our people. It is very clear, what we need to do is reduce our propensity to import.”

The sublime message of Emefiele’s PAVE is that it represents an escape route to avoid the ugly characteristics and suffering of austerity measures. It is an inward looking approach to the production of goods and services like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in the production of rice in Kebbi State. PAVE provides a more sustainable way of stemming the hemorrhage in our foreign reserves.

If we faithfully keep to the tenets of PAVE, it would ensure increased domestic production to the point of having excess for export, which will earn the country more foreign exchange. Also, if Nigerians can embark on value addition by way of processing some of these agricultural commodities into semi manufactures, it will help to fetch local exporters’ better price regime than mere commodity exports.

Besides, it is envisaged that one of the unintended benefits of PAVE could be in the area of providing the necessary platform for learning-by-doing it process likely to launch these local semi-manufacturing processes into full industrial complex with the necessary economies of scale and competitive edge to compete at the global stage.

It will also alter our taste for foreign goods and help conserve foreign exchange. In essence, PAVE is synonymous to economic diversification with strong export orientation.

To achieve the objectives of PAVE, CBN has stepped up activities to support fiscal authorities in reflating the economy through special interventionist programmes.

Emefiele

The sublime message of Emefiele’s PAVE is that it represents an escape route to avoid the ugly characteristics and suffering of austerity measures. coincided with periods of burst cycles in the global crude oil market. The current burst cycle is however, unprecedented with most state governments unable to pay staff salaries and hundreds of businesses shutting down and others drastically reducing staff strength and even reducing wages.

Most economists have argued that, the existence of agricultural production alongside local industrialization helps to promote and foster enormous forward and backward linkage effects thereby ensuring cohesion in

Delisting of items from FOREX market In the last quarter of 2015, the Bank released a list of 41 items, which would no longer be financed through official foreign exchange window. According to the Governor who revealed that the decision was taken after a meeting with stakeholders, while “the CBN does not have the power to ban the import of any item. What we have done is to exclude certain items that are imported into the country from obtaining foreign exchange from the Nigerian foreign exchange market.”

For the records, the list include rice, cement, marContinues on pg27

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tribunebusiness

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

CBN and the quest for diversification cessors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilization of integrated mills.

This, he noted, would close the gap between the levels of local rice production and domestic consumption, as well as complement the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by graduating GES farmers from subsistence farming to commercial production. Accordingly he said, the CBN had set aside N40 billion from the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund for farmers at a single-digit interest rate of 9 per cent.

Target commodities under the ABP include rice, wheat, fish, oil palm, cotton/textile and sugar.

Encouraged by the success of the ABP in Kebbi State, Buhari has directed that it be extended to 13 other states of Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Admawa, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Cross-Rivers and Ebonyi. Some of the states not included on this list are now even generating foreign exchange from agriculture like Anambra, which exports Ugwu vegetable.

Continued from pg26

garine, palm kernel/palm oil products/ vegetable oils, meat and processed meat products, vegetable and processed vegetable products, poultry- chicken, eggs, turkey, private airplanes and jets, Indian incense, tinned fish in sauce (Geisha/Sardines, cold rolled steel sheets, galvanized steel sheets, roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans metal boxes and containers.

Others are enamelware, steel drums, steel pipes, wire rods (deformed and not deformed, iron rods and reinforcing bars, wire mesh, steel nails, security and razor wire, wood particle boards and panels, wood fiber boards and panels, plywood boards and panels, wooden doors, furniture, toothpicks, glass and glassware, kitchen utensils, tableware, tiles, textiles, woven fabrics, clothes, plastics and rubber products, cellophane wrappers, soap and cosmetics, tomatoes/tomato pastes as well as Euro bond/foreign currency band/share purchases.

Since this list was released, at least two factories in Lagos and Kano have been commissioned to utilize abundant tomato harvest in the country for the production of tomato paste and their products were certified more wholesome than many of the imported brands. In addition, many local manufacturers have heaved a sigh of relief as their products are now being patronised and consumed.

Re-opening of domiciliary accounts CBN has also allowed bank customers to hold domiciliary accounts where they can deposit proceeds of their exports. This is to encourage Nigerians to export their products with the assurance that they could be in control of their foreign currency earnings.

With this, diaspora remittances are in full swing again with the resultant effect of wetting foreign exchange market.

Anchor Borrowers’ Programme A recent report indicated that Africa spends $35.4 billion on food imports annually. Out of this, Nigeria accounts for $11 billion of this amount, which is obviously not helpful to the country’s quest for food sufficiency and economic diversification.

Also in realization that there was need for the economy to have a solid industrial base, CBN introduced the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which President Muhammadu Buhari launched on November 17, 2015.

Speaking during the launch and flag-off of the 2015 dry season farming season in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, President Buhari frowned at the huge sums spent

by Nigeria on the importation

Adebayo Adelabu, Dep Gov, CBN of food items that could be produced locally, stressing that the N1 trillion importation bills was not sustainable. While recalling the pride of place that agriculture enjoyed in the country’s economy, the President said the current reality in the global oil market left Nigeria with no option than to diversify into other productive sectors. The president, who also emphasized the implication of falling oil prices to Nigeria’s foreign reserve, said the situation underscored the need for Nigeria and Nigerians to diversify the productive and revenue base of the country’s economy and conserve her foreign reserve by curbing the appetite for imported goods that can easily be produced locally.

On his part, Emefiele said the Bank was concerned about the huge foreign exchange spent by Nigeria importing food items that

could be produced locally. He noted that the allocation of foreign exchange to the importation of items such as rice, wheat, milk and fish, among others, had contributed greatly to the depletion of the nation’s foreign reserves, especially in the face of low oil revenue resulting from falling oil prices.

The Bank governor disclosed that the rising unemployment and escalating food imports prompted the Bank, under his leadership, to shift from concentrating only on price, monetary, and financial system stability to act as a financial catalyst in specific sectors of the economy particularly agriculture, in an effort to create jobs on a mass scale, improve local food production, and conserve scarce foreign reserves.

ABP he stated, aims at creating economic linkages between over 600,000 smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale pro-

The objectives of the N500billion NonOil Export Stimulation Facility include to improve access of exporters to concessionary finance to expand and diversify the non-oil export baskets; attract new investments and encourage re-investments in value added non-oil exports production and nontraditional exports

MSMEDF The CBN launched the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) on August 15, 2013 with a share capital of N220 billion. The Fund was established in recognition of the significant contributions of the micro, small and medium enterprises sub-sector to the economy and the existing huge financing gap. Ten percent of the Fund has been devoted to developmental objectives such as grants, capacity building and administrative costs while ninety (90) percent commercial component will be released to Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) at two percent for on-lending to MSMEs at a maximum interest rate of 9% per annum.

CBN sources explained that eligible activities to be financed by the Fund include agricultural value chain, services, cottage industries, artisans, trade and commerce and any income generating business as may be prescribed by the CBN from time to time. And it has the broad objective of channeling low interest funds to the MSME sub-sector of the economy to enhance access

by MSMEs to financial services; increase productivity and output of microenterprises; increase employment and create wealth; and engender inclusive growth.

Since its operation, MSME Fund has helped businesses to access long term single digit loans at nine percent interest, resulting in reduced cost of borrowing which has been impact-

ing positively on their earnings.

N500billion Non-Oil Export Stimulation Facility The Non-Oil Export Stimulation Facility was established by the CBN to diversify the economy away from oil and to expedite the growth and development of the non-oil export sector. Interest rate on this facility has been pegged at 7.5% and 9% for facilities of below three years and over three years respectively. The recent fall in global prices of crude oil triggered a sharp decline in the country’s revenue and foreign exchange earnings. The facility is essentially designed to redress the declining export credit and to reposition the sector to increase its contribution to revenue generation and economic development. It will improve export financing, increase access of exporters to low interest credit and offer additional opportunities for them to upscale and expand their businesses in addition to improving their competitiveness.

To implement the facility, CBN will invest in an N500billion debenture to be issued by Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).

The objectives of the facility include to improve access of exporters to concessionary finance to expand and diversify the non-oil export baskets; attract new investments and encourage re-investments in value added non-oil exports production and non-traditional exports; shore up non-oil export sector productivity and create more jobs; support export oriented companies to upscale and expand their export operations as well as capabilities; diversify and increase the level of contribution of non -oil exports revenue towards sustainable economic development; and broaden the scope of export financing instruments.

Eligible transactions shall include export of goods wholly or partly processed or manufactured in Nigeria; export of commodities and services, which are permissible and excluded under existing export prohibition list; imports of plants and machinery, spare parts and packaging materials, required for export oriented production that cannot be produced locally; export value chain support services such as transportation, warehousing and quality assurance infrastructure; resuscitation, expansion, modernisation and technology upgrade of non-oil exports industries and; stocking facility/working capital.

Despite some criticisms from some vested interests, there are clear indications and testimonies that Nigerians are already taking advantages of these opportunities with reports showing a gradual but steady progress in the foreign exchange position of the country.

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Nigerian Tribune

Challenge of de-marketing in banking industry opened by the CBN for the report of such unwholesome practice by banks’ customers and the general public.

“Furthermore, in the overall interest of the banking system, all banks are advised to enthrone an appropriate corporate culture that would guide against such practices in the future.”

This warning succeeded in purging the industry of cases of de-marketing however only for another eight years.

Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

T

he Businessdictionary.com defines marketing as the management process through which goods and services move from concept to the customer. It includes the coordination of four elements called the 4 P’s of marketing: identification, selection and development of a product; determination of its price, selection of a distribution channel to reach the customer’s place, and development and implementation of a promotional strategy.

Marketing therefore is a form of communication between an entity and its customers with the goal of selling a product or service to them. Communicating the value of your product or service is a key aspect of marketing.

At the height of the fierce competition that succeeded the banking consolidation exercise between 2005 and 2006, a damaging tactic crept into the industry. It was called ‘de-marketing,’ which can be construed as a direct opposite of marketing. De-marketing is the deliberate creation and spreading of false information about a company and its management to destroy public confidence and cause it to lose patronage.

This practice became so widespread and threatening that it became a subject of hot exchange in one of the Bankers Committee meeting in 2006 with some bank chief executives reporting their colleagues who were deploying this nefarious tactic against their banks, to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Realising the threat of this practice to the health of the industry and the need to decisively combat it, the CBN issued a circular dated April 2012, 2006. The circular was signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, CBN, Mr Ignatiuos Imala.

Titled ‘The unethical and unprofessional practice of de-marketing colleagues/other banks in the industry by spreading false rumours,’ the circular among other things stated that “When the banking industry had 89 banks, some of the weak institutions made efforts to de-market others by circulating false distress lists and negative information all in the name of competition. They were then warned at the Bankers Committee followed by CBN clarification to the public.

“With the emergence of 25 strong banks, post consolidation and the existing large terrain for all to professionally and profitably do normal banking business for the growth of the economy, such practice is not only unacceptable but condemnable.

“Information reaching the CBN indicates that the unethical and unprofessional practice of spreading false stories to de-market other banks has again started to emerge in the system. This shows that the industry still harbours some operators/officers

who still conduct themselves unprofessionally.

Consequently, the CBN warns the staff of all banks to desist forthwith from this condemnable and unethical practice.

All banks’ Chief Executive Officers were then advised to immediately address all their staff to heed this warning as any proven case of de-marketing by any means and spreading false rumours or negative comments against other banks would henceforth be sanctioned as follows: “The bank officer (s) involved in the exercise will be dismissed and blacklisted for unethical and unprofessional behaviour, and the banks’ MD/CEO will be issued with a letter of warning by the Governor of the CBN and the letter will be made public, while a re-occurrence could also lead to such CEOs receiving a stiffer sanction.

“All are advised to comply in the interest of the industry and the economy. We are also inviting the general public to report any staff of a bank or banks involved in such unethical conduct to the CBN.” Another warning against de-marketing A similar but stronger warning was issued in 2008 when the unethical practice resurfaced in the industry. Dated October 21st, 2008, and signed by Imala, it was titled, “Circular to all banks de-marketing of banks by other banks.”

In the circular, the CBN, among other things stated that “The CBN has again noted with serious concern the recent practice whereby some officers of deposit money banks engage in the de-marketing of other banks through disparag-

ing comments and the use of negative text messages. This development, which constitutes a threat to the safety and soundness of the banking system, is unprofessional, unethical and unacceptable.

“Banks and their staff are by this circular reminded that the responsibility for ensuring the safety and soundness of the banking system is a collective one for all stakeholders. Banks are therefore advised to caution their staff on this practice as henceforth, any staff of a bank found to be involved in such an act will be summarily dismissed and blacklisted.

“Also, if another staff of the same bank is involved in such a practice, the institution will face severe sanctions including but not limited to a monetary fine of N10 million. Appropriate channel will be

When the banking industry had 89 banks, some of the weak institutions made efforts to de-market others by circulating false distress lists and negative information all in the name of competition.

Re-emergence of de-marketing Recent developments show a re-emergence of de-marketing tactics in the banking industry aided by actions of the regulatory authorities.

On July 4, 2016 the apex bank announced the removal of the board of Skye Bank and the appointment of a new one. But prior to the announcement, the social media was awash with rumours that the bank was distressed, and that the CBN had taken over the bank.

Though the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele while announcing the board changes, emphatically stated that the bank and in fact no bank was distressed, to many people, the announcement was a confirmation of the rumours.

The de-marketing assault, however, was not limited to Skye Bank.

The regulatory action induced a flight to safety among bank customers, which caused most banks to experience some form of deposit withdrawals.

However, some bankers and members of the public decided to exploit the situation to spread various false and damaging information against banks that are doing well by every indices of performance just in the bid to poach their customers.

Checks revealed that Heritage Bank, a young but rising star of the industry is the latest victim of these false and damaging assaults.

Facts beyond de-marketing According to the 2015 financial statement of Heritage Bank released April this year; the bank recorded gross earnings of N24.2 billion and posted a profit after tax of N1.1 billion. This was made possible via customers’ deposit of N312 billion while the bank also gave out N175 billion loans during the year. Also, in March the CBN appointed Heritage Bank as partner for the pilot phase for its N3 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme, to mention a few.

The above definitely are not indications of distress or a bank tending towards distress.

Yet there have been barrage of de-marketing assaults against the bank to convey wrong impressions about its financial status.

The de-marketers of Heritage Bank have sought to undermine it with two sets of malicious and false information First, they sought to undermine

the image of the bank with a political colouration, by labelling it as a bank owned by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

“Heritage Bank is a Saraki bank,” they claim. Yet, even at inception in 2013, Saraki’s family had less than 10 per cent in Heritage Bank.

Available record shows that ownership is more diluted today due to additional capital from new investors.

In addition, some of the de-marketers sought to tie the bank with the former chairman of Skye Bank, Mr Tunde Ayeni. They claimed that Ayeni is a majority shareholder, that he borrowed so much money from the bank, as a result of which the CBN will soon ‘take over’ the bank as it did Skye Bank.

After re-circulating these falsehoods without success, the demarketing machine turned its searchlight on the financial health of the bank. “The bank is distressed; the CBN would soon sack the management,” they falsely claim.

The issue of the N2 billion NNPC funds in the care of banks over which CBN banned some banks from foreign exchange market did not help matters. Despite the fact that some aspect of the TSA directive absolves the banks of any wrong doing, as well as the fact that the issue was a case of dollar shortage to meet repayment schedule, the CBN conveyed the impression that the banks concealed the NNPC funds.

Also while the NNPC funds were in the custody of 15 banks, only nine banks were reported to be involved. Heritage Bank was also included in the nine banks, despite submitting to the CBN a schedule of repayment for the NNPC funds under its care. Thus, the CBN, despite its warnings against de-marketing unconsciously fuelled the wave of misinformation and falsehood about the health of these banks, including Heritage Bank.

The sins of Heritage Bank Some analysts said the main cause of this wave of de-marketing assault on Heritage Bank is its rapid success in catapulting itself into the ‘Tier 2’ category of banks in the country.

This started with its daring entry into the industry in 2013, emerging from the ashes of the defunct Societe Generale Bank. Despite the pessimism about its viability and ability to compete in a fiercely competitive industry, the bank commenced with a verification exercise and payment of about N21 billion to depositors of the defunct SGBN. This was a feat considered impossible by most industry watchers.

And while the industry was still grappling with the fact of its emergence in the industry, Heritage Bank made a daring bid for the former Enterprise Bank. In addition to winning the bid, the bank made the payment for the acquisition in record time, while the management successfully integrated the two banks without any crisis or rancour.

Nigerian Tribune Monday, 12 September, 2016 29 photonews MRS FLORENCE AJIMOBI FOOD BANK PROJECT AT ONA ARA, OLUYOLE, LAGELU, EGBEDA, AKINYELE, IDO AND IBARAPA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF OYO STATE

Mrs Florence Ajimobi and a boy, who is a beneficiary of the Ajumose Food Bank.

Mrs Ajimobi addressing people at Ibarapa East Local Government, Area of the state.

Mrs Ajimobi giving food items to an elderly woman.

Mrs Ajimobi addressing people at one of the local goverments.

Mrs Ajimobi distributing food items at Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.

Distribution of food items at Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

Part of the food items that were distributed at Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.

Some beneficiaries of the project.

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Nigerian Tribune

31 sallahmessages Let’s sacrifice in faith —Dogara Jacob SegunOlatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

S

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In his Sallah message

Ahmed urges Muslims to sustain love, sacrifice Biola Azeez-Ilorin

GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has urged Muslims to sustain enduring lessons of love, compassion, sacrifice and faith in Allah that Eid-elKabir represents by making such characteristics enduring virtues in their lives.

In his sallah message to Muslim faithful, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, in Ilorin, on Sunday, the governor also charged Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs or ethnic differences, to transform such diversities into platform for national cohesion, understanding and development.

“There’s undoubtedly potency in the diversities of our nationalities that we can drive collectively in the quest for socioeconomic and technological transformation and advancement of the Nigerian space,” he said.

Baraje calls for national prayers on recession Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE Founder and Proprietor of Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, CON has called for national prayers to enable the country overcome the numerous challenges confronting the nation particularly the current economic recession.

In a sallah message issued in Ilorin to felicitate with Muslim ummah on the auspicious occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Alhaji Baraje said it is through fervent prayers that the country can surmount her current crisis.

“I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to our religious leaders to call for national prayers. It is only prayer that can help us; we need to pray for our leaders for God’s wisdom in piloting the ship of the country.”

to Muslims, issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mallam Turaki Hassan, the Speak-

er called on the faithful to use the period for sober reflection and to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice for

Monday, 12 September, 2016

•As Lasun calls for brotherhood

peace, unity and progress of the country.

The Speaker noted that peaceful co-existence and

understanding as well as sustained prayers among citizens were essential in the face of the current

Work and pray, Amosun tells Nigerians Olayinka OlukoyaAbeokuta

GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun, of Ogun State, has urged the Muslim Ummah and indeed all Nigerians, to work in unity and pray for the progress and prosperity of Nigeria.

He said this in his goodwill message for the Eidel-Kabir celebration that Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political leaning, should join hands in support of the efforts of the federal government towards revitalising the Nigerian economy.

“If we all come together irrespective of our religious, ethnic and political

differences to contribute our own quota to the development of this coun-

try, I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria will speedily overcome its cur-

Saraki Vanguard felicitates with Muslims THE Abubakar Bukola Saraki Vanguard has felicitated with Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on this year’s Eidel-Kabir celebration, calling for continued prayers for the peace, stability, security and prosperity of Nigeria.

The group, in a statement signed by its Nation-

al President, Mr Oritoke Rahman and Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Toyin Akano, noted that the festival provided an opportunity to reflect and show love to their fellow Nigerians.

Especially, the group felicitated with Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and wife, Mrs Toyin Saraki; Senator Monsurat

SOUN of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111, has called on the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir to offer special prayers for leaders at all levels of government.

According to the monarch, in the spirit of Sallah, Nigerians must bury their differences in order to work together for the progress of the nation.

In a statement signed by his private secretary, Toyin Ajamu, Oba Oyewumi said, “As we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, I wish to urge Muslims to embrace the teachings of the holy Qu’ran and exemplary qualities of

THE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has urged Muslim faithful not to lose sight of the lesson behind

the celebration of Eid-elKabir.

According to the first class monarch, who described eid-el-kabir as

Prophet Mohammed by demonstrating love, togetherness, brotherhood, selflessness and alms-giving in their daily pursuits. As a nation, we must continue to live in peace and harmony regardless of ethnic, political and religious differences.

We should see our heterogeneous nature as an advantage and not a misfortune.

Let us remain law-abiding

and patriotic in order to build a prosperous nation”.

Oba Oyewumi used the opportunity to call on those in leadership positions to use resources at their disposal to improve the well- being of the people, adding that it is only through good governance that the dividends of democracy can get to the masses.

Collins Nnabuife-Abuja

THE President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Dr Samson Ayokunle, on Sunday, felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and Muslims in Nigeria as they

celebrate Eid-el Kabir.

In a statement released by the Association’s media team, Reverend Ayokunle prayed that the celebration will foster peace and love in the country.

According to the statement, “The President of

foist unfounded mandates on the states.

This was contained in his message to Nigerians on the occasion of the Eidel-Kabir festival; signed by his media officer, Ayo Giwa.

According to the former governor, the only way for

Nigeria’s survival as a nation is for all governments in the land, irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations, to initiate programmes that would contribute to the uplift of the life of the citizenry.

Kalu sues for peace, religious tolerance Shola Adekola-Lagos

EMINENT businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Kalu, has called on religious leaders to use their platforms to educate their followers on the importance of peace and unity, noting that no tangible development can take place in an atmosphere of chaos.

According to Kalu, the ideals of Prophet Mohammed should be embraced in our daily lives, adding

one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar, said the greatest lesson is about sacrificial giving.

Oba Adetunji stated that those who could afford the benefit of offering rams as sacrifice to Almighty Allah should not forget those who could not. He added that the generality of our people should also seize the opportunity offered by the sallah to reflect on the life and times of Prophet Ibrahim, saying “unless you are tested, you do not know how well you will perform in an examination of life.”

CAN president felicitates with Muslims

Allow true federalism to thrive —Daniel THE immediate past governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, has stated that Nigeria will experience rapid transformation when true federalism is allowed to thrive and the Federal Government does not casually and unilaterally

Sunmonu, praying for the wisdom needed as leaders to galvanise the country aright.

Further felicitating with Nigerian Muslims, the Vanguard called for the cooperation of Nigerians with President Muhammadu Buhari on the task of addressing current challenges in the country.

Sacrificial giving, message of Sallah —Olubadan

Soun tasks leaders on good governance Shola Adekola-Lagos

rent economic challenges,” Amosun said.

that Islam preaches love, togetherness, sacrifice, selflessness and alms-giving.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Alhaji Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said, “it is yet another Eid-elKabir, we praise Allah for granting us the grace to witness this year’s celebration.

Kalu equally used the occasion to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militia groups

to sheathe their swords for the sake of peace, pointing out that the bombing of oil installations in the Niger Delta has crippled activities in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, adding that government is losing huge revenue due to activities of the militants. He however called on government to embrace dialogue as a way of ending terrorism, kidnapping, violence and other social vices in the country.

the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, on behalf of all Christians in the nation, felicitates with the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sar’d Abubakar and all Muslims in Nigeria over the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

economic and security challenges in the country, which are not insurmountable.

In the same vein, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Lasun appealed to Muslim faithful all over the country to reflect on the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir by being their brothers’ keeper.

The Deputy Speaker’s message was contained in a message to the Muslim faithful, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Wole Oladimeji, also urged for patience and perseverance, especially in this period of economic recession.

He equally urged them to emulate the practice of Prophet Mohammed by extending good hands of fellowship to friends and neighbours alike.

Teamwork necessary to end nation’s challenges —Mimiko ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has called for the cooperation of all in the bid to rescue the nation from its myriad of challenges, even as he wants the tempo of prayers being offered for the repositioning of the country’s economy to increase.

That he noted would enable joy to return quickly to the many homes bearing the brunt of economic recession ravaging the country.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message, issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, in Akure, on Sunday, Governor Mimiko called on Muslims in the nation to also sustain their consistent prayer pattern because according to him, the country still remains in dire need of prayers more than ever before to surmount her challenges.

Akpabio charges Muslims/Nigerians on support for leadership THE Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, has charged Muslim faithful not to forget the very tenets of the religion, which are love, obedience and perseverance, as they celebrate eid-el-kabir.

Akpabio, whose goodwill message was contained in a release by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, urged Nigerians to eschew bitterness and hatred and imbibe the spirit of love, unity and faith as they celebrate eid-el-kabir today.

He charged Nigerians to continue to use the period to pray for the leadership of the country, noting, “ the leadership of this country needs prayers and support from everyone, without any regard for political, religious or ethnic leanings, because economic hardship does not recognise politics, religion nor ethnic divides. This is time all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation for the benefit of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.”

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

Falana to FG: Reject Swiss govt’s condition on $321m Abacha loot Chima Nwokoji -Lagos, with Agency Report

H

UMAN rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the condition attached by the Swiss government before the return of $321 million Abacha loot to Nigeria.

Premium Times had earlier quoted a letter to the president written by Mr Falana, in which the lawyer said though corruption is a problem in Nigeria, the conditions provided by the Swiss government were a violation of international laws.

“In the event that the government of Switzerland refuses to return the said sum of $321 million without any conditionality, the Federal Government should not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings for the recovery of the asset,” Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated in the letter dated September 9.

“In the proposed suit, Nigeria should claim punitive and exemplary damages and interests from Switzerland for keeping the loot for over 20 years,” he added.

In July, the Swiss government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government towards the return of the money looted by Nigeria’s late dictator, Sani Abacha.

A first tranche of the Abacha loot – $722 million – had been repatriated to Nigeria in 2005.

Eric Mayoraz, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, said the MoU signed in July would help remove bottlenecks usually associated with the return of the loot.

But according to Mr Falana, the Swiss government had included in the MoU a condition that requires the World Bank to supervise the spending of the returned loot.

“We note that grand corruption, money laundering and return of stolen assets have long become major issues of concern to the international community.

“We further note that Switzerland has acceded to all the relevant international treaties such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption for the return of assets.

“We believe that the conditionality imposed on Nigeria, which allows the World Bank to supervise the spending of returned assets by the Nigerian government, breaches international law principles and standards.

“In particular, Article 57 of the UN Convention against Corruption requires states parties to return assets ‘on the basis of a final judgment in the requesting state party.’ But in circumstances

where there is no ‘final judgment,’ Article 57 allows for assets to be returned on the basis of ‘agreements or mutually acceptable arrangements, on a case-by-case basis, for the final disposal of confiscated property.’

“While the UN Convention against Corruption contains provisions for ‘special considerations’ when states parties are concluding agreements, this does not give the government of Switzerland the right to unilaterally impose conditions on Nigeria,” Mr. Falana said.

He added that Article 57 suggested Switzerland had no legal authority to impose conditions on Nigeria regarding the spending of

recovered assets.

Falana also said the World Bank had failed to demonstrate sufficient level of transparency and accountability in its supervision of previously repatriated Abacha loot.

Last month, the Bank had requested for more time from a non-governmental organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), to disclose details of how the Nigerian government spent previously recovered Abacha loot.

SERAP had requested for the information last year.

“The Bank has been unable or unwilling to consistently apply its own Access to Information Policy to dis-

close key information to civil society groups and other stakeholders,” Falana said.

“In the SERAP case, the World Bank failed and/ or neglected to provide several portions of the information requested on the spending of recovered Abacha loot managed by the Bank.

“Although the Bank’s Access to Information Policy recognises the right to an appeals process when a request for information in the World Bank’s possession is improperly or unreasonably denied, the appeal lodged

by SERAP has been unreasonably and unduly delayed “Having regard to the

Address issues before they lead to crisis, don urges Nigerian leaders

By Tunde Ogunesan

A university lecturer, Professor Afolakemi Olasumbo Oredein, has urged Nigerian leaders not to allow issues to degenerate into full blown crisis before they

take cognate decisions.

Professor Oredein of the Department of Educational Management, Lead City University, Ibadan, stated this while delivering the sixth inaugural lecture of the institution, entitled:

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; flanked by the Executive Director, Kogi Iron Ltd, Mr Kevin Joseph and the Non-Executive Chairman and Director, Dr Ian Burston, during the Mining in Nigeria Investment Seminar, at the recently held Africa Down Under (ADU) conference, in Perth, Australia.

Edo guber poll: I won’t govern on the blood of my people —Obaseki

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

THE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said he would not govern on the blood of his people.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, on Sunday, the APC governorship hopeful reiterated that he would rather not contest for governorship than to have many people killed in Edo State because of election.

Against the backdrop of the state governorship election, which was postponed from September 10 to 28, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Obaseki said “we were ready for the elections, but when the police belatedly raised the issue of security, there was nothing we could do. I will rather not be a governor than to have the blood of many people shed by miscreants that were imported into Edo State to cause

havoc,” he said.

Citing the violence in Rivers State, Obaseki queried: “How many people have been tried or charged to court for the wanton killings and violence in Rivers State, let alone being convicted? How many people have been arrested for the blatant murder of the Port Harcourt lawyer?

These imported hoodlums have nothing to lose, they are not from Edo, and would not think twice be-

empty promises made so far by Switzerland and the United States to return forfeited assets worth over $800 million it is clear that the Western countries will continue to frustrate the repatriation of the looted wealth of the nation being warehoused by them, albeit illegally,” he added.

fore killing our people the way they killed people in Rivers State,” he added.

Obaseki maintained that though it was disappointing for the election to have been postponed as the APC was coasting home to victory, the APC would win the election convincingly any day or time, adding that the postponement was just a mere shift of the doomsday for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others.

“The people of Edo State have made up their minds never to go back to the dark era. They know me, they know the lineage of my family, they can trace me from four or five generations back, they know I don’t have a violent past, I have never been charged or tried for violent behaviour. Let me assure you that we will win the election and win handsdown,” he said.

“Good Leadership for National Development: The Inevitable Fraternal Twins and Irresistible Skills as Matters Arising.”

According to her “Our leaders should not wait until issues degenerate into conflict or conflict escalates before it is managed, they should identify opportunities for growth, improvement, change and development, and make the best maximisation.

“Leaders should consider themselves as conceptual and behavioural decision makers who solve problems creatively, The should be humanistic, concerned about the welfare of people and interested in helping others. Leaders at all levels should be enlightened on the ability to take decisions, because making a decision goes a long way in affecting national development.’’

She also enjoined leaders at all levels “to allow stakeholders to participate in decision-making and equally give room for open communication and allow evidence-informed and results-oriented decision making.”

Speaking on the present socio-economic condition in the country, Professor Oredein, whose lecture was the first in the Faculty of Arts, declared that the present Federal Government should address issues instead of playing game politics, saying “You should stop beating around the bush” by waiting for the time when the people would start to react or revolt.

She also called for training and re-training of leaders on effective leadership communication and decision making, while also suggesting that “proper and deliberate provisions should be made for conflict management.”

I did not run away from arrest —Ex-Benue gov Johnson BabajideMakurdi

IMMEDIATE past governor of Benue State, Dr Gabriel Suswam, has said he did not run away from arrest.

Debunking the insinuation by the present administration that he ran away over the purported indictment of N107billion by the probe panel, which led to the arrest of some of his (Suswam’s) men by the

police last week, Suswam described it as a pedestrian talk, saying he only travelled abroad for medical attention and assured of his return soon.

The former governor said he remained in high spirit, not minding his persecution and that of his men by the present administration, saying, “my pride remains that all of these took place under my watch as governor of this state, and

I am grateful to Almighty God that I was able to surmount the pressures of high office and placed the sovereignty of the people above narrowed personal interests.

“By the time we, as a political group, are leaving the stage of power, we had lifted the democratic tastes of the people to certain standards above what previously obtained.

“It is the reality of having attained such standards of democracy that today places a minimum level of expectation by the people on the ruling All Progressives Party (APC)-controlled government in Benue State. And these are expectations that could only be met through ingenious application of available resources to execution of projects which are of priority to the people.

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

UI students to honour Bola Ige with oratory contest THE 86th posthumous birthday of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, will take place on Tuesday, with an oratory contest.

The oratory contest tagged: "The Effects of insecurity on socio-economic development in Nigeria", is organised under the auspices of Educare Trust and

The Vale College, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The students of University of Ibadan (UI), are deemed eligible to participate in the contest tagged, "The First Bola Ige Inter-faculty oratory contest".

The event is scheduled to hold at Educare Trust Youth Centre, Aerodome GRA, Samonda, Ibadan, at11.00am.

By Abiodun Awolaja

state to imbibe the spirit of sacrificial giving as the nation faces tough economic challenges during Eid-el-Kabir.

Amuda equally advised religious leaders in the state not to play politics with religion.

Ondo Accord candidate urges love, sacrifice at Eid-el-Kabir THE Accord Party candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Pastor Oladare Amuda, has called on the people of the

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Monday, 12 September, 2016 34 southwestnews govt to Ondo 2016: Hoodlums attack Ibrahim's campaign office Oyo exhibit ‘aso

We have no hand in the attack —Jegede campaign group HakeemGbadamosi-Akure

T

HE Ali-modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, on Sunday, said hoodlums suspected to be members of the Ahmed Markarfi-led faction of the party invaded, attacked and destroyed the campaign office of its candidate, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim.

Speaking on the attack, the Director of Publicity of Jimoh Ibrahim Campaign, Sola Akinuli, said the suspected hoodlums invaded the party's secretariat along Oyemekun Road, Akure, on Saturday night.

Akinuli, who condemned the attack, described it as unfortunate, saying the hoodlums destroyed the party's flag and the country's flag at the secretariat.

He explained that a big banner bearing the picture of the factional candidate and messages of hope to the people of the state was also pulled off the wall of the building.

Also speaking on the development, the Publicity Director of the faction, Yemi Akinyomide, said "some gunmen allegedly stormed the building at about 8:30 pm in a Toyota Bus branded with Eyitayo Jegede posters, as they went on rampage and destroyed and vandalised the newly installed PDP flags, of the party.”

Akintomide described the act as barbaric, destructive and a very dangerous way of playing politics.

"We're aware of the evil plans of the other faction of the PDP in the state as we go

into the campaign proper; but we at the Prince Biyi Poroye-led PDP in the state have been preaching peace and non-violence, leaving the court to do justice to the cases before it, while we continue politicking and preparing for the election.”

However, the coordina-

tor of Eyitayo Volunteer Group, Olumide Ogunkua, who also condemned the attack, described the allegation against Eyitayo Jegede campaign group as false and figment of the faction's imagination.

Ogunkua said that Eyitayo's group will not benefit

from destroying and vandalising Ibrahim's campaign office, saying, "What would we gain from destroying and vandalising a member of our party? We cannot take arms against any member of our party or opposition.

Politics is not a do-or-die affair to us.”

From left, President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama; Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Archbisop Emeritus of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie and the Vice-President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Benin, Most Reverend Augustino Akubuese, at the Catholic Bishops Conference, in Akure, at the weekend.

Mimiko wants Catholic bishops to join restructuring call ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has appealed to the Bishops of Catholic Church of Nigeria to join in the call for the restructuring of Nigeria, even as the President, Catholic Bishops Conference, declared that Mimiko has provided good leadership in Ondo.

Governor Mimiko, in his remarks at the 2nd plenary session of the opening

mass of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) 2016, held on Sunday, at the Scared Heart Cathedral Church, Akure, said government had a responsibility to curtail religious bigot and urged religious leaders to continue to pray for the nation.

He said “the problem of corruption can be addressed with the right policy in place,” but that inter

religious conflicts may lead the country into more danger that might be difficult to overcome.

He said "government has responsibility of bringing these bigots to book.

We are not comfortable with what the bigots are doing. What they are doing is most worrisome in Nigeria. Church has major role to play by praying for Nigeria."

Harassment: Ewi suspends masquerade festival in Ado Ekiti Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti FOLLOWING disorderliness being caused in Ado Ekiti metropolis and harassment of innocent citizens, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, has suspended masquerade festival/celebration in the town.

The ban, according to a reliable source, was fallout of the persistent harassment of innocent people and barrage of complaints lodged at Ewi’s palace by those that were manhandled by adherents of the masquerade and others that daily patrolled the streets.

Findings revealed that some of the masquerades and their followers, who normally go on rampage, brandishing long cudgels and charms, were in the habit of coercing the traders and passers-by to pay money or part with food items, failing which they

He said all the campaign vehicles of the Eyitayo Campaign group were neatly packed at the campaign headquarters on Saturday while his principal was busy soliciting and canvassing for votes from the people of the state towards the November governorship election.

would be flogged severely and inflicted bodily injuries on them.

Oba Adejugbe, in an announcement broadcast on the state-owned radio station, told the Commissioner of Police, Mr Etop James, to carry out the order in the interest of public orderliness

in the capital city.

The monarch also warned the chiefs against flouting the order, saying they would be held liable for any breach of public peace if any masquerade traceable to their quarters should defy the temporary ban.

The advert said: “In view

of the information at our disposal about the activities of the masquerades in Ado Ekiti metropolis in recent, the Ewi-in-Council hereby place temporary ban on masquerade festival until we meet on Thursday, September 15 to review our action.

Dr Mimiko, who charged churches to always stand up when they see abuse of the secularity in Nigeria, submitted that "we must stand to resist the few bigots who want to destroy Nigeria," noting that deepening inequality in the society also fuel radicalism.

In his speech, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigerian, the Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, commended the cooperation between the church and the government of Ondo State, stressing the Mimikoled administration had brought smile to the faces of the people through the provision of good roads, infrastructural development, quality healthcare and urban renewal among others.

Aregbesola, Ooni urge FG to explore tourism to tackle recession Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, over the weekend, advised the Federal Government to fully explore the potentials inherent in tourism sub sector to tackle the nation's economic recession..

They spoke in Ile-Ife at the unveiling of the Olojo Festival logo, which marks the beginning of the 2016 Olojo Festival, held at Ooni's palace.

Olojo is one of the oldest festivals in Ife and celebrated all over Yorubaland.

The duo contended that with substantial investment in the tourism, accruable revenues from the sector could be handy in the steady economic growth of the country.

Aregbesola, who was represented by the Director General of the Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP), Dr Charles Akinola, noted that entrepreneurs’ involvement was necessary for cultural renaissance and socio-eco-

nomic development.

While maintaining that Ile-Ife has no fewer than 12 tourist centres of international standards, he said many countries have generated revenue ranging from $20.2billion to $177.2 billion from their tourism sector.

Oba Ogunwusi tasked President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to intensify investments in tourism, saying the sector was capable of bailing the country out of economic recession.

According to the mon-

arch, "what we are doing is indeed a new one, we have improved the branding and we want to show the landmark uniqueness of Ile-Ife as a tourist centre.

"Both government and private entrepreneurs should begin to use tourism for unity and economic development. Tourism is about movement. It is like a mandate that draws people from every part of the world.

"It will bail us out of recession. It is a product that will provide lasting solution to economic challenges in the country. "

ofi’ on World Tourism Day

By Wale Akinselure EXHIBITION of the Yoruba handloomed traditional attire known as aso ofi will form the core of this year’s celebration of the World Tourism Day in Oyo State.

The celebration, slated for September 27, will feature aso ofi fashion parade, arts and crafts exhibition; aso ofi weaving competition, musical concert/ cultural display and colloquium, at old NYSC Camp, Iseyin.

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, who made this disclosure on Thursday, said the activities, holding between September 25 and 27 were aimed at reawakening indigenous textile, developing tourism, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the state.

He, however, added that this year’s celebration, which will see the state government partnering with Iseyin Weavers and Marketers Association, would also promote youth empowerment.

Monitor your children, Mrs Ajimobi tells mothers ByYejideGbenga-Ogundare WOMEN in Oyo State have been urged to monitor their children and wards as well as all the activities they engage in to sustain the peace in the state.

They were also urged to cater for all their needs to prevent them from being lured into crime.

The charges were made by the wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, during the Ajumose Food Bank initiative programme at OnaAra, Oluyole, Akinyele, Egbeda, Lagelu, Ido, and Ibarapa East Local Governments of the state at the weekend.

The governor’s wife lamented the harsh economic situation in the country, stating that the situation can bait children into activities inimical to them and peace enjoyed under Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration.

She enjoined parents to teach their children the virtues of satisfaction and contentment.

The Ajumose Food Bank marked the third outing and 18th Local Government visited since the relaunch of the Food Bank initiative.

35

news

Monday, 12 September, 2016

FG to adopt new National Health Policy

Saraki distributes N250m empowerment equipment

Addresses resurgent polio cases Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja

T

HE Federal Government is set to adopt a new National Health Policy and address the resurgence in polio cases across the Northern part of the country, especially Borno State.

Against this background, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, led the National Council on Health (NCH) in an emergency meeting in Abuja to adopt the revised National Health Policy, discussed the recent flare up in Polio cases, the issue of persisting Lassa Fever outbreaks in some states and Universal Health Coverage.

Addressing the council, the minister said “the 2016 National Health Policy is coming at a most opportune time, shortly after the enactment of first National Health Act 2014 for the country and at a time when there is global re-commitment to a new development framework- the Sustainable

Amendments in justice sector policy underway —AGF Sunday Ejike - Abuja

THE Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said there is the need to harmonise and integrate the various reform initiatives in the justice sector into a clearly articulated National Justice Policy.

The AGF stated this in a message through the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Taiwo Abidogun, at the inauguration ceremony of the technical committee that will produce a draft National Justice Sector Policy for the country, in Abuja, recently.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the AGF, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, at the weekend, quoted the minister as saying that, “The policy would clearly define Nigeria political philosophy with respect to justice delivery and also provide a common policy direction for the justice sector stakeholders across the nation.”

The draft policy, the statement said, would be presented at the stakeholders’ forum to be convened next month for inputs before being submitted for validation and adoption at the proposed national summit on administration of justice.

Development Goals (SDGs) and an increasing global support for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”

Professor Adewole pointed out that over the last two and a half decades, Nigeria has recorded some progress in the performance of its health system; which included improvement in key indices for

major communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria) as well as maternal and child health.

Besides, he stated that the country has been able to eradicate Guinea-warm diseases and successfully control the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

However, he insisted that the key lesson from these

successes is the need for the country to build a resilient health system that assures access to basic health care services in a sustainable manner.

He said: “Through deep introspection of these issues and consultation, we became convinced of the need for a new national health policy to reflect new realities

and trends including the unfinished agenda of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emerging health issues especially epidemics, the provision of the National Health Act 2014, and Nigeria’s renewed commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”

Some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) set for action against insurgency in Dikwa, headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN.

Nigeria must become a leading economy —FG Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

THE Federal Government has said that part of the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is to ensure that Nigeria becomes a leading economy through value addition to the education of Nigerian youths, especially in the area of science and

technology.

This was also in line with the present administration’s strategic plan, which is to add value on human resources through training.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, stated this while receiving the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sean Hoy, who paid a visit to him

in his office in Abuja.

Dr Onu explained that Nigeria is endowed with intelligent and hard working people who are always willing to embrace knowledge through proper training and education.

He reiterated government’s efforts in redirecting the economy from resourcebased to knowledge-based,

NBA disciplinary committee dismisses petition against Kashamu’s lawyer Sunday Ejike - Abuja

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Legal Practitioner and Disciplinary Committee has dismissed a petition alleging professional misconduct against a legal practitioner, Mr Ajibola Oluyede.

In a letter dated September 8, 2016, the NBA said the petition against Oluyede by a Senior Advocate of. Nigeria, Chief Godwin Obla, discloses no prima facie case of professional misconduct against the lawyer.

In the petition against Oluyede before the NBA, Obla denied the controversial leakage of the information of an alleged plot to

abduct and extradite Buruji Kashamu, to the United States of America in order to face trial over alleged drug-trafficking offence to Oluyede.

In an affidavit before the court, Ajibola Oluyede maintained that the plot was leaked to him by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Godwin Obla, who is believed to be close to the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, from whom he (Obla) allegedly got the information.

Obla, who denied having or leaking the information, had dragged Oluyede before the Legal Practitioner

Disciplinary Committee, accusing him of fabricating the story to make his client’s case look good.

He had said he could never have had and shared such a piece of information with Oluyede.

After the LPDC heard the parties involved in the matter, the committee in its decision communicated to Chief Obla and signed by Mr Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, said, “We write to inform you that the NBA Disciplinary Committee, Abuja panel B, has concluded the hearing of your petition. It is the decision of the panel that your petition does not disclose a prima facie case of professional misconduct.

Nigerian Tribune

getting Nigerians to become more productive on issues that would add value to the exploitation of the nation’s natural resources.

According to him, “this is an area where the Ministry of Science and Technology is re-directing its focus.”

The minister stressed that the Nigerian government would strengthen the existing cordial relationships with the Republic of Ireland, especially at this time when efforts were being intensified to diversify the nation‘s economy by utilising science and technology.

Dr Onu said the collaboration would help to build indigenous capacities through cooperation and mutual assistance, as a key component of the change agenda of the Federal Government.

Earlier, Irish Ambassador, Mr Hoy reiterated his country’s commitment in collaborating with the Nigerian government in its current drive at diversifying the economy.

The ambassador stated that his country would partner with Nigeria in training of youths in the areas of technology and education and create systems for them to share models with their counterparts from Ireland.

Biola Azeez - Ilorin

SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, in Ilorin, at the weekend, distributed empowerment materials worth N250 million to selected beneficiaries across the state.

A total of 80 tricycle machines, 1,777 grinding machines, and 664 sewing machines among other items were distributed to the beneficiaries.

According to the Senate President, the empowerment scheme was designed to alleviate poverty and equip the less privileged to be economically self-reliant.

Saraki, who was represented at the distribution of the items by the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, said the gesture was in fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promises.

He also advised the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously so that it could uplift them economically.

Also speaking, DirectorGeneral, Saraki (Mandate) Constituency Office, Honourable Abdulwahab Issa, said beneficiaries of the scheme were selected across the 16 local government areas of the state.

He listed the beneficiaries to include women associations, taxi drivers association, Hausa groups, Igbo groups, Suru and Fulani groups.

Oyo NURTW boss vows to complement Ajimobi’s peace agenda CHAIRMAN of Oyo State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyekunle Oyerinde (Fele), has assured people of the state that he would use his position to complement the peace and transformation agenda of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Alhaji Oyerinde gave the assurance during an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.

According to him, the peace and transformation agenda of the governor, since inception of his administration, worth complementing at all levels.

Alhaji Oyerinde who is also the South-West chairman of the union, which comprises Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun and Osun states, said his administration had embarked on crisis resolution measures in the union since he came on board as chairman.

Monday, 12 September, 2016 36 news Labour threatens to shut down unity schools over non-payment of salary Soji-Eze Fagbemi - abuja

T

HE Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has threatened to shut down Kings College, Lagos and Federal Government College, Idoani, Ondo State, over the failure to pay the outstanding salary of education officers since May. Already, the union said it has concluded mobilisation to shut down the schools unless the Federal Government takes urgent steps to pay the salary.

The secretary general of ASCSN, Alade Bashir Lawal, said in a statement that education officers in the schools would not resume classes on Thursday, September15, unless the salary owed them since May was paid by Wednesday, September14 Lawal regretted that since May, education officers at King’s College, Lagos and the Federal Government College, Idoani, Ondo State, have not been paid in violation of Public Service Rules (PSR).

“It seems that the decision not to pay salaries to education officers in these schools since May, is an experiment which will be extended to other schools in due course if there is no resistance from the workers and their Trade Unions as the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation, have continued to shift blames on the matter.

The ASCSN scribe stressed that the other 102 federal unity colleges have been mobilised to join the strike if the Federal Government still refused to pay education officers in the two schools their salaries.

The ASCSN regretted that the current Federal Government which promised to change the content and form of governance for the better, had started to owe workers their salaries after they had rendered service to the country.

“The salaries of civil servants were meagre and could

not take them to the bus stop let alone take them home when paid regularly. Now that the salaries could not be paid at all, it had been a tale of hardship for the education officers, some of whom could no longer afford to buy medication to treat themselves after going to the hospitals and

getting prescriptions.

“It is, indeed, sad that the Federal Government has decided to subject these workers and their families to untold hardship, whereas ,the welfare of the citizens is the main reason why governments exist in the first instance.”

The ASCSN, therefore, urged

From left, welfare officer, '86 Set of Command Secondary School, Bode Igbo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr Abiodun Babajide; treasurer, Mr Tunji Johnson; vice-president, Mrs Mubo Olamiju; president, Mr Benedict Igah; secretary, Mrs Monisola Gbennu; financial secretary, Mr Rotimi Fakayejo and the public relations officer (PRO), Akinsola Lawal, during the Class of '86 Set reunion, at Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan, on Saturday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

Economic challenges: We must unite to salvage Nigeria —Aisha Buhari Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja THE wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, declared at the weekend that the economy of the country is experiencing great challenges and pleaded that all hands must be on deck to salvage the nation.

Aisha Buhari, who was

speaking in Katsina, the Katsina State capital, where she kicked -off a training programme for women in income generating activities, said “we are at a time when the economy of the country is experiencing great challenges. On this note, all hands must be on deck for us to salvage our nation.”

Mrs Buhari said she was happy to flag-off the training programme, which is a joint collaboration between Future Assured, her pet project and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

The flag-off, according to her, will signal the commencement of of the training of 200 women in various

Ogun backs Chinese firm on Free Trade Zone development Bola Badmus - Lagos OGUN State government and the New South Group management of the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Igbesa, have reaffirmed their commitment to provide adequate security and develop the needed infrastructure in the zone.

The chairman, New South Group, Mr Chen Yuejin, said this at the weekend, following a meeting with officials of the state government led by Sec-

retary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa.

Yuejin, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the federal and Ogun State governments to ensure a systematic and sustained growth and development of business in the zone, adding the support had in no small way, contributed to the smooth operation of business enterprises in the zone.

Yuejin, whose firm, New South Group, owns the controlling shares in the zone,

said with the encouragement from government, a lot of more foreign investments were being attracted by them to the zone.

"We are already making efforts to attract more foreign investments to the zone, with two of them now in the process of registration, while about 10 new investors from China have begun moves to visit the zone," he said.

While expressing commitment to the infrastructural development of the zone,

Kogi investigates 5 over N230m pension fraud YinkaOladoyinbo-Lokoja KOGI State government is currently investigating five top officers of the state Pension Board for allegedly diverting N230million pension funds.

The Auditor-General for Local Government in the state, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, said this while speaking on the ‘Radio Kogi guest forum programme’ in Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday.

Ododo, who is a member of the staff verification exercise in the state, said the fraud was discovered in the course of the committee’s findings.

the Federal Government to take urgent steps and ensure that salaries of education officers in these schools since May is paid without further delay so as to douse tension that had been building up not only in the two schools but also in the other 102 federal unity colleges over the issue.

He said the five officers that are under investigation would refund the money if found guilty of the allegation at the end of the investigation.

He said they would also be made to face the wrath of the law so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Local Government Auditor-General commended the state government in its effort to wipe out ghost workers on government pay roll.

He said that the ongoing screening of civil servants and pensioners in the state was equally meant to block leakages in the system.

Ododo gave an assurance that all genuine workers and pensioners on government pay roll would be cleared for immediate payment of their salaries and pension owed them.

“The screening of workers and pensioners is going to be a continuous exercise. No authentic staff or pensioner would have any cause to fear Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration in the state as it has high regard for both workers and pensioners. The ongoing verification of its workforce is not aimed at victimising any body but an effort targeted at saving money for the state," he said.

Yuejin said, "we have designed our short -term planning for the provision of infrastructure neglected by former managers, Zhongful for four years, by building a new main gate, new office building for our staff and resident government agencies, comfortable residence for our staff, well equipped medical centre, leisure and entertainment a nd sports centres, among others."

Speaking further, Yuejin thanked the government of the Peoples Republic of China for providing them the necessary support to run their legitimate business interest in Nigeria.

The Ogun State SSG, while expressing belief in the ability of Guangdong New South Group to develop the zone to the envy of all, said contrary to allegations of arbitrariness, abuse of power and unfriendliness to foreign investors, leveled by former operators of the zone, the state government was indeed, investorfriendly and happy to work with genuine investors, whether from within Nigeria or any part of the world.

skills that will empower them to become self reliant in the state while additional 1000 women will be trained in other five geopolitical zones .

With the economic challenges, she said women constitute a critical vulnerable group in the society and to this extent, carefully articulated programmes to address the peculiar needs of women must be regularly implemented.

Mrs Buhari, who expressed confidence in Nigerian women, said that despite the challenges, women in Nigeria are consistently taking their place to ensure a better country.

She said that environment specific skills have been identified to which the participants will be exposed to in a hands-on training approach.

In line with her partnership arrangements with NDE, she said that another set of 200 women will commence training in Lagos, while the partnership is prepared to expand the scope of the collaboration by engaging 200 women each in selected states in the North East, North Central, South East and South South zones.

In his speech on the occasion, the NDE DirectorGeneral, Mr Kunle Obayan, said the flag-off marked yet another milestone in the efforts of NDE in contributing its own quota to the ongoing rebuilding process in the country.

Obayan, described mass unemployment as a serious challenge facing the country and Nigerians must find effective initiative at mitigating the situation.

Recession: Bakers appeal to FG

By Seyi Sokoya THE Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman and the outgoing national president of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Chief Bayo Folarin, has appealed to the Federal Government on the current challenges of the baking industry as a result of the recession in the country which according to him, has affected the industry negatively.

Folarin, who was accompanied by the South-West zonal chairman, Alhaji Habeeb Abolumole, secretary, Mr Kolawole Fifo, among other members, told newsmen, during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, at the weekend, that the forex crisis and the dwindling economy has caused setback for bread production in Nigeria.

He said that the raw materials for bread production such a flour, sugar, salt, yeast, edible oil, among other ingredients of baking which are mostly imported, are too costly.

He noted that, “early this year, the price of 50 kilogrammes flour which is sold for N7,000 is now N10,500; sugar of N6,500, is now N15,000 in the South West and N17,000 in the Eastern part of Nigeria; a carton of yeast sold for N11,000 in January is now N16,000.

Personally, I can no longer afford to buy carton of yeast; I now buy sachets.”

The association also appealed to the chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to allocate direct purchase as well as reduce the price of sugar and salt.

No going back on war against fake products, SON declares Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti THE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has reiterated that the ongoing war against fake and substandard products in the country would be sustained until every nook and cranny of the nation has been rid of the menace.

The Head of Ekiti State office of the agency, Mrs Sarah Idowu, said this in Ado Ekiti, at the weekend, at a prayer session organised by friends to mourn the passage of her father, Prophet Michael Salawu, aged 75.

Idowu decried rising cases of fake products across Nigeria, despite what she said was a “relentless war against same by the agency and others similar to it.”

According to her, it was unfortunate that some people could deliberately choose to be specialists in the manufacturing and distribution of killer goods to fellow humans in the name of “getrich quick syndrome.”

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Monday, 12 September, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

US marks 15th anniversary of Sept 11 terrorist attacks

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HE United States has marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, when al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four planes and flew them into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, while one crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

President Barack Obama observed a moment of silence at the White House Sunday at 8:46 a.m.,

Candles in memory of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 are lit along the Wall of Names at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., Sept. 10, 2016, as the nation marks the 15th anniversary attacks. PHOTO: AP

when the first of the four hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Centre, before speaking at a ceremony at the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters, honouring those killed in the attacks.

“We remember and we

Syrian men evacuate a victim from the rubble of a building following an airstrike on the rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib. PHOTO: CNN

90 killed in Syria, including 28 children, after ceasefire plan announced AT least 90 people were killed in airstrikes that rained down on northwestern Syria on Saturday and Sunday, a rights group said. The surge in violence came just hours after the US and Russia announced a new ceasefire plan.

The airstrikes landed in the rebel-held areas of Idlib in the northwest and Aleppo in the north of the

Clinton leaves 9/11 ceremony after feeling ‘overheated’ DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Sunday became “overheated” at a SeptemSite of the earthquake that left many dead and several others injuredin Tanzania.

Tanzania earthquake kills 13, injures more than 200 A magnitude 5.7 earthquake has killed at least 13 people and injured 203 in northern Tanzania, the authorities said.

The quake struck close to the border with Uganda and Rwanda near Lake Victoria.

Images posted on social media showed significant damage to buildings in Bukoba, a city of more than 70,000 people where most casualties were reported.

Tremors were felt as far away as western Kenya.

“This incident has caused a lot of damage,” Deodatus Kinawila, the district commissioner of Bukoba, told the BBC. “For now, the situation is calm and under control,” he said later.

“Some people have been discharged from hospital,” he added. “We don’t expect many more injuries.”

The United States Geological Survey says the quake struck at a depth of

will never forget the nearly 3,000 beautiful lives taken from us so cruelly,” Obama said. “We wonder how their lives might have unfolded, how their dreams might have taken shape.”

VOA reported that He (Obama) vowed that ter-

rorists “will never be able to defeat a nation as great and as strong as America,” praising the country’s diverse ethnic population comprised of people of all races and religions as “one of our greatest strengths.”

Obama, commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks for the last time as president before leaving office in January, said: “This is the America that was attacked that September morning. This is the America that we must remain true to.”

Victims killed in the attack on the World Trade Centre were remembered in New York, where the country’s leading 2016 presidential candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, paid their respects at Ground Zero but halted their political campaigns for the day.

10km (six miles) at 15:27 local time on Saturday (12:27 GMT).

ber 11 memorial ceremony in New York City and departed the event early, according to a campaign spokesman.

Spokesman Nick Merrill said Clinton went to daughter, Chelsea Clinton’s apartment in New York and is “feeling much better.”

Reuters reported that Clinton departed the event after about 90 minutes while the ceremony was underway, Merrill said.

He gave no further details about her condition.

After Clinton left the event, U.S. media reported she had fallen ill.

Republican presidential

US Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, leaves her daughter, Chelsea’s home in New York, United States after Clinton left ceremonies commemorating the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks feeling ‘overheated.’

PHOTO: REUTERS

candidate Donald Trump repeatedly has raised questions about Clinton’s health and whether she had the energy to serve as president.

In December 2012, Clinton, 68, suffered a concus-

sion and shortly afterward had a blood clot.

In a letter released by her doctor in July, Clinton was described as being in “excellent health” and “fit to serve” in the White House.

country, according to the monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The worst strikes were in Idlib, where at least 61 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in an attack that targeted a market, an activist who witnessed the bombing and its aftermath told CNN. The activist, who asked to be identified as Omar for security reasons, said he was in Idlib to cover the atmosphere a day ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Omar took a detour to the city since the roads near the markets were closed as a security precaution, and that probably saved his life, he said.

“We heard a whistling sound then the explosions,” Omar said. The jets arrived around 12:30 p.m. local time, he said. “Two or three rockets landed in middle of the market. We left the car where we were and headed towards the site of explosion.”

Omar said Syria Civil Defence teams couldn’t reach the site quickly because of the road closures.

otherNEWS

Kenya kills three women attackers of Mombasa police station

Security forces have cordoned off the area. PHOTO: BBC

THREE women have been killed after trying to stage an attack at the main police station in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, officials said.

The women, wearing hijabs, entered the station saying they wanted to report a stolen phone, police say.

One of the women pulled a knife and another threw a petrol bomb, starting a fire.

Two officers were injured.

It is not clear who is behind the attack, but Islamist group al-Shabab has staged numerous attacks in Kenya.

The Somali-based group has been targeting Kenya

since 2011, when Kenyan troops were deployed to rid Somalia of the militants.

A BBC journalist in Mombasa said the women were apparently wearing bulletproof vests under their dresses, and an unnamed police officer said “they were definitely on a mission”.

Thousands march against same-sex marriage in Mexico THOUSANDS of people marched in Mexico Saturday against the president’s proposal to legalise same-sex marriage.

The National Front for the Family, a coalition of various religious groups and other organisations, called on Mexicans to gather across the country to challenge President Enrique Pena Nieto’s legislation to

allow gay marriage, VOA reported.

In May, Pena Nieto proposed a change in the Mexican constitution to allow gay couples to marry nationally. He told news outlets that congress should debate and resolve the issue.

Demonstrators chanted “Wake up and defend the family” and “Children need a father and a

mother,” while also challenging government-mandated projects that fund sex-education programs.

An estimated 40,000 people assembled in the city of Queretaro alone, organisers said.

In Monterrey, others gathered to counter-protest by singing and reading poetry to show support to the Mexican gay community.

A gay couple look on as thousands of Catholics and conservatives gathered together against the legalisation of gay marriage and to defend their interpretation of traditional family values in Monterrey City, Mexico.

PHOTO: REUTERS

38

communitynews

Monday, 12 September, 2016

Ganduje gives loans to entrepreneurs, warns against acquisition of wives kola oyelere-kano

The newly rehabilitated bridge at Ifedapo/Oke-Odo, Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, by Akin Alabi Foundation.

THE Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has distributed N2 billion micro-revolving loan to over 20,000 young men and women to enable them boost their businesses, just as he warned male beneficiaries not to use the money to acquire wives Dr. Ganduje said his government embarked on the project in order to uplift the living standard of the people.

Each of the beneficiaries

‘Over 112 communities benefited from W/Bank projects in Kwara’ biola azeez-ilorin

O

VER 112 rural communities across Kwara State have so far benefited from 322 micro projects of a World Bank assisted programme of the Kwara State Community and Social Development

18-year-old Ubulu-Uku monarch gets staff of office alphonsus agborh-asaba

IN apparent reaction to the manner his father was abducted and killed in January this year, newly installed 18-year-old king of Ubulu-Uku community in Delta State, Obi Chukwuka Noah Aniyemeze Akaeze I, has applied for a strong security network in the community.

The young monarch, who received the staff of office from the Delta State government, commended the police for their investigation so far into the murder of his father, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofolue, as he urged them to speedily conclude investigation and bring all culprits to book .

While charging the people of Ubulu-Uku to remain calm, live in peace and work for the development of the land, Obi Akaeze commended the state government for its support and the confidence reposed on him to rule over his kingdom.

Also speaking, the PresidentGeneral of Ubulu-Uku Development Union, Sir Jones Ofunne, expressed concern about the inconclusive nature of the police investigation on the murder of their king, saying that criminality, cultism, strife and hooliganism had been foisted on the community by some unscrupulous and disgruntled elements.

Agency (KWCSDA).

The General Manager of KWCSDA, Mr Oluwole Alabi, made the disclosure at a training workshop for community project committee members from Olowosoke, Gerewu and Kanworo in Ilorin, recently.

According to him, more than half a billion naira had so far been disbursed among the communities in a joint financing arrangement.

Alabi, who said each of the benefiting communities contributed 10 per cent of the project cost, added that the programme was demanddriven because “would-be beneficiaries across the state made their demands through expression of interest.”

He said such micro projects were in sectors like education, health, socio-economy, electricity, water and rural road construction, adding that the projects had been executed.

The general manager also disclosed that the World Bank assisted projects were being implemented in 26 states of the federation, including Kwara State.

He said that the agency placed emphasis on ownership and sustainability of projects to ensure judicious use.

“Because communities identified and demanded for what they needde by themselves, they also contributed to the actualisation of the projects. This, therefore, strengthens ownership structure and sustainability is guaranteed because the communities also make sure that the projects do not fail at any point in time. The projects are not just to be put in place but to be used effectively over time. The emphasis is on ownership and sustainability,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale, commended representatives of community development associations from Olowosoke,

Gerewu and Kanworo on their efforts at improving the living standard of their people.

The commissioner said the scheme was established to empower communities

to identify, prepare, implement and manage priority projects under an accepted co-financing contributions of 90 per cent from government and 10 per cent from

benefiting communities, adding that it was aimed at complementing the efforts of the state government in alleviating and eradicating poverty.

Amosun installs Ajalaye of Ilogun by joseph ajayi

OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has installed a new Ajalaye of Ilugun South in Ijebu NorthEast Local Government Area of the state, Oba Emmanuel Ademola Oluseyi Olusanu.

The coronation which was witnessed by royal fathers from Ijebu traditional councils, sons and daughters of the ancient Ilugun town, was held at St. John’s Primary School, Idode.

Governor Amosun represented by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko, pointed out that the roles of traditional rulers in grassroots development could not be overemphasised as they, in conjunction with their

subjects, work with government to accomplish developmental projects.

Describing traditional rulers as agents of transformation, Amosun noted that monarchs should exercise authority in the best interest of their people and development of their various communities.

According to the governor, ‘’I enjoin Kabiyesi to take advantage of the throne for the betterment of the people. By so doing, he would be seen to have stamped his footprint on the sands of time.”

He further implored the people to continue to play their part towards the reengineering process of the present administration by prompt payment of taxes and other levies so they

would be partners in the mission to rebuild Ogun State.

In his remarks, the Local Government Transition Committee Chairman of Ijebu North-East, Mr Deola Tayo, thanked the governor for giving his approval for the appointment of the royal father towards ensuring there was no vacuum and to continually bridge the gap between government and the people.

He enjoined sons and daughters of Ilugun South to support the new traditional ruler in the task of moving the town to greater heights.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Olusanu assured the people that he would uphold the cultural heritage of the town and solicited the support of the people, to better the lot of the town.

were given cheques ranging between N20,000 and N200,000.

He said: “We are doing this in our quest to uplift the living standard of our teeming populace and to promote entrepreneurship.

“On a day like this, I am reminded of the responsibility that is entrusted on me and my lieutenants, especially as we have made promises and we ought to be held responsible for the fulfillment of those promises.

“The distribution of N2 billion micro-credit to 20,000 qualified beneficiaries across the 44 local government areas of the state is about laying a solid foundation for building micro enterprises into small, medium and large enterprises in our efforts at ensuring sustainable economic development of our dear state.

“It is my pleasure to stand before you, ladies and gentlemen to flag off this project of taking our men and women into the world of real economic activities and entrepreneurship.

“This, we hope, will help our businessmen and women to develop and sustain the culture of creativity, initiative and economic independence.”

The governor also inaugurated a three-man Micro-finance Loan Defaulters’ Court to be manned by three Chief Magistrates for the three senatorial districts.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Magistrates, Hajiya Miriam Ahmed Sabo, said defaulters would be made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly placed and assured the governor that they would discharge their duties effectively by recovering the loans.

Obi Efeizomor emerges chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional rulers alphonsus agborh-asaba

HIS Royal Majesty Emmanuel Oyinke Efeizomo II, the Obi of Owa Kingdom, has been appointed the substantive Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers by the state government.

Before his appointment, Obi Efeizomor was the acting chairman of the council after the demise of the former chairman and Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II. In a colourful ceremony which took place on Monday in the Unity Hall of the Government House, Asaba

and presided over by the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Obi Efeizomor, in his acceptance speech, promised to employ and deploy his wealth of experience in ensuring that the state government SMART agenda achieved the desired success.

He also promised to galvanise his brother royal fathers in ensuring that lasting peace was entrenched in their various communities as that was the only way government could function effectively and the governed could enjoy the dividends of

democracy.

Obi Efeizomor used the occasion to appeal to Deltans and Nigerians in general not to despair following the current economic recession as there was light at the end of the tunnel.

He urged the people not to only support the Governor Okowa-led government but to ensure that the unity and brotherhood which existed from time immemorial continues, adding that all hands should be on deck to ensure that democracy succeeds in the country.

The 78-year-old monarch,

who had been on the Owa for about 56 years, thanked the governor for finding them fit and proper to serve in the council. He assured that traditional rulers in the state will continue to ensure peace in their domains.

While inaugurating the council, Governor Okowa charged the traditional rulers to ensure they continue to maintain peaceful coexistence among the people.

He urged them to use their positions to wipe out crime and avoid actions that will amount to providing cover for criminals.

39

Monday, 12 September, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Nigeria needs to embrace sustainable football culture —Adelakun Tunde Adelakun, a football consultant to FIFA and CAF, sports journalist and Special Adviser to the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) on International Relations in this interview with NIYI ALEBIOSU and NURUDEEN ALIMI, sheds light on how he finds himself in the football business, his roles at the NFF as well as his views on the way forward for Nigerian football. EXCERPTS:

H

OW did you find yourself in the football fraternity?

I played the game, and had to quit it for school because during my days as a young boy people who want to go to school were never encouraged to play football. So, one way I thought I could get myself involved in the game was to start writing about it and became a sports journalist, thereafter, I moved to the United Kingdom where I worked with the BBC and later Skysports covering African football. Since then, there has been no looking back. I am actually a trained Estate Surveyor and Valuer but I think I have forgotten how to measure houses now because football has taken over me completely.

How important is your role at the NFF? My role is suppose to be very important because anything outside the chores of Nigeria I am suppose to be in charge of it especially when it comes to the relationship between the NFF and other international organisations like FIFA, CAF and fellow football federations.

I do all I can and I have always enjoyed it from the days Sanni Lulu, Aminu Maigari and now Amaju Pinnick. They give me the free hands to do all I can to foster relationship between the NFF and other international organisations.

As one of the major stakeholders in Nigeria football, What do you think can be done to the Super Eagles to have a coach that will stay much longer with the team, establish a strong relationship with the players in order to achieve optimal results?

The modern game of football is changing drastically. Long term coaches are not very much available theses days, but what we need to do and one of the things I subscribed to is Amaju Pinnick’s policy of achieving a sustainable football culture for the country. A culture where people will be able to embrace football, think football and dream football in every way possible. The issue of the coach is a very difficult one, because initially we were looking at rebuilding the country’s football image. We have done well in the age group tournaments we need to get effective transition into female cadre and that is a long-term aspiration, how we can get a transition policy that will get us from our age group success to the Super Eagles level, that is a long term policy but we also have a short term policy because the administration is suffering from lack of success at the moment because I won’t call it failure but a lack of success. Lack of success in the fact that for the first time in a long time Nigeria has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in two consecutive times and if we do not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, then that means this administration basically has failed. The task in the short time is to get us to a point that we will

qualify for the World Cup. What are the challenges you are facing while discharging your duties at the NFF? Obviously at the start of this present administration the NFF started out with a major brand of football in Africa and in the World.

Everybody wants to associate with them, Presently there are few sponsored projects going on. Then the issue of political instability when one faction takes the other to court and try to distrupt things. It put potential sponsors off, It put them off and draw us back two to three years. So, sponsors who have signified their intention to do business with us are pulling back and asking us to put our house in order before they do business with us. And that is one of the major challenges we are facing at the moment, we are no longer a respected brand because we do not even know who is going to be at the Glass House tomorrow it keeps changing and until that stabilises we won’t make headway.

That is one of the problems militating against the discharge of my duties.

The Africa/EPL monthly award, What is it all about?

Basically, I am an advocate for heroes I think that those of us who are doing this business, there are agents, there are consultants among us. We would bot be where we are if people have not sacrifice themselves to do well for our country and our continent at large. I say it all the time that the authorities even the ones I work with do not recognise our heroes. when they die, we will bring out all the big grammars to eulogise them but what happens when they are still alive? We need to recognise them and that is why we designed that

What we need to do and one of the things I subscribed to is Amaju Pinnick’s policy of achieving a sustainable football culture for the country. A culture where people will be able to embrace football, think football and dream football in every way possible.

Adelakun

award to show that people are watching, there are kids who want to be like them and let us give them award to encourage them to keep conducting themselves very well and so we started with English Premier League looking at African players every week and give the outstanding ones a monthly award based on their performance, based on what they do on and off the pitch and that has been going on for two years now.

You intend to distribute High Blood Pressure monitoring device to ex-internationals in the country. Can you please shed more light?

When I set up Heroes Never Forgotten, My desire is as the name implies never to forget our heroes. When some of them were playing, we never cared about them, and a lot of them go into coaching for example. Now shortly after the death of late Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu’s death, Bitrus Bewarang the President of Nigerian Coaches Association said 75% of Nigerian coaches are hypertensive which is understandable, hypertension comes with the job even back in England. So, one of the things I felt we should do to start with is to look for our own heroes especially those who are still active in football who will because Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu had High Blood Pressure before they died and nobody cares about them.

Therefore, we want to make sure we look after those who are still alive by distributing the monitoring device to every coach and every ex-players that has served Nigeria, let us give them that means to monitor their blood pressure from the comfort of their homes and everywhere they go so

they do not need to go to the hospital to do that and that will be the first stage. I want to make sure that this charitable foundation does it well, I have started by procuring 20 of such monitoring device which I am going to deliver free later in the year to the first 20 in the group of coaches. I am starting with the 1980 set of players that won the Africa Cup of Nations for us, they should come out wherever they are, we will give them the device so that they can go and be monitoring their blood pressure and then we can now organise seminars to educate them about the lifestyle to adopt which will enhance healthy livings and how to maximise the potentials in the monitoring device.

On a final note sir, what is your advice for the country to bring back the good old days of the 80s and 90s?

It is a big task, In 1980, we hosted it and we had a set of passionate players, in 1994, we were very raw. But the unfortunate thing now is that those who are clamouring for the return of Clemens Westerhof may not know that he can not find the terrain as condicive as that of 1994. That time the players were looking at him as a father figure and that is no longer there. So I think the structure needs to be changed. We need to build Nigerian football as marketable brand that people will want to subscribe to. If it is a brand that we are accountable to sponsors, stakeholders and the media then we now take it to the players and players will feel our passion and they will definitely have the zeal to go to the pitch to win for us. It is a very long process and that process must start from the Glass House and if we know what we are doing, then the job is done.

SIDELINES

NO 16,587

MONDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER, 2016

N150

An Islamic cleric, one Dr Abdulhameed Shuaib, has told Muslim faithful that Sallah ram is not obligatory. Well, even if many Nigerians did not know this before, the economic recession in the country must have told them already. Trust Nigerians, if things go well next year, they will attack the rams with ferocity!

Ejike, Kehinde set world, paralympics record

T

EAM Nigeria’s captain at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Lucy Ejike has demonstrated that she is a leader indeed, shattering the Paralympics and World record three successive times to dominate the women’s -61kg event in Powerlifting.

Ejike began her campaign at the Riocentro Pavillion 2 on Sunday with a successful attempt at 136.0kg, which was a new Paralympic record (PR) and World Record (WR). However that was only a glimpse of what was to come. She went on to set a superior mark of 138.0kg at her next attempt, before culminating with a massive lift of 142.0kg.

Inspired by her impressive form, the 38-year old requested for the weights to be set at 145kg outside of competition. However she was unable to make a clean lift, and her mark of 142.0kg survived the onslaught.

Eventual Silver medallist Egypt’s Fatma Omar had tried to toe the line of the Nigerian, but had to settle for 2nd place with her lift of 140kg. China’s Yan Yang won the Bronze medal with a distant 128kg.

Ejike’s medal is Nigeria’s fifth at the ongoing Games, and third gold medal behind Roland Ezuruike and Paul Kehinde who also dominated their respective categories in the Powerlifting event. Latifat Tijani and Esther Onyema won silver medals respectively.

The Rio 2016 Games is Ejike’s fifth outing at the Paralympics, and she has a medal to her name in each competition. She made her debut in Sydney 2000 where she won silver behind Omar in the -44kg category. She then upgraded to gold at Athens 2004, winning with a WR of 127.5kg.

She struck gold again at Beijing 2008 where she competed in the -48kg class, breaking the WR twice to win with a mark of 130kg. She also won a Silver medal in London four years ago where she competed in the -56kg category.

Meanwhile, the sixth world record in powerlifting at Rio 2016 was broken with Nigeria’s Paul Kehinde cruising to the gold medal with a lift of 218kg, which he improved to 220kg with his fourth attempt.

Kehinde in the men’s -65kg category outclassed the rest of the field with China’s Peng Hu the next closest with a lift of 200kg to claim the silver, with Egypt’s Shaaban Ibrahim completing the podium with his effort of 193kg.

The Nigerian rising star had been waiting for this moment for a long time and was very happy to see it all come together perfectly at Rio 2016.

However, Nigeria’s Esther Oyema, who finished with silver, broke the world record with her second attempt at 127kg and narrowly missed out on the gold medal.

Her attempt at 130kg was not deemed satisfactory by two of the three referees, while the bronze medal was claimed by China’s Cuijuan Xiao with a lift of 115kg.

Leroy Fer (second right) celebrates his goal against Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday. The match ended 2-2. PHOTO: DAILYMAIL

Enyeama concedes four goals in club’s home loss to AS Monaco

Enyeama

VINCENT Enyeama let in four goals in a match for the third time in the French topflight on Saturday as Lille were stunned 4-1 at home to AS Monaco.

Enyeama, who has been tipped for a possible return to international football suffered from a lethargic performance from his defenders and was unable to prevent Djibril Sidibe, Adama Traore, Fabinho and Kamil Glik from scoring at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

This means that he has now conceded seven goals in Lille’s four opening matches of the season.

He once conceded six goals in one match against Paris Saint-Germain on April 25, 2015.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, recently, tried in vain to lure back Enyeama and fellow retiree Emmanuel Emenike from international retirement and it will now be interesting to see if he would still consider bringing back the veteran goalkeeper.

Enyeama pulled the curtain on his international career after he fell out with the former Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh.

Man Utd makes U-turn on Ronaldo, Bale MANCHESTER United are ending their pursuit of three La Liga superstars.

The Sunday Mirror says United have drawn a line under ever tempting Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford and signing fellow global superstars Gareth Bale and Neymar.

United have been monitoring Ronaldo and Bale at Real Madrid, and even asked the Spanish giants to keep them informed of any developments regarding their former No 7 and Wales

winger Bale.

But club insiders now expect both men to sign new long-term contracts in the coming months to stay at the Bernabeu.

Madrid’s failure to have their transfer ban overturned during the week prompted United to call off the chase for the duo.

The Reds have also been stunned by claims they were prepared to offer Neymar a £650,000-a-week package to leave Barcelona.

Bale (left) and Ronaldo

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. 12/9/2016.